Trail running in the snow

After a mild dusting that cancelled pre-planned weekend shenanigans, it would only make sense to run on a trail I've never traversed sans snow.  So there we were in Lincoln Woods at 9 AM, understandably misunderstood by the plowmen as they told us to come back in half an hour when the trails would be plowed.  Don't worry, said the runners in breathable shoes, ankle socks, and shorts and a golden retriever to boot.  After high kneeing it uphill in snow, it became apparent that:
A) We should have listened to the plowmen
B) I am not ready for the Polar Bear Plunge come New Year's Day
C) Ice skating in rental skates half a size too small that qualified for AARP membership definitely does not help your feet

It definitely is nice to mix up locales since at this point I could run Providence blind folded.

Spotted: a team of runners exchanging a sledgehammer "for extra weight", when asked.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Devotion Deion and Da Future

I decided to go for a 'long' 7 miler around Providence on Christmas Eve.  I was greeted by an old lady and her dog and all I heard her utter while looking on was "devotion".  It's not so much devotion as me chasing everyone's times.

Stopped in to my local CVS to say hey to Nikki.

The end of my run featured a gentleman running a block with me before he high stepped it like Prime Time.

So as we head towards 2013, remember one thing: the gym is going to be PACKED come January 1st.

Philadelphia Marathon 2012

As I type on the delayed Amtrak train back home to Providence, all I can think of is this non-running quote:

"Looks like someone took the slow train in from Philly" -Angela from The Office, referring to, uhm, women of the night

Pre:
Jess and I arrived to Philadelphia a day early (Friday) via train to get acclimated to our surroundings, especially after the nightmare that was Miami.  Before the rest of the gang arrived, we sight saw (if that is grammatically correct) and snapped pics of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Rocky foot prints/steps, and let's not forget the black medieval/Dungeons and Dragons/LARP protestors in front of the Expo where I quickly developed a one-day addiction to honey mustard and onion pretzel pieces.

Where was I when the Great Depression part two happened aka Twinkies and Hostess' demise?

In a Philadelphia hotel room eating pretzel pieces, watching Alton Brown on 20/20 talk about cheeseburgers.



Anyways, what I did not foresee was that all the walking around in this (vastly underrated) city days before would leave me a bit sore the morning of the race.  Not to mention visibly embarrassed on the 48 bus when Jess sang the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air theme song.

Saturday, I got to meet up with ex-resident/kickball teammate Brian and family down in Fairmount (home of the Eastern State Penitentiary, Al Capone's one time residence) despite the insane traffic and GPS issues leading him to the 'hood.  Most inspirational quote?  Brady, Brian's 16 month old, saying "Tang".  

On to the next hotel at the hustling and bustling Sheraton to meet up Knapp, Sri, and Sean before dinner at Il Pittore for post cards and jacket gender mix-ups.   As great as it was, I will say I couldn't really enjoy dinner with that looming 26.2 staring at me.  On the way back after dinner we picked up predictably stale Dunkin Donut bagels and trash bags (what? and at a convenience store with different types of fancy cheeses) for the morning.  What was pretty clutch was watching the Rocky I montage before sleep (because of course Rocky I would be on TV in Philly, commercial-free the night before).  Slept on and off, got around 5 hours of sleep and woke up roughly every hour and a half.

Race:
Sore but wide awake at 6, we donned Mugatu's Derelict campaign trash bags (only runners would see this as sane) the morning of as we looked like pre-packaged humans or (stupid work) light-protected chemo.   Since it was 36 outside, other runners had on trash bags but were definitely from an older generation; trash bags aren't in the latest issue of Runner's World (not sure who I just insulted here).

I rocked the Cox black long sleeve underneath and the team shirt since the one race I ran this year and didn't PR was with a non-team shirt.  The rest of the ensemble featured my light Nike gloves that I flip-flopped during the race, shorts, and ASICS 2160.  Gambled on no chafing and won (but somehow, a bit sensitive in the (TMI) nips).

I will have to admit that I was pretty nervous before this race thanks to a multitude of excuses (Miami's implosion a mere nine months ago, bachelor party the weekend before, swiss cheese'ed 2nd half of training, oh it IS a marathon).  The thing is, if I were to fall short again, it's not like a written exam (nerd) where even if you fail, you can be done with it and nobody would be the wiser.  It is pretty obvious if I walk the last 10k like Miami (especially with my pretty much mandatory race report), except this time it would be sans KOB to lament with.

Jess and I headed to the back towards our colored corrals (great organization, Philly) and I jumped out of the corral at the last second (Serra style) to use the portapotty without my usual TP utility belt and made it back in time for the beginning. Bart Yasso made a cameo appearance at the starting line where I tried to get a high five from him but his back was turned as I hit the start button on my Garmin.

Wiser runners that we are now, I let the race come to me, taking what the race gave me and sat at 10 minute pace for a while instead of shooting gaps and finally hit mile 6.5 (quarter done) feeling fine while pacing with a backwards-capped Cowboys runner (albeit easier to wear since Philly is an even worse run team at the moment-ba ZING).  To remind me more of home, saw a Luke's Locker shirt and a Rhode Runner shirt.

No matter what, the inevitable human wall would appear as two bulky runners would somehow always be two abreast as I had to swerve or blow through them. Picked up "the point" move from backwards-capped runner as he'd point at open spots to let runners know where he was going before passing.

The course to this point showed roughly a .19 mile difference in mile marker to GPS watch.  This would be payback for the previous two 5ks.  I also thought my left shoe was going to pop off at any moment but never went to re-tie it.

Thanks to scouting the elevation map, we knew mile 7 and 9 were the only hills on the course.  Hills? That elevation map has jokes.  The inevitable downhills were my chance to let go and let gravity whittle my pace back down and keep me within distance of 4:00.  Around mile 9, I heard some Go! Team song with actual cheerleaders and then around mile 10, foraged and pocketed some Raspberry Gu's (which proved fortunate) since I only brought 2 honey stingers for each hour, leaving me just shy on calories if I was to avoid 'The Wall' we all knew was very real.  This was also around the spot of the nice huge building with pillars that Sean mentioned; this was the one spot we DIDN'T walk to on our walking tourism tour de force.

I hit 13.1 at 2:02 roughly with the emcee shouting about the elites finishing to the right of us as we took a left.  I came in slower at the halfway point than Miami but felt a million times greater.  I didn't think, man, I should have stopped here.  Mainly, I kept telling myself I was just getting warmed up and kept telling myself it's just like a long training run.  The elites passing us from mile 13-16 gave me hope as we cheered them on.  I just kept chugging away, telling myself "4:30, 4:30" to relax myself and not blow up.

It was strange since I remembered during Miami, I had gotten pissed at seeing runners heading towards the finish line as I started.  Whatever mentally happened in Miami, it seemed to never come up in Philly.

Between miles16 and18, I pushed the pace to see if I could keep the 4 dream alive and on the table.  It was here I gambled and gnawed on some of that Raz Gu.  This is where we crossed a tiny bridge reminiscent of the Dallas half bridge that shook due to the amount of human traffic pounding away at the concrete. There was a "Hey Ya!" cover at mile 17 which helped me to loosen up the arms and fingers via the "Hey Ya!" dance that everyone has to automatically do upon hearing Andre 3000.  (Gangnam style before Gangnam Style).
At mile 19 (I think?), Manayunk main street was where there was beer and a ton of crowd support.

I kept plugging away, keeping myself within sub 4 goal while not having unleashed anything too motivational.  It was at mile 19/20 that I knew I had a real shot at this and finally opened up a mental can of (excuse my 1990s white trash French) whoop ass as I channelled the training run on East Bay I had with Angela where we went 19 at 8:49 pace.  I knew I could do this.  I was at mile 20 and knew this is where the race starts.

Between 20-26.2, I felt great and knew I had two 5k's left to hammer out as the mental games started.  Hello, negative splits, it's nice to finally meet you after 3 years of racing.  I was looking up from that little village at mile 20 and that's where I pushed the pace to roughly 8:30 and passed cheering people, runners, future wall victims and wall-bound walkers.

I used to want to walk at the end of these long races whenever I saw a walker since mentally I knew it was now OK to give up because others had but today would be fateful as I had enough in the gas tank and never hit the wall as my brain never let the thought of stopping in to my docket as an option.  I think I have finally crossed over in to the insane runner category.

I checked myself around mile 22 and I felt like my form was relatively good.

The 4:00 pace group (with the same balloon-covered sign as Dallas' half that I ran) was in sight towards the end of the first 5k and I edged pass them on the left side.  At some point, I thought the comeback story to 4 was almost done but I would have to finish this off for this story to write itself.

Along the way I garnered quite a few "Go Aaron!" cheers thanks to the bib and that proved helpful along with high fives being given.  The crowd support was amazing and definitely a boost.  This must be what home court advantage feels like.

At mile 25, my left groin tightened up and my right foot went numb and I knew that I had to hobble it in after passing the 4:00 pacer and didn't look back.

I saw the girl who was ahead of me in the beginning wearing a Victor Cruz jersey who kept getting "Giants!", "Cruuuuuuz!", and (stupidly (or sarcastically?) ) "Shockey!" shout outs and knew that I could not stomach that salsa celebration (since my gag reflex showed up around mile 24).

Didn't stop.  Skipped the last 2 water stations knowing I could muster up a finishing kick.

Gagging was still a very real issue but the last half mile proved to be all adrenaline (accounted for as I sprinted to get to my adrenaline deadline) as I kicked up some dust for Miss Cruz with a chute made of cheering humans.



3:56:17



Got a high five from the mayor of Philly, got my aluminum foil-like blanket that I secretly have always coveted for what it signifies and my finisher's medal.  I swam upstream through the huge, sweaty caloric-challenged crowd, bypassing free food for a nice ice-cold shower and a chance to lay down.

Post:
My iPod died on the walk back.  I wanted to not bring it?  Thanks Knapp for telling the insane me on Saturday to pocket it in case.

No Wall, but no runner's high.


I wasn't as dehydrated this time since I didn't excrete concentrated apple juice from my body. I laid up in the hotel for 5 hours until a Philly-famous Pat's cheesesteak was walked and hand delivered to me after a long wait in line.  Ran up the steps again post-Marathon, took some more tourist pictures on our way to celebrate at the Knapp (and less importantly, Zagat) approved, hidden treasure (literally) that is Morimoto's.


Back of my left knee is a bit sore and my left groin but I feel great otherwise.  Walking downstairs to the bathroom at Morimoto's proved to be the hardest thing that day.

Great job by Knapp again, picking two stellar restaurants and a race that could not have gone any better; perfect weather and flat, made obvious by the great times.

Future:
5k in December.  Will it be a showdown between Pat, Knapp, and Tang? I am waiting until the last price hike (12/1) before throwing my hat in to the ring.  I originally planned on a month hiatus but after the great finish and lack of immobility (sooo in English, I'm mobile), I may chop the layover down to 2 weeks.  Next year's races will be very entertaining to say the least.

Notes:
We saw 2 people trip and eat it on Friday, thinking that was an omen for the race.

Wawa (convenience store in the Mid-Atlantic) needs to go national.

Seen during the race: A spartan from '300', Ivan Drago, panda, giraffe, 2 ghostbusters, a juggler

A conservative first half allowed me to gamble on the second half:
first half of the race: ~2:02
second half of the race: ~1:54
last 10k: 8:25/mile pace


2012 Triple crown implications were dashed as Knapp broke the half marathon times, jumping two spots and making me re-organize a majority of the times.  Thanks, Knapp, for being the fastest half marathoner this year (and all-time for non-Pat Henderson named runners).

Let's not forget Jess smashing her old PR by 15+ minutes.

I "smashed" mine by 40+ minutes...

Team's been on a tear, keep the mo going.

Speaking of teams, Plano Senior High School alum finishes 2nd in the marathon.   PSHS alumni representing.

What a small world we live in.

Best signs:
If marathons were easy, they'd be called your mom.
If you were Paul Ryan, you would have been here an hour ago. (early (mile 5 or 6?) in the race)
SWF seeks man with stamina Call Me!
Smile if you pooped your pants
Keep Going! Don't Stop! (That's what she said)
Here's my bib number, so call me maybe
Worst parade ever
Less than 0.17% of Americans finished a marathon in 2012
huge cardboard cutouts of heads of (I'm assuming) runners
A picture of Gob with a sign that read "Family love Lisa"


Definitely heard Gangnam Style at some point, I think towards the very end.


The further along we go, the less amped up we have to be; it has just become a part of us.  I didn't even make a playlist for the race; instead just going by what I have currently.  No running videos (minus the Rocky montage).

Philadelphia is underrated; I never knew there were so many photogenic parts to this city.  I guess the sports fans give it a bad rap.  The crowd support was phenomenal, it was decently organized, it was a flat course.  Great trip all around.

If I retire early, I'd love to go around the country and run races/review the city for a week.

Lessons learned:
-sleep two nights before is more important than the night before (since I am too nervous to sleep soundly)

-rendezvous points suck; just go back to the hotel ASAP

Pre-Philly Post

And we are 72 hours away from crossing a hard earned finish line in Mo Town Philly, the city Boyz II Men and The Fresh Prince built.  It's weird seeing the transformation in the past 3 years but after a while, it isn't about pumping yourself up for a race but it becomes just a part of who you are.  It's not about if you'll run, but for how long.  Here's to finishing my last 2012 race strong as the gang tackles the marathon.

last (and only) 20

To better handle the urban landscape for marathon #2, I decided to run my 20 inside Providence.
Ran a round trip of 5 to go back home and get some water and honey, my preferred caloric need for the race and to use the restroom.  Then did another 10 in my usual College Hill avoiding, Blackstone park using route.  As for the final 5, I rolled my left ankle pretty hard in front of a couple and again have hamstring issues.  I think I am mentally ready since this was my first semi-continuous 20 miler.

Post race, I will definitely take a month off from running and return to hitting the weights and maybe elliptical or ... a bike.

As for the race?

Run a conservative race for 4:15 OR roll the dice on a 4:00 (or potentially blow up again)?

Free to Breathe 5k Race Report

Funk Bustin'



This had to be the worst prepared pre-race mindset I have ever had for a race.  No youtube videos to pump me up, no Pre montages, didn't even know if I wanted to sport the Nike Lunaracers because, well, if you sport those, you need to be at your best.  Hadn't run in a week due to sore hamstrings and quads that were screaming from volleyball that started Tuesday night.  This all happened to fall on a hectic personal and work week that is all wedged in to marathon training.

The usual dream of missing the race came up and as I was awoken by the heavy rain at 2 A.M., (THAT heavy, that Aaron Tang woke up)I was so sure I missed the race and felt relieved.


And this next part is why I love running.


Wake up to a dreary Saturday and head on over to Roger Williams Park (which I should run through more, it's actually pretty nice) early to pick up a bib and pins, shirt, and wrist band.  Meet up the Cabrals, Jimmy, Souksanh and Souksanh's sister beforehand.  As we killed time before the race, we walked around and I am now aware that there is definitely a working carousel in the park.  We climbed up a muddy hill to what we thought was the starting line (sorry Lunaracers, you're not my most pristine pair any more) and warmed up to what we thought was a 10:15 start time.

10:30 rolls around, sun finally peaking through with my friend, Mr. Humidity, and the legit looking runners appear out of nowhere up at the front of the line, with me tucked in right behind.  The timer guy (had "TIMER" on his shirt) drove in his car and honked once for the "gun" time and then wailed on it to let us know for sure it was the start.

As usual, the beginning started way too fast as I tried to keep up with the lead pack (rookie mistake).  The first 3 finishers disappeared immediately as I tried to stay within the second lead pack.  I gently floated back to 7 minute pace as I knew that that was where I needed to be.

The mile marker was a bit early again as it had 6:4x.  Slowly, people started dropping like flies due to the slick (dangerous) rolling hills and humidity.  No offense but I had to pass the guy who was running a 5k with a water bottle belt.

Even though I kept climbing the ranks, there was this one upstart blaring his iPod zooming by in Minimus's which proved to be costly since he had to re-tie them twice.

All that stood in front of me was an older runner, a female runner, and cars driving by us.  Yeah, they didn't close off the roads so running the tangents was interesting.  Good thing I am a veteran of doing this running Providence streets.

The older runner pulled something and had to stop around mile 2.  Even though I knew there were some runners out of my sight, I thought the race was down to me and a pumped up female runner.  The first part of the race chopped my finishing kick in half and I was left to hold on as the battle of the sexes was won by the fairer sex on this day.

Towards the end of the race, we were coming towards the starting line and familiar territory.  As I chased down the female runner in futility, she looked back knowing she had this all day with less than a quarter mile to go.  On the left turn going downhill towards the finish line, I had lost sight of her and was a bit worried I made a wrong turn but was relieved as people cheered me on and one of the top 3 congratulated me as I had mustered enough to kick it up a gear for the final 200.

21:13.

Unofficially ( since I have 3.02 miles on my Garmin) age and gender graded at 70.7, considered an 'above average' runner.  SOOOO pumped about reaching that goal.  All that's left is sub 1:45 13.1 and sub 4 26.2.  And then I can retire?

Per Pat protocol, I looped back to cheer on everyone as they came in.  Sarah beat Kevin by a millisecond for those wondering at home; their times were a bit slower since they pumped the brakes for an autistic kid that was finishing the race and even clapped him in.  The running gods will be handing out karma points to them on their next race.

The finishing times came out quick this time and I saw my name as #5 and was so happy about that that I didn't even confirm my time.

The awards ceremony commenced and I came behind the #1 female at 20:4x, :bows down:.

I received 2nd in my age group of 20-29 and had my name pronounced correctly this time.

Two 2nd place finishes.  In Without Limits, Pre says "Is there anything worse than finishing 2nd?".  Not really when I can produce back-to-back PRs.  Most importantly, this broke me out of my week long funk.  Yes, this was a personal funk buster.

New post-5k staple songs:

Cotton Eyed Joe

Call Me, Maybe

Gangnam Style

2012 races: If it is A race day, then it is the hottest, most humid day of the week.

Aaron and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Week

Goose egg after goose egg.  It was bound to happen since the training was going too smoothly.  For whatever reason, my hamstrings are making me feel like I'm running through mud and my tank is on E despite getting enough rest and food.  On top of it, of course this is the 20 mile long run week.  Hopefully a wiser runner now, I am not going to try to make it up but just plain get rest.

James Paquette 5k Race Report

race: James Paquette 5k in Norfolk, MA
weather: humid and 70
goal: PR/ make up for the non-PR 5k last race

Sri, Kevin, Knapp, and I road tripped it all the way to Norfolk (Mass) for the 1st annual 5k at a saloon, featuring Kenny Powers' stunt double. In our hour of wait from 9-10, the cleanest portapotties were dealt with and warm ups began on the road after the walkers left at 9:30.  Delusions of grandeur were abound as the thought of finishing 1,2,3 came about when looking around for males in our age group.  Unfortunately, Kevin's knee would not allow that dream to even toe the line.


We had to be walked a street further down for the starting line.  As the horn went off, it was nice not having to dodge anyone as we toed the line at the front of the pack (pack being a loose term since there was probably tops 50 people (edit: 70)).

Running past the saloon, we received personalized cheers as KOB was our cheerleader today.  GPS watch saves me again as I and everyone else ran way too fast.  The first mile was basically me trying to rein it in and corral myself back to 7 minute pace knowing full well 6:30 pace would kill me.  Knapp caught up as we ran together for a portion of it.  Around 0.9 miles, there was a volunteer spitting out times.  6:30 pace?  Yeah, because it wasn't a mile in yet.

When the dust settled and there was separation, there were two out front and a pack of 3 girls and 1 guy with a knee brace.  The pack went out a bit quick and I was able to catch up to them around the 1.3 mile mark and eventually pass them from 1.5 on.  Once the decision was made, there was an older runner and a guy around my age in front of him and me.

I ate in to the older guy's lead slowly as I was loading up for a final attack on the final 800.  It was important to stay within striking distance since I had no clue where to turn other than having walkers or 8x11 printer paper turns that I'd see on telephone polls upon passing.

Unknowingly, the final mile was mostly downhill so my attack began earlier than anticipated as the course begs for a negative split and gets it.  The final 0.7, we ran by a lady encouraging me to catch the older runner and I was happy to oblige and shout out that I would just for her.

Following the older runner proved fruitful as he had a sixth sense for when to cut the road before traffic.  The final left turn was it as roughly the last 400 was the race.  We were side by side with 200 to go as he told me I couldn't let a 59 year old beat me and I told him he looked 40.  As obedient as I am, I did as I was told by my elders and threw down the afterburners/ gag reflex and finished 9 seconds behind 1st.

21:27.

Looped back around to cheer on Knapp and Sri but Knapp had already finished before I could:

22:16.

Shook hands with the older runner and even got an Eamer-style point as he drove away before the ribbon ceremony.

Sri was in a race with the aptly nicknamed Big Bosom runner, as she was boxed in for the race.

30:19.8



To cap it off, breakfast buffet the Ron Swanson way.  Ron Swanson breakfast: at least 6 eggs, 8 pieces of bacon.

An hour after finishing, I heard the words I wanted to when second place was announced:
Aaron...Tongi?

Ribbon and an additional free shirt, with the likelihood that the saloon had extra shirts from some Olympic watch party (because there are saloons.  There are Olympic watch party t-shirts.  Those two together make sense)

21:27, good enough for my goal of sub 7, 1 second off of being considered an "above average" runner by age-graded standards.  10/20 5k, need to shave off 1 second.


Addendums:
Check out the top 4 PR 5k times; all in Massachusetts.  What's in the water over in Mass?

Believing in karma and Running Gods, I donned the Tang Clan shirt after abandoning it for the last race.  Result? PR

Proposed race report title idea

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Tang versus 26.2

On a personal note, cracked 1,000 miles again and in the past 7 days and I have almost equaled my May output (61.2 versus 62.5)

20 miles. 5 cities. 3 Sisters.

List of excuses up front: back to back 10 milers after 3rd shifts, being sick.

Today's long run started at Haines Park so that we could make it all the way down to Colt State Park.   There is definitely a correlation between how far you are from Providence and the amount of 'hi's' and runner nods you get.

Speaking of hi's, Angela and I are, well, Chinese.  So clearly, the biker coming at us said "Ni hao".

Yeah, that's right.

Ni hao.


What's the equivalent for us? Saying "Bonjour" or "Guten tag"?

I'm not even offended (well, except for the fact it was a biker)

Colt State Park, wow.  First, it is the site of my 5k pr so that's always great.  Either I hit up some endorphins or it's always this beautiful:

Runner's tip: they have bathrooms and a water fountain (or sink water) where the race was organized, further down from the random skate park.

Today would prove to be the hardest run so far in this round of training (not only because it's the longest) but my hamstrings were worn down and I hit the wall for the second time ever at mile 14.

Good thing Angela, who isn't even training for a race, pushed me along so that we got back to the car at around mile 16.  Had to refuel on butternut squash, apples and almond butter.

After refueling, we looped Blackstone and then some to hit 20.

5 cities: Providence, East Providence, Barrington, Warren, Bristol

3 Sisters (end of Blackstone near India) mint ice cream post 20 miler (bonus, they have free water):

Win

Front door to Blackstone to front door, exactly 10.0 miles at the door (GPS beeps at the door).

Inspiration

2010 commercial

1. Fans of the greatest show ever, The Wire, will enjoy the narrator

2. How pumped are you after watching this?

song: Apocalyptica-"One (Metallica cover)"

2009 commercial

song: Explosions in the Sky-"First Breath After Coma"

Long Run

This concoction is what I thought I would try immediately after reading Born To Run. After a 17 miler, my med student pacer Angela made this for me which was chia seeds, grapefruit juice, water, Sprite, and berries along with some roasted acorn squash. Pretty healthy? Don't worry, washed it down with a Rice Krispie Milkshake.

The long run itself? The weather wasn't as damp as yesterday's 5k and water and honey mid-run helped as we ran 9, got back to the car, then ran out another 8. All at 9:20 pace, similar to my last round of marathon training. Hopefully the results are better this time around.

NK 5K Race Report

48 hours before: worked 2nd Thursday then had Friday off so rest wise, this is ideal. Unfortunately, sleeping has been an effort for me (really? From the kid who slept 16 hours). Definitely didn't hydrate and stuffed my face with fettucine the night before.

Morning hits and it's odd to have a couple hours before the race due to the 10 am start time. I think for today's weather, an earlier time may have helped. The usual routine commenced: banana and almond butter sandwiches, multiple bathroom trips before the escort from KOB and Knapp came.

NK High School (or what Plano Senior High School could only dream of becoming) was the site for today's 5k. A slew of people turned out for the race as co-workers (Josh, C Feds, Jen, Libby) friends (Knapp, KOB, Pat, Nikki, Sri, Brian, Hoehn), countrymen (eh I might have been the only Asian) exchanged pleasantries. Also, apparently I signed up as a 27 year old.

As the clock neared 20 minutes before the race, Pat, Knapp, Kevin, Brian and I did a couple laps around the track to warm up/begin sweating. Missing from this race was my iPod, my team shirt, my Texas bracelet and I was sporting Lunaracers that look cool but don't necessarily fit my feet. Karma would not be on my side.

Lining up for the race, we slid in to the middle of the pack before the national anthem was sung by a person and not by a CD. 10 hit and we did the usual crawl for the first quarter to half a mile. I agree with Knapp in that this crawl though wasn't impeded by walkers left and right and that there was minimal weaving.

I remember seeing Knapp around the mile marker, then seeing the Incredible Bulk (shirtless giant) past mile 1, Josh around mile 2. All the while, my GPS watch this time actually kept me motivated as mile 1 was 7:02 and mile 2 was 7:00.

Hard to see but at mile 2-2.5, my pacing goes off 7 minute pace and that was all she wrote for a PR. Also, There was a hill at mile 1?

2.5 on, I tried to throw in the final kick but for whatever reason the upper part of my abs were not feeling it and I was dry heaving earlier than normal, thanks to not hydrating beforehand. The last 400, I picked it up and dropped 6 minute pace (uneven pacing? working on it) as the widely discussed tease of a finish made everyone cringe. Instead of cutting to the finish line, we had to loop around after passing the finish line. Hit the chute at 22:18, watch said 22:08.

The usual seeing Pat and C Feds at the finish and as THE Greg and the rest finished, we cheered on the rest of our friends.

How do I know we ran a race in the New England Area? There was a crock pot full of clam chowder served in styrofoam cups. Soooo good post-race. The donuts and hot dogs though, could not do it.

Final Thoughts:

Chatter of low expectations leading to setting PRs probably should've been my mindset as I thought I was ready to go sub 7.

More motivated to run now, and another 5k. I want that PR.

For what I thought was a small race, the swag was pretty decent (albeit Kent Hospital may have sponsored it, as seen below)

tech shirt, magnet, notepad, chapstick, sanitizer, man purse

Labor Day Long Run

Koan: what's the sound of one hand clapping?

Running Koan: does a long run count if no one knows about it?

Today's the Tang version of GTL (Go run and Tan shirtless, do Laundry)

2 things occurred to me when I ran long today on East Bay:

1) I like East Bay

2) I hate bikers

I am probably cranky from running 8 the night before (flashlight app on iPhone, so clutch for that) this morning's 16 but I am gonna go on a rant.

Wannabe Lance Armstrong/ Nascar sell outs ( check out the "sponsored" jerseys), can you scoot out to the 2nd lane on the path? I really don't feel like having you guys brush past my barely visible arm hair. God forbid, you or I trip. I realize I have dropped a couple lbs but it is still inexcusable to stay in my lane. Can't wait until the weather is "too cold" for bikers and perfect for us runners.

Rant over.

Thanks to a co-worker that runs, I may have found a more palatable solution to calories on the go; Honey Stinger. Just bought a box of it on Amazon.

As the World Turns

Another week closer to 26.2. The runs have felt better and the training more correct, minus the Thursday easy run being delayed to Friday because I have to work second shift and turn in to a hermit. I have to change that since next week it's an 8 and 16 miler on the weekend; 4 before it would be torture.

During my 10 miler today I realized:

-Pawtucket isn't that far, along with Modern Diner, Doherty's Pub, and the place for the Winter Farmer's Market.

-Miriam Hospital looks soooo much nicer than RIH

-Finally sat in one of these bad boy stump seats, with proof

-Running with someone, every topic flies out.

Are you smug?

It has come to my attention that for some of us, we may have crossed the border in to the land of no return. What am I talking about?

Well, I think that I may be perceived as a bit of a health nut at work for running a 14 miler pre-work and eating 'healthy', being disgusted by juice that ISN'T watered down.

So what? I do the same things, Aaron.

Well, let's remember not too long ago, I and many of you approached a 5k as a daunting task, as if completing it was equivalent to climbing Mt. Everest. As you shared your experiences with co-workers asking that automatic question about how your weekend was, they empathized or sympathized with you, as you described your struggles to run a mile or two all while trying to look like a runner. (No easy feat, mind you)

Fast forward to the present and as I yawn audibly at work at the beginning of my shift, the question asked was how much sleep I had gotten.

8.

But, I added, I ran a 14 miler and a race pace 7 the night before and that was why I was tired. In fact, I tacked on the factoid that my weekly mileage on my legs (47) was greater than the mileage that week on my car (10?).

To you all, you've done this distance so it isn't a complete shock. I think to most, the statement about mileage just sounds like bragging. It's hard not to come across as such and I do recall not too long ago whenever a cousin of mine or friends mentioned running or lifting, I'd think they were rubbing it in my face that they were in better shape than my former self. My takeaway is self awareness is key and that I am glad I can share my experiences with you all (y'all) and ask about chafing or bleeding or what hurts because otherwise, I would be smug to the rest of the world.

Long on VJ Day

13 miler today has some key words:

-dehydration

-relative humidity

Running in to the sun's path is WAY harder than the sun on your back.

A dehydrated 13 miler is equivalent to a hangover.

4 Powerades later and I am STILL dehydrated.

NK 5K and Training Mindset

North Kingstown 5k Sept 8th

5 weeks from the 5k...sign up now!

So day 1 of training (and more entries in the past week than the last 3 months), I am going to try to get as much rest as possible aka not going out late, eating healthy, and keeping hydrated. The training that I did last year will have to be done smarter as it appears I was supposed to run at race pace then run long back to back which I barely ever did. And working out my core. I know what I have to do, now time to execute consecutively for 16 weeks...

12 before it begins again

With a renewed sense of running, Knapp and I went out to Blackstone to throw down a long run after a healthy dinner of salmon burgers and chicken sausage (what's happened to our diets?). Swimming through today was interesting since the humidity was at 100% soak. The lungs were filled with fluid for sure.

After valiantly running 9, Knapp ran in to Mr. GI. The final 1.5, a tie-dyed kid blew past me. There's no way I could say to the kid I just ran 10.5 beforehand, so I decided to follow the pace and then turn it on the last mile down to 7:15 pace. Would've passed if not for the fact it would look pretty dick-ish to do so.

Day 1 to 26.2 starts tomorrow.

"Why do we fall, Master Wayne? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up."

I think I am fully back to being ready to train for my 2nd marathon. The past couple of months, life kind of forced this blog and running to the back seat. Tonight, I felt a bit tired after work and felt like lounging and surfing the TV waves until 9 which is when I decided to hit the pavement. Determined to just hit 5 miles, I made the choice to do 10 miles after mile 2.

I never realized how many runners there are at night and how dead downtown is.

If I had one of those 'injury free at the workplace' signs, I'd have to erase the year and a half streak after tripping near Chez Pascal. Providence sidewalks-potholes-canyons and running at night do not mix.

I can't believe I am saying this, but I miss long runs. I haven't run this far in...since I got broken in with the med student/Brown run group.

We'll see if I can pick myself back up and break 4 this time around.

Back from break

In case you haven't seen me in a week, I am back on the campaign trail to 26.2 in Philly. Why? Somewhere between med students kicking my butt on an easy 5 and sprinting from the Charles River to Back Bay Station in the pouring rain on the fourth, that extra motivation kicked in. Running through a crowded Waterfire crowd before third shift nailed it home as I mocked a kid trying to mock me via the stop light stand and jog (which I don't do).

Two Weeks Until Marathon Training Kicks Off!

There are just under 2 weeks left before my official marathon (hardcore) training kicks off. What better time to start blogging about jogging again!

To be honest.. I'm nervous about the Philadelphia Marathon. What did we sign ourselves up for?! AGAIN!?

Some thoughts before training gets into full swing...


"You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming." -- Frank Shorter, 1972 Olympic marathon gold medalist
I have almost forgotten about the Newport marathon. I find that it's very hard to forget certain aspects of training and running a marathon. Mainly the mind games that you have to play to get to where you want to be. A few out of probably a dozen or so words come to mind when I think of how to describe the sort of themes of the mind games. Dedication, courage, determination, etc... I'm not even mentioning the insane physical aspects of it all. What type of "mind game" will it take to convince myself that it's perfectly okay to run another marathon a little over a year later than my first one?? I stopped running for maybe a month or two after the marathon because I was so burnt out (also because my ankle got ridiculously swollen for a while after the marathon). I will really have to trick my mind into thinking that this is normal.

Meanwhile so many of my non-runner friends and family think I'm insane for wanting to run another marathon. They clearly don't get it :-) I'm not just doing this for "fun", or to stay in shape (although that is a certain bonus). It's also about my forever battle with myself to do better than the time before (which can apply to much more than just running). It is the goals that I make for myself that help keep me motivated. This marathon will not be about just finishing it (like my first one). But finishing with a better time than 4h43m. I know I can run a marathon. Been there, done that. But can I run it just a little bit faster?? We shall see...

My training this time around will incorporate more cross-training like biking and swimming (another goal is to do a triathlon by the end of the summer). I would also like to focus more on the pre- and post-run workouts like strength training (lifting 5-10 lb weights because my arms are so weak), yoga, and stretching. The "diet" usually comes along with the exercising. I tend to eat a lot better when I am training for something. I just feel so much slower when I eat crappy food.


To help get me back into the habit of running, I found a pre-training schedule. I tweaked it a little bit to fit my schedule a little better but here it is:

Mon (06/18)- 3miles, Tues- off (yoga), Wed- 4M, Thurs- 4M, Fri- off, Sat- 3M, Sun- 6M
Mon (06/25)- off (kayaking), Tues- 4M, Wed- 5M, Thurs- 4M, Fri- off, Sat- 4M, Sun 7M

Hopefully this will help get me into a routine. So far so good.. I ran 3.2 miles today after work (crossed off above list). Yippee! Like Tang, I too have hit somewhat of a wall. I keep trying to climb up it but then somehow I slide back down. The last few weeks have been low mileage. Last week I think I only ran a total of about 10 miles total. I did run a 29:29 5K on the treadmill.. not my best but I'll take it. On Friday I rode 25 miles on the bike at the East Bay Bikepath.. what does that equal in running time/distance??? Who knows and who really cares...

What I do know is that within the next two weeks I need to somehow rediscover that ambition and motivation to get my ass out the door and RUN!

Doldrums

In between marathon 1 and 2, I have hit a wall. I am not sure what is going on but thanks to a run with Jess, I may have to just suck it up and realize marathon 2 training is not too far away. I might just take June super easy and hit it hard come July-November then take December completely off.

Cherry Tree/Navigant Half Marathon Part Deux

Going in to the 2nd annual race, there were a couple things already to consider:

1) The race would be a non-team race since we didn't get 3 signed up in time

2) I would be racing for my pride against a co-worker's mother. A lose-tie situation no 26 year old male wants to find himself in.

The packet pick-up would be fruitful as the Sri and Knapp duo picked me up to hit up Geoff's hipsterific sandwich shop on the east side then off to the friendly confines of the new (but barren) Rhode Runner. Good news: the shirts this year are wearable.

Bad news: they are a mix of OKC Thunder colors and a futuristic/TRON sporting team.

The pre-race tradition:

Pre movie + Fire on the Track + youtube vids of running commercials, Kara Goucher vids

toilet paper utility belt assembly

bib pinned on

charged GPS watch

playlist (bonus: the whole list is 1:45:01)

reading past race reports as motivation

Morning of:

Jess picked me up as I had my racing gear in a bag, elementary school style as I sat on the curb after 6 hours of sleep. We met Knapp at the Apex building (what's actually in it?) and we were on familiar ground around 7:15. As I sported a Plano XC shirt, a fellow Texan recognized it while we were in the short line for the portapotties. I sat in my plastic throne for a while as I have been doing for this past month due to lack of sleep and overall GI issues. Due to these extenuating circumstances, I approached this race with apprehensiveness and maybe it's the experience talking but I kept my emotions in check.

As 8 drew closer, the lines for the johns were ... still not that long (the race was actually smaller than last year). The same English emcee was back, sarcastically commentating on inspirational songs per usual.

We lined up correctly this time in the middle of the pack so as not to get passed by everyone. Coincidentally, U2's "Beautiful Day" was my 1st song and the song that was on at the starting line. We started right on time and circled downtown Pawtucket in usual adrenaline inducing fashion as I had to force myself to pump the brakes. The GPS watch definitely corralled me to stay within my designated 8 minute pace.

splits:

I saw Knapp at the turn around around mile 3 (where I saw Pat and KOB last year) and got another shot of adrenaline after seeing a teammate and little did I know, I was buzzing around 7 minute pace so I had to dial it back. Most of this race found me within a pack of roughly 10 older runners who paced decently. There was a blonde woman whom I wanted to ask the whole time if she was my co-worker's mother since she and I traded who was ahead of one another.

I took every water station along the way and even saw a Texas Rangers shirt on a volunteer. What Mr. King of the Hill aka Knapp and I do agree upon were that there were quite a few hills in the 3-6 mile range (with my splits above as evidence). We swear we ran the same race last year but it definitely hit us harder what with the cloudless sun making a rare yet unwelcome appearance.

Since I was sporting a black cotton Plano shirt (the horror) I had to hold on to it after popping it off Baywatch style mid-run around mile 5 until I saw our friends at the halfway point so I tossed it near Nikki and Sri around the bridge near Ashton Mills in dramatic fashion.

Running through the all too familiar bikepath put me at ease. I tried to trick my brain over and over in to thinking I just started and that I just warmed up for 7.5 miles. From mile 7.5-10, I kept telling myself to stay around 8:15 pace and see what I had in the tank for 10-13.1. At this point, I should have known a finishing kick for 5k was absurd as I have rarely had one for anything past a 5k race.

When I hit mile 10 faster than my 10 mile PR, I realized I would have to tack on a faster 5k than my PR for a shot at sub 1:45. Even chasing KOB's ghost time of 1:46 would be tough. Note to self: work on speed for the marathon.

So I held on for dear life while the sun kept rearing its ugly head. Following has its advantages as I was able to watch the runners ahead of me hunt for shade as I simply followed their trails. For once, I never really had to fight the urge to walk (instead fighting the urge to gag early and often).

Crowd support (Pat, Sri, Lauren, and Nikki) came up big and I hammed it up as I cranked it up to race a guy in the final .1 mile. As we threw the hammer down, the English emcee said something to the effect that we weren't going to win but my ears lost focus as everything went in to the chute. Lost it this time as I pulled out the final kick too soon but thanked him for turning it in to somewhat of a race.

Went back along the race and cheered on Knapp, my co-worker David, and Jess. Unfortunately my black shirt was soaked/in Sri's car so Knapp and I wore Pat Henderson hand me downs (and passed on Serra's risque shirt).

Per tradition, this cast of friends went over to Modern Diner to dine on breakfast post-race to discuss upcoming weddings (what?) and watch me sleep before work. I actually ordered a Tom Pesto Mozz omelette correctly and we fell victim to not having cash on us because one day we'll learn they don't take credit cards. All in all, the usual.

By the numbers:

1:47:27.8. PR but still a minute off of KOB's PR. However, I did beat my co-worker's mother.

1:58:37.7 Knapp

2:09:51.6 Ouellette

Extended coverage featuring Texan winners

GI Joe and the long run

(around Washington St. pre-Cox running bonanza tomorrow)

After a break from the blog and from running due to kickball/work, I came back looking for 14 miles. What did I find? A bunch of runners in race mode apparently; I have never gone out on a long run, waved at every runner, and received zero waves back. Undeterred, I ran to the east, up and down Blackstone to find my newest long run nemesis; my GI tract.

Half way in to 14, I was stopped short. Walk. Run. Walk. Run. Walk. Venture in to a gas station bathroom? Walk. Run. Snap above picture. Run.

13.1 should be sufficient. The first 7 was run as close to 9 minute pace and the last 6.1, I tried picking it up. From 7-8.5, some dude who was walking in front of me in an aneurysm-inducing zig zag pattern, decided to chase me down.

The sound of footsteps.

The thought that maybe I need to turn my iPod down because it could just be my footsteps.

Then the walking runner right behind my shoulder pushed me to 5k pace.

The testosterone outweighed my need to run even. I negative split him to the end of Blackstone as he started walking, and I continued the 2nd half of my run

Also, someone remind me to sign our team up; you guys signed up again before I could get a team.

It's business time

With a blink of an eye, it's April and the Miami Marathon is 2 months past. Thanks to being awoken by Pat and Jess's friendly nudges, it's time to get ready (aka sign up) for the Cherry Blossom half or whatever random name they've slapped on to it. Philly Marathon, see ya in November. Definitely need to get back in to the swing of things and what better way than a 12 miler with Mr. Knapp in Cumberland. Looks like the team this year to defend the title will be:

Pat

Knapp

Jess

Kevin (if he signs up/ gets out of work)

Tang (if he signs up/ gets out of work)

I'm just hoping this time around, the shirts are a color that is identifiable in the ROYGBIV arena. (Still haven't worn last year's tech tee)

Off-topic, here's my gentle jab at crossfit by Kenny Powers, knowing full well running is exercise,

While running during a picture perfect day for Texas (aka 65% of RI days), I can check off another running happening:

bird poop on my sleeve

Looking at my log and the scales, it appears this 3 week hiatus from work was not only one from work itself but also running. I have definitely underestimated the mental and physical pounding marathon training has on me. But...yeah, yeah, I think I am ready to get back to it. East Bay should be opening up soon and I'll have to flip the switch back on and attack a sub 4 marathon time.

Texas

As I settle back in to my Plano soccer mom mentality after a couple days back, it's like deja vu all over again:

Air Quality goes to Providence

Friendliness goes to Plano

Mosquitoes...definitely in Plano

Water fountains and bathrooms go to Plano

I am shocked as to how long it has taken to get my legs back since the marathon. I feel as though I am still sitting on 6.5 miles then I am out of gas.

As I woke up at 7(AM), I got caught in a down pour. As I passed a couple runners with dogs, it occurs to me mid-wave and "Morning!" yell that running is a lot like life; as long as someone else out there is going through what your going through, it's not that bad. If anything, comedic.

Pre-Texas Holiday

For a guy who never liked to run the mile in school, just hit 3,000 on the odometer since 2009. [insert lame 'Time for an oil change' quip]

Redeem Team, consisting of verbal hand shakes:

Knapp

KOB

Jess

Tang

2012 Philly Marathon.

Now if only I could get back in to running consistently.

Redeem Team

The rumors are true, we are insane: redemption run for round 2 of the marathon, the Philly Marathon.

Personally, after about a month since the marathon, I am still trying to regain my legs. When faced with the proposition of running a 5k or half in the near future, it is such a dramatic change in terms of speed and mentality. The marathon and the training itself seemed like a long easy run (because it was, right?). I have been testing my 5k and half pacing for short intervals and need to kick it back up a gear or two.

I also finally realized I have (if ideal conditions) race pace for mile, 5k, half, and full. (6,7,8,9)

So Mainstream

With the whole trend of Shit _____ says, this is the best runner's one: Sh!t Runners Say.

Guilty of saying more than 1/2 of these.

The Aftermath

With the completion of my first marathon, the next question becomes what next? The brains of the whole operation, Knapp, with this year's schedule:

Shamrock Shuffle 5k (3/17)

Bellingham Challenge 5k (4/29)

Cherry Tree Half Marathon (defend our 1st place team title?) (5/20)

Matty's 5k (6/9)

Providence Rock and Roll Half Marathon (8/19)

and ... the Philly Marathon? (11/18) We'll see.

Post-marathon, the chafed areas have finally healed after 2 weeks and I am now the proud owner of 4, count em 4, black toe nails. I took pics of the feet but now feel they are NSFW.

After my first non-treadmill gym session, it has come to my attention that I am wildly weak. Time to hit the weights again.

Welcome to Miami

"If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon."

-Emil Zatopek

"There will be days you don't think you can run a marathon. There will be a lifetime of knowing you have."

Race Eve:

Nothing like waking up at 5 am after 2nd shift to drive to Boston to catch a flight to MIA for... the very first marathon.

Fact: There's a Miami Convention Center, and then there's a Miami Beach Convention Center. The right one requires a school bus that meets at a 5 dollar petting zoo(mind you, Kevin has a mustache and is on a public school bus) that'll transport you to the right one which took an hour but was worth it for the simple fact that we walked in to Will Smith singing "Welcome to Miami". We had to jet to Tre to have a early bird-esque 5 pm pasta dinner and a keg of water as the manager alerted us we were in the middle of a pub crawl/club with blaring DJ music. He also told us good luck and even had the chef come out to ask us how the food was.

One CVS trip to load up on water and it was time to sleep facing the noisiest street. A fear of sleeping through my alarm woke me up on the hour, every hour (this is probably some sort of literary thing like an irony).

Race (Early) Morning:

Humidity/ low pressure headache + 9 hours of sleep in the past 2 nights left me feeling the same as that time I travelled to Hong Kong. I looked at myself in the mirror and saw an Aaron that I hadn't seen since the only time I pulled an all-nighter. Zombie Tang was visibly nervous for the first time at a race. I knew coming in you can't fake your way through a race let alone a marathon. This was the best training/ running span I've had for 6 months and I still felt scared. It definitely helped that before the race started, Knapp recognized this and said to just have fun which I took to heart and it helped me adjust my mindset at the half way point.

Pre Race:

The team of 8 runners assembled in the lobby at 5 and walked the 0.4 miles to the start. We were fortunate enough to break in a hidden set of portapotties with no lines (This is turning in to a new team skill). On the way, we spotted Coat Man, (relative of Day Man?) a guy wearing a coat with flag football flags off the coat, sunglasses, a mustache?, and a platter with a champagne bottle taped to it; this was to be Kevin in the future if he left his mustache on forever.

After a quick team picture before the sun rose, we all lined up in our respective corrals. Lauren and I were facing the American Airlines Arena and the Freedom Tower (the yellow tower) in corral E for 30 minutes until the race actually started. Ms. 5 hour energy took my mind off the race for at least a little bit. Our corral began snaking it's way to the starting line where I nervously tied my shoes again and Lauren ran to the bathroom pre-race.

Race/ Sticking to Goal A:

As we crossed the starting line around 6:15, one thing was clear: people do not know how to assess their estimated finish times. There were walking hordes for the first 5 miles or so and I tried desperately not to weave in and out. Runners with the race shirt on (race fashion faux pas) were the red shirts from Star Trek as they were used as targets to pass along the way. I did shoot for open pockets for unencumbered running whenever I could but would eventually find a wall of human impeding my way. My GPS watch (thanks, parents) would let me know I was any where from 11:00 minute pace to finally reaching my goal of 9:15 pace. By running based on goal pace and not effort, I hoped to put myself at goal and hopefully click in to pace at the halfway point.

Let me say, crossing the bridge towards South Beach with the sun rising and Empire of the Sun's "Walking on A Dream" on the headphones, wow. Whenever my body wasn't actively breaking down, I looked around and soaked the surroundings all in.

The water stations. This has been a sore subject for the runners I spoke to outside of the team. There were a couple stations that flip flopped where the Gatorade and water were, thankfully the cups corresponded with what drinks were hidden inside. This is always an issue but this race brought on a new onslaught of potential problems: water bags. Yes, water bags.

In theory, it's a great idea: you can hold it longer, no water spills out, you can spray it on yourself during the run, just rip the top corner like a grenade.

What actually happened: a slew of water bags tossed in our direction helped to recreate what it's like to surf under a wave while on land. People I talked to said they got tagged by essentially non-explodable water balloons. But wait, there's more. Step on one of these bad boys and it's loud gun shot noise, insta-puddle with lawsuit written all over it, like a grenade.

I would say if you did a Ctrl + F of my thoughts during this race, you'd find the words "brutal" and "dog fight" as 50% of the words in there as these two words swirled over and over again in my brain.

Reaching the half way point, I remember the crowd getting louder, the restaurant we ate at last night popped up, and Wiz Khalifa's "Black and Yellow" blaring on my ipod. The half way point, temptation crept in and the thought of shutting it down here felt like such a great idea.

The 7 Stages of Grief:

I put myself at the half way point within goal time with a 2:00:33 half way point. The problem was that I was red lining the whole way since my HR monitor had me at my max the whole way.

I needed an all out miracle and they were fresh out at the mile 13 marker. I knew I had nothing left, quads were blown out and stage 1 of grief hit me with shock and denial that today wasn't going to be sub 4 followed by stage 2, pain, literally hitting me . Stage 3 of bargaining with pacing kept me doing mental math on the fly with "maybe I'll see 4:15 if I drop my pace to XX:XX, which turned in to 4:20, then 4:25..."

Stage 4 of loneliness set in as I was pondering how much a taxi ride would be until I realized I had no money on me and the fact the whole city was closed. That sweet medal? Ok with not getting one. It was walk for a minute, run/jog, repeat. Goals were changing on the fly, the brain was working on a makeshift definition of what completing a marathon should be.

My chest hurt and I was perplexed as to why until I glanced down to realize my shirt had a patch of blood on the right side from what I had thought I was immune to: chafing of the nipple, at an Andy Bernard like-level. It may have been the obscene humidity/ soaked shirt throughout or the fact I used a brand new shirt (a racing no-no).

I had to take off my shirt to ease the pain and tried tying it around my neck but finally resorted to wearing it somewhat like a scarf around my neck. All the sweat and water bag showers helped wash out of my running shirt the most embarrassing blood I've bled to date.

Stage 5 of positivity returning came as I jogged past a tall walker with what looked like a gun shot wound in his lower back. It was not until this walker shouted at me did I realize it was Kevin, who apparently laid in a pool of blood? while stretching during the race.

We lamented and shared our experience and kept each other going, spilling in to stage 6 of rebuilding and making sure we finished alive instead of worrying about the pipe dream we had of finishing sub 4. Despite all these obstacles, I was smiling ear to ear, most likely delirious. During this time, a group of female supporters with funny signs in black forced Kevin and I to run during our bottoming out of sorts.

Stage 7 came when near the end of the bridge, a black cop said to us that no matter how we finish, just finish. At this point we had done an obscene amount of walking so I could do nothing but agree audibly and laugh. Especially considering two grown men walking, one with a mustache and another with no shirt and a HR monitor on that doubles as an A-cup bra. I feel like that trio is the start of a bar joke: "So a cop, a shirtless asian, and a mustached man walk in to a bar..."

Somewhere in there, I finally felt what I had so naively thought would never happen to me in that I hit the wall around mile 23. I had 2 granola bars in the gas tank and even then, I felt my stomach growling and everything stopping. Such a strange feeling. Whenever we'd try to run, my left calf would cramp up and my legs just stopped.

The last mile:

As we neared the end and there were more people cheering, Kevin told me a couple miles out that he'd run the last mile. I really felt like I had nothing left but the shot of adrenaline and the fact that we could turn this last mile in to somewhat of a race and recover any dignity in our "race", I tried my hardest to catch up to Kevin and as the final 0.2 miles arrived, I caught up with him to his surprise as he did his best Jason Terry impression at pumping up the crowd as I had my hand on my ear and had my other fist pumping. I finished to U2's "Beautiful Day" and Grand National's "Talk Amongst Yourselves (Sasha remix)".

Post-race:

The rendezvous point was at the designated butt of the only statue near the finish line. Since we finished 45 minutes after our goal time, Sean was not there and was busy packing due to check out time closing in. It's a good thing Kevin and I finished together or I would never have hobbled back to the hotel on time.

That was the hardest and most rewarding medal to earn. Upper body held up thanks to lifting during the training. My quads, the part behind my left knee, and the fact my legs sometimes stop when I am walking means a break from running for a bit. While thankfully I never had to use the restroom during the race (shockingly), I went afterwards and basically peed out apple juice even though I took every water station and hit them hard in the second half of the race. Dehydration is no joke.

My body basically shut down for a day, I was surprisingly not hungry and had to force food down knowing that I should eat after a marathon. I was in some strange state of limbo that required no food.

I checked in to the Beacon Hotel on South Beach at 3 pm(great service there, would go back), watched Bulls-Heat and Spurs-Mavs and laid in bed until breakfast the next day. Walked around the next day, had coconut water, a cuban sandwich and a banana shake and chatted it up at the Clevelander with some fellow marathon runners from Atlanta with IT band problems too; running, the international language of pain.

GPS Watch:

Helpful in pacing (if you can't pace aka me).

Unfortunately, I should have gone out based on effort instead and maybe that could have saved me from blowing up multiple times.

It told me I was redlining the whole way at around 171 bpm.

I now walk around like a Thriller music video extra thanks to the race. Walking downstairs? OUCH. Activities of Daily Living just went out the window post-race.

Despite the huge divide between expectations and reality, I am ready to tackle another marathon.

Race notes:

Miami's likes: coconut water, clubbing, DJs, and artesian water.

Enjoyed the pineapples and random strawberries at some water stops.

Rihanna-We Found Love is the theme song of the race/trip.

Miami is a party at all times; I went to zero clubs yet saw 2 DJs before the sun went down; the race and at the restaurant before dinner.

Rejected race report title:

Red Badge of Courage-in reference to the chafing

Now part of the 1%-referring to the # of people who complete a marathon in their lifetime

Notes for the next race:

-Arrive at a destination race 2-3 days ahead to get used to the weather/ sleeping situation

-Don't work 2nd shift the night before

-Run based on effort/ go easy (or easier)

Training Montage Is Almost Over

As the months have dwindled down to weeks and now down to a week to go, it's finally upon us. Miami Marathon (and half marathon) time is upon us. Training has kept me focused on the day-to-day but now, I can see the end and the big picture; the 26.2 mile race.

So what is the plan? After hitting most of my training runs, I am going to set up 3 goals (with an extra goal from a non-running friend):

"A" goal: sub 4:oo

"B" goal: 4:00-4:30

"C" goal: finish

extra goal: don't poop myself (literally and not literally) and avoid poop from other runners. Anecdotally speaking, of course.

After finding out I'd be separated from the other 3 marathoners on our team seeing as I am in Corral E and I'm sandwiched between D (Pat and Kevin) and F (Knapp), it's going to be even more important that I bring my GPS watch to pace at 9:15 pace half way through, 8:45 pace until mile 20, then hopefully kicking it up the last 10k. Marathon running playlist, time to make you. Thanks to being too lazy to go to Rhode Runner to buy Gu Chomps of Gu just, I am now trained to eat granola bars mid-long run from my car.

Now, whether that happens is going to be based heavily on rest and weather. Oh, and running that distance for the first time.

There you have it, your 2012 US marathon team:

1. Meb

2. Hall

3. Abdi

1. Shalane

2. Desi

3. Goucher

The Home Stretch(er)

No it's not stretcher bad, but I have been sidelined by a little injury.  I tweaked my Achilles last Tuesday at the end of a 10 miler which was not the best timing since I was to do the big 22 mile run on Saturday, after a few days of icing and resting it felt better, but I could still feel it so I skipped the 22 on Saturday, which was the best running day of the winter, 52 and sunny.

I gave it a go last night and after 4.5 I had to stop, the pain wasn't bad enough to make me stop but the fact that there was pain made me not want to push it further.  It looks like my 22 won't happen this Saturday either (or ever at this point as we're 18 days away from the big day).  Hopefully some rest/ice/exercises will get it ready to hold up for approx. 3 hours and 35 min on Jan 29th.