Streaking Solo and with a Friend -- There's Strength in Numbers on Day 24 & 25

Would you rather run alone or with others?  For me, it depends on the day.  I can assure you though that no matter what I am feeling, that when it comes to runs with Sister V, I would always much rather run with her than alone.  The conversations, the camaraderie, that extra push, the laughs ... Those don't happen when you run alone.  I am lucky enough to have forged a friendship that extends beyond girly gossip and your typical chick stuff.  I have a friendship that is based on common interests, goals, competitiveness, positivity, sweat, insecurities, lifting each other up, holding each other back (if needed), laughter, fears ... It's as real as it gets and I am lucky. 

When you run with someone, you get to know the REAL person that stands in front of you.  The nitty-gritty... When you train with someone, you can't hide who you really are. When you are on an 18 mile run and you hurt, want to stop, have to poop, feel dehydrated, are running positive splits and just don't think you can make it... You CAN'T fake that or hide it.  That is what I LOVE about my friendship with Sister V.  It's REAL.  We have learned so much about each other in the short time that we have known each other because when you train together, you are forced to get to know one another.  I couldn't have asked for a better training partner.  She is my sister!

(Love You Like A Sister)

Day 24 -- This was a post-work run and it was beautiful and sunny out.  I wanted to run immediately after work, but had a mishap in scheduling due to Josie (my youngest) peeing her pants at the library.  I had to run new shorts to her instead of heading to the park.  After delivering new shorts, I headed home, changed clothes and got out the door.  I was happy to be running before dark, so I couldn't complain about the minor hiccup in my plans.  I got a solid five miles in, with all miles under an 8 minute pace.  Aside from a semi turning into a parking lot in front of me, the run was awesome.  I even got honked at a couple of times.  I am sure it was the skirt!

I was super happy to have ran and gotten home before the sun set.  I got to throw some chicken on the grill and play with the kids for awhile.  It was nice.  I am definitely going to try and do this more often.  Night runs are fun and all, but going right after work was a nice treat.

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Aww: Ditto, and L.Y.L.A.S. right back atcha, Sister M!  Let me say right now how lucky any of you out there would be to have such a partner in crime. Through the good and the bad of running, it is beyond awesome to know that you have a supportive companion who will have your back through both tough headwinds and gross roadkill downwinds, and will keep you laughing so hard that you actually get ab cramps while running. My half-sisters are a lot younger than me, and we grew up far away, so this sisterly bond forged through the miles is just a total gift to me, and I feel super lucky as well! You know you have a true friend when she not only doesn't complain when you've just GOT to stop at a port-a-john at mile 3.5 of a 6-mile run, but also is there waiting with a camera to catch your expression when you step out of it, too. But more about Day 25 later ... 

Day 24 was super-unbelievably-CRAZY busy for me. But, I'm never too busy to get in one measly mile, right? Coach B and I got up early (for us), deputized the Sole Children to start some mega-weed pulling (my general mantra this year has been "yard work is for suckas," so things where getting pretty junglelike out there), and then we joined them. Four huge lawn bags full of weeds later, I was an achy puppy, BUT had to go food shopping for (drumroll please) Sole Child Nick's 13th birthday party! Woot! Got back, decorated for a luau like a dervish, marinated the chicken, made fruit salad, husked corn, untinned the baked beans, chilled the Malibu Blue Hawaiian, downed a sugar-free Red Bull, cut kebob ingredients, soaked skewers, blah blah blah blah blah blah ... And then I laced up my Virratas and zoomed out the door for one mile before everyone arrived. And, saw everyone in a car heading toward my house about a quarter mile in, lol. So I waved and thought, "Well, see you in six minutes!" It was a great little bash, and we are now blessed with not one, but two teens in the house. You may see a bump in my weekly mileage. (JUST KIDDING! CALM DOWN, KIDS -- LOVE YOU BOTH.) 

That may very well be one of my most favorite pictures of Sole Child Nick.
And I swear, I only had ONE Blue Hawaiian, just don't ask about the size of the glass.

I woke up on Day 25 of the streak ready to rock it with M! We had thought about getting in a 10-mile run in,  but ended up scaling it back to about 6. Which was fine by me, as I 'm still working out some calf crampy issues -- the foot feels GREAT though. We explored some new concrete-jungle paths, breathed in some toulene fumes from the refineries ringing the area, saw some really neat old gravestones in a (new to us) cemetery, and even visited Navarre Park (I even explored its port-a-john -- there was a lot of food at the birthday luau, what can I say). 

Mmmmm: Fume-y.  This scene makes me hum "My City Was Gone" for some reason.

M runs this city.

And, two slightly demented runner chicks. 

The best part of Day 25, though, was finishing and getting to play with M's Sole Children! These are two great girls, and their friend, too. I think we were happy to have an excuse to use the swing set and also play with sidewalk chalk while drinking our post-run java.

Hey there, happy campers!  

Look out, girls! Mom's gonna get you both in one swing!

Whee! Thanks, Lu, for showing me how to do this!  

Love You Like A Sister

Chalk outlines, courtesy of Lu and Mia.

Fun, fun, fun summer  morning. It was like being a kid again, but with coffee. And then, we went off to our grown-up jobs, but kept a smile in our hearts for the rest of the day. :-) 

I hope that you all find that kind of joy doing what you love, too.

P.S. We are LESS THAN A WEEK from the One Run For Boston cross-country relay! I got a call from the Reynoldsburg Police Department that they want to support us, and are giving us a motorcycle escort during our 7.5 mile relay leg! How cool is that? We can't wait to document it and bring you the sights and sounds of this inspiring event.  

One Run For Boston -- Why We're Running This Once-In-A-Lifetime Relay Event

In this uncertain world, there is one constant that you can count on this summer. You might be at a cookout, swimming, at work, watching a drive-in movie, or even sleeping. No matter what you are doing, at any time between now and June 30, you can stop and say to yourself, "Right now, at this very  minute, one of more than a thousand runners is making his or her way across the United States clutching a lighted torch that says 'One Run For Boston.' " 

The design concept of the baton, created by UK artist Jon Parlby, is based on a lily flower, representing a symbol of strength, hope, and solidarity for the One Run runners and Boston.

 On June 6, One Run For Boston, the first-ever cross-country relay, began near Los Angeles. The brainchild of three Brits, the nonstop relay is scheduled to conclude June 30 at the Boston Marathon finish line. The relay covers more than  3,000 miles and is raising money for those most affected by the April 15 bombings at the Boston Marathon. The relay spans 14 states, and runners from the United States and beyond are running day and night to get the baton to the finish line. There are 319 stages, and each stage varies in length from as few as 5 miles to about 12. The stages can consist of one solo runner, a smaller cadre of up to 25 runners, or be a big group stage in which up to 500 runners can participate at once. It is up to each runner to decide, plan, and navigate the exact route they will take between the specified start and finish points for their stage.  

I'm pleased, honored, and humbled to let you know that the Sole Sisters and Coach B are in charge of Ohio Stage 237 -- E. Livingston Ave. outside of Columbus to Etna, Ohio. We have a 7.5 mile stretch that we have to map out and not screw up.  I can tell you now that I did have a mild freak-out session when I learned that the person who was originally taking command of our stage had dropped out, leaving me to plan the path -- from nearly three hours away. I've never been to Reynoldsburg/Pataskala, Ohio, yet here I am studying maps and charts and satellite images to make sure our little part of the 3,000 miles doesn't cause the whole relay to be thrown off track. As of right now, 22 other people are welcome to come and join us (after you donate your $50 relay fee) -- we are scheduled to step off at 9:45 a.m. on June 25. The location is near the Parkview Presbyterian Church in Reynoldsburg, Ohio (6969 E. Livingston Ave.). If you'd like join us, either leave a message in the comment section if you need more information, or just sign up for our stage at onerunforboston.org and we'll see you there.

The bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line affected me deeply, and more viscerally than any other tragic news story has since Sept. 11, 2001. I have been involved in newspaper journalism since my college days, starting around 1998. Usually, I can withstand the daily barrage of fatal car accidents, missing child cases, domestic violence incidents, and overseas terror attacks that I have to read about every single day. I guess you could say I've become hardened to it, as both a defense mechanism and as a result of overexposure. This, for me, was quite different. Coach B and I had woken up early on Marathon Monday to watch the start of the marathon, eat breakfast in bed, and take in the spectacle of the elite men and women running at their unearthly speeds. 

Rita Jeptoo and Lelisa Desisa Benti were the women's and men's champions of the 2013 Boston Marathon, finishing well ahead of the bombings.

At this time, the Glass City Marathon was about two weeks away, and Sole Sister M and I were still dreaming about qualifying for Boston 2014. For me, it was a quiet goal and I hadn't told anyone outside of our small training circle. But I dreamt of it, and was wishing for it, and every step I took was in the hopes that I would be good enough to make my qualifying time at GCM. That Marathon Monday, Coach B and I watched the conclusion of the men's and women's elites, then went back to sleep so we would be rested for work that night. I woke up around 1 or so, then hopped in the shower. When I came out, I turned on CNN like I usually do to get caught up on the news world. I heard the report of explosions before I saw them. At first I thought it was probably some car bomb in Iraq or something similar, which I'm unfortunately pretty inured to. And then I looked at the TV. And saw -- wait a second, that looks like a race course; that looks like a scene I am intimately familiar with. That looks like a finish line. I had the flash of realization: that is no desert outpost -- that is BOSTON.  That is what I'm working for, that is my goal, I was just watching this earlier this morning -- Oh, my God, what is happening here? 

I started crying, and I honestly couldn't stop. My runner friends and I texted back and forth: Have you seen what's happening? Do we know anyone there? What happened? Who's responsible? How many are hurt? People have died? Oh, my God. Just hours later, I was in the newsroom, facing reading and laying out stories about the bombing and selecting photos to illustrate all that had happened on Boylston Street. It was honestly one of the hardest days I've ever had at work -- mercifully at one point my boss saw how upset I was and sent me outside for air so I could try to gather myself.  It was like that to some degree every day up to and beyond that Friday when the bombing suspect was finally apprehended, which gave some measure of closure though the thought of both the victims still hospitalized and the fact that this storied running tradition was marred by a senseless act of violence was enough to make my blood boil. 

If there was one thing I was dead certain of, it was that these terrorists had picked the wrong subset of people to target. If you  think a runner, especially a distance runner, is going to be intimidated or back down, I'm sorry but you are very, very wrong.  Just a few days out from our marathon, we dried our tears. We redoubled our efforts. We dedicated our running to those who no longer could. We felt a fire in our bellies. We raised money. We raised awareness. We toed the start line at the Glass City Marathon. We swallowed down the lump in our throats during the moment of silence. We celebrated the starting gun. We ran our asses off. We hugged at the finish line. We screamed out with joy that we were going to Boston, baby.  

There aren't many things you can be sure of in this world, but there are two I am counting on right now. One, there will be a runner from now until June 30 making his or her way to Boston -- making a triumph out of a tragedy. And two, that third Monday in April, you will count me in Hopkinton among the thousands massed at small Massachusetts town -- ready to reclaim a storied marathon that is poised to come back, Boston Stronger. 

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to each other. -- V. 

CELEBRATION TIME!! National Running Day is Wednesday, June 5

Wednesday, June 5 is a holiday. No banks will close, mail will still be delivered, and if your trash is normally picked up on a Wednesday, you won't experience an interruption in service. No banquet is planned, and probably no presents will be exchanged. What is it, exactly, that we are celebrating, then? Well, if you didn't know, the first Wednesday in June is National Running Day, and has been for going on five years now. 

In 2009, some of the nation's top running groups came together and started National Running Day. These groups included the Atlanta Track Club, Twin Cities In Motion, Bank of America Chicago Marathon, the Boston Athletic Association, Chicago Area Runners Association, Competitor Group, Chevron Houston Marathon Little Rock Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, New York Road Runners, Oregon Track Club, Running USA, and USA Track & Field. The specific purpose of the day is to get people inspired to go running in many different ways such as becoming committing to a new training plan or just by heading out on to run with a group of friends who share the same passion.

If this is the first you are hearing about it, don't feel bad -- I myself didn't know until I spotted a flyer a month or so ago inviting people to register for I RUN ... National Running Day 4.09 Mile. Initially, I was just excited that there was going to be a run on a Wednesday night, one of my usual days off from work. Then, curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know just why there is a National Running Day and when it began. What are the traditions? Do we leave our running shoes outside our doors the night before and hope that we wake to them filled with Shot Bloks and GU? Do we leave Honey Stinger Waffles and coconut water out for a svelte St. Nick (Nick Symmonds, perhaps) who runs from house to house, eschewing the aid of magic reindeer? 

While you COULD choose to do any of those things, National Running Day is an event that encourages community unity through running as well as just providing a day when runners can express their passion for the sport. Group runs are planned across the country, as are some events where runners help out charities. There are more than 200 runs and events planned in cities across the United States and Canada in 2013. 

Locally, the Toledo Roadrunners Club is holding the I RUN ... National Running Day 4.09 Mile race/run/walk Wednesday night. The event will be at Fossil Park in Sylvania (5675 Centennial Road), with registration opening at 5:30 and the race/run/walk kicking off at 6:45.  If you haven't pre-registered, the race-day fee is $10 (and sorry, but you've missed out on the shirt).  The course is described at an accurate 4.09 mile course within Fossil and Sylvan Prairie parks, with miles marked and one water stop. Awards will be given to the overall and masters males and females. The 1st 250 finishers will receive an "I RUN ... National Running Day Finisher -- REMEMBER BOSTON" car magnet. Any money made by the race will be sent as a donation to onefundboston.org. Sports drink, water, and fruit will be available at the end.  This sounds like a great way to come out and celebrate your love of running while making and hanging with friends in the process. I know I'm really looking forward to it. 

How cool is it that runners have their own holiday? You don't hear of Happy Football Players Day, or Merry Lacrosse Week -- that would just be weird. But it seems totally fitting that runners have their own holiday -- we are kind of a wacky, weird collection of people, and I think we deserve to be celebrated and to celebrate our sport, our passion, our way of life. If you can't make it to the local event, there are still ways you can keep the spirit of the holiday alive. The National Running Day web site suggests: 

1. Declare your passion: People run for millions of reasons and we want to know yours! Head to www.runningday.org and let the nation know why you run, be it raising money for charity, keeping your waistline in check, or getting to that bagel at the 5K finish line.
2. Bring a “runway” to work: Swap your loafers and heels for sneakers and you’ll be dressed to the nines for National Running Day. Your feet will thank you for it, and it will be that much easier to step out for a short jog during lunch or on your way home from work.
3. Morph your friends into running fiends: Friends don’t let friends just walk on National Running Day! Invite a pal or two — the more the merrier — to hit the road with you. They’ll be hooked in no time!
4. Change “Happy Hour” to “Running Hour”: Shake things up by adding a run to your post-work plans. Head out at 5 p.m. with some co-workers and relax over miles instead of cocktails.
5. Strike new ground: Seize the day and take the road you’ve never traveled. Who knows? You might find a new favorite running path to spice up your summer.
6. Give the gift of running: Donate to organizations that use running to make a difference in people’s lives like Back on my Feet or Achilles International. backonmyfeet.org   achillesinternational.org
7. Making running run in the family: They have your eyes, but what about your endurance? Leave the bikes and baseball bats in the garage and run around the neighborhood with the kids. Keep things interesting with a short race to see who is the fastest.
8. Choose a running resolution: Kick off a new fitness goal on National Running Day. It can be anything, including adding five minutes to your next run, running a new distance or signing up for a road race.
9. Take advantage of the great outdoors: Running outside beats spending all your time on the treadmill. Step out the front door and away from the gym to take in a bit of nature during your afternoon run.
10. Treat yourself like a champion: Set yourself up for success by indulging in your favorite post-run snack, sporting your lucky T-shirt or helping your feet to a new pair of sneakers.

New York Road Runners CEO Mary Wittenberg also notes that, “This year, runners told us they wanted to use National Running Day as a way to show support for the victims of the Boston bombings, so we’ve made special ribbons and bibs for events across the country. Runners can also donate to The One Fund Boston through the National Running Day website.”

So have fun and celebrate being a runner during National Running Day! Log those miles, smile those smiles. And remember: National Donut Day falls just two days later (always the first Friday in June), so run enough to make some room to celebrate that as well!  

Have fun out there, fellow runners!  -- Sole Sister V.