Putting the Pieces Together

I don't "officially" start training for the marathon until June 6... it's an 18-week program. For now, I've been running between 3-5 miles. I'm trying to get my body adjusted to running again (I went nearly 5-6 months without running on a regular basis). The good news is, I can run 3-5 miles. The bad news is, I'm not quite in running condition. I really have to push myself to keep running and to not give up. I know as soon as I allow myself to take a break and walk during these "short runs", I will continue to do so time after time. Eventually, it will effect my ability to complete long runs (ex. 18 miles in training week 13). My friend Sue ran the marathon a few years ago and has been giving me some advice. She told me as long as I can run 6 miles by the start of June, I should be okay with the real training. I have some serious work to do.

I've decided to follow Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon Training Program. He really explains the nature of the training program, especially for the rookies. I'll be doing short runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with a long run on Saturdays. Mondays and Fridays are reserved for rest; my muscles will need to to regenerate and get stronger. I will also be doing some sort of cross-training on Sundays (ex. swimming, cycling, walking). The training program is intense, but it will also help me build the endurance I need to complete 26.2 miles.

Due to the rainy weather in Chicago last week, I was only able to run once. It rained almost every day, with the exception of Saturday. It was 70 degrees and sunny! I went for a 4.4 mile run along the lake and I think I managed to get a little sun action! I'll have to remember to put sunscreen on next time. I'm so thankful for the water stations along the lake. The water is always cold and rehydrates me just when I need it.

Running for a charity is a great way to stay motivated. Here is a perfect example:

About two weeks ago I was on the last mile of my run and I was feeling really tired. I wanted to stop and walk, but I kept telling myself "only 1 more mile." As I was in the middle of this mantra, I saw a van for Children's Memorial Hospital drive by. As soon as I saw the words, "where kids come first", I knew I had to keep running. Seeing the Children's Memorial bus at that very moment was just the motivation I needed to continue running. I raised my head,

put on a smile and said, "I'm doing this for you".

Please, watch this video and learn more about why I decided to run for Children's Memorial Hospital. So far, I have raised $40 of my $600 goal. Thank you to Traci, Ray and Julie for donating! Please spread the word to your families and friends and help me achieve my fundraising goal!

A Poetic Relationship

The weather has warmed up quite a bit in Chicago, causing runners to ditch the treadmill and hit the pavement. I can't really complain, because I am one of these runners. I am lucky enough to live only 2 blocks from Lake Michigan; I often find myself running along the lakeshore. Allow me to describe the setting of my running path:

As I run east on Fullerton, I can see the beautiful blue Lake Michigan. Once I run under the Lake Shore Drive overpass, I head south along the running path - towards downtown. It's gorgeous. I can see both the John Hancock Building and the Willis 'Sears' Tower. I can also see the Ferris Wheel at Navy Pier and Castaways at North Avenue Beach. Talk about motivation! The view from the lakeshore running path is breathtaking. If I am really lucky, I can hear the waves crash onto the beach (just as long as traffic on Lake Shore Drive isn't insane).

Though I don't live anywhere tropical, living so close to Lake Michigan helps me feel like I do.

Now, onto the real topic of this blog post... bikers vs. runners. It's a dangerous relationship. The lakeshore path is home to many: bikers, runners, walkers and rollerbladers. As a runner, I try to stay as far right on the path as a I can. This allows other pedestrians to pass me. However, I quickly learned that it is not a wise idea to pass another pedestrian without giving a quick look over the shoulder. If I fail to do so, I risk putting my life in danger to bikers who rule the path. Some bikers are out for a lovely stroll, however some bikers are intense athletes who cruise at high speeds. I fear the day when we ultimately have a collision. I can see it now... I finally set my running pace and feel comfortable with the rate I am at while jamming to Lady Gaga's Poker Face on my iPod. I decide to pass a Trixie who is walking her twins in a double-sided stroller and I forget the cardinal rule... look over your shoulder! BAM! There is biker/runner collision with a group of 25 people mouthing "Ooo!" to themselves. Give it time. It will happen.

I hope you enjoy the cartoon above. It makes me laugh, because there are far too many "serious runners" in the Chi. We are Midwesterners for goodness sake! Perk up and give your fellow runner a smile! It will make you feel good inside, trust me.

~ Just keep running