The Top Ten Events In The Life Of The Enckster, 2008

Family Vacation, Rehoboth Beach, DE



















10th Anniversary, Finger Lakes Region, NY



















Camping With The Boys, R.B. Winter Sate Park, PA



















Blue Monkey Sojourn, Schuylkill River, PA



















1St 5K With My Son, Millersville Turkey Trot, Millersville, PA
























The Boston Marathon, Boston, MA


















3rd In My Age Group, Got The Nerve Triathlon, Mount Gretna, PA



















Yellow Springs Rendezvous, Appalachian Trail, PA



















Myriad Outdoor Activities With My Sons


















10th Consecutive Polar Bear Plunge

















Oops, I guess there were actually 11 events. Livestrong Philly 2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!

Training Update

Last week, the weather interrupted my scheduled swimming days, so I resorted to biking and lifting only. I'm looking forward to getting back to running, but I'm holding to my plan of not starting up until the 1st of the year. I had a dream two nights ago that I was running a marathon. When I woke up, I had the crazy thought of running Boston again. Well, not so much crazy, but the thought was unexpected. The only thing about Boston is the cost. Maybe it is time to consider another spring marathon, Perhaps "God's Country" Marathon.

Monday: Off
Tuesday: 40 minutes on the bike trainer; hammered during commercials
Wednesday: Weights, circuit routine
Thursday: 40 minutes on the bike trainer
Friday: Weights, circuit routine
Saturday: overcome by holiday events
Sunday: overcome by holiday events

Jingle Bell Run Race Report

Kyler and I decided to do one more race together this season and chose the Jingle Bell Run 5K. This is probably one of the biggest races in Lancaster County. Today, we helped set a record as over 1300 runners participated.

Kyler set his PR three weeks ago at the Millersville Turkey Trot which was a tough, hilly 5k course. We were sure he could shave a at least a few seconds off that today on the Jingle Bell course.

The race went off at 1:00 and we were in the middle of the pack. It felt like the start of a large marathon as everyone moved forward. We went out at a good pace and were able to open it up a little after the first quarter mile. Kyler was really excited being in such a big race, and he opened it up a little faster that I thought was good for him. I decided to let him go and only eased him back slightly. We hit the mile mark in 9:38, and I knew then he was going to shatter his PR.

The second mile was going well and we were holding pace, but I noticed Kyler was weaving a little, and seemed to be struggling. At mile two, I knew he was fighting a side stitch. We dialed it back, and even walked for about 20 seconds, but he quickly got back up to pace when he realized his one friend from soccer was starting to gain on him.

At the 2 1/2 mile mark, he wanted to walk again, but I told him the finish was only 1/2 mile - 4 minutes away - and he decided to push it home. We made the final turn and at that point he could see the finish and put on a strong kick. We crossed the line in 29:30, almost 3 minutes off his old PR. Needless to say, I was quite proud of him, especially for toughing it out at the end.


Pre-race goofing off
.
We had hats, but no bells

Training Update

It was tough, but I didn't run this week to give the piriformis a rest. Seems to be working, because I didn't have any issues with it. On the day that I would normally have run, I did a circuit training routine that I read about a few years ago:

Barbell with 40 lbs; do each set for 45 seconds except the bench, do twice as many reps as you can do in exercise #1 ( I also use more weight); never change weight, and no rest between exercises. Repeat the circuit three times with a 45 second rest between each circuit.

1. squats w/ shoulder press
2. curls
3. upright row
4. bench
5. dead lifts
6. toe raises
7. plank

Sunday: Off
Monday: Off
Tuesday: 40 minutes on the trainer; hammered during commercials
Wednesday: 1 mile swim, then kick drills with fins
Thursday: Weight routine
Friday: 30 minutes on the bike trainer
Saturday: 1 mile swim, then kick drills with fins

"Mount Hoodmore"

Three other teachers and I have our rooms in the most remote part of our building. We have come to refer to this area as the neighborhood. Another teacher down the hall, decided to have a little fun with photoshop and created the soon to be iconic "Mount Hoodmore." Guess who is Teddy R.

Lancaster Science Factory

Took the boys to the Lancaster Science Factory yesterday. I've been meaning to check it out, and a cold Sunday afternoon seemed the perfect time. They absolutely loved it. The exhibits were perfect for kids their age. I'd be a liar though if I said I didn't have a good time. If you're in Lancaster, I highly recommend checking it out. Admission is relatively inexpensive - $5 for kids, $7 for adults.

Training Update

I thought I ran, rode, swam my last event for the year after I crossed the finish line last week at the Dirty Bird 15K. Now, I think I'm going to run the Jingle Bell Run with Kyler next weekend. We're planning on wearing our Christmas hats. As I've mentioned before, I've been having some issues with piriformis. I thought I was over it, but after Thursday's run it flared up again, so I think I'm done running for the year with the exception of the Jingle Bell Run.

Sunday: Dirty Bird 15K
Monday: off
Tuesday: 30 minutes on the bike trainer, easy
Wednesday: 1 mile swim
Thursday: 4 mile run
Friday: weights
Saturday: 1 mile swim in the morning; 15 mile "big ring" ride in the afternoon. Brrr, it was cold.