Macon Tracks Running Club

It finally happened. A race, a goal, and a check mark by “break 3 hours” in my 2008 goals.

This has been a dream of mine since I ever contemplated running a marathon. There is just something magical about having a 2 in front of a marathon time. My first attempt was exactly 1 year ago at Chickamauga 2007. It was my 1st marathon and I was in no shape to sustain that hard a pace for 26.2 miles straight, especially on a hilly course. I hit the wall so terribly bad I thought I may never run a marathon again. The last 4 miles were absolutely the most miserable miles of my life. Recovery was exceptionally tough with lingering pains and aches in my legs for weeks.

2nd time was in Boston this past April. Once again the Newton Hills and especially Heartbreak Hill proved to much for this old boy. I cramped on my right leg which was gimpy from Achilles tendinitis that kept me from running the last two weeks before the race.

 Each time I missed the mark by over 10 minutes.

This go around was different. I was healthier. No injuries during my training. I was eating better and had raised my protein intake which has helped the way a feel tremendously. I was more focused. Training came easy. I was excited each day to get out and knock out my runs. Finally I was experienced. This was my third marathon and I knew how to taper, what to wear, how to start, how much fluids to take. After-all I was a marathoner now. A veteran with 2 races under my belt and a 3rd for the year.

 Things went very well through most the race. My half marathon split had me on a 2:55 pace. Things got a little hairy from miles 23 on, but I knew I could work through it. I hung on and felt incredibly happy that last 400 meters as I came around Barnhardt Circle on the victory lap. I knew the sub 3 hour was in reach. It was so satisfying to hear my family screaming their lungs out for me. They knew what this race meant to me. 2:59:24 was my time, good enough for 8th overall.

Another great high was watching my buddy David come in and make his sub 4hour goal with a smile on his face and plenty left in the tank. He worked very hard for this race and was rewarded with a very satisfying 1st marathon experience. He is now proud to join the group of “Marathoners”. Well done David.

Congrats to all the other friends that ran so well today also. Andrew with a new marathon P.R., Troy with a new half marathon P.R., Amy, Tim and Melissa also.

It’s been 7 hours since I finished the race and I am still riding a high. I feel pretty good and already know this recovery is going to be the best one of all. I am walking pretty good and am already thinking about when I may do my 1st recovery run.

Thanks for all the well wishes friends. It’s so awesome to belong to such a great running community.

Run Strong Friends,

Sam

Well the family and I rolled into Fort Oglethorpe around 4 pm for packet pick up. We saw the start and finish line and got our stuff. David and I drove the course. I had forgotten how hilly the course is. I got chills when I drove up the hill that I “Hit the Wall” on last year.

 I plan on having a better run at it this go around. I just have to keep my wits about me and know when I am starting to go too hard.

 We had a great meal at the pasta dinner. Tim & Mandi, David, Tommy and his family and myself all had a great time of fellowship. We met this really interesting fellow from the Twin Cities that had run about 130 marathons, including Pikes Peak, all since he turned 63 years old. He’s now 77.

 I hope I am in half as good of shape as he is when I get to be his age. That’s what I like about marathoning you get to meet people with interesting stories.

Anyway the ladies are turned in for the night, all my stuff is laid out and there’s nothing left to do but get a little sleep and show up at the starting line. Well Lord keep us all safe and may we be our best tomorrow.

Run Strong Friends,

Sam

I can’t believe the race is almost here. We’ve been training hard since Labor Day and feel the most ready we’ve been for either of the two previous marathons. No injuries to report, no missed workouts, fast recoveries, no illness to date.

I think my diet change due to a diagnosis of anemia has really helped me a lot. I am eating more protein from red meat and also taking iron supplements. I feel much better after workouts than I used to and I seem to recover much faster. The change has been dramatic. This has allowed me to train more consistently.

I think I am compelled to once again shoot for the sub 3 hour marathon. I’ve tried twice and missed each time. I hit the wall miserably at Chickamauga 07 and cramped at Boston 08. Hey maybe the third time’s a charm Anyway I have to swing for the fence because too much work goes into preparing for a marathon and I want to make sure I put everything I have available to use on raceday. I want nothing left on the table once I’ve crossed the finish line.

 Looking forward to being there with family and some friends. One in particular, David is going for his 1st marathon. I am so proud for hime. Can’t wait to see him cross the finish line.

 Run Strong Friends,

Sam

What a perfect morning. After lots of rain and wind all day yesterday we were all ready for some calmer weather this morning. It was mostly clear, about 57 degrees and a little windy. It didn’t take me long into my 2 mile pre-race warm up to realize it was very humid as well. By the time I got back to do a little stretching I was sweating pretty well.

I have good memories of this race course as this was the 1st race I broke sub 19 (18.35 to be exact) last year. My feeling is that for us fall marathon runners this is the perfect course, weather and time of year for P.R.’s.

 Here’s why:

>> P.R. Course - You see the course is moderately fast with only a few minor hills.

>> P.R. weather - temperatures this time of year are in the low to mid 50’s which is ideal racing conditions.

>> Peak training - for those of us training for an early to late November full or half marathon we are in top shape having logged many endurance runs in preparation. Our bodies should be responding with improved running efficiency and speed.

Since I proved this to be true last year I wanted to see if it could be repeated this year. So I planned right from the start to attempt to break my Labor Day 5K p.r. at this race. The goal was 17.20. The start was chaotic as the officials did not do a good job of lining up folks according to their expected pace. There was also a great excitement and spirit in the crowd. Lots of cheering and high fives. Once we got underway I felt this race was going to go pretty well. I was chasing down 2 really fast runners up to the turn around. I passed one and was a half step behind the other. Then a few minutes later I was running step by step with 16 year old Jacob Grub. We ran side by side past the two mile mark. I couldn’t believe I was in contention to win this race. But try as I could I did not have another gear to make a successful surge. So at about the 2.5 mile point Jacob surged about 10 feet ahead of me and held on to win. I was very proud to take 2nd place overall with a new P.R. of 17.16 just a few seconds behind the winner. Then my good friend Clark came flying in to take 3rd.

 Several friends also got new p.r.’s including David T. (who’s training for the same marathon I am) and Kerry (who’s always in peak shape on race day). I’m also very proud of Bethany, a relative new comer to running who beat her last year’s time by over 5 minutes. She’s been logging lots of long runs at the Loop in recent weeks.

It was great to see all the Survivors running and walking. I knew several of those very brave women. They raised a tremendous amount of money again this year for breast cancer research.

Once again I was reminded of what a great joy it is to be healthy and enjoy physical fitness. Especially with family and friends. I hope I never take that gift for granted ever again. Thank you Lord for another great day

Run Strong Friends,

Sam

Well here we go again, another marathon. I can’t believe it’s been 6 months since Boston. This will be my 3rd marathon and 2nd time to Chickamauga. I must admit I am much more relaxed this go around. After all once you’ve run Boston it’s hard to get intimidated about another marathon.

I can’t believe how much stronger my body feels this time around. I am much less fatigued and have had many less aches and pains. I am training loosely just going by my internal drive and not really following any particular program. I run when I want and as far as I want and I rest when I feel I need rest. So far its working pretty well. The final result will be pretty evident on Nov. 8th once the race is behind me. This Sunday will be my 4th and final run over 20 miles and then it’s TAPER TIME!!! I love TAPER TIME. Shorter runs equal more time to do other things.

 Have one more race to squeeze in before the marathon, the Susan Komen Race for the Cure 5K. Can you say fast course. Throw in some cool fall temperatures and we may be going for a new 5K PR. We’ll have to wait and see.

Anyway got to run (literally - 6 miles easy).

 Get outdoors and enjoy life.

Run Strong Friends,

Sam

I’m finally getting enough racing experience where I am coming back to repeat races I’ve run in the past. This was one such race. I ran it last year and really enjoyed it. It’s not the easiest course out there, but it is also not the hardest. It’s a nice out and back with a good straightaway start, a hilly middle section and the same straightaway finish. This year there were about 140 runners along with their families and friends there for support. It’s a small town race with that small town hospitality. Registration was quick and painless and they had a pretty nice goody bag.

I ran this race with the goal of breaking sub 18 again. Anytime I break into a new time bracket I want to repeat it so that I can be confident the first time was no fluke. I want to have the confidence that I am a sub 18 5k runner. In order to do that I have to hit that time repeatedly. Well we had a glitch at the start as the firing pistol misfired several times. I was pumped at this race as I knew I would be running in a pack with several guys who are in my time range. Well packed we were with our resident rabbit breaking out ahead as he does in most races. We spread out at the difficult section of the race in the uphills. On the turn around I knew this was going to be a good race as I was in 2nd place about 20 seconds behind our 17 year old leader. This young man ran a brilliant race and hung on to win. I was very pleased to come in 11 seconds behind him and take 2nd overall with a 17.46. My three running buddies were there right just behind me.

Grace finished 1st female overall in sub 18. Not bad for a 13 year old girl She and I ran back out on the course to run my oldest daughter back in to her finish. Well Brenley was having a great race herself and was eagerly trying to beat her 5k PR of 29.59 set last year at Macon Labor Day Road Race. We pulled up alongside her and encouraged her to hang on and finish strong. Well she did just that smashing her PR by almost two minutes with a 28.02 finish. I was so proud of my little girl for putting out that kind of effort that day.

Well we finished the morning with a nice awards ceremony and a humorous meal at Huddle House down the road. It seems they were not very well prepared to deal with all those hungry runners. We helped our waitress by pouring our own coffee, finding our own jelly and switching food around between tables that were given to the wrong people. We even got our meal in courses as you do in fancy restaurants.

Well this was just another great example of how local races make for wonderful memories for people and can be enjoyed by all. What are you waiting for, lace up your shoes and come join us.

Run Strong Friends,

Sam