Happy Thanksgiving

What a busy time of year! I had a great ~13 mile run with Jeff on Sunday morning. It was the first half of the upcoming Ocean Beach 50k (Dec. 16th). It's going to be a great course.

I didn't think I'd be able to take much time off running, but my schedule has really helped! Seems like there is always something going on.

Good luck to all of you doing the Quad Dipsea this weekend. That is one tough course.

Run Across Iowa 2008

Announcing Run Across Iowa 2008, "Run the Line!"

I'm not sure if that will be the official title, but it makes sense. Next July, the run will follow the Minnesota/Iowa Border (for the most part) and finish in Lansing, IA on the Mississippi River.

This year will not be a solo effort! Jeff "Ocean Beach" Johnston and perhaps Buzz Higgins will be joining me for the 300+ mile journey. Kent & Paula may be joining me for a day or two. There is still lots of planning to be done, but I invite everyone to think about coming out this year to run. Whether it's 1 mile of walking or 6 days of running, this is an experience that is best shared!

Last year I was able to share this experience with my aunt Laurie, my mom, uncle Mike, and my aunt Colleen and of course my sister Liz who rode her bike along side me the entire distance. Even though it may have only been a few steps or a few miles, each time was an amazing experience and I am very lucky to have shared it with each one.

I'm going to be pestering a few of you to see if you want to start training now to maybe run your first 1/2 or full marathon (or maybe your first ultra!) during the 6 days. There are over 7 months to prepare! Let me know and we'll create a training plan together.

And since we do have over seven months to prepare, I'm thinking this year officially announcing a charity to raising money for. Do you have a charity in mind?

The dates, July 13-18, 2008
The mileage: ~50 miles a day

Last year's finish line

PA/USATF standings

It's not to often that I get to say that I'm first when it comes to sports. But right now, I am.

PA/USATF Standings

I have two more years in the 20-29 age division. After that, it gets much more difficult!

Look down at the 40-49 age division and you'll see Jeff "Ocean Beach" Johnston in 7th place and Jeff "Sacramento" Barbier in 13th place. That age division is very difficult and a big congratulations goes out to both of them!

There are only two more races (one was this past weekend) left on the schedule!

Do I know the meaning of "taking a break?"

Nope, don't think I do!

I was at the Frontrunner's Saturday morning run, and I went up to Don to see which marathon he was running this weekend. He was up to 4 marathons in 5 weeks (or something like that). He mentioned that he was doing Silicon Valley the next day. He said that the registration was still open, but I'd have to go down that day to sign up. What?? What do you mean, if I want to register? I'm on a break...right?

Yeah, I guess a break from ultras. Long story short, I ran the 1/2 marathon the next day. Ocean Beach Jeff came and ran with me. What's funny is that just on a whim, I do this, and just on a whim, I happen to get a PR. I've only run 1/2 marathon once before, but I was also training for a marathon during that time (aka I was faster.) I broke my personal record by 7 minutes, 14 seconds.

My goal was just to come in under 2 hours. I just did Whiskeytown 50k the week before and my left ankle was a little sore (I had twisted it...again).

Silicon Valley Half-Marathon 2007:
1:48:20
overall: 123 out of 887
25-29 Male: 15 out of 70
Male: 103 out of 452
Pace: 8:16 min/mi

I think I've redeemed myself from the EBFRW 10k run!

I will have to say, it was hard to run only a 1/2 when there was a full marathon to be done.