A Runner's Dilemma

Boston Marathon Bombing

2013-04-15T20:37:00.003-05:00

Pray for Boston

As many of you know, I am a runner. I raced this weekend. I won my age group. I ran a 24:10 after starting too fast. That's what this blog is all about: running. Today's Boston Marathon bombings, though, are bigger than running. It could have just as easily been a football or basketball game, or a parade or shopping mall. It wasn't. It was, instead, at the one of the most famous races in the world.

Many runners dream of racing the Boston Marathon. I do. I watched it this morning as a fan, and preparing for a client call (an Olympic runner who might want help writing a speech).

The explosions that blew near the finish line are frightening -- leaving the door open for all kinds of rash speculation. I won't entertain any of that here. I am a runner, and like any distance runner, have known a lot of people who have raced the Boston Marathon. My first thoughts weren't about politics, but about my friends.

My friends are safe and I am thankful to God. That's why I'm saying we should pray.

Pray for those injured and their families.
Pray for the businesses who are seeing material damage.
Pray for the authorities to learn definitively what caused the explosion.
Pray for our national leadership in both parties to be wise and careful.
And if you do not believe in prayer, hope.

(originally in a different form posted here)

High Schooler Mary Cain Wins National Indoor Mile Title

2013-03-04T09:16:00.002-06:00

May Mary Cain become who Mary Decker never became. Decker started with excellence, but injuries and other matters pulled her career to a halt.

Runner's World:
High Schooler Mary Cain Wins National Indoor Mile Title:
16-year-old defeats field of pros in tactical race.
By Peter Gambaccini
read here

Fan of the mile race? See Bring Back the Mile on Facebook.

50 Days of Working Out (and more) into the 100 Days Challenge

2013-02-21T12:51:00.000-06:00

51 days are behind me in the John "The Penguin" Bingham - 100 Days Challenge.

I have not skipped a day.

I did weigh myself. I said I wouldn't. But I did. It looks like I have lost 7-8 pounds. I could stand losing 10-15 more pounds.

I have run 79.20 miles, and walked 74.65 miles. That equals 153.67 miles.

101.391 miles were within the last 31 days. That includes walking.

I'm still having "walk days," meaning I do not run on that day, but walk usually around 15:00/mile.

7.25 miles run yesterday (Day 51) in 62:09 (8:34/mile)

5K in 24:17 (7:53/mile)

All on a treadmill, so all times are adjusted when I run outside. See this chart to convert treadmill times to outside running.

Given the treadmill factor, I have no idea how fast I can really run, but I am pleased with my progress. It is cold here in Chicago, and running during daylight is logistically not possible. I am anxious to try.

The Toughest Race Distance

2013-01-22T06:56:00.001-06:00

A post on Runner's World's Facebook page asked, "What do you think is the toughest race distance?"

I said:
800 meters. Pure power isn't enough, nor is sheer, sleek endurance. The elite 800 meter runner must race for all 1:45, with a mind tough yet strategic, full of rage but also completely lucid. The body is subject to pain most of the way, but the runner must steer it hard just the same.

Arguments can be made for any distance, but what the 800 offers is different.

Look at Usain Bolt's races. There is no strategy. He is not genuinely competing. Is he fast? Obviously. But does he care, strategically, what his peers are doing? Only as far as mind games go. For the race, he positions himself in the blocks, waits for the gun, then runs until the race is over. He might see a runner next to him and push harder, but he should push hard anyway. If that other runner inspires him, it only means he wasn't going as tough as he could.

Moreover, so often Bolt slows at the end. He has not demonstrated the kind of focus an 800 meter racer must have.

What about the marathoner? Surely they run a difficult distance. Yes, they do. 26.2 miles is a long way, and, to train properly, the runner must be focused for months on end. However, watch the elites race. By the 10K mark, they are relaxed, in a good rhythm, just cranking out the miles. Granted, these are 4:45 miles, but, for the front runners, a pace they can handle. There is plenty of speed and strategy, but much of the race itself is just getting it done. They run step-in-step for much of the way, and might not "race" until after the 20-mile marker.

Tremendous athletes, to be sure, with incredible desire to run hard and long. They do not, however suffer throughout the distance, not the way an 800 meter runner must suffer.

A similar defense could be made on behalf of the elite 1500 meter runner. He must be fast, with strategy and a strong mind for almost twice the distance. And many race both 800 and 1500 meters. Seb Coe made an incredible career of this, as did Steve Ovett. But strategy matters more in the 1500. An 800 race balances both.

There is no taking away from what the elites endure and accomplish in any distance. The right genes + the the right training + the right mind + the right racing opportunities equals greatness, and whether a 100 meters or 26.2 miles, that's a lot to have.

Me? I was a mediocre 800 runner, with a personal best of 2:07, the slowest by far on a relay team of sub-2:00 runners.

The State of Fitness

2013-01-21T01:11:00.001-06:00

It has been a strange road I have traveled as a runner. In shape, out of shape, in very good shape, on very poor shape. A lot of start-stop-starts.

I miss being in great shape.

As 2013 came forward, having dealt with some challenges that knocked me pretty hard, I decided to take a different approach. John "The Penguin" Bingham posted on Facebook his 100 Day Challenge. The gist, as I understand it, is to exercise 30 minutes a day for 100 days in a row. He defined what counted loosely, and offered that a person could break things into two halves of 15 minutes apiece. I decided to try this, unworried about workouts as a runner, and think entirely about mere exercise.

I started a day or two early, believing any good resolution starts the moment you realize its value. Officially, I am only counting from January 1, 2013. Day 100 will be April 10.

At first, I only walked, then mixed running and walking. My walking pace in at, or a little slower than, 15:00/mile. My running pace is usually 9-10:00/mile.

Today (Sunday, January 20) I was tired from previous days and so I just walked two miles. Since there are no rest days, I'll walk as many days as it takes to find fresh legs.

20 days -- one fifth of the challenge is complete. Harder days are ahead.

About all of this -- I am not weighing myself until April. I am not planning my workout, at least for now, taking each day as it comes, desiring only to complete 30 minutes.

While I am also not counting calories, I am trying not to eat until I'm full, and otherwise ignoring basic hunger if I have already eaten. And so on, about my diet. I'm eating a little less. Not much less.

100 days is a long time and know simply that if I eat less and am diligent about exercise, I will lose sometging by April.

I'm planning some races this spring. Maybe three or four 5ks. No expectations.

New Naperville Marathon to be qualifying race for Boston Marathon

2012-12-14T07:19:00.001-06:00

New Naperville Marathon to be qualifying race for Boston Marathon - Chicago Sun-Times
"They’ll be running through the streets of West suburban Naperville.

The 2013 inaugural Naperville Marathon is scheduled for next fall on Nov. 10, and will be a qualifying race for the famous Boston Marathon. While Naperville enthusiasts have kicked around the idea for years, Kris Hartner, owner of the Naperville Running Company, said “somebody needed to come forward and take charge.”"

Read the entire article at the link above.
---------
This is huge news as the Chicago Marathon fills quickly and area runners often travel far to qualify. For those of us in the immediate area (I'm in the next town over), it also means avoiding the trip to Chicago's Loop. That means a better night's rest, and less inconvenience on family and friends who want to watch.

Presumably, there will be fewer runners and thereby less race congestion, meaning a runner will be better able to run his intended pace. In massive races, everyone but the front runners is forced into a bottleneck, often chugging through the first few miles far slower than they should.

A marathon certainly is a long race, and maintaining quality throughout will be a challenge. The people sponsoring it are sharp folks, so they know what they are up.against. Hopefully corporate sponsors will come through.

Man Runs 2:46 Marathon In Flip Flops (Keith Levasseur)

2012-10-18T12:38:00.000-05:00

Man Runs 2:46 Marathon In Flip Flops

Really, Keith Levasseur did. For you non-runners, 2:46 is pretty fast. Though the top guys run around 2:04-2:07, this guy is still quick. He did this at the Baltimore Marathon. His PR is a healthy 2:38, meaning he was in range of his best run.

Me? I wear the ASICS 21 series (I wear last year's, but see the 2170s -- this year's model). And I've yet to run 26.2 miles. Gotta give him props on several levels.

As quickly as I do not recommend flip flops, there is always Abebe Bikila's story. He ran, and won, and set the World Record the 1960 Olypmics... barefoot.

Read Runner's World's take on this.

See my thoughts on minimalistic running.

Passing the Lovely Lake Foxcroft in 3.5 Miles

2012-09-30T15:16:00.000-05:00

3.5 miles run
0.2 miles walk

total: 3.7 miles
course: Briarcliffe Loop

62°F | °C
Scattered Clouds
Wind: N at 13 mph
Humidity: 58%

Warm day in Chicagoland are growing rare.Our summer was dreadfully hot, but autumn is unpredictable. Today was much sunnier than the weather I posted.

The picture, not take today, is of a small lake -- more of a pond -- Lake Foxcroft. As a neighborhood park, backing up to Glen Ellyn, IL homes, plenty of families stop by for a quick walk, or weekend anglers look for dinner. I came across it around two thirds into my jog. (Read my thoughts before the run.)

As for the running, as I swing back into a routine, I found it more humid than I'm used to, and went slowly. No watch. Too early to care about time. No headphones. Too many interesting things to hear. No running tomorrow, but I'll be back at it Tuesday.

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Running Inside (with regrets) - 1.5 Miles

2012-09-23T18:35:00.001-05:00

1.25 miles run
0.25 miles walked

total: 1.5 miles
course: home treadmill

I wanted to run outside. As I reported on Twitter, it is a gorgeous day. But I can't. Well, I could, but the reality is, I knew I'd run more on my treadmill. Few beautiful days in Chicago remain this year, so I'm kicking myself.

Broke in a new pair of ASICS 2160s. Last year's model. Too early to review, but so far, so good. Barely a mile and a half into them. The real truth will show up in 50 miles.

My whole run has little to describe. What can I say about a run that, all said, last under 20 minutes? One important thing: I did it. No, I'm not proud. I know most runners reading this are consistent in their training. None of this on/off business. I wish I was there.

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Buy my children's tales on Amazon

What I Ain't Is Pretty - 1.0 Mile

2012-09-14T15:10:00.003-05:00

1.0 miles

total: 1.0 miles
course: home treadmill

A Chubby's Lament
by Anthony Trendl

I looked in the mirror and what did I see?
But a blob, a chub, a fatter version of me.
I was me, I was certain you know,
this was my gut that started to grow.
Bigger today than ever before,
would my dear gut grow any more?
I decided to run, nay, I should walk.
I'm logging off, no time for talk.

There you go. I ran/walked a mile after a look in the mirror. Nothing about me looked good.

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The Running Life (Running Books)

2012-05-16T07:16:00.000-05:00

The Running Life
by Nicholas Thompson

The first sporting event that I remember caring about was the 1982 Boston Marathon. I was six years old, which is an age when most sports make no sense: the players wear masks, are freakishly tall, or contend with complicated matters like strike zones. But children know how to run and they know how to race. There’s little competition that’s purer than two men—Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley, in this case—racing side by side for 26.2 miles. Beardsley wore a white cap; Salazar wore red shorts; they ran so close together that they seemed like one.

Read more http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/books/2012/05/the-running-life.html#ixzz1v2Bh9PdI

Zola Budd to run in ultra marathon

2012-01-13T14:40:00.000-06:00

Zola Budd was one of my heroes in high school. Unlike many runners, she was not flashy or whiny, like high maintenance Mary Decker (Tabb and later Slaney).

She disappeared for years, only reappearing in public long after she was past her elite prime. Humble, loves running and now, is going to run a 56-mile race.

Read the ESPN piece: Zola Budd to run in ultra marathon

Marathons Don't Boost Runners' Cardiac Arrest Risk in Study

2012-01-12T20:02:00.000-06:00

News:
Marathons Don't Boost Runners' Cardiac Arrest Risk in Study

(Bloomberg) -- Competing in a marathon or half- marathon doesn't raise a runner's chance of suffering a cardiac arrest any more than other vigorous physical activity, according to a study reviewing a decade of data.

Faster Than Not Slow (with Rice) - 3.1 Miles

2012-01-03T21:14:00.000-06:00

3.108 miles run (28:45 - 9:15/mile)
0.500 miles walk

total: 3.608 miles
course: home treadmill

Did not have much time to run tonight, and was full of Chinese food. That, and I still have a five mile run in my legs -- and I'll be adding one more day of runs to my week. Too many miles too soon is a bad thing in general, so this was win-win. And, I like faster more than slower.

My weight has yet to show movement. In fact, before the run, I weighed myself at 1.5 lbs higher than yesterday. The big lunch and not small dinner did not help. The treadmill thinks I burned 400 calories. I'll take it. I'll get there if I stay consistent (and persistent).

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The Lakefront Trail: Training in Chicago for the 2012 Boston Marathon

2012-01-03T17:30:00.000-06:00

That's no my running trail. I don't run there. That's 35 miles from here on an easy traffic day. And I'm not training for Boston. I'd love to be able to say that, but, no.

Pete B runs there, and, much like my blog, writes about his workouts and related running adventures. You'll see him as a frequent commenter here, and I thought you should check him out. A very decent runner with a 3:05 marathon PR, with Boston in his sites.

Scroll through -- he has some terrific photos as well. A good thing about running is the venue: forests, beaches, lonely roads. All make for great photos.

The Lakefront Trail: Training in Chicago for the 2012 Boston Marathon

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Persistence Is Key to Losing Weight and Keeping It Off

2012-01-02T04:40:00.000-06:00

I'm not a fitness or health expert. Most of my blog is reporting what I do and the relatedvresults. However, at best, this is anecdotal.

Most good advice will be plain spoken: eat less but eat smart, and exercise more, and don't quit. Quitting is usually the bane of most of us. We use excuses like, "My grandmother made me eat the cake," or, "Aliens stopped my exercise program."

Read the piece below for good ideas to deal with all of this. Decide today if 2012 will be different than 2011.

Persistence Is Key to Losing Weight and Keeping It Off

Three Accomplishments - 5.0 Miles

2012-01-01T21:19:00.001-06:00

5.00 miles run 0.50 miles walk
total: 5.50 miles
course: home treadmill

A solid first run of the year. Much better start than last year. Then, not only did I run just a mile on New's Year's Day, I had run only one mile in all of the previous December. This last December, I ran 26.24 miles over 11 runs.

As I ran, I wondered about some stories I'm working on. A few are stuck, with problems I need to resolve. A few ideas were loosed up around mile three.

Accomplishment #1
Today, this first day of the year, finishes a rolling week with 15.373 miles run. I've not cleared 15 miles in a week (just counting running) since mid-November, 2010.
Accomplishment #2
With 5.0 miles today, I'm again, digging back to November 2010.

Accomplishment #3

I stuck at 10:00/mile the entire way. Slow? Hard to say. Two days ago, everything felt fast. The important thing is I kept it slow. My body is still getting into the most basic of shape. Just because a couple kinks are out does not mean I cannot be dreadfully foolish.

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New Year's Resolution: Running

2012-01-01T00:09:00.000-06:00

Whose New Year's Resolution involves running? Tell me about it. A time? A big race? Total miles?

Unsatisfying Last Run of the Year - 2.1 miles

2011-12-30T21:41:00.001-06:00

2.101 miles run
0.25 miles walk
total: 2.351 miles
course: home treadmill

Why so little? Very slow too.

Not enough sleep (all week). Didn't hydrate or eat well. Stress. And residual tiredness from the previous run. Not that complicated. It adds up.

However, as the last run of 2011, this is still good. I didn't skip it when I didn't feel like it.
Catch me on Twitter. http://twitter.com/anthonytrendl

See you in 2012!

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Canonized and Funky - 4.727 Miles

2011-12-28T21:29:00.000-06:00

4.272 miles run (40:15 - 9:25/mile)
0.500 miles walk

total: 4.772 miles
course: home treadmill

I was not as tight as I expected from the previous run, and, in fact, felt very good. Why? I don't really know, but I'm willing to believe it could be because my overall mileage is still low, my recovery time is two days, and my longest run wasn't especially long.

All of this will accrue, and aching, tired days are ahead if all goes well. Strange to say that but it is true. Stranger still is that I look forward to this. It means I'm still at it. Consistency. I thought about my tea drinking friend. His recent post about preaching tea to the choir has flavors of consistency as well. He sticks at it, keeps trying.

In the meanwhile, regarding tonight, things went well. Spotify was treating me well as I sent songs from iTunes to Spotify (iTunes is not available on my phone, and I'm learning to prefer Spotify). Used an old playlist, and got down to Wild Cherry, finished with a walk to Pachelbel's Canon.

A few videos. The last is a funny look at a famous classical piece.

Wild Cherry - Play that Funky Music

Johann Pachelbel - Canon in D Major

Comedian/musician Rob Paravonian - Pachelbel Rant

"Goal?" Asks the Tea Drinker

2011-12-28T18:34:00.000-06:00

A friend (see his tea blog, 39 Steeps) I showed my progress and regress of running and weight over the last few years -- I have a long spreadsheet -- he asked what my goal is. Seeing a steady number of runs, he suspected I'm back on track. I'm only back on track if I stick with it, and that's yet to be seen.

But, as far as goals go -- when I began this re-entry into running a few years ago, I boldly proclaimed I would break 20:00 for the 5K. Git as low as 21:35, but still a better than solid minute and a half off. That's a long time. And, I mentioned more than a few times I wanted to run a marathon fast. Not an unreasonable goal if I put the work in, but I didn't.

Lack of steady training was certainly one cause. Other factors might be at play, like age, diet and so forth, but not one matters if I am not consistent.

So, I told him my goal is simply consistency. Naturally, I want those other things, but I don't have much of a right to stake a claim unless I am otherwise getting in regular runs.

For now, regular runs will be every other day. That's on purpose. The next step up is four days a week, per some kind of specific schedule, with two days in a row somewhere in there. If I manage that without getting hurt, then five days.

If I'm good with five days for a while, I expect three months will have passed, and it will be early March. I should begin to see an impact. By then, no matter how weak my runs are, I will have logged some real miles, and enjoy some cardio fitness, and maybe a a pound or two lost.

Consistency, had I applied it in all the major blank spaces in the last year, will have given me so much. If I had run, say, 100 more days at no more than five kilometers on those days, I would have 310 miles behind me, and as much as 10 lbs lost. But -- I didn't.

So, to consistency, and beyond!

Besides Running, I Write Folk Tales: Join the Conversation

2011-12-27T10:46:00.000-06:00

Some of you might know in my offline life, I'm a writer. Mostly, speeches and marketing material, but I also have been writing short stories that are regularly published by AOL Patch.

My author page: http://facebook.com/AnthonyTrendl. Please click, then like the page.
I discuss writing, literature, folk tales, humorists, as well as include updates about writing projects. Plenty of discussion regarding my Bluster County tales project, a series of loosely connected stories told in the manner of Garrison Keillor and Mark Twain. You'll see links to related videos, free books, events and other things that might be interesting to you.

Join the fun.

6.4 Kilometers (I looked it up) - 4 Miles

2011-12-26T21:03:00.000-06:00

4.00 miles run (38:43 - 9:41/mile)
0.25 miles walk

total: 4.25 miles
course: home treadmill

I missed yesterday. The goal is to run every other day through New Year's, then evaluate if slipping another day in every seven is a good idea. But yesterday was Christmas. A busy schedule dominated the day. I slow cooked ribs and chicken, with a myriad of Hungarian dishes as well. Celebrating my Lord's birth is more important to me than running. Was a beautiful day for those of you who managed running.

Today, I added 0.90 miles to my longest run. My legs are still getting used to this, and four miles is a genuine workout.

I'll be tight tomorrow. These days between are precious.

Ran a 5K an Hour Ago. You? 3.108 Basement Miles

2011-12-23T22:42:00.000-06:00

3.108 miles run (29:14 - 9:24/mile)
0.392 miles walk

total: 3.50 miles
course: home treadmill

I sort of ran a 5K today. In my basement, dim lights and laundry piled next to me. Not really, of course. I have no delusions treadmill running is the same as outside running, but it is cold, I wanted to tune out and just get it done. Which I did.

If it were a 5K, I would have not come in last. I'm looking forward to knocking out miles at 8:30/mile and longer, and this, though a minute off, is encouraging. I felt OK on this even of Christmas Eve.

All said, I'm up to just over 17 miles for the month, on pace to finish with 31. I'm satisfied with that even though I can name a few friends with 30 milers as their Saturday run. I can name 100 more who never do squat and are suffering from inactivity. That was me last month. I'm one skipped run due to laziness away from this status.

Machinery? Bah! 2.75 Miles

2011-12-21T21:12:00.000-06:00

2.752 miles run
0.248 miles walk

total: 3.00 miles
course: home treadmill
I'm sitting here eating Raisin Bran, feeling the warmth of a workout slide through my body. It is a good feeling.
I have a nice treadmill, and have a comfortable home. There are nicer treadmills in nicer homes, with fitness coaches, massage therapists and all the rest that some people might enjoy. OK, everyone would enjoy. But, not everyone has. My point -- all that doth not fitness make. A good run is not complicated. Better devices, even better shoes won't get it done. Those things can limit injury, or help the run be more enjoyable, or a faster recovery time for hard workouts, but nothing replaces sweat.

I don't begrudge the guy with all that. I too, compared to many, just by merit of having good shoes and the treadmill, have more than so many runners. Just look at the Ethiopians. Or Kenyans? Look how the lack of technical running has impeded their efforts. ;)

I wanted to run longer. That's a good temptation. It means progress, But it is a dangerous temptation. Run too far now, and next month I'm back where I started.