Wanderlust Runs

The woods are lovely dark and deep, and I have miles and miles to go before I sleep -- Robert Frost.

Serbia

The French Alps

Autumn in Japan

Waimanu Valley, Hawaaii

Heaven's Gate, China

Prague

Napali Coast

The roads and trails are always open. 

Four Words to Big Sur

"You can start running again".... she said. The four magic words I'd been waiting to hear over the past ten months since knee surgery.

A mile out. A mile back. I was met with this sight.

It's been a long haul. But I can promise for those of you who are facing hardship and sidelined, everyday practice, a positive attitude, patience, and envisioning your return will return those wings you are missing.


Since, those four words I've signed up with friends Carmen Ballard, Gretchen Andrus, Chris Andrew to rock the Big Sur 5k on April 28th.

Here's the team! Join us and let me know if you do -- it's going to be a beautiful race.

One last view... 

New Beginnings + The University of Richmond Men

It's been a wonderful opportunity. I recently joined up with the Windward School in Mar Vista, California to coach their middle school and high school student in cross country. Alongside the leadership of Frances Santin Jones, also my former role model in high school, we are both working to explore the potential of kids age 10- 18 in their running endeavors.

There are so many elements that go into teach a child who is brand new to running. And interestingly enough, I called this blog "Runnin' Child" unbeknownst to me that I would be working with children.
I'd like to share with you all my experience in coaching kids but first wanted to welcome you back to the blog as I kickstart a new year.

And last but not least, this national college Track and Field news has really rattled the sport this week, as the cherished and talented men's program at the University of Richmond has been cut. I urge all of your comments and thoughts to be heard. My thoughts and strength goes out to Amy Van Alstine and Jenn Ennis, two amazing women I've had the opportunity to run with since a young age who have also run for Richmod. I hope that we can all make enough noise to influence the school to reconsider the "reconfiguration"of its athletic program.

Have your voice heard here and sign the petition to save the University of Richmond Men's Track program: http://signon.org/sign/save-richmond-track.fb23?source=s.icn.fb&r_by=5633421.

Surgery + Your Biggest Life Hurdles

Ugh! The word makes my shoulders tense. After starting this running journal, my knees were hurting, again. I couldn't figure it out. It had been almost six years of this chronic knee pain without any concrete answers, except for "degeneration". Which leaves room for endless amounts of physical therapy and little visions of a finish line. Rheumatory arthritis had even come into question.

I scheduled my second MRI, made an appointment to see a new doctor at Mass General, and bam, I found myself sitting on the ever-so-comforting doctor's table going over the MRI sheets. Mom even made the trip up.
Dr. Bert Zarins instantly pointed and said "Yes so here...", I knew what that meant and tears rushed down my face. With a tear on the patella tendon, it was clear. It was big. It needed, surgery.

Here I am now though, sitting at my desk looking out at a beautiful spring day in Boston. In retrospect, the past six weeks have been one of the hardest processes I've had to endure.  However, everyday gets better. Just two days ago I hopped on the bike and slowly did revolutions. Now, I'm just incredibly excited just to see what I can do tomorrow.

For those of you who are thinking about surgery or perhaps about to face it, I have a couple of tips. I also think that these can be applied to any emotional trial you are facing in life. I truly hope they help!


1. Patience- If it's never been a friend of yours, it will now become your only foundation. From patience stems anything well worth the time.  Keep calm and confident on a day-to-day basis. The first few weeks, gather up your favorite books or DVDs and soak in the stay-cation, take up a new hobby (ie. painting,  I attempted). When those moments of doubt sink into your mind think of the word, anticipation for a better tomorrow keeps the pulse moving.

2. Faith - Whatever you believe in, God, Jesus, the universe, Buddha, whatever principles you have, direct them towards you. You now more than ever must believe in yourself. I've never liked Lance Armstrong but I once heard him say, "God is me". And, he had a point. When you are undergoing the biggest trials in your life, you only have you to knock you over, and you to bring yourself up. Faith is one of the biggest players in progress.

3. Discipline- Once you start physical therapy, you will undergo a very different association with pain. Pain is your friend. (Bad pain, and you know what that feels like, isn't). You are truly welcoming a new part of the body, a new member. Be kind to it as it finds its place and strength once again, but also know it needs to be tested. You are training a new tool to be good at its job. The first few weeks of physical therapy will be the hardest, but the rewards are twofold. Keep at the work your physical therapist gives you every couple of hours and you will find yourself passing through recovery with ease.

4. Friends and Family- They will be your number one support. Reach out to them, tell them what you need, don't be afraid to be weak. The love of others is crucial to healing and although you may feel vulnerable, you'll be stronger in the end for what they can offer. Every week, I walk with my former teammate from Boston College, she even holds my hand as I try to perfect the simple "heel, toe".  And upon leaving the surgical room, I received this thoughtful card "signed" by the world's best athletes who have all received surgery and returned back to their sport better than previously. Humor is always  the best healing prescription....

Picabo Street (skier), Dane Reynolds (surfer), Danny Way (skateboarder), Tom Brady (football), Amare Studdemier, Kevin Garnett (basketball) , Ronaldo (soccer)

Some personal favorites:

"After my surgery I jumped the Great Wall of China on a skateboard. You do the math"- Danny Way

"Getting my hair this perfect is more challenging than a solid recovery" - Ronaldo

And simply put, "Recovery!!!!"- KG.

The Un-Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Running alone is fantastic - the solitude, the peace, the quiet reflections, and a proud play list are what makes one come back to the roads for more. But day after day, motivation and enthusiasm can fade and take a toll on the training journey, hence the phrase, “the Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner”. Whether training for a race or for free-spirited purposes, taking a friend or two underneath your wing at the track or on the roads is an invaluable part of your happiness and even progression.

I just recently, adopted my training partner – an old teammate of mine from Boston College, who I’ve known since high school, and nearby neighbor – Cameron. We ran into each other at the gym, realized we both needed some work on flexibility, stretched each other out on the mats, and just like that we made plans to do it again. In addition to our stretching routine, we are syncing our schedules to catch runs with one another and even join a running group. While she trains for the Boston Marathon and I train for a 5k in Somerville come March – we have different goals, different mileage per week, yet the same desire to keep each other company and positive on our separate but very intertwined paths.

What benefits can you expect from a training partner(s)?

1.     Accountability– when it’s 20 degrees out and 6pm after a long day of work, they’re meeting you on the other end and holding you to your word. Chances are, if they’re an awesome partner, they’re meeting you there all smiles.

2.     Close competition - Pushing each other to pick up the pace gently or make it up that monstrous Beacon Hill are the details in between the lines that make a great training day. Details add up. And then the high five (or shared beer) at the end of the run is certainly one of the best feelings, ever.

3.     Totally Awesome Banter – The once -a -week long run is a true test of patience. Conversation is always welcome on these runs, as a ten miler or plus can be a mental stress. To keep things light, talking and catching up is warmly welcomed. I remember while doing a long run from Newton Centre to downtown Boston, it flew by after a talk on politics. After the run I had learned what the word “caucus” meant.

4.     A Wolf Pack - Running with a local group is the most effective way to make some extra friends, find a running partner within the group, and share in each other’s trials and joys. My favorite group is at the South End Athletic Company on Tremont Street. Led by Justin Burdon and Dan Fitzgerald, they too were once on the same team at Boston College and have hit the road together in business and in running. They’ve gathered a quality bunch of runners and consequent shindigs with their Run Club held three days a week. I’ll be joining them in the next few weeks.

5.     Friend with Benefits – Stretching and massage are integral when it comes to keeping healthy. “Exchanges” as Cameron and I call them are what keeps us happy and super healthy. We have a core workout we can do together, a series of stretches we assist one another in, and weekly massages to get those knots out from a tough day. It’s a rewarding end to a hard day’s work. 

You and your training partner, ideally...