Post tumor surgeryA couple of years ago I went to the doctor because I had a lump on the side of of my cheek. I figured it was a cyst, or something similar. Imagine my surprise when my doctor sent me to a specialist when he suspected it to be a tumor on my perotid gland! The specialist quickly sent me to get a CT Scan. Low and behold not only did I indeed have a tumor on my perotid gland, I had two tumors on my thyroid gland as well. Scary stuff...
Luckily the tumors were benign and were removed without major complications. However this was a big wake up call for me. It was a big turning point in my life. I decided then and there that there are certain things I can control in my life, and some things I can't. Obviously I can't control getting tumors on my perotid gland, but I sure could control what I put into my body and how I treat my body.
I joined three gyms, began boxing, doing Krav Maga, some resistance training. In a short amount of time I began to feel much better and really enjoyed my workout routines. Then my wife had this crazy idea for us to run a half marathon. Now mind you I hadn't really run more than a mile in 25 years or so! As luck would have it, my wife had to back out due to a stress fracture on her foot. I decided to continue on and give it a shot. I "trained" for the half marathon with my own training program, never bothering to read or get any advice from the experts. Come race day I ran like Bruce Jenner at the start and felt like a super star. At about mile 12 I wanted to chop my legs off and pass out! Somehow I powered through and finished that race. I was completely and totally whooped. When I crossed the finish line I couldn't imagine only being halfway done with the race and having to do another 13.1 miles!
Grassy Meadows Sky Ranch in Hurricane
I then decided that I'd get a little more serious about things and try and run a full marathon. It just seemed like such an unrealistic goal for someone who isn't a "runner". I'm not built to run, I am stalky and about 212lbs. I'm not one of those skinny, lean, mean running machines that make it look easy. That is probably why trying to run a marathon was so appealing to me! I love trying to overcome the biggest obstacles in life. If I can run 26.2 miles without whimping out and walking, there is nothing that I can't accomplish. Sheer determination and hard work can get you far in life. All you have to do is believe in yourself.
So I trained and trained. I had planned to go back to California and run the CIM marathon. Then about a month before the marathon I injured myself from overtraining. Maybe I just wasn't cut out to do this after all. I was so bummed...
After letting myself heal and several visits to the doctor, I was back at it, building my miles up slowly. Back in January my friend Meghan and I decided to enter the Zion Half Marathon, but I recently decided that wasn't enough. Life is about being the best you can be. I have already done a half marathon so I decided to up the ante and enter the Sand Hollow Marathon the week after the Zion Half.
I've been running more than Forrest Gump the past few weeks as we get closer to both races. Tomorrow I run my longest run and then begin my "taper".
Ok, maybe I like it a little more now!
Luckily St. George is a spectacular place to run. I often find myself running out towards Grassy Meadows Sky Ranch on the outskirts of Hurricane and taking off my headphones and enjoying the silence and watching the sunrise over the spectacular red rocks. I've even stopped and taken photos. I'm a sucker for good scenery, what can I say?
So there you have it... Wish me luck in surviving my double headers this month. If I survive I'll concentrate on running the infamous St. George Marathon in October and doing it in under 4 hours.
About the St. George Marathon:
Rated by Runner's World as one of the four "Marathons to Build a Vacation Around" in the World. Included in Runner`s World 10 Most Scenic and Fastest Marathons and Top 20 Marathons in the USA. It begins in the majestic Pine Valley mountains and descends nearly 2600 feet through scenic southwest Utah, to the beautiful Worthern Park. The St. George Marathon is a point-to-point race which is USA Track & Field Certified & Sanctioned. Runner`s World listed the St. George Marathon as the fastest fall marathon. A fun race indeed--and scenic. See the Course Info Page.
Some of the scenery along my daily run
About the Sand Hollow Marathon:
The Sand Hollow Marathon will run on March 29, 2014. If you have not yet run this course, then you're in for a treat! Our newly developed course, starting and finishing in the beautiful, small town of Hurricane, Utah and loops around Sand Hollow Reservoir, is only twenty minutes from St. George, thirty minutes from Zion National Park, and two hours from Vegas. This will be the fourth annual Sand Hollow Marathon, and as always, our goal is to provide the perfect venue. We believe we have the most scenic course of all; making this is a great race with a small town atmosphere. The scenery is fantastic, the volunteers are great, and our sponsors make it happen. We have listened to the advice of our runners and continue to improve and grow this popular event.
About the Zion Half Marathon:
http://www.thezionhalf.com/
Common Questions
What started Lance's health journey?
I found a lump on my cheek that turned out to be a benign tumor, along with two on my thyroid. They were removed without major complications, but it was a big turning point in how I treat my body.
How did you get into shape?
I joined gyms, started boxing and Krav Maga, added resistance training, and eventually set my sights on running a full marathon, which felt like an unrealistic goal for someone built like me.