Milestones

[tommy]

It's been a busy running week.

Sunday: Ran 1/2 marathon (2nd). Improved time by about 4 minutes at 2:02:09. Met up with my son's buddy and his girlfriend. He's 20. She's 19. I waited for them at the finish line . In all fairness, he has been running for only a month. She just come off the Columbus Marathon last month. Chad and I hugged and cried at the finish line. They will also run the Dallas White Rock Marathon next month. With over 3000 runners, this was the largest event I've participated in. Can't imagine what Chicago and NYC marathons are like. Maybe someday.........

Thursday: Completed 1000 miles running since August 2003 .

Saturday (today): Training run 31 miles long (50k). It took over 6 hours at slow pace with frequent walk breaks. The theory is that during a marathon, you hit "the wall" at the distance of you most recent long run. My goal is to push "the wall" beyond the finish line. I'm hoping that I just did that. The other theory is that it doesn't matter how fast you run the long runs. Just be sure to put in the distance and/or the total time. I feel quite certain that I did that today.

All signs are good for next month's marathon #2. Four year anniversary checkup in a couple of weeks. Very thankful to God for His healing power. Very grateful to my friends at VR.com.

 

[tobagotwo]

I'm happy to hear you're doing so well. Thirty-one miles is a long way to go, especially when doing it to prove that you can run twenty six.

Good luck, Tom. Have a wonderful, exhausting, exhillarating experience!

Very best wishes,

 

[Mary]

It sounds like you're doing great Tom. Keep up the good work as it is inspirational for us all.
Mary

 

[bvdr]

Tom, that is absolutely great. You have come so far! I think physical fitness will be a lifelong companion for you.

 

[BillCobit]

Go Tom!

Go Tom!

Tom -

Your durability and commitment are amazing! I think you will have a great marathon next month -- you're better trained, stronger, smarter and younger!

I'm looking forward to the race report.

 

[Christina L]

Tom,

I want to be like you!!! You are an inspiration and congratulations on your four-year anniversary!

Here's to many more years "running" of great health and happiness!

Christina L.

 

[M&M]

WOW, that is AWESOME TOM Good for you. It sounds like your having alot of FUN.. and I've found for ME that's the best medicine of all. Reading your posts and Marks and all the others - gives me hope that one day I can take the step forward to attempt a full marathon. I just know I'll cry when I get to the finish line.. The longest run I did was 16 miles. and it was a really tough course - a fast runner I know said - if you can do that course - you can a full marathon - but hubby isn't to enthused about me doing one.

But who knows - listening to your success stories - gives me alittle more confidence everyday. Now if I can just get the ole 'hips' and legs to go along with that thought..

Keep us posted and Wishing you lots of Happy Trails..

Marilyn (runner)

 

[MarkU]

Congratulations, Tom.
You should be very proud of your achievements. You are an inspiration to us all.

Mark

 

[stormrev]

Good on ya Tom!

In my previous 'life' as a marathon runner... our coach would always get us to do an overdistance run of 50+kms about a month out. His theory was the same, that it teaches the body to run past the 42 km distance and mentally helped you feel confident. He must have known something I reckon - he won a bronze medal in the Rome Olympics and could still run under 2:50 at age 60!

Good luck with Dallas Whiterock - I ran it twice when we lived in Fort Worth in the early '80's and enjoyed the experince both times, but the seconf especially as it was the first time to break the 3 hr barrier! Seems like a real long time ago now!

Blessings

Grant (aka Faster Pastor)

 

[tommy]

Mary2 approaches

Mary2 approaches

In retrospect, the 31 miles was a bit of overtraining. I'm now thinking that I should have stopped at 28-29 . I skipped two running days for some rest due to a swolen left ankle . It had never given me trouble before and is quickly much better. The 4 days of rest defeated some of the benefit of the long run, but I should be okay. My right ankle has been "talking" to me for a month or so, and has not changed. I'm now taping both ankles when I exercise to avoid further problems. I'll probable tape them for the race.

Knees are fine. Hamstrings and calves are a little tight. Quads are fine. I do a lot of stretching and extra minutes in the hot tub . I also keep my stride short especially in the early miles. I've discovered that stretching and warming up are 2 entirely different things and both are required. It takes me 2+ miles to get warm.

I ran (15) 1-mile intervals Saturday with 1-4 minutes of walk breaks in between each mile. I used the high school track for it's softer surface. It was a bit boring with so many laps, but I made a game of it - reversing direction and keeping times. I ran the outside lane for smoother turns. It was my 4 year surgery anniversary. What a thrill!

With 2 weeks to go, I'm now in "taper" mode. Just need to put in some regular miles, regular rest, and stay loose. The White Rock Marathon (Dec 12th) will have about 3500 marathoners, about 400 relay teams, and about 2500 half-marathoners at the starting line. They expect up to 50 entertainment groups along the way. What a hoot!

My cardio threw me for a loop this morning when he told me that he ran marathons in his youth (80 lbs ago) at LSU. He chuckled at my runner's toes and didn't bat an eyelash at my slightly swolen ankles. He did check my ankles for good circulation and was satisfied. He was nothing but encouraging about running.