2009 Valley Harvest Half Marathon Report

I sit here trying to figure out, trying to summarize the race that I ran in Nova Scotia. I was thinking of taking the angle of how I beat Steve(Runner). Which, would be a great angle since, in fact, it's true. :-) But, I will also tell you this. Steve is a good friend of mine. We've known each other for half of lives. We do a have friendly rivalry going and some trash talkin'. But, it's all in good fun. The weekend was my continuing celebration of my 50th year on this planet. And, I wanted to do something different. So, I went to the edge of the earth. Or so it seemed. Steve was kind enough to go with me to help in my celebration. Thanks, Steve.

So, do I write about the course? Funny thing I think about this course are people's point of view. I read this on several blogs and websites this was described as a flat course with a few rolling hills. Personally, I would describe it as a hilly course with a few flat spots. This was the hilliest half marathon course I've run. But, saying that, the hills were not monstorous. They just felt like they would go on forever. And, unfortunately for me, I was feeling nauceous going up them. To the point, at mile 10, I was ready to give my breakfast up. But, thankfully, didn't. I kept thinking, I had a 5k more to go and, whatever hills there were upcoming, I was just going to have to walk up those. But, I kept thinking Steve was going to be right behind me and catch up. Funny, when you are in the middle of a a situation like that, how much you don't care. You care afterwards. But, not when you are going through it.

Besides the hills, and, probably because of them, the course was scenic. The race started in downtown Wolfville, NS and headed west out of town. About 2 miles out of town, you turned right and headed to Port William. Before going into Port William, you crossed the Cornwallis River. Now, the area was noted for their tidal changes. It is no more evident than it was crossing that bridge over the Cornwallis River. In the morning, you literally could walk across the water as it was that shallow. By the afternoon, the river had risen about 50 feet. Watching the tide come in was like watching floodwaters. On a daily basis.

Most of the race was in Port William and the surrounding farmland. It was 3 miles into the race that I realized that I had overdressed for the occasion. I was dressed as Nanook of the North. And, for good reason as the race started in the 30s (F). But, the sun was out. And, in reality, I could have been comfortable with a long-sleeve shirt and shorts. Instead, I was bundled up for an impending snowstorm. Except, never happened.

My first 4 miles were at a nice even pace. I took a few walk breaks afterwards only to settle my stomach. I learned my lesson in Philadelphia and was determined to keep things at as much of an even pace as possible.

The turnaround on the course actually happened about 7.5 miles into the race. And, then more hills followed. I thought of Kelly and her 'love' of hills. I imagined her cursing these hills. I didn't have to imagine me cursing these hills. Because, I was doing just that.

Finally, around mile 9, there was one long downhill back into Port William. It was there you could really get a view of the river and the tidal basin and the hills surrounding the area. Just beautiful.

I crossed the Cornwallis River again at mile 10 and continued on following my steps of the first three miles. I turned right onto Route 1 and headed back into Wolfville. Suck it up and make it happen.

The finish line was in the Acadia University football stadium. Almost a full lap around to the end. I was running with someone along side of me, who, thanked me at the end as he was pacing off me. I've done that before and it's funny how you really feel the need to thank someone for doing that when, in fact, they have no idea that they were. About 50 yards from the finish, the name is called over the PA system. And, they even pronounced the last name right!!!! I saw the clock closing in on 2:04. It was then I was determined to beat that time so I made a mad dash. Gun time: 2:03:45. Chip time: 2:03:01. I beat my Philadelphia time. On a tougher course. And, no Steve around. I was feeling happy.

As I waited for Steve to finish, one of the runners who I was running with along the course, was about 50 yards from the finish and decided to make a dash as well. Except, she collapsed in a heap, grabbing her thigh. I suspect she cramped up. She was lying there, crying, wanting so much to cross that line. The paramedics rushed and helped her. She did get up and was limping. I felt so bad as she never crossed the line. All that work and only 50 yards from your goal. Ouch.

After Steve crossed the line, it was time to spend the afternoon riding around, tasting the wines of the region. It was a nice way to finish up the weekend.

I want to thank the people of Wolfville, of Nova Scotia, the race directors and the people who participated in this race. You are some of the friendliest people I ever met. There was a little issue with my registration. They couldn't find me. And, yet, they took me at my word that I did register and was going to give me a number anyway. Turns out, I registered my last name first. I was never one to follow directions anyway.

For a more complete race report, I encourage you to download and listen to Steve's podcast episode 209. (Also, listen to episode 208B for my interview of Steve).

Steve Runner on the BBC

Just found out that Steve Runner will be on the BBC Cambridgeshire as a guest on the Sue Dougan show to talk about running. He should be on around 9:30a EDT (14:30A UK time).

Here's the link if you want to listen in:

BBC Cambridgeshire (click on the 'Listen Live' section on the right. You will need Real Player to listen in.

If you didn't catch it, click here for a replay.

On your marks, get set........

The panic is setting in. That person next to me is coughing. I'm sure they have the flu. I know I will be sick by the end of the week. Do I run? For how long? What if I step in a pothole and twist my ankle? What if I don't run? I know all that training will go down the drain! Can I eat that? Can I eat anything? I know if I eat that it will make me sick. What if I can't sleep? What if my alarm doesn't go off? What if I don't set the alarm? What if there is a massive power failure the night before and my alarm doesn't go off? Just like in Seinfield. It can happen. AAAGGGGHHHHH!

Yes, folks, it's the week before the marathon!

My tapering has been spotty at best but that's ok. I ran a little bit last week and will run a little bit this week. The forecast is looking pretty good so far with highs in the upper 40s/lower 50s (F). One of the things I'm doing different is hydrating more this week. In past races, I have done most of my hydrating the morning of the race. For various reasons, that wasn't the smartest approach (ok, one of the various reasons is I kept stopping at the nearest tree/port-a-john/concealed area to 'discharge' at the beginning of each race.) Now, I'm drinking more fluids during this week and, by race time, will be properly hydrated. (Though my one hour commute home is killing me!)

The plan for the weekend, for all who care, is for Steve (aka Steve Runner) to come down to my house Saturday around noonish (he has to do some miles before heading down). Once he has arrived, we will be heading down to the expo, which is at Temple University this year. I need to pick up some gels, look for RaceReady shorts, and see if they are selling any Tyvex jackets. (I saw on Steve's bulletin board thingy they might sell them at Home Depot for a lot less money. Hmmmm.)

We will probably have an early dinner and then maybe have a blueberry (or pumpkin) ale for a nightcap. Bed early as wake up call will be 4:00a.

Sunday, MARATHON DAY! Breakfast will be blueberry pancakes for me (no, I'm not dumping in the blueberry ale into the mix). Steve has told me he will be eating a chicken breast (interesting choice for a 4a meal). I hope to leave the house before 5a and be down at the Art Museum area around 6:15a-6:30a.

Both Steve and I are signing up for the pace teams--Steve for the 4 hour team and I'm running with the 5 hour team. I think I mentioned before that I did this at Disney marathon and they were spot on with their time. If Steve can hang with them, I think he will do his sub-4:00. Me? I'll do my best.

I'm hoping to meet up with people from my running group down there. We will be hanging by the fountains across from the Art Museum at the beginning of the race. It would be nice to start out with someone. Also, I found out that a friend of mine from grammar school is going to be on the look out for us as well.

At the end of the race, Steve and I are planning to meet either at the Rocky statue by the Art Museum or under the letter P at the family meeting section. We will have to see what will have easier access after the race. So, if you see a goofy looking guy with a Boston Red Sox hat hanging out at either of these two spots about 4 hours after the race, that's Steve. I'm the incoherent, falling over, gasping for air guy that shows up about an hour later.

In all seriousness, I'm feeling good about this race. Nervous? Yeah, just a bit. For all the reasons mentioned at the beginning of this blog. But, I know I can do it. I've done it before. There is a buzz at work about this race. It's my hometown race after all. And, I'm really looking forward it.

The 'Real' Story Behind Steve Runner

It was like working for Baby Herman from the 'Roger Rabbit' movie. He was so nice when he was behind the mike but ranting and raving when he was off mike. He once asked me to ask the Race Director of the Marine Corps Marathon to re-start the race THREE times because he kept on flubbing his first line. Just impossible. --former assistant producer of the SteveRunner.com podcast

Nay. I come not to bury Steve Runner, but to praise him!

I didn't think I was going to write on this particular subject until later in the year. But, events during the Boston Marathon have changed my mind.

If you don't know who Steve Runner is, that's ok. This is a life lesson I think you may enjoy. Steve (Walker) Runner is a fellow runner who lives in Oxford, Massachusetts. He produces a podcast called Phedippidations. (You will see it on the right as one of my favorite websites).

Steve and I have been friends for the past twenty-two years. We used to work as radio engineers at an all-news station in Boston. We got out of the business (Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be radio engineers!) but both still have an interest in the media. Steve started his own website with a blog. About two years ago, he decided to create a 'goofy little' running podcast instead of the blog, because, it gave him a chance to talk to 'someone' when he was out training. Steve imagined only 10 people or so would listen to him on a regular basis. He doesn't do it for money but for the love of the sport.

This year, Steve had an opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon. So each week, for the past 3 months or so, he described what he did to prepare himself and his thoughts and feelings on the runup to the marathon. He asked people who enjoyed his podcast to subscribe to a newsgroup to follow his race.

Something happened yesterday that I could never have imagined. As Steve was running, people from all over the world were cheering him by e-mail. E-mails from Australia, Hong Kong, Netherlands, England, Colombia, up, down and across the United States, everywhere were coming in with words of encouragement and cheering him on. (One e-mail from Canada said it best: I could almost hear those cheers coming into my inbox throughout the day. In fact, it reminded me of your gift to us last fall - the "shouts of encouragement" episode for the 1st Annual P.W.W.H.M.C. I felt like we could finally return the favour in some small way. And it was also great to hear that John let you know about the huge crowd of supporters following your every step. There's nothing quite like real-time positive feedback :-)) People talked about what an inspiration he is and how he has changed their lives for the better. (I just found out that he is a YouTube star as well!) http://youtube.com/watch?v=c02kszt4IE8. It was amazing to take it all in from this side of the race.

I talked to Steve today and he told me that he thinks hypothermia was setting in at mile 22. He spoke to his running mentor at mile 22 and was thinking of quitting at that point. His mentor told him about the hundreds of e-mails coming in from around the world cheering him on. He found, within himself, the fortitude to go on based on all the well-wishers. He did finish the race and was happy with what he had done that day.

I tell this, not to be a name dropper that I KNOW Steve Runner, but as observation of what you can accomplish in this world today. Steve took a simple idea of a podcast and a love of media and running, and put it out there for all to hear. Through no means of advertising but strictly by word of mouth or by sheer accident, people started to latch on and care about who Steve Runner is. He had no idea that what he had done would change, entertain, encourage, touch the lives of hundreds (if not thousands) of people around the world. Think about it. AROUND THE WORLD! Just because he thought it would be fun. Yesterday's chain of e-mails amazed me, beyond belief, of how small our planet has become.

If you get a chance and need something new for your MP3 player, download Steve's podcast.

Steve, I am very proud of you, buddy, not just for your valiant effort in the wind and cold of the Boston marathon. But, also, for finding a way for all of us from around the globe to virtually cheer you on and make it feel we were there, under the Pru on Boylston Street, as you crossed the finish.

(I found out yesterday that Steve is changing his mind and is now thinking about racing against me at the Falmouth Road Race in August. I told him already that I will be waiting at the finish line with a nice, frosty Sam Adams after I beat him in the race.)