Mark Watson

Some friends from church think they may be interested in doing this relay.  It is 185 mile relay race from Chattanooga to Nashville on November 5 – 6.  Here is a quote from the website: 

This 185 mile adventure-fest will push you and 11 pals through the birthplace of country music, Tennessee. Starting in Chattanooga you will hug the Tennessee River headed northwest. Along the way you will run across the rolling hills of southern Tennessee while enjoying the stunning November foliage. After the hills, you will move on to the ‘stills, as you pass through historic Lynchburg. The race (and your stamina) wraps up, when you honky tonk your way to the Country Music Hall of Fame, in Nashville.

Take a look at the Tennessee – Ragnar Relay Series link and see what you think!

Every year, I along with some of my best running buds travel for the weekend to Marion, Illinois for the 80 mile River to River Relay. 

We placed 3rd in our Division this year with a total time of a little over 10 hours of running.  My teammates this year were Chris Cone, Steve Lovell, Cass Cherry, Brian Agee, Jamie Agee, Hailey Jones, and Art Bentley.

This morning, Shannon Beasley and I met at Breakaway Running to visit and run with ultra runner Karl Meltzer.  Ultra running has long intrigued me and as most runners, I have secretly wanted to do at least one ultra run.

Today was a great opportunity.  Before the run Karl answered questions about what makes him tick and how he trains.  It was amazing to hear how he trains in mountainous terrain running as little as 50 – 60 miles per week in preparation for the 100 mile races.

After the Q&A session we all headed out for the Wolf River Yellow Trail for a 45 minute trail run.  While Shannon and I were heading down the trail, we had someone come up between us and start talking – It was Karl!

Somehow for the next 45 minutes Shannon pelted him with a million questions on ultra running, training, hydrating, recovery, etc.  I had no idea Beasley had that much wind.

I cut the trail short and headed back to the store but Beasley kept on talking and kept on running.  Here are few tips I was able to get from Karl:

1. He always runs trails.  He thinks it is easier on his body and he is rarely if ever injured.
2. He doesn’t over train for his distance.  He runs 50 – 60 miles a week even though his races are 100 miles.
3. Rest and recovery are super important.  He may not run for 4 or 5 days after a race, other than a short slow recovery run.
4. Hydration and fueling are important while you are running an ultra.  This is an important part of his training.
5. Chill out and have fun.

Maybe some day. . . .

Chris Cone, a running friend of mine sent this to me in email this morning.  It’s sort of a sick joke among us runners – but you have to laugh!

Now that the winter months are coming to an end it’s time to start preparing for the spring racing season.  I always look forward to the spring runs for a couple of reasons.  One, it give me a reason to get rid of the winter pounds.  Two, it prompts me to get back in shape.

The first major race I will do is the Germantown Half Marathon.  I’m running this race so I can run with my bud Shannon Beasley.  He is in much better shape so I will probably only see him at the start line.  This race will be held Sunday, March 21st.  Click on this link if you want to join me.

The seond race of the season will be my annual River to River Relay run in Marion, IL.  I look forward to this most of all because I get to run with seven other running friends.  This is an 80 mile relay that starts at the Mississippi River and concludes at the Ohio River.

What are your favorite races?

I started an ebook project on running back in April 0f 2009.  My goal was to finish by July.  Due to a job assignment change, I spent much of the year in upstate New York and the ebook went on the back burner.

When I came home for the Christmas holidays, Stacie told me it was time to finish this thing and get it published.  I know she is partial but she laughs herself to tears every time she reads it.

It has a special dedication page to a running mentor of mine.  I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I  did writing it.

So here it is.  It’s yours free.  Just click on the link and it is yours!

RUNNING FRIENDS 1.0

Fitness goals can be both fun and frustrating.  Stacie’s tennis friends had a slogan last year “A smaller behind in 2009.”  About mid way through the year, after being frustrated, they changed it to “We’ll try it again in 2010.”

For most of my adult life I have been able to stay fit by running.  I paid little attention to what I ate and relied on burning off my bad habits.  Now that I’m in my 50′s that’s not working so well.

Here is my plan for 2010:

1. Continue with aerobic exercise (running)
2. Eat the same foods but eat less (it is estimated that Americans eat twice the amount they need on a daily basis!)
3. Add weight and strength training to build and maintain muscle mass (right now I have no mass!)

My best success has always been to keep it simple.  Use simple math.  Expend more than you take in = weight loss.

How do you do it?

I’m closing in on a six month assignment in upstate New York.  It’s been a great experience, in spite of spending a lot of time away from home.  I will return this week and then I’m home for a couple of weeks for the holidays.  I’m looking forward to catching up with friends and family.

Neither Jared, Stacie, or myself ran the St. Jude Marathon.  Stacie has a stress fracture, I had a kidney infection, and Jared contracted a stomach virus the night before the race.  Funny thing about plans. . . no matter how much you plan and prepare, our future is ultimately in the hands of the Maker.  Stacie is out of running indefinitely.  Jared and I are thinking of trying another one in late winter or early spring.

In the coming days, I will be publishing a couple of book reviews.  Both are books that I received advance copies from the publishers to read and make comments.  The reason I’m telling you this now is that in my opinion both books are sure to make a huge impact.

The first book will be Primal – A Quest for the Lost Soul of Christianity by Mark Batterson.  This book is so refreshing and if implemented by churches and Christendom would change the world!  More about that later.

The second book is by Regi Campbell titled Mentor Like Jesus.  This book is about the need to establish mentoring relationship like Jesus did with his disciples.  But the cool thing about this book is that it not only describes the need but also gives a blueprint for establishing these relationships.

I will post Primal on Tuesday December 15th and Mentor Like Jesus on Monday December 21st.  Please look for both these posts and consider purchasing both of these books for yourself or someone else who likes to continually learn and grow.

As I write this, the St. Jude Marathon is just over 4 weeks away.  Stacie, Jared, and I registered over a month ago – before we were into our long mileage.  Since that time Stacie has pulled a hamstring (or something).  Jared won’t run without Stacie as his training partner.  And me, I have been in upstate New York every week for almost 4 months.   We are at crunch time.

I think I still have a shot at running, even though my mileage has been dangerously low during the week.  I promised Jared I would run 18 with him this weekend and do the 5 minute run, 1 minute walk routine.  Stace is still testing the leg day by day.

I know this will be my worst time in my marathon history.  My best time is 3:37.  But this year I am predicting 4:30 finish.  But, let’s see what the next 4 weeks have in store!

Mark

Stacie, Jared, and I completed one of our first long runs yesterday in preparation for the St. Jude Marathon.  It was a test of sorts to see if we were really still committed to attempting the 26.2 miles of torture.

I’m running from the Intermediate I schedule and they are running from the Novice I schedule.  Mine called for me to do 14 miles while they were to complete 12.

We’re really at that point of deciding if we can do this or not.  The mileage is now high enough that eating and resting are as much of our planning as the running.  This is the point where it is as much mental as physical.  The question is this:  Barring any physical injury can we mentally discipline ourselves to really do it?

We finished yesterday in a little over 2 hours of running, soaking wet and legs almost unable to move.  In addition to that, a few hot spots and just plain body fatigue.

Once everyone was home, I asked if we were still doing this or not.  Jared gave a positive yes, while Stacie was a little less enthusiastic. 

Next weekend will be an even bigger challenge.  I have to do 15 and they are scheduled for 13.  If everything is still a go after this, we’ll make the financial committment and register.