Running from The Swine Flu & Closing The Deal!

Sorry I have not checked in for a few days-- work has been a little crazy. The news biz is "abuzz" with the Swine Flu coverage, are you scared yet?????

I know some say we are over-doing it and maybe we are-- but at least we're getting the word out-- plus everyone is freaked out so hopefully we're getting good information out there for the masses to digest and stay healthy. The big message: wash your hands :)

I also SOLD my condo in Florida-- the condo I have been trying to sell for nearly 2 years!!!!! I signed all the paperwork yesterday and its a done deal! The market is a disaster in my former location (Ft. Myers). I won't tell you how much I lost on the deal (can we say I'm shirtless:) but it's better than paying a mortgage and association fees every month!

Alright-- now for the REAL reason I write this blog. Despite the hectic schedule-- I've been able to hit the pavement and I actually stepped up the running quite a bit.

Sunday: 4 Miles
Monday: 4 Miles
Tuesday: off, weight training
Wednesday: 7.5 Miles
Thursday: 7.5 Miles
Friday: planned easy 3Miles
Saturday: Louis Billitier 5k, Downtown Buffalo
Sunday: 5 Miles

If you notice-- I ran 7.5 miles Weds. and today-- two long distances in two days and I feel great! The soreness I was experiencing after the hilly 5K over the weekend has gone away thanks to Melanie and her advice to "skip" backwards after each run. I finally figured it out and although I get a few looks from people at the park it has helped tremendously!

Am I being Petty????

I was labeled a 20 year old-- shouldn't that be a GOOD thing??

As I told you in my last post. I ran in a 5K this past weekend, you know-- the hilly one! I did not stay to hear the official results. I saw my name tag on the board, showing I placed 73rd out of about 400, and I saw my time (23:48)on the clock when I crossed the finish line. I knew I did not place in the top three of my age group so there was no need to stay for an award-- so I left.

Yesterday, I checked the online results-- They were broken down into age groups-- not overall. I looked and looked but could not find my name anywhere in my age group (30-34)!!! Then-- My friend Jenny, who also ran, called laughing hysterically saying I was in the 18-22 year olds!!! They had Patrick Taney, age 20! I immediately wrote the race director an email politely pointing out the mistake.

To the race director's defense, she was very apologetic and made the change today. So, yes, I complained about being called 13 years younger-- if only I FELT 13 years younger!!! Here's why I was so upset--I placed 32ND out of the 20 somethings-- but 7Th out of my age group-- 7Th place is much better than 32ND!!!

BUT After it was all said and done-- I felt like I was being a little petty--- What would you have done?

Reporting, From The Great Heron Run 5k!

23:48. That was my time for Saturday's 5K. Now-- If you compare that to my last 5K time (23:18)it sounds like I'm slacking a bit-- but this race was chock full of those dreaded-- HILLS.

It took place in my hometown, Geneva,N.Y.-- where I was born and raised. Geneva (about 2 hrs from Buffalo) is a suburb of Rochester and is the heart of the beautiful Finger Lakes area of New York State--

Known for it's wineries and-- gorgeous rolling hills:

And it was those hills that nearly KILLED me-- My calves still hurt. The route-- had a total of four hills, three of which were very steep. I was sooo tempted to walk up the last incline but thankfully decided against it. There was also added pressure here to finish at a decent time. A camera, from my TV station, was there filming. For those of you who don't know, I am a News Anchor for the ABC affiliate in Buffalo. The station is working on a story about the Buffalo Marathon (May 24Th) and the training-- My three colleagues and I-- are going through to get ready, we are only running the half. They chose this 5k to do my showcase story which will air sometime this month...I'm just happy I didn't embarrass myself too badly!

Question: What is your advice to get over those hills easier?? and why do my calves hurt so much? Is that from going up, or running down the hills too hard which I admit to doing in this race? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

Here are some more pictures of myself, and Friends who ran with me... By the way, the weather was wonderful! 80's, sunny-- almost too hot, which isn't bad for the end of April in Upstate NY.


Me and My Friend Jenny and her kids


All done!

Most Embarrassing Songs. Whats on Your IPOD?

I have to steal a thought from my new pal Sara Jones who writes "Rookie On The Run" (check it out-- great blog)! She had mentioned in one of her previous posts that she often thinks about her new "blogging friends" during her own experiences. I realize I now do the same.

First, on a personal note-- I think it's amazing how helpful each of you has been as we all train for something better. I thank you for that and I hope you know-- you really do keep me motivated. I really do often find myself thinking about all of you. For instance: How would The Running Fat Guy handle this run? Or, I wonder how Brian (A Runner's Blog)is doing in his race? How Did Melanie (Mel Tries to Run) handle her first 5K?, etc, etc.

Once again, today, I thought of you while on my run-- but it had nothing really to do with running or performance- I wondered what was on everyone's IPOD!!!

I have to admit, there are some pretty embarrassing songs on my IPOD. Songs I really wouldn't like the world to know. In fact-- some of the songs, if publicized to close friends and family, would bring about endless abuse and ridicule.

My favorite musician of ALL time is Dave Matthews (I do NOT hide that fact) but only 1 of his songs is in the "running folder"-- songs I play only when on a run. Since my family and friends do not subscribe to my blog (I'd like to keep it that way) I feel ok sharing my songs with all of you-- on one condition, If you share yours first. I know, pretty low of me-- but I have to make sure I don't walk the plank alone.
We can call it M.U.M.E.S.(rhymes with FUMES!)

M. my
U. ultimate
M. most
E. embarrassing
S. song

I will give you a hint-- My "Mumes"-- has a title which rhymes with MOP, it was released in 1997, and the group consists of three no longer famous brothers.. That's all I am giving you-- will release more when I hear from you :) Who will be the first and the bravest-- I have a feeling Sara will not have a problem with this one :) Extra credit to those of you who crack my mystery, good luck!

8 Miles and Feeling GUuuey

Today I ran 8 Miles. It is, so far, the longest distance I have run in my training for the half marathon. It felt great and to tell you the truth I would have kept going but had to get ready for that work thing. If you follow my blog, I mentioned in a previous post that during my last LD I died out after 6.5 Miles. Today, I tried something different to which I credit my success:

For those who don't know, it's called GU gel. A friend of mine recommended it. I chose the espresso flavor because it is one of only a few that also has caffeine. Each packet has 100 calories all of which comes from Carbohydrates. The directions call for you to down one of these packets every 45 minutes on a run. I ran for 1Hr10Mins, and downed 1. I took the "hit" at 5 miles when I began to feel sluggish. I kept waiting for it to kick in--- I am a very impatient person when it comes to products and their promises and after 5 minutes I began to worry this thing wasn't working-- well, it was. The run felt awesome. It wasn't an instant rush but a steady and somewhat slow injection of energy. This really all could have been completely in my head but, hey-- it worked, right?

Has anyone tried these fueling products during a run? Are there other products you like? OH YEAH-- Remember my desk yesterday? here's an update:

Have a great day everyone!

Rest Day!

I kind of like the Children's book picture theme I attempted in yesterday's post-- so here is another.

Today I attempted to do this:



which means there was no:



but I did do some other things. I went to the gym, and used this:


to work on these:



Now I am at work to clean my work station-- which,


as you can see really needs the attention...

Pampering the feet and ankles

OK- As I have mentioned in past entries-- I am running A LOT more than I ever have before--so, naturally, I am noticing pains I haven't had before. This part of my body?


HURTS!-- I discovered my pair of these,



are not the best for doing this:


So I went here:



A FleetFeet salesperson performed a test and determined my ankles rolled inward when running, and my current shoes did not provide enough cushion. After several fittings-- I choose these:

The Mizuno Wave Inspire!!! Today-- was the first day with my new shoes--In Buffalo, the weather was doing this:

so I went to the gym-- and used this:

and the verdict?

The Mizuno Wave Inspire was just what the doctor, or "Fitlosopher" as they're called at FleetFeet, ordered! I know, I have only run once-- and it was on a treadmill but I am already noticing a difference. I am hoping to take these pups for a drive on pavement tommorow.

Does anyone else have these? I tried a similar Asics and Nike brand but they felt too bulky-- Does your ankle roll inward? outward? neutral? Whats the best shoe for each? Tanya is trying the Asics and was going to update us on her success-- Would love to hear from you-- Remember, I am running in a half Marathon at the end of May. I run on average of 25 miles a week-- will these last until then?

SOOOO many questions!