Changing Things Up From The Original Plan

Sometimes life gets in the way of our plans. When this happens, all we can do is reassess, adjust and move forward.

No need to get bitter or upset over it for I don't see a goal denied as the end of the road. For me, a goal denied is merely a goal delayed. Just because I won't be accomplish something right now does not me I won't be able to compete the task somewhere on down the road.

All year I had been saying 2014 was the year I'd become an ultra marathoner. I even went as far as finding a race to get baptized into the ultra world: the Triple Lakes Race - a 40-miler in Greensboro, N.C., in October.

Yet, after number of changes in my life, I am having to put this dream on hold. With my new job and unsure what all it will entail and encompass, I wasn't sure I'd be able to train properly for this race. Also, the 40-miler is a trail race, and I usually can't get on the trails around here until October and November.

But have no fear, I have a race all lined up.

And The Winner Is ...

Wow! What a great response!

Some of the swag I got from last year's 7 Bridges Marathon

When I first decided to run this giveaway, I had no idea what kind of response I would get. In truth, I was super surprised when the good folks, in particular Denny Marshall, from the 7 Bridges Marathon granted me an entry to giveaway. They run a fantastic event, which, in my humble opinion, will only get better and better with each year.

In all, there were 131 total entries. Given that this was my very first giveaway, I am pretty happy with that.

I also enjoyed hearing all the different reasons of why people wanted to run 7 Bridges. Running really does bring people together, and I really wish I could help fulfill everyone's goals and hopes in running this race.

But alas, there is can only be one winner.

And the winner is ...

Giveaway: 7 Bridges Marathon

Last October, I ran my second marathon ever. While I didn't have the result I desired, I fell in love with the race.

The 7 Bridges Marathon is an up and coming event that is only going to grow in recognition, in my humble opinion. Of course, Chattanooga, Tenn., is one of my favorite places to visit.

The course is fun and yet somewhat challenging. There are rolling hills, numerous bridges to cross (more than just the seven the title suggests, but the seven bridges refers to the number of times you will cross over the Tennessee River). You get a sense of empowerment as you climb atop the Chickamauga Dam at mile 15. The falls colors make backdrop of the race absolutely gorgeous, especially during the latter part of the race as you run for miles on a greenway beside the Tennessee River. And the finish has a wonderful festival vibe as you ran on grass in Coolidge Park beside the river and in the shadow of the final bridge you crossed.

In case you can't tell already, I absolutely love this race.

This year's race is set for Oct. 20, and I want you to have a chance to enjoy this wonderful event.

A Year Later And I Keep Coming Back For More

Yesterday marked the 1-year anniversary of my first full marathon. It's crazy to think that it's been a year since that amazing day, and it's even crazier to think about how far I've come (and gone) since then.

Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined I would be running my third marathon in just over a year after my first. (In case I hadn't mentioned it before, I'm running the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon on Sunday.) Heck, I am still in awe I even ran one marathon!

I remember crossing the finish line of my first half marathon, loving the feeling and already planning to run my next half. But one other thought prevailed: "There's no way I'm ever running a full marathon!"

Funny how things change.

Not only do I love the marathon, I love training for a marathon.

And before all of you question my sanity, in the words of the Big Bang Theory's Sheldon Cooper: "I'm not crazy. My mother had me tested."

Oops! I Did It Again

Road rash is pretty, isn't it?

It's funny how history can repeat itself.

Last time I was marathon training, I hit a little 'bump' on the trial. (OK, it was a root.) So, I was really wanting to avoid a situation like that again.

But yesterday, I took a 'trip' down memory lane.

Set out with the plan to run 5 miles and finish at the rec center to do a spin session before running the mile-plus way home. It was a simple, easy plan. What could possibly go wrong you say?

Well, how about another fall?

Yes, I took another tumble. This time, though, it was on the sidewalk.

How I Saved Myself Hundreds Of Dollars

Did the title catch your eye? Good! It was supposed to.

But I must tell you this is no get-rich-quick scheme nor is it how you can save hundreds off your car insurance. No, this is just a simple running tip I feel the need to share with you.

So, how did I save myself hundreds of dollars? Two words: Ziplock baggies.

Scratching your head yet? Great. Keep reading.

Remember last autumn when I took a great fall while trailing running? Sure, you do. It was epic! I mean, it happened right smack in the middle of my training for the 7 Bridges Marathon. Well, I didn't share every detail about that spill, but now you will get to hear (in the words of the late Paul Harvey) the rest of the story.

2012: My Year In Running

Can't believe another year has come and gone.

Time certainly does fly, especially when you're having so much fun!

Heading into 2012, I knew I enjoyed and loved running. I just didn't realize how much I loved it!

And never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I'd be so enamored with the marathon, and not with the race itself but the training as well! Nothing like pushing yourself to the limits ... and beyond!

Before I review how I did on my 2012 goals, I'd like to share some of my highlights.

Yep! I've Become One Of Those People

My daughter putting me through a workout.

You know those people who feel the need to get a workout in every, single day, aren't they annoy?

I mean, they go on and on about how they "got an easy 5-mile run in" this morning, or how today was a "rest day" so they "only did a spin workout for 30 minutes and mixed in some core work."

Well, I have a confession. I've become one of those people.

Not sure when it happened, but somewhere along the way, but I feel the need to run, workout or exercise in some fashion every, single day.

Let's just say I want to get my sweat on.

My 2012 Races In Photos

2012 was an amazing year for me running-wise.

It has been nothing but incredible. And while I will have a year-in-review post coming in the next few days, I wanted to relive with you my races this year in photos.

It was a low race count for me this year as I ran in only four races. However, two of those were marathons, so the excitement, milestones and sense of accomplishment were high for me.

So without a further ado, let's look back.

Going Back For More ...

Yesterday it began, but today was my first training run for the 2013 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon.

Yup, I'm going back for more.

For those keeping track, this will be marathon No. 3 for me. And all three will be within just over one year. (My first was the 2012 Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon on April 1, and the 2013 edition is on April 7. So, three 26.2-mile jaunts within 371 days.) 

Believe it's safe to say I've gone from "never doing that" to a marathon addict rather easily.

7 Bridges Marathon Recap: It Just Wasn't My Day

Some of my swag from the 7 Bridges Marathon

It's amazing how you can pour hours upon hours into your training, run hundreds of miles to get yourself prepared for a race, but then to have things not coming together like you planned or hope on race day.

Such is the life of a runner.

Some days just aren't your day. And this was certainly the case for me as I ran the 7 Bridges Marathon in Chattanooga, Tenn., on Sunday (October 21).

There had certainly been some hiccups in my training - like injuring myself while trail running, but in the weeks leading up to the race, I had every reason to believe another sub-5 hour marathon and quite possibly a PR was in the cards for me.

Alas, it just was not my day.

Funny Thing Happened Along The Training Plan ...

My knee after my tumble.

Everything was going so well, so smoothly and the miles were piling up.I was closing in on a career-high monthly mileage total. Marathon training was going great. It was as if it was too good to be true.

Then reality hit, and it was too good to be true.

Actually, reality didn't hit. I hit ... the ground ... hard.

On August 25, I decided to take my marathon training to the trails. I was getting a little bored running on the roads, so I thought I'd mix things up on the trails. The plan was to get 20 miles in, but those plans got changed shortly have mile 3.

Things were going great. It was a comfortable morning, temps in the low 60s and the humidity was very tolerable for August. It was dark when I started at 5 a.m., so I was a headlamp. I wasn't going too fast because it was dark.

Focusing on the Positive

Today's run was caught on film. Relative happened to see
me running through town.

It's easy to dwell on the negative. It's easy to pile on. To whine. Complain.

When we hit rocky times, we all too often become 'Debbie Downers."

Problem is when we do so we take our focus off our goals and make the task at hand even more difficult. We become our worst enemy, and we can find victory because we're defeating ourselves.

Look, bad runs happen. They're going to happen whether we want them to or not. We're not also going to be at our best when we head out for a run, and from time to time, an "easy 6" quickly turns into a "sadistic 6."

Instead, find the positives out of the run. There's always some good to pull out of a 'bad' run.

The Best of Times, The Worst of Times

To borrow the phrase from Charles Dickens: It was the best of the times; it was the worst of times.

That pretty much sums up my first month of training for the 7 Bridges Marathon ... except that it was the worst of times and THEN the best of times.

The first two weeks were rough.

Check that. The first two weeks were harsh, tempestuous, difficult, grueling. Pretty much flat out tough.

The Week That Was: Marathon Training Week 1

Well, Week 1 of my training for the 7 Bridges Marathon is in the books. And one would've thought since my life is normally crazy come mid-August through May due to the nature of my job, that this week would've been normal and easy to stick to the plan.

Not so much.

I forgot about two other factors that can throw a training plan a curve: 1. the weather, and 2. family commitments.

It's Go Time!

Today, the journey to 26.2 miles begins ... again.

My training for the 7 Bridges Marathon gets underway today. And the workout for today was tough: a rest day. (Tough because I WANT TO RUN.)

Rest day aside, training for my second marathon has now commenced, and I can't be more excited about it.

I've spent the past few days laying out my training plan, mapping out when my long runs will be. Let's just say, it's going to get interesting.

When Did I Cross Over To The Dark Side?

I'm not sure when it happened, but it most certainly did. And to be honest, I never saw it coming. In fact, I swore up and down to myself that it wouldn't happen. I was not going to allow it.

But yet, it happened.

I crossed over to the dark side, thinking more and more about running marathons and beyond.

It wasn't so long ago I solely focused on doing as many half marathons I could. Now, the half marathon distance is a nice, long run on weekends.

What has happened to me?

Once Was Not Enough

Guess what, friends? I'm coming back for more.

That's right; I'm signed up and registered for my second full marathon - the 7 Bridges Marathon on October 21 in beautiful Chattanooga, Tenn.

Not going to lie, I'm still processing the fact that I'm putting my body through this again. For those of you who are like me, you realize this was a no-brainer. I had to sign up for another marathon. I ran one, so why not another, right? See, you get my logic.

Truthfully, I had already begun plotting my next marathon even before I ran my first. In the weeks prior to the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, I started looking for what my next big race would be and when and where I could find a marathon perfect me. Call me crazy, but I really enjoyed all the training for the marathon and was going to miss it.