Houston 2013 - Jerry

Training:

8 years into running, I had my bad years. Chicago 2007 and 2010, to name my famous ones, but 2012 was really the worst because it marked the first time my fitness declined. There were simply too many things going on in my life aided by my immaturity to handle them right that my training sunk. 1774 miles was actually my second highest, but I never consistently trained more than 2 months with the longest being 14 in January. In September, I thought since I didn’t want to run, I went back to play adult soccer league, which definitely helped. In October, I started base building with 162 miles. The motivation finally came in November 4th, when I ran Dallas Running Club Half Marathon, which I PR’d 1:21:06 in 2011, at 1:28:24. Ever since my first and still only sub 3 in Houston 2010, I had been considered myself a sub 3 marathoner even without breaking 3 hours again because of my half time. At that moment, I knew I was physically out of that league.

That was not acceptable.

So I started training again. 216 miles in November and 283 in December including 6x20 miles, 2x18 and 7x15+, later, it worked. I felt I was way fitter than a 1:28 half marathoner. The problem was I didn’t have time for a tune up for a good evaluation. As a result, I decided to start on 7 minutes/mile to have an eye on sub 3 with the ultimate goal to race well by feel. With the forecast of 50-60, windy and rain, I was scared and lost with my 2011 Dallas marathon experience in sub 40 degree cold rain.

Race:

3:00am race morning, I got up and went to hotel lobby for my pre-race carb load. I was elated and right after I hit return to post on my facebook page: No rain, hahaha. I thought: Oops. I am quite superstitious and typically don’t brag about this kind of thing in fear of bad karma.

6:40am, at the lobby again, heading out to the corral for the 7:00am start, the first thing I saw outside was the wet street. Oops again. I totally forgot to come down one more time to check the weather and dressed for no rain with singlet and short with a large trash bag. I paused half second and decided against going up to get my throw away rain jacket. After all, Jerry is lazy.

The rain started pouring down while we were waiting. My shoes got wet, while my body was not shivering as I feared. As the race started, I felt definitely cold and regret not having the rain coat, but it was not as bad as 2011 Dallas, where my leg muscles were stiff and I could never get into the rhythm.

The 7:23 first mile was slow but with a cross over a bridge as well as I stationed myself a little too back. A little misjudgment, but I was not worried and started dropping the pace slowly. 7:01, 6:53, 6:48. Mile 4 I decided to take GU earlier to offset the extra consumed due to the cold. 6:51, 6:47, 6:50, 6:44 from mile 5 to 8. I felt good, but knew soon or later, I would have to do what I had to do best. I stopped for my first potty stop. This was the point I decided, WTH, I would never combat who I was again. So mile 12, I did it again. Ha.
7:28, 6:42, 6:52, 7:24, 6:49 from mile 9 to 12 with a half time: 1:31:49.

I felt not bad, but not great. I knew a 2 minutes negative splits was too much to ask and switched my focus for a good race. The rain largely stopped luckily. As I noticed my urine was clear in the last stop, I decided not to take much water, sometimes even after I consumed the GU. I did eat all 5 I carried. I was right as I took another stop at mile 18, it was still clear.

6:44, 7:01, 6:42, 7:01, 7:45 from mile 14 to mile 18.

I always thought Houston was flat until before the race, I read someone’s complain that Houston course was not with those highway passes etc. I paid attention this time and realized it was not or not that much of an advantage than Dallas. I knew there would be more ahead and also I needed to dig deep to stay on the pace for an open age group BQ, 3:05. I was also clear the way to do it was to carry on one mile on pace at a time.

There was this 14 years old boy, accompanies by a man, around my pace. I past him the first time, I said: good job, kid. I went on a potty stop and past him again. He said good job back. Last time I past him, probably after mile 20, the man was not there. I asked: do you feel ok?

He said: good.

I said: nice.

Now I looked the result, he finished 3:10:52.

To me, the race is a 100% mental game, while the fitness is determined in training. The trick is to find deep in my heart the willingness to fight on. The boy reminded my daughter who said: daddy, I will finish my first half marathon at age of 13. She was a pretty good runner, not surprisingly, and ran her second 5k at 26:13 last October. She started playing soccer at age of 9 and her team was just slaughtered cause other girls started at 4, 5, 6 etc. Just as she and her team got better, we moved and she joined club, which upped the game to a total different level, while the new team consisted girls with the same background and was slaughtered again. I always encouraged her to keep on training and with her running capability, she would catch up. So did her team.

As the race got tougher, I told myself if I didn’t fight this race myself, what kind of father I was to push my own daughter.

While I entered into downtown, I saw this skyscraper, well in Texas standard, with an American flag on the top. Guess which company’s logo underneath, AIG. I first thought funny about the news last week AIG was contemplating on suing US government. Then, I realized as I would join a new company in a week with the requirement to be naturalized as US citizen as soon as I become eligible, which would be April. This race could be my last race as a Chinese. Maybe I should show some spirit. Just right timing just as I was like: I don't think my DD cares how hard I run.

I also started my usual pain relieve strategy: groan loudly. I couldn’t care less if I annoyed anyone I past, which was a lot. I only remember being past twice permanently after the 2nd half.

6:55, 6:51, 6:55, 6:50, 6:45, 6:54 from mile 19 to 24.

I had two interesting encounters in the last maybe 4 miles. One black short fellow running towards me with such an ease form, it was gliding on the ground. Seeing it in person, I instantly realized this was someone with totally different caliber. I was right. It was Meb Keflezighi. Ha. I shouted: hi Meb.

Meb replied: way to go, runner!

How could he not know my name?

It was on the bib. Ha.

I eased back a little at mile 25, 7:05, to avoid my left calf cramp up. That’s probably where Joe appeared and yelled at me. I shouted back: I am going to qualify Boston. Haha. I picked up a little to finish mile 26 at 6:52 and past a couple going to the finish.

First half: 1:31:49.
Second: 1:31:45.
Finish: 3:03:34

Not a PR, but I felt confident to say this was an extremely focused and maybe the best executed race for me. No doubt, I gave 110%.

2013:

No doubt, year 2012 was a lazy one. What was good about it was I was able to heel my right foot PF at large degree. Some exercise also helped, which I just need to keep on doing 2013.
My family also moved to north Dallas. As I ran around, I found a couple good hills, which was lacking in the past. My feeling is as I will see significant improvement once I include hill training in my routines.

I am going to join a new organization with great benefit, flexible hours and wait for it, a onsite gym, wait for it, $5/month, and wait for it, subsidized cafeteria with salad bars, meaning I will be able to eat healthy and cut weight.

The best coming out of 2012 was I feel the desire to train and PR again. I will be 45 next month and know there will not be any PRs left if I don’t act now. Those who know me know what happens when Jerry is not lazy. So at last, I reiterate my 2013 goals:

Half: sub 1:19
Full: sub 2:49.

Thanks for reading!

Heck of an effort in some pretty crappy conditions Jerry. And some ambitious goals for this year too!

Nice report to Jerry. Jerry seems to have found his mojo again.
Glad you were able to meet for lunch on Saturday.

Interesting way to snag a solid open BQ. Pretty even 1st and second half if you don't count mile to mile. Thanks for the stellar urination report also. Way to go Mr. Jerry! Yeah, how could Meb NOT know the famous Jerry. Also pre-congrats on your citizenship. USA USA!

Great report, Jerry. Even with the pee stops, look at that negative split! That's impressive at any speed, but in the open-BQ range? Wow!

I also like your goals for this year: challenging but within your reach. I can't wait to see how it works out for you!

Congrats again, Jerry. Stellar splits for a lazy guy!! Good luck with your next goal as I hear the citizenship test would not be passed by most of us born here.

If only I was lazy enough to do that well . Good job and impressive split Jerry!

Can't wait to meet you in Boston. Way to go 2:49 > hmmmm....I better get to training harder.

Oz needs to know which hotel Jerry likes better, the Hilton or the Inn at the Park?

ounce wrote:Oz needs to know which hotel Jerry likes better, the Hilton or the Inn at the Park?

The corral gate was just right at the front door of Inn at the Ballpark, can't beat that, though Jerry still peed 3 times.

The cafe is pretty good too, lots of sandwich choices with pasta buffet option. I took light dinner now, the sandwich worked well. Hilton has probably those too.

I would no doubt take Inn again.

Jerry did good! Jerry should be happy; Jerry is not lazy after all.

God bless America!

Well done Jerry. Even though you didn't get your sub 3 you did extremely well on 1700 miles of training. You are an exceptional racer and I'm sure that if you can keep your motivation level high that you can achieve your goals that you've set out for the year. I don't know if I'll be able to find the time to race a half and a full but if I do I have the same goals. I hope you can enjoy a successful and injury free year!

Wow Jerry. I had no clue you were running. Very good.

Great race Jerry and great report. I enjoyed reading it. Congrats on your upcoming US citizenship, as well.

I loved this report. Thanks Jerry. That's a very good race, but more importantly, it has you motivated to kick some butt in 2013!

Pretty remarkable consistency in the race itself. Man, you really do BRING IT on race day. Consistent training? Not so much sometimes. But wow I'm impressed every time you race.

Can't say I've ever seen splits like that. Well done, Jerry.

Great job, Jerry, and very nice report. You have a very positive attitude in it and it's going to go well in 2013. Let us know once you're a citizen!

Thanks everyone for your kind words and encouragements! I will continue to indulge some junk foods as I always do, but will start some jogging soon. I promise.

Wonderful report, Jerry! I'm honored to be one of the group here that was at the Houston marathon in 2010 where you became a sub-3 marathoner! You are and always will be a sub-3 marathoner! Now, how many port-o-let stops did you have??? You're pretty darn fast at them, not taking that much time, but maybe 2013 should work on cutting one or two of them out for just the edge that you're looking for.

At least your urine was clear!

Jerry,
Congrats and don't rest too long or too short. Whatever that really means???
I had a horrible year of racing last year (April~Dec), so like yourself, I'm hoping to have a year of redemption.

dot520 wrote:Wonderful report, Jerry! I'm honored to be one of the group here that was at the Houston marathon in 2010 where you became a sub-3 marathoner! You are and always will be a sub-3 marathoner! Now, how many port-o-let stops did you have??? You're pretty darn fast at them, not taking that much time, but maybe 2013 should work on cutting one or two of them out for just the edge that you're looking for.

At least your urine was clear!

Thanks Dot! I agree once a sub 3, always one, but I will have to do another just to show the first was not a flute.

Gobbles wrote:Jerry,
Congrats and don't rest too long or too short. Whatever that really means???
I had a horrible year of racing last year (April~Dec), so like yourself, I'm hoping to have a year of redemption.

Appreciated you waited for me. Lets have a strong year!

Great job in those conditions. Excellent race. Good start for 2013 to hit another sub-3 later on.

Alex Kubacki wrote:Great job in those conditions. Excellent race. Good start for 2013 to hit another sub-3 later on.

Thanks Alex, I shall hit sub 3 sooner than later.