Running with the King (of Rock & Roll)

Last week was a great week of running.  I ran a total of 83 miles, a new weekly high.  Also resumed speed training after a few weeks off following Rocket City.  In light of this, I expected my participation in the Mississippi Blues Marathon in Jackson to be tiring and uninspiring, when in fact the opposite was true. 

The race was held on the anniversary of Mississippi native Elvis Presley’s birthday, and the event had a distinct Elvis feel to it.  The race goody bag came equipped with Elvis sunglasses complete with sideburns, which was a hit with Luke (along with the harmonica).  Naturally, I taught him to say “Thank you, thank you very much” when wearing them.  On race morning I saw several people wearing full Elvis costumes and the speakers were playing the King’s music.  Unique, fun atmosphere.

My plan for the race was very simple:  take it slow and steady, fully stop occasionally at aid stations to stay hydrated, and do nothing to sacrifice my training for the upcoming 50 miler.  Given my general fatigue on Friday morning’s 9 mile run, I thought a 3:30 performance seemed about right.  At the start I stuck with the plan and took it nice and easy, keeping the pace just under 8:00 for the first 5 miles.  I chatted with a few other runners, including one who had run the 55 mile Comrades Marathon in South Africa just a few months ago.  At the 5 mile mark I upped the pace slightly and began clicking off the miles at a 7:30-7:45 pace, which I maintained for most of the rest of the race.

I came through the half marathon mark in 1:41:22 and felt really good.  Before the race I feared that my competitive spirit might cause me to push a bit and endanger my training, but this never occurred.   I kept chatting with other runners, enjoying the course, and in two cases paced and blocked wind for other runners seeking a PR.  Continued feeling good with two miles to go, so I decided to step on the gas a bit and see what happened.  My legs responded well, and I completed the last two miles in 6:47 and 6:44, and completed the race in 3:20:06.  I covered the second half in 1:38:44, which produced my first ever negative split.  Overall, I was very pleased with the race and weekend in Mississippi (Thanks Grandmother and Granddad!), having the discipline to stay at an even pace, and the ability to turn it up a notch at the end.  Running easy and in control also has me even more excited for the 50 miler in March.  My body seems to respond better to more miles at a slower pace than fewer miles at a harder pace.  I guess that will be really tested in March.  The last road marathon I enjoyed this much was San Francisco a year and a half ago, which was also the last marathon that I did not have a specific time goal.  Coincidence? 

Weekly Mileage

Monday – 15

Tuesday – 7

Wednesday – 10 (4 x mile repeats)

Thursday – 6

Friday – 9

Saturday – 27 (MS Blues)

Sunday – 9

Total - 83

Verse: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which God will bring about in his own time--God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever." -1 Timothy 6:12-16

2010 Year In Review

The office was closed on Friday, December 31^st, so I left early that morning for some trail time at Oak Mountain State Park.  Put in 20 total miles and the weather was fantastic.  Truly was a great run to end the year.  Over the last two weeks I had the privilege of running in two of my favorite places, Oak Mountain and Shiloh National Battlefield in West Tennessee.  Those locations got me thinking about my favorite runs of 2010, which are ranked below:

1. Sausalito-Golden Gate Bridge-Marin Headlands, California (May) – Absolutely beautiful place to run.  My route started in quaint Sausalito, took me across the Golden Gate Bridge and back to the smooth, steep trails of the Marin Headlands.  Weather was perfect without a cloud in the sky.  The views in the Bay Area are hard to beat.  Views of the Pacific Ocean, San Francisco skyline, Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge slowed my pace to a crawl, as I kept stopping for pictures.  The added feature of climbing in the Headlands to a vantage point above the top of the Golden Gate Bridge was breathtaking.  Also, starting the day with a run and ending at AT&T Park for a Giants game is pretty close to my ideal day.

2. Pacific Crest Trail, Washington (September) – This was a close second for the year.  The route started at the Washington-Oregon line at the Columbia River at the Bridge of the Gods before sunrise.  Never saw another soul the entire time I was out, which was peaceful and enjoyable.  The trail was beautiful with mountain views and complete solitude.  Only had 3.5 hours before my flight, but could have easily stayed all day.

3. Capital Hill, National Mall, Georgetown, Washington, DC (February) – Had the opportunity to run in DC just after a massive blizzard that hit a week earlier.  Snow was still on the ground and DC with snow is absolutely gorgeous.  The route was a little dicey with ice, snow and traffic, but running by the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington Monument, Lincoln, Jefferson, Vietnam and WWII Memorials and through Georgetown University was special.  Despite living in the area in high school and college, running through the city provided a completely new perspective on a great city that I have grown to enjoy. 
4. Shiloh National Military Park, Tennessee (Various) – This is my long run location of choice when visiting Sally’s mom in West Tennessee.  I have run here many times and have enjoyed every single time I have been there.  No traffic, complete silence, fascinating monuments, statues and cannons, countless deer and a piece of American history.  Hard to beat.  Plus, running there before sunrise adds a spooky element as you would swear the soldier statues are moving.  Good stuff. 
5. Cades Cove, Smoky Mountain National Park, Tennessee (November) – Stayed at mom and dad’s cabin for three days, but due to timing and training for Huntsville could not hit the trails in the park.  Instead was able to run the 11 mile Cades Cove loop twice.  Traffic on the 2^nd loop was less than desirable, as it was getting later in the morning and the tourists were out, but the views were nonetheless spectacular.  I have driven the Cades Cove Loop before, but seeing it on foot is by far the preferable way to experience it.  Seeing three black bears bumped this run up a couple places.
6. Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama (Various) – Seems odd to put a local park in with others on this list, but the trails at Oak Mountain continue to provide fun and challenging runs for me.  Technical and varied, it’s easy to have an enjoyable morning in the park.
7. Central Park, New York (March) – While in New York City on business it seemed absolutely imperative to get in at least a short run in Central Park.  This provided a fun experience and being surrounded by skyscrapers was a unique, yet confining feature of running in the city.  Was a great run for a day, but I couldn’t help but think that living and running there would eventually make me claustrophobic.  However, the run combined with great food and, most significantly, time with Sally and Anna made for a memorable trip.
8. FDR State Park, Pine Mountain, Georgia (October) – Beautiful, technical and deceptively hilly trails were the site of the North Face Endurance Challenge 50k in October. 

I am grateful to have run in some nice, varied locations in 2010.  I only hope that 2011 will provide similar opportunities.  While most of the locations in 2010 were not linked to races, I anticipate that some of my 2011 favorites will be.  Time will tell.

Logged 2,222 miles on the year, with 60 percent of those miles in the second half of the year.  This was also a 60 percent increase from 2009 mileage of 1,388.  So, to increase by another 60 percent I need to only run 3,555 miles in 2011.  Better get busy.

Running the Mississippi Blues Marathon this weekend as a training run for the upcoming Mississippi 50 Miler in March.  No time goal, just going to take it slow and easy.  No taper and this will likely be my highest mileage week ever, so there will be no PR in Jackson.  A little more than 8 weeks until the 50 miler.  I repeat, better get busy. 

Verse: Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.   -Joshua 1:9