Jan.29: Off the Fence

For the last 2 months I have been sitting on the fence as to what kind of marathon I want Prague to be. By that I mean I have been debating in my mind whether or not I want "to go for it" and try to PR again, or if I want treat it as a destination marathon and just be "happy for the experience" in a new city. I have finally decided NOT to pursue a PR at Prague, opting instead to devote some of my would-be training time back to my first love - cycling. Now running has certainly been a home-wrecker the last 3 years but perhaps now I can have all my fantasies come true with a menage a trois...no?!

I have booked off 1.5 weeks to cycle in the Alps and watch the Tour de France in July. I am a huge fan of the tour and I am so excited to get the opportunity to see it as a cyclist, up close and in person! Also, we are quite keen to take a lot of little weekend getaways when the spring rolls around that would really interfer with the heavy and intense training schedule that a goal marathon demands. These getaways will still be very active, but they will be no match for the intensity level of a solid Jack Daniel's track-long-track workout that is for sure! I plan to keep running, but I will be incorporating more cross-training, spinning, and actual cycling in the weeks ahead.

That being said, I ran 5.5 miles tonight at a 7:31 min/mile pace. I am quite sure that Jennie inserted 10 pound lead inserts into my running shoes as it felt like my feet were just dragging.

After my last post, my main man The Koz sent me the following link. I completely forgot about it until he sent it. Hilarious!! Thanks man!

Tomorrow we are off to London to see Les Miserables and for a Super Bowl party! "Super bowl," you ask, "in London?" Why yes, my sister and brother-in-law got a feed for the game - I believe kick-off is 11pm on Sunday night! I am not really a football fan and, infact, I just had to google who was actually playing in the game (Steelers vs. the Cardinals (but aren't they a baseball team?!)), but the novelty of having a Superbowl party in London at midnight is just too good to pass up!

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Jan.27: Coffee Breath

I have decided not to join the Frenchies for their standard espresso after lunch anymore. Lately I have found the espresso's taste so bitter and just leave a nasty taste in my mouth. It tastes like a gang of oompa loompas have crawled into my mouth and took a big dump. On the bright side, they sing a catchy little tune about morals while they are down there...

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The Rest of Houston...

So, basically I spend the rest of my week in Houston visiting family and friends, shopping (arrived with 1.5 bags and left with 5 full bags), and managed just a few 6-8 mile runs around my ol' stomping grounds of the Buffalo Bayou. It is funny - when I was driving around Houston it seemed like YEARS ago since I lived there. It felt like I must have lived there in another life - it was almost like it never happened - everything seemed quite distant and unfamiliar. But as soon as my feet hit that familiar pavement of the Bayou it seemed like only yesterday that I was running this path in the heat and humidity of Houston.

What was NOT distant and unfamiliar were the friends and family that we had the pleasure of seeing. We (regrettably) never took our new camera around with us so we only managed a few pictures outside of the marathon.

Mom, Jennie, and Dad (making sure that his head is not exploding!!)


Jennie and "newly" weds Alex and Jaws


Me and my main man - at our traditional Panera Bread after a cold Saturday morning run. Although it was cold, it is never too cold for the short-shorts!

How lame - despite having the chance to catch up with a lot of our friends, those are the only pictures we have :(

Since returning to Paris (last night) I have managed to do nothing. Tomorrow I will head out to the Bois to get some more Paris miles under my belt.

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Jan.19: Ultimate Frisbee

The day after the marathon we decided to have a breakfast feast at Empire Cafe,


meet my brother at work for lunch (note how I am wearing the "Finisher" shirt the next day after the marathon! I am just like a tacky groupie the day after the rock concert...I know, I admit it!),


then play same ultimate Frisbee with a great group of friends that we especially miss every second week as they hit the fields for a little disc.

This is me explaining to "Green Pants" that short-shorts are not only appropriate for running, but pretty much for any outdoor activity where you will be seen in public!

Surprisingly we all remain friends after some of these games and head out for beers afterwards!

Jan.18: Shock 'n Awe

Sometime this past year, when exactly I cannot really remember but perhaps early summer (?), I was talking to my brother on the phone when he mentioned to me that he along with two of his work buddies (James and Cory) had signed up for the Houston marathon! The line went silent. "Are you still there?" he asked.

I was shocked.
"Yeah, I am still here. Are you serious?!!"
"Yep," Jon replied, "but we are not really sure what we got ourselves into..."

Now, the story as to how 3 non-runners one day, or shall I say one night at the bar, suddenly decided to run a marathon has yet to be clearly explained to me by either one of them. So, I have concluded that they just, simply, cannot remember that fateful night of bravado and trash-talk. Needless to say the following Monday at work they were all comitted less they hear the wrath from the other two...

Still shocked and not knowing if I should take him seriously or not I replied to Jon, "Do you want a pacer?" I thought that if he was just joking that he would not allow me to make travel arrangements to travel half-way around the world to come run with him, if he was not running.

"Sure man! That would be great!"
The line fell silent again - I was still shocked.
"Are you still there?!"

Since that night and that phone call the boys started to train. I would hear updates and was continually impressed with the level of dedication that they all had. I even had the pleasure of joining Jon on his longest long run in England on Christmas Day. It was then that I saw first-hand his dedication, which got me excited about welcoming him to the club in just 3 short weeks.

The time past quickly and soon it was the eve of the marathon. We had a pasta lunch at Jon's place to talk strategy and to give last minute tips. I could tell that they were all a little nervous but was, again, impressed with their resourcefulness to get to this point. For example, on the subject of nipple chaffing, Cory mentioned that he would just use duct-tape! James was quick to suggest that he use 2 strips per nipple and put them on in an 'X'!!

Here is James, Jon, Cory, and myself the day before (everyone is still smiling!)

After the pasta load we headed to the Marathon Expo to pick up our goodies. Below is Jennie, Jon, and my mom. As an aside, it turns out that my parents were as equally shocked about Jon's marathon running news and felt that this was a "see it to believe it" moment and also made the trip to cheer him on.

Leaving the expo. Myself, Jon, mom, and dad.

As most marathoners know, other pre-marathon activities are pretty boring. You sit, you eat, you hydrate, you pee, you hydrate, you pee, you eat, and repeat...

Finally, marathon day arrived and the weather was perfect (for the first 2 1/2 hours!) The 4 of us all decided that we would start running together. The longer all of us could stay together, the easier it would be. After running with Jon on Christmas I knew that 8:45-9:00 min/mile pace would be achievable - so that was the goal.

Cory (black), Jon (red/blue), and me (orange) at mile 6-7.

Up to this point I could tell that the boys had a lot of zip in their legs and I felt like I was yanking on the reigns of thoroughbreds as hard as I could to keep them back with me. I stood fast in my conviction that the difference between an experienced marathoner and a rookie is the manner in which the first 15 miles is run. Since I flew all this way to help them "run like a pro" and to avoid many of the common marathoning mistakes (which I still make myself all the time, but I digress) I was a little nervous about screwing this up for them!

Cory (black), James (black/red), Jon (red/blue), and me (orange) at mile 6-7. As you can tell, the mind and body were still in a very happy place!

I think the reason why the mind was in a happy place was that Cory soon mentioned to the rest of us that he was "in his spirit world". Keeping with the native tradition my mom later asked what animal he connected with and subsequently chose as his spirit guide while he was in his spirit world. My brother responded on his behalf by saying that he connected with whatever animal gets repeatidly kicked in the groin!

Luckly I did not visit this world during this marathon but I have been there plenty! It is where you can see yourself running the marathon from a 3rd person perspective (just like many role-playing computer games).

The 4 of us were still together, running as a cohesive unit through Rice. It was to everyone's benefit to keep the group together as long as possible as it made time pass quite quickly and, dare I say, painlessly. I recall Jon even mentioning that "this is sure an interesting way to see Houston. It is a completely different perspective." This sums up exactly why I continue to run marathons and continue to find new cities to experience them in. It was really neat to see these "rookies" discover over the course of 4 hours many of the thrills of marathoning in which I have fallen in love with over the past years.

At mile 17.5 the group finally cracked. After regrouping after the water station we could not find Cory. We had a fallen soldier but we had to march onwards. We were all quite disappointed not to have him with us during the final surge but were confident that he would fight strong and get back over enemy lines shortly after us.

Jon, James and I continued onwards. Never ceasing in our resolve. Never being distracted from our goal despite the many distractions of the surging cramps, the belly dancing ladies, the pain striking the achilles tendon like a lightening bolt with each foot strike, the budweiser beer, the dizzyness, and did I mention the pain?

Running like veterans James and Jon ran a negative split for the marathon (by 4 seconds) and were NOT passed beyond mile 20. All the road kill belonged to them - they were in the kill box.

Jon (in sun) and I (orange) at mile 26.

Jon (red/blue) and I (orange) - mile 26.

Here is a video of Jon and I at mile 26.

With a cheering squad like this, how can we not be motivated?! (D and D cheering on their sweaty heroes!)

Finally we made it! Here is the proof! First you will see James (red and raising his arms), then Jon, and finally myself (arms raised and quick to hit my lap button on my watch!) cross the finish line. Keep with the video until the end because you will see my final lesson as a pacer. Each good run ends with a solid pound dawg!

Shortly after regrouping ourselves we found our parents so that they could officially congratulate Jon on his debut!

Usually I really do not like the "official" photos taken along the course as I usually find that these pictures usually capture me in compromising positions, which historically have only provided blackmail material for friends and coworkers who get their hands on them. Normally I have an eye half-shut, dried-spit across my cheek that did not quite clear my face from 5 miles ago, crusty salt somewhere, and a look of complete dismay and/or pain painted across my face. But they managed to capture a few decent ones this time around...the links are here:

1. Welcome to the Gun Show...!! (mile 9-10)

2. I am actually smiling during a race....! (mile 9-10)

3. Myself (orange) and my brother probably about 2-3 miles out.

4. This is my favorite picture. This is Jon, finishing strong with ~ 10 meters to go. I am clapping in the background, completely impressed by the performance I just witnessed.

5. Finisher Photo: James, Jon, Me (right to left)

The best way to celebrate is, of course, barbequed carcus and a Shiner!

I have learned that there are 3 separate levels of appreciation for what a marathoner does. The first level is that from a non-runner. They really respect the fact that you can run (and they "could never do what you do"). The second level is from a fellow runner/marathoner who really understands what you put your body through and has an easier time relating to your tale. The third level is from your fellow runner who shares every footstep, every breath, and every struggle with you. The one who is shares the foxhole with you and knows in intimate detail how the battle was fought.

I am so honored that I could experience this last level with Jon. I think I have yet to mention that he did not complain once, or walk, or even break pace during the marathon. I was in complete awe in the manner in which he and the boys prepared for the race and the class in which it was run. He not only completed the marathon, but he ran his first in a way that took me 4-5 marathons to figure out how to do. I am in awe.

Shock 'n awe baby!

Jan.17: A Few Wrong Turns...

Yesterday, after my morning glory, I made a few "wrong" (or different) turns on what would otherwise be a normal commute to work and 11 hours later I found myself in Houston, Texas. I have only been gone for a little less than a year and although I have returned a few times since I left I find that there a little, everyday things that I never noticed before that now just make me giggle.

For starters, upon arrival I went to the car rental agency to pick up my economy sized car. For the same price I was offered a compact. I figured that since we are in Texas now, where everything is bigger (pahdun), perhaps having a little extra metal around me may not be such a bad idea. I would still be no match in a bumper car derby with the standard fare you see on the Houston roads (i.e. Hummer, F350's, Navigators, etc). However, none of their compacts would start so I was told just to take a "mid-size" ve-hi-cle (I love how they say that here!). So, this is what I got:

And this is mid-sized?!! Are you kidding me? I soon as I saw this beauty anchored at the dock I just broke out laughing! Put a tank gun on this thing, paint it brown, and I am ready for desert storm. So, before we pulled out of the lot I, of course, did a survey of the ve-hic-le to make sure that there were no iceberg chunks caught in the grill from a previous accident and we were off.

I was able to contain my giddiness until we reached the newly improved I-10 where I was greeted with 10 lanes of traffic for EACH direction, which made me giggle even more! I am happy to be back!

Saturday morning I had a relaxing 6 mile run with my main man JD (avg. pace ~ 7:35 min/mile). I sure do miss running with him and this run just reminded me of that fact. I plan on running some more with him throughout the week.

Jan.16: Morning Glory

You know, I don't do morning glory all that often but when I do I am always reminded that it has got be one of the best ways to start your day. But normally I opt just to keep hitting snooze, preferring to have more sleep than to get my heart rate elevated. Well today, due to a very hectic schedule, if I was going to do it, I would have to do it in the morning. But I did not have much time - so I knew that I could not do too much fooling around. I would have to get straight to business and make it a quickie.

So I crawled out of bed and went for and (uncharacteristic) morning run. I ran 6.5 miles at an average pace of 7:20 min/mile (ranging from 7:35 for the first mile to 7:08 for the last mile).

ps - Of course this post was going to be about running...what else?!

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