Boston Registration Closed

It's official, all 25,000 spots for the Boston Marathon have been filled. So, if you were on the fence, you'll have to wait until next year.

http://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/Registration113th.asp

Thug?

So, should I avoid my bank wearing the hat? I don't see it? :)

Ran 5 around Land Park on this chilly AM. I felt the specter of plantar for the first mile. Stay tuned for hopefully no more info on that little issue.

Back to the wheel...

New hat

Ok, I've been whining about the cold so I went to REI and picked up a hat to give me some motivation to get out of my warm bed pre-dawn. (Pic to come...of the hat, not the bed) I love it. It fits my oversized melon...and that's saying something. Usually one-size-fits-all it about two sizes too small for my dome (Think of an orange on a toothpick...yeah, it's that bad). Anyhow, it's one of those black, skull cap, beanie-type, fleece hats. Warm, wind resistant, water resistant...or so it says. It's a great running hat.

So I threw the new find on last night and Abby D pops off with, "You look like a robber." Whatever. Shake it off, it's still a cool hat. Right? Then my girls see it lying out and ask me to put it on...you look like a robber daddy. Doh!!!!! Oh well, I'm not wearing it to a bank anytime soon, but it'll be on the dome for sure tomorrow morning. :)

Back to the wheel...

Easy 10 To Discovery Park...and a Muffin Top

I dragged my carcass out of bed the morning to run 10 miles at 6:45 with Stephanie. She's a very, very talented runner and it took all I had just to hang with her. My lack of training is taking it's toll on my svelte physique. As I strolled past a mirror this morning, I couldn't help but notice the jiggling muffin top spilling over my running shorts. I need to lay off the good eats and add some more miles to my week.

Speaking of good eats, I spent the afternoon at a child's birthday party which featured a better selection of food than most inaugural balls. So much for cutting back on the calories. Anyhow, one of the featured events of the party was a Dora the Explorer pinata. I the kids tore through poor Dora like sharks in a feeding frenzy. I almost felt bad for the pinata. Once they were through Dora looked like she was taken out by a vicious mafia hit. We rolled what was left of Dora up in the outdoor carpet and dropped her in the river. 

The Water Soluble Hamster

The good news, I'm sticking to my upper body strengthening regimen. The bad news, the much-needed rain we've had in Sac over the last few days has sapped my diminutive resolve to get out of bed and run (think jaws of life). Sissy.

More good news, Mike's marathon photos were posted and there's actually a good photo of him. I think most marathon photographers must have on their resume, "Laid off as DMV drivers license photographer" before they're "qualified" to shoot runners. Great. Seriously, the photo is good. The bad news, the guy in the photo with Mike looks like he just took a bullet in the back...is he race walking?

http://www.asiorders.com/stf.asp?EVENTID=44488&PWD=&ID=61051528

Back to the wheel...

Catching up

Okay, I've been off the blog bandwagon for a bit. Here's the catch up.

Saturday, I ran seven with Rob. He's been a real sport about trekking down from Folsom to the LaBou on Howe Ave most Saturdays to get in a long run with me. So I figured I'd reciprocate...Okay, so one trip is hardly reciprocity. Anyhow, I met Rob at the Nimbus Fish Hatchery (Mile 22.5 on the AR Parkway) for the run. Good fun. Rob, you have my permission to whine about the drive down from Folsom...not that you need my permission to whine. 

Sunday, Mike ran the RNR Marathon in Scottsdale . Yeah buddy. 4:23:26 (about seven minutes ahead of his goal time)

Tuesday, five around Land Park. Not much to note...brrr.

Back to the wheel...

Jack Frost Nipping at Your Nose...

...and ears, and fingers, and toes, etc. It was a frosty five around Land Park this morning. I felt like every joint in my body seized due to the cold. Of course, it's -40 in Minnesota today, so I can't complain too much.

Speaking of weather, mi hermano  runs the Scottsdale Rock and Roll Marathon this Sunday. He's done an admirable job getting back into shape and, thanks to two bouts of stomach flu in seven days, he's down to 188 pounds. He's been training in great weather (duh, Arizona in the winter), but there's a warm spell headed his way which threatens to send the mercury up to 75 on the day of the run. 75 is great for golf, but less than ideal for running 26.2 miles. The typical marathoner hopes for mid-40s and cloudy on the day of the run. It will be interesting to see how the flu-impaired training and warm weather impact the run.

Back to the wheel...

How do you train for Boston during January?

You fly to Hawaii and run in 70 to 80 degree weather. That's how. Cameron (left) and Carlos (right) have been on Oahu and have whole heartedly embraced the island lifestyle. In a recent email from Carlos he proclaimed, "My new motto.. Life is a bitch so, why not go to the beach instead." Nice.

All I can say is...where's my coat, I'm late for a meeting?!

Back to the wheel...

 

How Running Marathons Made Me a Sissy

It's true! Running marathons has made me a sissy. I used to run around dehydrated, malnourished, and hungover without a problem. Then I started training for marathons. Stupid! As I got in better shape, I began to eat better (lest I pay the price of an urgent need for a restroom), I began to take supplements (to offset the readily apparent effects of aging), and I began to properly hydrate (to make my runs easier and recover quickly). The net effect is that I've created a hyper-sensitive system...yes, the sissy. Now, if I eat wrong, my sissy tummy grumbles. If I drink too much...defined as anything more than one sissy drink, I get a sissy hangover. And, if I don't hydrate properly...even when not training hard, you guessed it, I get a sissy dehydration headache. So, I ask you, what is the upside to training for marathons? I think we're better off eating junk and drinking too much. Our body acclimates  to the adversity and mutes all of our "normal" responses. Hence, we live a happier life. Yes, I know this conflicts with the my post extolling the benefits of exercise but it's my blog. :-)

5.6 around the park

Ok it's time for me to get off my lazy butt and take Boston seriously. I just got through with 5.6 miles around the park and it felt like 10. Of course, staying up late last night and a large order of Vegas Fries didn't help any. What are "Vegas Fries" you ask? They are french fries tossed in buffalo wing sauce and served with a blue cheese wasabi sauce. I still can't feel the tip of my tongue. :)

Back to the wheel...

Why Exercise?

Why do I like to run? No, why do I LOVE to run? Because I find exercise tremendously rewarding. I feel more alert and somewhat more sane when I exercise regularly...the voices in my head are not the topic of this blog. :-) Where was I? Oh yeah, the benefits of exercise. I stumbled across this article in the Scientific American (Jan. 02, 2009) which corroborates what those of us who exercise regularly already know: reduced cancer risk, reduced risk of heart disease, increased bone density, increased sex appeal...okay, so I threw the last one in there for the heck of it. Anyhow, I highly encourage you to read the article. 

 

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=does-exercise-really-make

 

Back to the wheel...

 

Boston Marathon Entry Confirmation

It’s official! The Boston Athletic Association confirmed my registration today for the 113th Boston Marathon. Oh S##T!! The email is listed below.

________________________________

Dear Eric C. Norton,

This is to notify you that your entry into the 113th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, 2009 has been accepted, provided that the information you submitted is accurate.

You can verify your acceptance into the field by searching the 113th Boston Marathon "Entrants" database on the B.A.A. web site, www.baa.org/2009/cf/Public/EntryLists.cfm. Additionally, an acceptance postcard will be mailed to you via US Postal Service mail.

In early April 2009, an official Number Pick-up Card and extensive information regarding the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and related race week activities will be mailed to you via US Postal Service first class mail. If you do not receive your Number Pick-up Card (required to claim number) and brochure by April 11, please contact our Registration Office at registration@baa.org. Registration related inquiries may also be directed to 508-435-6905.

Note that bib numbers will not be distributed on Race Day. Your travel arrangements should take into account picking up your number at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston on Friday, April 17 from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., or Saturday, April 18 or Sunday, April 19 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you in April! Best of luck in your training!

Sincerely,

Boston Athletic Association

Wet 5

I woke this morning at 5 am and realized that there was no way I was going to get back to sleep. Apparently, the snooze feature on my mind has malfunctioned. So I got up, threw on some running gear and figured I'd make the most of being up early by getting in a few miles. I opened the door and was surprised to discover rain! I've been in a fog since going to Napa this weekend (go figure) and have not paid any attention to weather forecasts. Oops. Oh well, I pulled the hat down and headed out. I was hoping for a slow five, but I ran into Austin and my pace suddenly took a turn for the faster. We caught up on the last month and talked about upcoming runs. Austin has family in Solvang so he wants to run the Santa Barbara half later this spring. He figures 1:05 or 1:06 will win it and he wants the $700 in prize money, watch and two magnums of wine...he seemed most interested in the wine. :-) Good luck Austin. 

Back to the wheel. 

Land Park 8

I got in 8 with Carlos, Joe, Cameron, and Strada. We met at Land Park at 8:30 and had no idea about how far we'd want to go...my favorite kind of run. It was really cold (around 34 degrees plus wind). Yes, I know that there are many places where "cold" means 30 below, but this is Sacramento and 30 degrees is cold enough for me. We did a couple of laps around Land Park and then headed to Tower Cafe and back. 

On the run we discussed Boston logistics. Of course neither Carlos nor Joe have registered yet. Assuming they get in, Carlos and Cameron plan to stay with a friend in Boston. If Joe decides not to go with the fam, then he and I will make it a low-budget affair: cheap hotel, short stay, no frills. If not then Abby and I will make other arrangements. Luckily airfare is coming down ($400 round trip per person) but it's still hardly affordable. I really want to run Boston, but I also really DON'T want to go broke doing it!

Back to the wheel...