When your personal hobby becomes world news

A sunny panorama in London

The clock reads 8:44 AM, Saturday April 20, 2013.  I have just returned from a lovely walk in St James Park near Buckingham Palace, the spring flowers abloom and peaceful here in London.  The sun shines through the cool (perfect running temperature) air.  In 25 hours, I will begin a 26.2 mile point-to-point journey from Greenwich Park west to the Palace winding along the Thames and over Tower Bridge amongst other famous landmarks.  I ran this course last year, and I know my second tour will be at once familiar and entirely different.

As I approach my 40th marathon, a demarkation line has been etched in all of our consciousnesses.  That happened 5 days ago at the world shattering end of the Boston Marathon.  Like 9/11, 7/7 or, as my mom reminded me, January 28, 1986 when Challenger exploded, this journey is point-to-point as well.  Time's arrow is decidedly one directional.

Finishing the Boston Marathon in 2009

Mentally, I began writing this post even as events unfolded last Monday.  Yet, until this morning, I did not even try to start writing.  Sure, as I ran on Tuesday and Thursday this week, mentally I composed the words, trying out angles in my mind as to what to inscribe on my blog.  I knew that I had to say something.  Even if no one reads these words, I cannot let the tragic events impact on me go unwritten.  This was emphasized when my friend John sent me a note yesterday wondering if I was ok given that I had not sent out an update to my mailing list.  Perhaps, I needed to know of some sort of resolution, as happened Friday in Watertown, before I could really get my head around everything.

Easy Run in the Big Easy

Sunday found me pounding the pavement of New Orleans - the Crescent City - as I attempted state 17 of my 50 state marathon quest.  Once known as the Mardi Gras marathon (since the event occurs just after that celebration), the race now belongs to the Rock n' Roll series.  The half seemed the most popular choice, but the marathon certainly did not lack for runners.  And in less than two days, I encountered grossly inaccurate airplane employees, bizarre parental decisions, a woman from Chattanooga (not that it matters) and fractious fraternity friends.

How did I get here anyway?
Why attempt Louisiana now, at state 17, on the list?

To complete 50 marathons by the time I am 50 (July, 2017), I need to hit about 8 new states per year.  After running 20 marathons or longer in 2012, I decided to aim for "only" 12-14 in 2013.  I even decided this reduction was a good idea before taking a COO job at Oculus VR.  This was entirely a preventative measure as I happily ended 2012 injury free, and I wish to stay that way.

If you stare at the calendar of races as often as I do, you will ascertain that the majority of marathons occur between March and May and September and November.  The spring and fall provide the best weather for running, and while rain can be an issue in some areas, generally that is preferable to heat.

And, as you might imagine, smaller states generally have fewer marathons.  Simple population math.  For example, Rhode Island has just three marathons, and one requires a fast qualification time.  Larger states - California, Texas, New York or states with larger populations of runners such as Colorado and Washington - have many more races.  Hawaii also tends to a have a large number given the popularity of race vacations or "racecations" as my friend Miri calls them.

So, as I continue my assault on the roads and trails of the great United States, I need a strategy to be able to get in all fifty by my deadline.  Part of that strategy is trying to run those less race populated states when I can.  Hence, as my travel plans called for me to be in New York early Monday, I added in the extra 24 hours of travel and swung through New Orleans.

Upon arriving Saturday afternoon, I found that my luggage had not made it out of Los Angeles.  No need for panic though as I always take my race shoes, clothes and race food on the plane.  I was more bothered about waiting 30 minutes to find out there my luggage took a header than not actually having it.  The baggage agent assured me the bag was already on its way via Denver.

She said it would arrive that night.

I correctly guessed it would not since Denver had a snowstorm hitting it.

Goofy or Dopey?

As you probably know, my lil' sis Jen is here with me in Orlando for the Walt DisneyWorld Marathon weekend.  This four day event features races of various lengths for all ages.  The littles ones get to "run" distances up to a mile on the ESPN Zone track, and the bigger kids can participate in the 5K (which was Friday), the half-marathon and the marathon.

All the longer events wind their way through some or all of the main amusement parks:

5K:  Epcot
Half: Epcot and the Magic Kingdom (the equivalent of Disneyland for those from the West)
Full: Epcot, Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, ESPN Zone & Hollywood Studios

Fireworks Kick off the 5K!

Jen and I walked the 5K on Friday which was a lot of fun. We stopped to take a ton of pictures and generally strolled through Epcot.  We then wore our 5K shirts (you get one of those with your entry fee) and lots of people asked us about how it went.  They then inquired if we were running more this weekend.

Nearing the finish of the 5K.  Time for an Epcot photo op!

Those that sign up for the half and full are participating in Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge.  This 39.3 mile weekend includes both races, a special medal for finishing both races (as well as the normal medals for each) and 3 shirts.  The park cast members and resort staff are all very knowledgeable about the events, and marathon runners get a special pin to wear saying they are running the marathon.  This cues cast members to wish you luck on the upcoming races.

I am doing 3 races, so anything special for that?  Not officially.  But...

What inspires you? - A Guest Blog

in·spire 
verb \in-ˈspī(-ə)r\

Definition of INSPIRE

transitive verb
a : to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration
b : to exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on <was particularly inspired by the Romanticists>
c : to spur on : impel, motivate <threats don't necessarily inspire people to work>
d : affect <seeing the old room again inspired him with nostalgia>

WHAT INSPIRES YOU?

I am heading to Florida tomorrow to join my "Big Brother" Laird for the Walt Disney World Goofy and a Half Marathon.  As I was thinking about this trip and what it means the word "inspiring" kept coming back to me.    But I realized I didn't really know what INSPIRE meant.  When I looked up the definition what stuck with me was "B: to exert an animating, enlivening or exalting influence on"...  fitting since we are head to the 2nd Happiest Place on Earth (can't beat Disneyland).  Then "A, C and D" took hold and I realized that to inspire means many different things.  I was inspired to ask Laird if I could guest blog on his Page "Run Laird Run" and try to identify what it is that inspires you and drives you to be better than you were just moments ago.  So please join me on this journey as I chEAR on one of my greatest inspriations as he tackles a 5k, Half Marathon and Marathon over the course of 3 days.  (I'm just along for the fun).  

And please take a moment and tell us "What inspires you!"

Smiles,

Jen (Laird's Lil' Sister)

50 Miles is a long way

Hi all -

Just a quick post to update that I successfully completed my first (and potentially only) 50 mile race - the JFK 50 - yesterday.  Just over 10 hours and a lot of running.  Feeling good today and flying back to LA shortly.

State 14 in the bag as well.

50 Miler Go Go!

Hmm.  My last post occurred in September.  The calendar shows November over half complete.  Did I give up running?  Nope, just have not written about it for a bit.  Actually, I have penned a number of partial posts that I just did not get around to finishing yet.  But I will.


After tomorrow.

With my friend Thomas Riddle during the Spinx Greenville SC Marathon -
just one of the awesome experiences I have not written about yet!

For tomorrow, I will attempt the JFK 50 - a 50 mile run through rural Maryland including a piece of the Appalachian Trail.  This is the 50th running of the event.

From the website, the course description sounds intense - particularly the beginning part:

The first 5.5 miles (starting on road surface and joining the Appalachian Trail at 2.5 miles) gains 1,172 feet in elevation. The course from 2.5 to 15.5 miles is on the Appalachian Trail (except for two miles of paved road between 3.5 and 5.5 miles). This section of the AT is very rocky in sections as it rolls across the mountain ridge. At approximately 14.5 miles the course drops over 1,000 feet in a series of steep “switchbacks” that then crosses under Rt. 340 and connects with the C&O Canal towpath. The “Canal” section of the JFK 50 Mile is 26.3 miles (from 15.5-41.8 miles) of almost totally flat unpaved dirt/gravel surface that is free of all automotive vehicle traffic. The JFK 50 Mile route leaves the C&O Canal towpath at Dam #4 and proceeds to follow gently rolling paved country roads the last 8.4 miles to the finish. The Boonsboro start is at an elevation of 570 feet. The Williamsport finish is at 452 feet above sea level.

That 1000 feet drop over a mile seems daunting!  The rest just sounds long.  Note that a section of the course is a full marathon in length on the C&O Canal.


And of course my excitement level measures off the charts.

During a recent training run over the Golden Gate Bridge

So, instead of writing about my running (which I feel bad about skipping as I do like writing the blog), I have been just running.  A lot.  While not violating my plan of running only 3 days a week, I created a series of challenges to get me ready.  This plan is not based on any official ultrarunning text book; I just cooked up distances and frequencies of running marathon that I hope have prepared me.  I started this journey in May in Fargo and completed the following:

• May 19, Fargo Marathon - 3rd marathon in 28 days (following London and a small one in Playa del Rey)
• June 23, Niagara Falls 50K - 31 mile ultra in my best time at that distance (4:34:57)
• July 28-29, Bad Bass half marathon and San Francisco Marathon in the same weekend (39.3 miles)
• August 19, Turkey Swamp 50K + 4 miles -  first 35 mile run
• September 15-16, North Face Wisconsin Trail Marathon and Fox Valley Marathon - back-to-back marathons in 2 days in 2 states (Wisconsin and Illinois)
• September 30, Wabash Heritage Trail Marathon, West Lafayette, Indiana + 14 miles - first 40 mile run
• October 14, 20 and 27 - 3 marathons in 3 states in 3 weeks (Road to Education, Mason City Iowa, Hercules Part 1, Santa Monica CA and Spinx Running Festival, Greenville South Carolina). 
• October 20 was a 45 mile day as I added 19 more miles beyond the marathon
• Plus a handful of other marathons scattered in along the way.

The past three weeks have featured slower, shorter runs to keep myself from burning out.  I've run trails and dirt paths and grass.  Here, there and everywhere.  And all of this running has been a blast.  I've now completed 13 states on my 50 state goal and 34 marathons or longer - 19 in the past 52 weeks.  I've gotten to run with friends and see new sites all in anticipation to my first race at 50 miles.

My 13 Completed States Map Pending the JFK 50 in Maryland

Hopefully all of this prep will find me smiling after about 9-10 hours of running tomorrow.  I think it will.  Wish me luck and think good thoughts.

Laird


PS
I am going to try to tweet during the race with my status if you are interested in following along.  @runlairdrun is my twitter handle.

Finishing a trail marathon in Wisconsin, September 15, 2012

A Capitol Run

Preamble
Few city runs can match the experience of running around the National Mall in Washington DC.  I have run in the area as often as my travel the Capitol City would allow. The Marine Corps and DC National Marathons both offer races including this area.  I bet any number of smaller races are staged here too.

Where else can you be surrounded by monuments, museums, memorials and massive government buildings?  Big and small treats unfold over the miles of paths and tree lined walkways.  A good run (or walk for that matter) probably requires 5-8 miles to take in the breadth of the area.  I turned my 7 mile run into a photo exploration on August 23.

Equipped with my handy iPhone, I hit the street at my hotel at 14th and H Streets at 6:10 AM - about 25 mins before sunrise to ensure I would have wonderful morning light and not too bright a sky.  I hope you enjoy this Photo Run. Really, there is no right or wrong way to run in the area, and I hope if you journey here, you will bring your trainers.

The Photos
Here's the map of my run and the photo locations.

Bounding out of the Washington DC Hilton Garden Inn, I headed south on 14th Street until I hit the Mall.

1. The Washington Monument by its height is fairly visible anywhere in the main DC area.  I hit the Nation Mall just in front of the obelisk and shot this facing west.  Without trying, numerous of my photos find this iconic spire in the background.  Sadly, the viewing deck is still closed from the 2011 Earthquake.

2. The Smithsonian Castle anchors the string of museums lining both sides of the Mall.  A fellow runner enjoys the dirt and gravel paths available for all sorts of exercise.  As my run unfolded, I saw more and more people out stretching their legs.  This image was taken facing south.


3. This post is called a Capitol Run, so next up are a few shots of the Capitol building which sits at the east end of the Mall.  It forms a line with the Lincoln and Washington tributes, and one of the diagonal avenues (Pennsylvania) has a direct via of the White House (and vice-a-versa of course).  The District was laid out with all of this in mind.  The sun was still not up, but this pre-dawn sky made for a nice background.  My flash fired which illuminated the street signs as you can see the street lights are still on.


As the Capitol sits on a hill, I had a small rise to navigate which I did around the north side.  I could just glimpse Union Station.  This led me up to my next photo location.