Buffalo Half-Marathon

Buffalo Half-Marathon
Date: May 25, 2014
Location: Buffalo, NY
Finish Time: 1:30:51
Pace: 6:56 min/mi

At Mile 5 I would have never guessed that I would successfully set a new PR on this course. Aided by the flat course, the great weather, and the encouraging racers I managed to run a great race despite the feeling I had while running.

Hot Footing it in Arizona- May Travels

And just like that another month goes flying through the books. Janel and I have been very busy in May, traveling to Arizona, Kalamazoo, Buffalo, and soon Philadelphia and New Jersey. While I have just a few moments I thought I'd get you up to speed on some of the things we're doing.

Also: we're starting a wedding blog! It won't be much so don't get too excited, but its a nice separate place to keep our thoughts in place as we work through planning for a small wedding. Take a look if you want.

Seattle Marathon

Seattle Rock n' Roll Marathon
Date: June 22, 2013
Location: Seattle, WA
Finish Time: 3:43:22
Pace: 8:32 min/mi

After training for over a year due to the cancelled race in New Jersey, I was somewhat prepared for the difficulty that the hilly Seattle course was going to present. I ended up running a race that I wasn't all that happy with, but one that became my new PR for the marathon distance. The race is literally one of the first things I did in the city of Seattle and created a memorable trip and a beautiful race. 

Toledo Half-Marathon

Toledo Owens Corning Half-Marathon
Date: April 28, 2013
Location: Toledo, OH
Finish Time: 1:32:00
Pace: 7:02 min/mi

Racing in every state is a really fun idea when you start. And with each state you get to 'add to your collection' so to speak. I can't wait for the trip to Hawaii! But, sometimes you have to stay close to home to squeeze in another state. Ohio and Michigan have a pretty heavy rivalry between states. I usually shudder when I see an Ohio plate driving on our roads, but I know they feel just as out of place as we do when we go down to the Buckeye State. To check O-H-I-O off my list, I decided to stick my toe across the border and do Toledo. Its within driving distance of home so the morning isn't too early and sometimes I forget that we ever lost the war for Toledo. The race turned out to be a good one and remains my PR on a half-marathon course.

Detroit Marathon

Detroit Marathon
Date: October 16, 2011
Location: Detroit, MI
Finish Time: 3:43:29
Pace: 8:31 min/mi

It could be that Detroit is the largest race in terms of participants that I've ever run, or maybe it's my own affinity for Detroit, but whatever it is, Detroit is my favorite marathon I've run. It was the second full marathon that I completed and I've only done one more since then, but it remains one of the best in my memory. I ran a good race on a somewhat chilly day and I fondly remember coming through certain turns, something I can't say of every race. 

Kalamazoo Half-Marathon

Kalamazoo Half-Marathon
Date: May 6, 2012
Location: Kalamazoo, MI
Finish Time: 1:49:01
Pace: 8:19 min/mi

Kalamazoo has a special place in my mind because of all the times that I spent here as an undergrad at Western Michigan University. I really love the city and the places and try not to get lost in memories every time I go. Somehow I always make new ones. When I ran the Kalamazoo Half-Marathon I was full fledged into running races and determined not to let my speed atrophy as I hunted for states I could go to. I was also beginning to gain a following in my runs and a contingency came with me to Kalamazoo in May 2012.

Catching You Up on Things You've Missed

True to form I didn't blog for a while. Sorry. I did warn you that could happen.

Let me catch you up on some of the things you missed since I last wrote. I decided to do this in a quick format so you can read more at your leisure, but in the meantime have an idea of what happened.

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Janel and I got engaged!
It was a beautiful day in April and we're really excited for everything that comes next!

Spring Break in Fantastic Seattle!
We took a well-deserved vacation in March and visited with Janel's parents.

Year One of Planning School is in the Books
I had fun. I learned stuff. I'm ready for year two and to get a J-O-B. 

I Have a Cool New Internship
I rubbed elbows with the Mayor of Detroit, Dan Gilbert (the other mayor of Detroit), Michigan Senators, members of the Michigan Economic Growth Corporation, and other people who look great in suits. 

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I think that does it for the past few months. Obviously other things happened, but I can't remember it all! (This is why you should blog regularly). May is packed with weddings, vacations, and a race in Buffalo (yes, Buffalo). Get ready!

Big Life News: Engagement

Yup. It's true. Janel and I are now engaged! We're pretty excited about it. I'm not one to tell mushy stories, but I'll fill you in on how it all went down.

My Latest Adventure

It sure is humbling to take an unpaid internship at 26 years old. I thought the days were behind me when I'd have to do something to get some kind of experience. But its good for me. I had my first day of my new internship last Monday and it was pretty incredible. It absolutely makes up for the fact that I'm not getting paid... almost.

One Short Week in the Emerald City

The University of Michigan (and really all the universities in Michigan) does this funny thing where students get a week off in late February or early March called 'Spring Break.' Its funny because its almost always still really stinking cold. This year Janel and I were lucky that our door wasn't frozen shut.

We were also lucky this year because for 'Spring Break' we hopped on a plane and flew away to Seattle to visit Janel's parents and to enjoy the Emerald City in all its splendor!