2010. Hard to believe that another year has come to pass and what a year it was. Back in March, I completed my first 1/2 marathon and in April, completed my first full marathon.
This year is it. The year I turn the big 4-0. Thinking back over the past 10 years it has been quite a change in my life. 10 years ago I had just quit smoking a little over a month prior, and though I might have thought of myself as 'in shape' (mostly because of the smoking keeping my weight down), it certainly wasn't true.
So, this year Sarah and I have started off my running in the local New Years Day 5K. My past couple of 5K times have not been that impressive, mostly because of being lax in my training since June. This morning I tipped the scale at 202 (I was around 185 when I ran in Nashville in April). So I have my work cut out for me for the first part of the year.
On a plus side, I did finish with a gun time of 27:15, which was my best 5K time since February.
So here's to hopefully a great year for all, to a better finish time in March for the Knoxville Half Marathon and in April for Nashville.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Back on the Team
This week, the adventure begins again. Sarah and I are invovled with Team in Training again. We had such an incredible experience last year that we volunteered to work as Team Captain this year. It is such a wonderful organization and the people are great to work with.
So, as a result, I am now training for my second full marathon - The County Music Nashville Marathon, April 24, 2010 (less than 2 weeks before I turn 40 years old).
This week, I've also started running in the mornings with Bryan. We had taken a hiatus after the marathon last year, but have returned in earnest. Tuesday, we met at 6AM and ran 4.1 miles in under 40 minutes. Tomorrow, we meet again.
Saturday is our first TNT group run!! Go Team!!
So, as a result, I am now training for my second full marathon - The County Music Nashville Marathon, April 24, 2010 (less than 2 weeks before I turn 40 years old).
This week, I've also started running in the mornings with Bryan. We had taken a hiatus after the marathon last year, but have returned in earnest. Tuesday, we met at 6AM and ran 4.1 miles in under 40 minutes. Tomorrow, we meet again.
Saturday is our first TNT group run!! Go Team!!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Another Race
Sarah and I found ourselves in familiar territory this morning. Both of us got up early on a Saturday for a run. This time, however, we weren't meeting for a group run, though there were lots of people from TNT there. This morning was the Knoxville Expo 10k. Our first race since the marathon in Nashville. To be honest, I was a little nervous going in, not for the distance, I was confident I could complete the course. I was more worried about my time.
In the four weeks since Nashville, I've only run three times, with the longest being 3.5 miles. Each time, my pace was a little on the slow side. For some reason, I have this need to complete 5k in under 30 minutes and, as a result, 10ks in under 1 hour. I wasn't sure going in if I would meet that goal. The race started at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum (actually, above it heading downhill towards town). Shortly after 8, the race was on. The temperature was warm (I'd say close to what we started with in Nashville). I'd estimate the crowd at about 1,000+.
The first mile took us to Gay Street and over the Gay Street Bridge. It was crowded as most of the races are at the start. Everyone is jockeying for position, passing some people who were really had no business being as close to the front as they were (walking within the first mile). But still, after 8:35 the first mile was done and not a bad start.
The second mile took us across the bridge and down Sevier Avenue towards South Knoxville and Island Homes. Fairly flat, but somewhat out in open. During this time, we passed the split for the 5k runners (they headed back to the finish line). This provides a little sense of accomplishment as I recall a time when I would have only done the 5k, not feeling ready for the "big league" of the 10k. From there, we broke off into the Island Homes Neighborhood. It's a this point that I see the leader for the 10k returning back towards the finish line. I'm still maintaining a good pace with an 8:40 mile (17:16 overall). I'm still on pace to be below 1 hour.
Mile 3 was the first time to slow for water, by now the sun was out and starting to get warm. The Island Home neighborhood provided shade and was scenic. an 8:50 mile (26:05 overall). I was feeling confident that I would be under an hour.
Mile 4 was continued in Island home, we started to head back towards the finish line retracing the course already run. Upon leaving Island Homes, we were out in the sun. 9:10 mile. Mile 5 things really started to get warm and the pace was slowing to 9:23. With 1.2 miles left, my time was 44:40.
Mile 6 provided the biggest challenge of the race. A short steep hill we had run down during mile 2 had to be run back up. This was the only time I had to slow to walk, there was a water station at the bottom of the hill, I ran for a short distance, then returned to a walk at the crest of the hill to catch my breath, then a run back across the river. Turning back towards the Coliseum, the finish line was in sight, though the last mile took me 9:54, with a overall time of 54:34, I knew I was good. The final .2 miles were almost all downhill. I complete that in 1:47. For an unofficial chip time of 56:22 (the gun time on the clock was close to 56:40).
So, my 2nd 10k is in the books. I'm really proud of Sarah as she completed the race as well (her 2nd longest race). We both agree that we needed this race to jump start our fitness plans that hae been a little dormant for the past month, The next race for us is the Fireball 5k on July 3rd.
In the four weeks since Nashville, I've only run three times, with the longest being 3.5 miles. Each time, my pace was a little on the slow side. For some reason, I have this need to complete 5k in under 30 minutes and, as a result, 10ks in under 1 hour. I wasn't sure going in if I would meet that goal. The race started at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum (actually, above it heading downhill towards town). Shortly after 8, the race was on. The temperature was warm (I'd say close to what we started with in Nashville). I'd estimate the crowd at about 1,000+.
The first mile took us to Gay Street and over the Gay Street Bridge. It was crowded as most of the races are at the start. Everyone is jockeying for position, passing some people who were really had no business being as close to the front as they were (walking within the first mile). But still, after 8:35 the first mile was done and not a bad start.
The second mile took us across the bridge and down Sevier Avenue towards South Knoxville and Island Homes. Fairly flat, but somewhat out in open. During this time, we passed the split for the 5k runners (they headed back to the finish line). This provides a little sense of accomplishment as I recall a time when I would have only done the 5k, not feeling ready for the "big league" of the 10k. From there, we broke off into the Island Homes Neighborhood. It's a this point that I see the leader for the 10k returning back towards the finish line. I'm still maintaining a good pace with an 8:40 mile (17:16 overall). I'm still on pace to be below 1 hour.
Mile 3 was the first time to slow for water, by now the sun was out and starting to get warm. The Island Home neighborhood provided shade and was scenic. an 8:50 mile (26:05 overall). I was feeling confident that I would be under an hour.
Mile 4 was continued in Island home, we started to head back towards the finish line retracing the course already run. Upon leaving Island Homes, we were out in the sun. 9:10 mile. Mile 5 things really started to get warm and the pace was slowing to 9:23. With 1.2 miles left, my time was 44:40.
Mile 6 provided the biggest challenge of the race. A short steep hill we had run down during mile 2 had to be run back up. This was the only time I had to slow to walk, there was a water station at the bottom of the hill, I ran for a short distance, then returned to a walk at the crest of the hill to catch my breath, then a run back across the river. Turning back towards the Coliseum, the finish line was in sight, though the last mile took me 9:54, with a overall time of 54:34, I knew I was good. The final .2 miles were almost all downhill. I complete that in 1:47. For an unofficial chip time of 56:22 (the gun time on the clock was close to 56:40).
So, my 2nd 10k is in the books. I'm really proud of Sarah as she completed the race as well (her 2nd longest race). We both agree that we needed this race to jump start our fitness plans that hae been a little dormant for the past month, The next race for us is the Fireball 5k on July 3rd.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Back in the Saddle Again
So, 15 days later. My first post-marathon run tonight.
2 miles. It felt good to get back out on the pavement. I felt a little nervous starting out and I felt a little tired after about 1/4 of a mile, but found my pace shortly thereafter. I kept a good pace as both miles clocked in at 9:26.
Less than 2 weeks to the next big race... The Knoxville Expo 10K.
2 miles. It felt good to get back out on the pavement. I felt a little nervous starting out and I felt a little tired after about 1/4 of a mile, but found my pace shortly thereafter. I kept a good pace as both miles clocked in at 9:26.
Less than 2 weeks to the next big race... The Knoxville Expo 10K.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Where to now?
After returning to work yesterday, this is the big question I've been asked... what are you going to do now?
Our TNT running coach Phil told us that after the race, if asked, we would probably say no, but given a couple of days, we would more than likely change our minds.
The short answer is that I'm going to keep running. I'm taking a couple of days off to recover, but I plan on hitting the road again shortly. Beyond that, what people are more curious about, I'm sure, is whether or not I'm planning on attempting this again. I'm saying... yes.
Right now, Sarah and I are planning on running the Knoxville Expo 10k on May 23rd. When I ran the 10k (6.2 miles) last year, it was the longest I had run at that point. Sarah didn't run it last year. We are looking forward to that.
Sarah wants to run the San Antonio Half Marathon later this year in November. She has asked me to run with her for the race and I have agreed.
I will run Nashville again next year (hopefully with cooler weather) and might even consider doing the full in Knoxville. Long term, I'm still planning to run the Disneyworld Marathon.
You'll just have to stay tuned....
Our TNT running coach Phil told us that after the race, if asked, we would probably say no, but given a couple of days, we would more than likely change our minds.
The short answer is that I'm going to keep running. I'm taking a couple of days off to recover, but I plan on hitting the road again shortly. Beyond that, what people are more curious about, I'm sure, is whether or not I'm planning on attempting this again. I'm saying... yes.
Right now, Sarah and I are planning on running the Knoxville Expo 10k on May 23rd. When I ran the 10k (6.2 miles) last year, it was the longest I had run at that point. Sarah didn't run it last year. We are looking forward to that.
Sarah wants to run the San Antonio Half Marathon later this year in November. She has asked me to run with her for the race and I have agreed.
I will run Nashville again next year (hopefully with cooler weather) and might even consider doing the full in Knoxville. Long term, I'm still planning to run the Disneyworld Marathon.
You'll just have to stay tuned....
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Did You Win?
Facebook Marathon Photo Album
Three days removed from the big day, I can finally start to get some perspective on the big weekend. I can honestly say that Saturday was filled with so much emotion, ranging from anticipation to excitement to dread to frustration to exhaustion to accomplishment.
The day began at 4AM (CST). Sarah was able to sleep the night before; I didn't sleep that much. We were dressed and down in the lobby of the hotel to catch the shuttle to the start line at 5AM. At 5:15 we boarded the shuttle to head towards Centennial Park and the start line. From there we had a wait till race start at 7AM. (A great of time was spent waiting to use one of the porta-potties in the park). At 7AM was walked over to the start line. Even though the gun sounded at 7, for most people it would be some time before they started the race as each runner was assigned a corral to start. I started the race in corral 17. At 7:33, the race began.
An important side note to insert. The usual temperature for the race at the start is mid-50s with a temperature around 65 at the finish. Nashville experienced a freak heatwave marathon weekend. The temperature at the start was 62. Mind you, this was hotter than any of our previous long runs.
Starting out was exciting racing towards downtown Nashville with a huge crowd cheering us on. Not to mention being in the middle of 30,000+ people. We kept a decent pace for the first part of the marathon. Kudos must go out to the marathon organizers. They knew the heat was coming and pull out all the stops. They had 3 times the water stations set up and extra medical stations standing by. As the heat rose, we hit every water station, one cup of Cytromax (Gatorade type drink), one cup of water to drink, one cup of water to pour over our heads (and, if available, a run through a water hose to help cool off).
The first psychological wall was at mile 11, where the marathon and half-marathon split. Our coach Phil warned us about this. At the point the half-marathoner only had a little over 2 miles to go to finish. We rounded the corner and were met with the sign "Marathon - 15 miles to finish". The next wall came a couple of miles later as we crossed the half way mark, by the point the temperature was getting hotter and we were starting to have to walk. I was keeping track of the the mile splits and for some reason mile 14 seemed to keep going and going. Finally, when my watch said 20 minutes, I figured I must have missed the marker for mile 14. Five minutes later imagine my feeling expecting to see the marker for mile 15 to be greeted with the sign for mile 14 (it took us 25 minutes to make the mile). Immediately my mind raced with thoughts of us not finishing the race in time, of us running out of strength and energy to complete the race. We picked up the pace for the next couple of miles (even one that over half of it was uphill). It was on mile 16 that we passed a 1st Tennessee Bank sign which announced to everyone passing by that the temperature at this point was 84 degrees.
Miles 19 and 20 were back in downtown Nashville again and we met back up with the half-marathon crowd again. Shortly before the start of mile 21, we broke off again and watch the half-marathoners race downhill towards their finish line as we had 6.2 miles to go. At this point, we were running small goals... to the next street, to the stop sign, to the water station. From mile 20 to 25, we saw 4 people carried off in ambulances, we assume, due to heat exhaustion. Finally, passing mile marker 24 (with 2.2 miles to go) we knew the end was finally in sight. At mile marker 26, I took a picture with a disposable camera I had with me (see photo album up top) and the camera fell out of my pocket. A passerby stopped me and reunited me with the camera. From there it was a .2 mile dash to the finish.
Once rounding the last turn, there's no way to describe the mixture of emotions. 5 months of hard work, 26+ miles in 5 hours and 43 minutes... people were cheering and at this point, I was the only person approaching the finish. I waved to the crowd to get them to cheer some more and the did, I saw my sister and brother-in-law cheering me on (I missed Sarah on the other side of the lane) and crossed the finish line at 5 hours, 43 minutes and 13 seconds after starting.
I was finished. I had run a marathon. Shortly afterwards, family members were calling... all asked the same thing, joking "Did you win?" You know what? I ran 26.2 miles, I raised $1,800 to fight Leukemia and Lymphoma. I did win.
Three days removed from the big day, I can finally start to get some perspective on the big weekend. I can honestly say that Saturday was filled with so much emotion, ranging from anticipation to excitement to dread to frustration to exhaustion to accomplishment.
The day began at 4AM (CST). Sarah was able to sleep the night before; I didn't sleep that much. We were dressed and down in the lobby of the hotel to catch the shuttle to the start line at 5AM. At 5:15 we boarded the shuttle to head towards Centennial Park and the start line. From there we had a wait till race start at 7AM. (A great of time was spent waiting to use one of the porta-potties in the park). At 7AM was walked over to the start line. Even though the gun sounded at 7, for most people it would be some time before they started the race as each runner was assigned a corral to start. I started the race in corral 17. At 7:33, the race began.
An important side note to insert. The usual temperature for the race at the start is mid-50s with a temperature around 65 at the finish. Nashville experienced a freak heatwave marathon weekend. The temperature at the start was 62. Mind you, this was hotter than any of our previous long runs.
Starting out was exciting racing towards downtown Nashville with a huge crowd cheering us on. Not to mention being in the middle of 30,000+ people. We kept a decent pace for the first part of the marathon. Kudos must go out to the marathon organizers. They knew the heat was coming and pull out all the stops. They had 3 times the water stations set up and extra medical stations standing by. As the heat rose, we hit every water station, one cup of Cytromax (Gatorade type drink), one cup of water to drink, one cup of water to pour over our heads (and, if available, a run through a water hose to help cool off).
The first psychological wall was at mile 11, where the marathon and half-marathon split. Our coach Phil warned us about this. At the point the half-marathoner only had a little over 2 miles to go to finish. We rounded the corner and were met with the sign "Marathon - 15 miles to finish". The next wall came a couple of miles later as we crossed the half way mark, by the point the temperature was getting hotter and we were starting to have to walk. I was keeping track of the the mile splits and for some reason mile 14 seemed to keep going and going. Finally, when my watch said 20 minutes, I figured I must have missed the marker for mile 14. Five minutes later imagine my feeling expecting to see the marker for mile 15 to be greeted with the sign for mile 14 (it took us 25 minutes to make the mile). Immediately my mind raced with thoughts of us not finishing the race in time, of us running out of strength and energy to complete the race. We picked up the pace for the next couple of miles (even one that over half of it was uphill). It was on mile 16 that we passed a 1st Tennessee Bank sign which announced to everyone passing by that the temperature at this point was 84 degrees.
Miles 19 and 20 were back in downtown Nashville again and we met back up with the half-marathon crowd again. Shortly before the start of mile 21, we broke off again and watch the half-marathoners race downhill towards their finish line as we had 6.2 miles to go. At this point, we were running small goals... to the next street, to the stop sign, to the water station. From mile 20 to 25, we saw 4 people carried off in ambulances, we assume, due to heat exhaustion. Finally, passing mile marker 24 (with 2.2 miles to go) we knew the end was finally in sight. At mile marker 26, I took a picture with a disposable camera I had with me (see photo album up top) and the camera fell out of my pocket. A passerby stopped me and reunited me with the camera. From there it was a .2 mile dash to the finish.
Once rounding the last turn, there's no way to describe the mixture of emotions. 5 months of hard work, 26+ miles in 5 hours and 43 minutes... people were cheering and at this point, I was the only person approaching the finish. I waved to the crowd to get them to cheer some more and the did, I saw my sister and brother-in-law cheering me on (I missed Sarah on the other side of the lane) and crossed the finish line at 5 hours, 43 minutes and 13 seconds after starting.
I was finished. I had run a marathon. Shortly afterwards, family members were calling... all asked the same thing, joking "Did you win?" You know what? I ran 26.2 miles, I raised $1,800 to fight Leukemia and Lymphoma. I did win.
Sunday, April 26, 2009
5:43:13
My first marathon is in the book....
Official time 5 hours, 43 minutes, 13 seconds. More to come later....
Official time 5 hours, 43 minutes, 13 seconds. More to come later....
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