National Running Day

Today, June 3, 2009 is officially the first annual National Running Day.  No, this isn't like Guacamole Day or any or those other obscure holidays that people make up.

June 3 has been designated by several major organizations in the running industry, including USA Track & Field, Running USA, the Boston Athletic Association, New York Road Runners, the Oregon Track Club, and more, as National Running Day.  The initiative is encouraging everyone, young and old, runner and non-runner, to lace up their shoes and go for a run today, as  way to promote a healthier, more active lifestyle.  The running industry is focusing especially on inspiring children and educating them on the benefits of running, as so many phys ed programs are included in schools' budget cuts.

We live in a country that the world often views through the lens of obesity and fast food chains...and with good reason.  The unhealthy lifestyles that so many Americans lead cost over $100 billion annually in health-care expenses and productivity loss due to obesity problems, so much so that inactivity and poor diet are on their way toward overtaking smoking as the #1 cause of preventable death in the US.  Sad.

It's pretty cool to see recreational and competitive runners using various social media channels today, especially Twitter and Facebook, to create a hype around National Running Day.  You don't need to run a marathon, or even a 5k race, but even small steps toward getting up from your desk or your couch to go for a run goes a long way...and you just might enjoy it ;)

there's no place like home...

It was a perfect Madtown weekend, in every way possible.  Though most of my college crew has spread their wings and followed their dreams down different roads, on certain occasions the winds of Madison call us all back together again.  The sun shines down on the lake, we bring pitchers of Spotted Cow and Babcock ice cream out to the iconic yellow, orange, and green terrace tables, and it is as if a mere matter of weeks has passed since we were last together.  

After deciding a few months ago to run the Madison Half-Marathon, it turned out that several friends - both runners and non-runners - had the same idea, and several reunions fell into place.  Others drove to town for the day from Chicago, the Twin Cities, and West Bend, making the weekend even richer.

The race was a memorable one for me.  I ran with Simon and Liz and the memories flooded back as we passed the Camp Randall Stadium, the Lakeshore dorms.  We saw friends' old apartments and campus buildings where we had spent countless hours in classes.  Liz and I remembered many runs together as we turned down the Lakeshore path and around the Union.  The course went up Langdon, we laughed and pointed out different frat houses that we had partied at.  A couple spectators handed out beer along the course, and the three of us had no intention of turning it down - I love Wisconsinites.  Zach was cheering for us near James Madison Park, Jackie at Tenney Park.  The final 5k curved around the Monona Terrace and the sun shone on Lake Monona.  The last couple miles were tough, but as I turned down the final stretch and pushed my way to the finish line amidst the cheering, I knew that I would PR by several minutes.  

In just one long weekend, I saw many, many close friends, wandered up and down State Street, visited some of my favorite cafes and bars, and soaked up every ounce of Madison goodness that I could.  I may not return often, but Madison will always have a place in my heart, will always call me home.

Madison: Experiences for a Lifetime 

Best roommates, best friends.

hanging out with the guys on the terrace

PR 2:19:45

my "little sisters"

AIESEC love: Erin's first Marathon

Les Parisiens: Joe's first Half-Marathon

the wide waters of New York inspire me...

Inspiration from a gorgeous early run.. mornings like these are the reason that I am a runner...

you pushed me to go the extra mile...

This morning was one of my best short races to date.  The weather was gorgeous, and I knew from my first mile split (which had included Cat Hill) that it was going to be a good race. There's such an advantage to racing a course that you know inside and out, where you can anticipate the grade of each uphill, know exactly how long you have to recover on the rolling downhills.  I finished in 38:17, one of my best race times yet.  Now if only I could run a 9:34 pace during the marathon ;)

My fellow Badger running buddies in their first NYRR race

Do you ever wonder what happens to the words that we send, do they bend, do they break from the flight that they take...

We stand in the pouring rain, waiting for tonight's training to begin.  Coach Ramon, back from accompanying our spring season to Italy for the Rome Marathon, chides us over slacking while he was away for the past two weeks.  As we are waiting for him to go over our hill workout....

"So, one important announcement.  There has *kind of* been a mix-up between the NYC TNT Chapter office and the race organizers out in San Diego.  We sent in all the registration forms after recommitment last week, but it seems that somehow our team does NOT have any spots reserved for the race [panicked looks start to spread] and the race is already full.  If you were signed up for San Diego, you always have the option of switching to Anchorage or Lake Placid, but we ARE trying to get everything straightened out in time, so don't worry too much, hopefully we can figure everything out [looks of confusion].  So for tonight's hill training, we are going to be running Cat Hill.  What I want you to focus on.."

He goes over the workout as everyone tries to process what he just said.  He shouts for us to head out, as Coach Christine asks if he doesn't still have one more announcement.  Nope, he starts yelling at all of us to stop being cry-babies about the rain and pick up the pace.

Christine is the nice coach.  She loves us.  She tells us that we all fell for it...

APRIL FOOLS. 

A Race Like No Other...

As I crossed the finish line of the NYRR 8000m race this morning, I moved one step closer to THE race that I've had my eye on since I found myself integrated into the New York running scene last summer... the NY Marathon.  Maybe one day I will aspire to run Boston, the pinnacle of distance running, but at this point, my heart is set on running one of the greatest marathons there is - in my city.  

A course that traverses 5 boroughs and 5 bridges, finishing in Central Park, will be the culmination of the journey that it takes to qualify.  Nine races in 2009 will guarantee my entry for NYM 2010.  I have two behind me, a 5k in Washington Heights and today's 8k in the Park.  And so, interspersed with the destination marathons that I have ahead of me this year, in Madison, Lake Placid, and San Fran, my New York races will be what really keep pushing me toward the goal that I have ahead of me.

Do you have what it takes?

If I can't hear the music and the audience is gone, I'll dance here on my own..

Sometimes you get lucky and all the elements click when you go out for a run.  You push your pace 15 seconds faster than usual.  Your stride is steady and strong.  Everything just feels "right", you can't explain why.  These are the days that remind you why you love to run.  These are the days that you live for, the days that make you forget about your last tough run, when something felt off.  You get in the zone and feel that you could run forever.  Your mind clears, your heartbeat syncs with your feet pounding on the pavement.  You cherish the moment of solitude, the clarity.

westside of Manhattan at sunset

Setting the pace...

I have always found solitude in running. Not to race, but just for the escape that it brings from the rest of my life. Not running toward, not running away, just running. After 4 years of having the Lakeshore paths only moments away whenever I had a free moment to escape down to the trails around Monona or Mendota, my running routine was put on pause since I moved to Colombia. Between dangerously high temperatures, insane traffic, and broken sidewalks that almost guarenteed a twisted ankle, running outside in Barranquilla was out of the question. Granted, I went to the gym often, but I detest treadmills with a passion, spinning round and round and never really going anywhere. Since I arrived to Bogota last weekend, I have quickly settled into a different daily routine, one that I have instantly grown accustomed to. Yesterday morning, Steve pointed me in the direction of Parque Simon Bolivar, the equivalent of Bogota's Central Park. From the moment my running shoes hit the path, the crisp mountain air filled my lungs, and I turned on my iPod, I felt my muscles spring to life and I was off. Pushing through the altitude difference that made it difficult to catch my breath, I found an energy reawakened inside of me that had been missing for far too long. I may never win the race, but may I never be forced to stop running...