Aggressive Training

Many people have asked me, and I am sure the same can be said of Lynn, "what type of training are you doing for your run."  Well, simple answer - a lot of running.  In order to be able to run the 113 miles, we need to have a strong foundation, which means lots of hills, lots of crossing training, and lots of back-to-back-to-back days of logging miles.  And even then, our busiest week will get us to only about 70+ miles. 

Of course, we know we aren't in this experience to win the cash prizes they have for the winning teams.  If for some chance we do, I have a pretty good feeling some of the race officials will be tracking us down to see if we pulled a "Rosie Ruiz" (woman who took a short-cut across the Boston Marathon years ago to "win" the race, and was later exposed as a fraud).

The attached picture is the recommended training plan from the Transrockies Run website.  We are just about at the first of June, where we are hitting the point of needing to put in more miles in one week than we have ever done before.  Charting new territory, breaking new ground, and getting one step closer each day to a memorable experience.  Wish us well!

KEIYH

Let's Get Ready to Rumble!!!!

You want a piece of me????

This past Sunday morning I participated in the Uwharrie Rumble - a 13.1 mile run through the Uwharrie National Forest in Mount Gilead, NC.  I thought it would be a fine test for me, to see how I run some single track trails, with some small hills thrown in.  Result - a lot harder than I would have thought!

Now you should know, I am working on running longer distances on back-to-back days on the weekends, in order to build up leg strength and prepare for the realities of the TransRockies run.  So on Saturday, I did a 10 miler in the morning before spending a day in the sun at the ballparks for my kids games.  Then it was mid 70s and humid for the Sunday race.  Probably not ideal for a great run, but I fortunately went in with no lofty expectations - this was just a training run - and if I finished in 2:30, I was going to be happy.

Mount Gilead is about an hour outside of Charlotte, and the Uwharrie Rumble started in a small clearing in the midde of the National Forest.  It was no surprise this was going to be a small event.  They didn't have room for many cars. The 8k race went off at 8:00 am with about 50 people, and the 1/2 marathon followed at 8:30 with about 80 people.  If you measured races by the total Porta-Potties available for participants, this was a 3-seater!   And there were no lines!!!

Since people get spread out pretty quickly based on abilities, I started near the back of the pack so I wouldn't slow anyone down, and after a few miles found myself tucked in behind 2 - 3 other runners keeping a steady 9 1/2 minute/mile pace.  Couldn't go too fast behind people while watching for tree roots and rocks and other obstacles.  Gotta tell you, nothing beats trail running! It is certainly better than running the open roads, because the concentration is much more intense, and your legs and feet are constantly going in different directions.  Only drawback?  You have to keep your eyes glues to the runners legs and feet in front of you.  Fortunately for me, that was a female runner!  :)

We crossed 5 miles in a respectable 47:47, and continued that pace for the next 1 1/2 miles.  At that moment, I came to realize what Lynn and I are up against in Colorado.  My legs were feeling strong, but the trail decided to slope upward for the next mile or so.  I lost the pack I was with, and had to walk much of the uphill.  It was a defeating feeling, but I wasn't alone as the few other runners around started doing the same thing.  So for the next 2 miles, it was on/off running, and I recognized I was much more drained than I thought.

I crossed the 8 1/2 mile mark around 1:27, which was where the race started.  This happened to be a water/food station where we could refuel before going out for the remaining 5 miles.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider stopping there and calling it a day.  But I have come to learn that I need that heart, desire, and willpower to push on, and push aside the mental mind games I find myself dealing with.  Colorado is going to be worse, and 10 times as many miles as this. 

I pushed ahead and ran on/off for the next 2 - 3 miles.  I kept remembering what my ultramarathoner friend Lisa told me a few months ago.  "It is ok to walk.  You have to look at the bigger picture." This wasn't a time trial.  It was nothing more than a training run, and I was now primarily by myself out there, having to deal with my own thoughts.  I continued on and got a second wind around 11 miles and picked up the pace for the remaining 2 miles.  That renewed energy really helped me to know that even when you feel tired, you can regain strength by doing some power walking up hills.  Just keep moving forward.

And I did.  Finished in 2:19:34 by chip time.  Better than expected even though I felt disappointed during the run.  Came in 52/80, and 8/10 in my age/gender group.   More long training runs to come, more busy weeks ahead, more days with greater heat and humidity await.  At the end of the path, there will be some beautiful scenery awaiting us in Buena Vista, Colorado when we arrive and we'll realize these days were all worth it, and we'd celebrate our journey.

But on Sunday, I decided to celebrate the only way I knew how.  With a cup full of Oreos and Chips Ahoy, and a Diet Coke!  I'm watching my weight, you know.

KEIYH

Boston: The Final Chapter

Game Day –

6:45a on April 19th. I stand with 20,000 people, like cattle being led to the slaughter. It is 35 degrees, overcast, windy and I am wearing shorts (what was I thinking?). We are waiting to pack onto school buses and be driven 26.2 miles outside the city of Boston. It is Patriots Day, so the schools are out and I quickly learning the theme of the day is ‘if you aren’t running, you’re drinking’. You have to love Bostonians.

The mood is somber. We have all worked so hard to get to this point ‘to run the Boston Marathon’. It is all business. I meet some interesting folks but the conversations are about qualifying times, personal records, injuries and sacrifice. There is no funny business – no Disney-like costumes, no ‘Rock n’ Roll bands’, no shouts or laughing, not even an Elvis impersonator in the crowd! – just the quiet reality the day has finally arrived.

Sometimes you just have to laugh –

Someone once said ‘Laughter is the best medicine.’ and for most of my childhood and adult life, I have lived by those words. I like to believe I am light-hearted and others enjoy being around me because of my sense of humor. I always laugh hardest and loudest at myself. Like my father (alter ego of Andy Griffith…and yes, that Southern), I love to cut up and joke around.

10:30 am. You could hear a pin drop at the start line. Everyone is looking at their watches, monitors of all shapes and sizes, stretching, getting ready to run their ‘personal’ best (including me). We had purpose. No silliness allowed!

I ran the race I had anticipated for the first 13.1 miles. I was on pace for my goal! There was only one problem, I wasn’t having any FUN. No one wanted to chat – where was Ken, where were Meredeth and Cameron. I missed my buddies! I wanted to tell jokes, talk about the weather, share the humor of 26,000 people running like crazy people for hours on end – strung out on gels and goos and beans…oh my. And for what – a medal and a free banana?

It’s OK to walk sometimes –

Although I had the thoughts, prayers and wishes of so many people with me, it wasn’t quite enough to make it up Heartbreak Hill. I said early on Boston would be the last marathon I would run alone. It was a great experience but with so many wonderful people in my life, I am ready for the challenges I can truly share with others for a common goal and FUN. I finished the Boston Marathon in a respectable time and after beating myself up for walking more than I had hoped, I had to laugh to myself. I can walk, I can run, I am incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity so few people have ‘to run the Boston Marathon’. And most importantly, I can laugh and try not to take life so seriously.

Colorado: The Next Chapter –

I have my trail shoes and am getting my ‘gear’ together for one of the most ambitious and adventurous events of my life. I am starting to get really excited about the unknown. In the end, what else is there to look forward to but that which we have not yet experienced.

And the best part about our upcoming Colorado run…I know Ken won’t take me seriously or let me take myself seriously. After all, any 42 year-old man who takes Hip-Hop Zumba must be laughing all the way to the locker room…

KEIYH
 
(editors note: in the above photo, Lynn was "Just Behind" the race leaders.  Oh so close to a podium finish!)

My Inner Rico Suave

I have found the Holy Grail for single men, and I want to share it with you.  No more going to bars to meet women.  No more late night hours trolling the internet chat rooms.  No more ads in the single sections of the local paper.  Time to get with the program my friend and bring out your inner Latino (or Russian).  Now don't read this out loud in a loud voice, because I don't want you to have competition. Tone it down a bit as I share the secret.....

Get closer.....yes, that's good.  If you want to meet the woman of your dreams, you need to....ready.....

ZUMBA on a Friday night!!

Yes, it really is that simple. And I have proof.  First hand experience.  Last Friday I decided to continue with my cross-training by taking the "HAPPY HOUR ZUMBA" class at the YMCA.  Yes, this was my second foray into the world of sashaying hips, gyrating pelvis', and creaking knees (ok, that last part just relates to me).  This time I walked into the class right as it was about to begin (to avoid that feeling of awkwardness), and stepped right into Irina's world.  Irina being the Zumba instructor.  Her world, her ladies.  I came to find out that she is Meredith's evil older sister (Meredith being my first Hip-Hop instructor).  This class was 15 minutes long, and even more intense - she was a military drill sargent - instructing me to thrust, jab, leap and strut my stuff in every direction.  But I wasn't worried...I was "the new guy".

You see, Irina asked at the beginning of class if there was anyone new this week and I proudly raised my hand, along with a few of the women.  Irina scanned the room....and then stopped her gaze on me.  Then she yelled into her headset microphone..."WE HAVE A NEW GUY".  And the place erupted in a cheer!!!!  And by erupted, I mean that the approximately 50 other women in the class (and 1 guy - he was ruining my moment) looked at me as I sheepishly grinned.  They probably thought I was a pervert crashing their spandex parade.  And they would be righ....wait a minute....that's crazy talk!!

For the next hour Irina yelled at us, prodded us, and made me feel all special when she called out "the new guy is doing it".   I realized that as a single male 20 years ago - Zumba was the "in" that I needed to meet that special someone.  And by that special someone, I mean a woman who would have been 20 years my senior.

Hmmm....seems like my foolproof, holy grail of a plan for the single man has a slight flaw.  Not to knock my fellow Zumba participants, but if you are a single lady looking for love.... you don't show up to the "Happy Hour Zumba" on a Friday night.    Bummer....but I was one of two men in the group - give me something.

So let's try plan B....

Plan B consisted of going to the Whitewater Center (as I mentioned in my last blog entry) to run the trails.  When I arrived early Saturday morning, the parking lot was quite full.  Turns out there was a trail race going on that day.  Just my luck - I wouldn't be able to run until it was over, I thought.  However, luck was on my side. There are 14 miles of trails, and this race was only 5 miles long.  As I exited my car and headed to the trailhead, I found out that the race was called "RUN LIKE A GIRL".  Hmmm, this is getting interesting.  I was beginning to sense some subliminal messaging was being sent my way.  First Zumba class, and now this.  And on a Saturday morning, all the young, carefree, fitness minded young ladies head out to run (or at least that was what I was thinking to myself). 

It would turn out that I was correct.  About 300 of them by my count (and I wasn't counting, I was just doing a rough scan of blond ponytails....you know, recon for all my single friends.....I am happily married....love you Brenda!).  The race MC was announcing that the run would begin in 10 minutes, so I found a different trail to start on and just went on my merry way...thinking of Brenda and the kids....

Well, about 15 minutes later a group of ladies start running at me from the other direction on this single track trail.  Initial reaction - they were tracking me down.  Then I exited the haze.  Reality, I was in their way and they were going to run me over.  Being the polite, happily married male that I was, I stepped off the trail to allow them to pass.  And for the next 15 minutes I had to stand there, while 300 women passed by, ponytails bobbing up and down. 

Now one of two throughs were probably going through their minds as they ran by me.  First, they could've thought, "what is this pervert doing out here in the woods by himself watching us run by, with our ponytails bobbing up and down".  Gee - I hope they didn't think that.  Note to self: wipe that silly grin off your face.     Second, the could have thought "what nice race officials.  They positioned someone out here to make sure we didn't get lost on the only trail in the woods".  I'd prefer to believe that was the thought racing through their bobbing heads.  So I said "hi" to many of them, and got many "hello's" in return.  These runners are a nice group of people.  Have to love the running community.  Not a pervert in the bunch.

So, the group eventually passed, and I went on my merry way....

And that my friends, is how Rico Suave lives on....at least in spirit.  The secret of the single man is now ours...use this newfound power wisely.

KEIYH

Bad Run - New Focus

Yesterday I had a bad run.  Went the the US National Whitewater Center in Charlotte to run their trails - of which there are approximately 14 miles of single track rolling trails.  Expecting to do all 14, I cut it short after only 8 miles.  Why?  It could be that I did a hill workout the day before AND another Zumba class.  So my legs may have been shot.  Trying to learn to run while tired - because that is how it will be in Colorado in 4 months - back-to-back long, hilly runs over 6 days.  It could be that I wasn't mentally strong to push through the tiredness.  Or it could be that there were about 300 women with me there (that's a story for another blog - day wasn't a loss after all!).

But no matter the reason - I felt disgusted with myself.  The week of workouts had been wonderful up to that point.  Nearly 30 miles already in, my Zumba workout - with about 60 women (that's a story for another blog - that day wasn't a loss either!), and feeling good that I was getting stronger by the day.

On my car ride home from the Whitewater center - I was contemplating what did I get myself into thinking that 113 miles was doable.  These were little hills, not very steep inclines, and a beautiful wooded setting.  It would only be magnified in Colorado.  It was at that moment that I looked down at my wrist and it hit me.  I had a purpose and I needed to get re-focused.  I saw my multi-colored bracelet resting there.  You know them - you see them all the time on people - as they are worn for various causes.  Mine says KEIYH (Keep Emmah In Your Heart).  I started thinking about Emmah and the struggles she had for over 4 years.  She was up and down, just like the trails.  She fought the tough fight and never gave up, believing that she would come out on the other side of cancer strong.

I let that realization set in, and tried to turn my frustration with the day into a positive.  Rather than going home and calling it a day, I instead drove to a local school with a track and put in three more miles.  Sure I was tired, and I was going slow, but I needed to show myself that even in those moments of frustration, there can be a positive and that I am capable of doing more.  And I need to do more.  I have people counting on me, and I don't want to disappoint myself.  The months ahead are going to be even more challenging as the weekly miles continue to grow in preparation for Colorado.

Today is a new today, and I know my training needs to include more core work, more cross-training, and greater commitment.  So while it is already 80 degrees outside and quite humid, I am heading out for another run - and with a focus that is stronger than ever.

Thanks Emmah for putting some things into perspective for me.  A subtle reminder from a bracelet about what heart is all about.

KEIYH