SICK!!

So here we are less than a week from Miami and I get sick!! I believe it was because I tried to go run 6 miles on Saturday in -10 degree weather!! I spent most of the day Sunday in bed and took today off from work because I feel like garbage. The good news is that I have almost a week still before the race. I realize that all of the hard work is done and at this point, I just need to rest and get back to 100%. My mileage total will be lower than I had hoped this week due to the off day today but I remember that I had a couple days off before Chicago and then went out and ran a PR. I am not predicting a PR for Miami but I know it will be better than the 3:02 I ran there 2 years ago when I suffered my pelvis fracture!

Less than 1 week, CAN'T WAIT!!

Taper Time

I am 2 weeks from the Miami Marathon and entering the time that I absolutely hate from a training standpoint. I ran a 1/2 marathon yesterday for my long run this week at 6:29 pace on a windy and snow covered course. Today I did a 12 miler today with the boys for our Sunday Service. Now, I only have one more 12 miler before Miami. What I struggle with is feeling like I am losing something by not continuing to run the 70 miles/week. I still keep the intensity up but the lack of long runs and shortening some of my normal 8's and 12's makes me start to question race day. I am open to suggestions on what others do to know they are ready when race day rolls around and what you do to still remain sharp in the last couple weeks leading up to the marathon. Even when I ran a PR in Chicago, I was questioning if I backed off too much. Any input would be appreciated!

Hammer Nutrition!!

I got some wonderful news tonight. I have been selected to be a Tier 1 Hammer Nutrition athlete for 2011. A little over a year ago, I didn't even know what Hammer was. I saw it at a duathlon that I did and tried it there but never really paid much attention to it. Then, while having a conversation with Gary, my coach, he suggested that I try the Hammer gels rather than the GU. I had always had a problem eating while going on my long runs and during marathons. He said the natural ingredients might be easier for me to digest and he was right. I can now eat 2-3 during a marathon and I have no problems! I prefer the Montana Huckleberry and Rasberry gels. I have also tried the Heed, Recoverite and Fizz products along with the Tissue Rejuvenator. I look forward to trying more of their products in the future and would encourage others to take a look at this product that may be a little bit of a secret in the running world still! Here is the link to their site: http://www.hammernutrition.com/.

26 days until Miami!!

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!!