Proud Of Her

I sit here and I write about the accomplishments I have achieved thru running. I brag about it and I brag about how supportive my family is. I'm going to change it up a bit this time and tell how you proud I am of a certain lady in my life. Deb is my wife. She never was into running when we met. Don't get me wrong, she's a sprinter when she needs to be. :) It was the distance running that she really wasn't into. Well, let me tell you, that seems to have changed since we came to Arkansas. I started a running club shortly after getting here. Most of you know I call it the Muckas Running Club. Deb has played a major part in it. She has been there from its inception.

Deb was always a walker. Not just a walker but, a very fast walker. I could never keep up with her when we would walk together. Well, she said she decided to take up running so we could spend more time together. Now that's what I'm talking about. ;) She has steadily increased her daily and weekly mileage. Getting faster and faster. She has run in a couple races since then. Specifically, she ran the St Jude 5K, in Memphis, last December. She smoked it. Looking strong as she entered Redbirds Stadium. Then, in the heat of the Summer (She hates running in the heat. LOL!), she took on the hilly 10K of Mucka Mania. Not only did she finish the race with no issues but, she was the 2nd female overall (Missing the 1st place female by 10 seconds) and 1st in her age group. This was followed by the Heart & Sole 5K in Jonesboro, in Sept. She ran this with Sherry and helped push Sherry to the finish. Deb placed 3rd in her age group. She wasn't finished. She ran the Life is Good 5K we helped put on at Village Creek. This was in Oct and she took our advice and ran this race for her time. Well folks, she was the 1st female finisher in this race. SMOKIN!!! Again, not done. She took on a new challenge. She signed up for the MidSouth Half Marathon. Now, Deb had only run 8.5 miles as her longest run prior to running this race. A half marathon is 13.1 miles folks.

We started MidSouth with temps in the 50s. That quickly warmed up to a finishing temp of 78 degrees and a lot of wind. I offered to run this race with her as I had promised to help her. What was I thinking?? This woman needs no help. She has got this running thing down. She told me to run my own race because she wanted to test herself and see how she would do on her own. She finished in just over 2 hrs and 5 mins, placing 1st in her age group. If it weren't for the temps and wind, she would have been under 2 hours, I have no doubt. Now, just so everyone is a witness, Deb originally told me that she only wanted to run this one half to see if she could do it, and say she had run one. She said she has no intentions of running another one. However, she slipped the other morning and, while talking about the race, said to me, "When I sign up for my next one....." Then she caught herself and stopped. I told her too late, she's got the bug and she committed herself to another half. LOL! Amazing woman my wife is. I am very proud of her and the accomplishments she has made. AWESOME!!!!

One Week

Here we are, one week from running MidSouth. This will make the fourth time I have run this race. Two full marathons and two halves. I had originally signed up to run the full again this year but, due to my leg issues, and lack of training, I reverted back to the half. I think this was the best decision as anything over 13 miles is starting to get the best of me right now. I ran with our running group this morning. The Muckas had eight runners show up. Three women and five men. The ladies ran eight miles. The guys turned in a 12 miler. My pace was a little faster than I thought I could run this distance. But, I'm not complaining. Well, maybe just a little. Around mile 11, my leg felt like it wasn't working right. Almost like I couldn't move it. But, I pushed on through for a decent run. I think, as time goes on, and I start back on the weights, this will go away. I need to get back to having well rounded workouts. Doing nothing but running has proven to not be the best choice right now. When we were living in Oklahoma, we had well rounded workouts. I felt better, the weight came off and stayed off, and my clothes fit a lot better. Not to mention the pain was gone. So, I am on a mission to get back to that level. Not to mention, while running one day, back in 2005, with my buddy Matt Mendez, I told him I did not want to get back to the condition I was in before I started running. Well, I need to stick to that promise I made to myself.

Now the promise and challenge have been made public. Time to make it happen. Come along for the ride.

I Promise!

Ok, I know I keep taking long breaks away from posting on here but, I promise to continue with more activity now. Here's an update of what is taking place with my running life. We ran the Heart & Sole Half Marathon and 5K in Jonesboro. What an awesome experience!! We had so many friends taking part in this race. Not only our local Muckas (Deb, Sherry, Jerry, Jody, Mike, Brandon and myself), but some out-of-town Muckas as well (Todd, Juan and Greg). This was the first year for several of us to run this event. The Race Director claims they changed the course to take out some of the hills. I would like to file a formal complaint and state they added some big ol hills on this race. No matter, we pushed through. The Muckas made a great showing in this race. Three of us placed in our respective age groups. Deb took 3rd in her age group for the 5K. Todd took first in his and I placed 2nd in mine. Several other Muckas ran fast times and set new PR's in this race. Not bad for a bunch of us starting out with a 4 am wake up to make the race. :)

We followed this race up with the Life is Good 5K at Village Creek State Park on Oct 13. This was a great race, in a great setting, for a great cause. The Muckas were a huge part of this race as one of our founding fathers (Ethan Cook) helped set up this race. We had a bunch of Muckas at this race. I guess it helps when the race is in our own back yard. :) We convinced Deb to finally run a race for herself. For those of you who don't know my Deb, she is that runner that enjoys the workout but, always wants to help others achieve their goals. I think that's another reason we get along so well. ;) She did run this race for herself. Well, let me tell you..... she smoked it. She was the first female overall. This is an awesome accomplishment. 171 runners/walkers total and my wife is the first female to cross the finish line. That rocks!!!!!!!!!! I am very proud of her. Not only the first female but, the 13th runner overall. Get some of that!!!!

At the completion of this race, we had several Muckas placing in their respective age groups. I've already mentioned how Deb smoked this race. Let me tell you who the rest of the Muckas were. Brandon Boger, Sherry Rogers, Lori Silver, Donna Seagal, Tanner Wallace (Our youngest Mucka running), Melissa Wallace, Holly Cook (Walking for two), Juan (Jonesboro Mucka), and myself, completed an awesome race. Several of us collected medals for placing in our individual age groups.

Heart & Sole Half

Here we are, 21 days away from running the Heart & Sole half marathon in Jonesboro, AR. I am really hopeful the temps will be at least similar to today's. We went out for our group run and enjoyed the 66 degree temps. The only thing that was tough about it was the 18 mph wind gusts. But, we powered through that wind for 8 solid miles. Trying to get two of my friends ready for their first full marathons. The four that ran together are definitely used to a faster pace for an 8 miler but, 26.2 miles is a lot further down the road. Gotta get them to settle down before they burn up all their energy and hit the wall in the race. I think they are starting to get it. :) I'm looking forward to the Heart & Sole as it will be my longest race since completing the Little Rock marathon back in March. Not only that, Deb will be running in the 5K race as well. She is doing an awesome job with her running and workouts. Getting stronger and stronger. Still trying to convince her to take on the half marathon at the MidSouth race in November. Hmmmmmm......... you never know. :) A change of scenery may be in the Wise Family future. Stay tuned and we'll keep you all posted.

Goals

Looking back on the goals I had set for the year of 2012. Well, goals are set to be reached or adjusted. They are never set to be defeated. If you let your goals get defeated, there is no need to set them as you will never be in a positive state of mind. I had a goal of running 2000+ miles this year. I hit 200 miles in one month and never saw anything close to that again. So, with that being said, I will adjust my goal to reach at least 1500 miles in 2012. I'm almost to 1000 miles, which I plan to reach by the end of August. That will leave me with four full months to complete this goal. Setting my goal at 1500 also allows me to reach that goal and beyond. I look forward to the challenge as I have brought some new friends into the mix. I have a new Lieutenant working for me who is really wanting to get involved in several of the races I have signed up for. We are running the Heart & Sole half marathon in Sept. I should be able to convince him to run at leat the half marathon at MidSouth in Nov. We are looking at a Ragnar relay race in the near future as well. I have come to the realization that speed is not always the necessity. Just getting the miles in seems to be the main drive now. Another goal I have is really non-running related. We've been here in Arkansas for around 3 1/2 years now. Been away from Lompoc, CA since 1997. The time has come for me to work on getting Deb closer to home. She made the sacrifice of moving away from her family to follow me in my career. I promised her, in 1997, to get her back to California. Here we are, 15 years later and it is time to work on getting back that way. My girls are Cali girls by heart. Cali is my second home. Ohio will always be where I'm from. The Ohio Sate Buckeyes will always be my team. However, I will be a West Coast fella. Looking forward to running many marathons out West and just enjoying life. Come back here often as, once we get back out that way, I will flood this page with race results and preparations. Stay tuned my friends! :)

Just a Run

With Deb and Amy out in California for two weeks, I thought I would get out early in the morning for my daily runs. Saturday's group run has been the only time I have accomplished this feat. Met up with 4 other Mucka friends to run at Village Creek State Park. Running out there is very peaceful. Minimal traffic, always a chance of seeing wildlife, and just beautiful scenery. Today, Jody Hodges and I set off to take on the hills. Not what I was hoping for but, with my upcoming half marathon on Sept 29, in Jonesboro, I need to keep attacking the hills at least once a week. We also had Sherry and Donna out there. Sherry typically runs with Deb when the group meets up. No Deb today. :( I think Sherry was close to tears. LOL! She and Donna set off together. Donna's little legs were turning over as best she could but, Sherry pulled away from her. I have to say, this is one of the stronger runs I've seen Sherry have in some time. Proud of her. Donna fought through the four miles she ran, not to mention she took on the big hill by the visitor's center. We had a new runner join us today. Joshua Berry is his name. I recognized his name but, wasn't sure why. Then Jody informed me that he had run our Mucka Mania race. He followed Jody and I up the hill toward the cabins and camper areas. He turned in a 7-miler. As Jody and I made our way through the the camp ground/horse stable area, a weenie dog rushed us. He had evil in his eyes and he went straight for Jody. Jody tried to hurdle him but, that damn weenie dog got some good air time and almost bit him! Fortunately for the pup, his owner was close by and rescued him just before he got punted by Jody. I had to stop and just laugh at the whole thing. Now, it is still Summer time, and this time of the year in Arkansas can get rather hot and humid. My dumbass did not run with water today. Don't think I wasn't looking for water fountains as we ran through the various campgrounds. But, no such luck. Once again, lessons learned. Just need to make it lessons adgered to. I think we still rocked out a great run with the hills and heat. We were around a 7:27 pace when we came off the last downhill. I had to back it down a bit and Jody pressed on. I was about 20 seconds behind him when we finished the 6-miles. I'll take it. I'm about 10 years older than him. LOL! All-in-all, great group run this morning. A couple of the runners knew what today is (Mom's 70th b-day) and they dedicated their runs to her. She is looking down from Heaven and enjoying the same scenery we are as we do what is best for us. Love and miss you very much Mom!! My girls will be home next weekend. I can't wait!!!!!!! :)

Sunday Halfer

Took advantage of the rest I got by not running during the week and turned in my longest run since running the Little Rock Marathon back in March. Not my fastest half marathon time but, it was a training run and not an actual race. Felt good to get it in even if it was on the treadmill. Not trying to kill myself in this Arknsas heat and humidity. Looking at the weather forecast, it is supposed to get back up over 100 degrees this week. And that is before the heat index is factored in. Wow!!! Looks like dragging my crusty butt out of bed early in the morning is the best option. Took my son, Josh, to the gym with me. He got in a good little workout as well. Hit some weights and some cardio. Then he started getting bored waiting on me. LOL! At least the olympics were on TV at the time. Kept us both interested. On a good note, the pain and tightness I was experiencing in my right leg was very minimal today. Just gotta keep on working on building up my mileage again. The half marathon is 2-months out. Been a while since I actually ran in a half marathon race. Really looking forward to it. I'll keep you posted on how my training is going. Stay safe everyone.