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



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

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