Something unexpected happened in Houston last week. Things started out normally enough with Michelle accompanying me to the race. However, we had to split up early as this marathon asks the runners to stage in an area where supporters cannot join. In Baltimore and Frederick we were allowed to stay together. Also, Houston is not an "Eastern" city to which we are accustomed. There were not shops and restaurants all around for Michelle to haunt while I was running. Add to that the 5:30 arrival time for a 7AM and she was quite on her own and without distraction for more than 5 hours.
Not a problem but, as it turns out, an opportunity. Michelle has always made acquaintances easily. She is forthright and honest and uninhibited in sharing her views. These qualities lend themselves to making friends easily with folks who share them and Michelle ran across just such a person in Mrs. Lippencott of the Houston Lippencotts. While I did not get the pleasure of meeting her on this trip it appears only a matter of time. Here is what happened...
After the race started it occurred to Michelle that she hadn't had a bite to eat since dinner the night before. This is my fault as the selfish competitor who does not eat before he runs and is not thoughtful enough to provide for those there to support him. After the hoopla of the national anthem, the start gun, and the confetti had already begun to fade to memory she wandered off in search of breakfast. It is worth noting that the Houston course is laid out such that if you don't know the town and the attendant road closures your hopes of seeing any more than the start and finish are dim at best. So what to do for the next few hours? Eat and make a new friend.
Michelle found her way to the restaurant at the Sheraton attached to the Houston convention center which lay at the start/finish of the course. Seated near to her in the dining room were a group of women in their 60's. And what do you think they were talking about?? Quilting. Now any of you lucky enough to know my wife know that she loves to quilt. Further, she is pretty good at it. If she had her way, her sewing room would get more time than her employment (working on that). So when she overheard this conversation, her Capricorn came out and she chimed in from her table. The next thing she knew she was engaged in a conversation about quilting shows, hometowns, and what it's like to live in Houston. My work is considering relocating me their sometime in the future and Michelle has been learning about all things Houstonian, especially neighborhoods.
This is how she came to know Mrs. Lippencott.
Now if you are familiar with the Houston marathon and the name of Lippencott rings a bell is should. As the senior member of the Houston Marathon Veterans Club Mr. Lippencott has competed in 36 of the 37 runnings of this storied event; more than any other listed participant. He is also the accountant for the Houston fire department. In deference to his wife and the Houston traffic they get a room at the Sheraton overlooking the start/finish line so the Mrs. has a place to relax while the Mr. tends to business. I can scarce figure the odds of my wife (at our first ever Houston marathon on her first ever trip to Houston) meeting the wife of the elder statesman of the entire event and hitting it off right out of the gate.
Their chat in the restaurant soon turned into an invite up to the room at the hotel to continue on about quilting and Houston while below in the streets of town the runners toiled oblivious. Michelle said she was having a great time but was ready to go, not wanting to overstay her welcome. But, no. Houston hospitality was not to be outdone by Eastern sensitivity to time and place. Mrs. Lippencott insisted she stay on a bit longer to meet the grandchildren, which she did.
By the time Michelle left addresses had been exchanged and promises made to keep in touch and to attend next November's quilt expo (one of the largest in the country) in Houston later this year. We came to understand that our realtor may not have been as candid with us as he could and that we should expect to hear from this Houstonian about a better option. Mrs. Lippencott was candid and funny, honest and open. Just like my wife. I suspect that she shares Michelle's knack for making friends easily and I hope to meet her myself on our next trip to town.
I don't know where Mr. Lippencott finished the race. For all I know we were right next to each other the entire way. I was inwardly focused trying to win a race with a clock. Maybe he was too. We should both count our blessings that our wives were not. They are the real winners of the Houston marathon this year.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Unexpected
I ran Houston on 1.17.2010 in 4:19:19 (Chip time).
It was a personal best. I have never run faster or with so many people. The first three miles were at a greater than 10 minute pace due to the crowding of the runners. Houston is also the first marathon where I "ran" the entire distance. Other than walking through the drink stations (which I must do to get the fluids in me not on me) I never stopped or walked on the course.
There was a period around mile twenty when I had become very tired. The course clocks and my own watch (the Omega my dad gave me for making Eagle Scout 28 years ago) let me know that I was on pace to crush my previous PB of 4:30:32. But even that goal seemed to pale in comparison to just a few minutes rest. As usual by this point in the race many others had already given in to temptation. To have let up would have been inconspicuous, even seemed normal. Most everyone in front of me was walking.
Behind me, I overheard a group of lady runners encouraging each other to push on.Their leaders disembodied voice traveled to my ears through the fog of self doubt, "These are the difficult miles. You will will want to give in. Don't. Relax into your running and just keep putting one foot in front of the other".
And that's what I did. It was the right advice at the right time and it changed my running maybe for ever. Suddenly I found a pace that I could hang onto. I knew I could finish strong and I felt better than I ever have at that point in a marathon. It was a really good place for me to find myself and has me thinking about many other aspects of my running and my life.
I have many other Houston stories to share but for today this is enough. I ran hard, I finished strong, and I didn't give up.
It was a personal best. I have never run faster or with so many people. The first three miles were at a greater than 10 minute pace due to the crowding of the runners. Houston is also the first marathon where I "ran" the entire distance. Other than walking through the drink stations (which I must do to get the fluids in me not on me) I never stopped or walked on the course.
There was a period around mile twenty when I had become very tired. The course clocks and my own watch (the Omega my dad gave me for making Eagle Scout 28 years ago) let me know that I was on pace to crush my previous PB of 4:30:32. But even that goal seemed to pale in comparison to just a few minutes rest. As usual by this point in the race many others had already given in to temptation. To have let up would have been inconspicuous, even seemed normal. Most everyone in front of me was walking.
Behind me, I overheard a group of lady runners encouraging each other to push on.Their leaders disembodied voice traveled to my ears through the fog of self doubt, "These are the difficult miles. You will will want to give in. Don't. Relax into your running and just keep putting one foot in front of the other".
And that's what I did. It was the right advice at the right time and it changed my running maybe for ever. Suddenly I found a pace that I could hang onto. I knew I could finish strong and I felt better than I ever have at that point in a marathon. It was a really good place for me to find myself and has me thinking about many other aspects of my running and my life.
I have many other Houston stories to share but for today this is enough. I ran hard, I finished strong, and I didn't give up.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
One Week to Go
It's one week till Houston and I don't feel prepared. I have been so busy with travel and office work I barely got in any training at all (11 1/2 miles this week over 2 days). The weather has made it even more challenging with temperatures rarely above 30F. Even as I write this I can hear the "whine" factor. The truth is we make choices about how to spend our time; what we are committed to. This week I made a commitment to work over running. I will have to live with the consequences of that decision.
Maybe running winter marathons is just not a good fit for me. The days are short and the weeks are full of holidays, home improvement projects, football games, and reading. Perhaps winter should be the "downtime" where I give my body and mind permission to not worry about roadwork and catch up on the rest of my life.
That said, my next race after Houston is in March (before winter officially ends) so I will have to find a way to make it work this year and count it as a lesson learned for the future. I may try and get a few miles in today even though the forecast high is 29F and I still have a million things to get done around the house before going back to work on Monday.
The next 4 weeks represent a period of almost constant travel. Richmond, Baltimore, Houston, York, Brazil, Pittsburgh, and then it will be Valentines day and 4 weeks before the next marathon. Looking at it that way I better find a way to train. In all honesty this is pretty typical behavior for me. Over load and then manage. I have tried to reduce my workload and thus my stress level but somehow I find greater happiness in the anxious chaos than in the serene satisfaction of contemplative balance.
Maybe running winter marathons is just not a good fit for me. The days are short and the weeks are full of holidays, home improvement projects, football games, and reading. Perhaps winter should be the "downtime" where I give my body and mind permission to not worry about roadwork and catch up on the rest of my life.
That said, my next race after Houston is in March (before winter officially ends) so I will have to find a way to make it work this year and count it as a lesson learned for the future. I may try and get a few miles in today even though the forecast high is 29F and I still have a million things to get done around the house before going back to work on Monday.
The next 4 weeks represent a period of almost constant travel. Richmond, Baltimore, Houston, York, Brazil, Pittsburgh, and then it will be Valentines day and 4 weeks before the next marathon. Looking at it that way I better find a way to train. In all honesty this is pretty typical behavior for me. Over load and then manage. I have tried to reduce my workload and thus my stress level but somehow I find greater happiness in the anxious chaos than in the serene satisfaction of contemplative balance.
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Rest Day in New York
It was a beautiful day in NYC. Cold but clear. Great day for work and after three straight days running I was ready for a recovery day. One more day of travel before returning home getting back to race prep.
With eleven days before Houston I should really be tapering but my plan is to do a short run on Thursday, rest Friday, and then ten miles Saturday. We'll see how I feel after that. My usual pre race paranoia about not being able to finish is in full bloom.
Trying to watch what I eat leading up to the race but eating on the road always presents challenges. I probably need to work on my diet as much as my roadwork to take my running to the next level. If only there were 48 hours in the day I could get to all this. Instead, it's up early and late to bed. Keep forwarding the "to do" list items till they finally get crossed off.
In some ways I think that mentality is what makes me want to run marathons. Never quit, keep going, you can handle more...
With eleven days before Houston I should really be tapering but my plan is to do a short run on Thursday, rest Friday, and then ten miles Saturday. We'll see how I feel after that. My usual pre race paranoia about not being able to finish is in full bloom.
Trying to watch what I eat leading up to the race but eating on the road always presents challenges. I probably need to work on my diet as much as my roadwork to take my running to the next level. If only there were 48 hours in the day I could get to all this. Instead, it's up early and late to bed. Keep forwarding the "to do" list items till they finally get crossed off.
In some ways I think that mentality is what makes me want to run marathons. Never quit, keep going, you can handle more...
Monday, January 4, 2010
One for the road
Today was my first day back to work after an eleven day staycation. Even though I was home and could have squeezed in a work out or two the weather, company, and the general laziness that often attends the holidays had taken its toll. Additionally, in spite of my keeping up with email and voice mail from my home office throughout my time off, the maelstrom of new problems and issues and crises spewed unabated from my phone and computer until well after 6PM.
I travel a lot for work; usually on the order of 10+ nights per month. This makes training challenging especially in winter when the days are short, the nights are cold, and the prospect of going for a run in a strange area at 8PM leaves much to be desired. I have a train to NYC tomorrow for two quick days before heading back home. Even though I love to run in the city I know it won't happen on this whirlwind business trip. Actually some of my best running memories are of Central Park but in June not January.
So, in spite of the craziness in the office (and in spite of the continuing cold snap) I tied up the Brooks, put on the knit cap and trudged off for five and a half miles of hills under an ashen sky. The predicted snow flurries never materialized but they may as well have. At least it will relieve my guilt at not running over the next two days. I could probably use the recovery time.
So today's run was "one for the road". It will have to hold me till I return safe and sound Wednesday night.
I travel a lot for work; usually on the order of 10+ nights per month. This makes training challenging especially in winter when the days are short, the nights are cold, and the prospect of going for a run in a strange area at 8PM leaves much to be desired. I have a train to NYC tomorrow for two quick days before heading back home. Even though I love to run in the city I know it won't happen on this whirlwind business trip. Actually some of my best running memories are of Central Park but in June not January.
So, in spite of the craziness in the office (and in spite of the continuing cold snap) I tied up the Brooks, put on the knit cap and trudged off for five and a half miles of hills under an ashen sky. The predicted snow flurries never materialized but they may as well have. At least it will relieve my guilt at not running over the next two days. I could probably use the recovery time.
So today's run was "one for the road". It will have to hold me till I return safe and sound Wednesday night.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Committed
So it's 2AM and I am up as usual. Normally I fall asleep around 9 or 10PM and then wake around now for an hour or so then back to bed till 5. During these quiet morning hours I usually catch up on work email or do some reading. This crazy sleep schedule just developed over time as I got older.
This morning, however, I am going to take care of the registrations for my 2010 marathons. I am already running the Houston later this month so I need three more. I will repeat Frederick (May 2nd) and Baltimore (October 16th) and have added the B&A Trail marathon scheduled for March 7th. This is a first for me and the race covers the trail that I usually use for training.
By running the Frederick and Baltimore in the same year I will qualify for something called the Maryland Double. To prove that I "can be taught"...this year I remembered to sign up for both together instead of having to ask for my extra medal and certificate after the fact (2009, very embarrassing...it was like, can't you read and complete a simple form???).
So now here I am $200 poorer (discounts for registering early and for the double were taken!) but locked into a schedule that should keep me running and racing through October.
Is it crazy to run 4 marathons in a year? I don't think so. But it will be hard and take a commitment to training. I know with the support of my family I can do it. Run smarter to go faster is the goal this year. One race at a time.
Houston, B&A Trail, Frederick, and Baltimore. Looks like a pretty good year.
This morning, however, I am going to take care of the registrations for my 2010 marathons. I am already running the Houston later this month so I need three more. I will repeat Frederick (May 2nd) and Baltimore (October 16th) and have added the B&A Trail marathon scheduled for March 7th. This is a first for me and the race covers the trail that I usually use for training.
By running the Frederick and Baltimore in the same year I will qualify for something called the Maryland Double. To prove that I "can be taught"...this year I remembered to sign up for both together instead of having to ask for my extra medal and certificate after the fact (2009, very embarrassing...it was like, can't you read and complete a simple form???).
So now here I am $200 poorer (discounts for registering early and for the double were taken!) but locked into a schedule that should keep me running and racing through October.
Is it crazy to run 4 marathons in a year? I don't think so. But it will be hard and take a commitment to training. I know with the support of my family I can do it. Run smarter to go faster is the goal this year. One race at a time.
Houston, B&A Trail, Frederick, and Baltimore. Looks like a pretty good year.
Six miles in the winter sun with a spare tire
Slipped out after lunch for a quick six miler. The Ravens play at 4PM so it worked out well. Prepared better with my cold gear and made good time (6 x 8:45). The air temp was 24F and the wind gusted above 22 mph. Another very (not brutally) cold run.
There were a few other runners out there taking advantage of the sun but not many. I love the summer but something about the sun slung low above the horizon at mid day and the pale blue of an early winter sky makes it nice to be outside. The cold isn't so bad if you prepare for it properly. It's amazing how much of a sweat you can work up at 24 degrees!
A word about weight...I am 5'9" and when I was in my teens and twenties I was always very thin. My weight ranged between 118lbs and 125lbs. In my thirties it began to creep up into the 130's. In my late thirties I hit the gym and bulked up to around 165lbs (I know this sound high but I was in pretty good shape-I had never been stronger and did not look overweight).
After a few years of marathoning I find my ideal race weight seems to be around 152lbs. Not too big and not too small. I was around 155lbs when I ran San Antonio in November. Unfortunately after being off for most of the last 30 days with holidays and vacation, not running much, and being in the "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry" mode since Thanksgiving I now weigh 163 1/2lbs!! It's not a pretty picture. M and I are buckling down at the grocery and I am forcing myself back into regular roadwork. While this blog is about running and not about weight loss, for me they are closely tied together. I am sure it will come up from time to time.
Anyway, in the interest of full disclosure I wanted to offer up the benchmark and the sad truth that at 42 years old I have to watch what I eat in ways I never had to before and appreciate that my body handles it differently.
More road work if your going for the ice cream...but then what's life without ice cream?
There were a few other runners out there taking advantage of the sun but not many. I love the summer but something about the sun slung low above the horizon at mid day and the pale blue of an early winter sky makes it nice to be outside. The cold isn't so bad if you prepare for it properly. It's amazing how much of a sweat you can work up at 24 degrees!
A word about weight...I am 5'9" and when I was in my teens and twenties I was always very thin. My weight ranged between 118lbs and 125lbs. In my thirties it began to creep up into the 130's. In my late thirties I hit the gym and bulked up to around 165lbs (I know this sound high but I was in pretty good shape-I had never been stronger and did not look overweight).
After a few years of marathoning I find my ideal race weight seems to be around 152lbs. Not too big and not too small. I was around 155lbs when I ran San Antonio in November. Unfortunately after being off for most of the last 30 days with holidays and vacation, not running much, and being in the "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry" mode since Thanksgiving I now weigh 163 1/2lbs!! It's not a pretty picture. M and I are buckling down at the grocery and I am forcing myself back into regular roadwork. While this blog is about running and not about weight loss, for me they are closely tied together. I am sure it will come up from time to time.
Anyway, in the interest of full disclosure I wanted to offer up the benchmark and the sad truth that at 42 years old I have to watch what I eat in ways I never had to before and appreciate that my body handles it differently.
More road work if your going for the ice cream...but then what's life without ice cream?
Two Weeks to go
This year I will attempt to keep a blog of my running. I started taking running a little more seriously about four years ago as a way to improve my health and reduce stress. Each year since I have gone a little farther in my commitment running one marathon in 2007 and 2008 and three marathons last year. This year I am registering for four.
My PB is 4:30:32 which I ran in San Antonio in November, 2009.
In two weeks I have the Houston Marathon (the first time I have run that race). I had very high hopes of a personal best since the course is flat and the temperatures will likely be cool. However, the holidays, snowy weather, and long office hours resulted in an average of less than 10 miles of running a week over the last 2 months. Translation: once again Patrick will be trying to "finish" not to improve his race time. I have never been a "race planner" employing a strategy and some refined technique. Mostly I am a guts racer who decides I will finish by first deciding I will not quit. Grimmacing and serious self doubt are frequently involved and overcome.
This year I hope to change some of that. I would like to qualify for Boston (3:30) before I am 46 years old. I will turn 43 in a few weeks. Guts racing won't get me there. It's time to work smarter and harder. I figure a blog might help me maintain some focus and maybe bring some readers along for the ride.
Yesterday I ran 5 1/2 rolling Anne Arundel County Suburban Hills in the park near home. It's a run I make all the time. However, this time it was 25 degrees and windy. Very windy. Even with my UA tights, knit hat, and gloves when I got to the hill tops I felt like I was going to freeze in place. I think the tears streaming from my sunglass covered eyes may have left a path of tiny snow flakes in my wake.
Note to self: trendy thermal undershirt is not equal to UA cold gear.
Also, my Brooks continue to give me trouble. More on that another day. Suffice it to say that the old shoe addage about "the more you pay the more trouble you have" applies. Never wanted to be an "equipment geek" but I may have to make an exception regarding my running shoes.
Well, let's see where this all goes. If you don't run maybe give it a try. If you do run keep going!
In the words of Winston Churchill, "Never Give In"
My PB is 4:30:32 which I ran in San Antonio in November, 2009.
In two weeks I have the Houston Marathon (the first time I have run that race). I had very high hopes of a personal best since the course is flat and the temperatures will likely be cool. However, the holidays, snowy weather, and long office hours resulted in an average of less than 10 miles of running a week over the last 2 months. Translation: once again Patrick will be trying to "finish" not to improve his race time. I have never been a "race planner" employing a strategy and some refined technique. Mostly I am a guts racer who decides I will finish by first deciding I will not quit. Grimmacing and serious self doubt are frequently involved and overcome.
This year I hope to change some of that. I would like to qualify for Boston (3:30) before I am 46 years old. I will turn 43 in a few weeks. Guts racing won't get me there. It's time to work smarter and harder. I figure a blog might help me maintain some focus and maybe bring some readers along for the ride.
Yesterday I ran 5 1/2 rolling Anne Arundel County Suburban Hills in the park near home. It's a run I make all the time. However, this time it was 25 degrees and windy. Very windy. Even with my UA tights, knit hat, and gloves when I got to the hill tops I felt like I was going to freeze in place. I think the tears streaming from my sunglass covered eyes may have left a path of tiny snow flakes in my wake.
Note to self: trendy thermal undershirt is not equal to UA cold gear.
Also, my Brooks continue to give me trouble. More on that another day. Suffice it to say that the old shoe addage about "the more you pay the more trouble you have" applies. Never wanted to be an "equipment geek" but I may have to make an exception regarding my running shoes.
Well, let's see where this all goes. If you don't run maybe give it a try. If you do run keep going!
In the words of Winston Churchill, "Never Give In"
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