Last Day for Recovery...

So, today marks the end of marathon training/recovery, and honestly its easy to tuck that phase away in the bottom drawer and forget about it. Not to be redundant, but strictly running isn't my dealeo yo...





The digital camera took a dump last week so the camera phone will help illustrate my thoughts, mainly because my creative writing skills are that of that 3rd grader. Sometimes it amazes me how I managed to make it through college.








Typically work is slow this time of year so I've come up with a training plan based on my studies, (mostly during my down time at the office). My goal is a 5:30hr half Ironman on March 30 in Galveston .

So today will be my final day of Diet Coke, oh my beloved Diet Coke! We have been friends for many years "it's not you.... it's me" Diet Coke has been there for me when I was in need the most. It comforted me when I was feeling insecure, it stimulated my mind when I couldn't focus, and now I'm a slave to it!!!! Well not any more! I'm stronger than the pretty silver can of goodness! And like a garage door, I'm closing this chapter of my life!!!!
Next topic of discussion and also the main purpose for dropping Diet Coke, My Weight. If you'll notice below I'm the big goofy guy in the white shirt with a red hat. I have gained a few pounds over the last few month even while training for the marathon. Is it the love of food or the feeling of a full belly that I cant resist, maybe both.

So over the course of the next 10 weeks I'll make an effort to note what I put in my mouth so as to drop the lbs. I haven't seen 210 on the scale in at least 10 years, so that will be my goal. As most achievements deserve an award I will treat myself to a Diet Coke when that day comes.

Even though my focus will be on speed and increasing my VO2 max I'm sure my kiddo will be getting a few more trips in his g-ride, foshizzle.... Really, I got this jogging stroller for $5.00.... That's it 5 bucks on ebay, no shipping, what a deal. Not to mention the kid loves it but Nicole seems to think he should be wearing a helmet, so I do the "yes, dear" and leave asap, then I just say "oops I forgot" when she catches me later.


This picture has no bearing on anything, I just like the pictures of sleeping kids in car seats. What a life huh...

So if you've made it this far may God bless you for wading through the muck of my blog. This is not one of my best efforts as it is Friday so I'll be starting my weekend in less than an hour. Not that my mind was ever really in the right place its definitely somewhere else right now. I'll start my 1st day of training with a 6 mile run and 3200 yards in the pool while The Crystal Method bangs in my ears (Its the name of the game) and I mumble out of breath... Pace Less, Hammer More....


Have a good weekend....

"It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and then don't say it."-Sam Levenson

Houston Marathon

Oh the pain!!! My 1st marathon finish 4:12:59. Really I was shooting for sub 4 hours, but whats 13 min. really?? I'm not really a runner although the more I do it and the less painful it gets I enjoy it more and more. Could it be the solitude? Could it be the soreness in the legs after a good run? Could it be that I burn more calories running thus justifying a big meal? It could be all the above... The more enjoyable it becomes the more I find myself zoning out while running, and this is a good thing.

Here's my quick race review. I started the race feeling good, it was a bit cold but not miserable. The first 10k went fast (53:24), Chris my training partner helped me along as he is by far a much better runner than yours truly. Now the sun is out, were warm, sweating a little, the trash bags are off, enjoying the scenery. Chris carried me up to the half way point (1:53:49), when he so politely bid me adieu, gave me the obligatory high five, chunked the deuce, and said "I'll be waiting for you at the finish, gangsta!" This is where my ability started to fade, I was able to hang with him a few more miles, but my heart rate was getting a bit high so I backed off. At the 30k I clocked a 2:48:55. My hips and quads were screaming "stop running you fat phuck" so I did a few times, but then I would have the hardest time getting loose again, and I use the term "loose" lightly. Loose at that point was basically anything over a 2' stride. OK blah blah blah mile 20 was the wall, that damn bastard wall... I was enjoying the cheering sections although I had my volume turned up to max as I couldn't stand to hear "almost" from anyone else. The people-watching was however, my saving grace as there were lots of beautiful people on the sidelines. The last 1.5 to 2 miles I was able to pick up the pace and finish strong, 4:12:59.. Good enough for my lazy natured body. As I finished and was getting weighed Chris approached me with a Banana (in a very NON-Gay kinda way) as he had finished only 15 min or so before me and decided to wait on a brotha...

OK enough of that... Did anyone see the Middle Eastern Dance Club or whatever they called themselves??? They were on Woodway right before 610... Holy Crap!!! Being someone well anointed with the Arab culture, I was embarrassed for these people. I'm not typically a rude guy in person or in the blog world, but WTF!!! Honestly, they looked like a band of miscreants in their little belly outfits and those creepy looking guys that were beating the drums should be investigated for child pornography... OK sorry, I don't mean to hate, but I really find it difficult to congratulate. I can appreciate the support, but it would be like me and my redneck buddies starting a club to celebrate Indonesian Cultural Heritage. OK sorry that's my spare change...

Pace Less Hammer More...

Batman: "That's life, Robin, full of ups and downs. It ill befits any of us to become to confident."