Like, for instance, an injury.  Or, clothes that don’t fit.  Or, people who say “you shouldn’t do that so soon”.  These people, my people, (if I may be so bold as to call you “my people”, since I pretty much share the same exercise DNA with y’all)…anyway, we people have hearts of gold but damn, we are T-I-R-E-D of people thinking we do nothing but eat bonbons and watch Jersey Shore.

So when we decide to get moving, we move with some purpose.  We set out a plan. We stick to that plan.  And sometimes, we forget that what took us 2, 5, or 10 years to create can’t be un-done in a day.  Or even in 60 days.  We forget that our bodies are living, breathing things, that are not exactly following the plan our hearts and minds have set out.  So the body, it protests.  It complains.  And sometimes, it breaks.

I thought of this all last week as I was offiically discharged from a few months of physical therapy as a result of a running injury years in the making.  Dr. Chin and the awesome folks at The Running Institute of Chicago (I know, you’ve heard me talk about them, but I have to give them props) and the amazing Joel Nourie at Accelerated Rehabilitation Center’s West Loop location did their best to cure me.  They gave me good PT for the Plantar Fasciitis.  They diagnosed a problematic nerve in the ankle and eventually helped it calm down with some cortisone.  And they gave me a realistic Return to Running program, which I gleefully kicked off about 4 weeks ago.

My problem (if you can call it that) is that I had my heart set on doing the Chicago Triathlon this coming weekend.  You know, the one with the mile swim, 26 mile bike, and 10k run at the end?  Yeah, that one.  Only, as I approached Dr. Chin’s office on Thursday to be “discharged”, I knew that I hadn’t done enough distance to be able to say – without fear of re-injury- that I could do the whole 10k – without injury.  I was only up to about 3 miles of run/walking – and the jump to 6, which woudln’t have bothered me two years ago – was just too big now.

Not surprisingly, he agreed.  He, and Joel, and pretty much anyone who’s watched me rehab would probably have had the same answer.  Why risk it?  Why risk the run, increasing by almost 100% the amount you’re running in one day – only to get injured and delay for another 6 months something you’ve worked so hard to fix? 

And here’s where 10 years of running and racing kicked in:  I agree with them.  Why WOULD I risk it?  Why would I risk NEVER running again to run this week?  Why would I risk having that level of pain again when, with some patience and a little bit more work, I could run next month?  There’s just no reason.  But I know I’m not alone in weighing the decision carefully – in saying “hey, I’ve trained all summer for this race – and if I drop it, what have I spent all that time on?  What do I have to show for it?”  I know right now, in doctor’s offices and PT facilities all across Chicago (and heck, across the country), there are many people who, new to running or new to activity, are feeling the effects of too much, too soon – or too much, too often – and are being met with angry diagnoses of stress fractures, plantar fasciitis, and a variety of other things that are killing their fall race calendar.

So what do you do, if you’re one of those people?  Do you risk it?  Do you find some way – ANY way, to keep going?  And if you quit now, what do you have to show for all that work?

If you find yourself asking that question – and really wondering what it was all for –  allow me to give you an answer:  You have months – MONTHS – of hard work and training to show for it.  You have the knowledge that you did your long runs, or your core work, or your half marathon or marathon training program – with a dedication and commitment that maybe, just maybe, you never had before.  Maybe you have stronger friendships, or healthier relationships, or less stress over the past few months.  Perhaps you have tighter abs, and sexier hammies, and a blonder ponytail.  (I’m just saying.)  Or maybe you just have some awesome nights where you slept like a log because you were so gloriously, awesomely tired, that you just fell into bed, and woke rested and happy. 

No matter what you spent your time training for this season, you’ve gotten something else out of it – other than a medal or a race. 

So if you happen to be one of those people who is breaking – right now – just stop.  Stop hurting yourself and your body.  Take a breath.  Shed those tears when the doc tells you you’re hurt – you’ve earned those.  But do the work you must NOW do to recover.  There are a lot of you out there right now, and you must not lose sight of what you’ve done this summer.  It’s not about the Chicago Marathon, or New York, or that upcoming triathlon.  It’s about building a healthier body – which will help you exercise for life. 

As for me, I’ll be there Sunday, doing the Chicago Triathlon.  I’ll swim my mile, and bike my 26.  But when it comes time to do the 10k run, I’ll take advantage of paying my $150 race fee, and I’ll run/walk my short little 5k.  And at Mile 1.5, I’ll turn around, and head home, shorting the run.  Yeah, it might hurt a little to do it – but last year at this time, I wondered if I’d ever run again.  So I’ll take 3 miles.  And I’ll come in smiling.

See you on the path.

The Kleenex people know this.  But if they were really smart, they wouldn’t only make those pocket packs for weddings.  They’d make them for Finish Lines.  Becuase if there’s one place that you can rest assured you’ll see some tears, it’s at the tail end of any half marathon, triathlon, and even a few 5ks.

I know, because I’ve been that person. The first time I finished a Sprint triathlon, I cried.  I remember rounding the corner, and thinking “Oh my God that was hard, but there’s the finish, and you just DID this!”  I crossed the finish line, dropped my hands to my knees, tried not to pass out, and cried.  Then I threw up, but that’s another story.

The first time I finished a half marathon (the Indy  Mini), I cried, too.  The whole last mile, I was trying to keep it together.  I’d never done anything like this – never trained, never stuck with it, never been so proud of actually completing something I said I was going to do.  I was a Big Girl with no willpower (at least that’s what I’d been told for years, subtly or otherwise).  And yet, LOOK!  I could do THIS! I could run for 13 miles, and finish smiling???  If that wasn’t worth tears, I don’t know what was.

So the question is, is there a time and a place for getting emotional?  You bet.  And it’s on the course.  But if you do find yourself amazed and proud, and just a little overwhelmed in that last mile, take it from me: you still have to breathe!  Crying can wreck that breathing mojo, so if it happens to you, just take some breaths, smile, and think of something positive.  Regulate your breathing as best you can, until you get it under control…and then put the hammer down.  You’ve worked too hard to hyperventilate at the finish line!

But once that tape is in your site, go ahead and let it go. Cry like a baby.  Smile through the tears, though, because it IS a happy day – and you’ve earned the right to enjoy it.

I’ll be looking forward to the laughs and the tears this Sunday, at the Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon.  I’ll be bike marshalling this year, so if you see a Big Girl on a bike, say hello, and introduce yourself!  I’ll be cheering for you, all the way!

See you on the path!

This blog is about ‘moving more when there’s more to move.’ I know a little bit more about that now as I complete my ninth month of pregnancy as what I like to call ‘Plus Baby.’

I was initially tempted to use this opportunity as guest-author to dispel all the nonsense I’ve heard throughout pregnancy while trying to maintain my fitness. Despite full consensus in the medical community that exercise and running (yes, running) is safe to sustain (not train!) during low-risk pregnancies, there is still much public misperception about what a pregnant gal can or should do. What’s even more counter to popular wisdom is that pregnancy is a known performance enhancer. That’s why it’s been a controversy in the Olympic community for years as a way (aka ‘abortion doping’) to gain competitive edge.

But as I listed out all the hog-wash and myths that I’d love to debunk as someone who has earned her right to be a little snarky after 34 weeks of tuning out the haters, I had a revelation: a few days ago while reclined with a book, as inactive as ever, my unborn son decided to give me a one-two punch from the gut. After saying a few choice words that will soon retire from my mommy-vocabulary, I have to admit I felt immediate pride—“That’s my boy! Strong. Healthy. Ready to BRING it!” And that’s when I decided to ditch my plan to unload pragmatic information and instead focus on the inspiration of a most obvious insight: we are born to move.

What’s more—our bodies  are designed to do bad-ass things, like skipping, hopscotch, jumping rope, climbing Everest and breaking boundaries. From the time when each of us is kicking in the womb we are physically declaring: ‘I am alive and I’m a force to be reckoned with.’

So, 20, 30, 40 years later, why is it so hard to keep kicking? Now that I’m Plus Baby I can testify that exercise is no joke when there is more to move. Every motion requires more from us than, say, when we were 26 pounds lighter. Yet, running (sometimes wogging) through 8 months of pregnancy has taught me that we can do it. Here are a few thoughts for those who want to help change public perception of what is possible for ANYONE that doesn’t look like Dean Karnazes and/or need a born-again kick in the butt:

• Act like a BABY. A fierce baby. A baby that says, ‘Heck, yeah, I’ve got legs! Heck, yeah, I’ve got arms!’ Be impressed with all your 2000 body parts. Just think about how far you came in those first 40 weeks of life? What could you accomplish in 40 weeks now? With an Ipod. With awesome gear. Without being tied to your mother.
• Listen and trust your BODY above all else… This is what really defines an athlete—the ability to be completely in-tune with the body’s performance. I intentionally haven’t checked my heart rate once since I was 7 weeks pregnant—doctor’s orders—but I know faster than any Garmin when I need to let my split time dive. Learn to listen carefully and it will tell you everything you need to know.
• …but mind your MIND. This is where our limits live, if we let them. The mind loves slippery slopes—rationalizations about why we CAN’T. But if we wield this internal voice as THE greatest means for connecting with our bodies, it will take us further than we thought possible. Learn to negotiate with your mind like you’re a teenager again and it’s Friday night. (One. More. Minute. One. More. Mile.)
• Get going now to catch the Sustain Train. If you’re planning to have kids anytime in the next 1-2 years, now is the time to get to the place you want to be when you start pregnancy. Because once you’re Plus Baby, the focus is on sustaining fitness, not training. It’s like baking a cake using only the ingredients you already have in the house. Whatever routine you’re in when that second pink line appears, guess what? That’s the cake you’re going to eat a lot of for many months to come. Give yourself a due date to stock your pantry now unless you really like the taste of flour.
• Embrace the naysayers. Let their skepticism fuel your tank. Revel in the funny looks and quirky smirks that reveal their profound confusion about how you’re defying gravity. Smile. Kick up a little dust behind you. And if you really want to blow their mind, tell them you just did a Kegel. (This last point is even more effective if you’re a dude.)
• When in doubt, choose sanity over vanity. We all know great shoes and bra are a must. Everything else is just ‘icing’ on the cake: matching and cuteness are overrated. Don’t fall for the ideological Kelly Ripp-off. Sure, who doesn’t appreciate a coordinated outfit? But am I going to let a little spit-up and baby funk on my gear stand in the way of a great run? N-O. I’m actually hoping it will buy me some extra space on the path. So, if the only reasonably clean gear that fits are your hot pink running shorts and puke-green army tank, rock them like Rainbow Brite. (Trust me, you will still look a million times more together than our dear friends in the post-natal group.)

The bottom line: the benefits of getting and staying active now and if you plan to become pregnant are countless, including:

-          Greater self-confidence

-          Increased energy

-          Sanity! Less stress

-          Less weight gain (for those hot mom jeans)

-          Less rapid weight gain (no/less stretch marks!)

-          Better sleep and circulation

-          Easier delivery and recovery after baby or other Major Life Event

Sure, I’ll be giving myself this same ‘made to move’ pep talk when I’m a sleep-deprived zombie talking to my breast pump—but let’s make a pact: on the days when we’d much rather climb back into bed and assume the fetal position, let’s throw back the covers, put a spring in our step and remind ourselves: we were born to do this.

A few quick notes here, and then I’m punting you over to Plus Athlete for the Little Red report!

I was lucky enough to spend this weekend in Utah, taking part in the Little Red Riding Hood Ride with fellow blogger Diane, and riding friends and all around cool women Jeannie, Kym, Karen, and others.  The weekend was a total hit, but I wanted to share a few key finds that might help you ride this summer!

First, serious props go out to my LBS (local bike shop) On The Route here in Chicago.  They packed and shipped my baby Trek without problem, and the folks in Logan who put her back together at Sunrise Cyclery rock, too.  If you’re looking for the epitome of great technicians with a flair for the helpful, these are your guys. 

Second, I had the good luck to run into the reps from Born Fit (based in Denver) who make maternity AND general fitness clothing.  They were displaying at Little Red, and shared the really good news that they’re now producing running, walking, and general fitness apparel up to a size XXL.  I can’t say this enough: their stuff is cute, it’s functional, and it works for pregnant women, so I’m pretty sure they’re going to do just find in the Plus market!  Take care to watch the size charts, but if you’re looking, I would recommend checking out their lines, especially their capris and short sleeved tops for summer.

Finally, good news from Chicago – the weather’s been so good, the lake temp is up to a balmy 65 degrees, which means this week, you should expect a report from me on triathlon training – and my first open water swim of the season.  I’ll keep you posted on whether I lose feeling (or, I should say, when.)

See you on the path!

I’ve been thinking about that a lot these last few weeks, as I just moved into a new apartment.  It’s a “walk up” which means to get to the third floor, semi-palatial estate (let’s be real, it has air conditioning, which makes it semi-palatial), I have to actually walk up 3 flights of stairs.  Every time I want to go home, that’s the requirement.  Three flights.  Every time I buy something, order something, or simply finish a day with my 15 pounds of work stuff, it’s 3 flights.  Those three flights don’t seem like much, but I couldn’t help but think of that Fit to Live concept again on Friday evening, when I returned home to find my spanking new Adirondack chair from Land’s End – parked just outside the front door and not, to my disappointment, next to my third-floor door.

As I hauled the slightly awkward box up the three flights (I did have to stop once), I found myself really irritated.  I was sweaty from the walk home from the train.  Then I was sweaty again as I hauled the box up the stairs.  The packing weight was a mere 42 pounds.  But it came in a box that was 3′ x 4′ x 1′ (at least) which meant for somewhat tough going.  Alas, I prevailed.  But I couldn’t help think “this should be easier”.

Also this weekend, I took a nice long bike ride along our lakefront path. When I returned, some 16 miles later, I needed to haul the road bike up the back stairs (in my bike cleats, which was hysterical).  The bike weighs in somewhere around 17 pounds, so you can imagine, it was easier.  But my heart was still beating faster, and my legs let me know they had been used quite a bit that day.  And in the end, I couldn’t stop asking myself the question:  “Am I fit to live?” 

The simple answer is: I don’t know.  Over the years, I’ve discovered that I have great reserves when it comes to endurance running, cycling, or swimming.  I can hike for miles, and though it’s challenging, I know I can do it. But, in direct proportion to my weight, I’ve never had any delusions of being speedy at any of these tasks.  I’ve been a long distance girl, to be sure.  And the thing with emergencies – and, with life – is that they’re not all long-distance kind of things.  

Does my failure in the world of anaerobic excellence mean that I’m not strong? Certainly not.  Could I deadlift my own weight out of, say, the Tennessee River?  (Hypothetically, this might have had to happen at one point in my past).  No, I most certainly could not.  (But I could have swam my way out of it, to be sure.) 

And what about wandering around – just simple wandering?   My friend and I were walking around Michigan Avenue a few weeks ago, one night after work.  My right foot (the one with the annoying plantar fasciitis I’ve been working to heal) was bothering me, and as we walked to dinner (me with the 20 pound computer bag on my shoulder), I was wishing I’d worn better shoes.  I was cranky and it was only the steak ahead that kept me moving.  The foot hurt, from something as simple as shopping.  Now THAT’s annoying.  And yet, it was only the pain that was a problem, not any kind of shopping endurance.    It wasn’t an anaerobic weakness that felled me there, just a pain problem.

For many of us, though, something as simple as climbing three flights of stairs instead of one flight is a big deal.  Running across a street to beat a light is tough.  Digging a hole for that new fence makes us sweat.  Shoveling a sidewalk can be annoyingly difficult.  Some of this is to be expected.  Work makes our heart race, and our bodies sweat.  And sometimes we don’t like that feeling.  So we shy away from it, and take a seat, or a ride, or pay someone else to do the hard work for us.  And in doing so, we continue down a path that involves a lot less work, and a lot less of what I call cross-training for life.

Here’s the catch, though.  We all know we have the ability to train our bodies for this kind of demand, too.  Many of you are dedicated runners and triathletes, and you have incredible reserves of strength and character.  But maybe, just maybe, you’re like me – and you take the easy way out when it comes to everyday life sometimes. 

That can change.  You can make a promise to start small – by doing your own yardwork,  or by getting friendly with your stairs.  (After four weeks in the new place, walking up three flights is so much easier than it was when I started, I’m actually kind of amazed).  And you can keep doing it by looking for simple ways to get more activity in.  Can you walk to the store, or bike?  Can you walk up the stairs to the train, instead of the escalator?  Can you, once in awhile during your run, run for a block just a bit faster than you normally would?  Yeah, you probably can.  And if you can’t do it all, today, you will, if you just start focusing on it, a little bit at a time.

So I guess my advice today is this: don’t take the easy way out.  Find the equivalent of your third-floor walkup, and test yourself on it regularly.  Accept that it’s okay to struggle with the anaerobic activities of life, but think about challenging yourself on more of it.   Work to fill in the non-endurance fitness side of your life.  Trust me, you’ll feel stronger, and healthier, and more ready for whatever comes next.

See you on the path -

I like to think  I’ve just had my own haitus here the past month or so, disappearing from the blog, and from a regular exercise routine.  Except, here’s the thing:  no showy finale.  No big revelations.  Not much at all.  More like the FCC pulled my license to write (and exercise) and I just whimpered into the sunset. 

So apologies to those who’ve come round the last month looking for inspiration or fun or just plain cheap clothes!  I have lots of reasons why I’ve not been here (I have a “new” full time job, and I’m working more, and I moved homes, and have had some travel….and, well, technically, I’m not really doing a whole lot of exercising other than biking, because I’m doing PT a few times a week)…but wait, you probably don’t care, do you?

Well, that’s fair. You shouldn’t have to care – and you know what, that’s okay. 

If I’ve learned anything from this little break, it’s this:  the excuses don’t matter.  It doesn’t matter what keeps you from doing the things you love – it’s how you get back to it that counts.  Maybe you’re on a haitus, too, right now. Maybe your sneakers are dusty, and your goggles are drying out.  But both of them will work when you get back on the path, or in the pool.  And those lovely, inanimate objects (shoes, goggles, path and pool) could care less that you started taking a class, or got sucked into a new show, or had to work on a project that was so busy you barely had time to sleep.  Those inanimate objects will welcome you back, and not judge where you’ve been, or where you’re headed.   And the people – those people who are your running friends, your rowing friends, or your former “hang out and go for a walk” friends- they won’t care, either.  They’ll just be glad to see you again.

I learned that the easy way – last weekend, as I took off for Door County, to ride my bike in gorgeous Peninsula State Park while my friends ran the Door County Half Marathon.  As the Chicago Endurance Sports crew ran through the most serene, most gorgeous course I’ve seen, I pedaled my way through a park that made me ache for Acadia, and dream of spring rides.  It was pretty, and it was easy.  And I was shocked.  After all, I’ve been “only” walking and doing core strengthening for the past few months.  But it turns out, if you’re easy on yourself when you come back from haitus, you can enjoy the return – with no drama, no fireworks, and certainly no breakdowns. 

This week, the return continues with Episodes 2 and 3 – riding, and riding some more, to prepare for Little Red.  While I’m at it, I’m also doing something else TV-esque:  I’m setting the DVR, exercise style.  Seriously – if I can “prioritize” shows on DirecTV, and record Top Gear over Castle, why can’t I prioritize a morning bike ride over sleeping in?  Or an evening ride over a Cubs game?  Well, I can.  But another valuable TV lesson here:  I do HAVE to choose at some point – and every time I choose a non-workout option when I plan my week, there  is a real cost. 

So I’m planning (always planning) and we’ll see if I can deliver.  I’ll keep you posted on the post-haitus recovery, and in the meantime, thanks for reading, and thanks for coming back.

See you on the path!

And I loved it.

Why? Because spring is here, and there were hundreds of people chugging along the lakefront path here in Chicago this morning, getting ready for their next (or first) big race.  The Chicago Endurance Sports group was out in force, training people for the upcoming 1/2 marathon in Door County.  The Chicago Area Runners Association groups were out, too, rumbling along on the path, prepping for their spring races.  And there were lots of couples out today – channeling the slightly frightened look of people who haven’t run outside all winter, and who just realized that the Shamrock Shuffle (an 8k with a whopping 40,000 registrants) is taking place next weekend, and that they maybe, just maybe, should get outside and try a few laps.

In short, it was exuberant, wet, sloppy fun today on the path, and just like when the pitchers and catchers report for spring training, there was a feeling in the air.   You can see it in the looks on the people you pass on days like today – a short nod, and an acknowledgement, that yes, the weather’s not perfect, but “LOOK AT ME! I’m out here! I”m running like a fool in the rain and AINT IT GRAND???” 

Of course, there’s some misery, too.   There was one poor girl in shorts (wind, honey, it will kill you on days like today), her legs red and raw.  And there were some hot, hot men out there, overdressed in thermal tights with rain jackets, winter hats, and gloves (not over 40 degrees, folks!)  But mostly, everyone looked determined, and excited.  Like they knew what was coming.

So what was I doing today?  Simple. I was catching up with a friend I hadn’t seen in forever.  She joined me for a nice, hour + walk, dodging puddles and catching up.  We talked about the blossoming success of her new small business; the difficulty in getting yourself motivated to get out there when things are tough; and the people we had in common.  Oh, and dating.  The best part about walking or running with a friend is a roundup of your favorite dating activity (at least if you’re a girl) and at the end of our walk, we had some laugh-out-loud moments about what it takes to find a good guy – and how we might tackle that topic next weekend.

I’d imagine that things look somewhat different at the Cubs Spring Training camp in Mesa, but what do I know?  Maybe the pitchers spend all their time talking about hangnails and hammy pulls, and the catchers just talk about what they did with their knees in the offseason.  But I’d bet they also have that little kid excitement that we have when the weather turns – that sense that it’s spring, and anything can happen if we just set our minds to it.

I know that’s how I’ve been feeling lately, and today just confirmed it for me.  So, given that optimism, it’s a good time to share my events calendar for the year with you.  Sometimes, people wonder if I just talk a lot about running and walking and all these other sports – but alas, I’m the real deal – and this spring, I’ve set my sights on some great events to keep me motivated. 

As some of you may know, last year I developed a lovely case of “athletic pubalgia” – aka – sports hernia, among other things – after the Rock n’ Roll 1/2 marathon in Arizona in January.  I ran for awhile afterwards, thinking it would resolve on its own, and it didn’t. Shocking.  I turned to triathlon training late last year, and only in August, when I really couldn’t run without pain, did I finally give in and see the doc.  Since then, I’ve been (gasp) running-free.  I’ve done some PT, I’ve walked, I’ve snowshoed, swam, nordic walked, and done lots of core strengthening, but even now, I’m nursing a nagging injury to my left foot, and am going to take care of that before I start to run again.  In the meantime, I’ve booked a few things to keep me going. 

If you’re looking for an event, or are planning to do any of the events listed below, drop me a line! I’d love to meet up and see you in person!

Pirate’s Cove Trail Run (8k) –  March 20.  Golden Gate National Recreation Area, near San Francisco, CA.  March 20.  I’ll be hiking this 8k with my friend and her husband!  It’s my excuse to get to San Fran to do some exploring, and the course looks beautiful!

Door County Half Marathon & 5k  May 1.  (No, I’m not running the 1/2 marathon, just going to cheer, and to run/walk the 5k).  I’ll also be taking my bike and exploring the park on two wheels.  This will be my first run in 9 months, so I’m looking forward to it!

Little Red Riding Hood Ride – June 5.  Cache Valley, Utah.  One of my favorite readers, and a fine writer and inspirer to boot, Diane (www.downhourtraining.blogspot.com) who’s an avid cyclist, told me about this ride.  She’s an organizer extraoridinaire and sang its praises, and who was I to judge?  The ride is non-competitive, takes place in Cache Valley in Utah, and it’s a women’s only, fully supported ride of a distance of your choosing (18, 35, 57, 80 and 100 mile options).  I’ll be riding with 3,000 other women in a gorgeous area, with “rollers” – no big climbs – to raise money for women’s cancer research.  And I’ll be completing my longest ride in about 4 years, which has me pretty excited.  I’m aiming for the 57 mile ride (I couldn’t do the 85 right now, I just know it) and my good friend Karen has committed to joining me for at least 30 miles.  Considering she last rode long on the hills of Italy, I’m prepared to get my butt kicked, but it should be good times.   I’m also looking forward to being part of such an amazing event in Utah, a state I’ve never spent any time in.  Look out, Utes!

Lifetime Fitness Triathlon - July 10 (TENTATIVE) – Minneapolis, MN.  This is a legacy race for me, and this year I’m considering adding it as my “A” triathlon (Olympic distance).  I’ll be one month removed from great bike shape, so this might be the perfect year for me.  I’m holding off on registration for one more month, but I love this course, so, worst-case scenario, I’ll be here, doing the Sprint. Best case: it will be the Olympic I didn’t get to do last year.  Lifetime’s also offering a Clydesdale/Athena category for the Olympic, so there’s a great chance to be compared against your peers!

The North Face Endurance Challenge, 10k Trail Run - September 18 – Kettle Moraine S.P., Wisconsin.  I watched my friend Jenny Hadfield run the Ultramarathon here last year, (though it was a month later) and I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the day and the cameraderie of the racers.  Sure, she made running over 30 miles look easy, but I was inspired, and I said to myself “next year, you’re doing this.”  “This” is “just” the 10k, which is a distance I think I’ll be pretty good at, come September.  The race last year was a great event, and I’m putting it on my calendar as my first-ever “real” trail run. 

Other than that, I’m not quite sure what’s on deck – but it’s a good start, right?

So, take a look at that schedule – and think about what you might want to do for yourself this spring – and summer.  Pick out a race for yourself, and make some goals.  Don’t be afraid to go all pitcher-catcher, and report for Spring. I  promise it will help keep you focused, and you’ll have a better 2010.

See you on the path!

See, I had the awesome opportunity to be on the ChicagoNow Radio show on WGN 720 (AM) here in Chicago.  The show highlights some of the blogs that are operating on Chicago Now and as a new poster there, I had the chance to sit down with host Bill Leff (who is, frankly, AWESOME) and to chat about the unique issues that Plus sized athletes face.  (If you’re dying to hear our conversation, grab a seat and listen in – it was 30 minutes of fun for me, but maybe that’s just me..)

Anyway, Bill was an excellent host, and had prepared a variety of questions, one of which focused on the kinds of sports I tend to play – and what I really enjoy doing as a plus sized athlete.  He noted that a lot of what I do, I do solo – and wondered if there was a reason for that.

It got me thinking: why DO I spend so much of my time in solo pursuits?  And, DO I really focus on the solos? 

My response to him was that maybe, as I’ve gotten older, like many of you, I’ve shied away from rough and tumble team sports (also, because I am a certified Klutz with a capital K, I am avoiding injury that way).  I don’t play Floor Hockey, or Softball, or even much pickup football anymore, in part because I’m not sure I could NOT get injured.  But realistically, it’s about more than that – I also don’t want to hold the team back.  I don’t think, right now, I could run two lengths of a high-school gym floor to play floor hockey at the level I’d like to.  So what does that say about us, the Plus Athletes and Runners out there?  Are we limited to just solo sports?

My answer is no.  I think that there are certain sports you can play or cross-training you can engage in that are not purely solitary pursuits.  God knows we’ve seen enough big men play softball over the years, that I don’t think there’s a weight limit on the average 16″ team in Chicago.  But realistically, if you can’t run quickly are you going to sign up? Probably not.  What about football?  We frequently see the offensive line filled with big guys, but can you go out and play on a Sunday in your average pickup game?  Yeah, I think you probably can – you just need to have enough awareness to know it’s going to hurt a bit the next day, and that long routes may not be for you…

And what about sports like soccer and floor hockey?  Is there a place for bigger athletes? Yes, I think there is.  I played both floor hockey and soccer at 200 pounds and over, and though I wasn’t the fastest member of my team, I DID have great field sense, solid technical skills, and I knew how to play the game – which could not always be said for my thinner compatriots.

The other bit of info that I have to consider here is that even though I take part in a lot of solo sports – kayaking, hiking, running, cycling, triathlon – I do most of those activities with others.  More than many, many, women, I’ve learned to also enjoy my own company over the years, and I don’t wait for someone to tell me that they want me to go out and do any of these things, so yes, I also do them solo.  But I’ve been lucky enough to surround myself with good friends who also like to be active – and when I need a buddy to partake in any of the “solo endeavors” as company, I can usually find one.

So perhaps that’s my real answer to Bill, and to those of you who wonder if you’re destined for a life of solo sporting.  Look around and examine your group of friends, and then look in the mirror.  Do you enjoy your own company enough to jump on a bike and ride for 20 miles?  Or are you always going to be looking for a group?  If so, find a group that works for you, in your community – or better yet, start your own.  Whatever your personality – solo or team – until you really start looking for an answer that fits your life, you’ll probably not move nearly as much as you’d like.

So go on, get moving

See you on the path!

Big athletes – plus sized athletes – are, in many, many cases, slower than the “average” sized athlete.  Why?  Physics.  There is more weight to move, requiring more energy, and unless your body can overcome the energy needs and manage the cardio demands at the same time, chances are, you’re slower than someone who is exactly your height.  Just today, in fact, the New York Times shares the same conclusion, one which shouldn’t shock us, but is nice to see in print.

So how does that impact you?  Why should you care about it?  You’re out there, you’re running, you’re doing great things, right?  Well, right.  Except that when it comes time to put your money into a race, to give yourself a goal, you need to make sure you’re choosing a race that’s going to accept a slower runner, and support a slower runner.  Or you might as well just go run by yourself somewhere.

I have seen many, many plus-sized athletes go out for their first long, endurance race, (or even their first Shamrock Shuffle) only to find themselves completely overwhelmed by the fact that they are, in fact, slow – and as a result, their race experience sucks.   They begin at the back of the pack, as instructed, only to find that by the time they reach the mid-miles, the water is gone, or the police car is on their tail, or the mile markers have been taken down (all of which have happened to me). 

So, to help you pick your first, or next race, I offer you some simple guidelines.  Then, a list of recommended, plus-runner and walker  friendly half marathons. 

Choosing your first 5k or 10k is a bit simpler than choosing a half marathon or marathon. 5k races are typically run with a little bit of extra time, early in the morning on a weekend, resulting in minimal street closures.  But your best experiences may come in a race that’s run in a local park (on a path or in the streets) or somewhere else that doesn’t require street closures. 

Check out the terrain if you live in a hilly area.  Most of us, when we start running for the first time, make it a little easier on ourselves by finding a somewhat flat (or lightly rolling) place to run.  If you’ve been training like that, don’t choose your first 5k or 10k for a little hill action.  Check out the course, and make sure it’s manageable before choosing it as your race.

Check the “Rules and Regulations” section, or “Frequently Asked Questions” section of the race’s website before signing up – if the course will be open for one hour for the 5k, and two hours for your 10k, you’ll have plenty of time.   If in doubt, email the race director, and ask if the course will be supported while you’re out there.

Just in case, bring your own fluids.  If you’re training with a water bottle (which my running group recommends as soon as you go over 3 miles), bring your own fluids in a waist belt.  Then, you won’t have to worry about  not having that gulp of water when you need it – you’ll have it on you!

Choosing your first half marathon

If you’re not currently running or walking, you don’t know your pace yet.   Which means that looking at finishing times means bupkus to you.  So, take my advice: look for courses with a 3:30-4:00 finish.   A 3:30 finish is about a 16:00 mile, and that gives you plenty of room – but many plus runners will be unable to make a 3:30 cutoff.  A course that’s supported to four hours is rare, but they’re out there, and they’re a nice option for first-timers.

Pick a race that suits your needs.   The Indianapolis Mini Marathon, held in May, is a half marathon that has 35,000 people running 13.1 miles.   It’s urban, it’s crowded, it’s fun, and you get to do a lap on the actual Indy Motor Speedway – seriously cool.  Contrast that with the Door County Half Marathon, also held in May.  It’s a closed-course, 13.1 mile, hilly, gorgeous, quiet, course where you have a great picnic at the end.   Last year, 690 people completed the half.   Check out that contrast: 650 people versus 350000. 

If you think you might want some crowd support, maybe an Indy Mini is for you.  If you’re up for a bit more beauty, a Door County-type race might be your thing.  Just depends on what you love, and what kind of experience you’re going for.  (I went big first, starting with the Indy Mini, but as time’s passed, I like the closed courses like Door County, which give me a bit more time to groove into my run…)   Both of these courses are open for four hours, and both have their challenges (no shade in Indy occasionally a very warm day; hills in Door County).  Think about it, and choose a race that’s good for you.

Check out the race reviews.  Marathonguide.com has a full calendar of races held in the U.S., Canada, and abroad.  Use it to check the race reviews from other runners who have completed the race in the past year.   Marathon Guide will tell you what you can’t see when you’re poking around on a race website, including a few key points:  organization, hills, and crowd support. 

Skip a race with poor organization, as it most often affects the back of the pack runners worse.  If you’re reading the reviews, and the organization gets poor marks (or people are commenting about the lack of fluids on the course, direction, etc.), skip it.  Yes, just skip that one.  You don’t need to run your first race on a course where there’s no water or Gatorade, or where the organizer forgot to put volunteers out for you.  There are thousands of races out there- don’t spend your money on one that isn’t well-run.

Think carefully about what you want or need on a run – hills and crowd support are two biggies.  If you’ve never run a half before, you probably want a course that has some fans on it.  (Well, at least I did.)  You maybe want people cheering for you, to help you run your best time.  So pay close attention to the descriptions of the crowd support.   Small towns – and medium sized cities – do this well.   Bigger cities tend to have a hard time, due to the fact that the courses tend to be run on out-of-the-way streets to keep traffic snags to a minimum. 

Also, check for hills.  I run in Chicago, which is flatter than my stomach, fo sho.  So running the Flying Pig Half Marathon in Cincinnati is always a bit challenging for me – but I do it, because there are wicked good downhills, they have a 3:30 time limit, and it’s home.  Be aware of what you’re willing to do to train for hills, and don’t let them freak you out – just be aware of them.   Two of my favorite courses are hilly monsters – the Flying Pig, and the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Fran.   But they’re both amazing races.

A few recommendations

So, you’ve got some advice, now for recommendations.  These are completely biased, and based on my own personal experience, likes and dislikes.  Unfortunately, they’re also very Midwest-based.  (Sorry ’bout that…)  I’ll tell you why I would and wouldn’t run them, and you can ask me anything you like.  Consider it my gift to you.  (And, if you’ve run one you really like, send me a note, and we’ll post it here!)

Half Marathons – Spring 2010

The Flying Pig Half Marathon – Cincinnati, Ohio.  May 2, 2010.  Yes, there are hills. But the first 5 miles are a nice warmup, and you get to run over the Ohio River at sunrise, a site which can’t be beat.  The Ohio is always nearby in this race, which winds through downtown Cincinnati before heading into Eden Park.  Yes, it will kick your ass going up, but you make up the speed on all the hills going down.  I know more people who have set personal records here than in Chicago, which is flat as a pancake.  Plus, the finish at Sawyer Point is a great reunion area, and the medal is pretty cool.  Walkers are welcome.   Cost: $75 through April 1.  Three hour thirty minute course.  Run this race if:  you live within driving distance of Cincinnati, and like some pretty in your run.  Skip it if: you can’t handle long hills. 

The Country Music Half Marathon - Nashville, Tennessee.  April 24, 2010.  Great crowd support, great atmosphere, and simply the best music of any of the Rock and Roll events.  Nashville is a music town, so if you’re going to go for a RNR event (girls weekend, etc.) this is the one to do.  If you like music, and are looking for some extra motivation, run this one.   Cost: $105 through April 18.  Four hour course. Run this race if:  you live near Nashville but have never run there; are looking for a party weekend with your friends, or are a big country music fan.  Skip it if: you need a flat run.  Nashville is never, ever flat.  

The Indy Mini Marathon - Indianapolis, Indiana. May 8, 2010.  Flat as a pancake, except when you’re on the track.  The Indy Mini is a great excuse to run your first half marathon if you live in the midwest, or are a fan of racing.  The course, however, leaves much to be desired.  You start downtown, then wind through dilapidated, abandoned sections of urbanity.  You focus ahead on getting to the Brickyard, and even that, you might find challenging – it’s 2.5 miles of shuffling people, baking in the sun. (Do I sound bitter?)  Don’t count on shade, and don’t count on pretty, but do count on a fast time. This race is sold out for 2010.  (Clearly, no one listens to me )   Run this race if:  you need a flat course  Skip it if: you don’t like crowds, or don’t care for a desolate urban running landscape.

The Door County Half Marathon - Door County, WI, May 2, 2010.  Beautiful course, closed to traffic, excellent organization, and no end-of-race car chewing your tail as you run.  You might be last, but you’ll be very happy you came.  Plus, at less than 900 participants, you’ll know everyone around you by the time you’re finished. Cost: $48.   Four hour course. Run this race if: you live in Illinois, Wisconsin, or Minneapolis and need an affordable, gorgeous, quiet spring half.  Skip it if: you need some quality time on a football field – check out the Green Bay Half instead, where you can finish at Lambeau Field.

The Minneapolis Marathon and Half Marathon – Minneapolis, MN, June 6, 2010.  Great shwag (finisher’s jacket and stained glass medals); in gorgeous downtown Minneapolis. Free training programs, great organizers, and a course that takes you along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi river towards Fort Snelling, then sends you back downtown.  What’s not to love?  Cost: $68 through Feb. 3. Four hour course.  Run this race if: you need one last long run before summer, or live anywhere near Minneapolis.  Skip it if: you don’t run long after May.

Half Marathons – Fall 2010

The Nike Women’s Marathon & Half Marathon - San Francisco, CA, October 17, 2010.  Not a finisher’s medal – a Tiffany finisher’s necklace (um, handed to you by a hot guy in a tux and running shoes).  Women’s specific tech shirts.  (Oh, guys can run, too, and there are shirts for you, too.)  Massages and shopping to die for.  The Ghirardelli Chocolate Mile (no, I’m not kidding.)  The. Best. Views.   The Oxygen Bar at Mile 7, on the way up behind the Golden Gate Bridge.   Oh, and it’s 99% women, so it’s uber-supportive.  Literally, I have never, ever run/walked a race where I was surrounded by people – the entire way.  Yes, it’s a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Team in Training event, so if you’re not running with them, you have to lottery to get  into the race, but it’s a lovely experience, and one of the best I’ve ever had.  If you have a Nike+ system, register with Nike beforehand and you’ll get advance notice on the lottery.  Cost: $110.  Four hour half marathon, 7.5 hour marathon. Run this race if: you can get in.  It’s a lottery system, and it’s tough.  Skip it if:  you’re a moron.  Okay, if you can’t handle hills at all, skip it – but I actually thought this race was easier than the Flying Pig.  Yeah.

The Grand Rapids Marathon, Half Marathon, and Marathon Relay Grand Rapids, MI, October 17, 2010.  Three words: Velocity-Challenged-Start.  A few years back, when the Chicago Marathon imploded due to heat, people flocked to Grand Rapids to make up for the Season That Got Overheated.  They found a small race, run by a passionate guy, with great crowd support and good perks.   There were cookies on the tables! Water everywhere! Running through the woods!  And this “Velocity Challenged Start” – an earlier start time for walkers and slower runners (over 6 hours on the full marathon, 3 hours on the half).  It’s perfect – no stress, no fuss, no muss.  Grand Rapids is a not-so-big town with a big heart, and this race opens its arms to you.  Plus, the shirt is simple and good-looking, and the posters are eight sorts of inspiring.  Even if you don’t run it, you should sign up for Don Kern’s race director blog – it’s worth reading.  Cost: $68 through May 15. Four hour half marathon, 7 hour marathon (using VCS).   Run this race if:  you need a low-key alternative to the Chicago Marathon; or would like a great fall half marathon.  Skip it if: you get into Nike. Otherwise, run this one.

The Chicamauga Battlefield Half Marathon Chattanooga, TN November 13, 2010.  If you’re a fan of American history, or simply in awe of what the Civil War meant for America, this is the race for you.  Three years ago, I was at this battlefield – I visited while on an assignment in Chattanooga.  Technically, this race is just over the border in Georgia.  But the battlefield itself – and the amazing monuments which line the park – are breathtaking.  When I was there, we watched runners lacing up for a nightly run, and I remember thinking “that’s odd”. Now, I think it’s just plain cool.  The race runs you through the park, ranked recently as one of the top three by Runner’s World readers.  And, bonus for us slowbees – it has a SIX HOUR half marathon limit.  Yes, you read that correctly.  So it’s a great, historical place. It’s beautiful.  It’s course with little or no car traffic – and it’s near one of the coolest little cities in the South, Chattanooga.  I’m about a day away from adding it to my schedule. Cost: $40 through August 10.  Six hour course.  Run this race if: you like American history, quiet runs on your tree lined streets, and want to bring the kids along (most family friendly race, too.)  Skip it if: you don’t like running alone.  It’s a small field. 

That’s it from here! Take a look, lock in your spring races, and share your plans!  We’ll see you on the path!

The article, “Extra Calories Cause Weight Gain But How Much”, concludes that certain theories about weight gain over the course of your life aren’t quite right.  Historically, research has suggested that, since there are 3500 calories in a pound of fat (technically, fat tissue), eating an “extra” 60 calories a day, over the course of a year, would result in a 6 lb. gain – and then again, the next year, and again, the next year.  Lo and behold, the researches found that instead, the weight gain levels off, because your body has to move more to move more (get it?).  Conversely, when you reduce your caloric intake, your body has to work less, to move less, so once you drop the initial poundage, you find yourself at (the ever-present) plateau. 

To get off the plateau, the authors tell us what any good Weight Watcher already knows: you have to eat significantly less, OR work out much harder, to continue to lose weight.

The authors go on to explain a few other key factors about reducing body mass.  In the end, a few key points stuck with me:

• Since we tend to gain weight over a period of years, if we want to halt the increase (of even 1-2 pounds per year), small changes in how much we eat, or the exercise we do, will have little effect on on the increase, because our body will compensate for these tiny adjustments. 
• Even the experts have given up on suggesting that “small changes” make a difference.  ”These calculations suggest that small changes in lifestyle would have a minor effect on obesity prevention.  Walking an extra mile a day expends, roughly, 60kcal compared with resting – equal to the energy in a small cookie.   [The current amount of calorie overage for the average American] is between 5 and 10 fold greater, far beyond the ability of most individuals to address on a personal level.”(JAMA 2010; 303(1): 65-66)

So where does that leave us?  Well, it teaches us one thing.  First, as we all know, weight is a tricky thing.  There is no simple answer, and yet we know that exercise, in combination with some magic nutrition formula, helps us to lose weight, increase muscle mass, and be healthier. 

We also know that cutting out that teaspoon of sugar in your coffee, or skipping the dinner mint, doesn’t really matter.  But working out harder does.  (At least, that’s how I read it.)  And though I’m currently not at an “ideal” weight, I can say that running, and running regularly, has always been the best exercise I’ve found for reducing or maintaining weight, keeping fitness at a high level, and lowering blood pressure.  For me, running is the easy half of the equation, and I’ll keep doing it till I get the other half right.

Running is not easy.  I would never claim that it is.  However, studies like this remind me that running is an incredibly good, challenging way to participate in an activity that is very, very good for evening up the playing field with The Calorie Intake Team.  Put simply: it’s hard work – the kind of hard work you need if you’re serious about weight loss.  So if you’re contemplating a way to kickstart a program, or to get off a plateau, or to simply test out your own mettle, go run for 30 seconds.  Walk for 30 seconds.  Tomorrow, go 1 minute and 1 minute.   Use these studies to motivate you, and to also keep perspective.  Don’t be afraid to aim high.  Becoming a runner is incredibly, incredibly possible for you – just start small, and use a smart approach to doing it, and you’ll find that you, too can be making big changes that stick.

One final note – at the end of the article, the authors noted that preventing obesity in the first place will require a complex approach to regulating food, food manufacturers, and increasing a focus on public health and exercise.   As my friend Joyce has also reminded me, weight is about more than just calories – it’s metabolism, your historical approach to food, and medication that also impact what you can and can’t lose.   Weight, and obesity, are complex issues, with multiple social and environmental factors impacting our ability to lose and maintain weight.  It’s messy, and complex.  But it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.   

My friend Karen has a saying.  She likes to say that lots of people, standing in a room, admiring a problem, doesn’t get anyone anywhere.  You can talk about it a lot, and you can all agree it’s a BIG problem, but until someone starts taking it apart, piece by piece, nothing will ever get solved. 

We can admire the “obesity epidemic” all we want.  We can talk about healthy weights, and the impact of chemicals in the food supply, and the advent of the DVR and what it means for the size of our asses.  But we can also just start moving.  We can try, and try, and try again to find some activity that captures our hearts and our bodies, until we find the one that’s right for us.   I did it with running, and maybe you will too.

It can’t hurt to try.