Walk Into the Future

Tag: Orlando Track Shack

  • 2024 OUC Half Marathon

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    “It takes an endless amount of history to make even a little tradition”.

    (Henry James)

    The Walk into the Future blog has a ton of history with the OUC Half Marathon.  I started my half marathon journey at the 2013 OUC Half Marathon on the promise to run with a seasoned running friend.  She convinced me to step up from running 5ks and jump into the half marathon arena with the promise we would run it together.  Well, my friend Lauren and her family moved to Dallas, Texas before race day and I decided to still run it since I committed to the process.  The 2013 OUC Marathon is the slowest I have ever run a half marathon, and I am always trying to improve my time when I toe the line in downtown Orlando.

    So, as you can see I have a lot of tradition with the OUC Half Marathon and Track Shack.  I look forward to this race every year.  The 2024 OUC Half Marathon was my eleventh time running the event.  I decided not to run the 2018 version to avoid the miles of brinks on the course.  The course was changed in 2019 to ensure runners did not have to endure the same number of miles running on the brink streets.  What’s the big deal?  Most of the brinks are uneven and cause some runners to stumble and makes you slow down to avoid a misstep while on the brinks.  I was happy that Track Shack adjusted the course to protect runners towards a safe race outcome.

    I entered the 2024 OUC Half Marathon without a preset finish time in mind.  I did not complete a specific training program for this race since I was still coming off the Chicago Marathon high.  I ran consistently in November with a 6-mile run during Thanksgiving week being my longest run in the training cycle.  I had multiple 5-mile training runs leading up to race day but did not extend to double digit runs since my fitness levels were still high off the Chicago Marathon training cycle.  I did not know how this would translate to race day, but I was content to give this process a run.  My legs felt fresh so I knew I would complete the half marathon; it was just a matter of how fast I would run on race day.

    Track Shack upgraded the EXPO experience this year and moved it to The Plaza Live.  This was the first year the EXPO was not located at the Track Shack location but provided a larger venue and parking space for race participants.  The bib pickup process was seamless and there were several vendors at the EXPO including local TV stations to promote the race and the impact Track Shack has on the Orlando running community. 

    I was in communication with the Track Shack Vice President of Communications prior to the EXPO and we conducted an interview at the EXPO to highlight my Walk into the Future and how running with Track Shack helps me with content. I’m not sure when this footage will be released but I will share when it drops. 😊

    Fast forward to race day and the temperature was 42 at the start.  I made a Goodwill run the night before to get a throw-away sweatshirt to wear prior to starting the race.  I learned about this trick at larger races and used this concept at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.  Most race organizers collect these items and donate to homeless shelters. This was the best $6.99 investment I have ever made because 42 is cold to stand around without warm clothing.

    I got to the start/finish line in plenty time to warm up and get a few pictures before the race started.  I originally positioned myself towards the back of the starting corral but decided to move up towards the faster runners since I felt good about my fitness and decided to commit to running fast.  I was not sure what fast meant but the weather conditions were favorable to get out fast and maintain the pace.  I did not set a time goal but going out hard and controlled were the main things I wanted to accomplish. 

    Track Shack changed the course again this year to make the race a better experience for all runners.  I did not know the impact of the course change prior to the race but enjoyed running on less bricks this year.  Did I say I hate running on the bricks? 😊

    Fast forward and I ran 2:10:39 (9:53 per mile) this year.  This was my 5th fastest of 37 lifetime half marathons.  I ran my fastest half marathon during the 2019 OUC Marathon (2:05:51 / 9:33 per mile).  Not bad considering my long run since Chicago was 6 miles.  I trained between the two races but did not dedicate time to long distance running.  Looks like my fitness levels still got me around the course.  I was able to finish the last mile of the race with a nice kick and a smile on my face.  FYI—the lack of humidity in the air really is great for runners.  I did not want to waste this opportunity to go fast this year. 😊 Fastest mile was #3 @9:32 and slowest mile was #12 @10:28.

    I got my beer and some pictures in the race village but didn’t hang around as long this year because it was still in the 50s.  I did not have my throw away sweatshirt anymore so I decided to head to my vehicle so I could get back to my hotel and warm up.

    I am happy with my results this year and look forward to a fast 2025 racing season.

    Lining up some new races for 2025 to bring to the Walk into the Future blog. 

    Thanks for joining me!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Tradition is a guide and not a jailer”.

    (Brainy Quote)

  • Five-Minute Thursday: 2024 Fitness

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    “The successful warrior is the average man with laser-like focus”.

    (Bruce Lee)

    Let’s give the Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt another run.  I’m starting to love the simplicity of this writing concept and having fun generating content for the Walk into the Future blog.

    My fitness journey primarily chronicles my running program and the tourism opportunities this brings to me throughout the year.  I also write about being goals oriented but, I don’t believe I ever identified one of my 2024 goals was to get to and maintain my body weight at 198 pounds or less. 

    The sixth prompt for Five-Minute Thursday is: 2024 Fitness.

    My normal weight over the past three years was right around 205 pounds.  This was fine as I increased my running program and got a bit more serious with my marathon pursuits.  I completed marathons in 2022 and 2023 with my weight at 205 pounds.  I was able to get the training done but wondered what would happen if I trained AND got my weight down a bit.  I set my weight goal back in January 2024 and put effort to meet and/or exceed the goal this year.

    I started January 2024 at 203 pounds after taking three weeks off from running after my 2023 Garden of Life Marathon in December 2023.  I reevaluated my training program and my diet to determine the adjustments I needed to get my weight down.  Again, I was not looking to lose substantial weight, but I wanted to get down to see how it impacted my daily life and fitness levels.

    I changed my diet and decided to stay out of the drive-through lines more in 2024. Yes, I write about my running program, but my diet has never been the greatest over the years.  Also, it is so easy to hit a drive through after work instead of going home and cooking.  I didn’t eliminate this process completely, but I put a huge dent in making these stops on the way home.  I got more use out of my grill in 2024, and this helped me with better meals throughout the year.   

    I also rededicated myself to following my training programs especially with my 2024 Chicago Marathon 18-week training process.  My goal for this training block was to not miss a session to ensure that I give maximum effort to get ready for the Chicago Marathon.  I only used the exercise bike as a warmup for my runs—this was a bit different from previous cycles. I also adjusted my bedtime to 8:30 pm daily and woke up at 4:30 am to ensure I had time for morning runs before work.  Going to bed at a consistent time helped me get prepared to get up and run in the morning. 

    The 18-week marathon training plan increased my mileage weekly, and I incorporated additional mileage in my training process.  I’m on pace to finish 2024 with over 1,500 training miles which would be 300 miles over my previous maximum running year. 

    Fast forward—I got down to 192.5 pounds on 9/14/2024 and ran the 2024 Chicago Marathon at 197 on 10/13/2024. I’ve consistently met my goal to stay under 198 this year.  My fitness levels are much higher within this weight range.  Fun fact—I have started to order new pants since my old ones don’t fit as well now. 😊

    Not trying to get down more but want to maintain this new level of fitness and keep my weight right around the 195 – 198 range.  My friend Lynn calls me skinny now—not sure I agree but I have a new level of fitness and I’m happy with it. 😊

    What 2024 goal are you proud of accomplishing?

    Irie!

    “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be”.

    (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

  • 2024 Chicago Marathon

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    “How do you know if someone ran a marathon?  Don’t worry, they’ll tell you”.

    (Jimmy Fallon)

    Sweet home, Chicago!

    This is how I felt when I finally arrived at my hotel in Chicago.  Why the excitement?  Well, I’ve chronicled my training for the past 18 weeks but didn’t know if I would make it to race day.

    Hurricane Milton caused havoc on Wednesday of race week, and I didn’t know if my flight on Friday from Orlando was still going to happen.  My original Friday morning flight was cancelled by Southwest Airlines, but they rebooked me on a later flight to Chicago.  I decided to just enjoy the process and was extremely happy to be on my way to running the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

    My flight was uneventful, but it got me closer to the end of this 18-week journey.  I grabbed my bag after landing and made my way out into the Chicago night to head to my hotel.  I am a Marriott brand fan, and my hotel was picked based on proximity to the marathon start and finish lines.  I wanted to be able to walk around Chicago during my adventure without having to worry about traffic or waiting around for a ride.  I checked into my hotel room late Friday night due to the airline delays.  Made a quick trip to a corner store to stock up on water, bananas and bagels before heading to bed.

    My original plan was to hit the 2024 Chicago Marathon EXPO on Friday since my arrival time was supposed to be 8:35 am.  Again, Hurricane Milton changed this, and my true arrival time was 9:30 pm.  No worries, I got up Saturday morning and walked over to McCormick Place for the Abbott Health & Fitness EXPO. This walk was an outstanding way to see Chicago neighborhoods and take in the excitement of race weekend.  I have been a running tourist for a few years and experienced EXPOs in multiple states.  Nothing prepared me for the sights from the Abbott Health & Fitness EXPO.  This was by far the largest EXPO event I have ever seen.  There were over 180 vendors with products from around the world.  There were close to 20,000 people in the EXPO (runners, family, friends) and I felt the crush of people in the venue.  Runners are a friendly group so that made it easier to navigate while in the venue.

    Packets pickup was a breeze since the Chicago Marathon organizers sent each participant an event ticket.  The ticket helped EXPO volunteers direct runners to the correct lines for bib pickup and corral assignments.  This is the first EXPO that utilized a photo to ensure the correct person got the correct bib number.  Technology is amazing!

    I made my way around the EXPO to check out vendors, sample nutrition and get my photos while there.  😊  I wanted to enjoy the experience as much as possible but didn’t want to spend too much time on my feet the day before the marathon.

    I headed back towards my hotel and wanted to check out the race start line area.  This was my way to ensure I knew where to report on Sunday morning.  The Chicago Marathon has a detailed process to place runners in corrals to ensure the start of the race is organized and gets runners out without overcrowding the roads.  I was slotted for Wave 3 and Corral K.  This means my time was projected to be closer to the middle of the pack which was exciting for me.  I made a few more stops to take in the city and then headed to Pizano’s Pizza & Pasta for a pasta lunch.  I still needed to add more carbs into my system to get ready for race day. 

    Headed back to the hotel to prep my running outfit for the big day, get off my feet and hydrate. I was able to get in a quick nap too. 😊  I left the hotel after my nap to get in another carb loading meal to finish off the process at Portillo’s.  I did some light stretching and meditation to help me get ready for the big day ahead.  I was a few hours away from running the 2024 Chicago Marathon!!!

    I woke up on race day a bit anxious because this was the largest race I have toed the line for (55,000+ registered runners).  I also had no real idea how the start line corrals would work—we were told to arrive two hours early, but this meant having to stand around in the corrals and wait patiently to start the race.  My hotel was a mile away from the start line, so I leveraged this distance to stretch my legs with the walk toward Grant Park.  I purchased a long sleeve shirt at Goodwill for $6.99 and used it to stay warm while waiting for my race to start.  Race organizers provide ‘drop off’ areas where runners discard their warm clothing items prior to starting the race.  These items are donated to homeless shelter by the race organizers. 

    I made my way to the Wave 3, Corral K start area around 7 am.  My group was scheduled to start running at 8:35 am.  What do runners do for an hour and thirty-five minutes?  Great question! We sat on the pavement like grade school kids to conserve energy and get off our feet.  Thousands of adults just sitting on the ground quietly and listening to music to pass the time.  Our group was called to start moving towards the start line around 8:30 am and running the 2024 Chicago Marathon got real at that moment.  I tossed my long sleeve shirt into the clothing donation area and started to get myself mentally ready to rock the Chicago Marathon.  A sense of pride came over me at this point because I knew I had trained better during this cycle and wanted to see how this translated for this marathon.  Said a quick prayer and it was showtime!

    My goals for the marathon were to enjoy the process, run a controlled race and improve my time from my last marathon.  Well, two out of three is not that bad! 😊  I enjoyed the process and set a marathon Personal Record (PR) at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.  The one goal I missed was running a controlled race.  I’m not complaining considering I ran a PR time here.  I fault the crowds, and the energy generated for my lack of control during the race.

    So, what was the problem with my pace?  The crowds were so hyped that they energized me beyond anything I’ve ever experienced.  My first mile was run in 9:45 (nine minutes and forty-five seconds.  My second mile was run in 9:45. My third mile was run in 9:31. See a pattern here?  😊  The funny thing is I knew I was moving too fast, but it felt great!  The fourth mile was run in 9:42. At this point I decided to just run the damn race and see what would happen regardless of my intended pace.  The cooler weather, the crowds and the flat racecourse felt right so I just ran.  I had a huge smile on my face for the first 23 miles.  Lactic acid kicked in after that and I lost my smile for a bit.  I looked at my watch and knew I was well ahead of my previous marathon times—I just needed to hang on.  I mentioned to several friends that I wanted to run 4:44 this time out.  I realized I would not hit this pace, but a PR was well within my reach.  I gave myself a pep talk at mile 24 and then got my mind right.  Finished the marathon in 5:23:35 (five hours, twenty-three minutes and thirty-five seconds).  This is a 25-minute PR for me.  My 4:30 am training sessions paid off nicely! 😊

    Race results below:

    Participant

    Name (CTZ)Williams, Calvin (USA)
    Bib Number59296
    City, StateFort Pierce
    Division55-59
    GenderMan
    ShortCW

    Race Info

    Start Time08:37:57

    Totals

    Place Gender25103
    Place Age Group1478
    Place Overall43983
    Finish Time05:23:35

    My Runner

    Add/Remove

    Race Status

    Race StatusFinished
    Last SplitFinish
    Pred. Finish–
    Pred. Finish (Time of Day)–

    Splits

    Miles Kilometers

    SplitTime Of DayTimeDiffmin/milemiles/h
    05K09:09:07AM00:31:1031:1010:025.98
    10K09:42:31AM01:04:3533:2510:465.58
    15K10:15:07AM01:37:1032:3510:305.72
    20K10:49:30AM02:11:3434:2411:055.42
    HALF10:59:06AM02:21:1009:3614:054.26
    25K11:27:12AM02:49:1628:0611:365.18
    30K12:08:21PM03:30:2541:0913:154.53
    35K12:53:06PM04:15:0944:4414:244.17
    40K01:41:38PM05:03:4248:3315:383.84

    Thanks to everyone who reached out to me during my training cycle to send encouragement.  Also, thank you to my friends who I couldn’t hit Friday night events with because I needed to go to bed so I could get up and run on Saturday mornings. Thank you to Walk into the Future blog readers for following my training updates and sticking with me on this forum.  Appreciate all ya’ll!!! 😊

    I will shift gears towards my half marathon schedule for the next few months.  I have the 2024 OUC Half Marathon in Orlando the first weekend in December.  I follow that up with the 2024 Palm Beaches Half Marathon the following weekend.  I will not run the full marathon down there because of humidity—I learned a valuable lesson last year.

    FYI—Lauren and I signed up for the 2025 Chicago Marathon and are waiting to see if we get in next year.  There may be another marathon training program in 2025—get ready because I’m starting to figure this marathon training out.  Who knew I could get faster as I got older. 😊

    Irie!

    “When your legs get tired, run with your heart”.

    (Unknown Runner)

  • Chicago Marathon: Time for some action!

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    “A marathon is hundreds of miles. The finish is the last 26.2”.

    (Running Quotes)

    This quote identifies my current Walk into the Future.  I started the Chicago Marathon training cycle on 6/10/2024 and have logged 561.89 miles to date.  I’m flying to Chicago tomorrow morning, so I have completed all the prescribed miles on my training plan.

    There have been a lot of early mornings to beat the Florida heat and humidity but I’m feeling good about the work I have put in this year.  I used lessons learned from previous training cycles to improve my mental and physical preparation to ensure I get to Chicago in great shape to compete with my fellow runners.

    I started this training cycle at 207 pounds and have been as light as 192 pounds.  I tipped the scale this morning at 194 pounds right before I start the carb loading process.  I will toe the line at the Chicago Marathon lighter than my last marathon and this should translate to my performance.  Again, I decided not to take any short cuts this time around and made sure I put in the work mentally, physically and with my diet.  Feeling good!  My friend Lynn keeps saying that I’m skinny now—not sure I buy that but have lost three inches on my waist and none of my pants fit me now.  Will have to see if I maintain this weight before I invest in a new wardrobe. 😊

    I touted being 32 – 0 during my last Chicago Marathon update.  I never thought I would remain undefeated throughout the entire training cycle, but I wanted to maximize each run to ensure I performed well at the Chicago Marathon.  Well, let’s cut to the chase—I missed a few sessions either due to travel or illness.  I missed an entire week of training when I returned from the Virginia Beach 10-miler.  This may also explain why my time in the race was slower than last year.  Imagine that I completed a 10-mile race while I was sick.  😊

    Here’s my weekly miles update:

    Week 937.39
    Week 1034.49
    Week 1126.03
    Week 1234.58
    Week 132.03 (Sick this week)
    Week 1442.7
    Week 1530.85
    Week 1633.77
    Week 1727.11
    Week 185
    Total273.95

    I’m flying up to Chicago tomorrow to get acclimated to the city and weather.  I’m excited to go to the race EXPO for the opportunity to meet some of the elite runners scheduled to be there.  I’m sure I will not see them much on race day so will enjoy the opportunity to share the same venue with them.  There are a few Orlando Track Shack runners coming up to Chicago and I want to catch up with them at the EXPO as well.  Friday will be my day to get some sightseeing in and deep-dish pizza.  I will stay off my feet as much as possible on Saturday to conserve energy and keep my legs fresh.  There will be an organized shakeout run on Saturday morning, but I have not decided if I want to participate.  I’m sure it will be exciting and a great opportunity to meet runners who have gone through the same experience as me to get ready for the Chicago Marathon.

    The weather is projected to be in the mid-40’s and warming up into the low-60’s.  This will be a welcomed change from the Florida heat and humidity. Really looking forward to see how my body adapts to running in cooler weather without humidity. 

    Well, the training is done!  It’s time to put all this effort into action on race day to see how well I perform.

    Thanks for coming along on this journey with me!  Will see you on the other side of the 2024 Chicago Marathon finish line! 😊

    Irie!

  • 2024 Marathon Training (32 – 0)

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    “You don’t stay undefeated without being a little stubborn”.

    (Andre Ward)

    32 – 0!  Yes, I’m going to claim an undefeated marathon training record at this point of the cycle.

    You may be wondering what the heck I’m talking about—happy to explain! 😊

    I just completed Week #8 of my 2024 Chicago Marathon training cycle:  https://www.instagram.com/chimarathon/?hl=en.  The training schedule has me running multiple distances Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.  8 weeks times 4 days per week = 32 training sessions so far.  32 – 0.

    I am showcasing the 32 – 0 record because I have not missed a training session, projected mileage or hit the snooze button once so far in this training cycle.  I’ve trained for 2 other marathons over the past few seasons but have never displayed this level of consistency and commitment to the process.  I want to see a ton of improvement in how I perform on race day in Chicago and dedicating the proper energy into my training program is my way to build towards the big day.

    Will I remain undefeated?  No idea but I plan to continue to put the effort into this training cycle to build physical and mental strength to guide me in Chicago.  Training is going well as I hit my mileage markers daily but need to incorporate more speed work into the program.  My future Wednesday morning runs are designed to run at 2024 Chicago Marathon pace so this will force me to begin to work on my stride to generate speed.  Excited to start targeting marathon goal paces to mentally prepare for the full grind of 26.2 miles.  I know I can complete the distance, but this year is all about going a bit faster than before.  I’m projecting to have a finish time with a ‘4’ in front of it (4:35, 4:41, 4:59)—I will share my goal time the week of the Chicago Marathon.  Yes, I have a projected goal time I’m targeting.  Melissa—can you guess the time? 😊

    Here’s my weekly progress so far:

    Week 541.67
    Week 633.61
    Week 734.11
    Week 850.26
    Total159.65

    The weekly mileage has gone up from the previous updates.  This will continue through Week #15 before the mileage starts to taper down.  The full marathon taper process will start in Week #17 and continue until marathon race day.  My previous marathon training cycle had me competing in the OUC Half Marathon the week prior.  Not sure if this helped or hurt my race day performance but I will not repeat this process again for the Chicago Marathon.

    Can I stay undefeated and make it to 72 – 0?  Great question!

    Thanks for joining me on this training cycle!

    Irie!

    “I don’t think being undefeated is going to determine my greatness”.

    (Mikey Garcia)

  • Chicago Marathon Training Week #4

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    “Marathoning.  The triumph of desire over reason”.

    (New Balance, athletic apparel company)

    I will be the first to admit that I’m not a New Balance athlete.  My primary running apparel company is Nike, and my running shoes are Brooks GTS 23s.  Hoping the Brooks GTS 24s drop before my racing season kicks off, but the GTS 23s have been good for me.  The New Balance quote is prophetic for the marathon journey I’m currently experiencing.

    Marathon training can be taxing physically, mentally and emotionally.  The desire to compete and get better is stronger for me this year.  I’ve trained for two marathons and seen minimal improvement but that is because the desire was not as strong in the past.  I’ve rededicated myself to this process and vowed to give maximum effort weekly.  Yes, I trained for the marathon in the past but took a few short cuts that I’m not willing to repeat.

    I just completed Week #4 of this training cycle and I am proud to say I have not missed a training session or mileage goal so far.  It sounds like a simple thing but there are times when it’s easier to hit the snooze button in the morning and not get up and train.  The snooze button has not been a problem this training cycle—I’ve established a set bedtime and have not adjusted it for any reason.  I’m getting prepared for lights out at 8:30 pm with a consistent wake up at 4:44 am—I like odd times. Melissa, that’s for YOU! 😊

    I am following the Hal Higdon marathon training plan again with an eye towards the details of the plan and no missed training sessions.  I ran into issues with the heat and humidity last year because I didn’t get out early for my long runs.  I’ve adjusted my Friday night bedtime to provide a consistent sleep pattern.  I’m getting out for my long Saturday runs by 5:30 am to beat the sun, heat and humidity.  It’s still humid out but it’s easier to handle at this time of the day.  I’ve also adjusted my hydration plan and ensure I have water, Gatorade and coconut water available for each long run.  I hydrate better during my weekday runs too—a very simple concept but it is helping me get stronger mentally and physically.

    My weight training program remains consistent with 3 days in the gym each week.  I adjust the workouts but make sure to incorporate leg days into the routine.  I’m not a heavy lifter anymore but concentrate on compound exercises with high rep levels.  My yoga program consists of one weekly session to help my muscles stretch and recover.  I will increase my yoga routines but one time per week is good for now.  This will increase by Week #10 to match the miles I will be completing.

    Here’s my weekly progress so far:

    Week 132.11
    Week 236.17
    Week 318.78
    Week 435.98
    Total123.04

    The mileage will start to ramp up Week #5 through Week #15.  The first four weeks helped build the running base needed for the increased mileage.

    Excited to see how my training program has matured over the past two years.  The Chicago Marathon is calling and I’m answering the bell. 😊

    Here’s my projected racing schedule—I’m still looking for races.

    8/17/20242024 Celebration of Running 5kWinter Park
    9/1/20242024 Virginia Beach 10-MilerVirginia Beach, VA
    9/21/20242024 Race for Recovery 5kPort St Lucie
    10/13/20242024 Chicago MarathonChicago, IL
    12/7/20242024 OUC Half MarathonOrlando
    12/15/20242024 Garden of Life Half MarathonWest Palm Beach
    1/19/20242025 Vero Beach Half MarathonVero Beach
    1/26/20252025 Town of Celebration Half MarathonCelebration, FL
    2/8/20252025 Fleet Feet Run for your Heart 10kJensen Beach, FL
    3/2/20252025 Game On Marathon of The Treasure CoastStuart, FL
    4/25/20252025 Nashville Rock N Roll Half MarathonNashville, TN
    6/1/20252025 San Diego Rock N Roll Half MarathonSan Diego

    Thanks for joining me on the training process—Irie!

  • 2023 OUC Half Marathon

    OUC Track Shack

    “Don’t dream of winning, train for it”.

    (Mo Farah)

    My Walk into the Future continues to seek out new opportunities and challenges to move me forward.

    Distance running and racing have become a huge part of this process.  2023 generated an aggressive running schedule that allowed me to run new half marathons to add to my medal rack.  The 2023 OUC Half Marathon was the 10th time I tackled this race.  I missed the 2018 race to run a smaller half marathon on Amelia Island.  The OUC Half Marathon was also my first half marathon so I guess you can say this race launched my distance running program.

    I love the races put on by Orlando Track Shack so expect to run this race annually until I can’t anymore.

    The 2023 OUC Half Marathon was scheduled 8 days before the 2023 Palm Beaches Marathon so viewed this edition as an extension of my marathon training.  My long training runs ended the week prior but never want to feel like I’m missing out on the great vibes at the OUC race.  My training plan called for me to taper my running since I was at the end of my training cycle but decided to toe the line at the OUC half anyway.  The course is flat and friendly so decided to have fun and enjoy the process of racing in downtown Orlando.

    I arrived early this year since I had trouble finding parking last year.  Didn’t want to feel rushed when I arrived so found parking in a downtown parking garage and made my way over to the race village.  I had time to stretch and socialize a bit prior to lining up for the start of the race.

    The temperature was in the low 70s at race time with equal humidity.  The forecast called for a gradual rise in morning temperatures so wanted to get moving to beat the heat.

    I decided to line up further back in the start corral and use that as part of my race strategy.  I tend to go out a lot faster when I’m close to the front so wanted to create a steady pace and stay measured throughout the race.  I didn’t have a set finish time in mind but wanted to test my fitness to gauge how ready I was for the 2023 Palm Beaches Marathon.

    Targeted the first 8 miles of the race as my strategic marker to see how long I can run without discomfort and determine my marathon pace for next week.  Eight miles seemed like an appropriate test—my plan was to pull back on the pace once I hit eight miles and then just take in the race day environment and the cheering crowds.

    I wanted to stay in the 9:50 per mile pace for this race to clock miles and work on strategy.  I had to keep reminding myself not to push too hard or fast since I had a full marathon coming up in 8 days.  My normal strategy is to push the pace for this race since the course is flat and I can normally get a fast time.  I set my personal record (PR) on this same course in 2019 and always think I can beat that time.  This was not the day to try for another PR.

    I hit the eight-mile marker without any pain or discomfort.  I was still running high 9-minute miles but decided to race smartly and began the process of pulling back to save my legs for the full marathon.  The rising temperatures and humidity made the decision to pull back a lot easier this year too. 😊

    Completed the race in 2:22 (two hours and 22 minutes) for a 10:50 per mile pace.  Very happy with this pace and effort considering the temperature, humidity and a pending full marathon coming up next week.

    Got a chance to catch up with some of my Orlando running friends at the race after party.  Nothing like a 13.1-mile race, donuts, and beer all before 10 am in Central Florida.

    Next stop?  The 2023 Palm Beaches Marathon!

    Irie!

    “I’ll be happy if running and I grow old together”.

    (Haruki Murakami)

  • 2023 WordPress Stats

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    Photo by Miguel u00c1. Padriu00f1u00e1n on Pexels.com

    “I made a decision to write for my readers, not try to find more readers for my writing”.

    (Seth Godin)

    Love this quote as it reflects my original thoughts when I started the Walk into The Future blog back in 2018.

    My intent has always been to create content others would want to read but not seek out followers for the blog.  Some of you are stuck with me because we grew up together, so happy to have you along for this journey.  Others have found my writing via WordPress based on my content and/or topics presented.

    I’m happy to have you here regardless of how/why you read my thoughts—appreciate the company on this life I live.

    WordPress provides authors with daily, monthly, and yearly statistics directly on my dashboard.  I’m able to identify when my work is viewed in another country and my reach continues to expand.  Again, not driven by this but it is nice to see someone in Spain or India has read my latest blog post.  Not sure how I attract folks so far away, but it feels great and inspired me to write a bit more and with more substance.

    My 2023 stats can be viewed here:  https://wordpress.com/annual-report/walkintothefuture.blog/2023

    I’m back in the writing lab working on new topics and adventures I will begin sharing next week.  I am also entering the busy portion of my racing schedule so there will be race recaps to include my 2023 Palm Beaches Marathon experience and the next BIG race on my 2024 schedule.  Hint—I got accepted into the Chicago Marathon.  This is exciting news for me and will be the largest run event I will participate in.  Thanks to Orlando Track Shack and the global running impact of this organization—it helped me get into the Chicago Marathon.

    Big things coming in 2024—stay tune! LOL.

    Irie!

    “Do or do not.  There is no try”.

    (Yoda)

  • Marathon Training Update #2

    Medal Palm Beach

    My Walk into the Future is closing in on the 2023 Palm Beaches Marathon.  I am heading down south on Saturday for my big race on Sunday.

    The training this year went by smoother than last year.  I chalk this up to having a better mental and physical understanding of the training program and what is required each week.  I also view my hydration and nutrition planning as much improved from this time last year.

    It is amazing how quickly you learn the things not to do to get prepared for a 26.2-mile race.  Excited and terrified at the same time.  Runners are a unique group of people with an adventurous mindset.

    I didn’t have my friend Lauren training for a marathon with me this year, but she was always available to listen to me share about my progress.  Hoping we will both get into the 2024 Chicago Marathon and enjoy this process together again next year. We both signed up for the marathon lottery system and will find out today if we get in.  I will focus on the 2024 Chicago Marathon as my big race next year if I get in—fingers crossed!

    The 18-week training plan has allowed me to increase my mileage safety as I built up my base miles.  I added hill and speed training this year to increase my endurance towards the full marathon distance.

    Here are my total weekly miles so far this year:

    • Week #10: 38 miles
    • Week #11: 23 miles
    • Week #12: 32 miles
    • Week #13: 34 miles
    • Week #14: 22 miles
    • Week #15: 39 miles
    • Week #16: 28 miles
    • Week #17: 29 miles
    • Week #18: 33 miles 

     

    I have logged 465 total miles during this journey to include multiple 5k and half marathon races.  The process of racing brings me a level of enjoyment to my training program and is a lot more exciting (for me) than simply going out for long runs on my own.  I got spoiled a bit in Oviedo by having an active running environment with all the Orlando Track Shack events to choose from.  There are multiple running clubs in Orlando so finding a running club to get a few miles in with was an easy process there. 

    This week is dedicated to carb loading, extra stretching and getting a lot of rest.  The full marathon beat me down last year so I’m adjusting my daily routine this year to conserve as much energy as possible.

    Still have not decided my race strategy—will look to listen to my body and go out with a comfortable pace that I can maintain throughout the race.  I started to struggle at the 18-mile marker last year so want to extend my progress beyond this point in 2023.

    My goal is to beat my time from last year and set a new PR for myself.  I’ve got a race goal time in my head but will not reveal it here just now.  I will brag later if I hit my preset goal. 😊

    Wish me luck!

    Irie!

  • 2023 Celebration of Running 5k

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    The 2023 running season kicked off with the 2023 Celebration of Running 5k in Winter Park.

    I have run this race three years in a row and love the experience.  It’s August in Florida so the heat and humidity are high, so this adds to the challenge.  I don’t run a lot of 5ks but this one remains on my list because it is flat and provides a training gauge for the year.

    I never set out to run a PR here but want to test my physical and mental stamina.  The race crowd is not too large, so this helps when trying to avoid other runners at the start.

    Decided to line up closer to the front pack of runners to give myself room to operate without having to dodge folks.  Still amazing that I know runners from when I lived in Oviedo.  It’s almost like they don’t know I’ve been gone 9 years now.

    My race goal was to go out and find an even pace.  The secondary goal was to run faster than last year.  I met both of my goals and enjoyed the race from start to finish.

    I found a couple of runners with great paces and decided to hitch a ride with them to challenge myself.  This was a fun activity since I train by myself.  It was great having others around to inspire me to find another gear.  Felt good enough at the end to leave my running companions and put in a good kick to complete the 5k.  Crossed the finish line in 28:50. 

    Collected my medal, water, and banana before making my way to the beer garden.  Yes, we drink beer at 8:30 am after races.  We eat donuts too!  LOL.

    This was week 2 of marathon training so needed to get additional miles in after the race.  Headed back over to the Seminole Cross Trail to complete my training with 6 miles there.  Got a total of 10 miles completed on the day.

    Made my way back to the hotel to shower and find some real food.  Wanted breakfast so went by First Watch close to UCF for a huge pancake, eggs, and bacon.  Favorite meal when I eat there.

    Feeling good about my training so far and look forward to a fantastic running season.  Heading to Virginia Beach again for the 2023 Virginia Beach 10-miler over the Labor Day weekend.  Should be fun getting back up to Virgina.

    Will ramp up my marathon training when I return from Virginia.  Time to lock in mentally and physically to prep for my 26.2-mile challenge in December.  😊

    What are you looking forward to?