Mill Creek Park Group Run

Today after work, I decided to drive to Mill Creek Park to go on a group run that Jim Harris posted on the NEO Trail forum.  Usually I'd rather run at the CVNP mid-week since it's closer, but I had an itchin' to run at Mill Creek.

There ended up being 4 other people including Tim Knapp, Jim, Frank and Todd Hanks.  I wasn't sure how far I'd end up going since I didn't want to get back to Akron too late.  They planned on running a full YUT-C loop.  When we got to Covered Bridge, I stuck with them and we finished with about 13.5 miles.

Tim signed up for the Oil Creek 100 miler and Frank is training for YUT-C 50K.  Always good to see others reaching for big goals.  I had a fun time tonight!  Afterward, even though it was getting late, I stopped at JibJab in Girard to get some hot dogs, fries and a milkshake.

Got a YUT-C 50K finisher's award (bottle opener) from Jim!

Boston Marathon Bombing

This afternoon at work, a coworker messaged me and said there had been an explosion at the Boston Marathon.  I first thought this must be something small or an accident.  I searched online and found a picture of the blast.  It looked much bigger than what I thought.  I then saw that a couple of people were dead and many injured. 

Many thoughts went through my head and I wondered whether all the local runners were safe.  I heard it happened around 4:09 into the race and knew there would still be big crowds coming in at this time.  I've run Boston twice in 2008 and 2010 with times of 3:42 and 3:45, so I felt chills learning of when this happened during the race.  I also thought of my parents.  They came both times to watch my sister and me and usually stand close to the finish line where this bomb exploded.  It makes you feel fortunate for family and friends and those things you take for granted.  It also makes you sad that this is the world we live in.  Innocent spectators enjoying a normally joyous day in Boston killed and injured for no good reason.

Another event in history that came to mind was the killing of Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics.  Although a different circumstance from what happened today, it was a terrorist attack at a major sporting event - a place that should be void of violence, politics, war and religion.

“This killing of Israel athletes is an act of war. And if there’s one place that war doesn’t belong, it’s here. 1200 years. From 776 B.C. to 393 A.D., your fellow Olympians laid down their arms to take part in these games. They understood there was more honor in out running a man than in killing him. I hope the competition will resume, and if it does, you must not think that running… or throwing… or jumping… is frivolous. The games were once your fellow Olympians answer to war – competition, not conquest. Now, they must be your answer.”

- Bill Bowerman

 Today is a sad day for our sport and our country, but we will rise again as runners and as Americans.

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.