Macon Tracks Running Club

Well three marathons later I am starting to see a pattern. Here is how it goes for me anyway:

 1. Train hard for marathon

2. Run marathon hard

 3. Nagging injuries after marathon

 It’s the part 3 that drives me nuts! I’ve been nursing a nagging foot pain since the day after the marathon. Amazingly most other body parts have not hurt at all. But the top of the right foot extending from my ankle down the tendon to the big toe has hurt every day.

 I’ve taken days off each week, sometimes two days in a row (which I never do!!!) and it still lingers. Today has been the best day as I’m coming off two days rest. I ran 6 miles at 6:40 pace and was relatively pain free for most of it. It was the best run I’ve had since finishing Chickamauga. I am thankful that the injuries seem less frequent but I wish they were non-existent. You see for me training (running) is as basic an every day habit as brushing my teeth or tying my shoelaces. I do it without thought. So when there is something that screws up that routine in my life I get cranky. I am out of my natural rhythm.

 Thankfully I’ve had distractions to keep my mind off the fact that I’ve not been running my usual. I’ve been working on a cool project for Habitat for Humanity. They will be showcasing this amazing Christmas light display at Chic-Fil-A Arkwright Rd here in Macon in a few weeks. It will include thousands of lights, a 40 foot led Christmas tree, animation from custom led projectors and a 36 foot tunnel of lights people will be able to drive through. It will all be run through computer programmable controllers synced to Christmas music. Can’t wait to see the whole thing fired up.

 I’ve also finally started a photography website on SmugMug. It’s at www.photosbysamjr.com. I hope to get started uploading different photo albums there shortly. Currently I only have the one with the Christmas Tree raising at Chic-Fil-A.

Well I’m excited to be off for Thanksgiving. Looking forward to spending time with Robin’s family in West Georgia, eating well and watching football!!! Man life is good. Also just enjoying the family being home together.

I hope we each remember all the good things we should be thankful for and share that with others. Have a great Thanksgiving.

 Run (and eat) Strong Friends,

Sam

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