What Does Running Mean to Me?

I was asked earlier this last weekend if I would do a piece for the Run For Boston 5K Blog about what running means to me.  I of course agreed.  Here it is.

What does running mean to me? For most people running means health benefits like weight loss and stress relief. Non-runners would think that one runs as a means to achieve the aforementioned benefits, and in the beginning that is what it meant to me. But things change. My running journey began in early 2010 on a treadmill in my basement. To fully explain what running means to me, I have to give you a little background so you can understand the importance of running in my life. My journey began due to a life changing experience when I was an adolescent.My life changing experience was being diagnosed with cancer. That cancer took many things from me. Cancer destroyed my fitness as well as my self-esteem. Being asked what running means to me ultimately brings me back to high school when I could not "run" the mile in physical education, because I was so out of shape from being sick. I think it was that not being able to run the mile that planted the seed to start running years later. Let’s fast forward now 24 years,long story short Dan 2, cancer 0.  I beat that cancer 24 years ago, but the effects would be long term.
After being out of treatment a couple years I gained weight, got lazy, and became dependent on the creature comforts so many people fall into and get trapped by. I felt like I deserved to be comfortable. The whole time deep down inside I knew the truth full well, that I was terribly out of shape, and overweight. It made me think of the saying “If you’re comfortable, you’re not really living”.  I decided it was time for a change. That change would come in the form of running. I started running as a means to cure being overweight and my unhealthiness. It was immensely hard when I first started running regularly, I did not have a group or support, and I needed something to keep me going.  I would often reflect back on my days when I was sick for motivation. Slowly but surely I started seeing a difference.  The more I ran the more the "benefits" became apparent, which made running worth it. The more I ran, the more capable I became, setting goals, and slowly replacing bad habits with good habits as a way to help me reach my aspirations.My final goal (a secret) was to run a marathon, which I ultimately completed on 1-09-2011. When I completed that marathon, I thought that my journey had ended,this is where running really left its mark. What does running mean to me? Yes it means weight loss, stress relief, and health benefits. I now realize that these are not why I run, they are just side effects of running, I have learned that all of the things I thought I was sacrificing to run, really were not sacrifices, most were weaknesses and things that truly were no good to me.Running does not just physically make you stronger, but it makes you tougher both emotionally and mentally.
The weeks after running my first marathon we confusing, I felt a depression sink in.  There was emptiness inside me when I stopped training. I did not understand this emptiness. I had reached my goal of 26.2, but I felt somewhat unfulfilled, like my journey was not over.Since then I have run 6 more marathons, and numerous half marathons. I have realized that my journey was not about achieving a marathon, and it was not about what started me running in the first place. To me running is about constantly teaching me about myself. Most people really think they know themselves. I don’t buy that.  We need to define ourselves by drawing out our weaknesses and addressing them. Then you will truly know who you are. I was pretty ashamed of how lazy I was before I started running. Running has taught me that I have much strength, but it has humbled me, given me purpose.  It has given me the opportunity to help others by running for causes.  It has lead me to help others start their journey by starting a running club.Running has given me purpose and clarity when I needed it, and continues to do so.
What does running mean to me? Plain and simple it means life. Which brings me to a quote I heard….

In the end, it's not going to matter how many breaths you took, but how many moments took your breath away- shing xiong

2013 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Part 1

Here is part one of the 2013 Walt Disney World Half Marathon.
January 12th, 2013.

Where The Rubber Meets The Road.....Mizuno Wave Rider 16's

With the Disney World Goofy Challenge in my rear view, I think the shoes (Mizuno Wave Rider 13's) I wore have seen their last rodeo.  I have 440 miles on that pair.  I will let you know soon what I think about the new 16's.  Oh and they come in 3 delicious colors schemes.

Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge. 39.3

I will be posting soon my full race reports for these two races.  Hopefully I will have video available from the half marathon.

When Can I Call Myself A Runner?

Jan 13^th I found myself standing in my corral waiting for the start of the Walt Disney World Marathon.  I was excited to see 26.2 miles of Disney. As I stood there soaking up all of the adrenaline the age old runners question popped into my head.  When can I call myself a runner? Certainly I can call myself a “runner” since I successfully completed 5 marathons and many half marathons as well.  But, it is really not that easy a term to accept or question to answer, since it is very individual. If you are like me you stand in your corral waiting and you can't help but think about the journey that got you there to this moment. You start to think about all of the things you gave up, all of the aches and pains you endured, and the seemingly endless miles from which you emerged victorious, as you have arrived to this moment - this starting line. Before you know it, the national anthem is over, and you are crossing the starting line. You find that the initial miles are painless as the adrenaline courses though you, but as the miles stack up, your thoughts become laser focused on the most minuscule of things, usually minor discomfort issues.  As the adrenaline wears off, those minor discomforts can turn into mountains, and even though the finish line gets closer, it seems so far, perhaps even out of reach. You start doing crazy things like instead of miles left you calculate in minutes how much is left, why?  It does not matter 6 miles left or 60 minutes.  What is the difference?  It is funny how the brain works. Before you know it you are halfway there. You keep telling yourself that you need to maintain your pace. You tell yourself to stay focused and to breathe - you are pushing your body to the limits. This is the point of the race where you start to fight with yourself internally. Your mind is trying to discover some unknown excuse that will make it ok to quit. Your body is screaming at you to slow down to recover. You fight with your inner self. Every little irritant is now magnified by a thousand it seems. Now is the precise moment for which you have been training for. Is this what makes me a runner?  You have not just been training just to run, you have been training to beat your own thoughts and feelings, and after all you are your own worst enemy. By now your legs feel the miles pounding away at them, chipping away at your energy. Your feet feel achy as you turn them over, one step in front of the other. You feel sluggish as each mile is a repeat of this battle. Then as you think that you cannot feel any worse, legs tired, body crumbling you look up and finally see what you have been training for.......the finish line, here is where even at your worst physical state, your mental state helps you overcome that last stretch.  It’s funny how when people throw up, it’s after the finish line, and not before.

I made it to the finish line twice the weekend of January 12th, and 13th. These two races were very different for me. Because this time with 1/10th of a mile to go, for just a moment each time I thought that I really don't want to cross that finish line.  Sounds crazy I know, not because I just wanted to keep going, but because that means the race over. Like with any race, each finish came with a massive relief that I completed it, and the relief that I could finally stop running. With each race I got my finishers medals, and both times headed to out of the finishers area to feel the pride. As I stood there and looked around, I could not help but think. Are we all nuts?  I am sure many of those people running that weekend were thinking never again will I do this....EVER!  It's quite humorous, to see people limping and stumbling around in weakness smiling and laughing.  It is funny but, humbling at the same time.

For some of us the days following a finish start to feel “normal” again. You enjoy reconnecting with friends and family. You get back to all of the things you put off.  And as the days go by that awesome sense of accomplishment starts to wear off, and fade into the distance. For those who said never again, we feel the emotions and the memories slipping away, almost like it were something we dreamed. The race and training become a distant memory for some, as they stay true to their word “never again….EVER!”  But then there are those of us who feel like you need purpose or perhaps even feel depressed after this glory has gone.

To me this is the birth of a runner. This is where ‘runner status” begins for many. For me I can honestly say this revelation did not hit me until these last races. What I now realize is that I need running. The journey that got me to the start line of that first race never ended, and I don’t want my journey to end with each race. When I stepped over the finish line these last times and met my wife, and received my finisher’s medal, I realized something. I realized that I was not finished. I guess to me each race is a journey, and every journey is different. You meet new people along the way. You find out things about yourself you may not have known, like just how tough or weak you can be at the same time. You find out which friends will support you, and those who do not. You never know what challenges await you, physical or mental, lately for me it has been the Sunday morning blues "it's 20° out and it is nice and warm here in this bed".

When can I call myself a runner? I read it and hear it all too often.  I guess it really depends on the individual, but for me it was the moment I realized my journey was not over and I was not finished. Next up……First Midwest Bank Southwest Half Marathon May 5^th, 2013, then on to the Green Bay Marathon May 19^th.  Happy running everyone.

First Run of the New Year.

With the Disney World "Goofy Challenge" Coming up fast, Jan 12th and 13th. I figured I better get things in order and start learning to use my GoPro Camera. I bought it after watching some really fun, and entertaining videos by Jeremy from the Golden Triangle Strutters.  So I picked up the camera, and asked my running buddy Jack if he wanted to go an easy mile to bring in the new year. That said.....here it is...hope you like.

The Nike Element Shield Full Zip Jacket

The Nike Element Shield Full Zip Jacket

Retail Price: $115.00
Availability: Most major retailers and running specialty stores.

With the cold weather upon us, I have been finding it very hard to drag myself out of a warm bed on the weekends to get a run in cold, and rainy weather, especially the last few weekends. Back I. October while I was at the Chicago Marathon expo, I wanted to buy a souvenir. I wanted to purchase a jacket with the upcoming weather going to turn cold. I found one item that I really liked. The Nike Element Shield Full Zip Jacket, in Electric Green.

Upon first examination the jacket was well designed, and fit me well. What more could I ask for. I am no stranger to Nike running apparel. 90% of my shirts are Nike Dri-FIT. First reason I prefer Nike over the other brands because the way it fits me. That is most import. Second, they seem to be around $5.00 less than the competitors closest product.

This is where if you saved your money for a rainy day...........you will be happy.

Design:
The Nike Element Shield Jacket is made with Dri-FIT high-performance polyester fabric that very effectively wicks sweat away from your body and to the surface where it can evaporate and cool.

The tag on the jacket lists that it I designed to wind and water resistant in key areas to keep you dry and warm. The parts that are wind and water resistant are the entire front, the tops of the shoulders and the arms, all the way down to the hands. The undersides of the arms and the back of the jacket about 8 inches below the shoulder are the parts that are not so water resistant. Keep in mind this is not meant to be a rain coat.

The jacket has a stand collar which helps to keep in the warmth and cut the wind. It is soft and comfortable, and not restrictive in any manor.

The long raglan sleeves with thumbhole accents are a good length to keep most peoples hands warm. The full front zipper zips up to the neck, and can also then be unzipped up to the collar to dump excess heat.

The design of the lining is what I find most curious. The lining is a series of small plush thermal squares that make it light, breathable and surprisingly warm. There are reflective elements, which I will say are highly effective, made to increase visibility in low-light conditions. I feel that Nike could have put one more reflective strip across the back, like on the back of the Element Shield Vest. This on its own is not a deal breaker, since you may run during the day, or if you do run at night you can always opt for a hat with reflective properties. Just thought it would make for a nice touch since the jacket retails for $115.00.

Drop-in pockets at side for convenient storage.


Media cord loop at nape to keep cords out of the way. (Reflective)

Machine wash cold, line dry.

After a few runs in this Jacket I am able to write an objective review.

Warmth: Let me start off by saying this jacket is not made for over 40°F. I made one run when it was just over 40, and I needed to unzip as it was just too warm.

Water resistant not water proof: I have made two runs in the rain wirh this jacket. The first was 6 miles in a light drizzle, with a temp of 37 °F. I was very comfortable as I stayed acceptably and warm. So the jacket did exactly what it was supposed to do. I will say that in steady rain it is possible to get wet. The water resistant panels made the water bead up and just roll off. Not allowing it to soak in. The panels under the arms channeled the excess water and sweat, out of the jacket.

The other run was a windy, and misty 35 degrees. For that run, the jacket stated very comfortable as far as temperature. For reference I was wearing a short sleeve tech shirt. If it were colder, I would wear a compression top. I imagine that it would be good down to 20 with the right compression top, and to say you would not be out on a 20 miler. As for the mist on this run, the jacket did not even give it a second thought, handled it no problemo. It was a windy run as we had a cold damp wind of 17mph trying to cut in, the front panels do not allow the wind through, but it will transfer cold if it is cold enough and you sweated up the jacket pretty good, but to be honest, all lightweight materials would do the same.

I really felt that is jacket did an exceptional job on those runs. Below are some pictures of the features this jacket has.

Electric Green.  I love it.



As you can see your neck and chin are protected from the zipper.

The seams are sewn well.

The zipper is a YKK zipper.  This is a high quality zipper.

More seams.  Nicely sewn.

The outside right has a same zippered pocket to hold a key fob, gel, or ID. there is also another small pocket which could hold a gel or an inhaler.

 



The inside.  This fabric design helps to keep you warm, and helps to evacuate sweat.

This is the back of the jacket.  The top is water wind resistant.  The bottom is what you would find in a sweat jacket. 

Reflective swoosh on front.

This is a shot of the arm relector, the the reflective trim on the side pocket.



Reflective trim opposite side.


I have to say that I love this jacket so much I decided to get another one on sale.  $78.00 at Dicks Sporting Goods.  This jacket is well worth the money.  So the long and short of it is that if someone asked me should they get this.............I would say yes, if you run outside in the cold, and in the rain.  If you stay in while its raining or hit the tready, I would say save the cash, unless you just wear it to look cool.



Thanks for lookin.

Dan