The 20MR Episode 44: Final thoughts before the marathon

Thanks for checking out Episode 44. I'm glad to have you along for this run as I share some final thoughts before the marathon--7 days away as of this program's recording. This show is about my excitement...and my reservations as we taper for the last week before the race. Although I know that I can finish the event, how I go about it is in question. The hip continues to bother me a bit, but I hope the light week coming up (five total miles) will serve to help it heal even more before race day.

Tigger joins me as I head out the door. As the neighborhood cat, she belongs to all of us. Abandoned by her owner after the move back to Germany, she has endeared herself to all of those in the neighborhood. I share a quick history on this wonderful friend.

Cindy and I were awakened by the booms of thunder the morning of this run. It had all subsided by the time we hit the road. But it did bring about an unexpected surprise: earthworms, everywhere. While storms are common in our area, this early in the season is a bit of a surprise. But on to the run...

I think my nervousness is disturbing my sleep. While I am sleeping, it seems that the jitters have gotten hold of me--just a bit. We talk about the importance of sleep. Thursday night this week is probably more important than Friday night. Maintaining the routine, going to bed at my usual time and avoiding caffeine may all help me as I try to continue to rest before the marathon.

Mental mind games have also crept in...should I have run further? Am I ready? Will the hip (or God forbid, the knees) hinder me on Saturday? I think these types of thoughts are par for the course. You have probably experienced them yourself before important races. I need a distraction...

I talk about the week's tapering and what I've done, plus my plans for the marathon yet again!

1. Finish it.
2. Finish it.
3. Break 4:30
4. Break 4:15

Anything else if just icing. Listen in as I discuss what my pacing plans are--or are not. It really depends on how I feel that day. Again, 1 and 2 are my main priority at this point. I do, however, feel confident that I will enter the race as rested as I possibly can. Again, hope the hip cooperates.

We close things out with a couple of email updates and my struggle with pushing myself in so many areas of life. I don't know why, but it's just my make-up. Can you identify with that? Why do I push myself in every new project I embark upon? I'm not sure, but the marathon is yet another indicator of that tendency.

So, this episode is about final thoughts--good and bad, mostly good, however. I have been so encouraged having you along for the training and look forward to sharing how things go in Episode 45. Stay tuned. And as always,

Thanks for sharing some of the road with me,
The 20 Minute Runner

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Listen to Episode 44 (click the player below)


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The music heard in the body of the podcast is entitled “Pyraminx" by Roger Subirana from the album, "Point of No Return". Check it out at Jamendo.

The opening and closing music heard in this podcast is entitled “Point of No Return” by Roger Subirana and is the title cut of the album. Check it out at Jamendo.

The background music near the end of this episode is “Long Ride Home," is by John Williams. Check it out at Magnatune Music.

The 20MR Episode 43: 41.8 mile week, 'nuff said (pt. 2)

What a week. Welcome to Episode 43; thanks for coming along for this, the last double-digit long run before the marathon itself: 14.3 miles. The sun was bright and the weather absolutely perfect for running as we finish up 40+ miles for the week.

The knee straps continue to help. After resting 3 days following the 21-miler, the knees are in good shape and did not bother me this week, or on this run. The right groin continues to nag a bit, but nothing too terribly. I share the history of this old injury during the episode. It goes back to my high school days--a very long time ago.

We reflect on my track season (only one in high school), road racing exploits years ago and how my coach doubted I had run 18 miles before the day my groin was injured. I guess moving on to the marathon has me waxing reminiscent. While I do not want to go back to those times, thinking about them is motivating. It also encourages me to know that even at age 46, I can still run--albeit not as quickly. Oh well.

I also share the story about running with Benji Durden (Olympic marathoner, 1980) way back when. We ran on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Waynesville. More details in the show itself. Lee Fiddler was also a part of the experience.

And even though we are training for the marathon, life goes on. My mother-in-law has had some physical problems of late, but improving. Also, our church went to "Live it Out" earlier in the day of this run. Follow the link for information about what is happening in my professional life (and personal as well). I think it will encourage you.

We wind things up with some listener email. I just learned that a friend of mine is running the half at the NC Marathon. He will finish ahead of me, but I hope to be fairly close behind.

Also, I discuss potential plans for pacing and whether to use the GPS or not during the marathon. The problem in not using it may be a tendency to not run to my potential. Stay tuned as I figure out what to do. I do not want to go too slowly, but I do not want to go too quickly either.

So, this episode is about winding up the hard part of the training and beginning the taper. We sprinkle in some personal updates as well. I'm glad to have you along. And as always,

Thanks for sharing some of the road with me,
The 20 Minute Runner

Download this episode (right click and save)

Listen to Episode 43 (click the player below)


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The music heard in the body of the podcast is entitled “Tribute to the Kings" by Fin de Cavale from their album, "Trafic de Blues". Check it out at Jamendo.

The opening and closing music heard in this podcast is entitled “Point of No Return” by Roger Subirana and is the title cut of the album. Check it out at Jamendo.com.

The background music near the end of this episode is “Long Ride Home," is by John Williams. Check it out at Magnatune Music.

The transitional piece heard in the podcast is entitled “The Long Goodbye," by Wendy Wall. Check it out at Music Alley.

T20MR Episode 23: Tapering--beneficial or bust? Life is (a) fair

With one more week left before my first 1/2 marathon, I am in tapering mode as we run together in Episode 23. But is tapering really beneficial? Or is tapering simply a cop-out? We discuss the pros--and few cons--of the issue in this episode. If you are preparing for a fall race, you'll want to hear what I've discovered about tapering; it just might help you PR at your target race.

The episode, however, begins with an update on the week's running. It's been a good one as we close in on the 1/2 marathon. Not only was it a good one running, but we are looking forward to the N. Carolina football game next weekend. Go Heels! But, that's later. We begin with a trip to the Dixie Classic Fair in Winston-Salem, complete with chickens, racing pigs and state-record pumpkins. Grab a sausage-dog and listen in. Life is about keeping perspective--and balance. The proper mix of both keeps us young. How young do you feel? Running plays a big part of that mix as well.

The second half is all about tapering. While I won't give the details here, you go along with me on a challenging 10 miler, all the while discussing the benefits of tapering. We include a list of "Who's Who," and how they benefited from tapering: Carlos Lopes (1984 Olympic Marathon champion), John Benoit Samuelson (1984 Women's Marathon Olympic champion and American Record Holder at the time), Emil Zatopek (1950 European champion in both the 5,000 and 10,000) and Sir Roger Bannister (need I tell you what he accomplished?).

Thanks to Scott at Off'nRunning for his help in promoting the podcast. They get a shout-out for the work they do at timing so many area races, including the Cannonball half we will run on the 17th.

Finally, be sure to vote for your favorite podcast(s) at the link above, whether it happens to be T20MR or some other show. Regardless, vote!

I feel good about the 1/2 and have trained properly for distance and speed. Stay tuned to see how it all turns out. And as always,

Thanks for sharing some of the road with me,
The 20 Minute Runner

Download this episode (right click and save)

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The music heard in the body of the podcast is entitled “Forever Young," by Ghosts on the Radio. Check it out at Music Alley.

The opening and closing music heard in each podcast is entitled “Point of No Return” by Roger Subirana and is the title cut of the album. Check it out at Jamendo.

The article on tapering by Abhinabha Tangerman can be found here.