Upward Spiral

Generally speaking, I tend to steer this blog away from political commentary. Personally, I sit somewhere in the middle of the political spectrum favoring pragmatism over propaganda and solutions to actual problems over news media sensationalism.

Today I received the below email from Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks Coffee, and am compelled to share it.

Our political leaders have become entrenched in partisanship and are focused, almost exclusively, on party loyalty and reelection. I suppose it should come as no surprise that it is the private sector, not the government, who is standing up and affecting change on behalf of the United States. After all, industry's motives are clear... when Americans are employed we buy goods and services, and private industry reaps the profit. These profits can then be further re-investment in innovation and new jobs.

To the Founders, Chairmen, CEOs, and Directors of the organizations supporting Mr. Schultz and Upward Spiral, I commend you and genuinely hope that you are true to your pledges: Withhold your political contributions, decline those $10,000 a plate political fundraisers, and do not contribute to PACs. Instead, re-invest in your organizations, in your people, and in America's future.

August 15, 2011

Dear Fellow Concerned Americans:

Our country is better than this.

Over the last few weeks and months, our national elected officials from both parties have failed to lead. They have chosen to put partisan and ideological purity over the well-being of the people. They have undermined the full faith and credit of the United States. They have stirred up fears about our economic prospects without doing anything to truly address those fears. They have spent a resource even more precious than the dollar: our collective confidence in each other, in the future, and in our ability to solve problems together.

As leaders in business, we have watched all this unfold, first with frustration and then with dismay. Like so many of our employees and customers, we are gravely concerned about the current situation. Today, with both humility and urgency, we propose to do something about it.

First, we aim to push our elected leaders to face the nation's long-term fiscal challenges with civility, honesty, and a willingness to sacrifice their own re-election. This means not kicking the can anymore. It means reaching a deal on debt, revenue, and spending long before the deadline arrives this fall. It means considering all options, from entitlement programs to taxes.

This is what so many common-sense Americans want. That is why we today pledge to withhold any further campaign contributions to the President and all members of Congress until a fair, bipartisan deal is reached that sets our nation on stronger long-term fiscal footing. And we invite leaders of businesses – indeed, all concerned Americans – to join us in this pledge.

We also believe in leading by positive example. And we believe that while the long-term fiscal challenge is serious, even more painful to millions of Americans today is the immediate crisis of jobs. Tens of millions are unemployed and underemployed. Right now our economy is frozen in a cycle of fear and uncertainty. Companies are afraid to hire. Consumers are afraid to spend. Banks are afraid to lend. Record levels of cash are piling up in corporate treasuries, idling. That cash is not being used to expand operations, train new workers, underwrite new ventures, or spark innovation.

The only way to break this cycle of fear is to break it. The only way to get the country’s economic circulatory system flowing again is to start pumping lifeblood through it. That is why we today issue a second pledge. Our companies are going to hire. We are going to accelerate growth, employment, and investment in jobs.

We do this because we want to set in motion an upward spiral of confidence. We are not waiting for government to create an incentive program or a stimulus. We are not waiting for economic indicators to tell us it’s safe to act. We are hiring more people now. We invite leaders of businesses across the country to join us in this pledge as well – and to bring their stakeholders into the effort. Confidence is contagious. The best thing we can do now is to spread it.

This is a time for citizenship, not partisanship. It is a time for action. We don't pretend that our two pledges are quick fixes. We just believe that in this moment of great uncertainty, the government needs discipline, the people need jobs – and leaders need to lead.

Our country is better than this. Let’s get things moving now.

Respectfully,
Howard Schultz

“Industry pays debts, while despair increaseth them”
-Benjamin Franklin

In Decline

My training for the month of August has been deplorable and is trending in the wrong direction. Lack of sleep. Lack of motivation. Domestic and international travel. Blah blah blah...

Must buck up, lace up, and hit the road tomorrow morning. No excuses!

August 2011 Weekly Milage

"He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else." 
-Benjamin Franklin

Running Sick

My brother, The Ubster, is training for his first marathon and recently asked me about running when sick.

His timing is interesting because I, too, am struck with some form of sinusitis and am struggling with the question: am I well enough to go for a run?

The generally accepted rule of thumb is if you’re sick from the neck up (head cold, sore throat) then you can run. But if you’re sick from the neck down (flu, respiratory virus, other unmentionable nasties...) then you should not run.

All of that said, I'm now of the opinion if you have to ask yourself that question you should take the day off from working out.

After a weeklong domestic road trip followed by a weeklong stint in South America followed by a weeklong malaise, I thought myself well enough to get in a 15k. I had to cut the run short and have relapsed into my sniffling and hacking ailment.

If, like in The Ubster's case, you're scheduled for an important long run in a calculated training plan then rejigger the training plan by shifting or dropping a mid-week recovery or tempo run. Otherwise a couple of days off will not ruin your fitness and may actually do you some good (muscles get broken down during workouts and are only rebuilt on rest days).

So if you're asking yourself "Am I too sick to run?" then it may be time to trade in the Gu for some chicken soup!

"The part can never be well unless the whole is well."
-Plato

Top 10 Reasons To Keep Blogging

Top 10 Reasons To Keep Blogging

Quite obviously, I've not bothered to post anything new in some time and have been considering killing this blog or at least taking it private. Instead, I came up with a few reasons to keep writing.

1. I like to talk about running and this is my platform
2. I like to talk about triathlon and this is my platform
3. I like to talk about beer and this is my platform
4. Blogging is better than Facebook siphoning away countless hours
5. Twitter's 140 character limit is, well, limiting
6. Blogging allows me, an unabashed extrovert, a moment to reflect
7. Feeling like a publishing magnate
8. Googling my name and owning all the search results
9. Keeps me honest about goals... because if it's on the internet then it's got to be true
10. You, my ardent reader

“Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.”
-Douglas MacArthur

A Steady Hand

Things are a little different down here in Texas...

"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education."
-Franklin D. Roosevelt

Austin Marathon Race Report

Things started off so well... Billy and I got downtown and found parking near the start. The weather was terrific. The Porta-John lines were short. What more could you ask for? Except, perhaps, a good nights sleep and another 12 weeks of training.

The gun when off and I reminded Bill to take it easy and save his energy for the last 10k (it was his first marathon). Sage advice, which we promptly ignored. Less than 3 miles into the race I looked down at my watch and realized I was running a sub-7 minute pace.

Bill was looking good, feeling good, and had put in the training. Knowing his pace was unsustainable I pulled back and let him slip away. It was to be his day!

As the miles clicked by my pace began to slow until fatigue and frustration got the better of me at mile 16. The remaining 10 miles went by something like this:

• Shuffle
• Walk
• Expletive
• Repeat

At mile 19 I saw the family, which is always good for a boost. The quick kiss, high fives, and "Go Daddy Go!" posters did manage to lift my spirits but the moment was short lived. I was looking at another 10 kilometers of misery.

I'll pause at this point in the story to heap well deserved praise on the race organizers, volunteers, and the good people of Austin. The Livestrong Austin Marathon is a terrific race! There's live music and ample support along the course. Race logistics were flawless and the schwag was top notch. But perhaps best of all were the enthusiastic and humorous spectators. Among my favorites where:

• The guy with sign that read, "You're fast! That's what she said!"
• The woman with the sign that read "Supportive and single. Call me."
• The lawn party with a giant sign that read "Cocktails for Quitters."

With the bulk of the hills behind me the race meandered it's way back to downtown Austin and toward the finish line. Passing mile 25 I mustered up my remaining willpower and forced myself to run the last 1.2 miles without walking.

I unceremoniously crossed the finish line in 4:35:06; more than an hour slower than my personal best and my worst marathon showing ever. I knew going into the race that I was woefully unprepared but still cannot help to be a bit disappointed.

However, there's something to be said of simply finishing one marathon and now I've completed seven.

Congratulations also to my friend, Bill, who broke 4 hours on his first marathon! Well done, dude!

"Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Uh oh...

I ran a fair half marathon.

Then I lost my mojo.

Then I hurt my calf.

Then I got sick!

Now I'm getting better.

But there's just three weeks to train before going 26.2 miles.

Uh oh...

"Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance"
British Army

Mojo Missing

A friend recently asked how my training was going for the Austin Marathon… "Lousy" was perhaps the most fitting answer.

Sure, the Dallas Half went swimmingly but my training plan and resolve completely fell apart after the race. I ran only twice in the two weeks that followed the half marathon. I just couldn’t conjure up the resolve to strap on the Asics. Blame for my marathon training doldrums can be attributed to a hectic work schedule and holiday obligations but the real culprit is a lack of motivation. Put simply, my running mojo was a no show.

Santa delivered a new GPS-enabled running watch (product review to follow) and some much needed inspiration. I managed a few good runs as the final days of 2010 slipped into history.

My training was just getting back on track when I pulled my calf muscle in early January. In essence I've been out of commission for well over a month!

My calf seems to be on the mend but I’m at a loss for what to do about Austin. As I see it my options are to:

1. Drop out
2. Switch to the half marathon
3. Suck it up and do the full marathon

Each option has its pros and cons… Dropping out would be easy but who wants to be a quitter? Moving over to the half is probably the rational option but how many rational distance runners do you know? Going the full distance opens up the possibility of further injury but also brings the most satisfaction.

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”
-Eleanor Roosevelt

Belated Dallas Half Marathon Report

It has been over a month since I ran the Dallas Half Marathon; and I’ve let all this time pass without updating my blog? For shame! I should probably be drawn and quartered by the blog militia.

I can hardly bring myself to think upon the suspense that you, my dear loyal reader (yes, singular… you and I both know who you are), must have endured. Assuming you still visit this domain, I’ll consider myself lucky to count you as my reader and dispense with the navel-gazing.

Race morning began far to early with a drive downtown to Fair Park. It was rather brisk so I waited to the last minute to drop my belongings at baggage check and head into the corral. This turned out to be a blessing, but I’ll save that for later in the tale.

I was seeded well toward the front of the chute and was delighted by the race start fanfare – complete with local celebrities, music, confetti, and pyrotechnics!

The race itself went about as well as it could have. My pace was challenging to maintain but my splits were consistent most of the way through to the end.

Mile One 7:34
Mile Two 7:22
Mile Three 7:25
Mile Four 7:31
Mile Five 7:24
Mile Six 6:33 (short mile?)
Mile Seven 8:45 (long mile?)
Mile Eight 7:53
Mile Nine 7:55
Mile Ten 7:31
Mile Eleven 7:38
Mile Twelve 7:38
Mile Thirteen 7:10
Last Tenth 1:57

Officially, I finished in 1:40:20, a pace of 7:39 per mile which I’m absolutely pleased with given that my training has been less than desired.

After crossing the finish line, runners are directed into a large indoor multipurpose space where organizers put on a nice post-race spread. Water, Gatorade, bagels, fruit, yogurt… beer. Really everything you could want after running 13.1 miles.

The race itself is flat, fast, and winds through some terrific neighborhoods. Bands were stationed periodically along the course and organizers and the city did a great job ensuring roads were clear and free of traffic.

The only flaw was that the organizers did a poor job with baggage check. The volunteers were just beginning to unload bags when I approached. I ran a decent pace but not that fast… Fortunately, since my bag was one of the very last to go into the baggage trucks, it was one of the very first to come out. Others, I’m sure, had considerable waits for volunteers to unload and organize 15,000 to 20,000 bags.

That said, the MetroPCS Dallas White Rock Marathon and Half Marathon was a very positive experience, and a race I’m sure to run again!

“Simplicity is making the journey of this life with just baggage enough.”
Charles Dudley Warner

Snow Job

This is just astounding. Makes me so glad to have a garage!

"It takes 8,460 bolts to assemble an automobile, and one nut to scatter it all over the road."
-Unknown

Again for the first time

You know when you have a great idea and think, "Whoa...! What a great idea. I should write this down," but instead go to bed thinking, "This is such a great idea that I'll never forget it!"

That's a bad idea. You should write it down.

That said, the joy of finally remembering the the idea is at parity with, if not better than, hatching the idea in the first place.

"The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time."
-Friedrich Nietzsche

Time moves faster than I do

I got an email today.

It was from the Dallas White Rock Marathon reminding me about my packet pick-up.

Holy crap! I'm running a half marathon in less than a week?

How did this happen? Was there a solar flare / time warp thing? Last time I looked it was still August and 103 degrees. Apparently time moves much faster than I do.

There is a world of hurt headed in my direction...

"It's better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret."
Jackie Joyner-Kersee

Today

Did you run today?

Did you wake up early to chase the sunrise?

Did you give it everything you had to give?

Did your doctor nod approvingly after reviewing your vitals?

Did your neighbor ask if you've lost weight?

Did you run today?

"One today is worth two tomorrows."
-Benjamin Franklin

The Austin Marathon

In an effort to Keep Austin Weird... I'm In!
 

"If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon."
- Emil Zatopek

Dallas Half

Despite its many benefits, running for the sake of running can be difficult. Without a goal there's no training plan to stick to... no obvious downside to skipping a workout... no finish line, rife with screaming fans, to imagine crossing in record time...

My days of running sans objective are past as I'm now signed up for the Dallas Half Marathon!

I've been thinking about going at it hard. After all, it's been four years since I put up that 1:34:14.

Beyond the half marathon, I'm fully committed to running a full marathon this winter. I just need to chose between Cowtown and the Livestrong Austin Marathon.

"I plan to be running as long as I can and have no plans to stop."
-Frank Shorter

Communist Yardsale?

Another exquisite example of mastery over the English language.

“Communism is like one big phone company.”
-Lenny Bruce

Ouch!

Here's a great piece of advice: Don't fall off your bike at 20 miles per hour.

It hurts.

A lot.

"I just want to show off my scar proudly and not be afraid of it."
-Carly Simon

Wise Tri Race Report

3:45 AM is a ridiculous hour to wake up. There's really no getting around that.

Yet, that's just what I did on Sunday morning. Roughly 12 hours after crashing my bike I slogged out the door for an Olympic distance triathlon.

Well, truth be told I did pay a visit to Mr. Coffee before I got to the door.

I spent the next hour or so with Bill and Pomai, our new friends and training partners, driving to Lake Bridgeport for the second annual Wise Tri Triathlon. Despite the ungodly hour there was an abundance of smack-talk (Oh yeah? It is so on, Pomai! What are you going to do when I bring the heat, Bill? What are you gonna do???).

Kidding aside, a few serious words about the race... The Wise Tri is a non-profit race and all proceeds go to research Galactosemia, a rare but potentially fatal genetic disorder that affects one's ability to metabolize the sugar galactose (found in dairy) properly. In addition to its philanthropic roots, the Wise Tri is a fantastic small race. It's really well organized and incredibly well staffed. The course is challenging (particularly the trail run!) well supported and clearly marked. And the volunteers... Wow! Seriously some rock star volunteers!

Once we arrived at the race it was straight into packet pickup, body marking, and the obligatory bio-break. All was going swimmingly until I realized I'd forgotten something. Two somethings. DOH! I left my contact lenses at home! Oh, and did I mention that I crashed my bike the day before?

So with multiple open wounds and near blindness as companions, I set off on a 32 mile journey (1.5k swim, 40k bike, and 10k run) across North Central Texas.

The Swim

Since there were only a few dozen people doing the Olympic distance (there's also a sprint) the race organizers made it a single wave, mass start. So Bill, Pomai and I toed the start together. Despite the churning chaos common to every open water swim start, I managed to stay calm and focus on my stroke. Even though my vision was 'impaired,' I managed to spot the buoys well enough and stay 'mostly' on course. I finished the swim in 34 minutes flat - ahead of Bill but way behind Pomai, who apparently has the ability to channel Michael Phelps on command.

I transitioned to the bike in about 2 minutes... so some room for improvement there.

The Bike

Nice course! Some rolling hills and mostly void of traffic (except for a gaggle of Harley-Davidson biker dudes who seemed a little perplexed by all the spandex and bicycles). Several miles in I hammered away down a steep decent, hitting about 40 miles per hour when I saw Pomai headed the other direction. She'd already hit the turn around and was a couple miles ahead! So with Pomai burning it up out front and Bill closing in fast, I stomped on it (my ego was on the line, after all!). I managed to catch her a couple of miles down the road... but I had to put it all out there.

At the next turn around I saw Bill barreling down the road and gaining fast! I dropped into a bigger gear, got up out of the saddle, and poured on the gas!

I came in from the bike course in 1:19:19 with an average speed of 18.8 MPH. Not too shabby and a little better than I expected.

T2 went a little quicker and I was on the run in under a minute-thirty.

The Run

Whoa... here's where things get interesting ugly. With the mercury flirting with 85 degrees and the humidity at 90%, more than just the competition was heating up. Frankly, the conditions were better suited to frozen cocktails than running, but here I was just a simple 10k away from the finish line.

One little problem... this was not your ordinary 10k. This was a challenging trail run with steep climbs and descents, uneven terrain, a (dry) creek crossing, and fit friends on a mission to put me in my place. In a word, brutal. 

I could practically feel Bill and Pomai breathing down my neck so there was no letting up. I caught and passed a few dudes. A couple of dudes caught and passed me. Then a couple of chicks caught and passed me. I hit the turn around and made my way back, shuffling up and down the craggy hills.

The course is actually an out-and-back 5k so the first loop is a total tease. The finish line is just steps away but you've got to turn around and do it all over again. For better or worse, this allows you to see your competition... who were way too close for comfort! Twisted. Cruel. Awesome.

As I headed out for lap two. They were coming in from lap one. I didn't have much of a lead and even with blurry vision I could tell Bill was digging deep to close the gap.

I mustered up some gumption and pushed my weary body forward but there wasn't much gas in the tank. I hit the final turn around and as I made my way back, looking like death, there was Bill, looking strong and picking up ground. And Pomai, all smiles, was not far behind. Uh oh!

Finally, I trudged up the last hill and turned into the finishing chute. I didn't have anything left for a kick but I managed to hold my lead, barely. I finished the run in 1:03:59 a pace of 10:19 per mile. S-L-O-W!

After reviewing the results, it's clear my concerns that Bill was gaining on me were well founded. He was closing that gap by more than a minute per mile!

Pomai crossed the finish line moments later to secure the 3rd place female finisher and 1st in her age group!

For me, the swim and bike went a little better than expected. The run was tough, but I finished. Given the difficult course, my limited vision, and the crash I'm pretty pleased with the effort. Most importantly my ego is intact... for now!

Kidding aside, I've nothing but praise for the race organizers, course, race shirt and visor, finisher's medal, community support, volunteers, and friendly competitors! You guys are all first rate!

“Friendships born on the field of athletic strife are the real gold of competition. Awards become corroded, friends gather no dust.”
-Jesse Owens

Friction

I must have slid ten feet before friction brought me to a grinding halt in the middle of the street. I know this because I was able to drop the f-bomb at least as many times (I figure the crash lasted 4 seconds and I averaged 2.5 f-bombs per second while rapidly decelerating from a speed of approximately 30 feet per second. Go ahead, try it yourself). Thankfully the concrete was there to break my fall and slow me down.

Yup, while taking a casual spin around the neighborhood I hit a little patch of water and in an instant was smearing DNA into the road.

And all of this the day before the Wise Triathlon! COME ON, FATE! GIVE ME A FREAKIN' BREAK!

I'm cut, scraped, scratched, bruised, and have some wicked road rash. I'm in pain. But I'm still going to race!

Grrrr.... Road Rage

Gnarly Road Rash

“Falling down became second nature and it really didn't bother me.”
-Nancy Kerrigan

A Matter Of Timing

I'm a week away from running an Olympic distance triathlon yet I'm already thinking about what's next... Well, I'm torn between the Dallas White Rock Marathon and the Cowtown Marathon in Fort Worth.

Both are medium-to-small races and are practically in my back yard. What it comes down to is timing.

Dallas takes place in early December. If I come off next week's race and go right into distance running, I'll be able to leverage my current fitness as a base to build up for marathon training mileage. However, going from a base of 15 miles per week to a peak of 50 miles in just three months is akin to begging the Gods of Marathon for injury.

But still... I'm keen to get in a marathon in 2010, ya' know. Because moving across the country, buying a first home, and having a baby aren't enough challenges for one calendar year.

Cowtown is in late February which gives me plenty of time to safely ramp up my weekly mileage. It's also not so far off that I'll lose momentum but it does mean training through the winter - which is a bit of an x factor here in Texas.

That said, I'll be burning an inordinate amount of calories during the holidays - so no worries when it comes to hydrating with egg nog.

Decisions. Decisions.

UPDATE: I've added a poll (to the right). What say you?

"Nothing is troublesome that we do willingly."
-Thomas Jefferson