Been Awhile

Yup, it has been awhile since I posted. Just been doing maintenance running logging base miles. I have only run one race since the Illinois marathon on May 1st. On June 12th I ran a 5K. It was the State Farm Live Well Be Well 5K. The race started at 8am. The temp was 75F & the humidity was 96%. I did manage to PR in 24:51. First time I can remember running a sub 25 5K. I was pretty excited with the time & also wondered what I could have done if the humidity had been lower.

We decided to not go on a vacation this summer in lieu of working on some remodeling projects. There is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow though. On September 5th Pam & I both are going to run the Disneyland 1/2 in California. 6 days at Disneyland, can't wait. Then less than a month later we are going to run the inaugural Wine & Dine 1/2 marathon relay on Oct 2nd at WDW. Wow, 2 trips to Disney parks in a month's time, I will be in Disney heaven.

Today registration opened for the Princess 1/2 marathon. Do I dare ask Pam if she wants to run it? I am registered for the Dopey challenge (all 3 races) during marathon weekend in January.

I am currently averaging 25 to 30 miles per week. I wanted to keep the fitness level up after the marathon, so I just kept running. I am hoping by doing this, it won't take as long to get trained up for marathon weekend.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time run strong & enjoy the moment.
Goofy 57 runner signing off

7 weeks to go

I ran a total of 30 miles this week. Had to change up my schedule for this week, being we were not going to be home this weekend. On Monday I did an easy 5 mile recovery run in 50 minutes. Tuesday I ran 6 miles in 1 hour and 3 minutes. Did a progressive run. Started with a mile w/u at 11:05 & finished the last 2 miles at 10:08 & 10:02 respectively. I had some tired legs when I was finished.



On Thursday I did a real easy 3 miles in 31 minutes. I moved my long run up to Friday. I ran 16 miles in 2 hours and 52 minutes. My average pace was 10:45 for the entire run. I was tired at the end of the run, but happy as I set another milestone for myself. Next week I have 32 total miles on my schedule with a long run of 18 miles. Kinda glad I will have had had two days to rest & recover before I get going again on Monday.



Disney announced a new a type of annual pass this week. The pass is good for one year for Disneyland & WDW. As much as we get to go to Disney we are considering buying the pass for at least one year. We have to do some price comparing to see if we would get our money's worth before buying it. We have the Disneyland 1/2 trip in Sept, the WDW 2011 marathon trip & maybe a Christmas trip this year. I guess we need to figure out how many totals days we would be in a Disney park and go from there. Sounds exciting to have a pass that is good for both parks.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time run strong & enjoy the moment.

9 Weeks down 1 to go

This past week I only ran 16 miles. Ran 3 on Monday the 28th. Got to run outside. The temp was 26 degrees with a 10 degree wind chill. Not to bad. On Wednesday the 30th did 4 miles outside. The temp was 26 degrees with a 15 degree wind chill.

On new years day I had to run inside. Did 3 miles on the treadmill. The outside temp was 2 degrees with -14 wind chill. It was even worse on Saturday the 2nd. The temp was -5 with a -18 wind chill. So needless to say I was on the treadmill again for 6 miles. Have I said before, I hate running on a treadmill. It was just way , way to cold to be outside running. I was more worried about frostbite than anything.

Only two more short runs before the Donald next weekend. Looks like I will be running them inside with what the weather forecast looks like. It also looks like it could be a chilly run at WDW. I guess I will have to pack all my running attire, so I will have the right stuff for what ever the weather is down there.

It's almost here, and I'm excited and ready to run at the World.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

Happy New Year & looking ahead

Happy New Year to all!!! I hope the coming year is good to you in your personal & running life. Looking back to 2009, I had a great year running. I ran and completed my 1st three 1/2 marathons. I ran a total of 840 miles. Along the way I picked up a Coast to Coast medal. I have some new running goals for 2010:

WDW Marathon weekend 2010: Run the Donald again. Complete it with a better time than 2009.

Kentucky Derby mini marathon in April: Run the mini again.

Illinois marathon in May: Run and complete my 1st marathon on May 1st.

Disneyland half marathon in September: Complete my 2nd 1/2 at Disneyland and pick up another Coast to Coast medal.

Throw in some 5k's for good measure.

Run over 1,000 miles for the year.

My ultimate goal is the BIG one. Run and complete the GOOFY during marathon weekend at WDW in 2011.

I am really looking forward to what this year holds for me with my running. I know it will not be easy training and preparing for running a marathon, but I know I CAN DO IT. My goal is to have run a marathon before I run the GOOFY in 2011.

I hope everyone succeeds in achieving their running goals for 2010.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time run strong @ enjoy the moment.

8 weeks down, 2 to go

Week 8 of training is done and put away. On Monday did 4 miles outside. Wednesday I had to run on the treadmill, did 5 miles. It was super cold with the wind chill. Thursday I was able to get back outside to run 4 miles. Yesterday, Saturday, I ran 9 miles outside. The temp was 25 degrees with a wind chill of 5 degrees. The wind was blowing about 20mph out of the SW and the roads were partially covered with snow.

Less than two weeks to go. One more week of tapering and then it's off to run at WDW. The long range forecast shows early morning on Jan 7th will be in the low 40's. That would be about like this year, but we will have to wait and see.

Shortly after I get done with the WDW half I will start training for what I hope will be the first of many full marathons. Squeezed in the training cycle will be a 1/2 marathon in Louisville in April. As I keep saying my goal is to run the Goofy at WDW in 2011 with my friend Gordon from Run to Disney.

Thanks for reading

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment

7 weeks down, 3 to go

I got my 26 miles in for the week. Monday 4 miles outside, Wednesday 6 miles on the treadmill. The temp on Wednesday was 7 degrees with -2 degree wind chill. I love running outside and detest having to run on a treadmill, but it was just too cold to run outside.

Thursday I did 4 miles outside and Saturday I ran 12 miles, my longest run for the training cycle. I ran it outside while it was snowing and the roads were covered with snow. The wind chill was 18 degrees, but I was dressed warm enough and I properly hydrated and took 3 gels during the run. My time was 1:53:29. This next week starts the taper. I would really like to run a sub 2 hour 1/2 at WDW, but I would be happy with a sub 2:15 run. I guess it will depend on how many pictures I stop to take and getting through the masses at the start. Last year I think it took 20 minutes to run the 1st mile, but my buddy and I were in one of the far back corrals.

I also made the decision this past week to run a marathon next year. I am planning to run the Illinois marathon on May 1st. The course is pretty flat and the temps should not be bad at that time of the year. As I have said here before, my goal is to run the Goofy in 2011. Before attempting that, I want a full marathon under my belt, so I'm going to do one. Wish me luck.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

6 weeks down, 4 to go

This week my training plan called for 24 miles. Monday I did 4 miles outside. The temp was 28 degrees and the roads were snow covered. It was a good run, I just had to watch where I was running.

Wednesday I did 5 miles on the treadmill. The wind chill was 3 degrees with wind gusts up to 40mph. This is the first time I have run on a treadmill since last December, and I hate to run inside, but it was just to cold to be outside.

Thursday I ran 4 miles, once again on the treadmill. The high temp for the day was 7 degrees. It was bitter bitter cold.

Saturday I ran 11 miles. I ran outside. The temp when I started was 20 degrees and the wind was not to bad. It took me 1 hour and 40 minutes for the run. I was pretty pleased with the time.

Okay, one hard week of training left then I start tapering. Next week I have 26 miles on the schedule with a 12 miler on Saturday the 19th. I sure hope I can run it outside. I think I would go nuts running that far on the treadmill. Keep your fingers crossed that the weather will cooperate. I guess I should expect cold weather living in central Illinois, but that don't mean I have to like it. I will update next week. Come on WDW, can't wait....

Thanks for reading.

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

3 Weeks down, 7 to go

I finished week 3 of my training. The plan I use only called for 16 miles this past week. My long run was 6 miles on Saturday. The 6 miler was a good run, I did it in 53 minutes & the weather cooperated for a change. This coming week I will run 19 miles with the long Saturday run being 8 miles.

I am really starting to get excited about going to WDW in January. I hope to better my finish time from this year. I plan to run the whole distance instead of a walk run race.

Happy Thanksgiving to all who take the time to read this blog.

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

One week down, Nine to go

I have completed the 1st week of my training. It was a pretty easy week, I only ran 13 miles, which is what the schedule calls for. Next week 15 miles. Also, next Sunday is our local Jingle Bell 5K. I have run this race for as many years as I can remember. It is a good time for a good cause.

I finally joined D23. I bought the fall issue of the magazine, the one that highlighted the Haunted Mansion, and decided I would pay the membership fee just for the magazine at least for a year. I have thought a lot lately about our trip to Disneyland this past September. I can not wait to go back, but I gotta wait until next September.

Went to our local running store yesterday and got my wife properly fitted for a new pair of running shoes. She has been mixing a lot of walking with some running and she needed a new pair of shoes. While there I bought a new pair of Asics 2140's. I got them for a fantastic price. I will save them and start wearing them after the WDW 1/2 in January. I will post next week and let you all know how the training and the Jingle Bell run went.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

WDW 1/2 10 weeks & counting

Wow, it is finally here. Today I started my training for 2010 WDW 1/2. I was really ready to start my training. I was pretty darn bored with the maintenance running I was doing. Now I have a goal, get ready for the race.

I am going to follow the same training program I used for all 3 of the 1/2 marathons I ran this year. It is a ten week program which tops out with a 12 mile run as the longest one. I am really looking forward to not only running at WDW again, but just being there again. It seems like it has been ages since I was last at the World, and it was only last July.

Today was a 3 mile run which I completed in 27:37 according to my Garmin. That is a little slower than normal, but that's OK. My goal at WDW is 2:20. I know I can do that if I don't stop and take a lot of pictures, but I love taking those pictures. We are staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. I think I can walk to the start line from there instead of having to get up way too early and ride the bus to Epcot and then stand around for hours before the race starts. I hope I made the right call and that one. I will try to post regular updates on my training.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

Toy Story 3D

This past weekend we went to visit our daughter & her husband. On Saturday we all went to see Tory Story 1 & 2 in 3D. The 3D rendering was OK but not great. There were obvious times when the 3D popped out at you, but is was nothing spectacular. It was still nice to see both movies again. We are looking forward to next summer when Toy Story 3 comes out.

I did a 5 mile maintenance run this morning. The sun was out, for a change, and it felt really good. Two weeks from today I start my training for 2010 WDW 1/2. I am looking forward to running at WDW again. With the announcement of the new Wine & Dine 1/2 marathon next October, I would love to do that one also. My ultimate goal is to run the Goofy in 2011. I would really like to run it with my buddy Gordon from Run to Disney. That's all for now.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

Fishing

Tomorrow I head to Canada to fish for a week with my Dad. This is an annual trip taken every year. Dad has been going for over thirty five years. I think this will be my 13th time going with him. There are several other guys who go with us every year. It's a long trip to get there, but well worth it. I get to spend time with Dad and do some great walleye fishing for a week.

I got 15 miles in this week, knowing I won't run for over a week while fishing. I know it's going to stink when I start up again after I get home, but hey I only do this fishing trip once a year. The last week of June I start my training for the Disneyland 1/2 in September. My wife and I are really looking forward to seeing Disneyland again. We were last there in March of 2001 right after California Adventure opened. I'm sure lots has changed since then.

It's only a little over a month until we go to WDW for a week. We are really starting to get excited about it. I have made some breakfast ADR's, one at Boma and the other is a surprise for my daughter & her husband. Can't wait to get there.

I hope your training/ running is going well now that the warm weather has arrived. Again, thanks for reading.

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

New Shoes

Today was the first run in the new shoes. They are Asics 2140's. I have been wearing this particular Asics model since the 2040's came out. The shoe provides good stability and support. I ran four miles in them and do not have any issues with my feet, which I know can sometimes happen when wearing new shoes on a run.

Still putting in the miles training for Louisville. Did ten this past Saturday and will do eleven this coming Saturday. The 1/2 is less than five weeks away now. Two weekends ago we were in Louisville and I drove the race route or as much of it as I could. The first five and half are in a city park which looks awfully hilly. I have got to remember to pace myself early on so I don't crash and burn at the end. The race course takes you through historic Churchill Downs. I am really looking forward to seeing it. I plan to take photos of it while running around the track.

We still have not decided on whether or not we are going to WDW this summer. I know we have to make a decision because you only have until March 29 to book the buy 4 get 3 free promo. Guess we need to figure it out this week. Also, still can't decide whether to join D23. It does seem like a lot of money for no more than you get. But hey I'm a Disney fanatic so I will probably join.

Til next time run strong & enjoy the moment

Celebrating a Birthday

Today we travelled to southern Indiana to celebrate my daughters birthday. This is a 4 1/2 hour trip from home. The trip was uneventful and the weather was nice for travelling. Of course I brought my running clothes to run 8 miles either Saturday or Sunday as I continue my training for Louisville .



We spent time this evening talking about our summer vacation. I think we have decided to take advantage of the stay 4 nights get 3 free at WDW this summer. Looks like we might go the last week of June. It's been many years since we have done the World in the summer time as we have become pretty partial to going to at Xmas time.



HAPPY BIRTHDAY Abby!!!!!!!



til next time run strong & enjoy the moment.

Struggles

Today I ran three miles and it was a struggle. Nothing felt right. Legs hurt & breathing wasn't right. I guess it was just one of those days. Tomorrow I will run six miles as I continue my training for the Louisville Derby festival 1/2 marathon in April. The weather today was great, 72 degrees and sunny.

I think I'm going to run the 1/2 marathon at Disneyland in September. I really want the Coast to Coast to medal you get for running both at WDW & Disneyland in the same year.

Today we celebrate my granddaughters 2nd birthday. It is hard to believe she is 2 years old. What a joy she brings to our life.

Til next time, run strong and enjoy the moment