This obviously wasn’t the race I wanted, the race I trained for, but it was the race it was. I spent a lot of time on Sunday thinking “3:44. That’s a stupid, ugly number,” but a lot of that anger has melted. I’m cutting a lot of the pre-race info for length, but my mom …
As I mentioned, I decided to run my very first half marathon as a tune-up for the Wisconsin Marathon in May. While it was convenient (practically my backyard), the race gods didn’t want to make it too easy on me. While we never got the snow we were promised, we DID get 25-degree windchill, and …
It’s been a really long time since I dreaded a race. In fact, I don’t remember the last time that happened. Before I go any further, I want to emphasize that my feelings about this race had nothing to do with the race itself, its organizers (Fleet Feet), or anything of the like. It’s not …
Like many of you out there, I ran in a Turkey Trot this Thanksgiving weekend. Come to think of it, it was my first Turkey Trot ever… Huh. I was itching to update my short-distance PRs post-Twin Cities, and this was the perfect opportunity to stretch those sprinting muscles. My goal for this race was …
The rumblings of a cold-weather marathon started ten days out, approximately about as far out as weather groups predict. This is in no way a coincidence. As has already been discussed, a group of my pals decided to forgo Chicago Marathon for Twin Cities in search of cooler temperatures. With weather threatening to dip into …
Don’t worry, guys. I didn’t fall off of the face of the planet. I just fell down a mountain. But my legs were moving so it was technically considered running. I also travelled a bit after the race – including a stint in San Diego and Alta, UT – and am now working full-time. LIFE …
The past week has been a bit of a whirlwind. I took the Bar exam on Tuesday and Wednesday, and I was incredibly lucky to have Penguin here to make sure I was eating and sleeping. Not only was it great to have his support, but it was great to be able to have date nights, …
Much like Punxsutawney Phil, I’ve finally popped my head up out of the hole that was my weekend at Breckenridge, and blinking, stepped into the sun. Verdict? Apparently Spring [Break] came early this year, as my REAL last official Spring Break actually started last night at 5:30. That being said, while I don’t have classes, …
“Peculiar travel suggestions are dancing lessons from God.” – Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle So the great road trip of 2012 has come to a close. Well, it came to a close Monday at approx. 9:27p.m. when I flung myself into my apartment, disheveled and in desperate need of Thai food. It’s funny how I could …
This past weekend, I had the opportunity to run the Santa Hustle 5k in Chicago as a member of Team Back on my Feet. It was the second time I’ve run this race, the first in 2009. The weather was pretty miserable both years (2009 was freezing and icy; 2011 was freezing and rainy), and …
Because I’m still in recovery mode, and have logged a whopping 12+ miles in the last two weeks, there hasn’t been a ton to report on the “training” front. I’m still working through my racing schedule with Penguin, and once that’s set up, I’ll be lacing up more frequently. In the meantime, I’ve been trying … Continue reading »
Holy pollen alert. How is it nearly June? In case you missed it, the 5,000+ runners who were unable to finish the Boston Marathon this year have been invited back in 2014 to finish what they started. If you’re still hoping to qualify for 2014 and like reading bad news about your chances, the Boston … Continue reading »
Cause we are We are shining stars We are invincible We are who we are On our darkest day When we’re miles away So we’ll come We will find our way home If you’re lost and alone Or you’re sinking like a stone Carry on May your past be the sound Of your feet upon … Continue reading »
Happy Sloth-Mode Monday! Before we get to ANY running links, I have to share this incredible video from Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield. If you don’t know who Commander Hadfield is, he’s changing the way science interacts with the general population – actively Tweeting, providing incredible photography, and even participating in a Reddit AMA (all while … Continue reading »
Today, after a week of no aerobic activity, I made the mistake of awakening the metabolic monster with my first swim since.. well, I ran Twin Cities Marathon in October. I’m officially starving, but that’s not what this is about. Penguin and I discussed a 10-day rest period post-Wisconsin where I couldn’t run, but I could swim … Continue reading »
First and foremost, I have to share this amazing moment from the Wisconsin Marathon. As you all know by now, the last few miles were… difficult? Painful? Ugly? Think Biggest Loser – Week 3: after their spirit has been broken and rebuilt, but before they’re actually good at the challenges. Needless to say, a photographer … Continue reading »
This week’s links have a certain, unintentional theme. Whether it’s the current state of my legs driving my article selection, or the running journalists’ general response to the completion of the first marathon cycle of the year, PAIN dominates this week. Runners have a special relationship with pain. These tips for how to get to … Continue reading »
here is the deepest secret nobody knows (here is the root of the root and the bud of the bud and the sky of the sky of a tree called life; which grows higher than soul can hope or mind can hide) and this is the wonder that’s keeping the stars apart i carry your … Continue reading »
Turns out the cool-down isn’t nearly as important as a warm-up, but all of this is really just a “Choose Your Own Adventure” book, right? We all have things about race day that leave us a little dry-mouthed. Here are some ways to overcome some of those mental block hot spots. Longevity in sport, overcoming … Continue reading »
I’m to the point in my pre-race jitters that I’m Googling inspirational running quotes and trying to find a home in between the punctuation marks. Here’s to eight more days of nausea! Continue reading »
