Runs, Weight Loss... and Disney here I come!

Last weekend I had a church mission trip overnight Friday through Saturday late afternoon. So I could not get in my usual Saturday morning long run. So, I ended up going to LifeTime afterwards and getting a quick 2.5 miles in on the Treadmill before meeting up with my son to have some father/son time.

Then on Sunday, we had fantastic morning weather for a change! So I was able to run 3.8 miles (3 miles at a 12:04 pace) and felt really strong! I could have run more but I had to go to weigh in at Weigh Watchers and needed to get home and shower! The coolest thing on my run was passing two deer on the side of the run path. They just looked up at me as I ran by but they didn't get spooked or anything! I wish I had brought my camera! I guess they figured "He's not wearing an orange vest and he's not armed. No problem!" How cool is that?!!

I returned home, showered, changed, and went to Weight Watchers. I weighed in and WOW! I lost 5.8 lbs since last weekend! I was SO excited! I had weighed myself before and after my run and the difference was only 1/2lb so I knew that those 5lbs were real! That just made my day!!! I am now officially passed the 90 lb total loss milestone! I am going to break 100 lbs lost by August for sure!

Disney here I come!

So I have been texting with my 'running muse' Beth the past week about tips and what events we are doing, and she was talking about her upcoming Disneyland race this fall. Now Beth ran in the Disney World Half Marathon this past January and said it was an awesome experience. So she is running in another 'Run Disney' event. It got me thinking... I love Disney, and I would love to run a race there. Do I think I can meet the challenge? I have three races already scheduled between now and October -- would I be able to train and prepare for a half marathon (my first one)?

Well, after talking with several other runner buddies, my trainer, my daughter, and my wife, I have decided to GO FOR IT! I registered tonight for both the Disney World Family Fun 5K (January 6) and the Disney World Half Marathon (January 7) next year! We will make it a family post-Christmas vacation -- it has been over five years since we were at Walt Disney World so it is about time, right?

I am totally psyched for this event!! My daughter is going to run the 5K with me and I hope to get the other two kids to join me as well. Then I will do the Half Marathon. This will mark a significant milestone in my running journey and a personal achievement that I would not even have dreamed of attempting six months ago.

I will be asking for prayers as I prepare for this. I am confident (well, mostly) that I can do this and I have great people who will support and advise me along the way. I will succeed!

Running with Friends = Awesome!

Today was the first major run since the race last Sunday. I really wanted to rest and let the body recover so I just worked on cardio and some strength training this week. Did a lot of walking -- 12 miles in fact. So today was the day to get back in the saddle.

First stop: Weight Watchers meeting. I couldn't resist but to wear the WW race tech shirt that I got. I got there and weighed in.... DOWN 3.8lbs! W00t! I was really happy! That put me over the 85lbs lost milestone! So during the meeting, there were 3 other people who walked the race; I was the only one who ran it. So it was cool that they gave us a nice 5K trinket to mark the accomplishment. After the meeting, I chatted with a couple of the guys about exercising and progress and such. It was the first time since joining this WW meeting group that I felt a part of the group (I have only joined this particular meeting group about three weeks ago).

After the meeting, it was time for my long run. Thankfully, my friend Mark agreed to run with me (and I mean, 'run'). So I walked to our meeting corner, so I could warm up, and we started our run. Mark is a good runner and I appreciated that he let me set the pace (which is much slower than his usual). He wanted me to try to run the entire distance -- we planned for 4 miles -- without a walk break if possible. I told him that I hadn't even attempted a constant 'run' that long before but I would give it a shot.

The first 7 minutes were at a faster speed than I was used to -- 10:37 -- so I had to take a 1.5 minute walk break. Then I adjusted my speed to something a little more sustainable -- 12:35 -- and we ran at that average rate for 3 miles! I couldn't believe it! I actually ran consistently for 38 minutes without a walk break! Then we slowed it down a bit and took on a nice hill around the last 1/2 mile or so.

Mark was great. We talked strategy and tips, how to approach dealing with hills, and how to stay on pace. He shared some of his run history, which was fascinating. Of course, this was pretty easy for him so he could talk freely. Me, I was concentrating on breathing and not talking nearly as much. But it was all good! When we finished, he was up to running with me more so I am definitely going to take him up on that. I know he will challenge me, in a safe way.

Got home, did some stretching, took a shower, and had some breakfast. What a great way to start the weekend!

Oh yeah, yesterday I stopped by the Pearl iZumi Factory Store on my way home from the office, hoping I could find a few more shirts and shorts to wear. I was worried it would cost me a fortune. So I get there, and the place is awesome! The guy there, Tyler, showed me a bunch of stuff and then we went to the clearance/sale racks. They had TONS of stuff there that he had just shown me -- but here they were all 50% or more off! So I got nice Infinity Tech Shirts for like $15 each! I ended up getting three shirts, two pairs of running shorts, and a good running hat at a great price! FTW!