It ain't Chinese algebra!

Well, not too much to be disappointed with today.  Unlike every other marathon I've run, I really didn't have any plans for this race.  4 months ago it was my target race to finally run under 2:30; the course seemed ideal and I was hitting some solid times in my workouts.  But then I ran a marathon 4 weeks ago on a whim, was sick earlier this week, and have felt generally fatigued with running (both physically and mentally) the past month or so.  Probably not the best recipe for a PR...

The course was everything I was looking for and the race set-up was awesome.  It's the anti-Rock and Roll event; a small town that embraces the 900 runners that come to race--it made for a positive vibe, a very uplifting experience where it seemed like we were all one big family and we all wanted the best for each other.  That sounds cheesy, but there was just something different about this race from all the others I've run.  Hard to explain it exactly but whatever it was, it made for a very enjoyable atmosphere.

Andrea dropped me off at the starting line 10 minutes before the start.  That right there made for a good morning!  I walked 100 meters to the starting line, stretched for a few minutes and then we were lined up, ready to go.  I planned on starting out in a comfortable pace and see how my body felt.  Again, 4 weeks post marathon, I wasn't sure how my body would respond.  For the past 5 years, I've never ran more than 2 marathons a year, always spring/fall so plenty of time for recovery before the next one.  Anyway, a guy in green took the lead from the start but another guy and I passed him within 800 meters or so.  He and I ran side by side for the first 5.5 miles.  I was content to run his pace and carry the conversation (he said very little in return--some people just aren't talkers...).  First 6 miles in 5:53, 6:08, 6:02, 5:39 (downhill to the boardwalk), 6:07, 6:01.

The pace felt easy, my body felt fine, and seeing how the guy next to me didn't want to talk, I decided to pick up the pace.  From here until mile 25 the course was FLAT.  Mile 7-12 in 5:44, 5:43, 5:45, 5:45, 5:44, 5:43.  I saw my wife and boys at mile 12 but was unable to grab a drink from them due to passing traffic.  No biggie though.  I had taken water @ 6, Gu @ 7, and Gatorade at 8.  That's it (at Provo I was drinking at every aid station and by mile 19 my stomach was full and cramping--didn't want that to happen today).  Mile 13 in 5:46 (1:16:05, 5:52/mile) and then a couple more miles before the turnaround 5:46, 5:40. 5:40.  16 miles in 1:33:11 (5:50/mile) and then a quick pit stop on the side of the road (cost me 10 seconds tops, but it was worth it!).  Took my 2nd Gu around mile 15-16.

I was feeling really good at the turnaround and wanted to finish strong, unlike my past 3-4 marathons.  Next four mile in 23:09 (5:48/mile) and 20 miles in 1:56:21.  Now that I do the math, I ran the first 10 miles in 58:51 (5:54/mile) and next 10 miles in 57:30 (5:45/mile).  Second place was about 4 minutes back according to the lead vehicle.  I had been running solo for 14 miles but was enjoying every step of it.  It was 53 degrees, had been raining off and on and humidity was about 95%  The weather couldn't have been much better for an Oregon race.

Bummer--I don't have any more splits.  I saw Andrea at miles 18, 20, 22 and grabbed some Gatorade from her.  It was awesome to see my family so often on the course.  Andrea took some pictures, cheered my on and simply gave me something to look forward to every 15 minutes or so.  At one point, one of the lead bicyclist offered to take a photo of my family and I while I was running.  Not sure how he would have pulled that off, but it was nice of him to offer!  Again, I don't have any more splits but I recall running a low 5:40's for mile 21 and high 5:30's for 22.  I caught up to the 5 lead bicyclists and said something cheesy like I'm picking up the pace so they needed to as well (they had been 75 meters in front of me throughout the race other than this point).

Then I got tired. :)  Held it together through 23-24 but 25 was a battle.  I was still doing great mentally and secretly I was wishing I had someone to push the pace with but the final mile was a gradual uphill the whole way and I slowed considerably.  Final .2 was a steep downhill before crossing the finishline--that wasn't pleasant (the downhill that is--crossing the finish was very much pleasant).  Anyway, first 13 miles in 1:16:05 (5:52/mile) and final 13.2 miles in 1:16:51 (5:50/mile) so a negative split.  To be expected with the slower than normal start.  But I'll take it because I think today, that was the smart thing to do.

We hung out for a bit, then went back to the hotel for a swim in the pool with the kids, had a 'monster burger' at some old-school diner (possibly the highlight of the weekend--that sucker was GOOD), went to the beach and then to the awards ceremony at 2:30.  Surprise surpise--turns out Nike decided yesterday to donate a gift card to the male and female overall winner.  Totally unexpected!  The good day suddenly turned out even better.

So my first marathon win in my 3rd fastest time.  Couldn't be much happier with how things turned out today.  No regrets with anything whatsoever.  I'm still gunning for a sub-2:30.  Not sure where/when it's going to happen, but hopefully soon! 

Taking the week easy (off?) to recharge mentally/physically before picking things up for the rest of 2012.

Played ultimate frisbee with the YM tonight on the grass.  Felt good to run around barefoot until one of the guys landed on my left foot and crunched it pretty good.  Looks like I'm resting for a few more days just to be safe.  I'm good with that!

10 miles around GP.  Ran to the HS, then to Wal-Mart and back home.  Kept the pace slow and easy.  I had considered taking the entire week off but I was starting to miss running.  That means the break was good for me and I'm ready to get back in the groove.  Now I just need to figure out what my next target race is going to be.

7.5 miles to the west of town.  After the Newport marathon I bought the Nike/Tom-Tom gps watch.  I'm amazed at how accurate it is compared to the Garmin I've been running with the past 8 years.  I guess I shouldn't be too surprised--technology is just a little better in 2012 than it was in 2004. ;-)

Another easy run in GP.  Ran past the middle school into Fruitdale, then home via the hospital and Albertsons.  Final mile a little quicker than usual just because I was running short on time.

9 miles around GP before leaving for the coast.  Not much else to say, really.  I'll start doubling up a few times a week again next week.

10.5 miles around Coos Bay.  I ran back and forth on the downtown streets to keep it pretty flat but after 7 miles or so, I ran the first mile of Pre's course, then came back to the hotel via a road I've never been on.  One of the steepest inclines (and subsequent declines) I've ever ran.  I liked the uphill but was HATING the down.  Wasn't good on the knees...

I ran to Cathedral Hills to get some time on the trails.  As always, I had a lot of fun.  So much fun that I decided to sign up for the SOB 50k in Ashland next month.  It will me my first ultra race and only second trail race.  I'm in over my head...  Good thing I've got 3 weeks to prepare.  Plenty of time, right?  *sarcasm*

16 miles in Klamth Falls.  Here for youth conference and so we spent the majority of the day yesterday outside in the heat, then a less-than-stellar dinner, followed by a late night (for me anyway).  I wasn't able to get to sleep until nearly midnight but was awake needing a bathroom at 5:30 this morning.  I was planning on running @ 6 so it was actually a little nice to get a 30 minute jump-start on the day.  I ran into town via the bike path and stopped at Elmers for a bathroom and drink which turned out to be the 8 mile mark.  Ran back the same way and the final mile up to the house was a battle.  I was exhausted and it felt like I hit the wall.  The rest of the day was long....  We didn't leave K Falls until 10 and I didn't get home until just after midnight.  It was fun for the youth though and it was good to spend some time with them so I'll take it.

8.5 miles around GP.  I ran through All Sports Park and then home via Bridge St and the skate park.  Knee felt so-so.  Not sure what to do about it cause I don't want to rest. ;-)

6 miles.  I ran around the middle school, then hospital and then home.  Knee felt fine the whole time but that's to be expected because it usually starts to become bothersome after the first 5-6 miles.  More miles tonight in Eugene, hopefully.

PM: 10 miles in Eugene.  Track Town USA is alive and going to get even more busy the next few days.  I ran on Pre's Trail and it was packed.  And whom did I see?  First guy was Ian Dobson along with 2 other OTC Elite runners.  Then a few miles later I passed Meb Kefleszki (sp).  After we passed, I began to doubt that it was really him.  A couple miles later we passed each other again and I was beyond certain after the second passing.  I waved at him, he returned the greeting.  Seems like a nice guy.  Haha.

AM: 3 miles before work.  I ran into Jim at the hotel and we talked for a bit.  That cut into my time, although I was planning on less than 5 miles anyway so no biggie.

PM: 11.5 miles on the Ridgeline Trail system.  I got worked over.  Perhaps signing up for the 50k next month was a bit...overzealous on my part.  It didn't help that it was hot, I ran sans water and I was out there for just under 2 hours.  I climbed something like 1700 ft or so, right to the top of Spencer Butte (peak is just over 2000ft; it's the highest point in the Willamette Valley) and while most of it was in the shade, by the time I reached the top the sun was beating down something fierce.

Anyway, I made it back to my car and promptly chugged 32 oz of Powerade in less than 2 minutes.  My left knee (same one that's been bothering me since the marathon) was less than happy by the time I finished.  Hope I didn't over-do it today.... 

1 mile.  Yup, just one mile.  My left knee killed with every step and after 800 meters I finally convinced myself that it wasn't worth it.  Slowly walked/jogged back to the hotel.  As best as I can recall, this was the first run I've had to cut short due to injury since summer of 2009 (stress fracture in left foot).

Bummer doesn't begin to describe it... 

Zero.  Left knee hurts.

10 miles on downtown LA. Pretty much the most disgusting downtown I've ever ran in. Only 2 more days and then I can get back to Oregon.

Downtown Los Angeles is the worst city I've ever ran in. Period. What a complete dump. I ran around Dodger Stadium and through Chinatown. I smelled a lot of urine, saw a ton of trash and barred doors/windows and....other things that aren't appropriate to list here. Wow. Only one more day...

I ran around Staples Center and the LA convention center multiple times, then in some shaddy neighborhoods and then back downtown and to the hotel. If I wasn't clear enough the past two days, this place is the worst.

7 miles this morning around GP.  Over the river and looped through the park, then home and 1 mile with Jill.

3 miles tonight.  Ryan kept asking to go back to the track and run.  I took him there a month ago and he's been begging ever since.  I didn't time it again (keep forgetting my watch) but he ran, without stopping once, 3 consecutive laps.  Not too bad for a kid who isn't 4 until August....  Miles even got in on the action, although I carried him for most of the 2 laps he was around.  And now for the bad news; my left knee is jacked. 

Left knee hurt pretty much the entire way.  Lame.  Ran the last mile with Jill and told her about my trip.  Fun times...

Late night last night due to a concert so I slept in a bit today.  Finally made it to Cathedral Hills to get a little preparation for the SOB 50k in two weeks.  I'm in over my head but hopefully it's a fun experience.

I looped all around on multiple trails.  My knee felt fine on the uphill but the downhill was another story.  But....overall it seemed to feel better yesterday and even more so today.  Finally turning a corner?  Hope so.  I ran with a hand-held water bottle also.  That's going to take some getting used to.  Anyway, all in all it was a good run