Aug 16th - Starting Fresh!!!

We have been so behind on our blog updates I'm not sure where to start. Maybe starting fresh is the best! It seems like that's what's happening with Kelly. Several weeks ago she needed to cease training due to several problems with her one leg - a stress fracture causing most of her pain. It took a week to see a doctor, a week to schedule an MRI, and a week to get the results!!! Add in the 2 weeks it took her to actually go and see a doctor in the first place and she was out of commission for about a month. I'm happy to report she is back at it and planning on joining the race in October. She has been averaging a little over a 11min. mile and boosted her runs to 10miles (with 1 very brief water break). This week she is scheduled to tackle 14 miles!!! I'm very proud of her determination and desire to participate!!! She's Awesome!!!

I have been keeping up with my miles, but will admit that I've walked out the door several times this summer - felt the heat - said "Yea Right" - and made a sandwich!!! LOL. Not too long ago I was battling shin splints. Our friend/teammate Tammy suggested a web page that offered some tips on healing the area. I followed them, and after a week was running with no pain what-so-ever. That was several weeks ago, and I'm still running pain-free even with the increased mileage. Last night was my best run to date. I ran 6miles around the neighborhood with a low 8min pace. At mile 3 I felt really good and decided to sprint for as long as I could. Mile 3 turned out to be a 6min/53sec. mile!!!! (or so the two short songs I listened to on my iPod indicated). I got home and didn't feel the slightest bit of fatigue. I couldn't believe my heart rate was low, breathing was normal and I could have easily kept going! In no way-shape-or form am I bragging about this, I just honestly never thought I could do something like this in my mid 30's. Feels great! I'll be attempting 14 miles this Saturday as well. My goal is to keep a 9.5 pace per mile. The 6,7 or 8 min. miles are fun for short runs, but I could never keep that pace for 26.2 miles.

We'll keep you posted!

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

June 29th - Doing Good - Doing Good - CRASH!

Today I left the house early for a 5 mile run. Felt great, at one point I thought my legs were moving on their own! After about 2miles the infamous BEAR jumped on my back. Wanted to take a shortcut home....BAD! Decided to take a few walking breaks instead. Finished the run in 44min.

- Randy

June 28th Prayers needed!!!!!

Anyone who sees us day to day knows how much pain I have been in this week. I started hurting a bit last Thursday but ran through it successfully. So I thought. We went up north for the weekend and planned on running our scheduled 8 miles on Saturday. The roads were hilly and very scary. I found out quickly that I don't like running on roads so much where the cars are coming at you 70 mph. Not my thing at all. Stoney Creek or our subdivision suits me just fine. Anyway I ran 4 miles without too much of a problem, although I was quite a few minutes behind my normal time. At our turn around to head back to the cottage for the last 4 I stopped to stretch a bit. When I started up again I don't think I even got a mile and I had to stop. I basically crawled the rest of the way. My left ankle (on the inside) and my right knee have been @#$% ever since!!!! I haven't ran since Saturday and it's been very depressing. I have been icing and resting, bought new shoes and nothing seems to be helping. Standing for hours at work doesn't help. I went out this morning to test the waters and I barely walked a mile. Of course, had a quick little meltdown when I got home. Hopefully I will heal up soon and this will be my only set back for the rest of training. Anyone who may be reading this please say a prayer for me!!!! I'm dying to get out there and run. I've really come to enjoy running and I miss it!


~Kelly~

June 26th - 10:00 and Peacful

Waited for the day to settle down and left the house around 10:00PM. I ran for 5 miles and kept my pace around 8min/30sec. This was an interesting run considering we had pizza and lasagna for dinner at 8. Hmmmmm, not a good decision!!! The 5 mile and under runs are getting much easier. I can actually walk instead of crawl up the driveway when I'm done.

Our Honored Heroes and several other friends or relatives are really pushing us along. It's amazing how many people we know that have (or know someone who has) a form of blood cancer. Hopefully a cure is not that far around the corner!!!

Our Prayers and Support to All!
- Randy

June 22nd through 25th - Up North

This weekend we went up north with some good friends to enjoy some time alone (no kids!). Considering Saturday's are normally our longer runs, we needed to find time to get in some miles. The road leading to the house we were staying at was a hilly 4.3 mile track. Very scary because there was only a small shoulder and cars traveled around 60 - 70 mph. On Saturday I ran about 9.2 miles in 1hr/34min (the hills kicked my butt). Sunday I completed the 4mile track in about 33min. That was a new achievement for me, my mile pace was 8min/17sec. Today (the 25th) is a day off, so running will continue tomorrow. The biggest challenge up north was running past the Amish bakery that sells mouth watering cinnamon rolls and brownies. We caved obviously!!! Hey, we ran while on vacation so treating ourselves to it was a given - well that and a jar of candy bars!!!

- Randy

June 20/21 - New Shoes

June 20- Weight training at the gym. Need to build up these bird legs!!! LOL.

- Randy

June 21- When you hear how important a runners shoes are. They aren't kidding!!! I'm struggling this week with my left foot, and now my ankle also. We are leaving for the weekend and are suppose to run 8 up north on Saturday. Yikes. When I get past my 4.5 mile mark or so my toes on my left foot start tingling like I have frost bite. Hmmmm.........think I need to go shopping QUICK!!! I bought my shoes a 1/2 size bigger than normal but I guess it wasn't enough. As I write this I'm waiting for Randy to get home from his run so I can go out. I think I'm only going to do 3 this morning just to get out there, and help warm up for Saturday's 8. Then I think it's off to Hanson's Running Shop for me today.

P.S. I actually did my 5 miles today!!! Woo hoo!!!! My foot didn't hurt until I was almost home. LOL. Oh well new shoes soon!!!!

~Kelly~

6:30AM - Morning runs are hard to get up for, but well worth it after (meaning I'm done running for the day!!!). Completed 6.8 miles in just under 50min. During the first mile of my run I received a nice wake up - sprinklers at a condo complex turned on while I was passing and zeroed in on the side of my head. At least it looked to others like I had a good sweat going!!!

- Randy