Back in early 2005, I set a goal for myself to run the Maui Half Marathon. I knew I needed to run with other people to get stronger and to learn more about distance running. My first few attempts at joining a group of distance runners were disasters. One of my running teachers was a flake who just pocketed my registration fee and didn't show up after the first session. Another teacher had a seizure on a horse trail in Palos Verdes, which was witnessed by us newbies. We were in a panic since no one had a cell phone or a medical background. The man recovered, but died a few weeks later from a heart attack on a lonely trail in PV.
Then I tried to hook up with a trail running group. I figured I'd be ok, since I ran a 10K and the group leader said I'd be ok. Wrong!
These people were elite runners (slow for them is running an 8 minute mile) who clambered over the huge boulders like billy goats. Since I had no experience with trail markings, I got lost easily. I was also allergic to all the plants and my asthma kicked up. In those days, I did not carry an inhaler when I ran nor did I have any medic alert ID tags, which I realized only later that I should have carried both. But mainly, I just wasn't up to snuff to run on their turf. I didn’t even have cell phone contact with anyone - it didn’t work in that mountainous area. No one ever checked up on me. They just asked me what took so long when I got to the end.
But I did not give up in my search for a running group to help me train for a half marathon. I found AREC in May 2005. What a great bunch of people who never let me get lost! Dennis Murphy was out there bringing up the rear, or if he wasn't with us, someone else would make sure all of us slower runners made it back to Joe's Crab Shack. No one asked me what took so long. Someone who was more experienced always asked me if I was ok. I felt safe and it encouraged me to push myself harder every week The main thing I learned in the past 2 summers of running with AREC is that the best part of running is giving, not taking. It’s not just about giving the race everything you have, but also it’s about what we give to each other to help accomplish our running goals.
AREC gave me the structure and discipline I needed to get ready for the Maui Half Marathon. The summer long runs gave me the base training to go on to do 4 more half marathons and eventually the Long Beach full marathon.
AREC truly is a club for runners of all abilities and ages. No one ever bagged on me for being slower or having physical limitations. I really appreciated being treated like everyone else. I especially appreciated how Deb, Todd, Win, and everyone else who did water duty during the marathon training runs were out there when I came by. I know they stayed longer to help us back-of-the-packers. Everyone in AREC helped transform me from someone who could barely finish the first 5 miler, to being able to finish this first ever full marathon.
So a BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE who gave me so much precious advice and encouragement. I learned so much from everyone about Garmins, gels, hydration packs, shoes, socks, race courses, etc. You helped expand my knowledge beyond running books and magazine articles, because all of you have worked hard at becoming such wonderful runners.
I am especially grateful to Dennis Murphy told me about the Galloway Method, and to Win Freeman who showed me how to apply it. It’s been a lifesaver. L. Lazarus
I was happy to see the AREC canopy so prominent in its location and full of people both before and after the race. Todd did a great job securing that location! It served as a meeting point for my family and an anchor for the event.
As far as the race went, the first 9 miles were fun for both my son and I. The last four were pedestrian for Brian as he had run out of gas, so we just 'jogged' in from 10 miles on. I was happy to hear the positive comments from all of our AREC friends as they passed us in the closing miles. No regrets and no apologies! Dave Kuntz
Oh yeah, that Alzheimer moment. Well, it seems that I won't have any photos waiting for me online because I ran the race without my bib number... which I accidentally left at home. Brilliant! Instead of pinning my bib on my shirt the night before like I tell people to do, I set the bib and pins on top of my shirt so I wouldn't forget them. But in my groggy early morning condition, I moved them to the side to put my shirt on... then walked away. I realized I didn't have a number as soon as I turned my truck off in the Convention Center parking lot. For a split second I considered driving home to get it, but quickly concluded that that would be lunacy. But the good news is, I also realized that I had my timing chip in my race bag, so I did get an official time and did not bandit the race (contrary to popular opinion).
All in all, a day like that makes the long 5 months of weekly early morning training runs and preparation well worth it! Who's up for next year? Todd Rose
Also, I would like to thank all those who donated to the organization I was raising money for, the Neurofibromatosis (NF) Marathon Team which raises money for the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF). With your help, I raised $2,575. The NF Marathon Team raises money for researching a cure and treatments for NF conducted by the CTF. My father and brother both suffer from this NF and other relatives are showing symptoms. So I run because they cannot.
For more information on NF please visit the following websites; http://www.ctf.org/aboutnf/ and http://www.nfinc.org/ Joe Sullivan
I was thinking that it wasn't likely I'd be able to get under 4 hours again. But this past June at San Diego's Rock N Roll Marathon, I surprisingly did a 4:03 without feeling like I'd almost killed myself. I told myself I was going to do as many of the AREC training runs as possible (a thousand THANK YOU'S to Todd again). During the long Saturday runs I was able to keep an 8:45 to 8:50 pace without feeling 100% spent. So without telling too many people (don't like the pressure), I decided to try and keep a similar pace for the marathon. The last few miles were hard (like always) but I came in at 3:52.28, and was, and still am pretty jazzed about it.
As I look back on the run, my fatigue factor wasn't tremendously overwhelming. I only caught myself hallucinating once. But it was a good one. I pictured Heather on top of the Nieto hill filling my water bottle. She just keeps inspiring!
The Long Beach Marathon is so much fun because it's our hometown run. Having so many ARECers there is very encouraging and makes it a great party! Steve Schatz