One foot in front of the other.
Sole (AMAZING SOCKS, and sandals….)
Smith Pivlock V90 Max Sunglasses
Smith Pivlock V90 Max with Prescription lenses
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Stuffitts (Comment on this post and win a free pair!)
Know your body’s quick-cooling spots
IronBrandon’s Podcast: Episode 99 (player temporarily being stupid. Click here to play)
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Calculating the amount of fluid we need as individuals can often be a tricky proposition. While interviewing the founder and CEO of Infinit Nutrition, Michael Folan, a few weeks ago, he gave a great breakdown of calculating your hydration and nutrition needs. Below is a step-by-step formula for figuring out your own sweat rate and therefore, your hydration needs.
The goal is to see exactly how much dehydration you incur during your workout and in turn,
determine your hourly fluid replacement (how much you need to drink). When you are done
with this homework, you will have a hydration target that you can use in both training and
racing.
1. Empty you bladder and record you weight (nude or swim suit)
2. Pre-exercise weight = ___________ lbs.(A)
3. Do your usual workout, and drink like you normally would.
4. Record the approximate volume of fluid consumed during exercise.
How much you drank = ___________ fluid ounces (E)
5. Towel dry, empty your bladder and then record your weight (nude or swim suit).
Post-exercise weight = ___________ lbs.(B)
6. Subtract your post-exercise weight from your pre-exercise weight to get the number of
pounds you lost during exercise.
Weight lost = _____lbs.(A) – ______lbs(B) = ________lbs.(C)
7. To find out how many fluid ounces of water you have lost,
multiply pounds x 16 _____lbs(C) x 16 = ________ fluid ounces of water you lost during
exercise (D)
8. To determine hourly fluid replacement needs, add number of fluid ounces you lost during
exercise (D) to the number of fluid ounces you consumed during exercise (E) and divide by
total number of hours spent training.
(_____fluid ounces (D) + ___fluid ounces (E)) ÷ ___hours =_____fluid ounces needed each hour
Conditions that will increase sweat rate include heat, humidity, and elevated heart rate (high
intensity training). Athletes should measure sweat rate across several workouts to determine
their fluid replacement needs in various environmental conditions.
On race day, based on the forecast, the athlete than can go back to their log and know
exactly what fluid they need to plan on ingesting to prevent performance declines associated
with dehydration. Deaths have occurred when the air temperature was less than 75 degrees
F (24 degrees C) but the relative humidity was above 95%. Humidity levels over 75% will
contribute to an increased risk of heat injury.
*Note that a factor of 1.2-1.6 can be multiplied to hourly replacement needs when heat &
humidity (>75%) are extreme.
This is a key component to any athletes performance.
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Hey there guys! I am so excited to share some news with you all. Much has been made over the past year of what exactly defines ‘good’ running for and/or technique. Many, like myself, believe in allowing your body to do what it is meant to do naturally rather than allowing an overbuilt, over-cushioned shoe get in the way. With all that said, there is an awesome clinic on natural running form coming to New York City on June 15! See you there! Here are the details:
What: Natural Running Form Clinic with Newton Running
When: Tues., June 15 at 6:30 pm
Where: Meet at The Boat House, Central Park NYC (See map below)
Why: Join Newton Running for a free, open to the public event featuring
Newton’s co-founder and running form expert Danny Abshire, as well as
Newton’s R&D/Education Director and adventure racing world champ Ian
Adamson. Danny and Ian will lead a clinic to demonstrate how proper running
form can improve speed and efficiency, and decrease the risk of injury.
*NOTE* Do not feel any pressure to be a Newton wearer in coming to this clinic! This is for ALL runners who want to improve their form and efficiency.
June 12th: Newton Running Form Clinic & Symposium, Newton Running Lab, Boulder, CO 9-10am Running Form Clinic, 5:30-7:30pm Natural Running Symposium
June 16th: Newton Running Symposium, The Track and Field Store (997 Madison Avenue, NYC) 6:30-8:30pm Symposium, Q and A
June 17th: Runner’s Edge, Farmington, NY 6:30-7:30pm Symposium, Q and A 7:30-8:30pm Form Clinic
I am so excited about my upcoming interview with the one and only Craig Alexander! The reigning King of Kona, defending his 2008 win on the big island in 2009, Crowie has been an inspiration to me and to many. His poise during grueling races, overcoming what he has called a “bad day” to win his second world championship, drives me to become a more complete racer.
My interview with Crowie will take place this coming Monday night at 9:30 PM EST, after I record my regular weekly show. I will do my best to broadcast the interview live HERE, but it will also appear on an upcoming episode of my show.
If you have any questions you would like me to ask Crowie, please send them to me at: info@ironbrandon.com and I will do my best to get them on the air.
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Newton Running Symposium in Boston
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Nytro Complete Triathlon Package
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EMAIL THE LAMINATOR ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME!
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Date: 2/8/09
Consecutive Days Run: 39
Runner: Brandon Wood
Shoes: Newton AW Trainers
Location: New York, NY
Type of Run: Quick
Time of Day: 6:48 PM EST
Distance Run: 2.03 miles
Time Run: 00:14:29
Average Pace: 7:08 per mile
Weather Conditions: Cold (31 degrees Fahrenheit), Windy
Disposition: Good
Link to Run Detail: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/24293254
About the Run: When I was a kid, my brother and I would come out of movies like The Karate Kid and do our best imitations of the people on the screen. If we were lucky, no property or bones were broken in the process. A similar thing still happens to me these days. This evening I had an interview with the one and only Pip Taylor. Pip is an absolutely amazing professional triathlete and, as it happens, a nutritionist! After I got off the phone with her, I was so inspired and honored to speak with her that I got totally amped up to go for my run.
I left my building feel fresh legged, which was nice considering my long run yesterday, and took off. I began at a pace that was quick but comfortable and felt more like gliding than running. I hit my one mile turn around feeling good and looking forward to pushing it a bit on the return trip. I held my pace at about 7 minutes flat and for the last third of a mile, I pushed it down to around 5:40. I felt good and winded, in that really cool, “Hey, I just did that!” way.
Sarah Stanley’s Run Ride Inspire
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Newton Running’s Take on Barefoot Running
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Beast of Burden Winter 100 Miler
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Date: 1/13/09
Consecutive Days Run: 13
Runner: Brandon Wood
Shoes: Newton AW Trainers
Location: New York, NY
Type of Run: Easy
Time of Day: 6:39 AM EST
Distance Run: 6.11 miles
Time Run: 00:50:42
Average Pace: 8:18 per mile
Weather Conditions: Cold (30 degrees Fahrenheit), clear
Disposition: Good, tired
Link to Run Detail: http://connect.garmin.com/activity/22299559
About the Run: I must admit that I was a little curious as to how my body would handle running this morning. A member of the @SirIsaac team, Ian, was in town for business and we decided to meet up to run this morning. So, at 7 AM we met in the parking lot of Tavern on the Green, and as luck would have it, today was the day that the Tavern, having gone bankrupt, was selling off it’s assets, so there were news trucks a plenty.
I ran up to the park from West 50th Street after having dropped off my stuff at my gym. We met just before 7 and off we went. Ian is a fellow Virginian, and a great runner. We both took it easy as Ian was dealing with an old skiing injury and I was less than 12 hours out from running 11 miles. You can see the actual route we took by clicking the link to the detail above. Yet again, so nice running with friends. Good conversation, good run, good times!
I am extremely pleased and excited to announce that next Friday, January 15, 2009, I will have the privilege of interviewing Charlie Engle from the documentary Running the Sahara!
Leading up to the interview, I would love to get your input and any questions that you might have for Charlie. They can be questions specifically about Running the Sahara or about Running America or any of his other adventures! So, please let me know by clicking HERE!
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Racers Against Childhood Cancer (RACC)
Carved by God, Cursed by the Devil by Ted Archer
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Carved by God, Created by the Devil
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The Jewish holiday of Chanukah is an 8 day celebration that began last Friday night and ends on Saturday. We celebrate the victory over the Syrian-Greeks in the 2nd century BCE. Upon entering the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, the Jews found only one small jug of olive oil which was suitable to light the Menorah in the Temple. Miraculously, the one small jug of oil lasted 8 days. To commemorate this miracle, the Jewish sages established the holiday of Chanukah.
Brandon asked me to share a traditional Chanukah dish for his recipe of the week. In honor of the miracle of the oil, traditional Chanukah foods are usually fried in oil. I know it’s not the healthiest of foods, but even this healthy eater cannot resist. Potato Latkes, in their traditional form, are pancakes made with shredded potatoes and onions. I am sure every Jewish child says this about their mother’s cooking, but my mom makes the best latkes. Her recipe is a family secret that she inherited from her mother. If I shared it, not only would I have to shoot you all, but my mother would disown me. Instead, here is a similar recipe:
5 large potatoes, peeled
1 large onion
3 eggs
1/3 cup flour
1 tsp. Salt
¼ tsp. pepper
¾ cup oil for frying
Use: 10-inch skillet
Yields: 4 to 6 servings
Grate potatoes and onion on the fine side of a grater, or in a food processor; or put in a blender with a little water.
Strain grated potatoes and onion through a colander, pressing out excess water. Add eggs, flour, and seasoning. Mix well.
Heat ½ cup oil in skillet. Lower flame and place 1 large tablespoon batter at a time into hot sizzling oil and fry on one side for approximately 5 minutes until golden brown. Turn over and fry on other side 2 to 3 minutes.
Remove from pan and place on paper towels to drain excess oil. Continue with remaining batter until used up, adding more oil when necessary.
Serve with applesauce and/or sour cream on the side.
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Re-posted from runanskyrun.blogspot.com
Trea, who recently completed her first half marathon, asked me an important question the other day. She wanted to know how long should her weekend long run should be now that she’s completed her goal race. This is especially pertinent for those who have recently completed or will complete their fall goal races and get ready to hunker down for the winter.
After a goal race we’ll enter the base building or maintenance phase of our running. The purpose of base building is to maintain fitness during the weeks or months before starting training for the next race. Truthfully, the distance of your long runs during base building depends on if you have any short term goals. In Trea’s case, she is really enjoying speedwork and running fast. So I suggested to her that she find a 5k about 2 months out and tailor her training towards running a fast 5k. Trea also mentioned that she could see herself running the same half marathon next and try to improve her time. I thought that a year was long time to run her next big race and that she should try and find a half marathon to run in the next few months. Even though she will be base building, having a goal race will keep her focused. It’s very easy to lose focus if there is nothing to train for.
During the winter, I will generally keep my weekend long run between 6 and 8 miles. With this base, you can do some winter 5 or 10ks and get yourself ready for a winter or early spring half marathon if needs be. This is what works for me. What do you do during your base building phase? Please chime in.
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NYRR Half-Marathon Grand Prix Presented by Continental Airlines: Queens
Missing Swimmer’s Body Found In Lake Monona
Free Shipping On Sir and Lady Isaac Guidance Trainers!
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The tempo run can either be your best friend or your worst enemy. These short-to-medium distance training runs at or below race pace are critical for a number of reasons:
The goal of a tempo run is to get these benefits without causing any unwanted harm. When I have a tempo run on the schedule (about once a week), here is how I like to approach them in my attempt to have the most positive impact on my overall training.
With a little practice, these runs will make you a better racer. If I had to choose one run to not miss in a given week, it would be my tempo run for sure.
Caleb Masland is a “serious amateur” runner who believes that ordinary people are capable of reaching their personal goals through smart training and hard work. Caleb has been running for 20 years and shares his training philosophy, which is aimed at maximizing genetic potential and overcoming the typical athletic bonk, at http://bonkproof.com.
This coming Saturday, I will be interviewing the author of the fantastic book, A Race Like No Other: 26.2 Miles Through the Streets of New York, Liz Robbins.
This book chronicles the lead up to the 2007 New York City Marathon as well as the race itself however the majority of this book is told around the race itself. It is told through the lives and stories of those who have touched and been touched by the race.
It is out in paperback as of yesterday and is a great, fun read, that will have you cheering and tearing up. If you have any questions for the author, please email me with them!
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional nor do I play one on TV. This post is based solely on my experiences. Always seek the advice of your doctor if you are sick or injured.
This is the time of year where many people start to get sick and/or injured. The weather in NYC Metro area is starting to get cooler and many of us are coming down with colds, respiratory infections, flu, and other illnesses. Runners training for fall marathons are at the peak of their training. Their mileage is high, most have already done at least one 20 miler and have at 2 or 3 left on their plans. Many are also picking up the intensity of their training, doing speedwork, tempo runs, and hill repeats at least once a week. With this increased mileage and intensity come aches and pains. Some are minor and some are more serious that could change your fall racing plans. I’d like share some thoughts (see disclaimer above) about dealing with illnesses and injuries.
Illnesses:
The rule of thumb we runners go by is if the illness is in your head it’s OK to run. If it’s in your chest, don’t run. This is usually sound advice. That means if you have a cold, it’s OK to run. Sometimes a good sweat will make you feel better. Mrs. Ansky, RD also has me take extra vitamin C when I have a cold. Vitamin C does not prevent a cold but it has been known to shorten the length of one.
If you have a fever, chills, or are coughing up stuff from your chest, chances are you have an infection and should not run. Rather you should see your doctor and get the infection treated. Ask your doctor when it OK to run again.
Injuries:
For those of you that read (and if you don’t, I suggest you do) my blog (runanskyrun.blogspot.com), you’ll know that I recently fractured a rib while out on a group run. A Rib fracture is a unique type injury since the only thing that heals it is time. It cannot be put in a sling or in a cast. My doctor also said not to tape it because the taping will constrict airflow to the lungs. If the lungs do not get enough oxygen, I could develop pneumonia or, even worse, a collapsed lung. My doctor said that a fractured rib can take anywhere between 4 – 8 weeks to fully heal. As for running, he said to let the pain dictate what I can and cannot do.
But enough about me. I’ll write more about my plans on my blog…dealing with injuries is hard. It takes time for the injury to heal and then, depending on the injury, there might be some physical therapy involved before you’re cleared to pound the pavement again.
If you get sick or injured you’ve probably experienced all sorts of emotions. Anger, despair, etc…. how you deal with this setback will determine if you comeback weaker or stronger. Here are some other things to keep in mind while you recover:
It’s great to be back guest blogging for Brandon. Hopefully I can be more consistent. As always, if there are topics you would like me to write about or for Brandon to talk about on his show, please let us know by either leaving a comment or clicking the contact link at the top of the page.
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Christopher McDougall, author of Born to Run, appeared on Comedy Central in a great interview with Jon Stewart on The Daily Show. While it is a great interview (for being so brief), I am more than a little biased and much prefer my interview with Chris HERE.
Check out the video of Chris’ Daily Show appearance below!
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Christopher McDougall | ||||
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[svgallery name="Bobby Ironman 2009"]
Vineman Results (search for bib #40)
Brandon’s Marathon on The Running Front!!
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Watch Brandon’s Maraton Podcast Live!!
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Yesterday was the Achilles Hope & Possibility 5 miler in Central Park. The famous, Ari and I had arranged to meet at the registration tent prior to the race and to run the event together. Achilles Track Club, for those who may not know, is an organization who holds as it’s mission statement: “Our mission is to enable people with all types of disabilities to participate in mainstream athletics, promote personal achievement, enhance self esteem, and lower barriers.”. I am no stranger to Achilles and have been there to cheer on many of their athletes before this event and have also been passed by one of their Iraq War veterans in a race!
Now, to say that I was “re-inspired” by this event is not entirely true. I think that, to be “re” anything, one needs to have lost their initial drive. I have not. However, as I stated in my article last week entitled, “Time”, I have been struggling with the amount of my life my training must take up, but lacking the time to allow it to do so. This weekend, I found myself renewed. On Saturday, I went on a 5.5 mile run in the morning, then headed out to rehearsal. Following rehearsal, I headed home and went on a 30 mile ride down the West Side Greenway (my first time on that route in a while). Knowing that I had an event the next morning, I looked forward to that soreness that makes you feel alive, like your body is working again.
The next morning, I went to the event in Central Park. First, walking through the parking area in front of Tavern on the Green, the amount of high-tech wheelchair gear was amazing! The amount of high end wheelsets on those chairs could almost surpass the wheelsets on überbikes at a triathlon. As I walked toward the registration tent and looked around, the people there, some with mental disabilities, some missing one or both legs or arms, I began to think. What if I wasn’t sore that morning because the part of me that should be sore was missing? Would I still be there? What if I couldn’t walk to the start, but had to use my arms? Would I still be there?
These athletes were there because they are just that, athletes. No matter what, at the end of the day, they were not letting some small thing like being a double leg amputee stop them from going out and using what God gave them. The wheelchair start went off before the main pack, and it was incredible to see these athletes, some of whom were forced to go backward in their chairs, due to their condition, just smile the whole time.
As Ari and I got to about mile 4 (holding down about a 7:15/mile pace), the heat and humidity began to kick my ass a bit, I said to Ari, “I’d like to go on the record and say that I am officially no longer having fun.”. Once I got home and had the chance to reflect, it made me realize how thankful I was to have been able to toe the line with the athletes from Achilles. So, to each and every one of the member of Achilles Track Club, thank you! I would also like to say a special thank you to the veterans who were there running. You have given of yourself with an unconditional love for our country and I am eternally grateful. As long as I have breath, I will defend and honor the sacrifices you have made for our freedoms. Thank you.
Official Results:
Time 36:55
Pace 7:23/mile
Yesterday evening, at 5:30 on a particularly beautiful day here in New York City, a group of runners met at The Bosthouse in Central Park. We were meeting with the common interest, not only of running, but of running smart and running healthy. The vehicle through which this took place was Newton Running.
We were met by Danny, Ian and Ian. Danny, being one of the founders of Newton was not only INCREDIBLY in touch with his product (obviously), but is one of the foremost experts on running in the world today. With the help of the Ian’s, Danny explained in very clear terms the theory and technique behind using the Newtons to further proper running technique. What was of great advantage was the fact that what Danny was explaining is not some revolutionary concept that ad piles upon piles of numbers to digest, but rather, was simply common sense and utilizes our true “natural” running technique.
After we met, we went up to a part of the park where there was a traffice turn around (fortunately with no traffic) so that we could run around the circle to nail down the technique. One of the FIRST things we did was TAKE OFF OUR SHOES! I think it is important to note, to the Newton skeptics out there, that 1. Not everyone was wearing Newtons. and 2. They explained the technique WAY before the technology.
We then went on a short group run on the bridle path (not too sure how far) and during the run, the Newton crew was taking the time to look at our strides one at a time and gives us tips and encouragement. They also were more than happy to answer any questions that we had.
I will go more into detail about some of the things we discussed on next week’s show, but for now, suffice it to say that if Newton is EVER in your area you should go talk to them. In the meantime, I will be putting up videos every day (if I can remember) that come from Newton themselves. If you would like to explore more about Newton, please visit their site, or feel free to ask me any questions if that is easier for you and I can pass them along. However, they are extremely accessible and I’m sure would be hapy to help out with anything you may want to know!!
For my part, I would like to say thank you so very, very much to everyone from Newton!! If you guys EVER want to do another thing in NYC, you can count on me to drum up as many people as I can get my hands on!!
No, this isn’t going to be an entry about me recommending shoes. What I do want write about is this….I’ve had a few people ask me “what type of shoes due you recommend?” I usually answer with “that depends.” I know that seems vague but it really is the truth. Let me tell you a story…..When I first took up running, I went to my local Modell’s, a big box sporting goods store in the NYC area, and picked out a pair of shoes simply based on brand recognition and what felt comfortable. As I got more into running I started speaking to other runners about shoes. I bought my next pair of shoes from a local New Balance store. I told a person working there that I was training for my first marathon. He went to the back and gave me a pair of shoes to try on. They felt comfortable and lightweight so I took them. As my training progressed, I started to get shin splints, my toes started to bleed, and I developed some blisters. At this point I became friendly with some serious runners who told me to check out a specialty running store in a town next to mine. I go to the store and the next thing I know someone is analyzing my feet and I’m on a treadmill with someone video taping me running. After that ordeal, the person emerges from the back with 3 or 4 pairs to choose from. I found the one that like, and I’ve been buying that shoe ever since.
At this point you’re probably asking yourselves, what’s the point? My point in sharing my story is this: if you are serious about running, it’s important to wear the right shoes for you. Just because I wear a neutral cushoined shoes doesn’t mean you can. One reason many running-related injuries occur is because people are wearing the wrong shoes. Get yourself a gait analysis at a specialty running shop and get fitted for the right shoes. It will make a world of difference.
After a stop at a port-a-potty, I headed inside the host hotel to find Dailyrunner who picked up my bib and chip the day before. I dropped off my bag and headed outside to the start area. An announcement was made that there was going to be a 15 minute delay in the start of the race. I took the time to seek out Julie, author of the blog Raceslikeagirl, who was running the half marathon. We chatted for a bit and then I went back to find the 3:50 pacer.
The race finally started a little bit before 8:00. The NJ Marathon is a double loop course with the start and finish on the promenade adjacent to the beach. The loop is mainly through neighboring residential areas. The beginning miles went by pretty quickly. I had no problem hanging with the 3:50 pacer and, at the time, thought I’d be able to finish the race with him. I stuck to my plan, hydrating starting at mile 4 and taking a gel every 6 miles. My wife and daughter didn’t make the trip down with me so it was nice seeing EN, a friend from Nike Speed, just before the half. Hearing his words of encouragement pumped me up. We finished the first half in 1:54:17, right on pace according the my pacer. Soon after we started the second loop, which by the way did not play any Jedi mind tricks with me, the rain started to pick up. For a while it was still refreshing but around mile 20 it started to get heavier and really started to bug me. Soon after that I run through a few puddles and my shoes started to feel like a ton of bricks At mile 21, my left knee started to hurt. I think it had something to do with the uneven road surfaces and twisting in ways the human body is not meant to twist in order to avoid puddles. At first it was bearable but at mile mile 23 I had to take a 2 minute walk break. I hated taking a walk break with only 5k to go but I was really hurting. The walk break did the trick, I got a second wind when we made the final turn towards the finish. EN was there with less than a mile to give me one final push finish. I finished strong and crossed the line in 3:52:54 (8:54 pace). Unfortunately, I did not run a negative split. My second half split was 1:58:37. Considering the problems I was having with my knee and shoes, I’ll take it. I got my finishers hat, medal, and refreshments and made a beeline for the bag check where a dry and warm set of clothes awaited.
3:52:54 is a PR for me besting my 3:55:08 I set at the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2008. Every race has it’s own challenges and surprises. With the NJ Marathon it was the weather. Setting a PR in less than perfect conditions is definitely cause for celebration.
Lastly, congrats to Dailyrunner on achieving a BQ after almost 5 years of trying. Check out his race report on his blog (linked above).
Getting ready for the race was difficult for me, since I had a rehearsal until 10:00p in San Diego the night before my race. That meant that I didn’t leave San Diego until 10:30 and had to drive to my hotel in Costa Mesa (only 90 miles). So I checked in at midnight and was laying out my stuff (shoes, Wrightsocks… great investment by the way, Nike running shorts and sports bra)for the race and getting settled until like 12:20a. Luckily I had all my Hammergels and stuff packed in my belt before I went to work on Saturday. I got up 5:00 and was in the hotel lobby at 5:30a for the shuttle to the start. I was a little anxious that morning, and really tired as it was my first day off in 2 weeks, but I good and alert which is what I hoped was going to help keep me going.
Sunday morning was a little grey and overcast and in the mid 50s which was nice. I wish it would have stayed that way, but alas it warmed to the mid 60s and sunny by the end of the race which was a little warmer than I would have liked, but it’s southern California what can you do?
The race was scheduled to start at 6:30a and we officially started it almost 6:40a, I think. Those 10 minutes between when we were supposed to start and the gun were the most anxiety filled of my life! I was all ready to go and then standing and waiting in a pack of thousands of people nerves started to get to me. But after the national anthem and 2 passes of a helicopter to take pictures we were off. The full and half marathoners all started together which meant that the energy was great because there were just SO MANY people.
I placed myself right at the back of the first corral, since I thought I would be finishing in the front half of the 4th hour and when we got going excitement took over and I was going like a bat out of hell. First mistake. The first 5 felt great. It was mostly downhill (sweet) and I was booking it and feeling really solid. I ended up without even pushing just ahead of the 3:40 pace group. Then my shins decided to give me trouble. I have been working on a raked stage for the last weeks and I have shin splints so I knew that I was probably going to have trouble with them, but I was sort of hoping that it would hold off and bug me later. That was the first time I dropped my pace, but I kept going. Stopping wasn’t an option. It was keep running or keep running. As I kept running I managed to get myself through the pain and started feeling good again.
There was a large chunk of this race that was on bike trails through a nature reserve, which was beautiful, but man was it lonely. I much preferred being out on the road where there is someone at least every little bit screaming and clapping for you to keep going. These trails, which were paved (mostly, I’ll get to that) weren’t really even and were solid rolling hills. I trained in southern California and south eastern Virginia… I’m not good with hills. Right around mile 9 (I think… I was solidly in a haze by that point) there was a hill, and not a small one and I actually said out loud “You have got to be kidding me.” It was short, but steep enough for my legs to say screw you.
At mile 12 the half marathon course broke off and we marathoners were left on our own for the remainder of the race. I started feeling solid again at that point. I had dropped my pace but knew that if I didn’t then I wouldn’t cross the finish line. We ran through South Coast Plaza, yes they really took us through a mall parking lot, and it crowded with people screaming and cheering which was exactly what I needed. We then went through another set of bike trails, my least favorite of which was UNPAVED and UPHILL. I wanted to cry. This was at mile 22 ish, maybe 23. I hadn’t run on sand or dirt EVER… I mean EVER. I wasn’t prepared at all for that and my body was not a fan. By that point I think I was running almost all on heart anyway, so a shock like that was killer. But I just kept going.
As I closed in on the finish line I knew I had to just keep going but thankfully the crowds picked up again and the street was pretty well lined in people. The finish line was in the Orange County Fairgrounds so we were winding through the parking lot to scream and cheers. That was when I found what little I had left and ran with everything I had for the last straight to the finish line.
Then I teared up. I had done it. In 7 months of training I had gone from not running at all to running a marathon. A MARATHON. It still amazes me that I did it. I had never been happier or prouder of myself. My friend Christine was waiting at the finish line cheering and laughing. I think knowing she was there was what gave me the last push to get to the end.
My official time was 4:16:23. I was 484th overall 151 in women and 13th in my age group. I’m thrilled. I now have a PR for my next marathon.
Unfortunately I still don’t have a running picture where I don’t look pained, but I’ll send one anyway. Maybe the official pictures will be better
I would have never thought that I could do this. But here I am, a marathoner and hunting for my next race. Brandon you pushed me to do this when I doubted myself. Thanks man!
Megh
Yesterday, a runner collapsed and, unfortuantely died at the Nashville Half Marathon. Today, New York Road Runners canceled the More Marathon because of the heat. Nashville, New York, as well most of the U.S. has been hit with an early heat wave. Temperatures have been in the upper 80′s during the day. While this might seem like great weather to go to the beach or enjoy a barbecue, it is absolutely dreadful to run in. I thought this would be a good time to share some tips on how to deal with the heat.
These are things that work for me. Please take it easy out there.
I apologize for not guest blogging in a while. I’ve been very busy at work and just came back from Florida. I celebrating Passover with my family in Boca Raton. I’ve blogged about the challenges Passover posed in terms of running.
As I was catching up on some back episodes of BMP, I realized I haven’t posted here in a while. If you’ve been following my training, you’ll remember that I was having some calf problems before I left for Florida. At Brandon’s suggestion, I got myself a foam roller. I cannot thank you enough for that advice. It really loosened up my calf and I haven’t had any pain or discomfort since then. If you don’t have a foam roller, do your body a favor and get one.
I’ll be back later this week with another entry. Until then, you can continue to follow my training at runanskyrun.blogspot.com. If anyone is running the New Jersey Marathon or Half Marathon on May 3, please let me know. I will be great to meet you. I’ll be running the full.
AG
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Fans of Brandon,
I just checked the results from the Shamorck Marathon and I’m happy to report that both Brandon and Danielle are officially marathoners.
Brandon finished in 4:31:30 and Danielle finished in 5:00:34. Great work you two! Have a safe drive back. We are look forward to the race report.
Please take a minute to leave Brandon and Danielle some words of encouragement as they are running the Shamrock Marathon on Sunday. As Steve Runner says “run strong!” but most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Enjoy the Yuengling at the end! I’m looking forward to the race report.
The first thing most runners focus on after crossing the finish line of race is their finishing time. Did I set a new PR? What was my pace per mile? Did I place in my age group (I should be so lucky)? The one question that is often neglected is “did I run a good race?”
In this blogger’s opinion, pacing is more important than setting a PR or winning an age group award. We all practice our target pace during out training runs, but that invariably changes once we toe the line at our next race. The first piece of advice veteran marathons dish out to new marathoners is “don’t go out too fast!” Easier said than done. Try as we might, most of us get caught up in the excitement of the race and go out too fast. I’m guilty of it, just read my most recent race report.
Most runners aim for that often elusive “negative split.” A negative split is running the second half of your race faster than the first half. The key is to harness your energy during the first half of the race by running comfortable, even splits. When you get to the second half of the race you should slowly unleash your energy and pick up the pace during the later miles.
In my opinion, running a negative split can at least, if not more rewarding that setting a new PR.
As always, Brandon and I love hearing from you. Please leave comments on the blog. Also, if you have topics you would like either Brandon or myself to discuss, please let us know.
Ari
runanskyrun.blogspot.com
Hi Brandon,
I just wanted to let you know that I officially ran my first 10K Saturday
morning and lived to tell about it. As you know, I am a very inexperienced
runner. Looking back five months ago, I would have been thrilled jogging for
five minutes in Central Park. After living in New York City off and on for
the past three years, I knew my “upper west side” lifestyle was a fun and
costly illusion that had to end. I packed up and moved back home to
Tennessee. Luckily, my friend Amy also moved home before she began school
in January. We were both sulking and frustrated to be back in our small
hometown of Maryville, TN. We knew we needed a hobby or an activity to get
us out of our slump, and because of all of your encouragement, Brandon, we
decided to start running. We ran our first 5K in October and I can finally
say I ran a 10K on Valentines Day! The only thing missing was my friend
Amy, who is now back at school in Iowa, but we talk on the phone throughout
the week and remind each other to keep running. While singing with you in
Virginia, I remember hearing about your training for triathlons and
marathons, thinking how amazing it would be to complete a race. I just
wanted you to know that you were the first person who ever looked at me and
said, you can do that. I was shocked. Of course, I was your girl who could
sing a song, drink my weight in Guiness, have the biggest hair in the
room…but RUN? I thought, if this guy thinks I can do it, maybe I can. A
week before my 10K, my own father said there was no way I could run 6.2
miles without stopping. He bet $100 against me. Well, guess who has $100
in her wallet? 
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your help, and
keep up the good work. I wish you and your wife luck at the Shamrock
Marathon, and maybe one day we can run one together.
My buddy Jason whom you have heard me speak about a bit was on a run Northbound on the Westside Greenway when he witnessed US Airways Flight 1549 crashing into the Hudson River. Below is the account of what he saw.
so Brandon, while you were running inside, I was out doing an easy six along the westside highway. I started running north and just got past the litte “zig” in the path right before you get to the straight-away where you can see all of the boats tied up. Well, there’s a clear shot up the river at this spot and I saw a plane coming in a bit low. Real Low. At first I thought it was a small sight-seeing place of sorts. Then I saw it was a much bigger plane, like a 727 size, but couldn’t really make out the insignia on the tail.
Thoughts are running through my mind: “Is it a movie plane? (I saw crew trucks on my to the river)” “I don’t see smoke.” “The signal lights are flashing.” “Is it a government plane?” As he was coming down the river, it went from level to nose up as it passed me and now I’m thinking that the pilot is now pulling up to start climbing
It’s fully got my attention now, so I come to a halt and hit stop on my Garmin. I needed to see how this is going to play out. Well, I’m watching, and the plane is not climbing..kinda floating down in landing position. Now I’m wondering if they have seaplanes this big I didn’t notice landing gear. Then Splash. Big Splash. I think my jaw dropped and my eyeballs popped out of my head! Definitely not a seaplane and most definitely not a planned landing. Unbelieveable. I hit start on the Garmin and headed south to check out the action. Everything else from here on you can read in the press…
I gotta say though…that was one nice emergency landing!
Thanks so much for visiting my site! My name is Brandon Wood and I am an opera singer living and trying to make it in New York City. This site and podcast follow my adventures on the way to competing in and training for all kinds of endurance events, especially triathlon and running. Click the "About Me" tab for more info!
Who: This contest is open to anyone and everyone in the U.S. and Canada (also APO)! Tell your friends!
What: Stuffitts! I have spoken about these simple yet awesome shoe savers in the past. Click here to read more about them. I cannot say enough how great they are!
When: Starting NOW! This is an ongoing contest that will be every month, or until every person on the planet has nice, fresh smelling shoes!
Why: Because Stuffitts are awesome! The folks at Stuffitts are being SUPER generous and I also want to give you guys something that I think is a great addition to any athletes arsenal!
How: On the last podcast episode post of each month (example: Episode 99 on June 28 HERE) entrants should leave a comment (however long you'd like). On the following week's show (the first show of each month) I will draw, by random number generator, one winner! That's it!
Good luck!
