Sunday, January 30, 2011
Chevron Houston Marathon: Quick Summary
One word describes everything today, BRUTAL. I'll type up a full race report and explain later.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Countdown has Started
Well, we are a little over 3-1/2 days away from the start of the marathon. I'm feeling pretty excited. It's been one of the few things I've been able to focus on all week. I'm also feeling kind of nervous, but I've decided there isn't anything I can do about it now so I'll just take whatever happens.
I can't believe how far I have come in the past since months. I'll be happy with the journey no matter what happens on Sunday. I've lost 25 pounds since I started training, I've met some new people, and I just feel better when I wake up in the morning. I've managed to stay injury free, except for a freak deal the week of New Year's. Missing the last hard week of training with a foot injury is the only reason I'm feeling any nerves.
I'll spend the next couple of days making sure I get plenty of protein and carbohydrates. I'll also be staying hydrated so I don't have any nutrition issues. Saturday, I'll go get my race packet at the expo and get all my clothes ready. Then, Sunday is race day. I'll be sure to give a race report next week on how everything goes.
I can't believe how far I have come in the past since months. I'll be happy with the journey no matter what happens on Sunday. I've lost 25 pounds since I started training, I've met some new people, and I just feel better when I wake up in the morning. I've managed to stay injury free, except for a freak deal the week of New Year's. Missing the last hard week of training with a foot injury is the only reason I'm feeling any nerves.
I'll spend the next couple of days making sure I get plenty of protein and carbohydrates. I'll also be staying hydrated so I don't have any nutrition issues. Saturday, I'll go get my race packet at the expo and get all my clothes ready. Then, Sunday is race day. I'll be sure to give a race report next week on how everything goes.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Taper Time
Well, all of the hard work is done. I started my three week taper before the marathon today. Over the next three weeks, I will decrease my mileage until the marathon on January 30. Hopefully, my muscles will recover, and I will become stronger. That is the theory behid the taper. Muscle glycogen, enzymes, antioxidants, and hormones are depleted during high mileage training. They will return to normal during this time. Also, muscle damage that occurs during sustained training is also repaired.
I'm going to struggle during the coming weeks with wanting to put in more miles, but I know they will do more harm than good at this point. This evening, I did my 40 minute easy run, and I couldn't believe that was it. Oh well, it's part of the plan.
I'm going to struggle during the coming weeks with wanting to put in more miles, but I know they will do more harm than good at this point. This evening, I did my 40 minute easy run, and I couldn't believe that was it. Oh well, it's part of the plan.
Monday, January 3, 2011
24-4-A-Cure
This weekend, I got to participate in one of the most inspirational things I have ever been a part of. Kevin Kline, one of the morning radio personalities on the 93Q Country here in Houston undertook an amazing journey. Kevin is the founder and president of the Snowdrop Foundation. The Snowdrop Foundations mission is raise money to benefit pediatric cancer research at Texas Children's Hospital. You can read more about it on Snowdrop's website.
This year, Kevin decided to run on a treadmill for 24 hours starting at 12 noon on December 31, and he would finish at 12 noon on January 1. If this wasn't enough, he then would run the final 13.1 miles (half-marathon) into Texas Children's Hospital. Kevin has undertaken a large challenge as a fundraiser the last two years on New Year's. Last year, he did Strides Across Texas.
Kevin is a friend of my youth director from when I was in MYF in high school. Roland and I still stay in contact, and he told me about this before it was even officially announced. Roland recruited me to help set-up on Friday morning, and I pledged to run on a treadmill for two hours Saturday morning. After I finished running, Roland also convinced me to run to Texas Children's with the group. Now, Roland had never run farther than five miles before in his life, and he does not like running. So after some convincing and assuring him that he could do it, he left with the group. I told him I would meet them further into the run since I had already run 13.5 miles on a treadmill (Nothing compared to Kevin's 77 miles on the treadmill). I met back up with the group, and I ran the final 9.5 miles with them.
It was an inspirational weekend that cannot really be described. Kevin is to be commended for the lengths he is willing to go to so that kids won't have to suffer with cancer, and you can tell he has made it a priority in his life. If there were more people as passionate about putting a stop to pediatric cancer as Kevin is, cancer would not stand a chance.
Here's a few pictures from the weekend.
Kevin taking the last few steps up to the door.
This year, Kevin decided to run on a treadmill for 24 hours starting at 12 noon on December 31, and he would finish at 12 noon on January 1. If this wasn't enough, he then would run the final 13.1 miles (half-marathon) into Texas Children's Hospital. Kevin has undertaken a large challenge as a fundraiser the last two years on New Year's. Last year, he did Strides Across Texas.
Kevin is a friend of my youth director from when I was in MYF in high school. Roland and I still stay in contact, and he told me about this before it was even officially announced. Roland recruited me to help set-up on Friday morning, and I pledged to run on a treadmill for two hours Saturday morning. After I finished running, Roland also convinced me to run to Texas Children's with the group. Now, Roland had never run farther than five miles before in his life, and he does not like running. So after some convincing and assuring him that he could do it, he left with the group. I told him I would meet them further into the run since I had already run 13.5 miles on a treadmill (Nothing compared to Kevin's 77 miles on the treadmill). I met back up with the group, and I ran the final 9.5 miles with them.
It was an inspirational weekend that cannot really be described. Kevin is to be commended for the lengths he is willing to go to so that kids won't have to suffer with cancer, and you can tell he has made it a priority in his life. If there were more people as passionate about putting a stop to pediatric cancer as Kevin is, cancer would not stand a chance.
Here's a few pictures from the weekend.
The East Bernard Crew at Set-Up Friday Morning with Kevin.
Kevin getting started on the treadmill.
Five hours in.
The group making the final turn into TCH.
Kevin taking the last few steps up to the door.
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