Monday, April 30, 2007

Country Music Weekend

What a weekend. The Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon attracted almost 30,000 people. Amazing.

When I lived outside of Nashville I ran the old "Music City Marathon and Half Marathon" I ran the half a couple of different times. In those days, in the mid 1990's there was about 700 people in the whole and may 1,000 or so in the half. When Tim Murphy of Elite Racing talked to me about bringing a big "Rock 'n' Roll" style event to Nashville I told him he was crazy.

And in the first few years it looked like I was right. They started with ONLY a full marathon and after a strong first year saw the numbers dwindle down to less than 4,000 participants. Then they added the half marathon and the numbers soared. Two years ago there were a total of 17,000 participants in both races. This year that number was nearly doubled.

What's going on?

Hard to say, but I have a guess. People have figured out that Nashville - the city - is a FANTASTIC destination. If you stay downtown you just have to fall out of your hotel and you'll hear LIVE music played VERY well. It's fun, there's plenty of good food, and the atmosphere is "pure" country. What's not to like?

I did manage to run 3 times while I was there which is good. I took today off to recover from the drive but I'm looking forward to getting back out there tomorrow.

John

Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Celebration


I know that I am DAYS behind in posting this, but, this is a chaotic time of year. So, I apologize to those of you who have been waiting for updates.

This past weekend I was in Vienna, VA with my son and his family celebrating the "twins" 2nd birthday. It's simply amazing to me how quickly the time goes by. Even the "little guy" is nearly 8 months old and tearing around the house in his walker.

On Saturday night we had an extended family dinner and cake with the children, parents, grandparents and great-grandparents. I'm just grateful for all the people that love these children and are so willing to share in their joy.

I did get in some runs. One, with my son as he prepares for his Army P.T. test and a couple of hilly run/walk, walk/runs on my own. It's probably the travel but I am having more fatigue in my legs than I can ever remember. I'll be fine for a week or so and then BOOM, I've got nothing in my legs.

We're off to the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon in Nashville this weekend. It's always a fun event and a bit of a homecoming for me.

ORN: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. About 30 minutes each day. Running some, walking some.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Photo finish


You had to see it to believe it. Two runners fighting for the victory and NEITHER could get away. I've seen lots of finishes but nothing compares to this.
Daniel and Clint fought for nearly the entire race. One would surge, then the other and BOTH would respond. According to Daniel, he looked over at Clint at mile 11 and said: "I'm ready. Let's go" and off they went.
It was a great race weekend all the way around. We were able to honor the memory of Shelton Kang, the brother of long-time Penguin Brigade member Harriet Kang, by presenting the "Shelton Kang Courage Award" to the final finisher.
I managed to run twice on the treadmill at the hotel, and then did some "Hollywood" running during the Reebok web page photo shoot, but it wasn't a real quality run.
Yesterday I was able to get outside and on MY lakefront path for - I THINK - the first time in 2007. I managed a solid 30 minute run and then walked another 15-20 minutes. It was better and worse than I thought it would be. Good to be outside, but there's no hiding from what I've lost.

John

Monday, April 09, 2007

Babies, Babtism, and the Back

I'm out in Virginia/Washington, DC for the baptism/christening of my grandchildren. It was a very emotional service with the 3 little ones and the entire extended family including a set of GREAT grandparents.

Friday was a travel day, but I managed to get on the hotel treadmill on Saturday and Sunday.

Saturday I did a "long-run" format, run 4, walk 2, and went 3 solid miles. Sunday I wasn't up for another "normal" run so I decided to try a little "speed" work. I reversed the intervals and "ran" 2 and "walked" 4. I kept increasing the pace on the runs just a little on the runs just to see how it felt.

And, I'm PLEASED to say, if felt fine. No residual pain.

I wasn't able to run today so my plan is to run when I get home tomorrow. It will be good to move after flying.

John

Thursday, April 05, 2007

Long Run

At least for ME it was a long run. 3 miles.

There was a time when I wouldn't have even thought about running 3 miles. Beginners run three miles. But, I'm a re-beginner so I'm VERY happy.

No pain. No back pain, no knee pain, no foot pain. NO pain. We'll have to wait until tomorrow morning to know for sure, but I think it's a good sign.

I'm on the road again this weekend and I'll have to run outdoors. And, I'll have to be careful not to get excited and try to run farther than I'm ready to run.

ORN: 3 miles, R4/W2, 35 minutes

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

A little movement

This is getting interesting.

I did about a 3 mile hike yesterday in a somewhat hilly area. What surprised me the most was how tired I got just walking up and down hills. I was also surprised at how tight I was.

Today, back on the treadmill, I decided to up the ante a little. I decided to go back to the run 4/walk 2 intervals that I have used in the past. I know that it means pushing the run interval up, but, hey - we're all an experiement of one.

The good news is I still stopped at 2.25 miles, so I haven't completely gone over the edge.

We'll see later today how the pain is.

John

ORN: 2.25 miles, 29 minutes, run 4/walk 2

Sunday, April 01, 2007

The other side

Dateline: Yakima, Washington

I've been out here all weekend at the Yakima River Canyon Marathon. It's a small - 523 participant - marathon and very different than the mega events that I usually attend.

It's also a fantastic party.

I'm here because Bob and Lenore Dolphin are the race directors. Bob, at 77 years old, completed his 400th marathon Saturday. Lenore insisted that I be here. It's that simple.

Joining Bob were members of the 50 States marathon club, the 100 marathons club, and the "Marathon Maniacs" a group of, well, marathon maniacs. These are people who are doing 20, 30 or more marathons a year. They are an amazing bunch of runners and walkers. It was the first time I ever felt that having completed 45 marathons, as I have, WASN'T much.

Back update: Better, but not well. I did a street run/walk on Friday that went OK. It was the first time I'd run outside in almost 6 weeks.

John