Tuesday Ramblings...

Good responses to my Let 'Er Rip post. I appreciate everyone's two cents. It's always nice to get some perspective from others that are not, well, me.

Randumbness:

- Srod commented that maybe I should look at lightening my race calendar. I took his advice. Or, rather, I was forced to take his advice. I had every intention to sign up for the Bayshore Half Marathon over Memorial weekend. As I look this morning, half marathon registration is closed. This is too soon after Boston to consider the full marathon so....I may (and probably will) sign up for the 10k that weekend instead. I've never actually run a 10k race before which is why it doesn't appear in my personal bests column to the right. So, guaranteed PR!

- Russ wondered if I completely missed the intention of his original comment. I think I understood what he was saying but it led me down a different path than I think he expected. For me, running for time/PR's = FUN. Restoring the fun in running means pushing harder.

- Doug provided a nice quote on running against the stopwatch. Love it.

- Book Update #1. Don Quixote. I'm pushing through this but it is a bit of a difficult read for me. It's been awhile since I read a book where it takes 4 pages to describe how you rode away from a village on horseback. It's good. Humorous. I'll be reading it for another couple months though I expect. I'm averaging a paltry 50-60 pages a week due to my schedule. And it's over a thousand pages long.

- Book Update #2. Roasting in Hell's Kitchen. This is an autobiography of Gordon Ramsay, the world class chef. You've probably seen him throwing around f-bombs on television's Hell's Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares. I love reading stories about people who are so passionate and obsessed with perfection in their chosen job/activity. I'm envious of people who have found their life's calling and are pursuing it with every fiber of their beings. Personally, I feel like I'm spinning my wheels...biding time...paying bills...in my career devoid of all passion or interest. I love to live vicariously through truly driven people. Good read. Now, if I could just find something I care about half as much as this guy...

- Post mortem Book Update. 1776. I completed this historical book by David McCullough on the critical first full year of the American Revolution. It steps you through a battle by battle, month by month account of the keys events and decisions on both sides. Washington made very severe judgment errors. The British were too passive and could have destroyed the rebellion early with a more aggressive plan. In 1776, Washington's army merely lived to fight again. And that was the mistake the British made.

- I really wanted to see history made with a 19-0 Patriot team. However, the Giants did deserve to win. They won the battle in the trenches. Who didn't know they were going to score that TD after Manning's miracle sack escape, heave, and reception?

- February is my least favorite month of the year. Gray. Wet. Snow. Rain. Snow. Repeat. What's to like about it?

- Has their been a better franchise in all of major sports in the last 15 years than the Detroit Red Wings? Player retirements, coaching changes, etc. the Wings continue to (usually) lead their division and challenge for the Stanley Cup EVERY SINGLE YEAR since 1994. It's time to win one again this season though.

- My son's 8-0 basketball team heads into their end of the year tournament this weekend. Double elimination. A champion will be crowned.

- 11 weeks to the Boston Marathon?? I better book those airline tickets.

Happy trails.

Let 'Er Rip

All things are relative, right?

For me, "letting it rip" is probably for others a nice comfortable jog. But, the beauty of running is that you only compete against yourself and the stop watch. Or don't "compete" at all and just enjoy the activity. Unfortunately, I was born with this innate desire to crush my opponents (in this case, the stop watch) whenever I participate in a sport despite my complete lack of extraordinary physical attributes (i.e. height, weight, bicep bulging vein popping muscles).

I'm a not quite 6 foot tall, 160 pound, skinny dude with marginal jumping, running, and throwing skills who seeks to dominate 6'10" behemoths with exceptional strength, quickness, and ability to feast on used automobile parts. (editor's note: no, this is not a personal ad) You can see where that gets me. A lifetime of futility.

However, the stop watch? Ha! Puny little thing...sits there and ticks all day. Can't stop ticking, can you? I can and will beat you. Nay, destroy you. I will crush you with the heel of my foot if you bother to tick at me the wrong way.

Russ's response to my last post got me thinking again about what I really enjoy about running. Frankly, I enjoy the competition with myself. I enjoy going after PR's. In a weird way, after obtaining the BQ, I think I started to force myself to be happy just participating in the races. I lost my motivation (henceforth referred to as "mojo"). What drives me is the chase to obtain my goal. I had stopped setting a goal. Inadvertently, I had removed the spirit of competition - the very thing driving me - from the events. So, the races have turned into long training runs based solely on reaching the finish regardless of time. That's simply not me.

I know many others really enjoy the pursuit of the finish line without concern with time. I am not one of them. I really wish it were so. I tried to force it that way but it is simply not the case.

So, I am going to actively set time goals again and pursue them diligently. I may or may not reach them. I'll enjoy the chase however. I guess I would rather feel a bit tired, potentially disappointed, and, possibly, injured aggressively pursuing my goal rather than running defensively (i.e. running to NOT get hurt but cross the finish line). This is my choice recognizing the potential obstacles that exist.

To that end, I let 'er rip last night. I haven't gone hard in a really long time...several months in fact. I've been content with building mileage for the Goofy Challenge with little regard to speed. It felt great to sustain a LT run for a bit. And it also showed I have a little work to do to get back to BQ shape.

3.29 miles
22:32 time
6:51/mile

First step towards regaining the mojo. It felt great.

Happy trails.

Looking Ahead: 2008

All the Goofy Challenge hubbub got me a little behind. I did my 2007 recap but not my 2008 preview. I know every one's been on pins and needles. Right!? Here goes...

My wish list for 2008 includes:

• Run a solid sub 3:30 at the Boston Marathon. I'd like to do better but, with muscles needing to heal after the Goofy Challenge, snow/ice for half my training schedule, and only 12 weeks to prepare, I would be content with this time. Plus, my last two marathons have bombed out due to cramping issues. Let's just finish. On the run. Okay?
• Sprinkle in a few 5k's this year. Hit speed training hard this spring and summer. Set a new 5k PR with an eye toward breaking 19 minutes.
• Refocus my marathon goals. I feel like I've been adrift since the Bayshore Marathon in May 2007. I hit 3:12. I qualified for Boston. Now what? I haven't had a singular goal driving me forward since then. I'm going to go ahead and state one now. 3:10. I want to beat 3:10. I will focus my energies this year on setting a new 5k and marathon PR.
• Research, study, learn, internalize, live new methods for injury prevention. This may involve better stretching, conditioning, diet and/or all of the above. I feel worn down. I feel like my training approach needs some tweaking. So tweaking I will do.
  

So when and where will I test these goals? How will I measure the results? I have these races on my tentative calendar. Besides Boston, I haven't actually signed up for any of them as of yet.

1. Boston Marathon (April)
2. Bayshore Half Marathon (Traverse City, MI - May)
3. Traverse City Cherry Festival 5K (July)
4. The Crim 10 Mile (Flint, MI - August)
5. Dances with Dirt 50K Ultra Trail race (Hell, MI - September) **
6. Detroit Marathon (November)

I'm sure this list will change but that's the plan as of now.

** Only if I'm feeling really stupid some morning and run out and sign up. I would have to be really, phenomenally idiotic to do this. Really, unfathomably stupid. Not smart.

Happy trails.

Goofy Challenge: Final Thoughts

Part I: Check-in and Expo
Part II: Half Marathon
Part III: Full Marathon

This is the final segment of the award winning recap of the 2008 Goofy Challenge.

Okay, so, final thoughts?

Overall, this is a really fun event. It's great to see other runners walking around the hotel and the Disney parks in the days leading up to the race. It's neat to get random "good lucks" and "congratulations" from various Disney workers.

The course for both races is entertaining enough to overcome the lack of crowd support. You simply don't get the throngs of folks cheering you on like you do in Chicago or other big events. However, there are very hearty cheering squads set up along the course to keep you moving. In the dull periods between theme parks, there are bands and DJ's set up strategically to give you something to concentrate on. This is the first marathon in which I didn't wear my MP3 player and I never missed it.

The course is difficult to get to for spectators to cheer you on along the way however. Basically, if you have people wanting to see you on the course, they may need to pick one spot and then make a run for the finish line as the course makes a big circle that is not conducive to jumping to several spots.

I'm very happy to finish this challenge. I've never run back to back distances like this before so, for that, I'm thrilled to complete it.

However, I'm also very competitive with myself and can't help but be disappointed with the end of the marathon.

I can't believe I cramped out again. This thought has been consuming me since the race conclusion. I have Boston next. I absolutely do not want this to happen again. I will be studying up on the best ways to prevent a repeat (or three-peat. Sorry, no royalties for you Pat Riley). After completing my first 2 marathons in fine condition, these last 2 have been very trying. I did the training. I felt great going in and even during the event. What is happening?

Of course, in both events, there have been extenuating conditions. Chicago: oppressive heat. Goofy Challenge: an accumulation of miles I wasn't familiar with coupled with a warm, muggy heat.

Are both of these "outside of the norm" conditions? Not sure. Boston should really tell the tale.

For those looking to run Disney, I give my humble endorsement. It's fun. It's exciting. The course is well designed, not too hilly, and stocked with plenty of aid stations, food, and Biofreeze! (Thanks to NWGDC for the correction. It is not Biocool as I mistakenly referred to it.)

The race itself is not as competitive as other races. It doesn't draw the top runners (winner was in the 2:20 range while 2nd and 3rd place finishers were in the 2:35 range!). The field is largely made up of "fun" runners just looking for a neat medal and a story to tell. So, the entire feel of the race is a bit different. In the starting corrals, folks aren't talking about "PR's". They are talking about what rides they went on with their families the night before.

Take a trip with family and/or friends and Run Disney. It's worth it.

Final note for potential Goofy Challengers: This race fills up super fast as it is limited to 3,000. I checked for 2009 and it is ALREADY nearly 70% full!! Registration opens the day after the race ends for the next year. If you want to do the Goofy run, you'll need to sign up at least 11 months beforehand! If you want to get in for 2009, you better stop reading this and sign up right now.

Thanks for reading the recap. On to other things...

Goofy Challenge: Full Marathon

Part I: Check-in and Expo

Part II: Half Marathon

This is Part III of the award winning recap of the Goofy Challenge.

Sunday, January 13th, 2008. Mickey's Marathon.

Strap in. This is a long one.

I should first mention, for those Goofy Challenge aspirants, that your orange wrist band gets clipped off and replaced with a blue wrist band at the finish line of the half marathon. In turn, you need to complete the full marathon with this wrist band intact to demonstrate you have completed the challenge.

So, the half marathon is complete. It went well. I feel good. I felt like I followed a good plan. We spent the rest of Saturday doing some things at Animal Kingdom and then went back to the hotel for some swimming and relaxing. Storm clouds rolled in and an otherwise nice evening turned into a downpour. I hoped this wasn't in the forecast for tomorrow morning.

Saturday night, I'm exhausted. The lack of sleep before the half marathon has caught up to me. This time, at lights out, I fall right asleep.

3 A.M. the alarm goes again. I have no problems jumping out of bed. I'm ready to get this thing over with and celebrate the accomplishment. Since it worked yesterday, I went with the exact same plan: banana nut muffin, banana, water, and taking an orange and PowerBar to the start gates.

At the bus by 4 A.M.. At Epcot again by 4:20. Again, watching the same rock band on the same stage. The crowds look noticeably large today though I believe there are the same number of participants for both races?? It's like an episode of Ground Hog day. I've now lived the same morning twice.

On the way to the starting corrals, I strike up a conversation with a triathlete from New Hampshire. He's looking to break 4 hours today. He gives me advice on a book to buy to improve swimming skills in case I ever decide to do a tri. I'll tuck that info away. That's not on my horizon right now but...one day?

Corral A is located in a different spot outside of Epcot this time. They have a two wave start where the two paths reconnect just past Epcot with each taking a slightly different first 3 miles.

It's a little warmer this morning. Only 65-70 degrees by thermostat but the air is definitely thicker and warmer and laying on the shoulders a bit. No rain. I'll need to hydrate well today.

Anthem. More Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto chatter. We're Off!

The starting blast!

This time we go straight into Epcot and around the World Showcase. Pretty cool. It's still dark outside but the lights are on, music is blasting away. Hard to keep the emotions in check and mind your pace.

Outside of Epcot, it's the familiar road up to Magic Kingdom repeating yesterday's run. This time we get there around mile 10. I followed a consistent pace up to here. I've been alternating water and PowerAde at every aid station. My legs feel strong. I know the second half of this race is the place to expect trouble but, so far, I very pleased with how it is going.

Inside Magic Kingdom, I stop a few times and take a couple of pictures. The crowd is stronger than yesterday and the whole race feels more vibrant for some reason.









We leave Magic Kingdom just as the sun is rising. I can feel the air get a bit warmer but I'm nearing the half way point and feeling confident.

It was a bit of a trudge from here. The half maker has passed. I crossed just around 1:42. If I can knock out a 1:48 second half, I can hit 3:30! Unofficially, 3:40 was my goal for this race. I was anticipating some fatigue issues and time spent taking pictures when targeting that number.

The road to Animal Kingdom is long, winding and definitely not mainstream. There was no traffic. An aid station would pop up out of nowhere and then nothing again.

We enter Animal Kingdom at mile 16. This was a key spot, mentally, for me. I was really pointing to this mile marker. I felt like if I could just make it to mile 16 without taking any breaks, I could pull back a little over the last 10 miles and just enjoy the trip home.

Through Animal Kingdom and out. Just before mile 18, we wrapped around to the main ticket gate. It was fun to run past the folks heading into the parks. They were half cheering and half wondering what these runners were doing!

At mile 18, I take a walking break just past the aid station and enjoy some water and chat with another runner. I definitely feel fatigued at this point. I know I can't keep the pace I had up until then. I'm sweating profusely but I have not missed a single aid station or a GU interval. At this point, I feel like all systems - while fatigued - are a go. I wish the other runner well and resume the run.

In the starting corral, I had spoken to a fellow who had completed Goofy's Challenge last year and he warned me that the distance from Animal Kingdom to Hollywood (formerly MGM) Studios is the most difficult section. It's getting late in the race. You're tired and there is a one mile down and back turnaround spot that will get to you mentally.

Here it comes. And here comes some problems. Mile 19, I feel a tug in my left calve. This is what happened in Chicago in October when my leg cramps started. I immediately pull back my pace. An aid station - with BANANAS - a few feet ahead! Banana. PowerAde. Fingers crossed!! Seven miles to go. I'm going over a slight hill (overpass) and the increased strain is causing the leg cramps to flare up.

Knots. Strains. Arghhhhh! I'm now walking just before mile 20. I'm slow walking in fact. I can't even manage the fast walk pace I was able to do in Chicago. This is not good. A medical tent dead ahead. I'm not going to tough it out this time. I need some medical advice.

I stop in to the tent at about 20 1/4 miles disappointed as I could possibly be. I can not believe I am cramping out AGAIN! I'm provided Tylenol. Two cups of PowerAde. My calves are rubbed down with Biocool. This would begin my love affair with this product. I had never heard of it before. It's a cooling agent that leaves your legs numb and tingling. Think Icy Hot - but stronger.

I stagger on with a shuffling run. Just get me to the finish. I'm in the heart of the down and back portion I was warned about. In fact, there goes the guy who told me about it passing me. He doesn't see me but I can only shake my head when I see him pass by on the trot.

Disaster. Just before mile 21, I stop for water and my right hamstring completely locks up on me. This is now worse than Chicago, which was concentrated only in the calves. I take several minutes standing behind the water tables trying to work it out. Can I make it to the next medical tent? Should I go back to the other one??

I'll walk on. Rounding the bend past mile 21, I see the next medical tent but it's still a half mile away. On the walk, the Biocool on my calves is wearing off and they are starting to cramp up again. While stretching my calve, my shin muscle cramps up. Really, the nuts, bolts, springs, and coils are blowing apart at this point. At least, that's what I feel like.

I make it to the next medical tent. This time, I slathered both my legs up and down from top to bottom with Biocool. It helps. I'm walking now at a decent clip. The funny thing is that, I can feel a muscle cramp developing in any tiny little area where I might have missed with the Biocool.

I still have my fingers stained with the stuff. So, I apply as needed as I walk on to whatever area needs it.

Heading into Hollywood Studios, I dare to run again. Hey, I can do it. No cramps. I can't feel my legs now to the numbing agent but okay by my.

Leaving Hollywood Studios.

I even manage to get up to around a 9 minute mile pace. The Biocool starts wearing off after a time and I can feel the tugging cramps starting back up.

It becomes a point to point race to each medical tent and the magical elixir of life: Biocool.

I stop at every aid station for PowerAde. I stop at every medical tent for a complete hose down of Biocool.

Hollywood Studios passes, the Boardwalk passes, into Epcot. I can make it on the run now!

Through Epcot and out.

The FINISH!! The FINISH!!

I made it. Again, not exactly how I envisioned it going but I MADE IT.

My goofballs.

It amuses me to review my mile by mile breakdown (literally) according to Garmin. I quick perusal shows the "problem" areas:

Mile 1 7:54
Mile 2 7:35
Mile 3 7:36
Mile 4 7:50
Mile 5 7:26
Mile 6 7:33
Mile 7 7:30
Mile 8 7:41
Mile 9 7:30
Mile 10 7:44
Mile 11 8:02
Mile 12 7:34
Mile 13 7:49
Mile 14 7:42
Mile 15 7:51
Mile 16 7:47
Mile 17 7:56
Mile 18 8:11
Mile 19 8:37
Mile 20 9:38
Mile 21 13:46
Mile 22 22:47
Mile 23 18:28
Mile 24 11:53
Mile 25 9:59
Mile 26 9:22

Hmmm, anyone see a problem?

I was happy to be able to resume a run though and not have to walk to the finish like in Chicago. I estimate I walked 3 miles of this race before running the last 3 again.

I received my new, redesigned Mickey medal. Checked in at the Goofy Challenge tent and got my Goofy medal to complete the trifecta. Cool!

The trifecta!

Numbers? Yes, numbers:

Chip time: 4:08:44
Pace: 9:29/mile

Overall place: 1694 of 12,964 finishers
Age group place: 277 of 1368



Unofficial Goofy Challenge results:

Chip times: 5:47:58
Pace: 8:51/mile

Overall place: 214 of 2715 challengers.

Enjoyed your race, Goofy!

The rest of the day was spent staggering around Epcot with the family unshowered and tight. To top it off, the Spaceship Earth attraction (in the giant golf ball) broke down and we head to walk the stairs down to the exit. That was fun.

Official full marathon photos from ASI photography.

Next post: A wrap up of my thoughts on the experience. Final comment on the Goofy Challenge.

Goofy Challenge: Half Marathon

Part I: Check-in and Expo

This is Part II of the award winning recap of the Goofy Challenge.

Saturday, January 12th, 2008. Donald's Half-Marathon.

Crap. Hardly any sleep the night before this race. Tossing, turning, fearing I was going to miss the 3 AM wake-up call. I was told the last bus left Wilderness Lodge at 4 AM for the race start. That didn't leave much time if I overslept.

When the alarm went off, I estimate that I got 2 1/2 to 3 hours of sleep at most even after lights out at 10 PM.

Oh, well. Time to move. Shower (I always do this before a race for some reason). Dress. Chip in shoe. Bib on shirt. Orange Goofy band still on wrist? Check. I was in the mood for a faux hawk so whatever hair I could direct on top of my head got moussed into an external head spine.

Breakfast of banana nut muffin, banana, and water. I'll take an orange and PowerBar to the start line. After all, there is still nearly 3 hours until the race actually starts!

I did want to note - for those of you considering this event - that Wilderness Lodge opened their cafe at 2 AM serving breakfast foods and pasta dishes for the runners. I thought this was very cool. I didn't go down there for it though. I was valuing every last minute of sleep I could get. It's there though if you need it. I expect most all other Disney resorts did this as well.

About 3:45, I left my room with the kids still fast asleep and my wife restlessly stirring. The plan for this was that I would complete the half marathon and bus back on my own. It's way too early to get the kids up, hang out all day, and expect happy children by the end of the day. Let them sleep. They'll meet me tomorrow at the end of the full marathon.

The marathon bus was right out the front door just as I was told. In fact, there were 3 lined up and I'm guessing the last one wasn't leaving until around 4:30 or so.

We arrived at the start by 4:20. The starting area is basically in the Epcot parking lot. There was a rock band playing live on a makeshift stage in the waiting area. It's a bit surreal to be watching some band rock out, heads flailing so early in the morning while runners zig zag back and forth taking care of last minute business.

Stage in background

I sat by myself. Ate my orange. Took care of my own "business" and started the walk to the starting corrals. I was in corral A. This was right at the start. I do not remember ever having to show proof of time to get in this corral. I believe Disney simply takes you at your word when filling out the race application based on your expected finish time.

I could not see where the corrals were so I followed the crowd and walked.

...and walked.

...and walked.

It must have been a roughly 20 minute walk covering well over a mile. Nice warm-up I guess.

Right on schedule, national anthem, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, and Donald appear for some inane chatter that nobody could really follow as everyone was just waiting for the race to start. A brief explosion of fireworks and We're Off!

I was really near the front. Probably took around 45 seconds to cross the start. There were just over 13, 000 runners.

Really, the miles were pretty uneventful. I stuck to my plan to run this out at training mode pace. I still had a full marathon to go the next day. Unofficially, I was shooting for a 1:40 half marathon time. This was several minutes below my ability, I think, but would leave me with the needed energy for the next day's run.

The course leaves Epcot and follows the road to the Magic Kingdom. They have several DJ's blaring music set up along the road in various dead zones to keep you going. I was not wearing my MP3 so it came in handy.

We reached Magic Kingdom still shrouded in the darkness by miles 5-7, I believe. The lights were on and the park workers were very enthusiastic with their encouragement. There were several of the Disney characters there including - ugh - Chip n' Dale.

We went up Main Street, through Tomorrowland, back through the middle of the castle, and out of the park through a service entrance somewhere over by Splash Mountain.

I'm pretty well hitting my miles right on schedule between 7:30 - 7:40 per mile.

After Magic Kingdom, we basically just head back to Epcot to the finish. By this time, the sun's starting to come up. It's still only about 65 degrees and breezy. A little warm but fine running conditions for a half marathon. I'm feeling pretty good actually.

There are a few overpasses you have to get over along the main roads so the course isn't exactly flat but I didn't feel there was anything exceptionally hilly about it either. Plenty of water stations along the way. There must have been 10 aid stations during the 13 miles.

Back at Epcot, we entered the park and ran a short loop up the middle and back out the other side near the giant Epcot golf ball. The finish line was just outside the Epcot exit.

Piles of Donald medals waiting for owners at the finish.

I finished, received my Donald medal. Got some food and drink and headed over to the bus back to the hotel.


Numbers? Yes, numbers:

Chip time: 1:39:14
Pace: 7:32/mile

Overall place: 264 of 12,228 finishers
Age group place: 46 of 906


By 8:45 AM, I was back in the room as the family was waking up for a day at the park!

Official half marathon photos from ASI photography.

The rest of Saturday would be spent at Animal Kingdom. More warm-up for the next day's full marathon!

Next post: Full Marathon and the completion of the Goofy Challenge.

Goofy Challenge: Check-in and Expo

We'll call this Part I of a three part feature.

We stayed at Wilderness Lodge on Disney property thanks to an uncle who got us a nice 40% discount on the room. This hotel is not on the monorail line but it is very near Contemporary Resort (the one where the monorail goes through the middle of the hotel). It also happens to be right along both the half and full marathon courses but these races are not exactly spectator friendly. More on that later.

Wilderness Lodge pool view

Wilderness Lodge lake view

Friday morning, we hit the Expo to check-in, get my race gear, and check out their exhibits. Disney provides transportation to their Wide World of Sports complex for the participants. If you stay on property, you don't have to worry about getting around to do all the things you need for the race.

On the way into the expo...

Expo entrance

I was able to check in and get my race bibs and chips fairly easily. They have a specific table set up for the Goofy Challengers. At check-in, I received an orange wrist band that was to be worn until completing the half marathon. This is their way of monitoring who finishes each race. If you lose your wrist band, you are out of luck. Needless to say, you quickly become paranoid and find yourself checking your wrist every 5 seconds to make sure the wrist band is still there.

The main sponsors appear to be Champion clothing and Clif energy foods. We had to go downstairs through the exhibit hall to the back (like in Chicago) to get the goody bag/race shirts. This was a total clusterf*ck. They have way too many exhibits set up in a small area. You can barely move let alone see anything from the exhibitors. I would recommend they rethink this layout. On top of that, they were actually assembling the goody bags (i.e. putting in all the pamphlets, freebies, etc) into the bag at the time you stepped up to the table. WTF?! Wouldn't it be easier to have them all put together and then just add the shirt??

Expo exhibitor floor (view from race check-in area)

We did get sucked in and buy a few useless souvenirs from the marathon store and hustled out. The kids were anxious to go swimming and get to Magic Kingdom.

I received 3 race shirts for the Goofy Challenge: 1/2 marathon, full marathon, and specific Goofy Challenge shirt. They are neat technical training shirts but my only complaint is that they are ALL long sleeve. I expected a race event - in Florida - to be providing short sleeve shirts. Again, I was a little surprised by this but whatever.

Race shirts. All long sleeve technical shirts.

Here we are chilling on the Tomorrowland Transit Authority in Magic Kingdom later on Friday night before the half marathon while waiting for the fireworks. Notice I'm already rocking out the Goofy Challenge shirt. Fireworks. Bed. That was the plan.

Don't be freaked by our red, glassy chlorine filled pool eyes.

My daughter did not take that hat off for 4 straight days!

Behind that smile, I'm secretly dreading the 3 A.M. wake-up call and the task ahead.

Next post: The Half Marathon

I'm back. I'm sore.

Not necessarily in that order.

We have arrived home from Florida. What a bummer to step off the plane to 30 degrees and snow. I could have made a sandcastle and a snowman on the same day!

Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge (or Goofy's Challenge) is complete! I crossed the finish line in both races. The hardware I brought back caused my bag in the airport to be overweight providing some last minute scrambling to shift weight to other bags. (No kidding).

I will have a full report from both races to come in the days ahead. It was a fun experience.

As a teaser, let's just say I finished all 39.3 miles. The first 32 miles went completely to plan. The last 7 miles? Well.....

Looking Back: 2007

I have been about as busy right now as I've been in awhile. Too much going on in a two week period. Marathon training, holidays, holiday decoration tear down, snow shoveling, kid babysitting, preparing for vacation, painting my house, peak period for work projects, etc.

I'll spare you the details. But you get a quick Year in Review instead of a deluxe version.

2007

Successes:

1) Qualified for Boston with a 3:12 at the Bayshore Marathon. May 2007 would be the best shape of the year for me. Since then, I've been dealing with a variety of nagging muscle aches and a lack of a clear focus. I've been running...but what I am running for exactly? I mean, what is my goal?

2) Completed the Chicago Marathon despite some hard conditions including the first time I've ever experienced a muscle cramp during a race.

3) Completed my first ever trail race taking first in my age group. It has left me with the thirst for more of this type of challenge.

4) Despite not running a 5k in over 2 years, my first attempt back in April 2007 saw a sub 20 minute time and my second best effort ever. I was very, very pleased with this as, when I originally started running 7+ years ago, this was my main goal. Once completed, I stopped running 5k's entirely.

Areas for Improvement (or, Failures, if you prefer harshness):

1) I didn't run a smart race in Chicago. Despite the conditions, I could have done better there if I had followed a better plan.

2) I need to focus on better stretching and muscle conditioning techniques. I believe most of my aches and pains in the second part of the year were easily preventable if I were a bit smarter about my approach.

3) I need to settle on new goals going forward. After qualifying for Boston, I just kinda ran the rest of the year without an idea on what I was trying to accomplish.


This will be my last post prior to returning from the Goofy Race and Half Challenge, I'm afraid. Just too much going on that takes priority right now. So, here are my thoughts heading in:

• I'm ready to complete the challenge (I think)!
• Time is not a factor to me. I just want to finish in reasonably good shape (i.e. not limping).
• I'll be targeting close to 8 minute miles for both races. This is about 40 seconds slower than I'm capable. I feel this will allow me to cover the 39.3 miles in decent shape.
• I think the half marathon and first half of the full marathon will be no problem. The second half of the full marathon will get interesting though.
• I'm bringing a camera with me on this run.
• I hope Chip n' Dale aren't there. I hate those guys.

Good luck to anyone else out there running a race over the next two weeks. I haven't been keeping up on what is going on.

Happy 2008 to everyone!

Race report and "Looking Ahead: 2008" to come in future posts.

Holiday Taper

A first for me...taper, Christmas, New Years....MARATHON!! (oh, and half marathon also).

Santa was at my house. Hopefully, not the raging, roidin', virulent, Satan Santa shown in the picture below. Nothing was smashed or stolen. I think we must have gotten a visit from the friendlier looking one.

The kids are Wii bowling their little hearts out. My son rises 2 hours before anyone else so he can get his fill of Guitar Hero in before anyone wakes up.

I'm in Taper-Try-Not-To-Get-Fat-Eating-Snacks-While-Preparing-For-My-Marathon mode.

Last Sunday's 20 miler was done, sadly, on the treadmill. I was intending to run outside. The snow had melted the day before. Sidewalks clear. When I stepped outside at 9 AM however, there was a a strong, cold wind blowing. After debate and opting on the side of wimpery, I headed to the gym and the mill.

I capped off my peak training week with 40 miles last week.

10 on Saturday outside.
20 on Sunday inside.

Again, the Goofy Challenge totals 39.33 miles over 2 days. This past weekend's simulation was 76.3% of that total (30 miles divided by 39.33).

The last 25% will have to be purely grinding it out. Should be interesting.

Hope everyone received a visit from friendly Santa.

Happy trails.

Holiday Cheer

Merry Christmas.

Happy New Year.

All that jazz.

By the way, does anyone find this image of Santa disturbing?

I much prefer the less threatening, dopier original version.

My upcoming Goofy Challenge goals as well as a segment I lovingly call "Looking Back" and "Looking Ahead" coming up next.

Happy trails.

The BIG Week

Mileage wise, that is.

This is the week where I max out my long run and total mpw. I'm 3.5 weeks from the big event(s). Mentally, it's always nice to get this week behind me. I'll start feeling like the bulk of the training has been accomplished and I can start relaxing a bit.

Of course, the big mileage week is also hitting along with the first snow dump of the year. How nice.

Today on the way in to work, I literally did a 360 spin after gently (I thought) applying the brakes. Luckily, there was no oncoming traffic in the other lane.

The plan for this week:

Monday: 5 miles (completed)
Wednesday: 4 miles
Saturday: 10 miles
Sunday: 20 miles

Consecutive days = 30 miles of the 39.33 needed (or 76.3%).

I may do Sunday's LR on the treadmill. We'll see how Saturday goes first.

Last week, I accomplished the consecutive 9 & 18 mile runs for a total of 27 of the 39.33 needed (68.6%). The 18 was done on the mill. I was shedding sweat like a madman too. I drove off 2 runners who tried to occupy the mill next to me with my flying, spraying moisture. Whaddya gonna do? It wasn't intentional. They keep the gym cranked to like 85 degrees. You could work up a sweat farting.

I'm on pace to make this by biggest mileage month ever!

Happy trails.

Enough of the Whiny!

First of all, is that how you spell whiny? It's not a word I use often. Like persnickety. When did that go out of common lexicon?

You know what the funniest word is? Akimbo.

a'kim'bo (adjective)(adverb) "with the hands on the hips and the elbows turned outward"

I love that word. Try using it next time your spouse puts her hands on his/her hips in anger or frustration. Smile and say "Why are you standing there akimbo?"

Argument diffused!

But I digress.

In reading through recent posts, I've noticed I've become a bit whiny about recent leg issues. It's got to stop. And it is. Right now. Until further notice, unless I suffer from a serious injury setback, you will not hear any more complaints about various nagging muscle aches. It's part of the territory. I'll deal and move on.

I'm halfway through a landmark Goofy Challenge trial run. I rolled out of bed early, for me, and hit the road by 6:20 A.M. Nine miles later, I'm back and in the shower ready to get the kids to school. No worries, the lovely Mrs. Nitmos was home with the kids. As far as you know.

Tomorrow morning, I have the day off from work and will complete 18 more miles by lunch time. That's 27 of 39 1/3 miles. I feel like this will really tell me how prepared I am for this challenge. Again, speed is not a factor. Purely endurance. I have slowed my training pace back nearly 20 seconds per mile to accommodate this strategy.

Those 18 miles may - MAY - be done on the mill. I haven't decided yet. We'll see how much I feel like slipping around on sidewalks tomorrow.

Enjoy the release of baseball's Mitchell report today. We'll see what roided out freaks have been accepting applause and money under false pretenses over the last few years.

Alas, I'm feeling a bit persnickety(!) today.

Happy trails.

Ho Hum. Another Week Closer.

First, it's with much apology that I inform you that my milestone 100th post was the one titled "Paging Dr. Jellyfinger". Ah, to undo the past! Wait! Blogger allows me to do just that but, no, I will let it stand.

This was a cutback week and a reprieve from the back to back weekend runs so not much to report. Only 27 miles for the week with a LR of 13.

In the ongoing Fall of My (leg) Discomfort, I have another little issue to report. My left knee swelled up after Thursdays run. I managed to knock out about half the swelling through RICE (or RIE as I really didn't compress at all) before testing it on Saturday's LR. I seem to be able to run on it just fine. Normally, I'd take a week off at this point to relax but, high mileage weeks and all with a marathon and a half staring me in the face, I gave it an easy go.

The run went okay. Post run, it briefly swelled again but has since gone back to minor swelling. Only a little bit of pain when I twist the knee a certain way but otherwise no issues walking or running. I have an appointment tomorrow to have this looked at. After never seeing the doctor for like 2 years, I'll be in his office twice within a week!

This week calls for 5 miles tonight. Nine on Thursday and 18 on Friday in the continuing effort to simulate the Goofy Challenge. This will be 68.6% of the total race effort!

On a side note, I was in the mall the other day and noticed a bunch of Brandon Inge (3b, Tigers) jerseys on the clearance rack. Out with the old, in with the Cabrera I always say.

Happy trails.

Paging Dr. Jellyfinger

So, I had my physical the other day...

Let's face it, when you are a man and the word "physical" comes up, the only thing you can think of is rubber gloves and K-Y jelly. Sophomoric, I know. But there it is.

I haven't had a full blown physical since high school and that didn't include the dreaded check of your, ahem, nether regions.

Frankly, I'm obsessing about this when I get seated on the doctor's table and the nurse goes through the preliminaries. She leaves. I await the doctor. I look around the room: flyers on how to control high blood pressure, growth charts, cotton swabs. Normal stuff. Except there on the desk is a singular rubber glove laid out next to a tube of...of...LUBRICANT! Ahhhh. This is cruel. It's left purposely in my viewing area. The minutes tick by (you always have to wait in a doctor's office right?) but that glove and tube don't move. My eyes keep coming back to it. I entertain thoughts of disposing of it. Maybe he would forget all about it if it's not there on the desk? Maybe that's the last one of each they have? Is that a tack on top of one of the fingers??

No. I signed up for this. Best to do what needs getting done.

The doctor comes in. We go through the various phases of the physical. This is all a blur. My only concern is when he is going to put on that glove. When? When! Stop torturing me!!**

We discuss my family medical history. We discuss the level of my physical activity and concerns about recent heart incidences with other runners. I'm hooked to an EKG. Little lines and hills scribble on a piece of paper. How can they get a fair picture of my heart when I'm staring at that glove? And the tube of lubricant? Oh, God, they must think I'm in the beginning stages of a heart attack.

The doctor informs me I have a bit of prehypertension (no kidding! it was full blown at that moment) which we'll monitor over time. The EKG revealed sinus bradycardia with the absence of symptoms. The doctor chalked it up to a normal condition for runners, bikers, other athletes, etc. In fact, most runners probably have this condition. It's a byproduct of the training. If you have an unusually low resting pulse, there's a good chance you have it as well.

Other than that, all checked out well and I'm good to go. No concerns. Not sure why I have a bit of high blood pressure though. I exercise. I'm not overweight. Don't smoke. I've cut down - and will cut down further - on caffeine and salt. Stress? Genetics? Must be.

But, wait, what about the glove? Hmm, I'm not saying anything. He's not doing anything. I'm getting dressed and leaving.

Somehow or another, I escaped the, er, invasive part of this exam. Looking back, I think his evaluation of my family medical history combined with my age made the "procedure" not necessary at this time. Or he was being merciful.

I can't help feeling a bit like the wallflower never asked to dance.

Now that this is behind me, my wife, parents and in-laws can feel reasonably comfortable that my heart isn't a ticking time bomb waiting to explode during the next race.

As far as we know.

Happy trails.

** Level of fear greatly exaggerated for comedic effect.

Dreading the Mill

My cherry was popped.

On the treadmill, that is. I went 36 years and over 8 months before stepping foot on the evil "dreadmill" as I see it referred to by others. But yesterday's freezing ice/rain made it near impossible to run outside. I had to get my miles in. Normally, if the conditions are just too harsh, I skip the run and reschedule for the following day. However, for this training session, I'm intent on getting back to back workouts in to simulate the Goofy Challenge. I needs to get my miles in on schedule!

After Saturday's 8+ miles (8.22 miles @ 7:12 pace) on a clear snow less day, I watched the storm roll in that evening and knew Sunday was in jeopardy.

Sure enough, Sunday saw that sidewalks and roads covered in a nice thin sheet of ice. Rain pelting down. I'm up for running in some less than desirable conditions. But ice skating without skates? In the rain? No thanks.

I needed my miles though.

No choice. Time to head for the gym and the treadmills.

I've never been on one before. Frankly, I didn't even know how to work it. I stood there trying to look cool quietly checking everyone out to pick up some tips. I turned it on. And started walking. And walking. How do you get this thing to go faster? I didn't want set it too high and then zip off the back crashing into the mill behind me. I've seen that in movies.

Finally, I figured it out and started moving. After a couple of minutes, I got the hang of it and let go of the side rails. And off I went.

16 miles and a couple of hours later, I was done. It really wasn't that bad except I stopped on 2 occasions to get some water and was completely dizzy while trying to walk away from the machine. It felt like the floor was still moving. Weird.

I had it set to 8 minute miles (7.5 mph). I really felt like the thing was going much faster than that though. I felt like I was going at my normal outdoor pace which would have been around 7:40/mile for this type of run. Probably just a dreadmill newbie getting used to the idiosyncrasies of a hamster wheel.

24+ miles for the weekend. 61.5% of the Goofy Challenge total.

This week will be a cutback week. I'll lay off the back to back weekend workouts and my long run will only be 13 miles. Hopefully, the weather will be okay.

Happy trails.

A Real Pain in the Ass

Literally. Well, except I think it's more in my right groin.

I've been complaining recently of various right leg pain issues. The hamstring has been the culprit on multiple days. Sometimes the right calve. Sometimes the IT band is tender. Sometimes my glute and/or groin. Every other run leaves me with a tender area somewhere on my right leg.

I think I'm getting into mind game territory now. I've been monitoring this for the past several weeks. Here's what I've noticed. When I'm distracted (listening to music, taking in the scenery, etc.), I have very little - if any - muscular discomfort after a run. If, however, I focus on my "tender" right leg during the run, I end up with greater leg pain.

It seems like I might be changing my stride a bit, or overcompensating, to protect whatever muscle group I feel needs protection and thus irritating another muscle group. It's all in the head. I need to forget about a sore hamstring or sore glute and JUST RUN. It's changing my stride. I've noticed I start running more on the outer edge of my foot once some groin soreness starts...which exacerbates my calf, etc.

Head games. I need to focus (or, not focus maybe in this case) and get back into my easy, natural stride. I believe that will clear up some of my leg issues.

I've been slowly coming to this realization over the last few weeks but last night was the clincher. After a couple nice, pain free runs over the weekend. Last night, I went for a 5 miler and was concentrating on nearly every foot fall. About 3 miles in, I noticed I was now running on the outer edge of my feet...so I compensated the other direction...made little adjustments, etc. In the end, my right glute and groin were back to being very sore again.

Maybe I'll bring a book and read the next time I run. You really have to concentrate on Don Quixote.

The Future

I'm reading Mike and Lisa's plans for 2008 races/events and it's got my juices flowing. I'm already anxious to throw some more races on the calendar but no. No. I need to get Disney in the bag first.

I think next year I'm going to again focus on some 5k's. I've only done 1 since 2004. I think I have a sub 19 minute one in me somewhere.

All of this will be spelled out in my anxiously awaited 2008 New Year's Running Resolutions due late this year! All runners should make their own.

Happy trails.

57.25%

I loves me some statistics! And look, I found another statistic to play with.

22.5/39.3 = 57.25

As in 22.5 miles ran this past weekend (7.5 on Friday and 15 on Saturday) and 39.3 for the distance of the Goofy Challenge in January. It sure seemed like a lot of miles but as I was endlessly looping the one mile snow and ice covered trail at the Civic Center park in Traverse City, MI, I was working through some long division to come up with the actual percentage. (Really, I came up with 57.4 but who's counting?).

Only 57 and a quarter percent? I was pretty whipped by the end on Saturday. This body isn't used to running on consecutive days. And I still need to go another 42%, or 16.8 miles, in just under 7 weeks???

I'm officially slightly concerned that this is going to turn into another 10 mile walk to the finish. However, the next 3-4 weeks are crucial mileage building weeks. I should feel a lot more comfortable come Christmas. I'll peak out my training for this on Dec. 23rd with a consecutive day runs of 10 & 20 miles (or 76.3% of the total race distance for you fellow statistic geeks out there). The other quarter of this "challenge" will come through sweat and tears (but hopefully not blood) on the day of the race(s).

Traverse City had a nice round of driving snow and ice over the Turkey Day weekend. Both runs were in the 27 degree range with about an inch of fresh snow covering a layer of thin ice on my path. This caused a few slip, sliding saves to prevent a crash to the ground. It also forced me to slow up a bit. I averaged around 7:30/mile on Friday and 7:45 on Saturday. And very little leg discomfort afterwards (yes, I know you are still there cursed hamstring).

The plan this weekend is for 24 total miles (61.07%) split 8 and 16 as well as a short run during the week.

I do enjoy running in the winter. It's quiet. It's cool. It's usually real relaxing. I could do without the cool breezes that turn my sweat into tiny little icicles jabbing me all over though. Besides that, what fun!

Hey, look at that! I'm 7 weeks through my 14 week training plan for this race.

50%.

Happy trails.

Off With Its Head!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I look forward to the pleasantness of turkey flesh being digested deep within me. MMMM, turkey.

This week, a 5, 7.5 and 15 miler planned with the last 2 on back-to-back days as I continue to ramp up the training. I am now starting the "building mileage" phase after creeping slowly upwards over the last 2 months. Overall, my legs are fresher...but not free of discomfort. My right hamstring refuses to cooperate.

I'll need to live with it at this point. I took it easy last week. Really, over the last 2 weeks I've cut back a bit on mileage and pace with so-so results. The legs are back to about 75% but start complaining around the 10 mile mark.

I shall proceed with caution.

Enjoy the time with friends and/or family.

Go Lions.

Ambercrombie Daisy May

Thanks for:

1. Sitting in the back window of the car like a lion resting on a rock.
2. Those ears that looked like two rugs tacked to the side of your head.
3. Going head to head with a bunny in a bowl of rabbit food to see who could eat more the fastest.
4. Posing in the wife and I's engagement photo so many years ago (in between barks at the photographer, of course).
5. Graciously accepting the arrival of two kids who took attention away from you.
6. Sitting by the front door when we left and being there when we came back. Every time.
7. Learning to snap a dog biscuit off your nose (sometimes).
8. Knowing the difference between regular food emerging from the food closet and microwave popcorn (your only allowed human food).
9. Barking at the neighbor dog. Only to snort and walk away when he returned a bark.
10. Allowing my daughter to lay on top of you to give you hugs (I could hear you groan sometimes).
11. Following your mom around everywhere she went. Even if it meant getting stepped on sometimes.
12. Your silent protest hunger strikes that lasted nearly 2 days upon returning to your regular food bowl after visits to the grandparents and the special treat of another dog's food (and whatever else "fell" off the table).
13. The little tuft of hair on top of your head, if we let it go too long between hair cuts, that stood up making you look like Alfalfa.
14. Signaling with your body and eyes that it was time to go and saving us from having to guess.

April 1993 - November 2007

Thanks for the memories!

Another Successful Weekend

I'm sitting here thinking that I haven't posted in awhile so I should put an update out there but...WHAT?

I don't have much to report. Things are moving along. I'm in the pre-holiday lull before the Christmas - New Year's - Florida - Disney Marathon storm that is gathering and about to descend. Christmas shopping is ongoing. Big gifts are purchased (yes, the Wii is safely tucked away from the kids' eyes). Football is being watched. Scientists around the world are trying to figure out how the Detroit Lions have a 6-3 record at this point. Yes, we all know they'll finish something like 7-9 but don't spoil our fun! I recently upgraded my tube TV to LCD /HDTV and, frankly, can't take my eyes off of it. My eyes are sore by the time I go to bed.

I'm managing to get in 25 mpw still. I'm in quasi-marathon training/nurse muscle soreness mode. In other words, I'm still running but I've cut back about 25% on my original long run goals and slowed down 15-20 seconds on my usual per mile training pace. I may not be in "peak" condition by the time Disney rolls around but I should feel a lot better going in. I feel like my groin, hamstring and calves are almost back to normal. About another week or two of moderate training should find me largely leg soreness-free. I hope.

This past weekend, I completed a 7 miler and 13 miler on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Basically, that is half the distance the Goofy Challenge will present in a little under 9 weeks. I did both at an easy 7:30/mile pace (normally these runs would have been in the 7:10/mile range) and had very little soreness afterwards (the rt. hamstring still barks a little). This is a cutback week. My long run will probably be no more than 10 miles as we are heading out of town for a little R&R. We've had a recent sadness in our house and everyone is looking forward to getting out of Dodge for a few days. More on that later.

The wife and I are addicted to HBO and Showtime TV shows. We don't have a HBO or Showtime subscription but rent the series after they come out. On our rental list is (or has been depending on if the series has ended): The Sopranos, Oz, Weeds, Sex and the City (chick TV, I know), Curb Your Enthusiasm, Six Feet Under, and F/X shows Rescue Me and Nip/Tuck. We are currently finishing The Sopranos final season. We'll miss ole Tony when he's gone.

Happy trails.

1000 Miles and Olympic Trials

I admit to forgetting all about the Olympic marathon trials taking place on Saturday. However, I came back in just as Ryan Hall was passing the 24 mile mark and caught the ending. What a great finish!! It wasn't a close race but packed with emotion none the less.

My first thoughts after seeing Ryan Hall in the lead was how Michigan's own Hansons-Brooks team was doing. Sure enough, Brian Sell had overtaken a cramping competitor and moved into 3rd place ultimately securing an Olympic spot. That was a lot of fun. I wish I had watched the entire race.

Obviously, the news about Ryan Shays put a damper on things though.

All in all, it appears U.S. long distance running is on the upswing. A few years back, I couldn't care less when the Olympic marathon was taking place. Now, I'm eagerly awaiting Beijing!

On another note, I'm slowly building miles again for my upcoming marathon - unbelievably only10 weeks away now. I'm way behind my training plan weekly long run goal. Example: Sunday was planned for 17 miles. I did 11.5.

I am unconcerned. I'm readjusting my plan for the Disney marathon. It's all about fun and finishing. Time goals are completely out the window. Plus, I still have some nagging muscle pain in various parts mainly in my right leg. The legs need rest. So, build slowly, get prepared, but don't overdue it pushing too hard. That's the theme of this training session.

I'll probably hit one 20 mile run before the race and that's it as far as 20+ milers.

On a third(?) note, I hit a bit of a milestone with Friday's run. 1000 miles for the year. For me, that's a personal high.

Not much of note going on these days. Just keepin' on keepin' on.

Happy trails.

Double Header

For most runners, I doubt it's any big deal to hit the pavement two days in a row. Even 3,4,5,6 or more days straight. For me, it's not very common. I tend to follow a run one day, rest the next day, run the next, rest, etc. pattern. Typically, I only run 3 days a week. There are a couple of reasons for this but it all boils down to the fact that I don't have enough time in the day (or week) to spend running 5 or 6 nights as much as I might want to. So, three nights a week is pretty typical.

With the Disney Goofy Challenge looming, I figure I need to get the ol' legs in condition to handle the pounding they are going to take. This was my first of several planned back to back weekend days of running. Only 6 miles (Saturday) and 9.5 miles (Sunday) but I wanted to start slow lest we have any problems with the groin or hamstring - both of which are still reminding me that they didn't enjoy the Chicago Marathon!

Overall, I would say it was a success. I felt pretty good. I could feel the aforementioned muscles groups starting to tighten up by the end of my 9+ miler on Sunday but, considering that is the farthest I've run since Chicago, I was okay with that.

I'm looking to get a copy of Run Less, Run Faster soon. From what I've heard of this study, it sounds like a fit with my own training technique. I'd love to see an "official" study backing it up. As I mentioned, I only run 3 days a week. Due to this, I tend to push a bit harder figuring my schedule contains a lot of down time to rest fatigued muscles as it is. Frankly, this "philosophy" - if you want to call it that - has come about purely by accident through my schedule and my own simmering competitive need to run to a level which satisfies me. When I first started marathon training, I felt like I was wasting training days by going at a pace a minute or more slower than my typical comfortably hard pace. Of course, I know there are multiple running coaches out there just waiting to correct me on this mistake in my training plan but, for me, it's what I mentally need.

So, it would be neat to see what this new book says. Running less but running faster sounds to good to be true.

The plan going forward is to do back to back weekend runs with steadily increasing mileage about every 3rd week through December. I think that'll be enough preparation.

After all, I'd hate to be pulled from the marathon course by a paramedic wearing Mickey Mouse ears.

It's Official

I don't know why I had been waiting to register for Boston. Registration opened in early September. I think I was waiting to see how I did at Chicago this year. If I BQ'ed again, I would have had the option of Boston in either 2008 or 2009. This would have afforded me some wiggle room if I just couldn't make it next spring. As we know, that didn't happen.

So, why wait? If this last marathon taught me anything, it's that you can never predict what is going to happen on race day. I shouldn't pass by the opportunity and assume it's going to happen again. It may not.

Let's get busy living:

Dear (ME) ,

This is to notify you that your entry into the 112th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2008 has been accepted, provided that the information you submitted is accurate.

We look forward to seeing you in April! Best of luck in your training!

Sincerely,

Boston Athletic Association

I'm in...pending the ominous "provided the information you submitted is accurate" statement.

Disney Goofy Challenge and then Boston. My dance card is full for awhile.

Happy trails.

Chicago.

This is the bookend post for the Chicago Marathon. End of sentence. End of discussion. Time to move on.

Mentally, I'm already on to my next race. But I said I'd have one more Chicago post and I'm a man of my word...

We've all discussed the situation ad nauseum. These are my final thoughts from the event:

1. The Chicago Marathon is a great race. 2007 was a fluke.
2. Obviously, the race directors weren't prepared for the heat and conditions. I have no idea what goes into race planning for this type of event but to say runners shouldn't have taken multiple waters at each station is ridiculous. This should have been an obvious (and predictable) reaction by runners in the heat. No excuses, please.
3. Race directors all over the world just got a reality check about what can happen when you assume things are going to happen....and then they don't. This should be a good lesson and will benefit all races (and thus, us) in the future. Plan for the worst. Not the expected.
4. Ending the race was the right call. The worst thing you can do is continue with a failed strategy once it has become clear it's not working (no political commentary here. I'm still talking about the race people!).
5. I hold no grudge. Easy for me as I had water o'plenty and was able to finish. But I hear the issues and complaints and am sensitive to them. I don't think the race directors wanted or desired this result. I think they care very deeply about their race. I don't think something like this will ever happen again. I suspect they got trapped into thinking they could out guess Mother Nature and were burned. A human error. I make them all the time. If they don't learn from it, well, that's a problem then. I'm willing to bet the lesson was learned. Hard.
6. The Chicago Marathon is still a great race! I'll be back one day. 2007 is chocked full of memories.

Okay, turning the page....

I'm busy making my plans for the 2008 Walt Disney World Marathon weekend now. I have 12 weeks to train after taking a week off from running. Normally, I follow the slow, elongated 18 week training plans. I'll be jumping into this with both feet 1/3 through the plan then.

For me, this will be a Fun Run (I know those words sting in light of recent events but, hey, we turned the page right? Let's reclaim the true meaning of those words!). Time does not matter. I need to be able to hump around the theme parks after the races with the kids so I will not be killing myself in the races. I may even stop to take a few pictures along the way this time.

I am signed up for the Goofy Challenge. This means I have a half marathon on Saturday, January 12th and the full marathon on Sunday, January 13th. I'll need to incorporate some back-to-back running days in my training. This is something I normally never do.

I'm looking forward to it.

Happy trails.

Chicago Marathon in Pictures

We're off! (Me = navy blue shirt , left of center - Perry the Joggler directly behind me in red shirt)

Feelin' good...7:15 ish pace and still happy. Steers salute!

Still running fine here...


Getting a little hot....

Halfway @ 1:36:09...but something is not right!?

Who am I kidding? I saw the camera and pretended to run. Legs are all knotted up below the knee by this time.

Final stretch on Columbus. D'oh! Leg cramps!

I guess I'll have to walk a bit.

Made it...in a slight jog/shuffle even!

Reunite with the wife (sporting her Nitmos #1 fan shirt, of course)

Reunite with Mike and a joint Steers salute! Why we choose to wear navy blue on a sunny 90 degree day remains an open mystery.

Thanks to my wife Jill, Fun Guv and Marathon Foto for the visual aids.

I think one more post wrapping up Chicago ought to do it.

Happy trails.

TC Connection

In the days since the Chicago Marathon, I've come to learn that the runner that died due to a heart ailment (and heat, in my opinion) was originally from my hometown, Traverse City, MI, prior to becoming a police officer in Midland, MI. In fact, I've now learned that this man graduated from the same high school and the same graduating class as me. The class of 1989.

I checked my yearbook last night. Sure enough, there he is. I can't say as I knew him. It's a large high school - one of the biggest in Michigan at the time - so it's not unusual to be unacquainted with fellow classmates. I recognized the picture though.

Weird. What a small world.

I've been considering the idea of getting a full blown physical for awhile now. I can't say that I've really ever had a complete one before. I'm not sure if heart ailments - like the one that struck the Chicago runner - could be discovered during a routine physical though. In any case since we engage in a sport that demands a lot physically, it might be time to check into getting myself Checked Out. Why not?

That's the least I can do for my wife and kids.

This hit a little too close to home. Literally.

A Tale of Two (Half) Marathons

Or, Marathon Hell.

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times. This is my 2007 Chicago Marathon experience. Heavy emphasis on worst of times.

In a word: Surreal.

My time? Pathetic.

Am I disappointed? Only a little in that you always want to have a pleasant experience after so much work and effort to get to the starting line. It was not in the cards on Sunday. I'm very happy to have finished though. It was a crazy day. There were times I thought I'd have to leave the course.

In the matter of one mile, I went from debating whether or not I should keep my 7:20 pace for another mile or so to Will I Be Able To Finish?

But I'm getting ahead....

The gory statistics:

Chip Time: 4:18:12
Pace: 9:50

First Half time: 1:36:09 ( 7:20 pace)
Second Half Time: 2:42:03!! (12:20 pace?!)

You can see where the problems started.

The Start

I started in corral B and, let me tell you, it was nice to be so close to the starting mat. I crossed a short 90 seconds after the gun and was able to lapse into pace right off the bat. I even ran much of the first mile near The Joggler guy (the dude that juggles during the whole marathon). That was neat to see him work.

Miles 1-9

I was moving pretty good here staying around a 7:12 pace. I felt the heat. There was a point around the mile 5-6 range where it seemed like I really needed a water station and one never came. It might have been mental just due to the heat and crowd but it did get to me a bit. Though I was right on my goal pace through the first 1/3 of the marathon, I knew in the back of my head that this was going to be no PR race for me. The heat was already dragging me down a bit. I took in the sights of North Chicago...the fans...the buildings...I really tried to see everything this year. Last year, I didn't even look up. At 15k, I was at 1:07:15 (7:12 pace). On pace!

Miles 10-13.1

I noticed something "not right" happening during these miles. I was really starting to wear down quickly. I think some dehydration was setting in. I pulled back on my pace a bit and tried to just keep moving. Even though I really wanted to stop and walk a bit, I kept pleading with myself to make it across the half marathon mark before taking a walking break. I was taking fluids at every aid station but, in hindsight, probably not enough to replenish what I was losing from the sweat just running off of me in buckets. By the time I crossed the half mat, my leg muscles were starting to twitch a bit and were feeling very heavy. At the half-marathon, 1:36:09 (7:20 pace). I wanted a 1:35 at this point but, considering the conditions, I was still alright with this time.

So here I am at the half marathon mark, unknowingly dehydrated, sensing something is not right but unable to really do anything about it other than take in extra helpings of fluids at every aid station. I've never experienced a race dehydration or cramping situation - even in training - so what happened next was a complete first for me.

Miles 14-15

I started cramping in my left calve just below the back of the knee shortly past the half mark. A knot developed that caused me to kick my leg out to the side and I immediately stop running to work it out. I walked a bit and ran some more. Another 1/4 and the cramp returned. I dramatically slowed my pace. At this point, I knew I was in for some trouble but wanted to just get to the finish no matter how long it took. PR's, a second BQ were out the window. Maybe still beat my 3:36 Chicago time from last year? Maybe! Here I was walking to mile marker 14 after knocking out my goal times for the previous 13 miles. Despair! Helplessness! I was still able to run a bit though. Short walk breaks, longer run segments...I'll get there eventually.

Miles 16-18

It ain't happening. I can now no longer sustain a run past 20 steps. Both my left and right calves are horribly cramping whenever I go into a running gallop. I can walk though. In fact, I can power walk. No problems with cramping there but just during a running motion. Chicago PR is now gone. There is nothing left but to get to the finish line. Please don't let the cramps get so bad where I can't even walk. Every 1/4 mile or so I'd give another attempt at a run just to check things out and - BAM! - cramps, knots, general unhappiness. The legs below the knee are a mess. Looks like I'm walking to the finish now. How about that. I never would have thought this would happen. Heck, just a few miles ago I was moving through the course alright.

Miles 19-23

More power walking. I'm amazed that I can really move the legs fast while walking but absolutely cannot get into a run without the cramps returning. I think I can finish now. Thankfully, the cramps aren't hitting during the walking stride. A slow tour of the Mexican Village, Little Italy and Chinatown. Interesting. I didn't get to take these in last year but I sure got a look at them this time. I'm slamming Gatorade and 2 waters at every station, eating bananas, and taking anything anyone was handing out. I was not going to DNF. I was not going to fall over on the side of the road. I was seeing people getting medical attention all along the route now. That's enough to keep you sane, realistic, and accepting of food and hydration. Somewhere in here I recorded a 5k time of around 45 minutes! Well, there's a first for everything right?

Mile 24

Another attempt at a run leaves me with a bulging right groin after just 3 steps. How about that? It's actually protruding an inch. Another new experience. I guess I'll continue power walking. The legs are shot.

Mile 25-26

Yep, more power walking. Of course, I'm envious of those still running and looking reasonably fresh all things considered. More power to them. All around me I see people wearing 3:20 pace team bibs. I'm not the only one struggling. As Mike pointed out, it was Night of the Living Dead as there was a veritable zombie march coming down Michigan Ave trying to get to the finish. Various temperatures on store fronts read between 92 and 98 degrees. Last year I saw people walking and pulling off at this point of the course as I ran by and I wondered what it would feel like to be so close but unable to run. Now I know. Except, I had been walking for much of the past 10 miles.

Right at the 26 mile sign, I heard a police officer on a bullhorn imploring people to stop running and to please walk to the finish. I didn't know what that was all about. I learned after finishing that they had already closed the race and were re-routing people to the finish as quickly as possible. At the 26 mile marker, try telling people who just went through hell to walk to the finish. People were starting to run as fast as they could now. I tried on Randolph St. I couldn't.

The Finish

Coming down Columbus to the finish, I was both thrilled and disappointed. It is a long, freakin' way to walk 10 miles. Much easier to run it I think. I was thrilled to be done but very disappointed that this was how it turned out. I tried to run again at the 200 meter mark. More cramps and knots aborted it again. At the 100 meter mark, I did in fact manage to run across the finishers mat. A small accomplishment in a disastrous second half of the race. I earned that medal, I thought.

Despite my time, I think my feeling of accomplishment still overwhelms my sense of disappointment. That was a race so far out of the norm that time, records, and other goals had to go out the window. I am envious of those who ran a smarter race and were still able to come close to their goals. I feel for those who were unable to finish. I think, however, that the circumstances of this particular race should not leave anyone feeling disappointed in their own efforts. How can you properly prepare for something like this? I could have done better with early race pacing and hydration but you live, you learn.

I had a great weekend in Chicago nonetheless and the experience taught me a lot. I have many interesting memories and stories attached to that finisher's medal.

Of course, the overall feeling of the day has to be one of sadness for the individual who died and the others left in critical condition. It's so wrong to have that attached to an event that should be uplifting and empowering. A tragedy.

What an experience. Standing so bright eyed and and anxious at the starting line, I had no idea what the next 4+ hours would hold. It was not what I was expecting.

More to come.

Happy trails.