Last weekend I was able to complete my fourth and fastest National Marathon in Washington D.C.. This was the first year that it was a Rock n Roll event which meant a lot more people. I've said it before but I enjoy this race and the course much more than Marine Corps, and National is the only marathon that stays within city limits for all 26.2 miles. And to top it all off I ran this race as a Team in Training participant, enough said.
I began the race with my amazing girlfriend Kelly and good friend, big sister, and mentor Nancy Cooper. I couldn't have asked for two better people to start a race with...and we were off. I had a decent feeling about this race and even thought that I may be able to bring home a PR. Although as I tried to get a few fast miles early in the race I knew it would be tough because the crowds of runners were larger than I had anticipated. I managed to get through the first half with a decent time and a time that would allow me to have a few slower miles towards the end if needed. As I pushed along I began to feel tired legs, Seneca Creek 34 miler was to weeks prior, and the temperature began to rise.
This however was what I was hoping for, I wanted to have the opportunity to run hard on tired legs and experience warmer temperatures. I stayed on top of my nutrition and salt as best I could, slowed down around mile 24 to dance to a Go Go band and then finished strong. I didn't run my fastest marathon but managed to put together a solid second.
I've come to fully understand that running and especially distance running is about experience, knowing your body, nutrition, and mental stability. I have a long long way to go but feel as though I am beginning to put all of these together, I have no choice because Vermont is less than 4 months away! I took away a few things from National. Once again I was reminded of how much I enjoy trail running and how running roads for longer lengths make me feel like I have been in a bar fight. I was reminded that I feel more at home with smaller races and smaller crowds, probably a strong coincidence I enjoy small bars. And finally I was reminded that it's not what's happening with your feet and legs but what's going on between your ears and what's in your heart. It's about fortitude.
The Chinese Zodiac says that I am a rabbit. Other than the redeeming characteristics of being compassionate, lucky, smart and creative I am not sure that I fill any of the other defining attributes. In fact it should be added that the rabbit is passionate. I love running. I love the science behind it, all the gear that's involved, and all the wonderful people that it has brought into my life. I love how it can test my will, and I love how it has helped shape me as a person and as a father.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Seneca Creek Recap
It's taken me nearly a week to finally clear all the mud off of me from last Saturday's Seneca Creek 50k, which turned out to be a 34 miler, but who's counting? We endured some really crappy weather last week and there was a brief period when the race site had even mentioned cancelling the event. This notion made me a little anxious because this was not only my first race of the year but an important part of my Vermont training.
I left my place at 5 a.m. Saturday morning with a cup of coffee, a nutella and peanut butter sandwich, and a cooler full of beer, chocolate milk, and coconut water. All but the beer were consumed sometime throughout the day whether it was during the race or afterwards. The beer would wait until much later.
The race started shortly after 8 o'clock just as the rain had stopped. It seemed that within 15 minutes of running we were crossing the first of many water crossings and then we sloshed through miles of ankle deep mud and water. My feet were completely wet the entire time, but no blisters!
The course was very similar to that of the Stone Mill 50 miler which I ran last November so a lot of it wasn't stored too deep in my memory. I feel that I ran a fairly decent race. I did good with pace and did a pretty decent job with nutrition. I made sure that I was taking in salt on the :50's and then had a gel on the hour. I also ate my share of all the great food at the aid stations.
My only low point during the race fell somewhere between miles 26 an 28. I decided to take a couple walk breaks, take some extra salt, and have a small pity party. It wasn't long after that I caught up to two runners who were both running new distances, this was their longest race. It was fun running with them and hearing why they loved trail running and how excited they were to cross the finish line. I left them with some encouraging words and picked up my pace a little. It wasn't too much longer that I was crossing the finish line myself, grabbed a chair, and watched the rest of the runners cross the line.
I really enjoyed the Seneca Creek 34 miler. I ran a pretty good race and it's nice to see that consistent hard work is finally starting to pay off. I loved watching the runners that finished behind me cross the finish line. It's so fun to watch how proud people are, to watch someone cross the line and almost feel the closure. Everyone that crosses the line has a different reason and a different purpose. For me this time it's all part of the puzzle, part of my ultimate goal. My life now is incredibly great and indeed my own puzzle pieces are slowly falling into place. I am at peace in so many different ways and am convinced that it's because I believe in selfless happiness.
It's hard to imagine that Vermont is only 4.5 months away, in fact it's a little frightening. But in all honesty I can't wait for the experience. The next puzzle piece is National Marathon on March 17th. It's a road race, not my favorite running surface, but will be a whole bunch of fun, and it's on St. Patrick's Day, need I say more? Until next time my friends...
I left my place at 5 a.m. Saturday morning with a cup of coffee, a nutella and peanut butter sandwich, and a cooler full of beer, chocolate milk, and coconut water. All but the beer were consumed sometime throughout the day whether it was during the race or afterwards. The beer would wait until much later.
The race started shortly after 8 o'clock just as the rain had stopped. It seemed that within 15 minutes of running we were crossing the first of many water crossings and then we sloshed through miles of ankle deep mud and water. My feet were completely wet the entire time, but no blisters!
The course was very similar to that of the Stone Mill 50 miler which I ran last November so a lot of it wasn't stored too deep in my memory. I feel that I ran a fairly decent race. I did good with pace and did a pretty decent job with nutrition. I made sure that I was taking in salt on the :50's and then had a gel on the hour. I also ate my share of all the great food at the aid stations.
My only low point during the race fell somewhere between miles 26 an 28. I decided to take a couple walk breaks, take some extra salt, and have a small pity party. It wasn't long after that I caught up to two runners who were both running new distances, this was their longest race. It was fun running with them and hearing why they loved trail running and how excited they were to cross the finish line. I left them with some encouraging words and picked up my pace a little. It wasn't too much longer that I was crossing the finish line myself, grabbed a chair, and watched the rest of the runners cross the line.
I really enjoyed the Seneca Creek 34 miler. I ran a pretty good race and it's nice to see that consistent hard work is finally starting to pay off. I loved watching the runners that finished behind me cross the finish line. It's so fun to watch how proud people are, to watch someone cross the line and almost feel the closure. Everyone that crosses the line has a different reason and a different purpose. For me this time it's all part of the puzzle, part of my ultimate goal. My life now is incredibly great and indeed my own puzzle pieces are slowly falling into place. I am at peace in so many different ways and am convinced that it's because I believe in selfless happiness.
It's hard to imagine that Vermont is only 4.5 months away, in fact it's a little frightening. But in all honesty I can't wait for the experience. The next puzzle piece is National Marathon on March 17th. It's a road race, not my favorite running surface, but will be a whole bunch of fun, and it's on St. Patrick's Day, need I say more? Until next time my friends...
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