Time to get to work

I always wondered about what it would be like to get into a race when I had done no speed work, no hill work, while slowly building a base so I could start to build a base. And by no speed and hill work I don’t mean like those people who say, “There ain’t nothing to do in my town so alls we do is hang out at the Wal-Mart and go to Arby’s… ”

In this case there is no Wal-Mart and no one has ever heard of Arby’s. Nope. It was like driving to Wyoming where all the landscape offered was open space between where the land met the sky.

That emptiness is me just running miles. Sometimes that style works if one puts in enough miles and carries the proper weight, but other times, well… let’s just say it ain’t too pretty.

Anyway, I’m conflicted. My favorite thing to do is to target a race, train like hell and then see how close to my goal I can get. Sometimes it works out, other times it doesn’t. But it’s always fun and rewarding in its own way. Nevertheless, the training is the best part. When the target race is over I always feel a little sad that the training is over. It really is that much fun.

But at the same time, the point of training is to race and the point of racing is to go fast and to compete. If all a person does is train, does that really test them? Maybe. Maybe not. Certainly there a merits to staying away from races in order to train harder and run well in the target race, but at the same time there is a lot to learn from racing, too.

The thing I hate (and by hate I mean the fourth-grade meaning of the word) is training through a race. But it can be beneficial – I’m certain there are many good runners who used a races as speed workouts or really hard tempo runs. As someone who always preferred to stay on the field to crank out the miles in order to get ready for that one race, maybe it’s time to try a different tact? Maybe it’s time to (oh no!) race more often?

I think it is.

So here’s the deal: I’m going to target the Steamtown Marathon on Oct. 7 as my race. Marathon training is something I just really enjoy to do and since all of my “speed” is going to be gone very soon anyway, and the inevitableness of ultra-marathoning is inching closer, it works out.

But in the meantime, I’m going to see if I can run fast(er). What the hell? All I’ll have to do is fugure out how to wake up early.

Here’s the week of May 28 to June 3:

Monday – 18 miles in 2:00:53
Started out slow and a little sore in my hamstrings. I think it came from jumping on a trampoline yesterday. Either way, I settled in to a steady pace and finished strong. As always, I definitely could have added a few more miles.

Splits:
1st 5: 33:12
2nd 5: 33:16
11.8: 1:12:10
Final 7.2: 48:42

I got hot again after a storm cooled things off. Hopefully some of the humidity goes for a little while, but I guess that's wishful thinking.

Tuesday – 16 miles in 1:45:22
Strong as a bleeping horse today. For some reason I locked into a solid pace and didn't tire -- I even did a little fartlek to make it interesting. Perhaps the strength came from the cooler temps (it was 75-78) and slightly drier air? Either way, if I can continue to run like this I will definitely race this weekend.

Splits:
1st 5: 32:44
2nd 5: 32:56
3rd 5: 32:04

Man, was it ever fun running today.

Wednesday – 13 miles in 1:27:17
Went for some ART in the morning and then sweated and faded in the heat during the afternoon. Actually, it wasn't all that bad... I was pretty solid through the first 10, but just barely. I was pretty much done over the final two miles.

Thursday – 17 miles total
1st run: 7 miles in 44:19
2nd run: 10 miles in 65:29
Ran pretty steady despite the heat in my first run. I would have liked to go longer, but parental duty calls from time to time.

Added a second run after hanging out with the boy during the afternoon at Dutch Wonderland. After that we went out for Chinese and I felt some of the broccoli and greasy garlic sauce repeating a bit on the late run. Nonetheless, I felt strong and had some decent turnover.

Friday – 12 miles in 1:20:39
Another hot and humid one, plus, I started to bonk about 5 to 6 miles into the run. After getting a drink and a banana at home I felt pretty good for the rest of the run.

1st 5: 33:06
1st 10k: 41:49
last 5.8ish: 38:50

I think I'm going to try and race tomorrow. I don't know if I'm up for it, but we'll see how it goes.

Saturday – 9 miles warm up/warm down + 5 miles workout
14 miles total
Did 9 miles wrapped around a 5-mile race/workout session. To call it a race means that one actually races and runs fast. I didn't do that. Nonetheless, despite not having any speed work, hill work, or proper rest, I ran two miles fairly well. Actually, the first two miles felt easy, but then something happened and I don’t know what the hell it was… was it the humidity and heat? No speed or hill work?

I doubt it.

mile 1: 5:36
mile 2: 5:41
mile 3: 6:54
mile 4: 6:55
mile 5: 6:32
total: 31:40

The ever astute baseball writer for the Delaware County Daily Times has a flag on his Google Talk instant messenger that reads: “Don’t be a pussy, Finger.” It’s his way of greeting people. But sadly, based on the showing from miles 3 to 5, I’m afraid I didn’t follow the advice.

So much for that 27:50 that I thought I could do in my sleep... I guess I should have stayed in bed.

Fortunately there will be many chances for me to redeem myself this summer. Since I have been so reluctant to get on the track or to do harder speed sessions, perhaps it wouldn’t be such a bad idea to work myself into race shape by gasp! racing. Sounds like it could be worth a shot…

Anyway, there were a lot of people at the race and it was fun to see some faces I hadn’t seen in far too long. Unfortunately I don’t get out much, though I hope that changes. There are a lot of good people who get out on the running scene.

Sunday – 4 miles in 27:21
Got up early to squeeze in a run before going to Hershey Park. I was tight and tired at the beginning, but quickly warmed up and felt OK. Still, an easy, easy day is exactly what I need once a week.

That’s 94 miles for the week with some decent workouts and one not-so good one.

Looking for some fun?

If anything, I like to be prepared. Better yet, "anal" would be a more apt description. Nevertheless, I devised my full schedule for 2007 racing. Of course vacations, work and other family outings will alter things a bit, but in the meantime here's a look at the PR chase for 2007.

A few caveats - races highlighted in yellow indicate a target race.
All dates and races are tentative with those marked tentative being extra tentative.

2006 Race schedule
Nov. 25 – Northern Central Trail @ 9:30 a.m. (tentative)
Dec. 10 – Arthritis Jingle Bell 5k @ 1:30 p.m. (tentative)
Dec. 31 – Wilmington Race Against Time 5k @ 12:00 p.m. (tentative)

2007 Race schedule
Jan. 14? – Frozen Foot 5k @ 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 18? – Frozen Foot 5k @ 1:30 p.m.

Mar. 11 – Caesar Rodney Half Marathon @ 9 a.m.

Mar. 17 – Run for Luck 4 miler @ 9:30 a.m. (it's in my backyard!)

Mar. 18? – Frozen Foot 5k @ 1:30 p.m.

Apr. 28 – Race Against Racism 5k @ 9 a.m.

May 6 – Broad Street Run 10 miler @ 8:30 a.m. (tentative)

May 6 – Pocono Mountain Marathon @ 8 a.m. (tentative)

May 20 – Delaware Marathon (tentative)

June 2 – Red Rose Run 5 miler @ 8:30 a.m. (tentative)

July 4 – Ephrata Firecracker 5 miler @ 8:30 a.m.

July 14 – Freshburst 5 miler @ 8:15 a.m.

Sep. 16 – Philadelphia Distance Run Half Marathon @ 7:45 a.m.

Nov. 11 – Harrisburg Marathon
or
Nov. 18 – Philadelphia Marathon

2008 Race schedule
Apr. 21 – Boston Marathon

Counting down

All that’s left now are the rituals or superstitions. Well, that plus sleep and lots of drinking. Typically, I try to avoid superstitions because they are bad luck, and I usually drink about a gallon of water a day. Between now and Sunday morning I may increase that to a gallon-and-a-half.

Tonight’s plan is to have dinner at a Japanese restaurant we like to go to at least three times a month, followed by a movie and then bed. My wife wants to see Borat and although the Americans-are-dumb-and-not-too-informed-nor-understand-the-concept-of-irony theme seems a bit trite, it looks kind of funny. Plus, it involves sitting around and not taxing my legs, so I’m for it.

Besides, I ran early this morning putting in 4-plus miles in 25:35. All I have to do is rest and do some stretching.

Saturday’s plan is to run 5k or four miles as early in the morning as possible, followed by a big breakfast and then a trip to Harrisburg to get my race packet, number and all of that other stuff. Probably around 4 or 5 p.m., I’ll have rice with either tofu or salmon for dinner and then go to bed. I might not sleep right away, but as long as I’m horizontal I’ll be OK.

These plans aren’t something I just slapped together this weekend. Oh no. These are time-honed practices with lots of trial and error. I’m not much of a breakfast eater, but pancakes and potatoes always seemed to serve me well before a few Boston Marathons so it became part of the drill.

The same goes for a trip to the movies, which would be replaced with a Red Sox game at Fenway if we were going to Boston. However, that’s one ritual that might be retired if I go back to Boston. After six years of writing about Major League Baseball, I’ve seen enough games and have certainly been to Fenway more than my fair share of times. Going to the ballpark when I don’t have to just doesn’t sound appealing any more.

There are race-day rituals, too, which consist of coffee, two Clif Bars, more drinks and a long, long shower. I remember sitting in the shower in some hotel in Northern Virginia before my first marathon thinking, “What the hell have I gotten myself into…” as the hot water loosened my calves and hamstrings. Since then the pre-race shower is equal parts mediation and muscle warm up.

This year I am contemplating whether or not I should take Sudafed or a decongestant before the race. Hockey players are notorious Sudafed users, claiming it gives them a boost and clears the breathing passages, but I haven’t used it in training. Perhaps I’ll take one before Saturday morning’s run to see if it can clear my sinuses and throat, which aren’t in bad shape but aren’t 100 percent either.

However, Sudafed and the pseudoephedrine ingredient might not be a smart cocktail with caffeine. Plus, if everything goes according to plan, I hope to be drinking a few beers on Sunday night.

Mmmmmm, beer – the cause of and the answer to most of life’s problems.

Running nugget
The Olympic Marathon Trials are set for Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 at 7:35 a.m. in New York City. That’s the day before the regular New York City Marathon, which should have a thin American field. The trials course is not the normal five-borough run, though. Instead, it starts at Rockefeller Center, heads up Sixth Avenue and into the park for four five-mile loops.

The marathon trials is always a really interesting race and holding it in New York – in Manhattan – is a master stroke. The course is lame, but whatever. It should make for some decent times in what will likely be a tactical race.

With a year to change my mind, I’m going with Khalid Khannouchi, Abdi Abdirahman and Brian Sell to make the Olympic team. This is subject to change at least a dozen times between now and Nov. 3.

Interestingly, the 2007 Chicago Marathon has been bumped up to Oct. 7, which just so happens to be the deadline to qualify for the Marathon Trials.

Get those 2:22’s and get to NYC, folks.

Oh no, not this again...

I hate racing.

Let me rephrase that. I hate racism, ignorance, poverty, diseases and war. I dislike racing. The early mornings, the stress, the other runners and the pain… who needs it?

Nevertheless, racing is the best way I know to gauge my fitness and with the marathon set for next Sunday, knowing if I’m in shape or not is a good thing. Plus, a decent run can do wonders for one’s confidence. In fact, I remember the 5-mile race a week before the ’98 Boston Marathon that sent my confidence soaring so high that I strutted around like a peacock for weeks.

Regardless, I have outgrown that arrogance, at least as far as running is concerned. These days I save my peacock struts for other things like good zingers in the press dining room. Since most people don’t know what a good 5k time is, what’s the point in acting like a jerk?

That doesn’t mean that I didn’t want to run well on Saturday. And after a 16:23.14 for sixth place in the Manheim Township 5k (or whatever it’s called) and first in the 30-to-39 age group by more than two minutes, I’m as good (relative term) as I thought I was.

If I don’t run between 2:36 and 2:39 next Sunday it’s my own damn fault.

Anyway, the thing I most dislike about racing is the fact that I can’t remember a single race that I have ever run where I didn’t want to quit. In every single race there comes a time where I want to calmly step off the course, turn around and walk slowly back to my car. Once there, I get in, turn the key, drive away and never look back. It’s inevitable.

Fortunately, I have never done it. Good or bad, I have finished every race, though there was the one time in 1998 where the cramps were so crippling that I stopped running and walked/jogged it back in while feeling sorry for myself the entire time.

You know, because that 12k was just so important.

On Saturday that feeling came less than a mile into the race, but only because it looked as if I passed a convenient place to stop. After all, I reasoned, my car was nearby and I could always blame my achy hamstring since I had been complaining about it most of the morning. When my wife asked me how I felt before the race, I said, "My stomach feels OK, but my hamstring is a little achy... "

When talking to local running legend Mark Amway at the starting line about how we felt, I mentioned that my hamstrings were older than my age.

"If only there were such a thing as hamstring transplants," I joked.

Wait... is there such a thing? Can I get two new ones, please?

Regardless, it’s always good to have a built in excuse.

But once the gun sounded to start the race, my hamstring didn’t hurt. I wasn’t injured and the pace didn’t feel too tremendously taxing. Actually, the 5:20ish pace through the first mile was pretty comfortable. Just like the 10:40ish split through two miles. The problem was that I just didn’t have one extra gear to catch the leaders, who remained in sight the entire race but were probably averaging 5-minutes per mile compared to my 5:17. Perhaps when the marathon training is completed and I start to race a few 5k and 10ks, I will be able to catch them.

Wait… did I just say I was going to start racing?

Well, that’s the plan. After next week’s marathon I’m going to pare down the training a bit and see if I can run some fast times in other distances. Then, when January rolls around, I’ll start thinking about another marathon for the spring.

That’s the plan, anyway.

Back to the race – the course was flat and on the roads around the township’s golf course, pool, dog park, skate park and roller-skating barn. The area is wide open -- as golf courses are wont to be – and a loop course, which led me to believe that the wind was going to be a factor. But despite the temperatures in the high 30s, the wind didn’t really bother me. Oh sure, I wore gloves, a headband and a Nike compression shirt (you know, to show off my 4-pack), but after working up a lather during my 30-minute warm up, I was comfortable. When the breeze licked my face on the way back just about halfway through, it actually felt kind of refreshing.

It was also refreshing not to be out in no-man’s land, too. Though the top two finishers were unreachable, I ran in a pack of four or five runners strung out over five seconds from front to back. That fact helped carry me through after my initial desire to quit. It also got me from the second mile to the finish line in 5:43.

I didn’t glance at my watch at all, though, and had no idea how fast or slow I was going until the clock at the finish line came into view. With a modest goal of running better than 17 minutes, I felt very satisfied when the clock showed 15:30 with a little less than a quarter-mile to go.

Better yet, it was even more satisfying to see my wife and son cheering from the sidelines as I brought it home. My wife appeared just as pleased with the finishing time, while my son was just happy to see his daddy.

“Are you alright?” he asked afterwards.

“Yes I am, big boy.”

Running nugget
The New Yorkers are gearing up for tomorrow’s big race and seem to be excited about the strong American field. John Brant, author of the appeasing A Duel in the Sun about Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley’s race in the 1982 Boston Marathon, examines the prospects for an American breakthrough.

Speaking of running books, I’m reading A Clear, Cold Day, which is a biography of marathon trailblazer Buddy Edelen. A lawyer named Frank Murphy wrote it, and, frankly, he writes like a lawyer. It’s a good book for people who want to read about training methods and racing in the days before the running boom, but it’s a bad book for people who like good writing.