Friday thought for the day.......

Hardships serve to make you stronger. Just as a gem cannot be polished without friction, nor can a life be perfected without trials.



Believe in Yourself

Thanks to Fit Chica on Dailymile for sharing this.......

Stand Alone

Believe in yourself when all around you may doubt you,

Inner strength is the root of confidence.

Robie Double April 23rd

My wife missed out on the Race to Robie Creek half marathon while we were in Boston so I told her I would run it with her. So, the Saturday after Boston we ran it.  I started at 5am on the back of the mountain with my headlamp and ran 13.1 in 2:08 and then met her at the start. Then we did a run walk back to my truck. 4000 up and 4000 down total I am tired!!

Halfway there!

Finish line video.

This was about 5 minutes after I finished the Boston Marathon and I still haven't caught my breath. The video isn't great and the sound is horrible, but I wanted to capture my emotion and what an amazing feeling it was. Here is the subtitles version.....

Just finished, 3:18, faded at the end, high fived everyone I could for the last few miles, IT FELT GREAT!

Apparently I spent a lot of time zig zagging the course high fiving everyone because my watch shut off at 26.5 and my official time was actual 3:19:59 so I added about another 0.3 miles. Oh well!! Wouldn't trade it for anything!

2011 Boston Marathon Text Msg Race Report

Boston Marathon

Monday April 18th, 2011

7:07am Michelle - New Plan you need to run as fast as you can until mile 20 and then do 10 minute miles so I can catch you on camera!

7:21am ME - Clear skies and a tailwind! (for now anyway)

7:30am Michelle - is the excitement hitting you yet?

7:43am Me - Just got to Hopkinton

7:48 Sam - starts in 10 minutes!! (a little early which freaked me out for a second)

7:49am Michelle - head straight for a porta potty and get in line!!

7:52am Sam - remember to have fun!

8:01am Michelle - Christie wrote on your FB wall, Top results are reached only through pain but eventually you like this pain.  You will find difficulties you have on the way the more you will enjoy your success.

8:33am Michelle - How is it going? Are you ready to puke yet?

9:23am Michelle - its 47 in Boston and feels like 38

9:25am Michelle - wind is going to be blowing from the WSW at 18 to 20 mph

9:35am Me - Headed to the start.. ready or not!

10:48am - 10km Athlete Alert 0:43:39 Pace 7:01

11:37am - 13.1m Athlete Alert 1:32:58 Pace 7:05

12:19pm - 30km Athlete Alert 2:15:01 Pace 7:14

1:24pm - Finish Athlete Alert 3:19:59 Pace 7:37

1:33pm Me - Proud moment! Best run EVER (Finish line video)

1:36pm Sam – Proud of you!

1:37pm Michelle – We are still at mile 21. Your mom crossed the street and can’t get back over.  I got a video of you going by!

1:38pm Me - I wish I could share this moment with everyone!

2:04pm Rick – time to hit CHEERS and re-hydrate!

2:04pm Me - I high fived every person on the left side during the last mile.  I figured if I’m not going to make my time, I might as well have some fun!

2:06pm Me - Michelle, I love you.

2:07pm Michelle – I love you and I’m so proud of you.  I am really sorry that I wasn’t able to be there at the finish line with you.

2:12pm Michelle – We got your mom back over and we are heading to the finish area.

2:13pm Me – Austin can you fly out here and stretch me out? Great day today! Happy with my time.

2:15pm Me - I am not sure I could have made three hours with all the people in front of me and then being sick killed me at the end.  I am happy with my time given the circumstances!

2:37pm Sam – Not bad for a fat guy! J

2:59pm Billie – Great race, hope you enjoyed every minute of it! You’re my hero.  I hope to make it when I am 60!

Carbo Loading before a race

Runners World Carbo Loading Article

Pre Boston Enthusiasm

My friend Paula from DailyMile and me at the expo the day before. I wish I had this kind of enthusiasm around mile 23! I could have used it. ☺

Marathon Thoughts

After Boston the first thing my kids asked was if I pantsed my poop!!

Leaving for the airport shortly

Slept ok last night but woke up to a head cold.  I can't worry about it now.  I took the advice of friends and got some Zycam we'll see how it works.

Luau W. on Daily Mile suggested this song as a good starting line motivator.  I concur.

Ryan

Just have fun!!!!

Thank you to everyone who has wished me well.  I would like to say a special thank you to my friend Christie today for reminding me to have fun!

During the rigors of training I somehow seem to lose sight of the fact that this is supposed to be fun.  Don't get me wrong, it is a lot of work, but when you do it right I truly believe it can be both.

I know this sounds kind of corny but I feel like I am running to be an example to those who think 'I'll never be able to do that'. It is a good feeling. I posted a saying on my blog the other day, What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? I wish I could convince everyone to try something beyond their wildest dreams, you might just surprise yourself with what you are capable of. Boston, after all, was beyond my wildest dreams when I started all this!

No matter what happens, my #1 goal is to a) have fun. Anything else will just be icing on the cake.

I would also like to take a moment to say thank you for the support of my fundraising efforts for Humphreys Diabetes Center.  They provide a great service and appreciate the donations.  I am about half way to my goal, please join me in the supporting HDC.  Donation information can be found here

Make it a great day!
Ryan

Never Quit - Inspirational Story of Derek Redmond

I saw this online today and just had to share.  Enjoy.

Just one thing...well maybe two

I slept like a baby last night!  I think it's my body's way of saying, "Thank you for not punishing me these last few days, now I can relax!"  Boy do I have a surprise come Monday, REST UP little guy!!  Bwaahahhahaaaa!!!

On a more serious running note, I had my last speed run yesterday.  It was a total of 4 miles with 2 - 1 mile intervals at a 6:02/mile pace in the middle.  The most encouraging part was my average heart rate for the first speed mile was 147 and the second speed mile was 156.  So, I feel confident that my body can push when I need to dig deep with worrying about going beyond my limits.  I just have to convince my brain and my legs that it is a good idea!!  Sometimes I think being mentally prepared is the bigger battle during training and this was a big boost!

Thanks to Austin Zander and A2O Fitness for getting me in the best shape of my life!  I know the training will be difference maker to help me push through the last miles!

Make it a great day! Ryan

Weather report......

Could this be more perfect?  I know, I probably just jinxed it!!

Flowers for LaVonda

In February 2008 my aunt, LaVonda Wright passed away after her battle with cancer.  I rode down to Salt Lake with my brother Rich to attend the funeral and had opportunity to reconnect with family I hadn't seen in many years.  I also had the great pleasure of learning a valuable life lesson that I have been reminded of each year at this time since then. 

During and after the service, everyone who was close to her told stories of her love and compassion for others and how selfless she was on many levels.  I looked around at all the people who had attended the funeral and thought to myself, I don't even know this many people, she must have been a great friend to many people.  And furthermore, of all the people I know how many of them would attend my funeral and have something good to say about me.  I made a commitment to myself that day to live my life in such a way that it will be a life worth celebrating when my day comes.

As Rich and I were preparing to leave and head home back to Boise my Uncle Larry Wright told people if they wanted to take some flowers with them they were welcome to.  There were many beautiful arrangements, but I chose one that contained flowers that were grown from bulbs in a really nice stone bowl.  I was thinking they would last longer than cut flowers and I really liked the bowl. 

When the flowers were done blooming I decided to plant the bulbs in my flower garden.  I am reminded each year of Aunt LaVonda and her example as well as my commitment to myself when I see those beautiful flowers popping up in the beds.  Yesterday was that day.

As I reflect on my promise to myself, I can't help but think that the obstacles as well as triumphs in my life have been placed there for a distinct purpose.  Unfortunately, it seems like the purpose is never clear so I always try to take everything with a smile, encourage others, and share my experiences in hopes that someone else may be able to take inspiration from both the highs and the lows.

I have been working on a journal entry about when Michelle and I ran the St. George Marathon last fall and it's basically done.  I just haven't posted it.  I just want to be able to include Michelle's perspective.  She ran the same race on the same day but our experiences were unique in their own way so I want to include both.  I mentioned this at our CFC Home Group last night and was surprised to find out that people actually read this blog and would like to hear the story so we committed to 'publishing' it before we leave for Boston.

I wanted to share one piece of the St George race report that kept rolling through my mind as I was admiring the beautiful flowers and thinking of my Aunt yesterday.

..........(October 3, 2010)  On the way home as I reflected on the weekend many things brought a smile to my face.  I was thinking that running has been a kind of metaphor for life.  This weekend taught me to feel compassion, enjoy the beautiful scenery, recall the power of child's smile brought on by a total stranger, determination, hard work, and most importantly the value of family.  If it takes running a marathon to remind me of all these blessings in my life I will continue doing this as long as I am able and in the end ......... the time on the clock will be of little importance. 

Make it a great day everyone.

An easy 6 with Mike

Ran with my buddy Mike at lunch today. I told him my plan called for an easy 6 and he said TAKE IT EASY on me!! Mike is a strong runner so we were pretty evenly matched. I signed up for a local half marathon, the Race to Robie Creek, that is held on the same day I am flying to Boston. I thought it would be fun to raffle off the bib for my fundraiser but then a number of my friends didn't get in.

So, I told Mike I would let him have first dibs on it but I told him I wanted to see a finish time of 1 hour and 40 minutes (which is smoking fast on that course). The race motto is 'The toughest half marathon in the Northwest' with 1900 feet of elevation gain in 8+ miles and 1500 feet of loss in roughly 5 miles. We both finished around 1:50 last year so I know he can do it. Today's splits 7:09 7:06 7:08 7:08 7:11 6:54.


This was from a run in January - from left to right Mike, Ben, and John

                                                         

A2O Fitness Video Diary Part III

...with cool background music thanks to Austin Zander and great video courtesy of Allison and Ryan Casper!

A2O Question of the week: If you were a song....

........what song would it be?

I got the question in my email just before heading out for my run in McCall on Sunday.  At first I thought it was kind of silly, but it really made me think about who I am and how I perceive my progress and goals.

I thought about it the whole time and couldn't really come up with anything.  I asked the kids when I got back and had several honorable mentions.  Dr. Feelgood by Motley Crue (Zach's favorite), Wheels on the bus (because I just keep going and going), For those about to rock we salute you by AC/DC, Firework by Katy Perry, and This ain't nothin' by Craig Morgan.  Good songs but not quite.

Running is my time to reset my brain so I can think clearly.  Believe it or not I don't even own an Ipod. That said, I went through my daughters MP3 player and found The Climb, by Miley Cyrus. It does a good job of capturing what I am all about. 

-----------
I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
-----------------------

Life is a journey, not a destination.....enjoy the ride (climb)! Keep up the hard work everyday and you will get there.

My second choice was The Four Horsemen by Metallica. Mostly because it is a fast, rockin' song and because it brings a smile to my face every time I think about how I would turn it on full blast and leave the room to wake up my older brother Russ before school back in 1990!


My trainer, Austin at A2O Fitness, suggested "He's going the distance", by Cake. Which I really liked too!

Make it a great day. Ryan

YOU HAVE THE POWER TO LIVE YOUR DREAMS

This day for me was March 18th, 2009.
__________________________________________
 
The day you take complete responsibility for yourself, the day
you stop making any excuses,
that's the day you start moving down the road to success.

No one else can do it for you.
Only you can make it happen.
You're the only one that has to live your life.

Success on any major scale requires you to accept responsibility.
It's up to you to choose the thoughts and actions
that will lead you to success.

Your life will be what you make of it.
Nothing will ever happen by itself.
Success will come your way once you realize
that you have to make it come your way by your own actions.

The power to succeed is yours alone.

Nikita Koloff

Me and Zach at the World Center for Birds of Prey

Simple Question

Not so simple answer.

Me?  I'll try just about anything once......and if you fail SO WHAT?

"Those who do something and fail are infinitetly better then those who try to do nothing and succeed." – Lloyd Jones

Please join me in supporting the Humphreys Diabetes Center

Please join me in supporting the Humphreys Diabetes Center as I prepare to run the Boston Marathon on April 18th.   HDC is a non-profit organization that provides education and treatment to those affected with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.  Click here for donation form Please mention your donation is to support Ryan Anderson. 

(From the HDC website) Humphreys Diabetes Center, Idaho’s diabetes center of excellence, provides education in diabetes self-management and prevention to people with or at-risk for diabetes, their families and health care professionals.

Trusted by over 600 Treasure Valley referring physicians, the Center provides services to more than 4,000 clients each year. Working with our experienced Certified Diabetes Educators, clients learn how to manage diet, exercise and medication to stay healthy and prevent complications such as heart attacks, strokes, blindness, kidney failure, and amputations. HDC programs are recognized by the American Diabetes Association.

HDC also participates in national research trials for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.  For an overview of all the good work we do, review our 2009 Community Report.


Michelle's fathers funeral April 28, 2007

 
My first experience with Humphreys was in the spring of 2008 at a health fair sponsored by my employer Idaho Power.  Humphreys was giving a presentation on nutrition and exercise.  It was a real eye opener for me because I had no idea about either of those two subjects at that time. 

Diabetes has affected our family a number of times which makes this a very personal fund raising opportunity.  My wife Michelle was diagnosed as pre-diabetic in the summer of 2003.  She was prescribed medication and instructed by her doctor to improve her nutrition and control her weight.  Her father had diabetes and died at the age of 67 from a heart attack.

In 1994, my mother Kathleen donated a kidney to my cousin Craig who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was about twenty years old.  At the time of the kidney transfer Craig was 40 years old and had been living with diabetes for about 20 years.  Craig was married and had four children at home at the time.  The transplant gave him another 8 and a half years to help raise his family before he succumbed to the challenges of diabetes.


Race to Robie Creek April 17, 2010

I always thought I was healthy because I never went to the doctor.  Looking back, I think I was one doctor visit away from a pre-diabetic diagnosis myself.

In April 2009, Michelle and I began to take control of our health and weight.  By mid February of 2010 Michelle had lost 100 pounds and I had lost 135 pounds.  Michelle is no longer on medication and no longer pre-diabetic.

Running has provided me a wonderful outlet for controlling my weight and improving my health.  I hope my Boston Marathon run will be an inspiration to those that struggle with their weight and health.  My goal is that it might give someone the hope that they too can do anything they set their mind to.

Michelle and I both feel wonderful and would be honored if you would join us in supporting the Humphreys Diabetes Center and their mission of education and prevention.

If you would like to follow my progress with live updates during the race you can sign up for text message or email alerts at the Boston Athletic Association website.  You will need my bib number which is 6143

Donations of any amount would be greatly appreciated.  Please mention your donation is to support Ryan Anderson.  Thank you for your support. 
Click here for donation form





Boston Marathon Unicorn Symbol

The kids were curious why the unicorn is on the BAA symbol.  I found this online.....

"Chosen by the founding members of the Boston Athletic Association in 1887 -- ten years prior to the inaugural Boston Marathon -- the Unicorn is believed to have been chosen as the organization's symbol due to its place in mythology. In Chinese and other mythologies, the Unicorn represents an ideal: something to pursue, but which can never be caught. In pursuit of the Unicorn, however, athletic competitors can approach excellence (but never fully achieve it). It is this pursuit to push oneself to his or her own limit and to the best of one's ability which is at the core of athletics. And for this reason, as the marathon matured, that the B.A.A. also decided that the Unicorn would be the appropriate symbol for the marathon" - per Boston Athletic Association