Today I watched. Nothing like hiding behind the bushes or anything. Kirkland's annual 12K's of Christmas run was today and I've been nursing a bit of a hip annoyance and as such I haven't logged much on the running trail the past two weeks. Sometimes the smarter decision is to not do something - as was the case today. No running for me. Don't shed any tears, notify the papers, or call the pansy brigade - it's a minor setback and with age (and advice from my friends) wisdom ruled.
It had been a while since the three of us packed in the car and made our way to an exciting but unforgiving road race. The anticipation always brings nerves to the surface and the chatter on the drive is littered with it - that's part of the fun. Who hurts where...why the race will probably be more than a run than a race...do I have a cold or is it simply time to blow my nose. It's crazier than it sounds but it's part of the ritual. I wouldn't trade it. Then there is the race itself. Once the gun sounds it's just you and the road. Hilly or flat, cold or hot, wet, windy - maybe everything mixed in together. It is what it will be. You know you will hurt. When is the only question. Mile one...three...the thing is that it will come. Your ability or lack there of to push it aside is the difference.
Sharon and Albert did their pre-race warm up and I took on my temporary role of caddy/butler, holding water and coats while they prepped. It can be lonely walking around while the gang is tuning up - I kept busy looking for the freebies that every race has - coffee, fruit, "special" water, and the like. As race time closed in Sharon and Albert came for their pre-race hug and handshake. That Albert, never tires of a good hug.
They took off and I figured I had 21-23 minutes to burn. Found a massage table and offered myself up to the young ladies and their interesting devices. I received a good 10 minute hammering of my hip and leg and felt better for it. Did I mention it was free? I grabbed a free water to celebrate and made my way to the finish. Before I knew it I saw Sharon coming down the stretch - flying. Albert was just seconds behind her. Smokin....over 600 runners and only a handful had finished.
Stats. Sharon finished 1st in her age division (79 runners). 5th in the woman's division. 17th overall - out of 628. Clocked 21:21. Albert finished 5th in his division (49 runners). 22nd overall. Clocked 21:43. These guys can run and they prove it every time they go out. We hit Starbucks for our post race "cool down" and recap. All too soon it was time to head out and begin the preparation for the next race. Don't have the Binky's ready just yet. I'll be there ready to run with my friends, regardless of how long they have to wait at the finish line for me :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Half Marathon or Bust
I did it. Months ago I committed to running a half marathon. Why? Was I frickin crazy? Is it time to send another urine sample to the....oops, that's another story. Let's say I was going through an experimental stage. Remember the Beatles? "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". "Norwegian Wood". "Come Together". And what was the story behind lovely Rita the meter maid? Let's just say that we all have our own ways of experimenting. "Hard Days Night" by the way, great song - interesting movie.
After running 23 5k's and increasing my long runs it was time to test my ability to run far. Three years ago that would have meant 1 mile. Now it means 13.1 miles. I have been fortunate in my running career to have friends who have helped mold me from a gut giggling forward leaning tense shoulders scrambler into the runner you see today. What you don't like you can take up with them. Sharon Bertolli and Albert Sanchez, phone numbers and addresses to follow...
Once again I sought their advice and they delivered. My role was to execute on the training plan, continue to eat right, and worth repeating - execute on the training plan. The plan was for 14 weeks. It included runs from 8 to 12 miles, mile sprints, hills that sucked all the air from my lungs and more than once gave me that wonderful warm feeling you get when you throw up in your mouth, tempo runs that pissed me off because they were so hard, and the occasional easy run that is timed at just the right place in the plan to let you recover and believe you can complete the training. Sounds fun doesn't it?
The day before the half I must have looked over my training diary, er log, a dozen times. Reviewing the tough workouts and long runs, telling myself that I was ready. Sleep was hit and miss as nerves crept in and out. On the button the next morning at 5:30 Albert pulled up and we were off. Albert you see was running as well. Not running to race or log a great time. He was running to run next to me for 13.1 miles to help me hit my goal and finish my first half. What does a guy say to that? Wow...thank you...I owe you...you should have your urine tested too...
Once we got downtown we hit the Seattle Center to stay warm and frequent the restrooms. Race nerves make you pee at least a hundred times and given the choice between a warm john and a cold honey bucket, well it's no contest. We got outside after the half marathon walk started and bam, the line from the start was already blocks long. We stepped in and there was zero room to move. Probably 5000 runners in front of us. The horn sounded and we were off. Actually for about 2 minutes we didn't even move. It took us nearly 6 minutes to get to the start line.
Finally we hit the start line and were off. Not exactly a fast pace. It was so crowded we jogged most of the first couple miles - that doesn't help when one is trying to achieve a certain time (yes yes, I had a goal - go figure). I'll save the metrics for the end for those of you who don't care or are starting to nod off. The first 5-6 miles were pretty good. Albert was right there reminding me to stay relaxed and not worry about the pace, just to keep running.
Mile 7 was coming. I had heard about "the hill" that wipes people out. We ran it easy. That's due to the hill puking training I had been doing for the past five weeks. My friends knew what they were talking about. I might not have always liked my friends during those training runs but I sure loved them when I crested the hill. It was the first time I was passing people on a hill!! Renewed confidence hit me and we sailed. Pain and fatigue however soon came and welcomed me like an old friend. Albert told me the pain would pass, "just let it go and keep running". Huh? Did he know how much I was hurting? He was right, it went away. They say when you're in a coma you don't feel pain, I'll vouch for that.
Miles 8-11 were tough. Uphill...downhill...uphill...flat...uphill. EVERY time we hit a hill Albert told me it was the last one. Funny guy. Then it happened. Right around 12.5 miles I felt like I was fading. It was about the same time we ran past a guy sprawled out on the street with medics around him. Albert's comment was that the guy was half my age. Motivating or scary - you decide. Metric check - My heart rate monitor showed miles 9-13 my heart rate ran from 97-102% of max...Anyway, I was fading. Had nothing. Albert looked at me and all I could say was I think I'm done. Bless him. He did what any good friend would do. He began to let me have it. Get moving...push it...you trained for this...no giving up...you're almost there...run....there's the stadium just ahead. I kept moving (later realizing our pace was 8:00 for those last 3 miles). The last minute came the hardest push and we blitzed a 6:35 sprint for the final. Seeing the finish line was huge and the feeling I had crossing it is hard to describe. All the training, the hard work, everything lead to that moment. Albert - I can't thank you enough for all you did, for the support mile after mile. For running back to the Gu station when I ran past it and then catching up and giving me the boost.
Receiving the finishers medal meant more to me than just finishing a race. It had been a journey. A journey of ups and downs. Of celebrations and self doubt. In the end it was a message to myself that the only thing that can limit me is me. And I'm not ready to be limited to anything and like the Beatles said, anything is possible "With a little help from my friends"....
Metrics: Finished in 1:56:24. The first three miles averaged a pace of 10:34, miles 4-13 averaged 8:26, and 11-13 averaged 8:02. I finished in the top 25% overall yet only in the top 35% of the old guys division (50-54). Will I do another half? Hard to say, I'll let you know when I'm finally out of my coma...
After running 23 5k's and increasing my long runs it was time to test my ability to run far. Three years ago that would have meant 1 mile. Now it means 13.1 miles. I have been fortunate in my running career to have friends who have helped mold me from a gut giggling forward leaning tense shoulders scrambler into the runner you see today. What you don't like you can take up with them. Sharon Bertolli and Albert Sanchez, phone numbers and addresses to follow...
Once again I sought their advice and they delivered. My role was to execute on the training plan, continue to eat right, and worth repeating - execute on the training plan. The plan was for 14 weeks. It included runs from 8 to 12 miles, mile sprints, hills that sucked all the air from my lungs and more than once gave me that wonderful warm feeling you get when you throw up in your mouth, tempo runs that pissed me off because they were so hard, and the occasional easy run that is timed at just the right place in the plan to let you recover and believe you can complete the training. Sounds fun doesn't it?
The day before the half I must have looked over my training diary, er log, a dozen times. Reviewing the tough workouts and long runs, telling myself that I was ready. Sleep was hit and miss as nerves crept in and out. On the button the next morning at 5:30 Albert pulled up and we were off. Albert you see was running as well. Not running to race or log a great time. He was running to run next to me for 13.1 miles to help me hit my goal and finish my first half. What does a guy say to that? Wow...thank you...I owe you...you should have your urine tested too...
Once we got downtown we hit the Seattle Center to stay warm and frequent the restrooms. Race nerves make you pee at least a hundred times and given the choice between a warm john and a cold honey bucket, well it's no contest. We got outside after the half marathon walk started and bam, the line from the start was already blocks long. We stepped in and there was zero room to move. Probably 5000 runners in front of us. The horn sounded and we were off. Actually for about 2 minutes we didn't even move. It took us nearly 6 minutes to get to the start line.
Finally we hit the start line and were off. Not exactly a fast pace. It was so crowded we jogged most of the first couple miles - that doesn't help when one is trying to achieve a certain time (yes yes, I had a goal - go figure). I'll save the metrics for the end for those of you who don't care or are starting to nod off. The first 5-6 miles were pretty good. Albert was right there reminding me to stay relaxed and not worry about the pace, just to keep running.
Mile 7 was coming. I had heard about "the hill" that wipes people out. We ran it easy. That's due to the hill puking training I had been doing for the past five weeks. My friends knew what they were talking about. I might not have always liked my friends during those training runs but I sure loved them when I crested the hill. It was the first time I was passing people on a hill!! Renewed confidence hit me and we sailed. Pain and fatigue however soon came and welcomed me like an old friend. Albert told me the pain would pass, "just let it go and keep running". Huh? Did he know how much I was hurting? He was right, it went away. They say when you're in a coma you don't feel pain, I'll vouch for that.
Miles 8-11 were tough. Uphill...downhill...uphill...flat...uphill. EVERY time we hit a hill Albert told me it was the last one. Funny guy. Then it happened. Right around 12.5 miles I felt like I was fading. It was about the same time we ran past a guy sprawled out on the street with medics around him. Albert's comment was that the guy was half my age. Motivating or scary - you decide. Metric check - My heart rate monitor showed miles 9-13 my heart rate ran from 97-102% of max...Anyway, I was fading. Had nothing. Albert looked at me and all I could say was I think I'm done. Bless him. He did what any good friend would do. He began to let me have it. Get moving...push it...you trained for this...no giving up...you're almost there...run....there's the stadium just ahead. I kept moving (later realizing our pace was 8:00 for those last 3 miles). The last minute came the hardest push and we blitzed a 6:35 sprint for the final. Seeing the finish line was huge and the feeling I had crossing it is hard to describe. All the training, the hard work, everything lead to that moment. Albert - I can't thank you enough for all you did, for the support mile after mile. For running back to the Gu station when I ran past it and then catching up and giving me the boost.
Receiving the finishers medal meant more to me than just finishing a race. It had been a journey. A journey of ups and downs. Of celebrations and self doubt. In the end it was a message to myself that the only thing that can limit me is me. And I'm not ready to be limited to anything and like the Beatles said, anything is possible "With a little help from my friends"....
Metrics: Finished in 1:56:24. The first three miles averaged a pace of 10:34, miles 4-13 averaged 8:26, and 11-13 averaged 8:02. I finished in the top 25% overall yet only in the top 35% of the old guys division (50-54). Will I do another half? Hard to say, I'll let you know when I'm finally out of my coma...
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Road Trip
Our first road trip! Cool that it was in Portland, my hometown. It's been over 20 years since I lived in the "City of Roses". Much has changed since then. From a sports perspective, I've transitioned from a soccer player to a bodybuilder to a runner during that time. I've had my fair share of failures and victories in each of those venues. I learned from both - often more from the failures than the wins. Luck has also been my sidekick. In all of my endeavors I have been lucky enough to have people help me succeed. Ray played soccer in England for Manchester United, Tom a long time bodybuilder, and today I have Albert and Sharon giving their time and expertise to help forge me into the best runner I can be. All of them gave without asking for anything in return. I guess they did all ask for one thing, the same thing - for me to give the best I was possible of giving. With their help it has always been more than I thought I was capable of giving. To each of them I say thank you for never giving up on me.
The trip was all about Albert running the Portland Marathon. This was planned to be his Boston qualifier. An injury sucker punched him late in his training. While it never seems fair, it's always a risk when you push yourself to a new level. Albert is always looking to improve, to peel off another second - he doesn't give up. I admire that. He rebounded and was able to race. His brother Jerry and Susan (Jerry's girlfriend) were also running the marathon. Sharon was sidelined with injury but came to provide support and race day coaching. I was gearing up for the Portland 5 Miler.
The drive down was a blast. Our trail was marked with stops at Starbucks, Subway, and frequent potty breaks - we are all getting older after all. We would have shaved hours (maybe minutes) off the drive if we could have simply all gone at the same time....It was like trips when I was young except none of us expected the other to pull the car over and pee along the side of the road (yes mom, I know you remember those stops).
The Marathon Expo was pretty cool. Lots of vendors selling almost anything related to running that you can imagine. Loved the free samples....I bought Superfeet insoles (cause all the fast cool hip runners use them - that's what the salesmen told me....) and a very firm roller to painfully work out the kinks in my muscles after a hard run. I actually paid money for that experience - it does hurt but aids in ones recovery.
The Portland Marathon brings in over $20 million to the local economy - with over 12,000 runners and 2-3 times that in spectators, you can easily see how. Our first bump in the trip was that one of our reservations went MIA. Of course there was no rooms available - in that hotel or any others close to the race. So we all stayed in one room, not a large room but big enough that all five of us didn't have to sleep in the same bed. I kept thinking, geez, I should have remembered to pack pajamas....We dined at the original Spaghetti Factory and the place was packed. The food was good and the laughter took care of some of the pre-race nerves.
Sunday morning came fast and as we prepared for our races, the potential problem associated with 5 adults and one tiny bathroom never materialized. I admit it was difficult to take your time if you know what I mean....We walked about a half mile from the hotel to the starting area. The weather was cool, crisp, with clear skies - perfect! Keep in mind that I mainly run 5K's. A large race is 1500. The starting area had thousands, close to 10,000. It was a zoo...organized but a zoo. The sea of marathoners was amazing. Blocks and blocks of runners. Confident, nervous, and likely many wondering what in the world they had got themselves into. The gun sounded and off they went. Each would soon have their own story to share.
The gun also meant that I had 45 minutes until my race started. The 5 Miler was a new distance to race. I knew I could cover the distance but the goal time was another thing. I received my pre-race reprimand from Sharon for even setting a goal. Sorry but I have too. I can't explain why. It's what I do, I always have...always will. In reality she is right of course. The first time you run any distance, the smart move is to just run. Take that result and build a plan for the next one. Humm, maybe I'm learning afterall....Sometimes I just learn S L O W L Y....I pushed up towards the front of the starting line and looked back at the 900+....start slow....pace yourself....enjoy the race...quotes from Sharon. They float around in my head with other thoughts....hope the hills are easy....that guy looks fast....it's only 5 miles....I should have peed one more time....
The gun sounded and I started slow. Maybe too slow I thought as a lot of runners flew by me. Lot's of runners....I stayed the course and kept to my planned pace. Midway through the mile 3 hill I was passing runners. Lot's of runners....oh this is fun I thought to myself. Look at me, cruising by you and you and you and....you get the point. Feeling cocky and strong I am hearing cheer after cheer from the volunteers as I run by. Sweet, I love Portland! I even heard "He's so cute". Did I mention that I love Portland? Then reality stepped in. A couple yards behind me was a husband/wife team and he was pushing a stroller. So "cute" was the kid in the stroller and the cheers were for the family running together. Now they are right next to me and the kid has a little race jersey on. Ok, he was a little cute and now slightly ahead of me. The final mile marker was just ahead and it's that now or never time that comes in every race. Time to push the final mile with everything you have left, even if you don't know what that is. It's a little scary but it's also what defines that race. My final mile was 7:00 and I passed a few more runners on my way to the finish line. I finished out of gas, out of air, and my trusty legs were much like the spaghetti I ate the night before. My goal was 39:00 and I came in at 38:53. 12th in my age group and 102th out of 912.
Jerry was the first of our group to finish. Freakin fast. Over 9,000 runners and he was 25th....25th. His average pace per mile was 6:16. He'll be at Boston next year. He seems built for running. Susan finished in just over 4 hours and tossed us the rappers gesture (the good one) and flashed a huge smile as she rounded the final corner. While some runners were struggling, she seemed to glide through the end of the race.
Albert. This race has been in his plans for some time. It was to be his qualifying race for Boston. The sucker punch injury I mentioned was at the worse possible time - about 6 weeks before the marathon. His training had to take a sharp u-turn. No running. He was on the bike, rowing machine and running in the pool. This training isn't fun but he pushed through it. On top of that he had to mentally deal with his goal possibly slipping away. I know it was hard for him. But I have to tell you, he has the ability to drive beyond the pain, beyond the impossible. He worked hard and found a way to make it happen. Marathon day also brought concerns of the injury creeping back in during the long race. Having run with him and knowing what he put in to his training for this race made it that much more special to see him on the homestretch. It's hard to explain the feeling but you somehow are running the final stretch with him. Nervous for the finish and proud of the accomplishment. He had some tough moments during the race but his determination won out. He finished in 3:37 and set a PR. Maybe not what he was looking for but in my eyes, it was a world record. Way to go Albert!
The trip was a blast and I got to know Jerry and Susan more than I had before. They are good people and I look forward to getting to know them better. Albert and Sharon, what can I say? We laughed down and back. It was a good time with good friends and I'm glad I went. We decided that we'd take a road trip once a year. Me, I'm all in. Time to check the map and see where the slow people live...
Next stop is the Seattle Half Marathon (November 29th). Albert is running with me and that takes some of the nervousness out of it. I've already set a time goal and Sharon slipped me the stink eye. Her training plan is building my distance and with 6 weeks to go and I'm feeling good. Need to push my mileage and continue to hit my training goals but so far so good. I wish I had something witty to say to close this blog out but I'm empty. I also have completely orange fingers from the Cheetos I've been snacking on...
The trip was all about Albert running the Portland Marathon. This was planned to be his Boston qualifier. An injury sucker punched him late in his training. While it never seems fair, it's always a risk when you push yourself to a new level. Albert is always looking to improve, to peel off another second - he doesn't give up. I admire that. He rebounded and was able to race. His brother Jerry and Susan (Jerry's girlfriend) were also running the marathon. Sharon was sidelined with injury but came to provide support and race day coaching. I was gearing up for the Portland 5 Miler.
The drive down was a blast. Our trail was marked with stops at Starbucks, Subway, and frequent potty breaks - we are all getting older after all. We would have shaved hours (maybe minutes) off the drive if we could have simply all gone at the same time....It was like trips when I was young except none of us expected the other to pull the car over and pee along the side of the road (yes mom, I know you remember those stops).
The Marathon Expo was pretty cool. Lots of vendors selling almost anything related to running that you can imagine. Loved the free samples....I bought Superfeet insoles (cause all the fast cool hip runners use them - that's what the salesmen told me....) and a very firm roller to painfully work out the kinks in my muscles after a hard run. I actually paid money for that experience - it does hurt but aids in ones recovery.
The Portland Marathon brings in over $20 million to the local economy - with over 12,000 runners and 2-3 times that in spectators, you can easily see how. Our first bump in the trip was that one of our reservations went MIA. Of course there was no rooms available - in that hotel or any others close to the race. So we all stayed in one room, not a large room but big enough that all five of us didn't have to sleep in the same bed. I kept thinking, geez, I should have remembered to pack pajamas....We dined at the original Spaghetti Factory and the place was packed. The food was good and the laughter took care of some of the pre-race nerves.
Sunday morning came fast and as we prepared for our races, the potential problem associated with 5 adults and one tiny bathroom never materialized. I admit it was difficult to take your time if you know what I mean....We walked about a half mile from the hotel to the starting area. The weather was cool, crisp, with clear skies - perfect! Keep in mind that I mainly run 5K's. A large race is 1500. The starting area had thousands, close to 10,000. It was a zoo...organized but a zoo. The sea of marathoners was amazing. Blocks and blocks of runners. Confident, nervous, and likely many wondering what in the world they had got themselves into. The gun sounded and off they went. Each would soon have their own story to share.
The gun also meant that I had 45 minutes until my race started. The 5 Miler was a new distance to race. I knew I could cover the distance but the goal time was another thing. I received my pre-race reprimand from Sharon for even setting a goal. Sorry but I have too. I can't explain why. It's what I do, I always have...always will. In reality she is right of course. The first time you run any distance, the smart move is to just run. Take that result and build a plan for the next one. Humm, maybe I'm learning afterall....Sometimes I just learn S L O W L Y....I pushed up towards the front of the starting line and looked back at the 900+....start slow....pace yourself....enjoy the race...quotes from Sharon. They float around in my head with other thoughts....hope the hills are easy....that guy looks fast....it's only 5 miles....I should have peed one more time....
The gun sounded and I started slow. Maybe too slow I thought as a lot of runners flew by me. Lot's of runners....I stayed the course and kept to my planned pace. Midway through the mile 3 hill I was passing runners. Lot's of runners....oh this is fun I thought to myself. Look at me, cruising by you and you and you and....you get the point. Feeling cocky and strong I am hearing cheer after cheer from the volunteers as I run by. Sweet, I love Portland! I even heard "He's so cute". Did I mention that I love Portland? Then reality stepped in. A couple yards behind me was a husband/wife team and he was pushing a stroller. So "cute" was the kid in the stroller and the cheers were for the family running together. Now they are right next to me and the kid has a little race jersey on. Ok, he was a little cute and now slightly ahead of me. The final mile marker was just ahead and it's that now or never time that comes in every race. Time to push the final mile with everything you have left, even if you don't know what that is. It's a little scary but it's also what defines that race. My final mile was 7:00 and I passed a few more runners on my way to the finish line. I finished out of gas, out of air, and my trusty legs were much like the spaghetti I ate the night before. My goal was 39:00 and I came in at 38:53. 12th in my age group and 102th out of 912.
Jerry was the first of our group to finish. Freakin fast. Over 9,000 runners and he was 25th....25th. His average pace per mile was 6:16. He'll be at Boston next year. He seems built for running. Susan finished in just over 4 hours and tossed us the rappers gesture (the good one) and flashed a huge smile as she rounded the final corner. While some runners were struggling, she seemed to glide through the end of the race.
Albert. This race has been in his plans for some time. It was to be his qualifying race for Boston. The sucker punch injury I mentioned was at the worse possible time - about 6 weeks before the marathon. His training had to take a sharp u-turn. No running. He was on the bike, rowing machine and running in the pool. This training isn't fun but he pushed through it. On top of that he had to mentally deal with his goal possibly slipping away. I know it was hard for him. But I have to tell you, he has the ability to drive beyond the pain, beyond the impossible. He worked hard and found a way to make it happen. Marathon day also brought concerns of the injury creeping back in during the long race. Having run with him and knowing what he put in to his training for this race made it that much more special to see him on the homestretch. It's hard to explain the feeling but you somehow are running the final stretch with him. Nervous for the finish and proud of the accomplishment. He had some tough moments during the race but his determination won out. He finished in 3:37 and set a PR. Maybe not what he was looking for but in my eyes, it was a world record. Way to go Albert!
The trip was a blast and I got to know Jerry and Susan more than I had before. They are good people and I look forward to getting to know them better. Albert and Sharon, what can I say? We laughed down and back. It was a good time with good friends and I'm glad I went. We decided that we'd take a road trip once a year. Me, I'm all in. Time to check the map and see where the slow people live...
Next stop is the Seattle Half Marathon (November 29th). Albert is running with me and that takes some of the nervousness out of it. I've already set a time goal and Sharon slipped me the stink eye. Her training plan is building my distance and with 6 weeks to go and I'm feeling good. Need to push my mileage and continue to hit my training goals but so far so good. I wish I had something witty to say to close this blog out but I'm empty. I also have completely orange fingers from the Cheetos I've been snacking on...
Sunday, September 20, 2009
I had fun...
Really? A race was fun? Different is a better word. I ran my first 10k yesterday. Woke up at 5:00am to rain. I sat out on the porch and watched it fall - I love doing that. The sound of rain hitting the trees and plants is peaceful, relaxing. I was thinking about my first 10k and maybe a tad nervous. I admit if Albert wasn't coming to pick me up, I might have passed. But we are coming into Fall and the days of warm dry races are coming to an end. Besides, as long as I crossed the finish line I will have set a personal record - that is always a good day.
The race was in Tacoma - Point Defiance. It was a mixed bag with a 5k, 10k, and bike event. The weather opened up and the sun came out. Speedster Jerry met up with us. We were without Sharon as she was teaching a cycle class at the "Y". Helping others get in shape is one of her things. Time for a commercial spot. Sharon is a personal trainer and is fantastic. Speaking for myself, I am a faster, better runner because of her. She has also improved my eating habits, helped me recovery from injury and built my confidence through detailed training plans and tough love (think Jillian from Biggest Loser). She doesn't charge much ($25 an hour) and is worth 2-3 times that. Contact me if you're interested, I may get a cut...
The plan was for me to run a 8:00 mile pace, slicing down the last couple of miles if I felt good. The start was tough. Trail...tree roots...skinny path. I got stuck behind a guy with a stroller on the skinny path and there was no way around. My Garmin reflected a 9:40 pace. Gads....Once it opened up I shot past him. Then sweet mother of pearl the course went uphill. Uphill for nearly a mile. In fact the course was very hilly. Albert stated that it was the hardest 10k course he's ran. Speaking of Albert, I lost track of him shortly after the starting gun. Saw him at one point (there were a few out and backs built in to the course). I'm waving away and he's dead on focused on what's in front of him. Silly me. Albert finished 3rd in his division and 11th overall! Not bad for a guy coming back from an injury.
I ended up running with three others. They were all running my pace so we were a little bunched up. The two guys (spitters by the way) ran to the left and the gal on the right. If you spit to the right why do you run left? Fear not, I kept a few yards behind them. I focused on the girl. She only spat once...around mile 4 she pulled away and I followed suit. Who would you follow, spandex, er I mean a girl or a couple spitters?
Soon we were well ahead and a water station was in sight. I grabbed my dixie cup, pinched it (that's how they tell you to do it), poured it in. Downside here was that the water flowed not into my mouth but into my nose (not how they tell you to do it). It is possible for one to drown while running? Then I saw it. I saw mile marker 5 up ahead. Sweet! I was feeling good, had energy left, and only a bit over a mile to go. As I passed mile marker 5 I noticed that it said mile 4. Bummer. I still felt good and "Some time after midnight" started on the iPod so I jacked it up and remembered Sharon saying to try and pick up the last two miles if I felt good. I felt good. I ran the last two miles in 7:39 and 7:25. Came around the corner for the final .2 and hit the steepest hill of my life. I felt like I was barely moving and tried to manage some encouraging words to the gal I'd been running with. I meant well but I think all she heard was heavy breathing - that explains the look I got. I hit the top before her and saw the time clock at 49 something. My goal was under 50 so I sprinted and crossed the finish with mere seconds to spare. Albert was there cheering me on - he'd finished, had a sandwich, changed the oil in his car, you get the picture.
Jerry. Speedster. Explorer. The number one problem with being one of the faster on a course is that if the course isn't marked properly or a volunteer hasn't made it out to their station yet, one could go the wrong way. That's what happened to Jerry and a couple others. The signage wasn't out so they went straight (makes sense) instead of turning. Ended up on the bike race route. I felt for him and the others. Jerry shrugged it off as not that big of a deal. The race organizers were very apologetic and I was impressed with their level of concern.
All in all a good day. My training plan seems to be working and while tired, I felt I ran a good race. Half marathon coming up in November but I think I'll take a pit stop and run the 5 miler in Portland on October 4th. Albert and Jerry are running the marathon and Sharon is thinking about the 5 miler. 5k's....10k's....turning 50....The only barrier is the one you build for yourself. Bust em, don't build em. Run...don't jog.
The race was in Tacoma - Point Defiance. It was a mixed bag with a 5k, 10k, and bike event. The weather opened up and the sun came out. Speedster Jerry met up with us. We were without Sharon as she was teaching a cycle class at the "Y". Helping others get in shape is one of her things. Time for a commercial spot. Sharon is a personal trainer and is fantastic. Speaking for myself, I am a faster, better runner because of her. She has also improved my eating habits, helped me recovery from injury and built my confidence through detailed training plans and tough love (think Jillian from Biggest Loser). She doesn't charge much ($25 an hour) and is worth 2-3 times that. Contact me if you're interested, I may get a cut...
The plan was for me to run a 8:00 mile pace, slicing down the last couple of miles if I felt good. The start was tough. Trail...tree roots...skinny path. I got stuck behind a guy with a stroller on the skinny path and there was no way around. My Garmin reflected a 9:40 pace. Gads....Once it opened up I shot past him. Then sweet mother of pearl the course went uphill. Uphill for nearly a mile. In fact the course was very hilly. Albert stated that it was the hardest 10k course he's ran. Speaking of Albert, I lost track of him shortly after the starting gun. Saw him at one point (there were a few out and backs built in to the course). I'm waving away and he's dead on focused on what's in front of him. Silly me. Albert finished 3rd in his division and 11th overall! Not bad for a guy coming back from an injury.
I ended up running with three others. They were all running my pace so we were a little bunched up. The two guys (spitters by the way) ran to the left and the gal on the right. If you spit to the right why do you run left? Fear not, I kept a few yards behind them. I focused on the girl. She only spat once...around mile 4 she pulled away and I followed suit. Who would you follow, spandex, er I mean a girl or a couple spitters?
Soon we were well ahead and a water station was in sight. I grabbed my dixie cup, pinched it (that's how they tell you to do it), poured it in. Downside here was that the water flowed not into my mouth but into my nose (not how they tell you to do it). It is possible for one to drown while running? Then I saw it. I saw mile marker 5 up ahead. Sweet! I was feeling good, had energy left, and only a bit over a mile to go. As I passed mile marker 5 I noticed that it said mile 4. Bummer. I still felt good and "Some time after midnight" started on the iPod so I jacked it up and remembered Sharon saying to try and pick up the last two miles if I felt good. I felt good. I ran the last two miles in 7:39 and 7:25. Came around the corner for the final .2 and hit the steepest hill of my life. I felt like I was barely moving and tried to manage some encouraging words to the gal I'd been running with. I meant well but I think all she heard was heavy breathing - that explains the look I got. I hit the top before her and saw the time clock at 49 something. My goal was under 50 so I sprinted and crossed the finish with mere seconds to spare. Albert was there cheering me on - he'd finished, had a sandwich, changed the oil in his car, you get the picture.
Jerry. Speedster. Explorer. The number one problem with being one of the faster on a course is that if the course isn't marked properly or a volunteer hasn't made it out to their station yet, one could go the wrong way. That's what happened to Jerry and a couple others. The signage wasn't out so they went straight (makes sense) instead of turning. Ended up on the bike race route. I felt for him and the others. Jerry shrugged it off as not that big of a deal. The race organizers were very apologetic and I was impressed with their level of concern.
All in all a good day. My training plan seems to be working and while tired, I felt I ran a good race. Half marathon coming up in November but I think I'll take a pit stop and run the 5 miler in Portland on October 4th. Albert and Jerry are running the marathon and Sharon is thinking about the 5 miler. 5k's....10k's....turning 50....The only barrier is the one you build for yourself. Bust em, don't build em. Run...don't jog.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
3 + 3 = 8
Riddle me this. When is a 5K not a 5K? Answer - when a certified course turns out to be 3.21 miles instead of 3.1 miles. What's the big deal anyway, it's just an extra .11 right? Get over it....Sure. No problem. Except that the extra distance adds about a minute to your time. Except when you've worked hard over the past six weeks to hit every training goal. Except when your goal is to record a PR. My initial disgust has waned. I feel better today than I did when I saw the time clock yesterday. Mistakes happen. I'm not perfect either. I mean really, have you ever seen my toes? That's another story....
Proceeds from this race went to Children's Hospital in Seattle. That was my driver for signing up. We became very familiar with this hospital earlier this year. My youngest son Taylor had a brain tumor which was successfully removed by the surgeons at Children's. Everyone we met there made us feel like Taylor was the only patient in the hospital. Believe me, when you're in uncharted territory and you can't even be sure your son will live through the experience, you need a lot of hand holding and reassurance. They were incredible. Today they are our charity of choice. If you are looking for an organization to give your hard earned money - go Children's. Better yet, go spend a day there - you'll give more.
My goal for this race (other than a PR) was to improve my ability to maintain pace. I've gone out too fast in the last few races and mile three kicked my butt - hard. I ran a 7:07 mile one which was right on. Miles two and three were at my best pace in the last three races. Not exactly on the mark but I'm moving in the right direction. The course was out and back which is always nice. Unless your memory is real bad, you know exactly what to expect once you round the corner. It wasn't the most scenic - a sea of orange cones that seem to go on to the horizon. At times it was like eating a bowl of spaghetti. You eat and eat yet the bowl still appears full. You run a half mile and it seems like you haven't moved at all - yet your heart rate has jumped 30 points.
When I was about a quarter mile from the finish, a young kid running to my right stops, doubles over, and pukes his guts out. I felt for him. He must have been giving it everything he had and was so close to the finish. I'm sure he finished. While I felt bad for him I didn't stop to check on him. Apparently that is becoming my MO....When did I ever claim to be a Navy Seal? I'm a goal focused, self motivated, driven, no short cut, don't expect me to change my plans, ridged, selfish, get out of my way, stuck in my ways runner....person....but you love me anyway don't ya?
Speaking of focused, Sharon ran. Recall a previous blog where she ran as a bandit (doesn't register, doesn't pay, doesn't get her time posted). Same deal here. She was being nice and invited a young man to run with us. Short story is that based on meeting time, distance to the course, etc, she didn't get there in time to register. Me? I drove myself. If you wonder why, re-read the last part of the last paragraph...Sharon didn't feel like running but Albert pushed her into it (good for him). I'd like to run as fast as someone who doesn't feel like running. I had her in my sights through mile one. Ok, that makes it sound like I was right behind her doesn't it? Let's just say I was behind her....I saw her blocked in behind 4-5 guys. Before I knew it, she hit another gear, pushed through them and that's the last I saw of her. Wonder what those guys were thinking? They never caught her. Her "Garmin" time put her first in her age division by over two minutes. She creamed most people and I believe finished in the top 10 overall. Wonder how she would have done if she felt like running...?
Albert didn't run but came and showed his support for us. He's struggling with a bit of an injury. He'll come back fast. Physically he's in great shape and has the attitude to match. Sharon's playing doctor with him and as long as he follows her advice, he'll be back faster than ever. He's focused on qualifying for Boston. He'll do it.
So at the end of the day I did have a pretty good race. I finished 3rd in my division and 40th overall. This was my 23rd race. It's strange but I still believe that I can do better. Run faster. Smarter. It'd be nice to feel that way during a race. I'll continue to listen to my coach as I embark on a new adventure - The Seattle Half Marathon in November. I wonder if they'll measure that one right.
Proceeds from this race went to Children's Hospital in Seattle. That was my driver for signing up. We became very familiar with this hospital earlier this year. My youngest son Taylor had a brain tumor which was successfully removed by the surgeons at Children's. Everyone we met there made us feel like Taylor was the only patient in the hospital. Believe me, when you're in uncharted territory and you can't even be sure your son will live through the experience, you need a lot of hand holding and reassurance. They were incredible. Today they are our charity of choice. If you are looking for an organization to give your hard earned money - go Children's. Better yet, go spend a day there - you'll give more.
My goal for this race (other than a PR) was to improve my ability to maintain pace. I've gone out too fast in the last few races and mile three kicked my butt - hard. I ran a 7:07 mile one which was right on. Miles two and three were at my best pace in the last three races. Not exactly on the mark but I'm moving in the right direction. The course was out and back which is always nice. Unless your memory is real bad, you know exactly what to expect once you round the corner. It wasn't the most scenic - a sea of orange cones that seem to go on to the horizon. At times it was like eating a bowl of spaghetti. You eat and eat yet the bowl still appears full. You run a half mile and it seems like you haven't moved at all - yet your heart rate has jumped 30 points.
When I was about a quarter mile from the finish, a young kid running to my right stops, doubles over, and pukes his guts out. I felt for him. He must have been giving it everything he had and was so close to the finish. I'm sure he finished. While I felt bad for him I didn't stop to check on him. Apparently that is becoming my MO....When did I ever claim to be a Navy Seal? I'm a goal focused, self motivated, driven, no short cut, don't expect me to change my plans, ridged, selfish, get out of my way, stuck in my ways runner....person....but you love me anyway don't ya?
Speaking of focused, Sharon ran. Recall a previous blog where she ran as a bandit (doesn't register, doesn't pay, doesn't get her time posted). Same deal here. She was being nice and invited a young man to run with us. Short story is that based on meeting time, distance to the course, etc, she didn't get there in time to register. Me? I drove myself. If you wonder why, re-read the last part of the last paragraph...Sharon didn't feel like running but Albert pushed her into it (good for him). I'd like to run as fast as someone who doesn't feel like running. I had her in my sights through mile one. Ok, that makes it sound like I was right behind her doesn't it? Let's just say I was behind her....I saw her blocked in behind 4-5 guys. Before I knew it, she hit another gear, pushed through them and that's the last I saw of her. Wonder what those guys were thinking? They never caught her. Her "Garmin" time put her first in her age division by over two minutes. She creamed most people and I believe finished in the top 10 overall. Wonder how she would have done if she felt like running...?
Albert didn't run but came and showed his support for us. He's struggling with a bit of an injury. He'll come back fast. Physically he's in great shape and has the attitude to match. Sharon's playing doctor with him and as long as he follows her advice, he'll be back faster than ever. He's focused on qualifying for Boston. He'll do it.
So at the end of the day I did have a pretty good race. I finished 3rd in my division and 40th overall. This was my 23rd race. It's strange but I still believe that I can do better. Run faster. Smarter. It'd be nice to feel that way during a race. I'll continue to listen to my coach as I embark on a new adventure - The Seattle Half Marathon in November. I wonder if they'll measure that one right.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Independence Day
Ah, Independence Day. A day off, BBQ's, fireworks, and many 5K opportunities. I feel like I should go into why we celebrate this day and how many of us (including me) tend to forget it's importance. I won't (you're welcome) but I encourage all of us to look beyond the "day off" and understand the significance of our American holidays and the all to often painful sacrifices that were made so you can toss a burger on the grill and grab a cool one from the cooler.
The Posse traveled to Everett for a 4th of July 5K. Neighbors Mitch and Angie (and their two kids) met us there. Rita, another neighbor, carpooled with Albert, Sharon, and I - you start to wonder if we live in some kind of running commune. Aside from the robes, chanting, and matching running shoes we're not so different from other neighborhoods...
The "Y" sponsored this race and their organization was impressive. A clean clear course, an army of volunteers, tunes crankin from the DJ, and even a few words from the mayor before the race. Additionally they coordinated a 10K, 5K, 1 mile dash, and a kids run. It came off like clockwork. A challenge at all races is to get in that last potty stop. This one was no different. You would think that we'd factor this in and stop sucking down coffee in route to the course. We don't. Common to this challenge is the women's line double or triple the length of the men's. Why? Sure, there are a few more women running 5K's these days but how their line always snakes out of the restroom and down the hall is beyond me. Maybe it's because women can't go to the john alone. They have to take two or three with them. Can you picture me trying to round up a couple men to come to the bathroom with me? Yes, have bail money ready and call my mom. This situation is especially troublesome for Sharon who frequents the restroom like an old friend. Time was short and the line long. She quickly noticed that the men's line was nearly zip and you guessed it, shifted lines by shouting to the crowd, "Look out boys, I'm comin in" and with that she disappeared.
I was jazzed about today's run because Albert was going to run with me, pace me. Help push me closer to a new record. For the first time I ran without my music - I wanted to hear my instructions clearly. He was great. Reminders to relax, breath, take short strides, etc echoed throughout the race. I think I let him down. I ran a good race, in fact it was my sixth fastest (yes, I keep metrics on all my runs and races). I came in slower that I think we both thought. It was warm....our Garmins both reflected that the race was a bit longer than a 5K, but so what. The time on the clock is all that counts when you cross the finish line. I will say without question that I ran faster and finished stronger because of Albert. Towards the end of the race we rounded the corner and could see the finish line. A guy was just ahead and I heard Albert say "Let's take this guy"....or something similar - I don't hear as well near the end of a race. As we passed him Albert shouts "Don't slow down". We keep the kick and finish strong, not letting the intruder close the gap. Turns out that passing that guy enabled me to take 3rd place in my division. Thanks Albert!
I can't comment much on Mitch or Sharon. Once the race started Mitch was off and the next time I saw him he was relaxing at the finish - waiting for the rest of us. He finished first in his age division! I'm running 400's with him this Friday at the track. Pain with a bit of fun mixed in I predict. We saw Sharon through the first turn and then with little apparent effort she found her gear and was gone. It must really suck to be one of those fast guys up front and see her blaze by. Forget it boys, you won't catch her. Sharon finished first in her age division and was second overall (women). Rita was running her first 5K in a long time and was amazing. She had a strong finish and a very fast recovery - meaning she will be even faster next time. And there will be a next time! Angie and the kids ran the 1 mile - in flops! Angie is a runner, an athlete. It's clear their kids will be runners too.
Our next 5K will be in mid August with the proceeds going to Children's Hospital. After the care they showed my son, they'll have my financial support and best effort I can muster. Speaking of effort, I'm toying with a couple new ideas. One being doing the 2009 Seattle Half Marathon in November. The other being tackling the 2010 Bare Buns Run at Washington's Nudist Colony. Looks like I'll need to start doing a few more crunches. Won't hurt to pick up a bottle of spray tan either....
The Posse traveled to Everett for a 4th of July 5K. Neighbors Mitch and Angie (and their two kids) met us there. Rita, another neighbor, carpooled with Albert, Sharon, and I - you start to wonder if we live in some kind of running commune. Aside from the robes, chanting, and matching running shoes we're not so different from other neighborhoods...
The "Y" sponsored this race and their organization was impressive. A clean clear course, an army of volunteers, tunes crankin from the DJ, and even a few words from the mayor before the race. Additionally they coordinated a 10K, 5K, 1 mile dash, and a kids run. It came off like clockwork. A challenge at all races is to get in that last potty stop. This one was no different. You would think that we'd factor this in and stop sucking down coffee in route to the course. We don't. Common to this challenge is the women's line double or triple the length of the men's. Why? Sure, there are a few more women running 5K's these days but how their line always snakes out of the restroom and down the hall is beyond me. Maybe it's because women can't go to the john alone. They have to take two or three with them. Can you picture me trying to round up a couple men to come to the bathroom with me? Yes, have bail money ready and call my mom. This situation is especially troublesome for Sharon who frequents the restroom like an old friend. Time was short and the line long. She quickly noticed that the men's line was nearly zip and you guessed it, shifted lines by shouting to the crowd, "Look out boys, I'm comin in" and with that she disappeared.
I was jazzed about today's run because Albert was going to run with me, pace me. Help push me closer to a new record. For the first time I ran without my music - I wanted to hear my instructions clearly. He was great. Reminders to relax, breath, take short strides, etc echoed throughout the race. I think I let him down. I ran a good race, in fact it was my sixth fastest (yes, I keep metrics on all my runs and races). I came in slower that I think we both thought. It was warm....our Garmins both reflected that the race was a bit longer than a 5K, but so what. The time on the clock is all that counts when you cross the finish line. I will say without question that I ran faster and finished stronger because of Albert. Towards the end of the race we rounded the corner and could see the finish line. A guy was just ahead and I heard Albert say "Let's take this guy"....or something similar - I don't hear as well near the end of a race. As we passed him Albert shouts "Don't slow down". We keep the kick and finish strong, not letting the intruder close the gap. Turns out that passing that guy enabled me to take 3rd place in my division. Thanks Albert!
I can't comment much on Mitch or Sharon. Once the race started Mitch was off and the next time I saw him he was relaxing at the finish - waiting for the rest of us. He finished first in his age division! I'm running 400's with him this Friday at the track. Pain with a bit of fun mixed in I predict. We saw Sharon through the first turn and then with little apparent effort she found her gear and was gone. It must really suck to be one of those fast guys up front and see her blaze by. Forget it boys, you won't catch her. Sharon finished first in her age division and was second overall (women). Rita was running her first 5K in a long time and was amazing. She had a strong finish and a very fast recovery - meaning she will be even faster next time. And there will be a next time! Angie and the kids ran the 1 mile - in flops! Angie is a runner, an athlete. It's clear their kids will be runners too.
Our next 5K will be in mid August with the proceeds going to Children's Hospital. After the care they showed my son, they'll have my financial support and best effort I can muster. Speaking of effort, I'm toying with a couple new ideas. One being doing the 2009 Seattle Half Marathon in November. The other being tackling the 2010 Bare Buns Run at Washington's Nudist Colony. Looks like I'll need to start doing a few more crunches. Won't hurt to pick up a bottle of spray tan either....
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Hello 50!!!
50. It arrived. There is no turning back. I looked in the mirror and nothing changed. Still have all my teeth. Still have no hair. Everything where it should be and nothing showing up that shouldn't be there. Granted I did this inspection without my glasses but who needs that level of detail anyway? So, all in all, a good day. And a good day to race. I was a little tired and had a stupid pinch between my shoulder blades but nothing that needed surgical attention. The course was calling and my first race at 50 was on deck.
How about the rest of the gang? Albert had ran for four straight days and knocked out 8-9 miles the day before. He's training for the Portland marathon in October and looking to qualify for Boston. His dedication to training and attitude to deliver only his best will get him there. The 5K wasn't part of his training but he came to support me. Cool huh! Sharon had been battling the stomach flu since Thursday and was iffy to race. She decided to run. Maybe it was all those sprints to the bathroom over the last couple of days that convinced her that she could do it. Hard to say...
Before I share my results I will say that I did not set a personal record. I had a good race but my strategy was off and mentally I missed the game. I completed the first mile in 6:49 - never have I logged a mile at that speed. Mile 2 was just over 7:05. Albert and Sharon were in my sights through mile 2. Mile 3 had my number. At points I felt like Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk. How can I be running but feeling like I'm going backwards? I hate to admit this but I had two points in the last mile that I walked 25 feet or so. Walked. Between the pinched muscle in my back and fatigue, I failed. Mentally I failed. I met the wall and let it beat me. Those two short breaks cost me. Cost me a personal record. I finished with a time of 22:22. Not bad. Just 6 seconds slower than my record run two weeks ago. It's the second fastest I've ever ran a race. I took 3rd in my age division and finished 20th overall. One could celebrate results like that. I can't, not really. I know I could have ran a better race. I will run a better race.
Ok, how'd my lightning fast partners do? Albert turned in a personal record of 20:17, finishing 2nd in his division and 9th overall. 9th overall...wow. He didn't even look tired. His ability to recover is incredible. Often after a race he looks like he could do another one. Albert is also the first one to congratulate and offer support. Fyi ladies, he's single...see me for additional details...
Then there's Sharon. Remember what I said about her stomach flu? Can you imagine racing and battling both the course and the stomach flu? No thanks. In a 5K you have to go all out for the entire race, no holding back. She held nothing back. Not only was she the first woman to cross the finish line, she kept on running...running right through the finish and I'm happy to say that she was also the first woman to the Honey Bucket. Is that two medals or just one? Turns out that somewhere during mile 3 she experienced a mild explosion. Explosion...enough said. I don't know who impressed me the most. Sharon for continuing to run or Albert for continuing to run WITH her...The upside is that the panic over a possible gas leak was a false alarm. Sharon finished with a time of 20:17 (personal record) and besides being the first woman to finish, came in 8th overall. She now races against the field rather than just her gender.
I believe that I can run faster, I know I can. Mental strategy, maybe mental toughness is needed. It's time to train the mind as well as the body. One positive today was that age didn't beat me. The other is that I know where I need to focus. Now it's just a matter of putting a plan together and executing. I'm already looking forward to our next race and driving home with the windows rolled up....
How about the rest of the gang? Albert had ran for four straight days and knocked out 8-9 miles the day before. He's training for the Portland marathon in October and looking to qualify for Boston. His dedication to training and attitude to deliver only his best will get him there. The 5K wasn't part of his training but he came to support me. Cool huh! Sharon had been battling the stomach flu since Thursday and was iffy to race. She decided to run. Maybe it was all those sprints to the bathroom over the last couple of days that convinced her that she could do it. Hard to say...
Before I share my results I will say that I did not set a personal record. I had a good race but my strategy was off and mentally I missed the game. I completed the first mile in 6:49 - never have I logged a mile at that speed. Mile 2 was just over 7:05. Albert and Sharon were in my sights through mile 2. Mile 3 had my number. At points I felt like Michael Jackson doing the moonwalk. How can I be running but feeling like I'm going backwards? I hate to admit this but I had two points in the last mile that I walked 25 feet or so. Walked. Between the pinched muscle in my back and fatigue, I failed. Mentally I failed. I met the wall and let it beat me. Those two short breaks cost me. Cost me a personal record. I finished with a time of 22:22. Not bad. Just 6 seconds slower than my record run two weeks ago. It's the second fastest I've ever ran a race. I took 3rd in my age division and finished 20th overall. One could celebrate results like that. I can't, not really. I know I could have ran a better race. I will run a better race.
Ok, how'd my lightning fast partners do? Albert turned in a personal record of 20:17, finishing 2nd in his division and 9th overall. 9th overall...wow. He didn't even look tired. His ability to recover is incredible. Often after a race he looks like he could do another one. Albert is also the first one to congratulate and offer support. Fyi ladies, he's single...see me for additional details...
Then there's Sharon. Remember what I said about her stomach flu? Can you imagine racing and battling both the course and the stomach flu? No thanks. In a 5K you have to go all out for the entire race, no holding back. She held nothing back. Not only was she the first woman to cross the finish line, she kept on running...running right through the finish and I'm happy to say that she was also the first woman to the Honey Bucket. Is that two medals or just one? Turns out that somewhere during mile 3 she experienced a mild explosion. Explosion...enough said. I don't know who impressed me the most. Sharon for continuing to run or Albert for continuing to run WITH her...The upside is that the panic over a possible gas leak was a false alarm. Sharon finished with a time of 20:17 (personal record) and besides being the first woman to finish, came in 8th overall. She now races against the field rather than just her gender.
I believe that I can run faster, I know I can. Mental strategy, maybe mental toughness is needed. It's time to train the mind as well as the body. One positive today was that age didn't beat me. The other is that I know where I need to focus. Now it's just a matter of putting a plan together and executing. I'm already looking forward to our next race and driving home with the windows rolled up....
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Say good-night 49...
Saturday I ran my last race as a 49 year old and in two weeks I begin a new journey - or better yet, racing in a new age division. There are sub 20 minute racers out there in their 50's so don't think that easy days are around the corner for me. In fact I believe I will have to train harder than ever before. And I fear it appears that I will finally have to give up booze, smoking, and chasing girls. Just kidding mom, I stopped drinking long ago...
Growing up my mom and dad (still miss him - someday I'll tell the story about when he shook the ketchup bottle during dinner with the cap off and ketchup flew everywhere...ceiling, walls, you name it. Funny how little things pop in and out of your mind) had this thing we'd do at birthday time. Before falling asleep the night before your birthday you would say "Good night 7 (or whatever your current age was)". When you woke in the morning you would say "Good morning 8". It was kind of goofy but it stuck with me and I still do it to this day. I've tried to pass this tradition on to my kids. In their early years they were all in. Today not so much. If I look at the right moment I catch part of the world famous eye roll...So I say it to them...for them. I know they are thinking it and I'll settle for that.
I had slapped some added pressure on myself for this race. I needed it to be a good one since I was closing a chapter. Knowing this, Sharon fine tuned my training plan. I hated most of it. Hate is really too strong a word. Let's say I didn't always look forward to the next day of training, knowing that it would hurt and I would be tested. Additional cardio days were inserted, 400, 800, and 1600 sprints at speeds I'd not done before, hill training, and longer long runs. Yup, like a soccer ball to the groin but in this case a "cup" doesn't ease the pain.
Race day weather was perfect. Mild temp with mostly overcast skies. Jerry was out to run the 10K and Albert and Sharon running the 5K. We even had special guests - Sharon's mom and dad came out to support her. They are great people and it was nice of them to come out. They may have turned out to be good luck charms as Sharon won. She came in 1st for all women and 3rd overall - meaning she out ran every man but two. Smokin! Albert ran with her, coming in just behind. He ran 9 miles the day before - talk about energy. Jerry ran with his dog and finished the 10k in 4th place - and that's running with a dog and spending the first 1.5 miles running along Sharon and Albert talking to them. Oh, and I believe he's now running 80 miles a week for his marathon training...
For all my training complaints, the plan and execution was spot on and worth it. I ran the fastest race of my life, a 22:16. I started out a bit too fast (sub 7:00 pace) and settled into a pretty good pace for the first two miles. I was in a weird spot. The fast runners were well ahead and others were well behind. For most of the run I was by myself - that makes the hard parts of the run tough. Mile 3 wasn't fun but I pushed harder than ever before and soon I could see the finish ahead - oh sweet nectar! I went into a full sprint (my Garmin reflects a 5:00 pace if you can believe that) and crossed the finish well spent. I had trouble standing for a minute or two but recovery came soon enough and I could celebrate. And for the first time I won my age division. Yup, 1st place. After 19 races, number 20 will have a 1st place medal to remember it by.
As 49 heads off into the sunset I'm excited for 50. Bring it on..."cup" included...
Growing up my mom and dad (still miss him - someday I'll tell the story about when he shook the ketchup bottle during dinner with the cap off and ketchup flew everywhere...ceiling, walls, you name it. Funny how little things pop in and out of your mind) had this thing we'd do at birthday time. Before falling asleep the night before your birthday you would say "Good night 7 (or whatever your current age was)". When you woke in the morning you would say "Good morning 8". It was kind of goofy but it stuck with me and I still do it to this day. I've tried to pass this tradition on to my kids. In their early years they were all in. Today not so much. If I look at the right moment I catch part of the world famous eye roll...So I say it to them...for them. I know they are thinking it and I'll settle for that.
I had slapped some added pressure on myself for this race. I needed it to be a good one since I was closing a chapter. Knowing this, Sharon fine tuned my training plan. I hated most of it. Hate is really too strong a word. Let's say I didn't always look forward to the next day of training, knowing that it would hurt and I would be tested. Additional cardio days were inserted, 400, 800, and 1600 sprints at speeds I'd not done before, hill training, and longer long runs. Yup, like a soccer ball to the groin but in this case a "cup" doesn't ease the pain.
Race day weather was perfect. Mild temp with mostly overcast skies. Jerry was out to run the 10K and Albert and Sharon running the 5K. We even had special guests - Sharon's mom and dad came out to support her. They are great people and it was nice of them to come out. They may have turned out to be good luck charms as Sharon won. She came in 1st for all women and 3rd overall - meaning she out ran every man but two. Smokin! Albert ran with her, coming in just behind. He ran 9 miles the day before - talk about energy. Jerry ran with his dog and finished the 10k in 4th place - and that's running with a dog and spending the first 1.5 miles running along Sharon and Albert talking to them. Oh, and I believe he's now running 80 miles a week for his marathon training...
For all my training complaints, the plan and execution was spot on and worth it. I ran the fastest race of my life, a 22:16. I started out a bit too fast (sub 7:00 pace) and settled into a pretty good pace for the first two miles. I was in a weird spot. The fast runners were well ahead and others were well behind. For most of the run I was by myself - that makes the hard parts of the run tough. Mile 3 wasn't fun but I pushed harder than ever before and soon I could see the finish ahead - oh sweet nectar! I went into a full sprint (my Garmin reflects a 5:00 pace if you can believe that) and crossed the finish well spent. I had trouble standing for a minute or two but recovery came soon enough and I could celebrate. And for the first time I won my age division. Yup, 1st place. After 19 races, number 20 will have a 1st place medal to remember it by.
As 49 heads off into the sunset I'm excited for 50. Bring it on..."cup" included...
Friday, June 5, 2009
AARP
AARP....That wasn't how I planned on starting this blog. AARP....I don't even know what the letters stand for. What I do know is that I arrived home tonight all excited to sit down and write about my record breaking long run last Sunday. However, sitting on the table was mail addressed to me from AARP. What the hell?!? Isn't that something old people join? Gets you in to Bingo Halls at a discount rate and allows a two for one at the dinner buffet that starts at 2:00 everyday? Why are THEY sending me mail? I'm only.....Oh....enough said. Maybe it's not to early to start clipping Depends coupons....
AARP. The mailing is a offer to become a member. No where does it spell out what AARP stands for. It is because they think I'll be embarrassed....shamed? Is that why Playboy delivers their magazine in a brown wrapper? Hey, it wasn't mine, I was ah.....picking up my...my neighbors mail. I Google AARP and still can't find anything. I did find the following statement - AARP is a non profit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people over 50 improve the quality of their lives as they age. That doesn't sound so bad.
Thanks for hanging with me but really, if you found this in your mailbox, you'd float a bit too. So Sunday. The quest for 10 miles was on. Michael vs. the road - or so I thought. Mind you I wasn't alone. I had Sharon to navigate the course, keep me thinking positive, and distract me should I falter. She seems to know exactly when I need a pick me up or kick in the ass. The first 5 miles were pretty good and seemed to go by fairly quickly. I think this was partly due to the fact that I was running a course I'd never run before. Scenery can be a great distraction.
By mile 7 water was gold. It's amazing how dry one's throat becomes as you run and the ease in which water helps wash down the unidentified bug that flew directly into my throat. I wonder what it was. I'm sure it was smaller than it felt. Maybe a cute little ladybug. Sure, it must have been a ladybug....
It was around this time that Sharon stated she should have brought her iPod. Huh? "What?", I said? "Why do you need your iPod?" "Because you're not talking" she replied. Oh....well some of us need to focus on breathing I think to myself. Good for me! I've finally learned to use my "inside" voice....I admit to her that I'm feeling the miles and am feeling that our pace is a bit fast. "Check your Garmin" she answers back. 8:20 pace....too fast. We slow. Funny that it doesn't feel any better.
We're closing in on mile 10 and I'm happy. Almost there! Within a nano-second of that thought Sharon says "Let's run all the way home, it'll only be 11 miles". I'm putty at this point and not wanting to appear weak I agree. Good for you I say to myself, 11 will be a lifetime best and you're only a mile away. Only a mile....After a few minutes I tell Sharon that I don't feel so good. I haven't for a while. I hurt. Nothing specific, it's all over. I feel cold. She tells me to check our mileage. 10.60. Less than half a mile she says, you can do it. One foot in front of the other....run tall....breath.....you're doing great....She keeps them coming like bullets from a machine gun.
I can do it. I know I can. I keep going. I feel like crap. We round the corner and check the mileage - 11.12. We're done. I'm tired but no longer feel like crap. There's a strange energy coming over me and no, it wasn't gas. It's hard to explain and maybe you have to experience it to understand it. All I know is that at that moment I could do anything. Turned out that the run wasn't Michael vs. the road. It was me vs. myself. My body. My mind. I'm not sure it was a clean victory but it was a victory. My mind sent my body a message. A message that I'll use during my next 5K when I hurt. I know I can push through it because I already have.
Once again I share credit with my running partners. Today it was Sharon helping me push through. Another run completed and I'm better for it. Regardless of what AARP actually stands for, for me it's Always Appreciate Running Partners - Helping me improve my quality of life through running. Can't wait for tomorrows 5K....
AARP. The mailing is a offer to become a member. No where does it spell out what AARP stands for. It is because they think I'll be embarrassed....shamed? Is that why Playboy delivers their magazine in a brown wrapper? Hey, it wasn't mine, I was ah.....picking up my...my neighbors mail. I Google AARP and still can't find anything. I did find the following statement - AARP is a non profit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people over 50 improve the quality of their lives as they age. That doesn't sound so bad.
Thanks for hanging with me but really, if you found this in your mailbox, you'd float a bit too. So Sunday. The quest for 10 miles was on. Michael vs. the road - or so I thought. Mind you I wasn't alone. I had Sharon to navigate the course, keep me thinking positive, and distract me should I falter. She seems to know exactly when I need a pick me up or kick in the ass. The first 5 miles were pretty good and seemed to go by fairly quickly. I think this was partly due to the fact that I was running a course I'd never run before. Scenery can be a great distraction.
By mile 7 water was gold. It's amazing how dry one's throat becomes as you run and the ease in which water helps wash down the unidentified bug that flew directly into my throat. I wonder what it was. I'm sure it was smaller than it felt. Maybe a cute little ladybug. Sure, it must have been a ladybug....
It was around this time that Sharon stated she should have brought her iPod. Huh? "What?", I said? "Why do you need your iPod?" "Because you're not talking" she replied. Oh....well some of us need to focus on breathing I think to myself. Good for me! I've finally learned to use my "inside" voice....I admit to her that I'm feeling the miles and am feeling that our pace is a bit fast. "Check your Garmin" she answers back. 8:20 pace....too fast. We slow. Funny that it doesn't feel any better.
We're closing in on mile 10 and I'm happy. Almost there! Within a nano-second of that thought Sharon says "Let's run all the way home, it'll only be 11 miles". I'm putty at this point and not wanting to appear weak I agree. Good for you I say to myself, 11 will be a lifetime best and you're only a mile away. Only a mile....After a few minutes I tell Sharon that I don't feel so good. I haven't for a while. I hurt. Nothing specific, it's all over. I feel cold. She tells me to check our mileage. 10.60. Less than half a mile she says, you can do it. One foot in front of the other....run tall....breath.....you're doing great....She keeps them coming like bullets from a machine gun.
I can do it. I know I can. I keep going. I feel like crap. We round the corner and check the mileage - 11.12. We're done. I'm tired but no longer feel like crap. There's a strange energy coming over me and no, it wasn't gas. It's hard to explain and maybe you have to experience it to understand it. All I know is that at that moment I could do anything. Turned out that the run wasn't Michael vs. the road. It was me vs. myself. My body. My mind. I'm not sure it was a clean victory but it was a victory. My mind sent my body a message. A message that I'll use during my next 5K when I hurt. I know I can push through it because I already have.
Once again I share credit with my running partners. Today it was Sharon helping me push through. Another run completed and I'm better for it. Regardless of what AARP actually stands for, for me it's Always Appreciate Running Partners - Helping me improve my quality of life through running. Can't wait for tomorrows 5K....
Sunday, May 17, 2009
One small step for man...
....one giant leap for Michael. Wow, pretty bold of me to use a quote from the 1969 moonwalk to describe my run today isn't it? I mean it isn't like I walked on the moon or anything - THAT was huge. That was Neil Armstrong, steppin big on July 20th 1969. With America behind him he did what no man before had ever done - that must have been some feeling. Can you even imagine the excitement? I might have peed. Zero gravity and no Depends...not a pretty picture.
He didn't do it alone though. Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was on the surface with him and Michael Collin was in the command module orbiting the moon. Each of them had specific functions to perform and working together they made history. I remember seeing it on TV and then looking at the moon and never seeing it the same again. We forget sometimes the bravery of these men. Shove them in a rocket and blast them to the moon. Slide on down to the surface, have them walk around, then zip back up to connect to the main ship and then haul booty back to Earth. Sure, that doesn't even remotely sound crazy does it?
Today the giant leap was mine. Over the past few weeks I have been increasing my Sunday run from 5 miles to 6 miles and last week 8. The goal today was 9 miles and three hills. Nervous - yes. Excited - yes. Pack of Depends on standby - no (I'm not 50 yet). What a beautiful day to run. Slightly warm and nothing but blue sky. I fueled up, covered my head with sunblock, and met up with Sharon and Albert for the three lap wonderland that had already increased my heart rate in anticipation.
Lap one wasn't too bad and the first hill actually felt a tad easier than the week before. Maybe my fitness is a little better or maybe I simply don't fear it any longer - I'll take both. Sharon was my Buzz Aldrin today. However I'm sure Buzz never ran in a sports bra with "Just Do It" across his, ah...his, ah...spacesuit. Sharon stayed out front for most of the run and hitting the hills I could focus on her and not look beyond at the length of the hill in front of us. Mentally it was a big help and the only downside is that when I close my eyes I still see "Just Do It".....
Mission Control was Albert. He was at my side talking me though the run. Whether it was a hill, flat, or decline, he was the voice in my ear making sure I stayed on track. "Drop the pace....run on the balls of your feet (uphill technique)....relax your shoulders....you're doing great....good form"....Astronauts never had it so good.
So with the help of my "Buzz" and "Mission Control", I covered 9.58 miles at an average pace of 9:15. I would have jumped for joy at the end of the run but my legs felt like lead and we have gravity down here. Once again I thank my partners. They could have ran faster today. Could have ran further today. Could have but didn't. Instead they gave their run to me. Two things came clear to me today. Running buddies can get you through anything and I'm a lucky guy....
He didn't do it alone though. Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was on the surface with him and Michael Collin was in the command module orbiting the moon. Each of them had specific functions to perform and working together they made history. I remember seeing it on TV and then looking at the moon and never seeing it the same again. We forget sometimes the bravery of these men. Shove them in a rocket and blast them to the moon. Slide on down to the surface, have them walk around, then zip back up to connect to the main ship and then haul booty back to Earth. Sure, that doesn't even remotely sound crazy does it?
Today the giant leap was mine. Over the past few weeks I have been increasing my Sunday run from 5 miles to 6 miles and last week 8. The goal today was 9 miles and three hills. Nervous - yes. Excited - yes. Pack of Depends on standby - no (I'm not 50 yet). What a beautiful day to run. Slightly warm and nothing but blue sky. I fueled up, covered my head with sunblock, and met up with Sharon and Albert for the three lap wonderland that had already increased my heart rate in anticipation.
Lap one wasn't too bad and the first hill actually felt a tad easier than the week before. Maybe my fitness is a little better or maybe I simply don't fear it any longer - I'll take both. Sharon was my Buzz Aldrin today. However I'm sure Buzz never ran in a sports bra with "Just Do It" across his, ah...his, ah...spacesuit. Sharon stayed out front for most of the run and hitting the hills I could focus on her and not look beyond at the length of the hill in front of us. Mentally it was a big help and the only downside is that when I close my eyes I still see "Just Do It".....
Mission Control was Albert. He was at my side talking me though the run. Whether it was a hill, flat, or decline, he was the voice in my ear making sure I stayed on track. "Drop the pace....run on the balls of your feet (uphill technique)....relax your shoulders....you're doing great....good form"....Astronauts never had it so good.
So with the help of my "Buzz" and "Mission Control", I covered 9.58 miles at an average pace of 9:15. I would have jumped for joy at the end of the run but my legs felt like lead and we have gravity down here. Once again I thank my partners. They could have ran faster today. Could have ran further today. Could have but didn't. Instead they gave their run to me. Two things came clear to me today. Running buddies can get you through anything and I'm a lucky guy....
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
8 Mile
This is not to be confused with the 2002 rapper movie starring Eminem. Incidentally when I first heard about him I thought it was M&M....as in plain or peanut. Can you blame me? There's Vanilla Ice, 50 Cent, Poof or Puff Daddy, so M&M makes sense if you really think about it.
This is about my 8 mile Sunday run so there is really no comparison. Of course the Eminem movie had a run time of 110 minutes and my 8 miles spanned only 71 minutes so you could say I kicked his butt by 39 minutes. This is where I would toss in some rapper jargon if I knew any....
8 miles - so what. So it was a hurdle for me. The last time I was able to kick out 8 miles was July 2008. Humm, Eminem was a young rapper struggling with his life and I'm a "young" runner struggling with his pace. Maybe we should do lunch. You're right, a little more focus here - so let me get back to my point if I can find it. I'm a goal setter. I believe that if you don't set goals you'll never push yourself to the level of success you are capable of. Often we don't know what we are capable of so we settle. Or is it because we're afraid. I think fear plays a larger role than we think.
I'm a few weeks away from turning 50. It's just a number right? Sure. Then where did my hair go and why do my abs look like a pony keg instead of a six pack? You wash your face to get the dirt off only to find it's a liver spot. Should I floss if they're just going to fall out anyway? Really, 50 is not a big deal for me however I am focused on having a great 5K a couple days after my birthday. That's how I'm celebrating my big day - running. I'm not big on parties and as for drinking, take the cap off the beer and I'm half way gone.
In April the Bellevue 5K hill kicked my booty. It was clear that hill training had to creep back in to my training. Oh sweetness. A week ago I ran 6 miles with a couple hills and Sharon sold me on bumping it to 8. "You can do it"....."it's eeeasy". Ah, the words floated out so smooth that before I knew it I was committed. So 6 became 8 and 2 hills became 2 1/2. Actually it was better than I thought. Sharon is a good pacer and better yet she can talk. She is a very intelligent person - you know the kind that will use words that you have no idea what they mean but she's smiling so you smile back and nod your head. Inside you're thinking "what the hell did she just say." She did talk and in fact she told stories over the last hill and 2 miles which kept me from focusing on how far I had run.
We averaged a 9:00 pace and other than the 200 yard sprint we did at the end of the run, I might have been able to go a bit further. If I ran alone would I have pushed myself those extra two miles? Increased my confidence? Or would I have been afraid to go too far too fast? I'm glad I'll never know. I took a step forward. We should all take that step. So turn the light back off, spit out your binky, put on your shoes and get out there. It's time to run....
This is about my 8 mile Sunday run so there is really no comparison. Of course the Eminem movie had a run time of 110 minutes and my 8 miles spanned only 71 minutes so you could say I kicked his butt by 39 minutes. This is where I would toss in some rapper jargon if I knew any....
8 miles - so what. So it was a hurdle for me. The last time I was able to kick out 8 miles was July 2008. Humm, Eminem was a young rapper struggling with his life and I'm a "young" runner struggling with his pace. Maybe we should do lunch. You're right, a little more focus here - so let me get back to my point if I can find it. I'm a goal setter. I believe that if you don't set goals you'll never push yourself to the level of success you are capable of. Often we don't know what we are capable of so we settle. Or is it because we're afraid. I think fear plays a larger role than we think.
I'm a few weeks away from turning 50. It's just a number right? Sure. Then where did my hair go and why do my abs look like a pony keg instead of a six pack? You wash your face to get the dirt off only to find it's a liver spot. Should I floss if they're just going to fall out anyway? Really, 50 is not a big deal for me however I am focused on having a great 5K a couple days after my birthday. That's how I'm celebrating my big day - running. I'm not big on parties and as for drinking, take the cap off the beer and I'm half way gone.
In April the Bellevue 5K hill kicked my booty. It was clear that hill training had to creep back in to my training. Oh sweetness. A week ago I ran 6 miles with a couple hills and Sharon sold me on bumping it to 8. "You can do it"....."it's eeeasy". Ah, the words floated out so smooth that before I knew it I was committed. So 6 became 8 and 2 hills became 2 1/2. Actually it was better than I thought. Sharon is a good pacer and better yet she can talk. She is a very intelligent person - you know the kind that will use words that you have no idea what they mean but she's smiling so you smile back and nod your head. Inside you're thinking "what the hell did she just say." She did talk and in fact she told stories over the last hill and 2 miles which kept me from focusing on how far I had run.
We averaged a 9:00 pace and other than the 200 yard sprint we did at the end of the run, I might have been able to go a bit further. If I ran alone would I have pushed myself those extra two miles? Increased my confidence? Or would I have been afraid to go too far too fast? I'm glad I'll never know. I took a step forward. We should all take that step. So turn the light back off, spit out your binky, put on your shoes and get out there. It's time to run....
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Bellevue 5K
Today was a good day. The weather welcomed us with sunshine and the warmest race day we've seen this year. I thought about wearing shorts. Then I stood in front of the mirror staring at my bone white legs and decided to wear my tights. I mean running pants. Hey, I didn't do it for me, I was thinking about the safety of others....little kids....weak hearts....women screaming.
Even better was that the three of us were back running together again. Albert was in top form and Sharon though recovering from mouth surgery, joined us. But wait, there's more! Jerry (recently back from his debut at the Boston Marathon) was there to watch, cheer, and snap a few photos. Joining the run was Nicole Rad who just the week before called me out, stating that she would (cover your eyes kids) kick my ass - you can bet there will be more on that later, hang tight. Her husband Jason also ran (his first 5K I believe). With them, Tori. I saw her on the course as she blew by me during mile 2....while going uphill....didn't even appear impacted by the rise in elevation (I was looking for a rope-tow). We also got to meet Kate and her son Lucas. They came to watch Albert. Kate and Albert are....humm, how would I phrase this? It's very likely that both will read this blog and I don't want to mis-speak. They've been on a date, only one I think. All I can say after meeting her and seeing their interaction is that another date is likely in the cards. Kate is very nice and so easy to talk to. She and Lucas joined us for the post Starbucks tradition and she fit in like she'd been around us forever. Lucas was the perfect gentleman (4 years old I think). He didn't fidget once and we all know how boring adults can be to the young.
Ok, the race. The official results listed 431 runners. I have first hand knowledge that there were actually 432. What? An extra runner? Could someone have snuck into this race without paying? We runners call them bandits. They run without a bib (number), they run without care, they run without paying....Today that was our friend Sharon. To her defense she was coming off mouth surgery and wasn't sure she'd be able to run. In fact she brought a camera to take pictures. So....after a warm up jog she looks at me and says - and I quote - "I'll run with you". Thank you I say, with you pacing me I'll be sure and beat Nicole and have a good run. "Done" she says. It's important to mention that a pacer will normally run next to you or a step ahead to keep you motivated and hitting a specific pace. The starting gun goes off and we're moving. A great pace. I ask Sharon to run a yard in front of me to I can focus on her and not think about my pace. She nods and rolls up in front of me. Sweet, this race is going to rock! Reality hits. By the time I've covered a half mile she's so far in front of me that I can no longer see her. I think to call out but then I'd just look like some crazy guy running alone. It was nice while it lasted and I think to myself that I'll have to thank her for the half mile pacing and remember next time to be clear that I'd like the whole 3.1 miles.....I check my GPS and I'm running under a 7:00 minute pace. @&#@! I've never done that. I manage my best ever first mile at 7:02 - thank you Sharon for showing me that I do have it in me even though I have trouble finding it myself. I'm feeling great and ahead of me runners are turning left.....
Left.....yes, I turned left. As I did I looked ahead and saw the longest hill/incline I'd seen in a long time. Wait a frickin minute I'm thinking to myself, the website said "Fast flat course". If that guy thinks this is flat then he must be in heaven at Hooters. Ok, we all might be in heaven at Hooters but geez, those buffalo wings are simply the best....Halfway up this hill was when Nicole's friend Tori passed me. Don't worry, she wasn't alone. Seemed like the whole city of Bellevue was passing me. They weren't of course but I did have a moment of self pity as well as echo's of Albert and Sharon telling me to run hills as part of my training. I'll listen to them next time.
The rest of the race was seemingly uneventful. I was taxed. Started faster than I should have and wasn't ready for the hill. Even so, I had a good run. My target was 23:30 and I came in at 23:29. 43rd out of 431, and finished 8th in my age division. Six weeks until I hit 50 and a new division awaits - I'll be ready. Albert again stood tall. He set a personal record! 20:24.....BAM! 9th out of 431...9th! He was 3rd in his division. I didn't see him run. After the first couple minutes he was gone. Destiny was waiting for him. How about our little bandit? Unofficially she came in second in the women's division. The first place finisher hit the line at 20:38 and the official second place finisher registered 22:23. Sharon wasn't that far behind first place so look out for her at the next race. I see a PR comin!
Nicole Rad. The woman that called me out. I could say that I beat her by 2:14 and do a little dance but I'm a crappy dancer and what good would that do anyway? Instead I will say that Nicole has impressed me. I remember when she told me she was going to start running. Hearing stories of her progress and success. She has trained hard and not once backed down from one of her goals. It's easy to give up and it takes something special to push forward when you know it's going to hurt. Today she ran a 25:43, was 92nd out of 431, 6th in her division, and ran a 8:18 pace. It was a personal record!!! Keep it up Nicole, you are a runner!
Even better was that the three of us were back running together again. Albert was in top form and Sharon though recovering from mouth surgery, joined us. But wait, there's more! Jerry (recently back from his debut at the Boston Marathon) was there to watch, cheer, and snap a few photos. Joining the run was Nicole Rad who just the week before called me out, stating that she would (cover your eyes kids) kick my ass - you can bet there will be more on that later, hang tight. Her husband Jason also ran (his first 5K I believe). With them, Tori. I saw her on the course as she blew by me during mile 2....while going uphill....didn't even appear impacted by the rise in elevation (I was looking for a rope-tow). We also got to meet Kate and her son Lucas. They came to watch Albert. Kate and Albert are....humm, how would I phrase this? It's very likely that both will read this blog and I don't want to mis-speak. They've been on a date, only one I think. All I can say after meeting her and seeing their interaction is that another date is likely in the cards. Kate is very nice and so easy to talk to. She and Lucas joined us for the post Starbucks tradition and she fit in like she'd been around us forever. Lucas was the perfect gentleman (4 years old I think). He didn't fidget once and we all know how boring adults can be to the young.
Ok, the race. The official results listed 431 runners. I have first hand knowledge that there were actually 432. What? An extra runner? Could someone have snuck into this race without paying? We runners call them bandits. They run without a bib (number), they run without care, they run without paying....Today that was our friend Sharon. To her defense she was coming off mouth surgery and wasn't sure she'd be able to run. In fact she brought a camera to take pictures. So....after a warm up jog she looks at me and says - and I quote - "I'll run with you". Thank you I say, with you pacing me I'll be sure and beat Nicole and have a good run. "Done" she says. It's important to mention that a pacer will normally run next to you or a step ahead to keep you motivated and hitting a specific pace. The starting gun goes off and we're moving. A great pace. I ask Sharon to run a yard in front of me to I can focus on her and not think about my pace. She nods and rolls up in front of me. Sweet, this race is going to rock! Reality hits. By the time I've covered a half mile she's so far in front of me that I can no longer see her. I think to call out but then I'd just look like some crazy guy running alone. It was nice while it lasted and I think to myself that I'll have to thank her for the half mile pacing and remember next time to be clear that I'd like the whole 3.1 miles.....I check my GPS and I'm running under a 7:00 minute pace. @&#@! I've never done that. I manage my best ever first mile at 7:02 - thank you Sharon for showing me that I do have it in me even though I have trouble finding it myself. I'm feeling great and ahead of me runners are turning left.....
Left.....yes, I turned left. As I did I looked ahead and saw the longest hill/incline I'd seen in a long time. Wait a frickin minute I'm thinking to myself, the website said "Fast flat course". If that guy thinks this is flat then he must be in heaven at Hooters. Ok, we all might be in heaven at Hooters but geez, those buffalo wings are simply the best....Halfway up this hill was when Nicole's friend Tori passed me. Don't worry, she wasn't alone. Seemed like the whole city of Bellevue was passing me. They weren't of course but I did have a moment of self pity as well as echo's of Albert and Sharon telling me to run hills as part of my training. I'll listen to them next time.
The rest of the race was seemingly uneventful. I was taxed. Started faster than I should have and wasn't ready for the hill. Even so, I had a good run. My target was 23:30 and I came in at 23:29. 43rd out of 431, and finished 8th in my age division. Six weeks until I hit 50 and a new division awaits - I'll be ready. Albert again stood tall. He set a personal record! 20:24.....BAM! 9th out of 431...9th! He was 3rd in his division. I didn't see him run. After the first couple minutes he was gone. Destiny was waiting for him. How about our little bandit? Unofficially she came in second in the women's division. The first place finisher hit the line at 20:38 and the official second place finisher registered 22:23. Sharon wasn't that far behind first place so look out for her at the next race. I see a PR comin!
Nicole Rad. The woman that called me out. I could say that I beat her by 2:14 and do a little dance but I'm a crappy dancer and what good would that do anyway? Instead I will say that Nicole has impressed me. I remember when she told me she was going to start running. Hearing stories of her progress and success. She has trained hard and not once backed down from one of her goals. It's easy to give up and it takes something special to push forward when you know it's going to hurt. Today she ran a 25:43, was 92nd out of 431, 6th in her division, and ran a 8:18 pace. It was a personal record!!! Keep it up Nicole, you are a runner!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
St. Patrick's Day Dash
I don't know where to start. I like people, really I do. For the most part they are kind, polite, and pick up after their dogs. Maybe this run just wasn't for me. Don't get me wrong, every person I met was kind, polite, and the bottom of my shoes held no special surprises. But from a runners point of view, today was a madhouse! The official results aren't in yet so I can only share the numbers I heard. Approximately 7,500 people....I ran in the green wave which was reported to consist of a few thousand runners (there were 4 waves).
The weather. Isn't Spring next week? Good Golly Miss Molly it was snowing today....flakes the size of golf balls and coming down as if someone shook a snow globe. Luckily the snow ended during the run or maybe I just got used to it. I'm one of those runners that attempts to concentrate on my form while I run but my mind slips in and out of consciousness. Relax your shoulders....I'm cold.....breathe easy....a 12 year old girl just passed me....short strides....how much further....
Back to the madhouse. Let me say first that this event was very well organized and kept very close to the posted schedule - impressive. I'm there to try and run this event in 30 minutes - the posted distance was 3.75 miles. IPod set and my Garmin Forerunner 305 would help me keep pace. The countdown concluded and the race began. We started moving forward and I got a light jog going. I looked over at the girl next to me (does it seem like there is always a girl next to me?) and she was walking - my Garmin showed a 20 minute pace. Not a great start.
The first mile had pockets that I could dash through and then we'd bottleneck. Going around a corner I just missed a fire hydrant - I'll just say that had I hit it at the angle I was going, I might have qualified for the women's division in the next race. A chunk of mile two was all incline - not huge but wow, it was sucking the air right out of me. A few passed me and I passed my share. We made the turn and I knew there wasn't more than 1.5 miles to go and I found that provided a little extra confidence. Maybe those 800 sprints really do help....At mile one I had a 7:42 pace, mile two at 8:22 (sad) and mile three 7:43. Ready for the good news? The last .88 averaged a pace of 7:18...good to know I had something left in the furnace. I could have puked when I crossed the finish line but I was too tired. Nothing left and my legs were taxed. Notice anything odd? Add that up and you have me at 3.88 miles and the course was 3.75. All I can figure is that I had to run back and forth many times to find holes to run through in order to find space and that added about a tenth of a mile. Race metrics: 49 of 329 in my division, 506 of 3422 men, 625 of 7245 total (means 119 women smoked me), 8:04 per mile pace.
7,500 people and I felt like I was running alone. Albert and Sharon make running fun. We kid around before the race, have our pre-race warm-up, and share our stories after we cross the finish line. Post race is always a stop at Starbucks. At that point it doesn't matter if you sucked or had a great run, we've laughed and set our sights on the next race. I missed my friends today.
The weather. Isn't Spring next week? Good Golly Miss Molly it was snowing today....flakes the size of golf balls and coming down as if someone shook a snow globe. Luckily the snow ended during the run or maybe I just got used to it. I'm one of those runners that attempts to concentrate on my form while I run but my mind slips in and out of consciousness. Relax your shoulders....I'm cold.....breathe easy....a 12 year old girl just passed me....short strides....how much further....
Back to the madhouse. Let me say first that this event was very well organized and kept very close to the posted schedule - impressive. I'm there to try and run this event in 30 minutes - the posted distance was 3.75 miles. IPod set and my Garmin Forerunner 305 would help me keep pace. The countdown concluded and the race began. We started moving forward and I got a light jog going. I looked over at the girl next to me (does it seem like there is always a girl next to me?) and she was walking - my Garmin showed a 20 minute pace. Not a great start.
The first mile had pockets that I could dash through and then we'd bottleneck. Going around a corner I just missed a fire hydrant - I'll just say that had I hit it at the angle I was going, I might have qualified for the women's division in the next race. A chunk of mile two was all incline - not huge but wow, it was sucking the air right out of me. A few passed me and I passed my share. We made the turn and I knew there wasn't more than 1.5 miles to go and I found that provided a little extra confidence. Maybe those 800 sprints really do help....At mile one I had a 7:42 pace, mile two at 8:22 (sad) and mile three 7:43. Ready for the good news? The last .88 averaged a pace of 7:18...good to know I had something left in the furnace. I could have puked when I crossed the finish line but I was too tired. Nothing left and my legs were taxed. Notice anything odd? Add that up and you have me at 3.88 miles and the course was 3.75. All I can figure is that I had to run back and forth many times to find holes to run through in order to find space and that added about a tenth of a mile. Race metrics: 49 of 329 in my division, 506 of 3422 men, 625 of 7245 total (means 119 women smoked me), 8:04 per mile pace.
7,500 people and I felt like I was running alone. Albert and Sharon make running fun. We kid around before the race, have our pre-race warm-up, and share our stories after we cross the finish line. Post race is always a stop at Starbucks. At that point it doesn't matter if you sucked or had a great run, we've laughed and set our sights on the next race. I missed my friends today.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
LaConner Smelt Run
Speed was king today and the couple hundred runners didn't disappoint. This was one of those races where you look around and everyone looks like a runner. I'm not talking about sleek running clothes, high end shoes, and watches that not only tell time but provide heart rate, pace, intervals, and remind you to pee before you run. I'm talking toned bodies. Healthy looking people. Butts that don't continue to giggle for a few minutes after the person stops moving....
This race was my coming out. Or coming back I should say. I haven't trained much but did arrive with inhaler in hand. For me today wasn't so much about speed as it was about getting back in the groove, running and breathing, being part of the running scene, and having that feeling of achievement when you cross the finish line. I did have some speed though today was not the best time I've recorded - it smoked my last two races however. Before I get too cocky, let me say that I see-sawed with a runner during the race. He was ahead then I overtook him. He'd overtake me. He was ahead on the home stretch and I was hurting. I pushed and crossed the finish line a few steps before him. Ha! I thought to myself. Who's the man now! Then I saw the results board and while I beat him, I looked at his age. He was 66.....He's the man.
I managed a 23:30 (7:32 minute pace), came in 37th overall, and the best part was that after crossing the finish line I was able to take full breaths....who would have thought that would ever be a highlight for me??? It was a hard run but improvement is now more a matter of conditioning than anything else. Later today my training plan will be set for the next 5K....thanks Sharon.
Speaking of Sharon....she ran very well today. Not well if you ask her but very well if you ask anyone else. She sets high expectations for herself and doesn't (but should) take time to celebrate her victories. She ran a 21:19 (6:51 minute pace), came in 21st overall. Better yet, in the woman's division she was 2nd. She led most of the race and was leading down the home stretch. She was passed before the finish. Who stole 1st place from our 40 year old friend? How about a 20 year old who runs for Western. The difference was 3 seconds. All I can say is way to go Sharon - that girl was half your age and she had to give all those young legs had to give to squeak in the win. Sharon won her age group and walked away with a medal. I wonder what that would feel like...pretty freakin good I think.
Note the new photos to the left - big thanks to Albert for bringing his camera. Albert....talk about speed. He came in 16th overall with a blistering 20:50 (6:42 minute pace). This course was an out and back and I saw him coming back and he was movin. Gads that guy can make speed look easy. I think he actually smiles when he runs. My face is a grimace, I'm sucking air, snotty nose, and an occasional drool. Albert was king of the one liners today and had us in stitches.
Today was a good day. If you don't run, try it. Walk....Jog....Run....you'll feel better because of it and if you're lucky like me, you'll find running buddies as special as mine. They support you but aren't afraid to push you to the next level.
This race was my coming out. Or coming back I should say. I haven't trained much but did arrive with inhaler in hand. For me today wasn't so much about speed as it was about getting back in the groove, running and breathing, being part of the running scene, and having that feeling of achievement when you cross the finish line. I did have some speed though today was not the best time I've recorded - it smoked my last two races however. Before I get too cocky, let me say that I see-sawed with a runner during the race. He was ahead then I overtook him. He'd overtake me. He was ahead on the home stretch and I was hurting. I pushed and crossed the finish line a few steps before him. Ha! I thought to myself. Who's the man now! Then I saw the results board and while I beat him, I looked at his age. He was 66.....He's the man.
I managed a 23:30 (7:32 minute pace), came in 37th overall, and the best part was that after crossing the finish line I was able to take full breaths....who would have thought that would ever be a highlight for me??? It was a hard run but improvement is now more a matter of conditioning than anything else. Later today my training plan will be set for the next 5K....thanks Sharon.
Speaking of Sharon....she ran very well today. Not well if you ask her but very well if you ask anyone else. She sets high expectations for herself and doesn't (but should) take time to celebrate her victories. She ran a 21:19 (6:51 minute pace), came in 21st overall. Better yet, in the woman's division she was 2nd. She led most of the race and was leading down the home stretch. She was passed before the finish. Who stole 1st place from our 40 year old friend? How about a 20 year old who runs for Western. The difference was 3 seconds. All I can say is way to go Sharon - that girl was half your age and she had to give all those young legs had to give to squeak in the win. Sharon won her age group and walked away with a medal. I wonder what that would feel like...pretty freakin good I think.
Note the new photos to the left - big thanks to Albert for bringing his camera. Albert....talk about speed. He came in 16th overall with a blistering 20:50 (6:42 minute pace). This course was an out and back and I saw him coming back and he was movin. Gads that guy can make speed look easy. I think he actually smiles when he runs. My face is a grimace, I'm sucking air, snotty nose, and an occasional drool. Albert was king of the one liners today and had us in stitches.
Today was a good day. If you don't run, try it. Walk....Jog....Run....you'll feel better because of it and if you're lucky like me, you'll find running buddies as special as mine. They support you but aren't afraid to push you to the next level.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
The Inhaler 5K
Today was the day. The test. The day to answer the question of whether or not my exercise inhaler would help....or would it be a return trip to see my friendly doctor. I admit I was feeling nervous about the run. A good run and recovery meant good news. Anything else would be doggy doo.
Sharon was eager to come and pace me. I knew she'd push me and since she has recently completed lot's of CPR type trainings, I was eager for her to be there too. We walked a lap and then jogged one. Hitting the starting line, we began our 3.1 mile journey. Sharon claims that I was pissy - needed to have my water in a certain place, had to start at a certain point on the track, etc. Come on, you all know me...pissy? Ok, maybe a little but it was more about following a routine to help settle myself in.
The plan was to run at an 8:00 pace. The would be faster than my last run (8:29) and the doctor wanted me to push myself. My last two 5K's sucked at an 8:05 pace so I thought if I could manage an 8:00 it would be a good test. The first mile averaged 7:40 and I felt it. I also noticed Sharon was no longer next to me but 10 yards in front. This actually helped me as I could focus on her instead of the endless looping track. It also helped me concentrate because I couldn't find a rhythm in my run.
At the two mile mark I had to slip off the track for a quick pee and then I was back in. The last mile was tough but it was probably a mix of being out of shape (deconditioned as Sharon puts it) and well, being deconditioned. My trusty Garmin showed 3.1 miles completed and though tired, I wasn't doubled over fighting for air - wow, it felt good to NOT struggle for air. We walked a lap and headed for our post run tradition, a Starbucks 16oz, single shot, non-fat, low foam, 180 degree latte.
My post run cough has been minimal and I plugged my Garmin into the computer to see how I did. Turns out I averaged a 7:33 pace....Sweet....My heart rate was high but that is all about conditioning. My running buddies will help me back to that world and I know much of the work to do will suck, some will hurt, and I might even get a little pissy. But at the end of the day, it will be worth it when I cross the next finish line and see the clock smiling at me.
Sharon was eager to come and pace me. I knew she'd push me and since she has recently completed lot's of CPR type trainings, I was eager for her to be there too. We walked a lap and then jogged one. Hitting the starting line, we began our 3.1 mile journey. Sharon claims that I was pissy - needed to have my water in a certain place, had to start at a certain point on the track, etc. Come on, you all know me...pissy? Ok, maybe a little but it was more about following a routine to help settle myself in.
The plan was to run at an 8:00 pace. The would be faster than my last run (8:29) and the doctor wanted me to push myself. My last two 5K's sucked at an 8:05 pace so I thought if I could manage an 8:00 it would be a good test. The first mile averaged 7:40 and I felt it. I also noticed Sharon was no longer next to me but 10 yards in front. This actually helped me as I could focus on her instead of the endless looping track. It also helped me concentrate because I couldn't find a rhythm in my run.
At the two mile mark I had to slip off the track for a quick pee and then I was back in. The last mile was tough but it was probably a mix of being out of shape (deconditioned as Sharon puts it) and well, being deconditioned. My trusty Garmin showed 3.1 miles completed and though tired, I wasn't doubled over fighting for air - wow, it felt good to NOT struggle for air. We walked a lap and headed for our post run tradition, a Starbucks 16oz, single shot, non-fat, low foam, 180 degree latte.
My post run cough has been minimal and I plugged my Garmin into the computer to see how I did. Turns out I averaged a 7:33 pace....Sweet....My heart rate was high but that is all about conditioning. My running buddies will help me back to that world and I know much of the work to do will suck, some will hurt, and I might even get a little pissy. But at the end of the day, it will be worth it when I cross the next finish line and see the clock smiling at me.
Monday, February 16, 2009
My Personal 5K
I can't count the number of doctor appointments and tests I've experienced over the past two weeks. For a guy who does his best to avoid the doctor, I'm beginning to get into the groove. I know my Group Health number by heart and am starting to recognize the voices of the receptionists. I keep a roll of twenties in my pocket for the co-pay...
Friday was the stress test. Must have been a slow day because I had a doctor, an assistant, and a student. After a quick weigh in I stripped off my shirt. The assistant took a long look (it seemed long to me) at my chest, looked at the student and said, we'll have to shave it. Granted it seems like I have more hair on my chest than on my head but really, shave it? She pulled out a dry bic razor and with Ninga like moves, carved out two nice square sections on my chest before I knew it was happening. They plastered round stickies all over me and hooked me up to about a dozen or so wires.
Stepped on the treadmill and smoked it. That's all I can say. We went through multiple stages and finally the doctor shut it down. It felt good to hear the student say that I must be a runner - as a runner you gotta like that! The verdict is that I have a healthy heart. A healthy heart and two squares as smooth as a baby's butt on my chest....
I have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday to get the results of the pulmonary tests from the week before. Oh, the doctor at the hospital wants to CAT scan my chest to be sure my lungs are ok. A precaution she says. I was feeling better before I heard the words "CAT scan".
They've put me on an inhaler as right now it might be asthma. Two shots in the morning and two in the evening. I feel a little strange after each shot but if it helps, cool.
So today the sun was out and I thought I'd try a little jog around the track at the local high school. I had my cell phone in case I dropped on the track...After the first mile I decided to make it two and after two I thought I'd try to get out 3.1 or the same distance as a 5K. Mentally that would be good for me. I made it. It wasn't fast. I averaged a 8:29 pace but I felt better than I have in a long time. It was not without a cough/wheeze when I was done but it wasn't anything like what I had been experiencing. It was a good day. More to come as my appointments wrap up. Until then, Run...Don't jog.
Friday was the stress test. Must have been a slow day because I had a doctor, an assistant, and a student. After a quick weigh in I stripped off my shirt. The assistant took a long look (it seemed long to me) at my chest, looked at the student and said, we'll have to shave it. Granted it seems like I have more hair on my chest than on my head but really, shave it? She pulled out a dry bic razor and with Ninga like moves, carved out two nice square sections on my chest before I knew it was happening. They plastered round stickies all over me and hooked me up to about a dozen or so wires.
Stepped on the treadmill and smoked it. That's all I can say. We went through multiple stages and finally the doctor shut it down. It felt good to hear the student say that I must be a runner - as a runner you gotta like that! The verdict is that I have a healthy heart. A healthy heart and two squares as smooth as a baby's butt on my chest....
I have an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday to get the results of the pulmonary tests from the week before. Oh, the doctor at the hospital wants to CAT scan my chest to be sure my lungs are ok. A precaution she says. I was feeling better before I heard the words "CAT scan".
They've put me on an inhaler as right now it might be asthma. Two shots in the morning and two in the evening. I feel a little strange after each shot but if it helps, cool.
So today the sun was out and I thought I'd try a little jog around the track at the local high school. I had my cell phone in case I dropped on the track...After the first mile I decided to make it two and after two I thought I'd try to get out 3.1 or the same distance as a 5K. Mentally that would be good for me. I made it. It wasn't fast. I averaged a 8:29 pace but I felt better than I have in a long time. It was not without a cough/wheeze when I was done but it wasn't anything like what I had been experiencing. It was a good day. More to come as my appointments wrap up. Until then, Run...Don't jog.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Valentine's Dash - Love 'em or Leave 'em
They left me... Before you feel too bad for me, I actually didn't run the race. I didn't even walk it. I did go to the race however and attempted a warm up and after less than a half mile I knew my day was done. I should backup and give a little background. I have been feeling a tightness in my chest and have not been able to take full breaths when running. No mom, this isn't the time to call me. I'm fine. I will be sure and wear clean underwear (just in case).
I did see the doctor last week and after listening to my chest she ordered an EKG and chest x-rays. The good news is that the x-rays appeared fine and my resting heart rate is 57. The other news is that she wants to be sure my heart is as big and healthy as you all know it is. I have a pulmonary appointment on Thursday and a stress test on the 17th. Doctors orders are simply this - no physical exertion until the results are in. Good thing I've added Benefiber to my diet recently. What a story that would be - 49 year old man found slumped over the toilet, pants at his knees, film at eleven.
Of course with my vast medical background I decided to warm up with Albert and Sharon. I think I made it a half mile before my lungs seemed to be running without the benefit of air. Yes mom, I stopped. See, I'm only stupid some of the time. At any rate, I will update my blog after the various appointments and you can decide if I need a small dose of pity or my ass kicked to get back out there running. Honestly I would love to feel your respective feet on my back end because it would mean good news.
Ok, back to the race. I admit it wasn't easy for me to see a couple thousand runners take off at the sound of the starting horn and not being in the pack. What was harder however was going to the registration tent and turning in my timing chip and telling them that I wasn't running - they charge you $30 if your chip isn't returned so I didn't have a choice (I'm cheap).
Sharon was running with a chest cold and Albert (big heart) ran with her for encouragement. I say this because he would have had a faster time and possible gave up a PR (personal record) to help her through the race. They both came in with an amazing time of 21:09 (6:50 pace). Sharon finished 7th of 229 in her division and Albert was 19 of 130 in his. Incredible results! Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Albert's brother Jerry ran the 5K as well. His warm up wasn't the typical mile and light stretching that most do. No, Jerry ran to Green Lake from Renton....over 17 miles. He had a few minutes to rest and then ran the 5K. I believe he finished before Sharon and Albert. He is crazy good and is training for the Boston marathon.
I look forward to the next 10 days and completing my tests and finding out what's going on. Stay tuned. I'm open to your positive thoughts and in the meantime, I'll keep tossing down the benefiber.
I did see the doctor last week and after listening to my chest she ordered an EKG and chest x-rays. The good news is that the x-rays appeared fine and my resting heart rate is 57. The other news is that she wants to be sure my heart is as big and healthy as you all know it is. I have a pulmonary appointment on Thursday and a stress test on the 17th. Doctors orders are simply this - no physical exertion until the results are in. Good thing I've added Benefiber to my diet recently. What a story that would be - 49 year old man found slumped over the toilet, pants at his knees, film at eleven.
Of course with my vast medical background I decided to warm up with Albert and Sharon. I think I made it a half mile before my lungs seemed to be running without the benefit of air. Yes mom, I stopped. See, I'm only stupid some of the time. At any rate, I will update my blog after the various appointments and you can decide if I need a small dose of pity or my ass kicked to get back out there running. Honestly I would love to feel your respective feet on my back end because it would mean good news.
Ok, back to the race. I admit it wasn't easy for me to see a couple thousand runners take off at the sound of the starting horn and not being in the pack. What was harder however was going to the registration tent and turning in my timing chip and telling them that I wasn't running - they charge you $30 if your chip isn't returned so I didn't have a choice (I'm cheap).
Sharon was running with a chest cold and Albert (big heart) ran with her for encouragement. I say this because he would have had a faster time and possible gave up a PR (personal record) to help her through the race. They both came in with an amazing time of 21:09 (6:50 pace). Sharon finished 7th of 229 in her division and Albert was 19 of 130 in his. Incredible results! Oh, I almost forgot to mention that Albert's brother Jerry ran the 5K as well. His warm up wasn't the typical mile and light stretching that most do. No, Jerry ran to Green Lake from Renton....over 17 miles. He had a few minutes to rest and then ran the 5K. I believe he finished before Sharon and Albert. He is crazy good and is training for the Boston marathon.
I look forward to the next 10 days and completing my tests and finding out what's going on. Stay tuned. I'm open to your positive thoughts and in the meantime, I'll keep tossing down the benefiber.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Resolution Run
What a great way to start the year...running. Really, I mean that. It did mean that New Year's Eve was an early night. We toasted with sparkling apple cider when the ball dropped and then quickly decided that it was time to get some sleep. While that might sound like a late night, we celebrated the ball dropping in New York - so by 9:30 we were ready for a visit from the Sandman. He didn't disappoint.
Granted I wasn't completely convinced that this race was a good idea. I've been fighting off a bit of a chest cold and the thought of running wasn't having the charm it normally does. "Run for fun" was the mantra Sharon sang. It's easy to hear but not easy to do. I'm at the point in my running where I want to beat my previous time every time. You can't do this running for fun. The time clock is your enemy. At any rate, Albert and Sharon were all in and I enjoy running with them so there you go.
It was a bit on the cold side. Better than the Jingle Bell run but I do look forward to a warm Spring run. Needless to say it was another hat and gloves race (I made the mistake of wearing a coat too). This run gave you the option of taking the "polar bear" plunge at the end. As I was signing up (yes, race day registration - big mistake) John Curley from Evening Magazine was next to me. He asked if I was going to take the dip and I replied that only crazy people do that. He told me he was going to take the plunge - it'll feel good! He certainly didn't seem crazy to me and likely was thinking I was a bit of a girly man. I just straightened my skirt and walked away.
The course was not so great. Lot's of puddles, bumps in the asphalt, and mud. It wasn't all bad but mix that with cold weather and it has a stronger impact. Oh and least I forget, I'd like to thank all the SLOW runners who refused to line up according to their running ability and clogged up the first half mile. It was fun running around you which meant more puddles and mud than I and others would have experienced. Thank you yes, I do feel better now.
I struggled on this run and it was my slowest time in a year. 25:13 or an 8:08 pace. Not a proud moment for me and I could easily blame it on my cold or my sore ankle that put me out of running for seven weeks. In reality, I've not pushed myself hard enough in my training. I've taken the easy road a few too many times and I tell you right now that will change. I have a revised training plan (thanks Sharon) that starts Sunday and my next race will be better. I did manage to finish 12th out of 40 in my division.
How did my buddies do? Albert (the fastest 5Ker of the gang) ran an incredible 21:16 (6:52 pace) and finished 6th out of 40 in his division. I'm always amazed at how smooth he looks when he runs. Seems effortless yet cruises. Sharon did very well also. She ran a 22:30 (7:16 pace) and finished 8th out of 68 in her division. As usual she wasn't happy with her time. How can someone be 3 minutes faster than me and not be happy? I must have really sucked. Now where did I put that dress....
Granted I wasn't completely convinced that this race was a good idea. I've been fighting off a bit of a chest cold and the thought of running wasn't having the charm it normally does. "Run for fun" was the mantra Sharon sang. It's easy to hear but not easy to do. I'm at the point in my running where I want to beat my previous time every time. You can't do this running for fun. The time clock is your enemy. At any rate, Albert and Sharon were all in and I enjoy running with them so there you go.
It was a bit on the cold side. Better than the Jingle Bell run but I do look forward to a warm Spring run. Needless to say it was another hat and gloves race (I made the mistake of wearing a coat too). This run gave you the option of taking the "polar bear" plunge at the end. As I was signing up (yes, race day registration - big mistake) John Curley from Evening Magazine was next to me. He asked if I was going to take the dip and I replied that only crazy people do that. He told me he was going to take the plunge - it'll feel good! He certainly didn't seem crazy to me and likely was thinking I was a bit of a girly man. I just straightened my skirt and walked away.
The course was not so great. Lot's of puddles, bumps in the asphalt, and mud. It wasn't all bad but mix that with cold weather and it has a stronger impact. Oh and least I forget, I'd like to thank all the SLOW runners who refused to line up according to their running ability and clogged up the first half mile. It was fun running around you which meant more puddles and mud than I and others would have experienced. Thank you yes, I do feel better now.
I struggled on this run and it was my slowest time in a year. 25:13 or an 8:08 pace. Not a proud moment for me and I could easily blame it on my cold or my sore ankle that put me out of running for seven weeks. In reality, I've not pushed myself hard enough in my training. I've taken the easy road a few too many times and I tell you right now that will change. I have a revised training plan (thanks Sharon) that starts Sunday and my next race will be better. I did manage to finish 12th out of 40 in my division.
How did my buddies do? Albert (the fastest 5Ker of the gang) ran an incredible 21:16 (6:52 pace) and finished 6th out of 40 in his division. I'm always amazed at how smooth he looks when he runs. Seems effortless yet cruises. Sharon did very well also. She ran a 22:30 (7:16 pace) and finished 8th out of 68 in her division. As usual she wasn't happy with her time. How can someone be 3 minutes faster than me and not be happy? I must have really sucked. Now where did I put that dress....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
