tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-331546352024-03-07T00:16:52.085-05:00Running Adventures in an Extraordinary WorldBlogging and podcasting about my running and life adventures on this amazing, extraordinary world!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-91101504216561217422015-09-13T12:41:00.000-05:002015-09-13T12:41:23.166-05:0053 Revolutions Around the Sun and 13 Years of Running<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuZpaJblCBv-FFtc91g2-qy5QKIrsxPlTZzYL4rHNJbaJ3ymb5QFZEdFanpY7BIdH1eE95sawFnYfacKITlqE9L-kkmZPxaN_RdTOiFhdScrmAHeb0Hxgx5KXyR2rq9lOpj0t/s1600/11999823_511287362372296_6483947137332392627_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBuZpaJblCBv-FFtc91g2-qy5QKIrsxPlTZzYL4rHNJbaJ3ymb5QFZEdFanpY7BIdH1eE95sawFnYfacKITlqE9L-kkmZPxaN_RdTOiFhdScrmAHeb0Hxgx5KXyR2rq9lOpj0t/s320/11999823_511287362372296_6483947137332392627_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
This week I celebrated my 53rd birthday - which also represents the 13th birthday of when I really started running. My regular running began with a bucket list item to run a 5K without stopping for my 40th birthday (I had never run more than 2 miles before). So after following a run - walk training plan I ran the 2002 Autumn Run 5K. That race has been replaced on the Track Shack calendar with the RockNRun 5K, which I ran yesterday on my birthday!<br />
<br />
I am not in 5K PR shape - and trying to run it fast would make the experience less enjoyable - so I decided to slow it down, have a good time at the race, and just celebrate life. I did challenge myself - I ran the entire distance except for the water stop around the halfway point and for this picture at mile 3 near Blaine the Mono (who totally rocked it on the course). With my easy pace I finished in 31:05 - about 5 min faster than that first 5K I ran 13 years ago.<br />
<br />
Today I was scheduled for an 8 mile long run, but after enjoying a bit more wine than normal last night, I slept in and woke up feeling the usual morning after effects of alcohol. My head was a bit achy and stomach was not thrilled - but it wasn't horrible. The idea of running was tempting, but I decided to "google" whether running with a hangover was a good idea. It turns out that running the day after can be beneficial in helping your body rid itself of all that evil alcohol from the night before. It wouldn't be the best run, but it can be done.<br />
<br />
So I popped a couple of ibuprofen, drank some extra water and had a Honey Stinger gel to get something in me. I also figured I would break the run up into shorter distances and stop back at the house so I had the option to stop if things were not going well. I set my Garmin to go off every min so I would take a slower run 1 minute/ walk 1 min approach. It was late morning, not my best time for running, so I figured I would head out and see how it goes.<br />
<br />
I ran out 2 miles from the house and turned to head back for a refill of my small water bottle. As I approached the house it started to rain and feel cooler. I love running in the rain and felt like I really needed to run in that. I also felt pretty good, so I quickly refilled my water and headed out for another 4 miles. The 4 miles in the rain felt amazing and I was enjoying every bit of it. I felt like I was flying...and ran my 8th mile faster than all the others: in 11 min flat. The birthday gifts continue!<br />
<br />
I realized I didn't post last week, so here is the next episode of the Running Adventure's Podcast. The original post for the podcast can be found at <a href="http://marathonchris.blogspot.com/2007/04/running-adventures-episode-3-winter.html">here</a>. <br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/223687915&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>
MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-86755795756540542472015-08-22T11:01:00.002-05:002015-08-22T11:01:34.694-05:00Hot Running and In Training - and Podcast Episode 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8shOcHGMsUoBFN09aA1W4cFlRrrXU7DtwD1_azF0Ks0oy1wJ0jeZPtUUuU8n-mjjC8aCFtQcoVWdFNznW7f4Nv0xMI1SPtzv-kdxAITgo5a8ukF6THNmcT9EN00YWCiu1w9ce/s1600/UCF+5+miler+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8shOcHGMsUoBFN09aA1W4cFlRrrXU7DtwD1_azF0Ks0oy1wJ0jeZPtUUuU8n-mjjC8aCFtQcoVWdFNznW7f4Nv0xMI1SPtzv-kdxAITgo5a8ukF6THNmcT9EN00YWCiu1w9ce/s320/UCF+5+miler+14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
So I am training for the 2016 Goofy Race and a Half Challenge. Why in the world would I do that after completing it 3 times (once while doing the Inaugural Dopey Challenge)? Marathon training is time consuming - and the body can take quite a beating in the process. This 52 year old body is not as forgiving as the 40 year old who started doing 5Ks.<br />
<br />
But there is an awesome adventure in the making! My younger sister is turning 50 this year. Her bucket list item - run a marathon. And where better than in the most magical place on earth - Disney World? What a great privilege to pace my sister through her first marathon!<br />
<br />
But it gets better. My sister's 3 daughters are also going to run the marathon with us! One of them ran the OUC Half Marathon with me last December - her first half. This will be their first marathon as well. AND.....another sister is joining us for her first marathon (she and I ran the Chip and Dale relay in 2012). AND.... my other sister is going to run the half (which is why I am running Goofy - I want to run with everyone!).<br />
<br />
So, how can I pass that up! Running with my 3 sisters and my 3 nieces on Disney Marathon weekend! Too awesome :-D<br />
<br />
But of course there is the TRAINING that gets us from running 10 or 12 miles to running a full marathon. Not always the fun part but it is the most important.<br />
<br />
Today was a 13.5 miler. I started my run at 6:30 am - too late for the current heat, which made the last couple miles pretty tough. I was also testing out a new blue tooth headset I picked up - the Samsung Gear Circle. I am trying to get rid of some wiring and hook up to a large phone (I have a Note 2) which I stow in a pocket on my belt. It worked okay...I think the phone was the problem - not the headset. The jury is out on how much I like it - I am going to take it on my business trip next week to see how well it travels.<br />
<br />
Including another Running Adventures Episode with this post. The show notes for the original release is at <a href="http://marathonchris.blogspot.com/2007/04/running-adventures-episode-2-back-to.html">http://marathonchris.blogspot.com/2007/04/running-adventures-episode-2-back-to.html </a> <br />
Time to move on into my day. Blog at you later!<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="450" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/220400181&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>
MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-47509056408609618572015-08-16T17:52:00.000-05:002015-08-16T17:59:57.957-05:00Back to blogging....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTkotKQHjhlK7whFFkFmTAMc2BSaU6e679nbywZIqdX7sCAy-CP0n6k4HLqlaazIis6LQFstgpT-DLNaRUOheUBftgtJ9RF7RtG1oB3l02s2Sbqs930hMaA3hbehozdZLEhcU/s1600/chris+cheer+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBTkotKQHjhlK7whFFkFmTAMc2BSaU6e679nbywZIqdX7sCAy-CP0n6k4HLqlaazIis6LQFstgpT-DLNaRUOheUBftgtJ9RF7RtG1oB3l02s2Sbqs930hMaA3hbehozdZLEhcU/s200/chris+cheer+2.JPG" width="136" /></a></div>
I seriously wondered if I could even log into this blog anymore. Would Google have deleted it for lack of use? Fortunately for me, they did not.<br />
<br />
Still running, now 9 years after starting this blog. And running is definitely still an adventure. So much has happened. The time of my journey became joyfully clear to me after finding an old iPod Nano (2nd generation), charging it up, and finding the full suite of my Running Adventures podcast. Since my newer iPod is MIA, I decided to take this one on my 10 mile long run last weekend. I fired up the podcast, curious to hear what I had put together 8 years ago. Almost immediately I was whisked back in time. My happy tears must have looked strange while I was run-walking my way through the neighborhood.<br />
<br />
I only produced the podcast for one year, and only 15 episodes with one "mini" adventure. These were made between 2007 and 2008. My daughters were ages 7 and 13 and were always featured in some small way in every podcast (actually the older daughter delivered the critical "Three facts." The special treat for me was having an audio record of so many amazing things I did with my girls when they were small. Amazing only in that they were everyday things - but part of my life adventure. My "fact" reporting oldest daughter is now a junior in college and no longer runs with me while my younger daughter is going into 10 grade and seems to have inherited my ability to be too busy.<br />
<br />
I am going to begin reposting the podcasts here, since my account that stored them online has long since expired. Podcasts have come a LONG way since 2008 - my production quality was pretty poor at times, but I still am happy with what I wanted to capture during each one - to take the listener on a running and life adventure. <br />
<br />
So, thanks to Soundhound, here is Episode 1 of Running Adventures! The link to the original show notes is <a href="http://marathonchris.blogspot.com/2007/03/running-adventures-episode-001-run-run.html">http://marathonchris.blogspot.com/2007/03/running-adventures-episode-001-run-run.html</a>. I hope you are all out there having your own amazing adventures!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<iframe frameborder="no" height="600" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/219548760&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe>MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-83998172037415641112014-02-26T00:06:00.000-05:002014-02-26T00:06:15.685-05:00To Blog or Not to Blog...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dh1HiCMfZCAlA1b1MJ_tx-Sc-OIa7qIgqmXhW0VhKdfPZ6wHs0kwvtkJXftgYihyphenhyphenw7CKBtQ9OsdwsA4sXdRhUT32d8h5zBJmRiJsm68WLGhX4xayXB8VUKgCdYPMChKhpBcz/s1600/marathon-finish-yell-close.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2dh1HiCMfZCAlA1b1MJ_tx-Sc-OIa7qIgqmXhW0VhKdfPZ6wHs0kwvtkJXftgYihyphenhyphenw7CKBtQ9OsdwsA4sXdRhUT32d8h5zBJmRiJsm68WLGhX4xayXB8VUKgCdYPMChKhpBcz/s1600/marathon-finish-yell-close.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a> It has been a long time (nearly 2 years) since I have blogged - although my Facebook posts have become more of my Running Adventure reporting mechanism. Still, I miss being able to put together a story for a post. With my Ph.D. behind me, I have a little more time (or so I would like to think) and have pondered blogging again. This way, I can update my running activities without spamming all my FB friends who are not interested in that part of my life. I imagine all the Daily Mile posts can be boring if you are not a runner.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So I think I will be blogging again, although no promises. I have no idea how regular I will be with this activity. I almost wanted to rename the blog to be something line "In the moment..." because I find it has been refreshing to ponder those moments when I feel like I am "in the moment" - you know - those times when you feel you are connected and in the flow with the rest of the universe. I feel like I have been spending a bit more time there lately, and I like it.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
On the running front - I am back after a hiatus in completing my Ph.D. and I am enjoying the ride! With my Dopey Challenge behind me, I am working toward settling into a regular routine and distances more in the range of half marathons for now. I will post more on my Dopey report later. I seem to be internet challenged tonight.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now, time for more Running Adventures!</div>
<br />MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-50288957610774866702012-04-23T06:28:00.000-05:002012-04-23T06:31:33.648-05:00The First Day of the Rest of My Running Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y7i8fJlTnk4uvdJ8gCS63Tt3VmI6R6GhBKFLS-UPoAsc2trsu-or9fcbjZERFK8bdakkOAiSnVoG5iwovjTRMuR25v9ccitPAsFeJaSuQpjv-UoPzVPQ0dZ3KdlwhNm5TpO_/s1600/race+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6y7i8fJlTnk4uvdJ8gCS63Tt3VmI6R6GhBKFLS-UPoAsc2trsu-or9fcbjZERFK8bdakkOAiSnVoG5iwovjTRMuR25v9ccitPAsFeJaSuQpjv-UoPzVPQ0dZ3KdlwhNm5TpO_/s320/race+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
Today is the first day of the rest of my running life....<br />
<br />
My running has been on hiatus for the past 2 months. This is due to typical and atypical events in my life. I probably sent my stress-o-meter off the charts. Not running has probably contributed to the increased stress. But faced with sleep or run, these past couple of months I chose what little sleep I could get. Today, I chose run.<br />
<br />
I blame myself for most of the time consuming things in my life. I chose to go back to school, along with a career and my attempts to spend quality time with my family. And I am willing to suffer the consequences of those choices. Its the events in our lives we don't choose that make it a bit tricky, especially when we don't leave any "slack" for extra stuff.<br />
<br />
But here I am, about 10 years after I started training for my first 5K. 6 years since training for my first marathon. And in some ways, I am starting all over again. But that is okay, because each day is the first day of the rest of my running life. What is behind is behind - I can control what is coming up.<br />
<br />
And I choose to run!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-41685734020384704612012-01-29T15:52:00.003-05:002012-01-29T16:06:05.871-05:00Oh my aching Plantar!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzjhzWKgUMAOyFus9-OIEK4JclW-jFeinyz51zkWR1e5lnjf7h_5uV7SCL0G0f30bRW60ePZrvoQWhnApgR6vaCVxkjmgKP3Mem8p5QvvE-L-eDR28_GXxxskYejwKxkoPL87/s1600/plantar-fasciitis-big.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 164px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhzjhzWKgUMAOyFus9-OIEK4JclW-jFeinyz51zkWR1e5lnjf7h_5uV7SCL0G0f30bRW60ePZrvoQWhnApgR6vaCVxkjmgKP3Mem8p5QvvE-L-eDR28_GXxxskYejwKxkoPL87/s400/plantar-fasciitis-big.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5703160075263066626" /></a><br /><br />I tried to pretend that it wasn't there, but yes, my plantar issue has returned, particularly in my right foot. I know what I need to do, and now I finally need to do it!<br /><br />Since being freed from the shackles of physical therapy on my calf muscle, I have reverted to my old familiar routine of getting up in the morning and running. I have not improved my cross training, strength training OR even my stretching. My plantar is making me pay!!!<br /><br />So, time to rethink and replan the training. I need to find a way to MAKE TIME to hit the gym and get that cross training in along with some strength training. I also need to get some of the exercises into my routine that I learned in my plantar and calf PT experiences. It is so much easier to run out the front door in the morning. This will be tricky - it is looking like an after work stop at the gym.<br /><br />On the "kill two birds" front, I am looking for an app or tool that will read .pdf files to me so I can listen while I run. Something that doesn't sound like a robot reading. If I can listen while I am working out I can make progress on the research and regain that time back at home.<br /><br />Another 8 miler this week - heel was already sore from all the standing I was doing at my daughter's robotic event yesterday. Even massaging the foot last night didn't make it feel any better post run today. Still, a good run! Pushing it up to 10 miles next weekend :-). I am targeting the Swamphouse Half with an eye on the Winter Park Road Race (10K).MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-8278505696517682112012-01-21T12:31:00.003-05:002012-01-21T12:48:33.152-05:00Killing Two Birds....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC758Q37XHIgB5g8mDdgyfxm7qUZAsT4I0Bmpl56ot3FS7Xr9YqpUpO9Wc8ZRCwRWzn1hJziA5Xg9K_XncDQV-J7ulwr78mu7bZyltbBwcIrgr2LYvtN2VPGDmEenmw2qT026/s1600/UCF+image.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUC758Q37XHIgB5g8mDdgyfxm7qUZAsT4I0Bmpl56ot3FS7Xr9YqpUpO9Wc8ZRCwRWzn1hJziA5Xg9K_XncDQV-J7ulwr78mu7bZyltbBwcIrgr2LYvtN2VPGDmEenmw2qT026/s320/UCF+image.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700139607315790274" /></a><br /><br />For years I have been juggling a lot of things - parenting, career, running and school. The first two items are given as the most important. I am not willing to compromise on quality of time I spend on those activities. The last two, though further down on the list, have shaped my life in many ways. I like to set bold goals and then go for them - all while maintaining some semblance of balance with the things on the top of my list.<br /><br />As I was running my 8 miler today, I spent the time listening to this week's UCF class lecture. I am taking a course on Research Methods which is preparing me for embarking on my dissertation research. And it dawned on me (as it has before): How much of my school work (lectures, topic research, etc.) can I accomplish while I am out running? Even while training for half marathon distances, I am averaging around 20-25 miles of running a week. For slow me, that translates into 5-6 hours on the road. I am hunting for a decent .pdf reader so I can listen to research papers. I can use some of my devices to record thoughts that come to mind while running. I have started to implement "cloud" based tools for capturing and organizing my information (apps like Evernote, Springpad, RefWorks, and the Google suite of tools) and making them accessible from a variety of devices and connections.<br /><br />And I must say, running helps me to engage the right side of my brain - which seems to help me develop some new ideas that can elude me when implementing my left brained study at my desk. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlCbb_iZfJyBypa2Mx3Urma8rKKUu4NkohnC1NYNSy6jMySUjZVaKPjQ6CfojMta3sGxm7MiOMws09rnZtbYYsbTpjlfVbdSwOLw0u2rlwxZgZVo37lNOMHhMxELjxUNDXnd6/s1600/running+cap+and+gown.png"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 275px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIlCbb_iZfJyBypa2Mx3Urma8rKKUu4NkohnC1NYNSy6jMySUjZVaKPjQ6CfojMta3sGxm7MiOMws09rnZtbYYsbTpjlfVbdSwOLw0u2rlwxZgZVo37lNOMHhMxELjxUNDXnd6/s320/running+cap+and+gown.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5700142362770630514" /></a><br /><br />So, can I begin increasing my research activity AND increase my running activity and build my PhD while on the road? Stay tuned :-)MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-37628881980669514932012-01-14T21:25:00.002-05:002012-01-14T21:35:52.832-05:00It's Already 2012....<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKbheE0o0fO0nuxDBI29K1SwKaR4bYCHa58-CkfVAPXMtoVm__DhOvFluFVDKLL5no7yjJd-8wn8PMv8CqFlM9clv2riDkF74eNNRikRVRH-ChyphenhyphenBO0yXRREhjD6VVEUIztQMj/s1600/christammy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIKbheE0o0fO0nuxDBI29K1SwKaR4bYCHa58-CkfVAPXMtoVm__DhOvFluFVDKLL5no7yjJd-8wn8PMv8CqFlM9clv2riDkF74eNNRikRVRH-ChyphenhyphenBO0yXRREhjD6VVEUIztQMj/s320/christammy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697679595943625554" /></a><br /><br />Hello blog, my old running adventures friend! I write more on Facebook than I do here, but I have such fond memories within the pages of this blog. And the adventures continue. So, perhaps I can come visit a little more often.<br /><br />The picture above is after the 2012 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. This year I ran the Inaugural Marathon Relay with my sister Tammy. A very different race indeed! Neither of us was really trained up for this one. After 6 weeks of physical therapy for a pulled calf muscle from back in October, I had just a 10 miler under my belt going into this one. The goal was to take it easy, enjoy the race, run 2 min and walk 1 min the entire way. We also had race retreat packages which made the time there very enjoyable. We had an incredible time! My time for the first half was 2:49. Our team time was 6:30. A marathon relay PR! :-)<br /><br />Next year is the 20th Disney World Marathon - an event I am sure will be a big deal. As much as I enjoyed the relay, I think I might have to run the full. We shall see how well I can train for that! :-)<br /><br />In the meanwhile, lots of running planned for this year. My "target" races will likely be the Winter Park Road Race and the OUC Half Marathon in terms of working on time. Jim and I will run the Wine and Dine for the third year in a row - this year in November. I hope to run a 5K race with my 12 year old daughter AND I am not sure but I would like to find a nice race to run for my 50th birthday this year. I am not sure it will be a full marathon, but I would like it to be at least a half or a relay with family!<br /><br />So here is to 2012 - 5 years since I ran my first marathon, 10 years since I ran that first 5K, and the beginning of a lifetime of running adventures.MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-37723009159256121882011-01-30T12:20:00.003-05:002011-01-30T12:48:51.090-05:00The 100 Days Challenge<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0-ORYu649O7mhxQsz_dkTdIwoDF8hozrXePGTiCjaXVNVL215Q-iw_amLQWs-1_3mj-xnUSI_kqLPkVmfKtjDfjf0VUaSGTK5ySqu_q4cDTkGZYTJ9DjPWiFGEGcWbUawq7e/s1600/100days.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 250px; height: 69px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg0-ORYu649O7mhxQsz_dkTdIwoDF8hozrXePGTiCjaXVNVL215Q-iw_amLQWs-1_3mj-xnUSI_kqLPkVmfKtjDfjf0VUaSGTK5ySqu_q4cDTkGZYTJ9DjPWiFGEGcWbUawq7e/s400/100days.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568030484810851922" /></a><br />It started out innocently enough. I started running on New Year's Eve - then started running with my husband, who decided he wanted to run every day to get back into shape. I wanted to join him mostly because I like running together and, as I found in those first couple of weeks, it was a great time to touch base and catch up on what was going on.<br /><br />But I had never run more than 3 or 4 days in a row without a rest day. This would be a new challenge! I would start with running shorter runs and see where it goes from there.<br /><br />A few days into our challenge I saw a Facebook post by John Bingham of the <a href="http://johnbingham.competitor.com/2010/12/30/the-100-days-challenge/">100 Days Challenge</a>. That sounded like a fun challenge to join - a goal to see just how far I could take my everyday running. After a week or so, my husband became ill and had to stop running - but I kept going. I even replaced 2 runs with 2 mile power walks on days when I was too tired or my husband's legs hurt too much - but outside of those two days - I have RUN every day in January. I have completed day 30 of the 100 Day Challenge - with my New Year's Eve run I have run 31 days in a row. <br /><br />So, 1/3 into this challenge I have learned a few things:<br /><br />- miles accumulate quickly when running every day. Even though my runs are shorter, and my long runs have been under 10 miles (except the Disney Half) I will break 120 miles for January. I usually never break 100 miles in a month unless I am in the height of training for a marathon with 20+ milers built in to the mix.<br /><br />- it is VERY hard to miss a day. There were a few days I would have quickly bagged a run because of schedule conflicts - but I have stuck to these runs even if my run took place at 9 pm and I did it by running 3 laps around the block. I feel determined not to miss any runs until I complete the challenge.<br /><br />- the best part of my run is logging it and crossing off another day in the challenge.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOSkRA37Ds1dhf-x3O9PcvKVP6fIlV9-YkzmtiKwzpyqb5tbnnSfJ-SM9sXO6-zpX_D50xVbJx3ZCQG4j1DqMDMm9tUdTtpPW6o2E5-LCs4eDeJWNVnCuSK42yPq3jX0bWmzs/s1600/DSC07146.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOSkRA37Ds1dhf-x3O9PcvKVP6fIlV9-YkzmtiKwzpyqb5tbnnSfJ-SM9sXO6-zpX_D50xVbJx3ZCQG4j1DqMDMm9tUdTtpPW6o2E5-LCs4eDeJWNVnCuSK42yPq3jX0bWmzs/s320/DSC07146.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5568035811827068418" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Next race</span><br /><br />My next race is the Winter Park Road Race, a 10K race run toward the end of March. Last year I ran a PR, completing the race in 1:01:25. At this time last year I was running faster than I am now, but I am hoping to use February to begin to build my speed back up. Who knows, maybe I can PR again this year! :-)MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-61108748292371424122011-01-09T12:30:00.029-05:002011-01-09T14:08:02.977-05:00The Disney World Marathon Weekend - From the Other Side<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwlfLtBxD-cK8mG0duj8ESCaY15fxTO_BrqIXE2zS1DDCcbo5bheRz8w_xpnn6xh0TidCcrHVrwbixKtEjQ2L5WfLd2vFbTaRrXyMqgvOd0Z8ArjGq57QO8qIizZdlWM0jSvf/s1600/DSC07117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFwlfLtBxD-cK8mG0duj8ESCaY15fxTO_BrqIXE2zS1DDCcbo5bheRz8w_xpnn6xh0TidCcrHVrwbixKtEjQ2L5WfLd2vFbTaRrXyMqgvOd0Z8ArjGq57QO8qIizZdlWM0jSvf/s400/DSC07117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560239996870048514"></a><br />Since 2004 I have participated at some level with the Disney World Marathon weekend, with the exception of 2006 when I was too late to sign up for the half (and not ready to run a full). In 2010, after running my second Goofy (my first Dopey) I decided I would only run the full marathon for 2011, but I waited to sign up. As summer passed and a busy fall season took shape, I realized I didn't have the time to train for a full marathon. I signed up for the half marathon since I couldn't bring myself to completely skip the event. Then, after running the half yesterday, I talked my daughter into getting up at 2 am and driving down to Disney to watch our friends run the full marathon. And that is how I got to see the other side. But first, my race.<br /><br /> <span style="font-weight:bold;">Day 1: The Half Marathon</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbw37uokUGjBxLfxNdWq9HuOkZQy3A4uDDHHspdVYxm-GkqR7oVWl-9w7uP5vxK6LP___P9PPV8B2rIESDRjxeWPb9LhG7flx2flkfI6_hDlDHlwMvkpGtHO3TspGjj9IP6PB/s1600/DSC07112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbw37uokUGjBxLfxNdWq9HuOkZQy3A4uDDHHspdVYxm-GkqR7oVWl-9w7uP5vxK6LP___P9PPV8B2rIESDRjxeWPb9LhG7flx2flkfI6_hDlDHlwMvkpGtHO3TspGjj9IP6PB/s320/DSC07112.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560250056961854066"></a><br /><br />Rather than a long narrative, here is a summmary with a few pics of my half marathon day:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaqrmxuO0Q62UC0ahncee6VgoWVk7ZAZw-28Ke840ZO7GmmKwPX7dxtQtMA4OhnxCSqtEj7G3MSTdtX6znCBNw-r-zIK1sNR4R8_WbiHIs8gzW2oNyNUxnneov6v9Pj5q_uxL/s1600/DSC07076.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOaqrmxuO0Q62UC0ahncee6VgoWVk7ZAZw-28Ke840ZO7GmmKwPX7dxtQtMA4OhnxCSqtEj7G3MSTdtX6znCBNw-r-zIK1sNR4R8_WbiHIs8gzW2oNyNUxnneov6v9Pj5q_uxL/s200/DSC07076.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560243725287343154"></a><br /><br />Never saw anyone wear a tarp to the starting area before - it just struck me as different.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6LB0eikZZuZmk2MyO2khXxs0vkTXF5UUZ4VEhUfIU-do28xRD2fp9xDyGgC-oGtBGVPW27fFNR_orbi-P3AjrM-iXNi7WgRMvYGPOY7XG4ljA_KIIjNJxwKrNRKXLLI_NKRx/s1600/DSC07082.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv6LB0eikZZuZmk2MyO2khXxs0vkTXF5UUZ4VEhUfIU-do28xRD2fp9xDyGgC-oGtBGVPW27fFNR_orbi-P3AjrM-iXNi7WgRMvYGPOY7XG4ljA_KIIjNJxwKrNRKXLLI_NKRx/s200/DSC07082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560246486201694834"></a><br /><br />Waiting in my starting corral. I was in Corral C - which was Wave 3.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFA4r8Dty8Lguy6Q9rc8dasRcvIj89f2MYSeJzXsEpP1pVCxWIjgIYSzTQk0s_cM_jlEiYwGBobFJ90HLFZ8EQoXSbNeyEtIYNnRvR8Q-PE4aI3UdxeJnzLmgwPO2_M7LBEkU/s1600/DSC07088.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUFA4r8Dty8Lguy6Q9rc8dasRcvIj89f2MYSeJzXsEpP1pVCxWIjgIYSzTQk0s_cM_jlEiYwGBobFJ90HLFZ8EQoXSbNeyEtIYNnRvR8Q-PE4aI3UdxeJnzLmgwPO2_M7LBEkU/s320/DSC07088.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560246985553805378"></a><br />As is typical Disney, there were plenty of characters to see along the course. Maddy was the first just before mile 4. Since I was just taking it easy and having fun, I stopped, got a hug and a picture before moving on. Later I saw Maddy again at mile 7 or so after exiting the Magic Kingdom. Loved the sign.... #nocandyasses.<br /><br />The race itself was sufficiently hard for my level of training. Having the "I am not trying for a PR" mentality really helped me keep it reasonable and enjoy the run.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3Dgtjz7TuX57-0FqLUu82hkFK1YpuTmOsQXWtG5uMWtjZ8DIuSL5oyi60MO1MUGLpbKXxN5Uouq_-4N7iDdZcYmKSZGny51vCbqCYdTx43io12LA3SiFS32jBoLTPDAy-bC9/s1600/DSC07105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3Dgtjz7TuX57-0FqLUu82hkFK1YpuTmOsQXWtG5uMWtjZ8DIuSL5oyi60MO1MUGLpbKXxN5Uouq_-4N7iDdZcYmKSZGny51vCbqCYdTx43io12LA3SiFS32jBoLTPDAy-bC9/s320/DSC07105.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560253969162674722"></a><br /><br />Finished the race and met back up with Maddy. Got a quick picture with my Geneva College Tornado towel and headed home.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Day 2: The Full Marathon</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDaJSJaK2YCwFoGCXa7NDnE3Bh6mC9fTNesUDBJsx_MfRG3K81dt3d6V5fg30DP9xvx4H89jpwyr7xyDPes8J0X1RtNO8vYMicd_ul7zp_NVolF-UJNXGLTDMo_3aOTDzYn1Q/s1600/DSC07115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTDaJSJaK2YCwFoGCXa7NDnE3Bh6mC9fTNesUDBJsx_MfRG3K81dt3d6V5fg30DP9xvx4H89jpwyr7xyDPes8J0X1RtNO8vYMicd_ul7zp_NVolF-UJNXGLTDMo_3aOTDzYn1Q/s320/DSC07115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560255236534979314"></a><br />I had the chance to meet quite a few runners who were heading out for the full 26.2 this morning. It was about 10 deg F colder than yesterday so everyone was bundled up. As a spectator, I had plenty of layers I knew I could keep along with a small thermos of hot cocoa. Maddy brought me the infamous sign to use for the day. At 4:45 am, most of the runners headed for the starting area, with the last couple heading over at 5 am.<br /><br />Now the adventure begins....here are my observations as a spectator:<br /><br />Observation 1: Lots of runners wait until the last second to head to the start. I always headed over at 4:30 like a good little runner. Lots of runners were still arriving at 5:30. One came up to me to find out where the starting area was.<br /><br />Observation 2: The medals for the finishers come individually wrapped in plastic. At 5:30 am, volunteers are unwrapping each medal and putting it on the hooks to be awarded after the race.<br /><br />Observation 3: The finish line area is quiet but there are a few folks who stake out their spot right next to the runner's path near the finishline - at 5:30am.<br /><br />We got on the monorail at Epcot and headed to the Transportation Center outside of the Magic Kingdom. We were right before the mile 9 marker. Places up on the rail were going fast so we staked our place at about 5:45 am. We expected Maddy to run by around 7:30 am - now we wait....in the cold.<br /><br />Observation 4: Seeing the first runners come through is very cool! We first saw the first wheel chair, then the first man, and a bit later the first woman runners! You could tell a runner was coming when the folks up ahead of us started to cheer.<br /><br />Observation 5: Pace groups make it easier to find your runner. I knew Maddy was going for a 4:45 pace / finish, so I knew that she wouldn't show until after the 4:00 or 4:15 pace groups. I was able to spot her in the crowd and get some video of her running by.<br /><br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwyxVUNjjOWWQH3yLFLvumNN1f-Wo4Rg_GG65VSZ0AypV3_hHq3A5Ru_-szgDo40LDwPsDgzNHNP1M' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />Observation 6: Waiting for 2 hours to watch a friend run by in their best marathon ever.....priceless!<br /><br />After catching Maddy again after mile 12, my daughter and I headed to IHOP for breakfast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Vutv1-SmoI6UC11T35u-Mj4RM1LSkvJiCgtc8kZg_yUoKLLjGiPaOnF3Q8VHobKqFchrDkrf5TCZFHCBvskFTuA5mgkUN1c9ikWvt6PxC54qjHd6jf4VTEKBUIcAri2DU_Ya/s1600/DSC07116.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Vutv1-SmoI6UC11T35u-Mj4RM1LSkvJiCgtc8kZg_yUoKLLjGiPaOnF3Q8VHobKqFchrDkrf5TCZFHCBvskFTuA5mgkUN1c9ikWvt6PxC54qjHd6jf4VTEKBUIcAri2DU_Ya/s320/DSC07116.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560262793959322194" /></a><br /><br />It was odd being the spectator and not the runner - but I got to see a very different side of a race. I saw dedicated family members waiting in the cold to watch for a loved one or friend - hours before they would come - to watch their 15 sec of glory running by. I saw race volunteers helping late runners get to the start, unwrapping thousands of medals for the runners, and setting up water stops in the dark. I saw volunteer band members beating their drums to warm up in the cold before the runners arrive and Disney cast members pointing the way to a lone vendor with coffee and hot cocoa.<br /><br />As a runner - I have so appreciate these folks - and today I appreciate them so much more!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-676827498381225312010-10-12T11:46:00.031-05:002010-10-12T13:21:42.749-05:00Disney's Inaugural Wine and Dine Half Marathon Race Report<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb3u4rEtpXMDLoUtkLSclI1uHUQJv6r-G7qYLHpPZrcC9bYvnMDAgZ_y4ERIfDdg6ApvnpGy5WjnX6pfJfaZe8Ec1oOTQqwR9Yhk8labRr2eND-GzqrriP1N1LHldM6MlypQC/s1600/DSC06593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYb3u4rEtpXMDLoUtkLSclI1uHUQJv6r-G7qYLHpPZrcC9bYvnMDAgZ_y4ERIfDdg6ApvnpGy5WjnX6pfJfaZe8Ec1oOTQqwR9Yhk8labRr2eND-GzqrriP1N1LHldM6MlypQC/s320/DSC06593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527202225384921106" /></a><br />When Disney decided to turn the Race for the Taste 10K into a half marathon with a relay, my husband and I saw this as the perfect chance to:<br /><br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>a) get in a race without too much training (since we were splitting the distance)<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>b) enjoy the Epcot Food and Wine festival<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>c) run a Disney race LATE at night (instead of in the wee hours of the day)<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>d) enjoy an Inaugural race and possibly become part of a crowd that will run it every year<br /><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>e) be part of the first relay run locally (that I know of)<br /><br />My husband would run the first 5.1 miles and I would run the last 8 miles. Start time was 10 pm so our projected finish was sometime around 12:30 to 12:45 (depending on how soon he got across the start line and how crowded the course was. I had a good feeling we could run the race together in 2:30.<br /><br />We would party at the finish line festival in Epcot until 3 am and then crash at our hotel room at the Port Orleans French Quarter resort.<br /><br />We treated this time away from the kids as a pre-20th anniversary weekend!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_O3PWOsHrRYBtGqLoncjVd94qd_JArOkGPF67lPlhidDXhxh8_KYbO3khycl3i2pWsZnfoAYl6WC97ZcwGb9G9xQfi4EHKfRvjyGtNs17X-yJv2elWNXA2LZJENYxqbv_jQ_x/s1600/DSC06610.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_O3PWOsHrRYBtGqLoncjVd94qd_JArOkGPF67lPlhidDXhxh8_KYbO3khycl3i2pWsZnfoAYl6WC97ZcwGb9G9xQfi4EHKfRvjyGtNs17X-yJv2elWNXA2LZJENYxqbv_jQ_x/s320/DSC06610.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527206519917829858" /></a>After ditching the kids (one was off marching elsewhere in the state, the other one off with friends to an Octoberfest event) we checked in at our hotel around 3 pm Saturday. We napped for a couple of hours since we were going to be up late, then walked over to Port Orleans Riverside for dinner before boarding a bus at 6:15 pm for the starting area at the <a href="http://espnwwos.disney.go.com/complex/">ESPN Wide World of Sports</a>. We were quite early, but we wanted to beat the crowds. The field where we waited to start would have been a nice place to picnic (note to self for next year).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M_1xdAYXIOC837Wi4llpmn-bJPBtD6ftEnbKgTUUeb69wjQaWj-ul-TB-x7yMo0ocSBmI62JxVlk3Sgf4GyFS_v2YR3u8HpXu2RpQm6xfsEGAAvV6zYt9vUjTjcRbgiGrlOD/s1600/DSC06595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8M_1xdAYXIOC837Wi4llpmn-bJPBtD6ftEnbKgTUUeb69wjQaWj-ul-TB-x7yMo0ocSBmI62JxVlk3Sgf4GyFS_v2YR3u8HpXu2RpQm6xfsEGAAvV6zYt9vUjTjcRbgiGrlOD/s320/DSC06595.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527208367563265794" /></a> Lots of porta potties and no lines - yet. There would be lines later.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBNi9fZu5C6WSFHDZg7eRDiK-VuCJi9MfAuKY2kdXYq7q6hlkdsGbCpOBG9HvfepCJt8pmnfFTN4UnHtuJAY4Hitq4z03f4j-X7kbYJACAcDbx9Vrabp-Htizt3Il_CtaL5e_/s1600/DSC06597.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFBNi9fZu5C6WSFHDZg7eRDiK-VuCJi9MfAuKY2kdXYq7q6hlkdsGbCpOBG9HvfepCJt8pmnfFTN4UnHtuJAY4Hitq4z03f4j-X7kbYJACAcDbx9Vrabp-Htizt3Il_CtaL5e_/s320/DSC06597.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527211914766590130" /></a><br />This picture shows how empty it was around 7 pm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92hwe1VHhhBmupabVbDmoTex91L3MNona1zDkUXbONcANiLZwM1eJpio2zYi0-dh9twEhVO5lM_T1T8SPiQVku0xl7biqSmFKeKURa7xhfvm4-czPLCG_bGhLnoTDHUlsCCCC/s1600/DSC06601.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92hwe1VHhhBmupabVbDmoTex91L3MNona1zDkUXbONcANiLZwM1eJpio2zYi0-dh9twEhVO5lM_T1T8SPiQVku0xl7biqSmFKeKURa7xhfvm4-czPLCG_bGhLnoTDHUlsCCCC/s320/DSC06601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527212852869405618" /></a> We took some time to just rest up since my bus to the exchange point at Animal Kingdom didn't leave until 8:30 pm.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhgLBcocA5jA3tGDszBUcuJS4NEzzbdGl3DPBXL2OYbIE5wMuw32jH_BNTPfb_NbS2xyNLQWRh-NhCyn6FETT_yRG8_yDMD9uOoRXZjtLDxeJ8bwkW0jJWRFmBV3a_uuM8XPx/s1600/DSC06605.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxhgLBcocA5jA3tGDszBUcuJS4NEzzbdGl3DPBXL2OYbIE5wMuw32jH_BNTPfb_NbS2xyNLQWRh-NhCyn6FETT_yRG8_yDMD9uOoRXZjtLDxeJ8bwkW0jJWRFmBV3a_uuM8XPx/s320/DSC06605.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527213196176257762" /></a><br />Arrived at the Animal Kingdom parking lot exchange area around 9 or 9:15 pm (how does it take 45 minutes for that drive - we can almost run it faster!). Again lots of sitting and relaxing before the race. As much as the DJ's tried to get everyone up and dancing around, we were resting!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7-pVRse_OxM9wfiBN4CzTqo15O8L75jO-YKrGEiMtcyXjW4hHqsI-fT1Gbv6JO-LyOvStjdjCkNB_pa0X1X06WOlANrkwGUWEc4APOv1UKiGF4_XyLQwEwmJLVILdt5U4wWX/s1600/DSC06602.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7-pVRse_OxM9wfiBN4CzTqo15O8L75jO-YKrGEiMtcyXjW4hHqsI-fT1Gbv6JO-LyOvStjdjCkNB_pa0X1X06WOlANrkwGUWEc4APOv1UKiGF4_XyLQwEwmJLVILdt5U4wWX/s320/DSC06602.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527214489646541538" /></a><br />I am usually not one to get character pictures but I decided to kill some wait time by getting a picture with Pluto.<br /><br />The race started - there was an announcement at the exchange area that the start did happen, however I had been hoping that they would show a video of the start on the big screen (recommendation for next year) so we could see the fireworks and get excited at the race start!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVTqMCVB3evkatmuPIqQGlmsgxfWpOoLST5J2La_KU0bVDimStQe8jBarQz-FTRFHbUOGJXphAoafEFpZSfm5IAaEeGdFKuamj2oaraMGZ8zjRiSFG-_ydnO1j8b-nTh8hOa1/s1600/33566_1493406453020_1169797667_31228138_3430569_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOVTqMCVB3evkatmuPIqQGlmsgxfWpOoLST5J2La_KU0bVDimStQe8jBarQz-FTRFHbUOGJXphAoafEFpZSfm5IAaEeGdFKuamj2oaraMGZ8zjRiSFG-_ydnO1j8b-nTh8hOa1/s320/33566_1493406453020_1169797667_31228138_3430569_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527226342603765330" /></a>Then we waited until the time we thought our relay partners would arrive and then got into the exchange corrals. My husband came in at 54:33 when I met him, took his flashlight baton, walked with him in the exchange area, then took off on my run. Our transition time was under 2 minutes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4tRboXEi_pDKlx0OxSEuznD6USs19mBSEZLgLRloYPCpsisfz_TuJfX9D8M3fkevBg07g7wL_2HasNSqVxKjuVWbsFzFZVdnM6rXFw9rs7HwdzEatwEvABpc5nc6Y6tk776x/s1600/64844_1493406293016_1169797667_31228137_7466305_n.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4tRboXEi_pDKlx0OxSEuznD6USs19mBSEZLgLRloYPCpsisfz_TuJfX9D8M3fkevBg07g7wL_2HasNSqVxKjuVWbsFzFZVdnM6rXFw9rs7HwdzEatwEvABpc5nc6Y6tk776x/s320/64844_1493406293016_1169797667_31228137_7466305_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527218317241311202" /></a><br /><br />I did stop for one other character pic because, amazingly, there was NO line next to Darth Vader!<br /><br />For my portion of the race, most of the course was pretty unexciting, some places really dark, not much entertainment on the course like in the marathon, but we spent LOTS of time running around Hollywood Studios - and that was fun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2-tkvny9-UQn6RUHdx-wMuF-53awPYkJBTuYNgogbfDt0aKVX8BDWr1ybRZZmifWYshyjpE93HjAyEzDfOavrEJ7vzLZreKoht2rgJHySgvaS3Lj11PYYJ6ZFx49TF1Futba/s1600/DSC06606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2-tkvny9-UQn6RUHdx-wMuF-53awPYkJBTuYNgogbfDt0aKVX8BDWr1ybRZZmifWYshyjpE93HjAyEzDfOavrEJ7vzLZreKoht2rgJHySgvaS3Lj11PYYJ6ZFx49TF1Futba/s320/DSC06606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527218634743504706" /></a><br /><br />It was a bit warm and the breeze we had earlier was long gone, but I felt good and kept up a good pace. I was shooting for a team finish of 2:30. After Hollywood Studios it was like the end of the marathon, a trip down the sidewalk along the water along the Boardwalk, then into the back entrance of Disney, except that is where the race ended. My run of 8 miles (actually I ran slightly more than 8 miles and husband ran less than 5 miles - Garmin had me at 8.41 miles) took 1:33:40 giving us a total time of 2:30:09!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrdWb6ATc0CQA7azkXDFtqw2BJEL9MOqha5JLsI6SEkKKNHlNKnY1vw7E_kq6OoIBiQ60pYWTuuKNeJqjUUoZNwvlWGVi9pJi5Xo9GQt_zwiYaV4obJws97pQFBLrKwBOorQT/s1600/DSC06607.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTrdWb6ATc0CQA7azkXDFtqw2BJEL9MOqha5JLsI6SEkKKNHlNKnY1vw7E_kq6OoIBiQ60pYWTuuKNeJqjUUoZNwvlWGVi9pJi5Xo9GQt_zwiYaV4obJws97pQFBLrKwBOorQT/s320/DSC06607.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527219637712755330" /></a><br />The finish area was a bit disappointing for a few reasons. First, they had the finisher medal picture area, but no way for a team picture to be taken since the area was cordoned off for the finishing runners only. Then we had to go through a tent to get our bag and get into Epcot and it was crowded and stiffling hot. Some folks were getting sick from standing in the heat after having run for the past 2.5 hours.<br /><br />The next disappointment was the mob scene inside Epcot. Disney had sold tickets to the finish line party to anyone who wanted them. And folks took advantage of the $35 entry to the Food and Wine festival. The result was a way overcrowded Epcot with long lines to the food. Many runners left to get food at the hotel. We hung around and got food from about 6 countries with short lines in the 2 hours we were there. Late finishers got little or nothing. This will definitely have to be different.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINoy3LZSAQ4p-RlnLATaLd8d7mPpV4hJx7_V-FeXTDw60dNzTe63gFayT1oSnUYXJD0bJt9nOGEAEtbLZgj_aiLuAsR1jqp1QOXpr3Tqve2L89J73etHPHcmOrw5NuV_gflk5/s1600/DSC06609.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhINoy3LZSAQ4p-RlnLATaLd8d7mPpV4hJx7_V-FeXTDw60dNzTe63gFayT1oSnUYXJD0bJt9nOGEAEtbLZgj_aiLuAsR1jqp1QOXpr3Tqve2L89J73etHPHcmOrw5NuV_gflk5/s320/DSC06609.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527220805929500018" /></a><br />Still, we enjoyed food, wine and even another character picture with Mulan.<br /><br />The bling was great, as usual.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL86fKLJUARlTl_1_PWkYBnIWEYxnCVcRapvQB8nnGp8Q4BSnQ2IQHf2xdfhe8xfbKlsRUeyHQSoXSP77u_5C1BInD6F9hi-2_LalNfRFX6Gy6mQ6KQ36XaQipE0aY6zHMI1V-/s1600/DSC06612.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL86fKLJUARlTl_1_PWkYBnIWEYxnCVcRapvQB8nnGp8Q4BSnQ2IQHf2xdfhe8xfbKlsRUeyHQSoXSP77u_5C1BInD6F9hi-2_LalNfRFX6Gy6mQ6KQ36XaQipE0aY6zHMI1V-/s320/DSC06612.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225222434346306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu5GZoh2qNCKMGUbo3xYmgJpCeFZT6YQjj46I0UN0uLZffX0qncvSUMhldW3kv4uXwRaj7P6fMSN9rdRSgEObhXQ-7YW1O3tM5QtjrebR3YXQOzcJ9tPBPoWmBJ2KeYhyYZFR/s1600/DSC06613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiu5GZoh2qNCKMGUbo3xYmgJpCeFZT6YQjj46I0UN0uLZffX0qncvSUMhldW3kv4uXwRaj7P6fMSN9rdRSgEObhXQ-7YW1O3tM5QtjrebR3YXQOzcJ9tPBPoWmBJ2KeYhyYZFR/s320/DSC06613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5527225453850630818" /></a>MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-22737224139389688092010-05-16T17:11:00.013-05:002010-05-16T19:13:59.140-05:00Finally, an update!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgWRpDF6vwxdhR3q4zZ5GT4oOnYjWnKCONicfXojyvgZYzVpv5jTxJEefemIWzVgqKkMiziz40_nmGYqlQNPsAsvVZl6LG_eVwaGBxRBmXQ108u8UNTUKvzX5fDZ_Zire-kPF/s1600/DSC06039.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTgWRpDF6vwxdhR3q4zZ5GT4oOnYjWnKCONicfXojyvgZYzVpv5jTxJEefemIWzVgqKkMiziz40_nmGYqlQNPsAsvVZl6LG_eVwaGBxRBmXQ108u8UNTUKvzX5fDZ_Zire-kPF/s320/DSC06039.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471994283215874306" /></a><br />I have definitely been running since the end of March - which is the good news! But, like many of you, things have been busy and blogging has taken a back seat.<br /><br />This is a quick update on what I have been up to.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3rO_7OJqX_CIOWF-p-S8v-csoJUxRY8ZZzU-R0bRR-fYfRjN1453xF26Il71TH-Z9H-yzfY5on2uOWSNmIfHTsXNGgU1WAxlLxb_GYM-Y2ofbw4w9UgSkTSrCleZ1OPqbZKU/s1600/DSC05641.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw3rO_7OJqX_CIOWF-p-S8v-csoJUxRY8ZZzU-R0bRR-fYfRjN1453xF26Il71TH-Z9H-yzfY5on2uOWSNmIfHTsXNGgU1WAxlLxb_GYM-Y2ofbw4w9UgSkTSrCleZ1OPqbZKU/s200/DSC05641.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472011414594347394" /></a><br />April started out with some relaxing days out at <a href="http://www.floridastateparks.org/paynesprairie/">Paynes Prairie Preserve</a> - one of our favorite camp grounds. We got a chance to see some wild horses, deer and woodpeckers among other species. A campfire is usually just what the doctor ordered for relaxation! With Easter break, we got to spend an extended weekend!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyYkdkJaL427GLWgV6F6fTzjsToS3QNvOb9CHuaFQVmH5oJTsI9ZdMgWB7Ezc7Qq3TTgsiFRtuN_ahQeHr3EY0QO5Os0heJ02rboGONhSTtvCdvef6BdJpBowZS7rx4p-cbv-/s1600/DSC05705.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyyYkdkJaL427GLWgV6F6fTzjsToS3QNvOb9CHuaFQVmH5oJTsI9ZdMgWB7Ezc7Qq3TTgsiFRtuN_ahQeHr3EY0QO5Os0heJ02rboGONhSTtvCdvef6BdJpBowZS7rx4p-cbv-/s200/DSC05705.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472012462399474418" /></a>The next big event was the local Corporate 5K. For the 8th year in a row I served as team captain for TeamSAIC. We had 70 employees, associates and family members come out and support the event at Orlando's Lake Eola. We had great weather - cooler with some clouds and a breeze - which made for a comfortable event. My older daughter and I ran-walked the race together for a 38 minute finish. Except for a little fender bender before the race, we survived without too much damage!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dtna2HSL7GBJ9-sPyaCF5Y-PGyvOjcS61bTiGHgPRgKN2Rddj3Io2xuPkvBLpqJt0hE3O6SRm-XIYFXJ264kfNKarLXkeNNTIyziETLeqeZc2DCp3yr9LuJ2fhQBZdZ8q2N0/s1600/KH041710-0627.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0Dtna2HSL7GBJ9-sPyaCF5Y-PGyvOjcS61bTiGHgPRgKN2Rddj3Io2xuPkvBLpqJt0hE3O6SRm-XIYFXJ264kfNKarLXkeNNTIyziETLeqeZc2DCp3yr9LuJ2fhQBZdZ8q2N0/s320/KH041710-0627.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472013904672921858" /></a>After a week attending a local technical conference an presenting a paper, I had a chance to attend the <a href="http://www.kidshouse.org/">Kids House</a> Gala held at UCF. There my husband and I had a chance to meet Roger Hodgson, the former lead singer for Supertramp who performed for the gala.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP1s7lrV-Yrfv5xiNkQu51mEpBPOGFuydCSXQa4gCfiKZk9rIU2XVgJqObBCYjToGNQNWvk3uO6cnt5k0NYwy5pOYk4foVNjZVTmkGos1_D6_AGq_1KZ-zuc3-_QwL2Keu4sT/s1600/DSC05751.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYP1s7lrV-Yrfv5xiNkQu51mEpBPOGFuydCSXQa4gCfiKZk9rIU2XVgJqObBCYjToGNQNWvk3uO6cnt5k0NYwy5pOYk4foVNjZVTmkGos1_D6_AGq_1KZ-zuc3-_QwL2Keu4sT/s200/DSC05751.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472019250348658994" /></a>The very next afternoon we celebrated my older daughter's 15th birthday with a bowling party at Firk and Kelger's. A fun time was had by all!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1FBwz0X0S4ThTtWp6OWqxL_HpCzJk3QVP1dXlmGkbKKnE7Q5UB0ITCVVmRYimVXz67mtQbPt9LYErDkycxnOy7YlGM3OuimvhbDH8kwq31GGu80Xjiyu9bCvY-XV0fFvb4rH/s1600/DSC05844.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD1FBwz0X0S4ThTtWp6OWqxL_HpCzJk3QVP1dXlmGkbKKnE7Q5UB0ITCVVmRYimVXz67mtQbPt9LYErDkycxnOy7YlGM3OuimvhbDH8kwq31GGu80Xjiyu9bCvY-XV0fFvb4rH/s200/DSC05844.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472020196962789282" /></a>Another week at a different local technical conference and yet another presentation, then a weekend of wedding festivities with some good family friends (local, thankfully). My husband was an usher for the wedding. The mother of the groom stayed with us and I made sure she got to the wedding on time! Everything went off with a hitch!<br /><br />We got a week off from major events - only a soccer game to attend and time spent preparing our house for the following weekend - my husband's graduation from UCF - Summa Cum Laude - an endeavor that has been many years in the making! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeMNf1SyGV3hrCU5ccwLyVJoimPWHQ8lr-pJjjih7d42xP2weBSQwzjWxifhGBZfLCLylyrv1-M5ZWCkc6Rc8udgEiX2lOcOxZJaDHi1uS0l4tm19ovzx-TPqUkEmwU2LqIVD/s1600/DSC05973.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeMNf1SyGV3hrCU5ccwLyVJoimPWHQ8lr-pJjjih7d42xP2weBSQwzjWxifhGBZfLCLylyrv1-M5ZWCkc6Rc8udgEiX2lOcOxZJaDHi1uS0l4tm19ovzx-TPqUkEmwU2LqIVD/s320/DSC05973.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472021261296588402" /></a>We attended the ceremony with a live webcast playing back at our house for family and friends who couldn't go because we didn't have enough tickets. Then back to our place for the festivities!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg7bp6smZnZzZXoilQowybZLclDeFoQS1RWtu7jdU-shC977_qMCKQk0Ne-at6msO6XDy-OsP73aixVz3tqB8ZiD-XGDKj1Flen4MxfJrMo35BH2IBr2e0ojBSUjBZEPQahPe/s1600/DSC06028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzg7bp6smZnZzZXoilQowybZLclDeFoQS1RWtu7jdU-shC977_qMCKQk0Ne-at6msO6XDy-OsP73aixVz3tqB8ZiD-XGDKj1Flen4MxfJrMo35BH2IBr2e0ojBSUjBZEPQahPe/s320/DSC06028.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472024122430390450" /></a>This past weekend was the <a href="http://www.kidshouse.org/">Jim Payne Blue Ribbon Run for the Kids 5K</a> which benefited Kids House. I have been part of the planning committee and spend the afternoon working the race! The weather was quite warm and some of our runners were pretty toasty when they reached the finish line, but the event was a great success, drawing over 1100 runners in its second year.<br /><br />I think that catches me up! In the middle of all of this, I still managed to log 79 miles in April and so far 50 miles in May. I just passed 400 miles for the year. I have done so much better this year than previous years keeping my base mileage at a good level (15-25 miles a week). I am not training for any particular race right now - just adjusting to running in the heat again. Today is the first time in awhile I have needed to bring my full Fuel Belt on an 8 mile run.<br /><br />Tomorrow I start summer school...Engineering Statistics. That should keep me from blogging too much this summer. Hope your running is going well this spring and into summer! I will be "seeing" you out there on the roads with more running adventures to come!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-4480764146724524602010-03-26T19:05:00.007-05:002010-03-26T19:23:55.537-05:00Running in Monterey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPW7QkH0DYP8NpK0KqfUB9TOcB6qCe8rWB9-cy7FhRZyyXqlSiX_zlFMxgX2VYwC-MMyffznbP2H6QkTJwu55QM1IbQC-vjpx5WQcgHVV6ry1eMNqHIHwBlWs372aMU_kaLgc/s1600/DSC05514.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPW7QkH0DYP8NpK0KqfUB9TOcB6qCe8rWB9-cy7FhRZyyXqlSiX_zlFMxgX2VYwC-MMyffznbP2H6QkTJwu55QM1IbQC-vjpx5WQcgHVV6ry1eMNqHIHwBlWs372aMU_kaLgc/s400/DSC05514.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453098180404780962"></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">At the turnaround point of my Monterey Peninsula run.</span><br /><br />Last week while on a business trip to Monterey, CA I got a chance to get a couple of runs in on the Monterey Peninsula Trail. I was staying on Wave St. along Cannery Row so the trail was a half block from the hotel - basically right across the street.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXngffgT3yMuskpvz-nVaoBapYgnPSOMMgvwchhlAOCrIJ56KjLjjGef5phzWC2kTytW1STaGOnKYvehXu5dpGSvwksfLhb6b6bRuZYisd9ZLQrYyCF9TaerDlhQkIyAK8coUy/s1600/DSC05506.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXngffgT3yMuskpvz-nVaoBapYgnPSOMMgvwchhlAOCrIJ56KjLjjGef5phzWC2kTytW1STaGOnKYvehXu5dpGSvwksfLhb6b6bRuZYisd9ZLQrYyCF9TaerDlhQkIyAK8coUy/s320/DSC05506.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453099416084061106"></a><br />Running west, the cement trail turns to asphalt and dirt, then entirely dirt trail - following the shoreline. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHZ_nAV0KfY8O5und_pbh-iKZQzOFZXofR3yZfCPsFglDuKdXc_FHKm8gYjwYyXZxIMjdQKHi5Qr0Tjz6DJOzjQqYPra4g6hbB638xR1w2x2j9AzfL2k798UJ-bSJw3CAPSm1/s1600/DSC05509.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHZ_nAV0KfY8O5und_pbh-iKZQzOFZXofR3yZfCPsFglDuKdXc_FHKm8gYjwYyXZxIMjdQKHi5Qr0Tjz6DJOzjQqYPra4g6hbB638xR1w2x2j9AzfL2k798UJ-bSJw3CAPSm1/s320/DSC05509.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453099788614247010"></a><br />On my first run, I went 2.5 miles in this direction before turning around for my return and took a few pictures and a video along the way.<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz62qx9Mhgc_HE1UM11vLA2bENHnfUT_G6GwIpLv7_U3V64arx1n0GHQYQ6sDcqVu6YUL96xMX6WdI' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br />My second run was in the easterly direction toward Fisherman's Wharf - less trail and more cement but interesting sights anyway!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8gA91KjBanmbtjeRqq1g5MfSYOYromFiurzFmTTadjCkoIigZ6nA_wASfGfFVzaX5xZkb-UkQWmlm4-s8in3byzi8oW3ekQUukIXcd4lRlOq7c9kpWLK1jBg_bxyiRcsJTAZ/s1600/DSC05524.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK8gA91KjBanmbtjeRqq1g5MfSYOYromFiurzFmTTadjCkoIigZ6nA_wASfGfFVzaX5xZkb-UkQWmlm4-s8in3byzi8oW3ekQUukIXcd4lRlOq7c9kpWLK1jBg_bxyiRcsJTAZ/s320/DSC05524.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453100959604904402"></a><br />The temperatures were quite cool (almost cold) with temps in the mid to upper 50s and breezy. It felt great in my short sleeves while running - but once I stopped running I had to quickly get inside and warm up.<br /><br />After my second run, I quickly drove over to the other side of the peninsula to catch a beautiful CA sunset!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXIYpwcWxcMOWpvVRtn_qgU-9499ryLErpo1iCHDYYVqsSBg0njhEDB2cH-virSXMw4efEKbv5u5HGZVwvCXJZP_B8ToAh_VoOuDvoCjrPQw4Ck1-X8Y6iDQ-xmoIJSpXQ_Av/s1600/DSC05528.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglXIYpwcWxcMOWpvVRtn_qgU-9499ryLErpo1iCHDYYVqsSBg0njhEDB2cH-virSXMw4efEKbv5u5HGZVwvCXJZP_B8ToAh_VoOuDvoCjrPQw4Ck1-X8Y6iDQ-xmoIJSpXQ_Av/s400/DSC05528.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453101403094488338"></a><br /><br />It is good to be home, but I will certainly miss running along the beach!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-56953553012824655302010-03-13T12:49:00.004-05:002010-03-13T13:21:51.835-05:00A New 10K PR and Pacing<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuchHW8HH0VqUYjjRQJ71XEbLF6ogFlQptKfM_t_8cc8OROryuYW1Pm55QbBLeUz-sWQ29UytrOVvwaYyVro-TBI61IzS5HVBBLV4gKDVTWFxxAvTKbYLnj4MCiUQS4ZB4h0yx/s1600-h/DSC05499.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuchHW8HH0VqUYjjRQJ71XEbLF6ogFlQptKfM_t_8cc8OROryuYW1Pm55QbBLeUz-sWQ29UytrOVvwaYyVro-TBI61IzS5HVBBLV4gKDVTWFxxAvTKbYLnj4MCiUQS4ZB4h0yx/s320/DSC05499.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448177226457433458" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;"><a href="http://shirleyperly.blogspot.com">Shirley </a>and I after the race - both with shiny new PRs!</span><br />The Winter Park Road Race is usually the next race I focus on after running the Disney Marathon. For the past couple of years, my training had not gone so well - so I was thrilled that I had some great training in my buildup to the race and my best chance at a PR. My tempo runs showed I had a PR in me - my stretch goal was to try to bust 1 hour. Breaching the 1 hour mark was not in the cards for me today - but I am not disappointed because I felt like I ran a good race overall.....and had a 2:32 PR!<br /><br />I got to the race early (around 6:30) so I could get a good parking spot. The 2 mile run was set to start at 7 am so I was a little worried I might not be early enough - but I got a decent parking spot and headed over toward the race area. It was cool this morning, about 53 deg F - and although my long sleeve shirt felt nice, I knew I wouldn't need it for the race, so I took the marathon approach, ditched the long sleeves and stuck with my short sleeve shirt along with a thin plastic rain poncho (a little more fashionable than the standard garbage bag). Most folks braved it without a poncho or bag...I did see one person with a bag on. Still, I was warmer and happier with my poncho.<br /><br />I stopped by the Orlando Running Club tent and said a quick hello to <a href="http://kitzzyfit.blogspot.com/">Kitzzy</a> who was transitioning from biking mode (she rode her bike around 5 miles to the race) to running mode. She then headed for the 2 mile start area (she ran both the 2 mile run AND the 10K!). After that I wandered around a bit, ran into a running friend from work, then made one more porta potty stop before lining up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ24NTfa3HFPLm4ND2CssQzsk9D_bwzypet_jUpOpNBJ-VrJGyXKj1TYX1rRgBbosP1JT40GRfEv6JVlXGueao1ILXk-vrI7-LsMcUu_f9fnB1XTVMnRAjGCH0OWxlwSpA_CN/s1600-h/DSC05498.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXJ24NTfa3HFPLm4ND2CssQzsk9D_bwzypet_jUpOpNBJ-VrJGyXKj1TYX1rRgBbosP1JT40GRfEv6JVlXGueao1ILXk-vrI7-LsMcUu_f9fnB1XTVMnRAjGCH0OWxlwSpA_CN/s200/DSC05498.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448179507884525682" /></a><br />Given my anticipated finish time of around 1 hour, I lined up just behind the 9 min/mi sign. About 5 min before the race start I ditched the rain poncho. Then we were off!<br /><br />My plan: Don't go out too fast (shoot for around 10 min for first mile) and treat it like my 5 mile tempo runs. Also part of the plan - iPod shuffle with a 180 bpm Podrunner mix.<br /><br />It was a good plan. I hit the first mile at about 9:45 - not too bad. Mile 2 came around 19:33. I was behind a sub 1 hour pace but I didn't have the energy to push my pace anymore. I didn't want to run out of gas at mile 3 or 4 so I focused on running comfortably hard with my 180 bpm turnover. There were 3 water stops and I took water at all of them. The second stop is right before mile 4 so I took a Clif Shot there and made sure I drank enough to wash it down. The last water stop was around mile 5 or just after. Other than the water stops, I didn't take any walking breaks. When I got tired, I shortened my stride but maintained my turnover.<br /><br />Just at the mile 4 water stop a woman ran by me and was just telling someone that I was her pacer! Then she said to hurry up so I could pace some more. I was right there so I ran up and agreed to keep the pace up and went ahead. The next time I saw her was a bit after mile 5. I had started to speed up but then bonked a bit and was having trouble keeping my pace going. She ran by and said I needed to keep it going. I told her that maybe she could pace for a bit since I was a bit out of gas. She said she would try and plugged on ahead. I worked to keep up with her. It was a nice diversion during mile 5. Coming around the corner at about mile 6 I passed her again.<br /><br />At mile 6, you can see the finish line up ahead for the 0.2 mile stretch. I decided to go for it and picked up the pace - I was almost done! It was tough to hold the pace though - my stomach was starting to turn, but I kept telling myself that it would be done in less than a minute! And then, it was over.<br /><br />1:01:25 - a 2:32 PR over my last PR 2 years ago.<br /><br />Shirley was at the finish to meet me. Then the pacing lady came up behind me and greeted me. She introduced herself (I forgot her name AND I should have gotten a picture) and thanked me for pacing her to a 4 min PR. I thanked her for getting me through the end of the race as well.<br /><br />I am happy with the results - a great PR time with the 1 hour goal out there for another day (perhaps on a flatter, straighter, brickless course). I felt like I didn't go out too hard, I maintained pace but didn't kill myself in the middle, and I finished strong. I can't think of anything else I would have done differently to try to finish faster. <br /><br />My next race is the Corporate 5K. I am trying to decide whether to train to run a faster 5K time or to not run it at all and spend the time cheering on the other runners and taking lots of pics (I am the team captain). Given my training I would most likely have a shot at a 5K PR, however, this is not a timed race AND there are only about 10K other folks there - I would be weaving and avoiding folks the entire time. I would like to put my time up as one of the fastest women on our team....but it would be fun to run it again with my daughter. I have a month to decide! :-)<br /><br />Hope everyone had great runs out there this weekend! I am going to slack off and take tomorrow off!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-34335309896713624602010-03-09T10:17:00.003-05:002010-03-09T10:23:44.407-05:00Sub-1 hour 10K??<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFFeDuTqcj1D6h0mO-2qJw4i9pyvVgQNiAHUsM4ooRQmyj7DVg41Qaa_vmcy_FTCRPulyfjUoxRICKYqkKgE4Aoe7Bol9Ej57Cnd9RpLSYcoVvUWcguC96PLSI7XtnlXEiZSe/s1600-h/DSC05482.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsFFeDuTqcj1D6h0mO-2qJw4i9pyvVgQNiAHUsM4ooRQmyj7DVg41Qaa_vmcy_FTCRPulyfjUoxRICKYqkKgE4Aoe7Bol9Ej57Cnd9RpLSYcoVvUWcguC96PLSI7XtnlXEiZSe/s320/DSC05482.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446653631792528754" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Note the dead palm tree out in front of my house....when the cold is finally gone those dead leaves are coming off!!</span><br /><br />I think I might have a sub-1 hour 10K in me....<br /><br />So I am putting it out there for this weekend's Winter Park Road Race.<br /><br />Unless something unusual happens, I will PR this weekend (current PR is 1:03:57).<br /><br />If I have a really good day, I think I can bust 1 hour. That is a 9:39 min/mi pace which I think I can maintain. That is, as long as I don't use my usual 10K strategy, which from the comments on <a href="http://humbletriathlete.blogspot.com">Shirley's </a>blog, a number of other folks use. It's the "go out too hard and try to survive" approach to 10Ks. What I really want to do is go out easier, negative split, and finish strong. I do it on my 5 milers all the time, so this should be a no brainer.<br /><br />I just need to watch the start....I think I will focus on mental training for the rest of this week! :-)<br /><br />Race report Sat or Sun we shall see!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-80421722812007369622010-02-15T18:39:00.005-05:002010-02-16T09:32:50.918-05:00Cold Weather Running in Florida<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKodsuZhGbXNgxXZXHTzTffJsqJLVF4HCQ2axcdadrSQocwq9-Y6afi00pK6x7tC3lMtEf70Kc86_cdmv0YRIr8acZVIga5DpQF8e4_fealEuAws2DNNnT2VtP8uRo22MYxjp/s1600-h/DSC05416.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKodsuZhGbXNgxXZXHTzTffJsqJLVF4HCQ2axcdadrSQocwq9-Y6afi00pK6x7tC3lMtEf70Kc86_cdmv0YRIr8acZVIga5DpQF8e4_fealEuAws2DNNnT2VtP8uRo22MYxjp/s400/DSC05416.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438619966773258226" /></a><br /><br />This has been a really interesting running season for me. I suppose the Disney races set the pace for me, because going out for a run in 40 deg weather doesn't seem like such a big deal anymore. In fact, I am enjoying the heck out of running in the chilly air. It is going to be tough when it warms up in a couple of months - for now I will enjoy it while I can.<br /><br />During my long run this past week I crossed the 4000 mile mark for miles I have logged since I started logging back in 2006. It has been a super journey. I have met so many interesting folks, blogged and podcasted my way through some challenging times, and now - four years later - I am continuing to grow and enjoy the thrill of the journey.<br /><br />Thanks for coming along, and be sure to enjoy your own running adventures!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-21486802072131812592010-02-06T09:08:00.003-05:002010-02-06T09:29:43.579-05:00Husky Trot 5K<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3qKPkMOG3TnMMswHH2An3TEL5kZvHgMC-A5Or1w-eB9uwFvCZ2_ezCuCBMVUdWH_OOiK58-Liocpw0CAv3BW1S2O_ycrsGJpy36i91935ebXq3fHLBwYrHAkrjO29UO1U_8q/s1600-h/DSC05408.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3qKPkMOG3TnMMswHH2An3TEL5kZvHgMC-A5Or1w-eB9uwFvCZ2_ezCuCBMVUdWH_OOiK58-Liocpw0CAv3BW1S2O_ycrsGJpy36i91935ebXq3fHLBwYrHAkrjO29UO1U_8q/s400/DSC05408.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435136108501881570" /></a><br />It was a beautiful sunny morning with temps around 55 deg F for today's Husky Trot 5K. This is the 5th running of this race to raise money for my daughter's HS athletic department. <br /><br />Since my daughter hasn't been training at all, I set my watch to beep once a minute and we ran 2 min and walked 1 min for the 3.1 miles. The last .1 mile is on the school track where you finish by running through the inflatable Husky.<br /><br />We had a great time chatting and running together! We finished in 37:31 min.MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-80787953101699992132010-02-01T19:25:00.002-05:002010-02-01T19:34:15.978-05:002010 Running Goals<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn01VN3qHq1ivvO0pUHKlh8HKdXxzmRyA3wEbNBqGpZAOvyK9IIpPaIpIjJb24wb8q5s7AtKeBKutw_gvxOVmXPSfjij8kbNi9cdHZtUNlPxMYTupWWQQAfNwvtiep7QFdQfZ/s1600-h/marathon+start.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqn01VN3qHq1ivvO0pUHKlh8HKdXxzmRyA3wEbNBqGpZAOvyK9IIpPaIpIjJb24wb8q5s7AtKeBKutw_gvxOVmXPSfjij8kbNi9cdHZtUNlPxMYTupWWQQAfNwvtiep7QFdQfZ/s400/marathon+start.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433435996070302770" /></a><br />With Disney behind me and 2009 in the books, it is time to look forward to 2010 goals. <br /><br />I was sharing with <a href="http://www.maddyruns.com">Maddy </a>as we ran the Disney half marathon that I didn’t want to run Boston unless I qualified. I also told her that my best shot at a BQ was to live long enough and still be running until I can qualify.<br /><br />My sub-5 hr marathon at Disney is a BQ if I was 70 years old.<br /><br />For my age group of 45 – 49, I would need to hit 4 hours to qualify for Boston. That would be a 9:11 min/mi pace. Now I am not saying that it is impossible for me to run a sub 4 hour race. I probably couldn’t do it training the same way I do right now.<br /><br />Let me be clear, a BQ is NOT a 2010 goal for me. This year’s achievable goal is to work on my speed and get faster. Instead, I think I will target running a 5K (or even a 10K) at a BQ pace. At 9:11 min/mi pace that would be a 28:32 5K. Now that is something I can shoot for!<br /><br />My plan is to work on speed during the spring running season, and then begin to build endurance during the summer. I am hoping to consult my unofficial running coach <a href="http://humbletriathlete.blogspot.com">ShirleyPerly </a>to get advice on training for these goals. I am considering weight training and possibly some cross training (swimming during the summer months). I have already added a tempo run or intervals once a week. My target race for a PR this spring is the Winter Park Road Race in March. I think I have a good shot at breaking my 1:03:57 PR. I have about 5 weeks left to train – and I am feeling recovered from Disney. My target race for a BQ paced 5K is probably the Autumn Rock n Run 5K.<br /><br />After WPRR, my training for the fall will depend on which races I decide I will run. I am currently not planning on a fall marathon. I will focus on better times for the Miracle Mile 15K in Sept and the UCF 5 Miler in October. I am also planning on running the Inaugural Wine and Dine Half Marathon at Disney on October 2nd . My husband and I are going to run it as a team (one runs 5.1 miles the other runs 8 miles). And unlike the Disney marathon races where I get up at 2 am for a 5:40 am start, this race starts at 10 pm - meaning we won't be finishing until after midnight! Then we join the party at Epcot and crash at a Disney hotel!<br /><br />I also plan on being the co-captain for my Corporate 5K team for our April race and to volunteer for the Kids House 5K in May and one other race during the year. <br /><br />Target races:<br /><br />Race 1-3: Disney Dopey – Jan. 9-11 (DONE!)<br />Race 4: Husky Trot 5K – Feb 6 – benefits my daughter’s HS<br />Race 5: Winter Park Road Race (10K) – March 13 – Going for a PR<br />Race 6: Wounded Warrior 5K – April 10 - great cause!<br />Race 7: Corporate 5K – April 15 - Co-captain company team<br />Race 8: Run for Water (UCF) 6K – April 18 – Water for Haiti and in my backyard<br />Race 9: Jim Payne Blue Ribbon Run 5K – May 15 - I may just volunteer for this one<br />Race 10: Autumn Rock n Run 5K – Sept - May go for my 5K at BQ pace here<br />Race 11: Miracle Mile 15K - Sept<br />Race 12: Wine and Dine Half Marathon – Oct 2 – new race, running with hubby<br />Race 13: UCF 5 Miler & 2 Mile – Oct 9<br />Race 14: OUC Half Marathon – Early Dec - warm up race for Disney Marathon 2011 and possible PR <br /><br />So in summary: <br /><br />1. Run faster this year: A 5K at BQ pace (9:11) for my age group.<br />2. PR for the 10K distance.<br />3. Volunteer for at least 2 races and coordinate my corporate 5K team.<br /><br />2010 is going to be a great year!!!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-26547916124344147562010-01-18T18:23:00.013-05:002010-01-18T19:51:07.206-05:002009 Running Recap<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkRQzPHV1t0DQv2fVCV720g0itAg0vk-bkHrokBOVTW7ZIXCndSyy09V08-EPDnB4_UBE11CAyjFvzymvQRKaaSVRCO2DQSvj1kUpxFMa7h51WZmZkDQDBXpFyNzwnDLGk-5e/s1600-h/finish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 48px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCkRQzPHV1t0DQv2fVCV720g0itAg0vk-bkHrokBOVTW7ZIXCndSyy09V08-EPDnB4_UBE11CAyjFvzymvQRKaaSVRCO2DQSvj1kUpxFMa7h51WZmZkDQDBXpFyNzwnDLGk-5e/s400/finish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428242715476421394" /></a><br />My new running year is a bit off the calendar….kind of like corporate fiscal years. My annual running ends after the Disney Marathon which is held the 2nd weekend of January. Now that Disney is behind me, I can look back on how things went in 2009.<br /><br />2009 Running Goals:<br /><br />Like last year, I looked back and could not find my running goals for 2009. I did find that things got insanely busy early last year and my running fell off for the first 4 months or so of the year. In general, my goal was to be out there running – focus on a single marathon (Disney) and do what I could in my other races. Later in the year, I decided I wanted to break 30 min in a timed 5K race, PR for a half marathon, and PR for the marathon at Disney. Maybe my goals are too easy since I accomplished all of them! <br /><br />2009 Running Achievements:<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b9-9tAx5zChptxO8UnoazsP4LrZTBN3VJGZTUrTB1EJlIP326vlWto6a1sdP5NHvNLYrrh3y7An8ktOOUV4yMPEsGZg2GNZel39fqnAO0aD1dpFJd2q-GHs7I3XnU3g8LmD2/s1600-h/2009+miles.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b9-9tAx5zChptxO8UnoazsP4LrZTBN3VJGZTUrTB1EJlIP326vlWto6a1sdP5NHvNLYrrh3y7An8ktOOUV4yMPEsGZg2GNZel39fqnAO0aD1dpFJd2q-GHs7I3XnU3g8LmD2/s320/2009+miles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428246841660111970" /></a>I ran a total of 953 miles in 2009. I missed my goal to break 1000 miles but I was happy with the volume of running I maintained beginning in August.<br />My average weekly miles = 18.3 with my highest week = 45<br />My average monthly miles = 79 with my highest month = 154 (Nov)<br />My average long run pace in the fall was about 11:15 min/mile (last 20 miler before Disney was 11:06 pace)<br /><br />I ran 10 races in 2009: <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0ul_ON0UNYksOqMkHCA7GZzrBmGQkDHqFBGgPi76F3m5bgSAXI2fM-PlDTC0LipdWJL7GunVojn5DoZPlKr1K4zgX2TI2XRrGWZeVplJATCqK3p5RdN4HqTdF_4owPREor45/s1600-h/wallpaper.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 158px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0ul_ON0UNYksOqMkHCA7GZzrBmGQkDHqFBGgPi76F3m5bgSAXI2fM-PlDTC0LipdWJL7GunVojn5DoZPlKr1K4zgX2TI2XRrGWZeVplJATCqK3p5RdN4HqTdF_4owPREor45/s200/wallpaper.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428235934330999522" /></a>Races 1 and 2: 2009 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend running Goofy. The Goofy Race and a Half Challenge included running the half marathon on Sat (2:39) and the full marathon on Sun (5:41). I ran these races with my husband where our goal was to finish strong. The very next day we signed up for 2010 Goofy and the 5K (Dopey).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdwtq-XrGCZczwogTBwz2vBnUyeJZCLMnwgA6r2QKcMc5oEZOvZurzGWwF-xfm6OdFnytw3vvzkuezb37DNsLst7Ycwx_0FOZeDpdb2HCdU3ECg9D95cKF6S4H6j-3s4Z4zDo/s1600-h/chris.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMdwtq-XrGCZczwogTBwz2vBnUyeJZCLMnwgA6r2QKcMc5oEZOvZurzGWwF-xfm6OdFnytw3vvzkuezb37DNsLst7Ycwx_0FOZeDpdb2HCdU3ECg9D95cKF6S4H6j-3s4Z4zDo/s200/chris.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428239303996632082" /></a><br />Race 3: Winter Park Road Race (10K) – My training for this race did not go as planned so I had no illusions of running a PR. I still ran a respectable 1:05:10. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mgcoCDvRfNAT1qNnZ92VacnFI6ougASna97Hd8wqzg1hmk65P7iSQpvs_8kZtgIeCqqnxkPm3Ao_jpO5jJM8k-M94k3wKFcOebJl9OUYeZFicOsPTa-W7-5-Ztjx8T2GkqIj/s1600-h/DSC02226.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2mgcoCDvRfNAT1qNnZ92VacnFI6ougASna97Hd8wqzg1hmk65P7iSQpvs_8kZtgIeCqqnxkPm3Ao_jpO5jJM8k-M94k3wKFcOebJl9OUYeZFicOsPTa-W7-5-Ztjx8T2GkqIj/s320/DSC02226.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428238215881443474" /></a><br />Race 4: Corporate 5K – This is not a timed race, but I recall running this one in around 31 or 32 minutes. It is difficult to run a fast time in a field of over 6000 runners! This one is more for the fun of bringing my work associates together for a evening.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U6dLkubLKaqFsIzFMS-OkxAcqqwTPBIadZTJfx7Yd0rPTej_xrVnkhyphenhyphen4rvLqHeDVP0Wc4vFceqZ5tNKa55J13bfmiLPhLerl23-uEj3QU25gMOpXBT1WHtj1kUG1P71Y8xp8/s1600-h/KH5K2009.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2U6dLkubLKaqFsIzFMS-OkxAcqqwTPBIadZTJfx7Yd0rPTej_xrVnkhyphenhyphen4rvLqHeDVP0Wc4vFceqZ5tNKa55J13bfmiLPhLerl23-uEj3QU25gMOpXBT1WHtj1kUG1P71Y8xp8/s200/KH5K2009.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428239060508740786" /></a><br />Race 5: Jim Payne Blue Ribbon Run for the Kids (5K) – This was a very special race because I was part of the planning committee for this event which benefits a charity I work with. This was conceived over 2 years previous and finally came to fruition. We couldn’t have asked for better participation for an inaugural race with over 900 runners registered. I ran it with my daughter and together we finished just under 40 minutes.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WpaCvmlD1gjO1if7gJjusE_MEWCgrCddAEzxcQAYiAkklhKgp59u4-yXs0vT3FSh63lcovN4TsaBRn9UJqqkLnjo0bI9TycNDKxrhaF3DMYNOh_GHYF10oaVuPzLnhnvSeZl/s1600-h/Going+for+the+finish.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WpaCvmlD1gjO1if7gJjusE_MEWCgrCddAEzxcQAYiAkklhKgp59u4-yXs0vT3FSh63lcovN4TsaBRn9UJqqkLnjo0bI9TycNDKxrhaF3DMYNOh_GHYF10oaVuPzLnhnvSeZl/s200/Going+for+the+finish.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428239896058977794" /></a>Race 6: Autumn Rock n Run 5K – This race was held on my birthday and I was determined to bust 30 minutes in a timed 5K race. My good running friend Maddy came to watch me run my 5K PR!<br /><br />Race 7: Miracle Mile 15K – I didn’t run a PR on this race but I ran a strong, consistent race (1:42). It was a bit warm that day (as it typically is in late Sept) but I felt good about my race results.<br /><br />Race 8: UCF 5 Miler & 2 Mile Race (Distance Dare) – The local race sponsor Track Shack recently added the “Distance Dare” to certain races they sponsor with multiple distances. Runners have the option to run multiple races on the same day. I normally run the UCF 5 Miler but added the 2 Mile race as well and ran them both. Just days before the race I caught a nasty chest cold but by race time I was good for a nice and easy run. I finished the 5 miler in 56:58 and the 2 mile race in 22:05. <br /><br />Race 9: Race for the Cure 5K (Bandit) – Initially I was planning on running this race as a registered attendee. After sponsoring Maddy who was running this race in memory of her mom I decided to show up on race day and see if I could “participate.” Maddy and I were going to do a 16 mile long run together which incorporated the 5K race. I thought I could register that morning but was unable to, so I ran it “bandit” with Maddy. Maddy and I went on to finish a total of 12 miles together, running a few miles before the race, running the race, then running after the race.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQgWIv68tUTiIKenzA7fIweCsDZE8uHspwDYr47wwKV0XIRui3ZHknCIBJ3AYQ99RA6Frngt8fAg8HnN4gL9dWFhCd4ol5s2yNgCubbLnuUFaarldqh8bRuasty9wCCzLoXf_/s1600-h/Scan_Pic0008-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 123px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigQgWIv68tUTiIKenzA7fIweCsDZE8uHspwDYr47wwKV0XIRui3ZHknCIBJ3AYQ99RA6Frngt8fAg8HnN4gL9dWFhCd4ol5s2yNgCubbLnuUFaarldqh8bRuasty9wCCzLoXf_/s200/Scan_Pic0008-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428234812712579490" /></a>Race 10: OUC Half Marathon – My training during the fall had gone extremely well and my paces were faster than ever. I had a couple of choices for this race – take it easy and include the 18 mile long run the week before, or go for a PR by running 12 instead of 18 the week before. Shirley let me know that I could ease off, run the PR, then jump back in to prep for Disney. She pointed out that the momentum from a PR at OUC would be a great accomplishment to build on going into Disney. With that I ran a PR (by more than 2 min) by finishing in 2:18:21.<br /><br />2009 started out slowly but was a great running year. And from my previous blog entries, 2010 started out with a bang. My 2010 running goals are already captured and I will post in my next blog entry!MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-64298724574697872892010-01-14T20:42:00.017-05:002010-01-15T23:59:54.933-05:002010 WDW Marathon Weekend - Part 4: The Marathon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28siz-DXfNPDtCSijZ7Dt7amKNzeWWGFw9EwiQ7An9Ruxey2YGs4ik9CmNQJ55LgS3oUj9xL85p6LxlvPQ8aYzjbj4Zj3mvVt3d9cf9UM_0AosDNDw7ZKmeyTl6K7_MhLg3Ul/s1600-h/57859-5306-009f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28siz-DXfNPDtCSijZ7Dt7amKNzeWWGFw9EwiQ7An9Ruxey2YGs4ik9CmNQJ55LgS3oUj9xL85p6LxlvPQ8aYzjbj4Zj3mvVt3d9cf9UM_0AosDNDw7ZKmeyTl6K7_MhLg3Ul/s400/57859-5306-009f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426776245739128850" /></a><br />As I was sharing with someone about my run of the Disney World Marathon today, I told her that I hadn't had much sleep in the few days leading up to the race, I was a bit worn from running in the cold on Sat and I had a headache when I got up to get ready for the race. But some days you feel crappy when you go out to run and then end up having a great run - sometimes you feel great but the run doesn't go so well. All you can do is get out there and let the run be what it will be. This run, my friends, was something else!!!<br /><br />Like Sat morning, the early morning started out cold - even colder than the previous day, although without the rain and sleet. I could go with the cold with out the rain! We still had the issue of the wind, which made for a bit of a wind chill, but Sat taught me more about how to dress for the race. I was actually a bit warm at times running on Sat, so for Sun I wore the same get up except I left off the tights and just wore the capris. I knew I would warm up once I got going.<br /><br />My husband wisely decided to pass on attempting the marathon. Since he really hadn't trained, he was already feeling the affects after finishing the 5K and half marathon (no small feat to begin with) and thought that even walking the marathon would lead to a miserable recovery week. So I set off on my own to drive to the race. I did snag his wrist band to the runner's retreat which I offered up to Maddy. I got to the Epcot parking area about the same time as the previous day - 3:30 am and headed inside for breakfast and race prep. Maddy joined me a little after 4 am.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheML1qUGg_r4DDoLpQZpERDyWFieAPsmQ4xQEUL0Fx62jdhst8X7ZwN2NfxL4je2IhnIOBwF2TAXxcZSatYtrcx16nlj0Wv0hnKS3ncbVTUY_8_54jiqgEmr246pmEBf7F0y_r/s1600-h/DSC05366.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheML1qUGg_r4DDoLpQZpERDyWFieAPsmQ4xQEUL0Fx62jdhst8X7ZwN2NfxL4je2IhnIOBwF2TAXxcZSatYtrcx16nlj0Wv0hnKS3ncbVTUY_8_54jiqgEmr246pmEBf7F0y_r/s200/DSC05366.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426776598603971378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HXFQp4z42In5Z_djKB7XXsUl43Iw6irlfK8xhUadsKWLlMK1BAScYGipHORd9n-zzFGKPemLVZ0PyaUwrJmbodTMkFosOTR2taQLoJbvjBdqU9jJLyVvZfmTVCfckFNXlEhm/s1600-h/DSC05367.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HXFQp4z42In5Z_djKB7XXsUl43Iw6irlfK8xhUadsKWLlMK1BAScYGipHORd9n-zzFGKPemLVZ0PyaUwrJmbodTMkFosOTR2taQLoJbvjBdqU9jJLyVvZfmTVCfckFNXlEhm/s200/DSC05367.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426776480612533698" /></a><br />Maddy and I were, once again, bundled up to stay warm in the corral. This time, in addition to my running gear, I wore an old pair of sweats (shirt and pants) over my running clothes, sported my fashionable garbage bag and brought along my mylar blanket from Sat. I was just fine except for my toes, which I couldn't feel after awhile. When we got ready to start, I shed it all except the stuff I was going to wear for the entire race. <br /><br />With a great training season, I knew I had a shot at a PR. However, I had not trained in the cold so I had no idea if it would have a positive or negative affect on my pace. This is part of what I love about long distance runs....you don't really know until you are in it!! <br /><br />With that, just before the gun Maddy and I hugged and wished each other luck and I was off on my own. I had an interesting plan. Negative splits don't seem to work well for me. I was worried that I would start easy and slow later - losing my overall desired pace. So I did what you probably shouldn't - I started off at a more ambitious pace of 11:00 min/mi (but one I had been training with well) and tried to hold it as long as I could. A contributer to the pace was taking less walking breaks. I had trained to take a 1 min walking break each mile. For the race I was going to walk 1 min at the water stops. I also wanted to build in a little extra time in case I needed a pit stop on the way.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv30-3eiLiYJ3SbBP29FEU0cmGjgWOjKg5hnnYxQ3KELEf2UE7233nSxoMplbtJRwJFkZ9bLjuyFzJHBQwi0VLw-97dcG8hxCkCtmRW5PKDAnz19sD1PbhlnibbasOvf0prTt/s1600-h/57859-1072-013f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdv30-3eiLiYJ3SbBP29FEU0cmGjgWOjKg5hnnYxQ3KELEf2UE7233nSxoMplbtJRwJFkZ9bLjuyFzJHBQwi0VLw-97dcG8hxCkCtmRW5PKDAnz19sD1PbhlnibbasOvf0prTt/s320/57859-1072-013f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426776846191714930" /></a><br />I felt strong early on in the race, and although I did feel the urge to make a pit stop, that urge eventually went away which worked out well for my time! I definitely could feel the effects of the run from the previous day - I could feel the tiredness in my legs. I worried a bit about how long I would last - but I kept pushing on. My choice of clothes worked out well and by mile 1 I was warm and running easy. I couldn't feel my toes, however, until around mile 3 or 4! It was definitely nice not having sleet stinging my face.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHxJ4PyJuzcHVCf0LFjxn7FjXg74v0vV7HdvL7q3V3b3xQrXRa0Wt61B27-9LvMIt2SJQI6U3mZ9-XJCWAKexwcpmP1TntAEksLI03G_-lOVzzIPNe5aog9lZaWtYcpCpeVKT/s1600-h/57859-965-029f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHxJ4PyJuzcHVCf0LFjxn7FjXg74v0vV7HdvL7q3V3b3xQrXRa0Wt61B27-9LvMIt2SJQI6U3mZ9-XJCWAKexwcpmP1TntAEksLI03G_-lOVzzIPNe5aog9lZaWtYcpCpeVKT/s320/57859-965-029f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426776978636269538" /></a><br />We reached the Magic Kingdom shortly after mile 10. I enjoyed my usual run down Main Street USA with the crowd on the left side and Disney cast members cheering on the right. The trumpeters were there at the castle to herald us in and soon we were out the other side headed toward Frontierland. Mile 11 comes right as we left the Magic Kingdom.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP-q9FF5K_FdwfEe5Y8v1uGa7ajx9_SgnPsf4CLfGA3hprhgCRUIrAPBqcCz_vH2-NebmJr9p_fGjeZUgcwiNiM4d22CNt1-aACjJDZpxTuaSzRS4VdKQLygHDMQugMuBJzRc/s1600-h/57859-6092-009f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpP-q9FF5K_FdwfEe5Y8v1uGa7ajx9_SgnPsf4CLfGA3hprhgCRUIrAPBqcCz_vH2-NebmJr9p_fGjeZUgcwiNiM4d22CNt1-aACjJDZpxTuaSzRS4VdKQLygHDMQugMuBJzRc/s320/57859-6092-009f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426777372824782514" /></a><br />The temperature seemed to get colder again after MK but I felt okay (I did lose the feeling in my toes again). About the halfway point, I began to feel a bit sore in the legs. I was wishing I felt a bit fresher at that part of the race but I was keeping a good pace. I was running at just over 11 min/mi and hit the halfway point at 2:25 - almost 10 minutes faster than the half marathon course PR I had set the day before. An interesting phenomena as a result of the cold was the ice. With temps in the mid 20s, the water stops became hazardous areas. Water spilled on the ground turned to ice and volunteers were having to spread sand around. We had Powerade slushies and ice water at the stops with the ice that formed in the cups!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Jzm2vlPkM4LxllEgTitst3GdtRTXGqo0NbYh9tVp1HYnbDOaUpp51jxOQLIVcps8n2HzpESQJmhEo2yuB37XXPnGk0WFewGNs7vx_NupOJvi54IjCvtBOnQzh4jnfF3A2oYD/s1600-h/57859-2295-017f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Jzm2vlPkM4LxllEgTitst3GdtRTXGqo0NbYh9tVp1HYnbDOaUpp51jxOQLIVcps8n2HzpESQJmhEo2yuB37XXPnGk0WFewGNs7vx_NupOJvi54IjCvtBOnQzh4jnfF3A2oYD/s320/57859-2295-017f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426777501221691842" /></a><br />Although I could feel the tiredness of the miles, the miles went by fairly well. At about mile 18, I started to feel my calves tighten and the tendon in my right foot began to pull. I had cramped up under my ribs and in my feet after finishing the half on Sat and I was concerned about cramping late in the marathon. As I felt the twinges, I kept pointing my toes and hoping that I could make it to the end without cramping up. And when it got a little tough, I thought about the wristbands I wear. I wear a Pray for Elijah band - Elijah Talley is a spunky young man who is battling neuroblastoma. His fight has been particularly tough over the past few months but he is hanging in there. If he can fight such a tough disease, I can run another mile! I also wear a Livestrong band to remind me of my Aunt who is battling lung cancer. I also think a lot about my mom who has emphysema and heart disease. She is out of breath just walking across the room. If she can hang in there for that, I can run another mile! I wish I could run their illnesses away...<br /><br />As I got to mile 20, 21, I realized that I was well on pace for a sub-5 hour race. That thought also kept me moving. I entered Epcot just ahead of mile 25, and I started to cry....I was nearly done! And though I had a couple of minutes to spare for a 5 hour race, I didn't dare walk any more. I would never be able to live with myself if I missed beating 5 hours by 2 sec!!! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMR0hAdG3z3IciYmAKdgWwAr7CjJ1tbNaTG0hurwA8Wev9Tdr-8ztcFMvhvmeZ9kDtlPbeoQLAX1Xo5qZ5lW_gD5TJoLIzBARBYEr3UevVjiUyV2JozGB9F4O-YWHqMBv55qE/s1600-h/57859-3687-018f.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMR0hAdG3z3IciYmAKdgWwAr7CjJ1tbNaTG0hurwA8Wev9Tdr-8ztcFMvhvmeZ9kDtlPbeoQLAX1Xo5qZ5lW_gD5TJoLIzBARBYEr3UevVjiUyV2JozGB9F4O-YWHqMBv55qE/s200/57859-3687-018f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426777751916714050" /></a><br />I check my time as I ran by the choir at mile 26...it was going to be sub 5 hours. Around the corner and there was the FINISH line!!! Mickey and Minnie were there to greet the runners. As I crossed the finish line, I let out a loud yell!!!! After crossing, exhausted from the last mile or so, someone called my name and came up behind me just after the finish line - it was Betsy Hughes, co-owner of <a href="http://www.trackshack.com">Track Shack </a>and one of the race directors for the Disney Marathon. She saw me finish and wanted to greet me! She was the first to congratulate me on the race!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmLUTk6LKLsgOkaYjiIW6PnujB6BgGL3j23az3Ly2hnatQeNUzAW8bEnWw4Bs0UXtzAiriAu93wSVjyvZJSlWw6f2j_05WCXw4DzSFLW388IQpJc4KO-iW16HTFC9BstZFqmU/s1600-h/DSC05368.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVmLUTk6LKLsgOkaYjiIW6PnujB6BgGL3j23az3Ly2hnatQeNUzAW8bEnWw4Bs0UXtzAiriAu93wSVjyvZJSlWw6f2j_05WCXw4DzSFLW388IQpJc4KO-iW16HTFC9BstZFqmU/s400/DSC05368.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426777928285009906" /></a><br />As I walked to gather my Mickey medal and mylar blanket, I began to cry again. I don't know about you guys, but the emotions for the entire race, for the entire training season, just seem to hit me at the finish line. I headed to the Goofy tent and got my Goofy medal before making my way to the runner's retreat where I checked my official time: 4:57:14 (later updated to 4:57:12). I had to post to Facebook my triumph with a short entry: "4:57:14 baby!!! Done!"<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6R6An5US5IO6pj9Amaxjq_C1tXWU_Ir-vyjuos0Z9NPxE3ray7DqtkNt6Rm8F58k2OR0aqejFGQq63ro_FMTDBw3yl-i_PhBLK8iEEWrjmc4VrGi_rdVlJ8RH1ZOaBQKurVL/s1600-h/DSC05369.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL6R6An5US5IO6pj9Amaxjq_C1tXWU_Ir-vyjuos0Z9NPxE3ray7DqtkNt6Rm8F58k2OR0aqejFGQq63ro_FMTDBw3yl-i_PhBLK8iEEWrjmc4VrGi_rdVlJ8RH1ZOaBQKurVL/s400/DSC05369.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426778111344644674" /></a><br />By the time I had changed and gotten a bite, Maddy was already finished - running in 5:25. Amazing job after she admitted to me she hadn't trained so well for the race. Yes, we will be back next year. I am not planning on Goofy - probably "just" the marathon. I have to run in 2011....it will be my 5th Disney Marathon! And I don't want to miss all my Goofy friends who will be running it next year.MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-66857841792502352402010-01-14T20:12:00.009-05:002010-01-14T20:39:17.068-05:002010 WDW Marathon Weekend: Part 3 - The Half Marathon<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosw8tquQZCBle3lYjMzYHKPuFNh2K0CpSSLsJWkfOOwPgLWmqmdYuGsTd6_PjklpPasF91-WfqY6fhCFfNO4lWc7fIGz5A53VkFxPu05Vy1HcCcTxJLE4XixiMhiLnWIgM8CE/s1600-h/57860-765-013f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgosw8tquQZCBle3lYjMzYHKPuFNh2K0CpSSLsJWkfOOwPgLWmqmdYuGsTd6_PjklpPasF91-WfqY6fhCFfNO4lWc7fIGz5A53VkFxPu05Vy1HcCcTxJLE4XixiMhiLnWIgM8CE/s400/57860-765-013f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426768822944207906" /></a><br />Saturday's half marathon had the most amazing weather I have ever run in. Here we were in Florida and the forecast called for temps around 30 deg with chance of SNOW, sleet and rain. Add to that a wind of 10-15 mph and you have one cold, wet party.<br /><br />That morning my husband and I thanked our lucky stars we bought the Runner's Retreat package. Since we wanted to get to Epcot early to get good parking, it was nice to know we had a warm, dry place to hang out until it was time to go to the corral. We arrived at the Epcot parking area at 3:30 am. As I stepped out of our parked car, I could swear I pulled a shoulder muscle shivering! <br /><br />We made our way to the race retreat where we had a bagel with peanut butter and some hot tea and hot cocoa. After making our final preparations, we checked our bag at the bag check in the race retreat tent, used the porta lets for the retreat, and headed out into the cold.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWb2x_lIZ6oGAMhVAe3gq8kmUMgI3fis3YGevDwxKz-175ePyWzlAVefJCj7txA9949juaLfPEiwxN9_8glueMNQDWDjXuF4DWyfPpienobU3ftKlEVXJFgNwZpsQ4IjG5hG-y/s1600-h/DSC05361.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWb2x_lIZ6oGAMhVAe3gq8kmUMgI3fis3YGevDwxKz-175ePyWzlAVefJCj7txA9949juaLfPEiwxN9_8glueMNQDWDjXuF4DWyfPpienobU3ftKlEVXJFgNwZpsQ4IjG5hG-y/s200/DSC05361.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426771139160014834" /></a>My race garb for the half included a long sleeve tech shirt, my MCM running jacket / shell, tights and running capris. I also had gloves and a knit cap. For the corral I sported my fashionable garbage bag. Jim and I met <a href="http://www.maddyruns.com">Maddy </a>near the baggage check and headed over to the corrals together. Since Jim had not trained for the past couple of months, his plan was to walk the race. Maddy and I decided to run the half together - taking it nice and easy to save ourselves for the marathon the next day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4Gvhi_LlW5lHGeiHkfZ-mL4Sim9_7u8TaX6WYHrCa89CM22i3qivjCil0z84I-GI-nModtmYr-vCAW9ZTk22KOiCrJg89Z9d3yz3-LKBiXdIvIjbywp773-5ymM_nVHqigYp/s1600-h/57860-1213-016f.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr4Gvhi_LlW5lHGeiHkfZ-mL4Sim9_7u8TaX6WYHrCa89CM22i3qivjCil0z84I-GI-nModtmYr-vCAW9ZTk22KOiCrJg89Z9d3yz3-LKBiXdIvIjbywp773-5ymM_nVHqigYp/s200/57860-1213-016f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426772283505896674" /></a>It was a wet run through the parks. Early on I did not notice snow flurries, but I did feel the sting of sleet on my face and occasionally in my eye. I was very glad that I didn't follow my typical routine to wear contacts for the race. My eyes would have been totally exposed to the sleet. When it wasn't sleeting, it was raining - pretty much the entire race.<br /><br />Maddy and I ran the entire half marathon together, chatting the entire way. It was really cool because it felt like the race just flew by. We ran, we took walking breaks, and just enjoyed the time. <br /><br />We cross the finish line together at 2:35:02. Incredibly for me that was a course PR!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-Lbkk5G4wMLntEqdTAOzc-RDqI8pu6lVtPnY9W5mb4rf3R5wY_xfzVmjoUxUZabt-ZsXD2bYUx54D39WcDfSEjFp3m7-WGa5B4raYowB2Xwi_jVV17CdZbU4EdgimwuQjD2Z/s1600-h/DSC05364.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0-Lbkk5G4wMLntEqdTAOzc-RDqI8pu6lVtPnY9W5mb4rf3R5wY_xfzVmjoUxUZabt-ZsXD2bYUx54D39WcDfSEjFp3m7-WGa5B4raYowB2Xwi_jVV17CdZbU4EdgimwuQjD2Z/s320/DSC05364.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426773548886452946" /></a><br />After the run, Maddy got her knees iced as a precaution and then we headed over to the bag check area for her to get her bags. There was quite a line and the process probably took over 30 minutes. Meanwhile, the heat that our body generated on the run had disappeared and even the mylar blankets could not keep us warm. I waited politely with Maddy until she got under the tent area, then headed back to the runner's retreat for a warm dry place, dry clothes, and a hot meal! They offered scrambled eggs, potatoes, fruit and warm drinks! It was to die for!<br /><br />By the time I had changed clothes and checked on Jim's time, he had already finished in 3:15! I called him and found I was sitting 2 tables away from him in the retreat tent. We finished eating and headed home. 2 days down and one left to go!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEeIUczwM5ZQpQNEbBUjDuGmZ3NV_8VGcChOYfQ_vJBiPH-lBJZwQa3i2KeY1dEWGh7q2WGP2spskIExzQbdLSfLBwck4s9GZnDLBzGW7sKboDvOxqNG2bIKJWG_KWlYQJXp3/s1600-h/DSC05365.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYEeIUczwM5ZQpQNEbBUjDuGmZ3NV_8VGcChOYfQ_vJBiPH-lBJZwQa3i2KeY1dEWGh7q2WGP2spskIExzQbdLSfLBwck4s9GZnDLBzGW7sKboDvOxqNG2bIKJWG_KWlYQJXp3/s400/DSC05365.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426774110278876082" /></a>MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-84411463641873703342010-01-14T19:57:00.006-05:002010-01-14T20:25:54.134-05:002010 WDW Marathon Weekend: Part 2 - The 5K<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBdukqZnaV_AMOTdj6ROXyTiRTC-vNaEFHry1p6zLNjPCZmiVWi3FfdfmECO5qvPNEMW2lMuY8n3Z7eD5_720Zeh3FkMLSAX6jXdZe1YBr9sVvH6XAb7p5nk154qnnaA_8uuz/s1600-h/57861-087-029f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBdukqZnaV_AMOTdj6ROXyTiRTC-vNaEFHry1p6zLNjPCZmiVWi3FfdfmECO5qvPNEMW2lMuY8n3Z7eD5_720Zeh3FkMLSAX6jXdZe1YBr9sVvH6XAb7p5nk154qnnaA_8uuz/s400/57861-087-029f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426764692633447058" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Although I am trying to tell the Disney Marathon weekend story in order...I can't wait to get to the marathon....but first we tell the tale of the UP and Away 5K.</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6-ADJYhRhgGkC8a38Nvb1qEXe52x6uZPuVvdo9ONQofPO1UO-nYAiR4r2hzKLABvpQasUM7fPgNtT4RDnXsXOPSgn8kLYxVqAP703O7d1lHEjGzvLQvVJ6tmMMs96ReIuwaJ/s1600-h/57861-132-006f.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd6-ADJYhRhgGkC8a38Nvb1qEXe52x6uZPuVvdo9ONQofPO1UO-nYAiR4r2hzKLABvpQasUM7fPgNtT4RDnXsXOPSgn8kLYxVqAP703O7d1lHEjGzvLQvVJ6tmMMs96ReIuwaJ/s400/57861-132-006f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426766121560291810" /></a>Temps for the 5K start were not too bad (relatively speaking and looking back). It was around 40 deg F at the start. I dressed rather warmly, donning my new Goofy 2010 hoody. It turned out to be a good rehearsal for the next two days - overdressing for a 5K is not too bad a thing!<br /><br />My husband and I decided to run this one easy and walk quite a bit since we had many more miles to cover over the next couple of days. This race started in the Epcot parking lot and spent the first mile or so winding around out there before entering the world showcase near Mexico. Then we got to go on a delightful run clockwise around the world showcase, finishing near Spaceship earth and through the standard finish area for the Disney races.<br /><br />Our time for the 5K: 38:58. Nice and easy like we planned!<br /><br />After the race, we grabbed our snack bag and headed home - there was much more to come on this race filled weekend!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRlJ-S_jkU7S7WTIRzGS5xXca0bA-ACdtlhk2kGfyJNMhJEgexWMm3P9qbSgCtxlbJJ8WnLwV159lPbsV5cwWzQIvzY7Iem5UwUtSkVn4kByYS5ulH8BGLkOwYmkcoSfMcaBg/s1600-h/57861-331-026f.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 384px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRlJ-S_jkU7S7WTIRzGS5xXca0bA-ACdtlhk2kGfyJNMhJEgexWMm3P9qbSgCtxlbJJ8WnLwV159lPbsV5cwWzQIvzY7Iem5UwUtSkVn4kByYS5ulH8BGLkOwYmkcoSfMcaBg/s400/57861-331-026f.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426766443078558578" /></a>MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-65450247915031423322010-01-12T20:49:00.013-05:002010-01-14T20:25:38.148-05:002010 WDW Marathon Weekend - Part 1: The Expo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmoqUSBvnEYyLgJeG3tL8i7ykFCQ0HUEe0L4eK2YRUN6hdxpz79tIMxPOs4HRKB6wzSXntPQLxVaeATfisRKK-ssjJLgQPHIMmmsRw9XtLfQ-UzrlOPIsA5XMwrrW3toXKM1_/s1600-h/DSC05300.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmoqUSBvnEYyLgJeG3tL8i7ykFCQ0HUEe0L4eK2YRUN6hdxpz79tIMxPOs4HRKB6wzSXntPQLxVaeATfisRKK-ssjJLgQPHIMmmsRw9XtLfQ-UzrlOPIsA5XMwrrW3toXKM1_/s400/DSC05300.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426036080633914626" /></a><br />A marathon weekend always begins with the expo. Expo strategy for Disney - go Thursday and go early.....after that you get to fight lots of crowds!<br /><br />We got to the expo around 5 pm on Thursday and it was already pretty crowded. Still, the lines were not long to pick up our 5K and Goofy packages. We also needed to check in for our Race Retreat - something I really cherished over the weekend!<br /><br />We didn't spend a lot of time walking around the expo. We did get to meet a couple of running buddies. Maddy was there as well as Rachel. <a href="http://www.maddyruns.com">Maddy </a>had her daughter with her who really hit it off with my two girls. In 30 sec they were goofing around and having a great time. After the weekend was over, Maddy and I decided we would try to train with the girls and do a 5K together with them sometime this spring!<br /><br />The take from the expo was pretty good.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDTrTzbe4AJFUzbYhAPotaxwEgvWjnoyWH1d09kdJfu0_Sc8Ccv-n3pd_wGbMs7S6AFDvrqaO8i9Q6h_r8Nu7ngbNnIkMpQ4NNsS6FG9KFPjgofnX-fghaqFCew-CsX5245R-/s1600-h/DSC05314.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyDTrTzbe4AJFUzbYhAPotaxwEgvWjnoyWH1d09kdJfu0_Sc8Ccv-n3pd_wGbMs7S6AFDvrqaO8i9Q6h_r8Nu7ngbNnIkMpQ4NNsS6FG9KFPjgofnX-fghaqFCew-CsX5245R-/s200/DSC05314.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426038698285377330" /></a><br />These are the commemorative pins from the three races plus the Goofy pin.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPwYREr9DAma1KiTgCXNlbPv0eeU0AOiCMqfF1bxOELWwzYON84AWxV0mYMVIp6AgB7JwpfltDL7IhU26Zws_OmAYAKqtwFbkK3Lp9stK2XVxj80wg8JBDPZm7TT4cGCWzi_d/s1600-h/DSC05311.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNPwYREr9DAma1KiTgCXNlbPv0eeU0AOiCMqfF1bxOELWwzYON84AWxV0mYMVIp6AgB7JwpfltDL7IhU26Zws_OmAYAKqtwFbkK3Lp9stK2XVxj80wg8JBDPZm7TT4cGCWzi_d/s200/DSC05311.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426039083676615954" /></a><br />The package for the 5K was pretty nice as well. You got the really cool goody bag and a personalized bib!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2_8rQBHe3tOv4RIPlze6MNHPsu7v2T5MGWRFiGx3aIxg1jCMWb-m78aCMK32Q4cPtsMuiSruSuc4MKwgmRL9A0ei-FHWIHGxeBFoqO2C-CR_yqXM30dSZwgO8LbHTKve3McU/s1600-h/DSC05317.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji2_8rQBHe3tOv4RIPlze6MNHPsu7v2T5MGWRFiGx3aIxg1jCMWb-m78aCMK32Q4cPtsMuiSruSuc4MKwgmRL9A0ei-FHWIHGxeBFoqO2C-CR_yqXM30dSZwgO8LbHTKve3McU/s320/DSC05317.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426039556871760434" /></a><br />Running Goofy lands you 3 shirts - one for the half, one for the full, and a Goofy shirt - all long sleeve tech. For the price of the race, it better be a nice shirt! :-)<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRE288PVZPiw_elAan9mCodI2p8OQJ_YKYVcVdtS8Hcwb5m49OXYrNOJmRscTyJ9ydqR-dzOpAA4Ah84Ec52ZmpkRoCskAMju1lKsC7vWd8Uoo-sGMITxiplR12XcMiotW9oW/s1600-h/DSC05321.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijRE288PVZPiw_elAan9mCodI2p8OQJ_YKYVcVdtS8Hcwb5m49OXYrNOJmRscTyJ9ydqR-dzOpAA4Ah84Ec52ZmpkRoCskAMju1lKsC7vWd8Uoo-sGMITxiplR12XcMiotW9oW/s200/DSC05321.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426040167787780994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64UchreNgOOLQ5hLc8XFhLX-evbgycq1AQfgmHOX6KbC7MQ1cgx_eYtLOEBxX_0rvy-QAjyCGbjpMe6F4heQ0dQJYLh56qP-dytbHGkhCi50U4yD-TFfvcryrLulvFVrpJyrH/s1600-h/DSC05320.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj64UchreNgOOLQ5hLc8XFhLX-evbgycq1AQfgmHOX6KbC7MQ1cgx_eYtLOEBxX_0rvy-QAjyCGbjpMe6F4heQ0dQJYLh56qP-dytbHGkhCi50U4yD-TFfvcryrLulvFVrpJyrH/s200/DSC05320.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426040046589948114" /></a><br />The numbers for the Goofy challengers were in the shape of the number 5 since this was the 5th running of Goofy. Very cool looking numbers. Also here are the race retreat bands - the key to warmth and food before and after the races!<br /><br /><br />We didn't tarry, but headed home for a warm meal and preparations to get up at 4 am for the 7 am Up and Away 5K.MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-10344905832088925542010-01-10T18:19:00.004-05:002010-01-10T18:30:17.377-05:002010 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend - Overview<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7DCG2zarVFTjRS3zG9MeSgSUmc1B7TcM1lvmgLqp9mRFqwBCu57NwD5WiSy6iudW8uxZ3FAatXIbm5Sp9ZJ3mIgSj5bw42GI3rmwCm5mI3crcjVRoMROY95t1MYN6LzKptGj/s1600-h/DSC05370.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge7DCG2zarVFTjRS3zG9MeSgSUmc1B7TcM1lvmgLqp9mRFqwBCu57NwD5WiSy6iudW8uxZ3FAatXIbm5Sp9ZJ3mIgSj5bw42GI3rmwCm5mI3crcjVRoMROY95t1MYN6LzKptGj/s400/DSC05370.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425254949704489842" /></a><br /><br />What a weekend! I can hardly believe the results and the ADVENTURE! So many things - this will be a multipart blog post. I will start with the overall results, then take you back in time over how things went.<br /><br />What made this weekend unique?<br /><br />1 - 42.4 miles - the Disney "Dopey". A new goal to get ALL the weekend bling.<br />2 - The coldest weather that central Florida has experienced in over 30 years which included record low temps and sleet!<br />3 - An incredible training period leading up to the race.....everything seemed in place for a marathon PR, in spite of running the half marathon the day before.<br /><br />It was sure to be a real adventure, and it was a mystery right up to the very end. I had NO idea how I would run in such weather - because not only had I not trained in the cold, I have NEVER run in such weather conditions. As I shared with Maddy the morning of the marathon, running is like the saying from Forrest Gump - its like a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get. You may feel crappy and have your best run ever - or feel great and have one of your worst runs. Which is really cool, because basically you just show up and go and let the chips fall where they may.<br /><br />By the numbers:<br /><br />Disney's UP and Away 5K - 38:58 (untimed...this is Garmin time)<br />2010 Disney World Half Marathon - 2:35:02, a course PR<br />2010 Disney Marathon - 4:57:14, course and overall PR. I broke 5 hours!!! : -)<br /><br />More to come in posts this week :-)MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33154635.post-30557114006631541742009-12-05T11:52:00.007-05:002009-12-31T09:56:36.000-05:00The OUC Half Marathon (updated with pics)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-1lW-Q3_dQblvsrgKSdVMOpHQXupeqHFp6Bn43vl6zo18JRy-VYx2YNg-q79qsU_lFEeAZOvsnDD2R3TXnINJ_6UpOFluCZcIrAZQDk8um0Nn5Zqu4ymXe10vUEPHX7MSDoB/s1600-h/Near+finish.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 246px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-1lW-Q3_dQblvsrgKSdVMOpHQXupeqHFp6Bn43vl6zo18JRy-VYx2YNg-q79qsU_lFEeAZOvsnDD2R3TXnINJ_6UpOFluCZcIrAZQDk8um0Nn5Zqu4ymXe10vUEPHX7MSDoB/s400/Near+finish.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421414011398289298" /></a><br /><br />I was pretty excited about this race. My training this fall has gone really well, perhaps because I didn't run a fall marathon but have been focused on training for Disney. My training times have been getting better and better. It appeared that I could probably maintain a 10:30 min/mi pace for the race - which would land me a PR. My previous half marathon PR was 2:20:42, set in 2007 during this same race on the heels my marathon PR - the Marine Corps Marathon. <br /><br />As for most races, I watched the weather report for the week leading up to the race. This race was scheduled to be run in some of the rainiest weather we have had all year. If it has only been a week ago, it would have been 48 degs F at the start and dry - perfect running weather! Rather than be disappointed, I took this as a challenge - a chance for a real running adventure. In my 3 years of marathon training and running, I have never raced in the rain.<br /><br />I polled my Facebook friends and, of course, my running advisor <a href="http://humbletriathlete.blogspot.com">Shirley </a>, to figure out what I should wear for the race. The conclusion was long sleeve tech shirt, shorts, hat or visor and garbage bag for the start. I also decided to bring my iPod Shuffle with a few Podrunner mixes on it and set it up to play the 175 bpm mix.<br /><br />Last night, a local Facebook / Twitter friend <a href="http://www.kitzzy.com/">Kitzzy </a>opened up her apartment for some of her running buddies to hang out in before the race since she lived just 2 blocks from the starting line. So about 6 of us showed up at Kitzzy's place just before 6 am to get geared up for the race. It was at this point I realized that I had done something I have NEVER done before a race....I forgot my race number (and also my D-tag). Since OUC offers race day registration, I figured I could get another one from registration. Fortunately it wasn't really raining so I headed over and found Shirley there at her usual station working on the computer - only she was supposed to be running the race. She was just helping out since she was there early. At the registration desk, I shared my dilemma but it was no big deal...I guess lots of folks have forgotten their number at one time or another. After getting my new number, I had time to go back to Kitzzy's place to pin my number on and head over to the race with the others.<br /><br />Unlike most races, there was no national anthem played....we simply lined up, and at the appropriate time we started. There wasn't even a noisy starting air horn. I started up my Podrunner mix and we were off and running. Here is a recap of some of the miles the race:<br /><br />Mile 1 - Got here at around 10:05, a bit fast going out so I determined I needed to slow down a bit.<br /><br />Mile 2 - Hit mile 2 at around 20:15. I was still going a bit too fast, so I shortened up my stride. I decided to take my walking breaks with the water stops instead of at each mile - this improved my pace since the water stops were probably 1.5 miles or so apart.<br /><br />Mile 3 - Mile 3 came at 30 min and change - I took an extra walking break to catch my breath. I wasn't quite into my rhythm but was getting there. At the next water stop I took my first Clif Shot.<br /><br />Mile 4 - For the first few miles there was no rain...it was cloudy, warm and humid. Just as I was thinking I would like a little rain to cool things down a bit, it started to rain lightly. And it felt good!<br /><br />Mile 6 - Maintaining pace - staying just under the 10:30 min/mi pace I was shooting for. Feeling kind of tired but pushing on and still walking just the water stops.<br /><br />Mile 8 - Came at 1:24 - keeping pace. It was around this time that my heart rate strap started to bother me. It felt like I was chafing. Since I really didn't need the heart rate feedback, I decided to remove the strap and just hook it around my waist.<br /><br />Mile 10 - This mile comes on Orange Avenue - a wide open area which, in past races, would be really hot and tough to run. Today, it was raining lightly and the wind was starting to blow a little. It felt really cool and nice! Just a 5K left. I don't recall where <a href="http://runninggeezer262.blogspot.com/">Jim </a>was hiding, but it was great seeing a familiar face cheering everyone on!<br /><br />Mile 11-12 - I was feeling pretty tired but I knew I needed to keep pushing if I was going to make that PR. Rather than walk I tried to shorten up my stride. My 175 bpm podrunner mix had ended (I played it twice) and I was now listening to a 177 bpm mix. At the mile 12 intersection there was car waiting for the runners. Smoke was coming out of it but just as I passed, runners started yelling at the guy to get out because his car was on fire. As I looked, small drips with flame were coming out underneath the engine of his car. I don't know what happened after that.<br /><br />Mile 12-13 - I got a burst of speed early in this mile and started taking off and passing up a number of runners. However, about halfway through the mile, I was loosing energy. I slowed it down a bit and got one more walk break in before the final push.<br /><br />Last 1/2 mile - I picked up my stride and really pushed it through the last half mile. I saw that the clock was 2:18 and change - good enough for a PR! When I finished, I was spent...and that is how it should end!<br /><br />I stopped my Garmin at 2:18:26 - my unofficial time. As I walked out of the finish chute looking for food, Shirley ran up and met me. We chatted for a bit before I found a bagel and sports mix.<br /><br />I stopped at the board to see what time posted for me but couldn't find my number. I just checked the online results and I don't show up. I sent the race organizers an email to see if they didn't get my number in the system. It isn't a big deal, but I like having the historical information there with the other runs I have done. And now that I think about it, I may pursue this because I may want to use this time for corral placement at Disney - so they don't place me in the 5:30 corral.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDANNITPjt11FW-b7kXQKTo8-s0CjaScHCqG1XjZq1D5LxHHn2wKesTvgyXYyKso4WfVhl9yaXA1_WDKBL-SHe2uQKgMMy2ba67g5W-_uIzsBInYDwCrdbpN4myOii4m8iH0W/s1600-h/finish+line.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 231px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDANNITPjt11FW-b7kXQKTo8-s0CjaScHCqG1XjZq1D5LxHHn2wKesTvgyXYyKso4WfVhl9yaXA1_WDKBL-SHe2uQKgMMy2ba67g5W-_uIzsBInYDwCrdbpN4myOii4m8iH0W/s320/finish+line.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421414101272150434" /></a><br /><br />UPDATE WITH OFFICIAL RESULTS:<br /><br /> Officially, my time was 2:18:21<br /><br /> I placed 59/106 for my age group <br /> Set a new PR by 2 min and 21 seconds. What a great race!<br /><br />And now I will reward my efforts with a nap! 4:45 am came early today!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6REWnothmTFp3MJVIHMQjJR5t-9AWCYfV7WkGoeSP1WhOZSNbhT2o4i4PQKX10-HDSKJAUqii5ksMkXCmla18nfFfCTcHBJ7sGoq_TTgKC22nMluxCd-rv6ZsBq3OD0Q_Cu1/s1600-h/DSC05117.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj6REWnothmTFp3MJVIHMQjJR5t-9AWCYfV7WkGoeSP1WhOZSNbhT2o4i4PQKX10-HDSKJAUqii5ksMkXCmla18nfFfCTcHBJ7sGoq_TTgKC22nMluxCd-rv6ZsBq3OD0Q_Cu1/s400/DSC05117.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5411798406925964098" /></a>MarathonChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11514736136940315768noreply@blogger.com9