MidSouth Kid's Marathon

This was really cool. They had a Kid's Marathon this year. Each child who takes part, builds up 25 miles leading up to this day. Then, they run the last 1.2 miles and finish in the football stadium. The same finish line the adults come into when they finish the half and full. Our youngest, Amy, took part in this. She wasn't feeling the greatest, as she had just received her flu shot the day before. But, she toughed it out, with Deb by her side. Like I mentioned in my other post, it was about 29 degrees when we all started. Off they went and she was doing great. Poor girl, her shoe came out of a double knot and tripped her up. But, she got up and finished strong. So very proud of her for doing this. Especially in this day and age of video games. She got her medal and it was well deserved. GREAT JOB AMY!!! :)

MidSouth Done!

It was a cold start (29 degrees) but, we couldn't have asked for better weather. I don't think the field was as large as it was last year but, we still had a good showing. Barrett and I stayed together for the first half of the race. I started having some knee pain before we hit the turn around point but, nothing major. Once we passed the turn around point for the halfers, it got pretty quiet. We passed several runners as we entered the hills of Bay Road. They weren't major hills but, they just never seemed to stop coming. And, if you're going uphill on an out and back course, you would think it would be downhill on the way back. I don't know where the downhills went but, I don't recall seeing any. Once we hit 13.1 (right around 1hr 45 minutes) we fueled up on gels and pressed on. I started slowing down a bit and Barrett stayed with me for about another mile. After that, he started pulling away. I kept him in sight for quite a while but, lost him around mile 20. At mile 21, my right calf started cramping up again. Not sure why. I was hydrated, took salt tabs and what I thought was all the right things. But, still caught a cramp. I was still making better time than I thought I would with being just under three weeks out from running Columbus, Got through the last two hills and it was all downhill from there. Crossed the finish line with 3:53:50 on my watch. I was 19 seconds slower than my PR time in Columbus. I'm happy with that. Had several folks from our Muckas Running Club running as well. Everyone did a great job.

Mid South Marathon

Ok, they say you can't go on to your next race until you've forgot about the last race. Well, after the experience I had in Columbus, it is hard to forget it. :) However, I am getting psyched for the race here in Wynne. We are two weeks out from this race and my recovery is coming along nicely. Deb is really helping me out with this by keeping my pace under control and, getting me out there to get my recovery runs in. It is nice having a race right here in my current hometown. No worries about a hotel, finding packet pick-up, and we're right around the corner from the start/finish line so we don't even have to drive there. And this year they are having a kids' marathon in which Amy is taking part in. She's doing great in her preparation for it as well. I'm very proud of her and can't wait to see how she does for her final 1.2 miles of the race. Deb is going to be there with her when she does it. The rest of us will already be off and running our races. This will be my second marathon in just under three weeks. So looking forward to doing this race with our Muckas Running Club members. :)

Columbus Marathon

What an awesome race!! This was a homecoming for me. We got into town on Saturday. Went to the expo to pick up my packet and met up with Tony Brake, a friend I made through Daily Mile. After meeting Tony and his wife Sherry, we went into the expo. Talk about packed!! We didn't even look around as there were so many people in there. After that, Deb, Amy and I went to Karen's (Sis-in-Law) and had a nice pasta dinner. The alarm went off at 4am. We all got up, got loaded into the van and headed towards downtown Columbus. Had a heck of a time getting into the parking garage. Once we got parked, Deb, Amy, Karen and I made our way to the State Capital building. It was a bit cold outside.

While waiting for the start of the race, we met up with Tony and Sherry. Then several of our Daily Mile friends arrived as well. We all finally made it to our respective starting corrals. 15,000 runners packed into a city block. The live band (Danger Brothers) playing at the start line, the live version of the National Anthem, and the fireworks from the roof top really got the adrenaline flowing. Off we went. Felt good through most of the race. After passing mile 10, we entered the Schiller Park area where I saw my Mom, Dad and Sister by the water station. I got some hugs and high fives as I passed through. Dumped my sweaty gloves off to Mom ;) and kept on running. Just after mile 12, I saw Deb, Amy and Karen. Adrenaline was boosted again with seeing them. Made it through the OSU campus and passed the Horseshoe. Then I hit mile 20. My right calf started to cramp up. Second marathon in a row that this has happened. I fought through it and finished with a PR of 3:53:39!!! Finally!!! Broke the 4 hour time limit!!! Thanks to my pit crew (Deb and Amy) and the rest of my family (Mom, Dad, Sis and Karen) for being out there to support me. And it was great meeting my Daily Mile friends, and making new friends.

1000 Miles

Went for my last long run before the Columbus Marathon. Set out with Deb and we ran 3.1 miles together. After that, I finished the rest on my own as she went in to ride the bike. The weather heated up quickly. Started off with 76 degrees and finished with 87 degrees. However, the bank sign was trying to play the Bugs Bunny mind trick on me by saying it was only 29 degrees. I almost fell for it. :) Finished with 10 miles all together. With that run, I hit 1000 miles for the year. Now it's time to take it easy before next Sunday's race in Columbus. Hoping to PR there.

Columbus

Two weeks out from the Columbus Marathon. This is a much welcomed taper time. Looking forward to going back to Columbus and seeing family, running by the Horseshoe, and taking my little girl to the Columbus Zoo. Currently, I am 33 miles from breaking 1000 for the year. With 5000 miles since 2007 looming, I am really looking forward to reaching, and breaking every goal I set.

Columbus

We're about three weeks out from running the Columbus Marathon. Feeling pretty good about my progress so far. Last Sunday's 20-miler helped boost my spirits. Fastest one to date. Just under 3-hours. I was very pleased with that one. Can't wait to get back to Columbus and knock this one out!!