Huntsville Half Marathon Pictures Online
Here are pictures by Karen Thibodeaux of yours truly and back, by popular demand, Edwin Quarles.
I needed that "pick me up" and got it at the gym this afternoon before the start of the Astros and Cardinals game. (I listened to the first two innings on KMOX AM 1120 right out of St. Louis after leaving the gym until I made it back to the hotel.)
--
The "pick me up" came in the form of 5.71 miles on the elliptical machine in an hour (Random setting; Level 15; no sticks; "just like I was running") and a good solid hour on the stationery bicycle. Excellent workout! I feel very refreshed.
--
And I feel really good about doing the Rocky Raccoon 25K on Saturday morning in Huntsville as a good solid tuneup for the New York City Marathon. Waverly got in an easy 2.1 mile brisk walk Tuesday night. I'll try to get in another 2.1 with her tomorrow evening and then 6.5 on Sunday.
posted by WalkSports.com | 9:41 PM
14 Comments:
Good running and very photogenic, but you really do need to invest in a Strider singlet for racing. Particularly in light of the World Series, you definitely need 26.2 miles of "Gooooooooo Houston!" at the NY Marathon.
Cheers, Steve
I know there are some folks that have a little bit left around the middle that fill out a singlet just fine ... but it just isn't happening with me!
If I could an over-the-shoulder design, I'd be pleased as punch!
Actually, I was wishing that they had an Astros technical running shirt.
Maybe I should dial Marketing now ... :)
what happened to the link to my pics? were they that bad????
If you wait long enough, maybe you can wear a "World Series Champions!" t-shirt, even if it's cotton. :)
Edwin, I thought you said you didn't like them ... lol
Sarah, I'm not leaving for NYC until the 31st. That's a possibility. I think I'll settle for comfort ... unless it is too cold. Then warmth is the name of the game. Temps have been looking good so far though.
Jon
nice pics guys :)
I realize your last name is Walk. However walking briskly or slowly or any of the above should not be part of your training routine. You do yourself a dis-service by not pushing yourself physically and mentally through a tough workout. You get out of it what you put into it. If you want to be a world class walking then go for it. If you want to be a runner then run. Your gym workouts should consist of weight training. Treadmills are a poor excuse for a running workout. I am not being mean. I am just telling you what any coach would. Push yourself and you will see results.
Anonymous,
Have some balls or guts (or both) and post your name. Until then, in my book, you're a coward! Sort of like Runner X in the Runner Triathlete News article a few months ago - or are you that person? Maybe. Perhaps. Guess we'll never know.
If you're a sub 3-hour marathoner, wonderful. I'm happy for you. I'm not. Never will be and never want to be, but I respect those that have the ability and the desire to be.
Let's see, the walking brisky or slowly (as you call it) is for my 10-year-old daughter who is going to attempt a half marathon in January. She's not built like the next Nichole Jones. She's my daughter. Not yours. So I'll do as I please in getting her legs ready for a mighty challenge for a 10-year-old. In case you haven't checked the results, the last two years - only one (1) each year at 10 has ever finished it. One in about 2:15 and another in 3:45. She'll come in between 3:15 and 3:30 and that's OK.
You have no idea what her temperment or her ability is. Again, that's my job to figure out and understand that - not yours.
What any coach would tell me? So you can or want to be my coach? By your post, I see that you're too good for me. Can I afford you or I may or may not have the same type of time - or the same type of desire?
I could have deleted your comment and been done with it. But that would have shown cowardice on my part.
If this site, my effort or the comments that are posted here bother you ... hey, there are other sites for you and I certainly hope you find them.
If you really want to talk one on one, you'll find a way to get in touch with me. It's pretty darn easy.
You are right I should have posted my name. In regard to the training the comments were toward you. You posted New York and that's it. To me that meant that you were not seeing results and therefore would quit running. That would be a loss because of your insight into the sport and your reporting of the sport. I guess I wanted to see the same passion for the sport and it's reporting of it be reflected in your training and therfore show up on the results page. This was not a slam on you or Waverly just a mis-placed attempt at a reality check from someone your age who had to make my own drastic training changes. Keep up the great work you do and harness that passion.
Steve,
As I stated, I'm not here to attempt to run a sub-3 hour marathon. I've actually completed my goals -- lose some weight, run a marathon (thank goodness I've had a chance to do two) and try to be a good example to my daughter.
I'm seeing results. From doing too much, running and other physical activities (such as umpiring a few baseball games to support our church's athletic program immediately after running one of my faster 5K's), I injured myself back in May. With that and being sick in the middle of that month, it has taken me awhile to get back to where I had been.
In April, I, at 230 pounds, ran two 2:16 half marathons and a 2:18. Last Saturday, I ran a 2:20 on a very hilly course in Huntsville. Two weeks before, I ran a 2:31 on a less hilly course. I call that progress -- for me! It might not be for you or anybody else, but isn't that what makes this an individual sport?
I'm glad that you want to see the passion transferred and I "really do" appreciate the interest and the support. My Dad is a Marine and the "tough love" approach from him while growing up didn't work. It took a long time to bury a number of issues in our relationship and many of those issues have a direct effect on my self-esteem even until today.
However, I took the opportunity to do something that nobody else in our family has ever done -- and I honored my Dad's service to our country in my first marathon.
That said, I apologize for my response. I know everything you said and agree with much of it (although I'll dispute a few things .. such as there are those who have qualified for Boston in training exclusively on a treadmill, there was once a winner of the Boston Marathon who walked in it and I feel like the elliptical machine allows me to push my upper limits from an endurance standpoint in a controlled environment).
Many of my emotional issues (i.e. the NYC outburst) are related to the lack of having a healthy relationship to thrive in. (Others are to some B.S. that I've been exposed to in the running community recently. I encountered them in the private and parochial school arena and subsequently lost interest and left!)
Running races and being around people who love the sport make up for a lot -- but not all -- of what I don't have in an intimate, personal relationship with somebody.
Therefore, honestly, there are many times that I'm probably fighting some clinical depression issues because of the complexities surrounding that situation -- and I don't feel like going out and running 40 miles a week.
Do I love what I'm involved with? Yes. Absolutely. So please, I need your support and encouragement, but the tough approach doesn't work.
I'll be honest. I'm stubborn. I'm a "do it myselfer" and Steve Shepard knows that, but he has never tried to "coach" me in a certain direction. And I haven't asked him to, because I don't want to waste his time when I'm not sure if I can (or want to) commit to everything that I need to.
I get as much thrill as getting an extra mention in a publication for somebody, encouraging another for their effort(s), creating a coverage opportunity through this blog and my website that doesn't exist as I do in my own progress.
So I probably subterfuge my own running progress for others ... which I'm OK with!
That is why I took offense to the comments. When I'm ready to shift things in to a higher gear, I know that I have earned the respect of many in so many other ways that I can go ask them for it ... and I'll get it!
My daughter faces some of the same issues as I do so I have to be careful in guiding her to something that she chose to do ... it isn't Dad forcing her; however, I think it will pay great dividends for her down the road.
Something that I didn't have growing up (even though I had parents that provided for me).
All I ask is for your encouragement. That's what I need. I'm dealing with some other things that I try to keep off of here because 1.) others don't need to know, 2.) it is none of some people's business and 3.) I try not to let it be an excuse for things (even though it is tough to battle through).
I hope you understand me a little bit better and what makes me tick!
Jon
Yikes, too many Steve's. New interloper Steve is not me, the guy who limits his public observations to cheeky things like when is Jon going to debut his Strider singlet. Henceforth I shall refer to myself by one of my running handles, Steeeve. (Pronounced as it's spelled.)
Cheers, Steeeve
Jon,
I just wanted you to be inspired to run as you have inspired others to do so. Keep up the good work.
Yeah, I agree to many Steve's here! Going forward, I am RunSteve of RunSteve.Com, (Steve Bezner) a newbie to the sport of running! :)
Jon,
I've actually taken my running much more seriously since I've been reading your blog. It has also made my running a lot of fun. It has allowed me to meet other bloggers and other runners.
I just want to say, keep up the good work.
p.s. If you need volunteers to help you and Debbie Tripp with the next RTW run (the one that conflicts with Luke's run), I will be happy to volunteer.
Post a Comment
<< Home