The Marathon Plan - 2012

Leadville, CO 2009 Marathon

It is hard to believe that this year is just about over.  Marathon season in a lot of places are over and winter is beginning to set in.  It going to become colder and colder as I begin my new quest for what I like to call "The new Revival of Marathoning Part 2"


This blog has slipped away from its initial purpose which is to document my adventures in hiking, camping and marathoning.  Now i am back 


What happened?  I decided that after 21 marathons that have taken me to places like Rome, Italy, Vancouver, Anchorage, Honolulu, Grand Canyon and other great places that 6 years of running was starting to burn out my mind.  Yes, my mind, not my body, but my motivation to run.  This was a huge surprise to me that something like your motivation, your spirit would actually stand in your way of running.  It was time to take a break.  So I did.  


Last Maraton I ran was the Goofy Challenge in January 2011 Orlando, FL.  It was not my best time at all, probably my worse time, since I really only got about 6 miles of training in before the Disney marathon.  I ran the Half Marathon on Saturday and then the Full Marathon on Sunday. I was slow as I can be. However, i was not sore at all.  


Part 2:  After coaching the Fall team for the Chicago Marathon and starting to get re- motivated, I mind and spirit started to feel the energy again.  Seeing so many of my runners accomplish what only less then 1% of the world population do, started to spark something within myself.   Since I coach for Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society I started to remember the reasons of running.  It is not why but its because I CAN.  Like one of my runner and Friend Jenna would say, I RUN BECAUSE I CAN.  Jenna became an tremendous inspiration to not only myself but to our whole team.  Jenna just coming out of a very rare form of Leukemia, started to train for the Chicago Half and Finished it.  


Coaching has given me a new spark and fire for running again.  It brings me great joy to see a runner just off the coach train for months and then finishing a marathon.  This is a life changing event.  Running a marathon will change your life.  It just shows you that you are more capable of what you think you can do.  You are your only limit.  


The excitement is back.  I have BIG PLANS for 2012.  So far the plans are 
1.  ING Miami Full Marathon in January
2.  Suntrust Washington DC Marathon in March.
3.  Madison, WI Marathon in May


Ultras
1.  Dance with Dirt Ultra 50 miles in Baraboo, Wi - which includes obstacle, river crossing...etc
http://www.dwddevilslake.com/


2.  The North Face Endurance challenge 50 mile Madison, Wi in September


So far that is what I am aiming for.  

Grand Canyon Marathon

For my 20th marathon, I decided to do the Grand Canyon Marathon. I have hiked it down 5 times and I can not think of a better place to run a marathon this in my favorite places. I had trouble getting in at first since I was delayed in registering, but Jeannie, the director of the Marathon was able to get me in without a problem. She was truly awesome.

I must admit, I have not been doing much running this year. In fact, very little and I have even gain 10 pounds since the beginning of the year. I ran a Half marathon the Sunday before and felt very very sluggish and had a lot of problems with my left leg. My IT band was bugging me, then my ankle and then my quad. Nothing seem to be going well for me that Sunday on the Monster Mash half.

I got into Phoenix Friday morning and drove straight to the Grand Canyon to pick up my packet at the Grand Hotel, just outside the Grand Canyon NP (GC). The expo was just a pickup. But the goodie back was the best. I got a book on GC, a thermal, a tall GC cup, an LED Key chain and a dry fit shirt. It was great.

After the expo, I went to my lodging at the Bright Angel Lodge and was quite disappointed. It was a very small room, 1 twin bedroom, with a very small bathroom. No refrigerator or TV.

At about 4:30pm, we had a runner's orientation and had no idea what this could be about. I could only guess it would be rules that we had to follow since it takes place in a national park. Sure enough there was a wealth of information. This is the 2nd annual marathon, the first one had only 56 runners and this one had 300 runner. 175 for Half and 125 for full. It took a lot to get this marathon organized and about 7 different permits. You basically have to carry your own water bottle and have it filled up. No trash was allowed. You had to use the porta potty, no bushes. Leave no trace. This was very important.

The mile marker was as close to accurate as it can get. It is not a certified marathon. So it was 98% accurate as far as 26.2. No chip time. So this marathon was basically a very rough one.

The course started off with a nice 1 mile incline. I would have to say this was my 2nd hardest marathon I have done. I did not expect all the inclines and the 7000 feet of elevation, started to get me in the begining. I did however, regain my oxygen levels fairly quickly. Just had to catch some air. During the marathon I met Lawrence who was from Jersey who have ran 67 marathons and is around in his 60s. He is planning to run his 70th on his 70th birthday. Which has inspired me to run my 50th marathon on my 50th birthday. Which I will probably beat, since I am 42 and I have ran already 20 marathon. I also met Karen from NY, who this was her first marathon. I also met Beth from Phoenix who this was also her first marathon. She did awesome and I stuck with her in the last 10 miles. It gets lonely out there with very few runners and we were both alone by mile 17. So we kept each other going.

This marathon was a very unique marathon for my 20th and I am glad I did it. We hit spots in the NP that I have never been to.

The following day went to Sedona for a good 60 minute massage and felt great. Having not trained at all. I was free of any soreness or pain. Muscle memory in action.

Now, that I have ran my 20th, I am thinking about the future. What other marathon should I run.

For 2011 I so far have the following marathon listed.

1. Jan 6,7 Walt Disney Goofy challenge. Half/ Full marathon

2. Jan 27, Key west Marathon

3. Feb Rock and Roll Mardi Gras Marathon

4. May - Big sur Marathon in CA

6. June RnR Seattle Marathon

7. Nov- if I get in, NY marathon.

In between these marathon, I might run others that come in the way.

I would like to also return and do my 11th RAGBRAI, my bike ride across Iowa.

I also am planning to do my first 50 miler and my first 100 miler Ultra marathon.

We will see.

Thanks

Looking for Marathon #20

This year.. I am undecided as to either run another marathon or not and If I do, where and which one. I ran Suntrust Marathon with absolutely no training at all and my recovery was none, but in order to run a good marathon with a good time, I do need to find some time for training long runs. There is no way I can run a marathon without training and expect a good time.

I could, however, run a marathon just to run it. There are several marathon on my mind that I would love to run:

1. Seattle Rock and Roll - June 27th

2. San Francisco - July 25th

3. Minneapolis Mararhon - June 6th

4. Las vegas marathon - (again) Dec

5. Adirondack Marathon

6. More to come.....

Marathon #19th with little training?

Well, just out of the blue, I decided to run the Suntrust National Marathon in DC. This is my second time I am running it, but my 19th marathon overall. Not hoping for the best of times, since I have not ran since chicago marathon in October. Ran 8 miles last sunday in about 1:14 and still feel good.

So at this point.. I am relying on total muscle memory. My strategy will be to take it nice and slow and reserve some energy for the last 10 miles.

RnR Chicago Half Marathon PR

Well... it was a great day to run today. PR it under 2 hours. The first couple of miles... my calves were burning and it was probably because I was doing it at 7:35 min pace... so I slowed down. The sun towards the end started to get more intense as I was running by the lake.

Overall.. it was a good and well organized race.

Update on Marathon #16

Danny and Ruta at the start line

Well, there are lessons to be learn here, somewhere. Unfortunately getting sick the week of the marathon and trying to run it is not a good idea especially when your cold is from the next down. I was hoping that I could run it, but somehow, I knew this was not going to happen.
Ruta was very supportive and cheered me on no matter what. I did not have my heart in the race to begin with. Running the first mile, I already thought about what I was doing. I was evaluating my physical condition and trying to determine if I was indeed feeling bad or not. My breathing was becoming labored and my nose was getting stuffy. I can now feel the congestion in my chest and the flem being built up in my throat. My legs could go on with no problems but my chest was not. I had a hard time breathing. This is where you have to listen to your body. I started go through so many scenerious in my head as far as should I quite, should I walk it.. is it worth it. I decided, to take a DNF and stop at mile 10, where Ruta was waiting for me.
Now my focus was all on getting to mile 10 and just calling it quites. I had to.
Everyone else, that I was with, got thier personal best and Fang finished her 2nd marathon.
I was very happy for them.

Come Monday, went to the doctor, because I just did not feel well, espeically around my chest area and I ended having Pnemonia. Pnemonia on my right upper lobe of my lung.

Well, I am out for a couple of days from work and probably the next two weeks from any running.

But I will be back to try my #16 Marathon.. 5 in a row again in San Diego at the end of May

Suntrust Marathon Update

Here are some stats on my latest marathon

Summary

Per Mile

The route

Suntrust Marathon -Washington DC 2009, #15, #4 in a row

Hello,
Well, I had another great marathon this weekend, March 21st in DC. There were about 7,000 participant and about 5,000 did the half and the rest did the full. It takes entirely in DC going through all the little neighborhoods. The mayor of DC also ran it. The race shirts were awesome, dri fit ones. They were pulling in all the stops for this marathon since they want to make it as big as NY and put it in the map.

Racing to the finished line

Walking wow


Post race hunger

More pictures here.
http://picasaweb.google.com/runandcycle/WashintonDCMarathon_Danny#

ET Midnight Marathon in August??

This one looks interesting, a marathon in Nevada near area 51... hmmm



According to the website

WOW! We're gonna have fun with this one! On the fringes of the mysterious Area 51, Highway 375 has one of the highest number of reported UFO sightings. Enough so, that in 1996 the federal government officially named the 98 mile stretch of highway the "Extraterrestrial Highway". The ET Highway has become a gathering place for UFO enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. With elevations ranging from roughly 4000-5600 feet, the high desert will enchant you with gorgeous vegetation, surrounding mountains, and stunning vistas. An additional treat is the cooler temperatures. Rachel, NV is generally 15 degrees cooler than the Las Vegas Valley; coupled with a midnight run, temperatures should be in the 60's in August!

* The Extraterrestrial Full Moon Midnight Marathon, 1/2, 10K & 51K are run on the weekend closest to the full moon, starting at midnight for the marathon.

** All runners are REQUIRED to wear reflective clothing; carry a handheld flashlight or wear a headlamp; glow-necklaces will be provided.

*** All runners MUST exercise extreme caution as this highway is open range- meaning cows and other animals may be on the roadway! You may not provoke or approach these animals. Mind your own business and they should leave you alone.

The marathon starts at 12am from the "Black Mailbox" (which is ironically white). Runners will run on the shoulder of the road against traffic. Marathoners will climb to the Coyote Summit at 5591 feet and then descend into the town of Rachel at 4970 feet. From the start, the town of Rachel is roughly 20 miles. Marathoners will PASS by the Little A'le'Inn restaurant (the finish line) and go another roughly 3.1 miles. At roughly mile 23.1 marathoners will turn around and run the remaining 3.1 miles back to the Little A'le'Inn Restaurant and finish line where the BREAKFAST SPREAD awaits! 8 hour course cut-off.

Off to Phoenix for Marathon #13

So, I am off to Phoenix for Marathon #13 and wondering how I will do and how I will feel. It is interesting that even doing so many marathon, I still feel butterflies and a bit nervous, probably because the anticipation of how I will actually feel. You never know until you start running if you are going to have a good run or not. Since, I had such a difficult time with Honolulu, especially being sick and struggling with my fuel belt and my jacket and not to mention the pouring rain. This time.. I am leaving the fuel belt at home and trying the a small camel back.. that way my hips are free from anything. I am hoping this will be a PR.
We will see... since I twisted my left ankle and it is a bit swollen, it will be a challenge. I am anticipating it will hurt. Hey, there will always be another one.

Looking forward to escaping....

Danny

One Marathon a Month in 2009??

Wow, I just had a crazy idea... but depending on how I do in Honolulu and what my time comes out to be... I might consider running 1 marathon a month in 2009. If I feel the way I did on my 20 mile run, then I should not have a problem. My 20 miler went great 2 weeks ago and felt no soreness or pain whatsoever. In fact I did in under 3 hours. If I feel great, I actually might go for it, which will change my plans for training for a tri. There is so much I want to do as far as the physical aspect. If I am able to run 1 marathon a month next year, then I am going to attempt to run an ultra in 2010 or maybe by the end of 2009. Meaning I would run either a 50 mile or 100 mile race.
Note: The # is the marathon number I have done, so by the end of 2009, I would have ran 23 marathon in 5 years in total.

Here is my tentative schedule for 2009

#	Date	Name	Location
12	12/14/2008	Honolulu Marathon	Honolulu
13	1/18/2009	PF Chang Marathon	Arizona
14	2/7/2009	Sedona Marathon	Arizona
15	3/21/2009	Suntrust National Marathon	Washington DC
16	4/11/2009	Illinois Marathon	Champaing, Il
17	5/3/2009	Flying Pigs Marathon	Cinininati, OH
18	6/27/2009	Rock 'n' Roll Seattle Marathon	Seattle, WA
19	7/11/2009	Leadville Trail Marathon	Leadville, CO
20	8/30/2009	Quebec city Marathon	Quebec
	Sept	Cycling
21	10/25/2009	Marine Corp Marathon	Washington DC
22	11/1/2009	New Yor City Marathon	New York
23	12/7/2009	Las Vegas Marathon	Las Vegas

Chicago Marathon 2008 (Support)

It was another year for a hot marathon, but at least the humidty was not that bad, just the sun and the heat. I was out there supporting my runners. Manage to see all of them except for one. I provided Twizzlers, Powergel, Banana, Water, and sponges. It was so good to see all of them. I felt like running it, but still had a lot of fun. I ended up doing about 25 miles and running at least 10 miles during the support.

Danny and Mickie, her first marathon

Glad to see my gal April supporting her friend.

My friend Michele and I. Yet another marathon

Spirit of the Marathon

Last night went to see "Spirit of the Marathon" and wow, what inspirational. It was only the second showing and it was sold out. Watching it is a very emotional and inspirational experience. I felt like going out there and running. The documentary hit all the poignant points of the journey and emotions that is involved in training and running a marathon.

Check out the trailer