Nov
25
Predawn Profile – Drew Trachy
The great state of Alabama may just be the predawn running capital of the world. One of the runners you may see on the streets of Prattville (or other cities across the country, depending on his travel schedule) is Drew Trachy. In fact, Drew started the Running Recon blog largely to chronicle his running on his journeys, but this year used it also to chronicle his efforts towards a major running accomplishment. Drew “sat down” to answer a few questions about his running habits, and how he fits it in to all the other commitments he faces.
Predawn Runner: When did you first start running, and how did your running evolve through your life to date?
Drew Trachy: My first experience running was when I joined the the high school XC team in ninth grade because a friend of mine talked me into it. I wasn’t very good – my fastest 5k was a 23:50 – and was more interested in working, so I finished out the season and then moved on to a part time job. I still occasionally ran on my own, but wasn’t dedicated and had no plan to speak of. It was just something that called to me every once in a while.
Most of my adult life I relocated a lot, serving time in the military and then as a defense contractor. It seemed like each time I started back up and got into running routine it was disrupted by a move. It would take a couple years being settled in Alabama for things to finally come together.
In March of 2007 my daughter’s YMCA swim team participated in a local 5k and I agreed to do it with her. We coaxed each other to the finish line and despite the subsequent soreness the experience still holds a special meaning for me. Anyway, it was then I realized I was destined to get back into shape and become more involved in the local running community.
Over the next couple of years I slowly built up my running schedule and entered most 5k races. My goal was to beat my high school PR, but for about two years all I could do was catch a sniff of it. It was around that time that I met Kym Klass, the editor of our running club’s newsletter. As we became better friends she became more comfortable teasing me about my holding pattern. Not one to sit idly by and take her sass, I decided to something about it. Little did I know what lie ahead.
In the summer of 2009 I started training with Kym, meeting her weekly to run intervals at the track. Watching her leave me in the dust was all the incentive I needed to get better, and after a few months that’s exactly what happened. My race times dropped significantly, I surpassed my high school PR, and in the process had a lot of fun.
Today I run six days per week and am in the best shape of my life. I recently completed my first marathon, and though it didn’t turn out as I’d hoped I know the experience will serve me well in future races.
PR: What are the biggest challenges you face in your training?
DT: I feel a little guilty answering this question, because truthfully I have it pretty easy. Now that my daughter is older and drives I no longer have to work around her schedule, and my employer even affords me a few hours a week to exercise during business hours. Only the occasional business trip presents challenges as far as getting in a workout, but it usually works out for the best.
As for the training itself, I think my biggest challenge is with following orders. I’ve been listening to Hal Higdon for three training cycles now, and have a difficult time doing what I’m told. My pace runs are usually 10-15 seconds faster than recommended, and I’m really bad about slowing down on long runs. I also have a bad habit of tacking on additional miles to workouts I don’t feel are sufficiently long enough. Fortunately, none of this appears to have had a negative affect. Yet.
PR: You tend to get out pretty early most days, why is that?
DT: When I first started back running I did so in the mornings to ensure I got it done. Like most parents, my afternoons and evenings were always hectic. I was either driving my daughter to practice or a meet, or volunteering at the school or YMCA. She’s since grown and become self sufficient, but the routine stuck. These days I run early because it’s the perfect way to start the day. It’s quieter, there’s less traffic and I feel I’ve accomplished something no matter what the rest of the day holds.
PR: Recently you finished your first marathon at Chickamauga. What can you tell us about that experience?
DT: Let’s keep this between the two of us, but the Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon really should be on everyone’s short list of races. The course is so scenic it’s almost surreal, it’s extremely well run and family friendly, and each year the weather is near perfect. The best reason to keep it quiet is because it’s held in our nation’s first national military park and the field is very limited by the National Park Service. This year’s November race was sold out in July shortly after it opened.
As for my marathon experience, I blogged about it extensively. Going into it I set a goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon, with a stretch goal of finishing five minutes under my age group cut off of 3 hours 20 minutes. Even though I believe I prepared as best I could, I didn’t hydrate well enough throughout the race and started cramping at mile 19. I was on pace up to that point but eventually finished in 3 hours 45 minutes. It was devastating at that moment, but I’ve taken lessons away from it and will apply them in upcoming attempts.
PR: What did you learn from this marathon and the training leading up to it?
DT: From the marathon itself I learned how important it is to hydrate as much as possible. In the days leading up to the race I drank obscene amounts of water and sports drinks. Going into the race I believe I did everything right, but after the cannon blasted I didn’t follow through like I should have. I accepted the half-full Dixie cups without a second thought, and paid for it dearly at mile 19 when I started cramping from dehydration.
The training leading up to the race taught me not to underestimate myself. When I started the 18-week Hal Higdon plan I was in great shape and had my doubts about getting any faster. But as the weeks slowly passed and the assignments got tougher I found I was keeping pace with the expectations. After a while the workouts I had initially struggled with early on became easier, and the intimidating ones not so much.
PR: What do you like best about doing the Running Recon blog?
DT: When I started Running Recon back in January it was done primarily as a means to focus my writing in one place. Since I’d returned to running I would jot down random thoughts on Facebook or in my training logs, but it lacked organization. When I realized people were actually reading it I decided to expand on the initial premise. Now I’ll sometimes post product review, race reports and run narratives.
Even though I don’t have a huge audience, what I enjoy most about the blog is the feedback I receive from those that read it. Knowing that someone found value in something I wrote is really rewarding. And an added benefit is getting to know some of my readers better. It serves as an extension to Dailymile in this respect.
PR: Now that you have your first marathon under your belt, what is the next goal?
DT: Well, after my disappointing performance at Chickamauga I feel like I have unfinished business to attend to. My next goal is my old goal, and that’s to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I’ve been looking at the race calendar and expect to register for another race some time between January and March.
PR: And now the most important question of all – Alabama or Auburn in Friday’s game?
DT: For someone who isn’t a native of Alabama and hasn’t attended either university this is a tough question to answer. Will it be Roll Tide (Interalia) or War Eagle (James K.)? In the interests of righting the wrongs of the 2004 National Championship decision, I’ll be pulling for the Tigers. Prediction: 30-24.
