Still Going...

Yeah, I'm still running. Though I haven't been in any official races since July, I've been logging about twenty miles a week. Here's a few notes:

I have run on several occasions while pushing Eliana in a jogging stroller. Not including breaks to check on my baby girl, I can manage a 10:00/mile pace pretty easily. I hope to bring Eliana with me for the Skeleton Skamper in Mount Pleasant on October 29. The race is stroller friendly. If all goes well, I'll finish and set a with-stroller half marathon personal best.

I haven't signed up for it, but I have an interest in running the Rails to Trails Marathon on Sunday, November 6. That might be a bit much, though. We'll see.

My personal odometer is at 9,653. I can't make any guarantees, but I'll probably hit ten thousand before spring is here.

I've taken on an additional exercise commitment. On July 1, a friend of mine started by doing one push-up and one sit-up, and increased that number by one each day. I joined in a bit late on July 12, doing twelve of each. Yesterday, I completed 96 of each, and I'll hit 100 on Saturday. The plan is to go no higher than 100. I wonder how tough it will be to keep doing 100 day after day. I'll stay with it as long as I can.

Prairie Family Days 5K Recap

On Saturday, July 23, the weather was pretty nice for a 5K in Pleasant Prairie. Though I've reduced my training to about 20 miles a week, I was excited about the possibility of a personal record.

I clocked the first mile in 6:41 as I began to pass some of the runners who started too fast. I usually don't do this until the last mile of the race, so I was concerned that I would get passed later on. I completed the second mile in 6:51. I tried to push it as best I could in the final mile. With about half a mile to go, there wasn't anyone close to me. This is good because no one is chasing you down, but bad because you don't have anyone to chase, so I didn't have a ton of motivation. Still, I kept moving and clocked the third mile in 6:50, and the final .11 mile in 0:50 for a solid time of 21:12. I was hoping to beat my PR (20:59), but I'm sure I'll have another chance in the future.

Stars and Stripes Marathon Recap

Clear skies greeted me on Saturday, July 2, 2011 in Beaverton, Oregon, for the Stars and Stripes Marathon. Temperatures were in the upper 50s as I arrived at the start/finish area, and I hoped things would stay cool for the duration of the race.

This was my first marathon in July, but I had high hopes for a personal best. This race consisted of ten laps of 2.62 miles each, so I attempted to run each lap in 22 minutes or less, which would get me home in 3:40.

I had the option of starting at 6:30, but I decided to take the regular start at 7:00 a.m. -- in hindsight, perhaps I should have taken the early start. In any case, I was feeling pretty good and ready to fly as the race director shouted, "Go!"

With about 100 total runners, only half of which were doing the full 26.2 miles, there weren't a whole lot of marathoners faster than me. Another factor which raised the average time was the number of runners attempting the Firecracker Triple, consisting of a marathon or half marathon on three consecutive days (July 2, 3, and 4). I'm all for crazy stunts, but I was more than content with just a single marathon this weekend.

The Early Going - 22:05, 21:47, 21:51
I was relaxed and comfortable meandering around the trails of Greenway Park. I was initially worried that the trails would be congested between race participants and others out for a morning walk, but there was plenty of room to run. I did pass slower runners/walkers frequently, which made it seem like I was going even faster than normal.

The course was clearly marked, and the aid station at the start/finish was well-stocked with water and Gatorade. I was also surprised that there were some energy gels available. I also brought two bottles of Accelerade and several packages of sport beans to keep me going. For a race that only cost $25, I was very impressed with the organization and support.

With three laps out of ten completed, I was slightly ahead of my goal pace.

Moving Right Along - 22:08, 22:02, 22:10
When I told other people about this race, most of them winced at the thought of running the same course ten times over. Yes, it can get tedious, but there are some advantages. For example, my cheering section -- Jenelle, Eliana, and Pam (Jenelle's mom) -- could stay in one spot and see me several times. They stationed themselves in the middle of course and got photos/video for the first few laps. They went to a nearby farmer's market and returned in plenty of time to see me finish.

As I reached the halfway point (1:49:53), I was feeling okay, but I could tell that it was quickly getting warmer. There were a few shady areas in the park, but with no clouds overhead, the sun was gradually wearing me down. I did my best to stay hydrated and energized. With four laps to go, I was just three seconds off my goal pace.

Feeling the Heat - 22:24, 24:09, 25:18
As hard as I tried to take in fluids/gels/sport beans and stay strong, the temperature (now above 70) and the strong sunlight was too much. I hadn't hit the wall, but my miles quickly slipped below nine minutes each. I saw Jenelle and family as I completed lap nine. I informed them that I felt okay, but unfortunately, a personal best was now out of reach.

Final Lap - 24:52
With several people walking the full marathon (or going much slower than me), there was still plenty of company in the park for the final lap. I kept on drinking fluids. The race volunteers, who were extremely nice, filled one of my empty bottles with water.

The official results show a time of 3:47:23 for me, but I don't think that's right, as it's the same time as the person ahead of me. I contacted the race director about it. My GPS recorded a time of 3:48:46. Looking at race video that Jenelle took (that I'll eventually post), I stopped my watch about three seconds after crossing the line, so let's call it 3:48:43, which is my third fastest marathon, averaging about 8:43 per mile. My only faster marathons were in Nashville in April 2008 (3:43:06) and San Antonio in November 2008 (3:47:07).

After the race, I enjoyed a pizza from Marathon Pizzeria, an independent carry-out / delivery place where you get 15% off if you give them your race number to hang on the ceiling. Sounds like a great deal to me!

2011 Lighthouse Run

Weather is always a question mark at the Lighthouse Run. When I first ran it in 2005, the conditions were pretty good, and I set a then-personal best of 1:24:49. The following year's run, in 2006, featured 80+ degree temps at the start and significant humidity. Though I was in much better shape, I was a tiny bit slower, finishing in 1:25:05. In 2007, it was still warm, but not as bad as in 2006, and I set another personal best (1:22:59) with the help of my friend Mark. Mark was alongside me again in 2008 when overcast skies and temps in the 60s brought me to the line in 1:19:20 -- my best 10-mile run ever.

Until today.

I skipped the Lighthouse Run in 2009 and 2010, but I was back in action for the 2011 edition. Rain was in the forecast, but it turned out to be a sunny but cool day, with temps in the low-to-mid 60s at the start.

My tentative plan was to run each mile in 7:54 or less to ensure a finish under 79 minutes. The wind was in my face at the start, but that was a good sign, as it would be at my back for the finish.

Mile 1 (7:21) -- Too fast! I guess the excitement of a beautiful day got my adrenaline going. I waved to Jenelle, Eliana, Grandma Iz, and my parents as I ran by.

Mile 2 (7:37) -- My pace was still a little bit quick, but I felt great as I made my way through the zoo.

Mile 3 (7:42) -- My heart rate settled into the 160s as I zoomed north on main street. It was a bit strange, but I felt perfectly comfortable running at less than 8:00/mile into the wind.

Mile 4 (7:45) -- At this point, I adjusted my goal a little bit. I felt so relaxed that I was pretty sure I could average 7:42 for the duration of the race, which would be a finish under 77 minutes. Given that I was a bit quicker than that for the first two miles, I attempted to run each mile at 7:45 or better.

Mile 5 (7:42) -- Thanks, Aunt Sue, for the bottle of water! It's become a Lighthouse Run tradition for my aunt, who lives on Valley Trail, to greet me at the 4.5-mile mark with a bottle of water. I actually enjoy carrying a half-liter bottle (with the cap), because I can more easily ration my water intake. I was now heading east on 4 Mile Road.

Mile 6 (7:39) -- The road turned south and became Lighthouse Drive. How appropriate. I tried to keep things as relaxed as possible for a potential charge in the last mile or so.

Mile 7 (7:39) -- With the wind at the back of the runners, several folks passed me, but I kept things steady in the hopes of passing the same people later on. I gulped down a raspberry Accel Gel as the course meandered west on 3 Mile Road.

Mile 8 (7:39) -- The course turned south, and we were back on Main Street, which would take us all the way to finish. In my last four races, I've had some energy left at the finish, which means that I paced myself too conservatively. As I neared the eight-mile mark, I decided to leave as much out on the course as I could. I finished my water bottle and dropped the hammer.

Mile 9 (6:59) -- Let's fly! My heart rate jumped back into the 170s as I passed runners one by one. On the left side of the street, the people participating in the fun run/walk seemed like they were standing still. A few of them recognized me and shouted my name, so I smiled, looked back, and waved at them. I was a tiny bit thirsty, so I grabbed one more cup of water at the last aid station.

Mile 10 (6:36) -- I kept it going, and then some, despite some slight inclines in the final mile. About a quarter mile from the finish, I passed a large group of runners that was clumped together. I had a feeling that one or more of them would have a strong finishing kick and challenge my position, but I was in the clear down the final stretch.

Finish -- I saw my parents, Jenelle, and Eliana, who were all smiles, knowing that I had achieved my goal. I was thrilled to see the clock below 75 minutes as I crossed the line. My clock time was 1:14:51, and my chip time was 1:14:39, good enough for 138th place out of 831 runners.

Other interesting notes:

• I donned my Saucony Fastwitch 3 shoes, which are 40% lighter than my other running shoes, for an extra edge. I usually don't wear my "racing" shoes for races above 10K, as they are tougher on my feet. However, I felt okay after a 10-mile training run in them, so I gave them a try today.
• My average heart rate was 168 bpm. During the final mile, my heart rate averaged 182 bpm with a maximum of 192 bpm. Exhilarating.
• I estimated that I completed the first 10K of the course in 47:27, which is about the same as my 10K personal best (47:28) from last Thanksgiving.
• I covered the final mile in 6:36. If I ran a 5K at this pace, I would finish in 20:32, which would be a new personal best.
• Congrats to my friend Paul, who finished his first 10-mile race ever in 1:47:50. He has pressed on in his efforts to become a stronger runner in the past several months. I'm impressed by his commitment and dedication. He will be running the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon this fall, and I wish him all the best.
• I always run this race as a member of the SC Johnson "SCJ Off! and Running" team. Only the first four finishers of the team are counted in the final score. Usually, my score is nowhere near the top four, but this time, I was fifth.
• After the race, I took a shower at my grandparents' condo, as they live a short distance from the start/finish. After the shower, I realized that I forgot to put my boxers in my running bag along with my change of clothing. I can't remember the last time I went commando. To borrow a quote from Seinfeld's Kramer, I was "out there and loving every minute of it" while completing some errands after the race. :)

Kenosha 2011 Recap

Pre-Race
David and I arrived at the start area just after 6 a.m. I was wearing my cheese cowboy hat and cheese cape, and David was sporting a cheese fez and cheese bow tie, so we definitely stood out a bit. Several other runners asked if they could get their picture taken with us, and we happily obliged.

The weather was pretty close to ideal for running -- maybe just a tiny bit cool. I wore a long sleeved shirt under my yellow race shirt to ensure I would stay warm for the duration of the race. Despite the added air resistance from the hat and the cape, I was confident I could cross the line in four hours.

We took our place in the cheese corral with lots of other somewhat crazily-dressed people. For whatever reason, no one wanted to be in front of us, so when the race started at 7 a.m., we were clearly visible in the start photo that appeared on the front of the sports page in the Kenosha News the next day. Nice.

The Early Going
The excitement of race day always gets you going a little faster than goal pace in the first mile. We were targeting 9:09/mile, which would result in a four-hour marathon for me and a two-hour half marathon for David. I took a position ever so slightly behind David in the first mile, just to keep him from going any faster. We reached the one mile mark in 9:00, just a tiny bit ahead of pace.

I came up right alongside David as we eased into the second mile. There were lots of spectators as we cruised through downtown Kenosha, which always makes things more exciting. My parents were out on the course, videotaping and providing me with drinks, sport beans, and energy gels when necessary. I saw a few more familiar faces, including Pastor Dean, the senior pastor at Kenosha Bible Church.

David and I finished the second mile in 9:10.

Change of Plans
David and I planned to stay together on the course for the first 12 miles, at which point the half marathoners turn back to the finish while the full marathoners head further south. Not only could we enjoy the race together, but we could help each other stay on track to finish in a combined six hours or less.

During the third mile, we had to change our plans. At about the 2.1-mile mark, I was pushing along steadily at goal pace. I suddenly realized that David was falling behind. Not wanting to drop him this early in the race, I slowed to 9:30/mile, then to 9:45/mile, then to 10:00/mile pace. Nearing the three-mile mark, I slowed to a walk until David caught up to me.

We chatted for a while, keeping the pace easy. I was relieved to hear that David hadn't pulled a muscle or anything like that. For whatever reason, fatigue had set in pretty early. With about $100 in bonus pledges on the line (for finishing under a combined six hours), we decided that I should push ahead. Hopefully David could hang in there and stay strong for a solid finish.

Moving Right Along
For the next several miles, I ran slightly faster than goal pace to get back on track. I felt pretty good as I reached the north turnaround point, near Carthage College, which was just past the 7.5 mile mark. I headed south for several minutes before seeing David, still making his way north. There was still a smile on his face as he waved at me, so I knew we were still in good shape.

I was feeling pretty good at this point. I made a quick pit stop during mile nine, and I began my usual routine of a serving of sport beans or energy gel every couple of miles. As the course ventured back into the downtown area, there were once again large numbers of spectators, so that helped me along. I also saw my parents at the 11-mile mark. I grabbed some rations from them, as they would be heading to the finish area to see David complete his half marathon.

I kept it going past the half marathon turnaround point. The wind seemed to be helping me as I continued south, so I tried to conserve energy for the final seven miles, during which I'd be heading north with a wind in my face. I arrived at the halfway point in 1:59:22, just a bit ahead of my goal pace.

The Quieter Side
Things definitely got a bit more "serious" after the half marathon turnaround point. While there were still spectators, it was more subdued than the earlier parts of the race. The big question on my mind -- with David likely finishing in more than two hours, should I try and speed up to make up the time? I didn't feel tired at this point, but I also didn't feel super-energized. I kept things right around goal pace through mile 20.

At mile 18, cheers from my wife and five month-old daughter tremendously raised my spirits. Jenelle, who hand-made my cape and David's bow tie, had also made a miniature cape for Eliana. My baby girl was absolutely adorable in her blue hooded sweatshirt with the cape attached in the back. I stopped for a moment to take a picture of them before continuing on my way.

Zooming to the Finish
I learned that David finished the half marathon in 2:22:14. I knew that I couldn't make up 22 minutes of time, but I still hoped to record a good time. Despite a wind in my face, I tried to pick things up in the final 6.2 miles. I averaged 9:02/mile for miles 21-23. I saw my parents, Jenelle, Eliana, and David at mile 22, who gave me the extra encouragement I needed to finish strong.

I dropped the hammer in miles 24-26, turning in splits turned in splits of 8:07 (!!), 8:38, and 8:37. It took me just 1:39 to cover the remaining .22 miles to reach the line in 3:56:22.

Post-Race Fun
David and I each enjoyed beer and bratwurst in the finish area. A few more runners came by to take pictures of us. It's fun to feel like a celebrity for a little while. Back home, we enjoyed plenty of pizza and other snacks to celebrate our successful finishes. David's brother, Adam, along with his family, made the trip up from Illinois to party with us.

Another great race in the books!

Miles 1-5	9:00	9:10	10:28	9:03	8:52
Miles 6-10	8:58	8:53	9:01	9:09	9:01
Miles 11-15	8:42	8:58	8:50	9:06	9:06
Miles 16-20	9:21	9:07	9:14	9:08	9:05
Miles 21-25	8:48	9:05	9:12	8:07	8:38
Miles 26-End	8:37	1:39

• Finish Time: 3:56:22
• Average Pace: 9:01/mile
• First half: 1:59:22 Second half: 1:57:00
• Fastest Mile: #24 (8:07) Slowest Mile: #3 (10:28)
• Race Photos

Wisconsin Marathon / Half - Results

The results are in: I finished the marathon in 3:56:22, and David finished the half marathon in 2:22:14. Thanks to everyone for their support!

I'll post photo links and a recap soon. I'll also make a video, but considering I still have two other races in need of videos, it might be a while. :)

Finish Line, Unofficial CheeseTime 3:56:24

Congrats Ben!  Under 4 hours!  I’m wondering if you need to wear a cape everytime you race now!  Congrats!

Mile 25, CheeseTime 3:46:25

Getting close now....

Mile 21, CheeseTime 3:11:25

Ben just passed the Mile 21 marker. He is battling a strong head wind into the finish. Stay Strong!

Jenelle and Eliana on the course

This picture came through a little wavy, but it must be because Ben is running so fast!
UPDATE (made post-race by Ben): Here's a better version of that picture: