Hanging on

Disarray.

That’s the state of my life these days, I’m afraid.

Sometimes it seems as if I have life figured out. Not always succeeding, but at least I’m tracking and hanging in there fairly well.

Then there are times like the past couple of weeks when it seems more that I am hanging on. By my fingernails.

Nothing overly traumatic or dramatic. About the best image that comes to mind to illustrate my situation is a hamster on a spinning wheel. Except someone else is spinning the wheel. Sometimes the hamster moves his little legs fast enough to keep up. And sometimes the wheel flips him – me -- upside down and forces him to start running again.

Work has got me running. Life with the Ozlings has me running. And my running? Well, that’s what pushed me to the disarray realization.

Didn’t get a long run in on Saturday. Definitely didn’t make it to the inaugural edition of a local race – the Pilgrim Pacer. Topher did though and had a good run. Great job, Topher. My life was too hectic. The Boy Ozling had a birthday party that day. With 20-some kids. What were we thinking? Actually, it all turned out fairly well. We had the party at a place with a bunch of big slides and inflatable bounce houses.

Run the kids hard for a couple hours, load them up on excessively sugary frosting and cake and then send them on their way.

Sunday morning arrived and I pondered a run. What the heck, I thought. Let’s go. I just about got whomped by hypothermia earlier in the week. Before leaving Sunday, I walked outside to check the temp. Seemed a little chilly. So I put on my wind jacket. A mistake. I can’t even figure out the weather these days.

It was in the high 50s. I regretted being so bundled up about a mile into the run. I kind of had a course in mind. I also kind of had a distance in mind. What about 10 miles? I went through a park at about mile 5. Stopped at a drinking fountain. Apparently they already have turned off the fountains for winter. Great.

At that point I took off the jacket and tied it around my waist. That helped a little. About 7 miles in, my legs started feeling heavy. My breathing wasn’t coming as easy as it normally does on a long run. Was I going to make it? Would I have to walk?

This was supposed to be a simple training run. I was struggling more than I did during the recent half marathon. One of my feet started to hurt. I began obsessing over getting a glass of Gatorade.

My Garmin beeped at 8 miles. Surely I can make it two more, I thought. I kept shuffling along. Straining. Thought about cutting it short, but sucked it up, crested a final hill and finished a full 10. When I did get home, I just sat on the stairs to take off my shoes. I had to wait a few minutes just to muster the energy to go mix up a glass of sports drink.

Pushing yourself on run so you can build strength and test your limits is one thing. Not dressing for the weather, failing to hydrate properly and hanging on just to finish what was supposed to be a long, slow run is another.

Let’s hope life settles down at least a little this week. And I can find my way back into a running groove.

Frozen follies

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Way too much stubbornness. Not nearly enough good judgment.

After enjoying a run on Monday morning with temperatures in the fifties, I went out Wednesday in shorts, a short-sleeve shirt and a wind jacket. I did have some thin gloves on and a running hat, but that wasn’t nearly enough for what I found to be 33 degrees when I checked later.

I figured that I would warm up after a while. And I needed to get going so I would have time to finish the run, get back and make breakfast for the Ozlings and then get everybody off to school and work.

As I pressed on, I warmed up a little bit but was generally miserable. These are the kinds of running mornings I dreamed about back in the scorching summer. I am a weather wimp, I admit, but my wimpiness is about the heat, not cool and crisp temperatures.

I gutted it out for my five miles.

When I walked in, the girl Ozling was sitting on the couch reading a book.

“Is that all you wore?” she asked, displaying the vast wisdom of her 9 years. “I’ll bet you froze your patoot off.”

Step away from the plastic pumpkin

Being a gang leader is a dirty business.

Like any good dad, I took the crew out last week for a little trick or treating action. As the brains behind the operation, and, in this case, also the hired muscle to guard the gang during the heists, I get a cut of the loot.

This definitely is not our first year with this business, so the Ozlings knew the drill. Even without being asked they came to me with mounds of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups soon after getting home with the plastic pumpkins brimming with sugary goodness.

Sure, it was fun. And, I must admit to a sweet tooth. But this is a mess – definitely not a good situation during a time when I have been cutting back on my running mileage.

I’ve been going on a candy bender.

Only ran once during the week last week. Blame a little extra craziness at work and the general hectic pace of life with the Ozlings.

I did get out Saturday for one more 10 miler this season with the Saturday group. They have a winter session that runs through early January, but I don’t think I’ll sign up. I’ve got my sights set on rejoining them in mid January to start prepping for a half marathon in the spring .

This morning I took a spin around the neighborhood for a few miles. Hope to get on the road at least twice more during the work week and then get in a long run on Saturday.

I surfed some marathon advice Web sites over the weekend in search of a new off-season running schedule. Found a couple things, but nothing that really jumped out at me as the one I was seeking. I’ll keep looking.

In the meantime, I’ll keep running. And digging deep for a little extra willpower to bypass the candy. But maybe I just slather some peanut butter on a mini Hershey’s chocolate bar one more time…..

Please pass the salt

The margin for error in a half marathon is much greater than it is for a longer race.

While this may be more than obvious for experienced marathoners, it’s given me another box to include on my mental checklist as I prepare for 26.2, probably next fall.

During my recent half marathon, I clipped along without many a care. Usually I grabbed a cup of water or Gatorade at the aid stations, but I only sipped a little before tossing the cup aside. (I must admit that I abandoned the cups from the Kansas City Half Marathon a little wistfully. They were Spider Man cups and kind of cool, but I digress).

My point is that I didn’t make sure to take in a certain amount of sports drink as I made my way through the course. I was winded when I got to the end of 13.1, but I didn’t experience any cramps or other serious problems.

I recently heard anecdotes from a couple of experienced marathoners I respect about cramping problems as they tackled full marathons this fall. Both were on track through much of the race to break the 4-hour barrier. Both, however, still ended up setting PRs, but were zapped with cramping legs late in the race that forced them to walk.

It’s left me with some questions about how much sports drink to take in during a race. I have experimented with Gu in the past while on long runs. Maybe that will take care of it all. Or maybe salt tablets are necessary.

This article chalks it all up to getting in sufficient miles in training and then taking in salt and sports drink during a race, but it doesn’t really indicate how much. Looks like I have some research to do.

I got out this morning for 5.5. Didn’t get in any running over the weekend. My activities could count as cross-training, though. At least I am sore enough that they should qualify.

Went camping over the weekend with the youngest Ozling and his Cub Scout den. Not many experienced campers among the other fathers. One said he hadn’t been camping recently. I asked how recently. Back when he was a Cub Scout. About 30 years ago.

We all survived and had a good time. Fun times around the campfire. And we took a nice hike around the lake at Watkins Mill State Park. A large portion of the trail was paved, which didn’t seem to agree with my hiking boots. My calves are sorer this week than they were in the days after the half marathon.

Drifting

I’m like a rudderless boat piloted by a skipper without a map.

It’s not necessarily a bad thing.

It’s going to take some adjustment, though.

For months now I have been guided by a daily grid detailing either rest or a certain number of miles I need to run. With only a few exceptions, I remained true to the training schedule, keeping my eyes on the race at the end of the road.

Now, though, I don’t really have a big race in mind. I don’t have a schedule.

Before the race, I didn’t want to start thinking too much about what comes after a half marathon. That would have been cart-before-the-horse, chickens-before-they-hatch thinking – rather presumptuous and possibly bringing on bad luck. Guess I am superstitious about these things.

I got out twice this week. Tuesday was just an easy four miler. Today, the Ozlings were out of school and I took the day off work. We’re going camping later and I need to pack. This morning I was able to go run. While the sun was shining. What an odd experience.

Didn’t really have a course in mind. Before I left, one of the Ozlings asked how far I intended to go. 5, maybe 6, I replied. I just went meandering. 6.5 miles later, I was home. It felt great. The leaves are starting to turn. I got to catch a better glimpse of some of the fancy houses along parts of one of my favorite courses. Some folks have really gussied up their places with cool Halloween decorations.

My immediate need is to figure out some kind of training routine. Having a schedule motivates me to get out of bed in the morning and lace up the shoes. Marathon and half-marathon schedules are in ready supply. Not really sure where to find an off-season conditioning schedule. I am in fairly decent shape at the moment, if I do say so myself. Don’t want to lose all of this.

Eventually, like Topher, I will want to set some bigger goals and get a bit more serious again. Next fall could be interesting.

Two for one race bling

Think Global. Run Local.

There’s plenty that divides us. Why not seek ways to unite us?

At least that’s what SteveRunner and a few of our fellow runners such as Mal, John, Ben and Terry think. I say, Right on.

These runners, who also happen to have some of the most inspiring podcasts, blogs and running Web sites around, organized a little event recently that brought this community we call Earth a little closer together.

The Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon – and kick the couch 5K – Challenge.
Over the past two weekends, more than 1,200 runners from all over the United States, Europe, Iceland, Australia, Japan and nearly every other corner of the globe laced up the shoes for a 13.1-mile jaunt, or in some cases a 5K.

Check out the map of all the participants. I find it stunning.

Some of us ran in organized races. Many others ran a course of their own choosing. While we all placed our toes on a different starting line, we really did come together, at least virtually.

I truly felt connected as I listened to the many runners contributing comments, encouragement and advice on the Cheers from the World edition of the Phedippidations podcast recently. I played the episode as I drove along the Kansas City Half Marathon course the day before the race. Mal offered a series of mantras, including “pain hurts less than regret,” that I found going through my mind on race day.

Getting lost in my thoughts on a solo long run is one life’s great pleasures. But hanging out with some fellow runners on a run or at an expo before a race also is a kick. Uniting across the miles through an event such as the Worldwide Half is just amazing.

Can’t wait to participate in the Third Annual Phedippidations World Wide Half Marathon challenge next year.

Through our shared passion for running and living life to the fullest, maybe we can overcome differences or other obstacles that divide us. By lacing up running shoes together, who knows? Maybe it can bring together Southerners and Yankees. Republicans and Democrats. Beer drinkers and wine drinkers. Or – I know this is probably the craziest possibility of all (and yes, it’s hard to swallow that KU is ranked over Mizzou during football??!! season) – Jayhawks and Tigers.

Plus, don't discount the fact that participation can bring 2-for-1 race bling. I’m proud of the medal I got for finishing the KC half. But the WorldWide Half certificate is just as cool.

Rockin' in Kansas City

So the plan was to set aside my jumble of injuries, frustration, regret – and maybe a touch of self loathing— stewing away inside me in order to provide time to heal and regroup.

After a while, I got back on the road and steadily pursued a training plan intended to make me stronger and prepare me for another race. The goal eventually emerged as a half marathon, but the idea was to train without serious injury, have a good overall experience and then decide what to do after that.

I am happy – Oh so happy, and maybe a bit ecstatic – to report this morning:

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

The Kansas City half marathon rocked and as far as nailing my goal, so did I.

What a beautiful morning and a fantastic race.

We had record turnout for the event that started in downtown Kansas City and then wove its way through some of the highlights of our fair city, including Westport, the Plaza and the 18th and Vine jazz district.

Last night it was a treat to meet RunningJayhawk, Out of Shape Guy Mike (a.k.a. Jayhawk’s husband) and Jayhawk’s family at the marathon expo. The Chicago runners flew in for the half marathon. We had one uncomfortable moment when it was revealed I went to college in this region, but not in Lawrence. “Was it the school I loathe or the one I despise?” she asked. “Mizzou,” I replied, drawing a grimace. Hope our shared passion for running and enjoying life will be enough to help us overcome this hurdle – although, admittedly, it might be a bit of a challenge during basketball season.

Jayhawk’s adventures and encouragement seem to have inspired other members of her family also to lace up the running shoes. In addition to our own fun times and health-improving benefits of our running, it’s tremendous when the example we set can get others out on the road too.

This a.m., somehow I was able to find my running friend Rob standing amid the gaggle of thousands of runners in the early-morning darknesss. Rob was running the full marathon, but the half and full courses were the same through 6 miles.

We ran together early on, including up some nasty, nasty hills in the first couple of miles. I was only half kidding when I asked Rob whether we should put on climbing harnesses and rope in case one of us slipped off the steep cliff of a hill by Liberty Memorial. He looked strong, strong, strong when he zigged and I zagged to finish our different races. Can’t wait to hear his race report.

Around mile 5 I spotted Mrs. Oz and the Ozlings jumping, cheering and offering awesome support by the side of the road. I swooped in for a batch of high 5s and then was on my way. After the hills, we were treated to a downward drop and long sections of flat.

I turned on the jets. Coach Eladio had me well trained. He had been sprinkling in a bunch of hilly courses for our Saturday morning long runs in recent weeks. They helped. I was cruising on the ups, the downs and felt strong through the end.

We had good crowd support for most stretches of the race. It thinned out a little during the back section, but those who were there offered enthusiastic cheering and an occasional cow bell.

With a mile to go, I did a mental check. The usual twinges, although they were relatively muted, checked in. But I was doing fine. My last three miles were 7:41, 7:25 and 7:30. I averaged 8:23 for the entire run. I came in at under 2 hours. Better than I had hoped.

That marathon monkey probably will remain on my back until I can offer a similarly positive report for 26.2, but today I at least loosened his grip.