April 1, 2010
I can’t let this charade go on any longer. All the workouts…all the runs…have not happened. It has all been a hoax. I really didn’t qualify for the Boston Marathon. I have never wanted to run the Boston Marathon or any other marathon. Why would anyone want to run? I have a drivers license…I don’t need to run anywhere at any time.
Happy Maundy Thursday.
April 2, 2010
It is time to get my head & spirit right. The words of a hymn at Good Friday worship struck me- “This is my ending, this my resurrection; into your hand, Lord, I commit my spirit. This I have searched for; now I can possess it. This ground is holy.”
I read an article on “Chi-running” and liked what I read, though not enough to spend $1395 to become a “Certified Chi Running Instructor”…
I feel as though I am having an out-of-body experience as the time ticks down to my trip to Boston. My appetite has increased. Nervous eating…not good while tapering.
April 6, 2010
It was--and still is--my goal to write every day this month building up to the start of the marathon. I have a feeling that something is hanging over my head… Not sure what it is…maybe nerves…maybe too many things flying through my brain.
I need to get material ready for my TV debut on “Paula Sands Live” tomorrow. Oh yeah--I will be doing a bi-weekly segment on running, getting people ready to run the BIX 7. I think I am having an identity crisis…not with myself--but with other people with whom I identify.
April 8, 2010
Video Link
What a great experience it was to do the first of the bi-weekly interviews on Paul Sands Live. I could get used to being on TV more…maybe all the time.
April 16, 2010
Every living creature is on a path. It is up to the living creature to determine how far it wants to go. The ultimate goal is the summit, the highest peak. The only way to get there is by helping others get there.
I just re-read what I wrote earlier in the month. Boy, was my head up my a$$. I blame it all on tapering.
I am once again on a plane. This trip is the one to which I have been dreaming for as I have run thousands of miles, run countless 5K, 10k, and other “short” races, 8 marathons, and nine years- I am on my way to Boston to run the marathon- gives me “moose bumps” just writing those words.
As Stephen Swartz wrote in a song: “Happy is what happens when all your dreams come true.” If that is true, and I believe it is, then my dreams are coming true. I hope I feel that way after running the 26.2 miles.
It seems like the first half of April has taken a month of Sundays, and the seconds of the clock this week have seemed like hours. I have been receiving phone calls and emails from friends and family wishing good luck and Godspeed.
I wrote last month about going to Boston. As it turns out, Don & Wendy and Emily Hobbs, a Bourbon Chase team mate are driving to Boston tonight; I plan to see Anne Francis--another Bourbon Chase team member; and the Janello family--dear friends from a lifetime ago at Fredonia. I wonder if they have changed much in 33 years… I know I look pretty much the same. So the long and short of it is that I am NOT going to be alone in Boston.
At the airport I read an ad on a banner that stated: “You can only go so far by yourself.” I can’t remember what consulting company it was advertising. My first reaction was: “Wanna bet?” But the more I think about it, the truer it is. I would never have gotten this far by myself. I think everyone in my life--past and present--knows where I am going to be this weekend. And to all of you…THANK YOU! for allowing me to share this experience with you--sometimes ad nauseum for you. And as a reward, all of you will be on the run with me Monday. So if you felt a little bit of your energy or spirit get sucked from you on April 19th between 10:30 and 2:30 (or so…), just accept that it was me, and accept my thanks one more time.
So here is my race plan:
- Miles 1-13:
- Start out slow. I always take off too fast- most marathoners do and then pay for it a few hours later. I will feel strong at the start and be ready to go, but I have to hold back. Pace for the first ten miles: 10-10:30 minutes/mile. The second half goal is to run faster than the first half- called a negative split in the running world.
- Stay calm. Conserve your energy for the second half of the race. Remember Ray- Take it slow.
- Don’t worry as people pass you initially- you can catch them later when they bonk and you are going strong.
- Miles 13-20:
- Change the music to podcast or audio books. Listen to Garrison Keiller, or Noah St. John. Focus on what you are hearing, not on how your legs and feet are starting to feel.
- Stay out of the left side of your brain. Remember all of the training miles you have run, all the P90X workouts you have done. Those thoughts will get you through the rough miles starting at mile 18.
- “At 18.5 miles you wonder why you do this…at 26.2 it all becomes perfectly clear.” Do whatever it takes to stay strong and focused. You are strong…be humbled by that.
- Miles 21-26.2:
- Your body is going to be hurting now, and your legs are most certainly going to be aching. Think outside of yourself…transport yourself to your secret place.
- Set small milestones at this point. Pick an object in the distance and run to it…and then past it…trick your brain.
- Talk to yourself. At this point in the race, you need to dig down deep for extra strength. Remind yourself what you've sacrificed to get to this point. Remember how you've worked through fatigue during your training runs and how you can do it again.
- Do whatever it takes to get to the finish line and then SPRINT across it…grinning from ear to ear!
April 18, 2010
Not sure what else there is to say at this moment. I am nervous, excited, anxious, prepared, feeling strong. In 24 hours it will be over. Until it is, I plan to enjoy every moment.
Thanks to everyone who supported, encouraged, loved, motivated, and cheered to get me to Boston. All of you will be on the road from Hopkinton to Boston tomorrow with me. I wouldn’t be here without the love of my friends and family. I loved you all very much.
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