Almost Two Years Since My First Running Post

It has been a very long time since I posted a running thought. Not that I did have some pretty cool experiences over that time. I ran not only another half marathon but also my first full marathon in Akron last fall. Since that race I have run very few miles due to injury. It first it was devastating to be told to stay off of it for a couple of months. Busyness got my mind off of the sadness that I couldn't run for awhile. Over the past two months I have started wading back into it slowly because winter keeps me from getting to ambitious.

Tonight is the first time I returned to see what I had posted. What struck me is how alive I seemed to feel as I reflected on my running. I seemed to drink deeply of the seasons and get captivated by things I ordinarily saw as mundane. I found in these posts a lot of things were dawning on me about myself and my new found passion. Reading these things made me appreciate the time I put in each week. And it awakened in me a desire to pursue again my earlier passion. My running route are now longer on roads and trails of southern Indiana but instead along new paths of north central Ohio. There are sights, scents and sounds that I miss but I hope to rekindle again a the love I felt when I reached for a new goal, learned a new insight or just ran and ran and ran for the fun of it.

Winter Running Rules

Today is December 1st. In my mind it's winter. Since I'm starting my second winter running season, I have made some mental rules for this time of the year.

1. Long Slow Runs Mostly. I have made this decision because of several factors. Lower temperatures impede you from peak performance. Best running times usually occur when the thermometer hits the 50s and there will be fewer days like that for awhile! Also the layers a runner has to wear just make motion a little less crisp.

2. Stretch. Colder temps mean tighter muscles. Days of rolling out of bed and touching the toes a couple times just won't be enough for now.

3. Enjoy The View. There are bare trees that will be draped in white blankets of snow and clearly marked trails where squirrels have dashed by when they heard approaching footsteps. There's the smell of burning maple logs hovering in the air and the muted sound of trains riding rails in the distance.

4. Persevere. Not all winter days are going to feel pleasant. There will be strong arctic winds that will push away a runners resolve to finish. There will be thick snowflakes that blind the path ahead. There will be runs when a warm fireplace and hot cup of coffee makes a whole lot more sense than dashing alone in subzero temperatures. These are the days I remember when I am in a long distance race and I'm tempted to walk or quit, reminding myself I am paying my dues to push through whatever awaits me.

5. Meet New People. As winter arrives, most of my running will take place in a new surrounding. I am relocating to Mansfield Ohio and plan to join an early morning running club. This will allow me to develop some new friendships and get acclimated to new streets and paths. More importantly make new friends who share my same desire.

My Secret Marathon Run

Yesterday I reached a new mountain top by running 27 miles. I have been dreaming, reading and listening to others tell their stories about running a marathon. I made up my mind that I was going to try to run my private marathon far removed from cheering crowds, bands and banners along a quiet stretch of river in Jasper. The "River Walk" is 4.5 miles long if you run it down and back. I divided the run into three segments of 9 mile runs. When I headed out the sun was trying to burn off the frost that blanketed the area the night before. This left my hands a bit cold but I knew that soon I'd be warm as the miles and day wore on. The day was ideal for this lofty pursuit. After the first nine miles, I got a Powerade and took off to meet someone for lunch. I tried to eat wisely and returned to the course for my next nine-mile stretch. I knew to go easy for two reasons; this was my first attempt at this distance and I didn't want my lunch to get the best of me. At about the 11-mile mark I was feeling some fatigue and soreness around my feet. I started to develop a blister but refused to allow it to interrupt my resolve. I was more than happy to know that the 18-mile break was coming soon. I got another drink and retied my shoes. I was curious about the blister and so I took off my sock. I discovered the source of my troubles was a minor irritation caused by a toenail cutting into my next toe. I had bleed and as I healing the dried blood sat under my toe and caused an irritation. It strange how little things like that become more noticeable over the miles. I was now ready for my last 9 miles. I took off a little fatigued and was aware that I was entering the mental stamina phase of the run. You do a lot of self talk at this point to convince your body to keep going. It was at the 21st mile that I became very hungry. I knew my body needed some more fuel or else I'd "hit the wall." I adjusted my plan to stop at 4 and a half miles into my final run to refuel. I told myself that I was getting very close and that I had it in me to finish this run. I took off again with a slow painful shuffle at first but then the fatigue seemed to wane and I felt a new energy and mental focus surging. It was at this point I knew I would reach this goal I decided upon earlier in the day. I remember climbing a hill and reaching a 1/4 mile marker that symbolized my imaginary 26.2 marathon mark. I shot my hands in the air and laughed that I reached the summit I had questioned I could ever attain. I then hurried to the end of my 27 mile trek in a not so stellar 4:25. I am confident I can improve on that time when my first real marathon takes place next year. It was good to know in private what I will soon set out to do in public.

1 Year Anniversary

This Saturday marks the the completion of my first full year of logging my running miles. In my office I have a map of the US with a push pin somewhere near Colorado Springs, as a symbol of how much ground I covered this year.

During that time I have gone through 3 pair of running shoes, competed in 9 races and shed about 10 pounds. Some days I couldn't wait to roll out of bed and hit the road, while at other times I had to work at motivating myself to get going. I don't have any idea how much water and sports drinks, as well as power bars, I have downed during this past year.

As I look back on the good that has come out of a year's worth of running, here are some things that come to mind:

• 1. I have probably become more healthy than at any point in my life and have hopefully added a few extra years on my life.
• 2. I have come to believe that some things which I never saw attainable are indeed reachable, if I am willing to push past my preconceived limits.
• 3. I have made new friends among the community of runners. Seems runners share a more positive view on life and a bond that comes from an intense dedication to this sport.
• 4. I have learned so many interesting facets about running through books, my monthly Runner's World magazine, websites and best of all, simply talking with others about it.
• 5. Running has been a great outlet to process my thoughts and expend stressful energy. I have often ended a session feeling more focused and renewed.
• 6. I have come to enjoy the sights, feeling and sounds that accompany a good running experience. Whether that be the sound of crunching snow beneath my feet, the wonder of God's presence, as cool air encircles me on a starlit night, the sweet scents of springtime air, gentle raindrops falling on my face, the feel of Atlantic's waves as they wash over my feet, erasing the traces of where I've been, or the scurry of leaves that cascade all around me while deer stare amusingly at the sight of a lone runner.

I spent a lot of time on running this past year. It was never wasted time. I anxiously anticipate the start of my second year, wondering what lies ahead. Where will I run? What will I learn? What will I accomplish? What will I write?

Running This Fall

It has been a fun year of racing this year. It started in Evansville in March at the Run Of Luck 7K. After that there were 3 races in Jasper, Herrin IL, Loogootee, Shoals and Bloomington for about 40 miles worth competition this year. Looking at the schedule of upcoming races, you'd think there would be plenty of opportunities but there aren't. Next week there's the Persimmon fest 5K in Mitchell. After that, it looks like I might have a chance for a race around Thanksgiving and one around Christmas. Still it looks like the season is winding down.

Most of my practice runs through the week were confined to the track last winter. When I broke away for the road ways on February 27th, I never really cared for running there anymore. For the most part I head for the track only out of necessity; night runs, tired legs and feet, warm ups or time limitations. This winter I hope to stay on the roads as long as possible but I know there will still be days of lap-counting.

I started logging runs on October 9, 2006 and so my perspective about these daily runs has changed. When I started running I hoped to dabble in a run or two through the year. I never imagined I would have raced so many times through the year. Now that I know what it feels like, I approach my second year of running with a better idea of what to expect. Still there is another goal out there that will nudge me out of my comfort zone... the marathon. As I run under brilliant leaves and clear blue skies, followed by snow covered branches and chilling north winds, I keep in my mind that it is all part of the experience to mold me for my first 26.2 mile quest for survival.

Running this fall my feature very few starting lines but I have made up my mind that I am going to enjoy the journey that leads me to a mountain I once thought I'd never try to climb!

What's Your Motivation?

On Saturday I watched the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. It was cool to see those runners make the turn off the streets onto the boardwalk. That was the same place I ran when we took our family vacation. When the race was over, I was inspired to go for a run. It turned out to be a very fulfilling run because I was able to break a barrier I was wondering if I'd ever surpass, a 4-mile run in under 30 minutes. I was very glad to look at my watch to see 29:41! My closest run at the mark before Saturday was 31:08. The best part of reaching this goal is that the final mile was run the fastest at 6:57. I guess watching a good race motivates me pretty well.

Reaching Goals

Being a first year runner, I have found goal setting to be a mystery. Am I aiming too high and unrealistically or are goals too low and not challenging? I am learning a lot just through this process. I hit some targets this year that have been satisfying. I hoped to cover 1000 miles through the year, to beat 23:30 at the Shoals Catfish 5k, and to run farther than ever on my birthday. On Saturday I was able to reach another goal that had not come easily. It was an ambition I was starting to wonder I could ever realize. I went back to my running log and found the place this spring where I set the goal to run 4 miles in less than 30 minutes. The thought entered my thinking when talking about running with an acquaintance. It was very gratifying to cross the 4 mile mark in 29:41 at a spot on the road near Weisbach. Not a soul was around when I broke through the barrier and yet it felt so good to finally reach a level I was beginning to think was only a dream.