Directionally Impaired

Being the half marathon coach for a group of beginners has its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is that I have to plan the routes for the Interval running and also for the long runs. For the common person, that doesn't seem like a big deal. However, I struggle with this process because I tend to be rather directionally impaired when running. When I run on my own, I will take new routes and paths simply to break up the monotony of running the same route from my house. It rarely matters to me if on an easy run I do 6 miles or 6 1/2 miles. One of the benefits of living in Utah is that the streets and cities are laid out on a grid that revolve around two major streets—main street (which runs east and west) and state street (which ones north and south). Going off this grid rarely do I get lost.

When I am coaching, however I am dealing with runners who haven't run as much or as often. For many of them, the distance we are running is the longest they have ever run. I work to keep to the plan.

Map #1 Original Plan

On Saturday, the plan called for 8 miles. The route was relatively flat versus the past few weeks that had a few hills. Map 1 shows the route we were scheduled to take. The route planned for a loop through some of the more rural parts of the city. There were two hills at the beginning of the route to over the freeway and then flat after that.

The run started as planned and we made it over the few hills and through the first few turns. The problem came at the bottom of the map where there is a small run and then turns into a long stretch. Unfortunately the streets aren't marked well because they cross into county roads and also criss crosses over into another city.

Map #2 Finished plan 

That's where the problem begins. Didn't see the turn. We kept running. By the time we made it back to a major intersection, I knew we would not be able to finish the back loop and still keep the run to 8 miles. You'd think–no problem– just cut across and go back. This is exactly what we did, but going back meant crossing the same two hills we hit on the way out. In the end, the route ended up being 8.6 miles.

My running group are learning very quickly that running with me means that just because we have a map, doesn't mean we'll stick to the map.

The Wheel vs the Cage

Lately, the weather has been too cold for my tastes to run outside. We recently renewed our gym membership so I have no excuse to not run. When I go to the gym I have the choice of the cages (area for free weights or machines) or the Hamster Wheel (track). Depending on the time of day I go, I get to see a whole host of interesting people.

The morning crew (8:00 am -10:00 am) of people include old retirees who get in for free (there is a Senior center connected to the facility and a retirement home next door), moms with strollers, people who would normally be outside if it's cold out....like me.

The evening crew (4:00 pm - 9:00 pm) consists of kids who should be down in the gym, kids whose parents have made the upstairs their own private day care facility, couples who like to walk and talk, teens who like to walk, talk and talk or text on their cell phone.

Neither option is ideal for running on the Wheel.

Hamster Wheel (aka the Track): The wheel is on the second level around the outside of the top level with the cages and other workout rooms in the center.  It overlooks the 4 different basketball gyms below.

As I run, I see the people in the cages, just like a guard who paces by the prison cells sees the prisoners. The rooms with the machines and weights are surrounded by a fence type structure that looks like something from the prison supply store.

To pass the time, I tend to track who is doing what in the two cages. First, I notice who is wearing a race shirt to see if I've run the same race. Then I track what machines people migrate too. My internal conversation degrades over time.

Lap 1 Machine Cage: "Anorexic looking guy who i've seen at a variety of races..going faster than I ever have and probably has no girlfriend","Old-guy white xyz race top is on the climbing machine looking like he's about to pass out", and "green shirt guy is on the bike".

Lap 1 Free Weight Cage: "big guy, black tank looking like he's going to burst a major vein in his neck", "tough looking chick I'd not want to meet in a dark alley"

Lap 12 Machine Cage: "That anorexic guy is now on the stair climber...he's an animal and really has no life." "Old-guy is finishing up and looking good" "Green shirt guy didn't last long on the bike and has migrated through 3 other machines...this is not the place to be picking up chicks"

Lap 12 Weight Cage: "Big Guy is chatting with the tough biker chick looking girl. It's the guns...unlike green shirt guy in the other cage."

Lap 24 Machine Guy: "Hey Green shirt guy...get a life already. Go get a membership at Gold's..there are no HOT chicks at the city rec center""Anorexic guy...yeah the sign says 60 min max on the treadmill for a reason...go find yourself a girl somewhere."

Lap 24 Weight Cage: "Yeah biker chick girl could definitely kick green shirt guys trash. That'd be an interesting cage fight..wonder if we can set it up."

Lap 32: ah blah blah blah...green...blahh...my naaammmee is.....hmmm...is this ever going to end?

Usually by lap 40 or even 48 I've given up on the fact that I'll ever be able to leave.

I'm ready for Spring.

Impulse Marathons

In December, I made a list of marathons and half marathons that I would like to run this year. In January, I looked at my budget for the upcoming year and started scratching off the races that I wasn't passionate about running. I had the Salt Lake City Half Marathon on the list, but then I was going to skip it for another  half that is only 10 minutes from my house.

Then I got an email from Active.com with a coupon for $15 off the Marathon or Half Marathon. I put it on my "to be considered" list until I saw a post from a friend who said she's running the half. Next thing I know,  my "to be considered" is now "actively considering" the half. This would be my third time running this race. I know the course well and know about the leg killing climb 2 miles before the finish. Do I really want to run the half again? I get thinking "what if I run the full marathon?" And "what would my training schedule be?" I printed off a schedule from Runner's World and discovered that I already am running the routine it set. In fact, I'm pushing harder to meet my goal of a BQ in June.

Tuesday morning I got online, filled out the form and submitted my registration for the full marathon.

There is a point in the race where the marathon and half marathon split. The half does a U-turn and runs on the other side of the road (there is a concrete island dividing the street) for a 1/2 mile. The marathon continues straight. I always get thinking at this point "I'm sure glad I'm only doing the half." I wonder if this year I'll be thinking "man, I wish I was running the half.." Ahh well, maybe I could resurrect my "cause" for this race.

I'm Not a Jogger

I ran across a Pearl Izumi poster entitled Runners Are Not Joggers. I've pondered on this question myself whenever I go to the track or to the gym.

When I started running, I went from nothing to running. I didn't go from nothing to exercise to jogging to running. I bypassed any in-between steps and jumped right into running. I don't know how to jog.

The words in my running conversations include "intervals" "tempo runs" "paces", etc. I don't think joggers use these words. I believe that jogging is somewhat similar to an easy run, but at a slower pace and for shorted distances. For instance, I have never heard anyone say they went for a "3 mile jog" or "long jog" Instead they just say that they "went jogging". I used the words "went for a run," but this implies that there was some distance involved and that I was staying at a certain pace.

An article I read commented that jogging was anything over a 9 minute pace, but I think it is more defined by goals involved. Jogging does not involve races. Even someone who doesn't run a 9 minute mile could still be defined as a runner if he/she is involved in racing. Racing requires a dedicated effort to achieve.

I have no disrespect for Joggers. They are making a conscious effort in keeping themselves healthy, but I don't think I'll ever be one.

Chew Before You Breathe

The theme for the month of January in Utah is Fog/Smog/Haze. You turn on the news to listen to the weather and the words "inversion","haze", "smog", etc. are used probably used in the same quantity of tooth whitener that was used on the overly cheerful meteorologist's teeth. It's a daily word and I'm sure that the weather people can only put a positive spin on it so far before it just gets old. I tell my children to make sure that they chew before they breathe.

Today's weather must have matched my mood because when the alarm went off at 6:30 am I definitely did not feel the burning desire to leap out of bed and into the shower. It could possibly be related to the large popcorn and 32 oz soda that I had instead of a meal last night, but instead I am attributing this lack of enthusiasm to the weather.

I got out of bed, looked out the window and grimaced. The tell tale signs of an impending foggy morning was out. The slighty hazy sky, the overly frosted over car windows. The forecast called for mid-40s which gave me hope that maybe, just maybe our run would be in above freezing temps. Seeing the status of the weather, I pulled out the extra layers.

Why are there no clothing options that say "fogproof" or "haze resistant" on them? Is it because fog is so microscopic that it penetrates even the tightest of fabric? Or is it that someone just hasn't figured the marketing potential out on this fabric? If the running store offered a running jacket that was "fogresistant" and "waterproof" I would be first in line.

I arrived at the meeting spot and the conditions had not improved much. When I stepped out of the van, I realized that no amount of layers was going to make a difference today. It was the bitter, wet, foggy cold that penetrates every layer I have. My mizuno gloves are NOT fogproof.

The fog got thicker and thicker as we ran until we had climbed enough that we emerged from the fog like a pack of college football players emerging from the stadium tunnel. It was breathtaking. In fact, I think I took my first real breath of the run at that point.

We turned around at mile 4 and enjoyed a mile of fog-free running. My fingers had warmed up, I unzipped my jacket and was getting into a groove. At mile 5, we hit the wall and immediately I zipped back up my jacket, rubber my hands together and grimaced. By mile 8, we couldn't see more than 20 feet in front of us. The usual post-run chatter didn't happen. Instead it was jump in the car, turn on the heater and wave good bye to the others.

I'm glad February is almost here.

Running Around...Literally.

Last week I logged 32 miles in my running. I'm on track to meet or exceed this. My life recently has spun into a routine that revolves around running. Here's what's currently on my list.

1. Training for upcoming races. I am working toward qualifying for Boston by my June marathon.
2. Assisting my son in his running. He's planning on joining the cross-country team in the fall and run his first half-marathon in the late spring. This assistance involve me going to the track with him and running in addition to my regular training.
3. I am working with the local Fleet Feet store in coaching their half-marathon training group. They were looking for volunteers and I felt this was a good opportunity to give back. On Tuesday and Saturday I get to share my vast wealth of running expertise, my vast knowledge of useless information my love of the sport with others.
4. Race director for Renaissance Academy Race for Literacy. This is the third year i've run this race for my kids' school. This year I have a host of volunteers which drives the control freak in me crazy makes it easy.
5. Race director for the city celebration in June. I opened my mouth last year and offered some feedback to the 2010 race. Guess what that got me? An invitation to put my butt on the line and do better.

I currently have two training schedules on my running board. The first is the schedule for the Half-marathon training group that I am coaching. The second is my marathon training.

While there are days that I am doing two runs in the day and looking for sponsors during down times with my business, I am enjoying my days. I'm enjoying the feeling of tight calves and the little aches and pains associated with my increasing mileage.

The next question is whether I will survive this continued training schedule. We'll see....

What Am I Supposed to Do Now? Cancer to Gemini

According to the latest horoscope news my sign has changed from Cancer to Gemini. This new little bit of information has me as confused as a runner coming off a snow-covered trail only to discover that he missed a turn somewhere.  My running has been thrown off also. For instance, today my horoscope with Cancer is:

You may wonder if you're losing your memory today. You might have the strange feeling that there was something you had to do but can't quite remember what. Don't worry about it, Cancer. 


With this reasoning I could totally "forget" about running today and instead of feeling guilty about it, I could just chalk it up to my horoscope.

But now that has all changed. As a Gemini this is what I am supposed to be about:

The best way to relieve the jumpiness is to get some exercise - at least take a walk.


See? Now what I supposed to do? I've been living a carefree life as a Cancer centered runner and now I'm supposed to just turn into a Gemini centered runner? Just like that? There was no notice!

I attempted to express my feelings via my Facebook page. I was told a variety of options ranging from "it's a bunch of hooey" to "Live life like it's my last day alive".  While I can picture myself going out for a run on my last day, I doubt it would be anything serious. In fact, I think it would fun to just "kill over" in the middle of one of my running paths...but that has to be a story for another day.

If it were my last day,  it would look something like this...

Have a nice weekend.