The Final Post

OK... it's official. I am putting this blog to rest.

     Did my love of running wane? Not at all. This year I completed "Goofy's Challenge," almost 40 miles in two days. My wife, sister, and myself still get up early every Saturday morning to help and inspire others, and I am still writing like crazy, but now it's more fiction.

See my writing continue at www.LordanArts.com

Watch our running lives (and the occasional news post from me) st www.VCGalloway.com

and if you really need some intense, personal inspiration... come run with us, or grab the latest book by Jeff Galloway (www.jeffgalloway.com)

Keep happy... keep running. John

The Return of Tron John

He's been spotted again! During the Hollywood Half Marathon on Saturday April 7th 2012, Tron John ran his second half marathon in full light up costume. Well, version two I should say. I had to remove some segments that were damaged in my debut at the 2011 Disneyland Half Marathon, and this one was modified for cold weather with full fingered gloves and a light up beanie. Of course the light up Tron Disc on my back also returned. It was cool to hear the comments from racers and spectators as I ran by.

The race suffered from some first time planning issues, but overall was a great experience with a great start and very challenging finish; over a mile of hillwork right at the end of it. Our program members (www.vcgalloway.com) all completed successfully, many in AWESOME costumes. The race director promises some changes for next year's race, including possibly removing the hill. In any case I'm sure I will be running it again. I now have to maintain my "legacy" runners status since I've completed the inaugural race. :-)

I was supposed to run this race with a coworker that has become a running partner and friend over the past few months, however we missed each other at the start. Luckily, around mile 5 I found Kevin and we completed the race together. Once again, Jeff Galloway's methods worked giving Kevin a great race experience based on a pretty limited training schedule. He's already giving me his ideas on how he could improve his next race effort. Looks like we have to find another goal race quick!

It's already been quite an eventful year, but my personal training is just about to start. I now have to ramp up for my return to Grandma's Marathon, where I will attempt to shave off at least 15 minutes, and continue adding distance for the 51k around Area 51 in August. Vera just registered both of us for "Goofy's Challenge" in January of 2013, which is a half marathon one day and a full marathon the next! Whew.. I kind of feel like asking "can I really do this" but.. I already know the answer to that. It's just a matter of the right planning, work, and patience.

I also wanted to give a quick shout out to my nephew, who was the youngest runner in this years Oakland Marathon (GO JON GO!), and had this very insightful article written about his experience for the Pleasanton Weekly. Congratulations to his Step Dad Chris and Jon on a huge personal and family accomplishment! Enjoy getting your wheels back Jon!

Happy Running Everyone!

Rebooting

Where is he? Did he just start a blog and fall off the face of the earth? We've heard this story before..

Hi! I'm still here and ready to continue our chat. Sorry I've been away for a while. Both myself and our running group took on some major challenges over the past few months and we've both grown a lot for it. Congratulations to my sister Erika on completing her first FULL marathon (less than 18 months into her running career). I stuck by her side for the entire LA Marathon, and we had a really special moment that I will never forget once we crossed that finish line. We had both worked very hard to make that race happen, and seeing it executed was simply magical.

Of course, several of our program members also did the same; amazing and inspiring me yet again. Way to go Kat, Rachel and Tracy (go Team Sibling!), Mr. Casanova, Robb and Cassie, and everyone else from VCGP. WE DID IT! I also want to congratulate my wife Vera on completing her first marathon training program. You did it baby!

JOHN TRON runs LA 2012!

Outside of all that, I've landed a dream job continuing with Cirque Du Soleil's IRIS, and just finished writing my first television pilot script while continuing my college career reboot. Not too shabby! I look forward to sharing more details soon. Also coming soon, a new article on the power of archways, and a BIG personal challenge for me.. the 51k. :-)

Keep those legs moving!
-John

PAIN SUCKS.

I mean it. ;-)

I had a bit more weight on me during my twenties. At one point I was hovering around two hundred and forty five pounds, no where near my heaviest. I was working as an I.T. Manager and bending over entering a door security code. All of a sudden it felt like the entire bottom portion of my body had an electrical "brownout". There was a jolt of pain, followed by a feeling of helplessness as I realized that I was stuck and could not return to an upright walking position.

Oh, did I mention I was in a telephone closet in a locked area where no one could hear me.. and I was only 29 years old. I had a sexy back, didn't I? :-)

Luckily I remembered there was a chair a bit behind me, and I had control of my feet, so I was able to hobble over, sit down.. and wait for about 5 minutes before my normal sensation returned. However now, there was an acute pain, new doubts about my physical ability, and a new type of fear for me to handle for the rest of my life. My weak back. It took about two to three weeks until I felt like I had fully recovered. Now that I'm a runner, when I encounter one of these injuries I have to modify my training plan, sometimes dramatically, to allow my body the chance to recover and heal.

I'm now nearing the end of my second relapse. Both have been due to ridiculously silly events. The first was me trying to be more efficient by putting on a sock while standing- sorry make that leaning against a corner of a closet doorframe. I lifted my leg, felt a quick twinge.. two weeks of twitch pains and minor, yet continuous discomfort. This current one happened when I chose to mimic my cat Gary. Yes, his name was inspired by Spongebob Squarepants, although instead of being a snail who thinks he's a cat, my Gary is a cat who thinks he's a dog. He follows me EVERYWHERE. Check out this video to see his nightly dinner routine with me.

Gary and I were playing and he lunged at me. Just decided he was a tiny panther and took this futile.. funny, tiny lunge towards me.

I returned the favor (being a ridiculous man child) and once again, felt that familiar jolt. Dang it John.. you know better than this.

I'm at the end of my second week of recovery and I decided to take this week off from running. BOY, has THAT been challenging.. but I'm recognizing the benefits. A big lesson I've learned with running this year, and I think you'll see this theme in all my posts so far.. is the importance and strength of being able to modify your original game plan.

A lot of us are driven in running with tools created from our ego. Our "need for speed", or drive to improve doesn't quite come from the same spiritual space as what motivates you for a long slow run through the woods or on the beach. Our "plans"; or the way we envision the race going is a VERY deep and personal thing. We put a lot of energy, and invest hours of training; both physical and mental, into this internal "plan". When we take it out on the road, and something breaks down or doesn't go as expected, our ego can take a serious hit. In a naturally competitive event like running, this twist can really work against you, or even take you completely out of the race.

My wife and I run several running groups throughout the year, so a lot of our schedule is planned.. literally years in advance. Around that, Vera and I weave our personal training in by adding runs at faster speeds, longer intervals, and longer distances. We even choose races specifically to push our own boundaries. This enables us to keep devleoping and becoming better runners, and in turn better running group leaders. I usually have between 6-12 months of my running training plan loaded into my Google calendar. I know daily what I'm going to do.. that is, until I'm injured.

This morning of this writing is a group run, that I will sit out. Yes, I'm taking my favorite part of the week, have forcing myself to sit it out so I can allow my back to fully recover. I will still go, and cheer on the team, pass out some hugs and laughs and all the other great stuff, by my internal trainer has now grabbed my training plan. He's telling me it's time to back off, and I'm going to listen. This is the same internal voice that got me through Grandma's Marathon this year by altering my plan, taking an hour off my previous marathon time. This is the same voice that lifts me out of the dumps when I'm ready to move forward from my last failure or disappointment. This voice is all the best parts of you being driven by positive energy. I REALLY like THIS voice.

There is that other voice.. oh yes. He wants me to run. He's even trying to use my ego against me.. "they NEED you out there John, what will those poor runners do". Oh the games we play with ourselves. This voice is loud and can grab your attention easily, distracting you from your true goal and killing your ability to focus. This is the quitter in you. One of the reasons I run, is that it gives me so much time to face "Mr. Quitter", and to let him know who's really the boss around here. That boss says it's time to take a week off, so we can avoid having to take a forced MONTH off, and that's what we are going to do.
______

One Week Later...

It's Saturday morning again! I am rested, recharged, and ready to see my team (Team SPIRIT) take on their first 8 mile run. :-) The week off was exactly what I needed. I stuck to my recovery, and I'm feeling strong. I lost a week of mileage, but I'm almost certain I've avoided a true "blowout", and by doing so ensured that I can continue with my long term goals. My mind struggled a bit with the downtime, but I stayed commited to my new altered plan and the benefits are already obvious. Mr. Quitter, hope you're ready for some more time together. I've got a few new lessons for you.

As runners we sometimes get so focused on execution, that it's hard to say "I need a break"; even if that's EXACTLY what we need. If your body is telling you for several days in a row that there is a problem, you MUST listen to it. Talk to your doctor, get some help, and find a way to move forward. Moving forward is what we were made to do; if you doubt it, just look at your feet.

I hope that someday this blog post may help someone take that break if they truly need it.

But only for as long as they need it. ;-)

Keep running,
-John

Disney, The Biggest Loser, and Me

I would like to start this post with a brief recap of an AMAZING RACE that I experienced last weekend. As you may have read here on www.feelgoodrunning.com, many members of the running group program that my wife and I manage completed the San Diego AFC race. Last weekend, our remaining members from that training cycle, a small but truly mighty crew, tackled the Disneyland Half Marathon. Actually "tackled" may not be the right word; how about "partied" for 13.1 miles through the Happiest Race on Earth; through a supportive, kind spirited, and extremely giving SoCal neighborhood (thank you Anaheim!!).

If you only run one race in your life, I HIGHLY recommend that you make the Disneyland Half Marathon the one. Do not expect to hit any Personal Records (although through repeated years you can progress up in corrals and make competitive times). If you are able to run a race ignoring your clock for a bit, and just slow down and take in the experience, you will find a truly magical run with fifteen thousand of your closest friends. This was my third year running it, and slowest, and probably the "un-raciest" race I've ever raced, but I literally felt like a hero the whole time. :-)

That's me as "Tron John" with my sister Erika dressed as Snow White. Our mother made her costume specifically for running (you rock Mom!). I bought a Disney "Tron Legacy" costume and modified it, removing the pants and sleeves. I also added about 30 feet of electrical wire, several other self-illuminating pieces, and literally heard cheers and screams of "Tron" throughout the entire pre-race morning and the entire race. It was unforgettable for someone that once had the dream of being an actor, and always thought his body was too fat and misshapen to play starring hero roles. For this run, I WAS the hero. Those old hang ups left on miles of road behind me, one drip of sweat at a time. I'm finally seeing that I'm not the old 240 pound version of John. It's FINALLY starting to sink in after three plus years of running.

I wore that costume all morning with pride, stopped to take photos wherever it struck my fancy, and not ONCE would I let myself beat myself up about finishing times, speed, or any of that other usual runner nonsense. This was a different experience, and I was lucky enough to give myself the freedom to have it. I mean, how else could you ever get photos like these?

It was more about enjoying my time with the people around me, and paying respect to the benefits and gifts of running. I've never met so many happy people all in one place. Our team members each finished their race and achieved new personal accomplishments (you can read more about it here.) I had one of the best races of my life, and look forward to figuring out other ways I can share positive energy and give others a little extra "Disney Magic" at future races. :-)

I also wanted to give a quick thank you to runDisney for accepting our running group as an official Disney Running Team this year (GO TEAM!!), and of course my wife Vera and I got a few very special moments with our mentor and runDisney Training Advisor, Jeff Galloway. Thank you for your guidance and inspiration Jeff. Our program members, Vera and myself thank you!!

THE BIGGEST LOSER

I have gone through quite an emotional arc with the television show "The Biggest Loser", who happened to be shooting part of an episode near my workplace last week. When I first started watching it back in 2005 I probably weighed about 240 pounds. At six feet and change that's not a ton of extra weight, but fifty extra pounds is FIFTY extra pounds.

The "before" pic is from 2006, and the "after" pic is from the San Diego AFC race a few weekends ago.

My wife and I would watch Biggest Loser, and I would usually feel bad about myself when I saw how hard these contestants work, and I compared that to how little I was doing to help myself. I had previously been a gym rat, I had sports that I loved and could easily re-engage, but for some reason I hadn't. It had gotten to the point where I had slowed my life down, and now lived nearly EVERYTHING vicariously through TV or media. Even my workouts.

I would frequently complain at the TV. "These producers are a-holes! Do they really need refigerators with fake food behind the contestants? Do they really have to submit their votes using hotel room plate covers?" And those temptation challenges, don't get me started! I thought they were literally torturing those people at times.

What I appreciated about the show was the contestants, and the attitude of the trainers. In Bob and Jillian, I saw two very healthy and active individuals with a positive energy and battery that would not quit. I didn't think I would ever be like them, but I thought I could at least be a bit MORE like them than I currently was. So I kept watching.

A few years later, my wife rebooted her joy of running. I saw her adapt and change over the course of a year, and I knew the time had come. I took up running and my life has not been the same. Once I started to become an athlete, the lessons I had heard from Bob and Jillian over the years really helped me out.

There was one case in particular where Bob really got through to me. When I have a tough time running, I actually hear quotes in my head specifically from this episode. Luckily, it was a popular enough moment that someone has posted it on YouTube. :-) It is affectionately called "Bob's Freakout", and before watching this I ask you to put yourself in Joelle, the contestants, shoes and imagine what this must have been like to personally face, and move through.



Like Joelle, I wasn't getting the message. I would watch The Biggest Loser, and find reasons to judge and demean it in order to continue my lie to myself about my health. Bob is being more forceful than I've ever seen him in this episode, but within these brief few minutes.. he has changed this woman forever. The old Joelle that wanted to control the situation at all costs.. failing at 20 seconds "every.. single.. time.." needed to be put away and left behind. The few seconds right at the end of the clip say it all. Look in Joelle's eyes and you don't see a woman that was just stripped of her dignity due to being berated. You see a new, strong, brave woman that just learned that her old boundaries are imaginary and self-imposed; a lie she's kept from herself. In her eyes are simple strength, hope, and truth. Joelle is ready to look at everything with new eyes after this episode, and she actually does considerably well that season considering her initially weak spirit. I'd love to personally thank both Bob and Joelle for being brave enough individuals to have this very intimate and sensitive experience happen in the face of the nation. THAT is courage and also inspiring.

Vera and I were fortunate enough to go to a taping of one of the makeover episode for season 10. Vera wrote a great article about it here. We somehow managed front row seats, right at the end of the catwalk. We got to see our favorite stars up VERY close, and we both even got to briefly speak with Alison Sweeney. She was an awesome hostess, taking a ton of time to chat with the audience and keep us entertained. This whole production crew works together like a very well-oiled machine, and I'm so happy that Vera and I were given a chance to witness it first-hand.

I may not be Bob from The Biggest Loser, but "Tron John" is pretty damn rad and inspired a LOT of people that morning. Tron-John is the dude that ran Disney last weekend, my old runner being left somewhere in the past like that weakened Joelle. Thank you to Bob, Jillian, and The Biggest Loser for bringing hope and awareness to people everywhere and literally saving lives time and time again. Thank you to Disney for finding a way to get kids moving before they become eligible to be contestants on the Biggest Loser (the race events are great family memories waiting to be experienced). Thank you again Disney for letting my inner child have the day of his life. We all know that children love to run around at the park. :-)

Unfortunately I didn't get to meet or see anyone at the Biggest Loser shooting that was going on close to work, but if Bob ever sees this post someday.. thank you Bob, and PLEASE send my wife an email at vera@loveliverun.com to tell her how amazing she is for starting our passion for running, AND our running group (she would literally die to hear from you, and probably offer to buy you a Starbucks). Jillian, if you ever read this.. thank you for your heart, passion and undying support of those who have given up on themselves. The amount that both of you give to this world as individuals is amazing. I know Jillian has left the show, but my wife constantly tells me how much she loves her Jillian iFit cards. :-)

To the producers of Biggest Loser, do those plates really have to stay? :-) Thank you for imagining a new type of television show and being brave enough to make it happen on a major network! Your crew ROCKS!

Here's a few pics I grabbed from the shoot close to work..

On or off camera, make it a happy run!

John

"The Power of Running" Now Available!

I have completed my latest running essay and it is posted above. Please click "The Power of Running" to check it out. I hope you like it!

Working on a few good treats to be posted soon, including my recap on the Disneyland Half. Here is a teaser.

Happy Tronning Running!
-John

John's New Friend Missy

You and I are SO lucky right now. I'm lucky because I get to recall one of the best days of my life, and YOU are lucky because you're about to meet my new friend Missy!

My wife and I run a local running program for Jeff Galloway, teaching his run/walk/run method, and Missy is a member of our team. She just crossed the finish line this past weekend at the "America's Finest City" Half Marathon in San Diego, California (YAY MISSY!). How she GOT to that finish line is an example of determination, commitment, and sheer courage that I'm SURE you will appreciate. I also have to take a moment to personally thank Missy for allowing me to share this story. It's a very intimate and personal change that she went through, and Missy is again demonstrating newly found inner strength in allowing this story to be shared. Missy, I'm your number one fan!!

You could cut the energy at the starting corral with a knife. It was a beautiful morning; a cool breeze with a slight overcast in amazing San Diego (home of Comic Con!!). These were truly perfect conditions for a race. Vera and I had trained our AFC team several times at beaches near our home running store, so we knew our running club members were WELL equipped for this type of humidity.

I was especially excited; I NEEDED this race. I know what I put my body through at Grandma's Marathon earlier this year, and I enjoyed a planned "down cycle" from my usual training plan. My body has been recovering, but my mind has been itching for it's usual dose of running time. Our Galloway training programs always give me a guaranteed number of weekly miles, but I was missing my "John" time. Coming into San Diego, I had some fear and a little doubt kicking around. I had only run once that week.. and I was having motivation issues. What if I couldn't finish for some reason?!?

I was able to quickly move around those fears, thanks to the distraction of 10 runners that I was responsible for getting across that finishing line. The group looked amazing this morning. Everyone was fresh with game faces on.

When I saw their excitement and took in the power of the event, my fears disappeared. You got this John. You've been a Pace Group Leader for MANY runs now. You've taken them for 14 miles just a few weekends ago for crying out loud! My confidence quickly returned and I was getting ready for my new challenge.

I had come into this race incorrectly assuming that I would be helping two program members that have been struggling during our long training runs. As I've said many times before (and will again), things NEVER go according to your plans. The two I was worried about took off ahead of me after about mile 2, and I only know that they survived because of their amazing record times and pictures! ;-)

About mile 4, I realized that this race was going to be about helping out someone else. Missy was in good shape, and kept up with the running intervals; however I could tell by her breathing, and see on her face that she wasn't having a good time. I dropped back with her as my team formed into it's own natural groups (yet ANOTHER benefit of group running) and continued on ahead of us, each of them striving for personal time goals.

"I usually warm up around the 4th mile" Missy told me. I know pleading when I hear it. This girl is having trouble getting her engine going today, and somewhere deep down inside of her is a growing lump of doubt. A lump saying she will fail like she always does, she will go back to the way she was before she started running like she always does. She was carrying fifty more pounds of fear and doubt along with her on this race, and if this monkey was determined to stay on her back, well.. that monkey and me were going to have a little chat.

The AFC race runs on a bit of a tight time limit for new racers. They state that it must be completed within 3 hours, and that the streets will be reopened regardless of runners still on the course. Back at Granmdma's marathon, I was in a similar situation. I turned around at one point and remember seeing a truck riding up behind me. I pushed a little and left that truck behind at Grandma's. Here I was, about 5 miles into AFC with Missy and I figure out that I've never looked behind us to see where the truck was. I turn my head for a quick peek. Oh CRAP.. it's RIGHT behind us.. maybe 30 or 40 feet. There's a handful of runners between us and the menacing jaws of the race closure.

I'm now thinking "this HAS to be killing Missy.. just the mental anguish of that freaking truck behind her". I keep talking and trying to motivate her to relax and try to really recover during her walk breaks. I specifically tell her to ask herself if she is walking SLOW enough to feel her body recovering.

While I'm doing all this, I check my Garmin GPS and see that we are still on track for around a three hour finish.. maybe 3:10 or 3:15.. but I didn't know what that meant. Was the finishing line going to still be there? Would we get caught up on crosswalks when they reopened traffic? What was this woman, who is struggling more now as the sun starts breaking through the morning mist, what is she going to have to go through to truly "finish" this race?

"Missy, there's a chance that we're not going to finish at 3 hours" I break to her around mile 6. "I'm altering our race plan so you can run a little slower, and more importantly WALK slower, and we're going to finish around 3 hours and 10 minutes". "OK" and she quickly nods, taking a quick swig from her camel pack. "The goal of this race is for you and I to enjoy it, we'll cross our own finish line when my watch says we've hit 13.1, sound good?", "You got it John". When "RunnerMissy" is around, there is quick, decisive action!

We enjoyed five great miles at the new pace, but eventually at ten and a half miles, with the glaring sun beating down on her face, Missy looked up at me and said she couldn't run anymore, and I knew she was right. The monkey on her back was finally a gorilla, and though she couldn't run with that sucker on her back anymore.. Missy and I once again altered our race plan. We were going to DRAG that big stupid monkey-gorilla over the finish line, where we could leave it's ass behind FOR GOOD! We left the interval timer going, but instead of running, we would "walk hard" or "walk easy". We kept chugging along talking, and taking in this beautiful day. Two new friends getting to know each other during a personal challenge-gone-crisis.

The cops pushed us up on the sidewalk, no biggie. One of our other Pace Group Leaders caught up to us after taking a pit stop to help add to the mix of conversation and give Missy another dose of energy and inspiration.
The cones are now being removed, and streets are reopening. We almost miss a turn (whoops! Pace Group Leader should have known that course map a little better!!! :-) ).

Pam eventually leaves us to catch up with the group, and HER personal goal. All of a sudden.. that fear I had from the morning pops back up. "What if we get there, and the finishing line is gone, and my record shows a 'Did Not Finish - DNF'"? I would have done this whole race and not gotten a medal!?! And people that look at my record on Atlinks.com or DailyMile will think I'm some loser"! Then I thought.. what if Missy doesn't get a medal. I almost consider calling my wife Vera, who I'm sure is at the finish, but I can't risk Missy hearing THAT discussion. I think about that "DNF". If anyone cared enough to ask about why I had a "DNF" for this race, I could tell them a great story about a girl I ran it with named Missy. What a great reason to have, own, and be PROUD of a DNF! Let's get Missy across our own finish line!

With the help of some completed runners (thank goodness they love to wear their new medals!), and their kind words of encouragement to us, we eventually find our way to Sixth St in San Diego, and make a left turn---

Whoa.. THAT is a BIG and LONG hill. I talk Missy up for one last good push, and we start charging. She's really giving it all she's got now. Luckily, we're on the shady side of the street, and getting just a little relief from that blasting sun. People are constantly sending out encouragement and cheers now, about every minute or so. Missy's face brightens and she smiles back at them with an energetic "thank you!"

"You can do it!", "you're almost there"; it feels like we're actually starting to move faster now. Missy still doubts herself, she asks what if she can't finish. I remind her that she actually IS doing it. Despite her talk, despite the negative chatter in her head, Missy's body and new found spirit have taken over. She works and gets up the hill, we turn a corner with more shouts of encouragement and are once again enjoying our race.

My adrenaline SHOOTS through my body when I see the finish line. It's up, there's still people cheering, the music is still blasting. My eyes find my sister (a Pace Group Leader for our Disney race team) in the stands. I tell Missy "Alright Missy, we gotta run this out through the finish, but I want you to tell me when we're starting. You HAVE to be sure that you can run all the way through the finish." As we walk up to where the guard railing begins, New Missy tells me.. "OK, where the rail begins"...

I'm not sure why I did it, but I was somehow smart enough to pull out a sport cam that I use, and I actually recorded Missy's finish from this point forward. You can see the rest of this play out for yourself below! I probably couldn't write it out due to excessive moisture around my ocular units, just know that this is one of my proudest moments as a runner, Pace Group Leader, and man. We are on this planet to help each other. Once again, thank you Missy for being so generous and brave in sharing this; now you are helping others too!

Click HERE to see Missy's Big Finish!

Missy and I finished at 3:25:41, an AWESOME time. To see what Missy was able to pull out at that finish line, and how hard she worked for that moment was worth every single step that came before it. As we came across the finish we were greeted by my teary eyed wife and several group members. Missy's mother, Kim, who also ran the half marathon with our program was there for more hugs and tears. Even the event staff joined in on the celebration, making sure to run over and give us medals before we took any photos. It was really a special moment. Like a new family being made all within one big accomplishment. An accomplishment that only Missy could have made, and she did.

Missy has already started training for her next half marathon! Go get it girl!!

Happy Running Everyone!
John