NYC Marathon Race Report
Monday night, just back from NYC. What an experience. Had a great weekend, including a nice PPMD team pasta dinner on Saturday night. Sunday morning we woke up to cool, overcast weather. Took the ING bus out to Staten Island for the start. I was really nervous, but also excited to get going.
From the moment the gun sounded to the time I crossed the finish line, I was riding a wave of energy supplied by the other runners, the huge crowds lining the roads, and many personal thoughts including Sam and the kids living with DMD.
I ended up running my best-ever marathon, finishing in 3:20:30, which qualified me to run next year's Boston Marathon. The race couldn't have gone any better for me. I never had a bad mile...felt strong the entire way. Was always on target for a 3:20. Great feeling!
Add to that the fact that the donations are still coming in, and you have the perfect weekend. We hit our goal of $26,200 last week, and thanks to a lot of very generous people, we are still adding to it.
Thanks to John Killian, who invited me to take part in this process. It has truly been one of the greatest experiences of my life. I met tons of great people, learned a lot about DMD, was able to raise some money to help the cause, and ran a great race. I couldn't have asked for any more.
To everyone who donated: You have my deepest thanks.

by Craig Miller on Mon, Nov 02, 2009 @ 7:55 PM

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One Week To Go
This was the first week of my two week taper. Ran 41 miles, with a long run of 13 this Sunday...one week before NYC. My legs are a little beat up from the training, but I feel strong, and with another week of easy running and low mileage, I should be ready to go. I'm already obsessively checking the weather forecasts for NY...hoping for cold. Very cold. Zero degrees, if I had my choice.
We are less than $4000 to the goal. I think we'll be able to close that gap this week. The fundraising part of things has been great. Met and talked to a lot of nice, generous people. Just when you start to doubt mankind, your eyes get opened to a lot of good souls out there. That's nice to know.
Flying up to NYC on Friday. My next blog entry here will be post-race. I can't wait to experience it.

by Craig Miller on Sun, Oct 25, 2009 @ 12:50 PM

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What A Great Week!
On Thursday morning, I aired an interview that I did with Sam on our Musers morning show. It was a great chance for our listeners to get to know him. The response was incredible...we've raised an additional $5000 since the segment aired. The generosity of The Ticket P1's has been overwhelming. I can't thank you all enough, and Sam and his family (as well as all the kids and families living with DMD) thank you as well. We are now over the $20,000 mark with two weeks to go.
As far as the training part of things goes: 50 miles this week, with a long run of 17. Feeling good. The next two weeks will be my taper period...I'll cut back on the miles, and try to rest up for the big day. You have to be careful not to cut back too much, or else you'll be a little stale come race day.

by Craig Miller on Sun, Oct 18, 2009 @ 10:04 AM

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Last Big Training Week Done
61 miles this week, with a long run of 23. Feeling good. Had a close call at the end of my long run, though. In my final few steps, it felt like I had torn a calf muscle. I panicked...seeing all of my training going down the tube. But, after stretching and cooling down, it felt fine. Just a reminder of how you can be feeling great one moment, and then the next moment you're on the injured list, if you're not careful.
Another good week of fundraising, too. Thanks to Channel 11 for doing a story on Sam and his dad John. Good publicity for the cause. I'll post a link to the video when it becomes available.
3 weeks until race day. I can't wait.

by Craig Miller on Sun, Oct 11, 2009 @ 1:38 PM

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Picking Up Steam
What a great week! Thanks to my buddy Tony at the North Texas Super Bowl 45 Host Committee, who donated two Cowboys Thanksgiving Day suite tickets, we raised about $4500 this week. We'll be giving the tickets away after the marathon to one person, drawn at random, who donates to the cause. We also have some other cool things planned, thanks to Tony, so stay tuned!
On the road, I logged another 50 mile week, with a long run of 18. I also raced The Loop, a 15k around White Rock Lake. I was able to hold a 6:50 pace for the nine mile loop, so that's a good sign. On marathon day, I'll attempt to hold about a 7:50 pace, but for three times as long. I'm shooting for 60 miles next week. Only 4 weeks until race day!
Thanks to everyone who chipped in this week...I really appreciate it.

by Craig Miller on Sun, Oct 04, 2009 @ 12:14 PM

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The Oddity of the 22 mile run
Best training week yet. 55 miles total, with a long run of 22 on Saturday morning. It's true what they say...the more 20 milers you run, the easier they get. I remember my first 20 miler, about two years ago. I couldn't walk when I was done. I had trouble getting in and out of my car. Now, at the end of a 20 mile run, I feel like I've had a hard run, but it doesn't wipe me out for the rest of the day. In my two years of running, I've now recorded 21 20-mile runs. At some point that's got to help me come race day.
It's a strange feeling to come to the end of a 22 mile training run. Four more miles, and that's a marathon! I could have easily done the extra four on Saturday. It's kind of surreal to be so close. But, it's all about saving your ultimate effort for race day. And, as I've learned, it's amazing what can happen (most of it bad) between miles 22 and 26. At that point, you are simply holding on for dear life.
Exciting announcement this week regarding fund raising. Stay tuned. 5 weeks to go!

by Craig Miller on Sun, Sep 27, 2009 @ 4:53 PM

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Getting Close
6 weeks 'til race day. Ran another 50 miles this week, with two 15 mile runs. The first one was in the middle of day on Tuesday, during the only period of sunshine all week...great timing. It was about 80 degrees and very humid, and I ran 12 miles at my marathon pace. Great workout, but it took a lot out of me.
The other 15 miler was on Saturday. After a 3 mile warmup, I raced in the Tour Des Fleurs 20k. This is one of the best races of the year in Dallas. Tons of runners, fun course, well organized, and a great after party. I ran well...able to run negative splits, which is good on that course since the second half is the hilly half.
Next four weeks will be the final push, both on the training front and the fundraising front.

by Craig Miller on Sun, Sep 20, 2009 @ 4:05 PM

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7 Weeks To Go
Great week this week. Ran 51 miles, with a long run of 20 in the rain on Saturday. Felt great at the end of the 20 miler--always a good sign. This was also my first 50 mile week since last fall's stress fracture. Also got some good miles in on the bike.
I'm starting to get really excited about running NYC. Talked to a lot of people this weekend who had run NYC before, and they say it's quite an experience.
The closer we get to race day, the closer I'll be do deciding on what kind of pace I want to run. I'll run the Tour Des Fluers 20k race next weekend, which should give me a good indication of my fitness level.
My life gets very simple for the next two months: Run as much as possible, raise as much money as possible, and watch as much football as possible.

by Craig Miller on Sun, Sep 13, 2009 @ 10:46 AM

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Feeling Good
Raised another $1,000 this week...nearing the $10,000 mark with 8 weeks to go. Thanks to everyone that has helped out...please spread the word.
Good week on the road, too. 48 miles, with a long run Sunday of 15. Will shoot for 55 miles this week, and I have my first 20 mile run scheduled for this weekend. The next 6 weeks are always the most crucial during a marathon training cycle...lots of miles and lots of intensity. Now if we can get some strong cold fronts to move through in those next six weeks, we'll be set!

by Craig Miller on Tue, Sep 08, 2009 @ 8:01 AM

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2 Months To Go!
I've been on the fundraising path for about a month now, and I'm one-third of the way to my goal...a good start. Two months to go, so we are on pace.
As far as the training is concerned, this was a good week. I returned to running after 9 days off, and my leg feels fine. Ran 40 miles this week with a long run of 17. Also mixed in 100 more miles on the bike. So, I feel like I'm healthy and ready for the really hard training. I'll try again to get my mileage up to 50-60 mpw in the next couple of weeks.
On schedule both fundraising and training wise. Good feeling. Thanks again to everyone who has donated. Please help spread the word.

by Craig Miller on Sun, Aug 30, 2009 @ 2:20 PM

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Week 5
I did not run one mile this week, but as far as my training went, I think it was a very good week.
I rested my shin, and the hot spot feels much better. It's still there, but it's better, and I should be able to start running again next week.
In the meantime, I spent four days in Colorado riding my bike. I did 200 miles in those four days, including the Vail-Copper-Leadville Trianlge ride...80 miles and three big mountain passes. Doing that much training on the bike at 7,000-10,000 feet of altitude has to help my overall fitness. So, no running, but I'm hoping that I'll actually be in better shape when I start pounding the pavement again next week.

by Craig Miller on Mon, Aug 24, 2009 @ 5:31 AM

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Week 4
This was not a good week. I developed a hot spot on my left tibia...the same place that I suffered my stress fracture last fall. I had to take the second half of the week off from running, and just ride my bike. I got a total of 32 miles in running, with a long run of 12 miles. I did, however, ride my bike 160 miles, including my first fast group ride in more than two years. It felt good, and maybe that will help keep my fitness level up while I keep and eye on my shin.
Given my history, I've decided I've got to play it safe with my tibia. It doesn't hurt as badly as it did last fall, so maybe I've caught it early. I'm going to take this entire week off from running, and just ride the heck out of my bike. I'm not going to run again until I can't feel the hot spot on the bone. Maybe that will still give me 8-10 weeks to get ready for NYC. Given my base this year, I think that will be plenty of time. Cross your fingers!

by Craig Miller on Sun, Aug 16, 2009 @ 11:02 AM

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Week 3: The Fine Line
45 miles again this week. Long run of 14. I also had my bike with me in San Antonio all week and got two good rides in out in the Hill Country. Over 100 miles (the most I've ridden in while). Did a 3 hour ride on Texas RR 337, the prettiest, hilliest road in the state this side of Big Bend. So, while I'm holding steady with the running mileage, I figure the bike mileage has to count for something. It's all going into the same fitness bank.
The hardest thing for me about running is pushing the fine line between good training and injury. I'm going to try to bump up the running miles next week, but this is the most mileage I've put in since my stress fracture last fall. Every time I feel a little twinge in my shin, I panic. However, I believe I need to be in the 50-60 mile per week range to run a good marathon. That is the dilemma.
12 weeks to go! Topped the $7,000 mark this week in fundraising. Thanks again to all!

by Craig Miller on Sun, Aug 09, 2009 @ 12:01 PM

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Week Two Complete
45 miles again this week, with a long run of 16 on Saturday. Humidity was 95% Sat. morning, and I lost 8 pounds of water weight during the run! And I was drinking a lot!
I also got a good bike ride in outside of Austin in the Hill Country. 2 hours, and I figured through an elaborate formula that the reflective heat from the road that day, at 2pm, was somewhere near 500 degrees.
We are about to spend another week in San Antonio at Cowboys Training Camp. Had a great first week of fundraising, but still a ways to go. Thanks to all for the help.

by Craig Miller on Sun, Aug 02, 2009 @ 8:20 PM

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First Week of Training
Week one of my 15 week training program is in the books. 45 miles this week, with a long run of 14.
Since I work in the early morning, I have to get my runs in during the day or in the evening. In Texas, it's only about 100 degrees at those times, so not too bad.
I'm hoping to get my weekly mileage up to about 60+ per week. I suffered a stress fracture in my tibia last fall, training for the Toronto Marathon, so I've got to be careful. If you know of any soft trails in Dallas, send me an email (juniormiller@mindspring.com).

by Craig Miller on Sun, Jul 26, 2009 @ 5:18 PM

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