El Paso Marathon - State #19

2/7/2012

The high of a PR is difficult to describe. I suppose this is what keeps me so hooked on this wonderful sport of running. As I crossed the finish line at the El Paso Marathon on February 5th, 2012, I was in a state of emotional euphoria. I did it. I beat the only person I was there to race. Me. New PR of 3:51:28.

The time may be average relative to the population but I don’t really care. I am only there to prove that I am a better person today than I was yesterday, last year, or at my first marathon in 1998 (LA marathon 5:31). This race proved that hard (extra) work pays off, you get out what you put in, and there is no shortcut or cheats in running (or life in general).

Downtown El Paso is a small, quaint town. It has the outer look and feel of Phoenix… dry desert-like environment with a mix of industrial and business building. The area was visibly remote and lacked the hustle and bustle of other city centers. All of the locals I interacted with were working class folks who where friendly although noticeably occupied with their daily lives.

The race expo was small but included all the essentials. It was very well organized and even had volunteers greeting runners and assisting with bib number look-up upon arrival at the convention center. The organizers did a great job with location selection and communications. The host hotel (Double Tree) is a 0.5M walk from both the convention center and the start line. Information about race start, finish, and shuttle were published via the race website, Facebook, as well as bring printed and given with the bib packet. I really enjoyed this down-hill then flat course. This was the first year where the course starts on top of Trans Mountain. A 1,000 feet drop in elevation over the first 4-5 miles. A combination of strong winds, 35 degree weather, and a 7:00AM (sunrise) start provided an icy cold but unforgettable race start. We the runners were able to stay inside the buses until about 5 minutes prior to race start because the conditions pre-race was really very unforgiving. We gathered at the start line like a group of penguins desperate for heat. Even the national anthem singer seemed to shiver as she sang. I am thankful to have brought a racing jacket. As soon as I stepped outside the bus I was met with sharp pain on the ears, fingers from the cold. Then numbness takes over. Even with the jacket, gloves, and arm-warmers, I could not feel my hands, arm, and face for the first 4-5 miles. I just kept thinking, “keep running”.

The descent from Trans Mountain gave us a glorious sunrise the warmed out body and mind. I tried my best to slow my pace on the steep decline. After the initial descent plenty of water stations were available. Local residents and volunteers lined most of miles 6-20 and were wonderful as they cheered and provided water, aid, and inspiration to the runners.

There is a good section of the 20s that were more desolated. It could have just been my own metal fatigue. But near the finish back down town, crowds gathered to cheer for the last mile or so of the race. I loved the fact that (I think for the first time) the announcer at the finish called my name (correctly!) and hometown. It made the PR finish even sweeter. The finish area was easy to access and best of all there were plenty of water, bananas, CHOCOLATE MILK!, and BEER! I chose chocolate milk to celebrate the run…

Well, state number 19 is off the map. Overall, I had a great experience. I would highly recommend this race for anyone who is looking to PR and enjoy smaller races with personal touches. I will enjoy the rest this week then it’s time to prepare for the next adventure... Ultra marathoning…

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

Jeff

#19

Two days before the big dance in El Paso, Texas.

(El Paso elevation map) I have had a solid January this year in training leading up to the El Paso race. For the first time ever, I have put together a streak of running over a month. I am a little worn down but I think the milage has provided a good foundation for the race. I just hope that nothing falls apart during the run. I feel like parts of my body is starting to fall apart but is barely held together by some tape... As a lesson learned from Seattle, I did not and will not speak about any PR possibilities. We will just see how it goes. This is the only window in 2012 that I can run a bit faster. So I will push a bit and leave the rest to God. I am excited b/c its not everyday one gets to run down over 1,000 ft in the first 4-6 miles of a race. Oh, but my knees might hate me afterwards. wish me luck! state # 19, you are coming off the map! one race, one mile, and one step at a time, Jeff 2/3/12

Looking both ways

Day 3 of 2012!
Wow, is it really 2012?

In the blink of an eye, I am 37 years old, my first born is in the third grade, and 18 States and 23 marathons have come and gone!

During the Christmas break, I was able to look back at the past year and reflect on the successes and failures. It really allowed me to also look into the next year and formulate some goals and resolutions.

In 2011
I yelled at the kids a lot.
I drank a little too much.
I wasn't always patient with my wife.
I failed to PR.


but,
I managed work and spent more time with the family.
We vacationed more as a family.
We (wife and I) maintained a loving but strict approach in raising A & A.
I accomplished some career objectives.
I ran hard, and got stronger.
I ran three marathons, including my first double, totaled 1,577 miles in 2011.

Taking the good with the bad, here are my goals for 2012.
[here is a side note: someone I really respect in running wrote that one should not blab about goals b/c 1. many do so only to brag about his accomplishment 2. many fail 3. just talk less and DO(RUN) MORE! In some ways I agree. However, I assure you that my intention is not to brag. Rather, I have always felt that once I've verbalized my goals, I am held accountable for these goals. So here goes]

In 2012,

I will be a better father
I will be a better husband
I will drink (FAR) less
I will be a better runner
I will be looking for a new PR < 3:58 I will chalk > 2,000 miles
I will run 4 marathons and one ultra marathon in 2012

Ok, there I've said it. I've said it in such a way that I think I can and will accomplish all of the above... some will be harder than other, but I hope to be able to post a nice report card at the beginning of 2013...

I hope everyone is off to a great start in 2012 and may this be the best year for everyone!

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

Jeff
1/3/12

meaning of the run

I received the following email from co-worker today regarding the monthly company 5K I organize. I feel blessed that running has given me the chance meet so many good people and the chance to make an impact in people's lives.



"Thanks to you for organizing this and for your positive motivation, you are an inspiration. Although I cannot run the path you all do, due to my vision depth perception issues, I am continuing to run on a more level path.

-Julie"

The truth is, it is people like Julie who continue to strive against life’s obstacles that inspire me. I am just a guy who is lucky to have the good health to do what I do...


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

Jeff
12/20/11

Looking for the green light

‎"if your dream ain't bigger than you, then there's a problem with your dream.". Deion Sanders @ HOF speech.


I am not a big fan of Neon Deion but this quote is a great inspiration for running and life. I would follow it up with, "dreams without action is just an IDEA." So whatever our dreams are, lets go get it... get up, do it.

It has been a long time since the last entry and lots happened since Double Trouble in Maine and New Hampshire. I cannot believe the end of 2011 is approaching and 2012 is going to be here before we can blink again. Last year this time, I was in full off-season mode as I scheduled no races until June of 2011. This year however, I am in the thick of thing training for the El Paso Marathon. The training has been a little choppy at times but I feel good at the moment. Legs are strong and I think El Paso is going to be a good fast race.

I must admit that I am a little distracted by what can possibly be beyond El Paso. I am hoping that I might be able to try my hands on my first ultra marathon at the end of March. The race would be in Taiwan and is a 12 hour race put on by Taipei University. I don't know, I think these challenges are keeping the flame going as the progression towards the 50 States is a long one for me. Since I did complete the double, I am not as worried about what might come with the 12 hour race.

Two things must happen if I were to run this race. First, we have to figure out the logistics of moving about in Taiwan. I am hoping that my overseas family will help direct me in planning and getting around. Second, I still have to convince my lovely wife that it's a good idea to add this race to our vacation plan in Asia. She has been a great sport and I hope that she can see that this is something awesome to do! :) As I always say, I would not be on this journey without the support of Aud.

Beyond El Paso and (maybe) the Taipei U Ultra, I hope to run WY mid year and another double year end. Getting 4 done in one year would also be a first. So here is goodbye to 2011 and look forward to doing some great things in 2012!


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

Jeff

Looking back at the Double - NH ME Oct 2011

Now that I've had a week and a half's time to decompress, recover, and reflect on the time spent in New Hampshire and Maine, I thought it was appropriate to update the blog on finishing my first double.

First off, big, huge thank you to my sister and my wife (better known as Team Double Trouble) for running besides me in Maine. Chrissy had the fun half with the longer leg but far more rain and hills, and Aud had the other half where she had to reel me back from my mind melt late in the race. You guys were true sports to splash around with me for five plus hours in the pouring rain.

So the double itself!

NH was a fairly challenging course with multiple rolling hills but beautiful scenery around Newfound Lake. A very small but well organized race that started later than usual at 9:00AM. It rained moderately throughout on that Sat. Oct 1, 2011 with temperature hovering around the low 60. Very nice day for running. I really took the advice of many 50 Staters and slowed down on this first race. I even took a photo at every mile marker by coming to a walk each time. Finish time, 4:19.

A little fun story was that I had begged the Hotel to allow me with a late checkout at 2:00PM. That gave me exactly 5 hours to finish the race and drive back to the hotel (exactly 30 min drive away from start/finish). Between running another 0.5 miles to my car and chugging a couple of chocolate milk in the ride, I got back to the hotel at 1:55. Just enough time for me to shower up! My wonderful wife had packed 4 gallon bags of ice for me to then ice down in the car on our drive to Maine immediately after the shower...

I was sore and a little worried. BUT, I was not broken the following morning. That gave me some confidence that I would finish the second race without crippling myself. The 7:45 start plus the hard rain was a little intimidating at the start. I was literally shivering and shaking as we waited for the start... Chris and I ran the first mile at about 10:15 pace... and the rain did not let up for the first 12 miles or so. Oh, and the rain caused my over-sensitive Garmin 405 to run out of battery at about mile 7.

Running with a giant trash bag is interesting. You stay warm but then you get too hot. So I had to constantly cover and uncover my body to regulate my temperature. Once a few miles in and realizing that this WAS going to be another race in the rain; I thought I'd just roll with the absurdity of it. We goofed off and posed and took funny photos at each mile mark. We walked some hills and made friends along the way. At the exchange, my wife joined me from 14.8 to the finish. There were a few miles in the 20s where I think a sugar low really caused my mind to wonder (hallucinate perhaps). Aud kept talking to me and all I could do in response was saying "I’m okay." I upped the GU intake and caught a second wind... we finished the last few miles jogging all the way through.


So, the double is in the bag. Was it tough? No doubt. But not as hard as I thought it might have been. Will I do it again? Most likely. The question is should a time goal be imposed? Or should I try to enjoy the runs as I did in NH and ME? Not having a time goal was so different for me that it was a little difficult to cope at times? I kept looking at my dead Garmin in ME even though I knew that it had gone to sleep at mile 7. I did really enjoy the difference. I got to look at the sights, smell the pines, and talked to people. So maybe, just maybe, a yearly double without time goals should be worked into the routine...

We'll see. I fear that I am too competitive for that...


Food for thought: 50M ultra in the future??? TBD...


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

Jeff

T-9 NH/ME Double - Getting puffed up on Eminem

If you want to help me make through this, comment, email, FB me and tell me I can't do it, tell me its a stupid idea, tell me its a waste of time... nothing motivates me more than doubters and skeptics.

I was so fired up after watching this youtube vid that I had to find the lyrics to Eminem's 'Till I Collapse'... its going into the playlist...
here are some highlights:


'Cause sometimes you feel tired,
feel weak, and when you feel weak, you feel like you wanna just give up.
But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength
and just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up
and not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse.

Till the roof comes off, till the lights go out
Till my legs give out, can’t shut my mouth.
Till the smoke clears out - am I high? Perhaps
I'ma rip this shit till my bone collapse.
Till the roof comes off, till the lights go out
Till my legs give out, can’t shut my mouth.
Till the smoke clears out and my high burn out
I'ma rip this shit till my bone collapse.

Until the roof
The roof comes off
Until my legs
give out from underneath me

I will not fall,
I will stand tall,
Feels like no one could beat me.