Magellan Development Chicago Spring Half Marathon

Sunday, May 16, 2010. The Magellan Development Chicago Spring half Marathon, 10K, 2 Mile Walk, and Kids Dash. The first event to begin was the half marathon portion. 13.1 miles. The gun went off at 7a.m. My wake up call was 4:30a.m. The truth was I could not sleep all night. I was like a little boy excited for the first day of school unable to sleep champing to get my 2010 race season started. Michael Crissie volunteered to guide me for this race. He was an accomplished gymnast and runner in high school, but he hadn't race competitively in years. Still, he has a heart of gold and an amazing girlfriend, Alison, who is the one who brought us together. Michael's brother, Brian, also decided to run with us. I had on my race big, the timing sticker was in place, and we were ready to get the party started. Soon we were off and running. Michael and I had only met one other time prior to this race when we did a six mile training run weeks before. I was confident Michael would find his groove as a guide, but each guide is different so there was no way to tell how long into the race before he would find it. It turned out to be almost immediately. A few uphills and quick turns met us in the opening mile as did small clusters of runners through which we had to weave. Within minutes we had reached the first mile mark. It was important to remember that we needed to pace ourselves and make sure we didn't burn out too fast early in the race. Luckily, there were three of us to keep the pace and encouragement flowing. In total, there were 3,500 runners and this kept the atmosphere lively throughout the course. Fans were supportive cheering on all the runners and the volunteers at the aid stations were offering plenty of water and gatorade as well as positive energy. Before we knew it, we had reached the turn-around at the 6.5 mile mark. We were about halfway home and the legs were still fresh. Soon we had hit the ten mile mark. From that point, it was just a 5K. My lungs were strong, but my legs were weakening. We remained hydrated and positive. Then we hit the twelfth mile. One more to go! Throughout the entire run, Brian kept informing us about our mile splits. With a few exceptions, we were consistently running each mile within a ten second window. At the rate we were pounding the pavement, I would break my half marathon personal record which I set at the AIA Half Marathon on February 17, 2008 when Brian Pearlman and I ran 13.1 miles in 2:57:08. In fact, at the rate we were going, Michael, Brian, and I would shatter it by over thirty minutes. About a quarter mile into our final mile, I missed clearing a crack in the sidewalk and I stumbled forward and ate pavement. My left leg took the punishment. On impact, my leg cramped up and a sharp pain raced up my leg and to the rest of my body including a sharp pain in my right ribs. Other runners asked if I was a okay and a race volunteer offered me some ice for my leg as Michael and Brian helped me to my feet. I did not want to stop, but all insisted I needed to put ice on my leg immediately. So I did, but I kept thinking, it is less than a mile, just suck it up and go! While I was still hurting, I said I was fine and we picked up the run and headed home. Then I heard, "150 feet from the final left turn. What do you have left?" We reached the final turn and the straight-away. I heard fans near the finish line and it was time to give the traditional Israel Antonio end of race performance. I took off! Michael fell in behind me as he attempted to guide me away from the spectators and other runners as we began to pass up many others. By the end, he was holding on to my shirt pushing me in the correct direction as I kept digging for an extra kick. Then, we crossed the finish line and someone placed a finisher's medal around my neck. My first race of the season was over. We had shattered my PR by thirty-three minutes and had passed over ten people in just the final 100 meters. Brian said Myfinal kick was the greatest he had ever witnessed. It was a great time with some wonderful new friends. This was the first time we had run this race and we plan to be back. It was well organized by the great individuals at CAPRI Events. Now, on to the next race.

Sexy Isra's 2010 Season Begins

I entered the 2010 calendar year with anticipation, excitement, and expectations of finally meeting my destiny with completion, productions, and submissions for my theatre pieces, short films, and full length features as well as living up to the promise of which my talent would allow on the courses for road races and triathlons. Early on, I faced disappointment with a previously successful and well received theatre piecenot receiving its much deserved recognition by a theatre group, but I turned the disappointment into opportunities to display my abilities to friends and industry folks who are not only talented, but can spot talent when they see it which have since opened more doors for networking and production possibilities. As I took aim on my targeted races for 2010, I was dealt a blow which interrupted my training when on a Friday in January, I began experiencing severe lower back pain which increased in severity with each passing day until I could not find a comfortable position to sit, stand, or lay down. I could not train nor write for seven weeks. Just as suddenly as the pain arrived, it left in mid March. I have been trying to make up for seven weeks of not training or writing. As I now complete theatre pieces, short films, and features and get them into the hands of my friends for feedback, I continue to prepare for the athletic season which for me finally begins on Sunday, May 16, 2010 with the Magellan Development Chicago Spring Half Marathon at The Park At Lake Shore East. A special thanks to Colin of CAPRI Events with whom I worked to ensure I was complying with all the rules in order to race in this event. Also, special recognition to Michael Crissie who volunteered to guide me in this event even though at the time he offered we had never met. His girlfriend, Alison Keilty, is a dear friend of eleven years since our days as classmates in college. Simply being out on the course competing and finishing a race is victory enough. Yet, I am driven by a determination to be special in art, athletics, and life so I wish to successfully compete at an elite level. I am starting my race season much later than all my friends, but I believe it can be a special one. Combine that with the success I believe will come of my theatre and film scripts and I am on the precipice of an incredible year filled with accomplishments achieved and expectations surpassed!

Making My Marathon Debut As Member Of Team GLASA

I have previously posted my intension to make my marathon debut this year with the Chicago Marathon and that I want to do it as part of a fundraising effort for a charity. A few months back, I officially joined 45,000 other runners, from the professionals whom I watch on TV each marathon coverage to the weekend warrior with a fitness or charity goal, when I registered for the Chicago Marathon taking place on Sunday, October 10, 2010. After deciding on a charity for which I would race, I was approached with an opportunity to race and fundraise for the Special Olympics Chicago Children's Charities. I believe very strongly in the mission of the Special Olympics and have a dear friend, Kimberly, whose family has personally benefited from the wonderful work the organization does. As I have received plenty from my friendship with Kimberly, I truly wanted to give of myself for an organization which she holds near and dear to her heart for how her family especially her brother have benefited. I wrestled with the decision for many months, but in the end, I decided to turn to the woman to whom I had expressed an interest in raising awareness and funds as early as November 2009. So, today, I filled out and sent in my papers declaring my intensions to join Team GLASA so I may race the Chicago Marathon while raising funds and awareness for the Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association which works to organize events and functions for blind and visually impaired military veterans, adults, and children. It will be a true honor to experience the training and race day festivities as a member of Team GLASA. A special thanks to Keri Schindler, Program Supervisor for GLASA, and to Elvia for assisting me with troubleshooting my attempts to fill out the forms. Of course, I will have many more opportunities to give back to Kimberly and more important to the wonderful people of the Special Olympics. The days may move forward my athletic days may be numbered, but I do not intend to go away for a very long time! I dedicate my life to helping those who help others.

Miller Time: A Way To C Different

On a Thursday night in May 2007, I watched Fit TV's Insider Training hosted by Gabrielle Reece. This was the fifth time I had seen the episode on triathlons and each time I was in awe of the training, dedication, and accomplishments of Lokelani McMichael who at eighteen years old was the youngest person to ever complete the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. 2.4 miles swim, 112 miles bike, and 26.2 miles run in under seventeen hours. This time, I was not only in awe of her achievement, I was inspired!! One way to get closer to my desired Bruce Lee lean physique would be to race in triathlons. At the conclusion of the show, I immediately went online to research the possibilities, logistics, and accommodations for me to race in 5K, marathons, and triathlons. As I write this entry, there are so many stories and resources to which one could turn, but back then, the results were not as vast. The name I kept noticing was Matt Miller. With each article, I read about his founding the C Different Foundation so I visited the CDF site and studied up on the organization and especially on Matt. By the time I was prepared to reach out to Matt and CDF, it was Memorial Day. I sent an email introducing myself and my goals. Because of the day, I figured I would not hear from him or anyone for several days. It turns out, Matt replied within the hour thanking me for my interest and welcoming me to the C Different family. In short order, a member of the board of directors and the executive director reached out too. A few months passed when Matt called to offer me a chance to run in a half marathon on behalf of CDF. Prior to meeting Matt I had read such glowing remarks from CDF athletes, guides, and volunteers. I had also found other information about a film Matt had put together. Victory Over Darkness where he and his film crew documented the journey of five blind/visually impaired athletes who had conquered the Ironman Triathlon. When I finally came face-to-face with Matt, I was in awe of the man. Within five minutes, he talked to me as though we had known each other for years. He was genuinely interested in my work as a playwright, screenwriter, and actor as much as he was interested in how he could help me reach my athletic goals. Besides founding the C Different Foundation and being a triathlete, Matt Miller was an actor, model, and film producer so he could also offer wonderful advice for all those artistic projects I had been pursuing. As anyone else, I have my reasons for racing. Over the last few years, one of those reasons has become Matt Miller. From that initial email I sent to him, he has always supported and believed in me both in athletics and the arts. In such a short time, he has given me so much and I feel I owe it to him to always give my best effort. When I do not achieve or perform as I would have liked to, I feel sad for letting him down. Matt Miller has built a wonderful organization of athletes, guides, and volunteers all with different stories and paths, but with the same goals to educate, inspire, and change.

For more information on the C Different Foundation, please log on to:

www.cdifferent.org

Also check out this article:

http://ironman.com/training/sponsors/c-different-foundation-makes-racing-a-reality-for-visually-impaired-athletes-2

A Nervous Warrior

Warrior Dash. An event which takes place all over the country. Depending on the location the organizers can find, the event may run as short as three miles or longer than four. To complete the obstacle course, contestants must overcome eleven events such as; jump from one floating log to another across a pond, crawl through a shallow tunnel, go down a mud slide, jump through fire, and crawl through a mud pit under barbed wires. The closest one to me takes place in Joliet, Il. I first read about Warrior Dash when my friend, Adriana, posted the link on FB. I read through the information found it interesting, but not my cup of tea. The next day, Patti, another friend on FB sent me the link and wrote, "This sounds like something you would do." I read through the information again, but once more, I didn't think it was for me. I posted a status update just to see what others thought. Some said I was crazy while others said I was brave. One of my brothers-in-law said "If I were you, I would say no. I can see and I wouldn't try it." I would not want to drown nor get burned or dirty. I was certain I was passing on this event.Then, Arica came along and asked, "Have you found someone to guide you for WD? If not, I would love to do it." Arica is intelligent, funny, pretty, tough, and courageous. I have always enjoyed being around her and respect her greatly so when she makes such an offer, I must seriously weigh my options. Instead of the Joliet event though, I would have to travel to the WD Southeast in Mountain City, Ga. After speaking to Courtney and Alie, two reps from Red Frog Events, I decided to once again entrust Arica with my life. This may not be life or death, but it may be close to it. There are few people I would want by my side when such a moment arises. Only a few people who I trust. Arica is one of those. Realizing that today is one month away from when Arica and I will be rumbling with fire, water, and mud, I am scared yet I am excited. This obstacle course will be a new experience, challenge, and adventure. As nervous as I am as worried as I am, it is best to put on my big boy brave face, meet up with Arica, and go make memories of a lifetime!!

The Hiding Place

When you are surrounded by talented individuals, you can not help but experience "Wow moments!" Instances where a person or event leaves you speechless. As I began on my artistic journey of self discovery, I befriended many artists and classmates who were much more experienced and talented who left me breathless with their abilities. One such artist was Amanda Marcheschi. From the moment I met her, it was clear she was a gifted, talented, beautiful artist destined for greatness on stage and in film. Whatever "it" is that the greats possess, she had it. It was always a privilege to watch her work on her craft. While I was only lucky enough to be her partner for in-class exercises a couple of times, I learned so much from those experiences. Unfortunately for Amanda, I was often too in awe of her abilities, that I was not a good partner. Amanda has gone on to greater ventures and continues to dazzle and amaze audiences on stage and in film. She can currently be seen displaying her talents as part of Provision Theater's world premiere production of The Hiding Place adapted from Corrie Ten Boom's autobiographical piece of the same name. 1001 W. Roosevelt RD in Chicago. Performances on Friday and Saturday at 8p and Sundays at 3p. From now through May 23, 2010

For more information, please log on to:

www.provisiontheater.org

The Gift Gets Cuckoo

They say you only get one chance to make a first impression. Have you ever met someone where after that initial meeting, your impression is "Wow! This is an intelligent, passionate, talentedperson." I have been lucky enough to have that experience several times. One such instance was a few years ago when I met Julia Kessler. My first impression of Julia was She is so passionate about her love for her artistic work that I could not help but get swept up in her drive and fire for the arts. I hoped one day I would get to work with her. I hoped one day I could write a theatre or film script which includes a role specifically for her. More important, I hoped I and the rest of the world would get more chances to see Julia in shows. Indeed we can. Julia can currently be seen as part of an ensemble made up of talented artists doing what they do best in The Gift Theatre's "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest." Now through May 9, 2010 at The Gift Theatre located in Chicago at 4802 N. Milwaukee Ave. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30p and Sundays at 2:30p. Thursday nights are also Industry 2 for 1 nights when you use the code "Merry prankster."For more information, please log on to:

www.thegifttheatre.org