2013 USAF Marathon Training Underway

I'm a little late on this (I wanted to squeeze in an 18 week training plan) but I've been busy (dodging tornadoes).

2013 USAF Marathon (yes, 26.2) training is underway.  I told myself that I'd NEVER run another marathon ever again...  But, I know I can do better.  So, here's the plan:

Phase I

 

Phase II

Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by recent tornado outbreaks.  It's been a very difficult time around here in Moore, and the OkC metro.  Streets that I run during training are now unrecognizable.  There are still many without standard services (power, water and connectivity).

Thanks for all of your support, take care and stay safe!

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

New Half PR!

OK people, guess who has another Half Marathon PR?  If you guessed me, then you're right!  I still can't believe it...  It was truly a run to remember!  1:52:06, besting my Austin time by over 4 minutes!

Well I have to admit, this is now my ALL-TIME favorite venue!  The course was nice and semi-flat, weather was awesome, and the crowds were at every turn!  The volunteers were amazing!  Unfortunately, I was stuck in traffic and missed the opening ceremonies...  I'm kicking myself in the head, but will plan to arrive much earlier next year.

Next up, USAF Full Marathon in Sep!  I'll post my training plan soon.

Take care and stay safe!

Training Plan

Finisher's medal!  

Finish time

Results

Course Photos:

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

Training Complete!

2013 OkC Memorial Half Marathon training complete, and with a surprise; a new 5K PR (23:49)!  I bested my previous time by 4 seconds, lol!

I can't guarantee anything for Sunday, but I'm going to try and run the best race that I can!  There is a lot riding on this race too...  This race was created to remember those affected by tragedy many years ago (from the OKC bombing) and of course the recent event at Boston Marathon weighs on our hearts...

I run to remember those victims and families affected by these tragedies, and much much more...  For those that know, our son was given a second chance at life courtesy of the brave and talented medical staff here in OkC (OU Children's Hospital and the Jimmy Everest Center).  Additionally, the local community pulled together to assist us through these trying times.  We are forever grateful and will never forget our greatest hero that we'll never know, the organ donor that saved our son's life!  We always pray for you and your family!

Oh, I am officially registered for the USAF Marathon and Tulsa Route 66 Half Marathon events!  I'm contemplating running Kansas City too...  Now, look at this mess that I've gotten myself into...  Ha!

Take care and stay safe!

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

Texas Half Marathon

Half Marathon #7 is in the books!  Sadly, I bonked hard at mile #10 and ran through leg soreness for the final 3 miles; I blame two straight days of indoor soccer  (a week prior) for this fatigue.

The Texas Half (Dallas) was one of the smaller scale venues that I've run.  I'm so used to being jam-packed with 22-25,000 runners on a closed course.  This event probably had a total of 3-4,000 for all distances (full, half and 5k).   It was nice to be back in my home state (and visit with family) but I don't think I'll be running this event in the near future.  I'll explain why...

The course takes you through some scenic areas of Dallas (parks, high-valued neighborhoods, downtown etc) but we also ran through a "rough" area too (obvious due to the higher level of Dallas PD personnel supporting that area).   The course wasn't a closed course (like previous venues that I've raced) but Dallas PD, Fire and volunteers were blocking traffic at major intersections when racers approached them.  The start and finish lines were in Fair Park (home of the Texas State Fair and Cotton Bowl).  The start line was VERY narrow, pace groups were few and far (apart at the beginning), and at times I found myself running with/against vehicle traffic!  YES, we were running along some streets with vehicles!  Of course, some of those drivers weren't following posted speed limits, and the majority of them were either on the phone talking (or texting).  I ran along the opposite side of traffic just to be safe.

The course veered off road onto a two lane (wide) running/biking trail alongside White Rock Lake (which was a surprise sight!).  The lake trail was still open for public use that day and many runners were bottle-necked waiting on opportunities to pass other runners.  I was able to pass freely once we made it back to the streets but lost some time on the lake trail.  The event used electronic timing (so they claimed) with bib-placed timing chips.  I crossed the start line about 15-20 seconds after the gun went off (8:00am) and crossed the finish line at 2:00:06 (gun time).  My Garmin 610 clocked me at 1:59:49, which later turned out to actually be 1:59:51 (once uploaded to Garmin's website).  The ONLY chip/timing mats for the half marathon course were at the start and finish lines (ZERO on the course).  I noticed an error in my time once the race website updated the finish results...  My initial start time read 8:00:00 (which was impossible since I was far back from the line at start) and finish time read 2:00:06 (actual clock time at the finish line).  They didn't factor in my chip time!

It's rather frustrating...  I paid nearly $100 to run this event, had to deal with traffic and crowds of runners (with the fewest entries in all of the events that I've run), inaccurate timing and water stations spread thin; I think I'll pass on this event and consider Dallas R&R instead...  Such a surprise for a 10 year old event too...

I know, I usually don't complain about stuff.  But, I was expecting more (and accuracy).  I'm just glad that I finished this event without having to walk (or drop out).

Oklahoma City Memorial is in two weeks!  I think I'm ready for it (and will avoid soccer until after the race).

On a side note, our thoughts and prayers go out to those affected by the tragedy at Boston Marathon.

2013 Texas Half Marathon (Dallas)

Finisher's Medal

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

Change of Plans

I'm officially registered for the Big-D (Dallas) Half Marathon (14 Apr 13).  That's exactly two weeks prior to the OkC Memorial Half (which I'm also registered for) and coincidentally falls on my 12-mile training run day.  I think it'll work out.

I have to make up for missing the Flying Pig and Columbus events last year...  Giddy up!

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

OkC Memorial Training Underway!

Well, my next event takes me to Oklahoma City, OK for the 2013 OkC Memorial Half Marathon.  Training is underway, lets just hope that it's injury-free.  I'd like to run it in 1:55'ish (8:47-8:51/min mile pace).

Training plan is posted, I hope I can hit my mark this cycle!

2013 OkC Memorial training plan

 Take care and stay safe!

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

2013 Livestrong Austin Half Marathon

Guess who has a new half marathon PR?  This guy!  Thankful and blessed!

2013 Livestrong Austin Half Marathon

Training Plan

Finisher's Medal

Final results

Well, that's my 6th official half marathon and I don't plan on stopping there.  I've got OkC in April, I'm hoping to set another PR then!

Take care and stay safe!

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

Injuries suck!

I'm two weeks out from the 2013 Austin Half Marathon and I am sad to report that I am only running at about 75%.  I managed to bust up my ribs in December (which took me out for about 5 weeks) and I sprained my ankle pretty bad on 25 Jan.  Today was my first run since the ankle sprain and it was the longest planned run of my training plan...  Let's just say that these injuries have taken me out of contention for a new Half Marathon PR.  I will be happy to keep it at or under 2 hours.

Well, here's a picture of my ankle after the sprain:

Yeah, it looks gross but I healed rather quickly, and I lived to fight another day (let's hope that day is 17 Feb 2013, race day).  

Well, I finished my 12 mile run today but it wasn't pretty.  The ankle held up fine but I hit a wall around 10.5 miles.  It's amazing how fast you lose endurance when you take some time off. I was on track for a new HM PR, but now I just want to remain injury-free and finish the race--period!  

Thanks for the get-well wishes and support.  It meant a lot!  Stay safe, spring is right around the corner!  

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7

Update

I haven't abandoned the blog (I've just been busy with the move).  

We're settled in and back to Oklahoma City (our 2nd home).  We're glad to be closer to home (Texas) but extremely saddened to have left our friends and family in Ohio.  It was a bittersweet move, but we'll frequently visit Ohio to catch up!  We really enjoyed our time there and the running events/trails were phenomenal!

I am digging the new neighborhood here in OKC, it is much bigger than our last and provides a variety of options for course plotting.  I've already managed to plot out 1, 3 and 5 mile courses (all of them begin and end in my driveway, which is convenient) and they are all safe from traffic and wildlife (both day and night). My options are endless, and I have plenty of wiggle room outside of the neighborhood for longer distances (but I'll have to contend with traffic and delays).

Prior to my move in December, I managed to bust up my ribs from a fall...  I was out approximately 5 1/2 weeks (which delayed my Austin Half Marathon Training significantly).  It was one of the worst injuries that I've suffered, second ONLY to kidney stones.  If you've ever suffered a rib injury, you know what I mean.

Well, I'm back on track and was able to accomplish a long distance run of 10.5 miles (at a reasonable pace) and should be on track to set a new Half Marathon PR (we'll see).  I've uploaded a copy of my training plan below.  Thanks for all of your continued support, encouragement and advice.  I appreciate it all, positive or negative; it only makes me a better runner!  

Oh, I noticed that Playlist.com is back up and running (media player below).  It's a tiny example of some of the music that I run to.

Take care, stay safe and enjoy the new year!

Happy running and God bless!
"Fight the good fight, finish the race, and always keep faith"
2 Timothy 4:7