January Ends

Today, I have completed, for the first time in my life, a month where I ran every day for a total of 172 miles, an average of 5.54 miles per day.  I'm also positive that it has been a long time since I have run that many miles in a month.  I ran outside 30 of those days in temperatures as low as 5 degrees.  One day, I ran twice, both indoors and out.  I know people run many more miles than this in unimaginable temperatures.  But, there is something to be said for running every single day.  As I got older, I thought that I needed more rest/recovery days so there were days that I took off completely.  Yes, I know, these could have been cross-training days which would have been beneficial as well.  Now, with running every day in January, I have discovered a few things:

1. You can always find time to run at least 2 miles per day
2. The variable weather makes it interesting, almost like running a different course each day
3. Recovery comes in the 2 mile runs, training comes in the longer, up-tempo runs
4. My legs feel fresher than actually taking days off completely
5. There is no decision to make.  Every day you know that you will run.  It's just a matter of when and where.
6. Consistency matters
7. Its good to have multiple pairs of shoes to alternate (more important in summer)
8. It gives me something to write about
9. I eat better (although I still have not been able to eliminate ice cream)
10. Running for the charity that I have adopted, matters!

So now, February begins and a new challenge.  First up is the Miami Marathon on Sunday.  With temperatures in the 70's, I'm not expecting a whole lot except for a tour of Miami, Miami Beach and South Beach on foot.  It is, in essence, another training run with my goal race being Bataan.  The real challenge will be traveling over the next two weeks, one week in the UK.  let's see if I can figure out the running situation while having two days on a plane for 7 hours.

"The marathon can make you humble" - Bill Rogers

Today Day 31: 2 miles; 2014: 173 miles

Desire Over Reason

Marathoning: The triumph of desire over reason. - New Balance

It makes no sense to run 26.2 miles, especially the extra 385 yards that the .2 dictates.  But, there are hundreds of thousands of finishers all over the globe doing it in areas that, quite frankly, shouldn't be having marathons.  There are many reasons why people run them and each runner will represent a unique reason.  Continuing to run them is beyond all reason.  With that comes desire and desire will always win.

The obsession with running [marathons] is really an obsession with the potential of more and more life. - George Sheehan

 There is a lot of life that can be experienced during a marathon, physically and mentally, the world around you, the lives of other runners, total strangers cheering, weather, courses, thoughts, problems solved, ups and downs, love, struggle, emotions, God's blessings - all in a few hours.  But the real obsession is the holistic experience taken back into our lives from the marathon.  We live in the same world experienced in a marathon and what we take from it only helps us move forward, day after day.  The marathon is never run backwards.  People don't start at the finish.  But what they have learned from past marathons allows them to move forward in and informed, educated, and wise way - past experience, current circumstances, hopes and dreams.  Life is a marathon!  let us run with desire.

Desire Over Reason - 13 degrees

Today Day 30: 3 miles: 2014: 170 miles

Snow Days

I remember being a kid and getting a free day from school due to snow.  We would play all day outside, sledding, snow-balling, building snow caves/men.  It was just a fun time.  I wonder these days if kids just stay inside and play video games.  When I ventured out on my run today crunching through the snow and sidestepping the ice, I thought about those days; the fun, the innocence, just being yourself with your friends. Snow is novel in NC and kids do seem to get a kick out of being in it.  I saw a few kids today, one carrying a sled, and others playing.  I guess my play these days is running in the snow.  I put my trail shoes on, dress appropriately, and off I go, trying to stay on the virgin snow for optimal crunch while trying to stay upright.  Living in the Northeast for so many years, I am well-practiced.  It also quiet and pretty.

When snow falls in NC, there are a lot of closures, not just schools but many business, local businesses, even fast food chains.  I suspect that major corporations don't close because people will just work from home.  Well, except for the government.  the federal government, as inefficient as they are still delays openings and has closures.  People need to be smart and stay safe so I am a proponent of closures or delays.

It will be stark contrast from running today to running on Sunday.  On Sunday, I will have 3 articles of clothing on, 5 if you want to count shoes and a hat..  But, that is the beauty of running, can do it anywhere and in any conditions - just run!

Parkwood Lake

Today Day 29: 2 miles; 2014: 167 miles

Primitive Connections

The challenge of a significant physical journey on foot unleashes some primitive connections to our identity of human beings - Jeff Galloway

These connections are enhanced on the trails, true trails, where you have to stumble your way over rocks, roots, mud, through water, up and down hills to get from one place to another in a natural environment.  The road doesn't provide the same connection, or I should say the same primitive connection.  The physicality and mentality required on both road and trail are not necessarily equal either.  Although physically harder, trail running is easier on the body believe it or not.  Terrain is usually softer although highly varied which allows for more muscles to be used and in different ways.  Before there were roads, human beings were running through forests, over mountains, blazing new trails.  Its our identity.

In order to be successful in a marathon, you have to know what you want out of it - Bill Rogers

 This is key for every marathoner especially the 99.9% who will never win a marathon or age group award.  What's interesting is that this quote is from Bill Rogers, one of the greatest marathoners of all time for his wins on Boston and New York City and a former American record holder.  Of course, most people see running as all about time.  I certainly did when I was younger, trying to set a personal best with each race, running to my maximum effort.  I still find time intriguing but I get so much more out of the sport these days, not only in races but through daily runs.  I'll be successful in every marathon that I run as long as I finish, which I have in all 73 marathons attempted.  Its because I know what I want out of each and every one of them.  Goals are different.  I may set a goal and stretch goal for time for either the entire marathon or a portion of it.  In Miami, its to train in heat and humidity and pace accordingly.  Temperatures will be in the 70's with 81% humidity.  Stark contrast to training in the 20's and dew points in negative numbers.  Success will come with the finish line and a paid sightseeing tour of Miami, South Beach and Miami Beach.  Yes, I know I can do this by car, but how primitive would that be?

Today Day 28: 2 miles; 2014: 165 miles

Taper Time

Generally, the week before a marathon is taper time - the time when you allow the legs to recover and heal along with the rest of the body.  In most training regimens, tapering is done over a 2-3 week period.  For marathon manics, I am not sure that there is ever a taper or ever traditional training.  I'm going into the Miami marathon this weekend viewing it as a supported long run.  I will be there for a conference and figured I might as well run.  Its a bit too big for my taste, the logistics are not great, and it will be humid.  Believe me, I am not complaining as I am grateful to even have the opportunity and health to run.  After what most of the country has experienced weather-wise this winter, there is no way I will complain about 70 degrees.  So, let's get back to tapering.  I usually only run 2-3 days the week leading up to a marathon and those days are very light, 2-3 miles.  However, I have remained on my streak of running every day this year at least 2 miles per day but averaging over 6.  Due to business travel, some international, I am not sure if I'll be able to keep the streak alive as the year unfolds.  What's important is to maintain my goal mileage for the year which I am ahead of now. For my taper this week, I will maintain 2 miles per day and then run 26.2 on Sunday.  This will put me at 171 for January, the highest mileage in a month for many years.  I will then start February strong with the marathon.

"'Life' said William James, 'is made of doing and suffering and creating.'  It is all there in the marathon-the doing in training and the suffering in the race and, finally, the creating that comes in the tranquility of the aftermath." - George Sheehan

"The marathon never ceases to be a race of joy, a race or wonder." - Hal Higdon

Today Day 27: 2 miles; 2014: 163 miles

Hold Fast

On Sunday's throughout the year, I hope to post worship songs that have helped me through a season of life, on a run, or in some other meaningful way.  I know that some folks will ask how can I use one of these songs in the context of running.  Doesn't it diminish the meaning.  To the contrary.  Quite honestly, if we cannot apply the what we learn from the Bible and worship songs to everyday life, we are missing a great opportunity.  This song came on my shuffle yesterday, when I was struggling to finish a 10 mile run.  I used "hold fast" to do just that.  Hold fast to the pace I set out before you, to helping those with meals at the DRM.  It doesn't hurt anywhere near what it is like not to have food or a warm place to sleep or to recover from a life of addiction.  As a matter of fact, that kind of hurt cannot be used in the same context as a run.  As Ryan Bingham (country artist) might say, "if I have that kind of problem, I'll be in pretty good shape."  There also comes a time in a marathon when holding fast will be our struggle, the point where we hit the wall, and we all will, even the elite. So, Hold Fast in all of life's journey's.

"Hold Fast"
by Mercy Me
To everyone who's hurting
To those who've had enough
To all the undeserving
That should cover all of us
Please do not let go
I promise there is hope

Hold fast
Help is on the way
Hold fast
He's come to save the day
What I've learned in my life
One thing greater than my strife
Is His grasp
So hold fast

Will this season ever pass?
Can we stop this ride?
Will we see the sun at last?
Or could this be our lot in life?
Please do not let go
I promise you there's hope

You may think you're all alone
And there's no way that anyone could know
What you're going through
But if you only hear one thing
Just understand that we are all the same
Searching for the truth
The truth of what we're soon to face
Unless someone comes to take our place
Is there anyone?
All we want is to be free
Free from our captivity, Lord
Here He comes

Today Day 26: 6 miles; 2014: 161 miles

I'm A Freak

I won't
I can't
I'm lost
I'm a freak
Searching for things
I can't see
Mountains in front of me
No nothing will conquer
My existence
Fear will not discover
My brain

I'm a freak
This is a portion of a song from Days of the New.  Let me decipher this from a runner's perspective.  The words, "I won't, I can't, I'm lost" are generally not found in a runner's vocabulary.  Going into a race or even a training run, thinking this way defeats you before you even get started.  We are typically driven by mantras.  I have one that I have used since high school which allows me to calm down but remain engaged, "Strong and Relaxed".  Runners can't run when they are not relaxed and at some point strength will be needed to finish at one's best.  Based on the words from the song, one mantra might be "I will, I can, I'm found".  Underarmour put the words "I Will" on their marathon shirts last year.  I still think "I'm a Freak" still applies and I don't mind be labeled as such.  So let's change the words above to "I will, I can, I'm found, I'm a freak".  New runners experience this transformation. At one time in their lives, they couldn't and they wouldn't and were maybe lost.  But, after they start their journey, they realized that they could, they would and they were found.  Just like the song, Amazing Grace, written by John Newton in the late 1700's, "I once was lost but now am found, Was blind, but now I see." there is a transformation brought about by God's Grace.

In many cases our journey in running and Christian faith allow us to search for things we can't see, which appear to be mountains in front of us, but we exist and must move forward allowing nothing to conquer us physically or mentally.  Let us be freakish in a different way - a good way.

Today Day 25: 10 miles; 2014: 155 miles