ScoJo's Running Down a Dream Journal (comments welcome)

[ScoJo15]

Jamie - thanks and you are doing a great job too!! These journals really work!

Amy - Last night I waved at the BFH when it came into view, but I think it gave me the finger back I'm with you on the head down and ignore it, seems to work so much better (plus people don't look at you funny when you start talking to the hill )!! I'm on the fence again about possibly doing the full marathon instead of the half....some days I think I can do it and other days each mile is a test. I hate that it is on a Sunday which would require an additional day off of work to drive back home....ugh....I don't know...I'll keep you posted

On to the latest update....

Tuesday April 25th
Was pressed for time today so I had to shorten up the elliptical workout. I did 30 minutes, covered 3.85 elliptical miles and the HR was 166/153. The best news was what Mr. Scale said when I stepped on him....214! I'm really starting to feel lighter and noticed that I'm almost ready to move the belt buckle in a notch. It's nice to see and feel how much impact a good workout routine has on my body.

Wednesday April 26th
Had a bad day and really wanted to go out for a long walk, but Mother Nature just didn't cooperate so I took my regularly scheduled day off and watched Pickler get booted from American Idol. One more week and Lost will begin it's four week season finale run...can't wait!!

Thursday April 27th
My 40 minute 4r/1w was on tap. I decided to run all the way to the entrance of our subdivision (nearly 2 miles), turn around there and finish out the 40 minutes. Then I could just do a cool down walk on the way back to the house. I felt really strong for the first 15-20 minutes and noticed that my run pace was quicker than normal. Things were good until I got a pain in my upper right chest, almost underneath my arm, around minute 30. I had to take a few walk breaks to let the pain subside. I have no idea what it was but it went away after 3-4 minutes. So I decided to take no walk breaks from minute 34 since I had taken a few where I wasn't supposed to. When I hit minute 40 (the planned end of my run) I still felt like going on, so I did! I ran all the way back to the house, completing nearly 4 miles (3.95 if you want to be exact) in 43:52. That was a 11:06 average mile, the quickest average yet for the interval runs. Heart rate was nice at 180/164. I did a cool down walk, stretched and did 50 crunches to finish out the night. There is nothing like the feeling you get after a great workout. It put me in a much better mood than I had been in for the past couple of days.

Today (Friday) I'm gonna sign up for a "run through the rolling hills of North Georgia", the Library Run 5k to take place on Saturday May 6th. I also need to get an early workout in since we are hitting the town in formals tonight. Ok, actually we are going to prom. No, my wife is not 16, she's an administrator for a local high school and tonight is their Jr/Sr Prom. Time to dust off the Tuxedo (or put on the rental that I picked up on Wednesday night...dust off sounded so much better) and dance the night away with the youth of America. Just praying that they may play one or two rock songs in the sea of R&B and Rap that I am expecting to hear. I mentioned at the beginning that I am not a runner, but I am really not a dancer. Here's hoping that watching Dancing With the Stars pays off somehow.....

Workout, long run and Prom report to follow....

 

[AmyBeth68]

OMG Scott...you had me rolling this morning. I love it....BFH gave you the finger. I will think of that each time I get to my hills now!!!

And have fun at the prom! My mom just bought her "prom" dress. She's a H.S. Principal so she goes with my poor dad every year. I think he brings his ear plugs now LOL!

Okay...now to the running stuff.

DO THE FULL MARATHON SCOTT!!! Look...I'm being really selfish...but I don't have anyone to run with at the marathon . We pace closely so I would have a running partner if you did the Full! Now don't get me wrong, if you run the half I'll be out there cheering for you (and so will my DH and kids ). But if you run the full I will promise that we'll be in it together. I plan to run/walk the whole darn thing. I don't have any goals except to NOT get swept....NOT injure myself....and have A BLAST running and walking! So if you decide to sign on for the full....I'll run it with you! Plus....I really know you can do it. Depending on what training program you use, full marathon training won't begin until August. So please consider it!!!

Oh, and I heard the Full Marathon is already 40 percent full!!! Wow...it's filling up quickly?! Not sure about the Half though?!

 

[kimwim8]

Wow Scott!! What an awesome run yesterday!! That is just incredible to run that far!

I agree with Amy...if you're thinking about doing the full marathon...GO FOR IT!! You guys would make a GREAT team, and I am sooooo sure that you'll both do wonderfully!

Have a good time at the prom. I gotta say I'm jealous! I'd love to (sort-of) re-do my prom. I know I'd have a BLAST at a prom now. Back then I was too worried about everyone else. Ahhhhh, those precious high school years....

Oh, and DH and I are BIG Lost fans! We just started with season 2, but I have season 1 all ready to watch this summer. (and then I'll hopefully get season 2 to re-watch before season 3 starts!!)

 

[CACruisin']

Hi Scott. I just got caught up on your journal. You're training is going great. Do the FULL! You can definitely do it and you have more than ample time to train for it. In 2000, I joined up with the Leukemia Society's Team in Training. I went from never having run more than a mile in January to run/walking my first marathon in early June! I then went on and walked a second marathon a few weeks later and ran/walked a third in 2001. I was training for my fourth in early 2002 when I messed up my Achilles. Since then, DD#3 arrived in 2003 and, well, now I have just started back with the walking ... my pace is so very slow now ...

Thanks for your comments and encouragement in my journal. It brought me over your journal and now reading your journal is starting to give the running "itch" again. Running can be so addictive. Such great highs after a good run and even better after completing a race. Maybe I'll try a little 4/1 walk/run next week ...

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Scott,

You had an awesome run!!! Keep it up!!! Congrat on the scale saying 214!!! That is fantastic!!!

Keep up the great work!!! Have a great Monday

 

[ScoJo15]

Thanks to all of you again for the support!! We are all hear to help each other out and we seem to be doing a pretty good job of it!!

Well, you all convinced me that the marathon is within my limits....but....I talked it over with DW and it is just not going to be possible this year. We need the Sunday to drive back home so that we can make it to work on Monday. We are combining a family visit (mother in law lives in Orlando along with some other relatives) with the trip so I can't break free and do the solo thing (I had considered just going by myself so that I could come back on Monday...didn't go over well with DW). So I guess I'll stick with the half this year and then come back and run Goofy with Amy in 2008 (already making plans for ya' ).

Amy - Thanks a million for offering to run with me in the marathon...I'd take you up on it in a heartbeat if I could make it work...it'll have to wait for '08 Hopefully I'll get to meet you and a bunch of other WISH teamers while I'm down there this year. Also, I just read your journal and it looks like we both did 5 milers this weekend!! Nice job!

I know y'all want to see a prom pic so here you go:

So that was my Friday night but I did manage to get a workout in before heading out for the Prom....here is the update from the weekend....

Friday April 28th
Made it home early enough to get a nice 40 minute workout on the elliptical (4.15 em, 160/152 HR) and see yet another decrease in my weight, now down to 213.6. I also went to the library to sign up for the 5k on May 6th. They gave me a map of the course so I decided to drive up to Ball Ground, GA to see exactly what the "rolling, scenic hills" were all about.

Well, the course is pretty much like this....flat for the first little bit before ascending three hills of moderate size that get you to the halfway turnaround point. The good news is that it's almost an out and back so you get to descend those same hills on the way back to the start/finish. Looks like I will have to bust out those hills as fast as possible with my early adrenaline and energy and not worry about how winded I will become since the whole second half is downhill. If I can make it to the turnaround within 16 minutes, I should be able to break 30 minutes total.

Then it was off to the prom which resulted in late night snackage (cheese sticks) and a couple (ok, 3) chocolate martinis. Guess I'd just have to work those extra calories off over the weekend.

Saturday April 29th
Was supposed to do my distance run but life just got in the way. Woke up early and took my daughter and father down to Six Flags for the day. Radio Disney was there and we got to see a few bands & get autographs and pictures in addition to riding some coasters. One of Megan's friends was spending the night and we made it home in time for her arrival. Mexican and ice cream followed (had to take one for the team there..) and left me no time to get an hour long run in. Megan had a birthday party to go to on Sunday though, so I'd have some time alone to make it to the park.

Sunday April 30th
Headed out late morning to the park with very cloudy skies and an off and on drizzle. I was not going to let the rain prevent me from running, heck it was good to get some 'rain training' just in case I'd have to race in it. It was a very light rain along with some gusty wind, but the temperature was right around the 65 degree mark which was great for running.

I decided to do a strict 4r/1w and see how my pacing has progressed. The plan was to do 5 miles...longer than I have ever ran before (and just 1 mile short of a 10k) so I was pretty pumped up to get at it. I warmed up with a 1/2 mile brisk walk and then hit my 4/1 ratios. I knew I was pacing really well but couldn't believe it when I finished the 1st mile in 8:59! I felt really good out there and stayed on pace all the way thru mile #5!! Here were the splits: 8:59/10:01/9:56/10:16/10:12!! I still had a lot left in the tank and acutally thought about doing another mile but I didn't want to push myself too far too quick (and it was starting to rain harder) so I called it a day. My total time was 5 miles in 49:24, for a 9:53 per mile average. HR was 182/168. I found my stride around mile 2 and just maintained...it seems so easy once you get in that groove and I felt like I could run forever. This was really great motivation for the upcoming race and easily my best run ever.

Hope all of you have a great week!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Wow Scott, super run!! I don't know, you and Kim are getting so fast. I feel like I need to pick up the pace to keep up with you guys . But seriously, what a run!!! You should be so proud of yourself!!!

Thanks for sharing your prom picture! You guys looked wonderful! Sounds like you had fun! Did they play any rock and roll for you?! Or was it all club beats! Tell your DW she looked stunning in that gorgeous red dress!!

So I'm a bit bummed you can't do the Full Marathon, but I totally understand your situation! And as I said, I plan to be out there cheering on the half marathoners! So my family will scream for ya'!!!!

Glad you had such a fun weekend. What bands were at the radio disney concert? My two little princesses would have been so excited to be there!!!

 

[CACruisin']

Wow, Scott, great run! Totally understandable about family and the Marathon. You are going to have a great half though!

Your prom picture is great!

 

[ScoJo15]

Thanks for sharing your prom picture! You guys looked wonderful! Sounds like you had fun! Did they play any rock and roll for you?! Or was it all club beats!

So I'm a bit bummed you can't do the Full Marathon, but I totally understand your situation! And as I said, I plan to be out there cheering on the half marathoners! So my family will scream for ya'!!!!

Glad you had such a fun weekend. What bands were at the radio disney concert? My two little princesses would have been so excited to be there!!!

Amy - Bon Jovi Livin' On A Prayer was the only thing close to rock that they played all night...so I watched the kids Lean Wit It and Rock Wit It

I am also bummed about the marathon....time to get out the thinking cap and cook up some devious plan to make it happen

We met Jump 5, Everlife and Katelyn Tarver. Everlife sings the theme song to "The Wild" movie that is out now (along with a Tarzan cover and "Go Figure" from the Disney channel movie). Katelyn was really good and was a finalist on American Idol Juniors, she's playing Barbie in an upcoming movie. Have you or your daughters ever heard of them?? I'll put some pics up on the website soon. How old are your little ones again??

 

[kimwim8]

Wow, Scott! What a great weekend you had!

Beautiful prom picture! You and your DW both look GREAT!

My DD7 wanted to go to a kids fair in AC this weekend because Radio Disney was going to be there, but we couldn't make it there. She would have DIED if she could've seen Everlife and Jump 5! My DS4.5 loves Everlife's Tarzan cover too. (I won't tell them!!) But definitely post some pics!!

And your run!!! AMAZING is what comes to mind!! Awesome times and how incredible that you felt so good! That really is wonderful!!!

Amy - YOU GUYS are MY inspiration!! You are both doing so great, and constantly pushing for more and more.

 

[goldcupmom]

Wow, Scott! I LOVE the picture - GREAT looking couple!!

You're running is absolutely inspiring.... and a bit exhausting. I don't know how you do it!

Hope you're having a good week!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Scott,

You had a super run!! Way to go! Congrats on being down on the scale also!!! Great news!!!

You and your wife look beautiful...thanks for the picture!!!


You are doing a great job. Keep it up! Have a great day

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Scott,

I just got finished getting caught up on your journal and you are doing a wonderful job with your running! I really admire your hard work and determination!

I read your father/daughter trip report last year and it was wonderful! I'm going to have my DH read it too because we are taking advantage of the free dining this year (in September) and we are staying at POP.

Thanks for posting your prom picture. You guys looked great!

Keep on keeping on, Scott! You are doing a great job!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Scott,

Just wanted to stop in and WISH you a good day!!!

Keep up the great work

 

[ScoJo15]

Anna - thanks for the photo compliment and positive vibs about the half!

Kim - thanks!! I'll post some pics on my website tonight of DD and the bands, they were all really good to see live. It's nice to know there is good clean music out there performed by people who aren't half naked and on drugs. Thanks for your support...I think we are all motivating each other to new highs!

Julie - thanks for the pic compliment! It's true that you actually start to find your running groove after a few times out there and it doesn't seem like such effort.

Jamie - thanks for all of your support! It's nice to see 'have a nice day'..really puts me in a great mood! thanks!

Tracy - thanks for stopping by!! I posted in your journal as well and you are doing a great job. We are going to be in WDW during the same week this September....even in the same hotel....hope we can meet y'all (<-- required verbage when you live in the south). I'm glad you enjoyed my trip report, we had a blast down there and can't wait for Father/Daughter Take on the World Part II: Expedition Hidden Mickeys!

So on to the update for this week so far:

Monday May 1st
Well I debated running or not since I did my long run on Sunday instead of Saturday, and I'm used to having a day off after it but I ended up deciding to go ahead and do a 40 minute 4r/1w with the idea that I would cut it short if something flared up. I did the same run to the entrance and back that I did last Thursday, but definitely felt it in my calves around mile 2. So I slowed down my pace a little and still managed to go 3.65 miles in 41:21 (a 11:19 avg...HR was 180/161). It's nice to know that I can struggle a little, yet maintain close to 11 minute averages.

Tuesday May 2nd
Was a little sore from running back to back days so I decided to take the day off. I think I'll do the elliptical on Wednesday night, do a 40 minute run on Thursday night and then take Friday off to rest for Saturday's race. I'm pretty pumped about racing again since my 1st experience was such a good one. I'm worried about speed going up the hills and hope that I can beat my previous 5k time of 33:20.

I'm a little discouraged that I'll be there solo again with no support from the family, but I guess I understand since there isn't much to do when you are spectating except clap for those who are finishing. Eventually I hope they make it to a race, especially because I want my daughter to see her dad competing in and completing events...

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi Scott!

Great job on your run this week! Especially considering it was the 2nd of a back-to-back run. You really are doing great. I am going to go out on a limb and predict that you finish under 30:00. I think you are much faster than you were previously AND you have race experience! The only unknown is the hills and they really can be brutal. But if it's an out and back you're sure to get the reward of downhill at some point!!!

Is there an expo or activities at the race? I know the 5K I ran a few weeks back had all sorts of stuff for the kids (face painting, fun run, bouncing house) and lots of vendors, etc. I ran my 5K without family last time too....but at least I had a friend with me which really helps boost your morale! You're working so hard...it would be awesome for them to see you cross that finish line!!! I hope that my family will get to see me in one of my upcoming races too. I COMPLETELY understand where you're coming from!

 

[Foxfiregrrl]

Hey Scott! You are doing so Awesome on your running! Good luck on your 5k this weekend! I used to drive through Ballground all of the time for my job when we lived in Alpharetta. They have some pretty big hills in that little town. You will do Excellent I'm sure!

I have to remember not to read your journal on the days that I'm Not jogging... When I read about your progress it makes me want to get out there and go for it! Today is my off day. I feel good, but I don't want to hurt myself by running 2 days in a row. Your reports are always so inspiring though!

Your prom pic is Awesome! I love your wife's dress! It is nice to finally "meet" her.

Have a great week! Kick some Butt on Saturday!

 

[ScoJo15]

Amber - Thanks for the nice compliments! Yeah, there are no flat roads in little 'ol Ball Ground so Saturday is going to be interesting. I think I'm gonna run in Alpharetta on Memorial Day...they have a 5k and 10k on North Point Parkway.

Amy - Thanks for the well wishes and I'm buying y'all a round of drinks if I finish under 30:00! I just want to do better than the last race and think that I can. This hill thing is just crazy....I think about the whole wave/make friends with it/flips me off scenario every single time I get to one I have to say that it is making it easier...by the time I'm done laughing inside, I've made it up the hill There aren't any expo like activities at this race to keep the family occupied but I'll definitely check the upcoming races and agree that it would help pass the time while I'm on the course. I think this one is gonna be small....heck 2 of the 8 or so sponsors are Funeral Homes What have I got myself into?

Short update this time because I'm still reeling from that Lost episode on Wednesday!!

Wednesday May 3rd
After a day off it was nice to get back into the swing of things with a 40 minute elliptical workout. Unfortunately, the scale was not in my favor as it showed 215.8. I know some of it was the fact that I had just eaten prior to working out and also due to the big Mexican meal that I had on Tuesday evening. I'm sure I'll get the weight back down over the course of the next few days.

Thursday May 4th
40 minute 4r/1w thru the neighborhood. I got off to a fast start and was majorly winded about 8 minutes into the run. For some reason, I just could not get my heart rate down and keep it there so I ended up walking a lot more than normal. Anytime that I entered the 180's, I took a walk break. Here is the funny thing....I ended up completing 3.65 miles in 40:50 (11:11 avg, 184/167 HR) which was faster than my run on Monday! I guess you run a lot faster if you get your HR down which makes sense...you do the training to make your body capable of faster speeds with lower heart rates. Anyway, I don't know why I struggled so much...here's hoping that Saturday's 5k is not as demanding.

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Scott,

I meant to stop by yesterday but I just ran out of time. Sorry for that!

Sorry to hear that the scale went the wrong way...it will move in the right direction. You are doing a great job, so I have no doubt!

Hope you have a great Friday! Keep up the good work~

Happy Friday

 

[CACruisin']

Catching up on journals this week and I wanted to wish you "Fast Feet" on your race tomorrow. Heres that you get a new PR!