Whew! 50 mile week! And guess what folks, 20 of those were done this past Thursday night. I knew I might be able to get a run in that night, as the day progressed I felt better and better, and thought, hey why not?
So I did a 3.19 mile loop 6 times, and then added a little extra onto the end to make it 20. 2:36:54, now if that can be my time for the full race, I will be ecstatic! I have felt strong ever since and think things are going well. I blitzed a 6.5 miler yesterday, and then another 8.5 today, and if I can get out of bed, 10 in the morning. The temperature has been great, so why not enjoy it?
Dad is moving along quite well. He has done a 3 hour run now, and is not feeling anything bad in his legs. As long as he can make it the rest of the season keeping his training consistent, he will be doing just fine and should make all 42 k this fall no problem.
My uncle is a machine! He is running races all over, including the star studded NYC half a week ago. From what I hear he gave Ryan Hall a run for his money, wink wink. He is feeling great and has found a great training rhythm.
What has been a great encouragement has been being able to watch the world championships this past week. Yeah everyone I was at work, but I have ways of pulling these things off...bwa ha ha...anyway, I have learned three things from them. Usain Bolt is out of his mind. Kenya and Ethiopia have a stranglehold on all things distance. American distance runners have done way too much in the past year, and need to rest a bit.
Consider this, Kara Goucher, our bright and shining hope for winning a World Marathon Major, or even the Olympics one day, has in the past year, competed at the Olympics in two events. Ran the NYC marathon a month and a half afterwards, run the Boston Marathon that spring, and then just competed in the World Marathon Championship. TOO MUCH. It is a story like this with all of our distance guys and girls. Flanigan, Tegenkamp, and others have simply not given their bodies any rest after competeing at levels we have not seen for years from American runners. Anthony Famgmeltti and Ryan Hall are probably the only two major distance guys who sat out the championships this year, and it probably was for the best. These guys, especially Hall, have a lot ahead of them.
Enough on that. The bug is in a lot of people's ears about the fundraising. What else can I say about this orginization. It is so touching to hear and to read the stories about what so many have to go through, and about the brave fight of doctors, parents, and patients. This is a cause worth supporting and one that I think I will run for many times to come!
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Every Little Bit
Short on time, but YAY! $25 closer to our goal today. Thanks Carolyn!
Ran at lunch time. It was HOT. Only 6 miles, but planning for around 14 in the morning. We will see how that goes. Anyway. Got to head to bed.
I promise a detailed update tomorrow, on myself, dad, and my weekly thoughts on the children of St. Jude. Take care all!
Ran at lunch time. It was HOT. Only 6 miles, but planning for around 14 in the morning. We will see how that goes. Anyway. Got to head to bed.
I promise a detailed update tomorrow, on myself, dad, and my weekly thoughts on the children of St. Jude. Take care all!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Ah, the Pain sets In
Think about it, for three months, you run every day and essentially tear the fibers that are your muscle fibers every single one of them. Ice baths, stretching and rest get you close to feeling better, but you are never far from the pain.
To me this is a good thing! It means I am training properly. It is not a pain that has you beginning for demerol, but a pain that gives you some satisfaction that you earned it, and that when the pains stops you will be all the better off for it.
I closed last week off with three 10 mile runs in five days, which may not seem like much, and believe it is not compared to the pros, but for me, it got me. I gave a 20 miler a shot Sunday morning, but with only one GU, not nearly enough water, and a 4 am start time.
Monica are going to work the schedule so that this Sunday night I will be able to get one in. Thank goodness! There is no way I will be able to ever finish one in the morning.
This morning was great though. 10 miles, 1:09:54, enough said. Did I mention the humidity was almost 100%? By the time things cool off and I am a little stronger, I think I can get down to 1:05 on a training run, which bodes very very well for the race in October.
The plane tickets are bought by the way, at least according to my mom they are, so I guess I am still going :).
The rest of the week is going to be a little easier, some good distance, but less speed so that I can be ready for the 20 miler.
I am now a fifth of the way towards my goal of $1000 as of today, but as of yet, still have not laid into the actual effort, most I have asked have given or at least made a verbal commitment, so I think that will go well.
Monica and I will hopefully be going to either the Ronald McDonald House or The Target House at St. Jude soon to either serve pancakes, or play bingo. It will break our hearts, but we want to be able to show love to these families and these kids in a tangible way besides just raising money and running in a shirt that promotes awareness. Anything we can do to be redemptive in a time of so much stress, worry, and hurt to these families would be such a blessing to us.
To me this is a good thing! It means I am training properly. It is not a pain that has you beginning for demerol, but a pain that gives you some satisfaction that you earned it, and that when the pains stops you will be all the better off for it.
I closed last week off with three 10 mile runs in five days, which may not seem like much, and believe it is not compared to the pros, but for me, it got me. I gave a 20 miler a shot Sunday morning, but with only one GU, not nearly enough water, and a 4 am start time.
Monica are going to work the schedule so that this Sunday night I will be able to get one in. Thank goodness! There is no way I will be able to ever finish one in the morning.
This morning was great though. 10 miles, 1:09:54, enough said. Did I mention the humidity was almost 100%? By the time things cool off and I am a little stronger, I think I can get down to 1:05 on a training run, which bodes very very well for the race in October.
The plane tickets are bought by the way, at least according to my mom they are, so I guess I am still going :).
The rest of the week is going to be a little easier, some good distance, but less speed so that I can be ready for the 20 miler.
I am now a fifth of the way towards my goal of $1000 as of today, but as of yet, still have not laid into the actual effort, most I have asked have given or at least made a verbal commitment, so I think that will go well.
Monica and I will hopefully be going to either the Ronald McDonald House or The Target House at St. Jude soon to either serve pancakes, or play bingo. It will break our hearts, but we want to be able to show love to these families and these kids in a tangible way besides just raising money and running in a shirt that promotes awareness. Anything we can do to be redemptive in a time of so much stress, worry, and hurt to these families would be such a blessing to us.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Finally!!! Well, Kind of...
So Sunday night I decided that Monday morning was to be my first 20 mile run in prepartion for the marathon. By the way, this means getting up at 4 am in order to finish, do all of the recovery stuff, and still make it to work, seriously, dont ask me why I do it, suffice to say, I am just crazy.
Well the somewhat more sane part of my brain tookover when my alarm went off at that absurd time, and I decied an hour and half more of sleep was a good idea, and that running 5 miles would suffice for Monday morning. So I got up and ran, did a quick tempo, and felt okay about the day.
Alright, Monday night, I was going to do it, no one was going to stop me. So after putting the kids to bed, Monica at work, I whipped up some brownies for her when she got home, and hit the sack. I wake up the next morning, the sun is shining, birds are singing, no wait, its not like this at 4 AM. Well no one wakes up at 4 am when their alarm is set for 4 pm. Stupidity on my part, so moving right along. So I ran 5 1/2 at lunch. Not my favorite thing to do, you come back sweating all over your desk, well its not pretty, and kind of smelly.
Okay, going to do it Wednesday, going to, going to...nothing like a severe thunderstorm to screw things up. Seriously no rain earlier, and no rain later in the day. From 230 until about 530, the weather just unleashed, again, here in Memphis. Kansas and Oklahoma aint seen nothin'. So once again, I put in another 5 1/2 at lunch, sweat, not enough to eat, feel gross. Things are not looking good. Now I am beginning to worry that I am going to log too many miles this week before I can get the chance for the long haul.
Thursday morning, redemption!!! I headed out the door at 420 AM, and it was hot!! By 6 miles I needed more water, and most people would have sworn I had just jumped out of the pool. Becasue of the later departure, I was only able to log 18 miles, but I was very pleased. I felt strong over the last 3/4 of the run, and found a good rythym, and even worked some surges into the run. 2:20:00 on the nose for 18 miles, on an 80 degree morning will work for me anytime.
A well deserved day off is in store in the morning before trying to get 15 in over the weekend to hit 50 miles for the week, I would be very pleased if those are the results.
The fund raising dollars are beginning to trickle in, and granted, little work has been put in by my part, but that will come.
Well the somewhat more sane part of my brain tookover when my alarm went off at that absurd time, and I decied an hour and half more of sleep was a good idea, and that running 5 miles would suffice for Monday morning. So I got up and ran, did a quick tempo, and felt okay about the day.
Alright, Monday night, I was going to do it, no one was going to stop me. So after putting the kids to bed, Monica at work, I whipped up some brownies for her when she got home, and hit the sack. I wake up the next morning, the sun is shining, birds are singing, no wait, its not like this at 4 AM. Well no one wakes up at 4 am when their alarm is set for 4 pm. Stupidity on my part, so moving right along. So I ran 5 1/2 at lunch. Not my favorite thing to do, you come back sweating all over your desk, well its not pretty, and kind of smelly.
Okay, going to do it Wednesday, going to, going to...nothing like a severe thunderstorm to screw things up. Seriously no rain earlier, and no rain later in the day. From 230 until about 530, the weather just unleashed, again, here in Memphis. Kansas and Oklahoma aint seen nothin'. So once again, I put in another 5 1/2 at lunch, sweat, not enough to eat, feel gross. Things are not looking good. Now I am beginning to worry that I am going to log too many miles this week before I can get the chance for the long haul.
Thursday morning, redemption!!! I headed out the door at 420 AM, and it was hot!! By 6 miles I needed more water, and most people would have sworn I had just jumped out of the pool. Becasue of the later departure, I was only able to log 18 miles, but I was very pleased. I felt strong over the last 3/4 of the run, and found a good rythym, and even worked some surges into the run. 2:20:00 on the nose for 18 miles, on an 80 degree morning will work for me anytime.
A well deserved day off is in store in the morning before trying to get 15 in over the weekend to hit 50 miles for the week, I would be very pleased if those are the results.
The fund raising dollars are beginning to trickle in, and granted, little work has been put in by my part, but that will come.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Off and On Week
Last week was not the greatest week of training ever, but not the worst. I still put in 35 miles, but 16 of them were all last Thursday. That being said however, it was in the middle of a week in which we moved.
But tonight is when things get interesting for my dad and I. He will again attempt the 13 mile run he tried on Saturday, and I will go to be early in hopes of getting up to do my first 20 mile run of the training period. That is 33 miles between the two of us in less than 12 hours, hopefully we can all pull it off.
This is a big step for the both of us. If I can get this in, then perhaps I could log 4, 20 mile runs prior to the race, which would be excellent preparation for a good time. If dad can get his 13 in, then he is where he needs to be in preparation for the race.
It will be hot and muggy for us both, thanks a lot Memphis, but it should set us up to absolutly soak up the moderate temps on race day in DC.
Now my unlce,s whereabouts on his running, I have no clue...he needs to send a dispatch from VA before I can fill you in, I assure he is doing well though, and making it just fine.
I am kind of looking forward to my jaunt in the morning. At 4 am, the world is pretty still, and not much is going on. However it is a great transitional period. As the roads begin to fill up with the early morning commuters, the sky begins to turn gorgeous shades of gold and blue, and the daily renewal of things begins. Many people miss out on that part of the day, and only see the end when the day has become old and tattered.
It reminds me of what is really sending me to this marathon. The renewal of the lives of children and their families throughout the world. Another chance at getting to have a childhood, and for that matter a shot at adulthood. Renewal for them is something far greater than so many of us will experience physically on this earth.
Of course we all now that there is a renewal of all things already under way on this earth that was set in motion over 2000 years ago.
But tonight is when things get interesting for my dad and I. He will again attempt the 13 mile run he tried on Saturday, and I will go to be early in hopes of getting up to do my first 20 mile run of the training period. That is 33 miles between the two of us in less than 12 hours, hopefully we can all pull it off.
This is a big step for the both of us. If I can get this in, then perhaps I could log 4, 20 mile runs prior to the race, which would be excellent preparation for a good time. If dad can get his 13 in, then he is where he needs to be in preparation for the race.
It will be hot and muggy for us both, thanks a lot Memphis, but it should set us up to absolutly soak up the moderate temps on race day in DC.
Now my unlce,s whereabouts on his running, I have no clue...he needs to send a dispatch from VA before I can fill you in, I assure he is doing well though, and making it just fine.
I am kind of looking forward to my jaunt in the morning. At 4 am, the world is pretty still, and not much is going on. However it is a great transitional period. As the roads begin to fill up with the early morning commuters, the sky begins to turn gorgeous shades of gold and blue, and the daily renewal of things begins. Many people miss out on that part of the day, and only see the end when the day has become old and tattered.
It reminds me of what is really sending me to this marathon. The renewal of the lives of children and their families throughout the world. Another chance at getting to have a childhood, and for that matter a shot at adulthood. Renewal for them is something far greater than so many of us will experience physically on this earth.
Of course we all now that there is a renewal of all things already under way on this earth that was set in motion over 2000 years ago.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Signed Up!
Well it is official. I will run in the 2009 edition of the Marine Corps Marathon, and I will be doing it for St. Jude.
It has been a long decision making process as we are moving, I have a new job, the Air Force process is ever involved, and well, with a career shift like this, the funds to do really anything just dont exist like we need them to. Finally through quite literally divine provision and much proding, its happening.
My dad reminded me that this event for him has been 30 years in the making, that is how long he has wanted to run a marathon, and he is closer than ever right now. His progress continues on and he is about to the point where he will run his first 13 miler this weekend, a big step for him! The legs are holding up, and hopefully will continue to do so.
My uncle, well he has been busy, but I am pretty sure he is sticking to his routine quite solidly.
Things have been come and go for me. Summers are hard, my body just does not do well with the heat. I did a 16 miler earlier in the week that saw me go through 13 miles in 1.5 hours, but the last three were pretty much slow and torturous. However, if I have a good Saturday and Sunday, I will be over 40 miles again for the week, with a solid month behind me of a little over 160 miles.
I am $50 closer to my goal of $1000 for St. Jude. Well I just started yesterday, so obviously thigns will pick up. The picture on my website is so moving, it makes me want to carry the child all the way around the course and then over the course of the run heal him or her of all their hurts. So terrible that those so young have to endure such hardship. It is not for us to wonder why, but to do what can do redeem their time, and their lives, and try to make their lives and our lives a little bit better by doing what we can to serve.
It has been a long decision making process as we are moving, I have a new job, the Air Force process is ever involved, and well, with a career shift like this, the funds to do really anything just dont exist like we need them to. Finally through quite literally divine provision and much proding, its happening.
My dad reminded me that this event for him has been 30 years in the making, that is how long he has wanted to run a marathon, and he is closer than ever right now. His progress continues on and he is about to the point where he will run his first 13 miler this weekend, a big step for him! The legs are holding up, and hopefully will continue to do so.
My uncle, well he has been busy, but I am pretty sure he is sticking to his routine quite solidly.
Things have been come and go for me. Summers are hard, my body just does not do well with the heat. I did a 16 miler earlier in the week that saw me go through 13 miles in 1.5 hours, but the last three were pretty much slow and torturous. However, if I have a good Saturday and Sunday, I will be over 40 miles again for the week, with a solid month behind me of a little over 160 miles.
I am $50 closer to my goal of $1000 for St. Jude. Well I just started yesterday, so obviously thigns will pick up. The picture on my website is so moving, it makes me want to carry the child all the way around the course and then over the course of the run heal him or her of all their hurts. So terrible that those so young have to endure such hardship. It is not for us to wonder why, but to do what can do redeem their time, and their lives, and try to make their lives and our lives a little bit better by doing what we can to serve.
Monday, July 6, 2009
A Little More than a Race
Almost a year ago, I was training for the Marine Corps Marathon so that I could prove to myself I could do it in less than three hours, and qualify for the Boston Marathon. In complete honesty, these are my goals again this year, but I have decided to run for a little bit more.
Honestly, I missed the cut off date to register for the race this year, and therefore, technically cannot run the race. I knew there were programs out there that would allow you to run in these races if you raised money for a certain orginization. I noticed that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was one of those charities, and living here in Memphis, where the hospital is located, I decided that seemed like a worthy cause. For those who do not know what St. Jude is, or what they do; they are the world's leading researcher to help children with terminal cancer. Children from all over the world and the country come here to recieve the best treatment possible, no matter their income bracket or health insurance. That is why it is important for there to be people out there raising funds for the orginization. Having lost two grandparents so far to cancer, I figure any cancer, whatever age, is a cancer worth beating.
As if this were not enough to make this some sort of Runner's World human interest story, it is also a story of the Selby men, well some of us, well there are not many of us left, minus my 3 year old and 19 month old twins, but they aren't marathoning any time soon. My father, competeting, well better said, attempting his first marathon, and my uncle who enjoys running will be joining me. Well in reality, they will be running the same route, but hopefully they will be a little ways behind me :). It started out as just a fun thing for us to do, but it turns out it will be much more of a bonding experience than that. On September 16th, roughly one month before the race, we will lay my grandfather to rest in Arlington National Cemetary, the end and beginning point of the marathon, anyone sensing Disney chasing us down for the rights? Though our family has never had a major rift in it, we have never been a group for the sentimental, but in recent years, we have all drawn a little closer and I believe this will be something for us to all share and relish as we look back upon it.
I will report on the progress of all three of us as often as I can, as well as my progress with raising the money, $1000, I need to be able to race. If for some reason you are looking for my fundraising page, and are not finding it, it is because I have not set it up yet, that is the plan for later this week.
For the next three months, follow us as we raise, run, and perhaps even cry a little, as we work towards starting, and completing the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC.
Honestly, I missed the cut off date to register for the race this year, and therefore, technically cannot run the race. I knew there were programs out there that would allow you to run in these races if you raised money for a certain orginization. I noticed that St. Jude Children's Research Hospital was one of those charities, and living here in Memphis, where the hospital is located, I decided that seemed like a worthy cause. For those who do not know what St. Jude is, or what they do; they are the world's leading researcher to help children with terminal cancer. Children from all over the world and the country come here to recieve the best treatment possible, no matter their income bracket or health insurance. That is why it is important for there to be people out there raising funds for the orginization. Having lost two grandparents so far to cancer, I figure any cancer, whatever age, is a cancer worth beating.
As if this were not enough to make this some sort of Runner's World human interest story, it is also a story of the Selby men, well some of us, well there are not many of us left, minus my 3 year old and 19 month old twins, but they aren't marathoning any time soon. My father, competeting, well better said, attempting his first marathon, and my uncle who enjoys running will be joining me. Well in reality, they will be running the same route, but hopefully they will be a little ways behind me :). It started out as just a fun thing for us to do, but it turns out it will be much more of a bonding experience than that. On September 16th, roughly one month before the race, we will lay my grandfather to rest in Arlington National Cemetary, the end and beginning point of the marathon, anyone sensing Disney chasing us down for the rights? Though our family has never had a major rift in it, we have never been a group for the sentimental, but in recent years, we have all drawn a little closer and I believe this will be something for us to all share and relish as we look back upon it.
I will report on the progress of all three of us as often as I can, as well as my progress with raising the money, $1000, I need to be able to race. If for some reason you are looking for my fundraising page, and are not finding it, it is because I have not set it up yet, that is the plan for later this week.
For the next three months, follow us as we raise, run, and perhaps even cry a little, as we work towards starting, and completing the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC.
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