Run For Tony 5K

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Who is Tony?

This article will give you the incite of who Tony is. To be honest with you I had to read it myself because I had not known either. The quick version is Tony broke his neck when he was 11 years old playing with his friends. He is in a wheel chair but has dreams of walking some day. Here is a quote from him from the article-

"I believe when you stop setting goals/dreams for yourself you're close to death," said Tassogloy. "I'm not a quitter, never have, never will."

About the Race.

I had not pre-registered for the race so wanted to get to the race early enough to get a shirt. Yes I do love the shirts. Maybe not as much as this guy, but close. Mission accomplished I got my shirt but had about an hour to wait before the race. Being that it was hot out I went to my car put on the air and listened to my radio. Put my bib on and drank water. Got out of the car about 6:30 to use the port-a-potty and proceeded to look my keys in my car. Was not too worried as plenty of Haddon Heights finest around that I would just ask one of them to help me after the race. And when you think about it I didn't really have any where to put my keys so it might have been the best move of the night for me.

Watched the kids run the one mile race and laughed to myself knowing that I could not beat these kids in a one mile race. I think the girl who won finished in about 6:30 or so and she didn't look older than 9.

Well headed to the starting line and ran into D and her husband B and talked to them for a few minutes. I know D from HERE, funny thing is we live about a mile apart and met on a forum with people from all over the world. I run into her and her DH on the bike path once in a while. Both are way too fast for me to actually run WITH them.

I went to the back of the pack and saw a guy that runs in the Thursday night races. So we went off together and chatted for the first mile. We had to do a lot of dodging as in most races people just love to start where they shouldn't. After the first mile I felt that he was holding back (he usually finishes 3 minutes ahead of me on Thursday) so I told him to go and not to worry about me. Well he was gone.

Nice run through a nice town, pretty un eventful actually. Saw a few people from TT, some running and some cheering. Talked to a few of the TT guys after the race. Very nice people and I look forward to seeing more of this group next year.

Came in at 28:34 clock time (no chip) but 28:16 on Garmin which I did turn on and off correctly. So I will go with the 28:16 for the side bar if that is OK with everyone.

I finished 411 out of 606.

After the race a nice officer assisted me with the door lock and I got my key changed my shirt and went back to have some pasta and a beer with D and B. We listened for the results, clapped and home I went. Kids were sleeping so I didn't get the "daddy did you win the race?" from them like I do on Thursday nights.

Tonight I will do the Browning Ross Summer Sizzler 5K finale. Will take it slow (I say that now). But that pain in the foot I spoke of from Sunday, well didn't feel a thing yesterday.

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Just Things.

The guy in this picture looks familiar.

http://teamraceathlete.weebly.com/join.html

Why it is none other than Mr. Bigun. Things you find on the internet. Great job Marc on your great finish in the windy city.

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I did a "not so" recovery run on Sunday and felt a little pain on the top of my right foot. I felt it at mile 2.25, and since I was doing an out and back I went to 2.5 and started back. I was able to keep running but when I got home and stopped that is when it hurt more. Well two days later the pain is not there so I plan on doing my TWO weekday races this week.

1st is the Run for Tony it is a 5K and is for a great cause and it ends at a bar with free food and drinks. This race is Wednesday at 7pm (resting the foot until this race).

2nd will be the next day when my Browning Ross Summer Sizzle 5K race series comes to a close. This race has helped me tremendously this year as I don't do formal speed training so this race on Thursday nights kind of acts as my speed work. Apparently they pick the race up in Dec/Jan on Sunday afternoon's. I plan on being there. Depending on how my leg feels I will most likely take this race very easy. I may be DFL but that would be fine. It is the last one so I don't want to miss it. And apparently Ringo is going to have a nice spread and give out special awards (I don't plan on winning any).

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Reading a lot of IM race reports on many different blogs and forums really gets you motivated. My hats off to all you who have made the commitment to complete this distance. You know at this point in my life I can't ever imagine doing that distance, hell I haven't even done my first sprint yet. But reading the others really gets a guy thinking, "you never know".

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Please do your self a favor and read this blog. I would start from 8/27/2007 "Spanked by Kentucky". You will be happy you did.

Also you may want to check out her husbands blog, he wrote this the night before the Ironman.

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States I have visited (well have at least been in).



create your own visited states map

This is compliments of Pat, check out his great blog.

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Heat was OK, Humidity sucked

I did run 13.25 miles in about 2:20:40 this morning and am living to tell about it. But I am running (driving) to my fantasy football draft and will have to post about this run later.
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Long version (bunch of rambling if you ask me).

OK it is 24 hours later but since my legs still feel like I ran 2 hours ago I guess I can still write about the run. Well like most of my runs lately I have been doing a great job of preparing well for them. So Friday I ate well and hydrated. I knew I was going out pretty early Saturday to get this done.

I woke up at about 6:15 and made my oatmeal and had a banana. I filled up a 32 oz gatorade bottle and started to drink it. Got ready and took care of some "personal" business so not to have troubles out on the run. Finished the water and was out the door. Garmin was working, had two episodes of Steve Runners Podcast to listen to, and had my 4 bottle belt on. I was ready to go. Oh I also was trying something for the first time in that I was taking Cliff Shots Blocks with me. I have never taken anything to eat while running but now that I am getting up there in miles I thought I should try something.

So out I went. Felt good and did a 10:18 first mile. Knowing I was going 13+ miles I wanted to slow it down a little. Did a 10:51 2nd mile. And at this point I realized just how humid it was already. Wow I was dripping wet and took a minute walk to drink my first bottle of Gatorade. Plan was to drink after 3 miles but I think it was about mile 2.40 that I drank it. OK I don't think I need to be this technical on a run report. Well after that I felt better but it was humid.

Mile 3 - 11:12 (with a walk)
Mile 4 - 10:37
Mile 5 - 10:45
Mile 6 - 10:17

Between Mile 6 and 7 I had my Cliff Shots and another bottle of Gatorade. For the record I liked them and will buy more (I had 1/2 the bag).

Mile 7 - 10:38
Mile 8 - 10:31
Mile 9 - 10:21

At this point the humidity was becoming a factor. I could not believe how much sweat was on me. I took another minute walk to have more Gatorade.

Mile 10 - 11:12
Mile 11 - 11:11 - Drank last bottle while running.
Mile 12 - 11:13 -
Mile 13 - 10:29 - Picked it up becasue I knew it was almost over.
Last .25 - 2:15 - I am happy this is over.

This run really pushed me. No joke that I looked like I jumped in pool with how wet my clothes were. I am happy that I completed it. Now I just hope Sept 16 it is less humid for the Philly Distance Run.

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Browning Ross Summer Sizzler 5K

Well with only two weeks left, including tonight, in my Summer Sizzler Series I wanted to go all out tonight. Knowing that next Thursday, the last week, I will be doing a 5K race Wednesday night (Run for Tony) also.

Pre Race

Felt real good, I ate well all day and was very hydrated for the race. I ran 8.5 miles Tuesday and took last night off so I was ready to go. This is the first year I am doing these races but have heard that as it gets near the end the turn out gets greater. Apparently a lot of the local HS cross county teams come to get in a work out. So I pull in the parking lot with about 10 minutes before the race starts and it is packed. Looks like over 50 runners, and unlike when it is all adults running there are no cheering sections. But with the HS kids you got the parents and siblings that come to watch. Hey the more the merrier.

I pay my $5.00 and say hello to a few of the guys I have come to know over the last two months. And soon we are lining up for the start. I go to the back as I always do, and have my eye on a guy that always beats me. He can beat me by as little as :10 seconds or as much as a 1:30, so my plan was to pace with him for the race.

The Race

We are off and the guy I was going to pace decides that he is not going out strong. Well I felt good so I went out with out him. Was running good passed a few people but for the most part the pack was well ahead of me after ¼ mile (I will get to that later). I was pretty much by myself from ½ mile to 2.10 miles. Then I felt a guy coming up on me and passed me pretty easy. And at this point we got a mile to go and I look back and I am clear no one that I can see.

I am getting ahead of myself here. I get to the one mile mark in 8:49 that is a very good mile for me. Then the 2^nd mile is 8:54, very good for me to do two sub 9 minutes consecutively. So I am feeling good and know I am close to a PR pace for me. I keep going strong and finish at 27:37. Missed a PR by :04, but I am cool with that. I was very happy with my race tonight.

Post Race

When you cross the finish line you are handed a card that you write your name, age, and time on. Then you put it in a box and they calculate the results (I told you it is $5.00 so it works for me). But the cards are numbered by what place you come in. Mine had number 60 on it. I asked Ringo (race director) how many people were in the race tonight and he tells me 65. Now I know I am not fast but 27:37 and I am only 60 out of 65, there are some fast men and women in this race.

Ringo brought out fresh peaches for everyone and gave out the awards. Happy to say that I was 3^rd in my age group (30-39). And yes there were 3 in my age group.

Will post the official results when they are updated.

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I need to post more

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Friday

Kids had Karate and ordered Chinese food for dinner. So I wanted to run Friday night but after dinner that desire quickly faded.

Saturday

I got out at about 7am in some of the best running weather I can remember. It was so nice I didn't want to stop. Due to time (Kim was testing a Kid that morning) I logged about 8.15 miles in 1:22:57 for a 10:10 mile pace. Showered and took the kids to Story Book Land while Kim worked. We went to Famous Dave's for lunch. This is where my weekend eating went wrong. Oh wait I already mentioned the Chinese Food didn't I? So this is where my weekend eating continued to be bad. Hey I ran 8 miles I can eat what ever I want... At least that is how I think sometimes.

Sunday

Was to be a long day with many hours in the car. Kim and I went to Crestmont Country Club for a function for her family. Had a great time but we were out of the house for the whole day with traveling and dropping kids off and picking them up. And having to have someone come let the dogs out. Again wanted to run that night but decided to stay dry and not run in the rain.

For the week I am happy to say I was back over the 20 mile mark and back on pace for 1000 miles this year.

Monday

Rain all day and night. No running AGAIN (hey don't I have a membership to a gym with treadmills?).

Tuesday

So Monday night we had to call an audible at the line. See we had planned (and when I say we, I mean Kim) that we were going to take the kids to Dorney Park on Tuesday. Well with more rain in the forecast we needed an indoor activity, so we decided to take a trip to Baltimore and do the National Aquarium. We hit some rain on the way down but later in the day it cleared up for the most part. Kids had a blast and I think we will try to go back early November and stay a few nights in Baltimore.

Happy to say I did get out for a run Tuesday night. I logged 8.5 miles in 1:25:30 for a 10:04 per mile pace.

I uploaded more family pictures if you care to see. You can actually get a look at Kim in some of them. http://www.kodakgallery.com/obrats

Here is one from the Cruise. We were celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary.



Boy am I a lucky guy.....

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Only 2 Thursday evening races left after tonight.

Well back to logging my workouts. I think this will be the first week in the last four weeks that I go over 20 miles running for the week. With my first 1/2 marathon quickly approaching I need to get back to taking long runs and build my base back up. I am going to run the Philadelphia Distance Run on September 16th. I have completed this distance a month or two ago (I just checked and it was 6/24) but have only one run over 10 miles since that run. But like I said I am back this week.

Monday - I ran 5.25 miles at about a 10 minute pace, this was the day after my race. Just wanted to get some recovery miles.

Tuesday - I ran 3.75 miles at about 9:30 pace, I did stop for about 2 minutes to pet a St. Bernard.

Wednesday - I went to my first meeting with Team Triumph. I may be wrong but I think this is the first time I am mentioning TT. They are a local Triathlon Team that I actually joined the week of my Duathlon back in May. I have "lurked" on their message board but I have not made any group workouts or meeting until last night. They were a very nice group of people and I hope to become more involved with them next season. Because ultimately Tri's are the direction I am heading. I will still do plenty of running events but I want to be a Triathlete someday.

Thursday - I went to my normal Thursday night race. No real goal time tonight just doing it as a workout. I managed a 29:03 but was about 31 out of 34 (something like that). There were a whole lot of High School X-County runners there tonight. I did get 2nd in my age group (you don't have to ask) and my prize was a 32oz Gatorade. Official results are now posted.

So here is the bad news. I had made my big announcement a week or so ago that I was going to do my first Tri this Sunday. Well ,as I often do, I forgot that Kim told me that we have a family function way up in North Jersey that day. So I will have to look for another one. I WILL DO A SPRINT TRI THIS SEASON. I looked and there are still a few to choice from and even if I have to go to Delaware there are a few.

That is all for now.

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HOLY COW!!!

This will not be fitness or diet related at all.

Just heard the news that "The Scooter" Phil Rizzuto has left us. I know to most of you, you probabaly have no idea who or what the scooter is. To a 38 (almost 39) year old guy that grew up in the shadow's of New York City and a NY Yankee fan he was and to me still is the Voice of the Yankees. I grew up watching every Yankee game and Phil was the voice I heard.

As George Steinbrener said today "I guess heaven must have needed a shortstop,". Phil was 89 years old and lived a great life but it is always sad to see a ex Yankee great pass.

The Scooter was the type of announcer that if he was announcing for your team you loved him but if you didn't like the Yankees you hated him. A true homer he was. Spent 7 decades involved with the Yankee organization.

Below was taken from Wikipedia....

Miscellaneous facts

Yogi Berra on hearing teammate Joe DiMaggio was to marry Marilyn Monroe: "I don't know if it's good for baseball, but it sure beats the hell out of rooming with Phil Rizzuto."

Rizzuto was the first ever mystery guest on the classic panel show What's My Line in 1950.

Rizzuto led all Yankees and Cardinals hitters with 8 hits and a .381 average in the 1942 World Series.

Rizzuto played alongside Bobby Brown and announced alongside Bill White; Brown and White would later serve concurrently as presidents of the American and National Leagues, respectively, between 1989 and 1994.

As an announcer, Rizzuto devised the unique scoring notation "WW" for his scorecard; it stands for "Wasn't Watching."

Was the MVP of the 1951 World Series, in spite of the play where pugnacious Giants second baseman Eddie Stanky sparked a rally by kicking the ball out of Rizzuto's glove on a tag play.

Rizzuto batted .320 with 8 hits in the series.

Rizzuto's name is mentioned in the 1995 Adam Sandler movie Billy Madison, when Sandler's character is attempting to write "Rizzuto" on a chalkboard in cursive, and is unable to properly write the lower-case z's.

The Seinfeld episode "The Pothole" features a Phil Rizzuto key chain that says "Holy Cow!" whenever you squeeze his head. George promptly loses it when it is buried under asphalt in a pothole. Kramer, upon seeing it (unburied), proclaims it a "talking Nixon."

Rizzuto decided to auction off his Most Valuable Player Award from the 1950 season on September 13, 2006, after he determined he could not figure out which of his children to will the special item to. The MVP award fetched $175,000. Three of Phil's World Series rings went for $84,825, and a Yankee cap with a wad of chewing gum on it went for $8,190.

Known throughout the baseball world as one of the most giving former athletes, the vast majority of the proceeds went to Phil's long-time favorite charity, the St. Joseph's School for the Blind located in Jersey City, New Jersey.[8]

This is the school that Rizzuto routinely mentioned during WPIX broadcasts of Yankee games over the years, where his friend since 1951, Ed Lucas, attended.[7]

Credits former teammate and Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio with introducing him to his wife of over fifty years, Cora.

Former Pro Wrestler turned author Mick Foley wrote a baseball themed novel entitled "Scooter" in which the main character Scooter Reilly is named after Rizzuto.

In an article in 1976 in Esquire magazine, sportswriter Harry Stein published an "All Time All-Star Argument Starter," consisting of five ethnic baseball teams. Rizzuto was the shortstop on Stein's Italian team.

The minor league team, Staten Island Yankees named their mascot Scooter "the holy" Cow, after Rizzuto.

In the movie, Sea of Love (1989), Al Pacino plays a police detective who, in the film's opening scene, goes undercover as Phil Rizzuto to bust wanted felons. The police organize a New York Yankees rally that's really an undercover sting operation...and mail "invitations" to dozens of wanted felons who show up thinking it's a meet and greet breakfast with their favorite Yankee players. Before the bad news is revealed, Pacino is serving orange juice to all the felons, wearing a Yankees windbreaker. One of the felons asks Pacino when the Yankees arrive and he responds with, "What...you don't recognize me?" When the felon doesn't, Pacino answers with, "Holy Cow!" And the felon smiles broadly in recognition, "Yeah, yeah...that IS you!" obviously referring to Rizzuto.

Rizzuto's 1953 Topps baseball card read in part: "Ty Cobb named the "Scooter" as one of the few modern ball players who could hold his own among old timers"

Rest in Peace Scooter, Rest in Peace...

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Batsto Village Pig Iron 5K

Pre

I know it was only a 5K but like I said before I really wanted to go for a PR on this race since it was my one year anniversary race. That being said I did my best to really eat good all day Saturday. OK so I had a piece of cheesecake Saturday night, company brought it over and it would have been rude of me to not have a piece. I made sure I was well hydrated with water and Cytomax also. So I went to bed feeling like I did all I could with regards to eating and drinking pre race.

Woke up at a nice time Sunday Morning and had a bowl of Oatmeal and some water. Got ready for the race and got the family packed in the mini van and off we went. I had everything I needed for the race so all was great at this point. The only thing I did forget was I wanted to bring a banana and eat in the car on the way over. Oh well one banana would not get in my way of a PR.

Got my number and signed the kids up for the kid races and got there bibs on as well. In no time it was time for the National Anthem and we walked about 1/8 of a mile to the start. Lined up and off we went. This is not a heavily publicized race and last year was the first time they had it. Last year there were about 190 people and this year there were about 225 or so.

Race

I went off real well and was in a good zone. It is slightly up hill to start followed by a very nice downhill. The only problem with this downhill is knowing in about 2.25 miles I will start to come up it. Very uneventful run just felt good. Got to the turnaround and I was at about 14 minutes. This was a great time for me but knowing the hill was going to be there soon I was not thinking PR any more. Got to the hill and pushed up it passing a few people who stopped to walk the hill. I was running with a lady the last ½ mile and we both did a great job of pushing each other. She crossed the line right before me and yelled out “that’s a PR”. I look at the clock and say “not for me”.

I was not at all upset with this as I know this is a good course and it was hot and humid (yeah the excuses’ come out now). I can honestly say I gave all I had on this race. I crossed in 28:00 (clock said) there were no chips and the official time on the website said 28:10. What ever I will take it. Last year when I did this race I did 32:13 so I did better by 4 minutes. In case you are wondering my PR is 27:33 (on a very flat course).

Post

I have to tell you for a small race they had the best post race food and beverages. And they had plenty of it. Tons of door prizes that they picked at random (I did not win anything). Kids got to race and play games. The family had a great time and I hope to do this race every year.
Also got to talk to a few guys that do the Thursday night series with me.

Here are the official results. I am number 131.

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This, That, and the other Thing

1. Vacation - we had a great time on vacation. I will not bore you with all the details (your welcome). But we took a Carnival Cruise from NYC to St. John (Canada). Kim and I have cruised together before kids but this was the kids first cruise. They really enjoyed it but last year we went to Disney so to them Disney was much better. I ate a lot, which I knew I would. I gained about 8-10 pounds and came back at 234. Have since seen that come down to 227 (this morning). So I am getting back to the 220-225 range. Would really like to come into next year race season at 200-205. Yes I am staying a Clydesdale for sure (I love food to much to think I will ever be 180-190 pounds). And our dog/house sitter worked out good (not great but good). And on a positive I did manage to run 2 times on the treadmill on the ship. Did 3 miles both times just under a 10 min pace.

2. Race Anniversary - Yes this weekend is my one year race anniversary. I did the Batsto Village 5K last year. It was a small race that I thought I would come in at about 34-35 minutes but did manage to do a 32:13. The cool thing about this race is that last year not only was it my first race it was the first year they had the race. So I have to do this every year now. It is an out and back and I remember from last year this big down hill at the start. And knowing that we had to climb that hill to finish. I am hoping for 27:30 this year, so we will see how that goes.

3. Thursday Night 5K - Did my Browning Ross Summer Sizzler 5K last night. Was not going to push hard on this run as I know I want to go for a PR on Sunday. It was the biggest turnout that I have seen for this race. Looks like a lot of High School Cross Country kids are starting to show up. So I start at the back and just do a nice slow pace. Ended up 29:40 so hit my only goal that I set which was under 30:00.

4. Bike Fitting - The fiting itself was not bad but I walked out of the store thinking I just got sold big time. I knew I needed all this stuff but man did I really need $170.00 shoes and $44.00 insoles for the shoes? The other stuff was not that bad but the shoes and the insoles left a bad taste in my mouth and my wallet.

5. Triathlon - Against many of people telling me different I am entering my first Triathlon. Yes I know I have not swam but you know what? I am stupid and I do stupid things. That is not going to change at the age of 38. I am going to do the Tuckahoe Triathlon on August 19th. Obviously this is a sprint tri and to be honest the shortest distance's I could find for a tri. the swim is 1/4 mile, bike is 12 miles and the run is only 2 miles. So there I said it I am gonig to do this. I am a firm beleiver of the saying "That which does not kill me, makes me stronger". Well we will see about that.

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Tagged

I've been tagged by J-Wim and Jeff, so here goes. (I am stealing Jeff’s format). This is the best I can remember. I drank a lot of beer in my late teens and early twenties. Killed many a brain cell.

Job's I've Held:

High School:

• Denny’s Dishwasher / Then Cook
• Fashion Bug Stock Boy
• Swept floors at a local warehouse.

College Years:

• UPS Unloading Trucks
• PPG Working in the Warehouse (Paint Area)

Real Life:

• Revlon - Accounting
• Coty Inc - Accounting
• Charles Schwab – Customer Service
• Charles Schwab – Investment Consultant after getting my series 7, 63, and 66.
• TD Waterhouse – Investments Consultant
• Small Family Owned Financial Planner – Run the back office (current job)

Movies I can watch over and over:

• Field of Dreams
• Forest Gump
• Rudy
• Hoosiers
• The list goes on. I have a “Movie Room” in the basement with 92 inch TV and 400 DVD player that is pretty full.

My Guilty Pleasures:

• The “Movie Room”
• Sirius – Yes I got it for Howard Stern
• Kim’s baking (yes she bakes too much)
• Coffee – I drink Monday thru Friday at work. Never on the weekends.
• Late night eating

Places I Have Lived:

• Jersey City NJ
• Old Bridge NJ
• Winslow NJ
• Williamstown NJ (Current)

Shows I Enjoy: (I watch way too much TV) (I DVR most)

• Lost
• Big Brother
• American Idol
• MLB extra innings so I can watch the Yankees
• Survivor
• 20/20, Dateline, 60 minutes, 48 hours. (this is how I know I am getting old
• Dave Letterman (DVR and only watch the opening monologue)
• Hell's Kitchen
• The Biggest Loser
• Baseball Tonight (sometimes)

Places I've Been on Vacation (longer than a weekend):

• Ocean City, MD
• Wildwood NJ
• Seaside NJ
• Aruba
• Vegas
• Disney (FL)
• South Bend (ND Football)
• Knoxville TN (U of TN Football)
• Various Cruises

Favorite Foods:

• Anything but Seafood
• I eat a lot of grilled chicken now
• Green Giant vegetables in a bag
• Smoothies (I make)
• I am on an Oatmeal kick.
• Lean Roast Beef

Websites I Visit Daily:

• Blogs to the Left
• Many More Blogs that are not on the left yet.
• Runner's World Forums
• Calorie King – Not as much as I used to.
• CBS Sportsline
• Google (I am a shareholder)

Awards I Have Won:

• How sad – Nothing comes to mind.

Nicknames:

• Dan- O
• Dan the Man
• Hun – Only from Kim
• Br’er – Family name I got as a baby that has stuck

Tag: You're It -- Your public awaits:

• Shump (Brad)
• Vanilla
• Collin
• Renae
  

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Vacation

Tuesday night was another 3.25 mile run at about a 9:20 pace. So, I am happy to say that I have passed last week total miles run already.

So as for the picture above. We leave for vacation tomorrow morning. We will be on a Carnival Cruise headed to Canada for a few days. This will be the kids first cruise and they are very excited to go. We have a house/dog sitter so are happy that our other two girls will be in good hands. We will be home Monday afternoon so will have the rest of Monday to unwind and back to work on Tuesday.

As for Monday I did set up my bike fitting so I will have something to look forward to making the 2 hour drive back from NYC on Monday.

I will try to do minimal damage to my 110 pound weight loss. But I do plan on enjoying my meals while on vacation. I WILL TRY TO RUN ON VACATION AS WELL. If I tell myself that enough I might just do it. Now that Kim is running also I think it will be easier having someone else motivating me.

Also would like to mention that tomorrow is Kim and my 10 year wedding anniversary. You have seen my present (it is below a few posts). I was hoping to take a picture of hers to post as well. In case I don't I got her a diamond anniversary band that I think she liked. Yes I gave it to her already: 1. because I wanted to be sure it fit for the cruise and 2. I just can't keep a gift once I buy it.

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