Nike Sport Band and a 13 Mile Run

Today started early for a Saturday: clock went off around 6am. I did not want to get out of bed, but I made a commitment to run early, before the rest of the crew, with Erin. Our plan, to run 3 loops around the lake and the water tower; it actually ends up being 3 around the water tower and 6 around the lake. Who cares anyway.

To bottom line the run, Erin and I did complete the 13 miles. We stopped at the Fire Barn for a few refreshments and to chat with the new arrivals; Bob who was busy, as usual, lending a hand setting up the cafe and Ray who was meeting and greeting, I think Mayor of Syracuse is in his future.

Well, Erin and I weren't the only early arrivals though. Erinn (2 "n"s is correct. Its not a typo.), Maryann, and John ran early too. They agreed, the earlier the better for completing the run and avoiding the peak of the summer heat and humidity. The other runners who arrived at the appointed time were Debbie, Melissa, Bob, Ray, Chris, Lauren, Todd, and Tony. I cannot recall everyone else. Sorry. There were many. Open bathrooms were a good discovery to all the runners even though a Strathmore resident opened their home to any runners who needed to use a restroom. How kind is that. I want to live there. Great park and friendly people.

Aside from completing our 13 miles, Erin and I were on a mission to discover if her Nike Sports Band was functioning properly or if it was just her short stride that caused its inaccuracies. So, I wore her sports band, a pretty pink and white, and placed the transmitter in my shoe while Erin wore my sports band, a manly black and red, and placed the transmitter in her shoe lace pouch.

The results are in: Erin's sports band read 2.98 while I wore the band, and my band read .06 while she wore my band. Erin actually was the problem. Either their is a height limitation, or her stride is a little short, or maybe she moves her arms too much while she talks. It could be anything. However, I do not think its the pouch. Next run I will use the pouch, and we'll see what happens. Erin. on the other hand, is sticking to her theory that it matters if the transmitter is in the shoe rather than on the shoe with the pouch. What do you think; am I gonna be correct and Erin mistaken? Or is it the other way around?

There was another story. It escapes me right now, but I'll make another post if I can remember.

The cafe was awesome as usual. Plenty of food and drinks for everyone. The hospitality demonstrated by the Strathmore Community Association has been great and deserves our thanks. Let all runners who read this and all of us who participated in the training tuns register for the Fire Barn race for September 27.

The cafe will be down for the remainder of the summer, yet the association will continue to provide cold drinks for the runners for our Saturday or Sunday runs.

See you on the road.

Running Onondaga Park

Awesome run yesterday morning. I think we had 11 runners out that fine, hot, and humid morning. Yet, we were prepared. Bob and I ditched a 32oz bottle of Gatorade w/promotional cups at the entrance to the reservoir loop, but I don’t think anyone had any since the bottle was full at runs end. All the runners stopped for a brief cool down at the Fire Barn where Bob brought water bottles and a jug of Gatorade with ICE; maybe the ice was the kicker.

Erin’s Nike band still doesn’t work, and its not because of her short stride or height deficiency. I think its her speed. Don’t say anything. Shh.

The course is a must for anyone looking to run short or long. Starting at the Fire Barn at Summit Ave we loop around the lake going down a slight grade and leave Onondaga Park near the pool and head up hill to Geddes and run the reservoir loop and then the water tower loop. After coming down the hill we run an open field through a parking lot and turn on Arden and follow the Mountain Goat blue hash marks and return to the Fire Barn to run one last Hiawatha Lake loop. That is just about 4.2 miles, Two loops gets you to almost eight and a half miles. Can’t wait to run it next weekend.

See you on the road.

Team In Training for Disney and AZ RnR Marathons

Its been a while since my last post talking about my varied experiences while training for the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon. Now a new season begins. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is recruiting for the winter season. There are two fantastic, flat marathons and half marathons to train for in January: The Disney Marathon and the Arizona Rock n Roll Marathon.

This season I have been selected as a non-fundraising mentor. I get to run with more new folks, meet a new coach, Kim, who seems awesome and help the participants achieve their goals. I can vouch for the wonderful experience I had running and fundraising for the Team in Training last March through June. I met new friends and learned about many personal stories, which motivated me to persevere, that touched my heart regarding those people, our friends and family, who suffered, died, and survived blood cancer.

I can say in all honesty that my Team In Training experience last season was one of the most impactful and meaningful things I have ever done. It took me well outside my comfort zone by honoring my friend's sister Jane, who has multiple myloma cancer and asking my friends, colleagues, and relatives to support my run. While raising funds for Jane's cause, I took on others' who have or have had blood cancer on as honorees. On all my runs I thought about Jane and the others whose stories I learned and used them for motivation to carry on.

If I hadn't known their stories, I would have dropped out of the race for sure. At mile 14 I wanted to drop dead. I thought about Jane's and the other's stories while running and thought about how small my "pain" and 'discomfort" was in comparison to theirs and had no choice but to finish the marathon. By mile 21 I wanted to drop, but I didn't because I could not let them down. I promised to finish.

As I blogged about my training runs, and thought about each supporter who donated funds to LLS my commitment was strengthened. Each time I saw a supporter or a running mate, they asked me about my training and pushed me onward. While I was in the corner of Jane Spellman and the many others with blood cancer, my friends, family, and colleagues were in my corner, rooting me for success.

I encourage anyone who dreams of running a marathon or a half marathon to step outside your comfort zone and make a commitment to join the Team In Training. Run with 1000s of other runners and walkers who dare to make a difference with their hearts, minds, and legs. Once you cross the finish line, you become the hero to blood cancer victims, their families, and to all those who supported the cause. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Please visit lls.org or come to our information meeting on August 5 at the Liverpool Library at 6:30pm or August 10 at Dewitt Town Hall also at 6:30pm.