Thanks for refueling my motivational tank!

Both Jordan & Birch's posts were great. I think it shows that we will all gain an extra gear when we run in a race/ event as opposed to the often boring slog of day to day training. Your finishes were great and I'm excited to do this race with everyone and hopefully we'll all be in a condition where we can have a beer or 8 with each other!

My training is just starting to get serious (I'm just about to put my bike away for the winter) and now that I've moved closer to work I'll gain an hour a day! Running in the city is good and bad but mostly bad (I'm a country boy at heart) but traffic and stop and go make it a little annoying while I love that there's always another person running too (even at 5:30am) to let you know you're not crazy and most Cinci is super hilly (I'm not sure what Phoenix is like but I'm assuming it's flat) so I should expect my times to be a little better than training runs.

Good to hear from everyone; in regards to the expected times: I'm shooting for Boston qualification so sub 3:10 is what I'm going for. Jess is shooting for sub 4. She is hit or miss, sometimes she'll kick ass and run a long run in low 8's but other times she is a total wreck and end up in the 10+ range so she's a wild card on race day (she could run with Jen or she could run with Birch but either way she'll probably not need too much company).

Keep up with the training and a week off is more than earned for both of you!

Help with Friends part duece

The Columbus Half was great fun to run in with Birch and my boss. I was concerned I wouldn't be able to finish the race before hand and was pretty nervous going into it. This was because the week before I was suppose to get an 11 mile run in. Well I got in 5 miles running at a 10:00 minute pace and had to stop from pain in my hip/thigh. The next couple of days it hurt just to walk and decided to take every day off but Wednesday. I ran 3 miles to see if it was to jog that comfortably w the slight pain. Finished that running at a about a 9:00 minute clip. So for the race Sunday I was going to use the advil at night and in the morning.

It was great to run with Birch and Michael because we were able to feed off each others energy. Like Spen said, we were trading back in forth who was leading except for miles 9-12 (I was following Spen and Michael the whole time). If I would have been pushed to keep pace with them, I probably would have dropped off a bit and eased in. Being able to weave through runners and feed off the crowds at races are the most enjoyable part of running. There were plenty of high fives to give out and a guy dressed as Santa wishing us a merry Christmas. Spen also had a great idea to celebrate the miles by doing hip hip hooray mile...number.


After running this race with people as opposed to solo, I have decided that I want to run all endurances race with someone because it becomes a team race as opposed to a me race. It's much easier to embrace the challenge and keep the positivity if you are able to run with someone.


As Birch also mentioned, we were able to watch a good chunk of the runners finishing. It's amazing to see how peoples strides change and the body language given off. I want to be able to smile and enjoy that last mile (at whatever pace). My favorite guy was yelling at the crowd for us to pump it up for the runners. I also saw a dude up chuck about 8 times, but kept moving because he was determined to finish. Also saw a dude with bloody nips...

Looking ahead to Phoenix:
1.) It would be cool if we all know what our goal/normal pace that way we could maybe pair up during the run. I know Jen is hoping to finish under 4:45.
2.) Would you guys be down for getting shirts made to run during the race with a slogan and our names on the back? I would want to spend the extra to get the polyester material instead of cotton.

Find a little help from my friends...

Well, my third and final half of the season is done, and if I do say so myself, it was probably the most enjoyable that I have had so far.

As for the race, hats off to the Columbus Marathon for coordinating a really fun race.  The course was very flat and had enough turns to keep you interested.  There were lots of bands and people out to support the runners, which made the miles go by quite quickly.  As for the weather, I do not think I have ever ran in better temperatures than that race.  It was borderline chilly (mid 40's) to start the race and then proceeded to rise into the 50's by the end of the race. 

The best part of the race was having two other people who ran beside me and pushed me the entire race.  Jordan and his boss Mike ran with me (or should I say I ran with them) and the whole race we all seemed to take turns in the lead, pushing through the crowds and seemingly increasing the pace as the race went on.  It was fun to chat with both of them and just talk about whatever was on our minds at the time.  We were able to continue in this manner until about mile 12, when my body said "No more!"  And Jordan and Mike left me in the dust.  There have been a few times in my life when my mind says go, but my body just wouldn't respond and this was one of them.  Jordan was nice enough to stay with me for a little bit, but ended up leaving me in the dust and caught up with Mike.  I ended up finishing with a 1 hour 40 minute time, which blew my mind.  I would have never even touched this time if it would not have been for Jordan and Mike pushing me through the race.  Jordan ended up with a 1 hour 39 minute finishing time, which is phenomenal.  Here is a link to a video of Jordan finishing the race, and here is one of me.

As for my own training this week, it was a bit non-existent.  I decided to take a week off.  Instead of running I did crossfit and cut fire wood.  Both were a good workout, but no substitution for running.  As of late, even before the Columbus half, I have been struggling to stay motivated to run.  I think one aspect is the amount of time you have to commit to running, especially now that higher miles are in the workout plan.  Another aspect of things is that I have been finding it hard to continue with training now that it has been getting dark earlier in the evening.  Before, I could go for a run at 7 or 8 and had plenty of daylight.  I know it has been a gradual change, but for some reason it crept up on me, and now it seems like all of a sudden it is dark at 6:45, and soon to be even earlier when daylight savings time hits.  Lately, work has also made it a bit difficult to get motivated to run, to which I am sure everyone can relate.  Seems like the combination these has made the next couple of months look a bit like an uphill battle. I was able to get out for a short 5 miler today, which was enjoyable, and even a bit hot in the afternoon sun.  Still battling with this side issue.  I think I may go and have a doctor look at it and see if there is anything they can do.  I strongly believe it is muscular related, because when I take an anti-inflamatory before I run, it seems to be a non-factor.

With that being said, my goal this week is to finalize my running schedule up to the marathon in January.  I think my main goal for this next stretch of training will be to remain realistic.  I know that after the race last week, Jordan and I both looked at one another and said, "How are we going to run another 13.1 after this?"  I have since realized we ran the half at a 3:20 pace, which would litterally kill me (Minner you are nuts for running a marathon in under 3:10).  Jordan, Jen, and myself were also fortunate enough to meander to the 26 mile marker of the full marathon to watch the runners come in and munch on a delicious treat from the North Market.  After watching the people come in, it was amazing the difference in peoples demeaner and consciousness as they passed.  Don't get me wrong, everyone looked tired, but some looked like they were still in control and had something left in the tank... some looked like this guy.  I made it my goal not to be the guy coming in who looked like, if given the choice, he would choose death over taking another step.  I have been contemplating how to accomplish this goal, and I think one key for myself is to set realistic goals.  I know I have been saying that I would love to break 4 hours this marathon; but I just fear if I push that hard I will become that guy, and it is quite important not to be that guy.  Anyway, it is too early to tell for myself what my final pace will be, but I am starting to think that under 4 hours may be a bit much.  Nonetheless, I will continue with a three day a week running schedule, with crossfit as supplemental to my training whenever possible.  I will post my schedule once I have it finalized.

I hope everyone is doing well in their training and staying injury free.  I am looking forward to getting together this November for a run.  Hopefully everyone can make it to wherever/whenever we decide to run. 
 

Tape the Nips...

Well, this weekend was a new milestone.  I got out yesterday morning and ran 14 miles.  Didn't think I was going to be able to get it in before the Columbus half, but got my butt out of bed before the sun rose and ran in the chilly morning air.  Although 14 is not even a mile more than my previous best (13.1), it felt good to break through that wall and get over the half marathon distance.

One piece of advice is to tape up the nipples.  I usually Vaseline before I run, and yesterday I didn't Vaseline or tape the nipples.  With about a mile left in my run, my right nipple was screaming.  Thankfully, there was no blood, but it is mighty sore still today.

Hope everyone is getting through this heat wave.  I know that I run much better in cooler weather, so hopefully this is out before next weekend for the race.

Two down, one to go...

Well, two of the three half marathons this Fall are down, one to go; and hopefully it will be the most fun of all.

First half-marathon was the Air Force half on the 18th of September.  Well, to put it quite frankly, this race sucked.  I really had no fun and the course was quite abysmal for several different reasons.  The day started out with me being caught in traffic, which is expected in an event that big, but I realized it was amplified because of everyone being bottle necked into the base.

Anyway, once I got on base and found my way towards the starting line.  As I walked along, everyone just seemed to be in their own little world, leaving me with a very alone feeling.  So I continued on and found the first set of port-a-johns with a line that did not move.  I waited in it for about 5 minutes and just left, concluding that I would just piss my pants before I would wait an hour in that line.  Still walking... and walking.... and walking.... it literally seemed as though I was never going to reach the starting line.  Thankfully, as I did approach the starting line, I managed to find a line of port-a-johns with a line that actually moved.

So, I pissed and was lined up in time to see a fly by from two F-16, which was quite cool.  The race started and I managed to weave my way through the crowd, and started pulling the Jordan Owens method, picking out people who looked like they were in much worse shape than I, and telling myself I should beat them (I have now realized this is not a good way for me to run at all!).  I continued with this method for about the first 4 miles before finding a military looking guy and just paced with him (I think the first 6 miles I was well under 8 min/mile pace).  About mile 6, he looked back at me with a bit of a strange look, and I just told him I was pacing with him, and he said it was cool, he had paced with me for the first 3 miles.  I chatted a little with him, until about mile 6.7, when my side started to cramp, the same stupid injury that I have been plagued with since mid summer.  As I continued to run, my pace slowed and the side started to really hurt.  I kept pushing through all the way up until mile 12.  At this point I got a bit of a second wind, thinking, only 1.1 miles to go.  The guy I had been pacing with pulled away a bit from me, but I still kept him in sight.  I continued to run and circling back on base I saw mile marker 13... and the finish line was no where in site.  I must have gotten a bewildered/pissed off look on my face, because at this time a spectator chimed in and said, "Yea, don't believe those mile markers, you still got at least half a mile."  I was devastated.  I felt like walking and punching the course director square in the face.  So I continued on and finally made it to the finish line, with absolutely no push left in me.  I was spent from that beginning pace.  Anyway, I made it through the gates and grudgingly accepted my medal for completing the race, wanting to tell someone off because of the mile markers.  One thing that made the race such a drag was how much was on the base itself, which meant there were NO people cheering.  For those of you who have been in a race before, the crowd really does help.  They offer entertainment, support, and give you that push when you need it.  I personally love to go to races and cheer, especially after being in races and knowing how much that helps me.  Another thing that probably didn't help the crowd size was the fact that the marathon ran a completely different course up until the last 6 miles of the half, so maybe all the crowds were out there, but I do know the last 6 miles they were running with us there really was still no crowds along the streets.  The last thing I learned was that I will not run a race by myself EVER again.  I am not trying to lay a guilt trip on those of you who "missed" the sign up, but I do know that it is no fun running by yourself.  Lots of times during the race, I found myself bored and just wanting someone to talk or something to look at, both of which were not there.  Even just the thought of someone else running the same race would have helped, as I found out last weekend.  I do want to give props to my mom and dad for coming out and cheering; however, do to the nature of the course being mostly on the base, they were only able to see me at the finish.  Here is a link to some pics of me finishing.  Yea, respect the hair.

Ok, last weekend I ran the State to State half.  I must say I enjoyed that much better for multiple reasons.  One, the temperature was chilly at the beginning of the race, as opposed to warm/hot for the Air Force.  (I think this plays a big factor into my side cramp.)  I had a buddy from in town run the majority of the race with me, which made it so much better.  One funny thing that happened right at the beginning of the race was within the first mile you have to cross a railroad track, and about 2 minutes after we crossed it, here comes the 8:10 train... a few minutes early... I couldn't help but laugh.  Evidently, some people got caught by it and were not pleased, because the race organizer sent out and email asking for people who got caught by the train to respond, and I assume so they could make it right to those people.  Anyway, the buddy who I ran with is really good about pacing himself, and making me pace myself.  I found that in the race I was talking to everyone around me, and cheering people on.  The State to State is an out and back, which I remember not liking last year when I ran it; this year I loved it.  I am always so impressed with the elite runners coming back.  This year they passed me coming back when I was on mile 6 out.  Impressive to say the least.  Anyway, about mile 8, my buddy stopped to piss and my side cramp was just starting to warm up again.  He stopped to piss and I decided to take off.  Found out that since I had been pacing myself, I still had a lot of gas left in the tank, and surprisingly, the side cramp went away.  So I trucked it back by myself all the way to mile 12, still chatting with people along the way.  Mile 12 rolled up and side cramp came back, but not to the point it had at Dayton.  And again, once you see that last mile, I always seem to get a second wind.  I pushed it to about 12.8, where at the top of the last hill, this little girl passes me (you can see her in my pictures.)  So now I got back in the Owens mode and told myself I was not getting beat by this little tiny girl.  So I kicked it into high gear, and to my surprise she kicked it in and wouldn't let me pass, I went even faster, she went faster... for a split second I was about to ready to sprint, but then thought better of it, and just told her "I will follow you in," since obviously she was not wanting me to pass.  Well, I finish right behind her, as you can see in these photos (again, lay off the hair.)  Now here is the kicker, when we get through the gates, I notice she passed up her medal and did not have a timing chip on her shoe... then I look at the pictures and she did not have a bib number on... SHE WASN"T EVEN RUNNING THE RACE!  I have no idea where she came from, but she was not participating.  Come to find out, I guess a lot of people run races without paying; since the roads are closed and water is available, they take advantage.  So who knows if she even ran the whole race or not... wish I would have not fought my urge to trip her now.

Feel like I am learning a lot from racing.  For both races I averaged right around a 8:00 min/mile pace, but the difference was in how I felt when I finished.  Finished the Air Force in 1:45 minutes and some change, and finished just under 1:45 for the state to state.  Seems like this is a really comfortable pace for me.  I have learned that my body is much more inclined to push at the end that at the beginning, and it makes for a much more enjoyable race (felt awful after the Air Force and really well after the State to State.)  For me it is a challenge to hold that pace at the beginning; everything is feeling fresh and strong and I just want to go, but there is wisdom in holding off and pacing yourself.  Piggy-backing off Minners last post, I feel there are a lot of parallels in life to pacing yourself.  So often we want to jump in and sprint through life, when a steady pace will lead to reaching the final goal.

I am really looking forward to the Columbus half.  I am going to shoot for another 1:45 pace and really try and take in the surroundings; the crowd, the runners, everything about it, I want to really enjoy myself. 

Hopefully every one's training is going well.  I think I am going to take Minner's advice and purchase a GPS watch.  I think it will help get me quite a bit in my training, especially with the larger miles coming up after Columbus is over with.  I have been falling off the horse a bit with runs during the week, but have still be sticking with Crossfit quite frequently, which really seems to be helping with the strength part of the conditioning.  Before the Columbus, I hope to get another distance run over 13 miles, but I am having trouble trying to fit that into the schedule.

Well, looking forward to hearing how every one's training is going, so post as frequently as you like.  Brad, I am still looking to hear something... anything from you.  I hope work is slowing down for you man.      

getting through the hard times

I'm sure everyone has dreaded waking up early to do a run? Or worse, had trouble sleeping the night before their longest run to date. There is no doubt it sucks and there are probably a million different things you'd rather do instead (especially the morning runs before work).

On the bright side, you feel 10x better afterwards.

I like to think of the long run progression and any milestone for that matter as a metaphor for accomplishing things in life and how important it is to follow through with goals. Just by choosing to do the marathon and ignoring doubt and fear we're getting one step ahead of those who stay timid and this will only multiply in the future as we learn to take on more challenges and choose to put more on our plate. So while there is often very little to be proud of during the training process, it definitely helps to believe it has a greater long term effect on our mental toughness!