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Running and other "Insanity"

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Fri, 25 May 2012 03:36:52 GMT

Hello, Abs!! Nice to meet you, Core!!

Oh my Glute-ness -- it's been a long time since I last visited you ...

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Eleven days ago I started doing the "Insanity" workout series on DVD. It was my Mother's Day gift to myself.

Holy crunches! It is ridiculously hard BUT I like it ... so far.

The first few days my glutes and shoulders ached like they haven't in a very, very long time.

"Insanity" is a DVD series produced by Beachbody. The instructor is choreographer "Shaun T." You've probably seen it on Sunday morning infomercials. The Insanity regime and diet promises you to transform you from mush to hard-body within 60 days.

Insanity peaked my interest because I have friends on Dailymile who've followed Insanity and other programs like it such as P90X and they swear by them.

I also turned to "Insanity" for a bigger reason: After I finished Boston last year and my BQ honeymoon was over, I felt let down. I needed another goal.

How DO you top your running goals after you qualified for Boston, and you have run the Boston Marathon? Do you even NEED to top that?

These are questions I have been asking of myself now for awhile.

It's sort like any big event in your life and the aftermath. How do you deal with the hype when it's all over?

Boston has been that way for me.

I like setting my sights on new goals and I've been struggling to find my next one.

Many of the women I've profiled on Boston or Botox have turned to ultras after Boston. (In fact, one of the posts I'm planning to write soon is a recap of where many of them are today.)

The idea of running an ultra (a race longer than 26.2 miles) appeals to me; however, the training does not fit into my lifestyle right now.

Enter "Insanity" into my life.

No, I can't plan for an ultra at the moment but I CAN get in better shape.

AND I would love to become a "serial" qualifier -- someone who's qualified for Boston more than once. (I'm sure becoming stronger will help.)

Insanity comes with a schedule of which specific workouts and DVDs to do each day; you work out six days a week and rest completely one day a week.

Each session is roughly 40 minutes. You start with a warm-up (about 10 minutes); then there's stretching (5 minutes), high-intensity intervals (20 minutes), and a cool-down and more stretching (5 minutes).

It doesn't sound like much at first, especially compared to hours and hours on end of running day in and day out, but in essence it's boot camp everyday, microwaved.

You work at an extreme intensity for a quick duration.

Whereas traditional interval training might get your heart rate up for 30 seconds and then have you rest, with Insanity you get your heart rate up for three minutes straight during the intervals with only a 30-second recovery, and then go again and again.

Each time I finish a workout I end up sweating more than a pitcher of Coors sitting out in the July sun at Mile High Stadium. And "Shaun T." gets me hopping and jumping and squatting and push-upping and wide-legged sprinting like I'm Peyton Manning.

I've joked to my husband that I think I'll be ready for Broncos summer training camp at Dove Valley by the time "Shaun T." is finished with me.

I already can see some improvements. Other exercises are so difficult I look like an idiot and I'm glad to be doing them alone in my basement so no one else sees how embarrassingly weak I am at them. (Yes, Shaun T. is also serving me humble pie.)

You have to start somewhere, I guess. And it's good to mix things up to get your body and new muscle groups stronger.

Time will tell if "Insanity" turns me buff or simply "deranged."

Do you cross train, too? If so, what do you do? Have you ever tried Insanity or P90X?

I'd love to hear from you, too.

Until then, as the "ab-tastic" Shaun T. himself would say: "Dig deeper! You can do it! You can do it!"

Peace out, y'all.

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"Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!"

Mileage yesterday: 6; Mileage for 2012: 508

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Boston Profile #20: Following One's Passion, Lisa McClellan

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Mon, 14 May 2012 19:26:23 GMT

Elizabeth, aka "Lisa," McClellan is on a streak these days.

A streak of success with her running, that is.

In March 2012, Lisa qualified for the Boston Marathon at the Shamrock Marathon in Virginia Beach (3:54; she will move up an age bracket next year, thus qualifying this time).

In April she set several personal bests: The Rockstar 8K Race (37 minutes) and the Cherry Blossom 10-miler (1 hour 15 minutes).

The 44-year-old mom of three and wife of a Navy Seal diver is in the best shape of her life and realizing her full potential -- both in her personal life and as a runner and blogger (www.RunWiki.org).

Just a few short years ago, though, life threw her a curve ball and that's also what makes her BQ story inspiring.

Like many women out there, Lisa experienced agonizing postpartum depression following the birth of her three children (a 6-year-old and 4-year-old twins).

According to statistics from the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, the condition affects as many as one in 10 new moms.

Lisa and I met through the Dailymile.com, and she has an awesome disposition. You'd never know she went through this until she shares it. Lisa is one of the kindest, most upbeat and supportive people I've met on DM.

But, that, too, is one of the dark secrets about postpartum depression: it is a surprising twist that hits otherwise healthy people. Doctors don't know why some women are more prone to it over others.

What they do know about it: It is definitely real, a variation in normal body chemistry AND it usually comes back more severe with each subsequent pregnancy.

(FYI, I suffered from it as well with own two pregnancies and it can be debilitating.)

It was through running, Lisa said, she found her way back from the depths of postpartum depression.

"I started running again because I suffered from postpartum depression after both pregnancies and for me going on anti-depressants was not an option -- they made me feel apathetic," she explained. "When I ran, it eliminated a large amount of the symptoms with no side effects, plus it was my alone time -- time to get my head straight."

Born and raised in Southern California, Lisa was a nature athlete in her youth and she ran cross country and track in high school.

As an adult, she went in and out of phases of running. After the birth of her children, however, she stuck to it again.

Lisa and her family have lived to many places because of her husband's work. It was when they were sent to Washington, D.C., a few years she found her passion again for road racing.

"I had raced many years ago, but entered a more recent race when we moved to D.C. I placed in the top ten. ... It gave me a sense of accomplishments that I had not felt in quite some time. I was hooked, " she said.

"I started with 5Ks and worked my way up to a marathon in March 2011. I entered thinking, 'How hard could it be? If Oprah can do it, so can I.' Boy was I naive! It was the hardest thing I had ever done," she explained. "I cried when I crossed the finish line at 3:57 -- my life felt different. I had just achieved something grand. I went home and looked for next and I have not stopped since."

Her husband, a Navy Seal (which also requires grueling physical training) and her children (6-year-old Jet and 4-year-old twins Corbin Rose and Tristan) are very supportive of her, she said.

Her goals include to run Boston next year, better her BQ time and also to run an ultra marathon in July.

"Whether it's running or anything else, I think it's important to encourage other women out there and other people to find their passion and to go for it," she said.

"Other people go out for Starbucks (for their outlet with friends)" she joked, "With me and my girlfriends, we go for runs and that's out quality time to visit and be together."

She and her husband, who have been married 7 years, met at Port Hueneme, when he was stationed there. They will return to California in July.

Before she was a mom, Lisa said she was a hairdresser. These days she's passionate about her family, running and writing and blogging: "Another love of mine is writing my blog (runwiki.org); it brings me so much pleasure to connect with other bloggers, runners and people. It has opened up a whole new circle of amazing people into my life. I feel blessed beyond words."

She added: "My favorite thing about running is meeting so many incredible people who share my passion. I feel like we have a tribe, it doesn't matter how fast or slow you are if you love running you are a part of that family. ... There seems it be an instant understanding or bond."

Lisa also enjoy the solitude running provides: "Going for a long run and letting all of your worries go, just being in the moment and enjoying your natural surroundings. I sort out many personal issues while on a run. being a runner brings out the very best in me. I am a much happier, grateful, positive person because I run."

The marathon for her is symbolic of life and its challenges, she explained: "You travel this journey and along the way many things can happen and each one is different. You learn to be patient and trust. You learn to that it can be as much mental as physical. You learn how strong and capable you really are, it's much more than you think."

In July, Lisa will run her first ultra: the North Face Endurance Challenge 50K in Washington, D.C.

After that she hopes to a run a November marathon and get even faster at that particular distance.

Running -- although it comes with challenges in balancing family time -- keeps her feeling young and fit, she stressed, and she cross-trains to stay injury free.

Her goal for Boston is "to run a decent pace and soak up the experience of it."

"Running makes me feel alive. I can't imagine living a life not moving. I am more fit now than I have ever been in my life, that makes me feel very young," she said.

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"Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!"

Mileage today: 4.1; Mileage for 2012: 456.

"Chicken Run" in Kauai, Part II

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:29:07 GMT

Whenever I travel to a new place I run there if possible. I find it's the best way to experience a place and meet its people.

That's also what I did in Kauai. I loved running there. It was "The Blue Lagoon" meets jungle: rainforest, sandy beaches, palm trees, taro, orchids, emerald switchbacks and rolling hills.

Kauai was unique because I ran with a "guide" a few of the days and on my own the rest of the time. (Usually I explore on my own or join up with a running club when I travel.)

The Dude's company provided a 6 a.m. sunrise group run or yoga each day we were there. It was terrific.

Our guide was Jennifer, or "Jen,"who works at the spa at the Grand Hyatt as an aerobic and fitness instructor. She was super sweet and friendly, and I'm glad I got to meet her and get a local's perspective on Kauai.

She put all of us at ease and made sure we didn't get lost and that no one was running alone.

Me and our running guide, Jen, after our Day Two run. She picked a new place for us to run to each day. Mahalo Jen!

There were usually a half dozen to dozen of us there to run with her.

Me and some of the diehards who showed up regularly for the 6 a.m. group sunrise runs.

Day One, Jen took us on dirt roads from the hotel and to a trail that lead to the beach. It was 6 miles round-trip. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera but I did the next day.

Three things I learned quickly on Day One:

1) Wild chickens were everywhere;

2) So were road-kill bull frogs -- I almost stepped on them a couple of times (Yuck!), until I learned to look down for them; AND

I don't mean to gross you out, but, seriously, if you run in Kauai, you have to watch out for them.

3) Just like Santa Feans, some Hawaiians are disgruntled with tourists. We almost got run over by a car on that first day along dirt roads.

This surprised others in my group but not me. I lived in Santa Fe, another tourist haven, for 11 years.

I chatted with someone in my group about this after our near miss. At first he didn't understand why the locals might feel this way. After all, the tourism in Kauai didn't appear to be bad for the environment, he argued

I explained it wasn't about the environment but economics.

In Santa Fe, for example, the median home price is $300,000, and the average hourly wage is $10.50. Do the math and the answer to that equation becomes clearer. I know in Santa Fe it's not uncommon for people who live there to work a couple of jobs, just to get by, which can leave local people bitter.

I suspected it was the same for Kauai's locals. (When I talked to Jen one-on-one, I found out I was right. It's beautiful and expensive to live in Kauai, although she said she was fortunate to be able to do well there herself.)

On Day Two, Jen and I got to run quite a bit together. She's a transplant from northern California who's lived there for several years. She told me that Hawaiians enjoy offbeat holiday such as Cinco de Mayo (which took place while I was there), rather than the big holidays such as Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Jen took us up one of the highway roads on Day 2; it was hilly and lush -- palms, ferns, taro and tropical flowers along the road, and of course -- chickens!

Kauai used to be full of sugar cane plantation but they have since closed.

Jen leading our group.

Sunrise run on Day Two -- yes, that's me.

Each morning Jen mapped out a 6-mile option and gave us details if we wanted to go shorter or longer.

I hoped to join the group for a third day but couldn't because we did a snorkeling excursion that left at 7 a.m. I ended up running on my own the last two days of the trip.

Jen also told me about a product line her boyfriend started called "Crazy Chicken." If I came that third day she was going to show me some samples of it. It's not on the web yet but I left my contact info so that when it is, I'll show it on the blog.

The Dude, Tarzan and Jane, and I also went a catamaran/snorkeling excursion along the Napali coastline. I was so impressed by the kids. They were such troopers and had never been in ocean water before. Sometimes the swells were bigger than our hotel suite but no one got green -- whew!!

Our boat stopped in one spot where we had about two dozen dolphins playing around us, very close to us, and at the snorkeling spot we swam along side sea turtles.

The Napali coastline -- where they filmed parts of "Jurassic Park," "Part of the Caribbean" and "Six Days Seven Nights," plus several music videos, according to our boat guide.

Unfortunately I earned the "dufus award" on the day of our snorkeling/sailing excursion. I took my camera along only to find it had dead batteries.

One of the guys from our group took tons of pictures and shots of us, too. He promised to email them to me. When he does, I'll include them in a future post.

Being in nature -- the water and out running -- is how I LOVE to connect to the world and with others.

Although it's hard to argue with country-club life at the pool AND being wined and dined, the snorkeling and running were definitely my favorites of Kauai.

A funny tidbit: I had a "Pulp Fiction" at the hotel pool. I'm not much of a drinker, but when I heard one of the executives from the Dude's company was buying drinks for everyone and a mai tai cost $14 and a kiddie shake was $5, I had to try them. Just like John Travolta's character in that movie, I had to know if they were worth it.

My answer: Yes!

So was our island trip ... worth it, that is.

Aloha and mahalo Kauai! I hope we meet again.

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Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 4: Mileage for 2012: 451.

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

"Chicken Run" in Kauai, Part I

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Thu, 10 May 2012 02:26:17 GMT

Aloha everyone!!

If you've been wondering where I've been and why I have not written a post sooner, please forgive me.

I've been on "island time" where I confess -- the lazy pace was sweeter than the pineapple they served us everywhere we went.

The Dude, Tarzan and Jane, and I have been in Kauai as part of "Chairman's Club" -- a sales award trip the Dude won at work. We just returned today.

We spent 5 days at Grand Hyatt Kauai at Koloa -- home to the PGA Grand Slam of Golf for many years.

"Tiger turf" -- the golf course across from our hotel where Tiger Woods reigned for many years..

The Dude's company treated us like royalty during our stay -- so well in fact, I think this might spoil our kids for the Indiana Dunes or car trips across the country in the future.

We got to lounge with them during the day at the pool, which included water slides, water falls, a lazy river and sheltered salt water lagoon.

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A view from one of decks at the hotel pools.

"Rico" -- one of the many exotic birds who live in the lobby and along the grounds of the Grand Hyatt Kauai.

Coy fish during the daily feeding at the hotel each morning.

At night we dined at catered events for the Dude's company such as this one at a former sugar cane plantation residence.

Scenes from the sugar cane plantation where we dined at company function one evening -- I felt like I was dropped into the pages of "Travel & Leisure."

My favorite part of the trip, however, was -- you guessed it -- running in Kauai AND a snorkeling excursion we did with our kids along the Napali coastline.

This post is getting long and I also confess -- I'm fading faster than plumeria transplanted to Milwaukee in February. (It took us about 10 hours to get home today and we had to travel overnight with the time change -- yuck!!)

I'm going to share a few of my running photos tonight and continue with another post tomorrow.

For those of you unfamiliar with Kauai, however, I will also tell you this before I go: Kauai is one of the least developed of the Hawaiian islands. When you run there, you see wild chicken EVERYWHERE.

King of the Road -- Roosters and wild chickens are the "masters" of Kauai's trails.

Until tomorrow, I will leave you with island ukelele music to keep you in the mood.

FYI, this young woman, Taimane Gardner,, and her band (two accompanying guitarists) performed for us during one of the company's functions. She's outstanding.

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Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 3.1; Mileage for 2012: 447

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Running and "imagination time"

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Thu, 03 May 2012 05:56:25 GMT

A scene from the movie, "The Way," A Film by Emilio Estevez, 2011.

"Jane," my 9-year-old, loves "imagination time" -- playing by herself sometimes in her room.

I can always tell when she's immersed in "imagination time." Her voice will sound happy -- high pitched and animated -- even with the door closed -- as she acts out characters and story lines she creates with her dolls.

It's magical -- sneaking a peak at Jane when she doesn't know I'm there. Her sense of joy is much like my version of "imagination time" -- the happiness and clarity I get when I run, especially when it's outside, and best yet, on trails. (I don't get to run on trails as often as I like, but when I do, I'm in "my happy pace" -- just like Jane. )

Running is the one window of time I get to myself on a consistent basis during this stage of my life and motherhood.

For the artist in me, running is akin to the ER taking paddles to my chest -- it brings my creative soul back to life.

It gives me the time and space to sort and reflect on where I am now and where I hope to go next.

Several weeks ago I watched a movie that struck a vein with me called "The Way." It's an indie film (now out on DVD). If you haven't seen it already, I recommend it.

It stars Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez. It's about a father and son, and how the father copes after his son, who was on a pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago (the path of the apostle St. James), dies suddenly.

The father decides to finish the trek for his son, carrying his cremated remains. Along the way, he embarks upon his own spiritual journey.

Watching "The Way" made me want to run the Camino de Santiago (800 kilometers, starting in Frances and finishing in Spain) as a pilgrim someday.

If and when I get to do it, I know it will be a long time from now -- until after I'm done showing "Tarzan" and "Jane" their "way" in this world. That's OK with me.

"You don't choose a life; you live one."

This is one of the prevailing themes from "The Way"-- that it is up to us to meet our life and live it to the fullest where we are now.

It also makes this point: It's easy to get caught up in the rush of the world today -- but where are we going? And why are we in such a hurry to get there, especially when it seems that all we are doing is going in circles?

Running helps me "live my life," not just "choose." It makes my life richer, helps me see my hopes and dreams in vibrant hues, and savor my blessings with prolonged sweetness.

Each step and new each turn is a gift.

I believe the truest source of our wisdom and creativity comes from the divine and God, and if you want to tap into the source, go out and run in nature. It's "imagination time" in its purest form.

"You don't choose a life; you LIVE one."

Live well and run well, my friends.

If this manic world ever starts to swallow you whole, take a cue from your children.

Make your own "imagination time."

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Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 7; Mileage for 2012: 428

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Recycle those race bibs!

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 02:07:53 GMT

"Jane" won a character award today at school for "conservation" -- defined as "the careful utilization of a natural resource in order to prevent depletion; the act of preservation."

She was thrilled.

I didn't know her teacher had nominated her until she came home with her certificate and a prize today and told me. I was happy, too.

In honor of her award and Earth Day, which took place last Sunday, April 22, I'm posting this fun idea I saw from my friend Pam over the weekend.

Mile 22 Bags is a company that takes old race bibs (and race T-shirts, too) and turns them into bags, backpacks and totes. (These pictures above are examples of the products.) The company's website says you can pick out the style of bag you want, send in your mementos, and they'll do the rest. (Price range is $40-$185.)

I'm not sure if I'll ever get one myself, but I think it's a clever idea.

I take my old bibs and put them into scrapbooks with my pictures. I keep most of my race T-shirts and the ones I don't like or keep (or fit right), I pass on to friends or family, or I donate them to charity.

A few of my old race tees now serve as long "pajamas" for Jane. I hate throwing away something if it can be recycled into some good use.

Hmmm ... I think I see now where Jane gets her "green" ways. ... perhaps the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

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Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 5; Mileage for 2012: 408

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Runner's block vs. writer's block

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 04:47:35 GMT

The other day I had this epiphany: I think I've been experiencing "runner's block" for the last few months.

Writer's block is when you have trouble getting your creativity up for writing projects and ideas.

Runner's block is when you have trouble finding new inspiration and motivation in your running or running goals.

Over the years I've experience writer's block before, but it never occurred to me until now that I could get runner's block, too.

It makes sense though when you think about it. No one is 100 percent all the time. Plus, after you've run a big race such as Boston, it's hard to top it.

I know how to get over writer's block (most of the time) but I'm still figuring it out with running.

You have to let go of your attachments when you've got writer's block and clear your head to get unstuck.

It sounds simple to do, but it's not easy.

Often times when I'm experiencing writer's block it's in the most mundane moments I become "unblocked" -- sort of like psychic Draino at work -- nothing fancy or glamorous but powerful nonetheless.

There I am one day, for instance, just folding laundry or doing dishes, when out of nowhere the spark returns and I get an idea.

A similar thing happened to me while I was out for a 5K run on my own over the weekend.

The effort felt so easy and that's why I realized, my running felt "unblocked' for the time in several weeks. I think it's because I was totally in the moment and unattached to how I was running -- fast or slow, or whatever.

Finishing loose ends in my life also helps me when I'm experiencing writer's block -- a conduit to get my personal Draino flowing.

An example: My mother gave me her sewing machine several years ago. For the longest time it sat in my basement, collecting dust bunnies and needing servicing.

Several weeks ago I finally learned how to unhook the machine (it's a vintage Kenmore) from the table that came with it and I took it in for repairs.

Then I got it back after the servicing but it sat again for some time, waiting for me to put it back into table properly.

Over the weekend I finally hooked the sewing machine in place and I bought material to start a project: I am making decorative, chocolate-brown pillows for my bedroom. (Yeah baby, Marsha Stewart, eat your heart out!!)

Now at first I know my sewing machine story may seem unrelated to running and creative blocks but that's not true. Unfinished projects honestly zap my mental and physical energy, which over time, also affects my running, creativity and the rest of my life.

Don't believe me? Think that I'm just talking woo-woo?

Well, for any skeptics out there, I have two words for you to illustrate my point: TAX TIME (which we all just got over in the last week).

If you are one of those people who puts off finishing your taxes until the very last second (who doesn't?), have you ever noticed how much it weighs on you until you get it done? And how much better you feel, once it's out of your face (even if you don't like the bottom line on your return)?

That's exactly what I mean ...your mind and body feel instant relief when you finish tasks that have sat on your plate (or in your basement) for too long. Completions gives you mojo to move on to bigger, better things.

Or to put it in runners' terms, it's like crossing the finish line at a race -- very empowering.

I'm still working on runner's block, but my weekend run gave me hope that I won't stay stuck for too long.

I can feeling the inklings of new inspiration and motivation just around the corner.

How about you??

Oh yeah, and when I finish those fun pillows, I'll share a picture with you.

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Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 3; Mileage for 2012: 380

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

'An Experience' -- Not a race!!!

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 23:29:14 GMT

What a difference a year makes!!

Today, as I write this post, runners are gathering at the "athlete village" in Hopinton and getting ready to run the 116th Boston Marathon. I'm not there this year but my friend Pam Geernaert is. So are Caolan MacMahon, Carman Carmack and Melodie Pullen -- all four are women I've profiled on this blog.

The expected high is 87 degrees!! Around 10-10:30 a.m., when most people start the race in multiple waves, it will already be 74 degrees!!

I can't believe it. I'm in shock. It's a complete turn around from the ideal conditions I faced last year when I ran it -- in the 40s at the start and 60s near at the end.

Boston is having a crazy heat wave, but here in Colorado we've had "all four seasons" -- sunny, rain, snow, hail -- within the last 48 hours, but mainly it's been cool and wet.

It was 36 degrees today at o'dark early when I ran with a friend.

Given the choice of extreme cold or hot for running a marathon, I'd opt for the cold. Yes, you'd still be miserable and slower but you don't usually die from running in the cold.

Either way, though, too much chill or broiling is bad news for a race this big, especially for the organizers.

I have been following Boston on the Internet. Caolan, in fact, copied an email to everyone on Facebook. It was sent from the BAA and told runners to expect "an experience, not a race" because of the heat.

The BAA has offered to defer entries and warned that novice runners should not race it this year.

Clearly they are worried and rightfully so after the marathon disaster that happened in the heat at the Chicago Marathon a few years ago.

has made me think, What would I do if this had been my Boston "experience"? Would I still run or defer to the following year?

My guess is, I'd still run. It would be "an experience" but not the one I bargained for, that's for sure.

While deferring might be an option IN THEORY, getting to Boston, especially if you live out West as I do, is difficult and expense. The plane tickets are pricy as are the hotels, etc., etc.

Besides that, I never expected a PR out of Boston when I went. I was one of those people who found the challenge in qualifying, then wanted to enjoy race itself.

Yes, Boston is at sea level, which, again IN THEORY could make for a PR, but probably not for me because of where the hills are within the race -- mainly more downhill on the front end and uphill on the later end.

The hills at Boston aren't any harder than anything here in Colorado, but I do with a course with the opposite presentation -- uphill on the front end and downhill on the back end.

What would you do if you faced the "furnace" today at Boston? Run or defer? I'd love to hear.

I'm sending cooling thoughts and prayers to Pam, Caolan, Carmen, Melodie and my other friends at Boston today.

Pam texted from the athlete's village; her mantra for the today's Boston race: "Popsicle!"

Good luck and Godspeed to all the racers!!

What doesn't kill you makes you stronger ...

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Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today; 5.5' Mileage for 2012: 347

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

I would run to you ...

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:53:15 GMT

Have you seen the new Nike Free ad: "I would run to you"?

It debuted on TV about a week ago. If haven't, click on it now before you keep reading.

Also, a spoiler-alert: If you're looking for simply, puppy-dog praise about this ad in today's post, you likely be disappointed.

Don't say I didn't warm you.

It isn't that I didn't like it altogether -- I did -- to a degree.

I loved some of the zingers the copywriters threw in, like when the guy says: "Why can't we fly half way and meet in Kansas City? It's the 'Paris of the Plains!' "

I also liked the "Girl Power" portion of the ad.

It was other deeper, potential messages within it I took exception with, but I'll get to that soon.

The premise behind the ad: A guy and girl fall in love but live on opposite coast lines. They pledge to run and meet in the middle to be together.

Yeah, it's cliche, but on the surface it's kinda cute.

She's a Nike goddess from head to toe. She runs through dessert and city and even while eating an ice cream cone without breaking a sweat.

He's comes off like a bumbling fool, and wearing generic, no-name shoes and a grungy gray sweatshirt. He does not make it out of New York City before he collapses and laments, "I'm in a pool of my own vomit."

Yes, it's quirky and funny, and I enjoyed the obvious theme: "Don't be a loser; Don't go Nike-less!! Wear your Nike Frees, and you, too, can run forever!"

The turning point when the ad loses me: He's in the hospital and she croons out, "Baby I love you so much that I would run to you," and he lights up, raises his eyebrows and sings back, "You'd run to me????"

My interpretation of that scene: The light bulb goes off in his head and here's what I say he's REALLY thinking but not singing, "Sweet!! Why the hell was I trying to bust my ass to impress her anyway?! SHE'LL RUN TO ME! WOOT-WOOT!"

OK, now back to what REALLY happens in the ad: A few seconds later she dashes into the hospital to be with him, draws the curtain around his bed, her Nike Frees squeak off the floor, his heart rate monitor goes bonkers (eluding to the promise of hospital hanky-panky) and the ad ends there.

Now perhaps it's the cynic or feminist in me talking (Why the hell is she running FOR HIM? Why can't she just run for herself?) but at that point I lose it and just want to talk to the girl in the ad and tell her:

"Aww, babe, if you're already doing all running for the two of you at the BEGINNING of your relationship and choose to stay with him, you're going to be running for the both of you FOREVER! Good luck with that one!"

And if SHE were my daughter and she was with some guy who couldn't meet her half way -- whether it be metaphorically or literally -- I wouldn't be pleased.

The other reason the ad irritated me: Romanticism that is over the top.

Hollywood and TV have a penchant for portraying romantic gestures in larger-than-life fashion.

So what's wrong with that, you might ask? It's cute and sweet and all ... just get over, Danica!

Well ... the problem I see is, all those caricatures spill over into our expectations in the real world. It's that whole life-imitating-art and art-imitating-life thing.

Want to know one of the secrets to why marriages don't last in America? Look no farther than ads like this one and Hollywood movies and cliches. No one can live up to the huge romantic notions they've created for us to gobble up.

There are studies and articles out there, for example, that talk about how when we first fall in love, we're fueled by a high in the beginning. That "high" shifts and wanes over time but you'd never know that going off ads like this one or from Hollywood love scenes. They make it look like relationships are ALWAYS that way, operating on high octane, and gloss over what real life looks like.

The truth is, romance and everyday life can still be good -- very good, in fact -- it just doesn't look like Photoshop.

A case in point: I went to church with my kids the other day and looked over to see my 9-year-old daughter's eyes closed in prayer or mediation. It was a serene, exceptional moment in an otherwise very ordinary setting.

I thought to myself in dry humor, "Well, hey, there you go. We're not winning any Nobel Prizes today, but perhaps I'm doing something right after all. None of my kids aren't turning out to be ax murderers any time soon."

Yes, I'm being glib but you get the drift.

Another example: Most of my favorite runs are with friends, just kicking around, not the big races or events.

Real life and romance, I find, is often witnessing beauty and the extraordinary within the context of the everyday, not the exaggerations you see in ads and TV and movies.

Seriously though, you can't Photoshop your mate or your life, and God only knows how your mate would Photoshop YOU, too, if he could.

I admit, when you're young and hopped up on hormones you'd "run" for him and he'd "run" for you.

The larger questions you end up asking yourself after that phase is done, however, are: Would I still run for him tomorrow? And would he still run for me? And would we still run for each other the day AFTER that? And 10 years from now?

If I were the mother of that girl in that ad, here's what I would also tell her: Keep running until you find someone whose YOUR match and meets you half way; don't settle.

Then, and only then, run the distance -- together.

Go for the promise and hope of real-life romance, not the illusion of it -- like in an advertisement.

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 5; Mileage for 2012: 321

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Spring break

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 22:48:40 GMT

Snow today (A view from my front porch, the morning of April 3, 2012) ...

Gone tomorrow!! (Tarzan at soccer practice, April 4, 2012.)

Tulips galore -- two days later!! (April 5, 2012)

Welcome to spring break, Colorado style -- where a snowfall only last a day but elementary school spring break lasts TWO WHOLE WEEKS!!

No, that's not a typo you're reading and this isn't a belated April Fools' Joke.

Tarzan and Jane are on spring break right now, day 14 (including the weekends since it started). But hey, who's counting, right???? (Ahem ...)

If you've been wondering what happened to me and why I haven't posted in awhile, well, here's your answer: Disruptions to my normal schedule have swallowed me whole.

Actually it's a good thing I'm not training for anything specific right now like I was last year at this time, getting ready for Boston. I remember being out of my head back then during spring ~~shake~~, err, I mean, break.

Darn those kids -- they foil all my well-laid plans!! (Just kidding folks!! I'm glad all my problems are little ones, in every sense of those words. )

Seriously though, having my children at home for that long in the middle of the year might be a break for them but it sure isn't for me. I can't even imagine how much it mucks schedules for parents who 9-to-5 jobs or even longer, more demanding hours.

I still work part time, doing web work and copywriting from my home and I've been scrambling like crazy these past two weeks -- setting up play dates and activities for them so I can get few windows of time to focus and complete tasks.

Then there's the Easter Bunny, who's WAY behind schedule this year.

How is SHE supposed to load up on chocolate eggs and Peeps if she never gets a chance to shop alone???

It hasn't been easy.

Neither has been the running. I'm getting up at o'dark early almost every day -- no choice. My children, ages 5 and 9, are in that limbo stage right now -- too old to go to the daycare at the gym but too young to be left home alone without a sitter.

I also find that if I wait to run until after my husband gets home, I lose motivation. Also, he's still studying for a major work exam every night after he gets home.

It's not that I like working out at 5 a.m. but sometimes it's the only way to keep everything and everyone in our household simpatico.

Hey, it's better than not working out at all.

I've also got some new weapons in my arsenal to keep me focused on during this time of disruptions: new goals and a real vacation coming up soon.

This year we didn't go anywhere on spring break -- we opted for a "staycation" because we got a pleasant surprise a few weeks ago. My husband won a trip to Hawaii at his work. We are taking the kids and going to Kauai next month -- WOO-HOO!!!

Also, coming up at the beginning of June: My husband will finally take that work exam, which means I can begin racing and training harder again soon thereafter.

That leads to me my next reveal: I signed up for the Fox Valley Marathon, St. Charles, Illinois, Sept 16. It's a flat, shaded course in the western suburbs of Chicago, that takes place a few weeks before the Chicago Marathon, AND a great Boston qualifier course.

My training will begin in mid-June. Until then, however, I'm running but taking it easy and cross training when I can. I figure if I'm going to be in Limbo Land, I might as well enjoy and rest up so I can train well, come June.

Rather than fight it, I'm going with it.

Seeing the flowers in bloom today put me in a bright mood. The last few days of roller-coaster weather have been a reminder to me that all things shift and blossom again in time and with patience, and so do we.

I'm ready.

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage yesterday: 5; Mileage for 2012: 304

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Boston Profile #19: 'Chronic Runner' Caolan MacMahon

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 22:59:43 GMT

Caolan MacMahon shown near the finish of the Bolder Boulder 10K, Memorial Day 2011

Boston or Boston profile #19, Caolan MacMahon, aka, Chronic Runner, of Boulder, Colo., is "the thinking person's" runner.

Caolan is a philosophy instructor and her main interests are ethics and social issues. Often she intertwines those subjects with running topics on her blog, www.chronicrunner.com.

Take for instance, her post, "I dare you to do something." In it Caolan talks about the importance of taking action invoke social change, particularly with the subject of educating girls and women across the world.

Caolan is backing up that belief: Three weeks from now she'll run Boston; in November she'll run New York, and for both marathons, she's raising money to benefit Girls Education International.

Caolan said she believes strongly about those subjects because of the positive influences running AND education have made in her life.

Caolan, 48, said she's been a runner since age 8; that’s when she did her first race with her father.

"Running is necessary for my mental health. It’s just part of who I am. Running in Colorado is fantastic because: a) because the weather is fairly moderate and temperate, and b) there are so many runners here," she explained.

"The community is energizing and motivating. There are so many women here running so much faster than me! Runners here push through commonly held and expected boundaries, especially concerning age.”

Caolan also has worked through adversity and triumphs with running and racing over the decades.

In her 20s she said was intense about competing and pushing herself -- so much so she admitted she burned out on racing.

She ran in first marathon in Portland, Maine in 1992. Her time: 3:40:21. She didn't realize until later she missed qualifying for Boston by 21 seconds. It was almost two decades before she ran a marathon again.

A native of New Jersey she left the Garden State at 18 for college and never returned. She lived in Maine and New York State before eventually going to graduate school in Colorado, where she still lives today.

While Caolan took a break from racing in her 30s, she never stopped running altogether. She also discovered her passion for climbing -- a sport that much her academic pursuits and thought-provoking blog posts benefits from one's ability to focus, problem-solve, and foster confidence and strength.

Caolan still loves climbing, she said, and she and her husband are both avid climbers. Weekends at their household are a juggling act between caring for their 5-year-old daughter, running, climbing time, and managing the rest of their busy, full lives.
During the week she handles the endless shuffle of being a full-time working mom who teaches classes yet still makes time to blog and inspires many others on social media forums..

Another thread to Caolan's remarkable story: She qualified for Boston and New York last year after years of not racing and suffering a potentially life-altering, debilitating injury.

During her absence from road racing Caolan fell while bouldering (unroped climbing where you usually stay fairly low to the ground) and she tore her posterior tibialis tendon (inside of the ankle, which supports the arch).

She was in a cast for 6 weeks and then in rehab for almost two years. At one point during her injury she was told that she might never run again.

"After that serious of an injury, where I was told I'd never run again, I made a deal with the gods/supreme powers that be, that if I recovered I'd run a marathon for charity, and I did."

The injury brought her out of a 17-year hiatus from racing. Little by little she worked her way back to recovery. She returned to racing just a few short years ago.

While she was happy to qualify for Boston and is excited to run it in a few weeks, she said New York will be her crown jewel.

"The New York City Marathon was always on the must do list. In fact NYCM is one reason why I got back into racing. After the injury in 2008, I realized that there were things I still wanted to do in terms of running, and that I may find myself unable to do them at some point, so I better do them now!" she explained.

"When I was 16, my father and I took the train into NYC to watch the marathon. I stood in Central Park and watched as Grete Waitz cruised past me, setting another world record. I said on that day, someday I will run this. I was a high school runner at the time. NYCM means so very much to me," she added.

Unfortunately she’s battled other injuries since that big one in 2008 but it hasn't stopped her from making good on that promise AND achieving incredible goals.

She continues to inspire many people through her blog posts and writings on social forums online.

She’s run four marathons so far, and qualified for Boston at the Colorado Marathon in 3:53. Boston and New York will be marathon numbers five and six

Caolan is also an amazing role model on aging well and how being "chronic" in the best of ways can pay off.

"I'm certainly not as fast as when I was younger, and it's not as easy, but I feel very fortunate to be able to continue feeling good while still getting stronger."

Caolan said she's not sure yet what she'll pursue after Boston and New York. Whatever it is, she'll likely tackle it with the same energy and passion she brings to other pursuits.

"I believe that running has shaped the life I live, where I live, how I live and my appreciation of the natural world,” she said. “Running has made me who I am, no doubt about it.”

To contribute to her fund-raising efforts for Girls Education International: www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/caolan-macmahon/bostonmarathon2012 />
###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage yesterday: 3; Mileage for 2012: 280

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Balancing motherhood + running

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 22:20:12 GMT

It's been a rough week on the parenting + running front -- the kind where the mama bird in me wants to swoop in and cushion the blow for my babies, but I can't because it's not in my power to do.

Jane has been in a swimming class that focuses on mastering the technical skills of each stroke. She was hoping to pass out of it and move on to the next level, but she didn't. She found out on Friday

Her "passing," or not passing, didn't bother me. It still doesn't. Her last hurdle has been the butterfly stroke, which she's getting close to doing. I think she's doing amazing. Hell, I can't swim the butterfly, and I never will be able to either. It looks hard. I've told her this many times.

What broke my heart was she had a meltdown this week and she told me how pressured she felt.

The episode totally blind-sided me. How did this happen? Nine-year-olds should not feel "pressured" but such is the world she is growing up into and how different it is from when I was a child.

Red-shirting -- holding kids back and starting them in school later (and physically bigger) for the sake of sports achievement -- for example, is common in her generation.

My son is 5 years old, soon to 6, and already we have "missed the window" for him to play tee ball. (They start coach-pitching to kids by age 6 these days.)

Our culture is also tough on parents. On one hand, you don't want to get sucked in and become one of those neurotic, screaming soccer parents out there, but on the other, you also don't want your kids to lose out and not support them. What do you do???

I was thinking about this as I listened to Jane cry and express her frustrations. I could not help but wonder, did I do something wrong? Did my own intensity as a runner inadvertently rub off on her in a bad way? I hope not. The last thing I want to be is a loony "Toddler & Tiaras" stage mom or the sports-parent equivalent.

Jane and I talked things out and we decided she needs a break from the class for awhile. Jane wants to continue swimming and taking private lessons from her favorite coach. She still wants to do summer swim team. I'm good with all of that.

I also spoke to Jane's coach. She, too, was surprised by Jane's reaction. The coach also sees how far Jane has come, and above all, like me, does not want her to lose her love of the sport or see her confidence erode.

No, this mama bird could not swoop away the disappointment when it arrived on Friday, but I did the closest thing I could. I chose to cancel my trip to Moab and not run the Canyonlands Half Marathon so I could be there for Jane.

For me this choice was not about martyrdom and motherhood, it came down to this: I could not run this weekend with my feet in Utah but my heart left back in Colorado. I knew the Dude, my husband, would do his best, but Jane needed me, too.

I have no regrets. There will be more races in my future. I've already signed up for another fall marathon (to be revealed soon in a future blog post).

Such are the challenges of combining motherhood + running -- sometimes it requires us to make hard choices as we balance having it all -- family, fitness, careers, goals.

You can't protect your children from their disappointments or their karma. That's the difficult parenting lesson I got this week. All you can do is love your children and show them that we build our characters during tough breaks. We grow stronger by going forward with perseverance and grace.

Yes, I was sad not to run in Moab this weekend, but I know I made the right choice because it came from a place of empowerment and unconditional love.

What more can you ask from a parent or from yourself??

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!!!

Mileage today: 9; Mileage 2012: 255

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Lent-friendly, runner-approved pasta recipe

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 02:41:03 GMT

It's lent and following Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition I am eating vegan (no meat except for fish occasionally, and, no dairy or animal byproducts) for the duration until Easter arrives. (FYI, Eastern Orthodox lent started about a week later than for other Christians and we will celebrate Easter about a week later as well.)

Today I made this yummy Pasta Primavera recipe from the April 2012 issue of Good Housekeeping (minus the Parmesan cheese) and it's a keeper:

12 oz. whole wheat pasta
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
3 cloves garlic chopped
1 pt. grape tomatoes
12 oz. asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 med. zucchini, cut into half moons
1/4 c. water
Salt
1 can, no-salt-added garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 med. carrot, shredded
1/4 oz. shredded Parmesan (about 2 Tbsp.)
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
fresh basil for garnish

Boil pasta, and meanwhile heat skillet with oil on medium. Add garlic and onion and cook 2-3 minutes until golden.

Add grape tomatoes and cook 5 minutes until softened.

Add asparagus, zucchini, water and salt. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst.

Stir in beans and carrot; cook 2-3 minutes or until beans are heated through.

Reserve 1/2 cup pasta cooking water. Drain pasta; return to sauce pot and add vegetable mixture, Parmesan, lemon juice, reserved cooking water and salt. Toss until combined. Serve and garnish with basil.

Each serving: About 495 calories; 22 g protein; 95 g carbohydrates; 6 g. total fat; 18 g. fiber; 2 mg cholesterol; 375 mg sodium.

Enjoy!!

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 5; Mileage for 2012: 233

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

My Favorite Things

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 21:36:06 GMT

Raindrops on roses and Gatorade slushies
Bright colored jog bras on my boobies no crushies,
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things ...

When Jane was a preschooler one of her favorite things was watching what she called "the Do-Re-Mi movie."

We haven't sat down to enjoy "The Sound of Music" as a family in a long time, but perhaps we will tonight.

Seeing cute-as-Tinkerbell, pixie-cut "Maria" (Julie Andrews) always puts me in a good mood. I could use that today. I'm not feeling well physically and I got bad news. My sister is injured and she can't go to Moab with me to run the Canyonlands races. I'm bummed.

Also, for the past few months I've been in a slump -- a writing slump, a running slump and a general slump. I feel like I can't do anything well lately. It's messing with my head and, worse, hurting my heart.

That's the stinky-rotten-egg news of today.

Now here's the good part. There are two things I know for certain about slumps:
1) They are real and almost everyone goes through one once in awhile; and
2) They don't last forever.

My choices are to focus on my slumps or shift gears. I'm choosing the latter.

Borrowing from "Maria" and "the Do-Re-Mi movie," here are some of my favorite things:
1) Feeling my strong legs move beneath me and the sunshine on my face as I run.
2) My daughter's smile and the beautiful freckles across the bridge of her nose.

3) Playing go-fish and Mario Wii with my 5-year-old son today, and holding his warm, little hand as I walked him to school. (I know that won't last forever.)
5) Eating a bowl of yummy oatmeal with almonds and blueberries and drinking freshly brewed coffee after my run. (Ahhh, heaven!!)
6) A sunrise more gorgeous than high definition can deliver and knowing I can get on with my day in peace now that I've already worked out.
7) Hot showers, rising my sweat off me, and and feeling refreshed again.
8) Seeing blue skies here in Colorado once more (it's been a rough, blustery winter) and having hope that spring may come yet.
9) Curling up to almost anything written by Frank McCourt, Amy Tan or David Sedaris. These writers make me want to stand up on my kitchen table and attempt to sing "Habanera" from "Carmen" (another favorite, and no, I can't sing to save my life!) -- they are that wonderful and talented to me.

10) Bright-colored, great-fitting running clothes such as my orange crush outfit. They make me smile inside and out -- always a good thing.

"I simply remember my favorite things and then I don't feel so bad ..."

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage for 2012: 224

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

An American Runner in Paris

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 04:09:12 GMT

Tres bien, mon cheri!!

I want to run the Paris Marathon.

Do you have a bucket list of places you'd love to run? I do and the Paris Marathon is definitely on it.

The other day Forbes posted an article on "The 10 Best Marathon Worth Traveling For," and it included Paris.

Reading the article sparked my wanderlust and hankering croissants and brie.

Some other contenders on the Forbes list that also peaked my interest: The Napa Valley Marathon and London Marathon.

The one not on the Forbes list that I think should be: The Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland.

To me there are few better ways to connect to a place and its people than on foot, and 26.2 miles gives you plenty of that.

There's another reason I'd love to run a marathon in Paris: I'd like to finish what I started.

Many years ago I traveled to Paris and I was training for my second marathon. I did all my training while on vacation at Luxembourg Gardens. The park has a one-mile loop and I can remember going around and around it. It's a lovely park but I want the chance to run throughout the City of Lights.

My hope: To run the Paris Marathon in the next five years.

Invite you to share your bucket lists, too. Let's do a little arm-chair traveling together until we get the chance to be there in person.

Until that lucky day, au revoir, my friends!!!

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 12; Mileage for 2012: 225

More inspiration for fantastic voyages -- Le Mont Saint Michel

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

I miss my Rocky ...

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:10:26 GMT

Three years ago today I was running on a treadmill at 5 a.m. when I saw on TV that The Rocky Mountain News had printed its final edition.

It made me cry.

I moved to Colorado in November 2003 and I started working for The Rocky Mountain News two months later. It was a great job, and the newspaper had an outstanding reputation. I was thrilled to be there and I liked my work.

When I left The Rocky almost four years later, it was with reluctance. I was pregnant with my second child. I knew baby hours and the late nights I worked at the paper would collide. I told myself the leave was temporary until my child was older. I would be back.

In fact, I was freelancing occasionally for The Rocky when it closed on Feb. 27, 2009 (four months shy of its 150th birthday).

A few days after the newspaper's final edition I attended a good-bye party in downtown Denver for the newsroom. The atmosphere was like a high-school reunion under the worst of circumstances. It was a beautiful, poignant evening. We knew we would scatter like seeds to the wind.

The demise of traditional print journalism was a game-changer for all of us. To put it in running perspective, it was akin to suffering a debilitating, life-altering injury, not just a minor sprain or setback.

About the same time The Rocky closed I read a tragic story in Runner's World (March 2009) that gave me hope in the midst of the flux: "A Second Life" -- About New York City fire fighter Matt Long.

Long was a 3:13 marathon runner in 2005 when he was crushed by a bus in a bicycling accident in New York City. The details of how badly his body was mangled and how hard he fought to recover were mind-boggling -- again, a game-changer, yet he endured.

His story was a reminder to me as I went through my grief that life would go on. No, it would not be the same, but even under the worst of circumstances we can choose life and hope. As time passes, wounds heal.

I'm happy to say many of my friends from The Rocky have landed on their feet.

One of my friends is now at The New York Times; another one at The Chicago Tribune; a third at The Cleveland Plain Dealer. One of my old supervisors works in Nairobi, Kenya.

For those with families or who couldn't leave Colorado, however, the end of The Rocky was the beginning of the reinvention of ourselves. Many of us have switched professions or are in new lines of work like me.

The lesson I learned from The Rocky's passing and Matt Long's inspiring story:
I, too, am strong enough to find new resolve and purpose.

I've reinvented myself as a marathon runner, a blogger, an online writer and a copywriter for a website company where I now work -- all within the span of a few, short years.

Yes, sometimes we have to shift our expectations and refocus our goals but we persevere.

I miss my Rocky. I know a part of me always will, but I am the better for having worked there once and knowing so many phenomenal people. The experience made me a better writer and editor, and later gave me the fuel I needed to become a marathon runner and Boston qualifier.

If you have time, I invite to view the attached video on the Rocky's Final Edition. Good story-telling touches our souls. Even as The Rocky wrote its own final story, it did it well.

RIP, Rocky Mountain News. I am grateful you were a chapter in my life.

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 3.1; Mileage for 2012: 199.

Final Edition from Matthew Roberts on Vimeo.

Glide, grace and gold medals

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:21:46 GMT

Jane is on the verge of conquering the butterfly stroke. She's stoked about it. I am, too.

It's been a joy for me to watch her evolve into a swimmer. Her interest in it began around the same time I qualified for Boston.

Since then we've both come into our own -- me as a marathon runner and her as a natural little seahorse.

About two years ago Jane and one of her friends were in a swimming class together. Their teacher was also a coach for a local youth team and recruited them.

For awhile she swam on his team, then on our town's club team. For many months now she has been taking a class at our local rec center aimed at getting kids ready for more competitive swim teams.

The class, called Drill Academy, perfects each of their strokes so that when they do compete at a higher level, they have the technical skills down.

The kids have to master each stroke and complete a bronze, silver and gold level before they can move on to the next level of swimming class -- Conditioning Camp.

Once they get in Conditioning Camp they focus purely on endurance and speed.

Jane has been struggling to pass the gold level for a couple of sessions now because of her butterfly stroke. She works hard but she's small for her size and age, which seems to make learning butterfly more challenging for her.

For the past few weeks she's participated in Drill Academy and I've also had her take private lessons. She's made huge progress.

I love watching her and the other kids during practice, how they seem to glide effortlessly through the water. I didn't learn to swim until I was an adult and while I can swim, I don't possess that same comfort level in the water they have.

If you want to witness grace in action, observe how children approach something new. They go for it and are completely in the moment. It's awesome.

When she moves on to Conditioning Camp, Jane will get a gold medal and a report showing that she's checked off all the necessary skill sets.

I know that gold medal is coming soon, but the smile she's had on her face lately tells me she's already there.

Good things come to those who wait and when we exercise patience and exercise perseverance.

Go, Jane, go!!

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 3; Mileage for 2012: 196

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Secrets of the "ego whisperer"

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:09:28 GMT

“Perhaps middle-age is, or should be, a period of shedding shells; the shell of ambition, the shell of material accumulations and possessions, the shell of the ego.”
-- Anne Morrow Lindbergh, American writer and aviation pioneer, 1906-2001

The other night I read a comment thread on a social media site about runners who sign up for races under pseudonyms. The writer suggested some people do this to hide their finishing times if they don't do well.

My first thought after reading it was, "That sure ain't me. If that was the case, I wouldn't blog."

The way I see it -- if you are going to race, suck it up. If it's not fun, why bother?

Never taking a chance defeats the purpose, and it reminds me of a story a friend shared.

My friend and some of his training partners once ran a marathon "bandit." (FYI, for those of you who aren't racers, that means not paying for a race or getting an official bib but still running the race.)

One of the training partners didn't want to register for it for fear of "what others might think if his finishing time wasn't any good."

They ran the whole thing, never took anything from the aid stations (they carried their own water and supplies) and they did not cross the official finish line, but still clocked 26.2 miles as a "training run."

The irony? They kicked butt. Later that same training partner was sorry they couldn't count it as an official race time.

Several months later that same person ended up injured, unable to run Boston after working hard to qualify for it. My friend and I speculated it was because this person put so much unneeded pressure on himself.

The truth was -- no one cared how he finished at that race or was watching him that closely, other than himself. The build up was in his head.

Sure, when we, runners, race our family and friends are rooting for us. Of course they want us to do well. But if you believe you can't register for a race for fear of what others will think, something is amiss, and I suspect it's an overactive ego.

Does YOUR EGO ever get in the way when you race, especially if it does not go as planned? Has your ego ever gotten the better of you in any other endeavor in your life?

I don't mean that as a criticism but as an honest observation.

EVERYONE has an ego ... and if you think you don't have an ego, that's your EGO talking right now.

I've spent my livelihood working in industries where people thrive their on egos. Journalism and writing is full of egos. I've seen my share of overactive egos at places where I've worked.

An overactive ego is the only logical reason I can think of for why anyone would ever consider using a pseudonym to race.

Either that ... or you suddenly morph into Angelina Jolie overnight and actually need a pseudonym to take attention off yourself.

FYI, if that ever happens to me, please shoot me ... I have NO desire to live a life that requires pseudonyms for racing or otherwise.

That doesn't mean, however, I'm not familiar with wrestling with my ego and its desires.

Left unchecked, my ego -- and I suspect some other people's, too -- would act like my 5-year-old on too much sugar. A little taste would never be enough, but you can't always get what you want. That's not the way the world works. You need SOME boundaries or you'll get yourself in trouble.

It's a delicate balance -- recognizing one's aspirations but not letting the ego run wild, and solo, all the time. After all, SOME ego is a good thing, even vital to our existence.

Your ego, coupled with stress and prodding, is what gets you out of bed each morning and functioning -- going to work, taking care of your family or your responsibilities, paying your bills, being productive, and, yes, pushing you hard to excel.

When tamed, the ego is useful -- the race horse that spurs you forward to great places and achievements. Confidence is the bold face of a tempered ego. Its beauty inspires greatness, not just in ourselves but in others, too.

There's nothing wrong with a balanced ego. It is when egos go off kilter problems arise.

An unbalanced ego behaves like a wild stallion -- bucking, bolting, taking out everything in its path. It manifests itself in arrogance and bravado, and it squelches hope.

The challenge lies in channeling your inner "ego whisperer" to achieve balance and just the right momentum.

I felt bad for that bandit marathon racer. He needed an ego whisperer. Running 26.2 miles is difficult enough. Running it with that much ego attached is like doing it with a 500-pound gorilla on your back.

Having an "ego whisperer" isn't just helpful when your head gets too big; it grounds you when you feel disappointment, too.

I confess, my ego didn't like it much when I hit the wall at the Charleston Marathon. Since then I've channeled my own "ego whisperer" and treated my ego as I would a wounded animal.

"There, there, down girl," I keep telling it. "You are going to be OK. You'll race again and it will feel better soon."

I keep reminding myself that I would rather be the kind of person who takes chances and finishes last in any race, then someone who doesn't have the courage to start.

I love this graphic. It speaks to what our egos want versus how our ego whisperers help us over time.

The biggest lesson my ego whisperer has taught me? Shedding my ego once again is worth it. I will never give up trying my best, even if it throws me in another loopty-loop.

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Mileage today: 3; Mileage for 2012: 189

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

Running from the crud and a recipe for fighting it

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:18:37 GMT

To run or not the run?

That is the question today as the hacking crud runs its nasty course through Casa de Lucker ...

Tarzan has been sick and coughing up a lung over me for the last few weeks.

First, he had a sinus infection two weeks ago and was antibiotics.

Now he has an ear infection, is on antibiotics again AND I'm sick as well.

We both went to the doctor yesterday and got some prescription meds. It hasn't done either one of us much good so far.

This is why I haven't written a post for a few days ... I've been busy squeezing in work between massive attacks of phlegm while caring for Typhoid Tarzan.

Poor kid ...

And poor me, too.

Seriously -- I don't mean that in a "pity party" kind of way but from a pragmatic perspective.

We are living in a Lysol bubble to no avail. I keep spraying it around the house and washing my hands constantly but we can't seem to shake off this beast.

I'm suffering from a cough, a runny nose and my body aches as I write this. I'm putting on my own coaching hat and giving you AND me the advice I would tell another sick runner in my position -- just in case some snotty beast has its grips on you, too.

If the crud you are battling is above the neck, go head and run, but don't do any crazy -- just enough to break a sweat.

If the crud is below the neck and you have congestion in your chest or you are feeling flu-like symptoms such as a fever or body aches -- lay low. Take the day off. Rest.

Rest and recovery is as important as training hard, especially when you get sick.

Also, here's a homeopathic recipe I got from a friend when I lived in Santa Fe. It's good for helping one to fight the crud:
1 quart water
7 cloves of garlic peeled whole, not chopped
1 tablespoon of olive oil
a half of a lemon squeezed
fresh ginger chopped
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Put altogether in a pot and boil for 20 minutes. Let it cool a bit. Then drink as much as you can tolerate. You can also eat the softened, boiled garlic cloves.

It sort of tastes like chicken broth to me. I usually do this concoction when I get really sick and it helps to clear it up faster. I'm boiling it on the stove right now.

Speaking of sickness, rest and my concoction -- this post is all the energy I can muster tonight.

Buh-bye for now.

I've got a date with my couch, a book, and my homeopathic remedy after I put my kiddos to bed in a few minutes.

Then it will be my turn.

Aaack, aaack, aaack!!

Don't worry -- I'm covering my mouth as I write and I'll Lysol the keyboard, too, just in case.

Stay healthy all ...

###

Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!

Today is a forced rest day -- coach's (and doctor's) orders; Mileage for 2012: 165.

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011

A Virtual Run for Sherry ...

d.tutush@comcast.net (Danica) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:22:43 GMT

What would happen to your family if you went out for a run one day and never came back?

That's the nightmare and devastation the family of Sherry Arnold, a Montana woman, is living out now.

Sherry Arnold disappeared in January. Authorities have two suspects in the case but have yet to find her body.

Today some of the Distance Divas -- the long-distance training group I run with -- wore virtual race bibs to honor her and her family. People did this --printed out the bibs and ran in her honor-- across the country, not just here in Colorado. It's been on the blogosphere today.

This tragedy saddens and sickens me. I'm sure I'm not alone. I think Sherry's disappearance has moved many people, especially women, because she seemed like one of us -- a mom, a teacher, a runner, just doing her own thing -- when this awful crime happened. The circumstances -- what little we know so far -- sounded like random bad luck -- not ever imagining she could be in harm's way, probably just out at the wrong place at the wrong time.

I know several people from Montana. I have never been there myself, but from what I've been told, the communities in Montana tend to be small, tight-knit and relatively safe. Sherry was likely out for one of her regular runs, never thinking twice about it, when she was abducted.

I wish I knew the answer -- how to stop such horrible things from happening in the world, but I don't. I'm glad to see people care and aren't forgetting about Sherry or her family. God knows they will need caring and compassion as more of Sherry's story unfolds in the coming weeks, months, even years.

Here in America, when people die or something tragic happens, people in their communities tend to rush to the deceased person's family immediately to help. Then as time goes by, a lot of that support wanes even though the family's grief goes on and probably isn't finished yet.

This where I hope Sherry's story doesn't get lost over time. For her family, this isn't just about a virtual run in her honor for one day -- it's a hard reality they will continue to face for the rest of their lives.

My hopes and prayers are that God's compassion and grace carry her family now and whenever they need it most into the future.

Today's run was for you, Sherry. I pray truth and justice prevails.

###

"Aging is inevitable, but growing old is a choice. Lace up your shoes, and let's go!"

Mileage today: 12; Mileage for 2012: 161.

Copyright Danica Lucker 2010-2011