Wait. That's not how the song goes. I think it's Keep The Faith. Well, OK. I know for a fact that it's Keep The Faith, but I was struggling with a pun my latest blog post title. We're almost a full two months into the marathon training season, and things seem to be going pretty well. Everyone is tacking on the miles and from what I can hear, also becoming very rungy (translation: run hungry.)
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| The Pittsburgh Marathon Kick off Run |
This year one of the things I wanted to do was become a little more actively involved with SCRR. I wasn't quite sure how I could do that so I chatted with a few of the coaches I knew and came to the conclusion that pacing would be a good start. I know how much it helped me when I joined, so I wanted to return to the favor to others as well. It didn't matter if someone was running their first or second marathon, or maybe even their fifth. I still wanted to help other runners achieve their goal as I had been helped to do so these past two years. And with that, I was added to the 2018 Steel City Road Runner's Pace group. No pressure there, right?
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| The Pittsburgh Marathon Kick off Run |
I'll be honest. I was (and still am,) very nervous about being a pacer. I've had some great coaches and teachers in this area, and they have helped me a great deal in order to finish two marathons. Coach Betsy and Coach Suzanne were with me every step of the way, and were clearly a huge part of my success. "The perfect 10's" is what they like to call us. I'm not going to lie - I dig it. They have and continue to do such a great work when guiding everyone, but could I? I know how I feel after running 10, 13, and even 18 miles. At about 20 miles I can feel my body cussing me out and telling me where I can go. I get very tired, and my mind really starts to get the best of me. It's those reasons and perhaps others that I don't want to let anyone down. But, we're not there yet. Why worry or even stress over something that hasn't happened and may never? Focus on the here and now. We've got a long training season ahead of us. I'll have plenty of time before we ever get to that point.
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| Pink out run for Deanna Skvarla |
For the Dick's Sporting Good Pittsburgh Marathon Kick Off Run (and a few after that,) I took the opportunity to learn some more from Coach Betsy as well as another seasoned runner, Sara Angelilli (check out her block at
http://www.sararunsthistown.com.) If anyone can believe it, I did so quietly and made sure to observe anything that I thought would help me to learn what it takes to be a successful pacer. All throughout the city it seemed like I was able to tell when we were speeding up or slowing down. They always did such an awesome job of making sure that whatever we had to do, we maintained our pace. Since they were leading the way, I dropped to the back of the pack a few times just in case anyone was struggling and needed the extra boost or chatter to get them through the next few miles. I wanted to make sure that not only did we start together, but finished together as well. It was a great run, and a fun one to boot, but at some point, I knew I was not going to have Betsy or Sara's help (or anyone's for that matter,) and that day came pretty quickly.
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| Pink out run for Deanna Skvarla |
February 3rd was the half marathon kick off run, and when we received our pace assignments, I saw that I was flying solo. No partner in crime for me! My first thought? "Uh. oh." That was soon followed by, "Oh, crap." How am I going to do this? Could I do this? Am I going to go too fast or too slow? Will I let anyone down. These were very real thoughts! You'd think at the age of 45 I wouldn't have to worry about something like this, but I was. I also knew that I was worrying myself over nothing. I have a bad habit of overthinking things time and again and I'm pretty sure that's exactly what I was doing that morning. So I said to myself, "look dude (I sometimes call myself dude) you got this. You've run three marathons now, and you run pretty much 5-6 days a week. You normally run the same pace day in and day out. This is no different. Sure you're not running solo and you could be leading a group of 30 other runners, but you can, and you will do this." I really said that. I'm not kidding. OK, maybe not all of it, but I am pretty sure I called myself dude.
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| Pink out run for Deanna Skvarla |
We did have a pretty nice sized group that morning, and ready to tackle 3-5 miles. First up a was a 3 mile loop back to the UPMC Sports Complex on the Southside, and those that needed to continue on for 5 miles would be able to do so. A good majority chose to run 5. Even thought it was a little cold and icy, we were all able to stick together and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Everyone seemed to really be having a good time. When all was said and done, we managed an overall pace of 10:04 per mile. Not too shabby for my first solo flight! I felt pretty proud of that. Everything had gone exactly how I hoped it would, and more importantly, I had fun! Now, could I do this on longer distances? It would be two weeks before I was able to find out, and that happened just this past weekend.
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| Pink out run for Deanna Skvarla |
I was still nervous about leading solo again, but that was mostly because I had 15 miles on my training plan. And, because I had plans close to lunch time, I decided to do half my miles before the group run. This time I said to myself, "OK dude (see, told ya,) you have 15 miles on your schedule today. If you do 8 before, you should be tired enough to keep the 10:00 per mile pace with the group for 7 and see who needs to do the other 2 miles back at the garage." Now due to my always wanting to be on time, my first 8 miles I may have run a tad bit too fast. When I looked at my watch back at the SCRR garage, I averaged 9:23 per mile. I could feel it in my legs, too. Uh oh. (Pause for dramatic effect. Use your own sound effects if you will.)
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| Pink out run for Deanna Skvarla |
Before we headed off for the run, we were advised of the minor detours due to the flooding on the trail. That was OK. After two years of this, I've picked up on most of our routes so these minor detours should not be an issue. It also helps when you can still see the 9:30 group ahead of you. I was just a little worried that I may have tired myself out much too quickly, and that I would not be able to do what I had intended. It may not have been my smartest plan, but it was my plan none the less. Time to deal with it. Tired, thirsty, and a little hungry, it was go time and off we went. After the second mile in with the group, I didn't feel as bad as I thought I would, and my mind was actually at ease. Overall I was feeling pretty good. Two miles in and everything felt...right. (It also helps when you have your Honey Stinger products to fuel your body. You can get those here:
https://www.honeystinger.com. #shamelessproductplacement)
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This year's training shoes: some of my dedications
and people I wanted "with" me every step of training. |
At 4 miles in I started to notice that my GPS watch was going wonky. When I glanced at it, it showed that our group was running a 13:00 mile, and then jumped to an 8:30 mile. Uh, what? I had no clue what was happening so when we approached the water stop, I simply rebooted the thing. We only had approximately 3 miles left before getting back to the garage so a quick reboot should do the trick and get us back on track. That seemed to be the case but according to Garmin, our group ran a 6:59 mile for that 7th mile. Say what? I didn't feel like it but apparently our group turned into the Fast and the Furious! Who knew we were feeling that adventurous? I sure hope they don't ask me to pace the 7:30 group next time out! All kidding aside, even with the slight detours our group ended the run with 8.2 miles by the time we got back to the garage. We we able to maintain our pace, and those that needed night did a quick up and back jaunt. Everyone else decided to head inside to donate to the CF group and grab some heavenly grub. (Audrey Burgoon who runs for team CF makes such a great breakfast!)
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Flood waters near the P3R offices. Waters covered the
North Shore trails |
Since last weekend's run was longer than my first time out, I can honestly say I'm feeling pretty confident in my ability to be able to help pace other runners. I wasn't sure at first, but I surely am now. This felt really good.
When I got home to clean up, I had some more time to think and that run as well as the previous. Pacing definitely seems like the right thing to do this year. I know what I am capable of doing even when I feel that sometimes I may not make it. I think that other runners may probably feel the same way that I do. But, if we can feel that same way together, then we can most certainly accomplish great things together. All we gotta do is keep the pace.
With that, keep on running Pittsburgh.
Sinceriously yours,
Chuck Hull
The Running Jedi
PS: Still plenty of time to donate to the Mario Lemeiux Foundation. The latest give away is a 2017 #teamlemieux prize pack consisting of a tech shirt, insulated water bottle, and a cooling towel. All donations from Feb 19th to March 3rd are eligible! To donate, click the link below. We've raised $1195 to date and the goal is $2500. If we reach $2000 by Feb 28th, I'll be rocking and rolling in a a dress when my band plays The Hangar in Moon on March 3rd! $2500 raised, a signed Mario Lemieux Hockey Helmet will be raffled AND I'll be running the marathon in a flamingo suit! Donate today!
https://www.crowdrise.com/mariolemieuxpitt2018/fundraiser/chuckhull
I'd also like to take the time to thank all that have donated to my fundraiser thus far:
- Stacey Cleary, Mike Burns, Marlene Hull, Michelle Szell, Don Koffler, Eric Noll, The Walter Family, Chrissie Boden, The Hluben Family, Joanne Clark, The Fitzpatrick Family, Shannon Malady, Mario Venneri, Sam and Julie Parker, Adam DeMarco, The Haas Family, Ali Perdue, Craig Ewing, Deanna Skvarla, Sara Majetic, Amy Egan, Eric Kiefer, and Edyta Williams. Thank you all so much! Please feel free to share the link with anyone you may know, as well!
Not signed up for the marathon or half marathon just yet? Use my discount code: HULLDSGPM18
Enjoy a few extra pictures from the last few runs.
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Half Marathon Kick off Run at the UPMC Sports Complex
on the South Side. |
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Half Marathon Kick off Run at the UPMC Sports Complex
on the South Side. |
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| The Pittsburgh Marathon Kick off Run |
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Half Marathon Kick off Run at the UPMC Sports Complex
on the South Side. |
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Half Marathon Kick off Run at the UPMC Sports Complex
on the South Side. |
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| Just "loaf"ing around..... |
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| Who's taking a picture of whom, Coach? |
Last year it seemed like all I was doing was training for something. Come to think of it, I really was. I went from a marathon, to a half marathon, to an attempt at a 50 mile trail run, to yet another marathon and more. I remember from The Great Race on to the end of October I was register to run any random type of race. It seemed as if I was not giving myself a break. I really wasn't. But, was I having fun? Oh yeah. I was having a lot of fun!
One thing about me that most people know is that I always want people to have a good time and enjoy themselves. I'm an entertainer. I need to make people laugh and smile. I need them to feel good about themselves, and if I can help I will. It's one of the reasons why I DJed for over 15 years, and one of the main reasons why I sing for a band. If everyone is having a good time, I know I did my job. And if you are, then I certainly am. But, if neither of us are then we're all in a little bit of trouble.
It's also no different for me when it comes to having my picture taken while I'm out on the run. If I see you, I'm going to make a face. To quote Bill Murray in Stripes, "that's the fact, Jack!" It's as simple as that. I might be the self proclaimed Running Jedi, but I'm also a certified goofball. Sure, there are some pictures out there with my wonderful smile, but if I see you with a camera, you know what's coming next. You know it. I know it. We all know it!
