The Marathon

It's been awhile...

For those that did not hear, I ran my first Marathon this past Sunday (May 19th).  It was, to say the least, fucking awful (excuse the language, but that's truly the best way of describing it).
That being said, it was without a doubt one of the greatest experiences I've ever been through.  I had to really fight to the finish.  I cramped up, it was hotter than Hell, and by the time I crossed the finish line I was completely exhausted.
I've been working towards this goal literally all of 2013.  Well, before that actually.  I started a "pre-training" phase at the beginning of December by going through "Insanity" for the second time in a year.  Then after that was done, I jumped right into my official training program and I've been grinding ever since.
The journey was not easy.  The biggest obstacle was when I had a bit of a hip injury develop about half way through my training and had to really dial things back for a week.  I even went as far as to change my running style to ensure it got healthy and stayed that way.
The journey I went through from the beginning of training to crossing the finish line is an experience I could have never imagined myself going through and it has definitely changed me for the better.

Here's some pictures:

Getting some stretching in before the race in the hotel room

The starting line

Getting focused before the race

Simply waiting for the to say "go"

And we're off

Mile 6 I think?

Same mile

Mile 13 I believe

No more than 50 yards from the finish and I cramped...again...had to stop and work it out cause my right leg wouldn't move

FINALLY

I'll explain who this girl is below

You develop a whole new appreciation for chairs after you run 26.2 miles

Ok, so the girl in the picture above.  Her name is Krystal and she's an ANGEL.  I mentioned I had cramped during the race, well my calf totally seized up around mile 23.  Krystal happened to be running by and she stopped, helped me work it out, then stuck it out with me all the way until the finish line.  There is no way I could have made it without her!

I've never been so exhausted in my whole life, but damnit I made it.
Don't let the pain I went through discourage you.  If you're thinking about doing a Marathon, go for it!  The pain is completely worth it.

Will I ever run another one?  I have no clue right now.  MANY people have told me that you have to forget how your first Marathon felt before you run another...so I'll just be content to revel in my victory for now.

Before I end things I wanted to send out a big time "thank you" to everyone that reached out to me and gave me there support/congratulated me when it was over!  It definitely gave me some extra motivation.

PEACE!

P.S. I post pretty frequently on my blog for work, check that out...http://wnlffm.com/on-air/studz

The Rematch

For the past 318 days the Leatherneck Basketball players and coaches have thought of very little other than that heartbreaking 52-50 OT loss to South Dakota State in the Summit League Championship game.  That's a type of game that sticks with you.  One you never forget.  It stings you deep down.  It's a pain you have trouble putting into words.

The Leathernecks were devastated after that game.  Tonight in Western Hall they have a chance to exact a measure revenge.

While this game may not be for a trip to the National Tournament, it's a chance for the Leathernecks to show the Jackrabbits that this isn't 2012 anymore.  To show them that they're for real.  Tonight, along with the big game versus North Dakota State on Saturday, they can show the entire conference that this Leatherneck squad is a force to be dealt with.  A storm that isn't going to settle.

When the Jackrabbits enter Western Hall tonight they're going to enter an electric atmosphere that the arena hasn't seen for many, many years.  Maybe even ever.  The stands will be packed.  The crowd will be loud.  The environment is going to be something SDSU has likely never experienced inside Western Hall:  hostile.

I know for a fact that since I've been here there hasn't ever been this much hype about a Leatherneck home game.  The entire community is talking about it.

The Leathernecks have certainly earned that support.  They enter the game at 14-3 overall, 6-0 in conference play, tied for first in the conference, and riding a program record eleven game winning streak.

Over the next few days the Leathernecks have a chance to send a message to the rest of the conference.  To make a statement that simply says:  the Conference Tournament may be held in Sioux Falls, but the road to the top of the Summit goes through Western Illinois!

GO LEATHERNECKS!!!