Running Shorts

I did it. I solved the world's problems on a recent run. Runners have a tendency to do that sort of thing. So the central problem is this: how do you make running a more popular sport? Wait, what? I thought running was already hugely popular? Isn't that what this whole "running boom" thing has been for the past 15 years? Aren't there millions of people who finish races every year? For the nerds (like me), check out some of the stats here . But that's precisely the issue. Running is a wildly popular activity, but it's a fairly unpopular sport . Meaning, people all over the country participate in running -- they go for a run, join a training group, sign up for a road race, etc. -- but very few people follow the professional side. And what's really interesting is that as more and more people have taken up running, fewer and fewer people have been following the pros. Media coverage of the sport, while once a mainstay in Sports Illustrated and on ESPN...

So I've been waiting a few days to post this so I can sort of digest the result and deconstruct the race a bit. I wanted to take a step back and look at it analytically, not emotionally. Anyway, here's the result: 56th place, 1:05:45. No Olympic Trials B Standard. See official results here. The immediate (and lingering) gut emotional response is one of disappointment. That's why I wanted to wait to write up this race recap. In my mind, this whole fall training cycle was geared towards peaking for this specific race. When I surprised myself and ran 1:05:28 in Indy a few months ago, I figured I set myself up perfectly to improve at this race -- 10 more weeks of training and there's no reason my fitness shouldn't improve. I even hit a killer workout just over two weeks before the race: 4 x 2 mile in 10:00, 9:56, 9:52, 9:50; the fastest I'd ever done that workout and 4:57 per mile (sub-1:05 pace) on lockdown. And my race splits started right where I wanted the...

Just wanted to get in one last post before heading to Houston this weekend. Tapering's been going well, and I had my last workout of this season on Tuesday: 4 x 1k at tempo pace (I averaged right around 3:05, which is near 5:00 pace, which is near goal half marathon pace). Nothing too crazy for that workout, just something to get the legs turning over and feeling race pace. Like any diligent racer, I've also been religiously checking the weather in Houston. It looks like, compared to the past couple weeks here (highs in the single digits, below-zero wind chills), it should be just about perfect down there. A nightly low around 45 warming up to 65 by mid-day (so it should hover right around 50 degrees for the race), with no precipitation in the forecast and winds below 10 mph? Can't ask for anything better than that. And of course, what pre-race post would be complete without the shameless self-promotion? The race starts at 6:55 am Central Time, so for everyone in the ea...

With 10 days to go until the US Half Marathon champs in Houston , I'm in full-on taper mode. Well, it's mostly because of the race coming up, but also partly due to the sub-zero temperature outside. That's not so fun to run in. Out of all the aspects of training -- base fitness, intervals, tempo runs, nutrition, injury prevention, etc. -- the taper is the toughest to really hit successfully. Which is ironic, since (in theory, at least) it's the easiest part of the training calendar. Why is it so tough? Because it's a balancing act between running with just enough intensity to stay racing fit, but resting just enough to feel fresh for race day. Too much intensity in your running will leave you tired for the race. Too much rest and you'll feel flat. And that balance completely varies from person to person -- some people respond best to more rest, some people to more running. Oh, and to make matters even better, you've got all the psychological games going ...

Winter is the time most people relax and take stock in their fall racing season. Whether training for a marathon, a cross country season, or even a series of road races, racing often winds down as the temperatures drop and the days get shorter. Thanksgiving often mark a last hurrah, one final chance to see what you've got in your legs, before retreating back into the winter slog of base training for the spring. Not for this guy. I still have one final race on my schedule this training block: the USA Half Marathon Championship hosted by the Houston Marathon on January 18th. As it's name suggests, it's one of the premier half marathons for American athletes. I'll most likely be racing against some runner named Meb and other people like him. I'm going to get my ass kicked, and it's going to be fantastic. Wait...what? This race attracts the best runners in the country, and -- just being realistic -- I know I'm not quite at the level where I can mix it...