Marine Corps Marathon

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!

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

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?

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

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!

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

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.