Jeff’s Post – Friday Rewind!

Another long stretch in between blog posts.  I hate that but I see them picking up as we head towards the fall – I have quite a few races coming up.  We just got back from a whirlwind trip to Ocean City, MD.  It was nice to get away for a few days and I always love running at the beach.  I ran 9 miles on Monday (5 by myself and then 4 with Tamara), 6 on Tuesday and 7 on Wednesday.  I had some of the slowest runs of the summer but I’m  not beating myself up over it.  I know why they were slow – too much sun, food, drink and not enough sleep.  We have a trip to Wisconsin planned in a few weeks and I will start pushing the training right after that.  Last year I felt like I was in my best shape around July/August which was really too early.  I want to be there in September/October this year so I can go into Marine Corps strong and fit.  I also want to try to lose a few pounds by October. I ran both of my Marathons last year at around 168lbs, I want to run Marine Corps at around 160 if I can get there.  That is really too light for me but I think it will help and I’m willing to put up with the “you are too skinny” comments for a month or so.

A quick Tamara update – she is still around 🙂 but is nursing a sore knee and has just been super busy running Samantha around.  Samantha is in our local production of  The Wizard of Oz this year (she is a munchkin).  The kids have been working so hard and have been rehearsing for months.  All the rehearsals are over and they are in the final weekend of shows and they have done an amazing job.  So proud of Samantha!  I shared a few pics below.

6 Treadmill miles this morning – Have a great weekend and Happy Running!

Jeff’s Post – Looking Back at July

Tamara and I were talking this morning about running stats and numbers.  This was brought up when I started reading her my July running summary that I was about to post on Facebook.  I’m certain if there was a “puke” button on Facebook I would receive it pretty regularly.  I’m also pretty sure I’m motivating a few people to get off the couch (In fact I’m certain I am since I receive a private message every now and then telling me just that).  I love numbers and stats and Tamara actually created this monster when she gave me a Garmin Forerunner 410 for Christmas.  Since January I have been happily gathering daily running stats that I just love to share!

I’m very happy with July and this is a quick recap.  I ran 29 times (13 outside runs – the rest on the treadmill) – 271 Miles – 38:00 Hours – 35,556 Calories Burned – Longest Run of the month 17.1 miles.  The two days I didn’t run I rode the bike (0 Days off in July!).  I ran 5 times when I was in Ocean City (with one run ending up at the Fractured Prune Donut Shop – yummy).  Tamara and I got to run together 4 times – wish it was more!  I also ran the 1^st Annual 4^th of July ½ Marathon – well actually I was the only one running it but I hope to get a few others to join me next year!

I’m excited about my race schedule over next few months.  August – The Annapolis 10 Miler – September – Virginia Beach Rock and Roll ½ Marathon – October – The Baltimore Marathon (my first !) – I will be sharing more about my marathon training soon.  I also want to document as much of the experience as I can – more details soon!

And while I’m sharing numbers I just had to look and see how many miles I have in the can from January 1 thru July 31- so far 1,265 miles – Yeah – Looking forward to the rest of the year.

P.S. Congrats to Michael Wardian on winning the San Francisco Marathon – He is a machine and it is fun to follow what he is doing!

Jeff and Tamara – Boardwalk Run Ocean City, MD

Mmmmm Good!

Jeff and Tamara – Ocean City, MD – Notice my running shirt 🙂

Jeff’s Post – Love Boardwalk Runs!

I’ve mentioned it a few times before but I love running on the boardwalk.   We are still in Ocean City, Maryland and for the second morning in a row I went for a nice relaxing run on the boardwalk.  Yesterday mom offered to come watch Samantha in the morning so we could run.  I love being up here with family – Thank You Mom for coming to our room at 5:45am on your vacation so Tamara and  I could run together.  The run yesterday was beautiful.  Tamara took the camera so she could take some pictures and that is about all she did the first ¼ mile.  It made me laugh and none of the pictures turned out.  I remember at one point telling her (I was kidding of course) to focus and get to work!  We had a great run and got to watch the sun peek its way through the clouds.  Tamara peeled off at about mile 7 and I told her I was going for another mile.  Well, I have a tendency to push it and ended up running a little over 13 miles.  I felt strong the whole time and loved running with Tamara.

This morning Tamara got up first and went out.  When she returned I went back to the boardwalk.  The boardwalk is 2.2 miles and I wanted to try to get in 8 miles.  I was feeling a little off at the beginning it could have been from the few “Big Fish” I had at Fish Tales last night (I love Fish Tales btw).  At about mile 2 my cousin Bryan shows up beside me and ran about 4 miles with me.  We had talked about running over the past few days (I can’t help but talk about it) so I was thrilled to see him show up.  I was able to get in 8.8 miles.

Ok, done with the blog – need to get back to the beach – another run in my future tomorrow – probably!

Ocean City, MD Boardwalk

The “Big Fish”

Group Shot

Jeff’s Daily Post – Back on the Horse!

Mentally I had to get back on the horse after yesterday’s running disaster.  It’s interesting, I went 17 miles yesterday in head indexes that were about 105 but my finish was so poor that it almost felt like I skipped a day running.  I was determined to get in another run this morning.  I told myself I would it would be a shorter run (My dad also called me yesterday and told me not to run so far today – “Thanks Coach”).  So today I ran a short 6.2 miles and aside from the first ½ mile where my knees were hurting I felt good the whole way.  It is still crazy hot but I was happy finish strong and happy to finish without having to call Tamara!

Have a great day – I’m looking forward to some more beach runs!

Jeff’s Post – Boy – It is hot out here!

I woke up this morning in one of my favorite places – Ocean City Maryland.  I have been coming here since I was a kid and I just love being here.  Our original plan was to come down on Sunday (with the rest of the family) but Tamara and I decided to leave last night so we could get a head start.  Geez, is this place crowded.  We didn’t have reservations for Friday and Saturday and decided to wing it and see what we could find.  After about an hour and about 15 rejections (Tamara said she was getting used to rejection) we finally found a room.  Way too expensive but oh well!  We are staying in North Ocean City which is new for me.  All of the years I have been coming here we have always stayed on the Boardwalk (that is where we will be going to on Sunday).  So I’m looking forward to exploring another territory.  Funny that I wanted to get to bed before it got too late last night because I wanted to run early this morning – wow how things have changed.  It is hot hot hot and humid in Maryland right now.  Tamara and I decided last night that she would get up and run first and then I would go after.

Now for the not so good part.  When Tamara came back I headed out for my run.  I was determined to run from the Delaware state line to the end of the Boardwalk in Ocean City.  I had no idea how far that was I just knew we are staying on 145^th street and I had to run to 1^st street and back.  Initially, when I headed out it didn’t feel that hot and there was a little breeze.  I really enjoyed the run down going past some of my favorite places – The Green Turtle, Seacrets, Dumsers, The Fractured Prune and many others.  I ran out of water at about mile 6 and knew I needed to get something.  Have you ever tried feeding a wet limp dollar bill into a soda machine – doesn’t work.  I knew I would be to the boardwalk soon and would be able to get some water.  I find a little breakfast shop and see a cooler with some Gatorade.  I go in and hand the nice lady behind the counter two dripping wet dollar bills.  I was a bit embarrassed and she wasn’t too thrilled to be accepting my literally dripping wet money but she took it.  I filled up my amphipod, drank the rest and headed towards 1^st street.  I really should have turned around at this point – I hate stopping in the middle of a run and when I started again I just didn’t have it and it was sooooo hot.  But I said I was going to 1st street and that is what I was going to do.  I really don’t remember much of the boardwalk run I know I went to 1^st street and turned around.  At that time I was out of water again and out of dollar bills but had a bit of change.  I see a soda machine with water for $.40 – really $.40 didn’t think that was possible but I happily scurry over and put my money in.  You think this machine had water, nope all out, so I start hitting buttons frantically after anything at this point and out pops a Mountain Dew.  I initially think, I probably shouldn’t be drinking a Mountain Dew but didn’t care now – I just need to get back.  This is also the time I reach into my trusty little SPIbelt again and pull out the bat phone.  I wanted to tell Tamara not to worry but I was going to be a while.  I think I was at about 20^th street and the thought of running all the way back was a bit daunting.  I felt like I had nothing in the tank.  I started to run again and this began the run/walk that would take me a few more miles.  At about 50^th street I’m dying of thirst again. I considered going into a first aid station asking if they had water but I was afraid they wouldn’t let me out.  I found a convenience store and go in to buy some water.  I end up with a PowerAde Zero (really like those).  There was a huge line in this store and I’m standing in the middle literally dripping in sweat – I almost yelled for a cleanup in aisle 2 because I left a puddle in the floor.  I also call Tamara AGAIN to tell her not to worry that I’m ok but it is still going to be a while.  Turns out she is at the pull tweeting (@werrunners) my progress.  The last 40 streets took forever but I made it back – never happier to be back at the room.  17 miles at a horrible pace (11:00) – I learned a lesson (I think) and will be a little more careful next time.