Running Your Potential

If you are not completing your goal, it is too small. It is 3:02 a.m., the second day in a row I have been out the door this early to finish week 28 at 100 miles+ (and keep The Streak alive). This has been a very demanding 7 days, we have been packing to move. Every minute of “free” time has been accounted for in working, running and relocating. But this goal, THIS GOAL, of 100+ miles a week for one full year has taken ownership of my available energy when first waking up. It may objectively appear as a selfish endeavor but nothing could be further from the truth. Every run, especially this week, has revealed that small goals = small accomplishments and big goals will unlock your unexpected/unknown potential. I know for sure this simple piece of wisdom will help someone-somewhere reach a happy place in their life. No, this has not been an in-vain selfish effort. Back to the running.

With only 70 miles on my feet after running 5 days straight (Sunday to Thursday), I knew Friday would have to be a lengthy journey…and it was…covering over 25 miles. Then knowing I was definitely within finishing range (my week is Sunday to Saturday), I was very motivated to spend the rest of the day moving boxes. And I also know from the last 15 years of running, it strangely doesn’t matter how much physical stress I put on my system during the day, the legs consistently (and strangely) seem ready to go again in the morning. Mental stress; however, can break down your motivation so try to maintain a balanced perspective. Or put in another way, that was also the title of a book by Richard Carlson, Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.

Yes, back to the running, the legs were ready to go again this morning (Saturday).

After the first step forward, I was excitedly charged knowing The Streak wasn’t over, and thus aggressively chased down the 100 mile mark, determined to go nonstop until crossing its barrier. Those of you who know my running philosophy and methodology know that for me to go on a nonstop run from start-to-finish is a never-does-happen event. But it did this morning and we can now set our sights on Week 29…which starts tomorrow.

Time: 1:03:26, Distance = 6.56, Pace = 9:40/mile

Running on a Full Tank

On Tuesday May 17th while cruising through an easy start of a planned 20-24 miles I fortunately caught sight of this fellow above (to avoid stepping on him/her). It was a perfectly still 5 foot King snake processing quite a bit of food, as you can see from its lumpy torso. About 200 meters further, of course I warned an approaching runner so she wouldn't be startled by its presence next to the winding path near Owl's Creek Tennis Center on General Booth Boulevard (Virginia Beach). And prior to that, I shared a moment telling the two ladies playing on the court nearby so they wouldn't be startled when reaching for a difficult shot and seeing it in the near distance.

When arriving to the oceanfront I thought about my last breakfast-break fiasco and was determined to remedy the situation by stopping at a different eatery, one I knew would be tasty and satisfying beyond any doubts. Sure it would just be adding another 25+ blocks (more than the intended distance for the day) but the breakfast at Pocahontas Pancakes is definitely worth it. The legs and rest of the body couldn't be happier knowing this destination was the decided upon halfway re-fuel and break station (which ended up being 14.34 miles into the run).

While eating a hefty serving of Eggs Benedict, a side of biscuits that I smothered with butter and was constantly dipping into a pool of maple syrup, and very tasty hash browns that were a respectable mound of crispy golden potato strands, the elderly couple next to me was also knees-deep into their delectable journey. I admired a fellow who seemed to be hovering around 70 years old impressively crush a huge dinner-size plate waffle covered with a significant serving of fruit and pralines, leaving only an empty white circular dish when done. His wife wasn't shy either, downing a lengthy giant burrito-shaped omelet in what seemed like record time. But she awkwardly left her two pieces of toast completely untouched...by hand, knife, and fork. While having a fascinating conversation throughout this meal (even though we were at distinctly different tables and just met) my eyes kept going back to that toast. After they left while I was still working on my substance, I even considered snatching the toast off the table knowing at least another 14 miles was now in the plan. I don't know why but I just couldn't do it, so an internal frown had to just gaze woefully as two slices of perfectly-good carbs were tossed into a tray of trash by an efficient busboy sweeping the tables.

On the return trek I immediately headed for the beach to run on the sand as far as possible before returning to the grass and pavement. A supportive low tide left plenty of room to wander forward in relaxed form on a very full tank from 35th street to the Jetty (at 1st street). Maybe the King snake I had seen on the way up was a foreshadowing of this abdominal feeling?

Total Distance and Pace
14.34 miles (average 10:58/mile)
breakfast break (I now stop my GPS when sitting down to eat)
9.16 miles (average 12:54/mile)
6.44 miles (average 14:38/mile)

Sure this run was progressively slower but this wasn't a race, it was like any other run as of late; an adventure to continue the 100 miles/week for one year goal...The Streak...which was wrapped up (right on schedule) Friday morning. Week 27 (101.2 miles) done. 



 
    

   

Sweet Little Pocket

Do you know where this off-road sweet little pocket is in Virginia Beach? On the back end of 30+ miles (to finish the 26th consecutive week of 100+ miles of running), split-up by a breakfast break of biscuits with sausage & gravy and what is described as a 1/2 pound of hash browns, I found a quiet comfortable turnover in this natural tunnel. Even though this breakfast was substantial fuel, I recommend having tried the biscuits and gravy before (at your restaurant of choice), instead of taking this adventure for the first time in a planned run. Let's just say they were less-than-great; however, the hash browns which were served as diced potatoes (crispy on the outside and soft on the inside like mini tater-tots) were very good. But do you really care? Aren't you here for the run? The first 18.96 miles (pre-breakfast) was a typical cruise with one not-so-bad mentally low point. But the last 11+ miles were far more demanding as I had to rush home to help Jane with some moving detail and set up a microbiology course. Half-way through the One Year 100+ Miles/Week trek (now simply referred to as The Streak), I can honestly say I have learned this value of setting an overwhelming goal...it will cause you to commit to engaging in supporting daily tasks regardless of the circumstances. Oh, where is this sweet little pocket? In front of the main building of the Virginia Aquarium.

Flash Forward

It has been an unexpected progressive six days with the distance topping out at 136.9 miles. Unexpected because after a 3:40:27 finish at the Potomac River Run Marathon on Sunday May 1^st I anticipated patiently recovering trying to find just enough reserve to reach the 100 miles goal for the 25^th consecutive week. But the legs and (playing more of a critical role) the mind responded differently, in this order to be exact (total miles for each day); May 1^st=26.2, May 2^nd=6.3, May 3^rd=18.8, May 4^th=26.7, May 5^th=30.9 and May 6^th=28 miles. The marathon surface was the hardest (of the six days of running) being compact trail; the rest of the running was primarily on grass. There is no doubt from many years of fluctuating distances and changing locations that the soft surface has supported moderating the effort and a faster recovery (as opposed to asphalt/concrete). 

I wish I had more to offer in this week’s reflection, wait, yes I do, my ultra-friend coincidentally finished his first 100-mile race on Sunday May 1^st. I don’t want to go into elaborate detail telling his story here because it is his experience to communicate in his own words but I will share this gem; he successfully finished in under 24 hours a nonstop no-sleep effort where he unintentionally achieved one of the ultimate goals of any activity – escaping the time-space continuum. I consider it experiencing the Zen of running. You see, when we typically go for a 12-15-20 mile run together he is the one wearing a watch, providing updates on distance/pace. But during his first 100-miler, he didn’t do that. He went watch-free and just stayed with the group he started the race with, from beginning to end, not concerned or conscious of the day/time…just running, replenishing and running some more. And to add to this impressive accomplishment for a 100-miler first-timer, he ran 10 miles comfortably (with me) after just 3 days of recovery. 

Reading back over the text, I guess this entry could have been titled Flash Recovery but since I am trying to document these experiences in proper date order that is the reason for the ‘forward’ label. See you next week.

Potomac River Run Marathon

Time = 3:40:27, Distance = 26.2 miles, Pace = 8:25/mile

Three

My weight continues to drop, starting today at 172.8. If I, no, when I slide under the 170 mark and bounce between 165 and 170 as opposed to 170 and 175 the times are going to improve significantly with the same exertion. But it is harder to do than say after the carb-depleting trek of a typical 18-24 miles. Then I just want to eat a quarter-gallon of ice cream with a Hershey bar chaser. Sure, objectively it’s a self-deprecating experience but in the partaking it is a cool refreshing refill of calcium, fat and sugars to be stored for later. However, I am confident when I naturally dip into a lower better-running-weight range (even though I am already down 27 lbs. from a year ago), I will look back at these eating habits with a torqued facial expression saying, “You were a mess.”

Time = 2:27:29, Distance = 12.36 miles, Pace = 11:56

This morning has started out with this pattern – run one mile, walk a short distance, stop and stretch, then run the next mile. The first five were totally on pavement and the remainder on grass. And then it finally happened, at mile 10 the hamstring released like melted butter. Both legs felt magically happy again but it wasn’t 100% smooth-sailing as the left calf started to tighten during the last two miles. Without hesitation or fear, I just pushed harder, right into the pain, and the watch echoed/rewarded a sub-12 minute pace when going through mile eleven and twelve. That’s enough for now, more later.

Time = 2:27:29, Distance = 12.36 miles, Pace = 11:56

Same day. Run #2. The starting weight is a light 170.8. Starting in daylight (@ 8:34 a.m.) was a nice change of scenery, everything is so green. And the running was rather enjoyable, well, until while my gaze was taking in the sunlit scenery the upper left sleeve of The Jacket (my current favorite running accessory) was ripped by a protruding wire when running along a fence line. Arghhhh! At least my skin didn’t make contact. And the hole might be able to be patched, right?

Time = 1:48:24, Distance = 8.20 miles, Pace = 13:14

It is 6:33 p.m. and the legs, even more awkward the mind is ready for more. Determined to test this drive to its limit, I take to the beach in Sandbridge, VA. “Run all the distance on the sand until you have nothing left.” The temperature is a warm 75F but the winds are relentless at 17 mph. Knowing it will be difficult to gage the distance relative to effort, and conserve for more, I set the RunKeeper notifications to .5 miles. The coastline is anything but level right now, sloping right into the shore break. So I am engaged in a weaving pattern up and down the mini-ramps…until the first mile passes. Then I test this drive even more by cresting a few dunes. Three and a half miles later, I still haven’t felt the need to stretch and the sand is so forgiving on the joints my body just continues to plod forward, surprisingly with minimal effort. And then a soft sunset casts a distinctly pink hue onto a vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean as far as the eyes can see. It is so relaxing, a true metaphor of the steps in this third and final run of the day.

Time = 1:15:09, Distance = 5.96 miles, Pace = 12:37

Walk-Stretch-Run

It is surprisingly awesome that my body has metamorphosed into a machine that can just keep running day after day, after day. Less than 24 hours have passed since the marathon and I am powering up for an easy 10-12 miles. Don’t get me wrong, the hamstrings are still there but less tender. It is 43F with NW winds @ 18 mph creating a feel-like temperature of 36F. Hopefully this cold ambience will keep the swelling down. At the same time, another sick part of me wants to learn to run hurt and/or in pain. “What’s up with that?”

With the California goal race 89 days 5 hours and 38 minutes from this moment, I want to share my current weight; 173.6 pounds. Just typing out the word pounds makes this value seem that much heavier. And let’s be honest, relative to my 5’ 10.5” frame it is a very pudgy burdensome factor for a “runner.” And a disturbing one at that. Am I embarrassed sharing this data? No, not really, it is another form of accountability. Tomorrow I can wake up and reflect, “Remember when you said you were 173.6 about 90 days out? Don’t get bigger than that.”

While warming up with the dishes I am in the pulsating grip of the Palm Massager, attempting to electrically pummel my hamstrings to mush. And then the hard stuff comes out after the last of the soap suds disappear down the drain of the empty steel basin below. I am smothering my semitendinosus and biceps femoris with China Gel and an entire 3 ml sample-packet of Biofreeze. This topical combination is so strong my eyes are now watering and the burning taste of menthol is annoyingly camping out in my oral cavity. At least I am not thinking about the leg muscles.

Finally outside (@ 3:34 a.m.) a light rain is drizzling its way through the cold dense air. Walk – stretch the hamstrings – run is the repetitive sequence to keep moving forward. I am learning to run and walk in pain. “Wow, this is fun!” Ok, not so much. During each stop to stretch I am counting one thousand, two thousand, three thousand…up to 12 – the intended goal for today, and taking the time to visualize each step. Even though it was extremely slow while discovering a new relationship to pain, the walk-stretch-run strategy worked. Another day down en route to June and continuing this one year 100-miles/week streak.

Time = 1:53:53, Distance = 7.92 miles, Pace = 14:23/mile*

Time = 1:05:17, Distance = 4.25 miles, Pace = 15:22/mile*

*I don’t stop RunKeeper when I use the restroom, bend-over stretching, drink water, eat (which can be a somewhat lengthy event), etc. So please don’t give me slack about true-running pace, you can look at my race times for that. The pain forced breaking this run into two efforts and obviously recovery is not heading in the right direction…yet. To each his/her own on the journey, carry forth.