In my last blog, I told you all of my retirement from running...arthritus. Anyway, since then, I have been training my girlfriend Rachel as she prepares for her first marathon experience. It has been fun putting all the information I gathered over my 4 years of running into a training regimen for someone else. I would have felt as if all those books, online discussions, and research all went to waste since I can't run anymore.
Each month, we sit down to set her training schedule...we look at her goals, where she should be in her training, her questions and concerns, and her overall thoughts about the upcoming training. It must be kinda nice to have a live-in running coach (if you could call me a running coach)...
She manages her week-day runs and speedwork on her own. We set the distance and the pace, but she runs it on her own...the weekend long-runs I try to ride bike along side her. That way, we can make sure she keeps a consistant pace, gets water at the miles they will offer at the race in December (Marathon of West Palm on December 7), get her the gel packs she'll use every 6 miles in the race, and just kinda point out any little things I see (usually I tell her to relax her shoulders)as well just kinda be there for conversation sake.
As part of her training, she ran The Harrisburg Half Marathon this past Sunday (Sept. 7) and did GREAT! She finished in 1:58:00 and ran at a pace of 9:07. She trained hard and ran a great race. Her family was all there and afterward, we went to Cantone's for lunch. It was a great day.
Anyway, that's all I got for now. I'll keep you updated.
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
MICHAEL
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Monday, July 14, 2008
Slower, Lower, Older
Well, much has happened since my last blog:
1.) My girlfriend Rachel and I moved into a new place
2.) The baseball team is in a 4-way tie for 1st place
3.) My running career has ended...
A quick overview of the 3 big changes:
1.) Rachel and I moved in to a nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 car garage apartment in a development out off Nyes Road. The development has a gym (with Sauna) and a pool. It is a really nice area. My cousin Zach and his Fiance Michelle bought a house 2 blocks down from us...so that is kinda cool. Everything is moved in and we are still unpacking and organizing...fun fun!
2.) The legion team plays the final game of our season today. If we win, we will be 14-4 and in a 4-way tie for 1st place in the league heading into playoffs. If we lose, we drop to 4th place. Keep your fingers crossed....
3.) I've been writing of my knee problems for about a year now and I finally went to a Doctor to see if something was wrong with it.....The good news: my knee surgery is still strong and intact. The bad news: I have severe arthritis in my left knee. Doc said that nothing can be done, my running days are over. For right now, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory meds will work (Aleve and Tylenol). When they quit working, prescription meds will be used for pain and swelling. When they don't work anymore, Cortisone shots will work. When that is ineffective, I will have to get my knee replaced........that totally sucks, but that won't be happening for at least 20 more years.
So, I've been swimming 4 days a week and riding bike on weekends. Rachel is training for a half marathon and eventually a full marathon so I ride bike right next to her while she does the hard work of running many, many, many miles.
I'll find something to do cuz I can't just sit around and get fat........
I'll write again soon.
Thanks for reading!
SEE YOU ON THE HILL
Michael
1.) My girlfriend Rachel and I moved into a new place
2.) The baseball team is in a 4-way tie for 1st place
3.) My running career has ended...
A quick overview of the 3 big changes:
1.) Rachel and I moved in to a nice 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1 car garage apartment in a development out off Nyes Road. The development has a gym (with Sauna) and a pool. It is a really nice area. My cousin Zach and his Fiance Michelle bought a house 2 blocks down from us...so that is kinda cool. Everything is moved in and we are still unpacking and organizing...fun fun!
2.) The legion team plays the final game of our season today. If we win, we will be 14-4 and in a 4-way tie for 1st place in the league heading into playoffs. If we lose, we drop to 4th place. Keep your fingers crossed....
3.) I've been writing of my knee problems for about a year now and I finally went to a Doctor to see if something was wrong with it.....The good news: my knee surgery is still strong and intact. The bad news: I have severe arthritis in my left knee. Doc said that nothing can be done, my running days are over. For right now, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory meds will work (Aleve and Tylenol). When they quit working, prescription meds will be used for pain and swelling. When they don't work anymore, Cortisone shots will work. When that is ineffective, I will have to get my knee replaced........that totally sucks, but that won't be happening for at least 20 more years.
So, I've been swimming 4 days a week and riding bike on weekends. Rachel is training for a half marathon and eventually a full marathon so I ride bike right next to her while she does the hard work of running many, many, many miles.
I'll find something to do cuz I can't just sit around and get fat........
I'll write again soon.
Thanks for reading!
SEE YOU ON THE HILL
Michael
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Back Blogging...again
I know, I know, it's been a while...I am sorry. I have been busy with baseball, school, running, resting after running, running more, resting more after running.....
At this point, Harrisburg half marathon is up in the air....I had been running twice a week for a couple of weeks, then, a week ago...after a run, my knee (surgery knee) was swollen and sore....I stayed off it and a couple days later, it was better....
I think I'm gonna do shorter runs (1 and 2 milers), swim a lot (Rachel was a big swimmer in high school), and get back in to the weight room...I hope if I drop some weight (20 LBS) it may lessen the pain in the knees. If it doesn't, my running days and running plans may be over. We'll see. I turned 32 last weekend so I'm feeling old as of late.
Anyway, that's all I got. If you haven't heard yet, Nike is gone (May 2) from diabetes. It still upsets me...still getting used to it....still missing her.
Other than that, I'm dandy.
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
At this point, Harrisburg half marathon is up in the air....I had been running twice a week for a couple of weeks, then, a week ago...after a run, my knee (surgery knee) was swollen and sore....I stayed off it and a couple days later, it was better....
I think I'm gonna do shorter runs (1 and 2 milers), swim a lot (Rachel was a big swimmer in high school), and get back in to the weight room...I hope if I drop some weight (20 LBS) it may lessen the pain in the knees. If it doesn't, my running days and running plans may be over. We'll see. I turned 32 last weekend so I'm feeling old as of late.
Anyway, that's all I got. If you haven't heard yet, Nike is gone (May 2) from diabetes. It still upsets me...still getting used to it....still missing her.
Other than that, I'm dandy.
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Monday, March 10, 2008
The long-term plan
I have always operated this blog under the premise that if you have nothing interesting to say, you should say nothing...my friend Richard has informed that I should just indeed update this forum on a more consistent basis.....this is so Richard can quit his bitching:
I have set my sights on The Marathon of the Palm Beaches(in FL). It's a Dec. marathon which means I could set my training to really kick in around Aug and thereby, avoiding most of the hot Summer runs I have traditionally had to do. My girlfriend Rachel is going to try and run it with me too, so that should be quite cool.
My long term running calendar will (hopefully) look like this:
Harrisburg Half-Marathon (Sept '08)
Marathon of the Palm Beaches (Dec '08)
*there is a link to this race under the "Running Links" section to your right
Jay Mountain Challenge (July '09)
*there is a link to this race under the "Running Links" section to your right
After that, the calendar may change depending on certain possibilities: If I get in, I'll run NYC Marathon in Nov '09 if not, I'll run The Chicago Marathon (again) in Oct '09. I want my last Marathon to be The Chicago Marathon since that was the first marathon I ran. It would be a great gauge of how far I've come since the beginning of this whole thing. Of course, if I ever get under a 3:15 marathon, I would qualify for Boston (Apr '10) and I would definitely run that marathon.
Supposing I am lucky enough to actually finish this race calendar, I would conclude my endurance-race career with The Florida Ironman (Nov '10).
That's all I have for you today. Obviously, as I go through this calendar, any and all of you are more than welcome to join me on race day or on a training run. Emails and letters of support are always appreciated. I will be raising money for various charities along the way. For The Marathon of the Palm Beaches, I will be raising money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). I will run Jay Mountain for The Arthritis Foundation. I'll keep you up to date on that stuff and make you aware of how you can donate and whatnot.
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
I have set my sights on The Marathon of the Palm Beaches(in FL). It's a Dec. marathon which means I could set my training to really kick in around Aug and thereby, avoiding most of the hot Summer runs I have traditionally had to do. My girlfriend Rachel is going to try and run it with me too, so that should be quite cool.
My long term running calendar will (hopefully) look like this:
Harrisburg Half-Marathon (Sept '08)
Marathon of the Palm Beaches (Dec '08)
*there is a link to this race under the "Running Links" section to your right
Jay Mountain Challenge (July '09)
*there is a link to this race under the "Running Links" section to your right
After that, the calendar may change depending on certain possibilities: If I get in, I'll run NYC Marathon in Nov '09 if not, I'll run The Chicago Marathon (again) in Oct '09. I want my last Marathon to be The Chicago Marathon since that was the first marathon I ran. It would be a great gauge of how far I've come since the beginning of this whole thing. Of course, if I ever get under a 3:15 marathon, I would qualify for Boston (Apr '10) and I would definitely run that marathon.
Supposing I am lucky enough to actually finish this race calendar, I would conclude my endurance-race career with The Florida Ironman (Nov '10).
That's all I have for you today. Obviously, as I go through this calendar, any and all of you are more than welcome to join me on race day or on a training run. Emails and letters of support are always appreciated. I will be raising money for various charities along the way. For The Marathon of the Palm Beaches, I will be raising money for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). I will run Jay Mountain for The Arthritis Foundation. I'll keep you up to date on that stuff and make you aware of how you can donate and whatnot.
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Monday, January 28, 2008
I believe in the greatness in each of us...
What is it about the indomitable human spirit? That thing deep within us that makes us stand when all we want to do is lay down. What keeps us walking when all we want to do is quit, keep fighting in the face of staggering odds? What is it that compels us to strive?...To reach?...To push beyond what we believe to be our very own reasonable limits?...To go beyond all reasonable doubt and catch hold of something amazing?...Something so full of passion and fire?...Of steel will and iron determination?...To get up off the canvas, blurry-eyed and dizzy, and fight on?...What is that thing that asks, "Just one more round"?
What is it that drives some of us to these maddening places? Where do we get this desire to define and then re-define our very own mortal limits?
I gotta wonder this because I believe we all have this "unfinished business" within us. I guess maybe some of us have it a little closer to the skin than others. Maybe for some of us its buried deep within. Maybe some of us just deny it and dismiss it...I don't know, maybe some people don't have it all.
But ya see, I gotta believe that we are all wired this way. I believe this instinct exists in order that we do not waste this wonderful opportunity we have all been given called life. I feel as if some of us (without this encoded desire) would supremely waste this life if not driven (inherently) to make the most of it. Make sense?
I don't know. Maybe I just wanna believe we are all capable of impossible things...maybe I just wanna believe that we all have this greatness in us...That thing that makes you stand up and clap at the end of a great movie: teary-eyed, heart pounding, hands shaking with utter emotion...passion...life
Just some thoughts...
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
What is it that drives some of us to these maddening places? Where do we get this desire to define and then re-define our very own mortal limits?
I gotta wonder this because I believe we all have this "unfinished business" within us. I guess maybe some of us have it a little closer to the skin than others. Maybe for some of us its buried deep within. Maybe some of us just deny it and dismiss it...I don't know, maybe some people don't have it all.
But ya see, I gotta believe that we are all wired this way. I believe this instinct exists in order that we do not waste this wonderful opportunity we have all been given called life. I feel as if some of us (without this encoded desire) would supremely waste this life if not driven (inherently) to make the most of it. Make sense?
I don't know. Maybe I just wanna believe we are all capable of impossible things...maybe I just wanna believe that we all have this greatness in us...That thing that makes you stand up and clap at the end of a great movie: teary-eyed, heart pounding, hands shaking with utter emotion...passion...life
Just some thoughts...
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
JUST SOME FOOD FOR THOUGHT
The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life.
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in
life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)
"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental. You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
"I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man- made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know
about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."
Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, and I, knowing money isn't everything...I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant.... You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?"
One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education. He argued, "What's a kid going to learn from someone who decided his best option in
life was to become a teacher?" He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: "Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach."
To stress his point he said to another guest; "You're a teacher, Bonnie. Be honest. What do you make?"
Bonnie, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, "You want to know what I make? (She paused for a second, then began...)
"Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could. I make a C+ feel like the Congressional Medal of Honor winner. I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental. You want to know what I make?" (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
"I make kids wonder.
I make them question.
I make them apologize and mean it.
I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
I make them read, read, read.
I make them show all their work in math. They use their God given brain, not the man- made calculator.
I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know
about English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
Finally, I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life."
Bonnie paused one last time and then continued.
"Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, and I, knowing money isn't everything...I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant.... You want to know what I make?
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make Mr. CEO?"
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Ahh...The New year's Resolution
It would be cliche for me to write about a New Year's resolution wouldn't it......oh well. if you don't wanna read about'em, stop now:
1.) Become financially responsible:
I hate living check to check, going broke in the middle of the week and living off water and canned soup until the next payday. I am going to actually save money in a savings account. I also need to begin to invest money with a financial advisor (Steve Econ of Econ Financial)cuz I wanna start planning for retirement and college for my children (no, no major announcements regarding children). I guess I figure that I'm 31 years old and I don't save money. I would like to have a future someday (with some hot chick)and I'd like to be able to afford that future.
2.) Get down to 200 lbs by July 4th:
I should start by weighing myself (which I haven't, but I'm gonna guesstimate I'm somewhere between 210-220 lbs). I wanna train for a marathon again this year, and I'd like to be much lighter when my mileage begins to add up. I bought a Bowflex from my friend Richard and I've been using it at least twice a week. I need to get back to running and lifting at least 3 times a week. Most of my problem comes with my schedule (especially once baseball starts) so I just need to streamline it and take advantage of the little time I have. I also need to eat better.
3.) Get started on Grad School:
I've already started that one! I applied to Cabrini College's Off-campus Graduate Studies Program. Upon my acceptance, I'll be enrolled on their Masters of Education with Principal Certification. I'll be finished in 2 years. Classes Start January 10th.
4.) Find a hot chick and let the ol'lovedaddy charm work on her:
Did it! More on that in some other post, some other time
5.) Become freakin' awesome:
C'mon! As if you didn't know...been there, done that....old news...accomplished that many, many, many years ago.
Have a great start to the new year!
Be good!
Thanks for reading
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
1.) Become financially responsible:
I hate living check to check, going broke in the middle of the week and living off water and canned soup until the next payday. I am going to actually save money in a savings account. I also need to begin to invest money with a financial advisor (Steve Econ of Econ Financial)cuz I wanna start planning for retirement and college for my children (no, no major announcements regarding children). I guess I figure that I'm 31 years old and I don't save money. I would like to have a future someday (with some hot chick)and I'd like to be able to afford that future.
2.) Get down to 200 lbs by July 4th:
I should start by weighing myself (which I haven't, but I'm gonna guesstimate I'm somewhere between 210-220 lbs). I wanna train for a marathon again this year, and I'd like to be much lighter when my mileage begins to add up. I bought a Bowflex from my friend Richard and I've been using it at least twice a week. I need to get back to running and lifting at least 3 times a week. Most of my problem comes with my schedule (especially once baseball starts) so I just need to streamline it and take advantage of the little time I have. I also need to eat better.
3.) Get started on Grad School:
I've already started that one! I applied to Cabrini College's Off-campus Graduate Studies Program. Upon my acceptance, I'll be enrolled on their Masters of Education with Principal Certification. I'll be finished in 2 years. Classes Start January 10th.
4.) Find a hot chick and let the ol'lovedaddy charm work on her:
Did it! More on that in some other post, some other time
5.) Become freakin' awesome:
C'mon! As if you didn't know...been there, done that....old news...accomplished that many, many, many years ago.
Have a great start to the new year!
Be good!
Thanks for reading
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Thursday, December 13, 2007
It occured to me yesterday as I was running...I need to enjoy the ride a little more. I often write my posts about challenging oneself, breaking through our limits, pushing yourself and not settling for anything less than your gut-check best. While I subscribe to the notion that this wonderful life has been given to us freely (regardless of how much we do not deserve it)and this gift's worth is ultimately cultivated in what we do with what we have been given...and while I believe that we are to take what we are given and mold it, build it, use it, strengthen it, and wear it emboldened like a brand, I also believe that we were given this life to enjoy and appreciate. I think in the midst of my running, I forgot that.
I was running yesterday (since it was so nice outside), and a wonderful feeling of quiet satisfaction and contentment came upon me. I spent the last 5 miles (of my 6 mile run) grinning ear-to-ear and relaxed, appreciating the things and the people in my life. I thanked God for the ability to run, to have the clothes on my back that kept me warm, the high-quality running shoes I wear (that look really cool too), to have the time in my schedule to take an hour off to go run. I thanked God for the people who support me and motivate me. I just kinda relaxed and enjoyed my run. Usually, my runs are about focus, technique, breathing, and the goals I am trying to attain...it's always about overcoming, pushing........
I liked yesterday's run much more...maybe I need to carry that over into my life outside of running. It's time to relax and enjoy. I'll keep running, although I think I'll run because I can.
Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
I was running yesterday (since it was so nice outside), and a wonderful feeling of quiet satisfaction and contentment came upon me. I spent the last 5 miles (of my 6 mile run) grinning ear-to-ear and relaxed, appreciating the things and the people in my life. I thanked God for the ability to run, to have the clothes on my back that kept me warm, the high-quality running shoes I wear (that look really cool too), to have the time in my schedule to take an hour off to go run. I thanked God for the people who support me and motivate me. I just kinda relaxed and enjoyed my run. Usually, my runs are about focus, technique, breathing, and the goals I am trying to attain...it's always about overcoming, pushing........
I liked yesterday's run much more...maybe I need to carry that over into my life outside of running. It's time to relax and enjoy. I'll keep running, although I think I'll run because I can.
Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
JESSE'S MARATHON POST
Hey guys, I wrote a post just yesterday, then Jesse posted his later that same day. If you wanna read my post, just click on the month of November over there to the right. It's called "Excuses..."
Thanks again for reading!
Michael
JESSE'S POST
Well I’m back. I didn’t want to write so quickly as I was still very sore, not only physically but mentally about the running of a marathon. As it was and is the hardest thing I have ever done to this day I didn’t want to write while I was still feeling harsh about the idea. I needed some time to let it settle in.
The 26.2 was very tiring in more than just physical ways. I am still kind of depressed after running my marathon. I know you may be saying “depressed?” well yea, Something I trained for, something I lived for, a goal I was reaching for, a hill I was climbing for over 4 months is now over. I got to know myself and others so much better on my runs, especially my long runs. The sport of running I’ve come to grow very fond of as well. I hadn’t ran since the marathon until thanksgiving day. I went out to the local turkey trot in New Cumberland, just a 5k but it got me out and in my running shoes again. Boy did I miss running. NEVER DID I EVER THINK I WOULD SAY THAT!!
Let me get to my marathon story.
My goal was to finish the marathon. And that’s what I did. In just under five hours and twenty minutes. Did I think I would finish sooner? Yes. Am I disappointed I didn’t? To be honest.. just a little- I am very proud of myself to have ran 26.2 miles. I took my splits every four miles; They were as follows:
4 mile- 40:32 10:08/mile
8 mile- 43:11 10:47/mile
12 mile- 44:10 11:02/mile
16 mile- 43:06 10:48/mile
20 mile- 52:51 13:13/mile
I was very pleased with my pace through mile 16. As you can see it was consistent and it felt great. Once I hit mile 18 I began to lose it. Already at mile 17 my calves were cramping. At mile 18 when I stopped to stretch my quads as they began to cramp I pulled my leg up to stretch. As I stretched my quad I got a CRAZY cramp in my hamstring. I never felt pain like that in my life. This was right before I started the hilly 3 mile section of wildwood lake park. I had trained there once before so I knew what it was like. However I never experienced the cramping so it was a whole new ballgame. I never, not even in my long run training experienced any cramps like these.
As I was running through these cramps we (myself Michael, Sarah, and Anthony Weldon) passed a table called the “Table of Temptation”. This was not a table sponsored by the Harrisburg Area Road Runners Club. It was a local who set up camp. Among their goodies they had Peanut butter cups, Mineral Water, Gatorade, m and m’s Snickers, and oh yea beer. This is pretty much the last thing I remember on my run. This was at mile 22. I had anothony who ran the last half of the marathon with me grab me some pb cups and oranges. These oranges were the BEST I had ever tasted. I asked him for a piece of orange every 10 steps but he rationed me out.
The last four miles I spent walking and running, walking and running, and walking some more. I set small goals in my mind just to make it to the next park bench or street sign on front street. I knew this stretch would be the hardest. I could see the bridge with about 2.5 miles to go. It never got any closer. Michael and the group continued to push me. I got pissed. I lost it and told my girlfriend (Sarah) to shutup. Believe me if I was the half bit conscious I would never say that to her. We finally got to the walking bridge which marked just one more mile. As we got to city island I was prepared to run the rest of the race with the pain. I then experienced a pain like I never have before. My toes were cramping. My toes were bent and stuck like that. Here I was, just .5 mile away from my long awaited goal and this pain made me walk. That was the last thing I wanted to do. If you ever saw someone bend just the middle of their fingers and it looks all weird. This is what my toes were like however they were stuck that way and I could not move them. Finally I ran the last 75 yards like an 85 year old man. Galloping like a horse who had been tortured for years. I finally crossed the finish line!!
My goal had been complete, however not without the most pain ever imaginable, and then some. Actually I found out that some of my students at Susquehanna Township took off my timing chip and gave me my medal. I didn’t remember any of it but they let me know at school the following day.
I didn’t even drink a total of one bottle of Gatorade the whole marathon. I stayed with water and since the sponsors of the marathon was cytomax (which I didn’t train with) that is what was offered with the water. I didn’t want to try anything new and it may cause some adverse conditions that I wasn’t use to.
I began shivering not long after finishing. My body was reacting to the lack of sodium. The volunteers gave me some chicken broth and other foods to get my levels up a little more. I also got a massage from some guy afterwards which I don’t remember much either.
I do remember finally getting home and drinking about 4 more bowls of chicken broth and eating a bunch of general tso’s chicken. I ate everything in sight for the next 3-4 days.
I have learned many things from my first marathon, including what to eat, how to drink and how to run, but the most important and meaningful was that my friends were there for me when even I wanted to quit. They were there to get down my back and remind me about my training and to keep me motivated. There is no doubt I wouldn’t have been able to finish without these guys. I want to leave you a quote from PRE (mentioned in previous blogs by Michael.) “To give anything less than you best is to sacrifice the gift”
Guys we all have gifts and talents. I never believed I had the gift to run this marathon until I decided to do it. Even then I doubted myself during the end of the race. My friends were there for me. They made me realize I had/have the gift to keep fighting. Not just in a race or marathon, but through life as well. I look at the marathon as an obstacle in my life. I am going to go through a lot more as I grow older. But with me completing this marathon I feel so much more confident that I can make through anything God puts in front of me. If I can’t do it myself, I have faith that a friend will be there to lift me, to hold me up, to set the next short goal, and to cheer me on to the finish line.
Special thanks to all who helped me train whether it be through giving me knowledge, advice or running with me in the numerous locations. You guys are the best!
Thanks again for reading!
Michael
JESSE'S POST
Well I’m back. I didn’t want to write so quickly as I was still very sore, not only physically but mentally about the running of a marathon. As it was and is the hardest thing I have ever done to this day I didn’t want to write while I was still feeling harsh about the idea. I needed some time to let it settle in.
The 26.2 was very tiring in more than just physical ways. I am still kind of depressed after running my marathon. I know you may be saying “depressed?” well yea, Something I trained for, something I lived for, a goal I was reaching for, a hill I was climbing for over 4 months is now over. I got to know myself and others so much better on my runs, especially my long runs. The sport of running I’ve come to grow very fond of as well. I hadn’t ran since the marathon until thanksgiving day. I went out to the local turkey trot in New Cumberland, just a 5k but it got me out and in my running shoes again. Boy did I miss running. NEVER DID I EVER THINK I WOULD SAY THAT!!
Let me get to my marathon story.
My goal was to finish the marathon. And that’s what I did. In just under five hours and twenty minutes. Did I think I would finish sooner? Yes. Am I disappointed I didn’t? To be honest.. just a little- I am very proud of myself to have ran 26.2 miles. I took my splits every four miles; They were as follows:
4 mile- 40:32 10:08/mile
8 mile- 43:11 10:47/mile
12 mile- 44:10 11:02/mile
16 mile- 43:06 10:48/mile
20 mile- 52:51 13:13/mile
I was very pleased with my pace through mile 16. As you can see it was consistent and it felt great. Once I hit mile 18 I began to lose it. Already at mile 17 my calves were cramping. At mile 18 when I stopped to stretch my quads as they began to cramp I pulled my leg up to stretch. As I stretched my quad I got a CRAZY cramp in my hamstring. I never felt pain like that in my life. This was right before I started the hilly 3 mile section of wildwood lake park. I had trained there once before so I knew what it was like. However I never experienced the cramping so it was a whole new ballgame. I never, not even in my long run training experienced any cramps like these.
As I was running through these cramps we (myself Michael, Sarah, and Anthony Weldon) passed a table called the “Table of Temptation”. This was not a table sponsored by the Harrisburg Area Road Runners Club. It was a local who set up camp. Among their goodies they had Peanut butter cups, Mineral Water, Gatorade, m and m’s Snickers, and oh yea beer. This is pretty much the last thing I remember on my run. This was at mile 22. I had anothony who ran the last half of the marathon with me grab me some pb cups and oranges. These oranges were the BEST I had ever tasted. I asked him for a piece of orange every 10 steps but he rationed me out.
The last four miles I spent walking and running, walking and running, and walking some more. I set small goals in my mind just to make it to the next park bench or street sign on front street. I knew this stretch would be the hardest. I could see the bridge with about 2.5 miles to go. It never got any closer. Michael and the group continued to push me. I got pissed. I lost it and told my girlfriend (Sarah) to shutup. Believe me if I was the half bit conscious I would never say that to her. We finally got to the walking bridge which marked just one more mile. As we got to city island I was prepared to run the rest of the race with the pain. I then experienced a pain like I never have before. My toes were cramping. My toes were bent and stuck like that. Here I was, just .5 mile away from my long awaited goal and this pain made me walk. That was the last thing I wanted to do. If you ever saw someone bend just the middle of their fingers and it looks all weird. This is what my toes were like however they were stuck that way and I could not move them. Finally I ran the last 75 yards like an 85 year old man. Galloping like a horse who had been tortured for years. I finally crossed the finish line!!
My goal had been complete, however not without the most pain ever imaginable, and then some. Actually I found out that some of my students at Susquehanna Township took off my timing chip and gave me my medal. I didn’t remember any of it but they let me know at school the following day.
I didn’t even drink a total of one bottle of Gatorade the whole marathon. I stayed with water and since the sponsors of the marathon was cytomax (which I didn’t train with) that is what was offered with the water. I didn’t want to try anything new and it may cause some adverse conditions that I wasn’t use to.
I began shivering not long after finishing. My body was reacting to the lack of sodium. The volunteers gave me some chicken broth and other foods to get my levels up a little more. I also got a massage from some guy afterwards which I don’t remember much either.
I do remember finally getting home and drinking about 4 more bowls of chicken broth and eating a bunch of general tso’s chicken. I ate everything in sight for the next 3-4 days.
I have learned many things from my first marathon, including what to eat, how to drink and how to run, but the most important and meaningful was that my friends were there for me when even I wanted to quit. They were there to get down my back and remind me about my training and to keep me motivated. There is no doubt I wouldn’t have been able to finish without these guys. I want to leave you a quote from PRE (mentioned in previous blogs by Michael.) “To give anything less than you best is to sacrifice the gift”
Guys we all have gifts and talents. I never believed I had the gift to run this marathon until I decided to do it. Even then I doubted myself during the end of the race. My friends were there for me. They made me realize I had/have the gift to keep fighting. Not just in a race or marathon, but through life as well. I look at the marathon as an obstacle in my life. I am going to go through a lot more as I grow older. But with me completing this marathon I feel so much more confident that I can make through anything God puts in front of me. If I can’t do it myself, I have faith that a friend will be there to lift me, to hold me up, to set the next short goal, and to cheer me on to the finish line.
Special thanks to all who helped me train whether it be through giving me knowledge, advice or running with me in the numerous locations. You guys are the best!
Excuses...
I thought I'd put a new post up this week until Jesse gets around to adding his final post about his actual marathon experience. Anyway, I've wanted to use this quote (I just added it to the side where the rest of the quotes are) for some time now and I just figured I'd add it to the quote section and write about it this week especially since I feel Jesse took a HUGE chance by undertaking a marathon challenge...here goes:
I teach inner-city kids all day long.....all day long I see kids who have already given up on themselves, their future, their life in general...it's very depressing and damn near emotionally exhausting on a very daily basis. I came to a conclusion years ago when I was teaching in inner-city Baltimore...I had kids who wouldn't even try in class. They just accepted their failure and didn't seem to care either way. What a shitty way to go through life?! Anyway, I concluded that in a lot of cases, their willingness to accept failure was because it's easy to fail when you don't even try! It gives you great excuse (you could always say:"of course I failed, I didn't even try!")! Sure you're gonna fail when you don't try....it's like having a safety net, it wouldn't reflect upon you as much as if you REALLY tried and failed...as if failing at something reflects sooooo negatively on them. They think that somehow, failing at something would mean that they, themselves, are a failure. I fight that attitude everyday in soooo many ways.
I began thinking about this as I read Jesse's post. He said a lot of people say they wanna run a marathon but they just don't' have the time...that is BS and just as much a likely excuse as many of my students use to not even try. I've been saying this again and again in my previous posts: take chances! Accept new and different challenges! How many times do we think of things that we'd really like to do, dreams that we often dream....but we shoot ourselves down before we even get started cuz we've already decided that we couldn't do it, that we couldn't succeed, that it just wouldn't be practical, prudent?! I'm not saying that everyone should run marathons...what I am saying is that if you re the type of person who continually lets yourself off the hook with good excuses not to try things...QUIT IT! What victory, what achievement is there in not even trying? If you haven't figured this out yet, learn it now: accept that you will fail in many things in this life...know that failing does not mean you are a failure. Know that you need to learn from those failures.
"Boats are always safe in the harbor, but that's not what they're for"
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
I teach inner-city kids all day long.....all day long I see kids who have already given up on themselves, their future, their life in general...it's very depressing and damn near emotionally exhausting on a very daily basis. I came to a conclusion years ago when I was teaching in inner-city Baltimore...I had kids who wouldn't even try in class. They just accepted their failure and didn't seem to care either way. What a shitty way to go through life?! Anyway, I concluded that in a lot of cases, their willingness to accept failure was because it's easy to fail when you don't even try! It gives you great excuse (you could always say:"of course I failed, I didn't even try!")! Sure you're gonna fail when you don't try....it's like having a safety net, it wouldn't reflect upon you as much as if you REALLY tried and failed...as if failing at something reflects sooooo negatively on them. They think that somehow, failing at something would mean that they, themselves, are a failure. I fight that attitude everyday in soooo many ways.
I began thinking about this as I read Jesse's post. He said a lot of people say they wanna run a marathon but they just don't' have the time...that is BS and just as much a likely excuse as many of my students use to not even try. I've been saying this again and again in my previous posts: take chances! Accept new and different challenges! How many times do we think of things that we'd really like to do, dreams that we often dream....but we shoot ourselves down before we even get started cuz we've already decided that we couldn't do it, that we couldn't succeed, that it just wouldn't be practical, prudent?! I'm not saying that everyone should run marathons...what I am saying is that if you re the type of person who continually lets yourself off the hook with good excuses not to try things...QUIT IT! What victory, what achievement is there in not even trying? If you haven't figured this out yet, learn it now: accept that you will fail in many things in this life...know that failing does not mean you are a failure. Know that you need to learn from those failures.
"Boats are always safe in the harbor, but that's not what they're for"
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
"It is done"
Well.....Sunday Jesse Woodrow climbed his "hill" and I was there to see it! Since he finished his 1st marathon, I am going to let him write this week's post. When he is ready, he'll update this post with his thoughts on Sunday's run. He did well and regardless of time, the important thing is that he finished.....alive!!! Good job, bud!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Good Luck Jesse
My friend Jesse Woodrow is running the Harrisburg Marathon this weekend! He and I trained all summer (until my injury sat me down for 4 weeks and I missed my window). He continued on in his training and is ready to run his very first marathon! If anyone wants to meet up on Sunday (race day) and run a couple of miles with him, I'm sure he'll appreciate the help. I'm gonna try to run miles 7-10 with him and then 20-24 with him. The course goes right passed my Dad's house twice so that's kinda where I'm gonna set up camp. If you wanna come out and cheer him on (or run with him), just lemme know!
JESSE:
Go get'em this weekend! You've trained hard all Summer and this last run Sunday morning will be a great accomplishment for you! I'm so very excited to have been able to be a part of helping you "climb" this "hill." I'll see you at the start, miles 7-10, and somewhere around mile 20...
Just think......ONE MORE RUN!!!!
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
JESSE:
Go get'em this weekend! You've trained hard all Summer and this last run Sunday morning will be a great accomplishment for you! I'm so very excited to have been able to be a part of helping you "climb" this "hill." I'll see you at the start, miles 7-10, and somewhere around mile 20...
Just think......ONE MORE RUN!!!!
Thanks for reading,
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Friday, October 26, 2007
This one is for you, Dougie
I know, I know....I suck! Since my 4 week layoff, I haven't been writing at all. I didn't know what to write my blog about. I (obviously) am not running in the Harrisburg Marathon this year. After taking 4 weeks off to heal my left leg, my fitness had dropped too low..it was almost like starting all over (at the bottom of the hill). I have started the proverbial climb up another hill though (referenced at the bottom of the blog page RE: what does "see ya on the hill mean?"). I have started a running regimen again though...just 2 miles 3 times a week. I wanna try to keep a minimal running regimen through the Winter and pick it up again this Spring. I wanna do another marathon next Fall and in order to that, I have to get my body back into the habit of running multiple days in a row. I'm aiming for a Fall marathon next year so that gives me a lot of time to get ready and I'm gonna take it slow. I wanted to do the Jay Mountain Challenge this July (the link is available over to the right side of this blog page), but I know I'm not ready for that yet, from a fitness level.
I want to invite anyone interested in running a Fall marathon to let me know and maybe we can get together and train for one starting this Summer....Dougie, my boy....let's do a marathon next Fall. In order to be able to handle the training, you should be able to run at least 3-5 miles without totally keeling over. You should also be able to run this distance multiple times (3) in a 7 day period. If you wanna run with me, but aren't at that basic level, take the Winter and Spring to get into shape. Ask me and I'll help you out any way I can.
As for the rest of you (except Kevin You-suck-olis), keep reading. Running or not, I'll keep blogging as long as you keep reading. It doesn't hurt to reply to a blog of mine every now and then...just to let me know you're still out there.
Thanks for reading!
SEE YOU ON THE HILL
Michael
I want to invite anyone interested in running a Fall marathon to let me know and maybe we can get together and train for one starting this Summer....Dougie, my boy....let's do a marathon next Fall. In order to be able to handle the training, you should be able to run at least 3-5 miles without totally keeling over. You should also be able to run this distance multiple times (3) in a 7 day period. If you wanna run with me, but aren't at that basic level, take the Winter and Spring to get into shape. Ask me and I'll help you out any way I can.
As for the rest of you (except Kevin You-suck-olis), keep reading. Running or not, I'll keep blogging as long as you keep reading. It doesn't hurt to reply to a blog of mine every now and then...just to let me know you're still out there.
Thanks for reading!
SEE YOU ON THE HILL
Michael
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Rest.....rest....and more rest
I know it has been quite some time since my last post...I was on vacation with family last week. I was in Canada fishing and I had no Internet access and no desire to blog while in the midst of the utter silence of the Canadian woods.
I wrote in my last post of some possible injuries. I have not run for 3 weeks now and I feel fatter by the minute just knowing that I am not running. Baseball has also started so I leave school and go right to practice until 6:30-7. By the time I get home, I just crash...
I think (weather permitting), I'm going to go out for a short jog today. I truly hope I can make it through 2 miles without too much pain. Because I missed 3 weeks of training due to injury, I have decided not to run in the Harrisburg Marathon this November. If today's run goes well, I'll play it by ear as far as running goes. I would like to be able to get 3 or 4 runs in per week...anything to make me feel like I'm doing something to keep from getting bigger. I guess my next goal would be to train through the Fall and Winter and be in great shape by Spring and maybe squeeze a Spring marathon in...I don't know, Spring seems sooooo far away right now.
POST UPDATE AFTER RUN ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26:
I did 2 miles and felt good! My legs were definitely not in shape as they tired quickly. My lungs weren't ready for it either but they adapted and my breath was fine by the end of the first mile. I was worried about my left knee and the back of my lower left leg (low calf). Both of those had bothered me throughout training and I didn't run for 3 weeks because the back left leg was sore (not in a healthy way). Anyway, during the run, the knee hurt a little bit, but went away after a few minutes and the calf felt good throughout the run. So I feel pretty good the day after the run so I'm gonna ease into running again. Although I am not running in the Harrisburg Marathon, Jesse still is and I'll be there at the finish line. He's trained hard this year and done very well. I bet he finishes in under 4:30 easily.
Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
I wrote in my last post of some possible injuries. I have not run for 3 weeks now and I feel fatter by the minute just knowing that I am not running. Baseball has also started so I leave school and go right to practice until 6:30-7. By the time I get home, I just crash...
I think (weather permitting), I'm going to go out for a short jog today. I truly hope I can make it through 2 miles without too much pain. Because I missed 3 weeks of training due to injury, I have decided not to run in the Harrisburg Marathon this November. If today's run goes well, I'll play it by ear as far as running goes. I would like to be able to get 3 or 4 runs in per week...anything to make me feel like I'm doing something to keep from getting bigger. I guess my next goal would be to train through the Fall and Winter and be in great shape by Spring and maybe squeeze a Spring marathon in...I don't know, Spring seems sooooo far away right now.
POST UPDATE AFTER RUN ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26:
I did 2 miles and felt good! My legs were definitely not in shape as they tired quickly. My lungs weren't ready for it either but they adapted and my breath was fine by the end of the first mile. I was worried about my left knee and the back of my lower left leg (low calf). Both of those had bothered me throughout training and I didn't run for 3 weeks because the back left leg was sore (not in a healthy way). Anyway, during the run, the knee hurt a little bit, but went away after a few minutes and the calf felt good throughout the run. So I feel pretty good the day after the run so I'm gonna ease into running again. Although I am not running in the Harrisburg Marathon, Jesse still is and I'll be there at the finish line. He's trained hard this year and done very well. I bet he finishes in under 4:30 easily.
Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Friday, September 7, 2007
Dude...
The title has absolutely no bearing on the topic of this post, I just wanted to start it off like that--as if it were a conversation and I was trying to get your attention in order to tell you something.
If you read the last post, you'd know that I didn't run at all last week. After the 13 miler, my left leg was really sore (not in a good way) for quite some time. It still hurt this past weekend when my boys and I took a road trip to Cleveland. However, I woke up Monday (Labor Day) and the pain was gone! It hasn't returned since, except for a little twinge here and there. I haven't run at all this week cuz I just wanna give it some more time to heal. I'm treating it like a hamstring injury: they tell you when you pull a hamstring that you should do nothing until it feels great again...then take another whole week off. So I'm kinda excited cuz I'm gonna take an easy run of 3 miles today and see how I feel (and how I feel tomorrow). It'd be really nice to be able to pick up running again....even if it isn't for marathons. It goes back to that whole idea of challenging oneself to achieve new/different/better things.
I guess I'm just always looking for something to pour myself in to. When the college baseball season comes, I love the intensity and the preparation that goes into it. When the Legion baseball season starts, I love the amount of hard work the team puts in. No offense to the high school program, but they have not been very competitive the last few years so when Legion season rolls around, they are just soooo hungry to win that they work soooo hard. It sounds corney, but I love working hard for goals. Moreover,I love to see people who really love what they do....people who have found their "niche," that thing that they do well, and they do it. You can see it in their eyes, in the way they smile...and they never get tired while doing what they love doing. Ever notice that?
When I was a Youth Director, I took my youth group on weekend retreats to Camp Nawakwa (near Gettysburg). Because I was the director, I often stayed up all hours of the night getting things ready for the next day, hanging out with the kids, or just appreciating being on retreat at Nawakwa...my point is this: I never got tired on retreat! If I went to bed at 4:30 am Saturday morning, I could get up at 7:30 am (3 hours later) and be ready to go...not tired or even in need of a nap later....I could just go and go and go. I realized that one day...the things I enjoy the most, I never seem to tire of, or during. I could do them forever (it seems). I could go to the baseball field at 11 am, work on the field all afternoon, throw batting practice at 4, hit pre game infield outfield at 5:15, then help coach the game...not feeling drained at all! Now when the game was over, I was beat. I had nothing left. Though even having that feeling of total exhaustion is awesome! When you absolutely have NOTHING left cuz you just gave it all doing something you love. WOW, that is a GRRRRREEEAAATTT feeling.
Gotta go, gonna try and get 3 miles in and hope the leg holds up. Have a great weekend y'all! Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL,
Michael
If you read the last post, you'd know that I didn't run at all last week. After the 13 miler, my left leg was really sore (not in a good way) for quite some time. It still hurt this past weekend when my boys and I took a road trip to Cleveland. However, I woke up Monday (Labor Day) and the pain was gone! It hasn't returned since, except for a little twinge here and there. I haven't run at all this week cuz I just wanna give it some more time to heal. I'm treating it like a hamstring injury: they tell you when you pull a hamstring that you should do nothing until it feels great again...then take another whole week off. So I'm kinda excited cuz I'm gonna take an easy run of 3 miles today and see how I feel (and how I feel tomorrow). It'd be really nice to be able to pick up running again....even if it isn't for marathons. It goes back to that whole idea of challenging oneself to achieve new/different/better things.
I guess I'm just always looking for something to pour myself in to. When the college baseball season comes, I love the intensity and the preparation that goes into it. When the Legion baseball season starts, I love the amount of hard work the team puts in. No offense to the high school program, but they have not been very competitive the last few years so when Legion season rolls around, they are just soooo hungry to win that they work soooo hard. It sounds corney, but I love working hard for goals. Moreover,I love to see people who really love what they do....people who have found their "niche," that thing that they do well, and they do it. You can see it in their eyes, in the way they smile...and they never get tired while doing what they love doing. Ever notice that?
When I was a Youth Director, I took my youth group on weekend retreats to Camp Nawakwa (near Gettysburg). Because I was the director, I often stayed up all hours of the night getting things ready for the next day, hanging out with the kids, or just appreciating being on retreat at Nawakwa...my point is this: I never got tired on retreat! If I went to bed at 4:30 am Saturday morning, I could get up at 7:30 am (3 hours later) and be ready to go...not tired or even in need of a nap later....I could just go and go and go. I realized that one day...the things I enjoy the most, I never seem to tire of, or during. I could do them forever (it seems). I could go to the baseball field at 11 am, work on the field all afternoon, throw batting practice at 4, hit pre game infield outfield at 5:15, then help coach the game...not feeling drained at all! Now when the game was over, I was beat. I had nothing left. Though even having that feeling of total exhaustion is awesome! When you absolutely have NOTHING left cuz you just gave it all doing something you love. WOW, that is a GRRRRREEEAAATTT feeling.
Gotta go, gonna try and get 3 miles in and hope the leg holds up. Have a great weekend y'all! Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL,
Michael
Monday, August 27, 2007
Reflection is the better part of a champion
Craig Hanson has meant a lot to me in my life (don't worry everyone else, it's an inside joke).
In a nut shell, training has 2 components: 1) weekly mileage and 2.) speed work.
A basic schedule goes like this: Monday is a short run (3-4 miles)and speed work, Tuesday is a medium run (5-6 miles), Wednesday is another short run (4-5 miles). Thursday is an off-day and Friday is the weekly long run. The weekly long run is usually un-timed (early in training) cuz the major reason for the long run is to begin to strengthen/condition your body for the prolonged pounding it will take over a number of hours while running.
The week started out well: Monday, Jesse and I did a 4 mile run and then our speed work: 5X400 meter repeats (I will explain a repeat in a minute). A 400 meter repeat is one lap around a track. When you do "repeats," you do a timed run of whatever distance (we did 400 meters) then you rest for a predetermined period of time (usually not longer than your timed run) you repeat the process of timed run followed by timed rest. We timed our repeats to run one lap in 1:45 followed by a 2 minute rest. These repeats are designed to increase cardiovascular output...enabling us to maintain a faster pace over a longer distance.
Anyway, we did our Monday workout in the rain and it was nice, cuz it kept your from overheating, but it was not nice....cuz in the end,it was still raining. During the workout Monday, I think I stretched something/pulled something in my left leg and it hurt quite a bit after the workout. Tuesday we did 5 miles and I did it, but the leg was still quite sore. I took off Wednesday cuz I wanted to rest up for the long on Friday: 13 miles. Jesse and I did the 13 miles in just over 2.5 hours but my leg was killin' me! It did not improve Saturday or Sunday. I'm sitting here on Monday still limping around like a gimp.
So now comes the title of this post. "Reflection is the better part of a champion" to me, means that being able to look back at where you've been, where you screwed up or succeeded, and making necessary adjustments is part of what successful people do. I'm taking Monday-Wednesday off to see how my leg feels Friday. If it feels good, I'll go out and do a short 4 miler...if not, I may entertain the thought of not running the Harrisburg Marathon. That sucks, but I don't enjoy walking around hobbling like an old man (ok, a reeeeaaaallllyyyy old man). Maybe people fail because they never look back in order to make adjustments...maybe they look back and decide they don't need to make any adjustments....or maybe they make the wrong adjustments. Regardless, I believe one's ability to reflect and adjust is crucial in one's success.
I'm going to take some days off and hope to heal, if not...I guess I'll adjust.......I am just that good and that's just the way it is people!
Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL
Michael
In a nut shell, training has 2 components: 1) weekly mileage and 2.) speed work.
A basic schedule goes like this: Monday is a short run (3-4 miles)and speed work, Tuesday is a medium run (5-6 miles), Wednesday is another short run (4-5 miles). Thursday is an off-day and Friday is the weekly long run. The weekly long run is usually un-timed (early in training) cuz the major reason for the long run is to begin to strengthen/condition your body for the prolonged pounding it will take over a number of hours while running.
The week started out well: Monday, Jesse and I did a 4 mile run and then our speed work: 5X400 meter repeats (I will explain a repeat in a minute). A 400 meter repeat is one lap around a track. When you do "repeats," you do a timed run of whatever distance (we did 400 meters) then you rest for a predetermined period of time (usually not longer than your timed run) you repeat the process of timed run followed by timed rest. We timed our repeats to run one lap in 1:45 followed by a 2 minute rest. These repeats are designed to increase cardiovascular output...enabling us to maintain a faster pace over a longer distance.
Anyway, we did our Monday workout in the rain and it was nice, cuz it kept your from overheating, but it was not nice....cuz in the end,it was still raining. During the workout Monday, I think I stretched something/pulled something in my left leg and it hurt quite a bit after the workout. Tuesday we did 5 miles and I did it, but the leg was still quite sore. I took off Wednesday cuz I wanted to rest up for the long on Friday: 13 miles. Jesse and I did the 13 miles in just over 2.5 hours but my leg was killin' me! It did not improve Saturday or Sunday. I'm sitting here on Monday still limping around like a gimp.
So now comes the title of this post. "Reflection is the better part of a champion" to me, means that being able to look back at where you've been, where you screwed up or succeeded, and making necessary adjustments is part of what successful people do. I'm taking Monday-Wednesday off to see how my leg feels Friday. If it feels good, I'll go out and do a short 4 miler...if not, I may entertain the thought of not running the Harrisburg Marathon. That sucks, but I don't enjoy walking around hobbling like an old man (ok, a reeeeaaaallllyyyy old man). Maybe people fail because they never look back in order to make adjustments...maybe they look back and decide they don't need to make any adjustments....or maybe they make the wrong adjustments. Regardless, I believe one's ability to reflect and adjust is crucial in one's success.
I'm going to take some days off and hope to heal, if not...I guess I'll adjust.......I am just that good and that's just the way it is people!
Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL
Michael
Monday, August 20, 2007
It always comes back to The Wonder Years
I love the old TV "The Wonder Years!" You guys remember that show with Fred Savage (as Kevin Arnold), Danica McKellar (as Winnie Cooper), and Josh Saviano (as Paul Pfieffer)? I think the reason I love The Wonder Years so much is because that show came out when Kevin Arnold started 6th grade...that was the same year I started 6th grade. Anyway, I feel like I kinda grew up with that show and it strikes a very real chord with me. I still try to watch the back-to-back episodes every week night on Ion Television from 10-11PM. I just finished watching it and so I'm feeling kinda sentimental tonight for this week's post.......
As much as I write in my posts about my determination to push myself and my desire to live a life full of passion...I never write about where that stuff came from. As tonight's 2nd episode came to close, a montage of past episodes came across the screen with that light acoustic guitar in the background and the narrator's voice talking about friends and family, time moving on, memories, and how all that stuff sticks with you. I thought I'd talk about that tonight.
Throughout the course of my life, I have been blessed with an unbelievably supportive network of family and friends. I never had someone telling me I wasn't good enough to do something, or that I what I wanted to do was impossible for me. I wrote a paper about it in college. I think I came across as arrogant, but my intent was to show that the environment in which I grew up was one of possibility, positivity, and willingness. It was that environment that made me feel like I could do anything.
I look at my entire family (who has been with me since the beginning) and I look at how it always supported me. When it comes to family, the support of my mom and dad go without saying, but my mom and grandpa coached my tee ball team, my grandma used to come and travel to many of my gymnastics meets...all my life, my family has told me that I am capable of doing the things I set out to do. I look at my school friends (I didn't really hang out with too many kids from Middletown but the few that I did were so important to me. I had guys I played sports with (Reed, Dice, OG, Blazi, Mupes, Matty G)were always so positive that they made me believe I could succeed all the time. I also hung out (mostly) with the girls (as I am sure many of you are NOT at all surprised). These girls (KT, Keri, Liz, Keefer, Whistler, Jen) were girls that made me feel very comfortable talking about what I wanted to do with my life, what I wanted to be, where I wanted to go, etc and they never laughed at what I told them! They, too, were always super supportive! Then there was my youth group friends (Jam, Court, E, T, Diadato, Bicker, Budge) and they made me feel like I had a place and friends that I could lean on and ask for help if needed. That was a HUGE confidence builder.
Ya see, I look back at the people I had around me, pushing me, enabling me, supporting me...and I know I would not be where I am (or the person I am) today without all of their love, support, and understanding. Growing up in that environment gave me the confidence to get through physical therapy after knee surgery, to go all the way to Florida for my college education, to teach in Baltimore, to leave teaching for Youth Ministry, to turn down a full-time teaching position to follow an opportunity to become a college baseball coach....the list goes on and on with examples of the empowering effect the love and support my friends and family have had in my life.
I see where I am now, I look at the things I am doing, and at those around me (now and the not-so-distant past) (Chard, Molli, Knill, Schiavoni, Chaz, J Wood, Jackson, JJ, Shifflett, Kelly K, Class) and recognize how they all make/made me feel empowered to continue to try new and different things, feeling secure in knowing that if I do indeed fail, I have a huge network of friends (old and new) and family to catch me...
What a great feeling! This post may have bored you, but I guess it was my turn to tell some people how much they have meant to me. I thank you all for helping to build me in to me and instilling in me the confidence to go out and make the most out of this life (for which I am totally not deserving but only through His grace).
Thanks for reading
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
As much as I write in my posts about my determination to push myself and my desire to live a life full of passion...I never write about where that stuff came from. As tonight's 2nd episode came to close, a montage of past episodes came across the screen with that light acoustic guitar in the background and the narrator's voice talking about friends and family, time moving on, memories, and how all that stuff sticks with you. I thought I'd talk about that tonight.
Throughout the course of my life, I have been blessed with an unbelievably supportive network of family and friends. I never had someone telling me I wasn't good enough to do something, or that I what I wanted to do was impossible for me. I wrote a paper about it in college. I think I came across as arrogant, but my intent was to show that the environment in which I grew up was one of possibility, positivity, and willingness. It was that environment that made me feel like I could do anything.
I look at my entire family (who has been with me since the beginning) and I look at how it always supported me. When it comes to family, the support of my mom and dad go without saying, but my mom and grandpa coached my tee ball team, my grandma used to come and travel to many of my gymnastics meets...all my life, my family has told me that I am capable of doing the things I set out to do. I look at my school friends (I didn't really hang out with too many kids from Middletown but the few that I did were so important to me. I had guys I played sports with (Reed, Dice, OG, Blazi, Mupes, Matty G)were always so positive that they made me believe I could succeed all the time. I also hung out (mostly) with the girls (as I am sure many of you are NOT at all surprised). These girls (KT, Keri, Liz, Keefer, Whistler, Jen) were girls that made me feel very comfortable talking about what I wanted to do with my life, what I wanted to be, where I wanted to go, etc and they never laughed at what I told them! They, too, were always super supportive! Then there was my youth group friends (Jam, Court, E, T, Diadato, Bicker, Budge) and they made me feel like I had a place and friends that I could lean on and ask for help if needed. That was a HUGE confidence builder.
Ya see, I look back at the people I had around me, pushing me, enabling me, supporting me...and I know I would not be where I am (or the person I am) today without all of their love, support, and understanding. Growing up in that environment gave me the confidence to get through physical therapy after knee surgery, to go all the way to Florida for my college education, to teach in Baltimore, to leave teaching for Youth Ministry, to turn down a full-time teaching position to follow an opportunity to become a college baseball coach....the list goes on and on with examples of the empowering effect the love and support my friends and family have had in my life.
I see where I am now, I look at the things I am doing, and at those around me (now and the not-so-distant past) (Chard, Molli, Knill, Schiavoni, Chaz, J Wood, Jackson, JJ, Shifflett, Kelly K, Class) and recognize how they all make/made me feel empowered to continue to try new and different things, feeling secure in knowing that if I do indeed fail, I have a huge network of friends (old and new) and family to catch me...
What a great feeling! This post may have bored you, but I guess it was my turn to tell some people how much they have meant to me. I thank you all for helping to build me in to me and instilling in me the confidence to go out and make the most out of this life (for which I am totally not deserving but only through His grace).
Thanks for reading
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Monday, August 13, 2007
It's Gotta Be Personal
I now have internet access at the new crib so my blogging will be much more consistent. I'm sorry for those who look forward to my inspirational messages (Matt) and haven't been able to be inspired over the last months. I will do better.
I spent 4 days at a National High School Baseball Showcase. Dickinson sent me there to recruit. I met players from all over the country and got a chance to meet and talk with coaches from major college programs. I met coaches from Georgetown, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, U of Richmond, Fordham, Maryland, Texas, and the list goes on and on. It was my first recruiting showcase and I gotta tell ya, it was intimidating. Here I am from small-school, DIII, Dickinson College and I'm talking to (some of) the same players as some of theses major college coaches...how do you talk to a kid about playing ball at Dickinson when earlier that morning, the coach from Princeton was talking to him? It took me a day or 2 to figure things out and get my bearings straight, but I figured something out (actually, a parent who had been watching me talk with players all week gave me the answer).
I was talking to a parent and he told me he had watched me all week and that he and his son both thought I was the most popular coach at the showcase (not to toot my horn or anything). They had watched me speak with each and every player that came up and introduced himself to me. They said they were impressed that I took the time ( a couple of minutes) to speak with them and not just shake their hand and walk on. This parent said, after talking to me for a couple of minutes, that he could tell I was passionate about the program and that he wanted his son to be at a program where the coaches are passionate. WOW! What a compliment! It nearly floored me to hear that.
After he said that to me....it hit me. I told him baseball was personal to me. It wasn't a business. I got the feeling from some of the coaches, that it was a business to them....it was cold and calculating. It was about getting the best players and being the best team. Players get cut and lose scholarships cuz someone else better comes in and the only excuse is "hey, it's not personal, it's just business." Well coaching is personal to me. I think when something is personal to you, you are passionate about it and people can see it in you.
Find what's personal to you. What are you passionate about? I had a talk with a friend a couple of years ago who was worried cuz one minute I'm way up on cloud nine, the next minute I'm plunging downward. He said I gotta find a even place, in the middle between high and low. Looking back, I disagree. I'm up and I'm down cuz I have passion for those things and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I wear my heart on my sleeve and although, at times, it may cause me to bleed a little more than others...I want others to see my passion. I'm proud to love doing things and I want others to see that in me. maybe they will find something they love doing and show others too.
I guess it's gotta be personal. I know it is for me. Not just baseball, but this whole undertaking of a goal (running marathons). It's personal cuz it's a striving for personal excellence. I guess I gotta hype myself up with words of passion to get me through training....but hey, whatever gets ya through, right?!
Thanks for listening!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
I spent 4 days at a National High School Baseball Showcase. Dickinson sent me there to recruit. I met players from all over the country and got a chance to meet and talk with coaches from major college programs. I met coaches from Georgetown, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, U of Richmond, Fordham, Maryland, Texas, and the list goes on and on. It was my first recruiting showcase and I gotta tell ya, it was intimidating. Here I am from small-school, DIII, Dickinson College and I'm talking to (some of) the same players as some of theses major college coaches...how do you talk to a kid about playing ball at Dickinson when earlier that morning, the coach from Princeton was talking to him? It took me a day or 2 to figure things out and get my bearings straight, but I figured something out (actually, a parent who had been watching me talk with players all week gave me the answer).
I was talking to a parent and he told me he had watched me all week and that he and his son both thought I was the most popular coach at the showcase (not to toot my horn or anything). They had watched me speak with each and every player that came up and introduced himself to me. They said they were impressed that I took the time ( a couple of minutes) to speak with them and not just shake their hand and walk on. This parent said, after talking to me for a couple of minutes, that he could tell I was passionate about the program and that he wanted his son to be at a program where the coaches are passionate. WOW! What a compliment! It nearly floored me to hear that.
After he said that to me....it hit me. I told him baseball was personal to me. It wasn't a business. I got the feeling from some of the coaches, that it was a business to them....it was cold and calculating. It was about getting the best players and being the best team. Players get cut and lose scholarships cuz someone else better comes in and the only excuse is "hey, it's not personal, it's just business." Well coaching is personal to me. I think when something is personal to you, you are passionate about it and people can see it in you.
Find what's personal to you. What are you passionate about? I had a talk with a friend a couple of years ago who was worried cuz one minute I'm way up on cloud nine, the next minute I'm plunging downward. He said I gotta find a even place, in the middle between high and low. Looking back, I disagree. I'm up and I'm down cuz I have passion for those things and I wouldn't trade it for the world. I wear my heart on my sleeve and although, at times, it may cause me to bleed a little more than others...I want others to see my passion. I'm proud to love doing things and I want others to see that in me. maybe they will find something they love doing and show others too.
I guess it's gotta be personal. I know it is for me. Not just baseball, but this whole undertaking of a goal (running marathons). It's personal cuz it's a striving for personal excellence. I guess I gotta hype myself up with words of passion to get me through training....but hey, whatever gets ya through, right?!
Thanks for listening!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
striving to do better
Wow! It's been some time since I last blogged.....I'm sorry. I've been moving into a new crib and the internet is not up and running yet. I am updating from ma'boy Richard's house.
Anyway, the running is going well. I'm mapping out the Lemoyne area (where I moved)and setting up my runs from there. It's been an experience since 90% of my running over the years has been either on a treadmill or down Front street in HBG. I've been reading some good books about marathons and (as always) looking for new things to incorporate into my training. Official marathon training starts July 19th.
I've been running 3 days on, followed by 1 day off, then a long run after that with a day off then I start the vicious cycle all over again. Most of the runs have been 3 and 4 miles with the long run getting to 5. This week I'll get to 6 for the long run. I think I'm in better shape at this point than I was a year ago when I started training for Chicago. I know a lot more about what I'm doing as well.
Motivation this time around is different then last time. last time it was about doing the impossible....whattaya do for motivation after accomplishng the impossible? (I hope) you plan to do it even better this time around. I think I just wanna strive for improvement......osn't that what we should all be striving for?
Sorry this one's so short, I'll do it up right on the next one.....I promise!
Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Anyway, the running is going well. I'm mapping out the Lemoyne area (where I moved)and setting up my runs from there. It's been an experience since 90% of my running over the years has been either on a treadmill or down Front street in HBG. I've been reading some good books about marathons and (as always) looking for new things to incorporate into my training. Official marathon training starts July 19th.
I've been running 3 days on, followed by 1 day off, then a long run after that with a day off then I start the vicious cycle all over again. Most of the runs have been 3 and 4 miles with the long run getting to 5. This week I'll get to 6 for the long run. I think I'm in better shape at this point than I was a year ago when I started training for Chicago. I know a lot more about what I'm doing as well.
Motivation this time around is different then last time. last time it was about doing the impossible....whattaya do for motivation after accomplishng the impossible? (I hope) you plan to do it even better this time around. I think I just wanna strive for improvement......osn't that what we should all be striving for?
Sorry this one's so short, I'll do it up right on the next one.....I promise!
Thanks for reading!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Assuming you know your own limits is like kissing your sister
I know, I know...the title is kinda weird, but I'm stretchin' here people. I try to make these posts somewhat interesting for you people to read. I try to give you guys something worthwhile, something of substance, and hopefully, something that will make you sit back in your chairs and think on for at least 2 minutes.
Anyway, as I begin my summer of running, I find myself having to redefine my motivations for the training that I will have to do in order to not only run another marathon, but to improve upon my first marathon time (5:04). Last summer, it was personal, it was about doing the impossible, setting that bar sooooo far above what I felt was realistic, a desire to achieve something I never thought I would have even wanted to try....
Based on my own assumptions regarding my limits, I did the impossible and I reached the bar.....so now what? My motivation this time around is simple: do it and do it better than before. Last summer, I assumed my limit was 26.2 miles (actually, I assumed it would be somewhere around 24 miles and I have to just gut out the last 2.2 miles). I was wrong. I'm glad I didn't think my limit was something like only 13 miles cuz I never would have ever gone to Chicago and I would have never run the marathon. NEW PHILOSOPHY: I don't ever want to assume my own limits...I think from now on, I'd rather know that whatever I'm going to do, I'm gonna do it "BALLSOUT," "balls to the wall," as great as I can do it. After I'm done, I'll sit back and look at what I did and analyze whether I reached my limit or not. I don't wanna propose to know what I am capable of cuz I proved to myself on October 22, 2007....that I know NOTHING of what my own limits may be.
Wouldn't it be great if we all just gave up on putting limits on ourselves and decided to shoot for the stars?! How creative and over-achieving would we be in life? WOW! I think I may be the smartest man alive!
Anyway, I've been running up a storm lately. Friday, I ran 4 miles in under 40 minutes (that was my long-run for the week which is not really meant to be timed or paced out but I still try to stay under 10 minutes per mile). Saturday, I did 3 miles then took Sunday off (not really cuz I played a baseball game on Sunday). Monday morning, I ran 3 miles and then around 6PM, I did a short 2 mile speed session with my boy Mike "the animal" Knill. We did the first mile at an 8:30 pace then did Fartliks for the 2nd mile. (Ha ha, funny name, I know) Fartlik workouts are a form of speed workouts where you run for a prescribed amount of time (ours was 30 sec) at about 75% speed, then slow to a jog for 1 minute, then back up to 75% for 30 seconds then back to the jog. We did that for the last mile. Needless to say, doing the speed workout 6 hours after my morning 3 miles, I was gassed....but it felt good to just all out sprint. I took off Tuesday (well, actually, I worked on the baseball field at Middletown for about 3 hours then threw batting practice for an hour before our game). Today, I went out and ran 4 miles. I think tomorrow I'll drop down to 3 miles and then do 5 on Friday. I'm gonna try and make my long runs every Friday so I can have my off day on Saturday (and recover from the long run)and still be kinda fresh for my baseball games on Sundays. Last summer, I did my long runs on Saturday (which maxed out at 22 miles) and then turned around and played a double header on Sunday......NOT MUCH FUN FOR THE KNEES!
Anyway, that's all for this time! Lemme know if you ever wanna go for a run with me! Jus' gimme a call and we'll find a time and place!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for sharing this with me!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
Anyway, as I begin my summer of running, I find myself having to redefine my motivations for the training that I will have to do in order to not only run another marathon, but to improve upon my first marathon time (5:04). Last summer, it was personal, it was about doing the impossible, setting that bar sooooo far above what I felt was realistic, a desire to achieve something I never thought I would have even wanted to try....
Based on my own assumptions regarding my limits, I did the impossible and I reached the bar.....so now what? My motivation this time around is simple: do it and do it better than before. Last summer, I assumed my limit was 26.2 miles (actually, I assumed it would be somewhere around 24 miles and I have to just gut out the last 2.2 miles). I was wrong. I'm glad I didn't think my limit was something like only 13 miles cuz I never would have ever gone to Chicago and I would have never run the marathon. NEW PHILOSOPHY: I don't ever want to assume my own limits...I think from now on, I'd rather know that whatever I'm going to do, I'm gonna do it "BALLSOUT," "balls to the wall," as great as I can do it. After I'm done, I'll sit back and look at what I did and analyze whether I reached my limit or not. I don't wanna propose to know what I am capable of cuz I proved to myself on October 22, 2007....that I know NOTHING of what my own limits may be.
Wouldn't it be great if we all just gave up on putting limits on ourselves and decided to shoot for the stars?! How creative and over-achieving would we be in life? WOW! I think I may be the smartest man alive!
Anyway, I've been running up a storm lately. Friday, I ran 4 miles in under 40 minutes (that was my long-run for the week which is not really meant to be timed or paced out but I still try to stay under 10 minutes per mile). Saturday, I did 3 miles then took Sunday off (not really cuz I played a baseball game on Sunday). Monday morning, I ran 3 miles and then around 6PM, I did a short 2 mile speed session with my boy Mike "the animal" Knill. We did the first mile at an 8:30 pace then did Fartliks for the 2nd mile. (Ha ha, funny name, I know) Fartlik workouts are a form of speed workouts where you run for a prescribed amount of time (ours was 30 sec) at about 75% speed, then slow to a jog for 1 minute, then back up to 75% for 30 seconds then back to the jog. We did that for the last mile. Needless to say, doing the speed workout 6 hours after my morning 3 miles, I was gassed....but it felt good to just all out sprint. I took off Tuesday (well, actually, I worked on the baseball field at Middletown for about 3 hours then threw batting practice for an hour before our game). Today, I went out and ran 4 miles. I think tomorrow I'll drop down to 3 miles and then do 5 on Friday. I'm gonna try and make my long runs every Friday so I can have my off day on Saturday (and recover from the long run)and still be kinda fresh for my baseball games on Sundays. Last summer, I did my long runs on Saturday (which maxed out at 22 miles) and then turned around and played a double header on Sunday......NOT MUCH FUN FOR THE KNEES!
Anyway, that's all for this time! Lemme know if you ever wanna go for a run with me! Jus' gimme a call and we'll find a time and place!
Thanks for reading!
Thanks for sharing this with me!
SEE YA ON THE HILL!
Michael
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