Marathon? I’m Thinking About It

If you’ve been following along for a couple of months, you may have realized that I’ve been running lately.  In September, I ran the first ever Perk Trail Half Marathon – A Race To Remember (by myself).  The past couple of months, I’ve had the privilege of running with a couple of friends as they’ve pumped out a couple of their longer training runs in preparation for their marathons.  One of my good friends just ran his first marathon last weekend, The Steamtown Marathon in Scranton, PA.  And another friend is getting ready to run his first marathon in a week or so, The St. Louis Marathon.  Running with these guys has made me realize that another marathon may not be so far off for me.  I’ve run over 17 miles and still felt great (or as good as can be expected after running 17 miles).  So why not consider a marathon myself?  That’s a great question.  So…I started looking around for a marathon to run either in late fall or early spring or maybe both.

I could run the first ever Bucks County Marathon on November 20th.  This one looks attractive, because it’s relatively close to home, it’s a certified course, and it’s all trail.  I’m just not sure I want to pay the entry fee to be part of this inaugural race.  Also, I’ve already run a marathon in Pennsylvania.  If I’m every going to run one in each state, I don’t want to waste my marathon effort running a second marathon in the same state.

I could run the Rehoboth Beach Marathon on December 10th.  This would be in Delaware, so it would be a different state than my previous two marathons.  It looks like a well established race on a certified course.  It’s a possibility.

I could run the Ocean Drive Marathon in New Jersey.  This March 25th race starts in Cape May, NJ and ends in See Isle, NJ.  This point to point race could be pretty scenic as it runs 26 miles up the Jersey coast.  I have to wonder what this winds are like on this course.  This could definitely be a possibility for the spring.

As I was doing my research, I came across a unique marathon possibility.  The Thanksgiving Marathon on November 24th takes place in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, New York City, New York.  The race isn’t certified, but I don’t think that matters to me.  The race doesn’t have any aid stations, but I could carry my own water and food.  The race doesn’t come with any fancy T-shirts or running expo.  But the race is FREE!  You just sign-up, show-up, and run.  For finishers of this race which takes place Thanksgiving morning, a 12 inch engraved fork is your reward along with the satisfaction of knowing you earned the calories that you will consume for this year’s Thanksgiving Day meal.  I haven’t signed up yet, but I’m definitely thinking that this may be the one.

What do you think?  Anyone interested in joining me?  Are there any other marathons that I should consider?

Goals like this are great for keeping us focused and moving forward.  But it doesn’t have to be a marathon or hiking up Mt. Everest or swimming across the Gulf of Mexico.  I’ve been inspired by many who are pursuing their own C25K goal (Coach To 5K).  Whatever it is, set a goal.  Go after it.  You can do it!

So what’s one of your goals?  What are you doing to pursue it?

Race to Remember Recap

Yesterday, I ran the first ever Perk Trail Half Marathon.  Okay, it wasn’t an official race.  It was my own crazy idea that I shared last week.  The race gave me a goal to help me get into shape but it also gave me a way to remember the 10th anniversary of September 11th, 2001.

As I ran, I spent each of the 13 (actually 13.1) miles thinking and praying for a different group of people or things which were tied to 9/11.  I wrote these things on my arm as a reminder.  As I approached each mile, I would pray on a more general basis for the first half of the mile.  For the second half of the mile, I would personalize it by concentrating on specific people in my life:

1 – Leanne

2 – Hannah & Isaac

3 – Greg Bonderanko, Jim Callahan, Bruce Beck, junior firefighters from our scout troop

4 – Heather Roulle, John D’Orazio, Shannon Clark, Mike C.

5 – Mike G., John Rizzuto, Evan Flora, Tom Williams

6 – Barack Obama, Joe Biden, senators, Congress, state governors

7 – U.N., NATO

8 – My neighbors, Joe Giunta

9 – Mayor Bloomberg, Brian Willem, Forefront Church

10 – NCC, Journey’s Crossing

11 – Christ’s Church of the Valley, my parents as my dad just started at a new church

12 – tough work relationships

13 – Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan

It was a powerful experience to give these things to God as I passed over each mile.  It was freeing to release these people and worries to the One who cares so deeply for us.

I also had a couple of interesting and unexpected happenings related to the Race to Remember.  I guess I wasn’t shocked when I started the “race” on my own despite my invitation for others to join me. For one, it was early in the morning (7AM), and most people were probably still in bed.  Secondly, my last-minute idea really didn’t give a lot of time for people to prepare and commit to running 13.1 miles.

The first amusing happening came at the first half mile marker when a cat jumped on the trail and started running with me.  I’ve had dogs run with me before, but I’ve never had a cat try to run with me.  Honestly, it was a bit freaky as the cat stayed with me for several yards.  When the cat finally realized it couldn’t keep up, it stopped and started meowing loudly at me.  I smiled as I continued running thinking that this cat was my first cheering section of the day.

The second interesting happening occurred five miles into the “race” when I caught up to Dave, a man who used to go to our church.  I almost ran past him until I realized who he was. I asked him how far he was going and he said a few more miles, so we ran together for about two and a half miles catching up on running, our kids, and their new church.  It was a great, unexpected diversion in the middle of my run.

After I left Dave, I continued back on the trail towards home.  As the miles wore on, I could feel my legs starting to grow tired.  With about three miles to go, I saw another familiar face.  Scott, a friend from scouting, was waiting for me and ready to run the final three miles with me.  Apparently, he read my blog and was inspired to come out and run with me.  It was another great diversion at the perfect time.  As we clicked off the final three miles, we talked about our boys who are in the same class in their first year of middle school.  We talked about September 11th and our plans for the day.  And we enjoyed each other’s company as we talked about various other things.

When we finished (and I caught my breath), Scott asked if we should pray.  It was a perfect way to end the Race to Remember.  In addition to praying for the things written on my arm, I thanked God for the reminder through Scott and Dave of those who had “run” alongside my family over the past year at just the right time when we needed a meal, a prayer, or even just a friend to talk with.  I will never forget the “race” yesterday and the reminders of God’s faithfulness and of hope for the future.

I’m looking forward to running the 2nd ever Perk Trail Half Marathon – Another Race to Remember next year.  Who’s with me?

What did you do yesterday?  Did you do anything to remember the tenth anniversary of September 11, 2001?

Running Inspiration – Let Us Run With Perseverance The Race Marked Out For Us

Hannah finishing a race a few years ago.

Yesterday, I posted some tips for those who are thinking about running a longer race for the first time.

As I was processing this post, I was thinking about things that inspire me in my running and in my life.  For example, I’m inspired when I hear stories of people overcoming adversity to reach new heights.  I think that’s why I like movies like Radio, Remember the Titans, and The Blind Side.

I’m also inspired by scripture.  The scripture below is a great reminder to persevere and to keep the right focus.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.  And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.  For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

It is so easy to give up and to lose perspective when we face the challenges of life.  As with my tips yesterday, here are some tips that I have found helpful in keeping my eyes on the prize.

1)  Follow a plan.  God’s Word should be the center of the plan.  I have tried different methods for staying in God’s Word on my own, but I have found that existing plans are most helpful in keeping me on track.  Two plans or programs that I have used recently to help me are YouVersion.com and The Daily Audio Bible.

2)  Find some accountability.  Get plugged into a small group or even a one-on-one relationship where you can be challenged with the tough questions like:  ‘Have you spend time in God’s Word this week?’ and ‘Have you lived with integrity since we last met?’

3)  Cross train and rest.  There are some great resources out there to get the most out of your walk.  I use several Bible-based blogs and books to give me a deeper perspective.  Getting to church on a weekly basis is also important.  This is a chance to be fed and to worship on a larger, corporate level.  Also, take time to rest.  We live very busy lives.  We must take time to reflect and to rest.

4)  Practice.  Practice.  Practice.  Get out and live your life.  Make a concerted effort to go about your daily activities in a way that would honor God.

5)  Set goals but learn to be flexible with God’s direction.  I’m a huge goal oriented person.  Setting goals is a great way to keep focused.  But we also need to be alert to the movement of the Spirit.

6)  Have fun and a positive attitude.  God doesn’t promise that this life will be easy, but we have a choice to make.  We can have a poor attitude when it comes to life’s ups and downs, or we can choose to have a positive attitude.

It’s amazing how these things line up with the tips from yesterday.

So what inspires you in running and in life?  What other tips would you add to the list above?

I Am A Runner

Hannah at a Cross Country Meet in Fall 2010

Yesterday morning, I ran 4 miles on the Perkiomen Trail.  There wasn’t anything majorly significant about this early morning run.  I didn’t feel real fast; in fact, I felt kind of slow as I plodded along.

It was amusing to me that someone from my company called me yesterday afternoon to seek advice about running this year’s Philadelphia Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon (it used to be called the Philadelphia Distance Run).  It just makes me laugh that people would look to me for advice about running.  I have run this race four or five times, but’s it’s been several years since I last ran it.  I’ve completed two marathons, and two or three Broad Street 10 Milers.  I can’t tell you how many 5Ks that I’ve run over the years.  Nonetheless, I don’t consider myself an expert.  I’m slow and bigger than most long distance runners (that’s a nice way to say that I carry a little more weight than most if not all decent distance runners).

So what did I tell him?

1)  Get into a training program.  Whether it’s a runner’s group at the YMCA or like Team in Training or it’s simply an on-line or written plan like one from Hal Higdon, I think these programs can help keep one focused on doing the right mileage and exercise and rest to prepare for a longer race.  I used a modified Hal Higdon plan when I prepared for both of my marathons.  As a numbers guy, I created spreadsheets to help track by progress through my training.  I tracked distance and time, and I tracked details about each of my runs and workouts about how I felt, where I ran, and what the weather was like.  It was amazing to watch my mileage build up from week to week.

2)  Get some accountability through a runner’s group or a friend who’s at your level.  I found a friend to train with for many of my shorter runs, and I asked several people to ride their bike alongside me for a few of my longer runs.  They carried my water and gel packs, but they also provided conversation to distract me when the mileage was getting the best of me.

3)  Cross train and rest.  These are important to build your strength and cardio capacity without overdoing it.  I liked to ride my bike as one of my cross training activities, and I would recommend swimming and lifting as great cross training activities.  I looked forward to my scheduled rest days.  These gave me a chance to recharge.  These are just as important as the exercise days.

4)  Practice hydration and fueling on your longer runs.  I ran with a belt with four water bottles.  I filled one or two of the bottles with an energy drink like Accelerade.  Practicing eating a gel shot or energy bar in the middle of your longer runs.  Find out what works for you and your stomach.  I learned that certain gel packs don’t work with my stomach.  It’s best to learn this lesson while training and not during your race.

5)  Set goals.  A first goal would be to make it through your training and to the starting line of the race.  Next, your goal should be to finish the race.  Then, you can start adding time related goals – overall finish time, negative splits, etc.  Finally, you might want to add a stretch goal that you can go after if you’re really feeling good.

6)  Have fun.  The running community is great – before, during, and after the race.  Talk to other runners.  Find out what works for them.  Ask them about their favorite races.  Cherish each moment.

For not being a running expert, I guess I have a lot to say.

Are you a runner?  What tips would you add to this list?

In Search of Treadmill

While looking on-line for a new treadmill, I came across this video, and I couldn’t resist.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI&hl=en&fs=1]