Over the course of my life, I've suffered through two knee surgeries, three episodes with kidney stones, dislocated my shoulder twice, bruised my ribs, and suffered a broken arm and foot. I recently tore my plantar fascia back in 2014...
My son battled cancer and received a life-saving liver transplant at a very young age. I feel at times, that I am running on empty. Through your thoughts, prayers, and encouragement I find the fuel that I need to keep going.
Today’s 3.1 mile run completes my 2011 Cincinnati Flying Pig training plan! Completing this training today puts closure to last year’s disappointing attempts and is a huge accomplishment for me! I think I am ready for Sunday, and I pray that I can break the 2 hour mark for the half marathon!
We are so excited because we get to reunite with Team Bosch! Also, I’ll meet up with my friends Lori and Doug who will also be running the half. I set a new 5K PR today and a new monthly mileage PR (109.4 miles).
Splits:
#1 7:25
#2 7:42
#3 8:00
#4 7:49
3.1 @ 23:53 (7:43 pace).
For those of you running the Flying Pig; see you on Sunday! Have a safe weekend all and thanks for all your support throughout the past three months.
What a busy month!
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Race Weather forecast (BOO RAIN!)
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Happy running and God bless! "Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7
Today’s 4 mile run was at a very comfortable pace, considering the 20-33mph winds and rain…..I guess I have somewhat conquered the “abnormalweather” portion of my training (let’s just hope that I am ready for the hills).I only have a short 3 mile run and that may occur tomorrow (instead of Friday).This way I’ll have two days rest prior to race day…..Anyways, I only have one more run then my training plan is complete!What an accomplishment!Take care all, be safe!
#18:13
#28:14
#38:55
#48:52
4 @ 34:34 (8:35 pace)
Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7
Nothing like a 5 mile run after a 13.5 hour work day!I am very tired and hungry; I was so busy today at work that I almost missed lunch…..I made an attempt to eat, but we have all been there before (food sits on your desk then it’s cold by the time you get to it).But, tonight’s run made up for it: I chased the sun until it set into the horizon…..What an amazing gift!It was worth the sight!Take care!
Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7
I returned home with news that my son’s lab results were in, and they were VERY favorable!His AFP was 2.6 (which is very good)! AFP is a tumor signature marker for hepatoblastoma. We are so thankful for this news and it motivated me to go out and run (I planned on taking a day off due to Sunday’s knee soreness).The knee was fine and I knocked out 5 miles in good time!Now, it’s off to the shower, dinner and then preparing for the upcoming weather (thunder storms and high winds are supposed to hit the area tonight).I hope you are all safe from the bad weather consuming the country!
Splits: #1 8:34 #2 8:20 #3 8:24 #4 8:46 #5 8:33
5.1 @ 43:25 (8:31 pace).
Happy running and God bless! "Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7
“Holy Winds Batman!”Today was my last long run for the training plan and it was a hard fought battle.I stepped out a little later than planned but I was well rested and ready to go!I have been having trouble with my allergies lately so I started taking my singulair again.It seems to help but I have noticed that the pollen counts have been high recently, and that is what I attribute to my runny, stuffy nose and non-rhythmic breathing during my last few runs.
Another 5 miles towards the finish line!Today’s run puts me over 300 miles on the year!I ran a much better pace too!Splits:
#18:27
#28:25
#38:23
#48:37
#58:465 miles @ 42:42 (8:32 avg pace)
Felt pretty good out there, temp was about 63f with light winds.I’ll need to bust out the sunscreen soon.Hope the rain stays away!Take care, thanks for the visit.
Happy running and God bless! "Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7
Today’s pace was MUCH better than Sunday’s.I knocked out 5 miles @ 43:37 (8:42 avg pace) but my legs were a little sore today.I encountered another issue during my last mile: my left foot went numb and never recovered.I am still clueless as to why this occurs…..I’ve researched this and tried everything to prevent it.It didn’t hurt and I wasn’t pushing it either (last mile was 9:09 pace).Eh, hopefully it will pass…..Take care all.
PS: My oldest son lost his 5th tooth last night..... How time flies! The Tooth Fairy left a $5 bill (since he lost his other teeth).
Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
We decided to take off for Hocking Hills State Park (HHSP), OH last weekend for a much needed get-away. HHSP is located in the beautiful rolling hills near Logan (and is one of our all-time favorite state parks)! The trees stand nearly 50-80 feet tall and the forest secludes us from the everyday grind. The campsites are pretty spaced out and we were one of only a handful of people in the park (I guess it helps to be out during the middle of the week and also the rain kept most people away). What a wonderful weekend!
Friday’s run was a much needed change of scenery (and a decent hill workout). I have only accomplished a couple of hill workouts during my training to prepare me for the Cincy Flying Pig….. This run was by far the most challenging of the three! The hills took me through some modest accents (about 1,250’ total) and descents (1,300’); the views were worth it! My pace suffered (due to the hills) but I am happy to be out in the “great outdoors” with my family and friends!
We hiked nearly 2 miles Friday and another 1.5 miles on Saturday (through Old Man’s Cave). The hiking killed my pace for Sunday's run but it was definitely worth it! I highly recommend Hocking Hills State Park if you are ever in the local area…..
Well, Sunday’s run sucked horribly. We left the campsite around 1330 then got home around 1630’ish. Unloaded and cleaned gear for a couple of hours….. Then I took off for my run at 1810. I slugged it through 11 miles and my pace suffered from lack of rest and possibly exhaustion….. This was by far one of my worst runs of the year and I am so disappointed being so close to race day. I never really got an off day nor did I get much rest (due to cleaning up) but it was all worth it! I had a blast this weekend! Take care and be safe!
PS: These two runs put me over 500 miles (since my second knee surgery in Oct 2009). Thankful and blessed!
Hocking Hills State Park run map (Garmin via Google Earth)
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My view of the park during my run (YouTube video)
(Hint: pause the music player below and watch in HD)
Some pictures from the trip
Camp Lansberry
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Me, the better half and the twins
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The older boys
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Tall tall trees.....
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Rose Lake
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Cattails by the dam
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Trees growing just about everywhere
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Many waterfalls
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My favorite pic from the hike into Old's Man Cave
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Happy running and God bless! "Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7
Today's run of 6 miles checked off week #9 of my training. I am updating via mobile Blogger app, out at Hocking Hills State Park..... What a beautiful place and awesome fun time with family and friends!
I set a new weekly mileage PR of 30 miles (old PR 27, set back in March 2010). My pace suffered today due to the hills..... Nice views though!
I'll post pics, a run map, and video (hopefully) tomorrow. Take care and be safe!
Today was a gorgeous day!The temp was in the 70f’s but windy (18mph gusting to 25mph).I felt like I was running in place for a while; "Nature's treadmill." Well, another 6 miles in the books!My neck hurts really bad right now; I cannot turn my head to the right without a sharp pain in my upper back, shoulder blade area.I’ve never experienced this before.Time for another chiropractor visit!
Well, here are the splits:
#1 7:54
#2 8:15
#3 8:24
#4 8:22
#5 8:50 < hit a wall (of wind)
#6 8:35
50:49 overall (8:25 pace).I ate my Gu Energy gel before my run today because I felt like I was carrying around a ton of bricks…..Today’s flavor: Mandarin Orange, and it was really good!I’d rank it up there with Lemon Sublime!Great run and even better finish, because I got home just in time for dinner!Take care and be safe!
Happy running and God bless! "Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7
We’ve been experiencing some crazy weather lately. I was able to squeeze in my run today even with the isolated rain showers and decent winds….. I managed to set a new 10K PR too (51:59), besting my time by 34 seconds! Not too shabby!
#1 7:52 #2 8:14 #3 8:40 #4 8:34 #5 8:38 #6 8:16
Overall time of 51:59 (8:22 pace). I am happy with my time despite the winds and rain. Take care and be safe!
Happy running and God bless! "Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7
With a heavy heart, we say goodbye to one of our cancer buddies ^^Tyler^^ Thompson.^^Tyler^^ was fighting an ugly disease that we are all too familiar with; Hepatoblastoma.Unfortunately he lost his battle this past weekend and we would like to send our thoughts and prayers for comfort, healing and peace…..Godspeed ^^Tyler^^
I got home from work really late today and was thinking that I would have to cancel my run tonight.It was raining and I really wasn’t in the mood for running indoors on the treadmill (or out in the rain).But today is a run day and I was feeling up for the 5 mile maintenance run; “piece of cake right?”“Of Course!”
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