Chicago Marathon 2022

 

Happy to finish the Chicago Marathon

Hello everyone. Did you miss me? It has been more than two years since my last post. Why the delay? The 2020 Pandemic cancelled running events. Last year, events slowly started up again. I only participated in a couple local races. In October of that year, I put in a lottery bid for the Chicago Marathon next year. What was the result? To my surprised, I got selected to participate in the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. When I received the news, I was excited to get back into racing form again. My last marathon was New York City in 2019. Prepared myself for the racing season by not setting any big expectations and make the most of the experience running through Chicago.

That's the backstory. Laying out my racing schedule by training for a half marathon in mid-May which helps me as a building base for Chicago in October. When the half concluded, I rested for two weeks into June to get ready for 18 weeks of training.

October 8th: 1 day until marathon 

I participated in the Abbott Chicago 5K race as a shakeout run. Final result was 24:20 with a pace of 7:51. After the race, I began to lay out a race plan for tomorrow. The plan was to treat the first two miles as a warm up at least 9:00/mile; run approximately 8:30 for miles 3-8; 8:15 for miles 9-14; 8:00 for miles 15-20; and the remaining 6.2 miles under 8:00/mile. My objective was to not go out too fast early so I can have energy for the late stages of the race. As stated earlier, I did not set any high expectations for my race. If my final time was between 3:45-3:50, that would be a very satisfying performance.

October 9th: Race Day

5:30 AM: Make my way to the hotel lobby. A woman wanted to walk with me to the start. I was going to take the subway but decided to walk with her because I could use the conversation prior to the race. Weather conditions were chilly with temperatures in the upper thirties about two hours prior to the start. As the race goes on, the temperature will reach the mid sixties. I really like those kind of conditions. 

6:00 AM: Arrived at the start on South Columbus Drive. Waiting around until the start of the race is usually a tense time. Luckily, I had an oatmeal cup and an electrolyte drink to keep myself fueled before the start. The only setback was not having an extra layer to keep me warmer. Waiting in the Corral E, I talked to another woman who was local.

7:30 AM: The excitement is building as the elite runners, wheelchair division, and first few corrals started their trek through the Windy City. Runners began stripping layers as they approached the start line.

7:50 AM: Corral E begins their run along S Columbus Drive into the Streeterville District where throngs of people are waiting to cheer on all the runners. Happy to see my friend cheering me and her friends on early on. Looking for a striped balloon really helped. As the race progressed, I remember making a little too many hydration stops, my water bottle strap was loosening around my right hand, and an early bathroom stop at mile 2. Another habit I need to improve on is not looking at my watch so much. The reason was to keep me from running too quickly at inopportune times. With those small setbacks, I'm just going to keep moving forward. 

First half of the race was 1:52:16. My final finish time is looking really good. Did not see the 3:45 pace group until mile 11. Took me several miles to catch back up the group.

First 13 mile times from my Garmin watch: 8:46, 8:41, 8:18, 8:29, 8:28, 8:22, 8:27, 8:24, 8:19, 8:15 (fastest), 8:15, 8:24, and 8:58. 

With around ten miles to go, my calves and hamstrings started to tighten up. Just keep moving forward Matt. Remember what you said, enjoy the experience running through Chicago.

My second half was a few minutes slower, 1:57:18. Second half miles from my watch: 9:25, 8:28, 8:27, 8:37, 8:36, 8:48, 8:47, 8:52, 9:00, 9:22, 9:17, 9:39 (slowest), and 9:04 with last segment at 8:33. Looking at those times later on, I was really pleased with my performance. As I lost sight of the 3:45 pace group, just focused on finishing the race. My thighs began to tighten up with a few miles to go. This can't be happening. Approaching mile 24, I walked for a minute to give myself a reprieve. Looking at my watch, I realized I still had a chance to salvage a 3:50. It was time to make a push for the remaining couple miles. Tight calves and thighs be damned. Running along Michigan Avenue with the crowds cheering on both sides approaching Grant Park, the finish line is getting close. Making the last couple turns, with the finish line in sight, my time will be under 3:50. My final time: 3:49:34.

The sights, crowds, and excitement that ran all through Chicago will be an experience I will never forget. Finishing a marathon for the first time in three years will be a lasting memory. Everyone that worked behind the scenes and over 40000 runners made this race an awesome experience. Thank you very much Chicago. 

New York City Marathon

Photo: Creative Focus Designs Inc.

Hello everyone. It has been almost six months since my last race recap. On Sunday, I ran in one of the most prestigious races in the world, the New York City Marathon. Right now, I am in recovery mode giving you my thoughts on my performance. It was not what I wanted but I made sure to take in the experience. I ran for an organization that I care about deeply, Alzheimer's Association. Right away, I want to thank them including the New York City Chapter for having me on the team. It was wonderful meeting so many amazing people that came together for a common cause, ending Alzheimer's disease once and for all. The luncheon at the Wilson NYC was a great opportunity to meet the runners to tell personal stories and running experiences. It was a wonderful weekend in New York City. Now, on to the race.

My objectives going into the race were run at a controlled pace going into Manhattan at 1st Avenue (Mile 16) then increase it to Marathon Pace for the remainder of the race. Conserve energy on the hills and/or bridges. Draft other runners to conserve energy but do not get stuck in a rut following those much slower than me. The most important one is improve fueling my body during the race. I did not want to rely only on gels and hydration. I brought a few energy bars with me to help me move along.

Up in my hotel to look at the radio clock on the other side of the room. It says 4:02 AM (3:02). Ok, why is my phone alarm not going off? Did my hotel wake up call not go through? Oh wait, it is day light savings time. The clock in the room does not automatically reset. Laid down until it was time to get up (4:00). After some last minute packing of items for the start line and eating, it is time to walk to the bus on 59th street that will take me to the start in Staten Island. Departed Central Park South at 5:45 AM allowed me to rest my eyes prior to the arrival at Verrazano-Bridge.

Once I got off the bus and through security check points, I made my way to the charity tent to relax until my wave start at 10:10 AM, Wave 2 Corral B. The start was divided into three lanes with respective colors: Green, Orange, and Blue. Blue was on the far right of the course. As I sat in the tent waiting to start, I felt uneasy emotionally. Got up to stretch outside the tent. Focused on eating just prior to my wave opening at 9:30. Messed up the walking route to the corral thinking I could take a shortcut but was met with fences. Despite that mix up, still got into my respective corral on time. 9:50 the corrals start moving towards the start line just before the Verrazano-Bridge. This is really happening. I'm about to run in one of the biggest marathons in the world.

Do not be alarmed by the start cannon. Waiting to start, woman sings a wonderful rendition of America the Beautiful. After that, the DJ starts hyping up the crowd prior to the start. Cannon sounds and Frank Sinatra's New York, New York blares out of the speakers with confetti showering over all the passing runners.

Running up the Verrazano-Bridge, I wanted to have slow two miles to get ready for the rest of the race. First mile at 8:50 was exactly what I wanted to do. Once I came down the hill towards Brooklyn at Mile 2, it was way too quick (just above 8 minutes). Fuhgeddaboudit. Running through the second of five boroughs was a wonderful time. The crowds lining the street were cheering for all the runners. Feeding off their energy was very surreal. It was a preview for what to expect for the rest of the race.
Only stopped once for the bathroom (Mile 7) and took water stops every two miles. Felt bad I didn't see my family cheering me on including my sisters holding up signs for me. Thank you very much for coming out to support my cause.

My splits were still on target without dipping below 8 minutes going into Queens. A runner next to me projected vomit was a good way to welcome us into the next borough. Ate one of my energy bars with little trouble. Do not remember too much about Queens except for the crowds and thinking about the Queensboro Bridge to Manhattan. Mile 15-16 was one of my slowest stretches during the race. Running into Manhattan, I can hear the crowds cheering as I came off the bridge onto 1st Avenue.

The energy was second to none as I ran down the long stretch to the Bronx. The crowds were absolutely amazing cheering me and the 53,000+ runners to the finish in Central Park. Found the Charity Cheer Zone on 120th street. Great seeing Alzheimer's Association supports cheering us on as we passed. Had a couple photogenic shots from the photographer. On to the Bronx.

Leaving 1st Avenue, I was starting to tire. Having a hard time eating energy bars while running. Been eating gels every four miles. Did not bother consuming my last one. Looking for the finish. However, it was wonderful running into Harlem towards Central Park. That let me know the finish line is getting closer. The last couple water stops, I walked to them taking three cups.

Crowds cheering on both sides in Central Park. Want to cheer but all I am thinking about is the finish line. Where is my family? Where is my girlfriend? Just want someone to hug after I completed the race. 

My race plan went out the window many miles ago. I made it a mission to take in the experience listening to the crowds cheering on both sides of the street. I did not come this far to quit. Running through Central Park miles 23-25, I thought about the time I did a marathon training run three years ago for my very first marathon. Never thought in my wildest dreams to run in a world major marathon race with thousands of fans cheering you on from start to finish.  59th street along Central Park, the finish line is getting very close 800 meters to go. Through Columbus Circle onto West Drive towards the finish line 400 meters to go. Oh my gosh, it is really happening. I am going to finish this race. Crowds cheering on both sides of the barricades. There is the grandstands. I see the finish. Crossing the line at 67th street, I swing my fist in the air to let out to signal a tremendous accomplishment and relief that it is over.

After crossing the finish line, walking to the booth for my poncho, allowed me to reflect on what I just accomplished. Just get me to the hotel so I can see my loved ones. It was wonderful having Marla run up to me after I got into the hotel lobby to give me a hug. Legs are sore, heavy, and tired.

Not the performance I was hoping for. It did not stop me from taking in the experience from start to finish. The crowds, safety personnel, and runners made this very memorable for me. I'll never forget what I just accomplished. Thank you Mom, Dad, Marla, Jen, Kristen, and Kelsey for cheering me on. Thank you to everyone at the Alzheimer's Association (including the NYC Chapter) for having me on the team. Volunteers, bands, photographers, and safety personnel were wonderful.

Where do I go from here? I have a lot to work on for marathon distance running. Not going to dwell on this race. Use it as motivation to improve for future races. Implement a better balance of training, stretching, and diet so I go into events more confident. Until next time. Now, recovery mode has commenced.

IT WILL MOVE YOU. IT WILL INSPIRE YOU. IT WILL CHALLENGE YOU.

-MJ

Colfax Marathon (Denver)

Colorado was on another euphoric level. Capitol Building.

5k race/Tune up for Marathon Sunday

Recently returned from an awesome trip in Denver, Colorado. I was in the Mile High city for the Colfax Marathon, my first time running in the Centennial State. A few days after running, it was a great opportunity to reflect on my performance. Initially, I was irritated with the result. After walking around the city reflecting on the race, my feeling turned from irritation to fulfillment. I got asked constantly about altitude. That factor is not controllable so the only way to adapt is arrive early to get acclimated.

Approaching marathon weekend, I did not have any objectives achieving a personal best. My goal was running a smart/methodical race. No mile splits below 7:30 and do not go out too fast. On Saturday, the day before the marathon, I ran in a 5K race to serve as training/tune up. After running the 5K distance and four months of training, I felt really confident heading into the race the next morning.

Six AM was the earliest marathon start I have taken part in. Luckily, City Park was walking distance from a house I rented for a few days. Headed over to the start at 4:40 to do gear drop off and last minute preparations (stretch and food). Colfax was the first marathon wearing a hydration back pack filled with water. I practiced carrying that in my last two long training runs. Very grateful that piece of equipment got me through the race. Carried six energy gels (one every 4 miles) in my belt pack and hand held bottle sack. My hand held bottle was filled with Nuun Electrolyte Hydration. Overall, my race preparation was very good. Now, it is time to toe the start line in City Park.

Just after six, the course marshall yells into the microphone, "On your mark, get set, go…"

The Colfax Marathon is under way. Leaving City Park, heading towards downtown,  I focused on setting the pace, not going out too fast. Winding through City Park onto Colfax Avenue, an Elvis impersonator entertained passing runners. Aside from the bathroom stop at mile four, I felt really good setting the tone for an excellent race. Running through downtown Denver was an amazing experience. How many races do you get to run through a Fire Department with the staff greeting/cheering you on? So far, only Denver offers that (Fire Station No.1). Onto the Cherry Creek bike path towards Confluence Park. Turn left across the bridge to South Platte River trail that runs along Centennial Gardens and Elitch Gardens Amusement Park. The route goes back onto Colfax Avenue but I have to make my first run through Denver Broncos Mile High Stadium. Really enjoying my run through downtown Denver as I exit the stadium back onto West Colfax Avenue. That is only 7 miles.

Just past the seven mile mark on West Colfax Avenue, the altitude started to effect me. I kept moving forward. I realized my times were getting slightly slower but I focused on enjoying the scenery because a loop around Sloan's Lake is coming up. Halfway mark was at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. Once I got into the second half of the race, it became a struggle. Just past mile 18, the 3:30 pace group passed me (Colfax Avenue). I focused on keeping my legs moving and staying hydrated. It was a struggle sipping my hydration products. That was the least of my worries. Just keep moving forward. Just past mile 19, my friend Samantha held up a sign cheering me on. That made my racing experience that much better. Encouraged me to keep my legs moving. It also got me very excited for the final ten kilometers including the second run through Denver Broncos Mile High Stadium.

Once I ran through downtown again, I really considered walking the last couple miles to the finish line. Kept telling myself, you did not come here to walk. Run the marathon all the way through. Keep my legs moving. That motivation kept me going despite my slow mile splits. Leaving downtown returning to City Park got me very excited for the finish. Once I entered City Park, my excitement began to grow knowing the finish line is very close. Once I saw the time clock at the finish, I felt very satisfied with how the day turned out. Finishing time 3:35:45 with a pace of 8:14 was not a personal best. I told myself I would not be upset if I did not set a personal record. As I crossed the finish line, I let out a big roar indicating I was relieved to finish the race. It is unbelievable that I have completed five marathons in three years. Definitely have come along way from no accolades in sports during high school and college.

Letting out a roar of relief after completing my fifth marathon. It was an amazing day.

The reason why I was irritated was I had a chance to obtain a personal best but it did not happen. After talking with Marla about the race and walking around the Mile High city reflecting on my performance, it turned out to be an excellent day. It was a very good performance running at altitude for the first time while carrying a hydration pack. I definitely want to come back to Colorado for a vacation and/or running race.

I met so many amazing people while I was visiting Colorado. Thank you to friends and family that send me encouragement; Colfax Marathon staff for putting on an awesome race weekend; Volunteers for making my race experience enjoyable; Police, Fire, and EMT staff for keeping the runners safe.

Thank you Sam and Chris for cheering me on Colfax Avenue. Really appreciate the sign.

Showing off my finisher medals at Red Rocks

"I can do all this through him who gives me strength"-Philippians 4:13
"I want to be number one in everything"-Pat Bowlen

Eastern States 20 Mile race

March 24th
I participated in The Eastern States 20 mile race. It spanned three states beginning in Kittery, ME and finishing just across the state line in Salisbury, Massachusetts (20.25 to be exact). My training called for a nineteen mile run. It was a perfect opportunity to use this race as a training run (so much for that). It is a struggle separating being competitive from an easy training run. Despite this, I was very happy with the result but have plenty of room to improve.

Going into a race, I attempt to plan a strategy mentally, ensuring the run goes smoothly.  For this race, I wanted to run 5 mile blocks at a particular pace. For instance, miles 1-5 would be ran at 7:30 and finishing the final 5 at 7:00. Regarding fuel and hydration, I carried three GU Energy Gels and stopped for water three times along the course. With the strategy in place, it was time for the race.

Race morning, I drove to Winnacunnet High School in Hampton, New Hampshire for the shuttle bus. The 7:45 AM bus would take myself and the rest of the runners to Robert Traip Academy High School in Kittery, Maine. Arriving after 8 AM, it was tough finding the ways to pass the time until the race starts. 11 AM is the latest I have started a race, not sure how I felt about that. I took the opportunity to stretch, eat a light meal, hydrate, and a warm up jog. As the race approached start time, runners walked a short distance to the start downtown. It began on a narrow up hill driveway next to a public parking lot. Runners on your mark…

Race began heading towards the New Hampshire state line into downtown Portsmouth. Checking my watch at mile 1 (Memorial Bridge), my pace was 7:06. I quietly swore at myself for going out a little too quick. At this point, my original (mental) plan was scrapped. For the remainder of the race, my goal was to clock consistent splits without going under 7 minutes per mile.

Running through downtown Portsmouth was wonderful. I was excited to get onto Route 1-A along the coast. The remainder of the course would be ran on this road (Mile 3-20). As the race progressed, I was very pleased with my progress staying focused with my new plan. The only down side running on the coast is possibly running through head winds. It happened a couple times but I did not push too hard without getting very tired. Aside from that, the splits were excellent through the first fourteen miles. Approaching mile 15 (Hampton), my body started to slightly tire. Seeing that passing competitors would be few and far between, I put my head down to finish strong. Traffic was getting heavy approaching the slower half marathon runners. Some spots on the course had difficult, if not,no opportunities to pass. Locke Point Ocean Boulevard bridge only had room for two abreast. Also, Hampton Beach and Route 1-A approaching the Massachusetts state line (finish) was tough with vehicles approaching you. It gave me a chance to draft behind the twenty mile competitors conserving energy. Crossing the bridge, I was desperately looking for the finish line (where is it?). It was a relief hearing a volunteer at mile 20 shout, "Turn left and the finish line is 50 feet ahead."

Time: 2:25:44.3/ 7:12 pace (68th overall)

Miles 1-20: 7:06; 7:09; 7:11; 7:04; 7:00; 7:04; 7:07; 7:08; 7:04; 7:05; 7:05; 7:05; 7:11; 7:12; 7:22; 7:25; 7:27; 7:32; 7:37;  and 7:35 with the remaining distance at 7:21 pace.

Crossing the finish line, I was relieved and very pleased with the result. As stated earlier, I have tons of room for improvement. Thank you to all the event organizers that made the event possible. It was a very fun race. Law Enforcement did a great job keeping competitors safe. Can't forget the volunteers who made a tremendous difference, making the event enjoyable.

Rye, New Hampshire around mile 5.

What do I need to work on for my next long distance race?

1. Improve sleep habits night before race.
2. Write down race plans instead of relying on one mentally.
3. Meal plan night before race
4. Talk with coaches and/or pacers about how to prepare for long distance races

Route. Photo by Marathon Sports.

My first trip to Maine, through New Hampshire along the coast, and finishing in Massachusetts was a memorable experience. I would highly recommend this race to all runners looking for a long run tune up to a spring marathon. Currently accepting recommended races in Maine and New Hampshire. Congratulations to all the runners who finished the event. Hope you accomplished your goals Very grateful to meet some awesome athletes. Good luck with your future endeavors. Until we meet again.

Lace up and lets go to work
-MJ

2018 year in review

2018 was a very fun year. I can't wait for next year.

How do I describe 2018? Ambitious, fun, inspiring. It was a tremendous year filled with accomplishments, achievements, adventures, making a difference, learning new skills, and laughs. No question the year was filled with struggles. It is normal to have tough times but it is up to you on how the individual adapts. It was frustrating starting a task only to stop and quit. My biggest criticism was not having consistently productive days. Sticking to a schedule and staying focus is another improvement I need to work on.

Obviously, I participated in several running races. Instead of boring readers with another recap, click the links to view more details about my running.

To begin the year, I was training for a marathon coming up in a few months. Vividly remember two days of training in extremely cold, sub-zero temperatures. One day, I volunteered a couple hours at a homeless shelter in Saratoga Springs. Henry Rollins visited Albany for a spoken word tour talking about his world travels. It was an inspiring show.

February
After eight years and over 100,000 miles with my Chevrolet Malibu, it was time for a change. Made a decision to lease a brand new car, model, and brand. Celebrated my birthday doing a training run and eating non-dairy ice cream pint (Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie). Ended the birthday celebration weekend on a positive note with a Union hockey game against Cornell and a live performance by Dropkick Murphys.

March
If my memory serves me correctly, I took some time off social media to get refocused. Racing season began with the Garden State 10 in New Jersey. There was a half marathon challenge, 5K run followed by the 10 mile race.

April
In order to stay active, I swam in an olympic size pool for the first time in several years. It was a struggle but it felt rewarding doing an activity that was difficult. It is a excellent cross training method for marathon runners. My racing season carried on with two events: Code Blue 8K and New Jersey Marathon. This was my fourth time completing the marathon distance. The course was wonderful, finishing on the boardwalk, overlooking the ocean. I believe a wedding ceremony was being conducted on the beach while the race was in progress.

May
No distance races this month but so many fun events. Spent a weekend catching up with high school friends at a wedding. Spent a Sunday taking a walking tour with John Joseph, Cro-Mags vocalist. Saw the original Misfits line up perform in Newark, NJ. Arena Football returned to Albany and I was fortunate to attend a regular season game. 2018 is not even over but I can't wait for next season.

June
No surprise, more training for an upcoming race. Ran in a local trail race for the first time in nearly four years. A week later, I was in Boston running 10 kilometers with thousands of other competitors including elite athletes.

August
311 and Offspring performed in Syracuse on their summer tour. Felt like a nostalgic teenage in the front row singing along to their hit songs.

September
I decided to run two half marathons in a two week span to salvage a good running season. Disappointed I could not run a second marathon due to investments. Before the running, I drove to Woodstock Farm Sanctuary for a facility tour. Michelle Wolf had a one night only show in Albany. Sold out show at 7 PM was wonderful. For my races, I decided to run in Vermont. In terms of performance, it was excellent and strong. The two race gave me the quickest times in the half marathon distance. Can't wait to race again in the Green Mountain State soon. Read recaps here: Manchester and Vermont Sun (Brandon).

Woodstock Farm Sanctuary

October
A strong racing season concluded in Boston at the B.A.A Half. After running the 10K race in Boston a few months ago, I decided to sign up for the half marathon race soon afterwards. Not my quickest time but it was so much fun running in a fantastic city. Very pleased with the results over a span of month.

November
I volunteered at the MVP Stockade-athon race in Schenectady. It was second time participating in the last three years. It was also a wonderful month of trying beneficial activities: Cryo therapy and infrared sauna. Visited another animal sanctuary en route home: Tamerlaine Farm Sanctuary. Before the month ended, I decided to give the gym membership another try. Signed up at Planet Fitness, and it has been going great. Planning workouts on a weekly basis has made a tremendous difference.

December
The 21st will mark three years of drug-free living. The biggest reason was losing a good friend that was the same age as me due to a car accident. Also, a couple friends have been staying on the straight arrow, even with children of their own. Thank you very much for the inspiration. I am a much better individual today than I was a few years ago. My thirties have been wonderful so far. I would love to keep that up going into my forties and beyond.

Thank you friends, family, healthy foods, and running for making 2018 a wonderful year. I can't wait to see what the new year brings. Love you all. Stay strong. Reflect. Work on improvements for the new year.

-Matt Jerauld

Code Blue 8K (Blue Needs You)

Amazing run for an excellent cause

On Saturday, I ran an 8K race in Saratoga Springs sponsored by Shelters of Saratoga and Fingerpaint. It is an awesome feeling running for a great cause. This particular race was raising money for a homeless shelter in Saratoga Springs during the winter months.

This was my second time participating in this race. With two weeks left in marathon training, I figured this would be a nice tune up race before the marathon in New Jersey. Last year, I ran this race in 32:39. My only objective was to do my best and not tire.

At 8:31 AM, the horn sounds and the runners take off. Heading up the first turn to Lake Avenue, I was very surprised to be inside the top 10. Even though this was just under five miles, I wanted to settle into a comfortable pace even if runners were closing in. I had one runner stay with me for the first mile.

For the first two miles, I only had a few runners pass me. Again, I did not panic because I was running a comfortable pace. The hills on Warren Street and East Avenue were tough and the winds did not help much either. Despite that, I felt very comfortable on the course. For the last two miles, it felt weird running solo in a race. Other times, I am use to running with other competitors. Back to the race, it was great hearing the volunteers and spectators cheering me on.

My final time was 32:01, nearly forty seconds faster than last year. That was good for eighth overall and 2nd place in my age group. I was definitely very pleased with my time and my splits were consistent. That was a very competitive group including the top three in my age division, finishing inside the top twenty. Congratulations to all the winners and runners who came out for a great cause.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all the event organizers, sponsors, volunteers, spectators, and law enforcement for making this a safe and pleasant race. In four years, this event has seen an increase in runners and that puts a smile on my face. Whether you are competitive, social, and/or recreational, running for an excellent cause feels tremendous.

On a side note, less than two weeks until the New Jersey marathon. With my running garnering confidence, I can not wait to get on the course and see what is possible for the future. Until next time, run for a cause and I hope you are achieving all the goals you are striving for.
-MJ

Look at that concentration. Photo: Cathy Duffy

Training, Vegan Eats, and Code Blue

Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day for a run. I took full advantage of it by doing the long run that morning instead of Saturday. I wanted to be fresh, alert, and focused for this run so that is the reasons for the switch. If I did it Saturday, I ran the risk of being tired or not finishing the run. The weather was perfect, not quite shorts weather, but it was satisfying. 18.36 miles in under two and a half hours with a pace of just of over eight minutes was a pretty good result. As I'm writing this, I went on another run this morning, taking advantage of the great weather. If you haven't been following my posts, I am currently training to run my third marathon in less than two months, Vermont City (Burlington). Unfortunately, this will be the only marathon I will be running this year. I was planning on doing two but I have to focus on my current job priorities. I will still participate in running races but only locally. That is my running update, onto other exciting things.

Here are some vegan food pictures:

 Pick up the Gluten Free Bar in a store near you. It is absolutely delicious.

 Eggplant with tomatoes, mushrooms, and beans

 Ben & Jerry's never disappoints. Can't wait for more non-dairy flavors in the future.

Still have to try the Oreo flavor version. Don't spoil it for me.

Ok, enough of the food pictures. My next race will be this Saturday in Saratoga Springs, Blue Needs You 8K (5 mile). Any chance I get to participate in a running race for an excellent cause. This race supports Code Blue Saratoga, an emergency homeless shelter providing homes during the winter season. It will be exciting to run in short distance races because I do not do it enough. To learn more about this organization, click here. I will have another update this weekend regarding this race. Get outside, the weather is beautiful. Hope your day is going amazing.

-Matt

A Look Back

As 2016 comes to its conclusion, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on a pretty good year. Hope your holidays were amazing this year, mine were excellent. If I have looked forward to writing this post for some time now, you know that it has been a pretty good time. Despite writing on a regular basis sometime in May, a lot of amazing things have happened and I want to share those amazing moments with you.

New Scenery and New Outlook
In August, I made the decision to relocate to another part of New York State along with a career change. Almost four months in, the change has been nothing short of spectacular. My outlook on life has been awesome and making small changes in my life have made me the person I am right now. I kept telling myself why this did not happen sooner. Something about being in a new environment that brings out a side in you that you never knew existed. Also, my parents moved to New Jersey because my father started a new job for a new company. It was stunning leaving a place you have called home for almost twenty seven years to relocate to a new place. I'm telling you, the change in scenery is scary at first. As time passes, the feeling becomes amazing and that perfectly describes what I went through. Talking with my parents during the holidays, they are loving the new environment and their new employers have been very supportive of them. It was beautiful celebrating the holidays in a new home and most importantly, spending quality time with my family.

Drug Free
This can fall under the new outlook topic but this is a tremendous milestone in my life. I completed another milestone this year but I'll get to that momentarily. A few days prior to Christmas in 2015, I made the decision to stop drinking alcohol completely. I have avoided other drugs too but struggled at first ridding myself of alcohol. As I am writing this, I have been sober for over one year and there is no going back. I have noticed small positive changes in my body physically and emotionally. Since getting rid of alcohol, I've fallen in love with two beverages: coffee (Deathwish) and water.


Sitting down with a good book
Undoubtedly, this year has been dominated by paperback books. Honestly, I can't tell you the last time I have read this many books in a year. I have read works by David Sedaris, Stieg Larsson, Augusten Burroughs, and many more. Never thought this would happen but I've started reading the Harry Potter series by J.K Rowling. I would say to myself, this is a series I will never read and sure enough, three books in, I'm hooked. I'm still reading on a regular basis. It is nice talking to others who give me excellent recommendations on future readings.


Running
This year has been exciting for how much running I have accomplished. Four half marathons, a team relay race, and two marathons is the most races I have participated in since I started running a few years ago. I have really come along way since running my first 5K back in 2012. I participated in my first team relay race, Seneca 7 back in April. This event was so much meeting so many competitors and teammates along the route. The course was a total of 77.7 miles around Seneca Lake with teams of seven runners. Even though our team got disqualified, it was so much participating in that event and did some of my best running. Earlier in the month, I ran in the worst conditions for a half marathon. The event took place in Syracuse where there was almost zero visibility along with sleet, hail, and snow mixed into the challenge. Along with the races, it was awesome meeting so many runners during group days. I accomplished a personal best in a half-marathon race running in under 1:40 back in July at Saratoga Springs Spa State Park.

My biggest milestone this year has to be completing my first marathon race this year. Fittingly, it was in a city I have called home for several years. I was honored to have participated in the first annual Herald of Victory event in Binghamton on Memorial Day weekend. You can read my race recap here. Six months later, I completed my second marathon in Philadelphia. Not only was this the biggest race I have been a part of but I also accomplished a personal best time of just under 3:30. I can not wait to see where my marathon running journey takes me in 2017. Thank you to everyone for giving me a reason to fall in love with running. Yes it is very difficult to complete a marathon with all the training and preparation but it was all worth it in the end.

 I have to say that it has been a great year for running

Those are the biggest moments of this year but here are some other moments from 2016:

Podcasts. I have been obsessed with podcasts lately and it has allowed me to listen with an open mind. My most played podcast is The Joe Rogan Experience, which you can subscribe to on iTunes. I love the guests he has on the program ranging from educated professors to comedians. The show is very entertaining and you might learn something too. Other podcasts I've listened to are How To Be Amazing, Total Human Optimization, and No Meat Athlete Radio. I'm always looking for new podcasts to listen to so please leave suggestions in the comments box.

Watching a game in the Green Monster section at Fenway Park
Running in Central Park
More punk and hardcore shows
Working out in a gym/training facility
Deathwish Coffee

More writing. I've enjoyed writing on this blog a lot this year and looking forward to continuing into the new year. Thank you to everyone who have viewed the blog. Please leave comments and feedback. I would love to hear from you. Thank you for making this an awesome year for me. Good luck to everyone striving for a better life in 2017.

-Matt

About Time

Influential music in my life

If you are anticipating a marathon training update, here it is and it is going to be short. I ran three days the past two weeks. The first week was 7.56 miles, 6.2 (10K), and 3.1 (5K) with the pace under seven minutes in that set. The next week was 10 miles, another 5K, and 11.94 miles with the pace under seven minutes again. Running three days a week has really helped with my speed work and my confidence has grown as the marathon is about one month away. I will continue this trend for the next two weeks until November starts so I'm fresh for Philadelphia. That is my running update.

Last night, I witnessed an amazing show in Clifton Park. Pennywise played their About Time album in its entirety along with some of their classic songs and a couple of cover songs. They covered Ben E. King's Stand By Me, doing a great version of it and Bad Religion's Do What You Want. How did I hear about Pennywise? My aunt had a copy of Spin Magazine in 1998-99 with an advertisement promoting their latest CD. A couple years later, Pennywise released, Land Of The Free? that included my favorite song Fuck Authority. Now this is 2016 and they are still a tremendous influence on my life. Every single piece of music they have made has been nothing short of amazing. If you are a big punk/hardcore lover, this band should be at the top of your list.




All the bands that played with Pennywise were very impressive. I have become fans of Unwritten Law, The Runaway Kids, and Strung Out after that show. It felt like a Vans Warped Tour show with only a few bands but the way it is suppose to be. All the fans in attendance were into the show whether it was sing-alongs, crowd surfing, and pitting. You know a show is going to be great when the guitarist of the opening band runs off stage and joins the circle pit while in sync. Wish the show could've been sold out but the attendance was good overall.


Check out The Runaway Kids on Facebook




Strung Out Facebook


Along with the amazing show, I prepared some sweet dishes that were simple and delicious.

Brown Rice with Chickpeas, Edamame, and Avocado

Sweet Potato Chili

Running With Confidence and Great Fuel

Look at that excitement. That's confidence right there!

That has been the theme for my marathon training for several months. In the past, it was difficult to follow that keynote but for yesterdays run, it was very important. It started a couple days prior to the longest run training run, 21+ miles. Crazy as this sounds, I was really excited about this particular run wanting to end the peak training on an excellent note. After running 21.26 miles in 2:35:15, I was very happy and surprised with the result. I was expecting to run a little over 3 hours but it was almost 30 minutes quicker than expected. My run was very smooth and did not tire very easily at a 7:18 pace.

As far as what to eat and drink prior to running, I simply stick with toast and a banana to prevent running on an empty stomach. For hydration, simply enough water (in my case it was a full bottle) and some Coconut water to get electrolytes in my system. I don't like to load up on a lot of food prior to a run because chances are, you are looking to replenish right after a run anyway. After my long run, my post race fuel consisted of oatmeal with a banana, coconut water, water, a Kind Snack Bar, and Primal Strips Vegan Jerky.

I use to eat Clif Bars whenever I did a long run but they were so heavy, rich in filling, and hard to absorb while running. Lately, I've fallen in love with Kind Snack Bars because of the lighter portions and fewer calories. The flavors consumed and purchased are Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt, Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate, Salted Caramel & Dark Chocolate Nut, Roasted Jalapeno, Dark Chocolate Mocha Almond, and Dark Chocolate Chili Almond. An even better bonus is that it's made with non-GMO ingredients, excellent source of protein and dairy free options. Thank you Kind Snacks for fueling my workouts.

It has been several years since I had a piece of jerky, way before my vegetarian period. One day, I went to Healthy Living Market and Cafe in Saratoga Springs for a couple treats. All of sudden,  I had a craving for vegan jerky. After walking around looking for it, I found it next to the checkout lines. Primal Spirit Foods makes meatless vegan jerky and let me tell you, they were delicious. Excellent source of protein, non-GMO ingredients, vegan, no preservatives, and no artificial colors. It is a perfect portion for one serving size and you can not taste the difference with regular jerky. The only three I have tried are Thai Peanut, Mesquite Lime, and Hot & Spicy. All three were very good so it is difficult to choose a favorite. If you forced me to choose, it would be Mesquite Lime. After finishing all three, I will make another trip to the market to restock.

My advice to all runners is approach every training day with confidence whether it is short or very long.  The Philadelphia Marathon in November is fast approaching, exactly seven weeks away. Obviously, I will share my experience with everyone once the event has concluded.

Saratoga Palio Half Marathon

This morning, I completed my seventh half marathon and second in the beautiful city of Saratoga Springs, New York. It was beautiful running weather and honored to run for a great cause, The Melanie O'Donnell Foundation. In my previous half marathon, not only did I set a personal best but it was the fastest 13.1 miles I have ever ran. My goal was to set another personal best. Unfortunately, I was about 3 minutes slower than my July race. I had to stop at mile 8 to use the bathroom which cost me a minute or two. Would it have helped me PR if I did not stop? Not entirely sure. Despite that, I walked away pretty satisfied with the result and knowing it will be a very nice tune up for the Philadelphia Marathon coming up in two months. It was beautiful running through downtown and through the state park just up the road. Thank you to all the volunteers, road marshalls, and race coordinators for making this a safe and exciting race. The last time I spent time downtown was almost three years ago when I went to a wedding reception. It was pretty sweet walking around after the race.

Not sure if it is just me but it was difficult falling asleep Saturday night. Race day anxiety? We'll never know. I was just happy to be running in another race. Woke up at 6 AM to get ready for the day making the best of a tough situation. Before races and long runs, I do not eat a very heavy breakfast. I limit it to fruit and grains, banana and toast with a peanut butter spread. After you finish a race, what is usually waiting at the finish line? A nice spread of post race fuel (bagels, fruit, and beverages). Today was a nice post race recovery because Purebred Athletics offered free massages to runners. I took full advantage of it and felt a huge sense of relief afterwards. It was nice getting out meeting new runners and seeing familiar faces again. I saw Jenna who was watching her brother run in the same race cheering us on. I talked to Alaina, a college classmate I have not talked to in several years. It was very nice to catch up again. Running races has really helped me break out of my own shell and be more socially engaging.

I'm exhausted and now it is time to start a new work week. Until next time.

Saratoga Springs pace and catching up

Been home for several hours coming from an exhausting but amazing weekend. I ran in my sixth half marathon in Saratoga Springs and it was an awesome result. I took a couple minutes off of my personal best going from 1:43 to about 1:40. Despite the miserable weather, it was a very enjoyable run through Saratoga Spa State Park and the course was very flat for the most part. The course was not overwhelming and you do not have to deal with so much vehicle traffic compared to most races. It was organized very well and hopefully will have more participants in the coming years. Thank you 3C Race Productions, the Strong Serve organization, and all other participants who made the event possible. I would definitely run this race again in the future and it was one of the best I have participated in.

While I was in the capital region, I got to catch up with an amazing friend I have not seen in almost five years. Me and Jenna went to Browns Tap Room in Troy and talked over an amazing meal. I still can not get over that it has been so long since our last get together. We also reminisced about eating at the same place six years ago Thanksgiving weekend. It was great going back there even though I do not drink now. I was impressed with selection of vegetarian and vegans options available. Jenna told me that the establishment just hired a new chef to do a complete overhaul of the menu. Even though it was my first time in the restaurant in some time, I was very pleased with the atmosphere. If you are in Troy, NY, definitely check out Browns-Troy Tap Room. Next time on my trip to the area is brunch at Cafe Madison and doughnuts at Nibble Incorporated. Thank you Jenna for those excellent recommendations and I can't wait to get together again soon. Lets not wait another five years. Now, it's time to start a new week.

That's me all soaking wet from the rain but very happy with the end result

Herald of Victory

It is hard to believe that 3.5 years ago was my first road race. Since then, I have completed several races including five half marathons. Serious running has transformed my life socially, physically, and mentally. You will be amazed at what you can learn from other runners who have similar aspirations or conquered challenges. Training for a big race consumes so much time but in the end, the journey to finish is well worth it. If you would've told me a few years ago that I would be run and finish a full marathon, I would have laughed at you. On Sunday, I added another life accomplishment, Herald of Victory Marathon. I was elated and overcome with joy when I crossed the finish line in a little of 4 hours. Checking the results earlier, I was 11th overall and 3rd in my age group which is a complete surprise for me.  It was amazing hearing all those cheers from the crowd and volunteers throughout the course, which kept me going. Hearing fellow runners describe the course as brutal and tough gave me more confidence and pride with my accomplishment.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the volunteers, sponsors, first aid station workers, photographers, musicians, and law enforcement/course marshalls for making this race safe and enjoyable. Also, thank you Anthony for running with me for most of the race helping me dig deep for that extra strength and excellent job finishing your fifth marathon. Most importantly, thank you Jenna Jenks and Matt Gawkors, from Confluence Running from all your hard work putting this event together. Having 250 runners participate in a first time event is a big step. Both of you should be very proud of what you accomplished and I'm hoping that it will get bigger for years to come.

Even though Binghamton does not receive a pretty reputation, I'm very glad to see more races being created in this area and most importantly making running enjoyable for everyone. A majority of the events are done for charitable purposes so definitely take advantage of it while you can and most importantly, have fun. Since I've resided in the area for most of my life, I'm glad that I picked Binghamton to run my first full marathon. I hope that event returns next year and I was very honored to be a part of the first time event. Awesome job to all the participants in the 3 person relay groups and Ride For Life 26.2 cyclists.

Right now, I'm at a loss for words but I can't wait for Philadelphia in 6 months and need to invest in a serious training program. The primary reasons why I love running are it keeps me energetic, the desire to take on new challenges, and the people that you meet along the way. My advice for anyone looking to run whether it is serious or for fun, start small. As I stated earlier, training consumes a lot of time but in the end, the goals are very rewarding.

Thanks again to everyone that helped me in reaching a tremendous accomplishment. You are amazing and really appreciate the support. Can't wait to see the photos.

Support local business: Confluence Running

May 2016 and what's ahead

I started this blog in 2009 and regret putting it off for seven years. Today, it is a perfect time to start fresh and give you an update.

In three weeks, I will be running in my first marathon race and the excitement continues to build. I've been training for several months and going into this month, my running has drastically improved. After each run, my confidence continues to grow and there is no intention of letting up now. Last week, I ran my fifth half marathon race in Binghamton. Even though the weather was less than perfect, the cheering crowd came out and cheered us all on. Not only did I take five minutes off my personal best, but hearing cheers throughout the run gave me a lot of positive encouragement going forward. Despite the personal setbacks, I feel amazing and that is not an understatement. I'm really starting to discover myself for the first time in a few years along with an energetic and positive mindset and lifestyle. Along with running twice a week, I also workout 4-5 days a week.

Being a serious runner the last few years has been a very positive experience. You never stop learning and you get very valuable feedback from individuals who are highly experienced in long distance races. Also, you build lasting friendships with those who have similar aspirations/achievements. I meet so many new people at the races and group runs and it is one of the benefits of being a serious runner. I would like to continue running for a very long time and can't wait to accomplish something that I would never think of doing on May 29th.

Earned. Not Given.

 Advice? Anybody can do it. All that is required is committing a lot of time and managing it very well. Writing a fitness journal and a planner is very beneficial progressing towards your goals. If you are just beginning, start small and steadily increase your distance runs over time. That is the beauty of running, you learn and continue to grow as you progress. Join a running group and socialize with those who have accomplished what you are working on. Support local businesses and participate in local races that are in your area. The internet is an endless source of information. Heck, that is how I found out about the races and through word of mouth. It is very encouraging to find more races being created that are fun and for the serious runner in anyones life. Most importantly, be yourself and don't let anyone tell you it can't be done.

"Dig deep for the strength that you seek."-Madball (Born Strong)