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...

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.

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.

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....

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....

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...

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....