Macon Tracks Running Club

Well the time is drawing near. Things are coming together. Airline tickets are purchased, hotel reservations are made.

 Got my BIB # last week. I am No. 5816.

Training is going pretty well. I have my easy pace down to about 7:10-7:15 at a 150 H.R. That is about 20 seconds better than where I was for the Chickamauga Marathon. I am running more miles this go around as well. Trying the more aggressive Boston Athletic Association training guide. So far I’m holding up except for some shin splint type pain immediately following strenuous running (i.e Speed-work or Tempo Runs).

 Trying to maintain a high calorie diet and not lose weight like I did last go around. Holding tight at about 161 lbs.

I’m going to start my taper next week. No more speed-work until after the race. Will try to focus on easy runs and a few Race Pace runs to dial in the expected race time.

 That is the big question. What should my goal pace be? I think my conditioning should allow for a sub 3 hour marathon. That represents about a 6:53 pace. The big unknown is how much I’ll have left when I reach “Heartbreak Hill”. But you know I would rather crash and burn knowing I was going for my best than cruise to an easy finish knowing I held back. I just want to break that 3 hour barrier!

Can’t believe how hectic life has been. Training 7 days a week for the last two months, finishing my last semester of my M.B.A., working and family >>> All calling at once. I think running is the escape that keeps me sane. It’s the one place I can lose myself in my thoughts. I am free to think about or not think about whatever I want. I never carry a cell phone with me so the Blackberry can’t disturb me either. Running is so simple, just lace up the shoes, walk out the door and off you go. I like that it takes no thought, no planning, no money… just time.

Gotta rest up, have my final 22 miler on Sunday. Man I love those

 Run Strong Friends,

Sam

Well this was certainly one memorable race. It was my 1st race which I was running for a second time (2007 time was 20:43). It was the race in which I met the Oedel’s last year as they blew by me between miles 2 and 3. They later invited me to come out to The Loop and meet some of the other Macon Tracks people. Saturday was also my 22nd anniversary. Can’t believe Robin has put up with me for 22 years!!!

Well last year was cold and wintry but nothing compared to this year. We had one heck of a cold front move in on Friday evening that brought 20+ mph winds with 30+ MPH gusts. The temperature was in the low 40’s but cut you like a knife in that high wind. I did a 1 mile warm up lap before the race. Running into the headwind was brutal. It was raining lightly mixed with sleet. I knew this was not going to be a P.R. day.

Well the hard core that showed up lined up for the 8 am start time. Perry Slaughter of Run Fit Sports directed the race and ran the starting line. The 1st mile was brutal running hard into that head wind with a steady incline to boot. The hardest hill was at mile 1.5 but luckily at that point we had a favorable tailwind. I was working hard to keep the front runner (Robert B) in view. But he was steadily holding his own. At one point we were about 10 seconds apart. But that did not last long. He easily pulled away on the last half mile and won this race for the second year in a row. Way to go Robert. I was proud to take second place, 31 seconds back.

After reviewing the Garmin data I was pleased with the race I ran. The head wind slowed me down in the front of the race but I made up for it and ran a negative split on the 2nd half. Racing on little rest since I’m training for Boston cost me a little time as well. All in all a great race on a horrible weather day.

The best part of the race was the post race festivities which were indoors thankfully. Our final duties of the day came at Shoney’s as the Macon Tracks Team cleaned out the breakfast buffet. Can you say “NAP TIME”.

 The Forsythia 5K Race was awesome and I’ll be back next year for sure. Hopefully we’ll have a little better weather

 Run Strong Friends,

Sam

Well a week has gone by since I ran the Al Toll Race. Here is what I recall about that day: First it was hazy and a little cloudy when I first got there at 7am. I got there early to set up the Macon Tracks promo table. It was our 1st time putting out our new T-shirts, hats, brochures and membership applications. The booth was a big success.

I ran the 15K while Robin and Brenley ran the 5K. This was going to be one of the few races where they would get done before me. I was very proud that my Dad was there watching me race for the 1st time. We had a very good crowd with everyone in a great mood ready to run. Steve Corkery, our race director, changed up the start and finish line this year. It was a big improvement over years past. We would start and finish on the side road next to the parking lot instead of on the main road.

I had been dreading this race for weeks. I knew it would be a hard one due to the long rolling hills. I started pretty poorly with an unsustainable sub 6 minute pace. I was in the lead but would be walking by mile 2 if I didn’t get my act together. I calmed down and settled in for a 6:25-6:30 pace for the next few miles. It was pretty nice running out front with the squad car leading the way. The toughest hill on the course came around mile 2.5 at the Brick golf course. That’s where I peaked my heart rate at 175. I kept expecting someone to come up from behind me but they never did. I was pretty much running alone. It was a tough course to hold pace as the hills kept coming and I did not have someone in front of me to chase down. The last mile was a great downhill run to the finish. It was the sweetest mile I’ve ever raced. There were some great folks at the last turn taking pictures and yelling encouragement. I had to pump my fists in the air as I came to the realization that I was going to win this challenging race. I never dreamed I would ever win one race and here I was seconds away from the 2nd win in as many weeks. The sweetest part was having my family there at the finish line to cheer me on. It was one of the happiest moments of my life.

It was my 1st time ever winning something in front of my Dad. I felt like a kid again. I never had a chance to hit that game winning home run, or sink that last second basket. But today my Dad got to see me come in 1st, ahead of some great competitors. Even at age 42 I live to make my Dad proud of me.Well Robin greeted me with a victory kiss and a great hug. She had run a great race on her 5K run and was most proud to have finished ahead of Brenley, our 11 year old. They have a rivalry thing going on. By the time the race ended it was sunny and warm. A perfect morning. We cheered our friends in, enjoyed a great awards ceremony and had a huge Cracker Barrel breakfast afterwards. It was truly a wonderful day for me and my family. One that I will always treasure.

Run Strong Friends. 

Sam