St. Patricks Day Run & Parade

St. Patricks Day Run & Parade 5 mile run Saturday morning in 50 minutes. Here are some pictures of the even from BigRiveRrunning.com. 50 minutes is not the time I wanted but oh well. I started off the race with some of the Team In Training members we were way in the back quit a distance from the starting line. We were walking for a block or two it took awhile to get started and when we did it was slow going which was very frustrating. Having such a mix of people and so many of them was difficult to navigate. I was dressed for cool weather and boy was it warm I hear it got up to 80degrees, I had two shirts on and long jogging pants. I actually got sun burned. I was a runner in a sea of kids, Walkers, and Jogger Stollers. I had a very light jog the first 3 miles. I felt tight for the majority of the race. I don't know if this was due to my little exercise this week or the fact that a week ago I ran 20 miles. At about the 3 mile mark I had room to run faster finally I slowly left my TNT friends I was hoping they would increase their pace too. I was tired of running such a slow pace it wasn't my normal gate or stride. I thought that was one reason I was stiff. I actually had difficulty keeping a faster pace. I guess I'm use to these long running simple paces I keep with myself. I had a feeling during the last mile I was pushing myself to hard. As soon as I stopped i noticed a sharp pain in my right knee, which I thought you dum*ss you did something to your knee. Which was a concern but I hoped for some stretching would resolve it. We were packed in like sardines at the end of the race for them to take the tags off our race numbers. This made me very frustrated very thirsty and in much need to walk not stand still. Don't get me wrong it was a very frustrating race but still a fun race. Poorly organized compared to Susan G. Komen which was also a large race I participated in last year which had LOTS of space to run and walk at the end, LOTS of water, LOTS of fruit and snacks at the end, LOTS of entertainment and easily accesible water along the way. I only saw one water table along the way and it was a mess of people I had no interest fighting to get a sip of water. There were 7000 participants, the water at the finish line was way to far away and they tried funneling us into this small area. This almost produced the ANGRY FACE, which hasn't been produced I would say in years. This is almost lore at this point, but close friends know very well. I would equate it to when the Hulk gets angry except I get very red not green. There was free beer available but that line was to long and I didn't really want any (surprisnging huh?) because getting water angered me enough. I was very close to leaving then and not bothering with the Parade I was just sick o f being surrounded by people by that point. I cooled off and watched the Parade which was ok but the best part was the whole funnel cake I ate :-) I wish I would of had a close friend to run it with me and hang out with afterwards.

I injured my right knee during this run. I'm icing it and taking it easy. More to follow on the knee and how it effects my Marathon Training.

Archiving the Internet

This site is awesome (http://www.archive.org/)! Thanks to eemos for making me aware of it. They are archiving the Internet they have a "WayBackMachine" where you can search for old websites. I found my old web page from college circa 1996. WOW I'm such a geek it was fun to see it again brought back good memories.

They also have archives of "moving pictures" "live music archives" "Audio" and "Texts"
I stumbled upon the audio book of "The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes" after reading the introduction to the "Koran"

Organic Acai Extreme

I drink this Acai Juice in the morning first thing in the morning it kind of tastes like Prune Juice. I like the taste of it but of course I really like prunes. You only take an ounce because it is concentrated. Take 1 ounce, holding in mouth for 30-45 seconds before swallowing. Take before morning meal on empty stomach. Thanks to Stephanie for making me aware of Acai Juice she buys a different brand though. Tastes completely different than this.
The only problem I have with this juice is the exact ingredients are not listed on the box or bottle however there are supplement facts.

I bought it at Sam Clubs I believe the South County location. If not there it was 44 and Big Bend. According to the site its also at Vitamin World. This is from the back of the box. Acai Extreme Energy Formula is a organic, natural healthy energizing supplement designed to awaken the body and enliven the mind. Organic Acai Extreme is derived from one of nature's superfoods, the Acai Berry of the Amazon. Acai is the only super berry on the market that has what you need Viamin B1, B2, B3 Vitamin C, Phasophorus, Calcum, Potassium, Fiber, Proteins, and Omega Fatty Acids. Packed with antioxidants, Acai gives you engery, stamina and vitality discover the Power of the Amazon.

Skip the cream and sugar you've got Acai. Acaia Extreme Energy Formula gives the energy and vitality to perform at your top game without jitters, shakes or stomach upset. We're about clean, healthy energy suppliementation that doesn't compromise well-being for staminia.

A one ounce serving of Acia Extreme contains 80 mg caffeine. This is apporximately the equivalent to one cup of filtered coffee.

Acai Extreme is ethically harvested fron the Brazilian Amazon rain forest in keeping with all practices of maintaining a sustainable rain forest. The acai berries used in Acai Extreme are harvested by the indigenious people of the rainforest in the same manner that they have been for thousands of years.

Your assistance would be appreciated

I sent an email in December to Co-Workers, Friends and Family about fundraising and marathon training with Team in Training for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Today I sent a friendly reminder since my fundraising is nearing an end and I have been asked some questions on where and when to contribute by.

Thank you very much for everyone that has contributed so far. Thanks to Friend and Family contributions and a night of Joe and I volunteering at the Savvis Center my total donations are now at $1,172.83 I am $327.17 away from the minimum goal of $1,500 and $827.17 from my stretch goal of $2,000. I have to have all my fundraising completed by March 17th. I have one more volunteering effort planned to raise money, but your assistance would be greatly appreciated.

Please follow this link to donate via the web or contact me for check or cash donations.
http://www.active.com/donate/tntgmo/tntgmoJDrury

Training is going well I completed a 20 mile run this past Saturday morning with Team in Training in 3 hours and 40 minutes. That is longer than what the Oscar Awards where on TV during this past Sunday. Can you imagine running that long? I am really surprised I have come this far since my training began in October with 2 to 3 mile runs. I have one more really long 20 mile run on March 19th then after that I begin tapering back my mileage in preparation for the Spirit of St. Louis Marathon 26.2 miles which is on April 9th.

This has been a VERY positive, challenging, and enlightening experience for me and I want to again thank everyone for their support and contributions.
Thanks
BCJ

20 Mile Run in 3hours 40minutes

I ran 20 miles! In 3 hours and 40 minutes. Just imagine running longer than what the Oscar Awards where on for this evening which was a 3 and 1/2 hour affair. About a 11 minute per mile pace which was a faster pace than the Oscars. I really think I had less issues running 18 miles in 7 degree weather with 12 miles of that being completely by myself except for the 35 strangers running, walking, and even one biker in Forest Park. I don't know if that is just because it was so cold I didn't feel the aches and pains but this run this weekend was one of the most difficult.

Overall the 20 mile run was a little slower pace than usual I didnt want to push it since this was my first time running 20 miles and it was a tough start. 18 miles was the longest I had ever ran, which was 2 weeks ago. Now 20 miles is the record which won't be beat till April 9th which will be 26.2 miles. I have one more really long run on March 19th its 20 miles as well. This run I would say the first 3 miles and last 3-4 miles were the most difficult. The first 3 miles where difficult because I just couldn't get into the grove, I was tired, cold, dizzy, weak and sick to my stomach. Like I said it was a tough start. I had to tell myself DON'T STOP. I knew it would get better and it did I was running down Wydown and I made it to Handley which is about the 3 mile mark. I ran by the Team in Training Running coach she said "Hi John", she had a group of what looked like new runners for this summers event the San Diego Rock N' Roll Marathon. On a side note I would like to run the SD 1/2 Marathon. So I finally ran into some people I know so it brought me back to reality. That event coupled with a rasberry cream(my fav) powergel. To jump ahead to the 10 mile mark I stopped by the truck, the TNT table, and the bathroom. I started back up with a brisk walk then back into the run. I was having some sharp pains in my right knee, and left IT band my hip. I was concerned about me having to throw in the towel because there are some pains you run through and I was perty certain these. I figured I just needed to get loosened up after having walked around for a few minutes and get back in the grove. So I just took it slow and tried to focus on different posistions, pace, different muscle groups, I actually massaged/rubbed my hip hoping it would help if not physically maybe mentally. I got about 2 miles and was going up a hill on Wydown and thought I better walk so I picked a sign about 50 yards away I was going to walk to then start jogging once I got there. It seemed every time I would stop be it for gatorade, water, bathroom it was difficult starting again. The key is to start off slow and ease into it, hmmm that's probably good advice for a lot of things. The most difficult part was the last 3 miles because I've never experienced stiffness like that before at least while in the middle of exercise. Everyone's experienced being stiff the next day after hard work or a work out. This was difficult because it was like running through mud. I was not keeping to the minimum 10 minute pace I was hoping for at this point. I got to the 4 miles left part of my journey and if I could run the next 4 miles in 40 minutes I could finish in 3 hours and 30 minutes I would be content with the time. I want to finish the Marathon in 4 hours and 30 minutes which I thought would be respectable time for 1st time Marathon. Some have said finishing is accomplishment in itself and I shouldn't be concerned with time. After this run it seems my goal might be rather difficult, but we shall see.

Monster burger combo at hardees. Mmmm

I MADE IT TO THE COVER OF MENS HEALTH

Yes that is me on the cover of Mens Health this month SURPRISE! It took a lot of hard work but I finally made it. I lost my gut and won their Abs Diet contest following the Abs Diet which was created by the Cheif Editor of Mens Health David Zinczenko Looks like I'm doing the gut suck thing, with a slight hunch over and the I'm really stuggling to look like a bad ass while keeping my abs tight pose. Its a good picture but I think I've done better in the bathroom mirror.

Video "Running My First Marathon"

Very good short movie about a girls first Marathon. She was also running with Team in Training just like me. :-)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wZWx1nMx5oA

New Frequently Visit Section on the Blog

I added a Frequently Visit Section to the right pane. Active.com, My Froogle Wish List, and You Tube Video Sharing.

"A real life Rudy story" on You Tube

This is a cool site you can post and watch video others have posted. Very cool story a friend at work gave me about an autistic basketball player. I wish they had more positive news like this instead of the sensationalistic garbage they have now. Wow there are a lot of Marathon Videos out here too. More to come!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=1fw1CcxCUgg