TMC Recap - Boy -> Man -> Superman

I'm sitting on my sofa, watching the New Yankee Workshop, enjoying my pre-breakfast ice cream sundae, and refectizzing back on my TMC. It has been a long season, full of ups and downs. I fondly remember that naive young boy that started this journey. Such energy in his young eyes.

Things started fast with a 4:17, which stands as my PR today, when I ran with crazy old Dean Karnazes in his 50 marathon / 50 day / 50 state adventure. I surprised myself and had a little extra left at the end for an adrenaline fueled last 2 miles.

My San Antonio race wasn't quite so enjoyable, aside from being with some good friends, I had difficulties early and difficulties late, and I finished completely drained, overjoyed at the idea of being able to stop running.

My Sunmart 50K was even more difficult, when the modest hills and trails of Huntsville State Park were more than I could handle (with composure at least). I finished my first ultramarathon that day, but the wide-eyed little boy that started this train was gone.

The beginning of 2007 brought me my Houston Marathon debut. I ran a decent race but died at the end again.

And last came Surfside, and as raceday came, I felt unprepared again, as I always feel right beforehand. It was windy, and I put my head down and trudged up my 13 miles into the wind. I struggled through the tough miles, just long enough to get to the tipping point, where you are close enough to the finish that you don't need any glycogen anyway. Close enough for the adrenaline to kick in. For me this is about mile 23½.

And so you see the journey from boy to man, and ultimately to the Übermensch you see today. Weakness is no longer required in the house of Keith.

So that's the end. I'm now enjoying my post-breakfast ice cream sundae, contemplating what's next. For a while I was debating only how fat I should get, and what type of eating contests should I enter. But with a very long and steady run yesterday, I realize that I'm in decent shape. It won't be long before I have a new goal and a new plan. I've been home all day, and I'm even feeling a little couped up already.

Later, Keith.