Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay Recap

So this is kind of funny. Literally two weeks ago the home girl Tiffany from RunningHutch.com hit me up on Facebook and asked if I would be interested in participating in the Griffith Park Trail Marathon Relay, hosted by the amazing folks at A Runner's Circle. For those that don't know, ARC is THE premiere running store in Los Angeles. Anywho...she gave me all the details and she was forming a team. The fun thing about runners is we are basically fearless! Tiffany helped form the team and before I knew it I was on a team with three other strangers and we would be giving it our all at a relay. Neat.

From L to R: Matt Runner 4, Me Runner 1, Gillian Runner 3, Tiffany Runner 2, Mike Runner 5

Early morning in Griffith Park and we couldn't of asked for better summer trail running weather. It was cool and overcast! That meant the climbs wouldn't be to terrible since the heat wouldn't be as high. We all met and laughed and discussed our strategy. We didn't have any goal time or pace in mind...we wanted to just enjoy ourselves. All of us were seasoned and experienced runners so this was gonna be great. This was my first relay so I was REALLY excited. I was first up!

The crew in order! Boosted from RunningHutch.com

The first mile and a half was a steep climb. It was a straight shot up. By the time I got to mile marker one I was winded but kept going forward. I was the first runner out, so I wanted us to maintain a good place in the relay. Once I reached the top of the climb I enjoyed two miles of fire road and recovery. I had an even pace and focused on just staying consistent. I felt like the climb took a lot out of me, but running with Michelle on the trails I've learned some things that made it easier for me to handle the run. At the end of the fire road was my favorite thing...DOWN HILL SUICIDE! This is where I shine. I turned on the after burners and SHREDDED the hills going down. I blasted past at least 10 runners. I went so fast my shoe came untied. In an effort to be safe I stopped to tie it...but I was pretty mad because I was FLYING. I flew all the way down into the Old Los Angeles Zoo which is where home base was. I came down the trail and didn't even see my team cheering me on as I came through, they were there :). Next up was Tiffany and she was in the chute ready to rock. I came in so hot I almost knocked her over! We laughed and she took off on her great loop!

Our team did VERY well! Every did an amazing job on their loop! Strong performances by everyone! We placed 12th out of 39 in the open co-ed division with a time of 4:00:49! WE KILLED IT! I was blown away and really excited! Our team had a great chemistry! Everyone was so friendly, warm, and encouraging. There was amazing communication and the energy was spot on. I would totally relay with these folks again for sure! After we got our relay batons Matt had a real fun idea to capture the moment. It looked something like this...

As you can tell...none of us could handle it we all laughed! So much fun!!! Then we took the normal people team we did it type photo of sorts...

It was a great Sunday! These guys are great!!!! Magic certainly happens when you run. I've said it once and I'll say it again...running is better with friends...even if you just met them 15 minutes before the race HAHA!

Check out:

Tiffany: RunningHutch.com
Gillian: ThatsG.Com

Boston 2 Big Sur 2 OC - Challenge Completed

Well that was a fun 13 days! Three marathons...that was just damn crazy LOL! So I have run Boston, Big Sur, and the OC Marathon! I have gotten a ton of comments on both Facebook and Twitter asking me 'Are you going to take a break now?" The answer to that question is yes. I had the time of my life in Boston, I enjoyed the beauty and splendor of Big Sur, and celebrated two years of endurance running in the OC. My mind and body are spent. I didn't get injured, and my spirit isn't broken. My focus is now going to shift a little bit.

I announced a few days ago that I want to run a sub 4 hour marathon by my birthday on December 9th. Things like that don't just happen, they require training, focus, and proper nutrition. My line of sight is going right to that sub 4. Not only do I plan on being a sub 4 hour marathoner, I want do to be consistent at it. I want to be strong and fast. I have some plans in front of me and those will kick into full gear as early as next week. I want to have an amazing showing at Marine Corps Marathon this year. I would love for it to happen then. That is five months from now. It takes no less than six months to train for a marathon. Clearly we know I can go the 26.2 mile distance with no issue, now the goal is to do it faster, stronger, and consistently. I do have some races sprinkled in the second half of the year but this tour I just finished was the bulk of my year. So wish me luck on that.

In a few weeks I am going to buy a bike. I'm real excited about this! I love bike riding for fun, but to do it for distance and competition would be a REAL thrill...especially since I have officially raised my hand and made a personal commitment to myself to compete in Ironman Miami 70.3 as early as 2015 if not 2016...it depends on how comfortable I feel. I am all about pushing my limits and since I will be training for a sub 4 a lot of the strength and endurance training can be leveraged for Ironman. I've never thought of myself as an Ironman nor have I ever thought it would be a possibility for me. I want to see what this machine I call my body is made of. Training plans, nutrition, and focus. It's going to be an amazing lifestyle change. Of course I will continue to race and encourage all of you as I have been doing, but get ready for some really fun and interesting training updates in lieu of race recaps...I also have some awesome giveaways coming in the next few weeks.

So thanks everyone for your encouragement and thoughts as I took on ALL the races before the first half of the year was over. We still have a way to go before the year is over, but I am certain it will be nothing short of amazing. Let's get after these dreams!

Big Sur International Marathon - The Beauty AND The Beast

Six days after running The Boston Marathon I took on the challenge of running The Big Sur International Marathon. Prior to being accepted into the Boston Marathon I signed up as a marathon participant for Big Sur. After being accepted as a charity runner, I confirmed my participation for the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge (presented by ASICS). That brought me to Saturday morning, the lovely 5 hour drive to Monterey on the central California coast. Jason was kind enough to drive me up and back over the weekend so I got to rest and try to catch up on some much needed sleep on the drive. I've been pretty exhausted since returning from Boston (I can't imagine why) so I've been staying hydrated and partaking in EnergyBits to keep myself healthy.

We arrived in Monterey around 1 PM on Saturday. The expo was pretty small compared to other expos and that was perfectly fine with me. Coming off of the Boston expo, a small expo was much appreciated. I went upstairs to Boston 2 Big Sur packet pick up which was very exciting. Now...a perk of being one of four hundred people that participates in the challenge is not only the bonus medal you receive, but an awesome ASICS track jacket that displays your Boston 2 Big Sur accomplishment. Well...due to an unforseen circumstance, the jackets were not ready. I was WAY bummed out. But the folks at the marathon and ASICS were not only apologetic, they helped to make it right. ASICS gave the B2B runners a gift certificate to mail in for a free pair of ASICS shoes of our choosing. THAT was really awesome. I didn't expect that. Our jackets will be delivered in the coming weeks along with the shoes we select. So, thanks ASICS! I then picked up my bus ticket for Sunday morning. The race itself starts at Big Sur station in the mountains. The roads are closed to private vehicles and the only way up is by bus and it takes an hour to get up there. I received a 4AM bus loading time...what's another early morning right?

After that I made my way down to the expo and did some light shopping. I mean what could I possibly need, I bought everything in Boston! I found some awesome ASICS gloves that I fell in love with and new nifty pouch I can use to store my fuel from the lovely folks at Roo Sports! I will review that later in the week. I picked up some throw away garments for the start line because in my sleep deprived state I didn't bring anything to bundle up in at the start area.

After some shopping and wandering I met up with my good buddy Bart Yasso at the Runner's World booth. Now some of you may be aware that Bart said he would treat me to coffee in Boston. We even have a hashtag #CoffeeWithBart! Well, due to both of our schedules being CRAZY we just couldn't link up...Bart made really good on his promise and treated me and awesome follower Sarah to Starbucks across the street. That was really fun! In case you didn't know, Bart is the best story teller.

After that we went and checked into the hotel, grabbed some lunch/dinner and winded down pretty early. I took a bath to help relax and prepped myself for the next day. I fell asleep and woke up at 3AM (joy.) I boarded the bus with my english muffin with peanut butter (NOMS), and took a window seat. Before I knew it I was asleep...again. I didn't realize how much I enjoyed sleep until last week. An hour later we arrived at Big Sur Station, the start of the marathon. It was still dark, and there was no cellular service. So I took a seat on the curb with the other participants and continued to think warm thoughts...and I think I took another nap.

When the sun started to come up, my my what a beautiful sight. I'm not the camping type...I prefer the spa but nature is so amazing first thing in the morning. Don't get me wrong I LOVE being out in nature and running in it, sitting in it, picnicking in it...I just don't wanna sleep in it lol. We all started to line up and get ready to get the marathon underway. The weather conditions couldn't have been better. No rain, a lovely cloud cover, heaven. I lined up with the 4:45 pace group. I did this knowing I wouldn't finish with them but to keep a consistent pace the first 10 miles of the course. The race began and the first 5 miles of the course were gradually downhill. We maintained a very comfortable pace, as to not blow out before the huge mountain we would have to climb for two miles at mile ten. The scenery was just break taking.

Redwoods and other familiar trees and plants surrounded us. Open rolling hills covered in lush green plants, grazing cows, crashing waves on the cliffs in the distance. This is probably the most scenic marathon I've ever run. Now she is a beauty of a course, but don't let her fabulous appearance fool you...she is a BEAST!

Arriving at mile 10 is where I took a big gulp and went for the awesome two mile climb to Hurricane Point. You are greeted by Japanese drummers (who were AWESOME) and they absolutely get you pumped up in preparation for the climb. This climb is the highest elevation gain and fastest gain on the course...you will feel this climb and it isn't nice. I stayed focused and walked/ran the hill the best I could. I knew I had 13 miles following this hill so I needed some muscle and stamina to finish this race. I eventually made it to the top of the hill and took a minute to just appreciate not only the breathtaking views but looking behind me to see what I just accomplished. I was so happy. In front of me was the race famous Bixby Bridge. Of course I touched the mile 13 marker and made my way across the bridge. My Garmin told me I was around 2:26 at the half way mark so I was pretty pleased with myself at this point. What I thought was cool was the really kick ass pianist that you could hear as you ran across the Bixby Bridge. Really a special moment on the course.

The remainder of the course was pretty much the same. Rolling hills and lovely views for the next 13 miles as I continued my quest toward Carmel. Along the way I saw some awesome homes along the cliffs, met some great runners who were working their hardest to beat the clock, and conversed with the course support (which was amazing). This race was all about the views. That's what makes her a beauty to behold. You can't see awesome coastal views like this on just any course. This course is special! There were points where I got chills just looking at the colors of the rock formations and ocean foam.

What makes this course a beast is the constant hills and elevation change. If you aren't used to that you will struggle here. This course does not hold back. For what you get in delicious candy for your eye you pay for on the hills and inclines.

All in all this course is FANTASTIC! It truly is a treat. No wonder the race sold out in under an hour! I crossed the finish line after giving Bart Yasso a high five at 5:44. I took it easy the last 5 miles. I was definitely feeling the fatigue and needed to save some juice for OC Marathon. I was already pushing it with this marathon 6 days after Boston.

I felt pretty good crossing the finish line but also had a lot of time to think while I was out on the route which is always a good thing. I find my mind is the clearest and most honest when I am running a race. Combine that with lovely sights of the central California coast and that creates a storm in my head. I have so much more to say about those thoughts and some of those I will share in a later post, others I will have to process on my own.

I hope you guys enjoyed the journey through the Big Sur marathon. I as always appreciate all of the encouragement and congratulations along the way. I try to respond to as many as I can so know you guys are absolutely appreciated and I can't do this without you...well I could but it would suck...so you guys are 100% important to me! Thanks! Next up, OC Marathon and my Runnerversary on Sunday!

Boston 2 Big Sur 2 The OC The 78.6 Mile Challenge

Talk about running all the races! I have gotten myself into quite the interesting challenge. Next Monday, I will run my very first Boston Marathon! I can't even describe how excited I am to be part of such an amazing field of runners...during such an important time in not only the races history but the history of the running community! After I cross the finish on Boylston Street,  I will fly home for a few days then drive up Pacific Coast Highway to take on the Big Sur International Marathon! BSIM along with ASICS hosts what is known as the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge. This challenge invites registered participants to see if they have what it takes to run another 26.2 miles just 6 days after completing Boston! Big Sur is no walk in the park, but it is sure to be one of the most scenic and beautiful runs I've ever completed. I have had my eye on Big Sur and this challenge for months. I was fortunate enough to be accepted to the challenge and am ready to rock and roll.

Now here is where it gets interesting. Coming up on May 4th is the OC Marathon. The OC Marathon was my first half marathon in 2012 so this is my anniversary race, or as I like to refer to it as my "Runnerversary". I usually register for this race right away because it is the race that doesn't escape me if possible. You never forget your first. Last year I ran the marathon distance, this year I will do the same. Then I realized, "Crap this is the week after Big Sur." Oh well, not much I can do about it now, so I guess I will be running three marathons in three weeks.

Yes it is crazy, yes it is going to hurt, and yes I have a plan. I am ALL IN for Boston. I am secretly hoping for a PR on that course. My current PR for the marathon is 4:54 so it's absolutely possible. During Big Sur, I will keep a steady consistent pace but will not be at 100%. OC Marathon I will trot to finish. I will not get injured. OC is going to be a scenic celebration of running, life, endurance, and I will use the time to reflect.

What comes after the marathons? A break and serious training. I have some training plans I am working with and I will be concentrating on consistency, speed, strength, and healthy eating. I go into Beast Mode. Getting these three marathons under my belt successfully is very important.

This is a crucial time for me and I will be very focused and determined to be my absolute best. The next three weeks I know will change my life. I am not afraid of a challenge. Watch me work, encourage me, and let's make some magic happen people!

So...I Guess I'm Running Avengers

So see what had happened was...

So, it's no secret I have been on a runDisney hiatus. I have kept the reasoning for that pretty much to myself, but I can say that cost was a huge factor. I had pretty much known that the Avengers Half Marathon weekend was coming...it was strongly hinted during the Disneyland Half Marathon meet-up last year...you guys didn't believe me LOL. So when this announcement was being teased and released I wasn't in shock at all.

So here we are. Registration opened today and sold out in minutes for this inaugural west coast race. This is pretty awesome because it offers another race for us west coasters, and another opportunity for you to earn Coast-to-Coast. Personally, I think that $195 is still too much for a half marathon...but apparently that didn't stop me.

I evaded the runDisney excitement of Disneyland half marathon weekend, and Wine and Dine. Both are two of my favorite runDisney races. It hurt to watch them sell out, but I knew it was for the best. Avengers was announced and my initial reaction was "NO! I am not doing this." I held strong to that and went back and forth with my big sis Jen about this. Should we do it? Should we do this and then run Rock 'N' Roll Las Vegas that night? (which apparently lots of you are planning). Should we just say no. We landed on just say no. Well...this morning she asked me if I fell on the keyboard yet and I hadn't. Then something happened. I completely blacked out. I woke up to confirmation emails in my inbox and a withdrawal notification from my bank. I think Thor's brother Loki put a spell on me...because I ended up registered.

I was sweating, and all of you were celebrating my return to runDisney. I guess you guys have missed me :) So, I will be running around like Thor for Avengers Super Heroes Half Marathon weekend. Geez. Now what will my next runDisney race be? After this, more than likely Wine and Dine 2015. I am passing on Marathon weekend for various reasons...mainly because I would like to do Miami and if I go I'll want to go Dopey and that damn near killed me with the 4 days of early wake ups.

So, yes I will be there at Avengers and will absolutely enjoy it and enjoy seeing all of you. My wallet hurts but I am sure I'll survive. Now if only Disney would construct a BiFrost to carry me between Disneyland and Walt Disney World that would be spectacular...talk about cutting down on travel costs.

2014 Asics LA Marathon...Redemption Awaits

It's approaching. In just 23 days I will be taking on the Asics LA Marathon for the second year! This race and I have a history...and I have a bone to pick with it I first ran this marathon in 2013. It was my first solo marathon without my running family and my second marathon in general. I was excited to get out there and show Los Angeles what I was made of. The race fell on St. Patrick's Day last year, so you can imagine the sea of green that filled the streets from Downtown all the way to Santa Monica. I felt great the first 19 miles of the race. I blew right through Downtown, zipped through Silver Lake, and made my way through Hollywood and back up the Sunset Strip. The strip elevation varies and rolls so you have to be careful and watch your pace. I gotta say, if you want a tour of Los Angeles and all it has to offer, run this race! You will see everything! I even saw some new things...and I have lived in Southern California my whole life!

Something happened when I turned the corner to mile 20. I hit the wall. I hit the wall to date harder than I can remember ever hitting it before. I hit the wall so hard I thought my body was going to just let go. It happened so fast, I wasn't sure what was going on. I ended up stopping at a medical aid station, hydrating, applying Biofreeze to my sore muscles, and continued to walk the last 6 miles from Brentwood to Santa Monica Pier. I was almost in tears but didn't let it show on my face. When I turned the corner to Ocean and was on the final approach, the last .2 miles of the race the spectators were amazing! I kept hearing "Keep Going!" "You're almost there don't quit!" Mentally I felt like I completely gave up. I was defeated. I knew I could do better and wanted my first solo marathon to be one for the books. Well that it was. I did finish the race with a very respectable time of 5:42. Not bad for a first time out, but I knew I could have done better had I not hit the wall. So what happened?

I was hydrated thankfully. The problem came with nutrition on the course! I wasn't consuming enough calories during the appropriate times. So basically, my body ran out of energy, sucked the nutrients from other parts of my body to supplement which leads to extreme fatigue and cramps. I was toast. I've since learned what works for me in terms of caloric intake and I am doing MUCH better with this. Thank heavens.

Today, fellow So Cal runner pal Tracy posted a photo of the 2014 LA Marathon medal! I am just gonna say it, MUCH better than last year's medal. It had charm and whimsey and all that...but I like this one much better. That's just me. Anyway, I instantly got charged! I have 26.2 With Donna to focus on first (which is next week and I am so excited...you can still register by the way). I want to go out there and show Los Angeles who's boss! I run this city! I want to get out there and not only have fun and enjoy the sights, but finish faster and stronger! Can we say further, faster, forever? I have gotten stronger, I have learned a lot, and I am ready to ROCK IT! I am excited! Cheer me on! I will be out there enjoying every moment! It will also be hard not to stop for brunch again on Rodeo Drive. Let's the journey begin From Dodgers Stadium to the Sea! POW!

I'm Going to Boston!

It happened! Today I felt like my life changed! For months, I have been networking and reaching out to charities, like many hoping that I would receive an acceptance letter welcoming me to the team. I reached out to charities that resonated with me. Cancer treatment centers, youth activities, and educational programs were all at the top of the list. Sadly, I was not selected for the teams I applied for. This meant that others had their dreams come true! And for that I was glad. My good friend Adam was selected to run for a charity and I was incredibly happy and proud! I must say, the efforts and help that my running family have exhibited to get me to Boston is nothing short of extraordinary!

This morning I woke up to an email from The Boston Bruins (GO HOCKEY) Foundation! This was surprising. Their coordinator informed me they had one bib available for a lucky runner and wanted to know if I was interested in running the Boston Marathon as a member of their fundraising team!

I instantly started to shake. I literally had just given up on the chance that I would be running and was SO excited for Adam and Katie to run! I was pumped up and ready to support ALL of my friends that would be storming Boston in just a few short weeks, then this happens! I was shocked. I was humbled. I CRIED! One simply does not run The Boston Marathon! For many, it is years and years of intense training to achieve the coveted Boston Qualifying time! It is a journey for many runners! It's hollowed sacred ground in the running community! When I touched the finish line in Boston during my trip during the 2013 BAA 10K, I got chills! Boston is serious business and should be respected! Charity runners are hard working individuals. We put massive efforts out to raise funds for worthy organizations so we can help make a difference and change the world. This isn't taken lightly, and I am so blessed to have this rare opportunity! Thank you to the Boston Bruins Foundation for having me!

The Boston Bruins Foundation is a non-profit foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children, while assisting charitable organizations! What this means is that the $7,500.00 I must raise (and gladly) will go toward helping and enriching the lives of children! EVERYONE WINS!

I am excited and ready! I love Boston! I can't wait to be in the midst of amazing athletes! I can't wait to reunite with friends! I can't wait to run to the finish line! 26.2 Brew by Samuel Adams is waiting!

I need your help! Please find it in your heart to help me raise funds for this very worthy cause! And please spread the word! We can do this together! You can click here to be directed to my fundraising page! I have also added a new page to my blog that will remain until we reach our goal! I say OUR goal because we are in this together! Let's get ready to rock Boston! You Ready?

The SF Marathon - Worth The Hurt - Am I Crazy?

Ok. I've clearly lost my mind. There can't be anything left up there. If you were watching today on Twitter, then you saw quite the conversation between Brian from Pavement Runner, and Chris from MarathonLiving.com. Let me recap some of what happened. Chris and I are running Surf City USA this weekend in Huntington Beach, we are also hosting a Tweet Up on Saturday at Noon at the Nuun Hydration booth so make sure you stop by. Brian jumps in and some how we discuss various assortments of hair pieces one could wear during a marathon...mohawk or mullet. Brian was thinking he would rock a mohawk for The San Francisco Marathon this year. I agreed to that, I mean I did wear a bright orange one with mouse ears during the Disneyland Half in 2012, right? And then Brian says the following...

At this point, I knew I was in trouble! For those of you that may be unfamiliar, let me give you some background, then most of this MAY make sense haha.

The San Francisco Marathon is still to-date my favorite marathon course! Down the shore, out and back across the Golden Gate Bridge, through Golden Gate Park, through awesome neighborhoods in the city, and back toward the Ferry Building. Lots of beautiful and interesting things to see and experience along this eclectic route. Now, what the 52.4 Worth the Hurt Challenge is...

You start at Midnight (yes, Midnight), and run the full marathon course in reverse. You come back to the Ferry Building and check in with the Worth the Hurt tent, and then...yes you guessed it, you run the damn thing in the normal direction with the rest of the marathon field. So basically, you run two marathons back to back totaling 52.4 miles over the course of approx. 8 hours. The 1,000 participants who are bonkers enough to conqour this feat will also fundraise upwards to $1,000.00 for a charity. So that makes this even sweeter! You know how I feel about charity! Writing this gave me butterflies and now I feel anxious.

So here are my thoughts. I think I am going to do it. I love a challenge and this gives me something to seriously train for. I've had ultra distance on the brain for several months now, so now I have a goal I can see achieving. Plus, I have Brian and Chris to help motivate me and encourage me along the way. Although I am sure I won't see much of them because they both belong to the Royal Order of Marathon Gazelles, I know having them behind me (or in front of me) to support me in my training and performance would make it worth the hurt for sure. So, I guess that's it Pavey and Chris, sign me up! Let's do it!

I'm nervous and excited all at the same time. Time to get a training plan together with my coach, nutrition plans, and go for it! May not be the fastest one out there, but I am no quitter! Turn down for what let's go!

The Approach for Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend

Well, this seemed like a good idea at the time! It is here and underway! The 2014 runDisney Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend! This will be my second year earning my wings! And my second year going coast-to-coast back-to-back with marathon weekend. As you all are aware by now, I just finished the inaugural Dopey Challenge in Walt Disney World, which consisted of running 48.6 miles over the course of four days. After a few days of rest and no running, I actually feel pretty good and ready for the challenge of taking on about 19.3 miles.

So here's the scoop! On saturday, I will run the Tinker Bell 10K. The main driver for choosing to run this race was because it was inaugural, and I always enjoy running first year races! I plan on just enjoying the run at a comfortable pace! I don't plan on running for a large PR at all on Saturday. My goal is to go out there, run, and get warmed up for the half marathon! So really, this is just for fun!

Now let's talk about the half marathon! I am excited because I didn't come down with a cold after marathon weekend like last year! I know EnergyBits had something to do with it. In fact, I feel healthier. Anyway, I plan on wearing this course out! I plan on a smart consistent start as not to burn out to fast, and dial it up in the second half! Absolutely hoping for a negative split. Not going to promise a sub-2 or anything, but my goal is run and pace myself to a very consistent half marathon. Running with Faith last week and having that be the best marathon I've run consistency wise really has me ready to focus on the prize. Especially, when I will begin work with my coach Holly very soon!

So basically, I plan on just rocking out this weekend and enjoying myself. Using Galloway intervals, and hydrating with Skratch! So this should be a blast!

Follow the journey! Tomorrow, I'll recap the 10K for all of you! See you on the road!

Sharp's Final Thoughts on the Inaugural Dopey Challenge

Well folks, it's time. Most of us are either on our way home or sitting in the airport awaiting our flights...which is exactly what I am doing. As a side note before I get started...I scored power plugs for my phone and laptop! SCORE! So many of us participated in the runDisney Walt Disney World weekend (which again is really a week). This consists of the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon, and Marathon. Many of us took on various challenges. I met a lot of people who did their own make-shift 'East Coast Dumbo Double Dare' by completing the 10K, followed by the half marathon. Others went Goofy, and some even went Dopey. I am officially Dopey! Horray! So what did I think and how do I feel?

Well, at this point I have VERY minimal discomfort. I kept my 5K, 10K, and half marathons very easy and utilized a consistent Galloway run/walk technique all weekend, adjusting my intervals as I needed to ensure comfort. So this made for muscles that were not overworked or strained. I survived with no injury thank goodness. I also did my best to enjoy all of the fine cuisine Walt Disney World has to offer, but did so responsibly knowing I had races in the morning. Not a whole lot of junk food this weekend.

So that brings me to what I personally thought was the hardest part of the weekend for me...the 5 early wake up calls. All from waking up early to make sure I got the newest New Balance runDisney shoes, to ensuring I made to to my start corral in enough time. I honestly think the 10K was my worst day. I was so pumped up and had ALL the adrenaline in my system during the marathon. I knocked out last night though. I am sure all runners thought it was an awesome treat to be able to sleep in past 4AM this morning haha!

This challenge is just as much of a mental challenge than it is physical. You need to be in the zone ALL weekend in order to make this a success. You have to be focused during all of your distances, you need to fuel properly, and you need to get as much rest as possible. Thank goodness for EnergyBits which gave me energy AND the vitamins I needed to keep from getting sick! I brought a whole bag with me and took two servings every day!

What didn't I like? I didn't like the early morning wake up calls at all. It was hard to know I absolutely had to be up and out the door. There is no grey area here, you don't want to miss your bus or miss your corral. I also thought the price for this challenge was steep. The medals were beautiful, the tech tees this year were much improved from last year, but is it just me or did it seem that the character stops were sparse? Had me scratching my head all weekend. I absolutely got an amazing value for all the entertainment and amazing course support that was present, but I still think this may have been a little on the steep side. Also, just as note to other runners...do not say the following phrases to someone 'Oh, you just ran the half?' or 'You just ran the marathon?' Just because someone didn't take on a challenge doesn't make their journey or their race any less important. I heard a lot of that this weekend. I am absolutely sure that no one had malicious intentions and I'm sure many of this was done in a joking manner so I don't want this to turn into a finger pointing session, but honestly, every distance should be respected. 26.2 and 13.1 is nothing to turn your nose up at. So, I say all this to say congratulate all of your fellow runners out there! No distance is too short! GO YOU as Cigna would say. Encourage one another!!!!!!!!!

What did I love? THE MEDALS! The medals are GORGEOUS! Personally, the Goofy is my favorite! The tech shirts were absolutely much improved from last year. The designs and the material were beautiful! Very happy. The course support at the aid stations and water stops was spot on! The volunteers as usual were amazing! The expo pretty much remained well stocked all weekend. I went back and only couldn't get one thing I forgot which was my Dopey hat. I loved the virtual queue line for the New Balance shoes. I know my perspective is a little different because I was first in line on Wednesday, but I thought that was a very efficient way to queue up people wanting to get their shoes. Now for those folks that bought ALL the shoes to sell them....I won't get into that.

Wrapping it up!

I know that each of you gave it your best effort out there! I know that many people learned a lot from their performance! I know there were some challenges. But I know that we all learned something. I love coming to Walt Disney World to run! It is honestly one of my favorite things. Not only do I get to see some amazing people, and reconnect with new folks, but I always have (no joke) a magical time. It's more than theme parks for me. It's about being in the moment and letting the spirit and magic remind you that you are alive. Being able to run around the world (as I call it) is such a blessing. Some people never get a chance to leave their home state, and I get to travel all over the country to run, smile, and write about it. It is a reminder that I am blessed enough to one run on my own strength and get stronger, and two that dreams can come true. If you ever have turned the corner of Main Street USA in the Magic Kingdom and seen Cinderella's castle for the first time, you know that it is such an experience. Running past it with spectators cheering for you gives me chills. I love the feeling, the spirit, the energy, and the magic that runDisney can create. If you choose to do this challenge I caution you of the early mornings, and not only encourage you...I am telling you you need to be TRAINED UP! This challenge will eat you up if you let it. 48.6 miles is a long way, and the distances get greater every day. The weather in central Florida is also quite unpredictable. We got it all! Rain, humidity, sunshine, overcast, puppies! Sunday however was such a blessing! Perfect running conditions! So, train for the distance! Make sure you get that long run in and cross-train so your whole body is strong and ready for the challenge. All in all, this was a great experience. I am on the fence if I would do it again next year as there are some other races I have my eye on, BUT I am not saying no. There is a chance I may be back for marathon weekend next year, but we will see what the year holds. I had a blast this weekend, and now Saturday and Sunday...the Tinker Bell 10K and Half Marathon await. Which means, Coast to Coast 2014 gets picked up on back-to-back race weekends! Let's see how this goes!

Thanks for joining me on this journey! There is so much more to experience, see, and run through! I hope you continue to join me on these amazing journeys! No two runs are ever the same and there is always something to learn! I have a long way to go, but I enjoy every step! Here's to the magic! See ya real soon!

26.2 With Donna The Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer

It is October! Fall is here and the leaves are starting to change, the weather is cooling down, marathon season has started, and notably it is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I am sure by now you have seen many people around you rocking their pink ribbons in support of ending breast cancer. If you've been following along with me on my journey, you know that cancer is one cause that I go up for very hard. Cancer has claimed the lives of many friends and members of my family...and quite frankly I am sick of it.

A few months ago, my good friend Marcia (who blogs at Travel Run Eat!) asked me to run a marathon with her. But this wasn't just any marathon. This was one of the premiere fundraising marathons in Florida. She asked me to run with her during the 2014 26.2 with Donna Marathon to End Breast Cancer! I immediately agreed to take on the task of running through Jacksonville Florida with my friend. But as I began to research this amazing marathon, I learned so many things.

The marathon itself is named after the lovely Donna Deegan, who is a three-time cancer survivor! Donna has founded both the 26.2 with Donna marathon, as well as The Donna Foundation which is a non-profit organization that raises funds exclusively for those on the First Coast living with breast cancer. The 26.2 with Donna marathon is the only marathon in the United States that is solely dedicated to fundraising to finish breast cancer. What that means is...get ready for this because this is awesome...100% of raised funds and race proceeds for ALL 26.2 with Donna events are distributed to breast cancer research and care! Proceeds are donated to The Mayo Clinic and the Donna Foundation which helps provide temporary assistance to both men and women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer! The Donna also offers a half marathon distance as well.

So, The Donna is more than just a marathon...it's an event for change! The race takes place in Jacksonville, Florida and has some amazing coastal views including 2 1/2 miles of hard packed sand for you to experience, tailgating in the yards from the excited neighbors cheering you on, not to mention the world-class course support you will receive. From what I understand, The Donna is a Jacksonville staple and the entire community comes out to support this annual event.

I understand you may be eager or interested to run this race, but just don't think it is possible to fly to Florida in February, right? That's why I am here. This year, The Donna is offering a virtual race option! You have the opportunity to run, raise some funds, and earn the same beautiful sun-catching medal. CLICK HERE to learn more about the Virtual Donna, and I encourage you to sign up! It is for an amazing cause, and you'll earn some high-quality beautiful bling on your time on your terms :) What are you waiting for? Let's get ready to FINISH BREAST CANCER with Donna!

Bank of America Chicago Marathon - Recap

What. A. WEEKEND! Wow! Where do I even start with this story! I don't think I have ever experienced anything like The Bank of America Chicago Marathon in my entire life! First off, I was given the opportunity to run as a charity runner for The American Cancer Society on Team DetermiNation! So before I go any further, I want to thank each and every one of you who helped me raise over $1,100.00 dollars for ACS. So, let's talk about the weekend.

I landed on Friday afternoon and headed to my hotel at the Hyatt Regency - McCormick Place. This was an amazing choice for hotel...it was literally connected to the convention center where the expo was being held. No need to travel, take a cab, ride the 'L'...just go downstairs and walk through the hallway and BAM! This made me happy. I entered McCormick Place and looked up and was greeted by the 'Welcome Runners' banner suspended from the ceiling. I knew I was in for something special. I knew this event was going to be unlike anything else I have ever experienced. I saw the banner and instantly got chills, and a little misty eyed.

I entered the expo and proceeded to the bib pick-up section. What I REALLY liked about this race is we received a participant book in the mail which had our participant pick-up QR code on the back. If you had an iPhone, they actually enabled a Passbook ticket you could use! As a techy type of guy...this made me very excited and I opted for this option. Once they scanned me in, it sends a message to the next station who pulled my envelope and had it ready for me! That blew my mind! I wish more races would adopt this technology! It streamlined packet pick-up and made it simple, fast, and easy. 

So after I picked up my packet, I went to get my t-shirt and gear bag. Then I wandered around the expo. I wanted to take in every single thing! I ended up buying a new pair of Newton Energy shoes...which I raced in and LOVED! Meanwhile, I met up with fellow runner and friend Justin and we chatted and walked around for a bit :)

Before I left for the day, I had one thing I had to do. I had to say hello to Bart Yasso. Bart is a fan of my blog (which blows my mind completely) and always has wonderful and encouraging things to say to me via social media and some great phone chats he has been generous enough to have with me. So I made my way over to the Runner's World booth and there he was! He knew me by name (which again blew my mind), shook my hand, we had some awesome conversation. He signed my bib which just made my day, signed a copy of his book, and snapped some photos. Bart is so awesome!

After that I took my shoes back to my hotel and wound down for the evening. That concluded day one. Day two was a fun day for me! I woke up so energized and so full of life I knew I just HAD to get in a shake out run. So I laced up the new foot candy, and headed out the door for a short 2.5 mile shake out run. The weather was beautiful, the air was fresh, and I honestly felt like I could run for hours...but I decided to save that for Sunday.

After my shake out run, I received word that my twin Marcia from Travel Run Eat had arrived in Chicago! She was here to do two things; 1. Celebrate myself and fellow running friend Katie during our run, and 2. Promote the 26.2 With Donna - The Marathon to End Breast Cancer which I will be running in February in Jacksonville. Me and this wild lady always have the most amazing time together! I haven't seen here since Boston so naturally we laughed and chatted about all the things!

After that, I showered and went with my friends to grab some brunch, then headed back to the expo! I met up with Marcia and another #CorralG sister of mine Katie! I saw Katie the day before but now it was just the three of us, and we got the opportunity to catch up, laugh, tell some inside jokes, and just enjoy our afternoon before the race.

After some fun time with the ladies, we went back to our rooms for a bit before heading out to Gino's East for our pre-race dinner. This was awesome for us to just sit down, chat, and just be with one another. Remember, when complete strangers come together and run 26.2 miles together like we did in January, a bond is formed. And every time we see one another or run together, that bond is strengthened. We sat at dinner and encouraged one another, talked about our race strategies and goals, and ate a lot of deep dish pizza! Then we headed home to prepare for our big day. Marcia was not running but she was there to be one hell of a cheerleader! 

October 13th, 2013 at 0530 Hours. The time had come. The moment 45,000 runners were waiting for. The moment to rise, and dress for what for some of us would be the race of our lives. I put on my INKnBURN, did my pre-race dance and headed to the lobby! Upon reaching the lobby, I run into my good running friend Connie! Chicago was her very first 26.2 distance. I am so proud of her. She is really one awesome person!

Then I met up with Marcia and Katie and we headed to the shuttle which would whisk us away to the start line at Grant Park. Luckily, that wasn't to far from the hotel but it was nice to have a short little ride there instead of walking :)

Arriving at Grant Park that morning was an interesting feeling. I was overwhelmed with a wide gamut of emotions. I was excited, nervous, scared, humbled, and curious all at the same time. This was no ordinary race. This race felt and looked different. Walking to the gear check area located next to Buckingham Fountain, the only thing I could sense was this experience was becoming REAL. I was here, suited up and ready for the marathon of my life. I had no idea this would effect me in the way it did. I was really taken back...in a good way.

I walked to my corral (which was G...how funny) and located the 4:30 pacer, whose name was Jerry. Jerry had a team of two other pacers with him, and they talked to us about the strategy for the race. It was really interesting hearing his perspectives on the course and the strategy for achieving success. Before I knew it, the race started. The Elites were off like gazelles, and the first wave of runners had stormed the streets of downtown Chicago. At this point, I did something I never do, I turned my phone OFF. People that know me, know that is like taking my arm off. I wanted to focus on the race. Next, it was time for wave two to head out...and we did! The second I crossed the start line I felt a huge rush of adrenaline. The nerves were gone. This was MY race, and like I explained via social media before...I wanted to enjoy every single mile. I needed to focus on my pacing, my breathing, and signs of required hydration of nutrition intake. This was an amazing decision.

So as you could imagine, I didn't take any photos while I was running. I was busy looking around and really seeing the city on foot. No better way to sightsee in my opinion. The race passed through 29 neighborhoods of the city, each one with a different personality and energy about them. I never realized how diverse Chicago really is. If you can name it, we probably ran past or through it. We encountered landmarks such as Millenium Park, The Willis Tower (formally the Sears Tower), The Loop, Lincoln Park, University Village, Chinatown, The Chicago Theatre, and many many more! This marathon is exactly as awesome as you can imagine. First, every single street on the route, ALL 26.2 miles had spectators on it! That is A LOT of people! Every street in every neighborhood had people out cheering us all on. We owned their city for the morning, and they were happy to let us know it. The energy and the support was something I couldn't even imagine. The aid stations were run with precision and the volunteers were amazing. The race day weather was in the high 60s with plenty of gentle sun. It started to warm up around 11:30 but the weather couldn't have been better for us! 

I paced with the 4:30 pacer for the first 18 miles of the race, then I felt my legs start to tighten up so I modified my stride and slowed down. By this time, I am VERY happy with my performance so I treated myself to a walk break. After that, I had my rhythm down and just paced myself through the rest of the race. I didn't experience to much pain which was new for me and exciting. I was focused on finishing this race in under 5 hours, and that dream came true. I finished the Bank of America Chicago Marathon with an official time of 04:54:19. I came across the finish line and the volunteer placed the medal around my neck and I cried. I was so happy. Not only did I reach my goal of going sub 5, but I did it on an AMAZING course! A World Marathon Major course at that. If you're going to go big, do it at a Major I suppose.

I was so happy. I still am happy. Chicago is an amazing race. A life-changing race in my opinion. Sometimes, that is all we need. A good run to help center our minds and spirits so we can move forward through life with tuned in spirits. This race did that for me. I have never been so happy. I was so happy I did something post-race I have never done, I got my free beer!!!!!! And it was so good! Why haven't I done this before??? Maybe I will reserve the beer for races where I PR. Something to consider LOL.

If you are ever given the opportunity to run Chicago, DO IT! Now the next question is, when can I do it again? I Owned Chicago, and I want to thank all of you for your encouragement and love throughout this journey! Each of you has made it worth while. I do this for you, and although I ran this race for me...you were with me. This race changed everything for me. I now have a structured training plan to ensure I not only get faster, I get stronger. Victory tastes good, but you must stay focused on your goals if you want to continue to reap the rewards of your efforts! I'm ready and I hope you are ready to join the journey with me!

Thank you Chicago!

Rock 'N' Roll San Jose - Race Recap

It is no secret that I am a big fan of the Rock 'N' Roll race series! In fact, I have had the chance to rock six cities in three different states over the past 16 months! I have found that these races are pretty much well organized, and full of some amazing fun energy. This past Sunday's San Jose half marathon was no exception.

So, on Saturday morning I got up bright and early and headed out on my five hour drive to San Jose. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Then I realized something...I actually don't care for road trips. In fact, I am alone on the 5 and there is nothing to look at except for dust and what I think were fruit trees. Needless to say, the drive was a little boring. But I had my coffee and some great tunes so I had my own little jam session in the car. In case you were wondering, I was totally listening to some throwback 90's jams.

On the road

Once I arrived in San Jose, I eventually made my way to the expo. I took care of the usual activities, bib pick up...lime green. T-Shirt pick up, loved the design. That is another thing to note and I just gotta put it out there...Rock 'N' Roll always has the best shirt designs! Just sayin'. The expo was well organized and pretty easy to navigate. Something I noticed was they had lots of vendors selling or promoting products that were actually practical! Not a lot of excess vendors just to take up space, so I appreciated that. I made my way to the Rock 'N' Roll booth at the expo where I ran into some familiar faces and even met some new folks!

After the expo, I grabbed some Philz Coffee, some dinner, and made my way to my hotel for some much needed rest. I knew I had a big day in the morning. Running 13.1 miles is never easy so I wanted to make sure I was mentally ready for the day...I mean what a commute right?

I woke up bright and squirrely on Sunday ready to race. I got dressed, checked out of my hotel, grabbed some much needed coffee (which is usually a pre-race no no for me but a guy needed some coffee) and headed to Downtown San Jose. The traffic was easy and the street closures were pretty well managed. For someone who has never driven in San Jose before, I found my way around pretty easily...and the traffic enforcement was really helpful. I parked and made my way to McCormick and Schmick's for the InTune pre-race VIP treatment. It is always nice to have private gear check and early morning hydration available. Then I made my way to the start line. I decided to rock my new INKnBURN Robot kit this weekend, matching it with my Lust shorts. My outfit was a HIT! Lots of interested folks wondering why this six foot 2 tall robot was walking up and down the street.

Before I knew it, it was time to rock the town! I lined up in my corral and got my playlist all set up. I noticed the two hour pacer was further forward than I anticipated...I shouldn't have let this discourage me but it did. Once I realized where the pace team was I instantly went into internal panic mode and when it was our turn to head out....all my pacing lessons...out the window. Whoops. Running across the start line is always such a rush...that may explain my new mile PR at mile 1. Once I saw what my pace was, I knew I was in trouble. Bring on the severe cramp at mile 2. Luckily, I was able to get it to pass and release rather quickly. After that, my pacing lessons came rushing back and I locked into a solid 9:45 comfortable pace for the remainder of the race. It was awesome running into some familiar faces on route, such as Francis who was rocking his 8/1 intervals!

The race was really fun! The route is flat and fast! So if you are looking for a PR course, this is seriously it! It runs through some beautiful neighborhoods and scenic parts of town! Another great perk about this race is there is plenty of shade when you are in the neighborhoods. The streets are lined with trees, which helps on days that can be a little warm. San Jose also takes the prize for the most creative costume for a spectator! I found Kevin from Disney/Pixar's Up! This made me LAUGH!

All in all, I finished in under 2:20 so it was an average time for me. I am still in search of that sub 2, and again, I am not that far off. Focus at the beginning is what will make that happen. Can't jump the gun the way I did...just made for a crazy morning haha! But I have zero complains about this race! Course support was great, logistically it was laid out rather nicely, and of course the bling was beautiful! Way to go San Jose!