May marks the season for distance events in Wisconsin. Runners have ditched their treadmills and spinning bikes and are ready to test their indoor training regimens on the outdoor terrain.
Ron and his friends ran a great half-marathon last weekend in Eagle River. The pictures are punctuated by a fresh snow fall the night below. This weekend however, true to Wisconsin's bipolar climate, we expect sunny skys and temps in the mid 60's. One of my favorite races is in Green Bay tomorrow, The Cellcom Marathon/Half. The race tends to draw more than 6000 participants and this year is no different. Both races are a total sell-out.
The kids will vacation with Grandma while Ron and I drive the 2 hours north to Green Bay. The highlight of the race, outside of the awesome fitness vendors, is running through Lambeau Field with music blaring from the loudspeakers. Hopefully I will still be running at the end of the race.
My training has not been ideal. Like a lot of people, life can become hectic with work obligations, parenting, and general and unexpected demands can change the course of a workout plan. I was more susceptible to "over-use" syndromes this past winter/spring with issues like tendinitis, piriformis syndrome, and IT band tightness. Between teaching classes I have tried to pace my gradual half-marathon schedule but it pretty much climaxed at twelve miles two weeks ago with residual knee pain (likely IT band) that has lasted ever since.
Anyone that runs for fitness know that a race is actually fun. It is the training that can be tedious and sometimes even a bore. I am hopeful that the past two weeks of doing very little will lend itself to doing a lot race-day. I should clarify..."a lot" in my mind is completing the half marathon averaging under 9 minute miles.
If you have aspirations of running a distance event but not sure where to start, I have found Hal Higdon's running page quite helpful. Hal has years of running experience and provides wise insight to a gradual increase in mileage. In addition, Jeff Galloway is an excellent resource as well as he advocates running with a mix of walking to decrease injury risk and allow for "normal" people to function the next day without muscular pain and tightness. Obviously I did not follow this regimen! My Larson mantra essentially was, "If not now, when?" Meaning you can't always wait for the ideal time to do a long run, eat nutritiously, take up a new hobby, or show kindness. Sometimes you just have to do it now.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the beautiful weekend!
Ron and his friends ran a great half-marathon last weekend in Eagle River. The pictures are punctuated by a fresh snow fall the night below. This weekend however, true to Wisconsin's bipolar climate, we expect sunny skys and temps in the mid 60's. One of my favorite races is in Green Bay tomorrow, The Cellcom Marathon/Half. The race tends to draw more than 6000 participants and this year is no different. Both races are a total sell-out.
The kids will vacation with Grandma while Ron and I drive the 2 hours north to Green Bay. The highlight of the race, outside of the awesome fitness vendors, is running through Lambeau Field with music blaring from the loudspeakers. Hopefully I will still be running at the end of the race.
My training has not been ideal. Like a lot of people, life can become hectic with work obligations, parenting, and general and unexpected demands can change the course of a workout plan. I was more susceptible to "over-use" syndromes this past winter/spring with issues like tendinitis, piriformis syndrome, and IT band tightness. Between teaching classes I have tried to pace my gradual half-marathon schedule but it pretty much climaxed at twelve miles two weeks ago with residual knee pain (likely IT band) that has lasted ever since.
Anyone that runs for fitness know that a race is actually fun. It is the training that can be tedious and sometimes even a bore. I am hopeful that the past two weeks of doing very little will lend itself to doing a lot race-day. I should clarify..."a lot" in my mind is completing the half marathon averaging under 9 minute miles.
If you have aspirations of running a distance event but not sure where to start, I have found Hal Higdon's running page quite helpful. Hal has years of running experience and provides wise insight to a gradual increase in mileage. In addition, Jeff Galloway is an excellent resource as well as he advocates running with a mix of walking to decrease injury risk and allow for "normal" people to function the next day without muscular pain and tightness. Obviously I did not follow this regimen! My Larson mantra essentially was, "If not now, when?" Meaning you can't always wait for the ideal time to do a long run, eat nutritiously, take up a new hobby, or show kindness. Sometimes you just have to do it now.
Thanks for reading. Enjoy the beautiful weekend!
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