Ten For Texas

Had a nice day running at Ten for Texas on October 11th.  I won't say I "raced" it, because, well, let's be real, you need to train to race and I have not been very successful with any real training most of the summer.  

Still, I had a great run in the never- to-be-out-done warm and humid mid-October Saturday morning, aka Ten for Texas day.  No PRs, but a respectable time of 1:31:xx.  

Initially, this was to be my barometer race to see if I was in shape to give a go at a BQ in February.  Even though I wasn't where I wanted to be, I  ended up better than I expected I would so I have committed to a training plan for The Woodlands Marathon.

(In an effort to get my blogging back in gear, I have taken the #microblogmonday challenge.  You can jump back into blogging too!)

For Scott

You were taken from us a week ago today.  Never did a daily mile post go by that you didn't add an encouraging word to.  The advice you passed along through our email conversations will forever be saved in a special folder with your name on it. 

Thank you for being a wonderful friend.  I can not  imagine how much your family misses you.  I miss you.  All of DM misses you.  And most of us have never met you.

I pray I can touch half as many lives with half as much kindness as you did, friend.  I pray that you and Dale are riding the hills of Heaven together while looking down on us.  Don't mind our tears.  They will fade in time leaving behind a smile that is there because we were blessed to know you.

I pray for the soul that hit you, going 100 miles per hour.  I know that he can't live in peace now.  May he find a way to go on in a constructive way, because I am certain you wouldn't want it any other way.

May your family recall all of the memories you have made together and that they share the many stories of your love and life with your grandchildren.   I pray that your beautiful wife knows just how much you want to be with her.  I also pray that she feels all of the love from the people around the globe that you have inspired and encouraged.  

This week has been so difficult.  I am thankful I was able to talk to you today while on my prayer walk.  I was able to let go of some of the anger, some of the pain, some of the hurt.  There will always be a Scott sized hole in my heart.  Tonight, however, I bid you peace.  Peace in the eternal space that only love resides. 

Rest dear one. 

The Thoughts of a Running Mystic

I set out for an 8 miler in my mind today.  Decided to try and track some of my thoughts each mile for some amusement.  At least it got a blog post out of me!

Mile 0-1:  I FEEL GREAT!!!  It's not too hot...it's actually quite pleasant, at least in the shade.  Stay in the shade.  I think I will run 10 miles, maybe even 12!  I will pass Jim up in no time!!  

Mile 1-2:  My toe is starting to hurt.  Keep the focus on the breath.  Listening to Rich Mullins.  His music is so fantastic.  

Mile 2-3:  Wow!  It's HOT!  I'm sweating a ton!  I need to walk a bit...30 seconds.  OK...wipe the sweat off...It's hot.  really hot...did I mention how hot it is?  Jim who?  Jessica who?  What challenge?  Maybe I will turn this into a run for time instead of distance.  I can run 30 minutes and turn around.  That would be ok.  I mean, I'd be over 6 miles in an hour.  That's ok by me. Dang it's hot.  I love this song....

Mile 3-4:   I'm at 25 minutes.  Surely I can make it 8 miles today.  I will decide at the corner.  If I want to cut it short, I will take the short way home.  Rich Mullins can really grab the essence of God, can't he?  Maybe another short walk break.  OK...one minute of walking-GO.  If I cut the run short, I will get home to start the laundry that much faster.  Decision made, I am NOT cutting the run short.  I will run 8 miles and then do the laundry after lunch.  

Mile 4-5:  Can't turn back now!  Heading home the long way.  Look at that pool...Forget the laundry, we are going to the POOL when I get home!  I mean, it is HOT!   I love the lyrics to this song.  Lord, I know that you love me, but sometimes, I feel so far away.  It doesn't take more than an instant for me to become aware of your presence that I recall your love and mercy.  You forgive me once and forever.  All of my sin and shame are forgiven.  Yes, even those. Thank you, Lord.  

Mile 5-6:  How would I describe my spirituality?  I am drawn to the Franciscan life.  A life of quiet simplicity, a life of gospel love, a life lived that is not of my own design.  I am also drawn to the Ignatian interior life.  Finding God in each moment of every day; in each person I meet along the way.  I am so blessed.  I want a BLT.  Wave hello to that lady and smile.  I might be the only person she meets today with a smile. 

Mile 6-7:  (Bathroom stop)  I hope that there aren't any horseflies in there today.  I despise flies.  I hate horseflies.  OK, Lord, show me where you are in the horsefly.  What is their purpose?  I don't think that they have one.  Running past the dog park...no dogs out there today.  TOO HOT!  Poor Rosie, she wanted to run.  It's too warm.  I am too tired to take her out.  Maybe tonight when it cools down.  Oh, wait, I can't go tonight...I am picking up the Missionaries!!!  Foo is coming home from Haiti!!  Praise God!!  I can't wait for that BLT!!!  I am so glad Jim and Jessica encouraged me in this challenge...I love those guys!  We are a team.  A team in Christ!  Holding hands and running towards that finish line!  Jim can get that cake! 

Mile 7-8:  I am feeling good right now!  Everything feels right...even the sweat.  Thank you Lord for a glorious run, for time with you, for all that you bring me to, I love you!  I wonder if I can get Lem to start on the bacon while I shower...

Mile 8-home:  Switched to Third Day and sang King of Glory!  

Home:  Rosie is waiting...headed back out the door for a Rosie mile.  She loves this.  I love that we can do this together.  Wouldn't this whole experience be a ridiculous blog entry?

Savvy Cycling

I saw this animation and learned a lot from it.  I thought, perhaps, it could benefit others as well.  Cyclists are typically motorists too, so seeing this helped me in more than one way

Savvy Cyclist Lane Control

April Digits

Coming from my running background, these numbers just boggle my mind.

April Totals - Peak IM training

Swimming - 14 miles in 9:20

Biking - 491 miles in 26:52

Running - 108 miles in 18:04 (makes me wonder about that sub 24 H 100 miler in 2014...)

Total Mileage:  616 miles  Total Time:  55:03

This does not include the yoga and core fitness each week.

Now I understand why I am seeing such a physical transformation of myself.  I'm grateful that I have been injury-free thus far.  I know that if these were all running miles, well, I wouldn't be feeling this good.

Not feeling worried, just feeling ready.

Decision!

Since Clear Lake Tri, I have been faced with beginning the focused running training that will hopefully prepare me for Cactus Rose 50.

Truth be told, I have really struggled with whether or not I honestly want to do this race.  I have not felt in my heart that I wanted to for a while and I was hesitant to even mention it to anyone.

I did tell a few people close to me and they all confirmed for me that it made no sense to show up to start a race that my heart wasn't in.  Cactus Rose is not the kind of race that one can traverse without their mind and heart focused on the finish line.

I made the decision to train for a solid few weeks and then make my decision.  Admittedly, I was a bit nervous about the distance of this race.  Others have a hard time to believe this when I tell them that the 50 mile distance is challenging me emotionally, but it has been.  Yes, I have run several 50 milers, however, I DNFd CR50 in 2010 and to go down that road again is not on my list of things to do this fall.

Thinking that getting through some higher mileage cycles and seeing how my body adjusted to the increasing running mileage, I could better discern my fitness level for CR, I set about setting a date to make a decision.  During these higher mileage cycles, I have not let up the intensity or frequency of the swims and spins/cycling as well as weight-training that I had taken on.  It has been a challenge to get all of these workouts in, but the payoff has been worth the effort.

Tomorrow is that day.  But my decision is made.  I am in.  My heart is in.  My head is in.  My fitness is better than it has ever been.  I will run Cactus Rose 50.  And God-willing, I will finish Cactus Rose. 

Another decision that I have had on my mind is whether or not to run the "training run" in Bandera on Sept 22.  At this point, I still can't commit one way or the other.  I will think on this a bit more before making a final decision.  The two reasons I would not do it are the time it takes away from the family and the risk of injury on the CR course which could take me out of the race altogether.

As ridiculous as this sounds, if I should end up with an injury at CR, I would prefer it be while running a race rather than a training run.   There are obvious benefits to running the trail before race day, but I am not convinced that those benefits are worth the risk.

I am entirely convinced that my current level of fitness and endurance is the direct result of the cross-training taken on while participating in the sport of Triathlon this year.  I have trained harder than I ever did while "just running" and yet, I feel stronger, fitter, healthier, and have more endurance than I believe I ever had before.  Therefore, I will continue with the current training regime, only letting up the last week or so before CR.  I can not duplicate that difficult course in my hometown, but I can run on trashed legs and ride that fine line between fatigue and injury.  It will require me to be completely in tune with my physical state and not ignore any type of pain, ache, etc.  It will also require me to be diligent in my daily nutrition to prevent my body from breaking down.  This is a challenge for me, as I often forget to eat, but one benefit of tri training has been the increased appetite it has afforded me.  I wake up hungry! 

Here's to that little race in Bandera!  Happy training all!

Bridgeland Tri

Heading into Bridgeland, I didn't consider tapering much as I am attempting to keep my endurance building looking forward to Cactus Rose in October.  My average training mileage for the 5 weeks leading up to Bridgeland was about 75 miles per week, and 9-10 hours per week.  I have been feeling good at this level which was another "goal" I had for a reason that I will speak to later in this post.

Bridgeland was by far, one of the best run events I have ever participated in.  Organized, clean, pleasant in every way.  Whatever these race directors are doing, I pray they keep doing it.  I can't believe this race is only 4 years old.  It had the taste and flair of a highly seasoned race.  In a  pool of 1650 participants, I never felt crowded, overwhelmed, lost, etc.  I found several people I knew and met many I had only known by name until race day.

Packet pick up was a breeze, save for the horrible traffic to get to the site.  249-290 was under construction and this made for a slow drive time.

One aspect of triathlon I do not enjoy is the stress of getting to the packet pick up on time.  I imagine this is true for most people.  Trying to carve the time out of the day to get to some of these locations the day before the race is difficult at best.  But it is what it is and aside from this issue, everything else seems to move along quickly on race day morning, which I am sure is the whole reason behind packet pick up.

Race morning is always an early rise time.  This day, I was up by 3:45 and Mark and I headed out the door pretty soon after that.  The drive to Cypress was much quicker than the day before alleviating the pre-race "am I going to be late?!" anxiety I typically feel.

Body marking went well and I headed into transition to set everything up.  I was close to both the bike out and the run out which was great!  I walked around to get a feel of what it would be like coming out of the water and to get a general acclimation to the layout of the transition area.  

As Mark and I headed to the swim area, I started feeling quite a lot of anxiety regarding the swim.  I have no idea why the nerves jumped up, but a little pep talk from Richard, and I felt a bit better.  I walked towards the swim start and just tried to keep myself calm.  550 meters is nothing compared to what I normally swim, but for some reason, I was really spiraling into a puddle of self-doubt.  Perhaps it was related to my experience at the Y Freedom Tri, or perhaps it just was what it was.  I decided to throw out any expectation to time for the swim and focus on feeling comfortable while having a good experience in the water.  

I was in one of the very last waves, making my wait time about an hour to get into the water.  When it was  finally my turn, I got in the water, waited for the go, and started swimming.  Instantly, the anxiety left, I felt calm, and I focused on slow, steady form.  Kind of a funny thing to focus on when one can't see through the water.  I hope to one day swim in clear open water.  That would be amazing!

I finished the swim in 13:16 and was pleased at how well I felt during the swim.  I only used the breast stroke briefly while trying to site around the last buoy.  

T1 was a bit slower as I wanted to be sure to hydrate well and eat a bit.  3:19 was most definitely a bit too long and I will work on that for next time.

This race was the first race for the new bike and she did fantastic!  I felt very comfortable the entire ride and again, settled on the idea of not pushing myself too much, saving a bit more for a very hot run.  The first 4 miles on the bike felt great.  For some reason, miles 4-8 or so felt like much more work and my quads weren't real excited to push through.  I chalk this up to my inexperience on the bike and hope that more training on the bike will result in a better average mph.  The last 5 miles went well when the quads turned back on.  Total bike time was 44:17 (avg 17.6 mph).  T2 time was 2:36.  Again, another area to cut some time.

Philomena and I after her first race.

Heading out on the run, I again made the decision to hold back and not go all out.  I really wanted to savor this experience on this day.  It was very hot, and I didn't know how my body would respond to the heat and full sun.  I felt great the entire run, feeling stronger with each stride.  I tried to encourage the other runners along the way and made sure to hit every sprinkler that was set up to keep us cool. I crossed the finish line with a run time of 25:59 (8:23/mile).  Total race time  1:29:29.  17th in AG.  

I would highly recommend this race to anyone interested in a good sprint tri.  I enjoyed my time very much and will probably register for next year as soon as it opens.

Coming off the race, I have not let up on the training at all.  I am increasing the amount of cycling and running that I am doing.  Follow me on Dailymile (right side bar) if you are so inclined.  I am registered for one more tri this month, Clear Lake.  I will be taking on much more of a challenge as I am registered for the Olympic distance.  Then full on Cactus Rose training will be here.  

My reasoning for the heavy training over the last 6 weeks has been simply to prove to myself that I can handle the training load that will come from Ironman training beginning in January. (yes, I registered).   I am at about 3/4s of the time that I will be putting in weekly and feel tired, but good and stronger than 3 months ago.

At times, I feel like I am cheating on my trails by enjoying the tri training so much.   This evaporates rather quickly after noting the increased endurance and overall strength that I feel I have gained.  

Once I cross the finish line at CR, I will take some time to ease up and recover and then head into full time IMTX training.  I can't believe I am at this point in my "career" but I am embracing it all realizing that each moment is truly a gift! 

Increased Training; Increased Focus

As the mileage begins to increase on the training plan, I am noticing a greater focus on being in the moment.  Previously, while working through the training plans of the season, I would find myself not really focused on the run at hand, but rather, thinking about the next one.  When would it be?  Where would it be?  Would it be a good one?  Which race would I do?  And so on.

This training cycle, and perhaps it is because I have added in a few new tricks to the bag with swimming and biking, I find I am truly intentional in the workout I am doing at that moment.  I have been focused on my breathing and form while running.  Not so much my pace.  I am also really trying to listen to what my body is telling me.  If I have a wonkiness in my leg, I make a mental note and try to address it immediately or shortly after the run is complete.

In my swim, I am solely thinking about breathing, head position, how my hand is entering the water, my pull-through, etc.  And occasionally, it all comes together for a lap or two and I feel amazingly strong!

During the biking, which I am totally new to, I am focused on maintaining the proper RPMs, breathing, again, the position of my feet on the pedal.  I am entranced by the "push/pull" mantra that my legs sing while feeling the rotation of the wheels.

For someone who as easily distracted as I am, these moments of total focus are a real gift.  It is where the cares and concerns of any day are stripped away and I am able, for just a little while, to embrace the moment for exactly what it is.  This is a true gift and one I hope to be able to appreciate for a very long time.

Jumpstart

 My training has had no focus of late, because, well, I have no need for a plan until the end of June.  I am not handling this time without direction very well.  Turns out, I thrive best on organized chaos, strict schedules, tight deadlines, and the like.
This is our second week of summer and with very little running or training of any sort to be had, I have accomplished almost nothing.
No closets have been organized, no shelves cleared.  No drawers pillaged through.  Not even a lazy day at the pool.
I guess this is what happens when coming off of several months of stress, the un-fun kind.
The beginning of this week found me feeling like I could not care less if I ever ran again.  No matter how much sleep I would get, I was still tired. I bumped up the iron, slept when I wanted and then I noticed I started feeling better on Wednesday.
I met a friend for a bike ride which was cut short by a tremendous thunderstorm.  Last night, I was ready to hit the pool, but another thunderstorm rolled in just as we were heading to the Y.  I could have gone and jumped on the treadmill, but that was not appealing to my senses at all.  I opted for an arm workout at home with the free weights and my 6 year old Boo was all in!  He makes everything fun!
Today, I am feeling the need for a run.  But if I don't get one, since there are no sitters here right now, then I suppose it will have to wait another day.
I need a jumpstart to get my mojo back.  Not sure where it went or why it left.  I did register for a few sprint tris and I have Cactus Rose to start getting ready for, but even those carrots are leaving me less than worried about missed workouts.  Of course, no plan means no workouts are there to be missed.
What is YOUR favorite thing to do to get mojo back?

Layers

The experience of competing as a triathlete this past Saturday was yet another opportunity to peel away a layer of fear, doubt, and insecurity from my soul.

Many people have dismissed my journey to this race as "no big deal" because I have run longer distances than anyone else they know.  They do not understand my sense of fear because they do not live in the pool (pardon the pun) of self-doubt that I sometimes find myself drowning in.

Last year at the Texas Ironman, I found myself reiterating over and over again how I would NEVER do a tri.  I COULD never do a tri.  And seeing these amazing men and women who are much stronger than I finish this race only confirmed my thoughts that I could and never would attempt this challenge.

Then just as surely as I was convicted to never attempt a tri, I came to the realization that I did not want to NOT do something because I was so fearful of it.  The seed was now planted and the journey began.

I started swimming slowly but consistently in June.  After awhile, I found that I rather enjoy it.  In fact, I enjoy it tremendously.  Competing in swimming is really not something that I feel compelled to do.  I use it as a way to counter the miles I put on my legs in running.  I embrace the relaxation and recovery that I feel when swimming.  Swimming is a wonderful adjunct to running as it is the only activity that I have found that comes even close to the way I feel when I run.  If I have a wonky leg or hip, swimming is still an option and typically does not compromise the rest that my legs are requiring.

I also began biking more consistently, just to see what it would feel like to add something else into the mix.  Admittedly, so far, I am not a huge fan of cycling, but I don't hate it.  I have much more respect for those who do cycle and cycle well.  Biking takes a lot of strength and determination much like ultra running does, but in a different way.  I hope to develop myself as a stronger cyclist.  I plan to start looking for a decent used bike and all of the gear that goes along with it.

From that last statement, one might have guessed that I have decided that I may be in this for longer than one race.  And you would be correct.  I don't know where this journey will lead me just yet.  For now, I am going to take it one step at a time, one race at a time. 

I do not plan to give up ultra running; it is who I am.  But I also can not acknowledge the potential growth I can see for myself as an athlete through the challenge of triathlons.   I was never one to fit into anyone's "box" of what to expect from me. I am a fairly simple person that in the end, just wants to say that I have tried everything I ever wanted to try and never let fear stop me. 

Focus

After dealing with my last "injury", costochondritis, I have had a hard time finding my focus, specifically, my focus to running.

I miss running the longer miles, but the motivation to run long solo isn't really there right now.  I suppose this is ok as I don't have anything coming up until October.  I'm sure my legs are enjoying the time to repair and prepare for what will be coming up in the next month or so.

I have been spending more time in the pool and on the bike to add some variety to my training and get some use out of some muscles that usually stay fairly dormant.

Swimming has been a welcome addition.  I find myself really aching to hit the pool for some laps when I miss my normal times.  Cycling isn't something I can say I have enjoyed as much, but since a friend has loaned a very nice bike to me, I can see myself enjoying it more than before.  I find this very interesting because I came to running from spinning!  I did spin classes consistently for almost 2 years before I tried running.  I decided to try running and if I was able to complete a 3 month block of running, I would treat myself to a real bike.  Once I ran my first 5k, I was completely hooked on running and though I did buy myself a mountain bike, I have not really ridden it as much as I thought I would.

I have a new-found appreciation for cyclists now.  It's not as easy as I thought it looked, nor as easy as I recall it to be.  Even now, when I spin at the Y, my pace is much faster than when on the road.  The resistance of the street and the wind truly make my ride a serious workout!

Attempting to run off the bike proves challenging.  My legs feel as they have never before.  Almost as if they belong to someone else.  It seems as though I am running through cement, but when I review my pace after the run, I am quite shocked to see that my pace is faster than I typically run.  Maybe I should ride a bike before every run?!

As I muster up the focus required to get back into the ultra training, I am enjoying doing other workouts that only seem to break down more and more barriers I had previously set on myself.

One thing I know for sure, I will not back down from a challenge out of fear anymore.  Desire, definitely, but fear, that doesn't live here anymore.

Comeback?

Seems I am feeling a bit better this week, and I am so thankful!  A DM friend mentioned a condition that she had Costochondritis and I believe that ultimately, this is what I am dealing with here.  Dislocation just doesn't seem quite right and the x ray showed no discernable fractures.

Yesterday I was pain-free almost the entire day.  Today, I had a slight increase, but not nearly as painful as I was last week.  Feeling good and having to take things easy is difficult for me, but I am trying as hard as I can to listen to my body and let it guide me towards a complete healing.

39 days til my first tri. 

On the Mend...Again

The last few weeks since the marathon have been filled with lots of fun things, most notably, having my daughter and her wonderful boyfriend home for spring break and serving on a retreat team for the women in my parish.
I awoke last Thursday to some pretty significant pain in my chest, more exacting, my ribs.  Just below the clavicle.  At first, I thought it was a pulled muscle of some kind.  Then after taking a brief run and realizing I couldn't breathe, I started thinking perhaps the rib was broken or cracked.
This seemed quite unusual as I have no idea how this "injury" occurred, so a trip to the doctor to rule out things bigger than I care to imagine, (since my cancer scare 18 months ago, I suppose I have been a bit paranoid about these things) appeared to be in order.
I was able to get in to see the doctor on Monday and had several xrays taken.  In the end, a fracture could not be seen, but also, could not be ruled out because of it's possible location.  The 2nd and 3rd ribs are very point tender.
Doc seems to think that I have somehow managed to dislocate or possibly even tear the costal cartilage joint on the 2nd and 3rd rib.  The good news is that there was no other disease processes noted.

The injury is on the 2nd and 3rd rib, where the blue (cartilage) meets the white (bone). 

This Doc isn't my usual doctor and so I thought of every question I would have to run through with him to see what I could get away with training-wise.
He had my number.  I think my usual Doc must have my chart marked up with all kinds of commentary...
He told me... NO PUSHUPS!  Then proceeded to tell me that I can do anything else I wanted as long as it didn't cause pain or affect my breathing
Smarty-pants.  He knew that anything I do causes pain and affects my breathing.  He actually even made me jump up and down in the office so he could show me what he meant.  Creep.  :)
Good guy, really.  He wants me to rest for a week and see how it feels.  If it isn't remarkably better then he will follow up accordingly.
I went home, determined to rest.  I'm in an off-season of sorts, no problem.  Lies.  I can't rest.  I'm a freak.  I'm an idiot.  I even belong to the Idiot's Running Club.  There is no way possible for me to truly follow doctor's orders.  So I began organizing every cabinet in the kitchen.  Then I had might sights on the garage.  I started moving things around in there and realized, there is no way I could do it with the use of the left side of my upper body.  And I couldn't convince the kids to help me. Dang it.
I did weed out all of our vegetable beds and re-plant the remaining plants from last season.  You can do pretty well with a one-armed raking and shoveling technique!
Monday night, I could not settle down to sleep.  I was up till 3 am culling through our homeschooling curriculum and re-writing everything or the last 7 weeks of the school year.
Tuesday morning came, quite early I might add, and I decided to see if there was ANYTHING I could do.  We headed to PE and I hopped into the pool for an "easy" swim.
After 200 yards, I knew I had to quit as the turning of my head to the right side caused a lot of popping in the chest.  I finished up 400 yards and headed into the gym to try the spin bike.
10 miles in 21 minutes, but I am not able to assume the correct position on the bike because the breathing and angle of the chest causes quite a bit of pain.
After the bike, I jumped on the treadmill for a .25 run to shake out the legs and see if that felt any better.  Nope.  Done.
I came home and felt ok that I had done something, but was quite disappointed that I really can't do any of my workouts without jeopardizing the healing.
I tried some lunges and realized that I can do those as long as I don't incorporate weights.  I also plan to try to walk on the tm on an incline and maybe even try the stair climber.  We will see if any of these things can be accomplished without pain.
One thing I have realized, I don't think I will ever really embrace a true off-season.  Maybe my mileage will drop off a bit, but to stop all training after my racing season ends just isn't in the cards for me.  I like this because I understand that I don't do any of what I do for the race experience.  I do it for the level of enjoyment I derive from it.  I do it to clear my mind.
There are many more worse things that I could be dealing with, and many others ARE dealing with, so I refuse to feel sorry for myself.  I am trying to direct my energies to positive things that I CAN do while waiting for this thing to work itself out.  (talk to me in a week...I may change my mind by then and be ready for a good whining session...)
Get out and do what you can today!  Whatever it is.  And do it with Joy in your heart!

The Woodlands Marathon 2012

After a 19 year hiatus, The Woodlands Marathon was reborn yesterday in a big way!   I have no doubt that as wonderful as the the former Woodlands Marathon was, it could not have out done the new, revitalized version that was unveiled yesterday.

The race directors should be very proud of how the event came off.  I was so impressed at the organization that I witnessed in every aspect of the race as it affected me as a participant.

Receiving an email just a few days before the event stating that the marathon was in need of 500 volunteers, I was a tad concerned over the success of the race, however, if there was a shortage of help, it was not on the course.  Again, the volunteers came through in a big way, the way that they always do to make a runner's day as enjoyable and as successful as they possibly can.

The cheer stations were a great concept so that the community could be totally invested as they watched.  There was not much of the course that didn't have someone on it to support the runners with high fives, cow bells, signs, water, gatorade, music, gels, etc.  It was definitely one of the best road race experiences I have ever had, yes, even better than Houston.  There I said it.

Most of you know that I am don't typically run road races.  I'm just a trail nerd at heart.  In fact, this was to be my second marathon, my first being Houston in 2008.  I ran a 4:36 that day after 6 months of marathon specific training and quite frankly swore I would never do another one.  I didn't enjoy the venue at all and I didn't "get" the whole Houston experience.

A few months later, I ran Hog's Hunt 50K and fell in love with the trails.  So, the trails have been where I've stayed, save a few shorter distance community races.  If there is one thing I enjoy just as much as the trails, it is running with friends from the community and sharing the experience with them.

When I heard The Woodlands was bringing back the marathon, I had to register.  It's a hometown event, put on by great people at the best time of the year to run in Houston.   What's not to love?

At the kick off, I had the great pleasure of meeting Ryan and Sara Hall.  They are such a sweet and warm-hearted couple, another good reason to want to be a part of this event. 

On to the night before the race.  Up until now, I wasn't really sure what my race goal should be.  I originally considered making it a race to BQ, however, I knew with my ultra trail training, I would not be able to put in the speed work or MP runs specific to marathon training.  Sure my mileage would be high enough, but running trails requires a different mind set, for me at least, and since I utilize an 8/2 pattern of run/walk for any run over about 12 miles, I knew that I would not be physically able to gut out 26.2 without walking.  So a BQ was not a realistic goal.
I also considered that I would be coming off of Rocky 50 and not knowing how I would be feeling after that race, I didn't set any hard and fast goals.  If I could run it I would, no matter what the speed.

After Rocky, I have felt pretty good.  Ran a 14 day streak beginning before Rocky which only ended due to some family situations that required my attention.  My legs felt great, I felt strong, and I thought perhaps I would shoot for a PR.

Friday night, I decided I could really give the BQ a go.  I knew it would be close, but I figured it was worth the try.  I told Richard about my goal and being as crazy, I mean as supportive as he is, he offered to run with me for as long as he could.  I told him I was holding nothing back and he promised to drop off if he needed to.  (Richard is currently training for his 2nd IM Texas)  Plan was set. 

Saturday morning showed up with cool temps in the 50's and a steady north wind.  It was a bit chilly for me, but not for long.  I met up with Richard and after the pre-race walking around and finding a bathroom, we headed into the corral just in the nick of time.  The marathon started right on time.  In fact, the announcer mentioned that they would be starting the other races (half, 5K) about 5 minutes early!  How's that for being organized?!

They shouted go, and we were off.  We were to run two 13.1 mile loops along the beautiful back drop of The Woodlands.  Coming out of East Shore, it was very nice to see an entire lane and shoulder blocked off for the runners.  Allowed for plenty of room for the numbers of people who were on the course.

The first loop felt great, seeing the friends working aid stations, friends who were running, family and friends who were out to support us.  This is what community is.  I pray that those who were "stuck in race traffic" weren't too upset and could appreciate the hometown spirit that was present.

I saw Mark and Emma twice on the first loop as Richard and I were right on pace (9:00) for the entire loop.  Richard was strong and I felt great.  We ran through the 13.1 mark at 1:58.  Not too shabby for the first half of a 4:00 marathon.

As soon as we passed the half way point, a cold, light rain began to fall, with little mention by Richard or I.  We had just run and very rainy and muddy Rocky together, so this was not to be an issue for us this day.  My only concern was that I felt cold.  We seemed to be hydrating well, but chose to carefully plan our port-a-potty break.  I sensed we were slowing a bit, and looking at our splits post race, my sense was correct.  We had slowed to a 9:40 pace mile 15 and 16.  I chose to conserve at this point thinking that I could make up time after mile 23 when I would drop the 8/2s and run in the last 5K.  At mile 17, we were afforded the perfect chance to use the cans and we lost our pace there.  (10:17)  For some reason, this is where I started to struggle some.  My legs, especially my hamstrings were beginning to tighten and I had to slow a bit in an effort to avoid an injury.  I think the cold I was feeling was probably the culprit.

Miles 18 and 19 we picked it up a bit, (9:33), but still were not on pace.  We were pushing hard, but couldn't manage more than this.  We knew we still had a long way to go.  Miles 20-23 were the toughest for me, though we did provide negative splits for those three miles, I was feeling very low.  Having Richard there to pull me along was very helpful.

Mile 23 did not see fit for me to drop the 8/2s.  My hamstrings were beginning to cramp and I had to change my gait to ward off more severe cramps in the entire left leg.  Mile 24 and 25 saw 10:11 and 10:19 splits.  And then something kicked in for me.  I felt the heaviness lift, the cramps subsided and we ran it in for a 9:19 finishing mile.  I don't know what changed, but I did see a lady with my verse scrawled on it in very primitive handwriting..."I can do all things in Christ"...  The woman was a tiny little lady, whose eyes barely peeked over the sign.  I thanked her for the motivation and then charged off.  Of course, Florence and the Machine "Dog Days" was a huge boost as well!

I pulled ahead of Richard to cross the finish line in 4:06:and something.  I saw my family on the right and it wonderful!  As I turned to see how far Richard was behind me, he almost ran me over!!!  He hadn't dropped off at all!

Post-race festivities were very nice.  My Fit Foods provided the food.  I wasn't a huge fan as it seemed very spicy to my liking, but my taste buds were probably not in prime working order after the race.
I was able to visit with several friends and shares moments about their races as well.

Having the kids at the race meant so much to me.  I know it isn't nearly as exciting for them as it is for me, but hopefully, these experiences plant memories of when I am old and in adult diapers...

I didn't grab a BQ this time.  But I did manage a nice 31 minute PR with a very good friend who took a HUGE 90 minute PR from his marathon time in January!!!

I make no excuses for coming up 6 minutes short on this BQ attempt.  I am happy with my effort, as I do not feel I could have pushed any harder than what I did.  I ran a 4:06 marathon PR while using a run/walk method of running, no speed work, no marathon specific training.  I will take it as a great day!

Gear:  I ran with my Brook Pure Flows and had no issues whatsoever.  These shoes are amazing!  Injini socks left me with no blisters, and Lululemon cool racer back coupled with their speed short provided a nice comfortable experience.

Nutrition:  S caps every 48 mins, did double up a few times, especially when I could "feel" the hamstrings.  Responded well to this.  Honey Stingers every 58 mins.  Could have used some caffeine the last few miles I think.  Drank only water.

A Must Read Post

 

            The following post is a guest post from Kyle at Running on the White Line  

I have been following his blog for awhile now and really love what he puts out there.  I thought his post on his exercise routine was excellent and falls in line with my kind of workouts.  Easy, little to no equipment, and can be done basically anywhere, anytime, in any type of clothing.  Yes, I have been known to be fully dressed for Church and drop down to do a set of planks or push ups before heading out the door.  My kids think I am insane.  My friends know I am.  

Thank you, Kyle, for allowing me to hijack your post!  Keep up the great work!

 

Strength Exercises I Recommend and Perform

Here is a run down of my favorite exercises. They are super minimalist in nature. I prefer workouts that can be done with as little amount of equipment as possible, and these all utilize body weight. All of these are great options for a runner, cyclist, or any endurance athlete looking to improve their core and overall strength. They are extremely functional and easy to perform.

The ones that generally lead to soreness the next day are jumping squats and kickbacks. I try to plan heavy strength training on the same day as my long runs or key workouts. This is because most of the times after a long run the next day or two are super easy. This allows full recovery from the long run and the strength work. What I have done during my long runs is at every mile interval, stop running and do 100 of one of these. Save the squat jumps for the end though ;) If I do not do this I may do 5 or all of these after the long run at 100 reps.

Tuck Jumps
Jump and bring your knees up in mid air

Jump Rope
This is my favorite running drill. If you want to show someone how they should land while running, have them jump rope barefoot. Try jumping rope and heal striking or jumping rope and landing too far forward on your foot. Ideally, you should land on your midfoot or almost flat footed, and quickly spring back up. 

Kick Backs
Good quick workout for your hams and glutes.

Forward and Side Lunges
Strengthens your butt, hips, thighs, quads, etc. all round good workout. Be sure to not let your leading knee to over your foot. 

Whatchamucallit
I get into a pushup position and move the legs to the sides.

Mountain Climber
Great for your hip flexors and core. 

Plank Leg Lifts
Side, front, and back planks and just lift the leg. Good all round workout

Pushup

Sit-ups

Squats
You can add in jumps or make them one legged for a greater workout

Superman
Makes for a good back workout

Hills and Trails
These are actually the two best workouts you can do. I prefer hills for my strength and speed work since you have to put out more power while running up a hill, but they are very easy on your body compared to the same exertion level on a flat road when doing speed work. Hills are great for your core, hip flexors, back, and hell, everything else. 


A trail run is great for working on your lateral movement and stability muscles. Road running is very straight and repetitive. If you go out on a flat 10 mile run on the pavement, your right foot takes the same exact step 7000 times! Now do a 10 mile run on a trail such as pictured below, no one footstep is exactly the same as the last.