Mid September

Yesterday was my longest run since 2002 at 24 miles. I am still on track with the F.I.R.S.T. training program and each run is being run at the recommended distance and speed/time. Last weekend I ran the Ridge Run 1/2 Marathon in Ridgefield and for the third month in a row ran a 1/2 Marathon in a time of 1:47. This was incredibly hilly from mile 7 to 12 and was far worse than the Lacamas Lake 1/2 Marathon. It was a smallish field at about 65 and I came in 8th overall but fifth in age group as the 40-49 year olds dominated the race.

Denise has been suffering from pain in her foot. She saw Ivan at Meridian Therapeutics this week for accupuncture and then Gary Chiotti at Broadway Foot Clinic. She was diagnosed with fairly severe tendinitis and Gary taped her foot and put in an arch support as well. He said it is ok for her to run but that it will not really heal until she takes 3 to 4 weeks off. With 5 weeks to the Marathon this isn't going to happen until it is finished. Denise ran 10 yesterday and 10 the week before and was mostly pain free during the run but it hurt considerably after. Please be in prayer for healing for her foot and that the pain goes away as we enter the homestretch.

We have received a few more pledges but really need to hit it hard these last 5 weeks. Last night I was at a benefit for the Ray Hickey Hopsice House and had a great time playing bar tender for the first time ever. The event was very well run and they raised a lot of money for an important cause and everyone had a great time.

Labor Day Weekend

It is raining like mid-February but at least it is warm. I just finished a 20 mile run in a PR of 2:47. This week I had one of my best track workouts with PRs at 1 mile (6:23); 2 mile (13:25) and 800 meters (2:54) and had a tempo day that was ok at best (shouldn't have had drinks with dinner the night before - bad planning).

Denise is currently out running her longest run ever - 16 miles - and it will be interesting how it goes with this nasty rain. She has been having a little bit of foot pain this week and it appears it is from a new pair of shoes. She wore her old shoes all day yesterday and was pain free this morning so I hope it goes well.

Last weekend I ran 18 and Denise ran 12. Today's run also marked a milestone as I went over 1,000 miles for the year with a total of 1002. Denise's run today will mark a milestone for her as well as she will go over 500 miles for the year!

The training for both of us is going very well and we couldn't be more please with the F.I.R.S.T. program. We did find out yesterday that both Paul Bate and Curt Frazier are not going to make the trip to DC after all. They were the ones that encouraged us to go so we are pleased for that but will miss them.

Finally, the boys started kindergarten this week and it was a milestone of a different variety. How did they ever get to be so grown up so quickly. Boy do we love them and who they are growing into. Have a great Labor Day weekend!