Wednesday, February 29, 2012

20 Miles and Am Happy. February 28, 2012

This is it.  This is my last 20 miler before race day.

In a perfect world, an 18 week training program would have been in place; I wouldn't have to put in that many hours at work along the way; and, I also would have had 3 - 20 milers as my long runs going in.

But this is reality, and as it stands, I had to work lots of hours and was only able to get in 2 - 20 milers.

Several weeks ago, I got in a 20 miler, and things were very rough, mentally and physically.  For more details of how rough it was, click here.

Today was much happier.  I didn't have to bargain with myself as much compared to the last time out.

I also ate a lot more along the way, so my tummy wasn't as upset with me.


20 miles @ 4:28:24
Guesstimate net calories burned:  1,046

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Nike+ FuelBand: I'm Afraid to Open the Package

To those who run, some of you may have noticed Nike has been dropping limited numbers of the new Nike+ FuelBand a few times on and off of their website for sale.

Although I haven't understood completely what the new Nike+ FuelBand does, my experience with the Nike+ Sport Band was a positive experience to have nudged me into grabbing one of the Nike+ FuelBands.

I received my Nike+ FuelBand the other day and have already heard there are issues with syncing to the Nike+ system.  Coupled that with Nike+ is about to undergo a makeover later this year, makes me excited but also nervous.

My New Nike+ Fuel Band.  I'm Afraid to Open the Package.

The Nike+ FuelBand is suppose to track your movements via an accelerometer.  It's really a non-running device as it doesn't track mileage, distance or pace.

After you record your moments using the Nike+ FuelBand, you can sync them to Nike+.  It's suppose to be  tool to measure your physical activity and helps you reach your goals.


Retails:  Around $150 US.

To learn more about the Nike+ Fuel Band, click here.

Monday, February 13, 2012

20.01 Miles Including Some Very "Dark" Miles. February 12, 2012

The pressure is on to get back on track.

I really need to get this long run done.

The first few miles were just awful mentally.

I was depressed, thinking I might fall short.  A part of me was thinking that come event day, instead of me heading to the start line of a marathon, it might be wise just to stay home.

I was also mad at myself for working too much.

Eventually, those negative thoughts disappeared as the first few miles disappeared behind me.

Things felt pretty normal up to 13.1 miles.  To date, I have completed over 30 half marathons, so I am very confident up to 13.1 miles.  It's what's past 13.1 miles that concerns me.

When I passed the 13.1 mile, I became concerned.

At Mile 16, the wheels started to fall apart.

At Mile 17, I had reach into my "bag of tricks:"
  • Just to the next tree.
  • Just to the next bench.
  • Or, how about to the next parked car?

At Mile 18, a part of me wanted to stop.  But, I had to keep telling myself, "We got all the way to Mile 18.  Come on.  Just a bit more."

At Mile 19, I felt really awful.  My stomach felt funny.  I suspect it was to my being a bit under fueled this time out.  Next time, I need to eat more.

But, I did it!  I reached Mile 20.

20 miles @ 4:27:58

Net calories burned:  1,529

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What a doozy of a 20 miler.  So glad it's done.  Schedule wise, I believe I can only fit 1 more 20 miler before race day.

My goal is just to complete the marathon on race day.  After today, I am a bit more confident I am going to complete it.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Not Yet 11.75 Miles and Already Tired

I pushed myself out the door for an ez - ez, go as long as you can.  And, I can't believe I was tired before I made it to 11.75 miles.

I was disappointed, but today's experience is sending me a clear message loud and clear:  Get more sleep!!!


11.66 miles @ 2:33:22


In addition, walked 3 miles.

Guestimate net calories burned:  947

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Amica Race Series offers 25% Off over the 2012 Super Bowl Weekend: Newport, RI, Boston, MA and Henderson, NV Events Only.

Everyone's probably busy stocking up on chips, dips, hot dogs, hamburgers, chickens and what not in preparation of this weekend's Super Bowl.

If you have a moment or so, those interested in saving 25% off some of the Amica Race Series in the following cities are in luck:
  1. Newport, RI
  2. Boston, MA
  3. Henderson, NV


I checked, and there doesn't seem to be a code.  You just click on the appropriate event (Newport, RI, Boston, MA or Henderson, NV), and the discount is automatically entered.

For more info. on the Amica Race Series, click here.

Happy savings and enjoy the Super Bowl!!!

Friday, February 3, 2012

2012 Oakland Marathon and Half Marathon: $5 off until March 21, 2012 or...

Although the Oakland Marathon or Half Marathon, Oakland, CA isn't for everyone, I'll just put this out there.

Registration event fees have crept up over the years, and a little bit of savings can only help those who run multiple events every year.

Events:  Oakland Marathon or Half Marathon (not sure if code will work on the 5k or Team Relay events)
Events Weekend:  March 24 and 25, 2012


Click here for more info. and/or to get your $5 off code.

I believe the code is valid until March 21, 2012, or whenever the event sells out, if the events do sell out.

Happy savings!!!

2012 Kentucky Derby Marathon and miniMarathon Discount Registration Extended Through February 6, 2012 and 10% Off Code.

Recently, there was a discount code floating around for the Kentucky Derby Marathon and the miniMarathon.  The code was suppose to work, but it didn't.

On top of that, there was also a price increase approaching as well.

Folks have inquired, and the folks behind the Kentucky Marathon and miniMarathon have extended the registration pricing through February 6, 2012.  Half:  $65.  Full:  $80.


Not sure if the following code got extended also, but as of this moment, it is now working:

10% off
Code:  JAN2012KDF
The expiration of the 10% off code is suppose to be on Feb. 16, 2012.  I'd use it on February 15, 2012 or even before that.


For more info. on the 2012 Kentucky Derby Marathon and miniMarathon, click here.

Happy savings!!!

Thursday, February 2, 2012

2012 Safari Park Half Marathon: $15 off. Event date: May 6, 2012

From what I gathered on the 2011 Inaugural Safari Park Half Marathon events, some things didn't go off smoothly.  Hopefully, they've worked hard the working out the bugs for 2012.

Here's a nice discount to those of you wanting to go on the 2012 Safari Park Half Marathon:

$15 off the 2012 Safari Park Half Marathon.

No expiration date was listed.

For more info. on the 2012 Safari Park Half Marathon, click here.

Happy savings!!!

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Less than 10k to Go to Reach Nike+ Black Level

I am so close to Nike+ Black Level.  I can feel it.

Just 6 miles away.

It's just around the corner...

Pixie Dust vs. Rock 'n' Roll: Who Will Win?

I never saw this coming.  This is going to be an interesting match up for 2013.  It seems the Mouse is going head to head with the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon folks.

Here's the "Save the Date" info from RunDisney:

The 2013 Tinker Bell Half Marathon Weekend is during Martin Luther King Weekend.
 
Meanwhile, in the Valley of the Sun, the 2013 P.F. Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon Weekend is also during Martin Luther King Weekend.

This is going to be an interesting match.


Who Will Win?
My gut feeling is that the participants will come out winning as both events will dilute the finite number of participants, creating less congestion on the course on race day.



Although the website hasn't been updated for the 2013 Tinker Bell Half Marathon weekend just yet, more info. on the 2012 Tinker Bell Half Marathon info. can be found by click here.

For more info. on the 2013 Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Marathon and Half Marathon, click here.

Walked 2.9 Miles. January 31, 2012

Recovery walk of 2.9 miles doing a bunch of errands.

Today is 2 days after the 2012 Inaugural Tinker Bell Half Marathon.  Quads and IT bands are still stiff, but things are going in the right direction.


Guestimate calories burned:  174

Walked 10.43 Miles and Wogged a Half Marathon. January 29, 2012

I had a busy day today.

Walked 10.43 miles and wogged the 2012 Inaugural Tinker Bell Hallf Marathon.

Currently, I am waiting on a few pics.  Hoping to put up a recap of the Tinker Bell Half Marathon within 1 week, after getting those pics.  I am sure many folks are curious about Run Disney's newest half marathon event in Anaheim, CA.

It was a fun-filled weekend.


Guestimate calories burned:  1,653

Walked 8.85 Miles. January 28, 2012

Distances between objects are so misleading and even then, there are not modes of transportation I can take to minimize my walking mileage today.

Walked 8.85 miles

Guesstimate calories burned:  531