Hitting the Pool

Well, that was humbling.

I have been trying in the past few years to integrate swimming back into my exercise regimen.  In 2008, I swam a little bit on my way to doing surprisingly well at the Deer Creek Tri in Utah.

Last year I ramped it up a little more and even though my swim leg was not what I wanted it to be at the US National Aquathlon Championship, It was nice to be cutting through the water again.

Then I got hit by a car. So with a messed up shoulder, I wasn't swimming much.  Then I got uber busy with running and swimming slipped further down the to-do list. 

However, with my legs needing a little break and me actually being home for more than 3 consecutive days for the first time since, yep, 2009, I decided to grab a monthly membership to the local pool and make some waves.

Umstead 100 mile recap

A Runner's Ramblings: Volume 5; 12th Edition
329.8 miles raced in 2010
Race: Umstead 100 mile
Place: Raleigh, NC
Miles from home: 2143 miles 
Weather: 30-50s; sunshine


The best laid plans...

The Umstead 100 mile race was one which was supposed to serve a two-fold purpose for me.  First, I was going to get my first 100 mile finish, in hopefully a fast time.  Second, it would be a training run for my 204 miler which is now just 26 days away.  In hindsight, it could not be both, at least not at the speed I was hoping to run it.

It was, however, a good lesson in a few things. One can never discount the affect that the unknown will have on a body in a long-distance race.  Even if you are unaware of what causes those affects, they are just as strong.  Last month I got sick before the Rocky Raccoon 50 mile race.  As such, I did not have the energy to continue after 33 miles.  One week later, I crushed my personal best in a 50 mile race by over 100 minutes.  I knew the sickness had weakened me for one race and hoped the next week would be a different story.  It was and I did well.  But oftentimes things happen and we have no explanation.  we can look back and think of something which may have been the cause but we have no idea.

I was sent an email recently from a person asking a question about if I have ever been discouraged in a marathon.  After the laughter subsided in my head, I told her that yes, in the 114 marathons I have done, I have quite often faced down discouragement and moved forward.  I preach to others that failure helps us learn, even if the lesson is not cut and dry.  As I sat in a chair, done at 50 miles of the race yesterday (and yes, 50 miles is indeed a lot of mile but dear friends who offered encouragement to me, it was only half of the race I wanted to run that day), I hoped I could draw fruitful lessons from my experience.  Here is hoping you can from my recounting of my day.

Umstead 100 looms

I recently mentioned on my Facebook page that I was anxious about the Umstead 100 mile race this Saturday.

Some offered words of encouragement and others stated I needn't worry because of past accomplishments. All kind words but I guess what I was really meaning to say was how I was anxious about how my leg is going to perform this weekend.  I have been resting it an unprecedented amount of time (for me at least) recently, in hopes of healing it as quickly as possible. Then I thought about it more and I guess I was worrying a little about more than just my leg. 

Any race you enter, you want to do well.  If you have put in the effort and time and know you have a little bit of talent, you also hope you can win.  But before I even cared about how high I placed, my thoughts would go back to one of only two DNFs in my life, one being the Old Dominion 100 Mile race nearly three years ago.

Powerbar - Team Elite

Last week, I found out I had been accepted to be a member of PowerBar's Team Elite™.  To quote from PowerBar's own website, the Team Elite™  program is "our grassroots athletic ambassador program that supports athletes, coaches and other athletic influencers."

I remember back when I got my braces during the middle of my 52 Marathons in 52 weeks, one of my biggest laments was that I could no longer eat my pre-race PowerBar (found that out the morning of the Delaware Marathon when my tender teeth almost made me cry when I mistakenly try to tear away at the Powerbar yumminess.)  So now to be able to not only enjoy a product I found wonderful to start my races off with, but to be included as one of the "influencers" out there on the racing circuit is indeed a combination of many good things.

In fact, it was my eating of PowerBar Gel Blasts energy chews (the strawberry banana ones) which helped me power on to my course-record setting performance at the Iron Horse 50 miler.

As such, it goes without saying (but I am saying it nonetheless!) this is both an honor and a privilege and I am extremely happy to be amongst other athletes like Josh Cox, Lauren Fleshman, and the unbelievably inspirational Brian Boyle.

Just like these superb athletes, I look forward to continuing to do all I can to making a difference in people's lives by being a positive, athletic role model.

Georgia Half-Marathon Recap

A Runner's Ramblings: Volume 5; 11th Edition
279.8 miles raced in 2010
Race: Georgia Half-Marathon
Place: Atlanta, GA
Miles from home: 1882 miles 
Weather: 50s; overcast with slight rain

This past week was all about healing.  With my third consecutive half marathon approaching, I had originally planned to be doing tons of miles of running during the week as I did not have to endure marathons on the weekends.  However, lingering pains in my calf had all but sidelined me.  But look at it this way - it made me forget about the lingering pains in my Achilles tendon (and with the pains on different legs, I can now wobble evenly! I am all about positive spin.)


At the race expo (I realized I usually call it the "marathon expo" even though I am fully aware there are races of varying distances and therefore have to stop being so narrow-sighted) I realized that there was wireless internet to be had by all. So on the second day I decided to use this internet connection to document as many of the people who I encountered as I could without neglecting actually speaking to the rest.  I setup my Twitter account and chatted away, noting both the nice people and the jackasses.  (Someone mentioned I might have lost a potential book sale because I refused to play along with one of the latter and to be honest, it may make my marketing director cringe, but I don't give one hoot about losing one book sale if it means I have to be the me I always am.  Like me or hate me, at least I know you are doing so based on who I really am.)

It was a fun experiment and really allowed me to share with whomever decided to read some of the wonderful people I meet who cannot always make it into my recaps.  And I also get to meet crazy-haired little blondies who are just so friggin cute that they must be documented.

Day 6 and counting...

With a 100 miler in one week, a 204 miler in one month and an aching left calf muscle, I have decided that right now is the time not to run. 

Yep, I am now on my 6th consecutive day of not running.  I haven't gone that long without putting on running shoes for a run since I was hit by a car while cycling in August and had a forced lay-off. However, after winning the iron Horse 50 Mile Race a month ago, I have been experiencing a trigger point in my calf muscle that has just left me quite unhappy. 

I downgraded to the half-marathon this weekend at the ING GA Marathon ((which was probably a good idea anyway with the 100 next week).  I have massaged the heck out of my calf.  I have basically lived in my Zensah compression socks and sleeves.  But I am going nucking futs.

Drake Well Marathon 2010- Date Announced!

I have been fielding questions with regard to the Drake Well Marathon and when it will be run in 2010 since, well, just about the ending of the Drake Well Marathon in 2009!  

As such, I am happy to announce that the Drake Well Marathon and Half-Marathon will take place on Sunday, August 22nd, 2010 at 7 AM. While I will not be acting as the Race Director this year, I will be an Official Race Ambassador and will be present at the race to help with all of the festivities (and may even run one of the races!)

 

Continued Inspiration

Traveling every weekend to race and speak can be quite tiring indeed.  I often mention all the inspiring stories I hear and wonderful people I meet but it would take me hours to recount them all.  However, their kind words and thoughts make all the exhausting work well worth it.  In fact, I received this email the other day and wanted to share it because it warmed my heart.
 
Dane – Here are some pictures from the Cowtown Marathon in Ft. Worth .  I am so proud of my family and have to give you much of the credit for getting us out there.  My husband and I met you at the Long Beach Marathon last fall where we were both doing our first half marathon.  We bought your book, read it, loved it, sent it to one of our sons – he read it, loved it and talked us into doing the Cowtown Marathon!  

Of course, he was going to do the full marathon but due to a training injury was only able to do the half.  My husband and I did the full…our first!!  We were so inspired by what you have accomplished that we decided to try to inspire our family as well – and it worked!!  All in all we ended up with two of us finishing the full marathon, two of our sons did the half marathon, four participants in the 10k, three in the 5k and all four of our grandchildren did the kids 5k (the youngest is only 4).  

We all had a terrific weekend and everybody wants to do it again next year!  We already have several more family members and friends who want to join in for the next one.  So we thank you for what you do, and for being an inspiration to us all!

-Jeannie & Paul Bier

And to Jeannie, Paul and their family, I say no.  Thank you for being so wonderful.

Sarasota Half-Marathon Recap

A Runner's Ramblings: Volume 5; 10th Edition
266.7 miles raced in 2010
Race: Sarasota Half-Marathon
Place: Sarasota, FL
Miles from home: 2387 miles 
Weather: 60s; sunny and slightly muggy

We often mention how we never know what the outcome of a race will be until we show up and do it.  Obviously this is a microcosm of life.  Life is mostly about showing up.  It surprises us with the rest.


At the Sarasota Half Marathon, I was able to get in touch with some old Penn State rugby teammates, one who just happened to be running the race.  I haven't seen anyone from this team in 12 years but it is amazing how small the world can be.

I spent the first portion of this week in Miami working on a few things before a quick flight took me over to the Tampa area where I was able to see my brother and my niece and nephews.   It had been far too long since I had made it down here so I enjoyed my time with them as much as possible.  With all three children having birthdays in quick succession, Uncle Dane got a chance to bring some presents to town.

Zensah - Compression Clothing

A little history for you here.

My father was crippled in a hunting accident right before I was born.  Complications from numerous surgeries and sundry other events led to massive problems with his legs and their circulation.  Then diabetes set in. Growing up, I saw he was often wearing compression socks to help with the blood flow through his legs.  If I had been a runner during that time, I might have drawn the connection between what the socks did for my father's legs and what they would do for a runner recovering from a strenuous workout.

When I first saw compression socks a few years later, I thought they were just throwbacks to the 1970s and wondered if runners would soon be wearing disco rollerskates as well.  Since that wrongful first impression I have tried a variety of compression clothing and one I really enjoy is one that many runners know very well- Zensah.

One week from today - North Face Presentation

I will be heading back to the greater Atlanta area a week from today to take part in the ING Marathon and Half Marathon weekend.  I have lowered my race distance for the weekend from the marathon to the half for a few reasons.

* First, I am nursing a very sore calf and shin and am trying to find out the cause of the problem.  Whatever the cause may be, a little less running is assured to help it in some way.

* Second, I have a 100 mile race one week later and I think I can allow myself a little downtime here and there.

However, there will be no downtime from speeches and book signings as I am happy to announce I will be giving both a presentation and a book signing at The North Face in Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta on March 18th from 6 PM-8 PM.

This will be a great kick off to my weekend in Atlanta where I will be presenting at the ING Runner's Nation booth and also have my own booth to meet and greet as many runners as possible. 

Hope to see you at one of these many events!

Raven Run and lululemon

Back in January, when I was in Miami for the ING Marathon I had hoped to take part in the iconic Raven Run in Miami Beach.  However, the marathon taking a little too much out of me, and logistics kept me from from getting to the beach for a jaunt with Robert Kraft, aka the Raven.

Fortunately, my trip allowed me to take part in his run this time as I made my way up to the lululemon store in Aventura, Florida to lead a fun run and do a book signing and his route was on my way!

13.1 Miami Beach Recap

A Runner's Ramblings: Volume 5; 9th Edition
253.6 miles raced in 2010
Race: 13.1 Miami Beach
Place: Miami Beach, FL
Miles from home: 2535 miles 
Weather: 50-60s; cool; sunny

I forgot how fun these are!

When I spoke to many people about running a half marathon in the past few days, they almost had an unanimous statement: "Oh, that is nothing for you."  Sure, 13.1 miles is decidedly on the low side of mileage when you compare it to my planned 204 miler in April, my 100 miler in a few weeks or even my 50 mile win at Iron Horse last month.  but the thing about running a shorter distance is that, well, you should run it faster.  And when you haven't been training to run "fast", it has the potential to hurt. Fortunately, it won't hurt as long though!

Another statement I hear from friends alike when they hear of all the exotic places I get to travel is how they are jealous.  I try to tell them that from the inside of an expo booth in a convention center, Honolulu in December might as well be Milwaukee.  Well, for once, I will admit they can be jealous as the 13.1 Miami Beach had me doing a book signing, outside, in Lummus Park on Miami Beach.

A run through Matheson Hammock Park

In my travels, I usually happen across a unique or unusual place to run.  Like Teddy Bear Park in Stillwater, MN.  Or Antelope island in the Great Salt Lake. Or South Mountain in Phoenix, just to name a few.

Lately with my schedule of speaking and doing book signings at expos, I rarely have time to venture out of whatever convention center I am at and if I do, I don't go too far as I have either just finished, or am about to run, another marathon or ultra.  It doesn't matter how many marathons you run, 26.2 miles is never "easy" (at least to me.)

However, as I am venturing on some short distances half-marathons the next few weeks, I can be a little more adventurous with my running.  And as luck would have it, I happened across a wonderful little run today here in South Miami.

Endurance Night: Runner's Depot - Davie

With me being in Miami this weekend for the 13.1 Miami Beach race, I was asked by Zensah, makers of performance compression wear, to take part in an Endurance Clinic put on by the Runner's Depot in nearby Davie, Florida.  I am a big fan of Zensah's apparel as can be seen in the below picture where I gratefully had their apparel on hand for the below-freezing Mississippi Blues and First Light Marathons this past January.

As such, I accepted Zensah's invitation.

Half is Not Less

For quite some time I have spoken to scores of runners at races.  I often ask which race they will be taking part of and far more than I would like to hear, I get the response: "Oh, just the half."  I ask them to do me a favor and strike the word "just" from their vocabulary.  Unfortunately, the half-marathon exists solely as a race that is part of the granddaddy of all races - the marathon.  It doesn't even have its own name but merely "half" of something else. Never mind that the race is 2.1 times larger than the 10k or 1.4 times the length of a 15k.  It has been relegated to "half" status.

Fortunately, there is a new race series out there which is trying to rid this wonderful distance of that stigma.  It is called the 13.1 Series.  With 8 races, this inaugural series of themed half marathons "will be serving some of America's top running communities with a stand-alone half marathon for locals to embrace and visitors to experience."