Carmel Marathon 2014

So this winter has been horrid! There enough said!!!

Thankfully it seems to be getting close to normal. It's April 18th as I'm writing and it hasn't snowed since the 14th. The Carmel Marathon is in the books, and while it wasn't even close to a full training cycle I'm counting this as a win. It was rough at 16 or so and my longest training run just happened to be around 17 I think... But let's look at the wins:

WIN:1

I was able to meet up with Mike H. (A Hendricks County Runner) At the start line. He ran a nicely paced half.

WIN:2

I also got a chance to talk to Harry (another Hendricks County Runner) who was helping set up the finish line. 

WIN:3

I had the best support crew a husband and father could have!

WIN:4

I hung with the 4 hour pace group easily up until somewhere between mile 15-16 that's when it started to get tough.

WIN:5

Even though it was physically tough I was able to push through mentally, and persevere!

SOME FUNNY THINGS:

I don't remeber the mile marker but some lady in a white Urban Assault Vehicle was mad that traffic was stopped. So she started laying on her horn. The entire group started laughing and it kept things light and fun. You could hear the horn for over a quarter mile away, I'm sure she eventually got to where she was going.

At mile 24ish I stopped at a med tent, to get checked out. A first for me but the lady was supper nice. My hands were going numb and I could only feel the tingles. I figured it was low blood sugar, which it was, glucose taken feeling better, Ironically I run high when my blood pressure is taken but surprisingly after 24 miles my blood pressure was great. (I guess I should run to my doctors office from now on)

Headed toward the finish! 

Overall a great event and a fun time! 

Want to see some funny splits? Of course you do!

8:54, 9:02, 9:01, 8:44, 9:09, 9:13, 8:46, 8:48, 9:02, 8:58, 9:14, 8:52, 9:12, 8:56, 8:50. Looks good right? Well, hang on:

Mile 16; 9:41, 10:40, 10:59, 11:31, 10:48, 12:09, 13:08, 13:33, 13:52, 13:23, 11:27.

Yep there was some walking going on there.

Next race, THE BIG ONE! Ultra 45 miles,

I better get training!

How do you push through those tough runs?

Change of Plans

So, January 12 was my birthday. The plan was to run 40 miles however, I had to work. No problem, I had the next weekend off and planned to do it then. Did it happen? 

No! Here's why: 

1: I didn't want to run 40 miles in 2-3 inches of snow that would be on the ground at the start of Saturday.

2: We were supposed to get an extra 3-5 inches on Saturday during my run.

3: This is probably the most important, I didn't feel it was safe to share the roads with vehicles trying to drive in snow. (I'm not into getting hit by cars)

So here's the plan now. I'll not be running 40 miles for my birthday because I need to start focusing on my marathon training and can't delay it anylonger. 

I will however plan on running a 45 mile Ultra on June 14th to commemorate my birthday.

Let the marathon training begin!

A year in review, looking forward

I thought I'd take some time and review 2013. 

It was a year that started with all the gusto and possibilities. I was coming off of a marathon PR, and immediately started training for the next one. The Hendricks County Runners was just getting started and my vision for that club was large. Early in the year I set a modern day PR in a half marathon (not including my high school time). Then the wheels fell off.....

I got sick and the Marathon training derailed, then I lost my mojo. I tried to recover and train for another marathon but never made it to the start line, instead opting to run the half with a friend as a pacer. Looking back at the year it feels like a wasted opportunity. Now, before you think I'm going to get all "woes me" on you let me say I've done some reflecting and learned some things.

What did I learn?

I learned that I still have some speed in these legs if I put in the work. Just like everything in life if you do the work you will be rewarded. I learned that I can't get down on myself for a poor performance. This will happen, things won't always go exactly as planned. I also learned that starting this running club is a benefit not only for myself, but now we have members who I see are getting better and more consistent in their running. Although this takes some time in my life it's well worth the effort. 

What does the new year hold?

I've no idea, but it's going to be a fun journey! 

I do have some goals for the upcoming 2014. What's a good way to keep yourself accountable for these goals? You guessed it! Tell people. 

So here they are:

1. A 40 miler around the time of my 40th birthday.

2. A sub 1:40 half marathon

3. A sub 4 hour full

4. A modern era PR in a 5k

5. Log the most miles ever in a year for me.

6. Stay injury free

So there you have it, now you can help keep me accountable.

New Playlist additions:

1. Bad Blood, Bastille

2. Come A Little Closer, Cage The Elephant

3. Hippy Hill, Grouplove

4. So Into You, Wilhelm Tell Me

5. Making Art, JD Samson & Men