Medford, OR - LSD in the Sun

I decided that it might be fun to run my weekly long slow distance (LSD) run while traveling. I commonly do this in order to get a feel from my host town during the week that I am there. This week was Medford, OR.

The route I took followed a busy highway with gradual transitions from sidewalks to uneven gravel shoulders. The hills, heat, and wind were major factors nagging at my will to turn around before the half way point. The cars and scenery were not providing adequate distraction from the beating unshaded  102 degree late day sun. I found myself cursing at my IPOD for not getting to my "half way" song fast enough. I knew that if I could push myself to the halfway point, I would have no other choice but to run back, this is a common technique I use to complete long distances. I decided to change my course slightly and head down a non occupied country-esque road for the final one mile before the turn around.

It took 1:45  and some cursing to complete the 10 mile run. Ninety Five degrees was the cool day of my trip, 102 being the high. Thankfully, one of my clients was kind enough to recommend a great trail that ran along a creek. That made the other days much more tolerable. I have listed a few of the things that made the other runs during that trip comfortable: 

• Finding a pool with a low fence at a Motel 6
  
• Taking off my shirt, soaking it and tying it around my head.
  
• Focusing on things other than being uncomfortable (trees, cars, bicyclists, etc.)
  
• If it gets really bad... Stop at a convience store, get ice from the soda machine and put it on your head, shoulders and chest.
  

SeaFair TourchLight 5k 2008

This was one of my favorite 5k races yet. I will absolutely do this race next year. The course went up the Alaska Way viaduct in Seattle, WA revealing a great view of Puget Sound. The only hill was the on ramp of the viaduct, this was early on in the race so you hit it when you are still strong. I was able to set a new PR for the 5k at 21:58.8 :). The spirit of the crowd was great, there were people dressed as pirates, and other strange costumes. The event photographers were able to snap this picture of me crossing the finish line.

Run and Ride weekend!

This weekend I wasn't paying enough attention to schedule and I will be doing the SeaFair Torchlight 5k, SeaFair Tour de Peaks, and staining my fence all in the same weekend. My wife and son might also join me for the Tourchclight 5k event, this would be the first time I have run with either one of them so I am looking forward to it.

SeaFair Marathon 2008

I finally finished the longtime goal of running 26.2 miles. I didn't run the distance at a fast pace, I didn't even run the whole distance. What I was able to do is complete the distance and achieve a lifetime goal.

I decided to set what seemed like an unrealistic goal of completing a Marathon. I thought it would inspire me and hopefully I would lose a few pounds before moving on to something else. I honestly didn't think I was going to be able to accomplish this goal. I assumed that something would pop up and prevent me from doing it. Something that would make it easy for me to say "Hey, I really tried but (insert excuse here)". It wasn't a journey of perseverance but a plan that just kept working. I simply kept training because I felt that I had to until something stopped me.

I wanted to list some of the things that really helped me. These things were critical in my success. They provided entertainment, confidence, and a plan. I wanted to give these things a shout out as well as recommend them. Most of these recommendations are personal, however, I would recommend the marathon training book to anyone that is seriously considering a marathon.

Things that helped me during training

Book:
The Non-runner's Marathon Trainer

http://books.google.com/books?id=8cluMwOoIOkC&dq=the+non+runners+marathon+trainer&pg=PP1&ots=7BHyGNt7kv&sig=bpG8T2LRQthFWuxKXUROepbuvnA&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result

Quote:
"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."
- George S. Patton, U.S. Army General, 1912 Olympian

Websites:
www.runnersworld.com
nikeplus.nike.com

IPOD Song:
Pump It - Black Eyed Peas
Going the Distance - Cake
Diamonds and Guns - The Transplants

Inspirations:
I was most inspired by those dogs that run in the Iditerod. Those dogs pound out 6 minute miles for upto 12 hours a day while pulling 900 pound sleds. It's a bit strange but they really inspire me and I think of them when ever I am tired or hurting.