Friday was not off for me!

Since I am going to be on a bus tomorrow heading to Disney with my daughter, I took yesterday off and ran my 7 miles this morning. Beautiful day! I started at 8:20ish and did 4:1 intervals around my neighborhood. I felt great and did the mileage in about 1:06. I carried my water bottle with me and forced myself to only drink every two miles and kept a good walk pace during my 1 minute rests. I slowed from 5 1/2 to 6 1/2 and finished strong at the end.

It always amazes me how much we can do when we put our minds, wills and bodies to something. Here we are in the fattest state in the country and I'm running 7 miles before 9:30 in the morning and all of you will be doing the same tomorrow. Wouldn't it be great if we led the way out of last place and inspired others to get up and get moving?! In many ways we are ambassadors of health charged with making a difference and inspiring those around us that they can do so much more... if they choose.

This all started out 13 weeks ago with a decision and simple disciplines taken daily that have compounded to the ability to go 7 miles. Just think what October will bring for you and those you touch by refusing to be a couch potato.

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Woke up this morning feeling fine...

The alarm went off at 5:30 this morning and it wasn't as bad. I changed the radio alarm to PRM and I woke to strings instead of Poison. I met Neal at the top of the street at 6:00 and we had a nice 3.25 mile run. We took it easy and ran through without stops and kept a 10 minute pace. I am amazed at how easy it is to run the regular routes after I run the Hell Hills of Vicksburg.

It's great to see everyone progressing and seeing the potential they have. 7 miles is so incredible and for me that is always the Aha moment. It will feel like a huge accomplishment for all of you. I won't be there as I will be on a bus with a bunch of 9th grade songbirds heading to Disney. Robin, Matt and Scotty will have you ready to go and you will have a great run. I will get mine in on Friday morning and try to grab some running in Orlando.

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The Hills Kicked My Butt!

Those dang V'burg hills kicked my butt today! First of all, I didn't run them with pizza in the stomach thinking that would help - I ran 2 minutes slower! What's up with that? I ran in the heat (and it was Hades hot - until summer of course) and it was kicking my butt. I ran to the top of Mt. Everest (the big bad winding hill) and laid out on a monument and recovered my racing heart and finally at mile 5 told Scotty to go for it. The young punk ran the last mile in 6 minutes! SIX MINUTES!!!!!

I finished my run in 1:05:30 and was pooped! 2 minutes slower than last time and I think I will get that pizza for the next time I run the park. Blog on Marathoners!

Be Careful!!!

On our runs I notice that some of you are still thinking you are bigger and badder than SUVs and other light machinery. Road safety is a must!

ALWAYS run facing traffic and NEVER more than two side by side. When a vehicle is approaching go to single file and get over! Get in the grass if you have to!

If you run with an iPod or headphones, wear only one earphone or turn the volume down low enough to hear approaching runners and cars.

Finally, be aware of the running surface and watch your step. Don't stare at your feet when you run but be aware of the surface, looking ahead, and prepare for bumps.

Staying healthy and safe is the key and if you do so, you will finish the marathon.

Is it Easier?

Is it easier to get in your miles? I know that seems like a weird question but I want to ask you a few things and get you to think about a few other.

Is it easy for you to do one mile? How about two or three? Is four a distance that doesn't scare you? If you answered yes, then this training is working. You are getting better!

But, Mark, six miles isn't easy! It's not supposed to be! This week we are going further than you have gone before and it is a stretch. It should be hard. But five isn't as hard now, neither is 4,3,2 or 1! Each week should be harder and the hardest of all will be 26.2 miles BUT by that time 18, 20, and 22 will be easy.

The long runs are hard and will always be hard but the previous weeks will always be easier. So stay the course and continue your growth - you are doing that, you know!

People are like rubber bands, they are only effective if they are stretched!

Saturday Location Change!!

Spread the Word!

** Update ** Saturday Run - April 21, Baptist Healthplex, Clinton - 8:00 a.m.

I hate to do this at such a late notice BUT we need to change the location of the group run to Clinton this Saturday morning. March of Dimes is having their walk at Lakeshore Park this Saturday and will take over the area. Instead of competing for space, we are moving out of the way.

NEW LOCATION - Clinton Baptist Healthplex Side Parking Lot
TIME: Video Shoot at 7:20 - Group Run at 8AM

Please tell every Marathon Makeover participant you know so we don't miss anyone.

Thanks!

I Could've Run All Morning!

You have to sing that title to the tune of "I Could've Have Danced All Night." but this morning I had a great run! I linked up with Neal Lehan last night and since he lives around the corner we decided to run together. I set the alarm for 5:50 and we agreed to meet at 6:20 at the top of the hill. I didn't sleep well! I kept thinking I was going to oversleep or miss the alarm. I don't know why, my alarm SCREAMS at me and Robin always shoots daggers at me when it goes off. At least that is what I think she is doing but I can't see because it is so dark.

Anyway, the alarm did SCREAM and I did make it in time and there was Neal waiting. We ran a 5 mile loop around the neighborhood. At the end and 52 minutes later, I felt great! It felt like I could've done 5 more. I like it when it is like that!

Last night I did another thing that I have wanted to do. I registered for the Disney Marathon, January 2008. The Goofy Challenge was full (half marathon Saturday, full marathon Sunday) and the half is 70% full but the full is only 50% full. I think it will be fun and it will be good to run it with a few of the MMers who are running that, too or instead of Chicago. So that should be 5 marathons by 42 years old and to think that 4 years ago I was a couch potato. Life is good!

I look forward to seeing all of you Saturday at 7:20 for the shooting and 8AM for the 6 miles. Blog on Marathoners!

XT 4 ME

I hit the Healthplex tonight for a quick XT. 25 minutes on the elliptical and boy did I drop the sweat! I saw Randy Underwood and enjoyed catching up and saw Gail George's brother-in-law who just ran the Boston Marathon - 3:47 wow!

Great day and I look forward to a morning run! Blog on Marathoners!

Registration is Closed!

Well the registration for Chicago Marathon is officially closed! They have reached their capacity and it is too late if you missed out. We have around 160 of our team that bit the bullet and registered for the marathon. Very good! I know that there are many different reasons some of you didn't register - like running other marathons - but I will miss not having all of you in Chicago and will have a blast with those of you who do!

We are still early on in our training and I hope you won't get discouraged. Some of you aren't as fast as you would like to be. That is OK - take it slow - there is time for that! Some of you haven't lost the weight you had wished - we are just cranking up the mileage and when you are doing 10 - 12 miles on Saturday and the regular during the week your body will be screaming for fat to burn. Just eat healthy and be patient! Some of you are aching - your body might be saying "watch out for too much, too soon, too fast." You scream at me - "How long will it take?" I hear you! It will take as long as it takes! many of you are couch potatoes wanting to reverse years of slide - this is a life change that will produce the results in time - not a quick fix. If you get healthy, your body will get healthy - it just waits a while to catch up with your will!

You can do this and stay the course and 160 of us will eat cheesecake in Chicago!

Oh the Miles!

Scotty and I ran in Vicksburg yesterday afternoon. We ran the Battlefield Park again but this time went the 6 mile loop. It kicked my tail! Whew! We ran up and down some huge hills (much larger than the little loop I did last week!) and I actually had to walk up a few. I had eaten a Subway pizza for lunch (with turkey, bell peppers, olives, carrots, jalapenos) and I felt it every step of the way! We made it through the loop in 1:03:21 so it wasn't too bad but I would like to run it better. I need to start out slower.

On an interesting note, I went out this morning and decided to do a light workout and ran a slow 5K without stopping. I did it in 30 minutes. Hmmm - I ran six up and down hills in an hour taking walk breaks - 3:1 - and did 3 miles in 30 minutes without stopping. Isn't that interesting!? That's why I say that walk breaks don't slow you down.

I hope you are all keeping steady in your training and staying the course. You can do this! Blog on Marathoners!

20 Minutes!

Twenty minutes after everyone left this morning due to lightning it cleared off and was beautiful! I got in a nice run of 5 miles and ran past those of you who got caught out in the rain (who left their cake out in the rain and survived?).

This was a first for Marathon Makeover. We have never had to call a run and next time I will encourage everyone to hang around for at least 30 minutes. Anyway, first are important and I hope each of you fins a way to get in your 5 miles!

More later! Blog on Marathoners!

Hills, Baby!

I didn't run this morning, so I took my running stuff with me to work in Vicksburg and after work I hit the Battlefield Park. The route I ran was 2.6 miles and so I did it twice in 52 minutes. Boy was it hilly! I mean Clinton hills and Belhaven hills are nothing compared to the park in Vicksburg. I actually think I could have done it faster if I had run some of it smarter.

Anyway, what a great workout! I loved that and will definitely do that again! This coming Saturday will be great and I look forward to the early start. Keep it up Marathoners and yes, I ran up that first hill!

What Wonderful Weather!

This is the kind of weather I dream of! This is what Chicago can feel like on Marathon day! I hit the pavement thismorning and had a fantastic run. 5.35 miles and I felt strong. I actually ended up running faster at the end instead of being worn out. I love a great run and I love exploring neighborhoods on foot.

It is amazing how all of you are continuing to grow in your strength and endurance and you are beginning to experience the impact of your simple disciplines. I remember how hard the first 3-5 miles were and how easy each additional mile became. I still sometimes need 3 miles before I stop creeking and popping.

If you will stay the course, you will be able to do this. Don't lose sight of the prize!

I need a quieter alarm clock!

My alarm clock blasted Jack FM this morning at 5AM and Robin and I both jumped! The only problem is she had another 1.5 hours before she had to get up. I apologized and got up and got moving. I hit the road by 5:30 and got in 4.5 miles and enjoyed running in the dark. The only thing was when I ran past the pound I kept imagining every stick was a snake.

I returned home and everyone was asleep except my baby, Caroline who always is up with the sun. I stretched and stretched and hydrated and took a cool shower. I had to leave early with Robin and Carline so I could get to the car shop and pick up my Mini Cooper. I had four new tires put on, new struts and suspension arms and all the alignment and boy does it glide! It is amazing how well it rides now - no shimmy or shakes! I felt so good I took the Interstate but the JPD were out in force and giving tickets. A person started passing me just as a cop was shooting his radar at me and he pulled over the faster of us two. Whew!

It feels great to get started early and I think I will start rising at 5 again and getting my miles in. I hope all of you are doing well and are staying the course. Let me, Robin or Matt know if we can help and keep blogging and jogging!

I am tired!

Robin and I got in last night at 1:30AM! After an incredible meeting with inspiring testimonies, a fantastic 4 mile run - you did it - we went to Fleet Feet at 4PM to get ready to shoot our video for "Get Your Gear On" for our second Marathon Makeover. The store closed and we started shooting and shooting and shooting. Whew! It was a great experience but loooong!

Bama and Cheryl LaSource graciously starred in our video and I know it was more than they bargained for but THANKS! Your help will inspire other marathoners around the country one day. Hopefully soon!

Marathoners, you did it! Yesterday you needed to finish four miles and you did it! You are on your way to getting to the starting line. So many of you just nine weeks ago could barely do a mile through the streets of Belhaven and now you are doing 4 miles. Inspiring! The other miles are just as in your reach as yesterday's miles. Little steps forward compound to massive success! You are marathoners!

I hope you have a great training week and get ready for this coming Saturday's week when we wrap up our learning phase and start building our distance for the big event. If you can make it through the first ten weeks, you have it!

Blog on Marathoners!