50 Mile Week

Another post from 2011

There is power in having a goal, and even more in writing it down.

One of my physical goals for 2011, is to run 50 miles in one week. As of today, I am 3 miles away from reaching that goal, and will be completed tomorrow -- if the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise. (Actually, even if the creek rises, I will be out on the road swimming the last 3 miles.) I have not come this far to surrender now. 

I've learned a lot of lessons over the last 6 days and it has not been easy. Early mornings, very early mornings. Forgoing sleep to hit the road. My 18 mile run this past Saturday set me on the path (or road), and I just keep plodding along. As slow as I am, I just refuse to quit until I have hit the mark. And yesterday, I realized that I will only be 2.4 miles away from 52.4 (2 Full Marathons) so I have upped my goal. 

This morning and yesterday were not easy to get up and start, but once I'm on the road at 5 a.m., the goal keeps me going. 

No IPOD, no one to visit with, just me and the road (and the occasional newspaper delivery man). If I could get the world to run with me, I could solve all of its problems during my runs in the early mornings. 

I'm looking forward to hitting the mark tomorrow, and I'm also looking forward to sleeping in on Saturday. 

50 Down, 2.4 to Go - Repost

Past post from 2011...

Last night after dinner, I decided to knock out the last 3 miles of my 50 mile week. That means in 6 days, I've spent close to 8 hours of running, burned who knows how many calories and lost at least 6 hours of sleep. It's been easier as it is Spring Break and I have not been tutoring this week, but it has taken a commitment and level of dedication that I'm not sure I've had in the past.

This goal for 2011 is part of a larger overall goal -- To Run the Boston Marathon. To get there though, it will take much work. I plan to run the OKC Marathon, and this has been a good week of training. I also have written down to run 4 or 5 marathons this year. This week will be helpful as I look to maintain and improve.

After work today, I plan to run the last 2.4 miles so I will have finished 2 marathons in 7 days. Not a huge deal to some people, but to me, it's something I didn't know I had in me. Once I thought about the possibility (dream), and wrote it down (goal), it became a possibility. It's a lesson in goal setting and reinforces to me the power of the written goal.

Even if it's only until 6:00 a.m., I'm sleeping in tomorrow!

10 Lessons Learned from 50 Mile Week

The following was a post from earlier this year (2011).


Here are some lessons I've learned from this week's 50-mile run:

1. Start strong and then continue
2. There is a voice that tries to tell you that you can stop since you've already done a "good enough" job.
3. You must totally commit to achieving your goal.
4. You must be willing to deny yourself of certain things (sleep, free time, etc.)
5. Do the hardest part of a job at the beginning (started with an 18 mile run last Saturday).
6. You MUST write your goal down on paper.
7. Tell others and you will be accountable (Facebook/Twitter).
8. Consistency is more important than 1 great day followed by 5 days off.
9. Not everyone will understand.
10. Hardest part is getting up and out the door. After 10-15 minutes into my run, I realize I'm having the time of my life and I am enjoying the journey just as much as the actual accomplishing of my goal.

2010 Odessa Crossroads Marathon

Split	Time	Elev. Gain	Elev. Loss	Calories		Comment
1	0:09:33	0	19	155		Good fiirst mile. Nice weather starting off. Compared to other races, it did not take long to work my way to the starting line. Could be due to the fact that there are only 60 individuals with enough horse sense to run a marathon in Odessa.
2	0:09:44	0	4	158		Continuing a nice warm up pace. Lots of half marathoners in the pack enjoying life. I on the other hand know the perils of what lies ahead.
3	0:09:19	0	2	158		Picking up the pace to my goal pace. Decided during mile 2 to gradually increase and then back off to a 9:15 pace. We'll see how that plays out.
4	0:09:06	16	0	157		Sun is coming up. Feeling good about my pace and comfort level.
5	0:08:55	9	8	156		Putting the sunglasses down. Nice weather still, but not the most scenic marathon I have run. First sub-9 minute mile. Thought I had learned my lesson about "banking" time.
6	0:08:25	15	0	157		Sub 8:30 mile. Now we are cooking. Sure, I know it's only mile 6, but I am flying. Anyone with a lick of sense would know better.
7	0:08:14	0	4	159		At this pace I am sure I resemble the roadrunner and would surely catch Wyl E. Coyote.
8	0:09:02	36	0	157		Entering into a stretch of vast nothingness.  Mesquite trees and pumpjacks are the options for scenery along a 2-lane country road. As we run, we catch a glimplse of what we will see on our return. Miles 23, 22, 21, etc.
9	0:08:55	21	0	156		Still an excellent pace. The group has thinned out and we can see Ratliff Stadium--the conclusion for our Half-Marathon running friends.
10	0:09:00	23	0	157		Thankful for water stations at each and every mile. On pace for the race I would like, but lack of training will soon rear it's ugly head.
11	0:08:58	7	14	157		Not much to look at
12	0:09:03	5	0	157		Even less to look at
13	0:09:10	5	0	157		Entering Ratliff Stadium for a lap on the track. Feels like I'm in the middle of Friday Night Lights.
14	0:09:24	4	0	157		Endured a ridiculous incline on the ramp leaving Ratliff. Our numbers of runners has dropped by about 80% and for those of us running the full, it does not get any easier.
15	0:09:26	0	0	157		Glad to see a house or two, thrilled to be in a neighborhood.
16	0:09:55	5	7	155		Back to desolation. Reminds me of my first 12 mile run on the country roads of Goldthwaite. Thanks Jen for starting this madness.
17	0:09:58	4	7	153		This is our turn around mile. Sun is up and temperature is rising. I realize it is going to be a long next 1.5-2 hours
18	0:10:26	0	0	150		Pace has slowed. Beginning to walk through water stations.
19	0:10:27	4	0	152		Approaching Ratliff Stadium again for the long stretch towards the finish line. Felt a tinge of cramping in one of my hamstrings.
20	0:11:41	0	13	143		First 11 minute mile. Not a lot of people around.
21	0:13:48	5	0	121		We have entered the land of 13-minute miles. Substantial amount of walking. Very little running. Hoping to avoid cramping as my legs are shot.
22	0:13:54	0	10	123		Have now gone from walking through the rest stops to walking the mile and trying to run through the rest stops.
23	0:11:30	10	23	151		Made the final lonely turn as we head back to crossroads church. Just dropped off my dignity at the last aid station as I hobble toward the finish line.
24	0:12:13	0	18	139		Would kick myself for not training better if I could raise my leg high enough.
25	0:13:28	0	31	128		Trying to muster up the energy to run across the finish line.
26	0:13:10	6	9	127		We seem to be running away from the finish line, which is demoralizing when all I want to do is cut across the field (maybe even rile up a rattlesnake to bite me and end my suffering).
27	0:03:26	0	0	52		Able to find the strength to run (using the turn loosely) for the last 200 yards.
Summary	4:30:21	176	169	3,949		Was not pretty and most certainly could have been worse. Glad to put this race behind me and hoping this gives me an advantage for the White Rock Marathon in December.
					Summary:  This was the 2nd running of the Odessa Marathon, and numbers were up from last year, there were only about 65 full marathon runners. Aid stations at every mile were nice, and some miles those were the only signs of life you would see. Very flat course, which is nice if you are trying to reach a goal (mine was survive and finish).  First 14 miles were great, last not so much. There is work to do, and we will press on in hopes of significant gains for the rest of the season.
						http://connect.garmin.com/activity/51870846?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4cc86628934cd282,0

2009 Dallas White Rock Marathon - Too Busy to Recap

2009 Dallas White Rock Marathon

Comments:  With my first running of the Cowtown Marathon tomorrow (2/27/10), I must post an abbreviated post-race recap of the 2009 White Rock Marathon. A number of changes in my life, most significantly the birth of our daughter, did not help my training. I was able to put in a 17 mile run about 6 weeks prior, and then a sinus infection 3 weeks prior were also cause for concern. My ultimate goal was to finish, and that I did. The last 6 miles included quite a bit of walking. Overall, it was a beautiful day for a marathon, and a good training run. It was my 4th straight White Rock, and I am hoping for better results next year.                                Should be interesting to compare these times with tomorrow's.

Time	4:34:47
Split	Time	Distance	Avg Speed	Max Speed
1	0:09:33	1	9:33	8:23
2	0:09:23	1	9:23	4:35
3	0:09:29	1	9:29	7:37
4	0:09:35	1	9:35	7:46
5	0:09:59	1	9:59	8:25
6	0:09:39	1	9:39	7:53
7	0:09:44	1	9:44	8:34
8	0:09:30	1	9:30	8:42
9	0:09:17	1	9:17	7:50
10	0:09:27	1	9:27	7:42
11	0:09:26	1	9:26	8:24
12	0:09:26	1	9:26	8:14
13	0:09:34	1	9:34	8:27
14	0:09:50	1	9:50	9:02
15	0:10:59	1	10:59	9:03
16	0:11:16	1	11:16	9:00
17	0:10:49	1	10:49	8:57
18	0:11:23	1	11:23	9:14
19	0:10:33	1	10:33	9:00
20	0:11:57	1	11:57	9:17
21	0:12:28	1	12:28	9:19
22	0:09:58	1	9:58	8:38
23	0:10:38	1	10:38	9:14
24	0:12:46	1	12:46	9:26
25	0:11:46	1	11:46	9:29
26	0:11:07	1	11:07	6:48
27	0:05:01	0.47	10:46	8:51
Summary	4:34:47	26.47	10:22	4:35

2008 Oklahoma City Marathon Recap

2008 Oklahoma City Marathon  Recap

The following is a commentary of the ups and downs of the 2008 Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. Also included are my splits and the justification/explanation of each wet and windy mile. There were a number of things that made this marathon memorable, the least of which was taking off 10 minutes from my previous best time and running a sub 3:50 marathon.

What made this a memorable event was the fact that it was truly a family affair. Both my parents have trained very diligently for the past 4 months to walk the half-marathon. I am not quite sure what other 60 year-old couples were doing on Sunday, April 27, but the example of goal-setting, and perseverance to each person.

Other than my parents, my wife, sister-in-law, brother and sister, also were participants. To have 7 people involved in a marathon, half-marathon or 5K is either an example of accomplishment or incredible insanity. I will let you be the judge.

Waking up at 3:50 in the morning for any reason is red-flag that one has lost his common sense, and rising this early to prepare to run 26 miles is surely a reason for one to receive professional help.

Having completed this marathon (running and walking the last 6 miles) in a disappointing performance, a number of questions and doubts were present. The surprising relative success of this race has led to bouts of lunacy in which I have begun to seek to run at an even faster pace and continue to participate in an event that I do not innately enjoy.

Congratulations to the whole family on a job well done!

I hope the following is enlightening and entertaining!

Mile		Time		Comment		Mile		Time		Comment
1		8.24.14		Good 1st mile once we finally reached the start (took about 10 minutes after the gun). Drinking water and Gatorade since 3:50 a.m. beginning to catch up to me.		14		8.50.81		Made the turn at Lake Hefner and now will have the wind at my back for at least the next 3-4 miles. (the only way a large runner like me will have a chance.
2		9.44.73		No mile marker! I know I am not moving at this slow of a  pace, and after almost 10 minutes, I give up looking for mile marker #2. Still needing a restroom.		15		8.48.31		Good pace. Thankfully, the Hurricane force winds are at my back. Sun has come out and temp. is about 50 degrees. Only thing missing is a cynical professor and college basketball coach to provide some commentary.
3		8.03.59		Thinking I am going slower (b/c no mile marker at Mile 2), I get behind a Kenyan and speed up to get back on track. Realizing that I am going to need a restroom before the finish. (I am not this fast, please realize that anything faster than 8:15 mile pace only means that there are Gale Force Winds at my back.		16		8.40.01		Finishing up our time at the Lake. Still feeling good, despite knowing the Big Hill at Mile 17. No sign of cramps and feeling good. At this point, I realize that running the White Rock Marathon 4 months earlier was actually the best thing I could do for my training.
4		8.36.53		Still feeling good.  Sprinkling and windy, but overall good conditions. Trying to use some strategery to find a restroom without waiting in line.		17		8.51.52		Hill was not as imposing nor as difficult as I remember. Trying to get to mile 20 at 3 hours to give myself a chance.
5		8.17.94		Must be going down a hill to be this fast.		18		9.02.51		A little fatigue has set in so pace slowed slightly. Incredibly long stretch coming from mile 19 to 23 which I walked a great deal of last year. Doing anything for 3 straight hours becomes monotonous, and after 3 hours of running, the only thing to do is keep putting one food in front of the other.
6		8.29.78		Wishing I had Coach G (or at least his Garmin Gizmo to tell me some semblance of a pace).		19		8.42.62		Back on pace. Found a guy in front of me to keep up with and pace me (a GPS Garmin or Greg Giddings would be extremely beneficial).
7		8.30.62		Restroom urge has not subsided. Rain has begun to let up. Still cool conditions.		20		8.35.73		Wanting this to be over. Still, not in as much pain or discomfort compared to prior marathons. No signs of cramps. Gu and Blocks have been well utilized.
8		8.37.05		Hour #2. Wondering why someone would drive 150 miles (with gas @ $3.50) to get up at 3:50 a.m. and run 26.2 miles. Trying to get to mile 10 or 11 for Port-a-potty.		21		8.46.37		Will be extrememly difficult to keep this pace for the next 6 miles.
9		9.05.26		Giddings-like pace not acceptable here when trying to run a 3:50.		22		9.07.90		Tired of Running! I remember finishing up our conditioning at MSU and I vowed I was not a runner and would never run again if I didn't have to. Oh to have a Dr. Pepper in my hands sitting down to some chips and salsa.
10		8.35.24		Back to a Daniel Green-like pace (actually Daniel is probably close to the finish line at this point due to his running prowess). Enjoyed catching up to my sister and visiting for a few minutes. Will be at a restroom next mile - no choice.		23		8.53.07		Running a little faster just to get it over with. Still not hurting as much as in the past. (That probably means I have not been running fast enough).
11		10.01.51		After waiting in line for 1 minute for the portapotty, feeling much better. Knowing some time will have to be made up.		24		8.50.24		Turned the corner and now into the neighborhoods. Have cramped here in the past, and last year at this time, I was on a slow walk through past these houses.
12		8.18.54		Making up a few seconds.		25		8.51.35		Realizing I have a chance at 3:50.
13		8.38.09		Pretty Good pace. Approaching Lake Hefner. Stiff wind in my face for the first half of a mile, but hoping it will be at my back at least for awhile.		26		8.19.84		Picking up the pace. Turning the corner, and hearing "Just 6 More Blocks" does not make one feel any more comfortable. Since we started 10 minutes after the Gun, I can see the 4 hour clock ticking and I decide to give what little I have left and finish under 4.
Half (13.1)		1.54.19		At the half-way point, I am cautiously optimistic. And according to Coach G, a half is not 13.1 but 20 miles, since the last 6 will be the 2nd half. Daniel Green who is a far better runner than myself is probably on his way back to Wichita Falls right now. Coach Giddings just finished his Dissertation so I know I can count on him this time next year.		Full (26.2)		3.49.25		Not sure if it was the winds at my back for 75% of the time, or the fact that I put in a week of 45 mile week earlier in my training, but no cramps and a smile on my face as I came across the finish line. I was actually able to greet my wife. The worst part about reaching this goal is that is has caused me to ask how I could shave more time, and repeat this nonsense in the future.

Patrick Fariss

Pre-AP Algebra I/ Pre-Algebra

CMS West

pfariss@coppellisd.com

214-496-8765