Thanks

After a very difficult week last week (passing of my father) I received a phone call of condolence from Jeff. I mentioned that I needed to get out of the house and change the conversation and scenery. So I asked him for a run at Barn Island Saturday morning. Jeff said, I’ll take care of it meet at 6:30.

I was surprised when I arrived. Largest group run ever – 10. Fun catching up with everyone as this was much needed healing. THANK YOU again

Photo by Mike C

8 seconds

Who would have thought – I received this email earlier today  

Thank you for submitting your application for entry into the 2016 Boston Marathon. Regrettably, we are unable to accept your application due to field size limitations and the large number of applications we received from those runners who met the qualifying standards. The B.A.A. recognizes the achievement of everyone who has met the qualifying standards that we have established for the race. Those who meet -- and aspire to meet -- these standards have helped distinguish the Boston Marathon from any other marathon in the world, and we realize the effort, training and commitment involved with achieving the qualifying times for the various age groups in both genders.

Name of Applicant Gender Age on 4-18-2016 Submitted Qualifying Time Michael Boumenot M 47 3:22:40

Entries from applicants in your age group were accepted through and including the time 3:22:32

8 seconds

My age group qualifying time is 3:25:00

That People Who Run Are Constantly Thinking About How Much Running Sucks

Study Shows That People Who Run Are Constantly Thinking About How Much Running Sucks

Trent

| August 10, 3:05 pm |21 Comments

  

(NEWSER) – Non-runners may look at a runner off in the distance and feel a twinge of envy, because surely that person is in some kind of Zen-like zone, ruminating about life’s mysteries. A first-of-its kind study that had runners record their thoughts on the go clears that up: Some samples of the deep thoughts, as cited in a writeup at the British Psychology Society: “My hips are a little tight. I’m stiff, my feet, my ankles, just killing me this morning.” And: “Hill, you’re a bitch … it’s long and hot—God damn it … mother eff-er.” And: “That sucked but it’s going to be an awesome run on the way back.” It turns out that the 10 amateur long-distance runners in the study spent 32% of their time thinking about the “pain and discomfort” they were in, say researchers. (The runs were at least 7 miles.) In fairness, they spent 40% of their time thinking about pace and distance (“downhill, don’t kill yourself, just cruise”) and the rest of the time thinking about their running environment (“it’s so beautiful, the ocean, the mountains” and “hope I don’t see any snakes”). A post at New York finds the study interesting but notes that the runners’ very act of recording their thoughts may have kept them from “drifting off into daydream land.” Still, the researchers think this study and future similar ones will be interesting to sports psychologists. For one thing, runners tended to complain about discomfort near the start of the run, but those complaints tapered off as the miles went by. (Another study finds that running too much can be as bad as sitting around.)

Duh?  Stupidest study in the world.  They could’ve put that research money towards literally anything else and it would’ve been more worthwhile.  This was the most obvious answer in the world: Running sucks.  I don’t care who you are.  It doesn’t matter if you’re a fat guy who hasn’t stepped on a treadmill in 10+ years or if you’re one of those Kenyan dudes who runs a marathon like it’s a sprint, they all hate running.  All of them.  Even the people who run on a regular basis are constantly thinking, “This. Fucking. Sucks.  Why do I do this? Why?  This is the worst.  I’m miserable.”  That’s just the truth.  The second a person laces up their shoes they already wish they weren’t doing what they’re about to do.  And don’t give me that shit like, “Running helps me clear my head” or “I like the runner’s high.”  Shut the fuck up.  No you don’t.   Those are bullshit excuses people made up to make themselves feel better about running and you just parrot it back to others because you can’t think of a reason why you run.  People want to be healthy.  That’s cool.  That’s why people run. It’s not for enjoyment. It’s so they don’t have a massive coronary at 45.  Again, cool. But I’ll be damned if you’re gonna stand there and tell me you like running around.  You don’t. Don’t spread those lies. Science is on my side.

the link: cut and paste - from Bar Stool Sports

http://www.barstoolsports.com/iowa/study-shows-that-people-who-run-are-constantly-thinking-about-how-much-running-sucks/?utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Update

Winter still SUCKS

March 20^th First day of spring or for you geeky types The Vernal Equinox

Ahhh, spring – increasing daylight, WARM temperatures, and the rebirth of flora and fauna.

OMG - I used the word fauna in a sentence – this winter definitely SUCKS

Year in review

1,854 miles (PR)
            Longest run was 26.4 (Hartford Marathon)
16 races totaling $568
            Most expensive was Hartford Marathon ($95)
2 Triathlons totaling around $150
            Crabman and Block Island (in the rain)

Highlights:

·         Running my first marathon (Hartford). Although the weather wasn’t the best that day (rain and cold) this was a fun race. I like running the marathon but hated (like winter) training for it. I was also enjoyable because I had company for most of the way, running with Shara.
·         I can’t remember when but I think it was in February when we had a small group run on a VERY cold WINDY day in Charlestown. We ended the run by going to that small bakery in which we took over the place in conversation when we meet this older couple. Time stood still as we shared stories of marathons, triathlons, racing and training……….
·         The group breakfast run at Chris house May 31^st (my birthday)
·         Running with Tom and Jeff on Jeff epic 50K on his 50^th birthday
Although Tom and I only ran 17 miles on this vision quest with Jeff, it was enjoyable run finishing with Jeff on this epic challenge.

545 miles on the bike

Longest ride 57 miles

New rider added to the group this year – Chris (Armstrong) Garvin  
Side note, Chris works at Amgen and they are the manufacture of EPO (I like a good conspiracy theory)
  
Summary – if you haven’t notice, I have a theme. The best part of all these activities is the many group runs, group rides and group swims this year. Always fun suffering with friends instead of alone.

2015

Registering for Boston 2016
More group runs, rides and swims
Try to stay injury free
I like to do a century ride with all who bike – you know who you are (Tom, Jeff, Shara, Beth, Chris)
I’ve plateau in my quest of PR’ing in a 5K (18:19 in 2012) as I’m not ageing like Jeff (backwards) aka Mr. Benjamin Button.  So I’ll concentrate on the longer distance PR’s

Survival - Li'l Rhody Runaround

Alright, alright, alright (my Matthew McConaughey impression) updating the blog
Sorry no pic’s to share – Jana must not like me anymore or I’m too slow and she didn’t want to wait around.

Arrived early to help set-up and everyone was already there. I like the fact that everyone comes out to volunteer for this race. Great to see Tom and Shara, it was also nice to do a recap of Hartford with Shara – remember, Jeff was miserable and wanted to leave so I never got a chance to discuss recap with her.

 

I’m not really a trail runner – running trails as a group is fun but racing trails, not my thing. I never train for it and I have no strategy. I never know how to approach this race other than just surviving.

 

The race starts fast as everyone what’s a good position before they go into the trails. Felt good going into the campground section passing a lot of – what’s that word – frenemies. The first section I know well and it’s not that technical so I was feeling good. I got passed just before the water stop by some young guy so I hung just behind him knowing I would get him on the road section. Turn onto Buckeye and felt like a fish to water – on the road again - passed the young guy like I knew I would. I re-entered the trails again, this is the section that has technical terrain and not my favorite. This is where it becomes survival mode for me as I try to manage the terrain for about a mile and half.

 

Well it happened – as I was skipping, hopping, running, jumping a particular section – I fell, HARD. I did a tumble and hit my face on a small tree. Sorry no improvement to the face this time. I immediately got up and started to run again with leaves clinging to me. No time to dust off – I now got passed by the young guy again who put some distance on me with this spill. He never even ask if I was ok – asshole. Everything felt fine except my nose, felt like I had a good scratch – cool, I got a battle scar mark.

 

At last King Factory – asphalt. Felt strong and pushed hard passing the young guy again at the top of the small hill. The only part of this race I like in rounding the corner by the cedar trees for the finish. I finish with a time of 56:02 – 59 seconds from a PR. I’m sure the fall had something to do with not PR’ing but I don’t go into this with hopes of PR’ing - I just want to survive.

 

After I finish I like to go help Steve S on traffic duty out on the road. This is always fun time seeing and cheering on other runners coming to the finish. This is when I notice a good size bump on my forearm. Nothing major but when helping Jeff with awards I had hard time giving hand shacks – it hurt.

 

When I arrived home I showed Julie the battle scar marks. She told me to go put something on your nose, that’s going to leave a mark. Cool, I want that.

 

Overall great time and great event for WTAC

picture not by Jana Walker :)

 

Hartford 26.2

Official time 3:22:39 (BQ)

 

Went up the night before with Jeff for a boy’s gone wild night with a stack of dollar bills. After we pick up our swag we went out for a nice dinner then back to the hotel for a wild night at the Radisson. Sorry, no pictures but do you remember the movie Bachelor Party with Tom Hanks – that’s all I’ll say (hi Julie). Awoke with just a little hang-over, looked outside and the rain hasn’t started. We went down to the hotel restaurant for breakfast and Jeff trying to get me to eat some bacon and eggs. I settled for some oatmeal, fruit and some coffee instead. Back up to the room to get our gear bags and begin the ½ mile walk to the park for race start. The rain has now started at this point, although it was light and wasn’t a nuisance YET. We meet up with Tom, Shara, her mom & dad and Shara friend from NY (forgot the name). We all had the seeded cards which meant we were able to get up front. That was cool being up front, you could tell everyone in this coral were serious runners. At this point I was very nervous and I just wanted get going.

 

Off we go; about ½ mile in Jeff Vuone comes up behind me and wishes me good luck – he had to start from the back of the pack as he forgot to include qualifying time from a previous race when he registered. Just like I thought I got caught up with the fast pace – 7:06 for first mile. The funny thing was when we hit the first mile marker everyone’s space watch beep around the same time – I would say 60 or so – pretty cool. Settled back for the second mile at 7:15ish pace and I happen to look to my right, it was Shara. We both settled in at a 7:30ish pace at this time running side by side. We happen to see Tom and his entourage multiple times from mile 2 ½ until around mile 5 or 6 – thanks for the support. Just after mile 2 the half marathon participants turn right. At this time the conversation/noise got very quiet as all the runners around all knew what was ahead of us. Began talking with Shara at this time, goofing on other runners, the pace we were running, family........Tom, she did not share any deep dark secrets (I won’t tell Shara).

 

Side by side running a 7:30 pace when we come to mile 14 and Beth is there taking pictures and cheering us on – how cool this was – thanks for the support Beth. This is the part of the course that I was told was boring, and it was. Just after mile 15 the leaders started to pass us. This is where I started to move to the center of the road looking for Jeff. Shara points him out, here he comes. As we exchange hand slaps he asked how are you feeling response good. Guy behind Shara and I says he seems little happy. I responded with he’s not normal. Around mile 16 I stared to move over for some water. At the same time I go get my water the 3:20 pacer guy and his dozen or so runners begin to overtake our space. By the time I get my water and get back to the hunt, I find myself about eight feet behind Shara. We are surrounded by this group, I can’t move, so I hang on for as long as I can. Mile 17 is the cone/barrel turn around point. The contingent of runners slows almost to a walking pace to make the turn. This is not what I wanted to do at this point in the race. I see Shara look over to see where I was. She makes the turn with little effort and takes off like a 5K out and back race – seemed that way. I tried to make a move around the entourage but to no avail. This is where I started to run a 7:35 pace. Shara was pulling away looking strong and I was just trying to hang on. Mile 20 and another Beth sighting – thanks Beth (Little note – Beth is the person who said a marathon is a 20 mile warm up for a 10K race) - How true this is.

 

The one and only concern I had for running a marathon was hitting the wall and how I would conquer/defeat it - this happened around mile 21. I was amazed how all of a sudden I went for from going a 7:35 pace to 8:35 pace just light that. I tried to overcome the problem by changing my stride, drafting, singing a song, dropping my shoulders………….fighting and wrestling the rest of the way. With a ½ mile to go you find yourself on a bridge about to go down into the city for the finish when all of a sudden the 3:25 pace guy comes up next to me. I begin to panic as this is the one person it did not what to see (Boston qualifying time for my age group is 3:25). He mentions that I’m looking strong and that I’m on a 3:20 pace. He lost his entourage and was ahead of his pace. He gives me a fist bump and then slows to find them as I continue into the city all by myself. Yeah, funny thing, no one was around at this point. With the finish line in-site I wanted to finish strong so I tried to pick up the pace. What felt like 7 something until I looked at my watch – 8 pace, where are my legs, what happened, what the hell. Crossed the finish at 3:22:39

 

After I crossed the finish line I began to walk looking lost or maybe disoriented at this point as I forgot where I was going to meet Jeff, Tom and the entourage. Wondering around looking like a lost little kid I happen to see the gang. I gave Shara a hug and congratulated her on a great race and thank her for the company. She ran great from mile 17 on in, nice to be young. Tom and company congratulated me, shacks my hand.

At this point I look up and see Jeff. You should have seen his expression at this time. No words of encouragement just Mike I’m cold and I need to change, let’s go get our gear. Remember he finish ½ hour ago and was cold and wet. I know he was happy for my achievement. As we said a quick good-bye to Tom, Share and everyone Jeff and I walk/wobbled over to get our gear bags. At this point I was shivering, teeth chattering and just wanted to change. You need your bib to get into the food tent – my hands were so cold I had to ask a stranger who was changing with us to take the pins out. I couldn’t do it, it was that cold. We ate, walk over to the area to get Jeff’s age group award (Nice job Jeff) and wobbled back to the hotel for hot shower. I have more little stories to tell but will save them for trail runs this winter, because I love trail runs and winter.

 

Overall I wish it hadn’t rained but I am glad I finally ran a marathon. Now I know what it feels like to hit the wall. My A goal was to qualify for Boston, no B or C goal – it was all or nothing. When I came home my teenage kids who don’t care about me – I’m just a taxi driver to them – were pumped that I qualified for Boston – they do care, sometimes.

 

Thank you Beth, Tom, Shara mom, dad and friend for coming out in the cold wet elements to cheer us on

Thanks everyone that trained with me on many long runs in the summer – Chris, Shara, Tom (when healthy)

Special thanks goes to Jeff who not only ran with me this summer on many of my runs but also coach me along the way

 

In addition, thanks everyone else for providing advice and words of encouragement  

Ok – enough of the sucking-up – enjoy the pic’s below  

Mile 14 with Shara - pic by Beth

Mile 20 - pic by Beth (about to hit the wall)

road trip - pic by Julie

before the race - pic by Tom