3 for 1 post night

Last few days have been kind of busy so this post might get a little long winded. I will start out with a quick running recap and then move on to some other stuff.

I was hoping to get in five days of running this week. I ended up running four times, not bad considering last week was hectic at work and finals for my MBA program. I did not run Friday but did get in runs on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was about perfect running wether with temps about 55 degrees when I left the house. I set out for 6 miles but I could tell right off that is was not a good day for my body. So I soldiered through 4.5 miles. Today I capped off the week with a 18:30 threshold run. It felt like May not December with the temp at 65. I ran in shorts and a short sleeve wicking shirt, again it is December. One week from Christmas. 65 degrees. The threshold run was great. I really feel like I am can reach my goals for next year. If I can get my half-mary time down to a 7:15 mile this year at the mini then I think I can BQ in 2008.

New Running Feature

I am a compulsive checker of marathonguide.com to see race results for the previous weekend and seek out future races that I may run. I check in about once or sometimes twice a week. They have a great race calendar that is searchable by map or date. This is truly a great resource. The link between marathonguide.com and my new feature will become clear in a minute. The new feature will be an interview with a runner, race director, and/or other race related person.

My inaugural question and answer session is with Chuck Engle. Chuck is a marathoner who has been dubbed the "Marathon Junkie." I became aware of Chuck earlier this year through marathonguide.com. It seemed like every time I went to the website there was a reference to Chuck winning a marathon. Turns out that was exactly what was going on. The Marathon Junkie was on a quest to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks. Over the course of the year the races went by and the wins rolled in. With a recent win in Kiawah Island the win total is up to 22 for the year. If you would like to follow his quest then check out his website.

Here is the interview:

What was your greatest race moment of 2006? I would tell you that as of right now….there was a little race in upstate New York where I completely broke down. I was mentality, physically and emotionally just shot. I was walking in pain and given the pounding rain and wind…I think I was about to just stop. I thought about so many things during that race. Suffice it to say…I finished. We all face different adversities in life and while my complete story may never be told…..this race gave me a new perspective on my running and pain. It was at that point that I recognized vulnerability and weakness. Not something that many men are willing to admit.

Which victory was the most gratifying? Tulsa Oklahoma. For personal reasons, this will stand out as a very emotional race for me.

How do you prepare mentally for a marathon? I could write a book about mentally preparing week in and week out for racing a marathon. I wish I could do it justice in a line or two…but I would insult your readers by telling them something contrite about what I have done to prepare for this year and each week.

What do you think about while you are on the course? In simple terms…I think about pain, heart ache, lap splits, God, relationships, and green grass.

What advice do you give to new marathoners? The first one hurts the worst….after that numbness sets in.

What are your goals for 2007? I thought I might run a little.

Favorite destination race? After nearly 100 marathons….I have cemented this race into my favorite all time race and few have come close to knocking it out of the number one spot for variety of scenery, challenge of course, course support, finish line area and friendliness of race staff. John Kaiser and the Whidbey Island Marathon will remain number 1 on my list!!!! Whether your goal is to finish one marathon or 100….you are not done until you have run WHIDBEY!!!

I hope that you have enjoyed reading Chuck's responses. I'd recommend that you sign up for his newsletter also. You can do so on his website. The newsletters offer a great recap of his experiences.

Best of 2006

Best book: Good to Great, I find myself using the principles in this book all the time. If you are business minded then I highly recommend this book.

Worst of 2006

Fatal 4 Way tie: Fast food dishes that just shouldn't exist. Lobster poppers from Long John Silver's, McRib Sandwich, KFC Bowl's, and last and least the Dairy Queen Chili Cheeseburger. Not only would I not eat any of these ever but the commercials make me throw up in my mouth when I see them.

Race Recovery area Faux Pas; The guy smoking in the recovery tent at the USAF Marathon in September.