Start of New Year

I haven't posted in awhile because quite frankly, I've been running around with my head cut off. I've been running, but never as much as I'd like. I've been doing yoga, but not as often as I'd like. I've been working, but more than I'd like (kidding of course!).

Since I've last written, I've fully recovered from the achilles injury. Christmas has come and gone and so has New Years. I started my Yoga Teacher Training classes and after 5 weeks I can tell this is quite the journey I'm on. I'm also changing jobs - same company, new position, new manager and new department. As you can see I've had a lot on my plate.

In the running department, I'm attempting to train for the Vermont City marathon, but if I can't get the miles in and don't feel I'm ready, I'll fall back on the Run to Remember half marathon. Both races are on the same day. I'm going to run as often as I can, but in balancing the yoga teacher training and the rest of life, it's not always that easy.

So I will write in my blog as often as I can and I might even start a new one specifically for yoga.

Keep in touch!

Coffee & PT

I haven't written in over a week because life has been just more of the same. Physical therapy on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Running on my 20 minutes on off days from PT. So I really haven't had much to say, until today...

I ran on the treadmill at lunch today for my 20 minutes. About about 10 minutes I started smelling coffee. I knew I couldn't be sweating out coffee because I haven't had it in a few days and it was a really strong smell - like a Folgers-waking-you-up-in-the-morning kind of smell. My gym has a juice bar (a.k.a. I'm a big muscle man and on top of the 'roids I'm already doing I drink the Super Whey Protein Muscle Man drink while I sit at the bar in my teeny tiny t-shirt that I had to have someone paint on me this morning just so girls will look at me) so I assumed that they were making a fresh pot of coffee as part of the gyms member appreciation week. A couple more minutes pass by and I catch a glimpse of the girl next to me. She had started on the treadmill oh just a couple minutes ago... let's say about 10 minutes into my run. Do you get what I'm hinting at here? Yes! She was drinking coffee while walking on the treadmill. If anyone can explain this to me, please do so. I am baffled.

So PT... . Tonight I did a strength test to see how my leg was doing. I did a few different weight strength tests and then some elliptical, stairmaster and backwards running on the treadmill. I was beat after all the cardio stuff, but I felt like I should have done more to really max out the weight. The PT says I'm just about done. Tomorrow morning I go in to talk to him about what, if anything, I have left to do at PT and what I can do as far as running goes. I'm looking at this as good news that hopefully I'll be back into a more solid running schedule with some more miles - more outdoor miles, hopefully - and then eventually back into racing.

Running vs. Jogging -- Chapter 3: Katie Holmes

Katie Holmes participated in the New York City Marathon this year. Is she a runner or a jogger?

She did not wear a bra! Need I say more?

RW Article

Chapter 1: First thoughts
Chapter 2: Pearl Izumi®

New York Marathon Weekend

New York had a full weekend of running this weekend. On Saturday, Central Park played host to the Men's Olympic Marathon Trials and on Sunday the city hosted the ING New York City Marathon.

The Men's Olympic Trials winners were: Ryan Hall, Dathan Ritzenhein and Brian Sell. Official results can be found on the USATF website here. Unfortunately, running had to say goodbye to a great athlete on Saturday. After 5.5 miles Ryan Shay collapsed and later was pronounced dead. Here is what the USATF had to say. This is the second time I've written about someone who has collapsed and died during a race. It has happened quite a few times and until now I've always thought it was just people who aren't prepared, haven't trained enough, didn't consult their doctor, or have a pre-existing heart condition. Now, I'm left wondering what it is that's killing runners.

On Sunday in Central Park, Paula Radcliffe won the New York Marathon. Although I loved watching Kara Goucher beat her in The Great North Run, but I was happy to see that Paula won today. She had a baby and back surgery 11 months ago and now she's back winning a marathon. Incredible.

Running vs. Jogging -- Chapter 2: Pearl Izumi

I received an e-mail this morning from Active.com advertising free shoes for life from Pearl Izumi®. I thought the picture was super entertaining and went along with my earlier comments regarding Running vs. Jogging. You can also check out the Pearl Izumi® website to find out just how they feel about runners and joggers. I think their website URL says it all... http://www.wearenotjoggers.com/home.

They've put together a lot of fun things to play with on their site so whether you're a jogger, a runner, or a wearer of Pearl Izumi® shoes check out the website. You can kill time at work. (Just kidding, boss.)

NOVA Marathon Challenge

I watched the NOVA Marathon Challenge on PBS on Tuesday night. The show documents 13 runners as they train for and run their first marathon - the Boston Marathon. One of their coaches was Uta Pippig. At one point, she is on Heartbreak Hill running up it with the NOVA runners. She gives them advice. All I could think was how crazy that would have been to have The Uta Pippig telling you "you can do it, stay relaxed, you've got it" - how incredible! You can read all about the challenge here.

I first thought, "Why would I need to watch that? I lived it.", but really I am glad I did watch it. I spent the last 15 minutes of it crying. I cry sometimes when I watch running and I'm OK with it. I cried watching Kara Goucher win the Great North Run on YouTube and I was out right sobbing watching the NOVA Marathon Challenge. I guess I cried - ok bawled - because I remember what it felt like to run all those miles in training and on race day with my training partners, Sarah & Steph, but also because I cannot run right now and I just want it back.

I want the feeling back. I want to see the sweat dripping on me. I want the cool fall air on my skin. I want to break out my tights. I want to put on my long sleeves. I want to experience those hot showers have long, cold runs. I want those endorphins. I'm like an addict in withdrawl. So here is my last shot before PT tomorrow morning...

Dear Goddess of Running,
Please, I need to get back on the road. I need these legs to be in motion again. I'll even take it slow... OK, I'll try my best to take it slow. Please, I'll give up ice cream for a month... OK, I'll only eat ice cream once a month. And I'll never litter the beautiful routes I run on or that others run on. I'll never curse running and say, "I'll just go tomorrow instead." I'll never take advantage of the fact that I have to able legs to run on. I'll cross train. I'll weight train. Please just listen. Listen to my prayer. I want to run again. I really need to run again. I'll do my best to be a smart runner.
In Running Spirit,
Janette

I hope she hears me. In the meantime... sweet dreams and here's to PT tomorrow morning.

Running vs. Jogging

And the age old debate continues... what makes a runner a runner and a jogger a jogger? Who's better? Who's cooler? Who's more dedicated? Who dresses prettier? Who dresses smarter?

Runner's World has a discussion thread on this topic where Run Dad Run points out that one is a runner when running "becomes a way of life." I agree with him. When I first starting the act of running, I would have only called myself a jogger. I only ran because I was carrying about 30 extra pounds. I didn't need to run, I didn't crave it. I could have just as easily gone to the gym and rode the bike to shed the weight. Now, I need to run. I crave running - almost as much as ice cream. When I'm not running, I'm reading about it or writing about it or talking to someone about it or thinking about it. I'm obsessed with it. My name is Janette and I'm addicted to running. Seriously. I am a runner.

John Bingham wrote an article for the November 2007 Runner's World called, "I am Not a Jogger: I may waddle when I run, but I'm running all the same." I really enjoyed reading this article because Bingham points out all the things that he feels make him a runner. He says he is a runner because his runs have names (i.e., tempo run, fartlek), his shoes are training equipment and not a fashion statement, and because he is willing to work to reach his potential. Most importantly, Bingham says, "I am a runner because I say I am. And no one can tell me I'm not." So take that all you runner versus jogger people who just want to have a debate! You might be faster than me. You might log more miles, but I am runner. I am a runner!

Personally, I am a runner and I don't want to be a jogger. I hate jogging. I hate my easy runs. I hate taking it easy. I do it because my body tells me to and so does my training schedule. One day a lady stopped me for directions during a run and she said, "sorry I interrupted your jog." She motivated me to run back home the faster that I ever had. I sprinted through the streets saying to myself, "Jog?! F*&!ing jog?! I'm running here lady! You want to race me?! Huh?! Do ya?!" Yeah, so I freaked out, but it's OK... I am crazy. I am a runner.

In the end I think Bingham has hit the nail on the head. So everyone stop reading this and go for a jog, a run, a rog or a jun. Just get out, get some exercise and have fun!

Chicago Marathon - Hot, Hot, Hot

It seems as though I am the only person not to blog about the 2007 Chicago Marathon. In a nutshell... it was way to hot, course was closed, many DNFs, time goals out the window. Here are some links that I think do a good job of explaining:

• Running Jayhawk's personal account of her experience
• Denver Marathon waives registration for Chicago runners
• News from the Chicago Tribune

Congratulations to Paul, who I trained for Boston with, on finishing the race. Incredible job!

Deepest sympathies for the family of the man who passed during the race. Whether it was a pre-existing condition (which seems to be the news now), the heat, or a combination of both, it is never easy to deal with a lossed loved one. My thoughts are with you.