The Struggle is Real...

This is, possibly, the 5th or 6th time I've sat to write this post.  Everytime, I find something else to do.  Today, I decided against that.  It's been about a year since last I posted, and it's time to get back to reflecting and ranting.  A year ago, I was training for a half marathon, and today, I, in fact, ran one.  This is a tale of two completely different years, though.

Last year was probably my best training year ever.  It was my second most miles in a year (800), and the quality was outstanding.  When I ran the Hartford Half Marathon, I had a near perfect race.  I ended up running under two hours.  A few weeks later, my wife and I ran a halloween themed 5k.  Me pushing our youngest, she running with our oldest.  All was right.

A few weeks after that, we found out that we'd be having our third child.  This was completely unexpected.  Though I was thrilled, I got very anxious about it very rapidly.  I had been thrilled and easy going about the first two kids, so this was surprising.  All the logistics got in my head (sleeping arrangements, needing a new car for 3 car seats, daycare costs).  My anxiousness quickly turned to full-blown anxiety, and I barely slept over the ensuing 10 days. I may have run 2 days in that span, struggling through 2 miles at a time. Though I completely understood that everything would be good, and despite all the reassurances, I was having difficulty processing the logistical aspects.  This is where I have to say, the support I got from my family and the people at work was great.  People understood I was dealing with something, and were very sensitive to it.

My doctor put me on some low-dosage anti-anxiety meds so I would sleep and get back to equilibrium.  My weight dropped rapidly during this time; I lost 12 pounds in those 10 days, due to not sleeping.  The meds worked, enough, so I was getting 4-5 hours of sleep most nights between the Monday before Thanksgiving and the week before Christmas.  The trade offs were the side-effects.  The meds both really slowed down my metabolism AND made me ravenous.  I gained that weight back by New Year's Day, and then another 20 pounds by the end of March. At Thanksgiving, I was really just going through the motions, and somehow pushed through the Manchester RR, to get just under 40, for the seed card for this year.  I don't remember much about that race, except that it was pretty clear for me up in the seeded portion.  I also remember grading papers that weekend, and having another freak out, worried I wouldn't hit my goals (which needed to be met by April 30.  This was November 30).

Alas, I digress.  Around Christmas, everything was feeling normal, except my running.  While my anxiousness was gone by Christmas, my training was shot.  I had done 90+ miles in November and December, but they weren't quality.  January hit, and we had one of the coldest winters ever.  I didn't have the motivation to go out and run many days.  It hurt, because I ran about 75 miles in January & February combined.  I was miles behind last year, in every sense of that.  From that point on, I've been behind the 8-ball.  March was also colder, and I didn't get much running in, and my training has been lower than the past few years for the majority of the year.

When summer vacation hit, I thought I'd start getting in gear for a half marathon.  I amped up my running volume (though not that much).  Our son was born on July, and we were truly blessed, and I was feeling so good, I decided I could finally stop taking the meds*.  I only missed two days of running, and then ran every day for the rest of the month.  That running streak actually hurt me.  Still carrying the extra weight around (metabolism is shot, remember), running every day, over 100 miles, for 4 weeks does a little damage to your body.  I kept running.  I took 3 days off to start August, and ran some more.  I developed sciatica, and ran through that.  My legs basically haven't been right since mid-July.

Still, I continued on, varying my training very little over the past few weeks, to lead up to today: The Hogsback Half Marathon.^  Here are the positives: It was a very pretty run.  The leaves were changing, and we had a very nice view of the Farmington River for nearly the entire race.  It was well-stocked; every two miles, there was water.  When I was running, I felt good.  I started out as I wanted to, about 9:20 miles, and didn't push to go out too fast.  This is always a problem, and I felt I achieved my goal in this sense.  The best part was that I never once psyched myself out.  I've been having a lot of doubt about running, but I don't think I had a single negative thought (except looking at my last 5 mile splits).Overall, I finished, and I finished running.

There were certainly negatives, but maybe not as many as I thought at the finish.  First and foremost, there were hills.  I don't care about quantity, it's the quality.  These were serious hills.  The race started at the top of a hill, and dropped 397 feet to its lowest point (at mile 7).  It then proceeded to climb 125 feet over the next 5k (with several STEEP, short hills), and 260+ feet over the final 10k (but really, another 125 feet over the last mile, after leveling out for nearly 2 miles preceding it).  The last mile was a killer, looking more like a wall than a hill.  I knew all of this going into it, and I honestly didn't let it bother me.  When I knew I could walk faster than I was running uphill, I did.  I hate that, but I know it was the right strategy.  Secondly, there's nobody out on the course.  I feed off the crowd, because I'm too proud to let somebody see me slowing down.  Plus, with the smaller field, I couldn't pick people as my goal to catch up to.  That hurt my general racing strategy.

Also, I was terrible at pacing.  This weight is killing me.  Though I've been dieting, I'm not losing weight.  I've just plateaued for the past 2 months.  My pace suffered for this.  Still, the doctor told me earlier this week that I'm doing great, and the weight will, in fact, come off.  Because my blood work is okay, he's not worried about it.  He recognizes the side-effects, and said it could take a month ot a year for some people (I hope it's sooner).

This was my worst half-marathon finish time ever at 2:39 (7 minutes slower than my debut, 40 minutes slower than my best).  That's the thing that bothers me the most.  I know that I'm carrying nearly 25 pounds more than I did 50 weeks ago.  I know my training was good, but not that good.  I know that I can do better.

I am happy I tried some new races over this crazy year.  I won't be running either of them again, at least not any time soon.  But, I'm back...really, I'm back at the beginning or at least 5 years ago, when I started running this long.  Same pace, same weight.

Screw this: 2014 may have been a lost year.  The struggle may be real. But 2015, I'm coming for you, and I'm starting now.  I'm going to own you.




*When stopping anti-anxiety meds, it is important to a) do so as your physician directs you to, and b) to taper over an extended period of time, so your body doesn't go into withdrawal, and make it necessary to begin on the meds again.  When I stopped, I had been tapering for over 6 weeks.
^ The one race I ran during this time was the "Run Around the Block" in Block Island.  I had my first ever DNF.  It was hot & humid, and I was heavy.  There was heaving.  It was not cool...to say the least.

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.

I am in no shape for a half marathon.  But, the town in which I currently reside held its second annual Half Marathon (sponsored by a local bank), combined with a 3rd year of a 5k sponsored by the local Lion's Club.  The first 5k was literally in my neighborhood.  Roads I've run hundreds of times.  Then, last year, as the race expanded, it went to the other side of town, by the high school.

The last two years, my daughter has run the 400m kids' fun run at the event.  She seems to really like to race.  The day before, I took her to track practice with me, so she could get a practice run in.  Basically, she ran a lap, just as she would do in the race.  Practicing, she got the same time as she did last year.  This year, in the race, she went faster.  What's cool is I was able to show her how she had gotten faster since last year, and she seemed to really think that was cool.

As for me, I ran the 5k.  This year, I have done none of the speed work I had done in the spring (which amounted to about a weekly track session in March and April).  Worse, I had run 4 miles the day before the race.  This was abnormal for me to run at all right before a race.  But, my mileage was so low; I needed to run (compulsion!).  April was difficult to find time to get mileage done.

Then, warming up with the little girl, I felt a tweak in my hamstring.  My expectations were not high at all.  In fact, I suspected that my great 2012 was to be followed by an abysmal 2013.

Yet, when the gun went off, I just ran.  Throughout the first mile, I kept "marking" runners ahead of me, and using them to pace.  It took nearly a mile, but I found somebody to work with.  She and I traded on and off for the next mile and a half or so.

Despite my lack of pre-race ambition, I was surprised as I approached the finish to have a very respectable time going.  As the race ends on the track, I figured I had 300m to book it, too.  That was, essentially, what I did.  In fact, I finished with my second best time ever.

Needless to say, I was very happy.

There was a great little expo going on, but I didn't get much of a chance to check it out.  There were lots of booths from local vendors and businesses.  It was a really well put together event.  I'm not sure if the course is great, or if I run it well because I know where I'm going.  In fact, I still don't know the half marathon course, but I'd bet it's basically an "okay" run, with some loops, and a bit on the rail trail.  Still, I would highly recommend the Cheshire Half Marathon/5k to anyone who is in the area.

November to remember...

November 2010 mileage: 46
November 2011 mileage: 60
November 2012 mileage: 46 (first time all year I was behind, I think)

YTD mileage 2010: 557
YTD mileage 2011: 746
YTD mileage 2012: 808 (WHOAH!)

Weight on October 31, 2012: 220
Weight on December 1, 2012: 218

My mileage went down, and honestly, it needed to. Something had to give.  Running was it. The that I lost weight last month, overall, is awesome.  Honestly, at one point I had gained 5 pounds (considering I only weigh myself on Saturday, that was not a fluke thing).

What was great was the Manchester Road Race.  For the first time ever, I earned a seed card.  Based on two different 5k times this year, I had been seeded in the "under 40 minutes" group for the 4.78 mile race.  As anyone that reads this knows, it's my favorite race of the year, but I rarely run it fast.  That's because there is a mass of humanity on the race course of residential streets.  Instead, I think of it as the best Thanksgiving Day Parade ever.

This year, with the seed card, things were slightly different.  For once, I wasn't competing with you-know-who.  But a woman at work was also seeded, and we run about the same paces.  She is younger, so I might have even accepted it if she beat me.  Besides, she waited so long to register that, despite earning a under 40 seed card, they only had an under 35 to give her.  So they did.

Anthony Famiglietti

So, the 2012 race was slightly different. For one, the great Amby Burfoot would be completing his 50th MRR*.  That would tie him for the most ever.  Secondly, there were some great runners in the field.  Actually, I should say, there were some Olympic caliber steeple-chase runners in the field. Anthony  Famiglietti, Donn Cabral, and Delilah DiCrescenzo (the girl from the song) ran.  DiCrescenzo won the women's race, in fact.  There were also some good, young American female runners, recent all-Americans Sarah Porter and Amy Van Alstine.

Sarah Porter

Donn Cabral

Third, I had no intentions of looking for bacon along the course (though if it was offered nearby, I wouldn't refuse).  Finally, with the seed card, I wasn't starting in the midst of the masses.  With nearly 15,000 registered runners, and numerous walkers and bandits, there were more people than the Hartford Marathon in a course that was a sixth of the size.

What did the seeding do for me? To start, it was the first MRR that I didn't walk during.  There are several bottle-necks that lead to complete stops/walks.  Also, the first tenth of a mile or so is a walk.  Not this year, I maintained a steady pace through the first mile, and only slowed a little on the killer hill of the next mile plus.  The entire time I was running, I was running with others from the starting corrall. The seeding system seemed to work.  In fact, as I passed the four mile mark, the woman that was right next to me at the start was nearby. We joked that we must've started in the right place, after all.

I wondered aloud if we would actually make the 40 minute cut off for another seed.  I don't know why. Last year, I ran a 45:00 even, for my best MRR ever.  Still, she reassured me that we had plenty of time.  Usually with a head full of doubt and a road full of promises, I don't quite get my goal.  Questions start to appear in my head.  This time, with her reassurance, I felt confident.  The pace felt hard, but not awful.

As I turned onto Main Street, and saw that big American flag, I knew I was there.  There's a few hundred meters between the corner and the finish.  Whatever was left, I gave.  When I crossed the finish, arms raised triumphantly, the gun-time clock read 39:49**.  I had earned a seed card for next year, and honestly couldn't believe.  Now, I had to just stay healthy.

Which is why, I immediately headed to the Army/Navy Club, to meet friends and family, and have a donut and an adult beverage.

Cabral finishes

Burfoot & Deena Kastor

Delilah DiCrescenzo winning

Men's winner, Aaron Braun

Stacey said this should win best costume

At the start...

Sarah Porter at the end of the race...Looks like she worked hard.

Mr. MRR, Amby Burfoot

*His book,  The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life was given to me by a former runner of mine at a time when I had barely started running. The way Burfoot described the MRR, and the fact that I was going to be at Thanksgiving at my in-laws that year meant that the MRR was certainly doable for me.  Despite the temps in the 20s, and the pounding rain, I fell in love with that race 7 years ago.  The people are great, and last year, even gave me bacon, as I ran a PR to the time.  Since that first race, the 70th, I've run each year.  If I can, I'll go for my own streak. Though 50 is QUITE a lot, I'm nearly 1/7 there.

**Official time-39:16!!!

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.

Race Recap: Iron Horse 5k

I have never been fast.  In high school, a teammate of mine on track would refer to me as Captain Mediocre.  It was always great, because I was always above average, but never quite good enough to make the state meet.  He was a really funny guy.  Today, I sometimes refer to him as "my Newman," after the Seinfeld character.  Actually, now, we work together and coach track together, but you know, no big deal. I always used that name as a motivator...

It wasn't until I began racing that I realized speed is relative...at least in road races.  But that didn't make me not want to be faster.  This brought me to new goals after trying to lower my 1/2 marathon PR.  Ultimately, my goal this winter and spring was to work on my speed.  The first race I ever ran was a 25:00 5k (exactly 8:00/mile, and exactly 1 second slower than my own personal Newman-yes, that former teammate and co-worker, I mean you ;-) ).  It had been 4-5 years since I had even run in the 26s, and last spring and summer, my 5ks were in the 29s.  However, that all changed Labor Day weekend 2010, when I ran our XC team's time trial, and ran my 2nd fastest 5k to date. Since I was training for a half marathon in October, I thought nothing of it until the Manchester Road Race on Thanksgiving.  Having run my 2nd fastest time there (in my fifth race), I really dedicated myself to doing some speed work and not just getting in the miles, and hopefully running a (reasonably) fast 5k again.  That's part of why I stayed outside all winter, and was running 2-mile loops as fast as I could. 

The only problem was, I had always fizzled in spring 5ks.  For whatever reason, my spring 5ks have not been good.  It wasn't the crowds, as I've run in races of less than 50 and more than 5000. It wasn't the date or weather; I had run in March, April, and May.  So, in my mind it was my training.  So, I decided to forgo early races, and wait until June, and the Iron Horse.

Having already run the Iron Horse Half and 10k, this seemed like a natural progression to finally do the 5k.  What's that you say?  It should go the other way?  BAH!

As I was saying, the Iron Horse seemed like a good place to run.  The races all take place in a suburban/rural setting, in a typical New England town.  The routes are all very nice, and in most parts, there is ample shade.  The only downfall is that, being the first weekend of June in New England, the weather can be very unpredictable.  The first year (half marathon) it was in the low 80s.  Last year during the 10k, the temperatures were in the low 90s, the humidity was sky high, and we had a good rain shower about half-way through.  This year, it was a cool, crisp morning in the 60s.  That's my ideal for a run.

But I digress.  The Iron Horse: In my previous two races there, I had run the first 1-2 miles WAY too fast, and ruined my races.  The roads were mostly flat, and it was easy to get speed, especially in the rush of the early crowd.  For a 5k, that seemed perfect.

And that is exactly what happened.  For the Iron Horse, the 10k starts 15 minutes before the half and 5k.  When the half starts, it starts less than 200 meters from the 5k start.  As the half-marathoners pass the 5k start, the 5k begins (on the opposite side of a divided road).

The one downfall with the 5k is, there is no starting pad, so all times are on gun-times.  This is disappointing, because I actually crossed the starting line about 15 seconds after the gun.  Can't help it; I was fiddling with my iPod.  For those real runners that scoff at this, too bad: it motivates me, and keeps me on pace, when I want to shoot out at the start.  So, as I crossed below the red balloon arch, I started my watch as any good runner would do, and I was off.

Barreling down Iron Horse Boulevard my strides felt great.  I was hitting a good rhythm,had a full stride, and was able to dodge those runners that were running a more focused pace.  Coming out of the first turn, the half-marathon and 5k merge.  This is chaos, but I was looking forward to it.  About 50 meters later, the crowd crosses a bridge, and makes its second turn.  My goal was to be hitting that turn with the 2nd tier of runners in the half.  Their pace, in my mind, would carry me to good time.

Sure enough, as I ran through the first mile marker, the clock read 7:42...my watch said 7:27.  For a brief moment, panic set in.  Until I realized that my plan was coming together as if it had been planned by Col. Hannibal Smith.  With that, I calmed down, and just kept pumping my legs.

I carried that pace for about 6 more minutes, and it was pretty comfortable.  Then we hit the two little hills.  As we moved into them, I noticed that the half marathon runners were pulling away.  It was really amazing how they just carried their pace.  Still, in my mind, I justified it in the fact that these people were about half as wide as I am.  As I ran through the hills, I hit the 2 mile mark, and even though the half-marathoners were pulling away, I remember being happy because I had just run a solid 8:35 second mile (total time-16:02 on my watch).

The nice part about the hills, is, you're in the shade, and they really roll to their crest.  The nicer part was, I was able to take the next turn.  For the past two years, I've seen that sign, saying 5k turn here, only to have to run another 3 mile loop before I returned back to that point.  I was fully aware, from that turn, there was a mile left.  Though those half marathoners kept on running, and I greedily took the left.

Running right down the middle of the street, I went into a sort of trance.  First, along the river.  Secondly, to the right, back over the bridge, which is about where my breathing had reached a stage I like to refer to as controlled wheezing.  This is when my breathing sounds awful, but is actually completely under control, and just a very loud version of my regular running breathing.  As I was running over the bridge, I passed a fit looking man in a turquoise racing singlet, who gave me a dirty look as I went by.  Finally, I went back up the little hill and on to Iron Horse Boulevard.  I didn't dare sneak a glance at my watch. 

It was only a short run up the road, before I saw it.  There, in the distance, was the red balloon arch.  My iPod was pumping Young the Giant (by the way, that singer is ugly), and though my body had started to rebel, I powered towards that arch, chanting the mantra: BEAST (as in "kill the...")with each step.  To me, it felt like I was flying.  In reality, I was probably running the equivalent of a 20-second 100m dash.  Then my hopes were dashed...

It wasn't until a few feet before the arch, when I passed the 3-mile mark.  Yes, that is when the realization sank in that I had kicked it into high gear for the wrong goal.  So, as my watch ticked around 24:30, I had nothing to do, but continue. My legs were shot at that point, and that last 1/8 of a mile was a killer.  The final .125 miles was agonizing.  I was spent, and it wasn't until I was about to cross the actual finish line, seeing the gun-time clock click to 25:50, that I realized I was going to do it.

In my head, there was a mini parade.  Triumphal fanfares of trumpets echoed in my imagination.  It was really much more grand than a sweaty fatty slowly jogging across the finish line, pumping one fist as he checked the watch on his other wrist.  The final "official" time says I ran 25:57...my watch read 25:40.

25:40!!!

That was my new second fastest 5k time ever.  I had just run 8:12 miles, an impossible feat just months prior to this race.  I had not run faster since my first race ever.  And in the past 5 years, that was the fastest I had ever raced.  I was, and still am, stoked.

Sure, runners that were 9, 11, and 65 finished faster than me, but who cares?!  This was a race against myself.  This was a race against both the clock and the calendar. I was the 41st male finisher, I was the 6th finisher in the 30-39 bracket (ironically, I'd have been 5th if I was 29), and most importantly, I won my weight class: #1 in the Clydesdale Division (males over 200 lbs.).  I had never been proud to be in that before, but now, I was a division winner.  I got a medal!  For one day, this fatboy ran his @$$ off, and I couldn't have a bigger smile on my face about it.

I'd also like to congratulate mMiL, because on that day, she won her age group in the 10k...and my daughter ran her first ever race, a 1/4 mile (in about 4 minutes, but hey, she's 3 1/2).


Added June 14: After I finished, I realized mMiL would probably finish her 10k in roughly ten more minutes.  So, I was waiting working my way through the chute, getting my water bottle and banana, when I hear this guy behind me telling his friend, "And this guy goes by me and he's wheezing, and I'm thinking dude, get an inhaler."  His tone was pretty rude, and I kind of felt bad for whoever he was talking about.  I turn around, and it's the guy in the turquoise singlet from the bridge, and I realize he's talking about me.  For once, I was thinking quick on my feet, and shot back through the throng of finishers waiting patiently for their water bottles, "Sorry, that's just how I sound when I'm going fast.  What was your time?"

Races...we've got races...

Over the past two days, I've really been trying to fill up my summer dance card.  The past two years, I've run the half marathon and 10k at Simsbury, CT's annual Iron Horse races.  The first year, I wanted to do the half to gauge my readiness for a full the following October.  Last year, I ran the 10k in humidity straight out of the bayou, because mMiL said it was a great race.  The year before had been a crisp, warm day...last year, we had a thunderstorm.  To finish off the trifecta of races at the event, I decided to run the 5k this year.  Honestly, my only motivation for this race is to have all three color bibs on my bulletin board at the end of the school  year.  To top it off, the little girl will make her race debut in a 50m fun run.  She's been training for a few weeks now, and is really working with her strength coach and massage therapists to set a tremendous PR for a 3 year old.

In addition to this race, I signed up for my vacation race.  Since I've been married, we've been going to mooch off of my in-laws in their annual trip to the Cape.  That's been 6 summers so far.  I can't remember if I've run races in 4 or 5 of them.  To date, I've run two or 3 Brew Runs from The Woodshed on Rt. 6A in Brewster, MA.  I've also finished the Falmouth Road Race in what may have been my best race...ever.  Then, in a bizarro twist of calendar fates, the first weekend we're away was suddenly a week earlier (I'm assuming it's the first weekend in August, and something is screwy).  So, I signed up for a charming little race run from the Cape's "only" Irish Pub.  The course is interesting, going over rivers, through cranberry bogs, and in and out of woodlands.  It was a nice enough race, and though last year it was REALLY hot, I enjoyed it enough to sign up again.

I love the Brew Run, because it starts at 4 or 5 in the afternoon, and ends with a party.  Falmouth was more hectic, but just as festive...only like Manchester, I was taking part in the parade, and the people on the sidelines were the view.  There's nothing like running by lighthouses and windmills to create a unique running experience.  Some day, I hope to run both again.  Until then, I'm happy going to the Pub run...it's a good time.

With that being said, I'm scouring looking for a few more races to fill my summer dance card.  I don't want to travel more than half an hour.  I'm being picky, but there's tons to choose from.  If you've done any of the races listed during mid-June, July, or the end of August, let me know what you think.  Eventually, I'll figure it out.  Until then, I'll just keep chugging along...

Race Report: Manchester Road Race

The Manchester Road Race is fast becoming my favorite holiday tradition.  Whether it's the crowds in the early morning cold of Thanksgiving morning, or just doing something active on a day that some have dubbed Fatsgiving, I'm not really sure.  One thing is for sure, I always keep an eye out for this guy: Safety Man!

The man, the myth, the  legend...

What do I love about Manchester?  One thing is for sure, it's not the line for the porto-potties.  Still, I've been around for five years, and I know that the lines closest to the first turn of the race are the shortest.  But parking on that side is the worst.  But I certainly enjoy all the unique characters and the occassional llama (it was an alpaca, after-all).  But I certainly enjoy the mainstays: the Blues Brothers, Santa, and, of course, the Hanson Brothers.  That's these Hansons, not these Hansons.  You know, Steve, Jack, and Jeff, not Isaac, Taylor, and Zac.  As the race website says,

"The Manchester Road Race has a little bit of everything.  At the front of the pack you will find the elite runners - internationally known, professional, Olympians, etc.  Next, you will find the serious runners.  The course is seeded to 40 minutes - those people who have proven they can run the course within specific time periods will line up in "pens" according to their finishing times.

Behind the seeding areas you will see all of humanity!  Some wannabes, some people in costume, some just out for the fun of the day."

Jess Checca: "OH MY GOD A LLAMA!!!"

There a lot of nice things about this race.  Though I know there's a mile and a half hill, I also know the rest of the course.  That proved handy this year.  Also, because it's a holiday, you get to spend it with family.  However, it's quiet, with family.  That's something holidays have never been in my life.  But running the race, I know that I'm both by myself, and with my family and friends.  It was good to catch one of my old roommates and his wife post race, after their first Manchester.  His wife had spotted the alpaca.  And, I also know that, as long as it isn't raining, I can count on my wife to run (plus her mom to beat me, and her sisters will more than likely join in.  This year, they all had a friend), even if she's getting beaten by the Christmas Tree.

They made me hungry (my favorite: Egg Nog Man)

"Hurry up, you just got passed by the Christmas Tree!"

Regardless, here's the race recap.  Last year, I ran my worst time ever.  I came in just under 50 minutes. It was embarassing.  I had vowed to do better, but hadn't been running well since the half-marathon (and that was Columbus Day weekend).  With the help of Dr. J, I had hoped to remedy the hip issues I had been having since mid October.  If I could, I could run faster (but I hadn't tested myself after my 2nd visit in a week, and wouldn't know how I felt until I ran).  In my mind, my best time had been a 44-something, which seemed unattainable, but a 45+ seemed good.  So, 45-something became my goal.

To do so, I had to get the start earlier.  Because last year, the race began with us in the porta-pottie lines, my mother-in-law (mMiL) and I decided to ditch everyone, and head to the start at 9.  The wife, her sisters, and friend waited in the warm car.The temperature was a balmy 37 the last I had seen, and it wasn't much warmer as we made out way to the start. Again, it was fortuitous to go past the start to get to an open bathroom with a short line.  The walk took about 10 minutes.  After, we attempted to get into the corrals at 9:40.  Of course, it was the usual crowds.  Eventually, after fighting through the crowd, mMiL and I had made it just a bit behind the open start.

The Hansons are a MRR staple

Carrie Underwood sang the anthem, (well, no, it wasn't live), and we were off.  As usual, the start was so crowded, it was worth walking for about 100 yards.  Then, it was a light jog.  For once, I didn't press, and I didn't weave through crowds, spiking my heart rate, and then dropping back to a slow jog over and over.  By the first turn, it was possible to be in a normal jog, but not a run.  It was that way UNTIL we hit the Hungry Tiger, the only bar on the course.

Really safe, guys...on a roof, drinking, with your dogs

At the Hungry Tiger, everyone came to a dead stop.  I have NO idea why.  We had already passed the unsafe Safety Man fan-club.  Why had everyone come to a screeching halt?  I can only imagine, this was because of me:

"By Michael Zdrojowy on November 26, 2010 4:50 PM

I would like to know why one runner chose to deliberately trip my 11 year old grandson. While he was not seriously injured, he ended up destroying a brand new school team shirt and running pants. (He just received the shirt Monday.)

I guess even during the best of conditions there is always a poor sportsman around.

Fortunately this did not sour my grandson's attitude and he looks forward to running again next year."

Still, I loved the response, 

By Sarah K on November 30, 2010 1:53 PM

There were 15,000 or so people out there and it was VERY crowded, with many runners trying to dodge around people walking or jogging slowly. How do you know it was deliberate?

I do not know if this is the case with you and your grandson, but if people who plan to use a run/walk strategy would start at the back (or with the walkers) they would be less likely to be run into, bumped, etc.

I'm glad he was not hurt and is looking forward to next year. It is a fun race!

because it exactly about what mMiL and I could talk about post race.  Why the hell can't people that plan to walk, or do the "run/walk" line up in the walkers' mall or in the back, like our good family and friends do (great job guys, we love that you understand about obstacles).  This year was by far the most crowded.  When we stopped outside of the Hungry Tiger, I definitely accidentally punched somebody in front of me, as I didn't slow up fast enough.  He staggered, and did bump a kid, but I didn't see that boy go down.

I digress.  Regardless, just past the Hungry Tiger is where the first mile marker is.  It also is shortly after we started that long uphill climb, past Highland Market (well, that's what I think of).  Mile 1-12:50 or so.  Yikes! In years past, I would have freaked out.  This year, I just stayed my course.  I hung just left of center, and maintained my pace, knowing the herd would thin, as we climbed.  I would press once we hit the top, knowing the crowd would be thin, and I could up my pace.  

Mile 2 is over just before the top of the hill (11 minutes even, speeding up, as we reached the top.  Not bad, with 2.5 miles left)  The road flattens out there. As the crowd and I reached that point, I heard some Noobs talking about how it was all over.  I looked over, cackled maniacally, and shouted, "Don't believe it, it's a trick!!  It's a dirty dirty trick!!!"  While I knew I still had 1/4 mile left to the top, others did not...or they didn't know why some insane man was shouting behind them.  Regardless, the crowd opened up, and I started to make my move.

As I turned left at the top, I eased my way to the left curb.  The race is all left turns, and I knew I could make a move on anyone at that point.  Much of the rest of the race was down hill.  I used the momentum I gained going up the hill, and unleashed my speed...or...whatever we can call it.

This is where the race got really fun, and the crowd, as usual, thinned.  I ran down the hill, arms high, like people on a roller coaster do on a big drop.  Opening my stride, I felt myself flying down the hill, but I was under control.  At this point, I was also singing "Don't Stop Believin'."  Sometimes I find myself singing unconsciously and loudly during a race.  With this song, it has happened in the past two races I ran.  This time, it wasn't as embarassing, as most people were laughing and sang, too.

When the course flattened out, we approached the end of the third mile.  That had been completed in 8:27.  I felt strong, and I knew that soon enough I would be in the home stretch.

For me, the home stretch is as the course makes a slight left (the 2nd to last turn), and takes us back to the start, and the center of town.  There's a Valero right there, and I always try to up my pace for that last 0.8 miles or so.  Never have I been able to maintain my pace, much less speed up from that point on.  This year, I hoped, would be different.  That's when I saw, and heard, the gong.

Every year, the guy with the gong is there, just before that turn.  I always forget, and it always surprises me.  This year, at least I saw him before I heard him.  Just as I passed by, he crashed the gong again.  Finally, I ran like I haven't run in a long time.  My stride was long, and I had good turnover.

As I hit that final turn, coming around the corner, and spotting that huge American flag, I felt fresher than I had since the first year I ran.  When I crossed, I did some quick math, and thought I had finished in 45:39.  I made my way to the corner, happy I had run almost 5 minutes faster, with a much larger crowd.  I worked through the chutes, toward the Army-Navy Club, for some post-race refreshment (and to meet up with everyone).

Friday, as I checked the official standings, I was astonished: I had run a 45:32. Scanning past results, I wanted to see where that ranked my 2010 race among the 5 Manchester RRs I had run.  What I hadn't realized was that my best was only a 45:26.  I had run my 2nd fastest time, my best having come in my first attempt.  On that day, there was a driving cold rain, and the crowd was thin.  I took that fact, and felt some simple satisfaction.  As far as I'm considered, this was the best I have ever run at a Manchester Road Race.  The plan worked.  I guess I'll just have to stay calm more often.

Race Report: GE/Petit Foundation 5k

The GE/Petit Foundation 5k was everything it was advertised as, and more.  The course was very flat.  On another day, it may have even been fast.   And despite the fact that it started on Rt. 10 (across from the Golden Arches, what kind of sick joke is that?) and ended in an industrial section of Plainville, the course mostly went through nice residential portions of the town.

This race was run in extreme heat and humidity (both in the high 80s).  Many thanks to all those who set up their hoses and sprinklers to douse the participants.  Like a junior mint, it was very refreshing!  While I didn't run anything near my best, I felt like I ran hard the entire time.  The weather was very brutal, and the crowd was big, so there was no hope of running a PR or a best for the year.  Too bad.  Not happy with my 29, but people were struggling all over the course.  I don't feel like I struggled, I just couldn't run any damn faster.

The event also had a great expo.  There was a tremendous variety of vendors, it was as big as a carnival.  Much appreciation for the pre/post race massages from CT Sports Massage.  I cannot begin to describe how good the expo was during the event, just that it was very impressive.  Many thanks to those that donated their time, product, services, etc...but a special thanks to the event volunteers.  Without them, the race wouldn't have been possible.  And on such a hot day, they did an awesome job of manning the course, and making sure everything went smoothly.  Great job!

Finally, much props for my sister.  She completed her first 5k.  I'm really very impressed, because she totally blew away her own expectations.  Great job S!

K was a good little girl during the race.  She cheered runners, and afterwards, we shared a Saints hotdog and some Sobe Life Water.

ShamRock & Roll

Today was the first race of the year.  A nice out-and-back 5k through New Haven sponsored by WPLR.  There's certainly an eerie feeling when you start a race near a cemetery.  We started this one across the street from the historic Grove Street Cemetery, down by Yale's Woolsey Hall.  To make a long story short, I finished in 28:20 (my watch), which is at the very least, 10 seconds/mile slower than I had hoped to pace myself.  Still, it was much better than the Finally Spring 5k I started with last year.  Plus, the temperature was well above freezing this year, and it was all on pavement.


What else made this one better?  There were a LOT of people there that I knew.  Plenty of kids from school were running, which is helpful.  They were all much faster than I was.  Plus, there was one of the other coaches.  The course was pretty smooth, with one hill that was pretty long, but not a killer.  It was actually the shorter, steeper hill that sucked.  Running up that, and I hadn't regained my stride until I was already down the other hill.  However, the last quarter mile or so, I really had a nice extra gear that I haven't seen in over a year (marathon training killed what little speed I've had).


There wasn't much schwag from this event, but I got a decent St. Patrick's day tshirt, a MyoPlex shake at the finish, and a free beer and plenty of food inside of the World Famous Toad's Place.

New Year and some resolutions...

The post-marathon part my running year was less than spectacular. I had a rough going in the weeks following the marathon. My hips and quads just weren't responding well after the race, and getting "back in the swing" was difficult. A week later, a ran a mile, and then iced. A few days later, I tried a mile and a half. A few more days, and it was two miles. But a good 2 weeks later, and I still felt pretty crappy running.

I worked my way back up to 4 miles over the coming weeks, but every run felt bad. Worse, I had put back on ALL the weight I had lost in the previous 5 months in a matter of 5 weeks. So, feeling achy and fat, and with a week before the Manchester RR, I stopped running. I didn't even think about it. Instead, I got back to coaching football for a while (it's weird to be there so rarely, after being consumed with it for 6 years each fall). On Thanksgiving morning, I felt okay, and I ran the race. It was a good run, but crowded. Sure enough, with about a mile left, my legs went dead. I just didn't have anything left in the tank. Amazing, as it had only been 6 weeks since the marathon, and I hadn't really stopped running. So, I cruised into the finish, found the mominlaw (she beat me by 4 minutes...speed demon), bought a beer and a donut, and decided to relax.

Since then, I've been rebuilding my base. From Thanksgiving to Christmas, I tried to get 8-10 quality miles in a week. Some of those have been on the elliptical or PreCore just to save my joints. Last week, I was able to get in 12, and felt good. This week, I've done 9+ to close out 2009. I wish I kept my mileage all year, because I think that I'd be very impressed (resolution #1 for 2010, keep track of all my mileage run, walked, or on a machine).

Today, it snowed about 4 inches. I'd like to run a 5k tomorrow, New Year's morning, but I'm not even sure if it's being held. I think this is the right way to start my year. Last year, it was all about the quantity of mileage, trying to get through with marathon training. This year, I've got two more resolutions: regain the speed I lost in building my endurance AND get slimmer. Both should have some simple fixes-RUN, do crunches*, and cross train.

Should be no sweat, if I stick to it, and let everyone know I'm going to do it. OKAY, it should be a lot of sweat, but I'll do it if I know people are checking up on me. So, there I am. Resolutions are out there...Hopefully I run that race tomorrow, but if not, I'll bust my ass around the neighborhood for a 5k, instead. You know, just to let 2010 know that I mean business.

Crunches plan: 50/day for January, 60/day for February, 70/day for March, 80/day for April, 90/day for May, 100/day for June-forever. In July, we start the same progression with push-ups. You know, I thought I'd ease into things.

Run a Marathon by age 30? CHECK!

I DID IT!!!

Couldn't have made it without the help, cheers, and support of my whole family. Incredible show of support, and ALWAYS there right when I needed you.

Feeling great two days later!

I cannot put into words everything that I experienced. Instead, I'll just throw down my highlights, and you can ask me about the stories.

1. Emile and his "One Goal Many Steps" shirt...GIANT dude...little did I know that his shirt was part of a Fleet Feet running group. Great guy. Had to check on him at the end.
2. The lady from church
3. The sign that said "Running a Marathon is easier than reforming Health Care"
4. The lady with the "This one's for you Patrick" t-shirt
5. The girl who threw up at the 10 mile mark, and beat me
6. Seeing a person from HS fly by me on her way back, as I was nearing the 10 mile mark...
7. Seeing a kid I taught my 2nd year...
8. Running past the guy dressed as Superman (he beat me, but I passed the guy who was faster than a speeding bullet, so that's saying something)
9. The lady from DC with 2 left shoes
10. Talking to my wife on a cell as I just finished 17 miles, and having 3 or 4 ladies yell "We love you too" as I got off the call
11. A band called Triple H playing Weezer as I entered the Riverfront park...big pick me up...
12. The cramp at 20, because I decided it was a good idea to power up a hill (the only one I really ran all day), because I had "All these things that I've done" on...But, I proved I've got soul, but I'm not a soldier
13. My daughter screaming "OOOOOH DADDY!!!" when she saw me at 21
14. The golden, and the guy in the Cheshire XC shirt showing up at mile 5, 18, and 24
15. Walking mile 22 in cramping agony to the Meadows and the CT Parrot Head Club (awesome!)
16. Jogging across a park, and off the course because I needed a portapotty so badly
17. The guy in the Red Shirt
18. Asking the cop how far it was after I was like half a mile from mile 25, and him saying "Oh, less than a mile" GEE THANKS
19. Hearts on Fire, and screaming Drago just before 26 miles
20. Dad running me in...
21. All the signs, support, and cheers

5:33...which wasn't my original goal of 4:30...or my modified goal of 5:15 (which I was on pace for before the cramps started)...

I don't care.

I made it.

It was fun in a completely agonizing way. I didn't feel any pain in my feet, back, or shins the entire way (quad cramp was my only complaint). Feel great.

Teared up a little at the finish...somewhere in the middle too...it was the gravity of the whole situation.

I DID IT!

Marathon Man from ST on Vimeo.

Holy Crap!

Less than 2 weeks to the Brew Run!

It's official: Iron Horse Half Marathon

Not much has been said since the start of track (hence the 2 and a half month lay off). What is there to say? My training has NOT gone as planned, but it has happened. Weight is back up, but so is my mileage. In fact, over the past month, I've gone on 6 runs that lasted anywhere from an hour to 1:45. Over these two months, I've also ran 2 5ks, and my time reflected the paces I've been training at.

HOWEVER, despite going off schedule, today was a special day. Today, I reached a bench mark, as planned, running the Iron Horse Half Marathon in Simsbury. My time wasn't earth shattering, but I did it (While I didn't finish in 2:10 like I hoped, I finished in 2h 32m 11s, which when you look at it is slightly more than double the winner's 1:15:50, which is something. [complete results (plus check out the 10K times and see how close my mother-in-law was to getting an age group award, AGAIN...next year Mom] ).

It truly is something I'm proud to say I accomplished. And, best yet, I feel great just 8 hours after I finished. Honestly, it was a great experience, and a great course I haven't killed my inner fat kid, but damn, it felt good to get it done. It certainly was an experience, and just added to my motivation to complete the 26.2 this fall.



Here's the total route I ran.


Proof that I finished...

Next race info...
August 8, 2009 (Saturday)The 31st Brew RunBrewster, MA 4:00PM The Woodshed, Route 6a (Every 25th finisher gets a prize.)Contact: Tom Meagher (Brewster Rescue Squad), 80 Center Street, Brewster, MA, USA, 02631. 1-508-896-3235 rspitler@cox.net> Yahoo! Maps > Register Now

If you're on the Cape that weekend, join me for some running and post-race cold one's. I preferred it to the Falmouth Road Race (though now I think I want to do that again, too!), it was like a summer version of Manchester.


TODAY'S SOUNDTRACK