The MS Runner

Running While Battling Foot Blisters, Leg Cramps, Black Toe Nails - and MS

Archive for December, 2008


What kind of Runner are You?

Published December 21st, 2008 in Runners World, Rock and Roll Marathon Arizona | 1 Comment »

In the latest issue of Runners World magazine, there is an article called Natural Selection and it asks the question, “what kind of runner are you?”  They list 3 different types; The Speed Racer, The Middle Distance Specialist, and The Long Hauler.  If you don’t know, or are not sure, you can take their “test” to see what type you are.  I have been struggling lately with that very same question.  I’ve run 3 marathons, but I’ve never felt that I’m a “marathoner”.  I have never hit the time that I want, or the time that I think can do, so maybe I just can’t do it?  I’ve trained hard every time, but the end result does not meet my expectations.  Do I give up running the marathon, or do I try harder?  I took the test and it showed that I’m a middle distance specialist.  I’m not sure of the specialist part, but I do enjoy running half marathons, and 10k’s.  Maybe that’s my calling and marathons are just not my thing.  But the hard thing for me is to give up something that I’ve struggled with, and have never succeeded with (at least in my mind), until I conquer it.  In my mind, conquering would be running under 4 hours.  Until I do that, I will have not done well enough for me.  I’ve run a half marathon in 1:46, so you would think that I could do the full in less than 4 hours.  To me, the marathon is so much harder to do.  Is it just in my mind, or is it simply something that I’m not destined to be good enough at?

I’ve really been struggling with my training this year because of my injuries.  My next marathon,  the Rock and Roll Arizona Marathon, is coming up in 4 weeks, and I know I won’t be running that one very well.  My plan is to go out fast, go faster in the middle, and finish fast.  Just kidding (and those who watch The Office know what I mean).  No, my plan is to finish and not feel like crap.  That would be nice.

My lame excuses

Published December 14th, 2008 in Rock and Roll Marathon Arizona, Miles, blak lab, knee, Kari, Michael, Diane, training, Jason | 1 Comment »

Wow.  I can’t believe how long it’s been since I’ve written anything.  No real excuses, but I do have some that I will share with you.

After the half marathon I ran, my daughter Kari got married 2 weeks later.  The ceremony was in Florida on Sanibel Island and it turned out great.  There were just a handful of people that came to it since most friends and family are from Michigan.  The ceremony was on the beach right at sunset, and the weather that day turned out perfect.  I was there for 4 days and most of the time I hung out at the beach with my boys Jason and Michael.  Of course we all ate and drank too much and I only got one run in.  I needed to go 18 - 20 miles, but all I could do was 14.  Possibly too much drinking the night before.

We now have a new addition to the family.  His name is Miles and he is a Black Labrador.  Diane and I got him when he was 6 weeks old, so he is for sure a handful.  He eats like he’s never eaten before, and chews up everything.  He’s 10 weeks old now and almost potty trained.  I guess that’s not too bad when you consider it takes 2 years to potty train a baby.  I’m looking forward to the days that we can go running together (hence the name Miles), but for now he sniffs and eats everything along the way when we go for a walk.

My training for my next marathon, the Rock and Roll Phoenix Marathon, is not going well.  I re injured my knee on a run 2 weeks ago, so I had to miss almost 2 weeks of my training.  I was scheduled to do 22 miles last weekend, but I ended up just working out on the elliptical machine at the gym.  I ran 14 miles yesterday, and although my knee is sore, it feels okay.  I will attempt 20 miles next weekend and see how everything feels.    It’s 5 weeks until the marathon, and I have some ground to make up, but I can’t be too aggressive in my training for fear that I hurt my knee again.

Well that’s my story,and I’m sticking to it.  I will try and be more diligent in my writings, and actually try and make it worthwhile reading.