www.GAJohnson.org | Hebrews Twelve Two

Hillary Clinton and me

Senator Hillary Clinton has raised $10,000,000 (that is 10 million dollars!) in the last 24 hours for her campaign to try and get her elected to be President of the United States.  All by the Internet and small donations from 60,000 new donors she claims.  I've raised $2,095 in the last six months for critical research to save lives from heart disease.  I've tried to raise the money for the American Heart Association through bringing awareness and by running 5 races including 3 marathons in 9 weeks.  Let me see... $10,000,000 to try get someone elected...  $2,095 to save lives from the number one killer...  What's up with that? 

I would rather use my time, talent and treasure saving lives!

Click Here to Donate

Just a thought....

gaj

going to save many lives from number one killer

I'm flying 2500 miles from Portland, Oregon, to Huntington, West Virginia, today to participated in the American Heart Association (AHA) Heart Walk on April 26, 2008. West Virginia leads the nation in heart disease and I want to make a difference in that statistic.  I've been running races since October 2007, including 3 marathons in 9 weeks, trying to raise $10,000 for critical research to help fight the number one killer - heart disease. Click here to watch a short news clip on my running to help others.

Follow our fund raising progress for critical research all this week on the AHA Heart Walk website. <----Click here.  They posted a picture there on their website of my family that met me at the finish line when I finished the 2007 Marshall University Marathon in November.  It was my 2nd marathon in 4 weeks.

I will not be blogging while I'm gone, but will be updating via twitter and you can follow me at www.twitter.com/PastorGreg . Twitter will also keep you up to date of my doings at the bottom of this post and on facebook or myspace.

What I am doing....

Know that you are loved,

gaj

I finished the Race for the Roses Half Marathon

 

I finished the Race for the Roses Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in Portland, Oregon,  today in 2:02:28.  There were 1558 runners.  It was windy, but the rain held off for most of the race. 

I started off a bit conservative running a pace of 9:30 - 9:45 through mile 11.  The last couple of miles I had enough energy leftover and ran a 8:00 - 8:30 pace.  I was not expecting that at the end.  I ended up with an average pace of 9:21.  I should have started with a more aggressive pace and kept it throughout.  You live and learn.  I'm gaining race experience and getting more fit as I go.  It was by far my best race yet. 

I thank all of those that are helping me reach my goal in saving lives from the number one killer.  Times are hard for all of us and I thank God for generous people that are making a difference in our day.

(Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV)  "One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. {25} A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed."

Click Here to Donate

gaj

Race for the Roses Half Marathon - 1 day out

I'm 1 day out from running the Race for the Roses Half Marathon in Portland, Oregon.  I'm running it in order to save lives and you can help me reach my goal. <-----Click here

Becky and I drove up to Portland, Oregon, today to pick up my race packet at the Portland Convention Center.  The race packet includes my race number and timing chip.

I've got my timing chip on my new shoes that I've placed 25 miles on and my race number by my shoes so I won't forget it in the morning.

Becky is fixing me my special pre run drink - strawberries, blueberries, bananas, tofu and orange juice.  I will drink 16 ounces of it over the next hour and try to be in bed by 8 PM

I'll leave the house around 4:45 AM so that I can be at the convention center by 5:30 AM.  Race time is 7 AM.  That will give me some time to prepare myself, get hydrated, and make sure I make the necessary stops to the potty.

I'm PUMPED!

The weather may be challenging with rain and wind:

Table Display Sun, April 6  Time Condition Feels Like Chance Precip Dew Point Humid. Wind Morning Commute Weather on Your Drive 7am Showers 45°F 41°F 50% 41°F 86% From SSW 8 mph 8am Showers 45°F 41°F 50% 41°F 86% From SSW 8 mph 9am Showers 45°F 40°F 50% 41°F 86% From SSW 9 mph

gaj

Race for the Roses Half Marathon - 2 days out

I'm 2 days out from running the Race for the Roses Half Marathon in Portland, Oregon.  I'm running it in order to save lives and you can help me reach my goal. <-----Click here

I ran 3 miles easy today.  It wasn't a great morning to run with temp at 42, partly cloudy and very windy.  I had a strong head wind the first 1.5 miles until I hit my turnaround.  My time was 31:52.  I did upper body weight lifting after my run.

I will get very serious about carbing up today and tomorrow with fruits, pasta and whole wheat bread.  I'll be drinking tons of water also.

It's almost game time!  I'm getting PUMPED!

gaj

Race for the Roses Half Marathon - 3 days out

I'm 3 days out from running the Race for the Roses Half Marathon in Portland, Oregon.  I'm running it in order to save lives and you can help me reach my goal. <-----Click here 

I ran 5 miles today.  It was a great day to run with the temp at 45 and sunny skies.

My workout:
1 mile warm up
3 miles at goal pace for Sunday of 9:45
1 mile cool down

The two days of rest did me good.  My legs and my energy level felt great.  It was hard keeping it down to a 9:45 pace for such a short distance.  I will have to be real careful to keep my 9:45 pace Sunday starting out so I will have the energy to finish strong.

I'm going to keep pressing toward the finish line!

gaj

Race for the Roses Half Marathon - 4 days out

I'm 4 days out from running the Race for the Roses Half Marathon in Portland, Oregon.  You can help me reach my goal.

Today is a scheduled rest day on my training schedule so I rested.  This gives me two days in a row of rest and my body was needing it.  I'll hit the pavement again tomorrow with a 5 mile tempo run.

Tonight @ 7 PM I'll be teaching at the LGF Salem Campus on winning against temptation.

gaj

Race for the Roses Half Marathon - 5 days out

I'm 5 days out from running the Race for the Roses Half Marathon in Portland, Oregon, and you can help me reach my goal. 

I was scheduled to do a 3 mile recovery run today and a session of upper body weight lifting, but.....

When I got up this morning, I was really, really, really, really tired. Instead of pushing myself like I normally do, I decided to listen to my body and not train today. 

I know that not listening to my body will raise the potential of overuse injuries, but why do I feel guilty for not pushing myself?

gaj

 

Race for the Roses Half Marathon - 6 days out

I'm 6 days out from running the Race for the Roses Half Marathon in Portland, Oregon.

I did an easy 6 mile out and back run on River Road in Keizer, Oregon today.  It was 44 and partly cloudy - a good morning to run outdoors.  My time was 1:01:26 .

I've start my carb and H2O loading and will continue with it through the week.

I'll keep you posted this week.

You can help me reach my goal. <--------- Click here 

Keep pressing toward the finish line!

gaj

30 Mile Week

I'm pumped!  I just finished my last run of the week that toped a 30 mile week for me.  My legs feel good with no up and down pain in my ankles, but some pain left to right in my right (injured ankle).  I will be good for the Race for the Roses Half Marathon I will do next weekend as I continue to run to help others.

My new running shoes are a dream ride.  I did a 6 mile tempo run today with a 1 mile warm up, 4 miles at 9:22 pace, and 1 mile cool down.

I'll run 30 miles again next week, concluding with the 13.1 mile Race for the Roses in Portland, Oregon.  I've completed 4 marathons, including 3 in 9 weeks, but this will be my first half marathon.

My new running shoes have caused a bit of a conflict in the Johnson house.

Princess checked out Kirby's new bed....

Kirby didn't care much for her use of it....

And waited for the right moment........

....to take it back!

Nexts Week's Training Schedule
Monday - 6 miles
Tuesday - 3 miles, upper body weight lifting
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 5 miles with 3 miles tempo
Friday - 3 miles, upper body weight lifting
Saturday - Rest
Sunday - 13.1 mile Run for the Roses!

gaj