Seattle - A 26-Mile Tour

Seattle was a great place for a marathon. Most people associate Seattle with a lot of rainy gloomy days, but my 3 days there were nice. Sunny mid-70s, and it got up to 77 for race day. I had a chance to see the sights...the Space Needle, the Music Experience, Pyramid Alehouse. I had been stressing out a little about whether I was in good enough shape to do the marathon, so I decided to just relax and make it fun. I ran, and I stopped to take pictures along the way. Heck, I even stopped to take a picture less than a mile before the finish line! I figured that I wasn't going to break 5-hours this time, so why not enjoy the scenery. It was probably the only visit I'll make to Seattle.
As for the marathon itself, for an inaugural marathon, it seemed well organized. Lots of water on a warm sunny day, lots of volunteers, great bands, and friendly people. The course was pretty hilly, in fact they had to change the course twice to tone down the number of hills, because the elite runner didn't want to have slow race times. I didn't mind the hills...it added character to the run.

Got To Get Movin'

Today I fly out to Seattle for the first time. I plan on seeing some sights like the Space Needle, Music Experience, and Pike's Market, and oh yeah, there's the Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon on Saturday. I'm going to try and post some pics on my Facebook while I'm there. Each marathon, I bring along some kind of music, even though there are bands along the course, and one song always seems to stick out as my theme song for the latest run. This time It's Group 1 Crew - Movin'. Here's some of the lyrics:

On your mark, get set, here we go
Time to make your future unfold
And put aside what's killing your growth
You know what's best for ya so let's go

...Here's the video!

Week #21 - Final Prep...Next Stop, Seattle!!!

This morning, we got together in Point Loma for one last meeting to go over details for our trip to the Seattle Marathon. The morning started with an 8-mile run. I skipped the run to rest up from an injury. I decided that whatever happens on race day, I'll make the best of it. I got my first-ever massage yesterday to work out all the knots in my leg. I went to Massage Envy, and it just happened that the masseuse was a high school track coach . My leg feels a lot stronger for race day.

I also plan to sight see a little (Space Needle, Pyramid Alehouse, Music Experience, Pikes Market).

Week #20 - Some Beach

Today's run started out at Moonlight Beach in Encinitas. There are about 60 of us heading up to Seattle in 2 weeks for the Rock & Roll Marathon. Today was supposed to be a nice 10 miler, but mine ended at about 4, when the hamstring in my right leg grabbed me and stopped me in my tracks. This was the same pain that nagged me in the last marathon, only a lot worse. For the first time, I had to hitch a ride in the TNT "sag-wagon".
I'm on a family vacation next week, so I'll use that time to heal (maybe I'll take 2 weeks off from running). It's going to take more than this setback to stop me from doing the Seattle Marathon. I've put in enought miles over the last 6 months, so I should be conditioned, but after this one, I'll take some time off to get back to 100-percent!

Marathon Pics

My Marathon Video...

Here's a clip of my finish in the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon. Just look for the guy in the purple Shirt & black shorts on the far left of the screen. My thanks again to Lee Ann Yarbor for pushing me for a strong finish.

Week #19 - Recovering Between Marathons

Today, I met with the team. Well, the team was like a new team. We were 3 teams leading up to the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon, but last Sunday ended the journey for most of them. For the rest of us going to Seattle, we have 3 more weeks. They combined our 3 local TNT teams into 1, and I only recognized a handful of people this morning, so it's like starting over. Today was the big 20 mile training run for the people only doing the Seattle marathon. For those of us doing back-to-back marathons, today was an easy 5-mile recovery run. I already miss the people I hung out and ran with for 17 weeks. Maybe some will be back next year, I know I will!

The Marathon Double-Header...1 Down, 1 To Go!

Last Sunday seems like so long ago. I finished my 11th marathon. It wasn't my smoothest marathon, or my fastest time (5:04). I have my coaches to thank for getting me through it, even when my leg was killing me. Our head coach Ronnie, was out there twice to run alongside and encourage me. And it was my former Team in Training coach, LeeAnn, who came out of nowhere during the final half-mile. She ran alongside me, then on the final stretch, she said "now let's sprint!" What?
I didn't think I had anything left, but any pain I had seemed to disappear, and I sprinted to the finish line! Thanks LeeAnn -- that was the highlight of the marathon.

Now it's time to look ahead and start focusing on my next marathon. The Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon is now just 3 weeks away. It will be my first time in Seattle, and I have almost a full day for sightseeing. After Seattle, I'll take a break from running for a month or so, just to recover and let my aches and pains go away. My thanks to everyone who donated to my Team in Training efforts. No matter how difficult it is during the long runs, it's nothing compared to pain that people with blood cancer go through.

Run For Beer

Many of the people that I run with know that I brew my own beer. Recently, I made a Green Tea Ale, and I was inspired to create a beer label in my team's honor. I'll be thinking about them during the marathon tomorrow. We've been through a lot together, and tomorrow will be the last time that I see some of them.

10 Things NOT To Do During the Marathon...

OK, so here my public service message...
These are things that I've experienced during past marathons, except for the "vasoline" incident:

1. The coaches have told you this. Never try something new on race day (new shoes, new gels, new socks...).

2. When you get to Balboa Park, head straight for the bathroom line. Get this out of the way, so it doesn't get in the way later.


3. Avoid people bearing gifts of beer, cheeseburgers, or Jello shots (there's plenty of time for that stuff after the marathon).

4. When you're running on the 163, avoid the slanted parts of the road. Look for the flat part.

5. Don't soak yourself in the sprinklers along the way. Wet clothes will weigh you down and cause chafing. Wet shoes/socks cause blisters.

6. If your sock is bunched up inside your shoe, don't ignore it. Stop and fix it to avoid blisters.

7. Never stop and sit down along the way, unless you don't planning on running any more.

8. If you start feeling sick, stop at the first aid station and get their advise. They can probably get you straightened out.

9. Even if the sport drink they give you tastes like @#&*, drink it anyway...or better yet, bring some of your own.

10. If someone hands you a popsicle stick with some gel on the end of it --DON'T EAT IT...it's Vasoline, not Energy Gel. It sounds like common sense, but I saw it happen! Take and use it in places where you're feeling friction.

Week #17 - Final Prep

Yesterday we got together for one last training run. Then we were handed our race jerseys, shoe tags & pasta party tickets and received final instructions on what to expect on race day. We get together next Saturday for a pasta party (aka Inspiration Dinner) with all of the Team in Training teams - a few thousand TNT members from across the United States.

Next Sunday morning we head out for our 26.2 mile journey. This will be my 11th marathon (my 10th Rock & Roll), but I still get nervous on race day.

On the Mend....

Things are looking up for my 2 marathons that are coming soon. Over the last month or so, I have been plagued with leg pain. It got to the point where I would run Saturdays with Team in Training, then I would rest up and not run all week. This has been the pattern for 4 weeks now.

I finally went to see Dr. Chad, a chiropractor who specializes in helping athletes. I had heard a lot of great things about him from other runners. After 2 visits, and after using a foam roller and a thing called "the stick" to work on the sore leg muscles, I have been pain-free for the last 3 days! Now, I can start getting excited about the marathons.

Week #16 - Almost There!

This morning we met at the Hall of Champions in Balboa Park for a 12-miler. We ran through downtown, past Petco Park and down Harbor Drive toward the airport. As usual, I'm good for making a wrong turn at least once a season. On my way back, I was busy taking pictures of the Rock & Roll Marathon signs with my Blackberry, and ended up making it an 11-miler--DOH! Many of us are feeling the aches & pains that go along with all of the miles we're putting in. I was listening to my music on the Blackberry during the run and was struck by the lyrics from one of my songs:

"To Know That You're Alive" by Kutless

...The days have turned to weeks but it's not over
The bandages rewind you to where you've been
These memories will remind you
When life takes you out will it bring you around

When it's said and done
Will it bring you around
What will you become

Right now you're bruised and bleeding
I see the hurt within your eyes
I know your pain is for a reason
You need to feel just to know that You're alive.

Week #15 - 20 Miles!

This morning was our 20-mile training run, the longest one before the marathon on May 31st. We headed out from Liberty Station in Pt. Loma and ran along Mission Bay, Crown Point and OB, back to Pt. Loma. It was nice and overcast, and I survived the run, thanks in part to Dr. Chad. He's a chiropractor that works on athletes, including most of the Team in Training members. I've been skipping my weekeday run for the last 3 weeks because of leg pain, but the doc fixed me up, and 20 miles later, I'm doing fine!

Week #14 - A Trip Around the Island

Saturday was a back-down week. It was "only" 11 miles (compared to the 18-miler last week and the 20-miler next week).

We ran around Coronado and down part of the strand. It was nice and flat, which was good for those of us recovering from a few aches & pains from last week. Here's a picture of Steve, our captain, eating breakfast after the run!

Week #13 - The Train Run

Yesterday was the TNT Train Run. 200 runners boarded the train at Solana Beach, and we got off in Oceanside, then ran for 18 miles back to Solana Beach. There were a lot of sore muscles after this one (including mine). Fortunately, one of our team members was having a fundraiser at Pizza Port afterwards. There's nothing like an ice cold beer to sooth sore muscles.

Week #12 - The Spirit Sombrero

Every week, someone on the team is given the spirit award. It's in the form of a sombrero, and each recipient has to add something to it and award it to someone new the following week. This week, I was given the spirit award (thanks, Amy). I'll have to think of something good to add before next week. We ran a short backdown run this past weekend (11 miles), at Spanish Landing, around Harbor Island, then down to Seaport Village and back. This coming Saturday is the "Train Run". We'll be joining our other central team and North County team for an 18-mile run along the coast between Oceanside & Solana Beach.

TNT on KyXy

Team in Training's new season is just around the corner. It includes the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco & the Dublin Marathon. This week I had the privilege of being part of the Team in Training commercials on the radio again. To hear them, click on the links on TNT RADIO on the right side of this page.

Week #11 - iPod Lost & Found

This weekend's run started at Hospitality Point. It was a 16 mile run over to Belmont Park, down the boardwalk into PB/La Jolla and back again. I had packed my iPod w/speaker into my fuel belt, then a couple miles into the run I realized it was missing. I thought about running back to look for it, but I didn't want to lose that much time, so I pushed on without it. The area was swarming with Team in Training members from both our green & purple teams, so I hoped that one of them would find it. Sure enough, when I finished my run at Hospitality Point, someone had picked it up and handed it off to one of the coaches.

TNT Twitter

If you haven't joined the Twitter community yet, here's a good reason. Team in Training is on Twitter. I just started following them. To find them, just click here.

They post a lot of great articles on fundraising, from scavenger hunts to Craigslist postings, so if you're looking for some ideas, this is the place to go.

Shrimp On a Treadmill?

No, I'm not making fun of short people. I read about this in Runner's World Magazine. It's part of a science experiment. Now, thanks to YouTube, it's set to Benny Hill, Chariots of Fire, Daft Punk, and this one...

Week #10 - The Carlsbad 5000

This weekend's Saturday training run was replace by today's Carlsbad 5000, billed as the world's fastest 5K. There were about 12,000 people running it throughout the morning. I was lucky to be in the first group to go at 7:05, while it was nice and cool. This was my first time at this event...I finished in 25 minutes (an 8-minute mile). My thing has always been endurance, not speed, and I had predicted by finishing time. I really enjoyed this run.

That's me in the purple, in the middle of the screen.

It was great to see Team in Training out there in force. Even some TNT alumnus showed up for the run.

Need a Mobile DJ?

Do you have a special occasion coming up...a wedding, class reunion, house party, Bar-Mitzvah, school carnival, Christmas party?
If you're looking for a DJ to play the music, look no further!

I have been playing parties over the past 25 years, and I'm motivated to work for you, to raise funds for my flight and hotel for the Seattle Marathon. You can email at: run4beer@gmail.com for more details!

Week #9 - The Trolley Run

Today, it was a new run for TNT's Central Team. We met at the Trolley near USD. In fact they gave us our own 2-car trolley, which we filled up. Next stop was the Santa Fe Train Depot, downtown, where we left for a 15-mile run toward Pt. Loma, through OB, over to Mission Bay then back to where we parked at the trolley station. I actually had to cut my run short (I did about 10 miles), because my kids had birthday parties to go to, each going to different parties at overlapping times. If you're a parent, you know what I'm talking about. I'll probably take a day off from work this week and do my long run. Next weekend, instead of our Saturday run, our Team is running the Carlsbad 5000 on Sunday.

Week #8 - Move Along

Today's run started at Movin' Shoes in La Mesa.
We made our way over to Lake Murray, around the lake and out to some hilly streets in the neighborhood. Then, to add a few more miles, we ran back to the lake and ran some more. I ended up doing 14 miles. Next Saturday, we're running our first annual trolley run. I don't have many details yet, except that we get our own trolley car and we'll be running about 15 miles.

TNT Member in Training

Today was "Sports Day" at my daughter's school. All of the kids and teachers were asked to dress up in sports jerseys and other sports gear.
I figured my 1st grader would just wear her pink Phillip Rivers jersey.

I was touched when she told me that she wanted to dress like a runner like me, and wear my Team in Training stuff. As turns out, her teacher also dressed like a runner (she actually is a marathon runner).

Week #7 - The Boardwalk

This Saturday's run started at Vacation Isle and combined the green & purple teams. I did 14 miles, which also included a big stretch of the Mission Beach boardwalk. Then, afterward we had a big picnic. It'll be an 14 miler next Saturday, then 15 miles the following Saturday, so I'll need to start getting a lot of runs in during the week to make the longer ones easier.

It's All Uphill From Here!

Last night, I joined 20 of my teammates for the "famous hill run" in Pacific Beach. We met at the Albertson's on Turquoise Street, then winded our way up hills...then up some more hills around Mt. Soledad! It was a great workout, and I'll be doing this one again.

I've always liked running hills, but I have never run hills for a full hour. It's almost like you're competing against the hills to decide who will win, and once you've conquered the hills, it's a great feeling.

Week #6 - Lake Miramar

Last Saturday was a backdown week for us. That means that we get a break before escalating to higher miles on our Saturday runs. I ran 6 miles around the lake, and we focused on locking in a steady pace for ourselves. We also celebrated out backdown week with a get together at McGregor's. It was tough recognizing some of my teammates when they're not wearing jog bras and running shorts!

If You Don't Touch the Sign, It Doesn't Count!

Today I ran at one of my places places, where my running history all started...Lake Murray. About 12 years ago, I used to go here and run a couple of miles (that's all I could run before I had to stop and walk). Then a friend of mine started running at Lake Murray with me, and she told me that once I walk, I have quit and the rest of the distance doesn't count. Sounds kind of harsh, but it stuck with me, and before I knew it we were running the entire lake.

If you start at the front entrance to the lake and go to the fence and back, it's about 6 miles. If you haven't been to Lake Murray, the road does not go all the way around...you run to the fence, hit "the sign" and turn around and go back. I fairly flat, with only a few mini rolling hills, it's very scenic, and there's a ball field along the way where you can stop for water if you need it...and there's a Starbucks just outside the entrance to the lake!

Week #5 - Saturday in the Park

Saturday's run began at Canyonside Park in Rancho Penasquitos. We had planned to do a trail run through the canyon area, but recent rains made a mess the the trails and one of the bridges, so we changed it to a run up Black Mountain Road and along some paved bike paths. It was a hilly 12 mile run, and afterwards we had a nutrition clinic. Oh, and there were 2 great things for me this week...I was back on my feet and running after laying low for 10 days from a foot sprain...and I hit my fundraising goal!!!!! Thanks to everyone who helped get me there (my fundraising page isn't showing the current total, which stands at $1803.00), and an extra thank you to KyXy's Susan Devincent whose donation pushed me over the top!

You Can Take It With You....

Your music that is!

When I'm training during the week on my own, I need have my iPod to keep me company, but during my Saturday runs with Team in Training, headphones are off-limits for safety reasons. That doesn't mean I can't have an iPod, as long as I can listen without headphones. Normally, I just give up the music on Saturdays, because there are plenty of people to talk to during our runs. However, when we start doing our 12 to 20 milers, there are times when I find myself running alone during some stretches of the run. Last year, I bought an iPod speaker (a Creative TravelSound i50). All you do is snap an iPod Shuffle into the top of it, and you have music! My challenge has been to find a good fuel belt that's comfortable and accommodates both a water bottle and my iPod. The fuel belts I have tried tend to have water bottles that bounce around and have little room for anything else.
For the past 3 years, I have just settled for a handheld water bottle carrier. Then, last week when I was walking through Target, I spotted a fuel belt that had a water bottle AND an iPod holder! And it was less than $20. I took it out for a test run, and so far, so good. Of course that was the day that I injured my foot, so I've had to postpone further testing. Since tomorrow's a 12-miler, I may take it along. The only drawback is that other people will be subjected to my music. I have pretty eclectic taste. There was a TNT mentor last year that played music from his iPhone during runs, and even though they weren't my favorite songs, just having music to run to...any music...was OK with me. We'll see how it goes.

Back in the Game...

It has been 8 days since I twisted my foot during a run (it feels like 8 weeks).

I've decided to wait 2 more days and get back out there! Saturday, I'm scheduled to do 12 miles with the team. I'll see how far I get.

Week #4 - I Really Stepped In It This Time...

Yesterday, It was a great day for a run. The sky was blue, the temperature was cool. I started at the runner's bathrooms at Mission Bay, and did an 8 mile loop past Sea World and Crown Point. I had just gone 7 1/2 miles when somehow I must have step onto an uneven piece of pavement, and my foot suddenly turned sideways...all the way sideways. I knelt down on the grass for a minute in pain then proceeded to hobble a half-mile or so back to my truck. Last night, I was barely able to walk on my right foot. This was the first injury in my 11 years of running that had me worried. Could this be the end of my running days? This morning, it's a little better. I think I was lucky and dodged a serious injury. I'll be keeping my feet up today and taking at least a week off from running.

Week #3 - Rain-Free Running!

Yesterday we started our run from Doyle Park in the UTC/La Jolla area. I did 8 miles, which included some hills winding down to Santa Fe Street and back up again. I was prepared for more rain like last Saturday, but it warmed up and the sun came out about halfway through our run.

Rainy Days & Mondays...

Tonight, I joined about a dozen die-hard Team in Training members at Torrey Pines. You may have noticed all of the rain, cold and wind today. I wasn't sure if anyone would show up under those conditions for an evening run. I guess after we ran in the rain on Saturday, it toughened us up for more of the same. Luckily, the rain missed us tonight, so the cold and wind was all we had to deal with. I was able to get in 5 miles.

Pizza Port Fundraiser

My Pizza Port fundraiser was a lot of fun. I brought my family there from 1-4 pm. I talked to a nice lady from the North County TNT marathon team who brought 3 other people with her, a guy who was on last year's Lavaman team, and Joe, who is a board member from the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society, who didn't know anything about the fundraiser, but saw me wearing my green & purple TNT jacket. I heard that there were quite a few others who had been there before I had arrived. If you made to Pizza Port today, THANK YOU!!!! Hopefully, I'll be able to report on the success of the fundraiser in a couple of days. I put on the flyer that this was the "1st annual"and I mean it...I hope to do this one every year! I had several people ask me how I arranged such a cool fundraiser. I told them that I was searching online for places that I enjoy going to, and just asked. My sincere thanks to Pizza Port for their generosity. And if you didn't make it out today, you should check out Pizza Port in the near future. I recommend the Swami IPA & the Laguna Pizza. UPDATE: you spent $418 at Pizza Port for a total of $83 for Team in Training. Thanks to everyone who attended. I'm hoping to have another Pizza Port event next year.

Week #2 - Purple Rain

Today our team showed up to run...rain or shine, and we got the rain--lot's of it! You can see by the picture that we had a great turnout, despite the weather. This was only half of our runners. We're the "Green Team" and we started our running from Movin' Shoes in PB. Our other team, the "Purple Team" started their run at Roadrunner Sports. Both teams had shoe clinics after the run to find out how to select the right running shoe. Today I ran 7 miles along PB/Mission Bay. Next stop, tomorrow at Pizza Port in Solana Beach (see posting below) for what I hope will be my final fundraiser of the season.

Party at the "Port"

My sincere thanks to everyone who has donated to my fundraising for Team in Training....I'm almost at my minimum goal! To help put me over the top, I have organized at pizza & beer fundraiser at Pizza Port in Solana Beach.

All you have to do is download the flyer here, then go to the Solana Beach Pizza Port on Sunday February 8th, anytime between 11am & 10 pm, and hand them the flyer when you pay at the register. Pizza Port will donate 20-percent of your food and drink tab to my Team in Training fundraising.

And the Winner is.....

As part of my fundraising, I bought a purple 1GB iPod Shuffle, and for every $30 that you donated to my Team in Training fundraiser, your name was put in a drawing for the iPod. The deadline was this past Saturday, January 31st (the day of my first marathon training session).

Today, I had my co-worker & impartial judge, MJ, pull the name. Congratulations to Joan Rubin of San Diego.
She wins....and so does the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Thank you again for all of your donations.

Week #1 - We're Off & Running!

This morning was our first marathon training session for the new season. We started off at the Leukemia & Lymphoma office in Clairemont Mesa (Team in Training headquarters). It was great to see friends that I made on my Peak Performance team that just ended last Saturday, as well as a lot of people I haven't talked to since last year's marathon.

Today, I ran just over 6 miles...not bad for the first week. It'll be 7 miles next Saturday. One of the things about Team in Training is all the great people you meet. We're all there because we care about helping a great cause. We have a lot of fun and get in great shape doing it.

Team in Training -- Check It Out!

This is the latest video that shows you the program in a nutshell. It's what keeps me coming back every year for more!

Your Most Important Running Equipment...

The good thing about choosing running as a sport as that it's cheaper than a lot of other sports. For the price of a day on the golf course, you can buy a good pair of running shoes. There are several good places around town to buy them. There's Movin' Shoes and Roadrunner Sports, but my favorite is the San Diego Running Institute. It's located on Mission Gorge Place (off Interstate-8 & Mission Gorge Road). The owner, Victor Runco, is a long-distance runner as well as a Chiropractor and former athletic trainer, so he knows his stuff. And the other people working there are runners or ironmen. They have competitive prices and will spend time with you to find the right shoes. And they give a Team in Training discount!

Run-Safe Headphones

A couple weeks ago, I was shopping for new headphones for my iPod. The ones that come with my iPod are just uncomfortable. You have to jam them in your ears, and they tend to pop out when I run.

Now my search is over. I was over at Crywolf Computers in Clairemont Mesa, and they recommended some new headphones that are designed for runners. They're called Airdrives, and they bend to fit around my ears, and they sit outside the ear, so you can hear your surroundings while still being able to hear your music. You give up a little bass response, but they sound pretty good, they're comfortable, and they stay in place while I run. There's also a volume control that sits about chest-height. They cost about $80, but I think they're worth it. You can order them online at: Airdrives.com or save yourself the shipping cost and try them out at Crywolf. They come in black or pink.

Double Vision!!!!

OK, one of the slogans for Team in Training is "Saving Lives One Mile At a Time", so I guess that means if I do 2 back-to-back marathons, that means more miles, and more lives saved!

You're reading this right. I have signed up for a Rock & Roll Marathon Double Header....San Diego in May and Seattle in June -- 52.4 miles of running bliss!

More details coming soon!

Saving Lives One Dollar At A Time!

I'm embarking on Phase Two of my training on January 31st. I'm trying to get as close to my financial goal as possible by that date (that way, I can focus on my training). 

Not only will you get a tax deduction, but for every $30 you donate by January 31st, I'll put your name in a drawing for a 1 GB Purple iPod Shuffle (and I'll even load it up with workout tunes). If you've already donated at least $30 your name is already in the drawing.

Mark Blackwell/Sam Bass Roadshow

Team in Training has started up their free informational meetings for their new season. This is your chance to find out what's in involved in training for a marathon, cycling event, triathlon, or hiking. KyXy's Sam Bass
will be joining me this Wednesday, 1/14 @ 6pm at Roadrunner Sports in Clairemont Mesa. I'll be talking about my experiences with Team in Training (this will be my 4th event with them) and Sam will be talking about his experiences as a cancer survivor.

18-Mile Shakedown Cruise

If you've been a runner for a while you know how addicting it can become. A couple of months ago, I decided to sign up for the Carlsbad half-marathon. The only problem was that the half was sold out, so I ended up registering for the full marathon. Well, I haven't been doing any long runs lately, so I decided that I better put myself to the test to determine if I'm in good enough running shape right now to take on a 26-miler in 2 weeks.

I took the day off yesterday, and set out on an 18-mile hilly run. After my 3-plus hours of running, I'm leaning toward not doing the Carlsbad Marathon. I may be crazy, but I'm not stupid. I think I'll just let Team in Training get me ready for the Rock & Roll Marathon in May.

Crunch Time!

Tonight's my weekly Monday workout...it's a solid hour of crunches, planks and other exercises to work our "core" (our abs, backs and pelvis). When we first started doing this 8 weeks ago, I thought of it as torture. Our instructor's name is Mare, and we affectionately nicknamed her "night-Mare". But now, strangely I look forward to my "night-Mare" hour on Mondays.

3 more weeks of my 3-day-a-week Peak Performance workouts, and it'll be all-running, all-the time! This Peak training is supposed to make me a better running, but I still miss all of the days & hours of running. I started squeezing more runs into my off days. I went out last Tuesday and ran 14 miles on my own. I'll be doing more of those in a couple weeks when I join the "green team" with Team in Training, and get geared up for the Rock & Roll Marathon in May. They're even offering a double-header this year (both the San Diego Rock & Roll Marathon AND the 1st annual Seattle Rock & Roll Marathon a month later in June). I'm still entertaining the thought of back-to-back marathons! Sounds crazy, doesn't it?

Need a Last Minute Tax Deduction...I Can Help!

I know, we haven't even gotten through Christmas yet, but you only have about a week to eek out the last of your tax deductions for the year.

How 'bout a donation to Team in Training for the Leukemia-Lymphoma Society?

Here's an idea...instead of a Christmas present, why not make a donation in somebody's name? It'll have more meaning than naming a star after them!