We took our time getting packed and ready for the trip home on Tuesday morning. I went out for a short walk and visited with some other runners, who were easily identified by their characteristic hobbling gait and/or marathon-related clothing. We visited with a few more runners at the airport and I sat next to a young (28-30 or so) man on our flight to Washington who had not only run the marathon but had previously completed an Ironman Triathalon. All but one agreed that the hills cost them in one way or the other. Only one woman said that she felt good in the last six miles, the portion after most of the hills had been navigated.
It was back to work today and I spent some time telling the tales from the trip and the run. There are a few who think I'm crazy but another couple who both have the goal of completing a marathon.
The Boston experience - including the fundraising, the training, the trip and the race - will be something that I'll always remember. I'm deeply grateful to all of my friends, relatives, colleagues and former colleagues who supported my fundraising efforts. This wasn't something I was sure I could accomplish but thankfully met and actually exceeded my goal of raising $7000 for the Melanoma Foundation.
Where will my running shoes take me next? That, I can't answer. During the last three miles of the race, I told myself, "never again." But, does never really mean never? I don't know, at least not with respect to running marathons. I'm going to relax for this week, get back on the road next week and see where that road leads me.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
Boston: Day 4
The alarm went off at 5:30 this race-day morning. I got dressed and packed up some post-race clothes and caught the shuttle to the subway along with a number of other runners. A fairly quick ride down to the Boston Common where we all caught school buses to Hopkinton. The organization was fantastic, but I guess after 112 years of practice, the race organizers have this part pretty much down pat.
I had about 2 1/2 hours to kill in the "Athlete's Village" so spent most of it sitting around, drinking Gatorade and eating bagels and bananas. It was a bit chilly when I arrived but by the time the race started, it had warmed up to the 50's.
The race started off well enough. I had hoped and planned to try to run around 10 minute miles for the race, based on my 9 1/2 minute/mile pace for the 3M half-marathon that I ran in January. I kept this pace up for the first 10 miles or so, but given that these miles were comprised of a series of rolling hills, by the time mile 11 or 12 rolled around, I was feeling the effects of those hills and was pretty much certain that the rest of the race was going to be difficult.
The temps warmed up to around 60 with very light winds but unfortunately the breeze, which was cool when it got through to the runners, was blocked by the dense trees along both sides of the course most of the way. With sunny skies, it was definitely warmer than I would have liked.
I managed to struggle along until mile 16 when "Heartbreak Hill" loomed. Actually Heartbreak Hill is a series of four hills over a stretch of four miles, the first and fourth being the most difficult. Well, Heartbreak Hill broke my heart (and a few other things). I really struggled up the fourth section and this pretty much ruined me for the last six miles. Ostensibly the last six miles are "all downhill" but that is not entirely true and even if it were, the ups-and-downs earlier in the race tends to take its toll on the quads so even downhills are no piece of cake.
The last three miles were particularly excruciating. They were mostly flat with crowds long the side of the road cheering but it seemed that they went on and on and on. I found that several Melanoma Foundation team members agreed. The worst part was a small (but it seemed very big) hill followed by a left-hand turn after which the finish line came into view seemingly several miles away (actually it was about 600 meters). Those were the longest 600 meters of my life but eventually I managed to negotiate all 600 of them and finished in 4:52.
That time is, obviously, slower than I had hoped for but given the nature of the course, I really can't be disappointed. I did, after all, receive a finisher's medal.
After having some water, a banana, receiving my medal and retrieving the clothes that I had checked at the start, I managed to hobble the two blocks to Jury's Hotel where the Melanoma Foundation was having a post-race get-together. Connie was already there when I arrived.
Trish, the race coordinator for the Foundation, had found out that the hotel had made some rooms available for runners to shower and change. I had to wait a few minutes for a room to be available, but after showering and changing, I felt several hundred percent better. I then went down to join the group and have something to eat. I visited with several of the other runners and compared notes on the race. It was really a lot of fun and quite an experience. Afterward, Connie and I went back to our hotel and spent the evening relaxing and watching TV.
I had about 2 1/2 hours to kill in the "Athlete's Village" so spent most of it sitting around, drinking Gatorade and eating bagels and bananas. It was a bit chilly when I arrived but by the time the race started, it had warmed up to the 50's.
The race started off well enough. I had hoped and planned to try to run around 10 minute miles for the race, based on my 9 1/2 minute/mile pace for the 3M half-marathon that I ran in January. I kept this pace up for the first 10 miles or so, but given that these miles were comprised of a series of rolling hills, by the time mile 11 or 12 rolled around, I was feeling the effects of those hills and was pretty much certain that the rest of the race was going to be difficult.
The temps warmed up to around 60 with very light winds but unfortunately the breeze, which was cool when it got through to the runners, was blocked by the dense trees along both sides of the course most of the way. With sunny skies, it was definitely warmer than I would have liked.
I managed to struggle along until mile 16 when "Heartbreak Hill" loomed. Actually Heartbreak Hill is a series of four hills over a stretch of four miles, the first and fourth being the most difficult. Well, Heartbreak Hill broke my heart (and a few other things). I really struggled up the fourth section and this pretty much ruined me for the last six miles. Ostensibly the last six miles are "all downhill" but that is not entirely true and even if it were, the ups-and-downs earlier in the race tends to take its toll on the quads so even downhills are no piece of cake.
The last three miles were particularly excruciating. They were mostly flat with crowds long the side of the road cheering but it seemed that they went on and on and on. I found that several Melanoma Foundation team members agreed. The worst part was a small (but it seemed very big) hill followed by a left-hand turn after which the finish line came into view seemingly several miles away (actually it was about 600 meters). Those were the longest 600 meters of my life but eventually I managed to negotiate all 600 of them and finished in 4:52.
That time is, obviously, slower than I had hoped for but given the nature of the course, I really can't be disappointed. I did, after all, receive a finisher's medal.
After having some water, a banana, receiving my medal and retrieving the clothes that I had checked at the start, I managed to hobble the two blocks to Jury's Hotel where the Melanoma Foundation was having a post-race get-together. Connie was already there when I arrived.
Trish, the race coordinator for the Foundation, had found out that the hotel had made some rooms available for runners to shower and change. I had to wait a few minutes for a room to be available, but after showering and changing, I felt several hundred percent better. I then went down to join the group and have something to eat. I visited with several of the other runners and compared notes on the race. It was really a lot of fun and quite an experience. Afterward, Connie and I went back to our hotel and spent the evening relaxing and watching TV.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Boston: Day 3
Today we had planned to go on one of the "Duck" tours of Boston, but found out that they were sold out. Instead, we took the subway to Harvard and went through the Harvard Museum of Natural History. We spent most of the afternoon there and then took the subway back into Boston where we attended the official pre-race pasta dinner. We shared a table with runners from Cleveland, Cincinnati and the Bay Area. It was fun and the food was pretty good too.
After returning to the hotel, I got my things ready for the race tomorrow. Hopefully I won't forget anything. The weather forecast looks pretty good and I'm hoping for a good race.
After returning to the hotel, I got my things ready for the race tomorrow. Hopefully I won't forget anything. The weather forecast looks pretty good and I'm hoping for a good race.
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Boston: Day 2
I slept in late this morning - yesterday's 3:30 a.m. wake-up call caught up to me. Our hotel is near Logan Airport on Boston Harbor. I went out and ran along a walking/jogging trail along the harbor and into a nearby neighborhood and back for a total of three miles. There were a number of runners both on the trail and in the hotel fitness center getting in their last miles before the race.
After lunch at the hotel we took the "T" downtown to the Hynes Convention Center where we attended the pre-race expo and I picked up my race number. Afterward we attended a get-together of the Melanoma Foundation team at Clery's Bar and Restaurant. It was nice to put a face to the names of the team members.
Trish, the race coordinator for the Melanoma Foundation had given us passes to attend the "Mayor's reception" for race organizers and other dignitaries so after appetizers at Legal Seafoods in Copley Plaza, we attended the reception at the Fairmont hotel. We had some food and drinks and then after a couple of relatively short speeches and a couple of video presentations about past men's and women's Boston Marathon winners, we headed back to our hotel.
The weather forecast remains favorable for race day.
After lunch at the hotel we took the "T" downtown to the Hynes Convention Center where we attended the pre-race expo and I picked up my race number. Afterward we attended a get-together of the Melanoma Foundation team at Clery's Bar and Restaurant. It was nice to put a face to the names of the team members.
Trish, the race coordinator for the Melanoma Foundation had given us passes to attend the "Mayor's reception" for race organizers and other dignitaries so after appetizers at Legal Seafoods in Copley Plaza, we attended the reception at the Fairmont hotel. We had some food and drinks and then after a couple of relatively short speeches and a couple of video presentations about past men's and women's Boston Marathon winners, we headed back to our hotel.
The weather forecast remains favorable for race day.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Boston: Day 1
We woke to the alarm at 3:30 this morning. Not the time I would normally choose, but the time required to get to the airport, run the gauntlet of airport security and still get to the departure gate on time for a 6:05 a.m. flight. Our flights to Chicago and then to Boston were pretty close to on time and uneventful. We managed to get a little sleep but how well do most people sleep on airplanes anyway?
After our arrival in Boston and after retrieving our luggage, we caught a shuttle to the Hyatt Harborside Hotel and arrived around 3:15. There are apparently a number of other runners staying at the hotel and the staff seems excited about Marathon Weekend.
The weather in Boston was wonderful for the tourists but would have been a little warm for runners. It looks like it will be cooler on Monday.
We got somewhat settled in and then took a hotel shuttle to the "T" and took the train downtown. We walked around and saw some of the sights for a while and then worked our way to the "North End" where we had dinner at an Italian restaurant called Bocco. The food was great albeit a bit on the expensive side.
We were both tired so took the T back to the hotel where we watched some TV and then called it a night.
After our arrival in Boston and after retrieving our luggage, we caught a shuttle to the Hyatt Harborside Hotel and arrived around 3:15. There are apparently a number of other runners staying at the hotel and the staff seems excited about Marathon Weekend.
The weather in Boston was wonderful for the tourists but would have been a little warm for runners. It looks like it will be cooler on Monday.
We got somewhat settled in and then took a hotel shuttle to the "T" and took the train downtown. We walked around and saw some of the sights for a while and then worked our way to the "North End" where we had dinner at an Italian restaurant called Bocco. The food was great albeit a bit on the expensive side.
We were both tired so took the T back to the hotel where we watched some TV and then called it a night.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
The end is in sight
I had a good week of running this week. This was undoubtedly due to the fact that race day is now in sight and the mileage is less. I had a fabulous trip around the seven mile loop at Lady Bird Lake this morning in beautiful conditions - upper 40s, light breeze. All that remains on the training front are three milers on Tuesday and Thursday plus another three miler Saturday in Boston. I'll probably do that on the hotel treadmill.
The only preparation left to do is to eat properly this week - I'll start emphasizing carbohydrates - and to make sure I've got the proper clothing for the race day weather. As with all weather reports it seems, the forecast for the 21st is uncertain as of this writing. One website calls for 68 and sunny while another predicts 55 and partly cloudy. Fortunately, so far at least, there is no rain in the forecast. But I'm sure that too could change.
I will be hopefully be posting daily updates from Boston starting Friday evening, April 18.
The only preparation left to do is to eat properly this week - I'll start emphasizing carbohydrates - and to make sure I've got the proper clothing for the race day weather. As with all weather reports it seems, the forecast for the 21st is uncertain as of this writing. One website calls for 68 and sunny while another predicts 55 and partly cloudy. Fortunately, so far at least, there is no rain in the forecast. But I'm sure that too could change.
I will be hopefully be posting daily updates from Boston starting Friday evening, April 18.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Tapering
Today was the official start of the pre-race tapering period. I went downtown to Lady Bird Lake and ran 12 miles in pretty good weather conditions. A lot of runners look forward to this phase of the training for the simple reason that the weekly mileage decreases but others become anxious. nervous, etc. fearing that the reduced training will result in a loss of conditioning. My concern isn't so much about the loss of conditioning but whether I have enough conditioning to begin with!
The longest run left on my training schedule is a pedestrian six miler next Sunday. In between are just three and four mile runs.
The accuweather.com website shows forecasts 15 days in advance. That means that I can now start looking at the race day forecast for Boston and fretting over it. Will it be hot? Cold? Rainy? Only time will tell.
The longest run left on my training schedule is a pedestrian six miler next Sunday. In between are just three and four mile runs.
The accuweather.com website shows forecasts 15 days in advance. That means that I can now start looking at the race day forecast for Boston and fretting over it. Will it be hot? Cold? Rainy? Only time will tell.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Oh the humidity!
My planned 21 mile run this past Sunday went awry when I was forced to cut it short to 18 miles. When I started at around 6:00 a.m., the temperature was in the high 60s with humidity of 97%. There is really nothing worse for running than high humidity. The body just can't cool down and after completing three, six-mile laps around my neighborhood route, I was feeling the effects - lightheaded and slightly nauseated. I decided that it would probably be wise to cut it short rather than try to force myself to go those last three miles. I downed a bottle of Gatorade and followed that with some water and felt better although I really didn't feel 100% the rest of the day. I concluded that it was probably a good idea that I didn't force it. Hopefully those three miles that I didn't run won't have an adverse effect in Boston. Somehow, I doubt they will.
The higher humidity seems to have settled in as it always does this time of year. Fortunately the temperatures are still reasonably comfortable (60's in the mornings) so my daily short runs are not too bad.
The higher humidity seems to have settled in as it always does this time of year. Fortunately the temperatures are still reasonably comfortable (60's in the mornings) so my daily short runs are not too bad.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Good week
I wrapped up a 39 mile week with a five mile run this morning. Although the weather warmed up and got a bit more humid the last couple of days, conditions were generally good this week. I had a very good 15 mile run last Sunday, but the 21 miler scheduled for this Sunday probably won't be as pleasant due to the increased temps and humidity.
I made some further progress on the fund raising front this week too, reaching 89% of my $7000 goal. Please feel free to help me reach that goal with a donation right now. Just click the "donate" button in the upper right hand corner of the page.
I made some further progress on the fund raising front this week too, reaching 89% of my $7000 goal. Please feel free to help me reach that goal with a donation right now. Just click the "donate" button in the upper right hand corner of the page.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
The home stretch
It is now just four more weeks until race day. As of this writing, I've completed 443 miles on the training program, and the end is in sight. After tomorrow's 15 mile run (in what should be pretty good weather according to the forecast) and a slow-paced six mile recovery run on Monday, there is only next weekend's 21 mile "so you think you can really do this" run that is longer than five miles left on the schedule. The final two weeks before the race is the "taper" period where the weekly mileage drops considerably allowing the trainee (me in this case) to recover and rest in preparation for the race.
I'm also heading into the home stretch in terms of fund raising for the Melanoma Foundation. As of Wednesday of this week, I'm in sixth place on the Foundation marathon team in terms of overall fund raising and am at 83% of my $7000 goal. For anyone reading this that hasn't already sponsored me (or even if you already have), I would really appreciate if you would click the "donate" button in the upper right-hand corner of this page. Any amount will help me to reach my goal and could possibly save a life as well.
I'm also heading into the home stretch in terms of fund raising for the Melanoma Foundation. As of Wednesday of this week, I'm in sixth place on the Foundation marathon team in terms of overall fund raising and am at 83% of my $7000 goal. For anyone reading this that hasn't already sponsored me (or even if you already have), I would really appreciate if you would click the "donate" button in the upper right-hand corner of this page. Any amount will help me to reach my goal and could possibly save a life as well.
Monday, March 17, 2008
An easy week?
I completed a total of 42 miles last week. This week should be easier (?) as I'm scheduled for just 32 miles; eleven of which I completed yesterday. I was actually looking forward to the 11 miler as the weather was favorable and, after the 18 miles last weekend, 11 seemed a lot shorter by comparison (after all 11 is less than 18). Unfortunately, although I got a nice early start and felt pretty good for the first mile and a half or so, I really started feeling kind of bad. Not sick or injured, but just not feeling good running. I pushed myself to finish, including two trips up the Riverside hill, but was glad to finish.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Six weeks
It is now just under six weeks until race day. There are only two more training days that I'm really not looking forward to ... this coming Friday (8 miles) and Sunday, March 30 (21 miles). I really don't mind a five or six mile run on weekday mornings, but eight is kind of pushing it. I've run eight, seven and seven the past three Fridays, so I figure I'll get through it this week too. The 21 miler? Well, that is not going to be fun so matter how you slice it. Sure it is shorter than the actual race, but without the excitement, crowds and other competitors, 21 miles seems a lot longer.
I ran 18 miles this past Sunday and normally an 18 mile training run wouldn't be a lot different than a 21 miler - that is, not something that is all that much fun. However, I got an early start just as daylight was dawning and with almost perfect running conditions, I really did well and frankly, can almost say that I did enjoy it.
By the way, for anyone that has found their way here, I'm still working toward my goal of raising $7000 for the Melanoma Foundation. If you've been considering sponsoring me, why not go ahead and click that "donate" button on the FirstGiving widget right now? I'd appreciate it and I know the people at the Melanoma Foundation would appreciate it too.
I ran 18 miles this past Sunday and normally an 18 mile training run wouldn't be a lot different than a 21 miler - that is, not something that is all that much fun. However, I got an early start just as daylight was dawning and with almost perfect running conditions, I really did well and frankly, can almost say that I did enjoy it.
By the way, for anyone that has found their way here, I'm still working toward my goal of raising $7000 for the Melanoma Foundation. If you've been considering sponsoring me, why not go ahead and click that "donate" button on the FirstGiving widget right now? I'd appreciate it and I know the people at the Melanoma Foundation would appreciate it too.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Another week down
Well, another week of training has been completed. After last Sunday's difficult 16 miles (the humidity was around 80-85% with temperatures in the low 60s), I managed to get in another 23 miles during the week. I skipped my scheduled slow-pace six mile run on Monday due to the cold temperatures, very high winds (25-30 mph) and driving rain that greeted me at 6:00 a.m. Considering that I was tired and sore from Sunday's run, it probably wasn't all that bad to take that day off. I ended up running 6, 5, 5 and 7 miles Tuesday through today (Friday), respectively. Initially the forecast for this morning called for temperatures around 30 with 15 mph winds, but it wasn't quite that bad. I dressed warmly and although it was cold and windy, I felt pretty good. Next up is an 18 miler on Sunday. The forecast looks good as of now, so I'm hoping it will hold.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Now it gets serious
I had kind of an up and down week of training this week. I finished three milers on Monday and Tuesday, but after a stressful few days (for reasons unrelated to training) and a couple of short nights of sleep, I decided to forgo a three miler on Wednesday. I ran a strong four miles on Thursday, but Friday's seven mile run was probably my worst run since I started training for Boston. Why? I'm pretty sure I know.
I simply didn't eat much on Thursday after my daily schedule was knocked askew due to other issues unrelated to training. I figured that I only took in around 1200 calories on Thursday which left me underpowered for Friday's run. The last three or four miles felt like the last three or four miles of a marathon - the portion after many runners "hit the wall." It isn't pleasant and simply points out the importance of pre-race nutrition as well as in the case of a marathon, in-race nutrition.
Now the training program gets serious. I'm scheduled to go 16 miles tomorrow. It looks like temps will be in the 60s with winds around 10 mph - not ideal conditions. I'll try to be prepared, starting with a plate of spaghetti for lunch today.
I simply didn't eat much on Thursday after my daily schedule was knocked askew due to other issues unrelated to training. I figured that I only took in around 1200 calories on Thursday which left me underpowered for Friday's run. The last three or four miles felt like the last three or four miles of a marathon - the portion after many runners "hit the wall." It isn't pleasant and simply points out the importance of pre-race nutrition as well as in the case of a marathon, in-race nutrition.
Now the training program gets serious. I'm scheduled to go 16 miles tomorrow. It looks like temps will be in the 60s with winds around 10 mph - not ideal conditions. I'll try to be prepared, starting with a plate of spaghetti for lunch today.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Plugging away
I finished a 39 mile week on Friday with a chilly eight mile run and thoroughly enjoyed a day off yesterday. Today I was back at it. I drove down to Lady Bird Lake at 6:30 this morning and ran the 10 mile loop with an extra mile added by repeating the half mile Riverside hill (for anyone familiar with Austin's Lady Bird Lake). The first time up the hill is a lot easier than the repeat trip, but I'm hoping those repeats will pay off in Boston. It was a little warm but with a nice breeze, today's run was pretty good. The daily runs this week are scheduled for just 3, 3, 3, 4 and 7 miles respectively in preparation for next Sunday's scheduled 16-miler.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Five miles? It must be Thursday.
With 10 1/2 weeks of my 19 week training program in the rear view mirror but with 8 1/2 more weeks to go (and more than half of the total mileage) it is easy to start to wonder if race day will ever get here. However I'm in a regular routine now - get up at 5:45 a.m., check the weather, dress accordingly and hit the streets. It is helpful that each day's mileage and pace varies.
The Sunday long runs are naturally harder than the shorter mid-week runs, but actually, the runs I look forward to the least are the ones on Friday, especially the next four which are eight, seven, seven and eight miles, respectively. The fact that Friday marks the sixth consecutive day of running before my one off-day per week means that I'm generally tired early Friday mornings. In addition, runs of that length don't leave me with a lot of time to relax before rushing off to work.
It is all part of the process of making it to the starting line in Hopkinton ... one step at a time.
The Sunday long runs are naturally harder than the shorter mid-week runs, but actually, the runs I look forward to the least are the ones on Friday, especially the next four which are eight, seven, seven and eight miles, respectively. The fact that Friday marks the sixth consecutive day of running before my one off-day per week means that I'm generally tired early Friday mornings. In addition, runs of that length don't leave me with a lot of time to relax before rushing off to work.
It is all part of the process of making it to the starting line in Hopkinton ... one step at a time.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Meat of the program
I'm now moving into the meat of my training program. All weekend "long runs" from here until the week before the race are double digit mileage. I'm scheduled for 14 miles this Sunday. The scheduled mid-week runs are generally longer as well. My weekly mileage goes up to as much as 42 starting three weeks from now.
I'm sure 42 miles of running in a week sounds like a lot to most people. Frankly, it sounds like a lot to me too. But for world-class marathoners, 42 miles is barely two days worth of training. Most Olympic-caliber marathoners will run anywhere from 120 to 150 miles per week. I'm pretty sure my legs and body would not stand up to that kind of pounding, but then again, if a guy like me could train like a world-class athlete, the world-class athletes would be training that much more. That's why they're world-class athletes.
The AT&T marathon and half-marathon will be held this coming Sunday here in Austin. I would have probably signed up for the half-marathon had I gotten around to it before the entrant cap was reached. One of my co-workers is going to run it. The weather looks like it should be pretty good. I hope it is. If so, the weather will be good for my 14 miler too.
I'm sure 42 miles of running in a week sounds like a lot to most people. Frankly, it sounds like a lot to me too. But for world-class marathoners, 42 miles is barely two days worth of training. Most Olympic-caliber marathoners will run anywhere from 120 to 150 miles per week. I'm pretty sure my legs and body would not stand up to that kind of pounding, but then again, if a guy like me could train like a world-class athlete, the world-class athletes would be training that much more. That's why they're world-class athletes.
The AT&T marathon and half-marathon will be held this coming Sunday here in Austin. I would have probably signed up for the half-marathon had I gotten around to it before the entrant cap was reached. One of my co-workers is going to run it. The weather looks like it should be pretty good. I hope it is. If so, the weather will be good for my 14 miler too.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Capital of Texas Nebraskans
Thanks to president Gary Gibreal for distributing my fund raising flyer to the members of the Capital of Texas Nebraskans, the Austin-area chapter of the University of Nebraska Alumni Association. Hopefully my fellow Cornhuskers will support my run and the Melanoma Foundation with sponsorships.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Hot and cold
Three days of unseasonable warm weather turned "seasonal" this morning. I completed a sluggish seven mile run last Sunday followed by three miles on Monday and six on Tuesday in nearly 70 degree temperatures. Quite a departure from the cold (by Texas standards) that I had gotten used to. However, it was back in the 30s this morning. Cold is better as long as it isn't accompanied by strong winds. Cold and wind is not fun.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Officially entered
I received my official notification of my entry to the Boston Marathon yesterday. I searched through the entrant database to see if there were any names that I recognized. There were six others from Cedar Park entered - none that I know personally but a few names that I recognize from area race results. When searching to see who was entered from Austin, I noticed the name of a guy that I knew from my days at Compaq Computer Corp (now Hewlett-Packard) in Houston.
Sunday, January 27, 2008
3M Half Marathon
After "tweaking" my right knee during Friday's five mile run (I believe it was some ITB irritation, which I've had before), I was apprehensive about running this morning's 3M Half Marathon. Part (a large part I may add) of running a marathon is completing the training without suffering an injury that either hampers training or, in the worst case, prevents the runner from running the race at all.
On an absolutely perfect (44 degrees, winds two mph or less) morning, I crossed the starting line for the 3M hoping that my knee would not cause problems. During the first two miles or so, I could feel some minor "something" going on there, but it certainly wasn't enough to cause me to stop running. Soon after that, I didn't notice it anymore.
With knee problems out of my thoughts, I concentrated on the real reason for being among the 5300+ participants - the run itself. As my training schedule called for an 11 mile run today, I figured I would run the 13.1 mile half marathon at a moderate pace, not pushing too hard, with the goal to finish without collapsing when crossing the finish line.
Sometimes things don't go as planned. While I did run the first half of the race at my target moderate pace, I found myself feeling great running in the great conditions and decided to see how well I could do in the second half. With each passing mile, I continued to feel strong, so I kept up something more than a moderate pace. I ended up finishing the race in 2:04:56.
Now that kind of time doesn't win one any awards in these types of races (the winner finished in 1:03:12), but for me ... let's just say I was happy with that result. Even more satisfying was that while I was in 2607th place at the halfway point, I finished in 2318th place - passing nearly 300 runners in the second half of the race. It was a good day all around.
On an absolutely perfect (44 degrees, winds two mph or less) morning, I crossed the starting line for the 3M hoping that my knee would not cause problems. During the first two miles or so, I could feel some minor "something" going on there, but it certainly wasn't enough to cause me to stop running. Soon after that, I didn't notice it anymore.
With knee problems out of my thoughts, I concentrated on the real reason for being among the 5300+ participants - the run itself. As my training schedule called for an 11 mile run today, I figured I would run the 13.1 mile half marathon at a moderate pace, not pushing too hard, with the goal to finish without collapsing when crossing the finish line.
Sometimes things don't go as planned. While I did run the first half of the race at my target moderate pace, I found myself feeling great running in the great conditions and decided to see how well I could do in the second half. With each passing mile, I continued to feel strong, so I kept up something more than a moderate pace. I ended up finishing the race in 2:04:56.
Now that kind of time doesn't win one any awards in these types of races (the winner finished in 1:03:12), but for me ... let's just say I was happy with that result. Even more satisfying was that while I was in 2607th place at the halfway point, I finished in 2318th place - passing nearly 300 runners in the second half of the race. It was a good day all around.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Fund raising
I sent an email update to all of my usual mailing lists last weekend and with generous contributions from a number of people, as of this writing, I'm now at approximately 68% of the way to my fund raising goal. Based on online contributions only, this puts me in first place on the Melanoma Foundation team. Thank you to everyone that has contributed to this effort.
On the training front, a ran two laps of my five mile neighborhood route last Sunday and followed that up with a leisurely six miler on Monday and a pair of three mile runs yesterday and today. Yesterday was the first day in a while that the weather was a warm enough that a short-sleeved shirt and shorts were the appropriate attire. It turned much colder last night so it was time to put on some layers again today.
I'm planning to run the 3M Half-Marathon this coming Sunday. So far at least, it looks like the weather should be OK.
On the training front, a ran two laps of my five mile neighborhood route last Sunday and followed that up with a leisurely six miler on Monday and a pair of three mile runs yesterday and today. Yesterday was the first day in a while that the weather was a warm enough that a short-sleeved shirt and shorts were the appropriate attire. It turned much colder last night so it was time to put on some layers again today.
I'm planning to run the 3M Half-Marathon this coming Sunday. So far at least, it looks like the weather should be OK.
Friday, January 18, 2008
Toughing it out?
I had a pretty good week of training this week, although I must admit I bailed on my scheduled four mile run on Thursday morning. Temperatures were in the 30s, which by itself isn't so bad, but with 15-20 mph winds blowing, I decided an extra day of rest was called for.
While I technically didn't "make up" for it today, I did hit the streets for a five miler in mid-30 degree temps plus rain! It sprinkled a little during the first four miles, but was coming down pretty hard in the last mile. I'm sure the driver of a car that passed me a couple of blocks from home must have thought I was insane.
While I technically didn't "make up" for it today, I did hit the streets for a five miler in mid-30 degree temps plus rain! It sprinkled a little during the first four miles, but was coming down pretty hard in the last mile. I'm sure the driver of a car that passed me a couple of blocks from home must have thought I was insane.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Beautiful day
I went to Lady Bird Lake for a seven mile run this morning. The weather was beautiful! Temps in the mid-40s, sunny and just a very light breeze. I ran fairly well today - didn't make any water stops as I do when going longer distances. I was surprised when I noticed a short, kind of pudgy young woman start on her run shortly before I started only to have her blow past me with about two miles to go. First of all, I couldn't figure out how I got ahead of her and second, that she was that fast! Maybe I'm just that slow.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Six days
This week marked the beginning of the six-days-per-week portion of my marathon training schedule. From now until the week beginning Sunday, April 6, I plan to be on the streets or trail every day but Saturdays. The vast majority of those runs, other than the Sunday "long runs," are from three to six miles. There are just a handful of weekday seven and eight milers, all on Fridays beginning in about a month.
If my training for Boston goes anything like the training I did for the New York City Marathon in 2006, it is a sure bet that I will really enjoy sleeping late on Saturday mornings.
This week thus far has been unseasonably warm. In fact, it was nearly 70 degrees at 6:00 a.m. today. This will change by tomorrow with temperatures forecast to be in the lower 40s.
If my training for Boston goes anything like the training I did for the New York City Marathon in 2006, it is a sure bet that I will really enjoy sleeping late on Saturday mornings.
This week thus far has been unseasonably warm. In fact, it was nearly 70 degrees at 6:00 a.m. today. This will change by tomorrow with temperatures forecast to be in the lower 40s.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
The New Year
New Year's Day marked my final scheduled "off" day except for Saturdays until the week before the marathon on April 21. Most weekdays involves runs from three to six miles at varying paces. There are a handful of seven and eight milers in the few weeks prior to the race. Sundays are for the "long runs." The weather has gotten much colder the past couple of days - it has been in the high 20s the past two mornings, but with almost no wind, so they certainly could be a lot worse, much like the weather many of my fellow Melanoma Foundation team members have been dealing with in the Boston area.
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