41 Days Till Boston

Today, I received an e-mail from The Boston Athletic Association.  They are getting the word out about a few new rules this year.

The Gear Check Bag is clear and 18" X 18" X 4" and can only be checked by official runners at Boston Common on Marathon Morning.

Another new, and possibly more difficult restriction is the limits to what can be taken on the bus rides to Hopkinton and Athletes Village. One Fanny Pack no larger than 5" X 15" X 5" will be allowed per runner.  Last year I packed a good size plastic bag with all my needs.  I will definitely need to plan well this year.

All in for Boston 2014!

42 Days Till Boston

6 weeks baby!

I don't run with music, but if I did these would be my top five:

5.  Journey: Stone In Love

4.  Rush: Spirit Of The Radio

3.  Night Ranger: Don't Tell Me You Love Me

2.  Pink Floyd: Run Like Hell

1.  Peter Gabriel: Solsbury Hill

All in for Boston 2014!

43 Days Till Boston

I will take two days off a week from running and the road bike will be my friend on these days.

All in for Boston 2014!

My ride today was after work and I chased the sunlight all the way home.

44 Days Till Boston

Six weeks and a few days.

A month and 13 days.

22 days and 22 days.

However you slice it, it is going to happen.  I am excited and know what to expect this year.  I am beginning to be more focused on my training, even though it is abbreviated.  I have a goal in mind and it is within reason. Now more than ever, it will be important to make the best of my time.

All in for Boston 2014!

RidgeRun5K 22:11 & Masters Champ

El Scorcho

I did it.  I did not mean to, but I did it.  I think I disrespected the distance.  I swore I would never do this, but I did it.  I was not ready for El Scorcho.

El Scorcho bills itself as as so.....

What is El Scorcho? Now in its seventh year, El Scorcho continues its ridiculously foolish tradition of staging an endurance run at midnight in North Texas in the middle of the summer. El Scorcho brings you the best no-frills 50 km frolic in all of Fort Worth.  There's also a 25 km option for those of you who aren't quite ready to step up to the plate.  But you should.  Because, really, what's the difference between 50 km and 25 km except twice the distance?  In the end, it's up to you.  Both runs take a certain fortitude. Or stupidity.  Your call. 

El Scorch is run on several different terrains.  Crushed Limestone Trails, Asphalt, Concrete, Small Bridges, and Basketball Court.  It is noted on Athlinks as a Trail Run, but I would not go that far.

This was my first run at El Scorcho and I did tackle the 25K (15+ Miles)

My training for El Scorcho began shortly after Boston in late April.  This gave me nearly 3 months to maintain base mileage and prepare for hot running.  

I did injure myself during this period in May.  My recovery has included some time off from running and an an aggressive plan at Mansfield Chiropractic.  I also began Cycling in this period.  I figure this will only help save my knees and develop different parts of my body.

I ran 191 miles in this training period.  Most runs were short four to six milers.  Only three runs in my training were over 10 miles.  I did three Trail Runs, two Hill Repeats Workouts, two Speed Workouts, and zero Tempo Runs.  

If I had El Scorcho Sie7e to do over, I would have stuck with more short speed workouts and weekly slow long runs.  

The event was cool.  Chris Medley and I met at 10pm Saturday Night.  I packed a small ice chest with Waters, Gatorade, and Rags.  I brought four Powerbar Gels and some Gummi Bears for food.  My choice of Flashlight was a handheld model as I do not own a head lamp.  I pinned my 523 Bib to my Race Belt as I did choose to run shirtless.

The race began at 12:00 Midnight with the 50K runners.  Ten minutes later, we 25K runners were off.  505 Runners in all were running Sunday Morning on Trinity Trails in 78 Degree Cool Texas Temps.  The course is a 5K Loop and every time around is a chance for friends or yours and others to cheer you on.  I never thought I would like such a setup, but it really does work.  The loop also gives you a chance to set up your own race hydration and food to carry less on your person.

Here is how the race went:

5K    23:26  (pace 7:31) Went out too fast and paid later. 
10K  48:08  (pace 7:42)  Legs feeling so heavy
15K  1:14:35 (pace 7:58) Tried to keep up with a top female runner and did for nearly a lap
20K  1:41:17 (pace 8:07) Just got passed by the 25K winner
25K  2:08:29 (pace 8:14) Had enough left to finish somewhat strong.

I really wanted to run a 7:30 pace in total.  My training just was not right for this type effort.  I learned a lesson from El Scorcho and that is respect the distance.  As a runner, I failed to realize where I was and went out too fast. 

See you next year El Scorcho Ocho.  I will be ready for you next July.

Thoughts While On The Shelf (Kinda)

I took some time off from running.  Running is one of my joys.  It ranks in my top FIVE.

1. God
2. Wife
3. Kids
4. Running
5. Baseball, Food, Coffee, Good Days At Work, Bad Days Fishing, Golf Stories

From May 28th till June 11th I rested.  My back was sore and twisted, probably from years of the grind.  My X-Rays were tough to look at.  Almost like a needle going into someone else's arm.  I am under professional Bone-Crusher Care now and a lot of the rehab is stuff I need to be doing daily anyway.

I have learned from the time off from running.

1.  Running defines me.  If I miss it, I feel empty and useless.  I NEED TO FIX THIS.

2.  I make excuses about my poor diet choices.  INTFT

3.  Cycling helps and is less jarring, but nothing beats running.  NO NEED TO FIX THIS.

4.  I think I treat the ones I love worse when I am not running.  INTFT!!!!!!!

5. I think the 15 days off will help grow me.

I have run the past two days and it is GLORIOUS.  Now I must begin to give back, share, improve, and move on from what I have learned while on the shelf.

Today, I sent an application to The Showdown Half Marathon to help pace a group at their October 12th.  Helping fellow runners reach their goals is fun and a good way to give back. 

I am challenged to find ways to volunteer and grow this joy and I would also challenge YOU.

Change

Counting the change happening since last year about this time.

Here we go.....

Last June and the first ever Aggie Metzger Graduation!

 



Jessica is out of school! Whoop!



Jessica, oh so long ago.







Second Marathon at 3:24:09

September's Sioux Falls Marathon!



Frist Marathon at 3:58:20

 

 

December's Holly Jolly Jog!  Kathy and I made our debut as Race Organizers.....




Even with plenty of volunteers, it was a Do-It-Yourselfer!



Nearly 300 Runners came out to Rose Park!





  

 Our son, Brandon (our youngest), became first child to buy his own vehicle!



Saved up and bought his own!





First he drew it, then he found it and bought it!



February's Cowtown and qualifying for Boston 2014!



I may never run this fast again!  3:16:17



March.  Good Bye Kroger.  Hello Sprouts!



Welp.  See ya later.

May.  My little girl Jessica gets married!





Quite a moment.  Quite a day.



My how time has flown!

The kids have really grown up.



Little Brandons birth with the girls.



Great looking bunch!



Not really a change but some fun additions.....

Trails!

Cycle!

I have learned a lot this year and want to leave you with a verse from the Genesis Study from BSF.  By the way, you need to try BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) as it really helps you grow closer to God.

Genesis 50:20:  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Remember through the changes, that God has a plan.  Seek Him. 

What are some changes you have noted?