The 2009 Fall Preview

This was the plan for this fall. Philadelphia Distance Run in September, Valley Harvest Half-marathon in Nova Scotia for October, and to wrap things up, Philadelphia Half marathon in November. Until I saw the price of the Philadelphia Half Marathon. Yikes!!!! A hundred bucks???? And, time was of the essence to make a decision because registration was almost sold out. I wanted to wait until after the Valley Harvest Half to make that decision. Well, as it turns out the decision was made for me as the half is officially sold out. (Sometimes the best plans are the ones you don't make).

In reality, that IS the plan for the fall. I haven't thought about any 5ks or any other races. Doesn't mean I won't do them if I have a free weekend and the weather is nice. I just haven't geared myself towards any. And, I've done this on purpose.

The last few years, I noticed I've burned out at the end especially last year. I had a problem with my Achilles that left me on the sidelines for a number of weeks. Once I started to heal (pardon the pun), I couldn't get back 'into it'. Whatever 'it' was. I found myself focusing so much of my emotion and time to one event that, once it was over, I was drained. I didn't want to run. I didn't want to play racquetball. I was going through the motions. It wasn't fun anymore for me. It just was and nothing more.

So, I thought about it over this year as I was determined to make sure I kept up my mojo over the fall and winter. The key idea I had was to make sure I was having fun. So, I have decided to put future marathons on hold for the time being and readjust my focus on keeping in good enough shape in doing half marathons when I feel like it. In that way, the longest time I'm out there training for any event is no more than an hour or two.

And, I want to continue doing triathlons next year. I had a good time in the one I did but couldn't figure out how to add additional ones to my schedule this year. So, I've made a commitment to myself of, at least, doing 32 laps (roughly equivalent to 1/2 mile) once a week over the fall/winter. The one thing I don't want to do is to start from scratch like I did in March. I also want to figure out how to avoid this dizzyness I get after a swim, like the one I had during the Lake Lenape race. If I can't avoid it, at least, what is the best way to cope with it during a race. And, sometime after the Valley Harvest race, start up my racquetball games with my cousin. Again, fun to do and great cross-training.

So, I'm looking forward to the Philadelphia Distance Run (or PDR in this part of the world). I plan on using this as a training run for Valley Harvest. The longest run I have done, to date, is a 10 miler. I want to run this race in between a 9 to 9:30 pace. The weather forecast seems to be almost perfect though cloud cover at around 9:15a until 10a would be welcomed. (The last mile of the race is a slight long uphill and in full sun. Can be tough when you are trying to finish).

The signs are up in the city. Sounds like a great expo this year with chances to meet up with the likes of Ryan Hall, Catherine Nedereba, Frank Shorter, John Bingham and Constantina Dita (2008 Olympic marathon gold medalist). Let autumn begin. (I'll be runner 7736 in Start Corral 7).

(Notes: This was a media release that was sent to me (imagine that!) that did sound like a lot of fun and a good idea for those that never have a chance to finish in the top 10 of an age group category. I wanted to add it here and hope you agree that it's a great promotional idea for us middle-of-the-packers. Just waiting for a promo from a fast food joint that offer a prize for the 2064 age group placers. Then I have a chance. :-) )

1st, 2nd … 64th Place!
MGD 64 Rewards 64th Place Category Finishers at
2009 ING Philadelphia Distance Run

CHICAGO (September 14, 2009) – To celebrate its first year as the official beer sponsor of the 2009 ING Philadelphia Distance Run, and add a little fun and excitement for runners, MGD 64 today announced it will award an exclusive prize pack to the 64th place finisher in each age category.

MGD 64 prize packs will be awarded to the male and female 64th place finishers* in each of the thirteen age categories. Each winner will receive a gift basket full of fun items including branded apparel, a pedometer, a subscription to Competitor Magazine, Inside Triathlon, Triathlete Magazine or VeloNews, and other great items.

“MGD 64 is the perfect beer for social and active beer drinkers with on-the-go lifestyles. Celebrating the 64th place finishers is a great way to reward runners who are literally on the go,” said Tristi Pfeiffer, MGD 64 marketing manager. “Whether runners place first or 64th, everyone can reward themselves with the fresh, crisp taste of MGD 64.”

In addition to awarding prize packs to the 64th place finishers, MGD 64 will host an experiential area at the pre-race ING Philadelphia Distance Run’s Health & Fitness Expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center where legal-drinking-age consumers can receive product information and samples of the 64-calorie beer. And as a post-race reward, MGD 64 invites all legal-drinking-age participants to celebrate their achievement with one free MGD 64 at the beer garden at the Finish Line Festival in Eakins Oval.

“Our partnership with MGD 64 is a great way for us to provide our participants, as well as their friends and families, with the best light beer available,” said Anton Villatoro, event manager for the ING Philadelphia Distance Run. “We utilize our Expo and Finish Line Festival to provide health and fitness products and information for our participants. This is a great setting for a brand such as MGD 64 to introduce its fresh, crisp taste to thousands of people who definitely have something to toast after finishing the race.”

With just 64 calories and 2.4 grams of carbohydrates, MGD 64 has steadily grown in popularity with calorie-conscious consumers since it launched nationally in the summer of 2008. This is the brand’s first year as the official beer sponsor of the eleven-event Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon Series which hosts races in Nashville, San Diego, Seattle, Chicago, Virginia Beach, Philadelphia, San Jose, Denver, San Antonio, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

*Only participants 21 years and older are eligible to win the MGD 64 prize pack

Take Off, Hoser

Between those words, 'Back Bacon' and 'eh' is the only Canadian I speak. And, it looks like I'll need to study up on it as Steve and I have decided to head to the Maritimes in the Great White North for our fall marathon. Right now, we are aiming for the Prince Edward Island marathon on October 18 with the Valley Harvest marathon in Nova Scotia on October 11 as our backup plan. Backup plan? Yes, in case something comes up for either one of us and we can't make the weekend of October 18. October 11 is close enough that we can adjust our training schedules.

I've been to Canada probably a dozen times or so. Mostly in Montreal or Toronto. (I went to Expo '67 in Montreal as a small child.) This, however, will be my first time going to the Maritimes. My wife and I have talked about going but never had the opportunity to do so. I think our discussions were around which island to visit and we were afraid of picking the 'wrong island' to go for a vacation. As I stated before, the marathon I picked this year was to a place that I wouldn't be going otherwise. Parts of Steve's family is from that area so it's a perfect choice for both of us.

Back to speaking Canadian. I know, I know, Canadians speak French and English. And, I'm sure Canadians are tired of hearing everyone saying 'eh' to them. But, in the late 1970's/early 1980's, there was a late night show called SCTV, which was a parody of independent television. One of the sketches they did was a panel show hosted by Bob and Doug McKenzie which played up (purposely) to Canadian sterotypes. Bob was played by Rick Moranis and Doug was played by Dave Thomas. (Here is a Wikepedia entry describing the show http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_and_Doug_McKenzie)

At the time, it was very popular and the characters wound up with albums, records, and a movie. Recently, I read a list of the 100 most popular characters in television history and they were left off the list. (That's why I rarely pay attention to these lists because they are tilted to recent history. ) I've included a YouTube clip of the characters. If you do not remember them growing up, you will probably not think its funny. If you remember staying up late to watch SCTV (which was almost as popular as Saturday Night Live), then you will appreciate the sense of humor. This was my introduction to Canadian culture.

In any case, Steve and I agreed we will make our final decision for the trip when we meet up at Falmouth, the weekend of August 8-9.

(Notes: I think I'm starting to get the hang of my recent swimming lessons. At least the part where you are 'rolling' your body with every stroke. I started to do that in practice and have found my shoulders are not so tired after the session. I also feel that I'm getting to the other side of the pool a lot quicker. Or at least, it feels like I'm getting there a lot quicker. I'm scheduled to do an open water session at Lake Nockimixon on June 21 which will be the real test of whether I do what I was taught or what comes naturally for me. My biking and running are going well, so far.
Also, I did purchase my new toy. Instead of the Sony camera, I decided to go with the Canon Powershot SD series camera. I'm still learning the features but better quality videos of where I run should be coming soon.)