30+ DRC Day 429 and the Salinas Valley Half Marathon

The fourth annual Salinas Valley Half Marathon was this past Saturday August 3, 2013.

I've run this one since the inaugural event in 2010. Well . . . run would be very liberal use of the word. Up until this past weekend.

I wish I could describe the my other experiences of the SVHM, but all I remember was running some and walking most of the race. Except for last year, in which I had trained a bit better. And this year in which I focused on preparing for this one a LOT more. Training with the YMCA/SVHM group was awesome and I couldn't have done as well without them. Coach Chris "Z" Zepeda, Coach Monica Jo Nicholson and Coach Francisco Cornejo were amazing coaches and I learned a lot from them. Hopefully, the program will continue next year and beyond.

I credit that training program with really getting me into running. I only participated in the 2010 SVMH because the YMCA began a free program for the the inaugural event. You can't beat free. I remember when I first began, the first few days of the first week consisted of running 1 minute and walking two for thirty minutes. I was DYING in that first workout! I didn't think I would be able to finish, but I labored on. Running was HARD! By the end of the program I was able to run an hour non-stop . . . on a track. I also had excruciating shin splints every time I finished running and no shoe was able to fix it. I was fitted with several pairs before the shoe store just gave me a massive discount on my last pair and called it quits (with an apology for not being able to help figure out what was going on).

That year I completed the SVHM in 3 hours 24 minutes and 3 seconds. I remember pain when crossing the finish line, feeling so nauseous that I hurried to the port-o-potties to spew . . . but I was happy. Not because it was over, but because I actually finished! I was nearly 300 lbs then, too.

I didn't run much after that for a while until it came around again and I joined the YMCA training group for the second year. I had focused on diet a lot more and had dropped some fat along the way. I was probably around 280 then. I'd also discovered minimal shoes during the winter and I think I ran in lighter shoe. I finished the 2011 SVHM in 3 hours and 24 seconds. Again, I was nauseous at the finish and spewed.

Last year, I hit a bump. I had begun running a bit more consistently. At least 3 times a week and with toe shoes when on the road. On trails I was running with the then new, NB Minimus Trails. During one run, I landed in a shallow hole that had been hidden by some brush and in it was a stone. If I'd been running with my toe shoes, I probably would've broke something. As it was, I twisted my ankle a bit and bruised the ball of my foot. Luckily, the ankle was fine the next day. Just a bit stiff. The bruise was another matter. It still bothers me because I believe it's developed into an neuroma (a build up of tissue around a bunch of nerves). But that's my professional diagnosis. It hasn't gotten worse and it slowly appears to be going away.

The 2012 SVHM I ran with my Vibram FiveFingers Bikila LS's. I loved those shoes, but I still was an aching mess when I crossed the finish line. Feet took a beating and my hips were killing me. It hurt to walk and I was still dry heaving a few minutes after crossing the finish line. But I think I figured out what the problem was (dehydration) from the previous years so the nausea wasn't so bad. I completed that half marathon in 2 hours, 47 minutes and 6 seconds. I was ecstatic! I ran a lot of it, but not as much as I had planned for. I was about 260 lbs, maybe?

This year was awesome. Last year on June 4th, I began a 30 day challenge posted up by Trisha Reeves at Barefoot Monologues (link is to actual post). The challenge was to run at least 1 mile every day for 30 days. If you missed a day, you started over. Hence part of the title of todays post. If/when I run today, I will have completed 429 consecutive days of running at least a mile.

I'll tell you, I believe it helped last year to improve my time at the 2012 SVHM and it definitely contributed to getting me ready for the intense YMCA/SVHM training this year.

I had decided to have fun with this one since I knew I'd be better prepared for it. I had seriously been considering running something more comfortable than shorts. Jason Robillard at Barefoot Running University reviewed a Sport Kilt a while back and raved about it. I must say, I have to rave about it too. No more shorts riding up or anything. Unfortunately I opted to go non-traditional. I wore performance boxer briefs. There would be children around and I didn't want any inadvertent peep shows.

In hindsight, I wish I had opted for another shirt. It was too heavy. It was my first time wearing that particular jersey and I bought it specifically for this race. This was my first experience with chafed nipples. Ouch.

And if you're wondering about the get-up, it's a reference to the San Patricios (Saint Patrick's Battalion). I got a lot of odd looks at first. But once I explained, I still got odd looks. The beard completed the look. Didn't want anyone giving me shit for wearing a "skirt" . . . bastards.

A lot of pictures were taken and compliments as well, surprisingly. I did see one other guy in a running skirt. And it was a SKIRT.

I ran this half a lot more conservatively than previous years. I always started out way too fast and then crashed about halfway through. This time I had a goal time and pace and I was able to stay on both fairly well. I was still a bit fast at the beginning, but I didn't shotgun through the pack like before. Here is the map:

The race being next to a mountain, it's gonna be hilly. I didn't really notice them in my previous races because by the time I reached the hard ones, I was already walking. This time, I felt them. I am happy to say that I was able to attack them all. Getting that granny-gear going and just chugging up'em. These are my splits according to Nike+

I ran most of it up until mile 11 where I let myself wuss out. But I made sure I reached the marker first. Then it was walk/run. I was ahead of 2:20 pacer Cassie up until halfway through mile 10 when she came up even. She really helped push/tow me along until mile 11. I'm disappointed in myself a bit that I wasn't able to keep going. What REALLY pisses me off is that I forgot about the granny-gear. I call it the granny-gear because no matter how tired I am, I can still shuffle along at a quicker pace than walking in the granny-gear. And I can run forever with it. And I FORGOT! I was tired and I think I was dehydrated a bit. I hit every aid station and took two cups at each station (one water, one Gatoraid). Should've tossed back three!

I finally remembered the granny-near in the last half mile and was able to finish fairly strong. As I was nearing the end, I heard a lot of cheering in Spanish urging me to go, that I was almost there and to go faster. I guess I wore the right shirt after all. Though next time, I'm wearing pasties.

Once I crossed, they threw my medal around my neck and I proceeded to get food and fluids in me. I didn't want to be heavin' later. I grabbed a cold bottle of water, two banana halves, a pack of sliced apples and two chocolate milks. I tossed back the milk and wolfed the bananas. I took my time with the apples and water during the cheering-on. I grabbed a couple of more bottles of water during the cheering. After a while I headed into the celebration area and bought a tri-tip plate from my godsons team (awesome tri-tip sandwich with grilled peppers and onion) and sat with some of the training group and chatted.

And here I am with my Instagram pic of the medal, not feeling nauseous at all!

The ribbon was pretty cool and  not so plain-Jane as in the previous years. And the medal also doubled as a wine stopper, since the finish happens to end at Pessagno Winery. I'll probably use it to stopper my 22's of Stone and Rogue, though.  And because I was so awesome this year, I had my medal engraved with my completion time:

I think it was $15 well spent.

I said my good-byes and headed out around noon. We got bused back to the start to our cars and I headed home. Once home immediately jumped in the shower and shaved. I couldn't stand the beard any more! It felt like I had ants crawling on my face all the time!

That's Gorda in the background and me, relieved to be clean shaven again.

There's a gentleman I follow on Instagram who goes by OldGuyRunning. He's made some impressive changes in his life. He's lost 30 pounds since May through running and clean eating. He's posting up some incredible distances every week. He has different challenges to try and the one I'm going to attempt is the Tin Man Challenge. Ideally it's supposed to be as follows:

Day 1: 3.11 miles
Day 2, 3 and 4: 5 miles each
Day 5: Active rest day
Day 7: Cross Train

And repeat for one month for a total of 93.3 miles. You can modify it anyway you like to suit your needs. I'll probably be running most days, but I will need to include some weight training now that I don't have to focus on the half until next year. I want to get stronger. I need to get stronger.

God willing and the creeks don't rise, I want to see sub-2 hours next year for the half!

GD

p.s.
i really don't drink that much.
p.s.
too lazy to check. run smiley :)