Run to Win

The Sports Weblog has an article about the possibility of the Florida Marlins moving to Las Vegas. I just have to say that I can not see that happening. Baseball is not as large of a betting sport these days as say football is, but I find it hard picturing Bud Selig agreeing to allow a franchise to move there. It’s been over 80 years, and the White Sox are still being called the Black Sox after getting to the World Series this past year. Baseball is still trying to distance itself from gambling as much as it can; they won’t invite trouble and bad connotations by moving a team there.

When I was in college, we used to go down to Camp Winona for Spring training. 10 miles in the morning, 5 in the afternoon, hang out in Daytona or at Lake Winona the rest of the day.

One day during each trip we would check to see when low tide was going to be early in the morning, and we would drive over to Daytona Beach. Whoever was hurting most and unable to do the run would drop everyone off, and then get donuts and bagels and fill the water jugs. They would wait for us 15 miles down the beach.

That used to be my favorite run. It was hell on your legs, it was hell on your skin, but it was a lot of fun. It helped me learn to deal with the heat when running, which is no small skill to have, even in Maine. There may only be 2 or 3 months of heat like that, but the races are still there and it still gets quite hot.

Proper fueling and hydration are paramount. Sunscreen helps too. Warmups aren’t as important, and should just be long enough to get loose. And if at the end of your run you are able to jump in the ocean, so much the better.

I have learned a few things from running marathons.

In Jacksonville, Florida, I learned not to just stop and walk through a water stop after running for 23 miles under 7 minute pace.

In Portland, Maine, I learned that no base and 9 weeks of training just isn”t enough.

In Cleveland, Ohio, I learned that you can run a good marathon on 45 miles a week and nothing but water during a race.

In San Antonio, Texas, I learned that sleep is necessary after a marathon, or you are going to get sick.

In Boston, Massachusetts, I learned that the backs of your legs really can burn pretty bad if you never turn and have the sun at your back for 3 and a half hours. I also learned that no matter how tired you are, you need to eat afterwards.