Doing Something Dopey

I am in the final 6 weeks of training for the Blue Ridge Relay.  The heat here in Arizona is definitely taking its toll.  I have found that when I need to run more than 8 miles the heat really makes it hard to keep running.  I decided a long time ago that if I feel like I am starting to overheat that I will just take a short walk break to recover a bit.  This of course means that my paces suffer in the summer.  It doesn’t matter.  I am still getting in the required mileage and know that when the cooler temps come again my pace will pick up.

I have been looking for a new challenge.  I am taking on over 24 miles in this relay.  I have run 14 overnight adventure relays so far.  While I really enjoy them and they are challenging, I needed something new to get my competitive juices flowing.  Another marathon would be interesting but I have conquered that distance 9 times.  So when my daughter called to see if I wanted to run the Disney World Half Marathon with her, I said yes.  But I had read about a challenge that interested me called The Dopey Challenge.  How appropriate a name for this event.

I decided to sign up for The Dopey Challenge and will be running it in January 2019.  What is the challenge?  It is simply running all 4 races that are scheduled for the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend.  Here is how Disney describes it:

It's four days of race magic for a total of 48.6 miles in the Dopey Challenge! Participants will run the 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Walt Disney World® Marathon back-to-back days. If you complete all four races within the pacing requirements you will be awarded the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge medal and the Dopey Challenge finisher medal in addition to the individual race medals for a total of six pieces of "bling."
I am so fired up to train for this race challenge.  The best part is that my daughter is going to run the 10K and Half Marathon with me.  The only thing I know is that I will have to finish the marathon in 5 hours and 30 minutes or less.  In my worst marathon performance when I had injured my hamstring, I was able to finish in under 5 hours.  So I think I can get in the 26.2 miles in less than 5 and a half hours.  Of course, I will have already run 22.4 miles.  Maybe I shouldn’t be so sure.  Regardless, the overnight relays have prepared me for running on tired legs which is a plus.

I can’t wait to see how my body holds up as I run a 5K, 10K, Half Marathon and Marathon on back-to-back days.  I think that all of my mearthon training and relay races have adequately prepared me for this type of challenge.  But before I start thinking about the Disney race, I need to remain focused on getting in the hill training required to allow me to successfully complete my 3 legs in the Blue Ridge Relay in September.

God I love this sport!

Jun 11 – 6.10 miles (1:04:50, 10:38 pace) – Hill Repeats
Jun 12 – 6.30 miles (53:49, 8:33 pace) – Speed work
Jun 14 – 7.10 miles (1:01:19, 8:38 pace) – Tempo Run
Jun 15 – 6.20 miles (56:03, 9:02 pace)
Jun 16 – 10.10 miles (1:36:47, 9:35 pace)
Jun 17 – 11.20 miles (1:45:16, 9:24 pace)
Jun 18 – 6.10 miles (1:05:21, 10:43pace) – Hill Repeats
Jun 19 – 6.30 miles (53:41, 8:31 pace) – Speed work
Jun 21 – 9.20 miles (1:19:54, 8:21 pace) – Tempo Run
Jun 22 – 7.10 miles (1:07:53, 9:34 pace)
Jun 23 – 11.10 miles (1:46:40, 9:37 pace)
Jun 24 – 11.30 miles (1:48:43, 9:37 pace)
Jun 25 – 6.10 miles (1:08:22, 11:13 pace) – Hill Repeats
Jun 26 – 7.10 miles (59:58, 8:27 pace) – Tempo Run
Jun 28 – 3.10 miles (23:30, 7:35 pace) – Speed work
Jun 29 – 6.10 miles (59:07, 9:42pace)
Jun 30 – 10.10 miles (1:34:19, 9:20 pace)
July 1 – 13.30 miles (2:02:35, 9:13 pace)
July 2 – 8.10 miles (1:27:34, 10:49 pace) – Hill Repeats
July 3 – 6.30 miles (53:46, 8:32 pace) – Speed work
July 5 – 8.10 miles (1:19:54, 8:32 pace) – Tempo Run
July 6 – 7.10 miles (1:09:16, 9:45 pace)
July 7 – 12.10 miles (1:59:14, 9:51 pace)
July 8 – 6.20 miles (1:00:49, 9:49 pace)
July 9 – 6.10 miles (1:07:54, 11:08 pace) – Hill Repeats
July 10 – 6.20 miles (53:33, 8:38 pace) – Speed work
July 12 – 6.10 miles (53:24, 8:45 pace) – Tempo Run
July 15 – 7.10 miles (1:04:13, 9:03 pace)
July 16 – 6.10 miles (55:03, 9:01 pace)
July 17 – 3.10 miles (1:19:54, 7:40 pace) – Speed work
July 19 – 8.10 miles (1:08:46, 8:29 pace) – Tempo Run
July 20 – 7.10 miles (1:09:01, 9:43 pace)
July 21 – 6.20 miles (55:35, 8:58 pace)
July 22 – 12.50 miles (2:03:29, 9:53 pace)

Total Miles:  260.4 miles
2018 Total Miles:  1,021.0 miles

Run for Joy

Back in April of 2014 at age 53, I suffered my first really serious injury that sidelined me for a while.  I had injured my hamstring while running the Boston Marathon.  While I persevered and finished the race, I am now not sure that was the best thing I could have done.  Looking back I realize that the injury could have ended my running life entirely.  That is a truly sobering thought as running is a integral part of who I am and my life.  The good news is that when I start to feel the niggling pains that could signal an injury I immediately pull back and reset my training expectations.  I have no intention of giving up on running especially due to a chronic injury.

What most runners fail to realize is that running is supposed to bring joy into your life.  It is not supposed to be something you have to do.  Sure it helps you feel good.  It keeps you healthy.  It helps you maintain a healthy weight.  But if you are pushing yourself hard all the time, you are really missing the point.  You should be embracing the fact that getting out on the road simply brings you joy and happiness.  The simple pursuit of running and sharing what you feel with others is truly what it is all about.  Why would you ever risk losing that just to hit a certain time split in your training program.

Today if I am not feeling up to a scheduled run, I change it up.  Maybe I just run a shorter distance or skip it altogether.  Skipping a scheduled run is in reality no big deal.   The key is to realize that handling failure or lack of desire is a learned skill.  Since coming back from my injury, I try to simply chalk up every failure, slow race time, or bonking as an opportunity to grow and improve.  Let's be realistic, no runner will go an entire career without having to deal with some sort of failure.   The big difference is in the attitude.  I choose to have the attitude that my many failures are simply a step towards becoming a better runner.

I have also changed my attitude towards my training.  I obviously try and meet my training goals.  I do work hard and at least twice a week I do speed work and tempo runs to improve my overall speed and stamina.  But if I am out on the road trying to finish one of my two weekend long runs and I just don't seem to have the gas to run the whole way, I simply stop and walk a bit until I feel better.  Sure it means I will log a much slower pace.  But I certainly won't do any damage to my body nor reduce the passion I have for the sport.  Besides who really cares if I run 10 miles at a 9:00 or 10:00 pace.

It is more important to feel gratitude that I can get out there and run whenever I want.  At 56 years old it is a gift to be able to continue to run and race like I do each year.  Therefore when I am having a rough time out there on the road, feeling stressed, I remind myself that I get to do this each morning.   I don't have to get up early and log the miles.  I choose to.  If I am truthful to myself, this little reminder brings me back to center and I am grateful to just be out there running.

May 14 – 6.10 miles (1:07:26, 11:03 pace) – Hill Repeats
May 15 – 6.20 miles (53:51, 8:41 pace) – Speed work
May 17 – 9.30 miles (1:21:30, 8:46 pace) – Tempo Run
May 18 – 6.20 miles (55:02, 8:53 pace)
May 19– 8.50 miles (1:15:16, 8:51 pace)
May 24 – 9.40 miles (1:22:24, 8:51 pace) – Tempo Run
May 25 – 7.20 miles (1:05:19, 9:04 pace)
May 26 – 10.40 miles (1:35:15, 9:10 pace)
May 27 – 10.10 miles (1:30:57, 9:00 pace)
May 28– 6.10 miles (1:09:46, 11:15 pace) – Hill Repeats
May 29 – 6.30 miles (53:35, 8:52 pace) – Speed work
May 31 – 9.40 miles (1:21:51, 8:42 pace) – Tempo Run
Jun 1 – 6.10 miles (55:42, 9:08 pace)
Jun 2 – 8.10 miles (1:14:10, 9:09 pace)
Jun 3 – 11.20 miles (1:51:26, 9:57 pace)
Jun 4 – 6.10 miles (1:01:33, 10:05 pace)
Jun 5 – 3.10 miles (23:55, 7:43 pace) – Speed work
Jun 7 – 9.40 miles (1:22:11, 8:45 pace) – Tempo Run
Jun 8 – 7.10 miles (1:07:21, 9:29 pace)
Jun 9 – 10.30 miles (1:38:06, 9:31 pace)
Jun 10 – 10.10 miles (1:35:17, 9:26 pace)

Total Miles:  166.6 miles
2018 Total Miles:  760.6 miles

Running Allows us to Live Life to the Fullest

“People sometimes sneer at those who run every day, claiming they'll go to any length to live longer. But don't think that's the reason most people run. Most runners run not because they want to live longer, but because they want to live life to the fullest. If you're going to while away the years, it's far better to live them with clear goals and fully alive then in a fog, and I believe running helps you to do that. Exerting yourself to the fullest within your individual limits: that's the essence of running, and a metaphor for life — and for me, for writing as whole. I believe many runners would agree”
― Haruki Murakami, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running

I love this quote from Murakami.  He is absolutely right.  I may run to stay healthy and live a longer life but it is really so that I can live a fuller life.  Apparently I have translated my love for running to my children.  Most recently my daughter signed up to run her first Half Marathon.  Up to this point in time, she had run a few 5K races and ran regularly for exercise.  While my initial reaction to the news was trepidation, I knew that it was her way of living her life to the fullest.  How could that be a bad thing no matter what happened on race day.

When she told me she had signed up for the race, I asked if she wanted me to come down and run it with her.  She politely declined.  She wanted to do this on her own.  That is something I understood fully.  when I started racing long distances, I wanted to do it on my own.  She and I talked a few times about her training.  I offered a little advice here and there.  But if there is one thing I know about her, when she decides to do something she gets it done.  I am constantly amazed at her tenacity and confidence.  I am so proud of all that she has accomplished so far in life.

In the past, she had set goals in life to finish college and work for Disney.  Both of which she accomplished.  This time she had set a physical goal for herself.  One that would challenge her in ways she hadn't dealt with before.  She is a strong willed woman and put in the time and effort to fully prepare for the challenge she signed up for.  When we talked about the race, she told me she had a goal to break 3 hours in her first half marathon.  A very reasonable goal considering she had never run this type of distance before.

On April 22, 2018, she lined up at the Disney World Resort to run the 2018 Star Wars Half Marathon – The Dark Side.  The only thing I could do here in Arizona was follow her on the web.  I certainly can't detail her race experience her as I wasn't there.  But she texted me immediately after she had finished the race.  Her excitement about her achievement came through loud and clear.   She was so proud of herself.  And she should be! Through the runner's high she told me she wanted to run another one.  She had run her first Half Marathon in 2:34:27!  What an accomplishment.  She had definitely exerted herself to the fullest and conquered the course.

Now she is going to sign us up to run the Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon this November.  And I get to have her join my Penguin relay team in the Blue Ridge Relay in September.  She is filling in for one of our runners who can't participate due to an injury.  I am so thrilled that she is building the same passion for this sport that I have harbored for over 30 years.  I am looking forward to many more races with her.  But I am even more looking forward to hearing her excitement about life as she continues to be fully alive in this world.

Apr 16 – 5.10 miles (50:10, 9:50 pace) – Hill Repeats
Apr 17 – 6.50 miles (55:09, 8:29 pace) – Speed work
Apr 19 – 8.50 miles (1:14:35, 8:46 pace) – Tempo Run
Apr 21 – 8.10 miles (01:13:15, 9:02 pace)
Apr 22 – 9.30 miles (1:24:21, 9:04 pace)
Apr 23 – 5.10 miles (51:55, 10:11 pace) – Hill Repeats
Apr 24 – 6.50 miles (54:55, 8:27 pace) – Speed work
Apr 26 – 5.10 miles (43:12, 8:28 pace) – Tempo Run
Apr 27 – 4.10 miles (45:42, 11:09 pace)
Apr 28 – 4.50 miles (40:00, 8:53 pace)
May 1 – 5.10 miles (49:00, 9:36 pace)
May 2 – 6.50 miles (55:09, 8:29 pace) – Speed work
May 3 – 5.10 miles (45:07, 8:51 pace)
May 4 – 8.70 miles (1:16:31, 8:48 pace) – Tempo Run
May 5 – 8.10 miles (1:16:14, 9:25 pace)
May 6 – 8.50 miles (1:17:56, 9:10 pace)
May 7 – 6.10 miles (1:06:47, 10:57 pace) – Hill Repeats
May 8 – 3.10 miles (23:44, 7:39 pace) – Speed work
May 10 – 8.20 miles (1:11:34, 8:44 pace) – Tempo Run
May 11 – 6.10 miles (54:48, 8:59 pace)
May 12 – 5.10 miles (45:12, 8:52 pace)
May 13 – 11.30 miles (1:42:19, 9:03 pace)

Total Miles:  144.7 miles
2018 Total Miles:  594.0 miles

Password Penguin is Running the 2018 Blue Ridge Relay

It is finally confirmed.  My relay team Password Penguin will be running the 2018 Blue Ridge Relay on September 7 and 8.  The Blue Ridge Relay (BRR), which is one of the longest running relay races in the United States.  The race takes place in the Blue Ridge and Black Mountains of Virginia and North Carolina.  BRR starts in Grayson Highlands State Park, VA at an elevation of 4920′, near the base of Mount Rogers (5729′) which is the highest peak in Virginia.

What we are most excited about is that the course follows scenic country roads the entire race.  We will be running through North Carolina’s High Country all the way to the finish in Asheville, NC.  When we looked at the course we saw that we will have the chance to see some really spectacular scenery.  According to the race description some of the highlights will include the balds of Grayson Highlands State Park, the New River, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Grandfather Mountain (5964′) and the Toe and Cane Rivers.  What more could you ask for in a 208 mile race.

We were looking for a fall relay since we had such a beautiful race in Michigan last year in the fall.  We felt that the BRR would give us the opportunity to run a very scenic race and on some roads less travelled.  What we didn't realize at the time was how difficult this course will be for us.  All of my team are recreational runners now that we are all mostly in our 40s+.  Our fastest days are mostly behind us.   Some of us even ran in college.  Many of us have run multiple marathons.  We will need all of that mental and physical training to conquer this course.  It is definitely not going to be one for the faint of heart.

The race course crosses back and forth across the spine of the Blue Ridge Mountains with a cumulative elevation gain of 27,000 vertical feet.  Some relay veterans say that this is the toughest relay road race in the nation.  27,000 vertical feet is almost like climbing Mount Everest.  But Mount Everest climbers actually start at 17,000 feet on their way to the summit at 29,029 feet.  Luckily no one runner has to take on the entire vertical climb.  But in looking at the course map, there is not one runner who will not be conquering some serious hills. So no one will be able to complain that their legs are any harder than the rest of the team.

I have not actually run this race so I am having to look at the legs only on maps to see what I am in for.  What I have determined is that the course runs between 1500’ and 4000’ vertical feet every three or four legs.  Like all of the other relays we have participated in the legs are easy, moderate, hard and very hard.  But this race has rating I have never seen before mountain goat hard (MGH).  It looks like there is a reason for this rating as the MGH legs have climbs exceeding 6% along the way and one of them even peaks out at 13%. 

I am planning to be runner #3.  This means that I will be running 24.8 miles in total which is the most miles of all of the runners on my team. My first leg will be Leg 3 which will cover 5.2 miles and is rated moderate.  There is 400 feet of climb and 479 feet of descent on this leg.  My second leg will be Leg 15 which will be 10.5 miles and is rated very hard.  There will be 1,222 feet of climb and only 493 feet of descent.  The one consolation is that I will be running along the base of Grandfather Mountain which is supposed to be beautiful.  They rate it a tough leg because of the distance and most of it is a climb.  My last leg will be Leg 27 which covers 9.1 miles and is rated hard.  There is only 371 feet of elevation gain with 474 feet of descent.  Sounds like a fun challenge that I am totally up for.

Like all of the adventure relays I have participated in over the years, the Blue Ridge Relay will be more about the non-running times than the runs themselves.  Every relay has been a great experience for me.  I look forward to finding out what is different about this relay than any of the others I have run.  The best part of going to relays all over the country is that we never know exactly what to expect.  We go into the race with some trepidation as to what will happen and how each of us will do.   But we always find that when we gather to run across the finish line together we agree that we have had a grand adventure together.

Apr 2 – 4.50 miles (51:19, 11:24 pace) – Hill Repeats
Apr 3 – 6.40 miles (54:41, 8:33 pace) – Speed work
Apr 5 – 8.30 miles (1:13:12, 8:49 pace) – Tempo Run
Apr 6 – 4.10 miles (38:10, 9:19 pace)
Apr 7 – 2.10 miles (18:48, 8:57 pace)
Apr 8 – 7.10 miles (1:06:10, 9:19 pace)
Apr 9 – 4.60 miles (51:13, 11:09 pace) – Hill Repeats
Apr 10 – 6.30 miles (53:33, 8:30 pace) – Speed work
Apr 12 – 3.10 miles (26:19, 8:29 pace) – Tempo Run
Apr 13 – 4.20 miles (37:20, 8:53 pace)
Apr 14 – 8.20 miles (1:11:55, 8:46 pace)
Apr 15 – 8.30 miles (1:16:17, 9:11 pace)

Total Miles:  67.2 miles
2018 Total Miles:  449.3 miles