Today was D-Day. All the training, all the nutritional sacrifices, and all the time away from home reached it's climactic end today. Let's just say I was a little nervous as I rolled out of bed at 2:00 am this morning.
Last night I went to bed at 8:00 pm and could not fall asleep. I actually got busted by Lois around 10:00 pm as I was surfing the web on my I-Pod touch as I layed in bed. She asked me "What are you doing, don't you have a race to run tomorrow?" She then took my I-Pod away from me and told me "Go to Sleep!"
I finally drifted off to sleep and definitely was not a happy camper as the alarm went off this morning. After the pre-race routine of putting band aids over my nipples, stretching, putting on Body Glide in critical locations, pinning on my race bib, placing the timing chip on my shoe, eating bagels and bananas Lois dropped me off at Metropolis U to catch the bus to the top of the mountain. We filed out of the bus into the cold mountain air and into the darkness to wait for the start of the race.
Finally an hour and a half later 5:30 am rolled around and the race started. The first three mile went by quickly as we made our way down the narrow mountain road in the dark. I watched the sun rise as I made my way down the course. The entire race was worth it just to see the views of the mountains at daybreak as your heard the steady sound of foot falls around you.
At about mile seven I and many others were surprised to see this massively long winding two mile hill in front of us. I did not put in a lot of hill work into my training because the course map showed a nearly all down hill course. I actually made it through this surprise pretty strong but I believe it took it's toll later on in the race.
At mile eighteen I still felt really good and I was definitely in uncharted territory. Typically you don't run a 26 mile run during your training because you don't need to run that far to get the same results as running a 16 mile run and you also reduce your risk of injury. At mile nineteen the course heads back up hill but not at the same grade as the hill earlier. This is where my calves really started to tighten up and I started to struggle a little.
At mile 23 I finally saw my beautiful wife and the superkids waiting for me on the course. They started to cheer really loud as I approached and it really helped boost my spirits. I stopped for a moment for hugs and kisses and a little encouragement as they all told me I was doing great and only had three miles to go. Lois thank you so much for being so supportive and I can't imagine running a race without you being there.
I headed off once again and about a mile later my left calf started twitching and then cramped up and brought my run to a screeching halt. Those last three miles were definitely a lot slower than the first three and continuing forward when every muscle and tendon from your hips down is screaming for you to stop was a challenge.
This is when I really started to think about why I was running and for whom I was running.
First and foremost it was to prove to myself that I could do it.
Second I was running to raise money in memory of my Mother and Grandmothers.
Third I was running to show how important living a healthy lifestyle is to the superkids.
This is the part of the race that I got a little emotional. There was no question I would finish even if I had to crawl across the line. Luckily the muscles in my calves loosened up a little and I was able to finish the race like I started it and ran across the finish line to the cheers of my family.
I can't explain how awesome it felt to cross the finish line as my family watched and cheered me on. Four years ago I might have been able to run a race around a track and finish but I definitely wouldn't have even considered entering a 5-K let alone a marathon. My life has made such a huge change after meeting Lois and I have been loving every minute of it.
I then limped to our car with my family with a medal around my neck and a lot of satisfaction in my heart. People continued to congratulate me as they passed and I really felt a sense of accomplishment as I was thinking to myself I will never run another marathon. Hours later after an Ice bath and a nap Lois and I have already started discussing my next race.
24 July 2008
13 July 2008
Running Scared
Today is July 12 and in 12 days I will be running my first marathon. I started training back in February and in late March I cracked a rib in the gym to go along with the tennis elbow. Not only could I not lift but I couldn't run either and I was going nuts because I couldn't do anything to stay in shape.
I don't know if the rib was actually healed but I started running again at the beginning of May giving myself 9 weeks to get in marathon shape. It was definitely not ideal, but I mapped out my 9 weeks and had each run planned and knew that if I stuck to it I could pull it off.
My training regiment was right on track and my mileage was building slowly the way your supposed to. Then the kids arrived and my training schedule was thrown seriously off track. I'm at the point in my training that I should have peaked and be backing my mileage off. I should have completed my long training run of at least 16 miles.
My longest run to date is a 12 mile run over part of the actual course of the marathon and I felt great and planned on completing 16 miles. At mile 9 my calves started to tighten and I had to push myself to get in the next three miles and then I hit the wall and knew my calves could not be pushed any further. Today I ran a 6 mile maintenance run where I increase my pace every mile to simulate fatigue and at the end I felt great. The only problem is there is a huge difference between 6 miles and 26.1 miles.
This is where the running scared title comes into play. I am now running as much as I can because I am scared of the pain I will be confronted with on race day. Lance Armstrong Didn't train properly for his first marathon and was in excruciating pain for a week after the race. He completed the race on sheer willpower and the fact he doesn't know how to quit. He also completed it in less than 3.5 hours.
Lance is one of the greatest athletes in the world and then there is me. I'm 6'4" and 230 pounds. I fall into a special class of marathon runners called the Clydesdale division. In other words I am not not built for speed. My expected finish time will be hovering around the 5 hour mark.
I have been pretty athletic all my life and love challenges. Last year I ran a half marathon and I freaked out a little before the race worrying about completing the race and how long it would take me to finish. Here I am again worrying about if I will complete it and how long it will take. I also have the added pressure of the Superkids being there to witness their father's thrill of victory or agony of defeat.
I wanted to run this specific marathon so the Superkids would be there to see the importance of setting goals, eating healthy, exercising and competing in sports. Last year my wife was there and I'm really excited to have my entire family there as I cross the finish line. I know I will cross the finish line. The question will be whether I will be running, limping, crawling or dragging one leg behind me begging for it all to end. I hope I will be still running with a huge smile on my face as I see my wonderful family waiting to celebrate with me as I cross the line.
I don't know if the rib was actually healed but I started running again at the beginning of May giving myself 9 weeks to get in marathon shape. It was definitely not ideal, but I mapped out my 9 weeks and had each run planned and knew that if I stuck to it I could pull it off.
My training regiment was right on track and my mileage was building slowly the way your supposed to. Then the kids arrived and my training schedule was thrown seriously off track. I'm at the point in my training that I should have peaked and be backing my mileage off. I should have completed my long training run of at least 16 miles.
My longest run to date is a 12 mile run over part of the actual course of the marathon and I felt great and planned on completing 16 miles. At mile 9 my calves started to tighten and I had to push myself to get in the next three miles and then I hit the wall and knew my calves could not be pushed any further. Today I ran a 6 mile maintenance run where I increase my pace every mile to simulate fatigue and at the end I felt great. The only problem is there is a huge difference between 6 miles and 26.1 miles.
This is where the running scared title comes into play. I am now running as much as I can because I am scared of the pain I will be confronted with on race day. Lance Armstrong Didn't train properly for his first marathon and was in excruciating pain for a week after the race. He completed the race on sheer willpower and the fact he doesn't know how to quit. He also completed it in less than 3.5 hours.
Lance is one of the greatest athletes in the world and then there is me. I'm 6'4" and 230 pounds. I fall into a special class of marathon runners called the Clydesdale division. In other words I am not not built for speed. My expected finish time will be hovering around the 5 hour mark.
I have been pretty athletic all my life and love challenges. Last year I ran a half marathon and I freaked out a little before the race worrying about completing the race and how long it would take me to finish. Here I am again worrying about if I will complete it and how long it will take. I also have the added pressure of the Superkids being there to witness their father's thrill of victory or agony of defeat.
I wanted to run this specific marathon so the Superkids would be there to see the importance of setting goals, eating healthy, exercising and competing in sports. Last year my wife was there and I'm really excited to have my entire family there as I cross the finish line. I know I will cross the finish line. The question will be whether I will be running, limping, crawling or dragging one leg behind me begging for it all to end. I hope I will be still running with a huge smile on my face as I see my wonderful family waiting to celebrate with me as I cross the line.
11 July 2008
Superman Returns!
Yes I am alive and my family is doing well! For those of who who have been checking this rag and finding no new reports for months, thank you for checking in. The Superkids are here in Metropolis for the summer and due to this, this reporter had to work a little harder than normal to stockpile discretionary funds for summer activities. Flying back and forth all over the country doesn't allow much time time for putting out news stories.
Now that summer is actually here it hasn't gotten any easier. We have had an extremely busy summer so far and we have finally hit a small lull in the storm. SG has been busy with taking a sewing class which she asked to take last summer. SG has become quite the accomplished sewer in just a few short classes and looks forward to her classes each week. SB has been in basketball camp for the last week and getting up at 6:30 am every morning to make camp by 8:00 am. His coaches ran him through the ringer for two and a half hours each morning. He hasn't complained once about getting up and even wanted to practice every day after camp to work on his ball handling skills and shooting. This is a huge change, because in the past when SB struggled with a sport or game he instantly wanted to quit and play something else. Today was his last day and he was just as eager to jump up and get ready this morning, however after camp he told me he was ready for a nap. Not only was he ready, I was ready too and curled up on the couch as Lois watched a MONK marathon on the USA network. Talk about quality programming to put you to sleep.
SG is now curled up in her new bed reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. She just finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone and loved it. She isn't allowed to read these books or see the Harry Potter movies in Smallville. Krypto claims that these movies teach children to be sorcerers and witches and the Bible says Harry Potter is a product of Satan and the people who read these books worship Satan and will go to Hell (slight exaggeration added for dramatic effect). However "The Little Mermaid" (Ursula the Sea Witch), "Sleeping Beauty" (Maleficent the evil witch), "Snow White" (The Evil Queen) and "Cinderella" (Fairy God Mother) to name just a few all have magic including sorcery and witchcraft as key elements to their story lines and these movies are deemed "okay" by Krypto for the Superkids to watch. She lives by the, "If it's Disney it's alright for children to watch it" rule. This rule requires no thought process but she also thinks it's okay for a six year old to watch the movies, "Snakes On A Plane", "Little Man" and "Ghost Rider" (which actually has Peter Fonda playing the role of Satan). You may start to see a pattern of inconsistency or as I like to say she speaks with a forked tongue. I want to make it clear I love the Disney movies and I was just using them as an example to show how bigotry in our society is fickle and selective. What one views as alright is condemned by another.
The book "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger has been banned by many schools and yet you will find it in the Classics section of every Borders and Barnes and Noble. I have read the book and it is loaded with profanity but gives a great look into the mind of an angered teen age boy riddled with grief from the loss of his brother. Is the book appropriate for children under the age of sixteen? Probably not! I do think that it is an appropriate book for someone sixteen or older depending on their maturity level. The blatant use of profanity is a detractor of the book but I guarantee your sixteen year old has heard every curse word you will find written in the "Catcher in the Rye." I apologize for going off on a tangent, but it is something I am known for (just ask Lois.)
I have been officially accepted into Metropolis U and will attend orientation later this month. I am truly excited to return to school and have told the Superkids that when they go back to school so will I. The response I received from SG was "COOL!" Classes start on August 25th and I cant wait to attend my first class in fourteen years.
The Superkids summer has so far been great with only a few bumps along the way. There have been no large problems and for the first time I believe SB is truly happy to be here with us this summer. Usually at the end of the second week he starts having obedience issues and wants to go home. This year when Lois and I would talk to him on the phone he would tell us he was ready for us to come and get him. It's the end of week three and we aren't having any obedience issues just typical kid stuff for a change. SG is her usual self and is enjoying her time here. The only problem we have consistently with her is trying to shorten her showering time! If she's not interrupted she would take hour-long showers. Girls!
Now that summer is actually here it hasn't gotten any easier. We have had an extremely busy summer so far and we have finally hit a small lull in the storm. SG has been busy with taking a sewing class which she asked to take last summer. SG has become quite the accomplished sewer in just a few short classes and looks forward to her classes each week. SB has been in basketball camp for the last week and getting up at 6:30 am every morning to make camp by 8:00 am. His coaches ran him through the ringer for two and a half hours each morning. He hasn't complained once about getting up and even wanted to practice every day after camp to work on his ball handling skills and shooting. This is a huge change, because in the past when SB struggled with a sport or game he instantly wanted to quit and play something else. Today was his last day and he was just as eager to jump up and get ready this morning, however after camp he told me he was ready for a nap. Not only was he ready, I was ready too and curled up on the couch as Lois watched a MONK marathon on the USA network. Talk about quality programming to put you to sleep.
SG is now curled up in her new bed reading Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. She just finished Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone and loved it. She isn't allowed to read these books or see the Harry Potter movies in Smallville. Krypto claims that these movies teach children to be sorcerers and witches and the Bible says Harry Potter is a product of Satan and the people who read these books worship Satan and will go to Hell (slight exaggeration added for dramatic effect). However "The Little Mermaid" (Ursula the Sea Witch), "Sleeping Beauty" (Maleficent the evil witch), "Snow White" (The Evil Queen) and "Cinderella" (Fairy God Mother) to name just a few all have magic including sorcery and witchcraft as key elements to their story lines and these movies are deemed "okay" by Krypto for the Superkids to watch. She lives by the, "If it's Disney it's alright for children to watch it" rule. This rule requires no thought process but she also thinks it's okay for a six year old to watch the movies, "Snakes On A Plane", "Little Man" and "Ghost Rider" (which actually has Peter Fonda playing the role of Satan). You may start to see a pattern of inconsistency or as I like to say she speaks with a forked tongue. I want to make it clear I love the Disney movies and I was just using them as an example to show how bigotry in our society is fickle and selective. What one views as alright is condemned by another.
The book "Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger has been banned by many schools and yet you will find it in the Classics section of every Borders and Barnes and Noble. I have read the book and it is loaded with profanity but gives a great look into the mind of an angered teen age boy riddled with grief from the loss of his brother. Is the book appropriate for children under the age of sixteen? Probably not! I do think that it is an appropriate book for someone sixteen or older depending on their maturity level. The blatant use of profanity is a detractor of the book but I guarantee your sixteen year old has heard every curse word you will find written in the "Catcher in the Rye." I apologize for going off on a tangent, but it is something I am known for (just ask Lois.)
I have been officially accepted into Metropolis U and will attend orientation later this month. I am truly excited to return to school and have told the Superkids that when they go back to school so will I. The response I received from SG was "COOL!" Classes start on August 25th and I cant wait to attend my first class in fourteen years.
The Superkids summer has so far been great with only a few bumps along the way. There have been no large problems and for the first time I believe SB is truly happy to be here with us this summer. Usually at the end of the second week he starts having obedience issues and wants to go home. This year when Lois and I would talk to him on the phone he would tell us he was ready for us to come and get him. It's the end of week three and we aren't having any obedience issues just typical kid stuff for a change. SG is her usual self and is enjoying her time here. The only problem we have consistently with her is trying to shorten her showering time! If she's not interrupted she would take hour-long showers. Girls!
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