Discipline

I have come to realize that it takes as much discipline to blog as did does to run a marathon. I am keeping up with my running schedule, however missing a few runs every now and then. I always make it a point to get my long run in. This builds endurance for the 26.2 miles to come. In training for my last marathon, I always had trouble with fatigue in my legs after my long runs. I read in Runners World that taking an ice bath after your long run will help with soreness. I have to confess I hate taking an ice bath, however combined with stretching it really works. I can get up the next morning and feel fine.

The last several weeks have had some crazy weather. I was without power for almost a whole week at the beginning of the month. This past Sunday and Tuesday it was so warm I ran in shorts. Tonight it was in the 20s and I was freezing. Kentucky weather is so unpredictable. But one thing remains: regardless of the weather I have to run. I can always bundle up and about halfway through I don't even feel the cold. This Sunday will be my recovery run of only 10 miles. It will be nice to have a shorter long run before I really add up the miles in preparation for the big event in April.

I'm doing good in raising money for World Vision. Thank you so much to all of those individuals who have contributed. God calls us Christians to help the poor and needy. I don't know anyone more needy than the children in Africa who are dying every day from preventable diseases.

Finally Got One In

It has been way to cold to run outside. I have been trying to get out and run since Sunday and every time I get ready to go out it is 13 degrees. Finally, after work tonight I made a vow to go run. The temp was 30 degrees. Still cold, but much warmer than the other days. Today's run was better than Sunday's. I got in 5 miles and feel pretty good about it. I am still out of wind shape, but it is getting a little easier. It is so nice after about a month when you can run without your side hurting. Now I'm off to go see my amazing girlfriend. Since tomorrow is supposed to be close to 50 degrees, I will be able to get outside again.

Cold Run

It has been freezing cold in Kentucky. I'm talking negative temperatures. Factor that with a recent illness, I haven't done a whole lot of running lately. With temperatures in the 30's today, I decided to bundle up and get out there and run. It felt good. I got in a slow 5 miles. Since I haven't run that much this year I didn't want to push myself on time. I am going to get back on my running schedule this week running 3 miles on Tuesday, 5 miles on Wednesday, and 3 miles on Thursday.

New Year

This is my first post of the new year. I want to begin with a review of the last year. 2008 was my first year of serious running. I have been running causally for a couple years now, but I have accomplished some great firsts last year. In April I ran in the Derby Festival miniMarathon with a time of 2:12:53. It was the first time I had ran in a race over 10 miles and it was difficult, but I felt good afterwards. In July I began training for my first marathon and ran a total of 225.24 miles in preparation the toughest event of the year. On October 19, I ran in the Louisville Marathon in 5:07:24.79. This was by far the hardest thing I have ever done, but my greatest feat. As you can see distance running is far more than running the race, but all the miles you log in preparation. All in All, I logged 63 runs for a total of 388.7 miles in 69:49:57.

I had a great year of running. I am in the best shape of my life and feel great. I plan on 2009 being even a better year. Here are a list of things I want to accomplish this year:

Complete the Triple Crown of Running
Raise $500 for Team World Vision
Complete the Derby Festival Marathon
Complete the Birmingham Xterra Mountain Triathlon (Tentative)
Complete the Louisville Marathon

Team World Vision

Last October I ran my first marathon. It was the most physically and mentally challenging feat I have ever completed. There were times where I wanted to call it quits, but I kept on moving. This April, I am running my 2nd marathon. This time, however, I wanted to take up a cause that is greater than myself. So, I decided to team up with Team World Vision. This is a Christian organization that helps children and families all across the world. My goal is to raise $500 for this cause. Here are some ways you can help. First, pray for World Vision and the children they help. Also, pray for me in my quest to complete the marathon. Four months of time consuming training can be taxing on a body. Pray that I will stay injury free. Another way is to read my blog at adamburton.net. I will post updates of my training and other thoughts as I go through my journey. Lastly, you can contribute to Team World Vision on my behalf. I am asking individuals to donate $26.20, or a dollar for every mile in a marathon. This money goes straight to World Vision. I do not receive a penny, nor do I want to. You can contribute on my site, adamburton.net.

Johnson City Turkey Trot

I awoke bright and early this morning, not to go do some pre-black Friday shopping but to go run a 5k. My sister was so excited to join me along with her boyfriend. We travelled over to Johnson City, TN before the sun rose in the freezing cold. It was a fun race. It was the first race I had run since my marathon in October. I ran it in 27:40 which isn't too bad considering I didn't do any training for it. It was fun to get out there with family before we sat around all day and ate. Here is a video to capture the morning.

Louisville City of Parks Marathon

I HAVE FINALLY DONE IT!!!

I have run a full marathon. That is 26.2 miles. Part of me is still in disbelief, but my legs keep bringing me back to reality. Having not run a marathon before, I wasn't exactly how to prepare for the intensity of the event. Sure, I've put in my long runs, but nothing compares to running 26.2 miles. I have to say it was by far the most physically challenging thing I have ever done. There were times when my body could have easily quit, but I had to press onward. Here is a recap of how the day went.

4:30 a.m.-After 3 hours of sleep, my alarm clock woke me. I hopped in the shower and proceeded to get ready.
5:30 a.m.-Jess (my girlfriend) piled into the car and made the trek to the Ramada Inn on Zorn Ave. in Louisville.
6:30 a.m.-I picked up my packet and Jess proceeded to pin my bib number on my shirt.
7:30 a.m.-We proceed over to the water tower for the start. It was quite cold outside.
8:00 a.m.-The horn went off and I began a rather long journey.

Mile 1 (10:16)
Mile 2 (11:54)-I stopped at the park restroom just off the course to take care of some business. This always seems to happen to me.
Mile 3 (8:51)
Mile 4 (10:01)-An older gentleman came upon me and we began chatting. He is from Winston-Salem and has been running a marathon a year since he was 35. I was impressed. He stopped in on his way in Frankfort to see the Capitol and Daniel Boone's grave. Yes Dad, I told him we were related to Danny boy. He was also an American Revolution history buff. His boss lives in the same house that Cornwallis inhabited. Then he slowed to a walk and I kept moving. I probably should have used his running philosophy since he passed me around mile 16.
Mile 5 (10:31)-These firefighters were handing out bananas. I quickly gobbled mine up and continued to run. A little later a fellow runner came up from behind me and said that I almost tripped on a banana peel. I'm glad I didn't for that is not how I want to remember my first marathon.
Mile 6 (10:34)-We are running right along the river in downtown and I see the Delta Queen docked in front of the Belle. Nevermore will we see these two steamboats race.
Mile 7 (10:11)
Mile 8 (10:16)
Mile 9 (10:32)-The half marathoners begin the turn around and head back.
Mile 10 (11:22)-The course began to get a little lonely. We begin running through trees and at times I am the only person around.
Mile 11 (11:06)
Mile 12 (10:57)-I came out of the forest and am now in Shawnee Park in the west side of Louisville. We started on the east side.
Mile 13 (10:37)
Half 13.1 (2:18:20)
Mile 14 (10:43)
Mile 15 (11:16)-Made the turn and am headed back.
Mile 16 (13:28)-Beginning to slow. Took stretch break.
Mile 17 (12:05)
Mile 18 (12:44)-I'm not sure exactly what hitting the wall feels like, but I think I'm getting close. Had to take a walk break every mile from now on.
Mile 19 (12:32)
Mile 20 (12:38)
Mile 21 (13:45)-Slammed into the wall. I wanted to die!
Mile 22 (13:48)
Mile 23 (15:02)-Extreme exhaustion.
Mile 24 (14:40)-I'm going to finish!
Mile 25 (13:06)-I figured it would be better to actually pick of my feet and run than shuffle. I should have done this a long time ago.
Mile 26 (11:55)-I see my beautiful girlfriend!
Finish (5:07:22)

My goal was to finish under five hours, but I will take what I can get. Now it is time for some White Castles. Never again will I eat 6 sliders after a marathon!