Monday, June 30, 2014

Half-time

Except there is no time for a break.... Half the year is gone.  It seems like it just started and here I am half-way through my running adventure.  First and foremost, the meals provided to the Durham Rescue Mission has reached almost 1,000.  Secondly, I have as consistent in my running than I have ever been.  I also ran the best marathon time I have since 2011 and in the same weekend got to do a Diaper Dash with Bree. Its been a fun half-year and I'm looking forward to the next half-year with two new marathon states leaving two to go.  So here are the half-time stats:


  • 932 miles from January 1 - June 30
  • Ran 171 days out of 181, missing only 10 days of running
  • Averaged 5.45 miles per run
  • Averaged a 155.3 miles per month
  • High of 45 miles in a week and low of 18
  • High of 173 miles in a month and low of 131
  • Ran 4 marathons in 4 states (1 new state) (Best time: 4:12:37)
  • Donated 932 meals to Durham Rescue Mission
  • 2nd half marathons scheduled: Cordova, Alaska; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Baltimore, MD; Indianapolis, IN; Spartenburg, SC (Ultra)
Every other sport has an off-season.  I don't, so tomorrow on July 1, I run again and again and again.

Days 175-181: 33 miles, 2014: 932 miles



Monday, June 23, 2014

Any Marathon Will Do

If you want to know the runner you really are, not the one you once were or imagine yourself becoming, run a marathon. Any marathon will do. - Joe Henderson, Marathon Training
In 78 marathons, I believe that I have found a new and different runner in each one. It is what makes the marathon so captivating, so mysterious.  I would also argue that you will get to know the person you really are as well.  Maybe this can relate to my previous blog post about the "point of know return."  Knowing the runner and knowing the person once adversity sets in.  There will always be adversity in a marathon.  You know it will come in the later miles and you pray it doesn't in the early miles.  Its not only adversity where we get to know ourselves.  What kind of runner are we when things are going perfectly?  What thoughts go through our mind?  How do we remain in that state as long as possible.  We also can't rely on the way we once were, especially as we age.  We must find the runner we are today and how to be the best runner we can be in the marathon at hand.  It goes with a quote from Bill Rodgers, "the marathon can humble you."  Basically, whatever you think of yourself, think again after you have run a marathon.  And, if it was easy the first time, congratulations, but it will be harder than it is is easy other times.  It will bring you down to Earth, yet keep you floating safely above because of the accomplishment.  The hardest marathons are also the most rewarding.  I also think purposely signing up for a hard marathon is more scary than running it.  Signing up weeks or month in advance lets that marathon weigh on your mind.  For me, Umstead and Bataan were like that this year.  But, any marathon will do because running 26.2 miles is unnatural, not supported by the human body and sometimes not the human mind.

Days 172-174: 22 miles, 2014: 899 miles

Friday, June 20, 2014

Point of Know Return

If anyone is as old as I am and still listens to classic rock, you will know the song, Point of Know Return" by the rock group Kansas.  Interestingly, they use the word Know in the title instead of No.  Looking at the lyrics, the word "no" makes more sense.  Applying this to running the day I heard the song, to me, there is a point in a run where there is no looking back, the journey is steadily underway and you know that the finish is achievable and in sight.  Just now, I decided to do a little more "google" to see if anyone had analyzed the lyrics.  Behold, I found a blog that did just that.  The post is really well written and instead of me paraphrasing and messing it up, feel free to venture out to read it yourself in its entirety.  Actually, if you are into music, this looks like an excellent blog and well-written.  The analysis of this Kansas song is so good, I am going to quote a portion of it here.
Here’s where the album cover brings the meaning into focus. For generations, there was the false notion that once someone sailed past the horizon they sailed over the edge of the earth. Most Europeans incorrectly perceived that anyone who ventured to the vast unknown of the west never returned. Perhaps they didn’t want to return. The fact remains that the knowledge of what really was out there was never verified because of fear. Or in analogous terms, "How do you know that you do not like Brussels sprouts, unless you taste one?" 
When one ventures forward and gains knowledge through experience, there is no turning back. The point of “know return” is a point of “no return” to past ideas and experiences. It becomes similar to Kurt Lewin’s change theory. In the process of changing, we are constantly being challenged by our previously held perspectives and beliefs. Sometimes these challenges come from our friends and family who attempt to influence our path. These obstacles create great discomfort, as cognitive dissonance often accompanies change. Eventually, our mental anguish subsides as we cross that threshold of acceptance and sail over the imaginary edge of the earth.

Kansas places this perspective in form of an ocean voyage. Think of what the men aboard the Nina, the Pinta, the Santa Maria during Columbus’ first journey to the Americas must have thought. These crew members had lived with the understanding that the world was flat, that there were great sea monsters roaming the Atlantic, and that by sailing too far west would constitute certain death. It is highly probable that family attempted to persuade these mariners to remain safe at home.

It really required a paradigm shift for these men to make this initial voyage. Until they were able to set foot upon dry land, the fears continued. That distant land was the point of know return. Old myths were shattered and new perspectives created. They could not return to their previous viewpoint as they crossed the point of know/no return.
So, let's apply this to running, and specifically marathons.  There is a mystique to the marathon that it goes beyond our capability.  In essence, this is true.  Our body can only carry enough fuel to run approximately 20 miles and then we start to degrade, unless we fuel appropriately during the marathon.  When people think of doing their first marathon, to them, it is like running off the flat edge of the Earth, never to be heard from again.  If they decide not to run a marathon before they try, the fact remains (as stated above) that the knowledge of whether they could or not remains unknown or never verified because of fear.  It applies to all running. If you fear that you can't run 1 mile or 2 or 5 or a half-marathon, how will you know you can't if you don't try?  Venturing forward a little at a time give confidence with each step.  With each step more experience is gained.  Once you know you can run a quarter mile or a half mile and experience that effort, you automatically learn to run farther.  Your body adapts to knowing what is expected of it. Then, there is no turning back.  The mind and the body fuels themselves.  The body changes and the mind gains confidence through experience.  Your ideas about running change and your perception of you as a runner changes.  Then, there comes that time where the mental anguish subsides. The point of "know" return becomes the point of "no" return.  You have sailed free over the edge of the Earth and on to new adventures in running.  One mile is not enough, it needs to be 2 or 5 or 13, 26 31, 50, or 100.  Each milestone has its own threshold and anguish to a new point of know (no) return.  Each distance creates a great discomfort but breaking through that point is the journey to a new running life (and some argue to a new life altogether.)  The old life and old way of thinking is shattered.  Beliefs change with what is known and there is no going back.  It is the point of know/no return.

Thanks to the author of the blog mentioned here.  It allowed me to put the meaning of the song into running perspective.  Of course, others can have their own interpretation of the lyrics related to any of life's adventures.

Days 168-171: 18 miles: 2014: 877 miles

Monday, June 16, 2014

Really? Seriously?

I know that when I write on this blog I put myself out there for comments, attacks, challenges, etc.  Frankly, there are not enough people reading it to really care enough to comment but I welcome them anyway.  I also welcome comments when they are done in a constructive and friendly fashion.  Today's social world allows for anonymity and drive-bys so that people can be as mean as they want without taking any responsibility.  To me, a drive-by is where someone stumbles onto your blog, reads a few posts and blasts you without knowing anything.  I guess it's their right to do that.  On Saturday, I woke up to comments on two of my blog entries.  The first comment disputed part of an entry that I wrote on January 8.  I was making a point that running 12 mph is really fast (because I inadvertently hit 12 mph on a treadmill) and that today's top marathoners run at sub-5 minute pace for 26.2 miles.  Here is the anonymous comment:

"You're either bad at math or an over exaggerating liar!!!!!! "Top marathoners" don't run at a freaking sub 5 minute pace! For instance the Olympic gold winner from 2012 ran 26.2 miles in 2:07:20 which equates approximately to a 5:25s pace per mile dude. Anyways I like your stort until iread that as I hate added misinformation to an already littered world full of it. Good day sir."

So, let's decipher this message.  First, it was posted as anonymous which shows the cowardliness or insecurity of the remarks he/she is making.  Let's call the person a "He" as I am pretty sure it is a male making these remarks.  Right off, he attacks me, not once but three times in the same sentence - bad a Math, exaggerating and a liar.  Not only does he attack me but he emphasizes it with 6 exclamation marks, I guess 2 for each attack.  I will give him credit for not using the "F" word and substituting "freaking" for it.  He then calls me "dude".  If you are going to call me dude, use your real name because as this point, I think I deserve to know who you are.  I'm also not sure what a "stort" is and I think "iread" is not a word.  He completes his diatribe by saying that I "added misinformation to an already littered world full of it."  It's nice that we wishes me a good day, though.

OK, so let's look at the facts on pace related to his comment.  To run a sub-5 minute per mile pace in a marathon, the finishing time needs to be under 2 hours 11 minutes and 05 seconds.  Here is the image of the pace calculator from coolrunning.


Let's also look at the winner of the Boston Marathon, Meb Keflezighi's official result and please note his pace, that of 4:55 per mile in an official finishing time of 2:08:37.



So, now let me methodically describe the fallacy of this gentle-person's comments.  First he quotes the 2012 Olympic Marathon time which is fine but we marathoners know that the fastest times are not run on an Olympic course, fast yes, but not fastest, so quoting any Olympic time is not representing the fastest marathons.  Secondly, he equates a 2:07.20 finishing time with a pace of 5:25 per mile pace.  So let's put this time in the pace calculator.


What? This is a pace of 4 minutes 51.394517 seconds?  If my Math is correct, this is 8.605483 seconds per mile below 5 minutes. So, the finishing time he quotes is well below a 5 minute pace.  His quote of 5:25 per mile pace is roughly equivalent to the women's finishing times in major marathons.  In 2013, the women's winner in NYC was 2:28 and this year's Boston was 2:18.  Shalene Flanagan's time at this year's Boston was close to the 5:25 per mile remarked and she finished in 2:22.02:


Maybe he has a dispute with "top marathoners".  At Boston, the top 6 runners all finished in a pace below 5 minutes per mile.  I decided to look at the fastest marathon times of all-time.  MarathonGuide.com lists the 400 fastest marathon times ever.  This list only comprises 400 and the slowest of these 400 is 2:07:53, ironically, very close to the finishing time he quotes, which equates to 4:52.653158 per mile pace.

I guess this person should be hating himself because his comment has "added to the misinformation of an already littered world full of it."  I suspect that he also has limited marathon running experience, just doesn't have access to simple pacing calculators or doesn't understand world-class running (maybe running at all.)

I don't pretend to be the most grammatically correct writer or the most interesting writer but when I write with facts, I tend to do my research before I write a fact.  Instead of bullying, why couldn't this person do his research first, ask questions and come to a real conclusion instead of calling me a mathematically incompetent, exaggerating, liar!!!!!!

Days 164-167: 28 miles: 2014: 859 miles

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Copper River Wild



My mind is starting to focus on my next marathon, state 47 in Cordova, Alaska.  You've never heard of Cordova?  Well, either had I until I went marathon googling in Alaska.  Cordova is a small fishing village near the mouth of the copper river with a population of about 2,400.  You can't get there by car.  You must fly or ferry to Cordova.  I've tried to plan Alaskan trips for the last few years but they had not worked out.  I had planned on running my Alaskan marathon in Anchorage.  But, if I was going to go all that way, I wanted to run something special - a bit our of the ordinary.  It appears that I might have found it in Cordova.  I first had Copper River salmon in Idaho.  If you haven't had a variety of the wild salmon, it is amazing, everything about it, and cooked (or smoked) in so many different ways.  Cordova celebrates with a salmon festival .  The weekend includes a salmon jam music festival, a taste of Cordova food (salmon) festival, craft fair and of course the Salmon Runs which include a marathon (king), half-marathon (sockeye), 10K (coho), and 5K (humpy).  Last year the marathon had only 50 participants.  This will be the smallest race (not just marathons) that I have ever run.  The course is flat, being at sea level with breath-taking snow-covered mountain backdrops and temps in the 50's.  Cindy is registered to walk the 5K after recovering from her hip surgery.  We are staying at a two room place called the Dragonfly Inn which I think is in the basement of someone's house.  When I made the reservation, they didn't even take a credit card but I have continued to confirm.  Its going to be a great trip which I will continue share as time goes on.

Days 161-163: 14 miles: 2014: 831 miles

Monday, June 9, 2014

Crosswinds

This past weekend, I went camping for the first time in about 15 years.  This is also the first time Cynthia and I have been camping together.  Casey joined us as well for his first camping experience.  We joined my sister Sandy and husband Paul on a 2-day adventure at the Crosswinds camping site at Jordan Lake.  We've driven through the Jordan Lake area only once in our two years in North Carolina and it is only 17 miles away.  The lake is massive with many public and camping areas.  Its popular with boaters as well.  Sandy and Paul have an RV so we decided to get a tent to pitch on the same site as the RV.  Thinking that we will likely camp again, I got some of the essentials from REI; Kingdom 4 tent with garage, Thermarest air mattresses, sleeping bag (which didn't arrive in time), Jetboil cooking system, lantern and a few small items.  We certainly won't be doing hiking trips where we need to carry our gear so we bought with the idea that we will have access to the Jeep.  Its very pretty and serene at Crosswinds.  We had lake access by walking down a short path through the woods to a sandy area.  It was a bit secluded where we could let Casey run and enjoy the sand and water.  Casey had a grand time in the water, which was his first exposure to the wet stuff, but once he realized the waves created by the boats wouldn't hurt him and the water cooled him, he really started frolicking around in it especially when a couple of lady wind-boarders paddled by.  He was good the entire weekend, just a pleasant docile dog.

As for running, I have never run while camping.  This area is so large that I figured that I could get some decent mileage in.  I decided to run the entire area, loops A, B, and C as well as out to the entrance and boat ramp.  I wasn't sure what the mileage was going to be and I didn't realize (although I should have) how hilly the terrain was around the lake. Each area is a camping loop.  I started in area C (our site was C020), looped around area C on the big loop and out of the area toward area B.  It was still early and it seemed like people in the larger travel trailers were either still sleeping or staying in their trailers.  Camping exposes people which is fun when taking a running tour of a campground.  Since we were on the lake side, there was a climb out of area C to the main Crosswinds road.  The main road was really nice, shaded, rolling and nothing but trees.  You can't see any of the camping from the main road.  I headed into area B which was more of a mix of tents, pop-ups, and trailers/RVs.  The loop extended down to the Crosswinds beach, a nice area of sand and lake for swimming.  Again, once down at the lake, you have to go back up hill to get out of the area.  Once I get back onto the main road I figured I needed some extra mileage (trying to do 10 miles). I headed out to the main entrance, which is gated until 8 AM.  This is also a bit of a climb but balanced by the out and back downhill to the main road.  I headed toward area A which has multiple cul de sacs. This area is mostly for tent campers and here, everyone seemed to be up and out of their tents enjoying the morning.  The one thing about running through a campground is the aroma of bacon waffling in the air.  I just wanted to stop and enjoy breakfast with some campers.  I continued my journey meandering around area A since it's not a straight-forward loop.  Finding my way out, I journeyed to the boat ramp.  It's another stretch of deserted, rolling road.  The boat ramp has a dock protruding out into the lake.  I stopped to take in the view, the morning sun and the smattering of early anglers looking for their catch of the day.  There are 33 species of fish in the lake as a sign described near the boat ramp.  I looked at my watch and I was about 4.6 miles.  I would need to head back the very same way to get close to 10 miles but likely 15K.  I journeyed back the same way except in area A where I missed a couple of loops.  The humidity was pretty high but the course was still shaded.  I did notice that there is a Crosswinds trail that extends from area A to area C.  This would have made for a nice trail run.  next time I will give it a try, maybe out on the trail and back on the road.

The following day, I ran the main road out and back to the boat ramp.  It was a nice rolling run with lots of shade.  The great thing about running is that it allows you to do it anywhere.  In essence, the basic necessities are shoes and shorts.  I also need socks, shirt and hat.  Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Casey on what appears to be a lunar landscape

Sunset over the lake

More sunset

Paul, Sandy, Casey and me

Cindy and Casey

Days 156-160: 20 miles: 2014: 815 miles

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

National Running Day

Inspire or be inspired!  Today is National Running Day.  Yesterday, I was running one of my normal loops around Parkwood.  About halfway, I car stopped and a guy yelled out the window.  I had ear phones on and couldn't hear him well. I stopped and asked what he said.  "You're inspiring man, and I am trying to do more too."  I said, "That's great, if I see you out here, we will run a few miles together!"  We shook hands and off we went.  I hope to see him again, out enjoying the day, walking, biking or of course, running.  It doesn't have to be miles. I'll run with him however far or long he wants.  I don't know if I have ever been stopped by a stranger before to say I was inspiring.  I suspect he has seen me run through the neighborhood enough on a consistent basis, that he wanted to start doing something himself.  It made me feel great because I don't preach running to people.  I hope to inspire people by example.  Run and be happy, show the passion and love for sport.  Inspiration comes from watching those who do.  I was inspired the same way by my nephew Shawn with Christianity, God and Jesus.  He set a good example of what a follower should be, raised his family that way and lives with the Word.  As much as I run, people might ask, how do I stay inspired, or what continues to inspire me?  Actually, its other runners - the ones making the effort to get out there day after day and make running a lifestyle.  I have seen so many runners, all shapes, sizes and paces and each inspire me.  I see runners run past my house, people I know, yet I don't because I see them each day at the same time.  I know the energy and effort running takes, especially doing it consistently.  It is when I feel I am me or as Kenny Chesney would say, "be as you are."  I also know running isn't for everyone so walkers and bikers and those who choose other forms of movement are also inspiring.  Do one or the other, inspire or be inspired!

Days 153-155: 14 miles: 2014: 795 miles.

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Casey Patrick

Happy Birthday Cynthia Anne!  Casey Patrick has come into our lives for your birthday.  Today Casey got to experience the American Tobacco Trail, a place where someday we will run together.  Until then, it appears that runners already like him.  Cynthia and Casey did a one mile walk today.  Along the way they were stopped and greet by runners and walkers.  One runner stopped and sat with crossed legs while petting Casey and talking to Cindy about running.  She had run 6 Boston Marathons.  I have been running on the trail for 2 years and haven't had a conversation with another runner except for greetings.  Casey has brought about more conversation with people in just 5 days then the entire time we have lived here for 2 years.  Of course, I can see why.  He is adorable cute and about as laid back as a dog can be, or any human for that matter.  After his muscle and bone structure matures, we'll give him a go at a run.  He already wants to run after me when I take a few steps.  But, most importantly, I see how Cynthia loves this little guy.  It's a birthday to remember.  It took me awhile to agree to a dog for two reasons 1) because of Lily the cat being, well, Lily the cat she is and 2) because of the constraints it puts on an active life.  Lily and Casey still haven't met although it has been close.  As for active, we'll figure it out.  We aren't quite sure what this little guy is; we think part border collie, part pointer.  The name Casey Patrick comes from our best guess and decision that his birthday was March 17, so we figured a nice Irish name would be nice.  Anyway, Happy Birthday to Cynthia Anne, a loving and caring wife to me, Casey and Lily.



Days 148-152: 25 miles: 2014: 781 miles