Now I have two new pair of shoes with fewer than 30 miles on them.

The chances of making my 1000 mile goal for the year is quickly slipping away. I have logged 863 miles for the year. I expect that I will be able to start running in another week or two. I am not going to try to come back too early just to make the goal. But, if I am healthy, I am going to get as close as I can.

In the mean time, I have been doing other exercises and trying to build some strength. I have gained some weight since being back home. I hope to boost the metabolism and keep the weight from creeping up too much. With strength training and aerobic exercising, I should keep everything in check.

When you check out use promo code: PCHelpElves5

This will save you $3 on a regular Road ID and shipping is only $1.50.

I am considering getting a new one this year. Mine is a couple of years old and has my Mexico address on it. But, I always had my parents phone number listed on the ID as the emergency contact. So it is still valid. I would like to have the US address on one though. My current one is yellow. I can’t decide if I want the blue or the red for my next one.

Show Notes:

• NaBloPoMo
• Twitter: dpeach DavidPeach
• Microwave Popcorn
• Installing an ad blocker
• Running news
  • New Balance 1222/1223
  • Timberlake Half Marathon
  • Indianapolis Marathon
• Missionary Talks
• PlaneT3rry

This is a little device that plugs into an iPod nano and receives data from an accelerometer that you place on, or in, your shoe. If you have a Nike+ enabled shoe, you can slip the pod under the insole. Otherwise, you can get a little pouch and strap the pod to your shoe laces. My friend sent me a pouch too.

It then records how many steps you take and your pace. This is all calculated with the distance per step (you calibrate the device) to tell you how long and far you travel on your runs.

This morning I went through the calibration step twice. I was not sure it calibrated correctly the first time. I am not convinced it worked right the second time either. I did not have enough time to do another run with it before appointments this morning to see how it worked or if the calibration was right. The next time I run with it I will know.

I have wanted one of these for a while. It does have one limitation that has kept me from buying one in the past. My heavy duty iPod case cannot be used with this device. Until I get a better solution, I will be running with the nano in my hand or pocket which just means SWEAT all over the iPod. I should be able to find something soon. At least I don’t sweat as much here as I did in Mexico.

Yes, this is November, 2008. I know that the 1222 and 1223 models have already been discontinued. But, that is the way I buy my shoes. I find discontinued shoes in the models I would have bought anyway and get the older version on sale. Sometimes a crazy cheap sale.

When I stopped at the shoe store on Saturday they did not have any 1223s in my size. They only had a few left since the 1224 model has been out for a short time. But, they did have 992s that they were clearing out for the new 993 model. The 993 shoes are not available in most stores yet. I checked a few places online that I have bought from before and they don’t have the 993 ready to ship. That line of shoe, 992/993, are the ugliest shoe that New Balance makes in my opinion. However, they are extremely popular. The older shoes have a memory foam that conforms to your foot and is supposed to be top of the line in comfort. The memory foam was heavy though and they tossed it out in the newer 993 to save weight. They are still a very heavy (and ugly) shoe.

Weight and yuck factor don’t bother me as long as the price is right and they fit well. The price was right, but they did not fit well. I tried on several pair of the 992s in different widths and lengths. Nothing quite fit right. The one width/length combination that would probably be perfect had been bought out. Someone recently came in and bought all their 992 shoes in 11 4E in each of the 3 colors they had. I guess that is someone who really loves the shoe.

Lamenting my situation, I asked the store owner to pull out what 1223 shoes they had that might fit. Surprisingly I landed on a size that is totally wrong, but it fit like a loose glove (I like my shoes big). She got me into an 11 2E shoe. These shoes were $140 regular price. I bought them for $59. I think that is the best shoe deal I have gotten so far. The 992 that I originally went in for was $69. So I got a shoe I like better, looks nicer, fits great and weighs less for $10 cheaper than I planned to spend.

The interesting thing to me is how different the 1223s are from the 1222. In the pictures you see a 1222 (the dirty one) and the new 1223. They look nothing alike. Not as far as shoe models go. I am wondering how NB justified calling this an update when it is really a different shoe. Whatever the justification, it should still have the same basic properties.

The store owner flagged my name with the fact that I want stability+ (or strong stability) shoes. In the future when they change models and start clearancing out the current ones, she should give me a call. That is service. I just hope I am home to be able to take advantage.

I got my race packet which included a shirt and race number. Not too complicated.

It was about 62 degrees.

Race
Since we were running a 5K and a half marathon (3.1 and 13.1 miles) the finish line was .1 miles behind the start. We moved up to the starting line as a group since everyone was milling around the finish line. I had heard it was a very informal start without any long speeches. They moved us up to the starting line just a couple of minutes before 8:00. At 8:00 a guy with a megaphone simply said, “Ready. Set. Go.,” and we were off. No gun. No yelling.

Miles 1-5
Mile 1 was 20 seconds too fast. No big surprise. The second mile I pulled back to perfect race pace. Goal was 9:10 per mile and I ran mile 2 in 9:09. Mile 3 I was still in the mode to slow down I guess. I ran that 20 seconds too slow. So the 20 seconds I banked in the first mile was negated in the 3rd. Mile 4 and 5 were 9:15 each. So I was 10 seconds too slow up through mile 5.

Miles 6-10
Starting with mile 6 I put seconds into my favor at each mile for the rest of the race. I ran 3 of those miles in 8:58 and the worst of the 5 was at 9:06. By this point I was 47 seconds ahead of my goal and knew that I was running really strong. There was no way I was going to miss my goal. By mile 10 I was catching up to someone who had run mile 3 with me and pulled away. It was finally time to reel him in and leave him behind.

Miles 11-13.1
Each mile was under the goal. Mile 13 time was exactly the same as mile 1 time (within .3 seconds). I ran the last 1.1 miles strong with the confidence that I had run a strategically excellent race. I had a plan and executed it perfectly.

First 6.5 miles was 59:31 and the second 6.5 was 58:29. I ran a 1 minute negative split.

Final unofficial time was 1:58:55. Goal was 2:00:00.

Race Observations
The race is run on a paved out and back road on Eglin Air Force Base. All the way out we had the wind in our face. We also were climbing the whole way. Though it did not seem like it, we climbed a total of 164 feet over the 6.5 miles going out. Not overly significant, but combined with the tailwind coming back and going down toward the water, that really helped with the negative split.

Post Race
I was really hoping for an age group award since it was such a small race. I was very disappointed when so few people turned around at the 5K turn around point. The fact that so few turned around and that the vast majority of the people running looked to be in the military, my hopes of an age group award plummeted quickly. I think 3rd place in my group ended up with a 1:27 race. I did not pay attention well at the awards ceremony since I knew I had little hope.

I got my first massage today. It was just 10 minutes or so, but it may help with the soreness.

The point of doing this race today was purely to set a PR. I knew with my marathon training that I was in great shape for a fast race. However, I have not put in any fast miles since my marathon. I have only done maintenance runs. So I was a little nervous that I might have trouble maintaining the pace. After the 3rd mile I was feeling pretty confident and by the time I hit the turn around I knew I would beat 2 hours, it was just a matter of by how much.

This was my first official half marathon. I have run 3 on my own on courses that I have mapped out in the neighborhood. My best time was 2:16:23. I also had the 1/2 split during my full marathon. That time was 2:11:XX. That means I averaged about 1 minute per mile faster than any other half that I have run.

I will be living with a big grin on my face for a few days.

The promo code is: WS08

Hammer Nutrition makes many nutrition products for endurance athletes. I have never used their gels, but I picked 2 packets up today to try out. If they sit well with me, I may buy a couple of bottles to have on hand. I have not gotten into the nutrition supplements that are very popular except gels. I may have to give a couple of their different products a try.

Have you used Hammer Nutrition products? What were your thoughts? How do you use them?

This race was chosen for a few different reasons.

• It is about the right amount of time after my marathon
• I can play off my marathon training
• It is close to home
• I happen to be home that weekend

I am hoping to work from my marathon training. Since it is run 4 weeks after my marathon I think it is far enough away not to be affected negatively from the Indianapolis race. But it is still close enough that all the miles I put in for training for the marathon will be to my favor for this shorter race.

I will be able to easily drive to the race on race day. I don’t have to get a hotel the night before. Though it means I will need to get good sleep a couple of days leading up to the race. That may be a bit tricky since I will have very late nights from Saturday (last night) until Wednesday. I will drive from Knoxville, TN to Pensacola, FL on Thursday, but can take a nice long nap on Thursday if I need and sleep late Friday morning if I can.

The goal is a 2 hour finish. That is a very ambitious goal. My current half marathon PR is 2:16:23, however, I ran 2:11:00 during the first half of my marathon. Therefore, I am just shaving 11 minutes off my time in Indianapolis.

This is an out and back course. I will be able to see how I am doing at the half way point. I plan to run a consistent pace (9:10 per mile) from start to finish. However, I would like to run a negative split and leave it all on the course. This will be my first real “race” in the half marathon distance. I have never tried to run it fast with anticipated pain following the race. This time I expect to hurt for several days after this race.

Today I ran 12 miles which put me within 10 miles of catching up to the bunny. If I can stay healthy, then I should easily be able to finish my 1000 mile goal in time. I may even blow past it by a good number.

The 12 miles I ran today were on trails at a park. Some of the trails were on asphalt, but more than half of it I was running on horse trails through beautiful woods and hills. I could tell they were horse trails because of the evidence that horses leave behind.

When I got home and pulled off my socks it was fun to see where the socks ended and the dirt began. I had an instant tan. Even though my tan went away once I stepped into the shower, I also felt better.

A journey of 1000 miles is completed just a few miles at a time.

I did this thing called a marathon. That was a first time event for me. Believe it or not, that is the reason I got behind on my goal. I had stuck to a training plan that did not pad in any extra miles. If I missed a run one week it put me behind. Of course there were the 30+ mile weeks which helped make up the losses.

The longest break I took this month was a stretch of 3 days. It was good to take that time off. This came shortly after the marathon. I began to have some sharp foot pain 2 days after the race. I believe I have a stress fracture in one of the bones along the right side of my right foot. I had been on my feet a lot leading up to and a week after my race. I began to take a high dosage of anti-inflammatory medicine and calcium (as per my personal nurse’s instructions). Those 3 non-running days were also travel days. I was able to stay off my feet completely. I did not experience any of the sharp pain shortly after that time off my feet. I did a hard run though and felt a twinge and the pain instantly returned. I have been nursing it the last week and have been able to keep the pain at bay. Running motion does not seem to hurt the foot, but walking does.

Reading
I had fallen way behind in my reading. Since this is a month to month goal, I have not let it bother me that I missed the goal of 800 pages in the past. I know that each month I get to start with a clean slate.

I again missed the goal, but was much closer this time around. I read 748 pages in the month of October. Most of the reading was done early in the month. I actually have read a bit more than that, but one of the books I am currently reading is in the car. So I am not able to get an accurate page count. I am only about 20 pages into it. I will put that onto next month’s count.

I read Dean Karnazes’ 50/50 and Joe Kurmaskie’s Metal Cowboy. Those were both fun and easy to read books. I am reading a Hardy Boys book too. I read a book called Hostage about the 3 New Tribes Mission’s missionaries who were taken by Colombian Guerrillas in the 90s. It was everything I dislike about an autobiography. It was written by one of the wives. Content was great, but I did not like the presentation. I am also reading J Vernon McGee’s commentary on the book of Revelation. <sarcasm>Now there’s some easy reading</sarcasm>.

Just 2 months to go to finish up the year. I am very pleased with being able to keep up with the goals. Previously I had never tried to push myself on reading. I just read when I felt inspired to do so. Having a goal has kept me reading consistently. The fact that I have missed my goal at least lets me know that I have at least been working toward it.

Thursday
I got an Amphipod belt to hold my gels. I had planned to make my final run on Friday, but felt I needed to test out the new equipment. The run really was just 2 miles this time. No getting lost.

Friday
I did not do a run, but went out for a late evening walk with my son. We walked by the old fashioned soda shop, but could not pull together enough change between us to get a fancy float. Maybe before we leave we will find enough change to get a sundae or a float.

Both Thursday and Friday I went to bed early. I got good sleep on Thursday night, but Friday night was typical in that I looked at my watch every 15 minutes to see if it was time to get up. That started about 3:00 in the morning on Saturday.

Saturday: Indianapolis Marathon Day

Pre-race
I got to the race start early enough to drop off my backpack which held my extra clothes and shoes. Since this was my first big race, I was a bit unprepared for the number of people there. I knew there were going to be about 6000 runners for the full and half marathons combined. But then there were the thousands of spectators hanging around the start. It was pretty exciting.

I got to my pace group of 10:00 minutes per mile. When we finally got started it took about 4 minutes to get across the starting line. Since we had timing chips, there was no real hurry to get moving.

Early Miles
Because we were in pace groups, there was not too much congestion at the start. Of course there was some, but I have dealt with more traffic in a 200 person 5K. Things moved very smoothly through the first mile. Somewhere around 3 things thinned out some. But there were some places on the course that were narrow and we bunched up again.

I planned a run/walk program for the race. I was going to run a mile and walk a minute. When the first mile marker came along, I felt awkward pulling over to the side and walking. I kept my pace up during my walk breaks and really did not lose too many places. I missed my walk break at mile 4. I just did not see the sign.

Miles 1-6 averaged 9:56 per mile.

End of First Half
I was pretty cold through the whole race. The temperature was 46 at race start and 55 at the end. I was wearing 3 shirts with the top one being a long sleeve that I did not want to toss (I originally had a sweatshirt on top of everything, but ditched it at the beginning of the race). My gloves were off and on several times throughout the race. Finally by mile 11 I pulled my long sleeve shirt off and tied it at my waist. I was still pretty cold and a few times considered putting it back on.

The half marathoners turned off at mile 12 and the crowd thinned out significantly. I finished the first half of the marathon in 2:11:16. That is a half marathon PR by 5 minutes.

Miles 7-13 averaged 9:58.

Beginning of Second Half
I just cruised through the first half knowing that I needed to stay on my plan and not try to go too fast. I was running faster than planned, but I felt very good and did not feel like I was pushing things too much. My calves tightened a bit around mile 16, but did not get any worse until mile 21.

Miles 17 to 21 were not as scenic as the rest of the race. It was still nice, but the whole race is, with the exception of some early miles, run through a park and greenways. It was a very beautiful course. I would like to go back and get some pictures before we leave the area.

My family met me just before mile 21. My brother and his family along with my wife and kids were there with signs. It was a pleasent surprise to see the signs. I hated that I did not take the time to talk much with them, but my race was going very well at that point and I was just getting the feeling that I might be able to break 4:30 if I kept the momentum going. I dropped off my long sleeved shirt and all my gels. I forgot that I still needed one more gel to finish out the course.

Miles 14 to 21 were at 10:15 pace.

Final miles
Mentally 21 to 24 were very hard miles. I did not want to push myself to the point of not having fun, but I also knew that I could maintain 11 minute miles and still finish in under 4:30. I finally left my gloves at the 24 mile mark. I was warm enough to think I would not need them any more.

Mile 25 was when my legs started getting stiff. I never got into cramping, but I was getting close. I took a bit more time to walk than I wanted. Mile 26 was also a hard mile. I just ran when I could and walked a bit more. When I hit the 26 mile mark I knew I could coast the rest of the way in, but I already knew that a 4:30 finish was not possible. I just took it easy and was able to smile through the finish line.

Miles 22 through finish were at 11:21. Maybe that final gel would have helped. I don’t really know.

Final time was 4:32:10 with a 10:22 pace.

Finish
I was met at the line by my family. They packed a picnic lunch and we sat on the ground and ate our meal. I had a meal provided by the marathon, but was really not too hungry.

At mile 18 I got a pleasant surprise. One of my college friends, and former supporting pastors, called my name. He has a unique voice, and though I never really saw him, I knew who it was. We heard his name called as he crossed the finish line and went over to meet him. His wife and family joined our mob and then we got another surprise. A mutual friend from college heard his name as well and came to see him. The third friend finished in just under 4:00:00, which was a first for him. We ended up with a group of about 8 alumni gathered shivering and congratulating one another. It was a really fun surprise.

Post race
I was pretty sore in my calves, but agreed to go run around in a corn maze with the family. It was probably the smartest thing I had done all day. As I write this all the tightness in my calves are gone. We will see if I can still walk tomorrow. But other than being tired, I don’t have any soreness.

I really don’t have a time goal, though I expect to finish between 4:30 and 5:00 hours. I have trained with the 4:45 time in mind.

And my goal is not just about finishing. I feel well trained without being overtrained. I have completed two runs of 20 miles as well as many long runs leading up to that. I have no thoughts that the distance is unattainable. My body is prepared and very healthy. Mentally I am ready. I have teased about being nervous, but really am not. I am totally confident about being able to cover the distance.

So what is my goal for tomorrow?

To totally enjoy my first marathon. I am not trying to race it. I have no plans to hurt my body in getting across the line in a fast time. But, if I do get through faster than anticipated, or even slower, I plan to have fun with the experience.

I realize that I can never run a 5K race and have it be my first one again. Also, I will probably never go to a 5K and just jog around the course for the experience. I will always be chasing a number. Always trying to beat my previous time.

I have a chance to do something tomorrow on that course that I will never be able to do again. This one is all about the experience.

Shirt: I will be wearing an ASD Athletes shirt for the race.

Wednesday
The 5 mile tempo run that was scheduled that day was a 5 km. fast easy run. Was not near tempo pace, but it was much faster than my long runs. I also ran Thursday for 2.6 miles.

Saturday long run did not quite make it into the long run category. I was supposed to do 8 miles. I started the day with a killer 3.14 mile hill workout. If it was not such a hard run, I might have actually enjoyed the scenery. Beautiful fall colors in Virginia near the Shenandoah National Park.

After driving a few hours to our next stop we spent 5 hours at a church for its missions conference which included an international banquet and a church service. The family we stayed with happened to be home to a certifiable running nut. We talked about how much we liked running and training. We ended up talking ourselves into a 4 mile run at 10:00 at night. Hills again for the second time in one day.

Week 16
I have to admit to leaving my training plan at home on this trip. It was an oversight. But the runs are supposed to be something like 2 miles on Monday, 6 miles moderate on Wednesday and 2 miles on Friday. Then the week ends with a marathon on Saturday. I think I can remember that without the training plan in front of me.

The way the week will play out is that I ran on Tuesday for 4 miles. I plan to run again on Thursday for just a mile or 2. I need to test out an idea. Then on Friday I will run just 2 real simple miles.

The first couple of chapters are narratives about how the idea of running 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days came about and how the first few races went. Scattered in the narrative are tips and tricks he learned in his running career that a new runner could benefit from. A few chapters into the book the amount of narrative and teaching switch roles. He begins to spend much more time talking about running and preparing yourself for your first marathon than telling details of each marathon run during the event.

The style of the work is exactly what I like in a book. The chapters are short. He focuses on one main theme for each chapter. He relates the events in an enjoyable, east-to-read, style. And since I love biographies and non-fiction of just about any kind, the interweaving of race reports with training guide is exactly what appeals to me.

Whatever you think about Dean and his shameless self promotion, you have to admit that there are many more people enjoying the sport of running because of Dean Karnazes. I was a runner before I ever heard of Karno, but the idea of pushing towards running my first marathon, and hopefully many ultras in the future, can be traced back to Ultramarathon Man.

I highly recommend this book for newer runners and marathoners. While more experienced runners may enjoy the story behind the 50/50 event, I don’t know if they will get as much out of the book as a newer runner will.

I will add the same disclaimer to this as I did on Ultramarathon Man: there is some profanity in the book which is unnecessary and dissappointing Therefore I caution readers about buying it for younger runners.

I want to thank Steve at Run Bulldog Run for having the drawing in which I won the book. Also I thank the publisher for overnighting a copy of the book to me the day they learned my first copy was lost in the mail.

Thursday
I ran an easy route of just 2.84 miles. That took the place of my Monday easy run and my Wednesday speed workout. I feel totally ready for the marathon. Right now I am just trying to run consistently without injury. I have no real time goals for the race.

Friday
I did my long run on Friday since I knew I would be out early on Saturday taking in all the garage sales. The plan was a 12 mile run. I did 12.24 at 10:19 pace. Goal pace (according to the training plan) was 10:13. Though I was not trying, I got pretty close to the goal.

Week 15
Monday: Easy 2 miles.

Wednesday: 5 mile tempo run.

Saturday: Long run of 8 miles at 10:13 pace.

Week 14 started my taper. I have just 2 weeks to go for the marathon.