On April Fool's Day I thought I was having a heart attack. No joke. I knew I had to make some changes in my life, so I took my dog for a walk around the block. That short walk turned into two blocks, then three, and before I knew it, I was walking 4-5 miles. This lead to a jog, and then a run. That run ultimately lead to a marathon. Bottom line, I got healthy and took control of my life. This blog chronicles my journey. When I run, I feel like a super hero. I AM ENDORPHIN DUDE, SEE ME RUN!
And the moment of truth...two roads diverged on the marathon course. Did Endorphin Dude take the left or the right? Drum roll please...the answer is...drum roll please...13.1. This marathon caped crusader gave his best, but after being hit with kidney stones the day before, he just couldn't muster up the energy to complete the full marathon. E-Dude veered off and completed the half.
I don't like downgrading. If I'm registered for a full marathon, I want to run that full marathon! However, it just wasn't in the cards for me this time around. I showed up on race day with every intent of running 26.2 miles, but by mile three, I came to the realization that that was a fantasy. Exhaustion kicked in quickly and my lungs felt deflated. All this because of a kidney stone bulldozing its way through my insides.
It all started right before I boarded my flight to Seattle. I saw the first two signs of kidney stones and I immediately knew that my weekend was doomed. On the plane, I drank as much water as I possibly could in order to flush that little sucker out. I began to feel sharp pains and when the plane landed, nausea kicked in. I'm not going to get into the gory details, but let's just say that for the next 12 hours, my sister, nephew, and niece had to endure the unpleasant sight and sounds of a very sick Endorphin Dude in pain! Thankfully, I packed some prescription pain killers which alleviated some of the pain. All night long, I drank gallons and gallons of water hoping to pass that stone. No luck. Fortunately, by mid morning, the stone must have moved to a different part of my body because I didn't feel that sharp pain anymore. However, by then, all my energy was completely zapped, and making it to the expo proved to be a huge challenge. Nonetheless, I put on my game face and showed no sign of agony! Seeing all my running friends at the expo and then later at the carbo load dinner definitely helped get me into the spirit of the marathon.
It's Endorphin Dude and Scott Jurek!
Finally, I get to meet the running Calley family!
Who the heck is this guy anyway? I see him everywhere.
Me and the boys.
Endorphin Dude and the funniest chick in Seattle.
Aside from the disappointment of me not being able to count this marathon toward my Titanium quest, I was really bummed that I couldn't give 100% at the race where my nephew Michael and niece Teresa were makng their half marathon debuts. It would have been nice to have been able to cross the finish line at roughly the same time, but I struggled and ultimately completed the 13.1 miles in about 4 hours and 15 minutes. I just couldn't bear the thought of the DNF in Seattle, especially with my family there. I'm bummed that I wasn't able to get the 26.2 miles in, but at least I did finish the half marathon and still stayed on track for the Rock Idol medal. The road to that finish line was tough, but what got me there was my drive and the many familiar faces out there who knew I was in pain and cheered me on.
There's my awesome niece Teresa. She passed up Uncle Endorphin Dude at mile 6!
Gotta get that group shot in.
This guy saved me. Dr. Soriano was my psychiatrist at my mile 11 his mile 14. A colossal melt down nearly derailed me but he got me back on track. Thanks Louie!
Gotta get the shot with the cheerleaders!
And toenails are for sissies, too!
Finish line group shot with some Marathon Maniacs. Only two of them are in Maniac gear!
Malain and Natalie of The Competitor Group at the finish line. I love these girls.
You gotta love this shot. I do.
And here I am with Steven Yee, Mr. Marathon Maniac President!
I am proud to say that I completed my 39th life time half marathon. Do you know what makes me even prouder? Michael and Teresa. These two are running superstars. Teresa finished in a little over two and half hours and speedy Michael got the job done in 2:09! Now here's the kicker: later that night Michael said to me, "I want to become a Half Fanatic." SCORE!!!! I pulled up the Half Fanatics race calendar and together we found races that would qualify him. Teresa then said, "Hey, I want to become a Half Fanatic too!" First my sister Diane, and now the my nephew and niece. Woo Hoo!
I had really wanted to run this morning's 10k Fort Point with my running club, but when I woke up, I just wasn't feeling it. So instead I volunteered and helped out at the registration table. When I arrived, the race director handed me this:
WHOA! Endorphin Dude made it into the sports section of the San Francisco Examiner, and right next to LeBron James! A few weeks back, your marathon caped crusader was interviewed by David Liepman of The Examiner, but I wasn't really expecting this to go to print until the San Francisco Marathon at the end of July. Therefore, this was a very exciting surprise to see this! "Endorphin Dude born after a wake-up call." I love it.
On another note, I gotta say that I love my running club. I know I've said this before and I will continue to say it again and again. Dolphin South End breathed new life into me. Without DSE, I'd be sleeping in every Sunday unitl the late afternoon, vegetate the rest of the day away, and watch my health decline. If I am injured or just simply can't run, you can be sure that I'll be out there supporting my fellow DSE runners. I can proudly say that this club changed my life for the better, and I am very happy to be a part of this family.
Endorphin Dude has a theme song! How random is this? There I was at mile 17 and there sat on a lawn chair this spunky ukelele strumming crooner. He would come up with a very quick and creative impromptu anthem for every runner who ran by! Of course, I had to stop to get a video clip of him. This guy is truly amazing. He came up with this song on the spot!
The other amazing thing about this theme song is that it almost didn't happen. I'm not going to sugar coat this and I'm just going to be straight up blunt: I struggled in San Diego and I almost detoured off the full course and joined the halfers. My sciatic nerve flared up at about mile 14, and I pretty much walked the second half with a bag of ice tucked in my compression pants. Fatigue and exhaustion also played a huge role in my down fall in San Diego as well. I have run many races over the past few years, so I have a lot of experience and pretty much know what to do to survive. However, something happened to me in San Diego that has never ever happened on the course before: I fell asleep. It's true! Half way through the marathon, I felt so tired that I pulled over to a bench to stretch out my leg, and the next thing I knew, I fell asleep for six minutes, according to my Garmin! I had never fallen asleep on the course ever before. Fortunately, there was a liquor store near by, so I was able to quickly jump in and get a double expresso cappuccino canned drink. The caffeine gave me that zing, but that pain in my back and leg kept me from running, and at the end of the day, it took me over eight and a half hours to cross that finish line.
BQ Baby!!! I led my 3:30 pace group to a 2:43 finish!!! Oh wait, does 3:30 mean I have to finish 26.2 miles in 3 hours and 30 minutes and not at 3:30pm? I finished at 2:43pm. The race started at 6:15am. Oh snap!
What kept me off that sag wagon was the fact that there were at least 100 people still behind me. Team In Training also saved me, as I knew that the finish line would not close until the final TNT participant crossed. There were a lot of people struggling behind me, so I knew I could drop my pace and still finish. At about mile 22, I saw a 3:30 pace sign on the ground, and I had to pick it up. It was one of the only things out there that kept me sane. I felt like Tom Hanks in the film "The Castaway," because by mile 23, I was on this dreadful place called Fiesta Island and I had my version of his soccer ball "Wilson." That sign kept me sane on that island because it garnered me a lot of laughs and looks of confusion.
The only other thing that kept me going was seeing all my Marathon Maniac friends along the course. Sadly, though, when I got to the later miles, everyone had already finished, so I didn't get to see any people on Fiesta Island, which by now you've probably figured that it wasn't very festive!
There's Tyler Rich, the Teddy Bear Factory Doctor!
Me and Eli! I hadn't seen this guy since Rock 'N' Roll Arizona.
Mad Dog!
Lyle Lyle Crocodile.
So Asian!
I always get a shot of energy when I see MG. What class act.
This guy may look like a jester, but he's my hero.
Thank you Elizabeth Mckay and Mohan Dutt for waiting for me and running me in. It's so nice to see a familiar friendly face at the finish line.
At the end of the day, I got the job done. This was an extremely difficult race for me. It's amazing how defeated you can feel, but if you just keep telling yourself to never give it, the power of positive thinking will prevail. I had to play mind games to get to that finish line, and I am extremely happy to have this hard earned medal hanging around my neck. My life time marathon total is now up to 25. Wow.
I am Endorphin Dude, and I will be running 52 marathons this year for all of the Epinephrine Pup's homeless four legged friends. All proceeds from my fundraising will go to the Peninsula Humane Society, the folks who helped me find my side kick. This dog has changed my life for the better, and it is my hope that her furry friends at the Peninsula Humane Society will do the same for another.
Every post race shot you see has me smiling ear to ear. What you don't see is the grimace on my face when I cramp up at mile 11. You don't see the frustration when I wake up at the crack of dawn to train. You don't see the tears of pain as I push to climb those hills. Running is difficult, and I work damn hard. It may seem that I make these races look easy because I do so many of them and have so much fun, but I can assure you that they are not. No false modesty here. Running is hard and I surprise myself every time.
Marathon PR
4:34:46 - California International Marathon, 12/8/13
My first marathon. I have to admit, I don't love this picture, but it has grown on me. I'm not used to seeing myself like this. I'm usually smiling or striking a fun pose. I wasn't going to post this photo, but it really is an accurate and authentic representation of what I was feeling at that moment. What an incredible experience.
26.2 Reasons Why I Run
I was the fat kid who always got picked last in P.E. I grew up and became an obese type two diabetic adult. Exercise was something I knew nothing about. One day, I thought I was having a heart attack as a result of my sedentary and nutritionally reckless lifestyle. I knew I had to make some changes. I started walking my dog around the block. That walk lead to jog, and then a run. Next thing I know, I'm running marathons. These are the 26.2 reasons why I run.
Reason #1.
It's all about being healthy. I value life too much to see it come to a premature end due to unhealthy choices. Every time I run, whether it be a light jog around the block or a marathon, my heart thanks me.
Reason #2.
I am Endorphin Dude! There is definitely an air of invincibility when I'm out there on race day. Nothing can stop me. I am a super hero.
Reason #3.
Two words: INSANE ASYLUM. I am certifiably running crazy, and there’s a whole lot of people out there just like me. We are Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics, and we would run a race every weekend if we could!
Reason #4.
I hate needles. Before I started running, I had to inject insulin into my body every night. I hated being diabetic. Thanks to all these races, I have reversed that awful disease and I am no longer dependent on meds.
Reason #5.
My dog loves it because I have more energy to take her out and about. No longer is the chiweenie sequestered in the apartment.
Reason #6.
I like my bread and spaghetti. I can carb up without guilt!
Reason #7.
I love to travel. Going from city to city and state to state to run a race is pretty awesome.
Reason #8.
A few years ago, I had a hard time walking up a flight of stairs. Now I am able to endure 26.2 miles and 50ks.
Reason #9.
You never know what's going to happen on race day. At one race I fell on both my knee caps and had to wobble to the finish line. At another, I had to take cover because of a hurricane and a tornado watch. Whatever happens, you just have to push through it. It's definitely a test of mental toughness and endurance. Running makes me strong all around.
Reason #10.
Mr. Bubble. I get to spend quality time with Mr. Bubble. I love Mr. Bubble.
Reason #11.
Somewhere along the way, Endorphin Dude became a marathon celebrity. Is it the cape? Is it the Marathon Maniac shirt? Is it all the exposure from The Marathon Show? It’s probably a combination of all of the above. I’m not going to lie, I love the attention.
Reason #12.
Bling Bling! I love the medals!
Reason #13.
Only on the marathon course can I get and give free therapy.
Reason #14.
Before I started running, I thought a marathon was 10 miles, Badwater was a really awful drink, Western States meant CA, WA, and OR, and the IT Band was a group of guys from the IT department getting together to play some tunes for the company Christmas party. I’ve come a long way!
Reason #15.
Even on my bad days, when I am gasping for air trying to run away from the sag wagon, I am still having fun.
Reason #16.
I like that after every race I run, I make at least 25 new Facebook friends and fans.
Reason #17.
Running a half marathon is like one big stage production, and I am the star for 13.1 miles. I love the standing ovation I get when I cross that finish line. The thrill is doubled when I run a full marathon!
Reason #18.
Where else but at a marathon can I put a smile on someone’s tired face by running around in a cape and spraying them with endorphins from my index finger?
Reason #19.
It’s like a video game! The more marathons I run, the more Marathon Maniac stars I get. The more half marathons I run, the more Half Fanatic moons I earn. The more race miles I crank out, the closer I get to my running club's Mongo Trophy.
Reason #20.
When I crossed the finish line of a race in Laguna Hills in the spring, there was a sign that read "athletes only." I looked around for the athletes and then realized that the sign was referring to me! I may not be an athlete in the conventional sense of the word, but I always get out there and do my best. When life dealt me lemons, I squeezed those suckers into a water bottle, mixed them up with Cytomax, took a shot of GU, and ran a marathon!
Reason #21.
Behind every great dude is an awesome dudette. The Endorphin Dudette is a powerful running super chick. Any Dudette who can finish a half or full marathon and still be able sport a big smile and ooze endorphins out of her pores is a winner. This marathon caped crusader is seeking fun, vibrant, endorphin-filled dudettes to help him change the world, one molecule at a time! Every month, a different dudette will be selected to help spread the word of fitness and fun at a marathon. Do you have what it takes to represent the Endorphin Empire as the Dudette of the month?
Reason #22.
Who would have thought that the fat kid who always got picked last in PE would grow up to have friends who are Marathon Maniacs, Guinness world record holders, super star tri-athletes, and Badwater Bad Asses?
Reason #23.
I feel like a winner every time I cross the finish line. I may not be the fastest in the pack, but I always finish, and when I do, I feel like I've won the Boston Marathon.
Reason #24.
I feel like a winner every time I cross the finish line. I may not be the fastest in the pack, but I always finish, and when I do, I feel like I've won the Boston Marathon.
Reason #25.
People tell me that my running inspires them. I like hearing that. I am all about out reach, and if I can inspire one person to get out there and make healthy changes to his or her life, then my job is done.
Reason #26.
My life got exponentially better when I put on my first pair of Mizunos and ran around the block. Running has turned me into someone I really like. A healthy dude is a happy dude.
Reason #26.2.
There's this thing called runner's high. The best way for me to explain this is to show it. Click on the above photo to see what endorphins are all about.
EEK! If you put a magnifying glass on that tape measure, you see that the number is 44. I used to have a 44 inch waist! I am now at a 32.
