Going the Distance

Going though withdrawal

A week ago when fellow blogger Jessica asked me if I wanted to run another half-marathon, I thought she was nuts.

I mean why the heck would I want to do that again? I really only did it this time to prove to myself that I could run a half-marathon and because I missed running. Now that I know I can finish a marathon what would be the point?

It didn't take me long to come up with an answer to that question. Two days after the half-marathon, after dissecting what I did well and what I did wrong, I was already setting a new goal time: 2 hours or less.

I mean if an 11-year-old boy can run 13.1 miles barefoot in 1 hr 38 minutes and 54 seconds than surely, I should be able to finish in less than 2 hours. (Note: to read more about Barefoot Billy Welzein visit http://www.myrtlebeachonline.com/seanhorgan/story/352935.html)

And, while my goal isn't to win the half-marathon it would be nice to have a decent time, and to set a personal record.

Now, all I need to do is find a nearby half-marathon. If you know of any please share.

To the victors go the spoils

Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm the type of person that likes to treat myself. Whether it be a new toy (electronic gadget or video game), a nice meal, or some other trinket...I generally like to reward myself for things that I deem as reward-worthy.

And with yesterday's marathon being one of my greatest achievements to date, I wanted to do something equally great to celebrate. I thought maybe a celebratory dinner would be the right way to bask in the glory of the day, but in the end it just didn't feel right. And besides, by dinnertime Saturday I was pretty beat. We actually just ended up staying in and ordering pizza. It wasn't quite the special meal I had dreamed up (I originally made reservations at Rioz Brazilian Grille, which is amazingly good), but it hit the spot nonetheless.

Instead, I decided to go through with something my dad (who ran part of the race with me) and I had been talking about doing for months. We got tattoos to mark the occasion. Ok, well actually I got a tattoo to mark the occasion and he got a tattoo of a shark and some gears (to represent the swim and bike sections of the triathlon), but you get the point.

After completing the race, we headed home to clean up real quick and went straight back down to Seaboard Street. Although this would be my third tattoo (in addition to band on my leg and the mouse on my forearm) I hadn't had one done in Myrtle Beach, so I wasn't quite sure which of the numerous tattoo shops in the area was the best.

We ended up just starting on one end of the plaza and went door to door until we found one that wasn't booked up all afternoon. We settled on Elite Ink, which seemed a bit bigger and maybe a touch nicer than the few others we visited, and made appointments to come back a few hours later at 4 to get our work done. After some oceanfront dining at Damon's and we came back ready to get tatted.

My tattoo artist, Josh, had worked up a modified design from a tattoo that I had sketched out. I originally wanted it down both sides of my foot, but ended up getting it in top of my foot at after learning that ink tends not to stick in the skin on the side/bottom of your foot (I guess your feet shed skin 6-8 times faster than the rest of your body.)

The actual process was pretty unpleasant. It wasn't so much the tattoo that hurt, although putting the needle in near my pinky toe was considerably more painful than either of my other tattoos. The thing the really hurt was the cramping in my leg and foot from holding it up on a stool for almost 2 hours. It was so bad that after about 5 minutes I was thinking to myself "Couldn't you have waited until Monday to do this?" I kept trying to relax my foot but generally being poked with a needle causes you to tense up a bit...and thus I ended up having to hold my leg and calf half the time to keep my muscles from twitching too much.

In the end, despite the momentary discomfort, both our tattoos came out looking even better than I had hoped. It was a great little father-son bonding moment -- although, I'll admit a bit untraditional -- and the perfect way to celebrate the victory of the day.

My race recap...Take 2

Well, I spent nearly an hour this morning going through my race, blow by blow...only to have typepad eat my entire entry. Unfortunately, I my sore and exhausted state I don't think I have it in me to recap it again.

Instead, I will just post this photo of my wife and I at the finish line and let everyone guess how it went:

OK, just kidding. I finished my first marathon in 4:31:00.

Hopefully I will find the inspiration to recap the whole thing again in the next few days. And thanks again to everyone that made this happen. From my wife to all my parents to co-workers, fellow runners and volunteers. You all helped to make it one of the greatest days of my life. 

The finish line = best sight ever!

Whoooopeeeeee!!!!!

I couldn't help feel a sense of accomplishment after sprinting in to the finish line after a 13.1 mile run. No I didn't place in the half-marathon or even come close. But I finished.

And I have a neat medal to show for it. In fact, I think I may just wear my medal all week just to celebrate.

I was proud that I not only ran the whole way, but I finished under 3 hours.

There was a moment during the race when I thought I could hit the 2 hours and 30 minute mark. But alas I fell a little short. I clocked in at 2 hours and 32 minutes and 30 seconds --which is about an 11 1/2 minute mile.

And, I couldn't have done it without my training partner and fellow blogger Jessica, who kept me on pace for the first seven miles. To the rest of The Sun News blogger crew--John, Gwen and Chris--We did it! I'm so proud.

To all of the volunteers, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

I have a special soft spot for all of the people who lined up to cheer us on. I know it's early and it's not easy to wake up before the sun makes an appearance, but that is why it means so much to me that you were there. It really does make a difference. So a HUGE thank you to all of you who made it out to support the runners.

To the organizers: I've never run a half-marathon before, but I was hugely impressed with how well put together the event was from bag check-in to free post-race massages. It was all good.

And to our Internet audience: I hope you have enjoyed following us in our journey to the marathon and half-marathon. Please keep checking this blog throughout the week as we plan to continue to write about our post-race experiences.

So, when's the next race?

Yeeaaahhh!

That’s all I could think when I ran across the finish line today. I met my goals, which were a) not walking and b) running roughly a 12-minute mile (final time was around 2 hours, 38 minutes).

I was so nervous this morning about getting there on time and eating the right thing, wearing the right thing. Aliana and I rode together and just parked at Broadway at the Beach, only a short walk from the starting line.

I was pumped when we heard the gun go off, marking the start of the race. At first, everyone was packed in like sardines, and I probably bumped into about a dozen people before the crowd thinned.

We got down to Ocean Boulevard, and it was absolutely beautiful seeing the ocean on my left and watching the dawn slowly break.

We saw some interesting outfits on the way (including fluorescent, checkered, spandex pants and hats with little antennae on them). Signs read “You’re my hero” and “Never give up,” which really helped motivate me.

I’d like to reiterate John’s thank you to volunteers and spectators who showed up to hand us water, man the streets and ensure everything ran smoothly (especially fellow Sun News employees). We wouldn’t have been able to do this if it weren’t for you!

As I suspected, the road after mile 10 was the toughest. I trudged along, but was still getting passed by speed walkers and people clearly older than my grandparents, which was a little discouraging.

Still, whether it was the adrenaline or the training, the pain wasn’t as horrible as I thought it would be. I was even able to pick up the pace as I went through the chute (I mean, you can’t look like a slow poke when all those people are around cheering!).

Aliana greeted me with a hug and a high five when I got there (we had split around mile 7). I was fortunate to see a few other friendly faces there, too.

We stuck around the cheer on the marathoners (God bless them, I don’t think I could have done it knowing how tough the half was).

Now all I need to figure out is what my next race will be. I don’t know that I want to do a marathon any time soon, but the feeling of accomplishment I got when I finished what I set out to do was unlike anything else.

So I’ll see you all on the streets. I’m hooked!

No personal record, but I did it

Since I finished the marathon today, I've put away a huge burger and a massive amount of fries during a Five Guys outing with my running partners. I got out of my running shoes, which felt heavenly. I've sprayed cold water on my legs as long as I could stand it _ not very long _ and then soaked a while in the tub. I beginning to fell human again.
I was reminded again today of why less than 1 percent of the world population has completed a marathon: It's really, really hard.
My goal time was 4:20, an improvement over my 4:35 last year. Instead, I finished about 4:42. I was right on track with my time through mile 18, and then I began to struggle. I had a side stitch for the remainder of the race, something I'm rarely bothered by. My legs hurt. My feet hurt.
Fortunately, I had some big motivation at mile 22. My friend Effie Hartley, who ran almost every mile with me training for the past 18 weeks, joined me there and pushed me (gently) to the end. Effie was advised by doctors Monday night not to run the marathon because of a health problem that we hope turns out to be nothing. It was heartbreaking for her, and all of us who trained with her and love her. She'd put in miles in the cold and rain, much of it at 5 a.m.
But she did decide she was up to running a few miles, and it was a big help for me.
So I'm a little disappointed that I didn't finish a bit sooner _ at least a little faster than last year. But hey _ I set out to run a marathon and I did it.
I want to echo John Marino's comments (below) about all those who turned out to cheer and the multitude of volunteers who make this event possible. I especially got a boost from a group of folks out playing some loud music at about mile 16, in the Cabana section, and cheering us on. A man running next to me said, "That's great they're doing that."
"It is," I replied. "They could still be in bed."
Thanks to all the police officers working today to be sure we passed through every intersection safely. Thanks to every person who passed out water and Gatorade. Thanks to everybody who makes it a little easier, even on days when it isn't

My story later, first a thank you!

Although I have yet to see my official finish time, I clocked myself at 2 hours, 16 minutes, 30 seconds for my first-ever half marathon. My goal was to run the entire half marathon course running -- without walking. Although I would have liked to have done it at a 1 mile per 10 minute pace, I'm ecstatic that I was able to finish to completion, running the entire time.

I know I speak for my fellow bloggers (Aliana, Chris, Gwen, and Jessica) and most -- if not all -- of the other runners reading this when I say THANK YOU to every single volunteer and spectator standing along the marathon track throughout my run.

Today, you were my motivation. It's with total honesty and sincerety when I say that you kept me from quitting. If I was out there with just a bunch of these other thousands of runners and no one cheering us on and not seeing anyone along the sidelines, I most likely wouldn't have finished.

The volunteers -- kids and adults -- handing me water and Powerade. You guys were awesome.  I have tremendous respect for all of you, taking time out of your weekends and personal schedules to make my run more enjoyable. Thanks a ton!

I don't say this for the sake of just saying it either. The clapping, the cheering and just the simple sights of people standing along the marathon track truly helped me finish this race. It was when I saw a lot of people on the sides that I felt the adrenaline rush and my legs pick up speed.

We all know who they are -- some of my family was there for the start of the race. My coworkers and their families and friends were volunteering handing out water, Powerade, and cleaning up the thousands of dropped Wendys cups that we all threw down to the ground.

If you know any volunteers or spectators from today, be proud of them and let them know it. Shake their hand, give them a kiss, pat them on the back, give them a standing ovation.

I'll post more details about my run itself during the week -- where I had the toughest times, funniest moment(s), how my aches and pains are doing, etc. but I wanted to make this blog entry today entirely about the volunteers and spectators. Up north our version of "y'all" is "you guys." So, thanks you guys!

I'm also sharing a photo of me and my buddy Casper, who shared in my joy and medal wearing after I got home this morning (sorry about the red eye).

Got a story you want to share about a volunteer or spectator from today's marathon? Comment on this blog entry below and share your story with us and the thousands of readers of this blog. Talk to you soon ...

How are they faring?

The Sun News' bloggers were all spotted at the six-mile mark with their heads up, looking good. Check back for their stories after the race.

You are ready for this race

A few weeks before I ran my first marathon in 2006, I interviewed Lynn Welden, an experienced marathoner and director of volunteers for the Myrtle Beach Marathon. That year and last year, I played something she told me over and over in my head.

She said: You have done your training. You are ready for this race.

It's easy to have doubts, but stay positive, she said. Her words helped me through a lot of tough miles both years, and I'm sure I'll be playing it in my head again tomorrow.

Here are some last-minute tips from Guy Osborne, who has coached the group of runners I train with:

The night before, get all your clothes together. Pin your bib on your shirt. Put your chip on your shoe. Take two Ibuprofen before you go to bed. Get a good night's rest. Even if you can't sleep, stay in bed and rest.

In the morning, get up in plenty of time so you don't have to rush. Have a cup of coffee if you normally drink it. Have breakfast. He recommends half a bagel with peanut butter, a cup of Basic cereal with banana and skim milk. Do some light stretching.

On the way to the race, drink something like Gatorade, diluted by half with water.

Good luck to all of you. Remember, you have done your training. You are ready!

Video: Marathon Expo

So, I got a chance to stop out to the runners expo this evening. I had a little hang up finding my way back to the Marriott entrance, which if you haven't been there before, is around the north side of the resort and down a side street, not right off 82nd parkway like you might expect, but overall it was a really good time. I got to converse with some fellow runners and picked up my number and chip, thus going past the point of no return...I'm officially now ready to race.

It's not a big event, but the stuff inside was definitely worth checking out. Especially since Myrtle Beach seems to be sorely lacking a running shop (I apologize if there's a good one out there I just don't know about.) I collected a few goodies for my bag including a makeshift first-aid kit from the Red Cross and some gum and a can coozie from Bi-Lo, and one for my tummy (a quite tasty winterfest lager from the New South folks). I also bought a couple souvenirs: a winged-shoe sticker for my car and a "Run Baby" onesie for the future baby Mowder.

Overall, all the volunteers were very helpful and everyone seemed genuinely excited or happy to be there and it just helped my enthusiasm skyrocket even more.