another update...

I haven’t been updating much here which is a surprise since I have not been training as I should be. Over the last two weeks my motivation has gone to zero which really sucks. I keep telling myself “I’ll get to it tomorrow” and that I can eat whatever today because tomorrow I will eat very clean and healthy. Problem is, it rarely happens. I will go out and have a great run or eat well (for me) and then follow it up with nothing.
I guess that this has been going on for longer than I realize as I look at some of my older posts. I know this will all come to fester when I cross the finish line of the marathon and think to myself, “man, if you would have trained just a little better you could have finished much faster”.
I think part of it is due to my slower times on the long runs have psychologically damaged me as I am not able to finish the runs without doing some walking (I finished the last 2 marathons with no walk breaks and ran negative splits). Also bothering me is a pain in my lower leg that is exactly where all of the issues I have had in the past started. Shin splint type pain, followed by a tight hamstring. I have been stretching and going to my core/stretch classes, but need to step it up a bit or I will be sidelined for a few months again.

Enough of the whining… I ordered a pair of Saucony ProGrid Paramount and received them on Wednesday. I have not been out to run in them yet but will run in them Sunday or Monday. I won’t wear them tomorrow as it is always a bad idea to break in new shoes on a long run. I really didn’t want to drop $165 on these shoes, so when I found a pair in my size on eBay for $79 I could not resist. The same seller has the Asics Kinsei , the $180 shoes, for the same price. But I have really liked the feel of the Grid Sinister better than the Kayano 13’s. Hopefully they will live up to the hype (doubtful).

Good news is that I didn’t need to go out in the Black Friday madness, except my daily Starbucks run.

I am looking at doing the Sedona half marathon in February, and will be up there this weekend to see the Christmas lights at Los Abrigados . Hopefully I will be renewed by some below zero running in the red rocks.

Anyway, that is it for today. I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving and I will blog at you soon!


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What do you know...

Well that didn’t take long. Just a few weeks after I posted about the confusion at the Chicago marathon and wondered what would happen if a non elite start runner won a big race, along comes Arien O'Connell who had the gall to finish the San Francisco marathon with the fastest time but didn’t start with the elites so she was not declared the winner. At least initially. Nike showed some class and presented her with the exact same awards (including a trophy made by Tiffany & Co.) as the elite women’s winner, and was named “a” winner. Not “the” winner, but “a” winner.

Nike also stated that there would no longer be an Elite start in the future in order to avoid another issue. O’Connell finished in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 11 seconds. The fastest woman in the elite group ran it in 3 hours, 6 minutes, so it wasn’t even close.

I now wonder how many others will buck the trend and get rid of elite starts. I know many major and mid-major marathons are already turning away from the USATF ban on headphones and I-Pods at races, so why not get rid of elite starts. I am all for it. In fact I would get rid of the corrals as well and let everyone fend for themselves at the start. Make it a race from the get go. Except the TNT runners, they need to start in the back. Just kidding TNT’ers. Since they are treated like royalty everywhere else at a race, leave the start to the “others”. I had better stop now before this becomes an anti TNT thread.

I don’t know what is up with my training. I feel motivated and am excited to run the PF Changs again, but I am having the hardest time getting my lazy ass out the door in the mornings. Running after work? Forget it. Between the kids, wife, and being tired from the overly stressful job I have (sarcasm) I cant run at night. I thought that having the new treadmill at home would help, and it would if I would use it. When I was using the old treadmill about a year ago I felt no different running on it or outside. But now running on the treadmill is a chore. The last time I was on it, 3 miles felt like it was sucking the life out of me. I just need to get used to millin’ again, that’s all.

Unfortunately for me, time is running out as I am quickly closing in on the 8 weeks of training left before race window where I believe your race training is either made or broken. Yes, everything leading up to this time is important, but I really feel that if you do not nail your training during this window you will not be at your peak whether that be 100% or somewhere lower due to injury, illness, or whatever. Fortunately for me, I still have time to get my act together. If I can get around to making sure that I hit my mid week longer runs I will be fine as I am doing okay with my weekly long run, but it could be better in terms of stamina.

Tonight I have speed work at the Foothills office. Yesterday Brian took me through a core routine that has my mid-section very sore today. It is embarrassing to say how weak my core is, but I am not able to fully complete the exercises Brian has for me…but it is getting better. Hopefully I can redeem myself with some Usain Bolt style speed tonight. Yeah right…

I want to get a chair that has a stability ball for the seat, so you are using your core the entire time you are sitting in the chair. Don’t know if the State will let me use it at work instead of the State approved ADA chairs. But I can try.

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Snafu at the Chicago marathon...

Korir 4th in Chicago Marathon, but out of the money
By Philip Hersh | Tribune staff reporter
10:20 PM CDT, October 12, 2008

Wesley Korir, a Kenyan who went to Murray State and the University of Louisville, is listed fourth overall in the official men's results with a time of 2 hours 13 minutes 53 seconds.

But he won't get the fourth-place prize money of $15,000, or any prize money, because he started with the masses rather than with the elite men, who began five minutes earlier.

International track rules for road running say that only athletes who start with the elite race's opening gun qualify for prize money.

The time recorded on the electronic chip in his shoe, rather than times related to a starting gun, was fourth fastest of the race's 31,401 finishers.
The intent of the rule is to take into consideration that Korir did not race the leaders. He raced the clock.
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So, this year the Chicago Marathon race directors decided to have in essence, two separate races. One for the Elites, and one for the masses. And a guy who started with the masses 5 minutes behind the elite runners ends up running the 4th fastest time of the day. I can see all of the arguments about how it isn’t fair to the elite runners as they did not know where he was at and could not tactically run with him to the finish as they would if he were up in the front with them. However, what would happen if he ran the fastest time of the day? The race directors did make it clear that there were two different races this year, and look what happens…that is life I guess. Do you think Carey will have two races again next year?

You hear a variant of this ever year in the bigger races as someone who started behind someone else runs a faster chip time but is listed behind them in the official results as they did not beat them with the gun time. It has just never been at this scale before.

There aren’t many things better than watching everyone start at the same time and watching the runners dressed as Elvis and the schmucks who want to see how long they can keep up with the Kenyans crash and burn.
I don’t like the two races idea, but can understand it.

And what was up with Constantina Tomescu-Dita wearing what appeared to be a thong? I guess she was worried about the warm weather and was doing everything to keep cool. Can anyone find a picture of her outfit yesterday? I looked but couldn’t find any. It was crazy. Whats next, men running in speedos?


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Soulstice Mountain Trail Run recap...

From one of my favorite papers, I hope to see everyone there next year and congratulations to all who braved the frigid weather to finish.

By KEITH JIRON
Sun Sports Staff
Sunday, October 12, 2008

The weather forecast for Saturday's Soulstice Mountain Trail Run called for howling winds and a chance for snow.

Even so, that wasn't going to keep Flagstaff's Sara Wagner from hopping in her car and heading to the Coconino National Forest's Sunset Trailhead. "When I heard it might snow, I thought it might be even more fun," said Wagner, who won the women's 11-mile race with a time of 1 hour, 29 minutes, 56 seconds. "Before I moved to Flagstaff I used to come up on weekends and I would always hear about Soulstice.

"And when I did my first Soulstice in 2006, I understood why. It continues to be one if my favorite races. It's just a nice reunion with all of my trail buddies."

Saturday's adverse weather conditions reminded race organizer Neil Weintraub a little about the rain-soaked 2006 race.

"Two years ago, we had torrential rains. We actually had the tail end of a tornado that ripped through the southern end of the Mogollon Rim and came north," he said. "This morning I awoke (here) at 1 o'clock in the morning with 70 mph wind gusts and I thought, 'My God, this is going to be an interesting day.'"

In 2006, 171 of 200 competitors crossed the finish line.

This year, all but four of the 200 completed the race.

"It seems like the worse the weather, the better the turnout," Weintraub said.

He went on to say, "(Flagstaff runners) are just a hearty bunch of folks who want to come out and have a good time.

"It's not about who wins, it's just about coming out and having a good time on the mountain, and enjoying the beautifultrails we have here."

Like Wagner, Flagstaff's Brian Cannon said the party atmosphere the run seems take on every year made missing this year's run not an option.

"It's a great group of people The runners in Flagstaff are just a great crowd to be with," said Cannon, who donned a hot-pink wing and wore a skirt over his running gear. "That's the idea behind the wig and the dress.

"To just just to come out and have fun. Not to take it so seriously."

On a more serious note, the race, which started in 1997, then took a three-year hiatus before kicking back into high gear in 2001, is a fundraiser for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff.

Weintraub said the event raised in the neighborhood of $4,000 this year.

"Soulstice started as a good time for runners, but it got so popular we thought, 'Geez, we could actually do something and donate to some good cause in town,'" Weintraub said.

Wentraub and event sponsor, the Northern Arizona Trail Runners Association, will use the popularity of the perpetually sold-out event to try to raise even more money for the organization.

Starting today, the first 40 to pledge to raise $250 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff will ensure themselves a spot in next year's run.

Weintraub, who is a Big Brother, said the way to get started is to e-mail him at www.natra.org

"We will sell out April 1st, when we open it, so someone wants to secure one of 40 spots, they have (to make that pledge)," he said. "All of the money we raise goes straight to Big Brothers.

"It's basically a new way we can raise money for a fgreat orgasnization which helps kids in this town."

Competitors had a choice between a 10k and an 11-mile race.

In the women's 10k, Janet Nelson was the overall winner with a time of 54:33.

Judy Blubaum won the Masters Division with a time of 1:04.49.

As mentioned, Wagner was the first woman to cross the finish line in the long course.

Paula Aerts (1:35.01) won the Masters Division.

Chris Gomez won the men's 10k in 39:09, while Mark Ulm was the Masters winner in a time of 44.02.

Jared Scott took first in the men's 11-mile race with a time 1:09.37

The race's Masters Division was won by Richard Doucett (1:22.43).



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I am a slacker.

I am a slacker, not Geb pictured above...

I have not seen very much about this in any mainstream media, so in case you were not aware the world record for the marathon was again broken by Haile Gebrselassie at the Berlin Marathon. Geb smashed his old marathon world record by 27 seconds as he took advantage of excellent conditions on a flat course to finish in 2 hours, 3 minutes, 59 seconds. Despite an ailing calf he shattered the mark he set in Berlin last year and became the first man to win this race three times.
In the women's race, Irina Mikitenko of Germany won in 2:19:19. She improved her personal best by more than four minutes to record the seventh fastest time for a woman.

So if you can travel and want to hit a flat fast marathon, then Berlin it is!

As for me, my training for the past week has been marginal at best. I did very well up to Wednesday when I had a good 5 miler in the semi-dark morning (gotta keep alert for the coyotes and javalenias now that the sun is coming up later) and I made the core work class at 10 AM all before heading down to the first day of a three day conference put on by the Annie E. Casey foundation at the Phoenix Hyatt. Then the wheels fell off. Thursday I was worried about being late so I did not run in the morning, was late getting home (it took 1 hour 15 minutes to get home from there!) and was tired from a day of conferencing and driving. It would have been a great end to the day by going for a run but decided to stay inside and would instead run in the morning even though Friday was a scheduled rest day. The Hanson’s program is so different from a traditional American marathon plan. I think I like the Hanson’s program better, but since this is the plan my physical therapist is doing, I will stick with it as best I can. I need to really wrap my head around training and stop with the "I just want to finish with no back pain", and focus on getting some quality runs in.

What do you think happened Friday morning? The alarm did not get me up and I overslept, creating a mad dash to get dressed and out the door so I would not be late to the conference. Again getting home tired and crabby I did not want to run, I can do my long run tomorrow and be alright. So, Saturday I woke up and my wife was already out running. When she got back we only had an hour before my son’s soccer game. After that we had promised to take the kids to see Beverly Hills Chihuahua, then we had dinner scheduled at my mothers house. So, I will run on Sunday.
Sunday came and left with no sign of a run out of me but I did get a lot of cleaning and yard work done. And the Broncos won again!

Run today? Well when the smoke detector decides to alert you that it’s batteries are going dead by producing a 150 decibel chirp every 45 seconds you know that it is 2:45 in the morning. After getting the new battery placed in the detector, I was not able to fall back to sleep until about 430…the time I get up to run. So when the kids woke us up it was time to get ready to run out the door to work. Now I could lie and say that I will run tonight, but with Lyndsey working late on Mondays that is not a possibility. I didn’t think that I would miss the treadmill so much, but it was so very handy. I really need to save up for a new one. Maybe if I am lucky I will be able to cut out early and go home for a run, pick up my daughter, then drive back into town to get my son (late edit-it didn't happen). It will be a lot of miles on the gas friendly Suburban, but it is the only way I will get a run in today. I really need to get my head into my runs. With Sedona coming up in two weeks I would love to hit a few 10-13 milers up there. When I am doing well with my running I feel like I can run all day up there. With a good two weeks running I should be fine by the time I hit the red rocks.

Until next time!





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Team World Vision

Here is a video I came across about Ryan Hall and his running for a purpose. Hard to believe that people live in these conditions.



Let me know what you think.



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New IMS marathon

I recently received an e-mail telling me about a new marathon that will be run in the West Valley. It is called the IMS Arizona Marathon scheduled for February 15, 2009. for some time now I have felt that the West side of town needed some new races as there is a good base of runners out here, and maybe I will be wrong but the route this race is to be run on does not inspire me to jump up and register. There will be plenty of open fields and vacant lots to look at as you go by. And by open fields I don’t mean pristine, beautiful desert either. I mean vacant lots with scrub and dying vegetation. But it does end at Westgate which could be kinda cool, especially if they are able to get the finish in the Cardinals stadium or in the Coyotes arena.

I know that the views are not reason to run a race and I am sure that this race will do well; perhaps I may even run it next year (maybe as training run for the Sedona Marathon) 2010 as I still have my ban on running first year events (too many experiences with being a first year race guinea pig).

So, if this sounds like something you would like to try or you want to check it out for yourself go to http://www.thearizonamarathon.com/, and if you are one of the first 500 to register you will get the 2 for 1 special (as long as you know someone who will run with you).

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Learn to like the pain...

Some days are much tougher than others for me to get out for my daily run. Today was one of them. My lower back and right hip were both in agony when I got up today to get ready to go run. It was so bad that I almost did not go, then told myself that I would go about a half mile to see how it felt, then decide. The initial first few steps were killers; I almost stopped then, but continued on. At the half mile point my hip had loosened up and my back was starting to get with it. I then remembered that my physical therapist Melissa told me that there would be times like this and that the running would actually be good for it. I was glad that I continued on.

After the deluge last night the air was crisp and cool, the breeze picked up the desert scents and spread them around for all to smell. The morning after a storm is the best time to run in the desert.

Bats were flying everywhere this morning; I have never seen so many in one run. It was crazy, as they will dive bomb you from the tops of a tall saguaro cactus or a light pole, then pull away from only a few feet above your head.

I have seen a coyote on my last two runs. I was driving home last week thinking that the construction out in Vistancia had driven them further out in the desert or up in the hills. It was good to see them, it was also good to see that they had a fear of me and they are not becoming too domesticated. I also saw a road runner out by the canal; I haven’t seen one of those out here in a long time. Well enough with the nature report.

I hope to update soon with some upcoming races in the area. Until then, keep running and maybe I will see you out there.


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Catching up...

I have a lot of catching up to do. For starters the Runfar AZ program will be on hiatus for a bit as I need to get myself back up and running before taking on any other projects. My health and well being takes precedence! So...I will be posting on here about me and my training instead of posting about the group.
I will be training with the group my physical therapy office is putting on. I haven't trained with a group for three years, but I think that it would be good for me as I am basically starting from square one as my fitness is nothing right now. I can run with the pain in my back, but my lungs and legs start dying. I know that once I am able o get the miles back up it will start coming back so hopefully I can put forth a good effort at the PF Chang's.

I recently took a trip to Flagstaff and got in some good running around Buffalo Park. I was wondering if any elite runners would be there even though the Olympics took many from the area. I did see several very fast females running the loop at the park as well as legendary coach Dr. Jack Daniels as he worked with a group of kids. Most of the kids were Navajo, but it was a diverse group. Here are some pictures I snapped.

Nice Nike Free's!






I recently came across some cool videos of Ryan Hall as he was preparing for the Olympic trials and the Olympics. Here is my favorite one. He runs so smoothly, uphill, downhill, in a strong headwind. And he appears to be a nice down to earth dude.





So my current goals are to continue with the stretches and exercises my physical therapist gave me, change my diet and stick to it (I ordered the Chris Carmichael nutrition book), and get back to doing what I need to do. Run often and slow.

Until next time...





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Baldini marathon training

Here is a nice video of current Olympic marathon champion Stephano Baldini of Italy as he prepares to defend his championship in Beijing.



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Still hurtin'

I have decided that I have picked the absolute worst time to start running again after an injury. What time is that do you ask? Summer in Phoenix. It has been over 110 for almost 10 days now, but there is relief in sight, it is only supposed to be 109 then 108 before going back up just in time for the weekend. So not only am I dealing with trying to regain my fitness and form, I have to deal with the heat. Even when one ventures out at 5 AM here, it is still close to 80-85 degrees. At least in the early AM the sun is not beating down on you. The direct sunlight just intensifies everything 10 fold.
I would much rather live somewhere that does not get so hot but has a good deal of snow and clod weather. Those you can make arrangements for, the heat? Well I guess you can wear no shirt and a visor, but that is about it. With the advancements in technology there are plenty of thin, lightweight clothes out there that will keep your core temperature up even when it is below zero outside.

I recently read some of Dr. Daniels work on running in the heat. If I recall correctly, running at 90 degrees as opposed to 55 degrees adds somewhere along the lines of 20 seconds per mile to your time. I need to run more frequently with my HRM so I don’t drop dead here pushing too hard in the heat without proper fitness. As for my injury, it now appears that I did not have sciatic nerve damage, nor Piriformis Syndrome
. The popular diagnosis now if that I have Sacroiliac joint inflammation. www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/buttocks/sacroiliac.htm

I have been doing my stretches, and exercises. Some days I feel great and pain/discomfort free. Other days (like this morning) I feel like walking across the room is a painful exercise in self mutilation.

Some upcoming events:

There is a 10K, 5K and mile fun run in Prescott on the Fourth of July. It is run in tandem with the Frontier Days Rodeo.

There is the BBBS of Flagstaff "Run For The Magic" Half Marathon and 5K Race on August 9th @ 7 AM.

There is the Arizona Road Racers I-Did-A-Run 10K, 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run on September 14th @ 715 AM. http://www.arizonaroadracers.com/Calendar/i-did-a-run.php

My target race this year is still the Denver Marathon, as long as I can keep trying to chop away at the miles and get my fitness back, I will be there. If not…I don’t know. Maybe it is time to take up biking or swimming. Perhaps my body is trying to force me into training for a triathlon.

As for the P.F. Changs marathon training. This years training program will be in Vistancia if there is enough interest. However, if t eh registration is coming mainly from people out of the Vistancia area, the training will be moved somewhere more central in Peoria or Glendale. For more info send us an e-mail: runfaraz@cox.net



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I have not been running much (or at all) for the past several weeks. I had been having some bad sciatic nerve pain in my lower back above my right hip. It is probably due to the piriformis muscle being out of place, inflamed, or just plain old bugging the sciatic nerve.

A few weeks ago I felt good with no discomfort whatsoever so I went for a light run. I was not a half mile into the run when the pain came back as strong as ever shooting down my hamstring and into my calf. So, I started doing some area specific stretching as well as seeing a chiropractor in order to try to get things back in shape. So far I am not sure that things are working as planned due to the area where the pain generates (lower back, right side, directly above my hip) has a slight discomfort all the time now, where before it was not there unless I did something to inflame it. Maybe the area is working out its kinks and that is the pain. The chiropractor said that there should not be any such discomfort though so he performed a different kind of adjustment last time. We will see.

I really need to get back to running as I have missed the last two marathons I have wanted to run due to this pain (It was present at a much less severe way back in November when I had to stop training for the P.F. Chang’s Marathon), and as anyone who knows me can attest to, running is my anti-psychotic/anti-depressant all in one. When I am running well and in a good training program running becomes my therapist. No matter what may be on my mind when I lace up my shoes, by the time I arrive home I feel much better about the situation and often have a solution for whatever the problem is. And I have also gained about 10 pounds as I stopped running, but that is just a side note.

I may try to get out and run again this weekend as it is a holiday weekend, and I am on call Monday so being out on a run would really prevent me from having to take a call!

We will see. If everything goes as I hope, I will be up and training for the Denver Marathon in a week or two.

On an side note, what is up with this weather? It was 111 degrees on Monday and today it is 65 and raining. I really wish that I was up to running as there are few things as enjoyable as a run in the light rain when the air is clean and clear. The ground gently gives way to your strides and cushions your body as the top layer of soil is damp, and the desert flora put their scents out for all to smell. Occasionally even the animals come out to enjoy the weather. There are few things better than that.

Running in Sedona through the red rocks with a light snow falling is one of them. The last time that happened was a surreal run that I will never forget. I hope to recreate that event a few times this year. Heck, it is probably snowing there today; I know that it was in Flagstaff and down the canyon.

Keep putting the miles on, and remember to take a second to say hello to whomever you go past. It is amazing what a simple thing like saying hello can do for the spirit of you and whomever you say hello to (unless it is the cyclists in Vistancia that ignore you even when you say “hello’, or “nice day isn’t it?” to them as loudly as you can while they ride by. Just kidding-sort of).

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Useful information!

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Useful information!

http://www.athlinks.com/

This is a website that I recently came across that when you enter your name it brings up all of the races (running, biking, triathlon, etc) you have done in recent years along with the finishing times, or so they say. When I put my name in many of the races I have done came up, along with several races and times for events that have taken place in States where I have never stepped foot. Also several runs I have done were not listed at all, so while this site can be useful if you have forgotten what your finishing time was at a certain race, you may or may not find it here, along with some races you didn’t know you did! Where are those finisher medals and t-shirts?

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Product review: Power gels!

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Now playing: Goldfrapp - Lovely Head
via FoxyTunes Product review:

I recently tried two new gels on the market (new to me at least), AccelGel and Cytomax Energy Gel.

When I had initially tried the Cytomax product during a few longer training runs the weather had just started to turning warm here. The first thing I noticed about the product was it’s taste. I had the orange and vanilla flavors, and when I ate them it was like taking a bite of the most sugary, flavorful cake frosting that you ever had. Initially I liked the taste as it was a very nice change from many bland gels but I soon realized that all of that sugary taste comes with a steep price, a very sticky and dried out mouth. The first few times I had the gels I did not have water or a beverage with me, so although the gels went down without a hitch, the pending cotton mouth was a beat to be reckoned with. Plus the taste lingered in my mouth for a very long time which while initially enjoyable ended up being annoying (I know that I am easily annoyed). With water the gel is much more tolerable in regards to the sugary taste and the aftertaste does not linger for as long, but it is still there. Now this surprised me. When I looked at the sugar content I expected to see some out of this world amount of sugar content, however it only has 5 grams of sugar out of 27 total grams of carbs. So, I am not sure where that fluffy, sugary, came straight from the top of the richest cake ever made taste comes from, but it is there. Now that it is really getting warm here (90’s) I can’t imagine using this product on a hot long run. I think that my mouth would fuse shut. But with enough water or beverage it should do the trick just fine for those of you with an over sized sweet tooth.

As for performance, there was nothing remarkable about the product as it did as advertised and expected. Just like all gels it helped me through the longer stretches of the runs and got me home.

The next new product I tried was the Accel Gel Accelerade. What intrigued me about this product is that it contains the 4:1 ratio that has made the Accelerade and Endurox products famous. So while there is only 20 grams of carbs, there is also 5 grams of protein in each pack. I thought that this was going to require me taking more of the product in order to get through my training runs, but as it turned out my assumption was wrong (sense a theme here?). Compared to the taste of the Cytomax gel the flavor is very bland, but it is just enough to cover up the texture and natural flavor of gel.

As for performance, this product got me through my long runs feeling fresh and as if I was ready to keep going on. And when I was expecting to have some fatigue and post training soreness that I usually experience, there was none. I assume that it due to the addition of the protein in the formula. I have since started to exclusively use the Accel Gel as my training and racing gel of choice, but knowing that there is too much of a good thing and that the body needs change as it adapts and grows I will also occasionally supplement with other products like the Powel Gel I received a part of their training program sponsor program. I took a liking to the Accelerade line after using their drink at last years San Diego Rock and Roll marathon. I was not complete toast when I finished (I could walk around the finish area and did not have to collapse) and I was not as sore as expected afterwards. If you can’t tell I really like their line of products.

Ratings:

Cytomax Energy Gel 3.5 out of 5 stars

Accel Gel 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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Lake Havasu Half Marathon

I received an e-mail today from Karen Opperud who is the President of the Havasu Hustlers running club. Karen wanted to let me extend an offer of $10 off registration if you are quick enough to register before February 15th. So, if you are interested in getting in a race in Lake Havasu, (and maybe do some boating afterwards???) go to their website and register ASAP!

http://www.havasuhalf.com/

Core Strength

I found this video at Runners World, and thought that it was useful and in need of being passed on.

Congratulations!

Many of you just completed your first half or full marathon at the P.F Changs after training for four long months with RunFar Arizona. I want to tell each and everyone of you how proud I am of the hard work and accomplishment you forged. I told all of you from the start that it would not be easy, buy the end would justify the means. Was I right?
Again congratulations and relish in the moment of your feats. Now, with that being said, the training for Rock and Roll San Diego will start in February, so I hope to see many of you again soon, and don't forget to invite your friends!

Shoe Review - Asics Gel Kayano 13

I recently received a pair of the new Asics Gel Kayano 13, which came very highly recommended by various persons. I was excited to try them out as I had heard so many great things about the Kayano line (the cushioning and just right amount of stability) that I was finally ready to try something outside the Mizuno stable.

Being a somewhat heavier runner (220 pounds currently), cushioning and stability are areas that usually vary greatly for me compared to what the general tester and wearer experience, but I had read several reviews of previous Kayano models that stated that the shoes were great for heavier runners, so what is there to loose? They were on sale for $89 and I was ready to try them out.

Initial impressions:

The fit was good for my foot type (fairly narrow) the toe box and heel cup fit nicely, with no slippage or sloppiness. They laced up well and felt sturdy and stable.

When I first tried the shoe on and did some light jogging, I thought that the shoes were very stiff and rigid, with most running shoes even non-cushioned versions there is usually a pillow cushioning feeling to them right out of the box, but it was missing here. After about 15 miles on them, the stiffness started to come out and the cushioning has started to make an appearance ( I have never worn a shoe that the cushioning started after putting miles on them, it is usually the opposite), but now that they have over a month of running on them I can not give them high marks compared to what I have experienced in various Mizuno's. The moderate level of stability is there as advertised so they have the nail on the head there, but the rest of the shoe left holes in the walls.

Rating:

I give the Asics Gel Kayano 13 3 out of 5 stars.

(I guess it also doesn't hurt to try running shoes on before buying them, but I live and learn!)

This rings true every day...

I found this online and wish that I could follow it daily, it seems easy enough, so why is it so hard to follow? This is part a commencement speech from Steve Jobs of Apple at Stanford University.

"When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart."

I always liked this, but it never hit home until my grandfather (who was more like a father to me really) passed away on December 13th. I had never experienced death to someone I loved before this, I guess I was lucky-depends on how you see it-but it has been an eye opener and made me realize that I will not be here forever. I miss him daily and wish that I spent more time with him, but know that we had many awesome adventures and times together in Sedona.

I really need to start living every day to the fullest, which while being so very, very simple is also so very hard. Most of us have jobs, family, outside influences that pull us away from what we really want to be doing. But in the long run, we are already naked, what do we have to loose?

This can be applied to running at so many different levels. If you desire to run a half or full marathon because it is something you have always wanted to do, what is stopping you? An internal fear? You want to shatter your personal best at a certain distance, but you keep hearing how it is out of your range...don't listen. Are others telling you (to your face or behind your back) that you can't do it? You need to do what your mind and body wants to do, and so do I.