tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71799043874456647532024-03-05T09:43:55.224-08:00My Couch to Marathon JourneyPete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-2953170036444896062014-06-16T13:41:00.001-07:002014-06-16T13:44:20.792-07:00How About YOUR Journey?For a little over a year, I consistently posted updates on my Couch-to-Marathon Journey, and in the context of the blog's name, all of those posts made perfect sense; however, since completing that first 26.2-mile run this past January, coming back to the blog has been less consistent and has lacked the "pull" that was oh so necessary as I prepared for January 12, 2014. I have been thinking about this a lot over the last few weeks, and I have come to realize that sharing my journey from the couch to that first marathon has run its course (no pun intended...well, maybe a little bit). Yes, I am still running (and loving it); and yes, this morning, I just started Week Two of my training cycle for the Chicago Marathon.<br />
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But the need to tell all of you about it seems more grounded in narcissism rather than in a need for accountability. Leading up to the Disney Marathon, I shared with you my weight loss progress not to show you how terrific I was but rather to keep myself on track...you and this blog were the Weight Watchers' meetings where I would reveal my weight every week. And even though I actually gained back a few pounds (okay...six pounds) after the marathon, that excess weight is starting to shed again (two have already disappeared) as my more rigorous training schedule is kicking in. Last year's experience tells me that I'll reach my "marathon weight" of 175 again in the next month or two...and since I'm running with more efficiency and speeding up a little bit, I'm really not that worried about my weight any longer. I'm still aware of it, but it certainly takes a back seat to my becoming a more efficient marathoner.<br />
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I also don't feel it's necessary any longer to map out for you my weekly training schedule because, again, my reason for doing so in the past was to establish the accountability, to ensure that I would keep going. Now, after the awesome feeling of crossing that Finish Line back in January, I have absolutely no desire to stop; and I have raised the bar and have challenged myself to cross that Finish Line in a lot less time than I did earlier this year.<br />
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So now that I've "been there done that" when it comes to sharing the progress of losing weight, training for, overcoming inevitable nagging injuries leading up to, and completing my first marathon, where do I go from here? And what does this blog become?<br />
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I think, more than anything, I'd like to start hearing from my readers. I've told you to "enjoy your journey" time and time again...but now I'd like to start hearing about that journey. I'd like to know where you are running, why you are running, and where you'd like it to take you. So if you have time, tell me these things in the comments...<br />
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<li>From couch to ultra marathon, where would you say you are right at this moment? Getting off the couch? Changing your diet? Running / Walking for the first time (or again)? Training for a race?</li>
<li>Where are you heading? Is it a weight loss goal? Do you want to run a 5K? A Full Marathon? Or do you just want to run a few miles a few times a week? What Finish Line - real of proverbial - is the next for you to cross? In short, what's your goal?</li>
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So don't leave me hanging...let me know where you are and where you're heading...and who knows? I just might have to feature you in a future blog post. But at the very least, my other readers and I will cheer you on.</div>
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So enjoy your journey...and make it that much more fun by bringing us along!</div>
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<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-36035521078498325312014-05-19T12:30:00.001-07:002014-05-19T12:37:17.964-07:00Race Recap - 2014 Flying Pig Half Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has now been a couple of weeks since I ran the Flying Pig Half Marathon in Cincinnati, and although my intention was to provide a race recap earlier, my non-running life has remained pretty busy, so it has once again taken some time to get back to the blog.<br />
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Now, it's not for lack of wanting to write about (and remember) this race. Besides completing my full marathon back in January, this was my most satisfying endurance race to date....and not just because I set another half marathon personal record. Yep, I PR'd the Flying Pig, which was a pretty big accomplishment considering it was actually the toughest half marathon course I've run to date.<br />
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Like runDisney events, the Flying Pig isn't just one big event but rather a series of weekend events culminating with half and full marathons on Sunday morning (check out all the events <b><u><a href="http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></b>). Kicking off with a mile race on Friday evening, Saturday then offers a 5K, 10K, Kids Races, and even the Flying Fur...yes, a dog race for pet puppies (many dressed up like pigs) and not greyhounds. On Sunday morning, both the half and full marathons started at 6:30am at Paul Brown Stadium (home of the Bengals), run the first nine miles together, and then break apart until they both finish at the Reds' Great American Ball Park).<br />
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Not being that familiar with the city, coupled with the fact that I was staying about fifteen miles north of town, I woke up pretty early on race morning, readied myself for the race, and left around 4:00am. I arrived downtown Cincinnati at around 4:30, easily found a parking spot in a garage not far from the stadium ($5 flat fee for the race), and stayed warm in the car for a bit before heading over toward the starting corrals (Pig Pens) at 5:15am. If you're unfamiliar with the city or the race, the directions in the event guide were spot on, and I had no issue at all getting to the start. The volunteers were plentiful, and the atmosphere was definitely positive and fun.<br />
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To go back to my earlier point, though, what made this race satisfying was that I studied the course, had a race plan from both running and nutrition standpoints, and was able to execute without arguments from my body. With a half marathon PR of 2:18:20 set back in February, I trained to run a 2:15 race at the Flying Pig. Knowing that miles seven and eight were going to be tough ones (with a 300 foot ascent - not something we Floridians are used to), I knew I would have to get in front of my target average pace of 10:20. As such, my goal was to run the first six miles in an hour (10:00 pace) work my way up the hills at (hopefully) a 10:30 to 11:00 pace, pass the 2:15 pace group after the hills, and then stay steady to the Finish Swine...yes, at the Flying Pig, it's a Finish Swine!<br />
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And that's exactly how the race went. Here's the breakdown of what I saw as three sections of the half marathon race...<br />
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Miles 1 - 6 - Goal of 10 Minutes per Mile<br />
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<li>Fastest Mile - 9:48 (Mile 4)</li>
<li>Slowest Mile - 10:09 (Mile 5)</li>
<li>Total Time - 59:50 (Right on Target)</li>
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Miles 7 & 8 - Goal to keep it under 11:00 on the ascent</div>
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<li>Mile 7 - 10:43 (the steeper mile)</li>
<li>Mile 8 - 10:31 (still up...but not as tough as 7)</li>
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Miles 9 - 13.1 - Pass the 2:15 Group and Take it Home!</div>
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<li>Fastest Mile - 9:41 (Mile 13)</li>
<li>Slowest Mile - 10:11 (Mile 10)</li>
<li>Passed the Pace Team between miles 9 and 10...and never saw them again!</li>
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Final Official Time - 2:13:05 (A five minute PR!)</div>
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Coupled with following the plan, the overall experience of the Flying Pig was a pretty awesome one. Now, I only partook in the race on Sunday because I wasn't staying downtown Cincinnati, but with pet races (yes, you read that correctly), kids races, a mile speed race, a 5K, and a 10K as lead ins to Sunday's half and full marathons, the atmosphere was certainly electric. The spectators were fantastic, and although I heard that this is not always the case, the weather was absolutely perfect...mid-to-high 50s at the start, low 60s when I was done. That said, I did talk to a few marathoners at the airport later in the day, and they told me that things warmed up pretty quickly when they were at their halfway point...but none of them complained about the race. Every runner seemed to have a great time. I was not the exception...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All Smiles Following a Fun Race!</td></tr>
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If you're thinking about getting out of town for a race, I would recommend the Flying Pig without hesitation. I don't know whether I'll make it back next year, but I do have a good feeling that I'll get back there in the future...and I hope to run the marathon next time!</div>
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So now that the Flying Pig is behind me, I don't have a big race on the docket until I take on the Chicago Marathon in October. And to be honest, I'm even more excited for this one than I was for my first at Disney. My official marathon training schedule gets underway on June 9th, and like I did with my first, I'll keep you posted on the progress. </div>
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Until then, enjoy your journey...</div>
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Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-32521905259360902042014-05-03T10:08:00.002-07:002014-05-03T10:08:34.256-07:00My First Out-of-State Race...Flying Solo at the Flying PigTomorrow morning, I'll be running The Flying Pig Half Marathon here in Cincinnati, OH; and this race will be my third half marathon in six months (who'd a thunk it?). The event also will be the first one I'm running outside of Florida, as well as the first travel race without Michelle and Mary. As such, the overall experience has been a little bit different this time around...not bad. Just different.<br />
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This year, one of my goals is to run two full marathons (one down, one to go) and four half marathons (one down, three to go...hopefully two and two after tomorrow). As such, after running a local half in February, I was looking for a half in the Spring that would coincide with some business travel. Well, since I have clients in Dayton and Cincinnati, and since a number of friends have given rave reviews on The Flying Pig, I decided to come up for some client meetings and stick around for the race weekend.<br />
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And that's exactly what I've done. I came to town on Wednesday, met with a client in Dayton Thursday, met with two clients in Cincinnati Friday, and then made my way to the race expo late yesterday afternoon. While I've attended race expos by myself for local races in Northeast Florida, it was a little different attending an expo by myself in a town with which I am unfamiliar. Again, it wasn't bad. I enjoyed strolling through the expo, stopping at a few different booths, picking up my SWAG (which was plentiful), chatting with a couple of exhibitors and runners, and then making my way to the exit. Oh, and I did get to meet this guy, which certainly made me smile...<br />
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So today is the "rest before the race" day, and I still haven't decided what I'm going to do...it's easier to figure out at a Disney race, where I would go to a park for a couple of hours, have a decent meal, and head back to the hotel to rest the legs. Oh, I know I could head back to the expo and check out the booths again, but going back downtown, parking, and then walking around doesn't seem too appealing. I could also go ride a few rollercoasters at King's Island, but since I don't have the annual passes that I have at Disney, I'd feel more obligated to stay there (and on my feet) longer, which wouldn't be good before the race. I'm staying about fifteen miles north of Cincinnati because it was more convenient for my business purposes; however, it makes heading back to today's race events more of a chore and less attractive.<br />
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At the end of my deliberation, I think I'm just going to find a movie theater, take in a show that I know Michelle and Mary wouldn't want to see, have a decent meal, and then head back for some rest. Early wake up tomorrow (race starts at 6:30am), so rest is key.<br />
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So blogging gives me answers...I just decided that I'm going to go take in a movie before coming back to pin this thing on my race shirt and get everything else ready for tomorrow morning.<br />
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So tomorrow at this time, my third half marathon will be in the books. And even though I am admittedly a bit nervous about the two-to-three mile steady incline from miles six to nine, I have trained for a PR and am hopeful to achieve it...I'll let you know next time whether I did so.<br />
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Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
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<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-44341372130613308832014-04-19T12:44:00.003-07:002014-04-19T12:44:55.840-07:00Yes, I'm Still Running! I Just Haven't Been Blogging...Okay, so it's been a couple of months since my<b> <a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2014/02/2014-wdw-marathon-recap-beginning-of.html" target="_blank">marathon recap</a></b>, the blog post that ended with me saying that the journey was just getting underway...and now it's been a couple of months since you heard from me.<br />
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Well, to clear up the question that I've gotten from a few people, I have not stopped running. I've merely stopped blogging about it. That little thing that we have to do called work has taken more time over these first few months of the year, and blogging in my spare time just hasn't been on the top of my list.<br />
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But I haven't stopped running races, nor have I missed a single training run. This is a lifestyle for me now, and I can't imagine not going out to hit that pavement four or five times a week...it's too important to my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being.<br />
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So what have I missed telling you? Oh yeah, I've had the following two PRs in the last two months...<br />
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<b><u>The Donna Half Marathon (February 23, 2014)</u></b><br />
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<li>2:18:20 (Fifteen Minutes Better than the <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/12/race-recap-finally-rundisneys-2013-wine.html" target="_blank">2013 Wine & Dine</a></u></b>)</li>
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<b><u>The Gate River Run 15K (March 15, 2014)</u></b></div>
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<li>1:32:05 (Eighteen Minutes Better than the <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-gate-river-run-2013-in-books.html" target="_blank">2013 Gate River Run</a></u></b>)</li>
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I had actually trained for 2:25 and 1:40, respectively, but I was feeling good in both races, so I was able to take things a little quicker.</div>
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Right now, I'm in the final phases of training for the <b><u><a href="http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/" target="_blank">Flying Pig Half Marathon</a></u></b> in Cincinnati on May 4. I'm excited because this will be my first race outside of Florida. I'm very fortunate in that one of my better clients has offices in Cincinnati and Dayton, OH, so I am going up a few days before the race to meet with individuals in those offices before enjoying the festivities of the race weekend. I've been hoping to PR at the Flying Pig, but my last couple of training runs have shown me that I might not be up to the task this time around...I guess I'll know for certain in a couple of weeks.</div>
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Finally, I received some awesome news this week when I found out I was selected through the lottery to run the <b><u><a href="http://www.chicagomarathon.com/" target="_blank">Chicago Marathon</a></u></b> on October 12!!! I've already worked out my 18-week training plan (through the heat and humidity of the Florida Summer), and I'm excited to get underway with that training beginning on June 9th! This will be the first of what I hope will be many big city marathons...as well as my first Marathon Major of the six in that group (Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York, and Tokyo).</div>
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Anyway, it feels good to have a little time this weekend to get everyone back up to speed with my ongoing running journey; and I hope that all of you have continued to pound the pavement as well. I do have some other posts that have been bouncing around my head (goals for the year, dreams for the future, et al.), but let's get into some of those next time.</div>
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Until then, enjoy your journey...</div>
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Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-86516019733702276862014-02-15T13:47:00.003-08:002014-02-15T13:47:55.473-08:002014 WDW Marathon Recap - The Beginning of a Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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With three other recaps of the WDW Marathon Weekend (check them out here - <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2014/01/recap-of-2014-wdw-marathon-weekend-day.html" target="_blank">Day 1</a></u></b>, <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2014/02/recap-of-2014-wdw-marathon-weekend-day.html" target="_blank">Day 2</a></u></b>, <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2014/02/recap-of-2014-wdw-marathon-weekend-days.html" target="_blank">Days 2.5 to 4</a></u></b>), it's finally time for me to recap what is undoubtedly one of my life's defining moments...that day I ran 26.2 miles. On purpose. Without stopping.<br />
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Warning - This is a pretty long post, but I really didn't want to break it up. At the end of it all, a marathon is a long event, so I guess it would follow that the marathon recap would be long, too...right?<br />
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<b><u>Race Prep</u></b></div>
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As mentioned in my last post, I woke up a handful of times before the multiple alarms and wake up calls sounded; but when the clock said 2:30, I was up and ready to roll. After the following...<br />
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<li>Get Dressed - Check</li>
<li>Compression Sleeves - Check</li>
<li>Shoes - Check</li>
<li>Huma Energy Gels - Check</li>
<li>Powerbar Energy Blasts - Check</li>
<li>Visor - Check</li>
<li>Sunglasses - Check</li>
<li>Phone and Ear Buds - Check</li>
<li>Garmin (Charged) - Check</li>
<li>Skin Strong Slather and Band Aids applied to protect multiple areas - Check</li>
<li>Trigger Point Therapy for lower legs and quads - Check</li>
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...I was out the door, where I met Mike and Roger, and the three of us were off to the bus stop by 3:15. Fortunately, it didn't take too long for the bus to arrive, and we were on our way to the Start. Although Mike and I chatted on the way, I have no idea at all what we talked about...keeping a thought in my head wasn't easy.</div>
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When we got to the staging area, we all noted that there was a bit of a different feel to the environment as we'd experienced at the half marathon staging the prior day. The runners seemed a bit more focused and serious, and although we arrived at roughly the same time, there were definitely more people here than there had been on Saturday. Now, I'm not an elitist runner by any stretch, but now that I've run a half and a full marathon, I will say that there is no doubt that I was more subdued (nervous, focused...scared) about the anticipation of the 26.2 miles that lay ahead.</div>
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After a couple of porta potty breaks, a picture with my PaceBook friends, and the following picture with Mike and Roger...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDSPflQVndKVvIcSS45iKoVFSRSEJxMX6pOvSPU0LIdID52T6KWiPvLW3NrvXrtm_eE6CxlOPJpp-s4PpLbjsx4D7O6kfoLU8wDFuXIXLq6zpOWZoyDcP7AxDYo5KUV7Bq6IAYFk8bb_B/s1600/New+Picture+(3).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDSPflQVndKVvIcSS45iKoVFSRSEJxMX6pOvSPU0LIdID52T6KWiPvLW3NrvXrtm_eE6CxlOPJpp-s4PpLbjsx4D7O6kfoLU8wDFuXIXLq6zpOWZoyDcP7AxDYo5KUV7Bq6IAYFk8bb_B/s1600/New+Picture+(3).png" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Experienced Marathoners...and a Goofball taking on 26.2 Miles for the First Time!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
...it was time to split up and head to our corrals.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After what I believe was about a mile walk, I made it to Corral J, the 10th corral in the line up. I don't know exactly, but I think it was about 5:00am when I made my way into the corral, which means that we had a half hour before the wheelchair athletes and first corrals would be on their way. I wasn't necessarily feeling antisocial, but I certainly was alone with my thoughts (in the midst of 25,000 runners); as such, I just took in the whole scene, listened to the music, laughed at the corny jokes of the Disney DJs, watched some of the "Faces in the Crowd" interviews as they were unfolding on the huge screens...and the next thing I knew, the Star Spangled Banner was sung, the fireworks were sending the first corrals on their way, and we were slowly making our way to the Starting Line.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At just a little past 6:00, I made a guess that we in Corral J were going to be sent off at 6:10, so since I had a goal to finish in five hours, I sent Michelle a quick text letting her know that if all goes well, I should be finishing at around 11:10...don't scroll down, but when you get to the bottom, remember this prediction...I was amazed at how close I came to being correct!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
At about 6:05a, Mickey Mouse was counting down "3-2-1" (yes, Mickey Mouse was about twenty feet away from me, and he was sending us off), and the fireworks took to the sky...Corral J was on its way, and my first marathon had begun! I started my Garmin as I crossed the Starting Line, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel an overwhelming sense of relief that the time had finally arrived!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Now, I know that first-time marathoners aren't supposed to have any goals but to finish...but I sort of ignored that rule. I did have a time goal of 5 hours, which comes out to just under 11:30 per mile, and I also had a goal to run the entire course and walk only through the drink / food stations. </div>
<div>
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<div>
From a race strategy standpoint, I decided to break up the day into six four-mile runs, which would get me to that point where I knew the crowds would get me to the Finish Line. As such, I'm going to break up the recap into these six-plus segments...</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Miles 1-4 - Finding the Pace, Planning the Race</u></b></div>
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<div>
As expected, the first four miles of the race, which take place along a stretch of highway from EPCOT to the Magic Kingdom, were a little crowded - but actually better than I had anticipated - so it was my plan (1) to find that comfortable pace during this stretch and (2) to mentally plan out my hydration and food plans. For my long training runs, I had been "eating" gels or energy blasts every couple of miles, so I used this time to plan on when I would be "eating" my gels and energy blasts (knowing that Disney would have drink stations every 1.5 miles or so).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
My Garmin stats for this first stretch were as follows:</div>
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<div>
Mile 1 - 11:57 Pace (definitely crowded for the first mile)</div>
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Mile 2 - 11:16 Pace (crowd opened up a bit, and I found a decent pace)</div>
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Mile 3 - 11:42 Pace (not really sure why we slowed down here...entrance plaza to Magic Kingdom?)</div>
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Mile 4 - 11:19 Pace (right where I wanted to be)</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Miles 5-8 - Magic Kingdom, Grand Floridian, Polynesian</u></b></div>
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</div>
<div>
We ran by our first crowds of spectators (around mile 4) at the Transportation and Ticket Center, and as we headed to the Magic Kingdom, I was getting excited about the prospect of running down Main Street USA...well, it didn't disappoint. Roughly 5.5 miles into the marathon, I rounded the corner onto Main Street USA, listened to the cheering spectators, and had my eyes (which might have teared up a little bit) on Cinderella's Castle...besides the Finish, to me this was the highlight of the day.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
After running through Tomorrowland and Fantasyland, we had the chance to see Main Street USA from a different perspective as we ran through the castle...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKl6SkBunPrMgadh12v_qN4vEc-xRDqtBzMk58Y4gg8SnuB0ig9O38NEmaUBQzctJ-ykqwKuWuasejU7z91ONPotSYE69XYz9z7dGEyUcxOVytGmZ34Sl44wuTcclD7yvdAPn3guePKQt/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSKl6SkBunPrMgadh12v_qN4vEc-xRDqtBzMk58Y4gg8SnuB0ig9O38NEmaUBQzctJ-ykqwKuWuasejU7z91ONPotSYE69XYz9z7dGEyUcxOVytGmZ34Sl44wuTcclD7yvdAPn3guePKQt/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+13.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Strange look on my face, but I was definitely enjoying myself!</td></tr>
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<div>
After the castle, we took a right, ran through Frontierland, exited the park through a side entrance, and were now running by the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Hotels...and, once again, the number of spectators at these venues certainly didn't disappoint.</div>
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<div>
Garmin Stats...</div>
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<div>
Mile 5 - 11:23 Pace</div>
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Mile 6 - 11:30 Pace (little bit of a Magic Kingdom slowdown)</div>
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Mile 7 - 11:17 Pace</div>
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Mile 8 - 11:06 Pace (spectators must have pumped me up a little bit)</div>
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<div>
<b><u>Miles 9-12 - Richard Petty Speedway, Compost Waste Facility, Backstage at Animal Kingdom</u></b></div>
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<div>
During the 9th mile, we made our way through a tight-and-steep tunnel (downhill and uphill) that brought us onto the Richard Petty Speedway, which was an interesting part of the race. I didn't love the tunnel aspect, but around the track were owners with their classic cars, sports cars, race cars...oh, and the characters from the movie "Cars"...so the lap around the track was certainly entertaining.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
After leaving the speedway, we had a few miles of running to take us to Animal Kingdom, so I had a chance to evaluate how I was feeling...and to be honest, at this point, I was feeling great! I had a few friendly conversations with some other runners, got to sing "Sweet Caroline" (at least the "Oh Oh Oh!" and "So Good! So Good! So Good!" parts) as it was blasting through speakers along the course, and after running by the infamous Waste Facility (it wasn't too hot, so it didn't stink) and to the backstage part of Animal Kingdom, I couldn't believe that I was already through my third four-mile stretch...and close to half way through the marathon!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Garmin Stats...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Mile 9 - 11:28 Pace (the tunnel slowed us down a bit)</div>
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Mile 10 - 11:23 Pace</div>
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Mile 11 - 11:13 Pace</div>
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Mile 12 - 11:15 Pace</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Miles 13-16 - Animal Kingdom, Fastest Mile, Highway</u></b></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
I would say this was my strongest four miles of the race. Mile 13 was pretty much entirely through Animal Kingdom, and I was undoubtedly feeling confident as we made our way through this park...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling Great in Animal Kingdom!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After exiting the park, we crossed the halfway point, and I realized that I had beaten my time from the Wine & Dine Half Marathon a couple of months earlier, so I guess that put some spring in my step because miles 14 to 16, which were parking lot and highway miles, were three of my strongest and steadiest miles.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Mile 13 - 11:12 Pace (pretty quick through this park)</div>
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Mile 14 - 10:54 Pace (fastest mile of the marathon)</div>
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Mile 15 - 11:15 Pace</div>
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Mile 16 - 11:28 Pace</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Miles 17-20 - Wide World of Sports...and Wide World of Sports</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
While I continued to run strong and steady as we made our way through Wide World of Sports, this was actually the stretch of the race that I liked the least. I know that runDisney was trying to break up the monotony of highway running by winding us through this complex, but I guess I'm one of those people who would have liked the monotony of some highway running instead of running on sidewalks around sports fields and a competition Track & Field track. That said, I did like running around the warning track of the baseball stadium where the Atlanta Braves compete during Spring Training. That was the highlight of these four miles.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
Mile 17 - 11:16 Pace</div>
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Mile 18 - 11:08 Pace</div>
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Mile 19 - 11:20 Pace</div>
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Mile 20 - 11:26 Pace</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
So I had made it through the first five of my six four-mile runs, and although my body was feeling tired, I was still feeling fairly strong. Until...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Miles 21-24 - The Ramp, Hollywood Studios, The WALL</b></u></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Leaving Wide World of Sports, I knew I had a 10K to go, and I also knew that I was going to make it. Yes, I was starting to become very aware that my body was beginning to struggle, but I reminded myself that I was still running and still on pace to finish in under five hours...and then it happened.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After going up the ramp with the Green Army Men (from Toy Story) yelling at me, and after making my way into Hollywood Studios, it happened...I found out what the Wall is.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I can't pinpoint it exactly, but I think I hit it right around the 22.5-mile mark. We went through the famous "Candy Stop" on the course, and although I opted against the Fun Size Hershey Bars, I did take a bag of gummy Monster's Inc. candy...and I remember clearly that as I was opening the bag, my legs were feeling very, very heavy...and I knew I had slowed down a bit. I also knew that the last few miles were going to be a tough few miles, so I ate a few pieces of candy, had a quick pep talk with my legs, tossed the bag in the trash, and continued to plug along.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiz-FhyphenhyphenroxGZYSD9qFUX1MOHgS7EJ8bDZl3vPF8zi6wvpEPnpAcDMNYtJBF1OnFi5g_-3hzPLuQA1I94O1CMcnZhJJfzblB4FMMcqB270OXcG6fKcRXOPdfaI-1tJOiA9GdPRCEHECXQn/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgiz-FhyphenhyphenroxGZYSD9qFUX1MOHgS7EJ8bDZl3vPF8zi6wvpEPnpAcDMNYtJBF1OnFi5g_-3hzPLuQA1I94O1CMcnZhJJfzblB4FMMcqB270OXcG6fKcRXOPdfaI-1tJOiA9GdPRCEHECXQn/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+7.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollywood Studios - Looking Much Stronger than I was Feeling!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<div>
Mile 21 - 11:43</div>
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Mile 22 - 11:54</div>
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Mile 23 - 12:04 (this is where I remember really feeling the Wall)</div>
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Mile 24 - 12:12</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Miles 25 & 26 - Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Clubs, EPCOT</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, I had made it through all six of my four-mile runs, and now it was time to let the crowds take me to the Finish Line. With my legs feeling pretty much like two lead weights and the bottoms of my feet feeling every strike of the pavement, boy did those crowds get me through! While the Wall had slowed me down substantially, the sheer will to keep running and "finish this thing" (a phrase I kept repeating to myself) - coupled with the thousands of cheering spectators along the Boardwalk, Yacht & Beach Clubs, and EPCOT - like Forrest Gump, I just kept running...and nothing was going to stop me at this point...not even my legs of lead.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That Elvis/Rocky Balboa Look is telling me there is no way I'm stopping...No way!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJrPgfutXKbl6R2ssCbsPDq6GG5r7Q2sWOA_MLfK2GL2jhStjSKaUmIuY3_SaOkROs20iRZYRvX7vw8jOu3TqL4ffaTOAiM8Hjsp9gLWM9A-VC27HdwdvVCPYokw9u1BSMelipA5jRVi6/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJrPgfutXKbl6R2ssCbsPDq6GG5r7Q2sWOA_MLfK2GL2jhStjSKaUmIuY3_SaOkROs20iRZYRvX7vw8jOu3TqL4ffaTOAiM8Hjsp9gLWM9A-VC27HdwdvVCPYokw9u1BSMelipA5jRVi6/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+4.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less than a mile to go...Just Finish This Thing!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mile 25 - 12:22 Pace</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Mile 26 - 12:18 Pace</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>The Last Half Mile & The Life Changing Moment</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My Garmin distance for the race was actually 26.55 miles (because taking the shortest route possible is pretty much impossible), so this was the part of the race took place in the Future World part of EPCOT and out to the Imagine Parking Lot's Finish Line.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And boy did the crowds (and my last ounces of adrenaline) help! Although I knew at this point that I had missed my five-hour goal, I sped up to my mid-race pace of 11:18.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
At the race's 26-mile mark (about 26.3 for me), I passed the full Gospel choir singing "How Great Thou Art" (and they weren't singing about me), and a few tears definitely welled up...in fact, they're doing the same right now as I write this.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Turning the corner to the Finish Line, although there were thousands of spectators, I saw Michelle, who had strategically gotten herself to the front of the crowd. More tears...</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Heading toward the Finish, I was greeted by Donald Duck...so of course he had to get a high five...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHvMX1hRpAmteVoLiufVU7eCWd9O51y_aPkl1wuSwHa1hH_nQW7TI9c-s6ckR3nnmvuLkaNDpa0qDC0cUDMLvMQUGwTa-SFn5OapeG_dbnhBeUUqUFn4IUqw2Uykq3oPP8iwhp7soPsXg/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifHvMX1hRpAmteVoLiufVU7eCWd9O51y_aPkl1wuSwHa1hH_nQW7TI9c-s6ckR3nnmvuLkaNDpa0qDC0cUDMLvMQUGwTa-SFn5OapeG_dbnhBeUUqUFn4IUqw2Uykq3oPP8iwhp7soPsXg/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+18.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thanks for your support, Donald!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And then I could think of nothing else to do but this...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xdx2q_qJAfKjz5WirYGDF8ZReiLKy8dpEUneHDc0miauCvLk4e2VYT4I_9kex-WdzNXfa4QOAJxiroGMPcHPf_-FHsJTJdDzGHh-E-7x9MsnT8HSgs8GxlQs9JX4LzJxc72V70CaaFB1/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6xdx2q_qJAfKjz5WirYGDF8ZReiLKy8dpEUneHDc0miauCvLk4e2VYT4I_9kex-WdzNXfa4QOAJxiroGMPcHPf_-FHsJTJdDzGHh-E-7x9MsnT8HSgs8GxlQs9JX4LzJxc72V70CaaFB1/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+36.jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Life Changing Moment!</td></tr>
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<br />
And then I got one of these...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2ijbpdX1e094ncQC56IcSZu8rgKM21Ie68pG-CMXDa6qvBAAxRlXGQrl-0uRkRpsEATxk38-VbRHrjpx-lsGzP1XS6AG4labdhP3nqd2K4PxE1rYNA5PQsYJ2GpixWHSrOQ6eSvXUkwg/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2ijbpdX1e094ncQC56IcSZu8rgKM21Ie68pG-CMXDa6qvBAAxRlXGQrl-0uRkRpsEATxk38-VbRHrjpx-lsGzP1XS6AG4labdhP3nqd2K4PxE1rYNA5PQsYJ2GpixWHSrOQ6eSvXUkwg/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+14.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWQTGJd-B5KbdHJ0WsekgX2Zo5Ht2UZDmu_GmXjBLcw8cvySsk-8gKdH02Z7MYzrRzp1ZxAEZUg5pU7hprvmMIwJjxq7PA3uGtnXF3Lh5DMQMJg1xw6ULIsh9ig2kKs3rZ0Z7sXkbKKaF/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIWQTGJd-B5KbdHJ0WsekgX2Zo5Ht2UZDmu_GmXjBLcw8cvySsk-8gKdH02Z7MYzrRzp1ZxAEZUg5pU7hprvmMIwJjxq7PA3uGtnXF3Lh5DMQMJg1xw6ULIsh9ig2kKs3rZ0Z7sXkbKKaF/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+2.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Marathon Finisher!</td></tr>
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<br />
And I got to share it with...<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI8NmJDzaww_XhcMk78YEcca-A8E98q_TUIzwMH-a1Vv3eE_vMMV_1re_h-EqFRLVqnsMj8ts1CFLFVPcJ4-FqdJiNhowq2AVwp59mnqjQMwIfJD-NgVjXiXYFBe5FCnOKK6fu-lp5BfP/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+47.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLI8NmJDzaww_XhcMk78YEcca-A8E98q_TUIzwMH-a1Vv3eE_vMMV_1re_h-EqFRLVqnsMj8ts1CFLFVPcJ4-FqdJiNhowq2AVwp59mnqjQMwIfJD-NgVjXiXYFBe5FCnOKK6fu-lp5BfP/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+47.png" height="408" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now We're All Experienced Marathoners!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDDEBAMIpEGEFvFi6tFLM77Z7LCXmAWUm3QWxs_-R2Ckone2SQa5vP5VpB1TeiYNtzyfBn7CWQoQWdFp9eo8ztFoR6VbKu1OwqPJdWpgbMkM0O_EgkTvcGn_o7ZwErlg0dRSluxiKK_3T/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhDDEBAMIpEGEFvFi6tFLM77Z7LCXmAWUm3QWxs_-R2Ckone2SQa5vP5VpB1TeiYNtzyfBn7CWQoQWdFp9eo8ztFoR6VbKu1OwqPJdWpgbMkM0O_EgkTvcGn_o7ZwErlg0dRSluxiKK_3T/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+45.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They Supported Me Through Every Step!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jyatRUi_fEUOndCaZaTaTbNE5PWARZ9R1to2TDKYpnW6AR11xeYcwo9kgjKi0Ocz1rhxtPEhG1PXDxfUVXaZpimAwkm8koXTVPcMPpjkH9JjoMjcO_ZlUYhXo_UHhDnZGTNeyTzGuUT0/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+46.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2jyatRUi_fEUOndCaZaTaTbNE5PWARZ9R1to2TDKYpnW6AR11xeYcwo9kgjKi0Ocz1rhxtPEhG1PXDxfUVXaZpimAwkm8koXTVPcMPpjkH9JjoMjcO_ZlUYhXo_UHhDnZGTNeyTzGuUT0/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+46.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think she's glad she has a marathon runner rather than an obese smoker for a dad!</td></tr>
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Official Time...Came Close but Just Missed my Time Goal</u></b></div>
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<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
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When all was done, I missed one pre-race goal and made the other...and I absolutely and undoubtedly could care less! And even though I missed one goal by finishing in just over five hours (5:05:21, to be exact), and even though I made my other goal of running the entire race with the exception of the water / food stations, it turns out that this marathon was about finishing...and nothing else.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Oh, and the time I crossed the Finish Line? 11:11...just a minute later than my pre-race prediction to Michelle. Not bad for a first timer, huh?</div>
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<u><br /></u></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mE7jAKNNr3lNdzEti2Usqy1ELKJOFmZvrrQhQiRba_VuJTzjIIE1_OZMeNJAXMvMKIkCNeJEtFPj25eObrGegQ1lnuysKiazgjemA3jp5uNxxfLrTF6F6WTxZ5NHNQ03OilksaDdgx2k/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+Cert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0mE7jAKNNr3lNdzEti2Usqy1ELKJOFmZvrrQhQiRba_VuJTzjIIE1_OZMeNJAXMvMKIkCNeJEtFPj25eObrGegQ1lnuysKiazgjemA3jp5uNxxfLrTF6F6WTxZ5NHNQ03OilksaDdgx2k/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+Cert.jpg" height="492" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mickey Even Signed It!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Final Thoughts</u></b></div>
<br />
While this is the end of one journey, it is but the first step (or many many steps) of the next one. As my sister Karen had put in an email to me after the race...<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><b>"What an amazing journey you've started!"</b></i></div>
<br />
Started? Yes, started. This isn't the end, there is no need to rename this blog, and the full marathon I completed was not the end of anything. Yes, a fence post has been driven in the ground, and one can always come to this blog and find a complete "Couch to Marathon" story. But for me, there are so many more marathons to run, so many goals for which I am reaching. My sister was right. This is not the end. It's the beginning.<br />
<br />
<br />
For now, though, let me just end this blog post by quoting myself. This is what I posted to Facebook a few hours after the race...<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"Back on 11-11-11, I was a smoker who weighed over 275 pounds. Today, at 11:11, I crossed the finish line after running 26.2 miles in 5 hours and 5 minutes...100 pounds lighter and smoke free since 11-11-11. Life is amazing...I'm sore, tight, and tired (and hungry)...but crossing that finish line defines what it means to feel satisfied!"</span></i></b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Next week, I'm running my second Half Marathon here in North Florida. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm shooting for a PR.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The journey continues...</span><br />
<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-38026299480061066332014-02-08T09:08:00.003-08:002014-02-08T09:12:58.071-08:00Recap of the 2014 WDW Marathon Weekend - Days 2.5 to 4 -- Parks, Family, Spectating, and RestingFollowing the Family Fun Run 5K (which you can read about <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2014/02/recap-of-2014-wdw-marathon-weekend-day.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></b>), I'd be lying to say if my mind didn't shift into "I'm running a marathon on Sunday" mode. While there were certainly some activities on the calendar over the next couple of days, my mind stayed pretty focused on Sunday morning. In fact just about everything that took place over the next couple of days was preceded by me questioning myself (internally), "How is this going to impact my big run on Sunday?"<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Thursday, January 9 (After the Family Fun Run 5K)</u></b></div>
<br />
After finishing up the 5K with Michelle and Mary, we went back to the hotel, got cleaned up, had breakfast with Roger and Mary, and decided for an "easy" day (half day) at <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/animal-kingdom/" target="_blank">Disney's Animal Kingdom Park</a></u></b>. In fact, after hitting some of our favorite rides (<b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/kilimanjaro-safaris/" target="_blank">Kilimanjaro Safari</a></u></b>, <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/expedition-everest/" target="_blank">Expedition Everest</a>)</u></b> and having an early afternoon lunch, Roger and I were ready to get off our feet and head back to the hotel. We did, however, find time to get yelled at by some <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/animal-kingdom/dinosaur/" target="_blank">DINOSAURs </a></u></b>on the way out of the park...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkpiVpzYHztVJKEj_Ih8VcgHtufvtJb3TsHOAmjoBReLQglLZUP4Yq46epJhY166NSex3VIASAq4VRSvCLiaxh9LrwrqZZZXbH2CC1PWOzI2h9gVyH81LzSCdrCpJZp2Sibpt2zTo3Mu5/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkkpiVpzYHztVJKEj_Ih8VcgHtufvtJb3TsHOAmjoBReLQglLZUP4Yq46epJhY166NSex3VIASAq4VRSvCLiaxh9LrwrqZZZXbH2CC1PWOzI2h9gVyH81LzSCdrCpJZp2Sibpt2zTo3Mu5/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+42.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinosaurs first...and then some Rest!</td></tr>
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<br />
After getting back to the hotel for some rest, my sister Sandy and her family arrived, and to keep things simple, we had a pretty casual dinner that night at <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/port-orleans-resort-riverside/" target="_blank">Port Orleans - Riverside</a>.</u></b><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Friday, January 10</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
With my sister Sandy and Roger's wife Mary running the half marathon Saturday, my brother-in-law Mike running the Goofy Challenge (half marathon Saturday, full marathon Sunday), and Roger running the full on Sunday, we started Friday with a post-breakfast trip back to the Expo because there were a lot of bibs and race shirts to pick up.<br />
<br />
After the expo, we made our way to <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/epcot/" target="_blank">EPCOT </a></u></b>for another "easy" partial day in the park, as well as our big pre-race(s) meal, a late afternoon lunch/dinner at Italy's <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/epcot/via-napoli/" target="_blank">Via Napoli</a></u></b> in the World Showcase, which turned out to be a great idea (if I may say so myself). After taking on a few of EPCOT's "must do" rides (<b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/spaceship-earth/" target="_blank">Spaceship Earth</a></u></b>, <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/soarin/" target="_blank">Soarin</a></u></b>', <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/attractions/epcot/test-track/" target="_blank">Test Track</a></u></b>), we make our way to Italy and enjoyed our meal (I think we all had our own pizzas), and it was nice having some relaxation time before the whirlwind of the weekend's big races. I certainly recommend Via Napoli to anyone visiting Disney, but just be sure to make reservations in advance and be prepared to spend a little more on pizza than you are typically accustomed.<br />
<br />
Following the meal, the half marathoners were getting a little antsy, so we decided to head back to the hotel for some R&R (2:30 wake up calls and alarms would come quickly). Before our exit, though, we had to get the one group picture...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj3Wz9E-DXA738n6NqqabIm3rEkEdK5T91sKHYnAkDn6tCZB0SLpZbcMmlY_gvR8njImsox8bUEDVl6QQEHoSDrK8A5BTFJ3ique6IWrGOxGY-UY0eRblT9frm7cA-1kktOOWOBfuh2tx/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+43.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHj3Wz9E-DXA738n6NqqabIm3rEkEdK5T91sKHYnAkDn6tCZB0SLpZbcMmlY_gvR8njImsox8bUEDVl6QQEHoSDrK8A5BTFJ3ique6IWrGOxGY-UY0eRblT9frm7cA-1kktOOWOBfuh2tx/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+43.png" height="426" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Front - Mary, Roger, Mary<br />
Back - Anna, Sandy, Aidan, Goofball, Michelle, Mike</td></tr>
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<br />
After returning to the hotel, I decided that in order to get onto a sleep schedule that would help me the night before the marathon, I was going to get up Saturday morning to be a half marathon spectator (with Roger). As such, the competitors, Roger, and I decided to meet at 3:15 Saturday morning to catch the bus to the Starting Line...so by the time 8:00pm rolled around, we all went to bed.<br />
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<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Saturday, January 11</u></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Knowing that the bus schedules and Start and Finish Line locations were the same for the half as the full, I have to admit that I was seeing most of the activity Saturday with an eye on Sunday's marathon. From catching the bus at around 3:30 to familiarizing myself with the pre-race starting areas, I kept saying to myself that "this is where I'll need to be at this time tomorrow morning."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After Sandy, Mike, and Mary made their way to the runners-only corrals, Roger and I decided to take the monorail over to the <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/magic-kingdom/" target="_blank">Magic Kingdom</a></u></b> to catch them running through the Park. One guy on the monorail - who was going to watch for his wife at the Ticket and Transportation Center - insisted that we wouldn't be able to get into the park without a ticket, but I had done enough research to know that this wasn't the case...so although I was unable to convince this gentleman (and I use that term very loosely), Roger and I continued on to the Magic Kingdom...and no tickets were required! How about that!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Roger and I found a spot on Main Street USA, struck up a few conversations with fellow spectators, and the next thing we knew, the wheelchair and elite athletes were rounding the corner toward Cinderella's Castle. After watching for a while, we did get a glimpse of Sandy and Mike as they made their way into the park. Mary started a few corrals behind them, though, so we headed back out to the Transportation and Ticket Center to catch Mary. Since things were a little bunched up, though, it was taking a little while, so Roger and I split up so that he could wait for Mary while I headed back to the Finish Line at EPCOT to see Sandy and Mike....and - amazingly - on the way back, I ran into Michelle, (my) Mary, Anna, and Aidan at the monorail station. As such, we all had the chance to see Sandy and Mike finish the race....and I had a chance to snap this picture after they did it!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrfVNCkL-jtc-4YLxf2Kn1RgUFBlS99BJQI_hwEer_Oygzd49zN_52kkMOgNmr84KkGmMrxonNGg26loEaql-V-vsgY5cxS7HzJqEJHgat9Q0Yi_SZGJcPtnLTP9EC40XxgMUb9pU8vXq/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWrfVNCkL-jtc-4YLxf2Kn1RgUFBlS99BJQI_hwEer_Oygzd49zN_52kkMOgNmr84KkGmMrxonNGg26loEaql-V-vsgY5cxS7HzJqEJHgat9Q0Yi_SZGJcPtnLTP9EC40XxgMUb9pU8vXq/s1600/2014+WDW+Marathon+-+44.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They Did It! Sandy's First Half Marathon! Oh - And Nice Glasses, Mike!</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Following the race, the people not running the marathon went over to <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/hollywood-studios/" target="_blank">Hollywood Studios</a></u></b> for the afternoon, but Roger, Mike, and I all decided that resting up for Sunday's race would serve us better...so we all retreated to our hotel rooms for the rest we were seeking. And from there, except for a brief casual dinner, I pretty much stayed off my feet the rest of the day.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Once Saturday afternoon rolled around, keeping any thought in my head was getting difficult. I was experiencing all types of emotions - from nervous anticipation to genuine excitement. After prepping my running clothes at around 8:00pm, calling for a 2:15am wake up call, setting the alarm on my phone for 2:15am, and setting the second alarm on my phone for 2:20am, checking the alarms multiple times, I was off to "attempted sleep" land. I think I did finally fall asleep around 10:00pm, but it's easy to estimate that I woke up a handful of times before the simultaneous wake up call and phone alarm a few hours later.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The time had finally arrived. No more waiting. The day of my first marathon was here.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
But let me write about it in my next post.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
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Until then, enjoy your journey...</div>
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Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-43807140116737614342014-02-01T14:26:00.003-08:002014-02-01T14:26:58.525-08:00Recap of the 2014 WDW Marathon Weekend: Day 2 -- The Family Fun Run 5K<div style="text-align: left;">
Even though I had the best intentions to get of my Disney Marathon Weekend recaps done last weekend (I did get the first one done...check it out <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2014/01/recap-of-2014-wdw-marathon-weekend-day.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></b>), it seems as though another week has passed and now I have shifted my intentions to getting them done this weekend instead...so let's get back to it!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><br /></b></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b>Thursday, January 9</b></u></div>
<br />
After a pretty early-to-bed Wednesday night (the first of what would be a few over the weekend), it didn't seem to be too long before the alarm went off (at 3:30am) and Michelle, Mary, and I were being summoned to partake in the first running event of the WDW Marathon Weekend: The Family Fun Run 5K! Fortunately, we had laid out all of our running gear the night before - including pinning our bibs to our shirts - and it didn't take too long for us to get out the door. By 4:15, we were heading to the bus stop; and by 4:30, we were on our way to the Start Line at EPCOT.<br />
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Mary and I had run this race a year earlier (which I recapped in one of my first blog posts that you can check out <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-11-2012-disney-5k.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></b>), but Michelle couldn't partake because she had sustained a stress fracture just below her knee. As such, she was about to take on not only her first runDisney event but actually her first 5K...ever! And while I had prepared her for the race itself (with our fairly regular family fun training runs), I didn't do as good a job preparing her for the pre-race waiting that comes with any race of decent size. Unlike a local 5K with a few hundred people, it takes a little while getting 10,000 people in place in their five corrals (we were in D) for a runDisney 5K over Marathon Weekend. And although the DJ was certainly pumping up the jam and we were having fun with some moving to the beat (I'm glad I don't have pictures of this), cooler temps and some intermittent drizzling rain made all of us eager to get on the pavement.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting Ready for The Start!</td></tr>
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Before heading over to the corrals, though, we stopped to visit some of my Disney Pacebook Running Club friends for the pre-race group picture, which Michelle actually took. It's fun to catch up with this group of supportive and fun people who run in many of the runDisney events both in Florida and California. It's like a mini reunion before the races!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEE4qntPNR5z5hdS6lLYVjZYsi7HY3WqQB2si8BKOPdfZ86f9eBFvi9fPD8ARFpVxrqV1FDhpzpetLf3QkNI0ti5xWxdHP72WY2g_yqh1S3jKE2u4Zl1sLMx1K9rn7cduhd5LKaRJZJRw/s1600/2014+WDW+Family+Fun+Run+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqEE4qntPNR5z5hdS6lLYVjZYsi7HY3WqQB2si8BKOPdfZ86f9eBFvi9fPD8ARFpVxrqV1FDhpzpetLf3QkNI0ti5xWxdHP72WY2g_yqh1S3jKE2u4Zl1sLMx1K9rn7cduhd5LKaRJZJRw/s1600/2014+WDW+Family+Fun+Run+3.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Disney PaceBook Running Club!</td></tr>
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After a cup of coffee (well, Mary had hot chocolate), a banana, and one last trip to the porta potty, we made our way to Corral D to get things underway...and the next thing we knew, it was 6:30, the National Anthem was sung, and the first corrals were heading out. I think there were about five minutes between corral starts, so we were underway at around 6:50-ish.<br />
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We went into the run with the decision to just run/walk "as we felt necessary," which was pretty much how we had been training. Knowing that the character lines would be long, we decided in advance to forego the character pictures, and we were all okay with that. As a side note, the Dopey line was by far the longest (I heard some waited a half hour for the Dopey picture), but this due to the fact that those undertaking the Dopey Challenge (5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Full Marathon on four consecutive days) were lining up for the coveted picture with the Challenge's "mascot."<br />
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The first mile of the 3.1 is the most uneventful, as it winds around the EPCOT parking lot, as well as the behind-the-scenes not-so-magical areas; but because of the excitement of the race, it didn't seem very long before we were running into the EPCOT World Showcase next to Mexico. As we made our way around the World Showcase (clockwise from Mexico to Canada), we did stop for a restroom break in Germany (maybe that coffee wasn't the greatest idea), but other than that, we took our steady approach to moving toward the Finish Line. After running by the Future World fountains and under Spaceship Earth, though, we did stop for a quick family picture...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just about a quarter mile left at this point!</td></tr>
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After starting back up, the next thing we knew, we were doing this...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We Did It!</td></tr>
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So at the end of it all, we made our way through the 3.1 miles in just over 45 minutes...and had some good family fun doing so! And at the end of the day, that's what it was all about!<br />
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I will say, though, that after crossing that Finish Line, even though we had some family fun in different parts of Disney World over the next couple of days, my mindset and focus really shifted to Marathon Sunday. Yes, I had more family coming in that night, and some members of our party were taking on the Half Marathon on Saturday...but regardless of all that, it was tough to focus my mind on anything but Sunday morning...but let me go into that in my next post.<br />
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Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
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<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-26653141162742187622014-01-25T14:12:00.000-08:002014-01-25T14:12:01.331-08:00Recap of the 2014 WDW Marathon Weekend: Day One - The Expo, Port Orleans, and New Friends!In the wake of my first successful marathon (Yes! I did it!), I have become aware that I've been avoiding my recap posts of the weekend because I have been reluctant to turn the page to my journey's next chapter. While I have gotten back to work and am training for my next race, at the same time I certainly have been savoring the taste of crossing that marathon finish line a couple of weeks ago. But before I get into recapping that extraordinary event - which has me wondering whether I need to change this blog's title - let me first tell you about some of the fun leading up to that Sunday.<br />
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<b><u>Wednesday, January 8</u></b></div>
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Because we were running the Family Fun Run 5k on Thursday morning, we left St. Augustine midday Wednesday (Mary was really disappointed to be pulled out of school at lunchtime...Not) and as has been the case for our last two runDisney race weekends, we drove straight to the Expo before checking into our hotel. To this point, the experience has been smooth, so as they say, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!<br />
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We arrived around 3:00pm, parked the car, had a little bit of a walk to the <b><u><a href="http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/" target="_blank">ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex</a></u></b>, but we did have a chance to snap a couple of pre-race pics on the way...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Team Olson - Ready for the Family Fun Run 5k!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That Smile Says...Am I really going to take on 26.2 Miles???</td></tr>
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Although there were people all over the place (which makes sense considering there were about 70,000 runners competing over the weekend), the lines to pick up our bibs and race shirts were pretty short and manageable. I'd say we were through them in less than a half hour...which isn't bad considering we had to go through multiple lines (for the marathon and the 5k) in multiple buildings.<br />
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Now, I have to admit that I'm not a huge expo guy. Yes, I like checking out the runDisney gear - and, yes, I of course purchased an additional 2014 WDW Marathon short sleeve technical shirt - and I also like seeing the medals for the upcoming Disney races. Beyond that, though, I'm not big on browsing to look at and/or purchase stuff that I can get in my favorite local running store that I really love to support - the <b><u><a href="http://jacksonvillerunningcompany.com/" target="_blank">Jacksonville Running Company</a></u></b>. That being said, though, I know that there are a few products (like KT Tape, Sweaty Bands for Michelle, and a couple others) that are easily purchased at decent prices at race expos...so for those items, the exception is made.<br />
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I do realize that runDisney has a line up of industry, running, and nutritional experts (like Jeff Galloway and Tara Gidus) speaking at their expos, and perhaps if I weren't utilizing the race weekends as family vacations, I might take the time to sit down and listen to a few of these talks. At this point, though, I don't envision a runDisney race weekend without Michelle and Mary, so I think for the foreseeable future, the expo will remain a relatively quick in-and-out experience for the Olsons.<br />
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Following the expo, we headed over to check in to <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/port-orleans-resort-riverside/" target="_blank">Disney's Port Orleans - Riverside Resort</a></u></b>, which we booked through Leigh Rosica, the owner of <b><u><a href="http://www.mousekeplanner.com/leigh-rosica/" target="_blank">MousekePlanner</a></u></b>! Thanks for the great room, Leigh! While it is not my practice to do hotel reviews, I will say that we and the other two families with whom we were traveling were all pleased with Port Orleans...oh, except for the "cute-only-once" song that plays every hour at their Quick-Service Riverside Mill Food Court, and we became convinced that the song is Disney's subtle way of getting its guests up and out of the seats and into the parks.<br />
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That first night, we also had the wonderful opportunity to meet Roger and Mary Wright, who actually made this trip because Roger made a commitment to share the pavement with me if I committed in turn to run my first marathon. I've written about Roger in an <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/04/where-should-i-run-just-5k-rightthanks.html" target="_blank">earlier post</a></u></b>, and he has been such an important person in my journey because he has been the (sometimes tough) mentor and the (more importantly) good friend who has stood by my side as I have prepared my body, mind, and spirit for running a marathon.<br />
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Oh, and he's also lived a similar story, so I've trusted his advice and guidance. Check out his video...<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Ja9BFx5Mhqo?list=FLvDMsiaIOZEu24gSHd0TZ7g" width="560"></iframe>
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The 2014 Disney Marathon was his 33rd in five years (no - that's not a typo). And I was so happy that he came down to run it with me!<br />
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Anyway, after some great conversation, the Olsons needed to get to bed because the alarm would be going off at 3:30am for Thursday morning's Family Fun Run 5k! But let's talk about that in my next post.<br />
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Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
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<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-23276980519619235742014-01-05T15:39:00.000-08:002014-01-05T15:41:23.885-08:002013 Recap: A Full Year on the RoadHaving started back to running in July of 2012, it turned out that 2013 was my first full year on the road...and in retrospect, what a year it was...<br />
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<b><u>Weight Loss - 52.3 Pounds</u></b><br />
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I started the year at a still-obese 231.9 pounds and finished at a "normal" 179.6 pounds, which was actually driven upward a few pounds with the few bigger meals and ever-present snacks over the holidays, as well as with the long marathon-training runs over November and December. While I still kept an eye on what I was eating, I didn't deprive my hungry legs much food after they propelled me on double-digit runs (ranging from 12 to 20 miles) every weekend for the last two months of the year.<br />
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So at the end of it all, I finished the year at a very healthy weight; that said, though, the weight that I like from a mental standpoint is 175 - and I finally reached that number in September and stayed there through October - so one of my goals for 2014 is to lose the five pounds to get back there...I'm just going to wait until after next weekend's marathon to worry about it.<br />
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<u><b>Calories Burned on the Pavement - 146,100</b></u><br />
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So...what would I have weighed without running? Wow...<br />
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<b><u>Miles Logged - 1,007.37</u></b><br />
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I'm shooting for 1,250 in 2014!<br />
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<b><u>Injuries Sustained - 2</u></b><br />
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I tweaked my Achilles tendon on Labor Day Weekend, and it put me out of commission for a couple of weeks. It didn't completely take me off the pavement, but I had to do some very slow run/walking for that time period, as well as some calf strengthening exercises and deep tissue massage therapy.<br />
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I also aggravated my IT Band on an 18-mile long run about a month ago, but although amazingly painful during the run, I didn't lose any pavement time with this one. I just had to start foam rolling my quads on a regular basis.<br />
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<b><u>Races - 10</u></b><br />
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5k - 4 (PR - April 27th...29:24 - 9:28 Pace)*<br />
6k - 1 (PR - November 28th...35:12 - 9:23 Pace)**<br />
5 Miles - 1 (PR - February 23rd...54:29 - 10:54 Pace)<br />
10k - 1 (PR - March 29th...1:07:46 - 10:52 Pace)<br />
15k - 1 (PR - March 9th...1:50:13 - 11:50 Pace)<br />
10 Miles - 1 (PR - October 27th...1:49:16 - 10:55 Pace)<br />
1/2 Marathon - 1 (PR - November 9th...2:33:23...11:42 Pace)<br />
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*I actually won my age group in the 5k on April 27th, but not even considering the prospect of such an achievement, I left the grounds before they passed out the prizes...but I can say with pride that I was an Age Group Winner in an event back in April. So I have that going for me...which is nice.<br />
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**The 6k on Thanksgiving was the only event/distance in which I couldn't have a PR in 2013, as I had run that race in 2012...every other distance was the first time I had run the distance. Well, I ran a few 5ks and a 10k or two in the 80s, and those are probably my official PRs...but I'm not competing against that Pete anymore.<br />
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<b><u>Looking Ahead</u></b><br />
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For the last two months, from the moment I received my medal at Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon and said to myself, "now I have to double that mileage," my focus has been on getting my body ready for what I hope will mark the end of my couch to marathon journey. Hmmm...does that mean I need to change the blog's title? As I look ahead to this year, I already have a couple of races on the docket, as well as some plans for others. That said, though, I'm not putting together my training schedule(s) until I finish that 26.2 miler next Sunday...but let's talk more about that next time.<br />
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Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
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<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-51020384857859212062014-01-01T14:44:00.005-08:002014-01-01T14:44:59.600-08:00"You BLEEPIN' Got This, Pete!!!"I know it's been a few weeks since my last post, but with marathon training, tying up loose ends at work, marathon training, Christmas, marathon training, New Year's, and marathon training, things have been a little hectic...have I mentioned that I'm training for a marathon?<br />
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A few weeks ago, I wouldn't have been as jovial. On an 18-mile long run, I hit a mini wall (not <u><i>THE </i></u>wall...just <i><u>A </u></i>wall) around mile 14. The outside of my right knee was hurting pretty badly (IT Band), and the will to run was overruled by the will to walk (well walk/run). I was able to get through the run (which was a run/walk for about three miles), and I even mustered the strength and fortitude to run the last three quarters of a mile...but overall, I was pretty pissed off at this "bad" run.<br />
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Well, the anger went away, and I knew I had some work to do. After rolling my quad and the IT Band with <b><u><a href="http://www.tptherapy.com/" target="_blank">Trigger Point</a></u></b> for a couple of days (and I'm still doing it daily), I got back out on the road and made a conscious effort to speed up the cadence of my steps because I had read that the IT Band "likes" a speedier cadence. Well, the knee felt good and strong as I sped up my cadence and, on the first run, my pace.<br />
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And that brings me to an important distinction...cadence is not pace. While I ran my first run at a quicker pace (9:15 for five miles) and cadence, the next couple of runs, I focused on keeping the cadence constant while slowing my pace with shorter strides. So far so good...<br />
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But it wasn't until a week after the "bad" 18-miler that I had the opportunity to put the cadence theory to the test with a 14-mile long run. I focused on keeping the strides short and quick for the entire fourteen miles, and the next thing I knew, I was finishing up at an 11:28 pace without any IT Band pain...whew! Crisis averted.<br />
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And just the other day - Sunday, December 29 - I had the chance to stretch out the distance even farther with a 20 miler, my last long run before the upcoming marathon. So I started off early in the morning for what would be my four-hour tour.<br />
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Somewhere around mile 17 or 18, I had a few revelations: (1) I was tired; (2) I was sore...but not injured...and my knee wasn't hurting at all; (3) I knew I was going to make it to 20; and (4) I had something very important to shout to myself (and anybody else within earshot)...<br />
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"<b>You BLEEPIN' Got This, Pete!!! You're as BLEEPIN' ready as you're going to be for your first BLEEPIN' marathon!!! Now finish this BLEEPIN' run and start your BLEEPIN' taper!!!</b>"<br />
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Fortunately, the local rec fields by which I was running at the time were devoid of kids and parents, so unless someone was running behind me, I don't think anyone else got to hear my moment of elation.<br />
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On January 12 (less than two weeks!), as I attempt the Walt Disney World Full Marathon, I'll finally have the opportunity to put the last six months of training to the test.<br />
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Let's just hope I can control my language.<br />
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Until next time, enjoy your journey...<br />
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<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-19854593822214891982013-12-09T14:44:00.000-08:002013-12-09T17:19:33.296-08:00Race Recap (Finally) - runDisney's 2013 Wine & Dine Half Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It has now been a month since runDisney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon, so I am certainly well beyond a decent and acceptable time frame for getting a full recap of the race out here on my blog. As such, I guess I'm just flying in the face of blogger protocol as I write down my thoughts from the race that took place way back on November 9th.<br />
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So where was I (in <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/12/pre-race-recap-rundisneys-wine-dine.html" target="_blank">my last post</a></u></b>)? Oh right, it was somewhere between 7:00 and 7:30, and I was headed down to catch the bus to the Start at ESPN's <u style="font-weight: bold;"><a href="http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/" target="_blank">Wide World of Sports Complex</a></u>. And thus began the night's first mini adventure...waiting for the bus to take us from the Beach Club Resort to the Start. As I arrived at the bus stop, one bus was just leaving, so I was fortunate enough to be first in line for the next bus, which was supposed to be along in about "five or ten minutes" (for those of you who are fans, think Seinfeld). Well, after about fifteen minutes, the line waiting for the next bus was now probably about 200 deep, and needless to say, we were all getting a little antsy. The poor volunteer - who's "job was merely to count us as we boarded the bus" - was starting to catch some heat from the crowd, and he wasn't having too much luck with his radio. While we waited, two completely empty "Event" buses (the ones to take runners to the Start) just whisked past the bus stop without picking us up...we were getting dangerously close to an all-out riot when a third bus showed up and opened its doors. Whew!<br />
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I already wrote a <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/11/rundisneys-wine-dine-half-marathon.html" target="_blank">post </a></u></b>about some of the thoughts and emotions I was feeling when heading to the starting corral, so here I'm going to keep things a little lighter and focused more on the race itself. But first, though, I need to point out that I had a chance to meet and have a group picture taken with a bunch of online friends from the pbrc, which is the Disney PaceBook Running Club on Facebook. It was great to put faces with names, and although it was my first chance to meet all of these folks, it still had the feel of a family (of runners) reunion...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JS2Kh-e6_JqnBCceGKMr85ljRxwppcDNjGCt2P5iu83qLVZ1PimWh1f3lkC-OOAsZFnlt9L5bWxzj3cWlzGCWJ4hrvSSn0YaZAK4_9XdETiWqas2RcD9mMlE3qX8bs16Tn-TSuvNqAPp/s1600/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_JS2Kh-e6_JqnBCceGKMr85ljRxwppcDNjGCt2P5iu83qLVZ1PimWh1f3lkC-OOAsZFnlt9L5bWxzj3cWlzGCWJ4hrvSSn0YaZAK4_9XdETiWqas2RcD9mMlE3qX8bs16Tn-TSuvNqAPp/s640/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+23.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With the pbrc...Can you find me?</td></tr>
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After the group picture and a few fun "catch up" conversations, it was off to the races...well, after my final restroom (porta-potty) break. Finally, around 9:00-ish, I made my way over to Starting Corral G.<br />
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In the starting corral, I found a couple of pbrc people with pacing signs (one for a 3-hour finish, and the other for 2:45), so I decided that I would start the race with them and then (hopefully) pull away as the race progressed. While waiting the final forty-five minutes for the start, it was fun to have some time to visit and chat with the other runners...the camaraderie in the running community is awesome! In addition, I ran into Leigh Rosica from <b><u><a href="http://www.mousekeplanner.com/" target="_blank">Mousekeplanner</a></u></b>, who happens to be the person who set up my travel arrangements not only for the Wine & Dine weekend but also for the Full Marathon weekend next month...great meeting you, Leigh! And thanks for the tremendous deals!!!<br />
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With each minute, the race got closer, and all of the sudden, the first corrals were on their way...and finally, the fireworks went off for Corral G at 10:15!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-_bSSVz6HqqFVQcriqn8rvxKSYAOFqU6UO561w8JUbpyf8J7q4Ih_KYeY3t3Vv2YTe7W1sR5V6uSHgjb1znDanxy36rfetuHcsUrlSvmjYfysCusgMZcMdiac8ujZykeas1Hb98pR-yq/s1600/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-_bSSVz6HqqFVQcriqn8rvxKSYAOFqU6UO561w8JUbpyf8J7q4Ih_KYeY3t3Vv2YTe7W1sR5V6uSHgjb1znDanxy36rfetuHcsUrlSvmjYfysCusgMZcMdiac8ujZykeas1Hb98pR-yq/s400/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+20.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here we go!</td></tr>
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Things were pretty crowded as we got underway, but we moved slowly and steadily as we made our way out toward the first three-mile stretch of highway.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sea of runners moving out to the course!</td></tr>
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The first few miles of the race were all highway. After taking a left out of Wide World of Sports, we headed down Osceola Parkway toward Animal Kingdom Park. Along the way, there were a couple of spots to get pictures with characters, but I opted against taking any of these because I really wanted to just run the race and see what I could do...while still keeping a easier pace and remembering that this was part of the training plan for the Full Marathon in January. As such, I had targeted a training pace of 12 minutes per mile for the race...which would put me across the finish in about 2:37.<br />
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Before entering Animal Kingdom, we crossed the 5K timing mat, and I was pretty much right on my goal pace with a split time of 37:35, which had me at a 12:06 pace. I was feeling pretty strong with ten miles to go, and it was exciting to be headed into our first park.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinosaur teeth guiding us into Animal Kingdom!</td></tr>
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After snapping the picture of the Dino Teeth, I decided that it was just too hard to take pictures and keep running my race; as such, my camera (phone) took on the official role of playing music for the remainder of my run.<br />
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Running through Animal Kingdom at night was pretty cool - Everest and the Tree of Life looked amazing - and it was definitely an awesome experience winding our way through this park at night...because it usually isn't open after dark. The cast members and volunteers were - as always - so awesome and supportive to all of us, and if I didn't have a smile on my face, I was definitely thinking happy thoughts. Now, with the animals tucked away in bed, we didn't have the blaring music or laser shows that would be coming up in the other two parks...but I was having a blast.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW3W2GldoCmB1s81sAqXsqIEWITVsuIMFoQ4jzI8FKeVNB7FDmYl1byByrD6Izn_aCm8MwjYOQZQz0tZIxN5JUsrXs_pLLpCQr_ZH1UE2vWAIS3R4DPfrtlqE6AsSa2xjoRWZCG9XEJI-/s1600/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLW3W2GldoCmB1s81sAqXsqIEWITVsuIMFoQ4jzI8FKeVNB7FDmYl1byByrD6Izn_aCm8MwjYOQZQz0tZIxN5JUsrXs_pLLpCQr_ZH1UE2vWAIS3R4DPfrtlqE6AsSa2xjoRWZCG9XEJI-/s640/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+5.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Definitely having a good time!</td></tr>
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Coming out of Animal Kingdom, we got back onto Osceola Parkway and headed back toward Hollywood Studios. During this stretch, I ran over the 10K timing mat and saw that I was maintaining the same 12:06 pace and had been running for an hour and fifteen minutes. At this time, I was feeling pretty good and decided to pick up my pace a little bit - maybe it was because I had just eaten my first energy gel - so I shortened up my pace a bit while picking up my cadence.<br />
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Well, the next thing I knew, I was on the race's biggest "hill" (the overpass taking us off of Osceola and pointing us toward Hollywood Studios) and a faceless green army man from Toy Story was yelling at all of us to get our butts up that hill...I laughed and gave him the thumbs up as I passed, and he saluted me for my efforts!<br />
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About a mile and a half later, we were running into the north end of Hollywood Studios...and boy was that park a-hoppin'! The course was moving us to-and-fro through the park on routes unfamiliar to me as a park guest, and the next thing I knew, a DJ had the music blaring as I ran toward the huge Sorcerer Mickey Hat in the center of the park. A few minutes later, we were running through the costume tunnel, and that too was filled with artificial fog, blaring music, and disco balls...quite honestly, it was fun but at the same time a little disorienting (since we had run around 10 or so miles at that point).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r1eGiAw0-hz_hQBurmvNV66tOTj28pjdZvS8xwmUkFX3WAfXe84isaiKhPyS17ArruQ2UBFbO1xG6MO9PLUnyAsEIhFiFMg63-XJFfxgi8wuuK5C2Pa21CdvUeEszycskvg-7ITB1010/s1600/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4r1eGiAw0-hz_hQBurmvNV66tOTj28pjdZvS8xwmUkFX3WAfXe84isaiKhPyS17ArruQ2UBFbO1xG6MO9PLUnyAsEIhFiFMg63-XJFfxgi8wuuK5C2Pa21CdvUeEszycskvg-7ITB1010/s640/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+4.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun in Hollywood Studios!</td></tr>
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At some point in Hollywood Studios, we crossed the 15K mat, and my picking up the pace a bit had worked...my average pace moved up to 11:55 per mile, and I kept moving a little faster every mile.<br />
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One of the most awesome parts of the entire race was running through the <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/events-tours/hollywood-studios/osborne-family-spectacle-of-dancing-lights/" target="_blank">Osborne Family Spectacle of Dancing Lights</a></u></b> in Hollywood Studio's Streets of America. A lot of people have expressed disappointment that I didn't stop to take at least one picture here, but to be honest, a picture wouldn't capture how awesome a sight it was...great motivation for the last couple of miles!<br />
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After leaving Hollywood Studios, it was time for another energy gel, and I only had a couple of miles to the finish! Even though it was past midnight, there were a LOT of spectators watching the race along the Boardwalk, Yacht, and Beach Club Resorts...and their cheers helped my legs to move even faster (even though they were certainly starting to hurt).<br />
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What kept me going, though, was knowing that all I had left was a quick jaunt through EPCOT's Future World, under the big ball (Spaceship Earth), and back out to the Finish Line! I was tired and sore, but right near the end, I ran past Michelle and Mary, and they provided the spring in my step that took me to the Finish!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1qch-1n4ouWXBe2WcgGsSVcq2Crm83kGtam66rqyeMVYYuTxTbqXn0kk-QhG8Ucp6c5Jqds3RIQ7FtVyw8WyHFynEwmMKv7ZGAa9mwMK_M2VJT0HQUZZzXgwzML01QQ7vaG_5oO8Naaw/s1600/2013+Wine+%2526+Dine+-+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1qch-1n4ouWXBe2WcgGsSVcq2Crm83kGtam66rqyeMVYYuTxTbqXn0kk-QhG8Ucp6c5Jqds3RIQ7FtVyw8WyHFynEwmMKv7ZGAa9mwMK_M2VJT0HQUZZzXgwzML01QQ7vaG_5oO8Naaw/s640/2013+Wine+%2526+Dine+-+3.jpg" width="422" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost There!!!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOehH1Rj0tiOtrsQ3xd4H1oQCxpbtBQjuNdRPldIsr7xcod-81NO2lMYKHSccaZ50MCVC6S1uGlPROD4iriANFqTQdzd6bxZQP1gY322aQ19nRkm0z7c92hi_QGKJ_M3Q_tcduHpMY5sdL/s1600/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+10a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOehH1Rj0tiOtrsQ3xd4H1oQCxpbtBQjuNdRPldIsr7xcod-81NO2lMYKHSccaZ50MCVC6S1uGlPROD4iriANFqTQdzd6bxZQP1gY322aQ19nRkm0z7c92hi_QGKJ_M3Q_tcduHpMY5sdL/s640/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+10a.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tired, Sore...and Very Happy!</td></tr>
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At the end of it all, my official time for my first half marathon was 2:33:23, and my official pace was 11:42. As such, I was pretty happy that I had sped up after the 10K point and that I had run a negative split! Most importantly, with the exception of walking for ten or fifteen seconds through each drink station - every 1.5 miles - I ran the entire race from start to finish...and regardless of the time it took, a big goal of mine was to run the whole way.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Race According to Garmin</td></tr>
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Now, I should divulge that my Garmin statistics showed that I didn't run the quickest route by which a race course is measured...in fact, I'm even more proud of the fact that I actually ran 13.35 miles in 2:33, which actually put me in at an 11:31 pace, broken down as follows:</div>
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Mile 1 - 12:01</div>
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Mile 2 - 11:58</div>
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Mile 3 - 11:56</div>
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Mile 4 - 12:15 (Got a little bunched up in Animal Kingdom)</div>
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Mile 5 - 11:37</div>
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Mile 6 - 11:30</div>
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Mile 7 - 11:08 (Energy Gel Boost)</div>
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Mile 8 - 11:28</div>
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Mile 9 - 11:38</div>
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Mile 10 - 11:21</div>
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Mile 11 - 11:09 (Energy Gel Boost)</div>
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Mile 12 - 11:18</div>
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Mile 13 - 10:54 (Running through EPCOT; Seeing Michelle and Mary)</div>
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0.35 Miles - 9:58 (Racing to the Finish Line)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5w1NLVrb0vhMAaPaEB80nmA-kU1eBfVJrwdxY8kgva-2sUJiFsthY_GPFO6U83Vzyt_E_Bhj7yLbsFyHgivFJNUA38VIkE5eahdQ63lMZC6l62f2Q2mnq31FnZNi-4TaTpXu3OnvvKSf/s1600/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY5w1NLVrb0vhMAaPaEB80nmA-kU1eBfVJrwdxY8kgva-2sUJiFsthY_GPFO6U83Vzyt_E_Bhj7yLbsFyHgivFJNUA38VIkE5eahdQ63lMZC6l62f2Q2mnq31FnZNi-4TaTpXu3OnvvKSf/s640/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+1.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still Standing!</td></tr>
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Overall, I was happy with my first half marathon, as well as my choice for my first half to be runDisney's Wine & Dine! After making my way through some crowds to catch up with Michelle and Mary, I grabbed a quick bite to eat at the Greece kiosk in the World Showcase, and then it was back to the hotel for a nice bath and some sleep.<br />
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Since that wonderful day a month ago, my mind and my training have been focused on one thing, which was actually my first thought after I crossed the Finish Line:<br />
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Time to Double the Distance!<br />
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But let's get into that next time. Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
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Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-36805661596214828412013-12-02T08:39:00.001-08:002013-12-02T08:42:02.432-08:00Pre-Race Recap - RunDisney's Wine & Dine Half MarathonWell, since it has now been three weeks since I ran my first half marathon, I guess I should provide another recap, huh? I haven't been avoiding it...I guess things have just been a bit hectic.<br />
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Anyway, in my last <b><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/11/day-one-recap-rundisneys-wine-dine-half.html" target="_blank">post</a></u></b>, I talked about Friday, so let me run through Saturday's preparations before my final post about the race itself. In short, this was my goal for Saturday...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIkZ5SYRvokOFGWAryJqIBaYqNnj0aaGli2CkxOdPN9gIpOfcKTnLlDeGaUJk2HIsFgU6U_3gEIoL8AvsLbU4QEdO3eUUn5fG0Nd_1aC7hdsWZpdPrIsouLf4we29zDZ-kEJtBkRtQwqc/s1600/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoIkZ5SYRvokOFGWAryJqIBaYqNnj0aaGli2CkxOdPN9gIpOfcKTnLlDeGaUJk2HIsFgU6U_3gEIoL8AvsLbU4QEdO3eUUn5fG0Nd_1aC7hdsWZpdPrIsouLf4we29zDZ-kEJtBkRtQwqc/s400/2013+Wine+&+Dine+-+17.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rest Those Legs!</td></tr>
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With a night race on the docket (I mean, who runs at 10:00pm?), my focus was on two things: eating properly and getting enough rest. After taking our time getting up and ready, Michelle, Mary, and I headed down to the breakfast buffet at the Yacht Club's <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/yacht-club-resort/captains-grille/" target="_blank">Captain's Grille</a></u></b>, which is a great (and less busy) alternative to the Beach Club's character breakfast at the <b><u><a href="https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/dining/beach-club-resort/cape-may-cafe/" target="_blank">Cape May Cafe</a></u></b>. Since it was late morning, I decided that this was going to be the "big meal" for the day, so I did help myself to a few helpings of this, that, and the other...although I kept it pretty simple and stayed away from spicy and/or adventurous foods.</div>
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After breakfast, I went back to the room to lay down for a little bit and to contact a blogger or two whom I was planning to meet over the weekend. Well, I got in touch with Jen Lefforge from <b><u><a href="http://www.runningpastormom.com/" target="_blank">Running for my Life! </a></u></b>and Michelle, Mary, and I had the opportunity to meet her for her lunch right back at the Captain's Grille! It was awesome getting to spend some time with Jen, and we are hoping to get together with her and her whole family at some point during the Marathon Weekend in January...she's done the Full at Disney before and will be running the half marathon this year; her husband Scott, however, will be undertaking the Goofy Challenge! </div>
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Although taking a picture at the time slipped my mind (I guess I'm still not used to this whole blogging thing), later that night, Jen and I did remember to get a pre-race shot...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With our Newest Friend - Jen Lefforge!</td></tr>
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After lunch - well, Jen had lunch, Mary had ice cream, and Michelle and I had iced teas - it was off to the pool for some R&R. Fortunately, it was a bit of a cloudy day, so finding a shady spot (and staying out of the energy-draining sun) was not difficult. Oh, and on the way to the pool, I ran into a couple of other bloggers - Pam and Christine, the mother-daughter running team from <b><u><a href="http://www.werundisney.com/" target="_blank">We Run Disney</a></u></b> - who happened to be staying at the same hotel. It was great getting to meet them as well; in fact, we also ran into them on Sunday night at Thunder Mountain in the Magic Kingdom, and Michelle put it best when she said, "it just feels like we know you already because of your blog!"<br />
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From a food standpoint, for the remainder of the day, I ate small snacks every couple of hours (a banana here, a yogurt there, a <b><u><a href="http://www.clifbar.com/" target="_blank">CLIF </a></u></b>bar here, and a peanut butter bagel about three hours before the race)...and, most importantly, I kept drinking water, and I mixed in a few waters with <b><u><a href="http://www.nuun.com/" target="_blank">nuun </a></u></b>tablets for some pre-race electrolytes.</div>
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I was able to lay down and get an hour or two of (very light) sleep around 4:30 to 6:30-ish, and then it was time to suit up...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flat Pete - Ready to Run!</td></tr>
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And at around 7:30, I headed downstairs to catch the bus to the Starting Line. </div>
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My first half marathon awaits. Let's do this...</div>
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I'll tell you the rest next time. Until then, enjoy your journey...</div>
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Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-11616603780735781312013-11-20T17:16:00.001-08:002013-11-20T17:16:36.576-08:00Day One Recap - runDisney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Okay, I've waited long enough, and now I absolutely positively must start recapping the Wine & Dine Half Marathon weekend. With so much happening in just a few days, I now understand why everyone's runDisney recaps usually require a few separate posts. In fact, this is already my second, and in my first, I spoke briefly about some very inspirational people who entered my thoughts while on my way to the starting corrals (you can read that post <u><b><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/11/rundisneys-wine-dine-half-marathon.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></u>).<br />
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So without further ado, let's review the weekend's first day. Here we go...<br />
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<b><u>Friday, November 8 - The Expo, The Beach Club, and Epcot</u></b></div>
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One of the advantages to where I live is that it takes just a couple of hours to drive to the Walt Disney World Resort, so I don't have the frustrations of battling airports, ground transportation, and general travel challenges faced by many who partake in the Florida runDisney races. In fact, I guess I'm fortunate in that I have yet to take a "race-cation" since my feet have been back on the pavement. That said, I do see a few in the stars for 2014...but more about that in future posts.<br />
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After getting the car packed up, my wife Michelle and I picked up our daughter Mary at school around noon, grabbed a quick "on the go" (and completely unhealthy) meal at McDonald's, and were on our way to see Mickey. Admittedly, with my first half marathon about a day and a half away, I was feeling a little jittery, maybe a tad anxious, but overall I would say that I was still doing okay.<br />
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Over marathon weekend back in January (Mary and I ran the 5K, which you can read about <u><b><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/01/january-11-2012-disney-5k.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></u>), we drove straight to the expo before heading to our hotel, and since it worked out well back then, I decided on the same strategy this time around. So at around 2:30, we arrived at the Wide World of Sports Complex for the expo, which at the time had been open for about four hours.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Mary at Wide World of Sports</td></tr>
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And to much pleasure, it was an easy and painless experience. Because I had printed and signed my race waiver in advance, I walked right up to where I needed to pick up my bib, waited zero seconds, and picked up my bib.<br />
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From there, we had to head over to the other building to get my race shirt, and again the experience was easy and painless...total time at the expo was maybe a half an hour at this point. Oh, and that includes Michelle and Mary having to wait in a line to pick up their $10 Gift Cards for the Finish Line Party.<br />
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Not really having too much to purchase at the expo - some KT Tape for me (and my Achilles) and a Sweaty Band for Michelle (Mary decided to get her prize at Epcot) - we did a little bit of meandering but ended up getting out of there in a couple hours at the most...probably more like an hour and a half.<br />
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From the expo, we got back in the car and headed over to check in at The Beach Club Resort. While we typically don't stay at the Deluxe resorts for our Disney trips, I decided to go the extra mile this time for two reasons: First, I knew that we weren't going to be doing much on Saturday, so since we were going to be hanging around the resort, we should at least hang around one of the nicest pools on all of Disney's Florida property; Second, knowing that the Finish Line Party was taking place in the Epcot World Showcase, I knew that being able to walk back to the hotel after the race would be much easier than having to jump on a bus...turns out I made the right call.<br />
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Here's a great shot of Michelle and Mary right after we arrived at the hotel and were already heading to Epcot...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary & Michelle - My Cheering Section!</td></tr>
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I had made dinner reservations in advance for the San Angel Inn in Epcot's Mexico, one of our favorite restaurants around the World Showcase...but we had planned a couple of hours for rides before dinner, so we went over the Future World and took rides on Test Track (yes, we had gotten Fast Passes in advance), Spaceship Earth, and Living with the Land before heading back to dinner in Mexico.</div>
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Dinner actually gave us the first of just two disappointments of the weekend....and it had nothing to do with the food.</div>
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One of the negative facets of Epcot's Food & Wine Festival is that some people have more difficulty handling the wine part than others. Unfortunately, we were seated next to three who were about twelve sheets to the wind, and there were quite a few F-Bombs and other not-family-friendly crude comments flying around. At the end of it all, though, we asked if we could change tables, the staff complied, and we ended up having a lovely dinner.</div>
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As a side note, I did have some initial "how's my stomach going to react to Mexican food before a half marathon?" concerns when making the reservations at San Angel; however, when taking into consideration that we were eating about twenty-seven hours before Saturday night's race, I made the judgement call that all systems would be functioning properly come race time. Fortunately, I was correct; and even more fortunately, there were no stomach issues resulting from any meals over the entire weekend.</div>
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After dinner, we took a leisurely stroll through the countries, stopped off in Japan to get Mary a "trip gift" she was asking for, and then headed back to the hotel for some shuteye. Saturday was, in fact, going to be a very big (and ultimately a very long) day. But let's talk about that next time.</div>
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Until then, enjoy your journey...</div>
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Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-22611039338800938492013-11-13T16:57:00.004-08:002013-11-13T17:03:26.250-08:00RunDisney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon: Inspiration at the StartEven without a race recap, many of you - my dozen or so readers - already know that just a few nights ago, I completed my first half marathon down in Orlando at Disney's Wine & Dine Half Marathon. And while I am proud as punch that I, a formerly obese smoker, was able to run 13.1 miles in just a little over two-and-a half hours, I really want this post to be about a few people who are much more inspiring than I'll ever be. Yes, I've lost 100 pounds; yes, as of Monday, I have been smoke-free for two years; and yes, and even though I'm a lot slower than I was twenty-five years ago, I have regained some of my running mojo and have put myself on that proverbial path to my first full marathon in January.<br />
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And while all this has required hard work and dedication on my part, walking to my starting corral this past Saturday night, I came to realize that my hurdles have been insignificant little bumps when compared to those of some other people...some real heroes...<br />
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<b><u>Kimberly Markey</u></b><br />
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It wasn't too long ago that my daughter Mary, my wife Michelle, and I were watching Kim's YouTube videos to give us some motivation to run some RunDisney races. We like this one in particular (and Kim knows it!)...<br />
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But even though Kimberly's running served to inspire in and of itself, what she has been through in the last few months - and what she has done with it - is off the charts.<br />
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Not too long ago, Kimberly was diagnosed with a fairly aggressive type of breast cancer (read about it <b><u><a href="http://makermothermarathonrunner.com/2013/10/18/breast-cancer-at-41-the-prognosis-chemo-therapy/" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></b>), and she immediately was put onto an aggressive treatment path. But that didn't stop her...nope...not even close.<br />
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In just the last month, Kimberly has run RunDisney's Tower of Terror 10-Miler, both the Chicago and New York City Marathons (both races taking place on a Sunday following chemotherapy treatment just a few days prior), as well as this past weekend's Wine & Dine Half Marathon.<br />
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So as I made my way to my starting corral on Saturday night, look who I ran into...<br />
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Kimberly - You are a hero and an inspiration, and I look forward to seeing you at RunDisney and non-RunDisney races for years to come!<br />
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<b><u>Steve Bell</u></b><br />
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Parting ways with Kimberly, I had some time to think as I made my way through the crowds, and thinking about the New York City Marathon she had just run, I was reminded of a new Facebook / Team Boomer friend of mine: Steve Bell.<br />
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As many of you - again, my dozen or so readers - know, I am running for Team Boomer, which is the athletic fundraising side of the Boomer Esiason Foundation to fight and find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis, which is primarily a lung disease against which my niece and nephew have fought their entire lives.<br />
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Well, Steve battles the same illness, and sometimes he does so fiercely...<br />
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I was reminded of Steve because, like Kimberly, he too had run the New York City Marathon just a week earlier (read his recap <b><u><a href="http://www.outrunningtheodds.com/1/post/2013/11/a-good-showing-is-showing-up.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></u></b>), and although he was disappointed with his performance, the last two sentences of his blog post certainly tell us who he is: <span style="background-color: white; color: #3e3e3e; font-family: Quattrocento, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Another New York City marathon under my belt. Another great day of celebrating life.</i></span><br />
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Steve - You are a hero and an inspiration, and I look forward to running "your" race - the New York City Marathon - with you in the years to come!<br />
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<b><u>Anna Corr</u></b><br />
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It's a good thing I'm not presenting this blog post to my dozen or so followers in person. I've already teared up a few times while writing about Kimberly and Steve, and I don't think I'd be able to get through telling you how my niece Anna was also there with me in spirit (and purely unintentionally) as I prepared for the race.<br />
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After making my way into my starting corral around 9:00-ish, I was checking out my phone to see whether Pandora was going to help get me through the miles in front of me. Well, as that app wasn't loading (14,000 people taking up the 4G airwaves simultaneously), I decided to see whether anything interesting had posted to Facebook...and I saw the following post from my niece Anna:<br />
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<i>I just want to be able to breathe, it's not so much to ask for....</i><br />
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Standing in a sea of people, I just stared at the post for a few minutes before I tried (unsuccessfully) to respond...because of the whole 4G thing. It wasn't until a day or two later that I thanked Anna for reminding why I was wearing a Team Boomer shirt.<br />
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Anna - You are a hero and an inspiration, and my sincere promise to you, to Aidan, to Steve, and to everybody battling Cystic Fibrosis is that I will continue to run races to raise money to help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis.<br />
<br />
And, no, Anna...it's not so much to ask for...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i5rtBjRCAWXS6GEZ-sqGmTFsef4g3_1aKFAWo5fXRks_NaqoVZZ5OQjbndksHqED2aE3xvASxH_8LvykjY5FmqO8O_GweNXHCUv2sVx93wu03Suw5WCOId6sLu7WnSwGFOmOVCVL7aBU/s1600/AnnaAidan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2i5rtBjRCAWXS6GEZ-sqGmTFsef4g3_1aKFAWo5fXRks_NaqoVZZ5OQjbndksHqED2aE3xvASxH_8LvykjY5FmqO8O_GweNXHCUv2sVx93wu03Suw5WCOId6sLu7WnSwGFOmOVCVL7aBU/s320/AnnaAidan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anna & Aidan</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Until next time, my loyal readers, do me a favor and put these heroes in your prayers...and if praying is not your thing, just send some positive thoughts.<br />
<br />
And rather than me telling you to enjoy your journey this installment, I'll use Steve's words this time:<br />
<br />
Until next time, celebrate your life...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-15676503339094148652013-10-29T11:55:00.000-07:002013-10-29T12:49:51.851-07:00Race Recap: Evergreen Pumpkin Run 10 MilerThis Sunday, October 27, I ran the Evergreen Pumpkin Run 10 Miler in Jacksonville, Florida, and it was actually the first race I had run since the Castaway Cay 5K during my <strong><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/06/two-disney-cruisestwo-different.html" target="_blank">Disney Cruise</a></u></strong> earlier this year. The reasons why I've held off on racing are simple:<br />
<ol>
<li>I didn't travel anywhere in the last four months;</li>
<li>During that timeframe, there weren't any local races that started at 5:30am, and that is the only time I ran during the ridiculously hot Summer months here in Florida.</li>
</ol>
But boy was this weekend different in an awesome running weather type of way! But let me get to that in a minute.<br />
<br />
For me, some race stress actually started to kick in on Saturday night because as an avid Red Sox fan, I was conflicted between staying up to watch World Series Game 3 or being a responsible runner (who happens to be coming off an injury) and getting a good night's sleep before taking on what would be my longest race to date. Actually, it was my first double-digit-miles race. I <strong><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-gate-river-run-2013-in-books.html" target="_blank">ran a 15K</a></u></strong> earlier this year, but that was "only" 9.3 miles, so in retrospect, this Sunday was a pretty big deal!<br />
<br />
Anyway - back to the story - when the Red Sox fell behind 4-2 late in the game, I decided to go to bed; however, I texted a friend and told him to text me back only if the Sox had the tying and/or go ahead runs in scoring position. Well, an inning later the Sox threatened, he texted, the Sox tied the game, and I ended up staying awake for the rest of the contest...which didn't turn out as well as I would have liked in the end. In hindsight, I guess I should have just stayed in bed...oh well.<br />
<br />
So after watching the Sox lose, I went back to bed and ended up getting a whole four-and-a-half (maybe 5) hours sleep before getting up at around 5:00am for the 8:00am race. After a couple cups of coffee, a bagel with peanut butter (my pre-race favorite), and some water, I did some Trigger Point massage therapy on my lower legs, bundled up a bit, and was in the car around 6:30-ish.<br />
<br />
<em>Bundled up? What do you mean by bundled up, Floridian?</em><br />
<br />
Well, it turns out that it was in the low 50s when I woke up - Nice! - and was forecasted to be in the high 50s/low 60s for the race. To a Floridian who has been running in temps in the 70s and 80s with humidity in the 90s (before the sun comes up, mind you), that is absolutely IDEAL running weather.<br />
<br />
So by the time I got to the race site (around 7:20), I picked up my timing chip (the shoelace chip), made sure the porta potties were in working order, mulled around for a little bit, had some idle chit chat with other runners, and then made my way over to the starting line.<br />
<br />
By the way, all of this took place in a cemetery! Cue Puddy from Seinfeld - Yeah, that's right....a cemetery.<br />
<br />
The Evergreen Pumpkin run - which actually consists of a 10 Miler and a 5K - is a run that makes its way through Jacksonville's Evergreen Cemetery, which is a beautiful old venue with majestic oak and magnolia trees canopying the paths and roadways. The route itself was pretty interesting, with quite a few twists and turns; but the signs marking the journey were clear, and there was never any doubt about which way to go. Oh, and by the way, we didn't trample on anyone's graves...all running was done on asphalt paths and roads, so the chances of a Poltergeist movie breaking out were slim to none.<br />
<br />
But it was certainly an adventure...<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65thdYCgjDkw5nLbU9cB-zYJE2TZGN8aIIV6OZo52x16oXcNECXhahhi3svweKoFyWRAC8V6FdE0HHjliLLBfY0AnQ6d2a4tot46w-3ZdOBdMphCeD-X8AfzrGcVk1QXtpNgiMRDz3ts3/s1600/PumpkinRun2013+-+Map.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi65thdYCgjDkw5nLbU9cB-zYJE2TZGN8aIIV6OZo52x16oXcNECXhahhi3svweKoFyWRAC8V6FdE0HHjliLLBfY0AnQ6d2a4tot46w-3ZdOBdMphCeD-X8AfzrGcVk1QXtpNgiMRDz3ts3/s400/PumpkinRun2013+-+Map.bmp" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From my Garmin Connect</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Anyway, before embarking on this journey, I had a race plan. You see, the only reason I was running this race was to get myself a better corral placement for the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon, which requires a 10-Mile qualifying race (the 9.3 miler "missed it by that much"). As such, I just wanted to go out and run a decent "slow and steady" training-pace (12-minute-mile) race in order to move up a handful of corrals at Disney. <br />
<br />
But remember when I said that the weather was just perfect for running? Well...<br />
<br />
At the race's start, I definitely stuck with my plan. I ran the first mile at an 11:50 pace, and I was just enjoying the scenery, as well as the company of my fellow runners...although, to be honest, I wasn't actually talking with anybody because I was listening to some good running music.<br />
<br />
But although I didn't pay close attention at the time, when I looked at my splits (at every mile) on Garmin Connect after I got home, I realized that with the exception of Mile 5, I got faster and faster as the race progressed. As I look back, it was just that I was having such a good time running through a beautiful venue in perfect running weather, I just happened to move faster and faster as the race progressed.<br />
<br />
Somewhere around Mile 8, I hammed it up for the camera person who yelled that it looked like I still had a lot of spring in my step...and she was right!<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixijbA0e17fxNgg-aBi9BOzfFQWZMv4E4rzkzIDDaRWWf0bP9h_B41MrIkj-ltSpTihTQShCVGQn8aS92204MZFa1yaRDmYKpQ-LduTKVk8jYFvEVmO5Z7dp3YGTrJKawWJwIL3MH7HjLY/s1600/PumpkinRun2013+-+Mile8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixijbA0e17fxNgg-aBi9BOzfFQWZMv4E4rzkzIDDaRWWf0bP9h_B41MrIkj-ltSpTihTQShCVGQn8aS92204MZFa1yaRDmYKpQ-LduTKVk8jYFvEVmO5Z7dp3YGTrJKawWJwIL3MH7HjLY/s400/PumpkinRun2013+-+Mile8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feeling Great around Mile 8!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In fact, for each of the last five miles, I was able to achieve negative splits (I think I'm addicted to negative splits); and my 10th mile actually turned out to be my fastest with a 9:55 pace, which must be why I found myself smiling at the finish!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2728YO7OHfB_drgxLJ1SxFtjNpmN9wbSLnaowQLQi3XZyc1Pj-xVq55P5ojP3X2viZEbRge1AFgPsI2fszRBtfYPL_dykFoEy24ix91Lv3Gp-R2D0MUD67Ej8JM-3rQS6pNfAQqVFYs_/s1600/PumpkinRun2013+-+Finish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI2728YO7OHfB_drgxLJ1SxFtjNpmN9wbSLnaowQLQi3XZyc1Pj-xVq55P5ojP3X2viZEbRge1AFgPsI2fszRBtfYPL_dykFoEy24ix91Lv3Gp-R2D0MUD67Ej8JM-3rQS6pNfAQqVFYs_/s640/PumpkinRun2013+-+Finish.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a Fun Race!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In short, I had a blast this past Sunday morning, and I highly recommend this race to Jacksonville's running community. Heck, even if it were hot, the course is so heavily shaded that battling the sun would not have been an issue...that said, I'm glad we had a cool morning!<br />
<br />
At the end of it all, I beat my two-hour target by over ten minutes, as my chip time was 1:49:16, which put my overall pace at 10:55. And since this was my first 10-Mile race, it was of course a PR!!!<br />
<br />
So did any of you race this past weekend? If so, I hope you had as much fun as I did!<br />
<br />
Let's hope that's the case when I recap my upcoming Half Marathon at Disney, which is now less than two weeks away! I'll keep you posted on my nerves as we get closer to November 9th.<br />
<br />
<br />
Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-16087512537908527462013-10-21T17:01:00.000-07:002013-10-21T17:03:25.773-07:00The Wine & Dine is Almost Here!Over the last month and a half, much of my training focus has been geared toward getting my left Achilles working without pain or discomfort...and, fortunately, it has been cooperating; and with long runs back into double digits, I'm feeling really good that my Achilles has been feeling really good! In retrospect, though, it hasn't been a cup of tea. On top of my marathon training schedule, the added challenge of my Achilles injury brought an additional checklist into the mix:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Taking things slowly and steadily on the pavement (Check)</li>
<li>Undergoing self-administered deep tissue massage therapy to various lower leg trigger points at least three (and preferable four) times a day (Check)</li>
<li>Keeping up with calf and soleus strengthening exercises at least three times a day (Check)</li>
</ul>
<br />
But during my 10-mile long run over this weekend, it dawned on me that I was (seemingly all of the sudden) just three weeks away from this...<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVbfWT5jnCnQ-AIItukihTWkLM2hgYpbIGOOZvQ5ENX6-Xj56smj3yuaqnX7vtcvsg14XBXNbN2Vm-p0ueKQfsIfaF4vsMMQJhIanOPIXO4zC_jyRwVq4bh5M8EjwwrkQKlaxXABMaXcM/s1600/WineDineStart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRVbfWT5jnCnQ-AIItukihTWkLM2hgYpbIGOOZvQ5ENX6-Xj56smj3yuaqnX7vtcvsg14XBXNbN2Vm-p0ueKQfsIfaF4vsMMQJhIanOPIXO4zC_jyRwVq4bh5M8EjwwrkQKlaxXABMaXcM/s400/WineDineStart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
...and I have to admit that I am pretty fired up about my first official Half Marathon! <br />
<br />
In addition, as the father and husband in a Disney family (and I happen to be a pretty avid Disney fan in my own right), it's even more exciting that I'm undertaking my first official Half at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida!<br />
<br />
So here a few things I know about the Wine and Dine Half Marathon, which many avid runDisney participants consider their favorite of the Disney's races:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Fireworks will set the runners in motion on November 9th at 10:00pm...yes, it's a night race.</li>
<li>The three-park race starts at Walt Disney World's Wide World of Sports, sends the runners over to Animal Kingdom, back to Hollywood Studios, past the Yacht and Beach Club resorts, and then off to EPCOT for the Finish!</li>
<li>Following the race, participants and their families attend a Finish Line party that keeps going at EPCOT until 4:00am.</li>
<li>The families also get to hang out at EPCOT while the participants are running, and they'll probably have full stomachs by the time their runners arrive because in addition to being able to ride a handful of rides in Future World, they'll also get to visit a few dozen food stations around the World Showcase. You see, this whole shindig takes place during the final weekend of EPCOT's International Food & Wine Festival!</li>
<li>I'll have the opportunity to spend some quality time with my wife and daughter, as well as a whole bunch of runDisney runners (fanatics?) I've gotten to know over the course of the last year!</li>
</ul>
<br />
I don't know about you, but this sounds like a great time to me! And the good news is that it all happens in just 19 days!<br />
<br />
In the interim, though, since it's race season, I guess I'll need to use my next post to recap the 10-Mile Pumpkin Run coming up this weekend in Jacksonville.<br />
<br />
Until then, enjoy your journey!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-34061749613637728752013-10-07T13:54:00.002-07:002013-10-07T13:58:56.208-07:00Back on Track...With a Few ChangesWhen I finished my easy run/walk yesterday evening, it marked the first week since August that I was able to stick fully to the week's marathon training schedule. Oh, it wasn't for a lack of trying (a.k.a. laziness) or an incredibly busy schedule (yes, I've been busy lately but certainly not too busy to run); rather, it was an Achilles injury that turned out to be far less debilitating because I shut the running down quickly rather than trying to muscle through the pain (which was my first inclination).<br />
<br />
For some more background on the injury, you can check out these older posts:<br />
<br />
<br />
<u><strong><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/09/greek-mythology-story-of-achillesuh-oh.html" target="_blank">The Story of Achilles</a></strong></u><br />
<br />
<strong><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/09/running-from-my-injuryslowly-and.html" target="_blank">Slow & Steady Recovery</a></u></strong><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
So for the first time in a month, I am very relieved to say that I'm back on schedule...although that schedule required a number of revisions following the injury. Since the primary reason for tweaking my Achilles seems to be that I was coupling long runs with tempo runs, I made the following changes to the training plan (well, with the help of <strong><u><a href="http://www.halhigdon.com/" target="_blank">Hal Higdon</a></u></strong>)...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Long Runs - Backed off on the distances. Although I was up to 13 miles before the injury, the past three weeks, my Saturday long runs have been 6, 7, and 5 (with Higdon, every third week is a "stepback" week). This Saturday, I'll be stepping back up to 9 miles and then up to 10 the following week. In addition, my old training schedule had me working all the way up to a 26-mile training run, but I've changed to the Higdon-recommended 20 miler (right after Christmas).</li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Race Pace Runs - Eliminated midweek race pace runs because for this marathon, I have adjusted my mindset to be of the "let's just run this 26.2 miles this time" variety. As such, all of my midweek runs will be at a comfortable pace...perhaps a little faster than my long run pace, but definitely slower than my capabilities. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Speed Work / Tempo Runs - Completely deleted all speed work and faster-paced tempo runs from this marathon training schedule. The goal of one's first marathon is to finish, so I need to put thoughts of speed off until future marathons. I have to keep reminding myself of this...over and over and over. </li>
</ul>
<br />
<ul>
<li>Calf Strengthening / Trigger Point Therapy - New to the marathon training schedule is daily calf strengthening exercises (Eccentric Heel Drops) and Trigger Point deep tissue massage therapy. Both of these have become something I do four times a day...no ifs, ands, or buts.</li>
</ul>
<br />
So things have certainly changed, but I can't tell you how relieved I am to be back to my marathon training. Yes, I'm certainly proceeding with caution so as not to reinjure myself...but the best news is that I'm proceeding. Here are last week's results (and, yes, I still have the overall number of weeks from the start in July), as well as this week's schedule...<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Fourteen (September 30 - October 6)</u></strong><br />
<br />
Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 10), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps)<br />
Tuesday - 3.05 Mile Run (10:49 Pace)<br />
Wednesday - 4.08 Mile Run (11:06 Pace)<br />
Thursday - 3.10 Mile Run (11:04 Pace)<br />
Friday - 3.01 Mile Walk<br />
Saturday - 5.09 Mile Run (11:24 Pace)<br />
Sunday - 2.99 Run/Walk (2:00/2:00 Run/Walk Intervals)<br />
<br />
<u>Total Miles on the Pavement</u> - 23.99 Miles (Includes Warm Up and Cool Down Walks)<br />
<br />
<u>Total Marathon Training Miles</u> - 273.87<br />
<br />
<u>Days to Half Marathon (More About This Next Week)</u> - 32<br />
<br />
<u>Day to Full Marathon</u> - 96<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Fifteen (October 7 - October 13)</u></strong><br />
<br />
Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 9), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps) - COMPLETE<br />
Tuesday - 3 Mile Run<br />
Wednesday - 4 Mile Run<br />
Thursday - 3 Mile Run<br />
Friday - OFF (Walk)<br />
Saturday - 9 Mile Run<br />
Sunday - Family Run<br />
<br />
<br />
Now I just keep things slow and steady as I continue to progress. It's not about speed...it's about finishing. It's not about speed...it's about finishing. It's not about speed...it's about finishing.<br />
<br />
I just need to keep reminding myself...it's not about speed...it's about finishing...<br />
<br />
<br />
Until next time, enjoy your journey...<br />
<br />
<br />
Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-35963674898408101902013-09-20T14:27:00.003-07:002013-09-20T14:29:51.666-07:00Running from my Injury...Slowly and SteadilyPrior to my Achilles flaring up on me a few weeks ago, I have to admit that I was starting to feel a bit like this...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMz7n2whRZfQ8O6VQMmB90_hyqZJn1k39sMx97FaCpaaO5RW0U8HP8LImNO5F1o1NDrtpgR9uCMVcRMloKrD6LdzdrnRb9YtqpeHBpclhknn6gGsPXRoKIinWW5fy-jDblQVx4mKoUYYx/s1600/running-horse_1280x768_2951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMz7n2whRZfQ8O6VQMmB90_hyqZJn1k39sMx97FaCpaaO5RW0U8HP8LImNO5F1o1NDrtpgR9uCMVcRMloKrD6LdzdrnRb9YtqpeHBpclhknn6gGsPXRoKIinWW5fy-jDblQVx4mKoUYYx/s400/running-horse_1280x768_2951.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marathon Shmarathon...I'll Be Ready Next Week!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But when the tightness and pain hit my Achilles, I was definitely brought back to earth and felt a little more like this...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrRtgnTgsg6q-DQapV2ZxhPVaqm3L4xY9UXEKOb4X3Vfi90q9V5V3CKfqFi1XTOVIER6iPrJyc9PSmfxIJOZadFdfFzzWm47jOSqtMoc3R-ITcx6NqHLis3tNk7BlvLZKetREvINQBhPt/s1600/babybunny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUrRtgnTgsg6q-DQapV2ZxhPVaqm3L4xY9UXEKOb4X3Vfi90q9V5V3CKfqFi1XTOVIER6iPrJyc9PSmfxIJOZadFdfFzzWm47jOSqtMoc3R-ITcx6NqHLis3tNk7BlvLZKetREvINQBhPt/s400/babybunny.jpg" width="383" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Why Don't I Just Sit Here and Watch the Big and Strong People Race?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Yes, I went from feeling on top of the world after my 13-mile training run and subsequent speedier runs (which was the problem, by the way) to feeling somewhat dejected and wondering whether I would be running in my upcoming scheduled races. Having had an injury that ended my college baseball career, I pretty much immediately fell into a "Will I ever come back from this?" mindset.<br />
<br />
Fortunately, the pity party was short-lived, as neither my running friends nor my wife Michelle were going to let me stay down in the dumps; and at the end of the day, they all reminded me that I would, indeed, be running again very soon...and they were right!<br />
<br />
While it has been a little frustrating pulling the proverbial reins over the last few weeks, with the help <strong><u><a href="http://www.tptherapy.com/" target="_blank">Trigger Point therapy</a></u></strong> four times per day, Eccentric Heel calf strengthening three times per day, and carefully-placed <strong><u><a href="http://www.kttape.com/" target="_blank">KT Tape</a></u></strong>, the ten-minute walk I took on Labor Day evolved into a couple of longer walks, then a couple of walk-runs, and ultimately five short runs (ranging from 2 to 4 miles) over the last nine days. I have definitely dialed down my speed substantially (by about two minutes per mile), but running a little bit slower is a lot more fun than not running at all. As such, I have to remember to just be happy to be running again and to be this guy for a little while...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4jSzwIP8SVLc3VSAjySc7T8q6Ry345-Heionmq-eqV1D1Tzj9zxoJnoAv8Lp7Unc8wZnWyBrB7CIOb1XM8qnH30HN_scbhpp_ivV4zohoJF0TlnU6ulV2ltQY2pxfBPG3AUBaDdaK-v9/s1600/Tortoise.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4jSzwIP8SVLc3VSAjySc7T8q6Ry345-Heionmq-eqV1D1Tzj9zxoJnoAv8Lp7Unc8wZnWyBrB7CIOb1XM8qnH30HN_scbhpp_ivV4zohoJF0TlnU6ulV2ltQY2pxfBPG3AUBaDdaK-v9/s400/Tortoise.bmp" width="345" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slow and Steady Wins the Race!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Since both of my "slow and steady" runs this week have been free of pain and discomfort, tomorrow morning I will be stretching the distance a little bit and will be running six miles. As with each time out since the injury, though, I am undertaking the run with the "if it hurts, I'm going to stop running" attitude / game plan. While I haven't had to employ that game plan to this point - and I hope I won't need to tomorrow - it is important that I hold to it should the need arise. Slow and steady wins the race...slow and steady wins the race.<br />
<br />
I'll let you know how everything goes...and hopefully I'll be back next week to report on my now-revised marathon training plan.<br />
<br />
<br />
Until then, be sure to enjoy your journey...<br />
<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-65958006689535677142013-09-12T17:11:00.000-07:002013-09-12T17:11:13.431-07:00It's Not All About MeA number of years ago, I was sitting in church, listening to the minister tell a story of his young child - around three years old at the time - who had recently gotten a T-Shirt that proudly proclaimed "It's All About Me!" across the chest. The minister went on to explain that when we're three years old, "It's All About Me!" is a pretty accurate proclamation. When we're hungry, someone gives us food; when we're tired, someone tucks us into bed; when we're messy, someone cleans us; and when we're hurt, someone is there to comfort us.<br />
<br />
Walking out of church that day, I came to realize that during many moments of most days, I could pretty much wear that T-Shirt (in the proverbial sense) as that little three year old. And, since I'm being honest, I know I am still capable of falling into a mindset in which I see the world "according to Pete" and wonder why all of these people around me just aren't acting in accordance with the manner in which this world "should" operate.<br />
<br />
In reality, I think we're all guilty of this from time to time (well, probably more often than that), but actually knowing and recognizing our own myopic vision is actually a sign that we are stepping away from these tendencies.<br />
<br />
With my running, there is certainly a selfish aspect for me, and that feeling of self has certainly lifted its head a couple of times in the last two weeks as I've been overcoming my Achilles injury (progress is good, by the way...more about that next week). But there is also a very different side to my running, and it is this facet that has added dimension and enjoyment to my overall running experience. In short...<br />
<br />
It's <strong><u>NOT</u></strong> all about me. <br /><br /> Four months from today, on January 12, 2014, I'll be running my first full marathon at Walt Disney World, and I certainly anticipate that this event will be one of those "Fence Post" moments in my life's journey.<br /><br /> But it's not all about me...right?<br /><br /> As I indicate above, there is a undoubtedly a selfish element to embarking on this marathon journey, and I have personally benefitted by shedding over 100 pounds, by dropping my resting heart rate into the 50s, by overcoming nagging little injuries (like the one I've had over the last couple of weeks), by pushing myself to limits that I never would have imagined just a couple of years ago, and by achieving a positive sense of self I have never felt before.<br /><br /> But it's not all about me....right?<br /><br /> Last September - right around this time, in fact - I watched in awe (from the confines of my office and computer screen) as my brother-in-law, <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=100003996282735&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/michael.corr.731?directed_target_id=0" saprocessedanchor="true">Michael Corr</a>, completed <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=276299685759240&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/IMWales?directed_target_id=0" saprocessedanchor="true">Ironman Wales</a> in just a hair over 13 hours (not bad for 140.6 miles, Mike); but more compelling was that he raised an amazing amount of money for the <strong><u><a href="http://esiason.org/team-boomer.php" target="_blank">Boomer Esiason Foundation for Cystic Fibrosis</a></u></strong> because both of his kids - my niece <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=858395054&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/acorr1?directed_target_id=0" saprocessedanchor="true">Anna</a> and nephew Aidan - have been battling this disease their whole lives.<br /><br /> And it was on that day, watching Mike complete that Ironman, that I realized why I was back on the pavement after a twenty-five-plus year hiatus. I remember saying to my wife Michelle, "I need to do something like this...I don't know what exactly that is yet, but I really think I need to find the answer."<br /><br /> So after letting the journey run its course for a little while (pun intended), it turned out that the Disney Full Marathon was the answer; and it is through this event that I am raising money for <a href="http://esiason.org/team-boomer.php" target="_blank">Team Boomer and the Boomer Esiason Foundation</a>...and I am raising this money not only for my own family but for anyone (and their loved ones) battling this disease.<br /><br /> Admittedly, I've spent far too many moments on this life journey of mine thinking only about the guy I see in the mirror...but this isn't one of those times.<br /><br /> So if you'd like to help out, the website link for donations is below. I would be personally grateful for any donation with which you can come up...as they say, no amount is too small. I would also be appreciative if you would please pass the link to the website along to anyone you think might be willing to help. Sure, you can tell people the story of how a formerly obese smoker is now getting ready for a marathon...but please also remind them that one of the things that keeps him going is that it's no longer all about him.<br /><br /><a forcediv="true" forceinline="true" href="http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/peteolson/2014waltdisneyworldmarathon" onclickstat_1d5h1bb="SN_CL_GR" original_target="http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/peteolson/2014waltdisneyworldmarathon&h=jaqezatyuaqhpiaiifpzlhk4jgtxktzox41oxf_c6r1tlfw&s=1" rel="nofollow nofollow" saprocessedanchor="true" target="_blank">http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/peteolson/2014waltdisneyworldmarathon</a><br />
<br />Oh, and by the way, over the marathon weekend, I will be joined by a handful of others who are proud to be supporting Team Boomer along with me, and I'll be running more detailed features on this team of finely tuned athletes in upcoming posts...<br /><br /> Brother-in-Law Mike - Running Goofy (1/2 Marathon Saturday, Full Marathon Sunday)<br /> Sister <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1452552084&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/sandy.olsoncorr?directed_target_id=0" saprocessedanchor="true">Sandy</a> - Running the 1/2 Marathon on Saturday <br /> My Wife <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1025761181&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/michelle.olson.5876?directed_target_id=0" saprocessedanchor="true">Michelle</a> and Daughter Mary - Running the Family 5K with me<br /> Our friend <a data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/user.php?id=1358057270&extragetparams=%7B%22directed_target_id%22%3A0%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/Anyone2u?directed_target_id=0" saprocessedanchor="true">Roger</a> (who has a niece with CF) - Running the Marathon <br /> Roger's wife Mary - Running the 1/2 Marathon <br /><br /> We all thank you in advance for any help you can offer.<br />
<br />
<br />
I'll be back to talking about me (oh gosh...it's all about me again) and my positive Achilles rehab next week.<br />
<br />
Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-47733975715359204932013-09-05T17:55:00.001-07:002013-09-05T17:58:55.835-07:00Greek Mythology - The Story of Achilles...Uh Oh!I told you in my very positive <a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/09/september-weigh-in-made-it.html" target="_blank">post about reaching my weight loss goal</a> earlier this week that I would be speaking a little bit about Greek mythology in a later post...so here goes.<br />
<br />
At the conclusion of my 6.2 mile run on Saturday, my classical education files in the back of my brain opened up, as I was (unfortunately) reminded of the story of Achilles...can you guess why? I'll get to that in a minute, but first the story.<br />
<br />
In Homer's Iliad, Achilles is a powerful warrior, <em>almost</em> invincible, and his strength stemmed not only from formal training. When Achilles was an infant, his mother immersed him into the River Styx to give him immortality and to make him invincible in battle. Her grave error, though, was that she held Achilles by his left heel when putting him under the water, and it was this part of his body that was not submerged that was vulnerable and ultimately led to Achilles' demise when he was struck in this heel (yes, his Achilles Heel) with a poisoned arrow.<br />
<br />
So while I wouldn't put myself into the powerful warrior class, I was reminded of this story as I finished off my run with some sharp pains in my left Achilles tendon (yes, it was my left one, too) over the last couple of miles. Like most runners, I didn't think much of the pains as they were happening, and I carried with me the "oh well - it will go away" attitude as I muscled my way through the run. And, to be honest, the pain wasn't constant...it actually was coming and going...so I wasn't thinking I was hurt.<br />
<br />
Well, as the day progressed, the pain (and some tightness) continued to come and go...and I was no longer running. Fortunately, it wasn't coming and going when I was at rest, but I could definitely feel it when moving around.<br />
<br />
So, in my brilliance, I decided that it would be a good idea to test it out on a 2-minute/2-minute run/walk (hey - it's just a run/walk, right?) on Sunday morning...well, that proved to be a mistake. Oh, I was fine during the walking portion - yes, there was a little tightness, but it didn't feel "bad"...except during the running intervals. Every time my left foot hit the pavement, there was a sharp pain shooting through my Achilles.<br />
<br />
So I did the smart thing...I kept on running...umm...for a pretty educated guy, that wasn't too bright either.<br />
<br />
Despite my idiocy, though, it looks like I'm going to be okay and that I caught this in time to recover and keep training for my upcoming races....there's just a little extra work to do.<br />
<br />
After speaking with a podiatrist, a track coach, and a <a href="http://www.tptherapy.com/" target="_blank">Trigger Point therapy</a> guru from my local running store - The <a href="http://jacksonvillerunningcompany.com/" target="_blank">Jacksonville Running Company</a> - it looks like I should be back to full speed in just a few weeks...and back on the pavement running at easy speeds as early as this weekend. In the interim, I've been able to continue to cross train on the stationary bike this week; and with the addition of Trigger Point deep massage therapy and calf strengthening <a href="http://runnersconnect.net/running-injury-prevention/achilles-tendonitis-and-insertional-achilles-tendinopathy-in-runners/" target="_blank">Eccentric Heel Drop</a> exercises, the last time I felt pain and experienced swelling in my Achilles was on Monday...the only pain now is muscle pain associated with my new routines, but muscle pain is welcome pain. But that makes me lucky...very lucky. <br />
<br />
<em><span style="color: blue;">Oh, and by the way, if you experience Achilles problems, please don't take my advice as THE advice and please note that I've spoken with three others regarding my own situation...in other words, I'm not a doctor, a track coach, nor am I a trained massage therapist, so don't take this as professional advice (or end up suing me if something goes wrong).</span></em><br />
<br />
Oh, and by the way, here's the most likely thing I did (or didn't do) that led to a hurting Achilles...and this is something that would probably be wise for any runner to avoid (especially when training for his or her first marathon). As you know, my distances have been increasing dramatically over the last month or two, but my mistake (especially in the last two weeks) was not allowing my body to recover appropriately from the long runs; rather, on my recovery runs, I started pushing my speed to new limits as well. Thus, in my case, as someone who has just been back on the road for a year and who is training for his first marathon... <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">Increased Distance + Increased Speed = Increased Likelihood of Injury</span></strong>.<br />
<br />
So this week is a bit of a sabbatical from the marathon training, but here are last week's results (with the recovery runs pushing my speed limits), as well as what I've been up to this week:<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training Week Nine (August 26 - September 1)</u></strong><br />
<br />
Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 9), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps)<br />
Tuesday - 5.07 Mile Run (10:05 Pace)<br />
Wednesday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 9), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit<br />
Thursday - 4.12 Mile Run (9:26 Pace)<br />
Friday - OFF<br />
Saturday - 6.22 Mile Run (10:35 Pace)<br />
Sunday - 2.65 Mile Family Run<br />
Total Miles on the Pavement - 20.12 Miles (Includes Warm Up and Cool Down Walks)<br />
<br />
Total Marathon Training Miles - 190.47<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training Week Ten (September 2 - September 8)</u></strong><br />
<br />
Monday - 10-Minute Walk (0.63 Miles) - COMPLETE<br />
Tuesday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 9), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps) - COMPLETE<br />
Wednesday - 20-Minute Walk (1.39 Miles) - COMPLETE<br />
Thursday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 9), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit - COMPLETE<br />
Friday - Walk 30 Minutes<br />
Saturday - Walk 45 Minutes<br />
Sunday - Run/Walk Intervals (as long as all is okay)<br />
<br />
In addition, I have been (and will continue to be) doing the Eccentric Heel Drop exercises three times per day, as well as the Trigger Point therapy four times per day. These will continue all the way through to the marathon in January.<br />
<br />
So a great warrior I am not, but the last week has shown me that I do share a vulnerability with one of the greats of lore. Let's just hope that I don't share a similar fate...DOH!<br />
<br />
In all seriousness, a good triathlete friend of mine told me earlier this week that this is just a bump in the road, and as long as I don't rush myself - which is already getting tough because my Achilles feels pretty normal again - I'll be back on schedule and getting ready for my races before I know it. Thanks for that advice, Andrew! It came at the right time!<br />
<br />
I look forward to having good news about hopefully being back on the training road next week.<br />
<br />
Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-76100689191326837312013-09-02T17:08:00.004-07:002013-09-02T17:09:28.097-07:00September Weigh In - Made It!I know I usually wait until Wednesday for my blog posts, but this one's pretty important to me! Later this week, I'll be writing a little bit about Greek mythology and the River Styx, but you'll have to wait to find out how that topic is relevant to my own journey.<br />
<br />
As I've stated in the past, it was January 7, 2012, when I (at 275.6 pounds) really made the commitment to weight loss; well, I kinda sorta made such a commitment. The problem was that I had not defined how much weight I wanted to lose; rather, I had basically set my sites on "about fifty or so" pounds.<br />
<br />
It was not until January of this year - when I weighed in at 226.6 pounds - when I arrived at two realizations:<br />
<br />
1. I saw that a loss of 50 pounds (well, 49) still left me in the "Obesity" category; and<br />
2. I knew I needed to set a "Healthy" category goal weight<br />
<br />
As such, I decided then and there to set a goal weight of 175 pounds, and I chose this number not because it was 100 pounds from where I started but rather because it would put me comfortably under the "Normal" ("Healthy") weight line, which for someone my height and age falls somewhere between 180 and 185.<br />
<br />
Fast forward eight months, and here's what my scale screamed out to me this morning...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9x4dz77t2qyHN8-S6Bh4Ul7Fx8beix8Lw1Y5GNkvp04Y7Kt7pF9XY9lhL2E56pwRv5FPVAdEQrZMZtghfrw8GxAl3BkRx-4aB_zxF14mteJSOTyUe3R6885Za3wiKovCdWDjtSzTbFvn/s1600/Weight+Sept+2+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW9x4dz77t2qyHN8-S6Bh4Ul7Fx8beix8Lw1Y5GNkvp04Y7Kt7pF9XY9lhL2E56pwRv5FPVAdEQrZMZtghfrw8GxAl3BkRx-4aB_zxF14mteJSOTyUe3R6885Za3wiKovCdWDjtSzTbFvn/s320/Weight+Sept+2+2013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I Stepped on it Three Times to Make Sure!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This number was actually pretty amazing to me, for although reaching the goal this week/month was anticipated, I did not expect to have fallen this far below 175...but I'll certainly accept it!<br />
<br />
So today is a day of mini celebration...but it's not a day to go out and eat everything in sight. Although weight loss is no longer the goal, I've now moved into a lifelong weight maintenance stage. You see, I've lost weight in the past (not anywhere close to this much, though)...and I've gained it back (I think they call that a yo-yo dieter); so I have absolutely no intention of changing what I've been doing to get here. I'm still going to track my intake and my exercise; the only difference is that my daily calorie target (my points total in Weight Watchers) has climbed a bit because I'm no longer tracking to lose weight but am instead tracking to maintain my weight.<br />
<br />
As a safety net, I have a very close friend/accountability partner who has promised to come down to Florida and kick my butt if I were to ever start packing on the pounds again...thanks for that, Roger...and thanks for all the support as we've watched the weight loss happen over the past year. What helped the most was the tough love you offered when I gained some weight around the holidays, and you'll never know how thankful I am that you didn't allow me to get away with any excuses!<br />
<br />
So there you have it, everyone...102.4 pounds in just under twenty months.<br />
<br />
<strong>Was it easy</strong>? Absolutely not!<br />
<br />
<strong>Was it worth it</strong>? Every second of it.<br />
<br />
And as I've said many times to many people over this past year and a half...<br />
<br />
<em><strong>If I can do it, ANYBODY can do it! So whether it's 100 pounds or 10, go get started! You can do it, too! You CAN!!!</strong></em><br />
<br />
<br />
Tune in later this week to see how Greek mythology relates to my marathon journey.<br />
<br />
Until then, enjoy <strong><u><em>your</em></u></strong> journey...<br />
<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-12527720050263859992013-08-28T15:54:00.001-07:002013-08-28T16:08:24.402-07:00My First Half Marathon...Sort OfJust a little after 5:30am this past Saturday, August 24, I stepped out of a fairly brisk warm up walking pace and into a slow running pace at which I would find myself moving for a little while.<br />
<br />
In fact, it was 2 hours, 37 minutes, and 11 seconds later when I finally backed off of that running pace and found myself cooling down with an easy walk. Oh, and at the end of that timeframe, I had completed a run of 13.15 miles!<br />
<br />
My first half marathon in the books!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShH2fbG9ZylfohdrLxO1geHARLrNSzzmtYZ4drKKOaP1TcITTE82qOnRW0ncOvqGSCfhJx9bzPhDBsaNAmIMOmcLoywrhpfi5cdd3JtB9Io-EpR9LzVRRm-Ff0GHxd1HWT3BEK2YsEpJ2/s1600/HalfMarathonSticker.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShH2fbG9ZylfohdrLxO1geHARLrNSzzmtYZ4drKKOaP1TcITTE82qOnRW0ncOvqGSCfhJx9bzPhDBsaNAmIMOmcLoywrhpfi5cdd3JtB9Io-EpR9LzVRRm-Ff0GHxd1HWT3BEK2YsEpJ2/s200/HalfMarathonSticker.bmp" width="200" /></a></div>
Well, sort of...<br />
<br />
There were a few race sights and sounds missing from the picture. There was no Star Spangled Banner. No starting gun (or Start Line). No race bib. No timing chip or timing mats. No USATF-sanctioned course. No volunteers. No water stations. No spectators. No Finish Line. And, well, no other runners.<br />
<br />
But there were a few things that made this count...me, my sweaty running clothes, my trusty running shoes, my tired legs (started feeling them at about 11 miles), my little aches and pains that came and went (mostly during the run's second half), my determination to keep going...oh, and my Garmin to make this half marathon "official"...well, at least in my heart, mind, and soul.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKQI-i9gjWucHFd6g8-_2CgOLghPE6Mj5Lx5rZ0JeY_yNVbUQlKSbq3NS1gEuISgCf5ERFDtVcg11kr__lIZrNpYohXWLxlMwjcez3pNnnrl9uXWUs2DrwLR-X8wM1TLa3ARXdS_MHbBu/s1600/LongRun08242013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKQI-i9gjWucHFd6g8-_2CgOLghPE6Mj5Lx5rZ0JeY_yNVbUQlKSbq3NS1gEuISgCf5ERFDtVcg11kr__lIZrNpYohXWLxlMwjcez3pNnnrl9uXWUs2DrwLR-X8wM1TLa3ARXdS_MHbBu/s320/LongRun08242013.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you're keeping score...<br />
Distance, Pace, and Time include Warm Up and Cool Down walks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Yes, I know it's not a "real" half marathon and that results will be posted nowhere but right here; but I also know that I ran 13.15 miles and only stopped running for a quick water/nature break (at mile 6.45). And just to keep everything on the up and up, I did <u><strong>NOT</strong></u> stop my Garmin while I took the three minutes to fill my water bottles and... uh...to use the facility at the local sports field.<br />
<br />
What I really take from this past weekend's personal "half marathon" is the knowledge that I can do one; and when I put that knowledge to the actual test down at the Disney Wine & Dine in a couple of months, this run is the first of a few coming up that will give me the confidence I need to persevere through that first "official" USATF-sanctioned half marathon!<br />
<br />
<br />
In addition to the personal half, here's the recap from the entire week, as well as this week's schedule:<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Eight (August 19 - August 25)</u></strong> <br />
<br />
Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 9), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps)<br />
Tuesday - 5.14 Mile Run (10:50 Pace)<br />
Wednesday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 9), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit<br />
Thursday - 4.13 Mile Run (10:39 Pace)<br />
Friday - OFF<br />
Saturday - 13.15 Mile Run (11:57 Pace)<br />
Sunday - 2.84 Mile Family Run<br />
<br />
Total Miles on the Pavement - 27.28 Miles (Includes Warm Up and Cool Down Walks)<br />
<br />
Total Marathon Training Miles - 170.35<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Nine (August 26 - September 1)</u></strong><br />
<br />
Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 9), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps) - COMPLETE<br />
Tuesday - 5.07 Mile Run (10:07 Pace) - COMPLETE<br />
Wednesday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 9), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit - COMPLETE<br />
Thursday - 4 Mile Run<br />
Friday - OFF<br />
Saturday - 5 Mile Run<br />
Sunday - Family Run<br />
<br />
<br />
Next week's training (Week Ten) will be shifting me from four runs per week to five...oh, and I'll also be finishing up the week with my next long run...of fifteen miles!!! But I'm going to go ahead and wait until next week to freak out about that distance...I hope.<br />
<br />
Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-67767833655325813172013-08-21T16:50:00.001-07:002013-08-21T16:50:11.382-07:00Marathon Training Week 7 Recap: Not Speedy...Speedier!Following the <strong><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-longest-run-recapand-my-august-weigh.html" target="_blank">long run</a></u></strong> at the end of Week Six, the focus of Week Seven was to just get back on my feet, recover, rebuild, and get prepared for the next long run (later this week).<br />
<br />
But a funny thing happened during my first four-mile "recovery" run on Tuesday...I felt terrific! I started out with a nice easy pace of about 10:30-ish for the first half mile; but my lungs and legs were feeling strong, so I decided to reach down for a little extra...and I found it. When all was said and done, I finished the 4.13 mile run with a 9:38 pace, which happened to be my fastest pace for a four-plus mile run.<br />
<br />
But that record was actually short-lived. On Saturday, I got back out there for four miles, and after a similar start of 10:30-ish for the first half mile, I found the extra gear again and ended up running 4.16 miles at a 9:35 pace!<br />
<br />
So while I wouldn't define myself as a "speedy" runner (the Boston Marathon isn't reserving my qualified-for spot yet), it's nice to see that as I keep plugging along (and as I keep cross training), my ability to pick up the pace has definitely improved. Speedy? No...Speedier? Absolutely.<br />
<br />
All that said, as I prepare for this week's long run, I need to pull back on the reins a little bit as I head out for tomorrow morning's four miler. While it's tempting to go out an see what I can achieve, I need to remind myself that this isn't a speed week...it's a long run week...and fresh legs willing to go thirteen miles will certainly be needed this Saturday morning!<br />
<br />
Here's the recap from last week, as well as this week's schedule...<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Seven (August 12 - August 18)</u></strong> <br /><br /> Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 8), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps)<br /> Tuesday - 4.13 Mile Run (9:38 Pace)<br /> Wednesday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 8), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit<br /> Thursday - 5.11 Mile Run (10:23 Pace)<br /> Friday - OFF<br /> Saturday - 4.16 Mile Run (9:35 Pace)<br /> Sunday - 3.61 Mile Family Run<br /><br /> Total Miles on the Pavement - 19.01 Miles (Includes Warm Up and Cool Down Walks)<br /><br /> Total Marathon Training Miles - 143.07<br /><br /><br /><strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Eight (August 19 - August 25)</u></strong><br /><br /> Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 9), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps) - COMPLETE<br /> Tuesday - 5.14 Mile Run (10:50 Pace) - COMPLETE<br /> Wednesday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 9), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit - COMPLETE<br /> Thursday - 4 Mile Run<br /> Friday - OFF<br /> Saturday - 13 Mile Run<br /> Sunday - Family Run<br /><br />I'm trying not to freak out too much about the thirteen miler this weekend - although freaking out is certainly tempting - so I'm just going to brush over it for now with the hopes that I'll be able to tell you all about it next week.<br />
<br />
Until then, enjoy your journey...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-42532700351280966262013-08-14T13:21:00.000-07:002013-08-14T13:25:35.005-07:00My Longest Run Recap...and My August Weigh InIn last week's <strong><u><a href="http://c2mj.blogspot.com/2013/08/marathon-training-week-six-first-double.html" target="_blank">blog post</a></u></strong>, it might have been apparent that, although excited about the prospect, I was a bit apprehensive about my upcoming (and first) double-digit-mile run. In fact, I was so focused on the long run that I forgot to include my August weigh in result. Actually, it's interesting that I overlooked the weigh in because that action (or lack thereof) is actually indicative of where I am mentally right now.<br />
<br />
While I am very close to my target weight, which you're about to find out, my primary focus is no longer on my weight as it was just nineteen months ago. Yes, getting to my goal weight has a bit of a "Complete the Quest" appeal to me, but since I moved into the "Normal" BMI range, my primary focus has shifted away from losing weight and toward the new mountain of completing my first marathon. And even though I am still tracking everything I eat with Weight Watchers, the most important tracking I am doing is the tracking of my progress with my marathon training plan.<br />
<br />
All that said, though, here are the results from my August weigh in...<br />
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<strong><em>Weight - 178.7 Pounds<br /><br />Total Loss in July - 3.3 Pounds</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
<strong><em>Total Loss since January 2012 - 96.9 Pounds!</em></strong><br />
<strong><em></em></strong><br />
So I'm bearing down on my goal weight of 175 pounds, and I imagine that I'll find myself there within the next month or so...but, again, my weight has become less of the focus as I climb marathon mountain. Yes, I am tracking and will continue to track my food intake even after I hit my goal, but I've already told myself that I'm not going to freak out about my weight unless I find myself drifting above 175 (after I get there).<br />
<br />
<br />
Now to the real focus...Week Six and that first double-digit long run. <br />
<br />
In short, I did it!!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTMHy1mMb2tP5sUZKyOQETTry45FKcrimsHdoGdUIBlE4OWCOfVAr6cI2mIu4ExIZ48-upvAxVTVYAy7j3mYx8wYruAMIGijHH9idFzhiwBTmrQ0RQa-xdT-mBmmL8BnsFnICKT67fc9g/s1600/LongRun081013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzTMHy1mMb2tP5sUZKyOQETTry45FKcrimsHdoGdUIBlE4OWCOfVAr6cI2mIu4ExIZ48-upvAxVTVYAy7j3mYx8wYruAMIGijHH9idFzhiwBTmrQ0RQa-xdT-mBmmL8BnsFnICKT67fc9g/s400/LongRun081013.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Time, Pace, and Distance include Warm Up and Cool Down Walks</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
To make a shorter story a little longer, I got out of bed around 4:45-ish on Saturday morning, brushed my teeth, got suited and laced up, gobbled down a CLIF bar, drank about sixteen ounces of water, and headed to the driveway for some stretching a little before 5:30.<br />
<br />
On my five-minute Warm Up walk, I thought about my run strategy...start slow, drink about four ounces of water every mile (beginning at Mile 2), eat a Power Bar Energy Blast every two miles (beginning at Mile 3), drink four ounces of Gatorade at Miles 5 and 10, and refill my water bottles at the Little League fields on the way back home. Whew...that's a lot of planning for just eleven miles! I guess it makes sense when the proverbial "they" tell us that long runs don't just prepare you to run a marathon; they also teach you how to keep your body full of the fuel that will be necessary to get you through that marathon.<br />
<br />
With a long way to go, I started out at a very slow pace (about 12:30 for the first half mile) in that "looking for a rhythm" portion of the run. The body check told me that nothing was hurting, everything was loosening up, and that we were off to the races (so to speak). At the end of the first mile, I had sped up a little bit and found myself at a 12:20 pace. Knowing that I had set my goal training pace at 12:00, I asked my legs to move a little bit faster...and they did. As such, as the run progressed, every time I looked at my watch, my average paces kept dropping (except for when I stopped to refill my water bottles, at which time my average pace jumped from 11:48 to 11:51...I remember that distinctly). That said, though, I must have really picked it up from there because I finished with an average pace of 11:41, and completed the running portion of the run (11.05 miles) in two hours, nine minutes, and three seconds.<br />
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At the end of it all, I'm very happy with the run. To put it into context, back in March, I ran the Gate River Run (9.3 miles) at a pace of 11:51...and did not have much sugar left in the tank when I was done. Heck, it was tough walking to my car to go home! But last Saturday, after running 11.05 miles at an even faster pace of 11:41 (which was actually an intentionally slower training pace), I actually went home, stretched out (admittedly I needed to stretch a little more than usual), rested for about a half an hour, and then proceeded to mow my lawn. <br />
<br />
What a difference five months make!<br />
<br />
Here's the total weekly recap from last week, as well as this week's plan...<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Six (August 5 - August 11)</u></strong> <br />
<br />
Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 8), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps)<br />
Tuesday - 5.17 Mile Run (10:59 Pace)<br />
Wednesday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 8), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit<br />
Thursday - 4.15 Mile Run (10:17 Pace)<br />
Friday - OFF<br />
Saturday - 11.05 Mile Run (11:41 Pace)<br />
Sunday - 2.38 Mile Family Run<br />
<br />
Total Miles on the Pavement - 24.73 Miles (Includes Warm Up and Cool Down Walks)<br />
<br />
Total Marathon Training Miles - 124.06<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Seven (August 12 - August 18)</u></strong><br />
<br />
Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 8), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps) - COMPLETE<br />
Tuesday - 4.13 Mile Run (9:38 Pace) - COMPLETE<br />
Wednesday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 8), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit - COMPLETE<br />
Thursday - 5 Mile Run<br />
Friday - OFF<br />
Saturday - 4 Mile Run<br />
Sunday - Family Run<br />
<br />
<br />
As you can see from the Week Seven plan, this week is definitely a recovery week...but you'll find out soon enough that Week Eight will certainly make up for that.<br />
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Until next time, enjoy your journey...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7179904387445664753.post-61791608740694072312013-08-07T14:00:00.003-07:002013-08-07T14:01:15.046-07:00Marathon Training Week Six: First Double-Digit Run<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvMvhwtNbAVYxDYcoAfUeVYEscQJ9kqIKUcXUyO3eiQ9N2b2AY4bWv6R_0vrcgfXjK7Q4wl4uTUA2c76TIHzI9Ubxnf8hRf3ryuRUWiRVpWk00b05_nDrOYDu1qpoKB8RV4Q8BdvXRSKD/s1600/Long_Distance_Running.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzvMvhwtNbAVYxDYcoAfUeVYEscQJ9kqIKUcXUyO3eiQ9N2b2AY4bWv6R_0vrcgfXjK7Q4wl4uTUA2c76TIHzI9Ubxnf8hRf3ryuRUWiRVpWk00b05_nDrOYDu1qpoKB8RV4Q8BdvXRSKD/s400/Long_Distance_Running.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready...Set...Go!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This Saturday, I'll be stepping out for my first double-digit run...ever! Yes, I ran 9.2 miles just a couple weeks ago, as well as a 15K (9.3 miles) back in March, but this Saturday will be the first time I'll be crossing the ten-mile mark. Well, I'll actually be running eleven miles, and I plan to do so at an easy training pace of 12 minutes per mile. So I guess that means I'll be out there for about two hours and ten minutes...hey, that's about the length of a good movie!<br />
<br />
And like a good movie, I'm actually looking forward to the run. Yes, I know the conditions will be far from optimal (it's been 80 degrees with humidity over 90% at 5:30am all week), my body and clothes will be soaked with sweat, and I might have a few moments along the way where I might doubt myself. On the other side of the coin, though, it's exciting to think that I can overcome the elements, that my legs (and some water and nutrients) can take me for an eleven-mile run, and that this run will be moving me one step closer to the ultimate prize of crossing that marathon finish line in January!<br />
<br />
Tune in next week to see how it went (or whether I made it). In the interim, here's the recap of Week Five, as well as this week's full schedule...<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Five (July 29 - August 4)</u></strong> Monday - 4.17 Mile Run (10:18 Pace)<br />
Tuesday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 7), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps)<br />
Wednesday - 5.08 Mile Run (10:33 Pace)<br />
Thursday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 7), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit<br />
Friday - 4.11 Mile Run (10:27 Pace)<br />
Saturday - OFF<br />
Sunday - Easy 2/2 Run/Walk Intervals (2.99 Miles)<br />
<br />
Total Miles on the Pavement - 18.24 Miles (Includes Warm Up and Cool Down Walks)<br />
<br />
Total Marathon Training Miles - 99.33<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong><u>Marathon Training - Week Six (August 5 - August 11)</u></strong><br />
Monday - Stationary Bike (45 Mins, Hills, Level 8), Abs (4 Exercises, 3 x 12 Reps) - COMPLETE<br />
Tuesday - 5.17 Mile Run (10:59 Pace) - COMPLETE<br />
Wednesday - Stationary Bike (45 Minutes, Hills, Level 7), 30-Minute Cybex Circuit - COMPLETE<br />
Thursday - 4 Mile Run<br />
Friday - OFF<br />
Saturday - 11 Mile Run (I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...)<br />
Sunday - Family Run<br />
Let's just hope that "I think I can" turns into "I knew I could" by the time the sun comes up this Saturday!<br />
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Until next time, enjoy your journey...<br />
<br />
<br />Pete Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05213986538289076578noreply@blogger.com0