Fall is truly a beautiful time of the year. There is so much to love about fall - the cooler temps, the changing and falling leaves, etc. However one thing to not love about Fall is ragweed - that unseen toxin in the air that affects so many of us. This past Sunday in worship, so many times all you could hear was the sniffles - and that was before I started losing it while confirming my two sons. The ladies that give me my allergy shots tell me that ragweed will be strong until we get our first good frost - so here's to praying for a nice frost this weekend.
This morning as I went for my run, I knew that the temps were going to be cooler today than they had been over the past few days where it felt like it was July again. Not only did it feel cooler, but the wind was really whipping, and I found myself longing for a long sleeved shirt - not just because I was cold, but so that I could use the sleeves to wipe my nose! Yes, I know that is gross and something that I used to tell my kids not to do, but when you are 3-4 miles away from home and do not have a tissue, do you have a better solution? You trying blowing a snot rocket! Adding to the snot issue, the wind was blowing so hard it was causing my eyes to water so bad I truly had to look like a site - snot dripping and tears rolling. Oh, but it gets better. Around mile 3, the snot really started to drain down the back of my throat (I apologize if this is grossing you out - it's really supposed to be a reminder to me, so if it offends, please feel free to skip this part). The snot going down the back of my throat allowed me to work in a little ab work - gagging and running are all well and good when done separately, but together they just don't mix. Once I got that out of my system (literally), things actually improved a bit. I seemed to be able to breathe easier, and I seemed to finally settle into a comfortable pace.
I was reminded in my running today that when I am trying to set a pace to begin my run, I have got to take into account how cool it feels, or how cold I am. If I am cold, I have a tendency to run a little (or a lot) faster than what I want. That was the case today - I intended to run a nice, slow pace somewhere around 9:30-10:00 per mile. Instead, my first 3 miles where closer to 8:30. I ran a total of 8 miles, and never got to my goal pace for the run, instead I averaged a 9:06 pace. Since I'm really not training for the marathon yet, that really was faster than what I wanted. I felt like I was going slow at first - yet I kept trying to slow myself down. The problem was when I slowed down it felt like I was almost walking. That's what the cold does to me. It may not do that to you, but when I feel cold like that (especially running into the wind), I just pump those legs trying to warm up. Anyway, considering everything, it's still snot a bad run.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Maintaining Momentum
Yesterday I had the "wonderful" opportunity to attend a district minister's meeting, and the topic of the meeting was "Clergy health." This has been a significant topic in the past year or so, as Duke has done studies and projects to determine the health status of today's clergy (which is not good), and how that might be improved. My district was one of 2 districts chosen as a "test" group to participate in the Clergy Health Initiative, which involved a lot of medical tests, programs, and follow up that the Duke endowment would pay for. I chose to not participate in the first program. At that time, I was training for my first marathon, and I felt like I was doing what I needed to be doing to get to a good point of health in my life. I felt like that was confirmed at the meeting yesterday, because though so many of the other pastors actually did participate in the program, and I think many assumed that I had participated as well, I still feel like I'm one of the few ministers in the district that could walk a mile (let alone actually run one) and still have the energy to keep going. Many of my colleagues commented on how much weight I've lost and how "fit" I looked. Hearing such things does actually bloat your ego a bit.
Since I began running a couple of years ago, I actually have lost quite a few pounds. I'm lighter now than what I was when I got married 17 years ago. Shoot - last year for the marathon I was hoping to be able to run it weighing around 175, but I could never get there consistently. Now, without really even trying to lose weight, but instead trying to just eat healthy, I'm under 170. I'm in need of new pants - most are about to fall off. I'm in need of new shirts - I feel like I'm wearing a tent sometimes. So considering all of that, I feel like my health is pretty good.
But that doesn't mean any of this is easy. Yesterday at the meeting, one colleague said that I was "such an inspiration" to him, because I just get up and go run and exercise, and that he just can't get himself to do it. I've thought about that a bit - especially today when I really tried to convince myself that I really didn't need to go run. Almost every single time I lace up my shoes to go run I have an argument with myself. Those "love/hate relationship with running" commercials are so true - I love it, and yet I also hate it. Sometimes it is awesome; sometimes (like today) it really stinks. So I consciously fight that battle every single time I go run. We all could just say that we just can't do something, but the truth is that we can actually do whatever we set our minds to do. It may not be easy, but it can be done. It just takes that first decision, and the conscious act of taking that first step. Today I so wanted to go back to bed instead of running. I justified how I was in great shape, and the marathon is still months away. I justified how I really didn't sleep well last night, and thus I needed more sleep. I justified that since my allergies are really bothering me that running outside might make them worse. I justified that since it felt like a July morning in the muggy humidity and 76 degree morning air, then I could just skip it. However, all of those justifications went away when I was reminded of the heavy heart I feel over the death of 2 ministry colleagues who were both under 50. The deaths of the Rev. Todd Krueger and the Rev. Mack McMillan have really shaken me to the core, and right now they both have been an inspiration for me to get out and run this week - not to avoid my own death, but to ensure the fullness of the life that I do have. So today, I laced them up again - just like on Monday - and out I went to run 5 miles. It was not easy; in fact today's run was NEVER comfortable (in fact, as I sit here typing at lunch, I still feel the drain from the run). But in my soul, I know it was good for me. And so I feel like today I've won the battle again - I've maintained the momentum that I began when I first began running. That's a battle that I fight each week; and it's a battle I chose to win.
Since I began running a couple of years ago, I actually have lost quite a few pounds. I'm lighter now than what I was when I got married 17 years ago. Shoot - last year for the marathon I was hoping to be able to run it weighing around 175, but I could never get there consistently. Now, without really even trying to lose weight, but instead trying to just eat healthy, I'm under 170. I'm in need of new pants - most are about to fall off. I'm in need of new shirts - I feel like I'm wearing a tent sometimes. So considering all of that, I feel like my health is pretty good.
But that doesn't mean any of this is easy. Yesterday at the meeting, one colleague said that I was "such an inspiration" to him, because I just get up and go run and exercise, and that he just can't get himself to do it. I've thought about that a bit - especially today when I really tried to convince myself that I really didn't need to go run. Almost every single time I lace up my shoes to go run I have an argument with myself. Those "love/hate relationship with running" commercials are so true - I love it, and yet I also hate it. Sometimes it is awesome; sometimes (like today) it really stinks. So I consciously fight that battle every single time I go run. We all could just say that we just can't do something, but the truth is that we can actually do whatever we set our minds to do. It may not be easy, but it can be done. It just takes that first decision, and the conscious act of taking that first step. Today I so wanted to go back to bed instead of running. I justified how I was in great shape, and the marathon is still months away. I justified how I really didn't sleep well last night, and thus I needed more sleep. I justified that since my allergies are really bothering me that running outside might make them worse. I justified that since it felt like a July morning in the muggy humidity and 76 degree morning air, then I could just skip it. However, all of those justifications went away when I was reminded of the heavy heart I feel over the death of 2 ministry colleagues who were both under 50. The deaths of the Rev. Todd Krueger and the Rev. Mack McMillan have really shaken me to the core, and right now they both have been an inspiration for me to get out and run this week - not to avoid my own death, but to ensure the fullness of the life that I do have. So today, I laced them up again - just like on Monday - and out I went to run 5 miles. It was not easy; in fact today's run was NEVER comfortable (in fact, as I sit here typing at lunch, I still feel the drain from the run). But in my soul, I know it was good for me. And so I feel like today I've won the battle again - I've maintained the momentum that I began when I first began running. That's a battle that I fight each week; and it's a battle I chose to win.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Neuse River Bridge Run Half Marathon Report
After a week where I had serious doubts about my ability to run in the race, Saturday really was a great race! I have only run one other half marathon, and that was in November of 2008. Back then I was REALLY running hard - so hard that in the months following that race I was found to have not one but two stress fractures. My time back then was 1:59, which I was very excited about. Flash forward to 2010, and I knew that I had not been running as hard I had been for the first half, but I also knew that I was in better overall condition. I knew that I was better at pacing, and I knew that I had learned to enjoy running even more than before. That being said, I had expectations that I would finish somewhere around 2:15.
Saturday morning I got up around 4:20. I knew that I had to be at the race site no later than 6:30, and it would take me a little over an hour to get there, so I wanted to make sure I gave myself enough time. I got up, ate some oatmeal and had a cup of coffee, and off I went. It is amazing how if I had been up early any other day of the week, I would have been a complete zombie. But instead, I was alive, ready, and excited! I had no problems getting to the park in downtown New Bern where the race was to start, but I was stressing a little about the time at the registration table. One complaint I would have about this race was that they had one table set up with 3 lines - one for the half, one for the 10K, and one for the 5K. The half was to start at 7, the 10K 30 minutes later, and the 5K 30 minutes after that. Anyway, long story short, the line to pick up my race packet was quite long, and yet people were walking up to another table where you could sign up if you had not already registered, and those people were getting their packets while we stood in line for quite a while. Finally by the time I did get my packet, I had just enough time to run back to my car to drop off my sweats and the packet, put on my race number, and run back to the start. All in all, I guess that worked out OK because then I didn't have to stand around too long in the cool morning air, and I got a decent little warm up run to boot!
It was a great crowd before the start. People just milling about, encouraging one another. People would say, "The start is a little closer up there - you might want to move that way if you are concerned about your time." I guess they looked at me and knew right away that I was a speed demon - not! It was great to see all the different race t-shirts that people wore - I even saw a couple who had competed the week before at the Kona Iron Man Championships, and here they were now running in a little half-marathon in New Bern. I thought that was pretty cool. Once the horn went off signifying the start of the race, I got to hear one of those neat "race day" sounds - the sounds of hundreds of runners hitting their watch/gps. We began by running past the park and out onto the first bridge. Running over a bridge as the sun is coming up is a beautiful thing. Runner after runner commented on the beauty of it all.
I wanted to run this race with great caution. I really just wanted to enjoy it, especially since 48 hours before I was at the doctor and seriously doubting I would be able to run. I knew that as long as I ran a smoothly then I would be able to come in under 2:15 with no problem. I just wanted to start slow, and if about mid-way through the race I felt good, then maybe I would pick up the pace to the finish. I started talking with a couple of runners, and quickly became friends with a guy who as chance would have it, was a great United Methodist who happened to be an attorney. Turned out we knew many of the same ministers, and he was even familiar with my wife's law firm, having dealt with them once before. Scott told me that if I wanted to finish quick, then I could just leave him behind because he was planning on finishing around 2:30. But running together really seemed to help both of us, as the pace was really quite comfortable - maybe a little slower than I had planned, and a little faster than he had planned. I walked through the water stops to make sure I drank more than I spilled, and he would do the same. For a good 6 miles, we really lifted each other up. At the mile 6 water stop, I realized my time was well within my goal, but I also realized I felt amazing and was ready to pick up the pace. With that, I took off, and only saw Scott again when he finished the race.
The next 7 miles were fantastic. I was running with a purpose, and truly did not feel like I had already run 6 before. Below I have listed my mile splits, and you will see it was a different race. I did not once use the Ipod I had in my pocket - I just loved hearing the sounds of my feet and the sounds of the volunteers cheering us on. I made a point to say thank you to every single one of them who were out there, because I know they could not have been having much fun. I felt like I was constantly in a runner's high for those 7 miles. And another neat thing - after that mile 6 water stop, not a single runner passed me. One by one I tracked down another. Granted, the neat thing about running is that the only person I was really racing against was myself. Everyone comes into it running against themselves, and not the other runners. In the end, I think it's fair to say that I won.
My time for the race was 2:01:45. Considering I had thought it might be closer to 2:15, I was extremely happy. Considering I know that I could have easily beaten my PR had I picked it up a little earlier in the race, I was still extremely happy. Considering how enjoyable running 13.1 miles was, I was incredibly happy. Definitely a race I would recommend to anyone considering running a half (or 10K - or even 5K). Also learned a lot about myself and how to enjoy a run. Hopefully I will apply these lessons when I run my next full marathon in February.
Below are my splits for the race:
Mi 1 9:32.48
Mi 2 9:35.68
Mi 3 9:39.68
Mi 4 9:50.65
Mi 5 9:53.46
Mi 6 9:47.98
Mi 7 9:21.67
Mi 8 9:01.76
Mi 9 9:00.51
Mi 10 8:57.74
Mi 11 8:42.27
Mi 12 8:45.52
Mi 13 8:16.59
Final time = 2:01:45
Saturday morning I got up around 4:20. I knew that I had to be at the race site no later than 6:30, and it would take me a little over an hour to get there, so I wanted to make sure I gave myself enough time. I got up, ate some oatmeal and had a cup of coffee, and off I went. It is amazing how if I had been up early any other day of the week, I would have been a complete zombie. But instead, I was alive, ready, and excited! I had no problems getting to the park in downtown New Bern where the race was to start, but I was stressing a little about the time at the registration table. One complaint I would have about this race was that they had one table set up with 3 lines - one for the half, one for the 10K, and one for the 5K. The half was to start at 7, the 10K 30 minutes later, and the 5K 30 minutes after that. Anyway, long story short, the line to pick up my race packet was quite long, and yet people were walking up to another table where you could sign up if you had not already registered, and those people were getting their packets while we stood in line for quite a while. Finally by the time I did get my packet, I had just enough time to run back to my car to drop off my sweats and the packet, put on my race number, and run back to the start. All in all, I guess that worked out OK because then I didn't have to stand around too long in the cool morning air, and I got a decent little warm up run to boot!
It was a great crowd before the start. People just milling about, encouraging one another. People would say, "The start is a little closer up there - you might want to move that way if you are concerned about your time." I guess they looked at me and knew right away that I was a speed demon - not! It was great to see all the different race t-shirts that people wore - I even saw a couple who had competed the week before at the Kona Iron Man Championships, and here they were now running in a little half-marathon in New Bern. I thought that was pretty cool. Once the horn went off signifying the start of the race, I got to hear one of those neat "race day" sounds - the sounds of hundreds of runners hitting their watch/gps. We began by running past the park and out onto the first bridge. Running over a bridge as the sun is coming up is a beautiful thing. Runner after runner commented on the beauty of it all.
I wanted to run this race with great caution. I really just wanted to enjoy it, especially since 48 hours before I was at the doctor and seriously doubting I would be able to run. I knew that as long as I ran a smoothly then I would be able to come in under 2:15 with no problem. I just wanted to start slow, and if about mid-way through the race I felt good, then maybe I would pick up the pace to the finish. I started talking with a couple of runners, and quickly became friends with a guy who as chance would have it, was a great United Methodist who happened to be an attorney. Turned out we knew many of the same ministers, and he was even familiar with my wife's law firm, having dealt with them once before. Scott told me that if I wanted to finish quick, then I could just leave him behind because he was planning on finishing around 2:30. But running together really seemed to help both of us, as the pace was really quite comfortable - maybe a little slower than I had planned, and a little faster than he had planned. I walked through the water stops to make sure I drank more than I spilled, and he would do the same. For a good 6 miles, we really lifted each other up. At the mile 6 water stop, I realized my time was well within my goal, but I also realized I felt amazing and was ready to pick up the pace. With that, I took off, and only saw Scott again when he finished the race.
The next 7 miles were fantastic. I was running with a purpose, and truly did not feel like I had already run 6 before. Below I have listed my mile splits, and you will see it was a different race. I did not once use the Ipod I had in my pocket - I just loved hearing the sounds of my feet and the sounds of the volunteers cheering us on. I made a point to say thank you to every single one of them who were out there, because I know they could not have been having much fun. I felt like I was constantly in a runner's high for those 7 miles. And another neat thing - after that mile 6 water stop, not a single runner passed me. One by one I tracked down another. Granted, the neat thing about running is that the only person I was really racing against was myself. Everyone comes into it running against themselves, and not the other runners. In the end, I think it's fair to say that I won.
My time for the race was 2:01:45. Considering I had thought it might be closer to 2:15, I was extremely happy. Considering I know that I could have easily beaten my PR had I picked it up a little earlier in the race, I was still extremely happy. Considering how enjoyable running 13.1 miles was, I was incredibly happy. Definitely a race I would recommend to anyone considering running a half (or 10K - or even 5K). Also learned a lot about myself and how to enjoy a run. Hopefully I will apply these lessons when I run my next full marathon in February.
Below are my splits for the race:
Mi 1 9:32.48
Mi 2 9:35.68
Mi 3 9:39.68
Mi 4 9:50.65
Mi 5 9:53.46
Mi 6 9:47.98
Mi 7 9:21.67
Mi 8 9:01.76
Mi 9 9:00.51
Mi 10 8:57.74
Mi 11 8:42.27
Mi 12 8:45.52
Mi 13 8:16.59
Final time = 2:01:45
Friday, October 15, 2010
Race day tomorrow!
I have been super busy lately and have not been able to report much, but I did run last week and this week on Monday. Had a few health issues crop up that required a couple of trips to the doctor - first Monday afternoon, and then again on Thursday - for 2 completely different issues. I won't go into details, but when I went to the doctor on Thursday, I honestly did not think I stood a chance of running in the Bridge Run Half-Marathon tomorrow in New Bern. I woke up early Thursday morning in a great deal of pain, feeling as if my left big toe was a balloon that was about to pop. I could not bear any weight at all on that toe, and it was in fact swollen a lot. Turns out that the antibiotic I started on Monday sometimes triggers a "severe arthritic condition," and my was presenting like gout. I've heard of gout, but it is usually with older people in my congregation. Now I know what they are going through, and it really is painful. The doctor did change up my meds, and put me on a steroid, and believe it or not I am pretty confident I will be able to run tomorrow. In just over 24 hours after beginning the steroid, I am already pain-free. Hopefully it will stay like that tomorrow. Should be a beautiful run, and I'll look forward to reporting on it! My goal time is anywhere under 2:15. My PR is 1:59, but I am not really thinking I'll be near that.
Friday, October 1, 2010
10-mile Run with the Fishes
Because of a complete deluge of rain over the past week, I have not run since last Wednesday. OK - we didn't actually start getting rain till Sunday, but I didn't run towards the end of last week to heal up a couple of minor aches and pains. And yes, technically I could have run in the rain, but I really didn't want to mess my shoes up. And yes, technically I could have run Tuesday because it was actually kind of nice on Tuesday, but . . . ok - all I've got is excuses. But the good news is that I ran today!
The kids had another 2-hour delay for school today, so I knew I was not going to run as early as I usually do, which was not going to be a problem since I take Friday as my day off. But once the kids left for school, I looked out and saw an all too familiar sight for this week - rain. However last night I finally signed up for the Neuse River Bridge Run half marathon , so I knew that I desperately needed to get in a decent long run this week. With the half-marathon only 2 weeks away, I knew that I needed to get in a good run - even if it was raining. So off I went, into the rain - hoping to not have to jump over too many puddles.
Surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. I really was able to avoid any significant puddles, and the rain was more like a drizzle for the first 30 minutes or so, and then it just faded away. I can't say that I even really felt all that wet. My shoes did get a little wet, but probably not as bad as when I run in 90 degree weather. As I approached downtown Goldsboro, I began to detect a different aroma. Now, mind you, the first part of my run I go past a Krispy Kreme, where they had the "hot and ready" sign lit. As I approached the area where I can sometimes smell the bread bakery, instead I began to detect the aroma of . . . fish? The closer I got, the stronger the smell became. Can I just say that when you are running, some aromas are better than others, and some should not be experienced. Today, the aroma of the fish was not helping me - though it wasn't nearly as bad as when the Disney marathon took us past the sewage treatment plant. The occasion for the fish smell was the annual fish fry for one of the civic organizations. How come annual fish fries seem to occur every other week? It's kind of like JCPenney and their "best sale of the year!" that happens every other week. Anyway . . .
Fortunately I was able to outrun the smell and logged 10 miles. I was really curious if I was going to be able to make it for 10 today - I can honestly say that I thought I was going to stop at 7 miles, but I was able to press on. While today running 13 miles would have been difficult, I do have the confidence that I can do it in a couple of weeks. So glad I was able to get out there and run! Instead of having to worry and doubt that I'd be able to do it, now I know I can make it happen. I don't think I'll be setting a PR (personal record), but I've only run one other half-marathon. However, that was a decent time for me - 1:59. Right now, I think I'd be pleased just to come in under 2:15. We'll just have to wait and see how it goes.
The kids had another 2-hour delay for school today, so I knew I was not going to run as early as I usually do, which was not going to be a problem since I take Friday as my day off. But once the kids left for school, I looked out and saw an all too familiar sight for this week - rain. However last night I finally signed up for the Neuse River Bridge Run half marathon , so I knew that I desperately needed to get in a decent long run this week. With the half-marathon only 2 weeks away, I knew that I needed to get in a good run - even if it was raining. So off I went, into the rain - hoping to not have to jump over too many puddles.
Surprisingly, it wasn't that bad. I really was able to avoid any significant puddles, and the rain was more like a drizzle for the first 30 minutes or so, and then it just faded away. I can't say that I even really felt all that wet. My shoes did get a little wet, but probably not as bad as when I run in 90 degree weather. As I approached downtown Goldsboro, I began to detect a different aroma. Now, mind you, the first part of my run I go past a Krispy Kreme, where they had the "hot and ready" sign lit. As I approached the area where I can sometimes smell the bread bakery, instead I began to detect the aroma of . . . fish? The closer I got, the stronger the smell became. Can I just say that when you are running, some aromas are better than others, and some should not be experienced. Today, the aroma of the fish was not helping me - though it wasn't nearly as bad as when the Disney marathon took us past the sewage treatment plant. The occasion for the fish smell was the annual fish fry for one of the civic organizations. How come annual fish fries seem to occur every other week? It's kind of like JCPenney and their "best sale of the year!" that happens every other week. Anyway . . .
Fortunately I was able to outrun the smell and logged 10 miles. I was really curious if I was going to be able to make it for 10 today - I can honestly say that I thought I was going to stop at 7 miles, but I was able to press on. While today running 13 miles would have been difficult, I do have the confidence that I can do it in a couple of weeks. So glad I was able to get out there and run! Instead of having to worry and doubt that I'd be able to do it, now I know I can make it happen. I don't think I'll be setting a PR (personal record), but I've only run one other half-marathon. However, that was a decent time for me - 1:59. Right now, I think I'd be pleased just to come in under 2:15. We'll just have to wait and see how it goes.
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