Race Week is FINALLY here!

I can’t believe it is finally here… Only 5 more days until the Marine Corps Marathon! It definitely seemed like a better idea 11 months ago but oh well I committed to this.

There have been plenty of ups and downs along the way. There have been times when it seemed absolutely impossible to go that extra mile. The training program has forced me to push my body to extremes but it has also been a tough mental test. This is an experience I will certainly never forget!

It all comes down to Sunday at 8:00am. The delightful carbo load will begin on Thursday. Lavana and the babies will arrive on Friday followed by Momma Davis on Saturday. I can’t wait for everyone to get here and get the weekend started.

20 Mile Run

Sunday was a BIG day in my training program. I completed my longest run to date. I used Sunday's run as a dress rehearsal for the marathon. I got up early, ate breakfast and prepared for the run.

I started the run at 7:58am. I ran the first two miles at a super slow pace. I wanted to make sure I would complete the run without any problems. The MLK Memorial dedication took place on Sunday which forced me to change my usual route. I started at my apartment and made my way down the mall towards the White House. From the White House, I ran into Georgetown, around the Kennedy Center and over the Memorial Bridge. Once I reached the Memorial Bridge I decided to run to the Marine Corps Memorial. It was definitely my favorite part of my run. It gave me the motivation to finish the run and also got me pumped up for the marathon. After I ran the loop around the USMC memorial, I ran the Mount Vernon Trail to Reagan National Airport. I made the turn at 12.79 miles back towards my apartment. I started to struggle when I reached the 14th Street bridge back into DC. The temperature had increased and my legs where starting ache. I pushed through the pain and made my way up towards the Capitol. The incline of Capitol Hill felt like Everest. I hit the 20 mile mark in 4 hours. It was a great feeling. However, my legs were shot. Climbing the stairs up to my apartment was the biggest accomplishment of the day.

The Marine Corps Marathon is just 13 days away. I can't believe it is almost here. I am excited to see the family and experience this with them. I know running the marathon is not going to be easy but I definitely think it will be worth all of the hard work in the end! 

Army 10 miler

On October 9th, my friends and I took part in the annual Army 10 Miler race. It was a great experience. The morning of the race was a little difficult.Laura, Lex and I had taken part in Olive Garden's Never Ending Pasta Bowl the night before the race. It was delicious. However, we had trouble moving afterwards. We spent the night before the race watching Elf in our stretchy sweatpants. It was definitely a sight.

The race was a lot of fun. We all made the agreement to take it easy and just have fun with it. We ran most of the course and walked when needed. We weren't allowed to carry phones or cameras along the course so the only photos we have were taken before and after the race. Here are some photos taken just before we made our way to the starting line:

 

After the race we went over to a local sports bar where we ordered a large amount of food. The wings and crab dip were a must! 

 

Sunday night we decided to wear our comfy Army 10 miler T-shirts and head over to the White House for some pictures.  It was a great way to finish out the weekend.   

2:17:24

I completed my second half marathon on September 10, 2011. The best part of this race was I set a new PR of 2:17:24. I most certainly did not expect to knock 5 minutes off of my first my half marathon time. My goal was to go out there and see if I was able to keep up a race pace for the entire race. I far exceeded my goal despite some major obstacles.

The weather during the week of the race was not ideal thanks to lovely tropical storm that headed our way. We weren’t quite sure if there would even be a race. On Thursday, we received confirmation that the race was on. We were warned that the course was going to be wet and muddy.

The weather on Saturday could not have better for a race. It was a cool 75 degrees at the start of the race. Unlike big races, there were no divisions or corrals. Everyone started at the same time. This was a great way for me to focus on my own pace and not let myself take off with the faster runners. I started off feeling great and motivated to finish strong. However, this feeling did not last. The race only had a few water stations spread throughout the race which only provided water. The course was quite boring as well. It was a path set in the woods along the Potomac River. The path was muddy and smelled like a sewer in some areas. It was not ideal.

I pushed myself the final two miles when I realized I could set a new PR. I was tired and depleted any energy. The finish line seemed like it was playing a cruel joke by moving further and further away. I crossed the finish line at 2:17:24! I was tired and relieved to be finished. My friends, Brooke and Justin, were there to greet me and take a lovely photo. (Note to self: get a spray tan before the next race!)

After the race, we walked over to Chadwicks for a delicious burger and french fries. That is the point of this whole running thing right??? Anyway, the race was challenging but despite the negative I still improved. I think I am ready to take on the next challenge and move closer to completing my goal of the Marine Corps Marathon!

Next up: Army 10 miler on Sunday, October 9^th for Laura and Lex. Can’t wait!              

Mother Nature is a Bitch!

Well last week threw a major wrench into my marathon training program. On Tuesday, I experienced my first earthquake. It is an experience that I can honestly say I NEVER want to relive. After standing outside of our office for over an hour, we were told to go home. Most people went straight home. I went to the bar. The last thing on my mind was my run. I needed a drink!

Just when we thought DC was in the clear Irene shows up on our radar. I spent the next few days following the bitch’s path. We heard she could be a possible Cat 2 or Cat 3 storm by the time it got to DC. Luckily, she wasn’t as intense as projected and she hit east of DC. No need to worry though my friends and I still had a great hurricane party.

The result of this second disaster was I missed my long run on Sunday. Sundays are the worst days to miss during the training program. I realize the hurricane was beyond my control and I can’t beat myself up about it. My number goal right now is to get back on track. The author of my program says that if you miss a run you just have to move on. So that’s exactly what I’m going to do.

I plan to run a half marathon on September 10^th in Georgetown. It’s a small 9/11 memorial race with only 250 registrants. I’m looking forward to running this race. I think it’s going to be a great motivator for the remaining days leading up to the marathon. I just hope I don’t finish last!    

It’s time!

My 16 week marathon training is in full swing. I’m really excited that I’ve started this insane journey. I am fully aware that it will be challenging. There will be times that I will love it and times where I will curse it. But there is nothing better than pushing yourself to a limit. I think much of the appeal of running a marathon is proving to yourself that you can do something many people think you can’t. That is certainly on my list of reasons… Dad!

My training program consists of 4 training runs and 2 days of core strength training. I’m not a huge fan of the core training but I know it is a necessary part of the program. I ran 8 miles yesterday and felt great. The weather cooled down slightly to 88 degrees which was nice. I still have a long way to go if I’m going to cross the 26.2 mile finish line though. I plan to just take things one mile at a time.  

Here are a couple of fun photos from a run Laura and I did over the 4^th of July weekend. Enjoy!  

Before the run


After the run

When in doubt…Run again!

Self-doubt is something I think every runner encounters at some point. I certainly suffered from it during and after my Saturday run. I wasn’t feeling great but still made it out for a 3 mile run. I struggled the entire time. Maybe it was the heat or something in the air but I just couldn’t stay positive. I beat myself up for taking a long break during the month of June and told myself there is no way I will ever be able to do a marathon.

Despite my Negative Nancy attitude on Saturday, I still woke up early on Sunday for a run. I made sure I was hydrated properly and made my way to the National Mall. I didn’t set out for any particular distance. I had hoped to complete a 4-5 mile run but just went with the flow. The weather was fantastic and the tourists were at a minimum. I completed a 5 mile run without one bit of doubt. It felt great! I definitely have my confidence and stride back!

The lesson I learned here is not to let the bad runs get to me. Every runner has their moments. You just have to shake them off and keep going.

“It's not who you are that holds you back, it's who you think you're not.”  ~Author Unknown

Marine Corps Historic Half

13.1 miles CHECK! I completed the Marine Corps Historic Half Marathon on May 15^th. It was definitely not the easiest thing I have ever done but it was truly a great experience. The feeling you get when you cross that finish line is something I just can’t describe.

The nerves started to set in when I arrived in Fredericksburg, VA on Saturday. Driving through the Finish Line and walking up to the Packet Pick Up area made me realize there was no turning back. I had to prove to myself that I could complete this challenge if I was ever going to accomplish my full marathon goal.

Saturday night I settled into my hotel room with delicious pasta from Olive Garden. I organized my running apparel for the next morning and did everything I could to relax. However, that is much easier said than done.

5:00AM came rather early on Sunday morning. I got dressed, ate breakfast and made my way to the Starting Line. Saying I was nervous would have been a complete understatement but once the gun went off I was ready. I set myself a few corrals back so I wouldn’t be rushed at the line. I gradually worked my way into a steady pace. I felt great through the first 4 miles or so.

The spectators were hilarious throughout the entire race. There were a couple of girls dressed up as bananas. I’m still not completely sure why they dressed like bananas but it sure entertained me. I about died laughing when I saw someone holding a sign that said “I hope you don’t have the chub rub right now!”

I hit a small wall towards the end of the race. I studied the elevation chart on the course map several times. However, they failed to mention what seemed to be a small Everest mountain at mile 11. My legs started to feel like lead at this point. I pumped my arms as hard as I could to get to the top. When I made it I realized I still had a chance to meet my goal of breaking 2:30. My training guide mentioned a Self-Talk method to motivate you to do something that seems impossible at the time. I sort of laughed at the idea when I first read it but I decided to give it try. With a little less than 2 miles to go and my goal within an arm’s reach, I had nothing to lose. I kept telling myself “My ankle feels great it's not swollen at all… 2 miles is nothing…Sonic is waiting for you.” Surprisingly it worked! As I approached the finish I knew I would not only accomplish my 2:30 goal, I would break it! My official time was 2:22:53!

After a 10 minute search for my car in the Walmart parking lot, I headed back to my hotel for a shower and a quick rest. I celebrated with a trip to Sonic which was absolutely delicious! And the best part about it is I didn’t feel one bit of guilt for eating it. Running definitely has its perks.

Thank you for all of your support through my first half marathon! I’m so excited to start my full marathon training program in July. I’m sure I will have plenty of entertaining stories to share.

Official photos from the Half to come…  

Vegas...

I knew going into Marathon training that I would go through my ups and downs. Well, last week was a struggle of epic proportions. There is only one word to explain why this is: Vegas!

I recently took a trip to Las Vegas for a friend’s bachelorette party and my training runs took a backseat. Vegas clearly is a priority over a training run right?? I missed my 3 mile run on Saturday and a 5 mile run on Sunday. I did my best to return to my training as soon as possible. However, my body wasn’t exactly pleased. The first couple of runs were a complete disaster. I tried to take it slow and ease my way back into a solid pace but with each step I couldn’t help but be reminded of every drink I had in Vegas. Bad News Bears!

Last Saturday I ran a small Easter 5k race in Alexandria, VA. It was cold and rainy which never makes these things enjoyable. Despite the effects of Vegas still hovering in my system, I performed ok. I finished in just over 31 minutes. I know I can do much better than that but it’s a work in progress. Sunday was a bit more enjoyable. I completed a solid 10 mile run around the National Mall. It was a beautiful spring day in DC with fantastic weather. I kept a slow pace and completed the run without having to walk any of it.

This weekend I will run 3 miles on Saturday and 11 miles on Sunday. It should be very interesting. Happy Easter!  

100 Miles Down…A Billion More To Go

Last week marked a huge milestone for me: I officially hit the 100 mile mark for the year. This new milestone has given me even more motivation to keep up my training. One of the best parts of running is seeing the miles tally up at the end of each run.

I decided to change things up this past weekend. The Annual Cherry Blossom festival has taken over all of the great running spots in DC so I decided to travel out to the Mount Vernon Trails in VA. It was absolutely beautiful outside at the beginning of my run. The sun was shining for the first time in days and the temperature wasn’t awful for this time of year. It was a perfect day for a run!

I set out for a 9 mile run. I decided to take it slow with the new route and distance. The hills of Mount Vernon were intimidating at times but I kept a solid pace to give me enough energy to keep me going. Despite a small ankle roll at mile 2, I made it without any walking. I was exhausted by the time I finished but it was a great feeling knowing I accomplished my 9 mile run. I still have a long way to go before I am ready for the half marathon in May. My goal from here on out is to just stay focused and stick with the training program. It won't be easy but I'm sure I can do it.

Next up will be the Easter 5k on April 16^th.

First Race Complete!

Last Saturday I ran the MCM Irish Sprint 10k in Quantico, VA. It was a super cold morning that started out more stressful than I could handle. DC was hosting a half and full marathon that same morning with the start and finish lines not too far from my apartment. The streets were not schedule to close until 7am so I planned to leave between 6:15 and 6:30 just to be on the safe side.

I struggled to get out of bed around 5:45am to start my pre-race routine but forced myself to do it. I was out the door by 6:25. What did I find as I pulled my car up to Mass Ave? Oh yes that the DC police department shut down the streets a ½ hour early. I was directed into a traffic jam that forced me to make a complete circle around my apartment. 20 minutes later I drove into a super shady area just to find another way to 395. I finally made to Quantico by 8am. Good thing I planned to leave early enough.

I found my way to Butler Stadium once I arrived at the Marine Corps Base to pick up my race packet and t-shirt. Despite the super cold weather, everyone was in a great mood and super excited to be there. The 45 minutes leading up to the race was brutal. It was absolutely freezing. I tried my best to stretch out and walk around to keep the blood flowing but nothing seemed to work. By 8:45am everyone began lining up at the starting line which made the nerves kick into high gear. I tried to stay towards the back so I wouldn’t be forced into a pace I knew I couldn’t handle. As soon as the gun went off, all of my nerves went away. I worked myself into a slow pace time that I increased gradually throughout the race.

This course was a total bitch! You were either running uphill or down with the exception of the .2 miles at the beginning and end of the race. Just when I made it up a giant hill, I would see another one approaching. At one point I thought I was climbing Everest. I can now see why Matt hated Quantico so much. I kept running throughout the entire race which allowed me to keep a pretty decent pace time. My official clock time was 1:06:38.

I’m very happy with the outcome of my first race in 2011. I do think I can improve on some areas which I plan to do in the next month leading up to the Half Marathon. I am super excited to experience all of the festivities during the Historic Half. I signed up for an Easter 5k on April 16^th just to give myself one more race to prepare for it. It is all approaching so quickly. Let the next countdown begin!!       

First Race on Saturday

Well Race Day weather is not looking good for me. Right now, the Weather Channel is saying it will be rainy and about 50 degrees on Saturday. I am hoping that will change. I’m excited about finally getting into a race setting. Training runs are fun but sometimes you have to mix it up a bit.

The Irish 10k will take place in Quantico, VA. It’s the first race of the Marine Corps Marathon Series. I’m a little nervous about the course. It will be interesting to see how the hills come into play with my pace time. I never realized how many factors (weather, clothing, nutrition etc.) can affect a run. I am using each training run and race to perfect my routine before the full marathon in October. The Race Day outfit is still in question and will depend mostly on the weather. I promise I will post pictures after the race.

Help me pray for warm weather and sunshine on race day!!   

Spring in DC!!!

Who would have ever thought that I would find 55 degrees to be warm?? Am I still considered a Floridian?

Sunday was a completely gorgeous day in DC. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and I didn’t have to wear 15 layers of clothing. Spring and summer is my favorite time in DC. Everyone is just so friendly and excited to be out and about. I was definitely one of them on Sunday. I got up, ate my breakfast and worked on preparing myself for the 6 mile run ahead of me. The temperature hit 55 at noon and I was ready. I started out slow to get a good pace going. When I reached the half mile mark I was completely warmed up and fully enjoying the weather. As soon as I rounded the House side of the Capitol, I realized the downside to spring in DC…TOURISTS! They were everywhere. I couldn't run 14 steps without running around one or invading their family portraits in front of the DC landmarks. Just when I thought I was through the worst of it and I hit a decent pace again, BAM! I run into the St. Patrick’s Day parade. At this point, I just can’t help but laugh as I am weaving in between Celtic dancers and drunken tourists. Leave it to me to think that the National Mall wouldn’t be crowded on a beautiful almost-spring day in our Nation’s Capital. Live and learn I guess! All in all, I kept a great pace for the 6 mile run. I ran from my apartment, around the Lincoln Memorial and back to the Capitol. It was a gorgeous run and I am blessed to have so many great sights along the way.

Only 12 more days until my first race of the year!        

My Battle with the Alarm Clock

Anyone who knows me knows that I am not a morning person. I think it's a dumb to do anything at 5am that you can still do at noon. Running is no exception to that rule. However, winter presents a set of obstacles for me. I normally don't get home from work until well after the sun has set and the black, cold sky has taken over DC. Obviously, it is unsafe to run by yourself at night so that leaves the mornings for me to log the miles. The dreaded sound of the train horns begins around 5:30am every Tuesday and Thursday. I do everything I can to psych myself up to just get out of bed. I say to myself "5 more minutes and I'll have the strength to get up and go." 5 more minutes turns into 10 and then 15 and so on. By 6:15, I am up and struggling to reach for my running shoes. After two pieces of whole wheat toast and a gatorade, I am ready to go.

During my 4 mile run around the Capitol Hill area, I could feel the Spring approaching. The grass is returning to its beautiful shade of green and the trees are even showing signs of new life. What does this really mean to me? Oh yes no more early morning runs! This is my official countdown to Daylight Savings Time! After Saturday, I will not have to battle my alarm clock for just 5 more minutes. I have never looked forward to losing an hour so much in my life. Spring...Bring it on!

Only 18 more days until my first race of the year! MCM Irish 10K!

Running for a Cause

I'm officially one month into my training and loving almost every minute of it. Recently, I've been thinking about how I wish I could do more to show my support for the men and women in uniform who sacrifice so much of their lives to protect us. Running a marathon just doesn't seem like enough.

After a great deal of research, I have decided to team up with the Semper Fi Fund to raise money for injured soldiers and their families. The Semper Fi Fund is a nonprofit set up to provide immediate financial support for injured members of U.S. Armed Forces and their families. They direct needed resources to Marines and Sailors, as well as members from all military branches who serve in support of the Marine forces.

My goal is to raise $1,000 before the Marine Corps Marathon on October 30, 2011. I believe reaching this fundraising goal will make each step I take on race day that much more important. If the men and women of the armed services can sacrifice for my well being, I can run a marathon for them!

I would truly appreciate your support in helping me achieve this goal. All contributions to the Semper Fi Fund are tax deductible and go directly to helping injured soldiers in need. If you would like to contribute, please CLICK HERE visit my fundraising page.

Thank you for your support! It's going to be a long road but it will all be worth it when I cross that finish line!

A Great Challenge for 2011

As 2010 came to a close, I began to reflect on what I had accomplished throughout the year and what I hoped to accomplish in 2011. It didn't take me long to figure out what my greatest goal and challenge would be for the new year. I began running in early 2008 and have kept it up for the last couple of years. Like most people, I go through periods where I will run consistently and then others where I won't run at all. I tell myself every October that next year will be the year I take on the marathon. Yet without fail, I always have something come up or make excuses to why I can't. Well, 2011 is the year all of the procrastination will end!

On February 23rd, I signed myself up for the biggest challenge of my life: the Marine Corps Marathon (MCM). It will be a gorgeous, but grueling, 26.2 miles through the most beautiful cities in America! The course will begin at Arlington National Cemetery and take us through parts of Arlington and Washington DC before taking us to the finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial.

Some people have asked me why I chose the MCM for my first marathon. My simple reply is "Why wouldn't I choose the MCM for my first marathon?" Not only is the race known as "the people's marathon" but also my grandfather was a Marine that served during Korean War. I will never forget his comedic and sad stories of boot camp and the war. Most recently, one of my best friends, Matt, was deployed to Afghanistan. I can't think of a better way to honor those Marines, and service members from all of the branches, than taking on the challenge of the marathon.

This will not be an easy task. I am bound to have great days and other days where my ankle will swell to the size of Texas. It will all be part of the fun I guess. Throughout my training, I plan to tackle the Army 10 Miler and several of the MCM series races including the Irish 10k, Crossroads 17.75K and the Marine Corp Historic Half. All of which will be documented here. So I hope you will follow and cheer me on through this chaotic but exciting journey. Let the training begin!!