Running Down a Dream 2: It's All About the Swag

[ScoJo15]

Hello all...

Thanks to everyone for posting here. It means a lot to have support and encouragement along the way to Goofy '08. Thank you.

Well, it's officially three weeks until the Half and today was the last 8 miler in preparation. Next Sunday will be 9 and the following Sunday will be 10 miles.

Unfortunately, it was a very difficult run for me. I'm not gonna complain too much because I have a lot of luck with the long ones, but it was just not in the cards today. A LOT of my running relies on my mental state and my ability to kind of get lost in thought while I'm out there. Today, nothing seemed right...I didn't want to listen to music, I couldn't relax and just hit the groove, I was looking at the watch every minute or two wondering when the next break was....but I still completed the mileage. I wanted to quit after 6, but knowing that people do their runs while wiped out, totally sick, in bad conditions, etc...I just had to finish it up.

So...it's in the books and I can move on now. Bad runs will happen, they are inevitable, I just hope that was the last one for a while

Hope everyone had a great weekend...back to the bump and grind tomorrow.

 

[kimwim8]

Hey Scott. Great job completing a rough one today. Like you said, the mileage is on the books, and move on to the next one.

With all of the Goofy talk, I had forgotten that you are doing a 1/2 marathon soon. I know you'll totally ROCK it. No doubt in my mind.

Have a great week.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Scott!!!!

I'm so sorry your run was so awful . I know how those type of runs can really take it out of you...physically but even more so mentally! Good job powering through and getting those miles in buddy!

You had an incredible week of training! I'm so impressed with those long bike rides before the long runs!!! You continue to amaze me with what you accomplish each week. Also....HUGE props for that weigh-in!!! Wow..you are still dropping! So proud of you Scott!!!!

Good luck this week and something tells me you are going to have an awesome 9 Miler. And those tough ones build character right?

ohhhhh and for the new fall TV season LOL !!!! Survivor and Rules and Office OH MY!

 

[ScoJo15]

Thanks you two



Ever had a chocolate craving? For some reason, I have one tonight...it started today sometime and I just can't seem to shake it. I may have to break down and bust out the Hershey's.

anyway...

Have a great night!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Mmmmmm yummy Chocolate!

 

[hockeygirl]

hey Scott-Glad to hear your training is going well!! You are awesome!!! and don't worry about a not so great run once in awhile, we all have them!!

I am going to have to check out the coaster fanatics website....i love roller coasters!!!!! and I have to agree with Kim...you must take a trip to great adventure in NJ...kingda ka and el toro are two of the best I have ever been on!!!

Keep up the good work!!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hey Scott,

Your training is going quite well....Way to go! Don't worry too much about the not so good run. It happens. Be proud of the fact that you completed the run even when you weren't in your zone. Great job Scott!

Did you have some chocolate last night? I don't have much of a sweet tooth, but every once in awhile a chocolate craving sneaks up on me and I'll have a Hershey's Kiss...or two....or three....

Have a great Wednesday!

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hey Scott,

I think you are hanging out here too much. You are picking up all of our cravings. For me, it has to be a square of Ghiradelli chocolate/caramel. Yummy!

I hope your training week is going well.

Take care,
Beth

 

[postesf]

Hi Scott!! Thanks for checking in on the "journaling sisters!" I giggled when I saw that! Funny!

Sorry you had a tough 8 miler!!! Keep up the good work! I'm sure your upcoming 9'er will be a breeze! It's all I can do to run for 2 minutes!!! I'm always in awe of you guys that really kick it!!!

Chocolate...yummy!!! Have some for me too!!!

Have a good one!!!
Stacie

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Scott,
Ever have a choc.craving? All the ladies on here are screaming-Oh yeah! Bring it on!
Hope you are having a great week,thanks again for all your support!
Linda

 

[ScoJo15]

Wow! Mention the word "chocolate" and the cravings start flying around here

I'll be traveling to the San Francisco area in two weeks and decided to hold off on satisfying my chocolate needs until then...rumor has it that it might just be a little more tastier out there

Not much happening so far this week other than the normal training routine. I took Monday off. Tuesday I did a 6.5 mile run...it was a tad slower than normal, but I think the heat played into things a bit....it was 86 and a little on the humid side so I didn't push anything and just looked to complete the mileage. Last night I did a 30 min elliptical workout. Afterwards, my legs felt kind of heavy but things seem to be perfectly fine today. We'll see how the 4 miler goes this evening

Hope everyone has a good day!

 

[AmyBeth68]

WOW....glad you listened to your body out there buddy and respected the heat the other night. Getting the miles in is most important . There's a half to be run in a few weeks!!!! Cue the song...."do you know the way to San Jose...doo doo do do doo doo do do".

As for the chocolate...LOL....if you want to get us girls interested in your journal here just mention that key word.....CHOCOLATE. YUM!!! Women and chocolate...one of the most symbiotic relationships in nature.

Good luck on your 4 Miler tonight!!!! Bet it's going to be a speedy one!

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hi Scott,

Way to listen to your body!!! I am glad you didn't push yourself in that heat. The last thing you need is an injury right before your trip and the 1/2. Since you didn't indulge in your chocolate craving, does that mean we can talk about chocolate in your journal for the next 2 weeks?

Have a good run tonight.
Beth

 

[larry's girl]

Hi, Scott. I ALWAYS have a chocolate craving - that's one of my biggest problems!

I just finished reading your journals (the one leading up to this past January's marathon and this one) and I am SERIOUSLY impressed. You have a HUGE amount of grit and determination to have come SO FAR with your personal journey from a serious back problem to a competitive runner! Now, I know nothing about running at all - don't believe I have ever voluntarily run a step in my life, wouldn't know what a split was if it jumped up and hit me in the face (you get the idea), but I do know what it feels like to want to do something different with your life because you don't like where you are at the moment (that would be me right now). I can't tell you how motivational it is to read about people like you and Amy (I am sure there are more on this board, I just haven't gotten to everybody else's journals yet) who started out saying "I'm not a runner," overcame one obstacle after another (whether physical, mental, emotional, whatever) and went on to run marathons! It blows my mind - and makes me think that if you folks can do that, I can do what I am setting out to do even when it gets really, really difficult and I get very tired of it. Giving up is a foreign idea to the two of you - that is evident in your journals. I also really liked what you said about being accountable for your decisions when you are taking the path to a healthier lifestyle (you might not remember that, you posted it back in June, but I just read it so it is fresh in my mind). You are right - encouragement and support are fine, but we need to be accountable to ourselves to do what it takes to be healthier and more physically fit. That's why I like journaling here - it makes me face myself and it is much harder to make the excuses when they are staring you in the face the next day and you KNOW you could have done better if you had only made yourself.

Anyway, I didn't mean to make such a long post - I just wanted you to know that you (and others here like you) are inspiring many of us out here who are just starting down our own personal path to better health. When you have a long way to go, it is terrific to read about people who have already gone a really long way and continue to keep going.

So, as one of the "journaling sisters" (I thought that was funny, too), I THANK YOU for your journal entries and for posting to mine. I will remember how impressed I am with your story the next time I want to quit.

 

[postesf]

Ditto to that of my journaling sister!!! Alot of you guys really are inspiring to those of us that are just starting!

I've been sitting here looking at the Couch to 5K Plan going... Week 1, maybe, Week 2, possibly, Week 3, ummm dont know... Week 4, not so sure, Week 5, maybe tough, Week 6--you want me to run for 8 minutes!!!, Week 7, jog for 2.5 miles--NO WAY!!!

Then I think of you, Kim and Amy (like my sis said, I'm sure there are others, just haven't read all the journals yet) and I think well...Maybe, just maybe I can do this... (hmmm... think I just found my next journal post)

Keep it up!!!
Stacie

 

[ScoJo15]

Wow...thanks everyone for some incredibly nice posts there :

I know that I've drawn from all of you during my various journeys, i think there is something to learn from every single person who posts on here....but to know that I can give a little of that back is something that makes me feel very good. It's nice to see that these journals work for so many of us

Tonight I busted out a 4 miler here in the 'hood...the temps were awesome (70!) and the run was pretty fast, but I still wasn't as comfortable as i know that i can be. I firmly believe that my lack of proper food intake is the culprit. We had a good plan figured out that included a great variety of foods, at key points thru the week (proteins after runs, pastas before long runs, good mix of fish and chicken), but I've been a tad off of the plan due to a little of life getting in the way and a whole lot of laziness. So, naturally my goal is to eat better starting tomorrow. While I know that I can complete a Half marathon without much worry, the distance is still to be respected and i MUST put the right things into my body so that I can expect the right things from a workout standpoint as a result. So if Amy can have a new motto....so can I

Respect the Distance

A mile is still a mile. Running is still demanding on our bodies. Each step needs to be taken seriously. And let's face it, healthy eating is a total win regardless of the workouts or goals.

I've also recommitted to the ab routine that I was doing pretty routinely for a while, but fell off the wagon the last two weeks. Five nights a week from now on is the goal...as for everything else...

I've got 30 min on tap for the elliptical tomorrow night, a 4.5 mile walk/run on Saturday (*maybe* a short bike ride too) and a 9 mile long run on Sunday.

Hope everyone has a great night!

 

[AmyBeth68]

I'm so glad that you guys are being inspired and motivated by Scott. Susan...Stacie (aka the Journaling Sisters)....i'm thrilled that you read Scott's old journal to see just how far he's come. Even with challenges and obstacles, he's become a competitive, amazing runner. I'm so proud of him, I really can't tell you all how much!!! I have to tell you...I wouldn't have finished the marathon if it weren't for Scott. He got me to the finish line last January...I was physically and mentally battered before I even got to the starting line. But he promised me if I got there, we'd finish. And sure enough we did. What that cost him though was a decent marathon time...which he sacrificed selflessly to help me out. He also carried cups of water for me mile after mile...afraid that I'd be dehydrated b/c i was sick the whole time. He didn't drink a drop or spill a drop..just carrying those cups for all those miles. Can you believe that?!?! TRUE STORY!

He's a great guy!!!! My running buddy!!!! I agree with everything you girls said!!!! He's full of great information, advice and will make you laugh your butt off too!!! Which helps during 26.2 miles believe me LOL!

OK...'nuff of making Scott's head double in size. Just had to chime in that I love that you guys see what makes him special AND also known as many things including my favorite... McSpeedy.... here on the Dis boards!!!

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hey Scott,

You know why I love reading your journal? (Besides a killer sense of humor.) You always analyze the WHYs. You look at what is contributing to a lousy run, or off day. Why that race distance isn't for you. You look seriously and honestly at what you have done and what you need to do. Then you do it. No whinging, no denial. You do it. I hope to be able to do that too. Thanks for being a great role model.

OK, now back to that chocolate.....

Take care,
Beth

 

[larry's girl]

Thanks for sharing that story, Amy. Just goes to reinforce my firm belief: Anybody who loves Disney is a really good-hearted person! Very inspirational stuff coming from the two of you and I for one am grateful. It seems that this particular internet community of people trying to help each other causes folks to show their true colors, and anyone who takes time out of the insane schedules we all have to read others' stories and post encouragement JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO HELP is a true friend in my book.

Scott, keep on keeping on, my friend - YOU ROCK!!

 

[postesf]

Ditto again--to my big sis! Amy--your post about Scott almost had me a little teary-eyed!!!

Keep up the good work Scott!!! Good job on the 4 miler!!! Good insite on the food stuff too! I've been thinking the same stuff, but I've not been able to actually accomplish it!!! Working on it though!

Keep it up!!

Have a good weekend!!!
Stacie