Macon Tracks Running Club

Looking at the upcoming race schedule, the next challenge comes at our own local Macon Labor Day Road Race. I plan on running the 5K this year as I really want to complete my goal of running a sub 18 time while my fitness level allows. Not sure how long that will last. This race is very special to me as it was the 1st road race I ever participated in. On November 4th, 2006 I ran a 23:59 in my race debut. It was such a thrilling experience. I remember being shaken at the thought of scaling that huge hill (to me) just past the interstate crossing. I ran into my pastor, Bob Moon, at the bottom of the hill and asked if he could pray for us to make it to the top He did, and our prayers were answered. I’ll never forget that incredible feeling of satisfaction when I crossed that finish line. My racing career had begun.

Just coming off some heavy training for the Woodstock 5K I don’t plan on doing too much in preparation other than maintaining fitness. I have a little soreness above my right knee that has been lingering for some time. May take a day or two off and see it that helps.

I can’t believe two years have gone by since I started running. The time has flown by. I still get excited every time I lace up my shoes and head out the door. I love to run and I can’t imagine not doing it. I want to give God praise for blessing me with the health to run strong. Not everyone is so fortunate. I don’t ever want to take for granted the ability I have to do something that brings me such joy.

In a few weeks I’ll take my 2nd stab at this race. I’ll have a bit more confidence about getting over that hill as I’ve practiced on larger hills many times preceding this race. This year my prayer will be that God will give all participants a safe and memorable experience and that we will all run the race to the best of our abilities.

Run Strong Friends,

Sam

 Boy did we really enjoy ourselves in Anniston, Al this weekend. We arrived on Friday to visit my in-laws and get settled into our hotel. I went to Classics on Noble to pick up our race packets that evening. The food smelled so good I had to stay for our free meal. They did a terrific job hosting the dinner. There were so many people there enjoying good food and good company.

Robin and the girls spent the evening at Robin’s sister’s home enjoying her new pool while I spent a quiet evening alone in the hotel room laying out our running clothes and shoes. I got up a 5am for some time in the hot tub and a light breakfast. We were at the race site by 6:30 am. We got our chips and hung around until the 7:30 race start. They had so many booths, lots of food and drinks, and some jamming tunes. A few words by Brooke, the club president, a prayer by their chaplain and away we were.

The course was difficult when you combined the hills on mile 2 with the heat and humidity. I was running in a pack of about 12 runners following the three elite runners that were battling it out. I managed to hold back on the 1st mile a little and not fade like I did last year. As a matter of fact I passed about 4 runners on the last 1/2 mile. I gave all I had to the end and managed a P.R. 18.07, about 20 seconds short of my goal. I was a little disappointed but got over it when I realized I won 2nd Master Overall Brenley ran the race also and I had the pleasure of running her in again this year. I was proud of her for completing a challenging race.

No I did not bring home the coveted Bobblehead this year. But here’s what I did get out of this weekend:

•  A great time with my family.
• Had my wife and daughters tell me how proud they were of me.
• Met some new friends in Annistion.
• Had a really nice article written about my Bobblehead Quest in the Anniston Star newspaper.
• The satisfaction of knowing I worked very hard for something and gave it my very best.
• Won 2nd Master Overall in the Woodstock 5K RRCA Southern Regional Championship.

 My congratulations to Brooke and the Anniston Runners for putting on a great race. Now they have to start getting ready for 2009. Because last week they were awarded the opportunity to host the 5K RRCA National Championship!!!! Oh boy here we go again. I can only dream of how magnificent next year’s Bobblehead is going to be! Brighter, shinier, and with even more bobbling action. I have 365 days to train. I wonder if work would give me a leave of absence?? After-all I am training for the NATIONAL Woodstock Bobblehead now

Run Strong Friends,

Sam

This week has gone pretty well. I pushed it a little hard this past weekend with a 4 hour adventure race, a 14 hour long run and a 22 mile bike ride all in a 30 hour time frame. Needless to say come Monday morning I had some new aches and pains. Why did I do all that…… because it felt right So the last four days have been all about rest and rehab. My talented personal trainer has me in better shape with some much needed exercises and stretching.

I managed to go to the track on Tuesday and stick with a light workout. Just a few 800’s at a reasonable pace. A little trail running on Wednesday and an easy 5 mile run today and I’m wrapping it up.

The Quest for the Bobblehead is soon coming to an end. By 7:50 am on Saturday it will be decided. 3.1 miles of war!! I’m glad I set a lofty goal. It has really helped me train better and stay focused. That’s not always easy to do in this incredible summer heat we have to contend with in Middle Georgia. The one downside of setting a lofty goal is that pressure of having to complete it. I am the kind of person that believes in achieving a goal once its in the public domain. Quitting is not an option. I guess this is how President Kennedy felt in 1961 when he announced his goal to Congress of putting a man on the moon before the end of the decade. He just couldn’t forget about it and move on to another goal. He had to stick with it until finally in 1969 Apollo 11 landed on the moon.

In just the same way I have to follow this through to the end. I have to put forth the greatest of efforts. I can’t let my foot off the gas. I have to give until there is no more to give. Until finally I hear those words, “Houston …… the Bobblehead has landed!”

 I hope you the reader has had as much fun as I’ve had kidding over this Bobblehead Quest. I try not to take myself too seriously and this was my way of poking fun at my real obsessive compulsive behaviors (such as organizing my clothes by type neatly in my closet). But I am really not that compulsive about this trophy, or am I??

Run Strong Friends,

Sam

The Ocmulgee Adventure Race was held this past Saturday July 26th. Dave decided to put a team together composed of fellow Macon Tracks runners. I was fortunate enough to be asked along with Monica. We now had a team. There were a few details we had to take care of before race day:

1. I needed to learn how to ride a mountain bike.
2. I needed to have a mountain bike (thank goodness my birthday fell on this month).
3. Monica needed to learn how to ride a mountain bike.
4. Monica needed to have a mountain bike (thankfully Dave had one he could loan her).
5. We needed a canoe (thankfully the race organizers had rentals).

 Once the major equipment issues were resolved we worked on the many little items, like: helmets, gloves, compasses, camel backs, etc.

Monica and I then started work on practicing adventure racing. We received some great training from Andi, an experienced racer and fellow Macon Trackster. She was competing on her own team, “Diamonds in the Rough” a formidable 3 person female team with Kerry (Dave’s wife) and Leslie. Our team never got a chance to practice as a team as Dave was on his annual pilgrimage to his homeland, New Hampshire.

The race had all the elements of adventure racing; trekking, canoeing, mountain biking, swimming and navigating. There were 42 different teams. We were in the 3 person COED Division.

This was a different experience as this was totally a team competition. We had to stay together, encourage one another, collectively decide which check points to go for, which to skip. We were totally dependent on one another. I have to say we had terrific chemistry. We each brought our own strengths to the table and we helped the other team mates overcome their weaknesses. It was 4 hours of pure adrenaline and fun. We kept running into the “Diamonds in the Rough” throughout the race. They gave us a run for the money, especially on the river. It was a great day spent with friends enjoying the beauty along our local our river. I can’t wait to do it again next year, if my team mates will have me that is.

As far as the results. We were very proud to finish in 2nd place in the Elite 3 Person Coed Division. Not too bad for “A Pole and Two Cats”.

Run (bike, canoe, or swim) Strong Friends,

Sam

Well I made a commitment to make this race my goal race for the summer. It has kept me focused and energized. I have tried to keep my eye on the prize, THE BOBBLEHEAD TROPHY. I may not win that trophy, but it won’t stop me from trying. The competitor in me has to have something to shoot for.

The training has gone very well so far:

 >> I’ve not had to deal with much in terms of serious injury. Have had a few nagging aches and pains but that is normal for me.

>> My mileage has been in the 50 to 60 mile per week range for most of the summer.

>> I’ve introduced more sprinting in my speedworkouts. Last workout was 20 x 200 repeats!! Thanks Kurt, I survived. Averaged 32 seconds on last 5 as you asked

>> I’ve lost 10 lbs which I unnecessarily gained after the Boston Marathon from poor eating habits. Dropped doughnuts and cakes, and replaced them with fresh fruit smoothies. Made a huge difference.

>> Bought a pair of Brooks T5 racing shoes. The fastest shoes on the planet.

All in all  I feel like I’ve done everything I could to be prepared for the start on Saturday August 2nd. Now it’s time to rest physically and prepare mentally. I know my family and I will have a great time as the Anniston Runners club know how to put a great race on. Looking forward to the delicious Waffle House hashbrowns after the race. That is another incentive to run fast!

 Find out more about the race here >> Woodstock 5K & RRCA Southern Regional Championship.

Bobblehead or no Bobblehead I plan to leave the race that day knowing I did everything I could. After all isn’t that what we all should shoot for in all we do??

Run Strong Friends,

Sam

It was 43 years ago today that I entered this world. I started my life in Colombia, South America. I can honestly say that life has been nothing but good to me. I have more than I ever deserved. I have a beautiful wife, two great daughters, the best friends any man could ask for, a very satisfying career. Yes this birthday is a good one, like the last 42 previous ones have been.

This week also marks another birthday for me. It was two years ago this week that the runner inside of me was born. I never knew there was a runner there. I had him buried under lbs of fat and worn out by years of inactivity. But luckily for me he broke out and came to the surface. I remember the 1st running steps I took that day in July. I was on the track at the Wellness Center in Sandersville. I barely made it 200 meters before I was out of breath and light headed. But something inside me told me I was doing something good. Something I was meant to do. The inner man was yelling that I was supposed to run. So run I did. It has been a great two years with many wonderful memories: my 1st Macon Labor Day Road Race, my 1st Marathon at Chickamauga, my 1st win at the Centerville Sweetheart 12k, my 1st Boston Marathon. My best memories involve going on long easy runs with friends talking about everything at times and not saying a word at others.

I am thankful I got the chance to be the runner I was meant to be. I feel whole and complete. Thanks to everyone who helped me find the runner in me.

Run Strong Friends,

Sam