Running Strong.. (video)

One of the greatest things about sports is that everywhere you look there is an inspiring person, with an inspiring story.

Here is the story of 95 year old Ida Keeling..



I hope when I am near that age I am as active as her..

Stretching Out a Twinge

This morning I went for a nice 11km run. We ran from Tzomet Ha'Elah through Park Brittania. We climbed Park Brittania until we hit the peak of the mountain. Then we ran out the northern entrance of the park and ran back around to Tzomet Ha'Elah.

The run was tough because of the steep and long hill climbs, as well the weather was not optimal. We beat the expected rains, but it was very windy.

This was my first run since Friday's 30km run. Due to some scheduling issues I have not been able to get out for a run. As well, near the end of Friday's run somethign started to hurt inside my ankle. I thought I would let it rest and heal, and my schedule allowed me to use that as an excuse. I went out today despite it still hurting and it was perfectly fine. As a matter of fact, now that I am post-run, I no longer feel the twinge I felt before. Maybe the run stretched it out.

PSA: Marathon Items

I have two public service announcements to share with you:

1. The Fresh Air Fund is still looking for runners to join our Fresh Air Fund-Racers team for the NYC Half-Marathon this coming March 20th and I was hoping you might be able to post something about it on Rabbi Running a Marathon. This is a great way to participate in NYC's premier road race while helping Fresh Air Fund children. Please feel free to repost any videos, banners, or images from our news site here: http://freshairmarathon.com/

We are also in need of host families for this Summer. Host families are volunteers who open their hearts and homes to a child from the city to give them a fresh air experience they never forget. Please let me know if you are able to post or tweet and if you could send me the link that would be wonderful. Together we can help make sure these children have everything they need!

2. http://www.teamlifelineisrael.org/ - Chai Lifeline is putting together teams to run in the Jerusalem 10 km 23 km and 43 km race that will take place on 25 march.

Teamlifeline Israel aim is to raise money for Chaiyanu which is the Israel branch of chai lifeline- a charity that helps children with cancer.
 
If either of these events are relevant to you, please consider supporting these important organizations, either by joining the team or by supporting someone who has joined the team.

Runnign 30km in wet weather

We planned to run 30km today, but it was going to be dependent on the weather. We have finally been having a rainy stretch, and the forecasts had more rain predicted for early morning today. So I met my running buddies at 5:35 AM to head out to run, and sure enough a nice and steady rain was coming down - not hard, not a downpour, but nice and steady. We decided running 30km in that would just get us sick, so we canceled.

The rain stopped shortly after, and the sky was clearing, so it looked promising. After the morning prayers we decided to try again. We ran out from RBS to Roglit-Neve Michael. The gate to the fields was locked so we had to climb over the fence. We ran through the vineyards, including the crazy 2km uphill, and all the way out through Givat Yeshayahu.

Overall we ran a nice pace, but we did not push ourselves too hard. Between the uphills, and the weather, we didn't overdo it. And we took generous water stops.

From there we dumped out on the 38 and it was starting to rain very lightly. We decided to head back rather than extend the run in the middle, and ran out to Elah Junction, where we stopped for a bathroom break at the gas station and to buy some drinks.

The next part is the hard part of the run, with the next 5km being a long uphill angle of highway.

By the time we were halfway across Road 10 towards RBS, the rain started coming down seriously. Running in the rain was not so bad, but the rain wasn't such a heavy rain either.

I got down to the bottom and hit 29km. I decided to extend it to hit 30. I ran past the shopping center, and then back to my house, pulling in right as my watch registered 30km.

All in all a great run, mostly "dryish".

Beautiful 10km Run, Seeing An Old Partner

With the forecast predicting two days of rain starting tomorrow, I considered taking advantage of a beautiful, albeit windy, day and running today, even though I ran last night. When one of my running partners sent me a message saying he'd like to go out for a run, I jumped at the bit and joined him.

A 7 - 9 km run turned into a 10.5km run. We decided we have run the standard "to the satellites and back" run too many times and needed a change. So, we ran around RBS and then down and up Tzeelim. It was a great run, with a tough uphill by the end (Tzeelim).

During the run we saw my first running partner ever also out on a run. At the time I was just starting out and was just about at the 10km distance. I went on a couple of group runs and those first group runs I ran with this partner, just because of our similar paces. This runner taught me a lot about starting running and how to gauge my abilities, and mostly gave me my early lesson in respecting every runner and their abilities and challenges, and not thinking you should run better than anyone specifically.

A Great Saturday Night Run Despite The Warning Of Arabs

Due to a combination of weather, work and laziness it has been a few days since I last ran. I was really itching to get out and run a bit. So i went out tonight and decided I would run longer than I normally run a=on a Saturday night, and run a bit harder (Saturday night is generally a recovery pace run).

I ran out on Kishon to the end, back and up Yarkon, out to Road 10 and out to the end of 10 by the junction with 375, back and finished the circuit of RBS, concluding at 12.3km.

It was such a pleasant evening that I saw lots of people taking advantage of it and getting some exercise outdoors. There were runners, walkers, people walking dogs, older people, middle aged, teenagers, husbands and wives, friends all out burning some Shabbos calories (if such a thing exists - dont we say that it doesnt count on Shabbos...).

An interesting incident, as I was running down towards Road 10, I was stopped by 2 young men running in the other direction. They wanted to warn me that they had just seen a group of about 20 Arabs down the road heading out into the field towards the area below RBS's Nehar HaYarden. They wanted to ensure I had a cellphone on me so I could call someone if I ran into trouble, and if not (I did not and told them so), to at least warn me to either turn around or be careful.

I chose to continue running - if we canceled our plans in fear every time we see an Arab, we would not get anything done. We are in a country that has Arabs, and we must figure out how to live our lives productively and not in fear. Yes, one should always be careful and wary of dangerous surroundings, but there was not anything specific in their warning that made me think I must turn around as danger is imminent.

And anyway, I figured that even if they jumped out at me and chased me to stab me, I could probably outrun them.

To Bet Shemesh And Back

I had a meeting last night in bet Shemesh, and decided I would turn it into, weather permitting, my Saturday night run. I would run to the meeting, meet, then run back to RBS.

No problem. The distance expected was 5.5km or so in each direction. The way there would be a breeze, with the run being mostly downhill, as RBS sits higher than BS. The way back would be difficult, as the uphill climb would be pretty serious.

I started out at 9 PM and ran to Bet Shemesh. As expected the way there was a breeze. Unfortunately, it was shorter than expected, and only came to just under 4.5km. I got to the meeting point, had a drink and shortly after everyone else came and we met.

When done, it took longer than expected, I headed back. The way back was difficult, but not as bad as I had expected. Maybe my recent increase in hill work is paying off.

The run was going to conclude at about 8.6km. I considered adding to the run a bit, to bump it up to 10km, but it was already late and I wanted to get home, so I left it at that...

Great Friday Hill Run, Great Running Week

This past week was a great running week, and Friday was a great run. The weather all week long was beautiful and perfect for running, and Friday was the same.

I met up with a running buddy I used to run with a lot, but have not run with him at all in the past few months. We went out to Tzomet Ha'Ela to begin our run and ran out to the entrance to Mitzpe Massua. From there, there is a small access road that goes in and through Park Brittania. This was a great section, as it incorporated some reasonably serious hill running along with some flat running.

The path took us to the main entrance of Park Brittania, dumping us out on the 383. We run out on the 383 until we came to the path through the fields across from the moshav Sedot Micha. We ran on the parth through the fields, and then hooked onto a trail that would take us through the moshavim in the area.

Yes, that's right. Despite running in Vibram FiveFingers, I ran a trail. The trail was pretty good - it was a packed dirt trail, that was strewn with rocks, but it was not a rocky trail. I was able to run on it finding enough space with no rocks. Yes, I took a risk going into it, but it all came out good.

That path then led us up through a moshav called Ajur. I had never been in this moshav before, and it was really nice and pastoral on the top of a hill. Everyone there seems to have dogs hat barked as we ran by their houses.

After running through Ajur, we connected onto highway 353 which would eventually take us down to the 38, and then back to Tzomet Ha'Ela. The 353 was a pretty good run, with uphills and downhill, and not much flat land. It took us past the southern entrance of Park Brittania, along with passing the moshav of Srigim-Li On.

We finished the run at about 18km, in 1:54 at a nice and easy pace.

A great Friday run brought me for the week to 44km, with runs of 14, 12 and 18 kilometers.

Barefoot And The Hills

I went out for a run today in the most beautiful weather. I ended up running only a bit over 12km because I started later than expected and had to get moving.

Because I am training now for the Jerusalem Marathon in March, it is no longer a good idea to try avoiding hills. The Jerusalem Marathon is full of hills and it will make the course a very difficult one. I now have to train with hills in the runs to make sure I survive, and conquer, Jerusalem.

So in today's run, I even detoured around a bit to include more hills in my run. Running in bet Shemesh is a natural for preparing for the Jerusalem Marathon, as it is easier to find hills to run up than it is to find flat road. In total, I ran up four hills during my run. 3 of them were decently significant inclines, and one was small but significant.

Another interesting thing was I ran part of it barefoot. really barefoot, without even my Vibram's. I have been reading about people who run really barefoot and wanted to try it. In the middle of the run I took my Vibram FiveFingers off and ran 800 meters barefoot. The sensation was very interesting, noticing the different surfaces and how the foot reacts to them. However, it is not for me. I will stick to the Vibrams. I guess if I build it up my foot would get used to it, as they say happens, but I don't feel like doing it. Maybe running through the grass is ok barefoot, but on the road it doesnt seem right.

14 watchless kilometers

Today I went out for my first run since the marathon. I had been itching to go out. I had a hard time scheduling a run last week because of a busy schedule combined with very cold nights. So this morning I went out with three other runners, for an easy paced 12km or so run.

It felt good getting out on the road again. I felt strong. It was nice because the weather was good, cool and overcast. There were other runners out as well.

I ended up running about 14km. When I stopped to wait to meet my running partners before heading out to the highway, I turned my watch off. When we met up and started running, I forgot to start the clock. So I ran without tracking it, but the distance was about 14km, and the pace was about, based on the other guys watches would be about 5:20 average or so. That was close to marathon pace, and not the slow and easy pace we had planned. Though in reality, when running 12 or 14km that is a pretty good pace for us. It is only tough when running that pace for 42km!

Makes me wonder though, if I run with no watch, does it count?

Jerusalem here I come!

The Marathon Is More Than A Race

The previous post recapping my marathon experience was really written to be shared with the running club - everybody shares their marathon story. I then posted it here as well. I do feel the blog is deserving of another post as well, not running club specific. Here it is:

Running a marathon is an amazing experience. People regularly ask about the health aspects of running so far and  for so long. Personally, I doubt there is much gained health-wise by running such distances - the health gain is probably capped off at 10 or 15km runs. Anything beyond that has nothing to do with health and exercise. The marathon is not a form of exercise, but is an experience. An amazing experience.

Training for, and running, a marathon is an experience of self-awareness and self-fulfillment. The marathon is well beyond the capabilities of any normal human being. Yet, people push themselves and train for months to be able to run one. And despite all the training, all the speedwork, all the long runs, despite it all, everybody struggles during the marathon, especially during the last 10 or so kilometers. No matter how much you train, the marathon resists, and makes you earn your medal.

I trained for this marathon for 18 weeks. I really started earlier, running intensely in July and August to get into decent shape for marathon training which would start in September. My goal this year was to run the marathon barefoot (in Vibram FiveFinger barefoot running shoes), and it was a challenge. Different body parts would be sore, different way to run, different aches and pains and challenges. After the holidays in October I slowed my training down from 4 times a week to 2 times a week, with the occasional good week running three times.

That is not a recipe for success, but a marathon can be run like that. It was a good thing I did not really have a goal other than to finish the marathon successfully, having run it barefoot. I did not think in accomplishing a certain time and pace goal.

Despite it all, and perhaps because of the different running style (due to being barefoot), I was still running just a bit faster than in previous years. My expectations were that I would break the 4 hour mark, but I wasn't shooting for it.

Then you actually get to the marathon. At the marathon anything can happen. As I said, the marathon is an experience, and it is far more than a running event. The marathon is a test of your mettle. When you are out running for 3 to 4 hours, your mind plays tricks on you, trying to get you to stop. The marathon is the ultimate test of you being able to conquer your limitations, both physical and mental, and especially mental and succeeding to surpass your normal abilities.

I went out with my running partner and we got off to a fast start. The excitement, the running, the camaraderie - it is just an amazing feeling. You are out there struggling to keep your pace and you suddenly see a friend, a fellow runner, who calls out to you, maybe he even just waves because he doesnt have the energy to call out, and he hoots at you, and that gives you a boost. It keeps you going for a little bit more. Then you see another. We support each other because we know what we are each going through, what we are each struggling to accomplish.

The run was great for the first 32 kilometers. the last 10 kilometers are the toughest. they are harder than the first 32 combined. The last 10 km is really where you get tested. And no matter how well you trained, how hard you trained and how carefully you planned for your marathon, that last 10km will be the greatest of challenges.

At 33km I started slowing down, with a slight uphill. It was not big enough that it would have affected me on a normal run, but after running 32km, this was like climbing a mountain. Up, up and up, finally at the top and then you see you are still nowhere near the end.

At that point I think I need to take a break, maybe walk a little bit. Then you have to catch yourself and realize that your mind is playing tricks on you and you cannot let your mind win, nor can you let your body give out. You are stronger and you will win this battle.

So you break the rest of the run down to more manageable sections. Another 500meters, 1 more kilometer, 2 more laps around this or an out and back to the landmark run. And you keep plugging on. It is a struggle, but you are winning. It does not matter that you have slowed your pace down, because you are still going. That's what matters.

You have already succeeded, just by having completed 18 months of grueling training and not giving up in the middle as many do, not giving in to the aches and pains, not succumbing to the desire to sleep just a little bit longer and miss a run. Now you are succeeding again by running through the toughest part of the marathon.

35km, 36km. you are still struggling, but now you are getting back to seeing some high points as well. You know the end is near. You even know that if you continue running you will be able to finish and get over the pain quicker than if you would stop right then and walk the rest of the way. So you keep on plugging. I even start to speed up a bit again. Not much, but I do pick up my pace a bit.

39km, 40km, almost there. Suddenly you see everyone else around is also seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. You are nearly there. Still picking up some steam. It is tough, and painful, but you are back in your zone. Only 2km to go. 1km.

Then you see yourself approaching the finish line. 200 meters to go. You find relief, and you also find your last bits of energy reserves, energy you thought you had used up a long time ago, you find some courage, and you pick up your pace. You will finish strong, You will finish a winner. You have conquered the marathon. You have overcome your own limitations. You have come out victorious in the games of the mind.

And then you cross the finish line, with your arms up in the air, knowing you worked hard, you succeeded, you accomplished. And if you end up meeting or beating your intended pace and time, how much more so!

That is why, I think, everybody who completes the marathon gets a medal, and not just the top 3 runners like in other sports - because your race was not against the other 1000, 2000, 10000 or 40000 runners. Each person was racing against himself, his or her own limitations, his or her own capabilities. Anybody who finishes the marathon successfully, and it does not matter how much time it took to run, is a winner.

And that then carries over into your daily life and routine. You know you can do anything. You approach things differently, You know you can succeed where others would give up.

Competition Is Success And Tragedy (video)

I feel bad for this guy. In this 20km race in Tokyo last week, this runner comes from a few back to take the lead with just 150 or so meters to go. Then he follows the truck taking a turn instead of running straight, obviously thinking the lead truck was going the right way. With officials gesturing to him, it is obviously his own mistake. At that point he diverts back, but it is too late - he has lost the lad and finishes in fourth place. Competition is full of glorious moments, both personal and competitive, but it is also full of tragedy and failure.

Running Hard, Setting A Record

Going into this marathon, my second, I had no goals other than to finish, but four sets of expectations.

1. I had the remote possibility of running hard the whole way through finishing at a pace of anywhere from 3:35-3:45.
2. the more realistic possibility of a good and even pace more in tune with my abilities and finishing in the 3:55 range, possibly pushing 4.
3. crashing and running in the range of a 4:15 or so.
4. bad weather and whatever happens happens.

I had no idea which of these possibilities would happen.

Victor and I have been running a lot together over the past couple of weeks. Even though he is normally faster than me, but I enjoyed the fact that he was coming off an injury and running slow (for him). Still, I have had to run very hard during the past few weeks to keep up with Victor even at his slow pace.

We had not spoken about running together at the marathon. I was not sure I could run with him, as running fast on a 12 or 16km run to keep up with him is different than doing it in a 42km run. I still decided to line up with Victor and go out together, using him as a pacer and he could use me as a pacer.

I have run a lot on my own. I have done almost all the long runs on my own (finishing in Rehovot with the group, but the whole run was alone), and even when I run with the group I am running alone because of my speed (funny to call it speed, when it is the slowest in the group). There is a tremendous difference between running alone and running with someone. Running with someone you are constantly motivated to keep running hard. When running alone, you start to get tired so you take it easy and slow down.

The weather was so beautiful it was amazing. The Kinneret on one side, the beautiful green mountains on the other. No wind. You could not ask for better marathon weather than this, and what more could a person want than to be able to fulfill Kum V'hithalech Ba'aretz in such a beautiful setting?

So I went out with Victor and we were running way too fast. A break-neck speed of about 5:15m/km. We knew we would eventually slow down, but we were both feeling good and just running. We were not even talking. Just running together. I dont know how much he was using me to push himself, but I was definitely using him. As we neared the halfway mark we realized were still keeping the same pace. I confirmed it when we hit the 21.1km mark at the exact same time I had finished the Beit She'an half marathon 3 weeks ago. At that point I thought to myself that if I can keep it up, I might even finish in the 3:40s. But I knew it was not likely.

At about the 28km mark, Jonny Klompas met us (he did not run the marathon but came out to run part of it) and ran the rest of the way back with us. We were still going strong, and Jonny joining us was a big boost. he was talking and we were not really listening or answering, but he gave us some fresh energy and some morale boost. he was really blabbering a lot. thanks Jonny.

We were still going strong, and then we hit some slight uphills. I kept it going for a bit, but then at the 33km mark there was another small uphill, and that was it for me. I could not keep the pace up any longer. I slowed down to go up the hill - it was looking like a mountain by then - and then could not get back to my pace. My legs just couldn't go any faster. Victor and Jonny were pulling further and further away and I knew I was on my own for the rest of the run.

My timing was still great, and I knew I would not be hitting the 3:35 mark by then, and just kept going. It was tough. The 33-37 were the toughest I think. I kept telling myself, this is just a run down to the satellites and back, this is just 10km - anyone can do that, this is just 3 more laps around Dolev, etc. I kept telling myself that I am going to walk soon, but not yet - one more kilometer and then I will walk a bit, 500 more meters and then I will walk. Two more laps around Dolev, no big deal. I dont know at what mark it was but I grabbed a piece of banana form someone and wolfed it down. Then I grabbed an orange but when I chewed it I could not swallow - I chewed out the juice and spit out the mush.

Suddenly I was at kilometer 39 and I knew I would make it the rest of the way. I got a sudden burst of energy and picked up my pace a tiny bit. I felt a little stronger as I started seeing more people cheering and as I got closer to the city. I passed 40, then 41. I had it in my grasp. 1 more kilometer to go. Chugging through the city. Finally the last 200km and I started to pick up my speed and build into a sprint. nothing like the sprinting of the Ethiopian runners mind you, but that final 150km is downhill, just over a ridge, and perfect from a strong finish. The finish line is in sight and I am blowing right by people. I even see that I was finishing in time this year to still see Chaim and Rich and some of the other guys waiting near the finish line before they go back to their rooms giving up on us slower guys. I hear my name called on the microphone as I approach the finish line and then it was all over, setting myself a personal record of 3:54:15.

I have to thank all the guys for their support, especially Chaim for all the work he puts into the group planning and encouraging and motivating, especially Victor running with me, pacing me, and making me run hard, and Jonny for joining us late in the game giving us a big boost. And to my wife who came along to cheer me on.

People thought I was crazy trying to run barefoot (in Vibram FiveFingers), but I am proud to say that I am the first Israeli marathoner to run it barefoot, setting a unique record, though I really have no idea if anyone else has done so previously. I just made it up on an assumption. Good enough for me.

When does training for Jerusalem begin?

That's it?

We are the champions! We are the champions! What a run! Amazing finish! That's all you got??!! That's all you got?? Bring it on!!

200 meters

42km done, 200 meters to go. Going to sprint to finish this thing like a champion!