05.02.08

I don’t really get the marathon

Posted in Jeuland's Musings at 1:16 pm by Marc

So I really obsessed about my running long long before Workout Log made our job easier. I thought I would go back to my old spreadsheets and update them post Boston, to see what the numbers can tell me. Here is my mileage chart since I returned from my 2-year stint with the Peace Corps in 2004. The red dots correspond to when I ran marathon races.

Below are the averages for the 15-week span leading up to each of those four marathons, and the times I ran:

Chicago I (53.1; 2:27:43)

Chicago II (57.3; 2:20:33)

New York Olympic Trials (74.3; 2:31:30)

Boston (65.4; 2:20:57)

What does this tell me? The answer is not much. I significantly increased my work load prior to the Trials, and then ran poorly. It’s also true, however, that I really went after it in that race. A more conservative approach probably would have landed me somewhere near 2:20 or just under it. I think my Boston performance is probably the best of the 4, considering I was sick going into it.

What do others think? By the way, that’s a hint to comment.

Related Posts:

Permalink 8 Comments

04.22.08

The Boston Marathon

Posted in Jeuland's Musings at 10:13 am by Marc

Wow! What a race! I now have a lot of debts to friends and strangers following yesterday’s event. I think the greatest thing about this marathon is the way the towns and cities from the start - in Hopkinton - all the way to the finish - in central Boston - turn out in support of runners.

For me the day started with a ride out to the start from Kit Wells, a friend of a friend’s (who was a teammate at Swarthmore and also ran, setting a PR - look for Jeff Doyon in the results) that I have gotten to know since my run in New York. That provided a major lift, as the public buses start leaving downtown Boston at 7 am, for a 10 am race start! This way we only left Somerville (where I was staying, and a good 45 minutes from the center by public transportation) at 7:45 am. I had a full night’s rest and much less stress that way.

The start is really in a small town, called Hopkinton, that once a year is overrun with runners. What a zoo! I had an elite start, another blessing, so could relax in a church adjacent the starting line up until 9:45 am. I jogged a bit (5 minutes), stretched, and fueled up in there. I did a lot more quiet prep work before this race, because I was so sheltered. The trials pre-race were a bit insane with alot of pressure and nervous energy. Here I could just melt away into the background and do my own thing. I even thought to put on sun screen.

The day started off cool and overcast, in the low 50s, which was a little warm but pretty close to perfect. Throughout the race, though, the sun came out and temperatures rose to close to 60, and I saw many a sun-burned runner at the finish line. Not me! The other weather factor was a light headwind (5-10 mph), which was actually cooling so not something to really complain about.

The first half of the course is mostly downhill, and I did everything I could to stick to my pre-race plan of going out conservatively. I was really holding back, but it’s just too easy to roll down the gentle slopes at the start, especially in the first 10k. That explains the fast first half, though the effort was nowhere near what I was putting out in New York last fall when I went through the half in 1:08. This first half even felt easier than the first half in Chicago when I ran a PR, which was about 1:09:30. I went through in about 1:08:30 yesterday. After the first 10k, I kind of settled into a steady 5:15 pace on the gentler rollling downhills, which felt comfortable.

Just before the half, passing by Wellesley College, the wall of sound is deafening. I thought my mono head was going to burst out of my skull at that point. Girls were holding up signs that say: “Kiss me I’m single” but I decided not to stop.

From 13 to 16 is mostly more downhill, with a really big downhill at 16 after which I started catching people. I took out the little hammer I had in my pocket over those hills, determined to make the effort in this race honest. I was a bit surprised at my pace running through 16, and decided it was time to start racing anyway, mono or no mono. There was this deep ache in my head though all along as I ratcheted up the intensity. My brain actually felt like it was moving around in my skull, which was a little scary…

Heartbreak hill (around mile 20) is not such a heartbreak if you play it safe in the first half, and I kind of rolled up that section of the course and the two hills preceding it. I probably expended too much effort and should have held back a bit more than I did, since this effort came back to bite me in the closing miles. At that point though, I was just going after it.

At the top of heartbreak I saw an old teammate from Swarthmore riding his bike along a road parallel to the course, cheering his lungs out. He would ride ahead, jump off his bike, and run up to the fence, before getting back on his bike and following again. He continued that until the crowds got too thick, around mile 24. Talk about some support. Rory, that was terrific!

That’s not to neglect all the others too who cheered me on. There were large groups of people chanting my name, other people who just happened to recognize me somehow, Shu Wen of course, and random supporters - Bostonians who just love the marathon. What a fabulous way to come out for a marathon!

As I mentioned above, the early pace started to catch up with me a bit in the final 3-4 miles. I slowed into the finishing stretch. At that point I was mostly running alone and the finish line seemed miles away. I just focused on maintaining what I could. I think I passed about 6-7 people in the second half as I moved up, but the guy who finished 14th flew past me with just over 2 miles to go and that just confirmed that this race was not going to be a perfect finish.

But wow, 2:20:57 in Boston is not what I expected. I did not really have a plan going into the race except that I wanted to go out in 5:35-5:40 or so. You can see how well I did sticking to that!

Here’s a photo from Let’s Run, coming up the first of the three big hills in Newton.

Related Posts:

Permalink 9 Comments

03.04.08

What is smart running?

Posted in Jeuland's Musings at 6:52 pm by Marc

I am not sure why this question has been on my mind lately, but it is. Perhaps it is the continual haunting feeling I have since Ryan Shay collapsed in the marathon trials next to me five months ago. Or maybe it’s the fact that I read about yet another mysterious case of a young runner dying during a marathon in a NY Times article today:

Little Rock Marathon Death

Or maybe it is the fact that I have been so sore since running the Coach Bubba race and then following it up with a hard week of training. That soreness is fading now and should be gone by week’s end when I run in the Gate River Run, but I always ask myself at these times whether maybe I might just be pushing a little too hard.

The trouble is, of course, that bad things happen to runners even when they are not being taxed. Sure, the Little Rock case is one in which the guy was clearly taxed and tired, but Ryan Shay was extremely fit and should not have collapsed 5.5 miles into a marathon that had actually not gone out too fast. For every case of a person pushing too hard, there’s probably a case of a person’s body just giving out mysteriously. And then there are countless cases of people pushing really hard, even too hard, and then turning out ok anyway (is not that what happened to me in NYC in November?).

So what is smart running? How do we know when we are being crazy, or simply too hard on ourselves? How do we learn to know what finesse training really is?

Related Posts:

Permalink 2 Comments

02.18.08

Altitude in pictures

Posted in Jeuland's Musings, Uncategorized at 7:46 am by Marc

I am feeling pretty good right now (long run at sea level is much easier!), and we got our trip pictures uploaded, so I thought I’d post a few from my runs outside of Addis. These were actually taken when Shuwen and I walked down from the peak on a weekend rather than during my run…I think the added weight from the camera would have done me in.

Mt. Yerer may look most impressive, but it’s actually roughly the same height as Entoto (see below) and the Hash House Harriers group I went with started from much higher (probably around 2600 meters or so). I think they both rise 3100 meters above the plateau. Plus, there was a cold beer waiting at the top for the two lead runners (I was one).

Mt. Yerer - view of crater lakes below.

The road to Entoto. This was one of the steeper sections, but imagine doing this for 45 minutes.

Views from Entoto (halfway up and at the top).

Related Posts:

Permalink Comments

02.14.08

Friend

Posted in Jeuland's Musings at 9:08 am by Marc

This morning as I was beginning the third of my 5 laps at the large Hippodrome field where I have been running much of the past 3.5 weeks (my last run here on this trip), a skinny, small-framed Ethiopian (named Gharbu, or something like that, I found out later) began running as I was nearing him, exclaiming “Friend” in the cold morning air. He gestured that he wanted to run with me, and I naturally obliged.

Gharbu’s English was not very good, but we did manage to communicate a bit over the next three laps we ran together…sharing one-line quips about the beauty of the Ethiopian landscape, the good food, the amazing ability so many of these people have in running. He asked what I ran and I told him the marathon. At this point we were running along at a very good clip; mostly me being pulled along by his easy stride.

He asked for my time and I told him my best, naturally, and he seemed duly impressed, though he may have been faking it. I asked what he ran, and he talked about the 5k, 8k, 10k, 21k and marathon! His 10k time was probably most impressive, at 28 minutes and peanuts.

As I was struggling to keep up with Gharbu, I thought about Tyler’s comment from a while back that we runners are all part of some larger family, and Rob’s post about running with CAC but not wanting to occupy a spot on the “official” team. At the end we parted with the customary handshake, lean, and touch of the shoulders that I have seen others give when they have enjoyed spending time together.

During my time in Ethiopia, I have often been aware of the fact that I do not deserve to occupy any high position in the running world; nonetheless, like Rob I will continue to do this and try to improve, and will hope that many more people like Gharbu can call me friend.

Related Posts:

Permalink 2 Comments

02.04.08

Mt. Entoto

Posted in Jeuland's Musings at 7:39 am by Marc

On Sunday morning, I ventured out for my first really long run here in Addis (2 hours and 4 minutes, though nothing close to the 20-21 miles I cover in Chapel Hill in that amount of time). It’s relatively difficult to get out of town, unless one heads for the hills. The closest one to my apartment near the University is Mt. Entoto (elevation 3,200 meters). By contrast, Addis sits on the Ethiopian plateau at 2,400-2,450 meters. Here’s a view of the city from Mt. Entoto.

I think that the hardest part about this run was the fact that reaching the peak involved climbing uphill for about 45 minutes straight, with no downhill breaks or even any real flats. But the views from the top were amazing. Here’s a picture I found that corresponds well to what I saw from up there. There were a series of such breathtaking views, and the roads up top through Entoto Hills National Park were soft dirt and sandy fine soil. At times I was actually running in the clouds, feeling the cool air brush against my face.

Up top, I came across a few other runners (all elite women) , who likely run for the National Team. Apparently, they love to train up there in the fresh air, and I can definitely understand the allure. Too bad it takes so much effort to get up to the top, otherwise I think I’d be up there daily.

Related Posts:

Permalink Comments

01.24.08

Rarified air (Part 2)

Posted in Jeuland's Musings at 10:15 am by Marc

So Joan stole the main thunder of my post with the quote from my workout log, but that’s ok. In any case, it’s been interesting being in Ethiopia so far. Our luggage got lost somewhere in Europe (for some reason, United thought it was a good idea to send it to Paris instead of Frankfurt, where it sat for three days before finding it’s way to Addis), so I had to go buy some running shoes, as mentioned below. It’s funny that in a country with so many world class runners, there were so few running shoes to choose from (at least in the shops I checked out). I guess many of them do not have much in the way of running shoes unless they somehow break into the national team elite, at which point I guess they get shoe contracts. I went to a half dozen of these stores, and found about 3 pairs of running shoes in them all combined, and one in my size, so that was the one I ended up buying. Then I had one t-shirt and one pair of running shorts (that I had packed in my carry on, luckily), so I would run, wash, run, wash, run. But our luggage has finally arrived!

In any case, this field where I have been running recently is mostly flat, which is nice, and it’s also a unique opportunity to get a glimpse of some segment of the running scene here. I think many of the elites train in the Entoto hills around Addis, but I don’t have an easy way to get there (no car), so will probably stick to the field most days, and head for the hills on long run days when road traffic is lighter (i.e. Sundays). There are really two categories of runners at this field: elites who are obviously doing intervals and tempo like runs and fartleks, and the rest. The elites have nice warmups and shoes; the others run in more modest clothing and may or may not be wearing running shoes. Most of those have some other type of footwear.

I’m the one white guy out there, and I think that has added something unique to the mix, and is probably why I get a bunch of compliments running by even though I feel like I am dying most of the time.

I hope everyone is enjoying sea level.

Related Posts:

Permalink 2 Comments

01.13.08

Winter in Texas…

Posted in Jeuland's Musings at 2:49 pm by Marc

Makes for pretty nice weather conditions for a race. It was in the low to mid 40s this morning for the start of the half marathon championships here in Houston. This race was a pretty classy one: well organized, good treatment for us “elite” athletes and a general good feeling towards running from a city that I have not visited before. Driving into the city from Bush International Airport, it does seem like a strange place to have a large road race, with the endless large strip malls, large streets, and large cars. Indeed, everything is LARGE here.

I did not really know what to expect from this race, coming off of only a few good weeks of training after getting demolished in New York in November. I told myself I should go out hard enough to have a chance at a PR, but that I should not be too crazy. All in all, it went well enough…as I was pulled along at sub 5-minute pace by the leaders in the marathon, through 9 miles (44:52 or so). A few other half marathon runners were in that mix too. Unfortunately, at the 180 turn on the course, I suddenly found myself running alone, as the marathoners plowed on ahead, and the half guys slowed considerably. I slowed too, and pulled through with a 1:06:08 (5:03 pace), close to my time from Philly (1:05:50; 5:02) I caught a couple of guys after the turn, but generally did not see much of anyone over those last 4 miles. I did feel one guy I passed clipping away at my heels though, which was pretty annoying…if you are ever hanging on for dear life in a race, do try to follow someone who’s running past you, but don’t clip at his/her heels PLEASE!

The course here is pretty nice, with small inclines here and there, though I am not a fan of the 180 turn. If anyone wants to run a low key marathon that’s reasonably fast, this would probably be a good place to do it. There’s no U-turn in that one.

Related Posts:

Permalink Comments

01.04.08

A new phase and old goals

Posted in Jeuland's Musings at 7:01 pm by Marc

I have been struggling with running since the Olympic Trials. Not with the act of running, which I always find thoroughly enjoyable, but with the act of setting running goals. I had expected a much better outcome in the marathon in New York, and still think I should have been much better. And so I wonder what I should aim for next. My current penchant is for a run in Boston in April, even though that course is tough.

It’s probably good, therefore, that I will be going to Houston in a week to run in the USA half marathon championships, on a flat and forgiving course. I feel much less pressure about this race, and have no idea where my fitness really is, but I hope it has suffered much since the end of my fall training. In fact, in the last two weeks, after a tough early December, I have felt incredible while running. It was also great to be back with the CAC squad this past Wednesday, working off of the energy and talent of my teammates.

After Houston, I will go to Ethiopia for a month to work on my dissertation research and proposal. I hope to defend that later this spring, in late April or early May if my committee is willing. It will be interesting to train for a marathon while working in Addis Ababa. I have never run at altitude (Addis is at about 8000 feet), and I have often struggled to maintain a rigorous training program while working in Africa, due to health concerns, general busy-ness, and problems with finding good places to train. My goals will remain the same for now: to improve substantially on my 2:20 time from Chicago in 2006.

I will miss all of you again while I’m away…

Related Posts:

Permalink Comments

12.27.07

The unexpected benefits of the CAC blog

Posted in Jeuland's Musings at 3:15 pm by Marc

Over the course of the past year, I have come to experience both the expected and unexpected benefits of the new CAC blog. The expected benefits were things like: an informal means of communication with teammates, a way to get insight into their running experiences and lives, a record through which I could express both my progress and futility, and an instrument facilitating feedback and reflection on an individual and collective experience.

There were also some unexpected benefits. Some old friends and new acquaintances from far away places have reacted to a few of my posts (or Dave’s interview). Thomas Lecailler, for instance, a friend from Vitre, in France, who attended summer camp with me when we spent summers at my grandparents house there, and submitted a comment next to the interview. Or Sylvain Jeuland, who has roots from near Vitre and may be a distant relative. He is a competitive cyclist in Brittany along with some other family members (and who sent me an email after discovering me online). Donald Nguyen also has come across the blog; he is a friend from cross country in college.

Another important benefit for me is the ability to remain plugged into what is happening with CAC even as I travel around for my research and otherwise. Along with WorkoutLog, these two sites enable me to communicate with Joan regularly but also to hear about important CAC happenings, most notably the race at club cross country nationals.

A year ago, this club did not exist. I could not be more thankful for all of the efforts that keep it going, and look forward to what will come next, both as an individual, and as a member of this group. Thanks everyone for a wonderful first year together.

Related Posts:

Permalink Comments