Running to Disney

Check out my profile on LinkedIn

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 16:56:00 +0000

From Gordon Harvey

Department Head at Jacksonville State University

Anniston, Alabama Area

Build your professional network, discover opportunities, and keep in touch with me on LinkedIn.

- Gordon

Confirm that you know Gordon

You are receiving Invitation to Connect emails. Unsubscribe

New Podcast Title, New Blog

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 20:42:00 +0000

This photo is my boys and me leaving Disney World on our most recent trip and is appropriate for this entry. I'm ceasing publishing to this blog and beginning publishing at a new blog to reflect the Podcast title change. This blog won't disappear anytime soon, but any new entries will be at thisrunninglife.wordpress.com.

Folks, as many of you may know, I changed the name of the podcast to "This Running Life". If you are subscribed in iTunes, the feed remains the same, only the title will appear different in your iTunes downloads. But I have started a new blog, and am slowly building that website as my new web home. But this site will remain up for a while until I decide if I want to import all of this to Word Press.

Until then, enjoy my past here and my future at thisrunninglife.wordpress.com

As always, thank YOU, for listening and for your encouragement. It means the world to me.

-G

Running to Disney- Episode 82: I’m starting to believe

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Thu, 07 Oct 2010 19:55:00 +0000

Gordon makes you suffer through horrible audio as he discusses the process of starting to believe he can reach his BHAG of a BQ. In short, it is not enough to state a goal, go public with it, and work toward it. One must come to the point where the goal becomes, in heart and mind, attainable, as a possibility, a probability, then an inevitability. I am starting that process. I am starting to believe that I CAN do this. And, at once, it feels wonderful and intoxicating and scary and amazing.

He also shares a clip from one of his lectures where he attempts to talk "hip" in front of college students.

Race report call in from Andy for the Wine & Dine Half Marathon at Disney on October 2.

Download from Podbean here. Or subscribe in iTunes.

Episode 81: Things I think I think about Marathon Training

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:25:00 +0000

Show notes:
Gordon ruminates on 8 things he has concluded about marathon training and running in general.
He asks for your support in raising money for breast cancer research
Please go here to donate and be sure to add my name in the comments box: http://info.avonfoundation.org/site/TR/Walk/WashingtonDC?px=3843338&pg=personal&fr_id=2010

He reports on his visit to the doctor and their reaction to his weight loss.

He gets some nice voice mails!

My 15 seconds of fame!

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:02:00 +0000

I emailed the Brooks wear Test program that I had stopped wearing the Motion Control shoes that they were sending me for wear tests. Then this happened!

click for the Brooks Blog

Click here for info on how to support my fund raising efforts

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 02:19:00 +0000

http://www.runtodisney.com/2010/06/request-for-support.html

Gone administratin'

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:45:00 +0000

Sorry I have been absent. As a college department head this has been a busy month for me. School started back and I had to write our unit's annual report. That's done. Back soon with posts about training and the next race!

Mountain Lakes Sprint Triathlon

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:00:00 +0000

Full report to come, but here are a few images from the race on Saturday. My FIRST Triathlon!

Grateful for the Gift

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:34:00 +0000

For the first time in more than a month yesterday I ran fast. Well, fast for me. Did my first tempo run since going down with ITBS for a few weeks. I'm all better now, but had yet to really push myself until yesterday. Last week I ran close to 36 recovery miles with some speedier paces sprinkled in, as well as some trail running while crewing/pacing friends at the Burning River 100 Mile Endurance Race (but nothing that would qualify as fast or tempo), so in running those miles I overcame several mental hurdles that I had placed for myself regarding my recovery from this injury.

But this short little tempo session (5 miles in 43 minutes) did wonders for me. I felt alive again, I felt recovered. I felt BACK. But more important, I felt thankful. I looked back at my injury as a dose of medicine needed to renew my gratitude for this sport; to renew my thankfulness for being able to run and to train and push myself to new levels of achievement and fitness.

I have never been one to take my running for granted, but being injured and watching others improve while I rehabilitated myself made me so thankful for my health, and for the opportunity to get hurt while running, oddly enough. For the chance to step outside and go for a run. I'm happy I can call myself a runner. I am happy that I am once again back in the full swing of training. And I do not, nor will I ever, take running for granted. Each run, like each day of my life, is a gift. I plan to see it that way as hard as those runs may be, as difficult as it may be to deal with heat, and as much as I may struggle. I will open that gift each day and be thankful and happy.

Inspiration

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 19:07:00 +0000

What is it that drives us to do the things we do? To set goals? To attempt things that seem just beyond our reach? That to others seems ridiculous, a fool’s errand, a march of folly? Why do we aspire? Where is it that we derive the gumption to set a goal and pursue it? I’m writing mostly of running, but this can apply to anything in life. It can apply to my pursuing an American History doctorate in the face of an awful job market in the mid-1990s. It applies now to my running. When I entered grad school in 1994 I was told to that the prospects for my finding a tenure-track (full time, permanent, to non academics) were slim. That I shouldn’t waste my time. But I had a goal, a dream, a vision of being a college history professor, of writing, and publishing, and teaching. They told me I was foolish and they looked at me as if I were wasting my time.

As a runner, I’ve set a goal for myself. I want to qualify for the Boston Marathon. BQ. That’s the term used but runners “in the know” and the two letters that almost all runners dream about or fancy in their late run fantasies, as they finish their runs strong. If they’re like me, for most of their running lives they dismissed BQing as a pipe dream, something for only the best runners, the elite of the amateurs. I looked at it as something that was nigh unattainable. That to waste energy and effort on it was a fruitless prospect with a snowball’s chance in hell of succeeding.

But over time I’ve come to believe that someday I can BQ. Why not? That’s my goal. Goals are meant to be pursued, even if they’re never attained. Will my life as a runner be wasted if I never BQ? NO! Will it be enhanced and strengthened if I pursue that goal regardless of what happens in the end? YES! You see, life is a series of adventures and happenings along a long and fruitful road. It is a journey. Running should be seen this way. We should approach our running in such a way that it becomes a lifetime pursuit, and not something that is dictated by days and weeks. The Journey of my BQ goal will enrich my running life, it will take me to places I never dreamed, push me to work at levels I’ve never considered, and it will make me a better runner in the end.

The runners who dare run Badwater each year, or those who dare to do the Badwater Quad, of running from Badwater to Mt Whitney and back TWICE, have a goal. They want to finish and complete this arduous (some would say insane) challenge. It is seemingly insurmountable, apparently impossible, and surely crazy. Yet they aspire. They dream. They draw inspiration from those who have come before them, those who have succeeded and failed. They do not look at their chances and choose not to pursue their goal because they might not succeed. They take on that challenge. They suit up with determination and drive and they TRY. And even those who fail do so valiantly. They inspire and are inspired. They try and they try again. They fight through challenges and naysayers and they attempt to achieve their goal.

Simple, no? Set a goal and let it drive you. Use negativity from others as a fuel. Use praise from others as a fuel. See yourself achieving and then go and try! Are the runners who fail at events like Badwater truly failures? Of course not. They are worthy of accolades and praise. They are worthy of the admiration of those of us who have dared not try to achieve an impossible dream.

You see, I’m writing this a mere hour after my good friend Megan finished an awfully hard San Francisco Marathon course in 3:33, a 6 minute PR and a BQ. She went into this race with some history. Her last three marathons had not gone well for her. She had to fight off the demons of her marathon past and create herself anew. To return to coaching herself and driving herself to a really aggressive goal of a PR/BQ on an incredibly hilly course. She worked hard, fought negative thoughts, and trained like I’ve never seen another train. She has a drive that I’ve not seen in most people. There is a fire in her belly that pushes her to new heights. She achieved her goal.

I am inspired by Megan, and by the people who run events like Badwater, the Badwater Quad, Burning River 100; by anyone who dreams to attain a seemingly unreachable goal. So as I’ve said before, I want to BQ. I’ve got tons of work to do, but I find myself here with a renewed energy listening to Endurance Planet podcast about a guy trying to run the Bad water Quad. I’m inspired as I sit here and examine the splits of my amazingly talented friend Megan. I want to BQ. This is my impossible dream, my unreachable goal. I KNOW there are those who listen to my show and read this blog who snicker at me. I know who you are. You inspire me too. You drive me to swim, bike, run, to eat properly, to run more efficiently. Thank you for you indirect inspiration. I will hope to thank you and shake your hand when I pick up my Boston bib someday.

I am inspired. I am moved by runners who dare, who strive, who reach for something farther than their grasp. I am inspired because these “insurmountable” goals are really within our grasp, when we make up our mind that they are possible to reach. There is nothing to stop us but us. Our mind sets our limitations. Not people who tell us we cannot achieve or dare to dream.

I’ve made up my mind. How about you?

See you in Boston.

Product Review: Soleus 26.2 Large Face Chronograph

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 23:13:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, Soleus watches, www.twitter.com/soleuswatches, requested to follow me on Twitter. I had not heard of Soleus until then and checked out their web page. Now let’s get this out of the way: I am a watch freak. Ask my wife; I am rife with watches of all kinds. Can’t get enough. Of course, like most of us runners, I started out with the basic Times Ironman chronograph watch. Easily found at any Wal-Mart or Target. So the Soleus line fascinated me. I emailed them, told them about the blog and the show and asked if they’d send a sample for review. They did, so I offer this review after receiving a free product for review.

The item sent to me is the Soleus 26.2 100-lap large face Chronograph. Soleus touts this as the largest viewing area in the market and I don’t doubt them. I am nearsighted and slowly getting to the point where I need bifocals, yet when I run, I do so without glasses. I’d found it easy to see the display, even sans glasses. Nice.

Soleus offers a variety of watches, from basic chronographs at the 30-lap size or this one with 100 laps, and watches with HR monitors.

So, I tested this watch out in a variety of situations. First, it has been my everyday go-to-work watch. While the watch comes in a variety of color trimmings, I have the basic black shown below. Subdued enough to wear with dress clothes and with casual clothes alike.

I ran a 5K with my son using the watch. The watch face was large enough for me to see it during a twilight race, while my son wore my Garmin. I’ve been swimming laps in the watch, and I’ve also used it on my bike to do speed pickups in an interval timer.

It is a good looking watch, that won’t draw too much attention (of course, I love crazy colored watches so I like attention, LOL), and one would be safe to wear it to work and play.

So, what’s different about this watch and my basic Ironman? I thought the same thing when I first received the watch. But as I read the instructions and the features, I found that this watch allows the user to set up top 5 intervals in the interval function (not available on some models), so you can set up a run-walk interval, for instance. This differs from a lot of simple chronographs in that they often let you only establish a single interval. The Soleus will allow you to set up an interval of 5 minutes, then 1 minute. Some models allow you to set up 5 intervals in this way, with a 100-lap capacity on the 26.2 model for example.

The watch also does something kind of cool. You can set a predetermined pace time in the watch and as you reach the end of each lap, the watch will compare your actual time to your goal time. This is kind of like having a pace sheet for your race actually in the watch. No more pace bands, or pace tattoos, or in my case, index cards covered in ink that gets sweaty after a few miles!

So, thanks to Soleus for sending a sample for me to review. If you are interested, check them out at www.soleusrunning.com.

Episode 70: My Success is OUR Success

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 15:57:00 +0000

Gordon actually records while he runs for the first time in forever. He reports on his ITBS, his cross training, his swimming (what?), yes, his swimming. He discusses how he started losing weight. Then he asks listeners to join him in celebrating one year (July 20) of reclaiming his health, by asking that they do him a favor!

Download this episode (right click and save)

Since December

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 02:19:00 +0000

Since December, I've run the following races, setting PRs in 5 of the 7:

December: Rocket City Marathon (PR)

March: Power Run 8K (PR), Making Tracks 5K (PR)

April: Talladega Half Marathon (PR)

May: Flying Pig Half Marathon

June: Rockin' on the River 10 K (PR), Honda 5K

A HUGE HUGE thank you to Megan (Run Vegan Run Podcast) for coaching me and for seeing to it that I ran so well and well-prepared in each of these races. THANKS M!

The way we were

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 20:36:00 +0000

At my mother-in-law's condo, I found a pic of me from 2005. (Actually Marie had seen it on a previous trip to the beach. She said she didn't recognize me.) Here it is. I don't recognize me. How did I get that big? How could I not see THAT?

So below is a pic of me from this year's beach trip. Much better, if I do say so myself.

How to pack for the Disney Marathon

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 14:11:00 +0000

By popular demand, and hearing how it has helped some people pack for WDW races, I'm reposting a video I took in early 2009 just before the 2009 Disney World Marathon. Since you really have no clue what the weather will be at that time of year, you have to be prepared.

Find more videos like this on RuncastTV

Ep. 67: Childhood is Fleeting

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 19:42:00 +0000

Gordon doesn’t talk a lot about running. He discusses the nature of childhood and the bittersweet nature of being a parent. He talks about HIS LIFE. All this in light of viewing Toy Story 3 over the weekend. He gets a great voice mail from Carrie R. And he explains his new intro

Here is the video I spoke about on the show. Brings me to tears even now. The older child, Preston, is now 11, and younger one, Hudson, is now 9. At that time they were 4 and 2.

Episode 66: The mind must free the body to excel

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 21:15:00 +0000

Gordon takes a bike ride--again--and talks about his body image, the importance of training the mind to let the body excel, and he babbles a LOT!

Download this episode (right click and save)

New Podcast-- The Country Vegan, City Vegan Podcast

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 02:03:00 +0000

I'm thrilled to announce that I am co-host of a new podcast (no worries, Running to Disney is still in production), called "Country Vegan, City Vegan." My co-host is also my dear friend and running coach, Megan, the Veganrunningmom (@veganrunningmom on twitter) and host of her own show, Run Vegan Run.

The show came about after we both received an email from a fellow runner/cyclist about changes she had decided to make in her nutrition lifestyle based on my recent transformation and Megan's wonderful, open and nonjudgemental style. In my transition to Veganism, Megan has been a guru of sorts, answering all sorts of questions and serving as a mentor as I adopt a new lifestyle. We decided that it would be a lot of fun to produce a monthly show where we get together and compare notes on what it is like to be a Vegan in my small southern town, and in her big city. Thus the title: Country Vegan, City Vegan.

The show will be in iTunes soon, but can be found directly on the Podbean site at this link:

Country Vegan City Vegan Podcast.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/cvcvpodcast

Voice Mail: 206-203-1717

Email: thecountryvegan (at) gmail (dotcom), and thecityvegan (at) gmail (dotcom)

Hip Stretches from Sara and Ryan Hall

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 15:00:00 +0000

Episode 65: Preston's First 5K

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 20:23:00 +0000

Gordon runs a 5K with his oldest son, Preston (11). The Honda 5K in Lincoln, Alabama, site of a Honda auto plant. It was a mixture of trails and road, and Preston did great: 38:11 by the Garmin!

Hudson ran the kids 1K and finished with blazing speed

VMs from cool people follow!

First VFF run!!

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 14:38:00 +0000

Ran a mile in my VFFs (KSOs) yesterday afternon. Ran with my 11-yr old as we prep him to run/walk a 5K on Saturday night. Interesting experience. Feeling the road underfoot is really kinda cool, and the adjustment is not as dificult as I expected. Of course, I only went a mile and will take this very slow (by the way, Ive been wearing these things EVERYWHERE, so I'm accustomed to them somewhat).
The lack of cushioning really makes me pay very close attention to foot strike. I found myself striking mid- to-forefoot. And although we ran slow (11-12 min pace) I see how running faster makes the forefoot strike easier and more effective. I also found myself paying close attention to posture. Wonder if anyone else has felt this. Running in the VFFs made me feel like I should run with better posture, more upright. Can't describe it. I guess by running at that foot-strike and stride and all, I felt like i had a better center of gravity. Hmm. Dunno.

Looking forward to another mile in them soon. Goal is to race a 5K in August while wearing them

Episode 64: Rockin' on the River 10K

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 17:46:00 +0000

Gordon finishes his racing season and heads into the summer months with a new PR in the 10K. He discusses where he is with running and what he wants to do next. Men in red jumpsuits attack his car. He buys some VFFs and goes to Whole Foods Cool voice mails
Michael (check out his new site!) Goofy Fitness Dad

Alett

Ted You Don't Have to Run Alone Podcast

Bill Fishadad Podcast

Why I Run

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 00:44:00 +0000

In the midst of my 10k as I battled the inner demons that wanted me to ease up, I realized that I'm proud to run. To test myself and to grow.

Running allows me to see what kind of person I am inside. Will I compromise? Will I take the easy path? Or will I fight, struggle, and grow?

I'm proud to say that this year, more often than not, I have fought and I have grown. I'm proud of that more than anything.

A Request For Support

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 20:41:00 +0000

As you may know already if you listen to the podcast, I am a member of Team AllEars, a running/fundraising group organized by Deb Wills. Please read her bio here. Deb publishes one of, if not THE, longest running Disney electronic newsletter. AllEars, or some variation of the current newsletter, has been published since 1996. So she was there from the beginning of the dot com revolution. And she has become an Oracle of sorts in the Disney Community, a truly amazing woman!

Since being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 1986, she has been a tireless advocate for Breast Cancer research as well as a first rate fundraiser. Team AllEars is her effort to support running and healthy lifestyle, while also spreading the word about the need for awareness of and support for breast cancer research. I'm proud to be a member of Team AllEars and will run the 2011 Disney's Goofy Challenge in support of this cause.

Here is the Team AllEars information page.

If you would like to donate and support my fundraising goal, please click this link for instructions and a link to the donation page on how to donate in the form of your choosing. As members of Team AllEars we have agreed to raise at least $500. I would love to raise much more. Please be sure, as you will read in the instructions, to include my name on the submission form.

If you prefer to pay with check, please follow these instructions:

please make it out to the "Avon Walk for Breast Cancer" and mail to:

Deb Wills
3520 Sugarloaf Parkway
SUITE F03-105
Frederick, MD 21704

Please note on the check that the donation is supporting my efforts: "Team AllEars Gordon Harvey"

Disney offering incentives for WDW Marathon registration

noreply@blogger.com (G) — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 16:42:00 +0000

Looks like in an effort to spur registration for the Marathon, Disney is offering incentives. Seems to be a sign that they are concerned with slow registration. Of course, they could always lower registration. Nah. Crazy idea, eh?

Read WDW News Release