We are going to be in Washington near the end of this week for a 10-day vacation. Zach talked me into entering a half-marathon in Chelan, Washington on July 18th. http://www.chelanman.com. I had a 12 mile run scheduled for that day anyway, but this will be at a much greater intensity. Should be fun.
At least it will be cool (compared to here, anyway). Ran 7 miles this morning, and by the time we were finished it was in the mid-90s. Zach ran another mile before I made it out the door, for his total of 8 miles. It still didn't feel too bad when we could find some shade, but the direct sun was a killer. It will be around 115 here today--a great day to stay inside. Maybe if it is hot in Chelan we will have a competitive advantage! The Chelan, WA forecast is for highs in the mid 90s, so at the 8:30 start time I am guessing the temps should be somewhere around 68 to 72, and we should finish in the low 80s. That will be hot for the local runners, not so much for us.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
4th of July 10k in Prescott
For some 4th of July fun, Zach and I ran the Gheral Brownlow memorial 10k in Prescott, Arizona. Katie and Emma ran the 2 mile. Katie gets a "tough mom" award for pushing the jogging stroller with Ben and Sam for 2 miles!
The 10k was a fairly tough trail run. Lots of long uphills, some fairly steep. I passed a lot of runners who were walking the steep uphills by keeping my pace high and shortening my stride length. The last long uphill really had my quads and lungs burning. The last mile was all downhill and I ran it in a sub-7 minute pace to finish strong (for me). I placed second in my age group and 20th overall with a time of 51:35. Results are available here.
The post-race pancakes at Denny's were excellent!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
26.2 Miles
Last Saturday morning I ran the 2nd annual Utah Valley Marathon in Provo, Utah. I finished 244 out of 656 finishers (37th percentile). My time was 4:06:28. I deem that CLOSE ENOUGH to my 4 hour goal. Not bad for an old man doing his very first marathon, especially considering I couldn't get to the end of the block without walking in January. It was a blast! As I write this on Monday morning, I am still feeling an extreme sense of accomplishment and I don't think the runner's high has gone away yet. I can't wait to run another marathon.
The run started in Provo Canyon, just below the reservoir dam. All runners were required to ride buses from the Towne Centre mall because there was no place to park at the starting line. It was cold--in the 40s--when we got there. The race volunteers had several burning barrels with fires going in them, but not enough that all 656 of us could keep warm. I had to wait around for 45 minutes for the race to start, but the sunrise was spectacular. Lots of gallows humor waiting for the start. The guy next to me around the burning barrel said he had his cell phone and asked the group in general if he should call his wife and ask her if she was up yet (this was at about 5:15 am). They guy standing next to him, obviously his friend, said in a falsetto voice "Oh, hi Steve, I am still in bed and it is really warm. By the way, did you get that extra life insurance policy we were talking about?" Very funny!
The run down the canyon was really something. The sun was coming up and the waterfalls were really amazing to run by on foot. As we ran through the tunnel at about mile 3, everyone kept hooting. Crazy marathoners.
At mile six, just before we were out of the canyon, some guy behind me yelled at the top of his voice, "Oh yeah, only twenty miles to go. Piece of cake!"
We ran out of the canyon and turned right into Orem. We ran past Costco over to University, and then down the hill to the river. After that, we followed the Provo river to Utah Lake, running along a paved 6-foot wide path. (Zach and Katie, we ran almost right past your old house, right through the park where I caught that little snake.)
As we neared the lake, the river moved more and more slowly, until it was almost stopped and was a little mossy. No problem, except there were a lot of bugs. When you have run twenty miles and are gasping for air, the last thing you want are swarms of gnats. Oh well, we probably needed the protein.
We reached the lake and the small marina. I recognized it as the place we went ice skating back in the day. Then we turned back towards Provo, running through some farm land. As we neared the Towne Centre mall and the finish line, I saw a guy that looked like he was in his 70s yell from the sidelines "go, 24 [my bib number]. Hooray for the old guys." I had mixed feelings about that cheer!
Around mile 23 miles legs started to feel numb. At mile 24, my legs would not always obey my direction and there was some significant muscle pain. But that all went away when we entered the mall parking lot, knowing that the finish line was just on the other side of the mall. Lots of cheering. I straightened up my form, put a grin on my face (knowing that Shauna and Stephanie would be taking pictures) and ran past the finish.
It was a little weird, because as soon as the race volunteers cut the timing chip from my shoe, I started to walk to the runners' recovery area for water, Gatorade, food, etc., and I started to stagger. I wasn't feeling particularly out of breath, my heart rate had already begun to slow, and I wasn't feeling light-headed. My legs simply were having a hard time obeying my commands! Very strange. I would lean to take a step, and the step itself was a delayed reaction, which caused me to be off-balance trying to walk.
It didn't take long for me to regain some control, however. After a shower and a nap, we went to the Golden Corral (buffet with lots of meat). I at more than I have eaten at one sitting in my recent memory. Three plates of food and then a dinner plate full of desert. Funny thing was, I was hungry an hour later.
I can't wait to do another marathon, and am shooting to run another in October-ish. Now, I just need to find a good event.
Pictures to follow!
The run started in Provo Canyon, just below the reservoir dam. All runners were required to ride buses from the Towne Centre mall because there was no place to park at the starting line. It was cold--in the 40s--when we got there. The race volunteers had several burning barrels with fires going in them, but not enough that all 656 of us could keep warm. I had to wait around for 45 minutes for the race to start, but the sunrise was spectacular. Lots of gallows humor waiting for the start. The guy next to me around the burning barrel said he had his cell phone and asked the group in general if he should call his wife and ask her if she was up yet (this was at about 5:15 am). They guy standing next to him, obviously his friend, said in a falsetto voice "Oh, hi Steve, I am still in bed and it is really warm. By the way, did you get that extra life insurance policy we were talking about?" Very funny!
The run down the canyon was really something. The sun was coming up and the waterfalls were really amazing to run by on foot. As we ran through the tunnel at about mile 3, everyone kept hooting. Crazy marathoners.
At mile six, just before we were out of the canyon, some guy behind me yelled at the top of his voice, "Oh yeah, only twenty miles to go. Piece of cake!"
We ran out of the canyon and turned right into Orem. We ran past Costco over to University, and then down the hill to the river. After that, we followed the Provo river to Utah Lake, running along a paved 6-foot wide path. (Zach and Katie, we ran almost right past your old house, right through the park where I caught that little snake.)
As we neared the lake, the river moved more and more slowly, until it was almost stopped and was a little mossy. No problem, except there were a lot of bugs. When you have run twenty miles and are gasping for air, the last thing you want are swarms of gnats. Oh well, we probably needed the protein.
We reached the lake and the small marina. I recognized it as the place we went ice skating back in the day. Then we turned back towards Provo, running through some farm land. As we neared the Towne Centre mall and the finish line, I saw a guy that looked like he was in his 70s yell from the sidelines "go, 24 [my bib number]. Hooray for the old guys." I had mixed feelings about that cheer!
Around mile 23 miles legs started to feel numb. At mile 24, my legs would not always obey my direction and there was some significant muscle pain. But that all went away when we entered the mall parking lot, knowing that the finish line was just on the other side of the mall. Lots of cheering. I straightened up my form, put a grin on my face (knowing that Shauna and Stephanie would be taking pictures) and ran past the finish.
It was a little weird, because as soon as the race volunteers cut the timing chip from my shoe, I started to walk to the runners' recovery area for water, Gatorade, food, etc., and I started to stagger. I wasn't feeling particularly out of breath, my heart rate had already begun to slow, and I wasn't feeling light-headed. My legs simply were having a hard time obeying my commands! Very strange. I would lean to take a step, and the step itself was a delayed reaction, which caused me to be off-balance trying to walk.
It didn't take long for me to regain some control, however. After a shower and a nap, we went to the Golden Corral (buffet with lots of meat). I at more than I have eaten at one sitting in my recent memory. Three plates of food and then a dinner plate full of desert. Funny thing was, I was hungry an hour later.
I can't wait to do another marathon, and am shooting to run another in October-ish. Now, I just need to find a good event.
Pictures to follow!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Goals
Frankly, the marathon training is a "little" boring. Sixteen weeks is a long time--at least for me. But it helps to have goals. My current weight is 178. Since last Thanksgiving, I have lost 49 pounds. My BMI is 24.8. Yes! Normal! One goal down. Now the hard part, keeping it off. And buying new clothes. Nothing fits. Given how heavy I was, that is a good problem.
The running continues. I ran a second half-marathon--the Whiskey Row Marathon and Half Marathon--in Prescott on May 2 for my birthday (51 on May 5). It was a brutal course, but lots of fun. It was an out and back route that ran up a forest road after only about 3 miles on paved roads. And "up" is no exaggeration. From the website: "This out and back course is considered one of the most difficult in the United States, offering panoramic views of Northern Arizona. Starting at 5,280 feet, the elevation increases at [sic] 7,000 feet....." My time was 2:01:07, which, considering the steep climb for the first half of the race and the altitude, was pretty good. Really an awesome experience. Race photos available here. Sorry--I am too cheap to buy the photos, or I would post them here!
Hannah and Emma ran the shorter event. I am really proud of them, they did great! Photos of Emma here and Hannah here. (Maybe I will buy those....)
During the rest of May, the biggest events were the two twenty-mile long runs. Not too bad, but twenty miles is really a long way! I can't wait for the marathon to get here.
Now, I am in the "taper" period, where my mileage cuts down to allow my legs to recover for the actual event. I feel hyper. I can't sit still. I have read that this is normal and that I need to resist the urge to run further than my training plan calls for, or to run faster. I never thought that would be a problem, but it is!
The running continues. I ran a second half-marathon--the Whiskey Row Marathon and Half Marathon--in Prescott on May 2 for my birthday (51 on May 5). It was a brutal course, but lots of fun. It was an out and back route that ran up a forest road after only about 3 miles on paved roads. And "up" is no exaggeration. From the website: "This out and back course is considered one of the most difficult in the United States, offering panoramic views of Northern Arizona. Starting at 5,280 feet, the elevation increases at [sic] 7,000 feet....." My time was 2:01:07, which, considering the steep climb for the first half of the race and the altitude, was pretty good. Really an awesome experience. Race photos available here. Sorry--I am too cheap to buy the photos, or I would post them here!
Hannah and Emma ran the shorter event. I am really proud of them, they did great! Photos of Emma here and Hannah here. (Maybe I will buy those....)
During the rest of May, the biggest events were the two twenty-mile long runs. Not too bad, but twenty miles is really a long way! I can't wait for the marathon to get here.
Now, I am in the "taper" period, where my mileage cuts down to allow my legs to recover for the actual event. I feel hyper. I can't sit still. I have read that this is normal and that I need to resist the urge to run further than my training plan calls for, or to run faster. I never thought that would be a problem, but it is!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
The First Half-Marathon (With an Interesting Introduction!)
Today I ran my first half-marathon, the first annual Brian Mikelson Memorial Half Marathon in Cottonwood, Arizona. It was a small-town event, tons of fun, absolutely wonderful views with about 1/4 of the event on some pretty rough trails. Good thing I have strong ankles! My time was 1:57:47. Not bad. The food at the end was a lot like a country picnic, and they had a fairly decent country band. At about the half-way point, they had a little high school aged band doing Beatles songs. They were horrible! They were singing "Help!" as I ran by, and boy, did they need help.
One of the most interesting--and strangely ironic--things that happened during the event was the introduction. Just before the starting gun for the half marathon, while we were in the starting chute, stretching, jumping around, trying to stay loose, an event announcer took the microphone and said that he wanted all of us to know who Brian Mikelson was, and that his widow and son were there today. Brian Mikelson had been the city's parks and recreation head and had done a lot to improve the area parks and recreation facilities. Very impressive, so far, so good. Then the revelation: Mr. Mikelson had died--sudden heart attack--training for a half marathon--followed by the announcement: Runners, get ready....
One of the most interesting--and strangely ironic--things that happened during the event was the introduction. Just before the starting gun for the half marathon, while we were in the starting chute, stretching, jumping around, trying to stay loose, an event announcer took the microphone and said that he wanted all of us to know who Brian Mikelson was, and that his widow and son were there today. Brian Mikelson had been the city's parks and recreation head and had done a lot to improve the area parks and recreation facilities. Very impressive, so far, so good. Then the revelation: Mr. Mikelson had died--sudden heart attack--training for a half marathon--followed by the announcement: Runners, get ready....
Friday, April 3, 2009
Still Making Progress
The biggest problem this week--week 11, counting down, of a 16 week training program--is motivation. The workouts are getting harder. I just need to keep thinking about increased capacity.
Yesterday I ran 13 miles. Usually my long run is on Saturday, but I switched this week because I am entered in my first 10k on Saturday. I ran only in the neighborhood because I didn't want to run on Cave Creek and Deer Valley and 7th Street during high traffic times--too many fumes, too many cars. Good route early Saturday morning, but not on a weekday.
Anyway, there are two problems with running that distance in my small neighborhood. First, I felt like I was running in circles, no doubt because I was. Lots of circles. Second, there are lots of hills. Hills are good for training, but yesterday they were a killer.
My training schedule was for 13 miles at a 9:15/mile pace, or two hours and fifteen seconds. Doable, but just barely. I was on pace until about 12 miles, and then I hit the metaphorical wall. I actually had to walk, then jog, then walk to get back to the house. My actual time was 2:06:31, or a 9:45/mile pace. All of the extra six minutes were added on the last mile, which took almost twenty minutes to complete.
I can blame part of it on the hills. Just took too much out of me. But it also taught me that I am at enough mileage now that I need to drink more water and take in simple carbs while running. Guidelines are for carbs plus water every 45 minutes of intense workout. Yesterday was intense. Better to hit the wall yesterday than in a race. Live and learn.
Yesterday I ran 13 miles. Usually my long run is on Saturday, but I switched this week because I am entered in my first 10k on Saturday. I ran only in the neighborhood because I didn't want to run on Cave Creek and Deer Valley and 7th Street during high traffic times--too many fumes, too many cars. Good route early Saturday morning, but not on a weekday.
Anyway, there are two problems with running that distance in my small neighborhood. First, I felt like I was running in circles, no doubt because I was. Lots of circles. Second, there are lots of hills. Hills are good for training, but yesterday they were a killer.
My training schedule was for 13 miles at a 9:15/mile pace, or two hours and fifteen seconds. Doable, but just barely. I was on pace until about 12 miles, and then I hit the metaphorical wall. I actually had to walk, then jog, then walk to get back to the house. My actual time was 2:06:31, or a 9:45/mile pace. All of the extra six minutes were added on the last mile, which took almost twenty minutes to complete.
I can blame part of it on the hills. Just took too much out of me. But it also taught me that I am at enough mileage now that I need to drink more water and take in simple carbs while running. Guidelines are for carbs plus water every 45 minutes of intense workout. Yesterday was intense. Better to hit the wall yesterday than in a race. Live and learn.
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