The Cowtown Half Marathon, where it all started for me

At the risk of sounding too sentimental, I'm really looking forward to this weekends race in my old stomping grounds. Most of you who have been following along know that after my surgery I took up running and then started training for my very first half marathon with some friends that I graduated with high school. My most sincere thanks to Mark and Brad for inviting me to join along in the training for the Dallas Half Marathon in 2013 that was ultimately iced over. But then, The Cowtown Half Marathon 2014 ended up being my very first and I wouldn't change this fact even if I had a time machine.

"The Cowtown" as it is affectionately called by many, earned a special place in my heart last year. It was the start of my new life and lifestyle. It's where I learned what I'm really capable. The streets of Fort Worth are where I grew up. Especially along the cobblestone streets of The Fort Worth Stockyards where I spent so many Friday and Saturday nights in my younger years. Hanging out at all the little bars and taverns along Exchange Street with all my friends are very fond memories looking back. I even worked at Billy Bob's Texas back in those days.

As I ran those streets last year, I spent time reflecting on some of those memories among others. So, because of this, I get a little misty. Pardon me while I do so.

This year, I'll be running The Cowtown Challenge. Running the 10K on Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday. Last year I ran the 5K/Half combination and felt strong after the 5K so this year I'm gonna try the 10K. Also, this year I'm gonna run the 10K for Team RWB carrying Old Glory for our nations veterans and the Half for myself wearing my signature "Heart Shirt".

 When I was in that prep room watching nurses and surgeons get ready to open my chest, I made my wife a promise. She stressed how much she needs me to fight back and how much she and our daughter need me. "I need you to fight John. Fight with everything you've got to recover", were the words I had repeating in my head as the anesthesiologist gave me the "happy juice" as he called it, in my I.V.

Those were also the words I recalled as I ran The Cowtown Half last year. Along with the memories of my PawPaw who served as the only true father figure in my life growing. Running, distance running specifically, can spawn a lot of deep rooted thoughts. Some happy, some not so happy. Last year I experienced both and I expect this year to be the same after considering all the thoughts above.

Last year I came running down Lancaster avenue crying my eyes out hoping no one would notice as I faced some of those memories. Then settled in to the idea that I had a lot of emotional baggage to unload and let it all out right there on the half marathon course.  Crying both happy tears and tears of sadness, I learned what it really means to let go.

What is it about distance running that opens this "Pandora's Box" in my mind? I spent a lot of time trying answer this question after last years cowtown. But a year later, I've learned to just enjoy the positive results that come after a run be they emotional results, or just the typical runner high.

Although, I'm pretty sure it's going to be emotional again. Because as I said, Cowtown holds a special place in my heart. Watch out Cowtown!! John Gillespie is coming home again (for the weekend).

Remember,
Happiness is a Choice; Make it Daily

The Stonebridge Ranch Half Marathon (2nd of my 12 in2015)

This one was a fun small race in McKinney, Tx put on by Playtri. It was my first time running in a Playtri event and I was fairly impressed. Though it was a small event (only about 400 runners between the 5K and Half), I could see the organization put in by the race team and support staff. There was plenty of communications regarding packet pick up and race day timelines through emails and the personnel at the Rockwall location of Playtri inside the Rockwall Cycle Center where I picked up my packet several days ahead of time had answers to all my questions.

On race day I wasn't as impressed but, still not completely disappointed. The Course was clearly marked in about 60% of the areas leaving the balance up to you trying to find the person who is running a 100 yards ahead you as you deal with visual obstructions that prevent you from doing so. There were plenty of staff handing out medals at the finish line but, little else. But, this was a small race so my expectations weren't set really high to begin with although; I see no logical reason why the course couldn't have been more clearly marked in certain areas.

But, I that’s just my 2 cents…

What really mattered on the race was my efforts to honor another American Hero with my membership to Team RWB. This time honoring Sergeant Norman Gervais, known by has friends as “Frenchie”. Sergeant Gervais served in the war in Vietnam from 1969 – 1970 and managed to make it back home alive.

I gathered my running gear the night before and made sure I had Sergeant Gervais’ Military details correct before printing up a bib in his honor. Just like any other race that I dedicate to a specific Military Hero/Veteran, I had to get a picture to remember and recall up on later.

I decided a few weeks ago that I will treat this race just like any other training run. But, I’d be carrying Old Glory on THIS training run adding a  little more resistance to the run which couldn’t hurt in the midst of training right?

So, when I go on a training run (any distance), I don't bother carrying any fuel. I carry water in my hydration belt and that's it. So, that's what I did that day of the race. No fuel. Afterall, I didn't have any time goals for this race anyway. I just wanted to honor the Nations Vets. So, I had nothing to lose by not fueling on the run.

The first few miles I tried to hold the reins and keep it to an 11 min avg. But, my competitive side kicked in as people kept passing me. I tried to tell myself, "This is just another training run John." But, this only worked for about 4 or 5 miles. I even told myself that I didn't have a reasonable chance since I was carrying a 2' x 4' flag in winds that were gusting to 25 mph. But, that little competitor kept poking his head out from my subconscious mind and taking over. I really felt the urge to run after a passed a small pack at a water station at mile 5. That's when I failed to keep my plan. I stopped resisting the instinctive run signals that were going off in my brain and turned on the extra steam that I knew I had in the engine room. Miles 5 through 9 were strong. I passed up about half of those that had passed me earlier and felt pretty good. I took water at every station knowing that i didn't bother packing any water in my belt. I even had some Gatorade at a couple of the stations to keep the electrolytes up. But, I didn't count of the course have soo many hills. I'm not afraid of hills, mind you. In fact, anyone who's ever run with me on a course that has even one hill knows this. But, hills take more energy than a flat course and when you're not fueling along the way, well....

Needless to say, I ran out of steam eventually. As I rounded a corner during mile 10, I felt my legs get heavy. A couple of the guys that I had passed several miles ago passed me during the last 5K while I was struggling to get my juju back. 

Now, I am one of those who feeds off the energy of the crowd of any cheerers along the way. I've been know to go from struggling to keep an 11 min pace to all of a sudden running a 9 min pace. But, with a race as small as this, there is very little cheering going on along the course and your left to motivate your self. So, I continued to press on with tired legs and no fuel teaching my body to learn to convert fat to energy. At least that's what I'm hoping after reading some articles about runners who have taught their body to do just that, burn fat for energy on the run. 

When I looked at my TomTom and noticed I was at mile 12, decided to push harder and continue as I always do to finish strong. Fortunately, the last half mile finishes crossing a damn on the small lake in the middle of Stonebridge Ranch which means it's flat. I crossed the finish line running an 8:34 pace with my legs BURNING!!! I went straight for the Nesquik tent for some chocolate milf after grabbing my medal.

One of the guys attending to the Nesquik tent asked if he could get a picture to submit back to Nestle headquarters with me my chocolate milk and my flag. I agreed to a "quick" picture and told him I pose as long he'd be willing to text the picture to me so that I could share it with you all. Thank God for the chocolate milk. I could feel the nutrition hitting all parts of my body soon after. I even went back for a 2nd bottle. They even had Girl Scout cookie flavors. Who could resist Thin Mint flavored chocolate milk? Really? And Samoa! It may have been my ravenous state but, Holy Cow they were good! So good that I forgot all about my slip up forgetting to stop my TomTom and lost my time. Oh well. I just took another swig of my milk and grabbed a banana for the road.

I called my daughter to tell to get dressed so we could go get some lunch together once I get home. And that leads me to tell you all, I have decided after much debate and self reflection that the Double Cheeseburger with seasoned curly fries is THE BEST post race food. Hands Down!!! I'm glad I have 10 more excuses left year to eat something so delectable. 

And by the way, I received notice of my time later. I finished in 2:28. Not bad, all things considered.

Remember Folks!

Happiness is a Choice; Make it Daily

My Phone Fiasco (A Runner with no Tunes)

Most of us newbie runners (I still consider myself a newbie) run with our cell phones. Some runners have them strapped to their arms; others have them in that “special pouch” that is built in to the more expensive athletic clothing, while others just carrying their phone in hand during a run. I myself carry mine in a running belt. You can call it a fanny pack, or a hip belt, or a hydration belt call it whatever you want. I get made fun of for mine because it does look more like a fanny pack than a hydration belt but it has bottles that came with the belt. SO THERE! LOL

Either way, I carry my phone in my “running belt”. I don't use any of the free apps like some of my fellow newbies use anymore. I now use my TomTom Runner Cardio for recording data and measuring performance. But, I still like to run with music which is on my phone. I KNOW, I KNOW!! Some still stand firm in the belief that it is dangerous to run with music. I can see the point they are making. But, we have more than one type of sensory system in the human body (ie. Smell, Taste, Sight, Sound & Touch) and I am not afraid to use them all. Some of them I can use in concert like when I run. I hear my music and I watch for cars, pedestrians, and any other potential problems both ahead of me and behind. I even carry pepper spray for the occasional stray dog that is found on the country roads out here where I still run on occasion. Yes, I have been bitten once. And it only takes once to learn to carry some protection. But, that's another subject for another blog entry isn't it?

But, I’m not writing this entry to begin a debate over the subject of running with or without music in your ears. No. I’m sharing my personal disappointments with a situation I had play out surrounding my phone as it applies to my running life.

 

Ya see back in November of last year I was running with some friends of mine on the trails at White Rock Lake in Dallas. I was doing some speed work. Or at least what I call “speed”. And I had worked up a pretty serious sweat doing so. My phone was in my “running belt” playing my favorite tunes just as loud as I could play them knowing that the threat of cars coming up on me were far fewer on the routes I normally run alone.  It was around the 7.5 mile mark of the 9 mile route around the lake when my music stopped. I looked at the screen to my phone and it was blank and not responding at all. CRAP!!! What’s wrong with my phone!?!?

My fellow runners already know reading up to this point exactly what has happened. My frothy sweat storm had dripped its way into the “running belt” and seeped into my phone rendering it useless. I couldn't even get it to power up to call home and let my wife know I was going to breakfast with my friends after the run so she wouldn’t worry.

Now what!?!?! I had just upgraded to this new LG G3 a month prior. Now it’s already dead? And if the little water dot indicators inside make it look like I dropped it in water then the warranty won’t cover it. Here I was worrying about my own well being on the run when it was my phone I should've been concerned with.

Well, I took the phone to the AT&T location where I bought it and learned that the water indicators were dry and it showed no signs of water damage. WHEWW!!! Now, all I had to do was take to the warranty center in North Dallas and get it replaced. YEAH RIGHT!! As usual, AT&T can’t communicate properly (Go figure, from a communications company) and the warranty center doesn’t keep the G3 in stock. Now, I have to go an entire week with my phone dead and no way to listen to my tunes on the run. Really?? “This was my biggest concern?” you might ask. No. Not really. But, it was my first thought. How can I "Run Against the Wind" without Bob Seger there to motivate me? Sorry for the punny joke. I couldn't resist. But honestly, with as dependent as I am on my cell phone, it shut me down for a week, all because I wanted to get some speed work in.

Well, long story short…I got the phone replaced after some other issues along the way. I had to have the replacement replaced as well because it came with the same defects which lead to yet another week with no phone.

But, it made me realize that I depend on my phone way too much. Though, I still insist on running with my tunes.

But, it makes me want to ask the question of you all.

Do we rely on our cell phones to much these days? Let me know your thoughts. Click the “comments” link below and share your opinion. Do you use your phone to run? Are we too reliant on our cell phones as a whole?

Let’s hear it…

The Good, The Bad, & The Sickly (THIS runners perspective on the common cold)

We've all had it. We have list of a Aliases for it. The Crud, The Junk, A Cold, The Snots & some even call it "Cooties". Whatever the name, I got it. For the first time in more than 5 five years I got a cold. It's absolutely normal for me to get my semi-annual sinus infection. I can usually count on getting it once in the winter and once in the summer. Just part of the territory when it comes to being John Gillespie. But, what I thought was a sinus infection setting in, turned out to me a cold that took me of the road for 5 days. For a full 120 hours I was completely useless to the running society. I felt like I had been hit by that freight train that I've heard so many others talk about. I wasn't ready for a reunion with the common cold but the virus was certainly ready to play catch up after all the time we'd missed.

But, this time was different. I laid around the house constantly worrying about losing all the ground I've gained during the last 2 years of working on my run. In my mind I'm thinking that if I don't get back out on the road I'm gonna lose it all! I'm thinking this as my nose is glowing red like an airport beacon and my head feels like I have an active bowling ally between my ears. I'm drinking NyQuil like it's Gatorade at a marathon water station and I have a cough that has left my throat feeling like ground beef that has been soaked in diesel and set a flame. Yet, I still worried about my conditioning, of the loss thereof. I'm looking at my facebook friends posting the results of their runs and feeling jealous and disappointed with myself for not do what I need to do to maintain my conditioning.

Why was I being so hard on myself? God only knows! In my mind, I KNOW that 2 years of conditioning won't be lost in 5 days. Yet, I still feel like I'm letting myself down. Common sense dictates that the body will not lose conditioning so fast that all my hard work is lost while I sit there on the couch watching the sparrows fling about in the front yard. But, I still had a guilty conscience sitting there by my pile of used tissues.

Why indeed? Why did I feel so bad about not running in spite of my sickness? After a nice 5 miler this morning (on the other side of my cold), I felt the answer. I LOVE TO RUN!!! I DO!!

I know! Not revelation knowledge to anyone who knows me. But, I lose sight sometimes. And I know I'm not the only one. So when I was sitting there in the midst of my pity party wiping my nose and coughing up the unmentionable mess that results in such a virus, I'm feeling bad not because I'm concerned about losing all my hard work, or that my body will forget how to do fartleks. No. I'm just mad. Mad that I can't get out there and enjoy the euphoria that comes with a good solid run. Plug in my music, put on my shades, start my TomTom and run. That's it! I just want to run!

So, the next time sickness takes you out for a few days, don't fret about conditioning. Don't feel like you're gonna lose everything you've worked for. Just rest. The road will wait and welcome you back when you're ready. Just the same way it did this morning when I got back out there. I'm not full speed yet. But, give it a couple of more runs and I'll be back on track.

Though, I have to admit. It was tough to fight of the urge to get in some speed work during my run this morning. You can see where I started off fast intending to do 1 mile fartleks. But, came to my senses and chose to ease back into things.

Here's to hoping you all can avoid the bug that I just kicked. Let me tell ya! It's a doozy! 

Happy Running Y'all!!!

and remember....

Happiness is a Choice; Make it Daily