KZ's Deployment Journal

[kzmarathon]

The thing I like about running is the different challenges you face as you continue in the sport. Literally, each race is different, each training run brings new adventures. After years of running, seemingly endless training runs, numerous races and other events, I have been presented with a new challenge, one that I am actually looking forward to surpassing, or at least giving a valiant effort.
I am leaving the States soon for deployment with the Army in the Middle East. As I am signed up for the Goofy in 08, and with an assumption that I will be able to take a mid-tour leave at the time of the event, I am going to train my butt off when my responsibilities allow.
I figured this forum would be a good way to provide a way for me to track my progress, frustrations, etc. and gain some accountability from friends with a similar training goal.
As accountability is important to me, please feel free to post here whenever you feel like it and share your training stories and lessons learned. I met several of you last year and can't wait to hear how your training is progressing as we get closer to January!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi there,
Welcome to WISH...great place for support and advice....

I look forward to reading your progress

Hope you are having a great day/weekend

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Kevin! I see my WISH buddy, Jamie, has made an appearance here with her positive spirit and great encouragement!
Please know that our prayers and good WISHes go with you as you take your marathon training somewhere else!
Can't wait to hear how the training goes! Maybe you will inspire Howard too. Yeah, that whole "this year I'll train" thing goes for him, too.
Take care and be well!

 

[KeenHo]

Kevin:

Hi, I wanted to wish you luck in your training and travels. You are like a brother to me. I want to help you and myself in our quest this year to train for the Goofy Race and a Half Challenge.

I will make you a pledge. I will do my very best to virtually train with you (over here) if you put in the paces over there.

If you are up for it, I am too. Of course, school ends on May 22 and full-time work starts on June 1. Classes will resume just after the start of September. I am sure life will get in the way of your training goals also.

I am already signed up for the LaSalle Bank Distance Classic Half-Marathon in August. I will be training for that through the summer while working full-time.

If you email me your running distances log, I will try to keep up with you over here and report back to you.

Let me know if you are up to the task. I think we can keep each other well motivated and on track for the ultimate - crossing the finishline together again this coming January in Walt Disney World on Saturday and Sunday morning (this time I am doing a hard body search for inhalers to make sure you have one and an emergency spare).

Please get back to me with your thoughts and/or acceptance of my proposal.

Best of luck to you, keep in touch. You know how to get in touch with me.



Howard

 

[KeenHo]

Just checking back to keep this thread up where KZ will see it. I hope he takes on the challenge of virtual training with me.

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Kevin! Just wanted to let you know I am thinking of you. I know official training for the marathon doesn't start for a few months, but I hope you'll find some time to work out and to run just to burn off some stress. Know that our prayers and good wishes are with you.

 

[eeyore25]

Hi there,

Just wanted to pop in and say hello

Hope you are having a good day

 

[kzmarathon]

Hey all - thanks for checking in and responding. I have been pretty busy the last couple of weeks getting ready for the upcoming deployment. There is a lot of administrative stuff to get accomplished - all of which is now done - and of course, I have been spending as much time with my family as I possibly can.
Needless to say, I have not been spending too much time getting any miles under my belt. I figure I can start getting really serious when I am off on my own.
So, Howard, of course I will take on the miles with you, even if it can only be virtual encouragement while I am overseas. Thanks for the support! I have a Nike + Ipod system that I am using to track my miles and will post them here on at least a weekly basis. I understand some enterprising individuals have mapped out a run route through the base where I will be stationed that is relatively safe and I plan using that for starters. There are always treadmills and I am sure I will use that option as the weather gets too hot.
Jamie and Cam - thanks for the checking in and offering support. While security restrictions don't allow me to post the date that I will head overseas, I am very close to that time. Once I am on station and settled, I will post back with contact information and a note of safe arrival.
Thanks!

Z

 

[KeenHo]

K - I dropped something in the mail to you today. Please look for it to arrive within a few days.

 

[xterratri]

Oh goody- Goofy w/ Kevin and Howard again

Seriously, stay safe and get some training in for mental health purposes if you can but if you make it back for your R & R, we promise to stay together and have a good time on race day

 

[KeenHo]

The Marathon experience is still with me from January... especially since it was part of the Goofy experience. I am so very much looking forward to an opportunity to "get it right this time" with you both. Even though we had our challenges, I couldn't ask for better running partners or a better experience. Being with you both all the way and crossing the finish line together will stay with me for a long, long time.

Good luck with your training Kevin. Lynne, good luck with your full schedule of events this summer. I hope to be with you at the MCM in 2008. It should be about 5 months after my graduation... the perfect time to get in shape and build up some miles.

All the best to you both. Thanks for your friendship!



Howard