Inner Peace

In this crazy-fast paced multi-tasking world we live in, thank God we have running. Nothing slows the world down and brings such a calm peacefulness to the world like a run.

The Ice Age Trail Race is now less than a month away. I have been battling aches, pains, and this stupid plantar fasciitis all year. I took a good week off again to try and let my foot heal up. It felt better, but still gives me plenty of trouble.

My running goal today was to go 18 miles and not feel completely wiped out when I finished. I ran it easy and walked the hills whenever I felt it necessary and then some. I took a SaltStick Cap before I started and then one every 5 miles. At that time I also put down an Apple-Cinnamon Hammer Gel and carried 40oz of Gatorade in my Camelbak. My planned worked well, I did not worry about pace (for the most part), I concentrated on going easy, feeling good, and enjoying the entire experience.

The verdict?

Success!

Although my foot was bothering me the last few miles, I managed to finish with pretty close to a 10 minute pace and I feel good.

I sincerely hope that your Sunday run was also a great success!

In mid-August I will be cycling 100 miles to raise money for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Please consider making a donation to this great charity!

Ride to Cure

I think it is safe to say that we all know someone with diabetes. But what do you know about Juvenile Diabetes? Juvenile diabetes is otherwise known as Type 1 diabetes. Currently there is no cure for this type of diabetes. Juvenile diabetes comes on suddenly and causes dependence on injected or pumped insulin for life, and carries the constant threat of devastating complications.


Type 1 diabetes must be constantly monitored, there is not a day that goes by that a child with Type 1 diabetes and the parent of the child don't have to deal with it. 


As the leader of the T1D community, JDRF unifies global efforts to cure, treat, and prevent T1D.  In this role, JDRF has funded more than $1.6 billion in diabetes research since its founding in 1970, and has meaningfully advanced the T1D scientific frontier and the management of this disease.


Once again this year, I'll be taking part in JDRF's Ride to Cure Diabetes, along with hundreds of other riders across the country, as we try to reach our goal of raising millions of dollars.

Now, more than ever, you can make a crucial difference. Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible? Together, we can make the cure a reality!


You can make a quick and easy donation by following this link ---> JDRF


Thank you in advance for your generosity!

Sunday Blog Time

I had a little time to blog today.

2011 Mileage

I am very pleased with my miles last year leading up to the Hy-Vee Triathlon. July and August miles had a lot of cycling in them which I definitely plan on doing more of this year. 

I was hit pretty hard this week with a combo sinus infection and a side order of strep throat. But I am just about through my antibiotics and managed to get a few miles in again this morning. I really have to get my training back on track. I am a little lost without a coach, I am not sure that I am disciplined enough to do a proper job of training for my first major event of the year, The Ice Age 50K, but we'll see how it all pans out. 

The other event that I am signed up for is a century ride in LaCrosse Wisconsin. I completed this ride two years ago; it is a fundraiser to help find a cure for Juvenile Diabetes. I had the opportunity this year to help with a local fundraiser for a little girl in our community that has Juvenile Diabetes. It is a terrible disease that affects the entire family every day in many ways that you and I wouldn't even begin to think about. I am proud to be able to help with this. I will post a fundraising link when it is available, you can learn more about these events throughout the US here.

I would like to add in a marathon or half marathon during my training for the 50K but I haven't found one in the area yet. I would also be inclined to complete 50 miles sometime this fall if all goes well. For now, we'll just take it one event at a time and try to stay healthy and enjoy what I am doing.

I almost hate to admit it, but I am going to attempt a small running streak. My goal is to run every day the rest of January. My minimum mileage must be at least one mile per day. It doesn't sound like much, but if all goes well the next two weeks, then there is always February to consider. Yeah, it's a little unconventional and might sound a little crazy, but I look at it as a good way to get some base mileage and leg strength going again. 

I am just glad that I am finally relaxed and feeling like a human again because most of last week.....I felt like a monster!