I had not planned a sunset run on the eve of X-Mas but one occurred nonetheless. That is what makes this sport so appealing, especially to a lone wolf like myself. Anytime is the time, barring other commitments of course. Many celebrating these holidays believe in the Holy Trinity. A fierce Agnostic like myself dismisses religion and believes it, along with over zealous Patriotism and Nationalism is the death of any free thinking society and the major contributor to disharmony in our lives.
The runners triangle is a lot simpler, yet pulls at us sometimes as aggressively as the Evangelicals trying to save our souls while they themselves live their lives of smug superiority over us lost pagans! Balancing running, work and family is the tightrope act we try to create even-handedly. Someone recently said to me, during a disagreement and in an emotional moment, your mantra now is "I gotta get my run in". It was true. I run 5 days a week and sometimes have to rearrange my schedule to do so. I have had a lot of weeks where I ran 6 days. I simply love it. It is categorically a part of me now. I refuse to change that for a host of practical and useful reasons that will appear in a future blog. This triangle, which must be equilateral in order to flourish, must be balanced and that, at times, takes a lot of planning and sacrifice to accomplish.
Plans changed on the morning of X-mas eve and my run for that day would now be at sunset rather than the afternoon one I had previously mapped out. X-Mas, in my humble, Pagan(LOL), opinion is all about the kids. Santa is pure magic and congers up a host of merriment and wondrous recollections that last a lifetime. My most memorable moments as a child stem from all the activities that surround the holidays and are now being passed on to my children. So I donned a red running singlet and a Santa hat and made my way from my house on centerline road to the North Shore for a 7 mile X-mas eve sunset run that included a rainbow as I approached the Trunk Bay overlook. My pace was brisk and I felt very strong and happy knowing my son would be ecstatic on X-mas morning and that this run added some joy to the host of onlookers in their cars and jeeps and trucks on the road that night. A very lean Santa, economic times have been tough, running up the Northshore in the Tropics was enough to evoke a multitude of shouts, waves, thumbs up, peace signs and abundant smiles from the onlookers inside their vehicles. Normally I pay little attention to what is going on inside the cars, rather I am monitoring them for safety reasons and road logistics. But on this night my eyes where fixated on the smiles and good cheer from the passerbys, especially the carloads of children that passed by. A run is usually a very solitary event, steeped in deep thought and solace, but tonight was a shared event and one I will always remember.
Be us Christians, Jews, Muslims or Atheist or any one of the multitude of other organized religions, we all share a common responsibility in leaving a better planet behind for our children and through running and physical fitness I am doing just that. Perhaps if we all kept our religious views to ourselves this might lend for a better world, but what do Godless running junkies know anyway.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Friday, December 19, 2008
WEIGHT
As I ever so slowly propelled myself up the north shore hills this morning I felt a great weight on me. Holiday cookies and my weakness for cheese gets the best of me at times. Runners are extremely more proficient in their racing times when they are carrying low body fat percentages and lots of lean muscle mass. The lower a runners body weight the faster they can usually run and they also minimize injury as the impact of the body, especially the legs, is GREATLY increased with each additional pound of weight our frames carry. The pounding of our body weight on the chosen running surface also has a lot to do with muscle soreness and injury prevention. Concrete being the worse and grass or soft dirt being the best.
The weight I felt this morning however had little to do with cookies and cheese. I do maintain a weight of 145-147 lbs on a 5' 7" frame and my body fat ranges between 9-11%. For my age, being 52, this is acceptable to me and falls into the upper echelon for most men in my age group. No this weight was simply the weight of the world and the ever present holiday doldrums that emerge every year around this time to test our resolve and try to downright beat us into mental submission. Usually a run offers solace to ones soul, but today the weight was so great I actually cut the run short, covering only 4 miles and calling it quits. At the end of mile 2 I simply turned around and ran back to town. I have been running a minimum of 7 miles on my daily runs the last few weeks. I am pushing the distances and also training for a half marathon in early January at Disney World, a trip me and my son take every year at the same time. He is the only reason I have stayed on St. John, as I am ready to move back to the states, and it is that very situation that weighs so heavily on me during these Holidays. As he often tells me "I Love You" and I tell him "I Love You Too" and he says "I Love You More" and it goes on and on, I can look to the hills I ascend and descend daily and know the motion of life will never cease
As an athlete I find mental stress takes way more out of me than the most grueling run. Hours on these hills may wear me out physically, but mental unrest lingers much further than the weariness of tired muscles. That magic pill that a good run sometimes offers was no match for my mental weariness today. My North shore hill runs are a metaphor for life in general or course, all the ups and downs, and never really knowing where the mental aspect of the run will take you. Overall running has given me tremendous clarity and is a coping mechanism as well as the countless physical health aspects it has to offer. In the end though all we really have is what we have put into it.
Everyday offers new challenges and rewards and my next run will surely offer me something and until then I will count my blessings and be still.
The weight I felt this morning however had little to do with cookies and cheese. I do maintain a weight of 145-147 lbs on a 5' 7" frame and my body fat ranges between 9-11%. For my age, being 52, this is acceptable to me and falls into the upper echelon for most men in my age group. No this weight was simply the weight of the world and the ever present holiday doldrums that emerge every year around this time to test our resolve and try to downright beat us into mental submission. Usually a run offers solace to ones soul, but today the weight was so great I actually cut the run short, covering only 4 miles and calling it quits. At the end of mile 2 I simply turned around and ran back to town. I have been running a minimum of 7 miles on my daily runs the last few weeks. I am pushing the distances and also training for a half marathon in early January at Disney World, a trip me and my son take every year at the same time. He is the only reason I have stayed on St. John, as I am ready to move back to the states, and it is that very situation that weighs so heavily on me during these Holidays. As he often tells me "I Love You" and I tell him "I Love You Too" and he says "I Love You More" and it goes on and on, I can look to the hills I ascend and descend daily and know the motion of life will never cease
As an athlete I find mental stress takes way more out of me than the most grueling run. Hours on these hills may wear me out physically, but mental unrest lingers much further than the weariness of tired muscles. That magic pill that a good run sometimes offers was no match for my mental weariness today. My North shore hill runs are a metaphor for life in general or course, all the ups and downs, and never really knowing where the mental aspect of the run will take you. Overall running has given me tremendous clarity and is a coping mechanism as well as the countless physical health aspects it has to offer. In the end though all we really have is what we have put into it.
Everyday offers new challenges and rewards and my next run will surely offer me something and until then I will count my blessings and be still.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Local Running Routes
The North Shore is the most amazing place to run here . Lots of options from road to trail and always a beach along the way to take a swim afterwards or during your run. I will be adding and editing content here ongoing so please check back often for added running ideas and options.
If you want to know how far you are running while on St. John I am providing estimated distances. A few tips on how to estimate your own runs also.
Both Northshore and Centerline roads have mile markers, although not always visible and in your face they are there more so than not. These will always be guides to your distance depending on where you start your run.
For purposes of this posting ALL Northshore runs where loosely measured and most likely within 1/10th of a mile as far as accuracy. All Northshore distances where measured beginning at the starting line of our local race, The 8 Tuff Miles. The starting line is located behind the National Park Service Tourist Office adjacent to the ball field, which is across the street from Mongoose Junction, one of the shopping areas in Cruz Bay on St. John. There is a palm tree and a sign for the Lind Point Trail (more on this run later) on the road behind the NPS office and again, that is where all measurements where started. If you do not run one of the distances I am providing just subtract 2/10ths of a mile from the mile markers along the Northshore Road. As you start your run you will follow the road out to the main road in front of Mongoose Junction and turn left up the hill that is the Beginning of the Northshore. These are tough runs so take it easy as the first 1/2 mile is very steep. Stay to your left while running with the traffic as you have a lot more shoulder to use to stay out of the way of cars. Good Luck and Be Well!
8TM start to the National Park Sign(1st crest of run) .5 miles
8TM start to the first scenic overlook(before Caneel Bay) 1.0 miles
8TM start to Caneel Bay Resort 1.5 miles
8TM start to Hawks Nest Beach (large parking lot) 2.0 miles
8TM start to Easter Rock (Huge rock past white fence) 2.5 miles
8TM start to Peace hill (small parking lot) 2.7 miles
8TM start to overlook (before Trunk Bay) 3.1 miles
10k(6.2 miles) run if you turn around here and go back to start.
8TM start to Trunk Bay 3.3 miles
8TM start to Peter Bay (crest after killer switchbacks) 3.6 miles
8TM start to Cinnamon Bay 4.3 miles
8TM start to Maho Bay overlook 4.9 miles
8TM start to Big Maho Bay beach 5.5 miles
I will stop here for now and add more distances and routes later. Please note the North Shore is a very tough place to run so go slow, rest and enjoy one of the best running routes in the world! Be Well and enjoy. E-mail me any questions you may have at stjohnrunner@gmail.com
If you want to know how far you are running while on St. John I am providing estimated distances. A few tips on how to estimate your own runs also.
Both Northshore and Centerline roads have mile markers, although not always visible and in your face they are there more so than not. These will always be guides to your distance depending on where you start your run.
For purposes of this posting ALL Northshore runs where loosely measured and most likely within 1/10th of a mile as far as accuracy. All Northshore distances where measured beginning at the starting line of our local race, The 8 Tuff Miles. The starting line is located behind the National Park Service Tourist Office adjacent to the ball field, which is across the street from Mongoose Junction, one of the shopping areas in Cruz Bay on St. John. There is a palm tree and a sign for the Lind Point Trail (more on this run later) on the road behind the NPS office and again, that is where all measurements where started. If you do not run one of the distances I am providing just subtract 2/10ths of a mile from the mile markers along the Northshore Road. As you start your run you will follow the road out to the main road in front of Mongoose Junction and turn left up the hill that is the Beginning of the Northshore. These are tough runs so take it easy as the first 1/2 mile is very steep. Stay to your left while running with the traffic as you have a lot more shoulder to use to stay out of the way of cars. Good Luck and Be Well!
8TM start to the National Park Sign(1st crest of run) .5 miles
8TM start to the first scenic overlook(before Caneel Bay) 1.0 miles
8TM start to Caneel Bay Resort 1.5 miles
8TM start to Hawks Nest Beach (large parking lot) 2.0 miles
8TM start to Easter Rock (Huge rock past white fence) 2.5 miles
8TM start to Peace hill (small parking lot) 2.7 miles
8TM start to overlook (before Trunk Bay) 3.1 miles
10k(6.2 miles) run if you turn around here and go back to start.
8TM start to Trunk Bay 3.3 miles
8TM start to Peter Bay (crest after killer switchbacks) 3.6 miles
8TM start to Cinnamon Bay 4.3 miles
8TM start to Maho Bay overlook 4.9 miles
8TM start to Big Maho Bay beach 5.5 miles
I will stop here for now and add more distances and routes later. Please note the North Shore is a very tough place to run so go slow, rest and enjoy one of the best running routes in the world! Be Well and enjoy. E-mail me any questions you may have at stjohnrunner@gmail.com
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Big 3- Heat, Hills, and Humidity
Running on St. John poses challenges that I often phrase as the 3H club. The hills, heat and humidity toughen you up rather quickly when you push yourself. I did not take up this sport to simply jog a few miles daily, although that in itself is a triumph for our sedentary society and I applaud anyone for doing so. No, I run to propel my physical limits beyond what most people in their 50's would do and more importantly to obtain a sense of elation and often blissful rapture. 3-4 miles into an accelerated run often produces a clarity and insight that will put me at ease for the remainder of the day and then some. Thus the 3H's work on all the levels that sustain my overall well being. They are the Big 3 for runners on St. John. Not preparing for or respecting them will spell disaster sooner or later. Running injuries are rarely due to a single incident, sure a twisted ankle or a fall occur, but are usually the culmination of a host of mistakes in training that one day manifest in an impairment in our ability to continue at our current training levels, or at all, depending on the severity. This is the time, if used wisely, we become better runners as we reflect on the causes of our affliction and route the course to recovery and most importantly refashion our training techniques that led to our affliction.
Detroit has ignored the prior set backs and blows to its industry thinking we need them and the products they produce. Their aliments are no different than a runners in time of distress. I am still running because I took heed after several injuries in my first year. They are faltering simply because they did not. Rewarding failure is the single most devastating signal you can send to the society at large. I am all for socialized programs that feed the hungry and educate our children, but I will be Damned if I will support, along with the consensus of most Americans(nice to be in the majority for a change), any so called bailout of the Big 3. Tens of thousands of small businesses are going under as we speak and our government is doing very little, if any thing at all to help them. Why is it that the bigger and greedier you get a magic safety net seems to go along for safe keeping?
I know that a lot of jobs are at stake here. I get it, but we MUST let them fail in order to create the openings for smaller companies to produce the products we need. There are a lot of smaller companies like Tesla that will lead the way to provide us with the products we will need to move forward and change the way we think about transportation in this country. I use the word products because the automobile will not and should not be the utter necessity it is now. The companies that will create the jobs lost by the Big 3 failure will lead us into an age of transportation that makes sense for the overall society and not individual needs. I support making sure no Big 3 worker loses their pension, the government should guarantee the workers that, but beyond that the Big 3 should pay for the sins of their fathers. They kept building vehicles that did nothing to alleviate global warming and gas consumption and now they come begging to congress fresh off their private jets. When the car companies starting tearing up all the rail lines in this country and making it a necessity to drive a car, that was the beginning of this whole mess and now they must pay. The party is over and the opportunity for a host of new companies to fill the void of the Big 3 is as welcome as the return of the cool breezes that lavish the north shore and add to the joy of my daily runs.
What ever we do in life, if not thought out or prepared for, usually ends in a haphazard venue of failure. My runs are carefully plotted and thought about and I always know why I am running a particular route and what I am expecting from it. Failure has its upsides, but for the impatient it has no merit.
We are turning a corner and page in history, and on Jan. 20th 2009, we will usher in a new way of thinking and we must let the heavy weight of the current US auto industry die along with the aimless irregularities of the Bush administration. It's true it is always darkest before the dawn. I will see you all at Sunrise!
.
Detroit has ignored the prior set backs and blows to its industry thinking we need them and the products they produce. Their aliments are no different than a runners in time of distress. I am still running because I took heed after several injuries in my first year. They are faltering simply because they did not. Rewarding failure is the single most devastating signal you can send to the society at large. I am all for socialized programs that feed the hungry and educate our children, but I will be Damned if I will support, along with the consensus of most Americans(nice to be in the majority for a change), any so called bailout of the Big 3. Tens of thousands of small businesses are going under as we speak and our government is doing very little, if any thing at all to help them. Why is it that the bigger and greedier you get a magic safety net seems to go along for safe keeping?
I know that a lot of jobs are at stake here. I get it, but we MUST let them fail in order to create the openings for smaller companies to produce the products we need. There are a lot of smaller companies like Tesla that will lead the way to provide us with the products we will need to move forward and change the way we think about transportation in this country. I use the word products because the automobile will not and should not be the utter necessity it is now. The companies that will create the jobs lost by the Big 3 failure will lead us into an age of transportation that makes sense for the overall society and not individual needs. I support making sure no Big 3 worker loses their pension, the government should guarantee the workers that, but beyond that the Big 3 should pay for the sins of their fathers. They kept building vehicles that did nothing to alleviate global warming and gas consumption and now they come begging to congress fresh off their private jets. When the car companies starting tearing up all the rail lines in this country and making it a necessity to drive a car, that was the beginning of this whole mess and now they must pay. The party is over and the opportunity for a host of new companies to fill the void of the Big 3 is as welcome as the return of the cool breezes that lavish the north shore and add to the joy of my daily runs.
What ever we do in life, if not thought out or prepared for, usually ends in a haphazard venue of failure. My runs are carefully plotted and thought about and I always know why I am running a particular route and what I am expecting from it. Failure has its upsides, but for the impatient it has no merit.
We are turning a corner and page in history, and on Jan. 20th 2009, we will usher in a new way of thinking and we must let the heavy weight of the current US auto industry die along with the aimless irregularities of the Bush administration. It's true it is always darkest before the dawn. I will see you all at Sunrise!
.
Friday, November 14, 2008
VARIATIONS
I have been wondering as of late where all this will lead. The intensity of my runs are heightening and the state of our nation and world seem to be on a rabid, fluctuating , and out of control joyride. I control each stride as my legs propel me, and I can literally feel them strengthening at times as I push the limits of my mind and body to reach the next level. Change and progress are not always sought after but occur nonetheless. Seeking them however allows us to be involved in the process that we solely answer for. So where will my legs take me in these runs, now that the training can be amped back up after my first marathon last month. Where does one set the bar? We have done something for ourselves and for the generations to come, something people said would never happen in their lifetime. The dust settles after my feet disturb the ground below me on my nightly journeys up the north shore, rearranged only to settle elsewhere. So I say to myself and to all of the people who actively participated in the election process and also to those on the sidelines that are beginning to realize they too must partake 'WE must take back what has been eroded over the decades and participate in our democracy'. Give this a chance, the dirt will settle, and then begin to shape it.
There are as many reasons for running as there are for any other activity in life. Great runners and elders of my sport knew that each stride was a straw in the hut, a block in the pyramid and an antidote for their mind. Variations, in respect to class and culture, will be as diverse as the thoughts meandering from my brain as I glide along the roadways and trails, but will all arrive at a common yearning to better ourselves and leave the next generations with the comfort of breaking the cycles, both personal and political, that have crippled this world for my lifetime and then some. It is really quite simple, either participate and change what you do not like about yourself and our world or do nothing and blame yourself, not your government or your brethren, when it all comes crashing down. I blamed myself as I was dry heaving at mile 24 of the Portland Marathon for not being fully prepared for my undertaking, no pun intended, but I finished and learned from it. With all the vast experience of all the people in this country and abroad it behooves me think we can not obtain societies that work for the vast majorities of people. Variations offer multitudes of ways to the end, and the means are as diverse as the clouds that grace the sky at sunset over my head, and as my nightly runs define my being, I will relish and never languish in knowing we can all change and make a change.
There are as many reasons for running as there are for any other activity in life. Great runners and elders of my sport knew that each stride was a straw in the hut, a block in the pyramid and an antidote for their mind. Variations, in respect to class and culture, will be as diverse as the thoughts meandering from my brain as I glide along the roadways and trails, but will all arrive at a common yearning to better ourselves and leave the next generations with the comfort of breaking the cycles, both personal and political, that have crippled this world for my lifetime and then some. It is really quite simple, either participate and change what you do not like about yourself and our world or do nothing and blame yourself, not your government or your brethren, when it all comes crashing down. I blamed myself as I was dry heaving at mile 24 of the Portland Marathon for not being fully prepared for my undertaking, no pun intended, but I finished and learned from it. With all the vast experience of all the people in this country and abroad it behooves me think we can not obtain societies that work for the vast majorities of people. Variations offer multitudes of ways to the end, and the means are as diverse as the clouds that grace the sky at sunset over my head, and as my nightly runs define my being, I will relish and never languish in knowing we can all change and make a change.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
IT'S OVER!
Runners training and careers are shaped and structured on the sound fundamentals of their sport and the ability to allow patience and common sense to prevail. My 30 day reverse taper, the gradual build up back to
Living here on St. John, who descendants are primarily from the slave trade, added extra measure to the historical event that I knew would follow later that evening as I took those hills and measured my worth as a person and as a father. As a white, uneducated 52 year old male, the stereotype would tell you what demo graph I should have supported in the polling and of course I did not. The 60's shaped my adolescent mind so strongly that I am forever sensitive to social injustice and prejudice. I have lived 32 of my 52 years, 11 in South Philadelphia in a black neighborhood, and 21 years here on St. John, as the minority race, and simply GASP at the difference the way society viewed race in the late 50's-early to mid 60's Philadelphia and what we now are seeing permeate the country, seeing all this through the eyes of my 7 year old son. He is still virtually colored blind, in stark contrast by my 7th birthday, as the lines had been drawn years prior. Here we go, turn the page!
My running follows cycles and reveals a lot about myself in simple moments of utter clarity as I traverse the hills. Getting lost in one's thoughts while briskly cascading through a national park is a positive forward motion into the future. Running for the highest office in the land is not much different than a runners daily excursions. Dedication, vision and confidence all play a major roll. Relying on how the masses view you in the realm of politics however is another story entirely. America has turned the page on an important chapter in it's history, and watching it unfold last night will hopefully make us a stronger, more unified country. I can only speak definitively for myself, but what seemed to have occurred last night is simply the result of a nations realization that it is finally time to move forward and work to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren that nurtures them with peace and prosperity as they sow the seeds we planted on Nov. 4th 2008. And so I move forward on my daily runs and shape my future.
As I run along the sunset skies I can not help but feel we have all moved forward regardless of which candidate you supported. I often tell Luca, my son, "Today is the Tomorrow you where thinking about Yesterday". I will now be able to look back on election night 2008 and use it as an example for myself and Luca. The muckraking and finger pointing has subsided and we can get down to the task at hand. The dirt and earth that provides the foundation for my legs as I run does me no good if it is hurled at individuals we do not agree with. When we throw dirt we lose ground. I cover a lot of ground in my daily runs but no ground was as sweet as the notion that we CAN rise above antiquated cycles and become better people. Tomorrows run will be in honour of all who participated in the process on and up to Nov. 4th 2008! I have the utmost respect for every one of you who voted and participated in the electoral process and I commend all of you. Thank you for making history!
Living here on St. John, who descendants are primarily from the slave trade, added extra measure to the historical event that I knew would follow later that evening as I took those hills and measured my worth as a person and as a father. As a white, uneducated 52 year old male, the stereotype would tell you what demo graph I should have supported in the polling and of course I did not. The 60's shaped my adolescent mind so strongly that I am forever sensitive to social injustice and prejudice. I have lived 32 of my 52 years, 11 in South Philadelphia in a black neighborhood, and 21 years here on St. John, as the minority race, and simply GASP at the difference the way society viewed race in the late 50's-early to mid 60's Philadelphia and what we now are seeing permeate the country, seeing all this through the eyes of my 7 year old son. He is still virtually colored blind, in stark contrast by my 7th birthday, as the lines had been drawn years prior. Here we go, turn the page!
My running follows cycles and reveals a lot about myself in simple moments of utter clarity as I traverse the hills. Getting lost in one's thoughts while briskly cascading through a national park is a positive forward motion into the future. Running for the highest office in the land is not much different than a runners daily excursions. Dedication, vision and confidence all play a major roll. Relying on how the masses view you in the realm of politics however is another story entirely. America has turned the page on an important chapter in it's history, and watching it unfold last night will hopefully make us a stronger, more unified country. I can only speak definitively for myself, but what seemed to have occurred last night is simply the result of a nations realization that it is finally time to move forward and work to leave a legacy for our children and grandchildren that nurtures them with peace and prosperity as they sow the seeds we planted on Nov. 4th 2008. And so I move forward on my daily runs and shape my future.
As I run along the sunset skies I can not help but feel we have all moved forward regardless of which candidate you supported. I often tell Luca, my son, "Today is the Tomorrow you where thinking about Yesterday". I will now be able to look back on election night 2008 and use it as an example for myself and Luca. The muckraking and finger pointing has subsided and we can get down to the task at hand. The dirt and earth that provides the foundation for my legs as I run does me no good if it is hurled at individuals we do not agree with. When we throw dirt we lose ground. I cover a lot of ground in my daily runs but no ground was as sweet as the notion that we CAN rise above antiquated cycles and become better people. Tomorrows run will be in honour of all who participated in the process on and up to Nov. 4th 2008! I have the utmost respect for every one of you who voted and participated in the electoral process and I commend all of you. Thank you for making history!
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Portland Marathon- OMG!!!
Well I did it and finished my first marathon(bib # 1559) on Oct. 5th and it was an experience I will never forget. I had a good time overall, pun intended. Portland is a great city and put on a world class event, with very friendly staff, and was extremely well organized. I am starting to get a feel for the logistics of these racing events as I have run 11 races thus far this year. The Portland Marathon is a smaller marathon with 7,856 finishers in 2008 and a few other smaller runs and walks tied in, and that makes for intimacy in a major event and thus added to its over all charm. Some of the major marathons sell 25,000-45,000 bib numbers!
I had trained properly by my own newbie estimations for the 26.2 mile challenge and was prepared for race day. Running on the North Shore of St. John has given me an added edge as the hills are unforgiving and they teach me humility within myself and respect for my sport and the millions of other runners facing the same daily challenges as me. I had several runs of 4 hours in my training and ran 24 miles on 2 separate occasions. The 4 hour runs however where not on the North Shore as I am not ready to attempt such a mammoth feat just yet. One was in Southwest Michigan and the other on a Treadmill in the local gym. I despise treadmill running for a host of reasons and will post about that on another occasion, but had no choice as September in St. john has very high humidity and temperatures of 80-88 for highs and lows. I wanted to know what it felt like to be on my feet for 4 hours as I planned to finish between 4-4:30 hour range. By setting that goal I broke a golden rule of first time marathoning by setting a time for myself, but at least it was not the totally absurd assertion that I could Qualify for Boston(3:35:59 or less for my age group) in my first marathon, that I seriously entertained for a few months after running a 1:13 ten miler in April and running our local race the 8 tuff miles in 1:10 in Feb. The adrenaline of those two races and all the prediction charts led me to a false sense that I could pull off a 8:14 pace in my very first marathon. WTF was I thinking! As my marathon training progressed and I started to get into the longer runs of 16 plus miles I realized I would be making a huge mistake by putting myself under such massive pressure and would undoubtedly ruin the pleasure of my first marathon. On the long runs a lot of things fall into place for me and the respect for the distance and sheer logic began to permeate my thoughts and I backed off the BQ(Boston Qualifier) thing and really started to enjoy those runs through the corn and soybean fields of Michigan.
I was saving the official marathon distance for race day to enjoy and relish in my soon to be accomplishment. The expo was great and it had a lot to offer runners both in the way of necessities and frivolous fodder. I purchased the Ultima sports drink 2 days prior to the marathon at the expo to get my body use to that drink as it would be offered on the course along with a host of other consumable products designed to keep our stamina going. The Breakfast Cookies from Erin Bakers are the perfect food for health conscious runners, not to mention supporting a cottage industry small business. They also happen to taste fantastic! Save for some deals on running shoes I find the prices at these expos on running gear and clothes to be average, no major deals, although Portland does not have sales tax! The Expo was well organized and had lots of volunteers to help the masses as we made our way into the Portland Hilton for the event.
The morning of race day was typical for me with lots of nervous energy and anticipation. The temperature was in the low 50's and although I was a little cold before the start it is ideal running weather. Someone however forgot to advise mother nature about the marathon as it rained on the event for the first time in its history. Not just a little mist or occasional drizzle that I am told occurred in a few previous Portland marathons, but outright rain, although not at the start. I lined up with the 4 hour pace group to see how I would feel running at that pace. After all the pre race hoopla and announcements we where on our way. The warmth of the crowd soon gave way to the real air temperature as the race started and the field of runners opened up, but after the first half mile I warmed up and enjoyed the early segment of the race. As we approached the first water station I realized running with this group was not going to work for me as their is a lot of bottle necking and chaos sometimes at these stations so I went out ahead of the group just a little and that made a world of difference in space and perspective. Around the 3 or 4 mile marker I veered way off to the right to spit and avoid gracing another runner with an unwelcome surprise, when another runner said "hey, you are suppose to save that for the St. Johns Bridge" a tradition he told me, as he had run a few previous Portland marathons. He had also broken out of the pace group so we chatted and ran together for the next 13-14 miles and the time went by fast and I felt great. At the 10K(6.2 miles) I was at 53:57 or 8:41(minutes per mile pace) and the Half way point(13.1 miles) I was at 1:54 or 8:43. I was feeling very strong still and was really enjoying the run despite the constant rain that started somewhere about the 5 or 6 mile mark and pretty much continued the entire race. Not torrential downpours, but a steady rain that began to leave puddles on the ground. Wet feet and blisters are a runners nightmare, but they would pale in contrast to what was to occur later in the race for me. I never did get the blisters, a little toe soreness was all around the 14 to 15 mile mark and I was use to this during my training so no big deal. About a mile before the upward accent to the Bridge I lost tract of my running mate and kept up my pace and felt great as I started to climb the steep hill that so many people at this race complain about and dread. I run hills like that every day so for me it was just another hill. Granted after running 16 miles it was a challenge, but I just kept going and although not going very fast, passed a lot of runners. They would have that same pleasure further up the road. My running partner kept saying that once you make it over the bridge the race is pretty much over and very easy, with only 9-10 miles to go and that they are easier miles as a lot of it is downhill or flat. At mile 20 I am at 2:59(8:59 pace) and although tired and starting to slow up a little still felt relatively good considering I have been running for 3 hours at sub 9 minute miles in the rain! Mile 20 in any type of Marathon lore is simply know as 'The Wall'. It is at this point the body may or may not defy your every will to continue and for some outright break you. With my type A personality I consumed any and all information about marathoning and read a lot about the wall, what to expect and how to avoid it. Nothing compares to hands on experience of course and there I was at mile 20 feeling like I could run an easy 10K, the remaining 6.2 miles and feel good about the experience and join the ranks of my fellow runners who have run this distance. Until this point I ran the whole race, no walk breaks or rest periods. I came to Portland to RUN a marathon. Although I have the utmost respect for any one who even starts to train for an event like this let alone finish it, I am of the opinion that there is a huge difference between running a marathon and finishing one that had planned walk breaks and rest periods. Bragging rights need to be clarified, for if you finished the race but did not run the entire race you did not RUN the marathon. Let us be very clear here, I did not RUN the Portland Marathon. Oh I tried but she broke me, chewed me up and spit me out, and reminded me of the utter challenge and preparation and strategy that must be Incorporated into RUNNING a marathon. The last timing mat was at 21.2 and I am at 3:11, averaging 9:04 per mile for the race. All these times I am quoting where furnished after the race, there where people calling out times at every mile marker and I had my watch on, but since I can not read without glasses my watch is difficult to see. Being ahead of the pace group also let me know that I was still on par to finish in 4 hours.
I am not exactly sure at what mile marker I was at but I started to feel a little Queasy. Maybe 12 or 13, but I just wrote it off. I was eating some shot blocks for energy along the way but started to have a lot of trouble swallowing them. My stomach bothered me but I was running a good pace and really did not feel fatigue in my legs the first 21-22 miles. I had been drinking along the course and making sure I had water and the Ultima sports drink they offered, even trying the glucose drink and the gel 'Liquid Gold' that I sampled at the expo. By mile 22 I was not well at all and began to walk and drink at the aid stations and was on survival mode at this point to just finish the race. It felt like the life force was draining out of me. Running became difficult. I thought of Steve Prefontaine running with 12 stitches in his foot and winning that race and all the guts he put out in his races, I thought of all my training and preparation and knew that I would finish this race and run the rest of the way. I am not sure either where the 4 hour pace group passed me, around 23 I think, but in a way it was a relief, because I felt so good the first 21-22 miles I actually started to think I would have a sub 4 hour marathon. I will NEVER forget me bent over hanging onto a pole and dry heaving at the 24 mile marker. It is so clear in my mind it is scary. The last 2.2 miles where absolutely the worst 2.2 miles I have ever attempted to run. Run a half mile then walk, run a 1/4 mile then walk. At the 25 mile marker the volunteer looked at me and knew I was hurting. 'Do Not Give Up Now' And although I knew I was crossing the finish line one way or another that started me running again, but not for very long, walk run walk run, and then it was into downtown and I sucked it up and started running. I will always remember the sound of my shoes dragging across the road, me being barely able to lift my feet at times. The roar of the crowd downtown as I turned into the last 1/4 mile was amazing and I ran to the finish line and crossed at 4:07:19, a 9:26 pace. That I will also never forget! Crossing the finish line in my first marathon is one of those moments that stays with you.
I went to the medical tent just for a little ice for my sore toes and sat out side the main tent in a chair, it being reserved for more serious cases and the injured. I would be getting a much closer look inside that tent, little did I know. After icing down I headed to most amazing after race runners Buffet! A true feast. Fruit, drinks, yogurt, ice cream, pretzels, potato chips, candy, juice and lots more in a very large area. I got a space blanket to keep warm as I was feeling a little chilly, got my well deserved Finishers medal and t-shirt and as I was chowing down I heard my name called and it was my running buddie, He said I looked strong going up the hill to the bridge and that was the last he saw me. He finished a few minutes behind me. We chatted a while then I started to walk towards the end of the enclosed runners area to go back to my hotel when I started shaking, first just a little and then literally uncontrollable. There was a very small medical station I was passing as I was walking so I went over and they sat me down and tried to warm me up and within a few minute it seemed like my whole body was starting to cramp and twist and ache. My Quads where sore almost immediately after I stopped running and I expected that and a host of other aches and pains, I am 52 years old, and just tried to run 26.2 miles! But these cramps and chills where different. They could not get me warm, remember it in the low 50's and I am soaked with rain and sweat, and not use to this type of weather ever! The medics decided I should go to the main medical tent where I iced my toes down 10-15 minutes earlier. I could hardly stand up as my body spasms continued and with one medic on each side they practically carried me to the main tent. All business in there! They where utterly fantastic. I can not say enough about all the volunteers. Doctors, Nurses, Interns, Masseuses, Medics and all volunteers! They laid me on a cot, I had made a gurney joke in a group e-mail a few days before the race, oops!, got me out of all my wet clothes and took my pulse and blood pressure and got me a little warm but the cramps and spasms continued. I was diagnosed with dehydration and hypothermia. I was in that tent for an hour and a half and 7 people initially worked on me and 2 stayed with me the whole time. The masseuse did accupressure and worked on me me the whole time and they got me strong enough to journey back to the hotel. I was taking baby steps but at least able to walk again. I found out later people can die from what happened to me and this experience will propel me to re-think my supplemental approach on my long runs.
I realize I did not drink enough on the course and did not realize how much sodium I probably lost. I lose 4 pounds just on an hour run on St. John, so I must be very careful the next time around. I met a fellow runner that night in the hotel and he had similar troubles and is also a heavy sweater. He swears by Karl King's S-Caps and all his products, so I will try them. When I called Karl's # listed on the web site to see if they ship to the US VI a women answered and we started talking and I told her what happened, she was Karl"s wife, and she was genuinely concerned about what happened to me and did not try to sell me anything! That speaks volumes about their business. They are Ultra Runners, and as I began researching them and their product a lot of testimony comes up. These S-Caps seem to be a staple in many ultra runners training and racing programs.
I could try to dissect and examine exactly what happened to me after the race, but for the most part I simply need to hydrate better, with better products. I never want to cramp up like that again. It was simply horrible!
I have a lot more respect for the 26.2 than before I finished the Portland Marathon. I have been running but not all out and not the 5-6 days I usually do. It's 3-4 and not to hard. In the last 3 1/2 weeks I only had 2 brisk runs. After election day I will resume full time training and get back into top Half Marathon shape, a fitness level I try to keep year round. My experience in Portland makes me want to run another marathon to get the kinks out of my training and to allow for a smoother post race recovery. I am looking to run the next 26.2 in the spring. The BQ will eventually come, I know I am a good enough runner to do that, but it may have to wait a year or two while I define a program that will work for me and get a lot more experience under my running shoes.
I want to thank all of you who have supported me in my running and especially to those who have rearranged parts of their lives so I can run. You all know who you are.
Be Well.
I had trained properly by my own newbie estimations for the 26.2 mile challenge and was prepared for race day. Running on the North Shore of St. John has given me an added edge as the hills are unforgiving and they teach me humility within myself and respect for my sport and the millions of other runners facing the same daily challenges as me. I had several runs of 4 hours in my training and ran 24 miles on 2 separate occasions. The 4 hour runs however where not on the North Shore as I am not ready to attempt such a mammoth feat just yet. One was in Southwest Michigan and the other on a Treadmill in the local gym. I despise treadmill running for a host of reasons and will post about that on another occasion, but had no choice as September in St. john has very high humidity and temperatures of 80-88 for highs and lows. I wanted to know what it felt like to be on my feet for 4 hours as I planned to finish between 4-4:30 hour range. By setting that goal I broke a golden rule of first time marathoning by setting a time for myself, but at least it was not the totally absurd assertion that I could Qualify for Boston(3:35:59 or less for my age group) in my first marathon, that I seriously entertained for a few months after running a 1:13 ten miler in April and running our local race the 8 tuff miles in 1:10 in Feb. The adrenaline of those two races and all the prediction charts led me to a false sense that I could pull off a 8:14 pace in my very first marathon. WTF was I thinking! As my marathon training progressed and I started to get into the longer runs of 16 plus miles I realized I would be making a huge mistake by putting myself under such massive pressure and would undoubtedly ruin the pleasure of my first marathon. On the long runs a lot of things fall into place for me and the respect for the distance and sheer logic began to permeate my thoughts and I backed off the BQ(Boston Qualifier) thing and really started to enjoy those runs through the corn and soybean fields of Michigan.
I was saving the official marathon distance for race day to enjoy and relish in my soon to be accomplishment. The expo was great and it had a lot to offer runners both in the way of necessities and frivolous fodder. I purchased the Ultima sports drink 2 days prior to the marathon at the expo to get my body use to that drink as it would be offered on the course along with a host of other consumable products designed to keep our stamina going. The Breakfast Cookies from Erin Bakers are the perfect food for health conscious runners, not to mention supporting a cottage industry small business. They also happen to taste fantastic! Save for some deals on running shoes I find the prices at these expos on running gear and clothes to be average, no major deals, although Portland does not have sales tax! The Expo was well organized and had lots of volunteers to help the masses as we made our way into the Portland Hilton for the event.
The morning of race day was typical for me with lots of nervous energy and anticipation. The temperature was in the low 50's and although I was a little cold before the start it is ideal running weather. Someone however forgot to advise mother nature about the marathon as it rained on the event for the first time in its history. Not just a little mist or occasional drizzle that I am told occurred in a few previous Portland marathons, but outright rain, although not at the start. I lined up with the 4 hour pace group to see how I would feel running at that pace. After all the pre race hoopla and announcements we where on our way. The warmth of the crowd soon gave way to the real air temperature as the race started and the field of runners opened up, but after the first half mile I warmed up and enjoyed the early segment of the race. As we approached the first water station I realized running with this group was not going to work for me as their is a lot of bottle necking and chaos sometimes at these stations so I went out ahead of the group just a little and that made a world of difference in space and perspective. Around the 3 or 4 mile marker I veered way off to the right to spit and avoid gracing another runner with an unwelcome surprise, when another runner said "hey, you are suppose to save that for the St. Johns Bridge" a tradition he told me, as he had run a few previous Portland marathons. He had also broken out of the pace group so we chatted and ran together for the next 13-14 miles and the time went by fast and I felt great. At the 10K(6.2 miles) I was at 53:57 or 8:41(minutes per mile pace) and the Half way point(13.1 miles) I was at 1:54 or 8:43. I was feeling very strong still and was really enjoying the run despite the constant rain that started somewhere about the 5 or 6 mile mark and pretty much continued the entire race. Not torrential downpours, but a steady rain that began to leave puddles on the ground. Wet feet and blisters are a runners nightmare, but they would pale in contrast to what was to occur later in the race for me. I never did get the blisters, a little toe soreness was all around the 14 to 15 mile mark and I was use to this during my training so no big deal. About a mile before the upward accent to the Bridge I lost tract of my running mate and kept up my pace and felt great as I started to climb the steep hill that so many people at this race complain about and dread. I run hills like that every day so for me it was just another hill. Granted after running 16 miles it was a challenge, but I just kept going and although not going very fast, passed a lot of runners. They would have that same pleasure further up the road. My running partner kept saying that once you make it over the bridge the race is pretty much over and very easy, with only 9-10 miles to go and that they are easier miles as a lot of it is downhill or flat. At mile 20 I am at 2:59(8:59 pace) and although tired and starting to slow up a little still felt relatively good considering I have been running for 3 hours at sub 9 minute miles in the rain! Mile 20 in any type of Marathon lore is simply know as 'The Wall'. It is at this point the body may or may not defy your every will to continue and for some outright break you. With my type A personality I consumed any and all information about marathoning and read a lot about the wall, what to expect and how to avoid it. Nothing compares to hands on experience of course and there I was at mile 20 feeling like I could run an easy 10K, the remaining 6.2 miles and feel good about the experience and join the ranks of my fellow runners who have run this distance. Until this point I ran the whole race, no walk breaks or rest periods. I came to Portland to RUN a marathon. Although I have the utmost respect for any one who even starts to train for an event like this let alone finish it, I am of the opinion that there is a huge difference between running a marathon and finishing one that had planned walk breaks and rest periods. Bragging rights need to be clarified, for if you finished the race but did not run the entire race you did not RUN the marathon. Let us be very clear here, I did not RUN the Portland Marathon. Oh I tried but she broke me, chewed me up and spit me out, and reminded me of the utter challenge and preparation and strategy that must be Incorporated into RUNNING a marathon. The last timing mat was at 21.2 and I am at 3:11, averaging 9:04 per mile for the race. All these times I am quoting where furnished after the race, there where people calling out times at every mile marker and I had my watch on, but since I can not read without glasses my watch is difficult to see. Being ahead of the pace group also let me know that I was still on par to finish in 4 hours.
I am not exactly sure at what mile marker I was at but I started to feel a little Queasy. Maybe 12 or 13, but I just wrote it off. I was eating some shot blocks for energy along the way but started to have a lot of trouble swallowing them. My stomach bothered me but I was running a good pace and really did not feel fatigue in my legs the first 21-22 miles. I had been drinking along the course and making sure I had water and the Ultima sports drink they offered, even trying the glucose drink and the gel 'Liquid Gold' that I sampled at the expo. By mile 22 I was not well at all and began to walk and drink at the aid stations and was on survival mode at this point to just finish the race. It felt like the life force was draining out of me. Running became difficult. I thought of Steve Prefontaine running with 12 stitches in his foot and winning that race and all the guts he put out in his races, I thought of all my training and preparation and knew that I would finish this race and run the rest of the way. I am not sure either where the 4 hour pace group passed me, around 23 I think, but in a way it was a relief, because I felt so good the first 21-22 miles I actually started to think I would have a sub 4 hour marathon. I will NEVER forget me bent over hanging onto a pole and dry heaving at the 24 mile marker. It is so clear in my mind it is scary. The last 2.2 miles where absolutely the worst 2.2 miles I have ever attempted to run. Run a half mile then walk, run a 1/4 mile then walk. At the 25 mile marker the volunteer looked at me and knew I was hurting. 'Do Not Give Up Now' And although I knew I was crossing the finish line one way or another that started me running again, but not for very long, walk run walk run, and then it was into downtown and I sucked it up and started running. I will always remember the sound of my shoes dragging across the road, me being barely able to lift my feet at times. The roar of the crowd downtown as I turned into the last 1/4 mile was amazing and I ran to the finish line and crossed at 4:07:19, a 9:26 pace. That I will also never forget! Crossing the finish line in my first marathon is one of those moments that stays with you.
I went to the medical tent just for a little ice for my sore toes and sat out side the main tent in a chair, it being reserved for more serious cases and the injured. I would be getting a much closer look inside that tent, little did I know. After icing down I headed to most amazing after race runners Buffet! A true feast. Fruit, drinks, yogurt, ice cream, pretzels, potato chips, candy, juice and lots more in a very large area. I got a space blanket to keep warm as I was feeling a little chilly, got my well deserved Finishers medal and t-shirt and as I was chowing down I heard my name called and it was my running buddie, He said I looked strong going up the hill to the bridge and that was the last he saw me. He finished a few minutes behind me. We chatted a while then I started to walk towards the end of the enclosed runners area to go back to my hotel when I started shaking, first just a little and then literally uncontrollable. There was a very small medical station I was passing as I was walking so I went over and they sat me down and tried to warm me up and within a few minute it seemed like my whole body was starting to cramp and twist and ache. My Quads where sore almost immediately after I stopped running and I expected that and a host of other aches and pains, I am 52 years old, and just tried to run 26.2 miles! But these cramps and chills where different. They could not get me warm, remember it in the low 50's and I am soaked with rain and sweat, and not use to this type of weather ever! The medics decided I should go to the main medical tent where I iced my toes down 10-15 minutes earlier. I could hardly stand up as my body spasms continued and with one medic on each side they practically carried me to the main tent. All business in there! They where utterly fantastic. I can not say enough about all the volunteers. Doctors, Nurses, Interns, Masseuses, Medics and all volunteers! They laid me on a cot, I had made a gurney joke in a group e-mail a few days before the race, oops!, got me out of all my wet clothes and took my pulse and blood pressure and got me a little warm but the cramps and spasms continued. I was diagnosed with dehydration and hypothermia. I was in that tent for an hour and a half and 7 people initially worked on me and 2 stayed with me the whole time. The masseuse did accupressure and worked on me me the whole time and they got me strong enough to journey back to the hotel. I was taking baby steps but at least able to walk again. I found out later people can die from what happened to me and this experience will propel me to re-think my supplemental approach on my long runs.
I realize I did not drink enough on the course and did not realize how much sodium I probably lost. I lose 4 pounds just on an hour run on St. John, so I must be very careful the next time around. I met a fellow runner that night in the hotel and he had similar troubles and is also a heavy sweater. He swears by Karl King's S-Caps and all his products, so I will try them. When I called Karl's # listed on the web site to see if they ship to the US VI a women answered and we started talking and I told her what happened, she was Karl"s wife, and she was genuinely concerned about what happened to me and did not try to sell me anything! That speaks volumes about their business. They are Ultra Runners, and as I began researching them and their product a lot of testimony comes up. These S-Caps seem to be a staple in many ultra runners training and racing programs.
I could try to dissect and examine exactly what happened to me after the race, but for the most part I simply need to hydrate better, with better products. I never want to cramp up like that again. It was simply horrible!
I have a lot more respect for the 26.2 than before I finished the Portland Marathon. I have been running but not all out and not the 5-6 days I usually do. It's 3-4 and not to hard. In the last 3 1/2 weeks I only had 2 brisk runs. After election day I will resume full time training and get back into top Half Marathon shape, a fitness level I try to keep year round. My experience in Portland makes me want to run another marathon to get the kinks out of my training and to allow for a smoother post race recovery. I am looking to run the next 26.2 in the spring. The BQ will eventually come, I know I am a good enough runner to do that, but it may have to wait a year or two while I define a program that will work for me and get a lot more experience under my running shoes.
I want to thank all of you who have supported me in my running and especially to those who have rearranged parts of their lives so I can run. You all know who you are.
Be Well.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Halfway There
Tuesday morning and a magnificent day. I was so excited about my run I locked the car key in the car. It phased me for only a few seconds. So what! I will be running the North Shore of St. John this glorious morning! I planned to go a little further today, as I have been keeping my runs to about 1 hour or so and only going as far as Peace Hill and then returning to the starting point which just happens to be the starting line of the 8 Tuff Miles, which is our local race on St. John and one of the reasons I became a runner to start with, no pun intended. Since finishing the Portland Marathon 16 days ago I am caught up in a practical rule of running pertaining to marathoning. For every mile, this being 26.2, give yourself a day to recover properly and do not push your self too hard, even if you feel great. I will play it safe and give myself 30 days. Holding back is part of proper training as is rest. Your days off are as important as your hard runs. So I am midway through the 30 days and I planned a little longer run at an easy pace. I am striving to be back in top half marathon shape by mid-December and will start running the 8 tuff miles course once a week starting the 2nd week of November, until race day on the last Saturday of February.
As I start my way up the first hill on the north shore at mongoose junction I am always reminded of the challenge and the awe of what I am doing. The first 5 minutes up that hill set the stage for the remainder of the run, and the obstacles I must overcome, both on the road and the ones I am sorting out in my head. As I flow along after the first hill something seems different. More open and spacious and safe. Initially I write it off as the mind plays a lot of tricks on you when your heart rate is that elevated and you enter that zone of mind games. But it stays with me and I soon realize the forest has opened up once again to allow room on the side of the road after all the rains of an active storm season. As I look to the side of the road I can once again run on the dirt and gravel and minimize the pounding somewhat that the feet and legs take with every foot strike. The sun is bright and the run is simply perfect. I pass by the national park employees that are clearing the brush and overgrowth from the road, that constant battle with nature that man will never win. They use the the old and new, Machetes and weed whackers and do an excellent job clearing the mountainside and the ravine side to make it safe, as safe as roads like these can be, for the cars and trucks and us runners, walkers, hikers and bicyclist. They are about halfway there, there being the turnaround point of my run and I imagine in the next few weeks they will have most likely cleared most or all of the North shore brush and once again I will have plenty of room to run on the side of the road as my runs get longer and longer. The 14 mile out and back from the race start to the taxi turnaround at Annaberg Ruins is the run I must once again conquer. It is both brutal and glorious, dreaded and anticipated, and a milestone of my training.
Halfway there is a good place to be, in the moment looking both at what you have accomplished and what remains to be conquered. Just me and the road workers on a perfect day on the North Shore.
As I start my way up the first hill on the north shore at mongoose junction I am always reminded of the challenge and the awe of what I am doing. The first 5 minutes up that hill set the stage for the remainder of the run, and the obstacles I must overcome, both on the road and the ones I am sorting out in my head. As I flow along after the first hill something seems different. More open and spacious and safe. Initially I write it off as the mind plays a lot of tricks on you when your heart rate is that elevated and you enter that zone of mind games. But it stays with me and I soon realize the forest has opened up once again to allow room on the side of the road after all the rains of an active storm season. As I look to the side of the road I can once again run on the dirt and gravel and minimize the pounding somewhat that the feet and legs take with every foot strike. The sun is bright and the run is simply perfect. I pass by the national park employees that are clearing the brush and overgrowth from the road, that constant battle with nature that man will never win. They use the the old and new, Machetes and weed whackers and do an excellent job clearing the mountainside and the ravine side to make it safe, as safe as roads like these can be, for the cars and trucks and us runners, walkers, hikers and bicyclist. They are about halfway there, there being the turnaround point of my run and I imagine in the next few weeks they will have most likely cleared most or all of the North shore brush and once again I will have plenty of room to run on the side of the road as my runs get longer and longer. The 14 mile out and back from the race start to the taxi turnaround at Annaberg Ruins is the run I must once again conquer. It is both brutal and glorious, dreaded and anticipated, and a milestone of my training.
Halfway there is a good place to be, in the moment looking both at what you have accomplished and what remains to be conquered. Just me and the road workers on a perfect day on the North Shore.
Mom's Run
Sunday was my Mothers birthday. She would of been 77. She was simply the glue that held the family together. Moms always run. So as I ran that night at sunset along the north shore we ran together. I chose a brisk pace in her honor and it was my first fast run since finishing the Portland Marathon 2 weeks prior. Portland took a lot out of me and I have been taking it easy and resting more than I normally do in between runs. Mom never rested. She always ran the household, ran to the store, ran to do the laundry, ran to make sure we were safe and loved. Moms always run. She was afraid of no one, not even the cancer that took her. She taught me to stand up for myself no matter what, and definitely walked the talk. South Philadelphia in the late 50's and 60's was a tough place for us kids and Mom ran a household and lifestyle that any one would be proud of. Trying to think what life would of been like without her as a child is unfathomable. So I run for her and now for my Son and Daughter. Will our children remember us the way we remember our parents? Go out for a run and the answer will soon come. Please know Moms always run!
Friday, October 17, 2008
Hard Rain's Gonna Fall
This week gave us an example of slim probabilities. A hurricane moving north east through the Caribbean. One that missed us and fled as quickly as it arrived. Nerves abound prior to it's passage, nerves all ready being tested by economic strife and the uncertainty of things out of our reach and control.
As I crest the unforgiving hills on the north shore I am reminded of our utter insignificance in the greater scheme of nature. The road my feet traverses seem infantile and unsustainable when coupled with the reclaiming power of nature and I often think when our time as a species is finished here, what will this stretch of earth I propel my body across look like. The foliage is creeping onto the road from all the rain, the mountainsides effort to reclaim what has been carved out and taken away previously. The water as it cascades through the forest roars its claim to this land and settles into a place of merger with the sea. I move along to these thoughts and sounds and feel privileged to be able to run year round in such a magnificent setting, one many people only dream of, and in that singular thought, for that moment, I have communed with a force that goes by so many names that we will kill one another in its name. " A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"
A proud agnostic running for those moments of clarity that often arrive when you push the body's limits to places that you thought were unattainable, and in the quest so lays the answer but never the end.
We all run for different reasons and I have found that they sometimes change daily and that they are vastly different than when I first started. So as each one becomes a journey in itself I push the body to open the mind and hope for an answer or 3 along the way.
Be well
As I crest the unforgiving hills on the north shore I am reminded of our utter insignificance in the greater scheme of nature. The road my feet traverses seem infantile and unsustainable when coupled with the reclaiming power of nature and I often think when our time as a species is finished here, what will this stretch of earth I propel my body across look like. The foliage is creeping onto the road from all the rain, the mountainsides effort to reclaim what has been carved out and taken away previously. The water as it cascades through the forest roars its claim to this land and settles into a place of merger with the sea. I move along to these thoughts and sounds and feel privileged to be able to run year round in such a magnificent setting, one many people only dream of, and in that singular thought, for that moment, I have communed with a force that goes by so many names that we will kill one another in its name. " A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"
A proud agnostic running for those moments of clarity that often arrive when you push the body's limits to places that you thought were unattainable, and in the quest so lays the answer but never the end.
We all run for different reasons and I have found that they sometimes change daily and that they are vastly different than when I first started. So as each one becomes a journey in itself I push the body to open the mind and hope for an answer or 3 along the way.
Be well
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
