Should we have paid for that?

Well, what an interesting night we had. Our usual group of ground-pounders were out and about enjoying a wonderful spring evening (plus 16C!), even warm enough for Ken from India...but that is not the story. Nope, it was the shock our twenty or so peeps had when we got to the Stampede grounds. Now I know uthe Stampede is a mere 95 days away but two amorous individuals were 'having at it' next to the river! Yep, a little bit of pre-Stampede lovin' for our trotters to wonder "Was this Lauren's training tip for tonight?" Thankfully Sara did NOT have her phone camera in working order...

We have enjoyed some returning veterans to the group with the addition of sun and clear paths for our training. Good to see Blaine back on track after a few months away. for the rest of you we hope to have you join Jen, Carroll, and the rest of the crew Saturday at the Glenmore Landing McDonald's for a reservoir romp. No, not the same romp as above. This will be the last 9 am meeting before we slide back to 8 am on April 14. I will not be there this Saturday so don't wait for me. I will be feeding two kids copious amounts of chocolate to ensure their dentist is kept in business and their parents keep a furrowed brow...
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A shout out to our successful Hervis Half Prague peeps who completed their goal last weekend. I do know that Janelle and Afton crossed the line in the neighbourhood of 2:15. Well done. Still waiting for pictures and a report from them but I am sure we will hear something soon. We will right girls???

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Jen sent this article that sort of explains a bit of our habits for trotting the trails. Perhaps this the same high we get when we are on our first couple of dates with a new partner? May that feeling of euphoria stick with us longer than the first month...thanks Jen.

http://gizmodo.com/5896725/runners-highs-evolved-to-make-us-better-hunter-gatherers

Runners’ Highs Evolved to Make Us Better Hunter Gatherers

You've all been there: tired and exhausted, you drag your ass out for a run, but a few miles in—BOOM—your pain fades and you're suddenly euphoric. You've got a runner's high—and new research reveals that it's an evolutionary trait that fine-tuned us to be the ultimate hunter-gatherers.
The research, conducted by the University of Arizona and the University of Texas, shows that evolution has hard-wired us to perk up during endurance exercise. To do that, the body dumps neurotransmitters, called endocannabinoids, into our brain. Those compounds activate cannabinoid receptors—the same ones that are stimulated by cocaine—to provide that euphoric feeling during and after exercise.
The researchers tested out the theory that it's an evolved trait by studying the concentration of endocannabinoids in the blood of different animals exercising on treadmills for thirty minutes. In humans and dogs—animals which evolved for endurance exercise—the levels of the neurotransmitter rocketed. In animals that evolved to be sedentary—such as ferrets—there was no such increase. The results appaear in the Journal of Experimental Biology.
The researchers point out that an ability to run long distances would have made us better hunter-gathers capable of getting more food—so natural selection would have ensured that those who experienced runners' highs all those years ago won out. These days, you're probably best off enjoying the feeling while it lasts. The day after is when the pain really starts. [Journal of Experimental Biology]
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One of our buddies and original 'Uncoachable' Gerardo Carsolio is a wonderful artist who works primarily with wood. He is part of an art show listed below. I am always a fan of unique art pieces and might have to convice Joy to make the trip to Cochrane. At worst we can always stop and say hello to MacKay's (ice cream of course!)

Happy Spring Everybody!

I want to send out some information about an interesting art show I am participating in on April 13th and 14th called "Spring is in the Air".

The show is a fundraiser for the Cochrane Humane Society and the Bridges 2 Malawi Project.

The event is being held at the Cochrane Ranchehouse and features 25 artists that are some of the finest in Western Canada. 

Many of the participating artists I have met through the Stampede art show and I am excited to see their work in a new venue.

Please check out the attachment for the show, on Friday night there is a dinner and silent auction to try and raise money for the charities and there is also the option to come and see the art after the dinner and have coffee and desserts. There are also some events planned for Saturday including Children Paint With An Artist. All of the information is included in the invitation.

For your information all of the artists will be seated at separate tables for the dinner and if you are interested you can book a spot at my table to chat with me during dinner. Please let me know if you are interested in coming to the dinner and we can make sure that you are seated at my table!

I hope to see you at this new and exciting event!

So long, farewell, auf Wiedersehen, good night

Okay, the office staff were singing a song today from the Sound of Music. Perhaps it was the winter wonderland of today that reminded them of the Christmas classic? Maybe it is just a group of happy singers looking for that forum to share their enthusiasm for the day? All I am thinking is nuts!

Well, what I was really thinking was to wish our Prague Half Marathon group a singing salute, an adios so to speak, or sing. Yes, all the training, whining, hobbling, check-backs and high fives have led to this last week of prep for the big Hervis Half. A special shout out to Afton and Janelle who started with shortness of breath and fear of trotting now becoming well conditioned athletes! Or so we say...I don't think they knew what they were in for

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For those of you wishing to temp fate and join us for a lovely day on the trails let's meet at Bowness Park Lagoon for our Saturday trot. Park in the first lot next to the coffee shop and washrooms. See you there at 9 am sharp! (ok, ish for me)

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A quick shout out to our friend Peter who ran his first half in NYC last weekend. A fantastic time of 1:59! I love that the NYRR have an age graded time of which Peter ran the 'equivalent' of 1:43, that is fast! The winner finished the race in under an hour, which means he ran TWICE as fast as our average pace. Could you keep that up?

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With some of our group (not John Boy!) off to another European adventure I thought we should chat a bit about packing for the trip. Specifically our race day gear. Nothing is worse than travelling overseas and realizing you forgot the most important part of your trip. I have forgotten my shoes, I even wore two different shoes to a race (note to self, don't dress in the dark), and forgot the race bib that tracks your timing for the race crew. Simple things but they will matter if you don't have them.

I support getting dressed in your gear that you intend to wear race day before you leave your home. Yep, look a geared up in your bedroom! Think head to toe:

- Hat (or tuque or chicken)

- sunglasses

- sunscreen and bodyglide

- earrings and necklace (y'know you need this)

- shirt (long and short sleeve)

- jacket

- running bra

- gloves

- water belt

- electrolytes (gels, caplets, salt tabs, etc.)

- camera and cash (trust me, these are most important)

- ID (stranger in a strange land)

- running underwear

- shorts and tights (just in case)

- not one but TWO pair of socks (perhaps a compression pair for the airplane?)

- and the one thing that is most important, your shoes.

What have I missed? going by memory and of course it is not as vast as I like to remember...The most important thing I missed is whatever makes you feel comfortable to finish your goal. I had six bags of potato chips pinned on my back for Joy...she finished!

The list is long but I suggest you get dressed at home, feel comfortable with what you have on, then pack it in your carry-on. Wear those running shoes on the plane to save luggage space. By having your race gear with you, lost luggage only means a stop to Marks and Spencer to pick up new 'unmentionables'. Trying to find comfy trotting gear and the RIGHT shoes for a race would be darn near impossible.

So don't forget to pack the gear you need to get to the start line. Oh yes, last year I forgot an important piece that almost made me miss the Disneyworld Marathon...my passport expired. Thank you Canadian Border Services for turning over a new passport within 20 hours. Who says government is bogged down???

Are you perfect?

Where does the time go? I look down to my watch and see that it is Friday. Who knows where the time goes when we sit at our desk on Monday morning and all of a sudden Jimmy Buffett is singing "It's five o'clock somewhere". I could so be in Margueritaville right now!

So where to trot this weekend? The weather has been fantastic this week and tomorrow is St. Patrick's Day. So I think we need to find a place with green and great views. I think we will meet at the Glennfield Meadows parking lot within Fish Creek Park. The lot is accessed off Macleod Trail and Bannister Road, opposite Green Gate Garden Centre. See you all there at 9am.
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We missed the original airing last night of The Perfect Runner last night on The Nature of Things but fortunately there is another airing later this week. The Calgary Herald covered a story on this Edmonton filmmaker and his journey to put science into long distance running. I like that he considers our butt based environment of office and car to be the true 'extreme'. I might have to agree. Who can recall their youth where activity was always at the forefront of our day and the Playstation, PVR, and computer surfing were not considered 'activity'?

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I look back on my teaching of stride and movement for our many groups and think about our 'perfect' stride. Is this really a true statement? We all have a different body structure, 'parts' that don't fit where they used to, and our practice is not as refined as the elite athlete. So where do we become the perfect athlete? If we choose to only compare ourselves to ourselves we will have much greater success in finding perfection. If you think of all our media today much of it is photo enhanced to offer us the supposed 'ideal' person. Are we really able to become the perfect person when our comparable is photoshopped?

We all can move in our own fashion. The finish line is the same distance from the start no matter when you cross those lines!

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There was a question about race prep from one our Lausanne participants so I thought I would pull out an old newspaper article that I think highlights the important pieces to a successful trot in Switzerland.

First, you must have a good quality hat to protect from the elements. As you see, the chicken DID come before the egg.

Second, bring a camera. You never know what you might see along the journey. Wildlife abound!

Third, enjoy yourself. Smiling is the only option.

And finally, bring cash as there are many 'distractions' along a route that might cause you to need a drink, food, or a great souvenir. Why would you pass up on the experieince???

I still don't know what this reporter wrote, but I am sure it had alot to do with the beautiful mountains of Evian, France in the background. I am sure that is it...

Weather is a four-ish letter word

Snow-lots of it. Wind-has there ever been a day without? Rain-icky when it freezes so quickly. Sun-makes all the rest of it worth it! Living in a mountain city like Calgary has always been a challenge for this outdoor enthusiast. Monday, 15 cm of snow with freezing rain causing havoc with the wiper blades on the way home. Tuesday, cold with a high around -10C but the wind chill created some -20C moments. Wednesday, sunny and +5C which caused slushy splashes, soiled pant cuffs and soggy socks. Today, +9 already with the heat of the day still to come. We really do have the "Don't like the weather? Wait an hour and it will change" mentality here in Calgary!

Well, I tried. Last Sunday I made an effort to join Afton and Jen as they went out for a Sunday trot. All was good until they decided to change locations from Glenmore Landing to Eau Claire. Haven't received the update but I am sure that Jen pushed Afton for pushing Jen. That is why training with a partner is so useful, we get each other from point A to B. High fives all around. I did enjoy a lovely trot around Heritage Park, Sandy Beach, Bel Aire, and Mayfair. Checked out the old 'hood to see how many homes are under renovation THIS week. Lost count after I got to the second pinky toe.

This week we should try to protect ourselves from the 'extreme' heat of the spring sun...+12C for Saturday...let's head on up to Confederation Park and a loop through 45 years of park history. We will meet at West Mount Pleasant arena, located at 610-23 Avenue NW. Call me if you are lost. We will trot off at 9 am...
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As many of you know I work at SAIT as a professional fundraiser. One of the best parts of my job is to meet fantastic donors who truly are passionate about the school and our primary resource...grads. Everything I do is with the goal of getting a student their parchment so that they too can have a great career and life. Another great part of SAIT is learning all about the trades and experiencing the finished products of their hard work. Today I went to a place we call the Marketplace. It is for our culinary programs to sell what the students create. Our School of Hospitality is the only culinary school in Canada that recovers all the food costs that are incurred when they 'practice' preparing their culinary delights. So today I went over there to check out the soups and meat counters but found only this:


Oreo Cookie cake 3 foot tall to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Oreo cookies.



butternut squash? Must be healthy!

Reason number 23423 why I love to (and need to) get outside at least three days a week to enjoy some fresh air.If you are ever up to SAIT for any reason, come visit the Marketplace. I will even give you a tour...
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Every once in a while we find our body is not accepting our goals. Really though, who is the master of this domain??? Shouldn't our mind control the rest of this bag of skin? It IS where all the smarts are, right?

Unfortunately our thoughts can be overcome by emissions from the nerves (never mind THOSE emissions!) that tell us we are not 'appreciating' the day of training. We get out there with the greatest of intentions to set a pace that feels practical, a distance within reason, and with a grou that motivates us to complete the task. All seems good until that darn nerve gets pushed and decides to push back.

We will have many days like this along our trails. Our body is a fabulous device to regulate the ability to left-right-repeat-breathe. This device gives you the important information that allows you to make the right decisions to go faster, slow down, work harder, rest, start or stop. Your body says alot to you in the days that you strap on those stinky sneakers and get out there. How do you react?

I strongly suggest a training journal for those that are new to their chosen trot. A journal will allow you to mark all things important in your training day: weather, how you feel, work related issues, body functions related to training (yes, it matters!), etc. Chances are when you have a bad day training it is probably collateral damage from something else not related to the actual trot.

For me, I am suffering through a quadricep issue. Been four months. I always thought it was something but never would I have thought it was a back issue probably related to my new office environment. But it makes sense. Sometimes the little things that have nothing to do with strapping on those shoes. I think that the age of forty(ish) might also be part of my problem. Oh, did I mention that stretching is probably a solution? I know, I try to avoid it too!
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I know that when you get out to a race you always hope that there will be something that gets you motivated to keep going. I have enjoyed many great races over my thirty years of pinning bibs to the front of my shirt. Dancing in the Chateau's of France, punk rock fiddlers in Belgium (and seeing John McRae's bunker where he wrote In Flanders Fields), drinking with the Hash House Harriers in Boston, and four years of Uncoachables in Victoria. But I have never experieinced this:

Now is that motivation for you? Every time I look at this photo I laugh that the adult pays no attention but the young lad is intrigued...

All the best,

John



Marching to my own drum

Howdy doody neighbours! I trust the short month of February was to your liking? I do enjoy the warmth our trots have faced this winter but I do worry a bit about our farmlands. Hopefully we get some warm snow, rain, or whatever moisture decides to grace the prairies - of course all at night. Keep the sunny days in our forecast!

Sorry to have been missing for a week. Some down time, busy work, and just life gets in the way of a good bashing of a keyboard. Some questions about our routines so I thought we should review:

630 pm Tuesday and Thursday - training from the Tech Shop on 4 Street and 25 Avenue SW
900 am Saturday - random locations unless you DON'T hear from me, the default is then Eau Claire YMCA

So since you have heard from me today (or tomorrow depending on delivery of the blog) we will thus have the Saturday trot from...Eau Claire. I unfortunately will be absent as I am volunteering from 9-11 that day. Luckily Afton and Jen have allowed for me to join them on their 8 am (crud that's early!) Sunday trot from McDonald's Glenmore Landing. Just throwing that out there if you need to come say hello to the three of us. We intend to trot around the reservior.

Also, next Tuesday I will again be absent due to my volunteer duties with the Arthritis Society and the Walk to Fight Arthritis. So see you soon!
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It was pointed out that some of our crew are off to Prague in one month for the Hervis Half Marathon. Our friend Peter is also heading east, but to New York for the NYC Half Marathon . All this fun and I don't get to go! Boo Hoo for me but exciting times for the rest of you. I thought I would pull an old story out of the tickle trunk and share it with the gang. It covers many of the questions that you might have in the month prior to the start line. Enjoy.

This was pulled from a walking marathon story but I think the process will be similar.

Q. How Should I Best Prepare in the Month Before?

From Wendy Bumgardner,
Your Guide to Walking.
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About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

My marathon is a month away and I am worried about both my speed and distance training. How should I best prepare for the marathon?

A. The month before the marathon, you need to concentrate on two things -- getting in your long training days of 18 to 22 miles, and final shakedown of your gear, shoes, clothing, and snacks.

The Longest Days

In the final month before the marathon, aim to do three walks of 18 to 22 miles. From my experience, the most important thing is to get in those long days. It is best if you can alternate these to give a recovery weekend in between. You should give 7 days minimum between these long walks for recovery.

Effects of Long Training Walks

These long days especially prepare your feet for the marathon distance, as well as testing your mental game. You may discover blistering, chafing, or other irritation at this distance that you don't at lesser distance. You may want to schedule a massage for the day after a long walk as you may find that your shoulders, back, and neck are tense from the hours of being in one body position.

Speed

Be sure to stop and smell the grapes!

Pace training is of less importance vs. doing the distance. At this stage, you may worry about your marathon finishing time. But you will always go faster on the actual marathon. You may want to use the first 10K (6 miles) of your long day to pace yourself at your desired marathon pace. But don't try to keep that up throughout your long training day.

Taper

Two weekends before your marathon, cut your mileage in half to achieve the Taper Effect. It gives your body a chance for final rest and repair. It also lets the body convert slow twitch muscle to fast twitch muscle, giving you that burst of speed during the actual marathon. Give yourself an easy weekend at race pace (up to 10 miles at race pace) the weekend before the marathon.

Marathon Shoes

Your marathon shoes should have 80 to 150 miles on them, tops. You don't want to wear brand new shoes on the marathon, but you don't want to wear dead shoes, either. It is best to start your marathon shoes fresh the month before the marathon, break them in at lower distances, and train in them for at least one of your longest walks.

Marathon Gear

It is important to prevent chafing!

 

Every item you will wear during the marathon should be worn during your long training days. Do not wear anything new, period, for the marathon. This is your final chance to ensure that all items work well for you over long distance.

Marathon Snacks and Sports Drink

It is critical to test your marathon snacks and the actual sports drink variety being served at the marathon during your long training days. This is the time to discover whether you can tolerate sports energy gel or whether the sports drink they will distribute gives you stomach pains. Often the marathon will post what they are using on their web site. If not, email or call the race director and ask.
What and When to Drink on the Marathon
Marathon Energy Snacks

Marathon Companions

The exhaustion and pain of the marathon will test your social skills to the breaking point. If you will be marathoning with a friend, it is critical to train with that person on your long training days. Be open and honest with him/her about what sort of mutual support (or lack thereof) you will give and expect in return. Will you both stop at the portable toilet when one needs it? Will you split up if your paces are different? Do you find your companion irritating by mile 12? Will you both put on headphones and enjoy music rather than conversation? Come to an agreement in advance about what you will do when you are both exhausted and in pain and one is moving stronger than the other. Test this all out in advance on your long walks. Everyone now knows not to talk to me past Mile 18.

Mental Training

It is typical that you will go into the final month feeling unprepared and bound to fail. But if you can do three long days as I suggest, your confidence will be boosted so you can "gut it out" those final miles during the marathon. Your body will carry you well till Mile 21. After that, it is sheer will power to finish.

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That's all...just kidding! There are so many questions that you can have in the days leading up to the event, especially if it is your first! The great thing about training for an event is you usually get enough training to cover off MOST of the distance. Even if you have a tough day and can't keep a pace going, you will be able to finish.

If you use the Keep it simple principle: take your camera, $20, and a smile. The smile will keep you positive. The camera will record the greatness that you have accomplished. The $20 is for a beer, chips, and whatever else you might need along the way! It is your finest hour so why not enjoy it!

February is for family

Yee Ha! Yep, had to throw in a Calgary Stampede howdy to you all. Did you know that it will be 100 years of Stampede this year? Even those that don't live here probably know as the advertising campaign is in full swing. I am lucky to be part of the Parade Committee. I have been a part of the Parade volunteers since 1989. I think it sets my mind straight for the ten days of craziness!Already a few meetings into the event for 2012 and I am starting to feel the buzz. And it is ONLY 142 days away...

This week has been a frantic combination of events. From yesterday's Valentine (love you Joy) to a quick trip east this weekend to visit family, it seems that this week will be over in a heartbeat. That said, I will be avoiding my leadership duties with the group over the next couple of days and will see you all next Tuesday. For those that will meet at 9 am Saturday, please enjoy another trip to Eau Claire and a sneak-a-peak look at the soon to be opened Peace Bridge. Yep, a year and a half after the scheduled opening, it sounds like we will get our first trot on the red rocket (or candy cane as some call it) later in March. Have a great weekend as the weather looks fantastic!
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Our friend Carroll is participating in a project relating to strokes. The organizer of the program is Morgan Moe morgan@citizenimpulse.com. He is looking for healthy lifestyle individuals around the age of 50 to participate in his project. Here are his words:

To give you a bit more information on myself and my project; I am a recent U of C graduate (Kinesiology) and long time volunteer Association for the Rehabilitation of the Brain Injured (ARBI) here in Calgary. I have recently been selected from thousands of applicants across Canada to be a part of The Next 36 (thenext36.ca). Next36 brings together the top 36 most entrepreneurial students in Canada for an intensive 9 month program funded by 3 of Canada's billionaires. As a part of the program myself and 3 other students will be developing a mobile and tablet application to help stroke patients and their families recover from a stroke. 

You had mentioned you may know a few others that would be interested. We are looking for men and women, generally in their 50's +/- 10 years that live healthy lifestyles. So feel free to pass this information along!

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I wonder how many pieces of cake, chocolate, or various treats you had yesterday? I know I had a few, but don't tell Joy as they are not on the plan! I was sent a link to a good blog on Women's running that had a great piece of cake on their page today...mmm cake. If only they offered that on race day I think I would be complete! Although it doesn't go well with my beer...
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Every once in a while I like to pull a story out of my tickle trunk as a reminder of the challenges we face while training and competing in our chosen challenge. We all face obstacles that inhibit the perfect day. For some reason we have the ability to allow our challenges to overcome us. From the undulations, weather, previous nights booze, to whatever causes us to think we are oppressed, we do have a fortunate ability to do what we do. Sometimes I take things for granted and don't notice what a lucky man I am. I wonder how often that happens to you?

The story below is one of those feel good stories that always pick me up. I can't help but think back to 20 years ago when as a young runner I had the honour of guiding Larry Rienke (sp?) for the fall season. It is quite interesting to 'see' a route from the eyes of someone who can't.

Enjoy.

Love of Running Keeps Blind Marathoner Going

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: January 13, 2008

Steve Gokey is unique among the 17,000 runners signed up for the Houston Marathon on Sunday.

He is the only blind person in the 26.2-mile event.

“I love running, I love sports,” said Gokey, 55, who works as a switchboard operator for the police department in Modesto, Calif. “It’s recreation but very competitive for me.”

He has run nearly two dozen marathons, including four times in Boston and just last month in Sacramento since his first marathon almost 11 years ago in Napa, Calif.

Sunday will be his first appearance in the Houston event.

“I will sit home Sunday night and I’ll think about it,” Gokey said. “It never gets old. Finishing and the idea of finishing and getting my medal and wearing my medal for a week, it never gets old.”

Gokey was born blind, and he said that made his disability different from those who had sight and lost it later in life.

“I’ve been fortunate,” he said. “It’s not a big deal. It’s an inconvenience at times, but I’ve adjusted pretty well with it. I don’t have any fear with it.”
He trains at home on a treadmill.

“There are days I don’t like to train,” he said. “It does take a certain amount of discipline.”

In a marathon, a team of four guides leads him around the course, each taking a segment of the race. He is linked to his guides by two five-foot PVC pipes, the kind used in plumbing.

“They hold on one end and I hold on the other,” he said. “The pipe balances me. It feels like the treadmill. It’s probably psychological but it works out.”

His guide tells him his location on the course, or if there is a turn or a change in the surface, like a railroad crossing. Frequent irritations for him are reflectors cemented to the roadway that mark traffic lanes.

“Those things in the middle of the road, my feet are like magnets; they find them,” he said, laughing.

“My biggest problem is I get so consumed with wanting to run well, and sometimes if I’m not running well it gets in my head and then I start pressing. And you can’t press.”

His best time is just over four hours.

Statistics are not kept on the number of marathon runners among the 1.3 million legally blind Americans. Mark Lucas, executive director of the United States Association of Blind Athletes, made an “educated guess” that it was fewer than 100.

The association has helped train blind athletes for more than 30 years and advocates for them to be allowed to compete with sighted people. The Paralympics record in the marathon for the class of runner who, like Gokey, is totally blind and is allowed to use up to four guides is 3 hours 3 minutes 48 seconds, set in 1988 by Rick Holborow of New Jersey.

“Having to run 26.2 miles as a blind person truly boggles my mind,” said Steven Karpas, director of marketing and race development for the Houston Marathon. “I have huge respect and admiration for Mr. Gokey.”

Gokey said spectators and runners often tell him the same.

“I think it’s fantastic,” Connie Almeida, one of his guides, said while training with Gokey a few days before the event. “I think he’s an inspiration to anybody, that you can get out there and do anything.”

One hazard in the often close quarters of a marathon is unwittingly getting in the way of others. Gokey remembers stepping on a woman’s foot a couple of times in the Sacramento Marathon a few years ago.

“She didn’t even look back but just said, ‘You blind or something?’ ”
He replied: “ ‘You know what? As a matter of fact. ...’

“My guide said it was great. When she finally looked back, she had that look like she just had stepped in something. Then she ran away.”

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A life changing water station

What is this white stuff falling to the ground in Calgary? I thought the groundhog...wait, he saw his shadow. At least this is feeling like a spring snowfall. Bigger flakes, a little heavier in moisture, and melting as fast as it falls. could it be that our little rodents were wrong?

I think back to October when Joy and I were sitting in our hotel room in Budapest overlooking the Danube and the Hungarian parliament. Yesterday I saw that the blue Danube is frozen solid as is the rest of Europe. Not that I want it back, but I think our long term forecasters who predicted the coldest winter on record were only off by one continent. Our fellow trotter Janelle is currently enjoying time in Russia as she couch-surfs the continents. She has discovered that minus gazillion is very cold in St. Petersburg. We could feel sorry for her, but she IS on a couple month trek through Europe. Nope, no feeling of sadness here...Suck it up Princess!

Now that I have most certainly jinxed our lovely Calgary with some terrible weather I think we need to enjoy our bad weather run from Eau Claire and the YMCA. If you haven't joined us down there before we meet inside the Y by the pool with an estimated time of departure of 9 am (ish). And further ishing, we will cover from 8-20 km depending on how far you think you might handle. Thanks April for picking the route this weekend. Next week I feel a canal trot from Max Bell arena. Stay tuned for further info!

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With Valentine's Day coming up next week (no excuses, it's a running night!) I thought this cartoon is a good representation of some of our groups. Boys, you know it is true!

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Over the past couple of weeks I have shared some 'interesting' running accoutrements. This story below was shared by our buddy Dan a few years back and I thought this would be a good time to rehash. From Runner's World.

Racing without clothes can make you feel totally uninhibited — or just totally naked.

Chin up. Look 'em straight in the eye. Whatever you do, don't look down.

I was standing in a clearing somewhere off of Route 66 in northeastern Oklahoma, racing flats laced tightly, awaiting the start of the Trail of Tears 5-K beneath a canopy of browning scrub oaks and a handful of maples gone red. It was a classic fall day, but I was just trying to get used to the fact that I didn't have any pants on.

I typically wear pants, but when I saw an ad in a local running magazine for this "clothing optional" race, it seemed like the perfect antidote to the gerbil wheel of training, racing, and my overall life. I'd become a predictable, reserved middle-aged drone, the type of person my former self — the one who streaked across the quad as a college junior — would've loved to defy. Shedding my clothes seemed like a good way to lose my conservative persona.

The morning of the race, I'd started to get second thoughts. Maybe, I'd told my wife, I'd wear a T-shirt — a long one. "There's more to being naked," she'd said scornfully, "than just exposing your private parts." So there I was at the Oaklake Trails Naturalist Resort, feeling like an extra in an off-off-Broadway production of Hair, trying to get comfortable that baseball caps (17) outnumbered running shorts (0), tights (0), and below-the-waist coverings of any sort (just one lonely jockstrap).

The race director (hat, shoes, not a whole lot else) announced that — duh! — we wouldn't be wearing race numbers. He informed us that when the results got posted on the Southwestern Sunbathing Association's Web site, no last names would appear. Then he called the 50 of us to the start, but not before warning that anyone who didn't want his or her photo appearing in the association's newsletter had better head to the back. My nakedness didn't cool my competitive nature — a race is a race, so I toed the line as the photographer (yes, he was nude) snapped away.

When the gun went off, the first few hundred yards proved rather, um, bumpy. Nevertheless, by the half-mile mark, a single bare derriere stood between me and the lead. And just like that, I was no longer running nude. I was just racing.

Through the woods, I imagined myself a woodland sprite. A primitive hunter. The protagonist of that old Ray Stevens song — "Oh, yes, they call him the Streak. Look at that, look at that—fastest thing on two feet."

A water stop manned by clothed volunteers brought an unexpected bout of self-consciousness. For a second, I felt as naked as Adam cast out of Eden. But the volunteers greeted us with throaty cheers, and soon gone was the red from my cheeks (the ones on my face, at least).

With a quarter mile to go, I caught the leader. Even though a finishing sprint would produce a lot of pain and a revealing photo, I did it anyway. If you thought waiting for the awards ceremony was excruciating, try doing it in the buff.

The race brochure had promised to free runners from "the burden of clothes." But on the drive home, it struck me that the entire adventure had proved decidedly unliberating. Sure, for a few minutes, I'd forgotten my nakedness. But otherwise, my unclothed loins were all I'd thought about. Call me repressed, but the most liberating moment came when I pulled my shorts back on. My straitlaced life — and its wardrobe — suited me.
Still, I did get a medal and, of all things, a T-shirt to show for it. Just don't ask me to show you any race photos.

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This week our friend Lauren has started a new group of victims...err athletes who are training to finish the Mother's Day 10km in Calgary. I had the pleasure of leading this group for the better part of a decade. Other than the above cartoon reason for some of us to join the group, the story below I think covers many of us as we first laced up those shoes.

Our friends Keith and Joyce had a similar experience when non-running Keith watched his wife in disbelief complete her first race at the age of 50. Little did Keith know that the finish line beer, high fives, and friendships gained would convert him from sedentary to an inspiration to many. They may be slower now, but they are still talked about by many of our troop on the run.

We all have our own reasons for joining a group to attain a goal. For me it was purely the comeraderie, for others pace, and for the rest sex. Just kidding of course, but this story I think describes almost all of us that trot the trails. Enjoy. 

Running Your Own Race

Think back to a time in your life when you tried something new.

When I was a teenager I volunteered to work the water station at a 10k race. It was called the 'Heaven Can Wait' 10k run and ironically, it was sponsored by the local cemetery.

My job was to pass out water to the runners. I remember being so excited to see all the different kinds of people who passed by and grabbed a cup of water. Some ran past, some walked past and a few wheeled past. I saw so many types of people doing it, I thought maybe I can do it too!

So the next year I signed up for the race and gave it a shot. Back then I didn't do much to prepare except jog around my neighborhood. I never tracked how far I jogged, or timed myself, I just ran around. I had no time goals for the race, no specialized training, no game plan, nothing. Needless to say that I prepare differently when I run races today, but back then my only goal was to finish.

On the day of the race, it was incredibly hot and humid. I remember struggling at about the 5th mile, thinking, 'I must be crazy, why did I do this? What was I thinking? And at one point, I said, 'I am never doing this again!'

Have you ever felt that way about something? You eagerly undertake a goal and in the midst of it comes a moment of struggle, and you realize it is much harder than you imagined it would be?

That first 10k race was quite an experience. I jogged, I walked, I jogged and I walked. At times, I didn't know if I could finish. Then came a defining moment.

At one point near the end, a 70 year old man ran past me, very very fast, and I felt embarrassed that I was 50+ years younger than he and I couldn't even keep up with him. I felt defeated for a second. But then I realized something. He was running his race and I was running mine.

He had different capacities, experience, training and goals for himself. I had mine. Remember my goal was merely to finish.

How often in life do we compare ourselves to others and feel disappointed in ourselves when we really shouldn't? After a minute, it hit me that this was a lesson I could draw from. I learned something about myself in that moment. I turned my embarrassment into inspiration.

I decided that I would not give up on running races, in fact, I would run even more races and I would learn how to train and prepare properly and one day I would be one of those 70 year olds who was still running. As I crossed the finish line, I was proud of my accomplishment.

I am so glad I didn't give up on running. Today it is an incredible source of joy in my life. I have run several races since then, 5ks, 10ks and I run purely for fun. I have studied running books, made friendships with other runners and I can report that I love it now more than ever.

In life we all have those moments where we compare ourselves to others. It's only natural. Don't allow those moments to disempower you. Turn them into motivation and let them inspire you. Use them to show you what is possible. Every struggle is rich with opportunity. You define your own race when you define your own goals.

With the proper preparation, coaching and conditioning, you can improve your results to achieve anything you want in life.

The impact of fitness and nutrition on my life has been remarkable. I can do things now that I could not even do in my 20's all because of coaching, proper nutrition and conditioning.

You decide your race and you decide your own pace. Rarely in life will your destiny be determined by one little race.

'Success is a peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you are capable.' - Coach John Wooden

 
Life is a series of races. There are lessons in every race. There are life lessons to be learned every single day. If you don't win the race, but you get the lesson, and grow, you are truly a success.
Live Your Dreams.
Jill Koenig
Jill Koenig, the 'Goal Guru' is one of America's Top Goal Strategist's. A best selling Author, Coach and Motivational Speaker, she is an expert on the subjects of Goal Setting, Time Management and Business Success. Her Goal in life is to help you unleash your untapped potential. Visit her website at: www.GoalGuru.com