Saturday, December 11, 2010

Week 6 - Week of December 6th

First of all, I'm at 43% of my fundraising goal!  Thank you to all who donated to help fight cancer!  Your donations motivate me even more to train during the cold mornings.  I increased my mileage with some tough workouts.  I ran four times this week, which goes against my three-day week training plan.  I usually train hard for Boston after the new year, but I really want to set a PR on that course!  I'm continuing with my core workout, which at this time is only sit-ups.  I'm up to 150 a day (three sets of 50) and plan on progressively increasing  them to strengthen my core to do other core exercises.

WEEK 6 - All runs at John A. Phillips Park, unless otherwise noted.

Dec 6 - Easy Run. Ran 5 miles in 39.10 (7:49 p/mi).
Weather - 28/17/54%; WSW15; Cloudy
Weight after run - 148
Shoes - Nike Zoom Elite4 (green)

Dec 7 - Marlboro Retro Fitness
Attempted the Ryan Hall's Newton Hill Simulation Run in preparation for Boston's infamous hills that begin at around mile 16.  It's a tough workout, but I know that I can do exactly what Ryan does, but not as fast!  The 0% incline that I noted is supposed to be at 1% under Ryan's workout.  Also, it calls for running a total of 16 miles before starting the hills, for good reason!  I ran 9 miles, then got into the hill workout!  I'll get there eventually!
8 miles in 1 hour (7:30 pace); 1 mile at 7:20 pace; then the following is supposed to be all at the 7:20 pace, but needed to slow down at the 0% incline to recover!  Whew!  This workout kicked my ass!

Mile  0.0 - 0.7 @ 3% incline
Miles 0.7 - 1.7 @ 0%
Miles 1.7 - 2.0 @ 6%
Miles 2.0 - 3.4 @ 1%
Miles 3.4 - 3.8 @ 4%
Miles 3.8 - 4.4 @ 0%
Miles 4.4 - 4.8 @ 6%

Followed with 1.2 miles in 8:06, then cool down of 1 mile barefoot for about 12 minutes.

Total mileage = 16
Weather - Indoors
Weight after run - 146
Shoes - Nike Zoom Skylon (orange)

Dec 9 - Easy Progression Run. Ran 6.21 miles in 45:36 (7:20 p/mi). Splits = 7:54, 7:46, 7:35, 7:17, 7:04; 6:40, 6:11)
Weather - 25/15/43%; WNW11; Clear
Weight after run - 148
Shoes - Nike Zoom Elite4 (orange)

Dec 11 - Hard Progression Run! Ran 9 miles in 1:00:13 (6:41 p/mi). Splits = 7:08, 7:07, 6:51, 6:50, 6:49, 6:38, 6:29, 6:14, 6:03.

Weather - 27/27/66%; WNW3; Sunny
Weight after run - 147
Shoes - Nike Zoom Elite4 (green)
TOTAL WEEK 6 = 36.21 miles

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Week 5 - Week of November 29th

WEEK 5 - All runs at John A. Phillips Park, unless otherwise noted.


Nov 29 - Progression Run. Ran 5 miles in 34:14 (6:50). Splits = 7:20, 7:11, 6:58, 6:38, 6:05.
Weather - 29/29/65%; WSW1; Sunny
Weight after run - 148
Shoes - Nike Zoom Elite4 (green)

Dec 1 Nasty weather with rain and strong winds. Ran first mile as warm up before a hill workout of 6's & 7's. At around 0.75 mile, the power goes out! Most cardio equipment is inop, but two treadmills work. Continued to finish warm up, then began random hill workout because the interval treadmills had no power. At around 0.75 mile, I was warned that another power surge can cause injury! Ugh! Finished that mile, then drove to Sayreville Retro Fitness. Total at Marlboro Retro Fitness = 2.0 miles in 17:00 (8:29 pace)

Sayreville Retro Fitness - Random Hill Workout - 4 miles random hills at 7:30 pace, then 4 miles flat at increasing speeds - 8 miles in 56:14 with last mile in 6:00. Total both gyms = 10 miles.


Weather - Indoors
Weight after run - 146
Shoes - Nike Zoom Skylon (orange)

Dec 3 - Hard Progression Run. Ran 5 miles in 32:43 (6:32 p/mi). Splits = 6:46, 6:40, 6:36, 6:29, 6:08.
Weather - 31/25/59%; NW6
Weight after run - 148
Shoes - Nike Zoom Elite4 (green)

TOTAL WEEK 5 = 19.01 miles

Week 4 - Week of November 22nd

WEEK 4 = All runs at John A. Phillips Park, unless otherwise noted.

Nov 22 - Easy 10, Easy Progression 3.10 (7:37, 7:22, 6:55).
13.1 miles in 1:40:21 (7:39 pace). First mile in 7:44
Weather - 62/62/57; SSW12; Partly Cloudy.
Weight after run - 146 lbs
Shoes - Nike Air Zoom Elite4 (orange)

Nov 24 - Hard Progression Run. Ran 6.20 miles in 41:40 (6:43 p/mi). Splits = 7:04, 6:56, 6:50, 6:42, 6:38, 6:15, 5:57)
Weather - 37/28/49%; WNW16; Sunny
Weight after run - 148
Shoes - Nike Skylon (orange)

Nov 26 - Tempo Run. Ran 9 miles in 1:00:11 (6:37 p/mi). Splits = 6:56, 6:48, 6:47, 6:42, 6:36, 6:27, 6:36, 6:36, 6:08).
Weather - 54/54/100%; WSW12; Light Rain
Weight after run - 148
Shoes - Nike Zoom Elite4 (green)

TOTAL WEEK 4 = 28.39 miles

Week 3 - Week of November 15th

WEEK 3: All runs at John A. Phillips Park, unless otherwise noted.

Nov 16 - Easy Progression Run. Ran 7 miles in 51:32 (7:21 p/mi). Splits = 7:50, 7:42, 7:38, 7:34, 7:18, 7:02, 6:24)
Weather - 50/50/87; ESE3; Cloudy.
Weight after run - 148 lbs
Shoes - Nike Air Zoom Elite4 (green)

Nov 19 - Marlboro Retro Fitness - Hill Workout
Hill Workout - 1.0 mile WU, 6's and 7's (4 sets), 1.0 mile CD.
Speed Workout - 3.1 miles in 19:05 (6:08 pace)
Total Mileage - 7.91 miles
Weight after run = 147 lbs
Shoes - Nike Air Skylon (orange)

TOTAL WEEK 3 = 14.91 miles

Catching Up with My Training Log! Week 2 - Week of November 8th

I've been busy with work and life that only now I get to sit down to update my blog!  It's my day off, but my wife works!  Since October 31, I ran 16 times logging 101.57 miles.  That's 12 hours 16 minutes and 16 seconds of running!  I need to increase the mileage this month and continue incorporating hill workouts.  One area that I have been so bad at doing is my core workouts.  It seems that with every marathon, I tell myself that I need to work my core, but I never do...until now!  I started about two weeks ago doing 100 sit-ups every other day.  I started doing them everyday four days ago increasing to 150 yesterday.

Here's my training log for week 2:

WEEK 2: All runs at John A. Phillips Park, unless otherwise noted.

Nov 10 - Easy 7, Moderate Progression 3.25 (7:14, 6:52, 6:19). Total  - 10.25 miles in 1:17:12 (7:32 pace).
Weather - 45/41/78%; Cloudy.
Weight after run - 148 lbs
Shoes - Nike Air Zoom Elite4 (green)

Nov 12 - Hard Progression Run. Ran 4 miles in 26:29 (6:37 p/mi). Splits = 6:55, 6:48, 6:31, 6:13)
Weather - 35/39; Partly Cloudy.
Weight after run - 148 lbs
Shoes - Nike Air Zoom Elite4 (green)

TOTAL WEEK 2 = 14.25 miles

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Week 1 - Week of November 1st

Tues, Nov 2 - Retro Fitness: Treadmill Workout - Total Miles = 7.0 miles
     0.5mi warmup
     6.0mi - 39:09
     0.5mi cool down barefoot
Shoes - Nike Air Skylon (Orange)

Fri, Nov 5 - John A. Phillips Park. Easy Run. Ran 8 miles in 1:02:45 (7:50 p/mi). Ran last mile in 6:17.
Weather: 45/41/78%; Cloudy
Weight after run = 148
Shoes = Nike Air Zoom Elite4 (Green)

Total Miles Week 1 (Includes Oct 31) = 20.0 miles



     

NYC Marathon Expo

I met Tyson Gay, American Record Holder in the 100m at 9.69 seconds!
Javits Convention Center, Manhattan, November 5, 2010



Sunday, October 31, 2010

Training Starts Today!

Happy Halloween!  I started my training for the Boston Marathon today!  The next six weeks or so are the "build up" period, which is putting in mostly long runs and hill workouts to develop strength and endurance.  After coming back from the Chicago Marathon and vacationing in Germany, I ran seven times totaling 33.44 miles, mostly easy runs.  Today, I started out with a bang!  Since it's Halloween, my wife said that I needed to hurry with my run so I can help give out candy and hand-made necklaces she made. So I decided to do a 5-mile progression run, which means running each mile faster than the previous mile.  Just as I was about to go out the door, the doorbell rang with trick or treaters and it was only about 2:30pm!  After giving them candy, my wife took over and off I went.  Ran Miles in 32:23 (6:28). Splits = 6:43, 6:37, 6:30, 6:20, 6:10.
I felt real good as I progressed through each mile.  The weather was beautiful, but very windy.  When I got home, there were more kids at the door getting treats and leaving with big smiles!

Weather - 53 degrees, wind WNW at 20mph.
Shoes - Nike Air Zoom Skylon
Weight - 148 (after run)
Recovery food - small glass of chocolate milk and a banana.

American Cancer Society's DetermiNation Program

After logging over 750 racing miles since 1979, I finally decided to support a charitable program.  I chose the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation Program.  The DetermiNation Program is the American Cancer Society's nation of athletes determined to end cancer.  This powerful and inspiring movement saves lives by enabling athletes to dedicate their training and participation in marathons, triathlons, cycling races, and other endurance events to a lifesaving effort to fight a disease that has already taken too many lives.  Over the years, thousands of athletes have had an experience of a lifetime while raising millions for the fight against all types of cancer.  With every step taken and every mile conquered, these determined athletes are helping create a world with less cancer and more birthdays!

Always a Runner...

Running for a world of less cancer and more birthdays!

You and I know family and friends who were afflicted with cancer.  Some survived.  Some didn't.  I decided to run for the American Cancer Society's DetermiNation Program.  God blessed me with the ability to run well and I believe I need to use this blessing to help others.  Now I run for a deeper, more meaningful reason.  It's no longer about me trying to get better times or traveling to see different cities.  There are others who can't because of cancer.
It's only fitting that I run my first charity race during the 2011 Boston Marathon. It's the oldest, most prestigious marathon requiring a qualifying time by age group to enter.  Runners can run Boston without a qualifying time by running for an approved charity, but those spaces are very limited and it can be challenging for them because they have to raise thousands of dollars.  Because I qualified for Boston, the minimum amount to raise is a mere $750, but would love to raise much more than that!  I know that you are in one way or another affected by someone who has suffered through cancer and may have survived or not.  I ask that you contribute in any way you can to my running campaign.  Your generous donation is another step towards finding the cure for cancer.  When I cross the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston, know that we did it together in helping create a world with less cancer and more birthdays!


Always a Runner...
(Note:  I paid for my own entry fee and will do the same for all travel expenses. The DeterminNation Program does not reimburse its members. Also, 100% of all donations made to my campaign go directly to the DetermiNation Program.)

Monday, October 25, 2010

Marathon Recovery in Germany!

Nurnburg, Germany

In front of the house where Mozart was born, Salzburg, Austria.

On one of the bridges over the Salzach River, Salzburg, Austria

It's been three weeks since I completed the Chicago Marathon on 10.10.10.  After the marathon, I took eight days off from running, which I haven't done since 2005.  Why now?  My wife went to Germany straight from Chicago!  We had a great time exploring southern Bavaria as much as we could despite that it was mostly overcast and cold!  A big thank you goes to Minda Arcega-Jauer and Grace Wurzer for their wonderful hospitality while in Germany.  They both live in Erlangen and Minda was gracious enough to let us stay in her cozy apartment while she was in San Francisco and Grace, who's Minda's good friend and neighbor, had chicken adobo, nilaga (Filipino-style soup) and rice all prepared at Minda's place when we arrived!  Grace's husband also gave us some helpful hints of traveling through southern Bavaria.

We had a chance to visit the Neuschwanstein Castle and took a trip to Salzburg, Austria where Mozart was born and was the setting for "The Sound of Music". We also had the chance to cruise the Autobahn at over 110mph, have my favorite snack (Currywurst mit pommes frits), visit grand cathedrals, shop in Nurnburg and Bamburg, enjoyed fresh-picked apples and savor some of the best chocolates and coffees in the world!  What a way to "recover" from the marathon!

Always a Runner...

Chicago Marathon

At the Marathon Expo at McCormick Place Convention Center the day before the race.


My wife and I dipping our feet into Lake Michigan the about eight hours after the race!

Downtown Chicago on our last day (day after the race).

Before, during and after!

The Chicago Marathon is the 11th marathon I have completed!  My goal was to break 3 hours and 10 minutes, but I fell short of this by crossing the finish line in 3:11:58!  The weather was a bit warm at the start, which hovered in the low 60's.  It soon soared to 79 degrees at around the half way point.  It didn't bother me because we were still running through streets with tall buildings that provided much needed shade and there was a nice breeze keeping us cool.  It wasn't until the final miles where we ran in street with no buildings!  For me, the last 7.2k took a toll on me!  You can see just by looking at my splits:

5k   - 00:23:12 (7:28 p/mile)
10k - 00:45:20 (7:08 p/mile)
15k - 01:07:22 (7:06 p/mile)
20k - 01:29:26 (7:07 p/mile)
Half- 01:34:15 (7:04 p/mile) (13.1miles)
25k - 01:51:14 (7:01 p/mile)
30k - 02:13:22 (7:08 p/mile)
35k - 02:36:32 (7:28 p/mile)
40k - 03:01:00 (7:53 p/mile)
Fin  - 03:11:58 (8:03 p/mile)
Average Pace per mile = 7:19

I wish the weather was cooler!  I was on pace to finish with a 3:08:30!  I can't complain as weather is one element no one can control!  This was my second fastest marathon.  The fastest marathon I've complete was the Philadelphia Marathon in November 2008 with a time of 3:11:43, which is also the coldest marathon I've completed!  Temperature at the start was 27 degrees and at the finish, it was about 32 degrees!

Always a Runner...

Hooked on 26.2 Miles!

2007 New York City Marathon
On my way to qualifying for the 2008 Boston Marathon!
The Inaugural NYC Half Marathon qualified me for guaranteed entry to the 2007 NYC Marathon and so began my passion for the marathon!  My wife encouraged me to go for it even though I initially didn't want to run it!  So I trained for it logging in the miles, eating right, getting the proper rest and getting the awesome support from my wife.  It all paid off when I finished the 2007 NYC Marathon in 3:15:17!  I also qualified for the 2008 Boston Marathon!  I never felt better running a marathon and also felt much better the next morning since I could get out of bed on my own with very little aches!  I caught the marathon fever and have completed six since then!

Always a Runner...

New York Road Runners Club

Manhattan Half Marathon, #4 of 5 in NYRR Half Marathon Grand Prix Series
August 29, 2004
Time: 1hr 35min 46 sec

Inaugural NYC Half Marathon. August 27, 2006
Time: 1hr 25min 48 sec

Japan Day 4-Mile Race, Central Park, May 31, 2009
Time: 25min 53 sec

The Central Park 150th Birthday race was my only race in 2003.  However, being inspired by Paul and Dr. Laiz, I ran 11 races in 2004 to include the NYC Half Marathon Grand Prix.  This was running a half marathon in each of NYC's five boros (Brookyn, Queens, Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island, in that order that year).  I have never ran that many half marathons in one year!  I had so much fun running that year!  In 2005, I decided to run the New York City Marathon with two goals. First, break by 1983 time and second, run it non-stop, since I never did that before.  I was successful with my first goal as I finished in 3:40:31.  I was barely successful with my second goal as I was reduced to a slow trot during the last few miles!  I hurt so bad the next morning that I couldn't even get out of bed!  I couldn't walk normally for at least a week!  I was okay not running another marathon after that!

In 2006, the Inaugural NYC Half Marathon was announced and I wanted to run it.  It was capped at just over 10,000 runners and I signed up immediately!  I trained hard following a plan from the Runner's World website.  This time I also paid attention to my nutrition of getting the right amount of carbohydrates, protein, electrolytes, and fats.  This was something I never even thought about in the past!  The result?  I finished in 1:25:48 and placed 180 out of 10,294 finishers.  Guess what?  This qualified me for guaranteed entry to the 2007 NYC Marathon and so began my passion for the marathon!

Always a Runner...

All Because of Paul Carstons and Dr. Marcelo Laiz

Here I am with Paul Carstons on Staten Island before the start of the
2009 ING New York City Marathon.
I haven't seen Paul in a couple of years before this picture was taken.  I remember
walking right by him, talking with him on the phone asking him where he was!
I didn't recognize him right away!  He has run numerous races to include
three marathons and a bunch of half marathons since we met!

When I moved to the NY/NJ area in 2000, I started running with some consistency, but still it was just "when I had time".  Then I met Paul Carstons and Dr. Marcelo Laiz in New Rochelle, NY in 2002 while I worked for Aventis Pharmaceuticals.  Paul worked for another pharmaceutical company and Dr. Laiz was the internist we called on.  Paul should be an inspiration for all smokers out there, to those who want to lose weight or anyone who wants to start running.  Here was a guy who just gave up smoking cold-turkey because he knew it was affecting his quality of life and he was overweight.  He took up running earlier that year and was planning on running the New York Marathon with Dr. Marcelo Laiz!  Dr. Laiz ran regularly and was running for a charity, which I remember was Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.  That was my first exposure to a charity runner, but never gave it any thought at that time.  They were members of the New York Road Runners Club and encouraged my to join.  I resisted a bit, but I remember Paul telling how much fun it is to run races in Central Park!  I finally did and ran my first race with them in 2003, Central Park's 150th Birthday 4-Miler.  It was my first race since the 1998 Army 10-Miler at Fort Bragg, North Carolina! Because of Paul and Dr. Laiz, I was "born again" in running!

Always a Runner...

Corporate America

After 10 1/2 years in the US Army, I joined Corporate America in 1998.  I ran occasionally, but nowhere near of what I used to do.  I gained a few pounds here and there over the following years while working for pharmaceutical giants Pfizer, then Aventis.  I worked in Tennessee, Florida and New York.  While in Tennessee, I enjoyed eating the great southern food!  Well, maybe I enjoyed it too much because within a year, I weighed almost 170 pounds!  Yes!  That's heavy for me!  I remember when I worked for Pfizer in Tennessee, we had our quarterly meeting on a lake in Branson, MO.  We rented boats and waterski equipment and had a blast!  It wasn't until I developed the roll of film (Yup! Digital cameras were still over $10,000!) and saw a picture my friend took of me driving one of the rented boats.  He was behind me to get my point of view of where I was going.  I had my shirt off to enjoy the sun, but unfortunately, the picture showed an unpleasant sight.  What do they call it today?  A muffin top?  Love handles?  Not good by any name and I can't remember where I put that picture!  That was my first motivation in a long time to get out more often and exercise!  In Florida, I ran more than I did in Tennessee, but it was hard to lose the added weight!  In 2000, I moved to the New York/New Jersey area, a move that would soon ignite my old passion of running.

Always a Runner...

In the US Army

Fort Sill, OK 1988

Los Angeles Military Entrance Processing Station
8th Los Angeles Marathon 1993
From the USMEPCOM Newspaper, "Messenger"

Fort Bragg, NC 1997

I left Guam in 1988 after graduating from the University of Guam and received my commission in the US Army.  I was a Field Artillery officer then became an Adjutant General officer.  No, I wasn't a General!  The Adjutant General Corps is primarily the personnel and administration of an organization.  During my service of 10 1/2 years, I didn't do much racing.  I wasn't as competitive as I was on Guam.  I remember participating in different races in Germany, Los Angeles and North Carolina, but never really trained for them like I did when I was on Guam.  The only running I did was in formation during our morning physical training and preparing for the two mile event that was part of the Army Physical Fitness Test.  Those formation runs normally were at a 9-minute per mile pace.  I did train more during my free time and was still able to finish the two mile portion of the APFT in just over 11 minutes.  I ran a 10K race while stationed in Germany (at that time it was still "West Germany"), but that was it!
While stationed at the Los Angeles Military Entrance Processing Station, I was "peered pressured" by the servicemen and women to run the Los Angeles Marathon in 1993 and 1994.  The main motivator was USMC Major Bill Mimiaga, the Operations Officer and my boss!  He told everyone, "C'mon, let's run it for fun!  Besides, we can run for free since it'll come from the MWR Fund (Morale, Welfare and Recreation).  I sure didn't think that it was going to improve my morale and welfare and I sure didn't think of running 26.2 miles as "recreation"!  I gave in, as well as a few other crazy soldiers, Marines, sailors, airmen and one civilian.  That civilian, Kartez Leslie, was in her 60's!  We were all inexperienced and none of us really properly trained.  I crossed the finish line just over 4 hours later both times.  We were in pain, but we sure had fun and showed off our medals the next working day!

Always a Runner...

College Days

April, 1987 - 60-Mile Guam Perimeter Relay
University of Guam ROTC Team

With my high school coach, Fred Schumann, in Hokkiado, Japan, 1988,
the night before the 8th Chitose & JAL International Marathon.
This was our pre-race meal that was provided as part of our package tour.
Note: No carbs! Well, it came in the form of sushi rolls and udon!

Group photo with runners from the U.S.A. after the race.
Standing L-R is Team Guam: Fred Schumann, Me, Jen Allred

I attended the University of Guam from 1984 - 1988.  I was heavily involved with school, the ROTC program and, well, yeah, partying! I remember Monday night's a 10-4!  Yes, Monday nights!  If you were on Guam then, you know what I'm taking about!  It was a popular dance club and on Monday nights you got two free drinks with your paid admission!  My blogging on that topic ends!  Anyway, with all that going on, I didn't race as much as I did in high school.  I remember being on the ROTC team during the 60-Mile Perimeter Relays every year in college, running a local Ekiden Marathon and other local races.  Ekiden, in Japanese, referes to a long distance relay race.  I remember it rained heavily during my leg and I had to kick my running shoes off because they became so heavy!  It was the only time I ran barefoot during a race!  In 1988, I ran my first off-island race by running the 8th Chitose & JAL International Marathon on the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido.  I traveled with Fred Schumman and Jen Allred.  I ran the 10K race in my fastest time at that distance at just under 36 miunutes.  I think Fred ran the marathon and Jen ran the half.  That was an awesome experience!

Always a Runner...

Guam Running Club

1980 - My first half marathon on Guam.
This is on Marine Drive with 2-3 miles before the finish at Ypao Beach.

1982 - KSTO 13.8-Mile Race

8.6 Mile Ypao Beach Run, September, 1983
Junior Division Record - 53:21. It still stands today!

Plumeria 10K Race, Hagatna, Guam
I think this was either 1983 or 1984.

During the days of no internet, VHS, rotary phones, Walkmans, 8-Track, vinyl records and no cell phones, we were always outside playing, climbing trees, riding our bikes or running!  In addition to running cross country in junior high and high school, I was also a member of the Guam Running Club.  I remember that a lot of us would participate in Saturday morning local races ranging from 5K to 13.1-mile half marathon.  I even competed in the original 60-mile Perimeter Relay that took teams of 10 around the island!  That was a cool race!  As a runner in the Junior Division, I had the opportunity to set two division records.  One of them was for the 1-Hour Run, which is a discontinued race, and the other for the 1983 Two Lover's Point 8.6-Mile Race, which is still stands today!  I also came in first place overall winning the 5.5 Ypao Beach Low Tide Run!  In 1983, I ran the Guam Marathon just to say I ran a marathon!  I thought that with my current racing shape that I would do quite well!  I was even mentioned in the Pacific Daily News that I was one of the main contenders to be one of the top junior runners to cross the finish line!  Well, not for this race!  The junior division winner was Andy Liebert who finished in just over three hours!  Me?  I came in about 47 minutes later in 3:47:05!  Afterwards, I was so drained and told myself, "Never again!"

Always a Runner...

High School Years

I'm currently in second place.
Simon Sanchez High School, 1982
Cross Country Meet at Inarajan High School

Cross Country Meet at Simon Sanchez High School
Leading the pack at home!
Simon Sanchez High School, 1982

All-Island Cross Country Championship Meet
Navy Golf Course, Barrigada, Guam, 1982
                                    
All-Island Cross Country Championship Meet
Navy Golf Course, Barrigada, Guam, 1982
L-R (Order of Finish): James Dufford, Mike McMurrary, Me, Noel Muyco,
Cliff Hudson, Todd Wade, KiYoung Yoo

Cross Country Meet at John F. Kennedy High School, 1983

I attended John F. Kennedy High School for my sophomore year (1981-1982).  We were the Islanders, but since there weren't that many high schools on Guam, some high schools had two teams for every sport.  The high schools at that time were JFK, George Washington, Agueda Johnson, Inarajan High and Guam Community College.  The two JFK teams were called Green and Gold, our school colors.  I was on the Gold Team coached by Christine Taitano and Jim Taitano.  The Green Team was coached by Christine's husband, Joe.  All were standout runners on the island and I learned a lot from all of them that year.  I was still an "ok" runner, but slowly improving.  Races were no longer 1.5 miles of running in junior high, but now 3.1 miles (5k).  I had to get used to running twice as long!  Again, nutrition and hydration weren't much of any importance.  Even if the coaches told us about their importance, we probably didn't pay that much attention!  I remember during our lunch period, we would walk over to the nearby McDonald's the day of a cross country meet and eat Big Macs, Quarter Pounders with Cheese, french fries and soda about three hours before a meet!  At the meet, top finishers were coming in just over 17 minutes, while I managed about 18:30.
I burst onto the running scene when I transfered to Simon Sanchez High School after the island-wide school re-alignment.  We were the Sharks in Black and Silver and high schools now had one team instead of two.  Our coach was Fred Schumann, another standout runner on Guam.  Under Fred's mentorship, a good nutrition program was first introduced.  I remember Fred telling us the importance of carbohyrates and hydration (maybe I was paying more attention this time as I got older and more serious with running!).  Sometimes after a good workout, we would chip in to have pizza and pasta!  The workouts became more and more intense and Fred even ran with us to push us even harder!  I found myself coming in the top 3 at most cross country meets.  I even won some of them and my times dropped to the low 17-minute range for 3.1 miles.  Under his mentorship and the knowledge I learned from the Taitano Family, I made the All-Island Team in my junior and senior years (3rd place and 2nd place respectively during the All-Island Cross Country Championship)!

Fred Schumann ran the length of Japan in 59 days (http://fiftyninedays.blogspot.com/) in the summer of 1983, which was after he coached us.

Always a Runner...

It All Began in 1979

Simon Sanchez Junior High School
Cross Country Team, 8th Grade, 1979 - 1980

L-R: Mark, Me, Ricky
Simon Sanchez Junior High School
Cross County, 9th Grade, 1980 - 1981

My name is Patrick and I started running in 1979 on the island of Guam when I attended Simon Sanchez Junior High School in the village of Yigo.  My friends Ricky and Mark were on the cross country team and my physical education teacher, Phyllis "Bobo" Bryant, was their coach.  They all kept convincing me to join the team, but I resisted because I felt I wasn't good enough. I finally gave in and joined a few weeks into the season.  I remember running my first cross country race against Dededo Junior High.  It was "just" a mile, but at 13 years old it felt much longer!  I can't remember what place I came in or what my time was, but I stayed on the team even after going through an episode of hyperventilating and almost puking at the end!  I finally saw my name printed in the results section of our newspaper the following year in the Pacific Daily News and thought it was so cool!  I clipped it from the newspaper and still have it to this day!  That season, we were now running 1.5-mile races.

I remember the camaradarie of being on a team.  We would meet after school to train for our cross country meets, sometimes running to restaurants like Pizza Hut or to the beach, just to add variety to our program.  We just ran.  No formal speed workouts, distance runs, no core workout and surely we had no education in nutrition or hydration!  Many of us also wore the wrong shoes!  My first pair of "running shoes" were the pair of Adidias tennis shoes I wore daily to school!  But it was still a lot of fun!

Always a Runner...