A Record, A Milestone and Another First

Today I ran my fifth race of the year in Meyersdale, PA. With springlike temperatures and a flat and fast course I knew that I would PR in the race today. First, it was a 5-mile race which is not a common distance I've run and actually hadn't run in nearly four years. Second, because my normal training runs during the week are typically 5 miles and I have beaten that 4-year old PR almost every time out for the past year or two. So I was fairly confident that today would be a PR day. I just didn't know by how much.

To my surprise, I felt great and was able to absolutely obliterate my old PR (35:45) by over four minutes (31:22). It was good for a fifth place finish overall out of 129 runners and first in my age group for the fourth time in five races this year. Below is the picture of the race shirt, medal, bib and a pint of maple syrup. The race was part of the Meyersdale Maple Festival where maple syrup and maple candies could be bought on every street corner. After the race, I had hot pancakes with Somerset County maple syrup. A delicious way to end today's race event!

Also, I have been caught up in my running so much that I forgot to post a relatively big milestone in my hockey officiating career. Two Thursday's ago I worked my 1,600th hockey game of my career in the Laurel Mountain Hockey League Championship Game. Although the game itself left much to be desired it still is a pretyt big accomplishment that I should have celebrated.

A FIRST!!!

I have been running road races since 2002. I have finished in 2nd place overall once but have never come close to finishing first overall. Today that changed in Somerset, Pennsylvania. Today I ran the Knights of Columbus 5k run and despite the fact that race time temperatures were near 40 degrees with a driving rain and the fact that there were only 29 runners the bottom line is I WON! I beat out 28 other runners and crossed the finish line first. My time of 19:07 was good for my 5th fastest 5k time of all-time, but today it was good enough to win me the plaque to the left and come home with the title of "champion". I was out front almost from the very start and spent the first mile running with the eventual 3rd place winner but like I always do, I thrived on the hills and hung in for a frantic final half-mile with someone on my tail. Fellow IRRC runner Mike Hudac came in behind me but helped push me for the final 1/2 mile or so.

Even though I've been battling chest cold issues all week long and not really wanting to run this morning I perservered and ran a fairly fast time. When doing road races the winners are usually coming in between 15-18 minutes but when the numbers get down like they did today, it opens the door for someone like me who is in that next layer of speed.

It wasn't a victory in a 1,000 participant event. It wasn't pretty. It wasn't done in front of large crowds and not a lot of fanfare came along with it. But I did add a plaque to my collection of medals and I won a race. It may never happen again, but I can now say I won one. How many people really ever get the chance to say that?

A Crazy Weekend

Let's start with Saturday morning. The Penn State Altoona Snowflake Run that was sponsored by the PSU-Altoona Lady Lions Soccer team. Originally scheduled for LAST Saturday it was canceled due to the horrendous weather we've been experiencing here in Central Pennsylvania. What that created was my fourth 'back to back' situation. Meaning that I had a 5k on Saturday and a 10k on Sunday.

The Snowflake Run was held on the PSU Altoona campus and a prettier course you would have a hard time finding. Despite the double-loop course and a few near "switchbacks" that slowed my time a bit, I still crossed the line in 6th place overall with a time of 19:27. With 26 degree temperatures at the start, it was sunny and overall was a pretty good day for it all. I also got one of the more unique place awards (1st in my age group) that came in the form of a tree ornament. A great idea! Pictures from Saturday follow:



Onto Sunday. Despite a chest cold and coughing that came on in the middle of the night, I went to Shanksville for the Shanksville 10k. A fairly tough course with windy conditions were offset by the fact that it started at 1:00 p.m. Temperatures were in the upper 30's and lower 40's and bright plentiful sunshine made it seem much nicer. I decided not to "race" this one, but just go comfortably fast. The idea worked as I was able to post some pretty good miles despite my physical condition and the fact that I had raced the day before. My 43:44 finish time was good for 4th place overall and 1st in my age group. Another unique award that I did not and could never keep. A peach pie! It along with the race bib is pictured below.

NOTE: I decided to let my last post stand for an extra day or so to give it the time that it deserved. Because I was in a hurry (as I usually am of late) on Saturday I failed to write a bit more about the artist of that amazing painting. Linda Flanagan is a fellow Saint Francis alumni who hails from the Northern Cambria County area. She now calls Chicago home and is a very good friend of mine. She is a fellow runner and is married to John who is a successful podiatrist in the Windy City. She is like a big sister to me. The sister I never had.

Look Familiar?

Burning Bright. My friend and fellow Saint Francis alum Linda Flanagan who hails from Chicago completed a painting of the photo you see to the right along the edge of this blog.

She did so as part of an art class she is taking and if I do say so myself she is a very talented and amazing painter.

I have always wanted to have a portrait painted of myself but this is above and beyond anything I ever expected to happen to me.

My last blog post called for the year in photos from last year. Instead, I give you "Burning Bright". The photo is from the Hollidaysburg YMCA 4th of July race held on July 4, 2009 in Altoona.

I am mesmerized looking at it. I think I will let this stand alone for a day or so. Tomorrow a race update from today that I ran on the campus of Penn State Altoona.

2009 In Review

2009 will forever live in my mind as the year I qualified for Boston. It was a challenging year to say the least. I began 2009 by jogging a mile and walking a mile on New Year's Day. It felt like I had just qualified for the Boston Marathon that day. Considering I was coming off a broken foot that I suffered on October 27 I felt like I was going to turn the corner on a new year and things would quickly get back to normal. Boy was I wrong.

After that New Year's Day jaunt I would not run again until January 15. Then it would be February 1 before I ran again but February 5 before I would complete a mile running. My struggles continued and after another doctor's appointment and a CT Scan in late February it was painfully evident that it would be a long haul back.

On March 4 while working out at lunch time I decided to take this comeback one tiny step at a time. A mile was out and 1/4 miles were in. I was able to string together a week of quarter mile runs. Then half mile runs, followed by 3/4 mile runs and eventually back to back 1-mile runs on March 19 and 21. And even though I wasn't ready to compete in a 5k I did so on March 28 completing the Pennsylvania Highlands Sprint to Success in 21:44. My foot would continue to cause me issues through my summer vacation in June but by mid-summer things were beginning to fall into place for me. Even though my timetable for Chicago seemed a bit on the aggressive side I maintained hope that I would be ready to go by October.

On April 25 I was shocked when I set a 5k PR by running a 19:30 at the Wings of Hope race. I smashed my previous PR by 19 seconds. And despite dealing with ongoing pain issues I dropped back to the half-marathon in Pittsburgh and forced myself to "just finish" and found a way to do so in 2:01:35 on May 3.

I focused on simply running races and getting stronger throughout the summer and tried to maintain a consistent running schedule. Even though my times were not as fast as I wanted them to be and the adrenaline of simply running was now long gone I was accomplishing much by simply running. On August 29 I once again finished with a disappointing time in the Rockwood Rotary Half-Marathon. This time I completed the run in 1:38:51 and wondered if a Boston Qualifier was even close to being in the cards. I despite running I simply did not feel strong.

In September, however, something funny happened. On September 6 while doing a 20-mile training run I felt strong and followed that up with some additional strong runs the closer I got to October. Pain was seeping away from me and I hadn't really experienced many issues with the foot in weeks. On September 20 I declared myself ready after putting in a 10-mile training run in just over 1:11. All of my training runs were coming in under BQ times. Still, there was much uncertainty.

On October 11, 2009 I qualified for the Boston Marathon. I had perfect weather conditions and despite hitting a bit of a wall at mile 23 I overcame it. Then I followed that up by setting my second 5k PR of the year at the Red Cross Vampire run thirteen days later. This time I did it in 18:51, cutting another amazing 39 seconds off my previous PR. Not to be outdone, I finished 2009 by cutting another 32 seconds off that PR and set my 3rd 5k PR of the year on New Year's Eve at the Hollidaysburg YMCA Twilight race at Lakemont Park.

All told, I set a new record for races run in a year in 2009 by completing 15 races. I ran my five fastest 5k times of all time in 2009, setting 3 PR's along the way. I qualified for Boston. I overcame a slow start and recorded my third highest yearly running total (753.8 miles), while recording my fourth and fifth highest monthly running totals of all time (August - 110.8 miles and September - 105 miles).

Next week: 2009 The Year in Photos.

Getting Back

Ok, so perhaps it's been long enough since my last post. In a weird sort of way I almost didn't want to let go of Chicago. So keeping that post as the forefront post of my blog seemed like it might be a way to hang onto the day. But lo and behold we all must move on. And despite being a Boston Qualifier for the first time in my life it seems so surreal. I don't feel any different. I feel like the same old Vince. But I've also not felt like the same old Vince in a lot of ways.

I have experienced post-marathon depression before. Certainly after Philadelphia when I missed qualifying by 0:04 seconds, that was understandable. After my first marathon in Cleveland in 2006 I experienced the feeling of "now what?" And now you can add Chicago to that list. This last about as long as the previous two (10-14 days), but in some ways this has been completely different.

I know I have Boston to look forward to. I am also as fast as I've ever been. My training pace miles are consistently under or around 7:00 miles. I should feel great! But for some reason I don't. I plug away almost machine-like and feel that perhaps a rest is in order. One that I never took. I have not missed one day of running since well before Chicago. And yet, I cannot bring myself to stop and take a day for me. Maybe over the holidays.....

Lucky Seven, A Boston Qualifier and a PR

It may not look like it, but you are looking at a very happy man to the left. After years of attempts at trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon, I FINALLY DID IT!! It took seven marathons. Lucky 7 as it turns out. That and a fast course like Chicago with temperatures that were nearly perfect. When I nearly missed in Philadelphia in 2007 I remember thinking that the stars had aligned that day. I was at peak physical fitness and the weather completely cooperated. My biggest fear leaving the City of Brotherly Love that day was that I might never have the stars align for me again quite like they did that day. But align they did. With a starting line temperature of 29 degrees, it might have been just a tiny bit too cold, but I'm a cold weather runner. Whether I like to admit that or not it is true. And so for one fateful morning in the midwest along the streets of the Windy City, the stars once again aligned for me.


Setting a blistering pace from the get-go (6:10 first mile), I felt pretty good despite going out too fast and knowing that's not how to run a marathon. Still, as the miles clicked by and I kept having sub-BQ paces mile after fateful mile, I sensed that this might be the day. When I crossed the halfway point in 1:32 and some change I quickly determined that it would take a monumental collapse to lose my first ever BQ. I needed a 3:20 to qualify for the 2011 Boston Marathon (since I will be 4o that day). I could have qualified in my current age group with a 3:15 but qualifying has always been the goal. Some might think it's "backing in", but Boston sets the standards. I simply follow them. Anyone who feels as though that's "backing in" should go run a marathon and see for themselves that it's simply not true.


As the BQ miles continued through the first 21 miles I was feeling pretty good. My legs did get weary and just past mile 23 I felt sluggish to the point of stopping. I did stop and walk for a short time (about 25 seconds). During that fateful 25 seconds I spoke to myself. I asked myself why I was walking. I asked myself if I was blowing it. I determined that I was so close in Philadelphia and all I could think was, "don't let that happen again". I remarked outloud (to myself, although I'm sure others heard me), "You either want this or you don't. Make your decision and get moving." So I did. I started to jog again. I figured at a minimum I just needed to keep moving forward. I was watching the sands flow through the hourglass before my eyes and I decided that today was going to be the day. There were too many people following my progress. Too many people to disappoint. And yet, I only cared about one person. Me. I did not want to have to live with myself if I let this slip away.


With one mile to go I looked at the watch and saw that I had just under 12:00 to get it in. I can walk a 12:00 mile. I knew I had it. I tried to enjoy that final mile, soaking in the crowd and the moment I was about to experience. For a brief moment I completely enjoyed knowing what I accomplished. So many things ran through my head. One thing I could not forget was the pain and suffering and mental anguish I experienced last year when I broke my foot. The uncertainty of whether running this far again was even going to be remotely possible. And here I was, just under a year later, not only running the distance pain free but qualifying for the Boston Marathon. In the days leading up to this race I remarked often that so few people ever get this close to a dream. I was living it and appreciating it. I worked hard. I suffered and deprived myself all summer and it paid off on October 11, 2009. Chicago, Illinois will forever live in my heart as the place I reached out and grabbed a dream. I will definitely go back someday.


My mind quickly shifted to my next race. When will it be. I'm certainly not waiting for April 18, 2011 (my Boston Marathon). So yesterday I officially signed up for the Pittsburgh Marathon. The disappointment I endured not being able to run it this past May needs to be put to rest. I will run Pittsburgh with a relaxed mindset that I don't know that I've felt since my first marathon in Cleveland. I don't have the pressure of having to qualify for Boston. I'm sure I'll set a time goal, but it won't be a BQ pace. And yet, I feel as though I can do it again. I feel as though a 3:00 marathon is a possibility.


Upon returning from Chicago I took no time off. I have not missed a run in months. I have maintained the speed I had and took to Chicago with me. Faster in a lot of ways. Today I ran the Red Cross Vampire 5k and the benefits of my marathon training and fitness level paid off big time. Today I set a 5k PR by 39 seconds. It was my first sub-19:00 run as I crossed the finish line in 18:51. Once again I can only think that my running can still improve. I believe I can and will get faster. My body continues to adjust and improve and become more efficient. I am amazed at how far I have progressed in a year.



Below is a short photo journal of my trip to Chicago:

A Date With Destiny?

Tomorrow morning is the Chicago Marathon. I have trained hard all summer. I have not had a drop of alcohol since June 20. I have suffered. But has it been enough? I will begin to find out in about 8 1/2 hours when the race begins in Grant Park in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

I am quietly confident, but one never knows what is in store for you across 26 miles. I pray I've done enough. I pray that my body cooperates and I pray that the dreaded wall never appears.

Update to come with photos in about 15 hours.

Good night Chicago....

Perfection

I'm a perfectionist. Always have been and most likely always will be. That's why it's so difficult for me to learn that I'm not perfect in so many ways. Running will teach you over and over again that you can always improve in a variety of ways. Just like life. Sometimes it throws you a curveball and you can't seem to make contact. The mental struggle continues.

25 more days...

Ready for the Truth

One of my favorite motivational quotes of all time I found on a blog somewhere else on the internet. It said, "20 miles of hope, 6 miles of truth". Today I ran 20 miles. I awoke at 5:58 a.m. and did what I normally do now that I've got an iPhone. I checked my email, looked at Facebook to see what friends are up to and then rolled off the side of the bed into the darkness of the morning.

I put my contacts in and headed down the stairs to the basement where I got myself ready for what I knew would be a very long run. It's the run that I normally dread. But this one I looked forward to all week. I wanted to run this 20-miler as if I was trying to qualify for Boston today. Why? I wanted to see where I stood on the brink of heading to Chicago. In just over 34 more days I'd be doing it for real. Each rung on the ladder of climbing this summer has been another hurdle cleared on my way back from one of the most awful injuries I'd ever sustained. Today was another hurdle. Another opportunity to do what I think most would say is not possible. Not after running just 2 1/4 miles in January and February. Not when in June and early July I was still struggling with some residual foot pain that cropped up from time to time and forced me to take days off from my schedule.

But I've never been one to submit to that which people say cannot be done. No; I'm motivated by that. I enjoy looking back on an accomplishment and saying, 'wow, I can't believe I just did that'. And so this morning I stepped outside into the foggy morning mist of a beautiful Labor Day Sunday and headed off on my path to self-discovery once again.

When I climbed the hill into Westmont and closed in on mile 3 and my legs began to get heavy I questioned whether or not it was wise to run this thing quickly. After all, the long slow run is to be done slowly. The purpose is not to qualify for Boston today. Yet, I somehow didn't listen to my body and looked at it as an opportunity. When I hit mile 6 and regretted having Mexican food at Don Pablo's yesterday on the way to the Pitt game I could have easily listened to my gut and my instinct that said, 'do 10 and then do the other 10 later this evening'. I thought about it, but only for a second.

As I hit my house and finished the first 'lap' of 10 miles, the fog had only begun to dissipate in patches. I grabbed my gel and drink and decided that the split run was not happening today. When the gel kicked in and I got a short burst of energy a few miles later I knew I had made the right decision. When I hit mile 15 and Becky was there waiting with my final gel and water for the day I knew it would be a tough 5 miles, but I looked at it as an opportunity to test my limits and push myself. After all, it WILL be required in 5 weeks on the streets of Chicago. There is no doubt that it WILL be needed. "Don't cave to your instincts" I kept repeating in my head. "This is part of the process. This will carry you when you're there. You'll remember this run."

When I hit mile 18 and knew that each step beyond it was the furthest I had run since the Johnstown Marathon last October I gained a growing sense of purpose. I pushed on. I knew that 1 3/4 of the final 2 miles would be mostly flat and downhill. Peering at my watch I knew I was having a good run; timewise. I knew I was struggling. And when I hit mile 19 and kept repeating that my legs "felt like 20 pounds of ground hamburger meat hanging from my hips" I knew I was growing. This is what the marathon is all about. I didn't have anybody pushing me today. I didn't have crowds lining the streets for each and every step. I only had me. And that's who is largely responsible come race day. Those other things help and surely they will. But not today.

Crossing my finish line behind my garage I clicked the stopwatch. 2:36:14. On race day I'll need to be at 2:32:40. But all things considered, today was a good day. My legs are still heavy but I've had worse. My body is cooperating. Even though I hesitate to say it, I feel I'm ready right now. I've got 5 weeks to go and I'll use each day to fine tune where I'm at. But the hard stuff is almost over. One more very long run next weekend that is yet to be determined distance-wise. I've got my 20-miler in. If I don't want to, I don't need to do another. There is comfort in that but I'll probably still do another. But it won't be fast. I'll save that one for race day.

I hope that the weather cooperates and I hope that today goes a long way toward getting me to that finish line in under 3:20. In 35 days, I'll be ready for the truth...