Sy Mah

Many of you know that I hung out with my best friend, John, at the College of Engineering at the University of Toledo. While there, he and I took an elective in Phys Ed together. The instructor was a guy by the name of Sy Mah. As we got to know him, it turned out he was a marathon runner...not only that, but he ran races almost every weekend. He would tell us stories about how he started running while in his thirties in an effort to get healthier. Then, over time, he would make it into the Guiness Book of World Records for the most marathons run. He was not the fasterst out there but from what I read, would finish within 4 hours (an hour faster than my stretch goal!). Being a casual runner back then, and in a lot better shape, I was amazed by this accomplishment. Now that I am in my forties and trying to run my first, I am astonished by what he could do.

As I train for this first in my life, I googled for him to see if there were any articles out there about him. He ran an amazing 524 marathons in his life. Wikipedia article stated the following of him "A pioneer in running multiple marathons was Sy Mah of Toledo, Ohio, who ran 524 before he died in 1988." Here were a couple articles that I thought were of interest:

http://edm.ouser.org/02/statue/n14se98d-symahstory.htm

http://edm.ouser.org/02/statue/

http://www.halhigdon.com/books/Marabook/Marabook2.htm

http://www.rrcahistory.org/rrcahalloffame/halloffame1980s.html

(Picture from RRCAHISTORY.ORG)

Although there are many who have now passed up his Guiness Record, I still honor him and his accomplishment. I am sure I will be thinking of him as well as my family and all of my supporters while running for those five hours in early May!

Good (or Bad) Advice

So over the past couple of years, I have received advice about preparation for the race from a wide variety of people. Some were strangers sitting next to me on the plane, some from work, and others on the bike path, and of course my wife who takes this training stuff seriously (or maybe not). I figured this is as good as any place to document some of the pointers given to me over the years. Who knows if any of this is GOOD advice so use at your own risk!

I need to eat carbs within 20 minutes of strenuous exercise and protein within 40 minutes. This is to help re-energize and/or rebuild muscles.

I am supposed to drink fluids avery 15 minutes on long runs to stay hydrated and energized

Gu is a savior when your legs are burning at mile marker 16. Take it with a cup of water and watch it work its magic.

You also need to ensure you are getting electrolytes and salt replenished to ensure you don't get leg cramps.

Begin drinking fluids right from the beginning of the race to keep energized. Do not wait until you feel thirsty...it will be too late.

For knee soreness, I need to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee by doing a lot of leg lifts at a relatively low weight.

Cross train and continue to increase your long runs until you reach 20 miles...consider the last 6 as the final stretch...then ramp down over the last two weeks.

On cold or rainy days, wear a garbage bag as a rain coat until the race. You can then rip it off and throw it away when ready.

On the treadmill, you should include an incline of at least 1.5% to better simulate road conditions.

Stretching in the morning will help with overall flexibility during workouts.

I will keep adding to the list as I remember advice that was told to me. Feel free to send me comments or additional advice and I will embelish and heap it on as well!

Comparisons

I have talked to quite a few now abuot my goal of "running" or as I like to say...getting through the marathon without them closing the course on me! Its interesting to think about just how far 26 miles truly is. I would have to run back and forth to my office twice to equal the same distance as the marathon. I would have to run from Kings Island all the way to the river to equal the marathon.

So it got me thinking of the furthest distances I have EVER done. Back in high school, I ran something called the 24 Hour Marathon...it was a team event with 5 guys and 5 girls...we did a relay - every mile you passed the baton to the next. Once you dropped out, you were not allowed back into the relay. I ran a mile every hour or so for a total of 21 miles over that period. We thought that was amazing back then...and still do! I do believe I ran a race for a solid hour once back then and completed close to 8 miles on a track. The past couple of years, I have completed the 13 miles for the half at a much much slower pace...which also seems incredible to me.

I certainly hope I can up my game and complete 26 miles in less than the 7 hours that is required. If I can end up closer to my goal of 5...I would be ecstatic!

Focus on the Journey...not the Destination

"Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it."

I don't know who came up with such a quote but it obviously was not some 40 something training for a marathon. I am all about the destination! I don't enjoy long car rides with upset kids nor lines going through airport security. I definitely don't enjoy rental cars and lost luggage. Maybe if I only applied the phrase to life...knowing that the "destination" was death...or maybe if your destination was Florida and the journey included riding motorcycles cross country...than maybe I get it.

Otherwise, I really don't like the journey when you have to run it. I ran for about 9 miles the other night and I found myself trying to speed up simply because I was not enjoying the so-called "journey". I was all about getting to the destination and soaking in a hot tub.

Now that I am migrating outside, I certainly hope that I start realizing that I must take my time and enjoying the run a little more! I will try to stop and take in the view.

Gu and Jelly beans

I ran into an associate of mine who I have not seen for many years. Turns out he had run the Flying Pig Marathon a couple years ago and shared his experiences with me. Interestingly enough, he shared similar goals as well as challenges that I have...primarily trying to finish in about 5 hours but not having enough time to dedicate to the training.

One thing he did bring up was how those Gu Packets were a life saver for him during the race. He contended without it, he would probably have experienced problems getting through the entire run. Similarly, last year, I turned to "performance" jelly beans during the race. At first, I really thought they were simply high priced normal jelly beans. But they truly seemed to help me through it. And now that I talked to another that says the same...it must be true.

I am shocked that you can take something during the race and have it impact your performance so positively. What the heck is in that stuff?! So I googled it this morn and found a complex mix to help with immediate energy as well as sustainability and recovery. Needless to say - I am going to need all the help I can get so I will ultimately buy a few packs and carry them with me...along with some gatorade and a cell phone so that Sue can geo-locate my body when I collapse at the side of the road! I wonder if there is an app for that? :-)

2 months out...and spring is finally here!

I am about 8 weeks out now and we are just getting outside around here in Cincinnati since the temps are warming up very quickly. I am proud to say I made it 12 miles this past weekend albeit a very painful 12 miles! It was on a totally flat course (the bike trail that follows the Little Miami River) and I stopped for water every couple but still…it was 12 miles! Pace was not too bad. I made it back in about 2 hours. To do so, I once again had Sue drop me off 12 miles away which forced me to run all the way home. There were still patches of snow on the trail which made it a little complicated but we made it through. Interestingly enough, I never once looked at my watch like I do in the gym. I think it is because I had no choice but to keep going until I made it to the house. Stopping was not an option so looking at the time would not buy me anything. In the gym, stopping is ALWAYS an option.

Formally, I am not sure where I SHOULD be in the training but almost running half of the race at this point is huge in my book. I am hoping to run two more long distances over the next 6 weeks…maybe a 14 and an 18 miler. I cannot see me doing more than that before the big day. Besides the last 8 miles is considered the home stretch. :-)

As for weight, I still have not lost any which is killing me. I figured by this point, I should have seen some drop….at least 5-6 pounds. But unfortunately the scales are showing me nothing. I don’t recall having such a problem with it last year although I do believe I modified my diet a little as well. Mental note - maybe I should not be eating so many Panera bagels in the morn…

Of course, the only reason I do it is for my son who continues to do great at Ohio Valley Voices school. We are very lucky to have such a facility so close to us with such great teachers. He will continue with their program into next year and we do everything we can to help the school out. Thanks to everyone that has donated to the cause, and of course, there is still plenty of time for you if you have not and wish to do so. The easiest path is to do it online at https://secure.electronicart.com/ovv/default.asp?fund=marathon . Please make sure to put my name in the “In Honor Of” box.

Only two months left

Wow...I cannot believe there is only two months left for training. I really need to pick up the pace to make sure I have a respectable showing in May. Time just flies by...I blame the kids and their busy schedules! :-)

Went to the gym late last night hoping to get the treadmills all to myself...turns out the place was packed! It did help that the hour long show, Chuck, was on while I was there...made the time pass a little faster than usual. I continue to stick with my goal of running for 70 minutes at a time indoors. Those are becoming my "short" days. Depending on how I am feeling, I get in about 6-6.5 miles during it.

The snow should be melting away so I can get back out on the streets soon. Days are getting longer which is giving me more opportunity to get out as well. My goal is to run 12 miles outside on Saturday or Sunday depending on the weather. If I pull that off, I am doing fine! May be tough given that I have not run outdoors since our mild January.

Thanks to everyone that has donated to the cause so far. I appreciate all the support for my son's school. That truly is what this is about. If I can accomplish something unique like completing a marathon in the process, that is great.