Rolling Thunder ...Remember the Brave!

  I live in the DC area and get to experience some interesting things while running.  Today I was taking one of my normal routes when all of a sudden I heard a thundering sound.  As I turned the corner, the noise became louder and louder.  I ran up the overpass and there it was--Rolling Thunder.  The experience gave me a boost of energy as I continued my run.  During my run, I had a chance to reflect on this day and actually was able to capture the moment in the following video.  Let us not forget--Today is a day that all Americans should take time to honor those who sacrificed their lives so that America can be free. 

Running Long Distances with One Kidney...Is it OK?

  At 8 weeks of age, I was taken to the hospital.  According to my mother, I was very weak and colicky.  The problem was that I was in Africa and the health care was not that great in the area that we lived.  I was scene by the British Consulate doctor and was medevaced to the Capital.  At the city hospital, the doctor diagnosed my problem as a tumor on my right side.  After further tests, it was determined that I needed to be medevaced to Germany.  Once under more advanced medical care and testing, it was determined that it was not a tumor at all.  It was found that my kidney wasn't working and it had to be removed.  It never really fully developed and was taken over by cysts.  After surgery and recovery I was flown back to Africa.  Before leaving Germany, the doctor asked my father to promise him one thing--never let him play contact sports.  Needless to say, I broke that rule playing soccer most of my life, and dabbled in wrestling in high school and rugby in college.  Now, lets hit the fast forward button and here we are twenty years later.
  At 42, I started gaining weight and decided to take on running as a hobby to control my weight.  I started off small and over 3,000 miles later I've decided to take on my first marathon.  In October, I will run the MCM.   I've just started training, but have always heard that running such distances can put a strain on my remaining kidney.   Between dehydration concerns and just the stress that you put on yourself at that mileage, I'm just a little worried.  I finished a 20 miler late last year and felt OK, but cramped pretty bad in my chins and calves, but not in the kidney area.  I kept myself hydrated both before and after that race and still cramped.  This was probably because I didn't have any electrolytes in my system--at least I hope so.  After researching the topic, I've found that many runners have one kidney and have run multiple marathons.  I even reached out to the Runners World Sports Doctor and he said that as long as I keep hydrated and have no preconditions, I should be fine.  Here is a link to his article if your interested in more detail  http://sportsdoc.runnersworld.com/2011/04/can-i-run-a-marathon-with-one-kidney.html?cm_mmc=nutrition-_-05052011-_-nutrition-_-BLOG%3a%20Ask%20the%20Sports%20Doc.  So I'm going to go for it and try a little different strategy with fueling and hydration this time.  MCM or bust baby!  If you have any information to share on the topic, PLEEEAAAASSEEE Do So!

Running in NYC...It Doesn't Get Any Better than That!

As I set the wake up call for 06:30 AM, ready to begin a new day, I can't stop thinking about starting my day off with a crisp run through the city and ending with a hot cup of Joe. I lay my head down on the pillow and start to doze off. The alarm sounds to classical music (or so I thought). White noise began to jet out from the clock radio. I try to hit the snooze button before I wake up the kids and my wife. I do get one glare as if it were the red eyes of a wolf ready to pounce. I gently try to glide out of bed like a stealth bomber trying to go undetected. Luckily I set my running gear out the night before and manage to slip it on and exit the room virtually undetected. Now for what I've been waiting for.
I stroll down to the lobby with my music booming and my eyes wide open. As I spin through the turnstile door, all I can do is look up at the large buildings in amazement. Okay, where to run. I synced my satellites on my 405 and hang a left. Pumped and roaring to go I set out on a fast pace (for me at least). As I approach lights, I try to time them like an ambulance chaser looking for his next pay check. On lights that I can't catch, I hang a left so I can keep it going. I have no strategy except Run, NYC, Run... The streets are busy, but I manage them as if I was a teenager doing parkour. I happen upon Central Park, or at least I think so. I take it and circle. I'm now half way through my planned 5 and now I head back. Oh shit...echoed through my head...I forgot the address...I try to reverse navigate using a similar but not quite same path home. At that point I realize I can set my HOME feature on the 405 and start my trek back to the hotel. What a feature. Very cool. I finally turn the corner and see my hotel. I can honestly say, no dirty looks, no up tight bikers, or aggressive dogs. The only worry was timing the lights, cabs, and figuring out how to get home. Now to look for a good cup of Joe. Next to the hotel, I found a small Turkish/Greek deli that served nescafe and thought I was in heaven until I asked for it to go. Go, No, the Barista said. To go, please, I replied. Go, No, the Barista repeated. I returned a Okay sign and said as long as you don't mind my sweat. The Barista replied, Its Okay, but you have to deal with my sweat too. I busted out laughing and enjoyed my cup of Joe with the paper. After settling on the bill, I headed back to the room to find the kids were sleeping and my wife watching the TV, so I jumped into the shower and was ready to start the day only to think about the next NYC run.

Running is a Priority, Make It Work For You!

   Do you have kids?  Do you work late? Do you go to school at night?  Do you finish your list of to-dos? Do you have health concerns?   Whatever your situation, most of us have so many things going on, we have a difficult time building running into our schedules.   People who don't exercise might not think this is a priority, but I disagree.   The benefits of RUNNING far outweigh ramifications of not doing it at all.  Two years ago, I made a decision that changed my life.  I had high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weighed well over 200 lbs.  Therefore, I had the incentive to change my life.  As a result, I have tried to adjust my life so that I can fit running into my schedule.  Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.  I have three kids in three different schools and generally work a 91/2-10 hour day.  Thanks to a flexible work schedule and a very accommodating wife, I'm able to accomplish my running goals and stay up with life's other activities (I THINK).  I try to get to work as early as possible so that the rest of the day will work.  After work, I generally run immediately.  This gives me time to get caught up on email, meet and greet the kids coming home from school, and then start the evening activities.  Evening activities typically involve homework, drop-off and pick-ups, and of course (CAN'T BELIEVE I'M ADMITTING THIS) American Idol, NCIS, Rescue Me, and Blue Bloods.  We split the drop-off and pick-up duties.  Well not exactly-(Wife 65% - Me 35%).  There are times when I miss my window after work, so I try to fit my run in before 8PM.  After 8 doesn't work because I can't sleep once the post run adrenaline kicks in.  So far this has worked out and I encourage others to try the same.  Its important to get your exercise in or you will suffer the consequences in the long run.  I did and will never let that happen again.  How do you deal with it???

Stretch or Go!

    Over the last 20 years, I've been one of those that can put my clothes on and go!  The only time I would stretch is when I was feeling a tweak or slight pain.  Last week, I started realizing that I can't do that anymore.  My body just can't take the pounding as it use to.  I've been training for a 10 miler and between my shoulder that somehow feels like its separated (JUST FROM LAYING WRONG) and my sore achilles tendon, heal and meniscus, I feel like a total mess!  Last night I decided enough was enough...Time to stretch.  I went out and bought some Rock Tape for my achilles tendon and calf and will stretch for 20 minutes before and after each run!  Lets hope this works!!!!





Motivation...Is There such a Thing?

  In the early 90's, as part of my Master's program at George Washington University, I took a wide variety of classes for topics surrounding change.  One such class covered Change Management from a organizational behavior perspective.  During this class, the professor preached that there is no such thing as motivation, its all about incentives that drive people.  This theory was repeated in recent books such as Super Freakonomics and more.  I see many articles and blogs on what motivates runners to train, finish long races, and more...This premise started making me ask myself the same question,  is motivation what drives my training and races or is it pure incentive?
  I would lean toward incentive...I don't think you can ask the question by itself, but you need to look at specific real life scenarios.  After a night of going out on the town, is it motivation that makes me train the next morning?--NO!  When I sign up for a race, is it motivation that drives me to do so?--NO!  When I'm running my last mile of a long race, is it motivation that drive me to the finish line?--NO!  Lets take each of these questions individually. 
 So, I've eaten a 10oz steak, drank some wine, and indulged in dessert.  I wake up the next morning and my stomach feels like a rock.  Does this motivate me to run?  No.  I have an incentive to run so I can keep my weight down.  Then why do folks sign up for races?  Most races cost an arm and a leg!  So why do it?  Does a race motivate you?  No.  I sign up for races to see if I can beat my PR, see how I compete against others in my age group, and in some cases for the prize.  Is this motivation?  Lets look at one last example, what gets you to the finish line?  In a recent race, in my last mile, I started cramping in my shins and calves.  Very painful, so was it motivation that got me to the finish line?  No.  I ran through the pain because I new if I did I would break my PR.  Is this motivation. No.  It was simply an incentive that I had to break my PR to set the bar higher for the next race.
  I know many believe in the motivation theory, but I just don't believe in it.  To me, regardless of how non-PC this sounds, people generally do things because they get something out of it--shear incentive...These incentives can range from self satisfaction for volunteering to winning the prize. Here are a few links to some books on the topic if your interested: 

Endorphins, Cannabinoids, or Farce?

    I don't know if I can get caught up in all the "Runner's High" theories such as Endorphins and Cannabinoids.  Heck, I can barely spell those words!   Since the 1980's, many believed that Endorphins acted as an internal morphine-like response to pain in your body when running long distances.  In the early 2000's this theory was discredited by a research that determined that the molecules associated to Endorphins were to large to pass through the Brain-barrier.  The latest theories are associated to Cannabinoids, a new neuro-based chemical system composed of molecules known as lipids.  These lipids are small enough to pass through the Brain-barrier and stimulate the body with a similar effect as marijuana.
    I just don't buy it!  I believe when you run, its all psychological.  When you have a good run, you feel good.  When you diet right and lose weight you feel good.  When you meet your goals, you feel good.  When you sweat out all your toxins, you feel good.  When you run, you get in a trance, and you feel good.  But remember, sometimes you feel bad too.  When you run, your foot hurts.  When you run, your back hurts.  When you run, your knee hurts. 
    Its all about the psyche.  When you run, the impacts can vary from person to person.  For me, running usually helps me with thinking through problems, helps me get rid of the stresses of the day, and definitely helps me with losing weight and feeling good about it!  If that's the so-called "Runner's High," then I'm addicted!