Two weeks from today is my next attempt at a marathon. The Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon. The last one (San Antonio) didn’t go too well mainly because I strained my abductor muscle a few weeks before, and they lied about having food at the start. The one before that (Phoenix) didn’t go well because of my torn meniscus. I still ran the full, but because I had missed a lot of training, I knew I would be hurting to do the whole thing. But I knew that going in so I wasn’t the slightest bit disappointed. This time, I am not convinced that I am ready, but really it’s all in my head. I should be ready, but part of me isn’t sure. It’s a lack of confidence in myself that I need to get over. How can I do it? Is there a formula, or a pill that I can take that will give me a mind boost? I know that there are actually running psychologists that specialize in this type of thing. Maybe it’s worth it to talk to one of them? Has anybody out there done that? I talk to other runners that I run with, and the successful ones all say that the first time that you get those negative thoughts out of your head, you will be fine after that. And the only way that they did it was to battle within themselves when those thoughts would start to creep in. They say that because you’ve done the training, you should be able to this. Sure your legs are going to hurt. They are going to hurt whether you keep running or whether you stop, so might as well keep running.
Archive for the ‘Rock and Roll Marathon Arizona’
At least the weather was nice
The Phoenix Rock and Roll marathon is now history and I would really like to do this one again when I’m better trained and ready. The race was well organized and I thought that it come off as one of the better ones that I’ve been to. One good thing is that the marathoners start earlier that the half marathoners and they also have waves. Based on what you thought your finish time would be, that’s where you started. That way the start is smooth and you’re not running down people that shouldn’t be be there. I started off thinking that I have no expectations and whatever happens, happens. I meant to try and run real slow out of the gate, but I ended up going a bit faster than I should have. My 10K time was 9:20, and my half marathon time was 9:07. Normally that would be where I would want to be, but being that my training was off, I knew that I couldn’t keep that up. At mile 20, I was 3 hours and 3 minutes, which is a 9:15 pace. I’m thinking, I can keep this up, I can do this! Boy was I wrong. One thing that was a factor was the heat. To most people, they don’t mind 75 degrees and sunny. To me, that’s way too hot and I started melting and knew that I was going to wilt. I finished that last 6 miles in an hour and 10 minutes which means that I faded faster than Tyler Hick’s career. Was it “hitting the wall” or just the fact that I hadn’t run 20 miles since last May? I’m going with that and the weather.
All in all, I enjoyed the experience and I would do this race again. For now, I’m going to take some time off and heal my knee, and try and figure out what my next marathon will be.
One week to go
The Rock and Roll Phoenix Marathon is almost here and in a way I’m looking forward to it, but I’m also not looking forward to it. My training hasn’t gone on all that well because of my knee and I really don’t want to go out and do this half ass. But then again, I have no real expectations and I can just relax and enjoy it. Umm, how can anybody enjoy running 26 miles? It’s also tough to train for a marathon early in the year when you live in a cold weather state. I hate getting up at 5:00, going out in the darkness, when it’s 20 degrees out there. I tried out the local fitness center, and even with 20 treadmills, it’s hard to get one. It seems like everybody is there. And if you think about it, I’m training in the freezing cold for a marathon that is is Arizona, and it will be 70 degrees. That just doesn’t seem right. But then I look back at my previous training for marathons, and it’s the same way. Last year I trained mostly in the cold (Jan - April) for a marathon that when I ran it, it was 80 degrees. Another one was when I trained all summer for a marathon in the fall, and it was 34 degrees and freezing rain at that one. So when you think about it, you’re not really training in the right type of weather. It’s always something.
I’ve refrained from talking football for awhile mostly because my team went 0-16 and my fantasy teams sucked. I can’t seem to enjoy it as much this year. I think it all started in week one when my best friend, Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, went down for the year with a knee injury. It hasn’t been the same with out him. Okay, he’s not really my best friend, but I’m sure he would like me if he got to know me. Hurry back Tom. Football (and me) need you.
What kind of Runner are You?
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
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.
Not a Bad Run
Actually was a very good run. I’m talking about the OBX Half Marathon last Sunday. If I had to do it again, I would have stayed another day. The weather was great that morning. It was 50 degrees and the high was projected to only be 55 during the run. There were a total of 2,771 half marathoners getting ready to take on this challenge, and my son Jason and I were ready. One good thing that I liked about the run was that they sent you off in waves, 3 minutes apart. We were in the second wave, the 8 to 10 minute milers. So there was no cattle call and a crush of runners at the start. When our time came, I think everybody thought it was the 100 yard dash! Oh I forgot to mention, that I forgot to wear my Garmin. So there I was, running like crazy with the rest of the pack. I soon realized that this was stupid, and I backed down. Jason however, kept up the brutal pace. (I think there was some hottie he was chasing) After a boring first 3 miles, we ducked down a side street into a beautiful neighborhood. The ocean was to the right of us, and a golf course to the left of us. Some magnificent homes also. But then we go back out onto the main road for the final 6 miles. At mile 9, we cross the bridge going into Raonoke. The bridge they say, rises 35 feet, but I think it was more like 135! When you come up to it, you’re thinking that there’s no way I’m going to run all the way across this. Most of us however did, although there were a few that didn’t.At mile 11 we are headed into downtown Manteo and the spectators are more in numbers and definitley louder. I admire those people that stand out there for hours to cheer you on and ring their cow bells. Just after mile 12 you can see the finish line. I pick up my pace a bit and I’m surprised at how much energy I have. Was it because it’s finally over, or was I not running as hard as I could have? As I cross the line I hook up with Jason and find out that he ran 1 hour, 43 minutes! His best half marathon time before that was 1 hour 54 minutes. I think he got better. I finished in 1 hour, 47 minutes and 11 seconds. I was very happy with that considering 3 weeks before I ran the Denver Half in 1 hour 59 minutes. So I shave off 12 minutes in 3 weeks. Like I said, I’m happy. I finished 209th out of the 2,771 total runners and in my age group, I finished 20th out of 117. I can’t believe how fast some of these dudes my age are. My splits were at 6.9 miles, 7:51 per mile and the final 6.2, 8:34 per mile. Wow! What a drop. I did go out way too fast which caused me to slow it way down the second half. But I’ll take it.
Now to get ready for the marathon in Arizona in January. Should be a good one.
Somewhat Back
I finally started running again this week. My knee feels better and I did 15 miles altogether. Today I did 6 miles and although it was a bit of a struggle, I pulled through. My knee hurt in some spots during my run, but for the most part it was fine. I’m pleased with the way things are progressing, and at this point, I think I can still got to North Carolina for the OBX Marathon, but I will only do the half. My 2 boys were only going to do the half anyway, so this doesn’t work out too bad. Maybe I’ll shoot for a later marathon such as the Rock in Roll Marathon in Arizona in January?
I was diagnosed with MS about 6 years ago and I am one of the lucky ones. I don't have too many problems associated with it, and the disease has actually slowed down. I took up running 4 years ago just to see if I could do it. So far I've run 4 marathons in 2 years and 12 half marathons.