2/28/12
Week 9? Wow, did I really just say that? Truly doesn't seem like I've been at this for 9 weeks now, but I suppose the previous 8 weeks have been more like routine runs. Now is where I really get out of my comfort zone and start reaching way beyond means I ever thought possible. This past Sunday I completed the longest run I ever have of 14 miles. I'm not going to lie to you, it was rough and fairly ugly.
As you know we've been lucky enough to be blessed with a very fair winter this year and for that I am very thankful. I am in no way a fan of winter and if it's below 40 degrees you're pretty much not going to find me outside, let alone running. Ironically though, this warm winter really hasn't helped out my health! The last 2 years I never even came close to catching a cold and this year I've gotten it twice already! Working through that has really taken a toll on my running results and is definitely getting frustrating. The less you're able to run and have to rest, the harder it is to get back out there when you're finally healthy enough. Motivation has definitely not been my greatest asset of late. If any of you have words of encouragement I definitely appreciate it.
March 1, marks the beginning of ET Awareness month. Check out http://www.essentialtremor.org/National-Essential-Tremor-Awareness-Month for more information and to get the awesome Shaking Up Awareness bracelets that my family and I are rocking! To coincide with ET Awareness Month I am officially beginning our fundraising campaign through crowdrise. All donations go directly to the International Essential Tremors Foundation and are tax deductible. I'm hoping that everyone will donate at least $1 per mile to the foundation. A $26 donation can go a long way to help out! Please help us spread the word and support IETF! Go to http://www.crowdrise.com/cureetf
Thanks for stopping by my blog and for your support. Pray for me on Monday, I'm shooting for a 16 mile run :-)
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Starting Week 4
Hello all!
Hope the everyone's year is going great. It's started a little rocky for me and the family, but we're making it work out. I guess we'll go ahead and get the rough parts out of the way. Last week my father suffered a mild heart attack, but strangely came out of it better. He suffered a really major one about 7 years ago that forced him to retire and be declared physically disabled. After that the doctors told him that he only had one good artery and they stinted it, so he would have to take it exceptionally easy. My father's always been the blue collar, hard worker and an incredibly active man. Coached me and my team in baseball my entire life. Anyway, last Friday he was having tight chest pains so he went ahead and went to the ER where they monitored him. Certain enzymes are secreted when going a heart attack is suffered and they were present so they sent him to a larger facility that night. Long story short, the doctors were able to stint another artery and he now has 2 working arteries! I was definitely sick with worry, but I easily count it as a blessing in disguise.
Next, my job has become increasingly demanding as of late so I've had to change up my schedule to working much more at night time and weekend times. I've always considered myself more of a night owl any way so not a huge drawback, but it totally changes up marathon training. I had been lucky enough to train with my running club, Lawton/Ft Sill Running Club, but now I'm barely able to at all. I'm definitely missing the support group that they gave me and I also hate not being able to help everyone else with their training. Basically flying solo for a good while now though, so if you're out there reading I truly appreciate your support and comments! The good news though, is that it's about week 4 of 17 of marathon training and I've been able to complete it all. Even through the strep throat epidemic at our house, schedule changes, and cold weather!
Here's the break down so far:
Week 1: 3 miles, 3 miles, 6 miles.
Week 2: 4 miles, 3 miles, 8 miles.
Week 3: 4 miles, 4 miles, 10 miles.
This week will be 4 miles, 4 miles, 12 miles. So far everything's gone really smooth due to the fact that I've easily ran these distances before. The long runs are actually the more enjoyable ones to me, the only trick is plotting a long safe course with some scenery. I've been running from my house to our neighboring town of Fletcher because there's a gas station there that is just about the turn around point. I like to stop there for water and mostly to see them look at me like I'm insane! If anyone is thinking about distance running make sure that you always pick a very safe route (Light traffic, and a big shoulder). Also always run against traffic and don't get so tuned in to your music that you lose track of your surroundings. I know that training is only going to get increasingly more difficult and taxing, but that struggle is just a drop in the bucket compared to what Essential Tremor sufferers have to endure. My wife struggles with it everyday, but it doesn't hold her back from doing anything. That to me is amazing and true endurance!
I've been in contact with the lovely people at The International Essential Tremor Foundation and we are going to beginning our Fundraising campaign soon! We're going to be encouraging everyone to Donate just $1 per mile, that's only a $26 donation! That donation will go a long way in increasing awareness and aiding them in finding a cure! Once again, thanks for all of the support! I appreciate all feedback. Join the movement at www.crowdrise.com/cureetf
Hope the everyone's year is going great. It's started a little rocky for me and the family, but we're making it work out. I guess we'll go ahead and get the rough parts out of the way. Last week my father suffered a mild heart attack, but strangely came out of it better. He suffered a really major one about 7 years ago that forced him to retire and be declared physically disabled. After that the doctors told him that he only had one good artery and they stinted it, so he would have to take it exceptionally easy. My father's always been the blue collar, hard worker and an incredibly active man. Coached me and my team in baseball my entire life. Anyway, last Friday he was having tight chest pains so he went ahead and went to the ER where they monitored him. Certain enzymes are secreted when going a heart attack is suffered and they were present so they sent him to a larger facility that night. Long story short, the doctors were able to stint another artery and he now has 2 working arteries! I was definitely sick with worry, but I easily count it as a blessing in disguise.
Next, my job has become increasingly demanding as of late so I've had to change up my schedule to working much more at night time and weekend times. I've always considered myself more of a night owl any way so not a huge drawback, but it totally changes up marathon training. I had been lucky enough to train with my running club, Lawton/Ft Sill Running Club, but now I'm barely able to at all. I'm definitely missing the support group that they gave me and I also hate not being able to help everyone else with their training. Basically flying solo for a good while now though, so if you're out there reading I truly appreciate your support and comments! The good news though, is that it's about week 4 of 17 of marathon training and I've been able to complete it all. Even through the strep throat epidemic at our house, schedule changes, and cold weather!
Here's the break down so far:
Week 1: 3 miles, 3 miles, 6 miles.
Week 2: 4 miles, 3 miles, 8 miles.
Week 3: 4 miles, 4 miles, 10 miles.
This week will be 4 miles, 4 miles, 12 miles. So far everything's gone really smooth due to the fact that I've easily ran these distances before. The long runs are actually the more enjoyable ones to me, the only trick is plotting a long safe course with some scenery. I've been running from my house to our neighboring town of Fletcher because there's a gas station there that is just about the turn around point. I like to stop there for water and mostly to see them look at me like I'm insane! If anyone is thinking about distance running make sure that you always pick a very safe route (Light traffic, and a big shoulder). Also always run against traffic and don't get so tuned in to your music that you lose track of your surroundings. I know that training is only going to get increasingly more difficult and taxing, but that struggle is just a drop in the bucket compared to what Essential Tremor sufferers have to endure. My wife struggles with it everyday, but it doesn't hold her back from doing anything. That to me is amazing and true endurance!
I've been in contact with the lovely people at The International Essential Tremor Foundation and we are going to beginning our Fundraising campaign soon! We're going to be encouraging everyone to Donate just $1 per mile, that's only a $26 donation! That donation will go a long way in increasing awareness and aiding them in finding a cure! Once again, thanks for all of the support! I appreciate all feedback. Join the movement at www.crowdrise.com/cureetf
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Happy New Year!
January 3, 2011
Hello all! I hope you had a Happy Holiday season. I know I did, but let me be the first to tell you that I am incredibly happy it's all over and life can return back to normal! Right after New Year's Eve I came down with a bit of a cold but after a couple days in bed, vitamins, and medication I'm feeling quite a bit better. Makes me think of how much better it would be if Naomi could just take a pill and feel better no problem. That's what this is all about though.
Today marks day one of marathon training! A nice and easy 3 mile run. Should help break in the new shoes I got for Christmas and brush off the holiday hangover! Thankfully I'll not only have the support of my amazing wife Naomi, but also my running club, the Lawton/Ft Sill Running Club, and the great beneficiary of it all, The International Essential Tremor Foundation. May this year be one in which we accept all challenges that come our way and overcome them with strength we never knew we had.
Monday, December 19, 2011
The Beginning 12/19
So I know it's not quite that time yet, but my official marathon training will be starting soon. I thought it might be a perfect time to start this blog and give you a little info on what it's about. I hope you enjoy reading it and hopefully we can inspire each other to increasing heights!
I'm a 27 year old marketing coordinator, runner, step-father of 3, and husband. My wife's name is Naomi and my step kids are Carlos (8), Jacob (13), and Anna (14). I married my wife, Naomi, in 2008 and it's been a journey ever since. When I first met Naomi she had told me she was diagnosed with Essential Tremors (ET), but I didn't have a clue what that meant. For those who don't know (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk. It is often confused with Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. Because of stereotypes and a lack of awareness, many people with ET never seek medical care though most would benefit from treatment. In the early stages it was barely visible. Now, after 5 years it's really started to grow and she has many bad flares of it. The fact that she's able to still be super woman without a hitch is amazing. She's a full time supervisor, mom, and wife to a high-maintenance husband!
Naomi's helped me over the years to have more self-confidence and motivates me to keep moving along. She does that now more than ever. Three years ago I weighed over 235 pounds, smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a week, and was truly unhappy with myself. Naomi never made me feel like I was anything less than great, but she also helped challenge me to be better as I challenged myself. After a year I dropped 50 pounds, quit smoking, and I was in the best shape of my entire life. Feeling like I had a new lease on life, I took up competitive running to stay in shape.
The year of 2011 I set a goal to run my first half marathon. I was completely new to competitive running so I had the fun experience of learning everything the hard way. I start in January thinking that it would be just as easy as putting on some shoes and heading out the door. After 3 weeks, I injured my peroneal tendon and couldn't run for 2 months haha! Naomi and I still went to the race that I had targeted as my first any way and volunteered. It was the Rock n Roll Dallas Half Marathon which benefits breast cancer. That day I absolutely fell in love with running. The spirit of pushing yourself to do things you never thought you could can't be beat.
In April 2011 I took what I learned from the race and all the information I could find from Runner's World and began my training all over again. I ran my first 5k at the Redbud Classic, then my first 10K in June, and finally I began the training for my first half-marathon in the blistering summer heat. October 16, 2011 I ran the Spirit of Survival Half Marathon and finished it at 1:42:43. It was the greatest goal to accomplish and easily began an addiction, but I once again injured my tendon. This time not as severe though and I knew exactly what went wrong. I'm great at learning the hard way. In November I decided to run my second half-marathon at the Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, but this time just for fun. I ran it in 1:55:20, injury free, and feeling great. Mission accomplished, and another New Year's Resolution completed.
Now, what it all leads up to, the infamous question, "Where do we go from here?" If you ask me there's no way to go but up and there's no other person that inspires me or makes me happier than my wife Naomi. Seeing the pain and struggle that she has no choice but to deal with everyday pushes me. ET is truly a debilitating disease. It sucks the life out of Naomi sometimes, and yet barely any one has even heard of it and there is NO proven treatment. As you'll learn I'm definitely one to just sit back and hope for things, I'm a go-getter. I want to do anything and everything I can to help cure this disease. That's what this is all about. I'll be honest with you, running a full marathon (26.2 miles) scares the mess out of me. The training alone is tough and staying injury-free is essential. Am I positive that I'll be able to do it? Not exactly, but I'm going to give it all I've got. I've got people counting on me and we've got work to do. Let's knock this disease out, one step at a time.
I'm a 27 year old marketing coordinator, runner, step-father of 3, and husband. My wife's name is Naomi and my step kids are Carlos (8), Jacob (13), and Anna (14). I married my wife, Naomi, in 2008 and it's been a journey ever since. When I first met Naomi she had told me she was diagnosed with Essential Tremors (ET), but I didn't have a clue what that meant. For those who don't know (ET) is a progressive neurological condition that causes a rhythmic trembling of the hands, head, voice, legs or trunk. It is often confused with Parkinson’s disease and dystonia. Because of stereotypes and a lack of awareness, many people with ET never seek medical care though most would benefit from treatment. In the early stages it was barely visible. Now, after 5 years it's really started to grow and she has many bad flares of it. The fact that she's able to still be super woman without a hitch is amazing. She's a full time supervisor, mom, and wife to a high-maintenance husband!
Naomi's helped me over the years to have more self-confidence and motivates me to keep moving along. She does that now more than ever. Three years ago I weighed over 235 pounds, smoked at least a pack of cigarettes a week, and was truly unhappy with myself. Naomi never made me feel like I was anything less than great, but she also helped challenge me to be better as I challenged myself. After a year I dropped 50 pounds, quit smoking, and I was in the best shape of my entire life. Feeling like I had a new lease on life, I took up competitive running to stay in shape.
The year of 2011 I set a goal to run my first half marathon. I was completely new to competitive running so I had the fun experience of learning everything the hard way. I start in January thinking that it would be just as easy as putting on some shoes and heading out the door. After 3 weeks, I injured my peroneal tendon and couldn't run for 2 months haha! Naomi and I still went to the race that I had targeted as my first any way and volunteered. It was the Rock n Roll Dallas Half Marathon which benefits breast cancer. That day I absolutely fell in love with running. The spirit of pushing yourself to do things you never thought you could can't be beat.
In April 2011 I took what I learned from the race and all the information I could find from Runner's World and began my training all over again. I ran my first 5k at the Redbud Classic, then my first 10K in June, and finally I began the training for my first half-marathon in the blistering summer heat. October 16, 2011 I ran the Spirit of Survival Half Marathon and finished it at 1:42:43. It was the greatest goal to accomplish and easily began an addiction, but I once again injured my tendon. This time not as severe though and I knew exactly what went wrong. I'm great at learning the hard way. In November I decided to run my second half-marathon at the Route 66 Marathon in Tulsa, but this time just for fun. I ran it in 1:55:20, injury free, and feeling great. Mission accomplished, and another New Year's Resolution completed.
Now, what it all leads up to, the infamous question, "Where do we go from here?" If you ask me there's no way to go but up and there's no other person that inspires me or makes me happier than my wife Naomi. Seeing the pain and struggle that she has no choice but to deal with everyday pushes me. ET is truly a debilitating disease. It sucks the life out of Naomi sometimes, and yet barely any one has even heard of it and there is NO proven treatment. As you'll learn I'm definitely one to just sit back and hope for things, I'm a go-getter. I want to do anything and everything I can to help cure this disease. That's what this is all about. I'll be honest with you, running a full marathon (26.2 miles) scares the mess out of me. The training alone is tough and staying injury-free is essential. Am I positive that I'll be able to do it? Not exactly, but I'm going to give it all I've got. I've got people counting on me and we've got work to do. Let's knock this disease out, one step at a time.
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