Who: You, of course! (And anyone you'd like to bring!)
What: A Schaumburg Flyers game to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
When: July 10, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Where: Alexian Field, 1999 Springinsguth Rd, SchaumburgWhy: You pay face value for your tickets -- $10 each -- and all you have to do is show up and enjoy the game! $2 of each ticket purchased goes directly to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society! What do you have to lose?
I'm heading up this fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training North Team. All of the LLS proceeds will go straight into our fundraising accounts for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco, California! Please let me know if you'd like to attend and how many tickets you'd like. The Flyers are taking the money straight from my credit card... so you can just give me cash or check for your tickets. Hope to see all of you there! Feel free to pass this along to anyone you think might be interested.
If you have any questions or want to reserve your tickets, e-mail lauren.erbach@gmail.com
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Reason #3,476 Why I Need TNT
On Saturday, it didn't fit into my schedule to make it out for the TEAM run. It was far away, and I had to be at my friend's house at 11:15 to get on a train to Chicago for my Bachelorette party. That doesn't mean I didn't run. What it does mean is I didn't run very well.
Melissa and I met up around 8:00 for our 1 hour run. I was so distracted it's a wonder we even finished. I was thinking about what I was going to wear later that day, whether everyone would be there on time, fundraising, anything but running. I just could not focus on what I was doing, and couldn't get in to that appropriately distracted mode where the miles just fly by. I missed running with my gaggle of girls and I missed running with the team.
I can't wait to hit the pavement on Saturday...
Melissa and I met up around 8:00 for our 1 hour run. I was so distracted it's a wonder we even finished. I was thinking about what I was going to wear later that day, whether everyone would be there on time, fundraising, anything but running. I just could not focus on what I was doing, and couldn't get in to that appropriately distracted mode where the miles just fly by. I missed running with my gaggle of girls and I missed running with the team.
I can't wait to hit the pavement on Saturday...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Cross-Training On Demand & Learning How to Stretch
Tuesday's workout this week called for 45 minutes of cross-training. I didn't feel like biking and I didn't know what else to do... so I turned on the TV and found something new: On Demand Fitness. I found a few Pilates workouts that added up to about 45 minutes and gave it a go. It was actually a pretty decent workout.
However, it got me thinking. How weird would it be to be someone who makes workout videos? They weren't even your typical workout videos, where it's like an instructor is leading a class and a camera crew just happened to show up. This was one lady, on a mat, spouting encouraging words to some camera guy. I find myself getting really irritated with their encouraging words. "You can do it!" "You're almost there!" "You're doing great!" How do you know I'm doing great? For all you know, I'm sitting on the couch, eating a Big Mac & fries, and watching you work out. But I digress...
Today's track workout was a blast. I'm glad I'm able to start all this stuff right away this season. I'm picking up on things I missed early in the season last year, like proper ways to stretch. Wow, I can already feel a difference from stretching today. Ran with two lovely TNT ladies tonight and loved every minute of it.
However, it got me thinking. How weird would it be to be someone who makes workout videos? They weren't even your typical workout videos, where it's like an instructor is leading a class and a camera crew just happened to show up. This was one lady, on a mat, spouting encouraging words to some camera guy. I find myself getting really irritated with their encouraging words. "You can do it!" "You're almost there!" "You're doing great!" How do you know I'm doing great? For all you know, I'm sitting on the couch, eating a Big Mac & fries, and watching you work out. But I digress...
Today's track workout was a blast. I'm glad I'm able to start all this stuff right away this season. I'm picking up on things I missed early in the season last year, like proper ways to stretch. Wow, I can already feel a difference from stretching today. Ran with two lovely TNT ladies tonight and loved every minute of it.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Patting Myself on the Back & Ditching the iPod for Saturdays...
First things first. I have to pat myself on the back. I am not a morning person by any means, and I forced myself out of bed for a solo morning run on Friday! No one to answer to but myself and I did it. Hooray! (I couldn't do an evening run because Dad and I went to see Jersey Boys, which by the way, was excellent.) I wasn't quite as even keel by myself... but I was pretty good. The dips are walking (I was run/walking at a 6:2 ratio), and most of my runs are even, but I have no idea what that spike at the beginning is. Perhaps I was feeling speedy?
Today was a 5 mile training run with TNT. Can I just say that I love my teammates? I ran with Melissa, Lauren, and an alumni, Miss Sue. Jennifer was with us for some of the time too. It's so nice to run with a group! And we rocked a 6:2 ratio with an overall 11:52 pace. Total time for 5 miles was 59:22. I'll take it. I didn't take the iPod/Nike+ out with me today, and I have to say, I really enjoyed chatting with the girls as we ran. As much as I'm addicted to the instant feedback of the Nike+, it was nice to just ignore everything and run. That is probably going to become my new Saturday mantra.
Ahhh. I know there will be setbacks, but I hope most of the season feels this good.
Today was a 5 mile training run with TNT. Can I just say that I love my teammates? I ran with Melissa, Lauren, and an alumni, Miss Sue. Jennifer was with us for some of the time too. It's so nice to run with a group! And we rocked a 6:2 ratio with an overall 11:52 pace. Total time for 5 miles was 59:22. I'll take it. I didn't take the iPod/Nike+ out with me today, and I have to say, I really enjoyed chatting with the girls as we ran. As much as I'm addicted to the instant feedback of the Nike+, it was nice to just ignore everything and run. That is probably going to become my new Saturday mantra.
Ahhh. I know there will be setbacks, but I hope most of the season feels this good.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
This is MY season.
I am already ten times the runner I was the last time I trained for a marathon. I can say that with utmost certainty. There are two huge differences this season that I think account for the change in my running. First, I'm making it out for ALL of my weekday training runs. I don't let myself make excuses anymore. I know I will be so much better prepared for my event if I train consistently. It also helps that I'm a mentor for TNT. If I'm laying the guilt on other people to train, I better be sticking to it myself, right?
The other noteable difference between the seasons? Training buddies. I feel like there are a lot more TNT'ers around my pace this year, and I'm taking full advantage of running with other people. Today I hit the pavement with Lauren, one of my mentees. I'm pretty sure we run at the exact same pace. We did a 6:2 run/walk ratio today and it was absolutely perfect. The running was at about an 11:00 pace and the walking at about a 14:00 pace. Overall pace of 11:46. I'll take it. Even a 12:00 pace would have us finishing 26.2 in 5:30. That would be amazing, as far as I'm concerned.
The run today was wonderful. 30 minutes flew by. After this season, I may never train for a marathon alone again.
You can even see how much more consistent the pace was... there are more straight lines today! Even pace, with the dips being our 2 minute walks. I'm so happy right now.
The other noteable difference between the seasons? Training buddies. I feel like there are a lot more TNT'ers around my pace this year, and I'm taking full advantage of running with other people. Today I hit the pavement with Lauren, one of my mentees. I'm pretty sure we run at the exact same pace. We did a 6:2 run/walk ratio today and it was absolutely perfect. The running was at about an 11:00 pace and the walking at about a 14:00 pace. Overall pace of 11:46. I'll take it. Even a 12:00 pace would have us finishing 26.2 in 5:30. That would be amazing, as far as I'm concerned.
The run today was wonderful. 30 minutes flew by. After this season, I may never train for a marathon alone again.
You can even see how much more consistent the pace was... there are more straight lines today! Even pace, with the dips being our 2 minute walks. I'm so happy right now.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Exploring the new 'hood
Went for a 30 minute run in my new neighborhood today... but I forgot to attach the Nike+ to my new kicks before I left this morning. Boo! No voice telling me, "5 minutes completed... 10 minutes completed... 15 minutes completed, halfway point... 10 minutes remaining... 5 minutes remaining... 4... 3... 2... 1... you have reached your goal."
I am so addicted to my Nike+. That may not be a good thing, seeing as I'm planning on running on Saturdays without it for as long as I can manage. TNT discourages it, and I'm trying to be all mentor-ly. I don't know how long I'll last without it though - ha! I'm addicted to the feedback. I like the music, but I love the voice in my head that counts the minutes/miles. It makes me less compulsive about checking my watch, too, which I like. Without Nike+ I literally check my watch every 1 - 2 minutes. It gets really annoying when the minutes aren't flying by.
Anyway, the run today was alright. I was pretty distracted by the massive amounts of cleaning I needed to do when I finished. But I got out there and ran, for what it's worth.
I am so addicted to my Nike+. That may not be a good thing, seeing as I'm planning on running on Saturdays without it for as long as I can manage. TNT discourages it, and I'm trying to be all mentor-ly. I don't know how long I'll last without it though - ha! I'm addicted to the feedback. I like the music, but I love the voice in my head that counts the minutes/miles. It makes me less compulsive about checking my watch, too, which I like. Without Nike+ I literally check my watch every 1 - 2 minutes. It gets really annoying when the minutes aren't flying by.
Anyway, the run today was alright. I was pretty distracted by the massive amounts of cleaning I needed to do when I finished. But I got out there and ran, for what it's worth.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
This is What Makes Getting up at 5:30 am on Saturdays Worth It...
It's been so long, I almost forgot how much I love Saturday runs with TNT. It is so nice to see everybody all pumped and ready to run at 7:00 am!
Today was our first training run and "Getting Started" clinic for the North Team. I had an awesome time. :) Our run was supposed to be 4 miles, but got cut back to 40 minutes so that everyone would finish at the same time for the clinic. I thought I'd started my Nike+ (sans headphones), but when I went to turn it off at the end, I realized I hadn't even started it. So, I have no idea how far I ran or what my pace was. It felt kind of quick at the beginning, but I settled into a good pace.
Melissa and I decided that next week, at our 5 miler, we're officially going to become Run/Walkers. It's not that we couldn't be runners for a mere 5 miles, but we've decided to get our Run/Walk groove on early so that we're used to it. I'm thinking about an 8:1 or 8:2 ratio will be perfect this season.
Today I also picked up a new pair of running shoes. I've been having a lot of pain in the arches of my feet, and I suspected it was my shoes. The shoe gurus at Running Unlimited confirmed that they think it could be due to the lack of support offered by my Newtons. I was finally SUPER picky about my running shoes. I nit-picked like crazy, wanting to make sure that this time, I made the right choice. I landed in Asics Gel-Nimbus 9s, in a pretty blue color. (Although now I've looked for the picture online and I see they also come in green... I'm a little jealous of the green ones and may have to order those later this season, if these shoes work out!)
Today was our first training run and "Getting Started" clinic for the North Team. I had an awesome time. :) Our run was supposed to be 4 miles, but got cut back to 40 minutes so that everyone would finish at the same time for the clinic. I thought I'd started my Nike+ (sans headphones), but when I went to turn it off at the end, I realized I hadn't even started it. So, I have no idea how far I ran or what my pace was. It felt kind of quick at the beginning, but I settled into a good pace.
Melissa and I decided that next week, at our 5 miler, we're officially going to become Run/Walkers. It's not that we couldn't be runners for a mere 5 miles, but we've decided to get our Run/Walk groove on early so that we're used to it. I'm thinking about an 8:1 or 8:2 ratio will be perfect this season.
Today I also picked up a new pair of running shoes. I've been having a lot of pain in the arches of my feet, and I suspected it was my shoes. The shoe gurus at Running Unlimited confirmed that they think it could be due to the lack of support offered by my Newtons. I was finally SUPER picky about my running shoes. I nit-picked like crazy, wanting to make sure that this time, I made the right choice. I landed in Asics Gel-Nimbus 9s, in a pretty blue color. (Although now I've looked for the picture online and I see they also come in green... I'm a little jealous of the green ones and may have to order those later this season, if these shoes work out!)
I'm still planning on using the Newtons sometimes. They're a good challenge for my feet & legs. They make me a different kind of runner. But I think I'll use them once or twice a week and stick to the Asics the rest of the time.
Hoorah for new shoes!
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