My husband Ben and I were in St. Louis this weekend for a wedding, and the one activity I cared about -- other than going to the wedding -- was going for a run. Ben and I have done a decent amount of traveling over our years together (I started dating him when I was 15!), but we rarely run on our trips. Running is one of the best ways to explore a new city. So, from now on, I'm going to make every effort to run when I travel.
As we stepped outside of our hotel Saturday morning, a group of at least a dozen runners filed past us on the road. Ben suggested we join them, and -- think group running scene from "Forrest Gump" -- we did. Between the heat and my injury recovery, I didn't think we'd be able to hang with the group. We quickly caught up, and they noticed. Instead of telling us to buzz off, they asked us where we're from and wanted to know if we had water because of the heat. We hung with the group for a only a little over a mile. But during those steps, we learned about the group and they learned about us. They call themselves a happy family, and they get together for long runs consisting of 12 to 16 miles. We talked about St. Louis, marathons we're training for and our backgrounds. Yes, this all transpired in a mile.
We continued running with them to the Arch, where the group made sure we hydrated. Then, we parted ways. We ran around the park, and they resumed their 14-mile run.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Custody Battle
My husband is moving away for a summer internship and we are left with the decision: Who gets the Garmin 305?
We share it and, by that, I mean that Ben purchased it about two years ago and I take it whenever he isn't using it. It's been with me for long training runs and guided me during the Fargo Marathon, at which I PR'd.
As I ramp up training this summer for the Chicago Marathon, I think it's only fair that I get it, right? And my friends agree, until I tell them that Ben is also running the Chicago Marathon.Woops.
Had I not just bought a new bike, I would go out and buy a Garmin watch for myself. And I would justify it because Ben also got a bike (which was "a bit" more expensive than the one I got, by the way). There's a big sale at REI this weekend through Memorial Day, and the Garmin Forerunner 405CX will be discounted $100. This baby spits out average pace, current pace and distance and is well worth the money.
Early birthday present? Mine is only six months away. Anniversary gift? We'll be married for three years in July.
Garmin execs, if you're reading this, please help a runner out. I will put a GPS watch to good use while training for the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's team. I promise!
In other news, I got my deferral certificate in the mail today from the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. I would have run the marathon on May 2 had I not gotten injured. I wasn't certain my application would get accepted. Unfortunately, injuries while marathon training aren't all that uncommon. Because I received a deferral, I can run the marathon next year for a minimal fee ($10) if I want. So, I guess my spring marathon is decided. Yay!
We share it and, by that, I mean that Ben purchased it about two years ago and I take it whenever he isn't using it. It's been with me for long training runs and guided me during the Fargo Marathon, at which I PR'd.
As I ramp up training this summer for the Chicago Marathon, I think it's only fair that I get it, right? And my friends agree, until I tell them that Ben is also running the Chicago Marathon.Woops.
Had I not just bought a new bike, I would go out and buy a Garmin watch for myself. And I would justify it because Ben also got a bike (which was "a bit" more expensive than the one I got, by the way). There's a big sale at REI this weekend through Memorial Day, and the Garmin Forerunner 405CX will be discounted $100. This baby spits out average pace, current pace and distance and is well worth the money.
Early birthday present? Mine is only six months away. Anniversary gift? We'll be married for three years in July.
Garmin execs, if you're reading this, please help a runner out. I will put a GPS watch to good use while training for the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's team. I promise!
In other news, I got my deferral certificate in the mail today from the Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon. I would have run the marathon on May 2 had I not gotten injured. I wasn't certain my application would get accepted. Unfortunately, injuries while marathon training aren't all that uncommon. Because I received a deferral, I can run the marathon next year for a minimal fee ($10) if I want. So, I guess my spring marathon is decided. Yay!
Monday, May 17, 2010
I run because...
I'm too emotionally spent to write a decent post, but I don't want to leave you hanging. I've seen the below quote many times, and I came across it again tonight, thanks to my darling sister, Brooke.
I thought I'd share since it reflects how I feel about running: I run so my goals in life will continue to get bigger instead of my belly. -Bill Kirby
Monday, May 10, 2010
Look out, Lance Armstrong!
For the first time in nearly 12 years, I own a bike.While I'm first a runner, I want to incorporate biking into my repertoire of athletic pursuits. I don't necessarily plan to race in any triathlons any time soon, but I'd like the option if I so choose. And as I train for the Chicago Marathon this summer, cross-training will be a major component of my training program. Whereas I used to only run, I'm going to bike and strength train two days a week.
And it should be interesting.
I'm the kind of bicyclist who on my honeymoon in Hawaii had to ride with the guide at the front of the group because I biked too slowly, and our group could go only as fast as the slowest rider.
Even last night, as we biked 3/4 mile to Lake Michigan and then back home, my knees shook out of nervousness. I was sharing the road with cars. Scary stuff. I grew up in a town of 2,500, so I'm not used to sharing the road with cars. On the rare occasion that I met a car, it was moving slowly. Since I was a kid, I could bike on the sidewalk without getting hassled by the two cops that worked in town.
During the ride on my new wheels with my husband, Ben, he passed along the following tips:
1. Do not bike in the middle of the lane.
2. Do not take busy streets without a chaperone, er, I mean Ben.
3. Be aggressive. B-E aggressive.
We don't even need to address the helmet issue. I got a deal that included one, and I would have bought one had it not. My life is too important for me to not wear a helmet.
Look out, Lance. Brady's comin' for ya!
On a side note, my mom (Becky) and aunt (Lori) raised nearly $200 at a staff meeting today for the Multiple Myeloma Resarch Foundation on my sister's and my behalf. This money, combined with some cash my mom received from friends, will put us at approximately $1,550 raised since Februrary. Now, that's pretty awesome.
And it should be interesting.
I'm the kind of bicyclist who on my honeymoon in Hawaii had to ride with the guide at the front of the group because I biked too slowly, and our group could go only as fast as the slowest rider.
Even last night, as we biked 3/4 mile to Lake Michigan and then back home, my knees shook out of nervousness. I was sharing the road with cars. Scary stuff. I grew up in a town of 2,500, so I'm not used to sharing the road with cars. On the rare occasion that I met a car, it was moving slowly. Since I was a kid, I could bike on the sidewalk without getting hassled by the two cops that worked in town.
During the ride on my new wheels with my husband, Ben, he passed along the following tips:
1. Do not bike in the middle of the lane.
2. Do not take busy streets without a chaperone, er, I mean Ben.
3. Be aggressive. B-E aggressive.
We don't even need to address the helmet issue. I got a deal that included one, and I would have bought one had it not. My life is too important for me to not wear a helmet.
Look out, Lance. Brady's comin' for ya!
On a side note, my mom (Becky) and aunt (Lori) raised nearly $200 at a staff meeting today for the Multiple Myeloma Resarch Foundation on my sister's and my behalf. This money, combined with some cash my mom received from friends, will put us at approximately $1,550 raised since Februrary. Now, that's pretty awesome.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Getting back on the horse, or something like that
It was two weeks ago when my doctor gave me the okay to run. That night, I went for a two-miler on the treadmill. Mentally, I felt great. My toes? Not so much.
But slowly, ever so slowly, my body has started to feel normal while running. Heck, it feels better than normal. It feels kick ass. And I think I know why:
During my transition back to running, I've been using this wonder drug from my doctor. It's called common sense. I'm easing into running slowly. At the first sign of real discomfort, I stop running or take a few days off. This has meant that this week will be the first that I hit 12 miles. My doctor said I could start running between 12 and 15 miles a week and could increase my weekly mileage by 10 percent. I'm only now hitting 12 miles because I reined myself in during that first week. I guarantee you pre-injury Brady wouldn't have done that.
I value and respect every mile I get to run, whether it's on the dreadmill or along the lake front. And my body is responding with gratitude. It feels mighty strong.
On a related note, my sister and I have now raised $1,345 for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. We are so close to our goal. Tomorrow I'm putting a letter in the mail to ask my dad's longtime employer for a corporate sponsorship. And I'm contemplating having T-shirts (technical T's perhaps) made in order to raise money.
But slowly, ever so slowly, my body has started to feel normal while running. Heck, it feels better than normal. It feels kick ass. And I think I know why:
During my transition back to running, I've been using this wonder drug from my doctor. It's called common sense. I'm easing into running slowly. At the first sign of real discomfort, I stop running or take a few days off. This has meant that this week will be the first that I hit 12 miles. My doctor said I could start running between 12 and 15 miles a week and could increase my weekly mileage by 10 percent. I'm only now hitting 12 miles because I reined myself in during that first week. I guarantee you pre-injury Brady wouldn't have done that.
I value and respect every mile I get to run, whether it's on the dreadmill or along the lake front. And my body is responding with gratitude. It feels mighty strong.
On a related note, my sister and I have now raised $1,345 for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. We are so close to our goal. Tomorrow I'm putting a letter in the mail to ask my dad's longtime employer for a corporate sponsorship. And I'm contemplating having T-shirts (technical T's perhaps) made in order to raise money.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)