What's up?

Been awhile since I've posted. Still running like crazy. Ran Grand Rapids half marathon back in October, 2013 with a new half marathon PR of 1:34. It was fun and a good race! Grand Rapids is one of my favorite courses. 

The winter has probably been the first winter running a lot more, been liking it a lot. (Most of the time) 

Been getting in some trail running, been checking out Anton Krupicka a trail runner, cool runner for sure. 

For 2014, plan on doing my 2nd marathon this Spring, either Kalamazoo Marathon or a different one. Also planning on doing Chicago this fall! Pretty excited! Those are the big races plan on doing this year so far. 

Grand Rapids half marathon finish, 2014. Thanks for my family support! 

From the Kalamazoo Marathon 2013.

First Marathon Finish

May 5th, at 8am i ran the Kalamazoo Borgess Marathon. I finished in 3:30:48 (my goal was 3:30:00)! I was really happy (also spacing out) that i made my goal time. Also finishing 3rd in my age division, which was incredable. My age group was 19-24.
I started off the race running with the 3:30 pace group. We were running 7:20-7:30 minute per mile more than half the way, then we brought the pace down to 7:50-8:00 minute. Running with the 3:30 pacing group was such a fun time, the leaders kept conversations going and making jokes! I was with the pacing group up to mile 20, and thats when i started to fall back. I fell back by about a minute, but i was aright because with the pacers, we were ahead by a minute. The last 6.2 miles, it started to get hot, and the legs were starting to feel it. But i kept going strong and the crowds were awesome cheering and helped me to stay at it! Last half mile, i checked my watch and it looked like i was going to finish in 3:31... But as i running to the finish, hearing the crowds cheering, looking at the clock, i had 20 seconds to beat 3:31. I ran in strong and hard and finished my goal. I was more than happy to finished my goal and to see my family, friends and the crowds cheering on. I enjoy running, i love the competition and looking forward to the next race!

From half to full

For those of you that don't know I've been training for my first full marathon since February. I remember saying to myself I don't think i'll run a full marathon, but i was wrong! But i decided i've ran 3 half marathons (Kalamazoo Borgess twice and Grand Rapids), it's time to run a full one. Tomorrow morning starting at 8am, May 5th 2013 i'm running Kalamazoo Borgess Full Marathon, 26.2. Again, i started training back in February for this marathon, and its been awesome. My goal is to finish it in 3:30:00.

Today, I picked up my packet at the expo, been drinking water all day, peeing almost every hour, and keeping carbs coming. Now I'm here sitting with my feet up, resting the legs from the walking at the expo.

Time for me to rest, focus and get ready for tomorrow.

Good luck to all the runners!! Hope to see you there.

Feeling Greater

It's been awhile since I've posted. But, I haven't stopped running! Since the Grand Rapids half marathon I've been running once a week. I've been running for a while, and I'm feeling a greater passion in running, more fun and beginning to love it. Like I said before its a challenge, but a refreshing challenge. I said in my first post that I enjoy running, but I don't really love it. But, I think I've had a greater change. Running is awesome. A lot of people say it sucks or they don't enjoy it, but the running environment is great place. Take your feet for a ride. Don't wait!
Yesterday I ran the One One race here in my hometown Kalamazoo, MI. It was great to get out on New Year's Day and run a 4.5 fun run. Thank you Gazelle Sports for putting on the race!

Grand Rapids Half Marathon

Oct. 21st, I ran the Grand Rapids half marathon and finished in 137:37. Thank you Metro Health Marathon for putting on a great race! I trained for this marathon for about 10 weeks, and my goal was to finished 1:30:00. But it didn't happen this time. i must of ate to much pasta the night before, or the wheat bread and banana was to much for me or i didn't use the restroom enough.
The beginning of the race i started off a little to slow for myself - 8 minute pace (should of been doing 7:45/7:30). But, the first few miles it was a little tough getting up to a good pace because of me ending up in back of the line at the beginning of the race. At about the half way point, us runners were eventually spread out. And, around the half way point is when i had to go number two. That bugged me bad. Like i said about what i ate before the race or the night before, it must of been to much or i didn't use the bathroom enough, i think it was not be able to use the bathroom enough. So about around mile 7, i had to go bad. But i kept running and went through the pain. I really had thoughts on running to the bush, but didn't. I had heard there might of been port a potties at the water stops but i didn't thinking about looking around.
About 1/4 to the end, i ran it with strength to the finish. Seeing that i had a lot of speed to the end, i could of ran the race faster, but next time ill be more careful before i run. So other than that, the race was GREAT! The cheering was AWESOME and HELPFUL! The course i liked A LOT! And i'm looking forward to NEXT YEAR!! Thank you Dan Kern, the staff and Grand Rapids.

Race photos

Kalamazoo Borgess Half Marathon 2012

                                                Kalamazoo Borgess Half Marathon 2011

Kalamazoo Mud Run 2012 

Kalamazoo Klassic 2011 

Kalamazoo Klassic 2010 

Kalamazoo Klassic 2012

Grand Rapids Half Marathon 2012

Angling RoadRunner 5k 2013 (2nd in age div.) 

Kalamazoo Borgess Marathon 2013 - half way point in the race.

http://photos.mlive.com/kalamazoogazette/2013/05/2013_borgess_run_for_the_healt_36.html