The Tri Runner

Long Time No Blog

2012-01-24T15:34:00.000-05:00

Ok. It’s been almost a full five months since my last blog post. Ummm…. Sorry about that. I’m going to try and not let this blog die. My goal is to find the balance between Family, Work, and Training. While I’ve just start to get consistent with my training I’d figured it was time for an update. So here is a check in of what I’ve been doing.

Training

Currently I am training for the Albany Half Marathon. I’ve running pretty regularly for the past two months. Mostly because a friend on facebook wrote on my wall and said that she was going to make me her new running partner. I’m kind of glad that she wanted to run with me because it’s helped me get back into running.

Right now I’m averaging about 15-18 miles per week at a pace somewhere around 9 to 10 minutes per mile. My current longest run is 7 miles. I’m pretty pleased to be at the pace and distance that I’m currently at because took off about six months of running.

As any race I run I have a few goals for the Albany Half Marathon. 1. Beat my time from last year at this race which was around 2:20 mark. 2. If the training is solid between now and then I would like to shoot to get up under the 2 hour mark. I haven’t run a Half Mary that face in a few years. However the bottom line goal with this race is to just have fun and cross another finish line.

Family

The reason that I haven’t been blogging / running is I’ve been busy hanging out with Mrs. Tri Runner and the kidos. While this is not an excuse it’s just what I’ve been doing. I feel that my priority is to be the best dad and husband that I can be. I don’t see myself being a pro athlete anytime soon. So, to me family is more important than getting a New PR or finishing an Ironman. There is a time for everything and right now while the kids are small and at home I feel that I’m needed more at home.

With that said I hope to make post a bit more regular. Keep Tri-ing.

Virtual Run / Aug Totals

2011-08-31T10:15:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I was asked to come out today and be a part of a “Virtual Run” for the new Riverfront Run 5K Course. If you don’t know what Virtual Run is – It’s where they video tape the course and show it at the race Expo. The race director wanted to have a few runners to be out in front of the video. The new course is very cool. It’s along the Greenway beside the river and there is about half mile trail loop beside the river. I would say that 80% of the course is covered with trees which is nice.

My running these days have been hit or miss. I will get about 3 or 4 runs in one week and then nothing the next week. For the month of August I was able to cover just over 27 miles. As I’m slowly trying to get back into running I’m thinking about some spring Marathons / Half Marathons to possibly train for.

Summer 2011

2011-08-30T19:53:00.000-04:00

Long time no post, right? Well I've been busy this summer with the family. Here's a video of us enjoying the summer time.

Fourth of July 2011

2011-07-06T14:40:00.000-04:00

Hey Guys! Just Checking In. Long Time No Blog Right?

The Fam and I wend down to the beach to see my Dad last weekend. Here are some pic's of us enjoying the holiday.

This is Sarah Jane beside the boat that my Dad is building. It will be hers one day. The name of the boat is Sarah Jane. The boat is a Maine Lobster Skiff.

What's better than flying a kite on the beach?

Raleigh want's to know if you have seen his shovel?

SJ at Field Day

2011-05-23T10:12:00.000-04:00

A few weeks ago Sarah Jane had field day at her school. She got 1st place in her grade for the girls in the 50 yard dash and second place in the 50 yard hurdles. So proud of her! Here she is running the hurdles.

Where's Raleigh?

2011-04-01T10:04:00.000-04:00

Albany Half Marathon Race Report 2011

2011-03-24T23:22:00.000-04:00

This is my 4th time to run a the Albany Marathon but my first time to run the Half Marathon. I hadn't been running as much as I would have like so I decide to sign up for the Half. I figured that I could do the 13.1 miles no problem and have a GREAT Time at the race hanging out with friends and family. A ran it with a buddy of mine and this was going to be his first Half Marathon. Now I didn't get a PR or even close to it but I would say that this was the BEST race that I have ever ran. Here's the story.

I told my friend that I would like to do an easy pace on finish around 2 1/2 hours. He was cool with that so we figured up the pace we would need to run. This being his first race I said that we are going to start out SLOW. Which we did. The first mile we were about a minute off of our pace. We were doing a a 2 minute run / 1 minute walk. At mile two we had picked it up a bit and were about 30 seconds off of our pace.

Between mile 2 & 3 we pass a girl in a green shirt. The reason I remember her was because she had a rude comment as she pass us. Granted we probably deserved it. We both had our ipods in and we were laughing and joking and not to mention we were talking walk breaks every two minutes. As she pass I turned to my friend Scott and said we will pass her before the race is over.

Somewhere between mile 2 and 6 we had gotten back on pace and was where we need to be to finish in under 2 /12 hours. At this point we were a little tired but felling GREAT. So we decide to pick up the pace just a little bit. We would see people we knew so we would run up to them talk and keep on running. There was a light rain around mile 7 and 8 and the temps were in the mid 50's.

Around mile 10 we were feeling STRONG. We looked at our watches and saw that we were so far ahead of our pace. We continued to push the pace. We actually ran pass his house were he had his family waiting on him. It was very cool! Always nice to have some cheerleaders on the course.

About Mile 12 we knew were going to be way under 2 and 1/2 hours. To make it better we pass that girl in the Green Shirt. Guess she needs to learn the Galloway Method.

The last mile or so was tuff. I was getting tired but maintained pace. Scott want to run it in hard so he took off. I didn't have anything to prove and was no where near a PR so I was just happy enjoying the race.

When I got to the 0.1 of the 13.1 I found my family and grabbed my son and my daughters had and finished the race with them. It was one of my favorite race finishes of all time. I finish at 2 hours and 20 minutes and I negative split the race. I have never run a race that I negative split. I don't normally neg. split workouts. So this was new to me but I learn how important it is to start a race out slow and finish strong. Even though I didn't get at PR I learned HOW to race. I hope that next time I will be able to train a lot more and get better results. All in all it was a great race. Here are the pics to prove it.

Nun Run 2011 Race Report

2011-02-08T15:14:00.000-05:00

Last Saturday I ran my first race of 2011 which was the Nun Run 5K. This race report will be short and simple. It was a cool morning and very cloudy. The rain held off till after the run. I ran the race with my slowest 5K time ever – 26:12. I was very disappointed in my time but it was good enough for first in my age group (25 – 29).

What is cool about this race is that they offer a pancake breakfast after the run. Also it is called the Nun Run and they have to guys dressed up as Nuns that run the race. What stinks about the race is that there is a deceptive hill on the way back to the finish line. The hill is very slight but very long. It gives this 5K a little bit of a challenge.

Here is a pic of the folk from my running club (Albany Run/Walk) that ran this race.

Here is a pic of my race bling. I may not be as good as I once was, but I was good once as I ever was.

FYI - This weekend will be my last long run before the Albany Half Marathon. Can I get an Amen?!?!

Life is Good.

What Did You Do This Weekened?

2011-01-31T15:21:00.000-05:00

For some reason the old man winter took a few days off and the weather warm up. So Mrs. Tri Runner and I loaded up the kids and took them to the park. This was Raleigh's first time to go down the slide and swing. He loved it. SJ had a great time running around and haning out on the monkey bars. I'm hoping for more nice sunny days like last Saturday.

Life is Good

Happy New Year To You! (21 Days Late)

2011-01-21T10:21:00.000-05:00

Hey Guys! I know it's late but Happy New Year! I'm still here but just as busy as ever. I wanted to check in a give an update on My Training, Albany Run/Walk and Life in General.

Training

Two weeks ago I knocked out a super long run of 18 miles with my running group Albany Run/Walk. I've been doing a few shorter runs during the week in order to get ready for the Albany Marathon on March 5th. I'm thinking this year I will do the Half Marathon. I feel like I could do the full but I want to enjoy the day and I want to enjoy my training up until then. I don't want the pressure of having to get in all the miles. I want to enjoy running and not hate it. After all running is my hobby not my job. I've got too many other things to worry about.

I did get a few itunes gift cards for Christmas. I bought the 100 pushups, 20 chin ups, 200 sit ups, and 200 squats app for my ipod. So far I've loved it. I cannot say that I'm up to 7 chin ups. Go Me! I remember this time last year I could only do about 2. So I can say that it is working.

In The News:

I've also been on the news talking about bicycle safety. I was interviewed at the local bike shop last week. CLICK HERE to see the video/story. Mrs. Tri Runner loves how the camera lady zooms right in on my wedding ring.

Albany Run/Walk

This weekend I'm am going up to Atlanta, Ga to meet with Jeff Galloway and all of the Program Directors for his Run/Walk Program. I am super excited about this. I will get to see Jeff's Running Store tonight. On Saturday I will get to run with Jeff and the rest of the gang. Then we will be in meeting ALL Day on Saturday. Sunday we will run again and then Jeff will talk with us about a new program he is going to start. I can't wait. It should be alot of fun.

Click

As most of you know my wife is a photographer and she has been doing it from home for a long time now. But coming this March, We are going to open up a Photography Studio & Children’s Boutique here in Albany. We are SO EXCITED about opening up our own shop. We have put in a lot of work with our business and it is starting to pay off. We are hoping for more good things to come. I'm sure I'll have more details about this later but I wanted to share I big news.

Life is Good!

Have A Holly Jolly Christmas

2010-12-23T09:20:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas

2010-12-20T21:09:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas from my family to yours.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOsYSojlFbQ

Life Is Good

Any Tips For Cold Weather Runs?

2010-12-13T21:56:00.000-05:00

You know the best part about being a runner it that you get to see views like this one. Last Saturday, my running group did a run around a local lake in town and we got to watch the sunrise. This time of year the run rise seems so beautiful. I don’t know if it is the crisp cool air or the angle of the earth but I always enjoy the sun rise more in the winter time.

Lately I haven't had the guts to get up and run much in the morning because it's been so FREAKING COLD. I live in South Georgia were it only gets below freezing a few times during the winter. But this year it has been one of the coldest that I can remember. Tomorrow the air temp will be in the teens!

I am not use to all this cold weather. I've been getting most of my runs in at night when it is a little bit warmer than in the morning. It seems like the pavement is hotter too from the "heat" (or should I say warmth) of the day.

So what do you do on really cold days? Just man up and run? Go to the gym and hit the dreadmills? Pleas share with me any secrets’ for running on cold winter days. I've got a marathon that I'm training for in March and I've got to find a way to get me runs in.

Peace, Love, and Dirty Socks!

Jingle Bell Jog 2010

2010-12-08T10:22:00.001-05:00

This year my wife and I were the event photographers for the Jingle Bell Jog here in Albany, Ga. Here are a few pictures that we took. To see more from the race you can check out a sneak peak that is up on our facebook page. We will have the rest of the photos from the race in a few weeks on our website, clickphotographybyjay.com under the client proofing section.

Happy & You Know It

2010-11-23T13:50:00.000-05:00

Raleigh is Happy and He Knows It.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avrQqtebIh8

Life is good.

Riverfront Run 2010 Race Report

2010-11-05T09:31:00.000-04:00

Last Saturday I ran the Riverfront Run. I ran the 5K and my daughter ran the 1 Mile. Here is my race report.

So the night before a race I like to get all my stuff together. As I was grabbing shoes and trying to figure out what shirt to wear I found my race belt. Now, I always leave my BIB from the last race on my race belt. When I looked at the BIB that was on there from my last race it was from my last marathon that I ran back in March. So it has been a long summer of not racing for me.

The weather for the race was perfect. The air was cold but not freezing. If you were not moving it was pretty chilly but I know once the race started it would be just right.

This year I had a lot of friends & family there to cheer me on. My wife was the race photographer. It was nice to have here there to take pictures. My friend Devon came over from Alabama for the weekend and he ran the race with me. Not to mention all my Albany Run/Walk buddies. Here is a group picture of all the Albany Run Walk folks that ran that day.

This 5K was chiped timed. Which is nice for a 5K race. I think there were about 200 plus peole that ran the 5K. I didn't get a PR but I gave PR effort. I ran the 5K in 22:44 which was good for 3rd in my age group. Devon came in right behind me and got 1st in his age group. Which by the way that was Devon’s first race ever! Now he is looking to find more 5K’s back in Alabama.

If you are looking for a complete list of the race results you can click here.

If you want to some of the picutures from the race you can check out Click's facebook page. There you will find a sneak peek from the race. When all of them are done I will share the link.

After the race I ran with Sarah Jane as she ran the 1 Mile Fun Run. She took off like rocket at the start but her jogging pants were too long and she tripped on them. She went face first into the asphalt. After a few tears and a pep talk from Mom & Dad. She got back up and finished strong.

All in all it was a great day and great race. Life Is Good!

"Every Step Is A PR"

2010-10-26T22:52:00.001-04:00

Last Saturday I ran 10 miles for the first time in the last six months. I haven't had a double digit run in a long time and it felt good to go that long again. But this 10 mile run was different than all my other 10 milers. Here is the story.

I can remember when I kickoff the Albany Run/Walk season in August. I stood up in front of a room over 100 plus people (some of which had never ran more that 3 miles) and told them that ARW will help them run a marathon. I got a lot of strange looks from the newbies because they didn't believe me. But sure enough the ones that did the training were able to run the 10 miles last Saturday with me.

We did two loops of 5 miles. I can still see the look of many of the new runners faces as I my group would pass (or be passed) by the other pace groups. I over heard one guy say the second time time we pass, "Every Step Is A New PR."

It has been a long time since every step for me was a new PR. So, it was great to live it thru all the new runners that I am helping to achieve their goal of running a marathon. There was a lot of pride from everyone that day that ran. I must say that so far that was my favorite run of the fall. I can't imagine what it is going to be like when these same runners cross the marathon finish line in March.

Golf

Later that same day I played in Golf Tournament that my church was hosting with some guys from work. Me and one other guy on our team could play the other two guys could not. But we all had a great time and help raise some money for a good cause.

Keeping My Head Down.

Racing

I am supper excited about this weekend! I will be racing for the first time since February. I will be doing the Riverfront Run 5K. I've done this race the last several years and have always enjoyed it. Now I dont think I will get a PR on Saturday but I will be running hard incase I do.

Happy Fall Y'all!

Magic Mile

2010-10-18T07:00:00.001-04:00

Last Saturday my running group Albany Run/Walk ran 4 miles with a Magic Mile in the middle. A Magic Mile is a one mile for time. We use this mile time trial to place runners into the different pace groups. Albany Run/Walk has six different pace groups based on the Magic Mile Times. Basically we take the Magic Mile time add a few minutes to it to get the group training pace. Each group will run as slow as the slowest runner in the group. We do a Magic Mile about once per month. I always love the weeks that we do the magic mile. For me it is like a little test to see how I am improving throughout my training. Here is a video of Albany Run/Walk at the Magic Mile Run last Saturday. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F_tVLdJl8s

Life and Training Update

2010-10-13T14:58:00.000-04:00

I'll start with training.

It has been a while since I've talked about my training. It is pretty much the same song different verse for me. If my soon to be 6 month old sleeps thru the night I feel good and I'm able to get in a few workouts. If he doesn't want to sleep then my wife and I take turns and staying up with him. I find it hard to workout when I am only getting four hours of solid sleep.

Despite my excuse I've been able to run some (but not as much as I would like). Here is what I've been up to (running & family)

The last few weeks I've been able to get out of town on some business trips. I went to Athens, Ga and I must say we don't have hills in Albany like they do up there. My normal 30 minute run I can cover about 3 miles no problem. With the hills in Athens I could only do about 2 miles in that same time.

I did get to run the Greenway while I was there. I had a nice run along the river. There were several other runners / bikes out on the Greenway. I was very impressed with it because the path had mile marks, benches, and trash cans. If I lived up there I would run on the Greenway as often as possible.

Albany Run Walk

Our group is doing great. I'm glad that I'm the program director this year because it is making run when I don't feel like it. We are up to 8 miles on our long run. By the end of the month we will be at double digits miles. Which is so cool because when we started the season back in August most of the runners that started with me had never ran more than a few miles and now they are up to 10 miles! It is a great feeling to help other people reach their goals and become runners!

Click

Click has been so busy this month. We have been doing tons of shoots and the last few weekends we've been doing lots of mini sessions at our local pumpkin patch. I love going out to the pumpkin patch. They have hay rides, bouncy houses, live music on the weekends, hay mazes, and of course thousands of pumpkins. But my favorite part is getting some boiled peanuts. Hmmmmm..... Peanuts.

Click Here to see pictures from our Pumpkin Patch Palooza

The Kids

Raleigh is growing like a crazy. He has changed so much in the short six months. Here he is all ready for Halloween.

Sarah Jane is loving 1st grade this. Her mom and I love her teacher. She is reading and spelling all the time. Sometimes words that I dont think she would know. So proud of her. Here she is with her new hair cut.

Life is Good!

New The Click Photo Blog

2010-10-13T10:23:00.000-04:00

My wife and I have just lanched a New Blog for Click. You should go check out some of our work.

Scavenger Run

2010-09-16T11:00:00.002-04:00

Last week Albany Run Walk had a Scavenger Run. I gave all the groups a sheet with clues and they had to run to said object, building, or landmark in Downtown Albany. Each group had to take a group photo in front of the clue. The first group that had all the pictures in the right order won.

In the past I've always loved the weeks that we would run the Scavenger Run because you forget that you are running because you have a different challenge. It's like you are racing to find all the clues and not running in a big loop. It's like giving your workout a big breath of fresh air. Here is a video form the run. Enjoy!

Gymboss Timer Giveaway!

2010-09-14T16:08:00.000-04:00

I am the Program Director for the Jeff Galloway Group - Albany Run/Walk. I've been using Jeff's Run/Walk method for years. It has helped me to run and finish 5 marathons. So, I want to giveaway a Jeff Galloway Gymboss Timer.

This Giveaway is open to anyone in the Continental U.S. There are a couple of ways to enter.

1. Simply leave me a comment and I will enter your name in One Time and then check back on Friday, September 24 to see if you are the winner.

2. Also become a follower of this blog and I will enter your name in Three Times! If you are already following just leave me a comment saying that you already follower and I be sure and count you in on the contest.

3. or, to increase your chances, put a link to my Giveaway on your blog, personal page, or twitter the give away and leave me a comment with a link to your page and I will enter your name into the Contest SIX Times!!!

So for each one that you do please leave a separate comment. If you do All Three then that will be be three comments for a total of TEN Entries. That is 1 for commenting + 3 for following this blog + 6 for linking the giveaway for a total of 10 Entries.

Good Luck!

I Was Consistently Consistent

2010-09-13T09:32:00.001-04:00

Last week I had my first consent week of running in a long time. I ran Sunday (5 miles), Tuesday (5 miles), Wednesday (3 miles), and Thursday (5 miles). I tried to run last Saturday but I got about half mile down the road and was not feeling it. My joints were stiff and I opt. out of the run and walk back home. My total for the week was 18 miles! It’s been a long time since I’ve ran that much in one week.

Some keys to my success were...

1. I ran slower. I use the Galloway Run/Walk/Run Method when I run. But last week I used shorter intervals. I used a 2/1 interval. That is where I run for 2 minutes and then walk for 1 minute. The slower place with the walk breaks helped me recovery faster and be able to get out and run the next day. Also I wasn’t sore/ tired after the run so I could play with my kids some.

2. I slept more. I think I got a lot more sleep than I had in the past several weeks. Instead of staying up late and watching sports or surfing the web I went on to bed. I forget sometimes how much sleep is important to recovery and training.

3. I ate better. By no means do I eat like I should. I eat fried chicken and french fries everyday for lunch. I think I even can in from a run last and ate cookie dough as my “recover” snack. While I do eat a lot of junk last week I did try and make some healthier choices when I could.

Right now I’m feeling good and enjoying running again. I haven’t enjoyed working out in a long time. I hope I can keep it up for another week.

Teaching The Next Generation

2010-09-11T21:49:00.001-04:00

Every year the city of Albany puts up a field of flags near the mall. My wife loves to take the kids to see the flags every year and take their picture. This year was Raleigh's first trip. Before we went to the field we told Sarah Jane the story of 9/11.

What's weird is that something that is so real to me and my wife is so confusing to her. She doesn't understand why someone would want to hurt mommies and daddies. I think it so important as parents that we tell our kids the story. I think by teaching them is how we never forget.

Light The Night

2010-09-05T23:37:00.000-04:00

Thanks to the huge strides in cancer research, we were able to have our sweet Grand Bubba for 3 more years after her original lymphoma diagnosis ...because of prayer and the treatments that she recieved, she lived long enough for my daughter to remember her. I know that times are hard, but This is a GREAT cause, my family has seen the benefits of it first hand.

On October 1st, I'll join with Westwood Church to walk in honor of Lib Sikes' Memory (and in memory and honor of SO many wonderful people that have battled cancer) at Light the Night in Albany at Chehaw Park!

Check out the link below to see how to help.

My Fundraising Page

Checking In

2010-09-04T21:54:00.001-04:00

Checking In - My Running

Right now I am training to run the Albany Marathon in 2011. I've started my training with my running group Albany Run/Walk. In the past I've just ran with the group but this year I Program Director for The Jeff Galloway Training Group here in Albany, Ga. It is a lot of fun but a lot of work to manager a group of 100+ members. I am finding that I have less time to train because I spend my discretionary working on the new website for ARW, email group leaders, sending our eNewletters, and planing group runs. Next week's group run will be especially good because...
... we will be doing a Scavenger Run.

The Scavenger Run is one of my favorite runs because you are trying to solve clues as a group. There are six different pace groups and they will all have a sheet with the same clues on them. The group will have to figure out what the clue is run to that building or landmark and then take a picture of the group with the object in the background. The first group to finish with all the pictures in the correct order wins. Here is a post from when I did a scavenger run last year.

My training has been going go so far. I've been using a version Jeff Galloway's training plan. I am doing one long run with the group right now and two short 30 minutes runs during the week. I love the plan because it is made for someone that is super busy but can still run a marathon injury free. I got in both two 30 minute runs in during the week and I ran 4 miles with the group today. I don't know if I can count Church League Softball as training or not. I've been playing two games on Monday Nights and I'm pretty sore afterwards. Maybe I can count it as a speed workout? Because I sprint running around the bases and I sprint to catch a fly ball.

Checking In - My 9-5

I've also been busy at the Chicken Shack. I feel like I just got done training a manager and now on Monday I will start training a new manager. I like training and I feel that I'm good at teaching/training. As it turns out Zaxby's is changing the way that they do their training. I will be one of 6 guys that will go up to corporate at the end of the month to test out a new training system for Zaxby's. It should be pretty cool to see what they have in store.

Checking In - Click Photography

Click Photography has been extremely busy. We were just up in Nashville, TN last weekend shooting a wedding. This week we had an engagement, a newborn shoot at the hospital, and a family shoot for a solider who is getting deployed soon. Click is working on a special right now for the fall. I will post details later.

So between Running, Working, Photography, and Family things have been crazy around The Tri Runner House. If you need me I'll be taking a nap with my son.

Also keep "Checking In" here ar the blog. I hope to do a giveaway soon.

Life is Good!

Albany Run Walk 2010 Kickoff

2010-08-23T09:36:00.007-04:00

Last Saturday was the kickoff for the new training season for my running club Albany Run Walk. We had a HUGE turnout for the event. We all the group leaders and runners it was well over 100 people. We meet at Phoebe Northwest and explain how the program works and what’s in for the runner. After a short Q & A we went outside for a short run.

On Saturday the group ran a Mini Marathon to start the training for the marathon season. We ran 2.62 miles. This run included a short warm up / cool down and a Magic Mile in the middle. The Magic Mile is just a one mile at best effort to place all the runners into Pace Groups.

After the kickoff Jeff Galloway held one of his famous Running Schools for me, my group leaders, and a few of the Albany Run Walk Members. Jeff gave us a lot of great information about how to train injury free for a marathon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifJmFbmKWXE&feature=player_embedded

I love this little guy!

2010-08-19T14:56:00.002-04:00

He will be four months old tomorrow.

Life is Good.

I've been slacking.

2010-08-17T16:36:00.000-04:00

I promise to blog more often. I promise to blog more often.
I promise to blog more often. I promise to blog more often.
I promise to blog more often. I promise to blog more often.
I promise to blog more often. I promise to blog more often.
I promise to blog more often. I promise to blog more often.
I promise to blog more often. I promise to blog more often.
I promise to blog more often. I promise to blog more often.
I promise to blog more often. I promise to blog more often.
I promise to blog more often. I promise to blog more often!

- The Tri Runner

Trip To Hilton Head Island

2010-08-10T19:11:00.007-04:00

Last week the family and I took a trip to Hilton Head Island, SC. We spent seven wonderful days on the island. We did everything from, nothing to swimming in the ocean, finding sand dollars & starfish, riding ponies, eating some awesome sea food, and a sunset dolphin cruise. My wife and I even got to go on a date (we haven’t been one since the baby was born). I even got to run on the beach every morning. Here are some pictures form the trip.

Life Is Good!

Checking In

2010-08-04T12:11:00.005-04:00

Hey Guys! I just wanted to check in. The fam and I are on Hilton Head Island. We have been hanging out here all week and will be here for a few more days. I must say running on the beach rocks! I don't think I could every get tired of it. Here is the view from our room.

Before I got to the beach I've been Very Busy. I am now the new Program Director for the running group in my town, Albany Run Walk. We follow the Jeff Galloway Method of Run/Walk/Run. We have just under 100 members.

I've been planing the kickoff for our 2010 - 2011 Training Program for our Group. We are training for the Albany Marathon and Half Marathon. The kickoff for the new season will be August 21 at 8:00 AM at Phoebe Northwest. If you live in Albany you should come out and check us out. We have pace groups for all skill levels.

I also got my picture in the paper a few weeks back. Here is the pic with me and the former Program Director.

CLICK HERE To Read The Story

Also I made a list of top 50 Informative & Inspiring Blogs for Triathletes. To see the whole list Click Here

Life Is Good!

Super Kidz Triathlon

2010-07-24T22:32:00.001-04:00

Sarah Jane completed her 3rd Triathlon Today. SJ swam 25 yards, biked a half mile and ran 0.25 mile. She came in 3rd place for the girls 5-6 age group. She was tuff. She fell on the bike but that didn’t stop her. She was so hardcore that she did the run with her bike helmet on. So Proud of Her! Here is a video of the race.

Life Is Good

..and now a message from CSN

2010-07-17T19:42:00.001-04:00

We interrupt this running blog to bring attention to a great website! CSN recently contacted me about hosting a review for them and I gladly agreed. I've been perusing their site and I have to tell you, it's a great place. They have everything that you can imagine - from mountain bikes, to running shoes, to dining room furniture - they have you covered!

Check back soon to see the review!

4th of July 2010

2010-07-08T14:23:00.003-04:00

I'm a lazy blogger. I so stole this post from my wife's blog janeyandme.blogspot.com. So here is our 4th of July Weekend from my wife's point of view.

We spent our 4th of July weekend down at George's Dad's house close to Seaside - we love to go to the fireworks there every year.

I couldn't wait to post this video of SJ. She makes up songs in the backseat all the time. She just looks out the window, goes somewhere else in her mind, and sings at the top of her lungs --- I had to video this over my shoulder so she wouldn't see me and I came in at the very end of her VERY LONG SONG and I am pretty sure that she would be mad if she knew this was on here because she begged me to delete it BUT it's so funny and cute to me (and yes, I know that was a run-on sentence...).

So, without further delay, Here she is singing a Sarah Jane original called "You are the Butterfly":

And just to show you that she is not a complete looney tune, Here she is singing her favorite "Taylor Swiph" song this week (it changes week to week):

and while I'm posting videos, let me show you this video of the fireworks finale on Seaside - It is AMAZING:

We spent the weekend hanging out on the beach, the kids rode some of Grandaddy's boats, we ate the best tacos ever at Bud and Ally's Taco Bar while we shopped til we dropped, grilled out with some neighbors and watched the fireworks go off over an Oil Free Beach - it was definitely a fun weekend. In the hustle and bustle of it all, I didn't forget what the celebration was for - and all the sacrifices that were made. God has truly blessed America, in so many ways, and we are all so lucky to be a part of this nation.

could be the last time we'll see an oil free beach on the gulf for a while:
My boys:
My sweet "baby" girl:

Photos From Loop The Lake 5K

2010-06-27T00:09:00.009-04:00

Normally I go to races to run them but today my wife and I were there as event photographers. We shot Loop The Lake 5K in Cordele, Ga. I wanted to post a few pictures to show you guys. You can go to our Facebook Page Click Photography (become a fan) and see more picture of the race.

Later in the week we will post all 1400+ images in the client proofing section on our website www.clickphotographybyjay.com

For Loop The Lake 5K Race Results they are up on Event Tech Website

What I've Been Doing

2010-06-23T22:18:00.007-04:00

If you wonder why I haven't been blogging as much here is why.

Two months ago my life changed when Raleigh was born. It's been wonderful but he has taken up a lot of my time. For the time being I've trade my running shoes for onesies, Gatorade for milk bottles and my bike for a rocking chair. Right now I'm changing my priorities. There is no way I can train the way I want to and still be the kind of husband and a dad that I want to be.

Here is Raleigh's Birth Video. Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRGmZ4-ghzk

Life Is Good

Loop The Lake

2010-06-18T23:01:00.005-04:00

If you are looking for a GREAT Race, let me recommend Loop The Lake in Cordele, Ga. It is a 5K race that has all the amenities of a BIG race - like chip timing, free event photography, a free pancake breakfast, and sprinklers out on the course to keep you cool! Free event t-shirts and goodie bags for all participants and water stops and aid stations out on the course. This race has loads of helpful volunteers and cheerleaders to keep you going strong.

I’ve done it the past couple of years and loved it. But this year I won’t be running it I will be shooting it. Yep that’s right. Click Photography will be giving away the pictures for FREE!

The proceeds of the event go to some awesome charities. So, if you are in the area come out support the race or just come say "Cheese".

Life Is Good.

Click Photography

2010-05-23T22:36:00.005-04:00

Over the last few weeks I've been been working with my wife with her photography business, Click Photography. We just got a Brand New Website up and running. If you get a minute please go by and check it out. We would love to know what you think.

clickphotographybyjay.com

Happy Mother's Day

2010-05-09T00:01:00.001-04:00

I just want to say how thankful I am for my wife. She is such a great mom. She makes me a better father, husband, and person. I couldn't do it without her. I hope you have a Great Mother's Day!

Happy Mothers Day Everybody!

Life Is Good.

Meet Two Of My Music Heros

2010-05-05T20:55:00.003-04:00

Last Night I got to meet some of my heros. My big brother scored VIP Passes to the Widespread Panic Show last night in Chattanooga. Here we are after the show with Sonny & Jimmy from the band.

Here is a short video that I took at the show.

Life Is Good.

Taught My Little Girl How To Ride Her Bike

2010-05-02T22:33:00.002-04:00

The start of the weekend Sarah Jane wanted to ride her bike but was too scared to try. After about 3 days of blood, sweat, and a whole lot of tears we are riding all over the front yard. I am so proud of her!

Life Is Good!

Meet My New Son

2010-04-20T15:55:00.003-04:00

Meet George Raleigh. He weighs 8 lbs 14 oz with a head full of hair. Mother and Baby are doing Great!

Life Is Good!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T19:12:00.001-04:00

Life Is Good!

Round 2

2010-03-31T14:47:00.003-04:00

It’s official! I will be doing the 2010 ESi Ironman 70.3 Augusta. This will be my second time to do this race and my third 70.3 race. I’m supper excited about running it. I feel that I can improve on my time from last year. Last year while training for this race everything went wrong. I was sick the weekend of the race. (It was a weird feeling to take an antibiotic while racking my bike in transition.) Also a month before I couldn’t ride because I got hit by a car on my bike. So hopefully this summer I won’t get sick and hit by any cars and be able to train and race like I would like to.

Life Is Good!

Egg Hunt

2010-03-29T09:44:00.008-04:00

Last Saturday we had a huge Easter Egg Hunt at my house. All the kids from our church came out and several of Sarah Jane’s friends from school came out to see the Easter Bunny. The weather was perfect and we had a great time! Sarah Jane was so funny when she was hunting the eggs. If the egg didn’t have candy in it she would leave it and go find another egg that did. Here are few pictures from the day.

I don't know where Sarah Jane gets the peace sign thing from.

Me and Mrs. Tri Runner

Who Doesn't Love Bunnies?

The Hunt Is On!

Found One

Mommy & Janey

Me & Janey

Janey & The Bunny

Just so you know, The Bunny Wanted Her Picture with Me.

The Family

Happy Easter!

Spring Is Here

2010-03-26T09:38:00.003-04:00

Spring is here and we have kittens. On Tuesday our cat had four kittens. We have a light orange, dark orange, gray, and calico. Sarah Jane just loves to play with these little guys.

Life is good

Review & Race or Reunion

2010-03-22T09:41:00.001-04:00

Last week I didn’t get in as much training as hoped because I bought a Wii and have been playing that like a little kid for much of last week instead of working out. I sold my PS3 a few weeks back in order to get a Wii but all the stores were sold out until last week. We were in Wal-Mart on Tuesday and there it was. My daughter has become the master at Wii Sports while I’ve been enjoying Mario Kart.

However I did get some training in last week. When the dust settled I was able to run and bike near 5 hours. On Saturday I had my best ride of the season so far. I did 27 miles at 17.3 MPH – Oh Yeah! I know that’s not blazing speed but it’s much faster than I’ve been in a while for that long of a distance.

I do have a question. Right now I’m planning on running the Macon, Ga Rock’N Roll Half Ironman on June 5th. Well I just found out that my 10 year High School Reunion is on that same weekend. What to do Race or Reunion?

A Great Week of Training

2010-03-16T13:35:00.002-04:00

Surprisingly I had a great week of training considering I’d just ran a marathon last Saturday (March 6th). My week started out on Monday with my running group, Albany Run/Walk who had scheduled the Mizuno ‘Run With Us Truck” to come out and fit us for shoes. The ‘Run With Us Truck’ is a grass root campaign to get runners into Mizuno shoes. They are not even selling shoes out of this truck. They simply fit you for the shoe that you need to run in. I already run in Mizunos but it has been a while since I’d been fitted for shoes and I was curious if I was running in the right pair of shoes. As it turns out with my bowlegs and duck feet that I was in the correct motion control shoe for my feet. What’s funny is everyone that I run with was in the ‘wrong’ type of shoe except for me. I was actually fitted for the same shoe that I’d been running in for years. So, I put my 'new' fitted shoes on and did a mile in them and they felt great. Since I buy my shoes mostly online it was nice to try on different sizes to make sure that I was getting a good fit. After the shoe fitting we went to the local Mexican Restaurant for dinner to celebrate the marathon and a great season of running.

Tuesday I got on the bike and rode outside for the first in time in what seemed like weeks. It felt good to be out there having the wind blow me around. I did a nice easy one hour ride that covered 15 miles.

Wednesday was the first time I ran since the marathon. I did a 2:1 (run/walk) ratio. My legs were a little stiff at first but loosened up after the run. I didn’t know if running so soon after the marathon would be a good thing. Turns out it was. I feel like the slow run really stretched out my legs and they weren’t as sore the next day.

Thursday night I got on the bike trainer for about 30 minutes. I did a hard workout on there. After wards I did a good bit of pushups, sit ups, and pull ups.

Friday I did another hour long run. I went with the 2:1 (run/walk) ratio. I felt REALLY Good during this run and my pace showed it. I was able to run a half of mile longer that I was on Wednesday. After the run I did more core work.

Saturday I’d planned on a long bike ride in the morning but I stayed up too late watching the Dawgs get beat in the SEC Tournament to wake up the next morning. Luckily I was able to find time that afternoon to get in a 27 mile ride. The winds were strong last Saturday. I think the gusts were around 20 MPH and it was all head wind on the way back home.

Sunday afternoon I meet up with some friends to do a hour ride. I felt good before the ride but after the ride I was pretty spent. It was an easy ride but all the training from the week was catching up with me.

I had planned on doing around six hours on the week but felt good and did nearly seven hours when you count all the core work. I’m shooting for 8 hours this week of swimming, biking, and running.

Life Is Good.

Monday 3/8 – One mile run with the Mizuno ‘Run With Us Truck’. (7:30)
Tuesday 3/9 – One hour bike ride (15 miles). 3 sets of 25 pushups / 40 sit ups
Wednesday 3/10 – One hour run (5.5 miles). 3 sets of 25 pushups / 40 sit ups / 3 pull-ups
Thursday 3/11 – 30 minutes on the bike trainer. 3 sets of 25 pushups / 40 sit ups / 3 pull-ups
Friday 3/12 – One hour run (5.5) miles.
Saturday 3/13 – 1 hour and 50 minute bike ride (27 miles)
Sunday 3/14– 1 hour bike ride (15 miles) 3 sets of 20 pushups / 40 sit ups

Week of March 8 – 14 Totaled about 7 hours or so working out.

Albany Marathon 2010 Race Report

2010-03-08T09:25:00.007-05:00

Last Saturday I finished my Fifth marathon. It was my third time to run the Snickers Marathon in Albany, Ga. The weather was beautiful to run. The temps were in the upper 20’s and it warmed up to somewhere in the lower 60’s.

I ran the first half with my friends from Albany Run / Walk. We did a 2:1 (run/walk) for the first 13.1 miles. This was a great pace for me. I knew that I hadn’t trained enough to have a fast time and I wanted to be at the half way point around 2:30 and I was there at 2:25.

From there I stated to pick up my pace. I switched to a 3:1 (run/walk). Between mile 14 & 15 I ran past my mom’s house where I had my family and some friends waiting for me. I gave hugs & high fives and took off my long pants & jacket and ran with my daughter to the corner.

Here is Sarah Jane cheering me on!

The other two years at this race once I pass my family the race seems to get harder. But this year I was feeling good and so I keep pushing my pace. I wanted to catch up with the 4:45 pace group. I had them in my sights around mile 20. But there is where I stopped at a pot-o-potty. Once I stopped I couldn’t get my legs to start back again. I was beginning to fade. I had not run enough long runs to have a fast time for this marathon. I could give excuses like work or my wife was pregnant but at the end of the day I just didn’t get in the long runs and somewhere around mile 23 I was pretty much done running.

Here I am somewhere between mile 23 & 24. I saw my friend Scott and talked with him for a minute before I had to press on.

I keep looking at my watch thinking I could still finish within the five hour mark but I just didn’t have it in me. I would run when I saw a photographer because I didn’t want my picture taken of me walking.

When I got in sight of the finish line I picked it back up. Sarah Jane was waiting for her dad to run across the finish line with me. I had several friends there yelling my name and cheering me on. I had so many that the guy with microphone came over the loud speaker and started cheering me on. I finished the race just under 5:15 chip time.

Below is my Church's Tent at the Finish Line. It is so nice to have lots for friends waiting for you at the end of a marathon!

Here is me and my friend Robby. He finished his first Half Marathon!

Life Is Good!

Ready To Race!

2010-03-03T09:24:00.003-05:00

I'm getting pumped about running the Snickers Marathon this Saturday. Here is a video of me running it last year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryf652o3jS4

Twas The Week Before The Marathon...

2010-02-26T12:15:00.005-05:00

Twas the week before the marathon, and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even my spouse.

The race shirt laid out by the gym bag with care,
In hopes that a Finisher's Medal would soon be there.

The TriRunner was nestled and snug in his bed,
While visions of PR’s danced in his head.

With mamma on Facebook, and I on the PC,
Had just settled in for a week of recovery.

With the marathon less than a week away I'm getting VERY Excited! It’s something about a week of recovery that makes me want to train more. But as of right now I’ve got too much to do. My wife is having her baby shower the day after the marathon and she was invited several people to come stay with us. So, I'm sure she will have me a honey-do list to keep me busy.

But two of the guys that will be staying with us will be running the Half Marathon with me – Robby & Devon. It will be their first half marathon!

I’m looking forward to a good race and good times with friends.

Life Is Good!

Sidney Lanier Bridge Run Race Report

2010-02-22T16:58:00.004-05:00

I got to the race with my wife & daughter and my friends Whitney and Robby. Whitney & Robby were going to run this race with me. We showed up about an hour early and there were several hundred runners, volunteers, and spectators already there. The first thing we did was grab our race packets. Turns out this race was a chip timed event and we got a cool long sleeve t-shirts. After putting on my timing chip and race number I did a short two mile warm-up to get ready to climb up the bridge.

This was the hardest 5K that I’ve ever ran. I totally underestimated how steep the SL Bridge was. You can see from some of the photos that it was a pretty big incline. The race made you use a lot of your core to keep you up right while you ran. There was a band playing on the very top of the bridge which was very cool. There were tons of photographers out taking our pictures. I was very glad because I had forgotten my camera and was said that I wasn’t going to get any race photos. Turns out two photographers were taking pictures and letting you download them from their website.

jenniferleighphotography's and lifestories

The race was a run over the bridge and then turn around and run back. I felt good running to the top and flew down to the bottom. But the run back to the top hurt. When I was near the top I want to throw up. I was very sad that I couldn’t. The run back down wasn’t as easy I thought it would be. This was a HARD 5K! Georgia Multisports did the timing of the race. You can get the race results HERE. I finished with a time of 26:01. The time was about 4 minutes slower than my average 5K time. So whatever that means.

The race was ton of run. It is defiantly not your average 5K. There were over 672 people who ran in the race. I hope to get the chance to run in it again one day.

I love this first photo of me. Not only can you see my spreading my vision of world peace but you and look down the bridge to see how steep the course was.

I like these next two photos because you can see the pain on all the runners face. We are starting to run back up the bridge.

Life Is Good

Going To Race Sidney Lanier Bridge Run

2010-02-17T13:45:00.004-05:00

I’m supper excited about going to St. Simon's Island this weekend and running the Sidney Lanier Bridge Run. I’m going to meet up with my friends Whitney & Robby to run the 5K. I’ve ran a lot 5K’s but this will be the “Hilliest” one for sure.

The race website says that there will only be 300 feet of flat course. The course will start on the southbound side of the bridge and go south over the bridge and return back over the bridge. The bridge is 7,780 feet long with the main span distance between towers being 1,250 feet. The climb up the bridge will be about 200 vertical feet within 3/4 mile or a greater than 6% grade and then down 3/4 mile. The website says this is a physically challenging course and should NOT be attempted by those not properly trained. What is “Properly Trained”?

This 5K is going to kick my butt! I have not been running hill repeats at all much less any hills. The good thing is that it is an out and back and once I cross the top of the bridge for the second time it will be ALL Down Hill. ! However it will be one of the more memorable 5Ks that I’ve run.

There is nothing like a weekend of racing and hanging out with friends.

Life Is Good!

It's The Snow Apocalypse

2010-02-12T20:25:00.000-05:00

It's Snowing In Southwest Georgia! Crazy!

Here is a video and a bunch of pictures of us having fun.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouAbmhkMuZ8

Life Is Good

Update On Everything

2010-02-01T21:07:00.007-05:00

Here is an update on the three big things that I have going on in my life – work, run, and family.

Work

Next week the New Zaxby’s will be opening up and I can’t wait. It has been a long time coming. This week several folks from corporate will come down and help us finish getting ready to open. This will be my 3rd Zaxby’s and my work load feels like it is tripling. Here are some pics of the new store.

Opening Soon

Me in front of the new store

Inside the store the owners made a sign for me and posted it up that says, “George's Bike Shop - The The Specialist In Motorless Motion”

Across the street from the New Zaxbys is Maryland Fried Chicken. On their sign in front of their store it says, GOOD LUCK ZAXBYS WELCOME TO THE HOOD

Only 7 Days till the New Store Opens

Running

Last Saturday I ran 23 miles with my running group Albany Run/Walk. It was a cool rainy morning on Saturday but I was able to finish the run. I was able to push my “Wall” back three more miles. I was able to run 20 miles no problem. But I can remember a few weeks ago when we ran 20 miles I was tried at mile 18. So, I feel like I’m on the right path for the Albany Marathon.

The best part was about the long run was that I was only sore in my legs. I guess all the pushups, pull ups, and sit ups that I’ve been doing is paying off. I can proudly say that I can now do 3 pull ups!

Only 32 Days till the Albany Marathon

Family

Right now my wife I are both nesting. We are trying to turn our third bedroom into a nursery and it is going slower than what we would like. However tonight we have made some real progress. We are hoping that we can finish up a lot of what is left to do before the new store opens up.

Only 77 Days till the Baby gets here

Life Is Good.

My New Favorite Song

2010-01-25T19:55:00.001-05:00

Headed down south to the land of the pines
And I'm thumbin' my way into North Caroline
Starin' up the road
And pray to God I see headlights

I made it down the coast in seventeen hours
Pickin' me a bouquet of dogwood flowers
And I'm a hopin' for Raleigh
I can see my baby tonight

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama anyway you feel
Hey mama rock me
Rock me mama like the wind and the rain
Rock me mama like a south-bound train
Hey mama rock me

Albany Marathon Preview Miles 6 – 9

2010-01-23T21:01:00.003-05:00

Miles 6 – 9 of the marathon course take you straight down Gillionville Road. You will pass the YMCA between mile 6 & 7. Near mile7.5 is where the Marathon & the Half Marathon course split off. There should be a volunteers there splitting the runners up. The runners doing the full will run keep going up and run by the Albany Art Museum & through the campus of Darton College. There should be two water stops between mile 7 and 9. Darton College is a great place to go if you are going spectate because you can see the runners as the go in and out of the campus. Plus there should be plenty of parking.

Still Hanging on the Pull Up Bar

2010-01-21T20:20:00.002-05:00

When I was in elementary school we had P.E. everyday. I loved it. We got to play kickball, tag, and run around on the play ground. But once a year we had to do the Presidents Physical Fitness Challenge. As I remember the Challenge composed of running a mile, sit and reach, a skin fold test, sit ups and pull ups. To pass the challenge you had to run the mile in so many minutes, do so many pull ups, and do ONE Pull Up.

Being a skinny little kid I loved running the mile in the Challenge. I can remember running the mile around the softball fields as fast if not one of the fastest kids in my P. E. Class. But I hated doing the Pull Ups because I couldn’t do it. All I had to do was one pull up to pass the Physical Fitness Challenge. I can still hear my over weight P.E. teacher telling me that I need to eat more Ham Sandwiches if I wanted to do a pull up. It would make me so mad. I would just hang on the bar struggling to pull up in front of all my classmates.

Fast-forward about 20 or so years and I’m still hanging on the pull up bar. You see, I bought a pull up bar about a year ago and from time to time I get it out and try to do pull ups. I’ve been on a push up, sit up, and pull up kick. Right now I can only do two pull ups. I just don’t get it. How can I run and bike for hours but only do two pull ups. What do I have to do? Keep at it? Eat Ham Sandwiches? If someone has a secret please let me know.

One day I hope to be “Fit”.

Taking It One Day At A Time

2010-01-20T18:41:00.003-05:00

I realize that I haven’t been blogging as much in the last few weeks as I have over the past several months. Right now I have a lot on my plate. Over the next three months I’ve got some big things coming up and I’ve been working hard to get ready for them. So, my blog has taken a back seat to everything else.

In February I will be opening my 3rd restaurant. For those of you who don’t know I’m the district manager for the Zaxby’s in Albany, Ga. I’m looking forward to the new store opening. It should open sometime in mid-February.

Over the last three months I’ve been working my tail off to get ready for the new store opening. I’ve had to get and train a new store manager to run the new store & two more assistant managers to pass corporate test to be a certified Zaxby’s Manager. Also this is the busiest time of the year for us. Between now and the end of February we get swamped with business because everyone gets their income tax refunds and has more expendable income so they dine out more. Plus Super Bowl Sunday will be the busiest day of the year for us.

Then in March I will be running a Marathon. I’ve got 44 days left till I get to toe the start line. I’m getting very excited about running it. Not only is this race in my home town but several friends from out of town will be coming to stay with us that weekend. I think I may have talk two of them to run the half marathon that day. But with all my work at the restaurant I’ve been finding it hard to train because I’m so tired when I get home. Over January I’ve been trying to run about two times during the week and bike on the trainer two times during the week. Then on the weekend I’ve been going for longer runs and rides. At the end of my runs I’ve been doing 3 sets of pushups, sit ups, and pull ups. What’s weird is I can do up to 35 pushups per set but I can only do 2 stinking pull ups – What Gives?!?

However April is the month my whole family is waiting to get here. April 19 my wife and I will have our second child. As excited as we are about our new addition we have a lot to do. We are working hard at getting the nursery ready. We have the room painted but right now we are working on sanding and painting the furniture. We are close to being ‘ready’ for him but there still feels like there is a lot of things left to do before April.

Right now I’m just taking it one day at a time. That’s pretty much all I can do. And that’s what I love about being an endurance athlete. I don’t have to be ready for the ‘event’ today but I can do something each day that will get me ready. I’ve learned that I can do a bunch of small steps that will lead me to my goal. Otherwise I would be stress out because I don’t have the baby’s room painted or all my staff trained the way I want. I know I can take it in stride and prioritize the things I need to get done each day. Even if that means I can't blog as much as I like.

Life is Good.

Training Update

2010-01-11T12:15:00.000-05:00

Last week I was able to get in around 9+ hours of training. I spent about three and half hours during the first part of the week on the trainer watching college football. I also did a ton of sit ups, pull ups, and pushups after each of the bike rides. I did about 20 – 30 minutes of yoga. I got in two short runs of 30 minutes each covering about 3 miles each time.

On the weekend I was able to get out the door on Sunday for a 20 mile run the cold. I think I put on every piece of running clothing I owned to stay warm. I did a 3:1 run/walk. I took it nice an easy and was able to finish the 20 miles with no real problems. I ran the 20 miles a lot slower that what I would have liked. It took me three hours and fifty minutes to finish the run. However I think the slower pace and the walk breaks are making it to wear I’m not so sore today.

Only 53 more days till the Albany Marathon.

7 Years Ago Today

2010-01-10T00:01:00.000-05:00

You Own A Car Not The Road

2010-01-03T19:43:00.003-05:00

I was on Facebook and I say this page - There's a perfectly good path right next to the road you stupid cyclist!

Please go on to Facebook and report this. There is a place on the left hand side were you can report it to Facebook. This kind of joking is not funny. It could cause someone to get hurt or evern killed.

Farwell 2009, you sure were good to us!

2009-12-31T17:15:00.005-05:00

I so stole this from my wife's blog. This is a look a last year from her perspective. What a year we had.

As 2010 begins, I wanted to take the time to reflect on what 2009 was for our
family by highlighting a few of the fun times.

To set the pace for 2009, we rang in the New Year from our comfy couch while
watching the NYC ball drop on the television.
Two weeks into 2009 Sarah Jane and I watched George finish the Disney
Marathon and had a blast at our first trip to Disney while celebrating our
Anniversary.
We watched history in the making on 1/20/09 as President Obama was
inaugurated.
George and SJ had a blast at their annual trip to the Daddy Daughter
Dance.
Sarah Jane had her Ears Pierced!
Sarah Jane and I decorated the streets and followed along the 26.2 mile
course to watch George as he was running the Albany Marathon.. SJ even crossed
the finish line with him.
We watched some of our dearest friends get married and SJ had a blast as
their flower girl.
Those same friends came to town for our Annual Easter Egg hunt at our house,
along with about 100 of our closest friends. It was a blast!
Sarah Jane lost her first tooth!
We celebrated Easter at George's Mom's house with his Grandmother. It was
lots of fun hunting eggs in the front yard.
We were excited to get to celebrate George's Grandmother's 88th Birthday,
none of us ever thought we'd see that day. She is such a blessing to our
family.
We took a road trip to Music City and watched George run in the Country
Music Marathon. Afterwards, he passed out in longhorn's... scary!
We danced the night away after another one of my child-hood
friends from Alabama married a Georgia boy like mine in BEAUTIFUL Chapel
Hill, AL and SJ enjoyed being their flower girl too!
Sarah Jane gave the opening speech in her Pre-K graudation!
George's mom retired from teaching school and the whole Houston family took
a trip to Mexico beach to celebrate. The kids had a blast ghost crabbing... and
to the best of my knowledge, no one but me got sun burnt!
Our Church had it's annual Vacation Bible School - SJ loves it and looks
forward to it all year!
We celebrated Cole's 6th Birthday at the bowling alley in Valdosta.
Sarah Jane took her ear rings out and we decided not to put them back
in.
We got to see some of our
favorite people that we have missed the past 4 years. It was a blast to get
to spend some time with them. We're so glad they came to their senses and moved
back to the South! :)
George played softball for our church team. We had lots of fun hanging out
with the people in the bleachers and watching Westwood play ball.
We had 2 fourth of July celbrations. One was here in Albany at the Marine
Base and another was down in Seaside at George's dad's place. Both of them were
amazing, but the one in Seaside was SPECTACULAR. It's a must see for 2010.
George and I both failed miserably at our blogging attempts to take a
picture a day everyday for 365 days.
We cashed in a race prize that George had won and took SJ and the nephews
out on a boat at Lake Blackshear for the day... they had a blast tubing and
George and his brother loved ski-ing. I failed at that miserably too.
Thanks to Dave Ramsey's cult like influence over George and his inspiring
him to try not have a car payment...We had 5 cars during the month of July (A
Jetta, a Honda Accord, 1971 truck, a Stationwagon of some sort, and a CRV) We
ended up with the Accord and the CRV, neither of which are paid for yet.
However, they will both be paid for before 2011.
While I was out of town at my Mom's - one of the many cars that we had that
month didn't work, and George decided to ride his bike to work --- he was hit by
a car! You can read all about it Here.
It was terrible. Scariest day of the year, by far!
With George as her coach, Sarah Jane finished her second triathlon!
Sarah Jane started Kindergarten. She was so brave, but I cried all day.
We celebrated one of my bestie's 30th birthday with a 70's throw-down at our
house.... complete with Disco Balls, Black Lights, bell-bottoms and afro's.
...then We found out our family of 3 would soon be a family of 4.
Sarah Jane started and finished her 1st year of cheer-leading! She was
Outstanding!
We got to take another trip to see the Ellis family while George
participated in the Augusta 70.3!
We welcomed George's brother and his wife's 4th baby into our family ...
Maxwell James. It was an honor to be asked to be his Godmother.
Mark's Melon Patch was a blast again this year... even if it was rainy!
George and Sarah Jane did the River Front Run together. They were
awesome!
I was in Atlanta to shoot a wedding and since our hotel was covered, the
family tagged along. We spent the whole next day in the ATL at the World of Coke
and The Georgia Aquarium.
We Trick or Treated with all of our Albany faves in our friend, Michele's,
neighborhood and we went to a great Halloween party at a friend and co-worker of
mine's house. This year SJ was Hannah Montana... who knows what she will be in
2010.
We hung Christmas lights on our house on November 4th!
We found out that our new addition will be a BOY... George Raleigh Houston
will be joining our family in April.
George, Sarah Jane, and I got to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family in
Nashville. It was super fun to have him there with us - it's rare that he gets
to make the ride b/c of his work schedule.
To celebrate SJ's 6th Birthday we took a trip to Disney world one more time.
We visited all four parks and even stayed for Mickey's Very Merry Christmas
Party. It was a great birthday celebration / "Babymoon".
We celebrated our last Christmas as a family of 3 and took one last trip to
Nashville to see my fam before Raleigh makes his grand debut.

....which brings us up to date. Tonight, we are going to be a little more
adventurous and ring in the New Year with friends.

I am sure that I missed a few things, but for the most part... that was our
year. I can't believe that it came and went so fast.

I don't have any resolutions for this year. I just want to take in the little
things, spend as much time as I can with my family and friends, try not to sweat
the small stuff.... and as always, blog more.

I hope everyone has a great New Year!

May Your Troubles Last As Long As Your New Year's Resolutions.

It’s Official

2009-12-30T10:19:00.003-05:00

On Saturday March 6, 2010 I will be running in the Albany Marathon. Yikes! I’ve paid my money and now there is no turning back. I’ve been training for this marathon for a few months now but for some reason I feel all this extra pressure to get out and run. I’m so excited and can’t wait for race day!

The Sufferfest

2009-12-28T14:04:00.002-05:00

I just downloaded The Sufferfest - The Downward Spiral. This is freakin' awesome! If you are looking for a cool video to watch while you are riding you bike on your trainer this is the one to get.

This video is pretty hard core. You may even need to wear you helmet while you watch this on your trainer.

Here is a preview of the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGrUdPCT3bA

Albany Marathon Preview Miles 3 – 6

2009-12-26T07:50:00.000-05:00

Mile 3 through 6 take you back towards Downtown Albany. Near mile four you will cross over the Flint River and run the Albany Arch. Just on the other side of the bridge you will find lots of spectators cheering you on and a water stop.

Here is the Arch

Sorry but this is the best picture I could find of the water stop at mile 4

Also the Downtown area is also hosting the fifth annual Region’s Bike Race. The time trial criteriums start at 8 am, in front of the city/county office building on Pine, just one block from the Mardi Gras festivities. The last leg of the marathon route will allow an up-close look at cyclist competing in a fast-paced criterion.

Just a reminder if you are planing on signing up for the Albany Marathon the price goes up on December 31.

Merry Christmas

2009-12-23T12:23:00.002-05:00

I hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas!

Albany Marathon Preview Miles 1 - 3

2009-12-18T14:57:00.002-05:00

As I train to run the Albany Marathon I want to preview a small section of the course to help me and anyone else who may be getting ready for the race. I’ve ran this race two times and I’ve lived in Albany, Ga since I was three years old so I feel like I should have some insight on this race.

The course is certified to USATF standards and can therefore be used to establish qualification times for The Boston Marathon. The race course is very flat so it could be a good race to run if you have goals of running Boston.

Elevation

Gain: 521.69 ft / Loss: -511.35 ft
Max: 243.41 ft / Min: 170.77 ft

Here is a map of Miles 1 - 3

The Start Line

The race will start downtown by the Albany Civic Center. They will line up the runners along Front Street for the start of the race. The will be plenty of parking for you, your family, and anybody else you can talk into getting up early in the morning to watch you run. Just know that the race will finish a few blocks away from the start line.

Once the race starts the course will take an immediate left turn to head over The Flint River towards Albany State University. We will run through the campus.

Near mile two there will be a water stop.

Mile three will come as we leave ASU campus head back to Downtown Albany.

If you are going to be spectating, I recommend that you watch the start of the race and then walk the 10th of mile up Front Street and then wait there at the corner of Front Street and Oglethorpe Bvld to see the runners as the come back by.

Hilarious

2009-12-18T00:01:00.002-05:00

BTW - I'm guilty of this.

Hope everyone has a great weekend of training!

Now quit reading blogs and GO Train!

6 Years Ago Today

2009-12-17T00:01:00.001-05:00

... Sarah Jane was born!

I've learned a lot over the past 6 years. I know more Disney Princess trivia than I care to admit. I can sing to more Taylor Swift and Hannah Montana songs than I care to admit. I now know the difference between a skirt and a dress. I’ve become good a painting finger nails. I’ve also learn how to do a pony tail.

I can't wait to see what I will learn over the next 6 years!

Here is Sarah Jane’s birthday party last year. She was a cow girl.

Life Is Good!

Albany Marathon

2009-12-16T16:45:00.000-05:00

As you can see form the countdown that I’ve add to the right hand column I’ve got less that 80 days till the Albany Marathon. That is less that 12 weeks of training left for this race. I have not registered for the race yet but I plan on doing it before the price goes up on January 1st. This will be my 5th marathon and my 3rd time for me to do this race. I’m hoping to improve on last year’s time of 4 hours and 35 minutes.

Yesterday I ordered a new pair running shoes (Mizuno Men's Wave Alchemy 9). I’m hoping to get them in before Saturday morning’s 18 mile run with my running group, Albany Run Walk. The shoes I’m running in now are worn out. I’ve training / racing in them since the summer and I’m starting to get blisters all over my feet. So hopeful a new pair of shoes will get me through my the marathon.

Is It In You?

2009-12-16T07:24:00.003-05:00

I was walking down the aisle of the grocery store last week when I saw powder G2 that you can pour in a water bottle. This was the first time that I’ve seen this G2 in power form so I bought two boxes of it to try it out. I took it with me to Disney World because I didn’t want to drink water all day long. I would refill my bottle of water and add one pack of the G2 and it was so good. It tasted just like G2. I don’t know how long Gatorade has been making the powder mix but I’m so glad that I found it. I can’t wait to try it out on some of my long runs this weekend.

I Need A Vacation From My Vacation

2009-12-14T20:49:00.001-05:00

I just got back from The Wonderful World of Disney. We went to the Animal Kingdom, Hollywood Disney, Epcot, and Magic Kingdom. We had a blast while we were there. The weather in South Florida was perfect. Here are a few pictures from out trip.

Life Is Good

Going Back

2009-12-11T00:01:00.000-05:00

We are going back to Disney World! When we went last January to run the Disney Marathon we got 5 Day Park Hopper Tickets and only used 3 of the 5 days. Well, we are going back now to use the other two days.

We are so excited about our weekend trip. Last time we were there we spent most of our time in The Magic Kingdom. We are hoping to get to see more of the other parks on this trip.

The weather forecast says the high temps are going to be in the Upper 70's to lower 80's.

Life Is Good!

New York Cyclists Repaint Bike Lane

2009-12-10T07:56:00.004-05:00

The DOT in New York removed 14 blocks of bike lanes that have been in uses since 2007. This stretch of bike lanes is needed for cyclists in the area because it provided a direct route to the Williamsburg Bridge. Some local outraged cyclists in the area decided to take the bike lanes back.

Here is a video of the guys in action. At the end of the video they explain what they are doing and why they are doing it. The cyclists say that they need the bike lanes for their safety. If the city tries to remove them that they will just put them back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19oo7Ejq9WI

The Gospel According To Blaine

2009-12-09T21:27:00.009-05:00

Why does Blaine run all the time? Because he is a runner.

This is the Gospel According To Blaine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHXla3i70Zg

Running and Racing 2009

2009-12-08T06:01:00.001-05:00

Looking back 2009 was a great year of racing for me. I ran 3 marathons within 4 months. I set a PR at the Disney Marathon. I finished my first century ride. I set a PR at Ironman Augusta 70.3 (while sick). I set a PR in the 5K distance. I got several age group medals. I got to help my little girl run in her 2nd triathlon. I got ran over by a car on my bike. Then I got my first carbon framed bike. I went through several pairs of running shoes and two watches. I got to run and ride up and down the hills in Tennessee and down along the beaches in Florida.

Here is a video of me Running and Racing in 2009!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPOQiAc1cnU

Life Is Good!

All I Want For Christmas Is...

2009-12-07T09:46:00.002-05:00

... My Two Front Teeth.

Last night my little girl pull out her front tooth while watching a movie. She was so proud of herself! I guess we will be singing the song, All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth a lot this year!

Life Is Good!

Funny Stuff

2009-12-04T10:58:00.004-05:00

I saw this on Steve in a Speedo

You should check out his blog on Fridays for some funny stuff!

Life Is Good.

Running Beside The Cumberland River

2009-11-28T13:25:00.006-05:00

This week I came up to Nashville to visit my wife’s family. I’ve had a good bit of down time to train. So far this week I’ve been able to run and do some yoga.

Today I got to run with the Galloway Group that meets in Nashville. I email the director last week to find out where and when they were meeting to run. Their group was going to run 8-10 miles. I got directions but the directions could have been a lot simpler. I got lost several times in Nashville but I did find the place. Only they had started their run. So, I took off running by myself. I knew where I was because last April I had ran the Country Music Marathon. I figured the group was running part of the marathon course. I tried to catch up with them. I ran beside the Cumberland River Greenway. It is so pretty up there because there is a small path that looks over the river.

Here is some pic's of the River / Greenway.

After much running around downtown Nashville I did find the Galloway Group. I was able to run about mile with them. Today I ran for an hour and ten minutes. I figure I did about 7-8 miles. It was a great day to run with temps in the lower 40’s.

Life Is Good!

My New Workout

2009-11-23T19:13:00.002-05:00

I got to the gym bright an early. I hoped on the tread mill for a short warm up and then I headed over to the free weights to meet my new personal trainer. She told me that she talked with one of her friends who is on the Vanderbilt Triathlon Team and she got one of his workouts. It is basically three super sets that is mostly legs, back, and abs. I figured I share with you guys my new workout for the winter.

Superset 1

Weight Rack Squat – 3 x 10-12
Romanian Dead lift – 3 x 15
Hanging Knee Raises – 3 x 10-20

Superset 2

Smith Reverse Lunge 3 x 10
Smith Ball Ham Curls 3 x 15
Med Ball Twists 3 x 25
Motor Bikes 3 x 30 / 75
Shin Taps 3 x30

Superset 3

Lat Pull down 3 x 10-15
Smith Push-Ups 3 x 15
One Arm Row 3 x 10-12
Seated Delt Flyes 3 x 15 (10-5 drop set)

Today I did two sets of everything and I’m sore. But it’s a good kind of sore. My back is killing me and my legs fell like they would fell better if I could a good stretch. Hopeful I can stay consistent with this workout over the winter.

My Training Starts Tomorrow

2009-11-22T15:02:00.000-05:00

No really it does. You see last Friday night at my church they had an auction to raise money for one of the ministries. One of the items that I won was five 90 minute workouts from a personal trainer and nutritionist. I’m so excited about this because I want to go to the gym and lift but I don’t know what to do or how much to do.
I talked to my new personal trainer today and my first workout is tomorrow morning at 5:45. Yuck! But she said that she has the perfect work out for training for a marathon. I’ve also told her that I wanted to know what I need to eat when I’m at work. When you work at Zaxby’s it hard to eat right. She has says she has a plan set up for me. So, I’m curious to see what will be in store. I’m also scared that she is going to kick my butt in the gym. Yikes!

Life is Good!

Quick Update

2009-11-17T14:12:00.001-05:00

Last Saturday I ran the YMCA Chili Run. It was a great day for a race the weather was nice and cool with sunny skies. I arrived to the race about 30 minutes early to register for the 15K. I grabbed my race bib ate some fruit and gels and lined up to start the race.

My plan for the race was to do a 4 and 1 (run for four minutes and walk for one minute). I feel like any race that would take me longer than an hour to finish I would need to take walk breaks to have enough gas in the tank to finish strong at the end. The plan was to do the run/walk thing for the first 6 miles or so and then run the last 5K hard to the finish. I lined up near the middle back of the pack to start the race. This kept me for going to hard at the start. For the first few miles I would talk to some of the other racers. I’m sure this got on some peoples nerves but I want to talk so that I would go too hard.

I felt good for the first 6 miles. When I got to the last 5K of the race I skipped my walk breaks and tried to keep running at the same pace as I was before. I know that when I got to the 9 mile mark my time was 1:17:00 (if I do my math right that little over 8:30 per mile).

I wasn’t able to stick around for the awards. But via friend on facebook I was told that I got first in my age group with a time of 1:20:05. Turns out I was about 55 seconds slower than my PR from 2008. But all in all I was pretty pleased with the race and my time.

This week will be a crazy week for me at work. I’m on pace to work over 60 before Friday. Monday and Tuesday of this week both of my restaurants are having their routine inspection from corporate. I’ve also have to update my ServSafe Certification which will take two full days to do. And one of my restaurants that I manage is being remodeled so I will be up all night on Wednesday taking a part our POS system so the contracts can do their jobs. At this rate I will be able to take a longer vacation over Thanksgiving.

But this is a good problem to have. I’m very thankful for my job. Hopeful this weekend I get to rest up, run a lot, and see the Dawgs get another win.

Life Is Good!

Oh Boy!

2009-11-13T11:55:00.001-05:00

Hey Guys! I want to share with you some great news. Today I found out that my wife and I will be having a boy next spring! We are so excited!

Here are some pictures that my wife found from 6 years ago.

Life Is Good!

YMCA Holiday Chili Run

2009-11-12T08:00:00.002-05:00

This Saturday I'm planing on running the The Almost World Famous YMCA Chili Run Run. At this race they have 3 different events going on. There will be a 1 mile run fun, 5K and 15K. I plan on lacing up my running shoes to do the 15K. If you are in the Albany Area you should come out and run this event with me. The YMCA does a great job putting it on. My favorite part about this race is the fact that they serve chili afterwards. Yum! But the thing is you have to run fast because the chili is so good that there might not be any left if you run too slow.

Here is a short race report from when I ran it last year.

Here is a pre race pic from 2008

Me and Mrs. Tri Runner waiting for the race to start

Finishing Strong!

Enjoying A Bowl Of Chili

Life Is Good.

A Busy Week of Recovery

2009-11-10T00:01:00.001-05:00

Last week for me was a week of recovery. After the Boston Mini Marathon my legs were shot. I took the first part of the week off to give my body a rest. I’d been training hard for the last four weeks and I needed some time off from pounding on the pavement.

So was does a triathlete do when is recovery time? A whole lot! Last week I got my oil changed, car washed, cleaned house, got caught up on laundry, paid bills, got in some extra time in at work, played stupid Farmville on Facebook a lot, got a haircut, bought my wife a few Christmas presents, and I’m ALL done decorating the house for Christmas. Yep that’s right done. If you scroll down this blog a few posts you will see what I did to the outside to my house. Not only do I have my Christmas lights up I’ve got the tree up and decorated too. The way I see it I’ve got to do it anyway so I might as well get a head start.

So this week I’ve got nothing else to do but workout. I’ve caught up on all my family duties so I can spend more time running. I’m looking forward to getting back into the gym and lifting. It should be a good week of training.

My mantra will be, “No excuses. Train Like a Champion.”

Box O Stuff Giveaway

2009-11-09T21:43:00.004-05:00

I found another cool give away! The Daily Cadence is giving away a box of 12 Peanut Butter Clif Bar’s, 10 Clif Kids Mixed Berry Twisted Fruit Sticks and a Headsweats Supervisor. Pretty Sweet Right?!? CLICK HERE to find out more!

Link to A Giveaway

2009-11-09T21:11:00.002-05:00

Hey guys! Go checkout a new blog called Tri The Dream. While you there you can enter into a cool giveaway that is going on.

I Think I Jumped The Starting Gun

2009-11-05T19:15:00.001-05:00

If I was running I think I would have gotten a false start. Here's why.

On Tuesday I had the day off from work and had a crazy idea to hang Christmas lights on my house. I’d never done this before but for some reason I really wanted to do it this year. I talked with several guys at work and my big brother about how to do this project. I waited till my wife got off work and we went shopping. We bought little hooks that go on shingles and over 550 feet of white Christmas lights.

After dinner I climbed up on the roof and started hanging. Some of neighbors came over and talk with my wife while I was trying not to fall of the roof. Several cars rode by and hooked at me. I sure I got weird looks for hanging lights so early.

Why so early? Well, first off my wife is pregnant and who knows how long she will be feeling like decorating for Christmas. Also between now and Christmas we will be traveling and working a lot so I figure better to get it out of the way. This will be one less stress during the holiday season. Here is the finished product.

From The Road

The Front Porch

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

I told my family to enjoy it because I don't know if I will climb back on the roof to do this again next year. I didn't realize how steep my roof was.

In Running News

I've found a cool blog if you live in South Georgia or North Florida. It is called Trouble AFoot! On this blog they talk about all the places where you can run, walk, or bike. They are based out of Tallahassee and they cover everything that is within 100 miles. They have a great list of upcoming races the area.

Life Is Good!

October Totals

2009-11-03T00:01:00.001-05:00

Here is a list of things I did over the month of October:

Number of Runs - 16

Longest Run - 13.1 miles

Shortest Run - 1 mile

Number of Gels used - 6

Biked Once - 15 miles

Number of Twits - 233

Lifted Weights - 5 times

Number of Races Ran - 2

Number of Miles I ran with my daughter - 2

Number of PR's - 1

Number of Blog Post - 25

Number of Hill Workouts - 2

Number of Tempo Runs - 4

Number of sticks of deodorant used - 1

Number of Three mile runs - 10

Most Miles in one week - 23 miles

Total Miles Ran - 68

Movember

2009-11-02T14:29:00.004-05:00

What is Movember you ask? I'll let this short video explain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTuKOgHI7GA&feature=player_embedded

My friend BPMackie who has the funniest non running blog called Blogging Pantless, is raise money for that will go towards Prostate Cancer Foundation & Lance Armstrong Foundation.

For more info. you can checkout his blog by CLICKING HERE or you can help him out by CLICHKING HERE to Donate to this cause.

Boston Mini Marathon Race Report

2009-10-31T13:30:00.001-04:00

I just got back from Boston, Ga and I wanted to write a quick post about the race before the Dawgs kickoff.

I woke up late today. I was afriad that I wasn't going to get to the race in time. I couldn't find anything at the house to eat. I guess that is poor planning on my part. But I did grab a protein bar, some gels, and a Gatoride before I walked out the door.

This year it was HOT. It was 70 degress when the race started and it didn't let up from there. As soon as the sun came out it got hot fast. I imangie that not many people got PR's today because of the warm weather.

I did a 4:1 run/walk for the race. I did the run/walk for first 12 miles and I ran in the last mile. I got some strange looks from some of the other racers. I guess they have never seen a run/walker before.

I felt good before, durring, and after the race. I finished it in 1:59:10. My watch was off by 2 seconds. I bet in a few days they will have race results for the Boston Mini Marathon posted here - http://www.bostonga.com/events.htm

Life Is Good!

Halloween and Race Plans

2009-10-30T00:01:00.002-04:00

Every year we get together with a bunch of friends and go trick-or-treating and this year will be no exception. There is one neighbor here that goes all out for Halloween. They decorate their houses like it is Christmas time. It's very cool! All the parents load up their kids on trailers and golf carts and tractors and go trick-or-treating.

Here is video I made from 2007 of Sarah Jane. She was Barbie Island Princess

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgrLcM5T_Pc

In 2008 we were a Pumpkin Princess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PRMLoXyMBU

This year Sarah Jane is going as Hannah Montana. Which is fine with me but my wife and daughter have come up with the idea that I should be Robbie Ray (Hannah's Dad). Great, I get to be Mr. Ackey Breaky.

In Running News -
Saturday I will be running the Boston Half Marathon. My wife for some reason is excited about going to watch me do a two hour run. I think she had a great time last year. Turns out there is a great place for her to eat breakfast and then later in the morning the town turns into a carnival. So, it should be a fun morning of racing and spectating for everyone.

From what I've been told several people from Albany Run Walk Group will be making the drive over to do the race. So I should have some good friends to keep me company on the 13.1 mile run. I'm not looking for a PR but I don plan to run hard and see what happens. The way I've been running and feeling over the past few weeks I should get a good time.

Have a great Friday and Happy Halloween!

What Am I Training For?

2009-10-29T00:01:00.001-04:00

That’s the question I’ve been asking myself ever since I finish Augusta 70.3. I’ve got a few local races that I want to do but I’m not signed up for any real “Big” races. By the time spring rolls around and triathlon seasons picks up I will be expecting my second child. I don’t want to sign up and train for a race and not be able to do it the race. It looks like any races that would require travel would have to be mid to late summer or early fall. So I could do most of my training for triathlons next spring.

What I’m looking at doing is training for the Snickers Albany Marathon, here in town. Its winter and I plan on running and lifting weights for the next few months. I really want to get a PR at the Albany Marathon and I don’t see why I can’t. The way it see it is marathon course is flat, I’ve ran it two other times, and it’s in my hometown. I guess you could say I have home field advantage.

This month I’ve been running five times a week. I’ve been doing one long run, one hill run, one tempo run, and two easy runs. I’m also working out at the gym about three times a week. I’ve never lifted consistently in my life. I’m hoping to lift regularly all winter long.

I’ve been told that winter miles equals summer smiles!

Our Pumpkins

2009-10-28T00:01:00.001-04:00

Last night Sarah Jane's cheerleading got cancled because of the rain. So, we decided to carve pumpkins. Sarah Jane has been looking forward to this since we got the pumpkins. Here are my girls and their pumpkin

The Family

My Pumpkin

My Girls Silly Pumpkin

The Finished Product

Life Is Good

Trip To Atlanta

2009-10-27T13:15:00.001-04:00

My wife who is a photographer had a wedding to shoot last Saturday outside of Atlanta. So, on Sunday we rode over to check out the Georgia Aquarium and The World of Coke. After that we did some shopping at the Lenox Mall and ate dinner at The Cheese Cake Factory. We had a long Sunday but it was fun. Here are some pictures from the day.

We got there early enough to see them feed this HUGE Whale Sharks

Sarah Jane and the Jellyfish

My Girls and The Coke-A-Cola Bear

Sarah Jane getting a drink from a soda jerk.

There is a Glass Tunnel at The Georgia Aquarium that you walk thru and it feels like you are under the sea. Here is a short video of it that I took. There are some pretty impressive fish at the Georgia Aquarium.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-PsblbMD9M

Life Is Good!

Girl On Bike Crashes Into A Pole

2009-10-26T08:30:00.001-04:00

This is crazy! This girl on a bicycle runs right into a pole! LOL!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T74PveGEAoQ

Remember To Keep The Rubber Side Down And Have A Safe And Happy Halloween!

I'm Going To RunThe Boston Marathon!

2009-10-25T12:01:00.000-04:00

Don't get too excited just yet. On October 31 I will be running the Boston Mini Marathon in Boston, Ga. This will be my third year to run the Boston Mini Marathon. I love doing this race. The race is an out an back which I love because I know just how far I am from the finish line and who is in front or behind me. The course is pretty much flat. The start and finish line is in Downtown Boston, Ga but that is not saying much. Boston is your average small town in Georgia. Most of the race will be done on a two lane road that goes between farms and cow pastures.

WARNING: I'm Going To Tell A Gross Running Story That Happened To Me 2 Years Ago. You've Been Warned!

I got my PR for the half marathon distance at this race two years ago. My PR would had been much faster if I was a smarter runner. You see I learned a valuable lesson about not eating anything crazy the night before or morning of a race. I learned this lesson the hard way. Here's how.

You see I was craving Chinese Food the night before so I got myself a big spicy dish. Yum! Then the next morning I forgot to eat breakfast so I thought a chicken biscuit and a glass of sweet tea would hold me over till after the race. Boy was I wrong. As soon as I got to the race I was looking for the bathroom.

I thought I was good but once the race started I was in trouble again. There was only one port-o-potty on the course and it was around the 5K mark. For whatever reason I didn't see it. I made it till about mile 9 or 10 until I could hold it no longer. I didn't know what I was going to do because there was no where to go because it was all wide open cow pastures. I finally found a small wooded lot to answer the call of nature.

All my friends laugh at me when I finished the race with out my shirt on. However I did set a PR at this race and I have yet to beat that time from two years ago. But I ldid earn one thing and that is don't eat anything crazy the night before or wear two shirts.

Here is a video of me at the Boston Half Marathon last year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIzr1ATsSTc

Life Is Good!

Riverfront Run 2009 Race Report

2009-10-24T19:01:00.000-04:00

Today me and Sarah Jane ran at the Riverfront Run. I ran the 5K and she ran the 1 mile fun run. We had a blast doing. Here are just a few of the pictures from the event.

Here We Are Before the Race

This is a picture of my running club, Albany Run Walk before the race

Here is the Tri Runner Crossing the finish line with a new PR for a 5K distance. I also came in second in my age group!

Mile 1 - 6:29

Mile 2 - 14:00

Mile 3.1 - 21:04

Here is Sarah Jane and I coming up on the finish line for the 1 mile. She got a PR as well. My 5 year old ran it in 11:25! Sarah Jane is a Rock Star!

PR = Thumbs Up!

My wife took some good video from the race and a bunch of great pictures. I put it all together in a shor video. Enjoy!

Life Is Good!

We Are Excited At My House!

2009-10-23T08:45:00.000-04:00

If you didn't know my wife is awesome! My daughter has 50's day at her school today. So, last night my wife made Sarah Jane this skirt. SJ is so excited! I don't know if it is because it 50's Day, or because it's Friday, or if it because she gets out of school early today?!? I bet it is a combination of all three.

What am I getting excited about?

I'm getting excited about tomorrows race. I will be doing a local 5K race here in town called the Riverfront Run. Why am I so excited? Because after I run the 5K I'm going to do the 1 mile fun run with Sarah Jane.

The Riverfront Run is not my "A" Race and I'm not looking for a PR at this 5K (however that would be nice) but I am looking to have fun. I've been running hard and lifting hard all week so my legs are spent. I had trouble getting out of bed this morning because they were sore for yesterday's tempo run and leg workout at the gym.

My plan is to get to the race early enough to run the 5K course once very slow as a warm up. Then do the the 5K. Followed by a 1 mile fun run with my daughter. That would give me just over 7 miles for the day.

I'm also getting excited about spending time with my family this weekend. We have a lot of hanging out planned.

So, What are YOU getting excited about?

Have A Great Weekend Everybody!