Neverland 5K at Disneyland

Thanks to the good people at runDisney, I was given a comp entry to the Neverland 5K Fun Run in Disneyland last night.  The race took place at 10:30 pm and went through the park.  I hadn't been to Disneyland since  I was in 2nd or 3rd grade, so the experience was sort of interesting.  Everything was much smaller than I remembered.  As a kid, everything seemed so huge and and overwhelming (in a good way), but perspectives change as you age.  I went by Splash Mountain and didn't even recognize it initially, as it seemed so much smaller.  Nevertheless, the run was a lot of fun and something not many people will ever get to do.

My only complaints were that the course was so crowded that it was difficult to actually run.  I had to keep reminding myself that it was a fun run and not get frustrated.  However, I still wanted to run the event.  There was plenty of on-course entertainment and characters to thoroughly entertain everyone.

The run was an insane $109 to register for if you had to pay it, but that included a pass to the park, so its not as bad as it sounds.

Seven Tasty Post-Run Beers

BEER!

I tend to go for a super cold Dos XX, but it really depends on the time of year.  I can't imagine trying to choke down a Ruination after a run.  What's your choice after a run?

Goal Abandoned, but progress nonetheless

I had set a goal for myself to run at least a mile for a certain number of consecutive days.  I was feeling pretty beat up and decided to forgo the goal and rest.  In the end, it seems to have paid off and a lot of the small aches and pains have subsided, and I seem to be progressing toward getting some sort of fitness back.

Yesterday, I knocked out three hours on the trails.  It wasn't easy, but I toughed it out.  My allergies have gotten so bad that its hard for me to breath when I heart rate elevates (ie. i go up a hill), so it pretty much relegated me to walking up most of the bigger hills.  Nevertheless, I made it through the run and actually feel pretty good today, aside from being congested and sneezing every three seconds. 

I still have two more long runs and one semi-long run before Austin.  I have no expectation of posting even a decent time, but I should have the miles in my legs to get through the race without killing myself.  The race will get me my qualifier for Comrades with is all I need out of it.

Austin Marathon

Through work I was able to get a comp entry to the Austin Marathon.  I'm not going to be in any sort of peak shape by mid-February, but this race will accomplish a couple things:

1. Somewhat replaces Houston as my winter marathon, although, unfortunately, I won't be setting any PRs.
2. Gives me my qualifying race for Comrades

I ran the Austin Marathon in 2001, which was my second marathon.  This was back when the race started at the Arboretum and descended to downtown.  I was having a lot of knee pain leading up to the marathon, so on race day I suffered horribly.  I managed to tough it out and finished in 4:19:xx.  Even in terrible shape, I feel like I can beat that.  

Day Ten

Day Nine - 1 mile recovery/rest day

Day Ten - 3.13 mile easy run.

Total Mileage for 2012 - 35.09

Day Eight (and catch-up)

I missed a few days, so I'll just do a little catching up now.

Day Five: 3.21 miles
Day Six: 1 mile
Day Seven: 4 miles

I went out for 2.5 hours on trails today, but I mixed in a decent amount of walking. I'm trying to use the walk breaks to increase the time on my feet/mileage in order to build my base quickly. I know I'm not going to get my speed back this way, but it should get my endurance back up and then I can introduce speed again down the road.

Day Eight: 12.65 miles

Total Mileage for 2012: 30.96 miles

I'm getting close to revealing what I'm working toward...

Day Four

I ran a hilly 5.1 miles tonight at a blazing 9:06 pace. Pathetic. I'm having a hard time accepting that its going to be a long road back and I didn't do myself any favors by gaining weight while injured. Total mileage for 2012: 10.1 miles. I also did a little climbing at the gym tonight. I've been going once a week and brushing up on my climbing skills, which were never that great to begin with. However, I'm finally starting to tackle some of the intermediate routes, and I feel my arms don't feel like jelly after a couple climbs.

Day Three

Last night I knocked out what felt like was a fairly good pace 3 mile run. Turns out it was a little over 9 min miles. Its going to be a long road to getting back in shape, unfortunately. Total 2012 mileage: 5 miles.

Day Two

Day two found myself running a mile along the Old Ore Road in Big Bend National Park. Quite a scenic run for a short jaunt. Total Mileage for 2012: 2 miles.

Day One

Today is day one. I ran one mile along River Road in Big Bend National Park. I will disclose what I'm working toward in the coming days.