The Dowd YMCA Half Marathon

So it's done. The major goal I set out to do at the beginning of the year has been completed. This past Saturday my wife and I ran the Dowd Half Marathon (13.1 Miles).

So I guess this is in the category of "race report"

It was a chilly morning with the temperature around the low 40's. There were just under 1000 people to run in the race (though the paper said to watch out for several 100 runners).

We just finished a quick trip to the porta-jon when the gun went off and we began the race.

I can honestly say I felt good till about the 7.5 mile marker. It was there that the wall first gave me a hit. It didn't help that starting around the 4-5 mile mark a run/walk group decided to make me there target. They first went past me only to stop right in front of me and take up the whole road without any care of the people behind them. I hollered out that I was coming through them and they parted, mumbling some apologies.

But then every 10 minutes they would go past me and then stop. By the 4th time I snapped at them and they then told me they would go to the right when they stopped. Go to the right my arse...

Several did the next time but most continued to do their thing. I almost wiped out when one decided to stop in front of me and not move. At the very least, instead of hollering out "WALK!" they could have said "10 Seconds!" and then in 10 seconds they knew to go to the side of the road and walk.

This got me good at the water station at mile 7. They stopped to walk right in front of it and then stopped completely at the station taking the water and standing there. I hollered out "WATER!" and one person tried to hand me a cup but a walker stepped in front of me throwing my focus on the run off and allowing me to get pissed. I swore a little bit and then tried to push it off. Shortly there after the wall hit me.

From the 7.5 mile mark to the end it was a struggle to get a good speed without some effort. Finally my hips started to give in. This is from holding a slow pace...they don't hurt so much if I open the stride. I just can't keep up that stride for long...

So there you have it...I pushed all out at the end and finished it. Not many were behind me but I got rid of a lot of injuries and demons inside me in this run. Next up is the 8k Turkey Trot!

Fall is Here and the Time is right for Running!

It's been busy here in Charlotte. Between work and things going on with the half marathon training. Anyways the cool weather is now here and it's beautiful. I love this time of year as it is filled with wonderful colors and the sense of closure before Winter.

And on that note...I really like this one...here is my latest sketch. We all know Wonder Woman (owned by DC) and she has always been one of my favorites. I don't feel I do her enough justice but damn...she is nice! They should get going on that movie for her. I think the brunette from How I Met Your Mother would be a perfect Wonder Woman.

Fall is here!

Yes I've been sketching...and at the moment haven't scanned anything in to put up. I wanted to take a moment to show my appreciation of something that started Monday night. Cool weather...that's right...cool weather.

My wife and I are training for a half marathon in November and this past Monday we went out for our 3 mile recovery run in "easy" mode. The cool weather had arrived that day in the south that makes one feel that if he weren't following a training plan he could have ran much farther than the 3 miles just from the cool air that was outside.

It's like that again this morning...coming into work I noticed that cool weather, and some of the leaves had fallen from the trees around my house. I love fall...I really do. It's a bunch of things I think...It's the cool weather, the colorful leaves, the smells in the air that signify change of season. It's the college football that starts this weekend (go Syracuse!). And of course it's the NFL starting up again with the wrapping up of MLB. Go Falcons, and Yankees!

It's also the perfect time for running. I've always ran better in the fall. With only a 10k and a 15k left for the running series I have been participating in, both leading up to the Half Marathon in November, one can only take a deep breath and think another summer passed.

So there you have it...I welcome fall with open arms, and a smile on my face. Thanks for stopping by!

Nothing but love baby!

So here I am training for that half marathon in November. I am sure the pain I feel now running in the heat down here in the south will trade off when it cools off. I've been busy putting some projects in place at work. This week was a tough one but it's all good now.

I thought I would put up a couple of my lunch sketches for your enjoyment. Have a good day and thanks for stopping by! Oh and before I forget...wish me luck on the race this coming weekend. All I want is to complete it!

A Good Weekend!

So this past weekend has been declared a good weekend.

On Saturday morning we met up with the awesome group we have and went for a long run.

I only got 4.61 miles but it took every bit of effort to make it. I'm now on a training program to hit a half marathon in November and we should see some progress as we move forward.

Then we had a D&D game which meant a late night. But the bonus of this, out of many I could mention, is I can draw things as I go along. So here are the ones drawn from that night...some part of the game, and some not so much...

The RFYL 4 Miler!

So this past weekend was the 4 Miler handled by the Run For Your Life store. I did not get the time I wanted which was 44 min but instead came in around 44:26. This is an expected 11 minute pace to a 11:26 pace. An improvement from the last couple of races and not quite what I wanted, but I will take it since it was a 4 miler.

Been busy here lately with lots of good things happening! Going out to a nice place for dinner tonight with some friends, training for a half marathon will soon begin, and drawing away! The first is something I have been drawing for the last two lunches while the other is the concept work for that commission. The waitress must be from the little fact that Trueblood started up again. Haven't seen it? Get going as it rocks! I really like the bottom lion...Enjoy!

It's a good day...

So last night I had a awesome run. No question about it...I did 2 miles in 19:02 for a 9:30 pace. To me that is an indication that I am slowly getting back to where I used to be. I really enjoyed my runs under the 10 minute pace as I found myself pushing the best I could and have little left over in the tank.

I added a link to a good friend of mine in the "friends" links below...Kelly is one of my best pals and it should be noted for a couple of years I was barely ahead of her in the runs and now she's gotten ahead of me. Don't worry Kelly...if last nights run is an indication of me returning I will be giving you a run for your money soon enough.

Though I must admit my true goal is the half marathon in November just a handful of days after my 40th birthday. I consider it just another way of me saying I am not dead yet.

I've been working on a sweet commission for a t-shirt. Can't put anything on just yet but once I am able to I will my friends...trust me.

We have a good 4 mile race planned this weekend. The Run For Your Life 4 Miler Run for Your Cause race. It's in the Dilworth area of Charlotte. If ever you get a chance to ride through that area it's beautiful. Almost like watching some of the classic movies with Sophia Loren...just breath taking.

Chat with you soon!