MCM in training

I've received my Marine Corp Marathon in training gear. I now can look like a real marathon newbie. I dont mind at all looking the part. I am going to enjoy every last bit of the training, sweat, long runs, and did I mention sweat. I hope this summer of training is memorable and one of just many to come.

I have found many runners online that are a definite inspiration and will make my training that much more enjoyable. Podcasters like kimba90 of the podcast, Trails and Tribulations, Nicole and Dan from the podcast 4 Feet Running, and blogger msteechur who just completed a marathon this weekend and is already looking for another in June. I sometime soon hope to be able to run my first marathon with many more to come. Wish me luck with my training.

Quack Quack

These 2 mallards showed up about a week ago feeding under my birdfeeder. They have been coming back 2 or 3 times a day ever since. I live about a 1/2 a mile from the lake, I guess shorter distance by flight.



I've noticed that the male is more cautious than the female. Also the female has quite the appetite. I've been calling the male Curly becuase of the curl of his tail. Don't have a name for the female yet?

Marine Corps Marathon

First step to my goal of running a marathon is complete. I successfully registered for the Marine Corps Marathon scheduled in Oct this fall. After training for and successfully running two half marathons I'm ready to start training for the full marathon. I have two friends and running partners at work that have also signed up. We have lunch planned for tomorrow to review our calendars and training regimen to make the trip to Washington fun, exciting, and memorable.

My other addiction...

Besides my new found running, this is another one of my addictions. To Starbucks benefit, this drink has become an almost daily event for me. Through a lot of experimenting I think I have come up with the most perfect latte from Starbucks.

My drink of choice.





Triple - Grande- Nonfat- 1 Splenda - Latte

Triple - 3 shots of espresso
Grande - Medium
Nonfat- Skim Milk
1 Splenda - Have to have Splenda in the cup before the espresso
Latte - my drink of choice.

I think the extra shot of espresso is a must. I like my coffee strong. For lattes Starbucks uses the same number of shots for a Venti (Large) so thus I order the Grande (Medium). Non-fat milk because Im watching my weight. 1 Splenda gives me just enough sweetness without the sugar and doesnt overpower the coffee taste. I stay away from the flavored Latte. Have you tried the sugar-free flavors. Yuch.

Next time you go to Starbucks give this a try. Also for the warmer months. I switch to an Iced version of the same drink.

What bad ankle...

5.18 miles, 52:51, 10:12 pace

I started running using the C25K training program back on Oct 1, 2007. I have not been able to run successfully and without pain for almost 20 years due to a bad ankle and a weight of over 300lbs.

I had surgery on my ankle back in 1986 after falling off a ladder my sophmore year in college. Long story for another day. Anyway I have always had trouble with my weight and over the last 2 years have successfully reached goal weight.

I tried running again knowing I needed to find something else to help maintain my weightloss. With the c25k program I realized by starting very slow that alot of my ankle pain was due to the weight. Once I was able to slowly build my strength back my ankle has really surprised me. Hills that I had to limp up before I now stride up with confidence and strength.

My run today was during Lunch with Ed at work. I never would imagine 2 years ago that I would be running at work much less running 5 miles.

Starting to Crosstrain

Bike, 42:46 min, 10.4mph, 137bpm

Today is my first day of crosstraining. Went out on my bike, a Jamis old man's bike with the extra padding in the seat. Not very aerodynamic to say the least.


Went on the same route that I used for my long run on Saturday. Weather has been so strange, it was 60F this afternoon.

Hope to join the Blogland Bookclub. Bought my book through amazon. Should be here on Wed. See where some have already finished reading it and I haven't even started.

Long run Saturday.

8.6 miles, 1:46:36, 12:20 pace

Ed and Mary drove down from Vinings today to do our long run of 8 miles. This was our second attempt since we had to cancel from last week due to the snow and ice in Atlanta. Ed and I have been running at work on Tuesdays and Thursdays during lunch. This was my first run with both Ed and Mary and it was really nice to have someone to run with for our long run.



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We ran slow and steady about a 12 minute pace which help me keep my heart rate to around 150. Ed and Mary are helping me train for my first half-marathon in March. We are following the Jeff Galloway program minus the walking, which you could argue really isn't the Jeff Galloway program. Both Ed and Mary have run marathons but have not been running for a while. I am glad I found some training partners - it has made a lot easier to stay motivated.