Original Post:

My costume: I ran as my boss, who last year ran as….a runner. I wore exactly what he did, including putting my race number on my stomach (as opposed to my shorts where I normally wear it). Really lame I know, especially compared to last year, I couldn’t top Michael Phelps so I didn’t try. Now I have the bar set really low for next year….

Luckily most people put some serious effort into this:

Yo, the Reggae Run was at the beginning of the month....

Weak, I know

Warm up jog

Potential front runners waiting for the gun

The Start/Finish Line

I forgot the absolute insanity that is the start of this run. Pure madness; Batman is behind you and next thing you know you’re getting passed by a banana.

Next thing I know we’re in the darkness of the cemetery, I throw in my headphones and start crankin’ away.

Then I got passed by a ballerina…..

We were still pretty far up in the pack though, as evidenced by the amount of people pouring into the cemetery as we exited.

This sucker has a torturous uphill for the last mile or so, but the final .2 is good downhill and I really kicked it in to gear. As I approached the finish line and saw 20:05 on the clock I started really churning with the knowledge this would be the fastest 5K I had ever run by a long shot. Sure enough I crossed at 20:16, 44 seconds faster than my previous record.

Then it was time for the party!

My favorite post race meal

All in all: pretty good times. The party is nowhere near as awesome as the Reggae Run because there is A) not enough food B) not enough beer stations C) The Ark Band isn’t playing. But it’s for a great cause (benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation) and I ran the shit out of it! What more can you ask for.

I shaved 1:13 off my time last year, which I thought was pretty incredible until I remembered that this time last year was about 6 weeks after I had my appendix taken out. Still, there were points on that course I thought ‘Man I am dragging ass,’ only to cross the finish line well before I thought I would.

It probably helped that Doug was on my ass the whole time…this is the first race I’ve known someone at the starting line who was running at the same pace with me. See you at Run Like Hell Doug….

Like last year it was misty, but it cleared up for the race itself, and then cooled us off at the party. Although I remember being a bit warmer at the party last year. But hey, there’s plenty of food to warm yourself up with!

Goetta sliders have become my favorite post race food. I first had them last year at this very race, and then again this year at the Fox and Hounds 5k. Good and good for you….

Not to be confined to simply goetta on a bun, I ate myself stupid. The final tally came out like this: 3 Goetta sliders, 1 pulled chicken sandwich, 1 cheeseburger, 1 cup of jambalaya, 2 chicken wings, 1 salad, 1 granola bar, and because all that wasn’t enough, one chocolate cupcake.

And a bunch of bud light….good thing I just hauled ass on what might be the toughest 5k course in Cincy…..

The Ark Band kept people dancing like they always do, and most people seemed to have a great time with no mind being paid to the weather.

And everyone wants a pic with everyone else’s goofy hats!

One last thing that is so awesome about this run…..it always gets me back in touch with one of my favorite Reggae/Roots/Dub/Soul/whatever-you-call-a-7-piece-band-out-of New-Zealand….Fat Freddy’s Drop. Works for both pre and post race pump up and cool down…and general good times. Wandering Eye put them on the map back in 2005, but they already had a huge international following from putting on amazing live shows.

Midnight Marauders

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3JBztXpMSgE

Wandering Eye

www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCJg63SziL4

Read my post on last year.

I got off work and walked home, debating at the last minute whether I was really going to pay $35 (pretty steep for a 5k) to run across a bridge I hit all the time (Editor’s note: those who know me personally are familiar with my ability to waffle on any decision until the last minute, so this is normal behavior). In the end my screw-it-you-only-live-once attitude kicked in and I hopped on my bike to ride over to Newport and register.

Riding east down Central Pkwy

These are the days where Cincy weather is awesome; blue sky, a little breeze, humidity below choking level…

I locked up my ride and went down to the registration table where I was hit with a blast from the past….scantron sheets…damn bubbles…but whatever it takes to get instant timing results…

After I registered I started the warm up process, which naturally included taking pictures of QCS…

The pre registered crowd was a little thin, but about 5 minutes after I got all set up it seemed like runners were coming out of the woodwork. I guess, like myself, this was a spur of the moment call for many of the foxes and hounds.

Let me speak about the format a little bit more. If you’ve ever seen me at a race, you know I like to start in the front of the pack. I know I’m not going to win (or even come close) but I hate fighting my way through a crowd. Plus, if you are in front and people are passing you it’s just more motivation to run harder. Doubt crept into my mind as I thought of all the foxes, including the walkers, who would have a 5 minute head start. Here I was for a flat course I thought I could break my PR on, a goal now in jeopardy due to potential bottlenecking (other than the bridge this was not a wide course).

It turned out just fine. By the time they released the hounds the foxes were spread out enough, and most of the laggers stayed to the right to allow the speedier of us to breeze by. In fact, I was (by my standards) flying, as I passed mile marker 1 in 6:26 and mile 2 at 13:00. I was pumped, at that pace I would surely break my 21:00 5k PR.

Somewhere during mile 3 the switch flipped the wrong way, and by the time we made the turn to head back up the Purple People bridge I was slacking. 100 yards from the finish line I couldn’t find that extra gear I kick it into at the end of races. I tried, but my mind was focused on not throwing up. I finished at 21:56, and while I thought I could do better, I remembered staying up until 3 am the night before, and moving furniture for 2 hours that day…not exactly good race prep, so I relaxed and went looking for water.

A welcome surprise, I ran into Liz and her friends and we chatted for a while by the timing board. I glanced over, the list of the top 25 men scrolling across the blue screen. If you were lucky enough to be in that group you won a “Fox and Hounds 5k” etched pint glass. And there it was, my name at number 25…I smiled, all of a sudden happy and not caring about my time. It was good enough for a glass, and that was good enough for me!

Liz and I post race

Did I mention they had goetta sliders and orange sherbet for us to munch on? Our race bibs also had 2 drink tickets stapled to them…I’m pretty sure post race parties are now a requirement for me to take part in events…

3 sliders, 2 beers, 1 sorbet cup and a bunch of laughs later it was time to pedal back home, albeit with one more shot of the Queen City’s new gem.

For the first annual Fox and Hounds 5k I thought the organizers pulled it off pretty well. Everything went down as advertised, and if I have one gripe it would be that I can’t find the results online. But they had them there at the race, so who cares. Plus, I love the ability to ride my bike to events like this. Suck it suburbs. I can’t wait for next year!

Update: someone was kind enough to point me to the results–thanks!

It’s amazing what one good race can do for your confidence. I thought I might have lost a step or two after taking so much time off from actual distance running. I guess the last 8 weeks of pick up soccer have really paid off though, because I kicked ass on that hill. I’m sure all my biking didn’t hurt either….

Only three ways to get faster: Hills, Steps, and Sprints…and I love ‘em all.

It was also a pleasure to have my Dad out for the weekend….never underestimate the power of family at a race. It was like being a kid all over again, stomping on home plate and running back to the dugout to get a high five from Coach (especially since my Dad was our baseball coach).

You can tell this is pre race because I still have a shirt on

Coach and I

About to head out for a warm up run

Waiting...

Waiting....

Go!

21:22 later...didn't want to keep Dad waiting too long....

Tired and smiling, a great feeling

I hear the minerals in beer are good for you after a run....

Congrats to everyone who ran, I hope you had as much fun as I did! And a special heartfelt thanks to Pops for not being too put off that I want to go run a race right after he drove 8 hours to see me. Besides, I think he had enough fun at the after party to make it worthwhile.

I really miss running. It feels like I never got back into it after I hurt my knee running the mason mini marathon last November. From January of last year up until I had my appendix removed at the end of August, I was kicking ass and taking names. I lost close to 30 lbs (most of which has stayed off). But more than anything, I just felt good.

So to those running the race this Friday, HAVE FUN! I hope to join you for every awesome step of that 3.1 mile route around downtown (the fact it’s not a morning race is great too).

Looking back on 2009:

Pre-race shot: Go OTR 5k

Stretching before the downtown Tri

Crossing the Tri finish line....the closest I've coming to throwing up at the end of a race

Mid-race at the Reggae Run

Run Like Hell...as Michael Phelps

I hope the Downtown Dash can be my triumphant return to road racing for 2010!

Running, on the other hand, has been an on and off part of my life ever since I started playing sports as a little kid. However it wasn’t until the end of high school that I realized I could run for for the sake of running–by myself–and enjoy it.

Recently I found myself comparing the two activities and their similarities. You’re asking yourself right now “How could running around outside and sitting in a chair getting a tattoo be similar?” For starters, they are things that people are–for the most part–either into or they’re not, with little to no gray area. There are other similarities as well.

Tri Swim Bike Run

1. Both involve a certain amount of pain that one must, on some level, find enjoyable.
With tattoos it’s obvious, that’s not a massaging needle they use to put ink in your skin. With running, I’m not talking about the pain from an injury (that’s just bad). It’s the pain you feel right before the runners high takes over and you stop thinking about moving your legs and just let them rhythmically churn. It’s gritting out the last half mile of a race, and kicking your pace up even though your muscles are about to issue a cease and desist order.

And when you’re done with a tattoo or a race, there is a great sense of accomplishment and relief. Which leads me to my next point.

2. Both are meaningful experiences that stay with you for life.
You’re never going to forget the experience of sitting/laying in the chair at the tattoo parlor getting a tattoo. And if you do somehow forget it, the tattoo will be there always to remind you.

Now I’m not saying I remember every run I’ve been on. But I remember all of the races. I remember the important runs where ‘something clicked’ or I was able to work through an important issue in my life. I look through the collection of routes I have and I think about the places I have seen and things I have discovered while running–it’s all a big part of who I am today. I once read an article about how to motivate yourself to run on vacation. I laughed–to me running on vacation is almost a necessity. Not only do I want the exercise, I want to see my surroundings and find new paths that I would otherwise leave unexplored.

I was recently in Maui with some friends, staying at a resort we had been to two years before. Last time I couldn’t run, so I was excited to explore more of the resort strip with my Nikes propelling me along the way. I ended up making my way farther north than I expected, and found myself looking back south over Black Rock and down the line of stately beachside residences. A glance up north showed a view of untouched beach that beckoned me to explore. And while I don’t remember every step of that run, I’ll never forget the feeling of rounding the corner to that lookout and marveling at where I was.

Editor’s Note: I realize this post drifts off at the end with no real conclusion. There is a follow up article in the works. But it kind of fits, because I drift off during good runs, and good tattoo sessions.

By running…as fast as you can…

Interval training involves running at near max speed and intensity, and then an interval of jogging. There are a number of track workouts (see Yasso 800′s) which are great, if you have access to a track. But living downtown, I don’t always feel like getting on my bike and riding up to UC to use their ring. So I’ve created a number of downtown interval workouts, one of which I’ll share right now.

I was trying to find a good place for interval training and I figured if I’m trying to workout out and get as strong and fast as I can, I should go where the pros go. So I went down to PBS and found a great spot at the SE corner of the stadium. You start at the bottom of the ramp on Mehring Way and sprint up the ramp to the stadium deck. Then continue next to (or better yet, jumping over) the concrete benches. When you hit the stairs that lead back down to the parking deck you’ve hit a 1/4 mile.

At that point you turn around and jog back to the bottom, where you do it all again. Repeat ten+ times, then go for a cool down jog, stretch, and take the next day off. Do this a few times a month and watch the results.

Being a nice, slow, 6 mile cruise that finishes with beer, the Tweed Ride is a perfect precursor to Sunday’s Mini-Marathon (it’s a 15k, not even a half marathon) which starts and finishes at the Mason High School. Like most races, it benefits a charity (in this case the Epilepsy Foundation), and the course looks pretty flat, so it should be a nice easy cruise (that is, if you can ever consider moving 9.3 miles with your feet easy). Unlike the last two races I’ve run, there won’t be any costumes (although it would be hilarious if someone showed up as a strobe light), and it will be nice to get back into the groove of regular racing without dragging my camera with me on the course.

More information can be found here.

And much love to The Smoke Store on Jefferson, the costume would have been nothing without your contribution =)

Then, when you’ve had your fill there, head down to OTR for the second night of Neon’s reopening. Last night was a blast, and tonight will be even better, plus there will be a a No on Nine theme. Because I’m sure everyone who will show up down there is still uninformed on what Issue 9 is…..

Do some pull-ups (let the GIF load for a demo)....

....and run the skinny's....

....and jump over some shit!

Waiting for the gun

My triumphant return to running events was the Reggae Run, and it was a great race/party to attend. I had been missing the feeling of me and a few thousand of my closest friends taking off at the sound of a pistol, slowly working our lungs to the point of heaving air in and out of our mouths. The run started off by winding our way downhill out of Ault Park until we hit Delta, where we climbed back up to Observatory and did the roller coaster that is the entry back into the park.

Haulin' ass and taking pix

A quick 3.1 miles without a single flat step. This is the type of race course that fits Cincy so well. It kept a smile on my face the whole time. Although I got a few odd looks for running with my camera. It was well worth it though, especially to capture the after party.

The after party was full of goofy hats-mine included

The way I describe the after party to people that haven’t been…a mini, all-you-can-eat version of taste of Cincinnati, including four drink tickets. What a way to end a race =)

Full bellies partying to the soothing jams of The Ark Band

Check the slideshow up top for the food pix.

I’m really excited for this race. I’ve just gotten back into running after taking a month to recover from appendicitis. I ran a few miles yesterday and felt pretty good, but this looks like a pretty hilly course. For me, this race will be about feeling good when I finish more than finishing with a fast time. And it’s a reggae run, so I’ll be taking a bit more of a relaxed attitude. Look for me, I’ll be the guy with the big Rasta top hat on!

With 26 flights of 59 stairs a piece, running up and down the aisles is almost masochistic. Which is why I smiled when I pulled up on my bike and looked out to see a handful of people dispersed amongst the rows, all concentrating on not missing a step. It’s an interesting crowd of mostly college age athletes, with a few gray hairs mixed in. And while one person may be sprinting up and down a set of stairs to work on speed, there are others like me who are there to work on their endurance. I like that mix, and even as we pass by each other, there is an acknowledgement of the work that is taking place.

As for the workout itself, I like to run all the stairs, then do some sprints around the football field. After a break, another set around the stairs and I’m ready to call it a day. Without hitting the top section of the stadium, and depending on whether you run the short rows in the lower part as well, you end up hitting about 3100+ steps over about a mile (according to google earth mind you). It’s the sort of thing that turns your legs to jello, but when they re-solidify you are that much stronger for it.

And riding back down the Vine St. hill on my bike is always fun!

I like seeing more events downtown, but I especially like events that spread out past Fountain Square. Don’t get me wrong, I love the square, and over the last few years the change there has been unreal. It is in use all the time, be it an organized event or people just taking advantage of nice public space. But downtown isn’t just Fountain Square, and getting people over to the St. Xavier area is a nice change. I’m sure the owners of the Blue Whisp and Silverglades wouldn’t mind.

Whether you come to race, play cornhole, or drink Christian Moerlein (or all of the above) this will be a good time.

If you’re a runner, why not consider this nice 5 mile route that will take you from downtown to Mt. Adams, over to Newport and Covington, down past the stadiums, and back up thru downtown to finish in OTR. Sounds like fun eh? It’s certainly more fun than running around the streets of your subdivision looking at the same houses…..

If you’re interested I’ll be doing this route this afternoon. A little warm up run will take me from my house to the top of the pedestrian bridge that spans I-71 (connects Van Meter St. in Mt. Adams and Court Street by the Greyhound Station, and is the banner image of the site). I’ll be leaving the top of the bridge (Van Meter and Warhem) at 6:30 pm. Drop me a line in the comments or meet there a little before 6:30 if you want to join me.

Be warned I use stairs, benches, and other manmade obstacles to make this more than a normal run

I didn’t think much of it until the week of the race, when I combined some running and biking workouts to make sure I would be ready for Sunday’s event. Thursday was the race walkthrough to show us where the transition area would be, and exactly where we would be swimming. Even though I watched my sister prepare and participate in her triathlon, I was still nervous about this being my first, and I was glad to hear the course walkthrough.

Stretching while looking out over the upcoming swim course

For me, the event was about two things. One, it was a testament to my efforts to get in shape, which has paid off enough for me to at least attempt this sort of event. And two, it was a great way for me to help to support an event centered on Cincy’s Urban Core, and a way for me to embrace the downtown lifestyle. For example, Saturday, the day before the race when we picked up our race numbers etc., most people got in their cars and drove down to Sawyer Point to check in. Instead, I hopped on my bike and cruised down to the park in 10 minutes. Likewise, I was probably one of, if not the only person to ride their bike to and from the actual event. After the race I took a shower and walked up to Tucker’s for a post race feast (“Ghetto” Huevos are the best, try ‘em). It was a great day, and one that made me proud to be a downtown resident.

And I beat my goal of doing the whole thing in 1:20. So I’m doing something right.