Chip'n'Dale Runner: Go Nuts!

Earlier this morning, outside the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum, I completed the Rocky Balboa Run 10K! This was the inaugural running of the race, and I have to say, the course organization and support rivaled some of the bigger races I’ve been at. With nearly 7,000+ runners, the turnout was amazing. Unfortunately, the winds and cold weather (26 degrees at the start) made it a little bit of a challenge. The race was an out and back course that started in Eakin’s Oval, ran along the river, then turned back on the same road, and finished right in front of the art museum steps (where the Italian Stallion ran up in the movie)! Toss in a bunch of Rocky movie soundtracks along the way, and an awesome championship-belt style finisher medal, and it was a wonderful morning.

The drive down starting at 5am wasn’t much fun, or the drive back (think Schuylkill Expressway traffic), but it was well worth the time spent. I ended up meeting an old college friend, Steph, and her sister-in-law Steph, so we had a nice time chatting before the run. Always nice to make the time go faster. A 5K started at 7:30am, with the 10K starting at 8:15am. Had I know the same medal would be given out to both finishers, I might have opted for the shorter (and earlier) race. Overall though, the run fit right into my post-Wine & Dine, and pre-Goofy training.

One of my favorite medals! Rocky Balboa Run!

Rocky Run 10K Champ!

Rocky Balboa Run Start Line – 26 degrees out!

Nick, and 2 Stephs

I knew going into last week’s hat trick that I would feel it for a few days. I had a similar experience after Dumbo two months ago. Running back-to-back races (10K/Half) for DDD wasn’t too bad, as I walked around the parks most of the day. After Runner’s World, it was back to work, and the sitting really took its toll. I haven’t run at all this week, giving my legs (and calves especially) some much needed time to relax. With Wine & Dine only 2 weeks away, I’ll have to get back into some kind of routine this week… at least taking it easy to keep my conditioning in check. I’m going to treat W&D like a training run, trying to have fun this year, and hopefully coming in under 3:00. That sounds like a PR goal as I’m typing it, but I think if I pace myself appropriately, I should do just fine.

I did it! 22.4 miles in 2 days – 3 races – 3 medals! I finished the 2014 Runner’s World Hat Trick (5K/10K/Half)! My times weren’t the best, but I crossed that finish line all 3 times upright… only needed a trip for medicine (Tylenol) after the half due to knee issues. I might actually have some confidence to crank out Goofy in January… for now, a few days to relax the muscles and start getting ready for Wine & Dine in 3 more weeks!

2014 Runner’s World Hat Trick Complete!

In between the rain we’ve had these last few days, I got in one last good run tonight. 3.5 miles at a decent pace. I’m ready for Saturday and Sunday, ready to knock out the 5K, the 10K, and the Half Marathon! This will be half marathon #4 of the year for me, one short of my goal to complete 5. That goal I will reach in 3 more weeks at the Wine & Dine Half Marathon in Walt Disney World!

On top of a migraine and a bad night of sleep, what better to do than head out for a long run… 14 miles to be roughly exact. I actually felt pretty good through most of it, and high 50’s temperatures helped tremendously. Around Mile 9, I started getting foot pain again, and realized I had forgotten to put a new metatarsal pad in my shoe. By Mile 13, I wasa hurting pretty bad but pushed through and finished the run.

Looking back,  I didn’t eat a great breakfast prior, and it hurt my running. The lack of calories coupled with the foot pain caused some nauseous post-run. This led to not eating much afterwards and dealing with a bit of dizziness. Lesson learned – must eat more prior AND something afterwards. From here on out, it’s new uncharted territory as I work towards a 26.2 mile distance. The next week is a light week of tapering in preparation for the Runner’s World Hat Trick (5K/10K/Half).

After being relegated to a lot of walking over the last two weeks, mostly due to my lovely sinus infection, I finally got out this past Saturday for a short 1.75 mile run. Nothing fancy, and kept to around an 11:30 average pace… I actually felt good but didn’t want to push it and get sick again. Weather was cool and breezy.

Tonight, I knocked out 4 miles at an 11:07 average pace. Felt a LOT better, which means the antibiotics did their job, and the rest paid off. It was completely dark when I ran, save for a beautiful full moon. Did a loop around the neighborhood, running up and down the dead end cul-de-sacs for extra mileage (who wouldn’t do that). Time to get serious and put the mileage in this week. Runner’s World Hat Trick (5K/10K/Half) coming up in a week and a half. Then three weeks later, my 5th and final half marathon for 2014, runDisney’s Wine & Dine.