Runners Stories

RICHARD PETERSON - runner/author/professor agreed to share his training diary as he trains for the Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon, May 2, 2010. Follow his weekly diary posts. Click here to read his entire diary to date.

At age 70, I'd like to avoid two things as I give it a try this year: throwing up and dying. Especially dying, writes author/professor RICHARD PETERSON.  When the Pittsburgh Marathon began in 1985, my mother, who was living down on South 23rd Street on the city's South Side, sat on her front stoop and watched in amazement as a steady stream of runners headed over the Birmingham Bridge . . . . Read entire article.

Richard Peterson's Training Diary

I may not survive the Pittsburgh Marathon, but I did survive the Pierogi Fest in honor of Casimir Pulaski Day. The Polish buffet, from the kapusta, kielbasa, and kraut to the pierogis, kotlet schabowy, and borscht, was great. My wife Anita, the Julia Child of Polish cooking, actually complimented the pierogi-making chef.

I didn’t feel all that guilty about stuffing myself because I’m not running today. I’m also hoping that my Polish “pasta party” will help tomorrow when I try to run 18 miles. Today was a windy and cold day, and tomorrow promises to be just as unpleasant.

When I went out to get our newspaper this morning, the temperature was below freezing and the wind had a wintry bite to it. My initial reaction was to delay my long run of 18 miles until the predicted warmer air moves into the area. But I felt ready mentally and physically, so I decided to run the 18 miles.

I was able to complete the run despite the nasty weather, but I was surprised at how much more challenging the 18 miles were compared to the 15 miles that I ran two weeks ago. The last three miles were especially demanding. It was the first time since I began my training that I could feel by body running out of energy. I won’t be running tomorrow, but I need to do some serious thinking about what I can do to help my body during the last stage of the marathon.

I had trouble getting my old bones out of bed today, but once I started moving around most of the stiffness and soreness from my 18-mile run went away. I just glad I’m not running today. While I give my body some deserved rest, I need to think more about getting enough liquid and the right food into my body during recovery time.

I grew up a working-class kid on Pittsburgh’s South Side and rarely ate a healthy meal. My mother, a waitress at Rodger’s Dairy out in Oakland, typically served up a meal of what she called “hamburger steak,” greasy fried potatoes, and vegetables (usually Heinz baked beans) out of a can -- all washed down with a Coke. I didn’t eat a salad until I went off to college. For me, learning to eat a healthy diet is like acquiring a second language.

Any hope that I wouldn’t be as stiff and sore this morning after a day of rest was dashed as soon as I climbed out of bed. If anything, I felt even worse today than I did yesterday. My lower back was stiff and hurt when I bent over. My legs were tight and heavy. I have to admit that this morning I felt like an old man, which, of course, is what I am.

This afternoon, when I ran my easy six miles, I started out carefully, as if I were jogging on eggs. But, after a few miles, I felt better. My back loosened up, and my legs didn’t feel as heavy. It was a windy day, but the temperature was in the upper 40s. By the time I was done, I felt better – not younger, just better.

When I told Joe Shuta, my Altoona ultra-runner buddy and advisor, that I was stiff and sore two days after my 18 mile run, he said there’s something called “delayed muscle soreness (DOMS), so I shouldn’t worry. In my case, the cause of my aches and pains may still be old age, but I thanked him for boosting my spirits.

I did feel physically better today and had no trouble running my scheduled six miles. I ran at a comfortable but fairly brisk pace and, with no wind to fight and temperatures in the low 50s, thought about extended the run another mile or two. But I decided to behave myself and stopped after six miles.