Well, That Happened

It's taken me a week to get around to try and wrap this up.  A week because I wasn't really sure what I wanted to say. A week in which a new abbreviation has entered into my running vocabulary.  A week in which I've been more tired than after any race I've ever done, including Ironman Canada. So, now I suppose it's time to come to terms with a day that will live on in running history books. After training so hard for so long, it came down to the day, and the day was a bear.
   Let me just say that running in 89 degree heat in April is tough, it's damn tough, especially if you come from the Pacific Northwest where the highest recorded temp in the past 6 months was close to 60 and that was a one time affair. It's not like we weren't warned because we were.  The Boston Athletic Association was practically begging people not to run. I think know there are people who wish they would have listened to that advice.  There were over 2,000 people treated for heat exhaustion and dehydration and I passed by a dozen or so people being wheeled off the course on stretchers with IV bags dangling.

My day started out well enough, I got a reasonable night's sleep, made it to the Boston Commons in time to catch the bus to Hopkington. I was the last one on the bus which I took as a good sign. I had read the article in the Bellingham Herald before leaving the apartment, but was pleasantly surprised to see on the bus ride, while checking my email, that two donations were made because of the article already. I had ridden on the same bus as Ray Leone, from Blaine, and talked with him a bit before heading to the church where the Dana-Farber people were set up only a block from the starting line.  It was nice to be in the shade relaxing and rolling out muscles with the stick. I lubed up every place I could find, made it to the starting line on time this year and started with thousands of other runners in mid 70 degree weather that just kept getting hotter and hotter as we ran.
    It took about a mile and a half for it to open up enough to get some running room. It was hot from the start but not too bad. At least it didn't seem so at first. My body had a hard time adjusting all day. I was thirsty and knew that I needed to drink and ended up hitting every station and then adding on with bystanders. On the other hand, I felt bloated, like the water wasn't going anywhere. The only time I felt halfway normal was either being hosed off or when I got ice. I stuck to my perpetuem and water but the perpetuem that I expected to last the whole race was disappearing at an alarming rate.
    By mile 6 or so I could tell it was going to be a long day.  I still felt good, but it was so hot.  You could just feel it sapping everything out.  Going in, I knew I wouldn't be able to run the race I had trained for so it was a matter of compromising as I went.  By mile 6 a 8:45 pace seemed reasonable and sustainable but it slowly started inching its way upward.  The girls of Wellesley were as loud as ever and were there before I remembered them from last year.
Diane and my sister, Cindi, were waiting for me at the halfway point with drinks and I was still feeling good by the time I saw them, but it was so damn hot.

By 14.5 miles, I took my first walking break through an aid station.  It was to be the first of many.  I started walking on any hills and then through most of the aid stations.  I started running all of the hills of Newton but ended up walking on all of them.  I did a lot of walking over the last 10 miles. It was very humbling but I was in a lot of company.  How embarrassing to be walking during the Boston Marathon. Every time I walked I was embarrassed, but it was what it was. Man that was hard.
The spectators and volunteers were absolutely fantastic all day. The people who brought out ice, the people with orange slices, the people with their garden hoses, and their spray bottles, and soaker guns.
Just like last year, the most enthusiastic cheering was at Boston College where they had a lot of time to drink a LOT of beer.  One girl was chasing me calling my name.  I walked by, she called my name, and then the next thing I know 20 yards down the road she was running by me telling me to get going. When I did she ran with me for a hundred yards or so calling my name.
Pretty funny.
    Highlight of the day - taking an orange slice from the first of 5 or 6 girls aged 8-10 along the road and then making an orange smile for the last two girls.  I thought I would surprise them and get a laugh. The last laugh was on me though after they calmly raised their soaker guns and hosed me down.
The orange smile was a hit wherever I did it.
The Dana Farber singlet was huge because there were so many many people cheering me on.  It seemed like over 100 thanked me.  Thanked ME.
It didn't get any easier but the miles kept rolling on by.  The Citgo sign was a welcome sign even though I knew it was still a mile and a half away.  I was determined not to walk during the last mile so I took a good long walk at the aid station by the Citgo sign and then ramped it up.  Knowing it was the last mile made it easier but the spectators really pulled us in. There were so many people walking the last part I think I reeled in a hundred or more, but it didn't matter at that point. I told myself as the mile started that this one was for John H and it passed by in a happy blur. 
       It was the end of a long process of training and fundraising coming to a successful conclusion and I was happy about it. As I walked the several blocks down to collect my bag it was one happy feeling. 
 When I retrieved my phone there were already quite a few congratulatory texts from friends. I guess news travels fast.  The Dana Farber recovery zone was quite a deal. There were changing rooms and some kind of wet/dry towels to wipe off with.  There were about 50 massage tables set up. I got a massage with two different people at the same time. That's a first. There was great chicken soup and a sandwich spread with great potato salad and lots of cookies and brownies and such. Plenty of other runners to sit and talk with and share stories of the heat.
     All in all quite an experience. A race for the ages. One made much more special by the circumstances- the fundraising, the heat, the setting, the newspaper article. Interesting to involve so many people in the endeavor. Until yesterday I didn't know what a PW was.  Runners always talk about their PR's. (Personal Records)  Come to find out that a PW is a Personal Worst and many people had them on April 16, 2012 including me.  This was 10 minutes slower than my first marathon and over a half hour slower than last year's Boston experience.  The good news is that I was able to finish and I managed to stay out of the medical tent; anything less would have been hard to take given the circumstances so I'll take it and move on.
     A huge thank you to all who have contributed to this cause.  You have inspired me with your generosity and your caring. It was quite an experience for me to have been part of something so much bigger than myself.  I will never forget it and take many great life lessons away.

Off to the Races

Some last thoughts as I head to catch my bus.
John H. Schick, and all other cancer patients and surviviors, but especially you dad;
this is for you.
It looks like the running gods have thrown us a curve ball today. Of course, that's nothing new for you. Your life has been full of curveballs since your diagnosis, right.
Today's temperatures are supposed to be close to 90 degrees. The Boston Athletic Association is almost begging runners not to run today. The words of Lisa Bentley, the 6 time, or whatever, Ironman champ who I met before doing Ironman Canada ring in my ears, "Finish what you start."
That along with the tunes of Sweet Caroline, from yesterday's Red Sox game ring in my ears as I leave and start the walk to the bus which will take me to Hopkington.
Today's "race" is about survival, just like your lives lately.
Michelle Nolans article in today's Herald is one I like except for one phrase, "He hopes Bellingham's running community will support him."
They have supported me like nobody's business and I'm very proud of that.
So,
it's off to the races, "Good times never felt so good." So good, So good!

Danger on the Horizon

Danger lurks at the Boston Marathon!  The weather forecast looks terrible with a high temperature of 84 degrees in Boston on Monday.  The start at Hopkington is slated to be around 80 degrees at 10am.
This does not bode well for anybody. All predictions of finishing times go out the window and it becomes a matter of survival.  There will be busloads of people who are unable to finish and many will be taken for medical care.  In 2007 the Chicago Marathon was stopped after 3 and a half hours when officials determined it was too dangerous.  They actually stopped the race and pulled people off of the course. The high temperature on that day was 88.
The Boston Marathon has been run the past 115 consecutive years and there have been days this hot or hotter in the past.  As I've read the history of the race, I've often wondered, "what would it be like to run on one of those days.?"  It looks like I'm about to find out.
So, danger lurks but so does adventure. This might be one for the history books.

What's it like to run the Boston Marathon?

Last year someone, actually his name is Ben Swee, ran with a camera during the Boston Marathon and took a LOT of pictures.  He posted 400 of them to Facebook.  I copied about half of them and have posted them at the link below.  There were so many things to see on the run and I forgot so many of them.  Looking at these photos was a great refresher.  So many times I said, "oh yeah I saw that, or oh, I forgot about that (I mean really, how can you forget Santa Clause?)."  From the kids handing out licorice, giving high 5s, handing out oranges and wet towels to the many families out on the lawn enjoying another Patriots Day - to the ramped up college kids at Wellsely and Boston College - what a special day.

So know that there are a lot of photos here and plan on going through them quickly, but you will truly get a sense of what it was like out there last year during the 115th Boston Marathon.

Enjoy,

John

https://picasaweb.google.com/johnschick55/BostonMarathonFacebookPhotos?authkey=Gv1sRgCN-rus2R68P_ngE#

Easy Squeezy

Well, the 12 miles pretty much flew by and I found myself holding myself back most of the way.  It was a gorgeous sunny day and a wonderful last medium-long run. It seemed so easy, it seems maybe I am ready.
Easter dinner with incredible friends and now it's off to bed and then off to work tomorrow.
Tuesday will be a 6 mile recovery run.
Wednesday 7 miles with 2 at Marathon pace.  ( a dress rehearsal)
Friday 4 recovery miles
Sunday 3 easy miles with some strides thrown in.
Monday - the big day.

A Celebratory Lap?

I'm off to run my last "long run."  Who would have thought 12 miles would be a big deal? It's a beautiful sunny day and I'm wearing my race day outfit.  It's sure to get some smiles with the wild green color scheme of the Dana Farber singlet.  My mantra (said only to myself) when I pass people who raise their eyebrows?  "See you in Boston next week."
Off we go!

What? Only 5 miles? Slow pace? What?

I tell you what, not being able to run, run, run, is not easy after so much training.  I went to Harrison Hot Springs yesterday in Canada and soaked for over 3 and a half hours.  Soak, sleep, soak, read, sleep, soak, rest, soak......  I was there for 6 and a half hours and left feeling like a noodle.
I was looking forward to an 8 mile run today only to discover that it was actually only supposed to be 5 miles at a recovery pace with 6 100 meter strides thrown in.
To change things up a bit, I decided to head to Lake Padden for a couple of laps.  What a joy it was to run there with the sun shining and the trails not too crowded at all.  At one point on the wooded side of the lake, after looking ahead and behind to make sure no one was watching, I was overcome with joy.
It was so much fun to be running on such a beautiful day in such a gorgeous place.  U2 was playing "It's a Beautiful Day" on the Ipod and I started waving my arms around and celebrating the day, the process, and the good things that lie ahead in the next 10 days.
No running tomorrow, but it's the first day of rowing and I'm planning on getting out on the water.
Sunday will be 12 miles at long run pace and then not much after.
Some runners will tell you that the taper is the hardest part of the training. Mysterious ailments pop up when you cut back on your running and they can really start to play with your head.  That's why it's so nice to able to savor the runs when they do occur.
So, it was only 5 miles, but they were great ones and I think I'll be ok for another day or two.

Time to Welcome the Newest Member of the Family

These are my race day shoes.  They are the newest members

of the stable.

The taper continues

Tuesday I was happy to run with Rick on the normal 4:15 waterfront run.  A nicely paced 5 miles with a good chance to catch up on things. Wednesday's track workout was interesting.

It was supposed to be a 8 mile run with 3 X 1600 meters at 5k pace.  Since we are on our Spring Break I had no idea when the local high schools would be working out on the tracks around town. I planned to run from home to the Squalicum track to warmup, run the repeats, and then run home. I had a fear that I would get there and the Squalicum team would be using the track but I couldn't think of a better alternative.  I crested the hill on Chandler Parkway and was happy to see that the track was empty. As I got on the track I was not so happy to see a coach walking down the stairs with some cones in his hand and notice all of the cars in the parking lot.  As I finished my first set of strides out came the team from their meeting ready to start their workout.  It looked like my timing couldn't have been worse but when I asked a coach if I could use the outside lane, he said, "Sure, you'll be OK." In the end, it worked out well.

This was really the last hard run of the program.  Now the nerves are starting to amp up a bit.

In the afternoon I met a journalist from the Bellingham Herald for an interview about the marathon and fundraising process.  The story should run either next Monday or on race day itself.

My current fundraising is at $7,150 which seems pretty remarkable to me.

Thursday is a rest day, so rest I will.  It's up to Harrison Hot Springs for a long, long soak.

16 Miles and What Do You Get?

Well, the last long run of the program is over and, I have to say, coming the day after a tough race effort, it was a hard run and I'm feeling a bit beat up.  My calves are quite tight and I'm tired.  But the true taper starts now.
After the many weeks of 50 plus miles, this next week will be 32.
After so many 12, 13, 14 mile mid-week runs, the longest this mid-week will be 8
After so many 18,19, 20 mile long Sunday runs, this one will be 12
After so many 5 day running weeks, this one will only be 4
My body knows it's time to rest and to heal.  I'm in as good a running shape as I've ever been - now it's time to take care of myself and truly savor the remaining 8 runs before Patriot's Day.

Well, That was Fun

Mr. Pfitzinger's plan calls for a third and final tune-up race of 8-10k two weeks out from the marathon.

I was in Seattle seeing out of town friends and had agreed to take them to the airport on Saturday so I registered for the 10k trail run at Dash Point State Park Saturday morning. Somehow it's not exactly the kind of race that I think Mr. Pfitzenger had in mind when he wrote the plan.

The run was advertised as single track non-technical trails.  The course was a lollipop shape with a 10k, which was one loop, a half-marathon which was 2 loops, and a full marathon which was 4 loops.  The marathon started at 9:00, the half at 9:15, and us short timers at 9:30.  

We've been deluged with rain the past week (Seattle set a one-day record for the date on Thursday) and Saturday was really no exception.  The ride to the airport was heavy downpour, the ride to the race was heavy downpour, and the warmup was light downpour. The trails were good and muddy. I knew that this good be a dangerous time only two weeks out from the marathon.  How easy it would be to slip in the mud and pull something, or to twist an ankle.  My main mantra for the day was, "don't get hurt."

Well, I have to say it was a blast.  The trail did get a bit crowded when we started passing some of the slower half-marathon runners because it definitely was single-track trail and it was tricky for passing.   I'm not sure I would call it non-technical at all really.  There were enough roots to keep you honest and there were a few places where a slip or fall could have taken you for quite a ride in the woods. The trail was quite cambered in places and also had many quick short turns.

After running in a straight line for so many miles while training this was a blast, bringing out the trail runner in me.  It really brought home the fact that I am a trail runner at heart blasting down the downhills and jumping over obstacles.  I felt like I ran really strong and it brought out the kid in me, especially some of the muddier places.  

I'm happy to say that there were no injuries although my left calf is quite tight and I'm working on rolling it out.

Tomorrow's 16 miler is really the last long run of the program.  It's pretty unbelievable to think that I've actually made it through the program and that I only have 9 more runs to go with all of them being pretty short after tomorrow.

The Bellingham Herald, in a story about the new trail running series in town described trail runners as explorers and road runners as warriors. For one day, at least, it was great to be both.

Savoring the taper runs

I've started the taper - it's just what it sounds like, the runs get shorter, the mileage is less, there are more rest days. The hard work is done and now it's time to heal up, maintain the fitness, and mentally prepare.
One thing I've found in the past while tapering is that the runs get so much sweeter. After racking up the mileage for the past 4 months, running 12 mile runs here, 14 milers there, now it comes down to only having 11 more runs before the big day. Only 11 more times to run. As the nerves start to ramp up, running is the best way to calm them down.
I was pleasantly surprised last night to find my legs feeling fresh after a 35 mile weekend. I ran 8 miles which included 5 X 600 meter repeats at 5k pace. Tonight was 6 miles at a recovery run pace. That means very slow and easy.
Tomorrow is a day off, Friday is a 4 mile recovery run with some 100 meter strides thrown in and then my last tune up race. This will be a 10k race in Federal Way which I picked since I'll be in Seattle Friday night visiting friends.
One last semi-long run remains - that will be on Sunday at 16 miles. After that the runs get short and sweet, oh so sweet.
My fundraising took a drastic turn for the better tonight when my aunt sent a check for $1,000.
That takes my total from $6,000 to $7,000 in one fell swoop. Wow!
Also, apparently the local paper, the Bellingham Herald, is going to run a profile on me. Or at least that's what the phone message was from the staff photographer looking for photos of me running.
Things are coming together in a big way and April 16th will be here before we know it.
I'll keep savoring every run while I can.

The Hay is in the Barn

There were times it wasn't easy, but I always knew I would make it. Today's 20 mile run is the culmination of a hell of a lot of training over the past 15 weeks. Now it's on to the taper. After running near to, at, or over 50 miles a week for the past 8 weeks, now it's time to cut back. Next week will be 43 miles, the week after 32, and then 22. Or it might be less. The key to tapering is that, "less is more." I won't be afraid to take off an extra day if I feel like I need it. The work is done, now it's time for these nagging little muscle aches and pains to heal up and to get ready for the big day, which is three weeks away from tomorrow.
Today's 20 mile run was a grand affair, feeling good, holding my pace and running on a day made to order. This is the kind of day when nothing on earth would make you want to live anywhere else.
Mt. Baker and the Twin Sisters were out, the entire Olympic Range was out in full force, and the bay was absolutely beautiful.
Our college basketball team are national champions of Division 2, the sun is shining, the hay is in the barn, and life is good.

The Last Big Push

Week 15 panned out much better than week 14 ever could. Tuesday's run was a delightful run along the water with Rick and Paul. Wednesday's 10 miler included 4 X 1200 meters on the track and Friday's 11 mile run from work was very satisfying. Yesterday's 4 mile recovery run seemed so short it barely registered, except for being out at the beginning of a gorgeous day. My eyes have healed up well, my cough is still lingering but not affecting my running and I'm feeling good.
I'm just getting ready to head out the door to run my last 20 mile run of the training program. It's another beautiful day although it's only 35 degrees at the moment. That will warm up fairly soon though. This is the last big push before the taper starts. I'm excited, nervous, and ready to go. Wish me well.

What a Bizarre Week its Been

Well, they don't seem to come much stranger than this. Can't go into all the details but, Wednesday's work day didn't materialize when I was unable to sleep after 1:30am and then, by the time work rolled around, I was feeling sick again, never mind that the dog had gotten us up at 3:30 puking up chunks of wood that he'd snuck in before coming to bed. That is a life threatening situation for him since he's had two surgeries on his intestinal track for eating foreign objects.
So, no work on Wednesday but did have to take the dog to the vet and have him spend the day having tests done. He's OK
Thursday was a must go to work day because of a big reading promotion event. Had to make it. Felt good, but did wake up with an irritated right eye that was oozing a small amount of liquid. The eye got worse as the day went on as did the left eye. By the time I left work, I looked like I'd just come off of a big binge. What to do? Go for a run, that's what. 4 somewhat easy miles felt pretty good.
Thursday going to bed hoping that the eyes will clear up overnight. Knowing that they won't.
Waking up at 2:30 with it hard to open my eyes, looking in the mirror to see a terrible mugshot.

Off to school at 3:45 in the morning to write sub plans and take care of things that had been put off all week. Came home at 5:15 in time to go back to bed.
Doctor's appointment at 10:15, visit to opthamologist after. Diagnosis of bacterial infection.
Several prescriptions but luckily they gave me a sample of the main one so I didn't need to be seen in public. Diane picked up the rest at 5:00. Nothing to do but put in eye drops every 2 hours and hope for the best. What to do? Run - easy 3 miles with some strides.
So, the big question:
Should I still go and run the 5 mile race on Saturday that I've already registered for and paid my $20?
I was determined not to let this thing distract from my training but I didn't know if, after being sick for 3 days, I should be doing this or not. Especially because the weather forecast was not that spectacular.
Got up Saturday to light rain, ate a piece of toast with peanut butter and half a banana. Standard eating fare at least an hour before running and headed downtown. My plan was to get there early, pick up my stuff while no one was around, go hang out in the car where no one could see me and run up at the beginning of the race.
One of those days - I couldn't find my keys, I couldn't find........
End result - I got there a half hour before the race just like everyone else. I was wearing a hat, so that helped hide me a bit. But I had to stand in a line for 20 minutes under the Market Depot coverage with a ton of other people. Head down staring at lots of people's shoes not wanting to be recognized. Weird feeling for sure.
Got my bib and chip - time now 9:50. Big line of people behind me still. Off to car. Weather now turns to heavy rain, snow, and then chunky rain. I'm thinking, "I'm crazy and I'm going to end up getting sick again." I actually closed the car door and was ready to head home. Then the rain lightened up just long enough to get me a couple of blocks into a warmup run and then in it started up heavy again. I was committed by then.
The race didn't start until about 10:20. The people that I saw, I was able to say hi and avert my eyes so it all worked out.
The good news was that the race actually went very well. I was hoping to hold 7 minute miles on a deceptively hard course but wasn't sure I could do it, especially after being in bed for three days this week.
End result - 7:05 pace and it felt quite good. A real confidence booster indeed. No need for after race food and socializing for me. A mile cooldown run to the car and then home.
Sunday's run was scheduled for 17 fairly easy miles. It was actually a very good run, a little hard in parts but pretty good overall. At about mile 10 I remember thinking that it felt like I was getting stronger as I went then I thought, "It's the caffeine in the Perpetuum drink, you dummy." Oh well, whatever. I felt like I finished strong.
Only two more long runs left. Next Sunday is the last 20 miler and then the following week, I'll do a 10k on Saturday and then 16 on Sunday, 12 the following Sunday and then it's off to Boston.
Good news is that my eyes are getting much better and by tomorrow I expect I'll look halfway normal.
What an interesting week this was, and there's other stuff that happened too.
Nice to put the week to bed.
We'll see what week 15 brings.
All's well that ends well, but

The Writing Was on the Wall

Well, the writing was on the wall. It seemed as if Sunday's run seemed harder than it should have.
Saturday, I slept in and then went back to sleep.
So Monday, when I woke up early and dizzy with a thick coating of mucous in my sinuses, it shouldn't have been totally unexpected. So many people have been so sick this year, I guess it was just a matter of time. I'm so happy to have this happen now and not the week of the race. That would really put me on edge.
So, no work on Monday, no work on Tuesday, and probably a half day tomorrow. When will I run again? Maybe Thursday. I will have to play that one by ear. It did feel good to take the dog for a walk today. I'm trying to remain positive knowing that this will pass and my legs have been given a break because I've been flat on my back until this afternoon when I've partially rejoined the living. The trick now will be to not go out too fast and try to do too much. Saturday's 5 mile race is questionable but I think I should be OK by then. Maybe not with a world record performance but still with a good effort. Fingers crossed.

Week 13 is a wrap

Today's 18 miler was a hard run. The first 4 miles were but a warmup and then the fun started.
14 miles at marathon pace. My goal was to run 8:20 per mile and I ended up at 8:19, so I nailed it but the last several miles were harder than I would have thought. It's always tempting on a "pace run" to ask yourself, "could I keep going for x number of miles more?" The answer today was pretty obvious. Did I need to go x number of miles more? Not on this day.
Looking ahead, Daylight Savings Time will be a big help in getting the afternoon runs in this week.
The schedule for week 14:
Monday - rest
Tuesday- 8 miles with a track workout 5 X 600m at 6:40 pace
Wednesday- 11 miles
Thursday- 4 mile recovery run with 6 x 100m strides
Friday- rest
Saturday- Runnin' of the Green 5 mile race, plus I hope to run the last 6 miles with Mike Finger as he finishes the Chuckanut 50k.
Sunday- It's supposed to be 17 miles, but I'll see how I feel after Saturday and adjust accordingly.
Week 14 out of 18 WOW! We're running out of weeks. The big day is 5 weeks from tomorrow.

Wearing down?

At this point in marathon preparation, 12 + weeks of toiling away can take a toll on a body. It's hard to get up for every run. The running week started off great with Monday off and Tuesday a chance to run with Rick and Paul on a sunny afternoon down along the bay. I'm glad that I could make that work. A ride downtown with Diane and then 5 miles with them and a three mile run back home along a rushing and roaring Whatcom Creek.
Wednesday was a different story. The plan was to run 9 miles which included 5 X 1,000 meters at 6:40 pace. I did it, but it was pretty uninspired and felt like I was going through the motions.
Thursday was a rest day which helped greatly for Friday's 12 mile run after work. It was a very good run although it started raining halfway through and I came home drenched.
Saturday was supposed to be a 5 mile recovery run but I ended up bagging it and sleeping most of the day. I was planning on getting up early and getting the 5 miles in, but it was still raining from the night before so I slept in and then ended up falling asleep on the couch until 1PM more or less. Too late to run then with a 18 miler coming up tomorrow. That should be a big run. 14 miles at marathon pace (8:20 per mile)
The body is telling me to take it easy a bit. Time to listen.

We're Going to Fenway

We're heading to Fenway for a day game. Does it get any better than that? Well, actually we'll miss the Yankees by 4 days, but oh, well.

Today's 12 mile relaxing run was very nice. It was nice to loosen everything after yesterday's barnburner of a half-marathon into the biting wind.
I've finished 12 weeks of an 18 week plan. 2/3 of the way there and feeling good.

A Honeywagon of a run

Well, the Honeywagon Half-Marathon is in the books. This year they could have called it the Wind Tunnel Half-Marathon. It was really windy out there on those county roads and was a very tough run. I never really got anybody to draft off of except once. Reason being, when I would catch someone, then I'd pass them. I managed to pass quite a few people in the middle of the race. The last two miles were straight into the teeth of the wind which had been building all morning. I thought I had someone to work with for drafting, but he waved me on and told me, "it's all yours now buddy."
I'm not sure if that wind was blowing 20mph, 30mph or what, but what I do know is that it felt like 100mph. Straight into it, nowhere to hide. I swear I don't think I could have bent any farther forward if I tried. My pace up to the 11 mile mark was right where I wanted it to be (7:33) but with the wind, it was a matter of survival.
All in all, it was a good preparation race, as it was meant to be. It was really hard to keep pushing it and my mind had to will my body to keep it up. Similar to the later stages of a marathon. I know I sure was glad to see the finish line. That was tough.
So tomorrow will be an easy run of somewhere between 10 and 13 miles and then I can call week 12 complete. If my math adds up, 12 weeks out of 18 weeks equals 2/3 of the way done. My-O-My-O-My

A Big (kind of) Test Tomorrow

Tomorrow will be my first race since starting this training program. Even though it's a small half-marathon out in the town of Everson, in Whatcom County, I'm still nervous. Pretty weird because I shouldn't be, but I am.
This is the first of three tune-up races before Boston and the first time I've raced since the Cross Country National Race in Seattle in early December.
I'm looking forward to the challenge, but I'll be happy to be running too.
Fundraising checks continue to come in, even from people that I solicited in early November. $135 has come in this week. Surprising but good.
Hoping for good weather tomorrow!

Turning the page

So as it turns out my 18 week training plan is set up in 4 different stages and takes 4 pages in the book. So turning a page represents a milestone on the journey. Page 1 (Stage 1) is building up endurance and takes 6 weeks. Page 2 (Stage 2) is continuing to build endurance and lactate threshold work. It takes 5 weeks. Page 3 is called Race Preparation and takes 4 weeks. Page 4 represents the taper is takes 3 weeks.
Today when I turned the page to Stage 3, the end really is in sight since now I'm looking at the two last pages.
Yesterday's 20 mile run actually turned into 21 and was a doozy.
One thing I've learned from running all over this town is where the bathrooms are. The first test is to push on the door and hope it opens. So far, I've been good on that score even when it's been before or after hours. I try not to get my hopes up but it's a relief (HA HA) when the door actually opens.
So there I am on Sunday at mile 4 of a 20 mile run and heading for the Cornwall Park bathroom needing desperately to find an open stall. First good sign, the bathroom door actually opened. Bad news - only one stall and someone's there. For all I know it's a homeless person sleeping as clothes are spread out on the floor. There's a womens bathroom right next door, it's 10:00 on an overcast cold Sunday morning with no one in sight. No, not yet, but I'm not going to stand around and wait either. The closest bathroom on my journey will be a mile and a half ahead. I ran between a quarter and half mile in the park and circle back. Still there. The woman's bathroom is too good to pass up. I peek my head in, two stalls and no waiting. Thanks ladies!
According to the book, Advanced Marathoning, the long runs and medium- long runs should be run at a certain pace to maximise benefits. The first part should be around 20% slower than marathon pace and the last half closer to 10% slower.
My hopeful pace is 8:20 per mile. 8 minutes and 20 seconds conveniently comes out to 500 seconds so 10% more is 550 or 9:10 per mile. The 20% is 600 seconds or 10:00. I'm here to tell you that 10:00 miles are hard to run for very long - too slow - at least some days.
My strategy has been to run somewhere between 9:40 and 10:00 for the first half of long runs and 9:10 for the last half.
After 10 miles, I reset my watch and noticed the first of the snow flakes falling on the South Bay Trail. By the time I got to Boulevard Park and the Taylor Street Dock it was full snowstorm mode with big fat flakes falling.
My pace before heading up Bill McDonald Parkway was 9:08 average. Right where I wanted it to be and I hoped I could hold it for the 1.5 mile uphill. When I crested the top, my average was 9:06, a good sign. I actually finished in the sunshine with an average for the last 10.5 miles of 8:59. It was just too hard to hold back.
It was a great confidence booster to go over 20 and to beat the pace I was aiming for.
After a cold bath and hot shower, I looked out the window and the sunshine had given way to snow again and this time it was sticking.
A deep, deep sleep and off to work on a Monday morning with only 1 month and 16 days until race day.
The 20 mile runs (of which there are 3) are the big events in this program. It's nice to have 2 of them under my belt.
The page is turned.

A wine tasting extravaganza

Thanks to Bill Pech, Cami Ostman, and Polly Favinger for hosting a wine tasting fundraiser last night. 46 people showed up and a good time was had by all. We sampled  drank wine from 7 continents, (Antarctica was actually water) had good food, enjoyed each other's company, and raised $1,300 to support cancer research.  According to many, the highlight of the evening was the 4 minute video where my dad got to say hi.  He was a rock star and that makes me smile, a lot.
A huge thank you to all who came and contributed.
Today was supposed to be a 5 mile recovery run in preparation for tomorrow's 20 miler but I think I'm going to pass, although I'm tempted to run a mile or two on the treadmill at the Y.  I'm going there to sit in the steam room and sweat out some of these grape juice cells.  If I don't run, it will be the first time in 11 weeks that I haven't run two days in a row. My legs are itching to go, but my head, and the rest of my body are not so sure.
Photographic evidence of last night's good times can be found here.

A grinder

Yesterday, before leaving California, I ran a 7 mile recovery run along with some strides in Ojai, California while we visited our good friends, Chris and Sandra. I've had to rearrange runs this week because of the wine tasting party on Friday.  Friday is supposed to be a 12 mile day and I know I can't do it on Friday.  The only way would be to get up at 4:30 am and that would leave me pretty flat by the 6 pm party start.
I've moved the runs up one day and will do the 12 miles on Thursday.
Monday was supposed to be a rest day with Tuesday being the 7 mile recovery run.  I figured that I would just have to bag the run but then I slept through the night on Sunday, woke up at 6am, snuck out while everyone else was asleep and had a wonderful run in the Ojai Valley.  For whatever reason, it was a sweet little run and one that I'll remember.
Today I ran the last of the lactate threshold runs.  11 miles with 7 at half marathon pace (7:30 per mile).
I did it, but it was a grind. One hard run, indeed.  I was feeling tired before I started and most runs lately have left me more energized at the end - not this time. As I was showering I realized that I've run 4 days straight and covered 40 miles.  You know, that just might have something to do with it.  Thankfully tomorrow is a rest day.  The good news was that, after raining hard all day long, the rain stopped just during the window I was running.  That was very welcome because I was even contemplating having to go to the Y and run on the treadmill.  I'm sure glad that didn't happen.  It's amazing what 4 days in the sun will do to a person and how spoiled you can get.
Now it's back to the real world - the bright side of that coin however is how long it is staying light now.  Finishing up at 6 o'clock was no problem.  Quite a difference from several weeks ago.  Bring on Spring!

Recovery Week - running on the beach

Week 10 is a recovery week.
Monday - Rest
Tuesday General Aerobic 8 miles
Wednesday 8 miles with 5 X 800 meters at 5k pace  (my first track workout in this plan)
Thursday Recovery 5 miles
Friday Rest
Saturday 8 miles with 8 x 100 meter strides
Sunday 14 miles

Check, check, and check.
Since we were in Los Angeles from Thursday to Monday, I ran early on Thursday morning and switched the Saturday and Sunday runs. On Saturday I ran on the paved trail from Venice Beach past Santa Monica and up to Will Rogers State Beach and then back.  That was OK, but the trail was pretty crowded with runners, walkers, bikers, and roller bladers.  Sunday was much better running on the beach itself.  Both days I also ran through the canals of Venice.  That was a real treat, especially with the two pelicans who eyed me warily with those prehistoric looking faces as I passed their home in a side canal. It's a pretty amazing concept to be: a) running in the warm sun and b) to be running on the sandy beach.  It was a very nice change and a nice recovery week. The next 5 weeks up until the taper will be challenging starting with next week which is a 55 mile week with 20 on Sunday. We'll see how up to the challenge I am, but feeling strong and ready to tackle it as best I can.

Week 9 - halfway there

There's something very satisfying about finishing week 9 of an 18 mile training plan. The first half is done and things are on track and the end, while not in sight, is over the horizon somewhere.  The runs have all gone as planned and I've completed the first half having not skipped any of the planned runs.  That's a milestone in this training plan, I'll tell ya. Week 10 is labeled as a discovery week.  Let's see how that goes.
Fundraising is going well and the wine tasting on the 24th is right around the corner with about 50 people saying that they are going to come.
Knocking on wood while saying that, so far, it's all good.

14 miles on a Wednesday - Really?

Boston training is going well.  I have to admit that today's run has stood out for me in my training program. Mentally it's had a big star marking it's importance. It's been on the radar for some time. A 14 mile run on a Wednesday - Really?.  This training program by Pete Pfitzinger is so much different from what I'm used to with the Hal Higdon plans.
I've been running 10 miles mid-week, and 11 miles and 12 miles.  Why does 14 seem like so many more?
Well, it's also true that I ran 20 miles only 3 days ago too.
OK, 14 miles.  Well, there was no question whether it would be a morning or afternoon run.  In order to get that many miles in before work, I'd need to be running by 4:30.  As it was I started running at 4:05 pm and created a route which took me around the neighborhood, down to the Whatcom Creek Trail and into town.  I reconnected with Whatcom Creek at Maritime Heritage Center and then headed over to the harbor. I ran both loops: the Bellwether Loop, and the Zuwanich Park Loop  (actually I ran that one twice, trying to build up miles, before heading up Squalicum Parkway, through Cornwall Park and back on Illinois Street.
This was one fantastic run, running the last half at a 9 minute pace felt really really good. Especially for coming up the hills I did.
These long miles have built up some strong legs I'm thinking.
Tomorrow is a 6 mile recovery run which might have to come early morning since I have a dentist appointment after work.
Friday - rest day.
Saturday is another 6 mile recovery run along with 6 strides and then Sunday is a 16 miler with 12 miles at marathon race pace.  8:20
This will leave me with 48 miles and next week is a "recovery week."  Gotta love those recovery weeks.  Even if they are 43 miles.

Week 8 - run, run, run

Seems like all I'm doing these days is working and running. This was equal to my longest week of the program, well short by only one mile.  54 miles is one hardy week and there will be 6 more weeks equal to or above 50 miles before the taper. But the running is going well and is fun. Tuesday I ran a 7 mile easy run and then threw in 6 hill sprints up the bottom of Alabama Hill.  The sprints are about 60 yards but are hard. Walking down between two sprints, I walked with the man who just pulled into his house and was going to check his mail.  He said, "well, you didn't get very far."  I said something like, "yeah but I get to do it again and again.  You're welcome to join me on the next one."  That got a good laugh.
With the great weather this week has brought, and with the days getting longer, especially on the evening end, there's been no need to get up at 5am to get a run in.  Might as well wait and enjoy the daylight and the sunshine.
Wednesday night was 12 miles and that was another spectacular sunset.  Looking back from the harbor on Mt. Baker and the Twin Sisters at one point found them glowing golden.  MMMM - MMMM.  Next week's Wednesday run will be 14 miles which seems a little ridiculous for a mid week run, but, if it goes anything like this one, will be just dandy.
Friday's Lactate Threshold run was a tough one and I didn't hold the pace I was hoping for over the last several miles.  Really, the first run of the training, except the first week, when I was coming off of the Cross Country Nationals, that didn't go as expected.
Saturday was a nice easy 5 miler first thing in the morning before doing a lot of yard work in the afternoon and Sunday's capping run was officially 20 miles.  20 miles will be my longest run of the training and there are 2 more to go.
Good fortune for me.  Having worked hard in the yard all day, I didn't check my email until 9:00 or so and there was an email from good friend, Mike Finger, asking if I wanted company on Sunday.  He didn't have to ask twice.
We had a wonderful 20 mile run circumnavigating Bellingham and got some great chatting in along the way.  It's so much nicer having someone to run with.  I do have to admit that I've enjoyed the podcasts which have kept me company on the long solo runs but there's no comparison.  AT  ALL.
Thank you Mike.
Off to Jim's for the Superbowl in the afternoon and into bed for peaceful and well deserved slumber.
A very successful and very fun week 8.

Week 7; How Sweet You Were

Well, this was one dandy of a week!  Today's 18 miler concluded a  50 mile effort in, sometimes, pounding rain and driving wind.  It was a good effort and I finished strong.  Next week's 20 miler on Sunday will be a good test but then, today's was too.

There were some great runs to be had this week.  On Tuesday, I was up at the crack of 4:45 and out the door at 5:10 to get in my 10 mile tempo run before work.  It's so crazy running hard in the dark before going off to work.  It often feels like a dream.

Thursday's 11 miler was at the other end of the spectrum as I ran in the afternoon after work and got to see one fabulous sunset at the harbor.  There was one cloud above the horizon as the sun set that was on fire.  A quick glance farther up revealed the new moon with Venus right below. Is this living right or what?

Saturday's 7 mile run and 8 X hill sprints was a great way to start the day and today's 18 miles really flew by.  There was one tough stretch at about mile 10 on the Interurban Trail  where I was feeling a little low, but some hydration and energy drink perked me right up.  At mile 11 I changed paces and ran the last 7 miles, including the hill at Bill McDonald Parkway, at 9:10 pace which is right where I was supposed to be.

Running in crappy conditions for 18 miles, meeting the time goals, and finishing strong was a good confidence builder.

A 15 minute cold bath to soak the legs, a long  hot shower, and a tasty omelette later it was time to move on to looking at the taxes.  Oh reality beckons.

Tomorrow's a day off from running and that's probably a good thing.

Fundraising is going well.  Today we crossed the $3,500 threshold and there are 30 people who have RSVP'd yes so far for the wine tasting party on the 24th.  So far only a handful of RSVP no.

The second glass of wine along with the high mileage today should mean a good sleep tonight.

Also there was good news in the mail this weekend (see below) as well as a recent posting on the BAA (Boston Athletic Association) website, even though they have me as being from Bellingham, Massachusetts,  instead of Washington.  

On to Week 8.

IB	WAVE/ CORRAL	NAME	AGE	M/F	CITY	ST	CTRY	CTZ
		Schick, John M.	56	M	Bellingham	MA	USA	USA

Week 6 is a wrap

Hard to believe that I'm 1/3 of the way done but week 6 out of 18 is done. The next 9 weeks will be getting harder quicker but, so far, I have to say, "So Good."
As this was a recovery week, my mileage was cut back to 37 down from last weeks 45 and next week's 50. Today's long run was only 12 miles and will be the shortest "long run" until the week before Boston. Next week is 18 and the week after is the first of 3 times at the 20 mile distance. Today's run seemed like a breeze and it sure was nice running on pavement with no snow. And it was so much better than running on the treadmill yesterday.
The days are definitely getting longer now that we are one month out from the solstice and that will make running after work a lot easier for sure.
If the next third goes as well as this one has, I'll be in good stead.
The checks continue to show up in my mail box and the wine party is taking shape with people RSVPing on a daily basis.
Knock on wood, things are looking good.

A snowy week 6 indeed

Well, they weren't kidding here.  Monday was a 5 mile easy run with about an inch of snow so no big deal.

Tuesday's 8 mile run with 10 X 100 meter strides was a different story. There was 4 inches at my house but closer to a foot of snow around Lake Whatcom. My run took me through Bloedel- Donovan Park and into Whatcom Falls.  It was an absolutely beautiful run and quite tricky trying to run strides in that much snow, but I got it done.

Wednesday was an even different story yet because the arctic chill did arrive. When I left the front door for an easy 5 mile run at 10:30 am it was a balmy 14 degrees with a cold wind blowing out of the North East.

Time for the Yak Trax.  

For those of you who don't know, Yak Trax are like chains for your shoes.  I was happy because I knew that there was a brand new pair left over from last year AND I knew where they were.  My happiness switched to alarm as I managed to cut through one of the Yak Trax as I cut open the package.  

We all do bone-headed things and this was my turn. Fortunately, I looked and found 1 Yak Track left over from last year.  It was a different model but managed to work fine.

Running on the trail is hard in this snow.  Even though it's packed down it's kind of like running on the beach and my legs definitely feel it.  The Yak Trax make it easy enough to run even on sheet ice, which is what most of the side streets have turned into so that's where I've been running when I can.

Today (Thursday) was another cold day.  It was 17 degrees when I left for my 8 mile run this time heading down Squalicum Parkway past the harbor and then back home through the lettered streets neighborhood. 

It's kind of fun running past people all bundled up (I mean really bundled up) and feeling very comfortable with tights, 2 shirts, gloves, and a wool hat. The shoe chains are really amazing allowing you to just run on anything. Tomorrow is a rest day and the long run this weekend will only be 12 miles. Depending on conditions (when will all this snow melt?) I may end up at the Y running on the treadmill.  Hope not.  Stay tuned.

Week 5 is in the bag

Now it's on to week 6 which is a recovery week.  Yahoo!
Week 5 featured some great runs.  On Thursday I went out for a 10 mile run, and, after 1 and a half miles was settling in to the Adele CD Live at Royal Albert Hall when who should pass me going the other way on the trail but Craig Bartlett. He turned around and ran the route with me which was so much better than running alone.  Sorry Adele, maybe later.
We ran into the dark and had a fantastic run.
Friday was a day off and then Saturday's 16 mile run which included the Nookachamps Half Marathon.  The plan was to get there early run 3 miles and then start the race with 3 easy miles and finish the last 10 miles at marathon pace.  (for me 8:20 miles)
Saturday morning dawned with 37 degree temperatures and heavy rain.  By the time I got to the race, it was 35 degrees with chunky rain and heavy winds.  I didn't get out the door until 9:40 so only got 2 miles done in unbelievably bad weather.  I was drenched before the race even started.  My timing was pretty good though.  By the time I got to the start line, I went to the back and kept running down the street, turned around, and got there right before the start.  This was nice because I didn't need to stand around and freeze.  Both last week and this week, I've enjoyed the difference in starting the race at the back.  I wouldn't want to make a habit of it, but it's been interesting.
For the first three miles I just let people stream past me, knowing that I'd be catching up to many of them in the miles to come.  At mile 3 I reset my watch and got into my rhythm. As a diversion I started counting how many people I passed before the finish.  I really didn't know how many that would be but I was surprised when the total was 109. That made me wonder how many people ran the race. (I was 142 out of 425) Not bad for a training run.
I had a great run, ran relaxed and held a 8:15 pace throughout.  Another spot of good news was that after about 4 or 5 miles the weather calmed down, the chunky rain stopped, the wind quieted down, and it got quite pleasant for running.  By the time we crested the hill at mile 11 there was even clear sky ahead off to the west.
A great, great run.
Since daughter Emily is visiting this weekend with boyfriend Travis, we all made a night of it by going out to eat and then off to Contra Dancing.  I wasn't sure how my legs would hold up, but they were fine and we had quite a time.  I apologize to all the women I led astray with my clumsy feet, but they didn't SEEM to mind too much and it was a blast.
This morning my legs were on the heavy side but not too bad.
The recovery week will feature runs shorter by a mile or two and Sunday's long run will only be 12 miles.
Next week we bump up to 18 and the week after will be the first of 3 runs at 20 miles.
Fundraising money continues to come in and the wine tasting initial email list has been created and will go out soon.

Week 5

Whoever thought that running at Sea Level would feel so good. After running at the higher elevations, running 14 miles at sea level was a joy and the air felt so thick with oxygen. Although, when I finished and Diane asked how my run was I started coughing and couldn't stop.
Go figure.
Week 4 has come and gone and I managed to get the 40 miles in despite going back to work after the holidays. Several of my runs have taken place at 5am and a couple have taken place after work. Either way it involves running in the dark. Incredibly enough, not too many rainy runs yet, BUT there's still a long way to go and I've probably jinxed it. Now it's in to Week 5 and I'm looking forward to next week which is a "recovery week" where I'll be able to take it a little easier. Sunday's Lake Samish run was a treat. I got to run with good friend Mike Finger and we were able to catch up running together for 2 hours as we completed the 1/2 marathon at a comfortable training pace.
Here's what we looked like.
This Saturday the Nookachamps Half-Marathon will be part of my 16 mile run and I'm looking forward to that beautiful course and my training plan also calls for running 10 of the miles at my marathon pace. I'm looking forward to being able to open it up a little bit.
This morning's 5 o'clock tempo run was a blast and it was nice to be able and hold a 7:30 pace for 5 miles.
Fundraising is continuing to go well and remains humbling but also amazing. I have raised $3,000 up to this point, and even though there's a long ways to $8,000 when I stop and think about it,
$3,000 is a LOT of money for people to have donated. A big thank you to all who have contributed!