Hill Repeats - DANG!

This morning was a real workout. First of all, we had fog like you can't imagine. Just driving to the run was an adventure. I even thought for a minute that no one would show because of the dense fog. Finally, I get there and all these other runners are out there getting ready for their run. Amazing.

One side note: They all acted like there was no fog at all, everybody was just standing in the middle of the parking lot. Get out of the way, I can barely see you. Then of course, two minutes later, there I am standing in the parking lot like everybody else just daring you to hit me.

So, after a 15 minute warm-up we (about 7 of us) made it over to one of the steeper hills in the area - yes, Dallas has hills, man. 15 repeats up that hill woke up my legs for sure. The rest of the crew, another 20 or so folks, ran the regular hill route.

Did I mention what happened while we were heading to the hill in the dense fog this morning. It was so funny, but I'm afraid my writing skills are too limited to describe it. I can't even type straight because I'm laughing so much. Anyway, while we were doing our warm-up run in the dense fog of the dark morning we had to make a sudden adjustment to avoid a car. After the car passed I noticed a deep water puddle along the side of the road. I shouted, "watch out for the puddle" as I pointed down. My buddy did what was his best effort at jumping over the puddle and found himself jumping right into it. At first it looked like he was going to just sail right over the thing, but gravity won as per usual. Needless to say, his hill repeats were quite sloshy. ahh, good times.

Never, never stop running.

A Blast at the Austin Half

It is so exciting to set a PR in a half marathon. And imagine doing this in Austin, because most of us know that Austin is pretty darn hilly. Besides that, I did not really train for this race. I love that last statement. We often use it when we need an excuse for why we did so poorly or when, despite our great results, we claim we should have done better. Well, neither is true for me this time around, although I've used it quite often for those very reasons. This time I was running my fastest. I mean, let me tell you something, I was running hard and I enjoyed every bleeding moment of it.

I aged one more year this past weekend and it felt good to know I could still set a PR. I have been losing confidence in my speed lately. I don't know what it is exactly, but my lungs have been suffering during my runs over the last three weeks. That sensation of running a 7 min. mile then looking down at your Garmin to sheer, unrelenting disappointment of an 8:30 pace instead has been haunting me since late January. I'm not sure what it is, but now I'm convinced it's not because I'm getting older.

Anyway, back to the fun of the half marathon. One side note, I met Alan Culpepper twice last weekend in two different cities. He was at the Luke's Locker BGO 5k on Saturday morning and spoke pretty honestly about his running career and balancing the rest of life. He seemed like a pretty nice guy. I even got a photo with him and one of our fast running darlings. Just when I thought I was looking thin I had to go and stand next to this guy. So couple buddies and me headed down to Austin at about mid day on Saturday. It rained the entire trip and we were prayerful that Sunday would be very opposite.

When we got to town we went straight to the Expo (after a quick stop for those famous Jimmy John's sandwiches). I was able to get my goodie bag right away because the lines were pretty short. What I failed to do was bring in my personal chip so I could verify it. When I ran (really I walked) back to the car and then back to the Expo who did I run into but Alan Culpepper, again. With all the confidence of a fast runner I walked right up to him and said, "Hey Alan, remember me?". He goes, "Hey man, what are you doing here? I just saw you in Dallas. Are you stalking me?" The entire time with the biggest smile on his face. We shared a laugh and I told him that we drove down and that we've been here for about 30 minutes or so. He laughed again and said, "man I should have rode down with you guys. We flew down and I'm just getting here. We sat on the tarmac forever in Dallas." I replied, "Oh wow the hardships of being with Nike, huh?". Then we both laughed again.

All that to say he just acted like one of the guys at the morning Park Cities runs. Just a normal, albeit fast, guy. Here's a guy who's won the U.S. Olympic Trials marathon in '04, you see him in running magazines all the time and yet he's very down to earth. It was kool meeting him.

Well, everything had been going well for me this weekend. I met an Olympic runner, I also won a new Ipod Nano at the BGO event. All this on my birthday weekend. It was certain. I was sure to run a great race on Sunday.

Sunday morning was shaping up perfectly. The temperature started in the mid 40s, no wind and absolutely no humidity. I lined up at the start thinking, "this is a great day to run your hardest." After the National Anthem, we took off. I started out a little fast for me, but it still felt good. I knew however, that I would have to run faster than this to set a PR. Of course it took me til the end of mile 2 to really get started. Once that came I never let up. While my trusty Oakley Thump Pro shades were blasting out my favorite mp3 songs, I started thinking to myself about how I might perform. Even though I realized that everyone who came down with me was faster than me, I knew that if I could finish under 1:50 I would be in the 1:40s - genius conclusion, I know. But, if you can say, "Yeah, I had a 1:49", most people here 1:40 and are ultra impressed. So, that was my goal, to be able to impress everyone with a 1:49 finish. Most of the time during the race I really thought I would make it. I ran very strong, kept my pace at the water stations and even managed the hills with patience and determination.

In fact, I was almost suicidal with my effort. You know those days. Those rare times when you don't have to save your body for anything else. I was just free to run harder and faster, just daring injury and exhaustion. Kinda like a 5k race. It was pure bliss. My feet started hurting a bit, reminiscent of my long gone plantar fasciitis. My solution - simply run faster, so my arms were pumping pretty purposefully as I raised up more on my toes. I felt so Kenyan.

My pace was so strong that when I got to mile 7, knowing I had 6 more miles to go I was still feeling very confident. By mile 9 I started feeling the heat of not doing a better job with my math earlier. I was crossing mile 10 when I realized that I would have to run the next 3.1 miles in under 24 minutes. If all I was doing was a 5k that day, it would have been a cinch. But in this case, I was concerned because of those pesky 10 miles I had just finished. The fun part was when I said to myself, "hell, go for it, anything can happen".

All was going well, then came mile 12 at 15th street. "Who put a road in the middle of this freaking mountain." I don't know if my statement was audible and I seriously doubt I used such polite speech. And then those other two little, steep "tease me" hills near the end sent me for a loop. But, that finish. All of you who were there, you know how sweet that finish was. Just about as down hill as you can get - I leaned forward and let gravity take over. A hard left turn into the finisher chute at full steam to a strong 1:51 finish. Oh I loved it - a 4 minute PR. I'll take it. I know I've got somethin' faster in me, but I'll always take a PR no matter how slight.

All my buddies did so well, too. I think they all set a personal best. You couldn't ask for a more perfect setting and my friends took complete advantage of it. Congrats to all of them.

I'm coaching a quick beat group this Saturday. I feel strong and I feel fast - they're in trouble.

Never, never stop running.

A Couple of Bones to Pick

For the last 4 years Coolrunning.com has been a number 1 hit site for me. Everything running can be found at this free site. What was most precious to me was their running log. This log had a place for everything. I could input my running data including mileage data of all my running shoes. I was able to track my time in various runs. For instance, I had a run labeled White Rock Regular loop. I could run a report of every run from 2004 to present with this label and compare times and check on notes I entered about each run. It was simply fantastic. You know the bad part is coming. Why would I bring this subject up if something bad isn't about to happen. Well, Coolrunning in all their wisdom, sold out their running tracker to Active.com. OMG, I don't know why. No doubt it is expensive to keep up with all this data and make changes to technology. I cannot really blame them for offering something for free all these years and then wanting to sell it off to reduce overhead.

But, the new Active site all but sucks. In fact, it does suck. Not to mention 80% of my data is "GONE"! I was not afforded the opportunity to check out the new site and then retrieve and move my data should I not like the new site. And you need an MIS degree to navigate through the new site. It's fairly convoluted and the labels are bizarrely named. I feel so betrayed. Coolrunning has a great community and network of runners and I bet we would have been willing to pay for the site if needed.

Besides, Active is not geared to the OCD and type A nature of runners. It's just this huge site with all manner of activities going on. It's like going to footlocker for your running shoes. You can, but why in the world would you? You want to go to a running specialty store where they have first hand knowledge of your experiences and know how to address your issues. And even after you get the best advice from the employees at the running specialty store you could go to footlocker and by the shoes cheaper (maybe). But again, why would you? You want to patron the store that is committed to your community and dedicated to your most precious of interests. That's me too. Now I have a site that was dedicated to the special interest of runners, but that now has sold off an important tool to a site that views running as something you do while playing some other sport.

I've been given a lot of other options so, I'll consider one of these when I get some free time. I'm still pretty upset because even when I do choose a new location I will not be able to recoup the data I've lost.

The title of this entry reads "A Couple of Bones to Pick". It's obvious I'm not happy with Coolrunning.com right now. The second bone I've got is with Garmin. Really, it's not a "bone" because they have not done anything wrong. What they have done is nothing more than the advancement of technology. I just hate I've been caught up in it. For the last year and a half I have touted the wonders and greatness of the Garmin 305. For several months before I owned it I coveted this great little device. When I finally got it I was just delighted and it's accuracy was unmatched.

Well, Garmin has done it again. They have stuck it to me with what looks to be another great device. It is the "Garmin 405". It looks just like a regular sports watch and has most of the same features that the 305 has. I really, really don't need another gps device, but if I did I would certainly be looking at this one. None of the runners I know have dared buy it yet, so I have no particular testimony to its performance. One reason why no one has it yet is because they have all recently upgraded to the 305 from the 205 or some bulky Timex or Ipod device.

What this new version does not do that the 305 does is saving routes. You can have up to 50 routes in the 305, but the new 405 does not have this feature. But, it makes up for this short coming with quite a few new features. First, it acts as a regular sports watch. You can keep it powered on for up to 2 weeks in regular watch mode. That is a long time between charges. Second, it has automatic sync where it automatically sends data to your computer. Third, it's small like a normal sports watch so you shouldn't have problems getting sleeves on and off. Finally, it allows you to share information between devices (now I have not thought of a great use for this yet - but one is coming). I mean my 305 is still pretty new to me in that I cannot operate all the various features yet. I will have to just wait until they put out the 505 before I look at spending another 300+ bucks on a fitness watch/monitor. All those 205 owners out there now can have something to look forward to. Go out and get the 405 so we can all know just how good it is.

Never, never stop running.

West Palm Beach, Florida Makes 9 States

I thought I would never write this entry. Really, what can a person say about a marathon where he finishes 50 minutes after his PR? Should I go on some blame game about the stinking heat and humidity? I mean I could. The temperature was about 78 degrees or warmer, but that should account for about 25-30 minutes of delay. Besides, the good folks in Chicago faced a lot worse in October.


















Maybe I'll blame it on the fact that I saw the finish/start line 4 times before finishing the race. Now that is KILLER! Let me explain. In most marathons, we see this "line" twice, once at the begining and then again when we finish. But, that just won't do in West Palm Beach. Nope, in West Palm Beach you see this line at the start, then again at the half, and if that's not enough, again at mile 21, then finally...at the end. You might remember me making note of the effects passing a finish line to continue a race has on the runner's pschy when I wrote about that 20 mile no name race. Well, passing the finish line two times and one of those times is at mile 21 is simply heart wrenching.

There I am at mile 21, after having passed the finish line at 13.1 miles and then heading North through town for a complete butt whipping, looking at that bloody finish line once again. Just think about this for a moment. This time in a race is normally known as the "Wall", the place where all of your glycogen stores are empty and now you're burning fat inefficiently for energy. Your ability to solve simple math problems is seriously compromised, like 22+17=31. The size of the fight in you has been diminished to that of a peanut. If you usually have OCD, you now couldn't care less about stepping on that crack in the sidewalk. And forget smiling for photos. You are just seeking the finish. Then you look up, there it is (surprisingly soon), the finish line. The loud speaker has that ubiquitious voice of the guy calling out the names of the finishers. "Richard Fowler all the way in from Alabama, looking good Richard, gives us a smile as he finishes." The big band playing some cool music, "Celebrate good times, com on". Cow bells ringing relentlessly throughout the corridor and clapping, yelling and cheering. What a great time to be finishing - "I did it, I'm done!" Then, in a rare moment of lucidity, "Wait just a minute, this isn't the finish?" Everyone - and I mean everyone has their back turned to me. "I've been ostracized", I lament. "They're cheering for someone else. Dagnabit, I still have 5.2 miles to go!!" Now THAT will blow your mind.

After my woeful reality at mile 21, I continued on up Flaggler and made my way to the final few miles. Knowing that I would finish soon, I guess there's something redeemable about going by the finish line at 21 miles. This is me trying to stay positive - are you convinced?

When I finally finished I sat just near the bag pick-up right at the end of the finishers' chute. This extremely nice, little lady volunteer helped me so much. She accosted her husband and sent him off to retreive two cans of Coca-Cola, then just minutes later she trotted off to the Ruth's Chris tent and fixed me a little plate of lean steak and salty, shredded potatoes. Ahh, that was great. I got all my protein, carbs and electolytes replaced before I had to go any farther.

There were tents and celebrations happening all around me at the finish. I think the planners did an excellent job with the exhibitors. Even though I was just too pooped to consider visiting any of these vendors, I still much apreciated they're presence. The overall atmosphere was very festive. Florida is just too hard to beat when it comes to partying so, they have a headstart on other marathon locales.

That's just about it. I've covered the most important elements of my experience at West Palm Beach. I do have a few additional comments I can sum up here that may help you choose a marathon for next fall.

The Marthon of the Beaches is the very definition of a flat marathon. I do not remember even the slightest of inclines. I think this would be a fast one if you can get over passing the finish so many times and if you are blessed with cooler temperatures. I understand, however, that you should never expect cool temps in this part of Florida.

Flying into Palm Beach was simply a breeze. It's a fairly small airport and not very busy this time of year. I was a little surprized even when I was leaving because the small number of people does not reflect the reputation Palm Beach has as a resort location. You will have no trouble getting in and out.

No need to rent a car if you choose the right hotel. I stayed at the Hilton Garden Hotel on Worthington Road. This hotel is about a half mile from the Airport and less than a mile from the start line. They even offered a Free shuttle to and from the start. The shuttle bused you to the heart of Palm Beach on the hour or you could call the hotel and have the shuttle pick you up sooner. I guess the only thing I would have liked was to spend some time on the actual beach.

The beach was about a mile past the downtown area, but I was simply too lazy to find my way to the coast. That leads me to one final, albeit small criticism of this "Marathon of the Beaches", we never really ran along the beach since the race is completely on the intracoastal. I hoped we would spend a little time on Ocean Drive right along the beach, but really I knew better. I bet that could have saved us from passing the start/finish line so many times. But I'm certain the trade off would have included some unwanted hills, inclines or bridges, so I'm keeping my mouth shut on this.

Because I did not rent a car and I didn't want to be out too late the night before, I enjoyed a pasta dinner right in the hotel. Not too bad, although I don't think they could accomodate a large contigent of hungry, short tempered marathoners getting their last meal before execution. So if you plan on going with a group of runners, try a resturant in town for that customary pasta dinner.

Well, I've done it. I've journaled my experience at my 9th marathon on pursuit to 50. This event really tested my resolve. I can't recount how many times I wanted to quit. It even jeopordized my interest in going for a Boston qualify or completing 50 marathons.

I know so many folks who ran "that marathon", the one where they decided not to run another one. I understand these people now. Some of them never completed a single marathon due to an injury they suffered during their first one. Some finished that final marathon and their bodies have not been the same since. And some have walked off the course, completely dejected, exhausted, never having finished and not able to see themselves returning to the fray.

Good gracious! Any one of those could have and should have been me. 2006 Marine Corps Marathon, 2006 Tucson Marathon, 2007 Denver Marathon, 2007 Marathon of the Palm Beaches. These were all miserable experiences where my performance hardly qualifies me as a runner at all. They certainly are not indicative of a future Boston marathoner.

In spite of this, how is it that I enter January with a renewed, invigorated spirit to train hard, run fast and set a PR goal for the fall? I don't know - this running thing just still excites me so much. I guess it's OK that I cannot put my finger on it. I'm just delighted to be so blessed with this ability. The simple notion of locomotion - most of us do it, but not all of us can. I reckon that's something to hold on to. Many of my running buddies run faster than I - those I admire or maybe envy. Some of my running buddies run slower than I - those I appreciate and I know they're getting faster. But we're all runners.

There it is, 9 States down and 41 to go. For the next couple years I will focus solely on qualifying though - so only one marathon a year until I reach Boston. Never, never stop running.

My PR at the Dallas Turkey Trot

A PR is rare these days for me. I think my fastest marathon was only my second marathon back in 2005. Now, two years and 6 marathons later I have not come real close to repeating that. I did have a PR in a 5k this year when I ran the Camper Scamper but, I counted it as disappointment because I probably could have run that faster.

I would not let anything discourage my efforts on Turkey day this year. Previous two 8 mile trots I ran I planned not to run too hard. This year I decided to give it my best effort. That was so much fun. Oh sure, it hurts like heck, those blasted hills work your lungs, but it was well worth it. 64 minutes and some change. I was simply going for the 64 minutes. It is a great feeling when you set out to finish in a time and actually hit it. The funny thing is that there were times during the race when I fooled myself into believing I would come in under 60 minutes. It was mile 3 as I check my Garmin. 7:19 to complete that mile - it must have been all down hill. Reality would soon reemerge as I started making my way up the Houston St. Viaduct. Well, there's always next year, maybe I will finish under 60 minutes then.

20 Miles with Friends

I don't know what the name of this race is. Last year it was called the Texas Stampede. This year I think it's been named the Ascis Texas Twenty. Either way, today was a great day for a race. We started just below the American Airlines Center. Some of my friends were running the 10 mile race but, I ran the 20 mile race. One thing of note is: Most runners are like horses - when they see the finish line they're ready to quit. This race has the ominous reality of having a 20 mile course that is nothing more than 2 loops. Let me tell you passing right by the finish line to start the second loop is such a mind bender.

I committed to myself that when I passed by that finish for the start of my second loop I would do it with style and never look upon the finish or the festivities going on. That's just what I did. As I made my approach to the pseudo-finish someone in a loud speaker barked, "20 milers right, 10 milers left". So, eyes closed tight I dashed over the mat. I would keep them closed for as long as I could until I risked falling over. The next 10 miles would be a mind game of noting all the places I had passed before - a runner's funky deja vu.

The details of the rest of the run are not real exciting. My entry today is to take special note of a few good friends who waited for me at the real finish. They had run only 10 miles, because they're training for the year is at an end. Two of my buddies, however, did run the 20 miler but they were done more than 30 minutes before me. In any event, there they all were right at the end cheering me on. Run, Don! Go, Don! I could hear every single voice. I did not visibly acknowledge the screams though. I think it was my need to not let them down. They were cheering so I had to look my best and run my fastest. Their cheers could not be in vain, so when I saw them I started taking off faster to the finish. My sprint started a little too early because as I passed them my legs were wearing out. Then when their yelling started I was re-energized to run even harder. I pushed to the line with the voices of my friends encouraging me to finish strong. That was a lot of fun. Even though I'm just training for my last marathon of the year in December, I raced to my finish in this no-name 20 mile event.

So they should have left hours ago but, my friends stayed to watch me finish. And I was not going to let them down. Never, never stop running.

USA Olympic Men's Marathon Trials

Wow, what a day in running.

We had a Trials record set today for the men by Mr. Ryan Hall at 2:09:02. Congrats to him. So here is our team for the 2008 Olympic Marathon: 1. Ryan Hall, 2:09:02; Dathan Ritzenhein, 2:11:06(PR) and Hanson's Brian Sell, 2:11:40.

The American running community also suffered tragedy today at the same event. 28 year old Ryan Shay died today at the Men's Marathon Olympic Trials. He collapsed right near the 5 mile marker and was rushed to the hospital. Ryan was the 2003 USA Marathon Champion and was the the 2003 and 2004 USA half-marathon champion. He was a great American Runner and EAS "Work Horse". We will miss him. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and his wife, Alicia.

Before we start speculating or nay saying on running and other related health issues let's wait. There has been no official word on Shay's cause of death.