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.

The Winter of my Discontent

Being from New England helps when you truly love all the seasons.  I enjoy the warms of summer (not the humids), and a spring shower where everything smells fresh.  I don't hate mowing the lawn, though in humidity I could take it or leave it.  In the fall, I love how crisp everything is, and the colors popping is really nice, aesthetically. 

Then there is winter.  Everyone that complains about weather and climates complains about winter.  I love winter.  I love snow.  I even love shoveling.  However, I appreciate when things are spread out more.    Since the New Year began, I have worked a total of 9 days.  We have had snow days on January 7, 12, 13, 18, and 21.  There was also MLK, Jr. Day on January 17.  There have been dustings, high winds, wintry mix, slush, ice pellets, and even a full-on Nor'easter.

In this time, I have dug out my mailbox 3 times (twice in an hour...thank you town plows).  I have shoveled the driveway too many times to count.  I have used a hoe to clear off my roof...twice.  And today, I climbed up there, and shoveled off some more.  I'm not complaining, so much as asking for a reprieve for a week or two.  This isn't happening, though, because we're either getting wintry mix OR a blizzard on Tuesday/Wednesday. C'est la vie.

Why am I putting this on the running blog, you ask?  Running has kind of been a savior.  Cabin fever has certainly set in...a few times.  Because of this, it has been really great to get OUTSIDE.  And due to the cabin fever, I haven't brought myself to go to the gym and use the treadmill yet.

This has been fine.  I've got some great gear for the cold.  Yesterday, however, it was about 10 degrees with a 0 windchill.  Two miles was the decision.  Half-way through, I was questioning the insanity (kind of like my trip up to the roof) of such an endeavor. That was until I saw him.

He was a 40-something runner, approaching the same corner as me from a different direction.  Decked out in some traffic-cone orange (I had bright yellow), he kind of gave me a grin, as he blew past me in the intersection.  I took the bait.  He was clearly a better runner (evidenced by the fact he didn't need to wear shorts over his tights), with a much longer stride.  Inspired, I worked to keep up.

The mystery man took off on the flats.  But on every incline, I made up a lot of ground.  Slowly but surely, I was making some head way (and struggling to breathe based on the pace and cold).  Each time we hit a flat or downhill, he'd take off on me.  Each time we started climbing, I'd reel him in a bit.  Eight minutes later, I had covered the 2nd mile (WOW), and we went our separate ways.

He was exactly the thing I needed.  I don't know where that guy came from, but I sure appreciated it.  Once again, the guy a few yards ahead is my greatest running inspiration...

Sidewalks

Well, for those of us in New England, we're in the full brunt of winter.  In a span of 5 days, we received about 3 feet of snow.  The second storm dropped between 28-30 inches in my hard, it took 3 hours to shovel out, and the snow at the end of my driveway was chest high (thank you, local plows).
This has not stopped me from running.  I've gotten a lot of great winter gear recently, and it seems to be just what I needed to handle the weather.  In fact, today I ran when it was 15 degrees out (Fahrenheit...I regularly run when it's 15 Celsius [does anyone still say Centigrade?]).
What really gets me is the fact that we're 5 days since the last storm, and people STILL haven't cleared off their sidewalks.  The law clearly states that people must clear any snow from sidewalks that are adjacent to their property.  Yet, some jokers can't be bothered.  They're like the jack-wagons that can't take the time to clean the snow off the roofs of their cars, but then drive 85 mph on the interstate, blinding those of us left in the wake.  People that don't clear their sidewalks are really starting to bothering me, though.  Not only does it make things less safe for me (clearly selfish motives), but I live near some schools and parks.  These sidewalks should be cleared for the kids walking to school or headed to the park to sled ride.  Yet, these neighbors don't feel the need to clear the entire path.  That's right, I'm calling the following people out: 1074 Amherst Cr., 198 Pleasant Dr., and most of Greenwood Dr.


THANKS JACK-WAGONS!

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.

8 Mile and July 2010 in a nutshell

No, not that 8 Mile!

The past two weeks, I've run 22 miles each, culminating with an 8 mike run on the Saturday.  These two weeks, and especially these two runs, could not have been any different.  We can start with the distances and finish times of each run: July 24-8.01 miles-103 minutes (1:43, or 12:51 miles) vs. July 31-8:36 miles-76 minutes (1:16, or 9:04 miles).

The two big factors were the weather and my body (aren't those what affects everyone?).  The past two weeks, something has been (not) seriously wrong with my left shin and calf.  My foot wouldn't flex when I pushed off the ground.  I kept running anyway.  Finally, I had enough last Monday (July 26), called my support crew (read: chiropractor), and made an appointment for the next afternoon.  I also tried running on the treadmill to see if it made a difference.  It did, but I hate the treadmill a lot more in the summer.  At the appointment, she told me something was up with my soleus   Additionally, I've been to the walk-in twice in the last four weeks.  The first time, 2 weeks ago, I went through a battery of tests, and was given weak antibiotics, because they couldn't find anything wrong with me (I had been coughing for 2 weeks at this point).  I went back this Friday, saw a different doctor, and was put on the nebulizer for a breathing treatment, as the cough and wheezing were worse.  She checked out my chest xray, and decided that I had had bronchitis for over a month.  Awesome, new meds: z-pack, a steroid, and an inhaler.  Freaking great!

As for the weather last week versus last week, it was diametrically opposed (I think).  July 24, at 7:30-9:30 it was 80-82, and the Real Feel was between 98 and 102, due to 80% humidity in the morning (got to 92%, no rain).  July 31, the climate was drastically different.  The temps from 7:30 to 9 ranged between 63 and 68, with a feel of 63-70 in the sun.  In the shade, I actually shivered on my first loop.

The courses were also a bit different.  I have a 4 mile (4.18) loop that I use regularly through some of the neighborhoods around mine.  On the first Saturday, it took me 44 minutes to complete the first loop of this.  I felt awful.  I was drenched in sweat by the end of the 2nd mile.  Soaked completely through my shirt and shorts.  My leg was in pain.  I did my usual water stop in my garage, and then proceeded to change the route. I could not mentally or physically do that loop again.  So, I ran up and down the side streets on my usual two mile loop, making it up to about 4 (3.83) for a grand total of 8.01.  The 3.83 took me an hour, and I had to walk several times due to pure exhaustion.

This week, I was able to do the 4.18 mile loop twice.  The first time through, I felt awesome.  It was like I was in a race.  The chiropractor visit combined with some serious aided stretching (thanks to the Wife), and I ran at a  pace that was, for me, gang busters (great vocabulary, Teach).  Keeping up a full head of steam, I completed the first loop in 36:36 (8:45 miles, which is pretty good for me).  I got my water, took my inhaler, and headed out again in under 2 minutes.  My stride hadn't changed much, and it was really good.  As I went up "the hill," I felt as though I was flying up it (this sucker rises 100ft in a little under a quarter mile, that's more than a 4% grade).  In fact, I felt so good at the top, that I considered doing another 2-4 miles after this loop, but then I decided not to push it,  based on my calf/shin.  It was probably a good idea, because, though I really felt good on this round of the loop, by the time I got to the last half mile, I was ready to be done.  On the entire run, I didn't sweat through my shirt, let alone my shorts.  Conditions were SO much better!

When I finished on the 24th, I felt enormous relief: it was over.  I hadn't felt that awful in a long time when I finished a run.  This week, when I finished, I felt enormous relief: I KILLED THAT RUN!  It gave me a lot o hope, because I again was contemplating at least 2 more miles when I came inside.  If I had about an hour more (S had to go to a baby shower in NY, and I'd feel guilty coming in from my run 20 minutes before she left), I absolutely would have.  Saturday made me feel as though I was back on track.  There are roughly 70 days until the ING Hartford Half-Marathon (this year, I'm taking it easy).  I promise not to wait 50 days for my next post, like I did last year.  I'll be ready on time, and feel a lot better.

July 2010 Update:
Total mileage 83 (July 2009, I did 92, not bad, considering I run 1 day a week less, and I'm not training for a marathon).
Total running workouts: 24 (2009: 18...hmmm maybe I skipped a few more days than I thought)
Extra workouts (x-training): 9 (2009: 1)
Blog posts: 3* (2009: 4)
Weight at Start of Month: 236 (2009: 239)
Weight at End of Month: 232 (2009: 235)

Or not to hit the roads...

The snow started just before midnight last night. 2009 had one more way to mess with me. The rain, I expected, but not MORE freaking snow. The roads outside my house look kind of atrocious. Since these are the same types of roads I swore I'd run on today, and I don't feel like breaking my neck, I don't foresee that happening. Chilly Chili run in Orange? I'm cancelling you, because I can't find anything about you on the news or various websites. I'm not risking the 40 minute drive to find out you're cancelled. As for hitting a 5k in my own neighborhood, I don't see that happening either. The roads have at least an inch of slush on them. Uncool. I'm not even that crazy. Sadly, the gym is closed. No running today. Yet, I still woke up at 7:30...son of a motherless goat!