San Francisco Marathon-All Or Nothing

Either all or nothing. My motto for the day. Sunday I had worked out all the different angles and formulated numerous game plans on how the race should go. Started to run and I immediately threw all that away and just went for it. I pretty much knew it would end up to be a crash and burn but, you never know. Anything can happen...

I had barely any sleep in the three days leading up to the Marathon. I'm a victim of my crazy neighborhood and very loud party building along with my three dogs that were terrorized earlier in the week by a giant raccoon outside my window.

 Of course any thing that makes a move or sound is considered a raccoon now!
When I left to go run suddenly they were sleepy...

My training had been sporadic at best and pretty much nil in the last month. Of course the stupid ankle was still sore and I didn't expect it to make it through 26 miles without it talking back to me.
I got up at 3am had my yogurt, berries, banana and coffee. I love being within a short walk to the starting line. I got there expecting insane security but, really it was easy to walk right in to my wave 3 spot.
Dawn was just breaking and it was beautiful. Cerulean sky, barely any fog. Temperature was beautifully cool.

I had decided after much self debate to just go with my "Ultimate Direction AK" vest. I think it was a good choice. I like being self supported and saving time skipping the water breaks.

Start:
I decided just for the Hell of it to start with the 3:45 pace group. I figured they'd drop me after a mile. The 3rd wave was moving right along at around an 8:15 pace but, I felt good and very well knowing I'd pay for this later. The ankle was stiff but hoped it would loosen up after a bit.
By mile 4 I was running an 8:30 pace and beginning the climb to the bridge. I kept with the flow but was definitely feeling the burn.

courtesy SF Marathon

Coming off the bridge I was hitting around 8:33. With a little bump to 9 minutes going to the top of the Presidio. I just kept telling myself hang in there, this is the highest point in the race.

The unfortunate issue was that my ankle really began to get cranky and I was struggling to keep the pace. By the time I hit the park I had decelerated to a 10 minute pace. My brain started to work against me and I felt the onset of "crash and burn".
As we split off from the half marathon and headed down south through the park it got a bit lonely and people were just sailing by me and my legs were turning into lead. For the first time I had to walk and get my heart rate down a bit. My ankle was getting worse. 
I just fought my mind from going into that dark place. I knew I ran this all wrong. I was kicking myself now. Oh well. There was still a chance of a sub 4 but, I had my doubts.
Just before I headed up to Stow lake I had to stop and do a stretch. It felt so good I wanted to stay there forever.
Right then my friend "Keli Keleman" launched by and he looked great. That got me moving again and off I went.

Stow lake is my beast. Just like last year I had time to think about how awful I felt and I'm running this meandering circle around the lake. I was so grateful to start heading back towards the Haight.
At this point the 4:00 pace group came through and I hung on for dear life. I did pretty well for a mile even though my heart rate was way up in the red again.
At the top of the Haight my ankle was throbbing and I knew all my goals had disappeared down the road without me. Now it was just a struggle to get through this.
To get away from my cloud of disappointment and self loathing I tried to figure out a better avenue to get through this.
Ahh! just fucking enjoy it!
So first off I started to walk a block, run a block until I recovered a little bit. I started stopping to pat dogs along the route and said a few words to various characters along the way. At one point through the Mission I actually a stopped to help an old lady cross the street through the runners. The cops were laughing and everyone was cheering and I began to have fun.
Crossing third street I ran into my friend Daniel who had blown out his knee and was very disappointed about it. I walked awhile with him and offered whatever encouragement I could and began running again.

I would stop to take photos of the bands and actually did a mock Samba dance in front of a great Samba band. I swung my UD bottles around like big titties and everyone laughed.

When I hit AT&T park I forced my self to run it the rest of the way in and gave a couple of funny poses as I crossed the finish line.
I was never so glad to be done...

Afterwards I waited around for my friend Mary but, she had already blazed it and finished around 4:10. I finished with a miserable 4:30. Twenty minutes slower than last year.
Well I got a medal and finished the race. My ankle issues have really been disconcerting for me. I really love to run but I have to get beyond this stuff before I can improve. 
It's a few days off and on the bike for a little while. You know I think it's ludicrous for me thing I can seriously compete at my age. I need to just chill and enjoy the running and biking and stop driving myself crazy thinking I'm ever going to get a whole lot better at this point in my life.
I still have a shot for a Boston qualifying at Santa Rosa but, if it doesn't happen, it's not in the stars. I don't think I can afford to go back there anyway. I'm as poor as shit and the future doesn't look promising. I need to just live in the moment and enjoy what good things come my way.

I am thankful to still be alive, to run and ride, to have friends, dogs, a roof over my head, job and I just need to not worry about my extravagant goals that really are impractical in the long run.
Just want to give it everything I have and come out smiling. That in it's self is a tall order.

The San Francisco Marathon is such an amazing experience and it's the race I'll do every year till I die.

...and now I set my sights for Boston

After only sleeping an hour, waking up, reading, trying to get to sleep while a sickly dog we're watching limped around, fell out of bed a number of times, weaved and banged into walls I just gave up and went down stairs to roll out on a roller, stretch and to begin focusing on today's Marathon. I had some Greek yogurt, cereal and berry's with Chia.
By the time I headed out the door at 5:00am, I was actually feeling pretty good. As I got close to the Embarcadero I began to see runners funneling towards the start line.
I wore my Bicycle riding jacket and carried a "throw away" jacket to wear for the beginning of the race. I was glad I did! It was freezing. I dropped my good jacket with one of the UPS truck equipment/clothing drop off.

I was signed up for wave 5 and it was a very slow march to the entrance but, when I got there I moved up as far to the front as possible.

I was very nervous, apprehensive and my heart rate was already creeping north and I hadn't even started to run. At the gun, it was a bit of a slow start for the first 100 yards but, it cleared up pretty quick and I didn't really have to do that much dodging around people. I new I was starting out a little fast and thought to slow down a bit. I soon just threw the game plan out the window and just went with how I was feeling.

One of the things I planned to do was dedicate this run to my immediate family. I knew I had a long way to go and needed to focus on the ones who have inspired me and brought me to this moment in my life.

Dad: I love my Dad and knew that he would be proud. I get a lot of my athletic inspiration from him. He taught me how to be patient, loving and funny. His strength and personality made me feel safe, and inspired me to try and be like him.

Mom: As I get older I understand we had so many of the same flaws and weaknesses (fear). Through her I came to understand a lot of myself. She had a good heart and was always protective of us all. We were very close, and at times I would be angry with her for letting things get to her and fill her with bitterness. If only I could have inspired her and made her life a little easier. I caused her so much pain.

Linda: I didn't spend a lot of my time with her and kind of put her in more of an axillary parent status. I think I was afraid of her, she didn't pull her punches and put me in my place many times. I missed the few times we had together just being strait up and I know she suffered so much in her short life with her health problems. She had a beautiful family and meant so much to so many. I wish she was here and I could show her that I've tried very hard in the last few years to excel and aspire to push myself to a higher level.

Paul: My life coach. Hugh and I were so competitive with each other for his kudos. I feel he was the catalyst for the Hugh and I to push ourselves out of the box. He's been so supportive to me and I can only hope to make him proud of me.
We had funny names for him... The Pope, the Governor, the Senator! I don't think he really new the power he had over us...

Hugh: My friend...A bond so deep that when he passed recently a part of me died also. No words can describe how good he was to me and I to him.
Still to painful to think about...

This is why I run...

 I definitely wanted to go for a sub 4 hour finish. The pace was brisk and the excitement was carrying me rapidly through the Marina and I made the bridge in great time. At this point I knew this was the beginning of the hardest part of the run. I hit the bridge and running became a bit dicey. the running lane was very narrow and if you stepped to far too the left you would be in to running traffic heading back in the opposite direction!

My fear of running over the bridge (fear of heights) was not an issue in the least. I actually enjoyed it and I felt like I was beginning to really settle in to a nice efficient race pace.
back across the bridge and climbing up into the Presidio was starting to kick my ass but when I started the downside to Baker Beach I felt better and made some good time. At this point I threw away my jacket and finally felt free and unencumbered.

Crossing through the Richmond, fatigue soon began to set in. I downed another Power Bar gel and hoped for the best. The water stops slowed me down considerably. I made sure to thoroughly hydrate myself even though I had to stop maybe 6 or 7 times to pee. Better than being dehydrated. I kicked ass down through the park but when I hit the turnaround and the half way point it was all seriously catching up to me. I tried to keep my pace up during the climb up to Stow lake by trying to stick with faster runners. This totally beat me up and by Stow Lake I was getting that funny back of the throat nausea. For the stretch towards the Haight I was trashed and stopped for a few seconds to inhale a banana and more electrolyte which probably saved me.

Through the Haight was grueling and everything from this point on was slower. I had trouble just keeping my feet moving but, managed to force the pain out my ears and finally my legs began to detach from my brain and started running by themselves! Between So. Van Ness to Florida street there was a small hill and I just had to stop and walk two blocks. I had nothing left. At this point only the music in my ear buds was keeping me moving...thank you Lady Gaga and Incubus...couldn't have done it with out you.

Down through to Mission Bay I knew I could make it but really wanted to walk but, forced myself through it. I passed the Ballpark and saw the Bridge where the finish line was. I new I would not make the under 4 hour goal I had. I put my head down and just kept going. I hated the fact that when I raised my head the bridge didn't seem to be getting any closer! It confounded me and I was getting that bonky grouchiness!...almost there!
As I came up to the finish line I heard my name announce over the loudspeaker and the cheering so, I put on my hard core "Dave Scott" face as the flashing cameras assured me I had done it!
I heard Cathy yell "Pete"! Yes I did it and I was proud of myself but, more in a scientific way... I had approached this event intelligently well planned and I felt that more than a self aggrandizing moment, it was a graduation, an education. I learned so much about my athletic potential and a whole new side of who I am.
I feel great!!!!

...and now I set my sights for Boston

Reality Sinks In...

I took a trip down to The SF Wipro Marathon Expo to pick up my race bib, timing chip and take a look around. My looking around ended up costing me a bit of change.

I felt like a gambling addict on a losing streak in Vegas. I just couldn't stop. The further I got into the Exhibit hall the more out of control I became. The final straw after all the GU's, Shirts, blinking running gear was when I came across the "Newton" booth. All those crazy neon colored high tech design shoes and a big sign saying 20% off!

Of course there were a pair of the top of the line shoes in just my size! 
Hey they threw in a free pair of socks! That's a deal! I enjoyed hanging out talking to a bunch of old geezers sharing ideas and their 2 cents worth of advice and opinions on everything.
I love the "Newtons" They feel comfy but, need to tie them a bit loose, they seem to have a naturally glove like fit. I'll still run Sunday with my Brooks "Pure Flows". They're still my favorite shoe at this point and I've been running in them exclusively for the past three months.

After the giving away most of my money I forced myself to high tail it out of there and get home to safety.


I'm feeling a little more rested today and have been eating as much food as possible to hopefully pack in enough glycogen into my muscles to see me though  the 26.2 miles. I had lost maybe a little too much weight within the last couple of weeks and I've been tired and just dragging my ass. Probably a bit over trained I think.
I stop to think that only a few short months ago this was all a goofy afternoon pipe dream. Somehow I've pulled it together and made it happen. I'm quite sure I'll do the distance and my only concern is getting close to the time goal I've set for myself. 4:15. It would be nice to break 4 hours but, I'm not sure I can really do it but, I'll sure try.


In the meantime the new apartment and job are working out pretty well. I'm hoping to be able to stay here for awhile. There's a great vibe about the place. Our friend who's into the whole "Feng shui" concept thought everything seems just right.
The dogs love it and it seems our Doggie Day Care is actually getting busier now.

Just a little over 24 hrs to the big run and I'm getting a bit of performance anxiety, but I think it will all be good. I can't believe my goal is this close to me already. Reality sinks in...

Embracing The Suffering

I'm obsessing on this book. I actually was dreaming about it last night and got up in the wee hours to cruise through a couple more chapters. I'm really lucky I read so slow. My whole family was gifted with the ability to read incredibly fast but, I unfortunately or fortunately however you look at it didn't receive that gene. At least for me I could say I'm lucky and the books last a long time. 

I'm into an interesting process now that is adding a new dimension to my reading enjoyment. It also is making my reading speed even slower but much more entertaining. Since I seem to only be reading sports related books these days, I got the idea to start pausing my reading and going over to Youtube, or Netflix (which is easy with the Galaxy Tab) and watching the videos of what I'm currently reading. It's truly amazing! 
I had heard of Chrissie Wellington but never really new much about her except for the fact she's a legendary triathlete. As the story progress's I find my self inspired, awed and learning so much about the sport of swim, bike, run and how one person has been so world wide and diverse in their life achievements! I feel very inspired to step it up even in my old age.

check this out:


In all these books about the adventures, techniques and philosophies of what it has taken for these athletes to attain their levels of athleticsim; one common theme runs throughout and that's that they all have learned to embrace the suffering along with keeping a positive attitude with every struggle. One foot in front of the other. It's a technique that can be utilized in everyday life. I'm trying really hard to embrace this attitude and it's extremely difficult and is something that has to be learned over time and reprogrammed in to the psyche on a daily basis.




Sunday was one of the hardest runs to date. I'm over trained, overworked and running on too little sleep and rest. Saturday I had planned on going for a ride but dumb me, I forgot and packed my cleats (we're moving again) so, I just ran anyway. I then got up Sunday and a long slow run planned turned into a fastest half marathon time! Let's just say I was completely trashed when I got home but, I embraced the suffering...
I'm inspired. 
Today I got a confirmation that I've been upgraded to a full marathon next month at the WiPro San Francisco Marathon. I had originally planned on the half but, after 4 months of training decided I was ready for the full. I had requested the upgrade in March and I was starting to get worried I wouldn't get the upgrade...

I am so ready to run!