Sunday, January 23, 2011

First Race Registration of 2011!!

Dear Curt,
Congratulations! You are now registered for Illinois Marathon. Please check the event's official website for updates: http://www.illinoismarathon.com

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YEAH! 4/30/2011....here we go! I'm looking forward to redeeming myself from last year's time....I ran the entire race with severe IT band issues (which resulted in about 3 months of physical therapy....ouch).

Even more exciting....the wife is running it also!!! Her first half marathon!! AMAZING!!!

Monday, January 10, 2011

Sick Ninja, Chopper!

Yesterday was a nice and cold 12.5 miles along the rolling hills of the Mackinaw valley. It was the longest and coldest run of 2011! Most of my bod stayed fairly warm, in fact....I might have overdressed a bit. My hands got a little chilly towards the end of the run. I will admit, it wasn't a speedy run by any means (8:37 ave pace)....that is until about mile 10 when I was attacked by a vicious ninja-eating K9 that came out of nowhere. I swear it was hungry for the blood of a Nike protected runner...I thought I was a goner....it darted across the country highway and immediately began to attack me...my ankles were almost done. Until...a passerby saw the attack as it was driving by and honked it's horn to scare away the beast. Luckily, that did the trick and the little monster went running back to it's hideout...waiting for its next victim I' m sure. Stinkin mutt.

If only Doug were there to protect me. But alas...sleeping on the job again.


Here's to the dog days of winter!

Sunday, January 2, 2011

The End of an Era...or something like that....

After a splendid 11 mile run today I became extra motivated to follow my fellow bloggers and type an end of 2010 posting....but, then the Bears game came on, followed by a brief nap, and then some laundry...and here I am, finally. Just like today (minus the laundry and the Bears losing), 2010 was a year full of goodness.

As you might recall, the year started off with a photo shoot for Mens Health magazine!! What an amazing experience. Soon after my national publication appearance, I began to train for the Illinois half marathon....well, I trained myself right into physical therapy due to IT Band syndrome. It. Sucked. I was still able to run the race, but it certainly wasn't pretty. It was by far the most painful race I had ever done....until, 10-10-10 that is. The Chicago Marathon....I still don't think it has fully hit me yet...still hard to believe that I ran 26.2 miles. 26.2 freaking miles....each time I say it, I get chills, followed by a huge inside smile because I'm proud of how far I've come and how hard I've worked....but also because I know Chicago won't be my last 26.2. In fact, that brings me to my next subject....2011 running goals!

Race Goals:
1. Half Marathon PR (current PR is 1:51:31)
2. Half Marathon in under 1:50:00 (might be crossed off after number 1?)
3. 5K in under 20:00
4. Sign up for my next full marathon!!!! Jan or Feb of 2012...race is TBD...Disney??

Weekly Goals:
1. 1 speed session every week
2. 1 leg strength training session every week
3. 1 stretching session every week
4. Ab strength training 3 times per week (2011 will be the year of the 6 pack!!!)

Well, that's it folks....I've got a busy 2011 ahead of me. It will be full of new challenges, tough runs, brutal workouts, buckets of sweat, maybe some tears, and lots of fun. Here's to making it happen in 2011! YEAH

Do you know this guy? I sure don't.


First half marathon, 2009


Second half marathon, 2009 (PR!)


First FULL marathon, Chicago, 2010


Here's to a good 2011!!