RunningFool

We tend to find inspiration in the oddest things. It’s Monday night and I’m sitting in my hotel room at the Chicago Hilton O’Hare bouncing between schoolwork and writing this article. For further distraction, I’ve got the Chicago Bears playing the Detroit Lyons at Soldier field in Chicago and the 7th game of the SF / St. Louis playoff on TV (sound off but still a distraction). I’m kind of regretting that I’m in Chicago but didn’t go to the football game in person when an odd movement on the screen catches my undivided attention. Jay Cutler, the Chicago quarterback is down on the field and is obviously injured. ESPN immediately jumps to commercial and when we return, Cutler (who had received a vicious hit) returns to the game to a standing ovation. He may be feeling the effects of playing a bit more than normal in the morning but it was clear he was determined to remain in the game.

Recovering from an injury is hard to do and I admire those who can shake them off and keep going as if nothing had happened. It’s been two weeks since my now infamous “kneecapping by a speed bump” incident and I’ve yet to get myself to a Barre3 class or back out on the roads /on the gerbil wheel at the hotel gym. Work has been a total zoo with long nights to hit deadlines which has been a great excuse. It’s also been easy to focus on healing the abrasions as well as on the lingering aches and pains and ignore how fast my conditioning is disappearing. There has to be a happy medium between coming back too soon from an injury and dwelling on it for too long. Well, if Cutler can come back tonight and give it his best (and truth be told he’s not 100%) I can get off my duff and get back on the training plan. See - odd inspiration.

Training Plan

So welcome to week seven of the 20th anniversary WDW Marathon training program! Here is this week’s training schedule. My goal is to stay with the schedule during the week but will only do 50% of the long run on Sunday (see *). Next week I’ll be at 75%. I hope to be on target for the upcoming Wine & Dine Half Marathon (and let's hope this WDW running experience is a better one...).

• Monday October 22nd – travel day
• Tuesday October 23rd – 4 mile run / mybarre3.com
• Wednesday October 25th – 5 mile run
• Thursday October 26th – travel day /mybarre3.com
• Friday October 27th – 4 mile run / Barre3 studio
• Saturday October 28th – Barre3 studio
• Sunday October 29th – 13 mile run*/ Barre3 studio

Hmmmm of the Week: I am kind of amazed at how many people are not only carrying a cell phone during a race in case of emergency but are texting/looking up information/carrying on lengthy conversations while on the road. I’ve even been in a crowd that was shushed by a fellow runner who was trying to hold a business call during a half marathon (apparently we were running too loudly in a tunnel)! I get having one close by in case something goes terribly wrong but have we actually reached a point where we really need to stay connected at all times? What are your thoughts on cell phone use during a race? Necessary evil or just plain wrong?

As always, drop me a note to tell me how your marathon training is coming along or if you have suggestions of things to try. And thanks for all the well wishes!

Have a wonderful week!

Foolishly yours

The RunningFool