3rd Annual Lose the Turkey Fat Ass 50k - Race Recap

The 3rd Annual Lose the Turkey Fat Ass 50k reaffirmed just how cool the ultra scene is. This year, marked the return of a friend, Michael Runner who had come to finish not only his first ultra, but his first Fat Ass event, a podcast listener from Florida who just happened to be visiting family, and a runner who had to ditch the upcoming Rock N Roll Las Vegas Marathon and run this.

Despite the promise of no fee and no aid, 15 people lined up in really bright colors heeding the warning that the course would veer onto trails and there may be hunters out on the course.

In the past, a fellow Fat Ass producer in the area had been kind enough to set up an aid station at the trailhead where runners would hit twice at the 5 and 18 mile mark and laid out a fat spread. This year, I was just going to place some water jugs at the trailhead, but a fellow ultra runner chimed in and said she had to start earlier then the start time and that she would open up her truck and laid out a fat spread for runners to feast on.

With temps in the upper 50's, the trails were in immaculate condition and even the hunters had to be impressed with the train of runners that were out there.

While people had complained about the nature of the course with it being too much road and not enough trail, I was happy to spend the 13 miles on my trails where I first cut my teeth.

As much fun as it was for me to notch another 50k and an unofficial official 2nd place finish, it was even better to see Mike finish his first ultra and that it was the Lose the Turkey Fat Ass was even pretty cool.

In the end, the course always measures a wee bit longer than a 50k, but I was happy to get out there and enjoy the day with some old and new friends.

What about tradition?

I would not define myself as a religious man. Yes, I attended Catholic school for 5 years as a youth and was an altar boy at one point, but that does not mean  that I attend church regularly now. Its just not how I worship.  One thing, though that I still carry to this day and is seared in my head is the point of tradition.

I was reminded this past weekend about tradition, as I was at church and noticed the altar girl walking by with sneakers on. Are you kidding me? Sneakers?? Even in my attend here, attend there state of worship, I would never enter a house of worship with sneakers on. Never. That goes against all tradition that I was taught as a youth. Tradition meant wearing dress shoes and slacks, think Sunday best, if you were going to serve or worship.

Tradition loosely defined is a ritual, belief or object that is passed down throughout society and still practiced or followed in the present. Tradition is why we will gather in a few days with our respective friends and families to share a meal and be thankful that we are able to all be together around the table. Tradition is not about abandoning the past because you are too lazy to follow a precedent that has been set before.

Is this where it starts? A failure to adhere to tradition as to why cracks begin to form in the very fabric of the way we do things?  I believe in tradition because if it hadn't meant so much to so many people in the past then why would it be called a tradition ? There is value in tradition.

Enjoy and embrace the tradition this holiday weekend with your family and friends.

Running Mount Rushmore (Books)

I would be remiss if I were to talk about a Running Mount Rushmore that did not include books as well. No doubt, the people I mentioned before  influenced me more than the written word, but that is not to say that I have not found inspiration or information between the covers of these books below:


Flannagan's Run:

Published in 1982, Tom McNabb's tale follows runners as they cross the United States in race very similar to the Bunion Derby in the 1920's. I came across this book at a resort in Mexico on vacation several years ago and was entranced. Immediately, I was taken with the tale of running a race across the country and following the tales of the runners in a day before GPS watches, mp3 players, and hydration packs. Some were running toward the hope of wealth, others were running for glory, and some were just running because that is all they know how to do.


The Zen of Running:

In its purest form, running is about enjoying the motion of moving forward.  This short book written in the early 70's might be considered "hippie" as the author is seen running shirtless, and with jean shorts, but  there is no denying the joy seen in his face and the grace fullness in his movement. To date, this was one of my favorite podcasts ( Episode 77) to produce when I read this book in its entirety.



Born to Run:

This book seems to be steeped in the forefoot of the "natural" or "barefoot" running tide having  found its way into the mainstream. When I first read the book though and why I have returned to it, is the simple joy found in the Tarahumara Indians and their respect for running. Take away all the medical information, media drivel about turning a quick buck on some new found "movement", and there really is a message about just running. Heading out the door, enjoying your surroundings and those that you run with.

Running and Being: 

When I stupidly threw away all my old issues of Runners World that contained the columns of Dr. George Sheehan, I began accumulating his books to return to revisit the topics and themes that be wrote about. If there was anyone that could be considered "the running philosopher", I would argue that you need look no further than him. His brutal honesty about not only his misgivings but also what running gave to him are what continue to draw me back to his readings.

So that is my list. Surely there are several others out there that I have read and are in my collection, but to date those are the ones that have meant the most to me. If you could choose running books that have inspired you, what would they be?

They might know me better than my wife

They might know me better than my wife. I get this way every time a pair of my running shoes nears the end of their life span. I reminisce about a span in which they have helped to protect me from not only elements, but myself as well.

It is with these shoes and others long since turned out to pasture that I have often composed many a thoughts. Most  have never seen the light of day, and for good reason. Some things are better left unsaid, and I have those shoes to thank. With their protection underfoot, I have been able to explore ideas and feelings out on the road.

They have heard me rant and rave about things going on at home and work, and prepare dialogue for conversations that need to be had. They have listened to me express my fears and frustrations about choices I have made and the ones still to be decided upon. They have done what they have needed to; just listen. Cheap to; I might add. Conservatively, at $90 a pair and lasting around 350 miles, that is the equivalent to roughly $1.50 a mile. You can't even buy a good cup of coffe and conversation nowadays for that price.
So in this sense, they might know me better than my wife. Would, I leave my wife for a pair of shoes? Absolutely not. However, many of those shoes have stories, ideas, and feelings explored and exposed that they will silently carry with them embedded in their soles.

Running Mount Rushmore (People)

Recently, I was listening to the Books on the Nightstand podcast, and they were talking about whom they would  place on their Mount Rushmore if they had to replace the Presidents with authors. Paying homage to those who had influenced them through the written word got me thinking as to who I would place atop my own running Mount Rushmore.

My Father:

 When I began running track back in middle school, it was my dad who bought me my first pair of running shoes. Soon, I was calling him at work to report to the second what I had run the 2.5 mile loop around the sub division in on almost a daily basis. He was an endurance athlete back then, and we would run and bike together when time permitted during the week. On weekends, we would race. Of particular note one time, I remember when we got into such a pissing match about who was faster on a short run a few hours before a race, that neither of us did well that evening. Those are the moments memories are made of.

He was the first person I called after qualifying for Boston and finishing my first 100 miler. We were able to share the road together again last year as we ran the half marathon in Detroit. I still believe we have miles to share.

George Sheehan

I was too young to fully appreciate the weight of his words at the time, and even now, after 20 years, I still find new meaning. When I began running, I sought out Runner's World to fill my appetite. Remember back when the only way to subscribe was to send in the little mailer you found on the walls outside of the supermarket? Each month I looked forward to reading the monthly column of a man who although much older, seemed to be speaking directly to me. He was able to clearly articulate the thoughts that we as runnes often have on the road and put them to paper. That man was Dr. George Sheehan.

When, I moved to the Seattle area for a brief stint several years later, I received a book of his from the people I was staying with, as they knew of my ritual of taking to the road. They said, the bookstore had recommended him. Over the years, I have added several of his books to my  running collection and I often return to reread them. I still  find new meaning in them as my understanding of life deepens and I look at running in the long view and not just merely tied up in the results of the next race.

Steve Prefontaine

Steve Prefontaine is a name that transcends running. His pure grit, determination, and blue collar values are ones that you don't have to be a runner to appreciate. Starting out as a runner in junior high, I heard mention of the name "Pre" but never really came to appreciate the man and his contributions to the running community until years later. My wife, in her running cycles, will often chant, "Pre, Pre" as her battle cry. I admire the man for not only leaving it all out there every time he toed the line, but because he also believed in fairness and standing up for what is right.

9th grade Cross Country Coach:  (sorry coach, no pic)

I will never forget the season ending banquet of my freshmen high school cross country season. When it came around for the coach to say a few words about my season, he started with, "When he showed up, he was shaped like a bell,...." Although, they may have sounded harsh to say in public about a pimply faced 15 year old, they were true. I learned a valuable lesson from the man who was not only my cross country coach but my advanced English teacher that year.

He taught me that through hard work and dedication that I could make something of myself. You could argue that your parents might instill that in you, but as an adolescent, I didn't want to hear that from my dad. I so wanted to please this man, an ex-Vietnam Vet, who would often yell, but I yearned for his approval out on the road and in the classroom.  I wanted nothing more than to take my soft, bell shaped 25 min 5k cross country time at the beginning of the season and work hard. By the end of the season, this desire had dropped my time to 21:10 and although I still was on JV, I looked forward to the chance of continuing to improve. It is still a lesson that resonates with me today.

So there it is, four faces would adorn my running Mount Rushmore. Who are yours?

So this blogging thing....

Originally, I had entertained the thought of starting this AMAZING blog about RUNNING, FAMILY, and LIFE from a middle aged father of 2 back in 2007. Like anything else, I started off with a gusto, writing and publishing consistently. Whether or not, the posts were any good are certainly up for debate, but the thing was that I had made it a priority and CARVED OUT TIME to do so.

In  my youth, I had envisioned myself a writer at one time. I would devour books and then turn my attention to crafting stories. I knew little about plot, character development, etc, but that didn't matter. I made it a PRIORITY. What I lacked was PASSION to follow through.

PASSION is what I have for my family, running and life. However, I do think there is room in the pie to add one more ingredient: WRITING.

Over the summer, I started writing again. I made it a daily habit. I CARVED OUT TIME, to just write down thoughts or ideas and made it just over a month before school started up again, and PRIORITIES pushed writing to the back burner. This time though, there was still a flicker of PASSION from the month of writing and so here I sit today writing again.

One of my favorite runners and philosophers, Dr. George Sheehan, had talked about his running and writing in terms of a lump of clay. An idea may be formed while on the run or wherever, and it is like a lump of clay. No real form or heft and it is only when it is thrown on the paper that it can be formed and molded into something tangible. Maybe that is where this blog is headed. Taking lumps of clay that I find and throwing them against the computer.

COT - Carve Out Time

The holiday season is off and running. How in a season filled with gatherings and events can you maintain or even begin a fitness routine? It's simple...repeat after me...COT.

CARVE OUT TIME

Just as important as your work and family schedule, so should you place that value on your fitness schedule. If you don't have a fitness routine, this is a great place to start. When you plan out your day or week, it is easy for you to CARVE OUT  some TIME.  Write it down and block it off.  Make it something that you can't skip out on.  Make it a priority.

If its on the schedule, there is a measure of accountability. You have thought about it enough to write or type it in, so why not follow through? 

Detroit Free Press Marathon

 The marathon should never be taken for granted. It is not a walk in the park. Heck, Pheidippdes never actually finished a marathon...he reportedly announced"Νενικήκαμεν" (Nenikékamen, "We have won"), collapsed and then died on the spot.

My focus originally heading into this year's Detroit Free Press Marathon, was to once again play sherpa to my wife and support her as she attempted to run her second marathon this year. I was completely ok with this as I really didn't have any other goals set for myself, but when she decided to first downgrade to the half marathon and then drop completely from the race itself, it left me at a crossroads. I could maintain my current training plan which would allow me to finish the marathon in a time that would be well south of my PR or I could take the opportunity to with the short window I had to jump into a training plan and see what I could do.

I chose to jump into a training plan and more specifically the Hansons Training Plan. For one thing, the Hansons Running Stores are my local shop and along with reading the above article in Runners World awhile back, my neighbor was also using the plan as he was attempting to qualify for Boston. Seeing, as I had only 8 weeks from the time my wife backed out until race day, I liked the plan which included a mix  of speed/strength miles, marathon paced miles,long runs which topped only 16 miles in length, and a few easy days. I also felt that with my average mileage over the preceding few months at around 40 miles, I could handle the mileage which would top at around 55 miles per week.

 For as unstructured as my training has been over the years, I have found some value this year in following a plan. While the buildup leading into the Martian Marathon did not deliver on race day, I felt confident going in after hitting paces. Jumping in as late as I did with the Hansons plan, I quickly found myself looking forward to the structured workouts and began thinking that a 3:15 marathon and maybe even a 3:10 marathon might be attainable. A 10k in 41:05 a few weeks out from race day indicated a 3:12:48 projected performance using the McMillan Running Calculator.


Race day came and with projected rain showers and cooling temps, and I donned a garbage bag over my tech shirt and arm warmers. The early miles moved quickly and I settled in comfortably between the 3:10 and 3:15 group. The training had paid off, or so I thought. I had some trouble with my temperature (either to hot or cold) but I thought little of it. Cruising through the half on 3:15 pace, I downed a gel and some really poorly mixed Gatorade. I walked for a bit to let the sugarly sweet mixture settle and started running with the 3:15 group.  Unfortunately, I was starting a back slide that I just couldn't get stop. For one thing, my shorts were soaking wet as was my tech shirt. My mistake in not dispatching of the the garbage bag sooner. I think I had misjudged the fact that it never rained as it was supposed to and it wasn't as cold as I thought. The remaining miles I was reduced to a run/walk as my left hip began to hurt and I was struggling with my temperature. I grinded out a 3:32:49 finish, good enough for 20 seconds better that my previous best.

It wasn't my best, but I was proud of the effort. Sure, I had jumped into a plan with only 8 weeks to go, but I really liked and looked forward to the workouts. I would be interested to see what I could do following the plan from the beginning. At a slower pace, I dont believe that I would have run smack into the wall as hard as I did. The marathon may have broken me for a day, but I will be back.



- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

3rd Annual Lose the Turkey Fat Ass 50k

Really this is just an excuse to not have to go shopping with the masses and to your a**es . Ate a little to much ...run it off here!!


Details:

Lose the Turkey Fat Ass 50k

When: November 26, 2011

Time: 8 am

Where: Kensington Metro Park/Island Lake

Get out there and move your duff to eliminate the stuff consumed on Turkey Day. An easy “fat ass” ultra, with no fee, no aid (maybe), and probably no awards to be given. Mainly on bike paths, with about 13 miles of trail. Wear something hunter orange or really freaking bright to avoid being confused as a deer in the woods. Contact dirtdawg50k@aol.com for more info.

Course:

Begin @ Kensington Metro Park. *Note* There is a daily $5 entry fee if you do not have a permit. Park at the East Boat Launch and head west on the bike path trail. Just before heading over a bridge, there will be a path to your left that goes under I- 96. Follow the path under the freeway and into Island Lake. At the fork just above the short hill go right. Follow the Island Bike Path. Just after the 3 mile marker on the Bike Path there will be a turn off to the left. Follow that an into the Mtn. Bike Trailhead. *Note* There are port a potties located here.

Follow the blue trail head markers and continue on the trail until past the 8 mile marker. There will be a Two Way Direction Sign with a blue arrow pointing forward and a yellow sign turn left. FOLLOW the yellow sign to the left. Continue on the yellow trail until you return to the trailhead parking. Return on the bike path back to Kensington Metro Park and your car. Total Distance to this point approximately: 23 miles. (approximately 13 miles of this are trail)

To complete the 50k distance…do one loop on the Kensington Bike Path (approximate distance 8.5 miles)

For those of you preferring to do a shorter distance less than a 50k and don’t want to get lost, or run trails…you can just run loops around Kensington. Each loop is approximately 8.5 miles. Or run the 23 miles out and back section and stop.

NOTES:

1. There is no fee to run this (ok..except for the daily entry fee to the park. Most times though in the fall, there is never anybody checking the cars for permits)

2. It is HIGHLY ADVISED that you wear something hunter orange or very bright out on the trail section.

3. There is no aid. I might have something set up at the start/finish, and somewhere along the way, but it is a approximately 23 miles for the first loop.

4. You are responsible for your own safety out there. This is merely a loosely organized fun run that just happens to be a wee bit longer than a marathon.

5. Please email me with your interest so that I can begin to take a head count

Notes:

Here is a link to what my Garmin measured last year: 2010 edition 

A short video (made in 2009 during the inaugural year) about the course can be found here: @ Just Finish

There really won't be any results, not sure if I will have any sorts of awards and depending on weather, maybe might have some post race grub.

It will be fun, cause it's a run!!

Shoot me an email @ dirtdawg50k@aol.com for further info or to say if you are gonna strut your stuff because you ate too much and need to run it off your duff! 

Green Cruise

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to participate in a local bicycle ride sponsored by the Sierra Club called the "Green Cruise". Billed as an opportunity to celebrate the many forms of human-powered transit that help keep you and the planet healthy. This event was held one week before Metro Detroit, is invaded by classic cars from all over in what is called the "Dream Cruise". 

There were a few ways to celebrate and participate in the Green Cruise as outlined on the billboard. The 40 mile route would take you south from Ferndale towards Detroit with several great areas to see while the 20 mile ride would head north and wind through several suburbs before returning to Ferndale where there would be several events and vendors.

Rolling out from my house and riding towards the event, I mulled over my options for the rides. I haven't ridden my bike much this year, but was fairly confident that I could keep up with the "faster" group on the 40 mile loop. Worst case scenario is that I would have to drop back to the "slower" group on the route. There were no prizes or pride to be won on this day, just an opportunity to use my own two legs thrown over a skinny wheeled contraption to "cleanly" see the sights and sounds.

Mother Nature was in agreement for the ride as we were treated to temps in the high 60's and clear skies as we headed downtown. This was a great way to see several parts of the city that I have not seen when running the Detroit Free Press Marathon or while hanging out with the family.  First rest stop before heading out to Belle Isle was along the Detroit Riverwalk. It was here that I was able to pull off my arm warmers and try a new bar that I had picked up at REI recently called Honey Rocket Chocolate Energy Bar. Yummy!

After the rest stop, we rolled through the  William G. Milliken State Park

on our way towards the Dequindere Cut Greenway

My favorite area to roll through was the Heidelberg Project. Even though I have lived in the Metro Detroit area for well over 25 years now, I have never been through this area and was really happy that another cyclist explained to me this amazing area and why it was created. Amidst drugs, poverty and blight in the area, people wanted a way to call attention to the bad and rid themselves of it in the area by using art. Since then, the Heidelberg Project founded by Tyrone Guyton has grown to encompass two blocks of color, symbolism and hope and expanded to provide children with hope and inspiration through art.

While this was an event meant to celebrate human powered movement, and one that I was happy to partake in, I couldn't help but think of several other things throughout the ride. First off, while it was amazing to see pockets of urban gardening in the city, there were also many areas of blight where once beautiful homes stood like shells of their former selves with decay and garbage lining the streets.  Secondly, the idea that a mass transit/light rail would be built to bring people down to Detroit instead of driving their cars is laughable at best. Detroit is known as the "Motor City" and people love their cars. No way are people going to park their cars at 8 mile road near the dilapidated and now defunct State Fairgrounds (note: there is no State Fair in Michigan) to ride down Woodward Avenue through blight and despair to hit only pockets of areas that are safe and have anything of value to do.  Lastly, this is "Detroit" though and we are a blue collar town. We don't give up. This once great city will rise again, but it will take the collective efforts of everyone not only in the city but the suburbs as well to make it happen. Perhaps events like the "Green Cruise" can be the spark that will ignite the fire.

Becoming a Sherpa Once Again

With the deadline fast approaching (read: rate increase ), I knew I had to negotiate. I had to sit the wife down and get her to come to the table to agree upon a fall marathon schedule. This wouldn't be easy, but I knew that it would be resolved more quickly than our national debt crisis.

Since her spring marathon, she has tip toed in and around running a fall marathon. That tip toeing is very similar to her training program where it has seemingly been more of a stutter step than full throttle. With her, it is just best to let her go and not pressure her, but we could ill afford more time. I wasn't going to pay anymore than the $90 fee that was already being assessed to run the Detroit Free Press Marathon.

After what seemed like a scattershot training plan to date, she ran/walked a 12 miler over this past weekend with one of her fellow training partners at Kensington Metropark and I knew it was time to make my move.

Let's be honest here, and say that I needed an answer as much as she probably did. After being probed by Martians and being a sherpa for the wife at the Country Music Marathon this spring, I hadn't achieved any of the goals that I had set for myself at the beginning of the year. Then a funny thing happened, over some beers.

Yup, good ole cowboy pops/oat sodas at Dragonmead one evening, and an encounter with a running mate. What resulted was me toeing the line of a local 5k a few weeks back. Surprisingly, without any speedwork, I ran my fastest 5k in several years, and the wheels started turning. I knew in the back of my mind that the wife would eventually want and need me to be her sherpa for a fall marathon, and if I was going to run the marathon with her, why not turn my attention to running "fast"? Why not return to doing some 5 and 10k's by doing some speedwork but still keeping the miles up in prep for the marathon and the 3rd Annual Lose the Turkey Fat Ass?

That was my ticket and platform I would stand on. In return for being a sherpa once again, I could run some 5 and 10k's along with putting on my annual fat ass race. I really did enjoy the opportunity to run a marathon with my wife, and a chance to do it in our hometown would be even cooler. There wasn't much deliberation as she quickly agreed to the terms and stated that even though her two running partners may be running the race as well that, I knew what she needed during a marathon. I know when to run ahead, fetch drinks/fuel, and when to let her be with her thoughts. Apparently with me being sherpa there would be little chance that as she put it, "would step off the course, and go home with one of my friends".

So there it is, a mutual agreement that benefits both parties and is in the best interest of both parties. Politicians, you could learn from this.

Running Around Chicago

If I had to list my hobbies, of course running would be at the top, but a very close second would be eating. In fact, there are sometimes, that miles are put in with the very idea that a scrumptious and delicious meal is planned for later in the day.

Chicago, has no shortage of places to eat or to run. On a recent weekend there, I was able to run along Chicago Lakefront Path with a throng of fellow runners, cyclists, and triathletes. What a great atmosphere to see so many people in the city out there and moving forward. Detroit...take a hint.

With miles recorded and a caloric deficit to be fed, I was able to eat at several places I might suggest you check out on your next trip to the Windy City.

Corner Bakery - good breakfast place to meet the gang after a night out on the town.

Cafe Re Re Ba - this is a great place to go with a group of people since this restaurant serves tapas (small plates). they also make a mean sangria (the wife can attest to this). my favorites here include: spicy potatoes with tomato alioli (#30) and beef tenderloin & blue cheese (#50)

Fronterra Grill - a Rick Bayless restaurant that does not take reservations. be prepared to hunker down and have a few drinks where the beer is cold, and the mojitos are mighty. everything that we had was delicious and the menu rotates based on the seasonal availability of ingredients.

Downtown Dawg - cheap and easy. the name explains it all, but don't go asking for a coney if you are from the "D". get the real deal...get a chicago dawg!

The Long Run (Book Review)

During my summer break from school, I love to try and catch up on books that I have been wanting to read and have been piling up next to my nightstand. On my recent trip to crew/pace at the Western States 100, I had the opportunity to read The Long Run by Matt Long and Charles Butler. You may remember hearing in 2005, about a firefighter who had been hit by a bus riding his bike to work in New York City. That was Matt Long. What you may not know was that Matt was not only an Ironman finisher but had also recently qualified for the Boston Marathon right before the accident. No doubt his physical conditioning prior to the accident was one of the contributing factors as to why he was able to endure the injuries and subsequent rehabilitation. It is likely that a non athlete would not have survived the trauma.

The book holds nothing back in terms of explaining the long and painful process that Matt endured on his way back. As much as the physical journey was described in great detail, the mental journey, I believe was key in really getting a handle on who Matt was and how he used his prior athletic pursuits to drive himself forward. The Long Run is a reminder that there is an athlete inside all of us and to never stop moving forward.

Pacing/Crewing at Western States 100

Here is a little video I threw together crewing and pacing my friend Kevin (www.justfinish.com) at this year's Western States 100.

I am not Nuke Laloosh

There I was. Standing on the mound. Feeling very exposed and staring down the batter who wanted nothing more that to smack that ball right at me with all of their might.. A control pitch batter.

Control pitch batter? Yup, some of the toughest 7 - 9 year olds on the diamond who had torn the covers off a tee ball and now were looking to tear up my blazing fastball which clocked in at around 45 mph. Yesterday, marked the opening game of the season, and by my own dumb luck or some complex scheme by the other dads who were coaching, there I stood on the mound. It's one thing to volunteer at practice to throw BP, but its quite another to be standing out there with kids you dont know fielding the ball and the eyes of parents on both sides who haven't seen a practice yet looking to see if you can serve up a fat butterball of a pitch for the kid to hit. No pressure right?

Of course there was no pressure. I mean I had beaned several of the kids in practice as I tried to time their swings and guide the ball in their to meet their bat speed in my initial attempts. After seeing that may not be the best course of action, I settled into going by the mantra, "baseball is supposed to fun" and throwing the ball in there with the hopes that the kids could get their timing down and crush the ball. For those that were having some difficulty with the bat meeting the ball, we came up with cool visualizations like, "think of it like a Barbie doll" and WHACK...there went the ball.

Well, the pressure did get to me a little bit and I might have accidentally beaned a kid in the ankle, but after that it was smooth sailing. Not really. I honestly felt bad when a couple of the kids didn't make contact and there I was thinking, " oh man, please don't strike out the side. That would be bad." What kind of parent would do that? Luckily, the kids made contact and saved me.

As I sit here today with a drooping shoulder, hopped up on Motrin, and applying ICY HOT like suntan lotion after my first pitching duty in a game, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Unbreakable

"Unbreakable" is a film by Journeyfilm chronicling the 2010 Western States 100. Unlike Running Madness, which focused on several runners of all abilities, this movie set to debut in the fall of 2011 follows several of the top male runners as they head from Squaw Valley to Auburn.

While i was excited to watch the trailer, I am even more excited at the opportunity to head out there in a few weeks to crew and pace for my good friend Kevin.

Country Music Marathon

She did it! Several months ago, my wife had thrown it out there that she wanted to do another marathon. This would be her first in 10 years and after giving birth to our 2 kids. Her running throughout that decade had been like a roller coaster. Gaining speed during some points, only to to slow to a roll or even a halt at others.

Emphatically she stated that we were going to run the Country Music Marathon and that there was one rule. The rule was that I had to run the race with her. No questions asked, I had to play the role of sherpa come race day. I nodded my head in agreement, and then asked a simple question, " I heard its kind of hilly. Have you looked at the course map?" Keeping in tune with her spirit, my wife answered, "Well no, Nashville seems like a fun place to go, and they have a marathon."

Here is what the website reports:



Here is what my Garmin said:



Throughout the winter in Metro Detroit (note: flat as a pancake, no elevation gain!!), my wife followed her training plan (Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon Training) and braved not only the elements outdoors but early morning ventures on the treadmill in the basement. I have to admit I was surprised at her fortitude at sticking to the plan and over the course of the plan she began to get stronger and stronger.

Race weekend was soon upon us, and neither of us had run more than a few times in shorts, and never above 70 degrees. Secretly, I harbored a goal of getting her across the finish time in less than 5 hours given her recent training and 1/2 marathon result, but knowing her, she would not be bullied into something. She would do it her way.
Race day came upon us, and we took the shuttle over to the start. No, that is not the real Parthenon, but an exact replica. Temps were already at 55 degrees before we started and the wife had that grumbly, rumbly tummy like she was gonna puke. She didn't.



I knew temps would climb to near 80, and made sure to grab a couple of salt packets that volunteers were passing out as we crossed the starting line. While I am not typically a fan of large races, my wife is and enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow runners as we made a procession around the city. Through the first 13 miles, she was all smiles and stayed ahead of the 5 hour pace group. However, as the temperature rose and her pace slipped, I could see that look in her eye. They had the look of tears, to which I promptly told her..."You can cry when you finish, not now", but also one of that maybe that 5 hour marathon wasn't going to happen today.

Even though her longest training run was 20 miles, it was not on a hilly course like this nor had she been able to train in any heat. I made use of the salt packets to try and keep any cramping at bay and her electrolytes even, but eventually we slowed to a walk for long stretches and she began to have some pain in her back. That pain would force her to stop and stretch several times, but she said she was going to keep moving forward and that was all that mattered. With the finish line in sight, I told her we were going to run this thing, and she did just that. 5 hrs and 39 minutes after we crossed the line, we finished. I have to admit that I even held back a tear, even though I was so proud of her. She did it and she did it her way.

Its Her Time

Its her time.
She came out to my first 50k and watched me run in the rain.
Not long after that, she ran her first marathon.
Before marriage and before kids.
She ran a 1/2 marathon in Columbus and cheered as I got my BQ.
Its her time.

I said I wanted to run a 100 miler and she said she would crew.
For a gal not adept at trails, she paced me at night
In my darkest hours, and she got me back on track.
I wouldnt have finished without her.
I made it to Boston and of course she was going.
Not sure who was more excited.
Its her time.

She has continued to run.
Start then stop, repeat the process, more than a few times.
Its her time.

She said she wanted to run another marathon.
It would be her first in 10 years.
After we had gotten married and had kids
Its her time.

She picked the race
And there were some rules
No coaching from me, but lay out her stuff for long runs.
Its her time.

On Saturday, we toe the line
And I will run, snap pictures, and fetch water.
Its her time to shine.

Book Review: Relentless Forward Progress

In a day and age where information is seemingly just a click away, it can be overwhelming to someone who is looking to dip their toes into a new arena like ultramarathons. Trying to sift through the seemingly endless plans, blogs, and embedded links on websites for even a newbie ultra runner, might have them DNF'ing before they even toe the line of their first ultra.

To address this issue, Bryon Powell of Irunfar.com, has put together and easily digestible but comprehensive book on running ultra marathons called Relentless Forward Progress. I had the pleasure of sitting down and chatting with Bryon for the podcast (DDRD: Episode 86) and he said he wanted the book to read like if he was going for a run with you and talking out on the trails. I believe he has achieved just that.

Leaving no trail unexplored, Bryon and with some contributing pieces from people like Geoff Roes, Krissy Moehl, and Jamie Donaldson, covers everything you need to know about how to make the transition from marathon to ultra training. One of the things I really like about the book is that it has several plans that show the reader a progression on how to move from a 50k up to a 100 miler and on plans that average 50 or 70 miles a week.

The barrier to breaking into ultra marathons if you ask most people who have been at it is mainly mental. Sure, you need to put in the miles, but the real training usually takes place in the mind. Relentless Forward Progress helps to bridge at gap at shows anyone who dares to open the cover that the impossible can be achieved. This is a book that even myself with some ultra experience under my belt will be going back to again and again.

When Martians Attack...

Dear Marathon,

You suck. You really do. It's not like you are not hard enough already. Whether it has been using you as a measure of my fitness or chasing a time that would let me ride the unicorn, you have never been easy. You force each and everyone during the course of their travel over you to bring their best In some ways, toeing the line with you is like going into a title fight with each of us trading blows throughout the race in search of excellence. I had put in a solid training camp. I was ready.

Maybe word had spread throughout the galaxy that I was going "all in" and my shoes had been set to stun, that you began to get scared. Perhaps you thought you needed to soften me up with some body blows prior to the start of the race by sending some Martian minions to invade my body and force me to purge necessary fuel from my body. My engines were less than at full capacity come takeoff, but my confidence had not wavered. I still believed.

As I began my flight pattern, I held back on pushing the engines to full throttle. Almost on que, those Martians which I had thought been eradicated by my efficient body propulsion methods began in unisoning jumping up and down on my stomach like they were at an inflatable party. It was inevitable that when I went to push the engines, they sputtered. A radio check to the legs screamed that they we're giving me all they had.

My mind would not give in, and I continued to drive the legs toward a 1:41 half marathon at the turnaround. Ingesting some fuel, I continued my drive, but the Martians would not allow me at the same rate. Instead of jumping on my stomach, they began crawling my my windpipe and by mile 18, I had to pull over and purge myself of them. By now, the body blows and purging had taken me far south of my time goal, but I wasn't raising the white flag. I expelled any remaining Martians again at miles 19 and 21 and continued at a rate constant with being on fumes. The eradication of the Martians had also meant that any liquids left to cool and fuel my systems were gone.

The remaining miles I was joined by half marathoners and we were all locked in our respective final rounds with you. A couple of sips of some powerful green liquid and my energy levels began to rise, but it was too little to late for the clock and I crossed in 4 hr 1 min. However, marathon, even though you threw were underhanded in your approach to try and break me, I didn't fold. All in meant all in and I gave it my best even if the clock showed otherwise.

Here's till we meet again,

Dawg

Dear Training Plan,

Dear Training Plan,

As I throw the last bale of hay in the training barn and close the doors on this training cycle, I would like to thank you. Saying thanks to you is not something that should be taken lightly or in jest either. You see, training plan, you were something that I have long gone without in my running life. My style has been pretty free flowing for years on end. I would pick a race or goal, look at what others have done, and cobble something together in my mind that I would loosely follow. Yes, it has taken me to places that I had only dreamed about until achieved, but others have long extolled the virtures of you.

Others spoke of you delivering them to the starting line, confident they have done in practice what was necessary to achieve their goal on race day. Despite their admiration for you, I admit to being hesitant to allow you to be part of my life. You would force me to put fences around my running. You would force me to count back from race day and actually have a purpose to each run. No more just going out and doing whatever I felt like.

So tentatively, I began following your words and workouts. Was I hoping in the back of my mind, you wouldn't deliver and I could return to my free spirited, unstructured ways? Most certainly. Slowly though, you began to win me over. Despite some detours on the road, namely injury and sickness, a perfect opportunitiy and or excuse to throw you away, I stuck with it. My legs and lungs begn to respond to the specific workouts and an attitude of, "well, maybe this isn't so bad" began to gain momentum. I began to understand the value of what others had whispered on training runs or in races.

As I toe the line of another marathon this weekend, I will be doing it having followed a plan. This is a huge step for me, and I have you to thank training plan.


Hoping to make you proud come race day,


Dawg

Dear Taper....

Dear Taper,

I can't quite remember how you came up with your name. Was it decided like my sister's in the hospital over a game of cribbage? Or did your parents, play rock, paper, scissors and the winner got to choose? In either event, you were different from the beginning. Instead of running with your friends, fartlek, tempo and LSD out on the playgrounds, you decided it was better to chill. "Come and play, with us" , they shouted and you thought them fools to expend all their energy. You were like a squirrel storing nuts for the winter. You were storing energy for that BHAG (big hairy audacious goal) or "A" race.


As you grew up, you positioned yourself in the middle between Training and Racing and completed the triangle of a runner's cycle. Recovery? Who needs that? You, were more important and worked on your craft. A bit like Hamlet, you began whispering in the ears of runners:

"I essentially am not in madness,
But mad in craft."
(III. iv. 187-8.)

The craft you stated, was that if you followed me, cutting back on mileage, but not necessarily intensity, and allowing the body to rest and rebuild, you, the runner, would be at your best you said. That climb up the mountain to achieve your BHAG or "A" race although still difficult, would not be as perilous.

However, maybe it was like the story that gets told to one person, but by the time it gets to the 10th, the intent and originality is skewed and nowhere near the original meaning. This is what I believe has happened to you, Taper. Somewhere, somehow your ideas got misinterpreted and a whole sub culture began a rapid ascent to the top.

Instead of enjoying and savoring that which is you and part of the process, people began freaking out. They mistook the decrease in mileage as a sign that they were losing fitness. They looked at the extra time on their hands from not training and began letting thoughts of self doubt, "Why didn't I hit this workout as hard? " and "Am I really ready?" creep in. They begin avoiding everyone and everything fearing sickness or injury. I know this was not your intent, and I too admit to in the past to falling into this trap. But, no longer will this be.

I have come to understand Taper, that you have a purpose. There is a craft to your "madness". Like any journey, there will be peaks and valleys. At the peak of our training, we must allow a little bit of a slide into the valley before the push up to the top. The slide, yes you Taper, allows us to build momentum necessary to make it to the top and achieve our BHAG . You are not something to fear or freak out about, but rather something to embrace.

Someone once said, "with great power, comes great responsibility." So Taper, I hope you find time to reflect as you sit on the sideline watching speed work, intervals, and the others run about and seek to restore your true intent.

Sincerely,

Dawg

Sesame Noodles

As a family on the go, it is easy to get be in such a hurry that convenience over a healthier option makes it's way to the dinner table. With both the wife and I in the midst of marathon training, we have made a much more conscious effort to provide healthier and more nutritious options for the family. Enter, Time for Dinner, Strategies, Inspiration, and Recipes for Family Meals Every Night of the Week.

One of the things my wife and I like about the book besides the fact that the meals are really easy to put together (note: 30 min meals on the Food Network, really take more than 30 minutes to make), is that there is almost an option for each person to customize each meal.

Sesame noodles with extras

Ingredients:

1 1lb box udon noodles or fettuccine
1 cup shredded carrots
1 hothouse cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
1 bunch scallions ( whites and greens) chopped
1 handful snow peas, chopped
1 handful peanuts, chopped
1 handful cilantro, chopped
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded
1/2 cup bottle Asian sesame dressing ( such as Annie's Natural)
1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

DIRECTIONS:

1. Prepare the pasta according to the pasta direction

2. Arrange the carrots, cukes, scallions, snow peas, peanuts, cilantro, and chicken in individual bowls

3. In a blender, mix the dressing with the peanut butter. Toss the noodles with the peanut sauce, or pour it into it's own individual bowl.

4. Serve everyone a bowl of noodles and have them customize their own meals.




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Chasing the Unicorn

Much was made this week when the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A), revised the qualifications to run the Boston Marathon. Starting in 2012, there will be a rolling registration process and in 2013, new qualifying standards lower every age group/gender by 5 minutes. These changes while not out of left field, clearly caused much dialogue on various social media sites expressing discontent and outrage over how could the "Unicorn" go and change times like that? Simple, it's their race.

How could they go and change the times and registration like that? Over the past couple of years, the registration has closed earlier and earlier with the 2011 edition closing within 8 hours. Of note, approximately only 10% of people who run marathons actually run a time that is a BQ. Discussion ensued over why is there only 80% allotted for people who have actually "BQ'ed" and 20% for charity runners. Why don't they shrink the number of charity runners and let more people who "earned" it run? Simply put, it's their race.

When the news hit, I sent text messages to my neighbor who ran his first two marathons last year and missed a BQ by 16 seconds in his first under the old standards (note: the 59 second buffer will no longer be extended) and a minute plus on his second. It was required that we have pizza and beer that night as the kids played to discuss. As he put it to me, "Five minutes is a lot of time in a marathon" and his wife who has run one Boston (2010) and qualified for another( at Boston) but deferred in 2011 said "What if that was my only chance" in response to the rolling registration based on how much faster than the BQ you were.

Yes, I have had the opportunity to both see the start of the Boston Marathon as a child and run it last year. Yes, it is a cool experience and I have stated that I would like to go back again. But was it any cooler for me than running on the Appalachian Trail last year, or getting a chance to plan and run my own little adventure in the Rockies? If I put it in perspective, I don't think so. In both of the latter cases, I made the choices on where and how long to run. I decided what the qualifications needed to be and what the cut off times were.

The people that made the changes made it on the basis of what they felt they needed to to do keep the "Unicorn" not in the rear view mirror of runners, but just in front of the headlights so they keep chasing. People will grumble for a bit and may have to shift their racing plans a bit, but for those that are truly committed to capturing the "Unicorn" the chase will continue. For others that thought they had a chance with the old qualifying times, there is a fork in the road.

Simply put it is their race. Which race are you going run?

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Zen and Running

Before there were gels, GPS watches, and mp3 players there was running. Before a "barefoot running" craze, moisture wicking fabrics, and entering your name into a lottery hoping to get into a race you wanted to run, there was running. Now I am as guilty as anyone when I load up for a long run with a GPS, iPod, hydration system, phone, etc to get through the miles. But I remember when I first started with nothing but my shoes and my lungs. There was a simplicity to it.

Enter Fred Rohe, and his book, Zen and Running ( click here for PDF version). In this flowing dialogue which reads more like a poem than a book, Fred shares his thoughts on running. Here is just a sample.

You decide what rules you want to play by.

There is one principle useful to all who run: Run erect as possible

Don't overdo it,
Under do it.
You aren't running because
Your in a hurry to get somewhere

Every time you run
You create the quality of your own experience

You will find your dancing run doesn't tire you but energizes you.

The point of your running is to help you become healthy, happy, and wholly you.

You are not running for some future reward, the real reward is now!

Let's let our running be real.

With all of our technology is our running like that at all? Could you forgo all the "extras" and just run to run without regards to time, pace, distance? What might that look and feel like?

Super 5k

Today marked the return to a distance that I ran I high school, the 5k. Without serious training, I somehow managed to run an 18:51 back then which was good enough to be varsity at my school, but left middle to back on the pack at invitationals and nowhere near a time that would qualify for a regional or more. I ran what I deserved given my lack of seriousness. It's always easier to say...I wish I had...after the fact. Nevertheless, the time still stands as my PB or PR (which one is is really?) and it is one that I have put down as a goal to break this year.

Despite getting over a nagging cold and a calf muscle strain, I was still looking forward to the Super 5k to set a time for the year and get out there and attempt to "race it". To feel fast, I donned the Brooks Singlet over a long sleeve tech and fleece pullover.

The temp was a brisk 25 degrees with a nice windchill of 18. Roads were wet and sloppy from the fresh fallen powder the night before and made for some interesting traction points along the way.

Onto the race. I am really making a concerted effort this year to do things right in terms of warmup, race smart, and cooldown to achieve the best results. Step one: run easy for 20 minutes with several striders to warm up. Step two: attempt to run even splits instead of going out in a blaze of glory as has been the pattern. I didn't do to bad here averaging: 6:25, 6:28, 6:33 with a finishing time of 20:10. Step three: deposit most awesome pint glass to be filled with a frothy cowboy pop and run/walk as recovery.



Mission accomplished for the day. So here's to the snow melting, the temperature rising, and faster feet!

Human Contact

They say that those can’t teach. Wrong. Each and every one of us is capable of teaching someone, something. Recently, one of my students has taught me a powerful lesson about HUMAN CONTACT.

You see, this student had an accident. An honest accident that has resulted in a much longer hospital stay than imagined. Now, just for a moment let me tell you that as an administrator that this student and I have had a tenuous one at that relationship when it came to our HUMAN CONTACT. As he was struggling to find his way, I was there to h correct and redirect his choices and that meant that initially more times than not that we did not see eye to eye. However, that being said, over time our HUMAN CONTACT has become more positive and he was headed down the right path thanks to the not only the choices he has made but from the many other positive HUMAN CONTACTS with the staff.

When I was notified via the blinking LED on my Blackberry, an electronic device that seeks to eliminate the need for HUMAN CONTACT, I made a point to stop in and see him at the hospital. Stopping in to see him was the right thing to do in my opinion and I have continued to stop in and see him everyday. Why, you might ask? Simply put, he needs HUMAN CONTACT. This has nothing to do with classwork, or grades, this simply has to do with showing support for another human being. His family situation being what it is means that he has few visitors at a time when some families might find it a rallying point. However, this is not a judgment on his family, because they are coping with the situation that they know best.

The whole idea of HUMAN CONTACT is at a cross roads. Take a look around or go to any coffee shop. You will find a vast majority of people devoid of any real HUMAN CONTACT. They are hunched over their keyboards, or squinting and feverishly checking their smart phones for the latest update via email, Twitter, Face book, etc. Some sort of validation of their own well being. See….someone recognizes my thoughts or likes what I have to say! It’s easy to get lost in a sort of virtual reality. I will admit myself to falling victim to this pattern even when I should be paying more attention while with my family.

However, it doesn’t have to be like that and this student unknowingly has taught me a lesson about the value of HUMAN CONTACT. Lift your head up from that keyboard, put away that smart phone and engage in HUMAN CONTACT. We all know how to do it.

Running on "E"

Running on "E". Emotion. It's something that I have done with running from the first time I laced up as an 11 year old amidst the dissolution of my parents marriage. I needed running then to take the jumbled emotions and give them a place to spill out to make sense of my world. Some of my most memorable runs have been one that have been fueled by emotion even before I have hit the road. They have not been the ones where I have hit a mileage or time mark and fallen into that "runners high" that carry you through the run. Rather, I have been "high", fueled by emotion before the start of the run in hopes to let it all spill out. I have laughed, cried, and tried to make sense of it all when my emotions have poured onto the road. During those runs, I have run as fast or slow and as long and short as I have needed to to wring out those emotions. I finish those runs completely spent emotionally. It's a different kind of hurt.

So what does that have to do me with me now? Surely I would have grown out of that stage? Isn't there an old saying out there that you get wiser through the years?

In some respects, yes, I have gotten wiser. My reactions to things are not as knee jerky as in the past, but from time to time I have returned to the road for a run where the cup needs to runneth over. And runneth over my cup did last week after a particularly rough patch at work. Yes, it was my choice to let it get to me like that, but when I got home I needed to let my legs feel the road and emotions needed to spill. Interestingly, I had a dialogue with myself when I had looked at the "training plan" and saw that it was an "easy" run. That was not what my body needed. So I compromised. I mixed it up where I ran slow to warm up and then hit it hard. Running at a speed for me right now is near my puke threshold, but nowhere near as fast as I have run in the past. But it felt good. The emotions, thoughts, fell out and I felt spent at the end. I felt renewed.

What did not renew, were my legs from that effort and the next morning, I stupidly did a hill session on the treadmill leaving my calf and heel screaming at me. Several days of easy running, massage, stretching and a battle with some cold/virus have given me time to think. It was the first of many collisions that I believe running on E and the "training plan" will have on this new journey as I have made this choice to follow a plan to see how far and fast I can run. A plan is just that a plan, and although I want success during and at the end of the plan, the long view is one I must take into account. From where and when I started there may be not enough of a buildup to get my body in the shape needed to run a BQ in the spring. However, I also am cognizant of the fact that I sometimes must also run on "E". Its who I am.

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Endurance

During the cold and dark season of winter, there are times when I actually listen to that little voice in my head and stay inside to do a workout. Rather than stupidly slog it out in unsafe conditions I can turn to the treadmill or bike trainer to get my fix in.


While running outside, I might lose myself in some podcasts, inside, I need something more to occupy my time. Recently, I ran across this little gem.



Endurance (1999) is based on arguably one of the greatest distance runner of all time Haile Gebrselassie as it loosely follows his life from that of a young boy who ran because there were no other means of transportation to the 1996 Olympic Games where he wins the 10,000 meters. If you are looking for training tips, there are none unless you gleam from the movie that he has been running since he has a boy. What you will get is motivation from a man who despite naysayers and odds, continued to believe in himself and never gave up. That in of itself is enough to help turn the cranks or drive the belt of the treadmill in the winter.

I know I can

I know I can
I know I can
Be what I wanna be
Be what I wanna be
If I work hard at it
I'll be where I wanna be
I'll be where I wanna be


Nas - I know I can

2010 was a strange and winding road in my relationship with running. From the cheers of the crowd on Bolyston street at the Boston Marathon to a wooden mile post at the Burning River 100 where I dropped out, running taught me some important life lessons as I move forward.

1. You have to be fully committed to your goal.

Whatever the goal, you have to have the willingness to see it through or you will fail. It doesn't matter if you have previously met the goal before and are trying to better it,because that doesn't lessen your chances of not failing if you try again. Neither does just saying that you are going to do something make it that you will. You must commit to the training or the process both physically and mentally. Sometimes it will be the mental challenge that will determine the rate of your success.

I firmly believe that your ability to finish is determined long before race day. You can't be at the starting line and hope to find "it" that day. "It" was found long ago out on the training runs. Race day is really a celebration of that training. It is icing on the cake.

2. Running with old people is cool.

Getting a chance to run with my dad again were some of my favorite runs this year. To watch him restart his running career again and get the chance to run a couple of races again proved to me that it doesn't matter your age, size, or shape that running can rejuvenate you. It can make you feel like a kid again. It can bring back together a father and son whose roads had taken them down different roads.


3. The fire can be relit

My relationship being with running being what it has been over the years has sometimes lent itself to just being one of obligation. There wasn't any real goal or destination in mind just daily forward motion. For me, that is really ok. I need running as much as I need my daily cup of java. Its not an option, it is a necessity. Sometimes, the simple act of moving forward will lead me down the path back to desire, back to fire, and focusing on a goal.

I wouldn't call the time I spent during the latter part of this year a funk at all, because I never saw it as that. I knew I didn't have a goal to focus on and knew that if i just kept running, that I would find it. Find it, I have and like Nas said in his song " I know I can."


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