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.