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?