May 29 Memorial Weekend

Day off..... spent time visiting family at a camp ground in Davidson. We certainly got in high levels of exercise playing with the kids (putt-putt, swimming, playground). I think running is much easier!!! LOL

- Randy

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend. We certainly did. I got a run in on each day except for the holiday itself. This morning I was up bright and early, feeling pretty energetic. After dropping Allyson off at school I hit the gym. To my surprise my body felt like it should the morning after a holiday. I was TIRED. I think I had one to many Italian sausages and hamburgers this weekend, and well, let's not forget the pizza and Dairy Queen on Saturday night. Whew!!!! I need to acquire runner's eating habits along with the actual running. Oh well........ gotta keep running.........and it feels so good after I push myself to go!!!!!!!

~Kelly~

May 28th - Walk Breaks

Went out for another 5mile run this morning because I wanted to see what my time would be like if I took quick and short walk break every mile. My time for a full run yesterday was 39sec./49sec. Today I finished the same route in 41min./49sec. YES!!!!! I fished with much more energy and only increase my pace by 2 minutes. No aches or pains today. Could have run another few miles today, but let's be real........I wasn't going to!!!!!

- Randy

May 27th - VICTORY!!!

Kelly and I decided to get up early and take turns getting in a long run around the neighborhood. I was able to get in a 5mile run in 39min/49sec. Notice I didn't say 40min. - nor will I! LOL. Around the 2nd mile I REALLY wanted to give up, wanted to walk the rest of the way. Kept thinking about those people that are enduring MUCH harder difficulties with cancer; my sister-in-laws mother and a former student of mine immediately came to mind. I also thought about the struggles my dad went through many years ago, how he must have felt trying to overcome this disease. It certainly helped me get through the run, but as you can see I literally collapsed when I got home!!!!!

- Randy

May 25th / 26th - Running in the Rain

May 26th: The predicted forecast for today's weather was rain......'What do you know they were finally right!!!!!" The strange thing is, I love running in the rain. We met up with some members of our team (our good friends) and set out for a 4 mile run at Stoney Creek. It's so much nicer running outside and taking in the scenery instead of going to the gym and feeling brain-dead on the hamster wheel. 4miles in under 40min. No aches no pains......just wet feet!

- Randy

May 25th - Day Off.

May 24th - Up to 4

Our training coach said carbs were needed for energy - not sure she had Tim Hortons Tim Bits in mind! Worked out at the gym today after work. Today was in the upper 80's, running in the air-conditioned gym was much nicer. I boosted my miles to 4.1 and completed the run in about 45min. I'm starting to really slow down my pace now as I increase the miles. My back was feeling much better, but my legs were on FIRE! I think I'm just getting old?!

- Randy

May 23rd - Day Off

Day Off......YES!!!!!

May 22nd - Outside Run

Today was a busy day so I held off running till about 9:30 at night. It turned out to be a good run, was tired at first but felt energized afterwards! I ran 3.6 miles in 36min. My pace seems to be about a 10min. average. At around 3.5 miles I was thinking about having a very cold beer!

- Randy

May 21st - Gym

Tried to get in weight training and a quick 1 mile run (it was supposed to be a day off). I ran a slow 10min. pace today. My back was still hurting, but someone younger was running next to me (and faster) so I had to keep going! LOL

- Randy

May 20th - Outside Run

Ran around the neighborhood today. Bumped my miles to 3.6. Today felt good (the first mile was rough). At the end of my run it felt like I could keep going.......I HAD NO DESIRE!!!! About a 40min. run today. Back hurt a little.

- Randy

May 19th - First Team Run

Today Kelly and I met up with the team at Stoney Creek Park. It was the first time we ran together, my first time running with a group. It was invigorating! Running together as a team pushed me along and made the run much easier. It was also nice to know several of our closest friends were there as well. I learned today I need to slow it down though or I'll burn out early in the marathon. The thrill at the end was seeing all the bagels the coaches brought for after the run! 3 miles today at around 30min. It's much different running outdoors!

- Randy

May 18th - Stretch and Rest

Day off today, and I took advantage......maybe a little too much (White Castle was calling my name!!!!)

- Randy

May 17th - Gym

Didn't want to run today but talked myself into it. iPods are a God-send!!! Without the sounds of Def Leppard today it would have been a NO-GO! 3 miles today at 28min......and NO, I didn't fall off the machine. LOL

- Randy

May 16th - Free Fall

Today was pretty funny!!!! Went to the gym and decided to up my miles to 3. Was feeling really good at the 2.5 mark. Must have gotten into my run a little too much because my foot came off the treadmill and stepped on the (non-moving) side step! YES.....I flew forward and almost head-butted the machine. Fortunately nobody saw me.....I don't think? Finished the 3 miles though in 30min.

- Randy

May 15th - Training Starts

Today I ran around the neighborhood. It was a heavy rain-storm!!!! I figured when the day of the race comes we run rain or shine, so why not? I used to shake my head at those people when I drove by......I'm officially one of the crazy people now! I got in 2.4 mile in around 25min. No aches or pains afterwards.

- Randy

May 14th - Signing up with TNT

It wasn't real until I signed on the dotted line, then I knew I had to get my butt in shape. The kick off meeting was at Troy Athens High School. We decided to take part in the Detroit Free Press Marathon. We will be running through downtown Detroit, across the Ambassador Bridge, and through the U.S./Canadian tunnel. Last week I ran a mile every other day to start my training (and it almost killed me), how will I complete 26 miles??? God help me!!!!

-Randy