Go Left When You Hit The Wall

As of late the impulse to stay in and try and make head way on a current challenge has been tough to shake. Every waking hour feels as though it should be dedicated, especially with no running at the moment. That is obsessive thinking and I know it all too well. The results are always the same. The productivity is the same over several hours as it would have been within but a few. The frustration, exhaustion, and overall negativity is however much higher. Sometimes the best action, is counter intuitive.  Thusly, it was extremely healthy and recuperative to just get out today.

Thanks Tiff!

After 26.2 Miles Thoughts

The marathon on Sunday went quite well. As always, not being the recipient of "sudden death" is always the biggest reward. Also not having the unfortunate DNF (did not finish) next to my name is pretty huge. Actually, I ran 26.2 miles faster than I ever have at 4:02:34. It was just shy of my sub 4 wish, but 3.5 minutes faster than my previous PR, also here in Denver. Perhaps I just need to run one at sea level to crack that barrier. I can honestly say, I left everything I had out there though and was reduced to left, right, left, right, don't stop, left right… by the last quarter mile. It was cruel to use what I thought was my last kick when I thought I saw the Finish arch ahead finally only to get closer and discover it was actually the Start arch; Finish was still another 400 yards away from that point. None the less, I crossed the line at a cool 6:30 pace from the kick I didn't know I had.

What was truly gratifying was having my parents and Tiff find me 3 times on the course! This being the underdog marathon of Denver with corporate Rock n' Roll here, it was far and away a local race. It also resulted in very few people on or next to the marathon course. This was the most self motivating race I have done yet, but so many truly beautiful spots, it wasn't that bad. I still find the term "eclectic" a bit of a stretch when describing Colfax, but at 6:30am, it's not so bad.

All in all, I have to say I had a good time. Tiff had the chance to run with me for a block or two and they finally had the chance to see me cross a finish line. For those out there who have run one of those crazy distances, you know as well as I do how amazing it is to have people, friends, family, or spouses that will come out just to have a moment to shout "GO!" for you. It means the world.

For all the cyber support, I say from the bottom of my heart, thank you! To Tiff, Mom, and Dad… my deepest gratitude for watching me do another one of these crazy things. I know I will try a sixth one soon(ish). Hope any of you can come out and run too.

By the by, any suggestions?

Gear and Mind Check

All my gear is laid out and I am ticking off items on my handy marathon checklist. It feels exciting and scary these hours before a marathon, even with a few under the belt already. There is a calm in knowing I have run many, many miles to prepare and no amount of second guessing can limonite that. The scary comes in all the variables that can still unfold. The weather, the course, breakfast… they all seem to have some sway, but mostly its the anticipation of those things that seems to keep the hamster wheel turning.

In many ways that seems a decent reminder for so much of life. The things that can not be known and controlled always fascinate the part of my mind that wants to dwell on them. Meanwhile the things right before me I want to dismiss as irrelevant. When I focus on this exact moment, my mind gets quieter and I get more effective.

Today is a good day.

Marathon Musing

The marathon is only a few days away now. This will be my 5th marathon. While that seems like both a lot and not much, I keep reminding myself that I have only been in this position 4 times before. While there is some comfort in its growing familiarity, 26.2 miles never loses its intimidating size. So much can happen both around you and to you in that time. There are virtually no ways to prepare for everything. Personally I use an 18 week training schedule, tweaked through experience to best aim for prepared. I feel good about it and particularly like the week off option late in training, albeit I rarely take it off.

To run a marathon is an exciting prospect, regardless of the number done before. If anything, you know "the wall" after mile 20 better each time. I am excited to once again put my training and faith to the test. My goals are alway set up with HAVE FUN first.


So far, I am 4 for 4 on that one!

A Good Rule

I met some friends tonight for coffee, as I do fairly routinely. The stories were tragic and funny. All told I found myself belly laughing much more than I have in recent days. The affect on me is noticeable right now as I feel lighter than I have in a while. This group tends to adhere to a simple and affectionately termed "rule 62," which is "don't ale yourself too seriously." That seems to be exactly what I needed.

Mom

Today we celebrate Mom. I had the distinct privilege to get to spend some time with mine today and I have to tell you, I am so grateful for all her years of doing what she does. From every Doctor Mom phone call to see if I actually should seek medical attention to the occasional texts to say hi, she has been a rock in my world. While the convention of Mothers Day seems a bit contrived, I have to say there is something just and right in the universe to say thank you to those hard working folks that have done so much! Mom, thank you!

Running in the Rain

It's a rainy Saturday morning with a much shorter long run ahead of me. This is the final week before the marathon here in Denver and while it is only 8 miles today it feels tougher to get the up and go happening. I am feeling refreshed and ready to run, but after 16 weeks, the taper can feel like a very welcomed reprieve. I know as soon as I hit post I will be going in and get geared up and out the door for an attempted easy pace. That feels like the status quo for the life right now. Despite some reluctance, I am continuing to try and suit up. Sometimes that is the marathon itself. Sometimes, however, that is the victory.

Happy Picture Friday

Easy Does It

Easy does it are words I have been battling to love for many years now. They seem to be at the forefront of my thoughts as of late… again. There are some major changes and issues that feel like they are better suited to charge forward, guns blazing. While action is required, my choice is rarely the bast way to go. Currently I get to do what I can to affect change and remember, as always the results are out of my hands. It requires faith. I dig that, but less so when I want the guns blazing option. That's seems to be where the value of easy does it plays. While to some of my friends (dubious they read this) would laugh at the rudimentary nature of yet again realizing I am not in charge, it seems a lesson I was yet again needing. It's good to have a faith that can expand when I realize I had foolishly corralled it too tightly.

Oh, and it doesn't help much that I am now in the taper period of my marathon training where I am actually supposed to run less, eat well, and sleep as much as I possibly can.

God's got a good sense of humor, but his timing has style.

Faking Positive

Staying positive can be a challenge on any normal day, but throw in a dilemma or problem without a clear direction and it seems damn well impossible. That is where I find myself right now. I am trying to figure out a solution and can not get traction on it. The result feels like a lot of wheel spinning and my ever present optimism is slouching some. What I am assured of is that faith is not alway something you have to feel for it to work. I keep putting in the effort and "faking it till" and I am assured all will be well. That has been the experience thus far.