Chicago Marathon 2011

I didn't get the $100,000 prize for winning the Chicago Marathon; Moses did that. I didn't even break 5 hours as I had hoped but I was contented by this experience. For anyone who questions the sanity of a crowd of 26.2 mile road runners, you need to make the trip to the Windy City next October. The leaves are turning brilliant hues as you take it to the streets this time of year. I want to thank Kelly, Shaun, Amber, Caitlyn, Jack & Emily for supporting me in my quest to return for my second marathon experience. This is the trip I almost didn't make after battling injuries from mid July through September. My training was far from what the plan called for but I had recovered enough and did one test run of twenty miles to know that perhaps I could make it to the finish line. I was not well conditioned beyond mile twenty, the heat rose to nearly 80 degrees and leg muscles convulsed over the final 6.2 miles of the course. That being said, I was able to complete a marathon I had uncertainties about through the summer. I went into the race thinking I'd finish whatever I could since I paid for it already. I came with no real expectations, merely hopes. The good thing about this approach was that I entered the starting corral calmly and relaxed. When the race began we shuffled in a steady stream northward zigzagging streets for 7 miles along the Lake. The cheering crowds were several rows deep in places. Their enthusiasm was infectious. In fact through the whole course there were spectators lining the streets. Entering the many ethnic villages of Chicago gave a sense you were running around the globe. As temps rose we were treated to water streams from hoses and cold water sponges along the way. Running on sponges felt good but running through banana peels was a little more challenging! There were abundance of gatorade and water stations of which I walked through probably 90% of them. Because they added more stations along the way, it seemed that at times it became a distraction and slowed momentum. By the time I got to mile 8 there finally seemed to be some spacing between runners but before that your pace was held in check by slowing runners zipping across for the refreshment tables or portapots. Though my energy was fading past mile 20, I knew I was too far in to check out. My cramping muscles forced me to walk enough to calm them down before resuming my return to running. This definitely slowed me down but I remembered how troublesome they became in Akron and I didn't want a repeat of that. The last 2 miles were the toughest until I made the final turn up the bridge at mile 26 where my personal cheer section awaited. When I passed them, I mustered as much smile as I had in me although seeing them waving and yelling renewed my weary spirit to the top of the bridge where I reached my final descent to the finish line. It is here where I have preached to myself and others "FINISH STRONG." This is where exhausted legs rallied one more surge of speed as I was about to cross over into the real of running marathons instead of just one. Everything I trained for that was started in my basement on a treadmill while snow stacked up around me last winter all pointed to this moment I had envisioned. In moments after crossing, I wept as I thought of the adversity that tried to keep me from this moment. This was nearly 45 minutes slower than my 2008 marathon and yet in that moment it did not matter. A willingness to press on when I was hurt allowed me to savor a moment as a volunteer placed a finisher's medal around my neck and say, "Congratulations!" In about 20 minutes I shuffled like a 150 year old to meet Kelly where we embraced and I heard her say, "I knew you would do this. You're so strong. I'm proud of you." And I could not help but thing that what I did pales to what my soldier sons do. In a moment I removed my sweat soaked race shirt and put on an Army Ranger shirt in honor of Andy who ran the last 3 miles of my Akron race only this time he was unable to attend as he is deployed in Afghanistan. I missed him and the rest of my family in this moment. But I was blessed to have the incredible support of friends who joined us on this journey and sacrificed because the believe in me. It was moving to share that moment with them at the finish. Right now I am resting, healing and reflecting. I can't wait for more of these moments even though I am well aware of the discipline it will take to get there again.

Marathon Ready?

Most runners begin to question the quality of their training, diet and mental & physical state during the final week of race preparation. I have good reason to wonder what the marathon test will reveal about these things I've tried to prepare for over the last couple of seasons. As I head to Chicago to run in my second ever marathon, I feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. When I ran Akron in 2008, I learned a lot and hope I made the necessary adjustments this time around. Biggest issue was the brutal revolt of my calve muscles, from mile 21 to the finish line. I have focused on smarter intakes of carbs, G2 & especially bananas. I definitely feel much more focused for this year's race, thanks to gaining some experience. My mind is better tuned into the course as I've studied the map and repeatedly watched youtube videos of the course in fast speed. I look forward to corralling onto the streets of the Windy City with 45,000 fellow voluntary martyrs. When I think that greats such as Ryan Hall will be in the same race it humbles me that I can "compete"... well, at least say I ran against a contemporary legend and that's amazing. Knowing that Chicago's race is only one of 6 in the world that form the majors of marathons only fuels my passion. It is a flat and fast course of which flirts with those who dream of qualifying for a Boston marathon. As with all races past, I will be accompanied by my greatest cheerleader who shares in the joy of being first to greet my weary and drenched body as it crosses another finish line. She has paid her dues, hearing daily running reports and offering encouragement when goals aren't quite reached while celebrating the occasional breakthrough. She has had tolerated my lamentations when I wrapped sorely injured legs or packed ice and angry nerves or applied fiery ointment in desperate hope of coaxing my body from shutting down. Steadily she believed in me when doubts stood between me and the streets of Chicago. A finishers medal goes to her if these legs have completed the healing as they need to carry me over the final line. Along with the constant support she has provided, I am deeply moved that I have friends who are making the six and a half hour trip to lend their support in the race. I'm blessed by all the good kind things people have shared to make me feel like, "Ok... maybe I can do this." When I found out my friends were going to come stand among rows of spectators for hours just to let me know that they believe in me, well that's rewarding and inspiring enough to finish well. Along the way my mind will drift back through the days spent on a treadmill when the snow piled high in the neighborhood. I will think of the many times I ran from Wolf to Lutz to Peterson or 430 & Biscayne & Satinwood or the late nights running on a quiet high school track with only moon light as company. And I will think of my kids whom I wish could be among the crowd of runners. When it starts to get tough, I will think of what my military sons are facing as warriors and I will press on. I will look down to my green wrist band for a few more ounces of will and determination as it serves well to remind me of a classmate's sister who ran and ran strong despite a fierce battle with cancer. I will recall the times I felt like quitting in the past but kept moving ahead supported by the hope of joy waiting on the other side of pain. Often I've hear- "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." I have much more confidence in the spirit than the flesh. May that prove to be the case in Chicago!

Hello 20

Yesterday was my last big run before the Chicago Marathon. For two days my legs felt a normalcy that I haven't experienced since early July. Normally I am off on Mondays but since I worked this one, I opted to take off a Tuesday so I could refocus on my random training plan. I have had two 15 mile runs this month which is substandard on the way to my 26.2 miler in just 2 weeks. A marathon running friend told me that if I could get an 18 mile run in before the race, I may be able to cross the finish line after fighting nagging injuries.

Since my mental approach to conquering the marathon involves dividing it into four 5-mile segments plus two 5ks, I decided to make my final long run four 5-mile segments with a hope to hit 50 minuets at each interval. I headed to Mansfield's bike trail for this long workout. The air was cool and breezy with a hint of fog to thinly mask the clear blue skies and gorgeous sun.

As I loaded up on pre-run nutrients for the trail, I knew it was time to test out if I could reach this goal. From Lexington park I trekked northward. Although there was some leg discomfort for the first mile and a half, it did not alter my running form as the last few sessions! Being able to shake out the aches after 1 & a half miles was encouraging since the last three runs required 4 miles of struggle before I felt any fluidity in my motion.

This run was the first I truly enjoyed in a long time as I took in the sights, scents and sounds around me. The falling leaves cascaded before me lining the path as if to comfort healing feet. As fog burned away the sun light glistened on grassy fields and flowers and heightened the blue ponds along the path. The breeze revealed sweet aromas of early autumn. I was running and felt fully alive. As pressed on I felt increasing strength with minimal effort of breathing. At 5 miles I hit the 50 minute mark and made my turn southward again.

By now I was relaxed and focused, gaining confidence with each stride and no hint of fatigue when I reached the 10 mile mark. At this point I gained a minute in a half to finish the first half of my run at 98 1/2 minuets. After a quick stop to refuel, I returned north again and surprisingly as I continued I was able to keep up my pace and after 15 miles I was at 150 minuets and on target. Though fatiguing at this point, I knew I had knocked down the first 3 quarters of my run at race pace. Just five more miles I thought to myself and returned for the final leg.

I continued to concentrate on form but I found my mind drifting a bit in focus during this stretch. I also noticed that I was laboring a bit on my breathing yet kept moving toward the finish. The last four miles seemed longer in my head but I had to remember, not since the Akron marathon had I pushed these distances and so I was up against head games. I countered my thoughts would positives like at 16 miles- I am in new territory. At 18 miles- Liz says if I can get there on my runs I will be ok for Chicago. With those thoughts, a faint smile overcame me. I respected the distance still before me. 2 miles is easy but not so much after you have already run 18. Still I kept thinking how good it would be to cross the finish and drink the water and take off my shoes to stand in soft grass in bare feet. The hardest mile was the final one. It's what I considered my wall to push through. Though my pace was fading, I was able to gently push to the end and finished with a 3:25 for 20 miles! The thrill was in the finish of the biggest test to date. The time was a bonus.

I am now looking forward to the Chicago Marathon, feeling confident that I can do this. If I finish better than the Akron, that will be a bonus. Hello 20! Nice to meet you!!

Persistence of Adversity is Testing My Resolve

I'm 18 days away from my 2nd marathon and I'm not anywhere close to my training plan. This is due to injuries that took my body hostage since the second week in July. I noticed the trouble brewing on a post 5k run as I started out for a 6 mile run in the neighborhood.I was introduced to running pains I have never experienced in 6 years of running. It went all the way from my tail bone to my ankles. At first I tried to ignore it, then nurse it and stop running altogether. Still as the days were mounting, so was my nervousness about my comeback marathon in October. It took a lot of commitment to jump back in after my lay off with plantar fasciitis. I began preparing for Chicago back in the winter, often treading on my dreadmill staring at my basement walls.

When spring came I finally felt free to run the roads I missed for too long. It felt great, as I rediscovered the joy of long distance running. When I hit my marker at the Columbus half in May I felt well on my way to one of the world's greatest marathons. When you submit your non refundable payment to enter, there's no way to go but all out in your focus and training. And I did... until July. My monthly calendar was streaming in red marking nearly every day with miles for the day, the week and the month. Then came July and the entries became thinner, with weeks completely blank as the race clock ticked on and on.

I tried rest, ibuprofen, ice packs, wraps, ointments, massages and my first experiences with chiropractic treatments. I bought other shoes, tried different running styles and sought advice and encouragement in high doses.

With training as my backdrop, I even delivered a series of messages in church on the parallel between the Christian life and running. I even announced my plans to run and sought sponsors to raise support for Chicago's oldest rescue mission "Olive Branch." Immediately support started coming in but the pain was only increasing with time. I struggled to run with diminishing returns and finally I faced a perceived reality. I could not do this, as much I wanted to try, so I called it off. No trip to Chicago and I was deeply disappointed. But then on Labor Day I went to the high school track and ran, surprising myself with 15 miles worth. Elation was short lived as I attempted a return a couple days later when I could not muster even a half mile because my body went into total rebellion.

When i returned home I was so let down that I walked into my office and pulled down every trace of running (medals, bibs, pics, trophies, gear) and I shoved it in the closet out of sight. There was only one running picture left on the wall. I refused to take it down because it was different from the others. It was a picture of my son Andy and me after we did a 5k race together just before he went into the Army. He is now serving as a Corporal in the infantry over in Afghanistan. That lone picture was kept up for sentimental reasons but it has become a reminder not to give up or quit even when you think you're spent.

This past Saturday, I decided to return to the track after a week's absence and a finally fading leg pain. To my surprise, I found my 2 and half mile run tolerable and decided to call it a day at the track. On Sunday night I returned to the dim lit track which was all mine. I was not sure how I would do but was determined to give it my best. The first few miles were a struggle and I paused to stretch, adjust and continue. Then things came together and the laps started piling up as the air continued to cool. By 11:30 pm I had made 60 loops for 15 miles and added an extra half from an earlier attempt to equal my best distance of the year! When Monday arrived, I felt fine. Today is Tuesday and after tonight's 8 mile run, I have run the equivalent of a marathon since Saturday.

I am finally feeling a renewed sense of confidence as I have battled through with patience. I am not as fast but I have developed an enduring capacity that may lead to a pleasant surprise in Chicago next month.

Capital City Half Marathon

Yesterday was my first big race of 2011. I returned to Columbus Ohio for my second half marathon experience in that city. May last one took place in 2008. Since I ran a half in Ashland OH last December at close to the 2:30, I knew I had some serious work to do to return to a more "normal" performance to compare with the past. Of course Ashland's race was not a standard bearing run as I was coming off a prolonged injury that sidelined me mostly from the end of '08 to mid '10.

When this year rolled around I was determined to train with great intensity. My first goal was to set a goal to hit my 2000 mile mark by my March 20th birthday. To do that I had to run 270 miles in 77 days. At the moment I realized how far I'd have to run, I knew it would take great focus considering I had not run a consistent schedule since before my injury, not to mention winter weather in Mansfield would result in many hours running on a treadmill in my basement.

This goal was reached prior to my birthday and became the catalyst for higher goals and greater intensity. I first committed to train for the Chicago Marathon in October and this stepping stone yesterday called the Capital City Half Marathon. 12,000 runners filled the streets to compete in this as well as a new quarter marathon and 5k race.In all nearly half of the runners finished the half.

The weather was perfect at 50 and mostly cloudy with a few peeks of sun interspersed through the course. After some delay in getting parked and waiting my turn in line at the portapot I made my way to the starting corral. There was no pre-race jog or 20 min stretch routine but I assured myself that I would be fine if I just started slow and stayed focused. I set a goal to run a sub-2 hour race. I knew it was ambitious considering I had not had such a result in 3 years but I calculated my pace and packed my mile by mile chart under my watch.

What surprised me most was the fact that I felt no butterflies at all. I normal have some nervous energy but today it was absent. I did not know what to make of it but I welcomed it nevertheless. I was in the B corral, just behind the elite pack. I found it amusing to be that close and yet in my mind and heart I knew there was a great gulf between me and that Kenya guy that would blister over the course. I crowded in to the back of the B corral and patiently waited for our release. Finally the waiting and months of training were left behind at the start line on now it was off toward what was out there to greet me. I have heard it preached start slow and so I told myself it's 13.1 and not 0.1 so go easy and I did. When we arrived at mile 1 I glanced at my watch and was surprised to see that my first mark was at 7:38. At first I thought that was a kilometer mark but it was indeed a mile. I was concerned because it was about a minute and half faster than my pace. I backed off my next mile aided by some cramping in my lower shin and ankle, much like my previous start in Columbus a few years ago. This cramp helped me get reeled back into my necessary pace over the next 2 miles. Thankfully by mile 4 the cramp and pain was gone. This is where some racing experience helps a runner not to panic when a familiar pain has a history of fading after a long distance training run. One device I remember from my very first half marathon is that whenever I see a mile marker in the horizon, I automatically go into a surge mode until I cross that point. Looking back on this race I know it was a deciding factor in reaching or missing my goal. By the time we finished our northward trek up along the Olentangy River and past the "Horseshoe" Ohio State Stadium, I knew we were about to head toward the more enjoyable descent back into the city where encouraging crowds lined both sides of the street and a ton of energy and support could be siphoned from the cheering onlookers. My favorite stretch was ahead at miles 6-8. I knew Kelly and her sister would be somewhere in the crowd and I drifted to the right of the road to catch a glimpse and maybe even stop for a kiss to finish strong. But it was a bit of a distraction from the race, not knowing exactly where they might be. At about 7 I spotted them and a smile came across my face like I had just found a long lost friend. Sometimes you can feel all out there in a racing crowd, in your own world with your own music piped into your ears oblivious to the street corner bands. But in that moment I was happy to find them and stopped even though I knew it could hinder my time and momentum- but that's what you do when your wife has been your strongest believer and has helped you on your way to this great. I contend that she is a valuable member to making this day possible. And that kiss was my way of saying Thank You and I am good. As they quickly slipped past my shoulder I moved towrd the middle of the road for most of the remaining 6 miles left. Around mile 8, though I never saw the marker, the crowd thins again quite dramatically on the turn eastward through narrow streets. When I got to the 9th mile, I thought to myself just a pair of two mile runs and I'm home. I thought of familiar two mile routes back near my home that I have doubled up so many times and convinced myself, I have trained for this and I will be fine, although I was really pushing the boundaries of my sub 2 hour goal as I eased into what's called "German Village." This area had a mild descent and I sought to make the most of it as I realized that in order to reach my goal, this is where I had to press harder. It's a fine line of knowing when to press but to be sure that I don't empty the tank for the final turn back north into the heart of Columbus and the finish line. And I remembered that the final 2 miles would be demanding as I turned the corner and head back up & up & up High Street. This is the place where your mind fights your body. This is the stretch where runners become walkers. This is the place where goals are made or broken (A Boulevard of Broken Dreams). I was divided in my focus here between my watch and the unending hill. I was on the borderline between just reaching and missing my goal. A part of me wanted to congratulate myself for getting so close and another part was asking, "Why settle for almost?" It would help to know just how far beyond the turn at Mt Everest was the finish line? I had no idea but thought that was going to be the difference between reaching and almost. Finally I saw the racers turning and knew just past the building I'd learn if I had enough in the tank to break my time. When I turned the corner I could see that the finish was about 3 tenths of a mile and best of all, it was all down hill on brick covered streets. I started to smile with some anxiety as my watching was racing off the seconds. In order to reach I would have to apply my other life message that my kids have heard, "Finish Strong." Though the body was weary my mind took over my legs and I broke all out in a sprint to the end when I hit the finish. I glanced at my watch that read 1:59.53. I hit the mark and erupted into a shout of triumph and a feeling of accomplishment that overwhelmed me. I know it's just a little race but for me it was more. It was a reminder that I am back completely and that the training and the focus and the joy of simply running all came together on a spring morning through the streets that would test the passion level of all runners. Mission accomplished.

2011 Off & Running

I'm only seventeen days into the new year and have a good feel for running through the next twelve months. I am already up to 40 miles on the year which may not be that amazing but it's a good start. When I was in peak form, I had some 40 mile weeks but for now, this is definitely a great sign. If you attempt to be a runner in Mansfield Ohio, you quickly learn that winter will do everything to drain you of the will to be a dedicated runner. I have accepted that in this season I will have to deal with the treadmill as part of my training regiment if I am to stay strong into spring.

I have my eyes set on a short term goal of hitting the 2000 mile mark in my log book. If things continue as I hope, I should reach this milestone as spring arrives. It should take me three months to get there if all goes as planned. In the meantime, I know that I have to focus on a few key things:
1. Losing weight. I want to drop 18 pounds.
2. Longer distances. I am hoping to be hitting some 12 mile runs by the end of February.
3. Speed. I know that as I lose weight I am getting faster but I have to have days of just plain old speed work.

I love this about running. You can set so many goals to keep you challenged and motivated. But of course the BIG ONE is Chicago Marathon in October!

2010 Running Season Complete

The closest thing I can liken this running season to is the athlete that misses nearly most of the season to injury and makes a cameo appearance in the last few and meaningless games, to see if he can make a go at a full-fledged return for next year. The Ashland half marathon was only one of two races I entered in 2010. The other race was the Lexington Blueberry 5k in late summer. Of the two races, the Blueberry was not only easier because it was shorter in length but it was mostly flat.

The true test for my 2 year long foot injury would definitely be a 13.1 mile trek through the streets of Ashland Ohio, with 3 significant hills anxiously waiting to put my foot through the harshest trials since I was sent to the sidelines. I completed the course at a very pedestrian time of 2:23. I was not the last runner in but I was in the running for the turtle award on this Saturday. I was trying to set a realistic goal of 2:10-2:15, which is about 25 minutes slower than my normal half marathon time. Even though I finished a minute per mile slower than I hoped, it felt good to cross the line and get my finisher's medal. It was a victory for me because my foot felt fine!

I had some trepidations about risking injury of pushing it in 23 degree weather up hills that I was told to avoid for a long period of my recovery. I did plenty of running in 2010 compared to 2009. Still I was far from being in peak form when I decided to enter the half just 7 days before the event. That's not the time such races should be circled on the running calendar. But I picked it not for competitive reasons, but instead for the sake of testing my will, desire and healed foot.

Finishing at the back of the pack was no surprise to me for many reasons. I decided to run a very conservative pace to begin with as I preached to myself to relax & run slow. I was entered into a race in a runners' town in December. Here were hardcore runners that I stood among at the starting line. The winning time was a staggering 1:10! I was obviously not well conditioned for the hills that were before me (especially at about 20 lbs above my ideal weight). I kept that all in my head when I headed onto the course and it kept my competitive juices at bay.

I'm writing this early on Monday, just two days removed from the event. I have racing bib #4980 and a finishers medal hanging in my office, along with some pictures and the course map with my splits written at each mile. But besides these things I have greater things to cherish. I have Kelly, who stood at the finish line in the cold empty stadium, patiently waiting to greet me with a hug, as she always has done at each race. I also have the satisfaction that I ran my greatest distance since 2008 and crossed the finish line of a half marathon once again.

I have plans to race the Chicago Marathon in 2011. I have a lot of work to do to get ready and this was a big step toward confidence that my first full marathon is not my last one.