July 23rd - 31st: Where Does The Time Go???

Seems like the weeks are flying by really quick! I've been able to stay on schedule and meet the required miles. I'm averaging about 30 miles per week. The Saturday runs are the most difficult and require the most discipline. Kelly and I enjoy our Friday nights alone (many thanks to my mom & gram for watching them so often!!!). It can make for an interesting 10/12mile run early early Saturday morning when we stay out late on Friday. Wouldn't change it for the world though! I'm slowing my pace to endure longer runs now. I'm trying to keep a 9 to 9 1/2min. pace for the race. My goal is to finish the 26.2 miles in under 5 hours in October. I'm on pace now for just over 4 hours, but let's be real - I've only extended it to 12 miles max. Knees, ankles, calves all feel good, and the extra running is giving me a very good excuse to PIG OUT!!!!

- Randy

Goal Reached!!!

Many thanks to our friends and family for supporting us on this adventure. Your generous donations have kept us motivated and are certainly going to a very deserving cause.

Two of our very close friends (Dan and Tammy Hopgood) are also taking part in this race. Tammy is on the running team and will be participating in October, Dan is part of the MUCH NEEDED support team! They decided to match incoming funds for Tammy's run, and help our teammates reach their financial goals. Today, they helped us meet our goal with a sizable donation. Many thanks to ALL of you for your support. We are very appreciative of everyones generosity!!! Thank you for supporting those facing cancer (current and past), much needed research, Octobers marathon, and us!!!

- Randy and Kelly

July 17th - 22nd: A Week in Review

This past week flew by quickly. Found it difficult to add to the updates on this blog, but did get in the required miles! The 17th - 20th I ran 5miles each day and kept a decent 8/45 to 9min. pace. On Saturday the 21st I ran 10 miles at Stoney Creek with my team. Our closing mile was the fastest at 8min./17sec. We averaged under 9min. for the entire 10 miles. This run felt very good. It was a cool morning, overcast and minimal bugs (those of you that have been to Stoney know what I'm talking about). After the run we left for Sarnia and partied at BayFest. I'm happy to say I was still standing at the end of the night (well, leaning a little!!!). Sunday the 22nd was a much needed day off.

- Randy

July 15th and 16th - Fun Run

On July 15th I went out for a relaxing run. Didn't worry about pace, time, miles...whatever! Just went out and ran through the neighborhood. I was probably gone about 45min. - 1hour. It's so easy to get caught up in the miles and timing. Some days it takes the fun right out of it. I know that we need to reach certain destinations in a certain amount of time for the marathon. Understanding my pace is critical. Today I kept it out of my head and just enjoyed the songs on my IPod.

July 16th - Rest Day

- Randy

July 14th - 12, 13, or 14 miles???

Went to Dodge Park to get in my longer Saturday run. I was supposed to run 12 miles today. This was my first time at Dodge Park and they have a crazy mile marker system that I couldn't figure out. Every few minutes I'd pass a marker that read 1mile. I decided to just go off of time. I ran for 55min. (which was one complete loop from the starting point to a side trail that ends at VanDyke and Hall Rd. I asked a few people about the distance. One thought it was 6miles, another 6.5, and yet another 7 miles. Whatever... I took a quick water break and ran it again. Like the title above indicates - 12, 13 or 14miles (not sure)??? I did complete both runs in 55min. though, so I kept a good pace for 1hour/50min. and felt great at the end. Legs were tight, but I could have kept going.

- Randy

July 12th & 13th - Thank You Tammy!

July 12th - Our good friend Tammy found an article related to shin splints. In short it suggested rest, compression, ice and elevation. Gee..as difficult as that sounds I guess I'll have to push myself to try! (The sign I'm holding reads "Per Tammy's Orders!") I tried it Wednesday night and had a great run Thursday. 5 miles in the same time frame (just under 44min.) minimal pain. OK Dr. Tammy, do you have suggestions for a dog that pees all over the house or kids that fight non-stop???

July 13th - Day Off. Probably a good thing being Friday the 13th and all!!!!

- Randy

July 8th, 9th, 10th and 11th - OUCH! Shin Splints

The 8th was scheduled for a run, but I switched it with the 9th's day off because of some sharp pains that have been building in my one leg after the longer Saturday runs. I've started to develop some pretty strong pains in my left leg. Shin splints I believe. I tried to change it up a bit, instead of running on the pavement (which is much harder on my legs) I went to the gym to get in some runs on the treadmill. On the 9th and 10th I ran 4miles at a 9min pace. Today, I ran outside, around the neighborhood, for 5miles in 43min/44sec. The average pace was just a little over 8.5min. per mile. Seems like I do better outside in the fresh air rather than inside next to someone that smells like Coney Island...Go Figure?!? If anyone has a good suggestion on how to ease the pain of shin splints please let me know...I'm known to try just about anything. Jack Daniels worked, but only for a couple hours!

- Randy

July 7th - A Salty 10 Miles

Today we started our run at 7:30AM. Thankfully it was only 66 degrees when we started. It was close to 90 degrees when we finished. I ran with a teammate today that really pushed me along. I probably would have taken an extra walk break if I wasn't running with someone. Today the course only had one fueling station around mile 5. I finished the run in 1hr/20min. At one point (mile 6) we averaged an 8min/15sec. mile. The run felt good, but I'll admit I was exhausted when I was done. Noticed my body was covered in salt when I was done. Never experienced that before, I looked like a bag of McDonald's french-fries! LOL. Speaking of McDonald's - to celebrate a good run we stopped for Sausage McMuffins on the way home!!!

July 5th and 6th:

I needed to take a couple days off. One of them was supposed to be a break day anyway, but my knees and shins were stressed and I wanted to rest for Saturday's 10 mile run. Did get in some weight training though. I've been trying to get in 3 - one hour work-outs a week. Now that I've been running outside the treadmill runs at the gym just won't cut it.

- Randy

July 3rd and 4th

July 3rd: 5miles / 46min.
July 4th: 3miles / Didn't keep time - just enjoyed the run.

- Randy

July 3rd - Dedication to Carol Curry

Today's blog is dedicated to Carol Curry. We received a call today that she passed away. Friends and family were at her side. Carol leaves us as her grandchild (Andrew Sheldon Curry) enters the world. My sister-in-law said it best, "My mom and nephew passed each other on the way to and from heaven!" Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!!!

- Randy

July 2nd - Day Off

Called and made an appointment for my stubborn wife to see a doctor. Her knee is feeling much better, but her ankle is still messed up. Can't get her in till next week so she'll have to rest it till then. Today was a day off for me.

July 1st - Asking For HELP!!!!

As mentioned before, Kelly and I are going through this process with several friends (not sure how we'd do it without them!). Now that we are approaching the half way mark with our miles, physical and emotional obstacles are starting to surface. Some are noticing a weakening of the immune system causing constant fatigue, others are finding themselves battling the aches and pains of pulled muscles or stressed knees. And still others are feeling overwhelmed by the weekly increase in miles (how will I ever do more???). Like I said, physically and emotionally our team is desperate need of support!!!!

Here is what I'm asking you to do.................If you get a free moment -PLEASE- send a word of encouragement to this blog post. I'll be sure to pass them on to my team. Yesterday, some words of encouragement were shared before our 10 mile run. It DID make a difference!!! Our honored heroes and this cause are making us achieve goals we never imagined, your words of encouragement will motivate the team to keep moving forward. Without any doubt, the individuals facing cancer first hand are suffering in far greater ways than this team. That reality is never forgotten!

Startling Fact: It was shared before the run at Stoney that every 5min. in the world somebody is diagnosed with some form of blood cancer. Every 9min. somebody loses their battle. Knowing how many lives were effected by cancer during my runs yesterday and today is mind blowing.

Today's Run - 3 miles / 24min/57sec

- Randy

June 30 - 10miles

Today our group met for a 10 mile run at Stoney Creek. I've teamed up with a couple people that really push me to the limit. Finished in 1hr/30min - finished strong. As always the first couple miles are the hardest and then I start to fall into a groove. I'm learning some life lessons as I go through this process - STAY POSITIVE! Bad days, like yesterday, should never get me down. Dwelling on it can only set me back. Yesterdays frustration turned into today's triumph. I shed the iPod today and talked with some friends the entire run. Made the 10 miles go by MUCH quicker.

Notice Kelly's shoes are off in the pic. She rubbed the back of her foot raw! OUCH! "No pain, no gain," I guess.

- Randy