I just felt like running...

I think we can all agree Forrest Gump is a timeless, classic movie. So… when my employer had a “Halloween-Dress Like a Movie Character Day,” I thought what better way to honor the greatest fictitious runner of all-time (come on people, he ran 3 years, 2 months, 14 days, and 16 hours, across the country twice before stopping), than dressing like him for Halloween.

So…come up with some Running Halloween costume ideas and post your ideas or pictures for those looking for last-minute ideas. For the most creative idea maybe a treat can be mailed or sent to you. (Logistics to be considered later, might be an empty promise, so don’t get you’re hopes up, but I’ll try!). Please keep the costumes ideas classy.

Here of some ideas to get those creative brains turning:

GO AS…..Steve Prefontaine:
Costume: Running shorts, running singlet, and a mustache. Simple, yet inspiring.

WEAR……that old wedding dress with a race bib and some GU gels attached and
GO AS…. “A Runaway Bride!”

Contest ends Midnight of October 31st. Pictures of you in your Running/Halloween costume will only increase your chances of winning.

Best of luck and Happy Halloween!

Check for local Fun Runs and Costume Fun Runs.

Those in Omaha, the Omaha Running Club is having a FREE Halloween Fun Run at 7PM tonight! 156th and Dodge.

Bright Ideas for the coming season...

October 18th!?!? Are you kidding me? It’s been almost a month since I ran my first marathon! Where has the time gone? Are the days getting shorter? Winter is almost here! Anything but winter!

I’m assuming most of you have had similar thoughts or have similar feelings towards winter months, if not, congratulations you’re a freak.

Real quick…over the last month I’ve fielded a few questions that need answering:
• What’s next? Another marathon (of course!) I’ve read over and over that once you complete you’re first, you’ll want to do another one. I’ve found that to be true. So logically the next question is….
• When? I’m not sure, most likely the May 1, 2011 Lincoln Marathon! (If anyone else has that marathon or half-marathon circled on their calendar, let me know! We can train together!)
• In the meantime? I’d like to prepare myself for a full spring schedule of the Lincoln Marathon and some shorter distance triathlons. So I plan on hitting the pool and riding my bike indoors (got a new CycleOps indoor trainer)

But enough about me, let’s talk about YOU (and maybe some more about me):
How are we going to stay motivated over the winter months?
How are we going to find time to train?
What are ¬we going to do to beat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

First of all…it’s not winter yet, which means don’t put your bike away, don’t stop going on walks or runs, and don’t use the excuse “it’s to cold outside.” If this was winter, we would all be in shorts and a t-shirt! So maximize those sunny fall days and don’t get stuck on the couch, because if you’re like me, come January you’ll be wishing for a 40 degree day! Which leads me into how we’re going to stay motivated during the winter months…

Bright Idea #1: Set Weekly Goals!
Set a weekly goal of walking or running (Ex. 20 miles) and if you accomplish your goal, reward yourself with something…maybe a Scooter’s Latte or a new stocking cap. Don’t set extreme goals, but something that is reachable with a little hard work and some extra effort.

Bright Idea #2: Find a friend!
Hopefully you have at least one friend that is willing to “train” with you. Having someone hold you accountable and vice versa for those early morning runs or strength training sessions will give you that extra reason to get up in the morning and head to the gym. Find someone that has similar goals so you’re training might be similar, which will allow for some friendly competition.

Let’s move on to When are we going to find time?

Bright Idea #1: 24 hours, 24 opportunities!
A day lasts 24 hours. It always has and it always will. No matter your schedule I know we all can find time to train. Wake up an hour early, stay up an hour late, or spend 30 minutes of your lunch hour walking, running, or doing some simple strength training exercises.

Currently I work full time and am taking an additional education class, so while I’m not the busiest person, I do want to prove to those more busy and less busy that it can be done. So in the coming weeks I am challenging myself to run 100 miles in one week! I will run 3 times a day, varying distances, to prove to myself and others that you can find time if you put your mind to it! (And your calendar)

Don’t be S.A.D! What are we going to do to beat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)?

Bright Idea: #1: Take advantage of nice weather!
If you find the forecast to be unseasonably warm, head outside for your work out. Running on the treadmill or working out in the gym can get old and redundant, so if the temperature gets comfortable, try heading outside for some Vitamin D!

Bright Idea: #2: Mix it up!
Two weeks of grey, cold winter days got you down? Mix it up with a workout that you’ve never done before. Attend a spin class, attend a martial arts class, or maybe try the popular P90x! Schedule a workout that’s different from your normal routine and look forward to it! Maybe you’ll enjoy it so much it will become your new hobby or passion!

Hopefully these ideas will get you thinking about how you will solve the winter blues and jumpstart your workouts.

Please post any suggestion, comments, or your own bright ideas.

Stay tuned for Century Week (100 Mile Week)!!

Bring "Hood to Coast" to Omaha

Calling All Runners(and/or Movie Lovers)
In my search to find my next event to train for and my recent fascination with relay races I stumbled across "The Mother of All Relays": Oregon's Hood to Coast.

http://www.hoodtocoast.com/

This event looks awesome! Someday I hope to put together a team and be lucky enough to get a spot in the event (it's sold out the last 12 years in less than 24 hours each time). In the meantime the documentary sports film "Hood to Coast" will have to hold me over. Take a look at the movie trailer and post comments of what you think?

Help bring the movie to Omaha or your community. Details can be found on their website:
http://www.hoodtocoastmovie.com/

For those who live in the Omaha Metro area, I suggest contacting Filmstreams at INFO@FILMSTREAMS.ORG
If this is something you'd like to see, let Filmstreams know!

If the film happens to pass us by, you can bet there will be a movie night at my house. Bring the popcorn! (And your running shoes!)

Welcome to Lincoln! (By way of Omaha)

After recently completing the 3rd Annual Market-to-Market Relay: an 84.43 mile, 6-8 person, 21-stage relay race, my new interest is now long distance relays. How does it work? The 84 mile course is broken into 21-stages with each runner taking on 2-3 stages. Stages range from 3-5 miles on a mixture of trails, paved roads, gravel roads, and highways from Omaha to Lincoln, then just like a relay race the runners “hand off the baton” throughout the day on their way to the finish line. The tagline for Market-to-Market is “84 miles, 21 exchange points, 6-8 person teams, 1 unforgettable day.”

Well...kudos to the advertising folks that put Market-to-Market on because they are totally correct on the unforgettable day part. We finished Saturday and my team and I haven’t stopped talking about it, posting on each other’s Facebook, and texting memories, funny moments, and inside jokes that only members of Team Pumpkin Patch or participants of a Market-to-Market would understand.

There is no other race environment like it and with limited spots, if you ever get the chance to run one, I strongly recommend it! In fact…if you’re lucky enough to win the entry-lottery to get in, please call me because I’d love to run another one!

http://www.markettomarketrelay.com/

Thoughts and Thank Yous

10. Everything you read about a marathon is true and then harder.
I was officially introduced to “The Wall” around Mile 21. Today the Wall meant lower body cramping and lower back spasms. I tried to push through it, but was unable. I ran walked the last 4 miles.

9. Gatorade Endurance > G2
G2 is great, but apparently there is an Endurance Formula Gatorade with additional electrolytes and sodium. Upon drinking this magical elixir, I felt like I could finish without walking (at least for the next 500 yards).

8. 1st Marathon
Everyone along the course was amazing and super nice. The general consensus when they heard this was my first marathon was, “you chose a real tough one as your first.” So…if you decide to take on a full marathon, I recommend you choose a fast, flat course. Not that I have any regrets about choosing Omaha, but there were a few hills that I might avoid even in my car.

7. Dear Miley
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again… “Party in the U.S.A.” is pure gold. Without it I know I would not have crossed the finish line.

6. Dear apl.de.ap and Taboo
Because Fergie and will.i.am get all the recognition, let it be known that the Black Eyed Peas have the catchiest songs ever.

5. Thank You Body Glide
Enough said.

4. Runners are amazing people.
Today there was a participant who was blind. He was led 26.2 miles by bicycle and ran a great time. Also on the course today was a mother-father combo pushing their son in a wheel chair and a woman completing her 93rd marathon. All amazing. All inspiring.

3. PRs
The race director stated “I have a feeling there are going to be a lot of PRs (Personal Records) today.” I turned to my wife and said “Yeah, right!” To which she reminded me no matter what my time was I was going to PR. (Hey! It was like 6AM in the morning!)

2. Thank You Volunteers
Thank you to all the volunteers who acted as “Human Cones,” handed out water, and made the Omaha Marathon a memorable and special race.

1. Thank you Friends and Family
Thank you to all my friends and family who wished me luck, came to watch, and thought about me today. Without your support, this wouldn’t have been as special or as memorable. So...thank you so much everyone for your love and support.

Even though official training for the marathon has ended...the blog will continue. What's next? I don't know, but you can't start thinking about the next one until the pain from the first one goes away.

**Race for the Cure is next Sunday. If you haven't registered, DO IT. It's a great 5K for a great cause!

Let's talk about socks...

I was asked on two separate occasions this week about socks and running socks, so I’m taking that as I sign the readers (all 2 of you) are hungry for knowledge about socks. So…here is everything I know about socks!

1.) “Cotton Kills”
While light weight and comfortable, cotton absorbs moisture instead of letting it evaporate or “wick” away. Many backpackers and campers will recognize the saying “cotton kills” as it’s recommended you not where cotton clothing while enjoying the great outdoors. After a long day of hiking your damp, sweaty shirt may not seem like a big deal until the temperature drops leaving you with a wet cotton shirt sucking away your body heat, which can lead to hypothermia or in extreme cases, death. While wearing cotton running socks is unlikely to lead to hypothermia or death, the same principles apply. As you’re running or walking your foot will sweat. Cotton socks will be unable to evaporate the moisture, so as the sock continues to absorb, it can lead to “hot spots” and eventually blisters.

2.) Choose the right material
People will have different preferences as to the style and cut of the sock, but one thing we can all agree on is material. Avoid 100% cotton, for the reason stated above. Choose a sock made of synthetic materials, such as polyester, nylon, or acrylic. With new advances in wool blends, wool socks also make great running socks. Apparently, wool can hold 22% more moisture than a cotton sock, so wool is great for keeping your feet dry and regulating temperature. I know what you’re thinking “Wool socks! My feet will burn up from heat.” But I’ve recently found this new wool technology to be amazing at wicking away moisture and your feet DO NOT get hot. For more details on this magic, check out smartwool.com.

3.) Black or White
Again it’s personal preference as to what color of socks you like, but a recent running-store clerk told me, “Choose black or grey socks! It will hide dirt better and you can wear them a couple times before washing them.” While I’m from the school of “one and done” meaning you wear a pair of socks once and then wash them, I know more people are going green and might appreciate saving the environment by way of wearing their socks multiple times.

4.) Specifics
If you are having specific problems, try a specific sock! I was amazed at the different types of socks you can buy (Apparently sock technology is a big deal), but there are socks for blister protection, arch support, maximum drying, cushioning, support, etc. So if you feel you need some additional arch support, try arch support socks. If you feel you need blister protection, grab some blister preventing socks.

5.) Don’t be surprised
Don’t be surprised by the price tag on some of these socks. One pair of special running socks might cost you the same amount as those 24-pack athletic socks from Wal-Mart, but don’t be discouraged by the price or quantity. Do you want 24 pairs of socks that will cause blisters or a few good pairs that will keep your feet happy and healthy?

In conclusion, pony up the money for a good pair of synthetic material socks that will wick away moisture during a run. Your feet will thank you!

A fortnight...

Apparently Monster Month was such a challenge that it prevented me from blogging. While that’s not entirely true, the last three weeks have presented some major hurdles in the quest for a marathon. The one that sticks out most in my mind and the one you’ll probably find most enjoyable was my first attempt at 20 miles. I had reached the pinnacle of my training and felt like I had 20 in the bag. The day started with me completing my normal pre-run routine: drinking some G1 Gatorade, a quick stretch, strapping on the running fanny pack (please hold your laughter…you need to drink water on long runs and the fanny pack is both fashionable and functional), and setting a stellar iPod play list.

Ten steps into my run, my water bottle flew out of the fanny pack and cracked on the pavement, spilling all but 2oz. of the water. Twenty steps into my run, the wind would not allow me to keep my earphones in, preventing me from listening to my stellar mega mix (which by the way includes my new guilty pleasure song: “Party In the U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus). So right then and there I should have just stopped and called it a day, but the “run through challenges” mentality took over and I decided to continue.

Three miles into the run and my stomach began to slosh. I had chosen a hearty helping of beef stew for lunch (we’ve crossed beef stew off as an option for the pre-race meal) and around mile four, the beef stew and the “pinnacle” of training met.

After quickly tossing the contents of my undigested beef stew on the side of the trail, I decided to walk back to my car, dejected after not being able to go 20 miles. Immediately doubt seeped into my mind. “If I can’t go 20, I can’t go 26!” “Did I train enough?” “Did I train too hard?” “Did I not choose the right training plan?” “Why did I choose beef stew for lunch?”

Thankfully, all these questions were answered a few weeks later. After struggling through a few shorter runs with cramps in my right calf (cause still unknown), and a strain in my neck (probably caused by my arch nemesis: the treadmill), I was able to run 20 miles and near my race pace of 8:15 per mile. So…a fortnight away from the marathon I feel I can go 26.2 miles, I feel I’ve trained to the best of my ability (whether or not that was enough remains to be seen) and as to the beef stew…it was good, but we’ll leave it off the menu for awhile.