Whale of a Run....

What a great weekend...On Saturday morning, the family...which for the weekend included our good friend Melissa from Iowa headed to the Whaling Days Run...The family ran the 1 mile, while I ran the 4 miler...

Felt really good during the race and finished in 34 minutes...The winner...Shane...I won't attempt to spell his last name won the event...With a time of 20 minutes...Shane will be a senior this year at CK high and is considered one of the best distance runners ever to come out of the state of Washington....I would not be surprised to see him in the Olympics in 2012..No joke...Sunday I woke up at 6 am and headed out for my 12 miler...The run was great, the weather was beautiful, and I found a lost wallet...No kidding...Wallet w/ 60 bucks, credit cards and some keys...The cop I saw driving by a few minutes later was pretty surprised when I turned in the wallet with the money...felt right, and helped me feel good the rest of the run...

After the run it was Free day on the eating habits...So what did I have..Pizza and Pizza and then attempted to have Ice Cream...Honest to God...Could only muster a few bites...Guess thats a good thing...

So after 9 days on the eating right lifestyle...I have lost over 10 pounds...Feeling really good..and getting stoked that my 36's are within reach...

Enjoy the pics..

8 Days and Counting...

8 Days ago I stated on my post that it was now time to get serious...I was kicking it into gear for both the marathon training and the nutrition side of things...

Here we are 8 days later and going strong...Granted it has been tough, but I am already seeing results and feeling great...Little Brother Tim had told me that there would be tests along the way...and ohhh was he right..The "Body for Life" lifestyle...I call it a lifestyle because it is something I want to do on a permanent basis not just for a "diet"....started last Thursday...I had sat with Tim on the internet going over my goals and immediately upon hanging up I started my plan in place...

3 meals a day + 3 supplemental meal shakes a day + marathon plan = SUCCESS...

1st Test came on Saturday night...Emma and I had spent the day in Seattle watching our first MLS game...it was awesome...We brought our lunches and my shake mix and had a wonderful time...Upon our return to Bremerton we went to our friends the Warthens house for Supper...Low and Behold the first test...Tony's Pizza...Not just any Tony's pizza, but Meat and Spice...For all that have come out and enjoyed it and those yet to do so...This stuff is the shiznit...guess what...its not in my plan...so instead i enjoyed a wheat tortilla w/ lettuce and ham...mmmmmmmm.....

2nd Test came on Sunday afternoon...we made the jaunt down to Olympia to celebrate our friend Olive's 2nd Birthday...Dip, Chips, Cake, Ice Cream, Steak Kabobs, Chicken Kabobs...the works....Not for me...I stuck to my plan...Sure I could have had the chicken or steak...but it was not at my time...

3rd Test...Went to the mall last night and watched Emma eat an entire Ice Cream Cone...Usually she has trouble with cones and ends up leting parts melt and it starts to drip..Nope, not last night...It was as if she knew that Daddy could not help her, so she finished the whole freaking thing...

4th Test...This week at work...Everywhere I turned it must have been bring a dozen donuts to work day...a fritter here, a jelly filled there, and what's that...oh just a chocolate glazed....

It is not going to be easy and I look forward to implementing a free day into my week in the next few weeks...but I have to say I feel great...

I of course could not do it with out some important people:
*My co-workers who I have enlisted to watch my eating and to make sure I do not grab a donut.
*Emma who reminded me tonight that my flabby belly is getting smaller..
*Coach Tim, who has inspired many with his Triathlons but has pushed me to strive to be smaller and better..
* and Vanessa who though may tease me with a cookie across my nose or a comment on how good the cake tasted has started to adapt our suppers to meet my plans..Thank you honey.

What's next? The next 8 days...

Now we get SERIOUS!!!

Hard to believe it has been two weeks since I last wrote...I guess thats what happens when you go on vacation for 2 weeks..

The family and I left on the 28th of June(Day after the Seattle Rock n Roll) and flew to Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We spent a week in Swisher(My Hometown), which included running the CR 8K...This was a great race...I did it in just under 44 minutes...This is hilarious because back in 2003 I did a 5K in 45 minutes...On the 4th we had a great time as my parents held their annual 4th Bash around the pool..This year included an 80's Cover Band...The HS kids were great...

Just after the start of the 8K


The Kasparek's

On the 5th we headed over to Winterset...Vanessa's home town and the birthplace of John Wayne and the home of the Bridges of Madison County...Spent a good week with the in-laws and then headed to Spencer, Iowa and helped Joe Parker and Jessi Kenyon tie the knot. Met some great people that have become great friends...

Gotta say that I am pretty happy with the running I did on vacation...Ran almost everyday, and took in some great scenery...even if it was just corn and rolling hills...Running through my hometown brought back many childhood memories...

Then yesterday we arrived back in Washington...and now it is go time...Go time in the sense that I am now full in to the Marathon Training for the Marine Corps Marathon...Not only am I full in, I have enlisted the help of a coach...One that many of you are familiar with...My little brother Tim...The IronMan that he is has agreed to lend me his support and expertise...more for my eating...but support that I need none the less...

Today started that plan....I have till October 25..the day of the race to try and lose 40 pounds...or try to get down to 200 or less pounds..The funny thing is, I have no idea how much I weigh right now...It could be anywhere between 230 and 240...My lowest was right before we left Japan when I was at 220 for the first time since Senior year of HS...and not knowing usually would bother the living shit out of me...right now..it doesn't..which in itself is a huge victory...

My other motivation for the race and one that I will be asking all of your support shortly on is a charity that I have decided to run for...I have decided to run for "Team Hole in the Wall" This is the charity that Paul Newman started that sends children with Serious Illnesses to Camps around the world...I am required to raise $1500.00 dollars...My goal is $5000.00....You can link to my Team Hole in the Wall Web Page and donate via the following link(also listed in my favorites to the left)...or send a check directly to me which I will then deposit into the program...I have worked with children my whole life...and this gives me that much more incentive during my run....

http://www.teamholeinthewall.org/netcommunity/manwichmantorunningman
(Once on the site, click on the Support Chris Link located above the picture of hands)

So there it is...the offical let's get serious...Below are some pics from the last race as well as vacation...Enjoy and thank you ahead of time for all of the suppor that you will provide me...You always do....

Seattle Rock N Roll...So Close...

At 4:00 a.m. this morning I was woke up by the Alarm Tone of my phone..."The Office Theme" Rolled over and could not believe it was time...So I popped out of bed and headed to the restroom to get ready for the race. I had set out all of my stuff the night before so that I could get ready in the restroom of our Sheraton Room and not wake Vanessa or the kids...

After 2 quick trips to the Throne(this is important) I was headed out to catch the shuttle to the starting line. The good thing about the Sheraton was that it is only 2 blocks from the Shuttle...So me and my fellow runners caught school buses for the 15 minute jaunt to the Starting Line...Wanting to get to the shuttle early because I was nervous that I may miss it, or would get to the race late ended up back firing but also being a blessing in disguise. The shuttle was earily quiet...Everyone, I am assuming, focusing on the race ahead...We would have plenty of time to focus later.

The shuttle, 1 among many, arrived at the starting line at 5:00 a.m. Yep, 2 hours of waiting for the race...Do you know all the things you can do for two hours...Well let me tell you a few..

-Eat half a bagel(Was a really good thing..Yep, I forgot to pack a breakfast...DUMB)

-Eat a Banana(See above)

-Check out all of the Ugly Ladies..Of course UGLY meaning..Not so much(Don't be pissed..I already told Vanessa....70% of this race were women.)

-Watched a guy with the ugliest stride I have ever seen...

-Stretched every muscle in my bosy at least 20 times....2 Hours to kill folks..

-Visited the Porta Potties...Wait for it....6 times...Yep...6...Holy @#$% ...literally...

At 6:45 as I was finally getting into the Throne for the last time it was time to proceed to my gate...Gate #7...This was the section for us that were going to try our asses off to finish the half in under 2 hours...There she was, the pacer...With the 2 hour mark held high in the air...All I had to do was stay in front of her...Thats all...

As I turned around and looked backwards, for the first time I saw the "Swarm"...25,000 Runners...It was amazing...and I must tell you...These guys know how to do this marathon thing..If you ever get the chance to run a Rock n Roll Marathon...Do it...They are professional and very organized...

7 o'clock hit and the gates started to creep towards the starting line...1,2,3,4,5,6 and then it was 7's turn...GO!!!!

I went out like a Catholic after the 99 cent Fish Sandwich from McDonalds during Lent...Feeling great...really great...and best of all, I was in front of the Pacer...

After 2 miles I was sitting pretty...or running pretty...Passed a few bands(there is one at each mile) and was really excited about the next 2 hours ahead...

At mile 5 I was still feeling good...Then I hit, 6....6.3...and then 6.55(the half of the half) and then it happened...I heard someone in the crowd say, "There is the 2 hour pacer for the Half" WHAT!!!!! WHERE???? It cannot be....Oh, no it can..There she was, with her sign over her head...At that time we hit a downhill and like that speedy Catholic I headed down the hill as fast as I could...I needed to build a cusion, if I could do that, she would not catch me...Right? Wrong...

My legs started to ache, the feet started to hurt and I started to feel a little naucious, or dehydrated...You choose the word...I pulled off for a second and stretched really quick, and took another trip to the throne...I may have been dehydrated...but I was still peeing like a race horse...and then it happened, she passed me by....for the next mile or so, I kept her in my sites...then I started to drift backwards...DAMMIT...For the next two miles I fought the internal mindgames that happen to all athletes..Is it worth it..Why even continue...but in the back of my mind, I kept hearing my little brother cheering me on...

You see he fought these same demons a few weeks ago(at a Half Ironman no less), and beat them...Could I beat them too...Damn skippy...

So I pushed on...At mile 11 I was at somewhere near 1:45 or so...Could I pull some crazy miracle and finish the last 2.1 in less than 15 minutes...Faster than I have ever run before..I was going to try..It was a steady downhill that teased you like an Underclassman in College(not that that ever happened to me)....It showed you Qwest Field, where the finish line was...Took you right up to it ALMOST, then WHAMMO...it took you another direction completely away from it and Up a Damn Hill....

I hit the 12 mile mark at approx 1:56 or so...So now it was just a matter of trying to break a time I would set in my head and change over the last 1.1 miles...Break 2:04, no 2:05, NO 2:07....and it was that number that I finally did break...Coming down the last 500 yards or so, I finally heard, thats right heard Vanessa yelling "GO CHRIS" There was Emma cheering loudly as well...I rounded the turn to bring it home....

At this time I would like to say that the people lined up for the last 300 yards were brutal..Unless they knew you, they just stood there twiddling their thumbs and looking at us with a look that said...Uhhhhhhhhh...I was so pissed...This is the time where runnners look for that last burst of help...at least I do...but it did not come... As I crossed the finish line and brought myself to a stop, I ached...I ached in the worse way...but I was Happy...not because I did not meat my goal...but rather because I had done it at all..I could have quit when the pacer passed me by...but I didn't...1 Reason was because of my little brother..The other...I have never quit anything in my life...and I am not about to start now. Oh and the Race Medal Kicked Ass...

Hopefully you enjoyed the recap...I enjoyed running it...even in the painful parts...

I will end on this...Back in 2003 before Vanessa and I headed to Japan, I ran the 5K in Cedar Rapids...My time 45 minutes....Yep 45 minutes...15 minute miles...HOLY CRAP....Today I hit the 5K mark in 27.38 or an average of 8:54...Next weekend I am running the same race I did back in 2003...Only now I am running the 8k...For that race 45 minutes will be acceptable...but I am shooting for lower...

"We take these risks not to escape life, but to keep life from escaping us"

Father's Day = 1 More Week till Seattle Rock n Roll

So today was an all around awesome day...Was woke up by the smiles of two fabulous kids at 6 a.m., treated to Cinnamon Rolls and a few gifts and headed to church. My wardrobe was amazing..I sported a t-shirt designed by my 4 year old daughter Emma...After church we headed out for some erands and then headed home for some chill action.

Finally at around 3 I decided to head out for my last long run before the Half-Marathon next weekend. As most of you know, I am trying to set a personal best by breaking the 2 hour mark...If my feelings today are any indication of how I will do next week, I am VERY EXCITED...

I hit the 6.6 mile mark at under 60 minutes for the first time in forever. Now the funny thing is, I tried something new...No music...Instead I listened to an Audio Book...No s#$%, a book...I thought for sure it was a risk...Who knew that I would be so engulfed in the book that I did not even notice my running...Less water intake, less concentration, but more success..and the worst of it...It is the book about the Dallas Cowboys...the tell all of the Championship years...Gotta say..Pretty good stuff.

So the question is...Do I try this approach for the race? Not sure...and the truth be told, there are going to be plenty of bands on the race route...Do I change my habits one week before the race...Any ideas...suggestions....So conflicted...If anything I am going to listen to the book on my runs this week and see how I feel...Then I can make the decision on Saturday morning...I will have a playlist and a book list ready to go int he trusty I-pod...Still...suggestions would be nice..Even if it just means that people are actually reading this...

I would like to finish by wishing all of you that are Father's or Father's to be...I know a few;)
a Happy Father's Day..We belong to an amazing fraternity...one that not all are a part of, but once you are, you understand how truly special it is to be a member...

I love you Emma and Camden...

That's more like it...

So after Church today, it was time for another 10 miler...The weather was a far cry from what it has been lately...60 degrees, a little bit of wind....and on top of that, I decided to take on a new route...The route took me through almost 3 miles of base before heading out the main gate. From the gate is was a pretty decent downhill followed by a slight uphill, both of which felt really good...Actually the first 5 of todays run felt really good..

The next 1.5 was a little rougher...the biggest hill I have done in awhile...I was supposed to do this hill last year during the marathon training, but had been injured during that week of training...It was pretty brutal, however I maintained a good pace...and it will definitely come in handy in Seattle.

The next 1.5 was a steady downhill...Which felt great...sometimes I struggle going down the hills, this one felt alright...My last 2 miles were part of my regular route...so these came pretty easy...

So after 10 miles, I felt good and was happy with my time...1:32....I am going to be cutting it close in Seattle for the 2 hour mark.. but I will be very much aware of my time...

Going into the finaly two weeks of training, I am very thankful that I chose to switch to the half....it could have been ugly...

I am really feeling like I am peeking at the right time with my training...and that is a really good feeling in more way than one.

Feeling Good...

So I looked at the posting date of my last Blog and realized that 12 days have passed....That does not seem at all possible....1st Off, and I doubt he will read this till later, but my little brother is competing in a Half Ironman this weekend...So proud of the kid and I know he is going to kick a@#....

So my training has been going really well, I have been averaging between 20-28 miles per week for the last 3 weeks...and am currently on pace to break the 2 hour mark for the Half. The knee is feeling great, and I have started to be smarter with taking days off and resting my legs...It has helped...

So with 2 weeks to go before the Half in Seattle, overall feeling great and cannot wait...Also cannot wait for the day after when the family will be hopping on the plane for Iowa...We are looking forward to two weeks of fun with our families, while also taking in a race...