Moving On Up

Yup, I went and done did it I did. The new Last Mile Lounge can now be accessed here.
Come by, visit, leave a comment, or not.
Irregardless, have a splendid day!

Turnover

Long and busy week thus far as I get assimilated into the Microsoft way of doing things. Thus far – very impressive.

This is just a quick post to alert you that I am changing blog services. My vain vanity URL of http://lastmilelounge.com will remain the same, however I do believe the feed might change. I guess this might be a good way to figure out whom my real followers are. Not that there is any pressure on you.

My goal is to have my first post on the new service up by Friday of next week. Perhaps you could remind yourself to check in.

Go Big or Go Home

I Pooped!

NOTE: If you are not a runner, I suggest skipping this section. Nothing to see here…

Besides the sore calves and burning quads, the one other thing the marathon inflicts damage upon is my internal poop factory. I will not poop for days after a marathon, and if I do, it is typically just a single, lonely little turdling.

Frustrating? Indeed. But then Wednesday or Thursday rolls around poopoopalooza opens the gates and there is an audible sigh of relief.

Does this happen to others or am I a freak?

To Marathon or Not

Right before the end of 2011 I alluded to a decision I would need to make regarding my marathoning future. To wit, should I put marathons in my review mirror and focus strictly on half marathons or should I continue to make the marathon my priority?

Hello. I am Jamoosh. I am a 4:30 marathoner. Thank you very much.

The lure of the marathon is just too great for me to turn away. I know that if I manage expectations and train properly, I can participate in races I can be proud of, regardless of how far off my PR they may be.

In 2006, over a period of five months (January – May), I ran seven marathons, three half marathons and a number of 5K and 10K races. Madness - I know. During that span I was running well. I was not running fast, I was running well. And I was running with a ridiculous level of joy.

I am not going to repeat that, but I can repeat the training that prepared me for those five months of madness. One of the big keys was running only three times a week to save my knees.

Another thing I need to do, as soon as this season is completed, is to focus on strength training.

I really need to focus on my hips, quads and glutes.

Strength training will help my body against injury and it’s good for older gentleman such as myself and Sean Connery.

That’s right, you may consider me as distinguished and handsome as James Bond – retro version.

Surfside

With that decision out of the way, that leaves Surfside in just over three weeks and the problem of my stomach. Knowing my symptoms, my stomach issues are not going away overnight and I have considered dropping to the half.

I have dropped from the full to the half in the past and it was always based more on a gut feeling than logic. My gut has always been right. Thus far, my gut is not telling me to drop, as odd as that may sound.

So bring it on – Jamoosh is going big in the sand!

Comparison Is Futile

Adam and I were having one of our random email exchanges Monday when I noted the following:

My (marathon) PR is on a beach – nothing but sand – so how does that relate back to every race I run after that? It doesn’t, it’s all relative to a particular moment in time.

We often gauge our performance by a number. But often times the number does not fit the situation. For example, one cannot compare running a mile uphill to running a mile on a flat course. Just like you cannot compare running a mile in 45 degree weather to running a mile in 85 degree weather.

If you do you are going to be perpetually frustrated and may open yourself up to injury trying to extend your effort.

I have run the Houston Marathon seven different times. Each time it’s different. Temperature, humidity, rain, ice, wind, sunny, cloudy, slick roads, roads in need of repair, crowd, number of runners, start position, bathroom breaks, fueling, hydration, layering or not layering, mental state, training, pain, recent injuries, getting stepped on, getting shoved, running with someone, running with no one, hitting the wall, beating the wall, tripping, falling, helping someone in need…you get the idea.

A PR is a wonderful thing, or at least it should be. But you cannot compare every race to your current PR or even the PR for that race (if you have one).

Last Saturday in Houston, Meb Keflezighi won the US Olympic Marathon Trials in 2:09:08. The next day, Tariku Jufar (of Ethiopia) won the Houston Marathon in 2:06:51. Does that mean Jufar is over two minutes better than Keflezighi? Does that mean that Jufar would have beat last year’s Houston Marathon winner Bekana Daba (2:07:04)? In both cases the answer is no. On any given day, regardless of the course, a lot can happen over 26.2 miles.

This is why it is so hard to compare one performance against another, even if both performances are your own. I have said this before - The number isn’t the story; the story unfolds over 26.2 miles. If all you are left with after 26.2 miles is a number, then I am sad for you.

For the record, I am pleased with my number and my story from last Sunday’s Houston Marathon. Is it my fastest race? No. It’s also not my slowest. But I have a lot to be proud of even though the results page may not show it. 

Houston Hates Me

It was meant to be a day of triumph.

The day was made for running with favorable weather. Pre-race fueling and hydration was sound. Race strategy was tested and true. Yet despite near-perfect execution, in a moment it became a run of perseverance.

A sigh of frustration.

Let’s pick this up at Tanglewood, just beyond Mile 17. I start here because other than seeing Lady J for the only time at Mile 1.5 (she had to catch a plane), nothing of interest happened. I was running well and running consistently.

I choose Tanglewood for the beginning of my race report because when I run Houston, if there are going to be issues, they almost always manifest themselves along Tanglewood.

I have always maintained my perfect distance is between 15-18 miles. Tanglewood marks Mile 18. Thus, as I made the turn off San Felipe, I did so with trepidation. Slowing just a bit, checking and feeling the body for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing. In fact, my legs wanted to go. My legs wanted to pick it up. But patience was a virtue I stayed true to all day.

I made it out of Tanglewood and just beyond Mile 19 when it happened. It was a burp. Or that’s what I expected. I was stunned when I threw up in my mouth.

What the heck was that?

Ok, nothing to see here. This is an aberration. Continue moving forward. Memorial Park beckoned and there was no need to walk.

Unfortunately, my stomach was talking to me. Burp, burp, burp and then around Mile 20 – hurl. Now we are walking. Walk, walk, walk, wait! One is supposed to feel better after hurling. Run, run, run, oh damn…

Walk some more. Do I dare to run? I do. My body wants to run. The legs want to go. They are telling me it’s past time. I run, I feel it, I walk. I run, I feel it, I walk. At Mile 23 I dry heave. Absolute frustration. I am not mad, I am frustrated. Houston has once again found a way to bite me. My hometown race is my nemesis.

As I walk I try to analyze what went wrong. I just can’t figure it out. My execution was without fault. My energy was good. I was hydrating on schedule. Everything looked to be in perfect order, yet one single star seemed to be misaligned.

At Mile 25 the desire to run it in was strong. After a few quick starts and stops it dawned on me that the less I upset my stomach the happier it would be.

Baby steps.

I began running, taking the shortest steps I could tolerate and that seemed to do the trick. I am sure it wasn’t pretty and people were passing on my left and right, but I was running and I didn’t care.

I made the final left to the finish line and withstood the urge to stretch it out. I did not want to throw up in front of thousands of people and who knows how many cameras.

4:34:58. Not what I expected, but not my worst race either. Hand me my medal thank you very much.

Random Bits

Houston usually has an excellent crowd, but this year they seemed to be over the top. So many people who were so loud, it was absolutely fantastic. And the signs. Let me tell you about the signs:

• Worst Parade Ever
• Who farted? Vicki?
• That’s not sweat; that’s your fat cells crying!
• Run faster honey - The Texans are on at noon

Three bananas – two actually running; multiple Elvis sightings – none were running; more male runners in tutus than female runners – I am not sure what this says about Houston.

Houston has water stops down to a science. I have to believe somebody from NASA is in charge.

Blues bands, oldies bands, rock bands, and a plethora of DJs  – Houston is (thankfully) not an RnR event, but by gosh music is plentiful along the course and it is awesome to boot.

My good friend Brian played the role of Pit Crew after Lady J left to catch her plane. He was most excellent. Thanks Brian!

And Finally

Stuff happens. We can never really know how the body is going to respond on race day. Yesterday my stomach was the weakest link. I don’t know whether it was stress, distress, or the fact I have internalized so much about my position in life over the past couple of months.

I have been treated for ulcers before and it could very well be the heartburn I have had over the last month or so was the prelude to another ulcer and it manifested itself later in the race. I know the treatment and I can get past it.

To me, the important thing is I ran 19 great miles with plenty in the tank. Further, I wore (for the first time) a new knee support and had no knee issues the entire race. And that my friends, is a victory within itself.

US Olympic Marathon Trials

A few pictures from my vantage point on Allen Parkway right before Mile 24.

Meb and Ryan, still close at this point. Meb would pull away soon after and win by 22 seconds.

 

 

 

 

 

The next three show Shalane Flanagan passing Desiree Davila.

Desiree had been in front on every pass until the final one. Here Shalane is pulling even.

Kara was visibly struggling.

 

 

 

The pass in progress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And done. Shalane on her way to victory 2.4 miles later!

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was a beautiful day for a race and Houston had a solid fan turnout!

Here We Go

Much to cover this fabulous Friday. Let’s get started!

It’s 31 degrees this morning! I should be out there embracing the chill, however I am opting to run inside today on the elliptical machine. With the marathon on Sunday, today is more about staying loose than anything. Hence if I can reduce the pounding on my body and avoid icy sidewalks, why not.

London Calling

Tomorrow is the Olympic Marathon Trials. Lady J and I will be front and center on Allen Parkway. I am very excited to be seeing this live and just as excited to go home and watch it on TV tomorrow afternoon (NBC – 3:00 PM EST/2:00 PM CST/1:00 PM AST – Adam Standard Time).

Career Opportunities

It’s officially official. Yesterday I has hit with a severe case of excitement induced ADD. I was unable to focus on anything once I received a call confirming that “everything is in order” and my start date is January 23, 2012.

Yup, I am going to work for Microsoft, recently named the Best Place to Work in the World! My excitement can only be described as “rabid.” Yes, rabid excitement. But it is a contained rabidness. No biting; just multiple happy dances and a few hugs.

Rebel Waltz

The official notification from the Chevron Houston Marathon alerts me that I am in Corral “A.” How did this happen? Corral “A” is only for the beautiful people. Ever since Houston instituted corrals, I have always been in the “other” corral. Now, a rebel amongst the beautiful people!

I am confused at the criteria for Corral “A” since runners who I know are faster (and listed faster finishing times on their registration) are relegated to the “Open” Corral.

The only thing I can think of is that with so many elites competing in the Olympic Trials on Saturday, there are some open spaces in Corral “A” and I was chosen. Hence, you could say I am taking Ryan Hall’s place in Corral “A.”

Complete Control

Since Sunday will be a “training” run (is a marathon ever “really” a training run?) my strategy is simple:

• Start at the back of Corral A
• Take the first five miles easy¹
• Move to cruising speed²
• Pick it up at the end, assuming something is in the tank³

1 – I know the course really well and I think by being in Corral A I should be able to get to a consistent pace by Mile 5. If I was in the “Open” Corral, I would say Mile 8, when the half marathoners roll off.

2 - Actual speeds will depend on the weather and fueling.

3 – I am trying a fueling strategy I was able to test twice during my training, so we’ll see what happens.

Should I Stay or Should I Go

For a few months I have contemplated leaving Blogger for another service or leaving blogging altogether. One reason is that Blogger does not necessarily play well with others (specifically other browsers). Another reason is Google (the entity that operates Blogger) is making changes to drive people to Google+. I do not fault them for doing this. It makes sense on their part and they are in the business of increasing market share and collecting as much consumer information as humanly possible. Further, the Blogger service is free, so they can do with it whatever they choose.

However, I like choices and increasingly Blogger is limiting the choices of things I care about. Sure, I admit I am somewhat of a rebel (I once tried to get a friend elected as “Dictator” of my high school) and I might be a little anti-establishment (I was editor of my high school newspaper and was in the Principal’s office every month for something I had written), but I am also a Geek – so I like to try different things and choose what I like the best. And I don’t want to be pigeon-holed to a certain application or a specific tool when the choice is mine to make.

For the record, Blogger is a good service. It is easy to use and gives thousands of people a voice on the internet. Further, the design tools on Blogger would cost you a subscription fee on other services. But the reality is, Blogger is slowly becoming a “closed” system.

Conveniently, my employment with Microsoft gives me the perfect excuse to step away from Blogger. And that is what I intend to do. It’s just a matter of when and in what capacity.

Let’s Go Crazy

People of the Net, the weekend approaches. There is much to do and please do until your heart is content. Choose wisely and run well.

By the way, if you caught on, kudos to you: Every sub-heading in this post is the title of a Clash song!