Husband, Father, Athlete, Runner, Marathoner, Mental Health Warrior

The day started fairly early for us…we left Louisville, KY at 3:30AM, the girls and eventually my wife all fast asleep in the van. They were sacrificing a whole day to support me, then the LEAST I could do is drive! We made pretty good time and parked fairly quickly (Red Frog Events runs a VERY organized event, I must say). Then I donned my outfit (hence the “before” pic lol) and we walked to the shuttle which took myself and other would-be warriors and our support teams to the field of battle! We got there and walked towards the tents and music playing, and I started getting excited!! Immediately, I heard someone yell, “Corey”, and it was Mike from Daily Mile, and his wife Megan . He said he knew to look for the Superman Kilt LOL. Let me say, he and his wife were two of the NICEST people I have ever met! Plus she got to run the Warrior Dash, and my wife and I were so excited for her!! Then, as we headed over to Packet Pick-up, I saw our friend Melodie (also from Daily Mile), and her...

Today is Thursday, and I am in the midst of an AMAZING week! Yesterday, our oldest Daughter, my Super Princess, graduated Kindergarten. During these moments, I find myself not as much proud of them, as I am happy in the pride they have for themselves. Same thing I feel when I watch them race. I am happier that they are proud of themselves, because I think that is the building blocks for keeping a positive attitude. Tomorrow, Damary and I have our normal Baby Check-Up. These always touch my soul…yes, child #3, and I have never missed an appointment, and still get excited. In a few short months, our family will expand, and I am so excited (although, between my lovely wife and daughters, I am not sure how much time I will get with Baby Q when she gets here..seriously, we will need to have some sort of lottery, because everyone is claiming time now, like Baby Q is a Time Share lol). Sunday is Warrior Dash . I am excited for this, but my focus this week is on everything before it. Although ...

Fila Skeletoes Review Ok, so in case anyone is wondering, a few months ago, I told my wife, when the marathon was over, I think I wanted to give Minimalist Running a shot. For those that aren’t sure/don’t know what Minimalist Running/”Barefoot” Running is, Click Here . My reasons were twofold: I knew I would need a new challenge once the Marathon was over, and I wanted to run with fewer injuries (duh). So a couple of weeks ago, I was in my local Sport’s store when I saw a display for Fila Skeletoes, and walked over. At first glance, they resemble the Vibrams, but two key points stick out, upon further glance: 1) the last two toes slide into one large slot & 2) The Price. Vibrams run around the $99 and more. These are $59.99…and they have children sizes as well! Now, the first thing I want to say is I don’t own Vibrams and haven’t worn them, so this won’t be a comparison review at all; this is just my impression of them. Fit: I am someone who NEVER wears flip flops (seriously, ...

So surprisingly, I slept through the night, Friday night. When the alarm went off, Saturday morning, I felt very rested and ready….Ready because I was on the verge of fulfilling a dream, and had put in the training. I grabbed my Superman shirt which I had the girls put there handprints in paint on, my Mile Dedication List that a dear friend of mine had made for me, my Power Balance Band, my Garmin, and put those one, and finished getting dressed. Damary and I knew that her and the girls weren’t going to be able to see me start, it was easier if they dropped me off, then she would go home with the girls (Lord knows they would have MORE than enough time to have a normal day before coming back to see me finish). As we pulled up and Damary was pinning my number on, one of my Daily Mile and Facebook friends, Wendy Bell, yells, “Hey Superman!” and introduced herself to me and Damary, which was nice to immediately see a friendly face. I then made my way, with all of the other runners to the S...

April 17th 2010, I ran my first 5K, I had just bought my first pair of running shoes days before, and my only other run was in my basketball hi-tops (O.U.C.H!!!). I did more walking than running, and even my running couldn’t really be called that. What I remember most about that race was the two times (halfway point and the finish); I heard and saw my daughters cheering for me. They were proud of their Papi, and wanted to make sure the world heard them cheer. That was the moment I was hooked to the CONCEPT of me as a Runner. I wanted more moments like that. I just had no idea how I would get to the point I could call myself a runner and not feel like I was insulting Pheidippides directly. At the suggestion of a dear friend, I purchased “Marathoning for Mortals” and from the first paragraph on, I swear it was like it was written directly for me. I read it and carried it everywhere (still do). I always knew I had focus, but now I had direction. In this lunar cycle, I have dealt with/hand...

So I will not mention names, nor will I apologize for what I am going to say or who it offends (I’m in my “house”, front door is ALWAYS open to come in, or leave)…but as my alarm went off…ok I will stop lying, I was up ten minutes before it went off, a barrage of thoughts ran through my head like the montage part of every episode of “Phineas & Ferb” I am weeks away from wrapping up my first year as a runner. What an amazing lunar cycle it has been for me. At first I started running because I wanted, no again being honest, NEEDED to lose weight and lower my blood pressure (go to any of the blog entries from a year ago, in case you don’t know, and you’ll see why). And there is no greater calorie burner than running (as long as you are willing to push yourself, compare an hour of any exercise, and running is most effective). Turns out, along the way, I discovered Me. Weight loss isn’t, and hasn’t been, on my radar in a while. I am not sure the last time I stepped on a scale. I just kn...

Well Yesterday I did it. I completed one of my running goals...to complete the Triple Crown. I also completed my longest race ever. On top of all of that, I did it injured. I will take a couple of days to be proud of myself for accomplishing what I set out to do, and then the clock resets for my next goal, The Kentucky Derby Marathon. Well, it is amazing weather we have had here in Louisville. Every Saturday inbetween the Triple Crown Races, we have had no temps lower than 70, and not a cloud in the sky. Yet for the 3 Saturdays of the Triple Crown, it has been cold, windy, and cloudy. Yesterday was no exception... I must first say, I, mainly due to the getting up at 3:30AM to run, run by myself, but I never run alone. My wife and daughters are always there, waking up early on these Saturday mornings to cheer me on...hours before my daughters' kid races, they are cheering me on at the end. I am most grateful, and most appreciative of them for that support. That being said, the race ...