Motivated to Succeed

Round 2, Day #5: 7 miles in 60:23 as I read the first 120 pages from Frozen Ed Furtaw's "Tales from Out There" about the Barkeley Marathons. For a moment I nearly got lost on the treadmill! Spent the afternoon recovering and planning with Emm for our summer trip to Oregon. Excited at the thought of it! Can't wait to buy the plane tickets, then we will know it's official. Mind the Ducks Registration opened today. Got to get that in the mail soon after the next pay period. Legs feel good. New goal is 180# by June 1st. I know I can do this. How close can I get? Who's in for motivating this fatty to get moving and stop eating?!

Sweat bullets and knives,
Make the weak-"soled" cry; Breathe in
these accomplishments.

Round 2, Day #6: 7 miles in 58:13. Get your sweat on! Felt pretty good. Ran fast to get Emm from work, but found out I don't have to pick her up. Wondering how long I can keep this streak up this time. Will be tough with the work crunch, but I have to do this. Goal is 180# for June 1st. Not sure I can do it, but going to give it a fighting chance! If you see this fatty slacking, shoot me a message and make me run!

Mo' Tip toe Tip toe 
Skip to my lou you ninny!
Hard workout.... Easy race!

Round 2, Day #7: 7 sweaty Dunder Mifflin miles in my Michael Scott memorial tshirt. Very sweaty. Drank 4 pints of water afterwards almost immediately. Going to recover with an episode or two of "The Office" and then some school work. That's what she said!! (60:38)

Frozen Ed Furtaw,
Knows the Barkeley all too well,
I wanna run it! (not!)

Round 2, Day #8: 1.15 miles to keep it alive. Long run tomorrow. Yeah buddy!

Pam Beesly: There is a master key and a spare key for the office. Dwight has them both. When I asked, "what if you die, Dwight? How will we get into the office?" He said, "if I'm dead, you guys have been dead for weeks."

Permanence is false,
Religion keeps us in check,
Until broken rules.

Round 2, Day #9: 7 miles in 59:10

In the end the greatest snowball isn't a snowball at all.... it's fear. - Dwight K. Schrute

Jump once to surprise

Jump twice to be annoying.

I love the Office!

Round 2, Day #10: 7 miles including 2.3 miles of snowshoeing with Emma and then 4.7 miles with just me. One miles tempo thrown in there in 6:24. Felt pretty darn good! Getting back in shape and working towards goals feels so good!

“I would run to Mexico if that’s where the sandwiches are.” - Stanley Hudson

Legs of steel are mine.
Find your own damn machine legs!
Aiight. Just have them back by Tuesday!

Round 2, Day #15: 1 miles in 8:28 to end my day and week. Exhausted and headed to bed. Hoping to get a couple more than my usual 6 or 7 tomorrow. Will probably break it into two runs since I am going to see "The Hobbit" with some of my 6th and 7th graders that read the book for school.

Thunder thighs suffer
But grow stronger and tighter.
Nature's own butt lift!

Round 2, Day #16:  7 miles in 58:19 steady as she goes. Everything feels good and I think it is getting easier to run. Wish it could be my full time job! Shower and then off to the movies at 1:00 to see "The Hobbit".

Fly on the wall... Shoo!
Stubbed my toe but what the hell.
Runners don't quit mate!

Round 2, Day #17: 7 miles in 58:49 (8:24/mile). Easy relaxed run on the treadmill as a study break. Then going food shopping and more school work. Rereading Pam Reed's book for about the tenth time. Got up to page 200. 

"Well, I am actually deathly afraid of frogs. I’ve come across bears and moose, but I’d be really scared if I saw a frog."

Working on cadence,
180. Getting easy.
Now... the dreaded scale!

Evening run: Uphill Challenge: 15% incline, 15 minutes. How far can you go? 1.09 miles apparently for me. Got to start somewhere. Want to do this every other week and hopefully hit 1.25 miles by the end of the winter. 

Round 2, Day #18: 6.25 steady as she goes miles in 48:57 (7:50/mile). There was a lot of food for thought today. One of the funny quotes from a 6th grader today was, "Mr. Griffin, I'm sorry for the loss of your beard. It was a good beard. I'll say a prayer for you." (Red Vibrams EHD2)

Read an article in ultrarunning magazine about Fran Albaugh who is 90 (yes, 90 years as in born in 1923!) who just finished the Presque Isle 12 Hour Endurance Run. He racked up 30 miles in the rain and wind when everyone else called it quits 2/3 of the way through! I want to be like him!

Think about your beard,
DO DO DO DO I want to
remember that beard!

Round 2, Day #19: 4 miles only in 31:42 (7:56 pace). Been dealing with a health issue that has interfered with running, but got up the gusto and gumption to plop on the treadmill and try to run. Was happy that I was able to get in at least 4 while Emm did the elliptical and we rocked out. Hoping we get some decent snow tomorrow because I need to go snowshoeing on Saturday with mommo, Emmy, Jonny and Harry! Glad tomorrow is Wednesday. Getting through the madness! (Blue Vibrams EHD3)

If fat were skinny,
Wouldn't I be beautiful!
Reality sucks! (teehee)

"I came up with a new thing this summer. I act like I'm telling someone how to do something. I go on with a long description. And then I say, "And shove it up your butt!" It's stupid, but it's my thing now." - Stanley Hudson

Round 2, Day #20: 6 miles only; warm up in 9:10 and then 5 miles steady (41:33) including 3 x 3 minute hill surges at 8:20 pace and 4%, 5%, and 6% grades respectively. Cooled down and stretched. Didn't think I would get a run in as I fell asleep on the couch. Just crashed. Was so exhausted after school. Not feeling all that great. But rallied after a 20 minute nap and got the run in. That's dedication! Total for the run was 6 miles in 50:43; 8:27/mile (Blue Vibrams EHD4)

Reluctant muscles,
Bound up the hills, toward greatness.
You only live once.

Round 2, Day #21: 1.5 miles only in 12:00. Came home and passed out after school. I swear I am working harder than the students. Took a 25 minute cat nap and then rallied to run on the treadmill. 

Zen runs are supreme,
Shake cobwebs nestled 'tween ears,
Tomorrow's ours mates!

"A runner's high is a special experience that most runners don't have all the time (an important point) but do get at irregular, unpredictable intervals. So don't begin running because you expect every workout to be like some other kind of "high" you might have experienced. The true, but rare runner's high is a zone that we enter when everything seems to click perfectly, when time stands still, and when we can run almost without effort." - Amby Burfoot

Round 2, Day #22: 7 miles in 58:04 (8:17 pace). Finished Amby Burfoot's, "The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life". I've always admired Amby since I first started reading RW's in 2003 and think he's a true stand up guy. (Vibram Blue EHD6)

Jiggle wogglers
Shake it all about, for you
Know it all hangs out!!

"The longest journey begins with a single step.... Run and rest, run and rest. It is the perfect exercise program because it is coded in our genes. It is what our forefathers did millions of years ago." - Amby Burfoot p.112

Round 2, Day #24: (Run 1) 12 miles in 1:39:36 (8:18/ mile). Felt relaxed and confident today, even though I had a rough night of ear pain. Am on some meds and resting now so hopefully I will be on the mend. Did the first 5 in 42:21 (8:28/mi), the next 5 in 41:22 (8:16/mi), and the final 2 miles in 15:53 (7:57/mi). Am going to try to get an uphill challenge or a couple easy miles in tonight before bed.

Towards the setting sun
We run. Triumphing over
Our innermost fears.

"To keep from decaying, to be a winner, the athlete must accept pain--not only accept it, but look for it, live with it, learn not to fear it." - George Sheehan

Round 2, Day #24: 4 miles only (33:16; good for 8:19/mile) in the saga I like to call "Tales of the Sicko". I feel very lucky to have had so many people helping me this weekend between Aunt Deb, my mom, Harry, and Emma. I would not have survived without them. As my mom said, "Benn is a bad patient." I don't like non-running pain. It's funny how I can run a marathon and hurt like hell, but a tiny little ear infection and the wheels feel off. Woke up in pain and could feel the throbbing in my ears. I am on an anti-yeast med for my ear because we think I have a yeast infection. As Emm said, my ear smelled like "raw pizza dough". Maybe I can start a mobile bakery? Continued the alcohol/vinegar wash, popped lots of pain killers, and finally got some antibiotics tonight. To add insult to injury, my rear brake light was out again (we suspect a leak which is getting water in there) and while I tried to take the bulb out, I blew the fuse. Thankfully Harry and Mom helped me fix that and then I picked up new lights and window blades. Oddly enough the only time I was not in searing pain was when I was jogging. I just tried to tilt my head and relax and I did feel some of the crackling open up my ear. Just going to suffer through tomorrow and hope that it is better the longer out I go. What I learned: Thou shalt not stick Q-Tips into thine ears!

A Q-Tip surprise,

fresh baked ear yeast up for grabs.

Take the meds.... good boy!

"The pain is getting intense.... that is expected. Pain is the body's way of ridding itself of weakness. If it feels good, you're doing something wrong. It's supposed to hurt like hell." - Dean Karnazes

Round 2, Day #28: 3.10 miles only in 23:18, good for 7:30/ mile!! ; tempo run. Fell asleep on the couch after an exhausting day and week. Feeling better each day from the ear infection, but Friday's are my day to just let go and relax. After a wonderful dinner of spaghetti and low fat baked eggplant, I fell asleep watching an episode of "Reno 911". Got up at 8:30 and then changed and hit the ground running. Was a surreal experience and for most of the run I was in a runner's high. I don't get this often, just two or three times a year, so it was a surreal experience. It felt so easy and smooth, and I felt like I could run forever!

Invisible strength,
that ties these sinewy legs
to untrodden paths.

"Running teaches you that there's a difference between working hard and feeling bad. Consumer culture tries to teach us otherwise. How many television commercials talk about "making life easier"? If everything you knew about life came from TV, your goal would be to live the easiest, most comfortable and unchallenging life you possibly could. You would believe that the only good feelings are sensual pleasures such as the taste of a good soft drink and the fun of driving an expensive car and lying on the beach.

But it's just not true. Challenging and testing your mind and body, even to the point of exhaustion, failure, and breakdown, can feel as wonderful as anything else life has to offer. I suppose the enjoyment of hard work is more of an acquired taste than the taste for pleasure and fun, but once you've acquired it, you're blessed with more ways to feel good, and life is better. Harder and better." - Dean Karnazes

Round 2, Day #33: (AM) 4 miles easy in 35:30, good for 8:53/mile. Felt good and relaxed. Got my sweat on. Weighed in and was 216#. Making a difference and moving towards the end of the scale I want to be at. Finished my midterm exam (28pp). I just hope that the kiddos don't make voodoo dolls. 

Sweat infused glory,
Dictates today will be mine.
Full force. Full fury.

"Everyone is an athlete. The only difference is that some of us are in training and some are not." Dr. George Sheehan

“Make friends with pain, and you will never be alone."~Ken Chlouber, Colorado miner and creator of the Leadville Trail 100 mile race 

Round 2, Day #40: 9.3 miles to celebrate 1/3 of the way through Round 2. Total Time was 1:17:15, good for 8:17/ mile. I feel relaxed and comfortable running at this pace. My fitness is improving, yay! Ear was throbbing today. Emma helped me put in ear drops. I spent most of the day resting and correcting midterms that need to be ready for Friday's PD. I wish I could just be sick and rest on my "sick days", but alas, the story of a charter school teacher! Ha! Enjoyed a couple episodes of Family Guy and am looking forward to just sleeping as comfortably as possible with the ear infection.

Cats on the table,
Children at the bar, What's this
world set out for??

"Dream barriers look very high until someone climbs them. They are not barriers anymore." - Lasse Viren

Round 2, Day #42 (Part I): 4am treadmill workout, 3.11 miles in 26:58 @ 5% grade (8:40/mile). School or no school, not going to let my job dictate my life any more. Time to get lean and mean. I got races to prep for! Hoping for a longer Part II tonight, but at least I started the day on a good note.

Sweat in the eyes man,

Stings so friggin' bad. Fat down,

Shorts on the ground, just

White knuckle to the finish.

“I recall being in a training camp at Woodville, in northeast Texas, in 1970 when about thirty of us went for a 22-mile run on a hot, humid day. There were broad smiles when the American boys saw me changing into a pair of women’s cotton briefs. But at the end of the run I was the only one not chafed. The next day, about thirty runners traipsed into the local women’s clothing store and asked for female briefs. The woman attendant looked alarmed until it was explained why so many men wanted women’s underclothes. She did great business.” - Arthur Lydiard, Running the Lydiard Way

Round 2, Day #42 (Part II): 6 miles total in 48:24, good for 8:04/ mile average pace. First two were a little slow and last two were a little quick, but not more than a :12 or :14 spread from the 8:04 pace. Happy with the effort. (Red Vibrams)

Run with ambition,

Purity yields wisdom, go!

Tell others! Conquer!

Today's quote comes from our very own Patrick Sweeney: "Went off for a short run through streets of Managua, got lost, saw a bunch of cool touristy stuff, stopped for a a couple of giant beers, played baseball with some local kids, heard my theme song playing as ran past a restaurant barefoot and got a ton of whistles from the local ladies ( well Tyler did that is) I just got chased by wild dogs but on the bright side none of them caught me. Life is good:-)" 

Round 2, Day #49: 3.10 itty bitty miles. Came home and crashed. Body just gave out. I zonked on the couch for most of the night, then woke up at 10:30 and hopped on the treadmill. Took a mile to get things cooking, easing in about 8:30 pace, but then I picked it up and ran steady for the remainder. Total time was 23:58, good for 7:44/mile. I am looking at barely breaking 40 miles this week! Yikes!Hoping to get about 10 miles tomorrow, then easy 3's all the way up until next Saturday and Sunday!

Caffeinated run,
Fueled by adrenaline.
Run scared. Run fast. Mine!

The 1929 race was even tougher - over 3,600 miles, with six fewer days allowed. The route was more southern, so hotter and more humid. Gavuzzi describes going through the Texas oilfields - "the smell was terrible ; all you could see was these pumps going up and down, and every time they went up and down it was a dollar in someone's pocket. We were poor and they were rich." Having led almost all the way until the final stage around LA, Gavuzzi eventually lost ( after running for over 525 hours) by 2 minutes and 17 seconds.

Round 2, Day #51: 3.10 miles relaxed style in 25:45. And so it begins... taper week before the double indoor marathons. Must remember to keep the horsies watered and in check to give it a go and see how close to a PR I can come on the first day. Excited for tomorrow morning - we are going to go tubing at Bosquet and then enjoy hanging out with Momma Grifff, Harry, and Hayley. Will shoot to do a 5 or 6 mile shake out run tomorrow. Huzzah! (Blue Vibrams)

Have you ever thought
About jumping head first towards
greatness? Well I have...

However, the adoption of this minimalist philosophy by the masses has not been without debate and controversy. While I consider the scientific evidence on barefoot running regarding injury prevention and performance enhancement to be largely inconclusive and lacking any significant causality, as with most things running-related, I view footwear as an experiment-of-one type situation that should be based on personal goals and individual preferences, not necessarily on a generalized theory. - Anton Krupicka

Round 2, Day #54: 5 miles in 41:07; good for average of 8:13/mile. Easy peasy recovery run. Time to finalize my packing list tonight! I'm excited! It's never too early to carbo load is it? Ha! (Vibrams Green)

If Jesus were a runner
Would he be a minimalist?
Vibrams or Zero Drop? I wonder.

"My muscles are angry, that's all. I'm walking like a pregnant midget." - Erin Hattaway

Round 2, Day #56: 1.10 miles only in Vibrams to keep the streak alive. Got up at 5 and drove 12 hours to Goshen, IN. Stopped on the way to see Su and Rocco and wish them good luck. Rocc got a new job in Boca Raton so they are moving back to Florida! Su said I should find a race near them so that I can stay with them and get my Florida one in! We'll see! Emm would probably like staying somewhere warm too. Hopped on the hotel treadmill at about 10pm and got an easy 10 minutes in. Tomorrow's the big day!

Butterflies bring fear,
Training miles translation
to personal gains.

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions." - Michael Wardian

8AM Race Start:

PRE-RACE: Got up early around 6am. Got dressed in my HSV50 shirt, matching shorts and red Bikilas. Grabbed a cup of coffee and two mini-muffins while I headed out the door around 7:20 or so. What I love about being only 2 miles from the Rec Center is that it is the only marathon (maybe besides the HSV50) that you can roll out of bed 40 mins before the race and still make it to the starting line with time to spare. Got there and saw Jen and got a hug, then checked in and changed. There were about 12 Marathon Maniacs there for today's race. I was hoping for a big day, but didn't know how I was going to do, with only two days of runs since Jan 1st that totaled more than 10 miles. Set up in the far corner of the track and went to the pre-race briefing.

RACE: (204 laps of a newly renovated 208m track) I started off in the back of the pack and just tried to run easy miles. I broke the race down into 26 mini-races of 7.5 laps each. One of the things that I like about this race is that you always have people to run with and you get to watch the front runners duke it out. Was fun to watch Jake and Laura Gilette leading their respective races and to see some of the folks from last year! Most of my first 17 miles were sub 9. I knew the last 9 would hurt, because I hadn't done any long runs since December. But I don't think I faded too badly, maybe a couple in the 9:30 range. When I hit 10 laps to go, I charged home. Everyone was great and cheering me on. Finishing time was 4:07:10.

POST-RACE: Cheered in a couple of friends, then went back to the hotel to shower and relax. Headed out to get "refueled" with Garlic hummus, Triscuits, and more GUs for tomorrow. Got into bed but there were young wannabe marathoners everywhere, sprinting down the hall, and up above the rooms. Another racer was next to me in the room over and thankfully he had the guts to yell out into the hallway at about 9:30. Finally things started to work out and I fell asleep around 10pm, just in time for my 5am wake up call the next morning.

Old Marathon PERSONAL RECORD: 4:26:50, set in 10/12 at BayState Marathon. NEW** PERSONAL RECORD** : 4:07:10, set 2/2/13 @ Maple Leaf Indoor Marathon.

Total Time: 4:07:10 Total Distance: 26.316 Average Pace:  9:22.5/mile

7AM Race Start:

PRE-RACE: Woke up at about 5:40. Got dressed quickly and checked out of the hotel about 6:15. Fueled up the car at a Marathon gas station and bought an apple danish to scarf down to get some carbs in me. The hotel didn't have breakfast out until 7ish. Lame. Drank a little Gatorade. Wasn't as sore as I thought I would be given yesterday's PR. Maybe this bodes well for my fitness?

RACE: (204 laps of a newly renovated 208m track) - Laps 209-408. Started off in the back of the pack and ran most of the first 13 miles with Stan, whose son runs xc and who has also run some marathons/ultras. We chatted about various articles and books we liked and just clicked off 10 minute miles. I really enjoyed this! I got to chat a little more than yesterday with my friend Jen who was back running what I think was her 78th or 79th marathon. She's a tank! So happy to see her. She gets the most consistent award, running nearly identical times to the second! Also got to chat with Greg Bealieu, whom I remember from last year and is from Ohio. He's an actuary and we chatted a bit. He was telling me about how he scouted out a .5 mile loop from his house and sought out to do 100miles during the summer. It took him 42 hours with rest breaks, sleeping, etc. But a really fun idea I think! Maybe I could do something like this and raise money for Sea Shepherd!

At mile 16, I had to switch shoes. My feet killed. The blue Vibrams wreaked havoc and I ended up with about a dozen blisters. I switched into Altras and had a blast, running like I was on a cloud. Finished strong and saved stuff for the last lap, where I ended up running the 208 meters in :57 seconds! Too bad joke was on me because since Doug wasn't there to count down the laps, I had actually done 205 laps, instead of 204. Doh! Still ran my 4th fastest time EVER! I am getting in shape and loving it!

POST-RACE: Said goodbye to Stan, Greg, and Jenn, and then hopped in the car and drove to Buffalo (7 hour drive). Got there around 8:30 after a near death experience running out of gas. Somehow made it to a station on fumes after getting lost on Exit 60 of the NYS thruway. In addition, the automatic replenishment on EZPass wasn't working because of the douche that stole our credit card. I never thought to update the information after that fiasco last week. Got to Buffalo and checked in. Best 38 bucks I ever spent! Hot water, two beds, a/c, wifi, coffee pot, free breakfast in the a.m. TV clicked on but I was too sore and tired to get up and change it so I fell asleep listening to the Oscar/AAs. Kristin Stewart is such an apathetic toolbag!

Yesterday: 12th place, 8th in men's division
Today: 17th place, 13th in men's division 

Total Time: 4:51:54 Total Distance: 26.316 Average Pace:  11:06/mile

Round 2, Day #60: 2.10 miles in 20:12. Legs can bend today, but still sore. Hoping tomorrow for ~4 easy slow miles at this pace. We'll see. Started reading Robin Harvie's "The Lure of Long Distances". Love it already.

Just a stiff legged
runner trying to loosen 
things up. Come on dudes!

"Running to my mind, was little more than a way of getting away from it all, a feeling that is familiar to all of us. The runners I knew understood this emotional illiteracy and we did not have to explain ourselves to each other. When trying to articulate this feeling more fully to those who didn't get the point of running at all, i could only offer a dumb sign of indescribable happiness. I loved it. None of this came close, though, to describing the draw of the intoxicating freedom and self-empowerment that I would later discover to be at the heart of the richness of the running experience." - Robin Harvie

Round 2, Day #61: 4 miles relaxed in 36:29, good for 9:07/mile. Soreness is retreating, the blisters are starting to heal, though the stubborn ones under my toenails keep reappearing (the gifts that keep on giving!). Starting to recover and set my sights on the next race. Highlight of the run was sneezing mid-stride.. truly a weird experience.

Mid-stride surprise! SNEEZE!!
Brief moment of euphoric
happiness. Slog on!

"They understood that running was a primeval action so uncomplicated that it should be celebrated for its purity. It provided a chance to be in concert with nature, offering an experience that was open to all." - Robin Harvie

Round 2, Day #62: 4 miles easy in 35:23, good for 8:51/mile. Legs are rehabbing nicely thanks to the Vitalsox. Only pain is under each of my second toe's nail... subnail blisters that I keep lancing. Painful and I think I am going to end up losing them in the long run. As long as I can keep running though. Big decisions to make about Circular Logic Marathon next month. Emma and I were talking about it and I think it is going to be a go , but I don't think I am driving the 12 hours each way this time due to no more time off. Looking to get a flight into Indiana on Friday night, hopefully a rental car, and drive the hour to the starting line and sleep in the car! Then race, celebrate, and back to get on the plane to fly home. I can do this, right?

Locomotive shines,
Warning lights, go lights time to
make the decision.

"For runners the task is simple: we need to rid ourselves of all the symbolism and metaphor in order to become pure kinetic energy. We must unharness ourselves form the baggage that we drag around with us, free ourselves from imagination, and learn, as we did as children, what it is to run with our feet alone." - Robin Harvie

Round 2, Day #64: 6 miles in 48:37; good for 8:06/mile. Virtually pain free. Toenails have stopped hurting, compression socks off, calf muscles were loose. Felt great! Going to see some good old fashioned "Whisker Wars" tonight in Worcester with Emily. Enjoyed just stretching out and running comfortably today. Flight is booked and paid for to Circular Logic. Now comes three hard weeks of training to get it right and PR and hopefully take a stab at going sub-4. I can do this!

The BART man runneth,
Thine power is a product
of thine own inner strength!

"Heh, my bedtime is earlier than most 10 year-olds." - Rachel Spatz

Round 2, Day #67: 5 miles in 40:50; 8:10/mile including 1 mile @ 6% grade. Felt strong throughout, but I need to get the motivation to run earlier. Hoping for a double tomorrow. Thinking 55 miles for the week is a bit ambitious. Is it the weekend yet? Feeling the stress of annoying end of trimester kiddos who are anxious to be sprung to their next classes, grading 70 final papers, AND report card comments this weekend. I have half a mind to just b.s. the comments and save some time for me. Looking forward to Friday's planning day! Ultrarunners unite!! Living for the weekend!

Mid-stride sneeze fest whilst
pounding up an incline. Man,
keeping your eyes open is too damn hard!
Well, I tried!

"Aggression unopposed becomes a contagious disease." - Jimmy Carter (1980)

Round 2, Day #68: 6 miles in 49:18. First 3 miles at 3%, 4%, and 5% incline. Second set of 3 in 23:17 (7:46 pace). Felt good to run. Enjoyed it very much. Happy that running is so cheap and easy to do. Wish more people did it! Not long now until my second trip to Indiana in hopes of coming close to a sub4 and hopefully a PR at Circular Logic. Not looking forward to the clusterfuck that this weekend shall bring with trying to read and grade final papers (68 of them), then writing report card comments and final grades, and prepping 2 new classes to start on day 1 of trimester 3 on Monday. It's really rotten to use a sick day, but I will probably use another sick day as a work catch up day once again. *coughcough*. In the midst of reading Ryan Hall's book. It's not bad but way too preachy and more of a low-level running log than anything else. Good thing I got it for like 3.00 on amazon. Oh well. He's still a great runner. Just not a great writer. Can't have it all!

F*ck the police, son!
You ain't my corporate boss!!
Back the hell up dude.

“An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.” - Mohandis K Gandhi

Day #69: 3.10 miles in 26:00, good for 8:23/mile. Read some of Ryan Hall's book as I ran. Really long stressful day at work and had a rough time adjusting and sitting down. Graded papers until 12:30am (Friday) before going to bed for a few hours, and then off again to the races for one more day. I am thoroughly exhausted this week!

Snow showers and sunshine,
Winter's almost gone, hooray!
That means it's summer!!

"You kind of just have to go with the flow." - Ryan Hall

Round 2, Day #70: 5 miles in 36:50. Did I just say that? It's been a while since I ran this fast! 7:22/mile. Finished Ryan Hall's book and grabbed a quick shower before going to see Michael and Ana to talk about setting up the WMURC!! So excited! Then home at 8pm for a movie date with Emma. What a long strange week it's been. Trying not to think about the endless amounts of crummy work I have to do this weekend. Tonight I will forget it, at least for now!

Fortitudine
Vincimus - By endurance
we conquer.

"Success isn't how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started." - Steve Prefontaine

Round 2, Day #71: 9 miles total. 4 this a.m. at Kirvin Park with Emma. Nearly 50 degrees and sunny. Not a cloud in the sky. Gorgeous weather. Lots of friendly dogs out there! Loved it! Then 5 this evening in 40:50 (8:10/mile). Left ankle has been hurting since a trial run on an elliptical machine, but thankfully it did not hurt while running. Ran in my Merrells today which was awesome! Had a mid-run sneeze at mile 2 and I swear I nearly died as I was already in the middle of exhaling and managed to exhale almost all the air from my lungs. So weird!

Somewhere there's a kid
Smiling because a fat guy
Sneezed and his shorts fell down!

"Running - Cheaper than therapy.. Sometimes." - me

Round 2, Day #73: 6 miles in 48:56, relaxed for 8:10/mile average pace. Work is going to have to take a back seat this spring. I am just not going to let it interfere. I hate to do it because I hate giving anything less than my best, but it's just too much for too little return. Work needs to be a 1 and family and running a 10. There will always be more jobs, but only one life to live and love and run!

Do goats sweat? They must!
Or at least their noses should.
I sweat more than a goat.

"...I learned how past civilizations had often stumbled-- and eventually fallen-- because, among other failures of foresight, they evidently didn't understand that growing the same crop year after year without allowing the soil to regenerate would cause crop yields to shrivel. A beet crop could exhaust the soil in three years. A patch of Amazon rainforest cleared for grazing could turn to barren desert in five years. The idea that cycles of rest and regeneration are essential to ecological sustenance became a basic part of my perception of life and strongly influenced how I trained in my running." Ed Ayres, p.24

Round 2, Day #74: 6 miles in 46:53 (7:49 pace). Lost 5# today but not in the way I wanted to. Ugh. Feeling run down. Need to take multivitamins and get a decent amount of sleep tonight and recoup and recover. Chest tightness and pain today while running. Stress? I don't know.

Unpleasantries are
hidden gifts that yield our best
efforts to overcome.

“The most important thing is to preserve the world we live in. Unless people understand and learn about our world, habitats, and animals, they won't understand that if we don't protect those habitats, we'll eventually destroy ourselves.” - Jack Hanna

Round 2, Day #75: 5 miles in 39:14, good for 7:51/mile. Relaxed and comfortable breathing through my nose. Scale says I put back on much of what I "lost" yesterday. Oh well. Getting close to taper time for next weekend's Indiana marathon. Can I PR? I think I can... I think I can!!

With footplants grows an
intrinsic, driven runner;
Nurtured into this!

"We run, not because we think it is doing us good, but because we enjoy it and cannot help ourselves. The more restricted our society and work become, the more necessary it will be to find some outlet for this craving for freedom. No one can say, 'You must not run faster than this, or jump higher than that.' The human spirit is indomitable." - Sir Roger Bannister, first sub-4 minute miler

Round 2, Day #76: 4 miles only in 32:40, 8:10/mile. Nice, easy relaxing run. A lot of stuff on my plate right now and it's appetizing. Got to remember not to take more than I can chew. 

Tip toe through the stress,
Let it melt away.. peaceful.
Breathe. Relax. Zen time.

"I found them uncomfortable and after that I decided to continue running barefoot because I found it more comfortable. I felt more in touch with what was happening - I could actually feel the track." - Zola Budd

Round 2, Day #77: 4.5 miles on the bike path and golf course in Adams, MA (34:59, good for 7:46/mile) during a quick lunch break before professional development in the afternoon. Started on the bike path until it got to icy. Turned around and then did a quick 1.5 mile loop around the golf course. There were 3 x 50-60' of ice rink style parts I had to walk x 2 (out and back), but still averaged a good pace. Wore my NORWAY hat!

Hyped up squirrel bomb,
Ninja rolls down the hillside.
Twitterpated fuck!

“Everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.” 
― Andy Rooney

Round 2, Day #78: 10 miles in 1:21:24, good for 8:08/mile. Relaxed, breathed through nose the entire run. Weighed in at 214#. I am running more relaxed, stronger, and swifter than I ever imagined. This time next Saturday I will have finished marathon #16 and be on my way back to Indianapolis Int'l Airport, hopefully with a new PR. I can go sub-4:07. I know I can!

If Jesus ran he'd
be mistook for a girl in
his sandals and skirt.

"Tis impossible to judge with much Precision of the true Motives and Qualities of human Actions, or of the Propriety of Rules contrived to govern them, without considering with like Attention, all the Passions, Appetites, Affections in Nature from which they flow. An intimate Knowledge therefore of the intellectual and moral World is the sole foundation on which a stable structure of Knowledge can be erected." - John Adams to Jonathan Sewall, 1759

Round 2, Day #79: 7 miles; 5 miles with Michael and two new friends around the Arcadian Shop loop. Was 21 degrees. Had a blast and was fun, even in short shorts and the wind. We got one honk from a passing car.. I would like to think it was because of my sexy legs. Best part was that Michael gave me a banana to eat on the way home! Tasted so good! Got home and did 2 miles on the treadmill to warm up because I was pretty much an icicle! Now up to school to do work. Homemade guac with a Guinness tonight I think!

Hold fast in the wind,
Struggles bring bigger triumphs!
Conquer inner fears.

The ideal in the Lieh-Tzu is a state, not of withdrawal, but of heightened perceptiveness and responsiveness in an undifferentiated world. My mind concentrated and my body relaxed, bones and flesh fused completely, I drifted with the wind East or West, like a leaf from a tree or a dry husk, and never knew whether it was the wind that rode me or I that rode the wind. -The Book of Lieh-Tzu

Round 2, Day #79 (Part II): 4 miles in the evening relaxed pace in 35:01. Felt good to just breathe deep, get some light reading in and just relax and prepare to conquer this week. Possible snow day on Tuesday, half day on Friday and flying Friday night to Indiana for what I hope will be a new PR marathon. Got to keep the nerves in check and not do anything foolish this week. Maybe one "pace" run and try to dial in to a comfortable pace, but I think I can still push harder than I did the indoor marathon. With all those laps and turns, I think I can take at least the 7 minutes off and nab a sub 4 marathon. I know I can. I know I can! Now to relax for the evening and enjoy a Guinness Extra Stout and homemade guac!

Seltzer bubbles hurt,

when ingested through the nose.

Guinness where art thou?

"Extreme patience and persistence are required,

Yet everybody succeeds at this before being handed 

The surprise box lunch of the rest of his life." - John Ashbery 

Round 2, Day #80: 2 miles late at night in 15:40; good for 7:50/mile. Just a couple miles to get it done. This week is taper week so I am going to have to watch my diet and make sure I keep loose without pushing too hard or getting cocky.

Lemmings bring intrigue 
into stalwart youth and yet,
we follow the leader.

"Moments are what make up the character of either a lifetime or a long-distance run, not endless days or hours. I have no idea whether every minute I've ever lived - or spent on the road or trail - is actually recorded somewhere deep in my brain. Once in a while, something will pop into my consciousness after decades, and I'm surprised to discover that it was there all along. But I really don't care whether it's the tip of a Freudian iceberg or just a random fragment floating in a mostly empty storage space." - Ed Ayres

Round 2, Day #81: 4 miles relaxed in 34:44, good for 8:41/ mile. Finished Ed Ayres book after 3 hours of work up at school today planning out the rest of the week and the week in review quiz for Friday when I am out. What I love about Ed Ayres is that he just "gets it". He is a runner through and through and he tells it like it is. Though I don't know him I feel like we just ran together and he was there alongside chewing my ear off (in a good way). 

Patience grasshopper
One must practice before he
Takes the leap of faith.

"In almost anything worthwhile, and especially utrarunning, rushing to achieve success is a big mistake. Our culture has conditioned us to reflexively expect quick success. But quick success is the artificial, largely illusory, lure of an unsustainable civilization." - Ed Ayres

Round 2, Day #82: 4 miles easy recovery run in 35:00, good for 8:45/mile. Started reading a new book, Showdown at Shepherd's Bush by David Davis. Am really getting into it. Davis writes as if he is retelling the epic stories of years past, not seeking to reevaluate and rewrite. It's a nice change of pace. Marathon looms on the horizon!

 Quadriceps loosen,
Side step and stride over the
imaginary

"The earliest practitioners of the marathon race, invented in 1896, introduced a different kind of motion. At a time when competitive runners rarely ventured past five miles, and at a time when knowledge of the human body was primitive, they were pioneers of endurance. They were seen as superhuman or crazed or both." - David Davis 

Round 2, Day #83: 2 miles easy in about 17:00. Getting set and stoked for tomorrow's flight to Indianapolis. Hoping for big things this weekend at the marathon.

Boldly spearheading
a charge to smite the demons.
Push on towards greatness.

"The growth of sports could only have happened with the myriad innovations of the Industrial Age, when "[a] world of stone and wood, powered by animals, wind and water was completely remade into something entirely new, forged of steel and iron, and powered by steam, coal and oil."  

Round 2, Day #83: 1 mile only in 8:41 before finishing my packing and hopping on the plane bound for Indianapolis. Getting nervous about what is in store and what I will accomplish tomorrow. Praying for a smooth flight, turbulence free and void of any significant problems. Found out that the hotel is actually 20 mins in the WRONG direction, so I will be staying at the Super 8 - Indianapolis actually south of Indi. oops. Just makes for a longer commute to the race tomorrow. Hoping for a great race. I've done the training and hope that everything else comes together nicely.

Nerves govern actions
Mind over body... Relax.
Achievement is close!

"A promise must never be broken." - Alexander Hamilton 

Round 2, Day #85: 5 miles easy in 47:16. Legs don't actually feel too poorly. Worst feeling is going down stairs. I am looking forward to working with Jake and Justin to help take my training to the next level. Got to get smart to get faster!

Into the wild,
Young men's souls grow too restless
whilst cooped in an office.

"I never expect to see a perfect work from an imperfect man." - Alexander Hamilton 

Round 2, Day #86: 4 mile recovery run in 37:45 right before bed. Legs feel a little better, but just so tired and beat! Have to force myself to get up early early to get everything that needs doing done. Today was a taxing day but an affirmation that like training, teaching is not easy but worthwhile in the long run. Excited at the potential that this year has in store for me. Going to reassert myself to work harder than ever for breakthroughs. 

Into the fog we
trudge, for the potential lies
inside inner doubts.

“If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life.” - James Michener

Day #87: 4 miles in 37:30. MCAS is starting to take its toll but the kiddos are by and large pretty darn good!

Springtime fun it's just
so easy to celebrate
the little things dude!

"If you want more then you have to require more of yourself." - Dr. Phil 

Round 2, Day #88: 5 easy miles at 8:45 pace after work.

Dustbunnies hide from
condescending eyes.. quiet!
Is that a dust mop??!

Round 2, Day #89: 5 miles on the legs. Healing up rather nicely from the marathon it seems like. Now to concentrate on the next goal!

To think is to act
rather than to watch the world
pass you by.

"Judge others by their questions rather than by their answers." - Voltaire 

Round 2, Day #90: 5 miles - 3/4 of the way done with the challenge the second time around. Feeling stronger. Excited to be working with Jake and Justin soon to take my training to the next level and hopefully my weight down a level (or seven).

Popcorn buttmonkeys
Run and hide from the chasers.
Ruby gato surprise!

"It is better to risk saving a guilty person than to condemn an innocent one." - Voltaire

Round 2, Day #91: 10 miles. 7 miles with Emma going up Greylock on Cheshire-Harbor Trail in 1:15 and then plummeting down in :35 minutes. Probably just about the most fun I have had on a run in nearly a year! We were laughing, falling, sliding, and getting sucked in by the snow! When I got home I did another 3 in 27:30 (9:10 pace). At one point on the descent down Greylock we were hitting in the 6:30-7:00 range for a half mile! One lady said to me at the top, "I wish I wore shorts". Boy howdy. Gorgeous day. 50 degrees and sunny. Finished with some Bartlett's apple cider!

Sunshine paradise,
Until those snow traps of death!
Watch out for the poop!!!!

"All we ask is to be let alone." - Jefferson Davis

Round 2, Day #92: 7 miles recovery. Legs are sore from yesterday. Took it easy and ran in 1:03:33, good for 9:05 pace per mile. Tomorrow starts the official training plan. I need to get more sleep!

Glistening forehead
Shimmering sunlit shadows
Easter easy run!

"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights,even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door." - Jack Handy 

Round 2, Day #94: 3 mile recovery run in 27:30 (9:10/mile). Ate too much for dinner before I went. Now a quick nap and up at 4am to do my workout before school and such. Looking forward to it!

Atonement is a
learned trade; not easily tasted
by a learned tongue.

“In the Tour, it's important to use every opportunity to distance or eliminate adversaries and if there's a chance, I won't hesitate to attack.” - Jan Ullrich

Round 2, Day #95: 6.6 miles total. 8:45pm run - 5.1 miles total. Warmed up for 10 minutes and then hit 1150m in the 5 min "on", 950m in the 4 min "on", 700 in the 3 min "on", 500 in the 2 min "on" and about 295m in the 1 min "on". Was 27 degrees and froze my @$$ off! Had been out of the house 15 hr. Brought stuff for midafternoon run, thinking that I would get there in the daylight. Taught until 6:45 then m eeting til 8:30. Oh well. 1.5 miles with nutrition class earlier. Taconic track is kind of boss in the dark!

Earbud icicles,
Frozen thighs, and the churning
engine... full throttle.

"I was never in a fraternity because I always felt that the track and cross country guys were my fraternity brothers." - Dave Wottle

Round 2, Day #96: 5 miles in 44:30, 8:54/mile. Today sucked. Got great news to start the day - someone adding to their family at work, and then horrible news to end it - our principal is leaving us at the end of the year. Today just sucks. The kids find out tomorrow. Some will take it fine. Others will take it painfully - especially those like me that have been there several years. God, can we have a do-over tomorrow? Can the school even survive? 

Big bunch o' fuck its,
Why even try any more,
Ship going down - - shit!!!

“The human capacity for burden is like bamboo- far more flexible than you'd ever believe at first glance.” - Jodi Picoult

Round 2, Day #99: 7 miles late - was supposed to be 10 but I was just tired. 1:02:00.

Inner fortitude
Strengthened by life's obstacles.
Work hard = dividends.

"There is no flag large enough to cover the shame of killing innocent people." - Howard Zinn

Round 2, Day #100: 10 miles early; 4 miles at about 9:15 pace, followed by 4 miles of alternating hard 800s by recovery 800s. Hard 800s were 3:51, 3:51, 3:50, and 3:48. Cooled down for 2 miles afterwards. Time to put my feet up and relax a little.

Consolidated
successes. Sometimes that's all
it takes - rewarding.

“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” 
― Haruki Murakami

Day #101: 2 miles in 17:31. Nice and easy. 

Monkey trouble will
spur others to follow suit.
Leading to carnage.

"I not only use all the brains I have, but all I can borrow." - Woodrow Wilson 

Day #102: 6.5 miles total. 1.5 miles with the nutrition/fitness class. Did 1 mile warm up in about 9:30, 3 miles of 1 min "on" at 7.5-7.7mph and 1 min "off" in 25:30, then 9:17 cooldown. Total of 5 miles for the workout, 6.5 miles for the day. Got a bit cocky with .1 to go and tripped the circuit with .02 on the last "on" oops! Went up the steep hill by Russell Field for the first time today. Holy crap that's a beast! New xc team workout hill??

Summit the steep climb
and your reward is endless...
Magnificence conquers all.

"A big leather-bound volume makes an ideal razorstrap. A thin book is useful to stick under a table with a broken caster to steady it. A large, flat atlas can be used to cover a window with a broken pane. And a thick, old-fashioned heavy book with a clasp is the finest thing in the world to throw at a noisy cat." - Mark Twain

Day #103: 6 miles in 52:32, steady as she goes. Was a bit dehydrated. And sweaty. Drank 48 oz of water afterwards from a wide mouth ball jar. Yeah, you read that right.

A chupacabra
sweat running with a full beard.
Fear the beard, junior!

"The revolution is carried out by means of one's thought, not through one's family background." - Kim Jong Il

Day #104: 6.1 miles total. 2 miles with nutrition class. Evening workout was a progression run. 1 mile warm up and then hit it hard: 4:36, 3:58, 3:36, 3:07, 1.1 mile cooldown. I was breathing hard the last one.. but I don't really feel tired. 31:31 total for the 4.1 effort (7:41 pace)

Butt cheeks stare at me.
Fanny mcgee baby cakes!
Can't touch 'dis! Yeaaaaaaah buddy!

“You might say something isn't proven until it's tested... and the same could be said for the strength and the will of a person.” ― Evette Carter

Day #105: 2 miles in 16:54 after the longest day of school ever, high five from the Pei crew, and then an awesome planning session from the BURCS consortium. So much fun today and I feel motivated to push myself to run more and farther. Hoping minimum 100 miles during spring break over the next week and a bit. Starting with 12+2 make up from today tomorrow, then another 12 on Sunday. Woohoo!

Insight from friends will
transform ideas into
testaments of strength.

Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You too? I thought I was the only one.’ - C.S. Lewis - - - Michael Menard, Ana M. Wolf

Day #106: 12 miles, relaxed, carefree and just enjoying every step. 1:53:32, good for 9:28/mile. What a difference a couple weeks make! Weight still high and stagnant, but my energy is improving. Read from "Teach Like Your Hair's On Fire". Pretty sure if I tried like half the stuff Rafe does, I would get fired. (Green Bikilas)

In each step we take,
Strength replaces inner doubt,
and confidence grows.

"The ultra distance is an amazing thing. I told my sister: 'No matter what has happened in your life before, or what will happen in your future, nobody can ever take that ultra away from you. When you're an ultra runner, you're a runner forever.'" - Vanessa Runs

Day #108: 4.3 miles of muddy mountain roads downhill to a resevoir and back up again in October Mountain State Forest with Emma.

Day #109: 6.25: warm up, 6 x 800s in 3:56, 3:56, 3:56, 3:55, 3:56, 3:54 with .25 recoveries in between. Mile cool down. 52:58 total. Felt strong and confident. Consistent splits on the 800s.

Day #109: 6.25 miles total, warm up, 6 x 800s in 3:56, 3:56, 3:56, 3:55, 3:56, 3:54, cool down. All in all a refreshing run. Total Time: 52:58.

Large raindrops splatter
the windshield, creating an
aqua jungle gym.

"Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe!" - Albert Einstein

Day #110: 10 miles for Day 110. 1:31:37. Read the first 100 pages of my friend Vanessa's book. So inspired.

Bug guts on the glass,
Motivate my ass to move,
Faster and not be next!

“The unhappiest people in this world, are those who care the most about what other people think.” ― C. JoyBell C.

Day #111: Steady as she goes. 6.5 miles @ 9 minute miles - felt good and relaxed.

Day #112: 3.38 in 30:00 - getting anxious. 213# weigh in; 40 pushups.

Day 113: 4.75 miles total. 1 mile warm up, 3.1 mi race with my 6th graders. 1 got the under 13 win for boys in 23:30, I ran with Jessie who took the under 13 prize home for girls at 27:31. Went back and ran in my third runner who was struggling as a cool down. (27:31 for the 5k) - 50 miler in CT tomorrow.. Nervous - so I guess I'll carboload!

Mud puddles delight,
Labored breathing, pink faces,
Strain for the finish.

"It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not
to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is
against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit."
- George Sheehan

PM - another 2 miles relaxed and easy. 

Day #114: 51 miles total at Lake Waramaug Ultras running with two of the best friends a runner could ask for, Ana and Michael. We cruised around the laps and enjoyed the Funky Monkey aid station. "Chimps and Champs, not chumps!" Was so great to represent Sea Shepherd. Our lap splits were pretty consistent. 4.4 mile out and back and then 6 laps around the 7.8 mile lake. Stayed together and pushed each other to finish. I have never felt better during an ultra. Laughter truly is more powerful than GU Roctane!

The will to survive
strikes out any sense of doubt,
and brings victories.

"It hurts up to a point and then it doesn't get any worse." 
- Ann Trason

Day #115: 4 miles in 37:40 (9:25 pace). Everything felt good today. Very small risidual soreness from the race. Bigger problem today was breathing and throat. Lost voice. Running helped get the gunk out though! Felt like I did a bit of a duathlon today. Came home ate dinner and passed out on the couch for an hour and a half, then got up and hopped on the treadmill. Pretty sure if there was a cop out there today looking through my window he'd have pulled me over for RWD (Running While Drowsy). Glad I opted for the indoor treader tonight.

If you think you can
And train like you know you can,
You can! This is true.

“Endurance? You’ve only got to get out there and do it. Face up to it: man was meant to run.” – Percy Cerutty

Day #115: 3 miles total. 2 miles nutrition class and then another mile by myself. Fell asleep on couch 730 right after got home at 7. I am lethargic. Heh. Omw to bed!

Day #116: 4 miles total; 2 miles at the bird sanctuary with my wife. Another two at 9 min pace later in the evening.

Day #118: 7 miles total: 1 mile w/ fitness class, then 1.5 mi warm up in 13:48, 4 x 800 m with 400m off. 800s were: 3:53, 3:52, 3:51, 3:49. Felt so relaxed. Recovery 400s were 2:14, 2:14, 2:16, 2:10. Then cool down in 13:08 for 1.5 miles. Total Time: 51:20 for the 6 evening miles. Got to run earlier. Did not finish workout until 11:03 tonight. Eating some homemade guac and blue tortilla chips before bed. Then up at 4am to make a quiz for school. I swear this is nuts!

Within the young heart

is an even balance of

success and failure.

"I feel happy to terrify kids." - R.L. Stine

Day #119: 4 miles in 36:20 (9:05 pace). Just easy and relaxed. Ready to rock and roll this weekend.

Day #120: 2.26 miles in 20:00 before driving to Buffalo. This capped a week including a 50 mile race and the heaviest training I've ever done, 75.26 miels for the week. Talk about breaking down mental barriers! 6 hour ultra tomorrow! Phew!

Sweat beads plop onto
the moving belt and hurl
toward walls behind.

I believe that the Good Lord gave us a finite number of heartbeats and I'm damned if I'm going to use up mine running up and down a street. - Neil Armstrong

Day #121: 30 miles at the BPAC 6 hour: 5:33. Started off fast to beat the heat and ran the first half marathon fast, then chilled and relaxed and walked 10 mins of each lap for the remaining 5 laps. Saw some friends, fellow MTDers and a bunch of new faces. Got really warm. Was actually 78 degrees at the finish, higher than I thought it'd be. I held my own. Felt good at the finish, could have gone one more but wanted to get in on the 5 hour drive home so I could get home in the daylight. I love this race!

A sweat stained salt lick
Passes me with a friendly
Wave. Ultra time!

"You've got to spread your arms, hold your breath--and always trust your cape." - Jerry Jeff Walker

Day #122: 2.25 miles in 20:08. Recovery run. Feeling pretty darn good considering 105 miles in 8 days. Excited to taper for Ragnar Relay for Friday/Saturday. Huzzah!

Clydesdales's sexy legs
turn heads and yet still carry
curious musings.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” – Robert Collier

Day #123: 30:31. Fell asleep after dinner. Woke up at 10pm to run. Overall feel good. 

Day #124: 6 miles total: 2 mile warm up in 18:20, then 3 miles 400 "on" 400 "off". Ons were : 1:54, 1:54, 1:52, 1:55, 1:52, 1:51. Cooled down 1.25 miles in 11:17. 

Day #125: 3 miles at 9:45 pace, easy and relaxed before heading off to Ragnar fun!

Day #126: 20 miles : 14.5 in 2:11 (BR issue), 5.4+ in 42:41 - killed it (full race report on its way soon)

Day #127: 9 miles at 330am in 1:15:22. Cold, but Chris found me and handed off the bracelet to me and I was excited and fired up. Went running off into the night and then down a bike path into the fog and mist. Hard to see but the flashlights and blinkers were like a little carrot on a stick. 

Day #128: 4 miles easy, last two in 16:29. Feel great! Well physically. My body is screaming for sleep. Quick nap then up to do laundry and progress report cards at like 3 or 330 I think. Never a dull moment for a crazy ultra member!

Day #129: 3 miles at 9:30 pace shaking the lead out. Legs don't feel terrible overall which I suppose is good, right?

Day #130: 6 miles in 51:21: w/u was 9:42, 2 miles comfortable in 17:01, 1 mile in 7:50, .5 off in 4:29, then .5 hard in 3:40. Cool down mile in 8:37.

Day #131: Keeping the streak alive. 2 miles in 19:50  - no time for a run today. 

Day #132: 6.25 miles in 52:49 (8:27/mile). Holy sweatfest Batman! After a miserable showing of just 2 miles yesterday after passing out from exhaustion, I toyed on the end of the line today on the couch, before finally rolling off and stumbling in a sleepy stupor to the dreadmill. Legs felt strong, but a little heavy. It's not like I've run any marathons or ultras this year or anything after all, right? This time next week I'll be sleeping in New Jersey, getting ready to start the 48 hour challenge!

Tiny drops of sweat,
bead and then wind their way down,
to hairy elbows.

"It looks like you jumped in a fucking pool!" - Emmy

Day #133: 5.41 miles in 41:23 (7:39 pace) Miles were 7:53, 8:10, 7:49, 7:33, 7:19. Was running scared so as not to miss class as I went running during a teaching break.

Day #134: 12 miles in what can most certainly be called the hardest, weirdest, and most uncomfortable run of my life. I weighed 220# at the start and finished at 207#. WTF?! Goal was 4 mi w/u, 6 miles alternating .5 on and .5 off, 2 mi cool down. I was sweating so much that I bled through my nipguards then changed my clothes at 6 miles before finishing. The .5 "ons" were : 3:53, 3:53, 3:50, 3:53, 3:52, 3:49. Total Time: 1:46:20 (8:52/mile).

If sweat were money
I'd be friggin' hella rich.
Too bad it just stinks!

"Once you quit it becomes a habit." - Unknown
So that's why I didn't quit today. Phew!

Day #135: 4 miles, 3 up and down Monument Mountain and 1 on my own in 8:38. Had a great day. Got to see my mom in law and call my mom. Bring on the week. Getting nervous for my race this weekend. 48 hours of movement! Yikes!

Hop-scotch the dead roots,

Flying.. a nimble chipmunk

From Devil's Pulpit.

"Advice is what we ask for when we already know the answer but wish we didn't." - Erica Jong

Day #137: 2 miles - tired and extra taper never hurt anyone right?

Day #138: 3.2 in 34:00 on the bike path

Day #139: 2 easy taper miles before tomorrow's race.

Day #140: RACE REPORT COMING SOON

9am to Midnight Mileage: 61 miles. Felt strong, but probably went out too fast. This day alone exceeded my highest mileage day ever. On my way to 118 miles total!

Day #141: 3 Days at the Fair Race (Race report to be put on 5/17/13 page) - 47 miles this day.

Ended up taking more breaks than I probably wanted.. about 5 hours of sleep the first day, and then 6.5 hours after the 100mile mark. Big blister on the bottom of right foot was annoying. Hung in there for 118 miles, eclipsing my previous longest run by 66 miles! Got 5th place overall

RACE REPORT COMING SOON.

Day #143: 2.75 mi. .75 mile at Clapp Park where my race is going to be in August. A lady was freaking out about a bear. we kept going. Sure enough a bear came scampering down the hill and right across where the start/finish line will be for my race. Did another 2 miles on the treadmill in 20:26. Legs feel good minus the pesky little (ok not so little) triple blister under my right foot.

Day #144: 16:00. Easy as she goes. 

Day #145: 2 miles; 19:50. Broke out in weird hives all over. Took cold bath and put ice under my feet. I hate summer. 

Day #146: Prescribed: 1 mile warmup, 4 miles of alternating half mile "hard" half mile easy, 1 mile cooldown. Actual: Home sick today. Coughing up stuff. Was incredibly humid but I suffered through it. 53:00 total. 4 x 800s were: 4:00, 3:56, 3:52, 3:47. Weight at end was 210#.

Day #147: 2 sick miles in 16:11. On extra strength Mucinex. Boy howdy!

Day #148: 4.12 miles nice and easy.

Sunday, May 26, 2013
Memorial Day Marathon – Lenox, Massachusetts
39 degrees and rainy, wind from SW at 20 mph
2013 Finish Time: 4:37:46
2013 Place: 88/150

2012 Finish Time: 5:28:09
2012 Place: 107/139

After a restful night’s sleep, in the midst of REM sleep I was awoken by the chiming of the iPhone alarm at ten after six in the morning. As I hit the “snooze” I stretched and wiped the cobwebs from my eyes. Today was going to be a good d--. Ow… Oww… OWWWW! In the throes of a full pronged total war on my right calf muscle by one Charley Horse, I writhed and grabbed the pillow, trying not to wake Emmy. Oops. As I hobbled out of the bedroom, my head still in its pre-coffee fog I reassessed the situation and amended my previous, albeit brief declaration – Today was going to be a… day. In all seriousness I had never raced in these conditions for a marathon so I had limited expectations. Cold, rainy and temperatures in the upper thirties, I found my rain coat, compression socks and shorts and suited up to go to battle.

Last year I think it is safe to say that the Memorial Day Marathon beat me. That is not to say I did not put forth a gallant and valiant effort. It is just one heck of a course. After luring you into a false sense of security as you plummet down and out of Lenox towards Stockbridge, mile after mile sucking you down into the depths of Berkshire County’s bowels, there is a stark realization at about mile 14 that what most down most certainly must go back up. In a series of hamstring punishing climbs, runners are treated to no fewer than half a dozen climbs which culminate in a series of exceedingly steep ascents at miles 18, 20, 21, and 25. Really? Of all the marathons I have done, this should be referred to as “The Widowmaker”. It makes Heartbreak Hill look like a sore loser. This series of hills could be the reason why last year’s winner, Andrew Peters, ran only a 3:05 and only four runners broke 3:30. There is no messing around with the Memorial Day Marathon.

In 2012 temperatures dabbled in the low 80s with crushing humidity, scorching sun, and no prior experience with the race as I slipped on my Vibram Komodo Sports. Looking back I made a lot of rookie mistakes on this course. 1) I went out too fast, pacing off of the half marathoners before they split left at the fork at mile 6. 2) I did not adjust expectations for the course weather – I run poorly in the heat and humidity. 3) PACING - I ran the first half at just about 2 hours or 2:10 and the second half in over 3 hours. 4) I did not bring my own aid – GU, salt tabs, etc. And the one thing I have found Memorial Day Marathon to skimp on is aid station fare. They typically only offer Water until Mile 10, then Gatorade or water with two opportunities to score gels.

THE RACE: 
After leaving the house at 7:34, I pulled into Tanglewood and still had 15 minutes until I realistically had to be out of the car. That’s what I love about small races. We lined up in the rain and after a poor rendition of the national anthem for the second year in a row – they keep picking singers that make up their own lyrics – the half and full marathoners got ready to embark on their own personal quests at 8:07.

My goal was to start slow and to enjoy the back of the pack. I located other Marathon Maniacs, but did not strike up conversation. For me I much rather prefer to focus on my own thoughts and the task ahead. I realize this may come across as somewhat cold and/or the opposite of how I generally come across, but it is a personal decision. I don’t even know if I would call it a decision. It is more of just a state of being. I would rather be present in the moment, able to perform diagnostic checks, than to be forced to engage in silly banter that might allow me to miss a crucial sign, forget a GU or salt tab, or make another small error that should be avoided.

I started second to last across the line and settled into a rhythm. I took a “nature’s call” break somewhere in the first mile or two, but caught back up to the group that I had settled into cadence with. After the first two miles, as I started to warm up and fight back against the cold, I started to feel pretty good. I started to do a diagnostic check. Feet – blister from 3 Days at the Fair? Check. Feeling great. Ankles – no soreness. Good to go. Calf Muscles – Left one great. Right one fair. Hoping that it will get better. Nip guards and Vaseline – did I rememb--? Yes! Phew!

In the opening miles of a marathon, I always love to people watch. I know it sounds funny, but everyone runs with their own styles, own gear, for their own purpose. Some run in remembrance – and this was especially relevant on Memorial Day. Some run for a cure – as evidenced by the presence of upstate NY and VT chapters of Team In Training that were out in numbers. Some run for the personal challenge to vindicate their inner devils. Some run out of their naivety. And finally some run because it is enjoyable. (Did I really just say that?)

Miles started to tick off. Around mile 5, as I was walking an incline, I came up to the fork where half marathoners went left and marathoners went right. My friend Michael Menard was there directing traffic, but as it was raining, I had removed my sunglasses and nearly missed the fact that it was him. I told him jokingly, that maybe I should bear to the left and make my punishment an abridged version. He told me no and to suffer on. Leave it to a fellow ultrarunner!

After the exit of the half marathoners, the pack had thinned to the point where I only could see the blurred versions of two or three runners about :30 to a minute ahead of me. Miles 6, 7, 8 started some serious downhill and my pace quickened. As we got close to mile 10 I realized that we were in effect going in the reverse direction from last year. The turnaround was now at mile 10 instead of about 14 or 15. This meant a counterclockwise travel around the little lake we loop around. At the turnaround after another bathroom break I realized I was ahead of 22 other warriors. But I still thought I could do better.
I started to pick up the pace to put distance on the chasers behind me. I passed a guy seeming to have knee trouble, and then at the mile 12 aid station, there was a guy projectile vomiting with four or five concerned runners around him. I snagged some water and pressed on. Caught a couple and weird guy talking to himself at the half marathon mark. Everything was great. I hung a left to head up out of the gorge and was met with a full in-your-face blast of cold winter wind.

I continued to take S-Caps every chance I got on the hour. I am convinced that this is a make or break thing for me. With the rate at which I sweat, it becomes paramount for me to regulate my salt and potassium during longer events. I continued to pass 1 or 2 runners a mile. I was prepared this year. Maybe it’s my physical fitness from running every day for the last five months. Maybe it’s my mental toughness gained from racing nearly two dozen races of marathon or greater distance. Maybe a combination. But I seemed to feed off of others’s weakness. I seemed to get stronger where everyone else started to fade.

The only parts of the last third of the race that I had to walk, I power walked the mile 18, 20, and 21 hills. And then one final hill at mile 25. Last year on the mountain road after the huge hill across from the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge, the wheels fell off and I seemed to be unable to gather the strength to even approach a shuffle. This year I continued in the 10:00-10:30 pace with miles adjusted accordingly for water stops. 

One thing was for certain. I was going to be victorious today. I was not going to be taken by anyone behind me. Two people tried to pass me and I sped up and blasted them out the back. From mile 10, no one passed me and was able to stay ahead of me. How’s that for race management? 
Funniest part of the run was about mile 24, someone in a red car with NY plates came up and rolled down the window. The lady yelled, “Wait. You ran 118 miles last weekend AND you’re out here doing this? You’re crazy!” Haha! Certifiably so!

The one thing I really like about Memorial Day Marathon is that from mile 18, all of their mile markers are off by about .3 miles, but then the last mile seems short because they readjust it. Made it seem like I was running a 7 minute mile pace!

With raindrops splattering on my shoulders and the bridge of my nose, I passed a struggling lady on the last incline, right by the 26 mile marker. Did I feel bad about blasting her? Nope. I thanked the police officer for directing traffic (*something I have learned is never done enough and should be done by every runner every chance they get!), and headed for home. There was a tambourine man/lady bringing me home. John Kinnicut helped me in via the PA system and then later came up to introduce himself to me. He is the embodiment about what this sport is about. I loved the fact that I finished so strong, too strong in fact. I had told Emma to meet me at about 5 hours in if it was a good day. 

Oops! She was just getting in her car in Pittsfield to come meet me! Haha! We enjoyed a frozen peanut butter and jelly in the car before heading home.
Overall, one of the best performances for the marathon distance for me. Not because I ran fast necessarily, but because I felt confident, in control, and successful. I swore I wouldn’t be back, but I came back and conquered. I think I will try it again next year. Oh, and the Charley Horse .. it feels like a million dollars. My own little Red Badge of Courage.

• Mile 1: 11:11
• Mile 2: 11:20
• Mile 3: 10:05
• Mile 4: 9:47
• Mile 5: 10:46
• Mile 6: 10:29
• Mile 7: 9:45
• Mile 8: 9:58
• Mile 9: 10:30
• Mile 10: 11:19
• Mile 11: 9:54
• Mile 12: 9:40
• Mile 13: 9:46
• Mile 14: 10:12
• Mile 15: 10:59
• Mile 16: 10:50
• Mile 17: 11:28
• Mile 18: 9:57
• Mile 19: 11:34
• Mile 20: 10:12
• Mile 21: 11:05
• Mile 22: 11:31
• Mile 23: 10:18
• Mile 24: 10:03
• Mile 25: 12:56
• Mile 26: 10:39

Day #150: 3.5 miles - marathon recovery, including the last 2 in 17:25. Learned to play KANJAM today. Was way fun. Hung out with the two younger bros and the four St. Bernards. Good times had by all.

Sweaty man beasts are
hard to come by so take heed
when they pass you gents!

“Think Easy, Light, Smooth, and Fast. You start with easy, because if that’s all you get, that’s not so bad. Then work on light. Make it effortless, like you don’t give a shit how high the hill is or how far you’ve got to go. When you’ve practiced that so long that you forget you’re practicing, you work on making it smooooooth. You won’t have to worry about the last one – you get those three, and you’ll be fast.” - Micah True

Day #151: 3 miles at 9:40 pace.

Day #152: 9 miles total including 3 mile w/u, 3 mile c/d and 3 miles in the middle in 7:51, 7:49, and 7:44. I hate running long runs in the middle of the week, especially after an exhausting day. 

Sweat lodge in a rain storm,
Lightning bolts accentuate my glutimus maximus.
Yeah, be jealous. I know I'd be.

The people under our system, like the king in a monarchy, never dies. - Martin Van Buren

Day #153: 4 miles in 31:10, 7:47.5/mile pace. Felt relaxed and good considering I didn't finish the run until 11:15 tonight. Hugely busy day capped by Nutrition class and then shopping for Relay for Life tomorrow night. Made 3 trays of veggies. Must head to bed for about a 4 hour nap, then up to pack and create a lesson plan for tomorrow. Eek! Hoping to log about 30 miles during Relay for Life tomorrow.

Relay for Life (walking/slow jog with wife for a few hours) 10pm to 12am.

RELAY FOR LIFE with BART STUDENTS: North Adams, MA - Started late last night. Ended up on a single track, 5 foot wide path with over 100 people on it, usually in annoying clumps of 3-4 people. Signs and tents on either side. I didn't get to run much. But it was good training to be on your feet 10 hours. Did 34 miles total, including jogging the last 1.25 with my wife in 94 degree temps so she could finish her 4th marathon/ultra

Day #156: 3.4 miles at the Boulders; another 2.1 with Emma at the Audubon Society at night. Still too hot and muggy!

Day #157: 8.33 miles. 5.1 mile progression run including first 2 miles in 15:23, then .5 speed ups in 3:44, 3:30, 3:18, and 3:06. Cool down 1.1 mi in 9:07 for total of 38:11. Then did 3.23 miles at the Audubon Society up and down Lenox Mountain. Good workout day. Saw a couple red efts. I nearly squished one. Emma got scared by a frog. It was hilarious.

Suicide tree frog surprise,

curly haired girl runs,

arms flailing downhill.

Keep close to Nature's heart... and break clear away, once in awhile, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean. - John Muir