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Thursday, May 23, 2013

This and That Thursday



I haven't blogged really since last week. Work has been really busy. Haven't had time for much lately. But I have been getting my runs in. I even pulled a rare 10 mile weekday run today. I just happen to be up early enough to do so :)

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Still haven't scheduled any other races yet. There are a few that I'm looking at, but haven't pulled the trigger. Running with the Wolves -10k is coming up....

One of my favorites. This one I might do again.


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I have gained 10 pounds this past year...... I'm fat :( 
I can see my family and friends rolling their eyes.....


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I got contacted by someone from Runner's World Magazine the other day. They wanted to do a story on me and on my running....... NO, just kidding. But they did contact me. They wanted to use a picture from my blog (not of me :(  ) in their magazine. I thought that was cool.

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Well me going on any kind of diet will have to wait. I'm on vacation next week. Vacation and dieting do not go together (says ME).... Will be enjoying some drinks and some nice warm sun...

borrowed pic from (trip advisor)


Have a great Memorial Day Weekend everyone!!!


Thursday, May 16, 2013

Runners invited back to finish what they started

Message from the BAA:

BOSTON - The B.A.A., organizer of the Boston Marathon, is issuing an invitation to participate in the 2014 Boston Marathon to official entrants in the 2013 Boston Marathon who were unable to cross the Boylston Street finish line. More than 5000 official starters were affected on Monday, April 15 at the 117th Boston Marathon when the race was stopped at 2:50 p.m. ET.
"The opportunity to run down Boylston Street and to cross the finish line amid thousands of spectators is a significant part of the entire Boston Marathon experience," said Tom Grilk, B.A.A. Executive Director. "With the opportunity to return and participate in 2014, we look forward to inviting back these athletes and we expect that most will renew their marathon training commitment. Boston spectators are known for their impassioned support and unbridled enthusiasm, and they will give these returning athletes some of the loudest cheers at next year's race. We want to thank our participants for their patience as we continue to work through the details of arranging this accommodation for them, and we ask for continued patience from the running community as we plan the 2014 Boston Marathon next April."
To be eligible, a 2013 Boston Marathon participant must have been an official entrant who started the race and who reached the half marathon mark in this year's race on Monday, April 15. Registration for the 2014 Boston Marathon is scheduled to occur in September, and 2013 Boston Marathon participants who were unable to cross the finish line on Boylston Street will receive a non-transferable unique code in early August to be used for entry. An applicant's entry will be guaranteed only during a designated registration period. Participants will be required to pay an entry fee, which has yet to be determined.
The B.A.A. has communicated by email to the participants in this year's race who are eligible. Among the 5633 in this group are 2611 from Massachusetts and 726 who are international. In total, residents of 45 states and 47 countries are among this group. Also, the group is comprised of 2983 women and 2650 men and ages range from 18 to 82.
No decision has been made on the maximum field size for the 2014 Boston Marathon, including the number of qualifiers and invitational applications available. The B.A.A. will work with many partners, including public safety officials, before determining changes, if necessary, to the event and the race.
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I couldn't be any happier!! Thank you BAA, you did the right thing!!!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Cox Providence Marathon recap

First, I would like to thank my wife for supporting me and putting up with my crazy passion. When Providence offered up free entries to people who did not finish Boston, my wife insisted that I do it. I couldn't imagine running another marathon just weeks after Boston. But when the shadow of doubt loomed over me,  she stood by me and believed in me.
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Race day. For me it was a typical race day. I wake up early, eat breakfast, check and double check my stuff and off I go. Alone. This is how every race, outside of a marathon, usually go. My three previous marathons have been a family affair, a spectacle, an event. But not this time. This to me was a regular race. Nothing big. Just one more for the books.

I got there early and headed straight for the porta potties. I wouldn't normally make a big deal out of this, but this was the first time that I used an unused porta potty! It was like striking gold! It had that fresh new porta potty smell. Only those who have experienced it know what I'm talking about. Ahh...... LOL

Anyways....

I pinned my Providence bib in the front of my shirt, but in the back I pinned my Boston bib. Someone on Instagram gave me that idea. I thought it would be a cool thing to do.

As I mentioned before, I was suppose to run with a couple club members, Jenn and Joanna. I walked around before the start of the race, but couldn't find them. I could have called them. I had my phone with me, but it was in my waist pocket along with some granola bars and I didn't feel like fighting with it. It was tough getting it all in there in the first place. So I looked around with no luck and then decided to line up at the start. I placed myself at the 9min mile spot.

At 7:30 - Star Spangled Banner was sung and the race was on.

The course itself was great. Mostly flat with only 2 or 3 hills. And it was a fast course too. I remember coming up on mile 11 and thinking "wow, can't believe I'm here already". I felt good throughout the race. I ran pretty much with the same 10-12 people almost all race long.

At mile 18, I remember feeling a bit tired & hungry, but I chowed down two granola bars and felt good after.

At mile 22, my mind started playing tricks on me. Thoughts of "what was I thinking?"... "why am I doing this?", "Who's idea was this?", "I'm never doing another marathon again!!"... LOL... but I chugged along.. even slowing down a bit.

At about mile 23, I run by a couple with their kid sitting on a wall and I hear the mom yell out "Go Jose!!". Confused for a sec, I thought my mind was still messing with me. I didn't know these people. Then I realized that this had to be fellow blogger Smacedo from A Runner's Ramblings. She also happens to be Jenn's sister-in-law (the person who I was suppose to run with). Small world huh?... So I gave a "woohoo" and a fist pump and kept on chugging. That was truly a nice surprise. Thank you!

Mile 24, I was beat. I wanted to jump into the Seekonk River and call it quits....When I approached the mile 25 mile marker, the time clock there read 3:45. I knew that if I pushed it I could still make it under 4hrs.
Half mile away from the finish, I could here sirens off in the distance. The presence of the police was noticeable throughout the race, but with the siren going off, I started to look at police officers faces on the side lines. I was trying to read their expressions. Was something going on? Were they going to tell us to stop? Thoughts and feelings of Boston started to come back to me. But no. Nothing was going on. It was only me.

When I saw the 26 mile marker, I really kicked it up a notch and went all out. I flew by the few people that were in front of me. I was never soo happy to see a finish line! I crossed it with a relief of just being done. It really didn't feel any special than my other finishes. It was just another race and another medal.

But a nice medal!


My pace was pretty consistent. You see can at mile 22 were I was getting tired.
Finished at almost the exact same time as my first marathon.

Official time


I came into this not knowing what to expect. I kept saying that this was just a regular race and I meant it.  It was a free race and I was in a mindset that if I finished it I would be happy and if I didn't, I would have been ok with it too. Overall it was not a bad race. I'm pretty happy with my pace and feel throughout the run. I didn't run any better than my last marathons, but I also didn't run any worse. So it's a win win. 

I only took a couple of pictures. Nothing really worth posting here. It was Mother's Day after all. As soon as my legs felt better, I was back in my car and on my way home. 


What's next for me? I'm not sure. I was never good at planning out my race schedule for the year like some people. I wish I could. I just wing it and do whatever race feels right or looks interesting. I'm sure something will come up soon.


Well that's all for now. I hope everyone has a great week.... "til my next adventure!









Sunday, May 12, 2013

Boston Strong 2.62 Benefit Run

So I tried to get the wife to do a guest post, but she wasn't having it.  So we will save it for another time and another race ;)


Boston Strong 2.62 Benefit Run that we went to was one of a few that were held in the state on Saturday May 11th. We did the one in Worcester. It was cool morning and it looked like it was going to down pour any minute. Luckily the rain held off. I brought my Garmin for her to use, but when I went to power it up, I realized I hadn't charged it. Oops...
A quick happy picture, before I tell her about the Garmin


Our warms up consisted of a quick sprint to the bathrooms. That sprint took all of 30 seconds. Followed up by my wife doing the MC Hammer typewriter while we waited for the race to start.

I almost caught her with my camera, but unfortunately wasn't fast enough.

Warm ups done and it was off to the starting line. Star spangled banner was played on an iPod connected to a big speaker and then we were off. We ran together, but she was listening to her iPod and wasn't about to have a conversation with me. I did say a couple of things to her, but she ignored me. She was focused on the run. So I would run up way ahead and wait with my camera.

Look at her sizing down the competition! 
You go babe! Show her what's up!!


This run was hilly. Half a mile up hill to start, with a couple ups and downs in between, then a down hill for another half mile.. Then you turned around at the bottom of the hill and went back up. She kept her pace pretty good. For someone that doesn't run, she was running strong! She conquered those hills. The last half mile she really picked up her pace. I was surprised. I too had to pick it up so I could take some pictures of her at the finish line.

Here she is finishing strong!!! 
I actual finish I recorded it for her, so I wont post it. 

I am damn proud of her! She really gave her all out there! I'm hoping that running becomes something she likes. Even just a little. It was fun being out at a race with her.

Great job babe!!! ... til our next race!!












Monday, May 6, 2013

Marathon coming up...



It feels weird, but I guess I'm in taper mode. The Cox Providence Marathon is this Sunday coming up, but I honestly haven't given it too much thought. Life in general has been busy. Work & home life have been pure chaos as of late. Thank goodness vacation is coming up at the end of the month!!

Physically, I feel ready for this marathon. My body feels good, my legs feel good. IT bands are not bothering me like they were months ago. Though I still feel some discomfort during long runs, they are not painful as they were. Mentally though, I'm elsewhere. The past months events have left me in a weird state. Not in a bad way, more like in a weird focused way. My last couple of runs have been hard and strong. They have been my best runs in a long time. Which honestly might work towards my advantage come Sunday. As long as I keep my mind on other things, I'm hoping to run strong.

I have talked to a few people from the club that are running this race. I'm hoping to run with a few of them throughout the course. Anything to make the miles fly by :) Race starts at 7:30 am which I prefer any day over a late morning start The forecast for that day as of right now is calling for 30% chance of rain in the low 60's. I'll take that as long as it's not down pouring.

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Oh... almost forgot! The wife signed us up for Boston Strong 2.62 Benefit Run this Saturday.

It' the day before the marathon, but I wont be racing it. I'll be pacing and supporting the wife as she does her second race, since I missed her first one. It will be a fun short race. My plan to turn my wife into a runner is almost complete. huh, what?.... I mean, Hopefully she enjoys it as much as her first race.

Anyone  local  running it too?
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I've gotten tons of new followers my Facebook page lately. I appreciate the follow and support!! Though I can't everyday, I'll try to post tidbits here and there to keep things interesting.

Any feedback is always welcomed!

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That's it for now. Next post will be recaps on this weekend's races. Wish me/us luck!!







Thursday, May 2, 2013

Where I Hang my Medals

I don't have fancy medal hangers like some of you have. I don't display them for the world to see. They all hang on a doorknob of a closet in my computer room. And 90% of the time the closet door is open so I hardly see them.



I am proud of each and every single one of them. Each one represent a certain time in my life, a milestone in my running career. My first 5k & 10k. My first third place finish. My first age group win. My first half, my first full and my first Boston. They are all special to me.



But I dont care about displaying them. Is that weird? I just end up putting the next one over the last one. Though I might end up displaying the Boston medal some how down the road..... if I get around to it.



I'm assuming not all of you display your medals. If not, what do you do with them??