October 29, 2018
Thinking about my mom
Last week I went to the Arboretum and walked around the area where we did a lot of birding with my Mom back in the late 90s. On the west side there is a little bridge over the stream when you first come out from the tunnel under rt 53. It was there that I recall we had the best birding. We saw Yellow Warblers, Red Starts, Palm Warblers, Scarlet Tanagers, Baltimore Orioles, Indigo Buntings and lot of the other migratory birds that spring. It was Meme, Stuart, Diana and I and we had a really nice time together. I miss my mom! I looked out at those trees, the bridge, the bushes and the stream and tried to recall details about her: what we said and how we laughed. If I could only go back there for just a moment!
October 18, 2018
What worked this year in the marathon
This was one of my slower marathons, but at 60 years old, it was kind of remarkable because I felt great through the whole race and never hit the wall. Some years, like 2017, I've barley made it to the finish line and this year I ran my fastest splits at 25 and 26 miles. So why was it better this year? Here is what I think went right:
1) better carb loading the night before. Pounded down pasta!
2) better fueling up in the morning. Downed a can of Ensure when I first woke up and then ate my usual pre-race breakfast on top of that.
3) right at the start I downed a small bottle of Gatorade that I had added a salt tablet to and one extra strength Tylenol. Obviously the salt was to stave off cramps and the Tylenol was for pain. I didn't have a single cramp in the race and that is the first time that's happened ever! I probably didn't need the Tylenol, but last year was so painful that I was expecting the worst.
4) ran with my friend Bob from miles 3-18 and that really helped to keep my spirits up and also helped us run an even pace. Bob's GPS is more accurate than mine and he held us at a 7:10-7:15 min/mile pace for that whole distance. Even after he dropped back, I kept that same pace until mile 24 when I realized that I would be able to finish stronger.
5) did a good job taking in gels every 30 minutes and drinking Gatorade at every aide station.
6) not sure how much this helped, but I think a lot: wore the new Nike Vapor Fly 4% marathon shoes! Those things are awesome. Super light weight, but still provide support and some "bounce". They seem to decrease the stress on your feet as well as preserve your leg muscles a little. Best marathon shoes, ever!
7) patience: I usually hate holding back and can't keep myself from going too hard in the early part of the race. But this year I told myself I had to have patience and it worked. I focused on watching the crowd and other runners and thinking about what they were experiencing. As always, the crown around miles 9-10 is the best. The synchronized gay drill team and cheer leaders. But all the water stops were supportive and fun.
8) thinking about my mom for inspiration.
1) better carb loading the night before. Pounded down pasta!
2) better fueling up in the morning. Downed a can of Ensure when I first woke up and then ate my usual pre-race breakfast on top of that.
3) right at the start I downed a small bottle of Gatorade that I had added a salt tablet to and one extra strength Tylenol. Obviously the salt was to stave off cramps and the Tylenol was for pain. I didn't have a single cramp in the race and that is the first time that's happened ever! I probably didn't need the Tylenol, but last year was so painful that I was expecting the worst.
4) ran with my friend Bob from miles 3-18 and that really helped to keep my spirits up and also helped us run an even pace. Bob's GPS is more accurate than mine and he held us at a 7:10-7:15 min/mile pace for that whole distance. Even after he dropped back, I kept that same pace until mile 24 when I realized that I would be able to finish stronger.
5) did a good job taking in gels every 30 minutes and drinking Gatorade at every aide station.
6) not sure how much this helped, but I think a lot: wore the new Nike Vapor Fly 4% marathon shoes! Those things are awesome. Super light weight, but still provide support and some "bounce". They seem to decrease the stress on your feet as well as preserve your leg muscles a little. Best marathon shoes, ever!
7) patience: I usually hate holding back and can't keep myself from going too hard in the early part of the race. But this year I told myself I had to have patience and it worked. I focused on watching the crowd and other runners and thinking about what they were experiencing. As always, the crown around miles 9-10 is the best. The synchronized gay drill team and cheer leaders. But all the water stops were supportive and fun.
8) thinking about my mom for inspiration.
October 11, 2018
End of the racing season
As usual, at the end of a good racing season, I'm feeling a little down. I've checked off all of my goals this year and I'm having that realization that nothing has changed in my life as a result of triathlons and running. Yes, everything in life is changing, for better or worse (mainly worse). But racing doesn't alter that other than provide a temporary fix. I guess the most important thing to come out of this season is that to a degree, I was able to rekindle an old friendship with RB. Here we are drinking coffee after the North Shore tri last month. I know this is just a hobby, like any other, but I need this OCD hobby to keep from slipping into a negative mindset so I guess it serves a purpose.
October 8, 2018
Chicago Marathon 2018
My first marathon at 60-64 was a success. Ran a 3:08 yesterday is the rain. The temperature was steady in the mid 60s for the whole race with on and off rain that was hardest in the middle section of the race. But the rain felt good because it kept us cool, I can't recall ever feeling that good at the end of a marathon. I'm not sure if it was these racing flats, my carb loading or just a nice even and reasonable pace, but I actually felt stronger after the half marathon point and was able to push hard right through the last mile. No wall or bonk! Plus this was my first ever top 10 age group finish at this race. Yeah!
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