Two Marathons completed in 11 days!

Much thanks to Hal Higdon, the Runner's World contributing editor and author of many marathon training programs in helping me complete two marathons in just 11 days.

Many of you know about my running of the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4th. It was a run I had planned since early in the spring of 2009 and after an ankle set back and a tweeking of my training, I completed much to my surprise.

But, you don't know that I met Hal at the Health and Fitness Expo in St. Paul the day prior to the race and that is when Hal assisted me in getting the second "Marathon" done.

Hal Higdon is the author of 35 different books and training guides and is best know for his virtual training guides you can buy online that will get you to finish a marathon. His latest work is a novel titled, "Marathon" and that is the second marathon I speak of.

You didn't really think I ran two marathons that soon?

Marathon, the novel is a great book. I got copy number 336, autographed by Hal himself. It's a story about a race director and his new love, a big city marathon that is in jeopardy of losing it's sponsor, first time marathoners and the whole marathon experience. Finally, there's a secret celebrity runner too. As a marathon runner, you'll have deja vu moments as you read each chapter. Read Hal's new book right before your next big marathon and you too, can complete two marathons in 11 days (it would have been faster, but I had to complete another book first).

16 of 48 Books read

Remember I am reading 48 books this year before my 48th birthday. This is book 16.

16. Rabbit Redux by John Updike

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
The second book in the rabbit series and probably the last one I read. Updike's books are kind of depressing.

In the first book, Rabbit, Run you read as the main character Rabbit, deals with his faultering marriage and dead end life. So, he runs. In this book it's his wifes turn to run.

I had heard that John Updike was a world class author and he recently passed away, so I wanted to read some of his works. I've read two, so now I'm done.

Does he venture into other subjects? Maybe I just need to get away from the rabbit series.


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Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

My first 15 books in my quest to read 48 books before I turn 48. I'm 15 weeks into the goal and I'm on a one book a week pace.

1. Bowerman and the Men of Oregon: The Story of Oregon's Legendary Coach and Nike's Co-founder by Kenny Moore

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Running, history and a biography. What more could I want.


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2. Adios to Tears: The Memoirs of a Japanese-Peruvian Internee in U.S. Concentration Camps by Seiichi Higashide

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A great autobiography of one mans journey from Japan to South America to an internment camp in the US. This is full of history tha you can't get in a textbook. You might have know about the iternment camps for the Japanese during WWII, but did you know we arrested Japanese citizens in central and South America and interned them?


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3.Body for Life: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength by Bill Phillips

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
Enjoyed the book and it all made sense, but I can't stick with weight training like I can with running.


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4.Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Loved the book. But, then again I love reading about the Presidents. Whether you voted Obama or not, this is a great read and a very interesting man.


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5. Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
An interesting book written before JFK became president. He was recovering from back surgery, was a senator and wrote this book about courageous senators of the past.


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6.Wisdom of Our Fathers: Lessons and Letters from Daughters and Sons by Tim Russert

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
My father passed this book along to me. Like the Chicken Soup series, it's a collection of warm rememberances of fathers. I, enjoyed reading it. Tim Russert, the author and NBC news fame died while I was reading it.


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7.Where the Game Matters Most: A Last Championship Season in Indiana High School Basketball Tag: In.. by William Gildea

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Since I didn't grow up in Indiana, I didn't know how big the high school game was. Sure, I heard about it's popularity. But, until you've experienced it or at least read this book you won't know.



I wouldn't have picked it out myself, but my brother in law Doug gave it to me and it's fantastic.


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8. Everything I've Learned: 100 Great Principles to Live by by Leslie Pockell

My review

rating: 1 of 5 stars
A quick, short book of quotes by famous and not so famous people. It was interesting, but I'm glad I didn't buy it.


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9.Home and Away: Memoir of a Fan by Scott Simon

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
If you are a Chicago sports fan, this is a great book to read. Scott Simon of NPR and NBC fame wrote about his love of Chicago sports from a fans perspective. Great chapters about the Bears Super Bowl win and about the Bulls 6 Championships.


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10. Running Until You're 100 by Jeff Galloway

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
If your goal is to run for life or into your 60's, 70's and 100's then this is a great book full of advice on staying injury free, eating right, maintaining weight and enjoying the sport.

View all my reviews.


11. Rabbit, Run by John Updike

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
This is the first book I've read by John Updike. He passed away a month ago, so I thought I should read some of his works.

I think he's best know for the 'rabbit' series. Four books that tell of the life of one Harry Angstrom, a fictional character that was a star basketball player in high school. Updike is a great writer, makes you feel like you are there. Very discriptive. Although the story didn't speak to me, the narrative did.

I ordered the second book, Rabbit, Redux from the library and I'll give it a chance too.


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12. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
Satrapi is an Iranian woman that grew up during the Islamic Revolution (1980's). The book is written in comic book form. A first for me. My wife recommended it and I read it in three days. A good book that I probably wouldn't have read otherwise. Give me a book and tell me to read it and I'll at least make an attempt. I'm easy that way.




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13.Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
He calls it the final chapter or what you do to make up for a mistake. He says to do something creative after a goof, so that the client telling about how you screwed up will have to include how you rectified the situation.


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14. 50 Things I Love About Japan.

It's a short book that was given to me by my mother in law. It's not in GoodReads.


15. Chicken Soup for the Baseball Fan's Soul: Inspirational Stories of Baseball, Big-League Dreams and the Game of Life by Jack Canfield

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
A great collection of baseball stories. I love the Chicken Soup series.


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One week from Lost Dutchman

I'm one week from the Lost Dutchman Half Marathon. It'll be #11 for me and the second time I've run the event. Remember back in 2007 I lead the LDHM at the 2 mile mark? This is a beautiful race, run at the foot of the Superstition Mountains. Here's some pictures from the 07 race.

After this race, I am adding a 5k on the 21st. It's in Goodyear, AZ and it will start and finish at the new ballpark. The spring training home of the Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds (2010). Since, I'm a Reds fan I had to do it.

Running Until You're 100 by Jeff Galloway
Book #13 (48 books read before I turn 48)

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
If your goal is to run for life or into your 60's, 70's and 100's then this is a great book full of advice on staying injury free, eating right, maintaining weight and enjoying the sport.

I've decide to incorporate several things in this book. One, running every other day. If you want to do high mileage, Galloway advises to do less runs, but longer. Better to do 3 five milers than to do 5 three milers in a week. Your rest days are very important to an older runner. I learned this somewhat from doing my 27 straight run days.

Galloway is most know for his system of run/walk/run in all his training and races. Remember Galloway is an Olympic runner, but he still takes walk breaks so that he can maintain his current running level. I've always taken walk breaks, except for a few 5k races. At my last half marathon Nick and I tried to take a walk break for 30-40 seconds every 4 minutes or so. It worked great. I will continue to take walk breaks, but will shorten them. I've been know to take 2-3 minute walk breaks.

Speed work and hills. I plan to do more of these. My past speed work has been a serious of tempo runs in the middle of a relative easy run. Galloway calls these Acceleration/glides. I would increase my pace to 8-9 mpm and hold it for as long as I could. Then take a walk break and do it again. I'll continue to do this and incorporate running up gradual hills. I can do this at South Mtn. park (main entrance) or Discovery Park in Gilbert.

Weights and pool running. I want to start running in the pool and lifting weights at least twice a week. Galloway and others think that pool running is very beneficial to a runner without the wear and tear.

I highly recommend this book and plan to get other Galloway books.



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Books and Chicken Soup on a cold winter's nite

Setting the Table: The Transforming Power of Hospitality in Business by Danny Meyer

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars


It's a business book about hospitality in the restaurant business. His restaurants in NYC include Union Square Cafe, The Modern at MoMA, Gramercy Park, Blue Smoke, Tabla and the Shake Shack. I like to read books about customer service and hospitality because it helps me to be a better REALTOR.

He calls it the final chapter or what you do to make up for a mistake. He says to do something creative after a goof, so that the client telling about how you screwed up will, also, have to include how you rectified the situation.


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The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi

My review

rating: 2 of 5 stars
Satrapi is an Iranian woman that grew up during the Islamic Revolution (1980's). The book is written in comic book form. A first for me. My wife recommended it and I read it in three days. A good book that I probably wouldn't have read otherwise. Give me a book and tell me to read it and I'll at least make an attempt. I'm easy that way.




View all my reviews.

I just started keeping track of books in Goodreads. It's a website that will recommend, list and keep track of books read and books you plan to read. It lets you write a review and you can make that public for your friends and family to read.

Chad had mentioned that he helped make the final selections for "Chicken Soup for the Baseball Fan's Soul" , a book that I have been reading for some time now. It's a collection of heartwarming stories about baseball in people's lives. From little league to big league, from fans to players. It's the kind of book you read in spurts.

I went to the website to see if they have a "Chicken Soup for the Runner" book. They have one in the works and are looking for submissions. Yes, you can write a story about your running and it might be included in a future book. They, also, have one planned for diet and fitness.

The Chicken Soup website has a list of all their books, lists future books and you can even get a daily chicken soup story.

Speaking of book projects, another one of note is at Runner's Lounge. Amy & Tom are collecting stories to put into a book.

The Secret

Have you read the book or seen the movie? The Secret? It's about "The Law of Attraction". Yesterday I read the first couple chapters while I was waiting for a client. It over simplifies the ability that if you think positive and make wanting something a priority then you will attract it. Think of a million bucks and it's yours. Think that you'd love for the nuisance at work to be gone and she gets transferred. Think that you'd like to qualify for Boston and you got it.



So, I immediately thought that I'd love to run without that pain in my heel.



My client showed up and I went to work. Later in the day, I got my issue of Runner's World Magazine. I read it and found on page 115 an ad for Triggerpoint, a seller of self messaging tools.

It shows an arrow with 'symptom' pointing at a runner's heel. Then it shows an arrow with 'problem' and it's pointing at the runner's lower leg. Aha. I attracted this ad into my life. I checked out the website and immediately got my 'Stick' and started working on my lower leg. And my foot feels better.



Now, I do believe in thinking positive and that you can attract what you want into your life if you work towards a goal. I just think it's more complicated than what the authors indicate in the first few chapters. Maybe I'll read further into the book.

Friday's Run & workout:

I got in 2.5 miles on the treadmill with little discomfort in the heel. I then lifted weights, upper body for about 45 minutes at the Tumbleweed Rec Center. Not sure if I trust the treadmill mileage. I was going at a 12 minute pace, but it felt faster. Isn't it just recording the mileage of the belt and if I were to stand on the side rails it would still be recording mileage? Overall, it was a good workout and maybe I've turned the corner with my foot.

Now I can start applying the 'Law of Attraction' to getting a million bucks!

The Gym and The foot.

After my PR run on Thanksgiving morning I didn't run again until last night. 3 and a half days off. I could still feel pain in my left heel. Not the whole heel. I can push my finger on one spot and feel the pain. It feels like it's in the meat, not the bone.

So, off I went to the Tumbleweed Rec Center. I immediately tested it on the treadmill. Did a mile in just over 10 minutes. It hurt some. Not enough to were I had to stop, but enough that I wondered if I was keeping it from getting better. It's been 16 days since I've run outside, not counting the two races I ran in and it's only gotten moderately better.

I continued to do my "Run for Life" weight routine. First Upper body, then the lower body. I pushed myself a little bit harder this time and was happy with the workout.

Then, back to the treadmill for another mile, I thought. I could feel my heel alot more this time and I stopped within the first minute. Here's hoping I see some improvement on the heel this week.

Has anyone had any issues like this? Is it tondenitis? Is it a stress fracture?

Book #4

"Dreams from My Father" by President Elect Barack Obama is an amazing autobiography of Obama's earlier years. Not his political years, but up to his time entering law school and his wedding. It doesn't matter if you are a democrat, independent or republican, this book makes you feel like you know Obama as a friend would. I highly recommend it for any american. For anyone in the world, for that matter.

My son, Tyler bought it for me as a birthday present and bought the large print edition. It was actually easier to read for this old man and so I might buy other books in large print.

Obama did have one quote that is useful to a long distance runner. A lesson learned from his step father, Lolo in Indonesia. It wasn't said then about running, just about enduring. He said, "The trick is not caring that it hurts." *

*I should note that Obama wasn't talking about not caring about an injury that could become worse and limit one's physical ability. This was in reference to enduring pain so that you can accomplish greater things. I'm sure our President Elect would want me to take care of my heel. Or am I just being a wimp?

Anything for a T-Shirt

Have you read this book before? If you ever thought about running the NYC Marathon and wanted to know more about it and it's founder, you'll love reading it. Fred LeBow was crazy about running and wanted the NYC Marathon to be the greatest. He ran in it when it was just a small race with 50 runners in the Bronx and then moved it to Central Park and later ran it as it spanned the 5 boroughs.

You may know that I have a blog that reviews running books. I haven't added to it in awhile and I am thinking of doing something different. I'm playing with the Amazon associates program that allows people to buy the books I review or have read. My plan is to give a review as I read each book and then have a link for anyone that is interested. Of course, you would be able to click on the book review label and see all my reviews. I would only review books that I have read recently. Also, if anyone would like to add a review on a running book, I would post it and give you the proper credit. If you don't know about the Amazon Associates program, you should check it out.

And here's another book I just finished reading. My BIL and SIL sent it to me for my birthday. This author, A.J. Jacobs decided to live one year following the Bible's laws and rules. Funny thing is, he's agnostic. Didn't really go to church or synagogue growing up. He has many relatives that are Jewish, so that's the faith he's most familiar with. Not a book I would have picked out for myself, but glad I read it. It would have been better if he co-wrote it with his wife. I think the year was harder on her, than it was on him.

The Year of Living Biblically

Running Within

"Yes, I'm reading another book on running", I said to my wife. I'll get to that Harry Potter book eventually. Now, if Harry ran more than he flew; I might read it today.

"Running Within" is a book written by Jerry Lynch and Warren Scott. Here's a few things they say.



A runner asked his coach how long it would take to become a world class runner. The coach said it would take him 5-7 years. The runner asked if he doubled his efforts, worked out every day and focused his entire life on running, how long would it take. The coach thought for a minute and said it would take 10-12 years. The point being that the runner would stress his body too much, get injured and fatigued too often and therefore reach his goals (if he reaches them at all) much later than anticipated. Interesting thought.

The authors also mention the bumblebee. How experts in aerodynamics say it's impossible for a bumblebee to fly. It's not aerodynamic, it weights too much and other reasons. The authors say it nice that the bumblebee can't read.

The subtitle to this book is, "A guide to mastering the body-mind-spirit connection for ultimate training and racing". As I read more, I'll pass it along.

I wanted to run this morning. But, the pillow won and I got lots of rest. I mean lots of rest. I'll run tonight.

On another note, I planned on playing on two softball teams this fall. A church coed team (that I really like) and a men's team that I was helping to form. But, we couldn't get enough men to play and after we decided not to form the team I got a call. It was from another team needing one more player. So, it looks like I'll be playing on Thursday nights for the next 4 weeks, then two nights a week for about 4 weeks. My kids are also getting involved with Venture Crew, a branch of the boy scouts (but coed). Looks like will be doing a lot of different activities with them and my son and I are taking a Japanese Swordsmanship class with the city rec department. It should be an interesting fall season.

The Athlete's Way

Sweat and the Biology of Bliss. I just started reading this book by ultra runner Christopher Bergland. He says it's all about making exercise a pleasurable habit and I agree. I'm at my best when I'm running for the fun of it, as opposed to running because I need to get the mileage or work on my speed.

When I finish, I'll have a complete book review.

One thing I like about the book is it is full of quotes from various people. Here's a couple I like:

"I would not talk so much about myself if there were anybody else whom I knew so well" -Henry David Thoreau (I guess he blogged before there was an internet).

"I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand." - Japanese Proverb

As far as my running goes. . . I got a run in yesterday and one today. They were both morning runs (6:30 am). I can run at night when it's 95 or in the morning when it's 85. I choose the morning.

Neither run was exceptional. 2.19 miles yesterday in 30 minutes. 2.96 miles today in 44 minutes. I'm having a difficult time concentrating. Or maybe it's letting my mind wander. As soon as I get close to a mile, I start to think negatively about my legs being tired or being out of breath. I'm blaming the heat in Arizona or the humidty in Ohio. The bottom line is I need to focus on something positive and keep running. I know that it's the last 20% of the run that makes you stronger.

"No one has ever drowned in sweat" - Lou Holtz

I am once again a member of MyFoodDairy.com. It's a pay website that you can track your calories, workouts and measurements on it. Diet wise I've been on vacation all year. Time to start losing pounds, running longer and having fun.

Pool Run: I ran in place in my pool for 45 minutes straight. I had my HRM on and it read 99 average and 110 high. Not sure if pool running is really doing anything for me, but I am sweating a bit now that I'm out of the water. If anyone knows anything about pool running, advice would be appreciated.

About.com on Water jogging

Website on 5 different water exercises.

Book Reports

I am reading a lot of books lately about running. So, I thought I would give a report or review about each book I read. Instead of mixing them in with my daily reports, I made another blog.

If you look on the left column under links, you'll see Pat's Running Book Reports. Click there or here and you'll see my reports. I quickly did three of them. I will add more later and update these when I get a chance.

If you'd like to volunteer a book report, email it to me at pat@RealtySecrets.net and I'll add it to the reports.

Enjoy, Pat