Got a new toy

I got a flip mino and took the initial video (below). I'm looking forward to easily recording all kinds of stuff and sharing it. Yay.

hot out there

hot out there
Originally uploaded by Matt Hawk in Austin

this is me after running to austin high, doing straight and curves, then running back. its been as high as 97 today. blech!

Why running marathons is like having a baby

1. You tend to forget how miserable it was after a while and start wanting to do it again
2. Practicing is the really fun part

So, I signed up the Rogue SA/NY/Chicago Marathon training group. It's a month into it but I haven't exactly been stuck to my couch since Big Sur. 12 miles tomorrow, hopefully followed by a quick dip in ye olde springs of barton. Good times.

chain chain chain

I've been experimenting with one of the suggestions in here . Specifically the one about making a visual progress calendar with flickr. Here it is . I think it's cool. I'm going to put a picture in on the days when I do "good" and by that I mean do my workout and not eat like a pig. It already helped me today on the third day. I very well might have gone to Mike's pub for a burger for lunch instead of going to yoga. Yay me.

not too

not too
Originally uploaded by Matt Hawk in Austin

Starting things up.

Starting things up.
Originally uploaded by Matt Hawk in Austin

Big Sur Analysis - Mission Accomplished

The goal was to run faster for the last 10K than the first 20 miles. The first 20 took 4:03:20, about a 12:10 split. The last 6 splits starting after were 12:18, 12:25, 13:32 (last water stop), 11:53, 11:13, and 11:19. And I was able to run strong for the last .6 miles or so. that puts the average of the last 10K somewhere in the 12:05 range.

Now if I could just do something about being SO F%&$ING SLOOOOOOOOOOW, life would be great. :-)

Big Sur is done

Big Sur is done
Originally uploaded by Matt Hawk in Austin

On the plane headed home. Took me 5:23 to finish. What an ass kicker of a course! Never experienced elevation change like that except maybe that trail race at Camp Eagle. Still, I felt I ran a smarter race than either of the first two marathons. I was conservative at the beginning and it allowed me to finish strong. I was pretty much passing people the whole race and a LOT of people at the end. It was an amazing experience. Think I'll do it again when I'm 50 pounds lighter.