This is a test

Of my theory that you should run with a cold as long as it’s not the flu.

6 miler today in the heat with this cold (throat, and running nose) was not pleasant. But I’ve always said that the common cold should not stop me from training.

I will report later this week if recovery is impacted. Doubt it.

The aimless drift of a runners mind

Thought I share some thought bubbles that popped on top of my head during my lunch run today. It will give you a glimpse into what goes on in my head on a typical run.

“it sure is hot”
“eight seconds, mf’er (*&^”
“damn its hot”
“9 more weeks until the double… under 10 hours?... or just have fun... just have fun.”
“tired, maybe just 4 miles today”
“no, eight”
“no, six”
“1.45 miles, almost a quarter of the way done”
“8:40s, so slow… supposed to be a easy run today… but…”
“negative split..?”
“if I learned to swim, maybe a tri…”
“is 3:58 it for me? ergh…”
“wonder what is for dinner tonight…”

Some people say they find that Zen state during their run. My mind is usually just a mess. It has been hard for me to find the motivation to move after Seattle. I just can’t seem to get my mind to focus. 34 more… come’on lets go… keep on keep on.

One state, one mile, and one step at a time,
Jeff

Dealing with failure

"The one who doesn't fall doesn't stand up."


I am massively disappointed in myself for the Seattle Marathon (State #16/Marathon #21). I've put in a lot time and mileage this year than any time in the past, still failing to PR.
I'd like to blame the course but I won't use it as an excuse, it was much tougher than New Orleans where I last PR'd. I knew it would be a tough day when I hit mile three and saw the first hill because the first noticeable hill according to the course elevation map was at mile four. And there were a number of long tunnels that were draining mentally. Nevertheless, I thought that the preparation could overcome these factors, I was wrong.

Split Time Moving Time Distance Elevation Gain Elevation Loss
1 0:08:11 0:08:12 1 0 7
2 0:08:12 0:08:08 1 3 0
3 0:08:35 0:08:33 1 44 0
4 0:08:35 0:08:32 1 25 26
5 0:08:41 0:08:37 1 110 0
6 0:08:07 0:08:05 1 0 135
7 0:08:23 0:08:22 1 14 20
8 0:08:31 0:08:31 1 62 29
9 0:08:37 0:08:31 1 37 33
10 0:08:19 0:08:20 1 16 67
11 0:08:29 0:08:29 1 22 14
12 0:07:29 0:07:48 1 60 11
13 0:10:13 0:03:33 1 56 29
14 0:08:28 0:08:28 1 24 109
15 0:08:55 0:08:47 1 89 83
16 0:08:53 0:08:46 1 107 0
17 0:08:34 0:08:17 1 37 63
18 0:09:45 0:09:39 1 129 0
19 0:09:03 0:09:04 1 181 295
20 0:09:57 0:09:50 1 238 191
21 0:09:18 0:09:14 1 0 92
22 0:09:06 0:08:41 1 53 36
23 0:09:36 0:09:31 1 0 74
24 0:09:42 0:09:38 1 0 8
25 0:11:09 0:10:46 1 2 0
26 0:10:54 0:10:41 1 3 0
27 0:05:03 0:04:58 0.59 11 0
Summary 3:58:59 3:50:01 26.59 1,322 1,323

Weather was perfect, 50 at the start and overcast the entire race. Like Calvin suggested, I trailed the 3:45 marker from the start... keeping it about half a football field in front. Going very easy in the beginning and eventually passing the 3:45 marker group at mile 8 with a steady state pace. At mile 16, the group passes me and I can feel myself slowing down going up each of the multiple hills. I was still confident to PR until mile 23 when both quads just seized. I literally had to stop and stretch until I can manage a walk… after about a minute or two started to run again but in serious pain. Mile 25, yet another hill/bridge. I looked at the watch and did a very fuzzy math and thought that hope of a significant PR was gone. Then my thought went to just finishing sub 4. As I rounded mile 26, I looked at the watch again and to my surprise, I was looking at yet another 3:58ish finish. So I put it down as hard as I could (8:37 pace) to the finish. Looked at my watch after the finish line and it was 10 sec slower than New Orleans. I am crushed.

Trying to find some positive from this has been difficult. Only thing I’ve come up with is this:

Seattle NO
Overall% 25.25 26.86
Division 32.94 35.97
Gender 34.11 36.97

So some slight improvement compared to the rest of the population. I am still processing the failure in my mind... and now I have to wait until next year to push for a new PR…
Next up is that monster double in Oct. oh boy…

Sleepless before Seattle

Only 19 days to go! Is it time to panic yet? The pre-race jitter has set in… its not unusual but I have put a lot of pressure on myself for this race. I think I’ve said this to myself at least a thousand times (no exaggeration) “ I MUST PR.” Hopefully the amount of training has readied the body as well as given me the mental toughness needed for those last few miles. I think having a few friends running with me is going to be a big (positive) factor as well. ~good luck to Mike & MariAnne C., Tito N., Larry C., David L., and my sister Chris~ Looking forward to hanging out with all of you for a day.

Ran my last V02 today and discussed the results with Ironmen co-worker and Yoda. Things are looking pretty good. Just need to taper off properly and watch my nutrition and amount of sleep over the next 2.5 weeks. Speaking of sleep, or the lack of… I think I am permanently sleep deprived. I sure miss sleeping in on the weekends. Weekend long runs don’t really help but the biggest obstacle for my sleep has obviously been the kids. They seem to always wake up extra early on the weekends (but wants to sleep in on school days).

Big thanks to my lovely wife who has been positively extra supportive through the past 15 weeks. I hope you survive the kids on the 25th. I’ll be home right after the race… (after a shower of course).

One race, one mile, and one step at a time,
Jeff

Countdown begins T-25

Wow, 14 weeks went by in a hurry! As usual, as the countdown approaches, its time to reflect on the training effort, work on the final prep, and calm that pre-race jitter.

566 miles since end of Feb.
Down about 10 lbs.
New PR in 5K

I am pretty amped up for this race b/c I've worked harder than ever. My realistic goal is to PR and shave as much time off that 3:58 as possible. The reach goal is 3:45.
Now that I've done most of the work, I just want to complete the remaining three weeks with some purpose. On race day, it'll be up to God to send some good weather our way.

I am ready for take off. Let just hope that there are no last second malfunctions.

One race, one mile, and one step at a time,

Jeff

Open letter to the Lance haters

“To all the cynics, I'm sorry for you, ... I'm sorry you can't believe in miracles.” - Lance Armstrong

So this week began with the 60 minutes piece of the continued witchhunt of Lance by former teammate Tyler Hamilton.

It’s pretty well known to everyone that I am a big fan of Lance and Livestrong. It would be hard for you to find me without my yellow bracelet. I think what Lance was able to accomplish as an athlete was incredible. But living in an era where we have learned to accept the embarrassing, immoral, and self absorbed behaviors of professional athletes, incredible athletic feats alone no longer inspire admiration from me. Rather, it is what Lance was able do in defeating cancer and in raising awareness and cancer research funding that is really inspirational. He is the symbol of hope for all who has been affected by this disease. Lance has shown us that we can not only survive cancer but we can kick this disease in the ass and win.

Did he cheat? My guess is that it will never be proven, but the accusation will continue forever. “What if they prove he is dirty?” The answer is that I would be heart-broken. I may lose faith in humanity forever. But in my heart I believe Lance is clean. And that is something of a rarity for a cynic like me.

I am not going to devote any time to debate or dispute Lance’s innocence or the claims brought forth by his former teammates. I will refrain from pointing out the credibility of “witnesses” and the accusations that have been thrown around. What I want to do is to call out the hypocrisy of some who has come after Lance. Some of these people with loudest opinion against Lance are the biggest fans of the likes of Kobe Bryant, Tiger Woods, or Mike Vick. So I ask this, why are you a fan of say a cheat, (alleged) rapist, or animal killer/convicted criminal? I have been mild amused to wild bewildered with the responses. “Because he plays for my home town.” “Because the girl was just a gold digger.” “Because its just sex.” “Because look at what he has done since coming back.”

REALLY? I know people who put their children in the jersey of the above named. I won’t. I wouldn’t want my children to make Kobe Bryant money if he/she had to become a Kobe Bryant person. So I am not a fan of these guys. But hey that’s just me. I tend to take things too personally for my own good. I don’t know Kobe Bryant or Mike Vick personally but I have seen and heard all of the on and off court behavior to know that these guys are assholes. But beyond all that, what have they done with their success (on and off the court/field) in comparison to Lance Armstrong? Nothing. Not comparable. Not in the same universe. So when you come after my guy with your accusations, I am going to call out your hypocrisy.

Lance is dirty = “multiple sources”
Kobe is innocent = “he said / she said”

Lance left his wife = “after all these years”
Eagle CO = “gold digger.” “all the ball players do it (sleep around)”

That sounds to me like a lot of bullshit.

Playing for JV

Well, I was pretty happy with my new PR (22:13) at the company 5K today...

Until I looked up Yoda's course PR of 18:58. I don't think he was even trying hard.

Welcome to the JV team Jeff, welcome...

Somewhere in Dagobah if you are reading this Yoda, I am doing my best to reach my potential. but I am afraid my potential just isn't very high...


One race, one mile, and one step at a time,

Jeff