As promised, I completely buried my funk in a new pair of shoes that I can already tell are faster. Really they are - I've scientifically proven it. Alright so maybe there's no science behind it but I've been feeling awfully fleet of foot lately and that's all that matters, right? The weather has been perfect and I've even caught myself perusing the race directories looking for a local 5K this weekend.
For the past few days I've managed to get my runs in during the evening in that 6:30ish - 8:00ish slot which seems to be a popular time for runners in general. I guess the low humidity hasn't hurt either. I often run at odd times, late at night or in the middle of the day so I rarely cross paths with other runners but when I do I always find myself trying to answer the age-old question as to why some runners just refuse to acknowledge me as a fellow runner. This troubles me a lot less now than it used to because I'm way past seeking acceptance or validation from the running community at large.
I guess I've always seen runners, no matter how fast or slow, as a group bound together by commitment, determination, perseverance, work ethic, and <insert a number of other admirable qualities here>. You don't have to be an elite runner to have a strong work ethic - commitment isn't measured by how short your shorts are, and determination isn't a function of by pace. I'm a waver from way back and for me it's simply a token of mutual respect for a fellow runner as our paths cross. And I use the term 'wave' loosely to mean any form of acknowledgement - head nod, smile, or my favorite........the point. Sometimes I even give it a double point if I'm feeling especially nostalgic.
Over the past few years I've taken it upon myself to conduct a series of tests, all funded out of my own pocket, to determine the runner population most likely, and least likely to acknowledge a relatively seasoned 40 year old male runner. It is worth noting that the subject runner appears (and acts) younger to the untrained eye and ranks a solid 7.7 on a scale of 1 - 10. That said, it seems that runners are more active in the morning but it's worth noting that my morning runner group experience is extremely limited because I just can't drag myself out of bed. However in my experience the morning running population is an extremely sprightly bunch and seems to value the company of other early risers as much, if not more than the company of other runners. Nonetheless, they acknowledge me and I can appreciate that.
The midday runners for the most part are idiots like me. During the summer it's insanely hot and humid in the south and we're often trying to hammer out a 6+ mile run and grab a bite to eat during a 'normal' lunch hour. This group is usually not the most social bunch in the world but being a small group the familiarity combined with the respect of another runner getting crushed by the heat leads to a fairly high success rate. Roughly 2 of 3 runners will offer some form of acknowledgement.
Now in the evening it's a whole new ballgame and a very fickle bunch. You've got running clubs, neighborhood groups, first-timers, old-timers, young runners, show-off runners, really fast runners, power walkers, and everything in between. You'll be hard pressed to reach a 50% success rate with this melting pot. The running clubs will always show some form of acknowledgement, especially if they're affiliated with a running store but it's in their best interest to embrace every person that's ever thought about being remotely active. The neighborhood runners are generally chatting it up about nothing so there's a good chance they aren't even going to look up, but if they do, more than likely you'll get a smile.
First-timers probably deserve a pass because they are really just trying to make it back to the car without getting run over or having a heart attack. I also think there's a certain amount of insecurity that comes with being a newbie and running anywhere in the general vicinity of other runners. I mean let's face it, we all went on our first run at some point and runners by nature have an air of arrogance about them that can't be denied. Obviously that doesn't apply to me but most of you fitness fanatics with your runner lean bodies just look like pricks - even though most of you are super nice and really cool. But anyway, I'm digressing again, just know that most newbies aren't waving. I always make a point of saying hello or waving to these folks because I've been there and I know that person running their first 2 or 3 miles is often putting forth a lot more effort than some regulars dropping 10 garbage miles just to get them in. If you look like you're running because your boyfriend just dumped you and you're hellbent on finding a replacement within the week so you're trying to drop 10 lbs. I excluded you from my study. You won't be running next week anyway.
Old-timers are awesome. They are my favorite group and the older I get the more I respect them. Some have been running for decades and I knowing how I feel in the morning I can only imagine what their mornings are like. Others decide that by choice or by necessity that if they want to live longer they are going to have to live healthier and begin exercising. Either way, maintaining or starting an activity with the intensity and physical demands of running well into the 50's and 60's is amazing. And I hesitate to even throw 50's in the mix because there are some blazing fast 50+ guys around here that I would never refer to as old-timers. All rambling aside, old-timers wave.
Young runners.....not so much. I don't know if it's ego or ignorance or both. I guess it could be intensity and focus but regardless - I wouldn't get your hopes up. I still acknowledge the kids and individually you might get every other one to acknowledge you but if you cross paths with a team, forget it. Keep in mind we're talking a 40 yr. old dude running by predominately 18-22 yr. old guys. My guess is that if these same kids found themselves crossing paths with an attractive female there would be some form of acknowledgement however indecent.
Show-off runners are pretty much douche bags so I'm not sure why I'm giving them press. Look at me considering my banter as 'press' as if more than 2 or 3 people actually make it down this far. Anyway, by show-off I don't mean really fit dudes that run shirtless or guys that hammer out 6 minute mile training runs. I'm really talking more about the guy that comes barreling out of the Planet Fitness parking lot and runs a 90 second 400 down the busiest street in town at 5:00 on a Friday afternoon, stops to shake the lactate acid from his legs and catch his breath, then runs another 90 second 400 back to PF. Really?! Is that necessary? And no I'm not jealous. First of all if you want to sprint, find a field and run some 100s. If you want to do speed work go to a track and consider running more than 1/2 mile. But whatever you do, spare me that silly Eye of the Tiger look. Anyway, that dude isn't waving - and neither am I, but I'll probably chuckle a bit.
Really fast runners I guess have earned the right to do whatever they want. Some wave, most don't, but I get it. The only exception is when there is a weather bond. For example if you're running in a torrential downpour, sweltering heat, or snow you'll more than likely get a, "Well hello there Mr. Runner. Good to see I'm not the only idiot running today." Otherwise, it's probably not happenin'.
The power walkers take some warming up to but eventually they come around. This relationship is really all about how you navigate the sidewalk. Somewhere in the sidewalk bylaws it states that two women walking side by side may remain side by side with no regard for runners coming or going in any given direction. As such, it's important to respect a walkers right to the sidewalk above all else and proceed with caution around them while allowing a generous distance of at least 4 feet from this moving human fence. But really after a few times of respecting a walkers right to the sidewalk they will, in turn, express their gratification by periodically acknowledging your presence.
In summary, the debate will rage on long after my studies have come to and end and there will likely never be a consensus on running etiquette as it relates to waving. I know some very nice people that run and simply choose not to wave. And that's fine. At the end of the day this, like most everything else I write is all about me and I am, and will always be, a waver. Now that I've gone on record I expect any of you part-time or no time wavers to begin excluding me from your silliness and when I point, or give you the head nod - if you would kindly reciprocate it would be most appreciated. Your acknowledgement of other runners (or lack thereof) is of no concern to me :)
One lesson learned from Saturday's 5K was not to blog too soon after an event. What can I say, I'm a passionate guy and I don't always hide my disappointment well. While I'm an authority on finding the silver linings and bright sides when someone else is bummed out - finding my own way is a different story. But all is well now and in case any of you were concerned the Earth might stop its rotation - it didn't. And I had nothing to do with the earthquake in California. Looking back expressing disappointment with an overall win was stupid. In 20 years of running I've won four races and two of them were this month with the Waldensian 10K a few weeks ago and the Knights 5K on Saturday.
I think one of my reservations about blogging in the first place was opening up to an extent and how I might be perceived by folks that don't know me that well, or at all. Generally speaking I'm not comfortable talking about myself. Unless of course you're part of my inner circle which is a very small handful of guys I've known since high school and then it's pretty much all about me. So while I can't say that I'll never throw another pity party I'll try to keep them to a minimum.
I pretty much spent the rest of Saturday with my head in my, yeah, that. I had every intention of going for a run later that day but I just wasn't feeling it. Our annual fantasy football draft was scheduled for 7:00 that evening so why not just top things off with a night of pizza, chips, a few beers, and more chips. By midnight my Saturday had produced a very nice winners plaque, a poorly written blog, a sore foot, a bloated stomach, and what will very likely be the best fantasy football team ever assembled by man. Yes, in that order.
With Sunday being the last day before school it was important to spend a little quality time with the boys. We had taken the ice bucket challenge on Friday, and Saturday, and there was talk of doing it again but a third cold water shower really wasn't on my agenda. So first I agreed to play little Black Ops which I still don't completely understand so it's safe to say that I totally suck at it. Of course I think being able to beat me senseless in anything is always a big draw for the boys. Then, against my better judgement we were off to Chuck E. Cheese, but not to eat - just to play games. Shortly thereafter we were eating pizza then getting ice cream to go. I mean after eating like crap on Saturday why not just entirely blow it out - right?
I was determined to get a run in Sunday just to clear my mind and eventually around 8:00 I was able to get out but not before changing my playlist and deciding that it was time for some new running shoes. I mean what better way to get back on track that to switch up the song selection and get some new kicks. I don't vary my workouts that often, probably to a fault, and opted for old faithful - an 8 mile tempo run. It's basically a loop that takes me from my house down 127 through Union Square and around Lenoir-Rhyne before heading back home. This really gave me the time I needed to reflect on the summer that was coming to an end what a great year it's been so far.
I've consistently gotten faster for the past two years, been running pain and injury free for the most part, and I've really gotten to know some of the guys that I've seen for years at various events and out running the streets. After a few miles of reflection I realized that I was feeling really comfortable running a pace just under 7:00. Clearly the new playlist was working. I mean with a list that includes Audioslave, Rise Against, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Lorde, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Five Finger Death Punch, The Pretty Reckless, and Shinedown how can you possibly go wrong?
One of the problems about being an older runner is that sometimes without warning, something will just start hurting and for no good reason. I've gotten in the habit of having internal conversations with myself because it really feels like my toes, feet, knees, quads, and hamstrings are all free thinking parts of my body that periodically torment me just for fun. Normally I can just say something like, "alright toes, I know I came off that curb awkardly but I won't do it again" or "sorry hamstring, I promise I'll stretch next time - just don't nag me for the next 2 months". More times that not it's my knees saying you better not forget to ice us but this time it was my foot. Apparently my left foot just decided it would much prefer a leisurely walk on a nice summer night and since I had been giving in all day -- why not cave in to my feet as well.
There was a time that come hell or high water, once I started a run I was going to finish that run as intended without deviation from set upon mileage and I was going to finish it running.....end of story. Now that I'm older and wiser (the latter is very much up for debate) I've been known to shut it down on a training run in the spirit of self preservation. It's very rare and I realize 'self preservation' might be a bit melodramatic but you get the idea. Anyway, about 7.25 miles into my 8.0 tempo run I decided to stop the watch and walk / jog it in. Not to be confused with JITFO for those of you that get the reference to the popular Blue Ridge Relay team. Like most runners I have a high tolerance for pain but I think it's important to understand the difference between running through pain and injury. Running through pain is not a big deal. Running through injury is a good way to end up on the shelf. And if I end up on the shelf I am going to be 47 shades of irritable and that won't be good for anyone. I'm certainly not injured but I had gotten in a quality 7 miler and there's nothing wrong with a little cool down afterwards.
What this really does is support the notion that I must get new shoes and fast. I mean it was obviously a sign that as I write this there is not one thing more important than addressing the needs of my foot which consist of adequate support, comfort, and of course style to get me through the bulk of my fall training. And as if it wasn't already written in the stars - I just got the call from Fleet Feet that a new shipment had come in and there was a box of shoes in the back with my name on it.
At some point in the near future I hope to actually provide something of value to this blog - links to helpful sites, race calendars, and blogs from guys that actually know what they are talking about. In the meantime I'll continue to muddle through this whole blogging thing until it looks like I know what I'm doing...
Well it started out like any other race morning. Half of a stale bagel with some peanut butter, a stop by the ATM (because I never pre-register), and finally registration to make it official. There is always a large turnout for the HCA race with the students well represented as well as anybody else looking for a relatively flat and fast course in Hickory. Unfortunately the popular Old Soldier's Reunion 5K was also this morning so while I didn't notice a drop in the number of runners some of the faster kids were noticeably absent. Not that I was complaining by any means...
Like any other runner I sized up the field based on what they were wearing...because that's always spot on, right? Actually that's a pretty dumb thing to do and more than likely you're either going to 1) let self doubt ruin your race by letting potentially slower runners dictate your pace or 2) your overconfidence will leave you feeling like an idiot about the time some floppy haired 30 year old with glasses and old school Air Jordan's hawks you down at mile 2.
I felt pretty good about things going in but I wasn't here to win and wasn't even concerned about the age group thing. I was really hoping to run under 18 today - which in hindsight was pretty stupid. Not for me to want to run sub 18 but for me to put that in print. Oh but rest assured there will be no more bold assertions about setting future PR's because this dumb@ss has learned his lesson. For those of you astute as reading between the lines I'm guessing you know where this is going.
The start of this race feels a lot like field day in elementary school with several grade school kids and some grown adults tearing off like it's a 100 meter dash. I clocked a 5:36 for the first mile which I was alright with. I felt pretty good but the humidity was not doing me any favors. I was third overall and my strategy was to maintain splits that were more even that I have been racing. I had recently run in a 10K with the guy leading at mile 1 and was able to catch him on the back half so I was hoping if I could keep him close enough I could do the same in this shorter race. Robert Murray was running second and was by far the class of the field but knowing he was coming off an injury I wasn't sure how hard or how long he was going to push it.
Robert passed the lead runner and I followed suit shortly thereafter. After running the second mile in 6:06 I knew a sub 18 was probably out of the question considering I needed to average 5:45 or there abouts. But hey, I was in position to win an overall award and those are hard to come by - at least for me. At this point I just wanted to finish strong and at a pace faster than mile 2. At the turn I caught Robert and decided to set the pace for the last mile. I'm actually not comfortable in the lead which probably has a lot to do with not ever being there. Shocker huh? But anyway, I clocked a 5:57 for the last mile and finished in 18:38. I was the overall winner (see above about fast kids running in Newton) but really not happy with my time.
I know, I know. There's no shame in an old dude running 18:38 and I'm blessed to be able to run the way I do. I'm blessed to have a good heart, strong lungs, and nice shoes - none of which I take for granted. But seriously, I ran 4 seconds faster last year and wasn't nearly as fit. I ran 40 seconds faster a month ago in another relatively flat and humid 5K and I haven't taken any time off? Maybe the course measured long (I clocked it at 3.19). Or maybe the humidity was higher today? No I've got it........wait for it......maybe........just maybe.........maybe I just sucked it up today :)
I ran a safe race, a pretty good race, yes it was humid and so what if I measured it a few feet long. Those are garbage excuses. Simply put I just lacked the fire of a PR. I have a love/hate relationship with 5K's. Mainly because they hurt - especially if you're going to run a PR. Maybe a world class athlete has to operate like a tactician to run the perfect race and set a PR but I'm not world class. I just have to run like hell without being completely stupid. Pretty simple right? I have to stop thinking, stop looking at my watch, stop worrying about the field and if or how long they can hold their pace and just run. Run free, run reckless, and run as if this is my last chance. Today I didn't do that. Sure I'm happy with winning but I would be lying if I said this didn't sting a little bit.
But the good news is that I'll tuck this little sting away and carry it with me in two weeks when I set off for 200 miles of running with 11 other guys packed in two vans for 24 hours of Blue Ridge Relay fun! That should provide for some good pictures, good laughs, and something else for me to blog about besides my stupid obsession with the clock. I mean really, running is all about living a healthy lifestyle, right? Whatever.
It was June 23, 1995 and I had no idea what I was getting myself into. After about 2 or 3 years of running maybe putting in 20 miles a week I decided to sign up for my first 5K. At this point I had no running friends and by no stretch was I viewed as a runner by anyone. I was just 'Jay' - a guy that miraculously went home from college after his freshman year and came back 75 lbs lighter in the fall. And here I was, lining up in what I would later find out was one of Charlotte's premiere 5K's - The Summer Breeze.
I paid my entry fee and followed the crowd trying to act like I knew what I was doing. In hindsight ignorance must really be bliss because 100 races later I get more nervous today that I was on that day. I had no expectations because I had never run for time, so I lined up and like every new 5Ker when the gun went off I ran like hell. I clocked a very respectable 18:19 in my first race but running in the 20-24 age group that wasn't even good enough for an age group award. Not even 5 deep. Little did I know I would spend the next 20 years of my life chasing a 5K P.R.
I continued running fairly regularly running mostly local 5K's where I began racking up medals and age group awards. Apparently guys stop running in their mid 20's so at this point I could still balance drinking beer and staying out all night with running sub 20 5K's and still feel good about myself. As I grew into my 30's I continued running in the 19's, occasionally dropping into the 18's but never getting near my P.R. from my first 5K. Growing tired of chasing high school kids I decided to increase my mileage and step out of the box to run a few half marathons. Alright so that's a stretch, really I just decided to run the Charity Chase Half Marathon because it was basically in my backyard.
I began steadily increasing my mileage and balancing that with tempo runs to train my body to run further at faster paces. Finally in June of 2012 I ran the Charity Chase race for the third time and clocked a 1:29:15 on what is a known as a difficult course. At that point I convinced myself that with the right mindset and the willingness to commit that I could qualify for Boston. Again, we'll save that blog for later because right now I need to get back to chasing 18's.
Oddly enough as I began training year-round and my late nights were fewer and farther between (my wife might disagree but we count things differently) I became stronger and faster. Granted I have a really hard time walking up and down steps in the morning and my toes look like I play soccer with cinder blocks but that comes with the territory. Last year was by far the best of my running career. Until this year of course. And I use 'career' lightly as I've currently earned a grand total of $40 in door prize money that I didn't get to collect because I was across the street getting gas before the gas station closed (it was a night race). My P.Rs. are listed below and I'm making every effort to continue dropping them. I mean while I'm on a roll why not keep rolling, right?
Oh but that ever elusive 5K P.R.....
Finally, just two months ago I did it - I ran a legitimate 18:00:42! While most 'people' would celebrate eclipsing such a long standing personal achievement this was all too short lived for me. I mean I am a runner. Come on Jason, if you're going to run 18 flat could you not at least squeeze out another 1/2 second and drop a 17 something?! So yes, I've been beating myself up over that ever since.
But my day will come. So I guess theoretically I'm chasing 17's but until I'm bearing down on 17:30 I think 18 makes more sense. I really have no delusions about my talent, or lack thereof depending on who's measuring me. My last legitimate shot at a sub 18 5K is probably tomorrow. I'm running the Hickory Christian Academy 5K which conveniently enough starts about 2 miles from my house. It's a flat down and back and last year I ran this race just 4 seconds slower than I ran the 5K I just P.R'd. I'm cautiously optimistic but even more so now that I've thrown that bold assertion out to Internet land. I'll follow up with a post race recap, results, and maybe sometime between now and then I'll figure out how to actually post my blogs? Otherwise I'm just talking to myself........which really isn't all that bad :)
Personal Bests:
5K: 18:00 (7/2014 - Streetlamp 5K, Morganton, NC)
10K: 39:19 (8/2014 - Waldensian 10K, Valdese, NC)
Half Marathon: 1:25:37 (11/2013 - Thunder Road, Charlotte, NC)
Marathon: 3:09:43 (4/2014 - Boston Marathon)
Well now I've gone and done it - I've decided to start Blogging about running. For the past few months I've found myself scouring the web for running blogs trying to learn from others and figure out where I rank in the world of recreational and competitive runners. Now I've decided it's time to join the ranks of the running blog community....
I mean I guess I could have used Facebook as a means to ramble on about running but if I did that my friend list would most certainly drop by 50%. Now that I think about it, I probably should have gone that route. Nonetheless, no turning back now. I feel somewhat obligated in this inaugural blog to at least touch on the basics; who I am, how I started running, why I run, and my goals for starters. Once I get the boring stuff out of the way then I hope to provide a relatively entertaining account of my life running the streets.
For starters I'm just a regular guy with a bit of an obsessive personality that just turned 40 and pretty much hates every single thing about the number four at this point. No really, I do. But before I was 40 I was 20 and before I was 20 I was just an overweight kid that had settled into a life of mediocrity. At some point and for some reason that I've never been able to clearly identify I started running. I still remember the first mile I ran without stopping like it was, um, like 20 years ago. It was late, dark, and I didn't have a watch but I'm guessing I clocked about a 13 minute mile and voila - a star was born.
Alright so maybe a star wasn't born and a star I'll never be but compared to the average 40 year old man I am totally killing it! And just for the record I don't take myself too seriously so you'll just have to read between the lines to decipher by sarcasm, self deprecation, insecurity, and arrogance. It all averages out to a high degree of humility. God blessed me with an inordinate amount of determination, more stubbornness than any one human should have, a sound mind and strong body so I just try to squeeze every ounce I can out of this body while I can. And to top that off I've got an extremely supportive and loving family and awesome friends.
At this point I run as somewhat of a midlife crisis but at least I can admit it, right? I mean if I have to be 40 I might as well be a fit 40 looking 30 something. Plus now I have my very own category because after 20 years of running I am a master. Actually I've mastered nothing more than being able to find a relatively secure place to use the bathroom at any given time on any given route in the United States. My goals and times are probably best suited for the next blog as well as why I'm chasing 18's.
Now that the boring post is out of the way I plan to post about my race experiences, training, upcoming races, and you can count on a fair amount of dialog about my daily running encounters. Hopefully it'll be a fun ride and spare those that don't care about my running endeavors the complete boredom of hearing about it and maybe in the process my insight and experiences will be helpful to one or two of the hopefully four or five followers I pick up along the way...
