Yesterday and Christine Clark

Forgot to post yesterday. It was the first time that I did not cmpolete a training run....:(

I only went for 2 miles yesterday. My stomach just did not want to cooperate. Tomorrow I go for another 45 minutes. Then Saturday for 10 miles.

Donations continue and my so does my gratitude to:

Joe Bates
John Lindsey
Gaiya Sims
Ryan and Susie Strowger
Vivek Taneja

If you can believe it, through your donations, the Whitman Walker Clinic has received over $16,000 in donations!

And now some more marathon lore. This week it is Christine Clark:

As told by Jon Beach:

Christine Clarke

"Probably one of the most inspiring marathon stories we have is of this amazing woman who first went to medical school, became a pathologist, had two kids and THEN decided in her 30’s that marathoning would be "neat." Oh, but that’s not enough… Living in Alaska, she decided to do most all her training on a TREADMILL and then went on to WIN THE SEATTLE MARATHON in 1995 with a time of 2:49:21!

Other highlights of this amazing woman’s running "hobby’ include:
-Clark's victory at the 2000 Olympic Marathon Trials in Columbia, SC was one of the greatest upsets in U.S. Olympic Trials history where she won the Olympic Trials with a PR of 2:33:31 even though she had been seeded #22

Clark's Olympic performance was made all the more impressive, considering she had suffered from plantar fascitis throughout much of the summer. That combined with the fact that Clark did pre-Olympic Trials training on a treadmill in her basement meant that the Olympic Trials victory brought a deluge of media interest, from the Today Show to Oprah Winfrey's magazine 'O'.

-1999: 3rd at Twin Cities Marathon, USA Championship...won Anchorage Mayor's Midnight Sun Marathon for third time (also 1995 and 1998)... best of 2:40:38.

-1998: 2nd at Portland Marathon...best of 2:47:14.

-1996: 76th at Olympic Trials (2:51:07). "

Thanks for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Dan

Total Training Weeks: 16.3
Total Training Miles: 261

Heat, Humidity and 10 Miles on Route 12

My final run from down at the outerbanks was a 10 mile recovery run. My brother-in-law Robert accompanied me for the first 2 miles, and then I was on my own. I went a little further North and turned around. I did the next 5 miles South on Route 12 and then turned and headed North for the final three. No water stops like in training back home. I had to create my own. I stopped at Burger King for a refill, then twice at Harris Teeter. Once on the way down South and one last time on the way back North.

The heat and humdity were blistering and suffocating, but I am glad I am done. My back is fine, my shins are fine, my feet are naturally sore. I spent the rest of day with the family at the beach and the water was refreshing

The next 2 trainining runs will be from home, then a reovery run next week for 10 miles again, in preparation for a big 23 miler.

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Dan

Total Training Weeks: 16
Total Training Miles: 259

Emil Zattopek

As told by Jon Beach:

"Emil Zátopek of Czechoslovakia can claim one of track's rarest feats - winning the 5000m, 10,000m and marathon in a single Olympic Games. Beating the best in the world in the two track events in front of a large and enthusiastic Finnish crowd would have been enough gratification for anyone.To this day, only four other men have achieved this Olympic double. But Zátopek, a man who knew how to fight pain and fatigue, wanted more. Three days after his second victory on the track, he lined up to start his first ever marathon. Eager to avoid mistakes, he stayed close to "specialists" Jim Peters of Great Britain and Gustav Jansson of Sweden. He soon found their pace too slow and surged ahead to win in Olympic record time: 2:23:04. In later years, the ever-modest Zátopek would recall that race as "the easiest of my career."As for that Olympic win, Zatopek was a scrawny man with a seemingly frail frame at 5 feet, 8 inches tall and 145 pounds. As he ran, it appeared he might collapse at any minute, falling prostrate on the track, gasping for breath.His style was far from classic. As his pounding spikes chewed up the yards, his head bobbed from side to side, his arms flailed the air and his face became contorted, as if he were suffering the severest pain.Red Smith, the famous columnist who covered the Helsinki Games, wrote that Zatopek ran "like a man with a noose about his neck...on the verge of strangulation...his hatchet face crimson, his tongue lolled out."
Like Nurmi, the Czech had come into his own rather late. World War II deprived him of some of his best athletic years and he was 26 by the time he made his Olympic debut at the 1948 Olympic Games in London. During his long career, Zátopek set 20 world records at distances ranging from 5000 to 30,000m. In 1951 he became the first man to cover 20 kilometers in an hour (20,052m). His wife Dana (née Ingrova) was a leading javelin thrower. On July 24 1952, in Helsinki, she won the Olympic title in her event an hour after he had triumphed in the 5000m. A unique coincidence in athletics history. But then, they were "astrological twins", who shared a birthday of September 19, 1922."

Another 45 minutes From The Beach

My brother-in-law Robert and I did another 45 minutes today. Humidity was intense, but nevertheless, we completed over 3 miles. Simple route up Highway 12 again which runs North and South in the Outerbanks.

I am tentatively going to attempt the 10 mile recovery run with Rachel on Saturday, but in order to do so, I need to get up at 5 am and that's tough down here. If I dont do it, I will do it on Monday Morning.

Thanks for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 15.4
Total Training Miles: 249

From the Beach

A quick 3 miles today with my brother-in-Law Robert. We went up 1.5 miles on Route 12 and then back. Iam still sore from Saturday's 20 miles, but some stretching helped this morning.

It's hot here, and humid. But the breeze is nice. I am still trying to find a route to run the 10 miles on Saturday.

Dave Wilson
Demtrious Pikarillidous
Jackie Russo

All of you are awesome!

Thanks so much for your donations!

I am almost at $16,000, getting closer to my goal of $20,000 towards the Whitman Walker Clinic.

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Dan

Total Training Weeks: 15.2
Total Training Miles: 246

20 miles: Monuments and Tourists

20 miles.

Today, I joined a different pace group since we leave for the beach tomorrow.

I joined the waterside group that meets not too far from the Fish Market Area of Southeast Washingon. We met at 6 am, and about 6:25 we were off and running Northward toward the Mall. We ran arond the mallside face of the Capitol, down the mall, and turned left at the Lincoln Memorial, curved around the Kennedy Center, down through the Georgetown Waterfront and onto the Capital Crescent Trail for 10 miles. The Mall was deserted on the way out, but upon the return, we were dodging hundreds of tourists. We made our way back and finished 20 miles. I am thrilled once again to have finished. My shins, calves, and back held up very well. Special thanks to my Dad and Mother-in-law who watched the kids while I ran today.



Special thanks also to:

Doug Aiken
Michael Cohen
Julie Kearney
Iz Kornbluh
Shell Walser
Gary Zgorski


DONATIONS HAVE NOW REACHED $15,400!

This week, I will be doing my 2 individual runs from the beach as well as attempting a 10 miler right before we leave.

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 15
Total Training Miles: 243

Anticipation

20 miles is about the distance from my house in Sterling, to the Mall at Tyson's Corner. It's also the distance that I will be attempting on Saturday morning in Washington DC, at a different run site, and a different pace group. It's a little bit of pressure and alot of thinking.

That anticipation seemed to throw a wrench in my individual run today. The first 1.5 miles seemed strained and tiresome. I decided to listen to my body and walk the rest of the way. The human body and its hidden intelligence really are marvels. It just rebelled today, as if it were asking for more rest in order to prepare for the massive run on Saturday. I also dont think it had enough nourishment either. For the past 2 weeks, I have had nothing after 7pm. By morning time, I feel much lighter and more apt to exercise, but I also realize I have to eat something. Today it was just a teaspoon of peanut butter before I ran. Not enough. Carbs had not entered my system for over 12 hours and I think I was running on empty. So, a light breakfast of carbs and proteins is essential, and I denied my body of that this morning. It responded accordingly.

Well, the next 48 hours will be interesting. 6 am on the Washington Waterfront Saturday Morning. 20 miles. I hope to report back good news Saturday afternoon.

Thanks for your moral and financial support in th fight against AIDS!

Dan

Total Training Weeks: 14.4
Total Training Miles: 223

German Silva

As told by Jon Beach:

"German Silva is best known for his much-photographed 1994 New York City Marathon where he took a wrong turn with less than a half mile remaining.

While shouts from the crowd led him back on course, he burst into first place, beating countryman Benjamin Paredes by two seconds. Silva returned to the Big Apple the next year to win the marathon again. German Silva and Tegla Loroupe both won back-to-back New York Marathons in ’94 and ’95. That fact, along with their charisma, has earned them legendary status. Race Director Allan Steinfeld once introduced the pair as "two wonderful kids who lit up New York and electrified the world."
Other claims to fame: Silva recorded his best personal marathon time of 2:09:18 in London in 1994, claimed fourth at Boston in 1997, and placed sixth in the Summer Olympic Games Marathon in Atlanta."

It's working

Another great individual run for 45 minutes today. Pace was under 14 minutes, and I estimate I did about 3.4 miles. I ran more during a couple of times where I would normally speed walk. Back is fine. Shins seem fine.

Humidity returned today but not as intense as in past weeks. I am feeling really good. One more individual run until 20 big ones on Saturday. Should be interesting.

Please see yesterday's posting for a complete list of ALL donors. I have now surpassed $15,000 in donations thanks to you and I am gunning for $20,000. The people at the Whitman Walker Clinic are delighted with these donations and send along their thanks.

Thanks again for your moral support and your donations in the fight against AIDS!

Dan

Total Training Weeks: 14.2
Total Training Miles: 220

Surpassing $15,000 Thanks to These Heroes!

THANK YOU!


Doug Aiken
Anonymous Donor
Bart and Teri Berkey
Carrie Booker
Len and Gwen Bosma
Gus Bougdanos
Michael Brown
Allison Burdine
Tamara Christian
Daryl Clove and GES
Larry Cohen
Michael Cohen
Elaine Cole-greatest Mom ever
Jerry Cole--greatest Dad ever
Karen Chupka
Christi and Paul Damm
Sylvia Devore
Tara Dunion
Charles Eaton
Jeanne and Scott Epstein
John and Andrea Ferris
Lisa and Judd Fasold
Gabrielle Garcia
Steve and Sherry Geilda
Rick Geritz
Joe Gibbons
Sarah Goggin
Steve and Betsy Goldstein
Marcia Grand and TWICE
Helen Marie Graves
Akeel Haider
Sharon Heiden and Brad Piver
Dave Haas
Robin Hatfield
Tim Herbert
Lee Ann Herndon
Jamie Hill
Wendy and Scott Hudak
Laura Hudson
Kathy and Bob Hughes
Elizabeth HymanMaura Igoe
Jeff Joseph
Deb Kassoff
Patrick and Jenn Latessa
Chris and Caroline Lee
Sam Lippman
Wendy and Jonathan Loew
Laurie Lutz
Robbi Lycett
Glenda Macmullin
Lisa Martin
Chuck and Jenn May
Molly McLearn
Doris Meyer
Bill and Lois Miller
Kerry and Jeni Moyer
Tom O'Donoghue
Tom and Marti Omberg
Allyson Pahmer
Christy Pemble
Michael Petricone
Lisa and Jason Petrovich
Colleen Phalen
Dan and Angel Phelan
Megan Pollock
Pramod and Priti Raheja
Annemarie Ramirez
Kelly and Chris Ricker
Craig Ridley
Nathan Ridnouer
Rob and Maryanne Roy
Carole Russo
Patrice and Jeff Scheyer
Sue Schreiner
Eric Schwartz and DEALERSCOPE
Gary Shapiro
Chip and Stacey Shrewbridge
Diana Simmons
Kirk and Katy Smallwood
Mike and Jen Smoyer
Gail Sparks-Riegel
Tony Stanley
Cindy Stevens
Jason and Molly Stookey
Collin Swan
Liz and Pete Tardif
Todd Thibodeaux
Angela Titone
John Tunnell
Siri Tyler
Dr.and Mrs Richard Towers--My great Inlaws!
Eric Udler
Nicole Vidovich
Sean Wargo
Heidianne Werner
John and Shannon Wesdock
Jean Whiddon
Katherine Wood
Amy Wotherspoon
Bob and Dianne Wotherspoon

Morning Has Broken

Couldn't get much more beautiful than this morning. Around 60 degrees for a 9 mile recovery run along the Capitol Crescent Trail. Weather Conditions make a profound difference. My pace was the best that it has been yet. This trail is a bit different than the C &O trail. It is all concrete, shaded and the first half is on a slight uphill grade. The second half seems to fly by.

My walk/run ratio continues at a 2.30/1.30 with the walk being speedy. My back seems to be holding out fine, my shins a bit sore, and my arches fine as well. If it could only be this way all the time. I am hoping that I can replicate my experience with the 18 miler which was for the most part highly enjoyable. I will be running with another pace group next Saturday instead of Sunday since we leave for the beach Sunday. Evidently we run past all the monuments, onto the Capitol Crescent, and then back for a 20 miler. 20 miles seems daunting, but after last week's 18, it seems within reach. Then, I will do my own recovery run of 10 miles from the beach, after I find a route to take.

This week I will continue my individual runs of 45 minutes a piece from home until the big one on Saturday.

Donations have been unreal once again. I am astounded at how much generosity is out there.

Thank you to:


Carrie Booker
Gus Bougdanos
Allison Burdine
Daryl Clove and the GES team
Gabrielle Garcia
Joe Gibbons
Sarah Goggin
Marcia Grand and the TWICE team
Dave Haas
Deb Kassoff
Sam Lippman
Glenda Macmullin
Tom O'Donoghue
Allyson Pahmer
Megan Pollock
Kelly and Chris Ricker
Gail Sparks Riegel
Cindy Stevens
Collin Swan
Nicole Vidovich
Sean Wargo

Your generosity has now brought total donation just shy of $15,000! That is unbelievable support for the Whitman Walker Clinic!

Thanks again for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Dan

Total Training Weeks: 14
Total Training Miles: 217

Grete Waitz

As told by John Beach:

Grete Waitz was born in Oslo, Norway in 1954. From the time she was young, her stunning successes spanned all of racing’s disciplines all over Europe.
Because of this, in 1978, an invitation arrived from New York City Marathon co-founder and director, Fred Lebow. Waitz won the marathon and set a new world record with a time of 2:32:30.
The race proved to be a turning point for Waitz' career. She would return to New York and win an unprecedented nine times, in '78, '79, '80, '82, '83, '84, '85, '86 and '88. She set world records in '78, '79 and '80.
Waitz continued to compete in track and cross-country and won five world cross-country championships. In 1984, competed in the first women's marathon in the Olympic Games. She took home a silver medal for Norway.
Waitz has retired from running, but stays active in the running community as a spokeswoman for Avon Running - Global Women's Circuit and for Adidas. For her influence on American running in the United States, Waitz was the first foreign runner inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in 2000.

Strong

Another great, strong individual run today. Farther than I have ever gone in my 45 minutes. It was cooler and raining. I am really psyched about this progress. My body seems to be adjusting and I have dropped some poundage (much more to go though). This Sunday is a 9 mile recovery run and then we'll start preparing for 20 miles the following Sarturday. Since I leave for the beach on that Sunday, I need to switch training sites and will be working out with the Waterside group that runs through the Mall in DC and by the C & O canal then back. Should be a great experience. I continue to love every minute of this!

Donations have once again been amazing this week with more and more coming in! Thanks to:


Carrie Booker
Allison Burdine
Gabrielle Garcia
Joe Gibbons
Sarah Goggin
Dave Haas
Sam Lippman
Glenda Macmullin
Tom O'Donoghue
Allyson Pahmer
Megan Pollock
Kelly and Chris Ricker
Gail Sparks Riegel
Cindy Stevens
Sean Wargo


People have been incredibly generous! Donations are now approaching $13,500. Yesterday, I spoke to a representative at the Whitman Walker Clinic who was truly grateful for the support.

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Visit my donation page to see all donors!
http://www.aidsmarathon.com/participant.asp?runner=DC-0334&EventCode=MC06

Total Training Weeks: 13.4
Total Training Miles: 208

Solid

For those of you like my sister-in-law who think I've gone off the deep end a bit with some of these musings, the duo pictured above is Ashford and Simpson, who sang the hit "SOLID." Given, the title of this post, that is why they are pictured there. So, yes A.M., there is a reason for the picture. My run today was solid. Everything was good. Shins fine, calves fine, Spirit fine. Solid.

Today was the best individual training day ever. I went farther in 22.30 minutes than I ever had, and the return was good as well. (I run for 22.30 minutes then turn around and run back)

I am recovering fine from Sunday's 18 miles and gearing up for this Sunday's recovery of 9 miles. I ordered a second pair of shoes last night, because the coaches have advised that it's time to break in a new pair in time for the October 29th race. I've put about 175 miles on my current ones which have served me well. Brooks is a great brand. I wear a 10 for my normal shoe size, and for running I am fitted for an 11 EEEE. My feet are indeed wide.

My next run is Thursday for another 45.

Thank you so much for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Dan

Total Training Weeks: 13.2
Total Training Miles: 205

Chai

Not talking about the sweet drink. I'm talking about the Hebrew word for 18. The symbol you see above. Chai means 18 and it conotates good luck. Dr. J used to wear a Chai necklace, and I was given a gold Chai keychain for my Bar Mitzvah.

Today, Chai means 18 miles. Starting at 6am on the C & O canal. I went into today with some trepidation. 18 miles seemed like a daunting figure. Here it is before noon, and I'm done. 5 of us in our pace group went for the big run today and averaged about 15.40 -17 min per mile. Michelle and I finished by about 10: 45. Today was the first run where I felt I could go another 2 miles, and that is what the coaches say you should feel like. I believe several factors were at play:

• The Humidity broke, so by early this am, it was in the low 70's for the start. It definitely was in the mid-80's by the end
• I did not eat past 6pm and my dinner last night was carb-loaded
• I drank water constantly;filled up at every water stop
• Consumed sugar constantly on the trail, whether it was my own cliff shots or tootsie rolls given out to boost blood sugar. I think that was huge.
• My attitude was good
• Michelle sets a good pace

I am thrilled with our accomplishments today. I am more thrilled with the amazing amount of donations that came pouring in this week yet again:

• Michael Brown
• Tamara Christian
• Lisa and Judd Fasold
• Rick Geritz
• Helen Marie Graves
• Tim Herbert
• Lee Ann Herndon
• Jamie Hill
• Laura Hudson
• Kathy and Bob Hughes
• Liz Hyman
• Dr. John Kling DDS
• Jeff Joseph
• Jenn and Patrick Latessa
• Laurie Lutz
• Kerry and Jeni Moyer
• Tom Omberg
• Collen Phalen
• Craig Ridley
• Nathan Ridnouer
• Patrice and Jeff Scheyer
• Eric Schwartz
• Dianna Simmons
• Kirk and Katy Smallwood
• Jason and Molly Stookey
• John Tunnell
• Heidianne Werner

Your generosity is awe-inspiring and so greatly appreciated by the patients at Whitman Walker Clinic. Please consider leveraging matching donations if your employer offers this privilege.

Two training runs from home this week and a recovery run next Sunday of 9 miles.

Thanks for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 13

Total Training Miles: 202

Bad

Terrible run today. 6.15 am and 85 degrees and overly humid. My calves and shins burned for the first mile and 1 half. I walked the rest of the way home.

Too hot. Too tight. Too sore.

Best to rest now for the big run of 18 miles on Sunday, and I will leave it at that.

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 12.4
Total Training Miles: 184

Hello August

While the month is new, the heat and humidity are not. This morning's very early morning run was like a shower.

But it was a good one. Pace and distance were solid.

This month is a huge one and will mark many milestones:

• Long distance run of 18 miles (this Sunday)---I will pass 200 miles in total training miles
• Long distance run of 20 miles (2 weeks from this Saturday)
• 9 mile recovery run next Sunday
• 10 mile recovery run from the beach while on vacation on Saturday, August 26th

Am I nervous? Without a doubt. But I was nervous for 10 miles, 12 miles, 14 miles, and 16 miles. All these runs were enjoyable as they came up, except for maybe the last 2 miles, when you simply have to push yourself very hard.

The main motivating factor for me is the fact that through your extraordinary generosity, you are tangibly helping those who are dealing with the devastating effects of AIDS and HIV. Over the weekend, another slew of donations came roaring in. I wish to thank:

Michael Brown , Tamara Christian, Lisa Fasold, Jamie Hill, Rick Geritz, Helen-Marie Graves, Tim Herbert, Liz Hyman, Jeff Joseph, Laurie Lutz, Tom Omberg, Colleen Phalen, Kirk Smallwood, and Jason Stookey.

I am deeply grateful for your support!

Next run is on Thursday.

Thank you for your moral support and your financial contributions in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 12.2

Total Training Miles: 181