Dr. G's Run Blog

On the Nightstand

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 22:45:17 -0500

Motivation from Team Hoyt

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 16:20:51 -0500

Firecracker 5K

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 10:04:34 -0500

I am pretty sure that "race" is not the right word to describe what it was that I did early this Independence Day morning. Indeed, even "running" might be a stretch. Despite that fact, the Firecracker 5K was a lot of fun--as always. The cooler-than-normal temperatures, the overcast skies, and the throngs of friends and neighbors, made the annual fun run in Brentwood's Maryland Farms a delightful way to spend the morning.

I have not been able to run much during the past couple of months due to my busy schedule, constant travel, and native indolence, so this was a great "appetite stimulator" for me. My friend John Scherrer and I both resolved to train more over the course of the rest of the summer. As he said after we crossed the finish line, caught our breath, and quenched our thirst, "I need to get in shape so I can die healthy." Amen!

The Play of the Season

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:18:28 -0500

Jump Start in London

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 08:56:30 -0500

According to my nifty little pedometer, I logged 62 miles of walking (touring, really) and 8 miles of running (early morning slow runs) during the eight days of my London trip. That should provide a good base for my summer running season. This next week in Dallas, I will begin training in earnest.

On Not Running

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Thu, 22 May 2008 11:18:47 -0500

OK. It is officially driving me crazy. The weather is perfect, but the schedule is not. That's always the way things go is this time of year.

I always take a brief hiatus from running after the spring marathon. It enables me to squeeze in most, if not all, of my end-of-academic-year responsibilities. It enables me to fully recover. It enables me to remember why I love--no, crave--running so much.

This year, I will miss the RC-Moon Pie race in Bell Buckle for the first time in four years. But, after that I should be back into the swing of things, ready for the Firecracker 5K on July 4. Then, it will be a push for whatever fall marathon I choose--and then on to the St. Jude Marathon in December.

So, as soon as I get back from my quick overseas trip this next week, I'll start training again. I'm raring to go!

Marathon Day

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:30:13 -0500

Marathon Madness

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 17:07:13 -0500

Joel Miller, a friend in the publishing industry here in Nashville, has written a great (and funny) article for the American Spectator on his participation in the Country Music Marathon.

After the Finish

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 20:22:59 -0500

Mission Accomplished

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 12:38:50 -0500

Wow. Somehow I soldiered through and finished the Country Music Half Marathon. I started very cautiously through the first two miles or so with 11 minute miles. Since I was feeling so good at that point, I cranked it up to about 8 and a half minute miles for the next seven or eight miles. That was probably a big mistake. I pretty much fell apart after the 9-mile marker. From there to finish, it was just a trudge home. It wasn't pretty, but I did it. My final time was 1:59.21. I'm sore. I'm tired. But, I'm more than satisfied; I'm thrilled.

And the King's Meadow Endurance Team experience was spectacular. With more than a dozen runners, we had a great time at a great event raising support for a great cause. Thank you to everyone who stood with us in prayer, cheering along the course, and with financial support. What a gift of God's grace!

CMM: Tomorrow Morning

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:05:47 -0500

I'm going for it. Surely the old lungs, gimpy ankles, and wobbly legs can hold out for 13.1 miles. Should be fun. After all, I'll be running through beautiful Nashville with about 30,000 of my closest friends through the traditional marathon thundershowers!

CMM: 3

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:17:26 -0500

Things are not looking good. My Bronchitis has taken a bit of a turn for the worse. But, I've still not given up all hope of running. I've got a couple of days to decide!

CMM: 5

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 16:44:35 -0500

With just five days to go, the head cold and lung congestion I experienced over the weekend is starting to clear up. Perhaps one more night of NyQuill will do the trick. I sure hope so. I've come way too far just to let a late-training cold knock me out of this year's marathon.

Boston

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 13:48:15 -0500

The Boston Marathon is the oldest annual city marathon in the world, appearing for the first time in 1897. That year, only 18 runners entered the race. The number of participants has increased steadily since then. On Monday, the traditional Patriots’ Day running of the race, about 25,000 people will run, cheered on by about 500,000 spectators.

In terms of on-site media coverage, the Boston Marathon ranks behind only the Super Bowl as the largest single day sporting event in the world. More than 1,100 media members, representing more than 250 outlets, receive credentials annually.

Thus, the Boston Marathon ranks as one of the most prestigious running events in the world. This honourable position is attained thanks to the long and venerable history of the race, the hilly and challenging course, and the fact that runners have to qualify to register as an official participant.

The qualifying standard is high enough to make just qualifying for Boston--AKA to BQ--quite an achievement in itself. The time limit for my age group is a quick 3 hours and 35 minutes. That's an average of about 8 minutes per mile for all 26.2 miles! Whew!

I'll be following the race live on the WBZ TV website.

Yogi's Wisdom

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:47:34 -0500

When I simply don't have any physical reserves left in a marathon, I just remind myself of Yogi Berra's sport's wisdom, "It's eighty percent half mental."

11 Days: CMM

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:18:02 -0500

My training has been anything but ideal. But, I'm going for it anyway. In just eleven days I'll be running in the Country Music Half Marathon with 30,000 other runners. I've got two very simple goals:

1. Finish. I don't care how slow, how painful, or how pitiful. I just want to finish.

2. I want to raise some significant funding for our New College Franklin project.

So, as I hit the pavement in this last push to train, would you be willing to sponsor me? If so, just click through to our King's Meadow Endurance Team donation page. Keep me running! Keep me training! Keep me smiling!

Out the Door

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 07:27:16 -0500

"After running regularly for about 25 years, I have only one tip: Force yourself to step out the door. Once you're outside, you're golden." Jeannie McGrew

Last Ditch Effort

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 20:05:55 -0500

It's been slow going--recovering from a couple of shoulder surgeries, months of physical therapy, and a layoff from serious running for most of the last ten months. Most recently I've battled some upper respiratory troubles. But, I am now battling through it in a last ditch effort to train for the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon the last Saturday of this month.

My goal is two-fold: first, I want to finish without regard to time whatsoever; second, I want to raise some significant funding for our New College Franklin project.

Would you be willing to sponsor me? If so, just click through to our King's Meadow Endurance Team donation page. Keep me running! Keep me training! Keep me smiling!

Competition

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 09:07:59 -0500

"The whole idea is not to beat other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit." George Sheehan

Will Power

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 21:57:36 -0500

"The will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." Juma Ikangaa

Dos and Don'ts

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:23:51 -0500

"Above all, train hard, eat right, and avoid television and people with bad attitudes." Scott Tinley

If It's Worth Doing, It's Worth Doing. Period.

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:51:52 -0500

"Whatever is worth doing at all is worth doing well, and nothing can be well done without attention." Earl of Chesterfield

"If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing badly." G.K. Chesterton

Slow and Steady

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:09:01 -0500

"I love when they check my pulse at the doctor's office. Every time they say, 'Oh man, good pulse. You must be a runner.'" Miles O'Brien

All Things Possible

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:14:41 -0500

"Bid me run, and I will strive with things impossible." William Shakespeare

Forgetting What Lies Behind

noreply@blogger.com (George Grant) — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:28:21 -0500

"You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming." Frank Shorter