Only about 2% of runners will finish a marathon in less than 180 minutes (3 hours)

Six years ago, I couldn't even imagine running the distance (26.2 miles). But after working up to 3-4 mile jogs a few times a week, I set the incredible goal of running a half marathon.

After four months of intense training, well at that time (20-25 miles/wk), I ran the Houston half-marathon on January 16th, 2005. It was so grueling, I swore that was it. I'll never do another half, let alone a full.

Fortunately a running comrade pushed me to do a full marathon. Rededicated, I set a sub 4:00 hour goal for the full Houston marathon the following year. I trained harder than ever and crossed the finish in 3:59; I was hooked.

I've now run 21 marathons and this site is my journal to join that exclusive club of those who finish a marathon in under 180 minutes (3 hours).

CONTACT ME

Monday, November 26, 2012

Weekly Recap-No Races Scheduled But Looking For One


Sunday.
Met mike at 6:00am for easy 6. Bad humidity. Another 5 on mill at night

Saturday.
6 on mill, walked two more

Friday
Off

Thursday.
Off-Busy

Wednesday.
Off-Busy

Tuesday.
Long 13 hr day. Came home from work and hit pavement for quick 5

Monday
Long 14 hr day. Came home from work and hit pavement for quick 4

Saturday, November 24, 2012

San Antonio Marathon 2011

Too bad the weather was crap. I was in top shape. I know I look like half dead, but I ran a 1:29 half marathon on a hilly course just 3 wks before this race.




Monday, November 19, 2012

Weekly Recap-No Races Scheduled But Looking For One


Sunday.
Met Mike, Jeff, Sid, and Clay for 17 by doing 2 loops from Coffee Waves Alameda to Naval Base and back, through University Trail.

They left me behind pretty quickly. Wasn't pretty but I got in all 17.

Saturday.
Off
Friday
went out for 4-5, again saw Raphael running in opposite direction. Again I could only stay with him about 1.5 miles. I let him go and finished up to get in almost six.

Thursday.
4 mile turkey trot with girls in am. Walked / jogged another 9 throughout day.

Wednesday.
Quick 5, waked one more.

Tuesday.

Monday

Went our for a four miler right after work.  At mile 1, I saw Raphael running the opposite direction.  I did a 180 and ran with him for about a mile. 

A little to warm and humid for me to keep up with a top runner like that, I let him go after about 1.5 miles.  Had the weather been cold, I would done all 5 on his route.
 


Monday, November 12, 2012

Weekly Recap-No Races Scheduled But Looking For One

Sunday.
Fast 5 on mill. Walked jogged another. 6 at night.

Saturday.
Pretty good 15 with Huerta in the early morning. Nice cool weather.

Friday
Off

Thursday.
On road at 5:10 for two. Then met Mike and Jamie for four more easy

Wednesday.
Up early and jogged / walked a couple on mile.  Just buring calories.  Have to get weight down.
Jogged 3 on mill at night.

Tuesday.
Fast five on mill, walked one more.

Monday
Off

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Weekly Recap-San Antonio Race Week


Sunday.
I haven't run a race, of any kind, in seven months. Normally this time of year I'm running 60 miles a week. In the eight weeks prior to race day, I only averaged 20. My longest training run was only 12 miles.

 Come race week, I knew I was kidding myself, but pretended that with perfect weather I could still run a Boston Qualifier. When I saw the weather forecast called for a high of 83, that was it, I was going to stay home. I sent an text out to my running mates saying I was out. I received a reply from Von, "Do it as a workout. I'm going to pace a friend to a 3:35."

That single sentence completely changed my perspective. Von is the top runner in our group, a solid sub 3:00 marathoner. I realized that if he was willing to set his pride aside and run a much slower pace, I should get off my high horse.--Yes, Von had it right, not every race has to be a PR attempt, or even a Boston Qualifying run.

I queued up 50 meters behind the starting line. This alone busied my ego. I finished in the top 100 in my last two S.A. marathons. I had become accustom to queuing 10 yards behind the start, with all the pretentiousness that comes with it.
 
The gun fired and we were off.  I went out slow, 8:00 min / miles.  Almost immediately I felt the heat and humidity.  But mile two I was sweating good.  By mile four I was drenched and sweat was literally flying off my arms as I swung them.
 
I step off course and walked a minute.  I started to jog again.  At mile five, I stepped off course, turned off my watch and ripped the official timing ribbon (chip) off my shoe. 
 
I walked / jogged the half marathon course and immediately went back to the hotel in digust.
 
Lots of work to do.
 

Saturday.
Off

Friday
Off

Thursday.
Off

Wednesday.
Well, Von, one of groups top runners (sub 3 marathoner) is pacing a friend to a 3:35-3:40 at the S.A. marathon.  Von told me I could join and it would be a good training run.

Well, weather looks bad.  Forecast is for 83 with high humidity.  But I do need the training.  I guess I'll give it a go.  Von is a good guy.   If will be fun to run with him some.

Did five on mill last night in new shoes.  Put on my 9 ounce racers.  Man it's amazing how much going from 12 oz to 9 makes in terms of feeling light in your stride.

Tuesday.
Off-Don't think I'll do San Antonio Marathon.  Out of shape and weather looks awful.

Monday
Off-Don't think I'll do San Antonio Marathon.  Out of shape and weather looks awful.

Friday, November 2, 2012

Too Fat

My weight was too heavy at the San Antonio marathon last year.  If I can lose another 10 to 15 pounds, I'll be perfect :)
 

--
Believe or not, I was about 172lb at the start of this race. It was that I had lost about 10lbs of water weight at his point. I nearly heat stroked.
 
81st out of 4,040 full-marathon finishers
 
I'm scheduled to run it next week, but I haven't done a single run over 8 miles in two months.  I'm a blimp.