If you show up to run, the rain will stop.

Date: March 10, 2007
Music: Didn’t need any
Event: 14 mile training run
Temperature: 50 degrees

I didn’t need an alarm clock to wake me up this morning. I woke up at 4:19 AM and couldn’t go back to sleep. I stayed up last night to watch the U of L game and was so cranked up about the game, I had some trouble relaxing enough to go to sleep. Normally, I would have trouble just waking up instead of waking up early.

Nonetheless, I was up. I drank my usual pot of coffee, read the newspaper and had a nice breakfast of orange juice, bananas and whole wheat bagel, with peanut butter. I turned on the Weather Channel and began analyzing how I would dress for the run.

As I watched the Weather Channel’s “Weather on the Eights” and the other “Storm Team” talking heads, I realized that rain was in the forecast for the morning. I went outside and although still cool, the air felt like shorts and long-sleeved T-shirt weather. I opted for running shorts, running visor, (to shelter my face from rain), and my “Go Red” technical shirt. (From a breast cancer fund raiser.) After getting my fix of CNN “Headline News”, I grabbed my running gear and made the 17 mile drive to Fleet Feet.

When I arrived in the FF parking lot, everyone began getting out of their cars. I had to drive my daughter’s blue Neon, as I’ve had a coolant leak in my Ranger, and received a little ribbing about it. Someone commented on my “Go Red” shirt and I told them that Camille told me if I bought the shirt it would help in breast cancer research and it would “impress the ladies”. I mentioned that as I’ve been married for 27 years, that wasn’t a pertinent sales feature.

As always, we began debating the route. I had suggested we meet at the Belle of Louisville and run the Riverwalk to Shawnee Park and back. Jon and others said the Riverwalk was under water and impassable. We decided to follow a route that Emily Stoess had worked out the day before. It included a run down Frankfort Avenue. The problem was Emily hadn’t showed up. We decided to give her a few more minutes before we took off. Emily didn’t show up, so we took off to Seneca Park, with Danny Chesser and Donnie running ahead and out of sight. Our little group consisted of Maria, Joe, Annette, Sara, Kristy, Amy and Leslie.

We ran an easy pace of 9 minute miles and discussed several topics on the way to Seneca. As always, marathoning is the main topic. Training, race strategy, diet, marathon routes, etc. always come up in addition to movies, news, “what I did last night”, sports and other topics of interest. Politics and religion are usually not discussed, as most views on each are divergent and may result in discord in the group.

When we reached the park, we took a bathroom break and mingled with other runners from mini-marathon training groups. Their programs are laudable and provide training for casual runners. I'm sure the camaraderie and fellowship, both social and spiritual is rewarding. (I actually began running with one of these groups.) These programs provide a venue for beginners and but after the event is over, the runners, for the most part, go back to a non-running existence. My hope for these runners is that running becomes a large part of their lives and the goal-setting becomes second nature.

After our bathroom break, we headed out to Shelbyville Road to get us to Frankfort Avenue for the “Artsy-Fartsy” route. It is so-named because of the eclectic art shops, coffee houses, restaurants and bars that line Frankfort Avenue. Frankfort Avenue was just beginning to come to life, if hungover, after a Friday night of college students celebrating spring break.

We began the mostly down hill run on Frankfort and enjoyed the sights of the hip stores and restaurants along the way. The temperature was perfect, there was no rain and my running partners were interesting and informative as always. Annette and Maria were recovering from a bout with the nasty virus I had last week. Both said they were weak, but seemed to be running strong.

When we reached Mellwood, Leslie turned off to head home. We ran to Baxter Avenue and headed up the Baxter/Bardstown Road edition of the “Artsy-Fartsy” route. More hip shops, bars and restaurants all the way back to FF.

Soon we spotted the bell tower next to FF and knew we were almost home. As we were trudging up Bardstown Road, Annette asked me a question I have no answer for. “If I had not begun running how would my life be now?” It’s hard to imagine what my life would be like. Annette had no answer and neither did Maria. My thought is that running occupies such a large part of my life, living without running would unimaginable.

We arrived back at the store, changed and headed across the street for Heine Bros. Coffee. Soon Karen # 1 and Emily came in the store. They had gone to the Belle after all and had missed our 7 AM rendevous. So much for our communication system.

Well at least it didn’t rain.

Anthem 5K

Date: March 3, 2007
Music: Didn’t need any
Event: Anthem 5K
Temperature: 40 degrees

I apparently caught the “virus from hell” last week and was ill, to the point of not being able to leave the bed, for two days. After my run on Tuesday evening, I began to feel odd. Wednesday morning, I woke up with extreme stomach pains and feelings of nausea.

I made my usual visit to the Ft Knox Army base, but had to sit down and rest a few times. My stomach pains grew worse, and I decided to go home. The ride home was a real challenge. I was feeling as if I was going to throw up and even had dizzy, lightheaded feelings. I drove straight home and went to bed.

I spent the rest of Wednesday, all day Thursday and Thursday evening throwing up and visiting the bathroom. I didn’t leave the house until midday Friday, when I went downtown to get my race packet. I decided that if I didn’t feel better by 10 PM, I was going to skip my first Saturday run of the year.

As we are training for various marathons, we have to add miles to the races. We planned to meet at 7 AM, run the 6 miles to the race, run the race and then run back. My plan was to take it easy and go as far as my dehydrated body could go.

Luckily, the nausea, diarrhea and stomach pains began to wane around 9 PM. By 10 PM, I was pretty much back to normal. I decided to tackle the run and went to bed.

My Saturday began as usual, as I prepared for the Anthem 5K and the 6 mile run preceding it. I had my usual pot of coffee, read the paper and got everything together and jumped in the Ranger for the17 mile drive to Fleet Feet.

I arrived at Fleet Feet and joined the other NQRFPTR’s in the parking lot. We quickly took off down Eastern Parkway, to Barrett. I ran at various times with Kim Cleary, (our Ironman mom), and Sarah, (our broccoli and potatoes runner). I ran behind Kim, and abreast with Sarah. I soon began to realize we were moving pretty fast. I struggled to keep up with the other runners, but soon realized this was a pretty fast group. My recent illness had taken a toll on my glycogen reserves and I soon began to tire.

When we reached Market St, Sarah commented we were averaging 8:16 minute miles. (Way to fast for my condition). The others soon began to pull away and Sarah and I settled into a slower pace. When we reached the race location, they kept going. Like lemmings, Sarah and I followed. We ran at least two more miles. I was pretty well exhausted.

We finally made it back to the race location and they were already singing the Star Spangled Banner. Donnie Fultz and I made our way to the 9 minute mile area and waited for the race to start.

Finally, the race began and I soon realized that I didn’t have the strength to run very fast. Donnie stayed with me the entire 3.1 miles, but I could tell he wanted to go on. He stayed right there with me throught the entire race. We got separated at the finish line and I went directly to the water booth. I drank two bottles of water and headed to the Panera Bread booth.

I grabbed a cinnamon and blueberry bagel and headed to the PowerAde booth. I grabbed a PowerAde and as I drank it, I began to feel stronger, but soon began to shiver. I spotted a couple of NQRFPTR’s and went over to talk. I talked to Emily and her friend for a few minutes, when Mark and Joe came over.

We chit-chatted about the race and other running topics, but I couldn’t shake the chills. Emily volunteered to take me back to Fleet Feet, but I got the feeling she had plans. I decided to ask Joe for ride back. He agreed and we walked to his truck in pretty heavy snow shower. I continued to shiver.

We drove back to Fleet Feet and the snow continued to fall. Very heavy at times. We went in the store and I began to warm up. A few minutes later, Graham, Donnie and Mark came in the store and said it was a pretty tough run back. I'm glad I took the ride.

Graham, Joe and I headed across the street for coffee. We met up with the other group, who had just completed 18 miles. We had our usual great time drinking coffee and planning our training schedule. I soon noticed I was pretty much back to normal.

Five Miles in the Bank

Date: February 27, 2007
Music: My killer playlist
Event: Iroquois Park : Southern Parkway
Temperature: 40 degrees

After Saturday’s challenging run, combined with cold, rainy weather, I decided to take Sunday off. Monday was a hectic business day for me, and I couldn’t find time to get in my run. It resulted in a weight-lifting day, but no running.

As with my addiction to coffee, my addiction to running is equally as powerful. I started to get the DT’s on Tuesday morning. I had to get in my “running Jones” for the day. Early Tuesday morning, I packed my running stuff in the Ranger and went about my normal day selling Snap-on tools to my customers. I planned to make the last stop of the day at the Louisville Water Company, so I could scoot right over to Iroquois Park and get in my run. My plan went as expected and even though I didn’t get an order from the water company, I managed to go over to the Hampton Inn, on Phillips Lane, and change into my running gear.

I make a pretty enjoyable event out of changing in Hamptons. I stay at Hamptons, am a member of the Honors Club, and pick up a free USA Today, and usually bananas, when I change there. This time was no exception. I changed in restroom and headed for the breakfast area. I scanned the Sports section, ate a banana and headed out the door.

When I arrived at the ampitheatre, the parking lot was about half full. The temperature was cool, but not bone-chilling. The wind was a little stiff, and I began to second-guess the shorts I selected for the run. I stretched a little, cranked up my IPOD and took off, almost immediately. I met a few runners coming back in, (Gosh, I hate that! They are finishing up and I’m just starting), and waved at each of them with the approving wave we runners give each other, and headed off down through the park.

I reached New Cut Road and got caught by the light. I stood for what seemed like a long time, until I realized I could go. The configuration of the intersection makes crossing a real challenge. My old running buddy, Nick Truby, could read those light s without hesitation. He either went right on or stopped immediately. I, on the other hand, stop, until I am sure it’s clear.

I crossed over New Cut and began to crank it up. I met the “Running Couple” again, on their way back, and said “Hello”. They are an incredible couple of runners. They have done 15 or 20 marathons together. I have run with them a time or two, but they usually run alone. They are real disciplined marathoners.

I had "Stadium Arcadium" on my IPOD and began to get bored with it. I went back to my original play list, which begins with "Vertigo". A few songs later and on came "Tube Snake Boogie", by ZZ Top. It occurred to me that the rythym of that song, is about an 8 minute pace. It's a great song to make up some miles and time. I played it over and over, as I pounded the pavement, until I reached the turnaround point. I finally allowed the other songs to play as I trudged back the other way on Southern Parkway, when on came my favorite: "Runnin’ Down a Dream", by Tom Petty.

I played it over and over until I reached the top of the hill, at the tennis courts. It always motivates me to keep going. I let the playlist change to the next song and settled back to my usual 9 minute pace. When I arrived at the ampitheatre, Swag’s group was beginning to assemble for hill repeats, (Swag was even running), and I talked to a few of them, but headed to the Ranger for the trip back home.

On the way back, I ran into one of the girls who works at Fleet Feet. She and a friend were warming up to take off. (Gosh, I love that! I've already finished and they are just starting.) I felt pretty smug as they headed up to the road to take off.

Five miles in the bank!