[sixcol_five_last]
By Derek Mandell
To break up the monotony that my training stories may produce, this week’s segment features a different angle…followed by the same old training stories in my quest to run my first marathon at the Guam International Marathon. Enjoy.

Derek Mandell (yellow shirt and ‘short shorts’) jump starts the Hafa Marathon where he finished in first place. (courtesy photo)
The Runner’s Bond
Becoming a “runner” is a simple process that involves putting on athletic clothing, running shoes and having a strong sense of determination, regardless of what type of running goals you have. Whether your goal is to adopt a healthier lifestyle, finish a certain race distance, or win a shiny-looking medal, we runners all share a common bond. The bond I speak of is experiencing, of course, the dreaded questions and comments that all runners encounter on a weekly (or sometimes daily) basis.
In no particular order or sense of organization, the following are the most common questions and comments runners have encountered at some point in life. As a bonus, I provide some safe responses a runner can give and what they may actually be thinking.
Comment: “You run (insert number) miles??? I don’t even drive that far!”
Safe response: “Oh, I’m just trying to reach a goal; it’s necessary!”
…but thinking: “This is a sad day in the automotive industry.”
Question: “What do you think about when you run?”
Safe response: “Breathing, maintaining a steady pace, and focusing on my running form.”
…but thinking: “Fish Fish McBytes McBytes, Fish Fish McBytes McBytes, Fish Fish McBytes McBytes…FISHAY FISHAYYY!”
Comment: “Run, Forrest, Run!”
Safe response: “HA-HA.”
…but thinking: “At least they aren’t making fun of my shorts.”
and of course:
Question/Comment: “Who wears short, shorts?”
Safe response: “…”
…but thinking: “Bad choice, Derek. Bad, bad, choice.”
Back to Business
After reaching a milestone in training, it becomes more difficult to duplicate the efforts; if it was easy it wouldn’t be called a milestone. I must admit that training for the Guam International Marathon is a lot tougher than I initially thought. Training for a marathon is entirely different than training for the 800m and 1500m runs, and I’m learning that quickly.
The week after completing the 101-mile week, I dropped back down to 80 miles. The week after that it rose again, but not quite 100. Then back down to 80, and so on and so forth. The beauty of having a flexible training plan is that you can adapt to how your body feels throughout the week and allow yourself to recover properly. However, the work still needs to be done.
A quick excerpt from last week’s training log:
Saturday-
AM: 5 miles;
PM: Open Track meet at JFK hosted by the Guam Track and Field Association (2km XC run, 200m sprint, and 800m run) My 800m time of 2:10.79 was my slowest 800m time in long time. The past two years I would average under 2 minutes for the entire track season. Moral of the story is that my goal for this season is to run a fast marathon and need to focus on that.
Sunday-
AM: Gate to Gate 21 Miler, hosted by the Guam Running Club. The course starts at the Taco Bell near Big Navy and finishes by the front gate of Andersen AFB. Yes, you run the entirety of Marine Corps Drive. Yes, I know you don’t even drive that far.
PM: 5 miles. I wanted to be able to write down that I ran 26 miles in one day. Only I know it took two different runs…
If you’ve read this far down, thank you for your support. You win a picture of my black toenail. Stay active and wear shoes that fit. See you next time.
[fbshare url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/runningtrack/mandell-has-running-answers/ ” type=”button”] [fblike url=”http://www.gspnlive.com/runningtrack/mandell-has-running-answers/ ” style=”standard” showfaces=”false” width=”450″ verb=”like” font=”arial”]
[/sixcol_five_last][useful_banner_manager_banner_rotation banners=64, 62, 38, 53 interval=8 width=120 height=600 orderby=rand]


GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
11th
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
19th
SPRINT TRIATHLON, PACIFIC GAMES QUALIFIER
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

MMA/Boxing
JONES TO FACE FORMER UFC CHAMPION

Baseball
GECKOS SWING BIG IN SEASON OPENER

Running/Track
GECKOS, SHARKS BUILDING TRACK CONFIDENCE

Baseball
FRIARS EDGE ROYALS IN PITCHER’S DUEL

Baseball
FRIARS EDGE ROYALS IN PITCHER’S DUEL

Basketball
FRIARS TAKE DOWN PANTHERS 74-68
