2 Time Marathoner

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Movie Thursday

Whoa!

2 Sunday Long Run Reports / Movie Sunday

Might as well...

NY Marathon was run today....that looks like a TON of fun.

Ok, so the last 2 long runs are in the can. 2 Taper runs, and I feel strong and ready. I hope the weather stays nice, but I'm ok with running in the rain...just worried about my feet if it does rain. Bring it.

Sunday Long Run Report

2 reports in one night...blog slacker

So this past Sunday I had my 20 mile run!!! This is the big one before the marathon. I was pretty excited about it, and had quite a bit of fun running it. I ran the "Mahoning Shadow Trail" which is a rails to trails, PA trailways trail. WOW!!!! I never would have guessed how nice that could be. It was nice because I had to worry so little about traffic, just a few crossings and a 1 mile section through Punxsutawney. It is a 15 mile trail, and soooo nicely kept up. It was a beautiful day and there were tons of people out using the trail. Bikers, runners, dog walkers...I'll post a few pics from the trail in the next couple days. I ran the entire length of the trail and even added about a half mile at the end because I had to run into the little town at the end (Valier) to the fire station to get a couple sodas. I turned aorund and ran 5 miles back up the trail and once again SWMBO to the rescue, she drove alllll the way down and picked me up and took me back to the top trailhead to get the truck. There were a few moments along the way that I thought I would not finish the run, just wanted to sneak out a trailhead and call SWMBO to come get me, but I persevered and got it done. So happy.

Let the taper begin.....so cool, time flies.

Sunday Long Run Report

ok, so it's over a week late....

Had a great run on the 14th. Ran fro Sykesville to Punxsutawney, straight down 119. I was a little worried at first, because it is a pretty busy road, but it wasn't as bad as I imagined. 14 miles. Called SWMBO and she got her cousin and the kids loaded up and came to Punxsy and picked me up. Not a whole lot to say about it other than that. Oh, a new blog was born on this run, that I think is pretty cool, but I'm waiting a week or two to announce it because it is on a different platform, and it isn't ready for launch yet....but very very cool. (I think so anyway).

Movie Friday

OooooKaaaaayyyyyy

Sunday Long Run Report

I walk around in the summer time saying, "How about this heat?"

It was hot. I averaged 13 minute miles for the first 9 miles while it was somewhat cool. Then I averaged 17 minute miles for the last 9 miles. I didn't have enough water, so it was basically just a long walk home from 4.5 miles out. I get home and find out that the Chicago Marathon had been cut short, and a guy died and over 300 people were sent to the hospital, because it was so hot.



Here are some of the runners perspectives.

What an October day.

Anything else fun happen? Hmmmmmmm? Can't think of....oh wait, oh...yeah....almost forgot about having to break into my house at mile 9, because someone left and locked the door! LOVE YA SWMBO!!!!

Movie Friday

...and it's a good one

This is the trailer for an upcoming movie "The Spirit of the Marathon"

My favorite line from the trailer...pretty obvious: "People talk about the runner's high. The only runner's high I've ever had was when I stopped running". Classic.

SWMBO & Slurpy

She's a farm girl alright...she just never realized it.

Sunday Long Run report

Yes, I know it's Wednesday

To try to make up for ignoring this place so much lately, I have cleaned house and redesigned. Hope you like it. (SWMBO gets photo credit for the header image. Isn't she great?)

Run was 12 miles, and easy. Didn't take enough water but SWMBO pulled up around mile 10.5 and had a big tall glass of water for me. Thanks baby! She was on her way to feed the cows. Did I mention we own a pig? Cool.


He's one of the black ones. His name is Shirley. His name is Shirley because, Shirley used to be one of the pink ones, but someone took her.

Tried the Pina Colada Shot Blocks on the run, and surprisingly they are good good good. Nothing like the refreshing taste of pineapple when you're running. Seriously. They are good. Strawberry is still tops though.

Big shout out to Holmes, who as far as I know is the only person who reads this stuff anyway (except for Aunt Dee, she's a faithful reader too). they're the only ones that leave me comment love anyway. Holmes put me very close to 50% on the charity donations. You're too much. I miss Zachey.

Giving to charity...

Make a dream come true

"You will find, as you look back on your life, that the moments that stand out are the moments when you have done things for others." - Henry Drummond

I have a little over a month till the marathon, so I think it's time I start putting some effort into this raising money for charity thing. I'm not the kind of person that can easily ask for things...even if it isn't for me, and it's for people, err, kids that really need it. I guess I need to get over that. So here it goes: If you can spare just $5, I would be so happy, and I think you would be to. I know a lot of people look at my fundraiser page, and they think - "Man, it would be so cool if we could do something and donate a ton of money for this..." And I love the sentiment, but there is something you can do. If you can afford it, give $5 or $10 or $1, big or small, it doesn't matter, but it does make a huge difference.

I've had this fundraiser page up for a few months now, and I look at it, and I think, "Does that make sense? Does it explain the charity?" So I wanted to try and make it make more sense. I went to one of my favorite websites (youtube) and started "researching". Hahaha. I wanted to find out just what is GKTW? What do they do? What makes them special?

Here is what I have found out so far:

(I sort of aggregated all of this from a couple of different sources)

This is Hailey Marie's video:



Hailey is doing very well now, no cancer!

Here is a list of some of the things I have learned that your donation will help GKTW do for 1000's of kids this year. For about 80% of these kids, their last wish will be to meet Mickey Mouse.

• everything at GKTW is designed specifically for kids.
• tables are kid height.
• kids get the biggest room in the villa.
• the kids bathroom is the one with the jacuzzi tub.
• kids can have all the ice cream they want until 9:30pm
• kids can have pizza until 10:30
• kids can have a disney character or GKTW staff read bed time stories at night.
• kids can get tucked in at night by the mayor of GKTW (a big bunny named Mayor Clayton)
• kids can watch movies for free all week long at a huge movie theater.
• kids get free access to ALL of the theme parks in Orlando...Sea World, Universal, Disney, etc.
• kids get fast access to all of the rides at the parks, little to no wait for anything.
• kids get behind the scenes access to the characters.
• all of the rules at GKTW are positive, i.e the pool rules explain what you CAN do not what you can't do.
• when the kids return to their rooms at night, there is a present waiting for them every night.
• kids have access to a big fishing pond.
• kids have rides at GKTW just for them.

There is so much more that this organization does. I hope you can help me reach my goal of raising $1000. If you've already donated, I truly appreciate it. I know that there are a few that are planning on donating, but waiting until a little closer to the marathon for the funds they are raising specifically for this, and I appreciate what you are doing too.

Sunday Long Run report

16 clicks (Ok, I'm not really sure what a "click" is but it sounds sooo cool)

Same story, different day: Beautiful day, long and difficult run. Legs feel like pistons firing that could have gone 10 more miles easily. Lungs laughed at my efforts all day, and begged for more. Feet...well, I probably would have been more comfortable in my flip flops. I think they are serious when they say change your shoes after 250-300 miles. These dogs got 430 on them after this weekend. Equipment update coming this week. I told the lady at the shoe store, "I want the same shoe I got on my feet". She just laughed and said, "They've been good to ya, huh?" Indeed, it will be hard to give them up, but they are still in good enough shape to use for work and such. I wonder if it is odd that I love my shoes so much? 430 miles is a lot of time together. The new Radius 7's should be in today.

Only event that happened on the run: Bee sting. 2nd one I've got this year, and maybe it's just because I'm getting older, or maybe the bees that have stung me this year have built their nests in toxic waste dump areas, but I am having terrible reactions to the stings. This has never happened to me before, but I've got a welt the size of my fist on the outside of my knee, and it hurts so bad to stand. Doctor is supposed to be calling me back soon. Really weird.

Movie Friday

Holmes!!!

Movie Friday

I'm all messed up...

Nick Burns, your company's computer guy. I'm a lot like this guy at work. I've started yelling "MOVE" at the guys I work with when I help them with a problem. Hahahaha.

Monday Long Run Report

Hey, it was a long weekend...

Before you read any further, indulge me for a second. Press play on the song up top (right under the title of this post). Just close your eyes and listen and think about the people you love for a good part of the song if not all of it. Thanks. Continue.

Ran to Reynoldsville again. Quite a bit slower this time.

Usually for me, I struggle with running. Right now, running is about the only thing I'm not struggling with.

ETA: I should note that the song is called: Sad Song or something like that. I didn't ask you to do that to make you sad, although I suppose for some, it might do just that. The request was to simply get you to think about someone.

FWIW (Big on the acronyms tonight): I picture my kids running around in the grass and laughing, and sitting around Papa's fire ring. I picture going to college with my mom, and walking the whole way across the relatively small campus to see her after classes. I picture having 7 friends over to our house in Hepburnia, and running over acres and acres of forestland playing jailbreak. I picture the family going to church Sunday morning, Sunday evening and Wednesday evening...a lot more but the song is not that long, and I have to keep replaying it....I don't mind.

Sunday Long Run Report

One town over...

Had a really good run Sunday. Ran from home across to the next town of Reynoldsville. It was a super incredible day, sunny but not terribly hot. Stopped at the UniMart in Reynoldsville and gassed up on Gatorade. It's a relatively flat run, with a few long grades. The only thing I didn't enjoy was running on 322, but that was still pretty manageable. 12:43 min/mi pace makes me very happy. Fitness level, and general good feelings while running makes me extremely happy. Listened to "10 Years" for most of the run, a friend that I am building some websites with turned me on to them after seeing a sample of some of the music I'm currently into. I could listen to "The Autumn effect" album 100 times...really good.

Movie Monday

What I did over the weekend...

This first one is cucumber rapids. To be honest I don't remember it.


railroad rapids....don't remember it.

dimple rapids...oh yeah i remember them. We made it past the big rock, but got hung up on the one below it. Crews on shore were just screaming at us to get out of there. We made it through but ended up with an extra passenger that we pulled out. She had gone out of the boat behind us (they were with us).

Sunday Long Run Report

Feelin good

9 Miles today. The best 9 miles I ever remember running. I just had a good time. SWMBO sort of challenged me, in that she didn't think it would be less than 2 hours. 1:46 at 11:49 min/mile pace. I love a good challenge. Also, I had my first ever chiropractic adjustment last week, so I was a little curious to see how that would affect. I'm pretty happy, and feeling good. The fair is this week, so I ran up over the hill just to see what was going on. Free entrance today, but since it had been raining there weren't many people up there. They didn't even have the rides together yet. Must be doing that tonight. Passed a lot of people riding their horses up. That was neat, because SWMBO and I were talking about getting a couple. Not any time soon. Maybe next spring. I've got a lot of research to do to figure out what we want.

Just checked last year 9 mile run times - 13:42 min/mile

Becasue I've been negligent

Sorry

Venue Change

This isn't terribly easy to do

Ok, so here's the deal. I've been thinking about this for a week and a half now, giving it some time to make sure this is really what I want to do. I'm sure it is. Erie is off. 2 Sundays ago I had a 13 mile long run (sorry about not reporting in, but this is what was on my mind). 13 miles is half a marathon. I used the run as sort of a gauge to see where I was, how I felt, and what I was thinking, sort of a physical and mental evaluation. 13 miles is a long time to reflect (for me anyway). I physically am not ready to continue my training program. Mentally, I'm not there either. Running is something I want to do because I enjoy doing it. If I feel unable to make my miles, it becomes a chore of sorts, and I lose some of the pleasure. It also feels like I'm winding myself up for an injury, by pushing the miles before I feel ready for them. So something has to change. Actually, a few things have to change.

So what's next? Giving up? NO, absolutely NO.

Issue #1: Training. Scaling back and starting over on the training program for starters. I need a new venue and point of focus. I'll make the final decision in the next week or so, but I think I've narrowed it down to the OBX Marathon on November 11.

Issue #2: Weight. I'm 10 pounds heavier than I was in January, and not happy about it. I know that has a lot to do with both my mental and physical feelings, while running right now. SO starting in the morning: Public accountability via blog and Wednesday's are now officially "Weigh-in Wednesday". No more eating after 6pm. Lots more water.

Issue #3: Timing. I'm going to try to do more morning runs. It's easier on me and the family, schedule wise.

Issue #4: Charity. Nothing changes. I've raised $80 dollars so far, and I'm very thankful for everyone that's donated and the people that are helping me with that effort. I hope no one feels let down because I'm changing the marathon. That's simply what I feel like I have to do.

comments?

Sunday Long Run Report

What NOT to do on long run days

1. Do NOT eat at Long John Silvers on a long run day. (Not a good idea any other day, but if you have to, wait until another day).
2. Drink chocolate milk. This is only important if chocolate milk gives your guts a terrible fit at even the mere mention of it. Roni, even knows that Daddy is not allowed to drink chocolate milk, because the whole family suffers when he does. But it is soooooo good! And I only had a sip.
3. Any combination of 1 and 2. (Is there more than 1 way to combine 2 options????)

Let's just say today's run was sloooooow, and a little painful. At least I didn't see any snakes...that would have been a disaster.

Guuuuuhhhh

I hate snakes

Sorry about the laundry Babe.

Sunday Long Run report

Things are gonna get easier

7 miles on a rest week. I didn't run much this week. i tried going out on Tuesday, or Wednesday and only got a mile in, because my right shin felt like it was going to split in half. I like to think I learned some lessons from running last year...if it hurts, don't keep going and make it worse, turn around and walk home. Legs felt good yesterday, so hopefully that continues.

Sunday Long Run report

Ran it on Monday and reported it on Tuesday. Oh well.

10 Miles on the walkway. Nothing exciting. Happy that my pace is picking up a little bit, and my leg didn't hurt. That's all. Out.

Movie Monday

The long awaited return...on a Tuesday (nobody has ever accused me of doing things normal).

Sunday Long Run report

Remember???

Had a good long run this week. Pouring rain the entire time. 9 miles, and I wanted more. Why do we forget the good stuff? Why did I dread going out in the weather, when I know it is one of my favorite times to run? Why can't I get excited about getting my miles in for this marathon? Why do I forget sometimes the great feeling of accomplishment, in finishing what you start out to do? Last night on my long run, I ran a 7.5 mile loop, and ended up at the truck. I thought to myself how easy it would be to call that enough and just get in and go home and get dry. But I kept going and finished the run, and I felt better at the end than I did when I started...just like I always do. The same goes for so many other things in life. Losing weight. Why do I forget how good it feels to see numbers dropping, and being able to fit in smaller sizes, and look better in them too? And feel better? Things are gonna change.

Sunday Long Run report

There goes Tokyo...

Been a while since I put up a long run report...been a while since I put up a long run. 7 miles. Felt pretty good. Not fast, but I've never been fast. Listened to a lot of BOC, and some Alter Bridge. Not much to report really, except that the guy that had a fawn in his dog pen last year, now has a full grown doe. I wonder if he feeds it dog food (there are 4 other dogs in there with her)? Oh and an outhouse. I really need to take some pictures of that place sometime.

Getcha Head In the Game

Try and get your heart there too...

Sorry, I've been neglecting a lot of things lately, blog wise. But I'm working on something big, and I'm excited about it. I wish I could say the same for running. My official training schedule started tonight....umm, shoulda been training all along but...well, no excuses. 3 miles in the bank. Felt ok, just don't like guilty feelings, like I'm abandoning family responsibilities to go. I remember the feeling well. Just need to manage time better.

Out

P.S. check that song today...best one ever posted on here. ;)

New Carpet....

Oh man, I got the home improvement bug...

Started pulling up all the carpet downstairs, and this is the lovely linoleum that lies beneath it. Roni, of course, loves it, and decided that we will keep it just like this, because of the beautiful pink flowers.

New Kitchen Floor (After)

Mr. Handyman at your service.

Sorry I haven't updated in a while...been working on something.

Movie Monday

insanity

Click Here for more great videos and pictures!

New Kitchen Floor

This should be interesting...

Movie Monday

Can't get enough of the breakdancing videos

Running for Charity

Time To Give Back

You may have noticed the new section on the left. A little in your face? Good. That's where I want it. The section over there explains everything. A big special thanks to Aunt Dee for being the first one to step up and click the donate button. And apologies, because I had some technical difficulties getting my firstgiving page set up, so Aunt Dee's name doesn't show up on it anymore. I have an email in to technical support to see if we can fix that, so we'll see. I also was assured by the head of online giving at Give Kids The World that the donation did in fact go through, the problem was just in how I made the page. Thank you so much Aunt Dee! (I knew you'd be the first! ;)

So, the goal is $1,000. I have a lot of work to do, and this is only the first of 49 races that I'll be doing this (don't worry, it's going to take years).

Race Report

Run/Walk For Someone Special

What a sport! The Pittsburgh Pirates' Parrot not only attended the Run/Walk for Someone Special to entertain, but he also took part in the event among the numerous participants Sunday in Sykesville. (Photo by Tom Chapin) Full Story

Woke up Sunday morning and it was pouring rain. So, we got up and got ready, went and picked up Emily and headed for church. It was a nice service, as far as I know. Dee-Jack is apparently beginning his "Don't leave me with these strange people" phase, and before the service even started, the nursery was flashing our number to come and get him. He was hysterical. So daddy got to sit out in the lobby for the service and try to entertain the boy.

After services and lunch it was still raining and actually coming down harder. We drove down by the town hall to see if the run was still on, and saw a few people walking around with their bibs. No problem, I love running in the rain. You just have to get out there and get soaked before you get comfortable.

Went home and relaxed for about an hour and then headed down to register. I hadn't put a lot of time or thinking into this race. I decided about a week ago I was going to do it. That didn't give me a lot of time to get donations, but I did manage to get $50 together thanks to some coworkers and my in-laws and my gorgeous wife (SWMBO). I also decided at the last minute that I was going to run the 5 mile and not the 2 mile, simply because I was doing it for fun, and really didn't care if I came in last place. I needed the miles too.

I got registered, sat around and stretched for a while, watched the Pirate Parrot interact with all the kids and finally we proceeded to the start. Just as we were all walking out to the start line the clouds parted and the sun was shining bright, which was nice, except that I had my tights on and a jacket and was a little over dressed for that kind of weather. The Pirate Parrot sounded the air horn and we were off. I took off way to fast and was really having it at the 1 mile mark. Actually, I don't think it would have mattered how fast or slow I took off, I was in for a long 5 miles. The race goes down a road that I ran several times last year in training, so I knew what to expect, and I knew there was a pretty major hill to tackle about 1.5 mile in. At the 1 mile mark, obviously all the 2 mile runners were turning back and the crowd really thinned out. There couldn't have been but maybe 20 people running the 5. I had a nice clear view of all of them down the road in front of me. As far as I knew I was in last place. I certainly didn't mind and that helped keep a smile going, and I got to cheer everyone on as the passed me heading back in after 2.5 out. I tried to tell everyone they were doing good and keep it up. The young girl in front of me was laughing at both of us as she went past me, I told her she would be fine as long as I didn't pass her. She managed to keep a good 100 yards between us right up to the end where I managed to cut her lead to about 20 yards. My overall goal for the run to run 10-11 minute miles and hopefully finsh under 1 hour. My unofficial time was somewhere aorund 52 minutes, so I was very pleased.

This was the first time I've participated in the Run/Walk for Someone Special. SWMBO has participated in it many times in the past. The race has no entry fee, but they ask that you raise money for the JCARC (Jefferson County Association for Retarded Citizens). This year, as in every year since they began 28 years ago, they set a record for the amount of money raised. The money supports the Associations summer camp activities. It was really amazing given the terrible weather for the day, that they were able to set another record, and that so many people came out to support this really great cause.

The highlight of the day, for me, was when they were announcing this years top fund raisers, and the young man that won first place came up on stage. The race director picked him up and as they handed him his trophy, you would have thought it was the Vince Lombardi Trophy. He was proud, and rightfully so. The young man was obviously elementary school age, and the race director explained that the kid had spent months this past winter going door to door for donations. Sometimes $1 at a time, he was able to raise $3,719! Incredible.

Movie Monday

For my Father In Law

Movie Monday

Ninja Warrior

Makoto Nagano is a 34 yr old fisherman. Recently he succeeded to complete the last phase of the Japanese game show: Ninja Warrior. Of more then 500 contestants only 1 other man completed it before he did!

Movie Monday

The weeks go by so fast

Movie Monday

Overkill

Possibly my most favoritist clip from TV evah.

9 Years

I miss you mom...

Movie Monday

Happy Birthday to me...

It's obviously not the happiest happy birthday song, but I'd never heard it before, and I really liked it so it gets the nod.

Running again...

2 miles of pain in the piggy bank!

It was nice to get out, even though it has been too long, and I knew it would not be terribly easy. Beautiful day. Baby steps....baby steps...

Movie Monday

run related posts coming to this blog in near future...maybe.

Movie Monday

Slam Dunk Contest

I can't explain the way this clip makes me feel. I remember this like yesterday. It takes me back to high school, and JV and Varsity basketball, and away games, and actually caring about NBA basketball, and March Madness, Highland schools low rims (still had to jump off a rock to dunk), Sykesville Parks low rims, on and on. I watched the highlights from the all-star weekend slam dunk contest this year...give me a break...putting your arm over you eyes, while you jump from 5 feet out...YOU GOT NOTHING.

Movie Monday

Andy McKee - Drifting

Tri-County Sunday...

all the news that's fit to print? I guess so!

The Courier Express interviewed me last week. I haven't really told anyone, so it will hopefully be a nice morning surprise for family and friends. And, uh-oh, they put a link to here in the article (I gave them permission)! Time to go back through the archives and make sure I didn't incriminate or embarrass myself too badly...ugh, it would take a year to fix that. Oh well. A couple things to set straight, no big deal really, but the website I referred to was marathonguide.com not marathon.com which is some oil company or something. Ha. and I chuckled at the caption saying my name with "ninja" as my nickname, which really isn't the case, but I guess I've never explained the reason for the name of my blog. If you've been here from the beginning, (both of you) then you might remember this post, which inspired the blog name. Anyway, great article Kim! Thanks!

Last three lines of Dire Straits - News:

...Hes too fast to stop
He take it over the top
He make a line in the news

My big brother doesn't have a blog

But he wrote a race report!!!

By: dshtriathlete
During my training for the marathon – I used many motivational quotes to help get me going and keep me going. So, I think it would be appropriate to start my race report with another quote that is fitting. “Things that were hard to bear are sweet to remember”. I know this to be very true – canoeing on the Mississippi with 2-3 foot swells in 40 degree weather during an adventure race for 8 hours was one of the most difficult things I have ever done – but it is one of my favorite memories now looking back on it. And that is how I am going to look at my first marathon experience. It was definitely hard to bear, but because I persevered – it will be sweet to remember.

Leading up to the marathon – I had not run in a couple years – and truthfully – had not run any real distance since playing soccer in college more than 15 years ago. I began running in September and had 18 weeks to prepare for 26.2 miles. On one hand – I know that I may have bitten off more than I could chew – trying to tackle this distance with very little running before this. However – I can’t understand how I can go 20+ hours in an adventure race – but an hour into the marathon I was hurting, but more on that coming up.


I am not going to talk much about the mornings events leading up to the race – other than to say we had to be out of bed very early. We arrived at Epcot at 3:50 am and proceeded towards a series of holding areas before we made it to the final starting corrals. It was still comfortable in the mid 60’s before the start. My brother (Doug, Golfball) and I hung out in the C Corral near the 5:30 pace group. A few minutes before the start – we listened to a nice rendition of the Star Spangled Banner – complete with red rockets and bombs bursting in air. Then Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald took the stage and chattered on for a while before counting down to the start of the race. Fireworks everywhere and we began shuffling forward towards the starting line. It took about 5 minutes to make it to the start line and then we picked up the pace and hung out with the 5:30 pace group. As I had been told is usually the case – the first couple miles were easy and uneventful. The humidity was causing the upper 60’s temperature at the start, to feel warmer than it was and I was starting to struggle. I remember there was a band somewhere around mile 3 or 4 I think – and they were playing Journey – “Don’t Stop Believing” – and while at that point – I still believed – it was still a good song to hear at that point.

To quote another great philosopher, Mike Tyson – “Everyone has a plan – until they get punched in the mouth.” Between miles 5 and 6… I got punched in the mouth. My heart rate was maxed out due to my struggles with the heat. And my legs and feet were having problems MUCH earlier than they usually did on my long training runs. All my plans for how I was going to handle adversity and pain just went out the window. And the thing that bummed me out the most – was that I was not going to be able to run with my brother. I could tell he was having a good day and he looked very strong. It was also about this time that my feet felt like they were on fire. And I was reduced to mostly walking – but I was still running as much as I could push myself to do. Right around this time – I made the first of 2 stops to pee. (TMI?) It was also about that time that I came to a HUGE sign across an overpass with a picture of Hercules that said in large letters – GO THE DISTANCE. Which made me start to think about the song, and how appropriate it was.

Hercules – GO The Distance

I have often dreamed, of a far off place
Where a hero’s welcome, would be waiting for me
Where the crowds will cheer, when they see my face
And a voice keeps saying, this is where I’m meant to be
I’ll be there someday, I can go the distance
I will find my way, if I can be strong
I know ev’ry mile, will be worth my while
When I go the distance, I’ll be right where I belong
Down an unknown road, to embrace my fate
Though that road may wander, it will lead me to you
And a thousand years, would be worth the wait
It might take a lifetime, but somehow I’ll see it through
And I won’t look back, I can go the distance
And I’ll stay on track, no, I won’t accept defeat
It’s an uphill slope, but I won’t lose hope
Till I go the distance, and my journey is complete
But to look beyond the glory is the hardest part
For a hero’s strength is measured by his heart
Like a shooting star, I will go the distance
I will search the world, I will face its’ harms
I don’t care how far, I can go the distance
Till I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in your arms
I will search the world, I will face it’s harms
Till I find my hero’s welcome, waiting in your arms

The next memorable spot along the journey was – Choose Your Groove – run to the left for 70’s music, run to the right for 80’s music. Of course I ran to the right – although sadly – I have no idea what song was playing when I ran through. It was also funny to see the ages of the people who picked each of the grooves. Older folks to the left – young guns to the right!

I was then tantalizingly close to the Magic Kingdom. Once I could see Space Mountain and the Castle – I was able to forget my pain for a few minutes. Going down Main Street with all the cheering crowds was very cool. And then running through the castle was something I had been thinking about for my whole training and it was very cool and memorable – yet somewhat surreal as it was actually happening.

Strangely, one of my favorite memories from the Magic Kingdom was going through Frontier Land and seeing Woody & Pokey, and “Cotton Eyed Joe” was being blasted through the loud speakers. That put a little pep in my step – if only for a couple minutes.

Another cool moment was leaving Magic Kingdom through a back gate and seeing all the floats used in the parade. A lot of the characters were around posing for pictures and they were blasting the song they play during the parade…

Remember the Magic

Your heart could just take wing,
You could live out all your dreams.
No matter how, no matter when,
You can reach that world again.
It's like a dream come true
That lives inside of you.
It's time to remember the magic!
It's time to remember the magic!

Another one of the many favorite moments that I can remember was shortly after leaving Magic Kingdom – out on the roads – there was a long line of soldiers in fatigues standing by the side of the road and high-fiving everyone as they ran / walked by. That helped bring a little perspective to where I was at mentally and physically at that moment of the race.

And that was where my race really went downhill. (or maybe I should say uphill – that would be more fitting) This is where I started to feel the blisters forming on both my little toes, my toenails felt like they were coming off – and my feet felt like they were 200 degrees. It was also around here, where my legs began a chronic state of cramping and tightness.

At one of the aid stations before entering Animal Kingdom – they were completely out of EVERYTHING – no water, no PowerAde, they had nothing – and by this time – it was between 9 and 10 am and the temperature had now climbed to the mid to high 70’s with over 90% humidity. So there were a LOT of pissed off people at that aid station. This is pretty ridiculous and unforgivable – for a race like Disney – they should not let something like that happen. But – all things are about perspective… and I was dealing with bigger problem than no water – so that was actually low on my list of worries. The one thing they DID have was Bio-Freeze and Tylenol – and this was the first of MANY aid stations that I stopped to slather Bio-Freeze on my legs. This was also the 2nd and last of two pee stops. (More TMI?)

I remember right before entering Animal Kingdom – they were pumping Kelly Clarkson – a remix of “Because of You” – over the loud-speakers. That gave me a SLIGHT pep in my every painful step – which at that point meant that I was able to pick my pace up from a crawl to a slow walk. From the back side of Animal Kingdom to the front of Animal Kingdom where we entered the highway (about miles 15 – 18) were the hardest mentally for me. Entering the park around mile 16 – I was, by this time, in what I would call moderate pain. And every step was taking all my will power. This section was where I was in the most danger of throwing in the towel. It was mentally painful to know how much physical pain I was in – and to know that I had to continue pushing in this state (or worse) for another 3 + hours.

So – despite the fact that my mind was pretty much clouded with pain – and focused on just making forward progress and putting one foot in front of the other – here are a couple of the things I remember. At the back of the park – they had animals lined up – and they had a sheep that was waving at everyone. I found that funny and it took my mind out of the present for a brief time. There was also a baby gator, a hawk, and a couple other animals out and people were getting pictures taken with them.

Right after that, I came across a person handing out Twizlers and pretzels. There was a steel drum band and they were playing the Woody Wood-Pecker theme – and that was funny.

It was walking through the park that I hit one of the toughest moments. Right in front of me – as guy who appeared to be really struggling – he just walked off the course and sat down on a bench and laid his head back on the bench. I wanted to do that SO BADLY. I was in a lot of pain – both from my legs and my feet – and the heat was just oppressive – and I really just wanted to stop and be done with this whole thing. But my favorite shirt that I saw that day – kept me going. It said – “Marathon: The triumph of desire over reason.” And that was so true – I wanted to finish very badly – but reason was telling me that I may not make it in under 7 hours – so why go through another couple hours of pain – only to not make it under 7 hours. It was at that point that I decided the only way that I was not crossing the line, was if I got swept of the course at the 20 mile cut off point.

Right after this – I got MY SPONGE. I held my sponge for the rest of the race and it helped me to stay as cool as I could in those temps. As I was sponging myself with water – I walked around the corner and there was Mt. Everest – that is strange when you are in Florida and it is so flat – to walk around the corner and see what appears to be a mountain – it is a bit odd – especially when your mind may not be fully engaged at that point.

Leaving Animal Kingdom – I came across a guy in combat boots carrying what looked to be a VERY heavy pack – and the temperature was well into the 80’s now, and he was really struggling. I felt so bad for him – and it helped me resolve that if he had made it this far – I could make it to the finish. All I was focusing on was making it to mile 20 before 5:38 – which was the cut-off time. As we were making our way out and through the parking lots – there were trams of people coming into the park and they were all stopping and mostly all cheering for us as we went by. That was pretty cool.

I thought that I might get emotional at the finish line – (and I am getting a little ahead of myself to be talking about that, at this point) but by the finish line – the only real emotion that I could feel was relief that it was over. There were a couple times when I would see someone’s shirt, or high fiving the soldiers out on the road, or something else – that really affected me. Probably the one that got me the most was outside Animal Kingdom. I saw two women that were running for Team in Training. And on the back of their shirts – they both had a picture of the same woman – and above it they had written – “In memory of our mom”. So – I started thinking about my mom and that was one of two times during the race that I got tears in my eyes.

Out on the highway – they were handing out Apple Pie power-gels and a volunteer made me laugh because she was saying – “these taste like crap – but they are free”… true!

There was a DJ and dancers out on the highway. Also one of my favorite moments from that section of the race was the motivational speaker. He was telling everyone to claim the finish line. That we had all worked much too hard to give in now – we were so close to the end. I remember him calling out my name as I got close to him - and saying that I was going to start running after he gave me a high-five. Sure enough I was able to get a little shot of adrenaline to get the old inertia going and run – if only for a few hundred yards.

I made the 20 mile marker in just over 5 hours. I had made my goal and would not get swept off the course. Now – I had about 2 hours to go 6.2 miles. On a good day – that should be NO PROBLEM. But today was not a good day and I still felt like I was in big trouble. Looking at my watch – it said that my pace was a 20 minute mile. Doing the math – I knew that I had to pick it up and get myself some padding to make it in under 7 hours. I was able to push with EVERYTHING that I had left and run for a minute at a time (with a good bit of walking in between). I was figuring that if I could just average even a 17 or 18 minute pace – I should JUST make it. I also saw a girl with dry heaves along the side of the road about then, and I thought to myself that at least I was not having that problem as well.

I was at mile 22 and was getting close to MGM – when Kate called me for the first time. I really needed to hear her voice as I was committed to finishing – but I was still really struggling. That was the second time I got tears in my eyes – talking to her and telling her I was in really bad shape. I did not want to disappoint her or let her down – after all the sacrifices she had made with all my training. She told me that my brother had finished and I was SO pumped for him. I could not have been more proud. He was really the reason I was there in the first place and he really pushed me to train and make it to the end. From where he was at 5 years ago – to now finishing a marathon like he did – was just awesome to me and that pushed me on as well!

Many times after that – I was on the phone with Kate, as from time to time she was checking my progress and how I was feeling. That really helped me make it to the finish line. She just kept encouraging me and telling me that I had plenty of time and I could make it. She had enough belief for the both of us – because I was still not sure – even then.

I entered MGM and could see the Tower of Terror - which is by far my favorite ride at Disney. There were a couple guys standing there beside a car – and they had a sign that ready – Ride to the Finish Line for $100. I am really not sure why – but that really pissed me off. I would not have taken the ride at that point if they were offering to pay me $1,000,000…. Well – maybe that is not true… there ARE other races after all. Right after that – they were handing out CHOCOLATE!!! That was a great point for me. I knew that I only had about 2.6 miles to go – and I was eating chocolate!

The one time I really wanted to stop and get my picture taken with a character was in MGM and it was Darth Vader and the Storm troopers. But by this time – I was still pretty worried about the time because I knew that it was going to come down to a couple minutes either way – and I just could not risk stopping to get a picture with them. Oh Well!

Part of the course in MGM takes you into a sort of tunnel through a building – and it felt SO GOOD. It was much cooler in this tunnel and I wanted to just stop and stand there – but that was just not an option. As you come out of the tunnel and turn the corner – all of the sudden - you are on the streets of New York City. That was cool going down the street with all the people cheering for you. A couple twists and turns and I was at the front entrance to the park. Everyone was giving high-fives to the security guards and people entering the park as they ran out and onto the boardwalk.

The boardwalk took me from MGM – past the Dolphin and Swan resorts and back to Epcot. On the boardwalk – I hit my very last aid station and slathered my last handful of Bio-Freeze onto my legs for the finishing stretch. Right after this station was when I saw a “not so trim” guy, dressed in a very tight spandex super-hero outfit from The Incredibles – THAT was pretty disturbing and funny at the same time.

I did not think I would ever get to mile marker 25 – it seemed like the mile that would not end. I was well into Epcot and starting around the world before I FINALLY made it to that marker. I had come 25 miles on my feet and under my own power since 6 am that morning, and around 6 hours and 40 minute later, I was right back where I had started this morning. I only had 1.2 miles left in this journey. After getting punched in the mouth so many times – not only does your plan go out the window – but it is very difficult to hold on to your perspective as well. I was in more pain and misery that I had been in a very long time – if not ever. And as much as I wanted to savor the moments and enjoy the accomplishment – all I could think was how badly I wanted this to be over – and that I had to make it to the finish in less than 7 hours. I had about 20 minutes for that last stretch – so I knew I would probably be able to do it – but I was not counting on anything until I got to that finish line.

For a very long time – I had a picture of mile marker 26 from a previous year’s race, on my computer to remind me of the goal. So – when I finally came around the corner and saw that big 2 and 6 – that was a very good feeling. And then it just got better from there. There was a full gospel choir singing and it was one of the best moments of the whole race. It gave me one last burst of adrenaline and I was able to break into a run. As I came around the corner – and saw the bleachers, the crowd, and the thing I had been waiting HOURS to see – the FINISH LINE. I could see the finish line and the clock and it read 6:59:40. I was already running and broke into a sprint (felt like a sprint – was more like a trot to the line) because I wanted to make it to the line in under 7 hours – so it would not be in my pictures. I knew about half-way there – that I was not going to make it – but I figured that I might as well keep trucking and get this over even faster. I heard the announcer call my name as a marathon finisher and then I heard the beep of my chip being read by the finishing line – recording my time. My chip time was 6 hours and 55 minutes… I had made it and I was a marathoner – no one could ever take it from me. It was not pretty – and not how I hoped it would go. But in the end – that is why so many people use the marathon as a metaphor for life. Perseverance is always rewarded. As my buddy Confucius said – “It does not matter how slowly you go so long as you do not stop.” Hours ago – I did not know if I would make it to the finish – but I did in fact make it. It was a feeling of overwhelming RELIEF. I got my Mylar blanket and had my medal placed around my neck. I called Kate and told her I made it (which of course she knew as she had watched me finish.) I got my picture taken with my brother and then began the long trek to the bus stop. Early that morning we had made a long walk to the starting line – but that was on fresh legs – now I was making the return walk on wasted legs and it was not fun. We made it to the bus and I made it back to the hotel. After a painful ice bath and a very long, hot shower – I actually felt semi-human.

I would summarize my first marathon experience by paraphrasing Fort Minor’s “Remember the Name”:

It was 1% Luck

4% Skill

50% Concentrated Power of Will

5% Pleasure

40% Pain

And 100% Reason to remember that day.

Movie Monday

It's old, but one of my all time favorites

Guilty?

Not really

I haven't run since the marathon. Run time starts this week, bad weather or not.

Race Schedule <----

Planning 2007

I'm definitely doing another marathon this year. Not sure which one yet. Erie is on the schedule for now, but I reserve the right to change my mind until I register, which will probably be sooner than later. I want to do more 5Ks this year...just because they are fun.

Well, it's fun to think about anyway. For now, I'm going to run just for fun.

Movie Monday

I missed a week and it's Thursday...sue me.

Pause at 54 seconds and enjoy that awesome running form (Grey shirt, red shorts). Congratulations Elizabeth!

(How crazy is it that I found this on YouTube?)

Race Report

My 1st Marathon

Where do I start? 2:45am? Ok. Yes, that's right 2:45am. In the morning. THE. MORNING.

2:45am
dshtriathlete (my brother) and I got up and started the preparations. Body Glide goes anywhere you think skin might rub something, anything. Again, yes, everywhere. The one spot I missed: between my toes. Apologies if this is too much information, but most people who have talked to me about running in the past few months already knows more than that about what I do to prepare for running a long distance. Duck Tape goes on the nipples, yes, the nipples. You would think that would hurt when the time comes to take it off, but it actually isn't that bad, and the pain of ripping duck tape off of your nipples is far less than the pain of them bleeding all over because they rubbed against your shirt for 10+ miles of running. Just trust me.

3:20am
Brother and I are in the lobby of the hotel waiting for his friends who will be splitting a cab with us to Epcot. Brother realizes that he has forgotten all of his Clif Bars in the room so he heads back up to get them.

3:30am
Brothers friends show up, I introduce myself, and we wait for cab and Holmes (my brother) to arrive, which they do. My brother's friends were really great, and really funny which helped ease any tension or anxiety I was feeling. I actually wasn't real nervous, just ready to get my run on, and see how the day would go for me.

4:00am
Cabby pulls into the Epcot drop off area, and informs us that the 5-6 mile ride he just gave us is going to cost $30.00. Unbelievable.

4:00am - 5:50am
This was actually not as painful as it sounded when I first learned that we were to show up to the race 2 hours before the start. as we walked in to The race setup area, we were lucky to arrive at a long line of butt huts that were not terribly busy. We all decided to go ahead and give it a "go", I guess because it is better now than later. We arrived in the first "holding area" which was an area where family and non-runners could hang out for a little while before we were herded into holding area #2. Again, long lines of butt huts, but these ones had just as long of lines of runners waiting outside of them. We took a seat on the ground and chatted and relaxed, stretched, people watched. It was nice, and Disney had a live band playing all the while, some real good, pump you up, get you ready to go music. Eventually we all get herded into the 2nd holding area, again butt huts as far as the eye can see, and lines waiting. We all decided to get in line even though no one really needed to, simply because the lines were so long, you had to figure by the time you got to the front, you'd be glad you did. And that worked out well. Finally we begin a .6 mile walk to the starting corrals. Where as you might have guessed, there were more butt huts. Again I got in line (because I really had to go this time). Aren't you glad you've read this far? Off to the corral. Holmes and I are in corral C, which I don't understand and can't explain how they chose what corral to put us in, other than based on our predicted times, they didn't want us getting trampled, so they put us near the back. Here we met our Clif Bar pace leader Sharon and the other runners who would be attempting a 5:30 marathon. Sharon explained her strategies, and tried to loosen us up a bit by doing some cadence calls and other silly things, which was kind of funny but I think me and Holmes both were feeling a bit more serious than that at the time.



5:50 - 6:00am
Mickey, Minnie, Goofy and Donald arrive to the cheers and adulation of the crowd Someone sang a really nice rendition of the Star Spangled Banner which included rockets red glare and bombs bursting in the air fireworks. A short time later, fireworks go off all around us and the race has begun. The temperature at the start of the race was a very very muggy 54 degrees.



6:07 - 7:10am Miles 1 Through 5
Miles 1 through 5 are run mostly through Epcot and the parking lots and roads around the park. Click Here for a map of the course. Not a whole lot of exciting things going on as it is still dark and some pretty crowded running for the most part. The crowd support along the highway was really good. Running through the park was neat, and there were very few staff in there at this point. Our pace leader had us taking a 1 minute walk break every half mile, which made those miles pretty easy. At one point we were running up an upgrade and the pace leader was chanting something about how hills suck, to which I replied "These are not hills" (more to myself than anyone else). I've seen hills and they are not in Florida.

7:10 - 8:12am Miles 5 through 10
This is where things start getting interesting for me. Miles 5 - 10 are entirely highway and some of Magic Kingdom's parking lots, also the roads around the Contemporary Resort. Somewhere around mile 5 I made some decisions. I had been trying to run with my brother, but it was proving difficult as most areas were crowded, and we kept getting separated. I would look around for him and couldn't find him, and then every so often we would meet back up. We had sort of made a promise to each other, that as much as we would like to run with each other, if it didn't work out that way, it just didn't work out that way. Everyone has to run their own race (More on this later). Anyway, I made a decision. I decided to go. I felt good and thought that I could run a slightly faster pace than what were doing at the time, so I took off. Was it a mistake? Possibly, but that is part of what it is all about. It's as much a mental game as it is physical. I felt like taking the chance. Might I have finished better if I hadn't taken off? Maybe, maybe not. I had noticed while running with the pace group that the road was much clearer and more room to run just in front of the group, so that was where it started. I also made a decision to stop taking the half mile walk breaks, and just run run run ninja run. My very favorite part of the marathon came right around mile 9. Approaching one of the parking lots I could hear Journey - Don't Stop Believing and something else playing. Disney had set up loud speakers in the middle of the parking lot with signs at the beginning that said "Choose Your Groove - 80's to the right, 70's to the left". 2 sets of speakers playing different songs were aimed away from each other in the middle, so depending on which route you took, you could choose which "groove" you would run to. Obviously I choose the right path and was grooving to Journey through that section.

Photo is from Mile 6 where runners are crossing over an overpass while others are running underneath.

8:12 - 8:52am Half Way
Around Mile 10 I entered into Magic Kingdom through a side entrance and was really blown away by the amount of people cheering along the course, it really made for a fun time and it really does help when your name is printed on your bib and people are actually calling out your name and encouraging you. This portion also included a run right through the castle (photo courtesy of my brother). This was probably my second favorite part of the race (next to the last mile and finishing), because the crowds were really good especially once you got out of the park and started down past the Grand Floridian and Polynesian Resorts. By this point the sun was well out and around mile 13 was right in my face. I had sunglasses with me but had been wearing them on top of my head, and at this point they were pretty grunged up with sweat, and I didn't have a dry spot on my shirt to even try to clean them up. I considered asking one of the spectators to clean them for me, but felt that would have been rude to say "Hey, do mind wiping some of this nasty on your shirt for me, thanks!"



8:52 - 10:09am Miles 13.1 Through 20
Luckily around mile 13.5 there was a turn onto another road and a first aid tent. I ran in yelling that I could not see through my glasses, mostly because I wanted to make sure they knew I wasn't having problems and was not an emergency. Someone grabbed some paper towels and handed them to me and I was off again. That turned out to be the only time in the whole race that I actually stopped forward progress. This was also the first food table, if I remember correctly, and I was ready for anything. I grabbed an orange and half a banana. Never one to turn down food. Shortly after that food and water stop I came up on Disney's sewage treatment facility. I had read about this, so it wasn't a surprise, but it was kind of gross for a short while, having to smell that place. Struck up a quick conversation with a couple running together from Filthadelphia there. She was running her first marathon also and doing great. He was very proud of her and rightfully so. We talked for a bit about Coach Cowher retiring and then separated. Running through Animal Kingdom was funny. Most of the people there were not there to cheer us on but were there to see the park, and it was obvious on some of their faces that the 1,000's of people running through the park was a major inconvenience to them. Someone yelled "Go Runners!" and the girl next to me said to me, "Wow, now we know how the animals feel! We have names!". Out at the entrance to Animal Kingdom, the staff was holding back the crowds from walking to the front gate and crossing over the marathon path, again I heard someone saying "I wish they would warn us when they are going to do things like this!". I giggled and kept running. I had read that many people would not have a clue what was going on right in front of them. Mile 18 through 20 was grueling. All on the Osceola Parkway and blazing sun. I was walking at one point when I guy walked next to me and said "how are you doing? How is your energy?" I told him I felt good but I simply had no energy left. He pulled a pack of sports beans out of his pocket and handed them to me and said to go ahead and take them, he wouldn't use them. They were basically super sugary jelly beans. Once again, I had read about things like this, where runners are just helping each other make it through around this point. It was tough, but it was about to get tougher.

10:09 - 11:43am Miles 20 Through Finish Line (26.2)
This is the parts of the marathon where things get blurry and I can not remember many details. Up to this point I was having a good day. I had some aches, but I had not felt pain....yet. Around mile 21 I happily accepted a couple of Tylenol from a volunteer at an aid station. I didn't have any water to take them with, like I normally require, but at this point I didn't care. I swallowed them easily. Mile 21 also brought a feeling that I had never felt before but had heard about: my quads started locking up on me. It was really a crazy sensation, my legs wanted to buckle and my mind was screaming to stop and work it out. I knew if I stopped, that would probably be the end for me so I walked through it. Surprisingly, it only took about 5 minutes to work the problem out and I could resume running.

The Tower of Terror - Are the screams coming from there or the marathon course?

At mile 22 the 5:30 pace group caught me. I wasn't disappointed by that, it actually encouraged me to pick up the pace some, and I was able to run with them the entire way through MGM Studios which got me almost to mile 24. Only 2.2 miles to go. I let the pace group slip away. I knew I would be close to my goal time of 5:30, but I was going to be over. I had no problems at all with that. The last 2 miles involved a lot of walking and a lot of conversations with others who were walking also. I talked to a guy from Seattle, who offered a lot of encouragement, and told me that I would be very close to my goal time (I had it written on my back). The crowds were pretty good through the resorts even though there was not a whole lot of viewing areas (that I remember anyway - very fuzzy). I remember seeing a couple sitting on a sandy beach along the course and I remember wanting badly to sit in their beach chair. Fun times I tell ya. Speaking of writing on my back here is a photo of my message to all the other runners that I had written on my back bib. I received a lot of nice pats on the back and people saying "Thank you - I'm remembering".



One of the things that really carried me through this race was the amazing amount of people that had amazing reasons to be running. Many people had pictures of loved ones pinned to their backs that they were running in honor of, or raising money for charities for. So many pictures nearly move you to tears. SO many people out there running that one might look at and say they would never expect them to be out there. But so many of these people have the best reasons in the world to be going through this crazy test of physical, emotional and mental endurance. I have said to my wife all along that this first run will be for myself, and the rest will all be for charity (More on this later). I'd like to say thank you to all the people that were out there running with their reasons pinned on their backs, you helped pull me through to the end.



There were so many distractions along the course, that I forget most of them. The one I will never forget is the last one: A huge Gospel Choir right at mile 26. They were singing Everyday by Hillsong United:

What to say, Lord? It's
You who gave me life and I
Can't explain just how
Much You mean to me now
That You have saved me, Lord
I give all that I am to You
That everyday I can
Be a light that shines Your name

Everyday, Lord, I'll
Learn to stand upon Your word
And I pray that I
That I might come to know You more
That You would guide me with every single step I take, that
Everyday I can
Be Your light unto the world

Everyday, it's You I live for
Everyday, I'll follow after You
Everyday, I'll walk with You, my Lord

Everyday, Lord, I'll
Learn to stand upon Your word
And I pray that I
That I might come to know You more
That You would guide me with every single step I take, that
Everyday I can
Be Your light unto the world

Everyday, it's You I live for
Everyday, I'll follow after You
Everyday, I'll walk with You, my Lord

It's You I live for, everyday
It's You I live for, everyday
It's You I live for, everyday
It's You I live for, everyday

Everyday, it's You I live for
Everyday, I'll follow after You
Everyday, I'll walk with You, my Lord

Everyday, it's You I live for
Everyday, I'll follow after You
Everyday, I'll walk with You, my Lord

Again, I had read about this and wasn't surprised to see them, but I was really surprised at the flood of emotion that they caused and how happy I was to see them. 300+ yards to go, and the madness is over. Official Time: 5:34:28. after crossing the finish line I had my medal placed around my neck, got a mylar blanket and some guy handed me a banana, an orange, a blueberry muffin and a Clif Bar. I already had water in my hand. I would have looked like a greedy somebody trying to carry all that stuff and keep my blanket from blowing away if everyone else wasn't doing the same thing. I ate just about everything as quick as I could because I wanted to get through the tents and find SWMBO and the kiddos. Got a quick picture taken and as I went though the bag pick up tent and out the other side. SWMBO was waiting there and gave me a great big hug and told me how proud she was. You know someone loves you when they have no problem at all hugging you when you are completely drenched in nasty sweat. We went and found my MIL and the kiddos, and got hugs from all of them also.

Look at the ears on that Mickey Mouse!

A long way back in this post I was talking about my brother and said I'd have more to say about him. Back in February and March of 2006 I talked my older brother into trying this with me. He agreed and signed up less than a week after I did. He has done more for me over the last 9-10 months than even he knows. He has been supporting me and training with me and I'm very thankful for everything. At mile 5 when I decided to go ahead, I was worried about him. I had a feeling he was having a rough day, because he had mentioned the heat was bothering him a little before that. I had no idea where he was, and when I got to my wife after the finish line, she informed me that he was around an hour behind me, had blisters and having a very rough time. I was really surprised. Doing the math as quickly as I could I was really worried that he was not going to make the 7 hour cutoff. He made it with 5 minutes to spare. It might be hard or harder for someone who hasn't run a marathon to understand, but there comes a point when time just does not matter. I am so proud of him for fighting and battling through the problems he had to make it across that finish line. I don't know that I could have done what he did, had I experienced the problems he experienced. Thank you Holmes for everything you did. I might not have even done this if I didn't know you were there keeping me accountable.