13K Report "I managed a "69" all by myself" (I'm that good!!!)

Friday afternoon the family headed to Walt Disney, for a change, to take part in the 13K Tower of Terror Race at Hollywood Studios. Upon arrival we immediately headed to get our race packets, check into the Boardwalk Hotel, and then on to Epcot for some food. In October Epcot has a food and wine festival and every country has booths with samples of, wait for it..., that's right food and wine. We tried to hold out for the fireworks for the kids, but it started to rain minutes before the start so we decided to bribe them with sweets from the bakery back at the hotel instead. Saturday morning we dropped the two angels off with the grandparents and went back to Epcot for some more over-indulgence of food, and to ride some rides sans kids. About 3:00 we decided to go back to the hotel for a little nap before the race which was at 10:00 P.M.
After napping for a few hours we got ready for our race. My wife, I guess excited about her first race was ready in about 2 minutes, I on the other hand wanted to eat dinner then come back to the room for a shower and take my time getting ready. Around 8:00 my wife and I were good to go. All we needed now was my sister and brother-in-law to show up, they were also participating in the big race. Much to my surprise, Not!!!, My sister called around 8:00 and said they were stuck in traffic and still needed to go back to their hotel to get ready for the race. Seriously, the whole reason we came to WDW was to run in this race, you would think that maybe, just maybe, you would be able to show up on time for a race that's scheduled to start at 10:00 at night. It wasn't like you had to get up for a race at 6:00 A.M.!!! Do you think your tardiness might affect other people in the group that might actually be taking this whole race thing seriously??? I digress.....

Finally, around 8:30 we left our hotel and walked over to the race start at Hollywood Studios. Upon arrival at the race we all signed the guest register, checked my bag, and checked all the peeps that actually dressed for the event. I saw a rocker, an emperor and queen, The Joker, several Tinker bells, and last but far from least more men dressed as princesses, (or more queens). About ten minutes before the start of the race I left my race ready wife, OCD sister, and self centered brother-in-law and headed closer to the front of the pack. I wanted to get to the the 7 to 9 minute pace area, however due to the crowd I was only able to get to the 12 minute pace area. Note to people who think they are going to run eight miles even though they haven't run even one mile since Never!!! There is nothing wrong with lining up towards the back of the pack. Why make it hard for people who actually are going to run the distance. I was once of you and I feel your pain. Just do not complain when someone that you are holding up, after you burst through the start line and run at a blazing pace for the first hundred feet, then walk eight wide with seven other idiots comes up behind you and jabs an elbow directly into your rib cage. You had it coming. Not that I would do such a thing.

After zigzagging for the first 3 miles, I was able to get into a groove and run the race I wanted to run. I progressively went faster each mile, and felt good the whole way. I finished in 68 minutes and 47 seconds, which was just under my goal time of "69" minutes. I thought besides the walkers at the beginning clogging up the course, it was another fine Disney event. I especially like being able to ride the rides after the race until 2:00 A.M. I am also proud that my wife not only made it to the start line, for once, but her sub 2 hour race and her dramatic crossing of the finish line. I can hardly wait to she the photos of that finish!!! Oh yeah, my sister and brother-in-law finished also, about 20 minutes after my wife. As they say better late than never. Peace Out!!!

Saturday Race: 8.1 miles 1 hour 8 minutes 47 seconds 8:30 average pace

Tuesday: 5 miles 45 minutes

"69" My Goal for Saturday Night!!!

I know what you're thinking you dirty minded bastards!!! "69"??? What a nasty thing to talk about on a blog that any Tom, Dick or Harry could read. Well, the "69" I am referring to is my goal time for The Tower of Terror 13K next Saturday night. As in 69 minutes, or 1 hour and 9 minutes. This would be a stretch as goals go, but I think if everything comes together and I get over my trend of recent stomach problems, it's doable. Maybe I should purchase some Depends for race day. Last year I ran this race in 84 minutes. Shaving off 15 minutes in a year would be quite an accomplishment. 72 minutes is probably a more realistic goal for me. But, I am still going to shoot for the "69". And it doesn't matter to me if I get it before, during or after the race. Peace Out!!!

Sunday 9.21 miles 1 hour 29 minutes 1583 calories 9:44 pace

P.S. --- Please don't call me a pig!!! It's Sarcasm People!!!

Thank Heaven for 7-11!!!

Today I was in my third training run of the week, which called for a 1 mile warm up, 2 miles @ 8:00 minute/mile pace, a 2 minute jog, another 2 miles at 8:00 minutes, and finally a 1 mile cool down. I decided since the distance covered was almost the same as the distance to my office what better way to kill a bird with two stones or three birds with one stone, anywho I think you get the idea... All was going to plan, up to the first two 8:00 minute miles, during the 2 minute jog I began to feel a rumbling in my belly if you will. I knew there was going to be trouble if I attempted to run the next two miles at my prescribed pace, so I went into search for relief mode. Unfortunately, it was 5:30 in the morning and I was at least a mile from anywhere that would be open at this time. I tried running again in an attempt to get to a facility of some sort in a faster time frame. This only aided in making my situation much worse and more urgent. I was debating making a deposit behind the nearest bush. I began to notice that there sure seemed to be a lot of traffic for this time of morning. With cheeks squeezed I decided to venture on and fight my stomach's urges. Suddenly a light appeared in the distance. Up ahead about a quarter of a mile was my salvation, thank heaven for 7-11, and would like to apologize for my stomach to the manager of this fine Establishment. Also, may I say you have one of the cleanest bathrooms I've ever encountered on a run.

Having taking the Brown's to the Superbowl I was now able to finish my run. I was proud that I was able to complete my training and that I also had not been a victim of the dreaded "Brown Mile" that has been known to happen to some runners. I witnessed this feat earlier this year during one of my races, but that story will have to wait for another day. Peace Out!!!

Wed. 6 miles

Fri. 7 miles

Training Week #1 "Done"

I survived my first week of workouts with my newly acquired trainer. I just received this weeks training schedule and I am up to the challenge. Another thing I already like about my new coach is that he is actually a badder writer than I am, if that's possible. Of course he's Brazilian and I'm sure English is not his first language. He has a slight problem with the letter "M", I think he has it confused with the letter "N". Example from this weeks training plan, Wed. warn up for 2 miles, 5x1/2 1min. rest in between cool down 1 mile, Fri. 9 miles confortable pace. Maybe, due to my size, he thinks I should warn things overhead that I am getting ready to make a small earthquake in the general area. It could just be he has issues with the letter "M". Or, it could be that my daughter has used up his allotment of this fine consonant. Let me see she uses a mumbrella when it's raining, she wants a mbaloon if she sees one at birthday party, and there is more butchering of the letter "M", but right now I just can't memember. AnyWHo...

My 9 miler on Sunday at a confortable pace was a hot one. My good ole friend Mr. Humidity was back and he did everything he could to make as unconfortable as he could on me. Later that evening some friends came over for a little dinner and swimming. It was great to see Steve, who is a wonderful and patient husband and his two beautiful and well behaved children Emma and Jack. Christa the overbearing, little big around the waist, "Kitchen Nazi" not so much. But, I guess Alisa likes her. Peace Out!!!

Sat. 4 miles 714 calories 44 minutes

Sun. 9 miles 1697 calories 1 hour 33 minutes 1 mile walk

A Running Haiku???

Running was stagnant,

I needed some assistance.

A coach was hired.


That's right!!! I'm going to take this baby to the next level. Although I haven't actually ran a marathon yet, I want to be as prepared as possible. I'm not going to be happy to just finish the 26.2 miles. I want to know that I gave it my all and pushed my self to the limit. So I spoke to a gentlemen I met at the local running store and found out that he trains people specifically for running races. One women he trained actually qualified for the Boston Marathon this year. I also liked the fact that this guy was once a fatally obese bastard much like yours truly. I was trying to decide on a training program for my race in February and could not figure which was best for me, so hopefully a coach will lead me in the right direction. I also felt that I was stuck at my current fitness level and stopped improving. I know to others this is hard to believe because they think I look a little sexier every day. But, be that as it may I wasn't feeling it any more!!! Know What I'm Sayin, I know You Do GiRRRRL!!!

Needless to say I'm excited about having somebody to keep me on task. Also, maybe if I talk to my trainer about running I will no longer bore my wife with it. That way we can talk about whatever she been saying to me for the past 18 years or so. Just kidding baby!!! I've heard every word and let me also say that it's been the best 18 years of my life. Here's to trying to remain married until at least the end of the year. PEACE OUT!!!

Wed. 4.1 miles 42 minutes 731 calories

Thursday 3.5 miles 591 miles 10 minute warm up 2 miles @7:30 pace 10 minute cool down
(FAT BOY WAS MOVIN!!!!)

My Pig Apology!!!

It seems my last post disgusted one of my many readers. O.k. maybe my only reader, and since I have such a large fan base I can hardly afford to lose any more. Then I would have to comment on my own blog while pretending to be some anonymous loyal reader, and that's just plain sick. I guess using runners of the opposite sex backsides as a focal point during a race is "Piggish". I know I'm the only one in the whole world to notice that there are other attractive people, besides me, that live here on earth. I see the error in my ways and will no longer practice such "pig like" behaviour. I mean who knows where that behavior would lead to? At first I'm looking at attractive young women at running races, then I'm noticing the bulge in my almost 50 year old high school teacher's shorts while on a stroll with friends. Well this pig knows where to draw the line. So please accept this apology my one and only reader.

On the running front I dominated the roads again yesterday. I went for a 16 mile jaunt through the neighborhood, over the Ringling bridge, out to Lido beach, back over the Ringling bridge, through the neighborhood by the hospital, over the north Siesta bridge and finished on Siesta beach. The overcast weather was delightful and the humidity wasn't all that bad. While waiting for the wife and kids I watched the awards presentation for the Siesta Triathlon that was ran earlier that morning. It was cool to watch the people go to the stage and receive their awards. There was one triathlete I had a hard time taking my eyes off of though. Athletic body, nice abs, brunette hair, smooth hairless legs and what an ass. That Guy Was HOTTTT!!! Peace Out!!!


Sunday Long Run 20 miles total 16 run 4 walk 3300 calories 10:19 pace

mile 1 10:13 walked 4 miles: 1hr. 8 minutes
mile 2 10:19
mile 3 10:42
mile 4 10:46
mile 5 10:29
mile 6 9:56
mile 7 9:34
mile 8 9:14
mile 9 10:36
mile 10 10:39
mile 11 10:51
mile 12 10:54
mile 13 10:32
mile 14 11.01
mile 15 10:09
mile 16 9:22

WDW Tower of Terror Flashback #3

It was a dreary night in late October of last year. I left my room at Disney's Beach club and walked along the scary path that would take me to Hollywood Studios for the Tower of Terror 13K race. I have walked this path several times, mostly because my lovely bride and children force me to come to "The Rats Kingdom" seemingly every month. But on this night the path seemed different. Dare I say haunted??? Seriously??? The only scary thing about Disney is the outrageous ticket prices and ridiculous amount of people that visit everyday. To think, if you found a rodent in your house the first thing that you would do is put some cheese in a trap and try to snap Mickey's little neck. Well turn around is fair play people and Walt Disney World is one big trap full of cheese for humans. I Digress...

I arrived at the race around 8:00 P.M. and joined the crowd for the first ever Tower of Terror run, which was scheduled to begin at 9:00. Being so close to Halloween there were some very interesting costumes among the running crowd. Some of my favorites include, several men dressed as various princesses, Super USF Women (outfit included green tights and even a cape USF was 8-0 last year at this time), and one guy dressed as King Leonidas from the movie 300. This guy was true to character wearing only a sword, shield, loin cloth, and of course the ever so popular in 480 B.C. running shoes. They even called Leonidas up to the stage to give his "Lets all die for Sparta" speech before the start of the race. If I had the physique that this guy had I would had done away with the sword, shield, and loin cloth and ran the race totally nude. However, I remained covered up to avoid any harpooning.

The race finally started and I have to give Disney credit, that rat knows how to entertain. Along the 8.1 mile run there were people dressed in all white and looked as if they have just escaped from an insane asylum. It made the race a bit more comical and helped keep my mind off running. This was my first race that I actually had a plan and that I truly was in shape for. I had been running and walking for about 4 months before this race. My plan was to walk through the water stations, since the mileage fit in with what I was doing during my normal weekly running. Like the two half marathons I ran in previously I got a little caught up in the pre-race hype and went out a little fast. But, unlike those first two experiences I now had the fitness to overcome my fast start. About half way I noticed two women that were going about my pace, maybe a little faster. I remember reading that if you can pick something along the run to focus on and keep that focus it would make the miles go by faster and also keep you on pace. Well call me a sexist, but being 10:00 at night and a little lonely:-), I could think of nothing better to concentrate on than the two ladies running in front of me backsides, if you will. Say what you want, this definitely kept me going. When their asses sped up, and they did, my ass sped up too. I used this concentration technique for about three miles. The last mile I passed my focal points and gave it everything I had crossing the finish line. I finished in a respectable 1 hour 24 minutes and for the first time felt like I left it all out on the race course.

After the race the park is open for the runners and family, that purchased tickets, until 2:00 A.M. I stayed and rode The Tower of Terror, and Aerosmiths roller coaster then returned to the room to check on my sick wife. I think she was suffering from pre-race jitters and came down with something the day of the race. She was scheduled to do the Tower of Terror half that went off at the same time. Secretly I think she faked an illness so she could keep her record of signing up for races and no showing intact. We will see, she has under a month to go until her first race of the year, the second running of the Tower of Terror 13K. Stay Tuned. Peace Out!!!

Thursday 5 miles 48 minutes 838 calories 9:36 pace