Category: Uncategorized

A couple more marathons

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Not that running a marathon isn’t a “big deal”, but I’m not going to post each one.  Since the Kingston Kiwanis race though I was able to knock off two more – those are numbers 15 and 16.  The first was the Rhinebeck Hudson Valley Marathon by “Fit Feat Adventures”.  I also ran this one in 2015. It was small – just 29 completers (not competers or competitors but “completers” – we really cheered each other on).

This year’s was substantively larger but the race organizers did a great job.  I commend the race to everyone’s attention in 2017.  The scenery on the two loop course is great – from farm fields and back country roads to small towns and a great view of the Hudson River.  For more information:  http://fitfeetadventures.com/rhvmarathon/

On June 12 I was able to again run the Walkway Over the Hudson Marathon – between Dutchess and Ulster Counties.  My wife’s and my longtime friend Dr. Michele (not going to share her last name, privacy reasons) ran it with me.  She and Allison and her husband and I all went to college together.  She’s a former family physician who teaches now.  Always great to have a real Doctor on a run though!  Michele had been the person who got me through my first 20 mile run – when I nearly collapsed due to poor hydration in the fall of 2014.  Now it was my turn to help.  This was her 4th marathon but she hadn’t broken a particular time limit.  Together, we pushed through and beat the goal by 6 minutes.  It was a very relaxing run for me, but good karma to run with a long time friend who helped me get started and help her crush what might not have been a “goal time” (the goal is to finish with heart beating); but at least a better time than she had ever had.

It was a great feeling and you actually cross over the Hudson River so, enough said! (www.WalkwayMarathon.org)

Hoping to make Marathon 17 sometime in July.  Eye-balling the Mad Marathon in Vermont.

 

 

The Graduate

IMG_3242Very happy to have my oldest get through his middle school graduation.  He is such a nice kid and so smart.  Adults frequently tell me how kind and caring he is, and they are correct.

I know as parents we all want to hear nice things about our kids, and certainly the world is full of insincere praise.  However, when you constantly hear nice things with the same words used again and again “kind” “considerate” “caring”; and you combine it with the top science grade and top social studies grade and generally overall good grades; throw in some outside leadership activities, and I’m pretty lucky.

10k plus 5k with my favorite partner

For the second year in a row I ran the Middletown Classic 10k.  This year I finished the 10k in 48:15.  I’m satisfied with the time.  The course is tough for a City race.  Very hilly.  The 10k though was for a time; the reward was the 5k that followed.  Allison (who is much more attractive than the photo above shows!) and I ran the 5k together afterward.  A more relaxed pace but “quality time” with your spouse is never a bad thing.  She did great.  While I joke with her about the speed differences we have, the reality is she lets me (or at least tolerates) run and exercise in order to continue my focus on health and fitness.  I could never have had the health related success I have had without her significant tolerance for allowing me to spend time on exercise.  Plus, running or walking with her is a great joy.

ADDENDUM TO THIS BLOG POST:  For those couples that run, or just those couples who are couples, I strongly recommend reading this column: http://www.runnersworld.com/remys-world/midday-runs-with-my-wife

Mount Royal – Montreal

We last visited Montreal in the mid to late 1990’s.  A lot has changed since then – marriage; two kids; and the ability to “conquer” Mount Royal.  Last weekend, we went back to Montreal and I couldn’t have enjoined our trip to Mount Royal more.

For those not familiar with Mount Royal, it provides sweeping views of the City but it is a hike/run/bike ride up.  17 – 20 years ago when we last went, we contemplated hiking it.  Alas, it was not to be.  While not having yet “achieved” the lofty goal of morbid obesity, I was still not in any shape to hike back then.

Now, years later, I was able to run up the hills to get to the top without even breathing heavy.  Health is liberating in so many way.

FINALLY . . . UNDER 4 HOUR MARATHON

IMG_2646They say a picture is worth 1,000 words.  I know the following: this blog picture is worth a 3 hour and 58 minute finish time in a marathon.   My first goal in my first marathon (October, 2014) was to “finish with my heart beating”.  That remains my goal.  However, as my times got shorter, having a finishing time that started with a “3” instead of a “4” was a big goal.

In 2015, my fastest marathon was in Ulster County – the Kingston Kiwanis Marathon.  This year, I took 20 minutes  off my time and finally beat 4 hours.  I never have to do it again.

I took up running for health and weight loss.  The competitor in me pushed to hit a time.  While I hope to beat 4 hours again, I’m fine not doing it again for a while.  I don’t care if it is just by 90 seconds – under 4 hours is under 4 hours.

Chicago-Bound

My iPhone dinged with a charge on my AMEX card – $195.  YES!  On this morning it could only mean one thing:  I got into the Chicago Marathon for October.  I quickly checked my email and there it was – coming in at 6:19 AM:  “Congratulations!  You have received an entry into the 2016 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.”

I got up and, hearing the shower water running told my wife, who was getting ready to head to school (she’s a teacher) “We’re going to Chicago”.

I truly could not imagine being so happy that I was being given the “privilege” of traveling hundreds of miles for a long weekend in October to run 26.2 miles with 30,000 or so other people but I sure was.  I reflected on the last time I was in Chicago – around the fall of 2012.  We didn’t run anyplace – I sure could not have done that.  We quickly hit a couple of the city highlights and moved on.  Now I would be back, not morbidly obese, to run the Chicago Marathon.  Insane.

urban-chicago-spotlight

 

BACK AT DISNEYLAND

So when I started my diet in 2013, Allison and the kids and I were at Disneyland.  I asked, “Can you diet in Disney?”  The answer was “yes”.  We go to Disney far too much (the kids and Allison actually go a lot more than I do), but here the kids and I are back on “Hyperspace Mountain” in 2016, nearly three years after my diet started.

I love this picture for lots of reasons – my oldest is having fun; my youngest is being his typical goofball self (he also has the highest GPA in his class so his goofiness knows its boundaries). The best part though is the kid in the back of the picture.

Three years ago I would have to squeeze into Space Mountain seats.  Now it’s just a lot of fun to go with all the energy I need to enjoy my family. IMG_2416

 

Bluffton Polar Bear Run: 22.35 5k

OK, so I’m from New York – the Catskill Mountains (Hudson Valley now).  The concept of running a race called the “Polar Bear Run” sounds intimidating.  However, when you run on January 1 in Hilton Head (Bluffton, SC) to be precise, it’s not exactly freezing cold.

It was a bit rainy though, which makes it slippery.  I was able to finish 2nd in my age group and was given a nice Christmas Tree ornament.  Hilton Head is a great running and biking community and I encourage you to visit it if you get a chance.

http://georesults.racemine.com/Charlestowne-Road-Race-Services/events/2016/2016-POLAR-BEAR-RUN/results

Weight UP (arghhh); WAIST DOWN though

Having overcome morbid obesity, I focus on the scale; the scale; did I mention THE SCALE.  My exercise since my last marathon has done only one thing:  INCREASE.  My average daily runs are between 9 and 11 miles plus assorted other exercises.

Having skipped the scale for a few months (apparently there is a lack of 9 volt batteries in my house), I was annoyed – actually alarmed – to see my weight was up – like over 152 lbs. NOT HAPPY!

Now on the other hand, my WAIST was DOWN.  I’ m comfortably in size 34 pants now; when not too long ago I was just comfortable in 35s.  I’m also wearing size medium t shirts that I was previously wearing the size large version of.

Now, 34s make me pretty happy given that in the summer of 2013 I was in 48s.  So, I asked someone at the gym “what gives” – my weight is up but my waist is down.  After seeing me exercise a trainer at the gym told me I’m probably building muscle and my body is shifting around.

I sure hope that’s it.  Fairly frustrating to exercise more than ever and see the scale go up while the waist goes down.

Running 5ks: 23:27. I’ll take it.

I started my “competitive” running with marathons.  My major competitor (heck, OK, my ONLY competitor), was and is:  ME!

That said, I can’t seem to get below 4 hours on a marathon.  A friend suggested I would stand a better chance if I built up speed by running some faster, shorter distance.

This fall, I’ve run three 5ks.  One with my youngest son, age 10.  We meandered through a 34 minute race on the Heritage Trail in Chester.  Another, on Halloween, I took 4th overall out of 97, but it was a slow crowd.  Finished that in 25:20.  On the treadmill I can keep it to under 24 minutes, but finally got under 23:30 outdoors with a 23:27 finish.  http://www.eagletiming.com/index.php/2015-race-results/174-2015-11-22-newburgh-turkey-trot-4-3m-2

I had a long-time former colleague tell me that this run (3.1 miles) must be just a little jog for me.  I told him I always have one goal:  finish with heart beating and have fun doing it.  Maybe that’s two goals.

In any event, I was happy to finish with a 23:27 and now of course want one thing – a finish in under 23 minutes.  I’m looking for my next marathon, but that will likely not be till the spring.  In the meantime, I’m focused on strength and speed training.