Blog Vacation

I haven't felt much like posting updates lately?

My running has been going fairly well after the marathon. I ran a 5K the Friday after the pig, and what a disaster. My legs felt like mush and I was about 30 seconds per mile slower than the last PR.

Now for the good news...the pictures below are from Asheville, NC - I ran the Biltmore 15K at the Biltmore Estate this morning, and ran my fastest race ever for a distance over five miles. The official time was 1:13:30 - that calculates to a 7:54 mile!!! I was so excited...the grounds were beautiful and this was my first sub 8-minute pace other than a 5K.

The picture at the left was from the Expo at the Flying Pig Marathon. They had all these pigs decorated for the race - hysterical. I am still in the afterglow from the race and find myself dreaming about it at least once a week. I am looking forward to running another, but can't decide where or when? I'm taking recommendations...just leave me a comment below.

On the school front...I started summer semester last week. I'm only taking one class - Information Systems Management, so I'm hoping it is manageable. I am really looking forward to getting back on campus next month. After my finals last semester I am kinda pumped. I ended up getting a perfect score on my strategy course and a 97 on my health policy final. Not bad, I felt pretty good when I submitted them, but an ace was beyond my expectation.

Dad and I are heading to Michigan for our annual Poplin Fishing Trip, so look for pictures next week sometime.

Diggin' the Pig!

Just wanted to post a quick note to all of you have been so supportive in preparation for my first shot at the Flying Pig Marathon. I'm heading out the door for the airport, but will follow-up tomorrow with a mile-by-mile snapshot of what was going through my mind (not always PG rated mind you) during the race. It was an amazing and humbling experience and I wanted to take a minute to thank all of you.

Thanks to...Toni for being there at the points along the way. Her support and encouragement was more than I deserved.

Thanks to...Grandma for providing a nice crash pad and a GREAT pre-race dinner.

Thanks to...The Latham Clan for the amazing post-race surprise party. What a cool way to share a great day.

Thanks to...Bruce Poplin for letting me join their Saturday morning loop. Trying to hold onto my cash was a pleasant diversion and walking 18 holes made for a good stretch.

Thanks to...Chris Elkins of "Run For Your Life" for hooking me up with the great tech shirt and letting me wear the RFYL logo during the race.

Thanks to...Team Rabbino for being my unofficial coaches/training partners and willing me to the starting line.

Thanks to...all the great friends that have been watching my progress and encouraging me before and after the race. I appreciate you all; Benny, Steve, JK, Dev, TRBL, Chris, Tracerhawk, and the rest of the BrianTV viewing audience.

By the way...I finished in 4:09:26 - right on my training pace!

Piggin' Out

Well, we leave in the morning for the Flying Pig. My training is finished and now all that is left is the 26.2 to the finish line. Hopefully, the practice will pay off.

This is the last post until after I get back...so thanks to all of you for supporting me. I am nervous and wonder how I will do, but there is no backing out now.

Here are a couple pictures from the Wachovia Championship Pro-Am this week. BH - doesn't Jordan's swing look a lot like yours???