Mike Clarke's Running Blog

Hard race, 2.5hrs of sleep, I wanted to quit after 5 miles but God carried me through.  2nd half marathon, cut 11 minutes off of my PR from November.   ING Atlanta Full in 9 weeks, praying my legs recover for my 15 mile run this coming Saturday.

Okay two days of no running following my half on Saturday,  first day that I could walk normaly.  Prayerfully tommorow I will get back out there.  The Lord has been so good to me in this journey of mine.  This time last year  I weighed 197lbs, today I weigh 157lbs.  Today I am a runner, this time last year I couldn't run a mile.  So as I sit her writing I am so very happy at the progress I've made, but I have so far to go to get to where I am going.

Okay first run since my race on Saturday.  My calves and shins felt terrible but I made it.  Ran a very slow 9:17 pace.  My wife has a pinched nerve in her neck, my daughter is teething, and my son is having trouble listening.  Tough day here at the Clarke house.  Praying things get back to normal soon.  Hopefuly the massage therapist or the doctor will be able to give my wife some relief today as well.  Jesus please be with our family and give us peace.

Suppose to be running 7 miles today, it won't be that kind of day.  Wife woke up in excruciating pain, can't move her head.  We are praying to get in to see the orthopedic surgeon today.  I pray this pain medicine I just gave her starts to kick in and gives her some relief.  Thanks for all of the well wishes on her behalf.  Lord please give us what we need to get through this day! Amen

First day running in 10 days.  Severe shin splints have kept me off the road.  My wife and I have been going from doctor to doctor of 10 days now to figure out what is wrong with her neck.  As it turns out she has 2 herniated discs at c5-c7 in her neck.  We've gone from orthopedic surgeon to orthopedic surgeon and now to a neurosurgeon.  Our computer has been out of commission for 2 weeks and haven't been able to do any research on the computer.  Now that we've gathered all the information we're going to go ahead with cortisone epidural shots to try and reduce the swelling of the discs in her neck, if that doesn't work then it looks like vertabrea fusion surgery.  It is far worse to watch someone that you love in pain then to go through the pain yourself.  As a chronic kidney stone sufferer I know about pain, but it is heartbreaking to watch someone you love who is suffering. Today ran 12 miles after resting my legs for 2 weeks, have been icing my legs all day and praying that I don't wake up a cripple.  My first full marathon is in 6 weeks and am praying that I will be able to make it.  I actually forgot about our problems on the road today for a few minutes,  I can't believe I went 10 days without running!  Keep my wife Heather in your prayers if you would that the Lord's will would be done.

Four mile run today after 12miles on Sunday, legs feel good, keep icing.  Running 9 miles tommorow, 32degrees and windy.  Don't mind the cold but hate the wind.  God keeps to continue to show Himself faithful.  Very thankful that my wife's neck is showing slow signs of improvement.  Keep praying for healing and for a better health plan.  I'm not in favor of the current health care reform plan but would certainly like the preexisting condition stipulation removed, competition increased, and our cost brought down.  Here's praying that our wonderful politicians can figures something out that will actually improve our lives without making us bankrupt.  Enough of my soap box, praying everyone has a wonderfuly day!

9 miles today in the cold and wind.  My son Noah road on his bike with me for the first 2 miles.  He's been out of practice since the cold weather came.  He was riding with me on most of my runs from the end of summer into fall.  He's getting so big and he's such a sweet boy.  I was talking about my fundraiser that I'm doing for my first marathon.  He told me once again about the garage sale that he wants to do for all the poor people and children in the world.  He' only 6 but he's so very serious about his desire to help the less fortunate.  We truly are blessed to have a son with such a good heart.  The run wasn't easy my shins still giving me problems but I made it.

5 miles today in the cold once again.  My son came with me again today, he did much better than yesterday.  I'm so very proud of him.  18 miles this Sunday morning at 6am with my buddy Kevin, this will be the farthest I've ever run.  I pray that my legs keep holding up.  I am so very thankful that my wife's neck has been doing a little better.  God has been so good to us even in the midst of suffering.  Went grocery shopping today and my wife Heather miraculously saved us tons of money with all of the coupons and deals that she had researched.  We probably paid half what we would have noramally.  I'm so thankful for her and pray that God continues to heal her neck.

No running today, it's snowing in Atlanta hooray!  My kids are going to be so excited to get out and play.  Couldn't walk when I rolled out of bed this morning, feeling much better now, can't wait to tackle 18 miles on Sunday.

Finished my first full marathon, the Atlanta ING yesterday in 4:01.  The day started waiting in port-a-john line as mother nature called at the start of the race, I started out in corral F but by the time I got back to the start I was in the back of the pack.  I met Norm the head of the "Run for Wounded Soldiers" during mile 1 which was great.  The race itself was going fantastic, my legs felt fresh, I was running at at 8:33 pace and I was well on my way to reaching my goal of 3:45.  It was at this point that the hills began at mile 16.5.  I was still doing well and holding my pace until mile 21.5 when my legs seized up.  I was devastated to say the least, I walked more than I ran the rest of the way in.  I am so happy to have finished but I left so much out there on the course.  After finishing the race Luis and I went to the massage tent and waited in line for our massages.  By the time they called my name I was shivering uncontrollably. During the massage they could not get me to stop shivering even after covering me with multiple blankets and having multiple people rubbing me down.   The next thing I  know they're taking me in a wheelchair to the medical tent.  My body temperature had fallen to 96 and my blood sugar was low.  What a great way to end the race.  Thanks to Luis for hanging out with me in the medical tent and for driving me home.  I drank and ate like a mad man during the race and my body still ran out of gas.  Glad to have finished but I pray the next race I get the nutrition thing down.  Thank you to my wonderful wife Heather and to Noah and Abby that had the house decorated to celebrate my accomplishment.  Thank you to my sister Trisha for the edible fruit arrangement. Thank you to all the people that had prayed for me during my run.  Thank you to all of the people that contributed to my fundraiser and to helping me raise $3017 for wounded soldiers.

Back at this running thing again, legs fully healed, ready to get back on the horse and build some miles.

Ran 4 miles with my 6 year old son tonight.  He's training for his first 5k next month.  I'm so proud of him!

4 miles this morning, 1/2 of the run with Noah.  Perfect weather, looking forward to 8 miles on Easter Sunday.

Good run today, Noah came with me again, he's doing such a good job.  Signed him up for a kids 3K, can't wait to run the 5K with him in a couple of weeks.

Good run today, spring is finally here.  Running 8 miles tommorow with the boys, praying my legs felt as good tomorrow as they did this morning.

Good morning run with Sean, Kevin, and Fluff.  8 miles in perfect temperature.

Early 5:30 am run.  Weather was perfect, almost got hit by 2 cars, need some reflective clothing! 9:02min/mile

5 easy miles at 8:45 pace, shoes are getting ready to be changed, don't want to pay for a new pair right now.

First mile with Noah, 2 weeks to his first 5K. Ran on trails and the road.  Great weather, great day!

Legs hurting from 7 mile run on Friday, ran in the middle of the day too hot, don't want to do that again.  I like the early morning hours on the road

Great weather, nice loop, 6 people out to run today, most so far.  Can't wait to get this mileage up.  So happy for the group of people that I run with.  Looking forward to the day off tomorrow.  9:00min/miles

Third week of new training regiment.  Ran 5 miles today, 1st mile with my son Noah who is running his first 5k in 2 weeks, I can't wait.  For that matter it will be my 1st 5k.  I've only run halfs and one full, never anything less.  I can't wait to get the whole family out on the road. 207days and counting until NY.  I've got a lot of miles to put on and  a lot of training to do until I get there.  I am so very thankful to be going to NY for my 40th Bday.

5 miles today. Another beautiful day here in Atlanta. 206 days to go to the big race. I’ll be up to 35 mpw by next week. My goal is to be up to 70mpw by race day. We visit the neurosurgeon tomorrow to find out when my wife will be having surgery, no fun. Praying for a good result!

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4 miles at night, the weather was perfect the pollen is killing me.  I took some Claritan but still feel like death.  205 days left.  I'll be increasing me weekly mileage 2 miles week for the next 21 weeks until I'm up to 70mpw.  This seems kind of crazy but I'm going to follow Sasha's advice and see if that eventually gets me to Boston, we'll see.

Took an Ambien last night, slept like a baby.  I also slept later than I wanted and ran around 10am, way too hot.  The heat and my allergies together, I could not breath.  I hateeeeeeee running in the heat, would rather run in the cold winter weather any day of the week. 204 days left.  I need sleep tonight my allergies are beating me down, but can't imagine doing my run tomorrow in the heat of the day.  What will win out the heat or my sleep.  I pray God multiplies my sleep tonight, it's 3am and can not imagine getting up in 4 hrs and going running.  I pray for sleep and clouds.

Heat, heat, and more heat.  Couldn't sleep last night, up to the wee hours of the morning.  Didn't run until mid-day.  Allergies, stinking pollen, and heat.  Miserable run 5 felt like 15.  Will I never learn my lesson.  I am an early morning/late night runner.  Running in the middle of the days might be for others but not for this guy.

Allergy meds strike again.  Took meds before bed and somehow slept through my stinking alarm clock this morning.  Left two of my buddies on the road waiting for my arrival which never came.  What a moron.  So went to church, then work, ran tonight.  What a glorious night, skies were clear, temp perfect.  Brought my mp3 along and heard one great song after another.  One in particular that stuck out was "Forgiven" by Sanctus Real.  It really touched my heart.  I am so glad that I am forgiven, that God does love me in the midst of my serious imperfection.  Here is the link if you would like to check it out. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZVjKrmvYYQ

5 miles today in a light drizzle.  I really love running in a light drizzel if hte temperature is right and today it was perfect.  I woke a little late but the bad weather really helped me out.  My shoes are starting to show signs of wear and I really can't afford to buy a new pair right now.  Looking foward to some great running weather tommorow.  Just finished my third week of my new running program and am loving it, although running six days a week has its drawbacks.  34 miles this week, 20 more weeks to reach my goal of 70mpw.

5 miles this morning, perfect weather.  Ran first mile with Noah, he has his 1st 5K this Saturday night, I can't wait.  200 and something days until NY.  So much to plan for.  My fundraising will get going soon for Hope For The Wounded, my goal is $13000, let's see how close I get.

5 miles today, 1st Mile with Noah.  Another beautiful day, really enjoying the spring weather in Atlanta

Shoes have had it.  Just ordered a new pair of Vomero 4's, can't believe these babies are endangered already.  Good run today, new route.  Noah's 1st 5K tomorrow, very excited to see how he does.  They are calling for rain, I'm praying that it passes us by. 

1st 5K with my son Noah.  He is 6 years old and did a fantastic job.  It started raining just after the start but he hung tough.  28:11 for his first race and 3rd place in his under 10 division.  Can't wait to see what God does with my boy.  I pray that he has the same love of running that I do.  He told me he likes excercising and challenging himself to see what he is capable of, not bad stuff for a 6 year old boy.  One of the best and proudest days of my life.

Ran 9 miles today with Luis, very humid.  Fast run for me 8:15min/miles.  Luis put up with my pace.  Great to get out there and start my Sunday off with a run before church.  I am a little sore tonight, looking forward to another week of running, so excited and praying that my body continues to respond favorably to this new running schedule.  Did great until mile 5 today, then started cramping, should have tried a gu, wasn't thinking, tried water didn't help, next time hopefully I'll remember.

8 miles, 2 of them with my son, good day on the road

New shoes praise the Lord, good day, beautiful morning run

2 miles with Noah, then 5 by myself, love these new shoes, keep putting on the miles

Ran today on the golf course with Ben Collier, great weather.  I am paying for the extra miles that I've put on this week, need to go a little slower puttting on these miles than I have.  Ran 8:47 this morning and my legs didn't feel great.

This was my son't 2nd 5K in two weeks, he came in 3rd last week and 1st this week i the under 10 age group.  I am so excited for him, he got a medal and a trophy.  He did the 1st mile in 8:35 and fell at the 1st mile marker,  he cried the last 2 and kept asking for mommy, but didn't want to quit,  I am very proud of the wonderful effort that he gave.  I love my son very much!

Long run of he week, had 5 people come out and run with us, weather was hot and sticky. I am so happy that I found other people who also love running

Nice run this morning, 2.5miles with Noah then went for another 4.5 by myself.  I love running on the highway even though it's dangerous.  I enjoy having the cars wizz past me.

Nice weather this morning, not a great run, but not a bad run either, lots of hills.  Not much sleep last night.

11 mile run with Sean, John, Ricardo and Mark, nice loop around McDonough square 8:15 pace

8:45 pace.  My legs were tired from putting two trees in the ground yesterday.  Read a great book this week, "Once a Runner"  Experiencing the Trial of Miles right now.  I will get to 70 mpw. 

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