4/28/07
Time: 4:02:21
Brutal! After finishing this race someone asked me to describe the race and that is the one word that came to mind. The temperatures were not terribly cold but it was really windy. Factor in the wind and road kill hill at mile 22 and it was brutal. I started out the race at a little too fast a pace and really started feeling the burn by the half way point. The cool part was I knew several of the relay teams that were running the race and every time I approached a relay point, there were several people there cheering for me. It was a real confidence boost. Once I reached the hill at mile 22 I had little left though. I had to take several walking breaks from that point on.
The cool thing about running a small marathon like this one is that you have a greater chance of getting an award. After the race, I checked the leader board and saw that I was listed like third or fourth in my age group. Since they were only giving awards to the top two finishers in each age group I had decided to go home. As I took all my stuff out to my car, I decided I needed a little something to drink on the way home. I went back in and grabbed a drink and took one more look at the leader board. When I looked at it a second time I realized that not all the times were listed in proper order. This gave me a little hope again that maybe I had won something. I checked it again and sure enough, I was second in my age group. Awesome!
2 done, 182 left
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Happy Birthday, To Me!
Time 4 hours, 48 minutes, 23 seconds.
I have not quit on my quest. I just took a little break. I took the break because I have been rather depressed lately. I believed I knew that it had more to do with my quest than anything else. I was right. That doesn't mean that I am quitting by any means, but if I have to take a little extra time off from time to time I will.
Today is my birthday! I celebrated by running my age, in miles. 33 miles is long. The time I listed is the time it took to complete a marathon distance. Not my best time but I was saving a little something so I could go the extra 7 miles. This was also my first run outdoors for the year. It felt good to be out in the elements. It made the challenge that much harder.
My run started off with a little hitch within the first half mile. The headphones for my new MP3 player that I got for my birthday (Thanks Pam, I love it) would not stay in my ears while I ran. I could go the next 32 and 1/2 miles without it but why. I turned around and went back for a pair that I would have the same problem with. The extra 5 minutes or so that I took getting them probably didn't help my time much because I was going up a hill when I decided to head back. This would be only the first of several little problems.
One I got back on the road, everything went fine for the next 8 miles. My times were considerably slower than usual but it was 35 degrees, a 10-20 mph wind, and I had to dodge snow and ice all over the place. Once I got to the trail that I wanted to take I knew that I would have to dodge plenty of ice. At times I could not avoid it because it covered the entire trail. When that happened I would just slow to a walk and get passed it. Around mile 9 I came upon what looked like a solid sheet of ice. When I stepped on it, it began to crack. I got a few steps into it and broke through. It was only a couple inches deep but it had a nice deep puddle under it. I gave my left shoe a very good, very cold baptism. Since I still had quite a distance left to cover I thought about calling Pam to see if she could bring me a dry pair of shoes and socks. Since it was only 6:30 a.m. I decided to let her sleep. I pressed on and with the wind the shoe dried out within just a few miles.
The other hitch was the road I was on. I had driven it before and knew that everything was fine for the first 13 miles (I plan to use it for some of my future marathon distances). I had not driven the other three and a half miles though. Two miles later the road takes a serious turn and goes up hill for 3/4 of a mile. Nothing that I can't conquer but it was hard, particularly knowing that I still had the other half of my run to go.
When I got to the top I could see a very decent sized little town off in the distance. What was going on? There was no town the size of Minot for at least 100 miles. When I pulled up the map on my GPS watch, I realized that I had run a circle. A couple miles down the road I would hit some of the roads I was on earlier. This meant that I would have to go down the same path as earlier. I adapted to it and pressed on.
I have not quit on my quest. I just took a little break. I took the break because I have been rather depressed lately. I believed I knew that it had more to do with my quest than anything else. I was right. That doesn't mean that I am quitting by any means, but if I have to take a little extra time off from time to time I will.
Today is my birthday! I celebrated by running my age, in miles. 33 miles is long. The time I listed is the time it took to complete a marathon distance. Not my best time but I was saving a little something so I could go the extra 7 miles. This was also my first run outdoors for the year. It felt good to be out in the elements. It made the challenge that much harder.
My run started off with a little hitch within the first half mile. The headphones for my new MP3 player that I got for my birthday (Thanks Pam, I love it) would not stay in my ears while I ran. I could go the next 32 and 1/2 miles without it but why. I turned around and went back for a pair that I would have the same problem with. The extra 5 minutes or so that I took getting them probably didn't help my time much because I was going up a hill when I decided to head back. This would be only the first of several little problems.
One I got back on the road, everything went fine for the next 8 miles. My times were considerably slower than usual but it was 35 degrees, a 10-20 mph wind, and I had to dodge snow and ice all over the place. Once I got to the trail that I wanted to take I knew that I would have to dodge plenty of ice. At times I could not avoid it because it covered the entire trail. When that happened I would just slow to a walk and get passed it. Around mile 9 I came upon what looked like a solid sheet of ice. When I stepped on it, it began to crack. I got a few steps into it and broke through. It was only a couple inches deep but it had a nice deep puddle under it. I gave my left shoe a very good, very cold baptism. Since I still had quite a distance left to cover I thought about calling Pam to see if she could bring me a dry pair of shoes and socks. Since it was only 6:30 a.m. I decided to let her sleep. I pressed on and with the wind the shoe dried out within just a few miles.
The other hitch was the road I was on. I had driven it before and knew that everything was fine for the first 13 miles (I plan to use it for some of my future marathon distances). I had not driven the other three and a half miles though. Two miles later the road takes a serious turn and goes up hill for 3/4 of a mile. Nothing that I can't conquer but it was hard, particularly knowing that I still had the other half of my run to go.
When I got to the top I could see a very decent sized little town off in the distance. What was going on? There was no town the size of Minot for at least 100 miles. When I pulled up the map on my GPS watch, I realized that I had run a circle. A couple miles down the road I would hit some of the roads I was on earlier. This meant that I would have to go down the same path as earlier. I adapted to it and pressed on.
I really enjoyed being out doors again. It may sound stupid, but as I ran along I came upon some horse manure. While it stinks, it is a smell that I would not experience running down in my basement. It also made me think of my Aunt Betty and Cousin Jason in the Amish country of Pennsylvania. They would always say "Smell that fresh air" when we would pass the same thing there. It was funny (at least to me).
I called Pam to let her know when I was a mile out so she could get a couple pictures of me when I came in. The second one that I have posted here of me standing on top of a bunch of snow was taken just before I took a step and went through the snow. I was knee deep in it. I didn't care. I had finished my run in 5 hours, 58 minutes, 58 seconds. One really long run.
I called Pam to let her know when I was a mile out so she could get a couple pictures of me when I came in. The second one that I have posted here of me standing on top of a bunch of snow was taken just before I took a step and went through the snow. I was knee deep in it. I didn't care. I had finished my run in 5 hours, 58 minutes, 58 seconds. One really long run.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Fargo Marathon
Fargo, NDTime: 4 hours 21 minutes 40 seconds
I lived a dream today! Today I got the chance to run with Ultra Marathon Man Dean Karnazes. He is running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. Today he ran in Fargo and since it is just a few hours away from my home I had to go run with him. While it is only 11 days since my 1st marathon I felt great. The first couple days after the Air Force Marathon it was uncomfortable to walk though.
The run today with Dean was not a competitive marathon. It was really just a fun run. We started out a a leisurely pace and didn't really take off from there. Most of the day we were running around 10 minute miles. Just like the Air Force Marathon everyone was talking and having a good time. I thought that everyone would want to just talk to Dean along the way. That was not the case. We all spent plenty of time sharing stories with each other. It was a good time had by all. Dean had a crew with him that is making a documentary while we were out on the run. They constantly had a camera on Dean but took a few minutes to interview me as well. They asked me about my experiences at the Pentagon while I was on the run. Not sure how that will turn out. While they were asking me questions I was trying to replace the band aids over my nipples. Kind of funny.
I stayed with the main group until we got to within a couple miles of the finish. My legs were getting stiff on me just like they did at the Air Force Marathon. This time they were not as bad and I was able to run the entire distance. I got to the finish line about three of four minutes behind the main group.
No medal for this one, so I won't count it!
Saturday, September 16, 2006
Air Force Marathon
Wright-Patterson AFB, Oh
Time: 4 hours 5 minutes 8 seconds
I completed my first marathon today. It was an awesome experience!
At smaller racing events, when the gun sounds everyone takes off. A marathon can be a little different. I was about three quarters of the way back in the field because it was my first marathon and I want to stay out of the way of any serious runners. When the gun sounded, everyone just stood around where I was. There was really no where to go. We had to wait about a minute and a half before we could even get up to the start line.
Once I got moving I was a little nervous. The little guy in my head kept on telling "What if you can't go 26.2 miles." After getting the first couple miles done with he finally shut up and I found my groove. Something that I didn't expect was that so many of the runners are talking to each other while they run. I struck up a conversation with people from time to time and now that it is over, I have to say the conversations made the experience even more special.
I got through the 1st 23 miles with no problems. I was running at a faster pace than I had expected as well. At that point I was on pace to run a 3:45 marathon. Sometime after I passed mile marker 23 my legs began to seize up on me though. I couldn't quit though. Even though I had to take walking breaks for the last three miles I wouldn't let up. By the time that I got within sight of the finish line my legs felt a little better and I started to jog. It hurt, I can't deny that. I did it though. I crossed the finish line at 4 hours 5 minutes and 8 seconds. I wanted to run it in 4 hours flat and only missed the goal by a little. I will have plenty of other opportunities to get one in under 4 hours though.
183 left.
Time: 4 hours 5 minutes 8 seconds
I completed my first marathon today. It was an awesome experience!
At smaller racing events, when the gun sounds everyone takes off. A marathon can be a little different. I was about three quarters of the way back in the field because it was my first marathon and I want to stay out of the way of any serious runners. When the gun sounded, everyone just stood around where I was. There was really no where to go. We had to wait about a minute and a half before we could even get up to the start line.
Once I got moving I was a little nervous. The little guy in my head kept on telling "What if you can't go 26.2 miles." After getting the first couple miles done with he finally shut up and I found my groove. Something that I didn't expect was that so many of the runners are talking to each other while they run. I struck up a conversation with people from time to time and now that it is over, I have to say the conversations made the experience even more special.
I got through the 1st 23 miles with no problems. I was running at a faster pace than I had expected as well. At that point I was on pace to run a 3:45 marathon. Sometime after I passed mile marker 23 my legs began to seize up on me though. I couldn't quit though. Even though I had to take walking breaks for the last three miles I wouldn't let up. By the time that I got within sight of the finish line my legs felt a little better and I started to jog. It hurt, I can't deny that. I did it though. I crossed the finish line at 4 hours 5 minutes and 8 seconds. I wanted to run it in 4 hours flat and only missed the goal by a little. I will have plenty of other opportunities to get one in under 4 hours though.
183 left.
Friday, September 1, 2006
Getting Started
Over the next 5 years I plan to run 184 marathons or ultramarathons. The real killer is that on September 16th I will run my first marathon of my life. Sounds crazy but I have spent the last two years training for this first marathon. I hope to complete the marathon in around 4 hours.
Now comes the question of why run 184 marathons in five years. On Sept 11, 2001 I was inside the Pentagon when the plane struck the building. To make a long story short, I was diagnosed with Post Tramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Part of the treatment for it was diet and exercise. I lost 30 pounds over the last two years by running a lot and watching my diet. The real suprise for me was that the running actually keeps my PTSD in check.
Now comes the question of why run 184 marathons in five years. On Sept 11, 2001 I was inside the Pentagon when the plane struck the building. To make a long story short, I was diagnosed with Post Tramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Part of the treatment for it was diet and exercise. I lost 30 pounds over the last two years by running a lot and watching my diet. The real suprise for me was that the running actually keeps my PTSD in check.
Once I got in shape, I decided to run a marathon. While training for the marathon I entered a few smaller races. I won a medal for placing 1st at a 3k race, 1st in a 5k race, and 2nd in a 10k race. I decided to dedicate each of those medals. The first to myself for getting through what I have gotten through, the second to my wife for helping me through it, and the last one to my daughter, who had God not granted me the ability to walk out of the Pentagon on 9/11 would not be with us today. I will dedicate the next 184 marathons and ultramarthons to my coworkers that perished on 9/11.
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