Jamison's Gone Goofy

Happy Holidays

2010-12-21T15:11:00.002-05:00

What a Difference a Year Makes...

2010-11-21T20:45:00.000-05:00

I’m sitting here in a hotel in Minneapolis about to head home and my knee hurts. Specifically my right knee hurts. Not a piercing pain, but a dull consistent pain. It is reminding me that it is there. It is reminding me that in a few short weeks I am about to attempt the Goofy Challenge (the half marathon and full marathon both in the same weekend during Disney’s marathon weekend). Specifically the “Dopey” because I am running the 5k with my wife prior to attempting the goofy. These reminders from my knee about the future are actually causing me to reminisce about the past.

This time last year I was sitting in a hotel in North Carolina about to head home with a sore left knee. I was a few short weeks from my 1st ever half marathon. Of course it was Disney’s because what other half marathon was a Disney nerd supposed to use as their milestone race. I say it was my milestone race because I was not supposed to run any after that. The half marathon in 2010 was supposed to be the end of a journey. I had been on my own personal weight loss campaign and the 2010 Disney Half Marathon was going to be my way of saying I did it! My way of saying I overcame my hate of running, my love of overeating and I ran a half marathon to prove it. The only race I had run in my life prior to the half in Disney was a 10k, and the only reason why I did that was to convince myself I could actually run. My left knee was sore because I was overtraining and underprepared for my endeavor.

“Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” Winston Churchill may have said that in 1942, but he may as well have been talking to me. Maybe it was running down Main Street USA. Maybe it was passing the crowds where the busses drop off park goers in EPCOT. Maybe it was the inspiration I found musically and spiritually at mile 13 right before the finish. Who knows, but somewhere along that race route I decided I was not done yet. I was a runner and I was going to keep running.

The calendar year 2010 has seen me run a 5k, an 8k, a 10k, 4 half marathons, and yes… a full marathon!!!

My 5k brought me through my college town, running down streets and running past landmarks that only a few years prior had witnessed a fatter Jamison smoking cigarettes before a class or imbibing late into the night.

My 8k was in DC around St Patty’s Day. Running down Pennsylvania Avenue lined by bagpipers, approaching the Capitol and returning along the same route that only 14 months prior the 1st president I had ever voted for rode on his way “home” was inspiring… and humbling.

My 10k was a local run that was part of the Apple Blossom festival. Not the best time, but it was fun running through the local community with the great fan support. I am still thankful for the family that let their little girl spray us with her garden hose.

In addition to the Disney Half Marathon, my other Half Marathons brought me through the Lehigh Valley, Antietam National Battlefield (specifically part of the Freedom’s Run Event) and Hershey PA. Lehigh was pretty and I improved my time from Disney, but I am most proud of Freedom’s Run and Hershey. I ran both of those on the same weekend. It was a weekend of hills, PR’s, black toenails and dehydration… IT WAS AWESOME. To run through that battlefield, to concur those hills, to finish on my college’s football field only to follow that up with an inaugural event through Hershey Park the next day was special. What was even more special? I got to run with fellow Allears Teammates in the process. What was the most special though? I ran with my oldest son in his 1st race, and then later that night the whole family partied in Hershey Park.

As for the marathon? I finished the Marine Corps Marathon. The monuments, the history, the fans, the MARINES… everything about this race is special. Walking up that metro stop pre dawn and getting met by the Pentagon and the Washington Monument all lit up in the distance is almost overwhelming if you let it. Seeing the Iwo Jima Memorial at the end is overwhelming whether you let it or not. I won’t lie, Oprah’s time was better than mine, but I have come to terms with that. I am a marathon finisher just like she is. About mile 18 or so my right knee got a shooting pain in it which forced me to walk much of the last 8 miles. That pain has since dulled but is also leads me to…

Sitting here in a hotel in Minneapolis, just after having run 3.35 miles on a treadmill, about to head home and my knee hurts. I am now equal parts reminiscing and preparing for what may come next…

I do want to add this as a postscript. I did not write this as a way to bloviate or as a mechanism to brag (although I will not apologize for feeling pride in my accomplishments). I wrote this for all the runners out there, or for those debating whether or not they should lace up the running shoes for the 1st time. I wanted to remind all of us that we are on a journey. And this journey sometimes takes us to awesome places and this journey sometimes takes us to an x ray machine. But no matter what obstacles we get faced with need to keep moving forward. There is light at the end of the tunnel (and maybe a medal too)! And you never know… what you thought may have been a finish line may have actually been just another mile marker.

Great Quick Video On The Tax Cuts

2010-10-01T00:06:00.000-04:00

So as a change from a running topic here is some politics for you.

No Patron Saint For Runners...

2010-09-27T16:52:00.000-04:00

As a Catholic I always appreciate the concept of patron saints. Did you know there is no patron saint for runners? There is a patron saint for athletes... St. Sebastian. According to the internet...

"He is patron saint of athletes because of his physical endurance and his energetic way of spreading and defending the Faith. Sebastian is also patron to all soldiers. He entered the Roman army under Emperor Carinus in 283 in order to defend the confessors and martyrs of his day without drawing attention to himself. His efforts kept the Faith of Marcus and Marcellian firm during their persecutions, right up to the time of their martyrdom. He was declared patron of plague sufferers of his reported cures of those afflicted with many diseases."

So since there is no direct patron saint I guess I stick with St. Patrick (if he can drive the snakes out of Ireland he's good enough for me) and keep saying my Hail Mary and Prayer to St. Michael before each race. Of course if you have ever seen my times you would think I would be praying to St. Jude... the patron saint of lost causes!

Who is Team Allears?

2010-09-13T21:32:00.002-04:00

You don't know? You better ask somebody!!! (or watch this video)

4 Miler Through Antietam National Battlefield

2010-09-11T14:24:00.000-04:00

I thought it would be a good idea to start pushing hills during training so why not get a preview of Freedom's Run. I will tell you now that there will be no PR on this run, but it really is beautiful here and I really wish I had taken more time over here as a student, or more truthfully lived closer now.

view from the visitor's center

Dunker Church

This is the view the Confederates had during the initial Union approach

Bloody Lane

Irish Tower

One of my favorite monuments


Bloody Lane from the top of the tower


It is beautiful here

And look who I ran into during the run...

So I could only think of one good place for a post run snack!

How Times Change...

2010-09-09T11:26:00.005-04:00

Do you remember this little guy......well here he goes off to his first day of preschool!!!
God help Ms. Dawn!!!

Running In Chicago

2010-09-07T14:54:00.022-04:00

I have been very busy and have not had a chance to update the blog in weeks. I recently had an implementation training in Chicago and had the opportunity to do some running in the Windy City. What was supposed to be a week of getting myself back into a running routine turned into almost 30 miles logged. I have to say that if you were to ask me right now my favorite city to run in... it is Chicago!

Sunday Run 8/22
My flight landed around 11am and by noon I was in my hotel room... the Hilton by Grant Park (great rates in Chicago right now btw). I would end up switching hotels due to some problems with my room but the views were awesome...So after a few hour rest I was ready for my run. I stretched on the veranda at the hotel's gym and then I was off. This route took me east from the hotel across the park to the lake and then south. Although I saw some cool sights this was not my favorite route of the week. Once you get south of Museum Campus there really isn't a lot to look at. In the future I won't go south of the Convention Center.
View from the hotel gym...

Sights from the run south
The run back really didn't have any killer views...
...but ending the run at Buckingham Fountain was a nice finish line
Monday didn't bring a run but I got to have dinner with Allears Teammate Holly Aulen and her husband Dave at one of my favorite Irish spots... Fado. Great conversation, great people and great food.

Tuesday Run 8/24
Nice run at dusk. I ran up Michigan Avenue, past Millennium Park and its Crown Fountain, pavilion and the "Bean", up to the river and then east to the lake and back south along the lake to Grant Park. This was a nice run. When I went down from Michigan to the River I came across a live shoot of Transformers 3. I took a picture and they DID NOT like that AT ALL!!! I was called some nasty things and had to get out of there. I sure hope 3 is better than 2!!!
Pictures along Michigan Ave.
Millennium Park
And to wrap up with this run, pictures of the river, the run back along the lake the infamous Transformer 3 pic and fireworks because hey... who doesn't like fireworks!!!

Wednesday's Run has no pics because I tagged along with the Fado Running Club for their weekly training run. Good fast pace. Nice folks and some good pasta. I did switch hotels that day to a downtown hotel as well. Still some pretty nice views from my room...
Thursday was a rest day and dinner with one of my good friends from college, Lorenzo.

Friday Run 8/27/10

This was by far my favorite run of the week. I started from the hotel to Navy Pier, north along the lake all the way up to Addison St, over to Wrigley Field, then south through Chicago's neighborhoods. 11 miles on Friday, almost 28 miles total. What a week!!!
Pictures from the run north

Pictures from Wrigley...

and the neighborhoods/run south
And for my Team Allears runners... I saw this halfway through my run. Ain't this why we are doing this in the first place!?!

Disney World With Toddlers

2010-08-27T00:18:00.004-04:00

A good friend asked me the other day for advice on doing Disney World with toddlers. As a frequent guest of WDW with small children I had too many little “tips and tricks” for Disney with toddlers that Facebook could allow as a comment so I thought this would be a good forum for it.

Before I get into specific park advice, let me share some general tips. Even though I appreciate you are on vacation I will always recommend getting to the park 20 minutes before rope drop. Be one of the 1^st guests through the door. Kids will wear out no matter how excited you think they are and they will need to take a nap. Get them while they are fresh and get them in before the masses are there by 11am so you have a little breathing room in the parks. Each park also does a little “preshow” at rope drop that is cute.

Take your time. Don’t go commando unless your child is driving it. There is no worse sight then a parent dragging a child around the park. Don’t ruin the fun for them. If they need a break, take one.

Use the child care center in each park. This little known gem has been a savior for April and I. These are quite places for feedings, changing t he kids’ diapers, getting emergency supplies and really just decompressing for a few minutes. Your park maps will have them marked. Personally I liked the Magic Kingdom’s the best.

Bring your own stroller if you can because Disney’s are wicked expensive.

If you are unsure how your child will deal with the characters, start with a face character before you go the fully masked ones. I am 30ish years old and I still remember breaking down on Main Street USA after Captain Hook approached me. I was convinced he was going to kill me. Start with Jasmine and Aladdin before you go to Genie.

Along those same lines, if you don’t want to spend you day character hunting, try a character meal instead. See if you can knock out a bunch of the favorites at once, all while eating a meal. Here is a good link to research who to dine with.

Work the photopass system. Everywhere you go there will be photographers happy to take photopass pics. These pictures are $10 per print or $150 for unlimited digital images on a disc. A fact not advertised is that after they take the pictures with their camera they will take a picture with yours. Get a card, take the photopass pics and then let them take the pic with your camera. It’s a nice little cost saver and you actually get family pictures with the whole family in it. Those photographers are in every park, at every landmark, and usually with the characters too.

That being said, let’s look at each park and identify some great attractions for toddlers as well as some other park specific tips. Keep in mind all these suggestions are under the approach of being at the park at rope drop. I am not mentioning the grown up rides on purpose because these suggestions are for toddlers. For those rides that your kids are not eligible for, use riderswap.

Magic Kingdom

Entering on Main Street I am sure you want the family picture on Main Street USA with the castle in the background. There are photographers all up and down Main Street so you don’t have to grab the 1^st one you see, BUT if you break to the left at Casey’s or break to the right at the hub toward Future World you can get really nice pics with the castle really prominent without crowds behind you.

Obviously Fantasyland is the best land for toddlers. As soon as you get there go right to Dumbo. It’s iconic and very popular and the line moves very slow. Knock it out before the park fills up. Everything else in Fantasyland for toddlers is great, BUT I caution Snow White. The attraction’s full name is “Snow White’s Scary Adventure” and it is dark and loud and some of those images may be just too much for small kids.

Other attractions that are must do for toddlers…

Jungle Cruise, Magic Carpets of Aladdin, Tiki Room, Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion (but you may have to hold them for these two),Country Bear Jamboree, Goofy’s Barnstormer (if tall enough), Speedway, Astro Orbiter, Monsters Inc Laugh Floor, Buzz Lightyear and of course Fantasyland. CHECK THE KIDS HEIGHTS AGAINST THE RESTRICTIONS FOR THE THREE MOUNTAINS… DON’T GET THEIR HOPES UP ONLY TO GET TURNED AWAY RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE RIDE. IT CAN RUIN A DAY!!!

Attractions I recommend for rest/naptime/air conditioning… The People Mover, Carousel of Progress, and the Hall of Presidents

Stitch’s Great Escape is a time suck and can be really scary for small kids… avoid it.

Another trick we use is this… the park opens at 9am, but you can make breakfast ressies at Crystal Palace at 8am. You have breakfast, meet Pooh and the gang and are inside the park before it opens. You have Main Street to yourself and you are the first ones on the rides.

You may want to check out the parades and show in front of the castle… your call. We always have the best luck watching the 3pm parade on the Frontierland/ Liberty Square border. When you want a snack head to Aloha Isle in Adventureland and grab a Dole Whip. You will be hooked. I cannot stress this next fact enough… DO NOT MISS WISHES!!! Wishes is the fireworks show at the end of the night. The castle is a focal point of the show so the first time you see it make sure the castle is centered in you line of sight. In the center of Main Street by Casey’s will be perfect. Hold your kid if you can and you may want to grab a tissue… I’ve seen a person or two need one.

EPCOT

When it comes to toddlers, Epcot is a crapshoot. Some may like it, some may be bored. Personally I think there is a lot for toddlers in Epcot, but you will be disappointed if the only thing you are looking for is rides. When it comes to attractions, you are thinking about Future World. When in Future World, spend time in the Seas with Nemo and Friends. Check out the fish as well Turtle Talk. If tall enough ride Soarin. If not tall enough, riderswap so you can still ride it. Soarin still blows me away. As soon as you enter the park head right to Soarin and get your fastpasses. The Imagination Pavilion has Journey Into Imagination With Figment and Captain EO (back from the dead and great in all its 80’s glory). Ellen’s Universe of Energy is a 50 minute time suck and Mission Space and Test Track will be too much for toddlers. Innoventions is nice to walk around and cool off. Don’t forget about Spaceship Earth either.

You may not know this, but you can go to Ice Station Cool on the way to World Showcase and sample free coke beverages from around the world.

I personally love World Showcase. Take your time and wander the countries. Utilize the performers (drummers in Japan, Acrobats in China, Off Kilter in Canada, Beatles cover band in England, etc). Shop in the stores and sample the food. If your toddler really likes princesses go to Akershus in Norway for dinner, all the princesses will be there.

World Showcase has a few attractions as well and they are kid friendly. The American Adventure is a tough call. For adults it is great and the end can be very moving for some, but it is long and a question mark for toddlers. Try for naptime so they can sleep and you can enjoy the show.

Do not miss Illuminations. At all. Period. It is my favorite night time show. I like it better then Wishes. Folks will line up an hour early so be prepared. Around 8ish grab a snack and sit down and relax after a long day. Good viewing spots are all over World Showcase Lagoon. Italy, behind the store as you cross from Future World to Mexico, strait on facing American Pavilion from Future World, Canada and England have always treated up well as viewing spots.

Hollywood Studios

This may be the best park of all to character hunt. Check your guide when you get there but there are character meet and greets all over the park.

As soon as you get to the park head right to Toy Story Mania and get your fastpasses. They may be gone for the day in the 1^st half hour and the lines will consistently be over an hour to wait. This is the most popular attraction in all the parks right now. Other great attractions for toddlers are Beauty and the Beast (cute show), Voyage of the Little Mermaid (another cute show), Playhouse Disney Live on Stage and Muppet Vision 3D (get there early and enjoy the best preshow on property). The Honey I Shrunk the Audience Playground is a great way to burn energy and decompress.

The next two attractions are up for debate. Lights Motor Action Stunt Show is loud and full of action, but I don’t go out of my way to see it anymore. If it’s a first visit then check it out. The same goes for Fantasmic. I personally think it is way overrated. The kids will like it, but as an adult be prepared to sit for an hour waiting for a show that as it’s over you find yourself going… “really?” They only offer the show two days a week now so also keep that in mind for your touring plans.

The parade here is not your usual parade. It is a “block party” and they will actually stop and perform for 10 minutes before it moves on. It is wild and “seizure inducing” as April once said. It is a lot of fun so check it out.

Animal Kingdom

Just about everything here is good for toddlers. Everest’s height restrictions will rule them out and Dinosaur will most likely be too scary. Just about everything else is ok. Don’t miss the safari. Don’t miss the Festival of the Lion King and especially don’t miss Finding Nemo the Musical. Nemo is the best show on property.

There you go. Have a good time. Message me if you have questions or want more details. Included are some links to small clip from our 2007 and 2008 trips for you to see some of the fun you can have with toddlers on a Disney trip.

2007 Disney Trip

2008 Disney Trip

Anchorage Trip Report (Complete With Pics)

2010-08-18T10:24:00.045-04:00

So we are back from Anchorage. As far as work goes it was a good implementation, but I know if you are reading this you are more interested in the fun stuff instead instead of the Library Automation.

Day One... We arrived after a long flight. Checked out the gray skies (a common companion on this trip) and headed right to the Moose Tooth Pub and Pizzeria for some awesome pizza and even better local beers. Moose Tooth is actually #1 on Trip Advisor and I know why... not the best pizza in the world, but really good pizza plus really good beer plus fun local atmosphere equals a WIN!
Day Two... We drove down the Seward Highway along Turnagin Arm checking out some awesome sights...We stopped at Girdwood along the way and headed over to the ski resort there. We were able to take a tram ride to the top of Mt. Alyeska and then hike to the top of the mountain. From there we had some awesome views of...

glaciers "goat" and "milk"

The Water and Girdwood waaaaaaaay below
And some amazing views you just don't see back east...
And then the clouds rolled in... LITERALLY!

From Girdwood we headed south on Seward, intending to go see the Portage Glacier but due to weather we held off. We did stop at the visitor center and I got to see an iceberg collapse. If in the pictures the water looks especially blue, there is NOT something wrong with the colors. Waters fed by glaciers are really blue and really cold! I also got to sample my first taste of glacier!

We headed back to the hotel afterwards and later caught dinner at Humpy's.

Day Three... Today was our "Triathlon". We started with a 3 hour bike ride along the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail. If you ever go to Anchorage you have to check out this trail. Amazing scenery. We saw everything from earthquake park to city views to nature views to McKinley... even a wild bald eagle!

From Anchorage we headed north to Eagle River and then onto Chugach State Park for some hiking. We saw some amazing views and hiked on the Iditarod Trail...

The 3rd leg of our "triathlon" was spent at the hotel hot tub, followed by Chinese food!

Day Four... My first day of work so not much to report except today was April's first 5k! The Fossil 5k to be exact. I was scheduled to run the Tyrunasaurus 10k but the weather was awful, the 10k started a half hour after the 5k and I just wanted to run with April. This was the most disorganized race I ever saw. Bad trail markers, no real clock for timing, no announcements until 10 seconds before the gun, no easy to access facilities AND rain! However, April ran and we saw some obstacles I will NEVER see again on a course...

We thought this guy would be the closest we ever got to a moose...
...we were wrong. This moose tried to sneak attack...
which prompted us all to walk and run as a pack. Yes, it was so crappy I am wearing a short sleeve shirt, long sleave shirt AND fleece vest during a 5k!
Our moose patrol came face to face with the enemy!
April finished but that is NOT the face of a happy camper. I am sure the conditions of the next race will be much better!

Days 5, 6 and 7... I spent working so I don't have a lot to report but April hit up the zoo, the botanical garden and some other things downtown.

Day 8... Our last day was spent on a nice drive north to Talkeetna. On the way there we stopped at a Lodge to take some great pictures of Mckinley. Talkeetna was this nice little town, almost like someone picked up Berkeley Springs and dropped it in Alaska. We had our last sampling of Alaska's local brews their as well. I have not really mentioned it here, but I would be remiss if I did not say that Alaska has AWESOME beer. The drive was pretty as well, especially just south of Wasilla when you could really see some mountains up close.

Views from the drive north
Views of McKinley

Talkeetna
And the ride to the airport
Even if you always get an aisle seat on the plane, try to get a window for this flight... its worth it!

I'd love to see these on race day...

2010-08-03T13:09:00.001-04:00

When running and politics collide...

http://rwdaily.runnersworld.com/2010/08/now-thats-a-porta-potty.html

The First Entry

2010-08-02T10:44:00.002-04:00

I have been reluctant to start this because a)who really has time to write a blog, b)who really cares to read a blog and c)do I really want to be a guy who has a blog? Well while sitting on a plane from DC to Dallas I figured out I a)won’t commit to constant updates and will write whenever I can, b)if someone wants to read it fine, if not that’s ok too and c)why not?

This blog will focus on a combination of topics. Primarily it will focus on running and health. I am a disciple in the church of running and hope to spread the message as much as possible. In addition to the general topic of running I will also chronicle my training and preparation for the 2011 Goofy Challenge (hence the web address). For those that are unaware, the Goofy Challenge is attempted every year during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend when runners run the half marathon on Saturday and then the full marathon the following day. 39.3 miles in a 30 hour period.

In addition to sharing info on running I will also share links and touch on topics that interest me as well. If you know me, you know my political opinions lean center-left. In all the chatter and junk floating on the web, news channels and certain op-ed pages, good ideas and the truth sometimes gets drowned out. I hope that I can, on occasion, share and promote some of those ideas.

To round things out, I will promote great music and movies and talk about my sports teams as well. I’ll probably share some Disney news and info too.

Basically if you were ever looking for a single blog that will discuss everything from Vibrams to the stimulus to Abbey Road this is YOUR blog.

So lets start at the beginning. How did I get into running?

I hated running growing up. It made no sense to me. Why run unless you were running to/from something? I mean running from 1^st to 3^rd made sense, running after breaking through the line of scrimmage made sense but just to say “I am gonna run for 5 miles, I’ll see you a little while” was silly. Maybe my asthma as a kid had something to do with it. Maybe Super Mario Bros. 3 contributed a little as well. Who knows?

In college what time I had that could have been focused on running or the gym was focused on other things of a less healthy nature (my kids may read this one day so I will stop there). Sure I played flag football and mushball/softball once a year but that was it. Those habits (both bad and good) died out as I moved into my adult routine after college. As I entered 2005 I was hovering around 200 lbs on a 5’11” frame.

Then my wife got pregnant with our first son Patrick. I was also working for the American Cancer Society for a time during 2005 as well. Constantly heading from daytime meetings across the Eastern Panhandle my lunch consisted of two McChickens, a small fry and a 32 oz Coke at least 3 days a week. Add that to no exercise, a pregnant wife, stress, etc. when Patrick was born I clocked in at 230 lbs. That’s not just fat, that’s obese.

Seeing a picture of me assembling Patrick’s changing station made me decide to get my ass in gear. January 1^st, 2006 was day one of the new Jamison. I hit the gym, I watched my diet and I took care of myself. Within 5 months I lost about 35 pounds. I loved lifting weights but hated the cardio. I thought it was boring. But as the weight came off I started to think of a way to prove to myself that I was finally in good shape. I saw an ad for the Disney Half Marathon and thought that was it! If I could overcome my hate of running and do a half AND do it in Disney at the same time… how awesome is that!

What I didn’t know was the half usually fills up months in advance and by the time I had my epiphany it was closed. So no half in 2007. 2008 brought a big family Disney trip but we missed marathon weekend by a week. Benjamin our 2^nd son was due in January 2009 so no half marathon then. It was an idea that had slipped away.

Luckily with Benjamin my weight did not balloon, but remembering what happened with Patrick I got to thinking, “what if this is the year I don’t just get healthy but thin?” I decided 2010 was the year of the half and right before I left for Florida for a family vacation in March 2009 I registered. What happened next was documented on a blog entry I did for Allears.com…

“Within 24 hours of returning from Walt Disney World we were at Ruby Memorial Children's Hospital in Morgantown, WV awaiting a bone marrow biopsy on our little boy because the blood work from the day before showed what looked like acute leukemia.

After the scariest day of our lives, we learned he did not have cancer, but a rare autoimmune disease called "Evan's Syndrome"; a condition where his body could attack his platelets and/or his white cells and/or his hemoglobin at any time. This is a condition that he will have for the rest of his life, can trigger at any moment and can be fatal.

He spent two weeks in the hospital with blood work twice a day and heavy steroid treatment once a day. After he was released he received weekly chemotherapy for a month. Although it was not cancer, the theory was that the chemo would wipe out ALL of his antibodies and when they began to regenerate after treatment was concluded that his antibodies would "course correct". My little boy spent his first Easter in the hospital, IV sticking out of his head, wiped out from chemo and steroids. He was three months old.”

Benjamin is now a very healthy 18 month old and has not had any relapses of Evans to date (knock on wood). He has one of the best laughs you will ever hear and if you think that he has to take it easy because of his health, then you obviously have never seen him tackle his brother.

After completing the Disney Half in January (race report to follow) I have since run an 8k in DC and another half marathon at Lehigh Valley. I am running a 10k in August in Anchorage, AK, two half marathons (Freedom’s Run and Hershey) and my first full marathon (Marine Corp) in October. The Goofy Challenge is in January. I am now a runner and I love it.

That’s it for today folks. Stay tuned…