Running in the Footsteps of Legends

The sign at the entrance of Hayward Field was definitely a welcome beacon. After running for 13 miles the warmth and softness of the track felt like I had entered Shangri-La. But the honor - to run in the footsteps of champions was more overwhelming. I waved at myself up on the huge Jumbotron and for a split second understood what it meant to be an Olympic runner... even if I was a handful of seconds over of my 2 hour goal : (

Race Report

Goodie Bag:

• Included a copy of Competitor Magazine, couple of Lara Bars (my favorite) and a card for a FREE Jamba Juice!

Port-O-Potty Chatter:

• “Pee faster – Go Go GO”

Favorite Shirt Quotes:

• B-fine
• Get off the Road
• AAARRRGH!
• The MOTHER of All Relays
• And the most poignant “Blind Runner”

Posters Along the Way:

• Lace Repair
• You can Do It (sexually)
• Republicans to the Right
• 10 lines of - I Love running

What a kewl Medal!

I would like to thank everyone who sent me a tweet or commented here. Your support really means a lot to me!
PS.
Congratulations to the winners of the Eugene Half Marathon.
Female: Sopagna Eap 1:17:38 29yrs
Male: Kirby Davis 1:06:50 25yrs
Average Time for Half Marathon Runners 2:25:31
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The Finish Line

The Eugene Marathon (May 2 2010)

My physical training is done; now to deal with the mental stuff that fills every waking moment.

“You’re not running fast enough to get in under 2 hours.”
“This will be the first race I DNF!”
“You're over dressing – I will be the only runner in long sleeves.” Ect, etc

So starting today I’m going stop and ask myself, “Is this thought empowering or disempowering?”
Obviously claiming a DNF is defeating the purpose for even running the race. This is just crazy thinking. I’ve run this distance before and know I could even run further if I slowed down.
So instead, I will picture Scott Jurek and remember this line –

“Running fast and running far is not about winning. It's not about money. It's not even about suffering, or redemption. It's about discovery.”

Self-talk is a very powerful way to transform negative thoughts.

What are you thinking about just before a big race?

Recommended read - Ultrarunner Scott Jurek's Story at Runner's World.

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March Training Recap

Recap:
* Completed a 9 miler with ease – feeling strong at the finish. Then came to the conclusion – > the main reason I feel so crappy at the end of my races is that I’m pushing my old body to hard. So despite my interval running, cross training, healthy eating, I’m still slowing down...and there is nothing I can do about it. A depressing development that I will have to deal with.
* Completed 1247 sit-ups. Part of the twohundredsitups program.
* New kicks finally! Inevitably stayed with NIKE AIR PEGASUS.
I put 650 miles on my last pair.

* Included 8 core workouts with a few weight training sessions mixed in.
* 5x 800s with an 8:27 Holding pattern here too… geez
* 1 month and 1 day before the Eugene Marathon (Running the half.)

Considering:
* Stop competing in races for awhile. Think of all the money I will save!
* Renting a kayak.
* Going to the desert on a Horse With No Name
* Eating an entire chocolate bunny!

Question of the Week: from TNTcoach Ken:
"What is the worst part of your longest run in training? Is it the last few miles? The middle miles when the brain plays tricks on you?"
Dear Ken,
It’s the first 3 miles… I can’t stop thinking about how much further my feet have to take me - so I naturally speed up. This is bad because I’m actually supposed to run these long runs slow. (According to Galloway.)
Any suggestions?

Notable Podcast: of the month goes to Pete Larson of Runblogger Episode #15 is on running science, V02 max and running economy. Important stuff about how our body makes and uses energy.
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Dreams of Hayward Field

In my dreams…. running around Hayward Field as the crowd cheers. Finishing strong as the timer blinks away the seconds…

"People want to come down and jog a lap on Hayward Field and think 'Pre' is running alongside them step by step…" Oregon coach Vin Lananna

All through the last 3 Eugene Marathons, the gates were locked – we could only peer in and wonder...
This year the Eugene Marathon will finish with a lap around this hallowed landmark!
Apparently the original Nike-OTC Marathon in Eugene started and finished on Hayward.
I discovered this tidbit of trivia while standing in a Porta-Potty line-up during the Inaugural Eugene Marathon. (Actually reborn 2007 event.)
A sage looking runner – with head band and baggy shorts said he came up from California for this marathon to reminisce and renew his youth. He had a lot of talk about NIKE and why its headquarters were no longer in Eugene…, but I will save that for another day. He had run the Eugene Marathon in 1982! And running along with him - Joan Benoit ! She set the American record that year with a 2:26:11 and won $20,000!

Other tidbits about Hayward Field:

• It was originally a football field 1919.
• It wasn’t till 1970 that it became just a track and field venue.
• Hosted four US Olympic Track and Field Trials.
• And will be the place for the 2012 Track and Field Olympic Trials!

For a brief moment I too will be an elite athlete following the footsteps of champions as I round that final curve.

Image (mine) 2008 Olympic Trials
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11 Days To Go!

Starting to get a little nervous - not really worried, as I was able to complete a 10 mile race with plenty of steam, just nervous... I suspect these pre-race jitters are part of the overall excitement.
11 days to go!
Today's paper said there was a 10% increase in registered runners. So far, 7000 have registered for all the events. Race director predicts there will be 3,000 finishers in the half-marathon and over 2,000 in the full marathon.
It seems the half-marathon is steadily becoming a favorite race for all runners.
Tomorrow will be my last long training run before the event. My challenge is to beat last years time – even if only by 30 seconds... Wish me luck!

Above Logo - from the inaugural Eugene Marathon in 2007

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