ORRRC Marathon

Not all races are created equal.  Some are much larger than others and have a jubilant feel to them, with spectators the entire length of the course. Others are small in scope, with little more than the volunteers every mile and a half or so at aid stations.  Some courses are hilly and challenging, while others are flat.  I have been in races with as little as 64 runners (local 10k), and as much as 34,000 runners (Chicago Marathon).  Regardless of type of course or size of participation, all races require those running/walking to finish in order to reap the benefits; or in the case of marathoners, bragging rights about how many and how fast.

This was my third marathon so far, and that in just under two and a half years.  From the first to the current I managed to drop an entire hour off of my running time.  The 2010 Chicago Marathon time was 5 hours, 5 minutes and change.  Yesterday’s official time was 4 hours 6 minutes and change.  59 minutes dropped over 26.2 miles!  By comparison, my time at the Air Force Marathon last September was 4 hours, 21 minutes and change; so even there I have made a pretty dramatic change for the better.  In terms of running, 15 minutes over 26 miles is still a sharp increase in ability.  It is an accomplishment in itself to complete a single marathon.  Best statistics show that less than 1 tenth of 1 percent of the population have completed a marathon, with the number completed increasing, those numbers drop significantly.  This was number three for me.

The night before I had a good carb loading dinner.  Fettuccine Alfredo with Shrimp, Italian Sausage, Bell Peppers and Mushrooms.  I was prepped and ready; belly full of pasta.

I was fortunate to have some familiar faces.  As soon as I parked and started walking toward the Start/Finish area a friend from high school greeted me.  We ran track together in high school, and a couple years ago she started back into running; and she’s outdone me by doing triathlons!  After picking up my packet, bib number and timing chip I found my cousin Molly, who also started distance running not too long ago.  I was able to run with both for at least a few minutes.  Somewhere around mile 8 I saw someone from the Road Runners’ Club that I first met at the Broken Toes 27k in 2010.  He was running the half and was already heading toward the finish line.  I was only able to say, “Nice job George, keep it up!”  He’s much taller and faster than I, but it was a face I remembered from a few previous races.  It’s always nice to have familiar faces throughout the course.

And then there are those new faces.  Some of them come with introductions like, “Hi, I’m Dan.  And you are?”  Others just come with a good conversational attitude.  There was only Dan and Randy that came with names yesterday, but the conversations didn’t end with just those two.  Didn’t get much about Dan, but Randy and I talked for quite a while about diets and minimalist footwear.  Randy was wearing little more than thin leather thongs strapped to his feet – looked like something out of ancient Rome or Greece.  There was the 63 year old man who, last weekend did a marathon distance trail race, and the ORRRC marathon put him well over 100 marathons completed.  Soft spoken, humble, but bright, spry and full of energy for his young age.  The other that caught me off guard was the 57 year old man who normally runs ultra marathons, typically 50 and 100 mile races.  And I thought running 26.2 miles was a long distance!  All told, I probably had someone to talk to for at least 17 of the 26.2 miles.  There were others here and there, some I gave an encouraging word as I passed them, others did the same for me.  Nice people can make for a great race experience.

My challenge was to keep the overall time around 4:10:00.  Deep down I had desired to post a time that was below the four hour time, but realistically I wasn’t sure it could happen.  But as I crossed mile markers and check my pace, the further I got the better I found my chances.  I had maintained a sub-9 minute mile pace up until around mile 16.  I maintained a 9 minute mile for the next two, and then I hit mile 18.  In races at various distances I have experienced all kinds of maladies.  Cramps, muscle fatigue, lactic acid build up, shin splints, and even broken bones, but what hit me at mile 18 was something completely different.

Dizziness is usually a bad thing when doing any kind of physical activity. The kind of dizziness I experienced was akin to spinning around in circles for a while, then trying to run straight.  This lasted between miles 18 and 20.  I slowed way down, took more and longer walk breaks until it subsided.  When I hit the 20 mile mark, I knew I only had 6.2 miles (10k) left.  I knew that if I maintained at least a 10 minute mile for the remainder I would be well within my 4:10:00 time, so I focused on breathing, pacing, and the other people on the course.  The dizziness subsided and I resumed a somewhat normal pace.  I thanked God several times for keeping me upright and moving forward for the rest of the race.

When I hit mile 23 I knew I was almost done.  Did a little math in my head and figured at worst I would have another 30 minutes, and at best 27 minutes.  Crossed mile 24, then 25, then turned off the bike path and onto surface streets.  I could see the finish line about four blocks away.  Crossed mile 26 and knew I only had 385 yards left; less than a quarter mile!  There wasn’t much left in the tank, but I gave all I had, thanking the volunteers at each street crossing who held traffic for me.  After crossing the last corner I knew it was almost over and I pushed with what little I had left – and I crossed my third marathon finish line.  More volunteers met me, one clipped the timing chip and another gave me a medal.  Others were there directing me to snacks and drinks.

A distance race is an immensely personal thing, and when I’ve finished each one I have had the emotional flood, or, the runner’s high.  I sat down with a Dr. Pepper to stretch and the weight of what I had done rushed over me.  I had bested my last time, come in under my goal time, and finished yet another full marathon.  Sure I shared multiple miles with lots of people, but they did not run for me, they ran with me.  This was something I did; a culmination of many weeks worth of training and dedication.

I had another goal besides finishing with a specific time.  I have been raising money for autism research throughout this training cycle, and it will continue for the next several weeks.  I wanted to have at least half of my $500 goal met before I crossed the finish line – and thanks to so many kind and wonderful people I did just that.  Before the race even started I was at 51%.  A big thanks to those of you who donated so far, and a thanks in advance for those who will no doubt push me beyond that $500 mark as I run the Flying Pig in five weeks.

Never say you can’t.  A piece of advice/knowledge/humor from the race:  On the back of one shirt I found inspiration, “You won’t die from running, you’ll pass out first”  I’ve heard and read people’s reactions when they know someone who has run a half or full marathon, “That would KILL ME!”  I’m living proof that is not the case.  

Sickness & Health

Winter never truly showed up.  Here it is, the middle of March and we’ve barely seen any snow, and the usual low temperatures have been replaced by mild 50 to 60 degree temperatures.  I’m not complaining, merely making an observation.  I realized the warmth after yesterday’s six mile run . . . there was much sweat, something that hasn’t been there lately.  Running in cooler temperatures and cold temperatures tends to keep the body cooler, and I don’t perspire nearly as much.  However, with yesterday being nearly 75 degrees I was practically pouring once I stopped.  Today is supposed to be even warmer, but I cannot run.

My typical day has me out of bed by 4:45 and at work no later than 5:40.  This morning I found that I was up on time, but could not leave the house - there’s a sick kid.

I new something was up as soon as I left my room.  There was a certain smell that rushed at me, one that I’m all too familiar with, yet one that I really never have grown accustomed to.  It certainly wasn’t a smell I wanted to encounter this early in the morning, but there it was and I had no choice but to investigate and take care of it.

Some of it was in the bathroom, but the majority of it was in the boys’ room.  Having kids is never easy, and when one or more is sick it gets even tougher.  Normally I would clean the mess, wake the wife, and head to work.  I don’t have the luxury of leaving the house right now since mama is in Alabama.  I’m also not one to miss work very often, but when I do it is typically because someone else is sick, not me.

Why talk about sick kids here?  Well, this keeps me from getting any miles in today, and it just so happens that the sick kid is also my autistic son.  Any time one has a child with any sort of disability, it is only compounded by otherwise non-existent circumstances like illness.  The “normal” behavior is ramped up and made even more apparent.  In this case I’ll sometimes tell him, “Noah, your autism is showing!”  He understands the implied meaning behind that now (tone it down a bit, you’re acting up).  Having a child with any disability can be difficult, but having sickness with it just doesn’t help matters.

At least I’m home with him for a day.  Our interactions may not be the typical or normal, but we will be seeing more of each other today.  It’s never easy being a parent, but looking at the downside does nothing to make the situations better.  I’ll take what I can get, even if it means a day off from work to care for a sick kid.

Inspirational Thoughts

For those of you who know me this may come as a bit of a shock.  As the title to this post would indicate, I have a couple inspirational things to share.  Yes, I said inspirational things to share - not something I normally do.  At any rate . . .

I made mention a few posts ago that I had watched a movie that made me rethink a few things.  Yesterday I saw another film that gave me pause, and I have been thinking even more about the future of this runner.  The first movie, Spirit of the Marathon, follows several runners at various levels training for marathons.  When watching it I realized there was more potential in me than I had given credit for.  The second movie, Running the Sahara, made me realize the potential for human spirit, and the limits to which the human body can go.

Both of these films brought to my attention the deep desire in most of us to push ourselves to limits we never thought possible, or to go even further than we had expected to push ourselves.  Personally, it drives home the point that I can do better, not just with my running, but with many other aspects of my life.  I can achieve more with the fundraising I am currently doing for OAR, I can do better as a husband and father, I can do more as a son, or any other aspect of my life.

Running is only part of who and what I am, though recently it has taken a higher priority than in years past.  I can hope that someone else will watch one, or even both of these films and something inspirational will be sparked.  Watch what these people go through, the lengths they strive towards to achieve something greater than they thought possible.  It may not be running, but I hope it drives you to do better in some part of your life.

Past, Present, Future

A year ago I was training for the Ohio River Road Runners’ Club half marathon and the Flying Pig half marathon.  I felt, at that time, that my training was going quite well.  I was getting decent miles each week, monitoring my pace and working on my running form.  At that time I was a smoker.

Fast forward a year and I find myself doing much of the same, though the training is ramped up this time.  Instead of two half marathons I am training for two full marathons (same as above), roughly five weeks apart.  Last year’s February mileage was about 55 miles for the month.  After yesterday’s 8.14 mile trek I stand at 99 miles for this February.  Another key thing to this year as opposed to last, is that I finally made the decision to quit smoking. 

This is now week 4, and so far I have only had a couple of occasions where I felt I wanted to smoke.  Times where I have tried before there had always been days, even weeks where I wanted one at least once a day, not this time.  I truly believe that this will be the last time I have to quit smoking – after almost 23 full years, I think I have finally kicked that bad habit!

I have already noticed changes in my running.  Where a fast 5k used to be around 26 – 27 minutes I am now running sub-24 minute 5k’s.  My mid-distance runs have steadily improved as well.  Take yesterday’s 8 miler, for example.  My average was an 8:53/mile pace which is only (1) one second slower than my fastest 10k (6.2 miles), and I didn’t feel like I was pushing myself hard.  Only 3.5 weeks into this and I’m already seeing remarkable changes, ones that will keep me around longer, make me stronger and faster.

Thankfully I’m not in this alone.  So many of my friends and family have been there with encouragement, kind words and no condemnation of the habit I have left behind.  Keep that in mind for those you know who are smokers, do not condemn for the addiction, love and help them through it in a positive way.  Showing them pictures of trashed lungs, cancer patients, or people with trach rings will not help, it only hurts – and for me it was something to show that would not happen to me, even if I did not quit.  So, be kind as you help those you know.

With my life span extending and my running times getting shorter I can only look forward to what will happen; those two things only getting better.  This weekend I’ll push my body to 16 miles, and the following week will see 20, distances that will only be easier now that I no longer smoke before and after a run.

New Shoes and Tattoos

New shoes . . . 

 and tattoos . . . right calf

left calf

so you know, when you run behind me, that I have my reasons

12 Miles, New Shoes & Tattoos

The title for this one may be a little deceiving.  I did run 12 miles today, but not in my new shoes. 

This morning was a little colder than I had expected.  When last I looked (yesterday afternoon) the temperature was only supposed to get to around 31 degrees as the low.  When I started my long run this morning it was 28 degrees, and I can assure you, those 3 degrees made a huge difference in how I started and continued from start to finish.

I was properly dressed for a 35 - 40 degree run.  I could take a couple degrees cooler and be okay, but nearly ten degrees was a bit much.  No gloves meant my hands were cold for almost two hours even though I had long sleeves on, pulled over my fingers.  No hat meant my head was loosing precious heat, but I did at least have a head band on to keep my forehead from freezing.

Once I got through the first three miles things settled down.  The sun had started to produce some light and raise the temperature slightly.  There were very few people out.  I think I saw about seven cars altogether, and only one other runner.  Usually at the lake I'll see much more than that, but I suppose the colder weather kept even the hardiest at home.  What I did see were deer, seven of them throughout the run. 

Part of the lake was frozen as well.  I was running across the dam while the sun was a glowing orange orb, slightly above the horizon, reflecting brightly on the frozen lake.  It was a gorgeous sight, one so many people missed, but I was there taking in the beauty of it all - all to myself, and I relished in that fact.

I finally warmed up around mile 9 and my calves did not feel tight any more.  Yesterday was an unscheduled speed workout.  Three miles in the Vibram FiveFingers made for really tight legs this morning, but it worked out over time.  By mile 11 I couldn't tell if my legs were tired, sore from yesterday, or just numb from the cold - it was actually nice not feeling anything!

At any rate, I did not do this run in my new Saucony Kinvara 2's.  I still have a bit of life left in the last pair, so I'll hold off on putting miles on the new ones until a couple of weeks before the ORRRC Marathon.  My hope is that this pair will get me through that race and the Flying Pig - mileage is a concern, but I'm hopeful.

Today's run was nice, though a tad cold.  Next week I add another 2 miles to the long run.  This week has been good.  No pain, five runs, 32 miles altogether.  Looking forward to another great week of running - and as a side note, possible tattoos, but I'll leave you hanging with that thought.

At It Again: Fundraising

Some of you may remember when this blog started about two years ago.  Some of you may not.  For those that have been around for a while you will remember that I used this blog heavily for my fundraising efforts for OAR as I raised money for the Chicago Marathon.  I am once again pursuing the same, but this time, twice over . . .

March 25^th I will be running the ORRRC Marathon in Xenia and five weeks after that the Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinnati.  Since neither of these are sponsored OAR races I am a part of the iRun team.  In 2010 I raised over $700 for OAR, I hope to exceed that this spring.  If you would like to donate to the cause, please visit my personal giving page at: https://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/aaron-mundy/irun-for-autism-2012

As I train for these two races I will once again be posting here, keeping all who read (at least seven of you) up to date.  For now, know that my long runs have been 6, 8 and 10 miles; this weekend I will be running 12 miles Saturday morning and next weekend will be a 14 miler!  I am nearing the end for my first pair of Saucony Kinvaras, but my new pair arrived via UPS the other day (those will be race shoes for both races).

I thank you all in advance for your support!

Day 3 Thoughts: Accountability

Growing up in a family of smokers had an impact on my life, one that lasted a couple of decades.  By the time I was 14 years old, I too had picked up the habit.  At first it was only a couple here and there, usually about two to three a day, but that only lasted a few months.  Before I knew it, I was smoking nearly a half a pack (10 cigarettes) a day.  By the time I graduated high school I was up to a pack a day.  Shortly after graduation I was smoking non-filtered Camels at almost two packs a day. 

I ran track in high school and managed to post sub-one minute ¼ miles.  I joined the US Marines and managed to post 19 minute 3 mile PFT runs (though my worst time was around 26 minutes), and all this while being a smoker.  After my honorable discharge in 1998 I vowed to myself not to run again.  I managed to keep that vow until a friend asked me to run a race that was to support a local autism unit.  Still smoking 20 years later I began running again.  Before I knew it I was running my first half marathon, then a second, and a third, but I was still smoking.  Then I ran a full marathon on my 36^th birthday.  Within an hour and a half of finishing I was lighting a cigarette while wearing my marathon t-shirt!  22 years of smoking and still running.

Before I go too far I must confess that my wife and kids have been on me forever about quitting.  Many of my running friends have been there too.  What surprises many is that I run, and smoke, and post times better than people my age or younger who do not smoke.  Why is that? 

Recently I watched a movie that sparked something inside me that has never been there before: a desire to honestly want to quit.  No, it wasn’t a movie about the damage smoking can do; nothing about lung cancer, COPD or emphysema, no it was nothing of the sort.  The movie was about running a marathon and followed several people on their quests (whether first or 31^st marathon).  Having already run the 26.2 miles twice as a smoker the movie made me wonder, how much faster could I be if I was smoke free?

When I finished my first marathon in 5 hours 5 minutes I was disappointed to say the least.  I was happy that I had finished, but not with the time.  However, I don’t believe it was my smoking that kept me from getting closer to my goal or 4 hours 45 minutes.  It was 89 degrees in Chicago when I crossed the finish line, heat more than anything else slowed me down that day.  When my next marathon came up 11 months later I posted a 4 hour 21 minute time, still as a smoker.  I have posted a sub-two hour half marathon time, a 54 minute 10k – all as a smoker.

The movie had got me thinking, what if I did quit?  Could I run faster, longer, better OR, would I notice very little change?  Either way, my life would be greatly enhanced by not smoking; not to mention lengthened!  So I made the decision, when what I had was gone, that was it.  I wouldn’t spend any more of my time or money on a habit that could wreak havoc on my body.  I’ve told my wife and kids the same thing.  I have been telling friends and co-workers the same thing; all to have a greater amount of accountability.  I have stopped smoking before for short periods of time (3 to 5 months), but have never decided that I was going to quit permanently.  My decision this time around is a planned quitting, something I hope never to return to.  By reading this, I hope you too will keep me accountable to this.

With this brief history in mind, know this: at the end of March I will be running the Ohio River Road Runners Club Marathon in Xenia, the place where I posted my sub-two hour half marathon last April.  This time around though, I will be running the full 26.2 miles.  My goal?  Beat last year’s Air Force Marathon time of 4 hours 21 minutes.  By the time that race rolls around I would have been a non-smoker for at least 50 days.  Five weeks after that I will be running the Flying Pig Marathon here in Cincinnati, where I hope to get even faster!

Runner With a Reason has another reason: get better and faster as a non-smoker AND support those who are like me.  My focus and attention for autism has not diminished, but RWR is adding another facet to who and what I am, and why I run. 

This is day three of no smoking . . . so far, so good.