The Endurazone

  Ran the Blue Bell Half-Marathon in Brenham, Texas. Was a bit concerned as my left calf has not fully healed from the Little Rock Marathon 3 weeks prior….and the course was full of hills. I was hoping to at least go sub-2 hours. Started off well and my pace was around 8 minute 10 second miles through the 10k but my calf started acting up. Had to favor it the rest of the race (and sadists….I mean race organizers, had runners basically finish up hill (except the last couple blocks)). Anyway, got my sub-2 hours with a finish time of 1:53:48. Took 5th in my age group….3 minutes off of top 3, but overall OK considering the calf. Leg is pretty sore now. Will be icing it and elevating it. Blue Bell is our Texas ice cream and at the finish line I tried a fudge bar (good). Plus, after the race, the ice cream was free at their creamery and market. I had their chocolate with peanut butter - very good (they don’t sell it in stores, only there). I’m a huge peanut butter & chocolate ...

  I am approaching my 68th marathon or longer and hope to complete at least 100 such events. Part of that goal is to include various international marathons, ultramarathons, triathlons or other endurance events in my future. I have completed Ironman Austria, Desaru Half-Ironman in Malaysia, Ironman Canada, and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc 100 miler in France, Italy, and Switzerland. My next international challenge is the Berlin Marathon. While I have traveled to Germany quite a bit for work with those past visits being mainly in Bremen, Frankfurt, Grenzach-Wyhlen, and Inzlingen, I have never visited or run in Berlin. I am now excited that running the Berlin marathon will allow me to see and compete in this city. This is especially true as my wife Corinne's family is originally from Berlin. This marathon trip won't be just for me to run; I am also using it as a fundraiser for a great cause: Achilles Internation al. Since 1983, Achilles has supported athletes with physica...

  Claimed state #24 with a marathon or longer finish at the Little Rock Marathon (lifetime #63 marathon or longer). I ran Texas Marathon Jan 1, Galveston Marathon Feb 1 and Little Rock Marathon March 1…..couldn’t find an April Fools Day marathon to keep the first of the month streak going. Had to stop for gas after getting to Little Rock....I think I found an appropriate gas station. N ot my best performance at Little Rock (I blame Clinton) - I definitely felt the hills plus around the half-marathon my left calf (about where it meets the foot) flared up - tough to put weight on it for a mile or so then sore through the finish. But, finish it I did in about 4:36. Met some very nice fellow runners (a couple Houston area runners, Arkansas runners, and others.) The medal is as big as a dinner plate (that’s what it is sitting on in this image).