5 Things I've Learned On The Run This Week

Despite having been a runner for nearly five years now, I somehow I missed the memo that running is all about making personal gains and learning shit that you really should have known a long time ago. (It is also about failure, chafing, and early-ass wakeup calls). Or maybe I just got complacent and forgot that there is so much to learn-- about myself, about others, about the world around me. Somewhere along the way I started believing that success and personal growth in running was measured by conquering new race distances and setting personal bests. And while there is, admittedly, a sense of pride when I manage to not fall flat on my face during a run... it's about more than that. At the risk of sounding oh-so-tacky, running is about becoming a better and more healthy human. For me, running has been about learning to love myself.

So, without further ado... five things I've learned on the run this week:

1. Eat Weird Stuff

And have NO shame in doing it. I am embarrassed to say that until about two weeks ago, I had no idea what the hell a macronutrient was. Turns out that's all I eat. All day long. Or all that matters, anyway. Carbohydrates for fueling activity, protein to repair and build muscles, and fat to balance a whole slew of good body processes. So in my new educated-ness, I decided I should maybe pay attention to how much of these I eat, and try to consume an appropriate balance in my diet. The night before my 16-miler last week, I cooked up some elbow macaroni, tossed in chopped chicken boca burgers, and doused the whole damn thing in barbeque sauce. INSTANT HAPPINESS. And I felt great after that run the next day. So I did it again this week, before my 18-miler. INSTANT HAPPINESS. And I feel great today, they day after that run. I like to think this is because I am eating smart. But I think it's just because I love barbeque sauce and no work. This is my new obsession for a pre-long run meal. So... eat weird stuff.

2. Coast Downhill

I have this water fountain at mile marker 7 on the Lakefront Trail that I love. I love it so, so hard. (Read more about that here). But this week, I had a revelation about this water fountain. Among the many, many reasons to love it-- the cool water, the way it is set just back from the trail in its own alcove, the way it offers sweet respite for sweaty runners, the half-circle cement seating that invites friendly conversation with strangers-- among all those reasons, there was one reason to love it that I have always overlooked. No matter which direction you're coming from, you run downhill to get to it. It's in an itty bitty, tiny, Chicago-sized valley. Which means the elevation change is approximately 10 feet from the normal path. But in running, it's all about the small victories. Just another reason that this water fountain is sacred to me.

3. Keep Learning

After the above two lessons were revealed to me last week, I started to wake the heck up. How have I been missing these tiny tidbits of wisdom along the way? These past few long runs have had an element of spirituality that was long missing from my runs. But I think you can't run 18 miles over four hours and not have some sort of personal, sacred experience. The body is too depleted to rely on yourself, and you start to dig deep for something other than internal motivation. As I ran... and ran... and ran... it occurred to me that I have a whole workbook of lessons to learn about myself. I've been struggling to find the motive to get out and run this year, and I never had that trouble last year. But I also realized that I've been trying desperately to re-create last year's motivations, carry out last year's training schedule, repeat last year's running mantra over and over in my head during the tough miles. And this year isn't last year. I am a different person, with different perspective than a year ago. I'd been feeling guilty that I couldn't seem to "make it work" like last year. Until I realized that I've learned and grown in the past 365 days. I am still learning and growing. And thank goodness for that. Such a simple realization. But such a profound difference it has made.

4. This Is Better Than The Why

This. This running. This pounding muscle pain. This uncomfortable drenching sweat. It is better than the why. Since I allowed myself to abandon last year's running mantra, I've gladly welcomed a new one into my repertoire. "THIS IS BETTER THAN THE WHY." And to understand it, you must read my favorite comic, The Oatmeal. It is odd and unexpected to find such profound inspiration in a comic-- but, in fact, it is perfectly fitting and hilarious and soothing to me. Inspiration is everywhere. Thank you to Matthew Inman for inspiring me, putting words and pictures to my inner self, and conveying why I run.

The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances

(Note: Be sure to click "next" at the bottom of each part, and read all the way through to part 6)

5. I AM THE WARRIOR

Need I say more? Badass happy music makes running any distance possible.

WE'RE FAMOUS!!! (ish)

When I was in elementary school, I had a long phase of obsession with Michelle Kwan. Around the height of her career, I even had a replica of her signature Japanese necklace (which of course came included in her authorized autobiography from Scholastic book order!) and spent countless hours daydreaming about when I would eventually be a world famous figure skater like her.

Obviously that went well. I very quickly learned that the only athletic skill I even remotely possess is the ability to (usually) not trip over myself as I rather slowly put one foot in front of the other. Also known to me as "running." And with my lack of athletic prowess, my dreams of Olympic fame have slowly faded into a resignation that I will never be recognized for the champion that I am.

Until now!!

Last month Becky was put in contact with the editor at Chicago Athlete magazine, a local sports paper that does a spotlight on local athletes in each edition. Unbelievably, they were interested in hearing more about our running background and our reasons for running the marathon. So we did a nice little interview with me on Skype to Becky, who was then on speaker phone with the editor. Technology is marvelous. And now the interview has been printed in the August/September edition of the magazine! So while this may not be a gold medal in figure skating, it's about as close as I could ever dream to athletic fame. And it's always incredible to be able to talk about our motivations for running and how amazing Special Olympics is. So check it out and share it around! There's an online link, and the print edition is available in most local sports stores (like Fleet Feet, Dick Pond, etc). If you aren't in the Chicago area but would like a print edition, just let one of us know; Becky would be happy to raid the running stores for extra copies. And as always, we are so grateful for your support!
http://issuu.com/klambo44/docs/caaugsept2015/24

Oh, and training is still happening as well. I hurt my foot a while ago but am back on track, and Becky is just kicking butt with her training (see previous post about how she's way better at this than me). So on we go, with just over two months til marathon time!

Finally, a fun fact: my childhood hero, Michelle Kwan? She is now an active advocate working with Special Olympics!! And she as well as thousands of other athletes from around the world have been at the Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles this week. It's just about the most inspiring sporting event ever. If you're struggling with your faith in humanity, please please check out what's happening there! Start from here, and there's lots of links to pictures, articles, and other media that will make you feel so much better about the world! Be prepared for tears of inspiration. https://twitter.com/LA2015

As always, here's the link to our fundraising page so that you don't have to comb through aaaallll the blog posts we've done to find it. Or you know, the two we've done. This is going approximately as well as last time we tried this. Shockingly.
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/slowmilesarebetterthannomiles/

Brave In The Attempt: The Endless "Soft Opening" of Marathon Training

Well, now that Chicago Marathon training has “officially” begun, I suppose it’s high time to start blogging. The trouble is that, much like my running habits, I prefer to stall and make excuses about why I shouldn’t. “It’s too hot. It’s too cold. It takes too long. I’m too tired. I’m not good at it.” And in my defense, I’ve got a pretty good case there—at least as far as my writing goes—since Sarah is a heck of a lot wittier and more enrapturing when it comes to blogging.

And so I put it off, and put it off, and put it off… until here we are, tumbling face first into July. There are 14 weeks until the Chicago Marathon, which by my calculations means that we need to raise about $150 each week from now until the race in order to meet our goal. Just another reason to talk myself into believing that Marathon training is “officially” underway. (If you want to get in on supporting us and the great athletes we believe in, head over to our donation page here.)

It’s a funny thing, really. Anyone who knows me knows that, during the winter months, I long for nothing more than 18-mile sunrise runs on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail. It is, after all, my second home during the long summer and early fall training months. You get to feeling more acquainted with each mile marker than with your own pillow. So every year around this time, I struggle to understand why I am so hesitant to declare Marathon Training “officially” open. Perhaps it is, in part, the unknown—though I’ve done it before, the mental games still abound. Have I built a proper fitness base in the “off-season” months? Will my weak ankle and flat feet hold up in these shoes? Am I increasing my mileage too quickly? Have I budgeted enough time in my training plan to meet my own goals and achieve the personal best I want? Am I really capable of raising $2000 on behalf of Special Olympics? And, maybe most importantly, will I do the fantastic athletes of Special Olympics Chicago justice in representing and supporting them? Before each meet or tournament, Special Olympians around the city, country, and world recite this oath: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.”



Reppin' the SOC shirt & hat, while becoming more acquainted with mile markers than pillows.
(Also, is it just me, or... is it ironic that Coca-Cola sponsors the running path?)

 

Brave in the attempt. It speaks for itself, doesn’t it? A little extra bravery is often what I need as I jump into Marathon training. It has been modeled for me time and again by Special Olympians—my brother, his friends, complete strangers—and so I write it on my arm for each long training run, as a reminder of the courage that it takes to do things outside of our comfort zones. And of the many rewards that come as a result of approaching those challenges with bravery.



Brave In The Attempt: One Special Olympian's name for each mile I run

My personal Marathon training season has almost weekly “soft openings” that are spread out over three or more months. It doesn't happen this way on purpose, it's just that I lack bravery in declaring the season "Open." Though I run half-marathons in the winter months, my first double-digit run of meteorological spring-- usually in mid-late March-- has significance. I see it as the beginning of Marathon training. Then my first double-digit race, the Lakefront 10-Miler in mid-April (a personal best) felt like the christening of training season. After that, the Wisconsin Half Marathon in Kenoshsa on the first Saturday of May was warm and sunny—a sure sign that Marathon training was obviously here! After that, it was a quick “recovery” time,  followed by a myriad of double runs and long runs leading up to the 200-mile Ragnar Relay in early June (of which I ran 15 miles with my team of 12)—surely that race signified the beginning of Marathon training. Next, I wrote my own training schedule for the balance of weekends from now until October 11 – and somewhere back in May, Chicago Endurance Sports began their official training (though I opted not to run with them this year). Sarah started “training” somewhere in there, too, and we’ve Skyped to trade running stories. Surely, by this time, I should know that Marathon training has “officially” begun. But still, I struggle to believe it. I struggle to be brave in the attempt. That is, until this week.

On Wednesday, which just happened to be the first day of July, I ran 14 miles on the Lakefront Trail. I begrudgingly dragged myself out of bed at 4 a.m. so that I could begin my run near the Foster Avenue mile marker by 4:45. I waved politely to the officers in their squad car parked on the trail-- they knew I was there almost an hour and a half before the park opens, but they chose to look the other way. I ran, I stopped at my 2-mile marker water fountain, I saw the sun rise over Belmont Harbor, I watched open-water swimmers at Ohio Street Beach, I ran past the ferris wheel at Navy Pier... and after passing all of these familiar, sacred long-run landmarks, I arrived at my most treasured respite spot—the water fountain at mile marker 8/12, tucked away just south of the Chicago River, where the pigeons like to perch and poop because it’s like a secret haven of solitude in the city. Finally, I felt brave in the attempt.  I haven’t run this far or sipped from this water fountain since Marathon training last September. I haven’t stopped to pause my music and take it all in since the last time I was here. If that doesn’t solidify the “official” beginning of my Marathon training, I don’t know what would. So, in an effort to be brave in the attempt... here’s to the really, honest to goodness, for realzzz, "no-seriously-I'm-actually-doing-this," OFFICIAL opening of 2015 Marathon Training!

 


My water fountain, facing Navy Pier on a quiet and foggy morning.

 

138 Days... Is It Too Early To Panic??

After I hobbled across the finish line in 2012, I swore that I was a "one and done" marathoner. The marathon did not go great for me, and I'm not sure whether the tears at the finish line were from happiness or absolute trauma. I have quite happily lived the last almost 3 years thinking that I could get away with completing one marathon, have bragging rights for life, and never tackle 26 miles again.

Then my stupid, overachieving sister ruined my plans. If you read our very first blog post you'll see that I was "running" before Becky, but it was her impetus that pushed me to actually start running races. Who knows where I would be without her silly idea 5 years ago to enter a race just because it promised to give us chocolate at the end! Obviously our priorities have always been in good order! In fact even after running countless short races, 3 halfs, and a full marathon with her, I still struggle to find the motivation to run without her. Exhibit A: in the almost 2 years since I've moved away from her I've run exactly one race by myself: a half marathon that I only entered because it meant I got to finish in the Olympic Stadium in Helsinki (again, I have my priorities, and the actual running is never one of them). Becky on the other hand has no problem running alone and has even had the audacity to run another marathon without me! Last year she smashed the Chicago Marathon again, while I cried about it from 4500 miles away. So this year when she started talking about it again I decided that I couldn't let her face it again without me. 

Helsinki City Run, 2014 (you can't see it but I'm repping my SOC shirt!)

Just kidding, she certainly doesn't need me, but I need her and I really felt like I needed to run Chicago again for a lot of reasons. First and foremost, I would do almost anything for our charity, Special Olympics. Most of you know why we love this organization so much, but quick recap: our brother David is a Special Olympics athlete and his experiences there have made him a happier, more confident and social guy. We've been enthusiastic Special Olympics cheerleaders for several years, and when both Becky and I were living in Chicago, we started to look into the Chicago branch of the organization (fun fact: Special Olympics was officially founded in Chicago in 1968!). It was perfect timing that we were considering our next running challenge around the same time, and it was an easy decision to run the marathon for Special Olympics Chicago (SOC). While we expected a good experience, our hopes were surpassed. In addition to the obvious benefits of raising money for the athletes in Chicago, the running team was well-organized and we felt supported through the whole training and race process. So of course I am incredibly excited to get back on the Special Olympics Chicago team! 

Another, more boring, reason for undertaking this insanity again is that I need some motivation and stability in my life. As you all probably know, I've been living in Finland for the last year and a half or so doing a Masters program. Until very recently I had no idea where I would be after completing my degree; I would love to stay in Finland but the job prospects here are pretty slim so I was also considering moving back home, although also without a job there! So with all the uncertainty I figured it would be nice to have something that would keep me on track in at least one aspect of my life. Nothing makes you focus more than a nice intense training program! Also, I haven't done serious running in a long time and as the weather gets warmer I miss it a lot and there's no motivation like a 26 mile run looming over you (fun fact: I am writing this post to avoid going for a run, so obviously my motivation is on point). Oh, and my 2012 marathon time was really pathetic so I'd ideally like to embarrass myself slightly less this time.

Finally, running in Chicago is one of the things I miss most about living there: everything from the views on the lake path to the feeling of waiting downtown with 40,000 other people at 8am to start the Shamrock Shuffle every year. I can't describe how special Chicago is to me (although if you ask anyone I'm sure they would agree that I never shut up about it, so it must be pretty special!) and I would do anything to be back. Apparently "anything" now includes agreeing to run a marathon... 

So buckle in for our new and improved training season 2015! We will once again be begging your generosity and support for our fundraising; if you want more information about Special Olympics or why it's worth supporting, ask either of us and we'll be happy to gush about it! And as with last time, we'll be chronicling our journey with this blog. It will be the same wit and entertaining photos and stories, only this time it's international!! Stay tuned for my observations about trying to train in a country where everything is a hill, and Becky's observations about how I complain too much about hill running (because she doesn't understand the pain...). 

If you're already sold, here's the link to our fundraising page: 
http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/slowmilesarebetterthannomiles

If you're not sold yet don't worry, we'll convince you we're worth supporting! And of course, any donation amount is SO appreciated! If you can't swing a few dollars, moral support is happily accepted as well! Encouragement and kind thoughts are a big part of what motivates us, so you can always send some of that our way!

Starting our training season a little early, in Norway last Christmas!

It's almost here!

Tomorrow is the big day, and we figured that if you've made it this far with reading our blog you might be interested in checking out the marathon coverage tomorrow. There are several of ways to keep track of the event and of us, depending on your level of technological expertise. Let me take a break from painting the Special Olympics logo on my nails to tell you all about it.

If you live in the Chicago area, the race is broadcast on NBC, channel 5. If you're like me and don't own a television (at least a functioning television) there might be video coverage on NBC's website, but I can't really figure it out from looking at it. here's the link:
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/2012-Bank-of-America-Chicago-Marathon-160596815.html

If you like to kick it old school or have a car like mine that only receives AM signal, there will be live coverage on AM 670.

If you're curious about where Becky and I are and haven't managed to see us on TV, you can be a total creep and get live updates texted to you or even put on your Facebook wall. It will update you when we pass 10k, 13.1 miles, and 30k.  You just have to sign up and enter our bib numbers: Becky's is 52452 and mine (Sarah's) is 48876. We probably won't be together so enter both of ours. Here's the link for that:
http://tadpole.textingforward.com/portal/tf_marathon_login_social?pvRaceId=1481

If you're hardcore and want to look at the course map or even make a quick trip to cheer us on, here's a spectator's guide with a map and some ideas for good el stops to get off at to see the action. Becky and I will be wearing our red Special Olympics shirts, so if you are planning on coming to see the marathon look for us and let us know so we can look for you!
http://www.chicagomarathon.com/CMS400Min/uploadedFiles/Chicago_Marathon/Get_Involved/2012%20Spectator%20Guide.pdf

Thanks so much again for all the support and encouragement, it means a lot to us and to everyone involved with Special Olympics. But seriously, watch the marathon on TV because it's really cool to see! We'll do a final post on Monday or Tuesday as we recover, with pictures and a wrap-up. And just to alert you that we're still alive(hopefully)!

THANK YOU!

No, really. Thank you.

58 hours until go time, and we could not have done any of it without each and every one of you. 

Together we have raised $2,168.93 for Special Olympics Chicago, and we couldn't be more proud of our family and friends who have supported us by donating, checking in with us, leaving encouraging notes, reminding us that we can do this, and telling us that we are unquestionably crazy for it!

As Sarah has said, in a few short hours it will all be over. We will be writhing in pain

but wearing medals around our necks with no intention of ever removing them.

Keep an eye out in the next couple of days for detailed information about how to follow the 35th Annual Chicago Marathon online or in the media, and how to track us as we run that morning.

And we leave you today with a nod to the progress we've made.

Believe us, we looked like this when we started.

Oh, wait. It's pretty much how most of our runs still go.

 

(Go watch Run Fatboy Run if you never have... it's been our inspiration and certainly should be yours!)

The Secrets to Our Success!

14 days from now Becky and I will have run a marathon. That's very strange to think about, and I'm really trying to focus on the feeling of accomplishment and the bragging rights I'll have for the rest of my life, rather than the process of running 26 miles. We both know that we'll be able to get through it, despite maybe not being the most prepared people to ever run a marathon. But at least we're not as unprepared as this guy:

At this point we've survived our longest training run and are tapering; the long run this week was only 12 miles! For me, that means I'll spend the next two weeks freaking out about the fact that there will be three whole weeks between my longest run and the marathon. How does that make sense?? So in an attempt to not think about scary things like that, it's time to start figuring out the logistics of our marathon experience: things like how to instruct our mother to see us without getting lost in the crowd of a million people (literally), what I'm going to wear, and how Becky and I are going to affix things to the body parts we've sold as part of our fundraising for Special Olympics. So for those of you wondering what goes into preparing for race day, here's a photo list of the necessities -- if you're Becky and me.

1. Hand-held water bottle contraption. Guaranteed to make you look 100% more like a pretentious runner. Also guaranteed to give you a strange hand tan line when you wear it for 4 hours in the sun. But on long runs it's actually useful. And note the reflectors on the side, so that nobody will run into your hand when you're on a long run in the middle of the night.

2. Finnish running shorts. I spent a semester in Finland and will pretty much use any excuse I can get to pretend I'm Finnish. The bonus is that they're actually really great shorts. Which makes sense because Finland doesn't mess around when it comes to running. Or anything else. But I probably would have bought them either way. Fun fact: "karhu" means bear.

3. Classy sassy Special Olympics hats. Which are clearly not very effective in shielding the sun. I don't wear a hat when I run and won't actually be wearing this on race day, but Becky might. Plus this picture is just too cute not to share with the world.

4.  Confirmation that I am in fact one of the slowest runners registered. Because of the size of the race there are two start waves and corrals labeled A-M, according to your predicted finish time. As you see, I am in corral L. The second slowest.  I believe Becky has the honor of being in corral M, and I'll probably join her there so that we start together. This means that although the start time is 8:00 AM we'll probably cross the start line some time around 8:30, because we're so far back. It just seems like a cruel joke, because it's already going to take us a really long time to run it, AND we're the last to start! So we'll probably be arriving at the post-race party right as it's finishing.

5. Peanut Butter. Duh. I've eaten peanut butter on a bagel before every race I've ever run, and I've never died, or even passed out. So that can't just be a coincidence. Plus I'm a very routine-oriented person, so this is probably just as mentally helpful as nutritionally helpful. And peanut butter is delish.

6. Sweet Tats. Becky and I have sold our body parts to raise money, and now we have the challenge of figuring out how to make things stay on our faces for 26 sweaty miles. One kind donor bought our cheeks and requested that we put guitars on them in honor of David's friendship with her guitar-playing son. While we're planning on using sharpies to write or draw most things, guitars are a little tricky. So I bravely set out for a party supply store and spent about 45 minutes tracking down the best guitar temporary tattoos. $1.19 later, this is what I came up with. 

*side note: we still have a couple body parts left for sale, so if anyone wants to buy our arms and have us put flaming skulls on them we're all stocked up. Here's the website for our donation page

7. If you're Becky, you need about 800 other things to get through a run. She practiced on our 20 mile run. There are pretzels, because 5 hours is a long time to go without a little snack. Then there's her phone so that she can take important business calls. Car keys in case she decides to just drive instead of running. Various energy goos and gels and blocks, because it's the only way to get through a long run. Seriously, before these were invented people didn't run more than 5 miles. Headphones that will probably only work in one ear and totally break 20 minutes in. Gatorade prime, because water just isn't good enough for this champion. A wallet in case she wants to buy ice cream at Oak Street beach. Classy sassy Special Olympics hat (see #3). An excited and optimistic expression, to show that she enjoys waking up at 5:00AM to run to McCormick Place and back. And finally, a belt to put all these things in and to make her look like a "serious runner." Except for the saying, which reads "WTF! Where's the finish." Serious runner indeed.

And that's about it; our secret formula for a successful race day is no longer a secret. It's the least we can do to thank you all for the support you've given us; as much as we joke about it this is a big deal for us, and having people support us in our insanity is awesome. And amidst all the craziness  we're trying to keep perspective; running 26 miles is one day of our lives, but the impact Special Olympics has on people's lives is ongoing and we're so honored that they let us be a part of it. We'll check back in as the day gets closer, and let you know how you can watch the marathon or even keep track of us as we run (hint: you know the vehicle that follows the last runner? We'll be not too far in front of that.).