2015 Lavaman Training Update

As you have probably noticed, there hasn't been many race recaps lately.  That's because I've been busy training for my first triathlon.  Training for a tri in itself poses several challenges, but there are quite a few additional challenges I am faced with.

First off, this race has to happen.  Those familiar with my blog and/or my reasons for running, know that the date of my first marathon was rather serendipitous.  Lavaman is no different. In addition to being my first ever tri, it takes place the weekend of March 29th (the 3 year anniversary of Abi's passing), and will be held in Hawaii (a location that Abi had always wanted to visit, but never got the chance to).

Aside from the obvious challenges that come with training for a tri, weather has been a challenge.  Training for a race in Hawaii in March mean training through the winter in Vancouver.  Needless to say, I have not taken my bike out for very many rides.  The rides I have taken went very well and were all over 30k.  But I have been training with a few other people in my coaches spin sessions.  These sessions are an hour and a half long, twice a week (On Saturday I spin for an hour and a half, then run for a half hour. This is known as a brick workout).

The spin sessions are a pain in the ass.  Literally.  My main struggle on the bike has been getting used to the seat.  I had always biked growing up, to and from school, helping a friend with his paper route, and biking was my main mode of transportation all through college.  But a road/tri bike is a different beast.

My coach payed me a huge compliment in regards to my biking.  He told me that not very many people (new to road/tri bikes) can handle an hour and a half spin session twice a week and that he wasn't sure if I could do it at first.

Some people may take "didn't think you could do it" as an insult.  I don't.  There have been so many moments in my life that I have told myself that, only to look back and realize that the challenge is what drives me. This determination, hard work, and ultimate success makes me feel alive.  A feeling and state that so many of take for granted.

Go back and time and tell the 5 years ago me all that I have accomplished, and he would laugh at your face (while scarfing down Pizza Rolls).  

I am not worried about the biking. I know I can ride for 40k no problem. And after all the spin sessions, I can do it efficiently.

The run.  No problem.  The run at Lavaman is a 10k, a distance I know I can do.  The challenge with the run is that you just came off a 40k bike ride.  This is where those brick workouts come in handy.  The last few bricks have proved easier and easier.  The combination of conditioning my muscles and being more efficient on the bike are most likely the reason for this.

Now for the boulder to my Sisyphus.  The swim. 

The first time I went to the pool to swim, I was exhausted after 15 minutes.  Turns out I was dong so much wrong, but I figured that out later.

I was/still am worried about the swim.  My coach was unable to coach the swim potion of training due to schedule, but he did recommend a great swim course that I signed up for.

The course has helped immensely.  During the first class, the instructor told us to not worry about speed and that the class was about efficiency.  Needless to say, my form has improved 10 fold.  My big hurdle at the moment is breathing (which I've been told will get easier the more I train).

Will I be ready to swim 1500 meters by March 29th?  Probably.  Just not very fast.

This is another area where weather us a factor.  All my swim workouts have been in a pool.  No open water swims. I am hoping to get one open water training swim in a couple days before the race while in Hawaii.

In talking with both my swim coach and coach, I know I will finish.  The mindset I am taking it one of no expectations.

I had a great talk with my swim coach about this.  He informed me that even people who have done several tris get frustrated when they go from pool workouts to open water.  You never know the condition of the water on race day.  The current could be strong, it could be choppy, the pack may be crowded.

The one thing I am good at is taking stock after a race.  When I ran the Vancouver Marathon,  I finished 20 minutes over my average time.  But looking back, the weather was cold, windy, and raining, not ideal for a great mental game. 

My swim coach said he wished more of his clients had my mindset.  For me, things go wrong.  They just do.  You can sit there and beat yourself up over it, or be proud of what you've done, identify where you need some extra work, and hit it next time.   

When I ran my first marathon, I did all the training, but had no idea what to expect mentally (you can read all about that in a previous post).  I did much better on my second marathon, being more mentally prepared.


This is how I am approaching my first tri.  Do all I can training wise, but have no expectations.  Just finish.  Get my head around what it is to do a triathlon.  Then identify what I need to work on, work on those areas, and kick ass in my next one (and the one after that, and the one after that).

Although still a bit nervous, I am also very excited.  This experience will only fuel the love/obsession I have for endurance sports.

My goal is to be able to attempt an Ironman within the next 5 years. I will need to work extra hard on my swim and running, but that is training update for a different blog entry.

It will be a ton of work, but it's one of those challenges that Pizza Roll mouth stuffing me would scoff at.

Screw that guy.  I'm going to do it.


Thanks, as always, for reading my blog!

Be on the lookout for the Lavaman race recap!

Judge me by my speed do you?

2015 Inaugural Star Wars 10k and Half Marathon Recap 

It's been a while, but I'm back. Since the Inaugural Vancouver Rock & Roll Half Marathon, I have ran the Fall Classic 10k with a new personal best for a 10k by 3 seconds.  I also ran the Running Room Resolution 5k on New Years day.  Believe it not, my first 5k.

My first big race of 2015 could not have been more fun.  One the weekend of January 17th and 18th, I ran the Inaugural Star Wars Rebel Challenge (yet another 10k/Half marathon double race).

My training recently has been more focused on my triathlon, specifically biking and swimming.  I went into the Star Wars race knowing I was not going to finish with any substantial times.  But it didn't matter.  The weekend was bout doing the distance and not speed.  And having fun!

I arrived in Disneyland on Friday and made my way to the race expo for package pick-up.  After receiving my race bib and race event guide, I was instructed to have my photo taken with my bib.  This was to ensure that I was who I said I was and so the race officials could verify that I did both races.  They wanted to make sure someone else didn't run one for me.

Disney does a great job hosting races.  I've mentioned in previous posts about how much I enjoy the races, the on course entertainment, and general logistics of runDisney events.  But lately, Disney has been changing a couple policies that I do not agree with.  One of which being package pick-up.  Most race will allow you to pick up someone else's race packet, as long as you show that you have permission (a note or email and a copy of the runners photo ID).  In the past, Disney had a specific form for picking up someone else's race packet.  This worked out well.  If you were a runner from out of town and got injured you could sell your entry and have your 'friend' pick it up (and ultimately run in your place).  This is frowned upon by Disney, but it happens quite a bit.  I ran for someone in 2013.  But now, they do not allow this.  You can still get around this if the person you are running for is local, can pick up their own race pack, and then give it to you in person.  But what about those from out of town?  I have 2 friends who signed up and due to unforeseen circumstances, could not run.  Now they are out hundreds of dollars.  Disney needs to have a better system in place for when these things happen.

But enough about my gripes..... Lets get on to the race recap.

Saturday,  January 17th The Star Wars 10K.

I woke up at 3.45 and was on the bus to the start line by 4.45.  When I got off the bus, I was just outside the entrance to the park.  From there it is about a 5-10 minute march to the starting corrals.

Right outside the bus stop was an area filled with trees, bushes, and other various greenery/landscaping.  It was dark and lit with accent lights.  But what made it super cool was the music.  The Ewok song from Return of the Jedi was playing and it set the mood for all the runners.  It was most likely one of the nerdiest things that could have happened....... And it was awesome!

While walking to the start corrals, I noticed that the start was different from the Disneyland races in August.  We were facing the opposite way.  This meant that the course would be different.  Different is good for a runner.  Running the same routes can become very boring.  

While waiting in my corral, I looked around at my fellow runners.  It became very obvious that about half of those running, where not runners, but were only there because Star Wars was attached to to the race.  At first this bothered me, but then I realized that this may actually get those people into running.  They would finish the race and see all the support fellow runners give each other and will realize how important training is.

The race announcers were very annoying.  Although dressed in Jedi attire, everyone could tell that they were just reading off cue cards and had no idea what they were saying.  They showed clips from the original (and in my opinion the ONLY) 3 movies as well as the trailer for The Force Awakens.

Soon we were off.  I ran at an easy pace knowing full well I had 10K in front of me and double that the next day.

As I was running, I took the time to look at all the different outfits people were wearing.  There were tons of Ewoks, Stromtroopers, Jedi, and even George Lucas. 

One runner had a cape that read: I find your lack of speed disturbing.  I ran up beside her and said, "Judge me by my speed do you?"  We laughed and I passed her.

At one point I turned around and saw a man in a Star Trek uniform.  I laughed and told him how brave he was to wear that.  Another runner joked that since he was wearing a red uniform, he was in trouble.  My response was one of the nerdiest, but also most correct responses ever.

"Actually, that is a Next Generation uniform so not only is he safe, but he holds a pretty high rank."

Yup..... I'm a nerd.

Later down the course, I saw that there was a photo op with Chewbacca, but the line was very long.  I decided not to wait in line that long for Chewy.

A few miles down the course, I end up braving a line, for none other than Darth Vader.  The best part was the 2 Stormtroopers heckling all the runners.

Back on course (pun intended), I saw another line.  I could not see who it was right away, but as soon as I did, I turned on a dime, ran like a salmon upstream, and got in line for a photo.

Well worth the wait.

From there it was business as usual until the finish. There were a few more characters, but they must have been from the new animated series (because I had no clue who they were).

I crossed the finish line with a chip time of 1:30:13.  Not my best time, but I took it slow and took a bunch of pictures.


All and all, very pleased.

On my way to the bus stop, I began to chat with a very nice couple.  They had complimented me on my tattoo and asked me about it.  I told them all about Abi, her story, and how it got me into running.  We shared our race experiences, what races we had done, and talked about Vancouver versus LA. 

While on the bus, I met a very nice Australian couple wearing Ironman hats (the race, not the superhero).  I told them I was jealous of their hats and that I hoped to do an Ironman one day.  We talked about my first triathlon in March and they shared their Ironman stories. I expressed my concern that my marathon time was not fast enough.  He told me, that he was so worn out from the biking, that he walked the entire run course on his first Ironman.  This gave me some confidence.



I went back to the hotel and rested.  That night I went out to eat with a few friends and once I got back to the hotel, I could not sleep.

Sunday, January 18th The Half Marathon.

I woke up at 3.45 and was on the bus by 4.45 to head to the start corrals.

I felt awful.

I had dinner with a few friends the night before and could barely sleep when I got back to the hotel.  This left very little time to let my food digest.  I knew I was not going to do well, but also knew I was not going to back out.

Just before the first mile marker I hit a restroom.  When I came out, I saw a group of runners getting their picture taken in front on the 1 Mile marker.  This group was led by non other than Charlene (one of my team mates from my first Team in Training season) and Ed (one of the coaches from my first Team in Training team).

I asked if I could tag along with and they agreed.  When I asked what their run strategy was, they informed me that they were pretty much walking through the park and getting as many pictures as they could. Then at mile 5 (when outside the park) they would decide what to do.  The way I was feeling, that sounded really good to me!

We caught up on races, past and up-coming.  I met a few of the team from the current season and, of course, got a ton of photos.

Luckily, they had sent one of their group ahead to hold a spot in line for Chewbacca.

At mile 3, I saw 2 girls dressed as an AT-AT walking the course.

At about mile 4.5, we saw a video camera and Charlene had the excellent idea of doing a fly-by.  You can see us about 40 seconds into this video!

At mile 5, a few of us decided to run on at our own pace.  From here to the end, we split into 3 groups that leap-frogged back and forth, encouraging each other until the finish.

Between mile 5 and 6 the course overlapped mile 11 to 12.  Whenever this happens in a race, I always run to the outside closest to the oncoming runners.  I do this for 2 reasons.  First, I am usually running the same race as a group of friends.  These friends are usually much faster than me, so I always look for them and cheer them on. The other reason I do this is to give random high fives and encouragement to the other runners.  And who should my first high five be with?  Non other than Sean Astin.  He runs all the Disney races and even the Vancouver Sun Run every year.  He has an awesome run group call Run 3rd.

http://run3rd.blogspot.ca/ 

Between mile 8 and 10, a large group of local cosplayers cheering on the runners.  Their costumes were very impressive!

It was there that a squadron of TIE fighters I had seen quite a few times slowed down enough for me to snap a photo.

Between mile 11 and 12 was a servant of the dark side tempting up to stop our race and join him.

It was very tempting, but I continued on (even with Jabba in the way).

I crossed the finish at 03:27:51 and felt pretty good.  It was way over my normal time, but given how I was feeling and the walk through the park, I was very happy.

I went back to the hotel, changed, and headed to Six Flags.

I have no more big races planned until after my triathlon in March.  My next entry will most likely not be a race recap, but a training update.  I have some pretty big goals set for 2015 and would love to share them with you as I achieve them.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog.  And no matter what the speed or distance, do.... Or do not..... There is no try.

Inaugural Vancouver Rock & Roll Half Marathon

The Rock & Roll race series is huge in the states and somehow I've never run an RnR event...... Until now.

The annual James Cunningham Seawall race joined up with RnR for the inaugural Vancouver RnR.   Local and new?  I'm in.


With the race being a week before Halloween, I knew people would dress up. And after the fun I had on the Eastside 10K, I knew I had to dress up for this one too.  I went as Clark Kent.  Long workout pants, glasses, tie, and white shirt (ripped open to reveal a Superman shirt.  I knew it would be a cold morning so the long pants and shirt did not concern me.  I was still pretty cold on some parts of the course.

I woke up early, took my time getting ready, and walked to the start line.  I met up with a friend/coworker whose friend was running her first half marathon.  She hung out with me in the back corral and I did my best to calm her nerves while trying to keep a good balance of advice while trying not to overwhelm her.

The race started at 8.15, but the corral I was in did not cross the start line until around 8.45.  I started out feeling really good.  It is always a worry.  You never know how your body will react on race day, plus it usually takes me a couple of kilometers to get warmed up (and for my body to realize, Oh we are running!).

This race course was going to be fun and I knew it.  The route was so different.  It combined so many other races' routes.  It was a mix of the Eastside 10K, Pacific First Half, Scotiabank Half, Chilly Chase, and a few others.

There was a one mile marker (strangely the only mile marker on the course), and I like to have fun on the course.   I shouted:

"Whooo!! Only 12.1 miles to go!!"

I got a few laughs, some cheers, and one very dirty look.

At about kilometer 2.5 I spotted the familiar pink polka-dots of a Team Fin jersey.   I had heard of Team Finn, knew they ran for various cancer charities, but never really knew anything else about them.  A friend (who recently passed away from her long 9 year battle with cancer) participated in the Vancouver Half Marathon with Team Finn.  Marie-Chantal was in a wheelchair and several team mates took turns pushing her.  At the finish line, she got up and crossed under her own power.

As I caught up with the Finn jersey, I noticed that the "In Memory" bib on her back said "Marie-Chantal."  I politely asked her how she knew MC and this started the beginning of my entire race.

The runner (who introduced herself as Doreen) said she had run a few triathlons with Team in Training.  We each shared out TNT stories and our friendships with Marie-Chantal.  

After that, Doreen and I ran together until just after the 15K mark.  We talked about our running experiences, our fundraising experiences, and triathlons.  She had done Lavaman several times and I start training for Lavaman in a matter of weeks.  We talked about our families (I bragged on all my cute nieces and nephews), siblings, growing up, parenting, teaching, and just our mantras on life.  I explained to her how my running was motivated by 3 key factors;  to honour/keep alive Abi's memory, to raise money so no one has to suffer a lose due to cancer, and to ensure that I can get the most out of my life.  Life is short and I want to feel alive.  Running marathons (although torture on your body), makes me feel alive.

I asked Doreen about Team Finn and the story behind it.  She explained that Finn was a 3 year old boy who passed away of cancer.  His family (including his older sister and twin brother) made it their mission to help others touched by this awful disease.  Finn loved a show called The Backyardigans and his favourite character was Uniqua.  She was pink with polka-dots.  The iconic Team Finn jerseys inspiration.  Uniqua, and ultimately Finn's motto on life was run, jump, bounce, dance, sing, smile, and love.  A motto that Team Finn has appended to Run, Jump, Bounce, Dance, Sing, Love, Smile, Ride.

http://www.teamfinn.com/about-finn/

As I held back tears, for both the loss of such a young person and for such an amazing team, I told Doreen that I had been wanting to participate in The Ride To Conquer Cancer (a charity bicycle ride from Vancouver, BC to Seattle, WA).  I asked if Team Finn was looking for riders and that I would honoured to ride with them.  So it looks like I've found my team for the ride!

Running with Doreen helped keep my mind off running.  My 10:1 intervals seemed to fly by!  I was very grateful to have someone to talk to. Several of my friends like running with me because I tend to talk alot when in a good mood, it keeps their minds off running as well.  But I am always careful to shut up if/when I get on their nerves.

Doreen put up with my jokes all along the course.  From people complimenting me on my outfit (to which I always replied "I would change, but I can't seem to find a phone booth anywhere!) to when we all ran by my apartment and I asked everyone to wave at my cat.

Kilometer 15 dawned the "hilly" portion of the race.  This was when I wished Doreen luck and pulled ahead.  About 1k later I passed my friends Kathy and Sherry.

This time last year, Kathy, Sherry, Kara, a few others, and I,  were pretty much running a race every weekend.  It became a bit of a "chase game."  I would win out almost all the time (there were a few "timing chip errors," my story and I'm sticking to it!).

A few minutes after I passed them, I hear this whisper in my ear,

"Joseph. It's Kathy.  I'm right on your tail."

We had a good laugh, asked how each other raced were going, wished each other luck, then I darted up the next hill.

At about kilometer 18, I began to feel the tole I was putting on my body. My energy level was falling and I was taking more walk breaks.  I was still having fun and feeling good.  I knew the finish line was just ahead. A few more curves around the seawall and it would be a good finish for me.

The aid station at kilometer 19 was run by Team Finn.  They were all cheering and making noise while the speakers blared 'The Final Countdown.'  As you ran out of the aid station, there where posters with pictures and stories of all the children Team Finn supports.  I knew then and there that my decision to join Team Finn for the Ride to Conquer Cancer was the right one.


The finish came quicker than I thought, not because of any increase in pace, but because I read the map wrong and thought it was further away.  Earlier in the race I made a comment about how I hate races where the finish line is in sight from kilometers away.  I much prefer races where you round a corner and there it is.

And that is exactly what happened.  I rounded a corner and there it was.  I ran around the family with the stroller (no way were they going to ruin my finish photo (I can do that on my own)). 

I crossed and felt great!  I did not get the time I was aiming for, but the time I had on the course was great!  I walked down the finishers chute grabbing free food and drinks.  A few of my friends were waiting for me, so I stopped to chat with them.

Then, I went back to finishers chute to wait on a few TNT runners from out of town that I had net the day before at the expo.  And of course Doreen.

I saw the TNT runners and then not to long after, Doreen.  She gave me a huge hug and we chatted about our last 6k.

This was my last half marathon for 2014 and although I am still not as fast as I was a year ago, I feel great!

As always, thank you for taking the time to share in my experiences!

I encourage you to check out the following links:


http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/
http://www.conquercancer.ca
http://www.teamfinn.com
http://tinyurl.com/Watch-Joe-Tri

Up next: Fall Classic 10k and/or Vancouver Historic Half 10k

Victoria 8K

This past weekend was Thanksgiving (in Canada at least).  Last year I ran the Victoria Half Marathon to celebrate the one year anniversary of my first ever marathon (which coincides with Abi's birthday, which is today).  To this day, that still remains my PB (Personal Best, not peanut butter) for a half marathon.  I was luck y enough to have great friends whose family lives in Victoria and invited me to Thanksgiving dinner.

(Side note, today marks the 2 year anniversary of my first ever marathon, and would have been Abi's 25th birthday.)

This year, I was also invited to Thanksgiving dinner in Victoria.  I had not planned on running any races while there, but a few of my friends were running the 8k.  I decided to sign up for the 8k as a late entry.  I had done 20K the week before for training and figured this would be a good way to being my taper.

I ran the 8k with my friend Zahida (www.runwithzahida.com), and my friend (and Zahida's sister-in-law) Michele.  The weather was perfect, nice and cool, overcast, and tiny bits of sun creeping in now and then.

Waiting for the start, nerves usually set in.  You never know how your body will perform until you get out and start running.  I decided to forgo my normal 10:1 interval and just run, with the plan to take a small break at the halfway point.

The race started and the 3 of us spread out quickly.  Zahida, I knew, is a bit of a speed demon.  She has taken time off from long distance running to train more for speed.  I had never run with Michele, but I assumed she was somewhere between Zahida and myself.  I was right.

I usually run with one earbud in (leaving one ear open to hear what is going on around me and to hear my watch), but my ipod's batter was dead.  I figured this would be good.  Lavaman does not allow earphones so I would have to get used to running with no music.

As the race started, the sound of the 2,600 (or so) pair of feet on the pavement made a very soothing, almost rain like sound on the pavement. Later, around kilometer 2, we turned a corner and the residential area opened up to reveal the coast.   Now the sounds of raining feet was mixed with the sound of crashing waves.

Here was the first water station.  I stopped for some water and walked so I would not choke on it.  I have still not perfected the art of taking water while running.  And from the sound of a runner behind me, neither had she.

I walked for about 100 meters then started to run again.  It was shortly after this that the lead elite runners where on there way back.  As always, we cheered for then as they went by.  At about kilometer 3, I saw Zahida on her way back and we cheered each other on.  Shortly after, Michele and I exchanged a high five when we passed each other.

I reached the halfway point (kilometer 4), rounded the turn around and took a rest.  During this 200 meter walk, I heard a father yell to his son,

"Be sure to wait for us at the finish line!"

I turned to the young boy and said,

"Just be sure to cross it first"

Now it was me on the back portion of the 'out-and-back' course.  I encouraged those still on their 'out' section.  Around the 5.5k mark, the runners slowly transitioned into walkers.  The thing that struck me was that there were no individual walkers.  They all had a friend, a group of friends, family, or just someone they met that day, walking with them.

I reached the 7k marker and knew there were some uphills.  Good.  I needed a good boost.  I charged up the hills and saw the '800 Meters to Go!' sign.  I sped up, but quickly realized that I did not have the energy to keep the pace I had just set.  I tried to pull focus away from this and began to focus on my breathing.  I changed my breathing from a quick rhythm that matched my running pace, to a calm, easy, deep breathing.  I focused on keeping this calm breathing going, while still maintaining my pace.  It worked.  The more I focused on the steady breathing, the less I focused on my legs, and the more they just did their thing.   

I crossed the finish line and felt a little upset.  I know I should never do this, but all I could think about was how at this time last year I set a PB for a half marathon.  And how since then, I have not been able to come within 15 minutes of that time.  Then my mind went to the triathlon I will be training for.  How did I expect to do well if all my times are getting worse?  The determination was building.  If getting back to my time (or beating it) was that important to me, then I would need to make sure that stuck with all the training and work my butt off to do it.

2014 Victoria 8K: 0:52:16

Zahida, Michele, and I grabbed some food at an amazing breakfast place in Victoria called Spoons.  I treated myself to a nice sack of berry pancakes.

Afterwards, I cleaned up and went back to the finish line to cheer on a few of my friends who were running the full.  I met up with 2 of my friends, Dave and Grace (both TNT alum and members of my RAGNAR team).  Dave had just finished and got his Boston Qualification with a time of 3 hours and a few seconds.  We watched our friend Sean cross at about 3 hours and 20 minutes.  He was going for a new PB and he got it.  At 3 hours 55 minutes I cheered on my friend Lyndsay.  I had one more friend running it, but due to illness she dropped out somewhere in the lat 10k.

While at the finish line waiting for all of my friends, I met a very nice group of ladies who cheered everyone on.  We cheered as we watched struggling runners pull every ounce of energy out of nowhere to cross the finish line.  We cheered as we saw those who were hurting glimpse the finish line, forget their pain, and sprint smiling across it.  We cheered couples, parents running with children, and best friends pulling each other along.

2 finishes will stick with me forever.

One gentleman was being escorted by 2 race officials, each arm over the shoulder of an official.  He was limping badly, but still moving under his own power.  A wheelchair was brought out for him, but he waved it off.  He crossed the finish line, then asked for the wheelchair, and collapsed. This shows the determination of marathon runners.  We put in too much hard work to give up that close to the finish.  Or maybe we are just as insane as we are stubborn.

The other finish that will stick with me was a young lady, who I assume had just finished her first marathon.  She finished incredible strong and immediately began to collapse.  One of the volunteers at the finish line caught her and she turn that catch into a hug.  She was crying and smiling at the same time.  I could not hear what was said, but the volunteer was smiling too.  When the medics came to check on her, she immediately hugged them too.  Through the tears and physical pain was a woman whose newfound pride shone bright.

I always get emotional at the end of my full marathons, but did not realize how emotional I would get watching others cross the line.  Everyone has a reason they run.  Be it for health, to prove they can, for a loved one, for a charity, we all have a force that drives us.  And after 42.2K (26.2 miles), our bodies are so destroyed that the only thing left under the worn away physical is pure emotion.  It's hard not to empathize with that, especially if you have experienced it first hand.

I think my friend Humphrey said it best in his write up of his last marathon.

"We are all a bunch of broken pieces shattered across 26 miles and with each step we pick up a piece of ourselves until we are a whole again."

Thank you for taking the time to share in my journey.

Up next: Vancouver Rock & Roll Half Marathon

New Blog Title

So those of you who follow this blog may have noticed that the web address and title has changed.

I originally created this blog to share my experienced running with Team in Training, but not all of my races are done with TNT.

Although the underlying motivation for my running has not changed (and is always in the forefront of my mind) I have decided to change the subject of my blog to encompass my running experiences.

The title is inspired by a conversation while on a training run a few weeks ago.  Many times during a run, teammates, coached, other runners will ask me if I am OK.  My response is (usually) always,

"I'm great!  Just slow."

While a very strong individual, I am not built like the image most people get when they envision a marathon runner.  I am like a bulldozer in a Formula 1 race. I may not be whipping around corners at breakneck speed, but I always finish.

And that was the genesis of the blog. 

Thank you for taking the time to check it out!

2014 Vancouver Eastside 10K

On September 11th, I received an email with the subject line 'Eastside 10k Event Confirmation - Bring to Packet Pickup.'  The body of the email had lots of pictures, ads, and race day information.  Then, I saw my details:

Joseph Hayden

Start Corral: BLUE | Start Time: 8:30am
Age: 30 | Gender: M

Bib Number: 666 

My immediate thought?  I have to get some horns, a cape, a tail, and a pitch fork.  The next day, I did just that.  And so began my experience running the Eastside 10K.

The morning of September 13th, my friend Ruth picked me up to give me a ride to the start line.  The look on her face said it all.  It was the perfect thing to wear to this race.  Not only was my bib number 666, but earlier that month there was an indecent with a devil statue at the Eastside Sky Train station.  Someone had erected an 8 foot tall devil statue on an empty pedestal.  

When I arrived at the start line, I received many puzzling looks.  But as soon as they saw my bib number they laughed.   

As the race began, the spectators at the start line clapped and cheered for the devil.  Many other spectators shouted at runners in front of me to "Run faster!  The devil is on your heels!"  These runners turned to see me and smiled!

The race started out on a nice down hill, then went into a few undulating hills before evening out.  The route was a nice out and back, but the way the course was aimed, the sun was in your eyes during the whole 'out' section.

I was feeling very good.  Coming off the Dumbo Dare a few weeks before, I was worried about my endurance. I had to drop my normal 10:1 intervals to a 6:1 for the half marathon.  But the day before the Eastside 10K I had run 12K with a friend and teammate at 10:1 and felt great.  It's amazing how much confidence can be restored after a good training run!

The volunteers on the course were some of the most encouraging people I have ever seen/heard.  The route took us through some of the more downtrodden areas of Vancouver, but people on the streets cheered for us like they knew us.  

On the 'back' section of the course, the sun was behind us, casting long shadows in the road.   It was then that I noticed that my tail was swinging in a very rhythmic, pendulum swing.  All I could think about what how girls' pony tails do the same thing and how memorizing it was. Often times when in the zone, I find myself staring at the motion of the pendulum ponytails.  Then it hit me.  Someone behind me had to be staring at my butt.  This gave me motivation to keep my pace up.  It must have worked, because my 5K splits were only 2 seconds apart. 

As we approached the opposite side of the undulating hills, the sun was in a position to cast my devilish shadow up the hill.  Runners in front of me would see my shadow, exclaim that the devil was chasing them up the hill, and began to run faster.  This was their own downfall of course.  Little did they know that this handsome devil runs faster up hill than on flat ground.

I crossed the finish line with many laughs and applause.  While waiting for water, food, and my body to cool down, several people asked for a picture with me.  One woman told me that she would had never made it up those hills if it was not for my shadow chasing her.  One of the race officials told me that he wanted my picture because I "embraced that bib number."  Apparently when that number was given in the past, people would complain and request a different number.

The race seemed to fly by.  It did not seem to last as long as most 10Ks I have ran.  I honestly do not know if this was a personal best on a 10K (mainly because I don't know what any of my other 10K times were).  Most 10K races I've ran were part of training for a half, so I focused more on doing the distance than the time. 

Great race, great support, great crowd, great atmosphere.  If you are looking for a local 10K come September of next year (and live in Vancouver), I highly recommend this one!

Time:1:08:00

Pace: 6:48/k

1st 5K split: 33:59

2nd 5k split: 34:01

Thank you for taking the time to share in my journey as an endurance athlete.

Up next:  Vancouver Rock and Roll Half Marathon!