Saturday, June 30, 2007

Saturday ritual

“Happiness is different from pleasure. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing.”

-George Sheehan


The weekend prior to any 4th of july peachtree race is one in which runners get out on Peachtree Road and practice the course.
This humid morning, my pal S. & I headed out and did our part as well. We parked one vehicle near the end and the other at my office building across from the start.

The race organizers have already begun the logistical preparations even though race day is still 5 days away. Lenox Mall area has tons of port-a-potties already there; makeshift fences have already been put up in place around the starting line which extends about 1/2 mile or so. We are getting ready...gettin' ready!! YEAH!!

S. & I headed out and passed many folks running in opposite direction, which is typical. I noticed right away how heavy my legs felt. I wasn't quite awake yet..having only woken an hour prior to running time. I was pooped this morning and would have loved to have slept in more, but I decided to forgo sleep for cooler temps! It was 80 degrees when we began at 8am and very humid.

I figured there were some folks doing some marathon training and as we passed each other ... runners and walkers, i said "good morning" and cheered them on. I noticed the whole scene gave me a boost! There were volunteers out from Atlanta Track Club giving out water and at the main big hill of the course(I think it might be called CARDIAC HILL, there were volunteers handing out little towels that had Piedmont Hospital logos on them. Consequently, Piedmont Hospital is at top of hill, so, you know if you are feeling ill effects on race day, you can just go on in....

I gathered steam as we got up and over the hill and was able to cruise to just past the mile 5 marker feeling o.k. I decided to stop there and save a bit. I will probably get in a run tomorrow...maybe even some of the course again...just for the camaraderie alone!!

5.1 miles
48:19

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Peachtree #4

After running Peachtree Road Race as a resident of GA in 2000 & 2001, I had to fly into town again as a visitor in 2003 for my 4th go at this race.

Below is an excerpt from my jounal entry on June 29, 2003. I was in San Francisco at Peets Coffee.

“driving here, i thought about race day morning on Friday, the 4th. I will rise early, have coffee and a bit of breakfast. It will be an early rising on another race day of my life. I don’t even know how to put into words what that means to me...the early rising, the preparation, the morning reflection, the anticipation of what lies ahead. I’m guessing it will take me between 54-57 minutes, but the experience, of course, goes well beyond those minutes. The preparation began long ago and this will be my 4th Peachtree.”

I flew into town on July 2nd and was able to stay with friends i knew. It was my first trip back to Atlanta since i had moved away. I’ll never forget getting into town in the wee hours of my red-eye flight and picking up my rental car. The darkness surrounded me and as I drove into the city, I saw all the downtown buildings greet me. Soon, the dawn would come...

Here is another excerpt from race day morning, July 4th 2003

“Peachtree Morning! I’m awake and ready. I’m having a perfect morning after a very hot sleep - interrupted by this very hot weather. I sit in the loft, having a fabulous cup of coffee, listening to great music - in the morning darkness that sits outside..that rests outside...that will soon slowly awaken. So, here I am on the morning of another Peachtree, awaiting another challenge of this life and today, it is this course that i cannot stay away from. This course that challenges me, begs me to keep trying, to give my all ... through the travel, the heat, the humidity. “C’MON” it says, “GIVE IT. GIVE IT ALL. Don’t leave anything today. Walk away exhausted, spent, dripping in sweat, blood, effort.”

Today - again - another chance to be my own Hero

Thank you God for another opportunity.

Here I go -----

#4 Peachtree Finish Time = 54:09

more to follow...

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Tuesday

I could have gone to the gym and ran on the treadmill. I COULD have.

But, I didn't.

After work, I ran 4.5 miles in 90 degree Atlanta Heat. The route was same as Peachtree.

I rode the train back to my office to pick up my vehicle.

A bit long, but I have been trying to get in some runs on the course. Even though I know it so well, it still befuddles me come race day, july 4th, every year.

Cheers

Train Hard, Train Smart

Monday, June 25, 2007

True Impact

Traveled 6 hours south by car Friday to Florida panhandle. My first ever trip to FL and the white sand beaches. One of the things i eagerly looked forward to was running in the flatlands and smelling the water.
After 6+ hours in the car, I was more than ready to hit the road Saturday morning. I put on my shorts and t-shirt and suddenly realized....I forgot MY SHOES!! I couldn’t believe it!!! I think what happened was I left them in my personal vehicle when I made the transfer to the rental car. Sheesh!! Oh well, what to do? Either not run or go barefoot. So, I went barefoot. I ran a mile on the beach which proved to be very difficult because the tide was still high and backed up right to the thick sand. This left little room to run and what little there was ended up at an slant which is not too good for the hips, thighs, etc... so I went 1/2 mile east, turned around and went 1/2 mile west. Then, i said, “screw it” and went to the street and hit the black pavement. I ran for 2.43 miles on the street...i had to stop when the bottoms of my big toes were becoming raw. ouch. I also developed a small cut on bottom of my right toe. So, now I have 2 raw bottoms on my big toes and am wondering if i should just buy some cheap pair of shoes or forgo the rest of the running until i get home. we’ll see.

but, boy! running on the flatlands is awesome!!

_____________________________________________


I CAVED. I found a new Target in town and hunted for some shoes. I found what looked and proved to be a decent pair of Champion shoes for 30 bucks. Good enough.
After lunch, laying on the beach and dipping a bit, I went out for another 2 miler at 4pm. 90 degrees. Ouch.
The feet also started to hurt from the rawness. double ouch.
Oh well...All worth it

Total run both sessions = 1+2.43+2 = 5.43

___________________________________________

Got up late on Sunday and headed out about 9am. 86 degrees. VERY humid. But the streets were quiet and the Gulf was a spectacular site.

3.5 miles

At least I had the Champions on this morning!

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

The Lure of Peachtree

I first learned about the Peachtree Road Race
in early 1998 as I was looking through a Runners World magazine. The largest 10k in the country. In Atlanta on July 4th, every year.
Well, I gotta do it, I thought.

As I read more about the race on the web site, I found the application process unlike anything i had ever know. The application comes out ONLY in the Atlanta newspaper in mid march. You must submit the application on that Sunday or Monday via mail only and then HOPE to get in. Yep, that is all correct. It fills up THAT fast.
My hopes were a bit dashed when i read all this information because how does a runner living in the Bay Area get a copy of the Atlanta newspaper and get the application mailed back in a time good enough to obtain a race entry?

Well, thanks to the large newspaper selection at Barnes and Noble, I found one copy of the issue I needed 3 days after the issue date in mid march 1998. Excitedly and carefully, I completed the application and sent it off the Atlanta to the PO BOX for “out of state” residents. I was hoping the race folks held a certain amount of spots for us out of towners.

A long wait was the next part. I didn’t expect to hear anything until late may, early june. The wait was exciting yet also frustrating. The longer I waited, the more i wanted to get in.

Then, one day in early June 1998, I went to my mailbox and saw the big 8x11 envelope with seeming lots of stuff inside. “YEAH”, I yelled on my quiet cul-de-sac street. “I GOT IN”!!

I was so excited to open the package and see the contents with my BIB #, hotel and airline info, expo info, etc...

Soon, i booked my flight and then on July 1st, I was off to Atlanta.

(a REAL except from my journal dated 7/1/98)

‘happy july! today’s my departure date. i’m pretty darn excited. i’ve already been for a run this a.m. A quick 2..5 miles, but i also did grace hill! boy, that is a killer, i’ll tell ya. it is pretty great to run on clear, sunny mornings, like today. it’s so quiet and fresh out. birds are chirping. it’s like a clean slate. nothing has been touched yet.

and
7/2/98

"well, i’m here in atlanta and i am pretty out of it. i’m time-exhausted and having major allergy attacks. I can barely function and yet, i’d hate to take medicine-but, i’ll probably have to."


Up until re-reading this today, I had completely forgotten i had allergy issues on that trip. it’s interesting because once i became a resident of Atlanta in 1999, I have never had allergy problems here and lots of folks do...

I stayed in the Grand Hyatt which was host hotel with expo and only .5 miles from starting line. The expo was my first ever and i was happily overwhelmed by all the people, booths/exhibits and free stuff. Coca-Cola had given out free 32 oz bottles of Powerade Green which remains a favorite of mine today. I was completely buzzed by the excitement in the place and thoughout the city. What a thrill.

Race day excerpt from jounral dated 7/4/98

"6:13am - today is the race. starting time is only 75 minutes away. today, i will run in my first ever peachtree road race. maybe i could make this a yearly ritual. it is part of this city-a rintual for many. it’s intoxicating. ....i just peekd outside and there are many people out-walking, running, wheel-chairing it along the streets. it was dark when i awoke at 5:30am, but the light is emerging now. ...given the fact i don’t know much about what pace i’ll go, i;ll set my goal at 55:00 or less. maybe i can figure it out as i go along. i doubt i can set a “normal goal” as these conditions aren’t normal. this is wondeful, ya know? I flew across the country to run with 54, 499 other runners on Independence Day. Go for it. Give everything. I’ll do my best!"

As I would soon learn, under 55 was not gonna happen. The race begins at 7:00am for the first folks, the elite. Everyone else starts afterwards, in increments. Given my rookie and out of towner status, i was at the back of the pack, one of the last groups to go..my start time was closer to 8am. And if you have ever tried to run in Atlanta in July, then you know the conditions. Plus...all the people. It was like a running rock concert. It was an adventure. I took it all in. Peachtree Road was lined with spectators the whole way. Loud crowds, music, bands, and water/mist sprayers. Soon enough, i made my way into Piedmont Park and across the finish line. Then, i made a bee-line for the t-shirt area. My first and highly coverted Peachtree Road Race t-shirt.

#1 Peachtree Finish Time = 57:38


more to follow...

Thursday, June 14, 2007

new shoes, new route

As I came out of our building elevator about 5pm, there was a heavy thunderstorm in place. Of course, it only lasted for a few mintes so by the time I drove about 4 miles, it was gone.

Yesterday, i bought some kicks!! I love 'em. They are ASCICS Cumulus VIII and a cool green color. I pretty much wear all ASICS for road running. Also got some new NEW BALANCE shorts. They are way cool. So.

I changed in my car and headed out for a slow run through a neighborhood I am not all that familiar with...the first 12 minutes were cake..flat, easy...got my stride going...and then BAM, HILL eztravaganza for the next nearly 20 minutes. Steep hills. AHHH...I felt like I was crawling...maybe I was...maybe that is why these 2 men standing and chatting on their lawn were staring..maybe they thought i might need to medical assistance!

Thankfully, the last 10 mintes were flat to downhill. Whew.

Running in unfamilair places can be so cool and so freakin challening sometimes. But, it is all good!! I was out there, breathing and working my body.

4 miles

Train Hard, Train Smart

Cheers

Saturday, June 9, 2007

track workout

temp approx 74 degrees
humidity = 74 percent

YIKES

I woke at 7:30 and knew by the time i got to track, it was already gonna be tough conditions. Oh well, get out there anyway!!

I wanted to do a track workout to see where i am at in terms of speed. I did not do any kind of warm-up just so i could save on being out there longer with the heat rising. Maybe not the best thing, but this was all just sort of a gauge workout anyways.

1st mile - 7:57; 4 minute rest

2nd mile - 8:14, 4 min rest

1x400 - 1:45

equal rest time

1x400 - 1:44


Fittingly, here is a quote I came across recently I really liked:

"Sport is not about being wrapped up in cotton wool...Sport, like all life, is about taking risks."
-Roger Bannister

Thursday, June 7, 2007

In ROCKY'S Footsteps...

One of the main draws to Philadelphia has always been to actually run the Rocky steps as featured in the first ROCKY film. If you have been following this blog or my other one, TRIPPEDBYIT.BLOGSPOT.COM, you will be more than familiar with my love of ROCKY and the tunes that accompany the film.

What has it been about?

Rocky came out in 1976, when I was six years old. I can tell you at that time, life sure wasn't too grand! I have always related to and rooted for the underdogs. Maybe it even started with ROCKY. How many times has that guy been called "a bum". His story was so amazing to me...coming from nothing and just working hard, fighting the odds, and rising above. He epitomized all that I believed in. He was my hero. He was someone I felt like I could look up to cause there sure as hell wasn't anyone around in real life who I could have these feelings about. So, I latched on. What a ride! And of course, over the years, it has been not about his character, but the idea of ROCKY, just like the idea of Santa Claus, maybe.

I could sit and watch the Rocky movies all weekend long and have a blast. I'm sure I'd have to go run at the end of each one though cause I'd probably be so damn inspired.

So. Back to the MAIN point of the story. Last Sunday, before leaving Philly, I had some time to find the steps. My hotel contact told me it was 1.5 miles and gave me directions. It was very easy to find. Just run north a few blocks, turn left and I then I ran right into the STEPS to the Art Museum. On my way there, I had my Ipod and the closer I became, I clicked the wheel to the ROCKY theme song! Man, what a rush it was. I must have picked up my pace a lot because my adrenaline had shot through the roof. My legs had previously been so tired from the race on Saturday, but hearing the music and seeing the steps made me forget any pain. With a smile on my face, I plowed up the steps, skipping one at a time and got to the top. You better believe I sure did give a holler and raised my arms, in triumph, in the spirit of ROCKY. I was grinning like a child. I had the enthusiasm and elation of a kid. Man, it was FUN.

(ok. so i ran the steps a FEW times)...but the coolest part was there were many other people doing the same thing. I saw many older couples hoofing it up the steps...men in their long trousers and women with their handbags, all the while smiling.

There just might be a little bit of ROCKY in all of us.

Sunday, June 3, 2007

Race day report

Part I - Pre-race

Looking out of my 11th floor hotel window, I see quiet downtown streets. A stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of yesterday’s activity. I look up to the sky and see nothing but blue. Not a cloud in sight from my viewpoint. Race doesn’t start until 10am. At that time yesterday, it was already pretty warm and a bit humid. Not sure of the temps at current time, but I know it is suppossed to be another hot day here in Philly. Thankfully, the race is in a park, so I am hoping for some heat relief from Mother Nature.

This will not be a race for time. This will simply be an adventure. I have no knowledge of the course. I have not been training all that hard, for various reasons. What I am looking forward to is the experience, a new race in a new city. And a TRAIL RACE! The have only done 2 other trail races; The famed Dipsea Race (3 times) and the Woodminster Cross Country Race 9 miler (once), both in the BAY AREA. Both of those are incredibly demanding and challenging. NOT for the weak of heart or strength or will.
I’m about to chow down a CLIF Bar, grab a taxi and head on out....

Part II - Getting to the Start

Using my printed directions, I reluctantly got into the taxi with the driver who really didn’t seem to know where we were going. I was going to have to help him a lot. What is it with cab drivers. Last week in Chicago, we had trouble there too? I thought cabbies were suppossed to know WHERE places were....
30 minutes and $30 bucks later, I finally get to the race start. Race directions were not the greatest & I had to help cabbie find all the streets.

Part III - The Race

The Wissahickon Trail Race was held in the northwest area of Fairmount Park
An incredibly beautiful, lush park. As mentioned, race didn’t begin until 10am, so after arriving at 9:15, I had plenty of time to register, drink H2O & hit the bathroom. Soon enough, the crowd had grown and it seemed like everyone was excited. It also seemed like there were a lot of younger runners out; early 20’s.
Total # of runners was 499. A good, small, dedicated group.
oh, yeah. The weather. It was pretty hot and very humid at the start.
After a simple, “Get Ready, Set, Go” from the race director, we were off and running. The trail was very wide for the first mile or so. Then, the hills came and the single track adorned with rocks, branches, stumps...any and everything that could possible cause one to trip.
The climbs were significant and by 2 miles, I was sucking wind pretty badly. Too bad there wasn’t any wind to actually suck since it was so damn humid. Yes, I do live in Atlanta where it is also very humid, but we have not yet had this kind of weather. So.
The down hills were significant and tricky and had to be carefully maneuvered. I tried to catch up on my time, but little progress was made. Trail running is so different in that you don’t ever really get into a groove; with the constant terrain changes, your body is alwasys adjusting and such. But, of course, this is part of the fun too.
On every steep uphill, there was just a single file line of us walking, panting, and some cursing beautiful mother nature. My quads were on fire. Heavy. Heavy. Heavy!! UUGGGHHHH. My head also felt like it was gonna burst because I felt so freaking hot. I cannot recall the last time I ever felt so out of breath for such an extended period of time. WOW.
Amidst all of this, I tried to just really take it all in...this was not a race for time or anything for me; I knew that weeks ago. Nevertheless, it’s a much harder thing to accept when in the competition, in the battle. And, I think any true competitor knows that. At 5.5 miles, a course marshall pointed us to the left and said, “downhill from here. you are almost there.”
Yeah! I did my best to scamper down and finish the last .2 miles with a sprint.

Finish time = 1:14
Slowest 10k ever
First Ever 10k trail race.

I thought of a quote while running that I’d like to share at this point.

“The difference between a jogger and a runner is an entry blank.”

George Sheehan

Every time out take courage, not matter who you are, no matter what level of fitness. And I give a shout out to all of those who competed yesterday. It was far from easy.

Here is the only photo I have -- not great, but a small piece of evidence I was there.