Step Over Step, Mile After Mile

A little Boston song header for you.

First, let me apologize for my year plus long absence with no posts. Unacceptable. First a lot has happend during the course of a year. I've dealt with some stuff and just never felt motivated to write much. I did attempt to run the NYC Marathon last year but got injured during training with an ankle injury, so I deferred until this year. I felt like I semi-retired from running and working out because I really couldn't do a lot with such a sore ankle flaring up in pain after 10-15 minutes of working out.

I decided to start Weight Watchers, as an attempt to help condition myself. I have a long road ahead in terms of weight loss but am looking forward to the challenge. It's a new thing for me but in the 4 weeks I've done it, I've dropped 7 lbs. It's a good start and I'm happy that my jeans are starting to get super loose. I have a trip to Antigua at the end of April so extra incentive to lose some extra weight so I can look decent without a shirt. ha ha ha!

Back to running, I have yet to participate in a race this year but am looking forward to signing up for a few and getting a new pair of Saucony's. What have you all been up to in the past year?

As always you can follow the Twitter at: @Runnersinnyc

You all should check out the 2011 Seahawks 12K Run at The Landing on April 10th

Registration is open, you can check out the details and register at http://www.seahawks12krun.com/ The Seahawks 12K Run at The Landing will collect donations on behalf of and help raise money for the Renton – Skyway Boys & Girls Club.


Happy Running!

To say 2010 was a tough year would be a good way to put it mildly. Like anything there are good days and bad and as people I think we tend to remember the bad more than the good. Which is too bad, but I believe we learn more about ourselves through the bad. Just like in running, we have good days and bad. It seems the bad stands out more until you cross the finish line. Then you realize how good the good days were and how good even those bad days led you to cross the finish line.

This blog for me has been a piece of my growing and learning as both a runner and a man. I've shared with you pains both physically and internal. The thing I love about writing this blog and the mission of trying to help new runners find their stride is it's a continual learning experience. Every run, 5k, 10k, half marathon and full marathon each present a different struggle and a different approach. But from each I've become a smarter runner and a long the way, I think, a smarter person. Which in turn has given me better topics for you, and refining of what we talk about here.

I talked about my first Team in Training practice where I showed up in a short sleeve shirt and sweat pants. Mind you it was windy and around freezing. Not smart. But I didn't know any better, I had never run or trained for anything like that. Should common sense have kicked in...probably. But I thought when I ran I would heat up enough. Live and learn. In the coming couple of weeks I will have two very cool guest bloggers to share this space with you. They will share their story with you and have done so freely. My every day hope is that someone, somewhere along the line has gotten some useful information from here. Something that I hope has inspired them or made them want to run and take better care of themselves than they did prior. If I have helped even one person, this blog is a success. I will continue to blog, and talk about my experiences but I hope at some point you will want to share your experiences. This is a dialogue. A conversation, and one I invite you to be a part of.

Of course, happy new year and happy running!

This is a great idea and one of my friends Traci had one up for me during the marathon.

">Cheer on your marthoner even if you can't be there in person

For the past two years I've had an opportunity to really blog about something that was a journey. Challenging myself to become a runner. I keep this blog focused on new runners because I think that's when running is the most fun. It's not about a time, goal, it's not about beating another person, not about winning prize money. What I've discovered is that a lot of the average Joe's and Jane's who run are a lot like me. They have problems, they have concerns. Running is for the large part a hobby. But like any good hobby it has a lot of meaning. From the shoes we buy, to the clothes we wear and ultimately the finishers medals we put up. They reflect to us, not unlike a lot of good hobbies an investment of time, energy and effort. It doesn't matter if you are just lacing up your running shoes for the first time or if you are wearing sweatpants to your first running session (yeah that was me!). You'll figure it out. It'll take some time to sort through what you need and like but you will. There's one compliment I get and it truly flatters me and catches me totally off guard every time I hear it. It's how much people are inspired by what gets written here.

Like most things in my life I try to be true and write as I would speak, and talk from my experiences. I know that running will be a little different for everyone. Everyone's experience won't be the same, but that's what makes it fun. I've met some of the best people on earth through running, through writing this blog and I feel like a part of a very special family. The family of runners. The focus of this blog will never change. I think the information on here will always be of value to someone who one day decides to run and has no clue where to start. I do hope that you've gained something from this blog and as I continue to write I will always ask myself this question: "What would I need if I were starting to run" But beyond all the things you need shoes, spandex, socks, food, etc here's something else you need. A solid support group.

In running the ING New York City Marathon I realized how many amazing people I knew that stood out in this windy cold day with signs with my name on them to cheer me, push me and drive me to the end. I am humbled and flattered. I was humbled when I went to my after party and my friends gave me a huge ovation as I came in. I think it was the first time that's ever happened to me. In fact I know so. It's flattering to me, but I truly can't say enough about the people who inspire me to run. I wanted to call out real quickly a few of those people:

Jocelyn - The day to day talks, my running partner, the person who demands I be the best but cares enough when I feel at the lowest points. Thank you for being a rock. For being the person who met me at the end of my marathon. I couldn't have asked for a better person to see at the end than you. Thank you.

Traci - Running with me, making awesome signs, posting a legen...wait for it...DARY sign on the reader board during the marathon, I can't thank you enough for motivating me on race day.

Zach and Britt: You two. Awesome. I've never met such kind and giving people as you two are. I'm flattered and humbled to know you both and to call you amazing friends. A guy can only hope to be that lucky.

Other friends I know I want to thank and there are no words for me to fully thank:

Jen B, Lara R, Sabina, Byron, Brian, Beth, Shannon, Tom, Lydia, Amanda, Brenda, Christina, Damien, Carolann (Congrats on your first marathon I'm SO proud of you! Maybe you'll write a blog for us???), Joey and without a doubt my parents/family and countless others. of course to all of those who donated on my behalf to Team in Training, my favorite charity. I'm flattered and humbled. I'll be posting some wrap up stuff in the next day then take a bit of leave as I take a much needed vacation to Turkey to see a good friend who has also become a runner.

Thank you all for reading! Happy running and be safe!