Enjoying the fall and putting things in perspective.

Pretty good running week.  No big mileage numbers to brag about, no PR's or major breakthroughs.  But more importantly, I had a couple of runs that remind me why I do this.  Tuesday night I told my daughter that I would meet her at the gym.  She would drive and I would run.  It's about 6 miles to the gym and it was completely dark.  I put on my headlamp and headed out the door.  Nothing to write home about until mile 3, when everything just started to click.  Everything felt effortless and fluid.  With each quarter mile I would decide to push a little harder.  By mile 5, I was hitting a sub 6:30 pace and it still felt incredibly easy.  I was on a dirt path, completely dark with only my little headlamp lighting the way.  These runs are few and far between, but for about 15 minutes on a Tuesday night I found myself "in the zone."  Nothing else to say other than it was just plain fun!  I also had a good workout at the gym and some quality time with my lovely daughter.  Thursday night it happened again, only on the treadmill this time.  I did a couple of short runs in between some conditioning and found myself running under 6:30 pace with no effort.  Never happens twice in a week.

Saturday I was working at the running store.  A dad and his young daughter come in to look for some new running shoes for Dad.  He tells me a little bit about his running and what he is looking for.  I ask some more questions, look at his gait and start recommending some shoes.  He then tells me that what he is really looking for is a shoe with a lot of cushion and support, just for security on his right foot, where he had some surgery.  He didn't share any more, but I wanted to know more about the surgery and the extent of his injury.  Turns out his right foot had been completely severed in a boating accident and then reattached!  He had no feeling in that foot, but continued to run!  I watched him run and his form was absolutely perfect.  Incredible.  The story doesn't end there.  About 30 minutes later the daughter returns to the store, with her Mom this time.  The 10-year old daughter, obviously following here Dad's lead wants a pair of running shoes so that she can start preparing for cross-country and track!  (She's a 4th grader)  Its people like this who continue to run through horrific circumstances or during their chemotherapy treatments (we have someone doing that in our Wednesday run club) that are really inspiring.  Plantar Fasciitis doesn't seem like such a big deal.

Happy Running!

Getting a little antsy...

So after several weeks of not even breaking 40 miles per week, I find myself getting a little antsy.  I've been spending more time in the gym, but still not exactly sure what to do with myself.  Feeling like a slacker, but its still way too early to start training for anything.  I guess its a good sign that feel the need to dive back into some serious training, but being in no-man's land like this is not easy and no fun.  Good news is that my foot is starting to feel a bit better on the lower mileage regimen.

Had another good Sunday medium long run today.  Was out at sunrise and found a very hilly route and managed a sub 8 effort for 10 miles.  Felt super strong at the end and was up to 10k pace for the last mile or so.  Hoping for some nice weather in a couple weeks for my cross-country effort.  It will for sure be a PR race, as I have never raced a 6K before.  Hmmm, 3.72 miles....  I think I'll shoot for sub 23.  Should be doable as long as we don't have to wear snow shoes!

Happy Running!

Ho Hum: Part Two

Completed another lackluster week of running.  I spent more time at the gym working out then running.  Today I did manage 10 miles of trail running that was very enjoyable.  Lots of off road and a few miles along the lonely and desolate railroad tracks.  Outside of that run, it was a whole lot of nothing.  I'm trying to enjoy my time off from training, but my brain doesn't work that way.  I like to have the structure and routine of a program with a well defined goal at the end.  Until I figure out what my next move is, I guess I'll go to the gym and condition, maintain a respectable running base and wait for inspiration to strike.

As I mentioned last week, I am looking forward to Rocky's Run in a few weeks.  If anyone is interested, here are the details of the race

Overview

Sunday, November 6, 2011 6K run @ 10:30 AM

Rocky`s Run is a cross country race on the University of Minnesota Golf Course in St. Paul. Rocky Racette was an All-American in track and cross country at the U of M, winning the Big Ten and Drake Relays 5000-meter titles. She died in an auto accident on October 17, 1981. The race is being staged by the many members of the running community who knew and loved her.

Course Description

The 6K course loops around the U of M Les Bolstad Golf Course, 2275 Larpenteur Ave W, St Paul, MN 55113.

The terrain is rolling grass with many turns. It is accurately measured, and spikes are permitted.


Happy Running!

Ho Hum!

The week after the marathon or any big goal race is kinda like the first week of January.  The Holidays are over and things can seem rather bleak and ho-hum.  There was so much time and effort focused on one goal that you seem a little lost afterward.  I did get out the door for a few runs, but they were rather lackluster and not much fun.  Plus its been unusually warm, so you lose some of that early autumn vibe.  The rest has felt good though and now I can set my sights on Rocky's Run Cross Country 8K.  Perhaps will get some nicer weather for the final race of the Grand Prix.  It looks like I might me winning my age group this year!

Congrats to my marathon clinic crew.  Annette hit her goal pace of 4:15 and everyone finished happy and healthy.  Now its on to BQ!!!

Been enjoying my new favorite band of the week!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwB-iVAfnMo&feature=related

Happy Running!

Twin Cities Marathon Race Report

I want to start by saying I am absolutely thrilled with what I accomplished yesterday.  I really thought it was going to be huge let-down if I didn't break 3 hours.  There was a pang of melancholy just before the finish as I was passing the cathedral and the finish line was in sight from the top of the hill.  Just the last two tenths of a mile down the hill and I would be done.  Right then the church bells started to ring; signifying 11:00. (3 hours from the start) I could see the finish, but knew I would need to settle for a 3:02.  I finished strong and crossed the finish line and saw my wife and daughter waiting.  Okay, not to get too overly dramatic about this, but for the first time after finishing a marathon I started to cry.  Felt kinda silly, but I couldn't help it.  Thanks Kristen and Malena for coming out once again and seeing the old man give this marathon thing another try.  I have to say, it is very satisfying to be setting PR's at age 50!   Here is a quick race report:

It was a near perfect morning; about 45 degrees at the start.  It would warm up a lot during the morning, but I never felt like heat was a factor.  My Garmin was acting weird for the first mile or so as we winded our way from the Metrodome through downtown.  I thought I was on 7:00 pace, but it was close to 7:20.  Not to worry, I wanted to go out slow.  Garmin continued to give me bad readings through mile 2 and 3, so I fell behind a little bit more than I wanted and by the time I locked into marathon pace at mile 4, I had a minute and half deficit, I set out to knock off as many 6:48 miles as possible.  This was going to be the day.  I felt strong through the chain of lakes and down Minnehaha Parkway, then hit a bit of a snag at mile 12 though.  I decided to take a Gu and made the mistake of taking water at the last available spot at the aid station.  I was 30 or 40 feet past the stop when I realized that the cup was about a quarter full.  Not nearly enough to wash down all the Gu deliciousness.  I suffered a bit of a side ache about a mile after that stop, but managed to work through it.  I hit the halfway mark, still down a minute, so got back to business.  Mile 13 was 6:48 and mile 14 was 6:46.  A running buddy met up with me at 14 and offered just the right balance of cheerleading and support.  (Thanks again, Kurt)  Made it down the river road, not making up as much time as I would have liked, but was still feeling good.  Just before we crossed the river, I felt it.  I was convinced this was the day.  I was really cruising across the Franklin Avenue bridge and and I felt as strong as I did all day.  My Garmin shows a 6:42 mile and a matching mile 20.  All I had to do was work up the hill past 22 and I would be home free.  We ran with a college kid from Iowa State, I think his name was Kyle.  To be honest it seems like kind of a dream at this point.  We struggled up the hill together and it took a ton out of me.  I took a Gu at 22, Kurt sent me on my way solo and I gave it one last shot.  Looking back at my official splits, I really needed  closer to a 6:30ish pace to even come close, but my brain function was off and I really thought a 6:40 pace would get me there.  Its just as well because if the reality of it all set in I probably would have let up.  Mile 22 was 6:42 and I was still holding out hope.  Mile 23 was 6:59 and mile 24 was 6:46.  It wasn't until mile 25 that I realized that my math was off.  The clock at mile 25 showed 2:53:30.  There was no way I was going to run 1.2 miles in 6:30; besides my legs were gone so I only managed (according to my Garmin) a 7:10 mile 26. 

It was a great experience and I think I might have done it on a flatter course.  Thanks to everyone who offered me their advice and words of encouragement.  It was by far one of the most memorable and satisfying runs of my life; with or without a sub-3 finish.  Here are some happy pictures to prove it!