38

Yeah, Yeah! You haven't heard from me in a while. You're probably getting tired of me saying it, so from now on, no more apologies for my sporadic and "lack of" blogging! Let's just call me a slacker and get it over with! I do, however, have two pretty pitiful excuses this time. The first, I've been trying to catch up on a year and half's worth of Fringe episodes! Almost there! It's getting harder to stay up late! Secondly, I had full intentions of sharing a training plan for the Vulcan Run, and my training was going well for a change, so I didn't want to jinx it! I guess along with calling me a slacker, you can throw in superstitious! How about a retrospective view.

Evidently, I've been talking about trying to race Vulcan again for quite a few years now, because upon mentioning it one more time to my wife I got one of those "Just Do It, Please" comments. I think I really needed that for some motivation. So, using some of the momentum from some successful training and racing in the Dixie 200 Relay, I gradually upped my mileage to around 45 to 50 miles a week, AND I even threw in one hill workout and a track workout! I know two workouts doesn't sound like much, but you gotta start some where! RIGHT!?

The week of Vulcan arrived and after a few "What time are you shooting for?" questions from co-workers and friends came, I realized I really didn't have a clue how fast I could run. At first, in trying to come up with a time goal, I thought back to Dixie 200 and running the last 3 mile leg in just over 5:50 pace. I knew I was in better shape than back then, so was 5:50 pace for 6.2 with folks to race against really out of reach? Then, I thought about the two workouts. The hill workout was all effort based, so that really didn't help, but the track workout was a 12 x 400 interval workout in which I ran all under 6:00 pace and the last few in 5:20 pace. All the thinking got too specific for me, so I decided, kind of last minute, to just say, "I want to beat my age!" I just turned 38 in October. I like that number, and it sounded doable. Besides, if I ran a couple of minutes faster than 38:00, I'd be REALLY, REALLY happy!

Race day hits! Knowing the course, I really wanted to be conservative early and feel comfortable through the first two miles. The gun goes off, and honestly, a half a mile into the race I realized I really have forgotten how to follow a plan and just run my own race. I let the excitement of being out there again, and maybe some overconfidence get the best of me. Mile 1 split - 5:29!! OOPS!! That is officially the fastest mile I've run in 10 years! Probably not the best idea to do that in the first mile of a 10K. Well, the plan was out the door, and I paid for it. I struggled mightily up Highland and suffered from mile 3 to the finish! Finish time - 37:39.

At first, after the race, I was hanging my head a little, and was pretty disappointed. Then, my perfectly, supportive wife reminded me, Vulcan 2012 was my first solid effort to race a 10K in, well, I can't really remember how many years! So, here's me accentuating the positives! I did beat my age, placed 3rd in my age group, AND, for you Nike + users out there, I set some records since using my Nike + Sportwatch, fastest 1K, fastest mile, and fastest 10K. Most importantly, I got out there! Lining up on that starting line, making myself suffer a little to try to hang in and race, and crossing that finish line has left a little fire to get out there and try again! Oh, and how can I forget! I got a sweet Top 200 tee for my son!

I did learn one very important lesson! I really need to re-learn how to race! If I learned anything "back in the day", you have to have a plan, you have to set a realistic goal, and you have to run your own race! I'm going to try to put those all together and have some more successful outcomes in the future!

Oh, I almost forgot! In sticking to the theme of the title. I did finish in 37th place, just under 38!! Coincidence, I think not!

Don't knock it til you try it!

I have run a total of 6 times in the past 7 weeks  on a treadmill! That is exactly twice the number of times I have run on a treadmill in my whole life, and the first 3 times were for the "sake of science". (I'll explain. The exercise physiology program at UAB asked the cross country team to come out to do some VO2 Max testing a few of times while I was there.) So, why have I doubled my treadmill running in the past few weeks? First, I went on a run with Mr. Stand one hot, sticky morning and, for lack of a better way to put it, thought I was going to die! Seriously, I saw blue dots, got real dizzy, felt chills, and had a nagging headache the rest of the day! The next day, I thought it would be nice to run in a "controlled environment". Second, I have had several customers come in recently who have told me they run on the treadmill exclusively, and when they ask questions about it, I honestly have very few to no answers! I thought that wasn't very cool, so I decided to give it a go, and you know, I'm not going to "knock it" as much as I thought I was going to!

My two biggest "knocks" about running on a treadmill have been it's much easier than running on the road and it's boring. So, I tried a couple of things to help. First, I wore a heart rate monitor. To me, the only true test of effort is heart rate, and I have the hardest time controlling it. I started easy and gradually increased the pace to reach about 75% of my max heart rate. My goal was to reach a comfortable working effort to insure I wasn't over doing it OR just going through the motions. The first positive of the treadmill, with no inclines and a constant pace made it very easy to keep my heart rate consistent. It's the perfect solution to those of us who have a hard time keeping those easy, recovery runs, EASY!

The second issue I've had with treadmills, is that they are sinfully boring! There are no "sites to behold", curbs to jump, cars to dodge, or owls to escape!! In fact, there's way too much to stare at to remind you of EXACTLY how long you've been there! First, right in front of you, there's this control panel that reminds you of the elapsed time or the time remaining in your workout! Second, that same control panel allows you to watch TV! Now, this may be the "running purist" in me typing, but you should NOT be able to watch TV while you are running! I know you "treadmillers" are going to disagree and probably say that's the very reason you run inside, but frankly it's just wrong! Why? Everybody on this planet knows damn well most programs are either a half hour or an hour long. When those credits roll, I'm thinking, "I've only been here for 30 minutes!", and quite honestly, there aren't enough shows on a limited cable selection to hold my attention for an hour. SOLUTION: a towel! I throw the towel over the dreaded control panel, and it's me and my watch, just like the road (HA!)!

My inventional spirit has lead me to a more running friendly idea of a treadmill. Obviously, the control panel needs to disappear! Have an open front with the pace and incline controls on the side rails. There are an abundance gadgets today to help you see your pace, heart rate, calories burned, and elapsed time, and if you need help with a training program, surf the web, email danny@rununiversity.com, runingwithal@yahoo.com or purchase an app on your smart phone. Finally, add one of those fancy bladeless fans about 4 feet wide and 7 feet tall to the front! Then you can feel an actual breeze, instead of getting puffed in the face by a vent!

Let me tell you about my morning!

After a few weeks of running as time has allotted, I decided this past Sunday to try to step it up. I felt like it was time to get in a little longer workout. The trick, I really haven't felt like running up to an hour, not just mentally, but physically, the legs just don't feel up to the task. The solution, get up at 4 AM, a challenge in itself, and run a little before a tough spin class. I chose this morning to start this new routine because, well, it was a new week, AND I read about the Persiad meteor shower. A little personal note, I have a thing for celestial events. Now, I was fully aware the article I read mentioned the best time to see the event was the morning before, but I was thinking meteor showers have to be pretty big, so MAYBE I'll see some of the tail end!

The alarm goes off at 4, I roll out of bed and head to the gym. A few core exercises inside, and then I take off down the safe streets of Vestavia, "armed" (that word will seem funny in a sec) only with my Nebo 250 flashlight. As one who advises folks on how to run on a daily basis, I certainly don't recommend looking up regularly, in the dark while trudging along at 4:30 AM, but I was really hoping to see a "shooting star" or two! A couple of miles into what was supposed to be an easy jog, I SEE A SHOOTING STAR! I'm all giddy! Then, ANOTHER! My stargazing has paid off!!

A few more strides after the second star, I look up, and SWOOSH! This, what I will describe as massive, owl flies just over my head! I spotlight it with the Nebo, and watch this brown and white striped creature fly up to the limb of a tree. Now, you have to know some of the past stories I've heard in order to properly understand my reaction. First, most Birmingham runners have heard the stories of the "Jemison Trail" owl, and have seen the sign warning of a nesting owl and their aggressive nature. However, only a select few have heard the story of former The Trak Shak employee Cris Picard running down Jemison Trail and suddenly feeling a bump and a scratching sensation on his head! (I don't want to cause a huge owl attack scare. Cris was fine! He just dropped a 4:30 mile to get out of the woods!) Secondly, it's dark, I'm alone (you all can sigh now), and honestly, I just don't want an owl to land on my head!

OK, I'm standing in the middle of the road spotlighting this owl in a tree! I think to myself, "He's happy up there. Surely he'll stay." I proceed along with the run, looking up of course, AGAIN, a little closer this time, SWOOSH! I spotlight him, and see him rest on another limb. Full blown panic hits this time! How do I know it was full blown panic? Well, I have told many customers about the Nebo 250 flashlight and it's self defense properties, but never thought of actually having to USE it! That thought actually entered my mind!

I'm at a crossroad (no pun). I take a left on a cross street thinking maybe, just MAYBE the nest is on that street, and if I head in a different direction, I'm no threat. WRONG!! Once again, here he comes, only this time I have the light on him as I look over my right shoulder. Over my head he goes and up to another limb. THAT'S IT! I do what any owl fearing runner would do! I RUN!! It's only a mile back to the gym. I figure I can out last him to the finish line!

I make it back to the gym unscathed, but certainly not unscarred! I head up stairs to tell the story to a few of my fellow spin-mates. After about 20 minutes on the bike, taking the occasional look out the window of course, I finally calm down, and as only a runner could, I think to myself, "That had to be a looking over my shoulder, mile PR!!!"

STAY SAFE MY FRIENDS!

OK, NOW I get it!

The Dixie200 Relay is behind me! As I said in a previous post, my goal wasn’t very specific. It was simply to NOT be the weak link. By that I meant, I wanted to make sure I could be a productive member of the team by simply finishing all my legs of the race! It was decided early on that I would be the lead off leg for Van 1. From past relay experience in college, I knew the lead off leg would set the tone for how our team would perform, so even though the conversation on the trip to Atlanta was mostly about having fun with this race, I knew in the back of everybody’s mind, they were thinking “Let’s get after it!!”. It’s been a LONG time since I felt the pressure of performing for teammates, none the less, actually trying to “Get after it!”

Thursday night was much like previous nights before races! A hotel room with a teammate and not much sleep! As 7 AM approached, I was really nervous! Considering I really haven’t raced in, well, I don’t remember when, I did not know what to expect! The first leg was a 7 mile straight shot down the Silver Comet toward Alabama. The race began, and I felt pretty good, thinking of pacing well to ensure I finished strong. The first mile went by pretty slow. The second a bit faster. The third even faster! My confidence built and I was able to maintain a pretty solid pace through the hand off to leg 2. When I looked at my Nike Sportwatch to see my average pace, I was surprised and pleased! I was really thinking, with little to no speed work and just a few long runs under my belt, 6:30 pace would probably hurt, but not be unrealistic. The Sportwatch said “Average Pace 6:19”!! It was as if a ton of bricks had been lifted off my shoulders! While 6:19 was modest for the caliber of runners we had on our team, I felt like it contributed to the team and set a good tone for what would turn out to be a very good performance for us!

Leg 13, a 4 mile jaunt starting in Piedmont on the Chief Ladiga trail, and my second leg. There was a pretty long wait between legs, which kind of reminded me of those long days at track meets waiting to run a second race! The delay was good for recovery, but it started to wear on me. I got a little anxious! The first mile, 5:52, was the first time I’ve run a mile in under 6 minutes in quite some time! I wanted to run faster, but 5:52 may have been a little ambitious! I finished the 4 miler struggling up a final hill that can only be described as just plain WRONG! I knew I slowed on the final miles, but was surprised to see a 6:10 average!

Leg 25, my final leg of the race, started at 5:15 AM on Saturday morning. I’ve been meeting a couple of friends at 5:30 AM on Mondays in order to prepare for an early morning race. Just a side note here, I AM NOT an early morning runner! The Monday runs have helped me appreciate beating the heat and “getting it over with”! However, I had not prepared for “sleeping” an hour in the driver’s seat of a 15 passenger van before taking off in the dark! Luckily, this leg was not only my shortest, but also the shortest of the event, a 2.85 miler. I began with the same fervor as the previous run hitting the first mile at 5:52. I don’t know if it was the euphoria of being finished with this long weekend or some old muscle memory kicking in, but the idea popped in my mind that I could hold sub 6:00 pace til the finish! And the GPS says………..Average pace 5:57!!! I was pumped!!

Now, I went through all of that to get to this! This was my first long relay event. I talked to many who had participated is similar outings and each said something like, “It was my favorite running experiece!” OK, NOW I get it! There is something about riding around in a van with some friends, navigating from one strange place to the next, cheering each other on, helping each other out with wet, stinky clothes, sharing Sticks, foam rollers, BodyGlide (EWWWWW!), scoping out the nearest port-a-let, keeping an eye out for Beware of the Dog signs, getting photos taken with volunteers at small churches, being there for a friend’s first meal at a Waffle House (thanks for that Jerry!), and finally, getting to the finish that makes you want to run FOREVER!

Finally, I cannot say enough about the fellow competitors, mostly Birmingham folk, who joined in the adventure, who made the race very enjoyable! Also, thanks a ton to the race directors who drove from checkpoint to checkpoint ensuring we could find our way and had all we needed to continue, the Sheriffs who kept us safe, the volunteers who provided food and encouragement, Apple for inventing the iPhone with Google Maps app, AND the whole Smiling Chewbacca crew (most of the team was hairy and smiles a lot) for giving it their all!! I hope we can do it again some time!!

Weapons of Choice!

Well, the week of the Dixie 200 Relay is upon us!! My training didn’t go as well as I would have liked. I got in quite a few long runs and was very consistent, probably averaging around 40 miles a week over the past 4 to 5 weeks, but I didn’t get in as many of those tempo runs. I’m hoping the team and race dynamic will motivate the old legs to turn over quickly!  All of that being said, I’M STILL RUNNING AND ALMOST NOTHING HURTS! I’ve had a lot of fun training, and possibly the most fun choosing my wardrobe and accessories aka. “Weapons of Choice”! We all do it! You’ve got your favorite shirt, socks, shorts, hat, glasses, and GU and if any are forgotten on race day, it’s bad news! Here’s what I’ve tested and decided to wear!

 

First things first, “It’s gotta be the shoes!!” I’m not ready to make the big jump to all out flats yet, so the next best thing, really light trainers! I’m wearing the Karhu Flow_Fulcrum Ride! Why? First, it’s still considered a lightweight trainer with it’s 7 mm drop from heel to toe, so hopefully it’ll go easy on the calves! Second, I liked the color names! One of the LEAST important factors when deciding which shoe to buy is color, but I had to get a shoe to race in with the colors Formula One and Scream! 

We’re working our way from feet up! I will run every inch in my compression socks from CEP! I’ll admit, I wasn’t a true believer in compression socks until I wore a pair all weekend at the Mercedes Expo two years ago. I woke up to run on Sunday morning and my legs were no where near as fatigued as previous years! It made that half marathon a LOT easier! There’s not a whole lot of research on compression and performance enhancing, but if there’s a chance, I’ve got to give it a try! Oh yeah, the other reason I’m a true believer in compression now, I’ve worn these socks a lot during this stretch of training for the Dixie 200, and my calves and shins feel great, and as all TWO of you who read this blog know, my calves and shins have not been my friends in recent years!  

The shorts get longer and longer the older I get, but hey, this is racin’, so I’m going to pull out some Nike Tempo shorts! Why? Non Cotton liner + non cotton material + less material = less moisture & less chafing! I do have a split pair, but I’m not ready for the splits on the side yet either!

We have to wear something visible the entire race! Well, that works well for me considering over half my running wardrobe contains Trak Shak logo stuff on very bright shirts! I’m going singlet since it could be warm. Pictured above is the 2011 Retro Run shirt, which is a Brooks Podium Singlet in their popular “Nightlife” color. FYI – the 2012 Retro Run shirt is a similar color, but made by Asics.

Other than shoes, I don’t geek out about anything more than sunglasses! My “visual aid” weapon of choice is the Oakley Split Jacket! They are comfortable and feature Oakley’s patented Switchlock technology that will allow me to change the lenses quickly with differing light conditions. YES, I have lenses for EVERY light condition, including no light, and if you’ll allow me to geek out for about a second, I have a new anti-fog lens! You know when you’re running or cycling, especially on humid days, and your glasses fog up? These won’t do that!

Added accessories include 110% Compression Sleeves, GU Chomps, and the Nebo 250. We’ve just started carrying this 110% product (check’em out at www.110playharder.com) and I’m adding it to my Top 5 inventions of our generation! If you’re curious about my to 5, here it is: 1. DVR 2. Hybrid golf club 3. iPhone 4. Yurbuds 5. 110% Compression Sleeves. They help combine the benefit of compression and ice and will definitely come in handy over a 200 mile relay!

That’s all I have for now! Wish us luck on our journey! If you are on Facebook or Twitter, keep an eye out! I plan to have frequent updates! 

NO NEED TO PANIC!!!!!!!

Every runner knows the day is coming when his/her favorite security blanket, aka. shoe, is going to change!! I see it all the time, and get to hear it from MANY when it happens! “Why do they change?, What are they thinking?, I’ll never wear that brand again!” I could just respond, “Stuff Happens!”, but that’s not nice, or really the truth! These running brands spend a ton of doe on research and product development, and when they come up with something new, they want it  on display in their best shoes! Basically, EVOLVE or become EXTINCT!

Why am I making a big stink about a shoe changing? Well, our best selling shoe for the better part of 17 years (by better part, I mean all) the Asics GT-2100 series (currently the 2170) is changing!! I know what some of you 2170 wearers are thinking, it’s changed every time the number changes, but that’s not really the case. This series of shoe has been Asics’ most popular for a LONG time as well, and about 6 years ago, they decided to only make very minimal, mostly cosmetic, changes to the shoe to not lose that loyal fan base, but as ole Bob said, “The times, they are a-changin’”.

OK, so what’s happening to the shoe? First, Asics is beefing up the cushioning with the largest Gel system ever in the GT-2000 series. This will obviously help lessen the vibrations and pressures that travel from the asphalt and cement up your legs, and will add to the price a bit. Remember, the more Gel you see, the more cushioned and durable the shoe will be! We’re still recommending 400 to 500 miles on the shoes, but with an improved cushioning system, the shoe will protect you better toward the end of it’s life.

To add to the larger Gel units, the GT-2000 will feature a dual layered midsole. You may have already seen this in some shoes like the Gel Kayano and the Neo33. The top layer, basically right underneath you feet, is made of Asics Solyte material, which is a lightweight foam, and the bottom layer is Asics standard EVA. By layering the midsole, Asics has improved the comfort of the shoe and can adjust the density to be more gender specific. That’s right, guys’ and girls’ feet differ! Who knew?!

You’ll also see less stitching in the upper, a more “minimal” drop from heel to toe (10 mm for those geeks out there), Dynamic Duomax, a few racier color options and a restructured collar, but I feel like I’ve gotten to “techy”! Allow me to mention what I believe to be the most important aspect of the new GT-2000. What didn’t change! The same great fit from the same great brand! As the title of the blog suggests, NO NEED TO PANIC! All you Asics wearers can confidently purchase this shoe from all of our locations in October!

4 Weeks and Counting!

Dixie200 Relay is in 4 weeks!! Our fearless leader has assigned legs. I’ll be running 7, 4 and 3 mile legs. I haven’t written of my running situation in a while, so what perfect timing to talk about what I’ve been doing, and what my training plans are for this crazy relay! First and foremost, The Trak Shak has a team entered, and I think you should challenge us! Register for the Dixie200 Relay by clicking here! I, myself, have not participated in one of these endurance team relays, but have a few friends who have and most say it is one of their fondest running experiences! Nothing says good times like spending over 24 hours in a van with 4 to 5 other sweaty, half naked men!!

NOW, I can’t start writing about my training without first mentioning the infamous shin! A LOT of thought and focus has gone in to keeping the shin “healthy” (I use quotes ‘cuz I’m not sure it’ll ever be 100%). The first part of my plan started with a mix of little running and spinning. I started with 3 days of a tough spin class in the morning and no more than 2 days of running at most 4 miles. ALL of the running was on a soft surface either on Jemison or on the side of the road. Over a 20 week period, I increased the 45 minute spin classes to an hour and a half and the running increased to 4 to 6 miles at least 4 times a week. By the end of the 20 weeks, I was hitting the streets a little more to test the shin. ALL WAS GOOD!! I ended that training segment on December 19, the birth date of my second beautiful child!

After a couple of weeks of “rest”, it was time to get back at it! Time was limited, and I knew if I started back running on the road, I’d reinjure the leg. The first week back, 1 day of running, 3 miles, on a soft surface. The second week, 2 days, 3 miles, soft surface. That was in January, in which I ran about 45 miles for the month. With a little patience, I’m now at around 40 miles a week, with a long run of 10 miles! I know it ain’t 100 miles a week, but it’s consistent, AND, most importantly, my leg don’t hurt, unless you touch it or bump it, after which I would respond by either slapping or punching you!

This idea of a relay team popped up over a month ago, and I have to admit, it’s motivated me a little! As I mentioned in my last post, I’m trying to not be the weak link! This goal, while rather modest, is not going to be the easiest to reach! Of course, the majority of the team are ringers! I have no intention of being able to run as fast as them. I just want to try to stay as close to our average time as possible! How? Well, I’ve got a lot of miles in my legs from the past few years at that easy run pace. I’ve got to change that! So, over the next 4 weeks, I have to add some tempo runs and hill workouts for some speed and strength. My first hill workout was last week, and let me tell you, it SUCKED, but in a good way! That feeling of almost throwing up and having a stabbing head ache for most of the day brought back some fond memories of the good ole days!

Obviously, the miles have to increase a little too. The increase in weekly mileage will surely test the shin, among other unfit parts of my body, so I have to focus on the little things that most of us ignore! This means, the living room/training room is back! The foam roller, the Thera-Band, The Stick, and the ice packs are all easily accessible and in full use! You gotta do, what you gotta do!

Oh yeah, and since I’m running more, stay tuned for some reports on some new products I’m getting to test out!! I LOVE MY JOB!!

Taper?

I went out front today to greet some customers who had just finished their run for the day, and two of them are in training for Boston, which is to say they are SUPPOSED to be tapering. The discussion started with one wanting to add on some miles because she felt the run just finished wasn't enough. The discussion of tapering started up with some familiar comments from both. "I HATE TAPERING!", "I feel sluggish", and "I'm worried!" I have had this discussion at least a hundred times with concerned runners, and today I actually said something that makes a little sense! THAT, I will get to in a sec. First, tapering! 


You've all seen that section in training schedules leading up to your goal race, and depending upon which schedule you follow, it could be as long as 2 weeks. In college, our goal races were typically the big events at the end of the season like conference, regionals, and if you were good enough, nationals. No matter the event, that goal is what has motivated you for however many weeks, months or years. It's what has pushed you through two-a-days, workouts, 4 AM runs, rainy days, and, in Alabama, 98 degrees and 98 percent humidity! Then, all of the sudden, the schedule says, "Let's put the brakes on, chill out a bit, and rest." What's the point? REST! You've put in all of these miles and worked your butt off. Now, it's time for your body to recover and rebuild. 


In the past, when I've been asked about tapering and how bad you feel, I've always reverted back to the college days and related how I felt. I always felt sluggish and as if I was losing fitness, and blamed it on the 25 to 50% reduction in mileage. The underlying problem with that explanation, I didn't have a family or a job back then. I had running and school. It didn't seem easy at the time, but now it looks pretty simple. I will never forget saying to my former coach and fellow employee at the time, "I can't wait to get out of school, so I can just train and race on my own.". His response, "Dude, it will never get any easier!". 


My new take on tapering involves a little more LIFE. Sure, you've put in the miles, the sleep, the diet, and the workouts. But what did you have to schedule it around? Work, late night feedings with your babies, drops offs and pick ups at daycare, or meetings? It takes a little more effort to actually train. So, when that schedule says, "4 miles easy", there's a big shock in the system you've worked so diligently to develop. No wonder your mind turns to panic mode!


So, what did I say in the conversation today that spawned my new response to those fearing those easy weeks leading up to the big race? Tapering justifies it all! If you take a good look at that schedule, tapering is a very big part, and if you ignore it, you don't actually finish your training and risk squandering the valuable effort! And hey, if my epiphany hasn't rung a bell, there's always the famous saying, "The hay's in the barn! Go take a nap!" I AM aware "The hay's in the barn." is the famous Southern saying! I just added "Go take a nap!". It seemed fitting! 

I got some “splainin” to do!

Now, I’d love to say I have a great excuse for not updating the blog for 3 months, and I kind of do, but I’m not going to use my perfect, happy 3 month old daughter, Libby, as an excuse! Nor am I going to blame my blogging ineptitude on being very busy in the store and with races! I’m just going to come right out and say it, I suck!! However, in an attempt to follow the recommendation for a New Year’s Resolution from our Mizuno rep, I’m trying hard not suck this year! I’m just 3 months behind!

To catch you up on my training, I wasn’t running as much toward the end of 2011. I was frequenting a spin class at Gold’s Gym. The class begins at 5:30 AM, but I got in to it so much, I was showing up at 4:30 to ride an hour before the class! I know what the “normal” of you are thinking, “4:30!!! How?” Well, I got competitive via social networking. I got this foursquare ap on my iPhone. Many of you who follow me on Facebook or Twitter are annoyed by it! It’s an ap that allows you to “Check In” at locations, give a status update, and attach photos. Yeah, it sounds just like the Facebook application, however what I found to be motivating about foursquare, it would inform me of how many days, weeks, or months in a row I had visited a location and award badges for frequency. It sounds pretty corny, but I need all the help I can get to get up at 4 AM! I think the week streak ended for me at 25! During that stretch, I was going 3 days a week to spin and running, probably 4 times a week, minimal mileage.  

Then, another “HAPPIEST DAY OF MY LIFE” (I believe every one is entitled to as many “happiest days of their lives” as they want) happened on December 19!! Baby girl Elizabeth “Libby” Ann Martinez arrived, and as many of you know, things changed. Running and spinning take a back seat to helping out Mommy and taking care of my baby girl!

So, for a status update, all is well with Libby and the running has gotten back to consistent! In fact, I have a goal race in the Dixie 200 Relay the weekend of May 18 & 19, and as of right now, out of the 12 members, I am the weak link. The goal: DON’T BE THE WEAK LINK! I ran 25 miles last week, mostly on the road, and the shin feels pretty good!  As for the blogging, I plan to try to do better (I feel like I’ve said this before). Thanks for reading!