“Hey Mark, look up,” I whispered to myself. Beautiful. Simply beautiful. The morning sun charged the skyline. Mother Nature gave us great weather. The wind cooled our sweaty bodies. The temperature did not beat us senseless. The people around me reminded me why I enjoy running. A perfect day for running, culminated in to a personal best time and a memorable experience.
Archive for the ‘Health’ Category
Flying Faster: Half Marathon Results
Monday, August 3rd, 2009The New Running Partner
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
Meet my new running partner, the ASICS GT-2140. My last partner, ASICS GEL-Foundation 7, stayed with me way past its retirement age. The soles were well worn. The cushion no longer cushioned. He saw me through my first marathon. He ran with me during the ups and downs of my training. However, my shoes and feet started telling me it’s time for the Foundation 7’s retirement.
My new shoes felt like pillows. It was designed to have less support and slightly more cushion. Less aches and pains met with me at the end of the training run. Shoes, especially running shoes, need to be replaced often to prevent injury and allow for enjoyable physical movement. How often is often? How does one find the right shoe?
Marathon Monday: Quality Week
Monday, July 6th, 2009It was a good week for running. I did not alter my schedule. Each run went smoothly. The weather cooperated. I felt very good. To top it off, I found gear for super cheap gear for training. Here’s hoping for another good week.
Thirty-One Days Before the Half Marathon
Thursday, July 2nd, 2009The half marathon is just around the corner and a couple of months after that is the Chicago Marathon. Everything has been going a bit smoothly. I am maintaining my weight. I feel stronger. Positive energy is running through my veins. I’m raising money for a good cause.
Charity Runner for Children’s Memorial Hospital
Monday, June 22nd, 2009I went back and forth this spring whether I should be a charity runner or not. There has been a lot on my plate the past few months. I had a lot of excuses not to do it but I couldn’t resist the urge to help a charitable organization continue their good work. Overall, I’ve been blessed in my life and want to continue to give back. In honor of my cousin Jeff, I raising money for Children’s Memorial Hospital for the second time. My goal is to raise at least $600.00 by August. Click on image of the kids running on my front page to sponsor me and help a great cause!
Marathon Training and Leading a Better Life
Tuesday, June 16th, 2009The Chicago Marathon begins in 160 days. Today, I ran for the first time since I left for the Smoky Mountains three weeks ago. Unlike last year, the marathon and health will be only one of two major priorities. No longer will I run multiple rat races at one time.
Bike Commuting Experiment
Thursday, June 11th, 2009I started riding for recreation again. Lately, I’ve been thinking about commuting on a bike instead of in my car. I enjoy driving to work but I also enjoy cycling. There are so many benefits to commuting on bicycle. There are many inter-related problems that can be solved by cycling to work. I just have to work the kinks out of the commute.
