Next Up

Next Up, Won't You Join Me?

Shamrock Marathon

Monument Ave 10k

VA 24hr Run for Cancer

Cleveland Marathon

Then a long hot summer....

Air Force Marathon

JFK 50 Miler

Seashore Nature Trail 50k

Planning a running calendar is much like trying to plan a marriage or a military deployment.  Timing is everything.  Not only do you have to ensure the budget and time commitments are in order, but also that races don't conflict with each other and recovery time in between.

Another major consideration is driving distance and vacation time.  An out of town race could mean another vacation day used traveling to and from.  Whereas a local race allows an easy commute, unfortunately once you have run all the local events your eye does start to wonder and "Marathon Lust" is born.  Most out of town races are run in conjunction with a family vacation or some other pre-planned event.  But this year "Marathon Lust" is taking over and I have an out of town race or two (okay maybe three) planned as stand alone events.

Then there is the race bling...  Yes I'm a sucker for the bling.  I can't say I've selected a race solely for the bling, but those shinny medals on display at a running expo sure draw my attention.

What things do you consider when selecting a race?  Lets hear about it.



 

Shamrock Week

Shamrock Week 2013 and a look back at Shamrock 2012, running with friends, over coming Breast Cancer, Running Ultras and the Marine Corp Marathon.

If I have a hometown marathon, Shamrock would have to be it.  There maybe closer marathons, but I've run Shamrock more times then another marathon+ type event.  This will be my third running of the full marathon...and as with any marathon I'm sure it will be something to remember.

Last year Shamrock Marathon was special, I ran the marathon with a good friend who was completing her first marathon.  We had trained together for little over a year, we ran her first half-marathon together, we ran a ton of long runs together, we ran in the rain, the cold and the near snow.  But running the Shamrock Marathon in 2012 was a highlight of my marathon running career.

My friend Susan, over came Breast Cancer, and Rheumatoid Arthritis to run the Shamrock Marathon  in 2012.  Since then Susan also ran an Ultra (50 miles) and completed the Marine Corp Marathon as well.  But Shamrock 2012 and all that was not enough, Susan will be back running Shamrock again this weekend.

What can we learn from this...  Don't let anyone, or anything stop you....give thanks to GOD in prayer and keep moving!

UPDATE:  I will wear bib number 2414 on Sunday, sounds like a good number to me!

Movies and Running

What if these GREAT MOVIES were more running focused?

The Dark Knight  --  “If I was a good runner, he wouldn't need the Batcar.” 

Titanic -- “When you got nothing to run for, you got everything to lose.” ‘

The Empire Strikes Back -- "If you choose the quick and easy run as Vader did - you will become an agent of evil."

Star Wars -- “The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the MARATHON.”

Fast Times at Ridgemont High -- “All I need are some cool runs by the waves…”

The Big Lebowski -- “A Ultra does not stop and start at your convenience.”

Casablanca -- "We'll always have Our Long Run."
 
Who Framed Roger Rabbit -- "I'm not bad. I'm just run that way."

Top Gun -- “I feel the need – the need for speed”

There are some great running inspired movies out there, Spirit of The marathon is one of them.  AND I can't wait for the release of Spirit of The Marathon II

  

What are some of your favorite Running Movies?

Daylight Savings Time

RETURN TO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME -  MARCH 10, 2013

The modern idea of daylight saving was first proposed in 1895 by George Vernon Hudson and it was first implemented during the WWI. 

The Eastern section of the United States will return to Daylight Savings Time (DST) on 2:00 a.m. Sunday March 10, 2013.  I am not sure how this slight advance of the clocks affects the world or mankind in whole, but it does effect me as a runner.  I’ve read reports where DST, saves energy, lowers crime, and reduces the number of fatalities from traffic accidents.  But I’m not really sure if it does any of this, I’ll have to trust the Gov’t.  BUT as a runner I will take advantage of Daylight Savings Time in the following manner:

1.  I will move my clocks forward one hour at approximately 2:00 a.m. standard time or whenever I get up, you see Sunday is my sleep in day.  And even DST is not going to change this!

2.  My first DST run will be at approximately, 5:30 pm which was the former 4:30 pm and I will run without my handy flashlight or a mirage of reflective gear.  I'm sure I'm going to save at least $5.00 in batteries.

3.  As I run post DST, I will enjoy the view of the world around me, the blue sky, the green grass, the budding flowers and the children at play.  Running in the daylight = priceless!

4.  I will no longer fear being run over because a distracted driver did not see me in the veil of night, but I will continue to worry I will be run over by a driver responding to the latest TXT joke.

5.  I will use the extra daylight hour at the end of my day by logging a few extra miles…where before I cut a run short because it was too dark, to cold or I just did not have the zip in my step.

6.  And lastly I will no longer run with the fear of the Skunk!  Since the sun will still be shinning brightly during my post DST runs, Mr. Skunk and his family of stinky butts should be in hiding.

DST savings times is here, Let's just all get out an enjoy the sun!  

PSA announcement: At home, please consider taking advantage of this event by testing and/or changing your smoke detector battery.

Plates

Our society has any number of ways for you to express yourself.  Whether a perfectly crafted  tweet/status update, your style of dress or maybe a work of art placed your skin.  And something as simple as the identifying numbers and letters on your license plate have turned into a way to express your individuality.

  

In most states drivers can choose optional "vanity plates" if they want a more distinctive license plate.  When a motorist chooses a "vanity plate" over the state issued,  boring, randomly generated numbers and letters, they are allowing anyone who comes across their plate a glimpse into their world.  These  eye catching plates give all passerbys a 55 mph tour of your lifestyle and into your world.

Pulling into any running event, and you'll see the parking lot landscape is littered with personalized plates.  I arrive at most races pretty early, this affords me an opportunity to walk the lot, not only to stretch out my legs but to also to try and figure out if I understand the meaning behind all of them.  Some plates pose a question, some make a statement, some boast a favorite mileage.  One thing is for certain, they all entertain.

Here are some of the ones that have caught my eye.

  (This plate is pretty easy to understand, and yet the extra

  ovals add a nice touch)

(Yes, I do )

(About as straight fwd as you can get)

(Has this runner 100 miles or 50 miles twice?)

(Took me a little while to get this one, did you?)

(O H....I O, Lets Run)

The collection of runner themed vanity plates will be followed up by additional post.  If you have a few you would like to share comment here and we can make arrangements to add your pics.

Distance Series 30k

Race #3 in Tidewater Striders Distance Series 2013

PRE-RACE

For a few weeks it sure felt like spring was in the air.  At this point on the calendar I had run more times in shorts then in appropriate gear for a Virginia winter.  The Groundhog and I may have even fooled myself into believing that winter weather was yet only a vision in our rearview mirror no matter what the calendar said.  Then late January, the second race in the distance series (a 25k race) got snowed out.  This short snap of cold and snow was just a fluke, right?  I was running in shorts again in no time.  With only the 30k race to go it looked good to get this event in without much weather fanfare…then in mid-February it started raining.

Race morning was wet and cool.   Although the temperatures did climb to 44 degree at race start, the rain never let up.

Sitting in my car prior to start, watching the rain beat down on my windshield, I just knew the day would be a mental battle as much as a physical test.  This race would also not only be a test of my physical preparation but also a mental challenge to prove if I was ready for the upcoming Shamrock Marathon.  Any early spring race on the east coast, could prove to have race conditions just as ugly weather wise, if not worse.

RACE
Held at Dismal Swamp State Park, the route would be a straight out and back (10k out and 10k back) with another shorter out and back along the original route for the final 10k (5k out and 5k back).  The official race distance of the day was 30k (18.6 miles).  My test on the other hand would be 20.6 miles at 9:00 per mile pace.

 

EXTRA MILES
After sitting in my car for a good 45 minutes watching the rain come down and debating on whether to wear shorts or long pants, it was time to begin my battle with the open road and the elements.  I opened up with two miles planned/timed so that I would reach the starting line in “Americas Cup” sailing fashion.  These opening miles were run slower, off pace, to get my legs and lungs warmed up.  These opening miles would also tell me if I was going to have to put up with a recent stomach issue, (pulled/torn muscle or pinched nerve).
Mile 1 9:58 / Mile 2 9:43

30k RACE START
Mile 3 9:13 / The opening half of the race went well.  In all honesty, after the first mile or so the rain was not a factor.  It rained all day, but since I was soaked to the bone, its effect was neutralized.  My original plan was to wear long pants, long sleeve shirt and jacket.  With the constant rain, I decided to go with a long sleeve shirt, jacket and shorts.  Although on the cool side I choose shorts over pants because I really did not want to drag around water logged running gear and the extra pounds that go with that.  I also wore a pair of gloves and a cap which kept the rain off my face a big plus on day like this.  At some point during this segment I felt a bit uncomfortable, like something was missing.  I ran another half mile when it hit me…I had forgotten to put on my knee strap.  Over the previous summer I had battled my way past some patellar tendonitis, and today my knee strap was still tucked in my gear bag.  Previously I had run a few training runs without said strap to see if my troubled knee had healed completely.  Today would be a real test; 20+ miles at goal pace…we would see what my knee had in store for me.
Mile 4 9:10 / Mile 5 9:02 / Mile 6 9:01 / Mile 7 8:59 / Mile 8 8:32

 

10k TURN
Mile 9 8:29 / At the midway point, everything was going well, my knee was not an issue, my recent stomach pain was not bugging me.  I was rolling right along; my only issue was that in an attempt to protect my GPS from the moisture I wrapped it up in a sandwich bag.  This made it very hard for me to monitor my pace, the GPS digits were so distorted by the extra layer of plastic that I could not tell if I was running a 0830 or 0930 pace.

Although I’m only really racing myself, it is still fun to stage little “racing “ battles with the other runners out on the course.  Race wise my plan is simple; run a negative spilt and pass more runners after the midway turn then pass me.  Today, I passed a good number of folks and felt pretty good about my standing, when it happened.  Somewhere around mile 13 I heard what no racer wants to hear. I heard footsteps and they were closing in.  Within seconds…two people caught me from behind and passed me.  I adjusted my pace and focused on keeping them within in sight until later in the race.  If anything this little race allowed me to focus back in on my pace and made the midpoint of the day a bit more interesting.

Mile 10 8:35 / Mile 11 8:38 / Mile 12 8:28 / Mile 13 8:30 / Mile 14 8:39

20k TURN
Mile 15 8:44 / The 10k out and back loops were pretty easy, the route is flat and fast.  At this point a felt pretty good had a good leg turn over going and was under no distress.  Mentally it was a little rough to begin another albeit shorter out and back along a straight and a bit of a boring course.

Mile 16 8:53 / Mile 17 8:49

25k TURN
Mile 18 8:44 / The final turn for home and I was ready for this race to be over with.  At this point yes, I was tired; yes, my legs were beginning to feel drained and yes, my fuel reserves were being used up.  But MOSTLY at this point I was just so tired of being wet.  My saturated running gear was stuck to me like an impromptu wet suit.  My cap was soaked, my gloves were soaked and my running shoes were making funny noises with every foot fall.  And OH, My choice to wear shorts was perfect, as wet as my clothes were I could not have imagined wearing a pair of soaked pants/tights.

Other than the two runners who passed me earlier, I had not been passed by anyone else.  I was feeling pretty good about a strong finish.  At the 25k turn the closer of the two runners was coming back to me.  Maybe it was their pace falling off of maybe it was my cadence picking up, whatever the factor I was able to reach and pass them.  But unfortunately that was all I could do, even thou I passed other runners in the closing miles I could not catch that one lone runner who soaked me at mile 13.  I wanted to catch him, but it was not meant to be.  With every surge to make up ground the distance between us remained the same.   

Mile 19 9:14 / Mile 20 9:07 / Mile 20.6 9:57

FINISH
20 mile time: 3:04:23 30k time: 2:44:04 crossing that finish line I was so happy to be able to get out of that wet mess.  But even in my pressing desire to get out of there, somehow my legs made me walk to the snack table that was set up about 200 feet back down the course.  There they had pretzels, bagels and Krispy Kreme dounts.  Oh and that donut tasted so good.  Then on a rush of sugar my mind snapped me back to reality and my desire to get out of my wet gear.

FINAL THOUGHTS 
The Tidewater Striders always put on a great event, this was my third running of the distance series and I will be back!

The Best News of the Day, I finished over all 3^rd in my age group for the combined 20k/30k Distance Series Race.  Not too bad considering I ran 5.1 extra miles…."Happy Dance” like Snoopy Dawg!

Silly Running Questions

I've been running long distances for over 13 years.  

And one of my favorite parts within the running life style is encouraging newcomers and answering questions.  Most of the times the questions focus on; "How do I start running and what type of shoes do I need?"  But occasionally I've fielded some pretty strange questions from family, friends and co-workers.  And I've heard some pretty funny running statements.

Sometimes I'm quick enough to have a funny reply, other times I'm just stuck there with a dumb look on my face.  On this blog update I'll share a few of my favorites.

Funny Running Questions

Q.  Got any runs coming up?
A.  I'm a runner I always have a run coming up.

Q.  Don't things chaff, I mean in "Manland?"  
A.  Is that near Disney?  

Q.  Is running a marathon hard?
A.  Not really, heck I can do it, you should give it a try.

Q.  Have you ever won a race?
A.  No, but I haven't been last yet. 

Q.  Are you a real runner
A.  I'm real and I run...so Yes, I think so. 

Q.  How do you relieve yourself during a marathon...do you go on yourself?
A.  I just stare at them.

Up-date Q. What do you eat after a marathon?
A. Everything!

Funny Running Related Statements

A friend of mine ran a 3.1 mile marathon.

If I trained, I could run a marathon.

I only run when I've stole something.   (Mmmm, Remind me to not invite you over to my house.)




So what funny running related question or statements have you heard?