Saturday, November 7, 2009

Rebuilding Time

Unbelievable!!!!! The weather for November is amazing! We are in the 70's today!! Sunshine galore and a sweet South breeze! I delight in this weather!
So, yesterday I went golfing with my Buddies. I only had time for 11 holes, I needed to be with a member of the church and their family as they have lost a loved one, the family is doing quite well considering the circumstance.
I'm in a rebuilding time. I felt so good today on the roads despite one area of persistent soreness from the last race. I will gradually rebuild to 30 miles a week and hold that for a couple of weeks. I really need to pick a marathon! I am leaning towards Little Rock in March. Anyone ever run that one? If so what do you have to say about it? The 21st of this month I am seriously considering running a HM. Why not?! The bod's feeling pretty good. The heart and lungs are feeling normal....why not try to bust the 1:55 barrier?
Totals-3.52 miles/ 36:15/ 10:17's- Hope all's well in your neck of the woods. Peace!!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Runners Offence

Well my first run since the marathon is in the bag. Felt really good. I thought about my next race and goals. I considered how well I recovered from this race and find myself encouraged and wanting to run another marathon soon!!!
I made an interesting observation today I'm sure many of you have experienced and can identify with, I call it the runners offence.
We offend some people by our running endeavor! I think on a subconscious level and even a conscious level passers by or even acquaintances find us offensive!
Note-32% of Americans are obese! We remind some of them daily of this condition!
Anyone ever had a bottle or something thrown at them while running? Is it just meanness? Or is it self anger? How about a little sideways comment? "Your knees will wear out" Why say anything? Self justification? Since the race I've seen some instances of this phenomenon. Will we let this thwart our passion? Nope! It works the exact same way in the spiritual realm, too! Think about it! 2.13 miles- Peace!!

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Positive attitude

Sometimes I've suffered from post marathon depression. A lack of desire to run, whatsoever!
This time is different? My body is rebounding quite well. I walked a bunch today...work related. I was visiting at the hospital, twice, and it is a huge facility. I am a fast walker. I guess it's the ADD in me, and I was hitting my stride well today.
So, two off days and tomorrow, even though very busy, I want to try a run. I really want to recover and train for another marathon. I've really got a deep sense that I am fully capable of running well and strong for 26.2! Thus breaking the seemingly unbreakable four hour barrier.
Here's my plan. It's really very simple. Every other week a long run...as long as I can go time permitting. One MP run in the week between working up to a long run. I will be training my body to run at the desired pace and building greater endurance.
All other runs will be base pace or just how I feel.
I recently read a book by Dean Karnazes entitled 50/50. The one where he ran 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states. One thing really appealed to me that he mentioned...."running errands". Basically he'd take off and spend the day running, going into town, the bank and whatever. He'd have a backpack on and make a day of it...this appeals to me! I'm gonna' try it! Stay tuned!
Thanks for your kind comments regarding Bass Pro. I need to find a marathon, on a Saturday, close to Springfield, Mo, sometime in Feb or March. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Peace!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Race Report for Bass Pro Marathon '09

The home stretch

I slept great last night! Truly like a baby! That was nice. We did have to get up at 4:00am new time, though. Ate my fav pre-race breakfast-waffles with pb. Sandy drove..that was big! Usually I drive everywhere ( man thing). As we backed out I went over in my mind if I had everything only to realize later I'd forgotten the accelerade I'd prepared for Sandy to refill me with! Double duh! No biggy..Bass pro powerade would have to suffice.
The turnout for the service was great! I meet bunches of new people from all over the country!
Lots of first timers! Bless 'em...they learned about the marathon today! It's a long way! The talk went good and there was a lot of interaction.
Weather absolutely ideal! 40ish, sunny, breezy, but 82% humidity..no complaints here!
HM and Full start together. I'm careful about being sucked in and I do exactly what I'd hoped for a 9:15 first mile. That settled the matter for me...I was going for the 3:59. I remembered my MP runs and settled in knocking off some good splits. Remember; I am carrying a hand held, 22oz water bottle. This was a good decision! I'm also taking a gel every 30 and salt every 60.
8:54, 8:42, 8:34, 8:55, it was here we had been warned about water in the tunnel we had to go through. " It's only a 1/4 inch deep" they said... you should of heard the cussin' (not from me) as we trekked through the two, three inch deep water. We got our shoes wet! Bad deal.
No matter I kept going. Through the next five miles I passed people consistently. 8:53, (here the leader came by us as this segment was an out and back...unreal! Amazing stride length!)8:40, 9:06, 8:59, 9:04. My Sweetie positioned herself to keep me supplied with my gels and I was coming up to meet her again. There is a slowing beginning...mile 11-9:17, Had to go through the water again! 9:19, 9:27-here at the HM mark I was around 1:58. I felt good! I believed I could do this thing!!
Long uphill-9:51, see Sandy again and get another gel, 9:10, 9:24, I'm really needing a port-a-potty here, now, and how!!! 17 miles a 9:21-2:34:51. I am right on target. "Port-a-potty" I say as I spot one behind the water station. I make a beeline to it..."Oh no!" occupied!! Both of them! I wait, and wait, and wait-finally! Gee, this is a race you know!....Mile 18-11:56, I'm off pace now.
9:33, 9:49- a 3:06:09 at 20. Because I carried my water bottle I only had to stop at a few water stations. I could run through several and this enabled me to pass bunches of people.
So I guess I hit the wall, I tried to push it...only got passed by a couple of guys from here on in...but it was brutal-10:11, 10:56, 12:22, 12:26, 11:40, 11:54, 2:48 final .02.
The finish was awesome! Loud, cheering, my Sweetheart there and friends, cool medal and hat!
I had NO cramps!!! My fueling and hydrating was great. I still believe I can break 4 hours. My feet really began to hurt, bad, because of my shoes being wet...adversity is to be expected.
Right now I am thinking of three changes I need to make, 1) 20 milers, and more of them..2) Diet-I could stand to lose 5 lbs and I can do it if I'll discipline myself, 3) shorter training cycle, I nearly burned out.

I thought about you guys as I raced and knew you were pulling for me to break this barrier. Thanks for your kind words and encouragement...You all are the best!!! Thanks to my Sweetheart, Sandy. She was the best crew a person could have!! So the mission continues! I did improve over my last marathon time, and chopped off 18 minutes from last year so all is not lost. Unofficial I have it at 4:18:38. Peace!


#5-I'm still alive!

I was there! at 15 miles I had the sub four going! But the ole' marathon got me! I'm not the least disappointed, I learned a lot and ran a good race. I'll post the report after my nap! 4:18:38 unofficial. Peace!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Antsy pantsy!

So, isn't it amazing how time flies! Seems like I just started this training segment. Tomorrow will tell how I did, I guess. The weather looks to be nearly perfect! Starting temp around 40 degrees with clear skies. Don't know about wind speed. Do know that I am antsy!
Here's what I plan on: Go out and try to post a 9:15 or so first mile then cruise to the HM mark at or just barely below 9's, stay controlled....try to keep the pace to 20 miles. Dig deep, be courageous and creative over the last 10K
Here is a brief overview of my talk during the morning sevice Bass Pro has; I'm billed as the guest speaker who is a marathoner ( only run 4?) and Preacher. Pretty cool, they've really promoted this service so I'm pretty excited.

Low key and audience participation!

How has running changed you?
Why are you racing?
I will give one answer to this second Q. We race to enjoy the change running brings!
I transition from the physical/mental change, to the spiritual change. Text- 2 Corinthians 5:17
I won't be using a Bible, but memory.
Then I ask-How do we really enjoy these changes during a race?
We use trustworthy sayings! (mantras if you will)
Get 'em to share- Ex- hold on! Stay smooth-etc,

Here are three-
1) Stay smart from the start- pacing fueling- analogies to the Christian life using Joshua as an example
2) Test the Limits- Know that you will be challenged, assaulted by the stressers!
Testing will come! Using story out of Genesis to illustrate the fact that testing will come!
Trust in your training! Stay cool! Steady- You are able! Recite a familiar verse-Phil 4:13
3) Go the distance- One of my favorite movies-Field of Dreams-
See things through- Point A to point B-
Insurmountable barriers-cramps-why am I doing this-never again-doubt-despair?
Here is where you can really discover the change!
Wisdom!-Using another well know verse- Ill: personal experience

Conclusion- Today we will enjoy the change! We will make new discovery! We will finish the race! Good luck and God bless-
We're talkin' 20 minutes or so-
Wish me luck....I'll probably post pretty soon after the race. Peace

Friday, October 30, 2009

So a funny thing happened at the expo-

Not much of an expo, really. I was looking to speak with Carol, the race director, she was talking to a guy, he looked like a runner? So I went ahead and got my packet, After I got my stuff I turned around and she'd disappeared! So I asked the guy she had been talking with where she'd gone. He pointed me towards her as she was now sitting down behind a table on the phone, ....finally chatted with her briefly about Sundays service. As I was leaving I realized the guy Carol had been talking to was Jeff Galloway, DUH! I've only got two or three of his books! Yet all I did was ask him where Carol went. As I was leaving I realized I really didn't have anything to say to him anyway, and it's best I didn't consume any of his time. However, I wish I'd been a little more observant! Seeing as how I pride myself in that skill I failed miserably!
Bib #253- I like it!! Does your race number matter?
I'll post a synopsis of my talk tomorrow Peace!