Running Thoughts

Late To Boston

2013-04-18T02:44:00.000-04:00

The Boston Marathon's finish line is supposed to be one of the most epic lines to cross in this life. For marathon runners, there's no greater honor than to run fast enough to toe the start line of this exclusive race.For many who ran Monday, this was their dream come true- an item they could scratch off their bucket list. To earn the privilege and train for this most prestigious event is glorious enough, to complete the 26.2 mile course is the dream of many just like me who have yet to make a fast enough time together.

Running in 4 marathons to date, I know the thrill of the final mile that leads to the finish line. That's where the largest crowds gather; where thunderous applause and cheering fill the air. The finish line is the place where spectators urge weary runners to the end. It's the place where runners hear their names called out by loved ones in the stands who have propped them up after months of training far from the course they're about to finish.

Normally the finish line is a happy place. On Monday it wasn't. Shouting spectators were encompassed by clouds as strong blasts bowled down onlookers. Runners staggered more than normal, bewildered by the surreal events just seconds from crossing the finish line. In moments people were falling down, screaming in terror, as order quickly turned to chaos. In moments, sirens filled the air as police and safety workers were pushing people in wheel chairs and loading bodies onto ambulances. Just like that, a place of celebration become a crime scene. The race was halted. Lives were lost and many wounded. The City of Boston was shut down as an anxious world watched on.

There are so many sad stories coming from this tragic day. Dreams became nightmares. It's heartbreaking to think of the people who are forever affected by this act of terror upon so many peace loving people. Perhaps in the months ahead there will be answers and ultimately justice will prevail. Like many I hope for a speedy remedy to this hideous crime.

On a personal level, I have a dream of going to Boston. In Chicago I came within 13 minutes of qualifying for this year's race. While happy for the significant progress I made to get in striking range of this year's race, I admit to some disappointment that I did not quite have the speed needed to qualify. If I had, I have no doubt I would have attempted to be one of the 23,000 entrants to this prestigious event. But for a little more speed, I could have been a participant in this greatest race of my life.

Thirteen minutes stood between me and dark history. Who knows how things would have turned out? I am typically a driven runner when I'm training. I have goals and marks I want to hit with time and distance. Yet I wasn't quite there with my time. I have to admit that as much as I wanted to make it this year, being late to Boston was like the Japanese tale of a father and son who were delayed by a series of events on the way to the market with an ox cart full of produce. The father bemoaned the tardiness of their business to the big city full of business opportunity. As he was stewing over lateness of the hour and the city he could see far off in the distance, the father and son stood in complete shock at the sight of a big flash and rising mushroom cloud over the Hiroshima. At that moment, he realized the blessing of a tardy ox cart. And I get it too!

I still want to run fast enough to qualify for Boston. That has not changed at all. But I'm reminded, once again, that being late to Boston, is certainly not the worst thing in my aspiring dreams as a runner. My thoughts and prayers for the runners and families forever touched by the 2013 Boston Marathon.

Chicago Chaos

2013-02-26T19:15:00.001-05:00

Well first it was O'Leary's cow that created mayhem in Chicago and then there were the riots outside the 1968 Democratic convention and more recently it city headlines have been about the escalating numbers of homicides.Some pretty big things have taken place which puts into perspective the problems surrounding the Bank of America Chicago marathon registration fiasco this year.

I have run the past two years through the Windy City.and I must say it's an amazing experience! The crowded streets of 45 thousand lined with spectators nearly the entire route on a flat fast course is tough to beat. I decided to make it three years in a row and had my card in hand last week to register the moment registration opened. Unfortunately after going through all the registration steps, I was booted off the active.com website with the last step undone. Then there was word that the site was closed due to substantial failures with the registration process. By the time the smoke cleared the word was that 30,000 made it in and 15,000 spots were left to be filled when a fair system was in place for the final third of the field. I found myself on the outside looking in and realized that my goals for the year would face an immediate threat.

In honesty, I struggled to justify doling out the escalating fees to get in the race. It left me wondering if it was worth it to try to get one of the last slots with all the chaos that swirled around first day registration. Here was an elite marathon trying squeeze a little more from runners while floundering in serving their participants' registrations and sounding confused with information sent to the unregistered. Maybe it was pride but I thought, I am not going to be like some puppy waiting by the table of its master for a scrap or in runner's terms a bib number.

I decided not to wait and searched for a closer marathon that serves as a Boston Qualifier. I was relieved to see that there was one just an hour away in Columbus for nearly 100.00 less! I immediately decided it was time for decisive action and so by the end of the day of "so called" registration for Chicago, I found a bargain with less headaches.

I hope this serves as a lesson to the greedy who view marathons not as a sport but as a business... not as passion but as profits. I hope Chicago coordinators take a hard look at the way they handled the 2013 marathon registration and figure out a way not to treat people as cattle but as a community of people who love the experience of running in what has had a reputation as one of the great marathons in the world. So this year I run the streets of Columbus which cut through the Ohio State stadium onto the field from where the Buckeyes football team emerges to the cheer of the crowd. So "GO BUCKS!"

Marathons For 2013

2013-01-19T14:48:00.000-05:00

I looked over several marathon options for the year.

The Maui race looks like a no-brainer but then there's that financial issue that holds me back.

In the mix were

Cincinnati's Flying Pig,

Cleveland,

Pittsburgh,

Indy,

St. Louis

Dayton,

Akron,

Columbus...

Lots of options and lots of considerations.

And this year's winners are... I've decided to revisit the road courses I ran last year for this year's spring & fall marathons.

So it's back to Louisville and Chicago once again

The reasons for picking these races are three.

Confidence Building- Since I did very well on both courses, having consecutive personal bests, I already have a mental advantage. Experiencing the nuances of both routes previously allows me to apply the right training program to meet the challenges ahead.
Boston Qualifiers- 3:30!! With my goal to shave a little more than 13 minutes from my personal best to get into Boston's prestigious race, both the Derby & Chicago marathons present me with two opportunities to qualify in 2013. Being BQ races, they serve as carrot sticks that inspire me to put it all on the line.Every mile matters... every minute counts!
From Hills To Flats- Louisville has hill climbing involved. This means I must train hard/smart by attacking some hilly roads in the Mansfield area. If I prepare as I did last year, I will gain upper leg strength and increased cardio to meet the demands of the Derby Marathon. As the spring race gets behind me, I will focus on flat routes, such as the bike trail, with a priority on tempo runs for long distances. Last year's combo of hills to flats worked perfectly for me and so it makes sense to repeat what worked.

Maybe next year will feature a different race... say B-O-S-T-O-N ???

My Kind of Job

2013-01-17T02:11:00.001-05:00

Late after last night's hotel audit I had time to look into the business section of the USA Today. I came across an article that might make my hotel job far more interesting. "Runners Combine Jogs & Sightseeing." Hotels and airlines are catering to customers who like sight-running. Westin hotels has the RunWestin program, with running concierges who will take guests on free guided 3 or 5-mile "discovery run." Now that sounds like my kind of front-desk job- one in which I don't have to stand there thinking how nice it would be to go out on a run! Imagine getting paid to run for a hotel! If I could get that job, I'd be tempted to tell people, "Yeah, I'm a professional runner."

Illness & Running

2013-01-15T03:14:00.001-05:00

I have been logging my runs in a brand new runner's journal with the 2012 edition nearby to compare how I'm doing versus last winter. In late January I saw that I was down for three days due to illness. I figured if I could skip that this year, I'd be ahead of last year's pace. Sometimes it's best not to entertain such thoughts as I find myself coughing, achy and fatigued by what I hoped to dodge this month.

On the bright side, it's frigid outside right now and so if I have to take a break, it's better that it's today and not the 60 degree temps I ran in just days ago. I was just boasting that my running seems to bring a certain immunity to my system. Well, I think I said it shrinks the recovery time anyway. I hope it does anyway!

Being goal-oriented, physical limitations like a cold, flu, or whatever this is that has got a hold of me, can frustrate me. I only have like 1466 miles to go for my distance goal this year. I should keep in mind that it's early that my marathon training plans both call for about 700 miles each in training. This is when I have to remember the unmeasurable goal I set for the year of running wisely too. Is it smart for me to run when I am physically tapped out? If there's one thing I'm trying to learn in my life it's that respite is not evil. Running on empty accomplishes nothing and in fact may set me back further.

I guess we'd like to imagine that as we gut it out on the side of a roadway, people will deeply admire our tenacity and that perhaps "Rocky's" theme will start mystically playing in the heavens. Is anybody going to wonder why I'm not running today? Who knows or even cares that I'm feeling sick but opted to run anyway? WHOOP -DEE -DOO! So I guess I'm a scratch for training today. I will rest up and keep the bigger picture in mind. Hey, it's only January for crying out loud!

Running Goals 2013

2013-01-11T02:32:00.000-05:00

I've been a runner since 2006. At the start of each new year I pick up a blank runner's log knowing that by the end of the year it will be tattered and filled with numbers and notations. It serves to remind me that I have a clean slate of possibilities as I lean into another year of running.

The blank log also tells me it's time to clarify why I still do this and what worthwhile goals should I aim for as I start over. So late tonight I seek to answer both the why I run and where I aim to take running in 2013.

WHY I RUN:
I'm 50 and it would be very easy to say, it's time to turn in my active badge for a nice soft couch and a remote control. Who needs to suffer unnecessarily at this point in life? If I lost my passion for this habit of grown fond of, I'd retire my shoes and prop my feet. But the truth is I still love running for these reasons:

Keeps me fit. I like to feel healthy and not feel winded after a few flights of stairs. I like the prospects of feeling energetic and happy when I step on a scale
Makes my brain smile. Running relieves the crazy stress that sometimes assaults me. It allows me to get to a happier and more restful state of mind.
Love the feeling of progress made. Occasionally I am taken back by a surprisingly good pace or relative ease I felt on a normally tough stretch of a course. To shave time off marathons is kind of addictive. To look back on a log filled with miles over 52 weeks brings a sense of accomplishment.
Undiscovered potential is still out there. I love the thought that I can still push my mind and body beyond self-imposed limits. It's fun to discover that I can do things I use to think impossible.
Love the journey. It's not all about getting to the finish line, it's about taking in the sights, sounds and scents. It's about the reward of a good sweat during a hard work out and the satisfying gulp of cold liquid or the zing inside muscles and tendons at the end of 15 miles. It's the little small wonders that would often go unnoticed if I didn't get out there today.

GOALS THIS YEAR:
Some of these goals may be similar from past years but there are a few that are a bit more audacious.

THE BIG ONE Qualify for the Boston Marathon. I need to run a 3:30 marathon to make it there. This demands that I trim back 15 minutes from last fall's Chicago race. I will have to learn how to run 25 seconds faster per mile than I did that race. I have work to get there but it's amazing that I can even consider this lofty goal that is more in reach than I ever dreamed.
TWO MARATHONS again this year spring & fall. Got tot rain hard yet smart!
1500 MILES for the year
TROPHY I'd love to train for a 5k and get a trophy once again. Speedwork! speedwork!
FUN I want to love my running more at the end of 2013 than I do right now.

So tonight I have clarified why I still run and have set some pretty big goals to the new year.
Look forward to seeing what the year has in store for this runner!

Things That Bring a Smile

2013-01-09T01:34:00.000-05:00

A lot about running in the winter is predictable. It's going to be cold, it's going to take longer to get geared up for the elements, pot holes and ice patches are going to force you to stay alert to the immediate terrain under foot, and rarely should you expect to break any personal records in this season. I confess that training in January is more like the need to push instead of the feeling of pull.

Today's run involved a lot of effort. It was the least comfortable run of the month so far. I don't think it was due to the fact that it was my third consecutive day but more as a result of pulling out the wrong shoes. Instead of hunting for my trusted blue Addidas, I went for my more subtle toned Reeboks. I hated this pair of shoes two weeks after I purchased them last spring but I can't stand the thought of discarding them. still, I'd be the wiser to throw them in the heap. They have no give at all in the soles and as a result create a bunch of discomfort on already sore heels and insteps. When the shoes aren't right, your natural running form suffers and you fatigue quicker. So today, I just decided to gut out my scheduled 4 miler.

As I was approaching my final mile I was distracted from my small misery by an unexpected running partner. This one stood a whole 12" from the ground- a frisky little yippy dog who decided that it would be more fun to run with me instead of simply bark at me. I was amused as this little mutt ran beside me and then decided to go into an all out dash ahead of me, looking back with a satisfied smirk, to let me know he was faster. When he looked back and saw me lingering 100 yards behind, he circled around a nearby mail box, as if to act completely oblivious to me catching up with him. But when I got beside him, the tiny dog would surge ahead again, repeating these antics over and over. Soon I found myself chuckling at the game this bitty canine decided to play with me. He stayed with me for about a half mile but soon found something more interesting to pursue for the afternoon.

So on a typical winter day when training was less than pleasant, I stumble across a new partner to share my running experience. It's nice to be distracted by amusement in sometimes the simplest of ways. And that's one of the beauties of going out for a run--- you may come home with something to smile about and even novel to post at the end of the day.

Training To Nab a BQ

2013-01-07T10:06:00.000-05:00

Winter air hovers over an overcast Mansfield yesterday. 34 degrees and calm winds told me I better get outside for a run. 3 layers later I was out the door for a 4 mile run through city streets. Having ice covered street sides forced me to run with greater care. In a half mile I felt my easy pace pick up with the intensity I will have to turn to often as I train for my first marathon of 2013. Feeling strong and focused I climbed Grace Street. (Why do the name a street "Grace" that's all about hills??) By the time I got to the top of the hill I decided to head towards the high school to venture around the track. I didn't realize I would be running on 4 inches of virgin snow as I took a lap. It felt like running on soft beach sand only much colder. My pace was slowed by a half minute during that mile but I made up for lost time in the final leg of my workout. Considering the ice and snow, I was satisfied with the 8:42 overall pace this morning. It felt good to get my first outdoor run of the new year. Training begins in seriousness next week. To qualify for Boston I'm going to have to run a pace of 8:00/mile. That means I will have to figure out a way to run 29 seconds faster per mile. I realize I have a lot of work to do to reach this goal but I feel motivated to push with wisdom. I can't afford to do something stupid and cause an unnecessary injury due to poor training. ~So I think I'll go to Boston~

Run 2013

2013-01-02T20:17:00.002-05:00

It's time to pick out races for 2013. As much as I have enjoyed the Chicago experience the last two years, I have decided to try a couple of new venues. I plan to run two marathons again (spring & fall). It's cold and blustery right now but as I looked out the window this evening, I was already imagining dashing across thawing roads as I inhale traces of springtime air. Tonight I dream about putting in the miles of effort needed to prepare for a Boston qualifying time of 3:30. A copy Hal Higdon's marathon training program is in my hands tonight. On the top of the page it is labeled "Advanced 2," and I wonder if it is too ambitious or is it time to take my preparations to the next level? I have to identify the races I plan to enter, which will probably be more local this year. After I establish the dates, I will back up 18 weeks and start scheduling each workout session.If I'm planning to race in May, it looks like I better start running this week!!

True Gym Class Heroes

2013-01-01T12:56:00.000-05:00

Two months ago I was enthralled in an episodes of "Freaks & Geeks." It's gym class and Sam, Neal and Bill, who are polar opposites of athleticism, are tossed into the terrorizing arena of dodge ball against bigger, stronger, faster classmates who drool at the prospects of legalized brutality against the geeks. Seeing the uncontrollable frightened looks on their faces took me back 40 years ago to Ross Corners elementary. It's gym time for us 4th graders, a time when we are reminded of the the haves and have nots on the hardwood.

Like Sam Weir, I was short of stature, light as a feather and not endowed with the genes of a future Olympian. When those big red rubber balls would sail 150 mph at my head, I became a believer in impassioned prayer, "Oh God! Please don't let them kill me!!" It was a demoralizing hour repeated 2 or 3 times every week for me a handful of others who shared my passion for the sidelines or a bench. By the time 5th grade rolled around and I had a year of reminders of not making the cut, something happened. My gym teacher had an idea that would forever alter my life.

Yes, I believe Physical Education classes can be life changing. Mr Westcott, just a young teacher fresh out of Penn State, was very much in tune with the dynamics that unfolded on the gym floor. He was much aware that in gym there were Sams and Neals and Bills and Marks who felt they never had a chance to enjoy gym but instead endured the weekly ritual with lower aspirations of just getting through in one piece. One day in as we sat in classrooms, our teachers read off a list of names of students who were to report to the gym immediately. When my name was announced along with other students, we had a quizzical look on our faces. We had no idea why our names would be read off to go to what? A second gym class in the day? It had to be a mistake, we weren't the ones who should be heading to the gym to be crafted into future professional athletes. But the round up was underway with the likes of Steve and George and Scott and Kevin. It didn't take us long to realize why we were there. We were the guys who didn't expect to win at any physical contest. We were the ones who could relate with the geeks at dodge ball.

I still remember the day when Steve Isch asked me if we had coordination classes today. After all these years we still joke about it. He saw it for what it was as a 5th grader. We were the clumsy, the slow, the unfit, and the timid. We were the the lower echelon of draft picks when teams were divided for softball or football or basketball. Although we were aware of the reality that we were not that good, Mr. Westcott was about to change the way we perceived ourselves in this special class made just for us. I remember the first class, as we toed the line to find out why in the heck we were called to a second gym class in the day. With great diplomacy he explained why all of us were invited. "The reason you are here today is because each of you are seem reluctant to jump in when it's time to play. You are the ones that hesitate to pick up a floor hockey stick or pick up a baseball bat or have the desire to shoot the basketball. This class is for you to have fun and we're glad you're here." As I looked around the room, not one of my peers posed a threat when it came to sports and as we looked at each other, we all breathed a collective sigh of relief. This was gym with out bullies, or superstars, it was just us! We wondered what it would be like to play sports with out the fear of failure, or snickering or put downs. It was our time to shine- it was our GYM for an hour!

After Mr Westcott's speech, he and an assistant divided up teams, and they were the captains making the pick. Here we were again, hoping not to be the last one picked! Mr W was the first to choose amid all the prospects who stood on the line hoping to be called. He announced, "I'll take you, the one with the cool motorcycle jacket!" He then pointed his finger right at me! I was quite in shock to be the very first pick- that had never happened in my life! Right then I made a decision I would not disappoint Mr W.; he would be glad that I was a team member. I have no idea how I performed that day but I know that from that point forward, I would never be shy about sports again. That class ignited my passion to get in the game and not wish for the sidelines. I would grow to love sports deeply and by the time I entered high school, I lettered in baseball, cross country and wrestling.

Mr Westcott was a visionary of elementary gym class. His decision profoundly effected the way I saw my world. I wonder how many other of my "coordination class" peers felt the same way after this idea he pursued!

Move 40 years ahead now. It's New Year's eve, snow is falling as I look out the window of the front desk of the hotel where I work in Mansfield Ohio. Night has arrived and things are calm as I stand in front of my computer scanning through my high school website when I stumble across a link to Alumni Hall of Fame, 1998. Here I stumbled across the name Wayne Westcott PhD. It is the very same Coach Westcott I had in 4th and 5th grade. I was amazed to see he had published 50 books and over 300 articles for such prestigious periodicals such as Men's Health. I was able to watch instructional videos and conferences where he was presenting his detailed research on health and fitness.

He did so much when over the last 4 decades and it was hard to believe that day when HE PICKED ME FIRST. So last night I decided to go on a mission to try to find his phone number and thank him forty years later for that life-changing moment he created for a little kid. When I found and dialed his number I knew I was taking a stab in the dark that I'd actually get a chance to chat with my old gym teacher. When the phone stopped ringing a woman answered the line and I asked to talk with Mr Westcott. She hesitated until I explained the reason for my call. Her reluctance quickly evaporated as she told me she was his wife and high school sweetheart from Vestal and remembers very clearly those days at Ross Corners elementary and how amazing those early years were. I assured her I did not plan to tie up their relaxing evening for long, but that I just wanted to thank a real gym class hero.

It was surreal to hear Mr Westcott's voice after all these years. I shared with him how he had changed my life by one small act in a special gym class. I let him know that since those early years I have run four marathons and that I was knocking on the door to qualifying for the Boston Marathon. He was very excited to learn of my achievements and was still in the role of encourager. What I learned in the brief conversation was that he now lives in the Boston area and wants me to call him if I qualify so we can meet up when I reach that goal. I told him that only fuels my motivation more to shave off the 15 minutes so I can make the trip to the east coast to meet up with him and his wife. I thanked him once more then I hung up the phone and looked out the window in a mystical kind of way. It had ended up being a magical way to end 2012. Although it has been a year with many sharp bends and drops and climbs, it seemed to be a perfect ending to reach way back in time to reconnect with a difference-maker.

Derby Marathon Louisville 4-28-12

2012-04-30T16:33:00.000-04:00

I am two days removed from my third marathon and as I type, I am beginning to feel human once again. It took about 48 hours to be able to sufficiently disguise my limp as not to invoke pity or head shaking smirks that say, "You're an IDIOT for running when you don't have to. LOL Of the three races in my life (Akron & Chicago are the other) this one is the sweetest of the three. The most obvious reason I place this at the top of my list is because I attain a personal best of 3:56.49 which surpassed my next best by more than a minute per mile pace. Only a few close friends and family knew that secretly I was hoping to break the 4 hour mark. It was private because I have not had the greatest confidence as a runner over the past few years. But this year, it all came together. Adding weight lifting, steadfastness to the training schedule and a more intentional diet all paid off this time around. The bittersweet of the moment was the reality that Andy and I would be unable to enter together due to a significant leg injury. Still, I was inspired by the knowledge that he would be there at the finish to greet me instead of being thousands of miles away in a war zone in Afghanistan. I definitely ran as one whose inspiration cup runneth over. I am not a good sleeper the night before a race and yet I've learned, that Adrenalin is the runners caffeine that overcomes such inconveniences. Wide awake, we were on the road by 5:45 am. to beat the traffic. About 20 runners were there at that point with about 18,000 more in route. I don't mind getting there before the crowd as it helps me drink deeper in the experience I paid good money for. The winds were light and the 50 degree temps were perfect to start out the big day ahead of us. Sardiened in starting corral D, I waiting anxiously for the start of the race. Beside me were a lady who was running her first half marathon and a Marine who wore a "Marathon Maniacs" shirt which shouted hard core Marine corp! We talked of his 4 deployments and I talked proud of my two sons in service. I asked a guy who stood about 6'6" to help look around for a guy holding an Ascics Pace sign for those who wanted to break 4 hours. He spotted them and I drifted to the sign guy whose hopes I pinned on breaking 4 hours. Finally the gun went off and we shuffled as cattle off to the slaughter house of sorts. It took 5 minutes from my point to cross the start line and soon we were off. I tucked in close to the pace guide like a shy kid tucked behind his momma. I knew that if I stayed close and felt good, I had an outside shot. I was checking my times as I followed mother goose. I know the benefit of a pace guy is not starting out too fast, caught in the excitement of the crowds and noise. For most of this early stage, I played smooth jazz on my I-pod. This is a good way to stay calm and cool when you need to stay settled. At the first quarter of my marathon my time was 59:21. The highlight of the first 6.5 was getting scolded by some guy who came up beside me and told me to watch my forearm as I hit him pretty hard. I didn't realize that I did that and apologized. I thought to myself, man, this weight lifting must be making me one mean dude, you know? Well I was much more conscious of my arms from that point on, of course. The second quarter was run at a 58:08 clip and was the most amazing stretch of the race. One minute I was running through residential streets and at the next moment, on our right stood the magnificent home of the Kentucky Derby. Churchill Downs infield was part of the plotted course for all runners and they way through was a tunnel that burrowed under the track. In moments thousands of runners emerged in awe of the splendor, knowing full well that throngs we tune into next week to watch the first of three crowns of the very best horses in the world. Many of us could not help but slow a bit in awe of the sight of swift thoroughbreds gliding at blazing speeds down the back stretch. The moment was both majestic and the stuff of dreams! For a moment, I felt a deep connection to my late grandfather "Abuelo," who had such fondness for the sport and art of horse racing. For a few minutes of this race, he was center stage in my heart. Though inspired by the special mile on the marathon route, I must confess a bit of distraction. I had to find a portajohn so I could become more focused on this goal. When one became available I jumped in happy to know that I could be more laser like in my focus the rest of the way. I lost about 90 seconds but erased it quickly as I caught up with the pace guy once again. At about 10.5 miles the route takes runners through Iroquois Park, which would involve many climbs and descent over the next 3 miles. Feeling strong at this point, I opted to veer ahead of the pacer a little, feeling confident in my own pace and in what my body was saying. All the climbs and drops in the park were welcomed by my once apprehensive mind. The reason it did not make me feel timid was because of the significant hill training I did back home that adequately prepared me for the 3 mile run through this park. I have learned to love hills and not loathe them which provided a more positive mindset for this first set of hills on the course. As I approached the halfway point of my journey, everything was sound and I felt strong. I was starting to think that my goal was attainable barring unforeseen problems ahead. The third quarter was the best of the four with a time of 57:53. By now I had started to get separation form the pace runner. When I reached mile 16 I was beginning to think of how the distance ahead was now measured by miles in the single digits. There are many ways runners think through the mental barriers ahead. For me it was "just 3 5ks left." The thing that surprised me about this race was the fact that at no time did my mind struggle to stay focused. Where doing mental math had been rough in the last two races, this one did not seem to drain my head of thinking faculties. In this part of the races, the mile signs seemed to pop up with good frequency and I found that I could do a few conservative surges at times on this flat part of the course. I was not really feeling the fatigue over miles 13-20. Now I was not just hoping to beat the goal but started believing it was about to happen. When I got to the final quarter of the race which covered 1:00.02, I knew if there was any threat to the dream it would be found on this stretch. I had rounded mile 21 and spotted Kelly & Andy cheering and taking pictures. I told them, I was going to make it now, that I felt great and I threw out a thumbs up. AS I said that, a little fear kicked in but what if something happens now. Did I mess up declaring it openly? Sure enough as I turned the corner beyond them I was greeted by two miles of climb ahead. Though your mind and cardio may feel strong at this point there is a threat that lurks in legs that have been taxed for over 3 hours, the dreaded muscle cramps. I felt a familiar tinge hinting of trouble ahead, just as I started at the base of the elevation. I knew that I'd have to approach this climb with shortened stride and slow steady cadence. At mile 22 it flared for a moment but then eased off. I felt like a tight rope walker at this point. If I tipped too much my leg would convulse uncontrollably. I had reached the summit, or so I thought, when I took a sharp left to see one more hill just hoping to steal my dream. My tender climb had brought me this far and so I convinced myself that I had just one more climb over thin ice and I'd be home. And so it was on mile 23 that my leg rebelled against the rest of me, just as it did in Akron and in Chicago. There was a man standing there on the side of the road, as if sadistically positioned there to watch the suffering climbers who were trying to will their legs to do what they refused to do. I looked at him and shouted, "This happens every time at mile 23!" I hated losing control but I stopped a second to rub it down, beat on it and stomp it to do what it didn't want to do. The previous two races, it refused to go away until the finish but today, was different. By mile 24 I began my last descent into the city and the cramps subsided. I caught up with 2 other runners and we talked of the joy of soon reaching our goals. We were 3 euphoric kids who had come to believe the battle was behind us as we heard the cheering crowds down the streets accompanied by the sounds of a marching band. Those final two miles were both covered with sub nine minute mile pace and the end was in sight. I have always tried to finish strong and today, I wanted to try to do this again. I was looking for motivation when I spotted a runner ahead playing it up to the crowd, while looking behind to see if anyone was coming. I knew right away if pressed, he was just as competitive as me for the finish. Though our placings in the race were not remarkable, spectators were still eager to see a race to the finish, so we joined in the theatrics of the last 0.2 miles of the race in an all out sprint to the finish. And yest with 100 yards left, I made my pass and shouted with joy of breaking 4 hours at the finish. When we crossed the line we shared a laugh and congratulated each other and shared in the greater victory of finishing another marathon. I cried at the last two marathons but this time I didn't, maybe because I started talking with this guy in the footrace. But as I staggered ahead to the finisher's medal, I felt contented that all the hard work paid off. I learned that even as I start this new decade of my life, the best is still to come!

Two Marathons In 2012

2012-04-07T21:21:00.000-04:00

It looks like I will be doubling the total marathons run by the end of the year. This month I will be entering the Derby Marathon in Louisville Ky and then I will return to the Chicago Marathon in October. It is part of my commitment to make my new decade (the 50s) my healthiest & fittest years. I am pleased with the way the training plan has gone for my first race. I have added cross training with weights and can tell it is paying off in getting prepared. Today I ran 20 miles at a steady pace all the way to the end and this included at least 5 substantial hills. I am thankful to remain injury-free so far. I plan to stay tightly on the plan, eat smart and rest well. I am hopeful that I am about to score my best time ever. If everything continues as planned I hope that I can knock on the door of my sub 4 hour goal. I know I will have to push a bit hard but am optimistic that I have a chance. In 3 Saturdays I will toe up to the start. We will see how things turn out.

Last Race of 2011 The Ashland Half Marathon

2011-12-03T21:59:00.001-05:00

Today I wrapped up the racing season by returning to the scene where I began my rebound from foot injuries that hampered me for 2 years. The Ashland Half was where I tested the foot that gave me trouble. In 2010 it was a test to see if I could climb the constant elevations of this street course. That day was blustery, cold and gloomy and my running time of 2:24 was not a big concern as I just wanted to prove to my body I was not done. Though depleted and sore, I came away unscathed and determined to proceed with plans to run my second marathon. The racing season was conservative as I entered limited races in 2011: Columbus Half Marathon - May Shoals Indiana Catfish 5 k- July Chicago Marathon - October Trunk or Treat 5k- October Ashland Half Marathon- December So this morning I went back to where it started. The temps hovered around the freezing point but the sun seemed determined to chase away all traces that reminded us of the season we were facing. Coming to the race, I had much higher expectation than to finish a long distance race. I was feeling good and in probably the best shape I have felt in three years. I knew I had trained hard for this race because I was determined to empty my tank. Most of the last weeks involved significant training on hills. Living on the edge of the country afforded me many opportunities to get ready for the hills I would encounter in this race. About 300 half marathoners toed up to the start and soon we were on my way. Running on a moderate downward slope forced me to a more up-tempo pace than I normally apply when starting a long race. At the half mile mark the hills start dominating the landscape. Here was the place that I started testing out if my hill work was going to pay off. I was pleasantly surprised by the surging I experienced on the hills. Though I tried to warm up before the race the cold and terrain was causing my shins to tighten and reduce motion for the first 2.5 miles. There was a time that would have worried me but I knew the race was long and my legs would catch up in time. At the 3 mile mark I hit 25 minutes for an 8:20 pace. I toss Kelly my gloves as I was convinced they were no longer necessary. Happy to have full range in my feet again, I simply focused on running a healthy pace, unconcerned with those around me. I preached to myself to run my own race no matter what.

At mile 4 I took my first and final drink of the race. This is not normally what I do nor recommend but on this day it worked for me. I remembered how much time I lost hitting all those water stations in Chicago and probably over corrected today. When my legs were finally fully back under me I was able to climb and descend hills with steady confidence. I was feeling strong as I clipped past miles 5, 6 and 7. When I hit that 7th mile and saw that I hit the 60 minute mark at that point I was very encouraged to know I was running an average of 7 m.p.h. even with all these hills. On the hills I found I fatigued very little and gained ground on other runners at key points on the course. For the first time in awhile I was actually thinking as a competitive runner. There are many games played among experienced runners and I was actually getting to employ a few tactics along the way that surprisingly worked. It also indicated that my mind was staying alert as I pressed up and down slopes of this college town. I knew that at around 9.5 miles would be the biggest hill on the course that ran west of Ashland University. This was the place that really tested and drained me last year. What would it be like after all this training under my belt this time? I'm not going to say it was unchallenging but it did not seem nearly as menacing as it was last year! When you get to the top you know you have conquered your biggest nemesis of the race and what I had forgotten was that it lulls you into the false sense of security that hills are behind you. Turning west one last time you are greeted by roller coaster hills, and while not nearly as steep, they are strategically positioned to add some misery on your way to the final 5k of the race. Here is where determination, focus and steadiness are essential. It was evident that those last climbs were taking their toll on many as I was able to sweep past a half dozen runners on the descent back toward the main intersection of town which marked the beginning of the end. Nearing the 12 mile I spotted a tall runner tapering off a bit. Noticing that the back of his jacket touted some 100 mile race he had run, I thought it would be great to finish ahead of an ultrarunner. When I passed him I felt good but it was short lived as he retook the lead about a quarter mile later. I trailed him as we made the final turn toward the stadium that marked the end of this 13.1 journey. The final half mile there was uphill and it was obvious that the cluster of runners near me seemed discouraged to find one more climb before making the left turn to the stadium track. Last year's run was kind of a depressing ending. Dark and cold, most of the onlookers had packed up and left. By the time I crossed that line, only 6 other runners were still on the course. But this morning was different. There was energy and the crowd was cheering all runners as they looped their last .25 miles on the track. I have always felt that finishing strong was more than a phrase but it is my mantra as a runner. I had 7 or 8 runners between me and the finish who were also tired, as I was but something happens to me when I near a finish line. I saw an opportunity to pass a big cluster if I had it in me to sprint to the finish. As I rounded the final bend I noticed a runner look over his should to see who was behind him. It was as if that was my signal to run as fast as I could to the end. As I sprinted, it came so easily as if I couldn't even feel my legs underneath my hips. I poured out everything I had left and crossed the finish line with a 1:57 time, nearly a half hour quicker than last year! The best part was I bested my time from the Columbus half in the spring by almost 3 minutes, which had far fewer hills than I just encountered. I wrap up the racing season deeply gratified for God's help in overcoming adversity, injury and mental barriers that held me back. I am eager to greet 2012 and it's fun to begin thinking about the possibilities of running in a new decade of my life. I glance at the calendar and it's still December though. There are yet 27 days left in the year and I am not done! No big races to finish the year now. Instead I am chasing one last audacious goal as a runner- reaching the 3000 mile mark of my career. After today's run, there are just 126 miles standing between me and a new milestone. If the weather keeps giving me breaks, I hope to reach it. No matter what 2011 will be remembered as the year I got back in the game.

Thrill of the Hills

2011-11-30T11:23:00.001-05:00

My least favorite part of training is what I seem to be doing more of lately. I'm talking about what most runners seem least enthusiastic about, hill work. I never enjoyed this element of my training because it slows us down while demanding the most of our energies, leaving us often breathless. One of the earliest running routes I had in Shoals Indiana was the Catfish 5k loop that involved a series of steep inclines through a cemetery. It's not that odd that the hills zigzag through a grave yard because I feel closer to death when I run up long steep grades. I exempted myself from hill work for about 2 and half years due to some injuries that would aggravate them whenever a took a shot at Mt. Misery. Now healed though, I can not excuse myself from places that make my heart want to bail out of my chest as my legs burn slowly. While there is an obvious case for not loving this training phase, I am having a change of heart these days. So here are the reasons why I am starting to kinda like hill running: 1) More Routes- Overcoming my reluctance with the hills has opened up new surrounding routes and sights to see. It is nice to truly go cross country because I live on the edge of it anyway. Mixing up the routes not only allows me to see fresh places but keeps me from getting bored by the same streets and mailboxes I've passed for the last 3 years. 2) Mental Sharpness- You don't have to think nearly as much about running when you gliding along a relatively flat terrain but when you are leaning into a mountain, you can't help but thinking about the obvious. On the hill there are times when a little voice says "STOP & REST." The hills are where you have to shout back "NO, I CAN REST WHEN I GET HOME." You are forced to focus on breathing and form and getting to the top. When I conquer a big hill I notice the little hills that raised anxiety in the past only become laughable and this is when you realize the muscles of your mind are more developed. 3) Uptempo Running Benefits- Another nice take away from the hill comes after you get to the top. I have discovered it is a lot easier to pick up the pace on the flats because the exertion of moving faster is nothing compared to the effort of a 5% grade. 4) Better Lungs- One of the things a hill will do is test your condition level. When I first ran hills, I felt like a fire breathing dragon that wheezed like I had pneumonia. It seemed to take just as long to get back to normal breathing as the time it took to scale the summit. What I find these days as that while it still demands a lot of wind to get to the top that it takes less time regain my breath. This fact takes away some of the dread I once felt for hills. I would still prefer the flat course of Chicago's marathon over Akron's but at least it's good to know while the hills may never become my favorite part of running, I can see its benefits more clearly now.

Late Autumn Night Run

2011-11-15T20:35:00.001-05:00

I have been to three straight Tuesday night runs with the Mansfield Y-Club and the weather has been extraordinary each time out. To run this late in the fall under the stars in 50-60 degree weather is a God-sent gift that I wouldn't want to waste. I know these warm rare nights will soon fade and be greatly missed but for now it feels like summer in overtime! I wasn't sure how many would come out when the time change took away our daylight but surprisingly the participation is great. I'm really enjoying meeting new runners along the route. It's nice to come home feeling so revived after a 4 miler... especially when a big bowl of homemade soup is waiting for me when I arrive! Here's hoping for another pleasant Tuesday night under a star-lit sky!

1st Long Distance Runner

2011-11-14T18:55:00.001-05:00

Mr. Teed was the first long distance runner I ever saw take to the roads. That was almost 40 years ago, in the high hills not far from the Susquehanna River known as the southern tier in Vestal New York. At the time I was living with my aunt & uncle on Underwood Road. One of his sons was my class mates and so my guess is Mr. Teed was probably 35-40 at the time. I was blown away by this man who ran up our steep road quite religiously, with what seemed little effort. As a nine year old kid, I was amused that an older man would run long distances when he didn't have too. I was impressed by his toughness and self-discipline. He was obviously very fit and as he ran by he'd smile and wave and so I was taken back by the fact that he seemed to enjoy it even. This spectacle unfolded long before long distance running was popular and before marathons could be found nearly every weekend of the year. It was a time when seeing a runner on the roadways was an anomaly. So today I went for a long distance run out in the country. I ran some roads that made me think of Mr. Teed. I sure didn't understand the pleasure he derived from taking on steep roads when I was 9 years old. Today, I think I have a better understanding of his passion for running far in remote places of Broome County. I wonder if he still runs and I wish I could ask him why he started it in the first place. In all likelihood I will probably never know, but I think back on the sight of a silhouette slowly rising up over a quiet country road. It's strange the thoughts that pop in a runners head when he's running on the edge to nowhere.

Just 2 Months of Running Left

2011-10-29T21:50:00.001-04:00

I stepped out onto the road pleasantly surprised that I was able to run painlessly for 6.3 glorious miles. I think mid summer was the last time I felt so free to run like I did this afternoon. Runners have a constant stream of thoughts when they take to the streets and today my mind centered on the year that has unfolded and great expectations for 2012. It's interesting how my passions have shifted away from my need to reach personal bests in time and distances over the first 3-4 years to other things that are not so intangible. It's not that I don't care how well I perform or if I reach new milestones, I still want to improve and grow stronger as a long distance runner but it just isn't enough to satisfy my running thirst. I am finding that my cup is filled when I put other things in it these days. Today I put in the satisfaction of breathing in my surroundings. When I catch a scent of fresh cut grass, honeysuckle, cascading maple leaves or burning cherry logs in the twilight, I am more alive. When I feel a soft summer breeze as I loop around a dark isolated track or the mist of a gentle rain drop or that first snowflake that sticks to my eyelash, I am energized. So running allows me to spontaneously experience the unfolding seasons. These God-sent gifts would go unnoticed had I not felt the tug to lace up and head out for another run. But more than anything that fills my cup is the company of those who share this passion at many different levels. I have changed because I decided to become a runner. But I am more awestruck when I see the changes running has made in the lives of my good running company. To share in the incremental victories as well as the pain and frustration that none is exempt from are the ingredients from life-changing relationships. To share goals and ever growing dreams of what we one day will achieve, is a discussion that never wearies us. One of my favorite moments was to run a 5k not for my best time but so that I could share the euphoria that comes with cross that first finish line with a novice, who will run circles around me one day. Well, that's what I love most. I have learned much from my running in 2011 that I never intentionally set out to discover... That my body, though stubborn and slow to heal, can come back to reach dreams that seems hard to attain... That I do better when I relax and take off the pressure instead of pressing because the training program insists I get another 10 miles in- it will be ok.... That there would be new motivations that would call me run with a smile on my face. I have one final half marathon in 2011 and my thoughts and goals will center on another running season in 2012. Now that's for another post!

To Run With The Young Again

2011-10-25T17:21:00.000-04:00

I took for granted my early days of running. I was 15 and a member of the cross country team in San Juan PR and simply ran for a varsity letter. Sad that my aim was merely on "R" for Robinson High on my jacket which made no sense since there isn't much use for coats on a tropical island! I resumed my second childhood of running at 43 and am knocking on 50s door. Rolling out of bed for a pain-free run is a rare gift granted when the planets and stars align. Running fast and free occurs less frequently and yet I am more fulfilled as a runner than ever. Amid training for marathons & halfs & 5ks I have found a greater joy- helping others enjoy running. This past Sunday afternoon I ran alongside Caitlyn, a 9 year who has caught the running bug from her mom and dad. She was courageous enough to sign up for her first 5k race though apprehensive. When she needed a running partner for the race I volunteered to help her. Her face lit up when "Pastor Mark" offered to guide her through. It was obvious that the jitters were in full force when I caught up with her and her mother before the race. I tried my best to help her stay calm but it wasn't easy. I have known those feelings of nervous energy as your strength and will are about to be tested. When we took off I knew that she had never run 3 straight miles at one time and that we may need to slow to a walk along the way. We eased are way onto the course keeping expectations light. When we approached the first mile we spotted a carved pumpkin with a #1 on it. I glanced at my watch and was stunned to see we were at a 10:30 pace. She wanted to know how we were doing and I said "Awesome." She smiled and joked into her second mile which clipped at 10:09 because we were playing a game of passing people for points. Amazingly she was hanging tough and still managed a big smile. With coaxing we were going into the most challenging stretch of the unknown third mile. I kept telling her she was doing awesome and that she was almost done. To this point she had not stopped to walk. I helped her up hills and kept encouraging her about how good it would be that we could rest at the finish line. Her smiles were less frequent but her determination was strong. Although we approached the final 1.1 miles in 14 minutes Caitlyn finished strong. I felt such pride and joy at seeing her do what she doubted possible. I fear that maybe I pushed a little too hard but in the end she was very happy with her first 5k race in just over 34 minutes. I was totally impressed with what she achieved in her very first race. I truly feel that if her passion for running grows, Caitlyn will become an exceptional runner for years to come. Her mother commented that she wants to run faster than Richie from church. He won the Cleveland Marathon in 2003. I guess she is setting her sights higher. I commented that maybe one day, Richie will wish he could run as fast Caitlyn. These are the moments that make running a priceless gift. I am blessed to share the road with others both older and younger.

I Like To Succeed But . . .

2011-10-17T11:11:00.000-04:00

Everyone enjoys reaching a running milestone or surpassing a personal best time. Tasting success is addictive and often leads to a desire for more personal victories ahead. When I turned 45 I determined to run farther than I ever had in the past, as it turned out I think I reached 16 miles for the day. It was great but I wanted more. Any normal being wants to get a whiff of winning in some area of their life. I don't have many trophies to show but enough to motivate me at times. I'm no different than the next runner in that I love personal achievement but the truth is that's not what I love best in this 6 year love affair with running. I like to succeed but I like to help others succeed even more. I am not technically knowledgeable on the all the nuances of racing though I have read and experienced enough in 2600 miles to have caught a bit to relay to others. Instead I'd love to think I can encourage others to reach levels they think are unattainable. I will never be a front of the pack helper to fellow runners, instead my heart and passion is for those who struggle to stay with the pack. It is with those who desire to improve but whose confidence needs some propping. I hope that by a few words of timely advice along with an "I believe in you" talk along the way, others will find within them that thing that rises up to reach for unimaginable goals.And I hope that maybe my example to persist instead of packing it up will help others decide not to give up but instead press on to the sweetness of personal victory at every finish line that awaits.

Chicago Marathon 2011

2011-10-12T22:00:00.000-04:00

I didn't get the $100,000 prize for winning the Chicago Marathon; Moses did that. I didn't even break 5 hours as I had hoped but I was contented by this experience. For anyone who questions the sanity of a crowd of 26.2 mile road runners, you need to make the trip to the Windy City next October. The leaves are turning brilliant hues as you take it to the streets this time of year. I want to thank Kelly, Shaun, Amber, Caitlyn, Jack & Emily for supporting me in my quest to return for my second marathon experience. This is the trip I almost didn't make after battling injuries from mid July through September. My training was far from what the plan called for but I had recovered enough and did one test run of twenty miles to know that perhaps I could make it to the finish line. I was not well conditioned beyond mile twenty, the heat rose to nearly 80 degrees and leg muscles convulsed over the final 6.2 miles of the course. That being said, I was able to complete a marathon I had uncertainties about through the summer. I went into the race thinking I'd finish whatever I could since I paid for it already. I came with no real expectations, merely hopes. The good thing about this approach was that I entered the starting corral calmly and relaxed. When the race began we shuffled in a steady stream northward zigzagging streets for 7 miles along the Lake. The cheering crowds were several rows deep in places. Their enthusiasm was infectious. In fact through the whole course there were spectators lining the streets. Entering the many ethnic villages of Chicago gave a sense you were running around the globe. As temps rose we were treated to water streams from hoses and cold water sponges along the way. Running on sponges felt good but running through banana peels was a little more challenging! There were abundance of gatorade and water stations of which I walked through probably 90% of them. Because they added more stations along the way, it seemed that at times it became a distraction and slowed momentum. By the time I got to mile 8 there finally seemed to be some spacing between runners but before that your pace was held in check by slowing runners zipping across for the refreshment tables or portapots. Though my energy was fading past mile 20, I knew I was too far in to check out. My cramping muscles forced me to walk enough to calm them down before resuming my return to running. This definitely slowed me down but I remembered how troublesome they became in Akron and I didn't want a repeat of that. The last 2 miles were the toughest until I made the final turn up the bridge at mile 26 where my personal cheer section awaited. When I passed them, I mustered as much smile as I had in me although seeing them waving and yelling renewed my weary spirit to the top of the bridge where I reached my final descent to the finish line. It is here where I have preached to myself and others "FINISH STRONG." This is where exhausted legs rallied one more surge of speed as I was about to cross over into the real of running marathons instead of just one. Everything I trained for that was started in my basement on a treadmill while snow stacked up around me last winter all pointed to this moment I had envisioned. In moments after crossing, I wept as I thought of the adversity that tried to keep me from this moment. This was nearly 45 minutes slower than my 2008 marathon and yet in that moment it did not matter. A willingness to press on when I was hurt allowed me to savor a moment as a volunteer placed a finisher's medal around my neck and say, "Congratulations!" In about 20 minutes I shuffled like a 150 year old to meet Kelly where we embraced and I heard her say, "I knew you would do this. You're so strong. I'm proud of you." And I could not help but thing that what I did pales to what my soldier sons do. In a moment I removed my sweat soaked race shirt and put on an Army Ranger shirt in honor of Andy who ran the last 3 miles of my Akron race only this time he was unable to attend as he is deployed in Afghanistan. I missed him and the rest of my family in this moment. But I was blessed to have the incredible support of friends who joined us on this journey and sacrificed because the believe in me. It was moving to share that moment with them at the finish. Right now I am resting, healing and reflecting. I can't wait for more of these moments even though I am well aware of the discipline it will take to get there again.

Marathon Ready?

2011-10-07T12:59:00.000-04:00

Most runners begin to question the quality of their training, diet and mental & physical state during the final week of race preparation. I have good reason to wonder what the marathon test will reveal about these things I've tried to prepare for over the last couple of seasons. As I head to Chicago to run in my second ever marathon, I feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. When I ran Akron in 2008, I learned a lot and hope I made the necessary adjustments this time around. Biggest issue was the brutal revolt of my calve muscles, from mile 21 to the finish line. I have focused on smarter intakes of carbs, G2 & especially bananas. I definitely feel much more focused for this year's race, thanks to gaining some experience. My mind is better tuned into the course as I've studied the map and repeatedly watched youtube videos of the course in fast speed. I look forward to corralling onto the streets of the Windy City with 45,000 fellow voluntary martyrs. When I think that greats such as Ryan Hall will be in the same race it humbles me that I can "compete"... well, at least say I ran against a contemporary legend and that's amazing. Knowing that Chicago's race is only one of 6 in the world that form the majors of marathons only fuels my passion. It is a flat and fast course of which flirts with those who dream of qualifying for a Boston marathon. As with all races past, I will be accompanied by my greatest cheerleader who shares in the joy of being first to greet my weary and drenched body as it crosses another finish line. She has paid her dues, hearing daily running reports and offering encouragement when goals aren't quite reached while celebrating the occasional breakthrough. She has had tolerated my lamentations when I wrapped sorely injured legs or packed ice and angry nerves or applied fiery ointment in desperate hope of coaxing my body from shutting down. Steadily she believed in me when doubts stood between me and the streets of Chicago. A finishers medal goes to her if these legs have completed the healing as they need to carry me over the final line. Along with the constant support she has provided, I am deeply moved that I have friends who are making the six and a half hour trip to lend their support in the race. I'm blessed by all the good kind things people have shared to make me feel like, "Ok... maybe I can do this." When I found out my friends were going to come stand among rows of spectators for hours just to let me know that they believe in me, well that's rewarding and inspiring enough to finish well. Along the way my mind will drift back through the days spent on a treadmill when the snow piled high in the neighborhood. I will think of the many times I ran from Wolf to Lutz to Peterson or 430 & Biscayne & Satinwood or the late nights running on a quiet high school track with only moon light as company. And I will think of my kids whom I wish could be among the crowd of runners. When it starts to get tough, I will think of what my military sons are facing as warriors and I will press on. I will look down to my green wrist band for a few more ounces of will and determination as it serves well to remind me of a classmate's sister who ran and ran strong despite a fierce battle with cancer. I will recall the times I felt like quitting in the past but kept moving ahead supported by the hope of joy waiting on the other side of pain. Often I've hear- "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." I have much more confidence in the spirit than the flesh. May that prove to be the case in Chicago!

Hello 20

2011-09-28T12:53:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was my last big run before the Chicago Marathon. For two days my legs felt a normalcy that I haven't experienced since early July. Normally I am off on Mondays but since I worked this one, I opted to take off a Tuesday so I could refocus on my random training plan. I have had two 15 mile runs this month which is substandard on the way to my 26.2 miler in just 2 weeks. A marathon running friend told me that if I could get an 18 mile run in before the race, I may be able to cross the finish line after fighting nagging injuries.

Since my mental approach to conquering the marathon involves dividing it into four 5-mile segments plus two 5ks, I decided to make my final long run four 5-mile segments with a hope to hit 50 minuets at each interval. I headed to Mansfield's bike trail for this long workout. The air was cool and breezy with a hint of fog to thinly mask the clear blue skies and gorgeous sun.

As I loaded up on pre-run nutrients for the trail, I knew it was time to test out if I could reach this goal. From Lexington park I trekked northward. Although there was some leg discomfort for the first mile and a half, it did not alter my running form as the last few sessions! Being able to shake out the aches after 1 & a half miles was encouraging since the last three runs required 4 miles of struggle before I felt any fluidity in my motion.

This run was the first I truly enjoyed in a long time as I took in the sights, scents and sounds around me. The falling leaves cascaded before me lining the path as if to comfort healing feet. As fog burned away the sun light glistened on grassy fields and flowers and heightened the blue ponds along the path. The breeze revealed sweet aromas of early autumn. I was running and felt fully alive. As pressed on I felt increasing strength with minimal effort of breathing. At 5 miles I hit the 50 minute mark and made my turn southward again.

By now I was relaxed and focused, gaining confidence with each stride and no hint of fatigue when I reached the 10 mile mark. At this point I gained a minute in a half to finish the first half of my run at 98 1/2 minuets. After a quick stop to refuel, I returned north again and surprisingly as I continued I was able to keep up my pace and after 15 miles I was at 150 minuets and on target. Though fatiguing at this point, I knew I had knocked down the first 3 quarters of my run at race pace. Just five more miles I thought to myself and returned for the final leg.

I continued to concentrate on form but I found my mind drifting a bit in focus during this stretch. I also noticed that I was laboring a bit on my breathing yet kept moving toward the finish. The last four miles seemed longer in my head but I had to remember, not since the Akron marathon had I pushed these distances and so I was up against head games. I countered my thoughts would positives like at 16 miles- I am in new territory. At 18 miles- Liz says if I can get there on my runs I will be ok for Chicago. With those thoughts, a faint smile overcame me. I respected the distance still before me. 2 miles is easy but not so much after you have already run 18. Still I kept thinking how good it would be to cross the finish and drink the water and take off my shoes to stand in soft grass in bare feet. The hardest mile was the final one. It's what I considered my wall to push through. Though my pace was fading, I was able to gently push to the end and finished with a 3:25 for 20 miles! The thrill was in the finish of the biggest test to date. The time was a bonus.

I am now looking forward to the Chicago Marathon, feeling confident that I can do this. If I finish better than the Akron, that will be a bonus. Hello 20! Nice to meet you!!

Persistence of Adversity is Testing My Resolve

2011-09-20T20:17:00.004-04:00

I'm 18 days away from my 2nd marathon and I'm not anywhere close to my training plan. This is due to injuries that took my body hostage since the second week in July. I noticed the trouble brewing on a post 5k run as I started out for a 6 mile run in the neighborhood.I was introduced to running pains I have never experienced in 6 years of running. It went all the way from my tail bone to my ankles. At first I tried to ignore it, then nurse it and stop running altogether. Still as the days were mounting, so was my nervousness about my comeback marathon in October. It took a lot of commitment to jump back in after my lay off with plantar fasciitis. I began preparing for Chicago back in the winter, often treading on my dreadmill staring at my basement walls.

When spring came I finally felt free to run the roads I missed for too long. It felt great, as I rediscovered the joy of long distance running. When I hit my marker at the Columbus half in May I felt well on my way to one of the world's greatest marathons. When you submit your non refundable payment to enter, there's no way to go but all out in your focus and training. And I did... until July. My monthly calendar was streaming in red marking nearly every day with miles for the day, the week and the month. Then came July and the entries became thinner, with weeks completely blank as the race clock ticked on and on.

I tried rest, ibuprofen, ice packs, wraps, ointments, massages and my first experiences with chiropractic treatments. I bought other shoes, tried different running styles and sought advice and encouragement in high doses.

With training as my backdrop, I even delivered a series of messages in church on the parallel between the Christian life and running. I even announced my plans to run and sought sponsors to raise support for Chicago's oldest rescue mission "Olive Branch." Immediately support started coming in but the pain was only increasing with time. I struggled to run with diminishing returns and finally I faced a perceived reality. I could not do this, as much I wanted to try, so I called it off. No trip to Chicago and I was deeply disappointed. But then on Labor Day I went to the high school track and ran, surprising myself with 15 miles worth. Elation was short lived as I attempted a return a couple days later when I could not muster even a half mile because my body went into total rebellion.

When i returned home I was so let down that I walked into my office and pulled down every trace of running (medals, bibs, pics, trophies, gear) and I shoved it in the closet out of sight. There was only one running picture left on the wall. I refused to take it down because it was different from the others. It was a picture of my son Andy and me after we did a 5k race together just before he went into the Army. He is now serving as a Corporal in the infantry over in Afghanistan. That lone picture was kept up for sentimental reasons but it has become a reminder not to give up or quit even when you think you're spent.

This past Saturday, I decided to return to the track after a week's absence and a finally fading leg pain. To my surprise, I found my 2 and half mile run tolerable and decided to call it a day at the track. On Sunday night I returned to the dim lit track which was all mine. I was not sure how I would do but was determined to give it my best. The first few miles were a struggle and I paused to stretch, adjust and continue. Then things came together and the laps started piling up as the air continued to cool. By 11:30 pm I had made 60 loops for 15 miles and added an extra half from an earlier attempt to equal my best distance of the year! When Monday arrived, I felt fine. Today is Tuesday and after tonight's 8 mile run, I have run the equivalent of a marathon since Saturday.

I am finally feeling a renewed sense of confidence as I have battled through with patience. I am not as fast but I have developed an enduring capacity that may lead to a pleasant surprise in Chicago next month.

Capital City Half Marathon

2011-05-08T07:12:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was my first big race of 2011. I returned to Columbus Ohio for my second half marathon experience in that city. May last one took place in 2008. Since I ran a half in Ashland OH last December at close to the 2:30, I knew I had some serious work to do to return to a more "normal" performance to compare with the past. Of course Ashland's race was not a standard bearing run as I was coming off a prolonged injury that sidelined me mostly from the end of '08 to mid '10.

When this year rolled around I was determined to train with great intensity. My first goal was to set a goal to hit my 2000 mile mark by my March 20th birthday. To do that I had to run 270 miles in 77 days. At the moment I realized how far I'd have to run, I knew it would take great focus considering I had not run a consistent schedule since before my injury, not to mention winter weather in Mansfield would result in many hours running on a treadmill in my basement.

This goal was reached prior to my birthday and became the catalyst for higher goals and greater intensity. I first committed to train for the Chicago Marathon in October and this stepping stone yesterday called the Capital City Half Marathon. 12,000 runners filled the streets to compete in this as well as a new quarter marathon and 5k race.In all nearly half of the runners finished the half.

The weather was perfect at 50 and mostly cloudy with a few peeks of sun interspersed through the course. After some delay in getting parked and waiting my turn in line at the portapot I made my way to the starting corral. There was no pre-race jog or 20 min stretch routine but I assured myself that I would be fine if I just started slow and stayed focused. I set a goal to run a sub-2 hour race. I knew it was ambitious considering I had not had such a result in 3 years but I calculated my pace and packed my mile by mile chart under my watch.

What surprised me most was the fact that I felt no butterflies at all. I normal have some nervous energy but today it was absent. I did not know what to make of it but I welcomed it nevertheless. I was in the B corral, just behind the elite pack. I found it amusing to be that close and yet in my mind and heart I knew there was a great gulf between me and that Kenya guy that would blister over the course. I crowded in to the back of the B corral and patiently waited for our release. Finally the waiting and months of training were left behind at the start line on now it was off toward what was out there to greet me. I have heard it preached start slow and so I told myself it's 13.1 and not 0.1 so go easy and I did. When we arrived at mile 1 I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see that my first mark was at 7:38. At first I thought that was a kilometer mark but it was indeed a mile. I was concerned because it was about a minute and half faster than my pace. I backed off my next mile aided by some cramping in my lower shin and ankle, much like my previous start in Columbus a few years ago. This cramp helped me get reeled back into my necessary pace over the next 2 miles. Thankfully by mile 4 the cramp and pain was gone. This is where some racing experience helps a runner not to panic when a familiar pain has a history of fading after a long distance training run. One device I remember from my very first half marathon is that whenever I see a mile marker in the horizon, I automatically go into a surge mode until I cross that point. Looking back on this race I know it was a deciding factor in reaching or missing my goal. By the time we finished our northward trek up along the Olentangy River and past the "Horseshoe" Ohio State Stadium, I knew we were about to head toward the more enjoyable descent back into the city where encouraging crowds lined both sides of the street and a ton of energy and support could be siphoned from the cheering onlookers. My favorite stretch was ahead at miles 6-8. I knew Kelly and her sister would be somewhere in the crowd and I drifted to the right of the road to catch a glimpse and maybe even stop for a kiss to finish strong. But it was a bit of a distraction from the race, not knowing exactly where they might be. At about 7 I spotted them and a smile came across my face like I had just found a long lost friend. Sometimes you can feel all out there in a racing crowd, in your own world with your own music piped into your ears oblivious to the street corner bands. But in that moment I was happy to find them and stopped even though I knew it could hinder my time and momentum- but that's what you do when your wife has been your strongest believer and has helped you on your way to this great. I contend that she is a valuable member to making this day possible. And that kiss was my way of saying Thank You and I am good. As they quickly slipped past my shoulder I moved towrd the middle of the road for most of the remaining 6 miles left. Around mile 8, though I never saw the marker, the crowd thins again quite dramatically on the turn eastward through narrow streets. When I got to the 9th mile, I thought to myself just a pair of two mile runs and I'm home. I thought of familiar two mile routes back near my home that I have doubled up so many times and convinced myself, I have trained for this and I will be fine, although I was really pushing the boundaries of my sub 2 hour goal as I eased into what's called "German Village." This area had a mild descent and I sought to make the most of it as I realized that in order to reach my goal, this is where I had to press harder. It's a fine line of knowing when to press but to be sure that I don't empty the tank for the final turn back north into the heart of Columbus and the finish line. And I remembered that the final 2 miles would be demanding as I turned the corner and head back up & up & up High Street. This is the place where your mind fights your body. This is the stretch where runners become walkers. This is the place where goals are made or broken (A Boulevard of Broken Dreams). I was divided in my focus here between my watch and the unending hill. I was on the borderline between just reaching and missing my goal. A part of me wanted to congratulate myself for getting so close and another part was asking, "Why settle for almost?" It would help to know just how far beyond the turn at Mt Everest was the finish line? I had no idea but thought that was going to be the difference between reaching and almost. Finally I saw the racers turning and knew just past the building I'd learn if I had enough in the tank to break my time. When I turned the corner I could see that the finish was about 3 tenths of a mile and best of all, it was all down hill on brick covered streets. I started to smile with some anxiety as my watching was racing off the seconds. In order to reach I would have to apply my other life message that my kids have heard, "Finish Strong." Though the body was weary my mind took over my legs and I broke all out in a sprint to the end when I hit the finish. I glanced at my watch that read 1:59.53. I hit the mark and erupted into a shout of triumph and a feeling of accomplishment that overwhelmed me. I know it's just a little race but for me it was more. It was a reminder that I am back completely and that the training and the focus and the joy of simply running all came together on a spring morning through the streets that would test the passion level of all runners. Mission accomplished.

2011 Off & Running

2011-01-17T18:31:00.002-05:00

I'm only seventeen days into the new year and have a good feel for running through the next twelve months. I am already up to 40 miles on the year which may not be that amazing but it's a good start. When I was in peak form, I had some 40 mile weeks but for now, this is definitely a great sign. If you attempt to be a runner in Mansfield Ohio, you quickly learn that winter will do everything to drain you of the will to be a dedicated runner. I have accepted that in this season I will have to deal with the treadmill as part of my training regiment if I am to stay strong into spring.

I have my eyes set on a short term goal of hitting the 2000 mile mark in my log book. If things continue as I hope, I should reach this milestone as spring arrives. It should take me three months to get there if all goes as planned. In the meantime, I know that I have to focus on a few key things:
1. Losing weight. I want to drop 18 pounds.
2. Longer distances. I am hoping to be hitting some 12 mile runs by the end of February.
3. Speed. I know that as I lose weight I am getting faster but I have to have days of just plain old speed work.

I love this about running. You can set so many goals to keep you challenged and motivated. But of course the BIG ONE is Chicago Marathon in October!