Tag: Terri Hayes

Training Notes – 1.17 – 1.19.16

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With the Half Marathon less than a week away, we needed to get at least a couple of training runs in prior to it.

On Sunday, we got about 2 1/4 miles in on the indoor ‘gerbil track’ since it was about -15 with the wind chill outside. Things went well with the run, and this was the first time we had done the 1/2 mile run/1 min walk training. Prior to that, it had been 4/1 (walk/run) at best.

On Monday, I was back in the pool and that session went well. Even though there were challenges with the bilateral breathing drills. The taxi (303 Taxi) kept me waiting for 70 minutes after class. Not very fun having to wait that long on the coldest day of the year. Or having temporarily lost my work cell (I believe I left it in the cab and the driver left it outside).

On Tuesday, we ran again – and I ran into issues. At about 2 miles, I started to feel a twitch in my right knee. After doing some testing, Terri said that it was the IT band (again). So after we finished with the run, we stopped so I could get more Epson salt and a way to stretch. I will not be going anything except the baths, ice, stretching and recovery until Sat.

Snow Run – 1.9.16

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With the Half Marathon only 2 weeks away, we needed to get in a long 10 mile training run. And even though it was supposed to snow, we still headed out. The first 5 miles wasn’t too bad, and I believe we kept on pace until the turnaround. However, after 5 miles the pace decreased. And by 7, I really couldn’t run because of my IT band (right side).

By that point, it was dark already and the ground was slick with new snow, so I doubt I could have run too much if the IT band issues hasn’t been there. So we walked the last 3+ miles of the training program back. The most difficult part for me was the last 3/4 of a mile where we had to go in complete darkness. We were using a tether, and I trust Terri completely, so it all worked out.

When I made it back, it took about 90 minutes of hot showers and layers to get my body back to normal after being out in the cold for 3+ hours. And the stretching afterwards was painful to say the least…

Dare2Tri Development Team – 1.4.16

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In November, I was presented with the opportunity to apply for the Dare2Tri Development and Elite teams. Being on one of these teams gives you additional support and opportunities to push towards your PT goals.

On January 4th, it was made official that I will be part of the 2016 Development Team! I am extremely grateful for this opportunity, and am looking forward to an AMAZING 2016 season!

While this is an opportunity for me, I realize that I would not have gotten it (or the opportunity to apply for it) without the help and support of everyone to this point. A HUGE thank you to Terri Hayes (owner of Artistic Creations Salon) and the Dare2Tri family for everything in 2015 that helped me to get to this point.

This is the next step forward towards many short, medium and long term goals. I will share more about all of that when it’s appropriate!

Puppies on Parade – 12.6.15

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Another Sunday – another run with the group. This was a 5 mile run, and the next step towards the half marathon in January. With it being unseasonably warm, dogs were out in full force enjoying it. This meant a few extra breaks to say ‘hello’ to them. We also ran into the ‘walking’ group (puppies on parade), as we were at the end of the run. One of the small guys was so tired that he was being carried.

We all ended up at Starbucks again to sit and talk.

December Speech – 12.2.15

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As I had mentioned earlier, the last piece of the media snowball that started in July was being invited to speak at a local Chamber of Commerce.

You can view the speech on YouTUbe, and the rest of the 2015 media coverage is available here.

And no, that stumble truly wasn’t planned. The longest speech I had ever given in the past was somewhere in the 7-8 minute range. I just lost my train of thought at about that point. Perfect timing though.

Thanks to my parents, coaches and Senator Connelly for all coming out to hear me speak!

Cold Run – 11.30.15

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As the snow had melted, and it was nice out, we went for an outdoor run with several others. Even though it’s almost December, several types of birds are still in the area — this Blue Herring is one of many that we saw while out running.

For me, running in the cold is harder than warm weather. But I made the decision to run a half marathon in January, so I’ve got to get the cold weather practice in. This first cold run was 4 miles, and we’ll most likely work up to 10 or 11 in the cold before 1/23.

After the run, we all met up at Starbucks to sit, talk and enjoy something warm to drink. 🙂

Final 2015 Media Snowball Piece

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In late July, a media snowball was started by Marie Wilson of the Daily Herald, and has been continually pushed down the hill by many others, starting with the Bev Horne and Bob Susnjara, continuing with Kim Weeks of Naperville Running Company, and now this.

I will be having someone record my talk, and will share the video once I have it.

Ghost Run – 10.25.15

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At some point after the Celebrate Differences 5K in April, I learned that they would be the charity partner for the 2015 FraidyCat series. So I signed up to run it and help support them. It also ended up being the Virtual Old Glory Relay run.

We had great weather for it, and it was great to see Rebecca and the rest of the Celebrate Differences people out there. However, I believe the on site staff could have done a better job with things. For one, even though I registered in plenty of time, they didn’t have a shirt for me — and I still don’t have it almost 3 weeks later. I’ll get it at some point once it’s printed. The other HUGE issue I had was with how they handled the 10K awards. This is the first race that I’ve ever been at where they didn’t do age group for both distances.

When I looked at the web site afterwards, I saw that they had a note that it had to get to 250 before they would do that. I understand it’s a for-profit race, but medals can’t be that expensive when I see all of these virtual ones that offer a medal for $12-$15 entry fee. And when you buy them in bulk, it can’t be more than say $5-7 per. So maybe $350 to cover the 10K side.

While I don’t run races or participate in events because of the finisher medals (or medals in general), this rubbed me the wrong way enough that I needed to say something about it. And for the record, even if they had done age awards, I wouldn’t have gotten one (4th in age group), so it’s really about how it was handled not that I didn’t get one when I should have.

While those were both issues, there were a couple of good learning lessons from the day —

1) That until I can control starts / keep an even pace, we need to go to tethered running. Consistently, I’m burning out the ‘first level’ by 2-3 miles in and have very little left for the second half / later parts of races. As an example of that, I was at a ~12min/mile pace through the 5K and that pace dropped by about 2 min /mile on the 2nd 5K.

2) That ‘disposable clothing’ (aka Goodwill sweatshirt purchases) are better options in races where it’s borderline (say 45-50) rather than UnderArmour suit. I ended up having to pull off layers (Terri carried the top for me) mid race. It would have been better if I could have just pulled off a $2 sweatshirt and dropped it.

Dark Run – 10.23.15

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Last year at this time, I had access to a gym and could go run indoors when it got dark early. I still had to navigate there/back in the dark, so a 15 minute walk might turn into 30. This year, the training is outdoors, and we’re just going to have to deal with it (as well as a temperamental weather dog).

Tonight was the first dark run, and it was in the rain to boot. The leg out wasn’t too bad, as we were going into the light, even when we were in the trees. However, it got more challenging on the way back.

The lesson from tonight is that until DST ends in the spring, we’re just going to need to run with the tether. Even if I can’t see a thing as we’re running, I plan on doing it. For two simple reasons – I trust my guide completely and with my life, and I refuse to be a prisoner of the dark.

After the run, we headed over to a meet & greet at a local Binny’s. Meeting Mr. Wilson (’85 Bears) was a great way to end a long week!