Loving the Run

If you like me here, then you'll love me at Loving the Run, a new running website that officially launches tomorrow (Feb. 23).

I will be regularly contributing to and helping run the website. Head over to Loving the Run today and please spread the love!

Third time's the charm

Where have I been? I've been contemplating a damn entertaining post, that's where. And, I've come up with: nothing. But, I do have some news to share.

If you follow me on Twitter or friend me on Facebook, then you already know. I'm running the Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 2.

Before you start heckling me for my decision to run a marathon when I haven't quite recovered from 2010 (and my foot still hurts -- ouch!), let me explain:

1. I want to run a marathon. Marathon-ing is in my blood.
2. I've felt lousy during years I haven't run a full marathon.
3. I love the Twin Cities Marathon:
--It has a small field, beautiful course and spectacular support. Fans line the entire course. They put the nice in Minnesota nice.
--Since I'm moving back to Minneapolis, this race is a cheap, convenient option.
--I know the course like the back of my hand having raced it twice and trained on it multiple times.
--I'm hungry for another PR. It's time to break 4 hours, baby. Wouldn't it be fun to do that with friends and family watching in my home state? Yes, I think so.
--One of my fondest memories in racing comes from the Twin Cities Marathon. I ran it for the second time in 2008. It poured for the first 13 miles. Around mile 8, my shoelace came untied. I was so cold from the rain that I couldn't operate my fingers well enough to tie it. I was ready to start crying when I walked up to a spectator and kindly asked him to tie my shoe (double knot, please). He bent over and tied my shoe -- in the rain -- without hesitation. I will never ever forget that.

So, I'm returning to the Twin Cities Marathon for the third time, and I couldn't be more excited. Please be happy for me, too -- and pray for my foot.

UPDATE: Some of my favorite #runnerds @bikerly (#1 Top Monkey), @alekbabel and @fiftyforbilly will also be running the Twin Cities Marathon. They are awesome people. I heart them.

My Hips Don't Lie

A year ago, I didn't listen to my body -- and the outcome stunk. I was benched from running for over two months, and I had to rely on crutches to get around for weeks.

I swore then that I would treat myself better. By no means have I acted perfectly. But today, in a demonstration of maturity, I went to the doctor over growing discomfort in my heel. I'm really glad I did. To find out why, you'll have to keep on reading. 


The Source of My Pain
After three months of agonizing pain in my left hip, I made an appointment with a sports medicine specialist at the University of Illinois for Feb. 18, 2010. I honestly didn't believe my hip pain had anything to do with running, because it only hurt during prolonged sitting or getting up from sitting. But, since I was a runner, I opted for a sports medicine specialist over a general physician.

On Feb. 14, I went out for a planned 14-mile run with a friend. I had experienced minor discomfort in my foot in the days leading up to the run, but thought nothing of it, or, at least, not enough to hold me back from a training run for the Flying Pig Marathon. Several miles in, my foot started hurting to the point that I didn't want to put any pressure on my heel. I made it to mile 12 before throwing in the towel. By the time I got home, I could hardly walk.

Four days later, I limped into the doctor's office. Long story short, the doctor diagnosed me with IT Band syndrome in my left hip and a bad stress fracture of the right heel. I spent nearly two months in a walking boot and on crutches. I was allowed to bike in my sock, which I did religiously. I also switched to lighter, neutral shoes. And, I started seeing a physical therapist so I wouldn't lose mobility in my foot/ankle and so I could strengthen my left hip.

By May, I was able to start running. In June, I began an 18-week training program for the Chicago Marathon. I continued seeing my physical therapist until July. I still experienced pain in my hip -- so intense at times that I desired strong pain killers (but never requested or used them, of course) -- but I saw no point in continuing to pay $50 per visit for a problem that wasn't disappearing. My therapist was disappointed, but I was pissed.

I subsequently ran the Chicago Marathon, and, six weeks later, the Philadelphia Marathon, where I achieved a PR of 4 hours, 7 minutes.

In December, I reduced mileage by about 50 percent. I received protests from my husband and friends to take the month off, but I just couldn't.


Back to Square One, Almost
A few weeks ago, I started to feel slight discomfort in my right heel again. It wasn't awful pain, but it was enough that it threw up a red flag that something might be wrong. About eight days ago, I confessed to my husband, Ben, that it was time to see the doctor again. He saw dollar signs; I saw potential for re-injury.

A part of me wondered whether I was overreacting. Yesterday I mentioned to friends and my sister that maybe I didn't need to see a doctor. It was too late to back out, in my mind, so I decided to go.

So, today, I saw a new sports medicine specialist. He examined my feet and put me on the treadmill to watch me run. Based on my symptoms and my running form, he determined that I'm in the danger zone for another stress fracture. My left hip is still abnormally weak, too, and it seems to be the source of my problems.

I will nip this foot and hip problem in the bud. Here's how:
1. I'm switching my shoe make and model, again. Thanks to my friend Fabian, I was able to buy the new Kinvaras, a super-light, neutral shoe, at an incredible discount. They're supposed to take me off my heel, and they're due to arrive in a few weeks!
2. I will invest in gait analysis and a running coach, so I can learn better form. The way I'm currently running threatens re-injury. It may only take one session, so says the doc.
3. Meanwhile, I will run minimally and slowly, with 5 miles being a "long" run. I will also work extra hard at strengthening my left hip. If anyone reading this has suggestions about how to do that, I'm all ears.
4. Finally, if my hip pain persists, I may have to consider further testing. When I received my IT Band Syndrome diagnosis last year, no imaging was done on the hip. It's possible the real reason for the pain is a muscle tear.


Waving the White Flag
Eleven days ago, I was looking ahead and forming running goals for 2011. I'm already re-evaluating.

Based on the doctor's advice, I will sit out the F^3 Half-Marathon on Jan. 29. I feel badly, since I convinced a lot of friends, including my husband, to brave the cold and run it. I'll be out there cheering...unless it's really cold :)

I'm also going to take the back seat to the Flying Pig Marathon for the second time. The doctor doesn't think 16 weeks is enough to rehab the hip/foot and properly train for the marathon. This hits me in the gut, but I agree with him. In fact, I was already surrendering to that idea last Wednesday. I told a very small group of my close friends that I wouldn't run the full, and they all backed me. I won't ask for another deferral. Instead, I'll apply to switch to the half marathon. A lot of my friends from across the country are running the full, and I'd like to be there with them, even if it's just for 13.1 miles. Maybe I can achieve a major PR (personal record). Someday, I will run The Pig.

The Obligatory 2011 Goals Post

During a chat with a friend yesterday, she asked me whether I had any New Year's resolutions. Goals? What goals? Oh, OK. I might have some for 2011. Without any fanfare, here are my goals for the new year.

Career: Secure a full-time job in the Twin Cities area that allows me to achieve social good. As Ben and I prepare to move back to Minnesota, it only makes sense I find a job there soon, right?

Personal: Buy a house in Minneapolis or St. Paul. This is a biggie. Ben and I have looked for houses twice. The first time, we opted to rent because it made the most sense. The second time, the timing was off. Third time is the charm, right?

Running:
1. Break 4 hours in the marathon. My current PR is 4:07:51, which I achieved in November at the Philadelphia Marathon. With some dedicated speed and hill work, I think this goal is attainable at the Flying Pig Marathon on May 1. If not then, I'll try again at a fall marathon. I hold out hope for qualifying for Boston, but I don't think I'm going to improve my PR by 27 minutes...yet.

2. Look like this. I know, I know. It's superficial. But I'd love to have a bod like that of a female athlete who graces the cover of Runner's World. (FYI: Carrie Tollefson, on the Runner's World cover, is from Minnesota. She grew up about 70 miles from my hometown.)

3. Run without getting a stress fracture or other injury.  Despite being away from running for 10 weeks, having to wear a boot for 8 of them and use crutches for 7 during 2010, it was still a good running year for me. But stress fractures are zero fun, and I never want to go through that again.

All I Needed to Hear

When it comes to my involvement in the sport of running, my mom is not my biggest fan.

Sure, she supports me. When I ran my first marathon in October 2005, she traveled three hours to the Twin Cities to cheer me on. She helped my sister Brooke and I raise money when we decided to run the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. She showed up for that race, too.

But, when I complain of aches or pains from running, I don't get sympathy from my mom. I'm told to scale back running or find a new sport. When I mention I've just come in from a long run, she might reply, "Should you be running that far?"

When I go home for the holidays in a few weeks, my mom will quickly tire of me talking about running or needing to head out for a run. I considered participating in a satellite 6.1-mile "race" on Dec. 26 for a cause I support. Considering I got zero support from my husband, I can only imagine how my mom would respond if I told her I was planning to leave my family for an hour to run the day after Christmas. For financial reasons, I've decided not to participate in the satellite race.

I'm sure my mom would prefer I put my energy into making babies (maybe in three to five years) or finding a job that doesn't have the word "free" in its title.

There are days when I wish my mom would be my biggest cheerleader, and I've told her as much. Then, she drops a gem like she did after the Philadelphia Marathon on Nov. 21.

A few hours after the race, I talked on the phone with her. When I told her that I had achieved a personal best by at least four minutes (six weeks after Chicago!), she said although she gives me flack for running, she was proud of me.

That's all I needed to hear.

Celebrating 27 with 26.2

In November, I turn 27. While every birthday should be celebrated, the number this year is somewhat unremarkable. It's two years past a quarter century, three years from the big 3-0.

Why not make this year stand out? Especially after the past few birthdays, which have been low key. When I turned 22, I was juggling a full load of classes at the University of Minnesota, spending 30 hours a week at the Minnesota Daily and interning at the Pioneer Press. I invited my friends over for a movie. They brought cake. I have a photo where I'm blowing out the candles -- in my pajamas.When I turned 24, my cousin and brother-in-law came over for waffles. On my most recent birthday, I treated myself to a roll from Bennison's Bakery, had an informational interview with someone from Chicago Public Radio in the city and met my friends for Indian. Oh, how I was craving Indian.

I've decided to celebrate my 27 years by running 26.2 miles. Call me crazy, dumb, foolish. But six weeks after I run the Chicago Marathon (10-10-10), I will toe the line of the Philadelphia Marathon (11-21-10). The race is only three days after I blow out 27 candles. How remarkable is that.

Running in a Small Town

As you probably have gathered from reading this blog, I'm from a small town, a very small town. The current population is around 2,500, and it's getting smaller every day.

We have two gas stations, one grocery store, a Subway, a Dairy Queen and the finest bakery in all of southwest Minnesota, if not the state. We have a Red Rooster, where my parents took my sister and me almost daily for breakfast during grade school.

My graduation class had 100 students. It was a big class. About 500 students attend the high school, grades 7 through 12.

While I haven't lived there in eight years, I go back frequently. I recently spent two weeks there, and I did a fair amount of running and thinking about small-town running.

You know you're a small-town runner when...

1.  It takes you less than 40 minutes to run around your entire town.
2. A significant chunk of your run is spent on a U.S. highway.
3. You share the road with tractors, trailers and semi-trucks.
4. You hesitate to wear only a sports bra because it's likely a teacher, your 70-year-old former neighbor or the old men who told you when you were a little girl that your finger will fall off like theirs did if you pick your nose will see you. But it's hot, so you do it anyway (wear only the sports bra, that is).
5. Your story about running a marathon for charity makes the front page of a newspaper.
6. You have a 14-miler on the schedule, and the most logical route is running to another town and back home
7. The closest thing to a running club is the high school cross-country team.

Do you live in a small town? If so, what do you think is unique to small-town running?

You know you're a real runner when...

Your toenails die. Duh!

Ever since I trained for my first marathon five years ago, one of the toenails on my left foot has never been the same. I notice the toe during long runs, and it often feels sore afterward. By the time I race, it has turned purple and part of the nail has come off.

After last weekend's 14-miler, my toenail had become a real pain...in my foot. On Tuesday, I tried clipping it to relieve pressure. I must have punctured a blister, because it started draining fluid. Blisters under the toenail aren't uncommon in runners.

Despite poking the blister, I still felt pressure under my nail. I did some research and considered puncturing my nail with a hot paper clip or needle to properly drain the blister. My brother-in-law even offered to do it! But, with a 15-miler planned for this weekend, I thought I should wait.

That is, until last night. I was about to go to sleep but I couldn't stop thinking about my toe. I got out the clipper, and I started cutting away. Slowly, and with little pain, the toe nail came off. It was dead anyway.

Both Ben and my mom expressed some concern, so I mentioned the "surgery" I performed on my toe during my annual physical today. The physician's assistant said it looked good, and I have no need for antibiotics. Yay!

I feel like a true road warrior, with one less toenail.

My Rave Run

I've been in my rural Minnesota hometown (population 2,500 and getting smaller) since July 20, and I will be here until Monday. I have several motivations for my lengthy stay at home. My mom was hospitalized for and diagnosed with seizures last month, and I wanted to accompany her to her follow-up doctor appointments. I also have upcoming family gatherings -- a reunion on Saturday and my grandma's 80th birthday party on Sunday.

Before loading up my Jeep a week and a half ago, I looked at my Chicago Marathon training schedule; my long runs consisted of 9-, 14- and 15-milers. I've previously run marathons, so the distance didn't scare me. Long runs are my friend. But the location in which I'd be doing these long runs frightened me.

I recalled running from my hometown of Tracy to Walnut Grove and back (7 miles each way) five years ago while training for my first marathon. I begged my sister, who hadn't been training for anything, to run with me. We shared a CamelBak. Between the rolling hills and sharing U.S. Highway 14 with cars and semi-trucks, I never wanted to cover that route again on only my feet. Yet, while I was home visiting two summers ago and training for the Twin Cities Marathon again, I decided to not only run that route, but also to run around my hometown first. I had a 20-miler on the schedule and, even though I was home, I intended to run it. This time my sister accompanied me on a bike. I was about 15 miles into the run when I slowed down and became almost delirious. I was exposed on the treeless highway, and I had started out too late. I was hot. And I was done. We called my father-in-law who picked us up. Thank God for my sister and her cell phone.

Despite those dreadful runs, I love Tracy and the thousands of acres of unharvested corn and soybean fields that currently surround it. Though, you won't ever see my town featured as a rave run in Runner's World. It has less than two miles of running/walking paths on the town's edge, near a small man-made lake pond. A run around town is about four miles long. Tracy's edges are mostly treeless and leave runners exposed to the often unforgiving wind and sun. And to run any serious distance means traveling, unless you want to run laps around town.
 
For this weekend's 14-miler, I drove to the Lake Shetek area which has a 6-mile paved trail. It's about 13 miles south of my  hometown. There, I encountered hills, wild flowers, prairie grass, men fishing, deer, rabbits, and, of course, the lake. While I had to run around the nearby town of Currie (population: 225) to make up additional miles, I loved this run. I had biked and run the path before, but I didn't appreciate its beauty until this past weekend.

I plan to return Saturday for my 15-miler. It may not be considered a rave run to the well-traveled runner, but it's a gem hidden in the cornfields of rural Minnesota. It's my rave run.

Brooke makes news at Bavarian Blast

Over night, it seems my sister has morphed into a super athlete. According to the New Ulm Journal,. Brooke was the top female finisher in the Bavarian Blast 10k Saturday. Congratulations Brooke!

Not so fast.

She ran the New Ulm Bavarian Blast 5k Saturday. She originally signed up for the 10k but the small field intimidated her. She found safety in numbers and ran the shorter distance with friends, with the OK from race organizers. She finished in approximately 31 minutes, an admirable time for a beginning runner.

The data was wrong, and the reporter failed to double-check it. He could have easily called Brooke for a quote (he got one from the top male finisher).

Brooke thought the article was funny but also annoying. She lives in a small town, and her clients and friends likely will ask her about her spectacular race! I, too, think there's humor here. But as a former newspaper reporter, this article requires a correction.

Whether Brooke is the top finisher or middle-of-the-pack runner, she's a winner in my book. I'm so proud that she's out running and racing.

I lost the battle, but I still got a watch!

I may have lost the custody battle, but I'm now the proud owner of a new Garmin Forerunner 305 watch. I convinced Ben that a.) it would be a good investment, b.) even when we live in the same zip code, we don't always run together and c.) we have only raced together once. Basically, we couldn't share his watch.

He was tired of hearing about the watch accepted my well-crafted proposal for a new watch, and he suggested I buy one as soon as possible. I got a heck of a deal on it from Walmart, and I ordered it July 5. It arrived either Friday or Saturday while I was out of town.

Thanks to the watch, I'm able to track distance, current pace, average pace and time. I have the option of using a heart rate monitor. I can connect the watch to my computer to download data from runs. Curious? Learn more here.

I wore it today on a run (5.25 miles, to be exact), but I failed to take a picture. I will model it soon. Until then, here's a photo of the watch, sans me.

Why I Run

This week I entered a short essay contest here on why I run. I couldn't come up with a single reason. Instead, I came up with several. This is what I submitted:

Why do I run? It can’t be confined to a single reason.


I run to escape. I run when I need to think, relieve stress, and be alone. I run to be with friends or make new ones on the lakefront path. I run for its discipline and sense of accomplishment. I run for my health and to kick cancer’s ass. I run because I wasn’t an athlete in high school; now I am.


I run to eat. So I can indulge in a slice of ginger peach apple pie or a pear scone without the added ingredient of guilt.


I run because it’s my antidepressant. The simple act of lacing up my shoes and running makes me instantly happy. Whether my run is sluggish or fast, I’m able to start the day on the right foot or end on a positive note.


When I’m not running, sharing my love for the sport makes me happy. I’ve supported friends who want to get off the couch and get moving. I’ve encouraged them to run their first 5k. I’ve toed the line with them at their first marathon.


I’ve been running for six years. This winter I had my first injury. I hated being stuck on a stationary bike and mourned the loss of my feet on the pavement. Post-recovery, I cherish every step and look forward to every mile ahead.

Father's Day

Today is Father's Day, and I spent most of the time on the road, behind the wheel. I feel most connected to my dad when I'm driving alone. He was a Justin Boots sales representative, so he spent several weeks out of the year on the road visiting stores. Maybe that's why, of all places, I feel the closest to him on a long stretch of asphalt.

Returning from Omaha, Neb., where I visited Ben for the weekend, I considered what my dad would think about my sister and I running the Chicago Marathon, spreading awareness about multiple myleoma and raising money to support important research.

Although 15 years have passed since he died, I still get upset -- more so now than ever -- that more couldn't have been done to save his life. That's why Brooke and I are running for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. This is an organization that is having an impact and the research it's funded has already resulted in new treatments for myleoma patients.

I know my dad would be proud. I know he'd be happy that Brooke and I are doing our part to prevent other families from being hurt by such a horrible disease. I believe our decision to run the marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation is the best Father's Day gift we could ever give him.

Kicking Cancer's Butt...One Mile at a Time

Curious about how training and fund-raising is going for the Chicago Marathon? Check out my e-update below.

Howdy friends and family,

Brooke and I are pleased to share another e-update. This month’s letter is info-packed (i.e. lengthy) so please sit back, relax and enjoy our letter!

We want to extend a big thank-you for supporting our efforts to raise money and awareness by running the Chicago Marathon for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. Since our last e-update, we reached a major fund-raising milestone: we surpassed the $2,000 mark! To date, we’ve raised approximately $2,290 for the MMRF. We couldn’t have done it without our friends and family! We feel blessed to be surrounded by such supportive people!

Fund-raising

We’re ecstatic about the money we’ve raised, and we hope to raise more for an organization in which we strongly believe. We want to help the MMRF fund new cancer treatments and extend the lives of patients.Our dad couldn't be saved, but we hope current and future patients will be!

Here’s a snapshot of some ways we’re trying to raise money for our charity:

Hy-Vee, a grocery store in eight Midwestern states, has offered to host a pie fund-raiser. If you live in Marshall, Minn., or will be in the area July 1-3, please stop at the store and buy a pie! Some of the proceeds from every pie we sell will go toward our MMRF fund-raising campaign. If you want to contribute your baking skills instead, please let us know! In addition to selling the pies, we’ll be making them at Hy-Vee the evenings of June 30, July 1 and July 2. Please e-mail brooke.averill@gmail.com for more details!

The MMRF is currently promoting a program called “You’ve Got Our Back”. In return for $500, companies that sponsor our Chicago Marathon team will get their logo on 300-plus shirts worn by our team and supporters at the marathon. Additionally, the companies will receive national goodwill publicity. If you know of a company that might be interested in supporting an awesome cause, please e-mail me at brady.jean@gmail.com for details. The deadline is June 25.

Training

During a recent trip home, I had the opportunity to run with Brooke. In an e-mail exchange following our run, she said our roles have reversed. When we were younger, Brooke easily left me in her dust. She was a track star; I golfed. But during our run two weeks ago, I “kicked” her butt. “I used to be the one to always beat you, but now you're well ahead!” she said.

We’ll see about that. I think we’re both going to have an excellent race on Oct. 10! I envision us crossing the finish line hand-in-hand.

Before we reach the finish line, we have to properly train. We each kicked off our 18-week training plans on June 7. One week down, 17 weeks to go!

Chicago Marathon information

Some of you have expressed interest in attending the Chicago Marathon on Oct. 10 (Sunday). Please come! We’d love to have a giant cheering section! If you’re on the fence, I still encourage you to book your hotel room now for the best rate and location. You can always cancel if you choose not to come. But if you wait to book, you might be left with few hotel options and high prices.

Bidding on a hotel through priceline.com is an excellent way to score a deal. You can’t pick your hotel, but you can pick your location (neighborhood area) and name your price. I’ve stayed in four-star hotels in Minneapolis, Chicago and Detroit for between $60 and $80 because of priceline.com.

Click the below links for additional information:


Hotel, transportation and tourism information

Hotel distance matrix

Priceline


Best,

Brady and Brooke

P.S. If you'd like to donate to our cause, you can do so by going here.

"I don't talk while running." -- my sister, Brooke

I received an e-mail this week with the subject line: May 25. My cousin wanted to remind me that May 25 was the date of my last post.

Oopsie.

I can explain my absence. I was in Minnesota from June 2-6, and I spent June 8-12 touring ballparks with Ben. But, sigh, here I am, back on my couch, with a few minutes to blog.

During my trip to Minnesota, I was finally able to run with my sister. I hadn't run with her since she signed up for the Chicago Marathon, and even though we're separated by about an eight-hour drive, it's important to me that we train "together."

When I woke up Thursday (June 3), I immediately dressed in my running clothes even though my sister Brooke had to work (she's not a morning runner...yet) because I was intent on running. I knew if I didn't push for a run, it wouldn't happen. Brooke was less enthusiastic about running, but I convinced her to go with me before dinner. Before leaving, she grabbed her iPod and told me, "I don't talk while running." Her husband turned to me and said straight-faced, "She doesn't like to talk when she runs."

How am I going to get through 26.2 miles running with my sister in silence? Nuh uh. No thanks. There will be talking. Not a lot, but there will be some conversation. Growing up, I was the one who talked and she listened. So I totally get how she likes her silence. But...words will be exchanged on Oct. 10. And she'll like it.

Run Forrest Run

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.

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!

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

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.

Born to Run

I'm starting to read "Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen" by Christopher McDougall. It's timely that I'm reading this book because I am running again! Yippee!

I had a follow-up visit with my doctor (note to self: send this man a "thank you" card) Thursday, and he gave me the green light to start running, albeit, slowly. I wasted no time. With wobbly nervous legs, I walked straight to my gym after work that day and onto the treadmill (I changed into running clothes first, of course), and I ran two miles. Before I got injured, I rarely ran anything shorter than three miles. So, back on the treadmill to run for the first time in 10 weeks, I wanted to run and run and run. Pre-injury Brady would have kept on runnin'. Post-injury Brady is smart and knows she'll break her heel again if she doesn't take her return to running seriously.

I ran Sunday and Monday, but I took today off -- from running, that is. I still biked for an hour. During this transition to running and even afterward, I plan on biking. Biking while injured (BWI) helped me get to where I am today -- a state where I might even be more fit than I was prior to my injury. I thought I might feel out of breath or my legs might feel heavy when I went for my first run. But I felt great. Granted, it was only two miles. But I think I can thank BWI for staying in shape and sane.

More running-related posts to follow. Yay!