Fact: I've been in a funk pretty much since the end of 2010. I haven't been running as much as I should be. I've been subjecting myself to long runs on the weekend without the build-up milage to support such distances.
I know that I need to incorporate more 3-8 mile runs during the week, cross train more consistently and simply put, just recommit to the sport.
Over the weekend, I was going through some photos and found a picture of me and 2 very close friends (also running) at the start line of the 2010 SF Marathon. I sent it to each of them with a simple line: "Miss you guys." (Context: I train with a group of friends in San Francisco and haven't been making it out to our Saturday runs consistently).
I received a response from each of them:
"Awhhh — look at us at 6 a.m. in the morning. No reason to miss us, you know. Just get up and run."
"Thanks for sending that, that's really sweet. You went through a burn out phase. Bring it back in slowly, maybe 3 miles, then 5 miles, set your sights on a half marathon max maybe in the late spring? BREAKS ARE HEALTHY! We'll support you and be standing by when you're ready to come back."
Two completely different responses, from two people I care very much about. But in essence they are saying what I need to hear:
It is as simple as getting up, putting on your shoes and running. 1 mile, 2 miles, doesn't matter. "Just get up and run."
I did burn out last year and it resulted in an injury from overuse. I was racing every month and not allowing proper recovery time. Setting a goal like a half marathon in a couple months will allow me to focus and get back on my feet, literally.
Sometimes reaching out to those you know, especially fellow runners, results in solid advice. I plan on listening to BOTH of my friends and getting back out there. I'm ready. Re-focused and re-energized thanks to two amazing friends and an event photographer.
About to cross the finish line.. HULK SMASH COURSE!
Hulk not scared of mud... mud scared of HULK!
By far one of my favorite photos... this is the final mile, final hill. Hulk tired.
Incredible Hulk meets Usain Bolt
Say Cheeeeeese!
And of course once I got home, Mika wanted to play as well.
Incredible Mika!
Thank you Oakland Running Festival for an incredible race and thank you MarathonFoto for the incredible photos. Share your comments below, I'd love to hear your thoughts.
After realizing that my training milage was not high enough for me to attack the full, I decided to run the half... dressed as the Incredible Hulk.
I've been wanting to do it for over a year, run as the hulk I mean. I already had the muscle suit and gloves from a previous Halloween, so it was an easy costume to piece together. Please forgive the absence of face paint, I just wasn't that committed to the costume to sweat green paint for 2 hours.
Expo The expo this year was much larger than in 2010. A good sign that this race is gaining popularity and support from vendors/sponsors. Organization was great, just as it was last year. Plenty of volunteers to guide you and answer any questions.
Race Start I met up with four other friends running the half about 45 mins prior to the race. We all started together and eased into our individual paces after a couple miles. I slowed down a bit first, I mean the Hulk is a big dude, so he gets distracted by wanting to smash things.
Crowd Support The crowd support was phenomenal, like it was last year. I can't say it enough: the community really comes out to support the runners and more specifically, the city. You can see the city pride on each person. You get used to seeing people come out to cheer on individuals in the race that they know... this isn't the case in Oakland — complete strangers are cheering on EVERYONE.
Nice Gloves Dressing in costume is fun. But those hands are heavy. I thought the muscle suit was going to be restricting, but it was the hands that caused the chaos. Once the weight in the gloves kicked in, my natural running arm swing was rendered useless. So I walked more than usual and interacted with the crowd and fellow runners. I had a couple conversations with others walking or people at a similar pace.
Photo Opp Yes, I posed for all the cameras. Why not? I wasn't going to win the race, so why not look INCREDIBLE?
Hulk Fist Bump The cool thing about having giant green hands... FIST BUMPS! With kids, other runners, the crowd, Raider Fans, A's Fan's chanting: "Let's Go Oakland" and the police blocking off streets. There were lots of mom's saying to their kids: "look, the hulk" then I'd strike a pose, Hulk style. Although there was one kid dressed as batman that was mean muggin' me. Funny, right?
Finish I came in just under 2:30, about 15 mins slower than I expected and nowhere near my sub 2-hour PR, but I had fun! I got to experience the race at my own desired pace, interacted with people that I wouldn't have had the chance to if i was running at race pace with music. It's a different way to experience a race. I had an INCREDIBLE time and looking forward to doing it again in 2012, costume or not.
Last year I ran the Inaugural Oakland Running Festival finishing within 2 minutes of setting a PR (on a hilly course). It was the first marathon in 25 years for the city of Oakland, making it an enormous opportunity for the city and the community. I was lucky enough to participate as a runner/blogger in 2010 and am fortunate to be returning again this year, participating in the Half. I also got another chance to interview Gene Brtalik, the Event Director, but this time with a successful 2010 event in his pocket. Enjoy.
1. With the success of last year's inaugural event and the event looking to sell out this year, what can we expect as a follow up for 2011? I think we can expect to see more fans along the course this year as well as more buzz. Last year, I think we took quite a few people by surprise even though we promoted the event quite well. Now with a year under our belt, we have definitely had more people talking about it which should equate to more Oakland pride being on display.
2. As part of the training build up, the ORF organized preview runs along the actual course. It's a great idea that doesn't seem to be common among other races, how did the idea form? The local running store back in Baltimore organizes three of those types of runs to get people ready for the hills of the Baltimore Running Festival(a hillier course than Oakland) and a few years ago we started doing it with our Frederick event. We noticed that people really enjoyed them and when we started Oakland last year I wanted to give the idea a try. Last year, we had roughly 200 and I was a little floored since that was more than we usually had in Baltimore and I did very little publicity for it. We expanded to two runs this year and was more shocked at the last one that 300 people showed up to run in a constant drizzle. Our goal is to be a runner friendly event and this is one way for all the runners to be mentally prepared for what they see on race day, minus cars on the course obviously. So far it's been a huge success.
3. You also did it last year, was there positive feedback from 2010 finishers attributed to having run sections of the actual course? A boost in confidence for 2011 runners? I think a lot of people last year realized the "dreaded" hills weren't that bad and gave them some extra confidence on race day. A few people hadn't trained enough on hills so they learned that the half may be a better option. We did receive a ton of feedback from people last year that they loved the preview runs. One of the funny things is that people are shocked that a) it's free and b) we don't care if you aren't signed up. We would prefer they were signed up, but maybe the preview gives them that nudge to register for our race.
4. City Hall, Montclair, Jack London Square, Lake Merritt. Is the course mixed with the crowd support from the community a large part of the Running Festival's success? I would have to say community support is a huge part of the success. As runners, we know how important seeing a smiling face is on race day whether it's a complete stranger or a loved one. I tell a lot of people we could have the seven wonders of the world on the course but if there aren't fans it doesn't make any difference because at mile 23 I would rather someone yell my name than look at the Great Pyramid. Now if a race had the Eighth Wonder of the World Andre the Giant (RIP) cheering me own, it would probably be the best course ever.
5. Oakland native Mark Curry (of televisions Hangin' with Mr. Cooper) was at last year's marathon starting line cheering on runners. Can we expect him to lace up his running shoes for 2011? There has also been some chatter on twitter about another Oakland native and inspirational figure, MC Hammer, being encouraged to participate. Any word on that becoming a reality? Unfortunately, both Mark and MC Hammer are out for 2011 unless something changes at the last minute. Both have prior work commitments that are outside California which will make it hard for them to get back in time for the race. KNBR's Dan Dibley and CBS' Roberta Gonzalez are on a relay team together and there may be a few other celebrities that haven't come forward yet.
6. If you had one word of advice for someone that is "on the fence" about registering, what would it be? My own piece of advice is that you've run in San Francisco, San Jose, Sacramento and maybe even Napa give Oakland a try. If you don't like it, then you don't have to run again. But don't be scared off by the image that the media portrays Oakland to be. There's a reason 90% of our runners left Oakland with a positive view of the city last year and a bigger reason why 98% of runners would recommend it to a friend. We treat our runners like family. If you don't like something, we'll fix it for next year. You are our biggest advertisers.
Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions Gene. Looking forward to year two. Registration will be available Expo weekened, however there is no registration on race day. Come join us!
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It's me, your old friend... hopefully you didn't forget about me. We used to be so close and over time started to drift. We used to enjoy each other’s company early in the mornings. I’d show up sleepy and tired, but by the end of it, I’d be revitalized and ready to start the day with some much needed pep in my step. On Sunday you’d help me stretch and workout any soreness generated from the previous day’s long run. Those were some good times with me and you.
I’m hoping that not too much time has passed and we can downward dog right into a smooth routine. I may not be the person I was last year, but over time, I’m sure I can get back into my groove and Vinyasa with the best of them. Heck, pretty soon my posture will be better, my center of balance more... ummm... centered and perhaps a new outlook on daily tasks. I’ll be breathing better, which is always a plus in my book and be more flexible. Yep, that will be me: a centered-flexible-breathing-runner that stands up straight.
