The Enlightened Warrior’s 1st Race

It finally happened on July 26, 2009, San Francisco Marathon event. The journey took almost one entire year of training and endurance, but my daughter finished her first event. She even has the medal to prove it although she (almost forget to get it) after crossing the finish line.

Her Pre-Race preparation was as organized as her training. First she was not able to pick up her packet and goodie bag, due to a few unexpected auditions which came up. No matter, I figured out of way to pick it up for her, she was not dodging this one.

In checking her athletic attire, and equipment, I noticed many things missing. Her answer to all the questions about where they were was “I’m going to use yours”. It’s a good thing I brought an extra water bottle. Imagine that!

Despite all the dodging training and previous events, she did well. She only missed her target finish time by 2 minutes. But, you have to see her face in the picture of her crossing the finish line! Something is missing a “smile” maybe. After all, it was the finish the line.

I’m very proud of you “Enlightened Warrior”! You ran the San Francisco Marathon’s First Half-Marathon, the tougher of the two. And you can now say that you ran the Golden Gate Bridge. An additional token to compliment a very memorable event.

Next?

Clothing

I recommend the proper attire for training as well as racing. Do not use cotton. It’s best to use fit dry loose clothing. This type of material will prevent your body from overheating. I’ll always remember being asked to go into the Ladies room and take my cotton shirt off and replace it with a fit dry one which someone was nice enough to loan me for my first race. I never experience overheating, but I saw many male participants get rid of their cotton shirts along the route. I was thankful and still think about how that fit dry shirt saved me.

My favorite socks are Wright Sock Double-Layered. Before I started using them, I would get blisters. I’ve been using this type of sock since 2005, and if I do get a blister it’s because I laced up incorrectly, or my toe covers were not properly positioned.

Shoes are the most important piece of you attire. I always make sure that the material which surrounds the area around my toes is a mesh material. The reason for this is that when you run your entire body swells, and of course your feet are the most venerable.
Leather or any other type of material will not allow your feet room to expand.

I ran with a pair which had leather material surrounding my forefoot. I ran (5) miles and my feet felt like they were on fire. I lost circulation and was in extreme pain. This happened approximately (5) years ago. I spent over $100 on the shoes, and had to buy another pair. I never made that mistake again.

I now get my shoes from Road Runner Sports. They have a policy, by which if you have a problem with the shoe you purchased, no matter how many miles you’ve traveled in them they will exchange them for a new pair at no charge. You have (60) to test run your shoes.

I always wear a hat. The hat keeps me cool during the hot summer days, and keeps me warm during the chilly winter.

Wear the best and you will perform your best.

Be True to Your Training

Before I started my training, I placed a great deal of time on a Conditioning and Strength training program. I later combined them with a Weight Management Program. The programs combination taught me how to eat healthy and maintain a healthy weight for life. The best part was that the healthy foods just gave me much more energy and strength.

Once I developed strong, regular conditioning and strength training habits, I applied the system to my ultimate desire to complete another Marathon. Training to complete a Marathon requires about (6) months preparation.

My goal during the week is to complete the exact or as close to as possible to the amount of miles I’ll be running on Saturdays when I do my endurance training.

I continued my conditioning and strength program during the week, but increased distance for my Saturday runs gradually. The distance increases from (1) mile the first week of training to (22) miles two weeks before the marathon. It is very important to increase the distance gradually to avoid injuries and set backs. It is also important to be true to the distance requirements on Saturdays. Although the preparation does not call for you to complete 26.2 miles the actual marathon distance during training, it’s only 4.2 additional miles on the day of the marathon which you have to go.

I remember finishing my first Marathon which “changed my life forever”, I immediately anxious to start training for the next event. I thought it would be easy. I thought “I just ran a Marathon; the next one will be much easier”.

But, it was not that simple. First my body had to recover from the event. In order to recover properly, I had to take it easy, somewhat like the beginning of the training. It takes (1) week per hour of the duration the event. If it takes someone (4) hours to complete a Marathon, their recovery time is (4) weeks. After these weeks, the Saturday endurance runs can be challenging again.

Remember be true to your training to guarantee an exciting finish, and a rewarding life changing event.

Conditioning

As a rule I run at least three short runs during the week. The length range from 45-60 minute runs. These runs are for conditioning, and I take them seriously. The total miles I run during the week equal or are greater than the miles I have programmed for my long weekend run.

This rule really works for me. When I do not abide by it, the long run is not as easy. It’s also important not to over train during the week. Over training will cause fatigue and possible injuries. It is important to run the distance and feel good when you finish.

During conditioning I also focus on my posture, as well as my breathing. By practicing all my techniques during the week, they come naturally during the long runs.

It’s important to focus on your foundation and gradually build it to perfection. If you do not practice the necessary techniques during the week, more than likely you will not magically employ them during your long endurance runs.

The conditioning process also includes proper stretching before and after every distance, no matter how short or long. You will notice a great difference when you get up early enough so that you have time to stretch properly. If you are doubtful, try rushing out of bed, rushing to put on your gear, and rushing out for a run without doing your stretching exercise routine. Your performance will suffer. I know some people who do this, just to get a few minutes more of sleep, and their runs are never pleasant. They experience pain. Believe me it just does not work. The extra minutes of sleep are not worth risking an injury. Always prepare, it is better to cut down on the time or mileage, and not the stretching, if you happen to be behind schedule.

When I wake up at 5:00 AM, the first thing I do is drink (2) glasses of water. This actually wakes me up completely. I then can continue to prepare for my run, making sure I have the proper attire for a smoother run.

Follow these guidelines and you'll complete a good run. Prevention is the key. Prevent injury, fatigue and pain.

Columbus Marathon, “Not”

To continue on my quest to inspire my children, I made a commitment to participate in the Nationwide Better Health Columbus Marathon. My son and his friend had made a commitment as well after the Cincinnati Flying Pig event in May 2008.

The Columbus event was scheduled for October 2008, and we all had plenty of time for proper training and conditioning. This would be my son’s friend first event. We were all excited that he had made this big commitment. His family was excited too.

As time went on, I learned that a few other friends were also going to participate. It was going to be great we had our own little group. And I was really looking forward to this event.

I had a few events scheduled before October and one in both November and December. So I had to be very careful not to over train. Several times I considered not participating since I had to travel to Columbus, Ohio, and kept remembering the “flight from hell”, when I traveled to Cincinnati in May.

Since giving my word is a very sacred to me, I went ahead with my plans. I registered, and booked my flight. I never thought about booking a hotel, because the start line was a few blocks from where my son and his roommate live. My son and I both agreed that I might as well stay in their apartment, and we could all walk to the start line.

As the date got closer, I was wondering if my son was going to participate. He kept saying he was not training well enough. But, since that had not stopped him from running his 1st and 2nd Marathons, I thought that in the end he would participate.

A week before the event, I heard a definite “no” he would not participate. I guess he finally got it. He finally realized what I had been telling him. The best experience is achieved with proper training. He also gave me the weather report the week before. He said it was warm. I was glad to hear the part about the warm weather.

The morning of my scheduled departure, I received a call from my son. He told me it was cold and the forecast for that Sunday, the event date was “Cold”. Too late now, I was in line going through security. I could not change my plans as far as for the attire I had packed.

Finally the day of the event came and only (One) from the original big group was participating. That individual was me. I traveled all the way from Burbank, California to the start line in Downtown Columbus. And the group from around the block,that could walk failed to participate.

The weather was cold, and after running (1) mile, we ran by where I was staying. Believe me, it was very tempting to go back inside and crawl back into bed. But, I had to continue. After all I was the sole survivor of the original group. At least one of us had to finish the task of crossing the finish line.