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!!!