ARE MARATHONERS CONQUISTADORS OF THE USELESS?

Many people think that racing and training for a marathon are a huge waste of time and energy. Life is short. Why spend one to three hours a day for many months preparing for a race that often does more damage to your body than good? Why not invest your time and energy into more useful endeavors, hobbies, or even better--the important relationships of your life?

To obsessed runners those words can definitely sting with the discomfort of truth. With all the time, effort, and resources we pour into the marathon, we know that other important areas of our lives are often neglected. Yet we press on, making sure we follow the training schedule, log the demanding miles, see physical and massage therapists to ward off injury, and somehow fit in an extra half hour of sleep to speed recovery. All this for what? To say, "I came, I ran, I conquered?" To get a big medal that confirms we made it through 26.2 miles? To buy a bumper sticker that says: HALF MARATHONS ARE FOR WIMPS?

I must confess that I don't feel fully justified in the time, effort, and money I put into my running. I have so many other important things that need my attention -- my wife, kids, grand kids, teaching job, ministry, and the list goes on. But I continue to run and train for a marathon.

I guess if I didn't, I wouldn't be who I am. Maybe that's a good thing, or maybe that's a bad thing. I know that over the years I have developed a lot of self-discipline through running. Because of that self-discipline, I have learned to make good use of time and get a lot of things done. Through running, I have also learned that I can accomplish great challenges through setting goals and working hard. Distance running has definitely made me tougher--bad weather, early risings, tough circumstances, and a demanding schedule may be daunting but never defeating. My doctor tells me I am healthier than most men my age because of my running. No doubt, running has contributed to who I am.

The marathon experience definitely shapes our bodies and characters. It challenges us. It humbles us. It changes us. And If we can pull off the tricky balancing act of attending to the priorities in life and somehow manage to put in the miles and finish the race, then we will have accomplished something very, very ... useful.

THE BIGGER THE DREAM, THE BIGGER THE RISK

RUNNING CARTOON OF THE WEEK

 

 



K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, is the second highest mountain on earth. It is located in northern Pakistan. For every four people who have reached the summit, one has died trying. During an expedition in 2008, eleven out of fifteen people who tried to reach the summit died on the mountain. When asked why so many people want to climb such a dangerous peak, one of the climbers responded, "The bigger the dream, the bigger the risk."

Running a marathon is not nearly as dangerous as climbing K2, but the same frame of reference applies. The dream of running a marathon places a runner at higher risk. When the dream is acted upon, a person antes time, energy, resources and effort into the marathon pot. It would be interesting to discover how many people who commit to run the race actually finish it. Training takes it toll on those who dream big, and the race itself eliminates many more who never make it to the finish line.

In December I committed to running the Toledo Marathon. The day after an 18-miler last Saturday I could feel a slight strain in my left Achilles tendon. I backed off on workouts this week. Today I tried a 20-miler at an easy pace--8:20 per mile. I felt a slight pinch where the Achilles attaches to the heel during the second half of the run. It feels fine right now, but tomorrow will be the true test. If my Achilles won't cooperate, I'll take time off. With six weeks to go, this could be very frustrating. But I knew going in to marathon training, the bigger the dream the bigger the risk. No doubt about it . . . marathoners are risk takers.

RUNNING CARTOON OF THE WEEK--Plus a TRAINING UPDATE

Seven weeks until the Toledo Glass City Marathon. Whew! Training is getting tough. On Monday I did an 8 miler with six miles at 7:20 pace and two miles easy. Stationary bike on Tuesday. On Wednesday two training buddies and I ran 10 miles: 8 of them at 7:16 and two miles easy. Stationary bike workout on Thursday. Feeling very tired on Friday, we ran an easy six miler at about 8:10 pace.

Today we are doing an 18 miler at 8 minutes to 8:20 per mile. I don't know if I am recovered enough to complete this run successfully. At 57 years old, my body doesn't recover from these workouts as quickly as I used to. If I can't take the pace, I'll back off to a 9-minute mile to complete the run. We will run in about an hour. When I get back, I'll update how the run went before I post this.

As far as injuries go, I'm not doing too badly. My left ankle has had a little bit of soreness in it for the last year or so, probably arthritis. The bottom of my right foot has been hurting since Monday. I've been massaging it with the Marathon Stick to speed up healing. It's hardly noticeable when I run. It hurts the most in the morning. I know it's not plantar fasciitis. I've had that many times. It's more like a strain in one of the tendons on the bottom of the foot. I've discovered over the years that runners are always battling some kind of injury. If we would rest for every little ache or pain, we'd never get any training in.

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I just got back from the 18 miler. Surprisingly, we ran a 7:53 pace overall. I was shocked. It's possible that we are getting used to the once-a-week long runs. My training partner has a Nike GPS that we depend on to give us our mileage and averages, although I do complain that the odometer in my head is more accurate. These long runs are incredibly important to marathon preparation. We will do another 18 miler next week, run a 5K race the week after, then a 20 miler that week after that and one more twenty miler before the marathon. I hope and pray this old body holds together. Have a great running week --- Joe C. Ellis

RUNNING CARTOON OF THE WEEK AND TRAINING PROGRESS

The last two days have been good days. My marathon training for now is on schedule. We did a sixteen miler on Friday on a 24 degree day in the Ohio Valley, averaging about 7:53 a mile. With very little wind, the weather felt nippy but good. I wore Saucony tights, and an Under Armour top with a hooded sweatshirt--just right for the conditions. I've noticed my joints really start to hurt from mile 12 onward. I don't think there's much I can do about it. Working the leg muscles and joints over with the Marthon Stick helps. We've got about four more long runs to go before race--the Toledo Glass City Marathon on April 27--two 18 milers and two 20 milers. Hope I can make it through without any serious problems.

Today I ran eight easy miles on my own at about 9 minutes a mile. I've discovered that an easy run the day after a long run helps to get the blood flowing and lactic acid moving out of the muscles. My goal on these days is to just cover the distance and burn calories. In the coming weeks the training gets tougher with some tempo runs under marathon pace (7:20 or faster) and half mile intervals at 5K pace (3:15 or faster). It will definitely be challenging.

A snow storm is about to hit the Ohio Valley. We're supposed to get 8 to 12 inches of snow on Sunday and Monday. I'm tired of it! I hate the treadmill so much that I gave mine to my daughter. I'll cross train on my stationary bike on Sunday and then try to cover eight or nine miles on Monday by running along the tire tracks of cars out in the country. Another polar vortex is settling in Tuesday through Thursday. It's time for spring! Can I get an Amen?

AGAINST THE WIND



Yesterday I went for a 16 mile run in 25 mph wind. Heading north along the Ohio River trail in Wheeling, West Virginia, we flew along at 7:30 pace with the wind at our backs. Then we turned around. What a difference! Running into the wind, I felt like I was pulling a sled. By the time I finished my back hurt, my quads hurt, my calves hurt, and my joints hurt. We ended up averaging about 7:55 a mile for the entire run.

As a 57-year-old man training for a spring marathon, I get the sense that taking on this challenge is like running against the wind. Five years ago at Pittsburgh I ran a 3:16:31. I have no idea what I can run in April at the Toledo Glass City Marathon. Is 3:20 unreasonable? Experts say that people in their fifties will lose at least a minute a year on their marathon time. In the best light that puts me at 3:21:31.

Running against the wind of age, I have learned to reset goals. My main goal for this spring race is to get there in good shape and uninjured. This means that I may have to let up on my training now and again in the next two months. If the calf starts nagging me or my knees hurt consistently, I'll cross train until the pain is gone.

I realize that a 3:20 marathon is the upper-tier goal. I hope to run that fast but understand it can only happen under near perfect training and racing conditions. That's why I set three goals. My mid-tier goal is 3:30. Between now and the race, I may suffer a few minor injuries. I've learned the hard way not to ignore them. I'll take time off, cross train, and try to get back on track. Minor injury interruptions will sway me to focus on my mid-tier goal. If something major happens that puts me out for several weeks, I'll fall back on my lower-tier goal of 3:40. That time still qualifies me for Boston but makes it contingent upon times entered by other men in my age group.

I believe it's wise to set three goals for your marathon--upper, middle, and lower. With three goals, an injury blow to your training won't be as psychologically devastating. Chances are you will encounter rough waters between now and race day. Hopefully, you will get through without too much difficulty. If not, don't despair. Get healthy and embrace the goal that's right for your circumstances.

Happy running,

Joe C. Ellis

RUNNING CARTOON OF THE WEEK -- ENERGY RETURN SHOES

Does anybody out there wear energy return shoes? How do you like them?

Training for a spring marathon (Toledo Glass City Marathon), I should check into them. Yesterday we ran a 14-miler at 7:54 per mile. The pace felt easy for the first ten, but then the joints began to ache and the energy had drained completely out by mile 12. I finished the run, but man was I tired. Next week we are trying a 16-miler: 14 at 7:40 and 2 easy.

Makes me wonder if energy return shoes may help. If you have any insight into this, comment here or let me know on your running club's Facebook page.

Hope you like my cartoon. I'm going to try to put one up once a week or so. Being an art teacher comes in handy sometimes!

Happy training,

Joe

FIRST SERIOUS TRAINING RUN OF THE YEAR!

I'm done messing around. It's time to get ready for that spring marathon. I don't care how cold it is or how challenging the icy terrain might be, I need to get in those long miles. The Glass City Marathon is creeping up on me faster than anticipated. On April 27th I will line up at the starting line in Toledo, Ohio for better or for worse. I'm hoping it will be for better.

Feeling the pressure of the quickly approaching marathon, my training partner and I did our first long run on Friday, a 12 miler. I know. You're not very impressed. With the race less than three months away we should be at least up to 15 miles on our long run. Hopefully, by the end of February we'll increase our mileage another three or four miles.

Friday's run was brutal. It was 19 degrees outside with about a 5 degree wind chill factor. We had to run the back streets because the sidewalks were treacherous. One section of the road for about 150 yards after crossing the Aetnaville Bridge was a lumpy mess because all the footprints in the snow had frozen. I'm guessing many of you are facing the same hazards in your neighborhoods.

My training partner is taking this marathon very seriously. She wants to set a personal record and possibly place in her age group. She informed me that she wanted to do this run under eight minutes a mile. I couldn't sleep well the night before thinking about it. We went out at about 7:45 pace. I thought that was a little fast. By the six mile mark we had dropped under 7:40, and I had difficulty breathing that cold air. By ten miles I knew I was in trouble. Lucky for me, we hit that long lumpy mess before the bridge and my buddy slowed down to keep from wiping out. That gave me a chance to catch my breath and I was able to finish without falling behind. We ended up running a 7:41 pace for twelve miles.

After I finished all I wanted to do was soak in a hot tub. Then I gave my glutes, hamstrings, and calves a good going over with the Marathon Stick. The worst pain I'm suffering now is soreness on the ball of my right foot from a big callous and an ache in my left ankle from running on uneven ground. But you know what? It feels great getting the first serious run in. I'm actually looking forward to going 13 miles next week. Let's hope it's warmer than 19 degrees! Does anyone out there have a remedy for thick callouses?