Thursday, July 19, 2007
Monday, July 16, 2007
El Scorcho in the dark ...
Andrea and I have friends who live north of Dallas. Since we were in the area, on Saturday evening we decided to travel up and go to church with them. I shook hands with my friend and he said “I heard you were running today. How did it go?”
“I am running but not until tonight … at midnight,” I told him.
“You’re nuts,” was the only reply he had.
That is the reaction I got from most people when they found out that I was going to run a midnight 25k. Andrea is to the point where she kind of understands, or at least tolerates my running, but even this race seemed a bit extreme for her too.
I was concerned that the change in schedule would mess up my running. I am a creature of habit and I run almost exclusively in the early morning. I tried to rest Saturday afternoon as much as possible and took about a two hour nap. Nutritionally I ate lunch at noon and then did not eat anything else until about 9:00 pm, then I ate a bowl of cereal and a banana just like I do on race morning. I also took a Succeed Scap electrolyte capsule.
I got to Trinity Park right at 10:30 pm Saturday night to pick up my packet. I was planning to pick up my packet at Fort Worth Running Company on Friday afternoon but they sent an email late last week saying packet pick-up would only be available the night of the race. Things went well except that they only had small and extra-small t-shirts. They said they would have to mail the rest at a later date.
People milled around until the race director made a couple of announcements about 15 minutes before the race. The course was advertised as a “well-lit trail” through Trinity Park. The race director informed us that apparently there were communication issues with the city and many of the trail lights were out. People who had head lamps or flash lights were asked to team up with people who came without any lighting. Andrea is the organized of the two of us and before I left the hotel she gave me the mag-light she walks with. So I had a light but it was not necessary.
The course was very dark. I took the flashlight out on the first loop but I put it back up because it was cumbersome to carry and I really didn’t need it. Once my eyes got adjusted to night running I was able to run even the darkest parts of the course without any problem. It was cool to run in the pitch black and it gave the race a bit of mystery. It would have been an entirely different story if the footing was bad, but that was not the case.
The course was also a 5k loop so I had to run it 5 times. I usually despise multiple loop courses but this was not so bad. Most of the course was soft (grass or crushed rock) with a little bit of concrete sidewalks and some asphalt.
I ran pretty hard the whole way. At first I thought I was running too hard but I never really hit a spot where my mind or body told me I would have to slow down. When I finished there was nothing in reserve.
I finished by my watch at 2:14:44 with official race results coming out later this week. The volunteers were great and did a good job encouraging the runners. I had a great time. It was good to get a break from the typical road race and be able to do something different. If it weren’t in Fort Worth I would say I would like to run this race again. But I doubt I will travel all the way up there for El Scorcho alone.
“I am running but not until tonight … at midnight,” I told him.
“You’re nuts,” was the only reply he had.
That is the reaction I got from most people when they found out that I was going to run a midnight 25k. Andrea is to the point where she kind of understands, or at least tolerates my running, but even this race seemed a bit extreme for her too.
I was concerned that the change in schedule would mess up my running. I am a creature of habit and I run almost exclusively in the early morning. I tried to rest Saturday afternoon as much as possible and took about a two hour nap. Nutritionally I ate lunch at noon and then did not eat anything else until about 9:00 pm, then I ate a bowl of cereal and a banana just like I do on race morning. I also took a Succeed Scap electrolyte capsule.
I got to Trinity Park right at 10:30 pm Saturday night to pick up my packet. I was planning to pick up my packet at Fort Worth Running Company on Friday afternoon but they sent an email late last week saying packet pick-up would only be available the night of the race. Things went well except that they only had small and extra-small t-shirts. They said they would have to mail the rest at a later date.
People milled around until the race director made a couple of announcements about 15 minutes before the race. The course was advertised as a “well-lit trail” through Trinity Park. The race director informed us that apparently there were communication issues with the city and many of the trail lights were out. People who had head lamps or flash lights were asked to team up with people who came without any lighting. Andrea is the organized of the two of us and before I left the hotel she gave me the mag-light she walks with. So I had a light but it was not necessary.
The course was very dark. I took the flashlight out on the first loop but I put it back up because it was cumbersome to carry and I really didn’t need it. Once my eyes got adjusted to night running I was able to run even the darkest parts of the course without any problem. It was cool to run in the pitch black and it gave the race a bit of mystery. It would have been an entirely different story if the footing was bad, but that was not the case.
The course was also a 5k loop so I had to run it 5 times. I usually despise multiple loop courses but this was not so bad. Most of the course was soft (grass or crushed rock) with a little bit of concrete sidewalks and some asphalt.
I ran pretty hard the whole way. At first I thought I was running too hard but I never really hit a spot where my mind or body told me I would have to slow down. When I finished there was nothing in reserve.
I finished by my watch at 2:14:44 with official race results coming out later this week. The volunteers were great and did a good job encouraging the runners. I had a great time. It was good to get a break from the typical road race and be able to do something different. If it weren’t in Fort Worth I would say I would like to run this race again. But I doubt I will travel all the way up there for El Scorcho alone.
Saturday, July 07, 2007
El Scorcho 25k
This morning I ran 10 miles to finish my training for El Scorcho. The coming week will consist of a couple of short runs but mostly rest, hydration and fueling so I can run a 25k Saturday night/Sunday morning @ midnight in Ft. Worth.
Andrea has a conference this weekend in Grapevine and I am just tagging along. A couple of months back I started surfing the internet for a race that same weekend in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area. All I could find was a 25k/50k run at midnight at a park in Ft. Worth. I signed up immediately.
This is the first year for El Scorcho. It is limited to 200 runners because of the permit with the park where it is held and they filled up months ago. Now there is a waiting list. The race is called El Scorcho because even at midnight in July it will be hot.
Little did I know when I signed up how hot of a race registration I was getting … in more ways than one.
Andrea has a conference this weekend in Grapevine and I am just tagging along. A couple of months back I started surfing the internet for a race that same weekend in the Dallas / Ft. Worth area. All I could find was a 25k/50k run at midnight at a park in Ft. Worth. I signed up immediately.
This is the first year for El Scorcho. It is limited to 200 runners because of the permit with the park where it is held and they filled up months ago. Now there is a waiting list. The race is called El Scorcho because even at midnight in July it will be hot.
Little did I know when I signed up how hot of a race registration I was getting … in more ways than one.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Firecracker 4 2007
Andrea, Anna, and I loaded up at 6:40 am and headed to Dunbar Park to see if the Firecracker 4 would still be run in the rain. When we got to the park there were people everywhere even though the rain was coming down pretty good.
I dropped Andrea and Anna off in front of the pavilion and after parking caught up with them to register for the race. Andrea and Anna signed up for the 2-mile walk and I signed-up for the four mile run. Andrea’s sister Gwen and Gwen’s son Matthew signed up for the 2 mile walk as well.
At about 7:15 we headed to the starting line and stood in the rain. After a moment of silence and some instructions the race director yelled “Go!” and we were off right on time at 7:30. I had my iPod wrapped in a Ziploc in my Nathan runner’s belt. I had the volume way too loud as the race started and struggled with it for a little while at the start.
My first mile was fast (for me) at 7:14. The rain was still coming down and I tried to avoid the puddles for the first mile. There was a large group of runners ahead of me in the distance and a string of people behind so I ran alone for the most part. The third place female passed me at the beginning of the second mile.
I passed the 2-mile mark on the Yaupon bridge over Oyster Creek in 7:34. The sidewalk on the bridge was full of water and I decided at that point that I would splash through the puddles like the big kid that I am.
The third mile was slower and I struggled with whether I should keep running as hard as I was or just slow down and enjoy the rest of the race at a moderate pace. I was having the internal arguments that come in almost every race. I decided to keep pushing.
Mile three was the slowest at 7:46. At that point I realized I had a chance to break 30 minutes. I messed around to much in the third mile arguing with myself though and even though I pushed I missed the 30 minute mark by 12 seconds. I tried to catch a runner in front of me but it was not to be. I was out of gas and he had some left. I ran the last mile in 7:33 and finished the race in 30:12.
Anna won the female division of 2-mile walk. She was extremely excited about that. Gwen came in second and Andrea in third. Matthew won the male division of the 2-mile walk for the second year in a row.
I dropped Andrea and Anna off in front of the pavilion and after parking caught up with them to register for the race. Andrea and Anna signed up for the 2-mile walk and I signed-up for the four mile run. Andrea’s sister Gwen and Gwen’s son Matthew signed up for the 2 mile walk as well.
At about 7:15 we headed to the starting line and stood in the rain. After a moment of silence and some instructions the race director yelled “Go!” and we were off right on time at 7:30. I had my iPod wrapped in a Ziploc in my Nathan runner’s belt. I had the volume way too loud as the race started and struggled with it for a little while at the start.
My first mile was fast (for me) at 7:14. The rain was still coming down and I tried to avoid the puddles for the first mile. There was a large group of runners ahead of me in the distance and a string of people behind so I ran alone for the most part. The third place female passed me at the beginning of the second mile.
I passed the 2-mile mark on the Yaupon bridge over Oyster Creek in 7:34. The sidewalk on the bridge was full of water and I decided at that point that I would splash through the puddles like the big kid that I am.
The third mile was slower and I struggled with whether I should keep running as hard as I was or just slow down and enjoy the rest of the race at a moderate pace. I was having the internal arguments that come in almost every race. I decided to keep pushing.
Mile three was the slowest at 7:46. At that point I realized I had a chance to break 30 minutes. I messed around to much in the third mile arguing with myself though and even though I pushed I missed the 30 minute mark by 12 seconds. I tried to catch a runner in front of me but it was not to be. I was out of gas and he had some left. I ran the last mile in 7:33 and finished the race in 30:12.
Anna won the female division of 2-mile walk. She was extremely excited about that. Gwen came in second and Andrea in third. Matthew won the male division of the 2-mile walk for the second year in a row.
Monday, June 25, 2007
Western States 100
This weekend I followed the Western States Endurance run via web cast. I am amazed at how long 30 hours is when it comes to running 100 miles. I ran my Saturday morning long run (13 miles) and my Sunday morning 4 miler twenty-four hours later. In California there were people who had never stopped running their 100 mile race over the same period of time.
Wow …
Wow …
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
One Hundred?
I’ve been reading a lot about ultra running lately. I read blogs written by people who run from 50k to the 135 mile Bad Water Ultra that starts in Death Valley.
All of this reading has started me to wondering what my limitations really are. Have I ever really pushed myself? My running this year has increased tremendously over previous years mainly because I have been consistent through the middle of the year rather than dropping off.
So I wonder …can I run a 50k? Surely I can. It is less than six miles longer than a marathon.
Can I run 50 miles? … almost two marathons back-to-back?
What about 100?
Late last week I had been reading blogs by people who are attempting the Western States Endurance Run (100 miles) this weekend. I started looking at 100 mile races closer to home without the insanity of mountains and canyons. I found the Arkansas Traveler 100 - one hundred miles in the hills of Arkansas in October. I thought to myself “maybe someday …”
Then I woke up Saturday morning and struggled through a tough, hot, humid 12 miler and my hopes were dashed. How stupid could I be to think that my body could hold up to running 100 miles?
Today at lunch I read through the Western States Endurance Run program. I wonder …
Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
- T.S. Eliot
All of this reading has started me to wondering what my limitations really are. Have I ever really pushed myself? My running this year has increased tremendously over previous years mainly because I have been consistent through the middle of the year rather than dropping off.
So I wonder …can I run a 50k? Surely I can. It is less than six miles longer than a marathon.
Can I run 50 miles? … almost two marathons back-to-back?
What about 100?
Late last week I had been reading blogs by people who are attempting the Western States Endurance Run (100 miles) this weekend. I started looking at 100 mile races closer to home without the insanity of mountains and canyons. I found the Arkansas Traveler 100 - one hundred miles in the hills of Arkansas in October. I thought to myself “maybe someday …”
Then I woke up Saturday morning and struggled through a tough, hot, humid 12 miler and my hopes were dashed. How stupid could I be to think that my body could hold up to running 100 miles?
Today at lunch I read through the Western States Endurance Run program. I wonder …
Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.
- T.S. Eliot
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Blue Planet Run
The Blue Planet Run is a relay run around the world. A team of 20 runners will run 10 miles a day until they have circled the globe. The Blue Planet Run is organized to raise money and awareness to provide safe drinking water to every person on the planet.
For more see the web sight here … link.
Dow Chemical is a major sponsor of the Blue Planet Run. There is going to be a Blue Planet Run test event here in southeast Texas to test the logistics of the main event. I work for a contractor within Dow.
The event organizers were looking for runners interested in participating in the test even. The only requirement was that the runner could cover 10 miles in 90 minutes. I emailed the organizers and told them I was interested in running in the test event and I was chosen as one of the runners.
I will run a 10 mile leg sometime in the middle of the night/early morning on March 31th. It should be fun. I think it would be even more interesting to run the big event. I just do not have 100 days to give up to run around the world.
For more see the web sight here … link.
Dow Chemical is a major sponsor of the Blue Planet Run. There is going to be a Blue Planet Run test event here in southeast Texas to test the logistics of the main event. I work for a contractor within Dow.
The event organizers were looking for runners interested in participating in the test even. The only requirement was that the runner could cover 10 miles in 90 minutes. I emailed the organizers and told them I was interested in running in the test event and I was chosen as one of the runners.
I will run a 10 mile leg sometime in the middle of the night/early morning on March 31th. It should be fun. I think it would be even more interesting to run the big event. I just do not have 100 days to give up to run around the world.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Bayou City Classic and Stuff
Jakeb, Tori, Andrea and I ran the Bayou City Classic this morning. We took a friend from church (Greg Harris) with us.
I PR’ed – 47:56
Jakeb came in right behind me.
Greg won second place in his age division (15-19).
Andrea and Tori walked approximately a 1:30 about 15 minute pace.
It was a good day.
I haven’t felt much like blogging lately. I took 8 days off from running after the Surfside marathon and gained some weight.
I am running the Blue Planet Test Run at the end of March and Jakeb and I are running The Maze in Austin in May. It will be my last race as a less than 40 year old.
Next week Jakeb and I are going hiking.
That’s life. Now you are caught up … my 1 person per day average reader.
I PR’ed – 47:56
Jakeb came in right behind me.
Greg won second place in his age division (15-19).
Andrea and Tori walked approximately a 1:30 about 15 minute pace.
It was a good day.
I haven’t felt much like blogging lately. I took 8 days off from running after the Surfside marathon and gained some weight.
I am running the Blue Planet Test Run at the end of March and Jakeb and I are running The Maze in Austin in May. It will be my last race as a less than 40 year old.
Next week Jakeb and I are going hiking.
That’s life. Now you are caught up … my 1 person per day average reader.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Surfside
I finished the Surfside Marathon in 4:11:06. It is not my worst marathon time and not my best. The wind was tougher than I imagined it would be. At thirteen miles I was under 2 hours but I started to have some cramping in my legs. From that point on I slowed it down and ran comfortably. I walked some in the last four miles.
Over all it was a good experience. It was kind of weird to run a marathon so close to home. This was the first marathon I’ve run without Andrea in attendance so that was weird too. I saw Barbara (whom I’d never met) before the race and said “hi”. I saw Edwin, and Mark working the race for BARRA. I talked to Jason too.
Over all it was a good experience. It was kind of weird to run a marathon so close to home. This was the first marathon I’ve run without Andrea in attendance so that was weird too. I saw Barbara (whom I’d never met) before the race and said “hi”. I saw Edwin, and Mark working the race for BARRA. I talked to Jason too.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Surfside Marathon
On Saturday I will attempt to run the Surfside Marathon - 26.2 miles on the beach. My goal? To finish… that’s all, just to cover 26.2 miles and get a medal.
In December I ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon. I set a PR and felt pretty good when it was over. Around the same time that I finished White Rock, my mom was asking what I wanted for Christmas and telling her “surprise me” was not an adequate response.
In the afterglow of a good performance at White Rock and in a fit of optimism, I asked her to buy me an entry for the Surfside Marathon.
I reverse tapered to recover from the marathon and started training for another one. The training has gone okay but it has not been near as focused as training for White Rock.
I am to the point now where I am a bit tired of having to run so far. I am ready to run some middle distances on the weekend or take off a day or two without worrying about losing conditioning.
I am ready to not have to eat carbs. Don’t get me wrong I love carbs, but I feel like I am eating to run.
This weekend I am going to run as hard and fast as I can, but it will not hurt my feelings if I do not run the fastest race ever ….
In December I ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon. I set a PR and felt pretty good when it was over. Around the same time that I finished White Rock, my mom was asking what I wanted for Christmas and telling her “surprise me” was not an adequate response.
In the afterglow of a good performance at White Rock and in a fit of optimism, I asked her to buy me an entry for the Surfside Marathon.
I reverse tapered to recover from the marathon and started training for another one. The training has gone okay but it has not been near as focused as training for White Rock.
I am to the point now where I am a bit tired of having to run so far. I am ready to run some middle distances on the weekend or take off a day or two without worrying about losing conditioning.
I am ready to not have to eat carbs. Don’t get me wrong I love carbs, but I feel like I am eating to run.
This weekend I am going to run as hard and fast as I can, but it will not hurt my feelings if I do not run the fastest race ever ….
Sunday, January 21, 2007
You're freaking me out ...
I ran 20 yesterday morning.
I was running along the side of FM 2004. It is a fairly busy road with a wide shoulder. As I crossed the railroad track between Richwood and Lake Jackson, a guy in an Explorer waved at me and I waved back. I thought nothing of it because people give me a wave often. A quarter of a mile down the road I passed a convenience store and in the parking lot was the same guy who waved at me and he stared as I ran by.
I continued to run and as I passed him up he pulled out on the road the same direction I was running. The Explorer pulled into the bowling alley parking lot ahead of me and he turned around and stared at me again and slowed as he passed.
He apparently turned around again in the convenience store parking lot and passed me again pulling ahead in the Family Fitness parking lot. He turned around and passed me yet again. This happened a couple of times.
As I approached the Family Fitness parking lot he was approaching the highway. At first I picked up my pace so I could beat him to the pull out drive. As I passed the Explorer I thought, “This has got to stop.”
So I spun in my tracks and made two strides toward the Explorer. The guy had his window down and a funny grin on his face.
In as gruff a tone as I could manage I said, “Are you following me?”
His funny grin turned to a startled look.
He stammered and said, “No, I’m supposed to meet some family in this area.”
“Well,” I said, “you’re freaking me out by driving back and forth past me.” I shook my head and ran on.
I never saw him again and the rest of the run was uneventful.
It’s time to taper for the Surfside Marathon.
I was running along the side of FM 2004. It is a fairly busy road with a wide shoulder. As I crossed the railroad track between Richwood and Lake Jackson, a guy in an Explorer waved at me and I waved back. I thought nothing of it because people give me a wave often. A quarter of a mile down the road I passed a convenience store and in the parking lot was the same guy who waved at me and he stared as I ran by.
I continued to run and as I passed him up he pulled out on the road the same direction I was running. The Explorer pulled into the bowling alley parking lot ahead of me and he turned around and stared at me again and slowed as he passed.
He apparently turned around again in the convenience store parking lot and passed me again pulling ahead in the Family Fitness parking lot. He turned around and passed me yet again. This happened a couple of times.
As I approached the Family Fitness parking lot he was approaching the highway. At first I picked up my pace so I could beat him to the pull out drive. As I passed the Explorer I thought, “This has got to stop.”
So I spun in my tracks and made two strides toward the Explorer. The guy had his window down and a funny grin on his face.
In as gruff a tone as I could manage I said, “Are you following me?”
His funny grin turned to a startled look.
He stammered and said, “No, I’m supposed to meet some family in this area.”
“Well,” I said, “you’re freaking me out by driving back and forth past me.” I shook my head and ran on.
I never saw him again and the rest of the run was uneventful.
It’s time to taper for the Surfside Marathon.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Monday, January 15, 2007
Houston Half-Marathon
We made it to the race just in time to stand in the line at the porta-jons and line-up. Andrea, Gwen, Jakeb and I walked around just a little bit before the start but we never made it into the George R Brown Convention center. At the back of the corral we ran into Wes, Jenny and Dan (Jenny’s dad). We talked with them for a while and then we were off to find our places.
Jakeb and I told Andrea and Gwen good luck and we headed to the green corral. Jakeb and I had trained for this race for a while and we were both ready to get started. We got in place and Wes walked up to us wearing a trash bag. Jenny and her dad were right behind him. After standing for a while the gun went off and we were running.
We hit the first mile in 9:24. We had planned on running 9’s and hitting the finish in just under 2 hours so the first mile time was okay. Jakeb looked over the crowd as we came down the overpass and said, “This is incredible, look at all of the people.”
We ran the next couple of miles a little faster, 8:37 for 2, 8:32 for 3, 8:47 for mile 4. Wes, Jenny and Dan were running with us. We all stuck pretty close together.
Then we picked it up and started to run faster. Wes was pulling us along and pacing us faster than I had planned for us to go and it worried me a little for Jakeb because I was not sure he would be okay in the last couple of miles since we were pushing it this early. I asked him if he needed to slow down and he said, "No, lets keep it up."
Mile 5 – 8:23
Mile 6 – 8:25
Mile 7 – 8:38
Mile 8 – 8:33
Mile 9 – 8:26
Mile 10 – 8:13
The 15k and 10 mile signs had been switched. We joked with a lady beside us that we had run the 10th mile in 2:09 and congratulated her on setting a new world record in the mile. She laughed and we ran on.
Wes started to realize that he had a shot at a PR. This was mine and Jakeb’s first half so we would PR by finishing. So our new goal was to push it and try to help Wes PR.
Mile 11 – 8:16
Mile 12 – 8:15
Finish – 8:35 (1.1 miles)
Total time - 1:51:07
Excellent time. Jakeb ran better than I imagined he would. I knew he would do well but I am amazed how well he did. This half marathon was as much fun as any race I have run. It is an awesome feeling for me to train with my son and watch him reach a goal he has worked so hard for. After the race Jakeb said, “Thanks dad for training with me. This was awesome and incredible and I would never have done it on my own.”
That was enough for me…
Andrea and her sister Gwen finished the half in 3:17 – a 15:03 pace. It is faster than they walked in all of their training. I am proud of my wife for working toward her goal of walking a half-marathon and exceeding her expectations.
We had a lot of friends who did well today too. Cindy finished the half in 2:10 overcoming an injury she had in training. Laurie and Melissa finished the half in 3:31:22. Nathan debuted by blazing through the marathon in 3:29 … wow!
It was another good day.
Jakeb and I told Andrea and Gwen good luck and we headed to the green corral. Jakeb and I had trained for this race for a while and we were both ready to get started. We got in place and Wes walked up to us wearing a trash bag. Jenny and her dad were right behind him. After standing for a while the gun went off and we were running.
We hit the first mile in 9:24. We had planned on running 9’s and hitting the finish in just under 2 hours so the first mile time was okay. Jakeb looked over the crowd as we came down the overpass and said, “This is incredible, look at all of the people.”
We ran the next couple of miles a little faster, 8:37 for 2, 8:32 for 3, 8:47 for mile 4. Wes, Jenny and Dan were running with us. We all stuck pretty close together.
Then we picked it up and started to run faster. Wes was pulling us along and pacing us faster than I had planned for us to go and it worried me a little for Jakeb because I was not sure he would be okay in the last couple of miles since we were pushing it this early. I asked him if he needed to slow down and he said, "No, lets keep it up."
Mile 5 – 8:23
Mile 6 – 8:25
Mile 7 – 8:38
Mile 8 – 8:33
Mile 9 – 8:26
Mile 10 – 8:13
The 15k and 10 mile signs had been switched. We joked with a lady beside us that we had run the 10th mile in 2:09 and congratulated her on setting a new world record in the mile. She laughed and we ran on.
Wes started to realize that he had a shot at a PR. This was mine and Jakeb’s first half so we would PR by finishing. So our new goal was to push it and try to help Wes PR.
Mile 11 – 8:16
Mile 12 – 8:15
Finish – 8:35 (1.1 miles)
Total time - 1:51:07
Excellent time. Jakeb ran better than I imagined he would. I knew he would do well but I am amazed how well he did. This half marathon was as much fun as any race I have run. It is an awesome feeling for me to train with my son and watch him reach a goal he has worked so hard for. After the race Jakeb said, “Thanks dad for training with me. This was awesome and incredible and I would never have done it on my own.”
That was enough for me…
Andrea and her sister Gwen finished the half in 3:17 – a 15:03 pace. It is faster than they walked in all of their training. I am proud of my wife for working toward her goal of walking a half-marathon and exceeding her expectations.
We had a lot of friends who did well today too. Cindy finished the half in 2:10 overcoming an injury she had in training. Laurie and Melissa finished the half in 3:31:22. Nathan debuted by blazing through the marathon in 3:29 … wow!
It was another good day.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Believe In Yourself ... It's Alright, It's Alright
I ran 4 miles this morning with my Nike + iPod sport kit. It would be very easy to get addicted to running with it. That could be bad because I used to pride myself on the meditative effect of running with nothing to interfere with the brain waves. I need to leave it at home some of the time.
Having said that though, I have built a “running tempo” playlist. The first four songs are Believe by King’s X, Hitchin a Ride by Green Day, Vertigo by U2, and What Would You Say by The Dave Matthews Band. This morning my plan was to run an easy four wherever my legs took me while my iPod measured the miles. I usually run a familiar mapped out route. The problem is that I heard the beginning notes of Believe and I had no chance at running “easy”. I finished at a 7:50 pace which is pushing it for me.
Jakeb is ready to go. Andrea is ready too. Sunday we all three will finish the Houston half-marathon.
Having said that though, I have built a “running tempo” playlist. The first four songs are Believe by King’s X, Hitchin a Ride by Green Day, Vertigo by U2, and What Would You Say by The Dave Matthews Band. This morning my plan was to run an easy four wherever my legs took me while my iPod measured the miles. I usually run a familiar mapped out route. The problem is that I heard the beginning notes of Believe and I had no chance at running “easy”. I finished at a 7:50 pace which is pushing it for me.
Jakeb is ready to go. Andrea is ready too. Sunday we all three will finish the Houston half-marathon.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
2007 - A Look Ahead
I've never really been much of a planner. I do not set long range goals in my life. Usually I try to live by a set of principles and values I believe in deeply and then I just take what comes my way. I could have never planned what happened to me last year. If you would have asked me when I was 18 where I would be at 40 and how I would get there I would have never even come close to picking my current situation. I am not complaining. I like my life and it is good to be Tommy.
With that stated, I have to look ahead somewhat in running or I could never prepare for what the distances require. So this year here is what I am thinking:
On January 14 Jakeb and I are running the Half-Marathon in Houston. Together we have prepared him for it most of last year. Our goal is to finish, but I think Jakeb has a secondary goal of less than 2:00.
This year for Christmas my mom bought me an entry into the Surfside Beach Half-Marathon BUT the week after the White Rock Marathon I put together a training schedule to get me in shape to run the full that same day so I switched races.
Andrea and I both like to do the Bayou City Classic 10k in Houston. I think we will try to do that again this year. No time goals, just a run for fun.
In the summer I'd like to do some speed work and lower my 5k time a bit. My PR is 22:06 which I ran in 1996. I'm not sure I can beat that PR this year but I would like to lower my times from last year. In 2005 I only ran one 5k (the Mosquito Chase) which I finished in 23:34. I think I can do better.
Every year on July 4th our family likes to do the Firecracker 4. Every one of us did something last year and we all have matching t-shirts. I assume we will do that again this year. I will have to talk to the family logistics coordinator - Andrea.
I am thinking about doing Sunmart 50k next year. It is just a thought though. If I don't run Sunmart I will run a marathon again. I really want to move beyond 26.2 - if only once.
I've considered doing some multi-sport events but I am really enjoying just running right now. Besides I hate swimming for competition. My technique absolutely stinks. If I do a multi-sport event it will be an adventure race that has nothing to do with swimming like a run, bike, paddle - we'll see.
And last a reminder from an old Hebrew Proverb - "Man makes his plans but God guides his steps."
With that stated, I have to look ahead somewhat in running or I could never prepare for what the distances require. So this year here is what I am thinking:
On January 14 Jakeb and I are running the Half-Marathon in Houston. Together we have prepared him for it most of last year. Our goal is to finish, but I think Jakeb has a secondary goal of less than 2:00.
This year for Christmas my mom bought me an entry into the Surfside Beach Half-Marathon BUT the week after the White Rock Marathon I put together a training schedule to get me in shape to run the full that same day so I switched races.
Andrea and I both like to do the Bayou City Classic 10k in Houston. I think we will try to do that again this year. No time goals, just a run for fun.
In the summer I'd like to do some speed work and lower my 5k time a bit. My PR is 22:06 which I ran in 1996. I'm not sure I can beat that PR this year but I would like to lower my times from last year. In 2005 I only ran one 5k (the Mosquito Chase) which I finished in 23:34. I think I can do better.
Every year on July 4th our family likes to do the Firecracker 4. Every one of us did something last year and we all have matching t-shirts. I assume we will do that again this year. I will have to talk to the family logistics coordinator - Andrea.I am thinking about doing Sunmart 50k next year. It is just a thought though. If I don't run Sunmart I will run a marathon again. I really want to move beyond 26.2 - if only once.
I've considered doing some multi-sport events but I am really enjoying just running right now. Besides I hate swimming for competition. My technique absolutely stinks. If I do a multi-sport event it will be an adventure race that has nothing to do with swimming like a run, bike, paddle - we'll see.
And last a reminder from an old Hebrew Proverb - "Man makes his plans but God guides his steps."
Friday, December 29, 2006
2006 Running Year in Review
This has been a good year of running, which I am happy with considering what has been happening in the rest of my life. I have thought through transition and done some soul searching while I’ve run this year. I’ve perpetuated bad thinking but eventually turned it around and started thinking well, all while I put one foot in front of the other.
This year I ran more than ever with Jakeb which has to be the highlight of the year.
I ran two marathons. On January 15th I ran the Houston Marathon in 4:13:41. It was the marathon where I hit the wall and blew up in the last five miles. Then on December 10th I ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon in 4:00:54 improving my PR by close to 13 minutes. It was a tough marathon but good for me.
On March 4th I ran the Lone Star Trail Run. It was my first trail run and I learned some valuable lessons like wear trail running shoes – they’re made for it. And I learned to bring something to carry your own water in, because even though they have it on the course it might be a long time before you get to it. I finished the 25k in 2:31.
This past year while I was on the road I ran in Dallas, Chicago, Lake Conroe, Lake Catherine State Park in Arkansas, and the Arkansas River Trail along the Arkansas River in Little Rock. I dig running in new places.
If I finish this week as planned I will have run a total of 1255 miles. This year was my longest year beating last year by 213 miles (1042). May was the month I ran the least amount of miles with 48. May is also the month I went on a hiking mission trip to the Himalayas in Nepal so I didn’t lack exercise. November was the longest month beating October by a mile coming in at 162.
I am looking forward to what 2007 running holds for me. I’ll post more about that soon.
This year I ran more than ever with Jakeb which has to be the highlight of the year.
I ran two marathons. On January 15th I ran the Houston Marathon in 4:13:41. It was the marathon where I hit the wall and blew up in the last five miles. Then on December 10th I ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon in 4:00:54 improving my PR by close to 13 minutes. It was a tough marathon but good for me.
On March 4th I ran the Lone Star Trail Run. It was my first trail run and I learned some valuable lessons like wear trail running shoes – they’re made for it. And I learned to bring something to carry your own water in, because even though they have it on the course it might be a long time before you get to it. I finished the 25k in 2:31.
This past year while I was on the road I ran in Dallas, Chicago, Lake Conroe, Lake Catherine State Park in Arkansas, and the Arkansas River Trail along the Arkansas River in Little Rock. I dig running in new places.
If I finish this week as planned I will have run a total of 1255 miles. This year was my longest year beating last year by 213 miles (1042). May was the month I ran the least amount of miles with 48. May is also the month I went on a hiking mission trip to the Himalayas in Nepal so I didn’t lack exercise. November was the longest month beating October by a mile coming in at 162.
I am looking forward to what 2007 running holds for me. I’ll post more about that soon.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Fog
I sweat like a pig when I run, but this morning during my five miler the moisture on my skin was more from the water in the air than it was from the liquid that seeps from my pores. My goatee had drops of water in it from the mist that hung in the air. It reminded me of a Stephen King novella I read once.
I felt abandoned by the rest of the world and almost claustrophobic as the fog closed me in and my iPod isolated me from any sound other than the Dave Matthews Band. Cars would appear as if from nowhere as the fog concealed them until they were just in sight. It was a good morning to stay off of the road and on the sidewalks where my ankles fear the uneven pavement I can barely see.
It is another typical December in Lake Jackson Texas where the weather feels more like April than a holiday morning. I am not complaining though because the heat and humidity suit me better than ice and cold wind.
It will probably sleet tomorrow.
I felt abandoned by the rest of the world and almost claustrophobic as the fog closed me in and my iPod isolated me from any sound other than the Dave Matthews Band. Cars would appear as if from nowhere as the fog concealed them until they were just in sight. It was a good morning to stay off of the road and on the sidewalks where my ankles fear the uneven pavement I can barely see.
It is another typical December in Lake Jackson Texas where the weather feels more like April than a holiday morning. I am not complaining though because the heat and humidity suit me better than ice and cold wind.
It will probably sleet tomorrow.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Dallas White Rock Splits
1 - missed the mile marker
2 - 18:35
3 - 9:10
4 - 8:56
5 - 9:09
6 - 9:00
7 - 8:48
8 - 8:45
9 - 8:38
10 - missed the mile marker
11 - 18:36
12 - 9:27
13 - 8:34
14 - 9:00
15 - 9:29
16 - 9:29
17 - 9:25
18 - 9:20
19 - 9:18
20 - 9:43
21 - 9:27
22 - 8:33
23 - 9:06
24 - 10:09
25 - 8:01
26.2 - 12:05
Marathon web sight says I finished in 4:00:54
I plan to try and run 3 with Jakeb tomorrow morning. My legs are starting to feel normal again.
2 - 18:35
3 - 9:10
4 - 8:56
5 - 9:09
6 - 9:00
7 - 8:48
8 - 8:45
9 - 8:38
10 - missed the mile marker
11 - 18:36
12 - 9:27
13 - 8:34
14 - 9:00
15 - 9:29
16 - 9:29
17 - 9:25
18 - 9:20
19 - 9:18
20 - 9:43
21 - 9:27
22 - 8:33
23 - 9:06
24 - 10:09
25 - 8:01
26.2 - 12:05
Marathon web sight says I finished in 4:00:54
I plan to try and run 3 with Jakeb tomorrow morning. My legs are starting to feel normal again.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Dallas White Rock Marathon
I ran the Dallas White Rock Marathon this morning in 4:00:55 (chip time by my watch … unofficial). I wish it my time had been 55 seconds faster but I am happy with it and I cannot complain. It was windy during the second half of the race and the hills from mile 18 to 21 were more than I bargained for. This marathon was more of a mental battle for the entire distance than the other two I’ve run.
Andrea and Jakeb made the trip with me. It was good to have the support of my wife and son. The three of us will attempt the half-marathon in Houston in January.
I saw EQ there. We picked up his packet yesterday and I saw him this morning in the American Airline Center before the race.
I was going to post some pictures but our dial-up is painfully slow. We’re scheduled to get fast Internet later this month.
I may write more later I may not …
Andrea and Jakeb made the trip with me. It was good to have the support of my wife and son. The three of us will attempt the half-marathon in Houston in January.
I saw EQ there. We picked up his packet yesterday and I saw him this morning in the American Airline Center before the race.
I was going to post some pictures but our dial-up is painfully slow. We’re scheduled to get fast Internet later this month.
I may write more later I may not …
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Getting ready to leave ...
Today I’m off of work and I am hyped up. Tomorrow we leave for Dallas and Sunday I run the White Rock Marathon. I had a friend who told me good luck and asked if I was ready.
I said, “Yeah, I’m ready. Even though I have run two marathons, the distance still scares me to death so I am a bit nervous.”
Hopefully I will be okay and be the finisher of a four-hour marathon on Sunday afternoon … we’ll see.
Tapering is a pain. I have been eating a lot and running a lot less than I had been.
Since I have felt good I have been running my miles too fast. I think I will have to jump into a pace group so I don’t take off too quick.
Last week I ran 8 on Friday and 6 with Jakeb on Saturday.
I let you know how it goes.
I said, “Yeah, I’m ready. Even though I have run two marathons, the distance still scares me to death so I am a bit nervous.”
Hopefully I will be okay and be the finisher of a four-hour marathon on Sunday afternoon … we’ll see.
Tapering is a pain. I have been eating a lot and running a lot less than I had been.
Since I have felt good I have been running my miles too fast. I think I will have to jump into a pace group so I don’t take off too quick.
Last week I ran 8 on Friday and 6 with Jakeb on Saturday.
I let you know how it goes.
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