The Running Daddy's Running Thoughts on The Oscars

1. Seth McFarlane was OK. Not great, but not terrible. Better than Billy Crystal last year... but that's a pretty low bar. 
2. I did think the monologue was kind of clever... but the rest of the show was just... meh.
3. I don't mind lip-syncing if it is done well... therefore, I really REALLY hated Catherine Zeta Jones in the "All That Jazz" number from Chicago. She mad Ashlee Simpson look like Beyonce.
4. Jennifer Hudson... WOW.
5. Cossette (both the character and Amanda Seyfried) suck.  There, I said it.  
6. Do you think Kristen Stewart is just fucking with us now? The first thing she did when she presented was flip her hair over... and the first thing out of her mouth was "Ugh" (like a bored teenager). She was just trying to make the internet explode, right?
7. OK, I just have to say it... Adele's last name is Adkins? How has Jay Leno not already made this joke?
8. Somehow, Jennifer Lawrence out-adorabled Quvenzhané Wallis. (OK, not really, but her acceptance speech was pretty adorable)
9. When they were playing the clip from the Oscar-nominated song that Scarlett Johansen sang... my wife mentioned that Scarlett had auditioned for Fantine in Les Mis, but had larengitis that day and (obviously didn't get the part). So, weirdly, Scarlett's Johansen's sore throat cost Sally Fields an Oscar.
10. I guess I have to see Argo now (I already wanted to see it... but now I guess I HAVE to).

Goofy Challenge Part II - 2013 Walt Disney World Marathon Race Recap

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So here we are... the "Challenge" part of the "Goofy Challenge."  The Full Marathon.  So gather round people, wherever you may be, and admit that this Challenge is totally crazy, and accept it that soon I was miserable.  If your time to you is worth savin', then you better read fast, or this will take all day, for the recap it is a comin'.¹

(Read the Recap after the jump)

Goofy Challenge Part I - 2013 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Race Recap

A lot has happened since I ran the Walt Disney World Half Marathon last year (at least in my running life).  Since then, I've run another Half Marathon and beat my PR by quite a bit and run my first Full Marathon.

Well my friend Phil (not his real name) and I decided that just running a half or a full marathon wasn't enough... we thought we'd do both... yep, we're F^%&ing Goofy!

(Read the rest of the recap after the jump)

2012 Twin Cities Marathon Race Recap

Whoops... it's been 4 months since I ran the Twin Cities Marathon.  I guess it's about time I work on a Recap.  This recap won't be as detailed as some of my previous Race Recaps (like my Lincoln Half Recap, and especially not like my Disney Half Race Recap) because I just don't remember all the details.  But I'll do my best.

Pre-Race
I had everything laid out for this race the night before.  Unfortunately, I got sucked in to the Nebraska vs. Ohio State football game the night before (a humiliating defeat by the Huskers) and got to be a tad later than I had planned (although not much).  I woke up somewhere around 5:30, got dressed, had a pre-race meal (probably something light like a small bowl of cereal).  I then drove to St. Paul and parked near the finish line.  As you can see from this course map, the race actually starts at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, weaves its way through Minneapolis, and then makes its way to the State Capitol in St. Paul.

The race organizers had shuttle buses from a spot near the finish to the start.  Thankfully, I got to the shuttle pick up point by about 6:30 because there was a HUGE line of people and the buses seemed to take forever to fill up.  There is also a 10 mile race at the same time as the Marathon (which also starts at the Metrodome and Finishes at the Capitol), and that race is much more popular than the Marathon.  The 10 mile race also started at 7, so there were a lot of nervous 10-mile racers in that line.

I eventually got on the bus and it made it's way along I-94 between downtown St. Paul and downtown Minneapolis.  I think we pulled into the Metrodome area at about 6:55 (or maybe even right at 7:00), so all my new 10-mile friends had to basically sprint to the 10-mile start line (a few blocks away).  Me, I casually walked over to the Metrodome where you could go inside the stadium to stay warm (the temperature at the start of the race was around 38 degrees).  I waited in line for a restroom for about 15 minutes until I decided to go outside and use the Port-O-Potties.

After my pit stop, I was texting my friend Phil (not his real name)... the same Phil that I ran the Disney Half Marathon with back in January, and we eventually met up near the stadium.  We checked our bags and headed to the corrals.

Start Line
There definitely isn't as much fanfare for the Twin Cities Marathon as there is for Disney.  No pre-race announcers.  No interviews with celebrities (or running celebrities) running the race.  No fireworks.  Just a bunch of nervous runners pack into a small space waiting to start the race.  The only thing I really remember about the starting area was Phil kind of freaking out (his training was more sporadic than mine) and me saying "You'll be fine" (for those of you not familiar with the better storytelling techniques... this is called "foreshadowing").

Anyway, then it was time to start (more after the jump)

What's Going On?

Wow... I haven't posted in over three months!  Sorry about that (if there is anyone out there who actually reads this).  I wanted to update you on what I've been up to and what my future plans are for this blog, so here goes:

What's Happened Since October

1. As in indicated in my last post, I finished my first marathon (Twin Cities) in October 2012.  I plan on writing a race recap at some point (although the details will be pretty sketchy, since I've probably forgotten most of what went on).
2. Between late October 2012 and Early January 2013, I was very, very, very busy with work (one of the reasons I haven't posted at all).  I was also very busy training for the Walt Disney World Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge (the "Goofy Challenge"), so between work, my kids, my wife, and training, I really had no free time.
3. On January 12 and 13, 2013, I ran the Goofy Challenge and was able to complete both races.  It was incredibly difficult, and I WILL write a recap of each race... just know that there was pretty much the cliched "Perfect Storm" of bad conditions for me, so while I am ecstatic that I finished the Challenged, I'm pretty disappointed with my times.
4. Right after Goofy, my family spent some additional time in Florida at Walt Disney World... which I may write about a bit.
5. After getting back from Florida, I'm just trying to get back into the swing of work (which has taken at least a full week so far).

Future Plans for This Blog

I've been a pretty terrible blogger, and I've struggled with what I want my "voice" to be.  Up until now, my blog has been way too conventional as simply a running blog.  While that's fine and good, there are SOOOOO many great blogs that discuss in much more detail the ins and outs of running that I can't really expect to provide the same level of analysis and insight... and I don't think I should.  I have enough things to worry about in my life, and I don't want to make this blog a continuous research project.

So, what I hope to do is refocus on what makes me somewhat unique as a blogger about running... and that is to focus on how I juggle being a professional (a boring old patent attorney), a father of two small children, and someone who tries to improve as a runner.  Because of that, posts about "hard core" running will be much more limited.  Similarly, posts with product reviews will also be much more limited.  I do want to share my feelings about products, but I just don't have the time to give it the level of detail that would add any value over the hundreds of other blogs and websites that are devoted to reviewing running equipment.

"Well then, what will you write about?"  Well, that's an excellent question, fake reader I made up to force the illusion of a conversation on my readers.  For the immediate future, my blog will be much more mercurial and subject to my daily whims.  I hope to write a bit more about my everyday life, including stories of my family and work life.  I also hope to write some creative stuff (think weird short stories, sketches, and the like).  Not because I think anyone will actually enjoy reading it, but because it's just something I want to try.  There will still be posts about running, and I do hope to write race reports and let you know what things I will be running in.... but my goal is to make this a much more personal blog from now on.  Maybe that means I won't attract very many readers... but I don't really care.

Anyway... there is my rambling attempt at describing what's up with me.  I hope you stick around to see what happens.

Mike
"The Running Daddy"

First Maraton? Check

I finished my first marathon yesterday... as you can see, I had a respectable 4:20 time (official time was 4:20:48).  I hope to write a recap soon, but I will say the crowd support on the Twin Cities Course was amazing!  Also, marathons are really hard!

Twin Cities Marathon Training Summary

So where the hell have I been?!  Well, I have no excuse for not posting over the past month and a half... other than that I have been very busy with work, kids, and training.

And now, the Twin Cities Marathon is 6 days away... so I thought I'd update you on my training with a very high-level summary.

Total Miles (June 18 through Sunday, Sept. 30): 373.4
Total Running Time: 2 days, 9 hours, 4 minutes, 59 seconds (57:04:59)
Total Missed Workouts: Lots... more than I want to count or admit
Longest Run: 21 miles (Sept. 15), 3:16:25 (9:21/mi)
Fastest Long Run: 8:51/mi (10 mi marathon pace run on Sept. 30).  Fastest non-marathon pace run was a 9:13/mi 15-miler on Sept. 9.
Slowest Long Run: 11:02/mi (20 mi run on Sept. 2) (it was very hot and humid that day, so I don't really feel too bad about it)
Toughest Runs: There were two 10-mile marathon pace runs that were scheduled on the same day of the week as tempo runs.... meaning I had to get up at 4 in the morning and run for 10 miles before breakfast... TWICE!

That's pretty much it.  This will probably be the last post until I write a race recap (hopefully completed within a couple weeks after the race).

WDW Marathon Medal Finally Revealed

runDisney finally revealed the 20th Anniversary medal for the WDW Full Marathon.



Overall,I really like it.  The double spinning concept is very cool.  I'm not crazy about the stabby flag at the bottom, but I will be happy and proud to wear this bad boy in January.

Twin Cities Marathon Training - Week 2

As you will recall, last week, I ended up skipping three workouts (including my first speed intervals workout).  So, my primary goal for Week 2 was to get all of my run workouts in... and I achieved that goal.  I still missed both of my cross-training workouts, but I'm hoping to get back into those next week (including a swim workout with my new toy)

Mon. June 25 - Rest - Another Monday, another skipped cross-training workout.  However, after the disastrous long run the day before, I couldn't bring myself to do anything.


Tues. June 26 - 4x800 m Intervals (3.79 mi, 37:13, 9:49/mi avg) - My first speed workout of the training program, and this one was actually pretty easy.  Only four 800s go by pretty quick.  My goal for each 800 m interval was 3:37
Splits
1) 800 m - 3:35
2) 800 m - 3:32
3) 800 m - 3:31
4) 800 m - 3:33 

Twin Cities Marathon Training - Week 1

It's finally here... I'm now (sort of) officially training for a marathon.  And it wasn't a great start to my training.  Oh well, that's why the program is 16 weeks long.

Mon. June 18 - Rest - I ran 11 miles on Sunday, so this is was a rest day (alright!  First day of the training program, and one workout skipped already!  Great job, Mike!)


Tues. June 19 - Rest - This was supposed to be a 3x1600 m interval workout... but a HUGE storm hit the South Metro of the Twin Cities (where I live)... and it hit just before I was about to go out for my run.  This storm ended up flipping FREAKIN' PLANES over just a few miles from my house, so it's probably good that I didn't run.

Wed. June 20 Rest - OK, so I could have worked out this morning... and I don't really have an excuse not to... but I couldn't really bring myself to make up the previous day's missed interval workout or the cross training workout I was scheduled to do this morning.  Ugh.  Three days in, and I've missed ALL three workouts so far.

Thurs. June 21 - 2 mi Short Tempo (5.60 mi, 51:24, 9:14/mi avg) - phew, I finally got out for a run... and for a very tough and fast tempo run too.  Thankfully, the "tempo" part of this workout was only for 2 miles.  My goal for the tempo portion was 8:05/mi
Splits
Warm up - 2 mi, 18:48, 9:24/mi
2 mi Tempo Run - 15:45, 7:52/mi
Cool Down - 1.6 mi, 16:52, 10:32/mi

Fri. June 22 - Rest - This was actually a scheduled rest day.

Sat. June 23 - Rest - My wife and I have been busy getting the house ready for guests next weekend, and after a long day of yard work and other chores around the house, plus playing with the kids, I decided to push this workout to Sunday morning... BIG MISTAKE.

Sun. June 24 -10 mile Long Run (reduced from 13) (10.32 mi, 1:44:24, 10:07/mi) - This was a TERRIBLE RUN.  It started out OK, with the first four or five miles being right on target, or even a little faster than my goal (9:29/mi)... but then the hills started coming, and the temperature and the humidity started rising.  I ended up cutting the run short and calling my wife to pick me up along the route.

Total Running Miles for Week 1: 15.92
Total Running Time for Week 1: 2:34:58
Total X-training Time for Week 1: 0:00:00 
Total Training Time for Week 1: 2:34:58


Total Running Miles for TC Marathon Training: 15.92
Total Running Time for TC Marathon Training: 2:34:58
Total Training Time (Running + X-training) for TC Marathon Training: 2:34:58