2010 UPDATE
“Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger” – Nietzsche
I started training for the full marathon pretty much a week after I completed the half, this past January. It’s been pretty intense, I’ve managed my way through several injuries, nothing serious, and have focused on a more balanced diet and a brutal core training schedule. I have run several half marathons since and am pretty much running 50-60 miles a week. The development from the day I started has been amazing. I used to be out of gas after Mile one. Nowadays I’ll cruise through Mile 17 no sweat. It is truly impressive what the human body is capable of given the right attitude and beliefs. I will say, however, that being 38 isn’t like being 21. I’ve dehydrated myself at times to the point of passing out, so it has been a learning process as well. At any rate, I think I am ready and cannot wait for race day.
As I run the race this January, I have an additional major motivation, in addition to running for this worthy cause. Our firm recently suffered a tragic and sudden loss with the passing of our friend and president, Tom Wilson. He was a great man and a true friend to so many and I will no doubt be thinking of him and his family frequently as I run the race. My thoughts will also be focused on all the families and children we can hopefully support, who so desperately need a smile on their face and a positive outlook as they grow up.
Michael Sillat and family
(Janine,Ethan and Emma Sillat) |
"For some time now I have looked for an organization that benefits kids and ways to help especially the youngsters in this world that, if neglected or simply not priviledged as some of us are, never get a chance to see the brighter side of life."
I am 37 years old, born and raised in Australia, have lived in Huntington for 7 years now (married a Long Island gal), woke up one morning about a year ago and simply had an urge to get into shape. I decided to start running and started out with small distances, say a mile or so a day. I changed my diet around and ate moderately, but healthy. Within 4 months I had lost 45 pounds and am running typically 7 miles a day. Its always been a dream of mine to run a marathon, and I am still a ways away from being able to do that so I'm starting with my first half marathon on January 18th. I'm flying to Phoenix to run the P.F. Changs Rock n Roll Arizona - Half Marathon. The race is 13 miles and my goal is to do it under 2 hours. I am registered to race on January 18th at 8:30 am.
Help Michael Sillat raise money for needy children, their families and their pets.
Michael Sillat running for families |
Well, the preparation for the run was indeed grueling, considering I have never run distances like this. But, with a kick in the rear every now and again, a more balanced diet and a whole ton of determination I was able to find time in the morning to run about an average of 5 miles. On weekends 7-10 Miles. A few weeks before the race I ran the full distance on a treadmill and while I was happy with the time, I basically bludgeoned two toes and started developing some really sore feet. Turns out that when running long distances you should replace running shoes every 300-500 miles and buy special socks. Well, I hadn't done either in years so that was obviously a factor. So off I flew to sunny Phoenix where the temps on race day were in the high 70s! The run itself was organized perfectly. As you can see, being a loyal Jets fan I couldn't help run in a Jets T-Shirt. My strategy was that if I could upset enough of the sideline observers (obviously, most of them were Cardinals fans and were about to play Philadelphia for a spot in the Superbowl only hours after the race finished), that their cat-calling would spur me on. Well…..it worked and amidst all the boo’s and “loser” calls, I rose to the occasion and the results were as follows:
25,500 runners registered for the half marathon, 21,990 finished.
2nd runner: Justin Meizlik |
- Distance: HALF MAR
- Chip Time: 1:36:50
- Gender Place: 425 / 7944
- Placeoall: 510
- Placediv: 70
- Pace: 7:24
- 5 Km: 23:21
- 10 Km: 45:41
- 10 2 Mile: 1:13:53
So I finished in the top 2% of those that registered which I thought was pretty good. At about Mile 10 I pretty much concluded that I have got to do the full marathon next year and will start training for that in the Summer. I hope that we can once again attract attention for this wonderful cause, especially in times such as these, despite the fact that it is very difficult to solicit support, its most important, in my mind, that the children of today, are kept smiling and positive about what the future for them holds.
Thanks to everyone that donated to this cause, I think we raised a huge amount of money and look forward to doing it over next year.
Michael Sillat
|
