Houston 2009

A long way to go, fellas

2008-07-21T10:41:00.000-07:00

but I think, for me, it will look something like this:

So now what?

2008-07-07T14:44:00.000-07:00

Unless I'm mistaken, I am the only one actually registered. Comments and/or suggestions would be appreciated.

2009 Newsletter
July 7, 2008 In This Edition Marathon & Half Marathon SOLD OUT 2009 Race Date

Greetings from the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, EP5K and ABB Team Challenge.

Marathon & Half Marathon SOLD OUT

The 2009 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon have reached their combined cap of 18,000 participants and are now SOLD OUT. Congratulations to the 18,000 registrants who helped sell out our races in record time and with a record number of participants.
Individuals who did not register for the 2009 Chevron Houston Marathon or Aramco Houston Half Marathon before they reached the registration cap may put their name on a wait list to receive a transferred registration.
Registered participants who will not be able to participate may opt to transfer their registration to someone on the wait list and receive a partial refund of their registration fee.
For more information on registration transfers and the wait list, click here.
Registration for the EP5K, sponsored by the El Paso Corporation, is still open and will not close until its 5,000 race limit is reached. To register, click here.
Registration for the ABB Team Challenge, sponsored by ABB, is also still open. For more information and to register, click here.
2009 Race Date The 37th running of the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, EP5K and ABB Team Challenge will be held on January 18, 2009.

From my inbox this AM

2008-06-26T05:54:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon, EP5K and ABB Team Challenge.

Registration fees to increase on July 1
Registration fees in both the Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon will increase on July 1. The marathon rate will go up $20 and the half marathon fee will increase by $10. For more information and to register online, click (on the link provided by Micah on the side.) Also, as of June 25th, the marathon registration was 70% full.

In other news, I started running again. It sucks. I can't believe I agreed to do this.

Love to you all.

What are ya'll doing?

2008-06-10T09:05:00.000-07:00

I am in a slump. Who knew when we started that I would take off and challenge myself (not one who runs) to run? I have officially been training since Christmas. I have logged over 200 miles. My longest run has been 8 miles in 1:20-ish. My fastest mile has been 10:24-ish. I have been chased by dogs on multiple occasions and even bit once. (I even shopped for mace) I have graduated to wearing proper running clothes instead of just "workout wear" due to rubbing raw skin. I love my nike+ system that keeps me organized. (I love numbers and graphs)

Since the hot weather has become a constant, I have not enjoyed my morning runs. To avoid the heat, I should wake up and run earlier than 8 am, but that is proving to be close to impossible. (Apparently I am not the early morning person I used to be... I blame a night-owl husband and two kids) I began a training program with nike+ for a half-marathon in mid-April so that I could work up to training for the marathon, but I have failed the computer program. I have dropped the ball. I have fallen off the horse. My spirits are low, my excitement is gone. I do not have the perseverance related to marathon training. I need help. I need direction. I need accountability. I need training. I need team support.

Is anyone else thinking this? Maybe I am the only one totally overwhelmed. How did I get into this? I am no runner. Perseverance is not my thing. Where's my team?

I'm #1! (At least in one respect)

2008-06-09T07:45:00.000-07:00

support@active.com to me
show details 11:43 AM Reply

This message is automatically generated as a receipt for your recent registration at Active.com.

Your order has been securely processed by ACTIVE.COM. Active.com-Registration is the merchant that will appear on your credit-card statement.

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2009 Chevron Houston Marathon, Aramco Houston Half Marathon and EP5K

In the words of the famous Half Moon Cafe on Cherry Street in downtown Tulsa, OK, "You can't be first, but you could be next."

The Story

2008-05-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

For your reading pleasure, the story of The JLowe Pre-Wedding Invitational Beer Mile is now available online. Submit all changes to Malcolm or Mrs. Malcolm.

a picture says 1,000 words

2008-05-19T21:58:00.000-07:00

5:30.5

2008-05-06T17:35:00.000-07:00

Result for my mile time trial today. Not exceptionally fast, but shows im in a decent form. We ran heavy sprints the day before in football practice, leaving some muscles sore today. Other factors include: dirt track, no racing flats, no competition. Perhaps a 5:20 is within reach.
see u guys real soon.
sj

1:01:27

2008-04-29T06:59:00.000-07:00

Or 1:02:04 if you go by the chip time. It turns out there was about 37 seconds of transition time factored in there. I don't have exact splits, but I do have my halfway time. So, I ran the first half of my leg (6k) in 32:45. I ran the second half (slightly less than 6k) in 31:19. I do know that I ran a couple of my miles around 8:40, one around 8:30, one around 9:00, and one around 8:00. My overall pace was 8:35 or so.

The conditions for the day can best be described as blustery. There was a 10-20mph wind from the north throughout the run. My last couple of miles were actually running south so I think the wind helped me there. As previously stated I was/am sick, but other than perhaps being more cold than usual and having more mucus to hawk up during the run I'm not sure it really affected me much. The temp around the start of the race was 45-50. By the time my leg started, it was probably up to 50-55.

As for my thoughts on the race, all things considered I'm happy. My stated goal was to run 59:50, but I figured that probably wouldn't happen even if everything had been picture perfect. My secondary goal was to run a PR for the event, which I did. My previous best time was around 1:02:25. I do feel like I'm in a pretty decent spot to try and continue running from here. I think that may be the most exciting part.

Other news: I talked to the people with the Houston Marathon at the expo before the race, and registration is now officially open and only accessible online. Even my (soon-to-be) wife seems excited about the marathon. I would go ahead an register, but I would like to do it with my Mississippi address (which is another story entirely.)

Jackson, I hope I've answered all of your questions with this post. I am sure there is some more stuff I should have paid attention to that either don't know or didn't post. As for everyone, I would like to say that this blog helped me acheive one of my goals just by giving me a place to discuss/vent about training. I appreciate your tolerance of my ramblings and all the feedback. Onto the marathon.

itching for results

2008-04-27T20:05:00.000-07:00

as your previous entry states, we, or at least I, am itching for results..
cant find anything on-line... its allready the 28th here in Argentina.
jacks

Snot Fair

2008-04-26T06:28:00.000-07:00

4 months of training. 14.5 hrs of driving. 2 days of family fun in my home state. And it all comes down to the fact that I can't breathe when I wake up because of the excessive mucus and sinus congestion my body has chosen to produce. My father has a similar ailment and welcomed me home by sharing it with me. I have just about 24 more hours to go until I actually start my leg of the race. One can only hope that the symptoms improve by then.

(As an aside, I have now had significant symptoms twice this year after going at least 3 years with no problems. And they have both begun while I was on leave/vacation. I never get sick at work around the sick people, but somehow I manage to get sick when I'm supposed to be enjoying the fact that I am well and away from sick people. The irony is not lost on me, my friend.)

I'll post tomorrow with the results. I know how much y'all are itching with anticipation for my race time. Our long regional nightmare will be over soon.)

DO NOT TAUNT HAPPY FUN BEER MILE

2008-04-24T18:34:00.000-07:00

bad news and more bad news.
Bad news number 1: my training has taken a turn for the worse, and I am not getting in many runs. Nothing to be overly upset about, but running less means i am probably just maintaining or slightly losing shape, as opposed to progressing.

BAD NEWS #2: 4:15 4:15!!!!!!!!!! 4 stinking 15 and I have been silenced and put into place. What the heck is jack-nut talking about? well, today i had a track workout, so i decided, why not take a couple of beers to the track and see what i can do Half a beer mile in. Is the first 2 laps in 3:10 a realizable goal? I wanted answers. So, on a warm day, i headed to the track and did my warm-up, stretching, and intervals. I had planned to do 8 X 400 on the track, saving the last 2 400's for the practice beer mile. After hammering out the first several pretty good, i decided to cut the number to 7 400's. My times for the first 5: 73,75,77,78,82. I took an extended rest of about 7 minutes between the last 400 and the start of the "half beer mile". The beer i had was in bottles, as i couldnt find cans. I chugged the first one slowly, finishing it in roughly 20-25 seconds. Running the first lap was good and fast.. for the first 200.. then horror set in as the pain set in for the last 200 of the first lap. I managed to painfully chug the 2nd beer, and finished with a total time of 4:15. I have been humiliated. I have been floored. Jack-nut ran his mouth about sub-8:30's and talking about the beer mile as if it was not that big of a deal. The problem is that i learned, or maybe re-learned, that no one ownes the beer mile, the beer mile ownes people. (or at least me). I am not saying nesesarily that i want to take back everything i said about the beer mile, but I am saying that from here on out i will not throw out times, predictions, or whatever else. The beer mile inflicts pain. Pain indeed. Maybe i forgot about that pain. I know no analogy is perfect, but i want to describe how finishing the first lap of the beer mile feels, breathing heavily, with the 3 cans staring you down, knowing you have a LONG way to go. It is much like a 2nd grader picking a fight with the 5th grade bullies on the play ground. the first bully takes the little guy by the ears, throws him to the ground, and maybe knocks the wind out if him. If that was it, it wouldnt be to bad... but then suddenly... the 2nd grader looks up, and sees 3 other bullies waiting their turn to dish out a beating.... and there is no mommy in sight, not even a phone with which to call mommy. The pain will be inflicted.. horrors!!!
Yes, i have been beaten over the head with a 2X4 with just half of a beer mile.
I would have been lucky to finish under 10 or 11 minutes.
The ONLY SLIGHT bit of thing that i can consider "in my favor" was that i was allready slightly tired from the 5 400's previously. anyways, good luck racers, the race is anyones to be had. I do not run the beer mile to win, to break a certain time, or whatever.. i will run the beer mile to find that Steve Cram inside of me, that is bold enough to push through the pain.
gsj

Congratulations are in order

2008-04-08T19:42:00.000-07:00

many miles remain, but the first are always the most difficult

1:23:17

2008-04-05T08:56:00.000-07:00

I'm a little disappointed, but I'll get to that in a minute. Here's the race recap. Rain the whole way. I ran the first 3 miles in just under 28 (something like 27:54), and I picked it up a little at that point. I used my iPod to mark the miles, but I have just realized that it doesn't give you the actual time at that point. It just gives you what it deems to be your pace and distance. Annoying. Perhaps the best indicator is that I got passed by about 60 people in the first 3 miles, and no one passed me for the next 3 miles. After that I slowed the pace a little. In hindsight, I just don't think I had the juice to go too much faster and finish well. Maybe I did. At any rate, I didn't feel as though I approached the next 3 miles as aggressively. I still ran faster than the first 3, I think. I got passed by about 5 people or so, and I probably passed another 2 or 3 myself. I had my traditionally strong kick at the end. One important note is that I really don't think this race was a full 15k. After 9 miles, it really didn't seem as though we ran another 0.3m to me. I was running faster, but I don't think it was that fast. Anyway, my best guess is that it was closer to 9.1m or maybe 9.15m than a true 15k.

Here's the disappointment factor: I don't feel as though I can really run at a fast enough tempo and maintain it for long stretches. This is obviously something I need to address in training. Bluntly, I need to train faster. Why I haven't been doing more of this I don't know. The next question becomes how. Do I finish out the last 3 weeks of my current program before the marathon relay? Do I try to switch one of the two easy 4-5m runs I have in a week to a faster or speed-focused workout? Questions abound. Perhaps I really can run faster, and I just need to do it more in practice so I feel more comfortable with it. Who knows? I'm just a guy who looks remarkably like some dude named Leonard from Buffalo who runs a mean steeplechase.

3 months, 2 days, 1 man

2008-04-03T19:11:00.000-07:00

This is mainly because of the fact that we can't go more than a month without a new post. So it is written. So it shall be done.

Random jlowe facts and thoughts:

(1) Shouldn't the subtext to the Houston 2009 blog read "...challenge OF life, liberty..." rather than "...challenge to life, liberty...?" Any English majors are encouraged to comment. If English is now your second language, your opinion will be discounted. Darn furiners.

(2) Are we still thinking that 8 people will be involved with the marathon in some way? I don't even care if everyone actually runs; I just think it would be cool if we could get everyone together in the same place. Do 8 people even read this?

(3) I've now completed 3 steady months of training (minus 1 week of flu-like illness). As you know if you care to remember, I am running a 12k leg of the OKC marathon relay in just over 3 weeks. My stated goal for the run is 59:50. I don't think there is really anyway I'm going to be able to pull it off. My training program has been great for endurance, but it has failed me in preparing me to run at or even near race pace. I plan on doing more treadmill workouts over the next few weeks just to try and get used to running at a necessarily faster pace. I suppose in the end this training problem is really more my own and less due to the program, but hey, the point is it seems to be too late to salvage the goal.

(4) I'm running in a 15km race this weekend that I just found out about. More updates on that after the race.

Hope everyone is well, and I plan on talking to y'all soon.

Videos for your amusement

2008-03-08T16:19:00.000-08:00

I've been rummaging through you tube, watching some great middle distance races.
I think the more I watch, and the more I think about how fast a sub-4:00 mile is, the more I am amazed. My body doesnt even want to feel the pain of a mile that fast. If you want to be amazed, go to a track, run 200 meters in around 28 seconds, and then imagine trying to do that 8 times in a row. Or better yet, try to run 1 lap in under 56 seconds. good luck... in the words of Micah Strange to Wes Moulden ca. 1996, regarding the number 1,000,000... "You can't fathom that!"
1. Jim ryun vs snell and others 1965

2.800m final 1972 olympics

3.Steve prefontaine 1973 L.A. times mile

4. Steve cram crystal palace mile 1983

5. Sebastian Coe's leap into the world track scene

It's snowing in Fort Benning!

2008-03-08T06:32:00.000-08:00

And I'm about to run 7 miles in Wartown with my friend Keeley. By the way, Fort Benning and its snow are actually south of here. I'll be back in about 71 minutes or so to give you the full scoop. I'm so fired up about this!

UPDATE: 1:10:09, and one of the best runs ever. 37F or so with wind chills in the 20s when we started. Their were intermittent patches of sunshine as well as moments of fairly heavy sleet. We both were reminded of running in Colorado, which is quite the notable event when you're actually running in central GA. I felt like an actual runner. Awesome feeling.

2 months down and 1/2 mile closer to a PR (sort of)

2008-03-04T03:54:00.000-08:00

So we're into March, and I'm still running. I talked to Jackson this weekend via internet phone for a while, and he was kind enough to take some time to look at my proposed training schedule for the next 8 weeks. As you may recall, I'm preparing for the 12k leg of the 3rd Annual Lowe Family OKC Marathon Relay. I've run the same leg the other 2 times, and as silly as it may sound, I have learned some new things about the actual distance in just the past few days. The OKC Marathon Relay website has the mile equivalent of 12k listed as 7.6 miles. After using an actual metric conversion tool, I was able to confirm that what I have read on several other sites is correct. 12k is actually about 7.46 miles. But wait, there's more.

If you scroll to the bottom of the aforementioned OKC Marathon Relay website, you can see that the 3rd leg (the 12k leg, my leg) is actually "about 0.3 miles short" because they can't put the transition zone in the middle of an intersection. They then go on to list the total distance as 7.3 miles, which presumably, means the distance is actually about 7.16 miles.

I guess my point is this: I am now almost 0.5 miles closer to my goal of completing the leg in 59:50. I felt like it was pretty doable before, but now I feel pretty confident that I can pull it off. Just thought I would share the positive vibes. If that doesn't work, try out this video of what happens when you raise your children to favor Notre Dame.

Much love,
jlowe

State of the Shape

2008-02-22T04:55:00.000-08:00

7 weeks into my new training program, I am feeling rather optimistic. I can tell that I am in much better shape than when I started on 1 Jan 08, but it is also obvious how much further I have to go. I'm having several random thoughts all jumbled together at the moment. I offer that as a disclaimer for the following comments.

Due to heavy rains in the area, last night I ran a 5k time trial of a sort. I tried to run it at an 8:00/mi pace, and I succeeded...painfully. I am also convinced that I would not have done it had I not been on the treadmill just because I don't think I would have kept the pace on my own. While I am sure that is right, I am not sure why it is that way. Do I give into being tired too quickly? Am I mentally weak? Does the treadmill act as another person encouraging me to run at a quicker pace? That might make sense, but when I run with a friend of mine (who is faster) he often has to wait on me if we are to actually run together. What's the deal? How can I get the most out of myself on a non-treadmill workout?

As many of you know, my family participates in the Oklahoma City Marathon Relay every year as a form of fun, fitness, family reunion, and with the Arts Festival a couple of blocks from the finish, a lot of food afterwards. Recently, my sister sent me a proposed training program to run/walk a 10k portion of the relay. My sister currently participates in rowing classes and dance/pilates for exercise and doesn't really run. After she showed me the program, my concern was that it may be too much too soon, and she may end up overstressing herself in the beginning in order to try and keep up. She countered with her need for a set schedule in order to be able to avoid "just skipping a day" turning into being a week or more behind. I am now of the opinion that she can go ahead and try it, but she needs to make sure that she doesn't overdo it in an effort to keep up with everything. My question is this: specifically, what signs/symptoms should she most attentive to that would let her know before it is too late that she is trying to do too much in her workouts starting out? (If you are really interested, let me know; and I will e-mail the actual proposed workout to you.) She is planning on starting on Monday, so any advice prior to that would be most appreciated. Jen, if you feel qualified to offer an opinion from the perspective of one who is or has recently begun running from scratch, I am sure that would also be welcome.

As for my own relay goals, I have decided I would like to try and run the 12k portion in under 1 hour. 59:50 is the arbitrary goal. For my own training purposes, does anyone know of a place/site where you can design a training program with specific goals like that over specific lengths of time (64 days and counting)? If not, I need to get faster and increase my mileage. Any opinions on how to structure a workout plan with this in mind would be most appreciative. My current fitness level is best described with a 9:30 pace over 4 miles (non-treadmill) being a good workout for me. My treadmill results would be about 8:30 for 4 and the aforementioned 8:00 5k.

Thanks for any and all help/advice you want to give. Gooooooooo Catahoulas!

jlowe

Life portrayed mathematically

2008-02-19T19:48:00.000-08:00

Beer Mile

2008-02-15T12:46:00.000-08:00

You've heard the predictions of 8:30... now I'm going to give you the splits for each lap of the beer mile.

1:31
3:13
5:23
8:28

see you in may.
sj

Some thoughts on common running injuries, and the benefit of walking

2008-02-12T20:21:00.000-08:00

These musings are not necessarily scientific, but may be based loosely on scientific conclusions that may or may not have been accurately remembered. It seems that running injuries come in two varieties: overuse injuries and violent injuries. The latter are less frequent and less easy to prevent. Ankle sprains or breaks from missteps or unexpectedly rough terrain are things that are hard to prevent without excessive caution. Few people, nigh Tigger, find these a common occurrence.

Overuse injuries may seem to appear out of-the-blue but instead build up over time. Stress fractures are the classic example and shin splints may fall into that category. Disorders of the plantar fascia and compartmentalized inflammation are a bit trickier, but probably also fit into this category. The real problem with this category of injury is that treatment often involves little other than rest and prevention often involves little other than specific strengthening and the sort of experience that guides you to understanding the subtle cues your body is always transmitting.

This proximal conundrum (it's probably not proximal at all, but i wanted to use that word) is not unlike that of education, which is given to the young but is only useful to those with wisdom, which is gained with age.

I would love to tell everyone anecdotes of my training and showcase your bad decisions (rather yours than mine), but this neither helps you nor strokes my ego. What may help you, actually, is walking.

As much as I hate to say it, walking can be an integral part of successful training. (If I see any of you fudgepackers Gallowalking the marathon, I'm out for vengeance.) [Now begins my official apology for using such a socially insensitive phrase as fudgepacker.]

Tim Noakes makes it clear that many overuse injuries are prompted by the cardiovascular system seeing training benefits ahead of the musculoskeletal system. What happens is that we feel faster and begin training faster when our legs literally aren't under us. And we often don't know until it's too late. That coupled with our psychological bent to push too hard and not wimp out (which is untrained to listen to our physiological cues until we gain the wisdom of a few races and subsequent injuries) leads us to many of the more common overuse injuries.

So Noakes prescribes walking in training to start and mixed in training to begin. Walking is beneficial to both systems but does not add the adverse stress of running and does not tempt us to progress to quickly.

And it may be that walking is a good recovery tool for runners coping with overuse injury for the same reasons. As with any injury, what you feel is what you get, so don't push through the pain, but walking may provide many more benefits than anticipated and can certainly get you out of the lack of training cabin fever mode that tends to settle with injury.

Happy trails.

My homage to Jessica Hagy

2008-02-08T05:12:00.000-08:00

I had to vent a little about the society in which i live, so i did it in the form of www.indexed.blogspot.com

Happy Mardi Gras Y'All

2008-02-05T18:25:00.000-08:00

February Goal: Run every other day. So far, I've managed to play in a soccer game and run twice. By the previous standard, that doesn't quite cut the mustard. (How do you cut mustard anyway? Is that even the right saying?) I'm trying to run at least 30 minutes each time this month. Shin splints have started to rear their evil head so I'm contemplating starting swimming in addition to running. I blame the shin splints on soccer, but the playoffs start this weekend so I'm going to see that through. I do think I'll be more attentive to making sure I don't run any more than two days in a row until my shins feel a bit better. I'm also planning on switching shoes at the end of the month. I may even consider trying to get some custom orthotics made, but that has more to do with the fact that the Air Force would be kind enough to pay for it.

In happier news, please feel free to visit our wedding website. Comment here or there, but the intent is to encourage exchange of information.

On an entirely separate note, do you guys give things up for Lent? If so, what is it this year?

1 month down

2008-01-31T18:38:00.001-08:00

So I ran my self-imposed time trial today, which essentially consisted of me going to the gym to run on a treadmill so that I could make sure I knew the correct distance and time. I ended up finishing 4 miles in 36 minutes, running negative splits at 1 mile, 2 miles, 2.75 miles, 3 miles, 3.5 miles, and 3.75 miles. I only mention this to lead up to these questions:

1) Do you think that running on a treadmill gives you an unfair advantage? Specifically, do you think that you run faster because it propels you forward a little?

2) Is it better to try and run negative splits or to set a pace and try and keep it up as long as possible (until finishing a bit faster)?

3) If you are going to try and run negative splits, what is the best way to structure that?

At least 1 real running question per month....guaranteed,
jlowe

Other things to consider as you ponder whether the Alternative Minimum Tax has any bearing on your life

2008-01-29T03:47:00.001-08:00

So after reading an article (and several others just like it) detailing the benefits of beer over water after a workout, I have taken to enjoying a bottle after running. My favorite after-exercise drink is most certainly a Shiner Bock, which, in my humble opinion, is most likely one of the greatest things to ever come out of Texas.

At any rate, I have noticed that the brewery in Shiner, TX was founded in 1909, meaning that our journey to Houston in 2009 would place us roughly 2 hours away from being a part of the centennial celebration of the brewery. It also occurred to me that the last trip that many of us (okay, me and Micah from this group) took together was the sojourn to Florida to watch the Gents try to win the TAAC tournament, where we witnessed former Owasso, OK standout Cornell Hardman make a game-winning 3 pointer to send us into overtime, got interviewed by the Jacksonville paper, and were treated to dinner with the team and free tickets courtesy of the coach. Digressing for a moment, one of the highlights of that particular trip was a visit to the Budweiser brewery in Jacksonville. (See pics above. Gotta love the scanner.)

Perhaps, we could all recreate a little brewery magic by taking a road trip to Shiner in 2009. Just a thought.

You're plenty welcome Jackson. Keep running and reading.

The breaking wind beneath your wings,
jlowe

thanks jlowe

2008-01-28T07:08:00.001-08:00

great posts jlowe, they added some "wings" to my day. good to see more activity here.
a couple things i want to address:

im struggling with training here. i dont know what it is, but its really hard to train here.... my daily routines are ever-changing, the culture is very non-commital, i have no training partner, the places i have to run are few... its tough. im not saying this with a whining attitude, just stating facts is all.

I have a great book suggestion, "bowerman and the men of oregon" by kenny moore. its a biographical book about Legendary Coach and nike co-founder, bill bowerman. prefontaine, being coached by bowerman, was definitely greatness.

click here for the amazon page for the book

keep it up all
scott jackson

51 Weeks Left

2008-01-26T06:57:00.000-08:00

To race day. (Not counting that extra day for leap year.) I'm pretty excited about the whole thing. I feel pretty confident about my chances to continue training through at least the OKC marathon relay at the end of April. I will be absolutely ecstatic if I can use that as a springboard to maintaining or even increasing my fitness level until marathon training time.

I figure that I will make the 12 runs in January goal (which I completely stole from Jackson.) I've also been playing soccer in a weekend league, but I haven't really counted any of the games because the fitness is just different. I suppose I should since I can't run very well in those games after 20 minutes in much the same way that particular amount of elapsed time represents the metaphorical wall in my training runs.

Anyway, assuming I finish out January as scheduled, here is my goal for Black History Month: run every other day.

MStrange, thanks for keeping the blog alive. Jackson, same to you. Here's a little something to help keep everything in perspective. What a great approach to racing. I just hope I can run that far sometime in the near future.

You've bled with Wallace, now bleed with me!

2008-01-22T19:21:00.000-08:00

So I literally bled on my sleeve while running tonight. I can't figure out if that's pathetic or cool. Bloody noses aside, I'm 10 runs into the month with a little more than a week to spare. Take that Jackson. Enjoy your nancy-boy Southern hemisphere weather.

I've got mad hits like I was Rod Carew,
jlowe

Dedication Holmes

2008-01-20T10:50:00.001-08:00

So check it, fools. The future Mrs. and I (and her little dog too) decided to head up to the north Georgia mountains for the weekend to enjoy the approaching snow. A good time was had by all humans involved. Aside from soaking in the hot tub, lounging in front of the fire, and eating too much of our spoils from the grill, I managed to get a little hill training in prior to the snow hitting. I made it exactly 7 minutes 31 seconds uphill before I had to stop. I rule.

East side 'til I die,
jlowe

First 5k of the new year

2008-01-17T16:22:00.000-08:00

39 degrees and running. Who's your daddy?

In all fairness, I skipped the run yesterday just because I felt that 33 degrees and freezing rain seemed like a better way to get sick than to get in shape. Of course, all I could think of was the Nike ad from mstrange's 2nd floor dorm room. I run for the glory. I obviously have a long way to go.

From GA to LA,
jlowe

I'm off'n runnin'

2008-01-15T17:30:00.000-08:00

OK man sets PR for 5 times around neighborhood: Future wife impressed.

Well the headline would read something like that anyway. Shout out to the Port City.

Word,
jlowe

"I am not a role model." - Charles Barkley

2008-01-14T12:19:00.000-08:00

Wouldn't it be cool if I had something seemingly worthwhile to put into this post? Sadly, I don't. I'm pretty boring these days. Now that college football and fantasy football are over, I can truly think of no real reason to sit around on the weekend doing nothing active. Hence, I will return to running. Here's some perspective on how lazy I got. After recently taking an Air Force fitness test using the famed "Sportscenter Preparation Method" that once earned me a B on either an Organic Chem or Genetics test, I ran the mile and a half in 14:52. That's right, folks: 14 minutes, 52 seconds.

So, here's the deal. I'm actually going to use this blog, and I will actually run. Since I have discovered that I do best when training for an event, my next event will be the OKC Memorial Marathon Relay on April 25, 2008. You are all invited to read along with my misery and offer smug comments, or jibberish if you're Jackson (who at this point is the only one that might actually read this before I run in April.)

Jackson, I still dream of Antarctica.

Much love to the gauchos,
jlowe

new year, new shoes, odd stretching question

2008-01-08T16:51:00.000-08:00

so, being 2008 we can all offically say that we are training for a marathon "next year". how is everyone doing?? im ok, havent made huge progress, but have kept a decent base up. I think i need to strengthen my legs some, so hopefully i will be disciplined to do some strength training, or to hop on the bike once a week. I got 2 pairs of new shoes while in dallas (thanks sis for the gift card to sports authority). I got some nike air structures and some mizunos. i figured they will last me a while if i keep swithching them out.
ok, random question i thought about today: anyone (or should i just say this is for micah directly??) ever read or heard anything on whether its better to stretch with our without your running shoes on?? just a curious thought that crossed my mind today.
sj down south

What's Worse?

2008-01-03T09:43:00.000-08:00

The disappearance of chatter, blog posting and general hype of Houston 2009..... OR the disappearance of the OU defense against WVU???
On the 12th run of christmas my goal was fulfilled to me.. running 12 days in december...
ill be travelling back to south america on jan 4th, with a bike, which will hopefully help me with some cross training.
see u fellers
sj

december goals?

2007-12-04T06:47:00.000-08:00

ok, i see we are coming up on another month of no blog activity...
i quit running for a few weeks, and now its time to get back into it.
Jackson goal for December: run 12 days, for 30 minutes per run.

Ryan Shay, Olympic marathon hopeful, dies in New York

2007-11-05T19:13:00.000-08:00

In case you missed the news from Saturday, Ryan Shay died while participating in the US Olympic Marathon Trials race. Shay collapsed after five miles and died before arriving at the hospital. The cause of death is not fully known, but he was known to have an enlarged heart and that likely played a role.

Running a marathon (which he has done before, and quite more than we'll be endeavoring to do), while possible for anyone (or near anyone I believe) should not be regarded as a small task. If proper training is pursued then the race can go well, but everyone who takes on the task of training or racing in a marathon should be sure that they are, and feel, physically capable of the pursuit. I don't plan on paying for my steak dinner post-race in January of 2009, but I can certainly think of worse situations. Read this great New York Times story on Ryan and the race, train well, and be well.

And I'll see you in Houston, if not before then.

Hydration, dehydration, hyponatremia and risks of running a marathon

2007-10-28T20:08:00.000-07:00

Probably, since you have your eye to run a marathon in early 2009, you took special notice of the news story that a Michigan man died while running the Chicago marathon. Or at least you took notice when you heard that the race was stopped early and 300 participants were hospitalized because of the heat.

It turns out that this unfortunate man passed away from a heart condition, but it serves us well to take notice of some of the risks associated with running a marathon. It will serve you well to learn much in the next 14 months. Proper hydration may be one of the more important lessons. Probably a good place to start is with this Washington Post article. At least for me, reading about a physiological phenomenon often has little impact (no offense to any physician, exercise physiologist, or Beth Leuck who may read this post) but reading about the honest mistakes of a real person and fellow runner make clear the need for me to learn and get this right.

So what risk is there with hydration and running a marathon? While you've certainly heard of dehydration (which is severe and leads to much fatigue and physiological stress) it's unlikely that dehydration will result in a fatal condition for most runners. In the end, you won't likely be able to continue running and will probably stop to drink some water anyway. Heat stress or any overheating-related condition is more likely, but also you are likely to stop running and therefore stop the cause of the problem. (And this isn't something for discussion yet).

But hyponatremia is a different problem. Hyponatremia is drinking too much water, also known as water toxicity. Because your body balances water volume with salt (a rough generalization), reloading your body with water must also take into account how much salt (or electrolyte) must be reintroduced. This happens naturally over the course of days because the food we ingest normally carries sufficient volumes of the various salts we may desire. But during a 5 hour race we can easily deplete our water and salt levels through sweat and only replace one (by drinking water alone) or replace both in an inappropriate manner (by drinking gatorade, which has electrolytes, but may not be exactly what we need).

So, what can we drink? Or what should we drink? Well, there seems to be no exact answer. That is to say that I can't prescribe how you should hydrate, though maybe someone here can. But the answer may indeed be as simple as: drink when you are thirsty. That simple? Well, learn about how to train in a healthy manner, and train in that healthy manner. It is said that in life, you'll likely die how you've lived. It is certainly true that in running a marathon, you'll race how you've trained. You've got plenty of time to try and see what works and doesn't. You've got plenty of time to pay attention, learn from your body, and train it and the rest of yourself to run in a safe and efficient manner. And if you do, you'll conquer many goals and fears, not the least of which are the potential risks of running a marathon. And when you've trained well and are ready for the race. Read again how to race, since many before you have made serious mistakes and not all have been novice runners.

Train well and enjoy running. I expect you'll have a safe and enjoyable race.

my training so far: football

2007-10-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

after experiencing 9 years of haunting nightmares of an ill-fated pass, jack-nut finally exhumed the "exceedingly high pass" deamons and the big T curse in the first ever tackle football game in cordoba Argentina. Throwing 16 for 25, 3 TD and O INT helped put the "blanquitos" in front, winning 18 to 12.
Its definitely unconventional marathon training so far.
scott jackson

We can't go all of September without any conversation

2007-09-28T12:16:00.000-07:00

So how is the training going? I know that Shelby has run a 32-minute 5k and that Tigger has a regular running partner and has been running 3-4 times per week. I haven't had so much success, but I hope that you have. Chris's brother, Ben, may run Houston with us as well. I welcome that on almost every account... but I don't know if he can be a member of the Centenary Track Club.

The Centenary Track Club, by the way, is a very real fictitious organization chartered by JLowe, Jacknut, and myself in the late 1990s. A private and elite organization we have been but we have decided that anyone embarking on such a mission as the Houston marathon who completes the marathon is more than qualified for membership into our esteemed club. Even better, we think that if you set a reasonable intermediate training goal (you should have several intermediate training goals that are within your reach, yet force you to push yourself in training, to keep you striving towards your final goal) then the Centenary Track Club will reward you with an honorary Centenary Track Club t-shirt.

I hope that your training is going well or at least getting on course. If not, I hope that a free gift from such an elite and esteemed institution will serve as appropriate motivation for your running week.

So, how is the training going, and what sort of training goals have you set for yourself?

On shoes

2007-08-27T20:31:00.000-07:00

I bought a new pair of shoes last week. Two really... well, actually three, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that I bought a pair of shoes for about $20 (discounted from $99 to $69 to $49 and again, what a steal!) and, more importantly, that these shoes don't fit like most of the shoes I normally wear.

What I'm trying to say is that after wearing these shoes for less than 24 hours I had significant foot, shin, calf, and knee pain because these shoes were new and different and because my legs had not been able to adequately adjust to them. Since I've felt this before, specifically due to marathon training, I knew what was happening and knew both what to expect and how to handle the problem. Left unsolved, this would likely have resulted in some sort of lower leg injury. To treat my legs all I had to do was stop wearing the shoes. All this is to say that you, dear reader and runner, are likely to experience this same event in the next 18 months and that some reading ahead (and hopefully helpful advice through discussion) may prevent the occurrence--or at least ignorance of events that leads to overwhelming fear--should you have a similar lower leg injury.

So learn from the links on shoes, ask around (to us or your local running store expert), and learn on your own since an abundance of opinions generally accompanies an abundance of minds.

My general thoughts are these: the way a shoe feels on your foot is often a good indication what the shoe is doing to your foot, stronger legs make for less-injured legs, less shoe makes for stronger legs (though unlike Tigger, I won't fully follow the barefoot man's advice), more pairs of shoes means less chance that your shoes go bad and cause injury, $90 is about as much as a pair of shoes should cost. Of course there's more to finding the right shoe that what I say here just as there's more to understanding what I've learned about shoes and my feet than what I say here.

And eventually my feet will become accustomed to my new shoes. Good thing, too, because they're good looking.

everyone will have these kind of runs every now and then

2007-08-17T20:09:00.000-07:00

so today at 8 pm, i was dead tired. I didnt get great sleep the night before, and my total walking for the day was somewhere around 50 blocks or more. I was hungry. My friends were going to a movie, and others were hanging out eating. The temperature was 2 degrees outside... granted thats celsius, but its still too cold.. plus it was dark outside, and it was friday... but i had to get my run in. Every fiber of my being wanted to stay inside and rest, but somehow i managed to get to the closet, where i proceeded to put on the running shoes and get on the running attire. Every one of us will have times like this... its definitely not easy, but the more u decide to get in the run, the more easy it will be to make the disciplined decision next time.

Training Logs

2007-08-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

Running, especially long-distance running, is a quite simple sport. That's probably obvious by looking at it. You don't need much more than your own body, a decent pair of shoes, and some cold water. Most of us have these already. Something else you'll need to succeed will be a distinct goal, accountability, and persistence. We've got these as well, though each will need to be honed if we want to get the most from our training. One tool that aids these is the running log. To many, running is not so much a competition with others as it is a competition with oneself. [Jason may find comfort in this during the many months preceding his team's loss.] A running log is a good way to keep track with what you're trying to achieve and what you've already achieved. It's also a good way to look back and see what did and didn't work. Most importantly it's a good way (when shared) to keep up the accountability with your training partners.

We've had a few suggestions for training logs, and I'm open to all ideas, but I'll throw out here a few things I'd like some feedback on. Here are four online logs we can try. Some of these I've used and some I haven't. Some feed through RSS and may be able to feed directly into our blog (how cool would that be?) and others are simple to share with others who want to view your progress. While I keep researching our options, check these out and tell us what you think.

Cool Running
Nike
Road Runner Sports
Running Journal

Additions:
running-log.com
the running log
athleticore
runnerslog

Mrs. Denisons v Mrs. Stranges

2007-08-14T19:49:00.001-07:00

Okay, okay. I'm in.

Mrs. Denison challenged me, on behalf of the Mrs. Denisons and women everywhere. So how could I say no? The only reasonable thing to do was to say okay and go buy a jogging stroller. Which is what we did. And then we used said stroller despite Noel's general dissatisfaction with it to embark on a walk/jog through the blazing neighborhood.

It's hot here, ladies.

But not as hot as it's going to feel when the Mrs. Stranges squash the Mrs. Denisons at Houston 2009.

While I don't know about Scott's suggestion below

2007-08-14T19:10:00.000-07:00

I do think that getting in shape and planning to run a marathon is natural. At least more natural than giving blood. I've wanted to put up useful information and where I look I can seldom find much information about how to get in shape. There's tons available concerning how to train once you've achieved a certain level of fitness--a level at which few of us currently find ourselves--but not so much about how to get there. Maybe these Mayo Clinic articles will be useful.

Aerobic exercise: What 30 minutes a day can do
Fitness programs: 5 steps to getting started
Fitting in fitness: Finding time for physical activity
Fitness training: 4 elements of a rounded routine
Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity
Fitness programs: 6 steps to guide your selection
Barriers to fitness: Overcoming common problems

and since we've got fans of the Cooper Aerobics Center here...

Walk for Life—A 12-Week Program for Beginners
Dr. Cooper's Aerobics Point System
For A Great Workout, Just Add Water
Running 101: Pacing is the key to improving your time
Winter Workouts

training suggestion

2007-08-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

this would be a wise way to start your training:
click here, then when the page opens up, click on the bottom link on the tabs to the left

Service Request

2007-08-07T10:48:00.000-07:00

To: all users herewith and posthaste, &tc &tc
From: the MSC
Re: an official message with much hot air and foaming at the mouth

Commence to start the message:

All service requests relevant to this blog and its comments shall be henceforth posted at the following broken link here. After clicking on the page and finding a little bit of something which might otherwise be called nothing, please drink a cup of coffee at your own expense and wait for further helps. Odd series of unclear instructions may never be posted, nor will anyone read any attempted correspondence about such matters. Upon completion of the lack of form, you should expect a response from our sysdmin, miler mstrange, in zero days. To express your satisfaction with his administrative customer service, you may plan to pummel him at the finish line of this supposed "marathon" unless, as requested, the Mr. Denison suggests some better way to disregard your needs.

Thank you for your time.

26 miles 385 yards?

2007-08-06T16:21:00.000-07:00

While Strange runs 26 miles and 285 yards, the Mr. Denisons will be livin' it up at the finish line.

By the way, how is it that I'm the first one to notice this?

New Links

2007-08-06T13:03:00.000-07:00

Apparently even though everyone can post and comment, only I can alter the layout. I'll be adding useful links, etc, with the helpful input of Scott and everyone else. If you see anything that needs to be added, let me know. For now, take a look at some of the new links on the left. I've found Running Times and Cool Running to be very useful. RT has better training information and CR has better forums, but either will get you to the information you seek. I find Runner's World at times helpful and at times distracting, but being the most circulated running publication they deserve mention. The latter two are wildcards. Let'sRun.com is a wildly useful site for news and information, if your boots reach high enough to safely wade the muck. The forum (frequently visited by the greatest runners and coaches) is full of... interesting topics and is sometimes a great way to spend a few mindless minutes. At least you can always get the pulse of who's the hottest collegiate track star this week by reading their forum... Marathonguide.com has a lot of information--you'll just have to let me know if it's useful.

More to come!

M-Strange Ain't Hot, Jacknut Ain't Hot...

2007-08-06T10:19:00.000-07:00

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T KNOW THESE GUYS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO AL DAHFRA. I AM NOT NOW, NOR WILL I EVER BE, A PILOT.

I got sent this video today at work, and it is an amazingly accurate portrayal of deployed Air Force life. I think they made this in the middle of winter (based on the temp they give in the video), but I thought I would post it here just in case anyone was having trouble running in the heat. Plus, it's hilarious.

If you don't know what some of the lines or acronyms mean, just ask and I'll explain. Also, be sure to check out the original version if you don't know it.

Oh, one last thing. Sorry for the video quality, but I think it's good enough to get the point.

The Challenge

2007-08-05T20:22:00.000-07:00

The challenge to run a marathon began as Scott told me he wanted to run a marathon in the States sometime soon. Scott really wants to run New York City, but being a lottery entry it won't be very easy to get a group involved. I suggested Chicago because of its world-class race and because it's a great place to visit. Scott vetoed that idea because it would make his travel schedule too difficult and, well, Scott lives the furthest away.

So Houston is the most nominated race, and it looks like Houston (January 2009) will be our rendezvous. Scott's suggestion was a challenge to me because I want to run another marathon, need to get in shape, and have been inspired to run after the pre-retirement of my high school coach. Tigger likewise was inspired to run, Jason owes us at least one marathon, and Chris, a veteran marathoner, will step to any friendly challenge (whether or not he will gouge away your eye-sockets in an unfriendly manner, I do not know.) So I challenged all of these muffin-necks to run a marathon.

Then Shelby volunteered to run. I would say she "manned up", but that statement is weak and cliche. Running a marathon, and likewise volunteering to run a marathon, is neither weak nor cliche. Then "The Challenge" ensued.

I volunteered two teams which I thought well-matched. Scott, myself, and the better Denison (aka The Mrs Denisons) versus Chris, Jason, and the lesser Denison. Several predictions have the teams at 12 hours each, but I gave soft predictions of Scott/Micah 3:30, Chris/Tigger 4:00, Jason 5:00, and Shelby 6:00. These times certainly can, and certainly should, be bettered, but we'll leave that for later.

And now Wes joins the fray. His admission is gladly received, though it does break the teams. Little loss and great gain for us, though, and as we may find room to add another runner or we may find a way to reorganize the teams, our team challenge can (and probably should) be finalized later.

For now, the prep. Today I purchased remaindered Boston 2007 adidas shorts and top on sale from Sportspectrum. Tomorrow: running.

Beer Mile Challenge

2007-08-05T18:22:00.001-07:00

Aside from the Houston 2009 Marathon challenge... i throw out a challenge to one M. Strange, and to whoever else wants to participate in a beer mile that will take place the day preceding j.lowe's wedding. Be afraid of jack-nuts increasing capacity to run a stellar beer mile time.

Training

2007-08-05T13:39:00.000-07:00

Okay, now tell me how I'm going to train to run? I have not run at all before and I don't want to set myself up to fail. Yesterday I ran for a mile and a half. It hurt me. And I'm going to do 26.2 miles? AAAACH! -shelby

Nike sponsorship, here I come.

2007-08-05T06:53:00.000-07:00

I'm not thinking about making the team. I'm thinking about GOLD in Houston.

I'm also thinking the elevation chart looks mighty tempting. http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/marathoninfo/marcourse1a0b.htm

Welcome

2007-08-05T05:51:00.000-07:00

to the Houston 2009 blog. Let the conversation commence!