OUC Half-Marathon & 5K

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

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

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

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

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

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

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?