Tomorrow I leave for the 2023 Chicago Marathon. The weather looks perfect. I am excited to celebrate the 25th anniversary of my first marathon, the 1998 Chicago Marathon. This year I am raising money for the American Diabetes Association.
Read about it here. Thank you to all those who have donated!
https://donations.diabetes.org/site/TR?px=16895424&pg=personal&fr_id=13655
The Chicago Marathon is this weekend! As I've detailed before, the 1998 Chicago Marathon was my first marathon, and still one of the best. I dusted off this post to re-live the memory. I never would have imaged I would still be running marathons 25 years later!
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Last weekend I finished the Hawk 50 mile trail race in Lawrence, KS. This race has been a goal of mine for 7 years. I signed up to do it in 2016 but a knee injury threw my training off. I dropped down to the marathon distance instead. It was just as well, because days of rain forced the race director to alter the course and instead of a trail run, the race was relegated to the parking lots and asphalt roads in and around Clinton State Park. That wasn't the race I wanted to do. Still, I always regretted not having done the 50 mile distance.
The Hawk marathon in 2016 was my last marathon. Although I never stopped running, my training lacked discipline and focus. Frankly, much of my life lacked discipline and focus. I gained a bunch of weight and before I knew it, I was technically obese and had become pre-diabetic. On top of that, I was anemic. Last April, I took back control of my health. With the help of my doctors and family, I changed my diet, figured out my anemia, and got my blood sugars under control. The pounds began to fall and my energy level sky rocketed. I felt better than I had in years and since I would soon be turning 50, I figured it was time to settle some unfinished business in Kansas. I signed up for the Hawk 50 mile trail run in January. Being in good shape and with nine months to train, I was confident and determined.
My training was consistent. Since January, I have run 3-5 days a week and swim or bike to cross train. I do body weight strength training 2 or 3 days a week and I do yoga when I can. My training peaked with a 50km gravel road race 2 weeks ago. As the 50 mile race day approached, the nerves definitely began to settle in. I know I've prepared and trained, but can you ever really be ready for a 50 mile race?
My family accompanied me to the race. We rented a small cabin at the park. My wife and I woke up early to go to the start. I was one of 37 who started the 50 mile race at 7 AM. I settled into the middle to the back of the pack. The morning was cool enough, but the day was going to get hot, with temps approaching 90 degrees. Fortunately, most of the trail is covered by trees and in the shade. The first 5 or 6 miles were pretty easy, highlighted by a stocked aid station around mile 5. From there, the course became quite a bit more rocky. After the next aid station at mile 10.5, the run became more of a cross country course before coming back to the same aid station at mile 13.5. I reached this point at around 2 hrs and 45 minutes, and after seeing my family at the aid station, I told them I'd finish the first 25 mile loop and meet them at the start/finish line, where I would begin the second loop.
The next 12 miles were considerably harder than the first, and my pace slowed significantly. Although the course was well marked, I somehow managed to take a wrong turn and came into the aid station the wrong way. I finished the first loop in under 7 hours, but had a little over a mile to make up because my wrong turn cut the course. I spoke with the race director, and we decided I would make the mileage up before starting the second lap. Thus, I walked 1.4 miles with my wife around race headquarters.
I spent quite a bit of time hydrating, eating, and talking with my family at the start/finish before heading out for the second loop. I felt good, but the weather was heating up and I was a little behind on my hydration. At mile 33, I was really struggling. I had never run more than 50 km (31 miles) and this was uncharted territory for me. Every part of my body was hurting. I made it to the next aid station, where my family was waiting. They really energized me and I felt strong at about mile 38. The next several miles were some of my fastest of the day. However, as dusk approached and the course became steeper and the terrain more rocky, my pace slowed and I was basically walking at this point. I tried to "run" as much as I could, but hiking was a safer and steadier option at this point. My watch died at about mile 40. I am kind of glad it did, because it kept me from constantly looking at it.
The Hawk has a very generous cut off time for the 50 mile and marathon distance, so I knew I would finish if I just kept going. As darkness fell, I was basically alone on the course. I had only seen two other runners during the last 12 miles. I was tired and sore and just wanted to finish. My mantra became "relentless forward progress" no matter how slow.
I had no idea how late it was, but as I approached the finish line as the 32nd of 33 finishers, I was greeted by my family, who cheered wildly as I crossed the finish line after midnight, arms raised, spirit high, and extremely proud.
Back in December I set a goal of running a 50 mile trail race on September 9th, the weekend before I turn 50 years old. At the time, it seemed so far away. That weekend is finally here. I've trained for and ran over 50 marathons, but this has been different. For starters, I am 25 years older than when I ran my first marathon! The weekly mileage is certainly a step up from marathon training, but not as much as you might think. I had a couple of 50 mile weeks, but most weeks were 20-40 miles. It's about all a busy surgeon and family man could manage. I also did a lot of swimming and biking while I trained for a triathlon earlier this summer. I think the cross training helped keep me healthy physically and the variety was a nice mental break, as well.
Despite the cross training, I dealt with a series of running related issues while training. I've had chronic plantar fasciitis, hallux rigidus, a Morton's neuroma, a calf strain, and a hip issue that I never did diagnose. My hip got better with a little bit of rest. I healed my calf strain with PT, a temporary brace, and yoga. My foot issues got a lot better when I went to a slightly wider shoe and went up 1/2 size from what I used to wear.
I am not sure I could ever be as prepared as I would like to be for a race that will take 12-15 hours to complete. I wish I had a few more long runs. I should have done some more hills. I wish I was a few pounds lighter. Still, I am ready. Since I started training in January, I've logged over 830 miles. I ran my fastest half marathon in years. I've run in torrential downpours and extreme heat. I've run in the wee hours of the morning. I have explored nearly every inch of Wilderness Park between Van Dorn and Saltillo. I've done two races of 6 hours or more. I am ready. Hawk 50 mile trail race, here I come.
I first tried yoga over the lunch hour during my first or second year of medical school. I didn't know much about it, but I thought it might be a good way to reduce stress, which I desperately needed then. I struggled through the poses and decided that yoga wasn't for me.
A few years ago, I gave it another shot. Lincoln Yoga Center was a few blocks from my house and they offered a free introductory class. I enjoyed it and began going somewhat regularly. COVID-19 interrupted my new yoga practice. Yoga via Zoom just wasn't for me. Many others felt the same and the studio was forced to relocate.
Two years ago I fell down some stairs and broke my ribs. I couldn't run or do much of anything. I decided that I would give yoga another try. Although I had to modify some poses, I was surprised how much I was able to do, even while nursing a very painful injury. I went as often as I could, because I couldn't do much else. I think yoga actually helped my ribs heal faster. Thus, I got back into the routine of a somewhat regular yoga practice.
Now, I try to go once a week. It helps with my original goal of reducing and managing stress. I've also become stronger and more flexible, both on and off the yoga mat. If you are looking to reduce stress, become more mindful, improve strength, balance & flexibility, give yoga a try. There are lots of yoga videos online, but even better, give your local yoga studio a try.
Namaste.
