6 short weeks away

The photo above is from Spectromagic, my favorite Disney parade at WDW. It's going away in June as the Main Street Electrical parade returns for a summer engagement. I truly hope Spectro comes back sometime in the future. The lights and music are fantastic in this parade. I listen to the soundtrack all the time on my Ipod while running.

This past week I run a total of 32 miles. A couple of easy runs, a hill run (not hill repeats) & my long run which was 18 miles. The temp was 35 degrees with NNE wind of 20 to 25 mph. I did really well the first 14 miles. I was doing a pretty good job with my pacing & doing OK with my hydration and nutrition. The WIND finally got me. I finished the last 3 miles by doing a run/walk combination, but I did complete 18 miles in 3 hours and 19 minutes.

Next week will be my longest LSD run prior to the marathon. 21 miles is on the schedule. After that tapering will begin. I sometimes forget that I am running the Kentucky Derby mini marathon a week before the Illinois marathon. The Derby run will be a good taper/training run. I'm really getting excited about running a full marathon. Of course, all of this in preparation for the 2011 WDW Goofy challenge.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

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.

8 weeks to go

This past week of training was a pull back week. I only ran 26 miles. My long run on Saturday was 12 miles which I ran in 2 hours & 3 minutes. I ran it progression style. Started out with 2 w/u miles at an 11:00 minute pace. Miles 3-5 10:30 to 11:00 minute pace. Miles 6-10 10:00 to 10:15 pace. Mile 11 I ran at a 9:32 pace and mile 12 I pushed it and ran it at an 8:44 pace. Was a little tired at the end but felt pretty good.



The rest of the week went like this: Monday 5 miles, Wednesday a 50 minute tempo run covering 5 miles & Thursday an easy 4 miler. I know this coming week I will be upping the mileage. My date with the marathon is only 8 short weeks away.
One of my favorite attractions at Disneyland. What is it?

We are celebrating 3 family birthdays this week starting with my granddaughter's today. Also this week is my wife and daughters b'days. Happy Birthday to the three favorite girls in my life!!!



Thanks for reading.



Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.

Only 9 weeks to go

This past week I ran a total of 29 miles. Monday was 4 mile easy recovery run. On Tuesday I did hill repeats for a total of 5 miles. Thursday was an easy 4 mile run. On Saturday I ran 15 miles, yes I said 15 miles. That was a first for me in my running life. Prior to Saturday the furthest I had ever run was 13.1 miles half marathon distance. I did a progression run. Started out with a slow pace and finished by run running miles 14 & 15 at a 10:02 pace & 9:32 pace respectively. I was really happy with the run when I finished. Actually felt like I could have gone a little further. I am beginning to believe I can run a full marathon. 9 weeks from yesterday is the big day.

Last Wednesday I registered for the Disneyland 1/2 marathon in Septemeber. Going Coast to Coast again this year. Hope to meet up with my W.I.S.H. buddies from the Dis Boards while in SO Cal.

The picture above is my wife and I with Goofy last Septmeber in Disneyland. Good times & good memories.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time run strong & enjoy the ,moment.

One more week complete

I finished another week of marathon training yesterday. Ran a total of 27 miles for the week. My long run was 12 miles. Ran it in 2 hours & 5 minutes. The weather really has not improved much around here yet. Still cold, windy and lots of sloppy streets to run on. The important thing is, I'm still out there putting in the miles no matter what the weather has thrown at me. Race day is May 1st. I'm excited and yes a little nervous. I am just about to the point where I will be running further than I ever have. I know I can do it. Mind over matter right.

I know it's only been about 2 months months since I have been to a Disney park, but I want to go back!!! Next time will be Disneyland in September for the 1/2 marathon. My wife and I counted up not to long ago and we think we have been to WDW 20 times. The Disneyland trip will be our third. Can't wait.

Just a couple good memories above to share with all. Yea I know, I'm a Disney fanatic.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time run strong & enjoy the moment.

Another Week of training in the bank

I ran a total of 26 miles for this week of training. Monday I did 5 miles in 51:32. The temp was 22 degrees and it was snowing lightly. Wednesday was a treadmill day. To cold to run outside. I did 6 miles in 58:36. On Thursday I was able to get back outside and run. Did 4 miles in 40:43.

Today I ran 11 miles in 1 hour and 50 minutes. Average pace was 10:04 for the run. I ran the last two miles in 9:35 & 9:20. Today was a great run. The temp was 15 degrees, but the wind was very light unlike last week. Sun was out ad it felt good on my face. My marathon is about ten weeks away. I'm already excited about running it. I will update next week.

Thanks for reading.

Til next time run strong & enjoy the moment.

PS Happy Valentines day all.

Marathon training week #3 complete

I ran a total of 23 miles last week preparing for my May 1st marathon. I ran 4 miles on Monday in 40:18. It was a nice slow recovery run. Wednesday I did hill repeats for the first time. Wow, my legs were pretty tired by the time I got down with the workout.

On Thursday I ran 6 miles in 1 hour. Legs were still a little tired, not sore, from the hill repeats the day before. On Saturday I ran 9 miles. What a grueling run. The temp was 26 degrees, wind chill was 10 degrees and the wind was blowing 20mph out of the NNE. The wind was a constant for the entire run. I was worn out when I got done. Another week of training is in the bank.

Thanks for reading

Til next time, run strong & enjoy the moment.