Lessons Learned from my 11th Marathon (and third Philadelphia Marathon)

It's about 10:00 on Sunday night and I've just come home from a long weekend centered on my running in my third Philadelphia Marathon. That's me coming into the finish line in the picture above. I'll cut to the chase and say that of all the marathons I've done, not my best time and not my worst. Same for the three marathons. First time I did it, it was my 2nd marathon so my time was up there. Last year I did it and closed in on 5 hours. This year, 5:30. Given that I had two "interruptions" of about 10 minutes each, I was not at all bummed. More on that below


Another cool part of this marathon is that despite the size of it - it seems to be getting bigger every year (especially this one with another 3,000 NYC Marathon Refugees) - it maintains a lot of hometown feel and personality. The Mayor is there to shake hands. The announcer is great as well and as I was coming in, he was kind enough to read my "Teens Run Yonkers" shirt and tell the crowd that it's a great organization. Bonus.

Anyway, I had so many thoughts - and thought I had the makings of such a clever blog post - you can be the judge of that - that I just immediately came home and hit it.

First, as you may recall from last weeks posts, I was almost going to be sitting this one out. Had some injury which fortunately healed itself. But that almost injury and almost miss, kind of changed my attitude about doing this marathon. First, I decided that 1) I wasn't going to stress about time, hitting a big goal etc. Not that there's anything wrong with going for that. I just felt like if I'm going to be lucky enough to do this, I'm just going to enjoy the ride. 2) In connection with that, I decided I was not going to push it in terms of my feet and my heart (the real one with blood and stuff). I was determined to go out with a good but manageable pace. I had been training my long runs Jeff Galloway style - Run Walk Run Intervals. I was happy with my two 20 milers and felt ready.

So that was the attitude I was going in with. As they say, best laid plans...

This blog would get way too long if I describe the two issues I was managing through. Suffice to say - and some may not like this - that I really "became" a runner today in the sense that I was determined that nothing was going to stop me. That's not to say that someone who complete's their first marathon (if you're reading this and that's you) has just as much - if not more - to be incredibly proud of. I just mean that as someone who's now done 11 of these (and a bunch of half marathons, maybe 10), I did the stuff that I used to hear about "those crazy runners" doing.

With that in mind, I'm compiling a quick list of DO's/DONT's that were a part of my learning today. Granted, you may have read this stuff in runners world or all kinds of columns, but I felt like I lived some of this stuff today. So, here goes


1. DO eat and drink what you typically drink before a long training run. DO eat whatever you typically eat the night before. DO consider the effects coffee may have on you. DON'T try any new pre-race food. DON'T drink coffee or caffeinated beverages before if you usually don't. DON'T get experimental with your pre-race meal.

2. DO use the facilities (cleanest ones you can find within radius) as close to race time and locale as possible. DO use the on-site stuff if you have to. DO bring some money just in case you have to bribe a restaurant or deli owner for use of their facilities.DON'T assume that anything you're feeling pre-race is simply going to go away IT DOESN'T!

I'm not going further on the above - I'm sure you know where I'm going with it

3. DO take the time to be sure you're giving your toes and feet adequate attention while you're training. DO be sure that you're giving any toes or feet that are experiencing pain, proper rest rest and relaxation. DO spend the extra money to buy socks that are supportive and protective. DO carry some bandaids or something to wrap stuff, should you need it. DON'T SKIMP ON SOCKS THINKING THAT SHOES WILL TAKE CARE OF THE WHOLE THING

4. DO take the time to learn what kind of running shoe you need i.e. neutral, stability etc. DO spend the extra money - or better yet buy them on ebay - to buy shoes that fit you're running style. DON'T ASSUME that all shoes are equal - they're not.

5. DO take the time to talk to other runners that are around your pace. Enjoy the moment DO take the time to tell another runner if watching their courage has inspired you to continue despite having some challenges DO spend some time with the music off to appreciate the cheers and encouragement of both your fellow runners and especially the folks that are out there to give you gatorade and water - remember, they do this for you so you can have a great race. DON'T get to the start line, stick the headphone in your ear, run 26.2 miles with no human interaction -what's the point of that?

So if you haven't figured out some of what I managed through, feel free to reach out. I felt like some of it was a bit - well lets just say - not for a wide audience. Much happier providing some ideas than sharing that stuff. Anyway, thrilled to have done another and yes, there will be a 12th in my future. Stay tuned - hope you had a great weekend

Stop or My Mom Will Shoot - and other great movies

See, got your attention, right? With a catchy title like that you had to read this. Truth is, not a lot to share....Just a couple quick notes -

First, thanks to a bunch of folks that wrote some nice notes of encouragement for this weekend's Philly Marathon. Great to hear from you and appreciate the good sentiments...

Second, in reference to the post from Wednesday which mentions Rocky Balboa/Sylvester Stallone. In no way did I mean to imply that I am in a league with that sort of creative genius. I'm totally serious - and will again wear my heart on my sleeve - and tell you that I love those movies and have seen them all way too many times to even begin to count. Maybe it's being from Philly, maybe its the brilliant training montages. Whatever it is, any time in my life that I've had the chance to live a "Rocky" moment, it's special. But then again, the guy did make "Stop or My Mom Will Shoot". I guess that's why he went back to making action films. Even the Expendables- or maybe even Oscar - look like an acting tour de forces after some of those early 90's clunkers.

OK, there's really no third but since I feel like writing a little bit more - if you're still reading this I guess you want to read a bit more - I am really loving playing the guitar again in a way I haven't before. Still at the Neil Young thing, a good bit of Matchbox 20 and even a little Radiohead for good measure. So, for lack of anything really interesting to say, I'm sharing a picture of my six friends (guitars)

A man can not live by running shoes alone! Have a great weekend

Game on! Back to the Philly Marathon for #3 - And some Seinfeld Trivia for old times sake

For those of you who were following my slightly sad tale of being really bummed, a happy (almost) ending. The ending will be when I finish the marathon.

I say bummed because given what's been going on the world - between hurricanes, blizzards, scandals and probably some stuff I'm not even thinking of - I don't have a right to be sad as it (was) hardly tragic. Nevertheless, what I thought was a stress fracture turned out to be much, much less. In fact, it was - let's call it - an irritation that many runners get.

I don't want to be graphic as my daughter really thinks this whole thing is "gross" but I have what typically results in one buying shoes with a wider toe box that have some room to move. Truth is, it's not that big a deal but when you're seventeen like she is, many things to the left of cool, fall into the category of gross. Anyway, my foot feels 100% better -- In fact, I went to a podiatrist on Monday who was, without meaning to be, hilarious.

He looks at my foot and doesn't really do any sort of double take. Asks a couple questions. Does four x-rays. We come back in the "little room" (as distinguished from the bigger waiting room) as Seinfeld always likes to distinguish. Anyway, he checks me out, tests it for hotness to the touch (it wasn't) and asks "so what do you want me to do?" I said when I made the appointment I was really looking for answers as to what it was. Now I feel fine and think that it was the (unmentionable) reacting badly to a long run in a narrower shoe - followed by another run the next day. So now I'm just looking for clearance. The doc asks "so did you train for this - how long?". I explained that I've been prepping/training for three months including two 20 mile runs over the last few weeks.

Then I felt like I was in a Rocky movie. If you saw "Rocky Balboa" (also known as Rocky 6), there's a part where Marie, the girl that he had helped in the very first movie, but all grown up with a son, says "Fighter's Fight". Here's the scene for your enjoyment and inspiration - I hope my blog doesn't get nailed or pulled down for it


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lizg14PXbPQ

I know I'm digressing here but if you're looking for inspiration - something, anything - check this out. I'll embarrass myself here and say that I can't watch it without shedding a tear.

Anyway, the Doctor says to me "Are you a runner?". I say yes, not a fast one, but a committed one. He turns to me and says "If you're a runner then you have to run it". I love it! I said are you totally serious and he says it again. Cleared for take off! That was a moment that I'll look back on with a lot of happiness.

So, looking forward to doing my third Philadelphia Marathon. The other thing I've learned from this is a lot more appreciation for the simple joy of running in a race. There is something really special about it that is just indescribable. While days before I'm usually sitting here thinking of all kinds of calculations and visualizations, I'm doing nothing. I'm always thinking about time goals and stuff like that. All I've got on my mind is that I am so lucky to be getting to do something I was so looking forward to doing and completing. That's special to me.

Feelings like this are what I associate with running and definitely the reason that Teens Run Westchester is so important to me. Looking at a goal and realizing the privilege we have as healthy people to do something - not just a marathon - but anything we want to take on, is such an awesome and brave act. Yet, so many tend to shy away from that. If we can use running to teach both teens and their mentors the value of this, that's something pretty cool.

So since I got all serious there for a few minutes and haven't done any Seinfeld trivia, I'll bring it back to the Doctors, one of Seinfeld's favorite topics. Here are a couple trivia pieces from the show.

In one of the fairly early episodes, George ends up at the hospital because he thinks he had a heart attack. What actual problem did he have? What did he do instead of immediately having the hospital provide care? What somewhat famous and oft-forgotten candy is mentioned in the episode.


In another episode, Jerry, George and Elaine all go to have messages with Jerry thinking that his friend, a doctor, can get them insurance clearance. What's the friends first name? The doctor/friend has a poster of a boxer in his office - who is the boxer? What happens to the friend as a result of writing the notes?

Enjoy!

Little bit of procrastination today - I guess that's what saturdays are for...

What a beautiful day for a run. But I am still restraining myself -really, really challenging. Instead I am enjoying learning about all the wonderful remedies for bunions - who knew such a closet industry existed?? There's the bunion bootie which is very much for runners - I'm not grabbing that one just yet. And if I did I really wish they would have thought of a cooler name for it. I mean bootie? Please - there's just too many weird associations whether its the thing your mother made you were when you were a newborn or - let's just say - much less innocent usage of the word. So none for me yet thanks.

But then there are a whole new world of shoes (running and regular) which are recommended. One thing is for sure - I'm going to be having a bit of a fire sale on ebay for all my slightly narrower running shoes; races, flats etc. Clearly the idea when you go this route is lots of support, minimal minimalism, extra width. All that kind of stuff. Anyway, there's plenty of literature.

Bottom line, I felt pretty good today but stuck with the increasingly boring bicycle. Oh well, I finally have a doctors appointment on monday and will find out what the deal is. Bottom line, I'll do whatever is recommended but am really wanted to do Philly. Patience, patience....

Other that, lots of reading, lots of guitar and - a little unusual for me - a little spell of procrastination. I could barely get off the couch to write this and do a few other things. My guess is I'll either have a super lazy saturday or it will end up incredibly productive. Stay tuned and enjoy your weekend...

Still off my feet and on the bike - but making the best of it!

OK, I'm not going to continue on my Neil Young rant from yesterday. OK, maybe just a little. Like I said, the bright spot - or the lemons to lemonade of this foot injury thing - is finding other activities to take up that running time. So, yesterday instead of running, I spent an hour jamming to this song called Driftin Back, a 27 minute jam. It actually starts out with some lyrics but they really just serve as an excuse for an extended two chord jam - I cranked up the distortion on my hollow body guitar and lost myself for the next twenty minutes. Nice break from work! And I've almost completed three books while riding the incredibly boring stationary bike.

I truly must be 1) aging 2) getting smarter or 3) neither of the previous. I have now not run for nearly a week AND have actually scheduled an appointment with a podiatrist on Monday. This is unheard of me. I am shamefully fearful of all doctors - yes, there I've said it. I will avoid them at all costs. So you know, if I'm going, something's up. Reality is, this injury isn't so bad. The maturity comes in with the knowledge that running on it-especially 26.2 miles could be mind-bendingly (is that a real word?spell check says NO) stupid. Therefore I have to know what I'm dealing with.

Anyway, in Teens Run Yonkers land, lots of exciting things going on. We have a nice little funding proposal factory going on and have gotten three solid foundation requests out over the last couple of days. As I noted yesterday, I'm really psyched to be planning Winter/Spring Training with that culminating in one of four different half marathons I'm in touch with. If you're reading this and either want to volunteer or know of others that might want to, please send them our way.

In the meantime, if your electric is on and you've been fortunate enough to get gas, remember to not take these things for granted anymore - I know I'm not going to. And if you're still without it, wishing you a speedy return to life as usual. Stay safe...

Rust Never Sleeps and Lemons to Lemondae

After a long hiatus, happy to be back to sitting and writing. I'll share that over the past couple of weeks, like many of you, I have my hurricane sandy stories which fortunately were very manageable. We simply lost power and were fortunate to have alternatives which worked for us. And of course, its been sad to hear of all the challenges still faced by lots of folks I know in the area. Hoping we see some movement forward soon.

As I write this, I am listening to Neil Young's Psychedelic Pill, the latest in his seemingly never ending stream of work. I'll share that I've been going through a major "Neil Young" phase after getting about half-way through his self-penned autobiography "Waging Heavy Peace" and I've just found his approach to work, life, creativity and lots of other stuff very refreshing, honest and a nice fit for me now (if not for the future).

At the same time, my musical connection to him has roots in both the past and present. While I don't discuss it much in this blog, another love of mine (next to family, running, reading, Seinfeld and lots of other stuff) is playing the guitar, bass and attempting to sing. When I first started learning to play the guitar many years ago - it was when I was 15 putting it way back in 1980 (yes, really!), playing his stuff was one of the first and easiest ways to get started. I have vivid memories of teaching myself Hey, Hey My My (Rust Never Sleeps). And of course Like A Hurricane was one of those never ending 15 to 20 minute jam songs that made just about everybody feel like they were capable of doing anything on a guitar. AM/G/F - doesn't come any easier!

Then in 1990, looking for a job and anticipating moving to NYC, his album "Freedom" featuring Rocking in the Free World was my constant companion as I headed to interviews. There was another song called Crime in the City which was one of the best story telling songs I've ever heard.

And to the present - with my wife doing some consulting up in Toronto, Ontario where Neil Young has national hero status - it certainly seems like the moment. I feel kind of re-inspired to play and write some music in a way that I haven't been in awhile.

So this is typically supposed to be a bit more focused on running. For Teens Run Westchester, I'm super excited about getting back into action, again, after a bit of a break. Thanks to some recent funding, we're looking to work with and mentor a team of 25 teen runners to prepare them for a half marathon this spring - this will be a first for us and I'm really excited about the opportunity to both train for a new race and the chance to train through the winter months. While our runners will need some warmer clothes, hitting the road with some snow and breezes is really invigorating once you get into it.

From a personal perspective, I am quite bummed. While doing a long run (20 miles) this past Friday and then a short recovery run on Saturday, I am pretty sure I suffered a stress fracture. While my daughter intelligently reminded me that self-diagnosis based on youtube videos and internet wikis probably isn't the best way to know, if I'm making the choice not to (without even my wife telling me I'm crazy), there's something going on. So, I called the doc this morning and am awaiting the call back. I'm very bummed as I was training for the Philadelphia Marathon which is next Sunday and felt very good and ready - except for this. Oh well, I guess with age I am getting a bit smarter and more mature. If in fact it is a stress fracture, everything I read said to get it looked at it immediately and be prepared that I may have to start liking the bike and water running for about 90 days. But that is a heck of a lot better than my typical inclination which would be to run next week, potentially suffer some serious damage and then be away from running for a really, long, long time!

Well, if it the above, lots of time to get back to music, maybe even finally understand how to record it on garage band, perfect my biking and swimming and finally do a triathalon. Now that's turning the lemons into lemonade!