Redemption

Monday mid-morning, I found that zone and that old rhythm for 5 miles. I hit my run with the usual mental toughness I have, my rested body, and the results were much better. Sunday was a good day to take off, my body needed it.

My day off Sunday consisted of Tigers baseball, Red Wings hockey, and the delicacies that go along with those two things. I got some carbs my body truly needed, and felt the result on Monday.

This evening, I had another good run. I laid around for a bit before going running, to get some food and recharge. Then, the sky was dark, as a storm was brewing. I quickly checked the weather, and saw I could get a good run in before the rain came. I ran a new 4.5 mile route (a loop, my favorite kind of runs), and locked in, pushing the tempo and my body. I lifted weights in the morning before work, and sometimes you never know what kind of run you'll have that evening, but today I was pushed by the weather (not that it matters if I get wet while running).

Over the past year of training, I've found you've got to find different ways to push yourself (while not running) to make yourself stronger, better. Last year, I made several dietary changes, from cutting out mayonnaise and cheese from my sandwiches, to a strict diet of chicken, pork, and turkey. This past winter, I joined Powerhouse gym, which came with a free personal trainer, which I of course took advantage of. I started my first program in the end of December, and it took a while to adjust and get it set into my routine.

After Miami in January, I really locked in, hitting the gym regularly 4 times a week (when I was in town), and usually at least 2 times per week. I started my second program in mid-March, upping the quantity of exercises, repetitions, and weight and continued my 4 times/week regimen. On Sunday, while staying in Ann Arbor with friends, I awoke to a surprise on the scale- an 8 pound loss since December! My mileage was down, but running and lifting (many times both in the same day) had yielded good results. I also am noticing this in my running, as I am able to run at a faster pace. I'm hoping this yields significant improvement on my time in Chicago, as well as feeling stronger later in the race. I hope to start a new program sometime in the next month.

Sometimes they're good, sometimes they're bad

So yesterday morning, I forced myself to a 5 mile run. I say forced, because Friday I ran 5 miles, and biked 20 more. Logic would have told me to take it easy, but being the competitor that I am, I went out for an out and back on my typical run.

I tried to take it easy, but I had no legs. It was also 75F, and I'm just getting my body in tune to running in the hotter temperatures. As I approached the 4 mile turnaround, I was struggling, but I rounded that corner to go another half mile. And I paid for it. I ended up walking quite a bit of the return.

There's a hill on my route that is pretty steep, about .25 miles long, and I usually put on some good music (Lately, Eminem's "Till I Collapse"), and rock it out. I can usually attack it with a ton of energy, even though its at the end of the run. However this run, I was not able to attack with such ferocity. I made it home, exhausted, and drank to G2's.

Lessons learned:

-When tired after a day of tough workouts, ease self into workout. A 4 mile run or even another bike would have been better.

-Don't run so late in the morning! It was 11:30 by the time I started running. The blacktop was really hot, and I had no shade for the run.

-Don't wait so long after eating. I ate breakfast nearly 2 hours prior. At that time of the day, I was probably pretty empty in my stomach.

What's next? I'm taking today off (going to Tigers Game!) Time to rest and recharge after 3 runs and a bike ride in 4 days. I'll get back at it tomorrow morning!

A Long Road Back

Welcome to by Blog! I've created this to track my training for the 2009 Chicago Marathon.

First, for a little history about me. I played hockey throughout High School, and worked hard to make the Varsity team my Junior year. I ran cross country to help get in better shape for hockey, and it was mission accomplished! I ran track my Junior year, competing in the mile, again to stay in shape for hockey. My Senior year, I ran cross country again, running faster times (not Varsity though), and was a starter for the hockey team.

When I arrived at college, I had quit running, and played hockey sparingly. My Junior year of College, I decided to train and run a half marathon here in Kalamazoo (I went to college at Western Michigan University). I struggled through the race and finished, however fell out of favor with running shortly thereafter. I never found the desire to run after that. I ran a little throughout my Senior year of college.

After graduating in the beginning of July, I moved to Orlando, Florida to start my career. I actually ran before my first day to calm the nerves! My journey back started with a commitment with my High School Buddy Justin to run a 5K on Thanksgiving, back in Lansing (which has since become a tradition). To accomplish this, I started running slowly- first around the block, then adding distance. By the time I left Orlando in April to return to Kalamazoo, I was running 3 or 4 days a week 4 miles.

The next year (last year), I decided to run the Kalamazoo half marathon again, and bested by previous time by 13 minutes! After a vacation to China, I decided to train for a marathon. At that point, I needed something to focus my running on. I had redeemed myself my running the half marathon, and needed a new running challenge. I spent the entire summer giving up my Friday nights to eat pasta and wake up at 6:00 Saturday morning to make my long runs with Kalamazoo's Marathon Training group. I even scheduled a trip to Chicago around my training. I ran the Detroit Marathon in 4:55, which was the most tiring, yet one of the most rewarding experiences.

After Detroit, I had the running bug. I ran a Half Marathon in Miami in January of this year, and then 2 more Halfs- one during a "Solo Marathon" and the Kalamazoo race for my third time.

My sister Erin (based in Chicago) and I decided to both run the Chicago Marathon in October to raise money for the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) to help those suffering with Brain Tumors. I am looking forward to sharing the training experience with her, as well as the joy of completing a marathon. For more about her, check out her blog at http://lifeontheruninchi.blogspot.com/.

Why ABTA? On my 8th Birthday, I was supposed to go to a Detroit Tigers game with my dad and one of my buddies. Unfortunately, he was admitted to the hospital, and diagnosed with a Brain Tumor, with surgery the next day. The next 2 years, my sisters Erin and Emily and I watched his battle, from treatments of radiation and chemotherapy to his returning to work, and ultimate passing at our house on May 14, 1994 (during one of my baseball games). Erin and I hope the money we raise will help those suffering with a Brain Tumor and their families.

We thank you for all of your support, and keep checking out both of our blogs to stay tuned for training updates!