Running Geezer 26.2

Boston - Day One

2011-04-25T13:30:00.007-04:00

I have always trained in a group setting. The few times I have had to run alone I felt "out of step" as if something was missing. Yes, something was missing, my Friends! On April 18th, I had a dream come true when I ran the Boston Marathon. It seemed so long ago that I had run my qualifying race and the countdown began.

This post will not be about the marathon. This post will be about the incredible journey to Boston and the events we participated in for four days. So many stories that I will divide the blog by days. This is about my Friends!

The fun began early Saturday morning and didn't end until midday Tuesday. Lea Anne and I were met at Orlando International Airport by Donna and Linda, both of whom would run the 5K on Sunday before the marathon. Lea Anne unfortunately was still recovering from bunion surgery and both the 5K and marathon would have to remain for another day. The flight was perfect into Boston. We were greeted with the announcement that the temperature was 39 degrees and windy. Walking toward the terminal in the walkway from the plane I prayed that Monday morning would not be a similar day. Bags arrived on time. We had plans to ride the "Silver Line" to our hotel. Tickets purchased, off we go. Two stops to our destination and the chatter and smiles had not let up. Exiting the train station we were greeted by Terry and Jean who had arrived on Friday. A few photos and a quick walk to the hotel. The weather was cold, windy, a few sprinkles, not what runners from Orlando were looking for.

Once checked into the Seaport Hotel we heard there was a shuttle leaving for the expo. Quickly we gathered and boarded the van for the ride. It seems the ride was arranged by a lady from Switzerland who was not a runner, but needed to get to downtown Boston. We enjoyed her company and conversation. As we approached the Hynes Convention Center, the feeling of fish swimming up stream overwhelmed me. It appeared that everyone else was exiting toward us. Through the doors, we were not alone. Both the up and down escalators were packed with runners and their guests. The crowd was a sea of Boston Marathon jackets from the late 1990's to 2011. Runners wore shirts from the New York City Marathon, Marine Corps and hundreds of other races. Boston Red Sox and Boston Celtic jackets and hats dotted the crowd. The expo was so large it filled two rooms. Anything and everything you would ever need to run was contained in this building. Again I was trapped in the onrush of people. It seemed I was the only one going in the direction I chose. Finally, at one point you have seen all you need to see and it becomes time to eat. The remainder of our Saturday would be spent eating lunch, napping, then off to dinner. At dinner we were joined by Susan, Steve, Dan and Dustin, more friends, more fun! I will devote a separate blog post to the restaurants of Boston where we dined. Our first day was complete, a fun filled, full day of preparation was had by all. That's what friends are for!

Grete Waitz (1953 - 2011)

2011-04-22T19:39:00.005-04:00

The day after the 115th running of the Boston Marathon, we lost a legend of the running world. The newspapers, television and running publications have posted their stories about the accomplishments of this lady. I would like to take this time to write about an encounter I had with Grete in 2007.

I was working with EMMI in Orlando and we were assisting the New York Roadrunners Club with the events surrounding the New York City Marathon. I had run NYC in 2005, but this year I was getting a behind the scenes look at part of the operation.

A group of us were at the expo, just passing time. I heard an announcement that Grete Waitz was going to be at the Adidas booth signing autographs. I made my way to the booth and saw upwards of 100 people lined up to see her. She sat smiling at the people who came by for the free autographed poster. I was amazed that no one was stopping to say "Hello" or engage her in conversation. Watching this process was like watching an assembly line stamping out widgets.

As those of you who know me, I am not shy. As my turn came to receive my poster, I extended my hand and introduced myself. She shook my hand and smiled. Before I could say anything she asked me if I was running the marathon the next day. I replied that I had run the Marine Corps Marathon the previous week so, I would not be running New York. Her response was, "you come back next year and we'll run together." Now I know she was kidding (or was she), but a very charming personality was on display. So many people had walked passed her without a word. We exchanged a few more comments and was ready to move on and let the people behind get their poster. As I was saying "good-bye", she reached under the table and took out a black Adidas ball cap. Picking up a silver colored "Sharpie", she autographed the hat and handed it to me. I shook her hand and wished her well as she encouraged me to keep running. Her closing comment was, "see you next year."

There was not a next year, there will not be a next year. I have one ball cap that I will cherish along with a memory of a very charming and gracious lady.

Hello Again

2011-04-22T13:06:00.002-04:00

I completed the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18, 2011. Therefore, I will be resuming this "original" blog and discontinue "My Goal is the Boston Marathon" blog. I will be updating this blog with new stories and photos. The Boston experience was wonderful! Thank you for reading my blog, I hope you enjoy it.

My Goal Is The Boston Marathon

2010-05-25T03:11:00.003-04:00

In an attempt to consolidate my blogs, I will be posting most of my running adventures on my blog, "My Goal Is The Boston Marathon". Click on the title and you will be able to follow my journey toward April 18, 2011. I will resume this blog following the 2011 Boston Marathon. Thank you for following "Geezer" here, but please share the fun at my Boston blog.

A Boston Marathon Memory

2010-04-04T12:13:00.005-04:00

With the 2010 Boston Marathon two weeks away, I chose to post this memory. Enjoy!

In April 2006, I had the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon. I was able to run the marathon thanks to a friend who is a Massachusetts State Police Trooper.

As most of you know, the Boston Marathon is the premier marathon in the world. The history, the tradition, the runners. There is not another sport where you are able to participate and compete against world class athletes on their field. For the average person this equates to the World Series, Super Bowl or Daytona 500.

The field of runners is stacked with "elite" runners from throughout the world. In addition to these gifted runners many celebrities run each year. Actors, actresses, sports figures, politicians all want the spotlight.

I can recall my journey from Hopkinton to Boston like it was yesterday. Initially, I was overwhelmed by the fact that I was running the Boston Marathon. My footsteps were following those of immortals who have made the run.

There are so many highlights along the course, the Wellsley College "girls", Heartbreak Hill, Kenmore Square and Fenway Park. The last highlight before the finish line are the two final turns, fondly noted on t-shirts and bumper stickers. "Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston", words that send chills down a participants spine.

As I approached these turns I was tired, my IT band was screaming in pain, but I wasn't going to give up, not on this hallowed ground. My goal of finishing the Boston Marathon was less than one-half mile from finality. As I turned "right on Hereford", I saw a mass of humanity packing the one block run up to Boylston Street. All along the course over one million spectators cheer you on. On this short, narrow street there were hundreds, if not thousands of screaming fans. Every shout, scream, clap of the hands or cowbell helped propel me forward. As I scanned the crowd, I became aware they were not cheering directly for me, but for a runner who was coming up behind me. Who could it be? Which celebrity would I get a glance of, or cross the finish line one small step ahead of them? At the top of Hereford Street, I made the "left on Boylston". Making the ninety degree turn allowed me to glance over my shoulder to see who was inspiring all of the cheering. I could not miss his bright yellow running outfit. So bright on a day that was gray and overcast. I recognized him immediately for his years in baseball. The bright yellow reminded me of the uniforms worn by the Pittsburgh Pirates of the 70's. Willie Stargell, Dave Parker, the "We Are Family" team that went on to win the World Series. I was in the shadow of a baseball legend! As he passed me, my first response was to nod in acknowledgement of his presence. Then my attitude changed to one of disappointment. No, not that a fellow competitor was passing me. Not that I wouldn't be along side of him as he crossed the finish line. I saw his yellow colors moving further and further into the distance.

As the question from the "Lone Ranger" television show ended every episode, so will it here.

"Who was that masked man?"

He was the "San Diego Chicken".

My Biggest Fan - My Dad

2010-03-03T19:01:00.003-05:00

My emotions at the Breast Cancer Marathon weekend were high. The people who I chose to represent and the thousands of others my fellow runners selected, were in the forefront of our minds.

As we lined up awaiting the start, thoughts of my Dad came to mind. It was in December of last year that he passed away. It occurred to me that this would be the first race I have ever run that he would miss. No, in recent years he was unable to attend my races, but he was my biggest fan. He enjoyed the stories about the races, loved getting pictures and always inquired about my running group. He kept up on who was going to which race and who was injured. I learned from several people at his wake that he quite often spoke of my accomplishments.

Several years ago, I reunited with a group of high school friends. We were all members of our track team. One of my friends commented to me that he remembered how my Dad would attend our track meets. He continued saying how he wished his father could have seen him compete. As with many things kids don't understand, I didn't realize the importance of his presence until many years later.

It has been difficult in the weeks following the race. There was no phone call to tell him of my accomplishment, nor photos to mail for a spot in his living room. Yes, he saw the race. His hand guided me and kept me safe.

Thanks Dad for all you did for me.

Another Day at the Beach

2010-02-22T12:36:00.005-05:00

Following my last post and picture, yesterday was totally opposite. Although it was a bit cool at the start, 37 degrees, it was great for a run. The forecast was for sunny skies and warming to 72 degrees. By the time I finished my half-marathon, it had reached the low 50's.

This was my third year running the "26.2 with Donna - The National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer". Each year I have chosen to run the half-marathon. This is an outstanding event and I have already signed up for next year. The date is February 13, 2011.

Please see my other blog: "The Pink Bandanna" for a different perspective on the race.

I arrived in Jacksonville on Saturday along with my friend Bob (aka Sponge Bob) and we immediately went to the expo to get our race packets and scan the many booths of the various vendors. My first stop was to say "hello" to race founder and all around wonderful lady, Donna Deegan. She was at her booth signing copies of her book, "Through Rose Colored Glasses". She was hooked up to a microphone, so I had to go behind the counter to accept my hug. I also saw Donna's husband Tim, who is the meteorologist for a Jacksonville TV station. Tim promised a beautiful day, and boy did he deliver!

My next stop was to visit with Hal Higdon, the author of many notable books and columns about marathon running. I purchased a copy of his newest book, "Marathon", which he graciously autographed.

For those of you who follow this blog, I had the good fortune to meet and run with Bill Rodgers at last years race. He was scheduled to speak later in the afternoon on Saturday, so I thought I might find him in the mix of people.

I continued my search for Bill Rodgers as I picked up free samples of various goodies to make me run better. A stop at the "Minute Rice" booth and a spin of the prize wheel won me a box of brown rice. Onward.

On a final sweep down the last aisle, I spotted Bill Rodgers at the booth where Hal Higdon was. Bill was ever so gracious as usual. Runners are wonderful people! We joked about the results of last year where I finished third behind Bill after running the first five miles of the race with him. That is an experience I will never forget. I told him I would be looking for him at the start.

An early dinner at Carabba's Italian Restaurant was whole wheat pasta with sauce and chicken. The salad and bread came first and I must admit I ate more than I should have for a pre-race dinner. It was so delicious!

Morning came as I had anticipated and I felt no side effects of my dinner. My breakfast consisted of an oatmeal bar and a cup of coffee. Got dress for the run and off I went to meet up with several other runners. In the lobby of the hotel we "ran" into Jeff Galloway who stopped to chat and offer some words of encouragement. If you are not familiar with Jeff Galloway, he is a former Olympian who now leads the largest marathon training program in the country. Jeff has authored many wonderful book on our sport.

The start of the race utilizes the "corral" system whereby you start according to your anticipated finish time. Having run well last year, I was fortunate to get the "Yellow" corral at the front of the field of runners. We were now getting close to the start time, the speeches were finished, the National Anthem was sung. With a countdown from 10-9-8...... and we were off. Once again I was fortunate to be running with Bill Rodgers. I knew this year it would not be in my best interest to try to maintain his pace. We completed the first mile together then I made the decision to run "my race" not his. I kept a pace of about 8:15 minutes per mile. I don't recall all of my splits, but at 6 miles the clock read 49:00 minutes. I settled into a run/walk of 7:45/:30, a system developed by Jeff Galloway. Running for 7:45 minutes then walking for 30 seconds. At about mile 9, I met Dan, a man from Illinois who was running this race for the first time. We chatted and it made the mile go faster.

As I passed the 12 mile mark I knew I would accomplish the time goal I had set. As I reached the final turn a lady asked, "how much further is it?" I told her, "less than a half mile", maybe I was off by a bit, but she didn't need the truth. We turned the corner together and we could see the finish line and the big screen TV. She was struggling and I asked her if she was running the race for someone. She responded, "for my mother". I now had her, every time she hesitated or started to let up I reminded her of her mother. It must have worked as she pulled ahead of me as we reached the finish line. I forgot to stop my watch and get my time. I remember seeing a time on the finish tower, but it was the "gun" time. I would have to wait. I can't wait to see the finish photos as I was not at all focused as I usually am. It was worth it.

After some time I got the final results; I ran a 1:49:51, placing 4th out of 44 in my age group and 257th overall.

Today I registered for next year and made my hotel reservation. If you are a runner you have to do this race.

Returning from a Winter Break

2010-01-29T11:13:00.003-05:00

I am back. I had a few inquiries as to the status of this blog. I am happy to say we are up and running.

Following the last posting, I ran the Jacksonville Bank half-marathon on December 20th. I paced a fellow runner, Cathy, for the first six miles of her full marathon. Even with the slower pace for the first half, I was able to post a respectable 1:58.

On Christmas Day, I flew to New York to be with my father who was seriously ill. He passed away on December 29th. I returned to Orlando on January 7th.

The Disney weekend was exciting. My daughter Katie, ran the half-marathon on Saturday and my son-in-law Phil, ran the full on Sunday. It was the coldest weekend in Disney history. Sunday morning it was 29 degrees!

In all, I took three weeks off from running. As frustrating as that was, in hindsight I think it was good for my mind and body. I have been running four days per week, adding one extra day to my previous training schedule. I will be running the "26.2 with Donna" half-marathon on February 21st and the "Colorado Marathon" half on May 9th. I will not run a full marathon until the fall. I am about 99% sure that I will run the "Wineglass Marathon" in Corning, NY, October 3rd.

This weekend our training group will head out to Apopka, FL for some hill training. I expect to run between 10-11 miles on the hills. The following weekend I need to get in a strong 14 mile run to simulate the upcoming half-marathon.

That pretty well covers my absence and brings you up to date on what I have been doing.

The photo has nothing to do with running. It was taken while I was in NY helping to clear some of the 30+ inches of snow that fell during my visit.

Happy Thanksgiving

2009-11-27T19:27:00.001-05:00

I had several options for a run on Thanksgiving morning. For the past several years I have run the "Turkey Trot" in downtown Orlando. It has grown in size to the point where I don't find it enjoyable to run. One large mass of humanity.

I decided to run the "Deland 10 Miler" on the recommendation of Keith from our running group. It is a combination run with a 5K and the 10 mile run. It is run on a very flat course through rural Florida. Small farms and residential areas dotted the landscape. At about mile 2, a turkey let out a very loud "gobble, gobble". Not too smart on Thanksgiving Day! Maybe he was saying, "I'm OK"! Best wishes for next year.

The 700+ runners who started, became about 300 as the 5K runners turned to make their way back. I was running with Sheri at an 8:00 minute pace for the first 4-5 miles. As we turned around at the 5 mile mark we slowed the pace just a bit. We finished strong right at the 1:22:00 mark. A hard run, but I found it enjoyable.

I was a bit surprised to find that I finished 2nd in my age group. Sheri finished 4th in her age group. We stayed for the award ceremony and received very unique awards (see photo). They were printed on metal license plates.

It was a fun way to start of the holiday. I'm pretty sure we will return next year.

Hope everyone enjoyed their holiday.

Mohawk-Hudson Marathon 2009

2009-10-27T13:27:00.005-04:00

I arrived home late last week and needed to sort through photos and get my thoughts together on how to describe the marathon.

First..... I qualified for the Boston Marathon. That was my goal in running this race again. As someone said to me, "now you can cross that off your 'Bucket List'!"

I have always believed and advised other runners to go out and have FUN. Don't worry about your finish time, just do your best. Easier said than done! This was the first marathon I've run that had a specific goal attached to my time. I have never run with "pressure" to achieve a specific time. It made me a bit "stressed" as the days leading up to the race got closer and closer.

Race day dawned and I could not have asked for better weather conditions. At 8:30am, the official start time, the temperature was 40 degrees. The forecast high as 55 degrees. The skies were a bit overcast and there was a slight breeze. Throughout the marathon the sun would shine brightly for a mile or two, then disappear behind the cloud cover. As we ran along the Mohawk and Hudson River's, the wind seemed to be brisk, but did not hinder the run.

Although I may have only mentioned it to a few people, I believed I had trained sufficiently to run a sub-4:00 hour marathon. That would be my secondary goal for the day.

This is a small marathon. Just over 700 runners finished the race. I started about mid-pack to ensure not going out too fast, or hindering faster runners. (Too bad about 150 other runners didn't do the same). Although I had warmed up with a jog around the park, I didn't want to take any chances of pulling a muscle prior to getting my legs fully warmed up. I reached the one mile mark at 9:00 minutes, feeling relaxed and confident. A 9:00 minute per mile pace would give me the sub-4:00 hour marathon I was seeking.

I don't record all my splits. I had goals for the 10K, half-marathon and 20 mile marks. I reached the 10K in just over 52:00 minutes. Still feeling relaxed and in control, I reached the half-marathon in 1:54. I passed the 20 mile mark at 2:58, I felt confident that I would finish in the 3:55-3:58 range. Shortly after that point I felt a slight pain in the area of my left knee. It seemed to be the IT band, possibly caused by the mostly downhill route. As the miles passed the pain increased. I wasn't "hitting the wall" as commonly occurs, only my knee was an issue. I took frequent walk breaks and attempted to manipulate my knee in the hope of correcting the problem. No luck! I knew with every walk break my goal of sub-4:00 was slipping away. It was at this point that I reminded myself that in order to qualify for Boston, I need a finish time under 4:15. I remember reaching the 25 mile mark and glancing at my watch as it reached 4:00:00. I was disappointed, but still had my qualifying time in sight. I "sucked it up" as the saying goes and pushed through the final 1.2 miles. I knew when I crossed the finish line I had qualified for Boston. Official finish time 4:09:56, also a new PR.

As I walked away after the race, I found my family and friends who were there to greet me. I was experiencing mixed emotions. I had qualified for Boston, but my time goal was not met due to the issue with my knee. I have never experienced that particular pain and it subsided post race.

The response from my family and friends has been wonderful. This past Saturday, my running group gave me a "surprise" party. Thank you all! All of this will finally sink in and I will return to running and decide a strategy going forward.

Miracle Miles 15K

2009-09-26T21:41:00.002-04:00

This is one of my favorite races each year. One of only a few 15K's in the state. The distance is a nice challenge and the beneficiary is the Winnie Palmer Hospital, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. It is incredible what this hospital can do to save the lives of premature babies. The medal each runner receives had the image of two tiny footprints of the smallest surviving baby born there, 14 ounces! It was said that this baby could fit inside a standard "Coca-Cola" can! The primary sponsor is "Chick-fil-A", who provides a hot chicken sandwich to all finishers!

For several weeks, I debated as to how I would run this race. I have my marathon coming up in two weeks, October 11th. Last year I paced my friend Sheri in the last 5K. I decided to use the race as a "pace" race. I would run the race as if it were my marathon. I would attempt to run it at my marathon race pace, slowing only for the water stops. Goal of 8:45 minutes per mile.

The morning was becoming warmer as I walked to the starting area. The starting area is approximately one-half mile from my house. As is common, the humidity was close to 90%. As I arrived the announcer mentioned the temperature was 78 degrees, at 6:20am. Yuck!

After gathering our running group, we moved to the start line. After a short wait, we were off and running. Although there were close to 1,500 runners, I did not find the beginning of the race very congested. Everyone moved quickly down the roads leading us out to Orange Avenue. Orange Avenue is the main north-south road through the City of Orlando. This was one of the few times a race route went directly through downtown Orlando. By the one mile mark I had settled into a comfortable pace. It was difficult to hold back at the marathon pace rather than a 15K pace. I reached the one mile mark at 9:00 minutes, right on pace. At about the 1.5 mile mark we turned off of Orange Avenue and began our run through the downtown neighborhoods. Shortly after the 2.0 mile mark the road surface changed from paved road to brick. After taking a tumble on the bricks last week, my awareness and heart rate jumped rapidly. We ran about 1.0 miles on the brick until we made our way back to pavement. This week I safely made it through without incident. From mile 4.0 to 7.0 we had a nice straight run heading back south. Mile 7.0 brought us a right turn onto Michigan Street. As I mentioned earlier it was already hot and humid. The stretch along Michigan Street from 7.0 to 8.0 was in direct sun. The sun was behind us, but it felt like the temperature rose another 10-15 degrees. The heat from the pavement could be felt as we moved along. Although I was maintaining my race pace, I began to pass many runners along this stretch. The heat was beginning to take its toll. I mentioned to someone after the race that Michigan Street just sucked the energy out of you. Mile 9.0 was a great sight, except for the fact that our road surface once again changed to brick, oh no! I decided that I had done what I set out to do, so I could treat myself to a mini sprint to the finish. My goal had been to finish at 1:22:00, my official time was 1:19:28 or 8:31 minutes per mile. I had met my objective as each mile time was very consistent. I felt strong at the finish despite the heat and humidity. I had a new PR for this race, not the 15K distance, but knowing that I ran the race at about 85% I was very pleased!

When I got home, I checked the long range forecast for Albany, NY and found the temperature was at 59 degrees. The forecast is for lows in 40's and highs in the 60's. If that forecast comes true, I feel very confident that I can maintain the pace that will allow me to break the 4:00:00 hour time for the marathon.

The photo is courtesy of Lorraine Hardaway. (L-R; Sheri, Jim, Lorraine and Dan)

How Was Your Trip

2009-09-20T18:20:00.004-04:00

Yesterday was my last scheduled "long" run prior to the Mohawk-Hudson Marathon, Sunday, October 11th. It was the third "long" run of this session. My first one was titled the, "Nightmare on Glenridge". The second was better, but I still felt something was missing. I was looking forward to this final "long" training run.

The weather is always a factor here in Florida. This summer has seemed warmer than usual. Most of the runners in the training program echo that statement. Saturday, we caught a break with a start time temperature of 76 and humidity at 67%, about as good as it gets!

We started out at 4:00am to beat the heat. Get as many miles in before the sunrise. There were five of us who were running long; Jennifer, Erin, Nigel, Joe and myself. We eased into our run careful not to run too fast, too early. The miles clicked off and we were on our way back to meet some others from our group who were starting later.

Many of the streets we run on are in the beautiful city of Winter Park. To add to the ambiance of the city, many of the streets are paved with bricks. Nice looking, but watch your step. More than one runner has fallen victim to the mystery of the "jumping brick". That's the one that despite it looking flush with the others, manages to "jump" up just as you approach. This morning I became the victim of the "jumping brick".

As we made our way along Via Tuscany (can't you just picture that street in your mind?) at mile 7 of the run, down I went. It happened so fast, no time to think, all just reaction. Tuck and roll! First I went forward fully extended, then I rolled over completely. For some reason the area I rolled in was very sandy. Take one sweaty body, roll it in a patch of sand and you've got a mess! In a matter of a split second I was up and running, then I checked for injuries. Since I was running, I knew my legs were fine. I could feel my right hand throbbing. I must have used it to break my fall. I tried to wipe the sand from my legs and arms, but it didn't come off. I felt like I was rubbing sand paper on my skin.

We got to our water stop where there was some light and I could use the water to rinse. I also found abrasions to my left knee and left elbow that I hadn't seen out on the road. Good thing was that everything was moving fine and I was not injured. Our next water stop had a bathroom with a sink and running water. I was finally able to wash myself off and survey the damage. Onward, I still had 9 more miles to go!

By the time I finished the 22 miles, I was sore. Sore from the pounding of 22 miles. My "trip" was an adventure, but one I can now smile at. With three weeks left until my marathon, I did not need to get injured. I have put in too much effort into my attempt to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

So I can look back on this run and ask myself, "how was your trip" :-)

Weather Forecast

2009-09-06T22:28:00.003-04:00

A pre-race ritual for me is to begin checking the long range weather forecast for race day. Over the years, I have come to realize that the 20, 15 or even 10 day forecast is not very accurate. I could be even more critical and say the 48 hour forecast is not reliable. However, I keep checking in hope of finding the numbers I want. I have already entered the "zip" codes for Schenectady and Albany, NY into my computer. When I do find a "perfect" forecast, I only have to wait 24 hours to find the revised numbers have jumped by 15 degrees. How did that happen? Then they shift back to the "perfect" numbers. Along with the numbers, I see the description, "partly cloudy", "mostly cloudy", "sunny", and on and on. Various combinations for me to contemplate for a period of 30 days. Then it boils, (no pun intended), down to the night before and hopefully an accurate forecast. Shouldn't the "AccuWeather" forecast be accurate? Or maybe "Accu" doesn't really stand for accurate.

My training and planning can and does account for the many different facets of a marathon. The one thing I have no control over is the weather. So, why stress over something you have no control over? Maybe it is a method to not become complacent. I will be running my marathon 5 weeks from today. Soon, I will begin my quest for the perfect weather forecast for October 11th.

The photo accompanying this post is of a thermometer prior to the 2008 Mohawk-Hudson Marathon. "Official" race time temperature was 44 degrees. Oh, to have a repeat of the conditions from last year!

"This is no time for ease and comfort.... "

2009-08-23T22:25:00.005-04:00

It has been just over five years since I started running. I have set a few goals along the way, running my first mile, or 5K, or marathon. I always approached each goal without much concern. I just want to finish was my objective. Even as I improved and became competitive in my age group, I still focused on the "big picture". I have always said, "when this stops being fun, that's the time I stop running." No, I am not at that point.

The point that I am at is that for the first time I have a very specific goal. As most of you know, it is to qualify for the Boston Marathon. "QUALIFY", that's the scary word. In order to get to Boston, I "MUST" finish my chosen race in a specific time in order to "QUALIFY".

I will be running the Mohawk-Hudson Marathon in Albany, NY, on October 11th. I ran this course last year and set a PR. I had no pressure to run a specific time. It was simple, run, have fun, and see what happens. The results were good, I took almost 20 minutes off my previous PR. This year I need to repeat with an improvement of 15 minutes to be safe.

I have been training hard. Most of the early part of the year was spent on speedwork. My 5K, 10K, 15K and half-marathon times have all improved. In 2009, I have set a PR at each of these distances. The last distance is the marathon. I feel very good physically. I have not had any injury issues. I do have two more "long" runs of 20+ miles prior to the marathon. It has been hot here in Orlando, no surprise. It was hot last year as well! Long runs are so much more difficult in the hot weather. You have to respect that thin line between running at your race pace and not pushing to the point of heat exhaustion.

As much as I try to tell myself, "it's just another marathon", it is not. I don't want to lose sleep over this and I haven't as yet, but it does play on my mind. I can control many of the aspects of this marathon. Knowing the course will be the biggest positive factor. I love running in "cold" weather. Last year the temperature was 44 degrees on marathon morning. I would love to have a carbon copy of that day. No control over that.

I have had tremendous support from my running group and friends who realize what it will mean to "QUALIFY". Training runs, hundreds of miles over the years. Friends have promised to make the trip to Boston for the marathon, now that's pressure to produce. It is also a tremendous motivation. I know when I run Boston, it will be for many runners, not just myself.

This post was more of me "venting" some of my emotions. Will I feel better? Will it help? I guess I have to wait until Sunday, October 11th.

The title for this post comes from a quote by Sir Winston Churchill. "This is no time for ease and comfort. It is the time to dare and endure."

"Anniversary" of Hurricane Charley

2009-08-13T10:54:00.004-04:00

Now here is a combination that doesn't mix too well, running + hurricane. It was 5 years ago today that Hurricane "Charley" came across Central Florida and inflicted considerable damage. I had been in Orlando for 5 years and had never experienced a full "blown" hurricane. Times they were a changin'.

That year, 2004, was my first year of running. Maybe I upset the "gods" with my return to running and they were going to try to blow me away. Not only did "Charley" come across Orlando, but "Frances" and "Jean", followed close behind. It was a very unsettling time. I was fortunate to escape any damage to my home. Our neighborhood received some damage, but not to the extent of other cities. Winter Park, the home base for our running group, was hit very hard.

Once the storm had passed I could not believe the number of trees that had been torn from the ground. Huge oak trees, some hundreds of years old were now blocking streets and in some cases on top of homes.

We needed to run! We needed to be able to see our friends and know that they were OK. A number of practice runs were canceled and several organized 5K's had to be rescheduled. When we were able to meet for a run, it was an adventure run. Many areas still had entire trees across our regular running routes. We would try to follow an alternate, only to find it blocked too. The street I recall being the worst was Pennsylvania Ave., in Winter Park. It seemed that we could run about 50 feet before another tree brought our run to a halt. I'm not sure if we ever managed to run more than a mile or two. Devastation was everywhere!

The long range forecast is that storms are "looming" in the Atlantic off the coast of Africa. We can hope and pray that we here in Orlando, the State of Florida, and the United States are spared a repeat of 5 years ago.

Bottom line, having our fellow runners to lean on made the situation a bit more tolerable. We knew we were not alone in our experience. We were and still are a "GROUP", we are still "RUNNERS". We are strong people, but we are strongest in numbers!

Twilight Triathlon

2009-07-26T14:29:00.004-04:00

Since a triathlon includes a running segment, this qualifies for "Running Geezer". A group of us headed west from Orlando to the gulf coast town of Crystal River, FL. It is approximately a two hour drive to the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. We were there to participate in the "Twilight Tri", held at 7:30pm, hence the name. I was joined by Sheri, Raymond, Keith and Nigel. We also had our own cheering section of Susan, Debbie, Darby, Cathy, Fred and Jamie. It is wonderful to have friends who will support our efforts, thank you!

It was a beautiful evening, temperatures around 90 degrees. There was an onshore breeze that helped cool the air. It also helped to add a little "chop" to the water surface. I commented to someone, "this isn't the Cady Way pool!" However, growing up in New York, Long Island, to be more precise, the water was as I remembered it as a kid.

Having never done an "open water" triathlon, and not being the most skilled swimmer, I was cautious entering the water as the starters horn sounded. I found a pocket of water clear of the other swimmers. As we approached the first buoy, the logjam began to develop. I was content to ease up and carefully make my way around. I did not want to get kicked or run over at this point in the race. I felt comfortable with my stroke as we headed to the second buoy. When I made the turn for the beach, I felt very confident and relaxed. By now the crowd had broken up and the swim was unencumbered. I had anticipated that the swim leg would be my most difficult. As the beach got closer and closer, I felt a great deal of pressure lifted from my shoulders. Standing up in the shallow water and running ashore was awesome. A quick check of my watch showed that I was ahead of my goal time. I swam the one-quarter mile in 9:40:08.

My transition was slow, but I wanted to make sure I had everything in order. Since it is an evening event, it was mandatory to have both a headlight and taillight. One final check of my gear and I was off on the road course. It was a 10 mile out and back ride along a two-lane roadway. It was an "open" course, so there was some vehicular traffic. The drivers were very cautious and considerate of the riders. My only "problem" along the way was that the salt water had left a bad taste in my mouth. I had water, but that did little to erase the taste. I was wishing I had a "Shot Blok" or "Gummy Bear", to get rid of the taste. I was riding at my scheduled pace and felt very comfortable as the mileage signs clicked by. Now it was time to dismount and get through my second transition. All went well and I was off and running. checking the time clock as I crossed the timing mat, I was 6 minutes ahead of my goal time.

This is what I had waited for.....the run! My favorite event, my strength. Well, the old legs were a bit wobbly as I began. It took at least one-half mile before the muscles loosened up to where I felt comfortable. I tired a bit as we made the turn around at 1.5 miles. I stopped at the water stop with one mile to go and drank a cup of water and poured two over my head. I ran in with a little kick left for the final 100 yards. I finished in 1:20:28. My goal time had been 1:30:00, so I was very pleased with my performance. I felt good after finishing and am ready to come back next year and do it all over again!

On a negative note, Raymond who was part of our group, got involved in a bike crash in the early stage of the ride. It seems another cyclist hit a parked car, was thrown from his bike. His bike went into the path of Raymond who was unable to avoid it. He went down hard and suffered a fractured elbow.

The photo is post race, with me, Keith, Sheri and Nigel. Sheri won her age group and was 4th overall female! Congratulations to all :-)

Opening My Eyes

2009-07-06T10:21:00.005-04:00

We all, at some point in our lives, take some things for granted. I know I have and I'm sure you have too. I guess that falls under the category of "Human Nature".

As a runner I don't think twice about the route I choose to run. Oh, maybe I want to avoid a hill or a crowded street, but that's about it. I picture in my mind where I will be going because I've done it hundreds of times. When I plan the route I "see" where I am going. I run the course in my mind. I take that for granted.

On July 4th, the annual "Watermelon 5K" road race was held here. It is a semi-competitive run, but is organized for fun and to celebrate the holiday. The race attracts over 3,000 participants crowding into the residential streets of Winter Park, FL. Awaiting all finishers are slices of cold watermelon. As you read this, you hopefully can picture that slice of watermelon and maybe even taste the sweet flavor. As the saying goes, "been there, done that."

Here's where I change gears. What if you couldn't see the route you were running? What if you didn't know what a watermelon looked like. What if you couldn't see the red, white and blue so brightly displayed on the runners?

This year the "Watermelon 5K" welcomed over 40 runners and walkers who are in Orlando for the annual convention of the "American Council of the Blind". Can you imagine participating in a road race without the benefit of your sight?

Track Shack and Event Marketing and Management, coordinated the event and recruited volunteers to be "guides" for the blind participants. Our training group, MarathonFest, supplied many of the "guides".

I was matched up with Doug, a self-described "fast runner" from Virginia. I like most of the "guides" had never volunteered for such a role. Hundreds of questions were in our minds about how we would accomplish our task. The most prominent question was one of safety. How would we describe the course, turns, uneven footing, manhole covers, etc. All those things that we see and move around without much concern.

As we were awaiting the arrival of the bus bringing the ACB participants, I was told that Doug was currently in training for "Ironman Wisconsin". What had I gotten myself into! The already present pressure just went up several notches. I've been training for a "sprint" triathlon later this month and have "whined" about all the training. I guess I was feeling sorry for myself.

I watched as the participants stepped from the bus. I had no idea what Doug looked like, not even his age. All I had was his bib number #140. There he was, looking like a runner ready to get to the starting line. He wore a bright orange tech shirt that had the words "Blind - Visually Impaired Runner" printed on it. I walked over and introduced myself to him. It was not unlike any other race where you meet another runner. We talked about our strategy, our goal, our running experiences, etc. Doug had brought a "tether" with him. It is commonly used to keep the runner and guide together. On our way to the start we made the usual stop at the "Porta Potty" and grabbed a few cups of water. The morning was already heating up and the humidity was high.

At 7:30am, the horn sounded and we were off and running. The course is somewhat narrow so we were caught up in the pack. It was difficult negotiating the turns and participants who should have started back in the pack. We must have passed 100 people in the first half-mile. By mile one, the road widened and we were able to maintain a more normal stride. I was now becoming more relaxed with my "play by play" of the race. Friends pulled alongside and gave Doug and I encouragement. Mile two brought us a water stop, we had skipped the first due to the crowd. Two cups of water and we were on our way. The course finishes with a long straightaway to the entrance to Mead Gardens and the finish line. By now the road was clearing and we were able to increase our pace. We slowed at the turn into the park. I told Doug we were about 200 yards from the finish. The crowds were large inside the park and the cheers were appreciated. We crossed the finish line in 29:40. Both Doug and I had accomplished our goal! Now it was time for a bottle of water and a slice of that cold watermelon.

Like any runners Doug was a bit disappointed with his finish time. He had hoped to finish a bit sooner, but realized the crowd and the Florida heat and humidity had taken its toll. I was reminded of the John "The Penguin" Bingham quote, "your spirit doesn't know how to tell time".

Doug learned that he had finished in 1st place for the ACB runners. Every runner enjoys the reward of a great effort. He received a beautiful trophy for his achievement.

What did I receive? Something that filled my heart and mind with the knowledge that you can do whatever you set out to do despite a handicap. The realization just how fortunate I am to be healthy, to be able to see and enjoy what is in front of me. My already open eyes were just opened a whole lot more by this experience.

Congratulations to all of the ACB runners and walkers who participated in the race. I never heard a complaint, all I heard was the sound of laughter and people expressing their joy in what they had achieved.

We made the walk back to where the bus was parked. Everyone knew just how much this experience had touched us all. In a very short span of time our lives were changed forever.

Thank you Doug for helping me to "see".

Carnation Instant Breakfast

2009-06-07T09:25:00.005-04:00

One of my favorite post-run recovery drinks has always been chocolate milk. After drinking water and sports drinks for a prolonged period of time, the taste of something rich is refreshing! "Runner's World Magazine", has a segment in the July 2009 issue. The article said, "drinking chocolate milk post-exercise speeds up recovery and increases the time it takes to reach exhaustion during a subsequent exercise session better than sports drinks."

Recently, I re-discovered "Carnation Instant Breakfast". I had tried it many years ago, but not as a recovery drink. I compared the nutritional values of low fat chocolate milk with the "Carnation Instant Breakfast". All of the nutrient levels in the "breakfast" were higher than the chocolate milk. For example; Sodium 120mg, Potassium 260mg, Total Carbs 27g and Protein 5g. Another factor to consider is cost. I paid from $1.29 - $1.79 for a single portion of chocolate milk. The "Carnation Instant Breakfast" costs about $ .50 per serving, plus the milk. Still about half the price of the chocolate milk. Yes, you do have to mix it yourself and it must be kept cold. I have a small cooler that works fine for the sports bottle and two ice packs.

This "endorsement" is given as a suggestion for your post-run recovery. What have you tried?

A Time to Reflect

2009-06-01T10:47:00.004-04:00

This post is a running story with a "twist". The couple in the photo are Jorge-Luis and Aileen. Aileen is a member of our marathon running group. Jorge-Luis is our "Fan #1", who has been a spectator and cheerleader at several of our races. We hope to "persuade" him to run a half marathon in the future.

This month Aileen will start the summer session of our training program, while Jorge-Luis will be deployed to Iraq for a second tour of duty. We had a going away party for him on Saturday evening. We had a great turnout of friends, good food and a few liquid refreshments.

Raymond started the party off with a prayer and blessing. The mood of the evening was jovial , although each of us knew why we were there. We may be runners, but the strongest bond is that we are "family". We come together when times are good and assemble when the unfortunate realities of life pay us a visit. We will have another party for Jorge-Luis and Aileen, that will be to celebrate his safe return from Iraq.

For all who read this post, please say a prayer for Jorge-Luis' safety. Remember and pray for Aileen who will need support during their separation. God Bless them both. God Bless all of our military personnel who are serving our country.

God Bless America!

Vini, Vedi, Vici

2009-05-18T14:44:00.010-04:00

Hey, I'm back! Still running, mostly training miles, until my journey to Syracuse, NY.

I'm going with the "Roman" theme seeing how Syracuse has been compared in some ways to Rome. It must be the fact that the city was settled by Italian immigrants and the city is very hilly.

If you are a follower of this blog, you know I have written a few posts regarding hills. I refer to myself as a "flatlander", residing here in Central Florida. Only appropriate I would travel to Central New York for a race. Actually, my father, sister and brother-in-law reside in the Syracuse area and the vacation included the run. Can't leave out my niece Eileen, who unfortunately couldn't be there for the race, but was there for the expo on Saturday and post-race!

The race was the "Mountain Goat" 10 miler. The name of the event gives you a quick insight as to the course. This was the 31st year the race was held and I must say it was extremely well organized and fun. For the first time in the history of the race they had over 2,000 registered runners. We started in downtown Syracuse at "Clinton Square". The start was very orderly and the runners courteous as we moved out of downtown. The first mile and one-half is deceiving as it is relatively flat, just a slight roll to the roadway. Just as my body and brain were relaxing, thinking this was going to be easy, we reached the first hill. At one point I looked at the street sign and it read "Summit", another clue to the contour of the course. I was looking for any sign with the word "valley" in it, no luck. After reaching the summit, we made our way through a very nice neighborhood of beautiful homes. This was also the first time since leaving downtown, we had a large number of spectators. This area also leveled off and in a few areas we had some downhill runs. As with earlier in the race, just when you thought the course wasn't too difficult, here comes another hill, or two, or three!

I wasn't sure how to pace myself for this race. I knew what I could run on the flat portions, I had to decide on hill tactics once I got there. I had a time goal of between 8:00 and 9:00 minutes per mile. I reached mile one in 7:40, comfortable on the flat course. I reached mile marker two at 15:45, ahead of my pace and into the hills. Mile three was at 24:20. Not to bore you with all the splits, my first five miles were at 40:30 and the final five miles at 40:51.

At the eight mile point in the race you reach Thornden Park, high above the city. In the summer they have a beautiful rose garden in full bloom. Today the overcast skies and cool temperatures covered the dormant rose bushes. The spectators inside the park were terrific. I saw groups of school aged kids maybe girl scouts or boy scouts with signs and cheering us on. The final uphill was manned by supporters who "pulled" you up the hill with their encouragement. Someone had written slogans on the roadway to help motivate us as our heads drooped with fatigue. Exiting the park it is a two mile downhill run to the finish. I was not familiar with the streets of downtown Syracuse. Of course there was the spectator yelling encouragement that the finish was, "right around the corner"! Not sure how many corners I turned before I could see the finish line ahead of me. One last charge down Salina Street to the finish. It was over!

The results were posted quickly and I located my finish time of 1:21:23, a bit quicker than I had actually anticipated. As I scanned the results, I could only locate one other runner in my age group ahead of me. I walked back to the car with my sister and brother-in-law to change shirts and get my half-gallon of chocolate milk. Returning to the finish area, I confirmed that I had in fact finished 2nd in my age group. Later I learned there were 33 runners in our group.

Thanks to Rick from Pennsylvania who I ran with for about four miles before he dusted me on the hill at mile seven. Also, Matt Mulcahy, from the local television affiliate, who I met after the race. Matt writes a blog in Syracuse and often his topic is about running. Thanks to the people of Syracuse who came out and supported all of us and all of the sponsors. I'm looking forward to running again next year!

Vini, Vedi, Vici............. I came, I saw, I conquered!

Chasing Bill Rodgers

2009-02-17T23:47:00.004-05:00

If you are reading this blog you should be familiar with the name Bill Rodgers. If you need a hint, he is the 4 time winner of both the Boston Marathon and the New York City Marathon. If that's not enough he was also a member of the U.S. Olympic team and world record holder at several distances.

In July 2008, I did a posting where I talked about how friendly and approachable I have found runners to be. On Saturday, February 14th, I was at the expo for the "26.2 with Donna - The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer." As I was leaving I saw Bill Rodgers coming toward me. I said hello and we engaged in a conversation. I had met him previously at the Disney World Marathon and the Boilermaker 15K.

At one point in our conversation I asked him if he was running the marathon on Sunday. His response was "no, I'm running the half." I was registered to run the half-marathon and I was sure that he was approximately my age. In a discreet manner I asked him how old he was. Without hesitation he answered "61", I am 63. Oh no! I now have to compete with Bill Rodgers. He asked me if I had run the race last year and I responded "yes, I placed 3rd in my age group." He congratulated me and said he'll have to look out for the "tall guy". I assured him it would be me who was looking out for him.

Race morning came and I scanned the crowd looking for him. I was situated near the front of the race a spot I am not too familiar with. After the pre-race ceremonies, we were set to go. The start of the race was complete with an explosion of pink paper confetti. It reminded me of a New England snowstorm, except it was 58 degrees.

The start was very orderly and we moved out toward the first turn at approximately the half mile mark. As I settled in and felt comfortable with my pace, I saw Bill to my left and he acknowledged me once again as "tall guy". I moved to within a couple of feet, careful not to get too close following my elbowing incident with Jeff Galloway several years ago. There was no way I was going to "assault" Bill Rodgers. What was funny as we ran along talking, he does like to talk, was not many people recognized him. So there I was stride for stride with an icon of running.

The mile markers and time clocks came and went, one mile, two miles, three miles and he and I were locked in another "Duel in the Sun", except is was overcast. At the four mile mark I was slightly ahead of him, could he be tiring? Had I run him into the ground with my pace? No. At mile 5 we came out onto the sand of Jacksonville Beach. As we turned north up the coast he began to pull away. Most runners would leave you in their "dust", he left me in his "sand". I wasn't disappointed because he was ahead of me, I was going to miss his conversation. I accepted the reality that our "duel" was over. I was ahead of my pace by a few minutes. I had let the thrill of running with him distract me from the split times. I had reached the 5 mile mark in under 40:00 minutes, a fast pace for me.

As I exited the beach and headed south toward the finish I felt very comfortable. I was aware of my pace and how I was feeling. The weather conditions were very good, favorable temperature, light breeze and an overcast sky. The crowd support was terrific, I was doing OK!

I had set a time goal of 1:50:00, not a PR, but this course is moderately difficult. As I saw the time clocks at 8, 9 and 10 miles, I knew the time goal was within reach. I always like to see what my final 5K split is when running a half-marathon. I reached the 10 mile mark at 1:23:45, an easy time to remember. There is one last long hill on the causeway around mile 12. I needed a strong finish to ensure a time of 1:50. As I made the final turn and could see the finish tower ahead I knew all I had to run was approximately 400 yards. At about 100 yards I could see the red numbers on the time clock moving, but I wasn't able to clearly see the time. The first clear view showed me at 1:49:40, I had to dig in and go. I saw the clock at the finish reading 1:49:57. With an adjustment for "chip" time, my official time was 1:49:46.

When the results were posted I had finished 3rd in my age group. Who finished 2nd, you guessed it Bill Rodgers. Can you imagine the thrill I felt seeing my name one line below that of Bill Rodgers. I mentioned to someone it was like the MasterCard commercial, "running with Bill Rodgers......PRICELESS!"

Please visit my other blog the "Pink Bandanna" for details of the "rest of the story", featuring the comeback run of Donna Nelson and a post about the race founder Donna Deegan.

How Cold Was It?

2009-01-25T10:03:00.006-05:00

It is often said that everything is "relative". Well for me and hundreds of runners here in Orlando, it has been COLD! I guess I can look at it and say, well this is our annual one week of winter. In fact as I am writing this, it appears that our warm temperatures are returning.

Despite the cold temperatures, several mornings in the 30's, it did not deter me or many of my fellow runners from getting out there and logging some miles. If you dress properly in layers and for me my hands need to be warm. If my hands are warm I'm fine. After about a mile the body adjusts and comfort is restored.

On Saturday, I ran the "Season's 52" road race in Winter Park, how appropriate to hold it in "Winter" Park. The distance was adjusted from the standard 5K. Since the primary sponsor is the "Season's 52" restaurant, we did 5.2K. The race organizers, Track Shack, did provide a time clock and "Champion Chip" timing for the 5K distance as well.

It was a perfect morning for a race. The temperature was just above 40 and calm. A group of us did a 3 mile warm-up run to the race. We timed it so that we arrived at the start with time for a potty break and ditching the warm-up clothes. We lined up and were off before our bodies could cool down.

I felt very good in the first half-mile so I knew that I would have a good run. I settled in with two runners, Darla and John. John is in my age group and for the past 3 years he has always beaten me, but I've been getting closer. Darla is a breast cancer survivor who at best I manage to stay with for 2 miles, but today would be different.

At mile 1 my time was 7:00 minutes even, at mile 2 it was 13:50. I was now "stalking" John running just off his left shoulder at a safe distance not to impede him or the other runners. Darla was to my left and slightly ahead, but still in sight! As we approached the 5K mark I moved around John. We ran shoulder to shoulder across the 5K and the finish line. Because it was a "chip" timed race I had a 2 second cushion on John. When the results were posted I had finally beaten John by a mere 2 seconds. Darla was still ahead of me, but it was by 1 second, look out Darla!

I finished with PR's in both the 5K and 5.2K. My 5K time was 21:53, the first time I have run under 22:00 minutes. I placed 2nd in my age group out of 36. Overall, I finished 179th out of 2,407.

The photo was provided by my sister and brother-in-law who live in Central New York.

My Goal is the Boston Marathon

2009-01-18T13:31:00.005-05:00

2009 is going to be the year I "officially" pursue the goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. After almost 5 years of running, I believe I have achieved a point where I can realistically consider a "BQ". It will take many miles of training, good health, avoiding injury, some luck and the many, many friends, runners and non-runners, who will motivate me toward my goal.

I have selected the Mohawk-Hudson Marathon on October 11, 2009 as my qualifying race.

Please visit my new blog "My Goal is the Boston Marathon". Just click on the title for the link.

"Fountain of Youth"

2009-01-05T18:31:00.004-05:00

Sunday morning the group pictured above and about 300 others ran the 25th annual DeLeon Springs Half-Marathon and 5K. It is a nice, no frills race, held about 50 miles north of Orlando. The "Springs" are named for the famous explorer Ponce DeLeon, who searched Florida for the "Fountain of Youth".

Having gained six pounds over the Christmas and New Year holiday, I wasn't sure what to expect with my run. Mentally I was prepared and physically I had been training, but at a slightly heavier weight. The ride to the race took about one and one-half hours. Bob aka "Sponge Bob" was the designated driver who picked me up at my house then we picked up Jennifer and Denise. About six miles before the race location we stopped at a Wal-Mart Super Store for bananas, coffee and a potty break.

We arrived at the park and picked up our race packets. No long lines, no ID required. Being the 25th anniversary race, they had black long sleeved "tech" shirts with silver lettering, nice! After meeting other runners from Orlando, we relaxed, then warmed up. The temperature was in the high 50's and it was overcast, slightly damp. It was an 8:00am start, so we knew that as soon as the sun rose the temperature would likewise rise. We managed to get to about the 10-11 mile mark before the sun broke through the overcast. At that point it didn't matter.

The race course goes through a rural section of central Florida that does not resemble the "postcard" views. There are large stands of pine trees and cattle ranches. There were no spectators along the route except for the water stops and the cattle, who seemed to be less than interested in our race. Twice the Amtrak train between Orlando and Jacksonville went speeding past us.

I felt good from the sound of the starters horn. It is a "Champion Chip" timed race, but it is a "gun" time result. I doubt if it takes the last runner more than 30 seconds to cross the start line. I remember seeing the clock at mile one, 7:25 a bit quicker than I expected. Two miles, 15:30, three miles 23:23. I was concerned about averaging a sub 8:00 minute pace, but I continued to feel great. At six miles I was at 47:45. At nine miles I caught up to Erin from my training group, we passed nine miles at 1:13:00, just above an 8:00 minute pace. Although I had not told anyone, my time goal was 1:50, I was ahead of the pace necessary to achieve that. I took mile 10-11 a bit easier in order to have a strong finish. I reached twelve miles at 1:40, I had 10 minutes to run 1.1 miles. I ran strong and started a kick with about one-quarter of a mile left. I passed under the finish line clock at 1:48:45 a new PR, I had met my objective. I placed 3rd in my age group out of 14 and 49th overall.

Maybe I had found the "Fountain of Youth"!

Ran With A Heavy Heart

2008-12-27T22:41:00.005-05:00

As you know, my friend and fellow marathoner Tim Feeney passed away on December 18th. I had been scheduled to run the Jacksonville Bank half-marathon on Sunday, December 21st. I had thought about not running, but decided this would be a good way to "celebrate" Tim's life. With all the things going on in the days prior to the race, I had not eaten or slept properly. I was concerned that it would be a futile attempt. A group of runners from Orlando were going, so it helped to have the support.

We drove up to Jacksonville on Sunday morning, leaving the Orlando area at 3:30am. We arrived there just before 6:00am, the race start was scheduled for 7:00am. I felt better as the start time came closer. In tribute to Tim, I wore the shirt from the 2006 Disney World Marathon. That was the only marathon Tim and I ran together, it was his first. The weather was nice about 60 degrees at the start. The cannon sounded and we were off. I wasn't sure how I would run the race, something I usually have planned well in advance of the start. I decided to let Tim's spirit guide me. I knew I was being well taken care of.

My splits were good averaging about 8:15 per mile for the first half of the race. It began to warm up in the second half of the race. I remember reaching mile 10 making the turn onto Baymeadows Road. I was starting to tire, but felt a gentle push at my back easing me forward. I knew Tim was with me giving me that extra little push I needed when it got tough. The last 300 yards of the race is on the track at the Bolles School. It is a beautiful synthetic track with spectators around the perimeter as well as in the stands. I wasn't exactly sure of my pace or time at that point, but I put on one final charge into the last turn and down the home stretch. When I saw the clock at the finish, Tim and I had achieved a new PR of 1:51:53.

The photo was taken following the race.

On Monday, we had a memorial service for Tim and said "goodbye".

The Finish Line - Tim Feeney

2008-12-18T20:05:00.004-05:00

This is a post that I hoped I would never have to publish. Recently, I had a post telling you about Tim and Susan Feeney. I wrote about Tim's battle with brain cancer since June 2006.

Below is the e-mail that Susan sent out this morning.

"Tim lost his courageous battle this morning at 5:15am, with me at his side. It was peaceful. He ran this marathon for a long time with strength, dignity and grace. Approaching each mile marker with always the most positive attitude. He ran a 30 month race and we crossed the finish line today, together. But I stopped and he ran on. I know he's reached that special place by now and he's at peace. He will be greatly missed."

When I spoke with Susan today, I mentioned I was supposed to run tonight. Her response was instantaneous, "you better, Tim's watching!" We ran our usual route, only tonight we stopped on a dock that goes onto Lake Baldwin. We paused, gave thanks to Tim and knowing that he was watching, moved off quickly.

The evening before Tim's passing I had the opportunity to visit him one last time. Raymond and Sheri from our running group stopped by his house. Tim was resting peacefully as we spoke to him. There were no outward signs from Tim that he heard our voices. We then visited with Susan for about one hour. As we were leaving, I returned to Tim's room. I leaned over him and told him we were going to run another marathon one day. He stirred, I know he heard me and was saying, "lace them up and let's go". At 5:15 am he left us to get a good spot on the starting line. I can hear the angels telling him to go to the front you earned the elite position.

OUC Half-Marathon & 5K

2008-12-07T07:48:00.007-05:00

Another week, another event for the Orlando runners. The photo is of some of the people from our running group; Shannon, Carol, me, Sheri, Bob (Hemingway) and Heather. They all ran the half-marathon, me I ran the 5K. I'm not sure who stuck the bottle of beer in my hand.

Over 2,500 runners participated in the event. It was a great morning for a run. The temperature was in the 50's and it was overcast. In past years this race has been run on very warm days.

Prior to the race I saw Maddy and Shirley in the crowd.

I have a couple of weeks off until the Jacksonville Bank half-marathon on December 21st.

Space Coast Marathon

2008-12-04T11:58:00.002-05:00

Just a quick follow-up to my last post. As you can tell the theme is all about the astronauts and space travel. Above are a few of the "perks" of the race. They redesigned the finishers medal, making it about three times the size from previous years. Instead of a mylar blanket at the finish you get a colorful beach towel. The award for my 2nd place finish in my age group, is a photo of Florida taken from a space shuttle...awesome! It was a fun race.

What It's All About

2008-11-30T19:10:00.007-05:00

I have had the priviledge of being a "Group Leader" with the MarathonFest Training Program here in Orlando, FL. I started with this program as just another runner in June 2004. Over the years, my focus has shifted from my goals, to assisting new runners complete their first marathon, or veteran runners improve their personal best times.

In June 2008, my co-leader Kim and I took to the roads with approximately 25 runners. The majority of the group was comprised of runners who had completed between one and nine marathons. As a group, we collectively had completed over 80 marathons! While the experience factor was there, the excitement and passion to train and improve was visible.

Within the group we had two runners who had never attempted to run a marathon. It would be the goal of Kim and I as leaders to help guide Aileen and Tom through 25 weeks of training. Both of them trained very hard to reach the start line of today's marathon. I could see the anticipation in their faces and their moods as it became time to test themselves on the road.

The day began slightly overcast, but very blustery. There was a wind of about 15-20mph, with gusts even higher. During the race these conditions continued. We trained for many different scenarios, heat, cold, humidity, but never wind. I have never run on such a windy day.

I was positioned near the finish area in Riverfront Park awaiting their arrival. First it was Aileen, then Tom a short time later. To paraphrase a line from the Master Card commercial, the look on their faces "PRICELESS!" It was a wonderful achievement for them to complete the marathon.

This is what running is all about. Sharing the achievements of your group, your "team". Being part of and sharing in a moment Aileen and Tom will never forget. I don't recall who said it about running your first marathon. "Nobody can ever take that away from you"!

CONGRATULATIONS to Aileen and Tom. It is runners or more importantly, people like you who keep me going. Thank You!

Thank You

2008-11-10T21:42:00.019-05:00

I would like to thank everyone who has visited this blog and especially those who have left such heartfelt comments for Tim and Susan. A special "Thank You" to Shirley and Charlie, who added this story to their blogs.

I saw Tim and Susan on Saturday morning and Tim wanted to talk about marathons. On Sunday, another friend and marathoner Raymond, took Tim out for a walk in his wheelchair. Tim wanted to go to Cady Way Park where our training group meets for our weekend runs.

In my other blog "The Pink Bandanna", I close with "Prayers & Love". To all of you and to Tim and Susan, my "Prayers & Love".

A Moment to Reflect

2008-11-01T16:20:00.006-04:00

The photo is of Tim and Susan Feeney. I took the photo one day after the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon. We had met at the World War II Memorial and walked around the monuments pausing to eat lunch at a hot dog truck. Best hot dog I ever had!

Tim was unable to run the marathon with us. In June 2006, several days after completing the Mickelson Trail Marathon in Deadwood, SD, Tim was diagnosed with a brain tumor. For over two years he has fought hard and endured pain and treatment which puts a marathon in the category of "a walk in the park". I often feel a sense of guilt when I complain about an ache or a pain. We can take two Tylenol and and put an ice pack on the injury and it goes away. Unfortunately, all of the modern technology and medicines could not take Tim's tumor away. Several weeks ago Tim made a decision to cease any further treatment for the tumor. He is at home with Susan and is receiving hospice care.

He has been running about the same time as myself, four plus years. We have done training runs, 5K's, 10K's, halfs and marathons together. He was a "Group Leader" in our training program, teaching new runners how to adapt to the rigors of marathon training. He helped many runners accomplish goals they never thought possible. However, no matter how hard we try, we cannot help Tim achieve the goal of health.

As runners we enter a race with the goal being the finish line. Tim is running the race of and for his life and this time we don't want to see the finish line. We want someone to declare a false start and go back to when things were fun and we laughed and told stories.

Susan has been continuing her running, in fact she completed a training run this morning. She may be tiny, but her nickname is "Big Dog". Several years ago Susan didn't think she could run with our pace group. The old saying is, "if you can't run with the big dogs, stay on the porch." Well, Susan got off the porch and ran with the "Big Dogs".

I read a quote from Olympic champion Jesse Owens that's speaks to the battle Tim is facing. "The battles that count aren't the ones for gold medals. The struggles within yourself - the invisible, inevitable battles inside all of us - that's where it's at."

Please keep Tim and Susan in your prayers.

Mohawk-Hudson Marathon

2008-10-16T21:13:00.007-04:00

I awoke to a crisp clear day in Albany, New York, on Sunday, October 12th. I left Orlando with temperatures in the 80's with the ever present humidity. A walk outside to the back porch gave me a view of a large thermometer reading 42 degrees. This is the kind of day runners in Central Florida dream about. It had been almost two years since I had ran the Chicago Marathon in 40 degree weather.

I was looking forward to this marathon for several reasons. Jennifer, who I have been training with in MarathonFest was running, as well as her best friend Peggy, who lives in Albany. It was a chance for me to return to New York for a mini vacation as well. I spent several days visiting with my family in the Syracuse area. Two other runners from MarathonFest, Hung and Melissa, were also participants.

The race limits entries to 650. The 5K's here in Orlando easily double that figure. It was nice to be part of such a small marathon after running in places like New York City, Chicago and the Marine Corps Marathon with over 30,000 runners. 18 miles of the course are along the paved bike trail adjacent to the Mohawk and Hudson River's. It is a point-to-point run from Schenectady to Albany. There is a net elevation drop of 370 feet.

I was concerned with a "late" start time of 8:30am. By then the temperature had risen to a balmy 44 degrees! Dressed in two tech shirts, one long-sleeved, shorts and gloves, I felt very comfortable. You would think someone from Florida would have been dressed in a snowsuit.

At 8:30 sharp, the horn sounded and we were off. I checked my watch and it took 16 seconds for us to cross the start line. This was the first year in the 26 year history of the marathon that they used timing chips! Being cold, I wanted to begin slowly and allow my body to warm up. No muscle pulls in the first few miles. I would say that within the first two miles I felt comfortable and warmed up.

After the first 3 miles through a residential neighborhood in Schenectady, we moved onto the bike trail. At approximately mile 4, we turned and for the first time saw the Mohawk River several hundred feet below. The day was clear with virtually unlimited visibility. Autumn was in full color and the views were spectacular. Only when we left the bike trail and entered the cities did the view become less than colorful. I was very happy to return to the trail for the final 5 miles into Albany.

Jennifer and I were setting what felt like a comfortable pace. We were passing some runners and others passed us. We managed to run together for the first 9 miles at which time we split up. The miles are marked with cones and a fluorescent orange lines painted on the pavement. The first time clock was located at the half-marathon point. Up to then we had to rely on our watches. I arrived at the half way point in 2:01:30. I was a bit surprised because I didn't think I was running that fast. Bottom line I was feeling great! the next clock was at mile 20 which read 3:08:08, still ahead of my goal time and my previous PR.

Physically I felt good throughout the marathon. I'm not sure what others experience, but I always have that little gremlin on my shoulder at about mile 22 who repeatedly tells me what an idiot I am for attempting to run 26.2 miles. It's a good thing much of the time I was running alone, cursing the gremlin and trying to get rid of him! I really struggled between mile 23 and 24. Once I got within the final 2 miles, I knew I had defeated the gremlin.

With approximately one-half mile left, I began to pick up the pace. The crowds were their largest and the finish was in sight. I looked for the clock at the finish and was thrilled to see it at 4:12:58.

Taper Time

2008-09-11T15:15:00.004-04:00

Yes, I'm still out here in the "Blogosphere". I've been running with only one brief slowdown due to a minor flare-up of tendinitis in my left ankle. That's what happens to "Running Geezers!"

My marathon is scheduled for October 12th. I am running the "Mohawk-Hudson Marathon" in Albany, NY. Actually, it is a point-to-point race from Schenectady to Albany. 18 miles of the run are on paved trails along the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. The course has a net elevation drop of 307 feet. It will be a small marathon as the field is limited to 650 runners! I am looking forward to the cooler weather that awaits us.

With one more long run scheduled for September 20th, 24 miles, we have begun talking about "TAPERING". The October issue of "Runner's World" has an article on the subject. They also have several articles from years past available on-line. Following the long run, our mileage and intensity will decrease as we near race day. In the past I have followed a similar schedule, with little distance during the week prior to the race.

Several key points that "Runner's World" raises are; "athletes can achieve an optimal taper if they reduce their mileage by 41 to 60 percent but keep the training frequency steady. Additionally, they say, "marathoners need at least two to three weeks of reduced volume."

Do you taper? How do you approach the two weeks prior to a marathon?

Boilermaker 15K

2008-07-24T15:26:00.004-04:00

On Sunday, July 13th, the 31st annual "Boilermaker 15K" was held in Utica, NY. Over 10,000 runners were registered for the race. As with most locations around the country, mid-July can be hot and humid. The weather forecasts in the week leading up to Sunday were indicating temperatures into the 90's. Even though I train in Florida, I know that at high temperatures you must slow the pace. So, I was prepared to run the race as a training run if necessary.

On Sunday morning I awoke at 4:00am to find the temperature at 81 degrees! What wasn't in the forecast was the rain that started at 5:00am. We drove most of the way to Utica in a rain storm. I had my large trash bag with me to keep the rain off, or hopefully provide a dry place to sit if the rain stopped. At approximately 7:15am, 45 minutes prior to the start the rain stopped. The announcer kept asking the crowd to pray for sunshine. I knew what the conditions would be if the sun started to heat the humid air. We lucked out and the official start time temperature was 75 degrees with the humidity at 75%, not as bad as it could have been. Several areas along the course are open and there was a nice breeze blowing. All in all the conditions were OK.

For a 15K race the spectators from the community are out in force. Water stops are plentiful and bands are dotted along the course. At about the 8.8 mile mark they had a bagpipe band that gave me the extra boost for the final one-half mile. Crossing the finish line I realized I had set a new PR for the distance at 1:21:20.

The photo is of my niece Eileen who ran the 5K and set a PR and my nephew Jim, who to bloggers is "Runner's Anonymous". He too set a PR for 15K. Quite the family event.

Just Another Runner?

2008-07-19T14:43:00.010-04:00

Last weekend I was in Utica, New York, for the Boilermaker 15K Road Race. How many of you knew that the "National Distance Running Hall of Fame", is located there? On Saturday, I attended the race expo where Kathrine Switzer, Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter were speaking at the "Runner's Forum". That is quite the collection of "Hall of Fame" distance runners in America.

As you can see from the photo, Kathrine Switzer was gracious enough to pose for a photo or two as well as sign an autograph and chat. The same was true for the others. I have not spent much time around athletes from other sports, but running "superstars" are the most accomodating people. I have had the opportunity to meet many others at expos and at work and they talk with you as just another runner.

In NYC last November, I got to meet Grete Waitz, the 9 time winner of the NYC marathon. Many people stood back and watched her from a distance, some approached for an autograph. Those of you who know me, I'm not shy! I started a conversation and it was like she wanted someone to talk too. She inquired about my running, was curious if I was running the NYC marathon the next day. I told her "no" as I had just completed the Marine Corps Marathon. She congratulated me, read that again, she Grete Waitz, congratulated me for running a marathon. When we finished chatting she took a hat she had under the table and autographed it for me. Needless to say that is a prized possession.

So to Deena Kastor, Joan Benoit-Samuelson, Jim Ryun, Jeff Galloway, Brian Sell, Keith Brantley, Kathrine Switzer, Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers, "Thank You" for being so gracious to me, "just another runner."

Watermelon 5K

2008-07-04T18:29:00.006-04:00

What would the "Fourth of July" be without fireworks and a 5K road race? This morning the 18th annual Watermelon 5K was held in Mead Gardens in Winter Park, FL. Close to 3,000 runners participated in the event. The morning started off comfortable, but by race time the temperature had approached the "hot" zone.

The photo is of Shirley, Geezer, Sheri and "Sponge Bob", as we awaited the start of the race. The race winds through the neighborhoods of Winter Park. Winding is an accurate definition as it seems you are always turning. It is a relatively flat course with only a few small rises along the way.

The highlight of the after race party is the abundance of sliced watermelon. Who wants a banana when there is iced watermelon! Walking through the crowd after the race, I spotted Maddy's pink bandanna. I haven't seen Maddy since a 10K in March.

It was a fun morning and a great way to say, "Happy Birthday America".

Running Safety

2008-06-24T10:37:00.013-04:00

Sometimes running is not the fun sport it is intended to be. Tragically, here in Orlando, earlier this month a young woman was murdered while jogging. She was running alone on a normally busy trail in the early evening hours. It was daylight, but the afternoon had been stormy with heavy rain, thunder and lightning. This factor may have kept some runners from going out on the trail. There have been several incidents along this trail, but none with such tragic results. Our own Shirley, is familiar with this trail and will not use it.

While human nature tells us, "it won't happen to me", it can. It doesn't have to be along a desolate trail and you don't have to be a woman. I have a friend who while running in the Boston area, was attacked by a man carrying a knife in Harvard Square.

Prior to and since this murder, I am surprised by the number of women who run alone in the late evening and night time. Most are wearing an i-pod (which is another topic for discussion). I tell friends and the runners I coach, Do Not Run Alone!

I believe this topic must be discussed to make more runners aware of the dangers. If you have a story you would like to share, please do so. Be Safe!

New Training Session

2008-06-05T19:25:00.021-04:00

After a brief absence, I have returned to blogging. My computer quit shortly after my last posting and then my brain quit. I bought a new computer, but I wasn't able to generate any new stories. They would come and go, but never end up on the blog. So here I am!

On Saturday, June 7th, I begin another session as a "Group Leader" for the MarathonFest training program here in Orlando. The program is administered by the Track Shack Foundation. This will be my sixth session of helping to train and motivate runners to new goals and achievements. It is a lot of fun and very rewarding. I get more pleasure out of seeing a runner finish their first marathon than I do finishing mine. So many times I have heard a runner say, "I can't do that." My response is simple, "Yes you can."

I have chosen to run the Mohawk-Hudson Marathon in Albany, New York, on October 12th. It is a small race with a capacity of 700 runners. Most 5K's here in Orlando surpass that number twice or three times. I am looking forward to the marathon which is run almost entirely on a paved bike trail. The first 3 miles is in the City of Schenectady, then onto the trails along the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. There is another point where you exit the trails, but in total 18 miles are run on the trails. October can be a beautiful time of the year in that area of New York. The fall foliage hopefully will be in full color as we run the course.

Our own Shirley has run this race several years ago and was struck by the beauty of the fall foliage. I will take a hint from her and be sure to carry a camera with me. The race is a Boston qualifier, maybe not this year for me. It is described as a downhill course with a net elevation drop of 370 feet. I will tie this event into a visit with family in the Syracuse, NY area. I am looking forward to October.

In 5 weeks, I will be headed to New York to run the Utica "Boilermaker" 15K. I did a post on this race back in May. The "Boilermaker" is sponsored by the Matt's Brewing Company of Utica. The company, originally Utica Club and founded in the late 1860's suffered a devastating fire two weeks ago. One of the original buildings, used for canning and bottling was destroyed. The finish of the race and the post race party, with all the free beer you want, is at the brewery. The last I heard is that the fire will not have an affect on the festivities.

Now all I have to do is get my photos ready to add to my blog and I'm back in business.

Read Any Good Books?

2008-05-17T15:46:00.000-04:00

Funny how topics for posts happen. I was recommending a book to a friend when I realized most of you probably find time to read about running or triathlons. If you have a favorite book, please leave a comment with the information. It can be about training, an event, or a person. I have several favorites, most given to me as presents, here are three of my favorites.

"Anything for a T-Shirt", by Ron Rubin. This is the biography of Fred Lebow, who was the founder of the New York City Marathon. He was a Holocaust survivor, who made his way to New York City and became one of its most celebrated residents. I was given this book prior to running the 2005 NYC Marathon. If you have run the New York City Marathon or plan to run it, you must read this book.

"Duel in the Sun", by John Brant. This is the story of what many consider the greatest marathon ever run, the 1982 Boston Marathon. The story details the lives of Alberto Salazar and Dick Beardsley, prior to and after this marathon. These two men battled the entire distance as described by the author, "in each other's pockets."

"The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life", by Amby Burfoot. This little book, 150 pages, is packed with page after page of inspiration. Written by the winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon, he writes about; "winning, losing, happiness, humility and the human heart."

So, if you have a favorite book, please share it with us.

The "Geezer" Rides!

2008-05-11T16:38:00.005-04:00

Since I have dusted off the bike for a new season, thought I'd post the "Riding Geezer". This was taken at the Killarney Station on the West Orange Trail. We were at the half way point on our 28 mile ride. For me that was the longest distance I have ever biked. Since I am only interested in biking as cross-training and "Sprint" distance triathlons, I don't expect too many "long" rides. I would like to work on my endurance up to 15 miles, and speed up to 20 mph, that should cover most "Sprint" races. Now all I need to do is get my swimming in order. I biked 14.8 miles this morning and it is beginning to feel more comfortable.

Marine Corps Marathon

2008-05-03T19:32:00.010-04:00

Registration has opened for the 2009 Marine Corps Marathon. In previous years it had sold out in approximately two weeks, so hurry if you want to experience it.

Funny how this post came about. I was looking at some photos from last years marathon. A group of us from Track Shack in Orlando had run it. In one of the group pictures, taken prior to the race, I thought I spotted "Marathon Chris". Last October I did not know who she was. It wasn't until the Winter Park Road Race 10K this past March that I met her. With the help of Maddy, I was able to get the photo to Chris. In a subsequent e-mail Chris asked if I had done a post on the marathon. I had not since I only started this blog in February. Bingo! Do my recap as a promotion for the marathon.

I have run eight marathons and and as far as overall satisfaction, this was the best! I was able to stay with friends in Arlington. The condo overlooked the Marine Corps Monument and the finish area. The expo was very well organized, what else would you expect from the Marine Corps. I was able to have a reunion with six of my high school classmates. Gathering with about twenty runners from Orlando at the start was fun and exciting.

The course was excellent, great support along the way. For anyone who has not run this marathon, you finish up a steep hill the last one-quarter mile. There are signs painted on the road to encourage you up the hill. There are thousands of spectators and Marines cheering you to the finish. You look up the hill and see the Marine Corps Monument at the finish, very emotional. Marines are stationed just past the finish line "presenting" the finishers medal to you. It is not handed to you like all the other marathons I've run, you stand in front of a Marine officer and they place the medal around your neck.

If you're thinking about running, sign up now.

A Week of Winners!

2008-04-27T20:36:00.005-04:00

There have been a number of events that were held during the past few weeks. I would like to recognize my friends who achieved some impressive accomplishements.

On April 13th, Keith completed the Arizona Ironman. This was his first attempt at this daunting event. A side note, after returning home, his car was stolen from his driveway. He wasn't too upset with the car being taken, but his Ironman medal was in the car. Within 24 hours, the local sheriff's department had recovered the car and the medal! The thieves obviously know nothing about Ironman triathlons.

This past Monday was the Boston Marathon. I'd like to recognize two runners and their achievements. One of my coaches, Sarah, competing in only her second marathon, ran an impressive 3:16:50. The other noteable person is Richard, who at age 75 completed his first Boston Marathon. He has completed numerous marathons and is a past Ironman finisher.

Keeping with marathons, another coach, Nate, ran his first marathon. I'll repeat that "his first" marathon in Oklahoma City. He ran a 2:36:43 and won the event!

Of course we have our own Shirley "Humble Triathlete" who ran a strong 3:56:59, at the Kentucky Derby Festival Marathon in Louisville, KY. Way to go Shirley.

Five runners from my training group: Sheri, Carol, Diana, Linda and Raymond, participated in the MS150 bike ride this weekend. They opted to do the "long" course and traveled a total of 166 miles. The ride raised money for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. Congratulations!

For those of you who are not from the Orlando area, consider this. On Thursday evening, with temperatures in the low 80's, over 10,000 runners and walkers participated in the IOA Corporate 5K race. The race stages in the "Citrus Bowl" in Orlando.

Boilermaker 15K

2008-04-16T13:15:00.004-04:00

The photo is of the "Geezer" along with my nephew aka "Runner's Anonymous", prior to the "Boilermaker 15K" in 2007. The race is held in the Central New York city of Utica. This year the race will be held on July 13th, and we both plan on being there. Contrary to popular belief, the race is not named for the intoxicating combo of a shot and a beer. Rather, it is named for one of the major manufacturing facilities, Utica Boilers, Inc. For many years this race was the largest 15K in the United States, attracting over 10,000 runners, 2007 was the 30th anniversary. This year it was surpassed by the "Gate River Run", in Jacksonville, FL.

For a Florida runner like myself, it is a hilly course. Locals in Utica and "up north" are not as impressed with the hills. Two years ago I was running up one of the hills around mile 7 and found myself next to a young man who was huffing and puffing. He was cursing the hills as we moved along. I asked him where he was from, figuring he was another "flatlander" like me. His response surprised me, he said, "Utica." He went on to tell me he doesn't like to train on hills!

The July date also makes it a very hot run. The start time is 8:00am, please move it to 7:00am! The course has an average of three (3) water/Gatorade/ice stops per mile, that's correct, twenty-seven (27) stops! The locals are also helpful in bringing out the garden hoses and spraying the runners.

The event attracts many world class athletes, including myself (just wanted to see if you were paying attention.) There is a contingent of Kenyan runners, along with top U.S. runners. Brian Sell, a qualifier for the 2008 Olympic marathon, ran in 2006. Bill Rodgers and Frank Shorter are regulars each year.

Do you have a favorite race you would like to tell us about? Maybe one not familiar to the readers. What is your "secret" race?

How Do You Supplement?

2008-04-09T11:45:00.009-04:00

One thing I have learned about runners, is that everyone has a different taste when it comes to supplements. A quick list of what I have observed and/or tried include; gels, shot blocks, power bars, fig newtons, pretzel bits, sport beans and "Smucker's Uncrustables". Additionally, there are any number of electrolyte drinks and capsules.

Personally, I supplement my long runs with "gel". At the present time I am using "Hammer" brand, plain flavor. I have used other brands and flavors, but cannot distinguish a marked difference in the result. On average, I consume one packet every hour. At races that provide a sports drink, I will drink one small cup every other stop, alternating with water. With the high temperatures and humidity we experience here in Florida, I have added "Succeed- S!caps". They contain only sodium-341mg and potassium-21mg. The recommended dosage is one capsule per hour.

Once again I am asking for your input and/or suggestions. What do you use?

26.2 with Donna

2008-04-05T12:30:00.001-04:00

John Lennon wrote, "You may say that I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one....." Not only are the organizers of the "26.2 with Donna-The National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer", dreamers, they are doers.

I know that February 15, 2009 seems far off, but now is the time to start thinking about registering for the marathon or half-marathon. Registration is open.

Many of us who ran the race this year have our hotel rooms reserved and will be registering soon. I am not sure if I will do the "full" or "half", but I will be there. If you are not a long distance runner, you now have more than enough time to train and participate. Once again, 100% of all money raised goes directly to the Donna Hicken Foundation and the Mayo Clinic.

The race organizers have been very responsive to the input of the runners and several changes have been made for the 2009 race. Most importantly, they have moved the start time back one hour to 7:30am.

I will keep bringing this event to the forefront of this blog. The photo entitled "The Kodak Moment", showing my friend Donna, who is currently battling breast cancer, is a permanent fixture.

If you are a new visitor to this blog, please read some earlier posts from February. They are; "The Kodak Moment", "It's Not Christmas" and "Mind Over Matter". All three relate to the 2008 race.

"Imagine" what we can do.

The photograph was taken at the John Lennon Memorial, "Strawberry Fields", in Central Park, New York City.

Looking For The Clock!

2008-04-02T11:00:00.003-04:00

I usually don't like the photos that are taken at races, also don't like the price. However, I decided I liked this photo and bought the digital image.

This was about fifty feet from the finish line at the Winter Park Road Race 10K.

"Winter" in Orlando

2008-03-29T14:03:00.008-04:00

No, the reference to "winter" has nothing to do with the season. It was 62 degrees at 7:30am today. The reference to "winter" is for the CNL Winter Park Road Race 10K, that was held this morning. It is one of the largest races in the Orlando area, over 2,000 runners participated.

My training for the past six months has focused on increasing my speed. I had hesitated in the past fearing injury. I have been running two evenings a week with a group called "Five & Dime". It is a training program run by the Track Shack, a running store in Orlando. The program is designed to improve 5K and 10K performance. Since I began my "speed" training, I have set PR's in the half-marathon (thanks Shirley!) and the 5K. This was my first 10K in two years.

I had been focusing on this race since January. I approached it like a marathon. This past week, I watched my diet, rested and adjusted my training pace and distance. So, this morning I was ready to attempt another PR.

The day started with a two mile warm-up run to the race with several runners from my training group. We took it easy, arriving in plenty of time for a potty break and taking in some fluids. We got lined up and off we went. For those of you who are not familiar with Winter Park, it is a beautiful community with gorgeous homes and large shade trees. The course was primarily flat, except for the "Alabama" hill just after the two mile mark.

I kept an eye out for the split times along the way. I entered the long home stretch feeling good. (Remember my Jeff Galloway post?). I had an idea of what my time would be, but I strained to see the large digital clock over the finish line. Yes, I had done it! A new 10K PR of 46:31.

The photo is of "Coach" Wayne, he's the tall guy on the left, the "Geezer", "Sponge Bob" and Winston, who began running with me four years ago. He won't mind if I tell you he is 71 years young! Photo courtesy of Lorraine.

Nutrition - No, Just Food

2008-03-21T17:16:00.027-04:00

"Dietary requirements for proper health and development." That's how the dictionary defines nutrition. I might take issue with that, but the dictionary has been around longer than me.

There are not too many of us who don't love to eat. Now comes the tricky part, what should we eat. I'm not going to attempt to tell you, as each of us have our own diet and knows what works best.

I would like this post to be interactive and have each of you give me a short list of what foods you prefer while training. They can be entrees, side dishes, snacks and yes, dessert. Nothing technical, no details, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. If you enjoy it, that's good enough for me! My list includes; broiled or baked chicken breasts, black beans and rice, baked sweet potatoes, frozen yogurt in place of ice cream. I eat "Trail Mix Crunch" a Post brand cereal. It's good as a cold or hot cereal and also as a snack.

The photo is the aftermath of a pre-marathon dinner in Chicago 2006. A group of us went to Trattoria Roma, 1535 N. Wells, for an incredible Italian dinner. Thank you Renea for finding the restaurant. I PR'd the next day, so whatever I ate worked!

Triathlete - Who Me?

2008-03-15T15:42:00.010-04:00

OK, so there is no "Ironman" tattoo yet. If the "Ironman" is the pinnacle of achievement for triathletes, I'm somewhere below "Aluminium Foil Man".

It all started when I was trying to convince my friend Sheri to do a second marathon. In a moment of weakness I said, "if you do another marathon, I'll do a triathlon." Little did I expect her to say, "yes." Now what do I do? I do a triathlon, that's all. Easy to say when you don't even own a bike! From what I understood that is a key piece of equipment necessary to compete. I also learned that there were triathlons called "Sprint" distance that do not require double digit hours in order to complete.

So, I purchased a bike and all the equipment. I'm a runner where all you need is a good pair of running shoes and a pair of shorts. So with the help of Sheri and Bob aka "Sponge Bob", I was ready to begin to practice. It is correct to say you never forget how to ride a bike. However, I'm a "Geezer", I grew up with a one speed bike that weighed 43 pounds! My problem wasn't riding or reaching speeds I barely do in my car, I had a problem stopping. More accurately, staying upright after stopping. Foot or feet must be firmly planted on solid ground. How many of you remember Arte Johnson riding his tricycle on "Laugh In", remember how he always tipped over? Maybe I watched too many episodes.

In May of 2006, I entered a "Sprint Relay", I'm no fool, I did the run. In August of 2006, I participated in my first solo, the "Babes & Bums Triathlon". Now to confuse me more about this sport, they reversed the order of events. We started out running, then cycling, then the swim. When all was said and done, I finished 2nd in my age group! (There were only two "Geezers") I did the "Babes & Bums" in August 2007 and placed 3rd in my age group. There were actually five competitors this time!

So, I will be dusting off my bike and getting ready for at least two triathlons this year. Maybe I can finish this year at least a "Tinman".

The photo is of Sheri, Bob and I after a duathlon, they canceled the swim due to rough seas in the ocean. Don't pay any attention to my left knee, it was just an "Arte Johnson" moment. Thank you Sheri and Bob for all your help and staying far enough away that I don't crash into you. I think Sheri owes me another marathon.

I really hope my friend and blog buddy "Humble Triathlete" is too busy training for her "Ironman" that she misses this post :-) In case she reads it, thank you Shirley!

My Anniversary

2008-03-10T20:01:00.010-04:00

This month marks the 4th anniversary of my return to running. As I mention in my "profile", I had no long term goal in March 2004. I joined an introductory running group presented by a local running store, the Track Shack.

I showed up to find the two coaches, Bob and Jim, eagerly welcoming the new participants. Several were returning from a previous training session so they knew the system. Surveying the group I saw that it was comprised of all age groups, fitness levels, ethnic groups and about a 4:1 female vs. male ratio.

I had arrived early, that's my nature, always on time. We acknowledged each other as we awaited the start of the session. As we were brought together by the coaches, I met a lady by the name of Lena. I remember two things, she was from New York and she kept telling me she ran like a duck. I can only tell that now because 4 years later Lena and I are still very good friends. We were directed to run around Lake Eola, situated in a beautiful park in downtown Orlando. Someone mentioned it was about one mile around the lake back to our location. The group of about 25 quickly spread out. Lena and I teamed up and made it about one-quarter of the way around the lake. I remember stopping with her and wondering what in hell I was doing out there. I was exhausted after running, no jogging, 400 yards. We walked maybe 100 yards and ran a little more. We finally made it, we finished one complete lap of Lake Eola! That's when the coaches told us to do it again. I don't have a recollection of the second lap, by then I was exhausted. You hear about hitting "the wall" but not in a one mile run.

As the weeks went on, Lena and I became quite proficient. I'm not sure which week it was, but we made one lap without stopping! At this point I had also befriended Winston, a jovial man in his late 60's. He was from New Jersey via London via British Guyana. He and I still run, he is now in his 70's.

What I gained from the 10 weeks of training was the ability to move on to the next level of training. The group was now discussing doing a 5K run on the 4th of July. There was also a whisper of "half-marathon" in the group. What had happened to the group of novice runners who showed up that March evening? We were turning into runners. We had the proper running shoes, we wore "technical" shirts and used Body Glide.

We passed the test on our first 5K. With the help of the Jeff Galloway Training Program, we were slowly becoming distance runners. In December, less than one year into our training, we ran the OUC half-marathon in Orlando. As they say, "the rest is history." Today I am pleased with the progress I have made. I never thought about one marathon in March of 2004, let alone the eight that I have completed.

I cherish that night in March for two reasons, one of course is my improved physical health. Most importantly, I cherish the friendships that have developed from that night. Lena and Winston who were there with me on day one continue to run marathons. So many wonderful people who I have met, who make running not a tedious exercise, but a life experience. You're always afraid of leaving someone out but I must add a few more names. Friends who ran the New York City Marathon, Chicago Marathon and miles and miles of practice. Inspiration that keeps me focused and always looking to put forth just a bit more effort. So here goes; Sheri and Renea (Thelma & Louise), Wanda, Sponge Bob, Edna, Sheron & Richard, Tim & Susan aka "Big Dog", Raymond, Lorraine & Dan and more recently Jennifer and Cathy. If you have been a regular to this blog you already know about Donna!

May we all be blessed with many more years of this incredible journey.

Friends Then, Friends Now

2008-03-06T13:35:00.002-05:00

What's better than one "Geezer"? Seven "Geezers". What is memorable about this photo is that all of us were on our high school track team in the '60's, you do the math!

We have been able to stay in touch and most recently had a reunion at the 2007 Marine Corps Marathon. Thank you my friends. Thanks Coach Clarke.

26.2 with Donna

2008-03-04T15:24:00.014-05:00

I was pleased to learn that my "Blog" is listed, along with several others, on the official website for "26.2 with Donna - National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer". I consider it an honor to be included. I regard the listing as an indication that what we have done, can do and will do is going to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer.

If this is your first visit to the blog, please see earlier posts, "The Kodak Moment", "It's Not Christmas" and "Mind Over Matter."

The photo is of our running group from Orlando, FL, prior to the race on February 17th. Thanks to Fred who was our "official" photographer.

Prayers & Love to Donna & Donna.

Head for the Hills!

2008-03-02T10:09:00.007-05:00

For anyone living outside of Central Florida, this post may seem odd. In order for us to do any serious hill training, we must drive 30 miles west from Orlando, to Clermont, FL. At one time Clermont was one of the largest citrus producing areas in Florida. The citrus groves are all but eliminated, replaced by houses, houses and more houses. In tribute to the citrus industry, a tower, "The Citrus Tower" was built. It sits high atop a hill, visible for miles. My best description of it would be that it looks like the space shuttle waiting to be launched.

Many distance runners, cyclists and triathletes use the Clermont hills for training. The "National Training Center" is located here for good reason.

One of the final hills on the 7.5 mile loop we run is called "Hospital Hill." Yes there is a hospital nearby, how clever! I read a quote from Marty Stern, a coach at Villanova University. He said, "If a hill has its own name, then its probably a pretty tough hill." "Hospital Hill" is that.

So on Sunday morning, about 20 of us from our running group headed for the hills. We started our run in the darkness at 6:00am. "The Citrus Tower" was illuminated and looked more like the space shuttle. Up, down and around, up, down and around, up, down, we went, then it was all done in just over one hour. You feel a certain sense of accomplishment in conquering the hills.

Following the run we gathered at Cafe Bandoli for a hearty breakfast and to tell tales of our adventures on the hills. Soon after eating we made our way back to the "flatlands" of Orlando.

If we had only listened to U. S. Olympic marathon runner Don Kardong who said, "Hills, you entered a marathon with hills? You idiot."

Disclaimer - The photograph does not accurately depict the hills in Clermont, FL.

Watch Your Elbows!

2008-03-01T10:48:00.018-05:00

I was asked to tell this story about the largest 10K race in this area, the Winter Park Road Race.
In 2005, when I was about one year into my training I signed up to run this race. I had been following the training program of Jeff Galloway, utilizing his run/walk interval system. I learned prior to the race that Jeff would be running and leading a group at a 9:30 minute per mile pace or a 59:00 minute 10K. Wow, I can run my first 10K and I can run with a former Olympian, it doesn't get any better than this!

A group of us met up with Jeff and we lined up for the start. Off we went trying to keep up with Jeff as he dodged around runners in front of us. Like clockwork Jeff would call out our walk break after each 5 minute run segment. As we moved further into the race, I was concentrating on the fact I was running with Jeff and not paying attention to splits. He talked the entire way, answering questions or explaining how to run a hill. WOW. As we got about a half mile from the finish Jeff told us to go on ahead. At this time there were four of us still hanging on for dear life. We told him "no" we came this far, we're staying with you!

The road to the finish is a long straightaway. We were all in close quarters, trying to muster every ounce of strength and reach the finish. With about 100 yards left we were lined up across the road, Jeff was directly to my right. I don't know if I waivered from being tired, but the next thing I remember was giving Jeff Galloway an elbow to the ribs. Oh my God, I just assaulted an Olympian. I knew that as soon as I crossed the finish line they were going to confiscate my shoes and I would never be allowed run again. I apologized to Jeff for the next 20 minutes. I followed him around saying, "I'm sorry." He was a good sport about the entire incident. Did I mention I pulled ahead after the elbow incident and "beat" him across the finish line.

Later that morning he was at a book signing and of course I had to get an autographed book. He saw me and said, "I'll sign the book just don't elbow me again." The following January, Jeff was at the expo for the Disney World Marathon. He was speaking with someone when he saw me approaching. I never thought he would remember me, but he said to the man he was speaking with, "watch out for this guy, he's got sharp elbows." Jeff is a class individual, who I have had the prividledge of meeting numerous times. Maybe he will be in Winter Park on March 29th for a re-match. "I'm sorry Jeff!"

The photo was taken in August 2007, you can see we are still friends and the elbows are in.

The Kodak Moment

2008-02-28T09:27:00.007-05:00

The "Geezer" and Donna celebrating after the finish of the "26.2 with Donna-National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer." We will be back next year! If this is your first visit to my blog please check out the previous post for "our" story. Thanks Fred!

It's Not Christmas

2008-02-25T15:02:00.023-05:00

It's February 25th, not December 25th. It's not October so it can't be my birthday. Despite those facts, I received two of the most beautiful and precious gifts today.

The first gift came from my friend Donna who, if you read an earlier post, is battling breast cancer. She was my inspiration during the half-marathon last Sunday. (She is an inspiration everyday). When I completed the race, she and her husband were waiting at the finish. We posed for pictures between the hugs and tears. What I received today from her, is a picture capturing that moment. Remember the ad, "a Kodak moment." Now I know what they meant. Or the adage, "a picture is worth a thousand words." That photograph is my "Olympic Gold" medal!

This afternoon, I received my second gift. It was an e-mail from another Donna, Donna Deegan, the founder of the "26.2 with Donna - National Marathon to Fight Breast Cancer." I and probably several thousand other participants contacted her to congratulate her on the success of the event. She too is battling breast cancer. Her kind and inspirational words have brought this event "full circle" for me. She says of the events success, "it makes me think that anything is possible."

I made my room reservation last night for next year's event, February 15, 2009. If you have never run a half-marathon or full marathon, better yet if you have never run, take the time, make the effort to start training and run next year to support the fight against breast cancer. Here is the link to the website 26.2 with Donna Please take a moment to visit the site, you will come away inspired.

I will have the photo to post soon, I promise!

"Prayers & Love"

Go Figure

2008-02-23T15:38:00.007-05:00

What an eventful week of running. I started out Sunday with the half-marathon in Jacksonville Beach, FL. (1:55:24). I did my ususal Tuesday evening workout, doing 5 x 800's at a moderate 4:05 - 4:10, in addition to warm-up and cool down. My quads were still a bit tight from the half-marathon. On Thursday, I went for my scheduled practice only to be rained out after about 1 mile. I had signed up to do a 5K in Winter Park, FL on Saturday morning. I have never run a race in the same week that I have done a half or full marathon. Prior to the 5K, several people from my running group and I did a 4 mile warm-up at about a 10:00 minute per mile pace. Slow and easy. Something else I have never tried. I arrived at the starting line about 5 minutes prior to the race. The temperature was about 66 degrees, humidity was about 90%, but there was a nice breeze. The race started and I felt good as we headed out. I reached mile 1 in 6:50. I reached mile 2 in 13:45. I began to tire as we neared the 3 mile mark. I could tell my pace was slowing a bit. I crossed the finish line with a new PR of 22:03 and a 3rd place finish in may age group (3rd of 20 and 180th of 718 males).

So what does that tell me about my conditioning? If I hadn't run the half-marathon would I have gone faster in the 5K? We'll never know. That's what I like about running, you just never know what's going to happen. Go figure!

What Would You Do?

2008-02-21T19:50:00.004-05:00

You go on a road trip to a race with a group of friends from your running club. You share a hotel room to keep the costs down. You think you know your roommate well, after all you're sharing the room. At 2:00am your roommate gets up to use the bathroom. You hear something, but you're not really sure what it was. Looking at your friends bed you realize it's empty. A quick glance around the room and you see their motionless body on the floor, blood coming from their ear.

First, you are going to call "911" from your cell phone. Do not call the front desk and ask them what to do. (unless you cannot contact 911 from your phone). Call the front desk after you notify emergency services. This will help in directing the EMT's to the room. Do not move the person. Help arrives to take care of your injured friend, but they are still unconcious or incoherent. Do you know who to contact if a friend is injured? Remember they can't tell you who to call.

There is a program that gained much publicity several years ago, it is called "ICE". It stands for "In Case of Emergency". Everyone who owns a cell phone should have at least two phone numbers listed as "ICE". Simple to do, add "ICE" as you would enter any name, then the persons home, work and/or cell phone numbers. Emergency Responders are, or should be, trained to look for this on a victim's cell phone.

This scenario, with a few changes, actually took place recently. Thankfully the "victim" was staying with her husband and the notification was not necessary. We lucked out!

Do you have "ICE" entered on your cell phone. If not take a moment to add the numbers.

Mind Over Matter

2008-02-20T14:23:00.002-05:00

We were having a discussion last evening over pizza and beer. Yes, runners can eat pizza and drink beer. Great article in the March issue of Runner's World, "The Suds Report."

Our discussion was how the mind can control the body. Specifically, I was running the Breast Cancer Half-Marathon on Sunday in Jacksonville Beach, FL. It turned out to be a hotter than expected day with temperatures well into the 70's and no shade. I had started out with a fast pace (for me). I completed the first 5 miles in 40:38. At the turn around point I began to feel the effects of the heat and direct sun. I slowed my pace, knowing I was still below my goal of finishing under 2:00 hours. A 9:00 minute per mile pace will give you a 1:58. At the 11 mile mark I was maintaining a pace that would put the 2:00 hour goal in jeopardy. I reached the 11 mile mark at 1:40, one minute behind pace. I have a dear friend "Donna" who is currently battleing breast cancer. I was running for her, with her in my heart and her bib number was pinned under mine. She had signed up to run, but was unable.....wait until next year. I knew she and her husband would be at the finish. At that point, mile 11, I let my mind take over. My body said "NO" my mind said "YES". I completed the last 2.1 miles in 15:24 or a 7:20 minute per mile pace. That's my 5K pace, not my half-marathon pace. "WE" finished in 1:55:24.

Under Construction

2008-02-20T13:09:00.003-05:00

Thank you for visiting my blog. I must apologize as this whole process or project is new to me. If you notice, one portion of the title is "Geezer", not to be confused with "Geek". My hobby is running not computers. So please bear with me for awhile as I begin my quest to complete my first "Blog". It took me about one year from the time I started running to completing my first marathon. Hopefully, this project will reach conclusion sooner than that.

I hope you like the photograph, I took that at an event on the Florida Gulf Coast, specifically at Crystal River in Citrus County.

The other photo is of me, "The Running Geezer". It was taken the day after the Marine Corps Marathon in 2007.

A special "thank you" to Shirley and Jim!

Look for more coming soon, I promise.