test

testing the shozu app

Weight update: 20.5 pounds lost since July 20

Right before we left for Disney, I reached my first goal weight of 213. I had wanted to reach that number before our trip, and found myself surprised when I stepped on the scale the day before leaving and saw the magic number. I was 1.5 pounds away from that goal in the previous week and was nervous that I wouldn't make it.

While at Disney, I ate better than I ever have in those parks. When I could eat a salad and non-meat or non-dairy options I did so. If you are in Animal Kingdom and want a treat, eat at Tusker House. They have a great variety of African and Asian food, including multiple varieties of cous cous, hummus, tofu, and rice. Good stuff!

With all the walking and sweating we did, and factoring in my 4 runs while at the parks, I thought for sure that I'd drop a couple of pounds. But I gained a pound while at Disney, putting my weight at 214.2 on October 22. I was disappointed. This was the first negative gain in my weight loss crusade. But I chalked a lot of it to water retention because it was really warm there and I just didn't get enough water. Plus, no matter how healthy you eat at Disney, it is quite difficult to count calories. So realize that your calorie count will increase significantly in the parks. The thing that saves us is all the walking and time on our feet. So I feel fortunate to only have gained 1 pound.

Good news is that this week I finally reached 211. My new goal is to break 200. But let's break that into nice increments. I think I can be 207 by the time I get to the Rocket City Marathon on December 12. So let's shoot for 204 by January 1. That is 8 weeks away. So I'll try to lose 7 pounds in 8 weeks.

This will be a nice challenge since I will go into taper for the marathon then recovery. My miles will decrease. But what is life without a challenge?

Episode 36: Accountability, Twitter, and Dragons

Gordon breaks in a new pair of Brooks Addictions and rambles about how accountability to a friend/coach has increased his running success and growth. He discusses Twitter and why he doesn't do "Follow Fridays," and he has a discussion with Preston about Dragons. Preston had just purchased a book on Dragons at the school book fair.

Blog of the Week: Run Like a Girl

Brooks Running

The dragon book Preston bought

Here is a book (below) we picked up at Disney.

Episode 35: Race for the Taste

Garmin Connect map for the race

Pop Century Resort Runs

Gooooooooooaaaaaaaaaallllllllllll!!!!!!!!!!!

As you read last week, I was a few pounds away from meeting my overall goal of weighing 213 by October 10. I changed up my diet this week, reincorporating salads and more water (as if I could consume anymore than the 70 oz a day I already drink) and lo and behold my weight this morning was....yup, 213! I started this process (which isn't over by a longshot) on July 20 weighing 231.5 Since then I have really changed the way I eat and what I eat. I have lost 18.5 pounds in that time and feel remarkable.

Next goal: weigh 205 pounds by December 12, the day I run the Rocket City Marathon.

Race for the Taste MEETUP

Here's the deal. I've never run this race before and am not familiar with the starting/staging area for the race. But the folks affiliated with the Running of the Ears website (www.runningoftheears.com) have run the race. So since I want to meet some of those great people, and I want to meet those listeners who are racing. I have decided to piggy back on their meet up location. Someone on the ROTE forums posted a satellite photo and marked it for the meetup. I'll be at the race location at least 45 minutes prior to start and will get to this location as soon as I can so I can have a long time to meet those of you who will be there.

I will be the guy wearing red shorts, a black Brooks ID shirt, and possibly a white hat or visor.

September Numbers

I'm closing out our fiscal year at work, but will close out September for my running and fitness.

Ran 120.6 miles this month (see chart above, click to enlarge ). Lost 4 pounds.

Weight update: now weigh 216.5. When I started on July 20, I weighed 231.5. Loss of 15 pounds.

I still have 3.5 pounds to lose to meet my October 10 goal of 213. I will do my best. No promises though. I'll take slow and steady over fast and dangerous anytime.

Running of the Ears

There is a relatively new forum that focuses on running Disney races, and the running life in general. It is a great community of folks who have run multiple Disney races. Their experience and encouragement will be invaluable to those considering a trip to Disneyland or Walt Disney World or a race. Please register and join their site. I'm proud to be a member.

www.runningoftheears.com

The response from the editor of Running Times, and my response.

Hello Gordon:

I think you need to read JD’s column more carefully: he says that 200 lbs is the demarcation line between a skinny Kenyan and Jabba the Hut (way on the other side of the line). In other words, a 200 lb runner is a larger runner, which I think you’d agree.

Perhaps it was a poor choice of wording, but in no way did he call all runners over 200lbs Jabba the Hut.

In any event, you’ll be glad to hear that JD will no longer be writing for RT after January 2010.

Jonathan

----------------------

My response:

Thanks for getting back to me. I'm not happy about JD leaving. I
don't take that kind of satisfaction. But I read that passage several
times. While I agree, this was a horrible and sad choice of
wording--perhaps in the end extreme editorial failure--and knowing
several 300 pound beginning runners, I resent the term being used at
all, whether it describes 200-pound runners or those "way on the other
side of the line". NO runner, or human, should be ridiculed in that
manner. I'm sorry you missed my larger point.

Best,

Gordon

The email I sent to Running Times today

Dear JD--

I have always looked forward to reading your "Shoe Guy" article in
Running Times, so much so that I turned to that page before looking at
any other content the magazine had to offer---until today. I read with
particular interest how you planned to help a non-conventional body
style (the Biker guy) get the right shoe. I praised your
understanding and efforts to show him that there WAS indeed a right
shoe for him. Then you went and called him, and all of us 200 lb and
higher runners, Jabba the Hut. Wow! Kicked in the gut for weighing
more than you think we should. Was that really necessary? Sure, I am
confident all the many 160 pound runners nodded their heads in
agreement--perhaps even shared in a chuckle. But have you not seen
that there are many runners who are running to lose weight, to improve
their bodies, and to enjoy this wonderful sport? Do they ALL look
like Ryan Hall? No. That you would refer to anyone weighing more
than 200 pounds a Jabba the Hut disappoints and saddens me. I've lost
15 pounds in the last 10 weeks. I'm still 215 pounds. What I and
many of my fellow heavy runners need is encouragement and
understanding, and inclusion. Please don't ridicule us more than we
ridicule ourselves each day...

I know a 300-pound guy who wants to lose weight and get healthier for
his daughter, to see her grow old. His goal is to run a 5k and is
being coached by an Ultra-marathoner. He inspires me, excites me about
our sport, and I wish to see him complete that 5K and lose his weight.
I will cheer him and share a tear when he does. I wonder how he would
feel to be called Jabba the Hut?

I'll miss your columns and your wisdom. I'll miss Running Times. (I
liked the magazine so much that I'd drive 14 miles to the local
bookstore and buy it faithfully each month) Then I subscribed to what
was supplanting Runners World as my favorite running mag. Your mag
wasn't filled with fluff or articles that seemed to repeat themselves
every so often. You guys understood "real" running in a more serious
way, I thought.

That is, until today, when I canceled my brand new subscription to a
magazine that I thought understood runners--all runners, not just the
skinny ones.

Sincerely,

Gordon Harvey

Running to Disney- Ep. 31: The longue durée

Gordon finally gets a chance to record a new show and rambles about the importance of taking the long view of your running--and life in general. Don't let your life be defined by a single event and don't let your running be defined by a single run. Look at the long-term cycles. In other words, don't obsess over that dying tree that sits in the middle of a beautiful forest you have created.

Blog of the Week: The Crazy Runner (and check out the Crazy Runner Podcast in iTunes)

Tip of the week link: All Ears Net: Tips for Running at Disney World

Disney's Princess Half Marathon for Apparel and Info

Race for the Taste 10K Medal for 2009

Episode 30 Show Notes: Disney Podcasters Who Run--Wedway Radio

In the first of a series of interviews with Disney Podcasters who also run, Gordon interviews Nate Parrish of the excellent Wedway Radio podcast (www.wedwayradio.com) about running and Disney. Callers want to know if the food processor is okay after trying to make hummus out of uncooked chickpeas. And Gordon’s kids argue over legos.

My guest this week:

Wedway Radio

Blogs of the week: (please donate to their cause, if you are able)

Run Courtney Run

Barbie Runs

Please be sure to vote for the RtD podcast at Mush's Blog

August Mileage and Weight Report

Ran 110 miles in August. That's the most in a month since last October and marathon training.

Weight news: today's weigh-in showed 220.5. That's 11 pounds in 7 weeks. When I started this weight loss quest on July 20, I weighed 231.5. I've reached my first goal, of 10 pounds by September 1. I've lost 11. Next goal is 8 more pounds by October 10.

Trail run. Mt Cheaha Alabama

Ran about 9 miles of trails at Mt Cheaha, the highest point in Alabama today with my friend Mark (aka : @bamarunner on twitter). This was my first trail run and it wiped me out. My body is TIRED from this. Trail running is so different than road running, that is true.

Breaking News: This is the final year for Tower of Terror 13k and Race for the Taste!

Disney has announced that this is the last year for both races. The text of their email follows:

"October 2009 is your last chance to run Disney's Race for the Taste 10K & 3K andThe Twilight Zone Tower of Terror™ 13K and 5K! These races will not be returning in 2010.

That means it's the last chance to earn medals for these events before they head into the Disney Race medal vault!

Run both the 10K and 13K, and you will also be awarded the Fall Race Challenge medal!Experience the taste and terror of Disney's Endurance Series this fall and take home limited edition finisher medals and lasting memories!

Specially priced hotel rooms and theme park tickets are available for race participants, but you must book by September 10 to receive the special race rates. Visit Travel Details atdisneyraceforthetaste.com andtowerofterror13K.com for more information.

This fall, look for an upcoming announcement on future Disney races!"

Bittersweet Tears

I cannot tell you why, but last night when I saw this video of my children I started crying and couldn't stop. Tears of happiness and bittersweet feelings, I suppose, and the realization that I have been so richly blessed with a great family. This was 6 years ago, when my oldest was 4 and my youngest was 2. Their appearance today is so much different (now 8 and 10). Sometimes I miss my babies.

In the spirit of Democracy, please vote once, twice, three times if possible...

If you would be so kind, please navigate your browsers to the following url and vote for my show, Running to Disney. Just scroll down on your right side...

Mush's Blog

http://blogdumush.blogspot.com/

And while you're there, follow his blog, if you like Disney.

Many thanks...

Episode 28: Complacency Not Allowed

The fall race challenge medal

Gordon runs a 5K, and renews his love/hate relationship with those races. He ruminates on why we shouldn’t get too comfortable in life or in running…to be still or get comfortable invites complacency…we must move forward.

He gets good emails and voice mails. He announces his weight loss plans and first results.

Tip of the week: Mrs. Running To Disney discusses the cool hot cocoa mugs sold in the Magic Kingdom (before park opening) to runners' families. The mug on the left is the standard mug sold in resorts, the one on the right is the special mug.

Three blogs all related make up this episode's blogs of the week. All are related to "Team Voice” a group of Disney fans and runners who train for races, especially Disney races and raise money for Lou Mongello’s WDW Radio Podcast “Dream Team” project, affiliated with the Make-A-Wish foundation. The Dream Team raises money to send children to Disney World. What could be better?

Rae’s Place

Voice of Mousetunes

Team Voice Events Page

Check their blogs out. I also have a link on this blog to donate to the dream Team

Back in the game--88 miles in July

88 miles in July

Finally getting back to mileage levels from marathon training months. I'm running longer daily distances, up to 4 miles on weekdays as opposed to 3 miles in the past. I'm also running 5 days a week, instead of the 4 I ran during marathon training. I've got a good base and now need to get a plan for the Rocket City Marathon in December.

July: 88.0 Mi
June: 54.8 Mi
May: 71.8 Mi
April: 84.2 Mi
March: 90.6 Mi
Feb: 49.9 Mi

Weight Loss

If you have read this blog from the beginning (and if not, feel free to see the archives), then you know that my running adventure started after I was diagnosed with, as my Physician friend Don described it, "industrial strength" high blood pressure.  Three things caused this: 1)my weight. Although I had lost a few pounds that fall, I was still considered obese; 2)my genes.  Iinherited this from my parents, especially my mom, who enjoys food with her salt; and 3)my diet. Although I was pushing 40, I continued to eat like I was in college and still had a metabolism.

Discovering that one has a condition that could lead to heart attack, stroke, even death, was a sobering thing.  I immediately swore off salt, and haven't salted my food since December 2006.  I also decided to start running again, hence, what you see here: a blog, a podcast, a new way of living.  I had to lose weight, too.  When my condition was discovered, I weighed 247.  That was actually down from my all time high of 262 from the summer of 2000.   

Running cut some weight in a hurry.  In December 2006 I weighed 247.  By June 2007 I weighed 217.  That was the lowest I got.  My body adjusted to running and the calorie burn slowed, and I got lazy again with my diet.  I didn't eat "bad" stuff, compared to my earlier life.  We always ate whole wheat, we drank no fat milk, we ate tons of fiber...but the issue was quantity--and the occasional--okay somewhat regular, fast food meal...

Last monday I weighed 231.5.  Over the past few months I could tell that although my body was not as flabby as it used to be, I still had gained some weight.  I carry the 40-year old male's albatross--belly fat.  So I have decided to lose some weight. I downloaded "tap and track" an iPhone app that sets a weight goal, gives you a daily calorie limit and helps you keep track of it.  

By putting it in this blog and later discussing it on the podcast, I want this goal to be as public as can be to give me accountability and motivation.  The same thing worked when I was writing my dissertation in grad school.  We wanted a family and couldn't until I got my doctorate and got a job.  So I told my wife to ask me how many pages I had written each day she came home from work.  That accountability assisted me in completing my dissertation and getting out of school and on to being a dad.

My goal: I'd like to lose 30 pounds, long term, at least.  BUT, to assist in the effort, I need to carve this goal into reachable goals that will further motivate me to succeed.  So, sub-goal no. 1: 10 pounds off by September 1.  Sub-goal no. 2: total of 18 pounds off by October 10.

I want to weigh 213 by October 10.  Today, after 1 week, I weighed 228.

     

Episode 27: Remembering Where We've Been So We Can Know Where We're Going

The funk is over. I break out of the funk with a diatribe vigorously defending my stature as a runner, and making the assertion that runners look like those who run: short, tall, big and small.  There is no "runner's body" other than that of the particular person running.  In other words, those hard bodies you see on the cover of Runners World do not represent the vast rank and file of runners.

Blog of the week:

I Run For My Life

Helpful Disney Running Links:

Disney Endurance Team Chats

Disney Endurance Registration Page

Coast to Coast Medal

Episode 26: Falling into the Canyon of Funk, pt. 2

Gordon finally climbs out of Funk Canyon with some help from his friends. He has another phone conversation with his friend Hope about getting out of running funks, he announces his next marathon, he gives a Disney Running tip of the week, highlights a blog of the week and plays great voice mails. He also announces the new Dis-Runners.com website.

Things to click:

Featured blog:

Running the Boroughs

New Disney Running forum:

Dis-Runners Forum

My fall marathon:

Rocket City Marathon (Huntsville, AL)

My local 5K. Please come and run:

Woodstock 5K

Click here to view my Disney YouTube channel (runtodisney)

Episode 25: Falling into the Canyon of Funk, pt. 1

Gordon falls into the the Grand Canyon of running funks and tries to claw himself out. To do so, he interviews Hope Jones, a former student of his who holds Master's degrees in Sports Psychology and Counseling and also operates Setup Events (www.setupevents.com), a group that times and produces races in North Carolina. He introduces a new "blog of the week" segment and shares Disney endurance news as well.

Blog of the week: The At-Large Disney Fan

Link to the "In Training for 2010" Disney Technical Shirt:

Men

Women

Race Report: 6th Annual Peach Run 10K (Clanton, AL)

The Fuzzy Butt 10K

 Okay, it wasn't really called that, but as you exit the interstate in Clanton, you see a water tower fashioned and painted to resemble a giant peach.  But as you can see from the photo above, it resembles a fuzzy orange butt.

If you recall, this Clanton race was the focus of my training this spring, as I hope to build some speed and set some kind of new personal record—and it was to be my first 10K, before I ran the Gadsden race on a whim.

Since Clanton is at least 1.5 hours from my home, I decided to spend the night before the race at my mom’s house and then make the shorter drive in race day.  All week, I had in my mind that the race started at 7:30 and that I would try to get there around 6:30 to meet the guys and warm up.  I did arrive around that time, but quickly found out that the race started at 7. 

I met the guys and we drove the course to see what lay ahead.  Not a bad course, first three miles and out and back on the main road through the area, then the 5K would finish back at our start area while the 10K would hang a right and run some country/neighborhood roads. 

I decided this week to wear my fuel belt, since at 7 the temp had climbed to 80 degrees with equally high humidity.  At the gun, we were off, and I watched my new friends take off in their speedy way.  Before the race I thought we had agreed that we would run together for the first 50 yards then break off into our race paces.  No sooner had the gun sounded did I look around and all that was left was little puffs of smoke, much like Road Runner leaves when he takes off away from Wile E. Coyote!  That’s okay.  I had told them to “save themselves” and not wait for me.

The forst three miles of this race felt good, I was running a 9:30/9:45 pace and felt strong, but determined not to look at my Garmin continuously, as I am wont to do.  By the 5K/10K split, I was running at a 5K PR pace and might have broken 30 minutes in 5K had I stayed on that route.  In retrospect, I probably should have, because soon after the split, my body, which had performed wonderfully to that point, announced to me that we would no longer be running that fast in that heat. 

So the next 2.5 miles were a struggle, to say the least.  My Heed could only do so much, I couldn’t get enough water, and the heat took its toll.  It affected everyone—even the fast dudes.

So I struggled to a 1:15 in the 10K.  Respectable, yes, but 7 minutes slower than my 10K of the week before.  We live and run and learn.  Race day brings all sorts of variables that we just cannot train for.  As runners, we leanr to adapt to the conditions.  If they are favorable, like in Gadsden, we can push forward to new highs.  If they are undesirable, like Clanton, then we adapt and survive the run in order to run again.  Each training run, like each race, is an opportunity for us to learn from our selves and about ourselves.  If we are paying attention, then those lessons will take us to areas, times, and heights that we can only imagine.

       

Episode 24: A Tale of Two 10Ks

Episode 24: A Tale of Two 10Ks

This episode Gorodn reports on 2 10K races he runs on successive weekends.  One is great, the other is not.  In Gadsden on June 13, he ran his forst ever 10K and had probably the best race he’s run in 2 years.  The other, in Clanton Alabama, was a hot, humid affair that he was glad to survive.  But while in Clanton he meets two fellow bloggers and twitter friends, Mark (bamarunner on Twitter, bamarunner.blogspot.com) and James (alroadrunn3r on Twitter; earlymorningcruzin.blogspot.com/).

After the race they stand around talking about all things running, Dirtdawg, compression socks, and anything else that pops in their minds.

New logo

If you are reading this, no doubt you have noticed the new blog logo. this comes courtesy of Ron Wireman, an artist with whom I've become friends with on twitter and through the podcast. He held a twitter contest a few weeks ago for folks to guess his one-mile time in a n upcoming race. I guessed correctly, or closest, to be precise and won a free caricature. We started talking and both came up with the idea for the caricature to take the form of a new logo for the blog and podcast. I am blown way. This is MUCH., MUCH more than i could ever have imagined that he would do. I am floored. The feedback from family and friends and readers has been great.

You can find out more about Ron by going to the following links:

www.wiremanarts.com (view samples of his work: he does murals, caricatures, and portraits)

www.yourbrideidea.com (This is Ron's wife April's site, she has started a business designing custom wedding invitations. She also does graphic design--logos, newsletters, postcards, and business cards)

Interested in them or their services? Email them at: ron@wiremanarts.com or april@yourbrideidea.com.

Rockin' on The River 10K: Race report

Swag from the race

On June 13, I ran the Rockin’ on the River 10K in Gadsden, Alabama.  Gadsden once had a vibrant and active running club but it eventually fell into disrepair and the club faltered.  For years they hosted a 10K called the Spring Run.  This race was run on the old Spring Run course.

Since I have planned to run a 10K in Clanton, Alabama on June 20, I decided to treat this as a training run.  Plus, I didn’t hear about this particular race until Thursday of race-week.  So, on a whim, and looking for a t-shirt to add to my 365 race shirt goal, I registered at the last minute.  To make sure I didn’t get lost on Saturday morning, I drove to Gadsden (about 25 miles away) during my Friday lunch hour and pre-registered for the event.  I figured that I was going to run on Saturday morning, so why not test myself, support a local race, and get a shirt.

Race morning saw me rise about 3 hours before the 8:30 start time and a eat peanut butter and jelly sandwich on wheat bread, which I have found to be light and filling enough to be a great pre-race meal for several races now.  The PBJ doesn’t upset my G.I. balance, and it is easily and quickly digested.  I also prepared about 40 ounces of Hammer Nutrition’s Heed, half of which I sipped during the drive to the race, the other half I planned to consume during the race.

As I approached Gadsden, I saw dark clouds on the horizon and concluded we’d get a little rain.  By the time I parked the car, the bottom had fallen out and the rain was falling pretty heavy. We still had at least 45 minutes until gun so I expected it to maybe clear up. 

Since this was the renewal of a race that had not been run in years, there were a few growing pains.  Having a strong rain shower at race time killed any walk-up registration, so there was a small, but devoted band of runners, some 40-50 strong, who braved the elements for a 10K jaunt through Gadsden and some of its nicest scenery.  But the flyers for the race announced an 8 a.m. start, but the newspaper announced that the start was 8:30.  So we all waited around a bit longer for the later start, which allowed some of the heavier rain to pass.  There wasn't a great deal of course security, and we often found ourselves dealing with traffic.  But the organizers were enthusiastic and several drove along the course to protect our path.  I was impressed with the small band of race organizers.  This is a race I plan to support in coming years.  There were even a few folks talking about renewing the Gadsden Running Club.  I told them I'd join and do what I could to help.

Like I wrote, I went into this run seeing it as a last training long/hill run for June 20^th 10K.  But the temps were lower, at about 68 with tolerable humidity, and the rain was light with very cloudy conditions.  So I decided to see what I could do.  This is a hilly course but the first mile is down hill mostly, so I went out faster than usual and moderated my pace in mile 2.  I was cruising along averaging about 10:50 or 11:00 per mile pace and after I was good and warm at mile 3, I really felt like I had some mojo.  Armed with my new Brooks ID shirt and my Beasts,  I decided to see if I could finish below 1:10:00. 

After the Country Music Half-marathon fiasco, I learned some hard lessons.  I learned that hill work should never be neglected.  I learned, too, that speed work is more important than we think.  I tried to be loyal to both during this training.  I did longer speed intervals of at least 800 to 1200 meters, and my Saturday long runs had hill repeats in the middle to replicate race conditions of hills late in races. 

I recalled lessons from Chris Russell of the Run Run Live Podcast (runrunlive.com) about how to climb hills without sacrificing form.  I recalled the way my legs felt when I had entered into a nice steady, but hard pace on speed intervals.  Everything seemed to fall into place.  All of my training clicked.

Here are my splits

 At three miles I was just over 33 minutes, and concluded that I could probably pull this off.  At 4 miles I was just over 44 minutes.  My pace had not fallen off as it has in past races.  I was feeling strong, if not stronger, as the race went on.  I could feel some strength in my legs as I climbed.  I did take four brief walk breaks, three at water stops, and a fourth after a particular nasty hill.  No longer than 30 seconds were these breaks, just enough to catch my breath and regroup.  At mile 5 I was just over 55 minutes and knew that my goal was in sight.  I told myself to push it in the last mile, that I had all day to rest and take a nap.  I was close to achieving a goal.  I was pretty excited.  Not sure why, but the last mile of any race seems to last longer than the others.  And such was the case this time, too.  But I still had strength and you can see from my splits that my last mile was faster than my first. 

I crossed the finish line in 1:08:43 (gun time).  Since this was my first 10K, I now have a new personal best.  I run a 10K on June 20 in Clanton Alabama with some new friends and I’ll try to better my time.  Now that I’ve run the distance, had some success, and know what to expect, I hope I can improve my performance.

 Here is the elevation chart. Pretty hilly course, no?

My new Brooks ID shirt.  I am a member of the Brooks ID team, "Inspire Daily" and I tamed my Brooks Beasts to set a 10K PR!

Want to check out Brooks Shoes for yourself?  Go to www.brooksrunning.com

Episode 23: Team All Ears

Gordon interviews Michelle Scribner-MacClean and Mike Scopa, the co-captains of Team All Ears, a group of Disney fans and runners who will run during Marathon Weekend 2010 while also raising money for Avon Walk for Breast Cancer.  Please support their efforts.

Useful links:

Team All Ears info page

http://allears.net/pluto/teamallears.htm

Team All Ears Running Blog

http://land.allears.net/blogs/teamallears/

All Ears Net (perhaps the most widely distributed Disney fan newsletter; 1000,000+ subscribers) 

www.allears.net

Direct donations for AllEars.net on the Avonwalk site:

avonwalk.org/goto/debwills2010

Please support these runners and their cause.  

Fuel Belt Review

I have always been curious about Fuel Belt products, but being a pear-shaped guy (read: I still have a gut) I was leery about buying the product because I wasn't sure how they would fit me and I hated to spend 30 or 40 dollars on something I couldn't use. But after scanning their website I noticed that some of their products are fit for us larger waisted guys. The Fuel Belt folks were kind enough to send me two products to wear-test. The first is the two-bottle Wachusett belt. This is a Velcro fastened belt with a pouch and two 10-ounce bottles.


That belt is on the bottom of the photo above. I have run in this belt several times and really like it. The bottles do not bounce and are securely fastened by the slot straps and an elastic cord that can be fitted over the nozzles. It has some elastic in the belt part so it has a little "give" when fastened snugly around the waist. The pouch is just big enough for an iPod Nano, and a gel or two. But it is not big enough for my iPhone. (I wanted to carry my iPhone on some runs so I purchased for 9.95 the medium pouch, which fits over the belt and is made of neoprene. The medium sized pouch is just big enough to hold an iPhone snugly. Since it is neoprene, it will repel water and moisture pretty well, I suspect, even though I will continue to put my phone in a plastic sandwich bag for safer keeping.)  All in all, I really like the Wachusett Belt. Here is a link to the Fuel Belt webpage and more info on this belt. (Fuel Belt describes the pouch as being in the back, but I wore it with the pouch in the front, so I could get to my gel and iPod). http://www.fuelbelt.com/fuel_belts/2_bottle.html

The other belt they sent me for testing was the Crush Belt (http://www.fuelbelt.com/outdoor/bottle.html). This has a 22 ounce bottle and a small pouch. The bottle is carried at an angle in the rear. I ran with this belt twice and while I like it, I do not like it more than Wachusetts belt. I found that the bottle leaked a little, and bounced a little. But that minor problem aside, I thought the belt was effective and I was abe to get a gel and my iPod Nano in the pouch. The tighter you cinch the belt, though, the less space you have in the pouch as it is drawn tightly over the body. So don't expect to carry a lot of items in that pouch. I am also a little curious as to why they have a velcro fastener instead of a clip. There is a reason, I am sure that probably relates to their triathlete support and heritage. Perhaps they'll provide me an answer someday.

In all of my long runs leading up to the Disney Marathon I had used an old Camelbak backpack hydration pack. While it met my needs, it didn't make me a fan, because I didn't like  having shoulder straps contrict my movements, nor did I like having a heavy fluid-filled pack on my back. Granted, the Camelbak was an older model and they have updated their products in the three years since I bought it, I do prefer a waist pack for hydration now. I would like to try the Camelbak Waist packs in a wear test and may see if they'll be as generous as the Fuel Belt folks.

So, if you are a runner who is not fully "runner shaped" or were a little leary about Fuel Belt products, rest easy, because if they fit me well, they will most certainly fit you. My thanks to Fuel Belt for allowing me to try their products.

Run the Disney Marathon in 3 minutes!

Earn an extra medal this fall

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Episode 22: Review of the Country Music Half, and other stuff

I ran the Country Music Half-Marathon on April 25. My goals for coming into this race were twofold: 1)break a 2:30 time, or 2) better my 2:48 best in the half. As you probably now know if you listen to the podcast, I failed at both. This was the hottest day of the year for Nashville, so the heat affected hundreds of runners. So much so, that a good number of those running the full, decided to bail at the cutoff point for finishing the half. I saw at least three EMT teams rushing to treat or treating downed runners. The other factor responsible for my bonking and not meeting either goal was the new course. Aparently race organizers wanted to present runners with a prettier course, more scenic, than in the past. Well, I can tell you that the course was pretty. But it was hilly. Here is an elevation chart from my Garmin that shows you how hilly.



I finished the race in 2:49, which is one minute slower than my previous 1/2 best time. Although I had my Garmin, I had bumped the pause button at some point early in the run and didn't realize it until at least 1/2 to 3/4 miles later. And with all race clocks set to gun time, and the fact that my wave didn't start until at least 45 minutes AFTER gun time, I had no clue as to my total run time or distance covered. I had guestimates, and I knew my pace at any given moment, but with the heat, the hills, and the off-track Garmin, I was frustrated, tired, and bonkalicious.

Gladly, I didn't fall out, hurt myself, suffer dehydration, or die, as one runner did after he finished the half. I survived and learned a great deal about running. Although I had heard this maxim so much in the past :" training is training, race day is race day. You never know what that will bring." It never really hit home until the Nashville experience. I may have cursed my running existence on that day after the finish, but I now realize that I am fortunate to run any distance at all and am thankful to have the opportunity, even under oppressive conditions.



Meeting the FAMOUS Jason of Trilogy Running


After the Race--Not Happy with my performance


Pretty nice medal awarded for surviving the hills and heat.


The Disney Endurance Series medals. My goal is to have one of each.


The rest of the Disney Endurance Series medals

Episode 21: The Bonking Zone

Gordon enters a new dimension as he runs the Country Music Half-Marathon in Nashville.

Episode 20: Interview with Hammer Nutrition co-founder Brian Frank

Gordon interviews Brian Frank, the co-founder and owner of Hammer Nutrition.
www.hammernutrition.com

Episode 19: Lisa Colvin Interview, part 2

Part 2 of the Lisa Colvin interview.

Plus your voice mails and emails.

All music courtesy of Podsafe Music Network.

Just a reminder: this podcast is a fan-produced podcast and is not affiliated in any way with the Disney Company or its affiliated entities. (That means I cannot get you in the parks for free! I wish)

Country Music Half-Marathon

Heading to Nashville for the half there. My bib number, for those who care, is 21920.
The tracking system is web-based only so you'll have to go to www.cmmarathon.com and look for the tracking link there.

The goal: break 2:30 for the half.
The secondary goal: set new PR by running faster than 2:48.

I'll have my recorder to take some audio for the race and my iPhone to Tweet splits. (twitter username: disneyrunner)

If the race is going well and I am running well, I may Tweet less so as to not lose time.

Episode 18 Interview with Lisa Colvin (pt. 1)

Gordon interviews his friend, coach, and world class triathlete, Lisa Colvin.
-they talk about her athletic career, how she got started doing triathlons, what it is like to be 12th in the world in the Olympic Distance Tri, and how she ever got Gordon to run a marathon.
-Gordon gets a few nice voice mails
-Gordon and Hudson talk about Club Penguin (www.clubpenguin.com)

-All music courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network

Please Stand By, We are Experiencing Technical Difficulties

We moved this past weekend, and although I had called AT&T well in advance, they failed to transfer my phone or internet service.
It may be a day or two longer before I can get the podcast up. Good news is that this is AT&T's issue, so they won't gouge me with maintenance charges.

Episode 17: D23, Web 2.0, adventures with the boys

Gordon gets back to rambling about Disney's new D23 "club," has weird conversations with his sons, receives nice voice mails and birthday wishes from listeners, catches a cold, and does enough speed work to kill a horse.

Running in Disneyland and Disney World Endurances races (1/2 or full marathon) in a calendar year?
Check this out:
http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/dwws/en_US/amateurSports/sportDetail/detail2?name=coast2coast2DetailPage&bhcp=1


If you haven't left feedback on iTunes, please do so. The show is (as of April 13) ranked 14th among the "amateur sports and recreation" category. Who know what it will be tomorrow.

Nice links. Please visit and leave copious comments:

I Run Because I Can
bloomimgtonrunner.blogspot.com

The World According to Nick
www.nickphillipsworld.blogspot.com

Going Goofy
http://goinggoofy.blogspot.com/

The Road to the 2011 Disney Marathon
http://2011disneymarathon.blogspot.com/

Bamarunner
http://bamarunner.blogspot.com/