Douglass Statue Run 1

Weather: Intermittent Clouds, 32°F (feels like 19°F), 50% Humidity, Winds ENE @ 14 mph.
Route: 11 miles; south through Highland Park, past Mt. Hope Cemetery, through UR River Campus, into downtown past War Memorial at Blue Cross Arena, thru East End.
Time (Pace):  Approx. 1:39.45 (9:03 min/mile)

Close-up of  Douglass statue location map
from Frederick Douglass: No Soil Better.

While "quarantined" in our home for the foreseeable future, I am trying to make my four times weekly runs more interesting by routing them through some interesting community "landmarks". During long slow weekend runs in the past, I have often found myself passing (and noting) the locations of a number of the Frederick Douglass statues that pepper our city of Rochester, New York.

This morning, with a leisurely 10-or-so-mile run on tap, I decided to make it "official" and planned to pass as many of the statues that run south of the city that I could find. Never much of a social runner, self-guided tours at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning definitely allow for appropriate social distancing while offering reprieve from at home isolation. (BONUS: flights of fancy such as this also gives me something to blog about, thus keeping my writing "chops" active.)

The locations of each of the 13 statues, actually replicas of the original made by local sculptor Olivia Kim, is available at the excellent Frederick Douglass: No Soil Better. I used this well curated website as my personal guide while pre-planning a loose running route, with some promising results...

"999 South Avenue, currently the site of Anna Murray Douglass Academy
 (School #12) This is the former site of the Douglass Family farm." (No Soil Better)

Frederick Douglass Monument by sculptor Stanley Edwards at Highland
Bowl. While not part of the set, worth checking out.

"Washington Square Park bordered by Woodbury Blvd., Court Street,
St. Mary’s Place and S. Clinton Avenue Site of Civil War “Soldiers and
Sailors” monument." (No Soil Better)

“300 Alexander Street, at the corner of East Avenue. Near the site
of Douglass’ first home in Rochester at 297 Alexander Street.” (No Soil Better)

While I picked-up three this morning (plus one extra at Highland Park Bowl), three elusive beauties remain unlocated for now. A few loops through Highland Park and onto the eerily empty UR River Campus both came up empty, though contributing to my overall mileage and supplying some beautiful scenery. Another statue reportedly located at intersection of Alexander Street and Tracy Street, the site of the Seward School, attended by Douglass’ children, also was undetected as I jogged by. Though a slightly less picturesque detour, it is always interesting to turn down slightly less familiar streets to get a flavor of neighborhood. Though I have (yet) to see the Douglass statues located therein, I'll count each count each missed opportunity as "wins"... and look forward to picking each up eventually.

2017 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green 5 Miler

Weather: Cloudy, 12°F (feels like 0°F) , 70% Humidity, Wind: NNW @ 8 mph.
Route: Johnny's Running of the Green, an out-and-back course.
Time (Pace): 38:33 (7:42 min/mile)

Pre-Race Observations: Windpocalypse be damned! Despite calls to postpone the St. Patrick's Day Parade which sets off hours following, the Johnny's Runnin' of the Green is going to go off as planned. Brutal winds, cold temps and a lack of electrical power to 40,000 citizens (including myself) are not enough to stop the hardy weakened warriors and Irish revelers of Upstate New York.

My goal in running this morning is to have a fast pace run as I begin to taper for the Syracuse Half-marathon in two weeks. Last weekend was my longest training run (12.3 miles) in this most recent training cycle, so I am hoping for a fast pace today. Reviewing last year's run, I am surprised by just how fast (7:40 per mile, finishing time of 38:20) my pace was last year, making me unsure of bettering it this year. I have come close to that pace in my faster paced training runs and am hoping that my competitive nature (if not a desire to more quickly get to the warmth of the nearby War Memorial) may push me to go faster...

Post-Run Reflections: The temps were cold (as advertised), but it wasn't as much of an impediment as one might think. The roads were clear and though the winds picked up in a few spots, with 876 other people running there were plenty of opportunities to share drafting duties.

I finished the race in 115th place with a time of 38:33, which while admirable given the conditions (which, other than the wind, were not really favorable) just  missed bettering my time from the previous year by only 13 seconds. I felt strong and confident coming down the final 1/2 mile but did not finish as spent as I could (should?) have. Despite not improving upon my time this year, my age group place was better than last year as I finished tenth (of 65 finishers) in the M45-49 age group. Likely due to fewer participants, I bettered last year's place by 16 positions in my age/gender group and 140(!) slots overall.

All-in-all another solid run for fun and a step in the right direction. There is a good chance that the weather will be similar in Syracuse in a few weeks so this shorter distance dry run did yield some valuable information about just how much to wear (that Turkey trot sweatshirt was not really necessary) and how effective the running mantra/breathing I've been working with in training. I'm excited to run Syracuse in two weeks with my son, who because, he was under-the-weather, gave me the honor of being the first finisher... name Jean-Paul.

2017 Winter Warrior Half Marathon

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 21°F (9°F), 54% Humidity, Wind: W @ 11 mph.
Route: Winter Warrior Half Marathon
Time (Pace): 1:52.02 (gun) 1:51.28 (official), 8:27 min/mile

Pre-Race Observations: Same location as last year's Winter Warrior, but significantly cooler temps. Whereas last January, we were working with a balmy 47°F, at the 4 p.m. start tonight, the temperature is forecast to be about 21°F with a "real feel" of about 9°F! Though I don't mind these conditions too much for running (especially after the first mile or two, it does make for a rather uncomfortable spectator experience, which brings me to the another difference from last year's run, Anne will be staying home. It will be cold and I will be running for up to two-and-a-half hours during which time she would be sitting in the car. Her logic is sound for staying home and I don't blame her in the least.

This afternoon's race is a flat, fast, "loop course," as seen in last year's route scouting trip. I may be past any huge performance breakthroughs, but I am planning to finish with a smile and break 2:00, slower than last year, but respectable given the training I have been doing.

Post-Run Reflections: It was definitely colder than last year (note the icicle-snot-stache!), but other than the temps, and a Westerly wind, conditions were excellent. No precipitation (even in the days leading up to the event) meant there were no issues with footing, always a good thing. As was the case last year, I was fortunate to tie my tale to some good runners with whom I was able to pace myself to a good performance. I went out, and maintained, a comfortable pace throughout finishing in 1:51.28, a difference of about 6 seconds per mile off last year's time.

After having the medal placed around my neck and fetching water (the paper cup needed to be gently crushed to break the ice that had formed on the water's surface), I hustled home. I was excited to share my feeling of accomplishment with  to celebrate with Anne. I learned quite a bit during my experience tonight, from maintaining form, evening overall pace and maintaining breathing cadence. And I confirmed for myself that I am still capable of a solid effort with the right mindset and planning (however quickly thrown together.

Individual results for the event from our friends at Yellowjacket Racing are available HERE.

Scoutin' Routes: Phelps 20k

The "folk art" official Phelps 20k course map (left) and another made using Mapmyrun.com.

Four weeks ago, my son, Jack, and I ran the 2016 Utica Boilermaker. I had been coming off a four month layoff from training, so prepared in 2 1/2 weeks with a goal of finishing the race by using a run-walk training plan and strategy for completing the 15k run. In training long runs  as well as the race itself, I adhered to a pattern of 3 minutes running followed by 1 minute walking and repeat until completed. Following this approach I did ultimately cross the finish line in 1:26.31 for a mile pace of 9:17. The following Tuesday, Jack and I registered for the Phelps Sauerkraut 20k. For Jack, Saturday's race is just another run building to what will be his first full marathon in mid-September and for me it provides the opportunity for me to both challenge myself and to (briefly) run with my son.

To train, I continued running four days a week (Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday), running complete shorter distances Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6 miles at a moderate pace, while committing to longer runs (7-10 miles) using a run-walk ratio of 5 minutes to 1 minute. Sundays were for easy 3-4 mile recoveries, often on a treadmill. On "off days" I would walk for 45-60 minutes early in the morning. While not the most rigorous training approach, given a variety of factors (aches, pains, wear-and-tear), I am hopeful it will be enough to put in me the position to finish the 20k in two hours.

As a runner, I rely on visualization to help me get through longer races... and for me at 48 with many miles under my belt, 20k is long. So, when possible, I travel to courses in advance of running hem to get a sense as to what to expect. Last week, Jack and I went on a short roadie to Phelps to scout the race route. At that point, the potential challenges became clear: not the course, but the weather conditions. Though it would be unfair to label the terrain as a whole "hilly," there are a few interesting features. In addition to a few manageable rolling hills, there are 2 extreme, short inclines. The primary possible challenge, just as was the case at Utica, will be the weather. The temps in July at the Boilermaker actually turned out to be fairly favorable this year, and the race organizers did a tremendous job having a myriad hydration stations along the course. The Phelps 20k course is also very open, with zero shading from the sunlight during the course of the race. With a start time of 8 a.m., barring a change in weather projections, the entire race will be run in direct (rising) sun, with a strong likelihood of high humidity.

Here's what Jack and I saw, with a few caveats: the picture quality is somewhat inconsistent as it is difficult to take shots from a (mostly) moving vehicle through the windshield, and distances noted in the captions are my estimates based on reviewing the maps.

Race starts at (roughly) the corner of Main St. and William St.,
in the image above, the start goes to the left.

Other than a quick pass through town, the first 2 miles is fairly flat and open road.

At m the 2.5 mile point the course continue straight, though you veer to the left in the
"fork" where Rt 96 turns to 13.

Flat country roads take you past Midlakes High School on the left.

The first turn, at 3.6 miles, comes after a pass through residential Clifton-Springs
at the corner of Main St. and Pearl.

Continue south, passing through the town of Hopewell, until Pearl ends. To the
right is Taylor Rd., but take the sharp turn right onto Waddell Rd. onto...

The first incline of the day at almost exactly the 5.5 mile mark.

The course flattens again following the ascent and one mile later the
course crosses 488 and Waddell becomes Railroad Ave. for less than a quarter mile.
Over half way to finish!

You'll pass a small-ish water tower on your left and shortly come to the end of Railroad
Ave. Turn left at County Road 23 and onto...

The second "major" hill of the race, starting exactly at the 7 mile mark.
Warning: this one is a long one.

At approximately the 7.3 mile mark, take a left onto Wheat Rd. where
you'll be for just about 2 miles.

Rollin', rollin', rollin'... on Wheat Rd. where you'll come across fields
with bales of... wheat. Really beautiful scenery throughout!

At Case Rd. take a right. This is nearly the 9 mile mark... it's all downhill from here!

Case Rd.

At Toll Rd. take a left, where you'll be on this road for a cup-of-coffee;
 you've made it 9.5 miles, hang in there!

Time for a right onto Griffith Rd. Halfway down, just past the
intersection with Melvin Hill Rd., you'll hit the 11 mile mark!

This left on Fort Hill Rd. means you have less than one mile to go;
you can probably hear the cheers!

Back into Phelps and a little downhill. Fort Hill Rd will turn into S. Wayne Street as
you move into the residential area...

You'll take one final left onto Park St. leaving only about 200 meters to go! 

As you approach the finish on Park St. the gazebo above will appear to the left.
The finish is parallel it on the street.

At the very least we'll be running through some beautiful, classic, Western New York country.
Ideally, the weather on Saturday will be very much like the day we went out to Phelps: overcast. At least in the morning. For the sake of the 50th Phelps Sauerkraut Festival, I hope it's super sunny and pleasant after the race for the remainder of the weekend.

2016 Utica Boilermaker 15k

Post-race party at Saranac Brewery in full swing. (7/10/16)

Weather: Showers followed by clearing, 65°F, 90% Humidity, Wind: W @ 8 mph.
Route: Utica Boilermaker 15k
Time (Pace): 1:26.31 (official), 9:17 min/mile.

Pre-Race Observations: Heading out very early this morning to participate in my fourth(!) Utica Boilermaker 15k. Despite being the fourth time I've run the course, and the second consecutive year, I come into this run with my lowest personal expectations. As previously shared, I committed two weeks ago to following through with running it "with" my son. While my son, Jack, has been diligent in training toward this race (as part of a larger effort to complete this first marathon in September), after too many weeks away from formal training, I needed to choose an alternate path to competition.

I have in the past two weeks followed through on my "get fit(-ish) quick" scheme consisting of multiple run-walk "workouts" ranging in distance from 3 to 8 miles with the occasional 3 to 4 mile ez runs mixed in for good measure. As one might expect, there are some challenges with run-walk, th most significant being the necessity of disciplining oneself to adhere to the 3 minute run-1 minute walk schedule, even when feeling as though you could continue on through the entire thing at the run pace after suitably warming up. The need to honor my plan, while maintaining my breathing and mantra has been challenging to do when running alone, and will be even more difficult in the context of 11,000 other folks running the race. I am embracing both the challenge of the new race plan (whcih means accepting a slower finishing time than in years past) and finding the joy in simply participating with my son (who will only be held back if he chooses to stay with me).

An unanticipated added benefit is that my brother happened to be in town this weekend (he lives and teaches in Monterrey, Mexico) and will be making the two-hour drive to Utica with us...

Post-Run Reflections: This was the fourth Boilermaker I have "run," and despite being the slowest time I have put forth, it was the best one I have been part of. Beyond my finishing the course it was great to have have my son run the course for his first time (and doing well) and to have my brother make the trip with us. The logistics of meeting up aside  (FYI: it is not easy to find one person among 13,000 of your closest friends at the post-race party!), celebrating having finished with your family is definitely the way to go.

While waiting in our assigned pre-race starting coral, my son and I talked quite a bit about how incredibly well organized the Boilermaker weekend is. The Utica community once again did a fantastic job making what could have been a nightmare (and what I have experienced as a hug pain in the butt in races of significantly smaller scale), very easy. From parking at the finish to picking up post-race swag, the entire experience was very smooth... and dare I say it, enjoyable!

My run-walk approach, at a ratio of 3 minutes running followed by 1 minute walk, worked well. I did vary slightly at the beginning however. Given the 11,000+ participants, I did need to run the first two miles at a pace of about 8:50--to stop to walk would have been much too disruptive to those around me. By about two miles in, it was much easier to find my way to the outside lane without impeding others. from that point forward I faithfully fell into my desired pattern. (My son, ever the optimist, suggested at the beginning that I could run the whole thing; while true, I reminded him that I needed to "trust my process" despite the impulse to attempt to hang on.) I did need to ficus while walking to resist the cheers from spectators to "keep going, you can do it!" because I sensed to do so woudl result in my ultimately having to walk at the end. In the end, I finished 3,670th of 11,359 15k finishers, which was good enough for 216 of 562 in my 45-49 Male age group, with an official time of 1:26:31 (9:17 min/mile).

Complete results for all Boilermaker Weekend events are searchable HERE.

Summer Runnin'

After a three month break from training, I decided to take some of my own recently dispensed advice and stop living like time won't run out. In March, after a pretty nice morning run in the local St. Patrick's Day five-mile Running o' the Green, I signed up for the July 9 2016 Utica Boilermaker 15k. To raise the level of personal significance to the race, my son also signed up with the intent of "running it with me." Of course, now that the race is two weeks away, I find myself needing to quickly catch-up, just to put myself in a position to finish.

Finishing 2008
Boilermaker 15k.

When speaking with friends at work about the probability of still running the race despite a lack of preparation, I reminded them that at this point it would be an issue of whether my pride would allow me to participate in a race I knew I would not be competitive in. It has been a long time coming, but after a few years of being a "pretty good" weekend runner, it is time to admit that the PR days may be behind me. (Yes, I am fully aware that were I to commit to a formal training regime, including speed workouts and repeats etc., I could be faster--but my own recreational interest in running is a matter of "therapy" rather than any desire to be an Olympian.) I have zero delusions that I have a 15k PR in me for 13 days from now, I am hopeful that I can finish in two hours, which while an absolutely terrible personal performance, could still be seen as a victory of sorts as it would represent a completed race.

This past Saturday morning, the first day of my summer break from teaching, I put in 3 workman-like treadmill miles (despite fairly pleasant weather outside) just to get jump started. This was followed by a miserable 1.5 miles of a planned 5 easy miles on Sunday. I walked the balance of the planned run, feeling a little demoralized. When I made it home, I decided to do my best to persevere and change focus slightly. Moving away from my standard training model, I looked up a Run/Walk Half Marathon Training Schedule, with the intention of picking up the plan at the seven week point. I have used a run-walk training plan before, and to pretty good effect, when preparing for the Finger Lakes 50k Trail Race wa-a-a-ay back in 2009. Given my current fitness level (I could handle a plan requiring a 10-15 mile weekly base), my new-found purpose, and the timeline, it seems my best bet to prepare for a 9 hazy, hot, humid and hilly miles.

This morning, I finished the first day of week seven, which calls for 4 miles in the following pattern of exertion: run for 3 minutes, walk for 1 minutes and repeat until the distance expectation is met. It went fairly well, and allowed me to feel a small sense of accomplishment after the prior day's aborted 5 miler. The mile pace was consistent with what I might hope to do on July 6, but over the course of 9 miles I may need to adjust expectation even more.

The desired optimal 10 min mile pace is much slower than I have run in past Boilermakers, but would result in a (literally) pedestrian 1:45 to 2:00 hour finish time. For reference, my prior Boilermakers (including last year's run after a seven year hiatus from the race are:  2015 1:19.40 (8:33 min/mile), 2008 1:07:27 (7:15 min/mile), 2007 1:08:52 (7:24 min/mile). The hilly and crowded course accompanied by potentially difficult weather (humidity and heat) make for a notoriously challenging race. The intent is that dialed-back and reasonable expectations will help avoid defeating myself mentally before crossing the finish line. For me, this year (in addition to being a small part of what I am confident will be a good run for my son) is about finishing. And, a finish is a finish.

2016 Winter Warrior Half Marathon

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 47°F, 74% Humidity, Wind: S @ 9 mph.
Route: Winter Warrior Half Marathon
Time (Pace): 1:49.49 (gun) 1:49.23 (official), 8:21 min/mile

Pre-Race Observations: It's been about four months since my last "race," the Rochester MVP Half-Marathon and my training has been fairly consistent, so I'm as ready-to-go as I could be. While not the wintry day that the race name might have suggested (or hoped for), the Winter Warrior Half-marathon does include some unique elements that should make for a challenging, if not snowy) experience. Today's start time is 4:00 p.m. which is a far cry from the more traditional 8 or 9 a.m. starts of which I am more accustomed. I had intended to conduct some moderately distanced training runs in the evening to acclimate to the race start time, but those failed to materialize so most later afternoon runs were limited to a shorter runs on the occasional after school trip to the gym.

Today's race is also a "loop course," as seen in my previous route scouting trip. I haven't run a loop course of this distance in over 12 years, but I have trained to train for the probable less-than-inspiring repeating view offered by a 3.1 mile course being traveled on the roads of an industrial park after hours. One thing that will make the view much more pleasant, and make me feel inclined not to go too slow, is that my wife will be coming with me to today's race. Ma-a-a-any years ago she would accompany me to many longer distance races, but during my recently running renaissance, the start times have been very early, and frankly there was much to see relative to my performance. I am likely past any huge performance breakthroughs, but I am hoping to finish with a smile and look forward to seeing my wife at the finish (and 3.1, 6.2, 9.3 loops).

Post-Run Reflections: In anticipation of this race, and given the uncertain weather conditions, I asked my son what he would recommend I wear. My son, himself a former collegiate and current recreational runner, advised me to dress for weather 15 degrees warmer, to account for the body temp rising once I was moving. Not surprisingly his suggestion was spot on and though I lacked a headlamp, I found myself very appropriately attired (though I dropped my gloves and hat at the finish going into\the final loop).

I ran well this evening, putting forth my best half marathon effort since 2011. While not a PR it was nice to feel strong. and to be able to successfully challenge myself to maintain focus and form (via a consistent breathing pattern) throughout the course of the race. As suspected, the topography of the loop was not overly challenging, though the repetitive nature of the loop to require some additional mental energy.

My wife, Anne, and me
following the race.

Much of the success of my run today can be attributed to two women. Foremost was the fact that my wife braved the elements (and the tedium of waiting for me to finish) to support my efforts. I am admittedly a man of fanciful flights and milady is always supportive.

The second was another competitor on whom I paced myself for the majority of the race, losing her to walkers being lapped and my own mental duress going into the final mile.  She did a fantastic job getting out and then settling in at comfortable pace. I tried my best not to draft (though given the number of participants on such a small course each competitor likely had an opportunity to take a turn as a windshield for someone). I am not a talker while running, and was unable to track her down at the finish, but thanks to her unsolicited assistance was greatly appreciated.

Coming down the last half mile, having maintained a groove for most of the run due to that initial pace-setting, I was able to pull more out of my expended reserves than I otherwise may have been able to. As is often the case, in the challenging distance just prior to the final mile, I fought against the internal monologue that "I can't do this and won't do this ever again." Of course, now 12 hours later and feeling pretty good (and proud), I find myself having a different conversation with myself, "What's next?"

Individual results for the event from our friends at Yellowjacket Racing are available HERE.

700 Miles(tone) and More

When comic books hit issue 700 of a single continuous run, it is a tremendous accomplishment. It is an especially  rare occurrence nowadays for industry deeply enamored of the potential financial windfall of frequent #1's; as a result, every title seems to hit the reset almost annually.

Seven-hundred sounds like a lot. This morning when I scrawled "709" in my hard copy training journal as the to-date cumulative mileage since March, it seems like I've come a long way. In addition to comfortably completing a 12.5 mile training run, the 700 miles(tone) is a personal accomplishment. To 35 year-old me, 700 miles might have represented a rare year marred by injury. To 46 year-old me, it is thrilling, especially with a few more weeks to go in the calendar year.

This morning's surprisingly frosty (31°F, but felt like 26°F at 7 a.m.) and foggy early morning run also reminded me why I once preferred cold weather running--something I've avoided for most of the past 4 years. Though I have continued to register and train for the occasional road race, most have been limited to early summer or late fall events where I could train outside of my teaching/coaching schedule and in warm(er) temps. This current calendar year, I began much earlier (albeit on treadmill) than in recent history (February) and am registered to run a half marathon the first weekend of January 2016. While we have yet to have had measurable snowfall in Western New York just yet, it is a very real possibility for January 9, and I am almost assured that the temps will not be much higher than a balmy 40°F.

Now that I've reached the unanticipated 700 mile mark, it's time to continue moving forward toward other benchmarks. Like comic books, I too will hit the numbering reset button in January and begin with a brand new #1. Ultimately, the primary goal, one for which I am most thankful, is simply getting up and out every once and a while, regardless of how fast or slow or far I go.

The Running Wheel Turns Again

In most matters, I am what can best be described as a "planner." For my work (teaching) it is a fine attribute, especially as I am willing to quickly deviate from a lesson plan if the situation (or class) necessitates it. While a willingness to map out goals, whether personal or educational, appears to be a mostly positive trait, the most significant drawback can be that on occasion I spend too much time planning and not enough time acting: it allows me the out that "I am working on it." Such has been my on-again-off-again love affair with recreational running.

Past best laid plans.

In September, my previous plan culminated in my successfully completing a half marathon, a race that was perfectly scheduled for my purposes as the taper came during the start of the school year and the recovery afterwards was positioned during a period of intense coaching and teaching. But now, weeks later, I find myself saying at the the end each work week, "This weekend I begin a new plan," even going so far as to jot down a course for the following morning.

This morning, after waking up early at the dawn of the second-to-last meet of the high school girls' cross-country meet of the season, I acted. The past three years it has become increasingly difficult to get outside on the streets in "the cold."  Years ago I loved running in the hard pact snow at 5 a.m., an experience which, of late and in much kinder conditions, held little allure. Today was a cool, damp, autumnal one and it was glorious. Inspired (deluded?) by the short, easy three miles I put in, I decided to blog about it here (thus inspiring accountability) and begin to put in action another plan for a future race. In a little over two months I will be running another local half marathon with other more lofty goals crystallizing in the ether beyond January. For now, it has to be first things first.

At least that is the plan.

A Training Milestone (of Sorts)

The 10 mile route around Rochester I ran this morning.

Like many, each day after running I write down the weather, distance covered, intended pace, actual pace, as well as any goals I may have had for each run. (Though I use online resources for the information, I still enjoy writing the info and reflection in pen and paper rather than using one of the running social networks.) Following this morning's 10-mile jaunt, and after adding up this week's mileage, I realized that I have now covered 502 miles since getting back into things 25 weeks ago on February 15.

The total includes the training runs, two half-marathons, one 10k, one 15k and one 5-miler I've competed in since, resulting in a straight average of 20 miles weekly during 3-4 runs (one of which is generally a longer run accounting for 40-50% of total mileage). Though I fear jinxing myself, I am glad to have slowly returned to a consistent, meaningful training pattern, and am pleased to have chosen to work through a few different plans in an effort to find that which works best. As always, the challenge will be continuing to maintain the effort once school (work) begins anew in September, but I remain confident that it will happen.

Read It: Running with the Mind of Meditation

What electricity comes forth,

in the sweat I feel in my mouth...

-from "Freedom" by Sakyong Mipham (199)

Books about running fall into a number of different categories. Some are fictional, such as the classic Once a Runner by John L. Parker, Jr., while others are autobiographical/adventure tomes, such as the uber successful Born to Run by Christopher McDougall. As both a recreational runner, track coach and English teacher it is not uncommon for me to pick up topical fiction and nonfiction when I come across it, especially when it speaks to my situation at the moment.

Like the aforementioned Born to Run, Running with the Mind of Meditation by Sakyong Mipham was a book that I had on my bookshelf for a number of years before really digging into it. As the old addage goes "when the student is ready (me), the teacher (or a relevant book anyway), appears." Over the past few months I have embarked on a return to fitness and Mipham's book articulates a few of the thoughts I myself have been noodling through.

While something of a primer on movement meditation, my initial interest in this particular title (besides reading about the author in Runner's World magazine shared to the right) were Mipham's observations regarding the application of breathing practice and visualization to ameliorating (or at least managing) the aches and pains that come with distance training. Since starting back up with a training plan, I have dealt with a left hamstring issue that has troubled me since the fall. In  the past, I have used mantras to maintain focus during long runs, and continue to be interested in new thoughts.

From the August 2014
Runner's World.

For any with a rudimentary understanding of meditation, there is some familiar ground covered though from a more Tibetan perspective than I have read previously. Because of this new-to-me perspective,what could have been redundant is kept unique and fresh with the inclusion of some new Tibetan vocabulary. Mipham structures his book in such a way that the reader progresses with the author through the stages of meditation practice that mirrors initiating a new running plan. Starting with Part 1, Chapter 2. "Building a Base," Mipham establishes the significance of the mind-body connection, a relationship that can benefit from the collaborative practice of running and meditation: "Unless we train it,the mind does the minimum necessary to fulfill a function. In that way it is like the body." (24)

After using a series of personal anecdotes including conversations with other runners and observations from personal experience, Mipham bring us through "Tiger" (Part II) and "Lion" (Part III) levels or stages before concluding with Part IV. In establishing his terms, Mipham explains that "Garudu" is both a meditation technique for "moving forward with a health balance of mindfulness and awareness" and a "mythical bird with human arms hatching ready to fly." (135) In the context of the book, Garuda takes on the symbolic role of we, as runners and humans, faced with the challenge to go beyond one's comfort zone. I had not previously been ware of the Garuda concept, but given the propensity of many recreational runners (especially me!) to either 1. deviate from running due to boredom or 2. continue along a progression of distances in an effort to go farther, faster.

Mipham's accessible and conversational writing style, with excellent explanations of new and unfamiliar terms, make Running with the Mind of Meditation a brisk and informative read. Regardless of where you find yourself in your training: whether with mediation or running, Mipham's clear articulation of progressively more sophisticated facets of both practices suggest a book that will reward with re-reading too. Recommended as a vital re-framing and focused presentation of the practice of meditation as a means of enriching the possibilities of the running mind-body connection.

Run Reader: Mighty Marvel Westerns (2006)

All four covers feature the handiwork of Goon creator Eric Powell!

In the last ten years I have become much more enamored with the Western comic book genre. Largely ignored in my previous 20+ years of reading, maybe something just happens as one gets older and the bygone days of yesteryear become more appealing. During this time, in addition to picking up modern western titles such as DC's Jonah Hex (Volume 2), I began seeking out older titles from variety of publishers. Among those were various reprints of classic Jack Kirby Rawhide Kid stories.

Not a "run" in so much as a minor event, the summer of 2006 saw Marvel Comics briefly return to its roots with a series of five one-shots published under "The Mighty Marvel Western" umbrella. Four of the five issues focused on individual characters, each headlined by one of the more recognizable characters in Marvel's stable of Western stars, such as Two-Gun Kid and Red Wolf, while including  minor characters in back-up stores via reprints and new tales. The fifth book in the series was a handbook called Marvel Westerns Outlaw Files that feature biographical information and "authentic" Wanted posters from the 1800s. Though ultimately collected in a cumulative hard cover, none ended in a return to monthly adventures for the characters that one might have hoped.

In fact, other than Marvel's Six Guns mini-series in 2012 that featured updated versions of Western characters in a modern setting and Rawhide Kid: The Sensational Seven (2010), Marvels' heroes have once again receded into the past glories of the publisher, failing to warrant much more than the occasional appearance in an in-continuity time travel story. (The Western will be making a brief comeback of sorts in the miniseries 1872 as part of Marvel's current Secret Wars event.)

Never too much Terrible Totem
by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, reprinted 
in MMW: Two-Gun Kid.

But we do have the wonderfully entertaining Mighty Marvel Western one-shots to re-read when the desire for Marvel Western magic is desired. A quick issue-by-issue review reveals that some high profile comic book talent, especially writers, (though the artwork is consistently good, anchored by Goon creator Eric Powell, who had a hand in all covers) took advantage of the opportunity to play in the Old West sandbox when these issues were released in summer 2006:

• Marvel Westerns: Kid Colt and Arizona Girl (2006) #1—one of the best part of these one-shot is the abundance of material one gets in each is. For example, this issue includes five(!) stories; a new Kid Colt and Arizona Annie tale written by Jonah Hex writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, a story introducing the Philadelphia Philly by Jim McCann and David Williams, and reprints of three classic tales by comic legends Jack Kirby and Dick Ayers.
• Marvel Westerns: Western Legends (2006) #1—This beauty features three very solid all-new tales starring less-familiar Marvel Western characters Hurricane, Red Wolf and the Man from Fort Rango. All three stories are good, while the first "The Man Called Hurricane" by Jeff Parker and artists Tomm Coker is a personal standout, given it's earthy palette and classic story line (with a nod to the character much more flamboyant original design. I have long been a fan of writer Karl Kesel (mostly from his DC work) and his Red Wolf story doesn't fail to satisfy. With so many Kirby classics in these comic it is great to get the origin of Rawhide Kid by the King himself here, too.
• Marvel Westerns: Strange Westerns Black Rider (2006) #1—Includes four stories, the first featuring Marvel's dark Western avenger, the Black Rider, written by Steve Englehart and Joe R. Lansdale. Lansdale, with artsist Rafa Garres also contributes a Gunhawk story, and once again the issue concludes with Marvel classic Westerns, this time two Kirby Rawhide Kid tales.
• Marvel Westerns: Two Gun Kid (2006) #1—Features two stories, one new and one classic. The first features warp-around story set in the present with Two-Gun kid and She-Hulk written by (then She-Hulk writer and current Spider-Man scribe) Dan Slott with pencils by Eduardo Barreto. The story concludes with the promise that it was "Not the End: Two-Gun and Shulkie's adventure continues in She-Hulk #11!" (I'll have to check out those issues). The second new story stars Hugo the World's Smallest Cowboy from a bevy of talents including Keith Giffen and Mike Allred and is lots of fun answering the challenge declared in the credits box asking "how in tarnation can a li'l ol' Western yarn by th' likes'a... possibly be worth two rotten skunk eggs?" And, as with all books in this series, this one concludes with a classic Kirby tale, this one with the Rawhide Kid.

My primary takeaway from revisiting these stories (whether "new" or classic) is to reaffirm what I already knew: Western comic books can be very fun if handled by quality creators. Now that DC's All-Star Western has exited the New 52, only Dynamite regularly publishes traditional western comic books. With so many great characters, it would be tremendous if Marvel take the gamble to publish a monthly book dedicated to characters within the genre (rather than just Western takes on traditional  Marvel characters a la the aforementioned 1872). Based on this series of one-shots, the publishing giant certainly has the wherewithal to do so, now just needs the motivation to make it so.

All of these books are highly recommended as is the Marvels Westerns Hard Cover which captures them all in a single volume!

The end of Arizona Annie and Kid Colt's adventure...
and of the Mighty Marvel Western genre? Words by Justin
Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti and pencils by Federica Manfredi.

First Time, Long Time

Weather: Cloudy, 38°F, 83% Humidity, Wind: From SE @ 8 mph; feels like 32°F.
Route: Johnny's Runnin' of the Green
Time (Pace): 42:44 (8:33 min/mile)
Effort: 4 of 5
How did I feel? Very nice :)

Pre-Race Observations: This morning for the first time in two years (and for the first time in six years at this particular race), I lined up at the start (toward the back of the pack at the start at any rate) for a road race. I have been "running" for three weeks now following a six month hiatus, and felt it was time to get my feet wet with something that might necessitate a faster pace. Though my long runs (at this point, up to five miles) have been showing a steady increase in pace, it was time to step outside my comfort zone once again and run with others.

I have run the Johnny's Runnin' of the Green in the past, and as our local St. Patrick's Day road race held in conjunction with the Rochester's St. Patrick's Parade, it is a festive affair with runners (fast, slow and all points in between) decked out in green shamrocks and the occasional leprechaun costume. Because the unusual race distance of 5 miles  fit almost perfectly into my planned weekend long run (6 miles) it seemed a natural way to double dip.

Things have been going well on my training runs, but I am certainly not the same "athlete" (a term that makes me sound wa-a-a-y more intense about it than I am) in years past. Part of my intention in embarking on this most recent running cycle is to do so with an eye toward personal improvement and discipline, and the hardest lesson I would likely begin to experience in this race was realizing the limitation my current training will have on my performance. The out-and-back route provides the additional assurance that I won't get lost on the course (a positive given my past trail race experiences) and allows the competitors to see those in front and behind running toward them in the 2nd to 3rd miles (kind of a drag--but I get it).

Post-race Reflections: Things went much better than I had expected. I began the race with the hope of finishing in 50 minutes, but after finding a colleague about one mile in (and recognizing his pace as better than mine), I joined him. We ran the rest of the race together, a time during which we occasionally conversed, a habit I have never been one to embrace but that was, in this case, reassuring. In the end, we crossed at 42:44 (gun time and starting toward the back I'm certain a true chip time might be better). The 8:33 pace is just slightly quicker than what I have been doing independently, and though I could have pushed the pace more, the level of exertion was just enough to validate the ache in my hamstring, and not too fast to exacerbate any discomfort. I was very happy with my finish, and with reconnecting with a number of members in the local running community with who I used to regularly race in the past. This morning's experience left me looking forward to the next one!

Full results for the 2015 Johnny's Runnin' of the Green are available here.