Joe's Running Blog

Okay, it's been way too long since I last was on here. A lot has happened, and for a variety of reasons I didn't feel like putting my training and racing out there for everyone to dissect and analyze. However, time heals most wounds and I suppose there is benefit to having a blog. So, here I am and I will offer a brief synopsis of the last 4 months running-wise.

After the Great Salt Lake 1/2 marathon, I was bummed beyond bummed and basically disgusted that I had worked so hard all spring and summer to race so poorly. Cross wind or not, I was in the dumps for several weeks. Chicago marathon was looming ever near, and I suppose deep down I doubted my abilities and preparation to run a sub 2:22 there. Well, as it turns out, I don't think I could have gone sub 2:22 with Kenyan-like training. As I'm sure all of you read, the conditions were sweltering in the shade and absolutely oven-like on the course. It was everything you read, saw, and heard about and more. It was like a scene from a zombie movie--runners prone on the pavement, wandering and staggering like drunken sailors. And those were the elite runners! It was crazy, absolutely crazy. The finish line at most marathons is a mixture of joyous relief, elation, and emotional high; Chicago was more like a funeral. No high-fiving, no hugs, no pats on the back. Rather, it was filled with "What the heck just happened?" stares from people who looked like they just went 12 rounds with Mike Tyson. At the starting line, I told myself a 2:25-2:28 would be an acceptable performance, and coming through the 1/2 way mark in 1:12, I felt my adjusted goal was still within reach. However, by 18 I felt like someone had unplugged me and placed me directly over an open pit fire. My calves seized up, my stride shriveled, and yet I was still passing people. Eventually, the 1st woman caught me, then the 2nd, 3rd, 4th... I didn't care. I hoped each time I went over a bridge it would open and allow me a clear passage to its cool green relief. AnnMarie saw me a couple times the last few miles and encouraged me each time I stopped to stretch out my calves, and the crowd remained supportive despite the conditions. Final time: 2:39:01 or something close to that. I figured I'd be about 300th or so, but I was quite surprised to see I was 41st male, 45th or 46th overall. I've never been "chicked" before, but I suppose after it happening to Corbin Talley this summer, it was bound to happen to me sooner or later.

One gentlemen did indeed die at Chicago, and while most of you read/saw the report about it, being there at the time, my only thought was that everyone was lucky they didn't pass on as well. It could have happened to so many more, I'm surprised it didn't.

Since Chicago, I've been running. Not regularly, but not sporadically either. Somewhere in between. As for the future, I don't know what my competitive running goals/plans are right now. Moving to Cokeville, Wyoming has been a good move on several levels, but probably not necessarily for my running. For right now, I'm okay with that. November and December have always been my "active rest" months, and coaching junior high boys basketball from Oct 15 to Dec 13 definitely emphasized the "rest" portion of that phrase. Now that that is over, I have more time to do other things, like run and run after Myles, so naturally I will be running more. The temp in Cokeville doesn't climb much above 20 throughout most of the winter, so I'll log most of my miles on the treadmill. If I don't get back to the levels I was at from 2001-2007, that's okay with me. I've accomplished the goals I had since junior high and have stayed relatively healthy the entire time. My running timeline from when I first started can be broken down into three phases:  junior high/high school, college, and post-college. In junior high & high school, I ran because I won nearly every race I entered. My questions when I raced then weren't would I win, but rather by how much would I win and how many times would I lap the field. College was a different story, one where I constantly measured how fast I could run, and hopefully win a race or two. Post-college has largely been to get to the Oly Trials, which I was blessed to do, and win some cash, which I was also fortunate enough to do. Right now, I exercise to stay in shape, to fit into my normal clothes, and to have ice cream without feeling guilty about it. I honestly don't know if I'll want to put in monster miles again and go for another fast time in the marathon or whatever distance. I just don't know right now. So until I do know, I'll keep running. That's what we do, that's why we're different. No matter what seems to happen in our lives, we continue to run. We run to celebrate, we run to soothe pains and disappointment. We run for social hour, and we run at all hours of the day and night. For those who don't understand why we run, there is no explanation. For those who do understand, there is none needed.

I'm officially outta shape. 5 miles on the treadmill, and I was definitely working. It felt good to run hard, even though I wasn't running that hard. Our treadmill is in the same room as our wood burning stove, so it's about 85 degrees in there. Kinda felt like Chicago marathon!Anyhow, one day, one run at a time and it will come back. Played 45 minutes of pickup basketball early this morning with fellow teachers and other early-risers in town. I'm outta basketball shape as well.

Only had time for 4 miles with George Barlow and Taylor Monson. George is a senior at Weber High, and Taylor returned a couple months ago from Ethiopia and is getting back into shape. I coached Taylor in high school, and he is contemplating running for Weber State. He has the talent and work ethic to do very well there. George is incredibly fit and I think he will run some very fast times this indoor and outdoor season.

55 minutes with Taylor Monson. I couldn't find a decent hat, so the one I used definitely kept me cool on the run. I am still in unbelievably poor shape, but it felt good to get out for more than 3 or 4 miles, and to do it outside instead of on the treadmill. Most of all, it feels good to run two consecutive days.

Good run on the treadmill, before the fireplace made the room sweltering hot. Played with the incline the last couple miles, I suppose that's what happens when I watch Rocky IV while running!

Not much time for a run this morning, but it felt good to at least get a few miles in. I think December has been my most infrequent month of running on record for some time now. Not proud of that. Much to do in 2008 to get back into shape.

Ran with Taylor Monson this morning in Ogden, we were down there to show our home to some potential renters. We've been trying to sell our home in North Ogden for almost 5 months, and since it hasn't sold, we decided to rent it out. So we met with a couple families, and it worked out where Taylor and I could hook up for a run. I'm WAY outta shape, but it felt good to get a few miles under my belt. Taylor is still wrestling with whether he wants to walk on at Weber State or not--I basically outlined to him that if he has any inkling of giving it a try, he'll regret it if he doesn't give it a shot. Time will tell.