Coach Crowther

This is my friend Greg and myself after completing one of my favorite training loops in Seattle.  Greg is the real deal when it comes to professional running.  He is incredibly humble and a self professed 'slow' marathon runner completing his last 26.2 miles in 'only' under 2.5 hours.  (For comparison, my last marathon was just under 4 hours.)  At a young age, Greg realized that his real gift lay in ultramarathons of 50 miles or more in which he routinely places in the top three.

Over the last several months he's been humoring me on our bimonthly runs around Seattle.  One might imagine the story of the tortise and the hare, but Greg in his graciousness will run one step behind and let me set the pace.  None-the-less, I always feel an added surge of adrenaline knowing we're on the clock as he keeps track of our progress on his stop watch.

I've never been one to keep track of times, much preferring the reward of covering distance and enjoying the natural scenery go by.  Perhaps this is a concession to my lack of raw talent and incompatible height for running of 6 feet 4 inches.  Still, with his clock silently ticking away the seconds, I've come to see the appeal of keeping track of times and striving for personal best's.

Here you see me pointing to my newly acquired Greg-inspired watch having completed our 9.5 miles in a 7:40 minute/mile pace.  As Greg put it, "I'm afraid running might never again be as fun for you!"  But I beg to differ, it's just fun in a new way.

Follow this link to Greg's Blog "My Track Record" to see his own musings on running.

Playing Hooky

I confess:
I will not be running the 3 miles I'm supposed to run today; there, I've said it.

Training has become so ingrained in my daily schedule that missing a run is accompanied by a lot of guilt! Of the roughly 120 days of training I've completed so far, I can say I've probably missed only 2 days of running. To be honest, it's knowing how guilty I feel if I don't run, that gets me out door most days.

But with that being said, today my run is just not going to happen. Between pouring down rain and a trip to Chicago there's just no time! So there you go Internet, I've confessed and I have to say I'm feeling much better :)

Hamburgers and Happy Dogs

Only during training can I say "I LOVE MONDAYS," because Monday is a rest day. Don't get me wrong I love the training, but after 17 weeks of a strict running schedule, I definitely appreciate the days when I don't have to run! Not only is it nice to have a break from training but it's also nice to spend time with Brad and the doggies, that's why Mondays have become our date night and dog park night. The doggies also seem to have caught onto the routine, because when I walked in the door tonight they were practically bouncing off the walls! After tiring them out at the dog park, it was time for our romantic date-night of Monday Night Football at our favorite burger place! Between two happy dogs and a sharing a delicious hamburger with Brad while watching football, I couldn't be happier with Monday!

Happy Monday!

Before and After

 

The preparation: getting psyched for 12 cold miles

 

The incentive: Hot chocolate

The big pay off: After 12.6 miles or an hour and 57 minutes of running

wistful mist

9:19 Am.  I just spent some time on Trailguru.com planning a 12 mile route for myself while sitting at my favorite coffee shop.  http://www.joevangogh.com/ourstores/index.html  (The Durham shop is where I'll be having an exhibition of my paintings up for the month of November 2009.  Visit my other blog for a sneak peek.  http://robbdamman.blogspot.com  20% of sale proceeds will be donated to Can Care)  I am looking outside at my parked truck's windshield getting covered with tiny rain drops.  Daunted I think I'll get a re-fill.  Not to worry the 12 miles will get done.  So help me god.  (this often used pledge/prayer/call for strength just made sense to me.  In this context it is particularly fitting, though a bit dramatic.)

Do My Feet Look Big?

I love this perspective because it makes my feet look small. Having size 15 narrow feet has always made finding shoes difficult, so it is with particular relish that I try on a new pair of shoes! Like my sister, I am fond of the Asics GT 2100 series. In fact, it is one of the few styles that come in my size and width. I also completely relate with her love affair of running shoes. (See earlier post by Brynne) To my dear wife Jennie, I'm sorry, but I know you'll understand, having often played wing-man to your shoe fetish myself.

This pair made its maiden voyage on a commuting run to work 2 days ago. It was a crisp clear night and the sensation of running on clouds might aptly describe the run. The following morning I headed home from work in a Seattle-esque setting of pouring ran. So much for "new" shoes, none-the-less, my GT-2140's and I are still going strong!

Commuting on an empty belly

One of the many bonuses of working nights at the hospital this year has been the luxary of commuting to work by running. I've found it's a great way to save money on parking and fill the empty hours of sitting in traffic with something perhaps a bit more productive. None the less, there are certain logistics that I've had to work out. For example, work starts at 8:00 PM and eating at a normal dinner hour before leaving would mean an uncomfortably full belly of food while running. The other consideration is that Jennie, my wife, finishes work at the same hospital at 7:30 PM. This leaves us a precious 30 minutes of overlap, but if anyone knows me or my Jennie on an empty belly, this wouldn't be the most pleasant half hour without food. So the solution...I make dinner at home and pack it in or stop at our favorite taco truck en route. After a shower and quick change into scrubs we enjoy our sometimes-not-so-warm but still heartfelt meal in the call room before heading our respective ways for the evening.

Rain: to run or not to run

It was soggy and cold but I did 9 miles today. In a way it was a great fall day, just wet. 2/3 of the way through I got slightly defeated but then remembered it could be in the high 90's. Then I'd be sweaty wet. So, I settled into the last third of the run and reveled the best I could.

The warm shower, dry jeans, sweat shirt, cup of tea and chicken soup upon completion were extra sweet.

See you at the finish line!

The #1 cardinal rule of running

BEFORE













AFTER

I broke the #1 cardinal rule of running, NEVER wear new shoes to do a long run!

Saturday morning I set out for my daunting 20 miler, the weather was perfect, and I was energized and motivated. I laced up my new, clean shoes and set out; feeling pretty good early on, I was happy to be making good time, then around mile six I started to feel a blister, then another one, then another one!! When all was said and done I had 3 blisters! Needless to say I was not a happy camper by the end of the run, but I finished and that's all that matters.

So a word to the wise, NEVER run long runs in new shoes!!

Also, thanks to everyone who's donated so far! We're halfway to our October 15th goal!

donations are coming forth

Yes!

We have gratefully received our first donations.  Thank you to those of you who have given of yourself.  Knowing we are on our way to our fund raising goal sweetens the training runs.  Like a wind at my back your support is making my part in this deal (the running part) easier.  I am reminded constantly that I am blessed with caring friends.

See you at the finish line,
Robb

Asics GT-2140, I Love you!

Finding the right running sneakers is like finding your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife.; once you find one you like, you try to stick with 'em!

I love my Asics GT-2140, they're awesome. They've (almost) gotten me through two marathons, countless 5k's and other races. In celebration of signing up for my second marathon this year, I went out and bought myself a brand new pair! To all of your runners out there, I hope you too have found your "solemate"! haha, I couldn't help myself :)

You know you're crazy when....

...you committ to a second marathon in the middle of the heaviest training week for a marathon you haven't run yet! With five miles under my belt from Tuesday and 10 done yesterday, I still have 5 tonight and the dreaded....20 miler on Saturday!! But how could I say "no" to running with my hometown marathon, with family, for such a great cause! Can't wait to share our progress with all of you, if I survive Saturday, that is :)

I am in 110% or Whatever it takes.

10/08/09  I have not run the City of Oaks Marathon yet (Nov. 1st) and I already can not wait for the Houston Marathon.  Just yesterday I was talking to a friend about the power of thinking, doing, praying for others when my own self centered fears become too much.  And then Chris calls me with this timely proposal, to run the Houston Marathon for charity.  Well, Heck yeah!  I am in 110%!  Life works in mysterious ways.

Three People I remember

Grandpa Damman

Aunt Cheryl

Aunt Theresa, far left.

Most of us have been touched by cancer. Our family has had a particularly bad stroke of luck when it comes to the disease. These three remarkable people will hold a special place in my heart as I train for Houston.

Welcome to our blog!

Here's a picture from our first Damman Marathon, the Philadelphia in 2005! We're happy to be back on track with training and even happier to be doing it for a cause. Check back to this site for pictures and updates on our training. Thanks for your support!