Year in Review

I have just completed the last run for 2010. It was a wet 12 miler in the pouring rain at 6:31 pace. With this 12 miles, I logged a total of 2852 miles for the year in 308:32:27. My highest mileage total in year by about 800! Next year, we look to 3,000 miles barring any injuries.

As I reflect back on 2010, I can't help but feel like this was far and away my best year of running ever. I completed 22 races (1 duathlon, 3 5K's, 8 10K's, 1 10M, 7 1/2 Marathons, and 2 Full Marathons). I won 8 times this year but even more important, got quite a bit faster. I ran a PR both times out in the marathon, the second of which in Chicago, was a 2:44. I ran 16:39 5K and 34:08 10K. I ran a 1:16:47 1/2 in Arkansas on a course much more difficult that where I got my 1:16:10 PR, Detroit. I lowered my personal best in the Crim by over a minute, down to 57:17! I can't help but think that there is something to be said for the speed work and the long runs. I still hate the speed work though!! We also started running with our "Sunday Service" group this year and the teamwork that came from that really has helped all of us. I also was fotunate to become part of the Brooks racing family this year. Very cool!

As I look forward to 2011 and what I hope to accomplish, the first thing will be to go down to Miami and run the full down there. I don't think I am in PR shape but I definitely won't run a 3:02 as I did last time down there. Beyond that, I would really like to make 2011 my year to set that new PR in the 1/2 Marathon. I think I was in shape to do it this year but the schedule never fell right for my to attack one. This year, I will set it up so it does. I need to have a fall marathon on the schedule and haven't decided which one I would like to target yet. I also plan to hit the 3,000 mile plateau. I definitely feel like this is achievable after the year I just had.

Best wishes for a safe and healthy 2011 to all! See you on the roads!

Why I Run

I have been asked quite often why I run. I have many ways to answer that. I will go back to the beginning which was when I was in high school. The cross country coach, who doubled as my geography teacher, asked me to come run "cross country". I had no idea what it was but he convinced me it would get me in great shape for basketball. Basketball was my sport. I loved it. There were a few problems with this love. I was small, 5'3" and 120 pounds. I was not quick. I could run forever but going up and down the floor, I was not very fast. Finally, I couldn't shoot at all!! My freshman year I tried everything I could to get out of practice and then when the meets came, I never could figure out why I was so bad. I ran a PR of 21:13 as a freshman. My sophomore year, I came back with a better attitude and that was when the light went on that I was going to be a much better runner than basketball player. The best part was I had a lot of friends that were on the team and we were actually making it fun to run. I dropped about 2:30 of my PR and was in the 18's. I ended up running 16:54 my senior year and going on to run for 2 1/2 years at Saginaw Valley. I wasn't ready to commit to the demands of collegiate running and 2 stress fractures in the shin later, I gave it up. I wanted to focus on graduation and finding a job. I graduated and was 5'8" and 140 pounds.

I started back again upon college graduation and ran for about 2 years and had another stress fracture, this time in my hip. At that point, I just gave it up. I enjoyed it but couldn't seem to stay healthy. About 6 years ago, I was taking a lot of ribbing about all of the weight I had gained. I didn't realize how bad it was until I stepped on the scale and was now 185 pounds. The best way I knew to lose weight was to start running, so that I did. First, I ran a St. Pats race in Bay City just for fun and then I showed up to another race and knew that I had no business competing. Still, I showed up. I went out and got dusted running a high 18 minute 5K. The competitive juices were now flowing again.

Over the past 6 years, there have been many bumps in the road. 2 more stress fractures, including 1 in my pelvis while I was running the Miami Marathon (still ran a 3:02). I had my best year of running ever in 2010. I owe it to my wife for supporting me, my coach Gary Brimmer for putting me on a great plan and getting me to trust him, and all of my training buddies, especially the Sunday Service boys!

I am looking forward to wonderful 2011 and will be kicking it off with the Miami Marathon as my first big race in January! I owe that course something!!