Kevin Career Grand Slam Finally Completed

Golf has its version of a grand slam where a golfer can win the four different major tournaments over their career and complete a career grand slam. Well, I completed my version of runnings career grand slam. Those are 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon.

They are:
5k, July 4, 1996 (18:40)
10k, November 11, 2017 (58:04)
Half Marathon: November 4, 2017 (2:07:47)
Marathon: October 5, 1996 (3:45:12)

Funny how far apart they are spaced (1996 - 2017) and that the shortest and the longest were run in the same year. Now I can just run for fun and health.

Just wanted to get that career grand slam posted while I was thinking of it. Until next time, and who knows when that will be, happy trails to you.

Done!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wow. I did it!!! All of these months of preparation, long run Saturday mornings, enduring the brutal summer heat, and rattle snakes.

Yesterday, November 4, 2017, I ran the Snow Canyon Half Marathon and finished it. You may recall in my previous post I was hoping to run sub 2 hours and if not, at least sub 2:10:00. I didn't go sub 2 hours, but I did run a 2:07:47. I was so happy when I hit the finish line. Yes, there were a few times during the run I thought I should just mail it in and walk the rest of the way. Yes, there were a few hills in the last couple of miles that I did walk up...but once I hit the top I continued my run. Anyway, I survived it and am a better person (down 37 pounds and accomplished several other mental toughness goals) because of the process. Attached are a few pictures of the race activities.

Oh ya, and I am very sore and exhausted today. Now the key aspect comes into play. Do I go back to being a couch potato or do I stay active? I do know that anything over a 10k is off the table for sure. I do want to continue running... 2 - 4 miles four or five times a week and incorporate biking and strength training in with it. Just to be able to maintain a level of fitness and slimness that I have gotten to. That sounds (based on the past three months of training) relative easy to do.

Thank you for bearing with me this past year. I have enjoyed capturing this journey...I hope you enjoyed reading about it. Until next time...happy trails to you!!!!!!!

Almost There...

Well, I pounded out a 12 mile run today, and lived to tell about it :)

I have come a long way since those walk/run days back in January...35 pounds ago. I feel so good now. The big test will be in two weeks when the Snow Canyon Half Marathon will take place. I think I am in good position (Knock on wood) to meet or exceed my goal. That goal is to run 2:10:00 or better and even possibly under 2 hours. I know, that is two goals. But hey, they are goals. The last time I ran a half marathon was back in 2012. I ran it in 2:27:13. So five years later, if I shave 17 minutes or 27 minutes off that time, not to shabby. By the way, back in 1996 I ran a full marathon in 3:45:12.

So we will see, in a couple of weeks, if those goals can be achieved. I have put in the preparation. Now the opportunity is coming. Does this sound like the definition of success? I hope so. Between now and the race, we will be cramming in a trip to Southern California with Kennie and Tracee. I hope to get some beach running in.

This is probably the last post until the next one. Haha. I thought that was funny. It will be the last one until after the race. Until then, happy trails to you.

Slugging Along

Yep! I'm still slugging along trying to prepare for the upcoming half marathon in four weeks. The last two weeks of training have been bad, yet fun. Two weeks ago Doreen and I went to Monterey, CA and had a blast (as we always do there). Not much running accomplished there. Did do a couple of 4.5 milers and also did a nice bike ride along the ocean in Pacific Grove. Last weekend was we went up north to see family in the Salt Lake City area. Again, not much running and worst of all, caught a light cold.

Since the last time I posted, I did get in a 9 mile run down Utah Hill into Beaver Dam. Today I got in a 8.7 mile run which I thought was remarkable because of the lack of training I have been doing over the past couple of weeks. And yes, I can sure tell :)

After many years/decades of running in Asics, I decided to try something new. I bought some Brooks (Glycerin) and have logged a few miles in them. Not quite as cushy as the Asics GT-2000's I am using, but they are wider than the Asics. I ran in them today and they felt great on my feet, and they are lighter that the Asics by a few tenths of an ounce each. I think I want to try the Brooks Ghost series shoes. They have some excellent reviews.

Anyway, I'm still slugging along and we'll see how the half marathon goes. Until then...Happy trails to you.

YIKES!

Well, new experience this last Saturday. I went up on the Virgin Mountains (south of Mesquite, NV) to repeat my run from August 12. I had it planned out much better than the August 12th run, and it mostly went according to plan and I ran 7 miles in one hour and 10 minutes. I wasn't in much pain at the end of the run, and I was able to stay pretty hydrated even though the temperature was 90 degrees.

What made the run interesting was at mile 1.17 of the run. I was running along, and noticed something move near my feet. I quickly looked down and there was a two foot long diamond back rattlesnake all nice and coiled up. I did the Texas two step, some break dancing moves, and my best attempt at a Michael Jackson moonwalk I could. My adrenaline spiked and wow, I freaked out. I was lucky. He ended up going his way, I ended up going mine. Reminded me of Indiana Jones: "Snakes. Why did it have to be snakes?"

I have never liked snakes. I add spiders, scorpions, sharks, and skunks to the list. Notice the common thread? Yep. They all start with s. Why didn't Noah leave the s grouping of critters off the ark? I guess in the case of sharks, he should have brought them on board.

Anyway, my lesson learned is that when trail running...unplug. Pay attention to your path way. Use all of your senses and stay focused. If you don't, you never know what will be sneaking up on you...or right underneath you. Until next time, happy (and safe) trails to you.

Here is a nice picture of my new friend.

Even More Progress

Well, today I cranked out a 7 mile run. It was down hill, which is why the pace was so good (well, so good for me). I have less than three months till the half marathon and based on today's performance, I am encouraged. I am also in a lot of pain! Ibuprofens are my friend today. Mostly my quads, calves, and achilles from the downhill run. Was hot - 85 degrees and somewhat humid - 40%. None-the-less, I am over halfway to my goal of the half marathon. During this ordeal, I have now lost 30 pounds and have hit my secondary weight loss goal of 30 pounds (original was 25 pounds). I am now shoot for a buck seventy five (175) and will call it good. My pant waist size has gone from a "snug" 38" to a snug 32 inch waist. I feel so much better! It has been hard, but so far so worth it.

My wife has been such a great support to me over the past 7 months - thank you sweetie 😘💘💘

Well, that is my update. Yes, I'm still going and will continue to go. This has been a nice little journey. I hope your journey continues, whatever it is. Until next time, happy trails to you.

Progress!

Well, March was my last post and I was just under 200 pounds and still running. Well, here we are four months later. I am now down to 187 pounds! And I ran five miles today (at a rather slow 10:43 pace), but five miles nonetheless. It has been so nice to slip down pant sizes, lessening the muffin top experience, and just feeling better all the way around.

I have to admit, I am back on the diet soda kick again, but not the consistent 44 oz. binges I was on. I am on my training plan and next Saturday, I will run a training 10k. I haven't had these kind of training runs since 2012...the last half marathon I ran.

I guess this update was more for me...kind of a pat on the back for work well done. Satisfaction 😊😊😊

Until next time...happy trails to you!

Still Going...Energizer Rabbit

Well here we are...mid-March. Just celebrated St. Patrick's Day, March madness is in full bloom, and I am still running! Reminds me of a song by Kansas: Miracles Out of Nowhere. Great song.

So since I last posted, I am continuing to lose some weight...I have flirted with sub 200 pounds now a couple of times hitting 199.6 a couple of times. My goal is to get to 190 and even lower if possible. I've come down from 215 since the first part of January.

Today I ran 4 miles in 45 minutes. Not super long. Not super fast. But I am improving and that is the key for now. I am also injury and pain free. Super bonus.

Well, that's my report for today. See ya in a couple weeks. Until then, happy trails to you.

Road Bump...

Sometimes seem like you can do no wrong, everything is going just right, and then....BOOOM!!! Ya, something sets you back to remind you of your human frailties. Well, in this case I was plugging along, exercising, running, seeing a lot of progress and I picked up a virus that has taken me down for 10 days.

Yes, February 8 was the last day I ran...and I knew then something felt a little off kilter. This has set me back...but the good news is I'm getting better. I'll get back to, well ya, starting over again. Two steps forward, one step back. Still progressing though.

This was just a quick update about nothing really. Until next time, happy, healthy, trails to you. 😀🏃

Still Going...

Well, here it is the 4th of February, 2017 and I am still running. Had a pretty good week with some improvements in my pace. Distance is another story 😟

The good news is I am injury free and no illness (knocking sound on wood). I am also a little more disciplined in my diet and as a result of the training and eating, I have dropped 8 pounds in a month.

I really am feeling better than I have for several years now. I hope this can be maintained.

Ok, so after a month of training, I am ready to make a bold prediction for the Snow Canyon Half Marathon coming up in November. A sub two hour time. Oh boy...there you have it.

Until next time...happy trails to you. 🏃

Hey, I Haven't Taken a Year Off

It's a miracle. Only two weeks since I last posted about starting over. The best part, I'm still going after two weeks. Had a nice 5k run this morning. 34 minutes. Nothing great, but still impressive considering I started two weeks ago and I'm carrying the equivalent of two large bowling balls of weight around on me. Since I have started, I've lost five pounds. Running and exercise is part of the equation, trying to eat more healthy and less quantity has helped as well.

Three tools (apps) I just love are my Fitbit app (to go with my Fitbit Blaze), Runkeeper to track my runs, and My Fitness Pal to track my eating habits and calories. Until I started tracking my eating habits, I had no idea the sugar related calories I was really consuming (I love chocolate). I also didn't realize how many calories were in a 1/2 pound super burger with onion rings. Let's just say it's a lot!!!! I also retired from drinking sodas (I loved Diet Coke and Diet Dr. Pepper). I might have considered myself a sodaholic as I was probably averaging 30 - 40 ounces a day. I started that back before Christmas. The first two weeks was hard, but now I don't them at all. I've had a couple 12 oz. drinks of diet soda over the past month and they really didn't taste that good to me.

Anyways, I am feeling a lot better now. We'll see where this journey of exercise and eating habit changes takes me...hopefully to a 2 hour 10 minute half marathon in November. Until next time...Happy trails to you!

Here We Go Again

Well, this is embarrassing. Yep, starting all over again. Seems to be my story on this blog. Well, I asked Brittany if her and Ronnie would like to do a half marathon again. Guess what? She said yes. So we are shooting for the Snow Canyon half marathon in November 2017. I have been logging a lot of walking steps the past couple months. Now I need to translate it into running steps.

Today I went on a short trail run on the west part of Mesquite. It was only 20 minutes but it was a lot of fun. I forgot how much fun trail running was. Really haven't done it since Harry Coyle and I used to go run 10k Volksmarches in Germany back in the 1980s. Anyway, the training is getting started. I really can't wait to see how this goes over the next 10 months. Wish me luck! Until next time...Happy Trails to YOU!