Only 33 days left to race day, and according to the schedule I have outlined to get ready, 130 miles of running to do.
Blah, I'm not so sure I should have added that up. That is a lot of miles to complete between now and then. Oh well, I'm sure it will go by faster than I want it to. Plus, most of the miles will be in the next couple weeks. After that, I get to start reducing the miles in order be rested and ready for race day.
Another exciting piece is the fact that I might actually have someone to run with (for at least part of it anyway). An old friend of mine from high school is thinking of running this year. She has run the Des Moines marathon in the past, loved the course and the spectators, and said that she might be up for doing it again this year. The only thing is, she has completed several marathons and there is no way I could keep up with her. However, it would still be fun to see her again anyway. I'll keep you posted as it gets closer and the countdown continues.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Sunday, September 13, 2009
A Great Weekend
It was nothing special. However, at the same time I think it was one of the best weekends I've had in awhile.
On Saturday I went for my second long run. I only added one mile to my previous distance, making for a total of 19 miles. However, at the same time I also reduced my time considerably. My leg was really bothering me towards the end, and that concerned my for a bit. It was the same calf muscle that I tore last summer and had to stop running for awhile. Therefore, you can understand why it was a bit concerning when it started hurting at the end of my run. It continued to bother me for the rest of the day, but I was still pleased with my performance that morning. Saturday ended with a nice dinner out at Biaggi's. Dinner was great and so was the company. It was a nice relaxing way to end a quiet but tiring day.
Sunday morning I slept in for awhile, but when I did get up, my leg was feeling pretty good. The day was nothing overly eventful. I did some minor cleaning in the morning, and then worked on some paperwork that I need to finish. After that, there was more of nothing special. Again, although it was not truly eventful, it was relaxing and very enjoyable.
The evening consisted of making dinner and spending some more quiet time at home. Dinner actually turned out pretty good this time and Lindsey and I were able to enjoy a nice quiet meal with just the two of us.
Like I said, nothing special about the weekend overall. However, at the same time it was a great weekend and I hope to have many more like it.
On Saturday I went for my second long run. I only added one mile to my previous distance, making for a total of 19 miles. However, at the same time I also reduced my time considerably. My leg was really bothering me towards the end, and that concerned my for a bit. It was the same calf muscle that I tore last summer and had to stop running for awhile. Therefore, you can understand why it was a bit concerning when it started hurting at the end of my run. It continued to bother me for the rest of the day, but I was still pleased with my performance that morning. Saturday ended with a nice dinner out at Biaggi's. Dinner was great and so was the company. It was a nice relaxing way to end a quiet but tiring day.
Sunday morning I slept in for awhile, but when I did get up, my leg was feeling pretty good. The day was nothing overly eventful. I did some minor cleaning in the morning, and then worked on some paperwork that I need to finish. After that, there was more of nothing special. Again, although it was not truly eventful, it was relaxing and very enjoyable.
The evening consisted of making dinner and spending some more quiet time at home. Dinner actually turned out pretty good this time and Lindsey and I were able to enjoy a nice quiet meal with just the two of us.
Like I said, nothing special about the weekend overall. However, at the same time it was a great weekend and I hope to have many more like it.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Best Buds
My little ones at the park today.
They are such a pair. It is so cute when they are actually getting along. Unfortunately, they are the typical siblings and are usually driving each other crazy. However, it is nice to see those moments when they are playing happily together.
They are such a pair. It is so cute when they are actually getting along. Unfortunately, they are the typical siblings and are usually driving each other crazy. However, it is nice to see those moments when they are playing happily together.
Pirates
Yep, those are my oldest two. Andrew on the left, and Johnathan with his (ex) girlfriend on the right. They all dressed up for pirate day at school one day. It's kinda scary how fast they grow up some times.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Tree House
I had posted about the tree house before, and even shared some pictures of it. However, I also mentioned at the end of the post that storms had played havoc with it and the solid walls were simply no match for the strong winds that seem to concentrate in the back yard.
So, Johnathan and Andrew helped take down the old walls, used some of those parts to create a rock climbing wall, added a rope ladder to the back, and added four corner support beams set in concrete.
This left me once again with a raised platform on which to build some walls to keep the little ones safe. However, this time we decided on some open railings that would not catch the wind. It looks pretty simple, but it took me about a day and a half (and a nice sunburn) to get everything cut and assembled.
The little ones are pretty happy with the results though, and I don't think any of the storms will be tearing this one down.
So, Johnathan and Andrew helped take down the old walls, used some of those parts to create a rock climbing wall, added a rope ladder to the back, and added four corner support beams set in concrete.
This left me once again with a raised platform on which to build some walls to keep the little ones safe. However, this time we decided on some open railings that would not catch the wind. It looks pretty simple, but it took me about a day and a half (and a nice sunburn) to get everything cut and assembled.
The little ones are pretty happy with the results though, and I don't think any of the storms will be tearing this one down.
A Long Run
My starting point...
Up to this point, I had been feeling pretty good. However, I still had to make it back to the car, so I decided it was time to turn around and attempt the journey back.
The path runs along the lake, so I got to see everyone having a great time out enjoying the beautiful weather drinking in the sun while I was starting to feel the effects of not having any liquid with me.
Okay... at this point, I decided it was a good day to listen to the proverbial saying "stop and smell the flowers". There was a butterfly garden along the path, so it was the perfect location to stop and do just that.
There were lots of flowers to choose from, but none of them looked quite as good as the water fountain that was there too. After a nice break and some replenishment of bodily fluids, I was able to get back on the path and make it back to the car.
All in all, I am happy that I was able to complete the 18 mile journey. However, I was a bit disappointed with how long it took. This was my first really long run though, and hopefully I will be better prepared for future ones, and things will go a little smoother.
Up to this point, I had been feeling pretty good. However, I still had to make it back to the car, so I decided it was time to turn around and attempt the journey back.
The path runs along the lake, so I got to see everyone having a great time out enjoying the beautiful weather drinking in the sun while I was starting to feel the effects of not having any liquid with me.
Okay... at this point, I decided it was a good day to listen to the proverbial saying "stop and smell the flowers". There was a butterfly garden along the path, so it was the perfect location to stop and do just that.
There were lots of flowers to choose from, but none of them looked quite as good as the water fountain that was there too. After a nice break and some replenishment of bodily fluids, I was able to get back on the path and make it back to the car.
All in all, I am happy that I was able to complete the 18 mile journey. However, I was a bit disappointed with how long it took. This was my first really long run though, and hopefully I will be better prepared for future ones, and things will go a little smoother.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Registered and Ready
For the Des Moines Marathon that is.
Well, registered anyway, and at a cost of $92 and the fact that they don't allow any refunds, I'm working on the 'ready' part. I have a whole five weeks left to get where I need to be. Actually, now that I am taking a different approach and simply wanting to have fun with it, I don't think it will be too much of a problem. Although, I will feel better about things once I can get a couple of long runs in. I need to get a better idea of what to expect when trying to run a full 26.2. To date, I have never gone past the 10 mile point, so it could be a little interesting. I guess we'll find out though. I plan on trying to get at least 16 in on this Saturday providing the weather is reasonably decent.
That's another thing that has me slightly concerned at this point... the weather. What if it comes down to race day, and it is a morning like today, all rainy and nasty? Will I be prepared and ready to attempt a full marathon in the rain? Hopefully, that is a question that will not need to be answered, and the conditions will be perfect. Hey, one can hope.
Anyway, the commitment has been made. I have my schedule of what I need to do over the next five weeks to be ready for the event. Now, all I have to do is follow through and have some fun on the way.
Well, registered anyway, and at a cost of $92 and the fact that they don't allow any refunds, I'm working on the 'ready' part. I have a whole five weeks left to get where I need to be. Actually, now that I am taking a different approach and simply wanting to have fun with it, I don't think it will be too much of a problem. Although, I will feel better about things once I can get a couple of long runs in. I need to get a better idea of what to expect when trying to run a full 26.2. To date, I have never gone past the 10 mile point, so it could be a little interesting. I guess we'll find out though. I plan on trying to get at least 16 in on this Saturday providing the weather is reasonably decent.
That's another thing that has me slightly concerned at this point... the weather. What if it comes down to race day, and it is a morning like today, all rainy and nasty? Will I be prepared and ready to attempt a full marathon in the rain? Hopefully, that is a question that will not need to be answered, and the conditions will be perfect. Hey, one can hope.
Anyway, the commitment has been made. I have my schedule of what I need to do over the next five weeks to be ready for the event. Now, all I have to do is follow through and have some fun on the way.
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