May 4, 2008
Everyone has goals, goals that drive us out the door on rainy mornings, when the bed is warm and the road is not, goals that make us believe. Sometimes dreams don't come true....Sometimes we work hard, give it everything we got and still the dream eludes us. But still we run...I've begun to realize that it's not in the achievement of a goal that makes it worthwhile, it's in the every day experience of pushing, just a little bit farther...a littel bit faster.
I can't bring my cousin back, but I can live, I can go on and chase my dream. That dream is a sub 3:00 hour marathon. And so now I am training, and living every day to see that dream become a reality. The target is the Chicago Marathon in October. Running for Ray....
n
04 May 2008
19 January 2008
HogPen Hill Climb 2008
Wow, what a race....Jason, Hadley and I set out for Helen GA in the North Georgia Mtns to face off with a race that had a great history of being a challenging course. The anticipation of a heavy snowfall was not going to keep us from going to see what all the hype was about. The blog recommendations suggested that the first 6.2 miles should be all out because the final 4 miles would be the toughest and nearly straight uphill.
This morning the threat of heavy snow and freezing temperatures closed the last 4 miles off so it was to be an out and in course, 5 miles up and 5 miles down the hill. We were not sure what the heck people were talking about when they said to go all out in the first part of the race, because it was as challenging (if not more) than the famed Boston Heartbreak Hill!
I stayed back early, using the Walk Run method to rest my legs, not really knowing what to expect throughout the day. It was snowing alot, not too windy, but every time you thought you might be getting to the top and and the possbility of a downhill ride, another hill opened up in front of you.
Hadley was hitting on all cylinders and managed to lead the women through 7 or 8 miles but was overtaken. She finished a strong second in 1:15 (just over 7 minute miles)....
Jason stayed out in front of me from mile 3 on. I thought I might catch him in the last mile, but his steady pace, and the lead in my legs held me back to finish directly behind him. He finished in a strong 1:25 and change and I finished in 1:25 and a few seconds more.
We had planned to get some more miles in after the race, but it was quickly evident that we would not be going out again after we finished. We truly left it all on the course.....
A great experience, a great race, and one we want to do again...
The legend of HogPen will grow as we recall the stories, but suffice to say "It was uphill both ways, in the snow, with no shoes..." If we can do it, so should you....
JK
This morning the threat of heavy snow and freezing temperatures closed the last 4 miles off so it was to be an out and in course, 5 miles up and 5 miles down the hill. We were not sure what the heck people were talking about when they said to go all out in the first part of the race, because it was as challenging (if not more) than the famed Boston Heartbreak Hill!
I stayed back early, using the Walk Run method to rest my legs, not really knowing what to expect throughout the day. It was snowing alot, not too windy, but every time you thought you might be getting to the top and and the possbility of a downhill ride, another hill opened up in front of you.
Hadley was hitting on all cylinders and managed to lead the women through 7 or 8 miles but was overtaken. She finished a strong second in 1:15 (just over 7 minute miles)....
Jason stayed out in front of me from mile 3 on. I thought I might catch him in the last mile, but his steady pace, and the lead in my legs held me back to finish directly behind him. He finished in a strong 1:25 and change and I finished in 1:25 and a few seconds more.
We had planned to get some more miles in after the race, but it was quickly evident that we would not be going out again after we finished. We truly left it all on the course.....
A great experience, a great race, and one we want to do again...
The legend of HogPen will grow as we recall the stories, but suffice to say "It was uphill both ways, in the snow, with no shoes..." If we can do it, so should you....
JK
15 January 2008
Time to Go
Ok folks, we are heavy into the winter running season. Here in Atlanta we've started the Winter Time Improvement Program or TIPS as it is known. We have a small but hearty group of runner seeking to improve on their PR or discover what their PR can be.
Honestly, I haven't been running to my potential, getting out on a semi regular basis to grab some miles, but otherwise lazy in my approach. Are you feeling me? Those O Dark Thirty wake up calls keep coming, and they are opportunities. Opportunities to give in or FIGHT BACK against laziness.
Sometimes it's difficult to find the motivation to get out the door. But once out there, once you are up to pace and running, all the reasons for stopping seem to drift away. One more mile you tell yourself, I'll just go a little more and the next thing you know, your run is done for the day. Better off and motivated to boot.
I wish I could tell you that I get up every day excited at 0445 to face 5-10 miles of running. But I don't. Sometimes its damn hard, sometimes I give in and roll over and go back to sleep. But on most days, I crawl out of bed, put on layer after layer, and I run. I run for me. And thats who you have to run for. Why do we run? Because somewhere, someone can't run, because there is a part of you that is seeking something more.
Go, BE a runner...
Honestly, I haven't been running to my potential, getting out on a semi regular basis to grab some miles, but otherwise lazy in my approach. Are you feeling me? Those O Dark Thirty wake up calls keep coming, and they are opportunities. Opportunities to give in or FIGHT BACK against laziness.
Sometimes it's difficult to find the motivation to get out the door. But once out there, once you are up to pace and running, all the reasons for stopping seem to drift away. One more mile you tell yourself, I'll just go a little more and the next thing you know, your run is done for the day. Better off and motivated to boot.
I wish I could tell you that I get up every day excited at 0445 to face 5-10 miles of running. But I don't. Sometimes its damn hard, sometimes I give in and roll over and go back to sleep. But on most days, I crawl out of bed, put on layer after layer, and I run. I run for me. And thats who you have to run for. Why do we run? Because somewhere, someone can't run, because there is a part of you that is seeking something more.
Go, BE a runner...
23 December 2007
Taking on the challenge....
I love the marathon. There I've said it. It is a reality check into what is possible, and plausible for ordinary people to accomplish. It's simple really, get up early in the morning, crawl out of bed, head out the door in all kinds of weather and run. For short (3-4 miles) jaunts at first and culminating in ever increasing long runs (up to 2o miles) and then head to the starting line. Simple. Not easy. Life happens along the way, moments of rational thinking keep many of us away from the starting line. And then there is the marathon itself. All the miles, all the commitment all the desire will take you a long way during your training, but the test of the marathon is reserved for race day. I'm fond of saying to my runners that "if you don't know God, you will usually find him waiting for you around mile 22..." If you have done the work, gotten up when it's 28 degrees outside and still headed out the door, kept up with the 2 or 3 midweek runs and the ever increasing long runs, more than likely you will answer the call in the latter parts of the race that will require, no really demand that you dig deeper into your soul to answer the question "Why am I doing this?" What do I need to prove? and to who? You will face the question, and you will answer. You will have climbed to the top of Marathon Mountain and you will find that you will have mental, physical and spiritual strength that you didn't know you had.
I've been letting myself rationalize away some recent races. Lost some of the motivation that drove me out the door. I've been happy to watch as my runners achieved goals of their own and quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) proud to know that I was able to help them in some small way.
Well, I've found my motivation. On March 30, 2008, I will run what I believe is my 15th or 16th marathon. I will be running in the ING Atlanta race where I live. I said in an earlier post that my cousin Ray passed away recently, and his passion for running and life will be my motivation. He was going to run with me and my brother Mike, the three Polish amigos, trampling the hills of Atlanta. That and the opportunity to take someone else to the top of the mountain......So in his stead, I will be training my son Kyle to reach the top of his first Marathon Mountain. It will be interesting to see him go through the metamorphasis of traininig, seeing first how impossible the task appears and then slowly, almost imperceptibly, realizing that Hey, I can do this...
So here's to climbing the mountain once again. Again, with passion for life, for the stories on the road that make each day worth living, for each of you that are seeking to find the answer to the question......
"There is no view in this world, like the view from the top of Marathon Mountain"...jk
Knowing you can, believing you will...
Coach JK
I love the marathon. There I've said it. It is a reality check into what is possible, and plausible for ordinary people to accomplish. It's simple really, get up early in the morning, crawl out of bed, head out the door in all kinds of weather and run. For short (3-4 miles) jaunts at first and culminating in ever increasing long runs (up to 2o miles) and then head to the starting line. Simple. Not easy. Life happens along the way, moments of rational thinking keep many of us away from the starting line. And then there is the marathon itself. All the miles, all the commitment all the desire will take you a long way during your training, but the test of the marathon is reserved for race day. I'm fond of saying to my runners that "if you don't know God, you will usually find him waiting for you around mile 22..." If you have done the work, gotten up when it's 28 degrees outside and still headed out the door, kept up with the 2 or 3 midweek runs and the ever increasing long runs, more than likely you will answer the call in the latter parts of the race that will require, no really demand that you dig deeper into your soul to answer the question "Why am I doing this?" What do I need to prove? and to who? You will face the question, and you will answer. You will have climbed to the top of Marathon Mountain and you will find that you will have mental, physical and spiritual strength that you didn't know you had.
I've been letting myself rationalize away some recent races. Lost some of the motivation that drove me out the door. I've been happy to watch as my runners achieved goals of their own and quietly (and sometimes not so quietly) proud to know that I was able to help them in some small way.
Well, I've found my motivation. On March 30, 2008, I will run what I believe is my 15th or 16th marathon. I will be running in the ING Atlanta race where I live. I said in an earlier post that my cousin Ray passed away recently, and his passion for running and life will be my motivation. He was going to run with me and my brother Mike, the three Polish amigos, trampling the hills of Atlanta. That and the opportunity to take someone else to the top of the mountain......So in his stead, I will be training my son Kyle to reach the top of his first Marathon Mountain. It will be interesting to see him go through the metamorphasis of traininig, seeing first how impossible the task appears and then slowly, almost imperceptibly, realizing that Hey, I can do this...
So here's to climbing the mountain once again. Again, with passion for life, for the stories on the road that make each day worth living, for each of you that are seeking to find the answer to the question......
"There is no view in this world, like the view from the top of Marathon Mountain"...jk
Knowing you can, believing you will...
Coach JK
19 December 2007
Cold Weather Runninig
BRRRRRRR....early morning runs are tough enough, but getting out the door when it is wintry can be damn near impossible. And once you are out there, it can be dangerous if you aren't dressed properly and careful. If you'll follow these guidelines, you WILL find the motivation to get out the door and you'll have FUN doing it....
1. Remember why you are training....thinking about your goal race when you are getting ready to go out can provide you with the necessary motivation to get out the door. Envision running along effortlessly during the race, the cheering fans, the exhiliration of crossing the finish line. That's usually enough for me to get my clothes on and at least move toward getting out the door. If that's not enough, just do it!
2. Change up the start time. If you normally run early in the morning like I do, you are hitting the road when it is the coldest. See if you can change your schedule while the "butt cold" weather is upon you and you might have a different view (so to speak)
3. Layer Layer Layer. 3 layers of loose clothing (running clothes) can provide good insulation and provide you with enough warmth. Include a winter running jacket, gloves and a good wicking hat to top it off and you are ready to go. If you are a guy, get over your inhibitions about wearing running tights (you could call the pants, but really, they are tights....). I love these things cuz they keep your legs warm.
4. Run slower. When you start out in winter weather, your body is going to be a bit more stiff and will most likely take a little while longer to get warmed up. Give it the time it needs, nice and easy gets it every time. (About 15-30 seconds slower per mile than your normal long run pace)
5. Run with friends. Running with a group is the best way to make sure you are committed and get out the door. Don't let your friends down.
Run Long, run hard, run well...
Knowing you can, believing you will.....Coach JK
1. Remember why you are training....thinking about your goal race when you are getting ready to go out can provide you with the necessary motivation to get out the door. Envision running along effortlessly during the race, the cheering fans, the exhiliration of crossing the finish line. That's usually enough for me to get my clothes on and at least move toward getting out the door. If that's not enough, just do it!
2. Change up the start time. If you normally run early in the morning like I do, you are hitting the road when it is the coldest. See if you can change your schedule while the "butt cold" weather is upon you and you might have a different view (so to speak)
3. Layer Layer Layer. 3 layers of loose clothing (running clothes) can provide good insulation and provide you with enough warmth. Include a winter running jacket, gloves and a good wicking hat to top it off and you are ready to go. If you are a guy, get over your inhibitions about wearing running tights (you could call the pants, but really, they are tights....). I love these things cuz they keep your legs warm.
4. Run slower. When you start out in winter weather, your body is going to be a bit more stiff and will most likely take a little while longer to get warmed up. Give it the time it needs, nice and easy gets it every time. (About 15-30 seconds slower per mile than your normal long run pace)
5. Run with friends. Running with a group is the best way to make sure you are committed and get out the door. Don't let your friends down.
Run Long, run hard, run well...
Knowing you can, believing you will.....Coach JK
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