Jeff's Marathon Website

Back in the saddle again

2008-04-04T10:32:00.000-07:00

What can I say? Running a marathon is addictive! And I could not pass up an opportunity to be with friends and make new friends. I'm back, this time as a mentor as I train for the Midnight Mayor's marathon in Anchorage, Alaska on June 21st.

At the end of my last season, I had terrible knee problems stemming from IT band issues. I have worked very hard to rehab both knees to be able to run again. I'm taking things slowly, but I have been able to run 10 miles now, pain free. It was just a couple of months ago where I couldn't even run 4 miles without severe IT band pain.

(I'm back, this time as a mentor!)

(My partner in crime Doug and me are back for another season of pain!)(It is not easy getting out of bed on a cold Saturday morning to run 10 miles)

(A new season of TNT means meeting up with old friends, and making new ones)

(Has Dena ever looked happier? I think not)

(Putting on more miles with my new running buddy John)

(Time to go to work)

Honolulu and running 26.2 miles

2007-12-16T13:10:00.000-08:00

It started over 4 months ago with a six mile run, which I had spent weeks working up to. It ended with a 4 hour, 45 minute run that was the hardest physical challenge I have ever endured in my life.

Friday and Saturday before the race

Our trip did not get off to an auspicious start. Our flight was met with a great deal of turbulence, and my first views of Hawaii....after not visiting for the past 20 years...were not what I had hoped.

(Greeted with rain as I get off the plane)

The rest of our Friday was spent checking into our hotel room and picking up our race packet. Friday was also my roommate Doug's birthday! What a way to celebrate, in Hawaii!

(Problems as we check in. Doug at the 'trouble desk' getting his name spelled correctly)

(Out celebrating Doug's birthday)

Saturday was a day of rest. Doug and I spent most of our time relaxing in the shade by the pool, reading and taking short naps. The weather turned very nice, giving me hope for perfect weather for our race. At night, all of the Team and Training members from around the country got together for dinner and a chance to hear some motivational speakers.

(Doug and I sporting our new Hawaiian shirts)

(A nice day in Honolulu. In the distance is Diamond Head, which is part of the marathon course)

(The Bay Area team at dinner the night before)

(Making sure I have everything I need for the race)

Race Day

With a 5 am start time, my roommate Doug and I were up at 3:30, ready to go. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate. Rain, heavy rain hit Honolulu just before race time. It would eventually clear up, but I would spend the race running with wet shoes and socks.

Over 21,000 people ran the Honolulu marathon. It would be 15 minutes after the race started before I would even get to the starting line. As the rain dissipated, the humidity become more and more apparent. The humidity, combined with my wet shoes from the early rain made things difficult. Then, disaster struck. My left knee started hurting at mile 7. My IT band (a tendon that starts at your hip and ends at your knee). Once my knee started hurting, I knew I was not going to get the time that I wanted. I spent the next 19 miles trying to get through the pain in my knee, the uncomfortable feeling of running in wet shoes, and trying to stay hydrated with the heat.

At mile 22 I saw my coach Amy, my manager Becky and the team photo captain JF, a most welcome site. Seeing them gave me a burst of energy. I ran with JF (who was on his bike) and Amy for a short while. Teammates Bev and Vangie (who ran different events this season and came to Hawaii to support the team) picked me up at mile 24 and helped me run up Diamond Head. The last mile and a half is on a slight downhill, and with half a mile to go, I could see the finish line. I ran that last half mile as fast as I could. Crossing the finish line, I was overcome with joy as I pumped my fist in the air with a huge smile on my face. I had completed a marathon!

The next 10 or 15 minutes were spent alternating between walking to find my finishers shirt (the most coveted bling of all) and find the Team in Training tent where I could sit down, take off my wet socks and relax).

(It feels great to be off my feet. Doug is unconscious in the background)

(Literally 5 minutes after Doug reaches the TNT tent, he is dead asleep!)(Doug and I share war stories as I ice my very sore knee)

(Here is a video of the TNT tent, and me trying to walk after running 26 miles)

Post Marathon Celebration

With the marathon complete, it was time to celebrate! I didn't think it would be possible, but I hit the dance floor with my teammates. Some might say my dancing improved because of my sore legs!

(Me and Doug with our dancing partners Bev and Vangie)

(Three very happy at the bar. I'm wearing my Honolulu marathon finishers shirt!)

Training complete

2007-11-25T10:31:00.001-08:00

I am now in taper mode, having completed the bulk of my training. These next few weeks will be spent resting up and getting ready for Honolulu. At various points during the last few months, some part of my leg has been sore or bothering me. I am going to use these next couple of weeks wisely to make sure I am at full strength for my 26.2 mile journey.

My last major run took place on November 17th, where i ran 21.5 miles in Monterey. That was a very difficult run for me as I hit the wall right around mile 16. Those last 5 miles were run on pure will power, as my legs were spent. My mistake was running hard two days earlier, my legs were not at full strength. I won't make that mistake again. Even though it was a struggle, there was a real sense of accomplishment knowing I had traveled over 20 miles. Unofficially, it took a little less than 3 hours and 15 minutes to go 21.5 miles. Not too shabby.

(Here I am during my 21.5 mile run. As you can see, I'm not a happy person!)

November 16, 2007

I have spent every Thursday the past few months at track practice, doing a wide variety of intervals. I've become a master of repeat 400s and 800s. The last practice is known as the burrito run, where you and a partner guess how long it will take you to run a total of 5 miles. My partner Doug and I each did ten 400s and came in 2nd place.

(I'm trying to get a head start on Ryan before yet another 400. Any advantage I can get!)

(While I'm paying attention to the coaches, Doug is posing for the camera.)

November 10, 2007

This weekend saw us do just 10 miles. It's so strange to think that at the beginning of the season, 9 miles was the longest I had ever run. Now, 10 miles seems like no big deal.

My shins have been giving me major problems lately. Lots of ice have helped. I think I hurt my shins playing basketball with students at my middle school. I know I shouldn't play, but it's too much fun!

(Here are Mike and me towards the end of our 10 mile run)

(See you later)

November 1, 2007

Today is the day I finally felt like I was going to be able to complete my marathon. We had an 18 mile run in Santa Cruz today, and I felt very strong. I crossed the finish line and felt like I could keep going. It was a great feeling, completing the 18 miles in 2 1/2 hours with more gas left in the tank. I just might be able to complete that marathon!

(Mike and I are at the beginning of our 18 mile run. If I'm smiling, it means the picture was taken early during the run)

(At the very end of my 18 mile run)

October 31, 2007

The team dressed up for practice to celebrate Halloween. Of course, everyone changed out of their costumes for the actually practice. Except, of course, Mike and I as we ran in our costumes...for comedic purposes.

(Mike and my TNT mentor Ratnesh)

(Yes, I ran intervals in this outfit. I did take the glasses off, as running with them on made me ill!)

October 15, 2007

I missed out on the team's 14 mile run, as I was in Oregon to see friends and take my dad to an Oregon football game. I did get a couple of runs in, hitting some beautiful trails.

(One of the trails I took in Eugene during an early morning run)

(Making my yearly visit to Autzen Stadium to see my boys play)

(Here are my seats, this right before game time. Oregon won 53-7!)

October 1, 2007

This week saw a tough 14 mile run. Some days you feel great...some days you don't. Today, I did not feel great.

(Here I am at the very end of 14 miles. I am spent!)

(Not a happy man after running 14 miles. That was a tough run!)

Getting closer and closer

2007-09-20T16:47:00.001-07:00

Haven't updated in a long time, but running continues to go very well. The past two weeks have been my two longest runs - 13 and 14 miles, meaning I have already completed a half-marathon with 2 1/2 months of training still to come. It also appears that my legs are getting use to all of the mileage I have been putting on them. Next day soreness has been decreasing despite all the miles I have run. A strange heel injury (my right heel hurts the day after runs, but never during a run) has slowly been getting better, though I can have a bit of a limp after runs. I call it the post run waddle.

Despite not posting in the past few weeks, I do have several pictures that prove I'm out there doing the miles!

(Mark, Mike, Amy and myself just starting our 14 mile run)

(Me and my running buddy Ellen!)

(Me, Amy and Mike at a post run pot luck. I baked lasagna!)

(Early on during a 13 mile run)

(At the end of the 13 mile run)

(Me with some teammates after a track workout)

(Here I am right after a 6 mile run. I'm normally not this happy after running)

(Running hills at Rancho. Hills are never, ever fun)

Double Digits

2007-08-27T18:44:00.000-07:00

This week saw a significant increase in mileage. Going into this week's training, my longest run had been 6 miles. On Tuesday, my good buddies Mike and Mark talked me into running 7 miles at Rancho. That would be 7 very hilly miles. I took it pretty slow to start. Thankfully, the second half of the run was downhill, which helped a great deal.

Thursday's track workout was the first track workout where we actually did work on the track! We continued to do core exercises, but added some jogs/runs on the track in between. A very hard and challenging, but very rewarding workout!

Then came Saturday at Half Moon Bay, and my first big challenge of the season. 10 miles. This would be the longest run of my life. I had previously run 9 or 10 miles, one time in high school. It was a very nice, but overcast day which kept the temperature down. Once again, I attempted to start out slow. However, I am quickly realizing that my natural pace is one that is fairly fast. I picked up my pace around the 2nd mile of the run and felt very strong until about mile 8. Around mile 8, I started to really feel it and was hurting to finish. Thankfully, two of my teammates who were out running 8 miles caught up to me and helped push me the final mile and a half. I came across the finish line in good shape. With three months of training still ahead of me, I feel very comfortable with where I am at. It feels good to have reached 10 miles so early into the training. It has given me great confidence that I will actually be able to complete this marathon.

(Here I am around mile 7 of my ten mile journey)

One thing I have noticed is that the pain is different. General early morning soreness is starting to go away as my legs are becoming more accustomed to running. I have started to notice different aches, with my knees being the biggest concern. However, the pain is really just a slight annoying feeling, not pain itself and I feel confident my body will hold up these next 3 months.

5K Time trial

2007-08-20T09:29:00.000-07:00

Training continues to go well. Thursday was another track workout which emphasized core strength exercises. We have been told that the next track workout will actually involve some work on the track! I'm looking forward to that.

The big event this week was the 5K time trial on Saturday. The idea is everyone runs as well as they can, and this will help put similar runners into wave groups. What wave group you are in determines what time you start your long Saturday runs. The fastest wave group starts the latest, with the idea that everyone wave will finish their run at the same time.

(The start of the 5k time trial. I'm in the front right, wearing my blue shorts)

My goal for this time trial was to run as fast and as hard as I could, and get my best possible time. I started out very fast, probably a bit too fast as I was right behind the pace setter. After about 3/4ths of a mile, I took the lead and never looked back. The last mile of the run was really hard as I had spent quite a lot of energy going out too fast to start. However, I was able to maintain a good pace that last mile and finished the 5k run in a time of 22:00. The race was slightly over 3.1 miles, meaning I ran the race at just under 7 minutes per mile. Not too shabby.

(Here I am crossing the finish line. That look of pain is an accurate one!)

Right after I finished the race, I went behind a corner and dry heaved a few times. Honestly, I'm proud of that. It means I really did give it my all. The life of a runner....

Sunday is an optional rest day, but my friend Katie and I went to check out the Sports Basement run in Sunnyvale. Sports Basement has a run every Sunday where people of all abilities can come out and meet new people. We went about 5 1/2 miles at a pace of 8 minutes a mile (a much better run pace then what I did for the 5K). I felt very strong, especially considering I gave my all the day before.

Today is a cross training day. I may end up going for a hike. We shall see how my legs feel. This is a big week, as the mileage will start to increase. Saturday's workout is scheduled to be 8-10 miles. The most I have run in the past 10 years is 6 miles (last few Saturdays) so this upcoming run will be a huge challenge for me. Stay tuned to see how I survive it all!

Finally, I'd like to send a shout out to Inigo Montoya, who was the first (and only) person to comment on my blog. Thanks Inigo! Keep those comments coming!

I'm an athlete again!

2007-08-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

I remember back in college, I played intramural sports all the time. My days were filled with basketball, indoor and outdoor soccer, softball, tennis, racquetball, flag football, and the occasional visit to class. Since I've jumped into the working world, I don't have the opportunity or the time to be as athletic as I would like. That has all changed with team in training. Knowing I have to prepare myself to run 26.2 miles, I'm taking my training very seriously. And despite battling a rash of mild injuries, I feel great. I just got back from a swim this morning (as part of my Wednesday cross-training) a day after running 5 1/2 miles at Rancho last night. It feels great being athletic again!

(The three amigos! Myself, Mike and Mark after our run on Thursday. I have messy post workout hair. Must mean I'm working hard!)

Once again, I ran very fast. Faster than I probably should since I'm not running close to a marathon pace. I'm hoping that as the runs get longer (10+ miles) that I'll slow down a bit. I discovered a new injury as well. My right heel was hurting after the run and again this morning. I can't really stretch a heal injury, can I? I seem to have quite a few nagging injuries. I just hope none of them become serious.

Soreness...lots of soreness

2007-08-12T14:11:00.000-07:00

August 11th - Another 6 mile run today. This one did not go as well as the last one. I still felt very, very strong during my run and ran the 6 miles at a very nice pace. However, my body started to rebel. About halfway through I realized I did not do a good job of stretching. My right hip, my right thigh and both of my calves were not wanting to run 6 miles. I gutted it out, but I am paying the price for it. Very sore one day later. I had a chance to run with a few different people. My friend Amy and I ran the first mile, and that was nice catching up with her. After that, her husband and one of my best friends Mike, along with my running buddy from last week Ellen did the next 3 miles together. Mike and I did the last 2 miles together, with me taking off (a bad idea) the last 1/2 mile in an attempt to finish strong.

(Mike and I at a water stop. I needed it. A small sip, followed by dumping the rest over my head to keep cool.)

(Mike, Heather and I race towards the finish line, about a half mile away. Mike looks happy, I look like I am in pain...which I was!)

Track and Pizza

2007-08-12T14:00:00.000-07:00

August 9th--Thursday's are track workout days. This was our first track work out, and actually, we didn't spend much time on the track at all.

(Yes, that is me wearing a bright red soccer shirt, while everyone else is wearing track shirts. At least it looks like I am paying attention!)

Today's workout was all about strengthening our core muscles, aka the stomach. Let me tell you, my core needs a lot of work! I'm going to try to do these exercises every other day during training. I'm told I am going to need a strong core to make it through 26.2 miles.

The team generally likes to get together after track workouts for dinner, a nice way to meet more teammates and socialize with new people. Here I am, eating pizza with some new friends...

Buddy Tuesdays

2007-08-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

August 7th--Tuesdays are buddy run days, where small groups of teammates get together to do a shorter run. I decided this week I would join the Bev and Vangie's run at Stanford. We went out for about 35 minutes and once again I felt very strong. After running with the group for a short time, I took off with one of my teammates, Katie, and we finished the run a few minutes ahead of the others.

So far, so good. I have not felt this great running in a long, long time. Lets hope it stays this way!

My 26.2 mile journey begins

2007-08-12T13:40:00.000-07:00

August 4th, my first day of training, in preparation for my 26.2 mile run on December 9th. I had been running on and off the past month in order to be in good shape for the official start of training. I'm happy to report that all that running paid off. Thanks to my buddies Mike and Mark, I felt great going into my first official run. We had the option of doing a 2, 4 or 6 mile run and I decided to do 6. I had not run 6 miles in many, many years, but I felt very strong during the run. My running partner for the day, Ellen (pictured below) helped me keep up a great pace. While I felt great during my run, I was totally spent when I crossed the finish line. I don't think I could have gone another 100 feet. It was a wonderful day, meeting tons of teammates and making new friends. I'm excited for what the rest of this season holds for me!