Ebear-the-marathoner

Since I have been gone

2009-10-28T19:32:00.000-07:00

Since I have been go I have trained for a marathon, race the Marathon and then the next week I ran a 50k. Lots of detail but I don't feel like typing that much.

Later.

Flying pig weekend part 2

2009-05-05T12:28:00.000-07:00

When I wake up I look out the window. Surprise no rain. So I head off to get ready.
As I head out of the hotel, guess what! It is raining. So I gather my thoughts and go out with the umbrella. Soon the rain stops. Thank God. Long story short I get to the start and am in the back. At first thought I think crap but know that I think about it, it might have been helpful. Off we go at 6:30 am hill 1 - hill 2- hill 3- hill 4 and a huge hill 5 and then down a huge hill to the end. At the end I am tired but happy. A 1:51:31 and this is a PR for me. Yea!!!!!!!!! Then we watch a friend cross the line. He was a first timer. He did a great job.
Now we are back to normal life but with future runs on the schedule. Can't wait.
Lou Cox and then the Englewood Dam 50k.

I will let you know.

Later.

Flying pig weekend.

2009-05-05T12:05:00.001-07:00

This has been one of the more interesting weekends of my life. We had a great time. Please let me recap.

Friday nite we headed off for the expo and and picked up all of our packets. My wife decided to sign up for the 5k so all of us had something to look forward to. The expo was packed. Then we headed back home with a stop at the Cracker Barrel for dinner. We did not get home until after 10:00.

Saturday morning we headed out early and got to downtown Cininnati around 9:00 am. We walked to Ethans start and with his nervous energy he headed out to the unknown. Boy was I nervous. My boy in downtown by himself and a ton of other kids. By the time we could get to the other side of the stadium he had already finished. You could just see the pride on his face. With medal firmly around his neck we headed back to the other side for Jeri's race. A few potty breaks later she headed out. If you could see her you would see the excitement on her face. Even though we had done a lot of work on her back it was still hurting. We then headed back to the finish. roughly 37 minutes later here she comes. For a girl who has run the only a month or two and mostly on a treadmill she did awsome. This course is hilly and not the normal terrain you would run in Dayton. Once we found her at the exit we headed down to the river for relaxation. Now keep in mind we have not been able to find my Mom all morning.
We then took Ella up to the piglet runs and we let her go in the fence area were they were running younger kids races. For some reason she thought it was her turn so she took off. A few moments later here she comes grasping a medal, as proud as can be. We had to inform her that it was not the right race. From high to low in her expression. Funny though. 15 minutes later she finally lined up for her race. Next thing I know I feel a tap on my shoulder. It was my mom. Then the announcer says go.
Ella takes off like a dragster. I think she thought she was so fast she was looking around and behind her as she ran. Medal number 2 and the correct reaction on her face. It was priceless.

So off to lunch with my mom at wympee's in Newport and we passed a dead guy. No we did not leave him. The paramedics where already working on him. Then off to the hotel and check in. We then went to Brio's for dinner and watched the Kentucky Derby while we ate. Great time.

Sleep and the morning to come.

A new running partner

2009-04-08T18:08:00.000-07:00

Before I started running I remember going to 5k's that my wife used to run. I always thought it was great. She was so proud of herself. We then had kids and she lost the passion for running. Well it seems to have returned. She is running two to three days a week and is scheduling a 5k run. She has more hopes. I see such a change in her confidence. I am proud of her for her motivation.

Later.

Boston bound

2009-04-04T19:05:00.000-07:00

Not me. Anyone who knows me knows this. I am a waddler as the penquin would say.
Our close friend is heading to Boston for the marathon. She will be in the second wave of runners and we just know that she will do great. I feel bad that I have not been able to train with her for the run. I always enjoyed training with someone. That is even though by mile 4 or 5 she would leave me because she is lighting fast.
Hopefully in the fall. I have also considered joining the runner plus running team.
You get some benefits and memberships into the ORRRC. I believe you also get training from like 5 or 6 people. Plus 2 or 3 scheduled runs a week. This would be a great time. I like the idea of running with people even though I don't want to talk to anyone. While running that is. I breath hard and I usually run at a point where talking is a pain.

Beginning of April update

2009-04-04T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a crazy month. I just finished my 12 mile run and have been working my bike rides in during the week. I hope I am getting stronger. Our family is getting excited about the Flying pig weekend. My son is running the kids marathon and my daughter is running the piglet run. My son has run 20 miles so far and has three weeks to finish 5 more miles. I am so proud of them.
I am struggling if I want to run a half marathon or a whole in the fall. I guess the year will just have to fall into place. I will try not to stress about it.

Later.

The last two weeks

2009-03-01T19:52:00.001-08:00

This last two weeks has been trying. I took a week to rest and replaced a run with a trip to the basketball court. I tweeked my ankle joint and it hurts when I extend it either way.

So this week I had a rough week. I ran 2 runs that were 3 miles in length. Today I had to run 9 miles. To give my ankle a break I went on the eliptical for the same amount of time. This way I would get a good amount of cardio. I have eight weeks left so I think in the long run it is better to take a step back.

I was at the Y and talked to a lady that had a training for the Pig t-shirt on. It is rare to see that. She said it was to fix a mid life crisis. Any reason to run is good for me.

Later.

Just checkin in.

2009-02-13T13:20:00.000-08:00

It seems to have been two weeks since my last post. Today is Friday the 13th and I have survived. Isn't that what you are supposed to do on this day?
Last week I ran 3 on Tues. 5 on Thurs. and 7 on Sat.
This week I have run 3 on Mon. w/ a bike ride 5 on Wed and I plan to run 8 on Sat. This will be the furthest I have run since last May. I am excited but scared all in the same breath. I know I just have to stay confident. This weekend is going to be crazy.

Plus happy Valentines day.

Later.

End of my first week

2009-02-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

Well the first week of training has come to an end. My workout goes like this.
Monday 3.5 miles speed work
Friday 5 miles at the y
Sunday 5 miles at the frostbite 5 and 1 additional for a total of 6 miles.

This is a pretty good week.

The frostbite five was really sloshy. Half the race we were in 1 inch slush. The times were slower but it was a different kind of race. Isn't that why you run outside in a race like that?

First official day

2009-01-26T14:34:00.000-08:00

Ok maybe it is not my first day running but it is the first day on the runners world training schedule. The first week calls for 2 miles on Monday then 5 on Wednesday and 6 on Saturday. I know this is going to be hard. I did 3.5 miles today so I over did it a little. The reason you ask, well the schedule calls for speed work on the 5 miler but I don't want to do 5 miles of speedwork so I changed it to today. Some of the speed work was 6 min 58 sec mile speed. That is fast for me. I think the longest I ran that was a quarter of a mile. My lower calves are sore but hopefully fine. We will see. I am excited and worried all in the same thought. So far I have 2 friends running the same race so bring on the trash talk.

Later ya'll

I realize I am not everyone else

2009-01-09T18:03:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been reading others blogs and have noticed that I train maybe more than most people but that is because they don't exercise at all. Of course these people are ironman athletes but still. They are like I train at least 12 hours a week and that is a light week. I am no were close.
I have started training for the Half pig. Since the beginning of the year I have had two runs and one ride. This is good since lately I have been taking a break. My food intake has been horrible but I feel that will come back into place when I get the exercise back in line. I wish to be a triathlete some time this year. The problem is that I will have to overcome the swimming part.
It felt good to get back out on the bike. After two days of working out I will take a day off. This will let my legs rest.

If you are reading this continue to cheer on our Boston bound friend. She started training this week I think.

Later.

First run of the year

2009-01-04T17:14:00.000-08:00

Well it has been since thanksgiving since my last run. I ran the first day of the year and am feeling the slight effects of the run. I am planning on running the flying pig half marathon this year. Hopefully everything will go ok. I am planning on trying to do a lot of biking this year. Plus I would like to do a Sprint triathalon with a marathon in the fall. Those are my long term and changable goals for the year. You have to have a goal I always say. My buddy said he would run the flying pig so I am going to hold him accountable. My running partner and his wife is planning on doing Boston. Yea for her. To all who know her, cheer her on.

later

totally excited

2008-12-01T11:48:00.000-08:00

Well this weekend I ran the Turkey trot with some friends. They totally rocked the run. I did also which makes me so happy. I was just hoping to make a 10 minute mile but in the end I was 7 min 46 second miles. WHOOOOOOOOO This is slower than last year but the best I could have hoped for. I did almost no training for the run. I have been biking but you would know that already. I managed to get third place in my division. This was only a dream for this year but it came true. Congrats to all of the other runners. My friends totally smoked me. I was secretly hoping to keep up with them. Like there was a chance in HE!!. Well maybe next year.

Now that I have proven to myself I can still run. I have to plan my strategy carefully. I still need to rehab but I do have the urge to start training again. I would like to do a Sprint tri this year. I have trouble swimming so I will have to work on it or just suffer through the first one.

later

A little scared

2008-11-25T16:16:00.001-08:00

In two days it will be my first race since late May and and my first race over a 5k since early May. I know I am not ready but what do you do? I have run around 7 to 10 times in that amount of time. I have been keeping up my endurance through multiple ways mostly riding my bike. The problem is my ankle and using different muscle groups that I have not used as much. I am afraid that my Turkey trot will make the rest of my weekend miserable. My ankle is weird, at times I think it is better then others it worries me. I am excited though I will be running with 2 of my best friends and it will be great. This will be the 5th year that I have run this run and it is my Thanksgiving day tradition.

I have faith that I will triumph at least the best I can and that it will be great. Plus the weather looks good for this time of year.
WHOOOOO WHOOOOOOO

Plus I might get some tackle football in if I am lucky.

feeling manly

2008-11-11T16:15:00.000-08:00

This weekend I had to tear down a 15 year old cedar shed with the hopes of putting it back together. With in about 2.5 hrs later we had piled the pieces on top of each other. The next day I got up and rented a uhaul truck. That was an adventure in itself. When I got to the old location I started loading the truck. 10 minutes later someone else showed up and we loaded some more. Then 45 minutes later the last person shows up. We then shimmy the last and the heaviest, did I say largest piece in the truck. Off we go to the new location. That same day we put all the big pieces. It made for a really long day. The next day I went to work and when I got off I spent the next four hours finishing the trim, doors, and hanging the cabinet. Then I moved onto the top. I finished removing the old shingles and pulled all the staples. I then laid down a new layer of tar paper. It is now waiting for the owner to shingle the roof. I have to say that with my tool bet around my waist, I did feel manly. There is something about swinging a hammer that gets your juices flowing.
Just scrapes and bruises to report. Plus I am pretty sore.

the great ride

2008-11-06T17:04:00.000-08:00

Well I have accomplished what seemed to be a mini milestone. That is not to say that 50 miles is mini. My legs were saying let me rest and my butt was screaming for one of those nice cushy bike seats. It only took me 2:52 and 29 seconds. You don't realize how far that is until you ride it. In a car it somehow seems shorter. I started from woodman and airway down to 35 and out past yellow springs. I am not sure at this point if I will go further until the spring. We shall see. It was so good for my long distance spirit. I finally felt like I was training again.

Now I am trying to get myself to sign up for the turkey trot. It is five miles but the most I have run in 5 to 6 months is 2.5 miles in a row. It is the 30th anniversary and I want to be apart of that. This would make 5 years in a row. I may just have to walk some. That is if I ignore my competitive spirit.

The leg is feeling better. I think I have ghost pains and I am constantly thinking about it.

Now on to survivor.

Later.

The great debate.

2008-10-28T19:20:00.000-07:00

When you look at the presidential candidates they both scare me. All you hear is the bad stuff. You here they will take all our money, that they are tied to bad politics. It just seems from all of the media that we are picking the best of the two crooked people we can find. Is anything that the ads say true? Maybe this is not an issue with the candidates as it is with the media. I watched the debates and they both have good ideas. Some better than others. Everyone wants to blame republicans and Pres. Bush. Part of America's problems were created from the previous Pres. They just did not take effect until Bush was in office. The economic crisis is a problem caused by crooked companies trying to make a dollar at any cost. Now look where that has got us. Where is the individual responsibility come into play.

They say that they need to raise taxes but when there are more people paying taxes than ever. Why do they need more from individuals. Plus Obama talks about raising taxes on the 250,000 and more. He says that is the rich and businesses. What he fails to see is that the rich and businesses will find a way to pass that new tax along to the poor and middle class. So tell me who is actually getting taxed? It is like the oil companies. If they shell out more money for something they just raise the price which effects everyone.

Well this all really has no point but it was some of my thoughts.

I know you will not agree but that is why it is my blog.

Later.

Biggest Loser is over Yeah!!!!!

2008-10-28T19:11:00.001-07:00

Tonight was the biggest loser ending date. I think I was dehydrated like a prune. My wife and I did awesome. I am hoping that I pulled out a win. We will see later this week. I am so tired of the 2.5 hour work outs that we had to pull 2 times a week. Plus you have 2 or 3 more a week just to pull in the weight loss you want each week. I know that we both worked our butts off. No pun intended. I still want to maybe keep a 2 times a week training session with other workouts included. It just will be without the rigid schedule. My hope is to take the rest of the week off and plan a half century ride this weekend. It will be a milestone. I have never gone that far. It is kind of scary. What if I have a flat. I guess the phone will come in handy. Plus 15 miles out there is a bike store. I can always stop in there. I will have to maybe get another drink carrier or plan on buying more fluid. But this all depends on my schedule and the weather. It is supposed to warm up and and be nice this week.

On other news our 2nd offspring got a great report on the parent teacher conference. This school thing seems to be paying off. Maybe there is something to this school thing.

I did it whoopie!!!!!!!

2008-10-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

Well just an update first of all on my week and weekend. My son has his first basketball game of the year. It is his first and although he did not make a basket he really did impress me. I have to be realistic and say that he probably will not be another Kobe or Shaq but for him, he did great.

This weekend we went camping. It included a trip to Youngs dairy farm for a corn maze adventure for the kids and feeding the goats. Some of the kids got Ice cream and mine just got a dr pepper. How strange. We had a great night camping with a little hike in the morning.

Then I went for a bike ride. I have finally broke the 40 mile mark. I rode 41 miles and am surprisingly able to walk today. Only 9 more to the half century rides.

Later

Tired but excited

2008-10-22T06:00:00.001-07:00

During this long process of the biggest loser contest I have been phisically drained. It has got me in better shape faster than I probably would have done on my own. My endurance is coming back up and for the first time since May I ran 1.5 miles. Now I took my time doing this. I am making no projections or do I need to hurry this along. But I am hoping this is a good sign. I would love to run the turkey trot even if I have to walk some of it. If I ran it all I think that would be to much to quick. So we will see how it goes. The trainer Leon upped most of the weights we are doing so last nights workout was tougher than usual. I made it through and is felt more like a weight session than normal.

Biking is getting increasingly colder for me. I am going to have to put on my under armour thermals or I am going to freeze. I know at some point I will have to stop or I will have to get an inside trainer. I did 30 miles on Monday night. I improved my time by over 4 minutes. It was probably due to the fact I hooked up with someone else and I did not want to let him go. It was good motivation for me.

Later.

Shout out for our friends

2008-10-19T18:04:00.000-07:00

We have friends named Bryan and Melissa. Today they ran in Columbus Ohio. Melissa ran the whole marathon and Bryan ran the half Marathon. My wife and I are so proud of them. The both accomplished the goals they set for themselves. Know you have to understand that Bryan had barely run before the training season started. Our day started early. We got up at 6:30 and took off around 7:30. We drove to Columbus and set ourselves up at the halfway point to see Melissa run by. She was at the front of the Pace group she had signed up for. She looked like she was putting in little effort which is good when you are only half way of 26.2 miles. We cheered her on and went to the finish. We missed Bryan somehow due to his master disguise but we cheered Melissa as she came to the finish. We managed to catch up with them at the celebration park. She qualified for BOSTON. You go girl and Bryan reached his time goal he had set. He looked great for running 13.1 miles for the first time ever. He blew away his longest run by 4 miles. Running is a individual sport but I think that you need support to run. So give them a shout out if you know them. They both definitely deserve the cheers and thata boys that you give. I suggest we start a letter writing campaign to convince her to run BOSTON. Did I say BOSTON. It is such a historic race. She would love it.
I have never run or even been there but it is a legend in the sport. So cheer cheer away.

You go guys.

Later

Kings Island

2008-10-19T17:56:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the Bill Cosby skit about the playground. I won't tell it all but he basically tells that people created playgrounds are out to mame people. Kings Island is out to make me hurl. I am finding this year that my body is just not what it used to be. I went for the 4th time this year and in 3.5 hours I rode 4 rides. That was about good for me. You know when your head is feeling whooooooozy and achy.
Kids just don't seem to understand. Luckly I brought his friend along so he could take my place. I think that my brain fluid is low. Is this a medical situation. Can I get a fill up? Like go to the brain oil change. I have tried everything. I have tried hydration, relaxing, straining almost till I poop (not really). It all seems to leave me whooozy. I might be deligated to being the lonely parent on the side that is only there as a shaperone. It was great to see my son have a great time though. We will have to see if it is better or worse next year.

Later

Catching up

2008-10-19T17:46:00.001-07:00

Well like usual it has been awhile. I have been in a biggest loser competition so my workouts have been crazy. My ankle is so so but I am getting back in shape. My longest ride on my bike has been 30 miles so far for about 1 hr and 43 min. It felt good to be back in the saddle. I have been at the y at least 3 nights a week and at least 2 or 3 rides a week. This makes for a crazy schedule. On Tuesdays and Thursdays I have at least a 2 to 2.5 hour workouts. Part of it is weight training.
I have managed to lose 26 pounds in 5 weeks. I an slimming down which makes me feel more peppy.

My wife is doing great in the competition also. I think she would be a personal trainer if she had time. She loves the accountability of the program. I am so proud of her. I know that with all the other responsibilities in life it is hard to take time out for this. I will leave her results out to save my hide. She is doing awsome though.

Our son has started basketball and we will see if he actually has any talent. He seems to like practice so far. He seems to be able to dribble. He can shoot reasonably well.

Well that is it for know

Later.

Been awhile

2008-09-19T12:35:00.000-07:00

For the last few weeks I have been wandering thru life. I have been riding my bike I have done about 60 or more miles so far. This last week has been crazy. I had a anniversary, my sons birthday and a mini hurricane. We have been systematically working through all of those things that go with that.

I have started my biggest loser at the YMCA this week. In a week I have done 5 workouts plus one other training session with the trainer. I feel like I am making good strides. I just need to continue the progress that I have made.
During one of my rides I had a flat tire. I am trying to figure out the best plan of attack. I really think that the bike is good for my ankle. It seems to be getting better. I guess it could be my imagination but who cares. At least I feel better.

To all those who are currently in training for something. Keep going. It is worth it.

Later.

Cross training`

2008-09-02T08:13:00.000-07:00

So I have converted, at least for a while. I have bought a bike. A Giant OCR3. It is sweet! I have put on 19 miles over the course of 3 days. It felt good to be back exercising. Well maybe part of it. I am slightly sore today. It was hot and humid yesterday evening. I pulled off 15.25 miles per hour pace. Not to bad for a first long ride.

More later.