Disney! Finally.

Nine years ago, I happened to be arriving at Epcot the day that the Walt Disney World Marathon was finishing there.  It was at that point the Disney Marathon became one of my life's goals.  I had always had an idea of wanting to finish a marathon, but after seeing the mouse ear medals, I knew it was something that I needed to do.  Years went by and running came into and out of my life, but never anything regimented.  Last year, realizing I was at the heaviest I had ever been, I decided to get back into running.  A couple months into it, I told myself that I was going to run Disney, no excuses.  So I signed up for the marathon in April.  After a little over a full year of running again and a 28 week training program, here I am.  I am about ready to check the Disney Marathon off my bucket list.

I am happy to be finally finishing one of the goals I set out on years ago.  In the past year of running, however, I have realized I have new goals.  They don't minimize my goal of finishing the Disney marathon, but they are there and they will keep me going, striving toward them and keeping up my fitness.

Later today, we are off to Florida and Sunday I am running the marathon with my brother and my aunt; the two people who have been there supporting me by running with me the whole time.  Also, I have the biggest support crowd I have ever had for a race.  There are 14 people coming to florida to watch me run.  I have to give a huge thanks to these people because watching a 4-5 hour race where you get to see your runner a couple times can't be that fun.  So, thank you.  But I really have to give a huge shout out to my wife and son who have been with me through the entire training process and have been supportive even with the 4 hour training runs.  Thank you and I love you.  Also, there have been many other people who have supported my training and cannot make it to florida and I want to thank them as well.  For those of you coming to florida, we are going to have a great time.  For those unable to make it, hopefully next time.  And with that, I am off to Disney.

Reflections on 2011, What's coming in 2012

As the new year begins, I can’t help but think about last year and all the incredible things that we did.  I started off the year 60 pounds heavier than I am now, running occasionally and not having distinct goals set.  Shortly after starting the year, I decided I was going to run the Walt Disney World Marathon, which had been a goal of mine for years.  That meant starting to run more than I was.  In March, I signed up for the marathon, which got me off my butt to start training.

In 2011, I ran my first half and full marathons.  I got a PR in a 5K and in a 10K, and obviously because they were my firsts, I PR’ed in the half and full too.  I am happy with all of my times except my marathon time, which I will be working on in the new year.  I also did a Tough Mudder event this past year, which was a great time and I am signed up for another one in 2012.

My goals for 2012 include improving my marathon time.  I plan on starting to compete in triathlons.  I would also like to lose a little more weight this year, but I am pretty happy with my weight now, although I am still a Clydesdale for races with that category.  Looking past 2012, I do have some bucket list events that I want to complete and I’m sure that list of events will get longer.