If there is any confusion....

I am now located at Recast in Iron. You can find all my blog postings at that site :)

See you there!!

Recast In Iron

So, I've reached a major decision in my life. I've talked about it a few times on this blog. I've even chronicled some of my timid beginnings. But, now I am officially committed to it. I've told my wife ;)

What I plan to do is complete a Full Ironman in 2010. Yep, that's it. I will race an Ironman. I will continue my running journey. But, now I've added two more sports to my plate and I will only be updating my new Ironman blog. Tell your friends....join me on another journey!!

Without further ado:

i*ron man (also i*ron*man)
noun
(esp. in sporting contexts) an exceptionally strong or robust man.

• [often as adj.] a multi-event sporting context demanding, in particular a consecutive triathlon of swimming, cycling, and running.

My life is changed. I conquered the marathon last year. This fall, I will do so again. I am no longer defined by what I cannot do. I am defined by what I can.

My journey is not over. I will continue to be more than I think I can be. I will embrace my desire to overcome.

I will be an Ironman. I will swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles, and run 26.2 miles in one day. I will triumph over my fear.

I will retool my body and mind to accept and welcome the pain of extreme endurance. It will take time. But, I will persevere. I will persist. I will continue.

Transformed. Altered. Remade.

I will be Recast In Iron.

2008 Flying Pig Half-Mary Race Report

What a great race!!!

Cincinnati does a great job. This race actually reminded me of the Richmond Marathon. The people were incredibly friendly and the runners were great. We had a great time.

The race itself was great as well. The weather was perfect. Cool, clear blue skies. The course was wonderful. There are some hills, but nothing that was overwhelming. The hills in the Charlottesville Ten-Miler were worse than the ones in this race.

A few things stick out that I wanted to mention:

• Around mile 2, the race crosses a bridge into Kentucky. The bridge is one of these big arch bridges, which was pretty cool. But, what was really great was that the wind was whipping through the steel girders that support the bridge which somehow caused the wind to whistle as it traveled through the bridge. It actually sounded like an Enya song. How cool!!
• At mile 5, right before the start of the hills, the race went through a part of town that was mobbed with screaming spectators. It was GREAT!!!! If there was ever a time I felt like a superhero it was then :)
• Miles 5-8 were nothing but hills. They were long and the grade was a little steep, but like I said, nothing impossible. At the top of the last hill, Elvis was on hand to sing a version of Bridge over Troubled Water to us.
• Around mile 9 or 10, the race goes down a huge hill....it lasts for like a mile (at least it felt like it). I think I like running up hills rather than running down them. It sounds counterintuitive, but man, downhill running jostles your legs a bit.
• The finish line, as always, is great. It was packed. There must have been like 3 or 4 thousand people there.
  

I would absolutely recommend this race to anyone. It was really one of the better experiences I've had while racing. Oh, and one more thing, I ran it in under 2 hours. Official time 1:58:32. I got my pig butt!! Woot!

Thanks to Steph's sister and her fiancee for putting us up while we were there. Also, thanks to her friends for driving them around to the different spectator locations to see me. Thanks everyone :)

Later!!

Weight: 155lbs
Exercise:Running 13.1 miles
Weather:Beautiful weather

2008 Flying Pig

Steph and I leave today for the 2008 Flying Pig Half Marathon. Woohoo!!!

It looks like I'll be the only representative from our family who will run it. Steph decided she doesn't want to try the hills (I can't blame her). Anyway, we'll spend the weekend with her sister and then return on Sunday after the race.

See you soon!!

Weight: 158lbs
Exercise: Weight Training
Weather:Overcast, warm

Jason Becoming Ironman (T minus 2 years)

I don't know who this guy is, but, damn, I want to go do one right now :)

Yoga?

So as I go to my second Yoga class tomorrow, I was wondering what other folks felt about Yoga and its ability to help with your running?

Any comments are appreciated :)

Weight: 158lbs
Exercise:Running 3 miles, Swimming
Weather:Cool, overcast.