The World's at Large: Let's Rock 'n' Roll!!!

This is the third year in a row that I have competed in the Rock 'n' Roll 1/2 marathon and it was, by far, the hardest of the 3 years. Hot weather sucks for running, especially for me. I get overheated easily and it significantly affects my performance. Today was extremely humid. At one point in the race, I had stripped down all the clothing I could and still be decent. I don't know if my dietary changes are contributing but as of the race today, I truly understand what being completely out of steam and digging deeper for more means feels like. I had to walk several times but I still got to the finish line in a decent time. I had no real times goals, I just wanted to do my best and I believe that I did. I didn't let my ankle get to me either. What ankle injury is what I kept saying to myself. I utilized a significant amount of positive self-talk which helped. When I wanted to stop I would tell myself that today was my day and that I felt strong. Unfortunately, my body had different ideas during those instances where I had to walk but I did try my best and that was my goal. I finally got to the finish in 2 hours and 11 minutes. I walked through the crowd to the beach where I preceded to toss my cookies all over the beach, twice. That may be too much info for some of you but I just want to give you an idea how much my body hates running in the heat. I felt sick for 2 hours after the race but then recovered. Overall, the race was okay. I'm going to have the kick the marathon training into high gear. Running a half kind of makes me think twice about this race in October but one of my life goals is finishing a marathon and I really want to accomplish it, and I will do my best.

sorry I blocked your face Matt

Struggling

My body no likey...

Success tastes good

Olympic Style

This weekend was cool. I got to see my family whom I haven't seen in a couple months. My sister came to the race with us and supported us in the crowd, which we really appreciate. My mom is making me a special veggie lasagna tonight. It's really cool, I haven't gotten any crap from them for the change and I really expected it, especially my dad. Thanks for not giving me a hard time and supporting me guys.

I also met Dick Hoyt at the Health Expo this weekend. I felt like I was meeting a celebrity. I was so nervous to speak to him. I first learned of the Hoyt team a couple years ago on an Iron Man video. They have an incredible story. Rick was born with spastic quadraplegic cerebral palsy, unable to talk or have voluntary movement. When Rick was 10 years old, Tufts University developed a computer program which allowed Rick to spell his thoughts. It turned out that Rick was an avid sports fan and eventually wanted to participate in a race at his school to benefit one of the students who was paralyzed in an accident. Dick agreed to push Rick in a chair for the race. They came in next to last but realized that they loved competing. Now they compete in races constantly. Since 1979 they have competed in over 958 races. When they compete in triathlons, Dick pulls Rick behind him in a raft for the swim, then in a special chair on the bike then pushes him in the run. And they go FAST! Their personal best marathon is 2:40:47. UNREAL! This is what Rick has to say about competing:

" What I mean when I say I feel like I am not handicapped when competing is that I am just like the other athletes, and I think most of the athletes feel the same way. In the beginning nobody would come up to me. However, after a few races some athletes came around and they began to talk to me. During the early days one runner, Pete Wisnewski had a bet with me at every race on who would beat who. The loser had to hang the winner’s number in his bedroom until the next race. Now many athletes will come up to me before the race or triathlon to wish me luck."