’won’t you give me three steps,
Gimme three steps mister,
Gimme three steps towards the door?
Gimme three steps
Gimme three steps mister,
And you’ll never see me no more.’
The first steps out the door are always the hardest! A body at rest wants to stay at rest while a body in motion will continue in motion. I love my runs but some mornings bring those feelings of wanting a day off, staying in bed or just having a morning coffee. I know however, that once I get a few steps into the run, I'm glad I'm out the door and pounding the pavement. Just three steps, those are all I need and you might never see me no more!
It has been a couple of weeks again since writing. I was on vacation in St. John, USVI. I usually don't run much on vacation using it as a rest and recovery week. However, vacation fell a bit late into my marathon training. I figured I should at least keep up my fitness level and try hard not to lose anything. I didn't feel I needed to gain, just not lose anything. I ran everyday averaging about 3 miles a day but on some nice steep hills which actually may have helped me gain some leg strength if today's run is any indication. More on that in a minute. Baltimore has a climb starting at mile 16 - 22. I beleive I will be prepared well for it this year as I have been doing hill work and running my long runs over hills. St. John has hot as usual but not any worse than the garden state. The island, in general, is not too conducive to running. Certainly, by the looks I was getting, they were not too use to seeing many runenrs out and about. They do ahve a wonderful race that runs 8 miles (8 TUFF Miles) from Cruz Bay to Coral Bay. It climbs 1300 feet in about 4 miles. and then back down to sea level. Running on vacation helps the beers, steak, key lime pie and fish digest better!
The other detail on running there was that I did it everyday. I ended up running 11 days in a row including 3 once I was back. I took a recovery day on Friday so that I would be better for my long run on Saturday. It worked! I ran a nice 20-miler at 1:30 over my marathon pace. This was my second long run (first one was 18 miles) but first 20 miler. I got through 11 miles without realizing I had run them. It wasn't until another 4 miles where I felt my legs breaking down a bit. I talked to myself for the last 1 1/2 miles to get through the 20 but I did it!
I will run 10 miles tomorrow and then go play a round of golf. Hmmm, I suspect this makes for a pretty active weekend - 30 miles and a round of golf.
Like I said, gimme three steps out the door and I'm on my way. I just never know if I am coming back!
Saturday, August 27, 2005
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Round Here
Step out the front door like a ghost into the fog
Where no one notices the contrast of white on white
And in between the moon and you the angels get a better view
Of the crumbling difference between wrong and right
I “run” in the air between the rain through myself and back again
Where? I don’t know
I ventured out into the mist of some of the highest humidity cast upon us this summer. The white, thick fog provided an eerie backdrop for a run where breathing was going to be more daunting than the first snorkel breath taken under water. I could not see more than 20-30 feet in front of me so it was a bit like running blind through a cumulous cloud. Maybe it was what running would be like in heaven although I hope they have softer surfaces to run on than the road – like the cloud itself. Of course, what would you push off of to generate the equal and opposite reaction? Or, would it just feel like you were running mentally without any physical exertion? Could I run a sub-3 marathon then?
Anyway, there was plenty of physical exertion on these runs. When I first started writing this I had run one day where it was like this. In my procrastination (or more like finding time) of not getting this posted, I found myself a “ghost into a fog” again about a week later. However, the runs were different. The first run was tough but I seemed to find an up-tempo pace that I could drive through to the end of the run (5 miles). I did not fare as well on the second run – still getting through the 5 miles but feeling like I had to cut the thickness with a knife like a baby having to break through the embryonic sack trying to find a breath of fresh oxygen. Each day is different. Each run is different. Some days you can breath, some days it’s a little tougher – in life as in running.
Some days, we are a ghost where no one notices. Running is a bit like this where the contrast of white on white is us being able to stay inside ourselves, have the freedom to think, disappear for a little while, and be non-existent in the world. We find ourselves imagining this place called heaven, where the angels get a better view of our life and death; helping us find what we need to find. Sometimes we don’t know where we are running. We “run” in the air between the rain through ourselves and back again with every run. We sometimes find ourselves; sometimes lose our way but no matter, we keep on running.
Where no one notices the contrast of white on white
And in between the moon and you the angels get a better view
Of the crumbling difference between wrong and right
I “run” in the air between the rain through myself and back again
Where? I don’t know
I ventured out into the mist of some of the highest humidity cast upon us this summer. The white, thick fog provided an eerie backdrop for a run where breathing was going to be more daunting than the first snorkel breath taken under water. I could not see more than 20-30 feet in front of me so it was a bit like running blind through a cumulous cloud. Maybe it was what running would be like in heaven although I hope they have softer surfaces to run on than the road – like the cloud itself. Of course, what would you push off of to generate the equal and opposite reaction? Or, would it just feel like you were running mentally without any physical exertion? Could I run a sub-3 marathon then?
Anyway, there was plenty of physical exertion on these runs. When I first started writing this I had run one day where it was like this. In my procrastination (or more like finding time) of not getting this posted, I found myself a “ghost into a fog” again about a week later. However, the runs were different. The first run was tough but I seemed to find an up-tempo pace that I could drive through to the end of the run (5 miles). I did not fare as well on the second run – still getting through the 5 miles but feeling like I had to cut the thickness with a knife like a baby having to break through the embryonic sack trying to find a breath of fresh oxygen. Each day is different. Each run is different. Some days you can breath, some days it’s a little tougher – in life as in running.
Some days, we are a ghost where no one notices. Running is a bit like this where the contrast of white on white is us being able to stay inside ourselves, have the freedom to think, disappear for a little while, and be non-existent in the world. We find ourselves imagining this place called heaven, where the angels get a better view of our life and death; helping us find what we need to find. Sometimes we don’t know where we are running. We “run” in the air between the rain through ourselves and back again with every run. We sometimes find ourselves; sometimes lose our way but no matter, we keep on running.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Wave On Wave
Mile upon Mile I got no direction.
We’re all playing the same game
We’re all looking for redemption
Just afraid to say the name
"marathon"...that's the name and the game and I don't need any direction, I just need to run mile upon mile! I can't believe I have not written an entry for two weeks. How does time slip by so quickly? Not writing isn't because I am not running. To the contrary, I have put in some excellent miles over the last couple of weeks, although a bit difficult with the humidity, they have been excellent! Difficult miles make future ones easier.
I started an entry called "Round Here" which I will still publish because of the oddity of the morning, running in such thick, wet humidity. It is worth describing. The song "round here" starts with "I step out the front door like a ghost into a fog..." It was so appropriate for that morning. I will finish the entry and post it.
Last week was a very good training week totaling 47 miles, inclusive of a 18 miler over 3 hours with a follow-up 9 mile slight tempo/slight fartlek on the boardwalk in Belmar. I needed both the accumulation of time spent running and the individual long run to gain some confidence in training. I will continue the 3 hour runs over the next 8 weeks along with hill work and tempo runs.
Summer is an interesting time to train because of the humidity and heat. The fall brings welcome relief and easier running all leading up to marathon season. I am so looking forward to the Baltimore Marathon, my 15th marathon. It has been since January that I ventured out on a 26.2 mile trek, the last one being in Las Vegas. I miss the marathon when I have not run one in awhile. I believe it was Frank Shorter who said, "You can't run your next marathon until you forget about your previous one." I needed the time after Las Vegas which was my 3rd in 4 months and 5th last year. Although I never forget, I have become motiviated to train for and run the next. I don't forget because I learn from those experiences...how else would I improve?
We all look for redemption from the previous or I should say improvement from the previous so mile after mile, I have no direction but I do have intention!
We’re all playing the same game
We’re all looking for redemption
Just afraid to say the name
"marathon"...that's the name and the game and I don't need any direction, I just need to run mile upon mile! I can't believe I have not written an entry for two weeks. How does time slip by so quickly? Not writing isn't because I am not running. To the contrary, I have put in some excellent miles over the last couple of weeks, although a bit difficult with the humidity, they have been excellent! Difficult miles make future ones easier.
I started an entry called "Round Here" which I will still publish because of the oddity of the morning, running in such thick, wet humidity. It is worth describing. The song "round here" starts with "I step out the front door like a ghost into a fog..." It was so appropriate for that morning. I will finish the entry and post it.
Last week was a very good training week totaling 47 miles, inclusive of a 18 miler over 3 hours with a follow-up 9 mile slight tempo/slight fartlek on the boardwalk in Belmar. I needed both the accumulation of time spent running and the individual long run to gain some confidence in training. I will continue the 3 hour runs over the next 8 weeks along with hill work and tempo runs.
Summer is an interesting time to train because of the humidity and heat. The fall brings welcome relief and easier running all leading up to marathon season. I am so looking forward to the Baltimore Marathon, my 15th marathon. It has been since January that I ventured out on a 26.2 mile trek, the last one being in Las Vegas. I miss the marathon when I have not run one in awhile. I believe it was Frank Shorter who said, "You can't run your next marathon until you forget about your previous one." I needed the time after Las Vegas which was my 3rd in 4 months and 5th last year. Although I never forget, I have become motiviated to train for and run the next. I don't forget because I learn from those experiences...how else would I improve?
We all look for redemption from the previous or I should say improvement from the previous so mile after mile, I have no direction but I do have intention!
Saturday, July 16, 2005
Running on Empty
Running on - running on empty
Running on - running blind
Running on - running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Every once in awhile I feel depleted of energy with running and being out on the road or trail. For so many, the energy in life also feels depleted. Life in so many ways is like running, a microchasm of our life experiences - the ups and downs, the desire to be better, the disappointment when we are not, the effort, the rest and recovery, the passion, what we can control and what we can't. However, our running, like our lives, is ours and we can affect it however we want. If we want to run better, we need to run more - if we want to live better, we need to live more.
It is time to start training for fall marathons. I have established my base and now beginning to execute on a plan to prepare myself mentally and physically for the distance. Baltimore will be my 15th marathon and my 5th consecutive Baltimore Marathon. The beauty of the marathon is that you need to train yourself for each and every one. You can't just wake up one morning as say, "Hey, I think I will run a marathon tomorrow!" It is an arduous process that each marathoner generally loves and despises at the same time - a love/hate realtionship if you will. It is similar to life as it takes substantial effort to get one to the finish. In life, like training for and running a marathon, I am generally running into the sun, running blind, running behind and certainly running on empty. The body and mind responds to this and as long as you nourish both, they will get you to finish. You might have to go a little ways on empty but that is our struggle within when the body and mind do not agree - the body says stop, your killing me but the mind says, don't stop you can do it, what's a little pain and effort. OK, in some cases it is a lot of pain. Sometimes it is the mind that goes while your body still wants to run and live. "That which does not kill me only makes me stronger." That is what training and adversity is all about in life and running the marathon - it makes us stronger. It allows us to go further with less pain. It allows us to run on empty, sometimes blind but we find the finish and then look for the next starting line.
Running on - running blind
Running on - running into the sun
But I'm running behind
Every once in awhile I feel depleted of energy with running and being out on the road or trail. For so many, the energy in life also feels depleted. Life in so many ways is like running, a microchasm of our life experiences - the ups and downs, the desire to be better, the disappointment when we are not, the effort, the rest and recovery, the passion, what we can control and what we can't. However, our running, like our lives, is ours and we can affect it however we want. If we want to run better, we need to run more - if we want to live better, we need to live more.
It is time to start training for fall marathons. I have established my base and now beginning to execute on a plan to prepare myself mentally and physically for the distance. Baltimore will be my 15th marathon and my 5th consecutive Baltimore Marathon. The beauty of the marathon is that you need to train yourself for each and every one. You can't just wake up one morning as say, "Hey, I think I will run a marathon tomorrow!" It is an arduous process that each marathoner generally loves and despises at the same time - a love/hate realtionship if you will. It is similar to life as it takes substantial effort to get one to the finish. In life, like training for and running a marathon, I am generally running into the sun, running blind, running behind and certainly running on empty. The body and mind responds to this and as long as you nourish both, they will get you to finish. You might have to go a little ways on empty but that is our struggle within when the body and mind do not agree - the body says stop, your killing me but the mind says, don't stop you can do it, what's a little pain and effort. OK, in some cases it is a lot of pain. Sometimes it is the mind that goes while your body still wants to run and live. "That which does not kill me only makes me stronger." That is what training and adversity is all about in life and running the marathon - it makes us stronger. It allows us to go further with less pain. It allows us to run on empty, sometimes blind but we find the finish and then look for the next starting line.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
On the Road Again
On the road again
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again.
It has been a 10 days of experiences. I grew up 65 miles from Washington DC and have never gotten to visit the city, the sights, the museums, memorials or the roads. The best way to visit a city and explore is to run it. It makes it much more worthwhile when you are finding your way running from one point to another. I was in Washington on business so my running was limited to the early morning. During this week, one needed to run in the morning anyway because of the thick, stifling heat and humidity. My first visit to the national mall took me up 12th street past the Department of Agriculture to the mall. I ran east to the Capitol and then back west past the museums and Smithsonian towards the Washington Monument. My Dad is registered at the World War II memorial so I found my way to the memorial. It is a very touching tribute to a generation of heroes. I walked around it in the ironic silence of waterfalls. I made my way past the reflecting pool to the Jefferson Memorial, around the memorial to the tidal basin and then out to the Lincoln Memorial before finding my way thought the Woodrow Wilson arches and back the my hotel, the Mandarin oriental. It was a 75 minute visit to the heart of DC. It was one of those runs that won't be forgotten, one that sticks in your mind along with so many other thoughts. I ran the mall the remaining days in Washington which never really got old.
Upon returning home, I decided to to make a 4-day 40 mile trek of hard running to determine where I was beginning my marathon training. Baltimore is in October and it is time to start easing into the long runs. I have done some good speedwork in the form of races but now I need to combine the speedwork with endurance training. My first day was a 13.5 miler in the middle of the day with the temperature approaching 82 degrees of heat and sun running from Belmar NJ to Manasquan, NJ and back. Much of it was on the boardwalk which provides a nice cushion for the legs. I made out fine and was happy with the run in general. The second day was a recovery 6.5 miler, easy with a measured stride just to clear some of the lactic acid. The third day was one of my favorite runs - a 14 mile run that combined road and trail. This run consisted of 5 miles to the trail, 4 miles on a rolling, quiet trail that I have written about before here (Sounds of Silence), and a 5 mile return trip. I felt great throughout although my goal was to remain on my feet as long as I could and get to 34 miles for 3 days. At the same time, I knew I had a race (10K) scheduled for the 4th day giving me my 40 miles in 4 days and a great start to my marathon training. I went into the race with few expectations. I had 34 miles on my legs and a few beers in me from a July 4th party. I started off slow with an 8 minute mile (always intending to do this) but I let the race come to me and ran a negative split and a very fast last mile. It appears when I have little expectations and go into a race relaxed finding a nice easy pace to start, I run a better race. There was more to this day than just the race but it was the race that lets one feel like they want to be On the Road Again.
Goin' places that I've never been
Seein' things that I may never see again,
And I can't wait to get on the road again.
It has been a 10 days of experiences. I grew up 65 miles from Washington DC and have never gotten to visit the city, the sights, the museums, memorials or the roads. The best way to visit a city and explore is to run it. It makes it much more worthwhile when you are finding your way running from one point to another. I was in Washington on business so my running was limited to the early morning. During this week, one needed to run in the morning anyway because of the thick, stifling heat and humidity. My first visit to the national mall took me up 12th street past the Department of Agriculture to the mall. I ran east to the Capitol and then back west past the museums and Smithsonian towards the Washington Monument. My Dad is registered at the World War II memorial so I found my way to the memorial. It is a very touching tribute to a generation of heroes. I walked around it in the ironic silence of waterfalls. I made my way past the reflecting pool to the Jefferson Memorial, around the memorial to the tidal basin and then out to the Lincoln Memorial before finding my way thought the Woodrow Wilson arches and back the my hotel, the Mandarin oriental. It was a 75 minute visit to the heart of DC. It was one of those runs that won't be forgotten, one that sticks in your mind along with so many other thoughts. I ran the mall the remaining days in Washington which never really got old.
Upon returning home, I decided to to make a 4-day 40 mile trek of hard running to determine where I was beginning my marathon training. Baltimore is in October and it is time to start easing into the long runs. I have done some good speedwork in the form of races but now I need to combine the speedwork with endurance training. My first day was a 13.5 miler in the middle of the day with the temperature approaching 82 degrees of heat and sun running from Belmar NJ to Manasquan, NJ and back. Much of it was on the boardwalk which provides a nice cushion for the legs. I made out fine and was happy with the run in general. The second day was a recovery 6.5 miler, easy with a measured stride just to clear some of the lactic acid. The third day was one of my favorite runs - a 14 mile run that combined road and trail. This run consisted of 5 miles to the trail, 4 miles on a rolling, quiet trail that I have written about before here (Sounds of Silence), and a 5 mile return trip. I felt great throughout although my goal was to remain on my feet as long as I could and get to 34 miles for 3 days. At the same time, I knew I had a race (10K) scheduled for the 4th day giving me my 40 miles in 4 days and a great start to my marathon training. I went into the race with few expectations. I had 34 miles on my legs and a few beers in me from a July 4th party. I started off slow with an 8 minute mile (always intending to do this) but I let the race come to me and ran a negative split and a very fast last mile. It appears when I have little expectations and go into a race relaxed finding a nice easy pace to start, I run a better race. There was more to this day than just the race but it was the race that lets one feel like they want to be On the Road Again.
Monday, June 20, 2005
Runnin' Down a Dream
Yeah runnin' down a dream
That never would come to me
Workin' on a mystery, goin' wherever it leads
I'm runnin' down a dream
Running allows you to dream and then lets you chase that dream to whereever it leads. In your mind it appears within reach; with each step and breath, it is closer. You run a bit harder, faster and further to reach it. It is almost within your grasp. You reach deeper when you are fatiqued thinking you can't go anymore - certainly not faster, but you find that inner spiirit to pull you through. The inner spirit can take many forms - a person, a thought, an experience, but something that we can hold onto to to get to the finish and sometimes to the dream.
Racing is very much like this. Finishing is sometimes hard but if you know that there is a reward at the end it drives you harder to the finish and allows you to get through the rough times. You draw your energy from everywhere imaginable both mentally and physically. Your thoughts change, your legs stride differently, your arms help drive your legs, your breathing becomes a well-defined cadence, you look to find that one face in the crowd that gives you that last bit of assurance - the finish is in reach.
I raced twice this weekend. The George Sheehan Classic, a 5 miler dominated by Kenyans over the years but better known for its comunity spirit and charity. If you do not know who George Sheehan is, you should. He is one of the most profound philosophers as it relates to running that there has ever been. The race is held in his honor after he died of cancer several years ago. Forty of his family members ran in the race. I ran 36:45 finished 225 out of 1738 and 30th out of 193 in my age group. Overall, it was a good race.
On Sunday I ran Run For Dad 5K on father's day. I ran 21:55, good enough for 71 out of 458 and 9th in my age group. My Dad died at the age of 60 due to lung cancer as he was a smoker. I figure that for evevery breath that he couldn't take in his life, I have been able to take as a runner. I was able to pick that one face out in the crowd that got me to the finish - to see a smile at the end.
Even if your dreams are a mystery, even to you, keep running and you will find them. They will become more clear, within sight and reachable. You may find them in places where you might never look or in people who have touched you in ways you thought not possible.
Happy Father's Day Dad!
That never would come to me
Workin' on a mystery, goin' wherever it leads
I'm runnin' down a dream
Running allows you to dream and then lets you chase that dream to whereever it leads. In your mind it appears within reach; with each step and breath, it is closer. You run a bit harder, faster and further to reach it. It is almost within your grasp. You reach deeper when you are fatiqued thinking you can't go anymore - certainly not faster, but you find that inner spiirit to pull you through. The inner spirit can take many forms - a person, a thought, an experience, but something that we can hold onto to to get to the finish and sometimes to the dream.
Racing is very much like this. Finishing is sometimes hard but if you know that there is a reward at the end it drives you harder to the finish and allows you to get through the rough times. You draw your energy from everywhere imaginable both mentally and physically. Your thoughts change, your legs stride differently, your arms help drive your legs, your breathing becomes a well-defined cadence, you look to find that one face in the crowd that gives you that last bit of assurance - the finish is in reach.
I raced twice this weekend. The George Sheehan Classic, a 5 miler dominated by Kenyans over the years but better known for its comunity spirit and charity. If you do not know who George Sheehan is, you should. He is one of the most profound philosophers as it relates to running that there has ever been. The race is held in his honor after he died of cancer several years ago. Forty of his family members ran in the race. I ran 36:45 finished 225 out of 1738 and 30th out of 193 in my age group. Overall, it was a good race.
On Sunday I ran Run For Dad 5K on father's day. I ran 21:55, good enough for 71 out of 458 and 9th in my age group. My Dad died at the age of 60 due to lung cancer as he was a smoker. I figure that for evevery breath that he couldn't take in his life, I have been able to take as a runner. I was able to pick that one face out in the crowd that got me to the finish - to see a smile at the end.
Even if your dreams are a mystery, even to you, keep running and you will find them. They will become more clear, within sight and reachable. You may find them in places where you might never look or in people who have touched you in ways you thought not possible.
Happy Father's Day Dad!
Friday, June 17, 2005
Pickin' Wildflowers
Whatcha say we go pickin' wildflowers?
Got a spot way back in the woods.
Sneak away for a couple of hours,
You and me, pickin' wildflowers.
Trying to convince beginning runners what they need to do to be successful and injury-free in the sport is a difficult proposition. I’m not defining success here as winning races or age group awards. I define success in running by having an active, healthy running life where you get both mental and physical satisfaction from running day-in and day-out, where is becomes part of your lifestyle and a welcomed one, not one of drudgery. I also define success by what one can take from running and apply to life.
So many beginners want to go out and run too fast, too far, and sometimes just too much. When the runs aren’t fast enough, far enough or just plain “enough”, they get frustrated and end up stopping without ever giving it a chance. Sometimes I hear about the little aches and pains – well this hurts and that hurts. Truly, what hurts more is a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting in my chair is worse on my back than running. Yes, runners do need to listen to their bodies for more serious injuries or fatigue that can lead to injuries. However, for me, running cures all ills. If I have a backache, headache, foot ache, depressed, or stressed running stops it – sometimes for just that short time while running and sometimes for good or until the next time.
So what’s my point in all this? Just go out and move – run a little, walk a little, run some more and stop and pick some wildflowers, talk to a horse then run a little more and enjoy the body in motion and exploring both nature and yourself. For beginners and veterans alike, take the time to enjoy the experience. A few entries ago I spoke of stopping to pet and talk to a horse. I smile at deer and rabbits, I jump so I don’t step on a snake, I pick a wildflower that I have never seen, and I smell the newly blossomed honeysuckle – all of these things on my runs.
All said, I am serious about my running also. I like to compete (mostly against my own times) so I do train and do focus and work hard when I need to. Not every runner has to do this. To be a runner, you just need to run and sometimes go pickin’ wildflowers.
Got a spot way back in the woods.
Sneak away for a couple of hours,
You and me, pickin' wildflowers.
Trying to convince beginning runners what they need to do to be successful and injury-free in the sport is a difficult proposition. I’m not defining success here as winning races or age group awards. I define success in running by having an active, healthy running life where you get both mental and physical satisfaction from running day-in and day-out, where is becomes part of your lifestyle and a welcomed one, not one of drudgery. I also define success by what one can take from running and apply to life.
So many beginners want to go out and run too fast, too far, and sometimes just too much. When the runs aren’t fast enough, far enough or just plain “enough”, they get frustrated and end up stopping without ever giving it a chance. Sometimes I hear about the little aches and pains – well this hurts and that hurts. Truly, what hurts more is a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting in my chair is worse on my back than running. Yes, runners do need to listen to their bodies for more serious injuries or fatigue that can lead to injuries. However, for me, running cures all ills. If I have a backache, headache, foot ache, depressed, or stressed running stops it – sometimes for just that short time while running and sometimes for good or until the next time.
So what’s my point in all this? Just go out and move – run a little, walk a little, run some more and stop and pick some wildflowers, talk to a horse then run a little more and enjoy the body in motion and exploring both nature and yourself. For beginners and veterans alike, take the time to enjoy the experience. A few entries ago I spoke of stopping to pet and talk to a horse. I smile at deer and rabbits, I jump so I don’t step on a snake, I pick a wildflower that I have never seen, and I smell the newly blossomed honeysuckle – all of these things on my runs.
All said, I am serious about my running also. I like to compete (mostly against my own times) so I do train and do focus and work hard when I need to. Not every runner has to do this. To be a runner, you just need to run and sometimes go pickin’ wildflowers.
Saturday, June 11, 2005
A Day At The Races
June is an interesting time to race for those of us who live through the four seasons. This is especially true when the temperature and humidity go from spring-like to mid-summer in what seems like overnight. I think to get the Varieties of Running Experience though, a runner must experience running in all conditions and in all the seasons. I do have days in the middle of February where I wake up and wish I lived in San Diego or one of the other best running weather citiies that just came out in Runner's World but then I come to my senses and realize the variety of conditions and experiences that I am fortunate to have as a runner in the Northeast. These conditions and experiences make me a better runner. My body and mental outlook adapts accordingly and I expect more or less from the season. Each season and each condition is a different experience. Even running in the rain during the seasons is different. As runners, we get to experience life and nature in their truest forms. I am not saying you can't expereince these things as a non-runner or another kind of athelete but I don't believe it is as complete.
It takes the body a few weeks to transition from low humidity and cooler temperatures to high humidity and downright hot temperatures. I have a few runs in the humidity this year but today was the first race that pushed the limit. The body will adapt - it always does and helping it along never hurts.
I ran the Princeton Fete 10K race today. It was hot and humid even at 8:00 AM. As always, I might have started a bit fast running the first mile in 6:57. I hung in there as long as I could with the weather. I sweated and I tried to drink (except the race organizers decided to give shot glass sizes of water in plastic cups and if you don't know what this means, someday you will!) and worked my way through the course. One saving grace was that most of the course was tree-lined and had plenty of shade. The downhills were slight so I could increase my stride without jamming my feet and knees into the road surface. The hills flirted with the flat and downhill surfaces but were not really a problem. I hit the 5K in 23 minutes so I certainly ran a positive split finishing in 47:51. I was nearly 2 minutes slower in the second half which I think is a lot in a 10K. I've tried working on more even splits and starting a bit easier but I guess I still didn't get it done today. The finish was on a soft spongy track at Princeton University. I love track finishes mostly because that is what I used to be - a 200 meter sprinter. When I hit the track - I go back!
Thus, a day at the races! One gratifying thing I did after the race was went back out to the track and cheered on the remaining runners. This was probably as gratifying as running. I love the people who believe they are not runners but are out there making the effort and in doing so are REALLY runners! Those runners are the ones who drive the sport and drive the motivation for so many of us as runners.
Happy Running!
It takes the body a few weeks to transition from low humidity and cooler temperatures to high humidity and downright hot temperatures. I have a few runs in the humidity this year but today was the first race that pushed the limit. The body will adapt - it always does and helping it along never hurts.
I ran the Princeton Fete 10K race today. It was hot and humid even at 8:00 AM. As always, I might have started a bit fast running the first mile in 6:57. I hung in there as long as I could with the weather. I sweated and I tried to drink (except the race organizers decided to give shot glass sizes of water in plastic cups and if you don't know what this means, someday you will!) and worked my way through the course. One saving grace was that most of the course was tree-lined and had plenty of shade. The downhills were slight so I could increase my stride without jamming my feet and knees into the road surface. The hills flirted with the flat and downhill surfaces but were not really a problem. I hit the 5K in 23 minutes so I certainly ran a positive split finishing in 47:51. I was nearly 2 minutes slower in the second half which I think is a lot in a 10K. I've tried working on more even splits and starting a bit easier but I guess I still didn't get it done today. The finish was on a soft spongy track at Princeton University. I love track finishes mostly because that is what I used to be - a 200 meter sprinter. When I hit the track - I go back!
Thus, a day at the races! One gratifying thing I did after the race was went back out to the track and cheered on the remaining runners. This was probably as gratifying as running. I love the people who believe they are not runners but are out there making the effort and in doing so are REALLY runners! Those runners are the ones who drive the sport and drive the motivation for so many of us as runners.
Happy Running!
Monday, May 30, 2005
This ain't No Thinkin' Thing
This ain't no thinkin` thing, right brain, left brain. It goes a little deeper than that...
You might not be a regular reader of this blog (not too many people are!) but if you do venture out to read it every once in awhile, you might notice that I get a bit philosophical in my writing. However, I always bring it back to my running. Typically my runs give me that time to think, theorize, philosophize or just plain vegitate. A hard training run doesn't afford this free thought. That was my run on Saturday. I went out to run a hard 10 mile tempo run where I wanted to push the pace for at least half the run. When pushing the pace, the focus is on running - form, breathing, adapting, arms, turnover. It becomes relaxed and natural at a point but I am still in a focused, race-pace zone - a focused, race-pace zone "ain't no thinkin' thing"! Thus, you won't get any philosophy or meaning of life in this entry.
The first couple of miles were for warm-up - easy 8:45 pace and then I kicked into a 5 mile 15K-pace tempo run around 7:30-7:45 . I know for you speed demons out there that your warm-up might be in the 7:30's! I pushed the pace both up and down the hills. To me, rolling terrain is the best for training and racing. Your muscles get to rest as the terrain changes. I think it is much better than running on flat surfaces. Using the same muscles over and over again for a long period of time fatigues them. Of course, one might like a flat 5K or 10K where there is more interest in flat-out speed but I will take a rolling course anyday for any distance over a 10 miles. I am sure the elites and locally competitive runners will disagree since they actually have a shot at winning!
Anyway, I brought it home after the tempo portion at a medium pace and then cooled down in the last mile. I need these hard workouts when I am going through race withdrawal. I do at least two harder workouts a week - one typically hill repeats. I love the hills! As Frank Shorter said, "Hills are speedwork in disguise". The other hard workout is usually a tempo or fartlek run.
Hard training runs - This ain't No Thinkin' Thing!
You might not be a regular reader of this blog (not too many people are!) but if you do venture out to read it every once in awhile, you might notice that I get a bit philosophical in my writing. However, I always bring it back to my running. Typically my runs give me that time to think, theorize, philosophize or just plain vegitate. A hard training run doesn't afford this free thought. That was my run on Saturday. I went out to run a hard 10 mile tempo run where I wanted to push the pace for at least half the run. When pushing the pace, the focus is on running - form, breathing, adapting, arms, turnover. It becomes relaxed and natural at a point but I am still in a focused, race-pace zone - a focused, race-pace zone "ain't no thinkin' thing"! Thus, you won't get any philosophy or meaning of life in this entry.
The first couple of miles were for warm-up - easy 8:45 pace and then I kicked into a 5 mile 15K-pace tempo run around 7:30-7:45 . I know for you speed demons out there that your warm-up might be in the 7:30's! I pushed the pace both up and down the hills. To me, rolling terrain is the best for training and racing. Your muscles get to rest as the terrain changes. I think it is much better than running on flat surfaces. Using the same muscles over and over again for a long period of time fatigues them. Of course, one might like a flat 5K or 10K where there is more interest in flat-out speed but I will take a rolling course anyday for any distance over a 10 miles. I am sure the elites and locally competitive runners will disagree since they actually have a shot at winning!
Anyway, I brought it home after the tempo portion at a medium pace and then cooled down in the last mile. I need these hard workouts when I am going through race withdrawal. I do at least two harder workouts a week - one typically hill repeats. I love the hills! As Frank Shorter said, "Hills are speedwork in disguise". The other hard workout is usually a tempo or fartlek run.
Hard training runs - This ain't No Thinkin' Thing!
Thursday, May 26, 2005
Horse With No Name
On the first part of the journey, I was looking at all the life, There were plants and birds and rocks and things. Each part of the journey while running is about life. It is not just the life around you but the life within you. In many ways the life within is experienced by touching and seeing the life around you. As I was running a nice, easy 10 miler this week, I stopped to experience life. Millstone is known for its many horse farms. Whenever I see a horse standing by a fence, who seemingly does not understand why someone is running without being hit by a whip or spurred in the ribs, I stop to pet and chat. At about mile 3, there (s)he was, a horse with no name just waiting for an explanation. Friendly and nosey I petted her and chatted about running. It wasn't Mister Ed so he didn't talk back but he seemed to understand. No matter, it was a moment when I got to share my life with the life around me. It makes you glad you are alive but makes you equally happy that there is life outside of your own to share it with.
Friday, May 20, 2005
Against the Wind
Against the wind, I keep running against the wind, I'm older now, but I keep runnin' aginst the wind... I always feel obligated to write when I run in the rain. Today, I just happened to be running against the wind on a cold, wet, rainy day. It was an uncomfortable but easy 5-miler. I don't run well in the afternoon or early evening. Add the rain and wind and an easy day turns into a hard day. I do like to stress my body and mind on days like this though. I know that at some race, sometime in the future, it's going to be a crappy day with wind, cold and rain. When it occurs, I'm going to know how it feels and know how to run in it. That is the beauty of doing hard things - most of your other experiences feel easy or at least easier.
I see few people out in the rain, let alone runners, and I am sure the drivers in their cars are thinking, "what an ass, out running in this kind of weather!", yet secretly wishing that they were running or at least in the shape to run in this kind of weather. Maybe I will motivate someone someday. If that happens, I hope we can wave to one another while we're both out running against the wind.
I see few people out in the rain, let alone runners, and I am sure the drivers in their cars are thinking, "what an ass, out running in this kind of weather!", yet secretly wishing that they were running or at least in the shape to run in this kind of weather. Maybe I will motivate someone someday. If that happens, I hope we can wave to one another while we're both out running against the wind.
Sunday, May 15, 2005
The Sounds of Slience
Sometimes I just need to get away from human noise. When I refer to human noise, I mean, noises that are the direct result of humans - voices, cars, hammers, jets, phones, etc. I turn to the sounds of silence or as close to silence as I can get. I find this silence on the trails. The only things "human" about the trails are related to me - the rhythm of my breathing, the pitter patter of my shoes hitting the stones, sand, and roots. You can open up your ears on the trail - the birds chirping and flirting with one another, the little creatures rustling through the brush, the wind playing the leaves, creating nature's white noise. All playing at once like nature's symphony.
This run was special. I ran 5 miles to the trail and spent the next 4 miles at nature's concert and then 5 miles back. It was a solid 14 miler with a rythm like I was the conductor of the symphony. I picked up the pace once I came off the trail. The roads are still rurual at that point but there is human noise. My last 5 miles were much faster than my first 9 miles. I don't run many negative splits, if any, but I am finding that a good relaxing, easy start affords me a strong, well-paced, energizing finish. I just now need to remember this for races!
Overall, I had a solid 3 days of weekend running putting in 25 miles for 3 days and 40 for the week. The most encouraging aspect was that each of the 3 weekend days was strong and relaxed. That is how I like to run, strong and relaxed.
The body as well as the mind need the sounds of silence every once in awhile. When mine do, I head for the trails!
This run was special. I ran 5 miles to the trail and spent the next 4 miles at nature's concert and then 5 miles back. It was a solid 14 miler with a rythm like I was the conductor of the symphony. I picked up the pace once I came off the trail. The roads are still rurual at that point but there is human noise. My last 5 miles were much faster than my first 9 miles. I don't run many negative splits, if any, but I am finding that a good relaxing, easy start affords me a strong, well-paced, energizing finish. I just now need to remember this for races!
Overall, I had a solid 3 days of weekend running putting in 25 miles for 3 days and 40 for the week. The most encouraging aspect was that each of the 3 weekend days was strong and relaxed. That is how I like to run, strong and relaxed.
The body as well as the mind need the sounds of silence every once in awhile. When mine do, I head for the trails!
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
The Trees
The Trees has always been one of my favorite songs by Rush. As I was running on a gorgeous morning this week, I turned into a tunnel of trees, better known as “skook hollow” - well at least to me it is. It is a dark, spooky, narrow road at night. When driving on it, if you turn off your headlights you will see nothing but dark in front of you, not even your hand, thus the name “skook hollow”.
Anyway, the morning was crisp for a May morning, 37 degrees with a clear sky yet a fog meandering through the low lying areas, over ponds and filling in the newly sprouting leaves of the trees. It was eerie in a sense. As the sun rose and glared at each of my strides, it created a lightshow somewhat like at a rock concert – the fog, the beams of sun highlighting the performer. Each twist and turn on the road presented a different scene. Trees, newly sowed fields, and ponds each had their own personality or relationship with the fog.
It was a normal, medium-paced 5-miler except the beauty of the morning was more daunting. I couldn’t help but look around, hardly knowing I was running. This particular route is a down and back. After the turn, I head up a slight hill, over the crest and back down the other side. Typically, my pace picks up here as my body is warmed and used to the pace. Once I finish the decline, I turn into “skook hollow”.
This is where it hit me. The Trees embraced me! The new blossoms welcomed me home like they missed seeing me run beneath them. The fog was lifting and the sun was rising but The Trees were closing in on me. They now had a personality all their own. This is when the song, “The Trees” hit me. “The maples formed a union and demanded equal rights, the oaks are just too lofty, we will make them give us light.” It was a hug from nature, just me and The Trees!
Anyway, the morning was crisp for a May morning, 37 degrees with a clear sky yet a fog meandering through the low lying areas, over ponds and filling in the newly sprouting leaves of the trees. It was eerie in a sense. As the sun rose and glared at each of my strides, it created a lightshow somewhat like at a rock concert – the fog, the beams of sun highlighting the performer. Each twist and turn on the road presented a different scene. Trees, newly sowed fields, and ponds each had their own personality or relationship with the fog.
It was a normal, medium-paced 5-miler except the beauty of the morning was more daunting. I couldn’t help but look around, hardly knowing I was running. This particular route is a down and back. After the turn, I head up a slight hill, over the crest and back down the other side. Typically, my pace picks up here as my body is warmed and used to the pace. Once I finish the decline, I turn into “skook hollow”.
This is where it hit me. The Trees embraced me! The new blossoms welcomed me home like they missed seeing me run beneath them. The fog was lifting and the sun was rising but The Trees were closing in on me. They now had a personality all their own. This is when the song, “The Trees” hit me. “The maples formed a union and demanded equal rights, the oaks are just too lofty, we will make them give us light.” It was a hug from nature, just me and The Trees!
Friday, April 29, 2005
Recovering the Satellites
Maybe you have noticed. Of course, there are probably so few of you reading my entries here that no one has noticed. Anyway, I have started titling my entries after the names of songs or albums. Now, if you are under the age of 25, you might not know what an album is. An album is a vinyl disc with lots of grooves that produces exceptional static with words and music strewn throughout. On this disc is a collection of songs. “Ah!” you say, “it is like a CD”! Yes, it is like a CD.
Now that we have the basics out of the way, I have decided to title the entry after a song or CD, and think about my running experience in terms of that title. Usually the title comes to me while running. Some of the more recent entries were named after Kenny Chesney songs. This one is named after a Counting Crows CD. So what does Recovering the Satellites have to do with running?
As I was running on Wednesday, I thought to myself, “I feel really good and my legs feel like they have recovered from the weekend”. The weekend included the Runner’s World Half Marathon (see Living Here in Allentown). There are general rules of thumb about recovery after racing. One idea is to allow one easy day of running for each mile run in the race. Some people take a couple of full days off. I tend to take the next day off and then ease into running until my body tells me that it feels good and I can set my sights on training for another race. However, feeling good and being recovered are not necessarily one in the same. This is where the satellites come into play.
During my run on Wednesday, the reasoning behind this entry and the subsequent titling of it in reference to a song or album went like this:
“Hey, I feel like I have recovered. I feel great today! Hmmm, but I know that all those little muscle fibers have not recovered. All those torn little cylindrical multinucleate cells composed of myofibrils (OK, I didn’t really think that) are like little disparate satellites dancing around under my skin trying to find protein to rebuild themselves. It must be a false recovery under the glycogen store guise. I need to recover the satellites. Hey, that’s the name of a Counting Crows album (Hah, kids these days don’t even know what albums are). I think that will be my next entry on my blog”.
The mind of a runner sure works in strange ways. We carry on conversations with ourselves. When running alone, how else can we run at conversational pace? Maybe I should title my next entry Talking Heads!
Now that we have the basics out of the way, I have decided to title the entry after a song or CD, and think about my running experience in terms of that title. Usually the title comes to me while running. Some of the more recent entries were named after Kenny Chesney songs. This one is named after a Counting Crows CD. So what does Recovering the Satellites have to do with running?
As I was running on Wednesday, I thought to myself, “I feel really good and my legs feel like they have recovered from the weekend”. The weekend included the Runner’s World Half Marathon (see Living Here in Allentown). There are general rules of thumb about recovery after racing. One idea is to allow one easy day of running for each mile run in the race. Some people take a couple of full days off. I tend to take the next day off and then ease into running until my body tells me that it feels good and I can set my sights on training for another race. However, feeling good and being recovered are not necessarily one in the same. This is where the satellites come into play.
During my run on Wednesday, the reasoning behind this entry and the subsequent titling of it in reference to a song or album went like this:
“Hey, I feel like I have recovered. I feel great today! Hmmm, but I know that all those little muscle fibers have not recovered. All those torn little cylindrical multinucleate cells composed of myofibrils (OK, I didn’t really think that) are like little disparate satellites dancing around under my skin trying to find protein to rebuild themselves. It must be a false recovery under the glycogen store guise. I need to recover the satellites. Hey, that’s the name of a Counting Crows album (Hah, kids these days don’t even know what albums are). I think that will be my next entry on my blog”.
The mind of a runner sure works in strange ways. We carry on conversations with ourselves. When running alone, how else can we run at conversational pace? Maybe I should title my next entry Talking Heads!
Wednesday, April 27, 2005
Living Here in Allentown
Maybe the title of Billy Joel's song should be "Running Here in Allentown"! I've run the Runner's World Half Marathon 4 of the last 5 years. It is one of my favorite races. It is not only the race itself and the great organization by the Lehigh Valley Road Runners (LVRR) organization, but there is always a great motivational speaker and wonderful host at the pasta dinner. The host is always Bart Yasso from Runner's world. Bart's love for the running community and humor always brings out the best emotions in the runners. This year, Sarah Reinertsen, one of Runner's World's heros from their December issue was the guest speaker. I won't go into the details but Sarah runs using a mechanical leg and has completed 7 marathons and participated in the Ironman triathalon in Hawaii. With her dream and belief in herself alive, she will be finishing the Ironman in 2005. She also ran the Runner's World Half Marathon this past Sunday. Her themes, as she was discussing her life, were believing and dreaming - to not give up, to keep reaching, keep working. I must admit, I did revisit her words while running the race on Sunday. I need to keep visiting with them as I try to qualify for Boston.
My run was just alright. I never quite dialed into the groove of the course - as beautiful as it is. The race went as my running has been going since January after the Las Vegas Marathon - a bit of a struggle. I rushed the first two miles getting through the crowds, finally settled into my pace and then raced with sporadic splits in the second half of the race. Everything felt a little tight, a little off-kilter, although my legs felt strong for the most part. I finally crossed the line at 1:46:59 about 4 1/2 minutes off my time from the previous year. However, I always look for good news in a race or at least ways to improve. Since I just turned 45, this race and each subsequent race at a new distance is an age-group PR! That's the good news!
The beauty of running is that we all win when we go out and participate in a race. No matter how I run, I truly feel like I have accomplished something. I rarely get that feeling elsewhere. The other winners are the charities that get supported by these races. The Lehigh Valley Road Runners organization has a great charity support program. The supporting community, runners, volunteers, not to mention Runner's World Magazine, give their time, effort and money to make this race one of the best organized, genuine and generous races being staged. One of my favorite activities is the Kids Races. The determination, exhaustion and eventual smiles on their faces upon finishing says it all about the running experience.
Although I might not be "Living in Allentown" anytime soon (although it looks like a nice place to live) I will always be "Running in Allentown" in the Runner's World Half Marathon. I must also say, If ever I could get a job at Runner's World, I'd move! :)
My run was just alright. I never quite dialed into the groove of the course - as beautiful as it is. The race went as my running has been going since January after the Las Vegas Marathon - a bit of a struggle. I rushed the first two miles getting through the crowds, finally settled into my pace and then raced with sporadic splits in the second half of the race. Everything felt a little tight, a little off-kilter, although my legs felt strong for the most part. I finally crossed the line at 1:46:59 about 4 1/2 minutes off my time from the previous year. However, I always look for good news in a race or at least ways to improve. Since I just turned 45, this race and each subsequent race at a new distance is an age-group PR! That's the good news!
The beauty of running is that we all win when we go out and participate in a race. No matter how I run, I truly feel like I have accomplished something. I rarely get that feeling elsewhere. The other winners are the charities that get supported by these races. The Lehigh Valley Road Runners organization has a great charity support program. The supporting community, runners, volunteers, not to mention Runner's World Magazine, give their time, effort and money to make this race one of the best organized, genuine and generous races being staged. One of my favorite activities is the Kids Races. The determination, exhaustion and eventual smiles on their faces upon finishing says it all about the running experience.
Although I might not be "Living in Allentown" anytime soon (although it looks like a nice place to live) I will always be "Running in Allentown" in the Runner's World Half Marathon. I must also say, If ever I could get a job at Runner's World, I'd move! :)
Thursday, April 14, 2005
Somewhere in the Sun
Spring and sunshine has finally found its way to the Garden State. Over the last week, each run has had a backdrop of pure blue sky and bright sunshine even at 6:30 in the morning. The weekend runs went as planned with a hard 15 miler on Saturday and an easy 5 miler on Sunday. I like to test myself a bit a couple of weeks before a race which will be the Runner's World Half Marathon April 24. I am not sure I will go 1:42 but believe I can go under 1:45. No matter what the time, the joy will be just running it. It has great race organization by Lehigh Valley Running Club and Runner's World.
This week has brought the same weather although a bit cooler. Early morning runs have been in the 30's but still with the bright sunshine; shorts are still in order. While running over the hills and through the woods, I thought to myself, no matter where I am running, I am "somewhere in the sun". Sunshine in general just makes for a more pleasant day but when you get to see the sun rise on a nice brisk run, it is something special.
On your next run with the sun beating down on you, think of how lucky you are to be running "somewhere in the sun"!
This week has brought the same weather although a bit cooler. Early morning runs have been in the 30's but still with the bright sunshine; shorts are still in order. While running over the hills and through the woods, I thought to myself, no matter where I am running, I am "somewhere in the sun". Sunshine in general just makes for a more pleasant day but when you get to see the sun rise on a nice brisk run, it is something special.
On your next run with the sun beating down on you, think of how lucky you are to be running "somewhere in the sun"!
Friday, April 08, 2005
Be As You Are
It has been two weeks since I have blogged but it hasn't been two weeks since I have run. I was "being as I am" in St. John on vacation for a week and adjusting to being back to reality for a week. In St. John, you can truly "be as you are" as opposed to being who you have to be. Running in St. John is a challenge due to the 45 degree (not kidding) hills (up and down), no shoulders, and drivers not used to having runners around. I always run a couple of days and take the challenge - especially the 4 mile trek from Gallows to the Westin that provides panoramic views of the Caribbean and St. Thomas. The hills are brutal but it is worth the hike. I always like seeing the goats and sheep along the way too - living their simple life. The runs always help me control (not) my food and drink intake or at least make me feel better about it.
I ran and worked out enough to ease into a week of good running as I prepare for the Runner's World Half Marathon. I have run 20 miles this week and will run another 20 over the weekend.
Running also allows us to "Be as we are". You can be wherever you want and whover you want on your runs. In some cases it is where dreams are born out of thought or possibly even where they die out of reason. I am me on my runs. I am not a corporate leutenant. I am not a puppet. I run voluntarily and freely. What else in life truly allows you to "be as you are"?
I ran and worked out enough to ease into a week of good running as I prepare for the Runner's World Half Marathon. I have run 20 miles this week and will run another 20 over the weekend.
Running also allows us to "Be as we are". You can be wherever you want and whover you want on your runs. In some cases it is where dreams are born out of thought or possibly even where they die out of reason. I am me on my runs. I am not a corporate leutenant. I am not a puppet. I run voluntarily and freely. What else in life truly allows you to "be as you are"?
Friday, March 25, 2005
The Good Stuff
I'm typically out the door running at 6:30 a.m. With the sun rising earlier and the temperatures starting to rise, the morning presents the essence of running or "the good stuff". There is a perfection to the morning. Everything is still except for the birds chirping waiting to be fed, the deer ending their evening of activity, the cocks crowing letting the farmers know it is time to sow the fields and the sun rising up over the hills. Yes, although I live in NJ running out the door of my house affords me of "the good stuff".
I have had a decent couple of weeks of running with a good medium run of 15 miles last Sunday, short tempo runs and a couple of hill workouts. Next up will be the Runner's World 1/2 marathon in late April. It will be a family affair running with my niece and nephew.
However, it is time for vacation and the beauty of St. John which provides "the good stuff" in a whole different way!
I have had a decent couple of weeks of running with a good medium run of 15 miles last Sunday, short tempo runs and a couple of hill workouts. Next up will be the Runner's World 1/2 marathon in late April. It will be a family affair running with my niece and nephew.
However, it is time for vacation and the beauty of St. John which provides "the good stuff" in a whole different way!
Monday, March 14, 2005
St. Paddy's
Call it the luck of the Irish...the running of the green...but whatever it was, it wasn't expected. I haven't had a good 5 weeks of running. It has actually been a bit difficult to explain but it has been hard pushing anything more than 6 miles and any pace better than 9 minutes. I did get a couple of back to back 10 milers at an acceptable pace of 8:26 but in general it has been a struggle.
I signed up for the St. Paddy's 10 miler a few weeks back, after the LV marathon. I have run it before and last year was a master's PR for me at 1:17:55. I even contemplated not going yesterday because I really didn't know if it was going to be a fun time. The weather was perfect at about 42 dgrees and sunny. I told my myself to get out there, expect nothing and just have an enjoyable run.
I toed the line very relaxed and just waiting for the start. I was really expecting to be in the neighborhodd of 8:25's and just hoping to get in under 1:25. Well, I started out at about 7:40 pace and never let go of it keeping a consistent strong pace averaging 7:37 for the entire 10 miles. I really felt great! I beat last year's master's PR by 90 seconds coming in at 1:16:26. Truly, I was shocked and still not sure how it happened. Maybe I let my body heal for the last 5 weeks; maybe I approached it very relaxed, maybe it was the luck of the Irish. Whatever it was, it gave me some much needed confidence. It's funny how running can do that, just when you need it, it gives once more, something back to you!
I signed up for the St. Paddy's 10 miler a few weeks back, after the LV marathon. I have run it before and last year was a master's PR for me at 1:17:55. I even contemplated not going yesterday because I really didn't know if it was going to be a fun time. The weather was perfect at about 42 dgrees and sunny. I told my myself to get out there, expect nothing and just have an enjoyable run.
I toed the line very relaxed and just waiting for the start. I was really expecting to be in the neighborhodd of 8:25's and just hoping to get in under 1:25. Well, I started out at about 7:40 pace and never let go of it keeping a consistent strong pace averaging 7:37 for the entire 10 miles. I really felt great! I beat last year's master's PR by 90 seconds coming in at 1:16:26. Truly, I was shocked and still not sure how it happened. Maybe I let my body heal for the last 5 weeks; maybe I approached it very relaxed, maybe it was the luck of the Irish. Whatever it was, it gave me some much needed confidence. It's funny how running can do that, just when you need it, it gives once more, something back to you!
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Songs About Rain
Yesterday felt like a taste of spring. Today it is raw again! It was 43 degrees when I got out the door at 7:00 AM but it was raining - the more I ran, the harder the rain got. There is something about running in the rain that feels good - maybe it is just mingling with the elements, flirting with mother nature, dancing with the raindrops. Today, maybe it was just being able to wear shorts yet having cold, wet, numbing legs. Whatever it was, it felt pretty good!
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