Friday, April 24, 2015

FINAL POST -- BOSTON MARATHON RECAP

Sunday morning on a downtown Boston street


"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have remained faithful." --quote from the Apostle Paul. Upon crossing the finish line at the Boston Marathon, I could definitely relate to the spirit of these words. Those who crossed the finish line last Monday fought against the wind and cold rain, we struggled up the Newton hills, with our bodies depleted we put one foot in front of the other until we turned onto Boylston Street, and then we rode the swells of the roaring crowd until we crossed the finish line. We had remained faithful to the commitment we made more than a year ago to run this race.

Looking back, I now realize what a high risk/reward endeavor running Boston can be. The risks are obvious: extreme training for months to run a qualifying marathon; running the qualifying race and hoping for a good day to beat the qualifying time by enough to get in to Boston; putting the non-refundable money down for Boston eight months before the race; securing an expensive hotel room in Boston for three nights; making travel arrangements; going through extreme training for months before the race; getting to Boston and making sure you are at all the places you need to be to pick up your packet and get to the starting line; finally, running the race and finishing. If you make it through all of the above successfully, the reward of crossing the finish line is amazing. But man, those risks seem high. Maybe that's why Boston is so alluring. It attracts risk-takers, people who are willing to put time, money, and their own bodies on the line if it means a chance to accomplish something exceptional.

My wife, daughter, son-in-law, two grand boys and I stayed at the Omni-Parker House on Tremont Street, about a mile from the finish line. On Sunday we walked to the expo to pick up my packet and a friend's packet (this friend couldn't run because of an injury--thus the risk/reward factor). Of course I spent close to $200 on an official sweat shirt, jacket, and hat, rationalizing that I may never pass this way again. Unfortunately, I forgot to pick up some energy gel packs for the race. Walking around historic downtown Boston was great--lots of shops, a big park called the Boston Common, and even an old graveyard.

On race morning I knew I was supposed to catch the shuttle (school bus) on Tremont Street. I didn't realize that the buses would be lined up from Boston Common clear to my hotel. I didn't have to go far to catch the bus. The ride out to the starting line in Hopkinton took about fifty minutes. I sat next to a dear lady from New York named Grace, who had run Boston many times. She filled me in on what to expect when we got to the Athlete's Village and offered advice about running a successful race.

At the Athlete's Village
(notice the stylish garbage bag)
 

After arriving and disembarking at the Athlete's village, I spent a lonely two hours under a huge tent with thousands of other runners while the leaden sky drizzled rain. The tent was as big as a football field and was surrounded by port-a-johns. My wait in line for the port-a-potty took about thirty-five minutes.  I tried to look for the few people I knew were there, but the mass of humanity made it difficult to find faces in the crowd. Finally, the announcer called out my wave and corral numbers, and I headed to the starting line, almost a mile walk  from the Athlete's Village.

At the starting line there was another holding area for the runners where we waited as the first wave started. It was all very well organized. To me, the start was on quite a narrow road compared to other marathons and half marathons that I have run. Of course, only the wave 2 runners were at the starting line when I began the race. The pack of runners thinned a little as the race progressed but not much because we all ran about the same pace.

I loved the first twenty miles of the race. The first mile was a little slow because we were packed in like sardines--7:42. I felt great. The crowds were fantastic. It felt like I was floating along on their roaring cheers. The wind wasn't bad yet, and it was just sprinkling. I kept looking for people handing out gel packs but couldn't find any. The next twelve miles zipped off well, and I went through the half in 1:35:57 (about 7:21 pace). Still no gel packs.  At this point the rain poured down and the headwind picked up to about 20 mph. Miles 14 through 19 slowed to about 7:27 but then came the Newton Hills. Still no gel packs.  I figured if I ran hard to the top of Heartbreak Hill (mile 21), I could stretch out my legs and finish at a 7:30 pace on the downhills and flats to the finish line.

That didn't happen. Although Heartbreak Hill wasn't that difficult compared to the hills in the Ohio Valley, by the time I got to the top, my energy was totally expended. No calories left. The strong headwind and cold rain had also taken its toll. My failure to bring gel packs with me was a major mistake. Suddenly, it hit me: if I try to run 7:30s the last five miles, I might collapse before I get to the finish line.  I slowed my pace to 8:20 to make sure I didn't completely fall apart. I wanted to get that medal!

One mile from the finish.


When I turned on to Boylston Street, the roars of the crowd were deafening. What amazing support the city of Boston offers up for these runners. Although I was weakened by the race and conditions, I definitely felt "Boston Strong" because of the people. After crossing the finish line, I noticed my GPS watch stated I had run 26.55 miles at 7:32 pace. My official time was 3:20:04 at a 7:38 pace. The extra mileage is normal because it's impossible to take the turns at the right angles in such a crowded pack of runners.

I knew I had to find my family quickly because I always get extremely sick after a marathon. This day was no exception. After walking five blocks to the specified family meeting area, I could hardly see straight or think clearly. Luckily, my daughter, Sarah, found me. She and her husband, Josh, led me to a nearby hotel lobby to warm me up and nurse me back from the dead with water, a banana, and yogurt. It took about forty-five minutes, but slowly I started to come out of it, and we made the long trek back to our hotel, cutting across Boston Common.



It was an incredible experience. The risk and cost was worth it . . .  this time anyway. Looking back, I wish a few things would have gone differently. I wish this winter hadn't been so harsh. I felt I was about a month behind in my training because of the weather. I wish I would have held back just a little bit in the first 13 miles so that I would have had a little more left in the last five. I wish I would have brought gel packs with me to help add calories for those final miles. I wish the rain hadn't poured down and the wind hadn't blown so hard. I wish, I wish, I wish. The good thing about dissatisfaction is that it motivates one to try again. Next time, next time, next time--I'll do the right things, train harder, and hope for better weather.

Next time? I'm thinking in two years when I turn 60 I'd like to try again. I finished 149th out of 1500 in my age group (55-59). If I can run close to the same time when I turn sixty, perhaps I could finish in the top 25 in my age group (60-64). I could get excited about that.

I would like to thank everyone who has read this blog for the past 15 months. I hope it was entertaining or at least informative. This will be my last post. This old man has fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Thanks to the good Lord above! Through the Running Boston for Malawi mission project, we were also able to raise more than $1500 for the people of the Domasi Presbytery in Malawi. Many thanks to all who gave. May God bless you abundantly.

Happy running,

Joe C. Ellis








Monday, April 6, 2015

LAST 20 MILER BEFORE BOSTON


Today I did my final long training run before Boston. I began the run at 10:30 a.m., the same time of my start at Boston. I will be in the second wave, corral B. It will be interesting to see what kind of pace my fellow corral mates will be running. From everyone I've talked to, the people in your corral run right around your pace.

Today I ran 7:46 for 20 miles (2:35:29). By the time I finished the temperature was in the mid 60s and I was quite dehydrated. I hope to go under 7:30 per mile at the race. I want to thank my son-in-law, Josh Taylor, for running the last ten miles with me. It really helps to have some company, especially in those final miles of a long run.

 I hope to lose 3 to 4 pounds in the next two weeks. I'm definitely still carrying some extra winter fat.
The winter of 2014-15 made it incredibly difficult to train consistently. There were days when I went out in 10 degree weather with 15 mile an hour winds and turned back after a couple of miles. I'm becoming a wimp in my old age. Anyway, spring is here, and my marathon training is winding down.

Good news! My mission project, Running Boston for Malawi, has raised almost $1500 for the people of the Domasi Presbytery in Malawi, Africa. The money will go to basic supplies for these dedicated Christian people who are living in a poverty stricken area of the world. If you would like to contribute, send a check to me. Make it out to the Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery with "Malawi Partnership" in the memo line. My address is:

Joe Ellis
71299 Skyview Drive
Martins Ferry, OH 43935

I plan on doing a couple of 8 milers this week with a long uphill and downhill during one of them. Then on Sunday I hope to do an easy 12 miler. Next week I'll run a couple of days and bike a couple of days. Next week I will keep my mileage at 6 a day or less.

I'm really looking forward to heading to Boston and running in the Big Show. Everyone who has completed the race has told me it one of those special life experiences you will never forget.

Happy Running,

Joe C. Ellis

Monday, January 26, 2015

RUNNING FOR A REASON


Here we are at the end of January battling a major snow storm in the Northeast. Many of you are trying to train through these formidable conditions in preparation for a big spring race. It ain't easy, is it? Yesterday I made it through my longest run of the year, a twelve miler from my hometown of Martins Ferry, Ohio, across Wheeling's Suspension Bridge, and down the Ohio River trail to Warwood, WV and back. Along the way I splattered through slush, cut through biting wind, and soaked up the half-rain-half-snow that fell interminably.

Up until now my training for Boston has been conservative because of a hamstring injury. It's feeling better, not 100% but better. I make sure I cross train on a stationary bike three times a week, which allows time for healing and recovery between runs. Because of a change in my after-work schedule, I'll be doing most of these training runs on my own. Anything over thirteen miles seems to take forever, especially without a training buddy to share the misery.

Suffering. Don't ya love it? I decided a few weeks back that if I'm going to suffer through winter marathon training, I need to do it for more than just my personal goals. Suffering for someone else adds purpose and motivation to a training regimen, especially if the ones you are suffering for are in great need. I decided to run Boston for the people of the Domasi Presbytery in Malawi, Central Africa. The Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery has a partnership with the Domasi Presbytery, focusing on helping to meet physical (food, housing, medicine, water, etc) needs as well as spiritual (books, bibles, facility improvements, etc) needs.

If you would like to be a team support member in this mission project -- Running Boston for Malawi -- write out a check for $26.20 and make it out to UOVP (Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery) and in the memo line write "Malawi Partnership", and send it to me at Joe Ellis, 71299 Skyview Drive, Martins Ferry, Ohio, 43935. All team support members will receive a ceramic "Running Boston for Malawi" medal (I make these myself). If anyone gives $100 they will receive a "Running Boston for Malawi" racing shirt with the above logo. I'll cover the costs and shipping so that 100% of your donation will go to the Malawi people.

Keep up the winter suffering . . . I mean training,

Joe C. Ellis


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

LUNCH BUCKET MONTHS


January and February are blue-collar months for runners preparing for big races in the spring. It's cold. The wind is blowing. There's snow on the ground. Nevertheless, you put on your work clothes, pack your lunch pale, and head off to the factory. At least, that's how running through these winter months feels to me. I might not like it, but the big race will be here before I know it, so I have to do it.

If you dress properly, it's not so bad once you get out on the road. To me, anything's better than running on a treadmill. The only thing worse than running on a treadmill is doing nothing. Doing nothing drives me crazy. People don't like being around me when I haven't had my workout fix.

Today when I run the temperature will be about 15 degrees with 18 mph winds. Yuk! Layers of clothing. Heavy sweats. Ski mask. Thick gloves. I'll be lucky if someone doesn't mistake me for a terrorist. But I'll do it. I'll suffer through it. And when I finish, I'll actually feel pretty good about it. There's something about suffering that brings an odd satisfaction into a runner's soul. When I eat supper tonight, I will feel somehow worthy of the calories because I suffered through a cold, long run.

Here's my marathon training for the last week or so:
Monday -- 8 mile easy run
Tuesday -- 60 minutes on a stationary bike, stretches, back, abs, arms, and hamstring strengthening exercises.
Wednesday -- 8 mile easy run
Thursday -- 60 minutes on a stationary bike, stretches, back, abs, arms, and hamstring strengthening exercises.
Friday -- 10 mile easy run
Saturday -- 8 mile easy run (hamstring felt tight at the end of this one with a little jolt of pain)
Sunday --  60 minutes on a stationary bike, stretches, back, abs, arms, and hamstring strengthening exercises.
Monday -- 6 mile easy run
Tuesday -- 60 minutes on a stationary bike, stretches, back, abs, arms, and hamstring strengthening exercises.
Today -- I'll try to do 8 miles easy but will also be sensitive to how the hamstring feels.

Happy Running!

Joe C. Ellis

Thursday, January 1, 2015

OFFICIAL BOSTON TRAINING BEGINS TODAY!

For the last two months I have been dealing with doubts about competing in my first Boston Marathon this coming April. At the Columbus Half Marathon last October I injured my hamstring. I didn't think the injury was severe, but in the weeks following the Columbus Half, it worsened. It got so bad I could no longer run on it.

I decided to see a physical therapist, Justin Kiger of Mountain River Physical Therapy in St. Clairsville, Ohio. Over a six week period, Justin took me through a series of exercises, stretches, ASTYM therapy, and dry needling therapy. I've been pain-free now for about ten days and have worked my way back up to eight miles.

There is hope for the Boston in April! Although, I hold on to that hope gingerly. Yesterday I broke out a new pair of shoes to celebrate the end of 2014. New shoes = new life.
I've worn loud shoes before but never fluorescent orange. These things are so bright they hurt your eyes. I've trained in Saucony Triumphs for the last eight years. Because I go through so many pairs, I buy last year's model for half price online. Sometimes these "odd" colors are the only ones left in my size. So I'm not trying to make a fashion statement, I'm just cheap.
 
For the next several months I will be posting regularly about my preparation and workouts for the Boston Marathon. I don't plan on announcing my posts on Facebook running club pages after today. If you want to follow, sign up for the email alerts or become a follower of the page. I know some of you are also preparing for Boston. Here's hoping that the next several months are good to us--May we be injury free, may we have half-decent weather and good running buddies to help us train through the long miles.
 
God bless and happy running in 2015
 
Joe C. Ellis