Pirate turned 40

The Little Rock Marathon was behind me and 40 was suddenly here.  I "let'" my lovely wife and our daughter give me my bday present early.  It's a trip aboard the Juliette to scuba dive in the Bahamas for a week with my great friend Brad.  I cannot express how awesome a present this is to me.  I will dive the Bimini Road.  The site everyone thought was Atlantis when it was discovered in the 60's.  A little closer to the trip I'll go into details about it.

The trip was given to me at dinner with our closest friends.  I had a great steak prepared by Brad with a great wine (don't know the name but it was great).  All in all a great night.

The actual birthday day was a bit of a let down.  I was in Vegas for a trade show.  That sounds a lot better than it actual is.

It started off promising.  With Buffett blasting in the headphones I got as a birthday present last year, I took a 40 minute run off the Las Vegas strip as the sun came up.  The birthday run was inspired by a cyclist friend who bikes a mile for every year.  Obviously a mile a year was stupid for a runner so I took some liberties.  I took the picture below with my phone of the sun coming up over the mountains.

I was wearing these.  Do you remember them from last birthday?

Then it was off to work.  Trade show glad handing and sales from 9-6.  That's mountain time so the body says 6pm is really 8pm!  

Then rest of the day was uneventful.  Work the tradeshow.  Most of the rest of the coworkers were tired of each other everyone went their separate ways.  Wound up eating at a deli and learning to play Pai Gow poker.

That was it.  Yay, I'm 40.

I still have my present to look forward to.  Do you think Bimini is really Atlantis?

No Bloody Nipples

Welcome to the 10th annual Little Rock Marathon.

The short version is I survived.

The long version is well... the long version.  My ideal goal was not met.  The sub 4 hour marathon.  Under 4 seems to be the goal for most non-elite athletes.  It was what I felt I was capable of doing.  It wouldn't be easy but I really thought it was doable.  I was wrong.

I'll detail the experience as best I can from start to finish.  To say this winter was mild would be a huge understatement.  I knew if we had a hot day I would be screwed.  It started great.  The temperature was roughly 38-43 degrees to start.  Perfect marathon weather.  My lovely wife Angie came to watch me run for the first time and saw me off at the start.  So far so good.

I lined up with the 4 hour pace group.  It was led by 2 twenty something young women.  The average pace for a 4  hr marathon is 9:10/mile.  They started out at around 8:45-8:30/mile.  In hindsight I understand they had a strategy to make up for time lost later but it ruined me.  I had a good 5K at around 26 minutes. I averaged a 9:05 10K pace.  I took 7 minutes off my previous LR Half Marathon time.  Good so far right?

Now I'm running low on gas and it's heating up big time.  Any other day it would've been gorgeous.

I get to the Hillcrest area around 10:30.  I did not do my homework and check out this part of the course.  It's why the pacers went out so hot.  It sucked.  I cannot be any more plain than that.  I was cocky going into this because of how strong I felt on the hills in the Soaring Wings Half Marathon in October.  After 14 miles the hills were horrible.  My own fault.  Next time I'm prepared.  Stairmaster here I come.

In the Hillcrest area Michelob had a tent set up and was giving out free beer to the runners.  I couldn't bring myself to drink one but I will never say another bad word about Michelob.

What goes up must come down.  The down hill part was okay we'll skip that part.


Bottom of the hill mile 18.  Hello Rebsamen Park.  Why do I remember mile 18 was Rebsamen Park?  because it was at mile 18 in pain at the base of the hills I experienced my first leg cramp.  I don't mean first of the race I mean first ever cramp while active in any kind of sport.  I've had a problem with muscle cramps before. I played most sports available here but NEVER had a muscle cramp while participating.  NO entirely sure what caused it.  I was hydrating.  I was using gelsI was lucky a few stretches and a little walking and I was okay to keep going.


Miles 18 and 19 took forever.  19 to 20 was by the golf course and to your right were all the people ahead of you separated only by orange cones. So easy to just join them.  They all looked so much happier so much closer to the finish.  Eventually we split to the point where there was a median between us.  This section seemed to take forever because it looked like at any time you would be turning around joining all the happy people on the other side.  It's a good thing I didn't give in to temptation and join the happy people early because there was a checkpoint at mile 20 right before you turn around.  Somewhere in this period when it was sunny and 70 degrees i started getting a bit nauseous as well.  Not bad thank goodness, just enough to further piss me off.

I'm going to interject at this time to talk about the various volunteer musicians.  Through the first 13 miles there are bands/individuals playing and/or singing songs for all the runners.  I usually run with a mp3 player but I don't race with it because I really enjoy the variety of live performers along the course.  Thank you to all musicians who performed for the runners at the 2012 Little Rock Marathon.  That said there was a definite lack of live music after mile 13.  There were a couple DJ's and a guitar player.  I will say I really enjoyed the guitar player with his Les Paul and Marshall half stack on the side of the road.  If he had beer I probably would have stopped and stayed to listen.

You turn around at mile 20 and follow the golf course back towards the Rivermarket down Cantrell past Cajun's Wharf.  This is not the most scenic part of the marathon.  I didn't like this part.  It was more walking than running and my spirit was ebbing.  Frustration was high at this point because not only was my 4:00 time completely and utterly screwed but I got passed by the 4:40 group.  The only thing that I can say that's positive about this period is that I recognized where I was and what was necessary to finish.

Mile 22 was a little better but not much.  Mile 24-25 there was another group giving out beer this time I gave in and drank a cup.  I tasted it for the rest of the race.  Glad I didn't give in to the temptation of Michelob.

Then came the Parrothead Club water station.  My neighbors Shari and Les were working it.  The funny part of that is they were in the front looking for me but completely missed me.  They almost jumped out of their skin when I grabbed them and gave them a hug.

Buoyed by seeing friends I picked up my pace a little.  Last mile or so I ran along with a nice lady.  I'm really good at remembering faces but I was mentally fried and could not pick this lady out of a lineup if my life depended on it.  We had a brief discussion comparing notes on the intense desire to either go fetal and cry or vomit.  It was comforting to share with someone so there in the same place at the same time.  I got a bit of a second wind and told I was choosing to vomit and picked up the pace so I could finish as strong as possible.

I did finish.  It took 4 hours and 50 minutes of continuous motion.  It was not the experience I wanted, expected or hoped it would be.  So there are now questions.  Was it worth it?  Yes very much so.  Why?  You learn more about yourself through adversity then through triumph.  Will I do it again?  Right now with 2 months behind me the answer is yes.

Let's catch up

After the personal victory at the half-marathon in October I see in retrospect my mistakes.  Not in the race itself i ran it just as planned.  My mistake was in recovery.  I had a Halloween party that night so after running a personal best 13.1 miles I partied and drank until after midnight (no nap).  Same thing happened on New Years Eve except you can substitute 13.1 for 16.  I was so intent on making sure I got my miles in that I was not resting properly.  You may be asking yourself why do I bring this up in mid January?  It has finally caught up with me.

I was making comments almost daily in my running log about being tired and concern about overtraining and needing a break.  I even went to Runners World and took their "Are You Overtraining?" quiz.  According to the test I was doing fine.  When out of the blue a 24 hour stomach flu. It came complete with chills, fever, nausea and various and sundry GI issues.  Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are shot no running.

Saturday I run my 16 mile long run.  It was tough but I manage with a 9:45 average.  For the first time I'm beging to doubt.  I feel like time is running out and my endurance is not where it needs to be.

I understand the concept.  You train and train and train tired so that by the time you taper everything is great and the energy and endurance is there.  Still sucks.

Mid-Packers Lament

I don't remember where I heard it but the quote was something along the line of any adventure with 100% probability of success was not an adventure.  In essence where's the fun of doing something you know you can do.  It's the uncertainty of achieving the goal that makes the adventure.

                                                                Who's the old guy?
                                                        (photo courtesy Debbie G.)

This Saturday was the Soaring Wings Half Marathon in Conway, AR.  A halfmarathon is 13.1 miles.  The point 1 is probably the most important part.  This was my my second half marathon.  The first Half I completed was the Little Rock Half this March in 2:10:56.  My goal for this one was simple- break 2 hours.

The day was perfect for running.  The temperature was great, lower 40's sun shining.  It was a subdued but happy atmosphere with 1700 people there with the same or similar goal for the race. 
Race.

For most us (mid-packers/age groupers) it's not a race in the traditional sense.  I do not expect to come close to winning the 'race'.  I don't expect to even place in my age group.  98% of us nut jobs who attempt this type of race don't go in expecting to be in the top finishers.  Many don't go in expecting to even finish.

For most of us, it's the adventure.  I think.  I can't really speak (write) for anyone else but that's got to be it.  Whether it's about achieving a goal, weight loss or whatever the adventure is the experience.  There are other ways to lose weight that are less strenuous and don't require race fees or 40 degree (or below) temps.  There are far loftier or more attainable goals to achieve.  So there has to be something more.

I say it's the adventure.  The process.

So , my adventure this fine Saturday was simple run 13.1 miles in under 2 hours.  To do this I found the 2 hour pace group.  A pace group is where an accomplished runner runs at a slower than normal pace for them in order to lead a group at their desired pace.  I had only one race under  my belt and had not followed a pace group.  I wish I had.

This time would be different.  I found the 2 hour pace group and found a spot at the back.  My spirits were bolstered when I found the leader was dressed as Batman.  Yes, I would be paced by none other than the caped crusader himself.

Anyone who knows me knows this was perfect.  I am a huge Batman fan.

My strategy would be simple- keep the caped crusader in site for the first 8 miles and the make my move.  I cussed him for the first 3 miles. He was supposed to run 9:09 miles not 8:45 and not 9:00! This was not a sprint it was a marathon or a half marathon at least.  We had 13.1 miles to go.

As the race wore on and his group tired Batman slowed a bit to the actual 9:09 pace.  I planned on making my move at mile 8 but at mile 6.5 my opportunity presented itself and I took it.  I passed the god d*mn Batman and didn't look back.

At this point I was feeling really good.  I was halfway and feeling strong.  Everything was going perfect.  I had not had to make a restroom break (cost me 5 minutes at LR).  I was passing people left and right.  It was a great feeling like all the hard work and training had paid off...until mile 12.  Mile 12 would've been fine had mile 11 not been uphill.  Miles 11 and 12 were uphill the whole way.  The grade wasn't crazy but it was the cumulative effects that blew.  By the end of mile 12 my time goal for the final mile was out the window.

                                              

My wife encouraged me to finish up with an 8:00 minute mile 13.  Sorry dear, wasn't going to happen.  I wanted to.  She's been very understanding and encouraging of my running.  I wanted to do it for her.  That moment of pride telling her "You asked for it! I did it!"  It just wasn't going to happen.  Not that Saturday.  I still managed an 8:38 final mile.  Next post I'll get my Garmin out and post the mile by mile times.  I think they are interesting to look at.  You can definitely see the hills!

So, big finish I ran hard finished strong and managed to cross the finish line Anyone who stuck around to this point deserves to get the results so here they are.

I finished 35th in the male 35-40 division (there were 77 of us)
I was 387 overall out of 1700.
My official time was 1:57:17 (2:43 faster than my drop dead goal)
Average pace of 8:58 per mile.

To put this in perspective I managed to complete this 13 minutes 39 seconds faster than Little Rock.  It was a full 1 minute 2 seconds faster per mile.

I took Sunday and Monday off now it's back to work for Little Rock Full Marathon.

HALFway there

I've been too busy (lazy) to post anything so I'll catch up quickly.  Ran alot.  Ran some more.  Back started hurting.  Kept running.  Lots of heating pad.  Kept running.  Against all common sense my back quit hurting anyway.

Had a great weekend away with the lovely wife to Hot Springs.  Everyone should stay at the Arlington and do the spa thing once.  Once. Ran around Hot Springs. (I will expand on this in another post)

Encouraging results in my training.  I completed my first half in 2:10:56 ish.  When I ran my 13.1 mile long run 2 weeks ago I did it in 2:04:05- 6 minutes 51 seconds faster than my previous Half and most importantly only 4:06 away from my goal.  That goal being to break 2 hours.  Sub 2 hours seems attainable.

Here I am just days out from the Soaring Wings Half.  Winding down the runs and trying to rest up for the race.

As far as training goes it has been uneventful.  I run 5 days a week 4 of those at 5 a.m.  Saturday I run when I feel like getting up and around.

Uneventful is good.  It's like traveling.  Eventful usually means trouble.  So other than the back issue training has been uneventful.

On one hand, I am looking for ward to getting this weekends Half behind me. On the other, I have completed a half before.  It's something of a known entity.  On Sunday I enter uncharted waters consisting of 2 a days and 20 mile Saturday runs.

 I officially signed up for the LR Marathon http://www.littlerockmarathon.com/index.cfm last week before I came to senses and realized, really realized what I was doing.

I'm so gonna die doing this.  (If anyone ever reads this tell my wife and daughter I love them.)

Lance Armstrong apparently said "pain fades quiting lasts forever" or someting silimar.  It's probably from his cameo in Dodgeball.

I like the Keanue Reeves quote from The Replacements better "pain heals, chicks dig scars but glory last forever, woh."   I might've added the 'woh'.  I'm a little fuzzy about that.

Anyhoo, the point is this better be pretty fucking glorious.

Flat tire

This Saturday I decided to do another trail run.  This time there would be no cross country 5k before the run.  This time I would run 3.5 miles in turn around and go back an out-and-back route.  7 miles would be tough.  This is no flat course the trail I chose is a mountain bike trail around Pinacle mountain.  I forget the elevation my Garmin recorded I'll add it in later.

The Jackfork trail is the same trail I ran last time with the Hard/Harder sign.  This time I chose Hard.  It was definitely not Harder but by mile 6 I was more walk than run.  But I'm getting ahead of myself.

About a half mile in I step down and feel a sharp poke to my left foot.  I think oh sh!t I've stepped on a nail because (as everyone knows) there are nails everywhere on the side of an undeveloped moutainside in a state park.  Nails are at the top of the Trail Running Hazard List.

The list is as follows
1. nails
2. bears
3. snakes
4. falling and breaking your leg in the middle of nowhere without anyone knowing where you are and dying of exposure

I might have mixed up bears and snakes but the rest is 100% accurate.  I read it on the internet.

As I was saying I, at first thought I had fallen victim to the nail.  Instead I found a stick stuck to the botom of my shoe.  There was a piece about 1 inch long stuck through the bottom of my shoe and quite possibly through my foot.  I immediately pulled it out wishing much later I'd taken a picture frst.

I'd just driven 30 minutes to get there and decided I was running no matter what.  So I gingerly took off and felt only minor pain.  As I ran along I tried to pay attention to see if my shoe was filling up with blood.  The pain quickly faded and I forgot about it.

My foot is fine.  The stick didn't break the skin.  The lesson learned is- there is a reason people in the 'know' recommend trail specific shoes.  Bigger lugs that release mud, a thicker (more puncture resistant) sole and generally an upper that will keep  out small rocks and debris.

Where have I been?

It’s been a while since I posted.  I’ve been working a lot and then there’s vacation.  The family and I went to Cozumel with friends for some relaxing and scuba diving.  I’ll post pics on that when I get my hands on them.  An anniversary came and passed unnoticed last month while I was on vacation.   As I drove into work yesterday morning and the date hit me I realized I have been running regularly for 2 years now.

Only 2 weeks have passed in the last 108 weeks where I have not run at least 4 days for every 7.  The majority of those weeks I have run 6 days.  Only on the last few months have a cut back to 4 days.

When I began running there were no other goals than to do better and lose a few pounds.  I had no intention of running a 5k much less a marathon.  I have at this point run two 5k’s a Cross Country 5k and a half marathon.  I also have a half marathon planned for October 31^st and my first full marathon in March of 2012. 

My question is why.  Why am I doing this?

I haven’t really gotten faster.  I haven’t really tried.  I can face it, I've never been The Flash.

I’m not getting thinner.  I’ve evened out at 15 pounds lost.  There’s none of that muscle vs fat shit either I’m not building muscle anymore.  Bite me.

Actual vacation picture

Is it the endorphins?  I feel better about myself but never had “the runner’s high.”  I’ve tried.

Boredom?  Nah, I’ve got plenty of other recreations that require no sweat (or compression shorts) whatsoever.

Sense of accomplishment?  Hmmm.  This one may have legs.

Since I started running it was one small goal after another.  First, run/ walk for half an hour a day. The goal was running more every week and walking less until no walking.

Then it was complete a 5k in under 30 min.

Then complete a half marathon in under 2:30.

Then a marathon before I’m 40.