HM Recap: Ole Man River Half, Gretna, LA, December 19, 2015

...Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all. ~Robert Louis Stevenson

This was a race jammed into a busy schedule and not one for which I prepared well, but it turned out to be a good experience anyway. Race location was Gretna, across the river from downtown New Orleans. There are quaint houses lining the streets beside riverside shipping yard clutter. I went back the day after running via the ferry to take in a little more of the scenery.

While I didn't run very fast (a sluggish 2:41), other highlights from the race weekend:

• Cold, windy race day. 46 degrees at the start. Felt chilled to the bone all day long.
• Celebrated 20 year wedding anniversary in New Orleans
• Ate more cajun spices than ever in my life, including delicious Crawfish Etouffee at Pier 424 Seafood Market on Bourbon Street
• Met a runner named Katie from Rapid City, SD who is a Navy Reservist currently stationed in New Orleans--we mutually motivated each other near the end of the race

Winter Run in New Orleans

At times, our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us. ~Albert Schweitzer

The Ole Man River race is just days away. Louisiana will be the 9th state, last state for 2015. It's been a year marked by many achievements and blessings.

A week ago my son had his 4-month post-surgery follow up visit. 3-D imaging revealed no recurrence of the cyst and some bone regrowth. Wonderful news! Many prayers have been answered. We are truly blessed.

We have many things to be thankful for, including a home, cars, warm clothes, plentiful good food, and loving family and friends. In recognition that abundance should be shared, I've thought about how I can share through my goal to run 50 half marathons. I've determined that I'm going to pair my running with a campaign to feed hungry kids. Rather than collecting donations, I'll be gathering customers for services they pay each month, and each month a bill gets paid, a meal will will be donated.

Moving VA Half

Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room. ~Christine Todd Whitman

Virginia will have to wait. I have lots of excuses--none of them good. This time of year, the shortened days, the time change, post-season volleyball, school and work commitments. You name it, I could use it as an excuse. The real reason: procrastination. As much as I wish I had embarked on planning the trip and registering for the race a month ago, I didn't. So now, I have to move it.

Good news is there's a trail race in Virginia in February that I can put on the calendar in 2017. Two things to do today: update race calendar and register and plan December's Louisiana trip.

HM Recap: Bellin Women's Half, Green Bay, WI, September 26, 2015 (WI#2)

It isn’t what you did in the past that will affect the present. It’s what you do in the present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future. ~Paulo Coelho, Aleph

This was my first race where runners were transported to the race start, not an out-and-back or a loop. The bus ride from the downtown hotel was convenient, though the driver needed a little help with directions. There were plenty of porta-potties at race start. The sunrise was beautiful, and though a little cool at the start, the weather was great for running, 60s with a breeze.

I had a great pace going until about mile 10. That's when I suffered my first side stitch during a race. It took the better part of two miles to work it out. Nothing helped--not walking, not stretching, not drinking water. I finished with an official time of 2:31:39. It could have been a PR had there been no side stitch.

Race positives:

• Was able to run half marathons back-to-back weekends and survive
• My dad was there for the finish
• Discovered a nice dining spot in downtown Green Bay, Angelina Italian Restaurant

Navy-Air Force Half Pics

HM Recap: Navy-Air Force Half, Washington, DC, September 20, 2015

Cheerfulness is the best promoter of health and is as friendly to the mind as to the body. ~Joseph Addison

Wow! Whether for a half marathon or for a work conference (as I was just a few months ago), DC is a remarkably tourist friendly destination. Saturday's only obligation was to pick up my race packet. The rest of the day was spent site-seeing--visits to Arlington National Cemetery and the Holocaust Memorial Museum.

The blessing of good race day weather continued. At race start, the temp was around 70 with a slight breeze and overcast. The course, which went from Washington Monument to East Potomac Park to Smithsonian National Zoological Park (nearly) and back to Washington Monument, was slightly hilly, with more gradual downhills than anything else. There were 7,088 runners, many either in the military or with a military affiliation. The national anthem and opening comments were special in comparison to other races; there was courtesy and respect among the runners like I hadn't previously experienced. Also, during the race, and with the large quantity of runners, there was a refreshing observance of runner's etiquette.

Official time: 2:32:39. Overall: 4419/7088, Gender: 2210/3017, Division: 143/217
RunKeeper time: 2:29:04. RunKeeper distance: 13.51.
(At the start, the porta-potty-to-runner ratio wasn't good. A stop at about the 5-mile mark cost me on my official time. Why did I have that extra half cup of coffee at IHOP before the race?)

Highlights of Washington, DC:

• Traveling by Metro - daily passes were well worth the cost, saved a lot of time and money for getting around town
• Staying at Westin Arlington Gateway - conveniently located near Metro station and lots of restaurants
• Big Buns - interesting burger joint, great truffle fries, though not such great buns
• Seeing the changing of the guard and wreath ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery Tomb of the Unknowns - silent, reverent honor for servicemen and women
• Touring the exhibits at the Holocaust Memorial Museum - the horror of this reality is beyond words, left me in tears

Check out the cool finisher medals (plane spins on vertical axis):

Registered for Sept 20th NAF DC Half

Life is but a fleeting moment so do not waste a second on something that doesn't make you smile ~Jamie Hall

Today I made travel arrangements and registered for the September 20th DC event. The race starts and ends at the Washington Monument. It's a military race that's open to civilians. The medal cost extra, but it looks more beautiful than any of the others I have so far (and my collection wouldn't be complete without it).

HM Recap: State Fair Half, Grand Island, NE, August 29, 2015

What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of bogey. The baby has known the dragon intimately ever since he had an imagination. What the fairy tale provides for him is a St. George to kill the dragon. ~G.K. Chesterton

As promised, the Grand Island course was flat, the flattest course I may ever run. And even though I felt ill prepared, I was able to run the whole distance without a walk break, barring water stops. (It's hard to drink and run at the same time.) The early morning start proved very favorable, 60 degree temps and a misty fog that hung in the air throughout most of the race.

There was a marathon being run at the same time as the half, a Boston qualifier. I met a couple of women prior to the race who were running their first full marathon--even took a photo for them. And, as is usual for me, I spent a good portion of the race talking to someone I met on the course. (Believe it or not, it was the other runner who initiated the conversation.) He was from Grand Island, lived in Lincoln for a dozen years before moving back to Grand Island, a rep for AstraZenca, has two young kids, has a cousin who lives in Green Bay that works for Humana and, believe it or not, is a Packer fan. He told me this run has a long history, around 35 years. He kept my pace until there was about 5 miles left, then turned it up a notch. It was nice having the company for a while.

Highlights of NE:

• Bringing the family and visiting with friend-of-the-family Melette
• Finishing before the first full marathon finisher (seconds before, but before)
• Finishing 12 of 24 in my age division (top half)
• Helpful, friendly volunteers (most I've ever seen for a race)
• Tommy's 24-hour Restaurant - ate breakfast there on race day after picking up packet. Super friendly staff, nice small town atmosphere.

Registered for Nebraska

I'm not an optimist; there's too much evil in the world and in me. Nor am I a pessimist; there is too much good in the world and in God. So I am just a meliorist, believing that He wills to make the world better, and trying to do my bit to help and wishing that it were more. ~Henry van Dyke

Registered for Nebraska today. Yes, the race is in 11 days. Yes, I'm behind on my training. If I can just get two long runs in before the race I'll be fine. As an added extra, I'm only 10 miles from 1,000 miles tracked in RunKeeper since I started training in March 2014. That will be a cool milestone.

Flat, hot, and windy Nebraska, here I come!

Facade of Control

I haven’t got it yet, but I’m hunting it and fighting for it, I want something serious, something fresh—something with soul in it! Onward, onward. ~Vincent van Gogh

My son has endured a health challenge recently. (Oh how I wish it was me instead.) It's brought a fresh new perspective on life. How easily the facade of control crumbles! When praying is needed but the words are elusive because the anxiety is so great, the soul cries out on it's own. Then comes the answer to prayer in the diagnosis of "not malignant" and "low recurrence rate". Alleluia!

Time for training has taken a back seat to time with family. Though a run was just the thing to calm myself when thoughts were racing through my mind. It was difficult to find the motivation, and even though I wasn't able to clear my head, I was able to physically tire myself out, which eased the stress. And a long bike ride with my son, while trying to keep things normal, was just the right thing to bring both of us a sense of peace.

Today, RunKeeper is beckoning, "Let's work out! You thought this was a good time a while back...remember?" In celebration of a successful surgery and significant recovery progress, RunKeeper and I will spend some time together today.

Idaho Postponed

Everyone has inside of him a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is! ~Anne Frank

Due to a life circumstance there's been a change of plans. The trip to Idaho has been postponed until July 2016. As with many things that divert one's course, the new course can turn out to be even better than the original.

I had scheduled the Chicago Half for July 2016. Too big of a race for me, really. Now, Idaho is in the July 2016 slot and Illinois has moved to August 2016. The August race in Illinois is now a trail race (Hooray!) with craft beer and a Chicago dog being served at the race finish (Big hooray!).

Nearly Sane Trail Half snapshot from website below:

Registered for ID

Everything is a gift. The degree to which we are awake to this truth is a measure of our gratefulness, and gratefulness is a measure of our aliveness. ~Brother David Steindl-Rast

I registered for the MAD Half in Idaho on July 1st. My family is coming with me. We’re going to drive, stopping at Yellowstone on the way out and Glacier on the way back.

The course is described as downhill. I'll believe it when I see it.

A friend just sent me info regarding an event in WA on the same weekend. It looks just beautiful. I may have to reevaluate the WA event on my schedule and try to work out a substitution in order to run this one. It's called Jack & Jill's Downhill.  Info is below:

HM Recap: Lime Rock Park CT, June 14, 2015

Faithless is he that says farewell when the road darkens. ~J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

As anticipated, the number of entrants was small and the course hilly. The race started at 9:00, temp of 70, reaching 80 by race finish, with little breeze and strong sun but not too humid. I appreciated how the course started and ended on the racetrack, was mostly uphill on the way out (so downhill on the way back), had a segment of packed dirt road in the middle, and had some of the most beautiful, lush and green scenery of any course I've been on. I struck up conversations with two runners and discovered one of them has three sons (who were there so I got to meet them at the end of the race), and the other uses pretzels as her fuel food during a race.  One of the women is part of a CT running group whose objective is to run a race in each of CT's 169 towns.

Highlights of CT:

• The Comstock Covered Bridge over the Salmon River
• Wading in the frigid Atlantic and picking up pretty shells and stones near Madison, CT (great beach and camping facilities for a possible future trip)
• Seafood dinner at Lenny & Joe's Fish Tale
• The picturesque landscape on the drive from Hartford to Lime Rock Park, including a spectacular view driving over a dam
• Most Dunkin' Donuts I've ever seen

Official time: 2:37:51 (Runkeeper showed a distance of 13.9)

Forecast: Muggy CT Race

Life is like a ten speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. ~Charles M. Schulz

The 10-day forecast for Lakeville, CT says high of 82, low of 63 with PM rain. And in the days leading up to the race, temps in the 80s and lots of rain. Looks like it's going to be a muggy race.

There are around 80 runners registered for the half--mostly from the New England area, but a few scattered from WI, MO, FL, and SC. Nice small group.

Race is Sunday. Will spend Saturday in CT. Looks like hiking is an option. Though I don't want to overdo it, places like Bear Mountain and Lions Head look promising. The abundance of peaks to hike in the area is probably in direct correlation to the hilliness of the course. Again, I'm in for (and hopefully up to) a challenge.

Know of any other options for activities around Lakeville or Hartford? Please comment.

Pic of Lime Rock with cars:

Runner Nutrition and Going the Extra Mile

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~Kahlil Gibran

Some nutrition advise from Sports Nutritionist James Collins (from Meal Plans for Runners article):

Rest and easy days

• Less carbs, more protein
• Only one meal (breakfast or lunch) carb based
• Higher intakes of polyunsaturated fats
• Increased vegetable intake
• OK to experiment with new recipes, flavours and spices

Timing of easy run (around 30 minutes), in fasted state. By under fueling the muscles, the stress on them increases so that they adapt and become more efficient. This strategy also primes the body to break down fat and use it as fuel for training

Moderate training days

• Moderate intake of carbs and protein
• Intake can be reduced in evening
• Focus on low Glycemic Index carbs for sustained energy release
• Include polyunsaturated fats in your evening meal to promote the function of muscle cells
• Foods containing iron should also be included in three meals per week, which is vital for carrying oxygen to the working muscles and supporting energy production during endurance exercise.

Heavy training days

• Include carbs at all main meals
• Low Glycemic Index carbs for breakfast
• Higher Glycemic Index carb snacks for pre-training
• Limit fat
• Moderate protein intake
• Protein as recovery snack
• Up fluid intake
• Avoid spices, fatty or very high fibre foods

Below may be the answer to keeping energy levels high:

Registered for the Lime Rock Half

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures that we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open. ~Jawaharlal Nehru

What's a good birthday present to get for yourself? This year I treated myself to a registration for the June 14th Lime Rock Half. And I added on the optional pint glass. Age group winners are given a pint glass as a prize, but I figured I better buy one, just in case I don't finish top of my age group.

The Lime Rock Half website lists the following details:

• ChronoTrack B-Tag Chip Timing by Yankee Timing
• Technical shirts and finisher medals for all Half marathoner
• 6 water stops and post race refreshments including fresh fruit and pastries
• A top notch make-your-own goodie bag
• 20% of all entry fees will go directly to support the Strong To Serve

The Lime Rock Park Half Marathon is presented by 3C Race Productions - the same team behind the New England Half Marathon Tour featuring the Wolf Hollow Half Marathon (NH), the Killington Half Marathon (VT), The Freeport Half Marathon (ME), the Fall River Half Marathon (MA), and the Colt State Park Half Marathon (RI). Might have to check out some of their other offerings.

HM Recap: Fargo, ND, May 9, 2015

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience. ~Eleanor Roosevelt

Beat the traffic out of Minneapolis and made good time getting to Fargo on Friday. Braved the blustery winds to pick up our packets--winds that were a preview of race day.

Race day conditions:

• Cloudy
• Cold temps (started in the 30s and made it to the 40s during the race)
• Windy (Tina warned me that Fargo is always windy)

Highlights of the trip:

• Dinner at Spitfire with Tina's longtime friend Lisa and Lisa's daughter Molly
• Ran into a family from my church, two of whom were in the race
• Cool swag--a nice long-sleeved tech shirt and fabulous Under Armor drawstring bag
• Finally, a flat course
• The first 10 miles of the race (the last 3 were brutal running into the cold wind without a lot of energy left)
• Tina's first half marathon (finished 10+ minutes faster than me, my finish time was 2:31)
• Lunch with Tina's parents and Matthew

Pics:

Thanks to the race organizers for a smooth and enjoyable race experience!

Fargo Outlook

In the marshes the buckbean has lifted its feathery mist of flower spikes above the bed of trefoil leaves. The fimbriated flowers are a miracle of workmanship and every blossom exhibits an exquisite disorder of ragged petals finer than lace. But one needs a lens to judge of their beauty: it lies hidden from the power of our eyes, and menyanthes must have bloomed and passed a million times before there came any to perceive and salute her loveliness. The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. ~Eden Phillpotts

Tina and I coordinated travel plans last night. (Matthew's coming--Yay!) Planning to meet Tina's friend for dinner at Spitfire. Menu has some pasta options, though the spit roasted chicken sounds appetizing, combined with mashed potatoes and bread for a little carb loading.

Fargo weather forecast for tomorrow:

It might be 40° at race start and 50° at the finish. I'm not looking forward to an indoor start, being dressed for running in the 40's. The race organizers warned of how loud the starting pistol will sound indoors. Tina noted how she can't imagine nearly 6,000 people on the dome floor. It's going to be crazy commotion between the full start at 7:30 and the half at 8:00. I'm so excited!

Fargo Race Week

We are the music makers,
And we are the dreamers of dreams,
Wandering by lone sea-breakers,
And sitting by desolate streams;
World-losers and world-forsakers,
On whom the pale moon gleams:
Yet we are the movers and shakers
Of the world for ever, it seems.
~Arthur O'Shaughnessy

The trip to CT for the Lime Rock half is going to be book-ended by trips for work--one to Irvine and one to DC. I looked for an alternative race in DC in June. No luck. Other plans mean a trip to San Jose after DC. June is going to be a super busy month.

Getting really pumped about the Fargo race this weekend. Got the Race Week update yesterday. Packet pickup is open until 9:00 pm on Friday. Pre-race party at Buffalo Wild Wings. The Fargodome opens at 5:30 am on Saturday. Start time is 8:00 for the Half. Will probably opt out of the 27-mile pub crawl Saturday afternoon and concert Saturday night.

Ride 7s on sale

Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination. ~Mark Twain

Stopped by Start Line and acquired a pretty purple-ish new pair of Ride 7s today. On sale. It's my lucky day!

I just registered for Bellin Women's Half Marathon!

So be sure when you step, Step with care and great tact.
And remember that life's A Great Balancing Act.
And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and ¾ percent guaranteed)
Kid, you'll move mountains.
~Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go!

I just registered for Bellin Women's Half Marathon!

My dad, bless his soul, is always looking out for news that's relevant to me. Today he called with an opportunity to run a half marathon in September in Green Bay. Yes, I'm already running one in September in DC. And yes, I'll be running two weekends in a row. But there are a lot of attractive features about the Green Bay event that made me decide "What the heck, might as well run two":

• A women only event (never done one of those before)
• The course is follows the bay so will be scenic
• It's in late September so should be good weather
• Much of my family lives in or around Green Bay and can be there to cheer me on

Atlanta Highlights

If you run, you are a runner. It doesn’t matter how fast or how far. It doesn’t matter if today is your first day or if you’ve been running for twenty years. There is no test to pass, no license to earn, no membership card to get. You just run. ~John Bingham

After finishing the half marathon in Athens, returned to Atlanta for an afternoon of R&R. Below are the highlights:

• Lunch at Paschal's. Fried green tomatoes, southern fried chicken, and peach cobbler. Yum!
• Movie at Midtown Art Cinema. Ex Machina at the eclectic art theater that serves beer with the popcorn, historic movie posters in the renovated lobby, alternative pop music piped in. What a movie and what a venue!
• Dinner at Johnny's Pizza, Hapeville location. Pizza by the slice and garlic bread bites (with cheese and loads of garlic). Fun staff, fun spot.

HM Recap: Chick-fil-A Connect, GA, April 18, 2015

Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day. ~Winnie-the-Pooh courtesy of A.A. Milne

Arrived in Atlanta to drizzling rain after flying cross country. Encountered rush hour traffic, two-lane country highways with stop lights, and a nearly two-hour drive out to Athens. After picking up packet and shirt, tried to go to local steakhouse Porterhouse but got turned away due to private function. If things are going to go wrong, best go wrong the day before and not on race day.

Run day was overcast, not raining, and around 65 degrees. Good thing for the cool temp. Humidity was high, as usual for Spring in GA. Heat, humidity, and hills would have been a challenging combination. Two of the three was enough for me.

Highlights of the run:
1) Hills. The highest point on the course was just over 800 ft above sea level. Overall change in elevation 3,200 ft over the course, a new record for me.
2) Sanford Stadium and University of Georgia campus. The course took runners on a path that first overlooked the stadium, then passed right through it. Built in 1928, tenth largest in NCAA, seats 92,746, privet hedges on either side of the field.
3) Oconee River and bald eagle. Passed over the "chocolate milk" shaded Oconee twice, and within close proximity of the river saw a bald eagle flying just above the trees. Beautiful!
4) 1,059 runners. Biggest event I've run yet. Fans lined the streets with sounds of cheers and cowbells all around. Residents sat on lawn chairs watching the spectacle of the run--waiting for the runners to pass so they could pull cars out of driveways. Interesting signs and t-shirt slogans abounded with humor such as: "Toenails are for wimps", "Worst parade ever", "Totally half crazy", and "Did you do all that training to walk now?".
5) Eat-more-chikin cows. Chick-fil-A was a super sponsor. Volunteers along the course were friendly and energetic, even with the early morning start. Police officers were at all major intersections to keep the blocked roads free of traffic.

Many runners had to walk the hills. I only walked when eating my jelly sandwich, which was about every 4 miles. I conserved enough energy to be able to run through the finish and made a time of 2:31. Runkeeper showed I had run over 14.6 miles, probably due to starting at the back of the pack and having to navigate through and around a variety of run-walkers. Stats: 711/1059 overall, 411/692 female, 23/45 age.

The race photographers caught some good photos (low res with watermark):

Possibly a Ragnar

Be soft. Do not let the world make you hard. Do not let pain make you hate. Do not let the bitterness steal your sweetness. Take pride that even though the rest of the world may disagree, you still believe it to be a beautiful place. ~Kurt Vonnegut

The So Cal Ragnar, a 200-mile relay from Huntington Beach to San Diego, took place this past weekend April 10-11. I heard the name "Ragnar" dropped by runners in the Chino Hills race a couple of weeks ago. It hadn't dawned on me to explore the possibility of a future Ragnar for myself.

In October, I thought I had this thing all figured out, planning to run half marathons in all 50 states plus DC. First, my plans to run all road courses were mucked up when I ran my first trail race ever, and loved it. Now, it's the team relay concept that's making me think twice about other planned events.

Some co-workers ran in this year's So Cal event. Others are already considering forming a team for next year's, and asking me if I'd be interested. Waiting a year for the next So Cal one is one option. There are plenty of other Ragnars to choose from, including trail relays.

Combining individual efforts to complete a long course does have an appeal. Running overnight would be a fun challenge, interesting to run with a headlamp.

Didn't know there were so many headlamps to choose from. More research needed before outfitting for a Ragnar.

Sleet and Doodle

A dream is just a dream. A goal is a dream with a plan and a deadline. ~Harvey MacKay

sleet

slēt/

noun

1. 1.

   a form of precipitation consisting of ice pellets, often mixed with rain or snow.

"Have van, will transport teenagers" Does such a bumper sticker exist? I should have one.

Yesterday I was supposed to drive Ultimate B squad players to their game, but they had enough drivers so I was off the hook. It was around 40 degrees and sleeting, and I thought maybe they'd call the game off. I surely didn't want to be standing around watching the game under those conditions, even with an umbrella. But if the boys could play in that miserable weather, why shouldn't I go for a run?

It was a short one--just under 4 miles, 5 times around "The Big Hill" park. It was one of my fastest runs in a while, maybe because I was getting pelted by bits of ice. I've been struggling to get out there this week with work and weather challenges. I aimed at 5 laps around the park, pressed on when I felt like turning toward home, and made my goal.

I even took the dog for a quick walk after the run. She's not up to a 4-mile run, but loves to walk, no matter the weather. She's a border terrier mix called Doodlebug, Doodle for short, pictured below with a "forbidden" sock:

Pain in my heel

Real joy comes not from ease or riches or from the praise of men, but from doing something worthwhile. ~Wilfred T. Grenfell

Given that my search for "achilles runner's pain" turned up 510,000 results, I'm not alone in dealing with pain in my heal related to running. There are times, especially during the cold weather, when getting through the first mile is intense. The impact and push-off of the heel is painful through the warm up period. From that point, the intensity lessens, and it feels fine. Post-workout, I have some tenderness, but nothing that a little ice and anti inflammatory can't fix.

I don't want to do any lasting damage. I do want to continue to work out. So, what did my research uncover?

• The condition is properly referred to as achilles tendonopathy vs. tendonitis
• Possible causes: not stretching the calves properly, increasing mileage too quickly, overtraining, excessive hill running or speedwork
• Therapies: rest, ice, anti inflammatory, stretching the calf muscle, replacing worn shoes

Is there a connection between my bunions and shortening of the achilles tendon? Seems likely. On one website I read that the onset can be due to forefoot instability. Certainly my bunion affects my foot strike and foot stability. More reading to find if there are any related findings.

In the meantime, I'll be purchasing a new pair of shoes, fourth pair in a year. How about the Saucony Guide 8?

Oops, Last-minute Update of GA Event

If you can dream it, you can do it. Always remember that this whole thing was started with a dream and a mouse. ~Walt Disney

The Run Into Spring event in Lawrenceville, GA reached its registration limit before I submitted mine, so I won't be running it in April. Rather, I found an alternative, the Chick-fil-A Connect in Athens, GA on April 18th, and registered today. The Chick-fil-A course has the following advantages:

• A complete loop, no backtracking or repeating
• It's in scenic, historical Athens, only an hour and a half outside of Atlanta
• Best of all, it's sponsored by Chick-fil-A

Travel arrangements are pending. (I'm looking forward to Fargo in May--no flight required.)

Check out beautiful Athens, GA:

This run is for a cause--Athens area Habitat for Humanity. If you wish to donate, click on picture below:

HM Recap: Chino Hills Trail Run, CA, March 28, 2015

We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses. ~Abraham Lincoln

My apprehension grew as did the hills on my approach to Chino Hills State Park. I sensed the tremendous challenge awaiting me here this fine morning. A mere 50 degrees and breezy an hour before race time (but it wouldn't stay that cool for long). I registered and returned to my car until the sun broke over the mountains.

As I stood with other runners waiting to use the restroom, the air was abuzz with anticipation and friendly conversation. Many knew each other from running groups, some who run this course on a regular basis, like the women beside me in line. Particularly helpful to me was a woman (a nurse with Kaiser) who gave me a 101 of what to expect of the course--first 2 miles of climb, including switchback leading to the ridge, rolling hills along the ridge out to 6-7 miles, the mile-long gradual descent of single track through waist-high grass, then the continued gradual descent leading to the finish--a loop with only a little backtracking. This woman and her daughter were running together (and had run the LA marathon together a few weeks earlier) and invited me to stick with them. I knew that I was going to run a slower pace but did line up with them at the starting line.

"Ready, set, go!" over the loudspeaker was our signal to head out. I kept thinking about maintaining a reasonable pace and found myself running a near identical pace to another woman. About a mile into the course, I initiated a conversation with her--a conversation that would continue for 8 miles worth of race. Like me, Rebecca was a first-time trail runner. Below are some photos courtesy of my new friend Rebecca:

The research I had done into what to expect of trail running and the training on hills, snow, and uneven surfaces paid off. Walking the uphills was more exerting than running other parts of the course. (My quads are testifying to that fact today.) This course changed my impression of "rolling hills" forever, since they went on for 5 miles and at the crest of each I was greeted with the vista of the runners--tiny, little figures off in the distance--walking up the next. As Rebecca's photos above show, the views were breathtaking. As I ran the single track through the tall grass I was thinking how trail running would forever taint my road running experience. It was a runner's high unlike any other, so much that I may find trail alternatives for other planned half marathons.

Kudos to the race organizers for:

• Clear race information on the website
• Informational briefing at the start of the race
• Awesome shirt and medal design
• Well-stocked station at about the halfway point (water, sports drink, snacks, gel packs, sunscreen)
• Plenty of food and beverage options at the finish

Met my goal of finishing in under 3 hours: 13.26 miles in 2:57.

Bassett Creek Snow and Geese

Once you choose hope, anything's possible. ~Christopher Reeve

I ran through snow today. My last MN training run before heading to CA. It's 40 degrees warmer in CA. I'd better take lots of water on Saturday's run. 70 degrees is going to seem so warm.

The geese are back at the park, too. Some don't pay any attention to passing runners. But other geese honk and hiss and flap their wings. And they haven't even built nests yet. Then there are the "land mines" along the path. (I wouldn't be so concerned if I wasn't packing my shoes in my suitcase with my work clothes.)

Spring is on a temporary hold in MN. It'll be back early next week--with temps in the 60s and buds bursting on the trees. Hope is in the air.

Update: Switched CT

I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious. ~Vince Lombardi

Due to a scheduling conflict I've switched the CT event from New Haven on 6/21 to Lime Rock on 6/14. Running on a Formula 1 track should be an interesting experience. I've walked other tracks--Road America, Watkins Glen, and Laguna Seca. The elevation changes and extent and banking of the curves were hard enough to walk and running on those features of the track will prove challenging. The race starts and ends with a lap on the track:

Another Registration - Fargo in May

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things. ~Robert Brault

Another commitment achieved today. I registered for the Fargo Half. It's the first registration for a large event. I made an exception to my normal criteria of keeping to small events since I have a friend from ND who may run with me (keeping my fingers crossed). The approaching fee increase and the metrics on the marathon website triggered me to act today and register. There's something very appealing, for a geek such as me, about visually displayed registration metrics, see screen shot below:

Happy Ugadi tomorrow! Wishing you Pachadi full of flavor and life full of happiness!

California, Here I Come

Cherish your visions and your dreams as they are the children of your soul, the blueprints of your ultimate achievements. ~Napoleon Hill

Milestone achieved: Registered today for Chino Hills Trail Run.

Training is going well. Started running in the snow to prepare. Now running in the grass along the trails with as much true trail vs. paved path as possible. Planning to run on Theodore Wirth Park off-road bike paths over the next few days, including a long run. A little uneasy about the challenge of the elevation and terrain, but looking forward to it.

My Poor, Aching (and Ugly) Feet

If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people together to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. ~Antoine de Saint-Exupery

I was in Philly for a work conference earlier this week and had a great 7-mile run along the Ben Franklin Pkwy and path along the river. If you're ever in Philly, I highly recommend making the time for a run or walk along the river path.

Moving on to feet. Thankfully, I have not yet lost a toenail, though I think I got as close as possible without. The bruised nail on my right big toe has slowly grown out to the point where very little of it is discolored. There is a pronounced ridge separating new nail growth from old bruised nail so that the new nail appears to be considerably thinner than what was there before.  See bruised toe as of today:

There are also the blisters and calluses. It's no surprise with the abuse a runner's foot takes both on impact and pushing off that blisters are a serial problem. Having bunions like I do has contributed to the problem, since it seems that the point at which my foot is widest is where the blisters tend to form.  See blisters and calluses as of today:

Checklist of a few hings to help avoid foot problems of a runner:

• Properly fitting shoes (I attribute my bruised toenail to shoes and will never make that mistake again)
• Shoes appropriate for your running technique
• Timely replacement of worn-out shoes
• High-tech synthetic socks that control moisture
• Toe nails trimmed, not too short or too long, not too curved (to avoid ingrown toenail)
• Cross training or occasionally switching running surfaces (concrete=worst, smooth, packed dirt=best)

Diet of a distance runner

You have to make up your mind at the start of the day that nothing that comes your way is going to steal your joy. ~Joel Osteen

For me, a long run goes better if I have a little bit to eat about every four miles. My sustenance of choice is a grape jelly sandwich on wheat bread. I eat a quarter of a sandwich at each four mile mark of runs of at least 10 miles. A bit of a rest to eat and drink, and no more wobbly legs. Energy gels could work, but I haven't tried since a jelly sandwich works fine for me.

A word of caution: Within 24 hours of a long run, avoid spicy foods, fatty foods, and foods high in fiber. I made the mistake once of not following this advice. It's a mistake I won't make again.

When I first started running I was having occasional hip pain. I started taking a daily dose of magnesium, a natural anti-inflammatory, along with my other vitamins (a multi with iron, immune system support with C, a probiotic, and E), and the pain subsided. On the days I run my long run I add an extra dose of magnesium. I take 200 mg tablets of chelated magnesium, currently Doctor's Best brand.

RunKeeper - A phone app for tracking your runs

Patience can be bitter but her fruit is always sweet. ~Habeeb Akande

Runkeeper.com

Success with running over a long period of time requires diligence to a workout routine. I found that using a phone app provided the accountability and tracking I needed in order to maintain a routine. Since I started running in March of 2013, I've logged 168 running activities. I use the following functionality of the basic version:
1) Track outdoor runs
2) Record indoor workouts
3) Alert when it's been 3 days since my last workout
4) Track PRs for distance, pace, calories, elevation, and duration
5) Observe mile split times
6) Participate in the occasional challenge

There is other functionality like setting goals that I've only used once.  And sharing with friends, which I don't really do since I'm running for personal improvement and not to get the best time.  It's a nice app that I'd happily recommend to others.



Any app recommendations of your own? Please post a comment.