Ellie's Run for Africa

Dragging Across

Well, thanks to my friend Dave Minnigan, I actually made it in to the finish line in downtown Bell Buckle this morning. But, he practically had to drag me. My allergies or cold or whatever this lingering sickness is, combined with general fatigue from three weeks of constant travel, added to a lack of training during the past two months made for a rather ugly race. I walked a lot. Dave walked with me, bless him!

I have to say, despite really laboring physically and a time twenty minutes slower than I've ever gone in this race, I still had fun. Being with Dave was great. The atmosphere is always a hoot. And the weather was glorious--yes, it was warm, but the breeze was pretty constant.

I've already made reservations for next year at the Mingle House B&B where Karen and I stay every year.

Moon Pie-RC

I know it seems like an anomaly--Moon Pies and RC Colas hardly invoke images of health, vitality, and athletic endurance! Nevertheless, this coming Saturday I will once again participate in what has become one of my favorite summer traditions: the Moon Pie-RC 10 Mile Run in beautiful Bell Buckle, Tennessee. Yep, that's right! Moon Pies, RC Colas, and a long, tough endurance run through the hills in the heat of the summer!

This is a really spectacular event--the sort of thing that could only happen in the small town South. You see, in the rolling hills of middle Tennessee lies the tiny town of Bell Buckle and on the third Saturday in June two Southern traditions, RC Colas and Moon Pies, are brought together for a grand celebration

The historic old railroad town (population 405) has been known for antiques, arts and crafts, and great food for a number of years. But in 1994, the Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce began looking for new ideas to increase foot traffic during the summer months. The concept for the Festival first began as a way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Moon Pie. Little could anyone have expected what a huge event this would become--more than 15,000 people now attend annually!

And the Festival actually begins with the 10 Mile Run. Attracting over 1,000 runners, the course is a stunningly beautiful jaunt through the hills and fields surrounding the town.

I've been on the road and haven't had much of a chance to train properly for the tough hills (especially for that doozie at mile four). That's only compounded by the fact that I had the post-marathon blues during the first couple of weeks of May, exams and end-of-the-academic year stuff the next couple of weeks, and then an overseas trip during which I caught a cold. But, that is neither here nor there when it comes to this race. I am looking forward to running it no matter what. It is just so much fun!

Running in London

Running in the city of London is always a fun challenge. But this next week, during my annual trip to that great city, I will be staying just a block away from the beautiful Regent's Park where running trails abound. I will enjoy the time with my students and the opportunity to run in a whole new environment.

U10K

This weekend I'll be busy. I have a series of year-end academic events culminating with a marathon banquet and award ceremony Friday night and graduation on Saturday. Squeezed into that flurry of activity, I am going to run in the inaugural Memorial Day Weekend Urban 10K early Saturday morning. This event in downtown Nashville will benefit the Nashville Civic Design Center which is a nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating the quality of Nashville's urban art and architecture by promoting public participation in the creation of a more beautiful and functional community of human-scaled cityscapes.

The U10K Race Route promises a memorable run past downtown Nashville's many wonderful historic and cultural sites--as well as some of the city's newest architectural icons, flourishing urban neighborhoods, and the Titans' LP Field--with a start and finish at the Public Square Park in front of the recently-refurbished historic downtown Courthouse.

My plan is to run slow, slow, slow with several students and friends--just to enjoy the run, support the Design Centery, and relish the blossoming of a lively downtown Nashville renewal. I'm just not ready to run fast again after my all-out marathon effort. Hopefully, my trip to England next week will provide me with the respite necessary to start training in earnest again.

Recovered Chip Time

At long, long last the good folks at Elite Racing have recovered my time from the Country Music Marathon. It is official. I had a huge PR (Personal Record). But no BQ (Boston Qualifier).

My chip time was 3:37:01, my clock time was 3:42:26. My average mile split was 8:17. That placed me 390th out of 4797 finishers and 17th of 234 in my age division.

That means I beat my previous best time for a marathon by 22 minutes--for which I am very grateful and quite delighted. It also means that I just missed qualifying for the Boston Marathon by 2 minutes and 1 second! Oy veh!

Both Tortoise and Hare

A fascinating article in the New York Times cites new studies that seem to confirm the value of the Galloway method--and other like-minded variable speed plans. Of course, being both tortoise and hare at the same time, in the same workout, is no problem for me; I've been alternating short bursts of high-intensity runs with easy-does-it recovery walks even since I took up running three years ago; just witness my workout this morning!

On the Road Again

My first day back to running after the marathon was a total delight. I was sorely missing my run route, my after run routine, and my all-day sense of refreshment that inevitably follows a good morning run. I think I've become a hopeless "lifer." I did just under 4 miles, but man, oh man, did it ever feel great.

Done

Time to Run

Tomorrow!

Rain! Rain! Rain! The forecast says that we'll be in it, under it, and through it for the entire distance of the race tomorrow. Yikes. I am on my way to find some gaiters and perhaps a lighter poncho than the one I have--I really couldn't find anything at the expo yesterday. I did get a chance to drive the course with several of my students who are running with me up to the halfway point. It was a good mental exercise and excellent for the morale.

Two Days to Go

After I teach my classes today, I head off to the marathon expo to pick up my race number and packet, see the exhibits, acclimated my students to the pace teams, and absorb some of the energy and excitement that the expo always exudes. One thing I will be looking for is rain gear--the forecast is still calling for rain on Saturday. Ugggh.

Eddie! Eddie! Eddie!

Former Tennessee Titan Eddie George is running in this year's Country Music Half Marathon. The fan favorite and all-time franchise rushing leader, who ran for 10,441 yards in his NFL career, will attempt to complete the 13.1 mile race this year, the marathon next year, and eventually to qualify for the Boston Marathon by 2009. According to a story in today's Tennessean, Nashville's daily newspaper, Eddie has trained well and is up to the challenge. This is gonna be fun!

Three Days to Go

Well, rain is back in Saturday's forecast--scattered showers with a high of 72 and a low of 49. I guess I'll have to break out the rain gear after all. According to the official marathon website, registration is now "over 30,000." Oh my!

My final short run this morning, was a nice little tune up. It was very humid and about 64 degrees. Hopefully, Saturday will be somewhat cooler, otherwise we're all going to be laboring to stay hydrated. My ankle feels a bit better--but still not 100%. Overall, I'm feeling great and looking forward to the Expo tomorrow.

30 Thousand!

The surging popularity of the Country Music Half Marathon this year will swell Saturday's crowd to a total of more than 30,000 runners according to a report from today's Tennessean, Nashville's daily newspaper. Registration was capped at 20,000 for the half marathon--add to that about 10,000 who have registered for the full marathon. Wow! There may very well be a whole, whole lot of weaving and navigating through a dense pack for the first 12 miles or so. Amazing!

Four Days to Go

The latest weather forecasts look excellent. With the marathon start time at 7 AM, temperatures should be in the upper 40s. By the time I arrive at the finish (hopefully somewhere between 11 AM and noon) it should have warmed up to nearly 70. And right now, rain is not expected to a factor at all--we'll have thunderstorms for the next three days or so but then the skies start to clear by Friday. Thanks be to God. 26.2 is enough to worry about without also having to take into account inclement weather.

Five Days to Go

My schedule this week is very hectic--with teaching, speaking, and a host of meetings. That is probably just as well. It should keep me so preoccupied that I won't have time to be nervous. I plan to do a couple of easy runs of three miles or so over the next three days plus a little cross training on the balance ball and the eliptical. That's it. I am counting on a strong taper to not only get me good and rested but to also help my ankle heal up.

Six Days to Go

Just six more days. I can hardly believe the marathon is here, I'm in my taper, and I'm already planning logistics like parking, connection points, and on-course hydration and nutrition.

I've pretty much settled on all my gear choices except those special items having to do with weather oddities. Hopefully, there won't be any weather oddities--though thundershowers and heat are both likely to play into the race at some point--this is Tennessee in April after all.

At this point I really do feel good. My training is done. And now it is just a matter of getting good rest and some good carbs this week.

In Just One Week

One week from today, the Country Music Marathon will once again be staged on the streets of Nashville. The current forecast--always an iffy proposition this far out--calls for scattered thundershowers. Oh dear. I think I better prepare better than I have the last several years when rain caused delayed starts and soggy socks.

My taper is now in full force. I was away for most of the weekend speaking in Atlanta and got in only one token easy run.

The countdown has begun.

9 Days and Counting

Just a little over a week from now I will be attempting yet another marathon. I've done 14 half marathons and 5 full marathons since I started running just over three years ago now. They never seem to get any easier. And I never seem to get over the sincere certainty that I just won't be able to pull it off this time.

My training has gone pretty well right up to this taper. I never did any long runs over 18 miles, which is probably a really bad mistake. But, it simply has not been possible--because of time and my own physical limits. At any rate, it is too late now to try to pack in the miles.

I did a laborious 10-miler today, in the face of a strong wind. I'd hoped to go about 14 or 15. So tomorrow, I'll give a long run one final shot. I am speaking out of town this weekend and then I have an unusually busy week ahead this next week, so tapering should be no problem whatsoever.

I think that given my level of conditioning I should be happy with a finish any time under five hours. But, knowing me, I won't be that reasonable. Anything less than a PR will be a disappointment. We'll see what happens.

The Marathon

On this day in 1897, the first Boston Marathon was run from Ashland, Massachusetts, to Boston. Winner John J. McDermott ran the course in two hours, 55 minutes and ten seconds. A few years later, the start would be moved to the town of Hopkinton--in order to conform to the newly established international distance for the marathon.

Interstingly, the distance has varied wildly throughout the history of the event. The first modern Olympics in 1896 had a marathon distance of 24.85 miles. Then, over the course of the next seven Olympic games, there were six different marathon distances. The marathon at the 1908 Olympic Games in London began at Windsor Castle. The planned course was extended by 385 yards from its set 26 miles so that the runners would cross the finish line directly in front of the Royal family's viewing box in the Olympic arena. Thus, the length became 26 miles 385 yards (which is why many marathoners to this day shout out "God save the Queen" when they pass the 26 mile mark). In 1921, the International Amature Athletic Federation (IAAF) set the official distance by the Queen's standard, and so it has remained ever since.

Inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon and still ranks as one of the world's most prestigious road racing events.

Boston Soggython

Boston's On

Gusts of wind up to 50 miles per hour. Torrents of rain from a pounding nor'easter. Temperatures in the mid-thirties. Two inches of standing water at the staging area. Flooding streams. Extreme risk of hypothermia for 26.2 miles. And twenty thousand other runners who have been looking forward to this moment for at least a year--some, for many years--and not a one willing to quit now. It is the 111th running of the Boston Marathon.

Boston's Weather Woes

This is the year the fleet-footed Kenyans will face a homegrown challenge at the Boston Marathon, and it's not from the American runners or the undulations of Heartbreak Hill. It's the New England weather: very wet and very windy. The blustery conditions are sure to make things unpredictable when the world's longest-running annual marathon leaves Hopkinton for the 26.2-mile slog to Boston's Back Bay tomorrow morning.

A massive nor'easter is already dumping heavy rains on the whole region. So, you can bet running in the marathon this year is going to be anything but pleasant. Forecasts call for 3-5 inches of rain, start temperatures in the mid-to-upper 30s and wind gusts blowing in runners' faces at up to 25 mph. Yikes!

The foul weather is certain to dramatically slow the pace for the top runners--just a year after Kenyan Robert Cheruiyot broke the course record in 2 hours, 7 minutes, 14 seconds. Typically, a slower pace will lead to a more tactical--and a more exciting--race amongst the elite athletes. But, the slower pace is less welcome news for the other 20,000 runners, who will be out on the course longer, exposed to the brutal elements. "The interest is to get them out of the elements as quickly as possible," race director Dave McGillivray said between meetings with state and local officials on how to handle the storm. "With hypothermia, you can't take something to make it go away. You have to get into a warmer environment."

McGillivray said organizers will take buses used to drive runners out to the start and station them along the course, to provide shelter and a ride back for dropouts. More shelters are being arranged in schools and other buildings along the route as well.

Pumps have been stationed at low-lying areas in case of flooding. Ponchos will be provided for workers assigned outdoors. Runners were warned in an e-mail blast today to wear appropriate clothing. But really! What is appropriate for weather like that?

Adding to the logistical struggle with this nasty storm is a new starting time--10 AM for the main field, after more than 100 years of noon starts--that was adopted in part because of a few years of afternoon heat. The earlier start also will allow the cities and towns along the route to have their roads back sooner. But, it will mean that the start of the race may be during the worst of the storm.

I have always dreamed of qualifying for Boston (a very distant and remote dream indeed). This year, I guess I should be grateful that I'll be watching from the comfort of my own home instead (the national broadcast will be on the Versus cable network--the same network that covers the Tour de France every summer).

14 Days Until the CMM

Just two weeks from today! The Country Music Marathon is the really big one for me! So today, I did one of my final tough training days before I begin to taper for the race. It was a rainy, cool, and blustery Saturday. I ran a 10K race first thing this morning--the start was rather soggy, but the hardest part of the rain stopped just before the race began. Most of the course retraced the most difficult part of the marathon (miles 12-16 along the banks of the Cumberland River), so it was good to refamiliarize myself with that portion of the race.

After the race, I changed into dry socks and shoes and ran just over ten miles through the Shelby Bottoms Park--one of my favorite places to run in Middle Tennessee.

So, I got in the equivalent of a 16-miler with some tempo pacing (during the 10K race).

I don't know if I could ever feel really confident going into a marathon--I've done enough now to know just how grueling 26.2 can be. But, I am much further along than I thought I could be. So, I am actually starting to get excited.

17 Days Away

What a day! Daisuke (Dice-K) Matsuzaka's Fenway Park debut was upstaged by Felix Hernandez. The Preds brought the greatest show on ice to Nashville as the NHL playoffs got underway--alas, they were just nipped in an exciting double-overtime shoot-em-up by the Sharks.

And I ran my fastest 5-miler ever! That, after logging (or really, slogging) an 18-miler on Monday. Nevertheless, the legs felt great today.

I've got one more long run before my taper begins. I think I may do the Moosic City 10K on Saturday as a speed workout and then aim at getting in an additional ten-twelve miler immediately afterward. The race is conducted along the last and toughest part of the marathon route so it should be good acclimitization.

19 Days Until the CMM

With less than three weeks to go, I feel like I am in great shape to run a half marathon. The trouble is that I have to run a full marathon! Yikes.

I had some good moderate length workouts this past week--a 12 miler and a 9 miler with a couple of 5 milers mixed in. But, because of the busyness of Easter week, I was unable to get in a good long run. So, I saved that for today.

I did great through 10 miles. Then, I started falling apart. Literally. My right ankle. My left knee. My aching back. My wimpy will. Despite all this, I was able to log 18 miles in just about 3 hours at an average pace of just over 10.30 a mile. Now that I'm done, I feel good about it. But, I really wish I had been able to go a little longer and a lot stronger.

Hopefully, I will be able to get in one more long run before the marathon at the end of the month.

Team Hoyt

One of the Boston Marathon's unique traditions will be on haitus this year: the father and son team of Dick and Rick Hoyt.

Dick, 66, and Rick, 44, have competed as a team at Boston 25 times at since 1981, running every edition of the race since then except for 2003. Father Dick pushes son Rick in a special wheelchair from Hopkinton to Boston because Rick is a quadriplegic with cerebral palsy and cannot run himself. Rick, a graduate of Boston University, is unable to compete this year because he is suffering from cellulitis, a common infection of the skin and the soft tissue immediately beneath it. He is scheduled to have surgery to alleviate the condition, but his post-operative recovery will take up to three weeks, putting him out of this year's race.

Over the years, the Hoyts have become symbols of perseverance. Prior to last year's race, Rick said: "Because we stuck with running and did not ever accept 'No, you can't,' we are now educating the world about people with disabilities, making them more aware of the issues that the disabled face every day."

The Hoyts plan to compete in the 2008 edition of the Boston Marathon, race organizers said.

28: CMM

Twenty-eight days to go before the Country Music Marathon. In a perfect world I would be almost ready to begin a taper at this point in my training. Alas, this is anything but a perfect world. I am still building milage totals. This week was good--though I really pooped out on my long run. I felt great through the first seven miles. But after that, I really struggled. I was supposed to do eighteen miles. Instead, I quit after just thirteen. Despite that small disappointment, my weekly total was a respectable thirty-six miles and my monthly total was well over a hundred. I am going to keep pushing to see if I can get caught up and actually give this marathon a go.

Run with a View

Although I never was able to squeeze in a long run this past week (I'll just have to try to do that early, early Monday morning), I was able to log a really solid 40-mile week by running morning and evening most days. That's the best week of running I've had since late November. And I got to do it with a most spectacular view (I took this picture while on my Friday morning run).

I'm home now and Spring really has sprung--so, I fully expect to be able to keep up the consistent milage (but, I'll have to do it the ocean and the sailboat, alas).

Running in Paradise, Part 2

Running in paradise is, well, it is just wonderful. Though I've not yet had any long runs--I am saving that for tomorrow--I've run at least twice every day for at least a three-miler each time. It is great. I still don't feel very confident about the marathon--now just five weeks away. But, hey. I do love a challenge.

Running in Paradise

It is amazing what glorious weather can do to jump-start one's running. My first day here in Florida, I was able to run twice--once before church, once after lunch--for a total of seven easy, wonderful miles. This afternoon, my plan is to get in a nice slow ten-miler. Let's just hope that I can keep this up and carry it over into my at-home schedule.

From Brisk to Beach

My weekly long run planned for today was supposed to be between 14 and 16 miles. It was very windy and more than just a little brisk. So finally, I had to give up after just 10. I remain way, way behind on my schedule for the marathon at the end of April. But, the 10 was a really comfortable 10. The really good news though is that I will be in Florida this next week where I hope to be able to reasonably ramp up my training and my milage (while also enjoying the sun, the surf, and the requisite seafood).

Slow Start

I'm nearly recovered from the debilitating flu bug that derailed me for two weeks. Though I am not all the way back, I felt like I really needed to try to get back on track with my training. The Country Music Marathon is just seven weeks away--and I am off to a very slow start.

Before I readjust my expectations for the marathon I want to test myself to see just how far this slow start has set me back. So, I am dusting off the training program.

I was in snowy Washington, DC on Wednesday and Thursday. So, my first workout back was in the hotel fitness center. It was probably just as well. But then yesterday, I logged a nice easy nine-miler. And this morning I added another four-miler.

Thankfully, I felt pretty good afterward--though I could tell that I've lost a lot of conditioning. This is going to be even more of a challenge than a marathon already is!

Never Tired

Getting the flu kinda knocks milage plans, good intentions, and training schedules right out the window. I've been sick for a week--and I still ache and even though I have only just trudged through the hours and days since succumbing to this nasty bug, I am tired all the time. I just have to get back on track soon or there is no way that I am going to be ready for the Country Music Marathon at the end of April. So, I have prescribed a heavy dose of General George Patton for myself. The tough-as-nails 1912 Olympic veteran said, "Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired in the morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired."

On the Road Again

The treadmill weather has been banished, at least for a few days, by brilliant skies, moderate temperatures, and cool breezes. I had a couple of meetings cancel unexpectedly on Wednesday, so I ran twice! What a luxury. And I don't have to leave for the conference I am teaching this weekend until early afternoon, so I was able to take in a nice, long, leisurely run this morning. The fourteen mile jaunt was the longest I have run since the St. Jude Marathon early in December. Needless to say, I took it nice and slow to avoid injury. The tactic apparently worked--and I feel great.

Marathon Rookie

Want to learn how to train for a marathon or half marathon? You need to check out one of my favorite endurance training resources. The Marathon Rookie website is chock-a-block full of great information on nutrition and hydration, training techniques, milage and intensity schedules, cross training, stretching, and injury prevention. It even has a whole section on common rookie mistakes (all of which I have seen veterans commit again and again).

I wouldn't want to do without my piles of old Runner's World magazines. I also have a stack of Jeff Galloway books that I regularly refer to for tidbits of wisdom. And I regularly visit the Nashville Striders website. But, I really love all the helpful tools MarathonRooke.com provides for me--and all in one spot.

Treadmill Weather

Gotta Run

Galloway Training

I won't be able to attend--but, I wish I could. Jeff Galloway's Nashville marathon training program kicks off this weekend. They will have pace groups for all levels of runners and walkers--and participants will be placed with others at the same fitness level.

The kickoff meeting and first run are FREE. This is a great introduction to one of the most do-able and enjoyable programs anywhere.

So, if you are planning on running in the Country Music Marathon or Half Marathon--or any other spring marathon or half, for that matter--why not get going with a host of like-mined, encouraging runners? The kickoff meeting is this Saturday, January 13, 2007 at 8 AM. They'll have a 3 mile run/walk followed by a Q & A session at the Fleet Feet store, 330 Franklin Road, in Brentwood's Kroger shopping center.

Catch As Catch Can

Despite the busy holiday schedule this past week, the balmy weather made it nigh unto impossible to not squeeze in a few good runs. Thankfully, I am not training for anything right now so I am able to simply enjoy my runs--no worries about distance or time or training logs. For the next couple of weeks I will just catch as catch can.

I have not quite decided what I will attempt to do next. I am signed up for the Country Music Marathon in April and I am almost certain I will want to run the RC-Moon Pie 10-Miler in June. I have my eye set on a major triathlon in July--but, I haven't decided if I can really pull off all the training that would be necessary to do that. Meanwhile, I have already started lining up sponsors and course ideas for next fall's Uttermost.

For now though, I am just going to take it easy and enjoy my runs.

I've Got It Bad

Finally, I got in a long run today. The weather was perfect. I got home a little early. So, I quickly threw on some running shoes and took off. After it got dark, I just kept right on going. Ten miles. Man, it felt great.

It was my first really good long run since the marathon. My ankle, which has really been bothering me, held up fine. I really have missed the time to think and pray. I really have missed the major stress relief. I really have missed the road. And it has only been two weeks. I think I've got the run bug. I think I've got it bad!

Post-Marathon Recovery

The almost universal wisdom is that following a marathon, runners should take time off. The formula varies, but regardless of who you read or listen to, there is good consensus that training should not resume for a least a couple of weeks--and even then, at a much reduced pace and intensity.

That is all well and good in theory. But, all this sitting around is driving me crazy! So far, I have been good. But, I am ready to get back out on the roads--even with all this cold weather.

Today, I travel to Dallas to speak and consult with a fine school I've walked with for several years. While I am there, the wonderful White Rock Lake Marathon will be staged. I am going to refrain from running. But, I do intend to stop by the expo to re-light the fires of inspiration and motivation--not that I need a whole, whole lot of either right now.

It's Official

One of the goals I set for myself at the beginning of 2006 was to somehow, someway break 4 hours in a marathon. I did not do it at the Country Music Marathon in May. I did not do it at the Endurance 50 Marathon in September. I did even do it with combined times during the three days of the Uttermost in October. My last chance for the year seemed to have slipped away from me yesterday, especially after I passed the halfway mark in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon well off pace. Besides that, I had actually started to really hurt somewhere after mile 10.

By the 3 hour mark, despite having made up most of my lost time, I was absolutely miserable; everything hurt right down to my hair follicles; I just knew that I could not finish strong. But, lo and behold, I crossed the finish line close to what I thought might be a PR (a personal record). But, because the gun time and the electronic chip time can be separated by as much as four minutes (when you have thousands of runners in a race, they all don't cross the start line at the same time, obviously) I could not be certain of my time until the official race results were released this morning.

Well, the results are in. My time was 3:59.55. I broke 4 hours. Just barely. I slipped under the wire--with 5 whole seconds to spare. Let me tell you, 5 seconds after 4 hours of agony (well admittedly, the first hour or two weren't actually agonizing) and 26.2 miles seems miniscule. But this morning, I am awfully grateful for those 5 seconds!

I am also very thankful for the sponsors who supported the work of St. Jude through this run--as well as for all the amazing people I was able to meet from the St. Jude family. And those remarkable champions for whom I was running and praying--Todd, Josh, Carson, and Mary--I am most particularly grateful for each of you and your impact on my life.

26.2

Well, I did it. I'd forgotten how much a marathon hurts. Man, it is hard. But, I made it. Official times have not yet been released, but I think I am very close to a PR. For now, I am just happy to be home and getting ready for a good home cooked meal.

St. Jude Countdown: 2

I'm in rainy, cold, windy Memphis. Tomorrow, I will pick up my race packet, take a quick trip through the expo, rest, carbo-load, and read. I'll go for a very quick run mid-afternoon just to work out the jitters. And then, early to bed.

I love this marathon and the cause it supports. I have trained for it. I have prayed for it. I am ready for it. I can hardly wait for it!

St. Jude Countdown: 5

I am now down to the last few days before the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis. My training has gone well and now I am in my taper. I am also keeping an eye on weather. We've had spectacular temperatures and glorious weather all through the Thanksgiving holidays. But, it looks as if that is about to change rather dramatically. A cold front starts blowing through tomorrow. By Saturday, we should have clear skies again. But, temperatures could be in the twenties for the start of the race. Yikes! So, I am preparing accordingly.

Of course, the whole reason I do this is to raise awareness and finances for the Memphis hospital that has done more than any other single institution to pioneer new treatments for children's cancer. So, won't you help me support the remarkable ministry of St. Jude to children and families battling cancer? I won't even ask you to run with me! Just donate to the cause and come back to visit my st. jude sponsor site often. Tell others about what I'm trying to do. Learn how my effort to help find cures and save lives is going. Oh yes, and do pray for the final stretch of my training!

Taper Time

My good friend and fellow-elder, John Scherrer, and I ran stride for stride in the Habitrot 5K. As you can see, it was a beautiful morning--albeit, just a little chilly. The run was a perfect start for my training taper. Yesterday, I did an easy 5 miles. This morning, I did another 5, slow and relaxed. Tomorrow, I'll take off entirely. Monday, I'll go just a bit longer--maybe around 10 or 12. Then for the rest of the week, I'll stick with 3-milers until Saturday when I attempt the 26.2 in Memphis.

Habitrot 5K

Early on this beautiful Thanksgiving morning here in Franklin, nearly a thousand runners gathered for the annual Habitrot 5K. It was brisk and breezy at the start--with temperatures right at freezing. But, the sun was shining and there was excitement in the air. I always feel that this race has two very unfair aspects: first, we have to run right past the local Krispy Kreme donut shop and second, three-fourths of the course seems to be uphill. Despite these handicaps, it was a great day for a fun run--and good prep for my training taper this week.

St. Jude Countdown: 10

In just a little over a week, I will run the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis for the third year in a row. So, I am officially beginning my training taper today. I ran my last long, long run yesterday. Conditions were less than ideal--with blustery winds from the NNE, I was buffeted and blown so much that in the end, I had to cut the run a bit short, doing only 19 of the 21 miles I had planned. Nevertheless, I was able to stay on pace. So, I am optimistic. But then, I am always optimistic at this stage of the game.

Despite cutting it short, I am sore today. So, I'll go for a nice easy run to loosen up this afternoon. Then tomorrow morning, I will run in the annual Habitrot 5K--a great fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity and a great first course for our Thanksgiving feast.

One of my goals for this upcoming marathon is to try to break the 4 hour barrier that has bedeviled me ever since the first time I ran 26.2. But, my larger goal is to break the $1K barrier in fundraising for the remarkable work of the St. Jude Children's Hospital. You can help me accomplish the first goal by praying for me. You can help me accomplish the second goal by visiting my st. jude sponsor site and pledging your support.

Uttermost Site

A temporary Uttermost photo slide show has been posted on the web until I can get the permanent website updated. Enjoy.

St. Jude Marathon

I am now down to the last two of weeks of training before the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis. My training is going well. I have just one more long run to do (I'll try to get it in on Monday). And then after the Habitrot 5K on Thanksgiving morning, I will begin my taper. Of course, the whole reason I do this is to raise awareness and finances for the Memphis hospital that has done more than any other single institution to pioneer new treatments for children's cancer. So, won't you help me support the remarkable ministry of St. Jude to children and families battling cancer? I won't even ask you to run with me! Just donate to the cause and come back to visit my st. jude sponsor site often. Tell others about what I'm trying to do. Learn how my effort to help find cures and save lives is going. Oh yes, and do pray for the final stretch of my training!

Lance Says Thanks

Check out the following e-mail thread between Lance Armstrong and his publicity rep at Nike (it was posted this past week on Lance's site after he finished the NYC Marathon):

From: Lance Armstrong
To: Scott M. (Nike)
Sent: Nov 5, 2006 2:48 PM
Subject: Idea
What do you say we buy a full-page ad & say thanks to all the NYCers for coming out and supporting? I couldn't have done it without them.

From: Scott M. (Nike)
To: Lance Armstrong
Sent: Nov 5, 2006 3:18 PM
Subject: Re: Idea
Checking on it. What would you want to say?

From: Lance Armstrong
To: Scott M. (Nike)
Sent: Nov 5, 2006 3:22 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Idea
Was thinking that we should thank the city for being so supportive of ALL the runners. For a big city to show that is unreal. It would be the only reason I would come back. They were AMAZING.

From: Scott M. (Nike)
To: Lance Armstrong
Sent: Nov 5, 2006 3:29 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Idea
I think we can do it. I'll let you know for sure. BTW, how do you feel?

From: Lance Armstrong
To: Scott M. (Nike)
Sent: Nov 5, 2006 3:32 PM
Subject: Re: Re: Re: Re: Idea
I'm dead. Hardest physical thing I've ever done. Try your best to make this happen. No way I would have crossed the finish line without the cheering. I owe them.

He Did It

Dean Karnazes finished his quest to run 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days. Along the way, he inspired a lot of people. Including me.

ING NYC Marathon

Lance

Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France champion, accomplished his goal of finishing a marathon in New York City today. But, it cost him dearly. "I think I bit off more than I could chew," he said. "I thought the marathon would be easier." Though he finished in an impressive 2:59.36 in the ING New York Marathon, he admitted that the race "the hardest physical thing I have ever done." It was, he said, even more grueling than his worst days on the Alp d'Huez.

The 35-year-old Armstrong averaged less than 7 minute miles throughout the race until mile 21 when he fell off the pace briefly. Of course, it didn't hurt that he was paced for most of the race by former marathon champions Alberto Salazar and Joan Benoit Samuelson.

Memo to self: the next time I want to negative split the 26.2, bring along a couple of ringers.

Oh yeah, it wasn't Armstrong who actually won the race. That honor went to Brazilian Marilson Gomes dos Santos in the men's race and defending champion Jelena Prokopcuka in the women's race--but, judging from the crowd reaction, most of the crowd along the way cared more about the fact that Lance came in nearly an hour later.

ING NYC Marathon

Tomorrow morning, New York City will come alive with one of the greatest spectacals in sports: the ING New York City Marathon. More than 40,000 runners will be winding through all of the city's five boroughs--beginning on Staten Island, across the Verrazano Narrows Bridge, winding through Brooklyn and Queens before crossing over into the Bronx, and finally finishing in Manhattan's magnificent Central Park.

Just One More

Just one more day. Just one more marathon. Dean Karnazes has nearly completed his Endurance 50 quest to run 50 marathons in 50 days in all 50 states. Yesterday, he ran in Philly. Today, he ran in Jersey. Tomorrow, is it. He'll run with 40,000 other marathoners--including celeb first-timer, Lance Armstrong--in the ING New York City Marathon. It will be a grand stage for his grand finale. Afterward, there will be a finish party from 12:00-4:00 PM at the North Face retail store. Located at 2101 Broadway at 73rd, the store is just around the corner from the NYC Marathon finish in Central Park.

St. Jude Marathon

I am now down to the last couple of weeks of preparation before I run the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis. Once again, I will be running for a very special cause. I will be raising funds for essential cancer research. If you'd like to make a pledge, you can do so online at my st. jude sponsor site. With the diagnosis of my dear friends Todd Burleson and Wes King with cancer during the past two years and the continuing battle against the dread disease by two of my students here in Franklin and three of my correspondence students in New York and Texas, I am more committed to this cause and this work than ever before. My goal is to raise $1000 for St. Jude Children's Hospital this year. Won't you help?

The reason I picked St. Jude as the focus of my fundraising efforts is actually very simple to explain: this nationally renowned children's charity hospital is one of the most remarkable and effective medical research institutions anywhere in the world. St. Jude has treated children from across the United States and from more than 70 foreign countries. And yet ability to pay is never an issue because St. Jude is the only pediatric research center where families never pay for treatment not covered by insurance, and families without insurance are never asked to pay. Not one penny! Not ever! Zip! Zilch! Nada!

The treatment of children and the onging research at St. Jude includes work in bone marrow transplantation, chemotherapy, the biochemistry of normal and cancerous cells, radiation treatment, blood diseases, resistance to therapy, viruses, hereditary diseases, infectious diseases, and psychological effects of catastrophic illnesses. Vital work, indeed. And again, always made available to families regardless of their financial means.

Obviously, this kind of care is very expensive. Won't you help me support the remarkable ministry of St. Jude to children and families battling cancer? Please donate now and come back to visit my st. jude sponsor site often. Tell others about what I'm trying to do. Learn how my effort to help find cures and save lives is going. Oh yes, and do pray for my training!

Team Nashville Half

On Saturday, I am planning to run the Team Nashville Half Marathon. Besides a couple of 5K races the next couple of weekends, it will be my final tune-up for the St. Jude Marathon in Memphis the first week of December. My training has only been sporadic since the end of the Uttermost due to an outbreak of busyness. Nevertheless, I am very much looking forward to the challenge. I've still got some time to get in a few really good long runs, so I am not to the panic stage just yet.

45 Down, 5 to Go

Just 5 more days. Just 5 more marathons. Dean Karnazes has nearly completed his Endurance 50 quest to run 50 marathons in 50 days in all 50 states. Yesterday, he ran the Kiawah Island Marathon in South Carolina. Today, he ran the Triple Lakes Trail Marathon in North Carolina. Tomorrow, he'll be in Maryland before making his way to Deleware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Then, for the grand finale, Karnazes will run with 40,000 other marathoners--including celeb first-timer, Lance Armstrong, in the ING New York City Marathon.

42 Down, 8 to Go

Tomorrow, Dean Karnazes will run in the Marine Corps Marathon. It will be leg number 43 in his Endurance 50 quest to run 50 marathons in 50 days in all 50 states. Yesterday, in Atlanta's torrential rain storms, he took a nasty fall. But, he hopped right up, bloody, bruised, and wet to the bone and completed yet another 26.2 miles in 4:08. Amazing! Simply amazing!

41 Down, 9 to Go

Dean Karnazes is on the verge of accomplishing something rather spectacular. For the past 41 days, he has run a marathon every single day in his Endurance 50 quest to run 50 marathons in 50 days in all 50 states. Yesterday, he was in Louisville. Today, he was in Atlanta. Tomorrow, he'll be in Largo, Florida before making his way to Washington, DC for the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. Then, it will be just one week and six more marathons up and down the East Coast before the grand finale, as Karnazes runs side by side with Lance Armstrong in the granddaddy of them all, the ING New York City Marathon.