A PR, Fun With Friends & Another Fantastic Marathon

Haylee and I right after I crossed the line.

It's official. The Knoxville Marathon is my race.

It's the race I want to do every year.

I love it.

After running it for the third year in a row, Knoxville has become THE race I must do. Every year. And I mean: Every. Year.

There are a variety of reasons why I love this race. For one, it's in my backyard. As long as I can remember, I always enjoyed going to Knoxville, and I spent the better part of my college days at nearby Carson-Newman in the city. Secondly, it is a fun and challenging course. Hills. Love the hills. Next, it is so well supported. Every year, it seems more people come out and cheer on the runners. Nothing like a place embracing an event like this.

But the biggest reason I love this race is all the friends I've made in the Knoxville running community. Each year, I've made more friends, making each trip back like a homecoming of sorts. I saw and caught with so many people this year that I would hate to list them all because I know I would forget someone.

My 2013 Races In Photos

I thought 2012 was an amazing year for me running-wise, but 2013 kicked 2012's butt. 

It has been nothing but wonderful if for no other reason than I got to run with my bride and daughter a lot this year. (Hopefully in 2014, my son will join us.) And while I will have a year-in-review post coming soon, I wanted to relive with you my races this year in photos.

The race count was modest for me this year as I ran in only seven races with one marathon, three half marathons, two 5Ks and a 4-miler.

No Goal Time, But I Got A PR

For months I trained for the Iron Horse Half Marathon with the goal in mind of hitting a sub-2. On the surface, it seemed doable. I mean, what's a measly 5 minutes 14 seconds, right?

But we're talking about shaving 24 seconds off per mile.

I am happy to report I gave it my all. I'm confident in knowing I did my best.

Unfortunately, my best on this day did not result in a sub-2. However, my time of 2:04:20 did give me a course PR and a half marathon PR, and I'll gladly take that any day of the week.

Still Alive And Running

I love my job. I love it so much that it doesn't seem like a job.

And that's a good thing.

However, working in college athletics can be crazy. Summers are busy, but the job becomes much more laid-back and very 9-to-5. Yet, once August hits and the fall sports student-athletes report, all bets are off. The whirlwind begins and I kiss my bride and kids goodbye until May or June.

OK, it's not that crazy, but it seems that way at times. (Ask my bride and kids how much they see me during the first of November, from late-February through mid-March and in May.)

Because of this craziness, my blogging suffers and I'm unable to update here regularly. Thankfully, my running doesn't suffer. To be honest, it can't suffer since that is how I keep my sanity.

Training Is A Process

Me after a hot run this summer - which summarizes my
feelings of yesterday's run.

So, I announced on Monday to the world I've set the goal of running a sub-2 half marathon this fall. My first attempt at this mark is now less than 16 weeks away. Yesterday was my first training session for this race, and what do I do?

Cram all the sessions in to one.

Yup, yesterday's run was a bad one.

Apparently, I thought I should try to run a sub-2 on Day 1. I know better, and my body quickly reminded me of how foolish I was being.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was a tortoise turned into a sub-2 half marathoner.

Time To Up The Ante: Seeking The Sub-2 Half

"You can't hit a home run unless you step up to the plate. You can't catch a fish unless you put your line in the water. You can't reach your goals unless you try." ~ Kathy Seligman 

I love setting goals for myself. They give me something to shoot and strive for. No matter the area of life, you need goals to give you direction and drive. Otherwise, you end up going about life aimlessly.

Early in my running, I saw the importance of have a goal out there to keep me motivated, to keep me going, to keep me getting up early and hit the pavement.

At first, signing up for a race was enough motivation. I had to run and train in order to be able to finish. Then it was to PR, to try a new distance and so on and so forth.

But with each goal achieved, a new one must replace it.

And the ante must be upped.

Mark Rucker's Journey: From Couch Potato to Triathlete

Mark after the 2012 Iron Horse Half Marathon

I've been thinking for some time to mix in some guest posts. I've been fortunate to get to know some amazing people through Twitter, DailyMile and the blogsosphere, that I want to share their stories as well.

Finally, I'm adding guest posts, and I could not think of a more perfect person to feature - Mark Rucker.

I met Mark through DailyMile and then got to meet him in person as we ran the Iron Horse Half Marathon in October of 2012 - his first half marathon. His upbeat, positive and encouraging personality you see online is exactly what you get when you meet him in real life.

Over the past couple years, Mark has been waging the Battle of the Bulge, and he is winning as he's gone from a couch potato to a soon-to-be Ironman! His story is so compelling, he was recently featured on CNN.com.

So without any further ado, here's Mark in his own words:

My Road to Becoming a Half Fanatic

A few months ago, my lovely bride asked me what I wanted for Christmas. I'm not one who wants for much. I mean, I have a loving family, a roof over my head, food on my table and am healthy enough to run. What more does a guy need?

Yet, there was one thing I wanted. Money for membership in Half Fanatics!

My Bride: "Half Fanatics? What's that?"

Me: "It's a running club for people who half marathons and run so many during a certain about of time. With the three I'll be running in seven weeks, I'll qualify."

My Bride: "I think you're fanatical already."

My bride is wonderfully supportive of my running, but I know she thinks I'm nuts when I start rambling about running and all the races and distances I want to run. But she still loves me anyway. :)

Ever since I learned of the existence of the Half Fanatics, I longed to become one. I NEEDED to be one.

A Whole Lotta Ho Ho Hos - Santa Hustle Smokies Half Recap

Knew it would be a good race when my
race bib number was 816 - same as my
anniversary (August 16).

So, I ran yet another half marathon this past Sunday. My third one in seven weeks, qualifying me to become a Half Fanatic!

While I'm super stoked to join the Half Fanatics (member No. 1684!), a blog post on that will have to wait for another day.

Sunday's race was the Santa Hustle Smokies Half Marathon, and I was excited about it the moment I found out about it in a Groupon. Yes, I said Groupon.

Nothing like opening an email and finding out you can register for a race for HALF PRICE!!!

When I got the email, I was already signed up to run the Iron Horse Half and the Secret City Half. Those two races wouldn't alone wouldn't qualify me for the Half Fanatics since they were four weeks apart. But add in the Santa Hustle Smokies Half, and the three in 50 days did!

The fact I could become a Half Fanatic had me excited about this race, but add in the fact all runners would receive a special Santa tech shirt, a Santa hat and beard to run it, and I couldn't sign up fast enough. Hundreds of Santas on parade in East Tennessee!

The Battle That Raged Within - Secret City Half Marathon Recap-Part 2

Enjoying some Gatorade at the halfway point.

In spite of the overall wonderful experience I had at the Secret City Half Marathon, there was one thing I really struggled with. In fact, I wrestled with this issue for a few days after the event.

I had no clue on how I should approach this half marathon.

All along, I viewed this race as a 'fun' one. Just one to enjoy the scenery, clock 13.1 miles, collect another t-shirt and medal and just have fun, in large part, because my kids were also running. I wanted the day to be more about them. I, after all, had already run three half marathons and this was their first race ever.

Confusing me even more was the fact that this was the second of three half marathons I running in within a seven-week stretch. On Oct. 23, I ran the Iron Horse Half Marathon in Midway, Ky., the Secret City Half was on Nov. 20, and I'm running the Smokies Santa Hustle Half on Dec. 11 in Sevierville, Tenn. I had never participated in races so close together before. Not even 5Ks.

But someone wants to become a Half Fanatic, so I registered for these three races.

Mission 2:15 Accomplished - Iron Horse Half Recap

VICTORY!!!

Gee whiz, I have been swamped. Finally going to get this race recap done ... only THREE WEEKS after the fact.

Ahhhh, the SID's life!

ANYWHO ... here's the recap

On Sunday, Oct. 23, I ran the Iron Horse Half Marathon in Midway, Ky., and I loved it! And not because I kicked my PR in the butt!

Heading into this half marathon, my goal was to complete the course in 2 hours, 15 minutes - 16 minutes better than my previous PR. Training was going well until late September when life interrupted and complicated things. Travel for work and dealing with some other life issues, getting my training runs in became difficult. 

All of those was going on with less than a month away from the Iron Horse. At this point, I made a decision. I was confident in my training in that I knew I would PR. I've become stronger and my endurance had built up to a good point that I knew I would be able to break my previous PR of 2:31:01. So, I decided to just enjoy the run. 

Iron Horse Half Marathon - Training Week 4

Had a real good week of training. With the kids back in school, I'm really starting to get into a rhythm and a routine, which is nice.

The weather was also nice over the weekend. Temperatures were in the mid-60s and humidity was mild for this time of year, making my long runs nice and tolerable.

You know, I could really get used to that.

Iron Horse Half Marathon - Training Week 3

This was a rough week for me running-wise. Life got in the way a wee bit and my knee bothered me some as well.

Ended up taking three days off in all, but not complaining or whining about it. I really do think I needed the rest so I'm going to embrace that and move on.

Iron Horse Half Marathon - Training Week 2

Another week is in the books.

Can't really tell you how glad I am in training mode. Nothing like going out on runs with a goal in mind and a target to shoot for.

And with each passing run, I get more anxious to run the Iron Horse Half Marathon.

Iron Horse Half Marathon - Training Week 1

One week down, 13 more to go.

I am really liking the training program I'm using this time around. Also, like that I'm upping the ante by moving from the beginner/novice stage to the seasoned runner level. (FYI - I'm using one of Bart Yasso's training plans out of "My Life on the Run" book.)

Found out rather quickly this is the plan for me in order hit my goal of completing the Iron Horse Half Marathon in 2 hours, 15 minutes as I posted weekly best mileage total. And that was just Week No. 1!

So without a further ado, here's how my week went.

Mission 2:15 Has Begun!

Today, Mission 2:15 began.

During the next 14 weeks, I will be doing all I can to complete my latest mission.

I have my sights set on 2:15, and I'm determined to do this.

In case you're wondering, 2:15 stands for 2 hours, 15 minutes. That's the time I want to hit or beat in my next half marathon. My next half marathon is less than 14 weeks away.

On October 23, I will be lining up with a couple hundred of others to run to the Iron Horse Half Marathon in scenic Midway, Ky. - located in the heart of horse country.

Making Running a Family Affair

Yesterday was Father's Day, and I hope the gift I gave has a lasting impact.

No, not the gift I gave my father, although I have no doubt he will put it to good use and enjoy it. But the 'gift' I gave my son.

I know, I know. It's not typical for dads to give gifts to their children on Father's Day, but this is not the typical gift.

See, I'm giving the gift of running to my son.

Now, my prayer is that he takes to it much better than I did at his age.