Filled from the spirit of my record-setting blog traffic last week due to the Mike Wardian interview (thanks again, Mike!), I descended on Manhattan to try my hand at another 10K race. I didn't really get a chance to talk about it too much because of the interview, but I had been looking forward to this race for a while, mostly because this is the race where I had completed my first ever 10K last year. It holds a sentimental place in my mind, and I love the free Tallgrass beer at the end of the run. A cooler morning than we had been getting here in Kansas was waiting for me, but it was going to be humid.
I've been doing well in my workouts, but I was going to be held back slightly by my recent blood donation. I'm an enormous supporter of blood donation, and I like to donate when I can, but there is no denying that it takes away a nice percentage of your oxygen carrying capacity. Anyways, between that and the humidity, and the enormous hill on Anderson Avenue towards the end of the race, the prospects of me setting a personal record were not great, but I was determined to give everything I had in order to get as good a time as I could. I was on pace through the first 4 miles, but as expected, the hill in the middle of mile 5 slowed me up considerably. I tried to make up the time on the back of the hill, but it wasn't enough to even it out. I wasn't disappointed with my time, but an average mile time of 7:56/mile is not going to get me to Boston. I was happy with the improvement from last year.
It appeared that the crowds were a little bigger this year than last year, and it turned out to be the case. Last year, just over 280 people ran this 10K from Tallgrass Brewery to the Manhattan Running Company, and this year's version of the race had more than 400 people show up! Tremendous growth for the fellas over at MRC. This brings up a point that I've discussed with Sparks on a regular basis: Is running, and, more specifically, running races, becoming more popular? The addition of nearly 140 people to this race would seem to indicate that yes, people are getting into running in a way that has not been seen since the 1970s. But why? Health benefits? Competition? Low equipment fees? Who knows? Hospital Hill set a record this year for competitors, and I anticipate the KC Marathon and Half Marathon will also achieve higher numbers as well. I wonder, how many of you have signed up for a race for the first time this year? What did you think? Anyways...sort of a tangent, I know, but it appears that more competition is coming to these runs, which is great. Everyone needs to be pushed to their limits once in a while. Until next time...later.
Monday, August 8, 2011
Thursday, August 4, 2011
TFGIR Interview Series: Michael Wardian (Part 2)
In case you missed Part 1 of this interview, there's the link for you to check out. There is some great stuff in there. Hope you enjoy the second half of the interview. Enjoy.
8. TFGIR: During the French Open, the Tennis Channel asked professional tennis players about the contents of their tennis bags (books, iPods, socks, etc.). What sort of items do you fill your racing bag with before a 50 or 100K race?
MRW: Dude, that is super cool, and I saw that piece. It was funny to see them pimp their sponsors' stuff and I would say I am the same.
I carry a "The North Face Base Camp" bag (which rules, seriously, bomber, nothing better). In that bag, I have "The North Face Better Than Naked Shorts & Singlet (with my sponsors: The North Face, MarathonGuide.com, PowerBar)", "The North Face Fireroad Socks", "The North Face Singletrack Shoes", my MarathonGuide.com hat and of course a ton of PowerGels, PowerBars, my Gold's Gym swipe card, Succeed Caps, snacks, a book, and a newspaper.
9. TFGIR: On your website (mikewardian.com), I notice that you are available to coach aspiring runners. Let's say I just signed up to be coached by you, and I want help preparing for a marathon. What sort of things would I be looking forward to doing?
MRW: I do coach some people, but only a few at this point so I can give each person really custom service. As far as what I have the people do each day, it is really up to the persons fitness level, time, and what they are trying to achieve, but the cool thing is that I have done all the workouts beforehand and they are ones that I know are possible and achieve results. So, I think it works very well and it gets me all excited to see the people I am coaching get faster, stronger, tougher and just enjoy running as much as I do.
10. TFGIR: The North Face Endurance Challenge is coming to Kansas City at the end of August. You have participated in a couple of the North Face Endurance Challenges so far on their national tour. How has the response been to these events, and do you anticipate that this will become an annual tour?
MRW: The North Face Endurance Challenge is extremely well done and I am so excited to be a part of the Kansas City event. The North Face Endurance Challenge provides an incredible experience for the runners, and it is sweet to see how excited everyone is to be a part of it and to explore their own boundaries. The Endurance Challenges draws a large field and, normally, some of the top athletes and I love to compete against the best, and that is another reason I like to race them. Everyone that I know that has done a The North Face Endurance Challenge has had a great time and I think that the races in Kansas City will be no exception.
11. TFGIR: Obviously, you are flying through these long distance races if you are the victor. Do you have a strategy for each individual race that you implement when you hit the course, or do you approach each race the same, regardless of distance/course, and other variables?
MRW: I try to always look at each race differently because they are all so unique and even if you have run the course before, the weather can change how you race the event, and also the competition. That is what makes what we do so fun is that you can really get as into it as you like and geek out about a race plan or you can wing it, but I prefer to have a race plan and try and stick to it at much as I can.
12. TFGIR: The Olympic Trials are coming up in January. I confess I do not know exactly what it would take to qualify for the Olympics, so would you mind taking me through what you would need to do to represent the United States in London in 2012?
MRW: Thanks for the chance to say that we are in the USA, and are really lucky, and I think it is a great way to pick our team for the Olympics. It is really simple and clear: the first three (3) guys to cross the line on January 14, 2012 at the Men's Olympic trials go to London (as long as they run under the Olympic Time Standard which I believe is 2:14-2:15). That is it. No, "Well, this guy was hurt, this guy is faster but had a bad day, etc." It doesn't matter. First three (3) guys go, and everyone else gets to watch on TV. I am definitely not a favorite to make the team but I am in the race and that means if I run well, I get to go.
So, I am planning to bring it, and everyone else better too because if they don't I would be glad to be on the plane to London later in the year.
13. TFGIR: Your running career is exceptional, but to a non-runner, it can seem very overwhelming. What would you tell someone who has never been a runner in order to convince them that running a marathon is not crazy? How have you convinced someone in the past to give running a shot?
MRW: Well, I think that most everyone could run a marathon if they wanted to, and even a 100 Miler or 135 miles in Death Valley or 150 miles across the Sahara. They just need to want to do it, and train to do it. That being said, it is not easy and it takes discipline, commitment, and heart, and I think everyone single one of us has that in us, we just need to find it.
I don't try and convince anyone to run because, in my view, that doesn't work. What I try and do is show people that I am like them and if I can do it, well, then they might be able to do it, too. So they can say, "Wow, that guy works a full time job, has a family, coaches t-ball and still finds time to run and be competitive and honor his other obligations."
14. TFGIR: What are some outside interests/hobbies that you have other than running?
MRW: Well, we touched on lacrosse. I also was really involved in my son Pierce's t-ball team, which was cool. I love to ride my bike, play chess, camp, hike, paddle and, believe it or not, work as an International Ship Broker.
I offer my sincere thanks to Mike for agreeing to do this interview with me, and I'm looking forward to following his races in the future, hopefully all the way to London. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it, too. Now, get out there and run! Until next time...later.
8. TFGIR: During the French Open, the Tennis Channel asked professional tennis players about the contents of their tennis bags (books, iPods, socks, etc.). What sort of items do you fill your racing bag with before a 50 or 100K race?
MRW: Dude, that is super cool, and I saw that piece. It was funny to see them pimp their sponsors' stuff and I would say I am the same.
I carry a "The North Face Base Camp" bag (which rules, seriously, bomber, nothing better). In that bag, I have "The North Face Better Than Naked Shorts & Singlet (with my sponsors: The North Face, MarathonGuide.com, PowerBar)", "The North Face Fireroad Socks", "The North Face Singletrack Shoes", my MarathonGuide.com hat and of course a ton of PowerGels, PowerBars, my Gold's Gym swipe card, Succeed Caps, snacks, a book, and a newspaper.
9. TFGIR: On your website (mikewardian.com), I notice that you are available to coach aspiring runners. Let's say I just signed up to be coached by you, and I want help preparing for a marathon. What sort of things would I be looking forward to doing?
MRW: I do coach some people, but only a few at this point so I can give each person really custom service. As far as what I have the people do each day, it is really up to the persons fitness level, time, and what they are trying to achieve, but the cool thing is that I have done all the workouts beforehand and they are ones that I know are possible and achieve results. So, I think it works very well and it gets me all excited to see the people I am coaching get faster, stronger, tougher and just enjoy running as much as I do.
10. TFGIR: The North Face Endurance Challenge is coming to Kansas City at the end of August. You have participated in a couple of the North Face Endurance Challenges so far on their national tour. How has the response been to these events, and do you anticipate that this will become an annual tour?
MRW: The North Face Endurance Challenge is extremely well done and I am so excited to be a part of the Kansas City event. The North Face Endurance Challenge provides an incredible experience for the runners, and it is sweet to see how excited everyone is to be a part of it and to explore their own boundaries. The Endurance Challenges draws a large field and, normally, some of the top athletes and I love to compete against the best, and that is another reason I like to race them. Everyone that I know that has done a The North Face Endurance Challenge has had a great time and I think that the races in Kansas City will be no exception.
11. TFGIR: Obviously, you are flying through these long distance races if you are the victor. Do you have a strategy for each individual race that you implement when you hit the course, or do you approach each race the same, regardless of distance/course, and other variables?
MRW: I try to always look at each race differently because they are all so unique and even if you have run the course before, the weather can change how you race the event, and also the competition. That is what makes what we do so fun is that you can really get as into it as you like and geek out about a race plan or you can wing it, but I prefer to have a race plan and try and stick to it at much as I can.
12. TFGIR: The Olympic Trials are coming up in January. I confess I do not know exactly what it would take to qualify for the Olympics, so would you mind taking me through what you would need to do to represent the United States in London in 2012?
MRW: Thanks for the chance to say that we are in the USA, and are really lucky, and I think it is a great way to pick our team for the Olympics. It is really simple and clear: the first three (3) guys to cross the line on January 14, 2012 at the Men's Olympic trials go to London (as long as they run under the Olympic Time Standard which I believe is 2:14-2:15). That is it. No, "Well, this guy was hurt, this guy is faster but had a bad day, etc." It doesn't matter. First three (3) guys go, and everyone else gets to watch on TV. I am definitely not a favorite to make the team but I am in the race and that means if I run well, I get to go.
So, I am planning to bring it, and everyone else better too because if they don't I would be glad to be on the plane to London later in the year.
13. TFGIR: Your running career is exceptional, but to a non-runner, it can seem very overwhelming. What would you tell someone who has never been a runner in order to convince them that running a marathon is not crazy? How have you convinced someone in the past to give running a shot?
MRW: Well, I think that most everyone could run a marathon if they wanted to, and even a 100 Miler or 135 miles in Death Valley or 150 miles across the Sahara. They just need to want to do it, and train to do it. That being said, it is not easy and it takes discipline, commitment, and heart, and I think everyone single one of us has that in us, we just need to find it.
I don't try and convince anyone to run because, in my view, that doesn't work. What I try and do is show people that I am like them and if I can do it, well, then they might be able to do it, too. So they can say, "Wow, that guy works a full time job, has a family, coaches t-ball and still finds time to run and be competitive and honor his other obligations."
14. TFGIR: What are some outside interests/hobbies that you have other than running?
MRW: Well, we touched on lacrosse. I also was really involved in my son Pierce's t-ball team, which was cool. I love to ride my bike, play chess, camp, hike, paddle and, believe it or not, work as an International Ship Broker.
I offer my sincere thanks to Mike for agreeing to do this interview with me, and I'm looking forward to following his races in the future, hopefully all the way to London. I hope you guys enjoyed reading it, too. Now, get out there and run! Until next time...later.
Monday, August 1, 2011
TFGIR Interview Series: Michael Wardian (Part 1)
Greetings, and welcome to the latest installment of the This Fat Guy is Running Interview Series. I was lucky enough to be contacted recently by a representative from The North Face company regarding their upcoming endurance challenge in Kansas City, which is linked on the right side of the screen. I was offered a chance to conduct an interview with an endurance athlete that they sponsor, and I said I would love that opportunity. I was fortunate enough to interview Michael Wardian, from Arlington, Virginia. A former collegiate lacrosse player turned ultramarathon champion, Mike was kind enough to answer a slew of questions I had for him, ranging from his lacrosse playing days, to his preparations for marathons, and many things in between.
Throughout his career, Mike has won an astonishing 19 Marathons (if not more), amongst countless other race victories, (according to athlinks.com) including the 2011 San Francisco Marathon that just occurred yesterday, 7/31/11. Talk about great timing! Mike has won several USA Track and Field National Championships, including distances of 50K, 50 Mile, and 100K. Mike has also set several world records throughout the years, including fastest marathon time on a treadmill, fastest marathon time on a 200-meter indoor track, and, my personal favorite, fastest marathon time while wearing a superhero costume (Spiderman). I thank him for being so gracious with his time, and without further ado, I present to you my interview with the newly crowned San Francisco Marathon Champion, Mike Wardian.MRW: I played lacrosse at Michigan State University because I was pretty good in High School (All-Met, Captain of Oakton High School Team, Leading Scorers, etc...) and I was recruited to play for MSU. Yes, I still follow lacrosse all the time. I love that lacrosse is on ESPN now, and I can watch more games. Even before the Comrades Marathon the last two (2) years while in South Africa, I have watched the finals and semifinals of the Division I tournament via "ESPN 360". They try to block it, but if you really want to watch you can find a way, so I was up at like 2:00am on Sunday, watching the Saturday night games, which was super cool. Unfortunately, I am not playing now as I am so busy with work, the family, and running that I haven't been able to make the time.
1. TFGIR: How did you make the transition from playing collegiate lacrosse, a sport that requires a lot of sprinting and sharp cuts, to becoming a long-distance runner?
MRW: Well, that was easy because I stopped playing lacrosse, and then I needed to do something to stay in shape and I love being in motion, so I chose running because it is also, in my opinion, one of the best workouts for the time (i.e., you get a lot out of a 50 min run and it might take 3 hours on the bike to get the same workout.) That being said, I love biking, also, and swimming and tennis, etc...
2. TFGIR: According to your USA Track and Field profile (Profile Page), you have been competing in marathons since 1996, when you qualified for the Boston Marathon on your first attempt. When did you figure out that you had a future in competitive distance running?
MRW: Good question. I just was running as a lark and to qualify for Boston, and I knew I had some talent at the first 1/2 marathon I ever ran in 1996. I ran like 1:14 or so and finished 3rd or 4th, and I mean I was seriously surprised. I was in lacrosse shorts, a cotton t-shirt and with my hat on backwards, heavy trainers and just shocked to come in that far ahead of most people. I think my parents were surprised, too, as they were not looking for me so soon at the finish.
3. TFGIR: You have been all over the world to compete in races. What place that you have been to stands out as either the most unique, most memorable, or one that you would go back to in a heartbeat?
MRW: Another neat question and one I think about all the time. I always try to push the boundaries and while I have been to a number of places, I have not been to even more places, and I would definitely like to check out some races that I haven't been able to get to yet, and to some areas that I haven't explored. But I think of the places that I have been lately, and I really loved Iceland. I went in February, and would love to go back in the summer and check it out even more. That and Kauai, where my wife and I went on our honeymoon. I love Kauai too. I really can't think of many places that I wouldn't want to go as I think you can always find exciting adventures if you try.
4. TFGIR: What does a typical week of preparation for a 50K or 50 Mile race look like?
MRW: My typical week is a lot of miles, over 100 miles, that include speed work, hills, tempo runs, and some races, usually. Stroller runs with the guys (two children, Pierce and Grant), also. I also run and/or bike to work, so that helps too.
5. TFGIR: At some point, everybody experiences a letdown in a race. What is a race disappointment you remember, and how did you learn from it going forward?
MRW: Another excellent question, and that is also fresh in my mind as it just happened at Badwater. My goal was to win Badwater this year, and I ended up 3rd, so off of my goal, and also off the time I was aiming for. I had some major letdowns during that race, but I fought back with the help of my crew, who were rad, and finished it. I learned a lot, but most important is to get in food and keep it down and, like a hot dog eating contest, try to avoid the "reversal of fortune".
6. TFGIR: How do you balance your running with having a family and a full time job?
MRW: That is a big challenge, but I have a terrific wife, children, boss, co-workers, and family and I really couldn't do it without them being behind me. They really help and inspire me to explore my limits and allow me the opportunities to train and compete on the highest level.
7. TFGIR: As a vegetarian, what would a normal day's worth of meals and nutrition consist of throughout a training week? As a non-vegetarian, I have learned a lot of runners seem to thrive on a vegetarian diet, but I believe the perception is that it would be tough to ingest the necessary proteins and stay "full", if you will. How have you tailored this diet to work for you?
MRW: I don't know. I eat a fair amount of food, and I think I would always be hungry even if I wasn't a vegetarian due to the miles I am running. I try to eat a lot during the day and stay up on my fluids, so nothing really special. I tend to eat a lot of cereal and fruit during the course of the day. I think I could crush Seinfeld in a cereal eating contest.
This wraps up part one of my interview with Mike Wardian. I've included a few links throughout the interview, so be sure to click on them so you can see things like the Badwater race, and how hardcore it truly is. Part two of this interview will be posted on Thursday, so please be on the look out for that. Until next time...later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
