Fresh Snow On An Empty Trail

Very grateful for Saucony Kinvara TRs after running through fresh snow.

I did not run into another person while on the trail and the snow was deep which made it tough both which I like!

Marshall University Marathon

Considering on Wednesday I was unsure if I would even be able to start the Marshall University Marathon in Huntington Sunday because of my post tib tendonitis I will not complain with a 3:00:43 and 25th place. My ankle is very angry with me but I will be fine with some rest, ice, and lots of Advil. It might be time to retire that pair of Saucony Kinvaras after this plus who doesn't love new shoes!

Race Directors Race

Ran in the first annual Columbus Marathon "Race Directors Race" for our staff. It was not about time or place and there was only a handful of spectators (other staff) but it was nice to see all 26.2 miles of the course and spend time together before the crazy race week coming up.

Sore Legs....

After finishing 18th overall yesterday at the Air Force Half Marathon and waking up with sore legs I decided to do the EAS 10 Miler instead of 20.

Managed to fight the aches for 2nd overall, now my legs are officially shot.

Air Force 14.1 Mile Half Marathon!

After a miscue by a course marshal the Air Force Half Marathon turned into a 14.1 mile race. No big deal still had a good race coming in 18th with a 1:27:23. Thanks for all the support by friends and family on the course!

Taking a page from the MarathonJunkie Engle playbook and racing 2 days in a row, Air Force half marathon today and EAS 20 miler tomorrow! 

Working this weekend at the Lady Speed Stick Women's Half Marathon in Bloomington Minnestoa this weekend. 

Kinvaras got worked today, 15 miles early this morning. Then another 4 with Ryan Ritchie this afternoon. Time for food! Early morning tomorrow going to sleep well this evening.

Officially Tired

Pulled double duty today running 1:21:20 for 7th overall in the Ultrafit Columbus Half Marathon then rode support for my brother in his second day of the 180 mile Pelotonia ride for cancer research.

Looking forward to a relaxing evening!

Got up early to watch the Olympic women's marathon, congratulations to Tiki Gelana from Ethiopia on her new Olympic record.

A disappointing event for the USA but still a great race to watch!

It gave me some inspiration to push my rainy 14 miler this morning.

Had an amazing 15 miler before work this morning.

No idea what got into me you would have thought someone had lit the soles of my Saucony Kinvaras on fire!!

Back From X-Games

I have worked on lots of events but the 2012 ESPN Summer X-Games in Los Angeles was definitely a highlight. The amount of effort and people it requires to execute is amazing but it works!

It was a privilege working alongside some of the biggest and best names in the event business. I also got to meet several celebs and most of our of athletes which was also incredible.

While it was fun and a great experience it is nice to be home. Even with everything going on I was able to maintain my mileage!

Inaugural Canton Marathon!

A small group of us opened the the inaugural Canton Marathon Half Marathon with a 6:05 mile, lots of Saucony Kinvaras in that lead pack :-). Unfortunately the challenging course got the best of me and everything came unglued around mile 7 and I dragged myself to the finish in 17th position.

Still had a great time and they did a great job for a first year race!

Kinvara 3's

In my opinion the best running shoe in the business the Saucony Kinvara just got better with the Kinvara 3. Took them out for 7 yesterday and was very impressed, now the only question is what color to wear?

If that is the most difficult decision I face today it will be a good day!

It is Father's Day weekend and I am off to the new Canton Marathon to run the half, it's looking a little warm but it starts early.

 

Best race sign ever...no seriously

Epic Weekend!

While I did miss Jenny & Claire it was nice to have a 'guys' weekend .

Saturday was all day paintball, a couple hundred rounds at the gun range, and dinner at Tilted Kilt.

Sunday started with racing the Wendy's International Duathlon (2mi Run/18.6mi Bike/5K Run). Ended up 3rd place overall and 1st in my age group, no complaints with that. I rocked my new Saucony tri-suit which was awesome by the way. Thanks to Ryan Ritchie for the great photos and Debbie Ditty for cheering!

We continued the day with a bucket at the driving range, sushi, saw Prometheus at the movie theater, and lots of Battlefield 3 on PS3. Good times!

Busy Busy Busy

I have been absent from my blog because I have been so busy!! Since my last post I ran the Capital City Half Marathon in Columbus then the Flying Pig Half Marathon in Cincinnati the next day. I then worked the Cleveland Marathon last weekend, wrapping up a huge project for The Memorial Tournament at work, and have Hospital Hill Run in Kansas City next weekend. I am definitely looking forward to some "me" time after that. Still keeping up good mileage though, its about the only thing keeping me sane.

After working an 11 hour day at the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon expo I decided it would be a good idea to stretch my legs and run the IChallenge with the 5K Friday night before the half-marathon Saturday. Results were decent with 10th place in the 5K and 28th in the half marathon, no complaints here!

What Inspires You?

That is the topic this week in Saucony's Find Your Strong Project. I entered mine now what inspires you?

Post it for a chance to win Kinvara 3's and other cool running stuff.

Started Easter With A Bang!

Started Easter Sunday with an awesome 17 miler!

Strong can be found in every runner.  It's personal.  Powerful.  Insanely motivating.  We find strong in others.  We find it in ourselves.  And when we share it, we all get stronger.

The Find Your Strong Project is an exciting new digital initiative that gives runners like you the chance to share your strong.  To find inspiration, to find a challenge.  Or even get a kick in the butt when you need it.  Over the next 12 weeks, this new digital experience will unite the Saucony Nation through a series of challenges happening only at saucony.com/strong.
 #FINDYOURSTRONG

2012 Training!

Crazy stat of the day I was updating my mileage log and realized a somewhat shocking stat. In March of 2012 I ran more miles than any month is 2011 (including the months I was marathon racing)! I was pretty shocked, definitely going to keep up the pace! #FINDYOURSTRONG

Wisdom Teeth Out!

On Wednesday I got all for of my wisdom teeth taken out. It was not fun, I did not go under just local anesthetic so the sounds were the worst part. Starting to get back on my feet and actually went for a run today, I felt fine until my jaw started to hurt around mile 9 and my energy was just not there which is no surprise since I have been living on liquid diet!

Beautiful Weather!

Loving this weather! Hammered out 17 yesterday in Sauconyhttp://www.saucony.com Kinvaras yesterday and 9 in Profiles today all in short sleeves and split shorts and it's only March! Spending the rest of the day hanging out with the family.

Great Run This Morning!

Every part of me wanted to stay in bed this morning but I peeled myself from the covers and headed out for my morning run. It's a good thing because I had an awesome 10 miler for breakfast , best run I have had in a while. Runs like that are what keep me coming back for more.

New Saucony Profile!

As most people know I have been infatuated with the Saucony Kinvara since it's first release and it only got better with the Kinvara 2. I have of course tried other shoes like the Cortana which is an excellent shoe and gets regularly tossed into my training mix. I have added another Saucony shoe to my arsenal of running weaponry, the Profile. My first run in these was awesome! It is lightweight, has only a 4mm heel to toe drop and adds lots more cushion. This means a very nice and smooth ride. I will keep you updated as I log more miles with it but it appears Saucony has created another winner!

Enjoy the Weather...

Woke up to 45 degree weather and a downpour. Something about the fairly warm weather and lots of rain that brings out the kid in every runner, sometimes it's more fun to not dodge the puddles :-) 

 

Looking forward to February 8th!

I am definitely looking forward to February 8th. After two weeks off from running (which has been nice by the way) I can't wait to "pound the pavement". I have had so much extra energy and time I am not even sure what to do with it anymore! By now I am certain my Saucony Kinvaras are lonely and need attention which I will gladly provide. Of course the two weeks I take off in January it has been high 40's even into the 50's just tempting me to go out!

Shalane Flanagan Makes History!

Two of the fastest races in Olympic Marathon Trials history took place on the same day Saturday in Houston as the six men and women who will represent Team USA in London earned their way on the squad. Shalane Flanagan set an Olympic Trials record of 2:25:38 in only her second marathon, while Meb Keflezighi earned his third Olympic berth by winning the Trials in a personal best time of 2:09:08. Flanagan led a Trials record five women under 2:30 while Meb led four men under 2:10 for the first time in Trials history.

Champion Meb Keflezighi!

You could not ask for a nicer guy to be representing the United States in the 2012 Olympic Games in London. Great guy and easy to talk to, more than happy to share his experiences and advice!

2012 Olympic Marathon Trials!

I know I have been absent for a couple weeks, just taking a little downtime with the holidays! Things are back in full swing, training hard and getting through the winter (which has been very mild thus far).

On a more exciting note I am in Houston for the 2012 Olympic Marathon Trials! The excitement is definitely in the air, less than 8 hours from now the best American distance runners will take to the streets to decide who goes to London!

Definitely check out these Saucony Kinvara 2 kicks for the Olympic Marathon Trials qualifiers. I can't wait to see them in person tomorrow morning!

2011 Recap...

So 2011 was a pretty good year for me with marathons, half-marathons, duathlons, and other races: Running - 2113 miles/Biking - 3504 miles/ and averaging 3 days a week of upper body strength workouts. Total calorie burn for 2011: 401340. Big thanks to Saucony for helping me get there!