Long Tempo Towpath Run

My friend Marc, from Kent State, was up in town this weekend from Cincinnati for his birthday.  This morning we went on a run starting from the Boston Store.  Marc is running the Glass City Marathon in Toledo in a few weeks, so he's in pretty good shape.  We ran on the Towpath since he didn't want to do any big hills.  Plus, neither of us really wanted to battle the muddy trails after the big rain we had.

We ran past Peninsula and to mile marker 26.  I was feeling pretty tired all over.  My breathing was especially heavy and he could definitely tell.  I wasn't surprised though since I haven't gone this fast in awhile.  He wanted to get 13 in today, so once we got back to Boston Store, I stopped and he went on a little further.  I got 9 miles in and we figured we probably ran around 7:15 pace.  I'm really happy with this and it felt good to gut it out.  There were plenty of times during the run where I wanted to walk and let him go, but didn't.  We talked about the Columbus Marathon.  I'm already signed up and it sounds like he would like to do it also!  We both have a goal of qualifying for Boston under the new standard.  I would also like to break 3 for the first time.

Muddy 10

I met Jamie at Boston Store this morning to go on a run.  We decided to head out toward Snowville Rd for 10 miles.  It was a beautiful day for a long run!  The sunshine dried out the trail some, but there were still plenty of muddy sections.  We both felt good at the end and got a bite to eat at the Winking Lizard afterward.

Tonight I signed up for the Columbus Marathon in October!  Jamie's also thinking of signing up.  This was her and my first marathon in which we both qualified for Boston, so it'll be fun coming back.  I'm hoping to break 3 hours, so I'll have to build a good base all summer and kick it up heading into Fall.

2013 Covered Bridge FA - LHHT

This weekend was the Covered Bridge FA held at Ohiopyle, PA this year.  I had no set goal since I'm coming back from an injury, but wanted to get at least a double digit run in.  I met Brian at my parents house in Warren and we drove together to PA.

When we got to the Yough Inn, it was dark out and everyone else who was staying at the hotel had already arrived including Jim Harris, Kimba and Allison Holko.  We enjoyed a "few" beers and had some interesting conversation as always.

In the morning, Brian and I decided to sleep in a little, got breakfast at the local restaurant/grocery store, then started out on the trail around 10.  We saw many others enjoying the trail as well as other NEO Trail members on their way back.  The weather was perfect - 40s and blue sky!

Brian and I ran out to mile 5 and decided that was good for today to give us 10 total.  We both felt great the whole time and were glad we didn't overexert ourselves.  It was nice for a change enjoying the trail in a different way.  It's about impossible to do much running the first 8 miles, so there was no sense risking an injury.

When we got back to the Gate, we showered up then got a bite to eat at Falls City Pub right by the trail.  I got a turkey melt Panini's style sandwich with fries on it.  Barefoot Johnny "O", Allison, Rich Vrbonic were in there already eating.

Another night of rehydration with beer ensued as well as hanging with locals back at the pub. 

The next morning, I woke up and ran a short 3.5 mile run on the trails across the river.  I had never been on these, so I was excited to see the falls close up from this side. 

Another great Covered Bridge FA and another great NEO Trail event!  Next club event, No Frills Just Hills FA in May.

Blog posts for past year's Covered Bridge FA:
2012: Mohican State Park
2009: Mill Creek Park
2008: Mill Creek Park

Three

I ran three runs this week at Firestone MetroPark, each 3 miles.  I felt stronger on each one.  On the first run, my calves started tightening up just from not being used to running for awhile.  On the third run, today, I felt great and was going at a fast pace the entire time.  My breathing felt like I haven't lost anything since I've been swimming laps at the rec.  It feels great being outside and back running again.  Nothing like a cold winter run!

Live Like There's No Tomorrow

With many running friends on Facebook, I'm always seeing quotes and motivational statuses being posted.  Quotes about living like there's no tomorrow and things to that nature.  I'm guilty of it myself.  There's nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned quote to get you fired up, but many times I find myself reading or posting a quote to feel good but not really taking its meaning to heart.  It's easy to dream and to come up with goals, but another to actually follow a plan and reach your goal.  It's hard to truly love what you do day in and day out.  I'm sure many of my running friends if given the chance would love to quit their day jobs and travel the country running a new trail every day.  However, I think it's the challenges in life and less desirable moments that make the time on the trail and time with family and friends more meaningful.  If you can find meaning and joy out of the daily interactions with others in every way, the happier you'll be.  Often times it's all a matter of perspective.  If you have a bad outlook on people in general, you'll only see faults and not the good in them.  More times than not, a friendly smile or hello can lead to a conversation you wouldn't expect.  It's easier to contact people you care about in the technology-driven world we live in now.  Faster and easier doesn't always mean better though.  Take the time to talk to a stranger or call that old friend you haven't talked to in years.  Living like there's no tomorrow, to me, doesn't mean skydiving or buying a Ferrari, but instead means taking time each day to focus on the things that really matter.

New year, new goals

With the end of the year approaching, I've given some thought to what races or challenges I'd like to take on next year.  A few months ago after finishing the Oil Creek 100K, I would've said a 100 miler was in the plans for sure, but after the usual soreness of doing an ultra longer than 50K went away I realized that the 100 mile distance was something I neither desired nor was ready for at this point.

My IT band has hurt since the 100K and I haven't run any significant mileage since.   However if I could do Oil Creek all over again, I wouldn't change anything except maybe lift more with my legs in the months leading up to the race.  I had IT band problems last year on the other knee which seemed to linger.  I'd like to get back to running, but have enjoyed the break from it.  I've been lifting and swimming laps at the rec.  One thing I've definitely noticed from swimming in the past is that it's a great workout and a great substitute to running when injured.  I've swam for months in the past while injured and when I came back to running, I felt like I lost nothing aerobically.

So next year my main goal is to get back to running and do it consistently and get back to doing it for the pure enjoyment of it instead of getting caught up in the number of miles run.  Nothing is better than the feeling of being in top shape, not from a short two or three month training plan, but from the fitness that results from month after month of slowly building up strength and endurance.

My second goal is to get a road marathon PR.  This is something that I've wanted to do since my last PR at Cleveland in 2009.  And not getting any younger, I feel like next year is as good as any to try and break 3 hours for a marathon.  Eight minutes is a lot to cut off, but we'll see....

My third goal is to try a new race.  Something out West like Pikes Peak would be great, but even a smaller race in PA or another close state would be fine.

The last thing (at least that I can think of now) that I'd like to do next year is to camp more, either in a tent or a cabin, near trails like Mohican or the Laurel Highlands and make it into a running/hiking weekend with friends.

Quotes

 I wanted to quit because I was suffering.  That is not a good enough reason. 
-Ted Corbitt

 I'ma be what I set out to be, without a doubt, undoubtedly
And all those who look down on me, I'm tearing down your balcony
-Eminem

 Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.
-Ralph Waldo Emerson

One day's exposure to mountains is better than a cartload of books.
-John Muir

When you want something in life, you just gotta reach out and grab it. 

-Christopher McCandless, Into the Wild

  It's the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.
-Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist