It could be that this was almost an official first anniversary that kept me awake. Or it could be that I still just have not learned how to sleep the night before a race. Before the Indy Half Marathon, I woke up in cold sweats numerous times in a friends spare bedroom and felt as though I owed them new sheets afterward. Before the Philly Distance Run, in the bed I slept in growing up, I barely slept three hours. And before the 31st Annual Pequot Runners 5 mile Turkey Trot, 3 hours was the max I slept as well.
This was the first "repeat" race that I have done in the 14 months that I've actually been running races. And I knew I would beat last years time. Last year, the 5 miles took me 39:43 to finish, as I succumbed to a nasty side stitch in the final quarter mile and walked 100 meters. This year, as if to prove to myself that wouldn't happen again I ran a 4 mile tempo run the afternoon before with a recurring side stitch in under 28. Fantastic. There was no doubt, barring a travesty that I would beat last years time. Still, I was aiming higher as I wanted sub 35.
I got to the race a good 75 minutes before hand. I knew from last year that this was a race that was very congested in the first mile to mile and a half. 3000 Runners down a narrow Southport CT street would do that to ya. As I got to the start line a 1/2 hour before hand I looked around and noticed at the start there would still be at least 200 runners to weave through and around the first mile. This was before the bagpipes came through the crowd. A Pequot Turkey trot tradition. The pipers part the crowd like the red sea, and the opening allows more people to elbow there way forward closer to the start. No matter, this was all expected.
As the gun went off the crowd moved even slower than expected though. It took me close to 20 seconds to get the 10-15 yards to the start line. And after that we were at a walking pace. Suddenly I found myself irritated. I found myself elbowing my way into and through conversating runners, clipping on heels, and running up onto sidewalks and through perfectly manicured yards just to get around a few people. My lateral movement in and around crowds may have added a tenth of a mile. I looked like Frogger, maybe a drunk frogger.
Coming up on one mile I knew I was slower than I wanted to be, but I wasn't sure how slow. I had a watch on, but I couldn't remember if I hit start before the start, or at the start, so I didn't even bother looking. When the lady shouted out 7:4x as I passed I thought, "Shit, that leaves some work to do."
I also thought I could still go sub 35, it would just really hurt the whole way. I thought about my 4 mile tempo run on Wed, and attempted to convince myself I had it in me. At one mile was the largest hill of the course, and I wasn't affected at all. I found this encouraging. What I wasn't encouraged. by was another side stitch. Screw it, I was prepared for this to hurt anyway.
Between miles 1-3 I found myself tracking behind, and periodically ahead of some ridiculously fit early college cross country running girl. There would be times I would surge around a group and then glance to my side and she wasn't there. 10 seconds later, I'd see her back in front of me. I was guessing we were both running sub 7 splits and was sure that I didn't want to let her beat me. Any time I saw a slight surge from her to pass me, I would attempt to surge back not wanting to let her get ahead. This cat and mouse game had me pass a water stop without seeking a cup, but I figured I would choke on it anyway or it would bring a side stich so no big loss.
Somewhere between miles 3-4 I lost my cross country sweetheart and was now back along long island sound just before heading into the final mile of the race. In the back of my mind briefly was last year when I stopped to walk off a side stitch. But only briefly. As we passed by mile marker 4 I heard the person shout out 28:2x. Not knowing exactly how long it took me to get to the start, I still thought sub 35 was in my reach. I definitely was tiring as I had run three straight sub 7's to get to that position, but was telling myself, "just 2 more intervals and you are done..." trying to break down this last mile.
Again I found myself side by side with some one about 10 years younger than me with some XC singlet on. Again I found myself trading surges on and off with this person. As we passed by the start line, about 1/4 mile from the finish, he laid down a surge I couldn't match. Within seconds he was 15-20 meters clear. Fuckin a.
Still I found myself thinking just get through the next 200 meters, then a slight left turn into a downhill finish the final 150-200 meters. And as I was approaching that turn, the girl I was trading surges with in miles 1-3 passed me. No way was I gonna let that happen. Between the anger about that and the want to be sub 35, I was letting anything I had left out in that final 200. As I moved towards the finish, I didn't even glance at the clock, not wanting to break momentum. Once over the timing pad and into the chute, I stopped my watch and looked down. 35:18. I knew my time was quicker, I just didn't know how much.
When I finally saw the official results, 35:06 I was honestly a bit disappointed. Disappointed, because I know I had sub 35 in me. Possible sub 34:30 on that day. But as the disappointment faded I have become a little happier with the race. I didn't allow myself to be discouraged or frustrated by the first mile. I found myself more attacking the course rather than I was reacting to the pace of those around me. And the small sort of comical thought of being over 4 minutes quicker than last year.
More though I found myself oddly encouraged by my disappointment. That though I set a PR for myself in 5 mile race, I know I can do better and wasn't only satisfied with that PR. Regardless, I am looking forward to racing it again next thanksgiving, perhaps even taking another 4 minutes off my time!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Running and the greatest fan season of all time.
This fall has been ridiculous for me. For all of my life I have been a Phillies fan and I had the chance, not only to see them win the World Series, but to actually be there for the clinching game. It's miraculous, and something I never would have expected. All of this season I would attempt to leave work around 5ish, get in stretching, run my sixer or whatever distance for that day and then get back in time to make up some dinner and see first pitch. It was great and I enjoyed virtually every minute. Baseball is like that for me. The pace of the game, and the makeup up this years Phillies squad made it such that I never felt like the Phils were out of a game or that I needed to panic. Except against the Mets, I admit I got angry those games.
Fast forward to this week. The Columbus Crew has made a MLS Cup final. This is absurd to me. It's something I can't quite wrap my head around. From 2002-2007, I missed maybe 10 Crew games. I was a season ticket holder for three of those seasons. I saw a whole lot of bad soccer. This season, I saw maybe 10 games. I missed the vast majority of the best season the Crew has ever played. The one game I made it to was in New York, where the Crew lost 3-1, and the opposing goalkeeper actually scored a goal on us. Pathetic. Of course by that point the Crew was sleepwalking and had already accomplished the best record in the league and were well on there way.
I bring this up because of the unpredictability of both of those seasons, and training. I'll be honest, most of the 2005 through 2007 seasons, watching the Columbus Crew was a chore. It was awful and for the most part joyless. This was a team that even when they had the ball in the attacking third never looked as if they would be threatening to score. Still there would be moments, where an unexpected goal vs DC or Chicago would send me screaming with such joy that I would disturb my neighbors, and they would run upstairs to check if I was okay.
This past Thursday night against the Fire when the Crew played a lackluster first half it seemed to be similar to those teams I watched the past few years. The second half Columbus looked like a completely different team. Night and day. They dominated to a point where the entire 45 minutes was more or less stress free and enjoyable. It's not something that was expected at all.
In my training 2-3 weeks ago, I felt like I was on the verge of a breakthrough. My mileage was up and my speed was improving by dramatic leaps in nearly every workout. This week it was a totally different story. After my track session Sunday my long run was passable, but not exactly quick. My subsequent runs in the week were pretty miserable actually. I looked back at my supposed breakthrough week and wondered what happened? What had I been doing differently this week.
Last night, stuff wasn't looking much better. By 3:30 om it was raining. By 430 it was raining and looking like midnight outside. A friend from work invited me to happy hour. I looked outside thinking how drinking a Johnny Walker sounded much nicer than dodging Jetta's on my run. I looked back and said, "Sorry, I can't I gotta get in a run tonight. I gotta put in a sixer to end the week" She looked outside and then at me, obviously puzzled, and mocked my use of the word sixer.
Leaving work, I had memories of my last few poor runs, and really hoped that I'd put in the full six and put in my mind that was a necessity and that I couldn't turn around at 2 and put in four. Lo and behold, the run was my best of the week. Tempo, turnover, lungs, mental, everything was working better than at any point in the week. It was pretty ridiculous, and more rewarding than a happy hour,
The thing is, it wasn't unlike watching a favorite team as they go through tough seasons. Okay, it's a bit different putting down miles than sitting on the couch with a beer. But, if I have the base down, it's not a matter of thinking, "I can't finish this run." Cause I know I can. There may be days that where my knees hurt. My lungs aren't working, my quads are tight, mentally I am not ready. But then there are the days of unexpected breakthroughs. I have no idea how the body works. How one day can be the worst run ever, followed by one that leaves you on a high for days. Likewise I can guess how a soccer team that was under .500 last season returns basically the same team this year and dominates the entire league.
In the end, it's the joy in those unexpected surprises that keeps me watching my sometimes crap teams and getting back out there after a crap run. Just like I don't want to miss the shocking upset game, or the game where the team finally gelled, I don't want to miss that run either.
Fast forward to this week. The Columbus Crew has made a MLS Cup final. This is absurd to me. It's something I can't quite wrap my head around. From 2002-2007, I missed maybe 10 Crew games. I was a season ticket holder for three of those seasons. I saw a whole lot of bad soccer. This season, I saw maybe 10 games. I missed the vast majority of the best season the Crew has ever played. The one game I made it to was in New York, where the Crew lost 3-1, and the opposing goalkeeper actually scored a goal on us. Pathetic. Of course by that point the Crew was sleepwalking and had already accomplished the best record in the league and were well on there way.
I bring this up because of the unpredictability of both of those seasons, and training. I'll be honest, most of the 2005 through 2007 seasons, watching the Columbus Crew was a chore. It was awful and for the most part joyless. This was a team that even when they had the ball in the attacking third never looked as if they would be threatening to score. Still there would be moments, where an unexpected goal vs DC or Chicago would send me screaming with such joy that I would disturb my neighbors, and they would run upstairs to check if I was okay.
This past Thursday night against the Fire when the Crew played a lackluster first half it seemed to be similar to those teams I watched the past few years. The second half Columbus looked like a completely different team. Night and day. They dominated to a point where the entire 45 minutes was more or less stress free and enjoyable. It's not something that was expected at all.
In my training 2-3 weeks ago, I felt like I was on the verge of a breakthrough. My mileage was up and my speed was improving by dramatic leaps in nearly every workout. This week it was a totally different story. After my track session Sunday my long run was passable, but not exactly quick. My subsequent runs in the week were pretty miserable actually. I looked back at my supposed breakthrough week and wondered what happened? What had I been doing differently this week.
Last night, stuff wasn't looking much better. By 3:30 om it was raining. By 430 it was raining and looking like midnight outside. A friend from work invited me to happy hour. I looked outside thinking how drinking a Johnny Walker sounded much nicer than dodging Jetta's on my run. I looked back and said, "Sorry, I can't I gotta get in a run tonight. I gotta put in a sixer to end the week" She looked outside and then at me, obviously puzzled, and mocked my use of the word sixer.
Leaving work, I had memories of my last few poor runs, and really hoped that I'd put in the full six and put in my mind that was a necessity and that I couldn't turn around at 2 and put in four. Lo and behold, the run was my best of the week. Tempo, turnover, lungs, mental, everything was working better than at any point in the week. It was pretty ridiculous, and more rewarding than a happy hour,
The thing is, it wasn't unlike watching a favorite team as they go through tough seasons. Okay, it's a bit different putting down miles than sitting on the couch with a beer. But, if I have the base down, it's not a matter of thinking, "I can't finish this run." Cause I know I can. There may be days that where my knees hurt. My lungs aren't working, my quads are tight, mentally I am not ready. But then there are the days of unexpected breakthroughs. I have no idea how the body works. How one day can be the worst run ever, followed by one that leaves you on a high for days. Likewise I can guess how a soccer team that was under .500 last season returns basically the same team this year and dominates the entire league.
In the end, it's the joy in those unexpected surprises that keeps me watching my sometimes crap teams and getting back out there after a crap run. Just like I don't want to miss the shocking upset game, or the game where the team finally gelled, I don't want to miss that run either.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Intervals are in fashion!
Yesterday, I did what actually was my first track workout. Before that I'd done all my running on the road and attempted to use some of my shorter runs as speed work. Time trials for 3 and 4 mile runs and the like. But, of course a track workout is a totally different animal.
So the plan was...
1 mile warmup
8x800 (with a 400 recovery between each)
1 mile cooldown
Basically this is a fartlek run, and I got the suggestion from a friend out in Indy. This of course was the plan, and sometimes the plan goes much better than the actual run. Truth told, I only got through 6 rather than 8 of the 800's.
Still, it was a good day. At the beginning there were only three or four other people on the track. I did my mile warmup at a leisurely 8-8:15 pace.
I took a swig of water, and it was time for my first 800. 2:59. I honestly had no idea what to expect in my interval times. But to be under 3 minutes fora half mile. I liked that. I was encouraged. I went about my 400 recovery at a much slower pace. And then my second 800, 3:10. As I looked down at my watch, I yelled, "Shit! Come on!" Half of this was frustration from already being tired. Half of it was from dropping 10 seconds already in just one interval. I quickly found out from the disapproving stares that shouting profanities of encouragement were not exactly smiled upon at this track. I made a mental note.
My next 4 intervals were 3:10, 3:11, 3:18, and 3:16. I found myslelf a mix of satisfied with those times and frustrated that I had nothing left for two more, and I went about my one mile cool down.
The most interesting moments came during my final few intervals. A man and woman showed up with a camera, the man in full fashionable ruunning gear. And he fake jogged up and down one straightaway as the woman took pictures. It was some sort of fashion shoot I guess. That's fine. We all want to look good, and we all appreciate running attire that doesn't make us look ugly. But in the future, keep your fashion shoots outta my damn lane.
Yeah, they were in lane 2. MY LANE! "Fuckers!" I said to myself (quietly, since curses of encourgement are frowned upon at this track) as I noticed this on the opposite straightaway. And as I came up behind the photographer, breathing prety heavy and with heavier footsteps, she didn't move. So, I ran around her, and then right back into my lane, getting in the way of her shot. This happened again on my 400 recovery. I was glared at by the runner model, but just went about my business.
In the end, I just hope they got some good action shots of me, hair flowing both feet off the ground. If lucky they may have even caught me shooting a snot rocket during recovery. That's centerfold material.
So the plan was...
1 mile warmup
8x800 (with a 400 recovery between each)
1 mile cooldown
Basically this is a fartlek run, and I got the suggestion from a friend out in Indy. This of course was the plan, and sometimes the plan goes much better than the actual run. Truth told, I only got through 6 rather than 8 of the 800's.
Still, it was a good day. At the beginning there were only three or four other people on the track. I did my mile warmup at a leisurely 8-8:15 pace.
I took a swig of water, and it was time for my first 800. 2:59. I honestly had no idea what to expect in my interval times. But to be under 3 minutes fora half mile. I liked that. I was encouraged. I went about my 400 recovery at a much slower pace. And then my second 800, 3:10. As I looked down at my watch, I yelled, "Shit! Come on!" Half of this was frustration from already being tired. Half of it was from dropping 10 seconds already in just one interval. I quickly found out from the disapproving stares that shouting profanities of encouragement were not exactly smiled upon at this track. I made a mental note.
My next 4 intervals were 3:10, 3:11, 3:18, and 3:16. I found myslelf a mix of satisfied with those times and frustrated that I had nothing left for two more, and I went about my one mile cool down.
The most interesting moments came during my final few intervals. A man and woman showed up with a camera, the man in full fashionable ruunning gear. And he fake jogged up and down one straightaway as the woman took pictures. It was some sort of fashion shoot I guess. That's fine. We all want to look good, and we all appreciate running attire that doesn't make us look ugly. But in the future, keep your fashion shoots outta my damn lane.
Yeah, they were in lane 2. MY LANE! "Fuckers!" I said to myself (quietly, since curses of encourgement are frowned upon at this track) as I noticed this on the opposite straightaway. And as I came up behind the photographer, breathing prety heavy and with heavier footsteps, she didn't move. So, I ran around her, and then right back into my lane, getting in the way of her shot. This happened again on my 400 recovery. I was glared at by the runner model, but just went about my business.
In the end, I just hope they got some good action shots of me, hair flowing both feet off the ground. If lucky they may have even caught me shooting a snot rocket during recovery. That's centerfold material.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Daylight Savings time is the witching hour.
I moaned to a friend earlier this week. Hell, just yesterday about a run. I got up Thursday morning for a quick sixer. It wasn't quick it wasn't good, it was more or less the shittiest run I've had in weeks.
Now this wouldn't have bothered me as much if I didn't feel like I was on a verge of a mini breakthrough just a few days previous. The weeks of the 12th and 19th of October were great for me. Back to back 30 mile weeks. I'd made a conscious decision to up mileage and to put an extra couple miles onto my long run. Both weeks I was pleased with my overall pace on my runs, my energy, and my confidence was going sky high.
Go to the final week of October and my mileage dropped off a bit. This sorta happens when you spend half the week drunk celebrating the Phils championship, going to both nights of game 5, and the parade. When I wasn't drunk, I was admittedly hungover, thus, long runs weren't happening. (Unless of course you count the several laps inbetween cars I did slapping high fives while drinking a free Natty Light and taking donations of champagne. While not quite ten miles, it was just as glorious.)Still I put in 18 miles and had my training PR's at 3 and 6 miles. Not bad for running hungover.
So I come off of all that to a week where I am dropping times, and I am thinking it may have to do with my increased mileage. But now suddenly it's getting darker 430 pm. What the hell is that? So I get in my long run on Monday on my day off. Another 10 miler and it goes great. Best 10 mile time I've had. Then a four miler. Not bad. I decide after looking at the weather to do my sixer on Thursday morning. And that was the shit run. Just awful.
This morning I woke up, and I wasn't feeling it. Memories of the bad run were too fresh and I put the run off until the evening. MUCH BETTER. Same sixer, same route, 2:40 quicker than just 1 morning earlier.
Thing is I just can not function before 8 am. If I am to be running consistently in DST through the winter, I will be running at night. In the dark, crossing through I-95 onramps 4 times total in the six mile loop from my apartment. It's just a matter of time till I get hit by a car. In the meantime I'll be gladly taking donations for reflective jackets.
Now this wouldn't have bothered me as much if I didn't feel like I was on a verge of a mini breakthrough just a few days previous. The weeks of the 12th and 19th of October were great for me. Back to back 30 mile weeks. I'd made a conscious decision to up mileage and to put an extra couple miles onto my long run. Both weeks I was pleased with my overall pace on my runs, my energy, and my confidence was going sky high.
Go to the final week of October and my mileage dropped off a bit. This sorta happens when you spend half the week drunk celebrating the Phils championship, going to both nights of game 5, and the parade. When I wasn't drunk, I was admittedly hungover, thus, long runs weren't happening. (Unless of course you count the several laps inbetween cars I did slapping high fives while drinking a free Natty Light and taking donations of champagne. While not quite ten miles, it was just as glorious.)Still I put in 18 miles and had my training PR's at 3 and 6 miles. Not bad for running hungover.
So I come off of all that to a week where I am dropping times, and I am thinking it may have to do with my increased mileage. But now suddenly it's getting darker 430 pm. What the hell is that? So I get in my long run on Monday on my day off. Another 10 miler and it goes great. Best 10 mile time I've had. Then a four miler. Not bad. I decide after looking at the weather to do my sixer on Thursday morning. And that was the shit run. Just awful.
This morning I woke up, and I wasn't feeling it. Memories of the bad run were too fresh and I put the run off until the evening. MUCH BETTER. Same sixer, same route, 2:40 quicker than just 1 morning earlier.
Thing is I just can not function before 8 am. If I am to be running consistently in DST through the winter, I will be running at night. In the dark, crossing through I-95 onramps 4 times total in the six mile loop from my apartment. It's just a matter of time till I get hit by a car. In the meantime I'll be gladly taking donations for reflective jackets.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Searching for "it"
It's remarkable how many running sites there are on the internet. I guess that's the thing with the internet, any idiot with a modem can publish their thoughts. Of course, when you have a message board on a website, or a comment section, it invites even more amateur thoughts. I'm not looking down on that of course, since I am both an amateur runner and an amateur thinker. But, take a gander over at the message board section of Let's Run and you are bound to find some entertaining topics. And in each topic you can find some keyboard commando talking out of his ass. God bless America.
But one thread caught my attention over the weekend. Someone asked, how do you motivate yourself to get out for long runs? He talked about how he just can't get himself set for runs of an hour or more. Some people talked scenery. Some talked running partners. One guy simply said, "I can't help you, it's all about your own drive, you either have it or you don't" And well it may have come across as a bit blunt or harsh he's right.
For me, this fall the goal has been to up my mileage. Going into Philly my mileage was barely at 20 a week, concentrated on shorter speed work. I still have some short runs in my schedule, but in October I have been up at 30 miles a week. This is including at least one 10 miler a week.
Today was the day of my scheduled 10 miler. Going out, I felt awful. Sometimes this happens. A four miler yesterday after my refereeing was pretty awful. My legs felt heavy the whole time. My lungs weren't there. I found myself even 2 miles into that run wondering, "how the hell am i gonna run 10 tomorrow?" And today two miles in again I wasn't feeling good.
It woulda been easier to decide that it was a day for a six miler instead. And the thought crossed my mind, but looking at my schedule for the rest of the week, which includes some travel, it hit me that this would be the only chance for a long run. As it came to my 3, 6, and 8 mile splits it was looking as if I was on pace for my best tenner of the month. So that provided ample motivation, and sure enough, I finished 62 seconds quicker than my best tenner this month.
That said, there is always a next step. And for me as I attempt to up mileage again in November it comes to adjusting my runs when I am feeling good. Those points where a 6 miler feels easy, turn it to a tenner. When the tenner feels easy, make it a twelver. In the middle of the run, just making that decision.
And really, it's again it's not something that I'll be able to read about or get motivation from others. Sure it'll put of dinner longer, or a beer. It sure as hell will lead to more aches and pains. But you either have it in ya to make those decisions or ya don't. And it's silly to discount the mental part of this. And if the mental part is as large as I think it is, that belief and that desire to find those extra gears thats gonna have to be the key.
But one thread caught my attention over the weekend. Someone asked, how do you motivate yourself to get out for long runs? He talked about how he just can't get himself set for runs of an hour or more. Some people talked scenery. Some talked running partners. One guy simply said, "I can't help you, it's all about your own drive, you either have it or you don't" And well it may have come across as a bit blunt or harsh he's right.
For me, this fall the goal has been to up my mileage. Going into Philly my mileage was barely at 20 a week, concentrated on shorter speed work. I still have some short runs in my schedule, but in October I have been up at 30 miles a week. This is including at least one 10 miler a week.
Today was the day of my scheduled 10 miler. Going out, I felt awful. Sometimes this happens. A four miler yesterday after my refereeing was pretty awful. My legs felt heavy the whole time. My lungs weren't there. I found myself even 2 miles into that run wondering, "how the hell am i gonna run 10 tomorrow?" And today two miles in again I wasn't feeling good.
It woulda been easier to decide that it was a day for a six miler instead. And the thought crossed my mind, but looking at my schedule for the rest of the week, which includes some travel, it hit me that this would be the only chance for a long run. As it came to my 3, 6, and 8 mile splits it was looking as if I was on pace for my best tenner of the month. So that provided ample motivation, and sure enough, I finished 62 seconds quicker than my best tenner this month.
That said, there is always a next step. And for me as I attempt to up mileage again in November it comes to adjusting my runs when I am feeling good. Those points where a 6 miler feels easy, turn it to a tenner. When the tenner feels easy, make it a twelver. In the middle of the run, just making that decision.
And really, it's again it's not something that I'll be able to read about or get motivation from others. Sure it'll put of dinner longer, or a beer. It sure as hell will lead to more aches and pains. But you either have it in ya to make those decisions or ya don't. And it's silly to discount the mental part of this. And if the mental part is as large as I think it is, that belief and that desire to find those extra gears thats gonna have to be the key.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
The "problem" of pacemakers or rabbits
Two or three months back in Runners World there was an interesting article on recreational marathon pacemakers. I don't believe these cats are quite "elites" but they are hired by several marathons to lead pace groups. Groups that want to break 4 hours in a marathon, or go under 3:45. This sort of thing.
The article was excellent. The author spoke of a time when he was leading a pace group but fell short of his goal and his guilt dealing with that. At the time of writing this article he was leading a group through the Philadelphia Marathon, and he had one cohort with him to lead the group. This time he and his partner made the finish and nearly everyone in his group made it as well in there time. A job well done.
I'll be honest, part of me looks down on these sort of groups as a way to reach a goal. But,in Philadelphia when I was doing my last half, around 8 miles when I realized I went out far too fast my mind drifted back to this article. I thought how it would have been nice to have been part of a pace group to insure that I didn't go out to fast, and that perhaps a sub 1:40 would have been much easier.
Granted, I never ran track in high school or college. I sure as hell haven't run professionally. It's a sport I picked up for myself just in the past year. But, I also watch as many races as I can. And when I watch these college meets, pro meets, or even World Record attempts, it's not uncommon to see a pacemaker. For a 1500, you'll see someone charged with taking them through 800 at a set time. In a marathon you sometimes have a rabbit leading them through 10 miles or so.
This past weekend in Chicago, there was a rabbit. One of the elite runners kept pushing the rabbit to go harder, and the rabbit obliged for a little bit. But eventually, even before mile 10, a group of elites left him behind. I read an interview with the always posi Abdi Abdirahman at Runners World this week where he mentioned that NYC in November will not have a rabbit. He said that was good. That it adds excitement to the race, I tend to agree.
Back to Philly. I kept going on my own, and I struggled towards the finish line. My last 5k was awful. Something I could have remedied by running a smarter pace at the beginning. I still set a PR by 1:55, but didn't reach my high end goal. Still, by setting that PR I found a sense of satisfaction in myself, and in doing it on my own.
It's difficult and a bit arrogant to say my satisfaction of doing that on my own is greater, or more deserved than that of someone who hit say 1:40 a minute and change ahead of me in a pace group. At the end of the day, that person ran a better race than me pace aided or not. They were quicker, and props to them. That said, to me, someone who has never been on a XC team, or training team (outside of the legendary The Kip Winger Running Team) running is an individual sport, and a test against what an individual can do.
I understand the limits of the human body. That there may be no reason to think an elite can run a 330 mile, and maybe a rabbit makes sense in a track meet for a mile to hit a certain goal. I don't think that sort of mindset should apply to the recreational runner.
Yes, it may be absurd for me to think a 1:25 half is possible given my training. But if I go into a race thinking the absolute best I can do for a half is 1:40, I've already capped my potential and lost half the battle. On the starting line, I just don't see a reason to have goals set in that way. It's cheesy, it's a hallmark card. But the sky is the damn limit. If I don't believe that through my training my body is capable of doing something greater than it's ever done before, that I can shatter even my own expectations, why am I on the starting line in the first place? And better yet what the hell have I been training for?
The article was excellent. The author spoke of a time when he was leading a pace group but fell short of his goal and his guilt dealing with that. At the time of writing this article he was leading a group through the Philadelphia Marathon, and he had one cohort with him to lead the group. This time he and his partner made the finish and nearly everyone in his group made it as well in there time. A job well done.
I'll be honest, part of me looks down on these sort of groups as a way to reach a goal. But,in Philadelphia when I was doing my last half, around 8 miles when I realized I went out far too fast my mind drifted back to this article. I thought how it would have been nice to have been part of a pace group to insure that I didn't go out to fast, and that perhaps a sub 1:40 would have been much easier.
Granted, I never ran track in high school or college. I sure as hell haven't run professionally. It's a sport I picked up for myself just in the past year. But, I also watch as many races as I can. And when I watch these college meets, pro meets, or even World Record attempts, it's not uncommon to see a pacemaker. For a 1500, you'll see someone charged with taking them through 800 at a set time. In a marathon you sometimes have a rabbit leading them through 10 miles or so.
This past weekend in Chicago, there was a rabbit. One of the elite runners kept pushing the rabbit to go harder, and the rabbit obliged for a little bit. But eventually, even before mile 10, a group of elites left him behind. I read an interview with the always posi Abdi Abdirahman at Runners World this week where he mentioned that NYC in November will not have a rabbit. He said that was good. That it adds excitement to the race, I tend to agree.
Back to Philly. I kept going on my own, and I struggled towards the finish line. My last 5k was awful. Something I could have remedied by running a smarter pace at the beginning. I still set a PR by 1:55, but didn't reach my high end goal. Still, by setting that PR I found a sense of satisfaction in myself, and in doing it on my own.
It's difficult and a bit arrogant to say my satisfaction of doing that on my own is greater, or more deserved than that of someone who hit say 1:40 a minute and change ahead of me in a pace group. At the end of the day, that person ran a better race than me pace aided or not. They were quicker, and props to them. That said, to me, someone who has never been on a XC team, or training team (outside of the legendary The Kip Winger Running Team) running is an individual sport, and a test against what an individual can do.
I understand the limits of the human body. That there may be no reason to think an elite can run a 330 mile, and maybe a rabbit makes sense in a track meet for a mile to hit a certain goal. I don't think that sort of mindset should apply to the recreational runner.
Yes, it may be absurd for me to think a 1:25 half is possible given my training. But if I go into a race thinking the absolute best I can do for a half is 1:40, I've already capped my potential and lost half the battle. On the starting line, I just don't see a reason to have goals set in that way. It's cheesy, it's a hallmark card. But the sky is the damn limit. If I don't believe that through my training my body is capable of doing something greater than it's ever done before, that I can shatter even my own expectations, why am I on the starting line in the first place? And better yet what the hell have I been training for?
Hometown Perks
I am largely indifferent about living in Norwalk, CT. Indianapolis is still home to me. I love that town, and miss it pretty much daily. That said there are plenty of perks out here in Indy. We have a decent race scene. We aren't too far from NYC where the New York Road Runners always have some hot shit going on. We have a great summer cross country series
But really, the A#1 perk of living in Norwalk has to be the opportunity to end a training run by running onto the beach at sunset on a nice fall night. I couldn't have asked for a better TGIF gift than that yesterday evening. What's even nicer is breaking 7 minute splits on that six mile run. Loving life.
But really, the A#1 perk of living in Norwalk has to be the opportunity to end a training run by running onto the beach at sunset on a nice fall night. I couldn't have asked for a better TGIF gift than that yesterday evening. What's even nicer is breaking 7 minute splits on that six mile run. Loving life.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Tough Decision
So what do i do...
Go to NYC and watch the NYC marathon on November 2nd and cheer like hell for Abdi and one of the greatest elite fields in the NYC Marathon history.
OR
Run the Bridge
Do this 10k. Across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Camden to Philly and back. That mother fucker is just one big hill. But once you apex it on the way back the final whatever distance is a downhill sprint.
It's a tough call. Should I skip the bridge run, I likely don't have a race until Thanksgiving, and am looking at likely only 2 or 3 races before my Carlsbad half in January. But, the NYC Marathon only comes once a year.
Go to NYC and watch the NYC marathon on November 2nd and cheer like hell for Abdi and one of the greatest elite fields in the NYC Marathon history.
OR
Run the Bridge
Do this 10k. Across the Ben Franklin Bridge from Camden to Philly and back. That mother fucker is just one big hill. But once you apex it on the way back the final whatever distance is a downhill sprint.
It's a tough call. Should I skip the bridge run, I likely don't have a race until Thanksgiving, and am looking at likely only 2 or 3 races before my Carlsbad half in January. But, the NYC Marathon only comes once a year.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Saucony's We Know ...
Saucony has been my running shoe company of choice over the past 6 months or so. Between my Hurricane's and my Paramounts, I feel I have a good few sets. I view their website weekly to see any new products and sometimes salivate over the Grid Sinisters, the Fasttwitch, and the Shay XC. I have enjoyed their sorta small company image against the running world's more heavy hitters like Nike, New Balance, and even Asics, or Brooks. But, I also have secretly wished that they would have a damn cool ad campaign at some point. I mean, I am a child of the media age. I love my MTV, Gossip Girl, and what have ya. So I like cool ads as well. Sue me.
New Balance has their Love/Hate campaign, which is utterly brilliant.
Nike has done more for Track & Field than any company in the sport in this country and always has some hot shit ad campaign.
Brooks "Run Happy" stuff is a bit to hippy for me, but they are trying.
Well now Saucony has a damn good ad campaign finally and they are letting the people in on it as well. Check it out. We Know _________ because we run. It's the shit, told ya. And you can submit entries to have your own idea be an ad.
I love it.
New Balance has their Love/Hate campaign, which is utterly brilliant.
Nike has done more for Track & Field than any company in the sport in this country and always has some hot shit ad campaign.
Brooks "Run Happy" stuff is a bit to hippy for me, but they are trying.
Well now Saucony has a damn good ad campaign finally and they are letting the people in on it as well. Check it out. We Know _________ because we run. It's the shit, told ya. And you can submit entries to have your own idea be an ad.
I love it.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Why have two magazines?
I've talked about this a little bit with Spitz out in Indy, but I'll throw it on here as well. I am a bit disappointed with the current month's issue's of Runner's World and Running Times for a few different reasons. Several months ago, the same publishing company, Rodale, who owns and operates Runner's World purchased the operating rights to Running Times. Fairplay. No real worries there. As is the case with many lifestyle magazines, many themes and articles are repeated from year to year. In running and health lifestyle mags there are a few standby's....
12 Weeks to a new 5k PR!!!
Healthy foods for recovery!!!
Beat the winter blues!!!
and the ever popular, New Year, New YOU!!!!
But here, as we work our way out of the heat of summertime and into some confidence boosting, long run begging fall weather we have identical themes around the last two issues of these two running mags. And what are they, "The Green Issue!"
Now, I am not an anti-enviromentalist by any means. In fact my faith leads me to believe that one of our duties is to be proper stewards of the earth. This in fact has in part led to my vegetarian diet. But, it's hard to miss the irony of a publisher sending out two magazines at 80-90 pages each (many of which, lets face it are not recycled) on the importance of running green.
It's not that I am against this line of thinking at all. It is in fact actually interesting to read about runners footprint on the enviroment. And it is, in fact interesting to read about the steps that many shoe companies are taking to become more green including recycled material in their shoes, and more biodegrable soles, even if they miss some of the most obvious steps (recycled cardboard boxes, please. thanks!). It's just that I am unsure of how much we can write about it. Especially over the course of two magazines. Couldn't it be contained in one? At the end of the day, it's simplistic, I know, but despite Brooks attempts to make a more green shoe, unless it fits better or takes time of my 10k more than my less green Saucony's I'm unlikely to but it just to save a year or two's space in a landfill.
It's nitpicking. Yes, I know. I very much understand. Still, couldn't one magazine maybe use some of those pages to preview the College XC season? Maybe a summary of some of the best College XC courses then serves into a good article on trail running.
Thing is I buy both the magazines anyway. I have a subscription to Running Times, and I purchase Runners World on the newstand month. And even though I told myself I wouldn't this time, due to the overlap of material I did anyway. I love both of your magazines. But please, next month a little more variety?
12 Weeks to a new 5k PR!!!
Healthy foods for recovery!!!
Beat the winter blues!!!
and the ever popular, New Year, New YOU!!!!
But here, as we work our way out of the heat of summertime and into some confidence boosting, long run begging fall weather we have identical themes around the last two issues of these two running mags. And what are they, "The Green Issue!"
Now, I am not an anti-enviromentalist by any means. In fact my faith leads me to believe that one of our duties is to be proper stewards of the earth. This in fact has in part led to my vegetarian diet. But, it's hard to miss the irony of a publisher sending out two magazines at 80-90 pages each (many of which, lets face it are not recycled) on the importance of running green.
It's not that I am against this line of thinking at all. It is in fact actually interesting to read about runners footprint on the enviroment. And it is, in fact interesting to read about the steps that many shoe companies are taking to become more green including recycled material in their shoes, and more biodegrable soles, even if they miss some of the most obvious steps (recycled cardboard boxes, please. thanks!). It's just that I am unsure of how much we can write about it. Especially over the course of two magazines. Couldn't it be contained in one? At the end of the day, it's simplistic, I know, but despite Brooks attempts to make a more green shoe, unless it fits better or takes time of my 10k more than my less green Saucony's I'm unlikely to but it just to save a year or two's space in a landfill.
It's nitpicking. Yes, I know. I very much understand. Still, couldn't one magazine maybe use some of those pages to preview the College XC season? Maybe a summary of some of the best College XC courses then serves into a good article on trail running.
Thing is I buy both the magazines anyway. I have a subscription to Running Times, and I purchase Runners World on the newstand month. And even though I told myself I wouldn't this time, due to the overlap of material I did anyway. I love both of your magazines. But please, next month a little more variety?
Friday, October 3, 2008
Cars
So I went out for a run after work today. Hadn't yet decided exactly how far I was gonna run. Round mile 3 I was deciding whether to push for a quick four, or go for another loop and do an 8er. I'm running cross an intersection, when a car decides to turn left in and totally clip me.
I'm watching this as I am running thinking, "Holy shit, this guy doesn't see me, he's gonna hit me." He's looking the complete opposite direction through his sunglasses when his side view mirror passanger side hits my left elbow, and i have the edge of my left foot run over . The mirror swings in. I don't know if its a luxury car and they are meant to do that or its the force of him turning right into me. I stop for a second looking down at myself making sure i am okay. My elbow is throbbing and bleeding pretty nicely. My foot doesn't hurt too bad though. He's 25 yards down the street when I shout out "Come on man!" or something equally dumb. He screams back, "I didn't see you!" I scream back something to the effect of "JC, fuckin look man whats wrong with you." (I need to go to confession) I start running after him to try to get a lisence plate number or his name or something, and he drives off. Unreal.
I'm seriously still at the "what the fuck just happened?" point. I don't think I've ever been that angry in my life, save the time I found out my last girlfriend cheated on me. I drove around for 15-20 minutes up and down those streets trying to find that car, but to no avail.
Granted, it was gettin darker. Still, it's a situation where there was no excuse to not see me. And herein lies the problem with running in Norwalk CT. It's all roadrunning. There are no back trails, no bike or towpaths, just roads. Thats fine, and at times it's exciting. But going into a winter season, when I will be running in darkness quite often, while I am looking to be between 30-35 miles a week while training for Carlsbad, it's not ideal.
I'm watching this as I am running thinking, "Holy shit, this guy doesn't see me, he's gonna hit me." He's looking the complete opposite direction through his sunglasses when his side view mirror passanger side hits my left elbow, and i have the edge of my left foot run over . The mirror swings in. I don't know if its a luxury car and they are meant to do that or its the force of him turning right into me. I stop for a second looking down at myself making sure i am okay. My elbow is throbbing and bleeding pretty nicely. My foot doesn't hurt too bad though. He's 25 yards down the street when I shout out "Come on man!" or something equally dumb. He screams back, "I didn't see you!" I scream back something to the effect of "JC, fuckin look man whats wrong with you." (I need to go to confession) I start running after him to try to get a lisence plate number or his name or something, and he drives off. Unreal.
I'm seriously still at the "what the fuck just happened?" point. I don't think I've ever been that angry in my life, save the time I found out my last girlfriend cheated on me. I drove around for 15-20 minutes up and down those streets trying to find that car, but to no avail.
Granted, it was gettin darker. Still, it's a situation where there was no excuse to not see me. And herein lies the problem with running in Norwalk CT. It's all roadrunning. There are no back trails, no bike or towpaths, just roads. Thats fine, and at times it's exciting. But going into a winter season, when I will be running in darkness quite often, while I am looking to be between 30-35 miles a week while training for Carlsbad, it's not ideal.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Fuck This, I'm going running
Today I started out in a good mood. I woke up today knowing that after a two day rest following the Philadelphia Distance Run I would be back out for a run after work today. My recovery is already well ahead of where it was after my first half marathon in Indy. After that I was sidelined for practically three weeks.
So today work went quick, and I was on my drive home. I eased back into running today. Just a four miler, but it seemed effortless. I kept a pace just over 7 miles and looking back on it I think I could have likely done 6-8 without setting myself back at all. But thats okay. After Indy I had one good run and woke up the next day and was set back another week with an extremely sore quad (my one seemingly recurring injury). I'll take it easy for this week and just enjoy.
But before I even went out for the run, something pretty awesome happened. I was on my way back from work, and turned left into my apartment parking lot. Soon enough, there was a guy straight behind me. I thought he was gonna ask for directions. No, not the case. He asked, "I NEED to know, where did you get that bumper sticker. I saw it, and I've never done this before but I had to follow you and find out and luckily you turned in right here. I mean, I'm a runner too and I think thats the coolest sticker I've seen" I told him I have a friend out in Indy who made the bumber sticker, we exchanged contact info and I told him I'd be in contact with my friend who made the sticker. The sticker? It looks like this...
Some are still available, should you be interested. But, needless to say, when something is this awesome, who knows how long they will last.
Maybe it was my conversation with that stranger that kept a good light mood during the run. Maybe it was thinking of the sticker itself. Maybe I was just happy as hell that I was able to run rather effortlessly so soon after Indy, and at a good pace. Regardless, I am thrilled to get back out there tomorrow.
So today work went quick, and I was on my drive home. I eased back into running today. Just a four miler, but it seemed effortless. I kept a pace just over 7 miles and looking back on it I think I could have likely done 6-8 without setting myself back at all. But thats okay. After Indy I had one good run and woke up the next day and was set back another week with an extremely sore quad (my one seemingly recurring injury). I'll take it easy for this week and just enjoy.
But before I even went out for the run, something pretty awesome happened. I was on my way back from work, and turned left into my apartment parking lot. Soon enough, there was a guy straight behind me. I thought he was gonna ask for directions. No, not the case. He asked, "I NEED to know, where did you get that bumper sticker. I saw it, and I've never done this before but I had to follow you and find out and luckily you turned in right here. I mean, I'm a runner too and I think thats the coolest sticker I've seen" I told him I have a friend out in Indy who made the bumber sticker, we exchanged contact info and I told him I'd be in contact with my friend who made the sticker. The sticker? It looks like this...
Some are still available, should you be interested. But, needless to say, when something is this awesome, who knows how long they will last.
Maybe it was my conversation with that stranger that kept a good light mood during the run. Maybe it was thinking of the sticker itself. Maybe I was just happy as hell that I was able to run rather effortlessly so soon after Indy, and at a good pace. Regardless, I am thrilled to get back out there tomorrow.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Race Report :: Philadelphia Distance Run 9.21.08 13.1 miles
Sunday was my second half marathon of the year, the Philadelphia Distance Run.
Let's start with the 430 am wakeup on Sunday. I don't know why, but I just hate being rushed on race day. I'd rather get to the race an hour beforehand, get stretched out, and get in several warm up runs and paces back and forth before the start of the race. I found a parking garage about a 1/2 mile away and made my way towards the start line, which was at Eakins Oval right outside of the Philly Museum of Art around 6am. I was early. The volunteers were even groggy eyed and the corals and starts hadn't even been set up yet. No matter. Plenty of time for my gear check, stretches, warmup runs and pacing.
About 40 minutes before the race I decided to make my way to the porta john. The lines were unbelievable. If there was one thing this race didn't prepare itself for it was the crowd at the portajohns. Rudely, I pretended not to know where the line ended and cut about 100 people in line. Still I waited 25 minutes or so in line and got to my corral only 20 minutes before the race.
Coral 3. Not bad at all. A clear view of the start line. And I thought I wouldn't face too much traffic going out. Now, in my head I knew that I hadn't put in the mileage neccessary for this race. I didn't have one training run of race distance, and only 2 runs of 10 miles or more during the final month of training. So, the plan was for a conservative first 10k. See how I felt at mile 9, and then hopefully push the final 5k. That was the plan.
As the race started it took perhaps a minute for me to get to the start, and immediately I was already impatient with the traffic. I found myself going to the outside and passing people left and right. I didn't anticipate I was going too fast, I just didn't want to stick myself in the middle of a slower pack.
The first two miles took us through old city. Pass City hall, the liberty bell, all the historic places. And with what seemed like 15-20 turns. That's an exageration, but there were sevaral turns. And as we hit the turns the elbows were hitting other runners sides. Not maliciously. It was still just very crowded for those first several turns.
Passing the first two miles I felt good. I told myself i wouldn't look at my watch till 5k, I didn't want to get too caught up in pace and just run my race comfortably. At 5k, 21:30 and change. Okay. So that would be a PR 5k for me. It didn't seem as though i was following my plan. But at the same time. At this rate, it seemed silly (in my head) to slow down. By milemarker 5 the clock read under 35 minutes which meant I would be under 34. I'm convinced that mile marker was off.
Regardless at 10k, I was at 45:17. Again, what would be a PR for me for the 10k distance. It was at this point I started to get a bit concerned that I went out too fast. But I had convinced myself to say fuck it, and just hold the pace as long as I could. Thankfully at this point we were on MLK drive along the Schukyl river, and the road was flat. I noticed around mile 8 I still was doing more passing than getting passed, and as we crossed mile 8, I looked at my watch and ralized I was just under an hour.
At mile nine we crossed over the Falls River Bridge and were on our way back to the Art Museum and Eakins Oval. I knew if I was gonna hit a wall it would be soon, But I also knew if I was to run 8 minute miles from here on out I'd be in at 140 and change.
Sadly the wall chose to win out more than the 8 minute miles. I grabbed a Power Bar Gel from a drink stand and hoped to get a boost of energy. As I ingested it I realized my word that tastes like shit and also re-cut off several runners as I made my way to the water station 50 yards down the way. Sad to say the bar didn't give me the energy I desired, and by mile 10, for the first time, I noticed I was being passed much more often than passing. Still, though I knew that my strategy was long ago fallen by the wayside, and a 1:40 seemed to lose time with every step, I knew that I had a chance to definitely beat my Indy time of 1:44:52. So that was the new motivation for the final 5k.
And the final 5k was difficult, no two ways about it. It was a struggle. As I looked at my final 5k split on the website, I realized I ran my final 5k in 26 minutes. 5 slower than my first 5k. After what seemed like forever we came up on the final mile. Sadly this was going STRAIGHT into the sun. I had shed my singlet 2 miles previous as it was damp as hell with sweat, but now running the final mile, for the first time I really felt the heat.
Still, going into that final 1/4 mile I knew barring a total collapse I would beat my Indy time. As we rounded Eakins Oval, I had in my head that it would seem MUCH longer than my warmup runs earlier that morning. Perhaps that was some sort of reverse psychology that worked. The final quarter though painful wasn't too bad. I pushed towards the finish and came in at what I though was 1:43:05 according to my watch. (My Chip time was quicker!) And I leaned over desperate to catch breath. I was swearing to myself I'd put in proper mileage before my next half.
I wandered around the recovery area somewhere between pleased with my new PR, and disappointed in my final 5k. I eventually made my way over to the finish to cheer others in, and suddenly my mood changed a bit. Seeing people come in at 2:20-2:30 and pushing as hard as they could to get there, but with a smile on their face at their accomplishment put stuff in perspective a bit. Yeah, I faded down the stretch, but I still PR'd and I wasn't sure anymore I had the right to be pissed off about my PR anymore.
Final Results :: 13.1 miles 1:42:57 new PR
Let's start with the 430 am wakeup on Sunday. I don't know why, but I just hate being rushed on race day. I'd rather get to the race an hour beforehand, get stretched out, and get in several warm up runs and paces back and forth before the start of the race. I found a parking garage about a 1/2 mile away and made my way towards the start line, which was at Eakins Oval right outside of the Philly Museum of Art around 6am. I was early. The volunteers were even groggy eyed and the corals and starts hadn't even been set up yet. No matter. Plenty of time for my gear check, stretches, warmup runs and pacing.
About 40 minutes before the race I decided to make my way to the porta john. The lines were unbelievable. If there was one thing this race didn't prepare itself for it was the crowd at the portajohns. Rudely, I pretended not to know where the line ended and cut about 100 people in line. Still I waited 25 minutes or so in line and got to my corral only 20 minutes before the race.
Coral 3. Not bad at all. A clear view of the start line. And I thought I wouldn't face too much traffic going out. Now, in my head I knew that I hadn't put in the mileage neccessary for this race. I didn't have one training run of race distance, and only 2 runs of 10 miles or more during the final month of training. So, the plan was for a conservative first 10k. See how I felt at mile 9, and then hopefully push the final 5k. That was the plan.
As the race started it took perhaps a minute for me to get to the start, and immediately I was already impatient with the traffic. I found myself going to the outside and passing people left and right. I didn't anticipate I was going too fast, I just didn't want to stick myself in the middle of a slower pack.
The first two miles took us through old city. Pass City hall, the liberty bell, all the historic places. And with what seemed like 15-20 turns. That's an exageration, but there were sevaral turns. And as we hit the turns the elbows were hitting other runners sides. Not maliciously. It was still just very crowded for those first several turns.
Passing the first two miles I felt good. I told myself i wouldn't look at my watch till 5k, I didn't want to get too caught up in pace and just run my race comfortably. At 5k, 21:30 and change. Okay. So that would be a PR 5k for me. It didn't seem as though i was following my plan. But at the same time. At this rate, it seemed silly (in my head) to slow down. By milemarker 5 the clock read under 35 minutes which meant I would be under 34. I'm convinced that mile marker was off.
Regardless at 10k, I was at 45:17. Again, what would be a PR for me for the 10k distance. It was at this point I started to get a bit concerned that I went out too fast. But I had convinced myself to say fuck it, and just hold the pace as long as I could. Thankfully at this point we were on MLK drive along the Schukyl river, and the road was flat. I noticed around mile 8 I still was doing more passing than getting passed, and as we crossed mile 8, I looked at my watch and ralized I was just under an hour.
At mile nine we crossed over the Falls River Bridge and were on our way back to the Art Museum and Eakins Oval. I knew if I was gonna hit a wall it would be soon, But I also knew if I was to run 8 minute miles from here on out I'd be in at 140 and change.
Sadly the wall chose to win out more than the 8 minute miles. I grabbed a Power Bar Gel from a drink stand and hoped to get a boost of energy. As I ingested it I realized my word that tastes like shit and also re-cut off several runners as I made my way to the water station 50 yards down the way. Sad to say the bar didn't give me the energy I desired, and by mile 10, for the first time, I noticed I was being passed much more often than passing. Still, though I knew that my strategy was long ago fallen by the wayside, and a 1:40 seemed to lose time with every step, I knew that I had a chance to definitely beat my Indy time of 1:44:52. So that was the new motivation for the final 5k.
And the final 5k was difficult, no two ways about it. It was a struggle. As I looked at my final 5k split on the website, I realized I ran my final 5k in 26 minutes. 5 slower than my first 5k. After what seemed like forever we came up on the final mile. Sadly this was going STRAIGHT into the sun. I had shed my singlet 2 miles previous as it was damp as hell with sweat, but now running the final mile, for the first time I really felt the heat.
Still, going into that final 1/4 mile I knew barring a total collapse I would beat my Indy time. As we rounded Eakins Oval, I had in my head that it would seem MUCH longer than my warmup runs earlier that morning. Perhaps that was some sort of reverse psychology that worked. The final quarter though painful wasn't too bad. I pushed towards the finish and came in at what I though was 1:43:05 according to my watch. (My Chip time was quicker!) And I leaned over desperate to catch breath. I was swearing to myself I'd put in proper mileage before my next half.
I wandered around the recovery area somewhere between pleased with my new PR, and disappointed in my final 5k. I eventually made my way over to the finish to cheer others in, and suddenly my mood changed a bit. Seeing people come in at 2:20-2:30 and pushing as hard as they could to get there, but with a smile on their face at their accomplishment put stuff in perspective a bit. Yeah, I faded down the stretch, but I still PR'd and I wasn't sure anymore I had the right to be pissed off about my PR anymore.
Final Results :: 13.1 miles 1:42:57 new PR
Monday, September 15, 2008
90 % of everything is 50% mental
Less than a week till the Philadelphia Distance Run. I guess I am feeling good. Lingering doubts from last weeks quad soreness has dissipated. I got in a final longish run on Sunday of 9 miles in ridiculous humidity, even for the morning. 3 miles of speed work today. 6 miles on Saturday morning. Probably two more 6 mile runs this week. While I won't quite have the aerobic base I had for the Indianapolis Mini, I feel confident enough to run and run well.
13.1 miles is a long way to run though, and a longer time for doubts to fall in. And that's will probably be the hardest part of this race. Sure adrenaline will carry me through the first 4-5 miles. Then there is the halfway there boost. But it's around mile 10-11 that I had my slowest mile in Indy. And part of me thinks I should be able to run my own pace and then use the last three miles as an adrenaline boost and just crush the last 5k. But, of course, it hasn't worked that way in longer runs, and it definitely hasn't worked that way in Indy.
I've tried to find what is that which I have been thinking of when I've run my best times, and when I've had my more productive long runs at race. And the thing is I have not been thinking about pace. Or form. Or some sort of negative split strategy. Instead, my mind has just been blank, or rather not thinking about anything connected with running. It just wanders.
The thing is, come race day there is no preparation that's left to be done. I can stretch, but that's it. Other than that, it's just a matter of enjoying the race. When I watched the Fam Run Like Hell video the thought was to look not of the race as a challenge of your training. Your training is already done. The race is just a celebration.
I've mentioned that Brooks Run Happy ad campaign a little while back and mentioned how I thought it was a bit silly. But really, come race day if it really is about a celebration, they may be onto something.
13.1 miles is a long way to run though, and a longer time for doubts to fall in. And that's will probably be the hardest part of this race. Sure adrenaline will carry me through the first 4-5 miles. Then there is the halfway there boost. But it's around mile 10-11 that I had my slowest mile in Indy. And part of me thinks I should be able to run my own pace and then use the last three miles as an adrenaline boost and just crush the last 5k. But, of course, it hasn't worked that way in longer runs, and it definitely hasn't worked that way in Indy.
I've tried to find what is that which I have been thinking of when I've run my best times, and when I've had my more productive long runs at race. And the thing is I have not been thinking about pace. Or form. Or some sort of negative split strategy. Instead, my mind has just been blank, or rather not thinking about anything connected with running. It just wanders.
The thing is, come race day there is no preparation that's left to be done. I can stretch, but that's it. Other than that, it's just a matter of enjoying the race. When I watched the Fam Run Like Hell video the thought was to look not of the race as a challenge of your training. Your training is already done. The race is just a celebration.
I've mentioned that Brooks Run Happy ad campaign a little while back and mentioned how I thought it was a bit silly. But really, come race day if it really is about a celebration, they may be onto something.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Competetion
After two days off to rest the quad, including a very late night in the city on Wednesday to see an incredible Paul Weller concert, I knew that I had to get back out there Thursday, even if only on three hours sleep, and after a full day of work.
At lunch I visit the Runners World website and find more motivation. None other than 2 time Olympic Silver Medalist in the Women's Marathon, Catherine "The Great" Ndereba will be running the Philadelphia Distance Run as well. Not bad.
Several months back, in the beginning of summer two fellow members of The Kip Winger Running Team ran a race in Bellmar, NJ. In talking with the teamates before the race we were laughing at how the elite section of the race was full of Kenyans and Ethiopians. As the race got closer, "Down with the Ethiopians" was the rallying cry.
So now, just over a week away I have the face of my competitor. Sure, when she finished third at a half marathon world championship in 2007 (I think) her time was roughly 37 minutes better than mine. That's okay. I'm going to Philly aiming for a personal best anyway, so my prior time isn't the gauge.
Next Sunday, Catherine...
At lunch I visit the Runners World website and find more motivation. None other than 2 time Olympic Silver Medalist in the Women's Marathon, Catherine "The Great" Ndereba will be running the Philadelphia Distance Run as well. Not bad.
Several months back, in the beginning of summer two fellow members of The Kip Winger Running Team ran a race in Bellmar, NJ. In talking with the teamates before the race we were laughing at how the elite section of the race was full of Kenyans and Ethiopians. As the race got closer, "Down with the Ethiopians" was the rallying cry.
So now, just over a week away I have the face of my competitor. Sure, when she finished third at a half marathon world championship in 2007 (I think) her time was roughly 37 minutes better than mine. That's okay. I'm going to Philly aiming for a personal best anyway, so my prior time isn't the gauge.
Next Sunday, Catherine...
Monday, September 8, 2008
The Forced Taper...
i'm bumming.
my philly half marathon is in less than two weeks. i'm not where i want to be in terms of training in order to hit my goal time of 1:41. i'm more looking at a 1:45 pace right now. ugly.
so i have been going back and forth on whether to taper my training or not. there are advantages to tapering, virtually everything i've read suggests tapering except kevin hanson of the hanson brooks distance project. but i feel like i tapered too much in the weeks before indy. so, i figured over the weekend that i would go for 30 miles this week and about 20 next week leading up to the race. so just a real modest taper.
this morning my quad felt really tight. i stretched it out and decided to still go about my workout. 10 miles with 5 (1 minute) hill repeats at mile 3. probably not the best move. at mile four my right quad was signaling that it just had it. i stepped off, tried to stretch it out and got in about another quarter mile before i could feel something was way off.
so now, what, 13 days before the race I really have no idea what i'm looking at. and i'm icing my quad and gonna attempt to get out for a sixer tomorrow morning before work. but really, wtf? it's a tough call.
regardless, now against wishes i taper. at the end of the day it's better to listen to your body i'm sure. but mentally this is not the shit i wanted to deal with 2 weeks before the race.
my philly half marathon is in less than two weeks. i'm not where i want to be in terms of training in order to hit my goal time of 1:41. i'm more looking at a 1:45 pace right now. ugly.
so i have been going back and forth on whether to taper my training or not. there are advantages to tapering, virtually everything i've read suggests tapering except kevin hanson of the hanson brooks distance project. but i feel like i tapered too much in the weeks before indy. so, i figured over the weekend that i would go for 30 miles this week and about 20 next week leading up to the race. so just a real modest taper.
this morning my quad felt really tight. i stretched it out and decided to still go about my workout. 10 miles with 5 (1 minute) hill repeats at mile 3. probably not the best move. at mile four my right quad was signaling that it just had it. i stepped off, tried to stretch it out and got in about another quarter mile before i could feel something was way off.
so now, what, 13 days before the race I really have no idea what i'm looking at. and i'm icing my quad and gonna attempt to get out for a sixer tomorrow morning before work. but really, wtf? it's a tough call.
regardless, now against wishes i taper. at the end of the day it's better to listen to your body i'm sure. but mentally this is not the shit i wanted to deal with 2 weeks before the race.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Fuck This, I'm going running
Best employee quits? Check.
Two straight days of absolute shit meetings at work? Check.
A summons to appear in court to resolve a debt? Check.
Oh, can you throw 90 degree heat in there? Check.
Man the past few days have been absolutely brutal. Yesterday evening was spent pacing back and forth terrified about money. In between awful meetings today and a lengthy stressful conversation where I temporarily resolved financial issues, there was far too much on my mind.
Brooks Running has an ad campaign right now, "Run Happy" There are some ridiculous ads for that. Guys and gals running through a psychedelic wonderland with Thumper and Bambi in the background. It's a bit ridiculous. Not in a bad way. If it gets people buying shoes and getting on the road I ain't gonna fault them. But it surely doesn't have the catchy zeitgeist appeal of The Kip Winger Running Team's "Fuck This, I'm going running" does it?
This week, today especially, running was escape. Just thinking bout leg turnover and pace and how much the heat and humidity sucked was much better than thinking about the rest of everyday bullshit.
At least today I got my autographed copy of Brad Hudson's Run Faster in the mail for nailing Ritz's marathon time to the second.
Current Listening :: Nick Cave - No More shall we part
Two straight days of absolute shit meetings at work? Check.
A summons to appear in court to resolve a debt? Check.
Oh, can you throw 90 degree heat in there? Check.
Man the past few days have been absolutely brutal. Yesterday evening was spent pacing back and forth terrified about money. In between awful meetings today and a lengthy stressful conversation where I temporarily resolved financial issues, there was far too much on my mind.
Brooks Running has an ad campaign right now, "Run Happy" There are some ridiculous ads for that. Guys and gals running through a psychedelic wonderland with Thumper and Bambi in the background. It's a bit ridiculous. Not in a bad way. If it gets people buying shoes and getting on the road I ain't gonna fault them. But it surely doesn't have the catchy zeitgeist appeal of The Kip Winger Running Team's "Fuck This, I'm going running" does it?
This week, today especially, running was escape. Just thinking bout leg turnover and pace and how much the heat and humidity sucked was much better than thinking about the rest of everyday bullshit.
At least today I got my autographed copy of Brad Hudson's Run Faster in the mail for nailing Ritz's marathon time to the second.
Current Listening :: Nick Cave - No More shall we part
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Drinking and Running 2
Something I've never really understood about running is the strange partnership it has with beer. I mean, don't get me wrong, beer is really fuckin good, which is to say I enjoy it. But I look around running culture and it would seem to be a place where perhaps you wouldn't see alcohol be so prominent. Being as though running is taking care of the body, and for the most part alcohol damages the body.
Still, you'll even see polls on running websites where there may be a question, "What is your favorite carb?" And surely enough, one of the answers is "beer has carbs." Neat. This is not to even mention the several beer sponsored marathons and races across the country. And try to find a half marathon or marathon of any significance that doesn't have a beer tent at the end. (This leads to a whole different discussion about commercialism and intention that this republicatarian isn't ready to have. Yet.) Hell, for several years the Indianapolis Mini Marathon had a beer stop (as opposed to water or Gatorade) at mile 10! And then there are hundreds of Hash Harriers clubs around the world, a self described running and beer drinking club.
I bring this up mainly because I used to drink a metric ton a night. Not to the point where I did any real damage, except for mind boggling credit card debt, and the destruction of a few romantic relationships and less romantic friendships. Truth told, at this point, looking back, I am thankful that's the only damage.
When I moved to Connecticut, after 8 years in Indy it was a bit different. I knew nobody. I couldn't call several friends and to meet me at the bar and drink, or eat pub chips. And thus, if I was drinking it was alone. Not particularly a good combination. In order to avoid this situation I decided I needed to find more hobbies. So, initially I was the only gringo at the soccer pick up games around here. But, then I realized if I am gonna run with these cats, I needed to run, and then I ran. And then I realized I was enjoying the act of running. But like so many things, less so with a hangover. Who woulda thunk it.
And of course this brings roundaboutly to today. Three weeks from today is the Philadelphia Distance Run. My second half marathon. One in which I know I have less of a base than I had for Indy. But one I desperately want to beat my Indy time for. I told myself I wouldn't sign up if this wasn't a possibility and set myself a goal of a modest goal of a 100 mile August to be the cutoff whether I would sign up or not. I had 105 miles coming into today, including one tenner and one 12er. I'm signed up but not near where I wanna be
Today was supposed to be a longer run. 12 miles give or take. Yet, after a rough week last week, I found myself at 10pm last night at the bottom of a bottle of gin and the bottom of a stack of Nick Cave cd's. Not a good place to be. If gin is poison, Nick Cave surely is not the cure, even if I love him so. Today's 12er turned into a labored sixer with only mind numbing, leg deadining 7:25 splits. Not where I need to be. At all.
I know it's obvious, and anyone with half a brain knows it's obvious that the gin and sam adams (light!!) has had it's influence. So it's an exceptionally long post to get to that. However, and holy shit does it suck to admit, as much as I want to think that so much of running is mental, and so much can be controlled mentally, brothers gotta take care of his body. And still,I laugh from time to time at the diet sections in different running magazines, knowing that in my vegetarian lifestyle I am already careful of what I put into my body. And yes, I know for the elite runners of the world the diet is helpful. But I know for me, as a runner, to get where I need to be alcohol is still the biggest obstacle.
Still, you'll even see polls on running websites where there may be a question, "What is your favorite carb?" And surely enough, one of the answers is "beer has carbs." Neat. This is not to even mention the several beer sponsored marathons and races across the country. And try to find a half marathon or marathon of any significance that doesn't have a beer tent at the end. (This leads to a whole different discussion about commercialism and intention that this republicatarian isn't ready to have. Yet.) Hell, for several years the Indianapolis Mini Marathon had a beer stop (as opposed to water or Gatorade) at mile 10! And then there are hundreds of Hash Harriers clubs around the world, a self described running and beer drinking club.
I bring this up mainly because I used to drink a metric ton a night. Not to the point where I did any real damage, except for mind boggling credit card debt, and the destruction of a few romantic relationships and less romantic friendships. Truth told, at this point, looking back, I am thankful that's the only damage.
When I moved to Connecticut, after 8 years in Indy it was a bit different. I knew nobody. I couldn't call several friends and to meet me at the bar and drink, or eat pub chips. And thus, if I was drinking it was alone. Not particularly a good combination. In order to avoid this situation I decided I needed to find more hobbies. So, initially I was the only gringo at the soccer pick up games around here. But, then I realized if I am gonna run with these cats, I needed to run, and then I ran. And then I realized I was enjoying the act of running. But like so many things, less so with a hangover. Who woulda thunk it.
And of course this brings roundaboutly to today. Three weeks from today is the Philadelphia Distance Run. My second half marathon. One in which I know I have less of a base than I had for Indy. But one I desperately want to beat my Indy time for. I told myself I wouldn't sign up if this wasn't a possibility and set myself a goal of a modest goal of a 100 mile August to be the cutoff whether I would sign up or not. I had 105 miles coming into today, including one tenner and one 12er. I'm signed up but not near where I wanna be
Today was supposed to be a longer run. 12 miles give or take. Yet, after a rough week last week, I found myself at 10pm last night at the bottom of a bottle of gin and the bottom of a stack of Nick Cave cd's. Not a good place to be. If gin is poison, Nick Cave surely is not the cure, even if I love him so. Today's 12er turned into a labored sixer with only mind numbing, leg deadining 7:25 splits. Not where I need to be. At all.
I know it's obvious, and anyone with half a brain knows it's obvious that the gin and sam adams (light!!) has had it's influence. So it's an exceptionally long post to get to that. However, and holy shit does it suck to admit, as much as I want to think that so much of running is mental, and so much can be controlled mentally, brothers gotta take care of his body. And still,I laugh from time to time at the diet sections in different running magazines, knowing that in my vegetarian lifestyle I am already careful of what I put into my body. And yes, I know for the elite runners of the world the diet is helpful. But I know for me, as a runner, to get where I need to be alcohol is still the biggest obstacle.
Dream Interpretation
So, if in between snooze bar strikes today I dreamnt that I was training for the Olympics with Galen Rupp and Nick Symmonds, a 10k runner and an 800m runner, what would that mean. Should I draw anything into that? Should I try to decipher a set race distance that would be best for me? Should I stop watching Flotrack and Trackshark before bed?
What the hell?
What the hell?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Religion and Running?
Two things. I am an unabashed Christian. I believe Jesus is who he said he was, and attempt, most the time poorly, to live according to the examples and lessons put forth in the Gospels.
Second. Long before I really gave a damn about running I wrote a blog primarily about films. I was and am a film snob. I don't apologize for that. My facebook profile lists a dozen films that most people in the world don't know if they haven't watched film before the 1980's. And in that time of my life where I watched 6-10 movies a week, I watched Chariots of Fire. And let me tell you, that film merging faith and running sucked. It was awful. It's one of the worst films I've ever seen.
I bring this up because of Ryan Hall. Ryan Hall is a runner I find inspiring. His performance at the Olympic Marathon Trials was incredible. And many believe that was just the beginning of his talent, and that his best was yet to come. In the last issue of Runners World there was a cover story on Ryan Hall and this story focused on Ryan Hall's faith. How Ryan is a devout Christian and how his faith in God is a strength he draws upon in his record setting runs.
Here's the thing, the confession. I don't get it. I respect Ryan Hall. I respect and admire his faith, or at least his presentation of it in a less abrasive manner than some of my fellow Christians. It's his drawing upon his faith for strength in his races in training that I can't wrap my head around. And truthfully, it's something that I waver back and forth on.
Sometimes I want to be that kind of person who has a strong enough faith that it translates to every part of my life. That when I run, I am thankful for it. I don't take it for granted, and I give praise for the opportunity. And when I feel week that I wouldn't only rely upon myself to pull myself through.
And other times, and more often, I think to myself that running is about ME. And that it's about ME pushing myself to my limits and making the decisions to get out there and to overcome any fatigue, pain, and self doubt.
When I am fatigued, more often than not I think any of...
A. This will pay off in the end
B. The quicker you run, the quicker your done
C. This is supposed to hurt, embrace this
D. Run to the hillllllsssss, run for your liiiiyiffffee
But it's rarely ever that I think, "God help me through this." Or, "Thank You, God."
And while I admire Ryan Hall, and others who have gotten to a point to integrate there faith and there running. It's something that I both, am unsure how to do, and unsure how and if I want to do it.
Second. Long before I really gave a damn about running I wrote a blog primarily about films. I was and am a film snob. I don't apologize for that. My facebook profile lists a dozen films that most people in the world don't know if they haven't watched film before the 1980's. And in that time of my life where I watched 6-10 movies a week, I watched Chariots of Fire. And let me tell you, that film merging faith and running sucked. It was awful. It's one of the worst films I've ever seen.
I bring this up because of Ryan Hall. Ryan Hall is a runner I find inspiring. His performance at the Olympic Marathon Trials was incredible. And many believe that was just the beginning of his talent, and that his best was yet to come. In the last issue of Runners World there was a cover story on Ryan Hall and this story focused on Ryan Hall's faith. How Ryan is a devout Christian and how his faith in God is a strength he draws upon in his record setting runs.
Here's the thing, the confession. I don't get it. I respect Ryan Hall. I respect and admire his faith, or at least his presentation of it in a less abrasive manner than some of my fellow Christians. It's his drawing upon his faith for strength in his races in training that I can't wrap my head around. And truthfully, it's something that I waver back and forth on.
Sometimes I want to be that kind of person who has a strong enough faith that it translates to every part of my life. That when I run, I am thankful for it. I don't take it for granted, and I give praise for the opportunity. And when I feel week that I wouldn't only rely upon myself to pull myself through.
And other times, and more often, I think to myself that running is about ME. And that it's about ME pushing myself to my limits and making the decisions to get out there and to overcome any fatigue, pain, and self doubt.
When I am fatigued, more often than not I think any of...
A. This will pay off in the end
B. The quicker you run, the quicker your done
C. This is supposed to hurt, embrace this
D. Run to the hillllllsssss, run for your liiiiyiffffee
But it's rarely ever that I think, "God help me through this." Or, "Thank You, God."
And while I admire Ryan Hall, and others who have gotten to a point to integrate there faith and there running. It's something that I both, am unsure how to do, and unsure how and if I want to do it.
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