Generic Title: Year in Review

Last day of 2013.  I got one last run and weight session in.  It gave me time to think about the past year.  Here’s what had happened…

It started by running the 20th Anniversary of the Disney Marathon in Orlando…

Medals dang near big as yo head!

As part of that, the boy ran the Kid’s Race and won his heat!

I can’t believe he has better form than I do. He also has better race photos.

I also kept my streak alive of being undefeated against celebrities in races.  You can read about the others HERE, but this time I beat Joey Fatone….

It’s the guy from that boy band – I think it’s named – My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Explored the Orlando Theme Parks with…

Moms, Pops, Boy.

Celebrated the boy’s birthday at a fire station (his choice)…

Unfortunately, the did not serve us chili.

I then ran the Too Cold to Hold 5 miler.  You can see the recap HERE – A bunch of friends joined me…

We should’ve ordered brighter shirts for TNSR.

I ran the Dallas Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon.  You can see the recap HERE…

I know it looks like Brooks threw up on me, but don’t care cause it was cold! I needed more of that tin foil stuff to wrap me up like a baked potato.

I then got to produce a bunch more videos with the hilarious Flula…

Like our dope videos or we will fight you…in a non violent way.

I got to celebrate my birthday and St. Patty’s Day in a special way, which you can see HERE…

I’d be a giant in leprechaun village.

Then I won my age group in a very special 5k that you can see the recap HERE…

I’ll treasure this one fo shizzle.

I then got to meet up with my sis and sis from another miss in Raleigh, NC…

With my sis and sis from another miss.

After a few days of fun, we were off to the Outer Banks to run the Flying Pirate Half Marathon, which you can read my recap about HERE…

My sis and I after a recent 1/2 marathon in OBX, NC.

We had a bit of fun exploring the site of the Wright Bros first flight…

Gotcha!

And celebrated on the beach…

Here’s your typical beach photo of legs and feet.

Unfortunately, the next day was the bombing of the Boston Marathon.  I wrote my thoughts on it HERE, which I got a huge response from.  Apparently I wrote what others were feeling.

At Fenway Pahk watchin tha Red Sahx play the wicked Yankees a few years ago.

I then ran another 5k, you can read about it HERE…

Takin it to da bridge!

Then my soccer team finished in second place after losing in a shoot-out after double overtime…

No smiles for second place.

I continued running with Thursday Night Social Run...

We run. We socialize. It’s cool.

I ran another 5k, recap HERE…

Posing with a patriotic trash can.

I re-incorporated trail running into my repertoire…

It’s best to run in the back so the leaders are 1st to find snakes and spiderwebs.

Got to play a ninja in a music video…

In between takes with some “Felvis” dancers (female Elvis).

I then ran in an unofficial 4×1 mile relay race, recap HERE…

At the Relay Race – We’re both rockin the Pure Flow 2 by Brooks.

I then ran my first Beer Mile race (4x 1/4 mile + 1 beer at each).  I finished 2nd overall.  Recap HERE…

A trophy, yay!

I became a part of a new run training group – Project Run 214…

Bright and early!

Got to see Mumford and Sons with family and friends…

Went to the local Oktoberfest so that I could drink free beer cheer my friends running the 5k…

My friend wore lederhosen during the race, so we decided to celebrate.

Enrolled the boy in his first hockey class…

He looks serious!

Went to the coast of Texas to teach a class on TV production and collect some awards…

Boats on the water.

I ran my first 15k race.  Recap HERE…

Say ahhhhhh!

Tested out a new mode of transportation…

Howdy pardner. You like my ride?

Went trick or treating with the rug rats…

I’m a ginja (ginger ninja).

Do not cross him.

Cowgirls are udderly cute.

I then went to the Alamo to look for my bike…

Alamo selfie!

Won two more Emmy’s for the mantle…

Emmy #6! I’d like to thank the Academy, etc. etc.

Hung out with Nitro from American Gladiators…

Right before we went through the gauntlet!

I then tweaked something in my knee…

My tape job.

Cheered for more friends running a Thanksgiving day race…

The turkey was probably sad because it was Thanksgiving – a sad day for flightless birds.

Survived a North Texas ice storm…

All that white stuff looks like fun snow, but is actually pure evil ice.

Which forced me to the dreadmill to continue my training…

That took forever.

Helped a friend run the final few of his 30 mile run for charity…

At the mile 27 station.

Celebrated the holidays with family and friends…

All our ornaments on the bottom half of the tree.

And ate a buttload of tacos…

Mmmmm, tacos.

BTW, my knee is feeling pretty great.  I’m almost done training for next week’s Dopey Challenge (5k, 10k, 13.1, 26.2) at Disney World!  Can’t wait to get these 6 medals!

My neck feels heavy just looking at them.

In between we just kept on trying to keep on.  Hanging out at home with the fams and dogs.  Making videos.  Yoga-ing.  Working out.  Cooking.  Laughing.  Oh, and blogging.

 

How was your year?  Did you make the most of it?  How’s your 2014 looking?  Big plans?  Holla!

My Thoughts on Boston Marathon 2013

I have never run the Boston Marathon.  I may never be able to.  To qualify I’d have to run a 3:10:00 marathon.  That’s 7:15 per mile.  The best I’ve done at a 1/2 marathon is an 8:13 pace.  So I’d have to shave an minute off my current best pace and go twice as far.  I’d have to run at basically my 5k pace for 26.2.  That’s a tall order.  But never say never.  Someday maybe.  It’d be an awesome achievement.  And I have nothing but respect for others who can make it there.

Long before I ever had any inkling about running these distances, I still knew what the Boston Marathon was.  It’s a storied event, known worldwide.  And around this same time in my life, I actually saw the finish line.  I was in Boston on business and had some free time to explore.  I randomly got out of a subway stop and there it was, the finish line to the Boston Marathon.  The race was not going on, but I guess they leave it there painted on the street year round.  Like I said, I’d never even considered running a marathon, but I knew about Boston and seeing the finish line gave me a sense of respect, awe, and history.  I knew that people worldwide focus on that exact spot once a year.  I knew people worldwide strive to be at that spot once in their life.  And I was standing in it’s presence.  Like many tragedies, there’s  no way I could predict what would happen at that exact spot so many years later.

At Fenway Pahk watchin tha Red Sahx play the wicked Yankees.

I used to go to Boston about once a month for work. And. I. Loved. It.  I love the food, the people, the accent, the history, the sights, everything.  I always added a free day or two to my trip so I could explore the city.  I still consider Boston one of my 2nd home cities.  Combine that with my love of running, you can imagine how the Boston Marathon bombing hit close to home for me.

I don’t have to get into how horrible the event was and is.  I’d rather focus on the good.  Like how people post on social media the Mr. Rogers quote about focusing on how there are always people helping the injured.  Like how Patton Oswalt posted about there will always be more good people than bad people.  Like the reports of finishers running to the hospital to donate blood.  Like how the message of peace on the sign held in the picture of the little boy who was killed, Martin Richard, will reach so many people.  Like how within seconds, first responders and civilians alike were running toward the travesty to help strangers in need.  Like how instead of scaring people, this event inspired so many across the country get out and run and remember.

I for one have never wanted to run more than I do right now.  I have never wanted to run the Boston Marathon than I do now.  I signed up for the Dopey Challenge at Disney last week – that’s 4 straight days of racing – 5k, 10k, 1/2, & full marathon.  I was kind of intimidated by it, but now I’m inspired to run it.  I’ll run it with Boston on my mind.  Like I said, I’ve never wanted to run more than I do now.  Stephen Colbert had a funny quote:

“Here’s what these cowards really don’t get: they attacked the Boston Marathon, an event celebrating people who run 26 miles on their day off until their nipples are raw — for fun.”

It’s true.  People don’t run marathons cause they’re easy.  People who run marathons aren’t weak.  Regardless of what you think about politics, I thought President Obama gave a great speech at the interfaith service in Boston a few days after the attack.  As a runner and American, I liked how he compared America to marathoners.  How we always push through, even when times are tough.  How we always know that around the next bend, there will always be others there to support us.  How we will always finish the race!

On a personal note, I had two friends running this race.  One was already long finished.  But the other was within half a mile of the finish when the bombs went off.  We didn’t hear that she was safe for hours, so that was a stressful time let me tell you.  But we were lucky, both our friends are safe.  So thankful for that.

But like I said, I’ve spent lots of time in Beantown.  I know the people.  I know how tough they are.  I’ve also spent some time in NYC.  I know how tough that city is.  When I was at ground zero last summer, I saw firsthand how they have picked themselves up and gotten stronger since 9/11.  I know Boston will do the same.

Whatever your personal race is, get out and do it.  Whether it’s running or something in life…no person, no excuse, no situation can stop you.  Go do it!

“No more hurting people.  Peace.” – Martin Richard