Pacing

This weekend I will be pacing my friend Amanda from mile 80 to the finish at the Rocky Raccoon 100 in Huntsville,TX. I feel very fortunate to have been asked to pace her. I know we'll have a great time reaching her goal to complete her first 100 miler.
Pacing a friend in a race is very rewarding. To me, it can also be a little nerve racking. Only because I put pressure on myself to make sure I am prepared and can keep my runner entertained and motivated. I can honestly say my best race running memory is when I paced my friend Liza at the Leadville 100 in 2010. Leadville was one race I always wanted to be at. I was very nervous the week leading up to that race. As it turned out, I had a wonderful time with Liza at Leadville, Even though She snapped at me (never in anger) a couple of times. And That's OK! She offered apologies, but I assured her, no need to. It's expected. As a pacer you need to take it all and still keep in mind that your job is to get your runner moving towards their goal, and knowing it's not personal. It made me feel more like a close friend too (and quiet moments are not uncomfortable among friends). Also, these flare ups make for a good conversation topic on a group run.
I have great memories of my pacers helping me complete races. Memories that live forever in my mind. Memories of Cactus Rose 100 every time I run at Bandera. Marissa having flashlight trouble, Liza pointing out the constellations and taping my feet, Kelli ever so cheerful, and Kelley's none stop banter as she pushed me up Lucky peak at mile 97.
Then there's John at Bandera 100K last year. My legs felt dead when he picked me up. I didn't want to run any more. John tried to get me running. He persisted and I rejected. He kept it up but was a little easier on me as time went on, sensing I needed time to emerge from a bad patch. I've never told him, but I wanted him to leave me alone. Go away! He did keep me alert and kept reminding me to take in fuel. It took some time, and quiet moments, but I came around appreciating what John was doing for me. I began running again and finished strong setting a 100K PR.
There are many ups and downs in trail races. As a pacer you need to realize this and keep your runner engaged. Reminding them to take in fuel, expect the fact that they may not always seem pleasant, and consider yourself privileged to be helping a fellow runner and friend accomplish their goal.
I'm looking forward to creating lasting memories with Amanda at Rocky.

Water in the creek

There's water in the creek again! It's been very dry for so long. The springs at San Pedro park are running again too. The animals must be happy. I saw none roaming the Leon creek trails this morning. They must have had their fill during the night.
I have such a varied selection of music on my iPod, and today ducks on the pond and Earl Scruggs got me moving. How can you not find energy from glistening water and listening to THIS!

At The start of yesterday's run my legs were sore from the weeks squat and lunge workouts. I felt as though I was running in water. Forcefully lifting my legs to push them forward and move my body up the trail. My sore legs were loosened up by running up the Hillview trail to and up Yucca, and loop back down Hillview at Eisenhower park. Running The trails made my legs and body feel better. A good run can make sore legs feel better.
My spirits were low as I ran this first loop. A friend who was to meet me at the early start called to say he was running late. "are you OK?" he asked. As if he sensed what was inside me. Something not quite right.
Others arrived at the appointed time. Jovial banter ruled.
Run up Hillview again. Exchanging stories. Cresting the hill, two of us continued as the others paused to go another way.
Conversation with John as we continued loosened up my spirits. He didn't know it, but Laughs and understanding made me feel better.
Just as a run on sore legs will make them feel better,
A run with a friend you can be loose with will make your soul feel better.

Spring Chicken

I've never run faster than the times I ran away from my big brother for doing something I shouldn't have been doing. My brother watched over me and kept me honest. I remember one time running from him out of the back door onto and down the alley behind our home. I was about 10 years old at the time. The alley was a gravel road, and I was barefoot. I didn't feel a thing because all I could think of was if my brother caught me, more than my feet would be hurting!
I don't remember where I was going with this story because I started it three days ago (saved it as a draft), and at the time had to drop it for.....I don't remember. It sounds good though. Maybe it will come to me. This brings me to today's story.
I read an article recently which mentioned that runners go through stages in their running careers. The author thinks them to be Body, heart, will, mind, and soul. It got me to thinking about the stages of my running years and where I am now. Sometimes I feel old. Like when I forget where I'm going with a story! I've been thinking I may need to slow down.
In an e-mail between a few friends I mentioned that I may be entering another stage in my running because I am no longer a spring chicken. To which My friend Liza responds with her witty comebacks, and this link from sweat science.
Amazing how our bodies loose very little muscle mass if we continue to challenge them. And how quickly we lose it if we don't!
Then as I am watching the national news there's a story on this guy!
I guess I'll rethink the whole running stages thing and reconsider where I'm at. I guess we should always think like Spring Chickens! And keep working those muscles. We can and should stay in the "will" stage. The "Mind" and "Soul" can still be found here.
Still don't remember where I was going with that first story. Mind? Gotta work on that muscle too!

My Bandera 100K experience

“You push yourself too hard.” “Don't overdo it.” “Be careful.” “Listen to your body.” This, and more, is what I heard from family and friends going into the Bandera 100K this past weekend. The last one I heard race morning and it hit home because I preach that one to many.
I had been suffering from a sinus headache and congestion all week. A visit with my good friend and fellow Ultra runner Lalo (the Good Doctor) on Tuesday helped to relieve my suffering. By Friday all seemed well. I felt much better and had finally experienced two nights of restful sleep. So going into the race Saturday I felt I had a good shot to finish and do well. Lalo planned to pace me from mile 51 to the finish. We had exchanged text messages throughout the week teasing each other and looking forward to hanging out on the trails together.
Driving on the lonely, hilly two lane Hwy up to Bandera TX from San Antonio under the cloudless predawn sky, the bright full moon hovered like a weightless soap bubble. With the road winding around the hills the moon seemed to move from the left, to my right, then directly in front of me. The moon was so bright, the stars seemed insignificant and I felt it was shining on me like a stage spotlight.
Pre-race socializing with the Rockhopper group was fun. Smiles, hugs, pictures, and encouraging comments were plentiful. Also pleasing was visiting with the folks from Austin and others we don’t see very often. “Are you ready?” I was asked several times. How do you answer that? “Yes”, of course.
I tucked in behind friends Larry and Chris at the start line. These guys are entertaining and although I know I can’t keep up with them, starting with them would be fun.
With two 31 mile loops the Bandera aid stations in order are Nachos, Chapas, Crossroads, Crossroads, Last Chance, and The Lodge.
Start to Nachos;
My legs felt ok as we began running. I had convinced myself that not being able to run the week leading into the race would not be a problem. I’d be rested. And I kept telling myself that as the climbs began. I began to lose sight of Chris and Larry once over Ice Cream hill. At Nachos I refilled a handheld and kept moving still feeling good occasionally coughing to clear my throat of phlegm
Nachos to Chapas;
My legs started to feel tired going down trail eight. I told myself they were waking up. Looking for the smoothest path is fruitless going down trail eight so I let go. On the jeep road leading up to Chapas I began to slow and settled into an even pace. At Chapas I had some ramen noodles.
Chapas to Crossroads;
My legs began to ache. It seemed like every muscle below my waist was hurting and it was getting worse. I attempted to get into an even paced trot on this flat section. I’m just having a bad spell earlier than normal. Yeah, That’s it! I tried taking deep breaths to relax and realized I couldn’t breathe very deeply. Arriving at crossroads my head began to ache just a bit. Maybe it’s the Newton running shoes that are making my legs hurt. I changed into a pair of New Balance I ran the 50 miler in last October.
Crossroads loop back to Crossroads;
There was some relief to my lower legs but the quads and hamstrings felt very weak. It’ll get better was all I could think of. Climbing the three sisters was not too bad but then my lower back began to hurt along with my head aching more. It was the sinus pressure headache that was back. All I could think of was getting back to crossroads and lying down. Arriving at Crossroads Rich’s wife Jeanie spread a towel on the ground for me to lie on. I took some Advil she gave me and rested on my back for about 20 to 30 minutes. The thought of dropping entered my mind. No! I’ll go on to finish one loop then reassess things. It can get better. It will get better.
Crossroads to Last Chance;
I tried again to take deep breaths only to come up short. Connie, running the 50k, passed me on the trail leading to Lucky peak. She looked tired but strong. She asked how I was doing. Breathing was becoming laborious. I tried stretching my neck and felt pain in my throat. Not sore throat pain but muscle pull pain. The Advil I had taken relieved some of the pain in my legs and back but my headache had only dulled and was still there. And now my upper chest was hurting.
Last Chance to The Lodge;
Difficulty breathing continued. I began to think my race was over. Should I stop? But Lalo and I had talked about all the fun we’d have late in the evening as he paced me in! How will I tell him I can’t go on? Can I live with it?
I kept thinking of Mr. Miyagi in the Karate kid movie. “Balance, need to find Balance. No need to prove nothing.” Can I find Balance in this? Can I face the music if I quit? Without being down on myself?
I don’t know how I’ll do it. Quit. But I’m not going on after the Lodge.
Lalo and his wife Amanda tended to me at the Lodge aid Station. I could see the concern and care for me in their eyes. I didn’t want to go back out but could not say the words.
Lalo made it easy for me. He pulled the timing chip off my leg and turned it in. Maybe in explaining to him how I felt I was asking him to throw in the towel for me. I wanted to thank him and at the same time I wanted to apologize.
I licked my wounds but felt I couldn’t leave with my tail between my legs. I stayed to try and offer help to other runners on their quest to finish the 100k. I was able to offer comfort to others who would also drop.
I was able to see my friend Liza come through Last Chance on her way to a second place overall finish. And also give her a hug after she crossed the finish line.
I found more satisfaction at Crossroads aid station where I was able to help some friends on their way to the finish. I also saw Lalo! Pacing! After seeing many friends out of the aid station I thanked Jeanie for all she does and headed home.
It was dark. The road seemed flat. The moon was nowhere to be seen. Covered by cloud cover, it no longer shone on me. The spotlight was off.

Friends

My good friend the good Doctor was in! I paid him a visit. After relaying my symptoms to him we went on to discussing some good stuff! Training runs, tamales, and the upcoming Bandera race.
Sinus congestion, sore throat, and headache had a solid grip on me. usually I am not affected by the mountain cedar pollen that gets so many people sick in January and February here in south Texas. Not even running the Bandera100k in early January where one can clearly see the pollen floating about in the headlamp beam at night. But the good Doc assured me I'd feel better soon with his "full court press" to battle my illness. It was a good visit and I felt confident I'll feel better soon.
I picked up my scripts at the grocery store pharmacy. After also getting a few things for dinner I noticed an old friend enjoying a pastry in the deli area. I walked over and started talking to him before he saw me. Gary stood up and extended his right hand to shake and his left arm to hug. I've not seen him for over 5 years and we picked up right where we left off. In our conversation I told Gary how I often tell the story of when he was with me while I was going through a very difficult time. And the best part, he didn't feel the need to make me explain the pain. Or he didn't pretend to have the answers. There were long quiet moments and all the while I felt comfort. I believe we should let people know how we feel about them before it's too late (Gary has cheated death a few times). And it's ok to tell them again when you revisit the memory. I said I sometimes think it's mushy, not manly. Gary said something to effect that, "It's more manly to act in what may be perceived as an unmanly way if the act is sincere and strengthens a human bond." He said it better. And We're getting together again soon!
Joe is another friend who was in town last week. I met Joe last year when he visited his sister, who's a friend. Again, "it was deja vu all over again." Joe really enjoyed his visit with the Rockhopper group to run the Bandera trails again. And again he ranted and raved about the great folks in our group. Heck, how much better does it get when one of the guys who's not running surprises us with breakfast tacos. Troy came through! Today I learned Joe's wife is teasing him about having a boyfriend because he continues to talk about having a great time running with me and the group. Joe did mention how as a runner, just about everywhere you go you can find someone or some group interested in showing you their local running venues. And you can make new friends!
Treasure you relationships, Not your possessions.------Anthony J. De Angelo

My brother phoned me this morning as he does many mornings. "what are you up to today?" he asks.
I tell him I'm on my way to run a 5K race. He knows a 5k must be on the road and he says in an older brotherly affectionate scolding kind of way, "Tony, Tony! You shouldn't be doing that! You know what happened last time you ran on the road before a big run. You were hurting. Your back? or was it your knee?" Yes, I said but the last time it was a 20 mile road run and this run is half road half trail. I lied. It was all road. well, paved trail. Same thing.
I met my friend Daniel at the race packet pick up. Daniel is new to running. I took Daniel on a 1 mile warm up on the natural trails before the race start. I talked about upcoming trail races hoping to entice him and explained how trail running is what I love best, and how it is better for the body and mind.
After the race Daniel and I hung out with a couple of co-workers. One being my old running and biking buddy John C. John was an accomplished runner and Tri-Athlete not too long ago. John ran through knee pain to the point of destroying his knee. Since his knee replacement at age 58 three years ago, John now is limited to riding his mountain bike. As we chatted I noticed a friend of his. "hey! John. There's your friend Nancy!" "Yea, Nancy. She was a great athlete. you know, she doesn't run anymore. She's got bad knees" said John.
I thought about my brothers comments. And thought about another running friend who's having knee surgery tomorrow. She's 41 years old. Another friend in our group is experiencing a nagging knee pain and will have an MRI soon. And today, I read a friends blog comments where someone mentioned his running days are over due to loss of cartilage in his hip.
At what point do we as runners say enough is enough? When do we slow down? The bad hip guy said he'd wish he discovered trail running sooner. Is that the answer? Run trails exclusively? I've seen really old road runners. Did they start running late in life or do they just run short races? I do remember meeting a 70 year old at the San Francisco marathon who was running his 50th marathon (he had his knee wrapped).
Discussing this subject with friends recently someone said, "well, obese people have there knees replaced all the time!" This is true.
The remark I've heard from those who overindulge is "I'm going to enjoy life"
Enjoy life, yes.
But be smart. How will you overindulge?
Sometimes too much of a good thing is not so good.