My first race at that distance. Better start working on a training plan. . .

| Marshall M. Butler 5:45 PM | | (0)

After an excruciating drive on I-4, the Butlers met up with the Sinellis at Disney World. We spent Saturday at the Magical Kingdom and then after naps and watching the Michigan-OSU game made a quick trip to MGM to see the Osbourne Family's Dancing Lights. Wow!

Sunday we went to the Animal Kingdom. Apparently everyone else had the same idea. The place was packed. We spent an hour and a half waiting to ride the safari. The Expedition Everest ride is awesome.

A fun weekend!

| Marshall M. Butler 5:21 PM | | (0)

Had to go to Hollywood, FL for a business trip. I stayed at the Seminole Hard Rock. When I checked in, I was told that the hotel was sold out. Something about a big NASCAR race in Homestead. Fortunately for me, I was only staying for one night and was upgraded to a $1,000 suite. It was pretty nice, but I would expect a little more luxury for $1,000. It was similar to the room I had when I stayed at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles a couple of years ago. Maybe a little bigger, but very similar. Nonetheless, I did get a lot of value for the $250 I paid.

| Marshall M. Butler 10:27 AM | | (0)

Love from the Hard Rock!

| Marshall M. Butler 9:24 PM |

Was supposed to do 15 at PMP plus 10 seconds. Ended up doing 10 miles at PMP before my hip and leg started really hurting. Came inside and stretched.

Might try to get back out tonight to do the other 5 miles. The weather was perfect this morning for running. I hate being injured!

Not sure what's going to happen in the Outback 1/2 Marathon next Thursday.

| Marshall M. Butler 5:01 PM | | (0)

Last night I put a couple of logs in the fire pit and we sat around it while I grilled chicken on the Weber. Karen brought the girls little foam sofa out to the deck for the girls. They had a fun time making a tent out of the sofa and a blanket. I told them maybe they can camp out in the backyard when they get a little bigger. We topped off the night with roasted marshmallows and made S'mores. Lots of fun!

| Marshall M. Butler 9:18 AM | | (0)

Was much closer than I would prefer, but thankfully we won. Nothing like a blocked field goal on the last play of the game to get your heart racing.

| Marshall M. Butler 8:00 PM |

Wasn't sure how this was going to fell. Last long run over 15 miles was almost a month ago when I ran 20 on October 10th. I ran 13.5 a week later on the 17th, and since then everything has been much shorter because of the injury.

Woke up and took 600 mg of Motrin. There is a 50% chance of rain today so it was dang muggy. I think it was 70 degrees when I left at 5:00 am. First mile was a little tough, my left hip was definitely sore. As I warmed up I got into a rhythmn and felt pretty good.

Headed downtown, then over to San Marco. I went back over the river to downtown and headed for Alltel Stadium. The fair is in town, so as I ran past the Maxwell House plant right by the fairgrounds I experienced the odd sensation of roasting coffee and greasy funnel cakes. Reminded me of Cafe Du Monde.

Stopped at the Y to refill the water bottle and then it was time to head for home.

Overall, the run felt fine. I took 2 gels, one at 45 minutes the other at 1:30. Probably should have taken one at 2:15, but I didn't want to take a gel for 15 minutes of running.

While the goal for today was 20, I felt pretty confident that 18 would suffice. I have a 15 mile run on the schedule for next Tuesday at marathon pace plus 10 seconds. Then I have another 20 mile run the next week at marathon pace plus 30 seconds. I think I'm going to change that to a 3 hour run just for the sake of spending that amount of time on my feet. I think based on that pace it will end up being a 22 mile run. I might tone the pace down a little.

| Marshall M. Butler 12:15 PM | | (0)

Big money talks in the Swamp

Under an increasingly competitive system, big-time Gator boosters are quickly chomping up every seat that becomes available in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. This year, about 450 season tickets became available in the 90,000-seat stadium, and every last one of them went to UF's biggest contributors, Gator Booster officials say.

I thought this might be coming with the excitement around Urban Meyer so I added a seat for Karen before the 2005 season. Luckily, I didn't have to pay anywhere near what the tickets are going for this year.

| Marshall M. Butler 10:21 AM | | (0)

Still recovering from the back issues, which have now become left hip issues. The back is fine, but I think I strained muscles in the left hip compensating for the recnt back problems. Went to the chiropractor on Friday and got some electrical stimulation, as well as some adjusting. Wasn't sure how I'd feel on race morning.

Race morning I woke up and took 600 mg of Motrin. Rode over to the race with James, Josh and Mike. Ran a short warm-up and did a little stretching. Doing 7 minute splits was the goal. Here are the splits:

Mile Split AvgHR LapHR
1      6:45 159    170
2      6:51 170    171
3      6:59 170    171
4      7:08 169    171
5      7:17 170    170
6      7:03 171    173
6.2   1:25 174     175

Went out a bit too fast. Backed it off a bit for mile 2 and 3. My hip and back felt fine, but during mile 4 I developed a stitch in my right side. I had to slow down a little to work it out. Picked it up again in mile 6 when I saw I was really falling off of the pace. Finished in 43:28, a new PR for me. Mike was right behind me, finishing in 43:37. I was his rabbit. I figured he was back there somewhere.

James finished in 39:33. Josh did 39:47. James was a bit disappointed with his time and vowed it was time to get serious about running. He has been spending lots of time in the pool.

View the race course and splits with Google Maps.

| Marshall M. Butler 5:05 PM | | (0)

Did 4.5 miles yesterday at a 7:40 pace. Felt pretty good, but the tightness in my lower back seemed to be preventing me from going any faster. Will need to stretch it out good before Saturday's race.

Did 2x1600 on the track today. First one was an easy one at 7:20, then I picked up the speed a little and did the second in 6:55. Again, I need to get rid of this tightness. Might see if I can get a massage tonight.

The weather is going to be nice Saturday morning. Might be a little breezy. I'm anxious to see how my back is feeling.

| Marshall M. Butler 10:53 AM | | (0)