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2010 Air Force Half Marathon

Eddie Marathon - 1st phonecast | ipadio | Talk to your World

Air Force Half Marathon


See my Air Force Half Marathon Picture Album

B-52 Flyover

It was a great day for a race with perfect weather, B-52 & F-16 flyovers, and a perfect venue!


With my training off, my goal here was to just listen to my body and have a safe and fun run. The start line was very congested with many, many walkers who had started way up front. It was difficult to get around them. Nonetheless, my pace was a little too fast. I was feeling good and I guess I let it throttle up a bit. 


We ran down a tree-lined narrow country road into the Huffman Prairie Air Field National Historical Park. The trees offered some nice, cool shade. Once we exited the trees, we were exposed to the sun as we ran for a few miles in some open areas. I spotted a Wright Flyer overhead. Very cool.


I was feeling pretty good but I needed to hydrate better. The aid stations were a little sparse on the water and Gatorade rations. In several cases, my cup had only about two tablespoons worth of liquid. I took a couple of Endurolytes. They really helped as the temperature and my sweat rate began to rise. 


At around mile 10, my heart rate was getting a little too high so I used a few walk breaks. I then got a second wind to help finish the race. There was only one hill of note and it was really not a hill, but an overpass into Fairborn and then into Wright State


The aid stations in the last few miles were entertaining with "Music from the '80s" and "Revenge of the Nerds" themes, for example. The crowd support was better during last few miles as well since we were just outside the base. Our bibs had our first name printed on them so it was fun to hear someone call out my name. At one aid station, a small girl yelled out "Way to go Ed!". It was funny coming from such a small fry. 


As we finished mile 12 down a small hill, the sounds of the finish line and the announcer could be heard. This motivated everyone to pick up the pace. Having run this race last year, I held back, knowing there was still a ways to go. In fact, the last mile is in sight of the finish, which makes it hard since the finish appears closer than it really is so that many runners put the afterburners on too early. The runways leading up to the finish at the Air Force Museum are very long. You have to be patient in running to the finish. 


As I rounded the last turn and headed into the finish chute, the large crowd was cheering all of the runners. It was thrilling. I crossed the finish very happy and was proud and honored to be medaled by an Air Force officer.

I then grabbed some food and water and relaxed on the grass when I then saw my friend Mike Federle. We had originally met earlier this year at the Flying Pig. We have kept in touch via Daily Mile. We also got together at the Expo on Friday. Mike's a great guy and we enjoyed sharing our race stories. We then drank a free beer to celebrate the race.


After I changed clothes, I toured the Air Force Museum. I love this museum. They have done a great job. Since I started my career in aviation, it brought back a lot of memories in checking out these historic aircraft. It was a great way to cap off the day before I drove back home. I loved this race and venue. Thank you Air Force and all those who helped make this a great day!

1st Annual Undy 5000 5K Race, Royal Oak, Michigan

Back in 2003, I was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.  It was a life-affecting moment to be sure.  I was very fortunate to get through this troubling episode with the help of Dr. Steve Priest (pictured left), my family, friends, and lots of prayers.  I consider myself very much blessed by the whole experience. Of course, I would never wish to repeat that time or wish any disease upon anyone, but I grew quite a bit from those troubling days.  It helped immensely that by 2008 I was regarded as "cured".

As I was being wheeled into the OR for my first surgery, I decided right then to commit to running a marathon.  I thought it would help reset my outlook for a goal about something I had aspired to do previously, but like many other goals, remained undone.  This time would be different.  I would carry through to the finish.  In addition, I thought it would be a transforming means to help me live life more fully and thankfully.  I don't say this as if my earlier days were lived less so or as depicted in some made-for-TV movie.  Rather, I thought it could simply help create a better quality and joy of life.

When Steve let me know of this race, the very first under the umbrella of the Colon Cancer Alliance, I was thrilled to participate. The race itself was run on a course predominantly on Beaumont Hospital grounds, an appropriate setting and also the hospital where my kids were born and I was treated back in 2003.

I ran a 28:28, which is pretty fast for me.  I was especially happy considering that I have been focused on distance and endurance, not speed.

The crowd today was filled with people who are currently suffering from colon cancer or who have survived this dreaded disease.  There were also many runners and walkers who were dedicating their efforts today in loving memory of someone close who did not make it.

Awareness, education, and fund-raising can help combat colon cancer. Please make sure you talk to your doctor.  Please make sure your family and friends do so as well.  This can be a preventable and treatable disease.  It can be beaten!

This was a short and fun race but it also called to mind a flood of memories.  I wondered about those running alongside of me.  What was their story?  What was their race?

I am thankful in so many ways to celebrate today's victory lap.  I am also grateful for all my friends in the running community who have helped motivate me on a healthy and positive way forward.  I am really blessed by all of you.

Make sure you take full measure of your steps.  Each one is important.  Each one is a part of a journey.  Each one is to be dedicated and celebrated during our "race".

Thanks my friends.  Now go and enjoy your run!

All the best,

Eddie

Medals4Mettle

I was touched beyond words today when I shared the experience of giving race medals to the kids at the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. The real endurance race was run by these brave children. Thanks to Joe Burns of Medals 4 Mettle and all the volunteers who provided their race medals to this wonderful organization. As a result, I hope these kids and their families were able to share a smile and some joy in their fight for a healthier and painfree day. For Kevin Green, Mike Croy, Todd Powers, and myself, we met incredible children who were fighting extremely tough battles due to various head traumas. I was moved and inspired by these kids, their familes, as well as my fellow runners and volunteers. The entire experience helps reset some fundamental life perspectives. I am so thankful for this experience and hope and pray for these children and their families. May God Bless each and every child. They deserve the world.

2010 Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon

Had a great time in Cincinnati at the Flying Pig Marathon! I drove down Saturday morning with my wife and kids. We went right to the Expo where we met up with a ton of great guys (see the Facebook photo album plus also not pictured: Mike (Morgan859) & Jason Zacher. It was great putting names with the faces and sharing a lot of laughs together.

Saturday night, a bunch of us met up in the Marriott Rivercenter lobby bar to yuck it up. Seems like most of us were staying at the same hotel. We had a good time but wished we could stay out longer but couldn't given the 6:30am race start on Sunday.

Kevin Gwin of the Extra Mile Podcast made arrangements for my wife and kids to help out in the finish area passing out food, mylars, and medals. After sending me off at the race start and cheering me on at two different spots early on in the marathon, my family helped out at the finish. They were honored to help out!

The race started with thunderstorms but staedily let up on the rain as the race went on. It was warm (60s?) and the light rain later felt refreshing.

There were plenty of hills early on. I ran all of them up and down. Big mistake, especially having run down the hills quite fast. The hills took a lot of energy out of me. I was happy to finish the major hills.

All was well until my left hip flared up at around the half marathon point of the race. From there on I had to really concentrate on good form to minimize the pain. From mile 17-20, I was starting to feel quite tired. I managed to trot along and then got my second wind at around mile 21. From there I settled into a steady, but quicker pace and finished the race to the pure joy of seeing my daughter greet me at the finish and drape the medal on me. My son and wife were right there too and we had the best family hug. It was the best marathon moment ever! I can't thank my family enough for being so supportive as well as Kevin Gwin for making it possible for them to volunteer at the finish and greet me as well.

After the race, I received a text message reporting my official time as 5:18:11. I couldn't believe it, it was a PR! With the fatigue, rain, hills, work stress, missed breakfast, and lack of sleep I was very pleasantly surprised! The time was 9 minutes better than last year's Marine Corps Marathon and 15 seconds better than my previous PR at Chciago 2004! I was so happy! What a great race and weekend.

I would love to plan a race where runners from all over can come and get to know everyone. Facebook, Twitter, Daily Mile are all great examples of connecting with fellow runners. However, meeting folks in person is the best! What a great group of friends we all have. I am very grateful. It would a blast to hook up each year in person and run a race together. Stay tuned for more cause I think this idea will get some legs!

It's good to be back home now. I'm very happy with the weekend and I'm glad to have had such a great experience. I will savor it for a long time!

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement before and congrats received after the race. It means so much to me. I am very appreciative. I hope wherever you are, that you have safe, happy, and rewarding running adventures as well.

From the 2010 Flying Pig Marathon,

All the best,

Eddie
 

Ready for the Flying Pig!

Well, it's time to go to Cincinnati and run the Pig!  I have not trained as much in April as I would have liked, but I feel ready anyway!

The weather is supposed to be warm with thunderstorms.  The marathon course is a hilly course.  With the weather, it should be a challenge.  It should be an adventure no matter what happens!

This is my 5th marathon but 1st Pig.  I can't wait to get it going.  The Expo on Saturday should be a lot of fun as several runners from our running community are planning a get-together at 3pm at the Gu booth.  Come and join us if you are racing or just happen to be in the area!

I'll share the weekend events and a race report when I return back to Michigan.  Thanks to everyone for the kind calls, Tweets, emails, and Facebook messages.  Also, a special thanks to my co-host partner in the podcast Shock of the News, Adam the Zenrunner for all his support and great cheer.

I'll see you at the finish!

All the best,

Eddie

It's Official: The 2010 North Country Trail Run 50-Mile Ultramarathon

I'm thrilled to announce that today I officially registered for the 2010 North Country Trail Run!  This race is a 50-mile ultramarathon held each year in Michigan.  This year's running will be held on August 28th.

I've been considering an ultra for several years.  However, my half and full marathon races have been run too sporadically over the years to count on a good enough base.  Last year, I committed to making a more consistent running lifestyle and have planned some multi-year goals for motivation.  The Cincy Flying Pig Marathon and the NCT Run are key events this year to help me focus on keeping in motion.

I'm really thrilled to make it offical with today's registration.  It's a big step for me: one that I've looked forward to for a long time and now feel is the right time to make.  I know it will be an incredible experience!

I decided to run reasonably close to home.  I considered some races out-of-state that follow some spectacular scenery, but I decided to instead focus on a more local venue that by it's own right has some fantastic terrain.  It's also a lot easier to travel across state with my family than it is to fly across the country!

The course is a 25-mile loop run twice, all within the Manistee National Forest and along the North Country Trail.  The NCT is a National Scenic Trail that runs across seven states from New York all the way across the northern part of the country to North Dakota.  The trail is administered by the National Park Service, however, much of it is still under construction and its completion and maintenance are very much dependent upon volunteers.  The North Country Trail Association is dedicated to this cause and recruits enthusiastic patrons and workers to help this trail remain a treasure.

The training for now is focused on the "Pig" in Cincinnati.  This should be a good "warm-up" for a healthy summer of training for the NCTR.  I know I will continue to lose weight, build endurance, and pick up a little speed along the way.

I'm prepared for some interesting training runs, including some challenging fatigue-induced back-to-back long runs.  What is also going to be unique versus the marathon training is the amount of trail running I'm going to accomplish.  Since I love the outdoors and trail running so much, this is an aspect of the training I'm really thrilled to explore.

I'll post some more thoughts and describe the training runs in future posts.  For now, I wanted to share the news.

Whether you've ever thought of running an ultra or you're an old pro, consider running this race.  It promises to be a challenging, yet satisfying experience.  Let me know if your plans include an ultra or if you've committed to this race or another like it.  It'll be great to train together!

All the best & Happy Trails!

Eddie