Wow, it's Memorial Day weekend.
Summer couldn't come fast enough (actually, I'm not even sure if it's here yet) with the winter we've had.
I know it's summer when I am counting down my last weekends of freedom. Freedom in the sense of not having to wake up at 5:30am on a Saturday, every Saturday until October.
Why would I do something like that to myself?
Marathon Training. I'll be training again this summer with the Chicago Area Runner's Association - www.cararuns.org
Training kicks off on June 11th, the weekend of Ragnar. It's safe to say I'll be up much earlier on that Saturday.
A few weeks ago I agreed to fund raise for Salute, Inc. - www.saluteinc.org
It's a great local cause that's easy to support. I enjoyed being a part of their Marathon team last year. I feel like it's the least I can do considering that so many volunteer to serve in the U.S. Military to protect our freedom.
Which just so happens to be a much greater freedom than sleeping in on the weekends.
Friday, May 27, 2011
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
A Tale of Two Left Shoes
A story from Nashville.
Kim and I flew in to Nashville from Chicago. Tracy met us at the airport. She came in from Texas.
We took a cab to our hotel early in the morning. We couldn't check in yet, but the hotel held our bags while we walked around downtown and went to the Expo.
While at the Expo, Tracy mentioned she didn't like the shoes she'd been training in. She said she was pretty sure the running store by her house had put her in the wrong shoes. She felt like her form was off. She's always had Sauconys, so when we approached the Saucony booth, she went to talk to the guy about her shoes.
One of the rules of distance running is "Don't do anything new on race day." Which includes buying new shoes the day before at the Expo.
Kim and I waited and watched as Tracy talked with the guy and tried on a series of shoes. Then, to our surprise, we watched her buy a pair of shoes.
After leaving the Expo we went to lunch. Tracy said she was almost positive the shoes she bought at the expo were the same as the shoes she had had before her current pair, which she loved. Kim and I were skeptical.
We got back to the hotel, checked in to our room and relaxed for awhile. Shortly before heading out to dinner, Tracy began unpacking her bag. This is when she discovered she had packed two left shoes.
It was after 6pm on Friday, the day before the race. Had she have not bought the shoes at the expo, we would have been pounding on any athletic store's doors to get Tracy shoes for the next morning.
Tracy opened her new pair and compared them to the two left shoes she brought. She was right - The pair she'd bought at the expo was the same as her older running shoe, which she liked.
Despite any concerns Kim and I may have had about Tracy running in a new pair of shoes, she showed us on race day. Tracy ran the fastest half marathon of the four girls, coming in just over two hours.
A PR for her. She said she felt great.
Sometimes rules are meant to be broken.
Kim and I flew in to Nashville from Chicago. Tracy met us at the airport. She came in from Texas.
We took a cab to our hotel early in the morning. We couldn't check in yet, but the hotel held our bags while we walked around downtown and went to the Expo.
While at the Expo, Tracy mentioned she didn't like the shoes she'd been training in. She said she was pretty sure the running store by her house had put her in the wrong shoes. She felt like her form was off. She's always had Sauconys, so when we approached the Saucony booth, she went to talk to the guy about her shoes.
One of the rules of distance running is "Don't do anything new on race day." Which includes buying new shoes the day before at the Expo.
Kim and I waited and watched as Tracy talked with the guy and tried on a series of shoes. Then, to our surprise, we watched her buy a pair of shoes.
After leaving the Expo we went to lunch. Tracy said she was almost positive the shoes she bought at the expo were the same as the shoes she had had before her current pair, which she loved. Kim and I were skeptical.
We got back to the hotel, checked in to our room and relaxed for awhile. Shortly before heading out to dinner, Tracy began unpacking her bag. This is when she discovered she had packed two left shoes.
It was after 6pm on Friday, the day before the race. Had she have not bought the shoes at the expo, we would have been pounding on any athletic store's doors to get Tracy shoes for the next morning.
Tracy opened her new pair and compared them to the two left shoes she brought. She was right - The pair she'd bought at the expo was the same as her older running shoe, which she liked.
Despite any concerns Kim and I may have had about Tracy running in a new pair of shoes, she showed us on race day. Tracy ran the fastest half marathon of the four girls, coming in just over two hours.
A PR for her. She said she felt great.
Sometimes rules are meant to be broken.
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Country Music Half Wrap Up
Destination races can't rightfully be compared to hometown races. Nashville is no exception.
Take people from Chicago and insert them in to the rolling hills of Nashville - A challenge within itself - and we haven't even started talking about logistics.
As if I didn't know what we were getting ourselves in to, or, more likely, forgot to remember what the course was like, we landed in Nashville on Friday morning optimistic.
My goal was to show up and run a decent race.
The question is, how is a decent race defined?
Walking around Nashville on Friday, in addition to attending the completely packed expo, caused uneasiness on Friday evening. Which lead to some anxiety Friday night that carried in to Saturday morning.
4:40 a.m. came pretty fast. Kim, Tracy and I got ready and met Brian at LP field at 5:40.
We boarded shuttles to take us to the start line. It was a cool morning. We talked on the way to the corral, hoping for the best. It wasn't until we stood on the side of the corral #13 gazing at the flag for the National Anthem that it really hit me.
I'm remembering more of this race now. Shit. This is going to be hard.
We walked our way down the massive hill to the Start line. Once crossing the start line, we would work our way up a hill for close to a quarter mile, then down, then back up, before crossing the first mile. This pattern repeated itself, in it's entirety, for the first 8 miles.
What started off as a cool morning seemed to get warm awfully fast.
Very early on, I could tell my 2:15 goal time was not in the cards. I'll admit it, I could have focused more (ok, maybe the right word is 'some') efforts on hill training. I probably could have ate better. It would have been great to not have been sick for a few weeks. Or for it not to have rained every day in the last two weeks. Or if the Easter Bunny hadn't been so good to me with those delicious Cadbury Eggs.
All excuses set aside, none of it matters when you're running the race. In that period of time, you're just trying to get through it. That's the part that was tough. Somewhere after 3 but before mile 5, I had an overwhelming feeling to stop. I felt like my body was not acclimating to the conditions. I remember thinking to myself, 'The next medical tent, you're out.'
But here's the problem - Brian was next to me. Brian was having an easier time than I, but he admitted it was by no means an easy race for him either. So in this race, more so than in the marathon, I found myself mentally defeated early on. But it was Brian who guided me through it, whether he realized it or not.
We decided later on the in the race that we were in fact pulling each other through the race. Eventually we would reach the end. Most importantly, thank God we weren't doing the full. Those people are truly crazy.
In the end, I beat my course P.R. in 2009 by two minutes. Maybe it's not the win I was thinking of, but it's certainly not a loss. And four people in our group, including Tracy and Brian, had P.R.'s at the half marathon distance. Just goes to show one person's bad race is another person's 'A' race.
Now, entering May, I have a half under my belt for 2011. Not a bad position to be in.
Take people from Chicago and insert them in to the rolling hills of Nashville - A challenge within itself - and we haven't even started talking about logistics.
As if I didn't know what we were getting ourselves in to, or, more likely, forgot to remember what the course was like, we landed in Nashville on Friday morning optimistic.
My goal was to show up and run a decent race.
The question is, how is a decent race defined?
Walking around Nashville on Friday, in addition to attending the completely packed expo, caused uneasiness on Friday evening. Which lead to some anxiety Friday night that carried in to Saturday morning.
4:40 a.m. came pretty fast. Kim, Tracy and I got ready and met Brian at LP field at 5:40.
We boarded shuttles to take us to the start line. It was a cool morning. We talked on the way to the corral, hoping for the best. It wasn't until we stood on the side of the corral #13 gazing at the flag for the National Anthem that it really hit me.
I'm remembering more of this race now. Shit. This is going to be hard.
We walked our way down the massive hill to the Start line. Once crossing the start line, we would work our way up a hill for close to a quarter mile, then down, then back up, before crossing the first mile. This pattern repeated itself, in it's entirety, for the first 8 miles.
What started off as a cool morning seemed to get warm awfully fast.
Very early on, I could tell my 2:15 goal time was not in the cards. I'll admit it, I could have focused more (ok, maybe the right word is 'some') efforts on hill training. I probably could have ate better. It would have been great to not have been sick for a few weeks. Or for it not to have rained every day in the last two weeks. Or if the Easter Bunny hadn't been so good to me with those delicious Cadbury Eggs.
All excuses set aside, none of it matters when you're running the race. In that period of time, you're just trying to get through it. That's the part that was tough. Somewhere after 3 but before mile 5, I had an overwhelming feeling to stop. I felt like my body was not acclimating to the conditions. I remember thinking to myself, 'The next medical tent, you're out.'
But here's the problem - Brian was next to me. Brian was having an easier time than I, but he admitted it was by no means an easy race for him either. So in this race, more so than in the marathon, I found myself mentally defeated early on. But it was Brian who guided me through it, whether he realized it or not.
We decided later on the in the race that we were in fact pulling each other through the race. Eventually we would reach the end. Most importantly, thank God we weren't doing the full. Those people are truly crazy.
In the end, I beat my course P.R. in 2009 by two minutes. Maybe it's not the win I was thinking of, but it's certainly not a loss. And four people in our group, including Tracy and Brian, had P.R.'s at the half marathon distance. Just goes to show one person's bad race is another person's 'A' race.
Now, entering May, I have a half under my belt for 2011. Not a bad position to be in.
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
The Country Music Half Marathon Pack Job
It's Wednesday at 9:30pm.
60 hours from now, I will be finished with the Country Music Half Marathon.
There's not a lot of time, and there's lots to do.
Maybe I should be panicking.
The race is 450+ miles from Chicago and we're at the travel mercy of O'Hare airport.
Destination races are fun, right?
I printed off the confirmation email for the race. The Competitior Group must think I still live with my parents. That's cool. I can run this race as Laura from Mokena.
Then I was on the phone with Kim determining how we're getting to the airport. Our flight is early Friday. I'm still looking for the confirmation email from the airline.
I am in the process of packing. That is, if you can call an empty suitcase with four packets of Gu, a empty fuel belt, running shorts, four packets of oatmeal and a hat thrown on top of it packing. What a random list of crap. Pretty amazing I am thinking of Gu and oatmeal before I'm thinking of other essentials like running shoes or socks. Then again, depending on how well you know me, you know 'I gotta eat!'
This is only my second destination race. My first was this race two years ago. I enjoyed it enough to do it again, but first I had to give myself two years to forget about the hills.
Packing isn't coming along so well since I'm blogging and making up a list for stuff I need to do when I get back. This is part of my OCD while tapering. Tapering for a full will take control of your life for two weeks. A half, well, maybe you can get away with just a few days. I've been worried all day that I'm not hydrating enough, so I know that the taper mentality has certainly set in.
Here's the course map:
Looks like a tangled web of insanity. And it looks really hilly. Somehow.
This race is a half marathon and a full marathon. I'm running the first 11 with the big boys and then I'm taking a sharp right and wusing out. And I'm completely ok with that.
I looked up my time from last year 2:22:something-or-other. Do seconds really matter anyway? If I can do a sub 2:25, I'll call this race a success. And even if it's not sub 2:25, it's still a success because I had fun, I ran, went on a vacation, and I wasn't sitting on my couch eating (insert favorite Easter candy).
60 hours from now, I will be finished with the Country Music Half Marathon.
There's not a lot of time, and there's lots to do.
Maybe I should be panicking.
The race is 450+ miles from Chicago and we're at the travel mercy of O'Hare airport.
Destination races are fun, right?
I printed off the confirmation email for the race. The Competitior Group must think I still live with my parents. That's cool. I can run this race as Laura from Mokena.
Then I was on the phone with Kim determining how we're getting to the airport. Our flight is early Friday. I'm still looking for the confirmation email from the airline.
I am in the process of packing. That is, if you can call an empty suitcase with four packets of Gu, a empty fuel belt, running shorts, four packets of oatmeal and a hat thrown on top of it packing. What a random list of crap. Pretty amazing I am thinking of Gu and oatmeal before I'm thinking of other essentials like running shoes or socks. Then again, depending on how well you know me, you know 'I gotta eat!'
This is only my second destination race. My first was this race two years ago. I enjoyed it enough to do it again, but first I had to give myself two years to forget about the hills.
Packing isn't coming along so well since I'm blogging and making up a list for stuff I need to do when I get back. This is part of my OCD while tapering. Tapering for a full will take control of your life for two weeks. A half, well, maybe you can get away with just a few days. I've been worried all day that I'm not hydrating enough, so I know that the taper mentality has certainly set in.
Here's the course map:
Looks like a tangled web of insanity. And it looks really hilly. Somehow.
This race is a half marathon and a full marathon. I'm running the first 11 with the big boys and then I'm taking a sharp right and wusing out. And I'm completely ok with that.
I looked up my time from last year 2:22:something-or-other. Do seconds really matter anyway? If I can do a sub 2:25, I'll call this race a success. And even if it's not sub 2:25, it's still a success because I had fun, I ran, went on a vacation, and I wasn't sitting on my couch eating (insert favorite Easter candy).
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
12 Mile Run and the Nashville Taper
Last Saturday, Katie and I had plans to start our 12 mile run (the longest run in preparation for our Half Marathons) at Foster and the Lakefont. When I arrived at 7:45, the street was closed.
As soon as I saw the squad I remembered - CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) Lakefront 10. Kim S. had asked the week before if I wanted to do it. Had I not needed to run 12 that day, I would have.
I called Katie and we relocated a few miles north to my neighborhood. I guess that's the nice thing about running. It's easy to find alternative places to run if your place of preference is taken.
By the time we worked our way down to Foster, the street was back open. We got to see a good number of the Lakefront 10ers working their way north to the finish. It's not often I get to see the fast people that win races. Scanning for familiar faces certainly helped pass the time. We saw Kim around Belmont on our way south and then saw Sara on our way north around the same spot.
We also saw a group of familiar faces out running that morning - Ken, Carl, and Laura. Ken and Carl were pace group leaders for CARA last year. Laura and I met in 2008 through CARA while training for the marathon. Seeing so many running friends, well for sake of a better word, running, made me start thinking about summer and training. It was the first time I'd been excited about starting in on the summer commitment of marathon training.
The Chicago Marathon's registration opens February 1st. Race day is October 11th, just over 8 months later. This year, the marathon sold out (45,000 registrants) in a record 31 days. As you can imagine, a lot can happen in 8 months. When I signed up, my thinking was that I wanted to have the option to be able to do it again. I couldn't think far enough in the future of actually doing it again.
The Country Music Half Marathon is April 30th. After our 12 mile run, Katie and I began tapering for our races (Katie's is on May 1st in New Jersey). I started it off right by having a huge celebratory burger where I out-ate Dave. But in all seriousness, hope the starts align for me on race day. My training hasn't been perfect this time around.
Once this race is over, and certainly once the weather turns, I'll start setting my sights on the next big thing: Rangar Relay. You thought I was going to say marathon, didn't you?
As soon as I saw the squad I remembered - CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) Lakefront 10. Kim S. had asked the week before if I wanted to do it. Had I not needed to run 12 that day, I would have.
I called Katie and we relocated a few miles north to my neighborhood. I guess that's the nice thing about running. It's easy to find alternative places to run if your place of preference is taken.
By the time we worked our way down to Foster, the street was back open. We got to see a good number of the Lakefront 10ers working their way north to the finish. It's not often I get to see the fast people that win races. Scanning for familiar faces certainly helped pass the time. We saw Kim around Belmont on our way south and then saw Sara on our way north around the same spot.
We also saw a group of familiar faces out running that morning - Ken, Carl, and Laura. Ken and Carl were pace group leaders for CARA last year. Laura and I met in 2008 through CARA while training for the marathon. Seeing so many running friends, well for sake of a better word, running, made me start thinking about summer and training. It was the first time I'd been excited about starting in on the summer commitment of marathon training.
The Chicago Marathon's registration opens February 1st. Race day is October 11th, just over 8 months later. This year, the marathon sold out (45,000 registrants) in a record 31 days. As you can imagine, a lot can happen in 8 months. When I signed up, my thinking was that I wanted to have the option to be able to do it again. I couldn't think far enough in the future of actually doing it again.
The Country Music Half Marathon is April 30th. After our 12 mile run, Katie and I began tapering for our races (Katie's is on May 1st in New Jersey). I started it off right by having a huge celebratory burger where I out-ate Dave. But in all seriousness, hope the starts align for me on race day. My training hasn't been perfect this time around.
Once this race is over, and certainly once the weather turns, I'll start setting my sights on the next big thing: Rangar Relay. You thought I was going to say marathon, didn't you?
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Elmhurst, You Almost Killed Me.
Instead of running the Shamrock Shuffle last Sunday morning, Kim and I met up and headed to...Elmhurst.
Why Elmhurst?
Well, Elmhurst has a hill. It's actually a sledding hill, but it's a mean looking sledding hill.
We sized up the hill for a few moments, then went over to a soccer field where a group of people were doing a boot camp type class. It was lead by a guy who was Kim's high school trainer. Turns out that he knew my high school trainer, Aaron, very well.
We participated in the first half of boot camp. Kim fared much better than myself. Young kids were running faster and doing more push-ups than me, which goes to show that being a runner doesn't mean you're in tip-top shape. If Kevin (my former personal trainer) and I do meet up in May as we've planned, he is going to beat the you-know-what out of me.
After boot camp had handed us our asses, we headed over to the hill, because, well, we needed to be tortured some more.
So why do I keep coming back to the hill?
Nashville is hilly. Chicago is not. You can figure out the rest.
Kim made up a loop. A wide circle around a soccer field and then up and down the hill. Repeat and repeat...until we reached over 5 miles. It was brutal. It reminded me why I stay away from stair-steppers and stair climbs.
Had I not done the Country Music Half two years ago, I would be pretty freaked about the rolling hills of Nashville.
I can't decide if it's confidence or ignorance that's going to see me through on race day.
Why Elmhurst?
Well, Elmhurst has a hill. It's actually a sledding hill, but it's a mean looking sledding hill.
We sized up the hill for a few moments, then went over to a soccer field where a group of people were doing a boot camp type class. It was lead by a guy who was Kim's high school trainer. Turns out that he knew my high school trainer, Aaron, very well.
We participated in the first half of boot camp. Kim fared much better than myself. Young kids were running faster and doing more push-ups than me, which goes to show that being a runner doesn't mean you're in tip-top shape. If Kevin (my former personal trainer) and I do meet up in May as we've planned, he is going to beat the you-know-what out of me.
After boot camp had handed us our asses, we headed over to the hill, because, well, we needed to be tortured some more.
So why do I keep coming back to the hill?
Nashville is hilly. Chicago is not. You can figure out the rest.
Kim made up a loop. A wide circle around a soccer field and then up and down the hill. Repeat and repeat...until we reached over 5 miles. It was brutal. It reminded me why I stay away from stair-steppers and stair climbs.
Had I not done the Country Music Half two years ago, I would be pretty freaked about the rolling hills of Nashville.
I can't decide if it's confidence or ignorance that's going to see me through on race day.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Good Running Form
Saturday I was at the Shamrock Shuffle Expo and heard a representative of a popular Chicago running store speak. He had some great insights on proper running form, and gave some simple tips to correct bad form. Here's the Cliff Notes edition I'd written into my Blackberry -
Proper running form allows faster speeds, most efficiency and less injuries.
When you run, you shouldn't be able to look down and see your feet.
To bring your pelvis and spine in line while running, put hands above your head and your body will adjust to take out leaning at the waist.
Keep arms on the sides of the body. Don't allow them to cross your center plane. Otherwise you are turning at the trunk and causing over or under pronation. Can also lead to tightness in shoulders.
Over striding and heel striking causes strain, uses three times as much energy AND slows you down. Plus it can lead to shin issues. To see how it feels to land on mid-foot, try marching in place.
Try shortening your stride when running. Aim for 180 bmp cadence to create quicker turn over. Do this by counting for 30 seconds on one foot - it would strike the ground 45 times.
Proper running form allows faster speeds, most efficiency and less injuries.
When you run, you shouldn't be able to look down and see your feet.
To bring your pelvis and spine in line while running, put hands above your head and your body will adjust to take out leaning at the waist.
Keep arms on the sides of the body. Don't allow them to cross your center plane. Otherwise you are turning at the trunk and causing over or under pronation. Can also lead to tightness in shoulders.
Over striding and heel striking causes strain, uses three times as much energy AND slows you down. Plus it can lead to shin issues. To see how it feels to land on mid-foot, try marching in place.
Try shortening your stride when running. Aim for 180 bmp cadence to create quicker turn over. Do this by counting for 30 seconds on one foot - it would strike the ground 45 times.
Monday, April 11, 2011
When Fitness Became Part of my Life
I was watching The Biggest Loser earlier this week and thought back to my life before fitness played such a large role in it.
I had recently graduated college. I was shopping for jeans one day at a local Gap. The jeans I had were too tight. I didn't see the next size up on the shelf, so I asked the sales associate for help.
In a very nice way, she told me I'd have to go to another store to get that size.
That's when it hit me.
A few hours later, I was at Lifetime Fitness talking with a personal trainer.
My trainer, Kevin, and I formed a great relationship. I was one of his first clients. We liked the same kind of music. He pushed me to do things in the gym I didn't think I could do. We had an agreement that I would take photos of myself every 6 to 8 weeks to show progress.
More than the strength and physical appearance, training gave me the knowledge of how to properly resistance train and weight lift, not to mention boosted my self esteem.
Personal training is the best money I've ever spent. I've told countless people that.
After Kevin left Lifetime, I continued training on my own.
I went from being someone who wasn't very active to someone who was at the gym four or five days a week. I knew my way around the free weight section of the gym. I took nearly every class Lifetime offered, from yoga to spin to boot camp, and loved them all.
Since that first day of training with Kevin, I've never forgotten that it takes a lot of work to stay fit, but it's all worth it. It makes me feel great, and positive attitudes are contagious.
I still think about those days when I'm pushing myself on a run, realizing how far I've come.
I know that I wouldn't be where I am today without the personal training experience. I'm grateful for that.
Sunday, April 03, 2011
10 miles. The Cure to a Common Cold.
I don't get sick often.
Training seems to help fend off the common cold and flu. Margo's marveled in my ability to walk out of her flu-ridden household unscathed on more than one occasion.
Two weeks ago, I went to bed early on a Sunday night and ended up staying home from work Monday, sleeping most of the day.
By Monday evening, I felt recharged enough to go back in to work, but I didn't have enough energy to run. I decided to rest and hit up the vitamin C.
Thursday afternoon I made a weak attempt at a five mile run before leaving for Miami.
Once I arrived in Miami, I felt fine. Vacation was great. I returned Monday evening, ready to run the next day.
I went to bed Monday night and wasn't up for more than a few hours until Wednesday morning.
Wednesday I went to work, but went home at lunch.
I slept. More.
I called my doctor's office. She was on vacation. I stopped by a Walgreen's Take Care Clinic in the hopes they'd be able to help. The visit was a bit inconclusive. Maybe I had mono, or maybe just the flu.
Back to work on Friday. Feeling better, but by no means great.
Saturday I feel much better than Friday. I go to the doctor's office and see another doctor in the practice. The doctor says I likely have a strand of the flu, and there's nothing he can do now. His advice - I should have gotten a flu shot this year. I tell him I've never had one and he shakes his head (this is the same guy who told me I shouldn't run unless being chased). According to him, everyone should have a flu shot. Maybe he's right (?).
After that helpless visit, I text Katie to go back to what does seem to work: running.
And why not try to knock out the flu by showing it a solid ten mile run?
Sunday morning we did just that in an attempt to get back on schedule for half marathon training.
Three weeks until Nashville!
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Revenge of the Foam Roller
The foam roller and I were seeing each other for awhile last summer.
Then we broke up.
I didn't miss the foam roller.
Dating a foam roller isn't all that exciting.
While you're dating, it's like, I guess the foam roller does something for me.
After you've been dating for awhile, you think you can do without the foam roller.
But he always shows you in the end.
A first date with a foam roller after you've been on a break is like asking for continuous charlie horses given at unbearable pressure.
The foam roller [almost] makes you scream and cry due to the shear amount of pain it brings to your over-exercised IT band.
Damn you, IT band.
And we thought we could live without the foam roller?
He showed us, didn't he?
Friday, March 18, 2011
Airport Encounter
Last Friday, I was waiting in terminal three's baggage claim at O'Hare airport. While scrolling through emails on my Blackberry, I overheard a man asking if he could borrow a baggage cart from American Airlines. The man said he was helping a group of wounded warriors that we just coming back home from overseas.
My heart stopped. I looked up to see a group of young men. Some had Army gear. All were on crutches, in a wheelchair, or had an arm in a sling.
The man who asked for the cart said hello and we began talking.
Soon thereafter, I was talking to a group of young men.
They were returning home. Some of them still had a bus ride head of them from the airport.
I never mentioned my brother being in the Army. I was too busy wondering how the group in front of me could be so upbeat. They were a true inspiration.
Their closing remarks to me were 'thank you,' essentially, just for taking a few minutes to b.s. with them.
I managed only to say 'No, thank you' before I felt tears coming on.
They smiled.
I smiled.
And we went our separate ways.
I'm taking this encounter as a sign that I should run raise money for Team Salute again this year while I train for the Marathon.
Salute is an Illinois-based charity that supports active military members, veterans, and their families. www.saluteinc.org
My heart stopped. I looked up to see a group of young men. Some had Army gear. All were on crutches, in a wheelchair, or had an arm in a sling.
The man who asked for the cart said hello and we began talking.
Soon thereafter, I was talking to a group of young men.
They were returning home. Some of them still had a bus ride head of them from the airport.
I never mentioned my brother being in the Army. I was too busy wondering how the group in front of me could be so upbeat. They were a true inspiration.
Their closing remarks to me were 'thank you,' essentially, just for taking a few minutes to b.s. with them.
I managed only to say 'No, thank you' before I felt tears coming on.
They smiled.
I smiled.
And we went our separate ways.
I'm taking this encounter as a sign that I should run raise money for Team Salute again this year while I train for the Marathon.
Salute is an Illinois-based charity that supports active military members, veterans, and their families. www.saluteinc.org
Monday, March 14, 2011
3-Day Breast Cancer Walk
Five years ago, I wasn't a marathoner.
Or a half marathoner.
I didn't consider myself much of a distance runner.
But in 2006, my friend Katie and I participated in one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life - The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day.
Today I met with a woman who wants to do the walk this year. I happened to mention I was a past participant, and, that I thought the third day of the walk was harder than running a marathon.
She said I must be mistaken - a marathon must more difficult than a walk. Now don't get me wrong, a marathon is though. Everyone gets to a point where they don't think they have anything left to give physically, but that's where your mental toughness gets you through.
A few years ago, marathoner and Olympian Ryan Hall came to a CARA (Chicago Area Runner's Association) Saturday morning long run. He spoke with us for a few minutes before we set off. Ryan made a statement that day that took me back - it went something along the lines of this - 'It must be hard to be running for so long.' Hall has a handful of sub 2:08 marathons.
Most of us are just reaching the hard part of a marathon, or others are just nearing halfway, when he's finishing. By the time some of us were crossing the finish line, Hall's been stretched out, ate his recovery meal, showered, and is sleeping.
I know Ryan wasn't trying to be rude. He was trying to drive home the point that most of us are on our feet for a lot longer than he is during a marathon, which is why I see the 3-Day as being such a challenging event.
Our 3-Day wasn't composed of three, 20 mile days.
The first day, we were up before the sun came up. Walking on and off for ten hours. We walked a marathon. Once we reached camp, we pitched our tent, had some dinner and took a shower.
On day two, we repeated day one, for 22 miles. By the end of day two, my body ached and I was exhausted. But I wasn't done yet. We still had 12 miles to go. Day one was a warm day. Day two was an overcast day. Day three it rained - the entire day.
Day three was by far the toughest, but it was also the most rewarding. Throughout the walk, we were supported by volunteers and breast cancer survivors that continued to inspire us.
In the last few miles, my friend Bill met us with his parents. His mother had just recently been diagnosed with breast cancer. We stopped and spoke with them for a few minutes. If we hadn't been touched by the event yet, this encounter certainly did it.
It wasn't until I ran for Team Salute last year that I felt a true sense of purpose when running as I did on the 3-Day. The finishing line brings the cause home as all the participants unite. It is a rewarding experience which provides an amazing feeling of accomplishment when completed (not to mention all the fund raising!).
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Say No to Cotton Socks
Yesterday I did an easy 4 miler in the early afternoon. It was windy and cool, just as you'd expect at the beginning of March in Chicago.
Not many people were on the lakefront path, so I found myself paying particular attention to those who I did come across.
About a mile in to my run, I saw it. A runner in cotton tube socks.
The cut of the socks wasn't what caught my attention, it was the blend.
So I wondered, Who runs in cotton socks?
Someone who wants a blister.
There are all types of poly-blend socks on the market now that have Cool-Max or a similar technology in them which allows the sock to wick moisture away from the foot and in to the outer layer of the sock. They're light and breathable.
My favorite brand is Feetures. I like the arch support and reinforced toe box and heel. I've been using these socks exclusively for running in the last 7 years and I've never been disappointed.
http://www.feeturesbrand.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=18
I found a video on youtube which compares a cotton sock to a moisture wicking sock. Skip the first 1:15 to get to the comparison:
There might not be a lot of gear in running, but you need the right gear!
Not many people were on the lakefront path, so I found myself paying particular attention to those who I did come across.
About a mile in to my run, I saw it. A runner in cotton tube socks.
The cut of the socks wasn't what caught my attention, it was the blend.
So I wondered, Who runs in cotton socks?
Someone who wants a blister.
There are all types of poly-blend socks on the market now that have Cool-Max or a similar technology in them which allows the sock to wick moisture away from the foot and in to the outer layer of the sock. They're light and breathable.
My favorite brand is Feetures. I like the arch support and reinforced toe box and heel. I've been using these socks exclusively for running in the last 7 years and I've never been disappointed.
http://www.feeturesbrand.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=71&Itemid=18
I found a video on youtube which compares a cotton sock to a moisture wicking sock. Skip the first 1:15 to get to the comparison:
There might not be a lot of gear in running, but you need the right gear!
Monday, March 07, 2011
Long Runs in Winter
I'd planned to a 7 mile run early Saturday morning in preparation for Nashville, but a combination of wind, rain/snow and feeling a bit under the weather delayed the run until Sunday.
It had snowed Saturday afternoon, and then became rather cold.
Early Sunday morning, I heard my building's maintenance guy clearing the sidewalks and throwing down salt.
I waited few more hours for the temperatures to rise and set out around 10:30. There was very little wind and in the mid-30's.
Overall, I had a great run. Early in the run, it had crossed my mind how nice it is that I can count on sidewalks being cleared and salted within a few hours of snowfall. It's a benefit of living in the City - The City of Chicago can fine private residences $50 for not clearing their sidewalks. Businesses can be fined more.
As I ran south along Sheridan Road to the Lakefront Path, I hit a small section of uncleared sidewalk. It was in front of a City of Chicago Park District space, affectionately known only as Park #559. It's a new, small-ish park that sits between two high rises. For years, there was just a privacy fence around the lot, so I'm happy to see Park #559 with it's benches and lakefront view. I'm willing to overlook the City's miss on clearing the sidewalks.
This thought last for exactly one block. Until I hit Berger Park, and then, Lane Park, before reaching the cleared Lakefront Path. Every private residence and business had been cleared along the way, just not the Park's sidewalks.
I don't need real hazards. I create my own (like tripping over my own foot and spraining my ankle last year, two weeks before the marathon).
As I'm running along the Lakefront Path, I remember it's Sunday. Maybe with the City's budget crisis, they can't afford to pay someone on a Sunday to clear their park's sidewalks. It may be overtime pay, afterall.
I could have gone to a gym and avoided running in to the park's sidewalks. But who wants to do a 7 mile long run on a treadmill? Many do it, but not me.
This is the great challenge of training for a spring race and living in Chicago. The weather isn't all that cooperative. I've heard stories of runners being sprayed or knocked over by a wave along the Oak Street curve in the early spring. Which is far worse that the 100 meters of sidewalk I ran in to yesterday.
It had snowed Saturday afternoon, and then became rather cold.
Early Sunday morning, I heard my building's maintenance guy clearing the sidewalks and throwing down salt.
I waited few more hours for the temperatures to rise and set out around 10:30. There was very little wind and in the mid-30's.
Overall, I had a great run. Early in the run, it had crossed my mind how nice it is that I can count on sidewalks being cleared and salted within a few hours of snowfall. It's a benefit of living in the City - The City of Chicago can fine private residences $50 for not clearing their sidewalks. Businesses can be fined more.
As I ran south along Sheridan Road to the Lakefront Path, I hit a small section of uncleared sidewalk. It was in front of a City of Chicago Park District space, affectionately known only as Park #559. It's a new, small-ish park that sits between two high rises. For years, there was just a privacy fence around the lot, so I'm happy to see Park #559 with it's benches and lakefront view. I'm willing to overlook the City's miss on clearing the sidewalks.
This thought last for exactly one block. Until I hit Berger Park, and then, Lane Park, before reaching the cleared Lakefront Path. Every private residence and business had been cleared along the way, just not the Park's sidewalks.
I don't need real hazards. I create my own (like tripping over my own foot and spraining my ankle last year, two weeks before the marathon).
As I'm running along the Lakefront Path, I remember it's Sunday. Maybe with the City's budget crisis, they can't afford to pay someone on a Sunday to clear their park's sidewalks. It may be overtime pay, afterall.
I could have gone to a gym and avoided running in to the park's sidewalks. But who wants to do a 7 mile long run on a treadmill? Many do it, but not me.
This is the great challenge of training for a spring race and living in Chicago. The weather isn't all that cooperative. I've heard stories of runners being sprayed or knocked over by a wave along the Oak Street curve in the early spring. Which is far worse that the 100 meters of sidewalk I ran in to yesterday.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
8 Minute Abs
Remember the exercise video 8 Minute Abs?
Better yet, can you remember what workout wear looked like in the early '90's?
[Think spandex.]
If for nothing more than entertainment value, take a trip down memory lane and watch it:
After some talk of 8 minute abs by my uncle and cousins, I decided to check it out on youtube.
When the video was complete, I decided that there was no way I had done any quality work in 8 minutes, so I did it again. 16 minute abs.
The next day at work, I was surely sore. The 'program' (as the 8-minute abs guy in the unitard calls it) works or I have really weak abs. Maybe it's a little bit of both.
Since then, I've made a combination of 8 minute abs, followed by 8 minute arms, followed by a hard 15-20 minute ride on the bike trainer a stand-by, no-excuses at home work out.
And on days like today where I worked late and it's freezing outside, it's nice to know I can still do a little training.
Better yet, can you remember what workout wear looked like in the early '90's?
[Think spandex.]
If for nothing more than entertainment value, take a trip down memory lane and watch it:
After some talk of 8 minute abs by my uncle and cousins, I decided to check it out on youtube.
When the video was complete, I decided that there was no way I had done any quality work in 8 minutes, so I did it again. 16 minute abs.
The next day at work, I was surely sore. The 'program' (as the 8-minute abs guy in the unitard calls it) works or I have really weak abs. Maybe it's a little bit of both.
Since then, I've made a combination of 8 minute abs, followed by 8 minute arms, followed by a hard 15-20 minute ride on the bike trainer a stand-by, no-excuses at home work out.
And on days like today where I worked late and it's freezing outside, it's nice to know I can still do a little training.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
4th time's a
...I'm not sure.
If the 3rd time's a charm, what is the 4th time?
A 3rd time redo?
Because you can't find a reason NOT to do it a 4th time?
Or, because after three times it's a routine?
Either way, last week I signed up for what will be my 4th Chicago Marathon.
Training's become, after a few years, part of my summer routine.
Marathon training will start in early June.
June seems pretty far away right now.
I have quite a bit of running to do between now and then.
Better get to it.
If the 3rd time's a charm, what is the 4th time?
A 3rd time redo?
Because you can't find a reason NOT to do it a 4th time?
Or, because after three times it's a routine?
Either way, last week I signed up for what will be my 4th Chicago Marathon.
Training's become, after a few years, part of my summer routine.
Marathon training will start in early June.
June seems pretty far away right now.
I have quite a bit of running to do between now and then.
Better get to it.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Bye Bye [to hopes of] Berlin
A few months ago, there was a commotion among my training friends.
What if, instead of Chicago, we ran the Berlin Marathon this year?
What a great idea! We've all participated in Chicago the last two years (some of us three).
Berlin is just two weeks before Chicago, so we could do the Intermediate version of our training program and be right on track for the September 25th race.
Berlin is a flat, fast course like Chicago. It could mean a P.R!
Kim S. was the first on board. She started the rest of us thinking about it as well.
Within a few weeks Jen, Sara and Carrie were all on board.
I was the hold out.
And in, what I guess we could call the end, I decided not to go.
Do I want to run the Berlin Marathon? YES!
But I also want to be able to go to Berlin, then spend some time in Europe, including visiting my family in England.
Without busting out a spreadsheet, we all know it's a pricey trip. So this time around, I have to be the lame one who misses out on the cool trip.
Ladies, I can't wait to hear all about your plans beforehand and your experiences afterwards!
Don't worry, I have a few races to train for that will keep me busy, and I'll still be seeing you all Saturday mornings up until Berlin.
What if, instead of Chicago, we ran the Berlin Marathon this year?
What a great idea! We've all participated in Chicago the last two years (some of us three).
Berlin is just two weeks before Chicago, so we could do the Intermediate version of our training program and be right on track for the September 25th race.
Berlin is a flat, fast course like Chicago. It could mean a P.R!
Kim S. was the first on board. She started the rest of us thinking about it as well.
Within a few weeks Jen, Sara and Carrie were all on board.
I was the hold out.
And in, what I guess we could call the end, I decided not to go.
Do I want to run the Berlin Marathon? YES!
But I also want to be able to go to Berlin, then spend some time in Europe, including visiting my family in England.
Without busting out a spreadsheet, we all know it's a pricey trip. So this time around, I have to be the lame one who misses out on the cool trip.
Ladies, I can't wait to hear all about your plans beforehand and your experiences afterwards!
Don't worry, I have a few races to train for that will keep me busy, and I'll still be seeing you all Saturday mornings up until Berlin.
Monday, February 14, 2011
200 Miles. Madison to Chicago Relay
I think I've just agreed to do something crazy.
I may not be wheels up to Berlin in September, but it looks like I'm going to cover some ground in...Wisconsin.
In early June, I am going to be a member of a 12 person relay team which will run from Madison to Chicago. We will cover the 200 mile journey by running day and night over two days.
I know very little about the event, other than each of us will run three legs of varying distances (between 3 to 9 miles).
We will need two vans to carry the team and to keep pace with the person running, planting the next runner at the exchange area. The vans will be filled with the team's standard running gear, but will also include sleeping bags (although I've heard there will be little to no sleeping), reflective vests, head lamps, maps and lots of snacks.
Instead of batons, we will pass on a slap bracelet. Sweet!
If you're intrigued, visit the race's site at www.ragnarrelay.com/race/chicago
Jen ran this race a few years ago. She said it was a blast, besides from the fact that some of the people on her team did not complete their runs. Her team experienced some digestive issues, getting lost in the van a few times trying to find the next exchange point, and once having a runner get off course in the middle of the night. Sounds like a blast! ;)
Has anyone else participated in this race or a similar relay?
I may not be wheels up to Berlin in September, but it looks like I'm going to cover some ground in...Wisconsin.
In early June, I am going to be a member of a 12 person relay team which will run from Madison to Chicago. We will cover the 200 mile journey by running day and night over two days.
I know very little about the event, other than each of us will run three legs of varying distances (between 3 to 9 miles).
We will need two vans to carry the team and to keep pace with the person running, planting the next runner at the exchange area. The vans will be filled with the team's standard running gear, but will also include sleeping bags (although I've heard there will be little to no sleeping), reflective vests, head lamps, maps and lots of snacks.
Instead of batons, we will pass on a slap bracelet. Sweet!
If you're intrigued, visit the race's site at www.ragnarrelay.com/race/chicago
Jen ran this race a few years ago. She said it was a blast, besides from the fact that some of the people on her team did not complete their runs. Her team experienced some digestive issues, getting lost in the van a few times trying to find the next exchange point, and once having a runner get off course in the middle of the night. Sounds like a blast! ;)
Has anyone else participated in this race or a similar relay?
Friday, February 11, 2011
Born To Run
Christopher McDougall is the author of "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Super Athletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen."
McDougall's book has a cult -like following in the running community. Last winter, while laid up with a knee injury, I read this book.
When hanging out with a group of runners, the subject of barefoot running is a hot topic.
McDougall is an advocate for barefoot running, which is has been all the rage in the last two years. Then again, it was the all the rage hundreds or thousands of years ago too, before the invention of cushioned running shoes.
His book talks about running mechanics, the mass marketing of running gadgets (which he thinks we don't need), edurance racing, ultra marathoning, and a tribe of Indians in the Cooper Canyons of Mexico called the Tarahumara.
Below is a video of Christopher McDougall discussing 2009's New York City Marathon and how Derartu Tulu's compassion and athleticism in that race encompasses some themes of his book:
Monday, February 07, 2011
When You Can't Run, Shovel.
And so it was, the Blizzard of 2011...
It was cool Tuesday night when work sent out an email saying we could leave early. (It's amazing how excited I get about leaving work two hours early.) The storm was not cool when I was on a bus on Lake Shore Drive, but it did get me home. The storm was awesome Tuesday night when I found out I didn't have to go in to the office Wednesday.
The blizzard really showed me Wednesday morning when Dave and I went outside. Holy abandoned cars and huge snow drifts. Whereas on a normal day I like that I live less than a block from the Lake, it didn't work to our advantage in the storm.
After riding out most of Wednesday in my place, I was going stir crazy. I was home from work. I couldn't run. The yoga studio was closed. So I did a 45 minute ride on the (bike) trainer. I must have not ridden hard enough, because shortly after that, I found myself gearing up to go outside and attack this:
My car, engulfed by a snow drift. Not to mention the 3 to 4 ft. snow drifts in the alley. I went at it for a few hours, then went to bed.
Wednesday night I found out the office was closed on Thursday as well, so you know what that means - more time to shovel.
I spent around two hours Thursday morning continuing what I'd started Wednesday night. Took a break for lunch, then went back out for another two hours of shoveling fun. The alley was so quiet. Every once and awhile I'd hear a plane fly overhead and the sound of neighboring shovels.
Almost everyone passing by had something to say about my project. Some of them just smiled or said 'that sucks.' One guy told me 'They made gyms for that!' I responded that I was shoveling for sport. He didn't quite know what to say to that and decided to keep walking. So, thank you, random alley man, you get credit for the blog idea.
The end product was a dug out car and a path through the alley.
I felt quite accomplished after this task, so I proceeded to go out in to the street. I had checked the street earlier Thursday morning to see it still hadn't been plowed. Dave's car was stuck on my street and I wanted to help free it so he could drive to work that night. But now when I checked the street, I saw that a small plow had made it down my street. Dave's car still had to be dug out a bit, but with the help of one of my neighbors, we did it.
I should have taken an after photo for his car, but here's what it looked like Wednesday morning:
I think it's safe to say I got my workout in. I was happy to return to work Friday where I was not asked to shovel.
It was cool Tuesday night when work sent out an email saying we could leave early. (It's amazing how excited I get about leaving work two hours early.) The storm was not cool when I was on a bus on Lake Shore Drive, but it did get me home. The storm was awesome Tuesday night when I found out I didn't have to go in to the office Wednesday.
The blizzard really showed me Wednesday morning when Dave and I went outside. Holy abandoned cars and huge snow drifts. Whereas on a normal day I like that I live less than a block from the Lake, it didn't work to our advantage in the storm.
After riding out most of Wednesday in my place, I was going stir crazy. I was home from work. I couldn't run. The yoga studio was closed. So I did a 45 minute ride on the (bike) trainer. I must have not ridden hard enough, because shortly after that, I found myself gearing up to go outside and attack this:
My car, engulfed by a snow drift. Not to mention the 3 to 4 ft. snow drifts in the alley. I went at it for a few hours, then went to bed.
Wednesday night I found out the office was closed on Thursday as well, so you know what that means - more time to shovel.
I spent around two hours Thursday morning continuing what I'd started Wednesday night. Took a break for lunch, then went back out for another two hours of shoveling fun. The alley was so quiet. Every once and awhile I'd hear a plane fly overhead and the sound of neighboring shovels.
Almost everyone passing by had something to say about my project. Some of them just smiled or said 'that sucks.' One guy told me 'They made gyms for that!' I responded that I was shoveling for sport. He didn't quite know what to say to that and decided to keep walking. So, thank you, random alley man, you get credit for the blog idea.
The end product was a dug out car and a path through the alley.
I felt quite accomplished after this task, so I proceeded to go out in to the street. I had checked the street earlier Thursday morning to see it still hadn't been plowed. Dave's car was stuck on my street and I wanted to help free it so he could drive to work that night. But now when I checked the street, I saw that a small plow had made it down my street. Dave's car still had to be dug out a bit, but with the help of one of my neighbors, we did it.
I should have taken an after photo for his car, but here's what it looked like Wednesday morning:
I think it's safe to say I got my workout in. I was happy to return to work Friday where I was not asked to shovel.
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