(Scotty at CTRR)
It’s Tuesday afternoon, and I am home, finally, with an opportunity to decompress- relax, and bask in the glow of something still immeasurable.
Foreward- When I answered the call to become one of Brendan’s Volunteers back in later stages of oh-five I had yet to run a single event, not a one. So many would wonder what in the Hell I had to be thinking when I agreed to run a leg at CTRR. The quick answer is that I wasn’t thinking, or at least not properly. It seemed like a good challenge, and I did get swept up in the wave of excitement, anticipation that grew into a Tsunami that crashed upon the shores of Cape Breton like a great and terrible storm.
I had the Fredericton Half Marathon a mere two weeks before as my training goal, and as I have posted before, my bib did well. I had not had the time to really consider the magnitude of the run that would follow two weeks after. These days are an awkward time for me, and this awkwardness is shared by James (Scadian), Jaimer, Kara, and Trish too; and it all revolves around February 07. That is the date that three of us in the Merry NB Crew will deploy to Afghanistan.
I have heard that an impending deployment can be equated to being told you are suffering from a fatal illness, once you have your deployment time, everything in your life goes on hold, and stays that way for at least a year by the time the training, deployment, and return home is complete. I know Scadian and myself felt particular strain leading to this event as we really did not get a chance to prepare the way we would have liked and it was questionable to the last possible moments if we would even get to make the trek.
But fortune favored us and we did get to make the trek, though with it required our immediate return with the weight of obligations to training calling us back for 0630 Monday morning. But those 60 insane hours that covered 1500kms, 4 legs equaling almost 70kms, an 11 x 11 cabin, and one ‘choked herring’ was a journey into a place where time stood still, and all was right in the world.
I told you that to tell you this, and so you would understand the emotion and sentiment behind my words.
~Friday, the plan is coming together like a train wreck. Once we finally had the kids away, Raven accounted for, James out of the field and showered, and Trish’s kids duct taped to her van we were good to go.
Six hours and three Great Big Sea CD’s later we arrive at the Silver Dart and as if it were scripted the Maniacs were lined up right there at the door. Of course it is at this point I must apologize to all my fellow Maniacs as I was about as friendly as a cactus in the but as I was totally bone weary from a long work week and a long drive. Paying $20 for a pasta supper with no pasta and no dessert of course enhanced my mood. The three pieces of bread I had though were worth it.
We took a trek to the Firehall, and I watched the NB crew assimilate themselves into the RM Nation dancers, too cute!!!!
Then it was time to call it a night that led to the game “Let’s find our unmarked campsite” Fortunately, we found it with out too much incident, and my companions gave me my bottle and put me to bed.
~Saturday, when the day started I still had no clue what I was in for, none. Having missed the team meeting and some of the hoopla I still was not “in the know” And as we started out through the drive, the energy in the air became palpable, like its own weather front, rivaling and eventually overcoming the rain. We caught up to the trail on Leg 3 and I knew my memories, and perhaps my entire running career would never be the same again.
My run-
Well, I did Leg 6, 17.5km, rating of 4.5, with the threat of “Strong Coastal Breezes”
I was in the zone as I milled around after Scadian’s leg. I shared some shoulder time with the stunning Portia Bates, before she ran off into the horizon.
My goal was 1:40, but I wasn’t optimistic because that would have me almost matching my Half marathon pace in Fredericton, which is like running across a pool table, not a wash board.
When everyone took off it took little time before my morale was in the toilet. A group of sixty people race off in to the distance and by the first real hill I was 200-300m behind my closest competition. I checked James’ Garmin and I was maintaining 5:00km for nearly the first four km, which is well above my normal pace, and I fell further and further behind.
My support crew must have seen all the racers tearing off into the distance and thought “Oh crap” because Kara was soon there shouting and jumping and cheering. I started to feel a bit better. Then as I came over the hill I saw the red wig, and I knew all couldn’t be wrong in the world.
I kept going, remembering Sherry’s banner, and you can pick whichever slogan because I was going through them all. I figured my goal was shot, so I made a new one. I would not walk on a hill, at all, ever. Yes I am a sucker for punishment.
I was on autopilot throughout the entire mid potion of the race. I saw all the maniacs on the course and I wanted to hug them all, though I must have looked like old yeller did at the end just waiting for someone to shoot me.
Then, after my long down hill when I was starting to pass people I heard a weird reverberating echo of shouts, horns, and the odd primal beat of rocks on the guardrails. I thought it must be a trick of landscape because that noise appears to be coming from that very steep hill going the other way.
I had memorized my paper brochure and knew my leg ended with a stiff incline. When I rounded the corner and saw what was facing me I literally laughed out loud. Apparently the little jump on the brochure outline was a three-kilometer stretch steadily up hill. I redoubled my efforts and my vow to not walk, and I started to pass a few more people.
And much to my surprise as I reached the top, the mat was still there, and I could tag my wife. I had met my goal, no walking up hill; at least I had my pride. And when Kara told me my time I was stunned. 1:37 and change. Some how I had sustained a 5:35 pace, just slightly faster than my half two weeks ago.
Then it was time to don my clown gear and start cheering.
The other highlights
1) The Homestyle Restaurant in Cheticamp, huge portion sizes of Nectar and Ambrosia I swear.
2) The accomplishment of Kara finishing her leg after all she’s been through and put up with, I have more pride in that that anything.
3) I hope I was able to pay back some debts at the water station, everyone else brought so much to this entire weekend. Thank you all and I will forever be in your debt.
4) For James and I it is the end of an era, we have known each other since Grade 8 and except for a couple of short periods we have lived in the same neck of the woods and on July 10 we will be posted in separate directions. The guns, the guns, thank God the guns.
5) I hereby submit my name for next year’s events. Though this time I will coordinate a trip home from Kandahar Airfield instead of off a course.
Conclusion.
I am overwhelmed at all levels.
Personally, I am pretty dang proud of my results.
The little NB Super van that could, wow, we pulled it all together.
The entire RM CTRR team. Hm, what can one say?
Thank you all.
Oh yeah, the Choked Herring…It is a small thing, but it ended up being the running joke and defining slogan for the NB trip. It was the password that initiated the fun of the weekend. As we approached Baddeck there was a small little restaurant called the Herring Choker. It took us all by surprise and struck us quite funny. I’ll let you imagine all the lewd references that may or may not have been tossed around.
14.5.06
The Life and Times of Bib #1116.
“-Hi, Bib #1116 here, but my friends call me Bib #1116. I want to tell you the story of my Fredericton Half Marathon. I waited with nervous anxiety on the table with all my 10 km, Half, and Full Buddies… and had to listen to Bib# 2342 brag to my girlfriend Bib # 733. But I digress.
Well the line up starts moving through, and now I’m getting excited…I can’t wait to see what kind of athlete my runner will be. Is it an elite athlete? a sexy first timer? The anticipation was palpable, so imagine my disappointment when the slightly round guy picked me up. I tried to introduce myself but then I as shoved unceremoniously into a yellow plastic bag, but I did get to meet some nice brochures from other races, and I did cuddle up to a Fredericton Half T Shirt, roughly the size of a three-man tent.
So I was pretty excited listening to this round guy talk about his training runs and telling people about his goals for the next day. “Hmm, not too bad” I think to myself as he mentions his goal is 2:09, with a whisper goal of breaking 2:00. So given how serious lard ass sounds I was hoping we’d go through some nice prerace rituals… Well this guy had the weirdest prerace rituals ever. He left me hanging on the pantry door in the cheap bag so the damn dog could sniff me endlessly. So while I sit there Lardo drinks six beers! I mean come on, are you serious, his logic is, well they’re LIGHT beers!!
All my training going for squat.
The next day was much better, as this guy seems to know some pretty cool people, some running the 10, some the Half. Soon I realize it’s time to “pin me to Buddha!” and I guess I was just lucky that drunk guy realized there were predrilled holed for the safety pins.
So we milled around a bit, the nervous energy oozing out of this guys pores, or maybe it was alcohol…but anyway we all got to pose for great pictures, pictures and more pictures, with hugs and words. Had to admit this guy was in with a cool crowd.
So while I’m still posing for pictures I realize,”whoa crap we’re moving” The technological wunderkind that I’m hooked to spent the first km trying to figure out how to start his watch.
After that it was pretty smooth sailing. This guy had a pace bracelet, cleverly crafted out of duct tape. He stopped and walked his way through most of the water stations, which he was kind enough to share with me most of the time.
It was a gorgeous day, with a little breeze lots of sun, and a lot of smiling happy runners. So I feel the guy start to wheeze a little feeling his energy flag a little at km 19. This guy had some gels with him but was too busy running to take them. The next thing I know we round the last corner and this guy is waning, when suddenly he kicks it in and I must admit the breeze felt nice…I see the Finish line approaching and I am yelling at this guy to slow down, I’m going to be all bunched up in the pictures…”
So his wife who was crushing us in these huge bear hugs after he staggered past the finish line told him our time…
1:57:49… he seemed pretty happy. And I almost forgave him shoving me in a plastic bag, until he did it again on the way home.”
Hey Scott here, damn thing is awful long winded. Any way, I’m pretty proud not just of myself, but of all the RM crew, James, Jaime thanks for all the training runs and the motivation, great way to cap our stay in Gagetown eh? (+CTRR). Dani and MrDani, great work on the 10km!! Sanders, Karen, Dan great to meet you/ see you again. And Trish great job, first race, first half, big smiles.
Oh yeah, hurray for me actually ran a smart race, minus forgetting the gels, and the beer the night before…I did beat 2:00 though-
Well the line up starts moving through, and now I’m getting excited…I can’t wait to see what kind of athlete my runner will be. Is it an elite athlete? a sexy first timer? The anticipation was palpable, so imagine my disappointment when the slightly round guy picked me up. I tried to introduce myself but then I as shoved unceremoniously into a yellow plastic bag, but I did get to meet some nice brochures from other races, and I did cuddle up to a Fredericton Half T Shirt, roughly the size of a three-man tent.
So I was pretty excited listening to this round guy talk about his training runs and telling people about his goals for the next day. “Hmm, not too bad” I think to myself as he mentions his goal is 2:09, with a whisper goal of breaking 2:00. So given how serious lard ass sounds I was hoping we’d go through some nice prerace rituals… Well this guy had the weirdest prerace rituals ever. He left me hanging on the pantry door in the cheap bag so the damn dog could sniff me endlessly. So while I sit there Lardo drinks six beers! I mean come on, are you serious, his logic is, well they’re LIGHT beers!!
All my training going for squat.
The next day was much better, as this guy seems to know some pretty cool people, some running the 10, some the Half. Soon I realize it’s time to “pin me to Buddha!” and I guess I was just lucky that drunk guy realized there were predrilled holed for the safety pins.
So we milled around a bit, the nervous energy oozing out of this guys pores, or maybe it was alcohol…but anyway we all got to pose for great pictures, pictures and more pictures, with hugs and words. Had to admit this guy was in with a cool crowd.
So while I’m still posing for pictures I realize,”whoa crap we’re moving” The technological wunderkind that I’m hooked to spent the first km trying to figure out how to start his watch.
After that it was pretty smooth sailing. This guy had a pace bracelet, cleverly crafted out of duct tape. He stopped and walked his way through most of the water stations, which he was kind enough to share with me most of the time.
It was a gorgeous day, with a little breeze lots of sun, and a lot of smiling happy runners. So I feel the guy start to wheeze a little feeling his energy flag a little at km 19. This guy had some gels with him but was too busy running to take them. The next thing I know we round the last corner and this guy is waning, when suddenly he kicks it in and I must admit the breeze felt nice…I see the Finish line approaching and I am yelling at this guy to slow down, I’m going to be all bunched up in the pictures…”
So his wife who was crushing us in these huge bear hugs after he staggered past the finish line told him our time…
1:57:49… he seemed pretty happy. And I almost forgave him shoving me in a plastic bag, until he did it again on the way home.”
Hey Scott here, damn thing is awful long winded. Any way, I’m pretty proud not just of myself, but of all the RM crew, James, Jaime thanks for all the training runs and the motivation, great way to cap our stay in Gagetown eh? (+CTRR). Dani and MrDani, great work on the 10km!! Sanders, Karen, Dan great to meet you/ see you again. And Trish great job, first race, first half, big smiles.
Oh yeah, hurray for me actually ran a smart race, minus forgetting the gels, and the beer the night before…I did beat 2:00 though-
12.5.06
Body Management vs. Run Management
RUNNING ECONOMY The amount of oxygen used when running at a steady, less-than-all-out effort. An economical runner uses less energy to maintain the same pace. This leaves the more efficient runner with greater energy reserves for later in a workout or race. Runners World June 2006
e·piph·a·ny n. pl. e·piph·a·nies
Epiphany
1- A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.
2- A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.
3-A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
b- A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization: “I experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash that would change the way I viewed myself” (Frank Maier).
I suppose it is an epiphany even when it takes months for a realization to happen, and I suppose in the religious context above it is something that could take a lifetime, equitable to a Buddhist seeking Enlightenment. When I read the ‘running economy’ definition in this months well used edition of the Runners World a lot of ideas in my head came together with the subtlety of a train wreck.
Back in August 05 when I followed Kara’s example and started running for fun I, personally, was a victim of the stopwatch and formulas. Slowly over time I have weaned my self from using devices during my runs, watches, Garmins, MP3 players, every thing, I would even put the treadmill to calorie counter (which did disappoint me a little…but I digress). So everything is becoming what in some circles in known as a ‘Zen’ runner, no bias on the religion. I have learned to run and enjoy running by perceived exertion. I often felt trapped in training plans having to run a certain distance at a certain speed, even on days when I felt like sh—aving cream. So I started taking the strict distances as suggestions, and I allowed my running objectives to be incorporated into the realities of my work and family schedules. Though I did maintain a solid focus on conducting my LSDs on weekends. So I stayed true to my distances, and technically stayed true to my schedule, but did in a way that would not have me hurting myself or grow weary or discouraged.
Though it was an injury, I think, that started my unconscious focus on Body Management. I have become so aware now of what it takes to fuel my body and build my body to achieve the goals I want. I must add immediately though that this is only a relative success, as before I was completely and utter oblivious to the way I treated my body, everything became so right now. I want to drink a lot of beer right now, I want a bag of chips right now, I want to run right now….Having planned out that “Yes Saturday/ Sunday, I will do a long distance” has lead me to hydrate before, during and after, and feed my body and rest the adequate amount to make it worth while.
I began to realize these things just before, during, and after my last 18km LSD with Trish. It was helped by the fact that I am on course right now, and had to regiment my weekly PT and weekend timings to make sure it happened as it was a necessary thing to act as final preparation for Sunday’s Half.
I now know I have trained enough and will be able to complete the half (barring catastrophe), goal number one has been accomplished. Goal two is to try and beat 2:15 for a time. But that will rely on Race Management, making sure that I run at a good even pace for the entirety of the race. So I have been going over walk-run strategies, music- no music strategies in my mind.
I hope that I can achieve a balance, and display running economy during the half. For it was something I achieved this week in an unplanned frantic five km on the treadmill. Normally my treadmill routine starts off with a “warmup” at about 10km/hr. Then increases, based on time or distance or whim until the last bit I am sprinting at 14 km/h. Well, this past run I started at 10-11km for the first two km, because I wanted to run at one smooth pace. I got bored and jacked the treadmill to 13km/h planning to sprint for a short time. That short time lasted for 15 minutes and I managed a 24 minute 5 km, which surprised me. I was nowhere near as beat and winded as usual. Lesson learned, nice even pace, even at a faster race brings the same result as slow and steady followed but by gut wrenching sprint…the kind of gut wrenching sprint that has me leaking bacon fat instead of sweat…
So hopefully I have done enough body management to facilitate good run management to facilitate goal 2 being met…
Did that just sound awkward to me?
e·piph·a·ny n. pl. e·piph·a·nies
Epiphany
1- A Christian feast celebrating the manifestation of the divine nature of Jesus to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi.
January 6, on which this feast is traditionally observed.
2- A revelatory manifestation of a divine being.
3-A sudden manifestation of the essence or meaning of something.
b- A comprehension or perception of reality by means of a sudden intuitive realization: “I experienced an epiphany, a spiritual flash that would change the way I viewed myself” (Frank Maier).
I suppose it is an epiphany even when it takes months for a realization to happen, and I suppose in the religious context above it is something that could take a lifetime, equitable to a Buddhist seeking Enlightenment. When I read the ‘running economy’ definition in this months well used edition of the Runners World a lot of ideas in my head came together with the subtlety of a train wreck.
Back in August 05 when I followed Kara’s example and started running for fun I, personally, was a victim of the stopwatch and formulas. Slowly over time I have weaned my self from using devices during my runs, watches, Garmins, MP3 players, every thing, I would even put the treadmill to calorie counter (which did disappoint me a little…but I digress). So everything is becoming what in some circles in known as a ‘Zen’ runner, no bias on the religion. I have learned to run and enjoy running by perceived exertion. I often felt trapped in training plans having to run a certain distance at a certain speed, even on days when I felt like sh—aving cream. So I started taking the strict distances as suggestions, and I allowed my running objectives to be incorporated into the realities of my work and family schedules. Though I did maintain a solid focus on conducting my LSDs on weekends. So I stayed true to my distances, and technically stayed true to my schedule, but did in a way that would not have me hurting myself or grow weary or discouraged.
Though it was an injury, I think, that started my unconscious focus on Body Management. I have become so aware now of what it takes to fuel my body and build my body to achieve the goals I want. I must add immediately though that this is only a relative success, as before I was completely and utter oblivious to the way I treated my body, everything became so right now. I want to drink a lot of beer right now, I want a bag of chips right now, I want to run right now….Having planned out that “Yes Saturday/ Sunday, I will do a long distance” has lead me to hydrate before, during and after, and feed my body and rest the adequate amount to make it worth while.
I began to realize these things just before, during, and after my last 18km LSD with Trish. It was helped by the fact that I am on course right now, and had to regiment my weekly PT and weekend timings to make sure it happened as it was a necessary thing to act as final preparation for Sunday’s Half.
I now know I have trained enough and will be able to complete the half (barring catastrophe), goal number one has been accomplished. Goal two is to try and beat 2:15 for a time. But that will rely on Race Management, making sure that I run at a good even pace for the entirety of the race. So I have been going over walk-run strategies, music- no music strategies in my mind.
I hope that I can achieve a balance, and display running economy during the half. For it was something I achieved this week in an unplanned frantic five km on the treadmill. Normally my treadmill routine starts off with a “warmup” at about 10km/hr. Then increases, based on time or distance or whim until the last bit I am sprinting at 14 km/h. Well, this past run I started at 10-11km for the first two km, because I wanted to run at one smooth pace. I got bored and jacked the treadmill to 13km/h planning to sprint for a short time. That short time lasted for 15 minutes and I managed a 24 minute 5 km, which surprised me. I was nowhere near as beat and winded as usual. Lesson learned, nice even pace, even at a faster race brings the same result as slow and steady followed but by gut wrenching sprint…the kind of gut wrenching sprint that has me leaking bacon fat instead of sweat…
So hopefully I have done enough body management to facilitate good run management to facilitate goal 2 being met…
Did that just sound awkward to me?
7.5.06
Thoughts on my career, Running, Friendship, and the Human Condition
Well, unfortunately another long delayed Blog post, and for those in the know I’ll make it a bit more erudite than “What a friggin good time”!
I started a course last Monday known in the Air Defence world as BMC, Battlefield Management Course. In a nutshell it is the course than brings me, “to the next level” of my career progression. And I get the feeling that for all seven of us on the course it arrived the same way, with relentless determination and little in the way of real warning or preparation. There were some of us who were aware of when it should happen and what it was likely all about but little in the way of real meat.
Now I say this course is designed to get us to the next level, where we take a step from junior Captain status and are expected to fill a void in the Air Defence world as (more) senior Captains. Cool eh? But here’s the kicker- we are now entering the oft maligned world of the staff officer. A level where we really don’t have troops, we may have a small staff under us, but really we are just higher paid worker bees making sure the Commanders plan works, and is viable. And for us AD types the level of job we will be doing can be described thusly, us doing our job won’t win any battles, but if we don’t do it could mean we lose the battle. Rewarding. :/
I approach the life of a staff officer with a little apprehension; I have grown to enjoy immensely the rush of command. For the past year I have commanded a small troop of gung ho, professional soldiers in the world of UAV’s. That era has come to an end, unceremoniously, as I would have it. And who knows when I will command again?
However, I don’t want to be totally misleading here. I am looking forward to the next step, more responsibility, more decision-making, and more clout. We’ll see I guess.
On a different note, the running is going well. It looks like the half, for me will happen. And to paraphrase Dicken’s “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” as Kara is still nursing a bad foot injury that we want healed for CTRR. We’ve both had to let go of the dream of running the Half together, but we will defeat the Cabot Trail together. I admire her passion about missing the half, and it really sent it home that she is committed to maintaining the positive changes we’ve both made.
The highlight of running this week was my 18km LSD with someone who is becoming a close friend. There is a lot of time to get to know someone through the “pain and agony” of the gel experiment, loose gravel, and sweaty spandex…The run left me feeling confident, happy, and totally primed for the half AND CTRR. Yesterday was a full CTRR workup, starting with the Long Slow Distance, followed by marathon power drinking with most of my close friends from Gagetown, to which all of whom Kara and I will be saying some semblance of good bye to in the near future.
Feeling uncharacteristically philosophical, forgive me this; I have been admiring my friends as of late. Particularly their resolve, determination, or their passion for life. This isn’t the place for me to go into specifics, but I am so glad I try to surround my self with positive people. You know who you are.
Why waste so much energy on ridiculous things?
Well, I’m going to sign off now, time to go get teary eyed watching Ty Pennington change someone’s life, LOL. Take care, and I yes, I will write sooner next time.
I started a course last Monday known in the Air Defence world as BMC, Battlefield Management Course. In a nutshell it is the course than brings me, “to the next level” of my career progression. And I get the feeling that for all seven of us on the course it arrived the same way, with relentless determination and little in the way of real warning or preparation. There were some of us who were aware of when it should happen and what it was likely all about but little in the way of real meat.
Now I say this course is designed to get us to the next level, where we take a step from junior Captain status and are expected to fill a void in the Air Defence world as (more) senior Captains. Cool eh? But here’s the kicker- we are now entering the oft maligned world of the staff officer. A level where we really don’t have troops, we may have a small staff under us, but really we are just higher paid worker bees making sure the Commanders plan works, and is viable. And for us AD types the level of job we will be doing can be described thusly, us doing our job won’t win any battles, but if we don’t do it could mean we lose the battle. Rewarding. :/
I approach the life of a staff officer with a little apprehension; I have grown to enjoy immensely the rush of command. For the past year I have commanded a small troop of gung ho, professional soldiers in the world of UAV’s. That era has come to an end, unceremoniously, as I would have it. And who knows when I will command again?
However, I don’t want to be totally misleading here. I am looking forward to the next step, more responsibility, more decision-making, and more clout. We’ll see I guess.
On a different note, the running is going well. It looks like the half, for me will happen. And to paraphrase Dicken’s “It was the best of times it was the worst of times” as Kara is still nursing a bad foot injury that we want healed for CTRR. We’ve both had to let go of the dream of running the Half together, but we will defeat the Cabot Trail together. I admire her passion about missing the half, and it really sent it home that she is committed to maintaining the positive changes we’ve both made.
The highlight of running this week was my 18km LSD with someone who is becoming a close friend. There is a lot of time to get to know someone through the “pain and agony” of the gel experiment, loose gravel, and sweaty spandex…The run left me feeling confident, happy, and totally primed for the half AND CTRR. Yesterday was a full CTRR workup, starting with the Long Slow Distance, followed by marathon power drinking with most of my close friends from Gagetown, to which all of whom Kara and I will be saying some semblance of good bye to in the near future.
Feeling uncharacteristically philosophical, forgive me this; I have been admiring my friends as of late. Particularly their resolve, determination, or their passion for life. This isn’t the place for me to go into specifics, but I am so glad I try to surround my self with positive people. You know who you are.
Why waste so much energy on ridiculous things?
Well, I’m going to sign off now, time to go get teary eyed watching Ty Pennington change someone’s life, LOL. Take care, and I yes, I will write sooner next time.
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