Gil Can Run!A blog on Running and all the crap that runs through my head while doing it

Jul 30th Sorry things have gone a little crazy

OK, so I will be without internet for a week. Well, except on my phone and I can’t upload a show through my phone, so no show until next week, sorry! Probably not many updates either. the bear is hugging me a little right now. So a little break isn’t a bad thing right? I have a 5k this Saturday, just to remind you all this is ultimately about running. There’s lots of free beer at the end of it! 🙂 So that will be a welcomed break. I registered for the Self-transcendence marathon in August. But right now my focus is on the needs of my family, which means getting the house done. I am very sorry, and I feel like I’m letting you all down. I am my own worst critic always, it’s why I’m constantly trying to improve, I feel like I’ll never be good enough for me.
Alright, so listen, take it easy, have fun and keep running, because if Gil Can Run, then so can you!

Jul 27th Packing for the move

Either way, I have to move on Friday. Out of the rental house, even though it looks like my house won’t be done. So I’m cleaning up some old paperwork, putting my crap in boxes and I go to grab my medals off the dresser. Now I don’t have any pre-July 2014 medals right now, because they were all in the fire and the cleanup people took them to their warehouse. So I’m figuring, not too many medals right? I’ve run 18 races since the fire. Moreover, the BUS 6 hour Pajama Romp was the first race I ran after the fire. So they bookend the picture, I put all the medals in order.

So let’s see if we can go left to right:
6 Hour Pajama Romp (31 mi, 50k completed), Craft Brew 5k, New Haven Road race (20k), Gulf Beach Half Marathon, Yonkers Marathon, Buenos Aires Marathon, Brooklyn Marathon, Philadelphia Marathon, Roxbury Marathon, Arena Attack XL Center Marathon, Caumsett 50k, Savin Rock Marathon, New Jersey Marathon, Hamden Hills Half Marathon, Vermont City Marathon, Walkway Marathon, Marathon Around the Lake, and 6 Hour Pajama Romp (27.5 mi completed). I did not get anything I remember for the Colchester Half Marathon and you  don’t get medals for the Branford Road Race. So that’s a lot of hardware, I also gathered two pint glasses. I don’t have a problem!
Other than that, I went to the dentist today, it was a great cleaning and checkup, maybe we’ll talk about the importance of good dental hygiene this week! Alright, have fun, keep running and if Gil Can run, then so can YOU!

Jul 26th Finally I have a minute to collect some thoughts

Well not really any thoughts. Here is the data from Saturday night. What a run. Saw lots of friends, made some new ones. The atmosphere in Astoria park is always fun, and plenty of support from onlookers. Even had to bust a “Your Mom” joke on some kids that were heckling some runners. No seriously, there was a group of 15-20 kids being loud and obnoxious after the pool closed. They were feigning to give people “5” and then spinning away and laughing and everything. Well, I ended up passing my them a second time, and the main kid, the “leader”, was yelling at someone, I couldn’t see who and calling them a “bitch”. Well, junior, don’t hang around too long when you’re being an ass near me. Because as I passed I said “I get why you kids are so angry, after your moms told you how good I was last night!” Seriously, don’t mess with the nerdy kid who has no fear, you’re gonna loose.
If you’re ever considering a 6 hour run though, I’d highly recommend this race, it’s always a blast. So this year people did a lot more miles than it seemed last year. I was 10th in mileage last year with just over 50K (31.1 mi), but with just 4 less miles I was 30th this year. Or maybe 31st? Doesn’t matter. But I wasn’t the only one who had some struggles. My friend Al wasn’t feeling well, but he pushed hard in the second half and got himself just over marathon distance. Kate had run a 7 miler in the morning and still ran strong that night. Elliot and his wife Jen ran, they got though, Jen managed her first marathon! Bill and Dotti did great and I managed to finish alongside Bill, we almost got to the 2000 yard marker, but just ran out of time on our respective final loops. Anyway, the point is, a small event like that is great particularly when you know so many people running it!
So I was in plenty of pain, that’s for sure. My right knee, and whatever the issue is I’ve been having is horrible. I actually walked almost the last two hours. I was just trying to keep myself under 15 minute miles, until I was sure I’d have a marathon distance. There was so much pain though, the last lap I actually put some ice in my towel and tied it around the back of my knee. It provided pretty good relief actually and Bill and I ran pretty hard during the last minute. I also picked up a blister on my right pinky toe. Yeah, I haven’t popped it. Usually I pop blisters but unsure if I want to risk it on the foot. And my plantar fascia on my left foot is swollen and in pain as well. What do I expect? Back to back marathons something was going to hurt. All in all, while I definitely pushed too hard, I more than happy with the accomplishment and definitely made the right choice to do this. I’m glad I was able to achieve this goal this year.
As if that wasn’t enough, I then got home this morning, slept a few hours, and went to my house to see if my general contractor could use my help. He says, “Sure, could you cut the repair pieces for the basement bathroom drywall?” Could I? Well hell yes! I’m actually a pretty skilled person when it comes to stuff like that. So I spent my morning and afternoon doing that. Came home and started packing, as we have to move our stuff back by the end of the week. Exciting times, stressful times. I hope I’ll be able to give you guys a show on Friday. Well, anyway, my weekend is over, time to sleep. Have fun and keep running, cause if Gil can run, then so can you!

Jul 25th Sometimes finishing is the best we do

There were many factors against me. I just hope tonight is a little better! This was my slowest marathon ever. About 10 miles in and I just knew I did not have energy or pace. It was very humbling, but I stayed with it, I stayed focused, met  to and talked to some cool people along the way. The good thing about a marathon being part of a 24 hour race, there are plenty of people walking to talk to! OK, Off to Astoria Park in Queens for some pajama rompin’ action!

Jul 24th 30 minutes to race time!

So here we are, just about to get going, a light rain is falling, I’ve eaten my pb&j sandwich (sans palm oil), and I didn’t have a chance for a flat Gil picture. So here’s a not fat Gil instead!

Jul 23rd Gil Can Run Show Episode 12

Well look what we have here, Episode 12! I can’t believe it’s been 12 weeks! 3 months. How far we’ve come. We talk mostly about running and specifically preparing for travel for a race, or two. So apart from what gear I bring, we talk a bit about the awesome Red Bulls defeating Chelsea! And New Horizons, Kepler 452b and other cool space stuff! I’m off to the Marathon Around the Lake tomorrow! Have fun and keep running!

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Jul 22nd Doing Laundry Midweek?

I’m a madman I tell you! A MADMAN! I needed to wash a pair of running shorts I’ll need this weekend. Tomorrow night I pack for both races, even though I will be returning home in between, but I figure I’ll be tired and rushed enough I will forget something. This is going to be a bit of a feat, I’m psyched and a little scared. It’s 214 miles between Wakefield, MA and Queens, NY. Luckily my house is in the middle. So I finish the marathon Friday night, rest a little, drive home, sleep more, head to Queens. That should work.
That’s where we’re at. I’m antsy, I’m worried, I’m excited. This is a huge adventure and I can’t wait to see what happens. Alright, I need sleep, have fun and keep running!

Jul 21st A night off

So with no running, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to stay calm. People are annoying me today. Look I don’t ever want to put people down, but there are some folks who just don’t understand what I’m saying. I wish they would just accept that they don’t get it and leave it at that. Instead of trying to somehow prove their point. It’s just a waste of time. I don’t like wasted time.

Jul 20th 4 days until the start of the big adventure!

So Friday night, we run a marathon. It is a stretch goal to hit 2 marathons on back to back days this year. I’m really hoping I make it.
So fellow runner and blogger and seemingly all-around crazy guy Dane Rauschenberg posted today about some other runner/running-commentator type person about how she didn’t want to run a marathon, and marathon people were annoying, and she’s just not going to try because if she couldn’t do her best, blah blah blah, and she has “nothing to prove” at the same time.
So yeah, you can read his post about what she said, I agree almost completely. But why do people think someone running a marathon is trying to prove something? I run for myself, I blog/vlog in the hopes of inspiring and motivating people.
But anyway, I commented that I probably wouldn’t like this woman if I ever met her and that I often wear my H2O singlet which reads “Nothing to Prove” on the back. So that song is stuck in my head, so now I share it with you!

Because me and all my friends, including the non-running ones, we have nothing to prove and nothing to lose. So hold it down and keep the PMA! have fun and keep running!

Jul 19th We’ve come to another End and a new Beginning!

It is Sunday, my knee is still being troublesome, I got 8 miles (13 km) in, and I walked almost half of it. I’m shutting it down for the week anyway, with 52.4 planned miles (84 km) over next weekend, I really have no need to run at all until then.
Meanwhile, Manchester United looked huge in their first exhibition game against Club America. Depay, Darmian, Schweinstagger, and Schneiderlin looked pretty comfortable in their new home. I was pleased, I feel like this season should be better. And Rooney, Blind, Mata, Carrick, and the rest of last season’s regulars that played looked good. Then a friend asked on facebook what EPL team he should support, and he was against supporting United since all his friends support them already and such. So then I suggested Tottenham, because they’re fun, why not and better than City or ARSEnal or Chelsea or, god forbid, Liverpool! So that’s what’s up there.
Meanwhile, it is hot out here today, in the 90s, sunny, tough conditions, but the contractors are at my house working, less than two weeks we need to be done. Floors, painting and cabinets should happen this week, too exciting!
Make sure to drink plenty of water and stay cool! If you’re out running, or going to run bring fuel and water, and make sure to have some money or a credit card on you in case you need to stop in the store and buy something more to drink. I’ve totally done that! Or ask a restaurant to refill your water bottle, I’ve done that too! Hydration is super important on days like today. So stay cool, have fun and keep running!