23:50 3 miles

Due to a dinner commitment with Amy's family (Happy Birthday Grampie and Ninette), I had to run at lunch time today. I ran roughly 3-miles in 23:50. Would have liked to have run longer, but I squeezed in a quick chest workout and a shower. I ran by Cecil Fielder's old house. It is now abanadoned and owned by a bank....since he lost it due to his gambling problem.
Anyone interested in that story can read it here.

Sore from the Game - Ran 1 mile

My groin was sore..on the verge of being a full-on "pull". I didn't think I would be able to run, as walking didn't work out to well all day. I was able to put in a mile jog then realized resting it would be the best thing to do. At least I injured my self while scoring the game winning goal on a 25 yard rocket. Upper 90 and kept us from falling to the bottom of the league table.

Jog Saturday and Soccer Match Sunday

I did a brief jog on Saturday (18 minutes) and Sunday was our first soccer match of the year. We lost 2-1. I am tied for the team lead in goals, due to my first ever "own-goal". For soccer newbies, that means I scored on my own team.

1:06.14

Well, a new PR in terms of time. Pretty slow pace. 106 degree heat index. I felt OK, just a bit slow due to the heat. Not sure how far I ran, but at about 9.5 - 9.75 minutes a mile pace, thats pushing 7 miles. The heat sucks, I need to be running 10 miles. I guess I will just pick a later time at night to run next time. All in all I am proud to have run that long, but feel that I am behind pace. I felt Ok..the best part of the run was the digger I took at the 40 minute mark when a sidewalk stone was elevated. I saved it and my knees never hit, but my hands took a couple of hard hits to stay up.

2.25 in 18 mins

Just a little run to stay loose for today's long one. I felt a little bit sore, but not too bad. Tonight should be my longest run tonight. It was hot yesterday, so I plan to run once the kids go to bed tonight.

About 4.25 Miles in 36:56

Dave Hill joined Ian, Joey, and I for a nice little 37 minute jog. We ran a rather scenic route through some of the nicer parts of Winter Park checking out some million dollar homes as we discussed the upcoming soccer season (kicking off Sunday at 11am). I felt really good on the run today and could have gone well over an hour. We are doing 2-3 miles on our own tonight in preperation for a long run Wednesday. I am hoping for the 9-10 mile range.

4.4 in 36:50

Running at about 8 3/4 minute miles, we put in some work Saturday morning. We did not do the 5 k due to the $30 late registration fee. We were pretty sore from the prior day's track workout, so probably not a bad idea. The run was pretty rough due to the heat and tired legs. I took Sunday off to do some fishing, and my legs feel rested and ready for a ruthless week of training.

Day Off

Friday was the planned day off, but I took Thursday off due to massive storms involving a form of visible electric discharge between rain clouds and the earth. There were also visible discharges in a porcelin due to continuing stomach issues. I don't think it has anything due to Crohn's, rather it might be the mult-vitamins. Aaaaanyways, Friday will be pretty much a ladder workout..starting out with a couple miles warm up, then a 1200, 800, 400, 200, and 100. The 5k race is Saturday night, so I need to somehow stay out of the sun during the day.

6 miles - 53 Minutes

With a heat index of 105, Ian not able to run until after 8, and watching the girls, I had to push my run back to about 8:30 last night. I sacraficed watching the middle 53 minutes of the USA vs. Trinidad & Tobago soccer match, but it was worth it. For the first time my legs didn't feel like logs. I felt really light, and Ian and I were able to maintain a conversation through the first half hour of the run. We took it easy...running slightly below 9.5 minute mile pace (we lost about 25 seconds on a pit-stop). We made it to the halfway point at 29:30, and really picked it up on the way back, running 23:30 on the way home. We were pretty much at race-finish pace for the last .6 miles (starting at our home soccer field at Red Bug Lake Park). My post-race recoveries are coming much quicker as well. It was taking me 10-15 minutes to be able to even stand up straight after a good run, and I would say thats at about 3-4 minutes now.

Weight at the gym as 182 yesterday. With my luck it will be back up today. We'll see. We are planning a track workout tonight, with Friday off to prepare for the 5k.

25:30 jog with some Teammates- about 3.3 miles

Funny how the progression goes. Ian and I ran about 6 minutes as a warm-up while we waited for Dean and Joey (two other guys from our FC Rogue soccer team). A month ago, I would have been drooling to add that warm up to the run time and brag on 31 minutes. Looking back at my progress so far. My first run was 1.8 miles, and I walked about 5 times for 1/2 mile. My first timed run was 2 miles in 19 minutes. My first run of 3 miles or more was 3.7 miles in over 37 minutes. Anyhow, we had a good run finishing up at a solid pace, but still throwin some jokes. We might not have run that fast, but we were in a high-rent residential district and Dean had to take a serious leak. That put a little pace and a few chuckles into the course as he continuosly looked for a spot to water a million dollar home.

So farI am pleased with the progress, but not complacent, and far from satisfied. A month ago, I had serious doubts on my abilities to meet my goal of completing the Philadelphia Marathon. In all honesty, I still have serious concerns, as I will be cutting at close at my current rate, and any little setback could easily derail the train. Interestingly, I have cut WAY back on any beers during the week, am eating quite a bit healthier, lifting a little bit lighter, and my weight is STILL 184 pounds. I am hoping the pounds drop off over time, but I am seeing a positive transformation in my body. I am looking slimmer, so the weight is either going to my ass or my leg muscles.

5k Warm-up Run at Full Pace - 21:19!!!

Man, I gotta say I think I actually impressed myself today. Ian, Joey, and I went for a quick run after work today. We agreed to push it hard, as Ian and I are running the Winter Park Moonlight Ramble 5k on Saturday. We pushed off hard and after a half mile, the pace was my primary concern and my injuries were loooong forgotten. I hung with Ian at about 3/4 of a mile, and spent most of the run giving EVERYTHING to stay within 15 yards of him. I had him at a distance where if he got any father I was dusted and would have definately given up a bit. I continuely stuggled to reel him in. We made it to the half-way turn around in about 10:21 (I think..Ian had the watch today). I hit a wall of sorts at about 2.5 miles and with a serious gut-check pushed at the end. Ian finished in 21:10, but I have no doubt if he weren't turning around and pushing me to catch up he could have fone 20:30 or so. Joey, in his first run in years was only a couple minutes behind (which is faster than my normal pace). The next few days will be leisurly 4 mile runs, with Friday off in preperation for my race. I honestly think that I was close to my limit today, and am currently setting 21:30 as my raceday goal. It will be my first race in about 6 years or so, and second race ever. I think my time back in my early 20's was 24 minutes. That alone makes me happy, but defintely not complacent. I hope these races and training sessions propel me to my long-term goal of comleting my first marathon.

Cross-Training (Soccer Scrimmage)

Saturday was spent travelling from 4:45 am - 11:15 pm. No running there. Sunday morning at 10 we had our final soccer tune-up match. We got whooped by a team a division below us. Not very impressive. Soccer is a team sport, and I am bummed we lost, but I was really happy with my fitness and performance. In injury news, I got hacked on my left ankle while clearing a ball about 5 minutes into the match...it is very swollen and bruised, but only sore to the touch..it is fine to walk on. I also opened up both knees again (no biggie), and pulled the same neck muscle as last year. The neck is sore, and is my only training concern, but assuming I look ahead while running, it shoulden't set me back either. I am looking at my 5k course down Red Bug and back tonight. Will report in this evening (Monday) on the time.

-Scott

1 hour and 40 seconds

My stomach was killing me all the way home from work, and I almost didn't run. I sucked it up, and ran a crazy path through parks and neighborhoods, and got back to the house at about the 49 minute mark. I then made a couple of passes through the neighborhood until I eclipsed the 1 hour mark. A big step, but man was I sore at the end. My pace at the end was pretty slow and I had to walk about 20 yards 4 times during the run. I stopped the clock during those parts to ensure that I actually did run for an hour. All in all, must have been 9 minute pace (which frankly I think is pathetic)..so figure about 6.6 miles. My next long run goal will be to eclipse 7.5 miles. Look for that next Monday.

4 Miles in 37:46

Today I ran from our house to Nanny and Papa's, which is precisely 4 miles door-to-door. Well thats what I timed, I actually ran another .3 miles to the gym to do some abs with Amy. Running just under 9.5 minute miles, I felt slow, and in fact was slow. I was a bit dissapointed with the run, but I honestly coulden't have done much more timewise. I am going to have to change my diet and get something going in the supplements departement because i literally can't get my legs back to full strength. I am taking today off in hopes of an hour plus run Thursday night. Short run Friday night, and then on SATURDAY I GO TO BOSTON TO PICK UP JULIANA. I am so excited, and I miss her so much its unreal. Seeing her Saturday morning will be one of the happiest days of my life. Its been a month of pure torture without her, but that torture gives me the fire to keep going some days. The physical pain of running is nothing compared to the mental pain of being without Jules for any period of time. But I am determined to make the best of the situation, not let anything bring me down, and channel that pain into making me stronger mentally and physically. My breakthrough comes Thursday, and you read it here first.

32:47

Sore knee tendon on the back of my knee from soccer and a nasty infection in the front from a softball slide. Labored a bit hard through a 32:47 run...much of it was off-road so I don't know the exact mileage. I gotta think I was only running about 9:15 - 9:30 minute miles. Anway, that loosened me up and I was beat at the end.

I am looking at a big long run tomorrow on my own as Ian has a co-ed soccer game (the team I had to quit to train for this marathon) . I am going to push for 50 minutes plus, potentially longer. Stay tuned. I feel that this will be a big week of training. I have made good progress, but am on a bit of a plateu. Time to push through it. I need to be running 4 miles on a short-run, and currently about 3.5 is my comfort level.

Cross-Training (Soccer Day)

Today was a cross-training day, featuring a scrimmage against Orlando Blackhawks, the only team to defeat us last season. They had our number again in a 3-1 scrimmage. I got great excercise in extreme heat. Probably played about 80 minutes, felt AWESOME cardio wise. I definately feel fit. We dominated the second half of play. I got the assist on our goal from a cross-field assist over the defense to an unrushing Corey...he made a nice trap, took a couple dribbles and toasted the keeper. Off to the pool ma neezys!

3.2 miles in 27.30

Wow..not very impressive. While I was sore from the six miles that I ran the day prior, I thought that I was really cooking it. I have no idea how I only turned out miles just below 9 minutes. I need to remeasure, but I think something is wrong with the calculations somewhere. I was running to hard, concentrating on nice long strides, and digging deep. Hmm, maybe I just was that tired and the pushing was against my tired body than a healthy one. Anyhow, will measure it again. Today is a day off, then a soccer scrimmage tomorrow morning bright and squirrely. Ian and i will likely put in a decent run after the game. Peace. Off to the beach ma nizzles.

Another Personal Best : 53:30 : About 6.25 Miles

Ian and I met at the softball field which is at a trailhead on the Seminole Wekiva Trail. The trail is 14 miles long, paved over an old railroad bed. We ran the trail for about 3 miles, hit 436, ran about 3 miles back on main roads, then did another 1/2 mile on the trail, ending with a short, but steep (for Florida) hill. We started off running about 9:45 pace or so, but picked it up the last 3 miles and BLISTERED our pace from the last long run. I think for a couple of half mile stretches we were closer to 8 minute miles than 9. Got back to the fields and my softball team was there, but the double header I was supposed to play in after the game was cancelled due to lightning. So anyways, my calves were brutally sore the first 2-3 miles as usual, but I felt much better towards the end, and way better than after we did it the first time. 2 weeks and I have lost about a pound, but even I think I look a bit thinner. I think the next couple weeks should see a couple of pounds dissapear. Again, thanks to Ian for pushing me, Sean for pushing me, and Amy for supporting me.

18:41 // 2.2 miles

I was going to take today off after yesterdays biggie, but since Ames is making Bacon Wrapped Chicken (BWC) I had to run a bit to justify chowing down. Weight was back to 183 today and I hit the gym hard (probably too heavy) on shoulders...but I love shoulder day, so it had to be done.

Anyhow, 18:41 through some neighborhoods nice and easy. Ran at a 9 min mile pace. My calves feel like rocks and I barely lifted my feet, but tomorrow is definately a day off.

5.8 Miles in 52 Minutes

Running at just under 9 minute mile pace, I put in the longest run of my life both in terms of miles (5.8), and time (52 minutes). It all began when I sent Ian the maquest directions from his house to mine with the text "hmm." I told Amy that I would be home by 7:15 ish, and in fact I was a few minutes early. She was however a bit confused when both Ian and I showed up for dinner. Once she figured out what we had done, her confusion turned to amazement, and then pride. Making her proud made me incredibly proud.

Thanks Ian for pushing me man and expecting more of me than I expect from myself (I just want to finish this marathon alive, while Ian is pushing me towards a sub 4 hr time). Sean, your call and blogs on your own runs are a huge source of motivation. You are pushing me from twelve hundred miles away. I am running as hard as I can, and while I don't think that "catching" you is feasible, you better watch your ass cause I am coming for ya.