Running Town

I’ve already talked about how amazed I am with the running club I joined, how 25 or so people show up first thing Saturday morning in mid-August for a seven-mile run. They are nice people, and there's always good conversation during the run, or afterward with a cup of coffee.

That sense of amazement grew during my run. Not by the group I’m a part of, but by the number of runners I saw out and about at 7:00 am. They were everywhere. Several groups of two, three, or four were getting some exercise. Guys, gals, people of all ages, shapes, and sizes, all realizing the importance of being fit. It’s even common for me to see several runners as I drive in to town and wonder whether I’m late (I’ve done well on that so far).

But later that afternoon, the First Lady and I went out for a nice meal and evening on the town, and we sat outside and ate seafood at one of Athens’ high-volume traffic areas, for cars and for pedestrians. It’s also some of the same pavement we pounded earlier that morning. So I’m eating shrimp and grits (omg it was so good) and drinking a Samuel Adams, and I must have seen 30 more folks out running. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing—it seemed like the whole world was running past us. Had to have helped that it was a gorgeous, sun-splashed day, and dry (unusual for the Deep South), with temps in the low 80s at 6 pm.

However, it doesn’t really matter what time of day-- runners are everywhere in this town. I can be driving in to pick up the wife for lunch or on my way to church and I’ll see several folks out doing their thing. It may have a little to do with motivating myself for another solo run, but it sure is inspiring to see so many people getting out there and working hard. I am happy to be one of them. 

Why not?

When I was in second and third grade, I played a few years of YMCA soccer. This was not the youth soccer we know today—this was 22 kids chasing the ball on a dirt field, swinging a leg and hoping for the best. Maybe they kicked the ball, maybe they didn’t. My contribution was one of my front teeth when a ball struck me in the mouth. Coach Diehl picked up a big-ass rock and asked if this was my tooth. That story has aged well over the years.

Anyhow, One day during a 5:15 practice at Franklin Field, a buddy and I got busted for yakking it up in the back while coach was speaking. As discipline, he told us to take a lap around the practice field (which was in better shape than the field at the Y). Cold busted, George and I took off running.

And when I worked at the running store, sometimes we’d have to explain how we were a specialty running store, but… we couldn't finish our sentence before the customer would tell us, “Oh, I don’t run.”

They couldn't tell us fast enough. Like running was something people didn’t do—a label they didn’t want. I think the ‘running as punishment’ thing takes over pretty early, and that folks think running is evil. The whole being out of breath thing must scare a lot of people. Perhaps it’s what they read about getting injured. But if you’re doing it right, have the right shoes, good form, build gradually, and get a little better every time, the injury bug should stay away.

It could also be the soreness we feel after a run. I enjoy that feeling, and to an extent, it’s something I look for—to have that energized feeling in my legs the rest of the day.

I never understood, and still don’t. Ever pay attention to how fit a distance runner looks? I especially envy the soccer players I watch on TV—those athletes run a lot during practice and during a match. Not much of it is in a straight line, either. Lots of stopping and starting, shuttle drills, and such. As a result, they don’t have an ounce of fat on them. I’m sure a few of them (by their standards) are out of shape, but even those players have a fitness level that far exceeds most of ours. 

Besides, why wouldn’t someone want to be healthy? How do folks seem to avoid taking just one hour of their day (just 4.2%) to exercise? Why wouldn’t someone want to test their boundaries and just see what’s possible? Why would we avoid the feeling of accomplishment, the sense of ‘wow’ that I (and countless others) have felt toward the end of their first marathon? I seriously welled up at about mile 24, knowing that this was going to happen, knowing four months of training and four hours of pain were resulting in this incredible feeling. Also that I learned a little bit about myself and what I am capable of.

I also like the feeling of fitness I get from a run. I like being able to crank out the day’s mileage. Hitting my splits. Maybe even throwing a little speed in there. It’s a great feeling to know I have done something positive for my body, and that over time, my body has responded. I’m not as ripped as a soccer player or distance runner, but I feel and look great. 

Running Group

I've never been part of a regular running group. Whether it's because of where I live, my work schedule, or just not having early-morning motivation, a weekly appointment has just not been my thing.

That's about to change.

I attended a 7:30 group run back on Saturday, put on by the Athens Road Runners. Having relocated nearly two weeks ago, and being a serious introvert, I'm eager to meet people and find things to do. I love the running friends I met in Tuscaloosa, but Athens has a much more vibrant running community-- as evidenced by the 20 or so runners who showed up in late July for a Saturday six-miler. In Tuscaloosa, I made Wednesday afternoon trails for a while, but work didn't always allow it, and when my job changed, it became impossible. That was the only group run on the schedule, Wednesday was the only time to run with others. I remember being the only guy to show up at the running store (the one I would later work at) dressed out for a 5:30 run on an August Wednesday. They looked at me funny. But I looked on the web and saw it on the schedule, so I showed up.

Not so with ARR. This group has about 220 members, and features daily group runs. If it's on the schedule, it sounds like it's gonna happen. Some in the morning, some in the evening. I'm more interested in early-morning runs so as to get it done and get on with the day, so Saturdays seem like the play for now.

It was a good run-- the people I ran with were welcoming, and seem to be really nice. And no downtown traffic. Yet. This is a college town, and that will change. There was even coffee and a delicious apple/oatmeal bar at the end of the run. Yum.

I feel this will help me socially, as well as making me accountable to others, plus getting me ready for October, which could well feature a half and full marathon back to back.

The Lads

I’ve mentioned once or twice that I worked at a retail running store for nearly two years. I obviously had the least seniority when I started (not like it meant anything), and I was the senior man when I left. However, if you include plant life, I was only second on the totem pole.

Meet Bernard (left) and Meb.

These two dudes, named after Bernard Lagat and Meb Keflezighi, were originally one peace lily plant (Bernard is the original, Meb is an offshoot) that held down a spot near the front of the store. It was a sort of housewarming gift from the folks who ran the outdoor mall. Kind of a 'welcome to the neighborhood' sort of thing.

Anyhow, it made its way through the first couple of years until I showed up, by which time it seemed to need a little help. We’re runners (most of us) not horticulturists, so we water the plant about once a week, but it doesn’t seem to improve. Turns out the plant was getting too big for its pot, was getting watered too much, and had no drainage.

I was the only one with any sort of attachment, so I took Bernard (I had named him by this point) home for a week or so of camp. We repotted him, gave him some new soil, and a spot next to a window where some Alabama sun could get in but not beat down on him. I don’t have any ‘before’ pictures, but a week made a difference and we took him back to the store.

It was about this time that there was a gnat outbreak at the store, and Bernard got the blame, freeing me to take home and keep the senior-most employee. We then took our hero and separated him (Meb was born) and put the second plant into a new pot. There was still much trimming of old/dead leaves and stems, and Meb seemed to respond more quickly than Bernard. Ironic, since Meb is a marathoner and Bernard is a 1500 meter guy. I am pleased to report, though, that both peace lilies seem to be healthy and growing. They even seem to be back to normal, following our relocation to Georgia.

It’s pretty corny, I know, but I’ve grown attached to these guys and am glad we were able to rescue them. It’s been a treat to watch their rehab go so well.

Neutrality

I've added two new pairs of shoes to the family here in the last six weeks or so. They are neutral shoes, so I'm getting away from stability shoes since my weight has crept down (and has ticked down again here recently).

A little while back, I paid a Saturday afternoon visit to my old stomping grounds and said hello to some friends, and also came home with these guys:

They're the old Mizuno Wave Rider 14s. These shoes didn't sell too well two years ago. They were on the sale rack when I used to work there, and I bought them off the same rack for 60 bucks. They're up to about 50 miles now, and I use them on Saturday long runs. I have two pairs of shoes that are over 450 miles, so these are welcome additions. They help me stretch the lives of my other running shoes as well. I haven't had any problems with switching away from stability.

Then a week and a half ago, I found these guys:

My new Saucony Ride 3. These are three-year-old shoes, bought for 30 dollars when the First Lady and I were looking at shoes for her one evening. I couldn't say no to an opportunity like that. I even treated myself to a new three pack of socks and still got in at around $40.

I've taken these out for two spins-- a tempo 7 last week, and half-mile repeats (7 miles) yesterday, and I'm already a big fan. I haven't felt anything this soft on my feet in a long time-- it's like I'm wearing two pillows.

So the neutral shoes have been incredible.

The weekly mileage has been around 30 for the last month or so. Pretty nice, considering we've hit the hot and humid season here in Alabama. I've done a good job of getting out the door by 7 am to get a run in. It gets pretty sticky even at that hour, but we're getting the job done. Saturdays are a challenge because I like whiskey so much, so we've gone to the gym for Saturday long runs. I'm even off from work this week, and my body is conditioned to wake up at 6 to get going, so things are going well.

Mileage

I banged out ten treadmill miles back on Saturday morning. Ten boring miles at the fitness center, with nothing but the speed and incline buttons to amuse me. When I was preparing for the Eisenhower half-marathon several years ago, we were on holiday in Kansas City, and I ran 10 or 11 on the treadmill at the Crown Center and felt sore and tired the rest of the evening. Not this time. Ten on the treadmill does not compare to ten on the open road here in Tuscaloosa. I felt great the rest of the day. Weekly mileage: 29.

I also learned a few weeks ago that in 2012, I ran 994 miles. Pretty pissed off when I made this discovery. It was, by far, my best year of running, as mentioned. But leaving six miles out there is disappointing. On the other hand, it means there are still things to accomplish. I think right now I'm at 360 miles for 2013, so I'll miss the halfway pole, unless I want to to ramp up to 35-40 weekly miles from the mid-20s.

So keeping things in the mid-20 neighborhood for now is a good plan. But marathon training begins the end of this month. On the agenda is the Atlanta Marathon, October 27th. The wife and I are moving to Athens, Georgia next month, so it'll be a shorter trip into town.

Anyhow, the marathon training will really get the mileage up, and the miles will be difficult, since Athens is much hillier than my current stomping grounds. I think I'll make it to 1,000 miles easily enough.

Another PR

Ran my first race of 2013 this morning-- the Mayor's Cup 5K. It's a race that has grown in popularity in each of the seven years it's been run. Over 1500 folks toed the line for the 8 am start. Proceeds go towards the mayor's pre-K initiative, which is a special cause-- it gets kids learning and reading at an early age, and it encourages exercise in a region that needs all the fitness it can get.

Not to be forgotten is that we raced on April 27, a day that will live forever in our city's history. The F4 tornado that shredded our city two years ago on this day. For us, it's a memory similar to 9/11 and the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. I remember that day and those hours like it was yesterday-- the buildings I drove by that day that were gone by evening, the time we spent in she shelter on the UA campus, and the friends we spent time with that evening. Even the brief thought that these may be my last few moments on earth.

We also remembered the folks at Boston Marathon whose lives are changed forever. Terrible things happened to people who are runners and support a major running event. It still breaks my heart-- it was an attack on innocence-- an attack on the running community of which I am a member.

I'm a little spoiled in that I don't really 'prepare' for races at this point-- a three-mile race doesn't intimidate me. I was more focused on getting to the front of the corral, hitting splits, and hopefully putting a good number on the board. It was also good to see some of my running friends, many of whom I don't get to see much anymore now that my time at the running store is over.

Last year, I had a minor hamstring issue and was unsure how I'd do. It turned out to be a non-issue, though the tight course and other traffic didn't help. This year I managed to get closer to the front, so I didn't have to weave through as much traffic. I even ran past our Thursday night trivia bar.

My goal this time out was to set a PR, beating the 23:07 at last year's Holt 5K, likely the toughest course in town, where the third mile is a solid uphill climb. I thought I could do better on a flatter course, but you just never know on race day.

As always, it took about a half mile to get my pace dialed in-- 2:05 and 1:47 for the first quarters, before I got settled. The course was similar to last year, we just ran it in the opposite direction. We headed down Paul W. Bryant Drive, past the football stadium that also bears his name, and through the Walk of Champions. So yeah, football is a pretty big deal around here. Also present near the stadium were the Central High School cheerleaders, plus Big Al, the UA mascot, with whom I slapped a high five. I thought it was nice that they all (plus the Bryant High cheer squad) wanted to be there to support the running/fitness community.

After that first half mile, I really red-lined it, running faster here than I do for my weekly tempo sessions, so I did question my will a little bit, finding comfort in the solace of a short race, knowing it'd be over soon. At about mile 2.5, I even passed the mayor, who has been a bit of a rabbit for me in the last few years. He's a distance runner himself, and a good one, at that. This was also something to hang onto toward the end, knowing I reached another goal.

I turned the last corner at 21:30 with a PR pretty much in my pocket, and I even thought a 21-something a remote possibility, but I didn't have anything left to give, so that (new) goal will live another day. I had to be happy with a 22:14, a new 5K best by nearly a minute, and a 43rd place overall finish, which put me in the top 3% of a race where I'd felt good about a top 10% finish.

So I ran hard and well, and I found another example of what I am truly capable of.