Rochester Marathon, 2009

Sunday, September 14th: 26.2 miles

I was on the road up to Rochester at 6:05AM, it was 72F, foggy and humid. I didn't sleep well, maybe 4 hours. The traffic around Frontier Field was dense but I knew a trick or two to bypass a bit of it.

The start was uneventful. The first 9.5 miles on the roads were OK ... however the sun came out about a mile before I made the turn onto the canal path for the next 14.5 miles. It rapidly got hotter and more humid ... by noon it was around 87F. A heat advisory was posted on the course and we were advised to slow down and hydrate. Any thought of a PR went out the window and all I thought about was finishing. I saw spots more than a couple of times so I was on the edge of keeling over. Everyone was having trouble with the heat and humidity ... plus I forgot my sunscreen. So ... I am a bit red in the face.

Well, besides the heat and humidity I was having my own problems. My right hamstring started hurting ... then my right hip started hurting ... then it became very painful to run. After about mile 12 or so I was starting to run a mile, walk a tenth. After about mile 18 or so I was starting to run a half mile, walk a quarter. After mile 22 or so, it was sheer willpower. By then trying to start up running after walking was sheer agony. But I wasn't going to quit, no way, no how. People have said that a marathon is an experience ... they are so right.

Note the gritted teeth and farmer's tan!
The finish line is in sight!
The bling!
I finished under 4:30:00 barely ... 4:29:37, 10:17 pace, 188th out of 556, overall results here, 10th out of 32 in my age group, age group results here, youtube video here. I needed a guiding hand at the finish ... I guess I didn't look so good. I really took my time drinking lots of water and getting some nutrition (mostly pizza) after the race. Not bad I guess for a 50 year old (51 in 2 days)! Everyone says that finishing in 4:30 under these conditions is an accomplishment so I guess I will take pride that I am part of the estimated 430,000 that complete a marathon every year!

After I got home I just collapsed on the bed. I texted a bunch of people my results and watched the Bills pull out a win over Jacksonville, 20-16. Later I went to see my father at the Wayne County Nursing Home. He likes that I visit him every Sunday. I was not going to let him down, though I did limp.

Keeping active, Doug

P.S. I watched the Channel 10 news and it reported that the marathon was shut down at 12:30pm at mile 20, news link here. I had been done for half an hour by then.

P.P.S. I had a fitful night of sleep. My right knee really hurt. I woke up around 4:30AM and iced it before going back to sleep. I will heal and I will run again.

Sunday, September 7th to Saturday, September 13th: 18.7 miles run

I ran 3 times this week as I tapered for the Rochester Marathon tomorrow morning:

Sun: 7 miles, 54:34, easy, 60F, sunny, perfect, no stops, 7:48 pace
Tue: 6.2 miles, 47:40, easy, 60F, cloudy, a little windy, no stops, 7:41 pace
Thu: 5.5 miles, 43:23, easy, 45F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:53 pace

Looking back: who would have thought that I would be running a marathon as I took my first runs about 5 years ago? I started running as a stress reliever ... we all know why. I think I weighed 182 pounds. My first race was the Newark Turkey Day 5 Mile Run way back in November 2005. I don't remember my exact time but I think it was around 48 minutes and change. I started to keep a yearly list of my races in 2006. As of today, I weigh between 157 and 159 pounds. I have run 1 race in 2005, 15 races in 2006, 11 races in 2007 and 5 races in 2008 for a total of 32. I started to keep my running spreadsheet on 9/12/06. I started to keep this running blog in January 2007. I have run 11 5Ks, 6 5 miles, 5 10Ks, 2 9 Mile, 2 15Ks, 3 20Ks and 2 Halfs. Most of my PRs have been set this year ... I really should run a 5K and a Half this year just for PRs. I would really love to break 22 minutes in a 5K.

I picked up my packet this morning. Tonight I will set out my stuff. Tomorrow is my first marathon at 7:30AM. The weather forecast for tonight is low of 69F, 70% chance of showers. Tomorrow is high of 82F, 60% chance of showers. I am nervous and excited. The second half of the marathon will be the test of my endurance and will.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 31st to September 6th: 27 miles
Month of August: 145.7 miles run, 90.8 miles bike, I ran 17, biked 4 out of 31 days

I ran 3 times last week, tapering for the big day next Sunday:

Mon: 13.8 miles, 1:56:08, easy, 60-72F, sunny, calm, 1st 7 miles in 55:10, 8th mile 12:15, 8:25 total pace
Wed: 6.2 miles, 48:09, easy, 70F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:46 pace
Fri: 7 miles, 57:27, easy, 80F, sunny, a little windy, humid, 2 stops, 8:14 pace

I did not bike this week.

I have been taking David to FLCC every day this week. I take him down and my ex takes him back. I did some shopping afterward one day. I bought a 352 CD carrier from Wal-Mart. I put all my OS, game, app and driver CDs in it ... they were in three shoeboxes before. I did some sightseeing also. Thursday, I took a 5 mile walk in Geneva along Seneca Lake all the way from the Ramada Inn to the marina at the other end of Seneca Lake State Park, map here. Friday, I waited for David at the Canandaigua pier. It was quite hot (90F) and windy ... just one day, today it is cooler and cloudy as Tropical Storm Hanna rockets up the east coast.

Canandaigua Lake - Canandaigua
I have been watching the Democratic Convention last week and Republican Convention this week. Both parties say they are the "party of change". McCain (aka McWar, McSame, McBush) and Sarah Palin (aka Sarah Barracuda, "Drill, Baby, Drill") ... No Way, Enough is Enough! I sure haven't heard anything but FUD ... fear, uncertainty and doubt about what the Democrats will do from the Republicans ... no plan of what they want to do about the economy, gas prices, jobs, Iraq, housing, etc. I could bore you but let me say that I will be voting for Obama. Any PUMAs who want to vote for McCain because they can't bring themselves to vote anyone but Hillary really should think about the consequences! OK ... some links, Bush Sucks Daily, Backwards Bush (Home of the ORIGINAL Bush Countdown Clock), Just More of the Same and Anti-Bush Links.

Today I sold the outdoor table and chairs that I listed on Craigslist. I have to relist the outdoor adult swing. I also started sorting and boxing the basement office stuff. I can only take so much before I have to take a break.

I am backing up my store bought DVDs with the proper application of DVD Decrypter 3.5.4.0 (available here, installed first) and RipIt4Me 1.7.1.0 (available here).

Some might call this mean ... I saw a funny bumpersticker ... "If a fat chick falls in the forest, do the trees laugh?" I had the overweight wife who didn't want to exercise, don't want to go there. Trust me, there were many more reasons for my divorce. I wish my ex the best.

I want to find a woman who will support my fitness goals just as I will support her fitness goals. I have a profile as tallrunner57 on fitness-singles. Check it out if you want. Nothing is going on in the dating world ... I can hear crickets.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 24th to Saturday, August 30th: 21 miles run, 20.2 miles bike

I wish everyone an enjoyable Labor Day! I "celebrated" by running 13.8 miles in the morning. My last long run before the Rochester Marathon in less than two weeks. I did the first 7 in 55:10, 7:53 pace. I had some gu and water at the house then headed back out. I had some stomach cramps and could only do 12:15 for the next mile. I cranked out slow 8:15 to 8:30 miles the rest of the way to finish in 1:56:08, 8:25 pace. I was kind of stiff afterward with a slight pain in the back of my right thigh and Achilles tendon.

I ran three times last week:

Mon: 7 miles, 53:35, a little hard, 65F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:39 pace
Wed: 7 miles, 54:14, easy, 60F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:45 pace
Fri: 7 miles, 54:58, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:51 pace

I am worried about running the marathon in two weeks but I am committed ... or should be committed, I guess. I am concentrating on running easy, trying not to run for time.

I biked once last week. I rode my bike 20.2 miles out to Palmyra to give blood for the 65th time, www.donatebloodnow.org. My pulse was 44, blood pressure was 100/70.

Sunday: I helped cart some of my daughter's stuff down to Houghton College. I had a car load: a dorm refrigerator, beanbag, and stuff. I could have taken more ... but not much. I talked with LB down in DE on the way down. She will be moving to a new job in VA next month.

On the way back I decided to go to the DCA World Championship at Paetec Park, link here. I had a seat in last row of the upper deck, even with the goal line on the right side. There were 4 Class A corps in competition: SoCal Dream, Chops Inc, Fusion Core, Alliance. Alliance won with a 82.750. There were ten open class corps in competition: Rochester Crusaders (10th 83.738), CorpsVets (9th 86.763), Renegades (8th 89.675), Brigadiers (7th 90.013), Bushwackers (6th 93.425), Caballeros (5th 93.625 falling from 3rd), Hurricanes (4th 94.913, rising from 5th), Empire Statesmen (3rd 95.063, falling from 2nd), Minnesota Brass (2nd 96.513, rising from 4th), Buccaneers (1st 97.913). I may not be a judge but you didn't need to be to know that the Bucs won. They were simply astounding. Scores and recap, here.

Some links: DCI, DCA Corps, Drum Corps Planet, Band Videos.

I saw an interesting T-shirt for sale while I was heading to my seat in the nosebleed section ... the caption read "The older I get, the better I was". I prefer to think optimistically ... "The older I get, the better I will be".

Well, I have been alone in the house for a week now with just a cat for company. I have been keeping busy. I have boxed all of Michael's stuff. It's kind of heart wrenching when you box up games that you didn't have time to play back then and now you do. Now I am starting to box up my downstairs office. There is more to do for sure.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 17th to Saturday, August 23rd: 41.1 miles run, 21 miles bike

I ran 4 times this week:

Mon: 5.4 miles, 42:35, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:53 pace
Wed: 7 miles, 53:43, easy, 60F, sunny, a little windy, no stops, 7:40 pace
Thu: 7 miles, 53:13, a little hard, 60F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:36 pace
Sat: 21.7 miles, 3:18:00, easy, 70-85F, sunny, a little windy, multiple stops, 9:07 pace

My third long run was harder. My Garmin Forerunner 305 wasn't charged and I couldn't find my stopwatch so I put a clock in the garage to check my pace. I ran the first 7 miles with no stops in 54 minutes, 7:43 pace. I stopped at the house for two gels and water then headed back out. I ran the second 7 miles with no stops in 58 minutes, 8:17 pace. I was cranking out the miles for sure. I stopped at the house for another two gels and headed back out. Then I had problems. These gels didn't agree with my stomach. I had a sidesplitting pain in the side after running 200 yards that forced me to walk holding my side for at least a mile before I felt better and could run again. Plus it was getting hotter. When I started it was 70F when I got done it was 85F. I was really slow on this 7.7 miles with multiple stops, 1:17, 10:00 pace. The total time for 21.7 miles was 3:18, 9:07 pace. I think the gel that had 2X caffeine was the one that didn't agree with me. You run long, you learn.

I biked once this week on Tuesday, 21 miles around the neighborhood.

I have been watching a lot of the Olympics this week. I will definitely have withdrawal when the Olympics are over! Right now, I am watching the Mens Marathon live from Beijing. The lead guys are running 4:45 miles in mid 80s heat and humidity ... crazy fast!

I worked a little on the house this week. I pulled the crappy looking contact paper in the bathroom closet and put down removable contact paper in the dining room hutches (everything was sticking to the paint). Though none of this will matter in the long run.

I had a pleasant surprise on Friday ... a phone call from JK. She filled me in on what has been happening in her life. She wants her painting supplies back. She graciously let me borrow them last September. I did have them a rather long time. I took them back today. I will email her this week with what has happened in my life.

Michael is washing his laundry and packing his stuff. My ex and I will take him back to Ithaca College tomorrow morning. Next week is a trip to Houghton College to take Karen back.

Rant: People who drive should actually obey the traffic laws! One, don't talk on your cell phone while you are driving! A wired headphone if you don't have Bluetooth is fifteen bucks which can save you a $125 ticket! Two, look right before you turn right at a stop light or stop sign! I have given up thinking that anyone that is stopped see me unless I see them looking at me ... even then I am not sure. Three: give runners more room! This doesn't apply to everyone, just those who don't.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 10th to Saturday, August 16th: 36.4 miles run, 20.3 miles bike

I ran 4 times last week:

Mon: 6.2 miles, 46:49, pretty hard, 60F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:33 pace
Wed: 7 miles, 53:35, a little hard, 72F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:42 pace
Thu: 6.2 miles, 47:14, easy, 65F, sunny, calm, no stops, 7:37 pace
Sat: 17 miles, about 142:00, easy, 65F, sunny, 54:30 @ 7, 105:20 @ 13.1, 8:21 pace

My second long run was pretty good. I had PowerBar Gel and water before I went out. Stopped at the house at mile 7 for more gel and water, 7:47 pace. I ran to 13.1 miles before walking, 8:03 pace. I stopped at the house at mile 14 for more gel and water, 8:05 pace. Then I went around the block for 3 more miles, stopping a couple more times, total of 8:21 pace. I had some tingling in my fingertips ... early signs of dehydration, so I decided to stop. I learned that I need to drink even more water and perhaps more gel since I did not have any breakfast before heading out.

I think I will do one more long run of around 20 miles before I dial back the mileage. I am prepping for my first marathon by the seat of my pants ... with a little help from Runner's World. I just run, baby ... exercise keeps me sane.

I biked once last week: Tuesday, 20.3 miles around the neighborhood.

I have been watching a lot of the Olympics ... Phelps fever has swept me over! The man is magical!! SI link here.

I had an interview through Burns at Synergy on Wednesday ... no word yet on the outcome. I stopped by Fleet Feet on the way home to get PowerBar Gel which they use at the Rochester Marathon.

I volunteered at the Sodus Point (located here) triathlon (0.45 mile swim, 13.1 mile bike and 5K run) today put on by Yellow Jacket Racing, results here. I was a road marshal on the corner of Red Mills and Shaker where the bikers come up a hill and turned right. This is the first time I have volunteered ... but I couldn't resist an email from Ellen of Fleet Feet looking for volunteers. After all, I have lost count of how many Fleet Feet races I have run! They are the best running store in Rochester! Who knows ... maybe I will start tris ... though I will definitely have to work on the swimming part! BTW, I know the 4th place finisher, Dennis Moriarty, ... 4th place at age 50 (didn't see him though).

Same old, same old on the dating scene ... a whole lot of nothing. I don't do the bar scene so I have tried internet dating with only some email friends to show for it. It is a bit frustrating but life goes on.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, August 3rd to Saturday, August 9th: 34.8 miles run, 29.3 miles bike

I ran 4 times last week:

Mon: 6.2 miles, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, 1 stop, 7:46 pace
Wed: 6.2 miles, easy, 70F, sunny, a little windy, 1 stop for traffic, 7:41 pace
Thu: 6.2 miles, easy, 70F, sunny, a little windy, no stops, 7:40 pace
Sat: 16.2 miles, easy, 62F, sunny, 55:17 no stops @ 7, 106:00 @ 13.1, 8:14 pace

The first long run since signing up the Rochester Marathon went well. It was 62F, cloudy, with little humidity. I had an Expresso Love Gu before I headed out. I ran the first 7 miles with no stops in 55:00, 7:51 pace. I stopped about 2 minutes for more gu and water and headed back out. I ran out to 13.1 miles before stopping again, approximately 106:00, 8:06 pace, unofficial PR by 5 minutes. Then I stopped every mile or so until I stopped. I am satisfied ... I was cranking out a 8:05 to 8:15 mile pace between miles 7 and 13.1, then slowed with some run, walk miles. Only ten more miles make a marathon. I think given good (read that as cool, not warm) conditions I could crank out a sub 4 hour marathon. But ... there is the whole "wall" that I have heard about that could throw all that out the window. Next weekend ... maybe 18 miles and the weekend after that 21 miles will help give more experience with the "wall". Oh ... I need to apply Body Glide next time ... trust me. I am a bit sore right now but nothing a good night of sleep won't cure.

I am thinking of running the Oak Tree half marathon down in Geneseo on Labor Day weekend as a training run. I ran it two years ago.

I biked once last week:

Tue: 29.3 miles, ride out to Canandaigua Rd in Macedon, easy, 75F, sunny, a little wind

I wanted another bike ride on Friday but it rained practically all day. A four hour soaking in the morning, then it would clear up, rain again and repeat. There was a waterspout on the lake off Webster in the morning. Newark had about 1.5 inches of rain according to Channel 10 news.

Nothing else going on. Some emails with a couple of women, no dates ... hopefully I haven't sunk into "friend" status. No job, no interviews. Only exercise keeps me sane ... thinking positive thoughts.

Michael quit his job at Ultralife on Tuesday. He is now busy practicing his trumpet upstairs while I am typing this. He will be going back to Ithaca College in a couple of weeks. The children living with my ex; Karen will be going back to Houghton College the week after and David hopefully will be going to Finger Lakes Community College.

The Beijing 2008 Olympics started last night. The opening ceremonies were quite impressive. I have been watching NBC coverage today while I rest from my long run. I plan on watching some online coverage from www.nbcolympics.com tonight.

Keeping active, Doug

Sunday, July 27th to Saturday, August 2nd: 30.8 miles run, 20 miles bike
Month of July: 102.7 miles run, I ran 15 out of 31 days; 160.1 miles bike, I biked 6 out of 31 days

I ran four times this week:

Tue: 6 miles, easy, 70F, sunny, calm, no stops
Wed: 6.2 miles, easy, 70F, cloudy, calm, 1 stop, 7:41 pace
Thu: 6.2 miles, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, 2 stops, 7:45 pace
Sat: 12.4 miles, a little hard, 70F, light rain, calm, some stops, 7:44 pace

I modified my running route this week in preparation of running the Phelps Sauerkraut 20K on Saturday. I ran the Turkey Trot route (going up the 88S hill twice).

I ran the Phelps Sauerkraut 20K today. I did very well, 65th, 8th in my age group, 7:15 first mile, 37:30 at 5 miles, around 77 min for 10 miles, finished in 95:48, a 7:42 pace, a PR by 9 minutes. The weather was perfect: 70F, calm, light rain for the first 9 miles! Many thanks to Body Glide for no nip burn. I felt pretty good with only a light pain in my left knee once or twice. Though I was glad to stop for sure! Results here, age group results here.

I just signed up for the Rochester Marathon! I beat the $10 increase by signing up today.

I biked once this week:

Mon: 20 miles, easy, 78F, cloudy, light sprinkle, did some shopping

I rode out to Division St in Palmyra and back. I returned a DVD at Blockbuster and did some shopping at Savalot on the way back.

I am still on my DVD watching kick. Blockbuster: The Illusionist and Lady Chatterly's Lover. The latter movie would have been a great one to watch with a gf.

Sunday, I went up to the ESL airshow. The USAF Thunderbirds were great! I tried to get video but had trouble with my camcorder. I did get one pic (not very good).

Tuesday, I went to Showplace 6 in Newark with my daughter to see Batman: The Dark Knight. Wow! If Heath Ledger does not win an Oscar for his role as the Joker there is no justice!

Saturday, after recovering from the 20K, I went over to Waterloo to see the "Pageant of Drums". Class A competition: White Sabers, Fusion Core, Carolina Gold, Kingston Grenadiers, and Excelsior. Open class competition: the host Brigadiers, Rochester Crusaders and the Empire Statesmen. The Fusion Gold won the Class A and the Statesmen won the Open competition, results here.

Keeping active, Doug

Hi All,

Sunday, July 20th to Saturday, July 26th: 39 miles run, 10.3 miles bike

I ran 5 (yes, 5) times last week:

Sun, 7 miles, 55:21, easy, 75F, light to heavy rain, humid, no stops, 7:54 pace
Tue, 7 miles, 54:16, easy, 70F, cloudy, humid, light rain, no stops, 7:45 pace
Wed, 7 miles, 53:56, a little hard, 70F, cloudy, light rain, no stops, 7:42 pace
Fri, 7 miles, 55:38, easy, 75F, sunny, calm, 3 stops, 7:57 pace
Sat, 11 miles, 89:35, easy, 70F, sunny, a little windy, 3 stops, 8:06 pace

Until the middle of the week, it was hot, hazy and humid with lots of rain and thunderstorms (sometimes twice a day). It dried out on Friday and the first part of Saturday. I don't like running in the sun and heat so I tried to run in the rain. The rain on Sunday was quite nice ... sprinkles to light rain to heavy rain to light rain to nothing by the time I stopped. I ran a nice 11 miles on Saturday. I will sign up for the Phelps Sauerkraut 20K next Saturday. I am running pretty good right now.

I biked once this week:

Mon, 10.3 miles, 53 minutes, a little fast, 75F, cloudy, humid, no stops

I wasn't going to go out ... but I felt like a slug so I hopped on the bike around 8PM and rode around my usual running route.

I have been losing weight lately ... down to 156 last week. So I have started to eat ice cream after supper. I weigh around 158 now.

I am still trying to find someone online. Still no dates yet. I am chatting on Fitness-Singles.com and via email. Nothing ... not much hope either ... from www.plentyoffish.com or www.singlesnet.com. Meeting someone that I want will be difficult: blond (preferred), around my age, weighs less than I do and exercises (no couch potatoes allowed). I am willing to travel.

I have been on a major movie watching kick this week. From www.movie6.net (yes, the illegal way): Hell Boy II and Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D. From the Redbox: 21 and 10000 BC. From Blockbuster: Absolute Zero, Species: The Awakening, Starship Troopers and Starship Troopers 2.

Oh, I was a finalist in the Fox951 40,000 gallons of gas contest today. I, along with 41 other finalists, headed out to LeBrun Toyota in Canandaigua. Basically, you had to roll 6 dice and try to spell out GALLON ... which no one did. I did get a $25 gas/merchandise card from GettyMart and a Led Zeppelin - Mothership CD. I saw a Toyota Prius Hybrid (48/45) there ... the list price was only $24,300! Of course there were other gas guzzlers there ... a Sequoia (13/17) costing $51K took the cake!

Milestones: my youngest son, David, turned 19 on Thursday. He celebrated by going to the Turning Stone Casino.

Keeping active, Doug

P.S. Can you believe that Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones turned 65 today?

Sunday, July 13th to Saturday, July 19th: 14 miles run, 58.6 mile bike

I bought a new pair of size 13 Brooks Men's Adrenaline GTS 8 Running Shoe from Fleet Feet.

I ran twice last week:

Thu: 7 miles, 54:55, easy, 75F, light rain, calm, 1 stop, 7:51 pace
Sat: 7 miles, 57:53, easy, 75F, sunny, humid, 4 stops, 8:16 pace

I biked twice last week:

Wed: 29.3 miles out to Ca Rd, 2:30:00, easy, 80F, sunny, calm
Fri: 29.3 miles out to Ca Rd, 2:37:00, easy, 85F, sunny, calm

The last part of the week was HHH: hot, hazy and humid. The highs on Thursday and Friday were in the 90s, Saturday just a little less but just as humid. I don't like running when it is HHH.

Rant ... Internet dating sucks! Trying to get a woman to respond to your initial inquiry, then chat is very hard ... much less meet and then date! Then there are women who once you get to the chatting stage seem to analyze your chats to find a reason not to meet you in person. I do not want to just chat with a woman ... I want to meet and date them. I have rejoined Fitness-Singles.com. I am willing to travel to meet a woman since it seems that the women that I want to date are not local. Rant off!

What do I want? My profile is simple ... I want to meet a woman who values exercise as much as I do. I do not want a couch potato (had that, didn't like it). I want a woman who weighs less than I do (157 pounds). I am a normal guy who enjoys the usual: finding the comic side of life (of which there is plenty), hugs, kisses, holding hands, sunsets and nice conversation between two people.

Keeping active, Doug