Rock 'n' Roll USA (DC) Marathon Race Report Pt. 1

I wouldn't say registering for the Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon last November was a bad decision, but instead just another example of my "post-race" registration addiction.  I went back and checked the receipt from when I registered...it took me all of three days after the Marine Corps Marathon to register for Rock 'n' Roll USA.  The first step to recovery is admitting the problem.  Two nights ago, I registered for The North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Miler...two days after the Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon.  The trend is going in the wrong direction.  I have a problem.

When I signed up for the Rock 'n' Roll USA Marathon, Michelle and I were planning to spend part of spring break in the Outer Banks (at the time more than 4 months away) and then travel up to Northern Virginia/DC area for the race on Saturday.  Logistically, I was already planning to be in Virginia Beach for the Virginia Council of Teachers of Mathematics conference the Thursday-Friday-Saturday at the start of  break, which meant Michelle would meet me in Virginia Beach Saturday afternoon and we would travel down to the Outer Banks following the conference.  Eventually, we decided against the 'Tour de Virginia', mainly because of how many miles we would travel and I didn't want to be exhausted and drained from traveling prior to the race, instead we opted to spend the first half of spring break relaxing in Blacksburg.  After relaxing for the first half of the week, both Michelle and I agree we should have been more productive with these few days, we traveled up to Northern Virginia on Wednesday morning.  It's always great traveling home to spend time with family, I was especially looking forward to this trip because of what I had planned for the marathon on Saturday, more about that in Pt. 2.

On Thursday morning, after a trip to the dentist :-(, Michelle and I drove to Dunn Loring and took the metro into DC for packet pickup at the DC Armory.  Having two days of the race expo for packet pickup was great.  Being able to go the first day was even better.  For the Marine Corps Marathon packet pickup last fall, I drove to the expo straight from Blacksburg after class Friday morning which turned out to be a nightmare; parking was impossible (a costly $100 parking ticket) and the expo was packed with folks swinging by after work.  The Rock 'n' Roll organizers added incentive for runners to attend the expo Thursday instead of Friday by automatically entering Thursday attendees for various raffle prizes including an iPad, judging by how many people were there around 1PM on a Thursday afternoon I'd say it worked.

Rock 'n' Roll USA Facebook page convincing runners to come to the expo on Thursday!

Most of the time,  I try to get in-and-out of race expos as quickly and painlessly as possible, especially if I'm alone, but having Michelle with me made the whole experience more fun...well at least for me.  I may have been walking around like a chicken with its head cut off.  Michelle was patient.  Very patient.

Rock 'n' Roll Banner in front of the Armory right off the metro.

I didn't even notice RFK last fall when I came down for the Marine Corps Marathon packet pickup.  In my defense, there was a huge tent outside for race number pickup which was probably blocking the view...yeah I'll go with that!

There can't be too many race expos where you have to go through a metal detector prior to gaining entry!

The view upon entering the Armory.

The 10000+ seats were collapsed to make room for the expo.

The lines were not too bad, but it was only 1PM on a Thursday afternoon. I looked to Michelle and said "I can't imagine this place tonight around six after all the folks swing by after work.  SO glad we came now!"  She concurred.

After walking through all of the Brook Rock 'n' Roll apparel we stumbled upon the Brooks Smile Machine!  

Obviously we particpated! 

Michelle waiting for our photo to print!

What was really awesome was the QR code on the bottom of the photo that allowed you tag the photo on Facebook and be notified when the photo was uploaded!

It did take some time for the photo to finally upload, Tuesday, which is kind of a bummer but neat that it worked and appeared on my timeline once it did!

I was super pumped about the Got Chocolate Milk folks being there!  I've been following their campaign, a spin off of the Got Milk ads back in the day, since it started but had yet to run a race where they were present.  After talking to one of their folks, they asked me to make a video talking about #MyAfter their slogan which I was totally prepared for because Michelle and I always compete for who gets to open the chocolate milk after a hard workout.  I usually win.  Michelle snagged a bunch of photos while I was filling out the release information and while I was giving my interview.  Fingers crossed.

Hopeful future member of Team REFUEL!  And I already match!

My video interview - 477-82 Team REFUEL folks!

 #MyAfter

We weaved our way through the rest of the expo with only minor damage, I made few stops to pick up nutrition for the race, most of which I thought were good deals since most vendors offer "expo" prices.  I did cave at the CEP booth and purchased my first pair of Progressive+ compression run socks.  This is an obvious marathon no-no - changing routine and wearing new clothing on race day, but there was nothing normal about this race.  After about an hour or so at the expo, we decided that we had enough and went off to find a nice place to have our lunch that we brought with us.  One cool thing of note in the expo were the TVs surrounding the Team Geico booth that displayed the entire marathon course in some multiple fast forward speed.  Below you can see the course at mile marker 22.4 in the photo below...and yes it really was that desolate along the course.  Even on race day.

The Rock 'n' Roll USA course was displayed on TVs around the Team Geico booth.  The video was in fast-forward so that you could see the entire course in about 10 minutes or so of standing there.

I love DC.  I would live there post-graduation if the cost of living were not so outrageous.  The caliber of races in the area is unparalleled and the biking/running trails/water in addition to all of the museums and monuments make for an awesome place to live.  On top of all that there's always cool stuff going on...like when we walked out and saw this helicopter.  No.  It's not Marine One.  I thought it was at first but it lacks the American flag on the white section below the main rotor that usually appears on Marine One regardless of whether it's the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk or the Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King. Either way its pretty neat and a normal site for the city folks, but not for us down here in SW VA.

Helicopter flying over RFK.

Another photo using the zoom on the TS4.

And the final one I was able to snag before it went behind the tree on the left in this photo.

We rode the Orange Line a few stops back and got off at the Smithsonian stop.  Both Michelle and I were getting hangry by the time we arrived at the mall so we ate lunch on the first bench we found and tried to keep warm with the howling winds, rather unsuccessfully I might add.  We decided to pop into the Museum of Natural History for an hour or so to warm up and did our best to avoid masses of school field trips.

The Orange line runs all the way from Dunn Loring to RFK and the Armory.  One line the whole way.  Doesn't get much more convenient!

A gorgeous DC day even if it was blustery!  The Washington Monument with scaffolding at the base to begin fixing damage from the 2011 earthquake.  I didn't realize until after researching and watching the video below that half of the 15 million needed to complete the repairs was donated by a private citizen!

Cool video talking about the 5 month's it will take to erect the scaffolding prior to beginning the repairs.

The rest of the evening was rather uneventful, we did meet up with Michelle's sister and brother-in-law for dinner who were passing through the area.  Michelle had no idea that her sister and I had spoken just a couple days before.

Friday was a "work"...as in a homework day.  Again...I could have been more productive over the break but some is better than none.  I did arrive at a conclusion as a pre-service secondary mathematics teacher.  If I as 25 year old graduate student, and I would like to consider myself a hardworking and dedicated student, cannot be diligent enough over break to sit-down, focus and accomplish work then there is no way I can expect the same of my future students.  Classroom philosophy #17.  I digress.  In the afternoon I gathered everything for Saturday and pinned on my number and created this neat faux-PEZ dispenser from a plastic bag.

Full bag with Hammer Endurolytes lined up, then rolled and cut the corner to allow each pill to slip out.

I used tape to keep everything sealed but after a couple uses on race day (taking one every 20 minutes) the tape didn't stick.  I might actually consider a PEZ dispenser next time.  Plus it would look sweet on the hydration vest!

Some Instagram Love!

Dinner was a standard pre-race penne pasta with red sauce and carved rotisserie chicken.  I am proud to say that I was actually in at 9 and asleep before 10.  A first for me a night before a race.

My alarm went off at 3:46 Saturday morning and it was much of a repeat of Thursday except we opted to drive to the West Falls Church metro stop.  Breakfast was my go to peanut butter-honey-banana on wheat toast and a cup of coffee.

Go-to breakfast of champions, peanut butter-honey-banana on wheat toast.

I learned many valuable lessons last fall at the Marine Corps marathon but none more important than arriving earlier-than-early to ensure no lines at the bathrooms.  Mission accomplished!  We got off the metro at the Smithsonian stop a little after 5:30 and walked across the mall to find we had our choice of bathroom...like a lot of choices!

A plethora of Port-O-Potties!

A shot down the starting line, Constitution Ave., the corrals were empty and you can see the start line off in the distance!  Also of note were all of the restrooms in each corral at the start.  First time I had seen this but it was great!

A panorama I took of the near the start line while in search for band-aids,  you can see the medical tent to the left of the guy in the black where I eventually found them.

Having Michelle there was great!  I couldn't ask for someone more supportive and patient when my mind is scattered at the crack of dawn.  I did have to run around in search of band-aids which I eventually found from a nice volunteer at the medic tent near the start.  I was obviously the first person that had come to the tent...granted it was an hour and a half before the race start.  I returned to realize that I had left my hydration vest hanging off the edge of the bench with the rest of our stuff, it was "clearly" near Michelle but it made my heart skip a beat when I turned the corner to see it just "hanging out there" in prime position for someone to just walk off with.  All the while Michelle is clueless of what was just a few feet to her left, hidden in my hydration compartment.

Around 6:50 we headed down to the Constitution Ave. from the mall and began walking down to my corral, 8, when we stopped to have our picture taken.  I guess I was too busy taking photos of my camera with all of my stuff on Friday to remember to charge it...whoopsie!  Fail #2 (Fail #1 was forgetting band-aids) so unfortunately no photos from here on out (that are mine at least).  Michelle hung around with me while I waited in line for a restroom in the corral, these were nice, and around 7:15 I handed her my jacket, put on my black plastic trash bag with a hole cut in it for my head, gave her a kiss and wondered into the crowd to find a good place.

My hydration vest was noticeably lighter without the camera in the front pocket and the only time I really wish I had it was at the start for the huge American flag that was suspended between two firetruck ladders...it was an incredible sight.  One really neat thing was the wave start based on corral, something that SHOULD be done at the Marine Corps Marathon start.  This really helped reduce, and I would argue eliminate, congestion that usually occurs in the first several miles of a big race start.

I was able to find these two cool photos of the massive flag I mentioned above.  You can see the ladder on the left and just see a small part the ladder on the right in the upper righthand corner.  Neat to see both perspectives!  **Side note** I couldn't figure out how to embed a search of the #RnRUSA tag from Instagram, but did find a few sites that will search a tag for you.  Here's a bunch more photos.

The first few miles really flew by.  I made conscious effort to enjoy all of the monuments as we ran by them...it's not often you get to run down the middle of a road in the Nations Capital.  I fell in with the 3:40 pace group and enjoyed hanging with them for the first half of the race.   I made sure to pay attention to nutrition drinking every 10 minutes, taking an Endurolyte capsule every 20 minutes, and eating Clif shot bloks every half-hour.  The run was fairly relaxed aside from the one significant climb of the race at mile 6, the climb from Rock Creek Parkway to Calvert street.

Rock 'n' Roll USA Course Map

I've seen a lot of talk in the few days since the race about the execution and amount of support/volunteer/aid stations, mainly complaints of little or no water at aid stations and folks having to fill their own cups.  I can't really speak to this as I was carrying all of my own nutrition but did take several water cups during the first half.  One observation was that a lot of the volunteers were not wearing latex gloves...something I think is pretty standard.

Eventually around mile 13 I pulled off to the side of the road to stretch my right calf.  I could start to feel a knot forming and tried to dig my thumb deep into the muscle to hopefully breakup whatever was causing the discomfort.  At this point we were running west on East Capitol Street with an awesome view looking ahead.

View Larger Map

My heart was racing because I knew around the corner on Constitution Ave. there was a downhill across from Upper Senate Park where I would find my friend Jonathan, my parents, and Michelle.  This is where I had told them all would be a good place "to see me run by" and that "it wouldn't be too crowded."  I could feel it pressing into my back and was just trying not to smile too much!

To be continued!

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Lets Talk Running Motivation (How I stay motivated...and not so motivated)

It's no secret.  I have a love hate relationship with running.  And I'm not talking about year-to-year or month-to-month (although there are some interesting trends there...another post) but more day-to-day, hour-to-hour, and more accurately minute-to-minute.  Sometimes, I'll be out on run and really feeling the vibe and enjoying every minute of the run and soaking it all in.  Other times, I'll be out on run, or even worse in a race, and ask myself "why in the hell do you do this? This is stupid" which happened two weekends ago at the Blacksburg Classic.  I would be willing to bet that most runners feel similarly.  We all endure it; the bloody toes, missing toenails, countless hours spent in the elements, sore muscles, doctors visits, and injuries.  And for what I constantly ask myself?  To be a part of a label?  Check a marathon off the bucket list?  We selfishly steal a half hour here and an hour there for time away from the monotony of life.  We claim it's "our time" to think and blow off stress, or we use it to "clear our heads" but sometimes I don't any of this is true.

The follow excerpt is from a paper I recently wrote for a content area reading class I'm taking this spring.

Running, in the purest definition of the word, is freedom.  Freedom from relationships, bills, and obligations; running is freedom from the tedium of life.  Running is where stress goes to die and when the imagination has recess.  Running is solitude, reflection, friendship, and camaraderie.  Running is man in his most primitive form.  Many consider it to be the most basic progression of human development - some call it evolutionary. It’s the purest joy a toddler feels as they develop the coordination to transition from walking to running and also the fear on a parents face as they realize another degree of freedom has been removed.  I would argue that a young child running while playing is the most pure and wholesome happiness a human feels in their life.  For me, running is cheap therapy and time well invested in my physical and mental health.  It has been my sanctuary, foundation, passion, and at times my obsession. 

Three Sundays ago, I was dreading my long run for the week, nothing unusual.  I kept reasoning that I would do it at this time or that time or maybe a little later - once breakfast digests I thought to myself.  After breakfast, I sat down to read a chapter for class when I decided to check the status of a Brooks order I had placed about a week earlier.  When the status said delivered, I hopped off the couch and went and checked the mailbox.  I was giddy like a kid on Christmas day!  I have to admit, I was very proud of myself for shopping on a budget; everything I ordered was on clearance because the items were "last seasons" colors, but to me they looked pretty awesome!  Instantly, the looming feeling of guilt was gone and replaced by a desire to go run and "earn" my new clothes.  I changed and told Michelle I would be back in a few hours.

When you head out for a couple hour run, I had 14 miles planned for this particular Sunday, you have a lot of time to think or reflect or whatever you want to call it.  I was thinking about this post.  About how I have a personal struggle with motivation that teeters on an unhealthy addiction.  How I often have a feeling of guilt until I cross off that days mileage.  It made me think.  What drives me to run?  Coincidently, I'm in an Educational Psychology class this spring, wish I had taken that class as an undergrad, and we're learning all about motivation and what makes learners tick...I digress.

So while I was out on this long 14 mile run, I created a list of things that make me want to run, things that get me out the door when I'm battling an overwhelming feeling of guilt for not hitting the day(s)/months mileage.

• Write a Blog - This blog has provided a great outlet and medium to stay connected with friends and family as I've moved and traveled.  Aside from helping me stay connected, the blog has helped me stay accountable (although not for posting) for races and training and has encouraged me to follow through with ideas and goals. 

• Sign Up for a Race - As a goal oriented person, I have an overwhelming need to have the next race(s) planned or I seem to go a bit 'registration' crazy.  Crossing the finish line of a big race is always bittersweet.  The temporary joy and high of completing a task that has been looked forward to for so long is quickly replaced by what I like to call the "post race depression."  This year I have scheduled or set tentative races for most of the year to hopefully avoid the above mentioned but only time will tell.  I can feel it beginning to creep up as Rock 'n' Roll USA approaches this weekend without another long race in the foreseeable future, although I do have the Run for Remembrance and Race to the Top planned for April!

• Plan a Destination Race - Although Rock 'n' Roll USA (DC) isn't "really" a "destination" race for me because I get to go home and stay with family, it's not in my home town and I'm not sleeping in my own bed so it's kind of a destination race.  For most, this would mean having more invested in a race or run and thus being more likely to train based on a high investment.  I have so many destination races in mind it's scary, but if I ever want to hit that 50 state club I have to start somewhere!

• Run a Fun Run or Event Style Race - Last May, Michelle and I ran a Warrior Dash in Charlotte, NC and had an absolute blast.  I can't say I didn't give it my all but if the race hadn't gone well or something had happened and we missed the race I wouldn't have lost any sleep over it because it wasn't a high priority run.  These small races help string together the time between big races and can provided some relief from boring training miles.  I would put both the Race to the Top stair climb and Run for Remembrance events listed above in this category; it's more about the energy and having fun then testing my fitness or accomplishing a goal.

• Use Social Media to Hold Yourself Accountable - I love social media.  I know. Big surprise!  But in all seriousness, I think it can be a huge motivator.  By making a registration or race publicly known, I feel I'm more inclined to train and focus on a goal because I know people will be asking how training is going or how the race went.  I really love that most mileage services (Strava, Garmin, etc.) allow you to publish your training runs/races to various forms of social media, mainly Twitter and Facebook.  I don't use the automatic push to publish for every run (although I did in the past) for two reasons, a) I don't want to clog up people news feeds with small 3-4 mile runs everyday and b) I would say most people could care less about daily mileage compared to big events like races or "epic" runs.  Even then, unless you're a runner or just a really good friend I would be willing to bet that you simply scroll past most of the runs I post.

• Run with a Partner - This one isn't for everyone (including me) but for those folks who struggle to make it out the door or find it easy to blow off an evening run, having someone waiting and more importantly counting on you to show up helps reduce those "missed days."  This February, I went on my first "long" training run with a partner, a friend from college who is still around Blacksburg and happened to be training for the Yuengling Shamrock Marathon this Sunday, the day after Rock 'n' Roll.  My goal for the day was 20 miles, longer than any training run I had ever completed; we planned to meet for the last 12 miles of my run.  I left the house around 7:40 and managed to get in just under 8 miles before meeting him at 9.  We decided on the Huckleberry Trail, which I happened to be running the Blacksburg Classic on the following weekend, and planned on doing the full length, 6 miles out and back.  This was the first time I had run with a friend, or anyone for that matter, since moving from Charlotte.  After discussing pace we settled on 8 min-miles, faster than I was planning on running but well within my capabilities and fitness.  It was great to have someone push me and hold to me running the full 20 miles I had scheduled for the day; it's far too easy to bail when it's just you out there all alone in the cold.  We stayed very close to our 8 minute pace for the duration of the run, only fading in the last mile or so (Strava File).  This was a perfect example of why running with someone is great.  I met my mileage goal for the day, finished my run early in the day, and ran quicker than what I thought possible for longer; it was an excellent confidence boost and a great time catching up with an old friend...so maybe it is for me?

• Listen to Music - I used to be a diehard "NO MUSIC" type of runner.  I believe that music makes runners/cyclists extremely vulnerable in their environments, mainly to traffic but other consideration are important like other runners/cyclist, animals (who hasn't been chased by a dog on a bike?), and unfortunately not so friendly people.  This isn't necessarily by choice however, the shape of my ears does not allow or even help to hold ear buds in and consequently I have to use a hat over my ears to "hold" them in place.  If anyone has recommendations or a solution, I'm all ears (see what I did there?) for a good set of around-the-ear headphones or earbuds.  Unfortunately, as the winter draws to a close, so does my time being able to listen to music on runs.  I found on several long runs this winter, having music helped pass miles quickly and picked me up when I was on the verge of quitting.  Check out Rockmyrun.com for mixes, I've downloaded 5 hours of mixes for free from the site for simply signing up for a free account.  

• Create SMART Goals -  My first post of the year talked a little bit about SMART goals (Specific-Measurable-Attainable-Realistic-Timely) and how as an engineer I'm inclined to think of most goals or objectives this way.  Last year, I set the a goal of 1200 miles for annual mileage, this year I have upped that goal to 1300 miles in hopes to better last years (~1060 miles) mileage. It seems daunting if you think about it as just a number, but the monthly goal, ~109 miles, seems attainable and realistic, although I'm yet to hit it for a month this year.  My point is that this goal helps keep me going when I don't feel like going for a run or there's nothing on my calendar to look forward to or I haven't bought new clothes recently.

• Buy Some New Clothes or Shoes - Of all the "motivators" I've listed, this one seems to be the least realistic for a frequent habit (maybe not) but it is what got me out the door three weeks ago and has helped me out other times when the couch has been calling me.  As a runner and engineer, I totally geek out over new gear or clothing and will occasionally indulge in some online therapy, if the price is right.  As I mentioned above, everything I order is on clearance or deep discount for being last seasons colors or model.  This helps keep costs down and the running draw from smelling too awful, although it's tough to avoid.

These are just a few of the things that help me out the front door when the weather outside isn't "ideal" or there are "too many things to do" or I'm simply "just too tired."  Don't let this post lead you to believe that I never miss a training day and always make my milage goals, hardly the case.  I do believe that you have to be mentally prepared to run and often tell myself that it's "okay" not to run and that everyone needs "those" days, as long as they're not too often!

As a future teacher, I'm going to have to figure out how to run in the morning as afternoon coaching/lesson planing will likely eliminate any chance of evening runs.  So how about you guys, how do you stay motivated when all you want to do is come home for work and crash on the couch? How do you get yourself out the front door?

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The Blacksburg Classic (10 Miler) Race Report

As I begin to establish roots here in Blacksburg and define this cozy town as "my home," the partition of the town and university becomes increasingly more evident.  The Blacksburg Classic is a phenomenal example of this division.  A stand alone race not associated with the university in any way, aside from supplying some of the participants, the Blacksburg Classic marked its 28th running this year.  An interesting side note is that the first running in 1986 was called the Foxridge Classic and was held during a snowstorm; replacing a valentines day 10 miler.  The race is organized by the Blacksburg Striders, a local running club, and directed by James Demarco of RunAbout Sports. The Classic is a showcase of the regions athletic depth and is a prime example of Blacksburg lifestyle.

Having "lived" in Blacksburg for 6 years, prior to this past weekend, I had never run the Classic and wasn't even really aware of its' existence during my undergraduate tenure.  Hence, another gem Blacksburg has to offer its' residents and "somewhat" of a well kept secret from the university population.  Fitness wise, my focus this winter has been building for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in the middle of March and consequently most of my miles have been long and slow; primarily to develop endurance.  Aside from the Lynchburg 10 Miler last September, I had never raced the ten mile distance or really even considered it as a "race distance" but after these two races I find that I really enjoy the length and intensity.  Unlike most races that are held in the morning, the Blacksburg Classic starts at 1PM in the afternoon.  I have to say I am not a fan of afternoon races, primarily because it messes with my eating schedule.  Michelle and I have recently coined the term 'hangry' - a feeling of displeasure or hostility that results from a sense of hunger; I have determined that afternoon races make me hangry and that's bad news for all involved parties.

Around ten, after a boring and mediocre breakfast (hence the hanger?!?), I headed down to packet pickup at the local elementary school which was also the start and finish of the race.  This was quite possibly the quickest packet pickup I have ever done, including the drive to and from the school I think I was gone from the house for a total of 20 minutes.  I sat around for another couple hours before getting ready just after noon.  Another huge advantage of running a local race is that I didn't have to leave the house for the race while it was still dark or in the wee-hours of the morning, or wait around at a freezing cold start line for multiple hours, instead I left for the race 30 minutes prior to the start.

After a short walk from the Kroger down the street, the parking was full near the race, I said goodbye to Michelle and went out for a quick ~10min "warm-up," but really it was so darn cold that it would have taken a half hour to be actually warm.  A few minutes after one a giant mob came walking down the street, as the start of the race wasn't at the school but instead a few hundred yards down the road, I had already snagged my spot at the start somewhere in the first quarter or so of the soon-to-be mass.  The Blacksburg Classic is comprised of two distances, a 10 mile and 5K, which share courses and unfortunately a mass start.  For the distances being SO different, a wave start or at a minimum a 5 minute buffer between races would really benefit runners of both distances.  I also understand that it is a local race to help benefit the Blacksburg High School track team raise money for a rubber track (the current track is asphalt) and hence just thought of the idea of a wave start as I was writing this; the start did not detract from my race but could for someone going for a PR.

Everyone waiting for 1PM to roll around.

The mass walking to the start.

My spot somewhere in the first 1/4 of the mass.

Ready!

Set!

Go!

The little kid on my right, Miles?!?, decided he wanted to be on the start line and run with the big boys!  He held his own pretty well especially with all of the 5k'ers on the front! Something you wouldn't see at a bigger race.

The folks in shorts were much braver than me.

More people running!

I didn't really know what I was capable of when the race began and didn't really have a way to gauge how my body was feeling, although looking back I think the afternoon start had something to do with feeling lethargic.  I wound up going out too fast, around 7 min pace, and quickly began the discussion with myself of whether or not I wanted to be running at the time.  In my experience this is never a good feeling, especially when its occurring 2.5 miles into a 10 mile race.

The 10 mile course was set up in a way that you made two loops through downtown Blacksburg (miles 1-4) and then completed an out and back on the Huckleberry Trail (miles 5-9) before finishing at the elementary school.  The Huckleberry Trail is an undulating 6 mile rail-to-trail path between Blacksburg and Chirstiansburg, the neighboring town.  Just prior to the three mile marker the race loops back toward town and splits with the 5k folks going right to the finish and the 10 miler's going left to begin their second loop through town.  It took a lot of will power for me to go left as the elementary school was in spitting distance and with it post race food and warmth.  Against my better judgement I went left and suffered through the next 7 or so miles. As I mentioned earlier, it was so cold out that it would take about 30 minutes of moving around to actually warm-up, well right around 3.5 miles I decided that I had enough of wearing the black gloves in my left hand below.  Conveniently, I was near the beginning of the out-and-back section on Huckleberry Trail and was able to drop them off with the volunteers.

Somewhere around the 3.5 mile mark.

The rest of the race was a continuous mental battle.  I had to set goals to prevent myself from walking by telling myself to just make it around the corner ahead and then to the next mile post.  Once I crossed over Tech Center Dr. (the road by the airport) which marked the last major uphill on the way back, I knew I only had about a mile left and could make it back.  After turning off the Huck there was a gradual 1/4 mile climb to Airport Rd. and the elementary school that seemed like it was forever.  I gave one look over my should to make sure no one was making sprint for the line and jogged the rest of the way in.

Approaching the finish line.

 

I can't say I was super pleased with how I ran.  I didn't feel great.  I felt like I lacked energy and had a negative attitude for most of the run but somehow managed to just barely miss a PR.  One thing that was different was that this was the first time I had run hard without having a beard.  After I crossed the finish line and met up with Michelle, I told her I couldn't feel my face...it really was that cold.

I managed to finish 9/22 for my age group and 45/181 with a time of 1:14:42.  

Overall Results

I did most post race hands on my knees "I feel awful" dance for a little while and headed inside for warmth and to find post race food.  Michelle was nice enough to make hot chocolate before we left which gave us an excuse to try out the new Stanley thermos I received for Christmas.

Michelle also had cookies waiting for me when I finished...in an attempt to avoid any hangry situations.

After a brownie and a a few cookies we decided it was time to head home.  It was a humbling first run of the year.  I am sure we'll be back next year...maybe I'll even convince Michelle to do the 5k? ...maybe I'll join her.

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2013 Race Schedule

Well...I have already disappointed on my two "goals" of January which were to 1) blog two additional times, specifically about the time Michelle and I spent in the Outer Banks over the new year and 2) my projected race schedule for 2013.  The second one I have no excuse for because I already had most of the post written, I just needed to tweak a few things and post it.  Better late than never I suppose.

So here it is...the moment all two of you (Thanks for reading Dad and Michelle!) have been waiting for!


Race Schedule 2013

January 

• 1/13/13 - Atlanta Hot Chocolate Run 15K Initially, when I wrote this post the Hot Chocolate 5K was in the projected schedule for 2013, but as we solidified our plans for the holidays this race was the first to meet the chopping block.  Probably because it was a little over 6 hours away and required a hotel, but also it was the only race we had planned for the holidays/break.  It's still high on my list of runs to do, eventually.  I mean they give out hoodies instead of race shirts AND the post race food is supposed to be AWESOME! Lets be honest, the food is really the whole reason I want to do the run!  The Hot Chocolate series is in a bunch of cities including Chicago, which is somewhere I've always wanted to visit, so maybe we'll put it on the calendar next year!

February

• 2/16/13 - Blacksburg Classic - Completed! My first race of the season and it was humbling.  Look for a full report sometime this week (or next month based on my recent reliability)!

March

• 3/16/13 - Rock 'n' Roll USAMarathon - Completed!
• Rock 'n' Roll USA (DC) Marathon Race Report pt. 1
• The Proposal - Rock 'n' Roll USA (DC) Marathon Race Report pt. 2

April

• 4/7/13 - Cherry Blossom 10 Miler ($40) - Registration opens 12/3/12
• 4/13/13 - Monument Avenue 10K ($30) - Registration opens 12/26/12
• 4/13/13 - The 3.2 Run in Remembrance (Free!) - Registered! Michelle and I will be running this one together.  This one is dear to our hearts and is important to complete together, as a team!
• 4/20/13 - Race to the Top - Duke Energy Stair Climb ($35) - Completed! Race Report
• 4/27/13 - Promise Land 50K++ - Completed! Race Report

The Duke Energy Stair Climb is a little different than anything I have ever attempted.  I view it as a stepping stone to my real goal of eventually completing the Empire State Building Run Up!

May (Build phase/Taper)

June

Still up in the air between these two races.  I believe I have now passed the cost of the registration fees listed below but I'm too lazy to look them up, yes I know I linked them right below but that would require me being interested in going to look.  I just know (believe) they're currently more now then when I wrote this.

**Updated 3/19/2013** I seem to get a little "registration crazy" after a big race, in this case the Rock 'n' Roll USA (DC) Marathon.  The idea of stepping up to the 50 miler has been discussed for some time now so I finally decided to act on it and register.

• 6/1/13 - North Face Endurance Challenge - Washington, D.C. - 50 Miler - Registered!
• 6/22/13 - Giles County Ultra ($75) - Registration opens 1/1/13

or and possibly

• 6/21/13 - Downtown Sundown 5K - This run is put on by Run About Sports for the downtown Blacksburg Summer Solstice Fest and hence the run starts at 8:30PM.  This wouldn't happen if I decided to run the Eastern Divide Ultra (Giles County above) but would work well with the North Face Endurance Challenge!

July (Rest)

August

• Draper Mile

September

• 9/15/2013 - Hokie Half Marathon

October

This is a big marathon month so it would be tough NOT to do something or find a race to build up to either of the races I have listed for November.  A half may fit in well here but I'm also tempted to consider running (or attempting to) two marathons in the span of one month, not a calendar month but in a four week period just to see how my body would hold up.  Further, if I ever intend to complete the 50 State Marathon Challenge I will have to learn how to accomplish the above mentioned.

• Brush Mountain Breakdown??
• ??

November

• Marshall University Marathon
• Crooked Road 24 HR

December

• 12/24/13 - Frosty 5K

So there you have it!  My 2013 race calendar laid out...nice and solidified! Right.  The nice thing about now have too many "big" races is the flexibility to do smaller, fun, local runs in the New River Valley Area!

I'm sure I will run some races that are not listed above and not run some that I have mentioned.  For example, the Lynchburg 10 miler could be a possibility this year, especially after I had such a blast racing it for free last year!  If anyone has a race they would be interested in doing together let me know, I'm always up for something new!

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2013 - A New Year

Wow. The first week of 2013 has already come and gone.  I've made it a goal this year to try to get back to blogging. The blog hasn't really worked for me recently.  Nine posts in 2012 is concrete proof.  I attribute the lack of posting to several factors but the big one is that I had shifted the blog toward posting around races and active events.  In some ways this cornered me into only posting when I had completed a race or something I felt worthy of posting.  I created this blog as an outlet to write and share fun things I'm passionate about, but also as a medium to stay connected with friends and family.  I  lost focus as to why I was writing in the first place.  I became too focused on pageviews and likes and realized I wasn't writing for myself but for other people.  I have to confess, for a long time this wasn't isolated only to blogging.

I try to always look at things with a positive light.  Maybe time away from writing the blog has given me clarity as to why I'm writing and the direction I want to take the blog in...at least that's how I feel now.  Unfortunately,  I chose not to write about some specific things that I really wanted to because it felt like work and I was disinterested.  Perhaps I'll write about them sometime this year or perhaps I won't...that's kind of the beauty of blogging

Maybe it's the engineer in me, but when thinking about things I want to accomplish in 2013 I wound up creating S.M.A.R.T. goals:

• Run 1300 miles for 2013
• In terms of attainable, I ran over 1000 miles in 2012 compared to ~600 in 2011.  My goal for 2012 was 1200.  I fell short but the goal drove me to achieve more then I thought I could.
• Redesign the blog by June 1st
• Modify the color scheme,  incorporate new plug-ins, create or work with a designer to make a custom template.
• Blog 24 times this year
• This one is pretty self explanatory.  I'm tired of the look and want to change up the blog to something more original..more me.
• Post more about cooking, design, photography, gadgets, school, etc. 
• Create a series on the blog and have at least 6 posts relating to it.  I've never done a series (like Friday review or Tuesday tasting) that I think it will force me to be creative.

I don't think any of the above are easy, but all of them are attainable.  I'm looking forward to writing about our recent week at the beach and goal races for 2013 in the month of January! 

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The Virginia (Lynchburg) Ten Miler Race Report

The Virginia Ten miler was not on my radar of events to consider running this year...or ever really. The more I think about it...I had heard of this particular event before, currently in its 39th running, but I can't say I had thought "that's a must do race for me."  However, having had the opportunity to run it last weekend (now finally publishing over a month ago), I must confess it made a big impression on me and it will certainly be on my calendar for years to come. The details surrounding the run were pretty unique, as I actually WON an entry into this years Genworth Virginia Ten Miler, but not won as in qualified or placed fast enough to be invited, instead WON as in FREE, like out of a hat free, thanks to Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine!  I had entered one of their giveaway contests for which my mentality is usually "I'll enter this because to have a chance to win, you have to enter" but usually don't think much about it as I've probably entered a couple dozen contests on their site without having ever heard anything (As a side note to Blue Ridge Outdoors, you guys should totally request contest winners to submit a blog entry or recap of the events).

As I left class Friday morning, a week prior to the race, I received a call from Blue Ridge Outdoors letting me know that I had been selected for a FREE (Yes, caps lock is necessary) entry to this years Genworth Virginia Ten Miler! I omitted the fact that I had been suffering from cold-like symptoms for the past 3 weeks and had just one week ago to the very hour been told I had bronchitis, but I thought "Hey, its FREE. Why not?" and just like that I began mentally preparing myself for the run in just over a week.  Through the fall my training had been perfect as I prepared for the Marine Corps Marathon in late October, but a cold had significantly derailed my training, so much so that my longest run through today is just over 16 miles...that's another blog post though.

My first run in three weeks came just 6 days before the Virginia Ten Miler, I decided to ease back into it and that 4 miles was an acceptable start. I felt comfortable through the first mile and a half or so, then began to feel as if my breathing was constricted and noticed I seemed to be working harder to maintain a "usual" pace.  I again managed runs on Tuesday and Wednesday leading up to Saturdays race of 4 and 9 miles respectively. Not having anything invested in the run it was easy to be relaxed and take it all in stride, as Fridays dinner wasn't your typical pasta dinner instead break-and-bake cookies were the fuel of choice.  I turned in for the evening around 11:30 and set my alarm for 3:45AM the next morning.

After stumbling around to find my phone to turn off my alarm, I shoveled in a bowl of Cheerios and a banana before jumping in the car for a what may be my earliest start for a race day...ever.  The first hour of the drive was relatively easy with the majority being on I-81 from Blacksburg up to exit 175 where I found the twistiest-foggiest road possible at 5 in the morning, I arrived at E.C. Glass High school just after 6AM and headed in to find my race bib and t-shirt. Unfortunately, they had run out and shirts were only guaranteed for runners who registered early....a bummer as the shirts were nice technical -t's, but again I only had gas invested in the drive to the run so I was just happy to be there participating.  I did however receive the nicest Brooks drawstring race bag I've seen which partially made up for not receiving a shirt.  I had a TON of time to sit around and wait, I found the heated seats in the Subaru particularly useful in helping the time pass.  My fear was falling asleep and missing the start so I eventually decided to pry myself from the cozy car and take in the overwhelming pungency of embrocation.

Around 7:50 all the runners began lining up for the 8AM start, they announced some of the elite athletes including 3 previous Virginia Ten Miler winners and a 2012 US Olympic trials athlete.  The coolest part however, was the honorary number 1 worn by a gentleman who had run all 38 previous Virginia Ten Milers, a true champion in my opinion.  I lined up in the 8:00-9:00 minute pace area and quickly realized that I was going to be passing A LOT of people in front of me.  The race also included a 4 mile run which started simultaneously so I think a lot of these folks were lining up based on the shorter distance.  When the horn sounded we all took off and to my surprise I felt fresh and light, I was very pleased considering I had missed three important weeks of training but knew it was way too early to tell where my fitness was.  The first few miles flew by and as I glanced down at my watch I knew I was running well based on the mid-7 minute miles I was doing.  I decided to go for it and see what I had in the tank, when the race split at the four mile mark I began looking ahead picking off runners one-by-one.  Just after mile 5 I put myself a bit into the red on an uphill in a park. I decided to ease off and allow myself to recover going from a 7:06 5th mile to a 7:26 6th mile.

 

I was forewarned the Saturday before the race by Michelle's dad that Lynchburg was a hilly town and to be prepared for nothing but up and down.  I had been to Lynchburg numerous times in the past but always in a car where its easy to ignore the grade of the road.  The great thing about the course was that it was an out and back, so you knew what you had to do on the way home and could conserve appropriately, this was also the downfall of the race.

Every time I went down a hill I thought there's another one for the way home, but the time away from running over the previous three weeks allowed me to attack each successive hill harder and continue to pick off runners.  As I approached mile eight I knew from the course description on the website that there was one long sustained hill between me and the finish, "the infamous Farm Basket Hill."  I have to admit, I did fade on this hill dropping from a 7:07 eighth mile to 7:28 and 7:49 ninth and tenth miles respectively. However, when considering the grade of the hill, Strava computes the Grade Adjusted Pace (GAP) which for the 8, 9, and 10 miles were 7:03, 6:59, and 7:09; so I was still turning over quick miles and consistent GAP for the entire race.

Crossing the finish line I was pleased with how I ran the race and the outcome of a new PR, 1:14:54. As I've mentioned before, I often establish these "arbitrary" goals for myself one of which was running a sub 1:15 and the other was finishing in the top 10% of the race. I established the 1:15 time from last years results where the top 10% (110/1102) was bounded by a time of 1:14:31 (110th place), but the 112 runner ran a 1:15.  The field this year was more competitive, where the top 10% (129/1299) was bounded by a time of 1:13:16, over a minute faster than 2011.  At the end of the day I finished 160/1299 or 12.3%, not bad but not where I wanted to be either.  The finish line festivities included pizza, bagels, and a variety of other snacks. I ventured over to the Blue Ridge Outdoors booth to thank them for the FREE entry and let them know I had an absolute blast!

Mile Splits with Grade Adjusted Pace (GAP)


Official Results

Eventually I hopped in my car, turned on the heated seats and drove home to watch my Hokies lose. As I mentioned above I will consider putting this race on my calendar next year as it's convenient to Blacksburg and a very well run event. I'd recommend it to anyone interested in a challenging course and to runners who prefer hills over the flats, like me.

The Awesome Finisher Medal!

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