Workout Updates - June 22-July 1

Friday, June 22 - 60 minutes, treadmill, 1.0 incline

The treadmill said 4.84 miles. I started at 4.4 mph and upped it .1 mph every 5 minutes to 5.1. Backed it down to 4.9, then 5.0 and 5.1 to get me to 55 minutes. Then, 5.3, 5.5, 5.7, 4.7 and a cooldown minute to round out the hourt.

Saturday, June 23 - Polish Pickle Run 5K, Bremond

First race in a month. Yes, I know. Stop the presses. 30:52.

Sunday, June 24 - Approximately 7 miles

I ran (mostly) from the finish line out to a place on the bike course - about 2.75 miles - where two main roads came together (50th St. and Ranch Road 835) then back to the 5K point. After seeing Kim come through, I then proceeded to run - in the opposite direction - the remaining 5K of the run course.

Monday, June 25 - 2.5 miles; 60 minutes, stationery bike, level 7

I ran from Planet Ford (after returning a rental car to Enterprise) to my house - at 3:45 p.m., right in the heat of the day - in 27:17 and then later went to Bally's in The Woodlands that evening.

Tuesday, June 26 - 4 miles

I ran eight laps in lane 6 with Waverly before doing another three in lane 1 on my own and then stopping and doing four (4) 400s.

Waverly's splits - 3:23, 3:23, 3:27, 3:28, 3:36, 3:34, 3:26, 3:14 (2.217 miles, 27:31.90, 12:25 pace)
Mine - 2:21, 2:39, 2:32 (.75 miles, 7:42.32, 10:16 pace)
400s - 2:02, 2:04, 2:09, 2:10 (not bad .. I'm happy)

Temperature? Still about 85 with a fair dose of humidity.

Wednesday-Friday, June 27-29 -- Oops! Nothing.

I spent most of these three days trying to get everything done to wrap up my most recent position and project. Additionally, my sleep cycle was completely out of whack even until Saturday late morning (which caused me to ditch plans to either a.) go to Deer Park to do the Independence Run 5K or b.) go run with folks in The Woodlands on Saturday morning.)

Saturday, June 30 - 60 minutes, stationery bike, level 7; 40 minutes, elliptical, level 16

Jim Braden once told me that cycling was a good counterbalance to work the hamstrings from putting so much strain on the quads from running. (I think I have recounted that right.) If anyone would know, it would be the 11-time Ironman. I've been having back and piriformis issues again and it comes from a.) lack of stretching and b.) sitting for long periods of times with my job.

Saturday evening, June 30 - 4.1 miles

Waverly and I did the long loop in the subdivision. She brisk walked it and I slow jogged it so that I could keep my heart rate up and work on landing on my forefoot. I also tried to get a feel for how many 180 footstrikes in a minute is. It is tough to do, but that type of session with her is a good place to practice it. We covered the distance in an hour and 13 seconds (14:41 per).

Vacation Travel is Set!

Waverly and I will be flying to Denver on Sunday evening to take in Colorado and Wyoming.

(These won't be new states for her; however, it will be longer than we spent in both states our first pass through there in the summer of 2003 when we did a St. Louis-to-Mount Rushmore-to-Las Vegas drive that included five state capitals in five straight days and two towns named Waverly - Missouri and Nebraska.)

We'll be staying in Denver Sunday and Monday nights; Laramie, Wyoming on Tuesday; Cody, Wyoming on Wednesday and Thursday nights and then Lakewood, Colorado on Friday and Saturday before flying home Sunday morning.

From a running perspective, I'll be doing the 28th annual Lander Half Marathon in Wyoming on the fourth of July (Wednesday) and the Heavy Half Marathon in Leadville, Colorado on Saturday.

They will represent states No. 16 and 17 in my chase to get to 25 states in which to run a half marathon in. (Actually, the Leadville race is basically 15 miles; however, it counts for the half2run.com criteria.) It is a race that Rick Cook and Andrew Perry were going to drive to and do (and I would have probably gone along to make sure Andrew didn't get lost.)

We're going to go to Elitch Gardens amusement park (a former Six Flags park) on Monday and we'll definitely be in Yellowstone National Park all of Thursday. The rest? We usually make it up as we go. We take a look at where we need to be the next evening, see what is in between and go from there. We've seen a lot of the country that way!

J. Fred Duckett Tributes Continue to Pour In

If you regularly check out the RunHouston Chronicle blog that Edwin Quarles and myself maintain, you'll have known that former Chevron Houston Marathon public address announcer J. Fred Duckett, 74, passed away Monday night from leukemia.

The Rice Owls have set up a page here.

The school where J. Fred taught, Awty International School, posted this very poignant tribute.

Randy Riggs with the Austin American Statesman had this to say.

The online guest book on his Houston Chronicle obituary notice is here.

The most powerful statement may have come from Phil Murray of TexasTrack.com:

A Texas Legend is Gone

"The track and field world lost a true legend Monday night when J. Fred Duckett succumbed to his battle with leukemia at a Houston hospital.

"J. Fred, a teacher at Awty International School in Houston, a long-time track and field official, a former PA announcer for the Houston Astros (known for his rousing call of "Jose Cruuuuuuz!" that all long-time Astros fans remember well) and the Houston Oilers, is best know in the track and field community as the PA voice of many major meets in the United States including the Texas Relays.

"J. Fred's encyclopedic knowledge of track and field brought together stats and passion to his unique perspective. I was fortunate to become friends with J. Fred over the last 10 years because of our shared love for the sport. We spent a lot of time talking about a variety of topics. I will always treasure the memory of the times I shared with my friend who I will miss dearly.

"Not everyone knew just how deeply he cared for the sport of track and field or how much he contributed in so many ways.."

The viewing will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday at George H. Lewis Funeral Home, 1010 Bering Drive, while the memorial service will be at 1 p.m. on Friday at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1015 Holman at Main.

This Weekend, Saturday-Sunday, June 23-24

Waverly and I left Spring this morning at around 5 a.m. to drive to Bremond for the 20th annual Polish Pickle Run 5K.

Without any consistency in training and not having taken advantage of the two half marathons in May, I ran it in 30:52 (30:58 gun less six seconds getting across the line).

I beat Debbie Tripp and Ken Johnson ... that's all that matters. Actually the two of them crossed the finish line a second apart.

We hung out with fellow Seven Hills Running Club and The Woodlands Running Club members - and I'll have a full recap of the day's events on Monday. Lots of great stories!

We left Bremond at about 10:50 a.m. and got to Lubbock - yes, Lubbock - at 4:45 p.m.

We're here to watch Kim Hager - as well as ALRC's Lisa Tilton-McCarthy and Andrew Perry - at tomorrow's Buffalo Springs Lake Half Ironman. Andrew, 20, who works at Luke's Locker and used to run for Caney Creek HS, is making his triathlon debut in the sprint race.

The plan was to surprise Kim; however, she needed to head back to the Expo to buy something that she had forgot to bring from home -- and she saw Waverly and I there. Busted!

She's in a great mood and we're certainly excited for her. Her target race will be in September at Ironman Wisconsin and then later, I believe, at the inaugural Tri 101 World Championship in The Woodlands in November.

More on Monday!

Dean Karnazes Bashing

I belong to an Ultrarunning list-serv. There are some great people - and runners - from all over the world that contribute and share their opinions and they run the gamut.

For almost two days, I saw the range of opinions regarding Dean Karnazes' 24-hour treadmill effort in Times Square. Some would say that it was "over the top" while others might say that it was kind of cool for anybody in the sport to get an opportunity like that in a place like Times Square.

The first thought in my mind was, "How many other people would even attempt it?" Not many.

The problem in this effort, in my mind, was with the product advertiser, Accelerade. When it became clear that Karno wasn't going to make the record and was struggling, they allegedly pulled the camera back where you couldn't see the number of miles that he was at on the big display board.

Karnazes ended up going 128.75 miles, spotted by Bentonville, Arkansas' Jeffrey Genova "as their main webcam zoomed out at the end to show his miles."

Previously, he had an effort that was 147.96 miles.

Accelerade's web site stated the following today:

"Dean Karnazes - a man of inconceivable athletic prowess and endurance - set out to break a world record. He ran for 24 hours and completed a distance equal to the total of five marathons, just one shy of the record."

As list members pointed out, 128.75 is not 131 miles.
And the record is 153.76 miles, not 157.2 miles ("one shy of the record").

United Press International (UPI) reported the following over its newswire:

***Accelerade launched with 24-hour run *
Posted on : 2007-06-22
Author : General News Editor
News Category : US**

**NEW YORK, June 22 (UPI) An endurance runner covered a distance greater than five marathons over 24 hours to help kick off the introduction of a newsports drink.

The launch of Cadbury Schweppes Beverages' Accelerade, a protein-enhanced sports drink, was highlighted by endurance runner Dean Karnazes, who ran on a treadmill for 24 consecutive hours, said a release from Accelerade.

Karnazes attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the longest run on a treadmill in a 24-hour period. He ran more than 130 miles but was just short of the record, the drink's Web site, www.accelerade.com.

In addition, Karnazes raised awareness for prostate cancer and $21,000 for Athletes for a Cure.

Copyright 2007 by United Press International

Then, perhaps in jest, a list member posted the following:

"128 miles vs 131 miles - who sweats the small things, I wonder which number DK will quote himself the 128 or "over 5 marathons" in the future. I also like the "just short of the record" he might want to add that to his repertoire."

My take was as follows:

The one thing that I've noticed over the last two days is that Dean's effort caused more chatter on the list serve in the last 48 hours than any other topic I've seen in the less than a year that I've been on.

I'm curious to know what piece of data on Karnzaes' website that people think that he himself has embellished. I looked this afternoon and I didn't see anything that seemed out of reason.

I think if there is anybody to be taken to task over this, it would be Accelerade's PR people.

I would say that they're guilty of "rounding the numbers" to define the performance to a population that may not understand how long a marathon is. (The novice runner I am ... I get questions from people, "How far is a marathon?") In their minds, "five" sounds more impressive than "almost five", although it is incorrect.

But hasn't Accelerade accomplished their goal in the end and that is for their product to be mentioned more than it ever has been before?

The gamble for them is whether they are thought of highly or not.

As far as the release above goes, UPI would be guilty of only one error and that it (the effort) "was just short of the record."

What you don't know is who the person was that wrote the news brief, whether they know anything about the sport (you would be led to believe that they didn't) and what conditions they were under to get the brief out.

While it is conceivably hard to equal the PR machine that Dean has behind him, I think it would be a whole hell of a lot more useful for the members of this list serve to promote - to their respective media contacts - the best of ultra and trail running as often and as consistently as possible.

If a writer were asking my opinion of Dean's attempt, I'd be saying, "It would have been great if Dean had been able to make the record. He didn't, but he made a good run at it in some tough conditions. We should have more in our sport that are willing to attempt a feat such as that for some great causes that we enjoy supporting."

I'm a runner, albeit not fast, and I have just one Ultra to my credit (Sunmart 50K last December). But I'm, fortunately, a media contact and I've reported on things that I've been informed of through this medium (most recently, the El Scorcho Run in Fort Worth in July.) So thank you!

I'm the VP, Communications for the Houston Area Road Runners Association and edit an 8-page newsletter, "Footprints," that appears in the newspaper, "Inside Texas Running". I write a column (although on hiatus) for the Running Network magazine, "Runner Triathlete News". I write a weekly running column for the Conroe Courier, where I'll be writing about Allen Wrinkle's effort at Big Horn here soon. I host a blog on the Houston Chronicle's web site and I maintain my own blog here.

If I ran as much as I wrote, I'd probably be a lot faster. But I'm fortunate to have been granted as much opportunity as I have to do the best that *I* can for the sport.

If one can prove Dean himself embellishing over this, then take him to task. However, I just don't see him doing it nor the proof that he is.

At the same time, I'm wise enough to not be discouraged about the great ultra and trail running communities over some of the things that I've seen stated on this list.

I'm looking forward to hearing the reports and great stories coming from this weekend's Western States, where Texas has three runners in the mix and there are six registered - aside from Dean - who are also scheduled to be on the starting line at Badwater.

(And the bottom line is that the only person to finish both last year was - if my results cut-and-paste skills were good this week - Dean Karnazes.)

Jon Walk
Spring, TX

Western States 100 - Badwater Double Attempt

This year, seven (7) runners will attempt - at least via the entrants list - the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run and the Badwater 135. They are as follows:

Shannon Farar-Griefer, F, 46, Hidden Hill, CA
David Goggins, M, 32, Chula Vista, CA
Jonathan Gunderson, M, 29, San Francisco, CA
Dean Karnazes, M, 44, San Francisco, CA
Brian Kuhn, M, 33, Champaign, IL
Anne Langstaff, F, 46, Alpine, CA
Linda McFadden, F, 44, Modesto, CA

Last year, 2006, the only runner to do both was:

Dean Karnazes, M, 43, San Francisco, CA, Western States (21:38:34), Badwater (33:33:41)

Western States occurs this weekend from Auburn to Squaw Valley, California and Badwater will get underway on Monday, July 23.

There will be three (3) Texans in both events.

Western States will feature Dallas' Tom Crull, 64, Katy's Nick Papafote, 43, and Austin's Meredith Terranova, 32.

Badwater will have Fort Worth's Stephen Hudgens, Wichita Falls' Frank (Jim) Ingalls and Houston's Tim Neckar.

My Father's Day Gift

Was very simple, yet very powerful.

It was a picture frame with a poem. It reads as follows:

Dad

By Waverly Walk

Determined best describes him

Always loves me no matter what

Daring and always fun to be around

Now you know why I call her the "red-headed princess"!

She did this for everyone else on Mother's and Father's Day as well.

Astros Giveaways

I was copied on this e-mail that was sent to the Houston Chronicle's Letter to the Editor. I thought it was rather right on the money - and maybe an indication as to why the apple didn't fall too far from the tree on some of my opinions ...

This past Saturday night was another of those Astro giveaways. This time it was Brad Ausmus.

First of all, let's understand that the Astros aren't actually giving away anything as they have a promotional sponsor for all of them.

In the case of the Astros, here's how it works for those who might not know. The advance advertisement is usually always for the first 10,000 only. Parents and adults line up outside the ballpark for more than two hours in 90 degree heat hoping their children get one of the 10,000. (More about that later.) The lines wrap around the ballpark.

I almost hate to go anymore on these nights as I know what is going to happen. For every child that is lucky enough to get one of the prized giveaways, there is an equal number of children crying and upset because they didn't get one. Parents are seen desperately trying to explain this to the children before the same kids go screaming their guts out rooting for the Astros.

Happens every time I promise you.

Sometimes it's heartbreaking to see the children's reactions from the rejection. There's not much worse than seeing a kid's heart broken and for what? Something that costs the Astros nothing and was probably made in China?

Now how many times are these same parents, adults and kids likely to return for another game after that experience?

But wait there's more. About that 10,000. Now if the truth is being told about only 10,000, then stay with me a minute more.

Everyone in the Diamond VIP seats is seen with at least one each and you know they didn't stand in any line. Most of the folks that are able to afford to sit in those seats could probably sponsor the give away.

Yes, wait there's more.

Everyone in the lower working press box has one and I assume the same is true in the upper press box as well. Don't think they waited in any line either, but more importantly are the VIP and press/media distributions subtracted from the 10,000?

Baseball is losing a generation of fans with this type of action along with all of the playgrounds, video and arcade games in the ballpark to distract the kids from even watching a ball game.

Now in Pittsburgh, the Pirates give every fan a giveaway when they have these nights and they do it more often then the Astros.

Oh sure, some will say that they do it to get a big crowd. Well, isn't that exactly what the Astros do it for and it usually works.

I'm sure Drayton McLane and Pam Gardner can't be proud of what's happening at the ball park on these nights. Gee, I hope not!

Courier Column Delayed to Monday or Tuesday

In my rush to get ready, get out the door and head to the HARRA Summer Celebration this evening, I sent the picture that went with my column ... but not the column itself.

If you're in or around The Woodlands and want me to tell you when it runs for sure, let me know and I'll e-mail you.

Workout Updates - June 8-17

Friday night - 50 minutes, stationery bike
Saturday early evening - 60 minutes, elliptical trainer, 5.12 miles
Sunday afternoon - 60 minutes, treadmill, 1.0 incline

Sort of ran this like intervals inside of a 4-minute warmup and a 5-minute cooldown. Started at one mph setting for two (2) minutes, bumped it up .2 mph for four (4) minutes, back down .1 mph for two, up again .2 mph for four minutes and repeat. Minutes 51-55 found me bumping the mph up .1 for every minute before starting a cooldown. (Plus I always run for time on the treadmill and never pay attention to the miles.)

Monday evening - 36 minutes, treadmill and 20 minutes, stationery bike

I didn't finish my goal run, but I got in the length of the workout that I wanted. I started out - with a 1.0 incline - at 4.4 mph and decided to bump it .1 mph every 5 minutes. Well, after, 15 minutes, I was bored (but didn't want to go all the way hard) so when I took it to 4.7 mph I also moved the incline to 1.5.

Since I'm going to be doing the Heavy Half Marathon in Leadville, Colorado, it might be good for me to start running some inclines. Well, I did another 15 minutes and at 5.0 mph, I moved the incline to 2.0. Wow! That wore me out. After five minutes, I had to drop it back to 1.0 when I moved the speed to 5.1 mph. I lasted a minute and I was whipped.

Tuesday - 75 minutes, stationery bike (4:15-5:30) and 3.84 miles, track (6:45)

Nothing spectacular, but better than a zero. 3.84 miles, 41 minutes, 7 seconds, 10:42/pace. While it had cooled down to the low 80's as the rain blew north up Interstate 45, it was still very humid.

Wednesday - 60 minutes, elliptical trainer, 5.02 miles and 10 minutes, stationery bike

Thursday through Sunday - Crash! Nothing!

1972 Houston Marathon Winner to Speak for HARRA

Saturday night's HARRA Summer Celebration, which will recognize the Spring Runner of the Season money winners, will feature 1972 Houston Marathon winner Dan Green, who currently serves as the highly successful boys cross country and track coach at The Woodlands High School.

Green, a 14-year veteran of the Chevron Houston Marathon, won the inaugural event on Saturday, December 30, 1972 in Memorial Park with a time of 2:32:33.

The Houston Area Road Runners Association (HARRA) Summer Celebration will be held at Sokol Houston, located at 1415 W. Patton near Main Street, from 6 to 9 p.m. More information can be found on HARRA's website at http://www.harra.org/.

The 13-time state champion cross country coach will be speaking earlier in the day in Dallas on "Motivating Runners" at the annual summer clinic of the Cross Country Coaches Association of Texas (CCCAT).

HARRA had also invited Dan's pastor to join him at the Summer Celebration, which, to some, might seem to be a bit of an odd request.

His pastor, though not at that time, finished tied for fourth at the inaugural Houston Marathon just six minutes and 11 seconds (in 2:38:44) behind Green with his Rice University teammate.

The fourth-place finisher would later go on to win both the Houston and Dallas White Rock Marathons before coming in second to Bill Rodgers by just two seconds at the 1978 Boston Marathon.

That, of course, was Jeff Wells, who is now the pastor of Woods Edge Church in The Woodlands.

Wells said via e-mail that he "would count it an honor to speak to the group (with Green)," but a prior commitment that day would keep him from the Houston area.

In April, both Wells and Green spoke to Boston-bound runners from Montgomery County and far north Harris County at a function in The Woodlands directed by The Woodlands Running Club.

Wells' daughter, Callie, a junior at Rice University, was named Tuesday as the recipient of Conference USA's 2006-07 Scholar Athlete of the Year Award, as approved by the Board of Directors. C-USA Scholar Athlete of the Year awards are presented to the top student-athletes in each conference-sponsored sport.

Wells was third in the mile at the C-USA indoor championships, and added a fourth-place finish in the 3000 to help the Owls to their first conference indoor title. She was named as the Joyce Pounds Hardy award winner as Rice's top female student-athlete earlier this year.

The Woodlands RC defeats Seven Hills RC at RTW 5K #179

What a great day it was! A great turnout - and effort - by both clubs!

The audited results now show that 54 TWRC runners finished and 49 Seven Hills Running Club members did. (This means that the top 49 runners score.)

When the 98 runners are ranked 1 to 98 and the points are added cross country style, The Woodlands Running Club had 1,871 points and the Seven Hills Running Club had 2,980 to give TWRC the win.

1. 17:13 - Bethuel Akuma, M (Open)
2. 17:29 - Jacob Mazone, M (Masters)
3. 17:48 - Lee Harlicker, M, TWRC
4. 18:35 - Rob Tripp, M, TWRC
5. 18:48 - Eugene Esselborn, M, TWRC
6. 19:38 - Robert Duncan, M, 7HRC
7. 19:45 - Daniel Liszowski, M
8. 19:47 - Joseph Mazone, M
9. 19:49 - Matt Martinez, M
10. 19:51 - Jim Donahue, M
11. 20:13 - Gary Duncan, M, 7HRC
12. 20:18 - Michael Ladeau, M
13. 20:41 - Kelli Kallus, F, 7HRC (Open)
14. 20:53 - Ben Harvie, M, 7HRC
15. 21:04 - Paul Moschell, M, TWRC
16. 21:05 - Mike Freeman, M
17. 21:20 - Vincent Attanucci, M, TWRC
18. 21:23 - Alana Rose-Lynes, F, TWRC
19. 21:26 - Greg Scharer, M
20. 21:27 - Pam Meaux, F, TWRC (Masters)
21. 21;42 - Mike Lucas, M, TWRC
22. 21:52 - Maria Esselborn, F, TWRC
23. 21:57 - Mitch Hall, M, TWRC
24. 22:13 - Susie Schreiber, F, TWRC
25. 22:17 - Kevin Golden, M, TWRC
26. 22:19 - John Soul, M
27. 22:28 - Mike Csikos, M, TWRC
28. 22:36 - Tom Courtney, M
29. 22:40 - Niki Swearingen, F, 7HRC (Club vice president)
30. 22:54 - Nick Bellnoski, M, 7HRC
31. 22:56 - Robert Martinez, M
32. 23:02 - Julie Sparks, F, TWRC (TWRC TxIndRelay team member)
33. 23:30 - Joseph Walkowizz, M (listed as TWRC originally)
34. 23:38 - Garland Spivey, M, 7HRC
35. 23:45 - Andrew Murray, M, 7HRC
36. 23:48 - Zachary Gehring, M
37. 23:49 - Gary Van Kuiken, M, TWRC (50 States Marathon Club member)
38. 23:53 - David Wadsworth, M, TWRC (Club president)
39. 23:54 - Dave Smart, M, TWRC (Bloggers TxIndRelay team member)
40. 24:00 - Sharon Griggs, F, TWRC
41. 24:05 - Randy Bradley, M, TWRC
42. 24:09 - Stan Timmer, M, 7HRC
43. 24:14 - Mike Kelly, M
44. 24:18 - Ken Hardwick, M, TWRC
45. 24:35 - Carrie Davies, F, TWRC
46. 24:38 - Chris Kunkel, M, 7HRC
47. 24:46 - Robert Barger, M, TWRC
48. 24:49 - Jason Hinojosa, M
49. 25:06 - Scott Campbell, M, TWRC (Inaugural club president)
50. 25:17 - Joe Hahn, M
51. 25:18 - Leslie Hajdo, M, TWRC
52. 25:19 - Stewart Comrie, M, TWRC (TWRC TxIndRelay team member)
53. 25:23 - Jerry Flanagan, M, 7HRC
54. 25:26 - Paula Stiles, F, TWRC
55. 25:33 - Jennifer Worthington, F
56. 25:35 - Christopher Wilson, M, 7HRC
57. 25:41 - Tyler Pruss, M, TWRC
58. 25:49 - Bill Phelan, M, TWRC
59. 25:54 - Robbie Rossi, M (listed as TWRC originally)
60. 25:55 - Russel Daniels, M
61. 25:59 - Holden Choi, M (Bloggers TxIndRelay team member)
62. 26:11 - Hans Jaeger, M, 7HRC
63. 26:15 - Sara Seale, F, 7HRC
64. 26:16 - Curtis Barton, M, 7HRC
65. 26:32 - Steve Griggs, M, TWRC
66. 26:38 - Peter Hobart, M
67. 26:39 - John Dunphy, M, 7HRC
68. 26:43 - Michelle Comrie, F, TWRC (TWRC TxIndRelay team member)
69. 26:54 - Greg Alvarez, M, TWRC (TWRC TxIndRelay team member)
70. 27:05 - Mike Mendeck, M, TWRC
71. 27:14 - John Loftus, M, 7HRC
72. 27:15 - Len Hill, M, 7HRC
73. 27:38 - Ben Johnson, M, 7HRC
74. 27:41 - Mark Stephens, M, 7HRC
75. 28:16 - Beth Caillouet, F, 7HRC
76. 28:17 - Cary Schorsch, M, TWRC
77. 28:19 - Denise Van Kuiken, F, TWRC
78. 28:27 - John Cook, M, 7HRC
79. 28:44 - Mary Kerschbaum, F, TWRC
80. 29:30 - Geri Henry, F, TWRC (50 States Marathon Club member)
81. 29:45 - Michael Hardwick, M
82. 30:03 - Gloria Phelan, F, TWRC
83. 30:23 - Greg Saloman, M, TWRC
84. 30:24 - Theresa Breslin, F, TWRC
85. 30:34 - Alessandra Rossi, F
86. 30:35 - John Rossi, M
87. 30:38 - Ron Longtin, M, TWRC
88. 31:15 - Tom Pinney + Rjole, M
89. 31:49 - Ryane Broussard, F, 7HRC
90. 32:42 - Diane Tobin, F
91. 33:10 - Ray Alexander, M, 7HRC
92. 33:13 - Lou Wilson, M, TWRC (50 States Marathon Club member)
93. 33:35 - Nicholas Jones, M
94. 33:36 - Meredith Carter, M
95. 33:37 - Sarah Jack, F
96. 33:39 - Matthew Jones, M
97. 33:54 - JoAnn Welker, F, TWRC
98. 33:58 - Mark Whittemore, M, TWRC
99. 34:24 - Ron Davis, M, 7HRC
100. 34:34 - Susan Meyers, F, TWRC
101. 35:09 - Tom Battle, M, TWRC
102. 35:14 - Jana Timmer, F, 7HRC
103. 35:36 - Charles Bregenzer, M, 7HRC
104. 36:04 - Lori Eubanks, F, TWRC
105. 36:13 - Nicolas Smart, M, TWRC
106. 36:17 - Debbie Tripp, F, TWRC
107. 36:18 - Selena Harvey, F, TWRC
108. 37:11 - Ken Johnson, M, 7HRC (Club president)
109. 37:44 - Mary Patterson, F, 7HRC
110. 37:46 - Mikki Novak, F, 7HRC
111. 37:51 - Donna Ryals, F, TWRC
112. 38:19 - Emma Gehring, F
113. 38:21 - Dan Ortloff, M, 7HRC
114. 38:32 - Angela Gehring, F
115. 38:37 - Marisa Padilla, F, 7HRC (showed up late and ran)
116. 38:39 - Althea Caldwell, F, TWRC
117. 38:51 - Joe Eubanks, M, TWRC
118. 44:04 - Waverly Walk, F, 7HRC
119. 44:43 - Christine Bregenzer, F, 7HRC
120. 46:31 - Emma Felicidario, F, TWRC
121. 46:32 - Karen Felicidario, F, TWRC (Bloggers TxIndRelay team member)
122. 49:45 - Marcus Evans, M, 7HRC
123. 49:46 - Trini Evans, F, 7HRC
124. 49:47 - Angie Burns, F, 7HRC (showed up late and ran)
125. 49:49 - Leah Mulligan, F, 7HRC (showed up late and ran)
126. 50:20 - J.C. Guzman, M, 7HRC (showed up late and ran)
127. 51:21 - Justin Ong, M, 7HRC
128. 51:28 - Kayland Spivey, F, 7HRC
129. 51:30 - Colleen Spencer, F, 7HRC
130. 52:16 - Vonda Spivey, F, 7HRC
131. 52:17 - Marilyn Johnson, F, 7HRC
132. 52:18 - Mary Ann Davis, F, 7HRC
133. 55:01 - Edward Realzola, M, 7HRC
134. 55:02 - Michael Deane, M, 7HRC
135. 1:02:04 - Courtney Gremillion, F, 7HRC
136. 1:02:05 - Drew Rodgers, M, 7HRC

Today was the third largest turnout in Run The Woodlands' eight-year history. The previous highs are as follows:

394 - Run The Woodlands 5K #165, November 11, 2006 - "The Hans Race"
175 - Run The Woodlands 5K #159, August 12, 2006 - "Seven Hills beats HRB"
136 - Run The Woodlands 5K #179, June 9, 2007 - "TWRC defeats Seven Hills"
127 - Run The Woodlands 5K #146, January 28, 2006 - "Team In Training Competition"

Of course, the "Hans Race" had many walkers that pushed the overall attendance in the neighborhood of 600.

What's interesting is that Bill and I have had the opportunity to directly have our hands in the other three races that cracked the 100 finishers barrier! We've been very fortunate to be blessed with a lot of friends that love the sport. :)

It's Going to Be Close ....

... as it will all boil down to the running!

Here are e-mails from the team coordinators for both The Woodlands Running Club and the Seven Hills Running Club --

From Bill Dwyer (TWRC):

Dave Smart is signing up with TWRC in the AM
Had one who said they can't make it ...
and 5 new responses that say they can
We are at 54 confirmed.......I wouldn't be suprised if we have a lot more

From Ken Johnson (7HRC):

We had another member sign up earlier today, Mikki Novak of Houston, and she is suppose to be running with us tomorrow. I put her on membership list this afternoon. Just want to make sure she is on the list you downloaded for tomorrow.

While I have added a few, I have had a lot of drop outs. Right now, I have 54. It should be close tomorrow in terms of participation.

I'd call 54 to 54 .... very close!

Friday at Home

I'm back in the States until the 18th and then I make my last two-week rotation to Vancouver, British Columbia. (So I'll be making my last weekend running road trip in the Pacific Northwest, which is what I should have done this past weekend.)

Astute readers would surmise that there must be a change in my job situation on the horizon and they would be right. While it isn't appropriate for me to disclose the company that I'm leaving or the one that I'm going to here in cyberspace, the change is a major plus for my career.

The company that I am working for announced that it was dissolving our division. It was profitable, made money, hit revenue targets and all of the like, but in the scope of the larger group that we were in, we represented less than 1% of the total revenue. Therefore, it was strictly a business decision to move in a different direction.

I was very fortunate as I was on a project that was ongoing and had a signed contract through the end of October (and was just recently extended to the end of May 2008). This gave me an opportunity to adequately evaluate my various options. (Some of my peers weren't as lucky.)

I reached out to the company that I am going to work for, beginning on Monday, July 9th, and they became very interested in my abilities and background in the healthcare revenue cycle area. I received a verbal offer last Wednesday and the written offer two days ago. Needless to say, it didn't take too long for me to get the ink on the offer and get it back.

I'll still travel. (I've been doing that since 1994 anyways.) And I'll still live in Houston, which means I'll continue to support the running community in our area as long as I have the energies and the abilities.

I was communicating via e-mail this afternoon with HARRA president Anna Sumrall Helm about next Saturday's Summer Celebration and we're both excited about having another go around in 2007-2008 for the current Board. It's a great group of people and I'm proud to serve with the individuals that are on it. (I just wish I could be at more Board meetings.)

We need to increase our footprint (no pun intended on the newsletter) in the Houston area and that will continue to take a lot of work. This past year was one of transition and a learning year for many involved. Webmaster Sarah Graybeal, membership director Erin Foley and treasurer Audrey Christiansen have worked incredibly hard the past month or two to begin to transform the website and put in some membership options that never existed before.

I've been very fortunate with the cooperation that I have received from the clubs in getting more of their club reports in Footprints. I think we've had some great writing from Dr. Bob Hoekman, Jessica Alexander, Edwin Quarles and the big feature by Doug Spence on Seymour Lieberman.

I'm obligated to promote HARRA members first and there are times where I've had to pull back on an item or two because the individual wasn't a HARRA member. However, that is the right thing to do as we need those runners to support HARRA too. (I'm personally excited about the upcoming July/August issue as Edwin did a nice feature story on Lea Carruthers. A good man writing about someone who is very humble about the abilities she's been blessed with.)

Jack McClintic has done a tremendous job in taking charge of the Power In Motion the last three seasons after having to fill an untimely void in the program. With assistance from Tom Radosevich and a cross-section of coaches from across the Houston running club system, Jack has made sure that the original spirit of PIM was preserved and perpetuated when there were those who thought that HARRA might strikeout on the selection of spit balls it was thrown.

And Jack already has the table set for the Fall 2007 session!

The Summer Celebration will have a surprise or two ... and we'll have the chance to recognize some folks, especially the Runner of the Season money-winners. You'll have to show up to find out the rest!

Tomorrow is going to be a huge day at Run The Woodlands 5K #179 -- the Seven Hills Running Club in Huntsville versus The Woodlands Running Club in The Woodlands.

Weekend Update

This isn't going to be the smartest thing that you'll read that I've done, but I did it and now - ouch! - I'm paying for it.

I was up late Friday night working on my Sunday column for the Conroe Courier. When the alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. Pacific to get showered, and start the drive down to the Seattle area to do a 10K, I decided to scrap it.

Primarily because I didn't want to hassle myself with coming back north across the Border.

The Canadian dollar is its strongest against the U.S. dollar since July 1977. That means, with the beautiful weather, that there should have been a steady flow of Canadians heading south to the States this weekend.

So I slept in for a little bit, finished my column and went to get a late breakfast around noon. I had to stick around until 2 p.m. to update the parking on the car in the garage so I started in on a book that I picked up last weekend, "My FBI", by Louis Freeh.

I began to think about taking a walk around the city and to see how far I could go, especially since I wasn't going to be here on a regular basis perhaps by the end of June.

One mistake is that I didn't do this in my running shoes. I did it in my regular athletic or "tennis" shoes and now the balls of my feet are pretty banged up. (I have no idea how folks do 100-milers and more.) Just getting around today is going to be a challenge.

So how far did I go? 24.88 miles.
Here's the route: http://www.usatf.org/routes/view.asp?rID=133322

Yes, I almost walked a marathon. And for the record, I do not understand how anybody can walk that distance. To those of you who do, I'm impressed.

I realized that when I was running Fargo two weekends ago that I felt I had lost my mental edge to do a marathon. Well, I think I got a little of that back.

Once I got started, I also thought that it would be a good test to see how I felt - right now - with all of the banging that my body - not just my feet - would take again over that distance. Obviously, I recovered pretty well from doing one half one day and another one the next.

I'm not as sore and exhausted as I am in running a marathon, but the wrong choice of shoes have really left my feet in pretty bad shape this morning.

I had 7 hours and 54 minutes on my watch, but there was 36 minutes that I had either stopped to get something to drink (three times), go to the restroom, buy a hat (since it was sunny) and to grab dinner at the very end of the stretch. I'm sure that the last hour plus was very slow.

One portion of where I walked was part of the course for the Scotiabank Vancouver International Half Marathon, which will be run in approximately three weeks. That was not a good event for me last June 25 (2:29) and I'm not sure that I enjoyed seeing it too much at about the same point in my journey yesterday.

Before I got back and evaluated how bad my feet hurt, I was even thinking about going out to the 10K today in White Rock, BC and volunteering, but again - ouch!

City Running Tours

I'm on an ultrarunning list-serv and I received an e-mail not too long ago -- well, less than an hour ago -- about a business named "City Running Tours".

They're setup in New York and Washington and the e-mail indicated that Boston was going to be added soon. The website also says that Chicago, Austin and Denver would be "coming soon."

The pitch is rather appealing ...

Imagine being able to explore portions of Washington, DC's 100 square miles and two states (Virginia and Maryland) on foot with a guide all on the same run – in the same day. To enable runners of all levels to see well recognized landmarks (the U.S. Capitol, for example) while doing what they love, DC RUN is the first and only company to offer the adventure of a guided running tour.

See with your own eyes one of the most photographed cities in the world. There are sights - some renowned (The Washington Monument) – others not so much so (the Freer Gallery of Art) on runs ranging from 3 – 20 miles…or more if desired. For both the Downtown and Environs runs - starting points can be as close as the front door of your hotel or home – or at a metro stop – tailored to your convenience. Using the metro, point to point routes can be implemented.

Then comes the pricing ...

Each tour includes:

• An experienced City Running Tours guide that will show and educate you about the city's attractions
• Choice of an existing route or a custom-designed tour for those in training or desiring to see specific sites
• City Running Tours t-shirt
• Souvenir photo
• Discounts to local running stores
• Product samples and information
• Charitable contribution of 10% of the total fee donated to St. Jude Children's Hospital

For New York City, the price is $60 per person for the first six miles and $6 per person for each mile after that. For all other cities, the price is $50 per person for the first six miles and $4 per person for each mile after that. Discounts apply for groups of four or more. Gift certificates are available.

Remember what I said on the RunHouston Chronicle blog recently about the sport being a "cash cow". Well, this is your latest example.

$60 per person for the first six miles and $6 per person for each mile after?

That certainly is a super-expensive 10K!

But seriously, could you see this if Rick Cook - aka DirtRunner - was doing The Woodlands Running Tour?

• An experienced The Woodlands Running Tour guide that will educate you about the history of Montgomery County.
• Choice of a pre-designed, no-concrete DirtRunner route or a custom-designed night run for those looking to live life a bit on the edge.
• Race-worn "Post Properties" race shirt. Dirt included and guaranteed.
• Souvenir photo with DirtRunner and the mascot of The Woodlands, Puffy the Pine Cone.
• Discounts to Luke's Locker in The Woodlands.
• An autographed trademark "D'Enefin" window decal sticker.
• An "Almost Never Lost" talking Andrew Perry compass.
• A specially-designed ultra-like finisher's award, custom made in DirtRunner's garage while you rehydrate.
• Free entry to Run The Woodlands 5K.

I hear the cash register ringing now!

Late Thursday Night Run in Vancouver, BC

As I started my run yesterday evening at approximately 11 p.m. Pacific time, I couldn't help but think about a couple of good friends - Ken Johnson of the Seven Hills Running Club and fellow The Woodlands Running Club member Vincent Attanucci, as stated before - a Penn State graduate.

Both of these gentleman have a streak of running every day that I believe has gone on for at least three years each. (Ken had a longer one at one point that was interrupted due to a hospitalization.) I need to figure out a way to be satisfied with a 30- to 40-minute run every day and set aside some of the personal and work stresses and make this happen. So ... I come here to cleanse myself. :)

Last night, I just went out to run since I had let personal things (Sunday and Monday) and travel and work (Tuesday and Wednesday) from doing what I should.

I'm staying at the Marriott Pinnacle in downtown Vancouver and I headed towards Stanley Park. My plan was to run around it and then back to the hotel, which I thought would have given me approximately 8-to-9 miles.

From Thanksgiving to mid-December, the Pacific Northwest had been pounded with lots of rain - a large amount of snow for the area - and high winds. As a result of the latter, lots of trees in Stanley Park were uprooted (which will cost close to $10 million to completely cleanup). In fact, many of the trees on the north side of the park, close to the Lions Gate Bridge, had fallen on the seawall and has been keeping it closed.

I encountered that last night.

From the hotel to "approximately" where I got to on the seawall was 3.62 miles (and it could have been a little longer) and it took me 39:30.76. I was running at a pace that, from a cardio standpoint, was comfortable and that I could have carried on a reasonable conversation at. (I was just getting my body used to pounding on the pavement again.)

There was a sign that pointed me to a trail. (I thought to myself that I should have brought my headlamp this trip.) At first, innocent enough, I thought the trail may lead me beyond the bridge and past the point along the seawall where the downed trees were. However, I would have had to have crossed the road that runs through the middle of Stanley Park from the Lions Gate Bridge to downtown.

I was only on this trail for about 10 minutes until I got out to the road, but it was all a good gradual uphill that I ran comfortably most of the way. (I really wanted to get out of there because I was a little concerned about my safety. Thank goodness there was a full moon out last night too.)

When I got to the road, I had a decision. Take a left and head back to the hotel or go right and run over and back over the Lions Gate Bridge. I made the "right" decision!

The distance is again an approximation, but I went over the bridge and back and then down through the park to downtown and finished with another 3.51 miles in 39:07.63. This could have been a little bit faster since the last mile and a half was all a gentle downhill; however, the jarring of the body began to slow me down a little bit.

So ... 7.1 miles and change. I'll take it.