MASTERING THE MARATHON

BY: Paul L. Ouellette . DDS, MS, ABO

The Couch Potato

This story began about five years ago. My name is Paul Ouellette and for most of my adult life I have been complacent being a "couch potato". I swam competitively in College, completed dental school and orthodontic specialty training. When in school there was no time (I should say, I didn't make time) to work out and stay in shape. When I was younger, an A-type personality and high metabolism kept me in relatively good shape. Then at age 49 things began to change! Pounds became harder and harder to keep off. My wife Patricia would go to the gym on a routine basis and on several occasions try to motivate me to start an exercise program. For several years, I would continually say,"No Way!!!". Finally, as a New Year's resolution, I reluctantly signed up with a personal trainer, Mozelle Hicks, on a month-to-month weight and fitness program. A year and half later, I could bench press significantly more than when I started, but I kept gaining weight. My program wasn't keeping pounds off. Complaining to Mozelle, he told me to "do more cardio!, do more cardio!!". I used treadmills, exercise bicycles, stair steppers, and started "jogging" (not running) around the gym's indoor track.

Early one Sunday morning Mozelle asked me to meet him at a public park to run on a three mile nature trail. Mozelle is a professional body builder and fitness specialist at a local health club. His personal cardiovascular exercise includes power walking. During my first running experience in the park, I had a difficult time keeping up with him. He power walked and I ran beside him. During the run, I had to stop several times. At the end of the session I decided that running was much more challenging and, definitely more enjoyable than indoor cardiovascular exercises. Several months later, I saw Mozelle power walking on the trail. When I talked with him, I was beaming with pride as I could now run three or more miles without stopping. He congratulated me and suggested that maybe I should look into running in a 5 or 10K race in the future.

I took his advice and entered my first 5K race on a cold January morning. It was the "Chili Cookoff and 5K Race" in Atlanta, Ga.. This was my first exposure to the "running crowd". What a great group of people! I soon experienced running with "elite" runners, the "masters", and experienced the camaraderie of every young and old runner (That's my group!!). At this point, I asked myself, "Why have I missed so many years of this wonderful experience." To my surprise, I won first place in my age group, 50-54. I was hooked!!

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Galloway Running Program

I was a new runner and had not even heard of Jeff Galloway at this point in time. One of my business associates who had run two marathons several years earlier gave me an article from an old running journal by Galloway. So, on my own, I followed this earlier "Galloway Marathon Program." About six weeks into the training program, I entered my first 10K race. With 6000 plus runners I ran the US 10K Classic traversing up and down several very steep hills. I finished the race, but soon learned that hills and I definitely do not agree. One month later, I ran my first 15K. It rained the entire race. Bad weather and hills can be discouraging, but the fellowship of other runners and the feeling of accomplishment kept me going.

The First Marathon

My first marathon was going to be the Orlando, Florida "Disney96" in January. I pounded the pavement week after week getting ready for my marathon adventure. A few weeks before the Atlanta Thanksgiving Day Marathon, I submitted an application albeit with hesitance. Psychologically, I called this a pre-marathon "training run". If I didn't finish, I could justify the run as additional preparation for my first marathon to be run 6 weeks later in Orlando. Thanksgiving day came too soon. Twenty six miles I must be nuts!! There I was with about 1100 other runners on a cold dark Thanksgiving morning. Several runners were wearing cut out garbage bags and sweatshirts to keep warm. I was nervous, excited, and so full of adrenaline that I hardly noticed the below freezing morning air. The race started and after a mile or two I was running over garbage bags and other discarded garments. In the ensuing exhilaration of the marathon I didn't realize I was running pretty fast (for me). I was averaging 7:30 minute miles through the halfway point. The little voice in my head said, "Remember, Paul, this is your .... training run ....!" You are allowed to stop At mile 20 the biggest hill of the Atlanta course was to be conquered. If I can just get up and over "Cardiac Hill", I might be able to finish my "training run". At this point in the marathon I slowed down considerably. Where is the "wall" they talk about? I was hurting pretty bad and the thought of stopping occurred to me several times, but I kept on pounding away.

I had run 22 miles and only had 4 to go !! Why not finish? The cramps in my hamstrings were getting worse. "WOW, this hurts!" Now, I know I'm crazy! "I will never run another marathon after this". I couldn't turn off the little voice in my head Somehow, I got to the last mile and saw the Atlanta Stadium ahead. I'm going to finish!!!! I'm going to finish!!!! My training run turned into my first marathon. Soon after the run I started to analyze my performance. I just missed qualifying for the 100th Boston Marathon. Why didn't I run 7 minutes faster? Maybe next time. Earlier, during the run, I had sworn I would never run another marathon.

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The Disney Marathon

Six weeks later I was in Orlando to run my "first marathon". The little voice in my head said go out slower and run an even pace. Take it easy, Paul!! Disney's flat course (flatter than Atlanta) should yield a much better performance. I tried to follow my plan, but somehow the "speedster" ran the first half of the marathon and the "survivor" finished the last half. To my disappointment, I ran the Disney marathon two minutes slower than Atlanta. A combination of not completely recovering from the Atlanta "training run" and being my own coach were probably the causes of the slower time. The important thing is that I finished!

The Marathon "Bug"

After Disney, I really caught the "marathon bug". I planned several runs over the next year that included, Big Sur, San Francisco, and Athens, Greece. I do not suggest that anyone attempt to run this many marathons in one year. You have to understand, that being in my 50's and having an obsessive-compulsive personality is my excuse. I thought that reading articles, talking with other runners, and having perseverance would lead to improved performance. I was wrong!

Last spring, I learned that Jeff Galloway organized marathon training programs throughout the United States including Orlando, Florida. I asked my wife, Patricia, to consider signing up for the Galloway program. I wanted her to travel and run marathons with me (running vacations) throughout the USA and other countries. As an additional encouragement, I promised to take her to Athens, Greece, to run the 100th "Original Run" as her first marathon. She agreed to give it a try. Patricia went to several of the Galloway weekday and weekend runs to slowly and very comfortably increase her fitness level. Soon she was able to run 12 miles. The Galloway training program is great for first time marathoners. My orthodontic practice involves my commuting back and forth between Merritt Island, Florida and Atlanta, Georgia. Therefore, I was unable to sign up for the Galloway program due to practice commitments. When I was in Atlanta I went with my wife to one of the Sunday morning runs. I was invited to run with one of the training groups, "The Dusters", while I was waiting for my wife to finish with her group. That was the first time I was introduced to the "Galloway Walking Break". After each mile or every 7 minutes which ever comes first, you take a one minute walking break. The updated Galloway program made so much sense. Training was much more fun and everyone that finishes the program would definitely be able to finish their first marathon. Experienced marathoners would also be able to improve their performance in their next marathon.

When in Brevard County I have the privilege of running with the Spacecoast runners. Every Sunday morning at 7 AM the group meets in the parking lot at the Pines Apartments. We all run up Tropical Trail along the Indian River to our first water stop at the Pineada Causeway. From there the group usually runs to the convenience store at Wickham Road and Pineada Causeway (7 miles out). Some of the group runs a 21 mile "loop", towards BCC and back across the Eau Galle Causeway. The rest of the group runs "out and back" to the Pines parking lot via Tropical trail (14 total miles). You can run at a relaxed pace or run with some of the accomplished runners that will push you to your limit and beyond. The Spacecoast runners are a great group of athletes, male and female. I always look forward to Sunday runs.

San Francisco and Athens, Greece Marathons

My wife, Patricia, accompanied me to San Francisco and she was able to run 18 miles of the hilly marathon as one of her "training runs". Then a few weeks later, Patricia's sister became critically ill and she had to stay with her at the hospital for several weeks. Her sister's illness forced her to discontinue the Galloway program and she was unable to run in Athens. Maybe next year, Pat! I was able to run the 100th Athens Marathon. Jeff Galloway took a group of runners from the USA and every one had a fantastic time. During a side trip to one of the Greek Islands, Jeff was describing the Athens course prior to our run..... "I have some good news and I have some bad news", he said. The good news, "The Athens marathon has only one hill!" The bad news, "The hill is 12.5 miles long". Jeff was very accurate in his description of the run ahead of us. No wonder Phidippides deceased after his famous run.

San Francisco and New York Marathons

In July of 1997 I participated in the San Francisco Marathon for the second year in a row. This time, I left my wife at home and took, Jason, my 18 year old son. I planned to have an enjoyable run and later tour San Francisco with Jason. The weather was perfect the day of the marathon. The temperature was in the low 50's and the sun was shaded by clouds and fog during the entire race. I started running very fast due to the great conditions and pacing off the other runners. To my amazement, I was able to finish the hilly course and also qualify for the Boston marathon with a 3:17:58. In the fall, I joined my Atlanta running partner, Eric DeGroot, to run the New York marathon. The weather conditions were very poor as it torrentially rained almost the entire race. Of all the marathons I have run, New York, was by far the best supported. Even though the weather was miserable, I believe the entire city turned out to support the runners. The entertainment along the course and enthusiasm of the people kept all the runners going. Thank you New York!!!

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Training for the Boston Marathon

For the 6 to 8 weeks before the Boston marathon my running buddies and I have been pounding the pavement day after day in the early mornings before work or in the evenings after work. We try to run 6 to 8 miles each day and do a long run on one of the weekend days. The weekend runs are 2 to 3 hours and we usually cover 14 to 21 miles. The schedule presented sounds like that of an impulsive obsessive; however, when you run and get to interact with other people of all age groups, you actually look forward to the workouts. It's also a great break from the intricate details of my daytime job as an orthodontist.

So Boston here we come!! My running partner, Eric and I will leave for Boston a few Saturdays from now ready to conquer the world famous course. Several of our running friends from Atlanta and Central Florida will join us. The race is held on Monday April 20th giving us the weekend to tour Boston and the surrounding areas. Eric and I have pledged to each other that we will run a pace that will allow us to enjoy the event. We will not be trying for another "personal record". It will be fun to enjoy the company of the other runners and the thousands of people that support the event.

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Personal Benefits of the Marathon
Gratification and benefits of marathoning include, but are not limited to:

  • Increased energy levels and you will definitely feel younger
  • Personally loosing 35 pounds and the "beer belly" (I don't drink any more)
  • Getting a new wardrobe (All I wear is running clothes)
  • Frequently experiencing the "runner's high"
  • Finding a sport that is very enjoyable and continually provides new challenges
  • Taking your workout on the road when traveling
  • Getting to see new places from a different perspective
  • Meeting other obsessive compulsive runners
  • Keeping the wife from shopping .... no time for such folly
  • The best benefit of running is meeting new friends and sharing the marathon experience with them.