We did it!!! Susan, Joel and I, as most of you already know from the more regular bloggers, all finished the St. George Marathon this past Saturday. We finished relatively close to each other with Susan finishing first with an approximate time of 4:24. I finished next with a time of 4:31 and Joel finished with a time of 4:38. It was one of the most fun things I have ever did. There is something to keep your attention the whole 26 miles. Everything from bleeding nipples to people in Mickey Mouse hats to the guy that has looked like he's going to fall over for the last 10 miles. It was a great experience and I know that I'll run another marathon in the future.
p.s. I plan on blogging more regularly because I've learned that not blogging is the easiest way to get kicked out of my family.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Mela-kaliki-wanna
I just made that word up based off of a song that Mel is always singing. It is is official -- Mel and I are going to Hawaii from August 18th-August 26th. I have never traveled outside of the western United States (continental, that is). If it wasn't for Jenny and Chris's wedding, I would have never traveled east of Montana/Arizona (I don't know which one is further east and I am too lazy to look at a map). We basically just want to sit on the beach and relax for the whole week. Other activities that we are considering are: snorkeling, climbing a volcano, boogey boarding, and going to the polynesian center for the lua. We are probably going to spend half of the week on the Big Island and half of the week on O'ahu. I think that it would be fun to run a 5k or something while we are there. Would that ruin the whole relax on the beach idea?
Monday, June 11, 2007
More to come
I wanted to make a quick post before work and then I'll post again after work. My official training starts today. Yes, it is a week later than I should be starting, but for some reason last week was really busy and I couldn't find time to set up a training schedule. I got a training calendar from my brother Joel that I will be using. My long run this weekend is going to be 8 or 9 miles. It has been awhile, so I am pretty excited to run that far. Also, I have mentioned muscle/joint pains that I have experienced since I started running again. I started to suspect my shoes, so I switched to my old shoes that are falling apart. No pain whatsoever, so I am going to invest in new shoes that will hopefully work out like my old old shoes.
Monday, May 21, 2007
24:00
I ended up running an 8 minute mile pace for my race and finishing with a time of 24:00. It was quite a fun race. 2 of the 3 miles were on a bike path along a river. The path was very scenic. Finishing along with 2 boys and a girl that couldn't have been older than 10 was somewhat humbling though.
Our 5k happened to be the last 3 miles of the half and full marathons that were being run at the same time as our race.
We drove two guys back to the starting line after the race and saw the first few runners from the half marathon. One was a girl about our age. It was an hour after we had all started (5k, half and full marathon) so we figured that they were running a 6 min mile pace. I barely ran that pace for 3 miles when I was in high school.
Off the topic of running:
Mel and I are keeping busy working. We both pretty much don't like our jobs a whole lot. Mel doesn't like hers because of the people she works for. To make a long story short, her small company was bought out by a big company. The big company is out of Phoenix and they like to bully the small company. They actually all really like Mel, but still feel the need to bully. I don't love my job because I have to work with the general public. Anyone who as ever worked in a public service related job will understand why this is less than desirable.
We are both contemplating going back to school. I guess that I should say that I am going back to school for sure. I didn't get into pharmacy school this year (no, Chris, not even Kansas), so my plan now is to try again early next fall. My backup plan is to get a masters degree in civil engineering. I am going to start prerequisites in July. I'll have to take about a year of classes, but then I'll be able to enter a masters program. Mel's work will pay for school if it is job related, so she thinks that she might take advantage. She would love to go to school for anything graphic design related. Her ultimate dream is to have her own graphic design business and teach at a local college (and be a mom of course).
We're looking toward a fun filled summer. We might go to Hawaii in August. We figure that now is the best time since we don't have kids yet. Also, we're lucky enough to have mountains close to our apartment. It only takes about 20 minutes to get up to some beautiful places to hike. We try to go up every week. We also spend our time watching the Office, Prison Break, and Lost. Who knows what we're going to do after this week?! The Office season finale was last week and Lost's is this week.
Our 5k happened to be the last 3 miles of the half and full marathons that were being run at the same time as our race.
We drove two guys back to the starting line after the race and saw the first few runners from the half marathon. One was a girl about our age. It was an hour after we had all started (5k, half and full marathon) so we figured that they were running a 6 min mile pace. I barely ran that pace for 3 miles when I was in high school.
Off the topic of running:
Mel and I are keeping busy working. We both pretty much don't like our jobs a whole lot. Mel doesn't like hers because of the people she works for. To make a long story short, her small company was bought out by a big company. The big company is out of Phoenix and they like to bully the small company. They actually all really like Mel, but still feel the need to bully. I don't love my job because I have to work with the general public. Anyone who as ever worked in a public service related job will understand why this is less than desirable.
We are both contemplating going back to school. I guess that I should say that I am going back to school for sure. I didn't get into pharmacy school this year (no, Chris, not even Kansas), so my plan now is to try again early next fall. My backup plan is to get a masters degree in civil engineering. I am going to start prerequisites in July. I'll have to take about a year of classes, but then I'll be able to enter a masters program. Mel's work will pay for school if it is job related, so she thinks that she might take advantage. She would love to go to school for anything graphic design related. Her ultimate dream is to have her own graphic design business and teach at a local college (and be a mom of course).
We're looking toward a fun filled summer. We might go to Hawaii in August. We figure that now is the best time since we don't have kids yet. Also, we're lucky enough to have mountains close to our apartment. It only takes about 20 minutes to get up to some beautiful places to hike. We try to go up every week. We also spend our time watching the Office, Prison Break, and Lost. Who knows what we're going to do after this week?! The Office season finale was last week and Lost's is this week.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Locked Out
I went to Ogden this morning to pick up our race packets for the race tomorrow. The free t-shirt (I guess its not really free) is the coolest free t-shirt I've ever recieved. It is dri-fit, kind of like an under armour shirt.
Anyway, I was getting back to our apt. when I conveniently noticed a posting on the front doors of the building. It read something like this, " Dear Tenant, We decided to activate the security locks on the doors to the apts. with absolutely no advanced notice. We wanted to suprise you and lock you out of your own apt. Consider yourself punked. Sincerely, Management" I guess people who own their condos (i.e. not us) got the codes in the mail. Renters like us are supposed to call whoever they rent from. Thanks for telling us that before you lock the doors.
I am excited for the race tomorrow. To answer Emily's question, my fastest 5k time in high school was 17 min 13 sec. My goal for tomorrow is to run under 21 minutes. So, wish me luck.
I was going to write a post updating you all on our non-running lives, but I don't have time before work because I was locked out (yes, I am still bitter). So, I will do that tomorrow or Sunday. But, I will leave you with 5 must download songs that I love.
In no particular order:
1. Regina Spektor - Fidelity (or Samson)
2. M. Ward - To Go Home (The only one who likes M. Ward more than me is Mel)
3. Brandi Carlisle - Josephine (Those of you who went with us to Dave Matthews a few years back might remember that she played on one of the side stages. She has signed with a big time label and they play her on the radio and VH1 every know and then)
4. White Stripes - We're Going to be Friends (You might remember this tasty little number from Napoleon Dynamite. The White Stripes are awesome but I don't think they'll suit (sp.) everyone's taste)
5. Johnny Cash - Get Rythm
Anyway, I was getting back to our apt. when I conveniently noticed a posting on the front doors of the building. It read something like this, " Dear Tenant, We decided to activate the security locks on the doors to the apts. with absolutely no advanced notice. We wanted to suprise you and lock you out of your own apt. Consider yourself punked. Sincerely, Management" I guess people who own their condos (i.e. not us) got the codes in the mail. Renters like us are supposed to call whoever they rent from. Thanks for telling us that before you lock the doors.
I am excited for the race tomorrow. To answer Emily's question, my fastest 5k time in high school was 17 min 13 sec. My goal for tomorrow is to run under 21 minutes. So, wish me luck.
I was going to write a post updating you all on our non-running lives, but I don't have time before work because I was locked out (yes, I am still bitter). So, I will do that tomorrow or Sunday. But, I will leave you with 5 must download songs that I love.
In no particular order:
1. Regina Spektor - Fidelity (or Samson)
2. M. Ward - To Go Home (The only one who likes M. Ward more than me is Mel)
3. Brandi Carlisle - Josephine (Those of you who went with us to Dave Matthews a few years back might remember that she played on one of the side stages. She has signed with a big time label and they play her on the radio and VH1 every know and then)
4. White Stripes - We're Going to be Friends (You might remember this tasty little number from Napoleon Dynamite. The White Stripes are awesome but I don't think they'll suit (sp.) everyone's taste)
5. Johnny Cash - Get Rythm
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Getting Old
I ran cross-country in high school. I started running because I had a friend in cross country, Ryan Allen, and because I wanted to get into shape in order to make the basketball team. I ended up loving to run. I was never a star runner or even on the varsity team, but I was consistently in the front of the pack on the JV team. During the cross country season, we had about 4 weeks to get ready for the first meet of the season. In high school, this worked out to be just enough time to get in relatively good shape for the meet.
Fast forward 10 years. I used this same logic in scheduling my first race. I neglected the fact that in high school you are always running around (even when you're not in sports) with friends doing active things. I was already in pretty good shape. The past 3 weeks I have learned what a shin splint feels like. I have had sore knees and a sore achilles tendon. In high school, I thought I was the bionic man because I would never get injured. I have to also mention that I weigh 40 lbs more than I did in high school. As my brother-in-law Rob put it, it's almost like carrying around (or running with) a 45 lb bench press plate. So, this is what it feels like to get old.
The good news is that I am starting to feel healthier and my legs aren't feeling quite so injured. I've had to become strict when it comes to warming up, cooling down, and stretching. I ran 3 miles today and I could feel improvements in my endurance.
Fast forward 10 years. I used this same logic in scheduling my first race. I neglected the fact that in high school you are always running around (even when you're not in sports) with friends doing active things. I was already in pretty good shape. The past 3 weeks I have learned what a shin splint feels like. I have had sore knees and a sore achilles tendon. In high school, I thought I was the bionic man because I would never get injured. I have to also mention that I weigh 40 lbs more than I did in high school. As my brother-in-law Rob put it, it's almost like carrying around (or running with) a 45 lb bench press plate. So, this is what it feels like to get old.
The good news is that I am starting to feel healthier and my legs aren't feeling quite so injured. I've had to become strict when it comes to warming up, cooling down, and stretching. I ran 3 miles today and I could feel improvements in my endurance.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Who doesn't love a good challenge?
I have started this blog in order to keep my family and friends updated on my progress in training for the 2007 St. George Marathon and also updated on my life in general. So, first and foremost, some St. George marathon facts:
- 5th largest marathon in the United States
- Qualifier for the Boston Marathon
- Every school bus in the area is used to transport the 6,700 runners to the starting line
- Included as one of Runner's World 10 most scenic marathons
- Over 4,250 gallons of water and 1,960 gallons of Gatorade are consumed (which equals about 1 gallon of fluid per runner)
I came up with the crazy idea to run this marathon about 3 weeks ago and while I was submitting my lottery application I half-jokingly sent off an email inviting my brother and sisters. It worked out that my brother Joel and sisters Susan and Emily decided to run it with me. I am excited to run it with them and with other family members cheering us on from the sidelines.
My first preparatory race of the year (of the past 10 years) will be in Ogden, UT on this coming Saturday (my birthday). It is a 5k that I will be running with my wife Mel. I plan to run some other 5k's, a couple triathlons, and a half marathon in preparation for the big day. My "official" training regime, as Mel would say, begins the first week of June. I have been running 2 -4 miles per day for the past 3 weeks and plan on keeping this up until June.
So, with 145 days, 8 hours, and 44 seconds until the race, I've got my work cut out for me.
- 5th largest marathon in the United States
- Qualifier for the Boston Marathon
- Every school bus in the area is used to transport the 6,700 runners to the starting line
- Included as one of Runner's World 10 most scenic marathons
- Over 4,250 gallons of water and 1,960 gallons of Gatorade are consumed (which equals about 1 gallon of fluid per runner)
I came up with the crazy idea to run this marathon about 3 weeks ago and while I was submitting my lottery application I half-jokingly sent off an email inviting my brother and sisters. It worked out that my brother Joel and sisters Susan and Emily decided to run it with me. I am excited to run it with them and with other family members cheering us on from the sidelines.
My first preparatory race of the year (of the past 10 years) will be in Ogden, UT on this coming Saturday (my birthday). It is a 5k that I will be running with my wife Mel. I plan to run some other 5k's, a couple triathlons, and a half marathon in preparation for the big day. My "official" training regime, as Mel would say, begins the first week of June. I have been running 2 -4 miles per day for the past 3 weeks and plan on keeping this up until June.
So, with 145 days, 8 hours, and 44 seconds until the race, I've got my work cut out for me.
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