And the Training Continues....

and I'm lovin' every minute of it. Waking up at 6:00 am on Saturday has become a refreshing routine. I definitely look forward to running in the morning. For whatever reason, it's not as fun at night. I joined a small group for a mentor led run in Heather Farms in Walnut Creek. I did a strong 8 miles this morning and kept pace with Bryan, who like myself, was a self-admitted coach potato before TNT. I can certainly relate to his experience.

Today I tried my new handy dandy fuel belt!

Miles completed today: 8 miles
Total Miles since Kick-off: 113 miles

I had been using a hand-held gripped bottle, but I found it annoying carrying an empty bottle near the end of my race in SF. In addition, because I had filled it with electrolytes, I wasn't able to carry water which I so desperately needed between water stops to take my GU energy gel. With the fuel belt, I can store electrolytes as well as much needed H20. Coolest looking belt, i've owned to date.

Feeling "Normal" Again

I felt sore on Monday. My legs and the sides of my body were aching, but it was a healthy ache. Something that I knew would heal fine with time. By Tuesday, it did not ache as much and I felt pretty good yesterday. I finally feel "normal" today, but did not want to take any chance of reaggrevations and skipped tonight's track run. I'm definitely ready to go Saturday at Heather Farms in Walnut Creek for the mentor led run.

This whole week at work, i've been recounting the half marathon in my mind over and over again. I just can't believe what I set my mind for originally in the beginning is over and I accomplished it (for the most part) without any big hitches. To be honest, I was anticipating something bad to happen. I only trained up to 8 miles and had various aggrevations throughout training. Now that the half marathon is over, it feels like anything is attainable. I'm pumped!

Race Day!

I woke up around 4:00 am, after sleeping for about 6 hours (waking up every 2 hours). I applied some body glide (which my nipples would thank me later!) and kool 'n fit on my legs. Before I left the house, I drank two cups of water and stuffed my face with a bagel and banana. My father was kind enough to drive me into the City after I contemplated the past week whether of just getting a hotel in SF or driving myself to SBC Park.

I got to Union Square around 5:45 am and there was our EAST BAY team at the corner of Stockton and Geary. Coach Al delivered a motiviational speech and reminded us that we are doing this for ourselves and the honorees. One special honoree is Cole Regan. Cole was 7 weeks old when he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. He went through 10 rounds of chemo before 2 years-old. Unfortunately, Cole never saw his 2nd birthday. Saturday was to be Cole's 3rd Birthday and I thought it was AWESOME that Coach Al led us singing "Happy Birthday" in the middle of Union Square at 6:00 am! (Cole's mom, Brandy is on our East Bay Fall Run Team and i'm so proud to hear she finished the half-marathon!) Coach Al finished it off with our "GO TEAM!, EAST BAY ROCKS!, NO WIMPS!, TEAM EXCELLENT!" chant. Everyone was pumped!

Tracy, Mandy, and I decided to start together since we were around the same pace. We went through the first mile, which was part of the financial district, in pretty good time. We then made our way to the Embarcadero and Fisherman's Wharf. I felt great until I hit the Marina (mile 4-5?). I felt a side cramp coming and by that time, I slowed down and said goodbye to Tracy and Mandy. I tried to run/walk it off and then came across a first aid stop and asked the guy, "what can I do to get rid of this side cramp?". He said to take some gatorade. I had gatorade of my own, but I took a cup of they had at the stop and a little later, I felt okay again. Claudia later spotted me and I tried to hang at her pace.

During my time on the course, it was nice to see some familiar faces, namely Coach Al, Mama Lisa, Coach Gary, Melissa, Sharon, Tabitha, and Chris. I lost Claudia after my right calf tightened up around mile 8-9. It just severely tightented up and my run came to a screeching halt. I had to go at an even slower pace because running harder would have pissed it off some more. Right around mile 10 the other calf tightened up. Yeah, that wasn't good news. I tried stretching it, but it didn't work. I took it really nice and easy for the last 3.1 miles. The cheer sections and thinking about the honorees really got me through it. I felt pretty much drained coming down from the cliff house. Coming down that hill, did a number on my knees. Going down a hill hurts more than going up one. Even with two shot legs, I sprinted once I saw the finish line. I could barely walk immediately afterwards. I took one wrong step and my right calf tightened up so hard that I can't even remember it ever clinching so tight and so long. It was all worth it because the Nike Women's Marathon event alone raised 14 million dollars for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Unforuntately my family missed me coming across the finish line by about a few minutes, but I appreciate them coming out and supporting me through everything.

All in all, this half marathon was a great learning experience and I have better grasp of how Arizona will be. Oh yeah, in case you haven't heard, i've decided to take the leap and do a full marathon in Arizona on January 15, 2006 for the PF Chang's Rock and Roll Marathon! WOO-HOO! I once again am asking for donations.

At Saturday's Pasta Party, an Honoree spoke of her own struggle and said something I would never forget. We are fortunate to be healthy and it's so important for those who are strong to be able to help those who are weak.

Do I look cold? Cuz I am! Where is my foil wrap?

I DID THE DAMN THING!

More Details to Come! Thanks for everyone's support!

Miles completed today: 13 miles
Total Miles since Kick-off: 105 miles

Race Weekend is Here!

Took BART into the city and headed to Niketown to pick up my bib and timing chip. I was surprised to see a big contingent of out-of-town TNT'ers already in SF. You can't miss them with the purple and green....hehe. I decided to pick up the stuff today because I figured there would be a lot more people on Saturday, but I still had to wait in line. While waiting in line, I bumped into Monica and she helped answer a few logistic questions I had regarding my training. I'll explain more after Sunday's race.

Yeah, so it looks like a lot of out of town TNT'ers are here and I can't imagine what it will look like on Sunday with so much purple. I guess it won't be that hard to spot me since i'm of the 7% male participants on the course. I'm one step closer to doing the damn thing and one step closer in changing lives! Meanwhile it's time to load up on CARBS!!

Getting Closer

I'm still uncertain about the condition of my leg. Having or had aggrevations definitely plays mind tricks. My body seems okay and ready to go. I ran around the neighborhood for 30 minutes yesterday. I didn't want to push it too hard, but I wanted to get a run in before race day. I felt pretty good afterwards. My confidence has definitely shot up.

I know i'm suppose to keep upbeat, but it's been hard since hearing about the untimely death of A's legendary radio announcer Bill King. In a world where things always change, Bill was the one thing constant. You could turn on the radio and for 3 hours of the day, he could make you forget about life's problems as you were able to enjoy a beautifully called game. For 25 years, he was the heart and soul of the Oakland Athletics. It won't be the same without him.

Miles completed today: 2 miles
Total Miles since Kick-off: 92 miles

ONE WEEK LEFT!

Can you believe it? It's almost time. Just getting the final package and information about race weekend has made it seem too real. This being the first time, has made the unexpected frightening yet exciting.

We had an easy run yesterday and after a week of no running, I did 3.5-4 miles and I think my right leg felt okay. The reason why I said "think" is because i'm pretty sure I was physically okay, but mentally I don't think I was fully there. Thoughts of reaggrevating it again during the run, just kept going over and over in my mind. A little hint of pain, freaked me out. Well it was actually side cramps that bugged me yesterday. I didn't drink enough water and I knew it.

It wasn't too long ago, where I was just sitting on my ass not even phathoming running 1 mile. My stamina was shot and I couldn't run more than a couple blocks without breathing heavily at the end. I'm just in disbelief how far i've come in the past few months. This Sunday's run will certainly be the icing on the cake on what has been an amazing experience. I don't know how great Sunday will be, but i'm pretty sure it can't beat the journey to my event. All the amazing coaches, captains, mentors, teammates, and honorees that have gotten me to this point of my training is what it's all about. It's an experience like any other. Of course, I can't forget all the supporters who have financially and spiritually movitived me. To everyone who keeps me going: thank you!

I'm not gonna let running go. I've worked too hard to just toss it aside and just chalk it up to another thing i've done in my life. I enjoy running and want to constantly improve. Maybe it's too premature right now, but I eventually want to be that 70 year old man that I barely edged at the 10K race.

Miles completed today: 4 miles
Total Miles since Kick-off: 90 miles

No Runs This Week

I'm officially on the DL (disabled list). Coaches have allowed me to continue cross training, but no hard-pounding running outside. I should be cleared and good to go this Saturday for the final coaches run before the event on Oct. 23. Meanwhile, i've been popping MSM/Glucosamine/Chondrotin pills to strengthen my achy joint.

It's frustrating just sitting here not being able to run. I've been reassured that I will not lose conditioning nor lose my endurance as I sit out the week. I just rather be out there, than be in here.

Aggrevation

To have the mindset to run 10 miles and fail short by 2 miles is frustrating. That's what happened to me today. Aggrevation behind my knee (the only that's been hanging around after Lake Chabot) began settling in at the 5 mile water stop. The back of my right knee was in so much aggrevation that it could not move. I tried slowly jogging and I finally got myself going again. I could still feel the nuisance and my pace definitely slowed down. I just took nice and easy, hoping to just finish the 10 miles. By the 8th mile water stop, i tried jump starting again, but my right leg was out. Not to mention I was running with a blister on my left foot for most of the run. Coach Gary said to just sit and get a ride back because he didn't want it to get worse. Coach Al stopped by a little later and pretty much said the same thing. He sprayed some coolant and my right leg felt better. They both insisted I still get a ride back though. I really wanted to finish even if I had to walk back. That's what I did, walked back. Coach Al said I should give a week of no running, but still cross train.

I'm pretty frustrated because the run is in 2 weeks and next week we will be dropping in miles. I also know that today's run was just a run and not my race. It's better I rest and be prepared for the race in SF. Time heals all wounds, right?

Miles completed today: 8 miles
Total Miles since Kick-off: 94 miles

Buddy Run Tuesday

With a week off from work, I was able to explore other buddy run locations in the East Bay, which I normally would not have been able to do because of my far commute. I ventured off to Fremont and joined the gang there for this evening's buddy run. We ran around Lake Elizabeth twice which was a total of about 4 miles. The path there was definitely kinder to my feet/legs. The only thing was the concrete was pretty hard and if I had gone another lap, it might have re-aggrevated my injuries. I'm very cautious of injuries and it bugs me that it creeps up in my head. This Thursday's evening track work out has been canceled because of the "Cause for Celebration" event in SF. I probably will go check it out. This Saturday the half-marathoners will be shooting for 10 miles in Alameda. That will be the longest distance we will take on before the event on October 23.

I wanna send well wishes to Rocky and Claudia this weekend in Chicago! Have a great run guys!

Miles completed today: 4 miles
Total Miles since Kick-off: 86 miles

I Gotta Get Through This!

I've been lagging with updates. I ran a mentor led run on Saturday at Alameda Creek in Fremont. It's a very nice endless flat trail. My goal was to do 6 miles. I did it, but my right hammy was not feeling all that great near the 4-5 mile mark. It was definitely the after effects of the previous Saturday run at Lake Chabot, compounded with Tuesday's buddy run. I should have skipped last Tuesday's run to completely recover. Right now, it feels fine. I should be okay to go tomorrow, but I probably won't push myself too hard. With only 3 weeks left, I really want to try to get as much training in as possible. I can't afford any more setbacks this late in the game. Meanwhile, i've been working the weights and strengthening the muscles.

Thanks to all who have donated! With your help, i've surpassed my fundraising goal. =)

Those who still want to donate, can still do so up to this Friday, October 7, 2005. Thanks!

Miles completed today: 6 miles
Total Miles since Kick-off: 82 miles