SeekingBostonMarathon

Wordless Wednesday: iPhone Autocorrect Incorrect

2012-02-01T14:32:00.000-08:00

Embarrassing text sequence with my 16 yr-old daughter

Hair of the Dog

2012-01-24T06:00:00.000-08:00

Return to the scene of the crime, hair of the dog that bit me, and get back on that horse. For the first time in nine months, I have entered familiar yet unfamiliar territory. I just completed the first week of a marathon training plan complete with a close encounter of the biting kind. Like the other seven marathons I've run, I charted out my sixteen week plan in a spreadsheet with each day and each week mapping out the runs and counting down to race day. As I've discussed here, I am trying a new plan for the first time ironically called the FIRST training plan from the Run Less, Run Faster book from Runner's World. Only three runs a week, but they're not for the timid alternating with 2-3 cross training days.

The week (or was it weak) started with swim on Monday and an early wake-up to get speed work done on Tuesday before heading out to California for work. A stomach bug should have scrapped (or crapped) my first run of the first week of my plan, but there was nothing that was going to stop me from missing the very first training run. I gutted out (pun intended) a three x 1600 run at a 6:55 average pace. Take that stomach bug!

Slab of Bacon cologne from Dolce & Gabbana

Four days of business travel including one late night and some dumbass who ordered a "flight" of tequila along with dinner on Thursday night. I flew home Friday and tried to get some decent sleep before my long run with my local running group, Runner's Edge of the Rockies.

My FIRST plan called for a thirteen miler on Saturday at 30 seconds over my marathon goal pace. Seeing a lot of running friends I hadn't seen in months and I'm sure a good dose of adrenaline had my splits all over the map. I started with the 3:20 pace group, but my heart rate was stuck in zone 1 and I was running much slower than the day's plan called for so I sped ahead. Sped is right as I ran a bit too quick in the middle miles as we wove through neighborhoods around Denver's Wash Park and Cheeseman Park.

"Excuse me, does your dog bite?"

Cheeseman provided my second ever encounter with a dog on a run. This was no poodle as Marmaduke chomped on my forearm around the turnaround. I "barked at the owner" to keep his dog under control. He looked back at me like "why did you let my dog snack on your arm?" I wondered why I was singled out...my bacon scented cologne, Marmaduke was more of a swimmer than a runner, I looked like a mailman, or was I the weakest one in the herd? I looked at my arm and saw no puncture wounds or blood so I went about running my miles. The next morning, I felt compelled to lick myself and found a nice bruise complete with bite marks. Grrrrr.

Final score, one stomach bug, 3000 kilometers traveled, two speed work-outs, my first long run, one dog bite and another great swim to end the week. I'm back in the saddle again.

Hip Check

2012-01-19T07:49:00.000-08:00

As a kid, we would often go on long car trips to the likes of Canada, Virginia, and California. Responsible parents would check the health of the car before heading out on a long journey. Oil, tires, flashlights with batteries in the glovebox, and if something wasn't quite right, they'd check it out. Last Friday, I went to the infamous Steadman Hawkins clinic in Denver to get my hip checked out prior to my long journey-- preparing for my next marathon.

My hip has been nagging me for better than six months. Not enough pain to prevent running, but sometimes too tender to sleep on my left side. Why are all my ailments on the left side (planter faciitis, strained medial glute, lower leg stress fracture have all been on the left?...hmm.)

My worst fear was that there was something more serious that would sideline me before I'd even started my sixteen week training plan for the Colorado Marathon in May. Specifically, my paranoia was "had too many miles and marathons finally wore out my arthritic hips" or god forbid, "was there another stress fracture?"

I have been doing all the things you should be doing when dealing with pain; ice, heat, stretching, more stretching, massage, and a visit to "Helga's House of Pain" (my running PT in Boulder.)

My other orthopedic surgeon (for my stress fracture) started asking me if I'd ever considered taking up golf? Did you ever consider being a dentist? My ortho appointment last Friday was with Dr. G. who is a hip specialist at Steadman Hawkins. Steadman Hawkins is famous for taking care of our nation's most famous athletes and getting them back on the field. Missy Franklin, Tim Tebow, and now (not so famous) SeekingBostonMarathon. A few questions, some poking and prodding, and a snapshot of my pelvis lead to two revelations;

1) After telling the Dr. that I was diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS--a form of arthritis) when I was 13, he (himself a sufferer of the same) doubted the diagnosis. He had that, "how the hell can you run marathons if you have arthritis" look on his face. More on that later.

2) I have a Femoral Acetabular Impingment. Fancy words for the ball of the femur rubs abnormally against the labrum and socket or doesn't have full range of motion. If you focus on the red circle (pain point) on my x-ray, you'll see that there's an excess of bone on the femoral head--it rubs against the labrum--thus the pain.

There's a classic joke when the guy goes into the Dr. and says "it hurts when I do this," and the Dr. replies, "well don't do that." in other words, stop running if it hurts to run. I went to Steadman because they focus on athletes to get them back in the game so giving up running is not in my vocabulary. My game plan is to continue doing the things I'm doing to manage the pain and continue with training which was great news. Should the pain increase, we'd have to dig deeper with an MRI. Treatment (depending on MRI results) could be to continue what I'm doing (PT, ice, heat, massage,) injections, or surgery should there be a labrum tear.

The irony in all of this is I've been walking around for years telling myself, I have arthritis. As a 13 yr old, I knew something was wrong when I had hip pain so bad, I came in last in the P.E. class run around the athletic field. Was it psychosomatic, was my Mom inflicting Munchausen syndrome by proxy? No and no.

Pain is pain. I already had the trifecta of glasses, braces and zits as a 13 yr old. An arthritis diagnosis would make it a quadfecta and all but guaranteeing my trajectory as a "40 Year Old Virgin." Imagine the confidence I would have had it were only a redhead dealing with glasses, braces, and zits. Nah...I still would have been a nerd. I digress (again...) hips just don't fail me for the next 16 weeks.

Prodding the Dr. on the potential misdiagnosis, I asked how do I know for sure. In the 90's, I had the same reaction from a Dr. based on my mobility but after xrays, he indeed saw fusing of my SI joints concluding I indeed had AS. What to do now? I'll focus on the last guy who said I didn't have it.

Author's Footnote: You're probably wondering about the Homer graphic over my xray. Let's just say that my blog readership among women would have either gone way up or way down with the original version, but my Mom and her friends read this stuff, and I need my day job. Doh!

Funny Bone

2012-01-12T09:31:00.000-08:00

I was happily blindsided this week, by being nominated by #RunChat as the funniest blog of the year. I started my blog three years ago to hold myself accountable to the internet to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Along the way, I re-discovered my passion for writing, poking fun at myself and the sport. My blog disclaimer says that I'm not a Dr. or a coach--go somewhere else for that. Here at SBM, you will find the lighter side of marathoning and my new found passion for triathlons.

It's a cliche, but I am thrilled just having been nominated. If you feel compelled, take 15 seconds to vote (in all categories) HERE. Voting ends today at 8ET. Your academy award of running blog nominees are;

Best New Running Blog
themommymiles.blogspot.com — @TheMommyMiles
poundstomiles.com — @poundstomiles
runstrongereveryday.com — @Abby_NYC

Most Inspirational Running Blog
mile-posts.com — @mileposts
fittestfatgirl.tumblr.com — @fittestfatgirl
lovingtherun.com — @lovingtherun

Funniest Running Blog
shutupandrun.net — @ShutUpRun
seekingbostonmarathon.com — @seeksboston26mi
pavementrunner.blogspot.com — @pavementrunner

Best Running Blog
runtothefinish.com — @runtothefinish
runworkeatsleep.wordpress.com — @Rubia_25
thereshegoes.org — @ThereSheGoes11

Best #runchat Participant
@katierunsthis
@ActiveBeerGeek
@autopilotlegs

Perhaps such classics as yesterday's Napoleon Dynamite Marathon Training Tips, Why Triathlons are Like Frat Houses, and I Was Beat up by a Ballerina helped get me a nomination, or maybe people thought they were voted for the funniest looking blogger? Nevertheless, get out and vote HERE.

Napoleon Dynamite Marathon Training Tips

2012-01-11T07:57:00.000-08:00

Napoleon Dynamite spent last summer in Alaska hunting wolverines, perfecting numchuck skills, and learning the art of marathon training and racing. Napoleon along with Pedro and his brother Kip share some of his learned "skills" in the educational video below.

(Author's Note: Many of my blogs refer to movies and great one-liners that parallel life. One of our family's favorite movies is Napoleon Dynamite. We will rattle off one liner's or go into character in the car, "I wish I was back in the '82" and crack each other up. The boys are especially amp'ed for the debut of the animated T.V. series on Fox this Sunday..."flippin' sweet!"

Find this post funny, my blog is funny, or I'm just funny looking? Vote for SeekingBostonMarathon for funniest blog of the year at; RunChatBlogVoting.

On your next long run, don't forget your tots.)

Toy Haul

2011-12-29T06:52:00.000-08:00

I am such a kid, and nothing brings that out like Christmas. I've been told that I'm hard to buy for, but not really...anything running (or now swimming related) and you can't go wrong. What do kids do right after Christmas? They play with their toys then brag about them. This year's running "toy haul."

Engraved iPod

Didn't ask for this one nor did I expect it. My wife gave me a new iPod (I've worn out two of them on countless or should I say counted runs on DailyMile.) Not just any ole iPod--this one's engraved with SeekingBostonMarathon.Com. Bet you want one of those!

Swimming with Music

Swimming with music...how the heck do you do that without ruining your third iPod in as many years? h2oAudio makes a waterproof case for the above mentioned iPod Shuffle endorsed by none other than Natalie Coughlin. I've taken it out for a test spin already and it works as advertised. My only problem is that my playlist is totally a runner's cadence playlist--not made for longer smoother swim strokes. Not sure that Van Halen makes for a smooth 1500 yard swim--more like dropping a prop motor into the harbor.

Runner's World Calendar

Pretty sad when I'm drooling over a calendar and it's not a swimsuit edition or Minka Kelly, but this will be a page turner with great photos, running tips and a list of marys and half marys throughout the year. Another "keeper" from the in-laws.

Best Gift of Them All

You're thinking how can you top that? Last year marked my daughter's 16th birthday and I'd promised her a trip to New York City. We went right before Christmas and had an absolute blast. A Broadway play (Wicked,) visit to the 9/11 Memorial, Rockefeller Center, Macy's on 34th St., and of course lot's of shopping for her. Years from now, I'm sure she will reflect on what a special moment it was especially with the holidays in the air. #priceless

Ironically my calendar has a shot of runners on the Brooklyn Bridge. I'd packed my run gear and had hoping to run over that bridge on my trip. I'd already notched Central Park off my running bucket list (future blog story?) but hadn't hit the bridge which we could see from our hotel. My run gear stayed in the bag as our itinerary was packed with activities for her and it didn't bother me at all. We drove over the bridge on our last day which served as motivation for my other bucket list item of running the New York City Marathon.

Brooklyn Bridge from Ty Godwin on Vimeo.

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and I think he's a runner.

Glass Half Full: Year in Review

2011-12-23T07:14:00.000-08:00

It was a year that was and a year that wasn't. A runner can't really complain about a year that included running in the Boston Marathon, but if adversity makes a man stronger, I'm in for a "whale of a" year in 2012. My running highlights, lowlights and a look ahead; read 'em and weep.

Boston Marathon

Boston: How can a year be a down year when you ran Boston? 2011 marked my second year in a row running the Boston Marathon. Surprisingly, this was my ONLY marathon in 2011, so if you were to only pick one to run, you couldn't find a better race. Weather was perfect (with a tailwind no less) and it was a special one as my sister and her husband made the long trek from Colorado to watch her "baby brother" compete. My Boston race report here. I had my Andy Warhol "fifteen minutes of fame" as Runner's World's Facebook Page showed yours truly as I headed to Boston. While I had a BQ for 2012, it wasn't fast enough to gain entry, so my streak has ended, but it's provided extra motivation for this coming race year.

Discovering my alter ego; Triathlete

Just like I stumbled into marathon racing in my adult life, I tripped into triathlon competition. Due to injury and over training, I needed a competition fix to counter the running withdrawals I was going through without marathon racing.

My supporting team of coaches, Drs. and PT's told me to take the rest of the year off from marathon'ing to recharge my run battery. I didn't see any "fine print" that told me I couldn't swim or bike so I poured my energy into learning how to swim and bike. I knew so little about triathlons, I literally couldn't even spell it. I pushed myself...read....took a swim lesson...borrowed a bike and was determined to not embarrass myself. Just as I became a run addict, I'm hooked on tri's. Perhaps three podiums in my first three ever triathlons had something to do with that. I'm not retiring from marathoning (more on that later,) but I plan to compete in more tri's next summer as part of my cross-training.

My favorite blog of the year:

Picking out my favorite SeekingBostonMarathon blog story is like trying to pick out your favorite child. Some of this year's favorites include; "I was Beat up by a Ballerina," "Fox in Socks, Socks that Rock," "You Know You're a Marathon Addict When," and "Sore Nipple Calculator."

My favorite was, "Why Triathlons Are Like Frat Houses." "At times, you are taking your clothes off as fast as you can, but you're not very good at it."

The toughest blog to write yet most liberating was "Behind Blue Eyes: Angels & Demons" which chronicled the other obstacles that dragged me and my running year down. Not a "pick me up" story so flip the channel to the Frat House blog if you're looking for the funnier side of SeekingBostonMarathon.

A Lump of Coal

Clearly my Dr. imposed six months off from marathoning had me a bit "out of sight, out of mind" as I was rejected by the local running store's race team. Rejected by the BAA and the race team in the same year. I haven't had this much rejection since High School. I can only conclude I'm more popular in the virtual world vs. real world or I have a face made for radio. Perhaps my writing is not politically correct and has too many "F bombs." Perhaps I should clean up my act..."Fuck that." The good news is that Chico's Bail Bonds is looking for runners to sponsor, so I've got a Plan B.

Looking Ahead

I ended this year on a high note by delivering on a promise to take my daughter to New York for her 16th birthday. Nothing better than New York city at Christmas. I packed my run gear, but the weekend was all about her and I didn't run once. I did have a running premonition as we drove over the Brooklyn Bridge heading out of town.

I've spent the last couple of months ramping up my weekly mileage and speed with plans to start my first marathon training plan in nearly nine months in January. My energy level is good, but still in denial about some pain in my left hip. I'm working my "bump wheel" with the physical therapists and chiropractors I've relied on in the past. The "glass half full" is that I can run the Colorado Marathon for the first time in May which I've always wanted to run, but it didn't fit into my race schedule. Registration already booked. My other "circle the calendar" race planned for 2012 is my favorite half; Georgetown to Idaho Springs (also in Colorado.)

My goals for the year? Another BQ and trying for my first NYQ (thus the premonition.) Ambitious perhaps, but not when you consider I'm entering a new age bracket this coming year. Never thought I'd think or write those words that I'm glad that I'm a year older, and hopefully a bit wiser.

Wordless Wednesday: Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

2011-12-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

Took my Daughter to NYC for her 16th Birthday this last weekend. #priceless

Anna-Nicole's Christmas List

2011-12-14T19:09:00.000-08:00

Aside for my passion for running and writing about it, my family is my true passion and nothing brings that out like Christmas.

In 2001, I wrote and illustrated a book for my daughter, "Anna-Nicole's Christmas List." It was a very personal gift that she liked at the time and I hope that each year she looks forward to pulling it out of the Christmas decorations box just like I do.

Ironically, this was within the first year of my discovery of running, and even back then, running made it's way into my writing...although I referred to the shoes she wanted as tennis shoes. I don't use those words just like I don't care for the word, "jogging."

Hope you enjoy the book narrated by a Anna-Nicole when she was six. She's now 16 and a Jr. in High School and I think she still believes in the message from the book. One of my "bucket list" items is to publish this book perhaps along with "Seeking Boston Marathon."

Two Bad Christmas Gift Ideas & A Brady Bunch Life Lesson

2011-12-12T20:32:00.001-08:00

I've blogged about my kids here before with their run and swim exploits, and while this one doesn't include running or swimming, it is too classic not to share.

Call me weak, a bad parent, or suffering from a lapse in parental judgment but the "man cave" in our house boasts a PS3 with a number of games including the popular "Call of Duty." It should be renamed "boy cave" as I've been overrun by the boys, but occasionally reclaim my lair for NFL on the Plasma while dipping into the almost freezing beer fridge. I resist the temptation to blow up aliens or race strangers online in the virtual world as my personality is too obsessive to get sucked into something with no significance yet I feel I need to master.

The real lapse in parental judgment (I'm sure there are already critics who have the score as lapses=two) was caving in on the boys request for airsoft guns. When I was a kid, I had a BB gun which would be used to shoot empty Coors cans in the backyard when parents weren't home so it would be hypocritical of me to not allow them to have the modern-day equivalent...right? (Insert Christmas Story's "you'll shoot your eye out!")

After publishing a list of rules and having them literally sign a safety contract, they had their guns (and of course safety goggles.) Two of the obvious rules were; always outdoors and always wear safety goggles. Independent of that, the most egregious house rule violation is lying.

We have a long list of toys our kids talked us into (the remote control alien car comes to mind.) The airsoft guns were used a few times with friends--the coolest battlefield is the temporarily abandoned spec home in a wooded area near one of my son's friend's home. Kinda like a "Dirty Harry" police academy. Eventually, the guns were set aside next to the alien car...a poor return on the parent investment dollar.

Last night, we're eating dinner and one of our boys comes downstairs with a red dot in the middle of his forehead that resembled a Hindu bindi (traditional red dot of jewelry.) One thing my boys haven't figured out yet is that parents don't need the lie detector test...we usually can sniff out the bullshit pretty quickly. The story went, that "I hit my head on the counter" cleaning the bathroom. First dead giveaway...cleaning the bathroom...REALLY?!?...why not say you were doing homework...both are hard to believe, but anything is more believable than the bathroom story. Second dead giveaway...the wound didn't match the story--thank you Dexter.

I let it pass...trying to build "I trust you" with one of the boys. Just like Carol and Mike Brady discovered the broken vase in the family room and whose basketball broke it, one lie spins another and another before the truth unravels. Best accounting of what actually happened was that "we were horsing around" and Jesse shot me. Jesse's excuse was his brother forgot to set the safety. Both didn't fly with me and the "fine print" on their airsoft contract was any infractions and their gear would be on CraigsList. (Posting here.) The only proud moment was that as far as shots go, it was a perfect "killshot" symmetrically placed in the middle of the forehead. Perhaps too much time playing Call of Duty. An inch to the left and and an inch lower and we would have had a Christmas Story "you shot his eye out!" COD and airsoft guns make my two gifts NOT to give your teen this year.

Author's Footnote: While my writing style is light in nature, I cover topics sometimes that are not. We had stern discussions around gun safety before and after this incident. I grew up in a house where I wouldn't dare point even a plastic gun at another human or I'd suffer dire consequences. My kids are good kids and I'm generally a good parent with occasional lapses in judgment. More books, swim, run and martial arts gear in store for Christmas vs. the alternative.

I kicked Santa's Ass

2011-12-09T07:29:00.000-08:00

Do times and placement count when it's a run, not a race? As I've mentioned before, I have a hard time "running" in a race vs. "racing" in a race or not racing in a run. Such was the case this last weekend, when the family loaded up the Griswold wagon for a trip to the Colorado mountains for a holiday weekend--complete with two Rusty's in the back seat (see National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation if the above made no sense, or consult the glossary at the bottom.) Colorado had their Wassail Days' winter festival in the cool (it was actually quite cold) mountain town of Frisco, Colorado this last weekend. Frisco boasts distinctive mountain charm far away from the drama and pretentiousness that you'd find in Aspen or Telluride (Charlie Sheen's ex-wife was arrested in the later the same weekend.) Fraser is my kinda town.

Santa and my two "Rustys"

The weekend events included a chili cook-off, main street tree lighting, a Santa run "Dash for Cash," and lots of Wassail. I had to ask my wife what Wassail was; essentially a holiday cider. Framed by the Colorado Rockies with a light dusting of snow throughout the weekend was enough to get anyone into the Christmas spirit, and my wife is smart enough to lure me up there with a race.

Santa's Dash for Cash was a one mile "fun run" down main street with envelopes filled with "Wassail bucks" and cold hard cash awaiting the runners completing the race. There were some items missing from the event that would indicate a "race."

No overall winner and age group category winners.
No bibs.
No timing chips.
No water stations (it was only a mile.)
No aid stations

YET...there were some signs of a typical race that got my competitive juices flowing;

Active.Com managed the Registration
There was a registration desk (but no bib or chip.)
The course was closed with police escorts and orange barrels.
The "finish" had the inflatable balloon finish line.
There was a timer/clock at the finish.
Plenty of runners that had the gear and runner's swagger.
Spectators cheering on the runners.

Fueled by a few cups of Wassail and the above, I took off at a sub-5K pace on the gentle downhill course from the RTD lot on the edge of town down mainstreet to the other side. The fastest run/race I've ever run which was essentially at my Yasso 800 pace. Unofficially (I ran naked) I ran my first sub six minute mile race and came in 5th overall and based on sizing up runners one through four; I was first in my age group and had my first cash prize--my envelope had a crisp Abraham Lincoln. It was also my first race in blue jeans. We ended the day with dinner and hanging out at the Moose Jaw; a great place after a day's worth of activity to un-wind and meet some locals.

Don't rain on my Santa parade...I know it was a fun run...I know my Garmin, nor BAA were there to validate my time, but let me have my holiday in the sun. First overall in my age group for the first time with a cash reward! Yes, Virginia, I do believe in Santa Claus.

Glossary:

Griswold: American Family depicted in National Lampoon's Vacation movies lead by Clark (my alter ego.)
Rusty: Miscreant son of Clark Griswold.
Wassail: Fancy name for apple cider.
Run Naked: Not as fun as it sounds. Running without music or a Garmin.
BAA: Boston Athletic Association who manages the marathon this blog is based on chasing.
Yasso 800: Two laps around a high school track or 1/2 mile. Used for speed training and a metric for predicting marathon finish times.
Lincoln: A U.S. $5 bill. Below the IRS race winnings reporting requirement guidelines. At least my interpretation thereof.

Pay for Play

2011-12-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

Authors Note: A rare non-running or swimming commentary on the sad state of High School sports.

When you hear the word valor, you think of heroism, gallantry, courage, and in the case of High School Sports, sportsmanship. If you live in Denver, Colorado, it has a much different connotation; theivery, and cheating.

As expected, Valor Christian (is that an oxymoron?) beat up on Pine Creek (66-10) this last weekend in the 4A championship game. I can't recall a more lopsided victory; it looked like the Colorado Buffalo's (the National Champ version of 1990, not the powderpuff 2012 version) beating up on on the tiny local schools of Wray or Holyoke Colorado.

In their previous divisional playoff game they pummeled Castle View High School 54-7. It wasn't even that close as they invoked the "mercy rule" and ran the clock and started putting in the "scrubs" in the second half.

Sour grapes? No. I live in the U.S. which is based on good ole fashioned capitalism, but should capitalism apply to high school sports? Apparently, Valor reads a different bible than the one I read as a lad in Sunday school because everything is fair game in the name of winning a game or in their case, "loading" a football team.

Relatively new (opened in 2007) on the Denver High School scene, Valor took in big bucks ($93M) to build a campus that rivals the in-state University's and apparently used the same approach in sports--the best team money could buy.

Saturday was their third straight football championship in as many years. Everyone in Colorado that doesn't attend Valor cheer against them as if they were the Oakland Raiders or Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Denver's local news station, Channel 7 ran a story on the team's questionable recruiting practices. The Colorado High School Activities Association's rule 1900.2 says "no school representative shall recruit any student or solicit or encourage any other person to recruit any student." Accusations surfaced that

Valor officials were approaching athletes at a 2010 track meet. Local coaches are fuming mad.

Denver's heroic Ed McCaffrey (retired Denver Bronco) has two kids that play on the Valor football team and Ed is rumored to have some role in either recruiting or coaching. While Ed's kids have his genes and deserve to go to school wherever they live, is it fair to have a college equivalent offensive line open up holes that even today's Mike Ditka could ramble to the end zone?

One of my boys played on a 13 yr. old team with a kid who always "took it to the house" who's already talking to the evil empire. Something doesn't feel right about that.

I've been on the coaching end of playing the dynasty when one of my boys was in flag football. The "Warriors" hadn't been scored on in two years and being a new team, I got the scraps. My kids were crying in the huddle when we played them the first time and got trounced. Our rematch in the final game of the season we pulled off a miracle and beat them on an interception at the end of the game. Ironically, I used a Mike Shanahan (with benefit of Ed Mac) playbook to slay Goliath. Today, there was no miracle for Pine Creek or pebble in David's sling.

Ironic this last weekend as Oklahoma State nearly eek'ed into the BCS National Championship fueled by T. Boone Pickens funded Cowboys. I understand money is part of college sports, but High School? As they say on ESPN, "C'Mon Man!" Let's leave capitalism in industry and have parity and fair play on and off the field in high school sports.

Author's footnote: Valor's website announces the former Colorado Avalanche Stanley Cup winner, Stephane Yelle has been added to the hockey coaching staff. Here we go again...

Sore Nipple Calculator

2011-12-01T10:39:00.000-08:00

You've heard of the McMillan Calculator that calculates your projected race finish time based on other races (your projected marathon finish based on your half marathon time,) or using Yasso 800 times to do the same, but have you heard of the Sore Nipple Calculator? (patent pending)

Last weekend, I hit a long run threshold I haven't hit in nearly six months and that was a ten mile long run. Not long for a marathoner, and a 5K distance for an ultra runner, yet I had something I hadn't experienced in quite some time. Sore nipples. Chafing is one of those topics like running & bathroom management that everyone deals with but rarely talk about.

Have I regressed that much as a runner that I forgot to lube up for this distance? A rookie mistake. I have mental notes that gauge a variety of preparations for clothing, body prep, and nutrient loading. Some common ones;

Singlet vs. Short sleeve: >35 °

Shorts vs. Running Tights: >32 °

Long Sleeve: <32°

Gloves and Warm Hat vs. Sun Hat: <32°

Warm gloves vs. light gloves: <20°

Jacket (cold:) <20°

Heavy Jacket: <12°

Single Water (4-6+ oz.:) >five miles

Water Bottle: >10 miles

Water Belt: >15 miles

Nutrients: > 4-6 miles (multiply single dose x four miles)

Which brings us to chafing. I have a variety of socks in my arsenal. For runs greater than ten miles, I prefer SmartWool vs. dreaded cotton flavors which limits blisters. For BodyGlide application, there are a couple variables; predominantly distance, but weather plays a factor.

Simply put, greater than ten miles, you'd better lather up the nipples, feet, and any high rub areas (taint, inner thighs.) If it's freezing out, subtract a couple miles or your nips will be barking. Rain and wind factor in as well. When I ran Portland last year, it rained the ENTIRE race...can you imagine, no BodyGlide for that one? Ouchie Mama!

(Goes without saying, this is not a paid endorsement, but a public service announcement.)

Duck Out of Water

2011-11-23T07:35:00.000-08:00

A progress report of sorts. Not quite six months, but four months after I dipped my toe in the water and TRI'ed to expand my horizons by taking up swimming. I had lunch with my Mom this last weekend (Ahhh!) and after I told her I took my first ever swim lesson this last summer, she begged to differ. I grew up in Kings Point in Littleton, Colorado and apparently I lied...I had swim lessons when I was 6-8 years old. It must have been a repressed memory because I don't remember it. I do remember what I thought was my first ever swim lesson at SwimLabs in Highlands Ranch this last July.

I look like I'm up to no good...

Feeling I knew nothing about swimming, and seeing the benefits of coaching and education with my marathon training, I was eager to take the lesson. I learned a lot and learned how little I knew about swimming, I recalled it was much like golfing in that there are several things happening at once and screw up one and you could look like a prop on a cheap boat. I'd highly recommend these folks or taking something similar. They filmed the lesson and made comments on your take-home DVD with what to work on. I posted the video and veteran swimmers and triathletes were either complementary or told me I'd swim in circles in a real race--that was pretty harsh.

My swim times were suspect because I either had pools with crappy wall clocks and I didn't know what a regulation length pool was...meters or yards? I actually brought a tape measure to my 24 Hr Fitness to measure the indoor lap pool because I was confused. Imagine the looks from the other swimmers...what's he doing??? Near as I can tell my times posted on DailyMile were up in the 40 minute range. I had no idea what that meant either and whether it was fast or slow--I figured the later.

My initial distances in a given session were typically 400-500 yards at most. I wrestled with breathing, and had to incorporate breast strokes into the laps since I couldn't do the whole workout in the faster freestyle. Even though I knew better, I could only breathe out of one side as I felt the need for more air. So much for 4-5 years of marathon training and conditioning. I felt like a duck out of water.

As you may have read here, my type A slightly aggressive self jumped into Triathlons (I didn't know how to spell it and misspelled it here.) My first race was near disaster as I tried an open water swim at elevation in a wetsuit. I wrote that I nearly got sick in the swim--in over my head as I wrote in the race recap panicking like Gus Grissom.* After catching some hardware in my first three races I'm hooked. More mockery..."is everyone slow in Colorado?"

Fast forward. As a runner, everyone has that great race or training race where everything went right. You weren't hurt, you had huge lungs, you didn't bonk, and you felt fast. I had that swim last week. It was ironic because I was traveling on business (a lot of that this year,) and plotted my workout to a 24 Hr. Fitness in Mountain View, California. I'd packed my shorts (albeit my beach trunks...not my fast Speedo at home,) goggles, cap, and used a Marriott Courtyard plastic linen bag as my gym bag. Classy!

Running on poor sleep and too much rich food and wine, I wasn't expecting much, but this was my best swim ever. I did three sets of 500 followed by a 250. As posted on my DailyMile I swam a 29:35 pace, but more importantly, it felt somewhat effortless. Even better? My first swim ever where I was able to alternate breathing out of both sides. A breakthrough. Apparently, there is one metric that is known among swimmers, and that's being able to swim a mile under 30 minutes, which I can now do. As a runner, that sounds trivial, but believe me, it's not.

Below is video this week of my stroke. I'm sure I'll catch crap from the primarily swimmers and triathletes, but I'm feeling much better about things.

I'll continue to swim a couple days this winter and as I enter January beginning to train for my first marathon in a year--May at the Colorado Marathon. According to my FIRST training plan, this will make me a better marathon runner, and it will build my swim chops for triathlons again next summer. I guess that would make me a duck in the water...

* Gus was an astronaut who flew in Project Mercury. Upon landing in the ocean, he was accused of panicking in the water, blowing the capsule door hatch, and sending a very expensive piece of gear to the ocean floor. I'm not that old to have witnessed Project Mercury, but I did see the Ron Howard Film.

Mr. Mojo Risin

2011-11-14T17:35:00.000-08:00

Did you take my mojo? Have you ever had mojo at a HoJo? What about JLo with MoJo at a HoJo? (I don't think she stays at Hojos.) How about a Lobo who met a hobo who lost his mojo? Mr. mojo risin'...gotta keep on risin'...

My marathon mojo has been on hiatus when it comes to my running. I'm hard on myself which is either a curse or blessing when it comes to pushing myself as a runner. Regardless, it's like I've had diesel in my gas tank or vice versa. Summer was a good one as my marathon "time off" turned me into a triathlete--so much for "taking time off."

As I've been reading Runner's World's Run Less, Run Faster based on the FIRST Training program, it promotes three quality runs a week blended with cross-training. I've been toying with the concept the last couple of months. I stopped by this weekend to pick up some of my new favorite Hammer Huckleberry Gel (that was not a paid endorsement*) and the runner behind the desk asked what I was training for. "I'm in my pre-training training" I replied. She looked confused, but it's rather straightforward...I'm not in the midst of a (16 week) marathon training plan, but working on ramping up my speed and conditioning to take on the 16 week plan.

My runs earlier last week consisted of a tempo run by turning up the speed dial to sub-seven minute miles. The second run was goal pace miles cranking up to 7:35 mile pace miles. The runs were separated by a one mile swim. WTF???? That's not a typo. Saturday was a (short) long run of eight miles. Long runs by FIRST and most marathon training plan definitions are around 30 seconds slower than your intended marathon goal pace. I started with a warm-up mile of an 8:10 pace, then settled into a 7:53 pace.

Nothing special...no medals...no crowds, but this was a good one. 7:53 felt quite comfortable. I'd strapped on my Garmin HR monitor and watched as I started in my Zone 1 (less than 135 HR) and gradually edged into Zone II (around 142.) Afterwards, I'd synch my Garmin and find out I'd averaged 136. One digit over the top of my zone one.

What does that all mean? My sub eight minute pace seemed effortless yet was at a BQ pace. My heart rate was way below the "shit hits the wall" lactate threshold. All good. While only eight miles, this was a huge boost to my confidence. Despite the temptation to run faster and run more days faster, I will stick to the discipline of my pre-training training.

One more month of this, a couple holiday weeks of laying low, then I will commence my first marathon training program in a year. Game on.

Bonus blog questions;

1) What's a Hojo?

2) Mr. Mojo risin'...name the artist or song.

3) College with the mascot of a Lobo?
4) Double bonus question: why the sudden drop in HR around the 20 minute mark?

SeekingBostonMarathon stickers to the first 10 correct answers.

Three Things Thursday Including Best Job in the World

2011-11-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

Random three thoughts for this (God Bless America, there's football on Thursday) Thursday.

FIRST

As I mentioned a few weeks back, I am reading Runner's Worlds "Run Less, Run Faster" book based on the FIRST training program. Sounds like of a bit of an oxymoron...like airplane food. I'm starting to buy into the program. Fundamentally, it eliminates the garbage mile days and replaces it with alternate work-outs (swimming, biking, rowing, and the like.) Three days of the training are not for the timid as they push you. I'm in what I'm calling my pre-training marathon training, or building back some speed into my diet. The cross training days allows me to fit in some biking, but more often some swimming. As you've read here, the extent of my swimming experience was Marco Polo or re-enacting the opening scene of Jaws. I continue to swim at least two days a week and I'm up to the point of swimming a mile. It's easy to bike or run a mile, but try swimming one--not so much, but it's getting easier. Core strength is building, and speed is coming easier. Encouraging signs.

Off-Season?

I had a humorous exchange on twitter yesterday with good running buddies, Ally and MarathonBrian. Brian said that he was now in his (using Joey from Friends hand-gestured quotation marks) "off-season." What the hell kinda oxymoron is that...airline food? After this last weekend's NYC Marathon (I WILL get there some day,) I saw many runners posting their runs this week on DailyMile talking about how great they felt a few days after the race--so much for a layoff. Let's face it, we're all (running) addicts and there is no such thing as an "off season." Brian retorted that his season started last January and two weekends ago was his 16th race...so that would be an off-season of the rest of November and December. (Insert crowd laughter.) After overdoing it myself last year, my idea of an off-season was taking time off from Marathoning and took up Triathlons. So much for an "off-season."

Best Job in the World

From the completely unrelated department, last night was the CMA's which is not normally a "circle the calendar" event for me as I'm not much of a country guy, but my brother was attending the event. Having gone to California when he was 18 to become a rock star, he enjoyed a good life of recording and touring with some notable acts and even has appeared on the "Tonight Show." (Does anyone watch that anymore?) He eventually had to "settle down" after getting married and having kids. His job? Artist Relations for Taylor Guitar which is a vital function to get artists to use their gear. He essentially hangs with the top musicians in the world and shows them their new stuff...I'm sure it's work and has it's stress like most jobs do, but come on...he gets to fly around and play guitar with famous people. Last night, while backstage at the CMA's he watched as Taylor Swift stole the evening using what else, but a Taylor guitar. Both were visions of beauty. Tim has always been my hero, but he may have moved up another notch last night. Best dude in the world with the best job in the world.

Behind Blue Eyes: Angels and Demons

2011-11-09T07:51:00.000-08:00

For many runners, we all run for a reason; running for something or running away from something. If stress were a reason for running, I would be an Olympian. I was diagnosed with clinical depression two years ago. I'm embarrassed to write those words, but I'm hoping that hitting the "post" button on this blog may help me deal with it in some way or perhaps help others.

Two and a half years ago, I decided to quit a job due to a variety of personal and professional reasons. With 20 something years in telecom sales experience, I had been recruited to go to work for a local company. Less travel and chances for some international work was appealing. Upon tendering my resignation, the CEO of the former company told me he would be forced to "blacklist" me in the industry if I went to work for a competitor. Knowing this, I still took the job, and naively felt that if I went about my work honestly, ethically, and legally sound, I would have nothing to worry about. Having someone with seemingly infinite financial resources with a personal campaign against me began to gnaw away at me.

For legal reasons, I can't say much, but stories began to emerge about me stealing company data. Industry peers and customers who I've worked with over the span of a 20 year career know about allegations against me. It's difficult to measure the impact. All the allegations are completely false and quite troubling considering the hard work and over 1 million travel miles I've expended to build a strong reputation and lifestyle over my lifework. With three kids within two years of starting college, the financial implications are troubling as personal bankruptcy emerges as a possibility which obviously limits their options. College funds have been used for legal funds. All of the above invades dinner conversations far too often at home.

A warning letter was sent and five months later a lawsuit was filed against me--that was two years ago. The trial was postponed last week for the third time and may happen next summer. A lawsuit where I know I'm 100% innocent, I can manage, but going against someone far more powerful with no regard to the personal damage that a wanton attack causes a family was too much to handle. I have been in therapy for the last two years and have tried natural approaches and three different medications to manage the demons that invade my thoughts not only every day, but nearly every hour of the day. Trying to go to sleep at night is a burden as I replay my situation over and over. I ran more. In fact I ran too much as I've chronicled here. "PR" is not in my current running vocabulary, as I took the summer off to physically rest my body. I have only recently resumed ramp'ing up with hopes of a Spring '12 marathon.

I have never been a fan of prescription drugs and not a fan of anti-depressants either. Just like the commercials describe, the side effects of these drugs can be just as bad; drowsiness (understatement,) nausea, and the anti-Viagra. Running while on these drugs range from grogginess or some kind of ephedrine rush that would have me banned from running if I was pro. Neither of which are good for running. Running and drugs don't mix well.

Depression is not a choice, just like diseases like alcoholism or arthritis aren't a choice. I am working hard to "snap out of it" but I seem to be stuck in this pattern.

At times I can tell that my kids don't like the Dad they look at, and my wife deserves angel credit for either not feeling the same or not saying she feels the same way. I can't say that I like myself right now very much either. As a salesperson by trade, I must walk out the door each day full of confidence--this does not help. If sales were a battlefield, I have little ammo nor armor. I do not find solace in a prescription bottle yet continue to medicate. While running does not block out the demons entirely, it's one of the few times when I'm at my best. My other angel.

"No one knows what it's like

To be the bad man

To be the sad man

Behind blue eyes"

"Behind Blue Eyes" The Who

Back to the Future

2011-11-05T15:01:00.000-07:00

Many years ago, Universal Studios opened the Back to the Future ride at their theme park in California. I loved the original movie; George McFly confronting the bully (funny how life imitates art,) a stainless steel DeLorean, and time travel. Time travel was right after invisibility as the super power I most often dreamt of as a kid. My brother had a music gig at the park when I was out visiting and got me into the park for free. BTTF had just opened and I stood in a three hour line to hang with Marty. I finally got to the door and the intercom announced the ride was malfunctioning and was shut down. Sheisse!

Flash forward 18 years later, and I was back in California several hundred miles north in San Francisco's (South) Bay Area. As I often do, I polled my virtual friends on Facebook, DailyMile, and Twitter looking for a good run route. I stayed in San Mateo this week and got a number of interesting options and narrowed it down to the Bay Trail in Foster City and Sawyer Camp Trail in the Half Moon Bay area. I'd run a segment of the Bay Trail (closer to Redwood City) before, and while crushed pebble path and water views were tempting, the Sawyer Camp Trail was touted as a "favorite" from one of the locals; Run in Syn. Sold!

I got to bed early the night before and got up at o'dark thirty to take the short drive west to the trailhead. Single lane windy roads that suddenly turned hilly surrounded by vegetation hidden by skies as dark as expresso had my runner geek amping up for a great run with nature--no ipod required.

As my GPS informed me that I was nearing my destination, several cars lined the road. Hmmm...pretty busy for a weekday, but they were wearing orange vests, not runner reflective vests, but construction vests. I pulled up to the gate and my headlights saw an omonous closure sign. Was this closed like my favorite Waterton Canyon back home? Today my adult amusement park (trail) was indeed closed. I pondered for a moment and thought about ducking under the padlocked gate. I knew I could outrun the 40 workers, but on an out-and-back they'd be waiting for me on the return armed with shovels.

I turned my DeLorean around and headed back to the hotel. With not enough time to hit the Bay Trail and still make my 8:30 AM appointment, I settled for the treadmill accompanied by ESPN. I have dealt with many an obstacle to my training but this was another first. Damn you Biff! I will however return back in the future because in the dark it looked like an awesome run.

Do you pack your run gear if you travel for work? What cool runs have you discovered?

Belt One Out

2011-11-02T07:14:00.000-07:00

I recently recieved a new running belt to try out. A beltless belt if you will from The Roo Sport. A belt without a belt you ask? How is that possible? A review on one new belt lead to a comparison of the different mobile feed bags I use in my marathon training and races.

Fuel Belt

The Fuel Belt is the one you will see on the poor bastard on the side of the road out on their solo long run of 16-20+ miles. This does the job of carrying four small water bottles along with a velcro pouch in front for nutrients. Each bottle has an elastic string that keeps it in the elastic band which is pretty easy to access on the run with or without stopping. My only product complaint, is that the velcro compartment is way too small to carry the equivalent of 20 miles of gels, or shot bloks; muchless a phone, plus keys, etc. so you'll have to have short pockets to assist. My emotional complaint is that every time I put this one on, I know I'm going long and it's likely to be painful so it's a bit of a love-hate relationship. I don't like the extra weight either...it feels okay putting it on, but after a long run, you're dying to get it off. (Kind of like ski boots after a day of skiing.)

Amphipod Belt

I've got my more marathons under my belt with the Amphipod as it's probably best equiped to carry the most gear with it's stretch main body, elastic bands and back-pack clips. You can load this thing up and it's not going to slosh around a lot. Just like Nathan they have other models that can carry liquids and goods at the same time. I prefer to use liquids on the race course and go light as possible. With a zipper, it's a lot like a fanny pack but the fashion police won't label you as a tourist or nerd. I've used this in both my Boston races among others.

Nathan

While this one is not a belt, I've been meaning to test drive a hand held water bottle for the long run where you're halfway between "no water is not gonna cut it" and you don't want to wear the army water (Fuel) bottle belt.

As U2 would say, "I still haven't found what I'm looking for" as this one touts a one way water spout that keeps the water in the bottle until you go for a gulp. A good thing it was only water because on a short four mile trial, this thing was splashing water all over me. As Napoleon Dynamite would say, "It's a piece of crap it doesn't work!" I'll give it another try, but sorry Nathan, it wasn't working for me.

Roo Sport

Which brings me to the Roo Sport which is a portable versatile pocket that attaches to any pair of shorts via magnets. It has two pockets and when it's not filled up you can barely tell it's on which is it's best feature. Unlike the fuel belt or amphipod where you're have to endure being "strapped in" for 3-5 hours, this won't constrict you like they

will...a beltless belt, brilliant! Only recommendation to the good folks at Roo is to add an ipod eyelet. While it can easily fit your ipod, car key, and nutrients for the run, it's not meant to lug around your new iphone 4s--it can probably lug around a smaller/lighter phone, but my iPhone was a tight fit and I'm not sure it would handle quite that much weight. I've had Roo out for training runs and really like it. I'll want to test 'er out on a shorter race before marathon testing, but from my first couple rounds, I'd have to give it too thumbs up.

Frightening Friday: "It's Gotta be the Shoes"

2011-10-28T09:09:00.000-07:00

Ahhh....the smell of Fall leaves on the ground and wet candy in the bottom of a pillowcase. Something about Halloween that still brings out the kid in me. Last year I was a "rocker" and somewhere along the evening, I developed a British accent so for the rest of the evening I was Aldous Snow from "Get Him to the Greek." Apparently, I was rather convincing as a boorish rocker.

How do I top that? This year...my wife and I are going as caveman and cave woman. Considering we got our first dusting of snow in Denver, I was not about to go out on Saturday night in bare feet although that would qualify me for authentic cave man and minimal runner.

I put my creative hat on and built some leopard shoes to complete the outfit. As an aside, if an older woman that preys on younger men is a "cougar" what's the male equivalent...Jaguar?

In the 80's, Spike Lee did an infamous Nike shoe commercial with Michael Jordan, "It's got to be the shoes.

" In this case the shoes don't make the woman, they make the caveman. An old pair of Pearl Izumi's (I should have used Puma's) converted to fast caveman shoes. Not as fast as my new Brooks Pure Project Cadence shoes, but pretty cool. You only see the shoes in the blog...20 comments here or on my SeekingBostonMarathon Facebook page and you'll see me in full caveman mode. I'll do anything for viewers.

What do You Look Like the Day After a Marathon?

2011-10-18T14:17:00.000-07:00

What do you look like the day after a marathon?

This somewhat hinges on whether you run them or race them. Please spare the hate mail on the previous statement as anyone who completes a marathon is worthy of donning the finishers medal, but there's a clear difference between running and racing a marathon. Years ago I encountered an older couple who had run the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon. To my amazement, they were heading onto another city to run one the following weekend and seemed to move about just fine. I could never do that, but they clearly "ran" the marathon and didn't seem to display the typical "marathon limp" the day after.

This week I came across a great video* that shows the limp I'm referring to.

I tend to look like Indiana Jones (the Ford version not the Shia version) after he was dragged by the truckload of Nazis. Perhaps the impact of arthritis and running; or the fact that I try and push my pace as fast as possible. I have a noticeable limp after a race that sticks around for a day. I ran into a woman the morning after the Chicago Marathon two years ago and she seemed fresh as a daisy. I asked how she could move around so easily and she responded with "what was your finish time?" Not that I'm fast, but she retorted, "no wonder!" The faster the run, the faster your limbs are pounding the pavement.

What do you look like the day after a race? Daisy or Indy?

* Video courtesy of Flora and the London Marathon

Raceapalooza Weekend

2011-10-12T07:15:00.000-07:00

While I took the Fall marathon season off, this last weekend was one of the busiest marathon weekends of the year with big names including Bank of America's Chicago Marathon (one of my favorites,) Portland Marathon (my third BQ race in a downpour,) and Denver's Rock and Roll Marathon (my hometown!)

Not racing and dealing with the flu, I lived vicariosly through others online via twitter, facebook and even caught a good portion of the Ironman coverage of Kona on Saturday. Some great races and some great write-ups I decided to re-post and share.

You'll always remember your first. This badass girl, the Skinny Pink Ninja, overcame a traffic accident and a Dr. who told her she wouldn't run again. She completed his first marathon on Sunday in Denver. Her write-up, "True Grit: My Battle with the 26.2 Monster" cracked me up with the encounter with an 81 year old member of the 50 Marathons in 50 states club; "Years ago, after he had run 11 marathons, his doctor told him to stop because it was bad for him. 55 marathons later he was in Denver running and his doctor, who was 10 years younger than him, is living in a nursing home."

From "AE513," A smaller town half marathon including the ballpark used in the film, "A League of Their Own" (Bosse Field) at the Evansville Half Marathon. A gutsy run, a PR, and a podium.

Turning lemons into lemonade, Mark had a tweaked calf that lead to a disappointing DNF at the Chicago Marathon. Mark decided to capture some big video of the elites and enjoy the race as a spectator. Catch his blog for the video.

Where many races were enjoying cool fall temps, the Long Beach Marathon got downright hot. SugarMagnolia overcame plantar faciitis, a lost camera, and lost water bottle to complete a very respectable half along the ocean.

The "Chuck Norris" of runners, Joe Marruchella, used the Denver Rock and Roll Marathon as a tune-up race for New York. This guy's tune-up is borderline elite. I met Joe at Boston in 2009. I respect him for his badass running, his mission to honor his friend Dom, and his blog. His write-up of the Denver (Half) Marathon in my hometown.

An experienced triathlete with a goal of qualifying for Boston before the age of 40 took on the Portland Marathon. Last year was a steady heavy rain. This year just provided intermittent cooling rain, but the infamous train delay returned. Read See Becca Try to Tri Portland race report to see if she hit her goal.

Holy crap Batman! This dude didn't medal in his AG, he frickin' came in first overall. He used the Pfitzinger 18/70 program which is the polar opposite direction of the book I'm reading, Run Less, Run Faster. Thanks for impressing me, and thanks for confusing me (on my training plan for my next race.) This blogger/runner accomplished the feat at the Towpath Marathon this last weekend. His write-up.

Some great races and some great motivation for me as start for pre-training ramp-up to my next marathon. Did you run this last weekend and write about it? Drop me a line on Facebook or twitter and I'll add ya!

Three Things Thursday: Vegas, A New Running Book, My Next Race

2011-10-06T12:45:00.000-07:00

1) Wondering where I've been? Vegas plus the flu equaled low mileage this week. I was in Sin City earlier this week and was supposed to turn around and head to Philly today. My body rebeled and said, no flight, no running, and back to bed and get some rest. Sometimes rational wins over passion. I was able to get in a pretty cool run on the strip before I left (a little lighter in the wallet.)

2) A new running book! Torn between running more miles (with a Pfitzinger plan that runs up to 70 miles a week over an 18 week plan) or smarter miles? A lot of variables with this one, but if you're closer to 50 (years not miles) than 20 which I am, and you've had overtraining and fatigue issue, I'm leaning towards the later.

I'm 70 pages into Runner's World's "Run Less, Run Faster." How can you resist a title like that? The book is based on a scientific approach that values three quality runs in a training week vs. trying to log as many miles as possible. Granted, the three runs are not for the casual runner as they push you fairly hard. Those training runs are complemented by two days of cross-training...hmmm...could that forced summer off from marathon racing have been some kind of divine intervention to raise my bike and swim game in preparation for this?

I'm not 100% convinced that it's going to be my plan come January, but it's leaning that way. I'll keep ya'll posted.

3) What race? I threw it out there to many of my virtual running friends on what race to run instead of Boston this Spring as I came up Maxwell Smart on the Boston Marathon ("missed it by that much.") You voted, I listened, and I'm leaning towards a BQ friendly course with the Colorado Marathon. Plenty of downhill and it's on my home court (Colorado!) The "close second?" The Flying Pig in Cincinnati. I may wind up running (not racing) the Pig half to satisfy my desire for a really fun race, after a determined Colorado Mary.

Wordless Wednesday: Calling my Bluff (Run)

2011-10-05T09:59:00.001-07:00

I Was Beat Up By A Ballerina

2011-09-28T19:07:00.000-07:00

I will leave no stone unturned to explore something that will give my body an edge in my training or in a race (iron IV drips, turning myself into a swimmer, shaving my legs, and doing Yasso's in a Target parking lot,) but this is really stretching my comfort zone. As part of my hardcore core training mission I've been on lately, I took to the ballet class. No, that's not a typo. My wife knows how to lure me into something as she promised I would be the only male in a roomful of hotties (herself included.)

I have to admit, it seemed a bit like getting behind enemy lines or fulfilling my grade school fantasy. In the later case, if allowed a super power, I always chose invisibility...of course to head straight to the girls' locker room. At this point, I should ask that you refrain from the hatemail...there's nothing wrong with the female form. Why wouldn't I want to spend an hour getting fit in a roomful of women in their little yoga outfits.

Our class was at Ballet Physique in downtown Littleton, CO. With some yoga class experience under my belt, I felt okay with my manhood and had little problem walking into the studio. You could tell that I caught them off-guard, but they went through the normal check-in as I filled out the new ballerina profile and checked the box that I was NOT pregnant.

Trying to assimilate, I merely copied the pre-class routine. Pick out hand weights...alpha male went for the 8 pounders. Don't you have some 35's I wondered but kept my mouth shut. I saw mirrors, a bar (my wife corrected me that it's a barre,) a 24" mat we never used (and I still don't know what it's used for,) a yoga mat and a rubber ball--do we get to play dodgeball? Sweet!

The class was "tag-teamed" by two instructors that took turns tightening up our tushes..."just think about how your jeans will come on easier after class" they'd say. I wasn't thinking about my jeans. Concentrate, try not to embarrass yourself, and don't stare, or get caught staring.

I have to say that the class completely kicked my ass. One hour of ass work when I don't own one to begin with was torture, but there was plenty of other body sculpting; biceps, triceps, quads, calf muscles, hammies were all screaming for the solice of the swimming pool or crushed pebble running path lined by shade trees. I know I will be feeling it tomorrow and am convinced this is some serious core stuff. Some poses I'd seen in chick flicks or in yoga class and one resembled a hunting dog. I did my best to mimic the others.

My wife was shocked that I went and excited that she excelled in something athletic over her husband--not fair as she's trained as a dancer.

While pondering the strength benefits of ballet this evening while writing, I googled "males whose wives coerced them into a ballet class under the guise of core training" and found an interesting article from 2008 by Professor Tim Watson and Dr Andrew Garret. They compared the fitness of ballet dancers from the English National Ballet with the British Olympic Swimming Team. They measured the athletes on a range of fitness tests including strength, endurance balance, flexibility and psychological state. The Ballet dancers came out top in seven out of ten of the tests and were 25% stronger than the swimmers." In yo face swimmers and runners!

I had to bolt to my day job after class, but the questions after class ranged from, "is that your husband?," "I've been trying to get my husband to come," and "he's brave!" Not brave...just working on my core and getting behind enemy lines.

Footnote: I apologize to all the husbands and boyfriends whose partners were in my class today. No doubt they got the lecture over the dinner table tonight that "so and so's husband went to class, why can't you?!"