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).

Images of the 2009 Valley Harvest Half-Marathon

Hopefully, by the end of the week I will have a full race report. In the meantime, here are some pictures I took of the 2009 Tm Horton's Valley Harvest Half-Marathon.

(Registration at the Acadia University Gym)

(Steve (Runner) and I before the race)

(At the start)

(About two miles into the race heading towards Port William)

(Someone offered to take my picture so he went ahead of me and did so. If I can only get my camera back....(I'm in the middle) )

(About 5 miles into the race)

(The hills weren't steep but the hilliest half I've ever run)

(Heading towards the turnaround)

(Finally, downhill. About 9 miles into the race)

(Steve (Runner) crosses the finish sans shoes. He ran the last 200 yards barefoot)

(Steve and myself after the race. Somehow Steve musters a smile after losing the race to me.)

iFitness MiniSportsBelt

There is a story I tell of a race I did in Souderton, Pennsylvania one hot July night. That night I was in the midst of setting a new 5k PR when it happened. You see, I used to carry my car key in a shoe pouch. But, as I in the last mile of the race, my shoe pouch started to flap with potentially my car key falling in the middle of the street. I had to take the time to fix it except I didn't fix it right and it started to flap again in the next 100 yards. I was so peeved (not the word I really want to use here), I bent down and tore the pouch off my shoe and stuck my key in my pocket. By then I lost all my momentum and finished seconds off my PR. I never ran with a shoe pouch again.

So, I started to use a wrist pouch. And, they are good. Does the job. But, a little uncomfortable sometimes. Plus, on a good hard day, you can wring out the wristband. And, if you don't be careful, it can get a little funky sitting in the gym bag in a hot car.

A few months ago, Kelly, from the Blue Dawgs showed me her mini Sports Belt. Yeah, yeah, I said. That's great. But, I don't do sports belts. Oh, I've tried. Get yelled out by runner friends for not having one on when doing longer runs. They bounce. They push against the nerves on my back. They are just soooooo uncomfortable. But, let me tell you, and, I don't say this often, Kelly was right.

When walking around the Philadelphia Distance Run expo, there were a few booths selling these. I've been wanting to take my Canon camera along for races/runs and wanted a reason to retire the mini-cam. I thought, for $20, I'll try. So, I bought an iFitness minisportbelt.

Last week, I did two laps around Lake Galena for my final long run before the Valley Harvest half marathon this coming weekend. I ran the first lap (six miles) with the belt on and nothing in it. It was pretty comfortable. Really, didn't even notice I had it on. I stopped at my car and took my wristband off, placed the key in the sportsbelt and took my camera along as well.

I ran about 100 yards. Yep, here it goes. Bounce like crazy. Feel it everytime I take a step. But, in reality, it was what I was expecting. With some adjustments, (keeping the pouch on my front right hip) I never felt it again for the second lap. Even to the point, where after my run, I forgot I didn't take it off, did some errands before I got home and was surprised I had it on still.

I don't think iFitness has the exclusive market on these. I could be wrong. I seem to recall there were other companies selling something similar. But, I can tell you that this is a product I would recommend. Once again, goodbye to the mini-cam. And, dare I say, goodbye to the wristband pouch. I have a new friend with the iFitness minisportsbelt.

(Notes: I think only I would have a chance to go anyplace (within reason) in the world to run a race in the fall and decide to go north instead of south. As of today, the weather forecast in Wolfville, Nova Scotia on Sunday, October 11 is windy with winds out of the west at 24mph. High of 52 degrees (F) which will feel like 40 degrees (F). That's high for the day. Not the race. Need to make sure I bring the long pants and not rely on running in shorts for the race. Still, I have never been to the Maritime Islands of Canada and am looking forward to my trip with Steve (Runner). It will be an adventure.

Pictures telling a thousand words (roughly)

Look at that guy on the right of this blog. No. The far right. The guy in the blue shirt with the bicycle behind him. What do you see? (There are a number of my friends biting their tongues at this very moment looking for an appropriate answer to that question). Does that guy look relaxed to you? Or even worse (because, in truth, I actually look like I'm running in that picture). Look at these pictures. The guy in the yellow shirt this time. Yep, same guy as last time but, if there was a penny in those clenched fists of his, he would be making Lincoln cry those fists are so tight.

I did learn a lot of things out there when I was running PDR. Okay, don't wear the Brooks Adreneline 9s just yet for a lengthy run. Not quite broken in. Don't wear the new DryMax socks in Nova Scotia. Wear the older ones. Will do just as good if not better. When there is a gap in your socks by your toes, don't say, it will be allright and then complain about blisters afterwards when it's not allright. Fix it before the race starts. And, make sure you do a few miles the week before even if you don't have the time. Find the time. To do a few at least. Those little tidbits were easy to think about and fix. What I didn't really think about was how did I look? Or specifically, how did I feel?

I wrote a blog entry before about bad running habits. Even made it a New Year's resolution to try to correct them last year. One of the worse habits I have is not running relaxed. But, what does that mean?

First time I took notice of it was in a race that Steve (Runner) and I did one time in Connecticut, the day before the Falmouth Road Race. As I was finishing the last mile of a 5 mile race, a perfect stranger, who was cheering us on, looked at me and yelled, 'Hey you. Relax out there. You are running tense. ' Who me? I'm digging in. I want to have a strong finish. Who in the world isn't tense out here?' But, I knew what she was saying.

Flash forward two years from then to this year's PDR. And, I look at the pictures of myself. When you are out there, doing the best you can to finish in the fastest time possible, all you are thinking is finding something inside of you to finish this thing off. So, you dig deep. And, when I do that, automatically my arms go up and fists clench.

I will tell you now that I am not sure if I will ever know how to truly relax in a race. And, yet, if you ever watch an Olympic event, the announcers will always mention how relax the winners look as they cross the finish line. But, because of the pictures from PDR, it will remind me to chill when I run. Keep those arms down. Relax that kung-fu grip of mine. Don't be so stiff when I run. Just relax.

2009 Philadelphia Distance (Training) Run Report

Sometimes you get too comfortable in preparing for a race. Now, mind you, the Philadelphia Distance Run WAS a training run and not necessarily a race for me. But, the weather was nice, I had a nice base since the spring, why not rev the engines and see what this baby can do? 10 miles for my previous long run should be enough, don't you think? Shoes? I'll just use the new ones. I broke them in a bit. I did a seven miler with them just last week. They should be fine. Did I ever wear these socks with these shoes before? Doesn't matter. I'm just using this for a long run to prep for my half marathon in Nova Scotia in three weeks. It will be fine.

(Picture on the right is the site you see as you come into Eakins Oval and the last quarter mile of the race. Picture was taken 2 days before the race. )

It was a beautiful morning to run a race. Ideal weather conditions. Cool with no wind. I was excited to do the race from the start. I got up early. Got down there early. Plenty of time to do the potty line dance. Even ran into a kindergarten/grade school/high school friend of mine in the starting corral I was in. It was going to be good day.

My objective really was to take it easy. I knew I was going to go out somewhat strong but wanted to settle in with a 9:00/9:30 pace. And, I was right. The first three miles were around 8:30 per mile. And, I was feeling good. Very willing to back down and I did. Finally, after four miles, I settled into a target pace.

At around mile six, my right hip started to bother me. What the...? I was slowing down a bit but still within pace. I wanted to hit the seven mile mark at around 1 hour. Yep. Did that. But, what's up with this hip pain? I never had this before. And, then the leg cramps started. So, I had to back off some more.

And, right around mile 10, yes, the furthest I had done for training up to that point, is when the wheels really started to come off. Both hips were hurting. Both legs were cramping. And, now, my left foot was developing blisters on the two small toes. I felt like I was back in the old days when I didn't know how to prep for this race.

I kept on telling myself that this was no surprise. And, it is STILL just part of my training. All I'm doing is running around Lake Galena twice except I'm doing it with 12,000 other people beside me. Well, mainly in front of me.

And, in truth, I did convince myself this was all true. I wasn't upset with myself. I wasn't kicking myself. I started to do a walk/run and kind of enjoyed the experience of just being part of a huge crowd of runners. I looked at my watch and realized that there was no way to finish under 2 hours. And, what's the difference if I finished in 2:01 or 2:04 at this point? And, seriously, it was a beautiful day.

I finished the race in 2:04:19. This was my sixth PDR and it was my third fastest time. I ran a good 10k. And learned a lot about where am I at for the half in Canada in the last 10k. I also learned that I need to be a bit more focus on prepping for a race, training run, walking about town even and not take it for granted. Can't just mail it in. Now, if only my hips would stop hurting.

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

Is the 'New' Media Getting Old?

Something has changed in my life (yes, thanks, I still have my job) that I might not be able to post to my blog as often or as much information as I have done in the past. Nothing major, mind you, but it's not as easy for me as it has been in the past.

I also started to notice a trend in the past few months in that, some of my favorite blogs are disappearing or aren't updated as often as they have been in the past. Which leads me to the questions I've been asking myself, 'Is the idea of running blogs going away?' Are people still taking up the idea of creating a new running blog for themselves? Or are we now strictly Facebook, Twitter, or any other new social media users? In other words, is/was blogging just a fad?

I don't have answers just theories. First, in the beginning, people have a specific objective to creating a blog. It's used as a motivational tool because your training for a race is out there for the world to see. Afterall, you don't want to let the world down, do you? And, after you have finished the race, there is nothing else to write about. You've achieved and you've moved on.

Another reason is to let people you know (not just the world) how you are doing in your running reality. But that was before Facebook, MySpace, etc. became familar to all and you can target your audience to only those that YOU know as opposed to letting the whole world know. So, no more blogs because you can just let your FF (Facebook friends) know what you are up to.

And, then you have me. My type. The ones that don't get the opportunity for creative writing in their lives so will take pen to paper or, I guess, keyboard to screen now and bang out some thoughts that are going through their head and wanting to tell someone who might care. Or might not care. But, hey, at least it's out there.

Over the summer, I've thought about shutting down blog production. It's been 2 1/2 years since I started. I had to think 'why am I doing this?' And, more importantly, 'why am I continuing to do this?' I'm pressed for time at work, at home, for my training, for my wife, for my dogs, yada, yada, yada. But, more concerning to me, I started to feel I was not coming up with any new good ideas, thoughts, opinions, words, to express myself. And, I still might not be.

But, in the past 2 1/2 years, I have 'met' some new friends along the way. And, it has been 'met' in a pure virtual way. There are people who I correspond with that I have never physically met before. I don't know what their voice sounds like. If I ran into them on the street, I wouldn't recognize them. But, if these people shut down their blogs, I would wonder forever about their lives, their spouses, their children, their races, everything that I know about them. And, I wonder, if people feel the same way if I decided to shut down my blog. So, I press on. Hoping that my lack of my creativity on some entries is made up by the entries I do feel I was most enjoy doing.

But, what do you think? Is blogging now something 'old'? Do you know people who still start up blogs?

(Notes: I'm going to try something new here. I'm going to run a contest. The winner will be sent a T-shirt from an upcoming race that I do. (It will be up to me which race it is, though. :-) ). Now, the rules are, you can't google or use the internet or do research to find the answer. Now, obviously, I can't enforce that rule but just want to do this for fun. So, just try to guess the answer.

Here's the question: What does Garret Hobart, William Wheeler, William King and Schuyler Colfax have in common?

If you want to guess, please leave a comment with your answer so others can view it. If no one gets it, I will provide clues along the way until someone does. Once we have the right answer, I'll ask the winner to e-mail me their address and shirt size and I will send along a race shirt. (Those who are in the Bucks and Montgomery County areas of Pennsylvania are not eligible to participate as they can run the same race as me to get their T-Shirt. :-) ) Good luck.