Hit or Miss: Jen Blanco

As someone who enjoys running casually for exercise, I’m in awe of those who push their bodies to new limits. 

I never have competed in a 5K, let alone a marathon. It’s not that I haven’t thought about it. I have. Well, a 5K anyway. A marathon, not so much. 

Although, if I could work up the nerve to sign up, and find the time to train, Walt Disney World would be the perfect place to start. 

Perhaps the first thing I should do would be to ask Jason Golden, a Summerfield resident and director of tennis at the Esplanade Golf and Country Club, for advice. 

Golden ran both the half marathon and marathon as part of the 2016 Goofy Race and a Half Challenge during the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend Jan. 9-10.  Last weekend marked Golden’s fifth year completing in the Walt Disney World Marathon series and his second time doing the marathon and a half challenge. 

"Running a half and a full marathon back-to-back is a challenge mentally and physically," Golden said. "It's a lot about how you manage your body during those runs as well as how efficient you are able to run.

"I love it," Golden said. "You learn a lot about yourself and what your mind and body are able to endure. I plan on running an ultramarathon, so this really helps in the training process." 

Golden finished his half marathon in 2:25.14 and the full marathon in 4:58.23. 

For those of you counting, that’s 39.3 miles in less than seven-and-one-half hours in two days. That’s totally doable right? 

I think it’s safe to stay I’ll be sticking with a 5K, which likely is more my speed. There’s no reason to get ahead of myself.

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Brian Dillingham became the second Braden River baseball player to sign a college scholarship this school year after inking a national letter-of-intent Jan. 15 to play for the State College of Florida. 

The senior second baseman joins shortstop Tyler Dyson, who signed with the University of Florida in November. 

He also looked at Winthrop, in Rock Hill, S.C., and Florida Gulf Coast, in Fort Myers. Dillingham, who ultimately wanted to stay in the Sunshine State, found the Manatees to be the perfect fit. 

“The program has been outstanding in terms of performance, and I’m ready to be a part of it,” said Dillingham, who plans to study physical therapy. “This is something that not everyone gets to do. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I wish everyone could have that wants to play this game. This is something I’ll never forget.” 

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January already appears to be off to a good start for golfers at a pair of East County golf courses, as Rosedale Golf and Country Club and Palm Aire Country Club each had a golfer sink a hole-in-one Jan. 11. 

At Rosedale, Dorla Lipari used her 4-hybrid to record an ace on the 134-yard No. 13. Across town, Dan Stickler used his 5-wood to record an ace on the 153-yard No. 17 of the Champions Course.