"The energy in the starting corrals was electric." Orriant Blogger, Ron Fehr, talks about the Boston Marathon 2014.

The first day in Boston was spent at the athlete's race expo, picking up gear bags, checking into the race, meeting other racers and enjoying the pre-race, carb-load pasta dinner.  I tried to get as much rest as possible the night before the race, which is difficult to do for a race that is surrounded by so much hype. 

Race morning was slow moving and essentially stress free, making it to the subway and getting on the buses that had to transport nearly 33,000 runners to the small town of Hopkinton.  Being in the first wave, I made it to the start with plenty of time to rest and get comfortable before the ¾ mile walk to the start. 

The energy in the starting corrals was electric, with the race director interviewing past race winners and introducing the “elite field” (athletes who have won more than 80 global marathons).  As the clock started ticking closer to 10:00am, you could feel the runners inch forward, and hear the spectators reach a fevered pitch.  I felt very good, but with a little worry due to my heel injury suffered a week before the race. 

The gun went off, and I was on my way.  The first 2 miles went well and I was right on my goal pace.  However, my heel started to cause me some discomfort, and I had to slightly alter my stride.  Even though the adjustment was miniscule, my muscles were not used to running that way and by mile 8, my leg muscles (all of them) started to hurt tremendously.  Between miles 10-12, I knew that my sub-3 hour goal was shot, and I now had to focus on just finishing the race.  After the half-way point, my joints started to lock up.  I couldn't get my legs to complete a smooth stride, which only continued to cause my leg muscles even more pain. 

Despite the bodily discomfort, I had an incredible time on the course.  The race is organized very well, and the spectators are beyond description, displaying unlimited enthusiasm.  I received many nicknames during the race due to my hair, but more people called me 'Wheeler', which was great to hear (notice my shirt in the picture).  I don't think I would have been able to run this race without the sponsorship of my company, Wheeler.  I am very grateful for that opportunity. 

After finishing the race in 3:27:55, I nearly collapsed due to my legs forgetting how to walk.  Fortunately a med-tech was there to catch me.  After finding my way to the water station, I was feeling better and am happy with the result.  It almost seemed surreal that it was over after so much time spent preparing.  Despite not meeting my sub-3 hour goal, I couldn't have asked for a better race day, and experience.  If anyone reading this is a runner, I would recommend putting this race on your bucket list.  It deserves all the hype, and is well worth it. 

Again, I am grateful to Wheeler for sponsoring me and helping me fulfill this goal.  I am also grateful for Orriant, letting me post my thoughts and supporting me along the way.  The list is long of those who deserve my gratitude, including my lovely wife, family, co-workers, and great friends. 

My future goals (after taking a few weeks to relax, of course) are the Missoula Marathon in July, and perhaps a triathlon here and there, if I remember how to ride my bike.

Thank you all so much for the support, I can't tell you how much it helped me train for, and achieve this goal.  Until next time, live health, and happy!

Ron's Marathon Journal - Slowing Down and Eating Clean

The last few weeks have gone well, with a lot of miles run, and some crazy, unpredictable weather to run in. I ran the Canyonlands Half Marathon a couple weeks ago, and paced one of my good friends to help him get his personal best time.

With just a few weeks left before Boston, my training focus has shifted to speed work. This entails finding a high school track, and running 1 mile repeats, then following that by running the bleachers. I've also included hill sprints, and 800 meter repeats in my training. In one week I will start my 'taper' for Boston, meaning I will lessen the miles I run and decrease the intensity. This will allow my body to heal and get rested up for the marathon.

I've attached a short video where I talk about my training diet. It's also been a great diet to maintain while I'm not training (although there are variations of meals from what is in the video) to help keep healthy.

I'll try and post one more blog before I head to Bean Town. Live healthy and happy!

Ron's Marathon Journal - Feeling Closer to Race Ready

Wheeler Machinery employee and Orriant participant, Ron Fehr, gives you a peek into his training and progress as the Boston Marathon gets closer.

February has been a great month of training and I’m beginning to feel close to marathon shape.  In March, I’ll be running the Canyonland’s Half Marathon, which will be a great training run to see where my fitness level is for Boston.  I am excited and am loving the great Spring running days the past week or so.  I’ve been running twice a day, on my lunch break and when I get home from work.  It is the best way for me to log more miles.  From here on out, I will be spending more time working on increasing my speed by interval training, mile repeats, hill sprints, and tempo runs.  I hope everyone is living healthy and happy!  

Ron's Marathon Journal - Training In Bad Weather

"The inversion in the air made running difficult, especially being forced to log many, many miles on a treadmill."

Wheeler Machinery employee and Orriant participant, Ron Fehr, won't let anything derail his training for the Boston Marathon. Ron shares how he kept his workout schedule on track regardless of the weather forecast.

The past 2 weeks of training have been excellent, and last week I exceeded my personal best in total mileage for a week by running over 90 miles.  The inversion in the air made running difficult, especially being forced to log many, many miles on a treadmill.  That being said, long mileage on a treadmill is actually great mental training as it forces a person to be strong and fight through the boredom.  I do not listen to music when I run, so it can be even more challenging.  

As far as the inversion goes, if you’re going to be exercising outside and live in Utah, I highly recommend keeping an eye on http://www.airquality.utah.gov.  They do a great job updating the air pollutants hourly and offer a simple color pattern to determine whether or not you should be participating in strenuous activities outdoors.  They even have apps for Android and iOS mobile devices so you can check if you’re away from a computer.  I check it multiple times per day to plan my outdoor running schedule.  That’s it for now, live healthy and happy!

Ron's Marathon Journal - Fighting Through Setbacks

Wheeler Machinery employee and Orriant participant, Ron Fehr, won't let anything derail his training for the Boston Marathon. Ron shares how he made it through the last few weeks.

December wasn't the best month for my training. The first 3 weeks were incredible and I was even ahead of my goals. I then suffered a shin bruise which made it impossible to run, and nearly impossible to walk. On top of that, I was put down with flu-like symptoms for 3 weeks. Needless to say, it was rough. My mileage goals and speedwork goals were not met, but that's okay. It happens every now and then. I have finally been able to run again without pain in my leg and am excited to have a great January!

Ron's Marathon Journal - How Ron Fehr Got Started

“When people ask me about running, I tell them that I was not a runner when I began this journey.  A half marathon or full marathon seemed absolutely crazy.”

Wheeler Machinery employee and Orriant participant, Ron Fehr, shares his transformation from overweight to athlete.

In 2005, a friend snapped a photo of me while we were fishing.  It was hot, and I’d removed my shirt to cool off.  After he showed me the pic, I was startled into action.  After being active most of my life, I’d let myself slip and weighed in at 230 pounds.  At 29 years old, I decided to make some health goals, and my first goal was to complete a sprint triathlon.  Not being a swimmer (at all), this was a daunting task.  After a year of training, I lost 50 pounds and completed the St. George, Utah Triathlon.  After that, I began cycling and running not only for fitness, but because I had begun loving it.

Since then I have completed a dozen triathlons including the St. George Ironman, at least a dozen half marathons, 5 marathons, a 50K trail race, a 50 mile trail race, LOTOJA twice (a 206 mile bike race), and the Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance trail run the last two years.  Although I went to Boston in 2012 and finished the race, it was more of a leisurely jog than a race due to a previous injury.

In 2013, I decided I wanted to run Boston again. My employer, Wheeler Machinery, has been generous enough to sponsor me. I set a goal to qualify for Boston by running the Missoula, Montana Marathon under 3 hours.  My training was intense for 7 months, but when race day came, I was able to push myself across the finish line in 2:58.  My new goal is not only to run hard (and injury free) in Boston, but to finish in under 3 hours. 

My preparation for Boston began in October 2013.  I have been working with my Orriant Health Coach℠ to both lower my cholesterol and discuss my training regimen, which includes two-a-day runs.  My current goals involve speed work, intervals, and hill training.  My diet goals were a little lax due to the quantity of calories I burn, but I buckled down in December, cutting back on sweets and all the holiday goodies. 

When people ask me about running, I tell them that I was not a runner when I began this journey.  I did not enjoy running, nor did I have any desire to run more than a 5K or maybe a 10K.  A half marathon or full marathon seemed absolutely crazy, and an ultra-trail race seemed certifiably bonkers.  Running didn’t come easily to me.  It took thousands of miles, countless hours, a monitored diet, and immeasurable support from friends, family, co-workers, and my Orriant coach to be where I am today.  The joy I feel from running is something I try to share with others through my enthusiasm.  It wasn’t easy at first, but it gets easier and is something that I believe most people will enjoy, if they let themselves. 

That’s it for now.  Three and a half months until race day! In the meantime, live happy and healthy!

Watch Orriant social media sites as Ron will continue to update readers as he prepares for the Boston Marathon.