Columbus Marathon - 10.16.11 Race Report

i can't even begin to consider how amazing the race was. not just because of a new race record for myself, but also because of the injuries i had going into the race.

since July, about 2 weeks prior to my 50 mile White River race, i suffered a stress fracture in my right shin. i was also nursing a stress fracture in my right foot, where my second toe connected. both were slight but noticeable. and both made running especially painful. but i kept it in my head that even with those, running the Maine Marathon on 10.02 hadn't actually felt all that bad once i got the legs moving and loosened up. so i figured i would be fine to complete the race. i had no expectations of Boston qualifying, or even of making a PR. BUT, i did have every intention of beating my last marathon time from Vermont City int he spring of 3:55:xx. i figured it wouldn't be hard. just go out, find a comfortable pace and stick with it...for 26.2 miles. Since i hadn't run any (aside from 3 short speed runs) distance since Maine Marathon, where i ended up running to the race and home from the race completing the whole day with 32+ miles, i thought my legs would be anxious to get some good miles logged.

before i go any further, i want to mention my marathon history in brief. the 2009 Maine Marathon was my first race ever. i had never competed in any race at any distance prior. i hadn't trained and didn't even sign up for the race until 30 minute before cut-off the evening before the race at the expo. it was just one of those "got nothin' better to do" things. i killed half a bottle of wine the night prior and got no sleep. i woke up sunday morning and ran the race, finishing with a time of 3:42:23. i hit the wall hard and ended up stretching/walking/jogging the final mile or two to the finish. i hated my body and my dumb head for thinking it would be "fun".

then Pat signed me up for the Chicago marathon in October 2010. it was a birthday gift. he can be an ass at times. i thought i could BQ and do pretty well given i had plenty of time to train and had even started to enjoy running since Maine. so i worked my but off running. didn't follow any plans, just started increasing my mileage by 2 miles for my long runs every weekend until i hit 22. during the week i would just run for as long as i could however fast i could. come Chicago i felt strong and anxious and ready. heat crept up and it was in the mid 60's by 4 am when i went out for my warm up run. by race start it was at least 70 and rising. i went out too strong and crumbled at mile 19, dropping to ground as my calves cramped up so hard they seized and my ass hit asphalt. i did my stretch/walk/jog routine till i hit the finish. i completed in 3:51:xx and sobbed because of how poorly i felt i did. not so much that i didn't BQ, but that i had done even worse than i had done the year previous after i had trained so hard.

so i picked Vermont City in May of 2011 and trained through the winter. screwing spikes into my shoes and taking on long run in the snow after the plows had gone out. i incorporated speed work. even though i still wasn't following a dedicated plan, i picked and pulled pieces from existing plans to forge one that worked out for my work schedule and my physical capabilities. VCM came and i was ready. i had someone who i had race the Eastern States 20 miler with earlier in the year, completing that race in 2:22:xx. so i felt more than ready, i felt almost god-like in my strength and will to crush both my previous times, and even BQ. especially given my 20 miler race! i crossed VCM in 3:55:xx and was in the med tent with full body cramps from hyponatremia. worst race of my life.

so fast forward to Columbus. shortly after VCM, i was back on the road logging as many miles as possible to prep for the 50 miler. training runs of 30-37 miles of hills at times, 3 hour LR's around town, and NO speedwork. i get to Columbus just hoping to enjoy it. it was going to be Ellie's first marathon, and given how much i enjoyed seeing Sara run and complete her first, i knew it would be great to get to experience another virgin marathoner entering the club. so i just wanted to run. i also decided to do my first race in my Vibram Five Fingers. i always just enjoyed running in them. it made me feel like i was kid again just running around the yard. i figured i had nothing to lose so why the fuck not.

i stepped into coral A and was only 20 or so feet from the start line. i knew that would be dangerous for me. i knew that i would be more likely to go out WAY TOO strong and cramp up again, as i had done in all my previous races. but i was there and nothing could change that. i just had to be smart...for at least once in my life. gun went off and my feet began to turn over. i watched as others passed me and i had to keep reminding myself that i needed to not be so damn competitive this time around.

i found my groove and settled in. after about 5 miles my stomach began to act up. i had to poo. i couldn't get it done at the hotel before the race, which had worried me a bit. i decided to see how far i could go before it got too bad. around mile 8 it was too much. i knew i could probably keep going, but my pace was going to suffer and i would just be miserable. better to stop. 6 minutes later, i was charging out the port-o-potty door and making up lost time. i was cruising past everyone and feeling so much...lighter!

eventually i came up on the 3:15 pace group and i was a bit shocked. i don't run with a garmin, so i was having to calculate my pace in my head. coming to an estimated finish time would too hard of math for me to comprehend, so i was only focusing on keeping a steady pace from mile marker to mile marker (7:30 first mile, need to make mile two by 15 minutes, etc.)

i ended up passing the 7:15 group and kept charging ahead. i passed mile 23 feeling strong and no signs of cramping. then around mile 24, i turned slightly to give props to a woman with a sign up. the ever so slight rotation made a tingle come up in my upper right calf. the first sign of a cramp and i knew it was going to come if i kept up that pace. so i slowed back a bit and the twinge dissipated. i kept the slower pace for a moment longer and began to push again. i felt good and kept pushing. slightly after mile 25, the twinge came back. i slowed a bit and it subsided. so i fucking pushed! it was the home stretch and i was not about to bow to a fucking cramp!

coming down the final .2, i began to raise my arms to get more cheering going. i am sure i looked like some sort of injured, mentally handicapped bird. i was in pain, my face was contorted and i don't believe i had enough upper body strength to actually raise my arms properly. but they got the picture and the volume got louder. it was great. i was pumping as much as i could into my legs and i even cruised past one more runner with only 30 feet to the finish. i could have sworn i was in an all out sprint. well, as much as you can sprint after 26 miles.

i crossed the line, not even looking at the clock and tried to remember to stop my watch. shortly after i was on the shoulders of two volunteers because i could barely stand. i was emotional and i could hardly breath, but i felt amazing. i immediately went to a person handing out medals and said "i NEED one of those!" my watch read 3:14:26! i had shattered my VCM time by more than 41 minutes and improved my previous best time by 28 minutes! i didn't BQ, but i also didn't expect to going into the race. but i know now that it is possible for me to. in fact, i feel so damn cocky from the race that i honestly think i can have a sub 3 hour marathon net year.

the down side to the race: i can't walk! literally, i can't flex my right ankle because what was a minor stress fracture prior to the race, is probably nearing a full blown fracture now. it is so bad, i was contemplating getting a wheelchair to cart me around the airport. elderly women with tennis ball-capped walkers move more gracefully and faster than i could right now. but fuck it, the body heals...right?!?!

so that's my race report. i know it's a bit long, but for someone to understand how much of a victory this is for me, i feel it's only fair to share how many times i have fallen to get here now.

p.s., major congrats to Ellie for completing her first marathon...and under the time she had expected to do it! 

my 50 mile race report

on July 30, 2011 i ran my first ultra marathon. the White River 50 Mile Endurance Race. it was my first ultra and also my first trail run. i ran it as a fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen foundation in honor of my aunt who passed from breast cancer in May of 2010. here is the email/race report that was sent out to those who supported and donated to my cause. at the end of the post, there is a link to a facebook photo album from the race.

Hello all,
So, this email is LONG overdue. And those of you who know me well, know that one of my "charming" qualities is my ability to procrastinate. But now that I've had some time to settle back into work and daily life, and the time to reflect on what we accomplished, I can now write about it.

First and foremost, thank you ALL!!!! The most amazing accomplishment was that we were able to raise $2,346.00 for Susan G. Komen's Maine affiliate. Our efforts will help with screenings, education and, most importantly, getting closer to a cure. Again, thanks to everyone for your donation and dedication to making a difference and supporting such and amazing organization.

I thought I might also share my "race report" of sorts. Show a few pictures, describe the experience and let you see what else your support helped accomplish.

THE BACK STORY:
Since my aunt Linda's passing in May of 2010, I had been wanting to do something to support Susan G Komen. I was also looking for a new personal challenge to test my own limits of endurance. Looking at race calendars for events happening across the country, I found the White River 50 Mile Endurance Run (whiteriver50.com). It had all the challenges I was looking for along with the perk of traveling to a part of the country I had yet to see. It was 50 miles, nearly all single track trail, a total elevation gain of 8,700 feet (total elevation change of 17,400 feet), two mountains to climb, each rewarding me with unobstructed views of Mt. Rainier as you ran the ridge top. There was no element of the race that I had experienced before. Everything was a first for me! So White River it is! This was going to be the race to honor Linda and help raise money for Susan G Komen. Thirty minutes later, I had registered for the race. Fiver seconds after that came the "OH S**T!" moment. Race directors are smart, they always make it clear there are no refunds for race registration fees.

GETTING MY INNER "PANSY" INTO SHAPE
I registered in April for White River. In May I was running the Key Bank Vermont City Marathon so any training specific to White River would have to wait until after the marathon, leaving only 9 weeks to get ready to take on 50 miles of trail and major elevation gain. The worst part, was that I had no idea HOW to train for something like this. Where in Maine was I going to find a run that would give me the same sort of elevation gain? Where was I going to find long enough trails to run on that would recreate what my feet were going to have to endure? How do I carry enough food and water for this sort of training? What do you eat for this sort of thing?

Luckily, I didn't have to take it on alone. Joanie Kallin was instrumental in my training and preparation for the race! There is no doubt in my mind, that had Joanie not been there to help and support me, I WOULD NOT have been able to finish Whit River! She put up with all my griping and worry and non-stop chatter about the race and training (I don't think anyone deserves to endure that much savant-esque chatter about running!). She was the poster child for selflessness and support.

With my marathon in Vermont over, I took a few days off then hit the pavement again. During the week, my goal was to get as much time on my feet as possible. I knew that I had to build up my physical and mental endurance. That i had to get my feet accustomed to taking a steady pounding for nearly 12 hours straight. This meant that I would be running 6 days a week. Running to work in the morning, with my clothes and thermos of coffee tucked into my bakpack. My direct commute is 6.5 miles door to door. If i woke up early enough, I would tack on extra miles in the morning. And, since I had ran to work, I was stuck running home as well. I would end a normal day having ran around 15-18 miles. On the days where i could not commute via foot, I would hit the pavement post work and just run for as long as I could to get used to being on my feet for hours. That was my week. My weekends were even more fun!

Joanie and I decided the best place to get the elevation gain needed, along with the distance and the uneven, gravel/rock/root terrain was to run the Kancamagus Highway in New Hamphire. The Kancamagus is a 35 mile long scenic byway that connects the towns of Conway and Lincoln through the White Mountains. Starting in Lincoln at 900 feet and rising to a little over 2,800 feet for roughly 12 miles to the peak. This was to be my training run! The first weekend Joanie and I trekked out the "The Kanc" we only covered 30 miles. Joanie dropped me off in Lincoln at the start of the Kanc and then drove back to the peak where there was a scenic overlook of the river valley and a parking lot. She would then start running down towards me and then we would run together back up to the car. Back at the car, we would decide how much further to go. Neither one of us really knew what we were taking on by trying to run up the Kanc, but we made it. When we reached the top we decided to tack on 10 more miles. So Joanie drove 10 miles down the road and parked (did i mention her patience). I finally made it to the car, and felt like i could do more. So Joanie drove another 7 miles down the road. Did i mention how fun the weekends of training were?

The next weekend, Joanie and I drove back out to the Kanc to do more. This time we had a better plan: we would BOTH run up from Lincoln to the summit, then back down to the parked car. Once back at the parked car, I would begin my second trek up the hill to the scenic overlook at the summit, where Joanie would meet me with the car...and a large bottle of ibuprofen. We were also smarter about carrying water and food. This time, on our way to Lincoln, we stopped at the scenic overlook and left a drop bag full of water, peanut M&M's, clementines, sport beans, honey waffles and body glide. We also left a cute note pinned to the bag to deter any would be thieves. That day Joanie and I ran the furthest either one of us ever had. We drove back to Portland with 25 and 37 miles covered respectively! That day was the major confidence boost I needed.

At this point, I was running around 75-100 miles per week. Unfortunately, it started to take its toll on my feet. Three weeks prior to the race, i developed two stress fractures, one in each foot. This dramatically reduced my mileage and my confidence. I was lucky to get a run in that lasted longer than 5 miles due to the pain in my right foot. I kept telling myself it was too late to back out. Donations had been made, plane tickets bought, hotels booked and too many miles ran to have a little pain stop the momentum.

OH, THOSE ARE THE MOUNTAINS I'M GONNA BE RUNNING!
I'm finally in Washington state along with Mom, Dad and Joanie; my support crew. We are all loaded up in the car and heading towards Crystal Mountain where the start line awaits us. We make it to the resort where we will spend the next two nights, and which is also hosting the race. We check in for the race and grab a bag of race goodies then grab a glass of wine to calm the nerves. There is a pasta dinner that evening at the resort pub where many of the runners have gathered to get a briefing from the race director about the conditions of the trail, amenities, course rules, etc. This is when I really became anxious. Imagine small pub full of other running masochists all chomping at the bit to hit the trail in the morning...the energy was amazing. Usually, before a marathon, you have the expo where vendors sell their wares and you peruse and maybe chat with a few strangers. But mostly, you check out the scene then split to your dinner and get some rest. There is less a sense of community. This was completely opposite. There were no vendors, aside from one sponsor who was more about grabbing a beer than selling a shoe. Everyone was friendly and talkative. And this was only the tip of the iceberg.

With a a full belly, a course briefing and a glass of wine (or two), we head back to the room to to fill the drop bags for the race and get all things prepped for the next morning. After a few hours, the drop bags are set and ready to go. Each one containing a salt pill, two ibuprofen, 3 bags of sport beans, 2 honey waffles and a electrolyte tab to drop in my water bottle. Joanie and my parents are all asleep, but my nerves and I are still pacing the room. That's when a bottle of red wine comes in handy. Another glass (or two) later and I can smell sleep.

WHAT AM I WAKING UP AT 3 AM TO DO AGAIN!?!
My alarm goes off and I hit snooze. My second alarm goes off, I reach for snooze but realize I'm only prolonging the punishment. I roll out of bed and start my pre-race rituals: make some tea, toast some carbs, lather in peanut butter, pull all my drop bags together, recount them, double check my backpack to make sure everything needed is there, find my clothes, make sure my bib is attached, fill my water bottle, fill my waist pack with food and tissue (you never know), potty break, another cup of tea, another slab of carb doused in PB. The SC (Support Crew) begins to wake up and get ready. Shortly thereafter we are in the car driving to the start line at an old airstrip about 7 miles up the road.

There's an odd sense of calm at the start line, even though there is a constantly growing mass of runners and supporters buzzing around in the still dark morning. The sun has yet to come up, and we are 15 minutes away from the 5:30 am start. Mentally I have resigned myself to the fact that every moment from now until the finish is done. Done in the sense that there is no more prepping I can do, there is no more training I can take on to better my chances, no rest to give to the stress fractures in my feet. I just have myself as I stand, SC who I will see along the route several times and my stubborn and competitive will (another one of my "charming" qualities to those who know me well).

5:30 am sharp the bullhorn goes off and we start our day long stroll through the mountains. The only sound is from the pack of runners' feet hitting the gravel road. A short minute later and we are running along a river beneath the trees coming to our first ascent. Then, we start our trek up! This climb will last for roughly 15 miles until we summit and then begin our ridge line run. Within those first 15 miles we will gain roughly 3,500 feet in elevation, nearly all of which is on a trail barely wide enough for one runner to pass another on switchbacks that seem to NEVER end. I came into the first aid station, only 4 miles into the race and I knew that I hadn't trained enough. But again, I had resigned to the fact that there was nothing more I could do except continue. My SC were ready at the first aid station with my words of encouragement and support, I tell them that this is already (still 46 miles to go) harder than anything I had expected, strip off my shirt and I am back on the trail heading to aid station #2 at mile 12.

Just out of the first aid station is where the switchbacks start. They are endless and taunting. You can't see the top or final one so you can't get a sense of how much to push of pull yourself back. You get to the point where you quit counting them. The crowd of runners has also thinned out at this point. I've pulled ahead of the majority of the pack and have found two other runners who look like they know what they are doing. So I fall into the same pace as them in hopes that they will keep my speed in check.

We're getting higher and the switchbacks are never ending. At this point I've passed the second aid station (mile 12), jumped over downed trees, ran under other ones, lost my footing on the edge of a switchback or two and had to climb two stories of wooden stairs up along side a waterfall. I'm hurting the say the least. Coming to the "switch" part of a switchback, the trees open up and I can see Mt. Rainier for the first time. It is amazing! Not a single cloud in the sky, temps in the 60's with a gentle breeze through the trees. Everything was simply beautiful and perfect. Another runner came jogging up and i said to him "with a view like this who needs gu!". I felt like I had just started the race all over again, renewed and full of awe.

We're are getting closer to the first peak. I know because there is now patches of snow covering the trail, averaging about 2 feet deep. They had mentioned that the last 1.5 miles to the summit was covered in snow. So they had put up sections of rope to hang onto for the steep sections. How considerate! Luckily it was all packed down pretty well and our feet didn't dig in too deep.

After the snow the trees opened up and it was only a short distance to the aid station at mile 17. From there it was all downhill...till the second mountain. Now it was time to go back down through the same snow that we had just trudged up. I have never been in a more controlled chaotic moment in my life. I felt like a child again and just let me feet go with gravity and bombed back down through the snow. It wasn't so much running as it was finding footing every so often to keep your speed in check. I was hooting and hollering and exclaiming my presence to all the other runners I was catching up to.

I somehow managed to make it back down the mountain without a single fall. The race course then takes you back to the start area for aid station #5 at mile 27. When I arrived my SC was waiting with camera bag in hand. We chatted a bit as I at a PB&J, some soda and some boiled potatoes dipped in salt. I refilled my water bottle, re-stocked my waist pack and was ready to go. I was amazed at how GOOD I felt. I felt as if I had only ran about 10 miles and yet I was over halfway through the course. One more mountain to go!

Back into the woods, across the road and onto the switchbacks. The ascent up to the second peak was pure switchbacks and over half of it was in direct sun. The temps had warmed to the mid 70's with zero clouds. Again, the views of Mt. Rainier and river valley below were amazing! I could have stayed up there all day taking in the view.

Aid stations #6 & #7 were themed and full of extremely energetic volunteers. Aid station #6 at mile 32 had a tropical theme, with inflatable fish and palm trees. The best part was the west sponges and spray bottles to cool yourself with. Aid station #7 at mile 37 was an American Pride theme with American flags waiving and Bruce Springsteen blaring from a stereo. This was also the final aid station before you final descent back to the finish line. As the volunteers spotted you coming up they would immediately begin to cheer and shout your name and encourage you on. Once at the top they would take your wattle bottle, refill it, find your drop bag and stand there with it open so you could simply take what you needed. Everyone was so amazing you couldn't help but smile.

Final downhill, this should be easy right!?! The next 7 miles from aid station #7 were along an old gravel fire road with a very steep incline. Running downhill can be more challenging than running uphill, especially at such an angle and especially for so long. I had to stop twice because i felt my left knee buckling and wanting to give. Once at the bottom, you cross back over the road and follow the river through the woods with some slight rolling hills. You then come out onto a dirt road leading back to the airstrip where you first started, 50 miles and nearly 11 hours ago. You make a left onto another dirt road and you see banners ahead marking the final yards of the race, where everyone is positioned on either side to cheer you in across the finish. Coming down the chute, my legs felt fresh again. I saw my SC to my right and a wave of emotion crept up on me as people were cheering and clapping and I saw my mom running to the finish line to meet me there (I actually think she beat me!).

I crossed the finish line in 10:36:15 feeling great! Seeing my parents and Joanie and thinking about what I had just finished I again had a wave of emotion come over me. It was more difficult to keep from crying than it was to keep from falling over.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Since the concept of rest is rather lost on me, I am already looking for the next challenge...and another shot at hitting the $3000 goal for Susan G Komen! So here's what I am thinking: 2 marathons 2 weeks apart. I will run the Maine Marathon on October 2nd, then fly to Columbus, Ohio to run the Nationwide Insurance Columbus Marathon on October 16th. Both races will be in honor of my aunt Linda and both will be fund raisers for Susan G Komen. Here's the link again:
http://maine.info-komen.org/site/TR/Events/BAN_MaineAffiliate?pxfid=170390&fr_id=1874&pg=fund

This time I won't be running alone, nor will I be alone working to fund raise for a worthy cause. Sara Germann, another strong runner, is working to fund raise as well. Sara Germann recently completed the Sonoma Wine Country Half Marathon as a part of Team Challenge which works to fund raise for The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). Here is an excerpt from her fund raising email:

"I am again fundraising for the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA), an organization that provides support, education and research for individuals and families who deal with these conditions on a daily basis. Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are chronic, painful, and often times debilitating conditions of the gastrointestinal tract that affect at least 6 million people in the US, most under the age of 30. Imagine being a teenager and being unable to attend school, or frankly even leave the house due to pain and diarrhea. It can be isolating and life changing. Some patients will eventually need surgery, often requiring a colostomy. There are medications to control and manage the symptoms but there is no cure. We can change that through this kind of fundraising.

Why does this mean so much to me? I have ulcerative colitis, diagnosed 4 years ago. But I'm so lucky. Medications have kept me to minimal flare ups of my colitis and I live a happy fulfilling life. The CCFA provided me with support that really helped me through the difficult times in the beginning when I could barely leave the house. So, I want to run this half marathon in order to give back to the foundation that helped me and maybe, with continued effort, we can finally find a cure. After all, at 30 this isn't so hard to deal with. But a 6 year old shouldn't be homebound."

Sara will be running the Maine Marathon with me in an effort to further her fund raising for CCFA, AND to complete HER FIRST MARATHON! Here is the link to her fund raising page: http://www.active.com/donate/napa11newengland/NAPASGerman

Here is Sara's email if you have any questions in regards to supporting her cause: sara_germann@hotmail.com


Let's keep this great momentum going (please, so I can take a break from this running thing!). Sara and I both are very close to our goals, we only need a small push to get there. Please share this with your friends and family. Event though they may not know Sara's or my own personal connection to our causes, they may know someone else who Crohns or Colilitis or breast cancer may afflict. I ask that you share now as a way of giving (although neither one of us would say know to a donation!).

Truth be told, the experience I had, from the moment I initially emailed everyone about my goal, has been awe inspiring. The supportive emails, calls and texts. The generosity shown in the amount of money we were able to raise. The selfless giving of their time and energy and support by may parents and Joanie. My amazing Support Crew!!! To the three of you, I owe a special thank you. My jaw still drops when I reflect upon how much everyone gave of themselves to help me.


Here is a link to a gallery of images from the race. If anyone has trouble viewing it, please let me know and I will fix it.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150270760119871.348788.519344870&saved

so it's been a while...

it's been nearly 2 years since my last post. and even that wasn't too much of a post. more just a link. but i should probably get back to this blog thing. not necessarily because i have demanding followers, but because it gave me something to do. it was a focus point at times. i could probably use that again now.

so what's happened in the past 2 years? from what i can recall, not a hell of a lot. then again, i have started to black out when i go out drinking more often, so there are probably plenty of things that have happened that i can't recall.

i did open a new studio. my humble 630 sq/ft. studio of just i, is now a spacious, modern 16,000 sq/ft. space with 9 full time employees and a slew of freelance help that squeezes in during peak production times. so that's a pretty positive thing.

i had a slew of freelance hit me for a few months. that was another fun thing, but has since died down. fun food clients like Boston Magazine, Formaggio Kitchen and The Salt Exchange.

i ran 2 more marathons: Chicago 2010 and Vermont City 2011. i also completed my first ultra marathon. the White River 50 Mile Endurance Run in Crystal River, WA. my first, ultra and my first trail run. i have two more marathons lined up for the rest of the year, then a break...maybe a break.

i tested some more food photography. not nearly as much testing as i would have liked, but i did get some in. i also played around with 3D food photography. need to try and do more with it, but it's a start. a seed planted in the least.

(you'll need the paper red and blue lens glasses to get the effect)

so maybe i can be a bit more devout about this blog from here on. definitely won't be on a daily basis, but at least a few times a month.

day 179

it's official, i am a published writer!

i will fill in the back story later, but here is the link for now:

http://www.portlandfoodheads.com/

day 178

finally have a shot of me from my marathon. yippeee!!! so i just had to share

day 177

today i ran my first marathon. i finished in 3:43. here is my list of things to do/not do for my next distance race (i am hoping for an endurance challenge of 50K next fall).

1 - actually fucking train for this shit. i am not the young buck i once was. i can not just get out and run anymore. the longest distance i had conquered prior to this race was 17.7 miles...and that was nearly two months before the race. i also hadn't ran one mile for the past two weeks. not smart.

2 - eat more. a rough estimate of the calories i burned today was 3100. that is more than i typically take in on a normal day. i had one piece of bread with almond butter and honey before the race. that isn't so bad since i didn't want to have a heavy stomach for a long run. but my dinner only consisted of two pieces of bread and a small plate of farro with chicken sausage and tomato sauce. i burned that up within the first 5 miles of the race.

3 - a little red wine with dinner, like a glass, probably isn't too bad. but half a bottle just before you go to sleep is not the best. i think i was feeling a slight red wine hangover around 2 a.m. DO NOT DRINK BEFORE I LONG RACE!

4 - bring more gu's or gel blocks or whatever it is that you need to fuel the body on the run. i had two gu's on hand for the run. i was expecting to take one ever 50-60 minutes. that probably would have been fine if i had only ran for 2.5 hours. but i was running for 3.75 hours. i could have killed two additional gu's in that time.

5 - although they may look like overkill, get a fuel belt. i carried a fuel bottle with me that had a pouch for my money (in case i decided to take a cab), chap stick, imodium and gu. several times during the run my hand began to cramp up from carrying the bottle. i would switch to the other hand, but it just felt odd to carry it in the opposite hand that i had been accustomed to. may sound like no big deal, but the smallest infractions on you comfort are huge when all your body wants to do is say "fuck off" and die. i also would have been able to carry more gu or fuel if i had a belt. i could have even carried a camera which would have been fun to have for just stupid little pics along the run.

6 - wear a sleeveless shirt or something that doesn't fit too close to the armpits. not only do the nips chafe, but so do your pits. not cool! oh, and lube the nips. i didn't start to bleed, but damn they were hurting when i threw some soap and hot water on them in the shower.

7 - no matter what, no matter how bad the leg cramp is or how loudly your body is screaming at you to stop, DON"T! i am not saying don't walk if you need to regain some energy. i am saying do not just stop moving. big mistake on my part when i stepped off tot he side of the road to down some gatorade and just let the muscles catch up. instead of re-energizing they seized up and created the worst cramps i have ever had. these cramps came back twice in the race and literally brought me to my knees in pain. so, next time keep walking and if you do start to cramp up, just keep walking and then maybe a slow jog.

8 - get a better mix tape for the run. i was bored with everything i had on my mix. couldn't find some music to really inspire and push me towards the end.

9 - tell people you are going to be running and ask that they support you at the finish line. there was only one person in town that knew i was going to be running this race. i didn't tell people ahead of time or request that anyone show up to help support me, so i am not complaining that friends weren't there. i did have one friend there that was supportive and gave me a big congrats.
but when i finished the race i saw friends/family cheering on their racer and then supporting them after they crossed the finish line. it was rather lonely when i crossed the finish line. i pretty much sat back and watched everyone else being greeted by friends and family. again, my own fault for not informing anyone that i was going to be doing this.

overall a pretty successful run. i placed 23 out of 82 in my age group (30-40), with a time of 3:42:23. i walked maybe a quarter mile of the race, including water stations. i had to stop running three times total, two due to severe muscle cramping in my thighs and once to pee. with the stops and the walking my time breaks down to an 8.5 minute mile, which is only a minute slower per mile than what i normally run. and if you take out the time i spent stopped or peeing, then i was actually averaging a faster pace while running/walking.

the funniest pert about the experience to me was my attitude change. i left that race questioning why the fuck i did it? why does anyone want to put their bodies through that sort of pain and beating? i honestly did not even want to think about running. never once did i say to myself, "next time". fuck that, i was in pain and i was not feeling great about what i had just done. even the fact that i had just completed a marathon was a big "so what" to me. i hurt too much. but today, sore as hell, barely able to make it up the stairs, i think i can shave off 15 minutes from my time for my next marathon.

day 176

i am trying to revamp my food portfolio. move out the old, pull in some new. maybe re-think the color/B&W combinations of a few existing shots, etc.

in doing so i have pulled a few new images. some of these images aren't necessarily new because they were recently shot. they were actually shot about 2 years ago and i had just forgotten about them and happen to stumble across them. some are new images that were shot this past weekend at the common ground fair and Krista's.

i am wanting to try and cull back the number of shots i have in my food portfolio. i think it is getting a bit too heavy in content and therefore possibly boring people before they actually make it to the end of the portfolio.

so, i could use a bit of help with this. if anyone has the time, please take a gander at my food portfolio and let me know which images i should pull. i am also posting some of the new images and would love some feedback as to whether or not i should put them into the portfolio.

cheers and thanks.