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Personal Records: Mile: 6:56 (Jan 2001) AF 1.5 mile: 10:03 (May 2005) 5k: 22:03 (Jan 2005) 10k: 48:21 (Aug 2001) 1/2M: 1h:42m: 44s (Apr 2006) 20M: 3h: 15m: 30s (Feb 2005) Marathon: 4 hours 10 minutes 39 seconds Chip time (Nov 2005)
Goals: Mile: 6:30 AF 1.5 mile: 9:59 5k: 21:00 10k: 45:00 1/2M: 1h: 39m: 59s Marathon: 4h: 05m: 00s |
The Lore of the Marathon:
The
year 490 BC, the Greeks defeated the Persians at Marathon and Pheidippides had the task to bring the good news to
Athens. He ran about 35 km from Marathon to Athens and,
when he arrived, Pheidippides just had the strength to say "we
won", and fell dead! In fact there isn't any proof
of this legend, the story was good and inspired the competition
that happened for the first time in the Athens 1896 Olympic Games.
Even though this legend is remarkable, the real story is even more amazing! The
truth is that Pheidippides was in charge of an even more arduous mission. When the Persian army was coming to destroy
Athens, Pheidippides had the task to go to Sparta, distant 240 km,
and ask for help... Running! Yes, Since the path was too uneven for horses, just a runner
emissary could cover the distance in time. Pheidippides ran the 240 km in two days, just to get a "No"
in response. The Spartans were
celebrating the Artemis festival and refused to help. Pheidippides
then had to return to Athens bringing the bad
news, again running. The Persian's plan was simple: land on Marathon plain, fight against the small Athenian army and then contour the seacoast and invade Athens by the unprotected south. When Pheiddipides returned with the news that the Spartans wouldn't help them, the Athenians army, consisted of 10,000 men, decided to do a fast attack against the 25,000 Persians that had landed on the Marathon plain. The unexpected attack was successful and the Persians were expelled back to their ships. Then the second phase of the Persian plan began: navigate by 8-10 hours until the unprotected Phaleron beach. It was this time that the Athenians had to use their running skills. After a battle that lasted a whole day, the Athenians still had to run 40 km until Phaleron beach to impede the Persian invasion. In what could be considered the first marathon of the history, the first Athenians achieved Phaleron in about 5-6 hours and, about a hour before the Persians arrived there, all the Greeks were already on the beach ready for the battle. This running was crucial for the Athenians victory. The
Persians couldn't believe in their eyes when, arriving at Phaleron,
they saw the Athenian army! In the spite of their superior number of
soldiers, the Persian were scared with the Athenians that seemed to
be super-men. The Persian fleet navigated for more some days
searching in vain for a safe harbor to land. Then the Persians
decided to withdraw defeated.
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2007 Running Events: (After the Richmond Marathon I took a little break from running (big distances) and allowed my body and brain to recover...my last long run was right before the new year 17 miles. Oct of 06 I decided I had been lazy long enough and 15 pounds I gain along the way had to go...
17 Mar 07 Shamrock Half Marathon (13.1 miles) -- Before my break from Marathon running I had planned to run the Shamrock Marathon in the spring of 06...but that plan never materialized. My first goal upon getting back to marathon distance running was to run the Shamrock Half. I figured with 6 months to train I could get back my lungs and legs in time for the Saint Paddy's event. Well, I will tell you....my plan came together alot easier then I ever imagined. By Dec I had already exceeded the Half Marathon distance and by Jan I had crossed the 15 mile mark. The St Paddy's run would be easy, not that running 13.1 miles is ever easy. The run kicked off at 0700 on a cold brisk day...it was very exciting to be toeing the starting line once again. I never realized how much I missed it. Standing in the middle of 4,000 people, all ready to battle the next 13.1 miles...I was a bit nervous. In 1h 51m 51s (chip time) I closed the first chapter on my return to running when I crossed the finish line on Virginia Beach Boardwalk. Although not a PB I was very happy to get this first run behind me....and Did I mentioned I signed up for the MARINE CORP MARATHON in Oct. Here is a picture of me as I close out the race...notice the air time (both feet off the ground) Click Here
14 Apr 07 Dismal Swamp Half Marathon (13.1 miles) -- Most Sport Super Star will tell you....some days you just know it is going to be your day. My plan for this race was to try and finish someplace near the Shamrock time of 1h 51m but I never figured I would have enough in me to approach my PB of almost two years ago. By mile 2....that thought was gone.
2006 Running Events: -- None...I got lazy!
2005 Running Events:
12 Nov 05 Richmond Marathon (26.2 miles) -- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME How many times in your life are you able to run a marathon on your birthday? When I came across the add for this marathon in a copy of Runner's World and noticed the date and relative location...I just knew I had to run this race. Add in the fact that Richmond was named the Friendliest Marathon by the Runner's World staff...made it an easy choice for my second Marathon and new PB 4h 10m 39m (chip time). For all the high lights click here .
30 May 05 Brandon Forest 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles) -- Next to the Marathon, I would have to say the "Half Mary" is my favorite event. The Half is long enough for most people to think your crazy for running it but not so long (like the marathon) to really take a toll on your body. The Brandon Half was close to home, run in a near by forest and was my first "trail" Half. My goal was to finish under 1h 50m...no mater by how much. This event was a challenge...with 3 loops around a clover leaf course featuring good hills and soft trails which took a lot of juice out of my legs. I was surprised and shocked that at mile four I was thinking of dropping out. DNF...no way, I could not have lived with myself...so I pressed on, fought my way past mid point and came home strong. 1h 49m 53s...I made my goal with a run that started off badly. I guess we all have bad days, at home, at work and at the races...but you can overcome.
25 May 05 AF 1.5 mile fitness test -- All the other running events are for fun, this one counts towards my job. And little over a year ago I was hoping to break 12 minutes in the mile and half, but today I was looking to go under 10 minutes and max out my sit ups and push ups. The run was easy, I ran near my target pace and set a new PB but failed to break 10 minutes, I was a bit bummed at that. But the Sit ups and Push ups...I MAX'd out. 50 sit ups and 50 push ups...97.25 out of a possible score of 100. Not bad for a 40 year old.
18 May 05 Great Yarmouth 5 Miler -- Part of my marathon training plan had me running a 5 mile Time-Trial (TT) to build and gauge my speed and fitness. My first 5 mile TT run I turned in 38m 27 (Jan) and had worked my time down to 37m 08s (Mar) This little run after my marathon gave me the perfect opportunity to see if I still had any speed left in me or if maybe I had improved. Run on a Wednesday night, my pal Garth P. and I headed out after work, 2 hours later we were on the line at Great Yarmouth, facing a cool and windy conditions. After coming off the line a bit fast, 5m 47m pace the first quarter mile I settled into a nice pace crossing the line at 37m 23s.
24 Apr 05 Shakespeare Marathon (26.2 miles) -- You'll never forget your first kiss, car, love (then divorce) and you'll never forget your first marathon. 6 months ago I had the wild idea of again trying to push my body to the point that I could run 26.2 miles. And now after nearly 900 miles, five races, three 20 mile runs and tons of lonely runs in the wee hours of the morning, in the cold damp fog of the UK, I was standing on the starting line of my first marathon...(click here).
13 Mar 05 Flora Adidas London 1/2 Marathon (13.1 miles) -- When I decided to run a marathon my first choice was to try and get into the London Marathon. But that race is the envy of all UK runners and I was not able to ... for a place, when I saw the little sister to that event, the 1/2 marathon, two clicks of the mouse and I was in. Silverstone offered a flat fast course, for a full race report...(click here).
27 Feb 05 Bury 20 Miler -- For runner looking forward to competing in a marathon the 20 mile long run is a training standard and a landmark run on your way to gaining the confidence need to tackle 26.2 miles. I signed up for this run nearly a month prior, and although I exceed new weekly distances, previous long run distances I always knew the 20 miler was up and coming... for a full race report...(click here).
20 Feb 05 Wellingborough Multi-Terrain 15k (9.3 miles) -- At first I balked at running a cross country type event. But after thinking about it and comparing the run to the challenges on the popular Survivor TV show, I figured I would jump on the trail bandwagon and give it a go. After a little research and recommendations I found this multi-terrain run series hosted by a club just a hour and a half away from our home. The run consisted of running three loops around a park covering varying surfaces and hills with one good size muddy (if it was wet) hill climb. My goal: To finish in 75 minutes or less and not be taken prisoner by the hills, and although I finish with mud up to my ankles the clock ticked 73:01 as I crossed the line... for a full race report...(click here). Pictures: MTS 15K
06 Feb 05 Watford Half Marathon (13.1 miles) -- I went into this race wanting to run something a little longer then 10k. It also seamed like a challenge I had to get past on my way to the 26.2 mile goal. Surfing the events listed on Runners World UK this event was close enough to home and with a crowd of 2,000 expected seamed like a good opportunity. The course was advertised as undulating and conversations with Garth convinced me this was going to be a challenge...one I hoped I was up for. My goal: To finish under 2 hours, for a full race report...click here but I caution you, it is not for the weak. Pictures: Watford and the Finish
22 Jan 05 RAF Mildenhall 5k (3.1 miles) -- Normally the base holds a 5k "Fun Run" every month, but this run took on a little more added importance. One of the young Lts in my office beat me bad last year in a race I challenged him in and since I have not heard the end of it. With a little bit of ribbing I talked him into a rematch with a lunch due the winner. After a fast start where I fell behind by 10 yards or so I was able to reel him in at that half way mark and gain the lead as we headed towards home. I finished in 22:01 and took home 3rd place...my first medal. Big news for the day was that our Squadron (352 OSS) finish 1, 2, 3 and 4th. Pictures: RAFM 5k
2004 Running Events:
31 Dec 04 Ely New Years Eve 10K (6.2 miles) -- This was my first race (outside of base 5k Fun Runs) since deciding to run a marathon type distances again. To say I did not know what to expect out of my legs or this race was an understatement. A friend of mine (an Ultra runner) and my running mentor had run this race in the past and gave me the low down on the course. I had trained pretty good, and felt I was in good shape for this race logging 122 miles in Dec and a solid 90 or more in Nov and Oct. A combination of a poor start and "the hill" got to me, I finished in 49:07 off my goal of a sub 48. Pictures: Ely 10K
