I Gotta Blank Space Where Mind Should Be

In a recent article in Runner’s World, Peter Sagal from NPR’s “Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me,” discusses how he became to be involved with a Personal Trainer and how it has impacted him.  In the article he states the following:

“We amateur athletes are peculiarly devoted to our fitness, and our obsessions can sometimes be a burden to our loved ones and a mystery to everyone else. It is a blessing to have, not all the time but for about an hour a week, someone who will say, "Yes, I understand. You devote hours and hours to competing in races you'll never win, you want to build up muscles that your office job will never require, you want to throw yourself against walls just to see how far you can bounce. I get it, and I'll help you." Click here for more

I can deeply relate to this statement.  I am not winning races and I am past my prime to ever achieve what could have been my fastest times.  But that does not stop me from training and working hard to achieve what is the best I can be now, and being the best I can be now has become hugely important to me which was made painfully clear as I prepared for the Summer Breeze race on Saturday.

On Friday, my favorite actively touring band was paying a visit to Charlotte.  And for some reason, Phish loves to tear it up when they play here. (Note: the title of this post are Phish Lyrics). I love to see this band and that usually involves a few cervesas, but now that I am working with Coach Mark Hadley we limit the number of races I am doing to maximize the training and improvement in between the races.  I had a tough decision to make: go see Phish and run the race in whatever condition I was in or stay home and be rested for the Saturday morning race that I had no chance of winning.  I chose the latter, and to thank me Phish delivered what is debatably a top 10 performance since the band returned from hiatus.

On to race day…Summer Breeze has a staggered start so that the men and women run separately.  This is pretty cool because as a male runner I get to watch the top female finishers come in prior to my race.  I watched the top 5 ladies come in and then finished my warm up with a few strides and I was ready to go.  A little late to the start line so I ended up having to work my way through the crowd to get a good spot.  I know people love this as much as I do when some dude squeezes into your personal space and then just stays there.  Well, I was there only a short time, and then we started.  Here is a video of the start.

I quickly moved up and watched Paul and the lead pack pull away.  My goal today was to come in at 18:00 but really that meant 17:59.    I wanted the first mile to be a 5:40. The first mile is up and down hills, but I was staying on pace.  I had a few guys around me and we were staying close.  There was one guy (who apparently had a lot friends because I quickly learned his name was AJ) who had a strange strategy.  Anytime someone would pull up beside him, he would kick into a higher gear for about 5 steps and slow back down.  Then repeat.  He was also constantly looking over his shoulder to ensure he was executing his strategy.  I am not sure why but this annoyed me.  He kept this up for the first .75 of mile and then I dropped him didn’t see him anymore.  And I finished the first mile in 5:40.  Just as planned. (Here is video of the first mile marker and finish)  The 2^nd mile I was targeting 5:50 because I knew there were a couple big hills.  From here on out people were a little more strung so there was a bit more of solo running.  I passed a few people on the second mile and got a shout out from Todd Capitano who was driving by (Thanks Todd).  Up a big hill and then down and then back up another big hill.  That is about all I remember of the 2^nd mile. I did turn in a 5:55 so a little off pace here. By the third mile, I had a joined a little group consisting of Caleb Boyd and Gordon Bynum.  We traded places back and forth of the last mile.  I knew if I wanted to beat these guys I was going to have to out kick them.  I wanted to try to kick early to see if I could get a large enough gap before the final stretch because my legs were fatigued and I did not think I would have much left at the finish line.  As we entered the park, we all picked up the pace.  I made a move to pass Gordon and began to close in on Caleb. As we were making the last turn, Gordon passed me back and made a move on Caleb but Caleb surged to beat Gordon.  I crossed the line in just over 18 minutes.  Officially, 18:05 (18th Overall, 2nd Age Group) (Video of the first mile and finish)

After the race, I cooled down with my favorite running partner, Ms. Lily Grace.  Then headed over to sample the free beer.  Always refreshing even if was MGD64 and only 8:45 in the morning.  My parents and family were out to watch the race and that was great.  We hung around and talked for a bit.  I received my sunglasses and large sippy cup for my age group award, and then it was time to head home.  It was already getting quite hot.

Summary: I think I still have some work to do on my race strategy.  I am at point in my running where I continue to get faster.  When I race, I am still not quite sure what I am capable of so I don’t want to go out too fast and crash and burn nor do I want to waste any valuable seconds by going to slow.  And while I did not win today, I did set a 18 second PR.  I am so close to the sub 18 that I may have to sneak another 5k in just to get one on the record books.  And even though I missed a phenomenal Phish on Friday, I have a PR in the books to show for it.  And like Peter Sagal people may not understand the obsession to a sport where you may never win, but I get it and I am proud to be a part of the peculiar bunch they call amateur athletes.

Bonus Photos:

Week of June 13th- 19th

This was a down week as I tapered slightly to be fresh for the Summer Breeze 5k on Saturday.  The weather has cooled a bit (from 90s to 80s) which has been nice.  Tuesday morning was my only quality workout of the week before the race.  I ran 2 miles at 6:13 pace followed by 3 .25 mile intervals at about 5:20 pace.  The weather was in the 60s for that run, and I really enjoyed it.  Otherwise, a week of easy runs leading up to Summer Breeze. And of course my Sunday run with Lily in the baby jogger.

Total 35.1 Miles

Monday  - 5.34 mi @ 42:31 (7:57 pace) 

Tuesday - 2mi/.25mi Int  -  - 2.75 mi  @ 16:30.00 (6:00 pace) 

Wednesday - 5.92 mi @ 46:21 (7:49 pace)

Thursday  - 5.16 mi @ 40:12 (7:47 pace) 

Friday  - 3.04 mi @ 23:33 (7:44 pace) 

Saturday - Summer Breeze 5k (Road Race)  5K Road Race  @ 18:05.00 (5:48 pace)  Place: 18 

Sunday  - 3.34 mi 

Week of June 6th -12th

Schedule
3 Easy runs of 5-6 miles @ 7:30-8:30 pace

1 Recovery day:  rest or 2-3 mile jog

3 Stress Workouts

                Stress 1:  4 x 1 mile @ 5:40-5:50 with .5 mile jog recovery (1 mile warm-up and cool-down)

               Stress 2:  3.5 mile Progression Tempo run @ 6:30 1^st mile – 6:00 pace last half mile

   (1 mile warm-up and cool-down)

               Stress 3:  12-14 miles easy pace (7:30-8:30 pace)

Results:
Stress 1 - 5:47, 5:46, 5:48, 5:47
Stress 2 - 6:27, 6:15, 6:05, 3:01 (Half)
Stress 3 - 14.14 in 1:50:09

Total Mileage - 47.22

This week the heat was down from last week and I ran a couple times inside.  The 4x1 Mile Repeats were challenging but the most entertaining part was on the way home (Click here).

Thursday's Progressive run looked to be a reasonable easily run for a stress run.  Also it had rained early in the afternoon so it was a little cooler.  I chose a hilly course (which really I did not choose that is just the way it is running in Charlotte).  I had some downhill on the first mile but rolling hills after that and finished the last .25 mile up a hill at ~6:00 minute pace.  I am not sure if it was the heat, the speed, and/or the hills but I was spent at the end.  After my cool down, the body was tired.  I think the trifecta made that a brutal run, but what don't kill you makes you stronger.




Friday was an easy run after work.  Saturday's long run had me out the door by 8ish and that just won't cut it in the summer time.  Nice run, but it was pretty warm and super humid by the end of the run. I have got to get started earlier if I am going to survive the summer.

Sunday was one of my favorite runs of the week.  Only 2.8 miles but I got to run with this chick.



Sunday Running Partner



Nice week of running and I really looking forward to next week and getting a race in.

My Reputation Proceeds Me

We interrupt the regular scheduled programming to bring you this update.  In my first  blog post ever (which can be found here), I described how I ran as a bandit with Jacob.  Well today, it appears the word is out.  I had gone to the track to put in my mile repeats, and I was headed home.  On the way home, I was cutting through an alley between some businesses.  I was approaching a man with a coffee in one hand and carrying a small cardboard box in the other.  I always try to make a little noise when running up on pedestrians so as not to startle them.  The gentlemen apparently did not hear me though and nearly jumped out of his skin as I passed.  I apologized and continued on.  He laughed and then said he thought he was about to be mugged.  To which I replied, "Well that is a pretty nice box!"  Oh the joys of running. Perhaps I have missed my calling to be a bandit.

The Original Bandit

What's Hotter Than Florida? Charlotte (Apparently)

For this addition we play a little a catch up and we will be centered around training (Heads up:  Next week will be on training too).  After exchanging emails with my coach, I had my new plan in hand, and as promised, we would be stepping it up.  There is no race on the schedule until June 18th so I will be focused on training and trying to improve. 


Week of May 23rd - 29th
This week consisted of 3 Easy Runs, 3 Stress Runs, and trip to Jacksonville, Fl for Memorial Day Weekend.  The scheduled stress runs were as follows:

               Stress 1:  5 x .75 mile in 4:15 – 4:20 w/.5 mile jog  rec (1 mile warm-up &cool-down)

                         Results:  (4:17, 4:17, 4:18, 4:21, 4:22)

               Stress 2:  6 mile Tempo run @ 6:30-6:45 pace (1 mile warm-up and cool-down)

                          Results: 6 miles @ 6:36 plus W/u & C/d

               Stress 3:  12-14 miles easy pace

                          Result: 14 miles @ 7:56 pace

This week it was starting to get hot and it impacted some of the workouts.  However the long run was in Jacksonville Beach, Fl (click here for Family photos) and this was hottest and most exposed. 

House in Ponte Vedra

I got a little sunburned on the run (who knew you needed sunscreen in Florida) and after seeing some nice houses when I ran in to Ponte Vedra (Home of TPC Sawgrass), I was quite bored because they all looked the same.  The roads were flat and straight so I could see forever.  I was ready to be done.  However, I would like to thank the house in Jax Beach that had the free water out by the street.  That was much needed on the return run when my water supply was running low. 

Total Mileage: 45.9 on 6 runs

Week of May 30th - June 5th

We returned from the beach on Monday, and I was ready for a break from the heat of Jacksonville. But when we got home and I looked at the weather for Charlotte it was going to be in the upper 90s all week (Whiskey Tango Foxtrot).   I quickly checked to make sure I was not looking at Jacksonville weather and confirmed I was not. Jacksonville was locked in to mid-80s and I was ready to head South for cooler weather. But alas this did not happen.  In addition to the heat I was also exhausted from the trip because sleeping with a family of four in hotel room with a loud A/C had not worked out well for me.  Also I did enjoy several adult beverages during the trip, and I was feeling the residual effects.  Still I managed through the week's workouts.



Adult Beverages!



Running Schedule:

3 Easy runs of 5-6 miles @ 7:30-8:30 pace

1 Recovery day:  rest or 2-3 mile jog

3 Stress Workouts

Stress 1:  10 x .25 mile @ 80-84 with .25 mile jog recovery (1 mile warm-up and cool-down)

        Results: 82,82,83,83,82,82,83,83,83,82

Stress 2:  5 x 1 mile @ 6:00-6:15 with .25 mile jog recovery (1 mile warm-up and cool-down)

        Results: 6:11, 6:09, 6:10, 6:11, 6:11

Stress 3:  10-12 miles steady state (7:00-7:20 pace)

        Results: 11.6 @ 7:06 pace

The first two runs were done in the evening heat and it sucked.  But glad it is over. On to next week.

Great Harvest Bread Co. 5K – May 21st, 2011

This week I am back to racing.   This was an early wake up for a Saturday as the race was in South Charlotte and had a 7:30 AM start time.  I was slow to get out of bed but finally got moving.  While going through my pre-race morning routine of breakfast, coffee, bib pinning, etc, I hear Angela waking up Jacob.  It was about 6:30AM and Jacob’s immediate response was, “But it’s Saturday!”  He was running the race too, and I could tell he was well rested and ready to go.  We continued our preparation to leave, and true to form, we were running late.

Pink Palace

After about 25 minutes of driving, we made it down south and parked at Calvary Church (formerly the Pink Palace),  and from there it was a quick jog over to the starting line.  With only 15 minutes to spare, I was feeling the time crunch. I pulled on the Charlotte Running Club racing singlet (which Angela and Jacob are both embarrassed to be around me when I am wearing due to its revealing nature) and racing flats, got the stroller out of the car, and grabbed Jacob and we were off.  As we started the jog to pick up our time chips, Jacob asked if we were going to run the whole way, and I said yes.  Then wondered how in to this race Jacob was going to be.  We had our chips attached to our shoes with about 8 minutes to spare to I proceeded the starting line and tried to get in a couple of strides and some warm up running but time was short. I wished Jacob good luck and we both began our warm up routines. The warm up consisted of about .75 miles so a little short, but you have to play the cards you are dealt.

Prior to the race, I mentally reviewed my race plan, which was to go out around 5:50 (a little hilly on the first mile), pick it up for mile two (downhill and flat), and give whatever was left for the 3^rd mile which would hopefully be a little faster.  The baby joggers are off and one minute until go time.  Runners take your mark, and we were off. 

First part of the race is uphill, followed by a downhill, but mostly up after that. I started a little fast but got into a good groove.  First thing, this race was interesting because there were a lot of people including young kids who were out in a sub-6 minute mile pace, and held it for a solid 3/10 of mile.  But they dropped back after that.

 I was on pace for my 5:50 mile.  I was passing some of those who went out to fast, and then I began to close on Alice Rogers and Lat Purser.  Alice consistently is 1^st or 2^nd overall for the women, and Lat and she usually are about 30-45 seconds faster than me.  As I was closing in on them, I began to reconsider my race plan.  Should I really be running this fast?  Do they know more about this course than I do?  So I backed off my pace a bit and stayed behind them.  The first mile was tough, but not too tough, and I clicked it off in 6:00 flat.  Through the 2^nd mile I continued to pass people and stay behind, Alice and Lat.  As is typical I was running by myself.  There is no grouping unless you are in the faster group in the lead or further behind.  However, this race would prove to be different.  A guy pulls up beside me and I had someone to run with.  Additionally, I liked this guy because he got the pre-race memo on what to wear.  He was sporting the same red CRC Singlet and navy blue running shorts (See photos below).  We picked it up on the 2^nd mile and were now closing on Alice, Lat and few others who had put a little distance in between.  Fellow red singlet says, let’s catch that group and we moved.  2^nd mile 5:47.  But then came the 3^rd mile which was a lot rolling hills.  We held close to the group but we would not be able to make the pass.  We followed them through the hills and then finally made it the last downhill.  I picked up the pace on the downhill but unfortunately at the bottom of the hill there is one last hairpin turn into a parking lot for about 150 meter finish. The last mile I gave it all I had, but clicked a 5:53.

Nice outfit

Me Finishing

I finished the last .15 at 5:41 pace for an 18:31. That was good enough for 21^st OA, 2^nd AG.  In retrospect, I wish I had not deviated from my plans. I am not sure what effect it would have had on my time, but during the race is no time to be playing mind games.

I regrouped and headed back out to find Jacob.  On the way, I saw Ang and Lily so I waited with them until Jacob passed.  He looked to be in great shape as he made the turn in front of us.  I jumped in and ran the last .5 mile with him.  As we climbed the last hill, and began the downhill, I could tell he had a lot left in the tank so I asked if he was ready to pick it up and he said yes.  Then I said let’s see how many people we can pass.  We started to move and passed a group of 5 then there were singles we started to pick off.  As we made the hairpin turn into the parking lot, Jacob kicked it.  I pulled off and watched him move to the finish.  The crowd cheered as he ran by.  Moving to the finish line, Jacob weaved through a few more runners, and for the 2^nd time in 3 races, nearly took out the blind runner (I think a little coaching is in order here), and finished with a solid time.  All totaled 12 runners were passed in the last portion of the race.  Nicely done.

We stayed around for the awards ceremony and for my age group award I received two oven mitts and two bread ties.  Not the most prestigious of awards but quite practical.

In general, the race course had lots of turns and hills and on top of that, I believe it measured a tad long which did not lend itself to a new PR. After the race I was a little frustrated because at the end of last year I was seeing a PR after every race, but I seem to have plateaued.  As I result, I sent a note to my coach asking what I could be doing differently.  His response was something to the effect of you have had enough time to recover nicely from your last marathon, now try this training plan on for size. More to come on that.

The End