My Week of Running... ok,12 days...

The past twelve days have been interesting without a doubt. I have had some great runs since my Marathon in Knoxville, TN, which is now well behind me. That next week-end I was able to knock +/- 7min. off of my 5k PR. That week was set aside just for my recovery from my first marathon. No driving (in the big truck) for a week after the race, I planned. Then the reality of being home started to brew. I started seeing opportunities around me that I just could not ignore. So I made the executive decision to step out of the truck and stay home. Once I ran the numbers and determined what "life on the road" was really costing me in dollars and cents as I was away from home, working really hard to eat good food (no McDonald's,etc) and get enough sleep, not to mention the level of stress that a person is under while guiding an 18 wheeler down the highway. This may sound like I am just complaining about the way of life and making a living that I had, a long while ago chosen for myself. Really, it was just killing me. The time that I really enjoyed was my running in a different town each day. In short for me it was/is just a time for a change. I want the time for my family, time to train and get involved with the running community in my area. There are SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES, POSSIBILITIES...ETC, ETC...

Anyway, My Running. The past 12 days have been awesome. Five of the days have been 7 miles plus, one six plus and a few short ones. What I have noticed is that now that I am running more in the daylight hours around here. As you may know, I have done most of my winter training at home in the wee hours of the morning 12am-3am in sub freezing temps as to not miss any time with family while at home. But anyway, I seem to really be getting stronger and faster. In the next week or two (I not exactly sure the exact date) I will be having my 1st Year Anniversary for my RuNnInG CaReEr! That's right, I'm still a newbie. Only a year ago I could not run 50 yards without thinking that "God I hope someone sees me laying here and calls the rescue squad!" (Well, that how I felt anyway). Now this morning I took a nice run in the morning sun and ran almost 6.4 miles at a 8:03 pace! That's speed goggles for this ole' wannabe runner! If I can do this anyone can! Just take the first step... REALLY!

Look, thank you for sticking with me through these changes, I know that it may not be as interesting as reading about some guy traveling the country, running in a different town each day. But I can say I'm a happier, healthyer runner for it... Thanks for stopping by and hey, If you've got a minute, check out my newest blog, http://www.dctherunner.com and let me know what you think. A little more of my "Writting" can be found there. Thoughts that sort of come to me while on my runs... Run Strong, DC

Hi! Lucy, you have some splaning to dooo.....

Hi,

Well, as you noticed I have been away for just over a week. My apologises for my disappearance. But here I am. I have been quite busy with a few new ventures in my life. The first being, just being at home more. You see, I am a runner and a trucker, and the list goes on. But about the trucker part. Driving can be quite a "romantic" thing. Rolling up and down the highways of this great country. However it's not the best way to watch your children grow up. You see, I have a little girl here at home that is essentially growing up without her daddy because I have been on the road so much. Not to mention ALL of the work that my wife has to do to take my place. Hence, I am at home now. DC the running trucker, after more than 11 years is becoming DC The Runner. I do hope that you understand were I am coming from. I will continue on with this blog and most likely will slowly merge into another including producing a podcast in the next few months. Something that I have been planning on and even have gotten started on episode #1, but this and that have happened.

My running continues on. I continue to feel stronger than ever after the Knoxville Marathon. I am currently keeping my eyes open for another in the next six weeks or so. I am open to suggestions if you know of a good one out there. I have been having alt of fun with the "Presidential Challenge" witch I signed up for last week and have been chopping away at my "point" to earn first my "Bronze Medal" then I hope to continue on to the "Silver" and "Gold". You can check it out for yourself at http://www.presidentschallenge.org/ it's just another fun way to motivate you in your running and I'm having a blast!

I would also like to say CONGRATULATIONS! to Steve Runner of Pheddipidations at www.SteveRunner.com for his successful running of the 111th Boston Marathon! High Five Steve! We are all so proud of you!

I want to thank you for stopping by and please understand, this is not the end of anything, just the beginning of something much more grand! I will still be here, Posting to my nutty little blog! Thanks DC

Short Race 5k Report:

Hi!
This past Saturday, as you may have seen, I ran in the "Lake J 5k"... The first annual, that's pretty cool in itself! Just 6 days after my first marathon. I have heard some say that is too soon and that we need more rest after a long race like that. But, I felt strong and anxious to run again. I did take a five mile run the day before the 5k just to see how I might feel and all checked out OK. Just a little pain in my right knee.

We awoke to just over an inch of snow on the ground on race morning. And unfortunately it was also 15deg F to boot with a wind chill of about 5deg F. By the time we arrived at the starting area it had warmed up to about 19deg F, with a wind chill of 15F. One word... BURRRRRRR! I have trained/ran all winter in all types of cold down to below zero, and I must honestly say, this was the first time that i REALLY got cold. At the starters call we took off. My younger brother Ryan by my side. It was a VERY fast start. As I am a newbie and this was my Bro's first ever 5k (real cool) we just hammered at it. At the 1/2 mile mark we were at a 6:05 pace and I knew that we would never make it at that. by the time we reached the .75 mark we backed off and tryed to settle in at around a 7:15 to 7:30 pace. Three runners passed us. At a mile we had ran up an decent incline on one section of trail along the 5k route that follows a cliff along the lake shore. At the top looking down I signaled to Ryan to take the slope, I decided to just see what I could do. I ran down the grade with my arms extended slightly with my elbows away from my sides and boy, that new position really helps me with my downhill pace. Down the hill to the top of the Junaluka Dam in which the walkway is all wooded. The snow was just as it was after it landed... ALL THERE. I stayed in step with another runner tracing his steps as to not get snow in my shoes (There was around three inches on the dam), Crossed and stepped out and made a pass, feeling strong. Continuing to around the two mile mark My Forerunner 101 said I had a 7:31 mile, the first being a 7:22 mile. Now you must realizes in my 11 months running this is HUGE for me. I really have never ran this fast before. Please don't think that I am "Bragging" by any means. I am just blown away by my progress and wonder what is ahead for me... A year ago I would have laughed in your face if you told me that I would be able to run 1 lap around the local track that alone a 5k at these speeds! At the 2.72 mile a woman run up to my left, smiled and boom she was gone, I mean "speed goggle" gone, she was fast! Later I would learn that she was the winning woman. She was just awesomely quick! Mile three for me was also a 7:22. I crossed the line in 15Th place with a 22:25 or so (I do not have the official time yet). This was a FULL SEVEN SECONDS off my 5k PR! I was so excited! Only problem was that upon crossing the line my right knee felt as if I hit it with a hammer! Which after some stretching and cool down felt much better. So today, Easter Sunday, I took it easy, made myself fat with ham and macaroni and cheese and just plain relaxed... As I hope you did. That you for keeping up with me and reading. Any thoughts? I'd enjoy hearing from you, DC dctherunningtrucker@yahoo.com

A Bit Snowy After The 5k This Morning...

This Was A Nice Week...

Hi, I hope all is well for you this first Saturday of
April! Believe it or not we here in the mountains of
North Carolina woke up to more than an inch of snow on
the ground this morning! WOW! Well, Monday, the day
after my 26.2, I took a 1 mile walk pulling my
daughter in her wagon. Ice cream time! Tues. The same
trip +1/2mi walking behind her tricycle... (cross
training), good times. Wed. Rest Thurs. A nice
thorough stretch routine. Fri. a nice 5 miles. AND...
Today, The Lake Junaluska 5k! 15th place over all with
a 22:25. I was able to knock off 9min from my old 5k
PR... I'm very excited about my progress. Ill post my
race report this evening, thank you for reading! Have
A Good Day, DC

My First Marathon, By: DC 04h.07m.40s

I have reached the other side. Looking over my shoulder I can see who I was and in front of me who I am becoming, while standing here, understanding who I am. The race was run, the pain and euphoria felt. The friendships on that level never before experienced... made. Wholly and totally I have given. But not until challenged in this way had I ever given ALL. Crossing the line I felt such bliss. And in a different way, sadness. For it was just a passing moment. Something to be celebrated, then mourned for it's passing. This day of accomplishment not soon forgotten I'm sure. Time will pass, the pain will fade. But my memories will remain. Anxious to run into another sunrise and feel the light on my skin. As my feet begin to stick the earth, I know, I will feel new again. Here's to the future and all it may bring. For my recent past has surely made me a new man. DC 4h.07m.40s.
©dcbuchanan

Marathon Mile Times...

Hi! Real quick I just wanted to share what my Forerunner 101 recorded during the race. Here are my times mile per mile though I don't understand mile 13, I remember that I lost signal in a wooded area for a minute or two. Would that account for the longer time? I bought it just for the race (to keep me slowed down) and still do not understand everything about it, other than it saved my tail a time or two... Thanks, DC.

Mile: (1)8:47, (2)8:49, (3)9:36, (4)9:49, (5)9:24, (6)9:33, (7)9:46, (8)9:53, (9)9:00, (10)7:45, (11)9:03, (12)9:43, (13)13:17, (14)9:02, (15)9:19, (16)10:40, (17)9:17, (18)9:16, (19)9:47, (20)9:08 (21)9:21, (22)9:33, (23)9:30, (24)9:46, (25)9:26, (26)8:26 and the last 385 yards are sort of lost because I forgot to turn it off for a couple of minutes! Bummer! Also said I burned aprox 3385 caleries! Thanks For Reading! DC