September...

I guess I'll never let you know about my 14 miler.  It went well, but it was over a month ago.  I can't recall the details any more.  However, the thing that got me (and actually stuck in my head) was the weird playlist.  This is what I was provided with when I went with random internet radio.  Mind you, I put in "rock" as my criteria.  Nothing about this playlist is rock, it seems. (I also mowed the lawn after the run, so some songs were from that)

As for September, I'm a whopping 25 miles behind last year.  Two years ago I was pumped at this time of year because I had hit 600 miles for the year.  Last year, I cruised past that.  This year, I'm already at 647.  What a difference a year (or two) makes.  Can't find the information from September over the past few years.  I do know a few things.

September 2012: 120
September 2013: 85

• 2012 - 693
• 2013 - 647

While I've fallen off pace, I have confidence I've got a chance to catch up in October and November.  Last year, I put in a total of 117 miles in those two months.  That included 1 marathon.  So, for all my other runs, I did 90ish miles in two months.  I can handle that, and start closing the gap.  I'll by no means match last year's mileage, but it'll still be a great year.

2 weeks until the half marathon in Hartford.  This will be my 3rd time running it.  I hope to break 2 hours.  Here goes nothing.

April Wrap Up

April 2010 Miles: 36
April 2011 Miles: 42
April 2012 Miles: 53
April 2013 Miles: 49

Decreased by 7.5%

YTD Miles

• 2010 - 156
• 2011 - 175
• 2012 - 204
• 2013 - 208

Increased by 2%

Weight

• End of December - 223
• January - 222.5
• February - 221
• March - 223
• April - 223 (UGH!!!)

UGH!

I am sad.

Today, I got to run.  I was thinking it was a great day to race.  Thousands were, in Boston.  I knew when I got back from my run, results of the elites would be pouring in from the BAA app I downloaded last night.

I was happy to see how my favorites had done.  Though they hadn't won, the American ladies had done well.  Shalane and Kara had paced with each other for 30 km out of 42 total.  They worked as a team, which is pretty amazing.  I hope they keep training together.  I think they're great role-models for my girls.

Friends were watching.  Friends were running.  All their tweets and Facebook posts were positive.

Then this happened:



Everyone that I knew at the race has reported in, and is okay.  Yet, people lost their lives.  People were hurt.  People lost others they cared about.  People lost legs and arms.  People are panicking because they can't track their loved ones.  People can't contact their loved ones, because they're phones are in the baggage check, and that's the least concern right now.  People had their dreams stolen from them, and somebody robbed them of their reward for months and years of dedication and sacrifice.  None of that is okay.

Runners stopped at mile 21.

And then the images and sign I can't get over...

Each mile, dedicated to one of the Newtown victims

The final mile marker...

Many news agencies posted something similar to this: "Update 4:07 p.m.: Newtown families were reportedly seated in the VIP section right by where the explosions went off. There's no word whether they are among the 23 injured and two dead from the explosions. "

I've got no real words, and I've been trying to come to grips with everything.  I needed to get it all out, and have been trying to say or think of what to say for the last 3 hours.  I can't.  I'm livid, and sad, and what does that make me want to do?

It makes me want to run.  I always feel safe on my run.  I am free, and nothing can touch me, even on my worst day on the road.

For these people, I hope they get to experience that again.

Finally, there's this...

Go back to the video.  See all the helpers.  Look how fast the race volunteers and Boston police on duty responded to the scene.  See how fast Army reservists and National Guardsmen jumped in to clear out the barricade so other first responders could help clear the area.  The medical tent is always just past the finish line, as well.  That could have only helped, as doctors, nurses, EMTs, and ambulances were all there.

And then, take what comedian Patton Oswalt had to say.  Instead of looking at the hate, and getting more angry, remember these words: "the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil...'The good outnumber you, and we always will.'"

Tomorrow's run and track meet will be a little weird.

I'm glad the people I know are safe.

I hope that the ones you know and love are safe, too.

I'll pray for the victims, the first responders, and everyone touched by this.

It's a mad mad mad mad world.



Update: The man pictured above has been seen on numerous news outlets.  The good news is, though knocked down by the first explosion, he was uninjured.   He is the spirit of the marathon.  He is Bill Iffrig, of whom the Everett (WA) Herald had this to say: 

"Bill Iffrig of Lake Stevens was just short of the finish line in the 26-mile Boston Marathon when he heard a horrific noise and found himself on the ground. 
He didn't know what happened...A race official came to check on him and helped him up.
Then, accompanied by the official, Iffrig walked the last 12 feet or so across the finish line."I ended up second in my division," he said. "After you've run 26 miles you're not going to stop there." His timing chip marked his finish at 4 hours, 3 minutes, 47 seconds."

Update: Anby Burrfoot was running the Marathon in honnor of the 45th anniversary of his win.  Here's how he summed up his day, as he was stopped less than a mile from the finish.

Unclaimed baggage at the finish

Snow

There was more snow today.  This storm had been looming for about a week.  I had hoped it would pass us.  Since it was Friday, my regular off day, I didn't miss any running.  By now, 8:15 PM, the roads are fairly clear.  I should be able to get in 5 or so miles in the morning.

What's a major bummer is the affect this is going to have on my summer mileage.  Today brought my school year to June 28.  I'll deal fine with the heat in the building.  I'm more concerned about my mileage.  I have no grandiose race plans, but the summer is a great time to amp up my mileage.

The last two years, we've ended the school year in mid-June.  We haven't gone back until after Labor Day.  That has provided an excellent window for dedicated training.  I'm not sure what I'll get this year.

I'd like to maintain my mileage, if at all possible.  I'd also like to do more cross-training.  This is something I think most years at this time.  It rarely, if ever happens.  Still, I've decided to think smaller for that than in recent years.  I've also considered the Cross-Fit joint nearby.  It's a lot closer than driving all the way to school three times a week.  Additionally, I've been getting Men's Health by mistake for the past few months.  I'm really not a fan (I'm also getting Outdoor Living, even though I haven't subscribed to either).  The "quick & easy" workouts seem to be what I know I can get myself to do this year.

Track starts in 10 days.  Finding time to run will be difficult, soon enough.  C'est la vie.  I'll make it through.  I always do.

Farewell, sir...

Fauja Singh, center, runs his final road race, a 10k in Hong Kong

Fauja Singh, a sikh gentleman of 101, finished his final road race in Hong Kong early this morning.  Again, he is 101 years old.  He will be 102 on April 1.  This morning's 10K marked the final race, where Singh clocked in just over 90 minutes.  His 11 year marathon career lasted from 2000 (London) to 2011 (Toronto), where he was the oldest marathoner ever, at age 100.  Singh only began running 13 years ago, at age 89.  That's right, he's been running only 5 years longer than I have been.  That's remarkable.

Good job by you, Mr. Singh.  You're an inspiration.

January 2013...The first update of the year...

Note: This was written the first weekend of February.  During that time, the Superbowl happened.  It was meant to post that Sunday, but never did.  I never quite felt finished. Then, the blizzard known as Nemo/Charlotte dumped 3+ feet of snow on Connecticut that week.  Therefore, I didn't realize it never posted.  Now, I'm post-dating it for that first weekend of February.  Apparently, I missed my end of January post in 2012, as well. Good thing that I'm keeping tradition alive.  Here's what I did type way back when...


Last year, for whatever reason, I found it easy to run in January.  Weather and exams usually throw me off at the start of the year.  That didn't happen in 2012, as that was a very warm month, in comparison to 2011, when we had snow storm after snow storm, and then a hectic midterm exam schedule at work.  This year, it was more like 2011, but it was just cold (Arctic blast cold), and not so much snow (usually on the weekend).  Though, that's supposedly going to change soon.  So, here are the stats.  Somehow, I managed to match last year's mileage, despite feeling like I had no time to get out.

Jan. 2011 Miles: 39
Jan. 2012 Miles: 51
Jan. 2013 Miles: 51


December 2012, end of year weight: 223
January 2013, end of month weight (2/3/2013): 222.5

Guess I didn't start the year off right weight-wise.

New year, same old same old

Last year, I finished with 785 miles run. I finished the year weighing 235 pounds. Then I went up to 237 by March, with the goal to actually lose weight. Today, I weighed 223. While that's 5 pounds more than the beginning of December, but only 2 pounds more than when I was at the doctor on Dec. 19. This was after last night's binge of crappy food. It was delicious. Time to get serious. Last year, at the start of the year, I was 12 pounds lighter than the year before.  This year, I'm 12 pounds lighter than I was the year before. Something is working. I'd like to be 200 this time next year.  That's my goal.  No resolution. Just a goal. Game on!

December 2010 Mileage: 43
December 2011 Mileage: 48
December 2012 Mileage: 79

2009 Total Miles: 440*
2010 Total Miles: 600
2011 Total Miles: 785
2012 Total Miles: 887* <---what happened="" p="" there="">
So that's really it. I have been looking back on my past resolutions. I don't think I'm going to make any. Today, when I went out for my run, I got about halfway done, and my back tightened. This is the second time it's happened in a week. It loosened up the first time. This time, not so much. So, I won't make any promises I can't keep at the moment.  However, 223...I'll be lower. I will be lower. I will be lower.

*In those years, I ran a full marathon. This year, I ran twice as far as I did 3 years before. That's crazy.

July Wrap Up

July 2010 Miles: 83
July 2011 Miles: 115
July 2012 Miles: 106
That's roughly an 8% decrease. NBD.

2010 YTD Mileage: 324
2011 YTD Mileage: 431
2012 YTD Mileage: 451
That's 4.5 % more, and 20 miles ahead.  With vacation coming 2 weeks early, I anticipate this being my best August ever (last year I put in 105 miles).

June 30, 2012 Weight: 222
July 31, 2012 Weight: 219 (and I weighed 216 on the 29th, after my long run).
% Change = 1.5%
That's the light side of 220 for the first time since right after I finished my first marathon.

I still haven't quit that diet.  Here's the secret...portion control, just like John Travolta said.  Of course, it's Charle's Barkley's Weight Watchers for Men.  But if it is good enough for the Round Mound of Rebound, then it's good enough for me.

Momentous decisions or delusions of grandeur

The decision, so I had thought, had been made in April.  Maybe it happened even earlier, but it was definitely made by April.  This year, instead of running anything really long, I was going to continue improving my speed.  When October rolled around, I did not want to run the Hartford Half Marathon course for the third year in a row.  It didn't appeal to me.  So, I came up with the idea to do the Marathon Relay with my wife, mMiL, and I thought some more family and friends.  It seemed like a good way to eliminate all the competition (real or perceived) and comparisons (real or perceived) that had plagued the last two years of half training. We were to be one unit, and nobody was going to check in on each other.

Of course, we knew mMiL had a torn meniscus, and needed arthroscopic surgery at the end of April.  However, we assumed she would be back strong by Columbus Day.  If she wasn't, I assumed we would have plenty of people vying for the team.

As the months have progressed, and talk of it has continued, my wife and mMiL seemed to be the only ones where showed genuine enthusiasm about it.  Other people would not commit, or didn't respond when I asked them about joining. So, for my birthday, when I got asked what I wanted, I just said I wanted people on my relay team.  My birthday came and went, and I had no definites except Stacey.  mMiL commited as much as she could, but she's still recovering, and not happy with her pace.

Regardless of all of this, I continued to up my mileage all summer, as I always do.  A funny thing happened.  Several people took notice, and they all assumed I was running the full.  I said no.  They asked if I was running the half.  I said no.  Then I explained that I really wanted to get a Marathon Relay together.  But, they were just amazed that my mileage went up (as it does every summer).

So, there we were on vacation.  I got my 5k pr.  I said, "I need a new goal."  And, a few days later, as I got another noncommittal response about the relay, because people had to figure out what they were doing, and my frustration got the best of me.  I needed to figure out what I was going to do, and I wasn't going to have my training held hostage.  So, I said screw it.  I set my new goal.

My decision, that day, on the beach, was fine.  Since nobody can commit to me except my wife, I will commit myself to my training, with her permission.  I was going to run the full marathon in Hartford for the second time.  I swore, after one, I was done.  But, I also had no interest in running the Hartford Half for a 3rd straight year.  No, not now.  Now I was going back.  I had demons to slay.

A lot of things built into this decision.  With everyone asking me about running 26.2 again, it had been lingering in the back of my head since early May.  Or maybe it was longer; I'm not sure.  I just knew that people's inquiries about my training really piqued my interest.

Plus, I remember reading something on @Frayed_Laces' (a blogger, triathlete, and real person, who I really enjoy reading) blog site that was a minor rant about how if you walk, or take 5 hours, you didn't really run the marathon.  I'm going to chalk that one up to somebody having a bad day, or maybe she even printed a fan email.  I'm not sure.  I just remember that whenever I read it, it stuck in the back of my head.  Regardless, I think people who are interested in running, cycling, or triathlons should read her site.  It's great, and amateur, and just really well done.  Then, Bill Rodgers brought up the debate in The Idiots Guide to Running.  And, after reading those things I felt that, since I cramped up at Mile 20 in my first marathon, I still had a little something to prove (1:45 for 10k is NOT acceptable).  And so, I hoped that after we ran the relay together, I could drop the bomb on my wife, that in 2013, I wanted to torture myself again, and do something I swore I would never do again.

So, I bumped up my timeline.  And I'm thrilled.  The day after we got back from vacation, I still had to check if I was on pace to actually train.  There were only 12 weeks, not 18 as I would have liked.  But, my training prior to vacation had been pretty good, and the miles were there.  So, on Saturday, after we returned from two weeks on the Cape, I capped my first 30+ mile week off in forever, with a half marathon.  I ran 2 minutes faster than I had during the first half of the Hartford Marathon in 2009.  And, therefore, I'm back at this.  I'm ready.

And so, I want to thank some people.  First, my wife, who seemed fine with my goal and decision when I asked her if I could do it.  And yes, I asked if I could do it, because frankly, I remember how much time I spent out training last time.  I also want to thank the people that made me want to go back to that place.  My friends, the people who's website I read, all of them.  Without you, I wouldn't have this need to prove myself. Finally, I want to thank those that were going to maybe, possibly, do the relay.  My impatience and your hemming and hawing really were the push I needed to go out, and try to do what is, by far, the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.

Again.

But faster.

Race Report: The Cape Cod 5k Championship

The name of the race provides a level of hype that the event couldn't hope to live up to.  Still, the Cape Cod 5k Championship brought with it a lot of drama.  While it is essentially a library fundraiser, it would also prove to be (thus far) the race of my life.  No mere race recap could truly capture all the triumph, tragedy, elation and angst of my experiences with the race.

For the past 32 years, the tiny village of Osterville, MA has hosted a road race to benefit its "Free Library."

 My wife and I would take part in the 33rd event.  Don't know much about Osterville? According to Wikipedia,

"Osterville is one of the seven villages within the Town of Barnstable, Massachusetts. The village of Osterville is located on the south side of Barnstable on Nantucket Sound. Osterville is primarily a residential community that includes marshes, bays, ponds, a small lake, beaches,and a small business district.

Osterville was originally named Cotacheset, based on the native American name for the area. Over time it became a center for "oystering" (harvesting wild oysters) and was renamed Oysterville. Later a map misspelled the name as Osterville and the village became so."

So, that was interesting.  Of course, during the race, we did not encounter Osterville's most famous tax payer: Bob Vila.

I am neither a tax payer nor resident of Osterville.  In fact, I don't live on Cape Cod, nor in Massachusetts. So why were we running this race?

For the past 8 years, we have vacationed on the Cape.  For the previous 5 years, I have ran a race, and really enjoyed it as part of my vacation.  This year, we went about 2 weeks earlier, and I was worried my streak would end.  Instead, I found what seemed like an epic event: the Cape Cod 5k Championship.  It was only until reading more about the event that I realized the small scale of it.  Which to me, was great.

Since my last race, I had made it my goal to get faster.  I was going to run a sub-25 5k before I did anything else.  I ran exactly a 25:00 5k in my very first race, in 2005.  Since then, I had only felt slower until 2011.  Something was improving, and I got PRs and good times in nearly all the races I had run in the previous 12 months.  What I liked most about running on the Cape was that, usually, you got some cool breezes off the water.  This seemed like a great opportunity for me to PR, as it was an early morning race, along the water, on an advertised flat course (the entire course is nearly at sea level). Therefore, we both registered online for the race on July 2 (the day AFTER a registration included a free t-shirt).  Really, the only drawback was that we had to wake up at 5:45 on a Saturday, during our vacation, to get there with plenty of time before the race.

At least, that was the only foreseeable problem.

Little did we know, but issues began about 12 hours before the race began.  That was when dinner ended.  Things seemed to progress properly throughout the evening, as we both went to bed fairly early (by 10:15), and we thought we were ready.  Actually, it was a little weird.  Everyone in the house wished us luck, and they were all in bed by then...or so we thought.

I couldn't fall right to sleep.  My mind was racing, and I couldn't get comfortable. That wasn't the worst of it.

At about 10:45 was the first time I heard the footsteps in the hallway outside our door.  Then the light to the bathroom across the hall was on 5 minutes later.  Cabinets opened and closed in the kitchen.  This continued for the next hour and a half.  I couldn't sleep, despite the fact that my wife was out cold.  Then, things got weird.

The lights in the living room went on (I could see it from our room).  Then, I heard the front door open, the front light went on (the blinds and windows were open slightly, as it was a cool night), and then I saw my father-in-law (we share the house) get in his car and drive off.  My assumption, he couldn't sleep either.  Twenty-five minutes later, he came back.  I heard the front door close, but the light didn't go out.  Then, I heard cabinets opening in the kitchen, and what I thought was a freshly opened soda.  I was completely baffled by all of this, and the light was still on, so I pulled the pillow over my head, and willed myself to sleep.

I don't know when it came, but at 2, my wife was up, which meant I would be, too.

"It's kind of bright in here," she said.
"That's because the light is on outside."
"Why is it on?" she asked.
"Because your dad went out at 12:15, for some reason, drove around for half an hour, and came back.  When he got back, he left it on, and made a ruckus in the kitchen.  I don't think he could sleep.  I know I couldn't."

That's when she got up to go to the bathroom.  Since I was up again, I went, to go as well.  I waited in the hallway, and the lights in the living room we still on.  I went over to turn off the front light, and noticed the door was still ajar. She came out, puzzled.  We puzzled together.  What should we do?  This was unprecedented.  I decided, I was going back to bed.  I almost got to the door, when I heard the voice.  Her dad talking to her from the sun  room.  This was officially really weird.  Still, I got back to sleep, and she did not.

When the alarm went off, we got ready quickly.  Things were going smoothly until just before we were to leave.  I went to the bathroom, and I heard the baby cry.  We were NOT going to make a smooth getaway from the kids.  My father in law took the baby, since he was up...and we got the real story.  Apparently, mMiL wasn't feeling well, and couldn't sleep.  He went out for ginger ale and saltines.  Why he left the light on and door open is still a mystery.  Then we left for the race...

...and I immediately had to use the bathroom.  So, about halfway to the race, we stopped.  Then, we started to take some backroads (technically state highways, and main thoroughfares through the Cape villages) to the heart of the race.  About 5 miles from it, a cop pulled in behind me...on a road with a 25 mph speed limit.  I creaked to about 24.9...all the way to the race (INFURIATING).  We got to our destination, and the officer closed the road behind us; he was working the race.

Parking, however, was a breeze.  The Osterville Community Center had a nice little field, and everyone could park in it.  We ran off to get our packets with about 45 minutes until the race began, thinking there was plenty of time.

Stacey checked in, and they gave her her number.  I checked in...and they had nothing.  NOTHING.  No record of me existed for the Cape Cod 5k Championship, 2012.  So, calmly (at least in my head I was calm), I explained that I had registered online, in the same transaction as my wife's registration.  I was sent to one of the race directors.  She had me fill out a registration, and come back to her.  When I made it back, she wasn't at the table.  I had to wait 5 minutes before she returned, said "He's fine," and I got my race bib.  The entire registration "process" took about 25 minutes, and I frantically searched for a bathroom.  It was nearing start time.

I asked, and was told it was right around the corner, back in the community center building.  We walked around the corner to see a long line...of women.  YES!  First thing that went right! There were two lines, and the men's room line was predictably short.  It took about 10 minutes to go through, while women barely progressed.  By the time I got into the bathroom, I had ten minutes to the start.  Only the stall was open, so I took it.

I went to close the door, and it wouldn't.  The door was broken, and did not close, let alone lock.  So, in the brief amount of time I was in there, it led to several embarrassing exchanges. In under a minute, 3 strangers walked in on me.  One berated me for not locking the door.  I shouted back, "Hey buddy, it doesn't even close! Thanks for the advice!"  Then, when I got out, there was only one working sink, so it took me a few minutes to get my hands washed.  When I exited the community center, there were 5 minutes or so to the start.  Luckily, the kids 1 mile run was running late, and we got a few more minutes.

I kissed my wife goodbye, we took our places in line, and waited for the race to start.  Of course, 8:00 AM came and went, and the race did not start.  But, we were in the shade, and it was cool (around 62-63), and so I just tried to find somebody to pace off of.  I looked to my right, and saw two guys with mullet wigs, American flag fanny packs, and stars and stripes shorts.  They wouldn't do.  I looked to my left, and saw a father and his 9 year old daughter, and him telling her to just stay with him as long as she could.  They wouldn't do either.  Then, I spotted my mark.  About 55, perfectly trim and fit, about 6'2" of wiry muscle.  He was my perfect mark.  Despite all my angst leading up to the start, I had found the guy who would pace me to a PR...as long as I didn't have to go to the bathroom...again.

And BAM, before I fully understood that he was my mark, the race started.  No warning.  Rude.

I scrambled to start my iPod and get my earbuds in, and I did my best to remain calm at the start, and settle into a nice cadence just off the old man's inside shoulder.

What I noticed during the race was the town was idyllic New England/Cape Cod.  Really, every old house we passed could've been in a postcard.  The road was soft, flat, and stretched in a straight line for a long time.  There was a cool breeze.  It was a good day to run.  And my breathing was ragged.

Still, I kept my eyes on the prize, and followed the old man in his green headband and black t-shirt.  Before I knew it, we were rounding the 2nd turn, down by Nantucket Sound...which meant we had already run a mile plus.  There had not been a mile marker.  There had not been a water stop.  Nothing.  All I knew had been from mapping the route before hand.  And the man started to pull away.  My hopes of PRing were pulling away, so I just tried to keep up the pace I was running, and get myself in gear.

As we took the 3rd turn, I knew we were at the 2 mile mark, and I had not slowed down.  People passed me, and that was fine, but I had not slowed down.  We were starting the ascent (less than 50 vertical feet over more than a mile...so, not really a hill), and I had not slowed down.  People kept passing me, but I did not slow down.  Past a country club, and some beautiful homes, and on I ran, and ran, and decided, whatever the finish, even though my PR had slipped away, I was really enjoying the race.

Finally, I caught sight of the Community Center field in the distance, and thought: "Oh wait, I'm really close.  What's happening?!"  I checked my watch.  It hadn't been 22 minutes yet.  The little girl and her dad passed me, and I decided to go with them.

We approached the final turn, and as I came around, the finish line was right there.  I mean: it. was. right. there. And the clock I saw the clock tick from 23:59 to 24:00 as I rounded the corner.  The 9 year old girl was rapidly approaching the line, and I just booked it the last 150-200 meters (or, moved faster than I had).  What was happening?!

As I crossed the line, I saw 24:28 or 24:29, and absolutely could not believe it.  My only hope, since there were no chips, was that my time wouldn't get screwed some how.  It's sad.  This was my first thought.  Then I thought, WAIT, I DID IT...I ran faster than I had in my entire adult life, and I didn't even realize I was doing it.

Feeling proud of myself, I jogged back around the corner, to wait and watch my bride finish her race.  I was really proud of her.  She ran the whole thing.  Stace is a swimmer, and runs sparingly (even though she could be great [she is a MUCH better runner than I am a swimmer, that is for sure]).

I found her at the finish, congratulated her, and she asked how I did.

"I did it; 24:29, I think."

Officially, it was a 24:28, even if they spelled my last name wrong.  I was almost in the top 25% of racers. It was basically the exact opposite of the 100 degree day, I ran a "5k" as a training run as part of the X-Treme Scramble (Um, it was nearly 4 miles, after they changed the course to make it "easier" due to the heat wave, but they didn't adjust the timing/paces, because it happened so late), exactly one month prior to this race.

So, though this was a small race (442 finishers), in a village, it was pretty good.  It was by no means a Championship of any kind, but I like the way it hyped itself.  Seriously, by giving itself the name Cape Cod 5k Championship, this race had given itself some pro wrestling level hype.  The weather and course were perfect.  The organizers were helpful.  The post race food...well, it was 8:30 AM, and though I wanted a post-race burger and beer (my absolute favorite thing about Cape races are the BBQ atmosphere at all the finishes, thus far...from Falmouth, to the Brew Run, to the CCIP Race in Harwich) I knew it wasn't happening. However, the watermelon, bagel, and banana were delicious.

Honestly, the lost registration, lack of sleep, and constant need to go to the bathroom were annoying, but running my PR and the race conditions did everything to turn this into a race to remember.

...And THAT is what I did on my Summer Vacation.

June Wrap Up...let the real running begin

It's unfathomable that some people run as much (or more) as I did in June in a week.  Some do it in a day.  Ultra might just be a nice word for crazy.  Here's June 2012 in a nutshell...


June 2010 Miles: 39
June 2011 Miles: 78
June 2012 Miles: 86
% increase: 10.2%

While I did NOT double last year, I did beat it.


2010 YTD Mileage: 241
2011 YTD Mileage: 316
2012 YTD Mileage: 346


YTD Mileage increase: 30
YTD % increase: 8.2%

Last July was my best month ever.  I ran 115 miles.  It was incredible, and difficult.  In the past, we've vacationed in August.  This year, we go in mid-July.  For this, I predict being around 95-100 miles.  I should still be ahead of last year, but this is where time starts catching up with me.  I don't know why I care, but I do.  August should be my best August ever.  Am I worrying for nothing?


June 2, 2012 weight: 223
June 30, 2012 weight: 222
% Change: 0.4%


It would appear I hit a plateau.  That was until the TV was on, today.


Today, on Live! John Travolta told me deprivation only leads to yo-yo diets, so he eats what he wants, and monitors intake and exercises.  Thank you, Danny Zuko, for describing my whole point of view on dieting.  He also told me to lose the weight over time.  So, I backed off.  I figured, if Vinny Barbarino could do it, so could I.


Diets started: 3
Diets quit: 2

So, with it being July again, I should be binge blogging.

Neglect

Here's the deal: Since September 6, I have been back teaching school, and leading a hectic existence. Since December 24, I have been a father of two, and leading an even more hectic existence.  Something had to give.  It was either the running or the blogging.  Since running is good for me, and nobody truly reads this, I chose the blogging.

Here are my updates, to let you know, I am truly alive.

For 2011, I ran a grand total of 785 miles.  That was 185 miles more than 2010, or a full 30% increase in mileage.  That was pretty impressive for me, as the 600 miles in 2010 had been my best annual mileage prior to 2011.  More importantly,  I made my resolution, and exceeded it by 35 miles.

Since 2012 has begun, I have continued running.  In fact, I have exceeded my January and February 2011 mileage totals for each of the first two months of this year.

Jan. 2011 Miles: 39
Jan. 2012 Miles: 51
% increase: 30.7

Feb. 2011 Miles: 42
Feb. 2012 Miles: 49
% increase: 14.9

2011 YTD Mileage: 81
2012 YTD Mileage: 100

YTD Mileage increase: 19
YTD % increase: 23.4

Those are all improvements if I've ever seen them.  However, there is always the weight resolution.  When I went to my doctor in January, I had lost another 4 pounds since June.  That was great.  It was a 12 pound decrease for the year.  I had been lower at the start of the school year.

So, how are things in March?
Feb. 28, 2011 weight: 240
March 1, 2012 weight: 233
% Change: -3

I guess I can say I've done something right, but I've been hovering around there for a few months.

Meanwhile, it's time to start racing, again.  Last year, I avoided races until June.  However, this year, I decided to run a few races prior to this.  My first race is this Saturday Sunday.  It is the Shamrock-N-Roll 5k, sponsored by WPLR. The course will begin at the legendary Toad's Place, and is run past Yale, up and down Temple St. and Whitney Ave. in New Haven.  What's cool is, I think we'll even pass a Torosaurus Latus, at the good old Peabody Museum.

I have barely run this week, because running has been a struggle the past two weeks.  Last Friday, I hit up the chiropractic wizard, known as Dr. J.  Saturday, I had a massage.  I still feel wrong, so I shut down after Monday's work, hoping I could make a race out of Sunday.  Regardless of what happens, the weather looks great for a run, and I can see some of my favorite architecture and points of interest in a city I don't get to spend enough time in these days.

Hope the baby sleeps well on Saturday night/Sunday morning, because I'm on duty.  See you at the finish line...

Milestones

Two years ago, I ran all of 440 miles, and somehow finished a marathon.  I say finished, because at this point, looking back, I'm itching to believe I can do much better.  I am suppressing that itch, and the itch to prove it, because with one child, and another on the way, I cannot fathom doing the proper training.

Last year, I ran just over 600 miles. My goal for this year was 750.  While I'm still far off from that goal, there is light at the end of the tunnel.  What I am proud of is that, today, less than halfway through my workout, I had run over 600 miles for the year.  There is still a week left in September.

While, at the advice of @brandtschneider I won't count those miles before their ran, but there are 13 weeks left in the year.  As of this moment, there are 144 miles left to go.  That 750 miles which seemed like a doable challenge on Dec. 31, 2010, seems nearly in my grasp with three months to go.

Averaging less than 12 miles a week seems so 2009...

As an aside, today during my run, my weight dropped 6 lbs.  During the summer, this never happened.  I hydrated well yesterday, and had a water break during my 10 miler today.  Also, I felt no ill-effects.  This seems a bit off, though the humidity was VERY high.  Any thoughts from the experts?

The Early Bird

The first day back to school, for many teachers, involves a district/system-wide meeting, some bagels, and several hours of professional development.  Summer is officially over, today (my wife, also a teacher, has been back to school for 2 weeks...bleh).  The alarm went off at 5:30.  Since I have an extra hour before I normally have to be at work, I took advantage of the free time.  My run is already complete; a early morning twilight two-mile jaunt around the neighborhood.  Also, I got the first blog post of September up (less slacktastic).  Finally, the real reason I was up so early:

MANCHESTER!

The Manchester Road Race is entering it's 75th year this Thanksgiving morning.  It will be my 6th year racing there.  Amby Burfoot will be toeing the line for the 48th consecutive time.

This is a must-run for all racers in Connecticut...if you can find parking!

Registration opened today.  Since I was up anyway, I thought I'd make sure I used my extra time to my advantage.  Upon logging in to the race website, it said registration was now open, and there were zero registered runners.  I was pumped, I might be the first one (and get #101).  No such luck. By the time my registration was complete, I was actually fourth, and my bib # turned out to be #119.  Still, with that confirmation complete, I can begin working towards that race (which is way cooler than the half marathon in Hartford (sorry HMF).

See you on Thanksgiving.  Time to go to work...no really, I've got to go get ready.

Time flies

It's been a weird month.  Travel has taken me running on Cape Cod (even completing a race).  I have run along-side farms and cornfields in Ohio.  Overall, we spent 12 days away from home this month.  Also, I've been finishing a run, right when an earthquake hit the east coast, and in the calm hours before a hurricane (though I ended up getting rained on by the precursor).  What did this boil down to?

I got my runs in, but I didn't blog about them.  Sue me.  Nobody reads this anyway.

One quick rant...

Today, I made by far the weirdest discovery I've ever made while running.  The route of today's run, like so many others, brought me along the busy state highway that serves as main street in town.  And there, on the side of the road, somewhere between the park and the correctional facility (if you think that's bad, there's also an elementary school the same distance in the other direction), I found it.

What was it, you ask?  Because of the way it was lying on the side of the road, I could see quite clearly what it was.  It was a positive pregnancy test.  Congratulations to the lucky couple, but that still leaves me with one burning question.

Why did some woman choose to administer said test along such a busy, crowded street?

More track work...

If you live in New England, you know it's been ungodly hot and humid for the past few days.  So much so, I did a couple of runs in the air conditioned confines of the gym.  Friday, the temperatures peaked, with no hope in sight for the next day, either.  Of course, I had a timed run.  So, Saturday, I was up at 6, just to get a 2 hour run done before the sun came up.  Luckily, despite being in the high 70s, and super humid, I didn't also have to deal with the sun that day.

Of course, it was only about a week and a half ago where I was really enjoying the weather (after the last hot-spell).

Today, I was back at the track.  And you know what?  The heat broke.  It was over-cast.  I ran strong the entire time.  I haven't felt that good running in a while.

It was the usual interval workout: 10x200m on 45 seconds, with equal recovery jogging.  With the warm up and cool down, I did over 4 miles.  It was nice to not feel super hot for the first time in what felt like forever.

I'm really looking forward for those runs on vacation.  Views of the ocean, trails, and cool breezes.  Oh, yeah, and that Irish Pub Road Race.  Should be a good time.  Love the after-party.

On a side note, somewhere over the weekend, I went over 1000 miles on DailyMile, with my year-to-date total over 400 (408 as of today).  Last year, I ran all of 600 miles (even).  Feeling pretty awesome.

C is for...

Century...as in 100...as in the number of miles I've done in the last 28 days (101, actually).  While I'm not in an actual month, it's been about a month since school ended.  Training began in full swing that week.  It looks as though I'm back on my Summer 2009 pace.  That was the year I ran the marathon.  That July, I ran 92 miles.  Last year, it was 83.  This year, I'll be well over 100.  My best month ever was August '09.  I ran 113 miles.  Then I ran 107 in September '09.  If all goes as scheduled, I'll be over 105 this month.  Not too shabby.

Take care of your feet...

Get out and run.  It's good for you.

Happy Birthday to Me...The heat is on...

Six years ago today I got to play in snow.  I thought it was going to be a great birthday.  We made our way from Tahoe to Yosemite.  I saw waterfalls and El Capitan.  Afterwards, we were supposed to stay at one of the old-timey hotels at  Yosemite before making our way to San Francisco the next morning.  Then my birthday was ruined by bears...or the threat of bears.

Driving cross-country over 2 weeks, my wife and I had seen some amazing places, and some less than amazing places.  We had camped some and hotel-ed some.  However, upon arrival, we were told that if anything had a scent, it had to be locked up inside, or bears could (and would) attack our car.  After 2 weeks in the car, everything had a scent. After going completely ballistic, and declaring it the birthday from hell, I went back inside to the main desk, and politely asked for a refund on my non-refundable room.  I was politely told that was impossible.  Then I mentioned it was my birthday.  Shortly thereafter, I was given my refund.  We hopped in the car, and made our way out of Yosemite, through the forests and neighborhoods of ET.

Eventually, we had dinner at a diner near the freeway.  I had a strawberry milkshake and french toast at around 9:30.  I continued to drive through the night, hoping to find some hotel.  My 25th birthday was spent in  a dry wasteland in California, known as the City of God; its actual name is Turlock.

Almost none of this has to do with my birthday today.  Except, that when my alarm went off at 6:45, and I made my way to the local high school track for intervals on a humid, hazy morning, I was confident about one thing.  This was not going to be my worst birthday ever.

The local meteorologists have not been able to call this a heatwave.  We haven't had 3 consecutive days of 90+ temperatures.  However, it has been hanging somewhere in the mid-80s to low-90s with varying levels of humidity every day for the past 2 1/2 weeks.

Most of my runs have been slow going.  I did run 2 miles at 8:44 pace on the 4th of July...at quarter after ten at night.  That was the best run I've had in a while.  It was also the coolest I've felt in a while.  This is why my lawn is starting to look like a jungle.  Still, I was up with the sun, to complete my intervals.

Intervals on the track, and speed-work in general are something I've avoided.  However, I've toyed around with them, practicing with the track athletes the past two springs.  Running 10x200m with a goal of 45 seconds seemed like a good idea.  My goal is to go to the track every Monday.  Nobody likes Mondays, anyway, so I thought I'd throw it at the start of the week.


I skipped last week because it was the 4th of July.  It seemed like I should just relax (I ended up doing 4 miles in the morning and 2 before I went to bed.  Some R&R).  This week, I went...it was my birthday.  There was something to prove.  My goal was to get as many reps done before 8:08, and me turning 31.  At 8:07:58, I finished my eight of ten, and turned 31 jiggle jogging my 300m recovery.  The local HS athletes were doing their summer conditioning work.  I kind of wished that I could be flipping tires with the kids at the school I coach at, but no big deal...this was my workout...my day.

Instead, I just quietly worked hard and tried not to be in the way of the various teams.  The last two track workouts, I've been inconsistent.  Today, aside from one 39 (the first) and one 45 (the last), all my reps were in 41-43 seconds.  For me, that's an unattainable race pace, even for a 5k, but building those fast-twitch muscles is why I was there.  I could feel a rhythm and cadence to my steps.  It was a great workout.  And when I was done, I knew that I had kicked the pants off of the track's case of the Mondays.



Of course, it was hot.  Sweat was pouring off. of me in buckets.  I'm a big guy.  The heat is a major concern to me, and it should be for all runners.  In the summer, most of my other runs are not going to build speed.  They're going to keep me alive.  I never push the pace if I feel hot...which is most of the time I'm not in the shade.

I go on what might be a training run for a fitter runner, and it takes me a lot longer.  Eight miles on Saturday seemed to go on forever.  It wasn't that hot, but it was hot enough to keep me slow (I also was a bit lost/confused, because it was a new route, up a giant hill).  Just remember, for those of us that are recreational runners, it's okay to go slowly...the miles will come, and it's better to be safe than sorry.  Plus, you're lapping everyone that's sitting on the couch.

Running in heat is something I've come to accept over the past few summers.  If I want to run, I'll get up early, and beat as much of the heat as possible.  I'm no expert.  However, the people over at Runner's World have a great few articles and tips in this month's magazine.  Their website also includes a tremendous resource page for running in the heat.

And remember, there are some crazies out there, who for my birthday, are running in the desert, in the world's toughest foot race.  The Badwater Ultra began this morning, as runners chug along it's 135 mile route through Death Valley, and pass through areas like Furnace Creek.  For those folks, I should stop my complaining, because the temps I run in are downright chilly to them.  Live streaming and tweeting available...

I'll leave you with some summer advice-STAY HYDRATED! (not that you needed to be told)

Update, June 25, 2011: Yesterday, one of my favorite run-blogs posted a good summary of all the ills of heat and humidity on adult humans, and put it in pretty easy language.  So, take a moment to read Frayed Laces.  It makes many of the same points as the Runners' World articles mentioned above.  However, she took the time to do the research.  Check it out, really.

One of those days...

Ever get to the point where you just wanted to stop?  Running is the ultimate cartoon cliche sometimes, where my conscience splits into an angel and a devil, and argues the merits of continuing the run or stopping.  While the debate gets pretty intense at times, the good side always prevails, and I continue my run.

Today, inexplicably, less than a mile from home, the run turned into one of those self-examination runs.  I had barely  enough time to start debating when the issue was resolved.  The iPod provided some inspiration, as Bill Conti's arrangement of Gonna Fly Now began with that signature fanfare of trumpets.

Instantly, I was whisked into Rocky II.  Though they may not have been there I certainly had kids running with me. And though I didn't hurdle any park benches, I was pretty happy when I reached the top of Nob Hill.  And that, just like in the movie, is when the music stopped (though the actual song is nearly 6 minutes, and the movie only uses about 3).  

I still had a few hundred meters left, and thought "I can gut this out."  And then, adding to my 80's nostalgia, the theme to Knight Rider.  So, I turbo-boosted to the end of my run, satisfied, and suddenly feeling pretty strong.

Music...it's pretty powerful stuff.

Can't embed this version, but I love when Mickey asks, "What are we waitin' fer..."