Time for a Change

About 26 minutes into a 30-minute run last night on the dreadmill (aptly named by my triathlete friend Clay), my iPod pulls up Pat Green and Cory Morrow singing Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? It had been a pretty good run: I was walking two minutes and running for eight and had been adjusting my pace from 10-8:30 minute miles, which ranges from my normal pace to significantly faster than my flabby, old legs carry me. I was pretty pooped and planned to slow the pace back to 10-10:14.

Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? begins with a hard, almost-angry guitar strumming, and the first verse ends with:

We've been the same way for years
We need to change

Interesting thought for someone who regularly asks if this is going to get any easier or wonders why he never gets any faster.

Thanks, Pat and Cory (and Hank and Waylon). For the last four minutes of my run, I pushed the pace to 8:30 and down to about 7:45. For those rabbits among you, that's cruising for me. I feel good!

Monday Morning Hangover

What's the yield for a recipe of pecan sandies? How many servings? How about those peanut butter things dipped in chocolate?

My wife and daughter LOVE to prepare desserts for the holiday. I'm not a big fan of the peanut butter things, but being a good dad/husband, I'll eat them. BUT I LOVE pecan sandies. Whatever the yield is, take away the three that I shared with my daughter and the two for my wife, and that's what I ate during the last couple of days.

I AM NOT excited about tomorrow morning's run.

Best of Best of Running Songs

Every runner has his/her favorite running songs, and most of us old guys include the Boss' Born to Run near the top of our lists.

But the very best of the best of running songs has to be about three minutes into Born to Run. The music's hit a crescendo, there a brief pause, then Bruce counts -- shift into overdrive -- 1 . . 2 . . 3 . . 4, there's a drum roll (pick up the pace again), then, almost like a shove in your back, The Big Man, Clarence Clemons, brings everyone (better pick up your pace again) in with his sax:

The highway's jammed with broken heroes (but not me)
on a last chance power drive
Everybody's out on the run tonight
but there's no place left to hide (no place to hide because I'm in the lead)

Whoo! I had a good run tonight. Can you tell?

Ain't Nothing But a Hound Dog

(sorry Elvis)

Normally I run on the YMCA's treadmill at night; so, with the indoor lights behind me and the darkness outside, I see my own reflection in the window ahead of me. Today I ran mid-afternoon and watch the world pass by, just like my dog would do.

I felt like my dog, just hanging out on a Sunday afternoon watching the traffic go by. I found myself looking left and following a car until it passed out of my site on the right. I watched cars pull fill up with gas and wait and wait and wait until traffic passed to get back on the main road. And I watched the Wal-Mart parking lot and those drivers who will wait five minutes to get a parking spot instead of walking an additional 30 seconds from a spot farther from the store. All in all, it was a pretty exciting run (?). At least I didn't let the dog thing get carried away and chase any cars.

I'm making progress on getting back into running shape, although I'm a little frustrated that I'm not greyhound graceful yet (I think I'll be in the hound-dog stage for awhile). I'm up to the 3 minutes walking / 7 minutes running for 30 minutes, and probably will bump that up to 2 minutes / 8 minutes by the end of the week.

If I ran outside, I'd probably be running the entire 30 minutes, but I hate running on treadmills, so the beginner's walking/running split is perfect for breaking up the run-killing treadmill monotony.

A SIDE NOTE: In the past year, I've really improved my weightlifting, especially my benchpress. I'm up to about three sets of 12 repetitions with 225 pounds, so my chest is significantly bigger. So . . . where do I buy a manly bra? I'm not accustomed to running and having to counterbalance bouncing boobs!

Junior High Running Advice

One of the best bits of running advice I ever received was on my one (yes, one) day of football tryouts in 8th grade. I eavesdropped on two coaches as they watched a classmate, Harris White, run 50-yard sprints. Harris was a black kid whose running style was very relaxed, most noticeably, his palms open instead of fists clenched.

The whole concept of more relaxed running, beginning with 'non-contributing' body parts like hands, shoulders, jaw, has hung with me through 30+ years of on-again-off-again running. Of course, my running style has been so relaxed that my incredibly slow pace is compared to the soap, Days of Our Lives . . . like sands through the hourglass.

But it has been interesting as I take one more shot at running, this time beginning on the treadmill (I HATE COLD . . . or HOT . . . even COOL and WARM), because I can see myself in the reflection of the window at the Y. I'm able monitor my hands, almost flapping them to keep from making fists, and my shoulders, working hard to push them down off my ears. Unfortunately, if I don't pay enough attention to my feet, I tend to list to one side and fall off the treadmill.

If I ever see Harris again, I would like to thank him for a running style that makes me at least feel like I'm running fast.

I'm not sure if Harris played football in high school. He was really fast, and I'm pretty sure he ran track. Thomas Jefferson's football teams (in Port Arthur, before I offend anyone) were REALLY bad in the early to mid-70s, so I kind of doubt if his speed had been tapped.

A slightly different perspective on Junior High Running Advice at: http://georgesfrontporch.blogspot.com/2007/12/junior-high-running-advice-ii.html

And your momma, too!

Originally published December 4, 2007

If that treadmill had a butt, I would've kicked it! Yessssssss . . . good run.

Like a ton of bricks

Originally published December 1, 2007

What happened!? Felt so good after my last run . . . headed to the treadmill at the Y this afternoon and hit the wall after about three steps (at least it took me about 17 miles in the Austin Motorola Marathon). Not sure if the ton bricks refers to the wall that fell on me or the post-Thanksgiving mass I'm trucking around.

Just like the Kenyans

First published November 29, 2007

Tonight's run was AWESOME (okay, tonight's walk for two minutes, run for four was pretty good). A couple of years ago, I read in Runners World about the Kenyans' running style. What I remember most (okay, only) is that they hold their arms a little higher, which increases their forward lean and improves their speed.

I've been working on the treadmill at the Y, trying to get back into running, and I'm working on holding my arms higher. I've always run with my arms hung low and relaxed, so this is a little different (and tough to remember to do . . . especially at my age). When I do hold my arms higher, I can feel my pace smooth out (I'd tell that I'm running faster, too, except that I've been on a treadmill), but I haven't been able to sync my arms and legs.

HOWEVER, there have been some moments of BRILLANCE, when my arms are held high and they're right in sync with my legs and my lungs, and there's my fiercest competitor just ahead and my wife and kids are cheering, my friends have the beer cooled to 29 degrees and the finish line is just ahead (and Nike's looking for a new endorsement) and . . . well, you know the rest of the story.

I've just moved up to the 2/4 repetitions, but feel pretty good.

Looking forward to picking up the pace in the next week.So, bring on the cheetahs and zebras!

Starting Over (again)

Originally published November 9, 2007

"Starting all over again is gonna be tough' . . . who sang that way back in the day (what a time to refer to as 'the day' . . . ugh!)?

Ran last night on the treadmill at the Y . . . 30 minutes, 3 walking, 3 running. Felt REALLY good, but sure was sore this morning (what happened?). Seem to be over the groin/ab injury, but I probably shouldn't push it.

Keep telling my wife -- the non-runner -- that I want to start running again . . . she asks 'why?' Any good answers?

But I'm sick and have a temperature

Originally published June 6, 2007

Back in the days of three TV channels (four if you could get PBS), 'I'm sick and have a temperature' was the tag line delivered by a semi-faking kid for a sure-fire remedy commercial. That's probably what my excuses for not running for the last few weeks sound like. Actually, I think I pulled a muscle in my lower abdomen after my 5K, and it really seems to become aggravated when I run. I have been using the elliptical trainer at the Y, but it's not quite the same (not nearly the sweat and staggering and general overall misery). I'm hoping that I'll be back to full speed (me and speed used in the same sentence -- ha!) in about a month. Can't do any ab work, and I feel kind of like Santa Claus.

And, then there's the friend, another dad, who's devastated because his son has chosen to run cross country and track instead of playing baseball. I don't think that the boy's coming out of the closet; I just think he's chosen to run. Is run-o-phobe an appropriate diagnosis for the dad?

When does this get easier?

Originally published May 10, 2007

When does this get easier? I asked that same question after my last run, too. Today's run was hot and humid and hot. It rained late this afternoon, so I ran past a lot of flowing water and through a lot of water covering sidewalks.

We've had a lot of rain the last few weeks (months?), and I can tell I've worked for an engineering firm too long. As I splash along my run after the rain, I ponder how long the storm water system will take to drain the area and if my route falls is affected by the Probable Maximum Flood . . . pretty sad, huh?

Near the end of my run, I passed a group of kids who were playing in and around the water flowing in the gutter. One girl, who obviously is the big sister to an 8-year-old boy, shouts that he's going to be in trouble when he gets home (he was floating his leather baseball glove in the gutter). I heard light footsteps behind me, then the boy zips by me. I thought he was running home until I hear his sister shout for him to 'quit showing off.' When he was about 15-20 yards ahead of me, I realized that we were racing (!), so I sprinted after him.

I discovered long ago that in order to beat a child in a foot race, you simply have to 1) race farther than the length of a soccer field, or 2) race beyond what is likely the boundary where his parents allow him to play.

I was about to pass him and turn the corner past what I perceived as his neighborhood boundary; instead I declared him the winner as he passed a driveway right before I caught him. I thought this might help him prove to his bossy big sister that he wasn't just showing off.
And maybe I am ready for those fartleks I've been thinking about.

For what it's worth, I think this will get easier if I stretch more between runs. My legs, especially my calves, are really tight; and I think it's making my running more difficult than it needs to be.

'. . . I am the Frito Bandito'

Originally published May 1, 2007

Who'd thought that Frito Pie (you know . . . chili, Fritos, onions and cheese, sour cream and picante sauce if you want) would qualify as a training meal? Promised myself that I'd run this evening, but couldn't get out 'til after dinner. I thought the Frito Pie would be serve 'ala sidewalk' after a few steps into the run, but I had a great run!

I hit the spot that I think is a mile in about 9:23, which to me, especially now, is cruising. Of course, the last 15 minutes were at at 13:30 pace, but that's unimportant (okay, not really . . . the 13:30 part).

Have I ranted in my 'I'm madder 'n hell, and I'm not gonna take it more' mode? About a month ago, a runner in his early 20s was beaten up for his IPod along one of the routes I usually run. I'd like to think that I'm big enough to seem not worth the effort, but in reality, I'm more like that lumbering elephant that gets left by the herd and now word has quickly spread among the hyenas that dinner's ready.

I HATE being intimidated enough to not run after dark (or near dark in this other runner's case) with my IPod. Not that I'm a huge music fan, but this is MY neighborhood, and I don't want to give it up to thugs. Especially thugs not old enough to pay taxes! (huh?)
Coincidentally, the bridge that I use to approximate one mile is the spot where the other runner was mugged.

Anyway . . . enjoyed this evening's run. AND my Penguin hat's started to look worn and sweaty. I'm so proud! Okay, life's little pleasures.

But it's all for the money and the awards

Originally published April 15, 2007

I ran earlier this afternoon while my almost-10-year-old rode her bike with me. She originally bet me a quarter that I would stop during the 30-minute run, then dropped the ante to 10 cents when I kept going. Eventually, she became a cheerleader, encouraging,'go, dad, go' and 'you can do it, dad,' especially when another runner passed me (more like PASSED me). When we got home, she disappeared upstairs and returned later with former soccer trophy turned 'Dad Actually Ran 3 Miles Without Stopping Award.' And she upped the prize money to 35 cents. I may keep running for awhile.

Speed of lightning, bolt of thunder . . .

Originally published April 15, 2007

I finished yesterday's 5K with a chip time of 32:47.9, which is about a 10:30 mile. Not too exciting for most runners, but I'm ecstatic. I ran in the same Victory Over Violence 5K a couple of years ago and finished in 34:20.75, #476 compared to this year's #317. Believe it or not, I've had much worse 5Ks, and I think my PR was only about 29 minutes, so I'm really happy. Given my current condition, lack of training, weight, age (and just about any other excuse), I think this a good stepping stone to another personal record (even snails have PRs).

Yesterday morning was COLD and WINDY. A cold front moved in Friday with tornadoes and hail. I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to help direct early traffic, and I was SO cold. I think weather conditions helped my run though because I was happy to do anything warmer.

When I ran a couple of years ago, Kim fussed at me because I slowed down at the finish line. Normally, I'm like a horse headed to the barn when I see the finish line, but I usually won't pass anyone near the chute because I know how hard they've worked to get there (and I've seldom worked THAT hard . . . probably why my 5K PR is 29 minutes).

Yesterday, I started to sprint and passed all the other remaining slow-pokes long before the chute. I was pretty excited, then I heard footsteps behind me. I never looked back to see if the runner was possibly pregnant while pushing a triple stroller or an octagenarian pulling an oxygen tank, but I did find the burst to not get passed.

I told Kim (who wasn't there -- something about the early morning arrival) that I was THE MAN and showed no mercy to other runners at the finish. She just rolled her eyes.
So, no Underdog-caliber speed of lightning, etc., but the race was fun.

Una Mas five pounds

Originally published April 12, 2007

I think I know why Kenya produces so many great marathoners . . . because it's so far away from any Mexican restaurants. I'm running in Saturday's Victory Over Violence 5K, and I noticed that last night's beef fajita quesadillas and today's tamales for lunch have done nothing to improve my stamina, strength or speed.

I probably need to focus more on my running (ya think?). After I ran this evening, I went to my daughter's volleyball practice. While I'm watching, I look down at my shorts and wonder what happened to the black stripe that went across the bottom hem of my red shorts. Then I realize that I'm wearing my shorts inside out. Whew!

An old runner's prayer

Originally published March 20, 2007

Had a nice run this afternoon . . . started to rain about a block before I got home, so my cool down was . . . well, pretty cool. Nothing profound to say today, but here's a Bible passage that helped keep me going when I ran in my last marathon:

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint . . . Isaiah 40: 29-31

As an addendum to being an 'old' runner . . . as I approached the finish line in the 2003 Cowtown Marathon, I could hear the announcer introducing runners -- 'here's Mary Smith from Euless, John Jones from Austin, etc.' As I cross the finish line, the announcer says 'there's 47-year-old George Bowden!' What?!

Long live the 70s; the 70s are dead

Originally published March 15, 2007

I've never listened to music when I've run before, but this time around, I listen to my IPod. I haven't figured out if dialing up 70s rock anthems is good or bad for a run. Good because you can lose yourself in WAY too familiar tunes and enjoy the memories associated with the time when you could run but didn't need to. Bad because . . . well, you have the beat that you couldn't really dance to as a teenager that now won't let you get into a consistent running rhythm, and you have the reminder that this music is 25-30 years old and if it's politely referred to as 'classic,' then so are you.

A few years ago, I volunteered to work at a festival sponsored by the Keller (a small town near me) Chamber of Commerce. I had the opportunity to go to the airport to pick up 'The Classic Rock All Stars,' who performed at the festival. Loved Rare Earth as a kid, and lead singer Peter Rivera (really Rivers) was there. Jerry Corbetta, lead singer and organist for Sugar Loaf also was a member of the band, and so were Dennis Noda (who?) from Cannibal and the Headhunters (who?) and Mike Pinera from Blues Image, Iron Butterfly and Alice Cooper (job hopper).

Pete Rivera has a son who plays baseball in the Dodgers system. Hearing the guy who warned 'Hey, Big Brother' sound like a soccer mom asking about today's game was a little unsettling (but sweet) . . . has everybody grown up (thank God!)? Jerry Corbetta, who also sang with Frankie Vallie (but shouldn't try to hit those high notes now), asked about a church organ that Van Cliburn donated to a church in Fort Worth. 'Dang, we had lunch the other day and I forgot to ask.' Felt bad for Dennis Noda. He hummed a few bars of the Headhunters 'Land of 1,000 Dances' when I said that I didn't recognize the band or the song title. I was ecstatic when I blurted, 'It's that song that high school bands play!' Probably didn't impress him too much. Wasn't a huge fan of Mike Pinera's bands, but he seemed to be having the most fun on stage, fun enough that even never-heard-of-him teenagers played air guitar with him.

Gray hair, pot bellies, scratchy voices and all . . . loved listening to the All Stars.
BUT, I probably need to create a new running playlist for my IPod. Enjoyed a good run tonight . . . then had to decide between going out for pizza or Mexican food. Hmmm?

'I'm too old for this s - - t' . . . Danny Glover in 'Lethal Weapon

Originally posted March 13, 2007

When I heard Danny Glover say that umpteen years ago, I just thought I knew what he was talking about. I'm 51 years old and trying to start running again. I've completed two marathons -- Austin Motorola in 2001 and Fort Worth Cowtown in 2003 -- but starting all over again is HARD!

When I ran in both marathons, I entered in the Clydesdale category (yeah, it's what it sounds like), and now I'm about 15-20 pounds heavier (I was up to about 220, but I've lost a few pounds). When I'm on the treadmill at the Y, I feel like I'm remaking Jurassic Park.

I started running again in February. Got a bonus from my employer, waddled over to Luke's (running store) and bought a new pair of Nike Air Pegasus (my all-time favorites . . . kind of like you're favorite dessert that you seek at times of desperation for comfort food). Somehow, my feet are now Size 13 Wide (I've heard that happens after you have kids).

When I started running, I was following the plan Amby Burfoot describes in 'The Complete Guide to Running:' start walking then run and walk for 30 minutes, increasing the amount of running time each week. He also features a snippet on a college coach who uses the plan to prep beginners to run a 5K -- his biggest admonition . . . patience.

A few weeks ago, I thought I was feeling pretty good and the weather was nice, so I went after it. I'd worked my way up to about eight minute runs followed by two minutes of walking. But since it was nice and I was feeling pretty good, I blew off the plan . . . and haven't run since.
I have been walking again and eating less and today was a nice day (but much cooler) and I was feeling pretty good, so I patiently took off on a 30-minute run, telling myself that I will stick to Amby's 'talk test' rule and keep my pace slow. I didn't know you could cover so little distance in so little time, but I ran the full 30 minutes.

My immediate goal is to run in the Fort Worth Women's Shelter Victory Over Violence 5K next month. Our company is a sponsor, and we have pretty good participation. I'm hoping that enough attention will be paid to our marathoners and triathletes that my penguin pace and style (thanks, John Bingham) will go unnoticed.

About 20 years ago, I rode my old Schwinn Varsity (weight: approximately 1,200 lbs) in the MS 150 Bike Tour from Houston to Austin. My kickstand generated a lot of laughs from the 'real' bikers, who rode much sleeker, lighter bikes. I enjoyed a few laughs the final afternoon when those same bikers wrestled the gale-force winds between Bastrop State Park and Austin to keep their bikes on the road. The ditches on the side of the road looked like a bad war movie filled with riders who just gave up.

ANYWAY . . . I may look a little funny waddling back into shape (I always thought a 9 1/2 - 10 minute pace was slow . . . now, I wish!), but I'll be there at the finish line.
By the way, those were the people that impressed the hell out of me in Austin . . . 6+ hours later and they were still chugging toward the finish line.

Never give in. Never, never, never give in . . . Winston Churchill