11.20 miles (to be precise) in the cold rain was very hard

Today's scheduled long run was 11 miles.  I ran 11.20 miles at the Shoe Factory Road Forest Preserve.  I dressed for a cold and dry day.  I ended up with a cool but very wet morning instead.  The combination of the distance and the cold rain made today's run very hard.

This is the route I ran:


I felt great on the "out" leg of the run (I run out to the halfway point of my planned run and the run back "in").  There was an intermittent mist all morning, but by the time I got turned around and was only about 1/2 mile into the "in" leg the mist became a steady rain and that rain continued for a solid 30 minutes.

The rain made my run harder.  I was wearing a knit hat on my head.   That's not a great choice of headgear as the cotton hat was water-logged within minutes.  I wore a cotton henley long-sleeve on top of my cold weather Under Armor long sleeve mock turtleneck shirt.  Again, it was water-logged within minutes.  My shoes and socks were soaked pretty quickly once the heavy rain started coming down.

The clothing became heavier with the water and this certainly played a role in making the run more difficult.  But as I look back on this morning's run I think the rain hurt me the most by breaking my focus and distracting me.  I should have tried harder to remain focused.  Instead of focusing on my running form and my speed and thinking about the importance of every training day leading up to the half marathon (that's a little mantra I have: "make every training day count!"), I let myself think about how cold and miserable I was.  That was dumb.  I started worrying that my wet feet would blister.  I started worrying that I'd catch a cold.  Dumb and dumber still.

I finished the run but I was dragging during the last 2.5 miles.  It should have finished the run in about 2 hours and a few minutes.  Instead, it took me 2 hours and 15 minutes.  Ugh.

I'm not beating myself up over the time.  I'm not deluding myself into trying to work on speed already.  Rather, I'm upset that (1) I didn't prepare properly for the weather, and (2) I allowed myself to lose focus.  If I would have worn a water-repellant jacket (I have one) and remained focused on the mechanics of my running I would have had a much better training day.

Today was a great hands-on lesson in the power of focus and on the mental aspect of an athletic endeavor.  I'm convinced that my negative thoughts played a significant role in the slower and more painful second part of my morning run.  I'll try to learn from today's experience and find a way to avoid the same mistake in the coming weeks.

WTF!??? I can't buy a suit off the rack now!

I'm grateful to be losing weight and getting into better shape.  I feel so much better and that's a blessing.  But it's not all good and happy times for me man!

My suits don't fit anymore!  It's to the point where they look like big cloth sacks!  The only clothes that still fit me are my shirts and t-shirts.  My suits, sport coats and pants all had to be given away to charity (we were going to send them to Sudan through my mother in law's friend but then we thought - the needy over there can't possibly be so huge as to need these clothes/tents).  And over the past 10 months I've had to put a new set of pants on two occasions (because I went down a few sizes and then down again some more).

Buying new pants is fine.  Buying new sport coats is okay.  But buying suits really sucks.

It sucks because, so far as I can tell, I can't buy regular suits off the rack.  I wear a 50R jacket and a 34 to 35 inch waist in my paints.  That's a 15 inch "drop" and most stores do a maximum of a 6 inch "drop" in their so-called "athletic build" suits.  Um, I'm going to need to do something about the remaining 9 inches!  This is, for me, a WTF!? moment.  The last time I struggled with this issue was over 20 years ago.

I looked into custom tailored suits.  Sticker shock!  Not happening!  The cheapest custom-tailored suit I found was about $750.  I don't make nearly enough money to afford clothing that costs that much!  I'm willing to drop $250 to $300 on a suit, and in the past I've been able to get very nice suits from Men's Warehouse for that price.

Oh well.  For now I'll have to make due with sport coats and slacks.  It'll be the college look - blue sport coat, khaki pants and a plaid tie!  How nice indeed!

Oh how time flies by - 11/27 half marathon is approaching fast!

This Saturday’s long run will be 11 miles.  That’s good since the November half marathon will be only one month away come this Saturday.  Given how fast the last 5 weeks have flown by I can only imagine how fast the last month of training will slip away as well.

This past weekend’s 8 mile step down run was not so good.  I was out of town, had only about 5 hours of sleep and a very hectic schedule that kept me from focusing on the run itself.  While I covered the necessary miles, I didn’t enjoy it the way I have the other long runs.  The silver lining is that I didn’t let any of these extenuating circumstances stop me from doing the scheduled long run.

Last night I ran 3 miles instead of 4.  Why?  I wanted to do some strength training.  The training schedule I created back in September called for a combination of running and strength training, but to date (since 9/13 when I officially kicked of the half marathon training) I’ve missed a lot of the scheduled strength training sessions.  I used yesterday to get myself re-charged and back on track.

As an added bonus I went to the gym to do my workout.  I needed the extra boost that working out with others provides.  Thankfully I didn’t run into anyone I know last night so my workout was focused and uninterrupted.

This evening I ran 5 miles.  I did it at night after the kids were put to bed.  It was a beautiful, clear and cool night and I decided to go on the run ipod-free.  Sometimes its nice to run in the quiet of the night.  It’s peaceful.  Oh yeah, and it’s safer too.

Tomorrow will be another strength training day.  I’m going to go late in the evening again after the kids are in bed.  Then on Thursday I’ll go out for a short run.  Friday I’ll do some more strength training and on Saturday morning I’ll hit the trails for the longest run to date!

Chicago Marathon on 10/10/10 - I'll be monitoring the results!

Today is the first time I've ever cared about the Chicago Marathon, or for that matter, any marathon!  I've got a couple guys from the office running and an old friend running so I'm interested in keeping tabs on how they do.

In addition to being interested in the performance of my colleagues and friend, I'm also interested because of my own running.  I'm not even close to being able to run a marathon but the running I've been doing makes me appreciate how challenging it is to run 26.2 miles.

I'm watching the race from home.  The chances of seeing my friends in the sea of 45,000 was not realistic but I tried nonetheless!  Once it was clear I wasn't going to see them I settled in to watch the coverage of the "elite" runners.

It was amazing to see the strides, the speed and the steady pace the elite runners possess.  While they ran it looked, to me at home, like it was effortless.

I'm really glad the coverage continued after the elite runners finished.  Seeing the regular runners is just as inspiring.  It was great to hear about runners who were running to raise money for charities too.

And lastly, seeing regular runners of all ages, shapes, sizes, strides and speed made the marathon look a little more attainable for me!  Who knows... 2011?

I've crossed into the realm of double digit runs - 10 miles done!

I successfully completed my planned 10 mile run this morning!  It was hard, but not as hard as I imagined it would be.

My previous long run was 7.5 miles which I completed a few weeks ago.  My half marathon training plan called for a 9 mile run today with next week being a 10 mile run.  I decided to go for the 10 miles this week for a couple of reasons.  First, I felt like I was up for it.  Second, I am going to be visiting my in-laws next week and I had doubts about trying to do my first double digit run outside of familiar surroundings.  It was a good call.

Besides the increased miles, today's run was tougher than the 7.5 mile run a few weeks ago for several other reasons.  The 2.5 mile circuit in my neighborhood starts of with a steep hill and then a long downhill stretch and then a few other shorter hills throughout the route.  The 7.5 mile was done at a nearby forest preserve and it was flat all the way through.  Today the temperature as easily 20 degrees warmer.  This morning it was about 70 degrees when I started my run and it got hotter as the 2 hour run progressed.  Two weeks ago it was very cool out at about 50 degrees and maybe a 5 degree warm up over the course of that 1.5 hour run.

I took the advice of some friends who run (much longer distances than me) and placed a water bottle by my house.  My 2.5 mile circuit brings me by the house each time.  I stopped for a drink of water after 5 miles and then again after 7.5 miles.  In addition to the hills and heat, the repetitiveness of running laps - even long 2.5 mile versions - did make the run less engaging and therefore a bit harder.

I'm over 1 month away from the half marathon (11/27/10).  I'm considering changing my training schedule so that I do a "step-down" run every other week.  Right now I'm to run two long runs and then a shorter run on my weekly long run days.  It was easy to do 6 miles and then 7.5 miles.  I'm not sure it will be as easy to do 11 or more miles next Saturday.  I'm tinkering with the idea of running 8 miles next week and then moving up to 11 miles the week after.  I'll still do a 12.5 to 13 mile run two weeks before the race using this modified schedule.

I feel good!
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This afternoon I found this interesting article on the Runner's World website about 10-milers:  10 Reasons to Run 10 Miles.  It was a good read.

Next up: 10 Miler!

Tomorrow morning I'm going for a 10 mile run.  I've never run double-digit miles.  I'm ready.

Instead of running in the forest preserve, I'm going to run 4 laps in my neighborhood (with each one being 2.50 miles).  I expect it to take 2 hours (or a bit more).

I'm running in the neighborhood because I'm slightly nervous about this distance.  I ran 7.5 miles two weeks ago and it was fine, but there is something about the "1-0" number together that concerns me.  By running in the neighborhood I'll be able to be close to home in the event I don't feel well.

The run will be harder because there are some up and down hill stretches.  The forest preserve, by comparison, is very flat.  When I get this run finished I'll feel a lot more confident about my ability to do the half marathon in November!

Living life with a purpose and for a cause: Team Bayan!

Bayan is my friend Hesham's daughter.
She died in 2009 at age 13.

Hesham is an old friend and while I don't get to see him much, I draw inspiration from him all the time.  I want you to meet him and hear about why he's running in the Chicago Marathon on 10/10/10!

Hesham and his lovely wife Reem lost their beautiful daughter Bayan a little over a year ago.  Bayan suffered from a disease that robbed her at a very young age of her ability to walk and run.  This is from the Bayan H. Hassaballa Charitable Foundation's website:

At the young age of 6, Bayan was diagnosed with Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T), a rare, progressive, degenerative disease that affects a large variety of systems in the body. Children with A-T appear normal at birth and the first signs of the disease such as a lack of balance and slurred speech caused by lack of muscle control (ataxia) do not usually appear until the second year of life. Victims of A-T are highly susceptible to develop immunodeficiency and malignancies of the blood system causing early death. Children with A-T are usually confined to wheelchairs by age 10 and often do not survive their teens. Presently, there is no cure for A-T or a way to slow down the progression of the disease.

Bayan died a little over a year ago to lymphoma at age 13.  I was at her funeral.  It was one** of the most sad things I've ever experienced.  I was amazed at the grace and composure Hesham retained at Bayan's funeral and always before and ever since Bayan's death.

I know he's had some extremely rough patches along the way but all in all he's trying to do something positive between now and when he and his wife Reem are eventually reunited with Bayan in Heaven.  One thing Hesham is doing is trying to find a cure for A-T.  He and Reem have formed a foundation to raise money to find a cure.  This Sunday Hesham is running the Chicago Marathon to raise money for the Bayan H. Hassaballa Charitable Foundation.

In order to raise funds to help find a cure for A-T, Dr. Hassaballa is running for two charities: A-T Children’s Project and the Bayan H. Hassaballa Charitable Foundation. There are a record-breaking 45,000 participants running for all different causes in the marathon this year. Although “Team Bayan” consists of only these two runners at this time, the team is still making a great impact and effort in raising awareness for this important cause.

Good luck Hesham!  I hope you run a great race, finish in record time and raise record amounts of money for this worthy endeavor.  I hope each of your purposeful deeds brings you some measure of ease, even if it is never complete and always bittersweet.  My prayers, my cheers and my support are with you!

If I am ever able to run a marathon, I promise to run with Team Bayan!

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**One of my nieces died in her infancy and my brother's wife's niece died a few years ago after a long battle with a lifelong medical afflication and both of those experiences were also very difficult to reconcile.

P.S.  Hesham's wife Reem is a wonderful person and while Hesham's writings (which appear online and in newspapers and elsewhere garner him more attention, Hesham is the first to remind us that Reem is always there supporting him and helping him.  My prayers and best wishes are certainly with Reem too!

5 miles - 2 days in a row!

This Saturday (10/9/10) I'm scheduled to run 9 miles.  The schedule of which I speak is my half marathon training schedule which I put together using advice and guidance from: (1) Runners World, (2) Hal Higdon's website and (3) a marathon runner friend at work.

I'm nervous.  Every long run is a new milestone for me.  Two weeks ago that milestone was 7.5 miles.  This week it will be 9.0 miles.

Yesterday and today I ran 5 miles each.  Both runs felt good.  During my runs yesterday and today I tried to consciously think about training my body to go farther and farther.  I said to myself - don't slack and don't let the form break down; every training run is critical to a successful race in November.  And guess what?  It worked.  I found my back straighten up and my turnover rate increased (I am trying very hard not to take long strides and instead, keep my foot falls under my body) and my arms moved up and began pumping more purposefully as I thought about it.

I'll do a short 2.5 mile run on Thursday.  That will be the only other run I do before Saturday morning.  I'm focusing hard on the training to lessen my fear.  Running 9 miles is a challenge!  Plus, I am very mindful of staying healthy.  None of my training is worth a damn if I get reckless and let myself get injured.

9 miles!  Wow!  I can't wait to finish that run!  I can feel the exhilaration I'll hopefully feel when I finish the run.

Running for a reason - helping wounded veterans reintegrate

I've dedicated my Nov '10 1/2 Marathon to raising money for Team RWB!
Thanks Mir for giving me this opportunity!

On November 27, 2010 I will run a half marathon with Team RWB (that's red white and blue) to raise money for wounded veterans.

Linking my running to charitable work is working out great for me!  Since February 2010 I've run in a number of 5K and 10K runs, my own run-a-thon (Running for Relief) to help needy children, to fight racism and to raise money for the suffering children of Pakistan.  My efforts have been extremely selfish as I've used the causes as a means to motivate myself to run, and the running in turn has dramatically improved my health!

My next running goal is a half marathon.  It's going to be a physically and mentally challenging feat!  I ran 7.5 miles two weeks ago as part of my training and while I finished the run without too much trouble and without too many post-run problems, that's still a far cry from 13.1 miles (which is the distance in a half marathon).  My training plan calls for a 9 mile run this Saturday (gulp!).

Initially I was just going to run the half marathon for myself, but my friend Mir Ali reminded me about Team RWB when he emailed me about a marathon he was running on 10/3/10 for Team RWB.  I visited the Team RWB website to make a small contribution to his effort and while there I browsed the site.  I learned that there was an opportunity for me to help the cause by becoming a Team RWB athlete myself (yes, yes, I know - I'm using the term "athlete" very loosely).

Here is a a little bit of information about Mir.
He's an excellent role model for all Americans and he's
certainly  someone I'd like my kids to know.

Over the Memorial Day weekend this year I ran a 5K for veterans - Miles for the Military - in South Barrington so  this cause is something I've helped out with in the past (albeit in a very very very small way).  This cause is important to me.  I want to be able to show my support to the men and women who risk their lives in defense of our country.

The South Barrington Park District's
"Miles for the Military" 5K raised money for
The Heart of a Marine Foundation

Helping wounded veterans is a no-brainer.  Whether or not I agree with the reasons for and objectives of the wars our soldiers fight in, I feel that the risks soldiers take and the sacrifices soldiers make in service of our country require our support.  And lets be frank - our government is sorely lacking when it comes to helping our soldiers after they've returned home.

Please consider helping Team RWB.  Their goals and mission are worthy of our support.  In Team RWB's own words, this is what they seek to do:

While much has improved since the post-Vietnam era, some polarization between veterans and our society still exists today. Strong relationships between wounded veterans and their fellow Americans are critical to veterans’ reintegration into civilian life as well as our nation’s success. That’s why Team RWB’s mission is to enrich the lives of wounded veterans and their families. Team RWB works toward this mission by focusing on three key areas:

1. ENDURANCE EVENTS

Endurance events (e.g., half-marathons, marathons, ultra-marathons, triathlons or even hikes) allow the Team RWB community to come together and honor the commitment and dedication of our veterans – both in service and now during their struggle for reintegration. More specifically, these events help raise awareness and funding, and connect Team RWB members with other like-minded individuals to inspire our movement of personal appreciation and caring for war service veterans and their families. Team RWB sponsors its own events and organizes Team RWB participation in existing events throughout the country. However, our movement would not be possible through Team RWB-sponsored or organized events only. Athletes are encouraged to represent Team RWB in any event that is of interest to them and/or host their own events in support of Team RWB. Examples include 1 mile fun-runs or 5k races for family and friends, long-distance hikes or walks and community bike rides.

2. SOCIAL LEADERSHIP-BASED NETWORK

During a June 2010 study of Iraq and Afghanistan combat veterans, almost all veterans surveyed expressed interest in services to help adjust to civilian life. Additional research has shown that 90 percent of today’s war service veterans actively search for information and connections online. Team RWB will launch a social leadership-based network using social media and other interactive tools to meet both of these needs, achieving local impact on a national scale. Once complete, teamrwb.com will enable all interested team members to create relationships within and outside their local communities. This network/community will serve as the backbone for raising awareness and funds, and connecting wounded veteran families with athletes, advocates and others.

3. ONE-ON-ONE RELATIONSHIPS

Today’s veterans face many challenges to successful reintegration into society following their experiences in a combat zone. Short-term solutions can include medical prescription drugs or counseling; however, research has shown that veterans’ reintegration challenges can be compounded by feelings of isolation from no longer being part of a “unit” or team. Team RWB aims to combat these challenges by connecting veterans and their families with others (known as “advocates”) through meaningful, friendship-based relationships. Wounded veterans and advocates define the exact nature of their relationship, ensuring each relationship is mutually beneficial and unique. To better meet veterans’ needs, advocates will focus on the “everyday” – not the spectacular: being a friend, spending time together and performing small acts of kindness on a personal level.

Please consider helping Team RWB.  You can do so by becoming a Team RWB athlete yourself!  You can also sponsor my upcoming half marathon on November 27, 2010 in Schaumburg, Illinois by clicking here for the Team RWB website and making a tax deductible donation (please make note that it's "on behalf of Junaid" in the space provided).

Thanks for your support!

Bad week of training

I came down with the flu last Sunday.  I didn't actually realize it was the flu until about Monday evening.  I missed my scheduled runs on Monday and Tuesday of this week and didn't actually get back into it until Thursday night (Wednesday is a day off anyhow).  On Thursday I ran 2.5 miles.

I intended to run on Friday but I allowed myself to miss it so that we could accept a last minute invite to my sister-in-law's house for dinner.  I hate that I let myself do that!

Saturday morning I ran 5 miles.  I was supposed to do 5.5 miles.  This coming Saturday I'm scheduled to run 9 miles.  I'm definitely going to have to get geared up for a good week of training!

I'm going to run and lift weights tonight to purge my body of all the crap I put into it yesterday and today will attending the Iowa vs. Penn State football game in Iowa City, IA.  Good times for sure but way too unhealthy!