StuMar West: Mt. Rainier Edition

This picture hung at my grandparents home for all to see for many years.
Back Row:  My brother's Jeff, Rob and Cousin David
Front Row:  My cousin Matt, Cousin Trucker Todd, and myself. 
Circa 197......old. 

Growing up in Michigan I was really fortunate to have two cousins close by, David and Matt.  My dad's sister, my Aunt Sue, their mother, lived only about 30 miles away near my Grandparents and there were many, many weekends that our parents got all us kids together.  Between my two older brothers, Rob and Jeff, all of us were within 5 years of age, so we had a lot in common at that time of life.  Often times, as parents would or should do, us kids were either banished to the basement or outside to create our own fun.    Somehow we became in possession of an 8mm camera and soon StuMar Pictures was born. Just like Steven Spielberg did as a child, we spent many hours and days making our own movies.  Unlike Spielberg, however, none of these "films" were of great quality, after all we were only little kids, but we did make a few feature films entitled; Crump, Return to Crump, Little Children and our own version of James Bond.  They were all horrible I'm sure, but like good parents and grandparents our families all got together to watch our premieres each and every time.  I'm not sure I'd want to see them nowadays, but then again, I suppose it would be good for a laugh.  As we grew up we all moved our separate ways.  But just this last weekend I was able to get together with David and Matt here in Washington and we decided it would be a great idea to go to Mt. Rainier for the day.  So with that, 3/5 of StuMar headed south, albeit without those cool pants of yesteryear.



No Matter where you are in Seattle, you can almost always see Mt. Rainier.

The three of us figured out that we hadn't been together in almost 10 years, the last time being at their mom's funeral, my Aunt Sue.  I'd seen David a few times in between there, but I hadn't seen Matt since I moved here to Washington this summer as he lives near Seattle on Vashon Island.  Unfortunately Rob is in Maui and Jeff was in Banff National Park in Canada, so all 5 of us couldn't get together this time, but maybe someday we will.  So Saturday morning I went to the Fauntleroy Docks to pick up David and Matt from the Vashon Ferry and we drove down to Mt. Rainier.  

Looking south from Seattle to Tacoma, Rainier stands tall.

Rainier really does stand out like you can't even begin to imagine.  It truly is like something out of a postcard every day.  Standing at 14,410 feet in elevation it is one of the 20 highest peaks in the USA, with Mt. McKinley in Alaska being the tallest at 20,320.  The drive to the Mt. Rainier National Park is less than 100 miles from Seattle, but it takes over 2 hours with the switchback roads and two-lane traffic.  However, despite not being together in years, the three of us seamlessly connected just like old times.  We told great stories about our grandparents and parents and had a fantastic time reminiscing on the way there.  Even though all 5 of us lived in 5 different states, until I moved to Washington, we spent our first 18+ years together  in Michigan and that bond will apparently never be broken.  It was great.  As we made our way to the park entrance, we then drove another 45 minutes or so up the mountain to Paradise where they have a lodge and visitor center. 



The road up, windy and scenic.



The drive up was very scenic.  At times we were buried beneath the shadows of massive pine trees and then we'd be on the edge looking at the range of mountains all around.  The road does stay open in the winter, although tire chains are virtually mandatory to ensure a safe passage.  Cell phones don't work anywhere in the park and that's a good thing as I am as guilty as most of constantly checking my email and such.  Up here you can't do those things, so you have to soak in the views, relax and have a good time, as it should be.

 When you could stop and take it in, the scenery was fantastic.

A view of the lodge with cars parked along the road, on our way up. 

Once we arrived at Paradise we soon learned the biggest challenge, parking.  With a fairly decent sized lot already full we were forced, along with many others, to continue on the one way loop road to parallel park about 1.5 miles away.  We walked up to the Lodge and had lunch at the Paradise Inn, the only place to eat, before they closed at 2:00 p.m., then went over to the Visitor's Center and looked at some of the 3-D Maps and trails and then went out to hike.

From the Lodge and Visitor's Center.

Marian Falls.

With Mt. Rainier virtually staring us in the face, we first headed up the Alta Vista Trail to Marian Falls.  It was a short hike and the Falls were nice, but having grown up in Michigan, we'd all seen falls much bigger, however, never near a mountain.  We then headed up the Skyline Trail which went West along the base of Rainier, before going right up it.   The slope was mostly subtle so you could keep going and going and before you knew it, you were miles from the Lodge.  But it was sure worth it, especially today as the temperature was a perfect 70 and there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

Looking back as we climbed up. 

Looking back to the South.

With Rainier at 14K feet, the Lodge is at about 5440 feet and we then hiked about 1K feet up and even though we were now in the snowy area, the temperature didn't seem to change or at least have any affect.  I suppose if you plan to summit you would definitely need cold weather provisions.  The trail we were on ultimately led to Camp Muir which is the base camp for the first night for those doing the summit and is about 5 miles from the Lodge.  Mostly led by a guide company, it is a rigorous climb to the top, with one Ranger telling us it has all the challenges and effects of climbing Mt. Everest despite being smaller.  But just being as high as we were, the views were indeed worth any efforts we had made.

Matt and David. 

Getting closer to the top! Well for today anyway. 

Snow in late July? Must be a long ways up. 

The infamous Mt. St. Helen's to the south. 

 Mt. Baker, another prominent Washington peak.

Mt. Rainier, as close as we were getting to the top today.

After really just sitting and taking in the views in all directions, we started our hike back down.  It's a lot to take in visually, stunning in every direction, especially on a day like today with the bright sunshine and blue skies.  We took a less traveled path on the way down and found ourselves all alone on a ledge of the mountain.  We stopped for a moment and realized we could see Mt. Baker in one direction, Mt. St. Helen's in another, Rainier was behind us, the Nisqually River and Falls were below with wildflowers in every direction and then it all hit us, that maybe we hadn't stayed in touch all these years like you might hope.  Life's trials and tribulations had affected all of us at various points, but yet here we were today, the three of us, just like it was 1980, acting like kids, cracking jokes, telling stories, enjoying our life's history, knowing that our grandparents and my Aunt Sue were there with us in spirit and so very happy I'm sure that we all found our way together at least for today.  Hopefully it's not another 10 years before we can make it happen again.  And next time maybe we can get Rob and Jeff in on it too, StuMar Pictures may just have another film to make.  But for today, it was a fantastic time with family at one of nature's most spectacular creations.  You know they say a picture is worth a thousand words; today I think we just made millions.

StuMar Lives!

StuMar West waiting for the other two.

Appreciating the Journey

Vancouver, USA, the Orignal!

On Sunday morning I ran the Vancouver USA Marathon, and as the Mayor would tell you , the Original Vancouver not the Canadian copycat. Just like the Phoenix Marathon, I had put in a lot of training and planning, ultimately hoping for  a much better experience this time.  I felt really good, felt prepared and ready to go.  But in the end the results were almost identical, at least on the surface.  Looking a little deeper I'll try to explain as to why that despite similar results, I feel much more satisfied.

With Vancouver being a few hours away I left on Saturday morning and arrived about Noon time at Esther Short Park to register, right downtown where the race would both start and finish.  They had a full runners expo, like most large scale races, and I checked in and got my shirt, race bib #723 and goody bag, which was only average at best.  I then proceeded to go to my hotel to rest up and maybe even try to nap, which I was able to do for about 45 minutes.  I had brought my lunch, careful as to what to eat the day before.  At 5:00 p.m. I went to mass at St. Joseph's in Vancouver, I mean a few prayers for health couldn't hurt right? After mass I went to eat some buttered noodles, carbs, for dinner and then back to the hotel where I just relaxed and eventually fell asleep.  I woke up at 3:00 a.m. Sunday feeling good, the race was at 7:00 and I was about a 5 minute drive from downtown.  I drank some coffee, ate a banana and some peanut butter and eventually left around 5:30.  Much to my surprise I easily found a place to park right along the park and just proceeded to walk around to stay loose, did some stretching, I felt very comfortable.  My mindset was much different this time, I really tried to be much more relaxed about it and so far it seemed as though that was the case.  About 6:45 they lined everyone up, the Mayor thanked everyone for coming and then, shockingly, proceeded to say a prayer.  I was certainly okay with that, but I was surprised to have it happen in today's world as it seems we always have to be fearful of offending someone.  But it was a nice touch. As I was standing in the lineup I said something to the guy next to me, Jim from Pennsylvania, and he said he was going to try and break 3:30 so I thought I'd stick with him so as to not go out to fast, which I think was a problem for me last time.  After a nice rendition of the National Anthem, off we went.

Esther Short Park in Downtown Vancouver, WA the start and finish of the race.

The weather was just about perfect, maybe a touch humid for me after living in Arizona which has no humidity, but it was in the low 50's and very cloudy with no wind, so you really couldn't ask for much more than that.  The first part of the course takes you west of town about 7 miles before essentially turning around and coming back on the other side of the road.  It's more industrial so there weren't many people along the way.  Pennsylvania Jim and I had become pretty good running friends by that point as we were running side by side. He was wearing a watch and was keeping us on pace.  Turns out he's run over 50 marathons and some ultra's(100 mile races), he was about 50 years old and in town for business, thought the marathon would be fun to do.  Runners, we are weird people.  But Jim and I were running stride for stride and it really seemed effortless the first ten miles or so, which is exactly what you want.  One change I had made this time was to use a fuel belt, which you attach around your waist and it holds water bottles.  Having leg issues the last time I was determined to ensure that I was hydrated.  I didn't think I would like wearing a fuel belt for a number of reasons, but I had trained with it and it wasn't a big deal, plus it also had a small pouch so I brought my own gel packs and thereby could have the flavors I liked and not have to worry about what they might be handing out.  I mention this now because it had a huge impact later on, we'll get to that in a bit. 

Fuel Belts, sure they can help, just be careful what you put in them.

As Jim and I were running somewhere around mile 10 or so this guy ran up next to us and I have no idea what he said, but he was upset about something or so it seemed, and then proceeded to run ahead of us.  The guy was in his 50's and had longer hair and to me he looked like Gregg Allman.  He had a weird running motion, but he obviously was a good runner and when he took off past us I said to Jim, "Was that Gregg Allman?"  Keep in mind, I'm really not a fan of Gregg Allman or know his music and not sure why I said that but Jim found that hysterical, so of course I proceeded to milk that over the next few miles saying things like:

"Who knew Gregg Allman was a runner, I mean with all the drugs and booze he's consumed, he's really cleaned up his act."
"Did you see Gregg Allman take that corner up ahead, not only he is a skilled musician, he runs like a Kenyan."
"Do you think Gregg is the fastest Allman brother?"
"Do you think Cher is here to cheer him on?  I'm going to keep my eyes peeled."

 Gregg Allman, musician and marathoner?

None of that may sound all that funny now, but I have to tell you after you've been running for an hour and half, you have to do anything you can to stay energized and Pennsylvania Jim was loving it.  With all of the banter we had I had yet to turn on my iPod and didn't until about mile 14.  Up to that point the course has been relatively flat, but starting around 14.5 you go uphill for about 2 miles.  You also are now back in downtown so there are more twists and turns in the road and a lot more spectators, which helps, especially with some fairly difficult hills.  We also finally started to see some spectator signs, which is always fun.  Some of the best:

"Nipple chaffing turns me on."
"Run a Personal Record and I'll wash your clothes for you."
 and the absolute ultimate sign:
"Even Chuck Norris NEVER ran a marathon!"

Cancer, sure, but what about a marathon Chuck?

Hands down the greatest sign of the day.  Right around 15 the hills started to affect me and I could no longer keep pace with Jim, I certainly wouldn't want to slow him down, so he went on ahead.  I knew he'd break 3:30, he was just in a zone.  I was also starting to really feel nauseous and had for the last few miles.  Going back to my fuel belt, the person that recommended it to me is someone who is an elite level marathoner, done well over 50 and in addition to the belt he said that gatorade is more for replenishment, so I should use a GoFuel in the bottles, a powder drink that is like gatorade but has all the things needed for while you are engaged in exercise.  I thought that was a great idea, so I had filled my bottles with GoFuel but I also made a classic rookie mistake.  I had purchased an orange flavored powder but I never tried it out before that day, I merely mixed it up that morning before I left and filled my bottles.  Turns out that was a bad move because it completely disagreed with my body and I could feel it in my gut.  At that point I had drank 2 of my 3 bottles full of it and I could feel it sitting in my stomach, painfully and I felt like I was going to throw up at any time.  Not a great feeling in general, certainly not while you're running at a decent pace.  But I proceed to go on, albeit slower up the hills through the north end of Fort Vancouver on a beautiful tree lined street.  The course was really nice at this point, just difficult.  After a few more miles and a few moments of dry heaving, while running, I really, really, really had to take a leak.  Of all the times I've run, I think that has only happened to me about 3 times, but it did make some sense to me because I had consumed more liquid than usual as I was determined to stay hydrated.  So around mile 19 I just couldn't take it anymore, saw some bushes up ahead and ran behind them and took a leak.  I really, didn't want to stop, I was worried that if I did that I'd have a really hard time getting going again.  But I also didn't want to piss myself.  Some people do, but it's not like I was going  to win this race or anything and I also half thought that maybe when I stop I'll be able to throw up and get all of the GoFuel out of my body because I could taste it and feel it and knew that as the culprit of my nausea.

At Mile 20, I thought I was dead.

After running behind the bushes, it only took less than a minute, I got back on the road and came to the hardest part of the course. At about 19.5 there is a ridiculously steep hill that goes for over a mile.  If this was the first mile of the marathon it would be really tough, but around mile 20, it just seemed unfair.  I knew it was coming and thought I would be ready, but at that point, I was really feeling sick and tired of course and it just knocked me on my ass.  I was going at a snail's pace and sure I was disappointed that I couldn't attack it, but I just wanted to get up it.  I'd been going uphill for the last few miles, with no downhill relief and it was just too much for me.  I finally got up the hill and saw that there was some downhill ahead, but unfortunately even though I'd been climbing for roughly 3-4 miles, you go down all of that grade in about 1/4 mile, in other words, it's extremely steep and no relief because you have to watch your footing dramatically or you'll tumble right over.  So it was almost as tough going downhill, but finally at the bottom I knew it was going to be relatively flat most of the rest of the way.  But I was really hurting physically, still dry heaving at points, but nothing coming out, so the GoFuel was just sitting inside me, taunting me.

At Mile 20, I thought I was dead.
At Mile 22, I wished I was dead.

The course was much flatter, but at this point I was just hanging on. I was going very slowly and I knew that, but I didn't have the same type of emotions I did last time because my legs were fine. The only issue I was having besides fatigue, was from the GoFuel and that was self-inflicted, because I should have never done something different going into the race.  Runners go by routine and for whatever the reasons, I thought I'd have no issue with any kind of liquid, so I never tried it out ahead of time.  Classic rookie mistake.

At Mile 20, I thought I was dead.
At Mile 22, I wished I was dead.
At Mile 24, I knew I was dead.

The only saving grace for me at this point was that the course was really beautiful.  We were running along the Columbia River on a bike path, it was part woodlands, part condos, lots of people out cheering us on.  Plenty of people offered me encouragement as they could see I was struggling.  It was a nice feeling, but I was really feeling awful and I knew that one more challenge was ahead.  Having studied and driven the course ahead of time I knew that as we left the river trail we would head back to Fort Vancouver which meant an extreme uphill right at Mile 25.  Again, this was a tough uphill even if it would have been a the beginning, but at Mile 25?!?!?!!  It was as brutal as I imagined, but I slowly made my way up it and as we left the Fort we were back downtown. The streets were lined with people on both sides, all the roads were completely closed and finally, FINALLY we were running downhill.  A little late don't you think?  But it did make for a nice finish.  As I turned the final corner and could see the finish line about 1/10 of a mile ahead of me, I heard the announcer call my name, as they were reading the bib numbers of finishers coming in. Of course he mangled the pronunciation, but still, hearing my name as I got close to the end, I have to say, it was pretty cool.  Although, quite honestly, there was going to be no Boogaloo finish for me, because all I wanted to do was cross the finish line and hopefully throw up.

At Mile 20, I thought I was dead.
At Mile 22, I wished I was dead.
At Mile 24, I knew I was dead.
At Mile 26.2, I realized I was too tough to Kill!!!!!!!!

I'd like to say it was a great finish and I suppose in some ways it was, but I proceeded to cross the finish line and then sat on a curb, as they had no chairs for anyone(one of the few negatives).  As I was sitting there, a guy I saw hurting around Mile 15 that I had shouted some encouragement too, who then caught up to and ran with me before fading back, come up to me.  He had just finished and said he'd been following me, trying to keep up.  He said he could tell I was hurting too, but seeing that helped spur him onto finish.  That was nice to hear.  I then proceeded off to the medical tent and told them I was going to throw up, they were prepared, and I sat there for about 15 minutes and nothing happened.  Then I laid in the grass for about 15 minutes and nothing happened, so I went back to my Jeep.  As I was changing my shoes, that's when Mt. Saint Helen's erupted.  It was an absolutely awful feeling as I proceeded to purge anything that was in my body, which was mostly all liquid at that point. A woman in the car next to mine came over and sat with me and gave me some of her water and a towel.  She was very helpful and I thanked her.  At this point I got very, very cold and was shaking and I didn't have any warm clothes, so I got in my car and turned on the heat full blast and tried to warm up. After about 10 minutes or so, I felt good enough to drive back to the hotel.  I then tried to take a shower, but ended up laying in the tub with the water hitting me, for maybe 1/2 hour. When I stood up, Mt. Saint Helen's Part 2 was there and I think I may have even thrown up a piece of a crayon I might have eaten when I was 3 years old.  It was violent, ugly and took what very, very little energy I had left in me at that point.  I was extremely fatigued from running as it was, now I had absolutely no fluids or any replenishment in me.  So I crawled into bed and tried to stay warm and just laid there for about 2 hours.  I couldn't sleep, I was just completely exhausted.  Finally I decided to drink some gatorade and that was fine.  Eventually I ate some chocolate chip cookies I brought, because they are my absolute weakness and I hadn't eaten any in a really long time, as I had tried to eat healthy leading up the race.  The cookies stayed down and about 2 hours later I was really feeling pretty good.  Finally.  I had no leg issues, very little soreness and now that my body had some good fuel I was pretty much back to normal.  I sat in the hotel hot tub for a bit, relaxed and then ate a little bit and soaked it all in.


In the end I ran this marathon in 3:54:04 compared to 3:56:37 last time, so hardly much difference in time.  But last time I had trained so hard and felt so prepared and yet my body let me down and it was out of my control and virtually impossible for me to accept. This time, I may have bonked or however you want to look at it, but it was by my own doing.  Without the GoFuel, would I have done much better, I'm sure I would have, but how much better, who knows.  One thing I have learned is that 26.2 is just a long, long ways and you can do all the training runs of 20 and 20+ you want, but on a race day, there are just so many variables beyond your control that you have to appreciate all you can.  Last time  I couldn't do that, but this time, not only could I appreciate what just happened, but it also made me realize how much I pushed through the Phoenix Marathon despite the cramping.  Comparing how I felt physically after this race compared to that one, it seems impossible that I even finished in Phoenix.  Yet this course was much more difficult, so slower, and I had nausea issues, so again; variables.  But looking back, 13 months ago  I couldn't even run 2 miles without stopping, let alone at any sort of pace.  Since then I've run over 2000 miles, I've run in about 15 races including a few 1/2 marathons and 2 Marathons in the last 3 months.  What was I really expecting to have happen, I mean I'm not a professional and a year ago I was on the couch?!?!?!?  Am I disappointed that I didn't run faster, sure.  Do I think  I can, no question.  But if I didn't have the high expectations and went after them, I'd certainly never achieve them.  I mean on any given day I can run 20 miles and not many people can do that.  Last year my life got completely turned upside down and I was grasping at anything to not only stay afloat but try to make sense of what the second half of my life would hold because it certainly wasn't going to be anything like I had envisioned.  Just over a year later, now I can truly appreciate what I have been able to accomplish; how I am in the best shape of my life, that I have a tremendous family and friends that have and will support me through anything; I've made new life-long friends; and most importantly I've gotten back the confidence I lost in myself as I was knocked over the edge last year.  I am too tough to kill and maybe it took me a while to get that feeling back, but without appreciating the journey that was needed to get here, I could never fully appreciate the results.  A sincere thank you to everyone who has been with me on this journey, I honestly would have never made it without you.  Phoenix Marathon 2014, I'll be back! 

Hey Gregg Allman, wait up!

I don't look too bad for having just run 26.2 miles and puking my brains out just minutes before this. You can even see remnants on the sidewalk behind me by my Jeep.  I'm all class you know.

Random Thoughts and Final Preparations

As I get ready to run my second marathon on Sunday, I certainly plan to write about it afterwards and hopefully share a much happier story this time.  In the meantime, I have a bunch of random thoughts and such that maybe are not full stories unto themselves or I can't figure out how to weave them in, whatever the case.  But during this last week, I am tapering down for the race and have more free time and need something to do and thought I would just dump a bunch of stuff out there and not necessarily in a cohesive manner, my mind isn't exactly focused on much else right now.  You may consider that lazy writing, I can't argue, but I've also never claimed to be a writer.  So if you just want the story and the results, check back next week, for now maybe something here will make you laugh or strike a chord or maybe it will help you just kill some time at work instead of filling out your TPS reports.



         Um, yeahhhhh.  I'm going to need you to stop talking about the marathon. Okay, that would be great.

"Finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement, it's a state of mind: A state of mind that says anything is possible."

Certainly my last marathon didn't leave me with a great state of mind, but I have tried to take much more pleasure in enjoying the process, the training and the fact that I am even able to attempt such a thing.  Marathons seem to be more mental than physical, I mean you are either in the physical shape needed or you're not, but even if you are, are you mentally tough enough to do it?  I thought I was before, we will see what Sunday has in store for me.

I am all for cougars.  Wait, not that kind!

I was talking with my co-worker, Kelly, she knows that I run every day and on a Monday she asked if I did a long run over the weekend and here is how that conversation went:

Kelly:  So did you do a long run this weekend?  Where did you go?
Chris: I did, I ran 20+ miles and I've been doing my long runs in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains North of town.
Kelly:  I live north of town in the foothills, where exactly did you go?
Chris:  I went down Look Rd. until it ends, about 8 miles, then pretty much came back.
Kelly:  Looking surprised.  Do you....take anything with you?
Chris:  What do mean?  I take Gatorade with me on long runs.
Kelly:  Well I live off Look Rd. and we get cougars out that way all the time coming down from the mountains.  They attack the foals and the calves and dogs and such.  You should be careful running through there.
Chris:  Pausing.  Well hopefully they are only thirsty when I run by.  Yikes.

Note:  I did that run only one more time and I can assure you I was running with my eyes peeled the whole time.  Not good times.  I have a new route now.

Much more my type of cougar.  Sadly, she wasn't chasing me.

"If you feel bad at 10 miles, you are in trouble.  If you feel bad at 20 miles, you are normal.  If you don't feel bad at 26.2 miles, you are abnormal."

Last time my training runs went so well that I never experienced any real trouble and I really thought I was abnormal, in a good way.  We all know how that worked out. After talking with a couple guys I know that have run well over 50 marathons each, they both said that it never gets easier, it's just a long ways and there are lot of variables; your health that day, the weather, training, the course set-up...so I definitely have tried to understand that and accept that some things may be out of my control.  However, what I can control is all mental because I am definitely in shape physically to run it, so it's really all mental(barring injury) as to how I can finish. But since we're talking about "normal", what do you think the chances are of me crossing the Columbia and going to Portland?  Anyone, anyone, Bueller?

Halloween,no; random costume day; no, just every day in Portland. 

Um, yeahhhh. No thank you.

I am VERY disappointed that I will not be able to do this race!  Only a masochistic runner would be upset about such a thing. Check.  However, I may have a story about this when it's over.  Here's hoping and good luck to those running.  The way the weather is in Phoenix this week, they just may set a new record that day.

 Oh it doesn't need to be a secret Hoff.

 I bet you could never guess what David Hasselhoff and I have in common.  We are both HUGE in Germany.  Don't I wish it was that we were both ridiculously wealthy.... At any rate, when I started this blog it was really just to stay in touch with family and friends back in the Midwest and wherever else they may live. Sharing things about Arizona or Vegas or anything unusual that I may be doing. Some people do blogs for money, or to try to make money which is fine, its just not what I'm going for.  You'll never see ads on my blog or me promoting the purchase of anything, this is purely for fun and for those interested, nothing more.  When I write a story I post it on my Facebook page for those that might be interested.  I only have about 75-80 "Friends" because I am very selective, I mean if I wasn't friends with you in elementary school, I'm still not, likely nothing has caused that to change.  With the blog I am able to see all of the hits to each article and where they come from, by country only.   I don't get any one's email address or login address, for example, anytime I post something new, immediately it will show a bunch of hits from the USA, which makes sense.  Well for some reason I also get a bunch of hits from other countries and not random mistakes, but rather every time I post something new I get hits from a number of countries, particularly Germany, France and Russia.  Overall I have hits from 12 countries including China, Morocco, Netherlands, South Korea, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Canada and the United Kingdom.  Obviously when you put something online, it's out there for the world, but it never ceases to amaze me that for whatever the reasons I keep getting hits from these countries.  No one ever contacts me or makes a comment, so I am left to theorize as to why.  My friend John says that since I write about common topics like marathons or the Grand Canyon, that people doing random searches probably come across the blog that way.  That makes sense, but why they keep coming back is what's so interesting.  But whatever the reasons, to my German friends, please know that I will never attempt to be a "singer" like the Hoff, but if you still want to make me an international superstar, I'm in.  However, I do like cheeseburgers.

 The band Rush.  My brother Jeff is a huge fan and I believe so is Dan. P.  Again I have no story here, but being known for their technical prowess I thought this quote from drummer Neil Peart was cool:
 

"Playing a 3 hour Rush show is like running a marathon while solving equations."

If you know anything about Rush, that makes perfect sense.  My favorite Rush song, "Freewill".

Classic photo of Nirvana at the legendary Raji's in Seattle back in the grunge heyday.

After I got to Washington I soon realized that my iPod was filled with bands and music that came out of the Seattle grunge scene in the early 90's.  As much as I like the music, I never cared for the flannel, dirtbag look and being in college at the time, it wasn't all that great when girls dressed like that either.  Not the best look for anyone.  But such was the times I suppose.  I have 80+ songs on my iPod Marathon Set that lasts well over 4 hours.  As it turns out the majority comes from Seattle bands, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Alice in Chains and even GNR has a Seattle history.  Original bassist Duff McKagan is from Seattle and was in a number of bands before moving to LA and joining GNR. His past connections helped them set their first tour as a band in clubs around Seattle, playing for dollars and cents and free drinks mostly.  The tour was a disaster including their van breaking down in northern California and the guys having to hitchhike their way to Seattle and back to LA.  You had to figure I'd find a way to include GNR into all of this.  But know that I will be rockin' out while running and since I'm in Seattle, it suddenly seems appropriate.

 Would you pick these guys up on the side of the road?

I'm a big fan, but even I'm saying no chance.

A big thank you goes out to St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Scottsdale, Arizona.  St. Pat's has truly been a blessing in my life.  I am not outrageously religious, I've always been more of "Sunday Catholic", a term my friend Doug coined, meaning that you go to mass on Sunday and that's about it.  However, the Friday group at the Wildflower has had a huge impact on me and I am so very thankful to have been a part of that group, even for a short time.  St. Pat's has helped me in many ways; getting through my divorce, moving and even making new lifelong friends.  Thanks to Father Eric and everyone connected to St. Pat's.  I guess it only stands to reason that I would be more involved in a church when the Priest is also a local High School football coach. Some things are just meant to be, like say Notre Dame? To the Friday morning group please say a prayer of health for me running the marathon on Sunday, I need all the help I can get.  And please know that someday, I will be back.


I saw Hangover 3.  It was borderline awful.  I have no joke here.  I had very low expectations going in and they were not met.  Disappointing. I'm not a fan of the superhero movies, zombie movies or cartoons.  Add to that period pieces, romantic comedies, sci-fi and any movie with Russell Crowe(except for Cinderella Man), so this summer doesn't sound too exciting to me for movies and one of the few I was looking forward too stunk.  Speaking of movies...

 The highly anticipated follow up to Breakin'!  Dear God, were the 80's really like this!!!!

Sadly, yes.

 

I have a friend, that shall remain nameless, that is way into this dance culture.  Knowing him as I do, it's just so strange, but that's what he likes.  At any rate, I was in middle school when this horrible movie came out and I remember being at the theater for something else and seeing some older kids from school in line, I ask them what they were doing and they said they were in line for Breakin' 2, to which I replied, "Wow, you guys are pathetic".  Keep in mind I was about 12 or 13 at the time and I always had a smart mouth.  Amazing that I never got killed in school.  At any rate, I have never seen this movie nor the first one but what I will say is that this whole marathon experience, the first one and the second, have been so challenging and exciting and crazy all at the same time that if I am able to run it on Sunday in the fashion I want, I will make this promise to my nameless friend:  If all goes well and I am rounding the last turn to Esther Short Park in Vancouver with less than 1/10th of a mile to go and if I'm still feeling good; I will Boogaloo my way across the finish line.  Although I have no idea what that actually means and no one will be there to see it, but if it does happen, the poor spectators in Vancouver will have to bear witness to my horrific dance skills. 
Here's hoping!

The thirst you feel in your throat and lungs will be gone minutes after the race is over.
The pain in your legs, within days.
But the glory of your finish will last forever!

Please wish me luck on Sunday, it is all fuel for the mind and soul and in this case, sole, as well.  No one gets through any journey alone, no matter what we may think. I shamelessly ask for your good thoughts Sunday morning.  Thanks in advance and know that whatever the outcome, I appreciate the support, it will have an impact.

FIRE UP!

Just waiting for Sunday.  TPS reports be damned!
Der Kommissar!

Marathon 2: Second Impressions

Frank Shorter, the last USA Olympic Marathon Gold Medalist.

You have to forget your last marathon before you try another.
Your mind can't know what's coming.   ~Frank Shorter

You the know the saying, "You only get one chance to make a first impression", well my first marathon sure made an impression on me.  So much so that once it was over I took a complete week off from running but after that I got right back into it, hardcore and thus I stayed in marathon training mode.  I just couldn't accept the way it went down and felt like I needed to run another one.  However, after the race I talked to any number of marathoners that I know and surprisingly, almost to a person they all had almost an exact experience with their first marathon.  They have all gone on to run dozens and dozens at elite level times, something I have no illusion of ever attaining, but it was somewhat comforting to hear from others that I wasn't alone with my first marathon experience.  I had also heard that it is common for those whose first marathon doesn't go well to want to do another one right away, but I was cautioned from doing that.  It is such a long distance and your body really should only go through that a few times a year at best and running right away for "revenge" or however you want to look at it, is the wrong reason.  With that in mind I still kept up my training and after a few months, with a clearer mind,  I decided since I was in marathon shape that I will do one more and that's it for 2013.

Cascade Mountains of the Pacific Northwest.

Well work has now sent me to the Pacific Northwest for the time being, Seattle to be exact, and so I started looking at all the marathons in June and early July in the area.  A few really intrigued me but were already sold out.  I finally settled on a marathon in Vancouver, Washington on Sunday, June 16.  Vancouver is right across the river from Portland, Oregon and hundreds of miles away from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  So as much as I was disappointed in my first marathon, I didn't feel the need to run away to Canada, I'm staying right here in the USA.

This map shows Vancouver in relation to Portland and the Columbia River separating the two states.  The race goes mostly near the shoreline of Vancouver both west and east of the city.  After all 26.2 miles is a long ways.  I have spent a little time in Portland, Oregon and Vancouver seems to be the antithesis as it appeared to me that everyone in Portland had sleeves of tattoos and blue hair or another weird color.  Coupled with the number of bumper stickers and signs that read "Keep Portland Weird" and "Portland Normal", I realized that for me, I will stay on the north side of the Columbia.  Sorry Portland.

A view of the Vancouver Skyline at night.

Vancouver is, supposedly, not as rainy as Seattle but rain won't bother me.  The hills on the back half of the course will be the challenge.  Including a very long and steep hill around Mile 19.  But that is where the marathon will be made for me because I am choosing to do this and thus in order to accomplish my goal I am going to try and embrace that hill as best as I can.  Easy to say now for sure, but if you hear a torrent of expletives that day in the wind, it's probably me running up that thing.  However I have done a lot more hill work this last month in preparation or should I say, hope. 

The race used to be the Run to Fort Vancouver.  Sure to conjure nice memories of Fort Michlimackinac for me.  Hey 26.2 is along way, you think about a lot of things.  Whatever gets you through.

I have a much different mindset for this marathon, Boston is not on my mind at all.  I think I may have put too much pressure on myself trying to qualify and as awesome as it would be to be in Boston next spring due to what happened this year, I just don't think it's possible for me, yet.  So I plan to run this race at my own pace and just want to run hard, start to finish, without hopefully any issues this time. I can try again next year.

Town Square, the start and finish of the race.

I have greatly appreciated all of the support I received from everyone for the last marathon both before and the aftermath.  I guess it was really just another life lesson in that you can plan, work hard and do everything "right" and things can still go awry.  Not the easiest thing to accept, even today, but I have made peace with it and I'm ready for Round Two! Whatever the results this time, I truly can take solace in all the hard work and training I have put into to it.  Which is summed up nicely by the greatest distance runner in American history, Steve Prefontaine:

"You have to wonder at times what you are doing out there.  Over the years I've given myself a thousand reasons to keep running, but it always comes back to where it started; self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement."

Before the Phoenix Marathon I had wondered what would happen when it was over, if I would stop running or slow it down or what.  Obviously I feel the need to try again, but I definitely have come to grips with feeling a sense of accomplishment in the journey and enjoying myself when I do run every day.   Let's face it running for me in many ways is just a metaphor for my life.  Everyone has challenges and we each have our own way of getting through them.  I just know that I am very fortunate to have great family and friends supporting me and good health, health enough to even attempt another marathon.  In many, many ways I am very blessed.  With all of that I vow to make a much better second impression on the Marathon, it will never wash away the first one, but it can make up for it for sure.

Dan P., sorry we aren't running this one together.  Now Trucker Todd, where are you, because it's going to be time to celebrate!!!

Fire Up!

High atop Phoenix, it will be with me in spirit.

Run.Walk.Honor.

If you don't know the story of Pat Tillman, you should.

Somewhere inside we hear a voice.
It leads us in the direction of the person we wish to become.
But, it is up to us whether or not to follow.
                                                                          -Pat Tillman

Following the attacks on September 11, 2001, NFL player Pat Tillman left the Arizona Cardinals to join the Army Rangers to defend our country.  Already a multi-millionaire in the prime of his football career, honoring his country was more important to Pat than anything else.  He served multiple combat tours in Afghanistan before falling in April 2004 at age 27.  If you don't already know Pat's story, you should take the time to learn about him.  He was more than a football player and a soldier, from all accounts he was a leader and a friend and the type of person you would always want to know and have on your side.  Born and raised in Northern California, Pat played at Arizona State, ultimately helping lead them to the Rose Bowl before being drafted and entering the NFL.  His exploits on the field, and that crazy long hair, helped to make him an icon in the Valley and his passing has made his legend grow even further and stronger.
The Pat Tillman Foundation was created in his honor and 9 years ago they held a 4.2 mile road race, in honor of the #42 he wore while at ASU, running across campus and Tempe.  3000 runners showed up that year and now in it's 9th year the race has become one of the largest in the world with over 35,000 participants last year.  Always held in April, in honor of his passing, this year's race was held on Saturday, April 20,  and I was delighted to take part.

As an avid football fan, I was always intrigued by Pat Tillman, long before 9/11.  He was the type of guy on the field that anytime you watched a game he was in, you knew where he was at all times.  He played with such passion and ferocity even though he was far from the biggest or strongest player on the field.  His heart and desire easily were big parts of his game.  When he turned down a multi-millionaire dollar extension to leave football and join the Army, it was obviously big news.  His untimely, and controversial,  passing also became huge news and I remember being in Denver the day of his funeral, watching it on TV in my hotel room.  It was captivating and passionate, just as one might imagine when dealing with someone who was bigger than life.  I had heard of the Pat's Run years ago, but not living in Arizona then, I never figured I would attend let alone run it.  But as soon as I moved to Arizona, I signed up for Pat's Run and I'd been waiting for the race ever since.

Registration outside Sun Devil Stadium is held for  full 3 days before the race.

Due to the Boston Marathon bombings, coupled with Pat being a soldier, you can imagine the amount of security and patriotism that was on display.  As most of us can easily take our freedom for granted, we must always remember that we are the land of the free, because of the brave and terrorism may do some tragic damage, but ultimately America will always survive.  So along with 30,000 new friends I was ecstatic to take part in the race.  Due to the enormous amount of runners and all of their friends and family and other spectators, there was going to be well over 100,000 people in a relatively small area.  Parking would be an issue, but luckily my friend Gregg, who is also an active 20+ year National Guard Airman, lives about 2 miles from Sun Devil stadium, so I drove to his house Saturday morning and then rode my bike down to the race, thanks again Gregg!  As you can imagine there was a lot of media and after parking my bike, apparently I look like a guy with an opinion(shocking to anyone that knows me I'm sure) and I was interviewed by a number of radio and TV stations, all asking the same thing, if I was worried about my security.  As far as I was concerned nothing frightened me, let alone some race.  I was going to take part in this no matter what and I had absolutely zero concerns.  Due to the large numbers of runners they put all of us in corrals of 1000, all based on your predicted time of finish.  I ended up in corral #1 and was hoping to run in under 28:00 minutes.  As the race was about to get underway, it was quite a sight seeing 30,000+ people all lined up.  After an emotional rendition of the National Anthem by a solider on a bugle the countdown began and off we went.

And we're off!  Lots of flags on the course today!  USA!  USA!

4.2 miles makes for a fast race and thus it doesn't leave you much time to get into rhythm or hold anything back.  You pretty much have to run about as fast as you can the whole way, if you are running for time.  But with a race this size and with it's mission, there were thousands of people that were walking that just wanted to take part and they also have teams, so you see a lot of people in their company shirts and of course lots of people in ASU gear or soldiers in full uniform.  It was interesting and very cool.  Most races I run have a few hundred or a 1000 people, so this was definitely a new experience.

With so many runners, you were never alone, almost always 3-4 across.

The start in the foreground.  Zoom in on the bridge in the background and you'll see runners around Mile #3.

Another shot of the huge amount of runners.  Signs of Tillman were everyone. He wore #40 in the NFL.

The race is for the most part a 4 mile square around Tempe Town Lake, which for my Midwestern friends it isn't a lake at all, rather a dammed up small river, but here in the Valley it's all we got.  But it's a fairly flat course and there were people lining almost the whole way.  They shut down Mill Street and Scottsdale Road, two of the busiest roads around and it really is an event the whole Valley gets into.  Honestly going into the race I was not worried at all about my time or anything, I just wanted to enjoy the experience and the coolest race finish ever, running into Sun Devil Stadium in front of thousands of people finishing on the 42 yard line.  The whole race I felt terrible, sluggish, slow, not really sure why until my dad reminded me that I had given a double platelet and plasma donation about 36 hours before and that probably had an effect.  As an aside, I encourage anyone reading this to contact their local blood bank and consider donating blood and/or plasma.  There is always tremendous need and you will feel better for having helped others I assure you.  But back to the race, I started out on pace for the first mile, could feel myself slowing a bit on Mile 2, but held firm on Mile 3, but as I was running the last mile I was just ready to be done.  But when you see the stadium and you start to run around it, knowing you will be inside it shortly, you definitely feel some adrenaline and as I started running through the tunnel I could see the clock above the finish line and I burned it in finishing in 27:43.  I ended up in 270th place, not bad for the size of the race, but then I found out my friend Dan also ran and he finished about a minute ahead and in approximately 150th place.  Dan is also a U of A grad and supporter, but proves that this race has no rivalries.  Nice work Dan!  Without contacting each other ahead of time, there was no way to know who is there because its so huge.  But maybe next year I can keep up with him.

After I was done, with the finish behind me.  I had written #42 on my hand.

Again, as an avid football fan, running into the stadium and finishing, in essence, at mid field in front of a huge crowd, that was easily one of the coolest things I've ever done and it will be hard for any race to top that.  Due to the large number of runners when I did finish I heard the announcer calling for Corral #28 to get to the starting line, so I actually was finished before thousands had even started.  Thankfully everyone is chipped time, so your time is counted when you cross the starting line, not at the gun.  But that was neat for me to be able to watch the race, because I never get to do that otherwise.  On the way out of the stadium they have a nice statue of ASU legendary Coach Frank Kush, who was a dorm mate of my Uncle Al at MSU, as well as a Rose Bowl tribute, be sure to make note of the LOSING opponent.  Ha ha.

Chip timer I wore on my shoe, has my bib number as well.

 A tribute to winning the Rose Bowl, sure.  But to me anyone that memorializes beating scUM, I'm on your side!

With that the 9th Annual Pat's Run went off incident free.  Thousands of runners and walkers participated and thousands more were there to support and cheer everyone on.  It was a year ago this weekend that I traveled back to Lansing, MI to walk in the 1st Lansing Marathon and 5K with my dad.  I was in horrible shape at the time and my life was really in turmoil.  Walking that 5K inspired me to start running just 2 weeks later.  I encourage you, wherever you live, to take part in a 5K, walk it in honor of someone or just to be a part of a community event.  You don't ever have to become a runner, but when you finish, I guarantee you will feel a sense of accomplishment and you'll feel better for having done so.  The proceeds from Pat's Run help soldiers and all of us know someone who has served or is still currently serving.  The next time you see the soldiers in your life, be sure to thank them again, because after all they have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep this land of ours great.  Pat Tillman's legacy will live on, but let's never forget all of those that defended this great country's honor.  God Bless America!

Those goes that opinion of mine again....

Land of the free, BECAUSE of the brave. 
Thanks Pat!