Running in 'style'

If you were to ask my friends and family, they would tell you that there are many things that I am, but a fashionista is not one of them (much to several of my younger sister's chagrin). Luckily, when it comes to running, form is not nearly as important as function. That's not to say that you have to dress to scare passing motorists when you go for your runs, but comfort and safety is much more important that color-coordination in this sport. While you can run in an old t-shirt ans sweatpants/shorts, as your runs get longer and the weather becomes less ideal, you will find that come changes to your wardrobe can help make your runs much more enjoyable. Starting from the feet up, lets get a quick overview of things to consider in your running apparel...

Inside those nice running shoes you purchased is probably the most important piece of equipment when it comes to avoiding blisters. This would be your socks. As will be repeated in many of the clothing selections you will make, cotton is not desirable. Companies such as Balga (all my current socks are this brand) have a variety of thicknesses of running socks available, and once you try running socks instead of your standard cotton socks, you will appreciate the difference. Running socks tend to 'breath' better, keeping your feet cool and dry. This really helps to avoid blisters and keeps you comfortable. The thickness of sock you choose is based on personal preference, get a pair or two of a variety of thicknesses, run in them for a while, and decide which you find most comfortable. Also, it may be that as the weather changes you wand a different density of sock. In my case, I have thicker socks for cooler weather, and very thin socks for hot/wet weather runs.

The apparel available for your lower body comes in a huge variety, from full leggings to shorts/capris, and even running skirts! Gone are the days when running meant ultra-short shorts that risked getting you fined for indecent exposure. Go to any running shop and they will have a wide selection of clothing that can show or cover as much of your 'rear view' as you are comfortable with. Running shorts typically include a 'liner' that help provide a little support while the shorts themselves allow for a 'breezy' feel. Tights/leggings provide support for your leg muscles and can be helpful in avoiding chafing, but do not provide much in the way of modesty (perfect for showing off those firm runners legs). Running skirts (for girls, obviously) are a relatively new addition to the apparel industry, they typically include a spandex shorts liner connected to a flattering short skirt. This provides support and chafing protection while also making your rear and thighs a little less of a display. Whatever you choose, look for leggings that include Dri-fit, Duo-Dri, or other types of fabrics that wick moisture away from your body.

Sports bras are a concern for female runners, and are up there with socks on an importance factor. As will most of the other clothing, look for fabrics that wick away moisture from your skin. Moisture against your skin is uncomfortable and can lead to chafing. Before you purchase new sports bras, spend a minute confirming your appropriate bra size. This can be done at home with a tape measure or (my personal favorite) at many lingerie stores. Look for sports bras that have the stitching on the outside and smooth seams. Whether you choose a pull-over, zip-front, or clasp-back style is personal preference, although there some women with larger chests may feel they don't get enough support from the pull-over types.

Running shirts (sometimes referred to as Tech shirts) come in a variety of styles, so let temperature and personal preference guide your decisions here. Again, chose wicking fabrics to help you stay comfortable. These shirts come in long-sleeve, short-sleeve, and tank varieties typically. I tend to prefer a T-shirt/short-sleeve style for my warm weather runs, although my Team in Training jersey is a tank. In colder weather the long-sleeve shirts can help you stay warm and can easily be layered under jackets.

With these basic piece of equipment you are well on your way to comfortable (and stylish) runs. You can look at adding accessories such as belts that hold water bottles, wind breakers, hats, heart-rate/pace monitors, etc. as you progress in your running, but those are not necessary to get out on the road itself. I didn't add any of these types of items to my arsenal until I was running weekend runs of 6+ miles, when water stops may be a little harder to come by.

Well, get out there and stop traffic!

Common Mistakes of New Runners

First off, let me apologize for not having posted in almost a month. I am in the final push before graduation and have been focusing on term papers and my senior thesis. After all, I haven't paid all this money for college just to slouch during my last semester, right? Anyway, assuming you all forgive my procrastination, lets move on to the topic of common mistakes to avoid when you start running.

I'm assuming by now that you've all gone to a great running store and have nice, high quality running shoes. You've started to feel the joy of the road under your feet and maybe are even thinking about signing up for some of the multitude of charity races and fun runs that start up with spring. Maybe you're even thinking you could do a marathon or half-marathon. All these goals are great, and races are a blast, but don't let these common misconceptions and mistakes (in no particular order) throw your training off track or take you out of running altogether. Each of these mistakes is a complex issue that I plan on delving into in depth in later columns, but for now here's a general overview...

1. Not having the proper gear: Without going into a wealth of detail about moisture-wicking gear, seamless socks, and proper eyewear, let me say that you should be comfortable. If your current wardrobe chafes, sags, rides up, and/or causes blisters, you may want to look at changing the fashion statement. If your current shorts and a T-shirt works for you, that's fine, but you may find that as your miles increase what was once a comfortable outfit now rubs you the wrong way. Evaluate how you feel after each run, a little chafing one day can be a big pain on a long run.

2. Increasing your mileage too quickly: This is most commonly known as the 10% rule. What this means is that as you are training you should not increase your overall mileage by more than 10% each week (10 miles one week leads to 11 miles the next). Increasing your mileage too quickly is not just asking for an injury but basically just daring the running deities to smite you. Although early in your running career this rule can feel very restrictive (it's easy to overestimate what your body can withstand), it is essential to avoid joint and tendon injuries that could take you out of commission for weeks or months at a time.

3. Not taking rest days: Many people fear that if they take a day off from their new routine they will 'fall off the wagon' and either lose conditioning and/or stop running altogether. Although it may seem counter-intuitive to the newly active person, it is essential to take days off where you do not run. This does not mean that you just lie on the couch and order pizza on these days, it simply means that this is a day when you do not do a structured exercise activity. These days (you should have at least 1 every week) are what gives your muscles a chance to rest and repair from the work you've been putting them through. Rest days are also important if you are injured or sick, as your body needs to divert the energy it would normally send to your workout to healing. When you first start running, you may need more rest days each week, and as you get in better shape you may be able to decrease the number of days you take off. You will learn to listen to your body.

4. Running the same route each day: Humans are creatures of habit, and it is easy to return to a favorite restaurant, favorite color, and favorite route to and from a location. This is good if it means that you find a route that cuts your morning commute to work, but in the case of running it can be a subtle enemy to progression and injury prevention. Always running on the same surface can increase stress on your joints if you are always running on concrete and/or pavement. Running on sloped roads in the same direction every day can lead to joint injuries due to muscle and joints constantly compensating for the uneven terrain. Varying your route doesn't mean you have to drive all over the state to try new routes, it can be as simple as running a new route in your neighborhood or doing a workout at your local high-school track.

5. Skipping the cross-training: As you are learning to make running a part of your life, it can seem overwhelming to try to fit in 'more' activity in the form of cross-training. However, especially when you are just starting your running training, you can easily alternate days of running with cross-training instead of adding in more days of activity on top of 4-5 days of running. Cross-training allows your running muscles to relax a bit and muscles that slack off while you are running to get taken to school. Strength training, swimming, biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, aerobic classes, yoga, Pilates, etc. are all examples of cross-training. Not only do these activities help avoid overuse injuries, but can create a variety in your workouts that make a week of active living much more enjoyable. This also gives you a chance to try new activities that could grow into a passion to complement your running.

6. Running through the pain: Pain is different from soreness. A little soreness in your muscles is to be expected as you try new activities. Pain, whether a dull ache or a shooting or stabbing sensation, is a distinct feeling. Pain is your bodies way of warning you that an injury is possible if you continue down the path you are currently taken. Whether it is from a fall, stepping wrong and twisting your ankle, or the progressive pain of runner's knee or shin splints, you should never grit your teeth and run through the pain. 'No pain, no gain' is an outdated concept, but any trip to a local running event will show you a wealth of taped/wrapped/iced people who obviously still subscribe to this notion. If you experience pain, stop the activity and make an appointment with a sports medicine doctor.

7. Not letting yourself have fun: Why would you keep doing an activity that you do not enjoy? You may start out being active to help improve your health, lose weight, win a bet, or whatever your motivation may be. This is fine when you first start, as when you start a new activity you will see improvements in large amounts over a short period of time. As those pants start to get loose or your blood pressure decreases, it is easy to justify the time and effort involved in running. But what happens when your blood pressure is stable and you've reached your weight goal? Then fun becomes your primary motivation. If you approach each run as a job, the fun factor is going to decline very quickly. Take the time to enjoy the beauty around you, wave at kids at the park, pet the dog being walked on the trail, and run at a pace that is comfortable for you. My personal goal is to start each run smiling and end the same way.

Remember, first and foremost running is supposed to be something you can and will enjoy doing for the rest of your life. Avoid these common mistakes and you are on your way to making fitness a daily dose of sanity instead of a painful slog. That's what we all have our career for, right?

I'll see you around the bend...

Finding the right shoes

I thought that it might be time to review some of the basics for running, for those of you out there who are looking to start training for an event. This is also a good opportunity for me to refresh my memory on all those little things (like injury prevention and proper running gear) that may start to be forgotten by seasoned runners. In this spirit, coming blog posts will focus on a topics such as running gear, training programs, book review, etc. in addition to updating you on my current training and event status. Let's start with the foundation of your running career, your running shoes...

Proper equipment is necessary for any activity. A doctor must have her stethoscope, a pilot must have a plane, and a runner must have the proper shoes. However, too often people get caught up so much in the flash and style of advertising, what the celebrities are telling you to wear, and what brand name you think you should own that the nuts and bolts of proper running shoes get lost in the shuffle. There are many factors to consider when buying shoes, ranging from things as simple as getting the proper size to complexities like special adjustments and inserts specifically made for your feet and body. A reputable store, such as Fleet Feet (http://www.fleetfeetmadison.com) and Berkeley Running Company (http://www.berkeleyrunningcompany.com) in Madison, can help you review shoes to determine the proper selection for you, but it is important that you have an understanding of these factors, how to evaluate them, and their importance so that you can make the informed decision.

There are several things that you can do before you leave for your shoe-shopping trip that will help to ensure that you purchase the proper shoes for you. Most people are used to buying shoes based on price or cosmetic features, but purchasing athletic shoes can require people to look at and understand parts of shoe design and mechanics few of us have ever learned about. A knowledgeable customer should know a variety of terms to help them narrow their shoe search.Important terms suggested by the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine³ include:

• Outer-sole: the outermost, treaded part of the sole or base of the shoe
• Upper: the uppermost part of the shoe that encloses your foot and has the laces attached to it
• Midsole: the part of the shoe between the upper and the outer-sole. This portion of the shoe is important for shock absorption and stability during running.
• Sockliner: the liner found inside the shoe
• Counter: a rigid piece of material that surrounds and stabilizes the heel

You should also determine the amount and type of running you intend to do. How far will you run and on what type of surfaces can be useful in determining they type of shoes you may want to purchase⁴. Shop for shoes later in the day or after a run, as your feet will likely be a little swollen^{1, 2, 4}. Be sure to bring the type of socks you intend to wear while running to the store and wear them when you try on shoes^{1,2, 4} as the thickness of the socks can directly affect the fit of the shoes.

It is also important to determine your foot type (normal, high arched, or flat footed) to help you in selecting proper shoes. This can be done in several ways. One way is by having a friend help you measure the length of your feet while you are sitting and standing¹. If your feet stay the same length while you are sitting and standing, you have high-arches and may supinate or overpronate (roll outward)¹. If your feet lengthen by a quarter-inch or more when you stand up, you probably have flat feet that pronate or turn inward when they hit the ground¹. A foot length change of less than a quarter-inch indicates normal feet that are fairly stable and do not roll¹. Another way to determine your foot type and roll is to evaluate your current running shoes (if you have any) and see if there is any excessive wear on the inner or outer edges of the sole⁴.You may tend to pronate if the wear appears mostly on the inside sole, supinate if the wear is on the outside edge of the sole⁴. You can also evaluate your foot shape by stepping on a paper bag with the bottom of your foot wet and observing the imprint that is left⁴. If the band connecting the heel and toe of your foot is less than half the total width of your foot, you pronate⁴. If the connecting imprint is lacking any curve and/or the imprint shows almost your entire foot, you have flat feet and will overpronate⁴. If it is determined that your feet pronate or supinate, it is possible to purchase shoes and/or custom inserts to address these mechanical issues and avoid joint injury. With this knowledge you are ready to head to the shoe store.

Size is probably one of the first things most people think about when purchasing shoes.However, much like with clothing, different brands with the same tag size can fit differently. It is imperative that you try on shoes before purchasing them to make sure that they fit you correctly. A correct fit can be determined by a knowledgeable salesperson at a running store using a few key factors. There should be a half-inch space between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe², this can be estimated by ensuring that your thumb fits between the tip of your toes and the front of the shoe⁴. The heel and upper should fit snugly without pinching or allowing your foot to slide⁴. Be sure to try on both shoes at the same time³, as one foot may be slightly bigger than the other. To ensure that the shoes will remain comfortable, you should run around the block or on a treadmill if available⁴ before agreeing to purchase the shoes.

Once you have your new shoes, it is important to keep them in good condition and replace them as necessary. Wear running shoes only for running² to help them maintain their cushion and traction. If they become dirty, do not put them in commercial washing machines or dryers².Hand wash the shoes with commercial shoe care products and stick bundled newspaper inside them to help them dry². Running shoes must be replaced at the end of their usable mileage in order to avoid injuries from poor cushion^2,3. It is suggested that you replace your shoes after they have logged about 400 miles of running^1,2. This may be before the shoes shoe visable signs of wear, but the mid-sole of many shoes is already breaking down at this point, and it is what supplies the majority of the cushion for the shoe², and the shoes may begin to lose some of their stability³. Purchasing 2 pairs of running shoes can allow you to alternate between the pairs, increasing the life expectancy of each pair² while also allowing the shoes time to regain their initial shape¹.

Running is a healthy form of aerobic activity as long as it is performed in a safe and controlled manner. Proper running shoes are the first line of defense against injuries that could sidetrack or eliminate your ability to train and compete. However, purchasing proper running shoes is more complex than simply walking into you local bargain store and buying the least expensive or most popular brand. While the proper preparation and research can slightly increase the time it takes to purchase proper shoes, the rewards of a pain-free fitness routine make the inconvience minimal. By evaluating your foot shape and size, purchasing your shoes later in the day, and properly caring for and replacing your shoes, you can take the main steps toward preventing injury in your running routine.

Happy shoe shopping!

References

¹Moore, Tonia. (April 17, 2007). How to Choose Running Shoes. Retrieved April 25, 2008. http://healthresources.caremark.com/topic/runningshoes

²Liberman, Art. Marathon Training Program: Choosing the Right Shoes. Retrieved April 25, 2008. http://www.marathontraining.com/marathon/m_shoes.html

³Pribute, Stephen M. D.P.M., F.A.A.P.S.M. Selecting a Running Shoe. Retrieved April 25, 2008. http://www.aapsm.org/selectingshoes.html

⁴Ray, Jeff. How to Choose a Running Shoe. Retrieved April 25, 2008. http://www.therunningadvisor.com/running_shoes.html

Race Report

I'll say that the event started the night before, with an inspiration dinner that let us all know that what we do is important and honored the people that we are doing this for. John "The Penguin" Bingham (http://www.johnbingham.com/) was our keynote speaker, and let me tell you he really knows how to take what is starting to become a very nerve-wracking wait for the start line and turn it into a joyful celebration of what running can do to inspire people.


For those of you who don't know John, he's an inspirational speaker and prolific writer on the topic of running who's had columns in Running and Competitor Magazines as well as publishing several books. Probably one of his most famous quotes is "The miracle isn't that I finished, the miracle is that I had the courage to start.". If at any point you start to wonder why you decided to start this crazy running journey, go to his website and click on pretty much any page and you wil be reminded. He is a HUGE supporter of Team in Training and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, he lost his high school sweetheart to blood cancer in college. He had us laughting throughout the dinner, which was a great way to relieve some (pretty severe) nerves. I think my favorite part was when he warned all the friends and family in the audience that the runners would have "the emotional stability of a 2-year-old" the following day.


We had a quick team meeting after dinner to discuss the itinerary and plans for race day, logistics on the shuttle from the finish line, our umpteenth reminder to check in at the TNT tent when we finish, and an inspirational moment thinking about why we are doing this event and all the money and awareness we raised for cancer research. Coach Art let us know that although he was not running in the race tomorrow, he would be at various places along the course to cheer us on and help us out if we needed it. Any TNT coach along the course was there for our support, and let me tell you, around mile 11 I needed it (see later). We then spent a little time decorating our running jerseys with our names, names of people we were running in honor of, etc. I determined that I have no ability to iron, I had to call in reinforcements (thanks Mike) to get my iron-on name to stay on my shirt. But it was worth it because it let me here alot of 'Go Jo' on the course :)

Race day started bright an early at 4:30 a.m. in the hotel lobby. The entire TNT team that was in New Orleans for the event walked to the starting line together using a New Orleans tradition called the 'second line'. It was basically a mini-parade, we even had a brass band playing to lead us there. Anywhere else I'm sure that a brass band at 5 a.m. would have had people cursing out their hotel windows at us, but it's just another day in New Orleans. The walk to the starting area was about a mile (a good warm-up), and the sun was just starting to come over the horizon when we got to our corrals to start. Being that I was in corral 20, it took me 38 minutes from the starting gun at 7 to cross the start line, but then the real party got started!

TNT Team WI!!!

Mile 1: Mardi Gras World! This is the area of New Orleans where they design and store all the Mardi Gras floats every year. For the first mile or so of the run we saw previous floats parked along the roadside, they were smaller than I imagined. But after seeing how narrow the streets are in New Orleans, I understand why! There was a jazz band playing right after the start line, helping to get the blood flowing for a long journey. The first several miles of the journey had the full- and half-marathoners running together. I didn't realize how many people 'dressed up' for these things! I saw 2 women in full poodle skirt outfits, a guy running with a (working) electric guitar, a man running backwards, and a couple dressed as a chicken and an egg (I wonder who finished first...?) I was feeling good, kept my pace slow as Coach recommended, smiling and enjoying the music.

Mile 3.5: Just after the 5K mark, and my pace was right about where I wanted it at a 12-minute mile (official 5K time 36:21). Still feeling good, running for 8 minutes then walking for 2 as I have throughout training. I was glad to see alot of other people doing a similar thing, I was kind of worried when I started that I was going to be the 'wimpy' one walking and being passed by everyone else. Apparently, there are many people who decide that these races should be more fun/less punishment and go a little easier on their bodies. Let me tell you, by mile 9 I was glad I wasn't running the whole thing (more on that in a minute). Coach Art was running TNT coach support at this point of the race, he hopped out to run with me for a minute, see how I was doing, and snap a (fairly flattering) picture of my grin at that point of the day! I told him my goal was to smile the whole race!

3.5 miles and still smiling!

Mile 4: The full-marathoners peeled off for their 4 mile loop through Audobon Park, I got to take the 'short cut' directly up to St. Charles Avenue. This was a boulevard, the half-marathoners were on the right side, the full-marathoners that had already gone through Audobon Park were on the left. Although I had taken water at the previous water stops, this was the point where I started to feel like I was actually getting thirsty, so I decided to try the Cytomax (sports drink) that was being supplied for the race. It wasn't bad, but it was really sweet. I think they mix it a little heavy for the runners since we need to stay hydrated and such. I could tell we were going along the Mardi Gras parade routes when I looked up into trees and power lines covered in beads! I wonder if the local birds use those beads to make their nests look more 'festive'?

Mile 6.2: Still on St. Charles street at the 10K mark and still on pace (official 10K time 1:14:06). The architecture was really interesting, older colonial-style houses and magnolia trees the size of actual trees (vs. the small bushes I'm used to seeing in Wisconsin). I got a great little treat when I got to pet a beagle watching the race with her family on the sidewalk. For those of you who don't know me, I have 2 beagles at home and I'm absolutely in love with the breed. The way some people go all 'gushy' when they see a baby is how I react any time I see a beagle. Although I was still feeling pretty good at this point, I was starting to feel my feet. I think it was somewhere along this point that I looked over into the full-marathon section and saw Dano! I'm still not sure how I recognized him, but I gave a "Dano!" cheer and he waved back.


Mile 8: Entering the French Quarter and starting to feel a little tired. We ran along the street that borders the Mississippi River, so we were not deep in the French Quarter, but you could still get a feel for the ambiance and the history of this portion of New Orleans. We ran very close to our hotel at one point, which was actually kinda mean if you think about it. I was wondering if my husband had gotten out of bed yet at that point :). Lots of people was cheering in this area, I'm not sure how many of them were actually there to cheer for the racers and how many were tourists shopping who got caught up in the thrill of the moment, but either way the cheers and applause helped to keep us going.

Mile 11: Somewhere along this mile my feet decided that the less-than-smooth roads we'd been running on were more than they wanted to handle. If you've never had the muscles in your feet cramp up, let me tell you it is not the funnest feeling in the world. It's one thing to happen when you're home and can sit for a while, it another when you are in the last 2 miles of something you've been training months for. Thank goodness for the TNT coach on the sidelines at mile 11. I stopped to ask if he know any stretches I could do to uncramp my feet, he said 'sit down and take off your shoe' than he broke out what I can only best describe as a rolling pin and proceeded to give me a rough (but helpful) foot massage. He warned me that it wouldn't fix the problem, but it would be enough to get me my last 2 miles. He told me to take it easy for the rest of the race and to soak in a tub of ice water when I got back to the hotel (yeah, that's about as fun as it sounds, but trust me it helped). This is about where I started to fall off my goal pace, but I was just hoping to cross the finish line on both feet instead of my hands and knees at that point!

Mile 12: The final mile of the run was in City Park, and the turns in the course meant that you couldn't really see the finish line until you were right on top of it. Consequently, there were alot of people saying 'keep going, it's just around the corner', which was probably true but after running 12+ miles I think my definition of 'just' was a little different than theirs. I started watching for my dear husband at this point, because although he knew my goal pace he had no way of knowing that I hadn't gotten across the start line for over 30 minutes after the original gun. I knew he had a "Go Jo!" sign, and he had told me what he'd be wearing the night before, so I tried to keep an eye on the crowd while also not tripping up any of my fellow competitors.

Mile 13: THERE HE IS! My loveable hubby was standing there on the left sidelines, anxiously watching for me so he could cheer. Poor guy, after watching thousands of runners I think his eyes were starting to glaze over, I could tell he didn't see me yet. So I swung over and gave him a great big kiss! That woke him up, and he started cheering 'Go, Finish!" And finish I did! 2 hours, 49 minutes, and 1 second (2:49:01 in clock speak) after I started, I crossed the finish line, arms held up in a cheer and a big grin on my face!

They gave me my finisher bling (a medal actually made of metal that I can have engraved), I found my hubby in the crowd, and went to check in at the TNT tent. I was hobbling a bit, but I was so proud of myself and all the other competitors, and ecstatic that my husband was there to cheer me on! We gathered my gear and headed to the shuttles and a soak in an icy tub to try to get my feet to stop screaming at me.

Throughout the race there were people cheering, and literally a sea of purple TNT shirts both in the race itself and along the sidelines! The supporters, team member, coaches, and mentors helped me achieve something that I never would have imagined I could do. And although this particular journey has come to an end, I can safely say that running has become a part of my life and that TNT helped to make that possible. I'll need to take a break for hard-core fundraising for a while, but I will be back, and this blog will live on to let you follow my journeys in future races. I've already signed up for:
- a 10K this coming weekend
- the Madison Mini-marathon (http://www.madisonminimarathon.com/) in August!


Although there is a finish line behind me, this journey is just beginning. Let's continue and see where the road (and our cramped and abused, but strong, successful, and healthy feet and legs) can take us.

Final Countdown (insert dramatic music here)

We are entering what could officially be called the final stretch of this journey, with 11 days before we take our foot tour of New Orleans. It's hard to believe that this months-long journey is coming to an end. But the end of one journey just leads to the beginning of another. And I can't wait to see what the future holds!

From a training standpoint things have been going very well. We had our longest training run ever the weekend before last, the full marathoners ran 20 miles (actually 20.72; apparently they took a wrong turn somewhere) and the half-marathoners (that's me) did 9 miles. At the risk of waxing nostalgic, I can remember not that long ago when running 4 miles was a struggle and it was very gratifying to come to the end of that long run and feel like I could have kept going. The cheers from the volunteer rest stop at the end (and the Powerbar gels, yum Double Latte...) made it worth getting out of bed so early that day. If finishing 9 miles was that personally satisfying I can't wait to see what it feels like to finish 13.1 with a large cheering section!

Fundraising has been going fairly well. TNT staffed the concession stands at the sold out Tim McGraw/Lady Antebellum concert here in Madison the other day, the caterer at the Alliant Energy Center (http://www.alliantenergycenter.com) donated a portion of the profits (and any tips) to the TNT members that worked to help meet our fundraising goals. I don't have an official count yet, but if the volume of beer sold is any indication we raked it in. My hand's still sore from opening all those bottles, I have a new respect for bartenders. This weekend we are working the concessions for the Zor Shrine Circus that's in town, hopefully that will help me meet the last of my goal. I'm scheduled to work the Circus from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm, which is gonna make for a long day. I joke that I'll be wearing the red nose and clown shoes by the end of it, but it's kinda neat to see all the excited kids enjoying the show.

On a personal note, after years of illness and several difficult months in the nursing home, my paternal grandfather Frank Leystra passed away 2 weeks ago. Although I haven't mentioned Frank in my blogs previously, he struggled with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) in the last years of his life. I had hoped that he would hang in there long enough for me to show him a picture of me crossing the finish line, helping ensure that others do not suffer as he did, but I know that he will be cheering me on from above. He was a wonderful, caring, funny man who never liked to complain and was always ready with a hug whenever he saw you. He's left a huge hole in the lives of all his kids, grandkids, and will be greatly missed by his wife of 58 years, Dorothy. Do me a favor, in Frank's honor give someone you love a big hug today and let them know how much they mean to you.

Peace.

Florida running

It has been a little while since I posted anything, but I have a really good excuse. Besides the (always hectic) holidays, my husband and I just returned from a well-earned and well-enjoyed vacation in sunny Florida. We stayed at a house my in-laws are renting, and although it was a wonderful place it did not have internet access. The local library had internet but specifically stated that they did NOT have outlets for laptop plug in, so my battery life was spent simply trying to keep up on e-mails. You never realize how "popular" you are until you can only check e-mail once every couple of days. My current record was 63 e-mails at a check, not counting the inevitable spam. And of course my husband wanted to check his as well. A 5 year old laptop leaves a bit to be desired in the battery life under those conditions...

Let me tell you, 10 days sounds like a long vacation until you are there, then suddenly the days fly by! But it was nice to run in a place that wasn't covered in ice and snow, if only for a little while. The rental was in a gated retirement community in Fort Myers, so other than avoiding the occasional golf cart it was a safe and well maintained place to run. I loved being able to see all the birds and palm trees while running, really gave me a pick-me-up. It was easy to get in my proper distance runs because it was almost 4 miles exactly if I did a loop around the community from the house. So when I did go for a run it was the right length. Biggest problem was the inevitable "non-running" days when we had other activities planned. We only planned a few things, but they were intense and I needed time to recover.

We spent our 4-year wedding anniversary at Walt Disney World, which was great! I've never been there and since we only had 2 days we did the "do and die" rush tour of the Magic Kingdom on day 1 and Epcot on day 2. 8 am to 9 pm walking 2 days in a row leaves a mark! We did get to see almost everything that we wanted, though, so that was good. I determined that I could have easily spent another 2 or 3 days at Epcot and still been enjoying myself (assuming they provided some sort of ground transportation between attractions, my feet would have rebelled). So when we got back we spent an entire day just lounging. I did got for an 8-mile run that weekend, though. We also did a full-day tour of the Everglades, which is a place I've always wanted to see. We hiked through the Cypress swamps, boated around the mangrove islands in the gulf, toured the sawgrass lake edges, and drove through Alligator Alley. I got to see lots of different birds, alligators, and learned a lot of interesting tidbits about Florida and the Everglades ecosystems. This was another place I could easily have spent days, but unfortunately we eventually had to return to (not so warm and sunny) Wisconsin.

I've only got 42 days before the Mardi Gras Half-Marathon at this point, and training is going great. I can easily run 7-8 miles (doing Coach Art's 8-minute run, 2-minute walk training method) and am on pace to do my event in approximately 2 hours 40 minutes. I have to send a bit Thank You out to the Anytime Fitness here in Monona (http://www.anytimefitness.com/en-us/clubs/689/Monona-WI-health-club) and Manager Jess for helping me stay on track during the Winter Break from school. I contacted them to ask if I could pay some sort of per-diem to come in and run on their treadmills when the weather was too cold for outdoor running, explained that I was training for an event with Team in Training, and they quickly said that I could come in and use their equipment for free! Jess said that they love to support people for things like that. There were several days when I would not have gotten a run in had it not been for their generosity. And it's a really nice little fitness club, great equipment (each treadmill had its own TV, which let me also catch up on my CSI while running) and easy for me to get to as it was only a half-mile from my house. I'm sure my training would have fallen behind schedule if not for them.

They've posted the official route for Mardi Gras and it looks like I'll get a nice tour of New Orleans (http://mardi-gras.competitor.com/course-map/). It starts at the Mardi Gras World Expo, then heads down St. Charles Street and the Garden District, into the French Quarter past St. Louis Cathedral, and then ends (for the half-marathon) just inside of City Park. They haven't posted any elevation (aka hill) information yet, but people tell me that New Orleans is fairly flat so hopefully there won't be any major climbs. Temperatures are supposed to be in the 50s and 60s, which is perfect running weather (as long as it's not raining). There will be bands and music every mile of the way, so that's great to keep you motivated and moving. All in all, shaping up to be a great event.

Fundraising is going a little slow, but I'm hoping that now that the holidays are over and people are anticipating tax refunds that things will pick up. I didn't have any luck finding a florist to help with that fundraising idea I had, they all basically said "great idea and cause, but we're not able to help right now". I've still got some ideas in the works, and we're selling concessions at a couple of upcoming events that should bring in some cash, so fingers crossed.

Well, as school starts in a couple days, I've got some reading to do. See you on the road!