A New Leaf

I have finally started running again...ok so I've only ran one day so far. It's a start! I ran a couple slow miles on the treadmill last night. It was much tougher than I anticipated, but it felt good to run again though!

In my time off since injury some key changes have occurred. I had a gait analysis and found out I have been running in the wrong type of shoes for the past few years (Stability). I now have the brooks Ghost 3 (pictured above),a cushioning shoe, which I ran in last night. They felt great! I have also been doing Power 90 with my wife Tera, and my friend Dawn. Power 90 has really been building my full body strength. With these changes I am in hopes that I will be able to stay relatively injury free in 2011!

As far as goals for 2011? I'm not sure as of yet. I know I'd like to run a fair amount of races, and hit some personal bests. I guess my grandest dream would be able to steer away from injury and get my mileage to the point where I can run a marathon in the fall! That would be AMAZING!

Praise the Lord & run on!

The heat is on!

Today's workout: 6 miles @ 8:32 

August 15th, 2010. This date marks my 1st running of the Hottest Half, held in Dallas, Texas. (FYI, I am actually running the Hottest 10K portion of the race, not the half.) I registered a couple of weeks ago, and ever since things have gone downhill. After registering I was diagnosed with severe allergies, and exercise induced asthma. So, am I registered...yes. Am I ready...heck no! Today was my first run in almost a month, I can hardly breathe, and this 10K is one of the hottest in the country. Dallas has an average temperature of 97 degrees in August! You know what though? I don't care! I'm doing this, whether my body likes it or not! As a famous inspirational speaker once said, "Git R Done!"

August 15th, 2010...pray for me!

Praise the Lord and run on!

Runners on Parade 5K Goals

This Saturday I'll be running the Runners on Parade 5K. It follows the parade route for the Three Rivers Festival. I ran this race last year and it was amazing! It's the largest 5K in Fort Wayne, and because you run it right before the parade starts, you have thousands of people lining the street cheering you on!

This year I'm running it with my nephew, Garrett! He's nine, and this is only his second race, but I'm thrilled to have him with me!

So, here are my race goals.

Overall time: 20:05
Race Pace: 6:27
Overall Place: Top 145
Age Group: Top 10

It's Was a Beautiful Day in Someone Else's Neighborhood

This past Saturday I was able to partake it what was the most fun and beautiful run I have ever embarked on!

Tera, Chloe, and I went with Pete and Jess up to Chicago to visit Jess's family. Pete and I on Saturday morning went to Lake Forest, Illinois, where we joined a large local running club on their weekly 6.25 mile long run. In addition to their normal large turnout, they hosted Brooks ID members such as myself in a Brooks sponsored fun run. Just to give you an idea of how beautiful Lake Forest is, if you search Lake Forest Real Estate you will find that the cheapest house in the whole town is going for just under $300,000, and is a 1 bed, 1 bath! The majority of the homes go for around $1,000,000 to $15,000,000!!!!!!!!!!!! They are absolutely gorgeous! So, the run took us through these neighborhoods, and also along some beautiful scenic Lake Michigan beachfront! Wow, is all I have to say! Simply amazing run! Great food afterward, got a free Brooks Visor and stickers, and the Lake Forest Running Club was so nice! What a great group of people to run with! Pete and I both agreed that when we go back, we'll definitely join them again!

Praise the Lord and run on!

Fun Run This Saturday!

Today's workout: 3 miles @ 7:46

To say that I'm excited about this weekend would be an understatement! It should be an epic time with friends and family!

First of all, Tera, Chloe, and I will be taking our friends up to Chicago to visit their family (free stay for us!). We're thrilled to spend time with them and their family, and to get to spend time around Chicago. We hope to get to go to the zoo or at least the aquarium. Also, I'm going to get to play some disc golf with my friend and his father-in-law!

The main reason we're going though, and the cause of a good portion of my excitement is I'm attending an organized "fun run" with a group of my fellow Brooks ID members. There will be food, fun, running, and Brooks is even sending a company representative to chat with us and give us all free swag!!!  I like free!

So, I'm sure I'll have plenty to blog about in a few days!

Praise the Lord and run on!

Giving Up Gracefully

This last week has been absolutely crazy! The bank I work for was bought out a year and a half ago, but this week was the first week working for my new employer officially. It's been a nut house! Not only have I been dealing with all that, but also some patella tendinitis, and a strained calf in regards to my running.

I've taken a couple weeks off from serious running, and this week was my first back. It's gone....ok. I recently purchased a treadmill from my co-worker and I made the mistake of starting out on it instead of heading outdoors. Bad idea! Snoozefest! I instantly lost all passion for running! I tried running a tempo run on it yesterday and gave up 2 and a half miles in. Today I attempted the same work out, and even though I walked a tad, I completed it and got some of my lost passion back! The real good news though is there was no pain!

My next big challenge is my 7 mile long run I'm going to do this Sunday. I have a 6.5 mile fun run in Chicago with my running sponsor, Brooks, in a week and a half. If I can't complete this run Sunday, I might have some major issues when I head to Chicago! I think I'll be ok though, I did 5 today.

Last note before I stop babbling, Blogger has all new backgrounds!!!!   Sweet!!!! They even have running backgrounds (obviously!). I'm loving having a running backdrop to my running blog!

Praise the Lord and run on!

Three Rivers 12K Goals

This coming Saturday, I'm going to be running my first 12K. Can you say automatic PR?!?! Anyways it's hosted by our local specialty running store the Three Rivers Running Company. So, I'm feeling pretty good except for a touch of tendinitis in my left leg. Here are my race goals:

Finishing Time: 52:32
Race Pace: 7:02
Overall Finish: Top 45
Age Group: Top 15