El Scorcho Ocho

The thing about El Scorcho is the start time.  Or is it the heat?  Maybe it is the humidity.  Or could it be the darkness? Oh yes, what about the terrain!!  Distance?

El Scorcho is a perfect mix of all these wonderful things.

If you want a challenge to your "running normal", then be sure to put El Scorcho Nueve on your Race Calendar for 2015.  You will not be disappointed one bit.

Start Time: Midnight on a Saturday Night...or is it Sunday Morning?  New this year, 50K optional 10pm start. (This was Saturday Night)

Finish Line at about 5am

Distance: 25K (5 Laps) or 50K (10 Laps).  Don't lose count, because that is just embarrassing.  You see the same cheering, cow-bell-ringing, smiling, encouraging, lit up, beer drinking volunteers and friends all night.  Kinda like Ground Hog Day, but more awesomer.

Weather: Hot!  Hey, it's July in Texas. Probably about 90 at start and low 80's at 2am. By 4-5am it was a beautiful 79 degrees with a cool breeze from SW.  But race is over by then.

Humidity: 55% or so.  Not bad this year.  Roll the dice for next year.

Darkness: Supermoon was present this year as well as some light posts and spot lights, but there was plenty of darkness through this 5K Loop Course.

Terrain: Well, let's see.  Trinity Trail Concrete, Gravel, was it 3 bridges, grass (when passing), asphalt road, hard packed dirt, ridges and ruts. Good times to go along with darkness.

Try El Scorcho.  You will be happy you got Scorched.

Boston Marathon: More Thoughts

Just about anything I say, will not do it any justice.  But let me try…again.

Amazing support.  The BAA kept in perfect contact with us through the final crazy month and last weeks.  Their information content was right on and they repeated very important things.

Volunteers must have known what they were in for and were ready.  From the loads of service men and women stationed everywhere along the way of our trip out to Hopkinton, in Athlete’s Village, along the course inside and outside the barricades to all the completely amazing course support.  There was always someone there.  A splash of water or two.  Some lube.  A cold rag.  They were happy to be there and ready to help.  True SERVANT’S HEARTS.  Well trained.  Thank you.

Kathy and I spoke with a volunteer in the elevator of our hotel.  It was about 4pm on Monday, after my race, and we were headed to dinner.  He was part of the Boston Common Team that helped with the loading of buses and collection of gear bags that runners wanted to check and have ready for after their run.  He had started his day at 2AM.  He was done at 12PM and had taken a quick nap.  He was headed to Hopkinton to join Race Director Dave McGillivray for his 42^nd running of this incredible course.  This is what the whole day was about.  Sacrifice and togetherness.

People.  Young and old from places I have no idea where. 

Stories from along the road.

From what I remember and from my Garmin stats, I stopped two times.  Once at about 15 miles and again at about 24 miles.  I think I remember both times and who I spoke with during these stops.

Stop one was somewhere between Wellesley and Newton.  The hills were about to begin.  I told Nelly I needed to stop and stretch, just to see if my quads would loosen up.  They were screaming and sore and tight and tired.  I spotted a park bench and pulled over there to brace myself during stretching.  A nice lady saw me and offered advice and encouragement.  She smiled at me and truly wanted me to have a good run.  She cared.  She saw my need and did something.  This is what we need to be doing in our lives.

Stop two was along Beacon Street in Brookline at about 24 miles.  It was just after a water stop and I had grabbed a cup and stopped to drink it along the left side of the course.  I leaned on a barricade and talked with a lady.  I remember telling her “I’m not thirsty; I just want a reason to stop.”  She smiled and encouraged me to continue and finish strong.  She patted my shoulder.  She was there for a stranger.

These interactions all made this experience one to remember.  So many others played a part.  It was the enthusiastic high-five from all the college kids that nearly took my arm off at the elbow.  The loving gesture of an orange slice just at the right time.  Bottled water early in the race from a young spectator.  The Wellesley Girls!   Kids asking their mom and dad if they are holding the orange slice right and learning about runners and the love of this sport.  Parents showing their kids the legacy of their community.  Passing it on.  There is something to this.

While I was struggling, I looked at the faces along the street.  They saw me looking and waved or offered their hand to me.  They cheered as I waved back or engaged in a high-five.  There was a mutual need being met by all of us there.  They did not come to watch the marathon and see one person and just leave.  They were invested and stuck around to see people and stories and pain and happiness.  They wanted to thank the runners and share in the victory of each step.  They did not see the finish line, but they all had a part in many finishes.  It is a true test of a city and a show of resilience.  These people know how to do it and I am so glad each one was there Monday.

I will cherish these memories and will revisit them often to propel my journey to qualify for Boston 2015.  Thank you Boston for your strength, perseverance, beauty, and grace.  I hope to see you real soon.

Meanwhile, I want to make a commitment to start paying this back or forward.  Our Sunday School Class is batting around a fun little thing....it's called a Wave!  Yep, just a simple little wave.  Pick up your hand and wave at someone.  If you are driving in a school zone, just lift your index finger off the wheel at that crossing guard.  Show them you appreciate them.  help them finish.  Out for a walk?  Wave and smile at that cyclist whizzing past.  They might have had a bad day.  Wave at the store manager as you are leaving with your groceries.  They like positive things once in a while.  

Smile and Wave people.  We can make everyday The Boston Marathon!

All in for Boston 2015!!

2014 Boston Marathon

By now you may have seen pictures and heard stories of The Boston Marathon, so this may not be much different than those.  Yes, it was very cool.  Yes, there were so many runners and screaming supporters out there on Monday.  Yes, it was a great day to be a alive, in Boston, a runner, and an American.

A Boston journey often begins well before Patriots' Day of that year and my story does.  Thank you 2013 Cowtown Marathon for helping me Boston Qualify and set a Personal Record.

My journey also brought along the usual ups and downs of a weekend warrior. Ups, like the wedding of Jessica and Thomas.

And downs like 2013 Dallas Marathon cancellation, missing 2014 Cowtown, and yep, losing my job at Sprouts.

This is what makes the 2014 Boston Marathon a Journey!!!

On board JetBlue 714 to Boston

It was fun gearing up and making all those blog posts and counting down.  Many friends and even my runner friends may have been getting just a bit worn out by all the hype....but man it is exciting.  

We arrived late Saturday, so Sunday would be out Expo day.  I also planned to get up early and take a short spin with Bart Yasso and Koach along The Charles River. 

Bart leading the group towards The Charles River.

We also made a pass by where Koach and his buddies were stopped last year and ran the final leg with them to FINISH their 2013!!

Koach and his buddies on Commonwealth Avenue right before going under Mass Ave.

A moment at the finish.

Kathy and I went to the Expo after my run.  As we walked west on Boylston, we passed the finish line and we neared the spot of the first blast.  We continued on to the spot of the second bomb and Kathy showed me where she was standing last year.  It was near the second blast.  We took a few breaths and thanked God again for his Divine Providence in our lives.

The expo was a buzz.  Lots of people.  Lots to buy. I grabbed my packet and we looked around.  Kathy needed a nap and I went to hear The Legends Seminar.

Greg Meyer, Jack Fultz, Amby Burfoot, Billy Rodgers, and Katherine Switzer speak!

Dinner that evening was at Maggiano's and it was just right.  Salad, Pasta, Salmon, Bread, and some Apple Pie.  

Marathon morning came quick after an OK night of rest.  Golden Adventures had buses for us and we would connect with an Official Boston Marathon Bus just South of Hopkinton.  The ride was relaxing and longer than I remembered.  Our connection was smooth for as many runners there were and all of us got wanded.

Athlete's Village was packed.  This is the only place where the sheer HUGE amount of runners was evident.

You can see authorities securing the area on the roof.  We are in a new time people.

I met Nelly and we adjusted out gear.  It was already warm enough to remove our donation clothes and we tried to get some food down.  The village had bananas and bagels.  There was no need to worry about bringing much more than what you would need for the run.  We headed for the start line and just basically followed the crowd to the corrals.

Wonder why that guy behind us has his bib upside down?

Nelly and I started our run soon after we got to the corral.  We walked to the start line and then began the nearly 4 mile downhill plunge.  I felt great.  We really wanted to stay together and gain strength from each other.  It helps to have a familiar face and smile with you for what was going to be more than a three hour run.

The crowds were thin early on but very vocal.  Many looked for a high five.  Others, after several miles, handed out water, oranges, or even beer.  Nelly and I talked and made sure we got water when we needed. It was going to be a hot one.

I think around mile 8 or so, I felt some discomfort in my right quad.  It may have started in the hip.  It was slowing me down.  

I felt a surge at Wellesley, about the halfway point, and did record an awesome video to try and show some of the energy.

As we neared The Newton Hills, we stopped to see if I could stretch out my right leg and feel better.  It worked some, but the downhill pounding had taken its toll.  Nelly was a trooper and slowed her pace.  I tried so hard to keep up with her and just run an easy 9:00 minute/ mile pace.  I just could not move my legs. They were done.  

Nelly tried to urge me on saying we only have 3 miles till the hills are done.  We had talked about how that final 5-6 miles after the hills was a place where anything can happen.  Just make it through the hills with something left and go for it.  I soon lost Nelly around mile 18-19.  I was in so much pain, especially in the downhill portions.  I had forgotten about the nearly 1 mile extreme downhill dive that occurred right before The Newton Hills.  It was brutal.  I was having a bad running day.

I looked around at those I was with and caught the eye of a guy who was walking, just like me.  I was about to start crying from all the emotions, and he kind of smiled at me.  I smiled back and shrugged my shoulders and said "Man, I don't know what to do.  My legs are trashed."  I looked at the crowd and they urged me on.  This would become a cycle for the final miles of this great race.

I looked at their faces.  I listened for their cheers.  I high-fived when I could.  I spoke with them.  I thanked them.  AND WOW, they thanked me.  The kids waved flags.  The students held signs.  The girls screamed. The old-timers gave the knowing nod.  So many just wanted to connect and that is what I needed to make it. Thank you people for your energy and power.  You gave me what I needed to make it.  I hobbled and ran and winced in pain as my right calf cramped when I went to fast.  I smiled and they smiled back.  They pushed me. 

That run from Boston College down Commonwealth Avenue was glorious.  It was slow and it was fun.  I knew I was hurting, but these crazy people of Boston were not going to let me quit.  Those Commonwealth Crazies pushed me to Boylston.  They propelled me to that perfect straightaway with the finish line in sight and my beautiful wife nearby.  They made me feel good about what I was doing.  I sure hope I did the same for them.

Kathy kissed me and told me to finish.  That was all I needed to hear. (3:54:57)  It was not my fastest or slowest marathon.  It was one that I will not forget.  Still feeling the effects of those punishing downhills today, I am thankful for that memory and will use it to make it to Boston for 2015.

On our way to the Expo.

Boston Marathon

Yep, it is finally Marathon Monday.

Like last year, before the race, I felt there is definitely something special about to happen.

People from all around the world are here to say to one another, "You mean enough to me that I came to support you!". Whether you are watching and cheering from your phone in Texas or here along the route fence, or out there running I feel your presence and it counts!

I am ALL IN FOR BOSTON 2014!!!

1 Day Till Boston

Great day in Boston.

So much happening.

All in for Boston 2014!!!!

2 Days Till Boston

It is so close!  Marathon Monday in Boston is near. The world is literally converging on Boston and Kathy and I will be there soon.

Running is a funny sport. We do it together when we "race", but often train alone. We have fun on a social run, but get results from a solo hill run or 7 mile tempo that quite often is at our desired pace and length.

On Marathon Monday we all have a plan. A dream run. A desired or trained for result. For many it will be realized and others will be a tough day. Deep in a runners mind and soul is an attitude of not quitting or surrendering. It will be engaged on Monday in all runners and even those cheering. 

Enjoy your run on Monday. You worked hard to get here, no matter what the path. You deserve to soak it all in. You deserve to SMILE. You deserve to HIGH FIVE some kids. You deserve to get totally JAZZED at Wellesley.  Look around and say " This.  Is. AWESOME!"

ALL IN FOR BOSTON 2014.

3 Days Till Boston

3 Days.  Yep, 3 days till The Boston Marathon.

You know Jesus loves us so much that he was beaten, spit upon, unjustly tried, died a horrible death on the cross, was buried in a tomb for three day, and arose from the dead.  He really loves us.

The love of Jesus allows everyone to be All In For Boston 2014!!