52nd Annual Balboa 4-Miler September 3, 2016

Waking early we headed out to San Diego's Balboa Park, home of the San Diego Zoo, Food Truck Friday, and the Footlocker Cross Country National Championships.

Arriving fashionably early, parking was easy, we strolled over to the registration tent for bib pick-up. I had not previewed the course so I warmed up by running an out and back over the final mile. A portion of this included the infamous zig-zag hill. Feeling appropriately warm I headed over to the start area which was a large grassy field.

Greeting a few runners, I have not obtained a San Diego Track Club singlet yet, I received a few strange looks and questions about my Dahlberg-Kourtz Distance Project singlet.

Then after a few instructions from the starter, we were off and running. I clocked a flat mile 1 at 6:25, at the bottom end of Amanda's suggested opening pace. Suddenly there was a 100 foot drop over the next quarter. It would not have been so bad except that it was concrete covered with loose sand and leaves and a hard right turn at the bottom. I somehow survived and was now running on loose sand and dirt parallel to RT 163. Mile 1.9 to 2.0 was a rather arduous, and unexpected, 100 foot climb and my pace dropped to 6:42. And then just before mile 2.5 was a steep 50 foot drop. Then began a looping mild upgrade until mile 3.5, at which point I returned to the top of that aforementioned 100 foot climb. Now it was a 100 foot drop. Good times. After the downhill it was a short flat and sandy run to the start of the zig-zag hill and about a 1/3 of a mile to the finish. I managed to pass a couple of runners on the hill and one on the home stretch. Mile 3 was tough at 6:53 and mile 4 was a humbling 7:14. One runner easily passed me just before the chute. I once again handed over the tear-off portion of my bib. Tough course. I'll do better next year.
 
Our team, SDTC, took the win and the lead in the Dirt Dog Series lead after 2 races.

The gory details:
27th Overall Master Runner
4th in the 50-59 AG
1st in the 55-59 year olds.

AG Bling

JoAnne and I headed out to Old town San Diego for brunch and refreshments.



Refreshments at Fiesta De Reyes

Next stop and the third race of the series...the Bonita Stampede 8k, European Style XC, on September 10.

The 2016 Boston Marathon

Last I posted, three weeks ago, the long runs were complete and I was ready for the start line. During that three weeks, I was a bit worried that a) my taper was too long, b) I would not be rested enough,  c) it would be too rainy and cold. Well, you get the idea.

Jennifer, our daughter, was kind enough to take time out of her work schedule to drive me to the San Diego Airport on Friday. I hopped a plane to Providence, RI., and after a slight delay in Denver, where I thought I may be stuck because of an impending snowstorm, I arrived in Providence, RI. JoAnne picked me up and we went to our home in Blackstone, MA, where after a few hours of sleep...she drove me to the Riverside T-Station where we were transported, along with about a billion Red Sox Fans, to the Hynes Station. A short walk along the crowded Newbury Street and we arrived at the Hynes Auditorium where the Marathon Exposition is held, as well as, the Bib Pickup.

Security, checking bags, was doing an efficient job and we moved through the line quickly. Once in, we headed to the bib pick-up area.

A cheerful volunteer greeted us and after verification that I was the real deal, presented me with my official Boston Marathon Bib. We strolled overt to the T-shirt pick-up and was given the always cool bag of swag!

Cool Stuff

Jim Pawlicki was working as a volunteer in bib distribution and after a short search around we were able to locate him handing out bibs and encouragement. We then headed out for a brief walk through the Expo as I needed a couple of gels.



Jim Pawlicki

A woman, also shopping, wanted three gels. Purchase 5 and you get the discounted price. She purchased hers and paid for the 2 that I wanted. I thanked her and offered her money but she said it was all good and went on her way. I hoped that I would get a chance to pay this forward, during the marathon as it was such a genuine gesture.

Leaving Hynes we went over to the Finish area. It was crowded and at this point I just wanted to go home and sleep. I chilled a bit and thought about the area and the meaning and memories that make the day and place special.

Finish Line

JoAnne and I headed back to the T-Station and after a moment of In Bound/Out Bound confusion were headed back to Riverside. There were several others, obviously excited, with Marathon swag on the train. I was ready for a nap so I scratched the planned stop in Hopkinton to pay 'umble 'omage to the start line.

On Sunday I gathered my stuff so Monday could be a sleep in day. In 2013 I  purchased a Sterling Silver Boston Marathon 26.2 Charm from Long's Jeweler's, engraved with the date and my initials. And I had planned on running with it and gifting it to JoAnne but I hurt my foot and did not run that year. So I pinned it over my heart this year, to close the circle and pay some Honor to the 2013 BM.

26.2 Charm

Divided on what to wear on Monday, I had a choice. I was running with the Central Mass Striders Masters Team; however...


Amanda Dahlberg Kourtz deserves "Props" for her work in preparing me not only for this Marathon but her work over the last six years. So I went with the official...wait for it....DKDP singlet!

I am the Project

JoAnne prepared some Lasagna for the Sunday midday meal and we had pizza in the evening. I spent most of the day sitting around, early to bed and waking about 2:00am ready to eat again. After a slice of pizza, a soy/protein shake, and a through brushing, it was back to bed.


Up at 6:30am or so I drank some coffee, showered, and dressed.

I'm ready

We left the house at 8:30am hoping to arrive at the South Street parking lot at 9:00am. We should have taken the back roads as the traffic was heavy leading to the lot.

South Street

The busses were lined up and ready to go so I hopped on and joined a runner that was running her first Boston. We chatted a bit but overall it was fairly quiet on the ride. The buss arrived at the Athletes Village around 9:45. I began to walk toward the start line and received a "Good Luck" text from my son Matt. 


Entering my assigned corral, Wave 2 Corral 4, at about 10:15, I felt relaxed and ready to go. The sun was working a little overtime and it was getting warm. We stood around making nervous jokes and listening to the announcers. Finally were off, then we came to a complete stop, then we were off again. I had no idea where the start line was located because every square inch of road was covered by sneakers. I do remember running directly under the video camera, so most likely I am now  immortalized in the BAA Archive of obscure runners.
It was crowded. I chilled for mile 1, no weaving and trying not to get tripped. My first mile was quicker than I expected. The after 5k I tried to settle into the planned 7:30ish pace. I felt OK. Then, I had a laugh, seeing that there was an "Entering Brookline" sign, pretty sure I was somewhere around Hopkington/Ashland. Passing through the water stops was a chore. Carrying my own handheld I wasn't stopping but runners were crossing left and right to get to the stations. Trying to stay in the middle of the road didn't help and could feel liquid sugar being splashed on my legs and feet.


The road became less crowded at the train station in Framingham. I relaxed a bit and was soon running through Natick, about 10 miles in. The spectators were cheering loudly and I low fived a kid or two.


I caught up to teammate Phil Savoy and we waxed eloquent about old times. He said his pacing today would be a bit off and asked me not to hold back. We wished each other luck and I got back on pace.


It wasn't long before I started hearing the high pitched screaming of the Wellesley College students. The energy here was as advertised. I slowly scooted to the left to protect my sensitive hearing, knowing as well that runners would be slowing down, speeding up, and stopping around this area.




Reaching 128 I knew this is where the work would begin. I was pleased to see spectators lining the overpass, a tough place for me. The down hill from 15 to 16 was rough on my feet. I am used to running on smooth roads in the not to be named toe shoes. Still I felt ok, but my pace slowed by 10-15 seconds through the first three hills. I dropped to 8:10 pace over mile 20.


Somewhere around Mile 24, not sure, things were a little foggy by now, I heard a voice call out, "John Griego." I looked to my left and tried to shout, "Ryan Parker" but nothing happened. So I pointed at him. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Thanks Ryan for the shout out. It did help!


I knew I was getting close to the finish and this saddened me. It was the end of a long journey. I never felt as though I wanted to reach the destination. I was having fun training, running other races, and enjoying the company of other runners.


The Citgo sign was there, then it wasn't. I was just running and thinking about all the people that had encouraged me over the years. Mile 26 was my slowest. I am not sure whether I was that tired or I was savoring the final moments. Probably a bit of both. Up Hereford was easy. Turning onto Boylston, I could see the finish, but I don't remember hearing or seeing the spectators. I heard the announcer calling out names. Running down the Blue Stripe I saw the clock and a sign. Wave 1 Left, Wave 2 Right. I went right and crossed the finish line. Official time 3:22:34.

I was presented with a Finisher's Medal.

I'm done

Slowly I walked to Stanhope and Clarendon for the bus ride back to Hopkinton. Along the way volunteers were congratulating finishers. Boarding the motor coach I sat next to a Canadian finisher. We talked about the marathon and the "maybe" we'll be back next year, eh. We arrived at the South Street lot parting ways when he pulled out his phone to call a cab. I told him JoAnne and I would be happy to drop him at his hotel. He agreed and we had a continued conversation about his home and family in Quebec. Then we drove home.

JoAnne

Epilogue
My qualifier was the 2014 Manchester City Marathon the last race of the 2014 USATF-NE Grand Prix. JoAnne braved the New Hampshire November cold that day to see me run. Amanda, who has coached me for almost six years immediately sent text of congratulations. My children Matt and Jen were pleased for me. Jean Cann greeted me at the finish. It was great because she is a friend, a generous contributor to the running community, and coached my son Matthew while he attended Brandeis. It has been non-stop encouragement and support since.

I've heard that you are the average of the people that you associate with the most. I did the math. One could argue that I am dragging down the average. (ok, there would be no argument)

And, I've always thought that I had trained the people around me to help me become a better runner.

 I have never been more mistaken.

 I, now believe that the people that surround me have conspired to help make me a better person.

Thank you! 





Lone Gull 10k September 20, 2015

I was on the road, zero dark early, for the almost two hour drive to Gloucester, headed toward the 7th and final USATF-NE Grand Prix Road Race. I jogged over to the porta-potty area and was surprised at the length of the lines so early! I then went to the bib pick-up canopy, which had no line.

Walking past the USATF-NE liaison table we, JoAnne and I, saw Jean Cann and stopped for a quick chat. We headed back to the van where I pinned the bib, #665, on my singlet. It was about time for my warm-up so I ran over to Thatcher Road and joined the crowd of runners. It took about two miles including strides before I felt ready. I was a little concerned because my legs had felt sluggish on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I ran back to the van, accidently hit JoAnne in the head with the van door. After a few minutes of ice to the afflicted area, we strolled across the beach over to the start line.

I did a couple of pick-ups and returned to the start area, saw the CMS women's team and wished them good luck. I seeded myself appropriately and was joined by Martin Tighe and we chatted a bit. Suddenly, everyone was running. Martin and I both were chuckling as neither of us heard any start gun or horn!

Photo Credit JoAnne Griego

Anyway we were off and running, I felt OK clocking Mile 1 in 6:10. Once again I forgot to set my GPS to take mile splits, so I only have what was called out on the course. I was 18:37 at Mile 3 (6:12 pace). The first three felt easy enough, Mile 4 felt harder. I tried to tag along with some WMD?/Millennium? runners, then I saw Phil Savoy(CMS) in the distance. He was the lucky guy with the Bib #666. I caught up with him at about 4.5 miles, passed him, he came back by me, I pressed a bit harder, went by him again. I gained some confidence, saw Jenn Brooks(CMS) and went by her at around mile 5. We were now running back along the shore and the wind was in my face. I went after, and caught, a runner wearing a GLRR singlet, then I targeted a runner in a New Balance kit. I could now see the final hill before the finish line. I passed the NB runner and saw a age grouper in a white singlet up ahead. I could not tell if he was in my age group. I pressed to close the gap and saw that it was a Greater Springfield Harrier. I came up next to him and decided to pass and drive hard up the hill. At about .3 miles left I passed him, pushed up the hill and dashed for the finished line. The whole time I was wondering if Phil, Jenn, GLRR guy, NB girl, or the GSH was going to come flying by me!

Photo Credit John C Mulroy

My legs held out to the finish. I think miles 5-6 were good I was not passed (not that I recall) and passed a few people. Last year I was 39:35 chip  and 39:41 gun, and this year 39:04 chip and 39:11 gun,so it's 31 second pr for this course! And I managed 6th place in my age group to pick up 5 GP points. As always, it was fun. I put in  a couple of post race miles and we drove over to Salem for lunch, a cold adult beverage and a walk on the waterfront.

Season's 20K Prep, Oatmeal Cookies, and Butter

When I finished writing last night, I realized that perhaps this must be written on my woodworking blog( which I often neglect); however, since I began this as a follow-up to my Seasons 20k Prep blog, it shall remain. So I am guest blogging myself...I think.

So I was on my run yesterday, the last hard effort before the Season's 20k. I decided to run an out and back with the turnaround being Daniel's Farmstead in Blackstone. On an aside, the Farmstead is a transition point during the Greenway Challenge held this year on September 26th. The views are great from atop this hill and the farm, http://www.danielsfarmstead.org/history.htm dating from before the American Revolution, is a pleasant place to visit.

My scheduled run was 45 minutes at marathon pace and 20 minutes at half marathon pace. I was a bit slow getting out, taking 25:30 to get to the farm on a 23 minute goal. I headed back down the hill passing Spring Hill Farm, a little place with a few cows. I slowed to take a look as I have this obsession with butter and cheese making. I have been working on an Oatmeal Protein Cookie Recipe that requires some butter. I make my butter from heavy cream purchased from a local dairy and it does improve the quality/texture of the cookie. Running along I wondered if hand churning the cream into butter with a dasher, a la back in the day, created a different taste/texture than using the electric mixer as I do. There was only one way to find out.

At 45 minutes I picked up the pace and reaching the BMR high School, forgetting that the new school year was starting, ran through a crowded parking lot. Not wanting to run any more hills, I finished the last 10 minutes on the track. I took a slow walk home, creating a plan for an old school butter churn.

I have a lot of work to do in my shop and did not want to derange my schedule. The churn work did not start until later in the evening. I scoured around for a suitable container and some oak scrap. I found this old 1 liter jar that would hold enough cream to make about 1/2 pound of butter.

 The jar had a lip that would be perfect for minimizing splash. I marked the lid stock, attached it to a faceplate and turned a groove to fit the lip.

The jar lip fit well into the groove and I marked the outside diameter of the lid for turning.

A little roughing gouge work and a few minutes later the shaping was complete.

It took but a few seconds to secure the stock and bore the hole for the dasher handle.

I selected a spokeshave, jumped on my shaving horse and started rounding the dasher handle. Though I was trying to work quickly using power tools, I had to perform at least one task ol' school. Besides, the handle feel is much nicer than that of lathe turned.

I ran out of time and will try to complete the dasher tonight. 

Shoe questions that must needs explanation....

I can't find my Hulu password so instead of watching Murdock Mysteries ...

After five or so years of wearing the funny toe shoes, of a manufacturer to remain non-named, I still receive the odd look, the querulous comments, and occasionally reasonable question.

Why do I wear this shoe? Well, I fancy myself as capable of tossing around anecdotal evidence as well as the next guy...but I won't. I would prefer to run without shoes of any type. To be truthful, upon honor and by faith of a gentleman, I have never seen any data driven evidence proving the benefit of one type of shoe over another.

Wear what suits your feet best.

Though doubt of this continues to exist...what shoe one wears while training or racing matters not, unless, of course, you are getting paid to wear a particular brand.

With all modesty, and a bit of tongue in cheek...the Q and A.

Question: Are those comfortable to run in? ( I assumed the real question is "Are your feet comfortable while running in those shoes"?)

Answer: I wanted to reply that it would be senseless to wear shoes that are uncomfortable; however, as is often the case, people do wear shoes that while fashionable are not comfortable. My most reasonable answer is that I have little awareness of my shoes while running.

Question: Do those shoes have any support?

Answer: I don't know what that means.

Question: Ohhh, those are a fun color.

Answer: Not a question but I always agree for some unknown reason.

Question: Do you run faster in those shoes?

Answer: Umm...faster than? I think I am at least partially responsible for making others run faster. Who wants to be outrun by an old guy in funny shoes? That would be akin to being beat by the person in the port-o-potty costume.

Question: You must go through a lot of those shoes.

Answer: Again, a pseudo-question statement that, probably, is a life of shoe question. While I have several pairs in rotation, the oldest pair I have was purchased in March of 2013. How many miles? My workouts are by heart rate and time, except for mile repeats and such, so I don't count miles. All the data is on Garmin, but I suppose more than 40mpw and less than 65mpw year round would be a fair guess. I do not differentiate between shoes for training and shoes for races. I've attached three images to show wear patterns over time.

Question: Do you wear socks with those shoes? Followed by a quick, "well how could get your toes if you wore socks?"

Answer: In the winter I do wear socks that have individual toes.

Question: Do your feet get wet?

Answer: Yes, yes they do. If it's raining, snowing, or if I step in a pool of water.


I realize that many of you would question my credentials and ability to make the earlier statement about the importance of shoe types. You might say "But John who are you to make shoe judgements, you are so slow?" That may be true, but the reasons I am am slow has nothing to do with my shoes. I am slow because...

1. I don't run enough miles.
2. I drink too much beer.
3. I put too much butter on my tortillas.

Speaking of which...I am getting hungry