Crazy Schedule Calls for Crazy Training

I know some of you that read this have a crazy schedule as well, so this is for you. If you have a quote unquote normal schedule then this is for you to have empathy for those of us that don't. :)

I work retail. You know the kind of retail that requires odd shifts, a couple of nights a week. As well as days off in the middle of the week. I don't get every weekend off, in fact I work more weekends in a month than I have off. Although after switching jobs in the middle of last year to a different retailer my schedule is better, but it's still retail. Don't mistake this for complaining, I chose this profession for myself, or maybe it chose me. I'm not sure who chose who but here I am.

This schedule provides unique conflicts when it comes to training for marathons, or any running for that matter. A normal opening shift has me crawling out of bed at 5am, leaving the house at 6 and to work by 7am. As a manager I can't be late so I routinely get there a little bit early. A normal morning shift starts that same process at 11am. I get home at either 5pm or 10:45pm depending. Many times I close then open which besides being tired doesn't give much time for a run.

In my current training schedule thus far I've tried to stay consistent with the days that I run. However, I've come to the realization that this isn't feasible. So now I find myself half way through my training schedule and the mileage is really getting up there as well as the time I must allocate to this training. So I've decided to adjust my schedule depending on my work schedule. This means that sometimes I may not be able to get a long run in followed by a rest day. Instead I'll have to let my work schedule dictate the training schedule. It may sound worse than it is. I've completed two marathon training plans this way and have gotten faster at each. This time I will be even faster due to the work I've put in not the constraints of my schedule.

I'm interested to hear how you adjust your training routines based on your schedule, so leave a comment below and maybe I can learn from your experience.

Now get out there and run!

New Songs added to play list:
I love listening to music, so I figured I'd start to share some of the songs I've recently added to my playlist. With each post I'll now add the last 5 songs I've added to my playlist. If you have any good songs let me know, my music taste know no bounds.

1. LOW by Cracker
2. Come on Eileen by Dexys Midnight Runners
3. Sex and Candy by Marcy Playground
4. Do You Love Me by Amanda Jenssen
5. Beam Me Up (Kill Mode) by Cazzette    

Planning for the Carmel Marathon

Shortly after the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon that I ran in November, I began looking ahead to the next one. I decided to stay local again and run the Carmel Marathon in April of 2013.

Social media is a great thing, and I'm able to gather opinions and resources just from logging in to my account and reading for a little while. On one such day @ghein83 tweeted about setting up his next marathon plan and how he used Runner's World Smart Coach. Having met him before and knowing that he is fast I decided to take a similar approach and check out the smart coach program. I figured if it worked for Glenn then it could work for me as well. So I've decided to share my plan with the blog-o-sphere if anyone's interested. Also if you'd like to check out Glenn and Lindsey's blog you can at "Out for a Run"

As of this writing I've already completed the first five weeks and everything is going well with the plan.

WEEK 1: 31 Mi

Mon Nov 12 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @10:08 Wed Nov 14 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 8:44; Cool Thu Nov 15 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @10:08 Sat Nov 17 Long Run Dist: 12 Mi @10:08

WEEK 2: 33 Mi

Mon Nov 19 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @10:06 Wed Nov 21 Speedwork Dist: 6 Mi, inc Warm; 3x1600 in 8:03 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Nov 22 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @10:06 Sat Nov 24 Long Run Dist: 14 Mi @10:06

WEEK 3: 34 Mi

Mon Nov 26 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @10:03 Wed Nov 28 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 8:39; Cool Thu Nov 29 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @10:03 Sat Dec 1 Long Run Dist: 16 Mi @10:03

WEEK 4: 27 Mi

Mon Dec 3 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @10:00 Wed Dec 5 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @10:00 Thu Dec 6 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @10:00 Sat Dec 8 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @10:00

WEEK 5: 36 Mi

Mon Dec 10 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @10:00 Wed Dec 12 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 8:36; Cool Thu Dec 13 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @10:00 Sat Dec 15 Long Run Dist: 18 Mi @10:00

Now I'm into week 6 and I've decided to make a few changes to my training plan. I'm going to add in an extra run through the week similar to my easy runs. I'll be adding these runs on either Sunday or Tuesday depending on my work schedule and if I get my long run in on Saturday or Sunday. This extra run isn't listed on the plan outlined below but it will be there when I do it. Also on Speed Wednesday's my pacing will and has been faster than outlined.

WEEK 6: 37 Mi

Mon Dec 17 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @9:57 Wed Dec 19 Speedwork Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 4x1600 in 7:56 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Dec 20 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @9:57 Sat Dec 22 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @9:57

WEEK 7: 39 Mi

Mon Dec 24 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @9:54 Wed Dec 26 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 8:31; Cool Thu Dec 27 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @9:54 Sat Dec 29 Long Run Dist: 16 Mi @9:54

WEEK 8: 31 Mi

Mon Dec 31 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @9:51 Wed Jan 2 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @9:51 Thu Jan 3 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @9:51 Sat Jan 5 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @9:51

WEEK 9: 41 Mi

Mon Jan 7 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @9:51 Wed Jan 9 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 8:28; Cool Thu Jan 10 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @9:51 Sat Jan 12 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @9:51

WEEK 10: 43 Mi

Mon Jan 14 Easy Run Dist: 10 Mi @9:49 Wed Jan 16 Speedwork Dist: 8 Mi, inc Warm; 4x1600 in 7:48 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Jan 17 Easy Run Dist: 9 Mi @9:49 Sat Jan 19 Long Run Dist: 16 Mi @9:49

WEEK 11: 44 Mi

Mon Jan 21 Easy Run Dist: 9 Mi @9:46 Wed Jan 23 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 5 Mi @ 8:23; Cool Thu Jan 24 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @9:46 Sat Jan 26 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @9:46

WEEK 12: 35 Mi

Mon Jan 28 Easy Run Dist: 9 Mi @9:43 Wed Jan 30 Easy Run Dist: 9 Mi @9:43 Thu Jan 31 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @9:43 Sat Feb 2 Easy Run Dist: 9 Mi @9:43

My easy runs have been run in the low 9 minute pace although I've been trying to make sure they feel easy to allow me to recover from either the long run or the speed work. After January is over I'll begin to add marathon pace onto my long runs. I'll be starting with the last 25% of the long runs at MP and ramp it up to just over 50% as I get into late March and early April.

WEEK 13: 46 Mi

Mon Feb 4 Easy Run Dist: 11 Mi @9:43 Wed Feb 6 Tempo Run Dist: 9 Mi, inc Warm; 6 Mi @ 8:25; Cool Thu Feb 7 Easy Run Dist: 10 Mi @9:43 Sat Feb 9 Long Run Dist: 16 Mi @9:43

WEEK 14: 48 Mi

Mon Feb 11 Easy Run Dist: 10 Mi @9:40 Wed Feb 13 Speedwork Dist: 9 Mi, inc Warm; 4x1600 in 7:41 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Feb 14 Easy Run Dist: 9 Mi @9:40 Sat Feb 16 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @9:40

WEEK 15: 50 Mi

Mon Feb 18 Easy Run Dist: 12 Mi @9:38 Wed Feb 20 Tempo Run Dist: 11 Mi, inc Warm; 6 Mi @ 8:20; Cool Thu Feb 21 Easy Run Dist: 11 Mi @9:38 Sat Feb 23 Long Run Dist: 16 Mi @9:38

WEEK 16: 39 Mi

Mon Feb 25 Easy Run Dist: 10 Mi @9:35 Wed Feb 27 Easy Run Dist: 10 Mi @9:35 Thu Feb 28 Easy Run Dist: 9 Mi @9:35 Sat Mar 2 Easy Run Dist: 10 Mi @9:35

WEEK 17: 51 Mi

Mon Mar 4 Easy Run Dist: 11 Mi @9:35 Wed Mar 6 Tempo Run Dist: 10 Mi, inc Warm; 6 Mi @ 8:17; Cool Thu Mar 7 Easy Run Dist: 10 Mi @9:35 Sat Mar 9 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @9:35

WEEK 18: 53 Mi

Mon Mar 11 Easy Run Dist: 12 Mi @9:33 Wed Mar 13 Speedwork Dist: 10 Mi, inc Warm; 4x1600 in 7:34 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Mar 14 Easy Run Dist: 11 Mi @9:33 Sat Mar 16 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @9:33

WEEK 19: 55 Mi

Mon Mar 18 Easy Run Dist: 14 Mi @9:30 Wed Mar 20 Tempo Run Dist: 12 Mi, inc Warm; 6 Mi @ 8:12; Cool Thu Mar 21 Easy Run Dist: 13 Mi @9:30 Sat Mar 23 Long Run Dist: 16 Mi @9:30

WEEK 20: 57 Mi

Mon Mar 25 Easy Run Dist: 13 Mi @9:27 Wed Mar 27 Tempo Run Dist: 12 Mi, inc Warm; 6 Mi @ 8:10; Cool Thu Mar 28 Easy Run Dist: 12 Mi @9:27 Sat Mar 30 Long Run Dist: 20 Mi @9:27

WEEK 21: 30 Mi

Mon Apr 1 Easy Run Dist: 6 Mi @9:25 Wed Apr 3 Speedwork Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 4x1600 in 7:28 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Apr 4 Easy Run Dist: 5 Mi @9:25 Sat Apr 6 Long Run Dist: 12 Mi @9:25

WEEK 22: 30 Mi

Mon Apr 8 Easy Run Dist: 8 Mi @9:24 Wed Apr 10 Tempo Run Dist: 7 Mi, inc Warm; 3 Mi @ 7:54; Cool Thu Apr 11 Easy Run Dist: 7 Mi @9:24 Sat Apr 13 Long Run Dist: 8 Mi @9:24

WEEK 23: 36 Mi

Mon Apr 15 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @9:23 Tue Apr 16 Speedwork Dist: 4 Mi, inc Warm; 2x1600 in 7:26 w/800 jogs; Cool Thu Apr 18 Easy Run Dist: 3 Mi @9:23 Sat Apr 20 Marathon Race Day 26.2 Mi @8:10 Time: 3:34:13

The plan as it was written by RW smart coach will log 900 miles not including race day. In adding an extra run I'll pick up an extra 150 miles, for a total of 1050 miles prior to race day. This is a large increase over the miles that I completed in 2012 but I believe that with my current fitness level I'll be fine. I just completed a 15.5 mile run last week and I didn't have any negative effects. In fact I felt fresh after the run.

So this is my plan that will put me well below the 4 hour mark for 26.2 miles. In fact according to smart coach they believe I should be able to finish in 3:34:13. I guess I'll find out when I get to Carmel.

Let me know what you think by leaving a comment below, or give me a shout out on twitter @thebrainrunner

Now get out there and get your run in!

Monumental Marathon Recap

The alarm was set for 5:00am yet it was a couple of hours before and I was awake. I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep, which I think I did at least for a little bit. At a quarter till five I turned on the television to catch a glance of the weather for the race. I knew it was going to be in the 30's at the start of the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon but there was a chance of rain so I wanted to see if that was going to happen at the start. Thankfully it looked like it was going to hold off. I ate breakfast, took a shower, got dressed, and met Matt who was running the race with me. All four of us, Tammy (my wife), Matt, Jody (Matt's girlfriend) and I headed down to the start line.

Matt and I said our goodbye's to the girls, who were going to ride their bikes around the course to see us, and headed off to where Back on My Feet were going to have a group prayer before the race. We got there right as they were starting, and while they were giving the group prayer I said my own. Then it was time to go over to where we would meet up with the four hour pace group. The coral was crowded but we were close enough to the group that we could easily see them and catch them once we started. I took a gel and took off my throw away clothes.

As the race started I told myself to stay calm and stay with the pacer, especially since I have a tendency to go out too fast. We headed out through the streets of downtown Indianapolis on this 26.2 mile excursion. Just after mile 3 we saw the girls and I blew Tammy a kiss. I was feeling good and strong at this point which I should be.
1-3 splits: 9:02, 9:39, 8:57

Soldiers and Sailors Monument

We then head north, away from downtown toward our northern most point near Broad Ripple on 66th street. But on the way to that point we went through the art district on Mass Ave where I took my first gel. At near mile 5 I felt like I needed to pee so I started looking for a pit stop. I thought I found one but after waiting for 12 seconds realized the line was to long and decided to go ahead. I saw the girls at mile 6 or so and waved and wondered if they thought I dropped Matt or if he dropped me. Then I caught back up to Matt who wondered where I went, and when I told him he laughed at me and said he needed to go as well. So we started to look for a pit stop without a line. We finally found one at mile 10 that still had a small line but neither of us could hold back any longer so we waited a little bit and did our business then headed back out on the course.Trying to do math and figuring out how far behind the pace group we were, how long it would take us to catch them if we ran 8:55's proved to be more than either of us could do at that point so we just went with it.
4-10 splits 9:02, 9:09, 8:53, 8:54, 9:21, 9:29, 10:49

We ended up catching the pace group near mile 12. Wow! We were pushing it, because by my calculations they had about a minute plus lead on us. The problem was now that I needed another pit stop, my stomach started to become sour, and churn. I told Matt I was going to try and put some distance on the pace group so I could use the rest room again. I wished him good luck just in case I didn't see him again, and he did the same. I took off on my own out in front of the group. Other than the stomach urgency I was feeling good, my legs felt great, but holy cow my stomach was not cooperating. Just after crossing the timing mat at the half way point there was another pit stop, without a line. I ducked in to my disgust, and quickly realized that wasn't happening, so I ran on with stomach urgency.
11-13.1 splits 8:47, 8:34, 9:46

Oddly enough my stomach subsided and I kept running smoothly. I thought that the issues might come back so I planned to run an even pace (even though I'm typically not good at that) and see where that left me. Somewhere in the 16th mile my issue returned, even worse this time. There wasn't a pit stop in sight....
I even half seriously contemplated going off course into a wooded area. But thankfully that didn't have to happen. Just a little bit after the 16th mile marker I saw another pit stop and quickly made my way inside, did my business which seemed to take a long time. But upon exiting I felt so much better. I said a quick prayer that I'd seen the last of stomach troubles.
14-17 splits 7:54 (this was only .9 miles), 9:02, 8:25, 12:51

Now that that was behind me I tried to figure out where I was. As we made a turn I looked back and didn't see any pace group signs. Then I found a runner who I remembered seeing with us earlier and asked if the pace group was ahead or behind them. Unfortunately they said they were ahead by a couple of minutes. I knew I was behind my pace, but I wanted to try and stay smooth, and strong. I went through a mental check list. Feet-Good, Calves-Good, Legs-Good, Stomach-Good (thank goodness), Breath-Good, Mind-Real Good. So I pushed on.... Just before mile 18 there was a gel station, where I grabbed two gels. Unfortunately an overzealous volunteer had already opened them. I had planned on carrying one and taking one. Instead I took one and dropped one, then tried to lick the gel off of my hand. That's not as pleasant as you would think considering all the sweat. We ran by the Butler University campus where I had run my very first race after my brain surgery with Tammy. Then we made our way toward the Indianapolis Museum of Art and ran through some of their grounds. That's when I caught up to Matt. He said he was feeling a little tired and was having some cramping issues and I should go ahead if I could. I waited for a little bit since I'd been pushing for a while to try and catch up to the pace group. Then we fist bumped, and wished each other good luck and I headed off again.
18-20 splits 8:42, 9:30, 8:46

Mentally I had split this race into 6 segments, 4x5 milers and 2x5k's. I was now into the short segments. It was starting to get tough, but my legs felt good considering. At mile 22 the temperature seemed to drop quickly and then sleet started to fall. This can't be good was my thought. I knew that at mile 23 I needed to be at 3:30:50 which I didn't meet. I needed to run a fast 2nd 5k, I figured this was not going to happen, by my calculations. I could see in the distance to the south Methodist Hospital where I'd been airlifted to exactly 4 years earlier to the day with a ruptured brain aneurysm. I almost lost it right there and had to hold back the tears. I'd come so far from then. I then saw the girls up on the next corner and gave Tammy a quick kiss, and told them Matt was behind me a little ways. I also told Tammy that I thought 4 hours was out, but she encouraged me, saying I was doing great and that it would still be a PR from Chicago the year prior. Off I went!
21-23 splits 8:52, 9:27, 9:28

I had a brief moment where I thought maybe I could. Maybe if I could just run a 25 minute or even a 26 minute 5k I might make the four hour time. I gave it everything I could but mile 25 was rough. I walked for 30 seconds during this mile, but it seemed like it was longer than that. With only a mile left to go one of my inspirational songs started playing from my playlist. It was like I timed it perfectly for when I was feeling low. The song, by Eminem 'Till I Collapse, the opening lines say: "Sometimes you just feel tired, you feel weak, and when you feel weak you just want to give up. But you gotta search within you, you gotta find that inner strength and just pull that shit out of you and get that motivation to not give up not be a quitter, no matter how bad you wanna just fall flat on your face and collapse." That was what I needed to get running again I didn't want to be a quitter, I'd go until I finished or collapsed. My legs were tired, I was about finished, then it happened.......I crossed the finish line!
23-26.2 splits 9:19, 9:39, 9:18, 1:51(for the .2)

I couldn't hold back the tears any longer. One of the volunteers who was at the finish line, said to me "It's ok! You did it!" I gave it everything I had on that day and even though I didn't make my four hour goal I know that I have that in me. I just need to get the stomach issues under control. I'm proud of this finish!

Total time 4:03:30.3

This won't be my last....I love this race distance!

Marathon Anticipation

One month from Saturday, I'll be running my second marathon. The first was painful as you may have read here, or part 2 here. I'm cautiously optimistic about this one.

The starting line.

I was looking at my training and comparing the two training cycles with each other yesterday and found something that really boosted my confidence. In the training leading up to the Chicago Marathon in October of 2011 I had one 20 mile training run. That run was completed with a pace of 10:18 per mile with an overall time of 3 hours, 26 minutes and 59 seconds. Going into that race I was nervous and wasn't quite sure what to expect. This time I've completed one 20 miler thus far and have another scheduled next week. This time my 20 miler was completed in 3 hours 1 minute, and 22 seconds, or an 8:57 pace. That's a minute and twenty one seconds faster per mile. I'm feeling good!

This time I'm not nursing a severe injury, although I have had some issues with my ankle it doesn't keep me from running and it is getting better. Last time I was having pain on the bottom of my foot, which flared up during the race. I know there will be pain during the race it's expected this time. I'll feel tired, I may want to stop, but I'm in a better place, I've done more miles, and more quality.

Can a year make that much of a difference, I think yes. The race plan will be the same plan that I was going to try and implement last time. I plan on sitting right on the shoulder of the 4 hour pacer which is a 9:10 per mile split. I'll let them guide me, and take me to mile twenty. Then I plan on gradually increasing my speed, and finish under a four hour marathon. I feel confident that I can do this. Now, when I run at that pace it feels easy, and well within my means. I do have a specific time that I want to hit, but I will keep this close to my vest at this time. Why? You may ask. I'm also running this marathon, the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, with a friend of mine. We are evenly matched, and I don't want to give away what my exact plans are, because it is a race. However, I hope he does well, it's his first marathon, and I want him to be successful. I don't want him to feel as though he has to try and go with me. We will be toeing the line together, both with the four hour pace group and we are both planning on staying with them until 20 miles is hit, but then it's up to each of us after that point.

My nutrition is nailed down, as good as it can be with my experience. Last time I consumed too many gels which led to some minor stomach issues. This time I have a better defined plan on my nutrition. I'll eat breakfast three hours before the race, to give me enough time to digest. Then I'll take a gel 10 minutes prior to the start. I'll only carry one gel with me and pick up the rest on the course. I'll take gels at the following mile markers: 5(the one I'll carry), 10.5, 14, 18, 22 (I'll grab 2), 24. I'll drink at every water stop, and where Gatorade is available I'll have a half cup followed by water, until later in the race when I'll switch to a full cup of Gatorade and a half cup of water.

This race, I feel confident in! I'm hoping for temps in the 40's to start then reaching up to the mid fifties. These temps are right in line with the averages for this time of year in Indianapolis. I'm hoping we won't have the 26 degree temps we had when I completed the half version of this race. But if it's to be I'll adjust my clothing selection. If the temps are where I hope they will be I'll be in a singlet and shorts, with a pair of throw away gloves and hat. Any colder than 40 and I'll go with a sleeved tech shirt.

There are still slots available for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, the half and 5k if your interested. Hopefully I'll see you out there. If not, wish me luck as I embark on my journey to break 4 hours in the marathon. Gods Speed!

Hoosier Hospitality is Dying.....

Hoosier Hospitality: Is the genuine friendliness associated with those from the Hoosier State. However I won't get into what a Hoosier is or how the word came to be.

Along the trails, both paved and dirt I've noticed a disturbing trend recently, and that is Hoosier Hospitality may be dying. On almost all of my runs I pass several other people, and I'm assuming that they are from the state of Indiana. I am a friendly runner, if I see you I'll give a wave, a head nod, or say "Hi" or "Good Morning." More times than not however I'm greeted with an empty response of nothingness. Many times the others that I'm passing will not even make eye contact with me, let alone say "hi" in response.

As a fellow runner we have a duty and obligation to look out for our fellow runners. Part of this responsibility is to acknowledge that we are each out on the "road" trying to improve our bodies and make them better by engaging in physical activity. Is it to much to ask of ourselves to respond in kind to a fellow runner. I can understand if someone is out for a hard tempo run to maybe only get a quick flick of the hand, or a nod of the head, but when it's obvious they are just out for an easy or normal run and I receive nothing it leaves an empty feeling in my gut, almost to the point of frustration.

All I'm asking of you as runners is to show a little respect and acknowledge your fellow runners out on the "road" and say "hi." It won't kill your time, it may even make your run better knowing you aren't alone out there trying to get your miles in. Smile, let the others know you are enjoying your time outdoors in nature getting your run in. Wave, head bob, say "hi," "hello," "good morning" make it a peaceful day where we all feel the joy that is running.

The 35th Running of The Mini-Marathon.

I started just behind the white bucket truck.

                In preparation for the first Mini-Marathon in 1977, the race was originally slated as a bicycle race. However, organizers decided that having a bike race in the month of May would take away from the annual Little 500 held every year at the Indiana University campus in Bloomington, Indiana. (See the movie Breaking Away-- a favorite of mine) So, they decided to organize a running race instead. The first two years of the event included some legends of the sport such as Frank Shorter, who won the inaugural event in 1977 in a time of 1:03:56. Year two was supposed to pit defending champion Shorter and running legend Bill Rodgers against each other. However, Shorter suffered an injury and opted for a ride in the pace car yelling out split times to his friend Rodgers. Rodgers won the event in 1:03. In the women’s race Boston Marathon winner Miki Gorman won in 1:20:56. 

                In 1979, the event became part of the 500 Festival, for the famed Indianapolis 500. The event continued to grow throughout the years. In 1991, my first ever Mini-Marathon, the continued growth of the race had increased to 11,032 participants. In 1993, the decision was made to move the finish line from the famed Yard of Bricks, at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, to downtown Indianapolis. In 2002 a record field of 25,000 participants made the race the largest half marathon in the nation. This has continued through the present time where organizers have capped the field at 35,000 participants. According to runningusa.org, this race is the 3^rd largest half marathon in the world as of 2009.

                This year would be no different; the field was set at 35,000 participants, of which I was one. It’s an amazing feeling standing “at the starting line,” or somewhere behind it, with 34,999 other racers. The sheer magnitude of the event and camaraderie is amazing.

Pre-Race

                At 4:30AM my alarm clock decided it was time to get me up and ready to go for the 7:30am gun time. I had laid out my things the night before so that I wouldn’t forget anything on the morning of May 7^th, 2011, race day! I got out of bed and headed for the shower to help warm my legs and wake me up. For breakfast I had a bowl of steel cut oatmeal with raisins, maple syrup, and a touch of molasses. I then followed that up on the drive with a small coffee and a banana. We arrived in downtown Indianapolis at around 6:15 or so, and parked the car. As is my “M.O.”, I do not wear my running shoes in the car, so I began my routine of dressing out of the back of the car. My checklist goes something like this, although I don’t have it written down, yet. (After the mistake I made I shall make a real checklist in the future)

                The unofficial checklist for TheBrainrunner: Vaseline between the toes, running socks, shoes, shorts, warm up pants if it’s cold, tech shirt, sweat shirt if it’s cold, race number, timing chip, safety pins, watch, iPod and arm band, headphones, gels, gel clip on pocket, sunglasses, a smearing of lip balm, gloves if cold, hat if cold, bottle of water for pre-race, my bafound.org wrist band, and band aids...all of which made the trip with me for this morning's race. (I know what you’re thinking, that’s a lot of stuff. And it is but, at least I’m prepared, right?)  I was in good shape for the start, I had everything I needed, or so I thought.

                My goal for this race was to run sub 1:50 which is just under an 8:24/mile pace. I was in corral E so I could actually see the starting line from where I was and ended up crossing only 3 minutes or so after the gun. At 7:15ish I took on my first gel so it would have enough time to get into my system before the start of the race. The National Anthem was sung, the gun fired and the green flag waved. I was off and running the 2011 One America 500 Festival Mini Marathon.

                The thing about running in such a large race is that there are so many people and so many strategies it’s sometimes hard to follow yours. As we headed west on Washington Street passing the Eiteljorg Museum, the NCAA Hall of Champions, and the Indianapolis Zoo, it became evident to me that somehow there were some mix-ups in the seeding of some runners. Either that or they somehow got in the wrong corral. This was evident because of the excessive left to right movements I had to do to avoid running over anyone. But, for the most part I found everyone to be fairly courteous, and if I accidentally bumped someone's arm I apologized to them, not wanting to be “The Rude Runner.” At the first mile I checked my split against my watch and realized I was going much faster than I thought I was, with a 7:46 split. So I backed it down a little and began counting shoes of the same brand that I have. The number got up to six or seven pairs of Newtons over the next mile as my split came in at 8:19. I was feeling good. My breathing was regulated; I didn’t feel anything other than pure joy. I decided I should just go with it and run from effort instead of trying to regulate my pace based solely on split times.

                I began to look for a friend of mine who started a couple of corrals ahead of me, but who had been nursing a foot injury over the last eight weeks. I knew he was going to run the race, but that based on what he was telling me, he would be slower than he normally is. I also knew that this burned him up inside. After about a mile or so I stopped looking for him. My thinking was that with this many people the chances of me being able to pick out a single person were slim. Then I realized that I needed to use the facilities, translated, I had to pee. Somewhere between miles 4, which happened to be my fastest mile at 7:41, and five I found a pit stop row of port-o-potty's. This slowed me down just a little bit.... I clocked that fifth mile at 8:54, but was back at it.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

                Just a little bit after mile five you enter the town of Speedway, home of the Indianapolis 500. Looming in the distance was the famed track, and I, along with 34,999 of my closest friends of the day were going to run on the same track that other racing legends had logged so many miles on in their cars. Just past mile six, and at an 8:02 pace, I enter the back stretch of “The Brickyard.” The track got this nickname because when it was first paved with bricks, it took 3.2 million bricks to complete the project. The front and back straightaways are 5/8 of a mile long with 9 degree banking. Each of the four turns has 12 degree banking, making up the 2.5 mile track. The seating capacity of 250,000 permanent seats makes this the world’s largest sporting facility.

Turn 4 of the Speedway

                At mile seven (8:10 pace), I passed a gentleman who had a tic mark on the back of his shirt for each of these races he’d completed, which was twenty in all. What an inspiration he was! We spoke briefly and parted ways as I pushed on, exiting turn four then heading for the remaining stretch of bricks, which marks the Speedway's finish line. By chance, I spotted my friend up ahead and caught up to him so that we could pass over the bricks together. I wished him luck, and he said he was doing okay for someone who hadn’t trained in 8 weeks. He wished me luck and said I was looking good and seemed to be on pace for a PR. Mile 8 found my pace at 8:12 and I was having a great time. I even picked up a Hawaiian lei from one of the local high school cheer groups. I ran with that for maybe the length of two football fields, then decided it had to go.

                With the track behind me and an 8:03 mile 9, it was time to begin the path back toward downtown to the finish line. Shortly after mile 10, with a pace of 8:17, I began to feel a slight burning sensation around my left pectoral muscle. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks! I brought my band aids, but I didn’t put them on. I had forgotten to cover my nipples, which were now chafing. Crap! "How could I have been so dumb?", is what I thought as I pictured them sitting on the fourth floor of the parking garage, in the back of my wife’s car, in the side pocket of my duffel bag... unused. I made a quick stop at one of the medical tents to ask if they had any band aids, which they did not. I guess they were more prepared for bigger issues than my now slightly bloody left chest. On I pushed turning off of 10^th street and onto White River Pkwy, completing mile 11 in 8:11.             

Heading toward the finish

                I could feel myself beginning to get a little tired, so right before the next water stop I consumed the last of my four gels just in time to wash it down with some water. Then I found myself at mile 12 with a pace of 8:10.  Looking at my watch,  I knew my PR was going to happen today. I tried to pick up the pace to finish strong, but I started the kick a little early, having to slow with only a half left. Then a kind lady from the crowd saw that I was struggling, and thankfully read my name on my bib, yelling it out loud enough so that I could hear. Sometimes, that’s all it takes to dig a little deeper, and I was off again to finish strong. Both sides of the finishing stretch were lined with spectators and bleachers. I kept looking right to left for my wife and my two little girls who had made signs for me. But through all the crowds and my determination, it was hard to pick out any one thing. Sadly I didn’t get to see them cheering me on. As I pushed hard toward the finish line I was trying to do the math from the gun time clock to subtract what I thought was my finishing time.

                I crossed the finish line with an official time of 1:46:58, which was revised from 1:47:01. Either of them would have been a PR for me, but going under the 47 minute mark seems a little sweeter. Before I was even halfway through the finishing chute, my wife had received a text that I had finished and she was calling me (you have to love technology.) We met just after that while I was still in the chute, so that I could grab a dry shirt and get some pictures taken with our girls.

                What a spectacular race! I look forward to running it again and again. Hopefully one day, I can run it with my daughters, which is a day that I can’t wait to experience.