It was a good day...

A lot of people choose to run for many reasons: lose weight, prove a point, a break from reality, and for enjoyment.

I run for all of those reasons, but more importantly I find peace and solace when I run.  I clear my head and just run.  On occasion something inside me tingles when I run and I feel an inner strength that I have never felt before.  About a week ago I went for a run (on a 50 degree February day in Chicago) and had the most amazing out of body experience (don't judge, it was incredible).  But, let me back track so you can get the full effect.

Last year after my "big event", I went for a run (actually a few months after the event) on a beautiful July 5th evening.  It was amazing, the weather was perfect for running, it wasn't the typical hot, humid day in the burbs of Chicago.  I was running my usual route and I turned a corner to where the sun was on the horizon and setting.  My eyes were drawn to the horizon and the orange, purples, and blues were brushed across the sky.  The sun was radiating and the brightest that I have ever seen at dusk.  It was a beautiful canvas painted across the sky.  As I was running, Awolnation's, "Sail" was playing on my iPod.  The verse that screamed at me was, this is how I show my love. I made it in my mind because I blame it on my A.D.D baby. This is how an angel cries.  In that moment, no matter what happened, I had a memory that I would never forget.  A lot of people wouldn't remember a moment like that, they would pass it off as another run or training day.  It will be a day that I will alway remember...it was the day my Grandfather passed away.  I know on that day he found his peace and solace as well.

February 2012 - I decided to go for a run since the weather was perfect for a February day.  On this day I decided to deviate from my usual path and just run where ever the path I chose lead me.  When I hit the 3 mile mark, I started to feel weak, my legs felt heavy and I wanted to stop.  As I turned the corner, I noticed the sun was setting and the rays of light from the sun pushing through the clouds.  There was a magnificent light orange shared across the sky which made the clouds a metallic grey.  The rays of light coming through the clouds were beams of bright yellow.  At that moment, Awolnation rang through my ear pieces and I ignored my heavy feet...and I ran.  I ran and I ran for another 3 miles.  I ran so well, I ran 6.2 miles in 42 minutes.  I found my peace and solace that day...I felt I had someone running next to me and help me ignore my heavy legs.

I hit the button...

Yesterday, February 1st was the the first day to sign up for the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.  I signed up this afternoon with zero hesitation...it was exciting to hit the "pay now" button.  It's now or never, I made the commitment a long time ago to scratch this run off my list and now it's going to be reality.

I do have to say, I have a few doubters out there that don't think I will even run this race.  As I said before in my first post, I was going to do this 6 years ago and chickened out.  My brother, Derek, reminded me of this a few nights ago.  Deep down I know this is his strategy to keep focused and my eye on the prize.  I know come race day he will be on the sidelines to cheer me on...he will probably be holding a beer and a slice of pizza as I run by, but he'll be there.

I am happy to say I have a running partner as well that will help make this journey even more fun.  My friend Frank, who is an avid runner and has a few marathons under his belt will be a great running partner and motivator.

Since I am officially signed up my head is in the game and I am ready for every challenge that I may encounter and I look forward to proving all the naysayers wrong come 10/7/2012....

Running is like online classes

I started my first week of school and realized that school is la lot like a marathon.  I have to learn how to pace myself and not start out in a sprint.  I am already two weeks ahead in the majority of my classes but I think I need to start slowing down a bit...which made me think, what are my split times supposed to be?

Splits		Times
1	Mile	00:07:03.36
2	Mile	00:14:06.72
3	Mile	00:21:10.08
4	Mile	00:28:13.44
5	Mile	00:35:16.80
6	Mile	00:42:20.16
7	Mile	00:49:23.52
8	Mile	00:56:26.88
9	Mile	01:03:30.25
10	Mile	01:10:33.61
11	Mile	01:17:36.97
12	Mile	01:24:40.33
13	Mile	01:31:43.69
14	Mile	01:38:47.05
15	Mile	01:45:50.41
16	Mile	01:52:53.77
17	Mile	01:59:57.13
18	Mile	02:07:00.50
19	Mile	02:14:03.86
20	Mile	02:21:07.22
21	Mile	02:28:10.58
22	Mile	02:35:13.94
23	Mile	02:42:17.30
24	Mile	02:49:20.66
25	Mile	02:56:24.02
26	Mile	03:03:27.38
26.21875	Mile	03:05:00

Feeling the Burn - HPT

I would like to take a moment to thank Mike Haiduke from Haiduke Personal Training for providing me with a workout program that is kicking my butt.  He has given me a full-body routine that will strengthen my core and provide me with stability and strength to push my body to the max.  Hopefully this will prevent injuries along the way as well...knock on wood.

Mike is a very busy personal trainer and I appreciate him taking this journey with me and providing me the guidance and the tools I need to reach my ultimate goal.  Mike and I did something similar to this 8 months ago before "The Event" occurred.  I am looking forward to more gain this time around and I know Mike will keep an eye on me from afar and push me as he has done in the past.

If you are interested in working with Mike and want to receive 1 on 1 personal training from a very dedicated trainer you can view his Facebook page by clicking the link below or going to my homepage and clicking on my favorite links.

Haiduke Personal Training | Facebook

I promise, you will not be disappointed in the results if you are willing to put in the time and effort.  

Thank you Mike, and Boston here we come!!! 

Through the Looking Glass

I went for a run the other day...in January on a 50 degree day.  Who needs San Diego when you can get that?  During my runs lately I have been more attentive to people outside their home, driving their car or sitting in an office building.  My initial thought is always, what are they thinking and why are they staring at me?  Do I have a piece a toilet paper on my shoe?  Did I remember to put on my running shorts?  This is my thought process and the turmoil I put myself through every time I see people.  I have come to the conclusion though,  they are jealous...jealous for the simple reason I am truly utilizing a beautiful day.

As with every run, I allow my mind to wander and let it go to places that either inspire me, amaze me or completely befuddle me.  Going along with the latter, I imagined myself as a lizard in a aquarium with big eyes peering at me through the glass.  For a treat my owner turned up the temperature in the bowl and put a lamp over my bowl to allow me to stretch my legs.  I was thankful for the day and the time spent pushing Cameron around for an hour...

Drive, inspiration and Support

Drive = Cameron.  He is why I run and push myself as hard as I do on a daily basis, not just with running. I want to make sure that he see's his Daddy as a hardworking, motivated individual that will do everything possible to meet his goals.  When it is not cold, Cameron is in the running stroller telling me to go faster or reminding me to breath.  His innocence seems to always humble me and his outlook on life drives me...

Inspiration = Parker Grace.  Parker is my little angel, she literally saved my life.  If it was not for that little girl, I would not be here writing this blog.  When she was born, she came out with a smile and an attitude I can not match.  Every time I come home from a run or a workout she is on the floor or in a chair to greet me with that smile and the look of, "you could have done more".  She inspires me to be great and be the runner I know that I am...

Support = Janel.  Janel is my rock, life source and number one fan.  We have been through a lot the last few months and she never showed a sign of weakness or cracking.  Every crazy plan, every idiotic goal I come up with she is by my side rooting me on.  If it was not for her, I would not be the person that I am today.  Without her support and love I would not be able to go on this walk.  She will forever be the love of my life and my foundation.

Without drive, inspiration, and support I would not be able succeed in anything that I do.  They are what keep me on the path.

Goals, Dreams and Aspirations

Many times in my life I have set certain goals and with those goals come deadlines or supposed end results.  It has not been until recently that I have journeyed on the path of setting goals and actually fulfilling my obligation to complete them.  I am human, I get sidetracked from diet plans, workout plans, school assignments and all the other things in life that comes my way.  It was probably 6 years ago when I said I was going to run in the Chicago Marathon...which I have yet to do.  So, this year I WILL be running the Chicago Marathon on October 7th, 2012.  I am committed and ready to fulfill this goal.  YEAH ME!!!

Part of my goal is to blog my experiences over the next 10 months.  My blogs will include: my music choices for running, which usually only consists of Eminem and Tupac (I like to run angry).  That's a lie, I have a very eclectic iPod to get me through this journey.  My diet plan and the number of times I stray from my diet plan.  My workout plan which I have enlisted the help of my good friend and trainer Mike Haiduke.  We have worked together before, but he is writing down the routines I need in order to be successful (if this proves to be successful, I am sure he will be more than happy to bring you on as a client...he kicks ass, literally).  Finally I will be writing about how I do all this with a wife, 2 beautiful kids (Cameron and Parker Grace), work 40 hours a week and go to school full-time.  I'm crazy, I know!!

One more thing, I'm not running this marathon just to say I ran a marathon...I'm qualifying for BOSTON BABY!!!