Brothers,
It's hard to believe we are down to our last two weeks of training. Last weekend was my last 20 mile run. It was humid and warm with high winds making the run challenging. I struggled with a sore glute muscle but got through it. I've taken some time off and things are improving. This weekend is a 13 miler so we will see how that goes.  Just 16 days till the start! Train well.

Getting Close

Hey brothers,

We are getting close and I can begin to see the light at the end of the tunnel! I have two long runs left, 15 this week which now feels short, 20 miles next week, 13 miles the following week, then 10 miles which will feel like a breeze!

This has been challenging due to the heat. It was 97 degrees yesterday when I ran and it is suppose to 105 degrees this weekend. I will have to run in the dark in order to survive which means getting up and 4 am.

I'm trying to raise more money, but it's not coming in as fast as I would like.

Talk to you soon brothers!

Boone

Finally Healthy

Well, it took awhile! Four weeks of lots of spinning and only a few runs to test the leg, only to find out it wasn't ready yet.

But now, I'm back in the groove. I lost a little speed, but today I ran 20 with next to no pain. I also didn't get as tired as I did last week. My goal was a 4:10 marathon. Now, I will just be trying to break 5 hours. Anything faster than 4:59 will be a personal best. We'll see how race day goes and what the weather's like. 

I'm excited to run this event with my brothers and my nephew. This will be a once in a lifetime experience! 

See you soon brothers!!

More Than Halfway Done

The halfway point has come and gone and so have some long runs. The las two weeks have not been easy with the high humidity here in the Midwest.  A week ago it was 20 miles in 93% humidity and this Saturday it was 15 miles in 82% humidity. It really took the energy out of me during the run and just trying to stay cool and hydrated is a challenge. I am now in the final weeks of this training program and the long runs flip back and forth between 20 and 15 miles until I get to the last two weeks. I'm still hitting my training target paces so that is encouraging.
I hope you guys are doing well! I'm praying for a cool Marathon day......say 40 degrees! That would be great. Well brothers stay focused. We are down to 42 days until we toe the start line!!! Happy running!

Getting Healthy

Well brothers, it has been a time of recovery for me. As you both know I had an injury while playing on the sand dunes of Michigan. The last good long run I put in was on July 26 when I ran 18. I felt great that day, but two days later I pulled my hamstring. One week later I attempted a long run, ended up running 12 and realized I had pushed myself too early.

I have since been cross training until last week when I was doing some warm up 100 meters and pulled a muscle in my calf. Over the las week I have been intensively working that muscle out and beginning to feel good, but I still have to be careful.

I will be getting back on the road today for a few miles and am going to build up to 15 by Saturday. Please pray I will be healthy. I almost cried last week when I injured my calf. I want to do this and want to be successful.

I've been spinning vigorously to keep my legs going so I am hoping to have not lost too much of the endurance I had built up.

Hoping for a good week!

Another Long Run Complete

Brothers,  I am now officially half way through the 16 week training program I began way back in June. Today was a long run of 18 miles. I ran with a couple of friends and we started with two of us at 5:30 am to beat the heat. When we took off it was just breaking light and was about 64 degrees. It certainly warmed up as the morning sun got up in the sky plus it was humid. The run went well and I find that the long runs aren't so long. The miles seem to click by quickly and I rather enjoy the long run. But I have always enjoyed running and training for an event.  Running with friends helps as we tend to just chat away throughout the run. I managed to come in under target pace so I was happy. Tim hope your training is going well. Dan get over those injuries- you need to be at the start line on October 12! We have 56 days and 9 hours until Marathon day!

A Long Run on a Hot Day

Well brothers another 20 mile run is in the books. It was a warm one this Saturday with temperatures quickly getting into the 80s. I ran with Tom Nolan, a friend of mine who is also running Chicago this year. Tom has run several marathons already and qualified for Boston. He is also faster than me so I end up running faster as a result. We started in downtown Frankfort at 6:30 am and we finished in just under 3 hours wih a few much needed water stops along the way. I was glad to have someone to run with for this 20 miler. The next one comes up in 3 weeks. I hope your training is going well brothers. Dan take care of that hamstring and don't force it. Happy training brothers!

Today was a cross training day and Joel came out and rode with me. We got in 34 miles on our bikes riding from our house to the Plank Trail. We road the trail all the way to Cicero ave and then back to the house. We hit top speeds of 35 mph going down some hills - nothing compare to the Tour De France! We had a great time and even stopped for some quick fuel at the creamery (ice cream) ! :) Tomorrow is a rest day in preparation for the 20 miles I will run on Saturday.  Happy training!

Week 5 of training is almost over and August is right around the corner! The marathon will be here before we know it.  Overall my training is going really well. This 3 run a week program is tough but I love the rest days and cross training days I get. For long runs I've already run a 13,15,17,18 and a 20 miler. This weekend I have another 20 miler to do and will actually run 3 more 20 milers before it's all over. The weather is superb and I am praying that it holds for marathon day. Happy running brothers.

Hey Brothers,

I have been thoroughly enjoying the weather for most of this summer.  It has really been a great training summer.  Saturday our group did 12 in the Austin/Oak Park neighborhoods.  We started at 7 a.m. and it wasn't bad out but it did get humid for the second 6 miles.  This week I do an 8 and two 5s and then 13.1 on Saturday.  The hard weeks are coming - 14, 16, 18, 20 over the next  6 weeks.  To be honest, I hate these weeks!  Anything over 10 starts getting tedious for me...but hopefully there is a payoff on race day!  Peace!

Just getting the runs done!

Hey Guys,

Laura and I and Jessica are headed out camping in Wisconsin along Lake Michigan starting Thursday afternoon (our ocean, Boone).  So, that means trying to get my longer runs done before we leave so I can relax more with a shorter run or two while we are gone.  Yesterday I did 7 miles...nice temperature and today I will do 7 again in what should be upper 60s temp!  This will feel great.  Right now feels like I am just trying to get the runs done but they are going well.  I am still in the range of a 4:30 to 5 hour marathon at this point.  A week from Saturday I finally return to my Saturday morning running group in Columbus Park of the Austin neighborhood.  I love this group of runners and walkers.  Each Wednesday night I join them at the corner of Central and Chicago Ave. for a time of prayer and peace walking and talking.  This is one of the 5 strongest "hot" corners for crime in the Austin neighborhood.  I love helping reframe the relationship between blacks and whites and I yearn for peace (and jobs for the young men) from the violence.  The truth is that only a small portion of folks cause the problems. The friends I have in the neighborhood are just like you and me....hard working, life loving, God-fearing and really, really quality human beings.  About 10 of them are training for the marathon...most for the very first time!  Be blessed this week!  See you next week!

A run along the ocean in Carmel, CA

Got to run along the Ocean in Carmel today. Amazing views and amazing houses! Tim, you remember what these areas are like from back in the day when you lived in Arroyo Grande. What a fantastic area. We are staying at a bed and breakfast quaint place. I'm sitting here by the fire, yes by the fire, writing this blog.

See you in a week! I'll try to add a picture later.

Here's a picture.

Carmel around 7 pm.

This is a Carmel sunset from last night.

July 13, 2014 On Vacation

Hi brothers, Jana and I are on our way up to Yosemite where we will drop off Karys and her cousin at a week long summer camp. Then Jana and I are off to Carmel along the ocean for 3 nights. Then we'll drive down the coast a bit and stop in another coastal town called Avila Beach to see a childhood friend of Jana's. We'll arrive home late Thursday, be home for a few days and then fly out to Chicago.

Needless to say, the training will be a little bit tougher during these next days with all the traveling. I've brought my running gear and will run a few times this week and I will be back at home for my first 20 miler next Saturday.

Training is going well. I am quite sure I am in better running shape this year and I will have to see if that correlates to a good marathon. By the way, went to Road Runner sports and picked up some GU for my long runs. You have got to try the new flavor called Salted Carmel. It is absolutely delicious. It's good enough to eat as a snack at any time! Back to training--Ran 17 miles on Saturday. This program has me running high mileage much earlier in the program, but still running fewer times per week. Feel good so far. I downloaded lots of audio books and some fantastic sermons/messages to listen to on my runs. This has made my runs much more enjoyable as well. I've already listened to two audio books and hours of messages by a great preacher named Bill Liversidge. He's an Australian now living in Palm Springs with a great accent and great sense of humor.

Today is a day off to drop off Karys and travel to Carmel. Looking forward to these next few days.

Love you brothers!

Week three is done! Today I ran my long run and long it was. I had to do 17 miles today at a target pace of 9:08. I finished at an average of 9:01 but the last 4 miles were tough. I felt good at the start and ran 11 miles all under 9:00/ mile with many at 8:50 pace. I paid dearly for that decision at the end. I also had some hills mixed in today and it was more humid so it all played a part. Still I'm satisfied with the result and it's been a good week of training. I'm transitioning back to my brooks pure cadence shoes which are a more mid foot strike set up. They feel much better to me and I will probably commit to running the rest of my runs in them. Hope you guys had a great week! Just 91 days 14 hours and 13 minutes remain until MARATHON DAY!

Got 5 miles in on Monday and did 10 yesterday.  Definitely could feel the back to back days.  I am planning to do 8 to 10 on Thursday.  I have a crazy weekend with a wedding rehearsal and wedding ceremony on Friday, Saturday and then the usual Sunday stuff...so likely won't get much running in over the weekend.  You both are way ahead of me on time per miles so you will be way ahead of me on marathon day.  I am planning on 10 minutes of running and 1 minute walk breaks.  Hey, check out my fundraising page and why my fundraising goal is $1,000,000.00!

http://teamworldvision.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=1910

Got my speed work in today. First time I tried it on a track. Usually I do it on the treadmill. My first two runs were slightly slower than target pace but the remaining three were on or faster. Looking forward to a bike day tomorrow. Hope you guys are doing well.

I started week three on Sunday with an early 26 mile bike ride with Joel. We had some hills to work through and my legs were definitely screaming at me especially since I just ran 15 miles the day before. Today is Monday and I chose to take a rest day and my legs feel much better. Tomorrow back to the schedule and it's a speed work ladder!

Well week two of the sixteen week program is in the books. Overall it went really well. One day of speed work in Chicago, a tempo run in Kansas City and the 15 mile long run in Michigan. Joni accompanied me for the 15 miler today on her bike :) we had perfect weather with temps at 59 degrees for the start.  It was perfect and I had some middle miles at 8:35 to 8:40 pace. The final mile clocked in at 8:24 and I was grateful to be done. The day before Joel and I biked 23.5 miles and hit speeds of 27 mph. We had a great time. I feel healthy and seem to be recovering quickly. Hope you are doing well brothers. Just 98 days remain to Marathon Day! Keep focused brothers.

Friday, July 4, 2014

Happy Fourth of July brothers! Last year we were in Chicago for the fourth. The good news is we are coming into Chicago for a few days this summer. July 23-July 24. So, we'll see you soon!

Today is a day off! Tomorrow is a big run of 15 miles. Planning to run at 5:30 to beat the heat. Got some fuel and a fuel belt to try out tomorrow. I'll let you know how it goes.

Ran 7 on Thursday and felt strong. Ran about 9:20 pace overall and didn't feel too tired at the end.

Have a goof fourth with your families. Dale, enjoy your Michigan trip. Tim, hope to see in this month too!

8 miles in the books!

Bros,  What a difference a few days make!  I ran an 8 miler yesterday and while it was still 84 degrees the change in humidity made a big difference.  Looks like the next stretch of weather is going to be great for running.  Our group will also run 8 this Saturday.  Hope you both are feeling well!!  Keep going!!!

Hot, humid...but a long ways to go!

Hey Bros,  Got the 6 miles done this past Saturday and glad to get it done.  This is just the beginning with a long, long way to go.  I am feeling fine physically...maybe just a bit tired of marathon training this year since I had already trained for the half I ran in Rwanda.  Next up...8 miles this Saturday.  Have a great week of everything!  Happy 4th!!

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Ran 6 miles today. The goal was to run the middle two miles at an 8:33 pace. The first mile and half of this run has a steep uphill which is hard to avoid around here, but afterwards I get to go downhill for a bit :). I was able to achieve the 8:33 pace on the downhill but the test was the next segment as things leveled out. I kept the pace for the next mile and half and felt very strong! I had started with a 10:20 pace in the beginning due to the hill, but when the run was complete, my overall pace was 9:15. I swam yesterday and so far I am really enjoying this training program because of the variety of training it offers. Tomorrow is a day off followed by 13 miles on Saturday at a 10:02 pace. I think that will be a challenge, but after a day of rest I'm hoping to push that pace a little.

Train hard brothers and yes, I am hoping to raise some good money for this cause and hit all my contacts hard soon. I'm not putting any limitations on the number right now. We'll see.

Have a blessed day everyone!!

June 23, It all begins now

Brothers, the week of June 23, 16 weeks until the marathon. Training hard. Day 2 was today. Did some speed work. 3 x 1600. Averaged 7:45. Was happy with that. Thank goodness for the morning fog we had. As it continues to get hotter, I may not be able to keep that pace. We'll see. Feel good. Feel healthy. Hope we can all drag our 50 something bodies to the finish line. Blessings!!

By the way, at the beach today.

Good morning brothers! Happy Fathers to you all!
Yesterday I ran the Brian Diemer 5k and while not as fast as last year Iran pretty well. Everything feels like it's coming together as the training date gets closer. My calf muscle is feeling much better thanks to Jodi's chiroprachter who is very experienced in running injuries. He has helped many Calvin runners. Tim you have probably already started since you are on a different schedule than Dan and I. Hope you both have a great day!
Dale

June 5, 2014

Well, shame on me. I haven't written in a while. Good Morning brothers! It was a year ago that I ran the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon. While it was my best time (just under 5 hours), I was a little disappointed and discouraged. There was a long uphill section of almost 3 miles that nearly did me in and made the last few miles extremely painful. I had been on pace to finish between 4 and 4 and half hours and barely finished under 5. I decided then I would not run that marathon again.

I also ended up being burnt out on running. I had run so many miles for so many months I just couldn't find the motivation to go out for a run. But now comes this Chicago challenge and opportunity of running with my brothers and I'm loving running again!!

I am also hoping to avoid the burn out in a couple of ways. First, I am listening to audio books. I actually look forward to the run so I can hear the rest of the story. Second, I am following my big brother's advice and trying a method called Run Less Run Faster. There is a lot more cross training and varying runs in this program and I hope this will help me avoid the burn out as well.

The good news is I am feeling good. I have not drank Mountain Dew for a couple of months, I'm taking vitamins for the first time in my life, and I am running pain free. I ran last night around 7 pm. The weather was perfect, the pace was easy (9:15-9:30--the pace I would like to run during the marathon) and I had gas in the tank when I finished. And the hard training has not yet begun.

Lord willing, we will all stay injury free. We are all now on the other side of 50 and I am the baby of this family! Hoping for another good run today. If you are reading brothers, have a great day!

June 1, 2014
It's been a good week of running. I was able to get a 6 miler in on Thursday morning while traveling on business.  It was an early rise, getting up at 4:45 am but a beautiful day to run. I ran around an outdoor mall and it was me and the parking lot striping guys. So I was jumping over fresh paint once in awhile. The run was great and I found myself picking up the pace. Overall I came in under 8/ mile. Friday was an off day. Saturday I met a couple of fellow runners in Franfort and ran on Plank Trail. Plank is full of runners on a Saturday morning. Many of them are also training for Chicago. We ran 8 miles and the pace was quick for the first few as it tends to be as we run and chat. Of course we all acuse the other of pushing the pace. We clocked in at 8/ mile for the run and it felt good. The calf muscle is still a little sore and I'm not sure why this thing hangs on but it still feels better than a week ago. Well my brothers the start of marathon training is just 3 weeks away! Then the rubber has to be on the road.

May 27, 2014
Today was a trial to see if I could do some speed work at the health club. It went really well. I can still feel a little discomfort in the calf muscle but it is definitely getting better! I did 4x400 repeats at 6:35 pace on the treadmill. Hope you have great day brothers and get running!

May 26, 2014
I ran yesterday for the first time in a week due to a sore calf muscle. I've been stretching it and icing. It was a little better during the run but I only went 4.5 miles. Today was a biking day and I was up around 5 am to get an early start. I was able to get 21 miles in. It was a good work out and gave the calf a rest.  I'm gonna try running tomorrow and see how it feels. I've gotta get this healed so I can be on track for the beginning if the 16 weeks of marathon training.

May 25, 2014

Sitting at Mission Bay, San Diego today for Memorial Day weekend. Absolutely gorgeous morning. Got up early and left home at 6 am to grab a spot for the family. Well worth getting up early. It was calm and peaceful. Sitting here and taking in the sites. I am so blessed to live near such a beautiful area!

I will not be running today, but the running is going much better. I hope I can stay in good health. Friday I ran 5 miles. Some miles were between 8 and half and 9 minute miles. I hope I can keep this up.

As I look forward to October, it feels like running the marathon is going to make this year go fast. October through December is my favorite part of the year and this year it will be extra special.

I will run tomorrow. Going to run between 7 and 8. I'll see how it goes.

Have a great day brothers--if you are reading!

May 22, 2014

Good Morning World!

I haven't written for awhile. I just got too busy!! I couldn't run for the last two days due to my crazy schedule. That's the bad news.

The good news is my runs on Sunday and Wednesday were virtually pain free!!! Ran 5 miles on both days and felt pretty good. Granted I wasn't as speedy as my older brother but I felt good. The miles came fairly easy and if it weren't for the big hill I run at the beginning, I could have averaged 9:30 minute miles which will be my target time for the marathon.

Let me say this today: I am thankful for my life. God has been good and I am thankful for my wife. I am thrilled to have this opportunity to run this race with my brothers. This could be a once in a life time opportunity, but I hope we can come up with more events to do together!!

More to come--the real training starts in late June--got to be ready!

Monday May 12

Well its a new week and I will have to see how I feel this week. Working on the piriformis pain. Trying to work it out. See chiropractor again this week. It is great staying in touch with my brothers. This is going to be cool. I ran for near a total of 18 miles last week. I will have to try to step up the miles a little more this week. Unfortunately, it is going to be a very hot week. Thursday it is suppose to be 102 degrees!! Ugh!!

Saturday may 10

Taking the day off to be with my beatiful wife in San Diego for a pre-Mother's Day lunch. 

Trying to deal with the pain in my butt. More to come soon!!

Monday May 5

Ran a little over 4 miles today. Still some issues to work out, but I felt good. Ran just a little under 10 minute miles. Tomorrow I go see my chiropractor.

Sunday, May 5

Dealing with piriformis pain. Need to resolve this pain asap. Limited running today. Only two miles which was an accomplishment considering how much I was limping around last night.

Going to see a chiropractor this week. We'll see how the week goes.

Saturday, May 3

Ran a little over 4 miles today. When I first started out the pain in my right buttocks was so strong I could hardly run. I stopped to stretch a little and it was slightly better. I was able to run and felt pretty strong today, but this pain concerns me. We'll see

May 2, 2014

I have begun my pre-training. Things are moving kind of slow right now. My pace is somewhere between 10 and 10 and half minutes. Some aches and pains. My lower back has been bothering me since December and it constantly is getting stiff when I sit for a long time. I also have this weird pain in my right buttocks--not sure what that is from and wondering if I should take a little time off to see if it goes away. It doesn't seem to bother me while I'm running but bothers me more when I'm walking.

I'm going to follow the plan of Run Less Run Faster. It is rigorous, but seems like a good plan, but sometimes life gets in the way. Yesterday I was going to spin but ending up showing homes to a buyer and didn't get home until 7 pm and was too tired to think about spinning.

Looking forward to this experience with my brothers. Hope we can all stay healthy.