Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Steady State

It's just that time of year.

There was lots to do today, getting ready to leave for a week or so on the annual "over the river and through the woods" holiday trek. I had hoped to get in 4 miles on the treadmill, but ran out of time at 3.5 miles.

It happens.

ORN: 3.5 miles, treadmill. R4/W1 [run pace, 10:31, walk pace, 16:12] 40 minutes

Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Just barely made it

I have a confession to make. Well, more like a story to tell you that has a moral. Or maybe it's just a story that has a point. You can decide for yourself.

For the last week or so, since getting back from Honolulu really, I've just been wasted. I do a lot of flying across time zones, and I took the red-eye home and actually got a little sleep, so I didn't think it was jet lag. But I've been tired and couldn't get over it.

Even though I've run some since I've been home, they haven't been good runs and they certainly haven't been fun runs. I've had to force myself out the door and then slug my way through.

Now the confession: Yesterday, I got dressed to run, when downstairs, went one step out the door, turned around, went BACK upstairs and went to bed. It took me about 5 minutes to fall asleep and I slept for nearly two hours without budging. I'm just tired.

I was able to get up today and get in a 4 mile run on the treadmill. It wasn't all that much fun, but I felt good about getting it in.

Not sure if it's just the end-of-the-year let down or honest fatigue. I'm just tired!

ORN: 4 miles, treadmill R4/W1 [run pace 10:31, walk pace 16:12] 45 minutes

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Waiting for Winter

This was one of the 5 or 6 Saturday mornings this year that I've been home and one of the 2 or 3 when I din't run with some local training group. It's the end of my year and a time to relax, reflect, and renew. And a time to run.

It was about 40 degrees this morning [5 for my Canadian friends] which is NOT a December temperature in Chicago. With the Antarctica trip now less than 8 weeks away, the truth is I need to get in some cold weather runs. I WANT to get in some cold weather runs.

I didn't take the GPS or iPod or ANYTHING except my running watch with me this morning. I wasn't sure how far I was going to run, I wasn't sure how fast or how long. And I didn't want to keep track.

When I got to the first turn around, which would have gotten me about a 3 mile run I made a choice. I kept going. I'm not sure why, exactly. It just occurred to me that if Winter DOES come it might be months before I can run along the lakefront in 40 degree temperatures.

So I ran. Not so much with any purpose or plan. But just because today I could.

ORN: 5 miles, R5/W1, 62 minutes

Thursday, December 14, 2006

Running News

I think I've mentioned that we have a treadmill. And, Jenny being Jenny, she would not have just gone out and gotten ANY treadmill. This one is "trick". It will tell you more about what you're doing than I want to know. It's got the normal speed and distance, but also heart-rate, calories, grams of carbs, miles-per-gallon, and when to change your oil.

It also has a built in television screen. Now, to be honest, I thought that was about the dumbest thing I had ever seen. I mean, there's already a TV in the room. Why not just watch THAT one. Why a television ON the treamill.

I'll tell you why. So that you can hold yourself in the right running posture and STILL watch CNN.

Anyway, I knocked out 4 miles while Wolf Blitzer - in the Situation Room - went off about some terribly interesting crisis which, of course, I now can't recall. But, I was amazed that I was able to finish a 4 miles run before the crisis was over.

ORN: 4 miles, treadmill, R4/W1. 10:31 running pace, 15:23 walking pace.

[ORN= Obligatory Running Note: from the orginal running email list The Dead Runners Society]

Wednesday, December 13, 2006

Cooler by the lake

It was about 80 degrees when I ran on Monday. It was closer to 40 degrees when I ran today. But, to be honest, I enjoyed today's run as much or more.

It's winter, after all. And the temperature here in Chicago could easily be in the mid-30's, not the mid-40's. There were more runners out this afternoon than I expected. And many more bicycles. Getting in the last ride of the season, I suppose.

It's the beaches that I find the most fascinating this time of year. The water, the sand, the feel of the lakefront is so much the same and yet so different this time of year. I can almost hear the laughter from the summer, almost see the people enjoying themselves. But the boys of summer are gone.

And in a way it's like they've given the beach back to those of us who live here. No tourists. No visitors from the suburbs. Just us city runners and bikers.

ORN: 4.75 miles, 60 minutes, R5/W1

Sunday, December 10, 2006

A long and interesting day

Whew!

The final Team in Training participant came across the finish line in 12 hours and 8 minutes.

As I had in New York, I got to work with Dr. Lewis Maharam [medical director for NYC, the Elite Racing events, and Team in Training] I figured it would be more of the sore muscles and blisters that we most often see.

But just a few hours into the race we had to respond to a full-on seizure. A young man went down at mile 26 and the next hour or so was just a blur. I got to him about the same time as the EMT's did, ran back and got the Doc, watched them load the guy up on the medical cart, ran with the Doc and Paramedics in front of the cart back to the main medical tent.

Once we got him to the main medical tent a system of doctors and nurses jumped in and just calmly started doing their jobs. They started a IV line, got his vitals, took readings, I don't even know. But, it was impressive. Eventually he was taken to the hospital.

I happened to run in to him tonight [YES!] and he was looking fine. He was released from the hospital after being thoroughly checked out.

He was lucky. Lucky that the race organizers take medical care so seriously, lucky that very professional people were there doing their very well, lucky that he was at mile 26 of a major marathon when this happened and not sitting alone in his room.

Those of us who run don't thank the medical people - and race organizers - enough.

John

Saturday, December 09, 2006

Another Day in Paradise

I woke up with pretty tired legs. It may be because I had to run on concrete yesterday. I don't normally think it bothers me, but maybe so.

So, I ran my 3 miles just to stay loose. I'll be on my feet all day tomorrow - marathon day - working in the medical tent. Dr. Maharam, medical director of the Elite races and the New York City marathon has invited me to be his "assistant". It's become a sort of second career for me, working the medical areas of marathons. It's not that I am a medical person, but I know marathoners. I know who is in trouble, and who isn't.

It will be a long day. The course doesn't close until the last person crosses the finish line. The last Team person usually comes across in 9-10 hours. Like I said, long day.

Speaking of the Team, we had a GREAT pasta party tonight. The crowd was cranking and the mission moment was the most powerful I've ever heard. Amazing stuff.

ORN: 3 miles, 37 minutes, R5/W1

[ORN=Obligatory Running Note: from the original Dead Runners Society email list]

Friday, December 08, 2006

Book 'em, Dano


Yeah, I know. It's a tough job but somebody has to do it. I'm in Honolulu for the weekend with Team in Training. Jenny says it's 13 degrees at home, so, I'm not going to complain.

I did find a way to do a somewhat longer run today. You would think that this being my 8th trip here I would have this all figured out by now, but, when you fly in/fly out you don't really have time to explore.

The past few years I've been running down to, and around, Ala Moana park [sp?] All the runners seem to make their way down there at some point. In fact, I saw Deena Kastor coming back from her run this morning. Very cool. The park is also where many of the Japanese tour groups take their runners. It's fun to see the groups in their "colors" warming up for the race.

Because I had a little extra time [I woke up before 5] I decided to try to get in a solid 6 mile run. It worked out great. I went to, around, and through the park. I enjoyed myself, almost in spite of myself.

This afternoon I was able to sit in the lounge area and write. It helps to have the time and space. I was able to write 3 columns, which is a good afternoon even for me.

Off to Duke's tonight for the traditional Friday evening "staff" meeting. It is a highlight of the trip.

ORN: 6 miles, 1 hour, 16 minutes, R5/W1

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Squirrel in a cage

I am NOT ready to go outside and run yet this winter. With a little luck, I may be able to avoid most of it.

Tomorrow I'm off to Honolulu, which is not quite as much fun as it sounds like. I'm there with Team in Training so there will be work to do. But this year, I'm going to TRY to enjoy the beach more than I have in the past.

We'll be doing the holiday stuff and in January I'll be in Orlando [which CAN be cold], then Phoenix, then Miami, so I may dodge the winter bullet for another few weeks.

We gave in and got a treadmill for here in the apartment. It's a pretty good one, but it's still a home unit. It's taken a little getting used to but I have been able to get solid runs in the past two days.

ORN: Tuesday: 4 miles, R4/W1, 48 minutes
Wednesday: 4 miles, R4/W1, 46 minutes

Sunday, December 03, 2006

An outright Victory


The Victory Juntion Run was - well - spectacular. From the NASCAR-style worship service to Richard Petty waiving the green flag to start the race to Kyle and Pattie high-fiving every finisher it was better than any of us could have imagined. Race photos will be up on the site in just a few days. [www.victoryjunctionrun.com]

The day was perfect. Cool, crisp, and sunny. The course, although challenging, seemed to satisfy everyone. The finish, and the "bridge" in the center of the camp was the perfect backdrop. I truly can't think of a more meaningful finish line.

The participants raised over $65,000 for the camp. An unbelieveable number for the first year.

If you're reading this: you simply MUST come to the race in 2007. You just have to!





ORN: 0 Saturday or Sunday. Probably 0 on Monday too.

Saturday, December 02, 2006

Victory Circle


Sometimes running is about running. Sometimes running is about something WAY bigger. The whole JBR team is in Randleman, NC to put on the Victory Junction Run - currently a 1/2 marathon. The race benefits the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Tonight we had a "victory" dinner at the Petty shop. If you know who is with David and me in the shot, I don't have to explain. If you don't know, I can't possibly explain.

A full report will follow.

ORN: 4 miles yesterday on the 1/2 marathon course.