We finally did it!

It took a lot of convincing, but my wife and kids broke me and we spent a week in Walt Disney World.  OK, full disclosure, I really like Disney World and I think I was more excited than my kids.

The best is the unexpected or the complete opposite of what you expect to happen.  My wife and I have been planning this for months and kept it form the kids until the morning we were supposed to leave.  We had it all plan out on what we were going to do, and we did it.  We were expected to get loud, boisterous cheers...well that didn't happen.  The exact opposite did.  Alex did get excited in his normal everyday fashion, with big eyes and a grin you couldn't wipe off his face.  He was excited!

Korrine on the other hand...well, not so much.  It was 4:15am when we did wake them to go, but we thought the excitement would get both up and moving.  She didn't want to miss her soccer game that morning and after several minuets of just begging her to get moving, I had to pull out the big guns. The, "Ok, we're going to leave without you."  Then she saw my dad, who was there to take us to the airport.  Then it sank in.  She continued to be a bit reluctant though.

Finally, once we made it to our gate at the airport, she started getting excited.  But my wife and I had our doubts for the first 2 hours.

It truly is a magical place and we had a blast.  We were constantly on the go and the days went by quick, but the memories will last forever.  We are truly blessed to be able to do this as a family.  Time goes by so fast, and these 2 are growing up so quickly. I don't want to have regrets or in time use phrases like, "I wish we would have done something like that."  We can't do it all, but what we can do I want to do it together.

Yes...my wife had 'special' shirts made for the family.  One recommendation if anybody else doing this, DO NOT use black.  Holy hot!  It is still Florida.

Keep working hard and God Bless.

Coach Bill

Trying something different

As you can tell from my posts, I've become pretty passionate about running.  I have only been doing this since 2012, but I have been bitten by the bug.  I ran my first Half Marathon in September 2012 and that was the Akron Marathon.  After crossing the finish line I remember the feeling of gratitude and a sense of accomplishment.  Then sitting on my patio thinking to myself, I could have run faster. Needless to say, I haven't stopped since then and as of the end of September, I've finished my 7th half marathon since then.

I guess there isn't anything 'different' about that.  But what I want to do is have number 10 be the Akron Marathon next year which is where it all started.  It is truly amazing and so much fun.

I figured doing 4 next year would be a lot to obtain that goal.  So this year, I wanted to do 3, but not 2 within 13 days of one another.  THAT is what was different for me.  I've never pushed a training routine to run that far as push myself to see what I was capable of doing.

I discovered a lot about myself during this time.  What do I do while training so that we don't miss out on eating together as a family at night or miss activities for the kids?  We get up early to get our work outs in. A little back story, my wife has become a avid Cross Fitter over the past 2 years and in order for us to get our work outs in we have to be done in the morning.  Her class is at 5 AM.  I'm not at that stage where I can leave my kids alone in the house, so I decided to get up on my long run mornings at 3:30 AM.  Yes....3:30.  Done by 4:45 so she can get to her class.  I'll tell you what, there sure isn't a lot of activity that early in the morning unless you are a skunk or possum.  I do feel like I own the town that early.  I run down the middle of nearly every street and don't have to worry about anything else.  Just me, the darkness and my thoughts.  THAT is what is/was different for me.

My neighbor talked me into running a half near Cleveland in the middle of the month.  He broke me and I signed up to do it.  I thought, 'What a great way to get a quiet long run in before Akron.  I'll just casually run this one and get ready for Akron.'  What I thought would be casual and relaxing and enjoyable turned out to get the opposite.  My problem is I've gotten accustom to pushing my body to limits it hasn't experienced before.  They are called 'RACES.'  During the race, I keep telling myself that I can slow down, but I felt great and it was a small field so there weren't a lot of people to pass or keep pace with.  I eventually slowed down...at the end of the race.

I finish with my best time ever.  My time:  1:35:50 (7:19 min mile)

I was spent.  Done.  Got up the next morning and could barely move.  But I had the Akron coming up in less than 2 weeks.  Back at it.  A couple 3:30 am days and push through the pain, doubt and fatigue.

I finished the Akron with my best Akron time:  1:37:32 (7:26 min mile)

Like the first one...sitting on my patio that afternoon after soccer and birthday party for my kids friend, I reflected and said to myself, 'I could have run faster.'  That's next years goal.  However, I'll have to do it in the Masters Division.  YEP...the big 40 is next year!  Its never to late!  Try Something Different!

God Bless,

Coach Bill

Lovin' September

Its been some time since my last post.  As we know, life and family happen.  I'm having one of those moments where you realize your kids are getting older and yet you feel like the same age.  Ever have that?

My daughter turned 7 along with what seems like 382 girls at the exact same time in our small town. I'll get back to that. I've also discovered that women talk to one another about things that have a direct impact on my wallet.  I'll get back to that too.  This I have no control over...well, kind of.  Pick your battles I'm told.  Well I celebrated my last sub 40 birthday party and my wife surprised me with the BEST CAKE EVER!

The kids also made home made cards (i.e. save the funds on the card and apply them to the cake). Honestly they were the sweetest things.  I'm truly blessed to have them all in my life, and God has provided love and fun with all of them.

The best part about my birthday is that my daughters is the next day.  So for weeks (by weeks I mean all 52 of them), the 2 of us talk about our birthday's and drop hints to Grandma and Grandpa and my wife and well...everybody we come in contact with.  You see, I love my birthday.  Don't know why...just have my entire life.

So after 2 separate family parties she had her "combined" birthday with a friend of hers (aka...coordinated by the mom's so that all 382 girls can attend 1 party rather than 2 as mentioned above).  It was a Cowgirl theme complete with...Pony rides.  Yes, pony rides.  Apparently, this is an afterthought with my wife too.  Details...details...details...and pony rides.  My buddy got us tickets to the Browns game that same day, which I was privy to before the mom's coordinated this big event.
So while I was here:

My little girl was here:

I heard all about it when I got home though, and she couldn't have been happier.  So as I wrap up the month of September, my fitness stories will follow, but all these people are the reason I stay fit.  I want to see her 47th...67th.. my sons 50th and I want to celebrate a life time with my wife.  

My reasons:

These are my gifts.  With them, everyday is my birthday.

Mid season running report

This running season has been an early success.  I only have had a few minor runs under my belt, but they've been pretty good and I shouldn't take them for granted.  Back in April I did a Relay event with some good guys at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon.  We ended up placing 2nd in the Men's Open Division...our plaque finally came!!!

Several of us from our Race Committee continued involvement within the community and, as mentioned, we ran in the Bookin' It 5K for the Library.  I took second in my division and took 6th overall with a PR of 20:20.

At the end of May, I ran in the Medina Half Marathon.  That didn't go as well as I had hoped but I finished in 1:43:17 which is better than I anticipated.  But I was off to such a positive start and felt like I could set a Personal Record (PR).  Despite the heat, humidity and the hills it was a lot of fun and very well organized.

The Akron Marathon has started the Rubber City Race Series that started on June 27th, 2015.  It is a series of 3 races over the summer finishing at the end of September with the Full Marathon, Half and Relay events.  The initial races were a 1 Mile and 8K.  So I signed up for the 1 Mile.  The second one is in August and they hold a 10K and Half, in which I registered for the 10K. And the September final I'll run the Half Marathon.  Excited to see how it goes.  I've been training for faster times for several weeks now and even after the long day on the 26th for the Matchstick I was excited to see how fast I could go in 1 mile.  The weather did not cooperate at all and it poured all morning long. With about 4 to 5 minutes before the start of the race I was soaked.

In the end, there were 170+ 1 mile participants and 2100+ 8K runners.  I set a new personal record at 5:51 for the 1 mile.  I could kick myself because I got stuck in the middle of the front pack running the 8K and I had to push out to the side and then work my way back to the left for the turns.  After I finished, I didn't realize it but I finished 8th overall, 6th in the Men's division and 1st in my age group.  Never ran that fast before.  But now I know.

In June of 2010 I changed my life spiritually, mentally and physically.  I became dedicated to losing weight and being here for my wife and kids and being a better Christian (I'm not perfect by any means but my faith is what drives me).  I couldn't run a mile without stopping.  I always hated running.  I always thought to myself, "You are either built for running or your not.  You are either built for speed or you are not. You can't teach speed or get faster than you are."  In the last 5 years I've discovered, due to my own ignorance, that the body is an amazing thing and capable of amazing things.

We are capable of amazing things.  If you want to try something but you doubt you're able, don't doubt it.  You want to try running but never felt like you could or can, do it.  Push past that next challenge.  Set an obtainable goal and smash it.  Set another one and SMASH that one too!.  Just keep working, setting new goals and push your body beyond the next challenge and who knows what the rest of this summer or the rest of your fitness goals look like.

Keep working hard and God Bless.

Coach Bill

What a week!

Other than June 2015 most likely being the most active month in my entire life with Family events, the Matchstick Race, my test and...well work it was likely the most rewarding as well.

The opening of the festival is a parade through the middle of town and we had the best seat in the house.  Our committee along with several volunteers marched in the parade and we were 5th in line out of more than 150.  Yeah, those in back...sorry that is a long night.  But the best part was being able to do it with my family and great friends.  The volunteers for the race were issued very bright orange T-shirts.  Very bright.

The kids were nervous at first, but after they got into it and after my little girl heard hear name being called out from the crowd...she ate it all up.  She waved to all her friends (she claimed she wasn't tired...but I think otherwise) and my son threw candy and stepped in to carry the banner when needed. The neat part was we were right behind the Grand Marshal (they get to light the giant matchstick on the square during the parade).  It was a lot of fun and the weather was great!

That's us in the back ground...my son at least

After that, the rest of the week was preparation.  From Tuesday through Thursday night we pretty much had everything we needed in order to make Friday nights race a success.  Now we just had to get ready.  

Race Day!  Three of us met and ran the 10K course that morning.  Looking back knowing what I know now and how long I was going to be on my feet, running 6.2 miles at 6:30 am, 14 hours before the race, was probably a bad idea.  So after we cleaned up we started to set up.

Before the time keeper arrived

We then drove the route and set up all the directional markers and the mile markers.  Then came the race.  It looked like rain from about 8:10 (race started at 8) through 11 pm.  But that wasn't God's plan and it totally held off until the end.  And by God's plan, his hands were all over this on making it happen and making it a success for our church and the community.  

If you do one thing, please take 1:15 to watch this video.  This is what happened on Friday night that made the entire thing worth it.

What a night.  The rain slowly starting coming at about 10:30, but by 10:50 every single runner that remained on the course, finished the race.  And this is what it was like for them to finish...

The carnival continued in the back ground and all in all we can say after months of planning and preparation, we were done and it was fun.  What an experience and what fun.  Now I'm going to get some rest.  Then get ready for next year.

Keep working hard and God Bless.

Coach Bill

Its been busy!!

Yeah, OK, since the end of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Relay life did get a little crazy.

There is less than two weeks until the Matchstick 5K/10K that we've been putting together since October 2014.  Well, things have been picking up, but more and more exciting things are coming from this other than just a race to support the local community.  I'll have share all the cool stories, but that will take a lot of time right now.

I ran a local 5K to support the library (you should appreciate that Sharon) and it was a ton of fun. Several of us from the Matchstick Race Committee took part to support another local race.  I DID set a new 5K PR finished in 20:20 and 6th overall.  Still came in second to another Race Committee Member.  In my defense, she won the Women's Half Marathon at the Pro Football Hall of Fame back in April.  She's pretty quick.  Here we are post race (I hid in the back close to the flag):

Other than that, the family has been busy with my son's baseball and Taekwondo (he's a Jr. Black Belt...soooo close and so proud),

My baby girl finished up her spring soccer season.  These girls have been together for 2 full seasons now and its scary how good they can be.  It will be a blast to watch them grow.

I ran my first half marathon this season and HOLY COW it was muggy, hot and hilly.  Probably the hardest race I've ever run.  My goal was to finish between 1:41 and 1:44 and through the first half of the half (hahaha) I was on pace for a PR.  That fell apart fast at the 10 mile marker and I hit the proverbial wall and finished at 1:43:17. Finish in the top 10 in my age group and 58th out of 886. In all I'm happy, but man it was hard.  Something to build off of as the Rubber City Race Series starts in a week.  I'm going to try and hammer out the 1 mile sprint.

That afternoon after the half, my sister in law's step daughter got married and it was an out door wedding.  Weelllllll, needless to say the wedding went off without a hitch.  Then the reception took place and this happened:

There was about 400 yards between where we were eating and our car.  We made it, but I felt bad for the Bride and Groom, because everything we great...minus the rain forest type water works that took place.

AND, I found time to study, take and pass a work related designation exam.  Yeah, I'm going to have to figure out what the heck to do with all my time after this month!  I'm sure it will be filled.

While all this is going on nearly all of Northeast Ohio was ALL IN for the CAVS Finals Run. Unfortunately last night it ended in disappointment, but I don't think anybody locally saw them going this far.  But watching it with friends lead to some fun times.

and some late nights,

I have to say with all this, I've been truly blessed with great friends and family who have been supportive and loving.  God has been good. and I've never stopped during these crazy times to pause and look at all He has provided and be so very thankful.

Keep working hard and God Bless.

Coach Bill 

So much fun!

Sunday at the Hall of Fame Marathon, we had so much fun.  The morning was cool, but the sky's were clear and it was just an all around good day for running.  It didn't start out that way though.

For those of us that run, there are 2 really big nightmares the night before race day.  One, sleeping through your alarm clock and getting there late.  The second, forgetting something important, like your bib with the timing chip on it or any ID that the race organizers need to identify you.  Needless to say, we officially checked off one of those boxes on Sunday morning.

As mentioned, we did the team relay (Tim, Jamey, myself, Dan & Andy).  After picking Tim up and heading to the race, Dan realizes he forgot Tim's bib.  Not a big deal, there isn't a chip on the bib and after 20 minuets of discussion we have it figured out how we would handle it.  We park at the mall, in which the buses will take us to the start (about 10 to 15 min).  We get out of the truck and start walking toward the buses and Dan stops dead in his tracks.  He goes pale. Looks at the 4 of us and...well, a not so kind word was shared with the group.  It is about 5:15 at this point, and the race starts at 7 AM.  Dan left the timing chip with Tim's bib...at home...25 min away.  He turns and heads to his truck to go home a get it.  Every runners worse nightmare is unfolding right in front of us.

Long story short, Team H2GO, was able to see how well the race directors Trouble Shooting Systems worked.  We were able to get another chip, even though Dan went all the way home and made it back just in time for the race, but we were all set by then.  My sides were hurting from laughing so hard though once I was OK with the fact that we got the chip.  Like I said, it was a perfect morning for running, and did I mention as a Pro Football lover, this is my favorite place.

So we were able to watch the start of the race and Tim lead off the team and was pretty close to the front (he's pretty fast compared to the rest of our team).

I ran the 3rd Leg of the relay.  It wasn't bad, only 5K, but the last 1.5 miles is pretty much ALL UP HILL.  At least that is how it felt at the time.  My goal for my leg was to run as fast as I could for the first 1.5 miles, which was mostly the flat, the hang on until the end while handling the hills.  We were in pretty good shape when I took the slap bracelet from Jamey and we were with a lot of the lead Half and Full Marathon runners.  So I thought I was all that and passed them.  Note to self, they are running a 6:30 pace.  To late for that!  I was moving!  I did great for the 1st 1.5 miles.  Then the hills, the wind, all of a sudden 3 people jump on my back (not really...but man I hit the wall), my lungs were on fire and my heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest and slap me (again...not really).

I made it, finally, and passed off to Dan then my body cursed at me for the next 12 hours.  I know what it feels like to push until it can't go any more.  I was able to keep our pace...but it wasn't pretty.

Our goal was to break 3 hours.  We finished at 3:02;35.  Its a team effort.  Dan and Tim were held back by myself, Jamey and Andy.  But it was fun and we've got years to relive this experience.  Oh, and we will too.

We didn't really know how we finished when we left, but we felt good about our chances at placing. Later that afternoon, my phone was blowing up with text messages.  For a bunch of goof balls that forgot our chip and made fun of each other for past several months, relentlessly I might add, we did pretty good. We finished 6th overall and 2nd in the Men's Open Division.  Couldn't be more proud of these guys and I wouldn't want to do this with anybody else.  What a blast.

So what did I learn from this experience?  I learned that I have to train for my leg a lot better.  I let it all out way to soon and should have paced myself much better than I did.  The other thing I learned is the I am no where near these elite runners.  They are in a totally different league, and bless their souls, that is hard to do.  But it won't stop me from trying.  I may never even sniff that speed, but I just have to keep working.  My goals can't change, or else they aren't goals anymore.  I cannot wait until next year!

God Bless you and keep working hard!

Coach Bill

Starting the season off out of the norm.

So this year to start off, I decided to try something a little different.  Several of my buddies that I run with on a regular basis decided to do the Pro Football Hall of Fame Marathon this year.  I did this last year and ran the half.  It was an absolute blast.

This year I'm doing it again. BUT...myself and 4 other guys are going to do the Relay (this is the 1st year they have done this).  There are 5 legs to the race (10K, 5K, 5K, 12K & 10K...it will total 26.2, trust me).  I get the chance to run the middle leg and frankly I can live with that.  As a team, we set the bar pretty high.  We, by we I mean 4 of the 5 of us, are 'weekend' runners...amateurs...slow pokes. Our goal is to break 3 hours as a team.  This can be done.  By us?  That is to be determined.

What I do know is that I'm going to go out there, run harder than I have ever done before to not let my team down and then collapse.  I've always felt that if I feel like I can continue to run even a little further after a race, I didn't work hard enough during.  Like last year, they have some pretty cool 'swag' I'm looking forward to as well.  Aside from the blanket and shirt, they have medals for the relay team with a football theme.  I'll always remember these guys after Sunday because I'll have one of these 5 medals:

Two things will be certain on Sunday.  One, I'm going to be around a bunch of people that I wouldn't trade for the world and two, I am going to have so much fun in the process.

This trying different things every now and then, it ain't so bad.  And by the grace of our Lord, he'll keep us safe and healthy.  Best of luck to all the runners, Full, Half and Relay Teams.

Keep working hard.

God bless,
Coach Bill

When little things turn really big

It was about 6 to 7 months ago when during a run with a friend from church that during a casual conversation we talked about how cool it would be to put a little 5K together for the church and our community.

What went from a simple conversation during a 5 mile run, now involves Olympic Gold Medal winner, Dave Wottle!

Yesterday afternoon our committee donated a historical piece of Wadsworth's past to the city that was donated to the race committee.  Yesterday we unveiled the Matchstick.

John and I unveiling

The Matchstick with old news paper clipping from when Dave Wottle was training in Wadsworth and when he was the Master of Ceremonies for the Blue Tip Parade in 1973.

Most of our committee

The people involved have been tremendous to work with and I'm looking forward to the next several months.  This has been an amazing journey so far and its been a blessing to be a part of this.

You just never know what God has in store for you when you say 'yes'.

Our Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/MatchStickChallenge

God Bless you all!

Coach Bill

Cabin Fever

So, what do you do for 3 months when the weather looks like this?

Beating your head against the wall doesn't work.  I can't run.  There are only so many circles I can run around the kitchen table before that gets old and even annoys the dog (the pacing around the table is her job I guess).  What I've done over the past couple years after Christmas is put my body to work.  

I'm not going to say that home exercise video's are easy, because they aren't.  It does take a tremendous amount of discipline.  But when you do, it changes everything.  Your routine is completely turned upside down when you start seeing and feeling the results.  Last year I did this:

What a great concept!  Only 25 minutes each morning for 10 weeks.  That's it.  I loved the program and ended up getting the results in weight loss and inches lost.  But it did take a lot of discipline. What helped most was putting some of my friends to the test and we challenged each other.  Without that...those mornings are only darker and colder.  Knowing my friends are up, and are going to email me or text me to make sure I did it...well that's enough to get me out of bed.

These past several months weren't much different.  There was a new program released back in December.  I've talked about doing INSANITY several years ago and that's where it all started for me.  Started losing the weight and getting fit.  Realize that I would love to maintain this and would encourage others to try it, but it was long.  Not so much the 60 Days of the program, that's doable when its is cold, but some of the work outs were long.  Again and I STRESS, I loved it!  So what do you do to keep people motivated for those that loved INSANITY...you cram it into 30 minutes and you do this:

The results speak for themselves.  This was the first time in years I never missed a work out because I got sick or didn't focus on my form and had to take a day or two off because I hurt myself.  I did this one right from beginning to end.  Took my Shakeology after each morning work out.  Ate better, drank better (more water less alcohol).  No excuses!  Pushed myself all the way for the full 30 minutes! 

The best part about both of these...the Modifier.  Since my accident in 2013 I'm limited on motion and with the reduced time and following the Modifier I've been able to complete these routines.  I still deal with the pain, but that isn't going anywhere, I just have to be smart.  Eat right, proper rest, focus on my form and listen to my body and I will get through it.  Do it right.  

So the combination of the exercise and eating right, as much as I don't like pictures of myself, I have posted my before and after photos over the 60 days to prove it to myself that change happens. 

Day 1 was December 27th, 2014

Day 57 was February 18th, 2015

Please Lord, let the weather break so I can get to running again.  That's next.  Keep working hard and take care of you body.  

All that being said, I'm reminded of 1 Timothy 4:8 - For while the bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

Enough said.  God Bless you!

Coach Bill