RunRichmond!

An Epic Run with Two Things Missing….

It’s Christmas Eve, as the sun rises over RVA it’s a great day for a run.  I bagged all the different group runs and decided to run solo and without a plan.  The goal was about 12 miles and I had no route in mind.  As I was leaving Shockoe Bottom heading west, it hit me.  Let’s see how many “parts” of Richmond I could run in twelve miles.  This would be great, while I wanted to see as much as possible, quantity was secondary.  It had to make sense too.  I also decided that crossing the three downtown bridges would be cool too.  I started in Shiplock Park and picked up the Virginia Capital Trail (by the way - tell the City to get movin’ on this.  How embarrassing) and caught the Mayo Bridge southbound to the Virginia Slavery Trail.  At the top of the hill you can almost spit on I-95.  Through the Citgo Tank Farm in Manchester and over to the Floodwall.  Running on top of the floodwall with the river raging is quite the sight.  The overlook at the top of the Mayan Steps is worth the climb.

Next was the Manchester Bridge as the sun was lifting over the east end.  Seeing everything from Shockoe Bottom to Hollywood Cemetery as the light hits the city is very cool.  Climbing 9th street to the Capital is not so cool but the big Christmas Tree and the Washington Statue are worth the climb.

Broad Street was quiet but then again it is Saturday, a couple of turns and I’m in Jackson Ward.  Lots of revival is good to see in this historic area of Richmond.  Heading south to Monument Avenue and Stuart Circle and following Lombardy to Cary to run in the Fan for a bit.  Cary to Laurel to Oregon Hill Parkway.  A nice jog through Oregon Hill and a beautiful view of the river from the top of Oregon Hill.

Down the Parkway to hit the Lee Bridge southbound.  Okay, so I am not technically running on Belle Isle but at least I am directly over it.  Over the bridge and down Semmes to 7th Street and Legends Brewery.  Followed by Hull Street and another pass through the flood wall.  A quick trip on the Canal Walk to Brown’s Island and another great view of the river.

Looping Brown’s Island and heading back to the east along the canal.  Cutting through the Canal Club parking area to East Main and the Main Street Station.  Back in my ‘hood.  Past the 17th Street Farmer’s market and Poe Museum and up the hill to Lucky Strike.  A truly great run “around Richmond.”

So at the end of the day I crossed three bridges, ran in numerous neighborhoods, saw too many things to list.  I ran on Broad Street and Lombardy, Monument and Cary among many others.  I said hello and Merry Christmas to more people than I can count.  I waved at cars and buses to spread some Christmas cheer. 

Oh, the two things missing?  One was a Santa Hat, the other?  It’s a secret that only one other person knows….

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Richmond Marathon - Part 4

What was that?  My calf? my hammie?  Why are leg muscles named after barnyard animals?  Okay not all of them, but 2.  Back to the problem, that pain started in my hamstring and shot down to my calf.  It is gone but it, ouch, there’s another one.  What the snot?  This isn’t good.  That’s 2 spasms in a short period.  Try to breathe, keep running normally everything feels fine right now but what happens if?  hey Coach Ellie.  I’m fine except, never mind.  No really it’s not a big deal.  I had a couple of muscle spasms in my left leg.  They started in my hamstring and went into my calf.  It felt like someone poked me with a knife.  It hasn’t happened in awhile so maybe it’s gone.  Yes, I’ve been walking through waterstops and getting lots of fluids.  I’ve gu’d on schedule, is that really a verb?  today it is?  Okay.  I am a bit hungry though.  What’s this on tongue depressors?  Is it some kind of gu?  I’ll try…why did you knock it out of my hand?  Vaseline?  I almost ate vaseline?  That would have ruined the day.  thanks.  Yeah, I think I’m okay.  It’s been a mile since the last spasm.  So I’m keepin’ on.  Thanks, see you in the funny papers! 

Here’s the Holiday Inn.  I got over the hill and past the Diamond and didn’t even realize it, here’s mile 20.  Thanks Ellie whereever you ran off to….

So this isn’t as much fun running by yourself and I still have six miles to go.  I could be out here another XX minutes.  I don’t think I can make it.  I was just feeling fine, now I’m not sure I can even finish.  My legs hurt, I’m hungry, my feet hurt, my legs hurt, my arms hurt, my legs hurt, my shoulders hurt, my legs hurt.  Maybe I can just walk for a bit and feel better.  I’ll walk to the next corner and then start running.  Walk, walk, walk, walk, okay start running.  Run, run, run that hurts more now than it did.  No more walking, the sooner I am done, the sooner the pain will go away.  Keep running - Let’s catch that guy in the blue shirt.  Focus on his shirt, focus, focus, focus.  Bring him back, keep moving forward.  Caught him.  Who is next - white shirt up there.  Keep it going. Keep it going, keep it going.  Hey there’s the arch.  That’s some progress.   Look at all the cars backed up on Bellevue - that’s not fun.  Those folks are going to be there awhile.  Look at all the residents along Pope that are outside.  Great waterstop by the St. Gertrude High School Ladies!  This is some serious energy.  Use the energy, keep moving.  Great job - thanks for being out here.  Thanks.  Thanks. Thanks. 

Great sign - “My Girlfriend is easier than this Marathon”, Love that sign!!  Less than 4 miles to go.  Let’s think about what’s left - Brook Road, Lombardy, Grace, 3rd and Cary.  there’s only about 5 turns left in this Marathon and then I’m downhill to the finish.  I can do that, I can do that. I need one more gu.  I’ll get it ready for the waterstop.  Where is it?  It was pinned to my shorts?  Where is my last gu?  Oh no, I don’t have it.  I need my last gu.  I still have XX minutes left to run, I won’t make it without a gu.  There is no way, I’m running on empty already.  I am about to die right here on Brook Road.  I need another gu.  This is not good, I can’t believe that 25 weeks of training is going to fall apart in the last 4 miles because I lost my last gu.  This is so typical.  How did this get so screwed up?  Hey.  No it’s not okay.  I lost my last gu.  I know I am less than 5 miles from the finish but I need one last GU.  Yes I am sure I had it but it’s gone.  What, pinned to my shorts where?  On the left?  it was supposed to be on the right!  I can’t believe it was there the whole time.  Did you put it there?  Are you sure?  Right on Lombardy at VUU.  Here we go down the hill to the overpass, Mile 24 - walk through the waterstop, get some water eat some gu and ready to go.  Run, power up the hill to Broad. It’s easy from here.  Let’s see how many people I can pass in the final 2 miles?

Left turn on Grace and……

YOUR MARATHON SUCCESS IS DEFINED BY YOU!  HOW WILL YOU RUN THE LAST TWO MILES OF THE RICHMOND MARATHON - RUN THEM NOW IN YOUR HEAD.  FINISH YOUR PERSONAL MARATHON BUT FINISH IT IN TRUE SNOTTY STYLE!

Always be ready for Success - it knocks whenever the hell it pleases and you have to be ready!

This is gonna be so awesome!

Relax.  Be Calm.  Be Confident.  You are so Ready. 

Trust your training

Trust your coaches

But most of all - TRUST YOURSELF!  YOU CAN DO THIS AND DO IT WELL!

Richmond Marathon - Part 3

Wow, glad they moved the course to Maple, there were a ton of people at Libbie and Grove.  What did that sign say?  “My husband loves my runner’s butt” Why do I want to know that?  Oh wait, another sign - “So does my boyfriend”  Yikes, there’s some advertising.  Look someone wrote on the road - “Don’t poop your pants!”  That could only be one person - where is that stupid coach?  Hey Bob, how ya feelin’?  Ya, it’s early it will come around.  How was training this year?  Navy Team?  Oh I ran with the Navy team a few times, great group of coaches.  I was a Sunday runner.  We had a good group though.  Here’s the big downhill.  We need to control our pace here.  It will be a bit faster but I don’t want to get caught sprinting.  Wow, I didn’t realize how long this hill is.  Free speed is nice but gotta stay in control.  

Unbelievable!  Look at all the people at River Road Shopping Center!  it’s one of the NBC12 partyzones but I never thought there would be so many people.  This is insane.  It’s channel 12, maybe we’ll be on the wrap-up show.  We’re on camera - wave and cheer!  Running on the Hugenot Bridge with no cars. This is great.  What does that sign say?  “Try Not To Suck” - who does that sound like?  Almost to the River.  Wow, time is flying, I feel great.  Are you feeling better, Bob?  Bob?  Where are you?  Hey wait up!  I’m not sprinting to catch him, I’ll stay at my pace and catch him later.  Hey, how are you?  Coach Faith from the Red team, nice to meet you.  Yeah, I’m doing fine.  I was running with Bob but he took off.  I’m good right now, go help someone else.  

I’m passing too many people.  I need to slow this down, one of the hard parts is just around the corner.  Here’s a group of green shirts, I’ll tuck in and run with them for awhile.  Hey - My name is *(&^ from the Green Team, what’s up?  Yeah, Snot rockets if you must.  It isn’t that funny.  So what are you all planning to run?  Hey, me too.  This will be good, a group of about 6 people all trying to run the same time.  I’ll just tuck in and enjoy the company for awhile.  Did you all follow the schedule?  me?  Probably about 80%, I did pretty good.  I missed some of the mid-week short runs but got all the long runs in.  Are we to Pony Pasture already?  Some of the hills are sneakin’ up on us. 

Crap, I can’t believe I have run all the way to mile 10 and haven’t thanked a single volunteer yet - not good.  Bad Karma.  Start thanking the volunteers, Law Enforcement and spectators!  That will definitely keep me moving.  Big hill, this is hard.  What’s the secret?  Oh yeah, lean forward a bit, lift the knees and pull yourself up with your arms.  Keep it going, keep it going.  Whew, made it.  That sucked.  So did anyone go to the Pasta Dinner?  It was good.  I was ready to run after dinner.  The skit?  it was lame as always but did you hear about the….

Forest Hill Avenue - we’re gettin’ close to half way.  I need to hold it together.  What?  No, I’m fine.  Just focusing.  Stay focused and keep running.  This is a good group.  Change up the cadence a little to add some variety.  Stay in the game.  There’s the CVS and another Party Zone - tons of noise that’s great adrenaline.  Okay, back to it.  No I didn’t hear that story.  What happened?  Really, almost hit by a car?  Yikes that would have been bad.  When is everyone doing the gu?  Next Waterstop? Sounds good, that’s right on my schedule too.  I’m going to walk through this waterstop to be sure I get enough water for the gu.  The 14 mile waterstop on Semmes is right up here.  That will be a good boost for the Bridge.

Thanks volunteers, great waterstop.  Thanks!  Um, yeah, no, we’re not almost there but we’re keepin it together… 

So now I’ll have to catch that group.  They shouldn’t be too far up the road.  Just nice and steady.  Find a comfortable cadence, find that rhythm.  I hope I don’t get stuck on the bridge by myself.  There’s no one around.  This is not good.  Keep it up, keep it up, keep it up.  Don’t worry about the bridge, just keep moving forward.  it’s fine, the bridge isn’t that long.  Hey Coach Greg - what’s up?  I would love you to block the wind on the bridge - thanks.  Down the hill to the bridge, it’s getting a bit warm out here.  I need to drop this long-sleeved shirt.  I’ll throw it to the side.  I’m keeping my gloves just in case, some of the shadier spots may get chilly.

Here’s the bridge. Hey a green shirt walking, let’s see what’s up.  Hey, you okay, come on run with us, Coach Greg is blocking the wind.  You can do it, just over the bridge then you can walk.  My name is *(&^ from the Green Team, you?  From Indigo.  Yeah, there’s a porta-john by the next waterstop.  Hope you feel better, see ya later.  Yikes.  Well that kept my mind off the bridge, success, now up the hill to Main Street, thanks Greg.  These miles are starting to click away now.

I caught ya.  What’s up?  I walked in the waterstop to get plenty of water and lost y’all.  Coach Greg paced me over the bridge  It’s fine, I ran with some guy from Indigo - they had a huge party last night?  Not sure whose idea that was.  Great waterstop at 16 - Midlo High School - Go TROJANS!!!

I forgot how long this hill to Main Street is.  That’s tiring, keep it together.  Pretty close to target pace and overall feeling pretty good.  keep it up, keep it up.  Hey Coach Jake - how are you? Good job in the skit on Wednesday.  Here’s VCU approaching mile 17 - less than 10 to go.  Gotta Stay in the game.

Oh crap, what the hell just happened?

It’s Wednesday.  Do you know where your head’s at?  You should be getting extra sleep, running just a little and staying calm. You should know what clothes you will wear downtown, what you will use as throw-aways, what you will wear for the Marathon and what you’ll wear post-Marathon.  You should have an idea of what time you’ll be leaving the house for Downtown, you should know what you are eating on Saturday morning, you should know how to drive downtown.  Get the arrangements out of the way today so that you are not dealing with them later this week.

First, Second, Fifth, Tenth, Twentieth or Bazillionth Marathon - it’s still amazing but you have to get to the Starting Line first. 

All is well, Remain Calm! 

Snot it if you got it! 

Accept the greatness that is you!

Richmond Marathon - Part 2

Parking, parking, parking, where the hell can I park.  Come on, I need a parking place.  Why are there no parking places?  Why are the streets closed already?  Guess I should have paid more attention to street closures and suggesting parking spots.  Wait, there’s one.  Cool, grab my bag, my gatorade.  Got everything?  Check.  Let’s go get snotty!

Wow, look at all the green shirts.  Too bad it’s raining or Too bad it’s cloudy or Too bad it’s Sunny or Too bad it’s snowing or Too bad it’s a hurricane or whatever.  Where are my navy, orange, green, silver, neon, indigo, purple, yellow, red, teal, blue, pink or black peeps.  How cool.  So should we head up to the starting line?  Not yet, no hurry, we’ll be there in plenty of time to drop bags, hit the potties and get in the Corrals before the gun goes off.   Why does Ed keep saying - be calm?  He doesn’t look calm at all.  Look at all the nervous smiles - everyone feels the same way.  Calm and Confident!  This is gonna be a great day….

LET’S GO!  You mean we have to walk up the hill to the start?  That sucks, what about my energy, what about my legs, what about my shoes, what about my breathing?  Hey, why’d you smack me?  Okay, I’ll calm down.  Just keep breathing, breathing, breathing.  Where are the UPS trucks?  Oh, never mind.  Which one do I go to?  Bib number, I see, I’m glad Wade told us to put our bib numbers on the drop bags.  That saved time.  Porta-john time?  Where are we meeting - by the _________ sign, okay.  No problem.  wow, this line isn’t moving.  There are more porta-johns up by the National and no one is in line there.  Still lots of time, not a problem.  It’s time for the Half to start - “woo, clap, clap, clap - good luck!”  “No the second half is easier than the first half, it’s just that you’re tired - that’s what the Coaches told me.  You’re welcome.  First time?  Me too.  This is gonna be great - what’s your goal?  Wow, that’s a fast first Marathon, I just want to finish”  Good Luck!

Yikes, what the hell happened in that porta-john?  Oh well.  find the sign, find the sign, find the sign.  Here we go.  I don’t see J(*)* yet.  Where is she?  I hope she doesn’t miss the start.  National Anthem.  Drop the extra clothes OUTSIDE the corrals.  Who is that talking? -  what did he say?  Oh well, couldn’t have been too important for today…  Time to start - let’s go!!!!!!!! 

There’s the gun.  Start running, wow dead stop.  No hurry, haven’t crossed the start line yet.  here comes the starting line……We are on the Road!!  Woo hoo„, look at all the people.  Stay calm, why is someone grabbing my…. Oh, Perry, what are you doing?  Slow down?  Why, I feel great.  Today is the day.  This is going to be amazing, I’m definitely crushing my goals.  What, you mean I can’t guarantee Marathon times in the first 800 meters?  I feel great though.  Okay, I’ll slow down and let it come to me. 

OR 

There’s the gun.  Start running, wow dead stop.  No hurry, haven’t crossed the start line yet.  here’s come the starting line……We are on the Road!!  Woo hoo„, look at all the people.  I feel like crap.  This is not going to be a good day.  Maybe I should just jump out here and wait for another race in December.  I’ll feel better in December, I’m sure.  Hey Suzanne, I’m gonna jump out and wait for a December Marathon.  What?  Why not?  It will be way better.  I feel like crap at the half mile.  What am I gonna do?  This is gonna be the longest day ever, I will fail and then what will the last 24 weeks mean?  What, run with you for a bit?  Okay but only up to the Boulevard, then I’m walking back.  Yeah, training has been good.  The weekend runs have been fun.  I did speed work and hills.  I ran with the Wednesday night Fan Run group too.  It’s been a lot of work, but it’s been good.  The first water stop?  already.  Hey that was easy.  Here’s the Boulevard, no way, I’m on the way.  I feel great!

Either way - we are moving forward

First two turns on the course, remember to hold my line.  Run the tangent but don’t cut anyone off.  Left turn followed by a quick right.  Monument Avenue - what a great site.  Hey, who knew this was uphill?  Look at all the people on their front patios.  I’ll have one of those mimosas, that looks reallly good, just kidding.  I’ll come back next Saturday, save one for me!  High-five the little kids standing on the side of the road.  it’s like instant energy.  I’ll have to remember that for later.

It’s still a ton of people around, Lots of green jerseys.  There’s Uncle Reggie and Aunt Louise - HEY!!  Thanks for coming out!  Thanks for the Sign - “GO ______, We love you!”  That just makes me want to run faster, but I need to control my pace.  Only 4 miles in, stay calm and confident.

Another turn and a waterstop.  Gotta get some fluids here.  Grab two cups, run to the end, now walk and drink, walk and drink, back to running.  Great job.  XX minutes in and just moving along.  Arms and shoulders are relaxed, breathing is under control.  Remember my plan, the first half is about getting ready for the second half.  “Who is from out of town?”  Where you from?  Minnesota?  That’s a long trip.  What brings you to Richmond?  Welcome - have a great race!  What’s all that noise?  There’s a turn coming up - it’s the turn onto Grove.  Look at all the green shirts!  It’s the Coaches….almost all of them - it’s so loud.  This is energy I need to store for later.  We’re comin’ up on the new section of the course……

Stay tuned more to come……..

Richmond Marathon - Part 1

For the next 4 days, RunRichmond will provide a glimpse of one person’s visualization of a Marathon Experience.  You will most certainly experience something different, but hopefully this will provide you some insight into what you can expect -

Arthur Ashe Center?  Where is the Arthur Ashe Center?  Why can’t packet pick-up be someplace familiar?  I don’t even know where this place is, traffic will probably be crazy and there won’t be any parking.  What a day to have all this stress.  I need to chill-out.  I’m running a Marathon tomorrow - it will be fine, just breathe.  Let’s see - Arthur Ashe Center, 3001 N Boulevard.  N Boulevard?  Why does that sound familiar?  I know where that street is, but I can’t place it.  Oh well, punch it into the GPS.  On my way to packet pick-up, maybe I’ll see some fellow Snotties there.  Got my water bottle and ID, I’m golden.  That’s funny this is the way to the Diamond.  Good, I shouldn’t get too lost.  Well, this place must be close to the Diamond, oh, you’re kidding, that’s the Arthur Ashe Center.  The building right next to the Diamond.  How did I not know that?

Not too crowded, glad I came early.  Race number - 2545, got my chip, got my packet, got my shirt - time to shop.  New shoes, new socks, new shorts, and new flavor of GU.  I am totally ready for this Marathon.  I will be stylin’ and profilin’ tomorrow.  CUT.  LET’S TRY THIS AGAIN.  Race number - 2545, got my chip, got my packet, got my shirt.  Nice shirt this year, so glad that the Marathon shirts are different than the other races.  Excellent.  Maybe there’s some bargains on some running wear, not for tomorrow - for the recovery runs next week.  Hey Don, yes I’m ready for tomorrow.  I’ve been drinking gatorade and water and snacking on bagels.  Weather?  Who cares about the weather?  We’re running a Marathon tomorrow.  I haven’t looked at the forecast all week - coaches said they would hunt us down and  beat us if we looked at the weather.

There are MTT people everywhere.  Here is a group of Neon runners.  Hey Kristen, Denise, Heather, John and Brad - what’s goin’ on?  Yeah, we’re ready no doubt about it.  Just gonna start easy and let the race come to me.  Oh well, good to see everyone.  Time to roll, gonna go get some dinner with the fam and then kick back for the evening.  See you around 6:30 downtown.  Sleep well, ha ha

Hey, I’m home.  Yeah we can go to dinner now.  Ethiopian?  Not what I was thinkin’, yeah, the Ethiopians are fast but we need something familiar.  How ‘bout some pasta.  It would be good to go to Nonna’s.  We eat there all the time and I know it doesn’t bother my stomach.  I know we’ve eaten pasta every night this week but this is the last night, I promise.  Tomorrow night is whatever you want (as long as they serve beer)….

That was a good dinner.  Little extra salt, a moderate amount of pasta and bread.  Not stuffed but full.  Time to put the chip on the shoe, number on the shirt and one last check of the gear.  I would rather take too much than wish I had something with me.  The UPS trucks are big enough to hold my backpack.  Fast forward a couple of hours.  The movie’s over, I’m heading to bed.  I’ve got to get up and get fed and get downtown for the big day - g’night.

x:30AM - alarm is sounding.  Darn I forgot to turn that off when I got up an hour ago.  Wish I could have slept a bit more last night.  Oh well, too late now.  Time for my (insert pre-run food items here).  Race number is on the beautiful GREEN shirt, d-chip is on my shoe and I am ready.  One last stop in the indoor bathroom, grab my bottle of gatorade and head downtown……

Remain Calm. All is Well.  You are trained and ready to go!

Trust the Training, Trust the Program, Trust your Coaches - but most of all - TRUST YOURSELF

Detroit Rock City!

Surgery on February 11, Detroit Marathon on October 16.  The road was a long one with lots of sweat and lots of pain but it was so freakin’ worth it.  Thanks to Hanson Coaching Services, some very, very special people in my life and the abject fear of failure in front of hundreds of people - I ran a PR Marathon eight months post foot surgery.

I ended up in Motown the weekend of October 16 thanks to a friend who really wanted to BQ.  He asked me where I would suggest, I said, “Go where I went.  Detroit.  No question and if you go, I’ll go with you and pace you.”  Oops, did I say that out loud.  His response of, “That’s great, let’s do that.”   Confirming that I had indeed said it out loud.  I’m in, I guess.

Thankfully, our BQ requirements are the same, so his will be fun.  We trained all summer.  He trained on a modified MTT schedule with lots of fast miles and long runs.  I trained on the schedule developed by Luke Humphrey of Hanson’s Coaching Services.  He customized their standard schedule to factor in my lack of base mileage.  I told him my goal was 3:15.  That’s a 3 minute PR over a time I ran in Detroit in 2006.  Five years older, one less nerve in my left foot but I was focused.

I ran the repeats and the tempo runs.  I did the 8 consecutive 16 milers over 8 weeks.  I did the recovery miles.  I lost about 25 pounds.  I was defintely ready.

The Detroit Marathon is on Sunday, we ran the final mile or so of the Marathon course on Saturday late morning - dead into a 25 mph headwind.  Yikes, that could be a problem.  Saturday was very windy but there was hope for Sunday weather-wise. 

Sunday morning was about perfect weather-wise, high 40’s at the start, lots of clouds, wind was moderate to light depending upon where you were.  The first half saw a little bit of light rain and lots of darkness as we finally got some light around mile 6.  It was a bit fast at 1:36 but not totally off the wall crazy.

The second half became more of a test.  Two/thirds of the runners took the right hand turn at mile 12.5 and headed to a 13.1 mile finish.  This left far fewer people on course and almost eliminated the crowd support.  We also faced a few miles into the wind on the way back to the city and the finish line.  It was all a game to keep your pace and get to the finish, there were no crowds of college students lining the road, no thousands of spectators cheering and encouraging you.  It was me and a few runners trying to find a way to finish.  It was funny, the biggest group of non-runners I saw in the last half (not at a waterstop) were 4 people as I hit the Riverwalk section of the course.  I had to actually run around them as they were walking and talking along the Riverwalk oblivious that there was a Marathon in progress (reminded me of Shamrock).

So, I made it.  Second half was 2.5 minutes slower than the first.  There are a few reasons for that but none of them really relate to my training.  I knew I was prepared for this race but was apprehensive about not running “20 milers.”  I may have felt better at 23 than I did anywhere else other than the finish line and FishBones Bar after the race.  I met my goal with 41 seconds to spare.  About five minutes after finishing I was trying to figure out what Marathon to run in the Spring so that I could break 3:10.  We’ll see about that…

The part about fear of failure in front of hundreds of people, yeah, it’s a coaching thing.

The four guys that flew to Detroit to run a Marathon all qualified for Detroit.  Mission accomplished and we had a blast doing it.

June

Wow, that was close. June almost expired without a RunRichmond post. What would you have done? I could see the jumpers already. June has been really busy. Adjusting to the return of Daughter #1 from college, kicking off the 10th year of MTT and attending my high school reunion made for an interesting month in a lot of unrelated ways.
I had totally forgotten that people in their late teens tend to stay up until almost the time I get up to run. Then they sleep until about the time that people my age hit Denny’s for the blue plate special. We tend to pass each other in the hall in very different stages of our day. Thankfully a certain burrito chain has prompted a schedule change. So now we see each other far more often; and that’s still a good thing.
Yep, the tenth year of MTT is the biggest yet. I have received the crash course welcome back to Saturday. Saturday is way different than Sunday! Not better, just different. Think about it, trips to NYC and Steamboat Springs are both fun, just very different. That’s kind of the difference between Saturday and Sunday. It’s been great running with all the different teams over the first few weeks. Every year I am amazed at the great coaches in this program and how much time they volunteer to make it a success. Another thing amazes me each year, the team dance. No, we don’t have some competition with a British guy and a bunch of choreographers. Our dance is much less organized and more like extemporaneous speaking. In other words, it makes little sense to the casual observer and appears totally unrehearsed. My goal time is X, should I be on Teal or Indigo? I really don’t like running early, can I be on Navy? I ran with White last year but had a really bad Marathon, I think I need to change teams. Oh, that’s the “slow” intermediate team, I think I would be better off on the faster team. This is a sample of what we hear during the first month of MTT. We also hear, that’s the team I wanted, I love that coach. All my friends are on this team, perfect choice. The biggest thing we are trying to avoid is the thought process that team assignments have a huge impact on Marathon success. They don’t. Obviously, running the novice schedule will typically not lead to a 3 hour Marathon but running on any of the intermediate teams could yield the same result on Marathon day. Someday I will figure out the magic words to make people understand…..
I have never attended a high school reunion until last weekend. Honestly, I have had no contact with 595 of the 600 members of my high school class since about eight weeks post-graduation until I “got on facebook.” Seeing all the “news” about the reunion on FB made me decide to attend the festivities. It’s interesting how the mind works. You go to a reunion and see people that you have not seen in almost thirty years and in your head you kind of expect them to look the same. Guess what? Very few of them do. There were about ten people that I would have recognized if I had seen them on the street walking around, the rest could have been wearing random nametags and I wouldn’t know the difference. Oh yeah, if you get a chance to go to your 30th high school reunion – go.
Oh yeah, the 5 people that I had seen since graduation? We attended a college graduation for one of them at JMU. It started with beers (pre-game) and proceeded to dinner with her family. Apparently I was a big hit with grandma at dinner. The denouement included pulling over on the side of I-81 and falling down some hill (for the record, I was not driving)….Those were the days………………..
Run Well.

Up, up and away

Fifteen weeks post-surgery and great news this morning, I will never be able to start my day again without…….wait for it…..wait for it……be patient……….a Starbucks Trenta Green Tea Lemonade sweetened, holy Mother of God. Ever had one? Do yourself a favor and stay as far away from them as possible. It is seriously like sharing crack cocaine with Lindsey Lohan (I’ll deny it if you tell anyone), I just finished the first one and I’m considering running back to SB (Starbucks, not Sports Backers) for a second dose this morning. If everyone starts drinking them, there won’t be enough green tea to satisfy my habit and that is not acceptable, so forget what you just read. You know what’s really good, triple grande extra hot 2 pump mocha – you drink those and leave the green tea lemonade to me.

Roll up, roll up for the magical mystery tour, step right this way.
Roll up, roll up for the mystery tour.
Roll up, roll up for the mystery tour.
Roll up (AND) THAT’S AN INVITATION, roll up for the mystery tour.
Roll up TO MAKE A RESERVATION, roll up for the mystery tour.
The magical mystery tour is waiting to take you away,
Waiting to take you away.

Roll up, roll up for the mystery tour.
Roll up, roll up for the mystery tour.
Roll up GOT EVERYTHING YOU NEED, roll up for the mystery tour.
Roll up SATISFACTION GUARANTEED, roll up for the mystery tour.
The magical mystery tour is hoping to take you away,
Hoping to take you away.
-The Beatles

It’s finally almost time to start. One week until we start for the tenth time. Actually I am starting for the ninth time but there are a bunch of coaches and a handful of participants that will be starting for the tenth time. Take about 1,100 runners, have them meet each weekend for 24 weeks and run the streets, roads, lanes, boulevards and avenues of Richmond. Add some very dedicated volunteer coaches, some great SAG staff and see what you get. What you get is a magical mystery tour. This is not a recruiting pitch or an advertisement. It’s a tribute, a testimony to the Marathon Training Team, the close to 100 coaches, volunteers and SAG staff, thousands of participants and everyone else that makes MTT magical in so many ways.

Every year when we put close to 1,000 fannies in the bleachers at Sports Backers Stadium, it’s like the first day of high school. The reunions of the many “veterans” and the uneasy looks on the faces of the newbies. The strength and confidence of the “upper classmen” and the fear and trepidation of the “Freshman”. The shock and dismay of this year’s color “scheme”, the enthusiasm and expectations, the goals and fears, the bleachers are full of emotion and we haven’t even run one step.

My first year in the program, we ran from the downtown Y on Franklin Street. Outdoor bleachers in a soccer stadium were not needed, we could all sit on the floor in the old gym and not come close to filling it. If we tried that this year, we would never get parking for everyone.

As the season progresses, we celebrate successes with PRs at local races and PRs for long run distances. We discuss things while running that many people wouldn’t discuss with their spouses, running 20 miles with people will quickly knock down any barrier that may exist. Hell, running 12 miles in July in Richmond can do that. We watch out for each other and make sure everyone gets back to where they started. We counsel on shoes, shorts, sports bras, compression shorts, gu, nip-guards, body glide, socks, singlets, strassburg socks, cho-pat straps, water belts, water bottles and where do I put my key while we run (not to mention bathroom habits and sex the night before a race). There are e-mails, some are stern (don’t run in the street 4 across please), some are funny (thanks for participating in the Richmond Wear-a-thong) and some are informational (eating a burrito for breakfast before the Marathon may not be a great idea) but all add to the totality of the experience.

Then one day, after hundreds of miles, it’s time. The gun goes off at 8:00AM on that Saturday in November and the next 7 hours are magical. Monumental highs and lows that rip the heart from your chest; pushing, cajoling, encouraging, threatening, demanding and counseling participants that are ready to lay it all out there to see what happens. Each year I try to find new ways to be everywhere on the course, I want to run with every participant and help them reach their self-defined goals. Unfortunately that’s not possible, thankfully there are 60 or more coaches on the course doing the exact same thing so no one goes without help.

People stay just a little bit longer
We want to play — just a little bit longer
Now the promoter don’t mind
And the union don’t mind
If we take a little time
And we leave it all behind and sing
One more song
Oh won’t you stay just a little bit longer
Please, please, please say you will
Say you will

Oh won’t you stay just a little bit longer
Oh please, please stay just a little bit more
-Jackson Browne

So at 3:00PM, the first beer at Sine’ always tastes great but it’s also bitter sweet. While I will see many of the same faces over the next thirty weeks, it’s not the same. Thankfully I know that we will be back at it the first weekend of June for another season of MTT and I would not have it any other way.

Run Well.

Mandatory Reading

http://karagoucher.competitor.com/2011/04/20/not-my-day-but-that%E2%80%99s-okay/

This should be mandatory reading when signing up for a Marathon and then again, at the line just before the gun. 

If you don’t show up, you will never know what’s possible.  You may not be happy with the result, but you can always be happy with the effort.

One of my faves

“Whatever. There are no tricks. Run because you have to. Run because you love it. Run because you want to be fast. Run because you want to be skinny. Run to find some quiet time. Run to sweat. Run to eat. Run to hear your heart pound in your ears. Run because you’re a runner. Run because you gotta keep the streak. Run because you don’t know why the hell you’re running. Run because you fought with your partner. Run because your job is shitty. Run because you got no money. Run for the sunrise. Run for a race. Run because it’s impossible. Run because it’s easy. Run instead of doing the laundry. Run instead of watching TV. Run because no one else understands. Run because the cool kids do it. Run because you’re tired of talking. Run for numbers. Run for feel. Run to prove something. Run because it f ing hurts. Or don’t run. If you got something better to do.” - Jeff Edmonds

This to me is the perfect description of my relationship with running.  My total is up to 35.  Not miles, minutes, but you know what, I can’t wait to lace up the shoes tomorrow and do another 12 or maybe sneak in a couple of extra - not one extra ‘cuz’ running 13 would be you know, bad luck.  The thought of being able to run again monopolizes my day, I keep thinking about Thursday and that “full clearance” so that I can start counting miles again and not minutes. 

Runners find reasons to run or they don’t.  Sometimes we have to run because the schedule says so, but if that becomes the only reason you are running, try cycling.