Happy New Year!!

Well, one last post for 2009.

How different things are ending 2009 than starting. Last year, I was dreading the 2009 WDW 1/2 and almost hoping that something would happen (like turning an ankle) so that I could get off the hook for the 1/2. This year, I long for the 1/2 and dread anything that would keep me from finishing it.

This year (well, mostly the last 4 1/2 months) I've...

• dropped over 60 pounds
• dropped 3 pant sizes (44 to 38)
• bought 2 new belts
• worn clothes I haven't worn in probably 8 years
• ran Tower of Terror 13k (8 mi) under 1/2 marathon pace
• ran my first (and second) sub 45:00 5k
• ran my longest runs ever (10,10 & 12)
• improved 1 mile time to 13:00

I'm sure there are more...

I think it is fitting that my weigh in day is tomorrow... Jan 1st, 2010. As I look ahead to 2010, I am almost frightened by what I want to do. Yes, I have more weight to lose, but I also have more races to run. But, also, what about WDW Marathon weekend 2011? I'm I goofy enough to think about....

As I end this year there are few thoughts that come to mind. Of course, the first is Keep Moving Forward!!! No matter how weighed down you might feel, keep pressing on. If you don't, you will go backwards before you know it. For the second thought, I go back to about mile 7 for the Tower of Terror 13k. "Never Say You Can't!" (Something tells me this will be on my mind next Saturday.) Not only should you not tell yourself you can't, but don't let others tell you either. One thing I've learned over the last few months (especially during the long runs and races) is that if you can past the mental blocks, anything is possible.

My last thought comes courtesy of Jeff Galloway (via Rae...thanks for doing this Rae!)..."Byron, You can do it!"

Till Next Year...Keep Moving Forward!!!

Two Weeks To Go!!

Wow! Is it really just 2 weeks till the WDW 1/2 Marathon? The really scary thing....I can say that I'm ready.

Today was my last long run before the 1/2. I was originally scheduled to do 14 miles today, but my foot issues caused me to alter things over the last few weeks. I set out on the long run wanting (and needing) to do 12 miles. I did exactly what I wanted to do. Including warm up and cool down I did 13.1 miles (interesting number don't you think).

Here are my 12 mile splits....

15:28
15:35
15:15
15:29
15:21
15:40
15:47
15:46
15:20
15:34
15:41
14:50

In the end, I did the 12 in 3:05:45 (15:29 pace). And I did the 13.1 in 3:27:52. It is so nice to know that I can do the distance. And that I can do the distance under 3:30.

As I write this it is 8:30pm and it has been about 4 1/2 hours since I finished. And I must say that I don't feel near as sore as I thought I would. In fact, I don't feel as sore as the 10 miles 2 weeks ago. Also, it is amazing that just a few weeks ago, my left foot had me almost out of commission. Today, I didn't have even the slightest problem with my feet. No hotspots...nothing. It really is encouraging.

Speaking of encouragement... Thank you to everyone that posted on Facebook and Twitter. It is an amazing feeling to finish a run and have several new followers on Twitter. Gordon, you're awesome.

Well, it's time to cut this post short.

Remember...Never say you can't!!!

Till Next Time...Keep Moving Forward!!

Yo-Yo Yo-Yo A Runners Life For Me....

I'm up...I'm down....I'm up....I'm....annoyed

Well, if you follow me on Twitter or Facebook, you might have seen that I was a little down last night. Today (and especially right now), I'm up....way up.

The main reason why I was down last night was that I had to come face to face with some of the gremlins that got me to over 340 pounds. It was also the facing of the fact that the gremlins aren't dead, they were just hiding. The last week has been hard (and bad) in terms of eating. I've had several days where individual meals were not the best thing I could have eaten. But, It was also the extras around the house that I allowed to get me. The Peppermint Hershey's Kisses and Dove Caramel Promises.

In the end, it was all a reminder that this is not a battle but a war...a marathon, not a sprint.

So, this morning, weigh-in time....288.5. Yep, I'm down 2 from last week and under 290. After the last week, I am very happy with that. But, I pretty much means I won't hit my goal of 275 before I leave for the WDW 1/2. But that's ok. I'll get there within a week or two afterword.



Training wise, this weekend is a "down" week...only 3-4 miles. So, Melanie and I are doing the Rudolph Run 5k tomorrow morning. I don't really have any specific goals for the race. But, it would be nice to beat my last 5k time (GPS, not official) of 43:42. And who knows, there may be a surprise waiting on me.

Before I go, I want to mention one more thing. In my list on Tuesday, I mentioned that I followed Gordon while he ran the Rocket City Marathon last weekend. As many of you know, Gordon has a podcast (Running to Disney) and a blog. Monday, he released his latest episode...Ep. 40 Rocket City Marathon Recap and Thursday, he updated his blog with his race report. Please take the time to listen to the podcast. I cannot put into words what Gordon's words mean to me. Nor can I put into words why it effects me so much or why I even mention it. All I can say is listen and get a glimpse into who Gordon is and why I did what I did.

Till Next Time...Keep Moving Forward!!!

Please Don't Leave Me...

.....I'm Still Here! ;-)

Wow! It's been over a month since my last post. For that, I apologize. But, don't worry, my absence has nothing to do with slipping or giving up...far from it. My main excuse is a project at work that has taken so much mental energy from me. But at least it was an enjoyable project (shhhh...did I just say that).

Now...let's get the dirty stuff out of the way... As of last Friday 12/11/2009... 290.5lb



I hate going so long between posts because that means there more stuff to cover...but here goes...

Since my last post...
* foot/ankle got worse
* missed a lot of runs due to foot
* got a new "toy" (more on that another day)
* cut short or missed long runs due to foot
* then without explanation, the pain completely went away.
* got a stomach virus the day after my foot got better..missed another run
* first run after foot got better was like running on "new tires"
* registered for the 2010 Country Music 1/2 Marathon - April 24
* followed Gordon around Huntsville during the Rocket City Marathon
* first real long run since 10mi on Nov 7th - 10mi on Sun 12/13

So, you can see that a lot has happened (and this list doesn't include Thanksgiving, etc) since my last post. And, most of it is positive.

I'll leave this post short, and promise (hold me to it) to post again in the next day or so.

Till Next Time...Keep Moving Forward!!!