Prior to this year’s Olympics Paula Radcliffe had won every marathon she has ever finished… but she did not finish 4 years ago in the Olympics. This year she had a stress fracture 3-4 months ago and it did not appear she would even be able to run in the Olympics. She did everything she could to train… without running. Then after only about 6 runs… she ran in the Olympic marathon.
I don’t know what to feel about that. She is almost super-human enough to pull it off… she DID finish… albeit a few minutes off the winning time, but I would have thought she would have known that it would not end well. Perhaps she felt pressure to finish because she dropped out in the preceding Olympics… I don’t know… but I do know that what she tried was a bit beyond human limits. Heck… she did finish!!! And that alone is amazing. Finished well in fact… but not ‘Paula’ well. There is no doubt that with any type of training and injury free she would have won.
Part of me feels that was amazingly gutsy to try. Part of me feels she didn’t have as much respect for the marathon as she should have… but she is after all… the greatest marathoner on the planet… so I guess she has earned the right to make that call. It still boggles my mind how well she did with so little training. AMAZING. As if popping out a baby and winning a marathon shortly thereafter wasn’t enough. =)
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Ice bath in the Pacific Ocean
I love living less than an hour from the beach. In fact… I am blessed to be 1 hour from skiing on Mt. Hood, 1 hour from the beach, 1 hour from many lakes… about 4 hours from the high desert area… lakes… rivers… mountains… beach… and even an active volcano (Mt. St. Helens). What a wonderful place to live and run.
This weekend we were at the beach... and I headed out down the sand for an 8 mile run. I’m counting it as 10 though. =) In part because it can be hard to run in the sand… and also because I ran into the D River and didn’t want to get my running shoes wet so I had to veer up to highway 101 and head south from there. Unfortunately south from there is up for a few miles. I haven’t ran any hills lately… and it was painful. I made it though… and rested at the top with a wonderful view of the ocean.
After I got back my wife suggested we run into the ocean… which seemed like a fine way to cool my legs. The ocean lining Oregon is cold… very cold… and a perfect substitute for an ice bath. After freezing the legs… we headed up to the beach house and the hot tub. Heaven.
Total miles for the week… 25. I am almost ready to declare myself ‘back’ but I have to run over 10 miles first. That will be this weekend… at the beach again. =) No hills this time.
Because we are heading to the beach again I won’t be running the Wildwood 10K in Forest Park. Probably for the best because I really need a run longer than 10k. The Oktoberfest 10K will be my only chance at a PR this year it appears… which happens to be where I set my PR in 96 at 47:45 (7:42 pace). I will have to work some speed work in between now and then if I want any chance to PR.
30 miles schedule this week. Did I mention I *have* a schedule? Yep… through April of next year.
This weekend we were at the beach... and I headed out down the sand for an 8 mile run. I’m counting it as 10 though. =) In part because it can be hard to run in the sand… and also because I ran into the D River and didn’t want to get my running shoes wet so I had to veer up to highway 101 and head south from there. Unfortunately south from there is up for a few miles. I haven’t ran any hills lately… and it was painful. I made it though… and rested at the top with a wonderful view of the ocean.
After I got back my wife suggested we run into the ocean… which seemed like a fine way to cool my legs. The ocean lining Oregon is cold… very cold… and a perfect substitute for an ice bath. After freezing the legs… we headed up to the beach house and the hot tub. Heaven.
Total miles for the week… 25. I am almost ready to declare myself ‘back’ but I have to run over 10 miles first. That will be this weekend… at the beach again. =) No hills this time.
Because we are heading to the beach again I won’t be running the Wildwood 10K in Forest Park. Probably for the best because I really need a run longer than 10k. The Oktoberfest 10K will be my only chance at a PR this year it appears… which happens to be where I set my PR in 96 at 47:45 (7:42 pace). I will have to work some speed work in between now and then if I want any chance to PR.
30 miles schedule this week. Did I mention I *have* a schedule? Yep… through April of next year.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A kid, a pumpkin and a dream
In a few days Ryan Hall will represent the US in the marathon in Beijing. Runner’s world had wonderful article on Ryan Hall Runner's World Ryan Hall American’s haven’t exactly led the world in competitive distance running lately. It is as if many of our long distance dreams died along with Prefontaine. Hall could change all of that with a decent showing at the Olympics. Honestly… he may have already changed it… but maybe the average Joe will take notice.
The most fascinating piece of the story to me… which I don’t believe you can see in the online version, is a picture of Ryan with a Halloween pumpkin he carved when he was a teen. The pumpkin had the Olympic rings carved into it… and above them… the date… 2008. Now… when I was a teen the only big dates I could think about were when I turned 16 so I could drive… and 21 so I could drink. (Actually I could drink when I was 19 and in the Army in Texas)
It amazes me that even as a teen he had circled a goal on his calendar that would take him about a decade to achieve. How did he know? Was it wishful thinking? Destiny? Did he answer a call from God as he says? Whatever the reason… seeing that kid in a photo standing next to the symbol of his dreams with a beaming smile, and then to know this Sunday Aug 24th… years and thousands upon thousands of miles later… he will make it… just makes me feel all good inside.
Hall seems the polar opposite of Prefontaine personality wise. Pre was bold and cocky and Hall seems cautious and meek. Perhaps that is why we haven’t heard more of Hall. Now… I doubt winning a medal is in the cards for Hall… but I can assure you that I will be watching Sunday… watching… cheering… and cherishing his amazing accomplishment. Just a kid, a pumpkin and a dream... run strong Ryan.
The most fascinating piece of the story to me… which I don’t believe you can see in the online version, is a picture of Ryan with a Halloween pumpkin he carved when he was a teen. The pumpkin had the Olympic rings carved into it… and above them… the date… 2008. Now… when I was a teen the only big dates I could think about were when I turned 16 so I could drive… and 21 so I could drink. (Actually I could drink when I was 19 and in the Army in Texas)
It amazes me that even as a teen he had circled a goal on his calendar that would take him about a decade to achieve. How did he know? Was it wishful thinking? Destiny? Did he answer a call from God as he says? Whatever the reason… seeing that kid in a photo standing next to the symbol of his dreams with a beaming smile, and then to know this Sunday Aug 24th… years and thousands upon thousands of miles later… he will make it… just makes me feel all good inside.
Hall seems the polar opposite of Prefontaine personality wise. Pre was bold and cocky and Hall seems cautious and meek. Perhaps that is why we haven’t heard more of Hall. Now… I doubt winning a medal is in the cards for Hall… but I can assure you that I will be watching Sunday… watching… cheering… and cherishing his amazing accomplishment. Just a kid, a pumpkin and a dream... run strong Ryan.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Ad hoc 10K race
8/15
I think I will run 10k race tomorrow. No… I haven’t trained for it… and yes… I will probably be hurting afterwards… but it has just been too long since I have raced. My PR for a 10K is 7:42… but I haven’t ran one in a long time and my ½ marathon pace is only a few seconds slower. Still… I haven’t been running enough lately to try to break a PR right now. Between 8:15 – 8:30 is probably about right… who knows… maybe even slower. I am just not in shape yet. In about a month I think there is another 10K that I will try to PR in.
After race 8/18
That was nice and humbling. I trotted along at a meager 8:36… just two seconds faster than I ran a whole marathon. =) Since I haven’t run with a watch on in months… I haven’t really known what pace I was running… but I knew it was slow. With my lack of being in shape and the heat (it was near 80 even though the race was at 8:15 AM) I didn’t plan to push myself. I just wanted to get out there and start again… and that I did.
I also exceeded 20 miles running in a week for the first time since I stopped training for Eugene. This week should be about the same… but since I am not on a set schedule yet… I don’t really know. Which reminds me… I need to make a schedule.
In two weeks there is the ORRC Wildwood Trail run… another 10K that I think I will also run… hopefully around 8 minutes per mile by then… and the on Sep 13 is the Oktoberfest 10K. (Why do they have Octoberfest in September?) If I haven’t PR’d at 10K I will try to here. Then on October 11th is a 15K at Blue Lake. Then it is heads down training for Seattle if I want to be able to run it.
I think I will run 10k race tomorrow. No… I haven’t trained for it… and yes… I will probably be hurting afterwards… but it has just been too long since I have raced. My PR for a 10K is 7:42… but I haven’t ran one in a long time and my ½ marathon pace is only a few seconds slower. Still… I haven’t been running enough lately to try to break a PR right now. Between 8:15 – 8:30 is probably about right… who knows… maybe even slower. I am just not in shape yet. In about a month I think there is another 10K that I will try to PR in.
After race 8/18
That was nice and humbling. I trotted along at a meager 8:36… just two seconds faster than I ran a whole marathon. =) Since I haven’t run with a watch on in months… I haven’t really known what pace I was running… but I knew it was slow. With my lack of being in shape and the heat (it was near 80 even though the race was at 8:15 AM) I didn’t plan to push myself. I just wanted to get out there and start again… and that I did.
I also exceeded 20 miles running in a week for the first time since I stopped training for Eugene. This week should be about the same… but since I am not on a set schedule yet… I don’t really know. Which reminds me… I need to make a schedule.
In two weeks there is the ORRC Wildwood Trail run… another 10K that I think I will also run… hopefully around 8 minutes per mile by then… and the on Sep 13 is the Oktoberfest 10K. (Why do they have Octoberfest in September?) If I haven’t PR’d at 10K I will try to here. Then on October 11th is a 15K at Blue Lake. Then it is heads down training for Seattle if I want to be able to run it.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
I can't think of a title for this post
After heading out into the morning sun for a run yesterday, I felt like I was reconnecting with a long lost soul mate. I can’t understand exactly why I like running now… when I once regarding it with disdain or something I would do only if a bear was chasing me. Maybe it is the runner’s high. I definitely have felt that at times during runs and afterwards.
Once I thought that I would find meaning through my running… like I’d one day run up on a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, of have a great revelation that changed my life. The truth is much more subtle… and you’d have to view a much wider expanse of my life to see it.
If I could glance and the pre-running me at 50… and the post running me at 50, the difference I am sure, will be striking. Long distance running can be that way. It unfolds at a leisurely pace. Hills that seem frozen in the distance turn into hills sliding away behind you, and all the while you can hardly tell you are moving.
It is not much harder to run 20 miles than 1 if you are in shape for the journey. (Well… assuming you are NOT in shape to run that 1 mile) I can remember a time when running 1 mile was a big deal for me. I’d tell a friend and they were in awe (as we drank our 10th beer of the night).
I don’t know how long I will keep running. I am still not even back into my grove. I did learn one thing though… by trying the 22 or whatever week training plan… is that it is certainly possible to get burned out. I maintained focus on that schedule for months… and then just LOST it. One day complete dedication… the next I fumbled it away. It took me a few weeks to realize it… and by then… I just couldn’t muster the energy to restart.
Once I thought that I would find meaning through my running… like I’d one day run up on a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, of have a great revelation that changed my life. The truth is much more subtle… and you’d have to view a much wider expanse of my life to see it.
If I could glance and the pre-running me at 50… and the post running me at 50, the difference I am sure, will be striking. Long distance running can be that way. It unfolds at a leisurely pace. Hills that seem frozen in the distance turn into hills sliding away behind you, and all the while you can hardly tell you are moving.
It is not much harder to run 20 miles than 1 if you are in shape for the journey. (Well… assuming you are NOT in shape to run that 1 mile) I can remember a time when running 1 mile was a big deal for me. I’d tell a friend and they were in awe (as we drank our 10th beer of the night).
I don’t know how long I will keep running. I am still not even back into my grove. I did learn one thing though… by trying the 22 or whatever week training plan… is that it is certainly possible to get burned out. I maintained focus on that schedule for months… and then just LOST it. One day complete dedication… the next I fumbled it away. It took me a few weeks to realize it… and by then… I just couldn’t muster the energy to restart.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Pain is good
Pain is good… or so they say. Sign of progress. No pain… no gain… and all that stuff. When I was younger and much lighter… I could run all day with relatively no pain. I didn’t even know what sore was really. I can remember running the Seaside half marathon and suffering pretty much no pains.
But that was then. Now… and pretty much from age 30 on… sports and activities hurt. With running… I feel I am in a constant state of pain and recovery. If I am feeling good… I am not pushing it enough. I have to play Sherlock Holmes to decipher exactly what my pain is saying. I have to sort out for instance… if it is saying ‘you ran too far… or too fast’, or ‘Houston, we have a problem.’
So far I have been just about injury free with running. All those horror stories about ruining knees etc… seem to be just stories. But pain free? Yeah right. I am to the point where I can feel pain after regular day-to-day activities. Pull a few weeds… and the back hurts. Paint a room… arm does.
I suppose I should be grateful at least my parts are functioning enough to be yelling at me. Oh… I try to take care of them the best I can… a few supplements, aspirin, a lot of water and a massage here and there if my sweetie has time. But I have to wonder if young people really understand what is in store for them. I remember older people telling me… but really… I thought they were just out of shape. I had no idea that being *in* shape could be the cause of so much pain.
SportsFest is just about over. Soccer and basketball are done… so just softball now, which (knock on wood) is one of the few sports that doesn’t seem to bring me much pain.
I realized yesterday that I probably missed my chance to run the Portland marathon this year. My measly mileage this summer is not enough of a base for me to hit training full steam. I will have to set me sites on something later like Seattle.
Mia is sleeping enough now that I may be able to continue running in the morning… that is if I can garner the motivation. If I just circle something on the calendar I think I will do it. Just haven’t grabbed a pen yet.
But that was then. Now… and pretty much from age 30 on… sports and activities hurt. With running… I feel I am in a constant state of pain and recovery. If I am feeling good… I am not pushing it enough. I have to play Sherlock Holmes to decipher exactly what my pain is saying. I have to sort out for instance… if it is saying ‘you ran too far… or too fast’, or ‘Houston, we have a problem.’
So far I have been just about injury free with running. All those horror stories about ruining knees etc… seem to be just stories. But pain free? Yeah right. I am to the point where I can feel pain after regular day-to-day activities. Pull a few weeds… and the back hurts. Paint a room… arm does.
I suppose I should be grateful at least my parts are functioning enough to be yelling at me. Oh… I try to take care of them the best I can… a few supplements, aspirin, a lot of water and a massage here and there if my sweetie has time. But I have to wonder if young people really understand what is in store for them. I remember older people telling me… but really… I thought they were just out of shape. I had no idea that being *in* shape could be the cause of so much pain.
SportsFest is just about over. Soccer and basketball are done… so just softball now, which (knock on wood) is one of the few sports that doesn’t seem to bring me much pain.
I realized yesterday that I probably missed my chance to run the Portland marathon this year. My measly mileage this summer is not enough of a base for me to hit training full steam. I will have to set me sites on something later like Seattle.
Mia is sleeping enough now that I may be able to continue running in the morning… that is if I can garner the motivation. If I just circle something on the calendar I think I will do it. Just haven’t grabbed a pen yet.
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