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Entries from June 1, 2011 - June 30, 2011

Wednesday
Jun152011

Running the Rock-n-Roll 5K Race this Sunday

I am really pumped for my next race in Chicago -- the Rock-n-Roll 5K Tune-up! Everyone who runs has likely heard about the Rock-n-Roll Marathon series that occurs all over the country (they are hosting a half marathon in Chicago this August). They are now scheduling shorter, 5K races. So I knew I had to compete. The race is near the Lake Michigan shoreline and will have live entertainment at the Finish Party.

The race is chip-timed so I will get another official time to add to my newborn running career/passion. And you get a 'unique finisher medal' -- I hope it is a cool one! You also get a pair of cool flip flops and a t-shirt. Not sure what I am going to do with flip flops since I don't wear them -- maybe I can use them as shower shoes on my mission trip in August.

So let's pray that the weatherman is wrong and that it does not rain during the race (which starts at 8AM on that Sunday). I would prefer not to run in the rain or on wet, potentially slippery surfaces. Even with the rain, they are predicting temps in the low 80s. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!

I feel pretty solid about this race. I am shooting for a new PR. And who knows? Maybe I will get an Age Group medal (not betting on it but ya never know...)

Tuesday
Jun142011

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!