All Good Things Come to an End

This is it.

A week to go.

I'm kinda melancholy.

Running has been my identity for the last few years.  I've met so many friends, had so many experiences... I've braved the elements and soaked up the wonderful sights.  It's been my security blankets on bad days it's enlightened me on good days.

Although I still plan to run, but it won't nearly be as far (ie 16k max) and certainly not with John Hill.

It's time to spread my wings with things like swimming, biking, climbing and some hiking/camping (i.e. West Coast Trails).   The last few months have been difficult.  I've led a sheltered life in order to get the best out for my running and not risk injuries.

My goal is to run a sub-3:30 with my stretch goal as a sub-3:20.  I know it won't be easy... things are going to really have to go my way in order for me to reach my stretch.

Seven more sleeps.

I'm very melancholy.

I'm really going to miss you, like you wouldn't believe.

Grete Would Go

On April 19, Grete Waitz, one of the greatest marathoners in history, passed away at age 57 from cancer. Among her many other accomplishments, she won the New York Marathon a record nine times, and during her career she repeatedly broke the women's world record, bringing it down by over nine minutes!


Grete was diagnosed with cancer in 2005.  Looking at pictures of her, even after her diagnosis, it was easy to see her beauty through a glowing smile.  But like all heroes, she was so much more.  She never stopped promoting running and health.  She also worked with Special Olympics and after being diagnosed, she helped to start a Norwegian foundation, Active against Cancer.

I don't view myself as being overly emotional.  But this has stuck a chord with me.

How often do you take the safe route?  How many times do you ask yourself, why, instead of why not?

I challenge you to take a risk, and ask, what would Grete do?  


Grete would go.

Don't Quit

I know it's been awhile since my last confession, but it'll be a little clearer after you read the blog.

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I felt so crappy after last week's JH session.

2x200m, 2x600m.  Pretty short by JH standards.

The 200's went well, but on the first 600, I felt really tired and stopped at around 300m when I felt myself slipping.

John asked if I was injured, and I said no, just tired.  He then told me something I hope to take with me to my grave...

You don't stop.  You need to complete what you set out to do, because if you allow yourself to stop once, it makes it easier to stop again.

I felt/feel so crappy.

I just finished telling Shawna, it doesn't matter about time/pace, just make sure your effort is there.

It's true.  All of it.

It is weird, I had set such a high standard for myself, when I found myself slipping on my target I'd just give up.

It started on a tempo run in March.  There was a horrible headwind blowing and after about 13k of the 18 that was planned, I started slipping to a 4:40/km. I thought, "if I can't hit 4:35, I may as well stop".  So I did.

For 2 of the next 3 tempos, whenever I found my pace slowing down, I stopped.

I had never stopped before on a tempo... maybe because I didn't have high expectations, but having stopped once, it really did set a precedent making the subsequent ones that much easier.

With only a few weeks to go, I've switched back.  Last week, I decided against wearing my Garmin and managed a 4:43 for 21kms... not great, but I'm actually happy because it is so much better than quitting.

Tomorrow, I'm going out for a 22k tempo.  I don't know what my pace will be, but I do know I'll have run a hard 22k.

Sometimes When You Win, You Lose

If ever there was a time in my journey that things are a little off, it's now.

I just hit two new PB's this week... the 2 miler and the 1 mile intervals.

My calf pains also feels like a thing of the past... the pain/discomfort has pretty much subsided.

Everything just feels like it is lining up for me.  I should be ecstatic.

So why am I not?

I am feeling more like a hockey team that just won their 3rd game in a best of 7 series.  Good job, but no time to celebrate.

It's difficult to be happy when my "target" time doesn't guarantee me a BQ and only allows me to be the second group to register.

I realize, I need to control what I can and live in the moment.  Translation: keep on working to improve and let the chips fall where they may.

"Winning isn't everything, but the will to win is everything.” - V Lombardi

Taking Nothing for Granted

I try to never forget how lucky I am to be chasing a dream.

Last week's long run before the First Half race was a cold wet one.  But I thought, I'm so fortunate that I am doing what I want to do at this very moment.  Sure, I wouldn't have minded if it was warmer and dryer, but the fact of the matter is, I'm out there with a bunch of friends and we're having a good time.

The following week, the conditions were ideal to race the First Half Marathon.  Cool and dry.

I went in thinking I'd run a 15k tempo and then slow down to a 5 min/k pace, but John would have none of that.

So I gave it.

I had a terrific race.

I went out a little too strong, 4:10 for the first km and then slowing to 4:25.  By kilometer 3, I was in my zone and kept my pace of 4:36 for the rest of the race.

In the end, I knocked 10 minutes off my previous half marathon PB, and came in at 1:38:07.

The time translates to a 3:25 marathon.  Pretty solid into a BQing.  I was stoked.

BAA had a different plan.

1. They are having a rolling/staggered admissions. Faster people get to register earlier... until the race is completely sold out.
2. 2013 They are lowering qualifying times by 5 minutes across the board. But with the rolling admission, it makes the times moot.

I'm not giving up, but I am rethinking my strategy.

The balancing act of what is possible and what I'll likely need to be able to register.  I'm thinking a sub 3:20 will be where I need to be.  This gets me into the second group to be able to register, and is comparable to a 1:35:37 half... 2.5 minutes faster than my recent results.
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On the way home from JH the other day, I was driving along the Park drive when I was rounding a bend and saw headlights headed straight for me.  I jammed on the brakes and avoided a collision.  I suggested to the driver he was going the wrong way on a one way street.

I really am lucky to be given the opportunity to chase a dream.

The Un-Natural

Some people are born to do certain things.

Despite professing his love of golf, Mario Lemieux was made to be a hockey player.  BTW, while he's one of the greatest hockey players of all time, he was only mediocre at golf.

Ken Griffey Jr was said to have the perfect swing.  And nobody could argue that Samuel Wanjiru was not made to run.

Sure they train hard, but even if they didn't, they'd still be really, really, really good at their chosen profession.

I'm not like that at all.

My daughter said me that she was hoping she'd inherit my running ability.  I stopped that one dead on the tracks.

I had to break the truth to her... I said, "I'm not a great runner."

My running doesn't come natural for me... everything I do is a product of hard work and my learnings.  And just about the only thing she could hope to inherit from me is my math skills.

When it comes to running, I am like a sponge for information.  I am willing to try anything with eyes wide open.

My stride length, posture and foot strike have all been created by me in order to run better, faster, stronger.

I used to take longer strides, but found that by shortening them, I can actually run faster.

My posture doesn't feel normal as I push my hips a bit forward so that instead of propelling my legs, I'm merely catching myself from falling and in doing so, saving energy.

And yes, I've been a heel striker since the beginning of time (roughly 44 years) and now I find I'm trying to skim the surface by landing mid-foot instead.  Landing mid-foot has increased my cadence and roll over speed.

I know I'm a pretty good runner, but I'll never be a great runner... and that's ok.

Oh, and aside from math, the other thing I hope my daughter inherits from me is my drive, my drive to never ever give up when you're chasing a dream.

Top of the World

I normally don't say that.  The title is from a song by the Carpenters, and as our family lacked any cool genes, we were all big fans.

I feel like everything is coming together.

My interval runs with JH are steadily improving and I've even dropped my tempo time a bit while increasing the mileage.

With the times I've been getting for the 1mi, 2mi and 14km, I can finally say, I've achieved the calculated time for a BQ.

VIM.  Three months left to the day.

I have two options....

1) Cut back a bit.  Push, but not too hard that I increase my risk for injury.  Safe strategy for a 3:30 finish.

2) Run like you stole it.  Test the limits.  Sub 3:25?

I gotta say, I'm leaning towards 2.

What once was thought to be impossible, is now in my hands.  When I ran my first sub-hour 10k, I thought I'd achieved the impossible.  And I did.  But now I'm clocking  a sub-45 minute.  Boston was just a pipe dream a few years ago... now I am excited that it looks like it's becoming a reality.

But I still know I'll have challenges.  Staying healthy through the hard training, dropping a few pounds, and wanting to push it 'til I feel like throwing up.  Still, the challenge and fun is an exciting time.

I'm euphoric.  I'm on top of the world.

"I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it." - P Picasso