Oh boy!
4th of July! America's birthday! But there is a problem . . . who would plan the 4th holiday when it's hot! Certainly not a runner! Runners like coool . . . cool temperatures and loooow humidities! July 4th . . . . usually not!
Ultra runs should happen between October and May . . . never the summer.
But Mike Day is well known for not caring what makes sense! Mike is all about a challenge! And the Sweaty Butt is definitely a challenge. Not quite like the Hot Times 100 or the Barkley 100, but this is definitely not an easy 50k.
But Mike does make it a little easy . . . you run three 10+ mile loops, so you can opt to bail at 10 or 20. Last year I had decided to bail at 20, but this fool Jeff DuFour shamed me into doing the last loop. Damn that Jeff! But we did have fun! And we finished! All 50K!
This year the humidity is expected to be way less then last year. And the temperatures should be about the same. Overall, easier than the last two years. But my motivation is not very high at all. I'm actually going there thinking 20 miles . . . not the full 50k. But maybe . . .
The cool thing is Ron Fleming is doing the Sweaty Butt as his first ultra!!! No one can accuse him to trying the easy way! He is one tough guy to even try this!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Boogie Afterthoughts
Have I ever spent a bunch of time going over in my mind my poor performance at Boogie last weekend (see previous post!)
Here are my conclusions:
But when Doug Dawkins called me the Sunday after Sarturday's God's Country and just before Boogie and said there had been a cancellation and I could come, I was so happy I agreed. Forget that the day before I had just finished a hard marathon. I'm not saying I was tired when I ran Boogie, but I certainly wasn't rested. I just need to sign up early and build my schedule around this race if I want to do my best.
Okay . . . I was sick Thursday and Friday before Saturday's race. But I honestly don't believe that had arny impact at all. I wasn't that sick. Maybe increased my time 3-5 minutes TOPS!
One of the really cool aspects of Boogie is the challenge of it all. This race is not easy. God's Country was easy in comparison. Flying Pig was really easy. Myrtle Beach is a "cake walk" compared to Boogie. Boogie gives you a chance to bite off as much as you want: a marathon or a 50-miler. The marathon is as hard as any marathon I know of . . . . the 50-miles is just brutal. I'll have to think about this . . . a real challenge would be the 50.
Bottomline: I'm going to beat Boogie! Or at least have a good enough race next year to call it a drawl. I can't let the bastard just kick my ass and laugh. I'll do races in preparation, but I will be focusing on this race so that I can do my best next year. Then, if my ass gets kicked again . . . well . . . the Boogie wins fair and square. But I'm betting on me!
Here are my conclusions:
- My biggest problem was the combination of the Boogie hills with the heat and the humidity. Really not much I can do about the last two, but the first one is something I can work on.
- Boogie kicked my ass both physically and mentally. I can work on both of those.
- I love the challenge of Boogie. This is a special race. I want to do better.
- I didn't quit.
But when Doug Dawkins called me the Sunday after Sarturday's God's Country and just before Boogie and said there had been a cancellation and I could come, I was so happy I agreed. Forget that the day before I had just finished a hard marathon. I'm not saying I was tired when I ran Boogie, but I certainly wasn't rested. I just need to sign up early and build my schedule around this race if I want to do my best.
Okay . . . I was sick Thursday and Friday before Saturday's race. But I honestly don't believe that had arny impact at all. I wasn't that sick. Maybe increased my time 3-5 minutes TOPS!
One of the really cool aspects of Boogie is the challenge of it all. This race is not easy. God's Country was easy in comparison. Flying Pig was really easy. Myrtle Beach is a "cake walk" compared to Boogie. Boogie gives you a chance to bite off as much as you want: a marathon or a 50-miler. The marathon is as hard as any marathon I know of . . . . the 50-miles is just brutal. I'll have to think about this . . . a real challenge would be the 50.
Bottomline: I'm going to beat Boogie! Or at least have a good enough race next year to call it a drawl. I can't let the bastard just kick my ass and laugh. I'll do races in preparation, but I will be focusing on this race so that I can do my best next year. Then, if my ass gets kicked again . . . well . . . the Boogie wins fair and square. But I'm betting on me!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Boogie Marathon - 2009 . . . this Race "kicked back!"
What an afternoon and evening . . . and morning!
Last week, Elaine Weisner asked me what had been my hardest race. And I couldn't come up with a good, single race that was the hardest race for me. Oh what a difference a week makes! Now I have a single answer . . . Boogie 2009 is the hardest race I've erer had . . .
. . . by far! None of my other races thru the years have even been close! Not Capon Valley 50k. Not Sweaty Butt 50k. Not God's Country Marathon (by a long shot!). Not Ridge Runner Marathon. Not my 50 miler. This race - the 2009 Boogie marathon - for me was the race from hell and my hardest finish by far! Not even close!
I have to say that the Boogie Races (Marathon and 50 mile) are the coolest races ever. Super hard for a road race even with the best of conditions. But at Boogie its never the "best of conditions" . . . EVER. First, the race is run in mid June in southeastern North Carolina. No matter what, you're talking hot and humid! Plus, there is the thing about hills. Not mountains, but many, many hills . . . steep hills! I really don't know how race director Doug "Boogieman" Dawkins has developed a course that starts and finishes at the same place and is 80% uphill! Only in Ellerbe, NC!
As I drove to Ellerbe Saturday afternoon it was hot. As I passed the bank the sign said the temperate was 94*. Great! Just what I needed! Picked up my race number and had a chance to "catch up" with a number of my Mangum Track Club friends. Several were running and a bunch were volunteering.
As the clock neared 6 PM, Doug Dawkins gave his usual pre-race briefing. Among other things he warned everyone every single person who has DNFed these races has said they went out too fast at first. His advice was to go super slow the first loop at least. Doug also warns everyone about snakes . . . especially rattle snakes! But no snakes for me in two years. By the way, the thermometer at the start of the race said 92*. Great!
The Boogie has a crazy start! A black powder rifle starts the race. The 50 milers head one direction and the marathoners head the other! Marathoners go .1 mile, turn around and then chase the 50 milers.
The first section is a six mile loop . . . up and down and up and down and . . . well you get the picture! About 3/4 of the way my fluid belt / camera carrier broke! That's not something you have a spare for! So I carried it and dropped it off in my car as I finished the loop and picked up a plastic Gatorade bottle to carry the rest of the race. Ugh! I tried to go easy following Doug's suggestion and thought I had, but as I passed race headquarters I noticed my Garmin said I had averaged a 11:00 minute pace. Way too fast for me on that course in this heat and humidity. I would pay for that mistake.
The next section is a 1 1/2 mile run down Bethel hill, continue another 1/2 mile, turn around and climb the hill back to the race headquarters. No houses, no interesting anything on this section, but it is very neat at the bottom . . . the first six miles had 5 homes, but all this section had was a boat ramp! Sun was still out and there was little shade.
When I passed race headquarters I knew I was in real trouble. I felt then like I normally feel after 20-22 miles! And I had 16 miles to go! (Do the six mile loop again, the down and back section and then finish with the six mile loop one more time.)
On the 6 mile loop my second equipment failure occurred! My I-pod controls quit working! Now that sucks! As I passed my car, I dropped off my I-pod and picked up my headlight. I was dying! I really thought about quitting right there! 10 more miles to go and I was walking sooooo much and running sooooo little! I hurt everywhere.
In spite of my pain, I enjoyed the out and back loop for the last time! Listening to the whippoorwills, owls, crickets and frogs while watching the stars. Very cool! I found I really hated the headlights most folks were using as they spoiled the dark peacefulness. I only turned mine on when a car came by, so they could see me. I enjoyed the section but I was the walking dead. I even thought a little about cheating and not going all the way to the turnaround. No one would ever have known . . . except me! No way I would do that, but that tells you what my mental and physical condition was!
Passing race headquarters for the last time I REALLY wanted to quit! But I've never DNFed before and I knew had no serious problems . . . I was just simply totally spent! TOTALLY! So I forced myself on.
I kept trying to at least run the downhills and I sort of managed at least some of the downhills. But I was walking . . . a lot and not walking fast!! Lot's of people passing me and everyone is always so encouraging. Marathoners and ultra marathoners as a special breed. They all have had bad days and know what they feel like. The guy that ended up in second place for the 50 miler actually slowed down and walked with me for about 100 feet . . . trying to encourage me! How cool is that!
In typical Boogie fashion, the finish is a final 1/2 mile or so uphill to the finish line. Never, ever have I been so glad to get to the finish! 6 hours and 50 minutes. Well over a hour longer than my race last weekend! Oh well . . . I DID FINISH! Temperature at finish was 77*.
This time, I hung around the finish line, ate a hot dog (The Bethel Hill Church ladies fix hamburgers and hot dogs for runners and volunteers!) and waited for the winner of the 50 mil race to finish. And when he did he seemed fresh as a daisy! Damn him! (By the way he was a really nice guy. I talked with him both before the start and after he finished.)
So, the 2009 Boogie marathon is over and I'm damn glad it is. I guess the good thing is I didn't quit . . . in spite of how bad I wanted to. Lot's of excuses have gone through my head as I try to figure out what happened and why I bonked sooo bad (see my previous post to see a few!) Everyone needs to try this race. A definite "must do" if you like to challenge yourself. If you don't - stay home. For me, I'll be there next year to "take my beatin' like a man!"
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/triple_f/sets/72157619655697137/
Last week, Elaine Weisner asked me what had been my hardest race. And I couldn't come up with a good, single race that was the hardest race for me. Oh what a difference a week makes! Now I have a single answer . . . Boogie 2009 is the hardest race I've erer had . . .
. . . by far! None of my other races thru the years have even been close! Not Capon Valley 50k. Not Sweaty Butt 50k. Not God's Country Marathon (by a long shot!). Not Ridge Runner Marathon. Not my 50 miler. This race - the 2009 Boogie marathon - for me was the race from hell and my hardest finish by far! Not even close!
I have to say that the Boogie Races (Marathon and 50 mile) are the coolest races ever. Super hard for a road race even with the best of conditions. But at Boogie its never the "best of conditions" . . . EVER. First, the race is run in mid June in southeastern North Carolina. No matter what, you're talking hot and humid! Plus, there is the thing about hills. Not mountains, but many, many hills . . . steep hills! I really don't know how race director Doug "Boogieman" Dawkins has developed a course that starts and finishes at the same place and is 80% uphill! Only in Ellerbe, NC!
As I drove to Ellerbe Saturday afternoon it was hot. As I passed the bank the sign said the temperate was 94*. Great! Just what I needed! Picked up my race number and had a chance to "catch up" with a number of my Mangum Track Club friends. Several were running and a bunch were volunteering.
As the clock neared 6 PM, Doug Dawkins gave his usual pre-race briefing. Among other things he warned everyone every single person who has DNFed these races has said they went out too fast at first. His advice was to go super slow the first loop at least. Doug also warns everyone about snakes . . . especially rattle snakes! But no snakes for me in two years. By the way, the thermometer at the start of the race said 92*. Great!
The Boogie has a crazy start! A black powder rifle starts the race. The 50 milers head one direction and the marathoners head the other! Marathoners go .1 mile, turn around and then chase the 50 milers.
The first section is a six mile loop . . . up and down and up and down and . . . well you get the picture! About 3/4 of the way my fluid belt / camera carrier broke! That's not something you have a spare for! So I carried it and dropped it off in my car as I finished the loop and picked up a plastic Gatorade bottle to carry the rest of the race. Ugh! I tried to go easy following Doug's suggestion and thought I had, but as I passed race headquarters I noticed my Garmin said I had averaged a 11:00 minute pace. Way too fast for me on that course in this heat and humidity. I would pay for that mistake.
The next section is a 1 1/2 mile run down Bethel hill, continue another 1/2 mile, turn around and climb the hill back to the race headquarters. No houses, no interesting anything on this section, but it is very neat at the bottom . . . the first six miles had 5 homes, but all this section had was a boat ramp! Sun was still out and there was little shade.
When I passed race headquarters I knew I was in real trouble. I felt then like I normally feel after 20-22 miles! And I had 16 miles to go! (Do the six mile loop again, the down and back section and then finish with the six mile loop one more time.)
On the 6 mile loop my second equipment failure occurred! My I-pod controls quit working! Now that sucks! As I passed my car, I dropped off my I-pod and picked up my headlight. I was dying! I really thought about quitting right there! 10 more miles to go and I was walking sooooo much and running sooooo little! I hurt everywhere.
In spite of my pain, I enjoyed the out and back loop for the last time! Listening to the whippoorwills, owls, crickets and frogs while watching the stars. Very cool! I found I really hated the headlights most folks were using as they spoiled the dark peacefulness. I only turned mine on when a car came by, so they could see me. I enjoyed the section but I was the walking dead. I even thought a little about cheating and not going all the way to the turnaround. No one would ever have known . . . except me! No way I would do that, but that tells you what my mental and physical condition was!
Passing race headquarters for the last time I REALLY wanted to quit! But I've never DNFed before and I knew had no serious problems . . . I was just simply totally spent! TOTALLY! So I forced myself on.
I kept trying to at least run the downhills and I sort of managed at least some of the downhills. But I was walking . . . a lot and not walking fast!! Lot's of people passing me and everyone is always so encouraging. Marathoners and ultra marathoners as a special breed. They all have had bad days and know what they feel like. The guy that ended up in second place for the 50 miler actually slowed down and walked with me for about 100 feet . . . trying to encourage me! How cool is that!
In typical Boogie fashion, the finish is a final 1/2 mile or so uphill to the finish line. Never, ever have I been so glad to get to the finish! 6 hours and 50 minutes. Well over a hour longer than my race last weekend! Oh well . . . I DID FINISH! Temperature at finish was 77*.
This time, I hung around the finish line, ate a hot dog (The Bethel Hill Church ladies fix hamburgers and hot dogs for runners and volunteers!) and waited for the winner of the 50 mil race to finish. And when he did he seemed fresh as a daisy! Damn him! (By the way he was a really nice guy. I talked with him both before the start and after he finished.)
So, the 2009 Boogie marathon is over and I'm damn glad it is. I guess the good thing is I didn't quit . . . in spite of how bad I wanted to. Lot's of excuses have gone through my head as I try to figure out what happened and why I bonked sooo bad (see my previous post to see a few!) Everyone needs to try this race. A definite "must do" if you like to challenge yourself. If you don't - stay home. For me, I'll be there next year to "take my beatin' like a man!"
Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/triple_f/sets/72157619655697137/
Friday, June 12, 2009
How stupid am I?
This is really stupid.
Last Saturday I finished one of the harder marathons I've done . . . God's Country Marathon in Coudersport, PA. A fun race but very hard course.
When I got home Sunday I got a call from my friend Doug "Boogieman" Dawkins, race director for the Boogie Races. I did the marathon last year and really had a blast. Very different, fun race! One of my favorite all-time!
I planned to sign up this year but through my forgetfulness I didn't register until after the deadline . . . and everything was full! Doug's call was to tell me he had a cancellation and I could come if I wanted to. HOW COULD I SAY NO???
Everything was fine until Thursday when I got some intestinal thing. Continued all night Thursday night and all day today . . . maybe a little better. My abdomen is really sore. And my GI tract a mess!
Then, to top it all off, it's supposed to be 91* tomorrow at start of the race!
Guess I'll drive there tomorrow afternoon and see how I feel at the race start. I can decide at the literal "last minute" or, heck, I could run the first 6 mile loop and see if I want to continue. But I've NEVER quite a race I started . . . EVER!
Stay tuned!
Saturday Morning Update:
Last Saturday I finished one of the harder marathons I've done . . . God's Country Marathon in Coudersport, PA. A fun race but very hard course.
When I got home Sunday I got a call from my friend Doug "Boogieman" Dawkins, race director for the Boogie Races. I did the marathon last year and really had a blast. Very different, fun race! One of my favorite all-time!
I planned to sign up this year but through my forgetfulness I didn't register until after the deadline . . . and everything was full! Doug's call was to tell me he had a cancellation and I could come if I wanted to. HOW COULD I SAY NO???
Everything was fine until Thursday when I got some intestinal thing. Continued all night Thursday night and all day today . . . maybe a little better. My abdomen is really sore. And my GI tract a mess!
Then, to top it all off, it's supposed to be 91* tomorrow at start of the race!
Guess I'll drive there tomorrow afternoon and see how I feel at the race start. I can decide at the literal "last minute" or, heck, I could run the first 6 mile loop and see if I want to continue. But I've NEVER quite a race I started . . . EVER!
Stay tuned!
Saturday Morning Update:
- feeling MUCH better!
- looks like a chance of thunderstorms tonight at Ellerbe! That is good news!
Sunday, June 7, 2009
God's Country Marathon - Done!
This one was a real bugger! Probably not the hardest race I've ever run, but it was sure up there.
Basically the race starts in Galeton, PA, circles the town and then heads up a mountain . . . about 12 miles of constant, steady uphill. Then, it gets really steep uphill for about another 3 miles (here is a picture of part of that stretch.)
You crest the Denton Mountain just after mile 18 and then it is pretty much downhill for the last 8 miles to the finish in downtown Coudersport.
Ron Fleming and I met in Roanoke Rapids at 6:30 Friday morning and headed up to Pennsylvania. Would have been more fun if it hadn't rained the whole way! But we were still excited. Got to Coudersport at around 4:30, checked in at our motel and went directly to the fire hall for packet pickup and the pasta dinner!
And there I had my first big surprise . . . they didn't have my registration! Luckily there was still space in the race, but could you imagine driving over 500 miles and then NOT being able to race! I learned a valuable lesson . . . verify before you travel!
Up at 5:00 am and to the finish area to catch the shuttle bus at 5:45 am. Got to the Galeton High School and encountered my second surprise . . . they had NO porta'poties. The high school had one bathroom open with two stalls! Even this would not have been that much of a problem if the race had been "chip timed" . . . but it wasn't! So the line was REALLY long and I just made it out to hear the start of the race!
My third surprise was a good one! I managed to properly pace myself and handled the hill really well! I shortened my intervals to 2 minutes running and 1 minute walking. I did this until mile 15 when the hill got really steep. Then, I tried running some, but I pretty much walked the next three miles.
As I neared the top I actually saw a bear! And even got a picture with it!
Once over the top, I ran in high gear (for me!!) for the next 3 miles. Then, back to intervals to the finish.
A few Highs and Lows from this race
Basically the race starts in Galeton, PA, circles the town and then heads up a mountain . . . about 12 miles of constant, steady uphill. Then, it gets really steep uphill for about another 3 miles (here is a picture of part of that stretch.)
You crest the Denton Mountain just after mile 18 and then it is pretty much downhill for the last 8 miles to the finish in downtown Coudersport.
Ron Fleming and I met in Roanoke Rapids at 6:30 Friday morning and headed up to Pennsylvania. Would have been more fun if it hadn't rained the whole way! But we were still excited. Got to Coudersport at around 4:30, checked in at our motel and went directly to the fire hall for packet pickup and the pasta dinner!
And there I had my first big surprise . . . they didn't have my registration! Luckily there was still space in the race, but could you imagine driving over 500 miles and then NOT being able to race! I learned a valuable lesson . . . verify before you travel!
Up at 5:00 am and to the finish area to catch the shuttle bus at 5:45 am. Got to the Galeton High School and encountered my second surprise . . . they had NO porta'poties. The high school had one bathroom open with two stalls! Even this would not have been that much of a problem if the race had been "chip timed" . . . but it wasn't! So the line was REALLY long and I just made it out to hear the start of the race!
My third surprise was a good one! I managed to properly pace myself and handled the hill really well! I shortened my intervals to 2 minutes running and 1 minute walking. I did this until mile 15 when the hill got really steep. Then, I tried running some, but I pretty much walked the next three miles.
As I neared the top I actually saw a bear! And even got a picture with it!
Once over the top, I ran in high gear (for me!!) for the next 3 miles. Then, back to intervals to the finish.
A few Highs and Lows from this race
- High - This race had aid stations each mile! What a great idea! Seemed to make the miles go faster!
- High - A challenging course that many would avoid because it's hard. And it was a beautiful run!
- High - A nice cotton t-shirt. I still prefer marathon t-shirts to be cotton. I can buy tech shirts to run in.
- High - A fun trip with a good guy!
- Low - Super cheap, cheesy medal. Come on folks, you can do MUCH better then this!
Friday, May 29, 2009
God's Country Marathon
Next weekend, Ron Fleming and I are driving to Cloudersport, PA to run the God's Country Marathon. Not sure how we ended up choosing this one . . . but Dave Lavely told me he had run it and had hoped to return this year but "issues" developed and he opted not to. Dave told me 1) there was a big hill around mile 16 or so, 2) it was a tough marathon.
I did check the course and the elevation charts and noticed it appeared the course went up hill from the start and the hill at mile 16 got pretty steep. But I didn't study this very closely before I signed up. But yesterday I looked at the chart and got concerned. There was a lot of real elevation change. The elevation scale was not small.
Not long ago I saw a really neat comparison of marathon course elevations. Anthony Corriveau (aka AC) (see Running Down) figured out how to put two charts together and get them to the same scale for a really fair comparison visually. So I asked Anthony how to do it. Being a nice guy, he prepared a comparison between the Umstead Trail Marathon (which I considered fairly "hilly" and hard) to God's Country Marathon . . . that's Umstead Marathon on the bottom.
Now you can see why I'm concerned! At least the last 5 miles or so are down hill! Normally, my marathon plan is to walk the uphills and run the flats and downhills.
I need a new plan.
I did check the course and the elevation charts and noticed it appeared the course went up hill from the start and the hill at mile 16 got pretty steep. But I didn't study this very closely before I signed up. But yesterday I looked at the chart and got concerned. There was a lot of real elevation change. The elevation scale was not small.
Not long ago I saw a really neat comparison of marathon course elevations. Anthony Corriveau (aka AC) (see Running Down) figured out how to put two charts together and get them to the same scale for a really fair comparison visually. So I asked Anthony how to do it. Being a nice guy, he prepared a comparison between the Umstead Trail Marathon (which I considered fairly "hilly" and hard) to God's Country Marathon . . . that's Umstead Marathon on the bottom.
Now you can see why I'm concerned! At least the last 5 miles or so are down hill! Normally, my marathon plan is to walk the uphills and run the flats and downhills.
I need a new plan.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Raceology 405
Since my last post, readers have been asking for more information on the science of race numbers aka raceology aka running numerology. I admit . . . I am torn as to whether I should divulge these racing secrets to the running world or whether I should protect these secrets and share with only a few friends (or perhaps paying clients???) After years of careful analysis, these suggestions could lead almost anyone to their own PRs at any distance. Raceology tells you when to "go for it" and when to save it for another race.
We all have good days running and we have bad days. These we really can't control. Some folks suggest special diets can impact these, others develop detailed training plans to help them time a good day to coincide with a race. But mostly . . . these are bunk. Wives tales . . . long on story and short on results.
Basically good and bad days occur at random. Sometimes you'll have two good days in a row, sometimes you'll have two bad days in a row. Sometimes you'll have a string of either good or bad days. Bottomline: these just happen. The luck of the day.
But there is another factor that few realize and virtually no one has studied and that is the impact of your race number and the effect it has on your running performance. A bad day combined with a good number and you will still have a bad run. But if your having a good day and you get a good number, you are probably looking at a PR. A good day and a bad number will usually yield an average day overall so why push it on days like this. If you have a slow number, just call it a "training run" and save your best effort for another race where hopefully you'll have a better number.
Basically, it all boils down to your race number for a given event. Some numbers are faster than other numbers and the combination of numbers can have a dramatic impact on your race results.
So which number is the better number: 491 or 372? One of these numbers is significantly faster than the other. But which is the better number? Read on and learn.
Think about this . . . what do you do with your race number? Of cource you pin it on your shirt in a manner such that others can read it when they see you coming (as opposed to you being able to read the number when you look down at it yourself!). Most of us tend to lean slightly forward as we run and when you consider this fact you may realize that the top of the number actually leads the way as one run down the course.
Here comes the real insight . . . since the top of the number is leading the way, it is the part of the number encountering the apparent wind associated with your running. And if there is, in fact, a real breeze, this effect becomes even more pronounced. Basically, the top of the number creates wind resistance! So in raceology, we carefully study the shape of the tops of numbers.
Consider the possibilities: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
So, the fastest possible race number is "1". Should you be surprised that most races reserve this fast number for the individual with the highest seed, thus further tipping the scale in his or her favor? This is no accident!
Without a doubt, this is only a beginners introduction into the science of raceology. Clearly there is more dealing with number balance (for instance dealing with a number like "117" and the subtleties of comparing two digit numbers with three or even four digit numbers (which is faster "11514" or "368"?)
For more information in this topic, please purchase my book "Raceology: The Science of Running your Best" available for $67.95 through Amazon.com.
And to answer the question posed earlier, which number is the better number: "491" or "372"? By now you should know "491" is a significantly better number!
Now, you may understand my frustration at my latest race when I got my race number. I should have just gone home.
We all have good days running and we have bad days. These we really can't control. Some folks suggest special diets can impact these, others develop detailed training plans to help them time a good day to coincide with a race. But mostly . . . these are bunk. Wives tales . . . long on story and short on results.
Basically good and bad days occur at random. Sometimes you'll have two good days in a row, sometimes you'll have two bad days in a row. Sometimes you'll have a string of either good or bad days. Bottomline: these just happen. The luck of the day.
But there is another factor that few realize and virtually no one has studied and that is the impact of your race number and the effect it has on your running performance. A bad day combined with a good number and you will still have a bad run. But if your having a good day and you get a good number, you are probably looking at a PR. A good day and a bad number will usually yield an average day overall so why push it on days like this. If you have a slow number, just call it a "training run" and save your best effort for another race where hopefully you'll have a better number.
Basically, it all boils down to your race number for a given event. Some numbers are faster than other numbers and the combination of numbers can have a dramatic impact on your race results.
So which number is the better number: 491 or 372? One of these numbers is significantly faster than the other. But which is the better number? Read on and learn.
Think about this . . . what do you do with your race number? Of cource you pin it on your shirt in a manner such that others can read it when they see you coming (as opposed to you being able to read the number when you look down at it yourself!). Most of us tend to lean slightly forward as we run and when you consider this fact you may realize that the top of the number actually leads the way as one run down the course.
Here comes the real insight . . . since the top of the number is leading the way, it is the part of the number encountering the apparent wind associated with your running. And if there is, in fact, a real breeze, this effect becomes even more pronounced. Basically, the top of the number creates wind resistance! So in raceology, we carefully study the shape of the tops of numbers.
Consider the possibilities: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
- First the number "1" is clearly the most aerodynamic number and, as such, is far an away the fastest number possible. Second fastest is the number "4" as it too provides an aerodynamic silhouette compared to other integers. Conversely, there are two numbers that are equally wind resistant and thus very "slow" numbers: "5" and "7". Notice how the tops of these numbers are flat and at a right angle to the wind direction.
- The numbers "8" and "9" are average, but slightly better than the numbers "2", "3" and "6". Notice how the numbers "2", "3" and "6" have open cavities that can trap the wind and cause turbulence.
- And the last factor is the fewer the numbers the better!
So, the fastest possible race number is "1". Should you be surprised that most races reserve this fast number for the individual with the highest seed, thus further tipping the scale in his or her favor? This is no accident!
Without a doubt, this is only a beginners introduction into the science of raceology. Clearly there is more dealing with number balance (for instance dealing with a number like "117" and the subtleties of comparing two digit numbers with three or even four digit numbers (which is faster "11514" or "368"?)
For more information in this topic, please purchase my book "Raceology: The Science of Running your Best" available for $67.95 through Amazon.com.
And to answer the question posed earlier, which number is the better number: "491" or "372"? By now you should know "491" is a significantly better number!
Now, you may understand my frustration at my latest race when I got my race number. I should have just gone home.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
I love Umstead but HATE "555"
Today was the Inside-Out Half Marathon in Cary. Race starts on Weston Parkway, quickly enters Umstead Park and is essentially an out and back course, with a minor detour as you come back out of the park.
I didn't register early, so to "assure" I would get in and get a shirt, I left my house in Littleton, NC at 3:45 am so I could get to the race by 5:30! I made it by 5:30, but there were no shirts! Oh well . . . I already have plenty of shirts and these didn't look all that great anyway.
But when I got my race number I about died! The lady gave me number "555". That one number is one of the 2 slowest numbers between 1 and 999 (the other slow number equally bad is "777"). With a number like this I had NO chance for a good race. there is NO chance for a good race with number "555"! Why couldn't I have gotten "11" or "44"? No I had to get "555". Okay, I have my own "numberology" philosophy and you may laugh . . . but its REAL!
Weather was perfect . . . a light rain as we were waiting and the temperature wasn't too high. Saw Michael Forrester and Ron Fleming as they were waiting in line for a porta'potty.
When Michael saw me he immediately broke out laughing!! Michael understands. He saw my race number was "555" and ask me if I was just going on home with a number like this!
Not being a quitter, I decided to run the race anyway. I should have gone home.
I decided to experiment with my Galloway intervals . . . normally I run 4 and 1 but I decided to try 5 and 30 seconds. I guess my mind was focused on my number, not good logical thinking. Why I thought this might work in Umstead I have no idea. About mile 6 or so I adjusted back to 4 and 1 and walked the hills.
At about mile 9 as the rain picked up, I was invited to run with two folks I had leap-frogged with all morning: Laura and Steve (both from the Raleigh area). They were running a 2 and 1 Galloway but their 2 was quite a bit faster than is normal for me. Two totally fun folks to run with!! We all stayed together until about a mile to go when Steve ran on and Laura and I continued at our steady but slower pace. Laura and I finished together in 2:30 . . . not great but a fun time.
By the way . . no finisher's medal! So for $45 I got no shirt and no medal! And all they had at the finish was pretzels as everything else was gone by the time I got there! I just hope the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities gets a good check from the race.
I actually felt pretty good today and enjoyed Umstead as always. But if I only had gotten a different race number . . . and if I had kept with my normal plan . . . . oh well . . . there is always the next race!
I didn't register early, so to "assure" I would get in and get a shirt, I left my house in Littleton, NC at 3:45 am so I could get to the race by 5:30! I made it by 5:30, but there were no shirts! Oh well . . . I already have plenty of shirts and these didn't look all that great anyway.
But when I got my race number I about died! The lady gave me number "555". That one number is one of the 2 slowest numbers between 1 and 999 (the other slow number equally bad is "777"). With a number like this I had NO chance for a good race. there is NO chance for a good race with number "555"! Why couldn't I have gotten "11" or "44"? No I had to get "555". Okay, I have my own "numberology" philosophy and you may laugh . . . but its REAL!
Weather was perfect . . . a light rain as we were waiting and the temperature wasn't too high. Saw Michael Forrester and Ron Fleming as they were waiting in line for a porta'potty.
When Michael saw me he immediately broke out laughing!! Michael understands. He saw my race number was "555" and ask me if I was just going on home with a number like this!
Not being a quitter, I decided to run the race anyway. I should have gone home.
I decided to experiment with my Galloway intervals . . . normally I run 4 and 1 but I decided to try 5 and 30 seconds. I guess my mind was focused on my number, not good logical thinking. Why I thought this might work in Umstead I have no idea. About mile 6 or so I adjusted back to 4 and 1 and walked the hills.
At about mile 9 as the rain picked up, I was invited to run with two folks I had leap-frogged with all morning: Laura and Steve (both from the Raleigh area). They were running a 2 and 1 Galloway but their 2 was quite a bit faster than is normal for me. Two totally fun folks to run with!! We all stayed together until about a mile to go when Steve ran on and Laura and I continued at our steady but slower pace. Laura and I finished together in 2:30 . . . not great but a fun time.
By the way . . no finisher's medal! So for $45 I got no shirt and no medal! And all they had at the finish was pretzels as everything else was gone by the time I got there! I just hope the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities gets a good check from the race.
I actually felt pretty good today and enjoyed Umstead as always. But if I only had gotten a different race number . . . and if I had kept with my normal plan . . . . oh well . . . there is always the next race!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Duck for Flying Pigs!
Amber and Jon at the finish!
I've got to admit that I was less that excited to go to Cincinnati to their Flying Pig Marathon last weekend. Cincinnati is a dirty, ugly industrial town . . . or so I thought! What I found was a really nice place! Clean, interesting downtown area. And the area is filled with lots of neat small villages, each with their own unique identity.
Several months ago a small group of RMEC runners decided to go see "pigs fly" at this popular marathon. Little did we know how much we would all love the area and the event! One of my co-workers, Amber Poole, and her significant other, Jon Shingleton, decided that since the group going Amber would try her first marathon and Jon would run his second half marathon. Also going was Ursula Forrester, Eric Pate and Ron Fleming (also doing his first marathon!)
Amber's training had issues! Problems with blisters plus just normal life interruptions brought her to the event with a maximum long run of only 13 miles! But she was determined to do this. And she did! In amazingly good form! I held her back for the first 20+ miles, but in hindsight, she could have done this on her own . . . better and faster!
I loved the course! A quick loop downtown, over for a short loop through Kentucky, the back through downtown and up to the top of the hill surrounding town. Then through village after village, each with it's own personality and charm! Beautiful homes and super friendly people everywhere. My favorite was a village called Mariemount . . . really neat and GREAT fans! I truly considered doing the Mariemont loop again, just to experience the crowds!
Course then looped around and ended up coming up the river back to downtown and the finish.
Amber held back at my semi-insistence. But I really believe she could have run faster without my "help"! Finally, in the last 1.5 miles she ran on . . . leaving me in her dust!
And when we finished we found out that Jon got his PR (this course was significantly more difficult then where he had gotten his previous PR!), Ursula also almost PRed and Ron had finished in a fantastic time for his first marathon. Bottomline: only Eric and I have average days!
This marathon was tons of fun and the Cincinnati community was REALLY supportive. Quite an event and quite an experience. One of my top 5 marathons.
But the very best part was sharing all this with some FANTASTIC friends! Thank you all for letting me share this time with you!
Here are some pictures I took:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/triple_f/sets/72157617703077352/
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Way to go Brian!
This weekend was the official Rocky Mount Relay for Life. A few weeks earlier, I had had my "own" relay and did my two "races" in one . . . my first and my last 50-miler! But this weekend was the real event and there were two things going on: 1) RMEC (Rocky Mount Endurance Club) had a team to run the 24 hour event, and 2) my friend Brian Langford was attempting his first 50-miler and I wanted to support him as I could.
Brian is a really fast 5k runner and athlete who had never done a marathon, let alone an ultra. Plus, he has recently suffered through the dreaded and mysterious "painful butt injury" (aka upper hamstring, piriformis syndrome, etc.) that seems to come out of nowhere to plague distance runners for a 6 month period. But Brian wanted to attempt this to honor his daughter who had died from cancer. So he decided! I worried that Brian would not be able to start out slow enough.
Right off the bat we realized Brian's original plan would never work. The track was totally packed with people! So many you literally could not run. So Brian decided to start his running by going down to our green way and running that until we couldn't see (no . . . of course we didn't bring headlights!!). Brian and I did one lap (about 5.6 miles), looped back to the stadium to get fluids, picked up Eric Pate and Arthur Bennett and headed out again. At least by starting with me, his first 9 miles or so were slow!
When we got back to the stadium the crowds were still pretty bad, so Brian and some friends (Ashley Bass, Steve Cooper, Michael Forrester to name a few) headed back out to run up and down Independence Blvd. I went into the tent a grabbed some sleep! About midnight Brian came in and told he quite a big group of guys were running with him, but they were going too fast! And of course he was running with them! Idiot! About 2 am I got up, put my shoes on and started running with him again. Scott Wingfield had come as I napped and had run 24 miles or so with Brian. Scott headed home and I joined. Brian was at about 35 miles and doing really good! He had settled into running two laps and walking one and seemed virtually unaffected by the miles. I found out I couldn't keep up with his preferred pace! How embarrassing is that for me!!
At around 43 miles, Brian's achilles started burning so he walked about a mile or so and then started running again. The pain eased. Sunrise was spectacular and we saw a blimp pass in the early morning light. And just before 7 am, Brian finished his 50 miles to the roar of the morning crowd, encouraged by the PA announcer and Brian's feat! Mission accomplished, Brian! I'm proud of you!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
What a Day!
I'm was in Tennessee for a long Easter weekend and needed to get in a long run. My favorite place to run . . . ever is Bays Mountain Park in Kingsport. So, the "where" was a no brainer!
http://www.baysmountain.com/
There is a terrific 10-mile park loop that I run every time I'm in Kingsport, but this time I needed more mileage, so I added in some of the less used trails for a 13.5 mile loop . . . and I needed 26 at least, so this would be fine!
The park opened a little early and I headed out at about 8:15, straight up the mountain to the sounds of thunder and a pack of howling wolves!! . . .yes . . . wolves! The park has a has a large fenced natural area with a pack and they were tuning up with the sounds of thunder from the coming storm. A line of thunder storms was coming in from the west and this presented quite a delima for me!
There are about 10 tall radio towers along a 1 mile section . . . just where I got to when the storm hit! Should I stop and wait out the lightning, or do I try to beat it? I decided to keep running and try to beat it. In retrospect, this probably wasn't one of my best all-time decisions. My plan was going to run FAST as I passed each tower. But those of ou that really know me realize there are no fast bones in my body! Lightning was all around and hit several of the towers, but none when I was close! Man, was I glad to pass that last tower!
This run is really a spectatular run. Once you get to the top of the mountain, you run along a "knife edge" on a jeep road. Essentially, the mountain looks like this: " > " Two ridges join together at one point. Fantastic views to the right (my hometown of Kingsport) and the left, the next ridge I'll be running. These two ridges meet and you head west on the other. While the ridges are straight, they are far from flat! You are either going up, or down . . . almost never flat. At about the five mile point you pass a cool fire tower (again incredible views!!). After the fire tower, the ups/downs settle down some and the running is pretty easy but the views go away. Not really great views in the rains we were having anyway!
Finally, I took the trail that dropped off the ridge and down to Back Hollow and on to the "road." Guess at one point this really was a road, but now it was a creek/bog/mud pit! For every 100 yards of dry land there is at least another 100 yards of creek to run down! You ford the stream several times and at several points you go through a bog . . . the mud was "shoe sucking!" Once, it literally sucked my trail shoe off my foot! Lots of fun reaching down and trying to find your shoe in a foot or more of mud! Then, hobbling to the stream in socks to "wash" the mud out and get your shoe back on!
I continued down the stream / road until in intersects with Front Hollow "road." This really is a somewhat passable road . . . if you have a non-stock jeep set up for impossibly hard off-road!! The rain stopped by the time I got to this section, but the mud holes were full. This was a long, slow sloppy uphill section to Ledbetter Gap, then a long, slow downhill to where I started . . . about 13.5 miles done and one more lap to go. I re-supplied with Gatorade and had a bowl of chicken noodle soup then headed out again. The weather was now clear and the views were GREAT! I took it easy, walking the uphills and running the downs (very few flat parts, but I ran the few that were there!).
After the fire tower I took a little longer route and tried a trail that was new to me. While the trail did have blazes, it had probably been a couple of years since anyone had been through . . . down trees everywhere, no footprints ever and the trail was REALLY hard to follow. Plus, whoever put the trail in had never learned of the concept of a switchback. This trail went STRAIGHT DOWN the mountain! (more on this part later!). Finally, I came to Back Hollow and continued on. I struggle up Ledbetter Hollow to the gap and a nice, slow run back to my car in about 7 hours! Not a great time, but if you adjust for elevation changes and mud bogs, it wasn't too bad!
After I got home and showered off the mud, I realized that the downhill trail without switchbacks I had really done a number on two of my toenails . . . black and blue, painful as hell and destined to come off! Damn! I'm really sore after this run . . . WAY worse than my 50-miler!
Still, this was a spectacular day. I love running alone in the woods! All day long and I never saw a person! Seven turkeys, one squirrel but no people! What I really miss though, is sharing this super run with my running friends!
ps - It is now Monday afternoon . . . and I'm still sore! What is up with this??
http://www.baysmountain.com/
There is a terrific 10-mile park loop that I run every time I'm in Kingsport, but this time I needed more mileage, so I added in some of the less used trails for a 13.5 mile loop . . . and I needed 26 at least, so this would be fine!
The park opened a little early and I headed out at about 8:15, straight up the mountain to the sounds of thunder and a pack of howling wolves!! . . .yes . . . wolves! The park has a has a large fenced natural area with a pack and they were tuning up with the sounds of thunder from the coming storm. A line of thunder storms was coming in from the west and this presented quite a delima for me!
There are about 10 tall radio towers along a 1 mile section . . . just where I got to when the storm hit! Should I stop and wait out the lightning, or do I try to beat it? I decided to keep running and try to beat it. In retrospect, this probably wasn't one of my best all-time decisions. My plan was going to run FAST as I passed each tower. But those of ou that really know me realize there are no fast bones in my body! Lightning was all around and hit several of the towers, but none when I was close! Man, was I glad to pass that last tower!
This run is really a spectatular run. Once you get to the top of the mountain, you run along a "knife edge" on a jeep road. Essentially, the mountain looks like this: " > " Two ridges join together at one point. Fantastic views to the right (my hometown of Kingsport) and the left, the next ridge I'll be running. These two ridges meet and you head west on the other. While the ridges are straight, they are far from flat! You are either going up, or down . . . almost never flat. At about the five mile point you pass a cool fire tower (again incredible views!!). After the fire tower, the ups/downs settle down some and the running is pretty easy but the views go away. Not really great views in the rains we were having anyway!
Finally, I took the trail that dropped off the ridge and down to Back Hollow and on to the "road." Guess at one point this really was a road, but now it was a creek/bog/mud pit! For every 100 yards of dry land there is at least another 100 yards of creek to run down! You ford the stream several times and at several points you go through a bog . . . the mud was "shoe sucking!" Once, it literally sucked my trail shoe off my foot! Lots of fun reaching down and trying to find your shoe in a foot or more of mud! Then, hobbling to the stream in socks to "wash" the mud out and get your shoe back on!
I continued down the stream / road until in intersects with Front Hollow "road." This really is a somewhat passable road . . . if you have a non-stock jeep set up for impossibly hard off-road!! The rain stopped by the time I got to this section, but the mud holes were full. This was a long, slow sloppy uphill section to Ledbetter Gap, then a long, slow downhill to where I started . . . about 13.5 miles done and one more lap to go. I re-supplied with Gatorade and had a bowl of chicken noodle soup then headed out again. The weather was now clear and the views were GREAT! I took it easy, walking the uphills and running the downs (very few flat parts, but I ran the few that were there!).
After the fire tower I took a little longer route and tried a trail that was new to me. While the trail did have blazes, it had probably been a couple of years since anyone had been through . . . down trees everywhere, no footprints ever and the trail was REALLY hard to follow. Plus, whoever put the trail in had never learned of the concept of a switchback. This trail went STRAIGHT DOWN the mountain! (more on this part later!). Finally, I came to Back Hollow and continued on. I struggle up Ledbetter Hollow to the gap and a nice, slow run back to my car in about 7 hours! Not a great time, but if you adjust for elevation changes and mud bogs, it wasn't too bad!
After I got home and showered off the mud, I realized that the downhill trail without switchbacks I had really done a number on two of my toenails . . . black and blue, painful as hell and destined to come off! Damn! I'm really sore after this run . . . WAY worse than my 50-miler!
Still, this was a spectacular day. I love running alone in the woods! All day long and I never saw a person! Seven turkeys, one squirrel but no people! What I really miss though, is sharing this super run with my running friends!
ps - It is now Monday afternoon . . . and I'm still sore! What is up with this??
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Now . . . what do I do?
All I could think of was . . . "What in the heck was I thinking?"
It was getting dark, the bottom of my left foot was burning from blisters, my right ankle hurt from a mis-step just past the 3/4 of the way, and when I ran all I could manage was a painful "survival shuffle." But all I had was 5 more miles to go!
Thanks to the really bad influences of my Mangum Track Club (MTC) fellow members, my personal running goal for 2009 was to run a 50 mile run. Before meeting these folks I was very happy just running marathons.
I was going to make my 50 mile attempt at the Rocky Mount "Relay for Life" event in April. But I started getting worried! My fitness level seemed to be declining. Had two "bad" marathons in a row (George Washington's Birthday Marathon in MD and Umstead Trail Marathon two weeks ago in Raleigh). My job was keeping me from a significant number of my normal daily runs at lunch. And the runs I could make, I was struggling through. So I was worried. Plus, I needed to do a 50k run soon to "hold my fitness level" until the late April Relay . . . but there weren't any close by! Add to that, I started thinking more and more about doing 200 laps round and round and round a 400 meter track! Sounded worse and worse to me!
So I decide to "go for it" early! Rocky Mount has a great 1/2 marathon course that's not too terribly hilly, and is essentially a figure 8 course . . . Plus, there is a parking lot at the intersection of the two loops that I could use as my "home base."
Brad Weisner decided he wanted to go part way with me. Brad and I get along GREAT! And we have a similar pace so this was perfect!
Saturday morning started out in the 30s with "Carolina Blue" skies! Several of my ultra running friends had told me to start out going WAY slower then I really thought I should, so I listened to their advice. Brad and I were nearing completion of lap 1 when we met up with Elaine (Brad's wife) and Misty Schmitt, another RMEC marathoner. Then, we saw Andy Barker and Carol Dickens (more friends and RMECers) who had come to ride bikes with us . . . and brought a grocery store full of supplies!
After another 6-7 miles, Carol, Misty and Elaine went for coffee and donuts as Brad, Andy and I continued. Brad had told me last Thursday he might try to do 26.2! And that is exactly what he did! Amazing! Not much prep work at all! I'm guessing his "long run" in the last few weeks was 12 miles max!
At the marathon point I had a "sinking spell" of sorts. Felt really tired. So I had a cup of cold chicken noodle soup, some ibuprofen and headed out with Misty and Elaine.
Brad packed it in (though it seemed to me he could easily have kept going . . . he is amazing!) as did Andy and Carol. But Misty and Elaine decide that wanted to do another 5 miles! We walked about 3/4 mile and I started to recover.
We took a quick pit stop at Chico's. As we started to run again, I had a mis-step and twisted my ankle! I can't tell you the sinking feeling I had! To go this far and have this happen! Damn! But I kept moving and it did start to feel better. So I continued on. Got back to the car where Elaine and Misty said good-bye and I headed on alone towards Battle Park.
I started craving a Micky D's double quarter pound cheeseburger and a Diet Coke. So I called Connie (who was standing by to help any way she could!) and she met me in the park with the goods! I can't tell you how good that tasted! The coke was exactly what I needed and it was really good to see Connie! She picked up my spirits! Continued on to MLK Park and made the circle when Andy called and wondered where I was. Met him for a 1 1/2 miles or so back to the falls. Then, I continued on by myself to my car where I re-fueled (more chicken noodle soup!) for the final 11 miles!
I was really still doing okay at that point! Decided to do all 11 miles in the West Haven area, since I knew darkness was coming and Battle Park was probably not the place to be running / walking in the dark, even though I had my headlight.
Up until mile 44 or so I had managed to stayed in good spirits but then the wheels tsarted to fall off. Another "sinking spell" hit and hit hard! About that time I saw Brad! He had come looking for me and offered to walk the last 5 1/2, but I told him "no"! After his marathon, he had gone home and cut his grass! This guy is crazy!
Soon after seeing Brad, I got a another call from my son, Michael (he had called periodically all day). Another "pick-up" in my spirits! By this time it was getting really dark Only 4 miles to go . . . but I was struggling badly! Got a call from Michael Forrester (RMEC "Grand Popa") who wanted to meet and do the last 3 miles with me! Again, another lift of my spirits! I was doing the "survival shuffle" . . . sort of running the down-hills, but walking most of everything else!
Passed Chico's one last time and headed for the car and the end of this run. And who was there but Connie! With my favorite - Cracker Barrel's chicken and rice!!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/triple_f/sets/72157615760836664/ for pictures!
Glad this one is over! 13 hours and 44 minutes! Don't believe this is quite world record pace . . . but it was a PR for me! And since I was the only "competitor" I guess I won! And set a new 50 mile course record to boot!
And most importantly, the American Cancer Society got needed contributions! I hope it helps!
My recipe for success!
- 7 bottles of Gatorade,
- 4 ginger creams,
- 2 cups of chicken noodle soup,
- one snickers bar,
- one Reece's Cup,
- 10 gels,
- some "bridge mix",
- a diet coke and
- 1/2 of a Mickey Ds' Double 1/4 pound cheeseburger!
- create your own "race" (and don't tell anyone) Guarenteed to improve your chances for victory!
- a bunch of really GREAT friends for support!
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Umstead Trail Marathon 2009
It is so much more fun to be at races with friends!!! Dave Lavely, Scott Wingfield, Michael Forrester and Cam Kelly all ran (see above picture)! Got to spend a bunch of time together before the race! Friends just makes it better!
Talk about tough . . . this marathon was a tough one! Two factors: 1) hills and 2) temperature.
Umstead is a great place to run and it has it all! Single track trails, fine gravel roads, flat areas and, of course, hills . . . lots of hills. The first half of the race seemed to be a tad flatter then the second half. But it maybe I just got tired for the second half.
The hills were hard but really not that bad, I've run much harder hills.
About half way, we went through a section called Turkey Creek North. Three tough hills in a row, hit a flat section for maybe 1/2 mile, then turn around and go back the way we had come. Really hard given the temperature . . . by this time the temperatures had climbed into the low 80s. For the last three weeks, we have had temperature daily highs in the 20s, 30s and low 40s. Snow the previous weekend. Just no time to get use to higher temperatures!
When I finally got back to the RMEC (Rocky Mount Endurance Club) manned aid station a little past mile 19 , the race official told me I had missed the cut-off by seconds. I talked him in to letting me try to make the next cut-off point. Not sure how far it was . . . maybe 1-1/2 miles. But I gave it all I had (which really wasn't all that much!) but I can't remember when a ran that hard! And I made it! So, from that point on - no more cut-offs! All I had to do was finish. Got to admit I really struggled and was spent at the finish. But I finished . . . the last official finisher!
A special thanks to the RMEC members who gave up a beautiful Saturday, drive from Rocky Mount to Raleigh and man the aid station! Ryan Bullard, Steve Cooper, Larry McKeel . . . I remember seeing all you! Believe Ursula Forrester was there too, but I don't remember seeing her.
And another special "thank you" to the Godiva Track Club and all the incredible volunteer out! Aid stations were great! Smiling and encouraging folks at every stop! Especially liked the "South of the Border" stop on Turkey Creek trail . . . they cracked me up and picked up my spirits! All through the race, but especially after mile 16 or so, volunteers on bikes were constantly coming up and asking if I was okay and if I needed water, gels or electrolytes (I'm sure they were worried when they saw me . . . I probably looked like hell and was moving at a snail's pace!) I've done a number of marathons on warm days, but I've never been to a race that was so supportive to the runners! THANK YOU ALL!
Here are some more pictures: http://www.flickr.com/photos/triple_f/sets/72157614892534807/
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Why stop at 26.2??
Guess I've rambled on about this before, but I'm amazed at the mental barrier that exists at 26.2 miles!
True . . . a marathon is hard . . . really hard. For many folks a marathon is the ultimate running challenge. I definitely remember my first marathon. I trained for 16 weeks. Hard. Dealt with injuries. But still started the race with doubts about my ability to finish the full 26.2 miles. When I got a spot near the finish line where I KNEW I would finish, I started crying! Yea . . . I know . . . but I did! It was the hardest damn thing I had every done . . . by far! I didn't have another 50 yards of running in me. At least that's what I thought.
I did quite a few more and each time when I got to the finish I WAS DONE! Nothing left in the tank.
But then I joined the Mangum Track Club thanks to an invitation by Cam Kelley. After the 15 mile "shirt run" required to join the club, we all stood around and talked . . . mainly about running. Soon it became clear I was probably the ONLY person there that had ONLY run a marathon. One really neat lady, Marie Lewis, had just finished a 100 mile run, and most everyone was talking about one 50 miler vs another.
This started me thinking about distances longer than 26.2 miles. So that spring I tried my first ultramarathon . . . a 50k event called the Capon Valley 50k. It about killed me but I did it! And it wasn't the distance, it was the hills / mountains! I've done several since and I now think I understand!!
It's not the distance! No . . . It's how far you PLAN on running that really matters. If you start out thinking your going to run a 10k, its hard to keep going and do 10 miles. Get your mind set on a 1/2 marathon and a marathon is impossible. If you start out to run a marathon, any further it just too far. BUT, if you start out thinking I'm running 31 miles, its no big deal when you pass the marathon point . . . you know you still got 5+ miles to got and you are ready for it.
Basically, it's all in your mind once you pass a minimum fitness level.
I'm getting ready to test this "theory" when I try to run 50 miles for the first time. Stay tuned and see if my theory proves true. In the mean time . . . if you are a marathoner . . . try a 50k!
True . . . a marathon is hard . . . really hard. For many folks a marathon is the ultimate running challenge. I definitely remember my first marathon. I trained for 16 weeks. Hard. Dealt with injuries. But still started the race with doubts about my ability to finish the full 26.2 miles. When I got a spot near the finish line where I KNEW I would finish, I started crying! Yea . . . I know . . . but I did! It was the hardest damn thing I had every done . . . by far! I didn't have another 50 yards of running in me. At least that's what I thought.
I did quite a few more and each time when I got to the finish I WAS DONE! Nothing left in the tank.
But then I joined the Mangum Track Club thanks to an invitation by Cam Kelley. After the 15 mile "shirt run" required to join the club, we all stood around and talked . . . mainly about running. Soon it became clear I was probably the ONLY person there that had ONLY run a marathon. One really neat lady, Marie Lewis, had just finished a 100 mile run, and most everyone was talking about one 50 miler vs another.
This started me thinking about distances longer than 26.2 miles. So that spring I tried my first ultramarathon . . . a 50k event called the Capon Valley 50k. It about killed me but I did it! And it wasn't the distance, it was the hills / mountains! I've done several since and I now think I understand!!
It's not the distance! No . . . It's how far you PLAN on running that really matters. If you start out thinking your going to run a 10k, its hard to keep going and do 10 miles. Get your mind set on a 1/2 marathon and a marathon is impossible. If you start out to run a marathon, any further it just too far. BUT, if you start out thinking I'm running 31 miles, its no big deal when you pass the marathon point . . . you know you still got 5+ miles to got and you are ready for it.
Basically, it's all in your mind once you pass a minimum fitness level.
I'm getting ready to test this "theory" when I try to run 50 miles for the first time. Stay tuned and see if my theory proves true. In the mean time . . . if you are a marathoner . . . try a 50k!
Monday, February 16, 2009
Washington's Birthday Marathon
If you are planning your 2010 marathon schedule, this is one to miss!
Okay . . . if I had had a great run, maybe my view would be different. As it was, it wasn't one of my better days. Started out too fast and the course just didn't fit me very well.
A few good things though:
1) Met some neat people - Three folks I ran with blew me away. One lady, Caroline Williamson, had run a trail 50k the DAY before!!! Two others ladies (Tammy and Tammy!!) had run the Rocky Raccoon 50 miler the weekend before! I felt totally inadequate running with these three!! Plus, ran in to a few other runners I sort of knew (Monica Nop and "Redbird"). Picture is of one of the Tammy's and Caroline on the right.
2) Nice Shirt. It wasn't coton, but nice looking.
3) My daughter, Laurie, and her boyfriend jeff Lamb surprised me at the finish line! Connie came on the trip with me and she knew they were coming, but I was VERY surprised! Laurie is in College of Charleston in Charleston, SC and Jeff is at Georgetown in DC. Laurie was up visiting for the long weekend but I expected them to spend their precious little time together. What a nice surprise!
4) The race had an early start (9:30 am) for us slow runners, and the real race started at 10:30. Better for volunteers and for us turtles.
5) One man . . . one boom box . . . out cheering by himself in 40 degree temps for all three laps! He rocks!! I always amazes me how someone cheering and shouting encourgement help! He was amazing!
But the race negatives were major to me.
1) First, the course was not closed to traffic so we had to run on the left and the roads were very crowned. Not good . . . lots of stress on your left ankle and hip. My hip is fine but my left ankle is killing me! Pain started at about mile 17 or so! Several times I considered quitting! I've never done that before!
2) The course was weird . . . you run about 2-3 miles to get to the loop, run three loops in a triangle (one leg was pretty, the other two sucked!), then back. The one leg was really nice . . . wooded, farmland, etc. on a very lightly traveled road but the second leg had more traffic and way less to look at. The third leg was just BAD! Lot's of traffic and no views.
3) The medal was not dated!! Just a sticker on the back with the date! I've got to admit, I really like getting a medal for either a marathon or ultra. I'm not much on giving medals for lessor distances except for kids.
4) Mixed feeling about the marathon relay. Added confusion but do like to see ways of getting more people out there! At least the folks at the relay exchange point cheered some!!! Relay runners had different color sashes depeding on the event they entered. Guess that make the race management easier, but I would have liked a different color sash for each leg . . . yellow for the first lap, green for the second lap runner and red for the last lap runner.
5) Everything was confusing! Hard to find race hotel, check-in process seemed unplanned, race day packet pickup was the same, Pretty much nothing at the finish line. I believe with just a little more pre-planning all this could be fixed.
Overall, a good race to miss unless they make some significant changes . . . esecially with the course itself. Seems to me like perhaps they could make this a combo road run using the first leg on the road and a trail section looping back through the Goddard Space prperty . . . know permissions might be hard to work out but something needs to be done.
Lavely, you didn't miss much!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Getting Ready
Okay . . . if you didn't know . . . my running goal this year is to run 50 miles.
After a lot of back and forth searches for the "perfect race" to make my try I have settled on something that is not a race at all! I'm going to RUN the Rocky Mount Relay for Life put on by the American Cancer Society on April 24th. While it's not a race at all, I do believe it will be a good place to try to reach my goal.
The Positives
- It will be flat! No hills on a track!
- There should be a lot of supportive people around.
- Aid station every lap.
- Medical help is always close.
- A bathroom every 400 meters!
- A chance to raise money to help in the fight against cancer.
- I'll have 24 hours to finish.
- I won't have to drive much after I finish.
- Going "round and round" may get old REALLY quick. Boring!
- Walkers will inadvertently get in my way.
- All the noise (music, PA, etc) may get on my nerves and there will be no way to escape!
I hope so. I ran a 50k race on Jan 9th and another on Jan 31st. I plan to run another 50k in late Feb and one in late March. Plus, two or three marathons in there somewhere. Then, have a two or three week taper.
Hope this will be enough!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
The Perfect Day?
What a great day for running!
Headed out this morning at about 9 am. Temperatures were in the low 50s and it was cloudy . . . with no wind! Just a fun day. Ended up doing about 13.5 and managed an 10:50 pace. Not so shabby for me. Just a totally enjoyable run. Did the last 4 miles in my subdivision and I couldn't believe how many people were out walking! And even passed one runner! Wow! The mild temperatures were just want everyone was looking for.
Got my new GPS and tried it out today. I believe it is more sensitive than my old one I lost. Can't wait to try it at Medoc! My old one never worked there so hopefully this new Garmin 205 will do the trick! Maybe tomorrow I go run 6-8 miles there and see. The map part isn't all that great, According to the map, I started my run about 50 yards off-shore! And managed to run about 3 miles in the water!!!
Headed out this morning at about 9 am. Temperatures were in the low 50s and it was cloudy . . . with no wind! Just a fun day. Ended up doing about 13.5 and managed an 10:50 pace. Not so shabby for me. Just a totally enjoyable run. Did the last 4 miles in my subdivision and I couldn't believe how many people were out walking! And even passed one runner! Wow! The mild temperatures were just want everyone was looking for.
Got my new GPS and tried it out today. I believe it is more sensitive than my old one I lost. Can't wait to try it at Medoc! My old one never worked there so hopefully this new Garmin 205 will do the trick! Maybe tomorrow I go run 6-8 miles there and see. The map part isn't all that great, According to the map, I started my run about 50 yards off-shore! And managed to run about 3 miles in the water!!!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
How hard is an Ultra?
A good friend, Michael Forrester, just finished running a really good race at the Disney Marathon. Near the end of our conversation, Michael said something like "Yeah . . . but this was just a marathon. It pales next to running your 50k." I said something like "But a 50k really isn't much harder than a 50k" which he dismissed quickly.
Interesting . . . must people think an ultra is WAY harder than whatever it is they are doing. They know how tired they feel when they finish a marathon and they can't imagine going further. I, too, have fallen in this logical trap! It seems to make sense. But it's simply not true!
Even today, when I run a marathon, I'm spent at the end! In my mind I couldn't go any further. But I do go further when I run a 50k! Do I run slower at a 50k? Maybe a little slower, not not so much. Do I walk more? Not really.
I think the answer is all in your head! We mentally prepare for something and when we get to the end . . . that's it! I think a marathoner would easily be able to finish a 50k by JUST preparing for a marathon! No more training miles needed! The difference will be when you go to the race you know you're going to run 31 miles, not 26.2 miles.
I actually believe the same thing is true for running a marathon. All the "experts" tell us we need to run at least one 18-20 miler in training. And maybe to run a fast marathon, this is true! Certainly, it does help with your personal confidence. But if you just want to finish 26.2 miles, you can easily get by with less.
Most folks running their first marathon have as their primary goal "to finish." I believe if one enters a 50k with the same goal, they will find the same thing I have found. A 50k is harder than a marathon, but not THAT much harder! Maybe you don't run quite so fast . . . but you can do it. It's just making your mind up to try!
I hope this holds true for running 50 miles! I'm told by many folks who have run 50 that it is! Guess I'll find out for sure pretty soon!
In the mean time, you marathoners consider trying a 50k . . . I think you'll be surprised!
Interesting . . . must people think an ultra is WAY harder than whatever it is they are doing. They know how tired they feel when they finish a marathon and they can't imagine going further. I, too, have fallen in this logical trap! It seems to make sense. But it's simply not true!
Even today, when I run a marathon, I'm spent at the end! In my mind I couldn't go any further. But I do go further when I run a 50k! Do I run slower at a 50k? Maybe a little slower, not not so much. Do I walk more? Not really.
I think the answer is all in your head! We mentally prepare for something and when we get to the end . . . that's it! I think a marathoner would easily be able to finish a 50k by JUST preparing for a marathon! No more training miles needed! The difference will be when you go to the race you know you're going to run 31 miles, not 26.2 miles.
I actually believe the same thing is true for running a marathon. All the "experts" tell us we need to run at least one 18-20 miler in training. And maybe to run a fast marathon, this is true! Certainly, it does help with your personal confidence. But if you just want to finish 26.2 miles, you can easily get by with less.
Most folks running their first marathon have as their primary goal "to finish." I believe if one enters a 50k with the same goal, they will find the same thing I have found. A 50k is harder than a marathon, but not THAT much harder! Maybe you don't run quite so fast . . . but you can do it. It's just making your mind up to try!
I hope this holds true for running 50 miles! I'm told by many folks who have run 50 that it is! Guess I'll find out for sure pretty soon!
In the mean time, you marathoners consider trying a 50k . . . I think you'll be surprised!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Frosty 50k
Today was a great day at the Frosty 50k!
Temperatures started in the 20s but not too bad at all. The Frosty course takes the group on a nice, flat trail around Salem Lake and then on a paved green way for a couple of miles. Turn around and run back. Lap 1 completed . . . about 15.6 or so. Turn around and do it again! The trail really is pretty flat and very scenic. A great place to run! The Twin Cities Track Club does a nice job with this event. Only thing lacking was I REALLY wanted lobster when I pass the aid station around 23 miles . . . but they told me they had just run out! Go figure! They did offer crab legs but that just wasn't the same!
I wasn't flying but I did well. Passed the marathon point at 5:27 and ended with a 6:38. My previous best was about 8:10, so I REALLY PRed here! Of course, that 8:10 was on a course where we climbed a mountain . . . twice. Plus I got lost and ran an extra 2 miles. But still . . . I PRed!! Whee!! My big accomplish was to not get lapped by the eventual winner! Had to really book it for 2 miles so he wouldn't pass me. He ran a 3:09 50k and a course record.
Frosty 50k comments:
o interesting and beautify course
o nice and flat
o nice shirt (wish it were cotton)
o neat finisher's medal.
o fun people, great crowd!
o volunteers were great. How much do I appreciate the folks who tank their personal time to make our day better? They totally rock!
o aid stations were very good . . . water, Gatorade (or similar) peanut butter, bagels, Krispy Creme donuts, pretzels, M&M, cookies . . . etc.
All in all a REALLY fun race and a great day.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
2009 . . . Ready, Set, GO!
In some ways, 2008 was a great year! A lot of big events: James got married, Eric Spencer (my nephew) got married, Michael got into Clemson's graduate school . . . But 2008 was a tough year in other ways. No matter, 2008 is done.
Running wise (and that is what this blog is supposed to be about primarily!) I did achieve my 2008 goal of 12 marathons during the year (okay, I originally said "a marathon a month" but getting sick killed that possibility so a slightly adjusted!) Turns out 12 marathons in a year really wasn't all that hard to do. So . . . what are my 2009 goals going to be?
For one thing, I do plan to stay active running. I do enjoy the longer distances more than the 5-10k type races. Plus, I don't seem to have as many injuries since I backed off the speed and increased distances. But "staying active" isn't much of a goal. I guess I want a goal that will be hard to accomplish. One that I may even fail if I attempt it. An easy goal isn't much of a goal.
So for 2009 I want to run 50 miles . . . in one run. Probably I'll do this at some official race . . . probably attempt it fairly early in the year so I'll have time for a second attempt, if necessary. I do want to find an event where the course is flat! But it would be pretty cool to maybe run 1/2 of Shenandoah National Park! That would take quite a bit of support and crew assistance. Still, it's something to consider.
But it does seem like this goal has what is necessary to be a good 2009 goal . . . simple, specific, hard and possible. So, that's it. A 50-miler in 2009.
How about you?
Running wise (and that is what this blog is supposed to be about primarily!) I did achieve my 2008 goal of 12 marathons during the year (okay, I originally said "a marathon a month" but getting sick killed that possibility so a slightly adjusted!) Turns out 12 marathons in a year really wasn't all that hard to do. So . . . what are my 2009 goals going to be?
For one thing, I do plan to stay active running. I do enjoy the longer distances more than the 5-10k type races. Plus, I don't seem to have as many injuries since I backed off the speed and increased distances. But "staying active" isn't much of a goal. I guess I want a goal that will be hard to accomplish. One that I may even fail if I attempt it. An easy goal isn't much of a goal.
So for 2009 I want to run 50 miles . . . in one run. Probably I'll do this at some official race . . . probably attempt it fairly early in the year so I'll have time for a second attempt, if necessary. I do want to find an event where the course is flat! But it would be pretty cool to maybe run 1/2 of Shenandoah National Park! That would take quite a bit of support and crew assistance. Still, it's something to consider.
But it does seem like this goal has what is necessary to be a good 2009 goal . . . simple, specific, hard and possible. So, that's it. A 50-miler in 2009.
How about you?
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Smokin' Hot
You know I'm not talking about myself!
Today, we're talking weather! And 75 degrees is NOT smokin' hot during the summer, but for a long run on December 28th, that's pretty frickin' hot!
Races just didn't line up too well during the Christmas season and there was just too much time between the Thunder Road Marathon on December 13th and the Frosty 50k on January 10th. So, I needed to do a long run. Unfortunately, I chose today!
Couldn't bring myself to get up too early, so I headed out at about 9:30 am. Actually I felt really good for the first 14 miles or so. Winds were really high and I knew it would be easier to be heading into them to start . . . but they where to my back for the first 4 miles. But after about 9 miles and heading back to the southside of the lake, I still felt good. Winds were bad across the Eaton's Ferry bridge and the hill up was tough. But I was keeping a fairly good pace.
Once to the top, I picked up a bottle of Gatoraide I had dropped and headed over to Eaton's Crossing and those hills! They kicked my ass. Then, into another subdivision and I was dragging. Survival shuffle back to Eaton's Ferry Estates and my house.
We all have good days and bad days. Clearly, this wasn't a good day! But the question is why wasn't it? I had had two weeks rest from my last marathon. Should be plenty of rest. Was it the temperature? Maybe . . . but 75 degrees isn't all that hot!
Still . . . 18.7 miles. Done. But not a very positive run leading to the Frosty 50k January 10. But I keep telling myself the temperature was a big factor . . . Guess we'll see come January 10th.
Today, we're talking weather! And 75 degrees is NOT smokin' hot during the summer, but for a long run on December 28th, that's pretty frickin' hot!
Races just didn't line up too well during the Christmas season and there was just too much time between the Thunder Road Marathon on December 13th and the Frosty 50k on January 10th. So, I needed to do a long run. Unfortunately, I chose today!
Couldn't bring myself to get up too early, so I headed out at about 9:30 am. Actually I felt really good for the first 14 miles or so. Winds were really high and I knew it would be easier to be heading into them to start . . . but they where to my back for the first 4 miles. But after about 9 miles and heading back to the southside of the lake, I still felt good. Winds were bad across the Eaton's Ferry bridge and the hill up was tough. But I was keeping a fairly good pace.
Once to the top, I picked up a bottle of Gatoraide I had dropped and headed over to Eaton's Crossing and those hills! They kicked my ass. Then, into another subdivision and I was dragging. Survival shuffle back to Eaton's Ferry Estates and my house.
We all have good days and bad days. Clearly, this wasn't a good day! But the question is why wasn't it? I had had two weeks rest from my last marathon. Should be plenty of rest. Was it the temperature? Maybe . . . but 75 degrees isn't all that hot!
Still . . . 18.7 miles. Done. But not a very positive run leading to the Frosty 50k January 10. But I keep telling myself the temperature was a big factor . . . Guess we'll see come January 10th.
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Some days are just great!
Let's face it runners . . . some days are better then others!
We've all had them. You're feeling good, weather is nice, but for some reason, it's not a great day. Other times, you're not all that excited to start, but the run ends up being great. Today I was really excited to run, as I had to miss the last three days. Weather was perfect for me, overcast and 45 degrees or so. Was expecting rain but it never came. But for some magical reason, everything felt perfect. I limited myself to only 13 miles, but I wanted more! I felt great from start to finish. It's days like this that keep me going. Suffer through the hard days and enjoy the good one!
We've all had them. You're feeling good, weather is nice, but for some reason, it's not a great day. Other times, you're not all that excited to start, but the run ends up being great. Today I was really excited to run, as I had to miss the last three days. Weather was perfect for me, overcast and 45 degrees or so. Was expecting rain but it never came. But for some magical reason, everything felt perfect. I limited myself to only 13 miles, but I wanted more! I felt great from start to finish. It's days like this that keep me going. Suffer through the hard days and enjoy the good one!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Done . . . Goal Achieved!
I did it! 12 marathons in 2008. A marathon a month. It was a good goal . . . achievable, simple to state, understand and remember. And it sounds hard.
But when you get down to it, it's really not that bad. All it really takes is a desire to do it and a little luck on the injury front. Heck, a friend of mine, Doug Dawkins, just finished his goal . . . running across the US from Atlantic Beach, NC to Mission Beach, California. 122 days covering 2,700 miles. That's averaging over 22 miles a day and he didn't run every day . . . he took some days off!
So a marathon a month really isn't all that much. But considering work and everything it wasn't bad!
The only really hard part was deciding to still try for the goal after getting sick. On August 8th I got sick (night before James and Cheryl's wedding) and couldn't start running again until September 27th. 7 weeks is a long time and I lost a lot of fitness due to both the lack of running and the sickness. When I started back, 2 miles was a struggle . . . but I built back up and decided to attempt the OBX marathon November 9th and see how it would go. If I remember correctly, my long run was 15 miles in preparation.
While I did struggle, things when fairly well, so I started thinking about the goal again. The next weekend was the Richmond Marathon, and I decided to give it a shot. While I worried about "back-to-back" marathons, it really proved to not be a factor all. Did "back-to-back" marathons again December 6th and yesterday . . . again, not a problem at all.
So . . . where were they?
1. First Light Marathon – Mobile, AL January 12, 2008
2. Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon – Myrtle Beach, SC February 16, 2008
3. Rocky Mount Marathon – Rocky Mount, NC March 14, 2008
4. Ellerbe Springs Marathon – Ellerbe Springs, NC March 28, 2008
5. Country Music Marathon – Nashville, TN April 25, 2008
6. Capon Valley 50K – Yellow Spring, WV May 9, 2008
7. Boogie Marathon - Ellerbe Springs, NC June 14, 2008
8. Sweaty Butt 50k - Raleigh, NC July 5, 2008
9. OBX Marathon – Kitty Hawk, NC November 9, 2008
10. Richmond Marathon – Richmond, VA November 15, 2008
11. Medoc Trail Marathon Re-Run – Hollister, NC December 6, 2008
12. Thunder Road Marathon – Charlotte, NC December 13, 2008
My favotite? Hard to say. Loved Boogie, Capon Valley, Richmond, Medoc and surprisingly Charlotte. Looking at them, they either were a unique / different event (Boogie, Capon Valley and Medoc) or well done with an interesting course and good support.
My least favotite? Country Music by far. Though it was really neat running that race with James as his first marathon. Really surprising since this is one of the Rock 'n Roll events. Lot's of areas they should do MUCH better (parking, shirt, medal, finish area, and the second 1/2 of the course was terrible!)
Best medal / award? Guess I'm biased somewhat (!) but I think the Medoc medal is #1 followed by Charlotte. For me, this is a good place to show creativity and spend a little money.
Least favorite medal / award? Well, Capon Valley gave nothing at all! Nor did the Sweaty Butt 50k. But the Boogie marathon gave a ceramic coffee mug . . . with the race info scratched on the bottom! Totally worthless! I think a marathon deserves a medal. Period. No mugs, No glasses, no belt buckle. Medals. (Guess "fat ass" races like the Sweaty Butt get a hall pass here, since these are put on by one or two individuals and there is no entry fee.)
Best shirt? Capon Valley, Medoc Charlotte and Boogie were all really great designs. Just wish race directors would forget the technical shirts and go back to 100% cotton. And a fall marathon shirt needs to be long-sleeved cotton . . . no exception. But, Capon Valley wins! Very different and no ads!
Worst shirt? No competition here at all! This shirt was by far the WORST I've ever seen or heard of! Myrtle Beach . . take a bow as the race with the worst taste!
So, this goal is over. How about 2009? I need a goal. Been thinking about some . . . we'll see. Stay tuned.
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Re-run was a blast!
To me this is what running is all about!
Probably 35 folks showed up on a cold Saturday morning to participate in the Medoc Re-run. For those of you that don't know, this run was a chance for those of us that worked on the Medoc Trail Races to earn a medal by doing either the 10-miler or the marathon. Also, anyone else was invited too! If you just couldn't make it to the real race, or just later decided to come. Anyone was welcome!
Probably 30 folks opted for the 10-miler and five of us chose the marathon.
The first part was truly crazy . . . soooo many people got lost &/or turned around. I met probably 6-10 folks going the wrong way! Passed Brad Wiesner and Kevin Boudreau probably three times!! And they were trying to do the 10-miler!
The whole day was social . . . not a race at all! The five of us doing the marathon met up after each lap, just having fun, taking pictures and trying to keep warm! William, Levi, Tom, Dave and I had a BLAST!
Tom twisted his knee a little and so he and I just cooled it . . . running some, walking some and talking a ton! Heck, we ventured off the route to explore! No time worries at all!
Running was tough with all the leaves. I took 5 falls . . . one I got a 9.7 for style, but the rest were just thuds!! Hard falls but not cuts! Just each time it scrambled my brain a little!
But I finished and that makes 11 completed and one to go!!
Oddly enough I'm really sore after Medoc. I'm surprised! Actually when I finished the 26.2 I considered going for another lap (34-35 miles) but I was just too cold and the last lap had taken too long. So why am I sore??
My plan is to do the Charlotte Thunder Road Marathon this coming weekend for 12 marathons in 2008. Hope the soreness diminishes before then. Otherwise, it would be the Jacksonville, FL Marathon the following weekend. A long drive!
We'll see. But the Medoc Re-run was a blast!
Probably 35 folks showed up on a cold Saturday morning to participate in the Medoc Re-run. For those of you that don't know, this run was a chance for those of us that worked on the Medoc Trail Races to earn a medal by doing either the 10-miler or the marathon. Also, anyone else was invited too! If you just couldn't make it to the real race, or just later decided to come. Anyone was welcome!
Probably 30 folks opted for the 10-miler and five of us chose the marathon.
The first part was truly crazy . . . soooo many people got lost &/or turned around. I met probably 6-10 folks going the wrong way! Passed Brad Wiesner and Kevin Boudreau probably three times!! And they were trying to do the 10-miler!
The whole day was social . . . not a race at all! The five of us doing the marathon met up after each lap, just having fun, taking pictures and trying to keep warm! William, Levi, Tom, Dave and I had a BLAST!
Tom twisted his knee a little and so he and I just cooled it . . . running some, walking some and talking a ton! Heck, we ventured off the route to explore! No time worries at all!
Running was tough with all the leaves. I took 5 falls . . . one I got a 9.7 for style, but the rest were just thuds!! Hard falls but not cuts! Just each time it scrambled my brain a little!
But I finished and that makes 11 completed and one to go!!
Oddly enough I'm really sore after Medoc. I'm surprised! Actually when I finished the 26.2 I considered going for another lap (34-35 miles) but I was just too cold and the last lap had taken too long. So why am I sore??
My plan is to do the Charlotte Thunder Road Marathon this coming weekend for 12 marathons in 2008. Hope the soreness diminishes before then. Otherwise, it would be the Jacksonville, FL Marathon the following weekend. A long drive!
We'll see. But the Medoc Re-run was a blast!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thanksgiving is behind us and the Re-Run looms!
One week off work. Way too much to eat. Not nearly enough mileage last week. Sounds perfect for a good Medoc Re-Run marathon next weekend!
The Medoc Mountain Re-run (for anyone reading this that doesn't know) is a chance for those of us that worked at the October 4th Medoc Trail Races to do either the 10-miler or the marathon and earn the medal. I'm planning on the marathon. That gives me just one more marathon before the end of 2009 to average a marathon (or longer) a month during 2009. My 2009 running goal. Right now I have two more marathons to go . . .
The Medoc Mountain Re-run (for anyone reading this that doesn't know) is a chance for those of us that worked at the October 4th Medoc Trail Races to do either the 10-miler or the marathon and earn the medal. I'm planning on the marathon. That gives me just one more marathon before the end of 2009 to average a marathon (or longer) a month during 2009. My 2009 running goal. Right now I have two more marathons to go . . .
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Richmond Marathon - Great!
First I did a little better here . . . ran a 5:33 and felt really good, in spit of doing OBX last weekend. Quite frankly I had absolutely no ill effects from the marathon last weekend . . . go figure!
For the first 15-16 miles I ran with a RICHMOND native that was QUITE an inspiration! Tim Samulson was one of the nicest guys I've met in quite a while. Tim lives just south of Richmond, is married with twin 5 year olds. But Tim has had to deal with TWO seperate bouts with cancer. One testicular cancer and the other was a lump of cancer in his neck. After the last fight he promised himself he would run a marathon if he survived.
I can attest that Tim has survived and he finished his marathon with a 5:20 (he ran off and left me at about mile 15-16). Tim . . you made my day, I was impressed with everything about you. Wish I knew your wife and family . . . I'm sure they are GREAT too! Thank you for letting me run with you for a while!
Good to see and talk with Don Garber again. Don is a prince! Hope he comes to the Medoc Re-Run
Richmond changed their course just a little . . . bypassed a really ugly section near the end! Much better!
My Richmond Marathon complaint was I didn't like their shirt . . . AGAIN! Please give me a long-sleeve cotton short and forget the tech shirts . . . ESPECIALLY short sleeved tech shirts!!
All in all , , , A GREAT DAY!
For the first 15-16 miles I ran with a RICHMOND native that was QUITE an inspiration! Tim Samulson was one of the nicest guys I've met in quite a while. Tim lives just south of Richmond, is married with twin 5 year olds. But Tim has had to deal with TWO seperate bouts with cancer. One testicular cancer and the other was a lump of cancer in his neck. After the last fight he promised himself he would run a marathon if he survived.
I can attest that Tim has survived and he finished his marathon with a 5:20 (he ran off and left me at about mile 15-16). Tim . . you made my day, I was impressed with everything about you. Wish I knew your wife and family . . . I'm sure they are GREAT too! Thank you for letting me run with you for a while!
Good to see and talk with Don Garber again. Don is a prince! Hope he comes to the Medoc Re-Run
Richmond changed their course just a little . . . bypassed a really ugly section near the end! Much better!
My Richmond Marathon complaint was I didn't like their shirt . . . AGAIN! Please give me a long-sleeve cotton short and forget the tech shirts . . . ESPECIALLY short sleeved tech shirts!!
All in all , , , A GREAT DAY!
Monday, November 10, 2008
OBX Marathonre super
Overall a really good time!
The OBX course is nice . . . the first 13 miles were really fantastic! Neat neighborhoods, unbelievably good crowds (don't know where all the people came from!) and great views of the sound. And that half ended with a 2 1/2 mile section on a trail through the woods! Perfect!
The second half was not quite a great, but it was still very nice. Had to have stretches along US158 (the main highway), but crossing the bridge to Manteo was cool, the views od the sound and Pirates Cove marina and subdivision were excellent . . . even if it came around mile 23!
Going in, I knew my preparation / training was sub-par so my expectations were not high. And my performance pretty well equaled what I put in. I'm not disappointed in my 5:51 but I should be 51 minutes faster if I work at it. Just not sure I want to do that.
The OBX course is nice . . . the first 13 miles were really fantastic! Neat neighborhoods, unbelievably good crowds (don't know where all the people came from!) and great views of the sound. And that half ended with a 2 1/2 mile section on a trail through the woods! Perfect!
The second half was not quite a great, but it was still very nice. Had to have stretches along US158 (the main highway), but crossing the bridge to Manteo was cool, the views od the sound and Pirates Cove marina and subdivision were excellent . . . even if it came around mile 23!
Going in, I knew my preparation / training was sub-par so my expectations were not high. And my performance pretty well equaled what I put in. I'm not disappointed in my 5:51 but I should be 51 minutes faster if I work at it. Just not sure I want to do that.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Ahhhh . . . a good day!
The weather was perfect and Andy, Brad, Joe and I headed out today for our "Nooner" run. Brad had run a hard 5.5 yesterday so he and Andy ran the around Talbot Park (aka Tom Stith Park)but Joe and I headed on around MLK. Didn't keep time but we ran a solid pace for the 4.3 miles and I felt GREAT at the end. Joe and I always have a good time together and today was no exception. Just a really fun day! Cool days ROCK!
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Running is a funny thing.
Good days . . . bad days. Who can tell what is going to happen? Sometimes it's easy!
Like when your stretching out your long run. You know those last few miles are going to hurt. Or when the day is hot and humid . . . nothing good ever happens on days like this. But sometimes an totally unexpected day happens.
For me, today was one of those days. Last two weekends I ran 17 miles a did fine. Today the weather was nice and cool, I was going to only run 10-13 miles so I was expecting a "cake walk" of sorts. But what a struggle! I know my training is far from what it should be to do a marathon in two weeks, but I never expected this!
After about five miles a started to struggle. Walked some . . . more than I should have! Oh well . . . I can't do anything about it now. And I've got to remember the exact opposite happens too.
Next weekend is fishing with Michael and James. Going to Morehead City and going out flyfishing for false albacore! I haven't done much saltwater flyfishing so this should be great, going out with a flyfishing guide. We'll learn something for sure! Plus have a ton of fun!
Like when your stretching out your long run. You know those last few miles are going to hurt. Or when the day is hot and humid . . . nothing good ever happens on days like this. But sometimes an totally unexpected day happens.
For me, today was one of those days. Last two weekends I ran 17 miles a did fine. Today the weather was nice and cool, I was going to only run 10-13 miles so I was expecting a "cake walk" of sorts. But what a struggle! I know my training is far from what it should be to do a marathon in two weeks, but I never expected this!
After about five miles a started to struggle. Walked some . . . more than I should have! Oh well . . . I can't do anything about it now. And I've got to remember the exact opposite happens too.
Next weekend is fishing with Michael and James. Going to Morehead City and going out flyfishing for false albacore! I haven't done much saltwater flyfishing so this should be great, going out with a flyfishing guide. We'll learn something for sure! Plus have a ton of fun!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
I love being wrong!!
Forget my last post! I said I was going to take another week or two off and see how the ankle healed.
Well, today I couldn't stand it . . . the weather was perfect (50s) and my ankle wasn't hurting, so I decided to try it out anyway. I promised myself if it started hurting at all I would quite immediately.
Well . . . it never hurt so I ended up going 16-17 miles!! Guess it wasn't a stress fracture after all !!!!
So OBX is a go after all!
Well, today I couldn't stand it . . . the weather was perfect (50s) and my ankle wasn't hurting, so I decided to try it out anyway. I promised myself if it started hurting at all I would quite immediately.
Well . . . it never hurt so I ended up going 16-17 miles!! Guess it wasn't a stress fracture after all !!!!
So OBX is a go after all!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Give me a break!
Last weekend, while in Tennessee, I ran 17 miles and felt fairly good, last four were tough but still not bad at all. I was encouraged and sure I could at least complete a marathon.
Took the next day off as a rest day and was ready to run Tuesday. Ran a moderate 3.1 mile run and felt really good. That afternoon I flew to Toronto for business and no problems at all.
But when I woke up Wednesday morning to go for an early run, my left ankle hurt. Figured I had somehow slept on it wrong so took the day off. It hurt all day long. Next day I decided to not run again . . . still hurting. But better.
Here it is Saturday and it's still hurting. Not to walk, but if I cross my leg while sitting it hurts. Something is obviously really wrong!
Given how it developed (slowly) and given the time after my long run (three days) I'm pretty sure it's not a ligament or tendon injury. That leaves a stress fracture.
I had a stress fracture years ago and this feels much the same. No need to spend $ going to a doctor to confirm. There is nothing they could do to speed the healing along anyway. So I'm just going to take two weeks off . . . no running. So I'll try it again November 3rd. I may wait and simply go to OBX and try it out on a marathon! That would be three weeks off!
The other option is to start back around Nov 8-9 and then do Medoc Dec 6th. That would give me a chance to get some running in between the 9th and Dec 6th.
I'm leaning to going to OBX . . . it's my only chance to achieve my goal this year (average running at least a marathon a month in 2008).
But even if I can't 2008 has been a pretty good running year!
Took the next day off as a rest day and was ready to run Tuesday. Ran a moderate 3.1 mile run and felt really good. That afternoon I flew to Toronto for business and no problems at all.
But when I woke up Wednesday morning to go for an early run, my left ankle hurt. Figured I had somehow slept on it wrong so took the day off. It hurt all day long. Next day I decided to not run again . . . still hurting. But better.
Here it is Saturday and it's still hurting. Not to walk, but if I cross my leg while sitting it hurts. Something is obviously really wrong!
Given how it developed (slowly) and given the time after my long run (three days) I'm pretty sure it's not a ligament or tendon injury. That leaves a stress fracture.
I had a stress fracture years ago and this feels much the same. No need to spend $ going to a doctor to confirm. There is nothing they could do to speed the healing along anyway. So I'm just going to take two weeks off . . . no running. So I'll try it again November 3rd. I may wait and simply go to OBX and try it out on a marathon! That would be three weeks off!
The other option is to start back around Nov 8-9 and then do Medoc Dec 6th. That would give me a chance to get some running in between the 9th and Dec 6th.
I'm leaning to going to OBX . . . it's my only chance to achieve my goal this year (average running at least a marathon a month in 2008).
But even if I can't 2008 has been a pretty good running year!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
98% Correct . . .so why do I feel so bad.
Saturday we had the Medoc Trail Races. ~250 runners, 57 doing the marathon and the rest doing the 10-miler. Most everything went quite well for a first marathon . . . but two things happened that ruined everything else.
First, we had four marathoners make a wrong turn and shortened their run significantly. One leading, and three followed I went back to where they made their mistake and I've got to say it was well marked. I see how they missed the turn, but we had 2 signs that were obvious if you were looking . . . but it was a "rooty" section and if they were focused on their footing, they could (and did) miss it. But the leader didn't miss it. And neither did the rest of the marathoners and all the 10-milers. So I believe the error was on them. But the guy who made the mistake didn't see it that way and made quite a fuss. Two of the other three also were quite angry but with Michael's Forrester's help, they ended up seing the mistake was really their own.
Second, we had a bunch of confused volunteers at the main aid station where the marathoners finishing their first small loop, met with some 10-milers just entering the trails. They both came from the same direction. But the 10-milers needed to bear right and enter the loop the marathoners were finishing. The marathoners needed to stay left and enter the big loop. A few folks ended up going the wrong way. But we were able to correct these by getting the runners to "make up" what they missed.
I feel really bad because the course and aid stations were my charge. Originally we had the 10-miler starting closer to the marathon start, but I suggested to the group we move the 10-miler start back. My mistake.
I also marked the course, so when people go off course I feel bad. Guess I'm not cut out to do this. Feel like I let everyone down.
First, we had four marathoners make a wrong turn and shortened their run significantly. One leading, and three followed I went back to where they made their mistake and I've got to say it was well marked. I see how they missed the turn, but we had 2 signs that were obvious if you were looking . . . but it was a "rooty" section and if they were focused on their footing, they could (and did) miss it. But the leader didn't miss it. And neither did the rest of the marathoners and all the 10-milers. So I believe the error was on them. But the guy who made the mistake didn't see it that way and made quite a fuss. Two of the other three also were quite angry but with Michael's Forrester's help, they ended up seing the mistake was really their own.
Second, we had a bunch of confused volunteers at the main aid station where the marathoners finishing their first small loop, met with some 10-milers just entering the trails. They both came from the same direction. But the 10-milers needed to bear right and enter the loop the marathoners were finishing. The marathoners needed to stay left and enter the big loop. A few folks ended up going the wrong way. But we were able to correct these by getting the runners to "make up" what they missed.
I feel really bad because the course and aid stations were my charge. Originally we had the 10-miler starting closer to the marathon start, but I suggested to the group we move the 10-miler start back. My mistake.
I also marked the course, so when people go off course I feel bad. Guess I'm not cut out to do this. Feel like I let everyone down.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Every Day Can't be Great!
Good news about Laurie and her wierd symptoms . . . not MS and not a brain tumor. Now they just need to determine what it is! For some reason I was never very concerned, but both Connie and Laurie were beside themselves with worry. This is giving them tons of relief.
Struggled through a humid 8 miles this morning. Just didn't have it! Oh well! Ran the lonesome Road . . . south from Vaughn. Just a few houses but mostly nothing, One "good" hill 1 mile long. A good training run, but for some reason every time I run it I have a bad day. Guess I just should pass on that route!
Struggled through a humid 8 miles this morning. Just didn't have it! Oh well! Ran the lonesome Road . . . south from Vaughn. Just a few houses but mostly nothing, One "good" hill 1 mile long. A good training run, but for some reason every time I run it I have a bad day. Guess I just should pass on that route!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Medoc Mountain Marathon
Haven't talked about this much, but the Rocky Mount Endurance Club is putting on the Medoc Trail Races - a 10 mile run and a marathon. This is a big deal for our little club and the result of a whole lot of work by our race committee, but especially for club president Michael Forrester. Michael is a unique guy with tons of ideas, energy and the ability to actually execute on things . . . so often the idea guys aren't worth a crap at actually DOING stuff. Not Michael. we're lucky to have him.
We've got about 180 10-mile runners and 55 marathoners . . . a great first race turnout.
Lots of little last minute details, but overall we're feeling good about where we stand. Stay tuned.
Running is going good. Feeling much better but my doctor tells me I've got quite of few kidney stones, now broken up that will be passing through sometime soon. His recommendation . . . keep your pain pills with you at all times! Probably good advice, but none needed so far (of course no stones have passed yet!!)
We've got about 180 10-mile runners and 55 marathoners . . . a great first race turnout.
Lots of little last minute details, but overall we're feeling good about where we stand. Stay tuned.
Running is going good. Feeling much better but my doctor tells me I've got quite of few kidney stones, now broken up that will be passing through sometime soon. His recommendation . . . keep your pain pills with you at all times! Probably good advice, but none needed so far (of course no stones have passed yet!!)
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Is that OBX I see ahead?
Like I said yesterday, cooler is better! Back when I was in my 40s or earlier, I loved cold weather. And I do mean cold. Below zero? Sounded good to me then. I even loved to backpack in that kind of weather.
But things changed a few years ago. I first noticed the change on a backpacking trip, in the fairly deep snow in SW Virginia on Mount Rodgers. Though I had adequate gear to keep me warm, I stayed cold . . really cold. No more cold weather backpacking for me. But that doesn't mean I like hot weather! I still love cold weather. It just invigorates me. My body operates better when the weather cools off. Today is is a great example.
Temperatures were in the mid 50s when I headed out for my run this morning. Planned on trying 10 miles. My longest run so far in my recovery has been 4.6 this last Wednesday and I felt good. Today was the same . . . I just felt good! Good frame of mind, legs strong . . . just plain good. As I neared home, I still felt good so I tacked on an additional two miles. 12 miles!! I'm excited! Of course, I maintained my normal race pace throughout: 11:30!! I feel like I'm back!
But things changed a few years ago. I first noticed the change on a backpacking trip, in the fairly deep snow in SW Virginia on Mount Rodgers. Though I had adequate gear to keep me warm, I stayed cold . . really cold. No more cold weather backpacking for me. But that doesn't mean I like hot weather! I still love cold weather. It just invigorates me. My body operates better when the weather cools off. Today is is a great example.
Temperatures were in the mid 50s when I headed out for my run this morning. Planned on trying 10 miles. My longest run so far in my recovery has been 4.6 this last Wednesday and I felt good. Today was the same . . . I just felt good! Good frame of mind, legs strong . . . just plain good. As I neared home, I still felt good so I tacked on an additional two miles. 12 miles!! I'm excited! Of course, I maintained my normal race pace throughout: 11:30!! I feel like I'm back!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Cooler is better . . . much better!
At noon today the temperature was probably in the high 70s! How nice! I decide to to run 4.6 through MLK and really felt good. Could have done more! Guess I'm a little afraid to get too excited, but maybe I'm turning a corner. Plan to try 10 miles this weekend. This is as long as the temperatures don't get into the 90s!!
The Medoc Mountain Trail Races are coming along really well. October 4th is coming fast! I honestly feel good about where we are given the time till the race. At the race committee meeting today, we seemed to have most everything well covered. The key is always the volunteers that show up to help. We totally depend on them. Volunteers rock and we ann need to take our turns at helping on a few races.
The Medoc Mountain Trail Races are coming along really well. October 4th is coming fast! I honestly feel good about where we are given the time till the race. At the race committee meeting today, we seemed to have most everything well covered. The key is always the volunteers that show up to help. We totally depend on them. Volunteers rock and we ann need to take our turns at helping on a few races.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Progress . . .
Volunteered today at the Ford's Colony 5k & 10k. Michael and Scott did a really fantastic job in both planning and executing this event. First time event and it went off without a hitch.
After an afternoon nap I went for a 2 3/4 mile run and it went fine. Temps were probably in the high 80s and I ran all the way!!!
May try 5 tomorrow . . . got to start pushing it if I'm going to be ready for the OBX marathon November 9th.
After an afternoon nap I went for a 2 3/4 mile run and it went fine. Temps were probably in the high 80s and I ran all the way!!!
May try 5 tomorrow . . . got to start pushing it if I'm going to be ready for the OBX marathon November 9th.
Friday, September 12, 2008
The Saga Continues
Monday I had lipotripsy for a 1.5 cm kidney stone. No pain at all (I slept through it thanks to some wonderful drugs!) Minor pain that afternoon and evening but no pain at all since. Hope it worked . . . but the Dr says he won't know until he x-rays in another week. Far as I know, I've not passed any fragments, but maybe they could be really small and I wouldn't know??? Hope so!
Dr put me back on antibiotics after the procedure but told me I could run all I wanted to! Unfortunately, I've got zero energy!! Was going to run 3 miles with my friend Andy, but had to walk after only 1/2 mile!!!!!!! Bet I walked 7 times during the 3 miles. Hope this is due the the antibiotics. Finished them Thursday night and plan to try again Saturday afternoon (helping with the Ford's Colony 5k - 10k Saturday morning.)
Stay tuned . . . things HAVE to get better!!
Dr put me back on antibiotics after the procedure but told me I could run all I wanted to! Unfortunately, I've got zero energy!! Was going to run 3 miles with my friend Andy, but had to walk after only 1/2 mile!!!!!!! Bet I walked 7 times during the 3 miles. Hope this is due the the antibiotics. Finished them Thursday night and plan to try again Saturday afternoon (helping with the Ford's Colony 5k - 10k Saturday morning.)
Stay tuned . . . things HAVE to get better!!
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Improvement
Ran 4 this morning and could have gone further. Probably a 10:15 pace or so. Progress! Not sue if I can be ready for OBX by early November . . . but I'm trying!
Tomorrow is the big day for me . . . having the kidney stone "blasted." Can't wait to have it behind me!
Tomorrow is the big day for me . . . having the kidney stone "blasted." Can't wait to have it behind me!
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Holy Crap!
Am I ever sore. Feels like a finished a marathon, not a four miler . . . okay 3+ miler! Took yesterday off but went for a run after Hanna passes us this morning. Sore but I did another 3 miles. Hard to believe I've lost this much fitness so quickly.
Will go for another run Sunday but then I'll be taking at least 1 day off for my ESWL on my kidney stone. Hopefully this will put a halt to my bleeding. Not looking forward to this. Guess I feel like my luck recently has been less than steller, and I need this stone to "dust." Not looking forward to passing any sizable pieces!
Libby and I have a new roommate . . . Luke. Luke is a black mostly (maybe even all!) lab. Luke lived up here a few years ago until he and Doobie decided they really didn't like each other. So Luke went back to Connie and Libby came up the the lake. I believe Luke and Libby will get along real well. We'll see.
Will go for another run Sunday but then I'll be taking at least 1 day off for my ESWL on my kidney stone. Hopefully this will put a halt to my bleeding. Not looking forward to this. Guess I feel like my luck recently has been less than steller, and I need this stone to "dust." Not looking forward to passing any sizable pieces!
Libby and I have a new roommate . . . Luke. Luke is a black mostly (maybe even all!) lab. Luke lived up here a few years ago until he and Doobie decided they really didn't like each other. So Luke went back to Connie and Libby came up the the lake. I believe Luke and Libby will get along real well. We'll see.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Finally!!!
It seems like it's been forever! But today I finally went for a run . . . my first since I got sick. I had no idea how much fitness I had lost. Turns out quite a bit! I ran 4 miles tonight . . . well, I ran 3 miles and walked/ran one! Still, it could have been worse!
I'm guessing my fitness will return fairly quickly. But I will need to lose the extra pounds I added by continuing to eat as if I was running normal miles! I'm just really glad to be back running!!
It's been awfully quite around the house the last few days. Connie kept my dog Libby when I went to Clemson to see Michael. And she felt like I should let Libby stay with her other dogs for a few days. I asked Connie to pick out one of her dogs to come stay at the lake with Libby and me and see how that works out. Should help Connie . . . AND Libby and I would both like another dog now that Doobie is gone. We'll see which dog she chooses! I just reserve the right of refusal!
I'm guessing my fitness will return fairly quickly. But I will need to lose the extra pounds I added by continuing to eat as if I was running normal miles! I'm just really glad to be back running!!
It's been awfully quite around the house the last few days. Connie kept my dog Libby when I went to Clemson to see Michael. And she felt like I should let Libby stay with her other dogs for a few days. I asked Connie to pick out one of her dogs to come stay at the lake with Libby and me and see how that works out. Should help Connie . . . AND Libby and I would both like another dog now that Doobie is gone. We'll see which dog she chooses! I just reserve the right of refusal!
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About Me
- Frank Lilley
- Littleton, North Carolina
- World's Slowest Runner . . . well, at least in contention for the honor. Just your average "below average" runner.
