Runners Lounge

Take It and Run Thursday: Time and Balance

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Finding Time  section.

Next week's theme is ... Salute to Running Moms.  With Mother's Day around the corner, we thought it would be great to have you talk about a running mom who inspires you, makes you laugh, kicks you in the butt when you need it, coaches you, runs with you, brings you water, or just simply runs.   Write up your own salute to the mom.  We will leave it to you if each line starts with a letter of R-U-N-N-I-N-G M-O-M or any other tribute you create - have fun with it.

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• Take It and Run Thursday: Running Technology Tips (runnerslounge.com)
• Take It and Run Thursday: Marathon Training Plans (runnerslounge.com)
• Take It and Run Thursday: Running Blogs (runnerslounge.com)

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Finding Time  section.

Next week's theme is ... Salute to Running Moms.  With Mother's Day around the corner, we thought it would be great to have you talk about a running mom who inspires you, makes you laugh, kicks you in the butt when you need it, coaches you, runs with you, brings you water, or just simply runs.   Write up your own salute to the mom.  We will leave it to you if each line starts with a letter of R-U-N-N-I-N-G M-O-M or any other tribute you create - have fun with it.

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Finding Time  section.

Next week's theme is ... Salute to Running Moms.  With Mother's Day around the corner, we thought it would be great to have you talk about a running mom who inspires you, makes you laugh, kicks you in the butt when you need it, coaches you, runs with you, brings you water, or just simply runs.   Write up your own salute to the mom.  We will leave it to you if each line starts with a letter of R-U-N-N-I-N-G M-O-M or any other tribute you create - have fun with it.

Unofficial Runners' Loungecast: Amy's Half Marathon Mental Challenge

A few days before my half marathon last Saturday, I started a short audio log of my thoughts before the race.   I was feeling the full effects of crazy runner's syndrome as I worried about all the things that could go wrong before and during my race.  It was somewhere in the 117th time of checking the 5 and 7 day weather that I decided it might be interesting to record my thoughts leading up to the race, during the race and after the race.  I thought it might help me realize how crazy I act and prevent it from happening for the next race (yeah right).  

I also thought it might be comforting for other runners to listen along and realize their  taper symptoms are normal.  We all go a little nutso before the big day.  But it wears off somewhere right after we cross the finish line. 

It's rough, unedited and at times embarrassing to listen to myself mutter on - but nonetheless - I share it with you.  Please laugh with me ...  :}

And for all you iPhone users out there, if you are looking for a GREAT audio recorder for your phone - check out the iRec app.  It works great!  Record your thoughts during your next run or race.   And in keeping in the theme of finding time, you will find that was always doing at least one other thing while recording my short journal segments - see if you can guess them all.

Download Amys half marathon mental challenge

Related articles by Zemanta

• How to Prepare for a Marathon: More Physiological Aspects (5min.com)
• Take It and Run Thursday: How to Run Your Best Half Marathon (runnerslounge.com)

Balance.

This week in the Lounge, we are talking about finding time to run and finding ways to balance running with the rest of life's demands. Like many of you, I am a mom, an employee, a sister, a friend, a wife, a soccer coach (albeit not a good one), a mentor, a mentee, a volunteer, a cheerleader at my kids events, a Lounger, a fill in teacher for my kids homework, a blogger, a rehab patient (for my knee), a pet owner, a maid and cook, a home owner.....and a runner.

This spring has been one of the busiest springs we have had yet.  Finding time to run has been a struggle.  I spend a great deal of time staring at the family calendar and in negotiations with my husband to find a free block of time to run.   If you follow along in my personal blog, Once Upon A Run, you know it is a common theme at the end of most posts that I am off to stare at the calendar to find time to fit in the next run.  

And while I don't wish my current schedule on anyone, I am somewhat thankful that this perfect storm of events happened.  Why?  Because it tested my will and desire to run.   It also tested my personal philosophy of what is important in my life.   And it also retaught me a lesson about balance - yet again.  Here is what I learned:

Balance isn't about having it all or getting it all done.  That would be perfection.  There is not enough time or money available to achieve perfection in my life.

Balance is about getting just enough of things that matter most and letting go of the things that don't.  Balance is wisdom and disciplined execution of your life's most precious priorities.

And like physical balance, it requires work and lots of practice before it happens.

To get ready for my half marathon this April, I made the decision that the only way to get in long runs was to do it at 3:00 on Fridays.  No matter what.  And at 2:30 each Friday, I waged a mental battle with myself with all the things I should do besides run (work, kids activities, spending time with my family, work, grocery shopping, work, work, work...).    It took all my strength and an incredible amount of discipline to put aside my other more pressing responsibilities and stay true to my personal philosophy.  It meant that some things went undone.  Or I wasn't as prepared as I hoped.  Or my husband had to pick up even more of the load at home.  Or things at home didn't get done (they way I like).

During the act of balancing running with life, it felt hard and I constantly wondered if I was making the right decisions.   But now that the half marathon is successfully behind me, it is easier to see the lessons I mentioned above.  

Balance is wisdom and disclipined execution of your life's most precious priorities.   Balance isn't doing it all. 

Be part of The Ultimate Runner, a book for runners by runners

We want to update everyone about a new publishing opportunity for runners and a new direction we are taking with the Runners' Lounge Book Project.

An Exciting New Book about Running

In the last month, as we have began editing the collection of stories we received from runners, we were contacted by HCI Books, a professional publisher about a book they are compiling called The Ultimate Runner, a collection of inspirational stories, photos and tips about running by runners.  After talking with the publisher, we quickly realized these two book ideas shared a common vision and outcome—to help runners share their stories.  With HCI Books' experience and expertise publishing the successful Ultimate book series, we believe that stories like many of those submitted have the potential to go farther by partnering with the Ultimate publishing team rather than working alone to publish a Runners' Lounge book on the same topic.
   
So rather than focus on two similar book projects, including editing, design, promotion, and printing, we are partnering with HCI to help them create the spirit of The Ultimate Runner, and hope runners everywhere will see this as an attractive publishing option. We believe there will be future opportunities for books, including ebooks, from the Runners' Lounge online community.  But at this time, with this exciting opportunity, we want to invite you to submit your original story to be published in The Ultimate Runner.    

We're sharing everything you'll want to know about the book because we think you’ll find it is a very appealing publication.  Many runners have a story to tell from the heart, and we believe many of you might want to consider submitting to The Ultimate Runner as it represents an extensive, far-reaching audience, and even a chance to be paid for your contribution.

Original Runners’ Lounge Book Takes New Direction

So what about the story that have been submitted?  Runners submitted a wide variety of articles—topics, lessons, written style, etc. To follow through on the original goal to share stories, Runners’ Lounge will publish all stories which were submitted in the Inspiration and Stories section of the web site.  While this change is different than the original plans for the book, this direction is more consistent with the always-inclusive, always-free nature of the shared resources at Runners’ Lounge.  We are excited to put all the stories submitted into the hands of runners to enjoy!  All stories will be published on Runners' Lounge by May 5th.

Thank you to everyone for their enthusiasm for the book project, for the articles you submitted and for your patience and support for the collaborative spirit of the project.

Join us in spreading the word about The Ultimate Runner and encourage others to submit their stories, photos, and tips.  Please share the details of this special publishing opportunity with your running blogging friends, running partners, running clubs, local race directors, running retailers, and running enthusiasts in your community!

FREE Stuff Giveaway: SportHill shorts to enjoy in warmer weather

For many runners, it's transition weather.

This past weekend Amy and I attended the 100th running of the Drake Relays, a world-class track and field carnival which attracts the best athletes in the world, including nearly 50 Olympians.  On Friday it was sunny, 85 degrees, and the sun screen flowed freely.  Saturday, it was 46 degrees, rainy, and we shivered through every event.  It just goes to show we're not out of the woods yet with the cold and crappy weather we'd rather forget.

Hopefully soon the t-shirt, tank top, and singlet weather will be here soon, and to keep us modest and private below the waist, we have a pretty cool giveaway to announce.

This week's FREE Stuff Giveaway Partner: SportHill running gear

We’re thrilled to continue partnering with SportHill, a premier designer of performance clothing for runners. What sets SportHill’s line of apparel apart from the rest is its “temperature-tuned clothing” constructed from unique fabrics designed for zones of comfort. 

So it's no surprise SportHill is giving away its most popular Pack Rat Shorts to this week’s winner.  The Pack Rat short offers comfort, a classy look, plus room for energy gels and foods, an ID, keys or other items for extended runs or racing days.

Anyone can become eligible to win these shorts! Since Runners’ Lounge is dedicated to sharing useful resources, just contribute advice or a tip to the Giveaway Question. Your advice or tip can be something you have learned along the way, something you have read, a link to a great post (yours or someone else’s), or a link to others’ advice on another running site. Just remember the House Rules and give proper credit to any material you quote or use that isn’t your own.

This week's Giveaway Question

How do you find enough time, the right time, the perfect time, any time to run? Share a few tips that can provide insight on how you balance running and life. How do you balance the urgent with the important things (like running)? What is the most common obstacle, roadblock, running detour or time issue you experience and how do you overcome it?

To be eligible to win, just go to the Lounge Forum and just contribute your advice this week.  All Loungers who contribute to the Giveaway Question between April 27 - May 1 will be eligible to win.  Runners’ Lounge will select and announce the winner on May 4th.

Leave your response today to become eligible!

Great Opportunities for Runners from EastBay!

Tom and I receive a lot of information from running companies, in fact more than we can find to shout out about or share with you.   But we couldn't let this one slip by without sharing it with you. It is a great opportunity for a few good runners out there!  Pass it on to your friends!

Eastbay is a leading world supplier of athletic footwear, apparel and sports equipment featuring top athletic brands such as Nike, Reebok, Under Armour, Jordan and more, is looking for a few good runners for two opportunities!

 

EastBay Jocks

Eastbay is looking for a few good runners — one male and one female, ages 18 - 30 — to serve as online hosts for its site, www.eastbay.com. The statewide search for the Eastbay Jocks (EJs) is effective immediately, and is the first step in a proposed nationwide campaign.

 

“Our core audience craves the latest product information — they want to know what’s new about the gear and how the latest gear actually performs. They also respond to video — so we’re merging the two with an innovative EJ Video Series in which we pick real athletes from each major sports category,” explains Dave Lokes, Vice President of Marketing Footlocker.com/Eastbay. “The EJ’s will not only review the products, but interview other athletes for their take on the gear. The reviews and interviews, filmed by our crew, will be posted to our site, providing our customers with street-credible product reviews.”

 

To launch the EJ Video Series, Eastbay — founded and headquartered in Wausau, Wisconsin — is searching its home state for one male and female athlete with a passion for running and a personality at ease in front of the camera. “These videos are going to be focused on personality and content,” notes Sean Cummings, Eastbay Brand Director. “We’re not looking for professionally produced videos — we’re looking to connect with our audience. We want someone who enjoys running, who’s willing to learn about new products and interview other athletes, is self-driven, a leader and who’d like some face time as our EJ in front of a camera.” EJs cannot currently be, or consider being, a member of a high school or NCAA sports team.

 

The selected EJ will attend the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon, May 15 - 17, 2009, where he and/or she will interview the event attendees and runners. The product review videos will be posted to the Eastbay web site and You Tube.

 

Selected EJs will receive a three-day paid trip to the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon, including travel, food, lodging and expenses; three outfits (including clothing, shoes and gear); and a $500 Eastbay gift card.

 

Those interested in auditioning as an EJ should contact Angela Brown, Assistant Business Manager for TMA+Peritus, at abrown@tmaperitus.com or 1.877.296.7114. Applicants will complete a questionnaire and may be asked to participate in a live audition.

 

Runners Who Want To Talk About Their Shoes

Eastbay, is also looking for a few good runners, ages 18 - 30, interested in being interviewed about their running shoes by Eastbay’s online hosts — the Eastbay Jocks (EJs). “We’re looking for runners to critique their shoes on camera and in return we’ll give them a free pair of running shoes,” explains Dave Lokes, Vice President of Marketing Footlocker.com/ Eastbay. The search is effective immediately.

 

“Our core audience craves the latest product information — they want to know what’s new about the gear and how the latest gear actually performs. They also respond to video — so we’re merging the two with an innovative EJ Video Series in which we pick real athletes from each major sports category,” explains Dave Lokes, Vice President of Marketing Footlocker.com/Eastbay. “The EJs will not only review the products, but interview other athletes for their take on the gear. The reviews and interviews will be posted to our site, providing our customers with street-credible product reviews.”

 

Eastbay — founded and headquartered in Wausau, Wisconsin — is attending the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon from May 15 - 17, 2009. “Eastbay has attended this event for several years, and this event has just what we’re looking for — people passionate about running. Now we’re asking these people, either racers or attendees, to provide other runners across the globe with their take on their running shoe — how it performs for them and why they’ve chosen this particular shoe. Rather than reading product reviews, our customers will now be able to see product reviews from real athletes,” adds Sean Cummings, Eastbay Brand Director.

 

Those interviewed will receive a free pair of running shoes of their choice. Those interested in being interviewed by an EJ should contact Karen Luetschwager, Lead Merchandiser for Eastbay, at kluetschwager@eastbay.com.

 

 

 

Extra, Extra - Run All About It

By Peter Washkowitz

Dear readers, let's take a look back at the week in running:

* As reported on TheHorse.com on April 19th, it looks like humans and dogs are not the only species who have begun using treadmills to help speed up the recovery time from injuries. In his speech at the 10th International Congress of World Equine Veterinary Association, David R. Hodgson, a professor and head of the department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences at the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, detailed how treadmills have been used in clinical testing procedures to better explain why a horse might not be performing at its previous levels. Hodgen explained that a treadmill can aid equine veterinarians in evaluating a horse by providing a complete history and physical examination, a lameness evaluation, a cardiac examination (including an ECG and echocardiography), an evaluation of the respiratory system and, following acclimation to the treadmill, an exercise and post-exercise test. While the article was not clear as to whether a normal treadmill is able to withstand the full weight of a horse, Hodgen stated that, "this combination of techniques is thought to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the horse to better identify the cause of the perceived or actual 'poor performance'". Eventhough I consider myself a somewhat speedy runner, I wonder if a horse would be able to gallop faster than my pace on a treadmill. It sure would be funny arriving at a gym, getting on a treadmill and looking at the treadmil next to you and seeing a horse working out!

* As reported on CitizensTimes.com (Ashville, NC) on April 22nd, when 19-year old Massachusetts native, Blake Sharrits, crossed the finish line of last Monday's Boston Marathon in an impressive 3:09:16 (2 hours and 32 minutes faster than Mario Lopez), he had a somewhat difficult time giving his father, who had also finished the marathon, a victory hug. While his energy was certainly spent from having just run 26.2 miles, that was not the cause of his difficulty. Rather, Sharrits had a difficult time wrapping his arms around his father because of the cast that covered his right wrist entirely. Having broken his wrist during a training run three weeks before the 'thon, Sharrits never thought about the possibility of not running the streets of Boston and, from his finishing time, clearly made the right decision. Despite Sharrits having a blast on Monday and being very happy with his finishing time, he maintains that his goal is to one day finish the Boston Marathon in under three hours. By mile 20 of any of the marathons I have run in, I have found it almost too difficult to carry my own weight let alone the additional weight of a solid cast on my arm. Congrats Blake!!! Maybe you should sell your cast on Ebay!

* As reported in the New York Daily News on April 23rd, Michelle Obama, wife of Mr. President Barack Obama, apparently would rather run outdoors than run on the White House's treadmill. Fielding questions on Thursday from a group of kids who were visiting the White House for the annual "Take Your Child To Work" festivities, Lady Obama revealed that running on the First Treadmill is "kind of a drag". With the majority of questions surrounding the Obama's new pup, Bo, Lady Obama's response concerning her running preferences went largely unnoticed by both children and reporters alike. Despite the fact that I have mentioned many a-time that I am one of the few runners who actually enjoys running on treadmills, I will admit that if I had no alternative option other than the confines of a treadmill, I might also view it more as a drag than as a dream. In any event, I'm sure the Lady Obama would be the first to concede that she would rather have a treadmill than nothing at all!!

* As reported on RecordNet.com (Stockton, CA) on April 23rd, over 100,000 visitors are expected to converge on Stockton, California this weekend for the annual Asparagus Festival, a three day party celebrating the delicious vegetable we call asparagus. While, according to organizers, the big-ticket event remains the tempura-fried asparagus, an operation that will feature 43 deep fryers ready to churn out up to 50,000 orders, the event will also have sea lion shows, celebrity chefs, an international deep-fried asparagus eating contest, arts and crafts exhibits, a 5-kilometer race and much more. However, local shoe store owner, Tony Vice, will provide what could be the most interesting attraction of the entire event. Commencing on Friday night, Vice will attempt to run on a treadmill for 45 straight hours in an effort to raise money for certain charities affiliated with the Asparagus Festival. According to the article, Vice has stated that he will, "be running 100 to 120 miles and burning 16,000 calories. He said he'll be eating lots of carbohydrates during the 45-hour run but no asparagus until after the event...I'll definitely get my deep fried after the run". While the article gave no mention of the hours of operation of any of the Festival's various attractions, let's hope, for Tony's sake, that the tempura-fried asparagus attraction will still be open when he hits the stop button on that treadmill! Good luck, Tony!

* As reported on CNN.com on April 24th, it would seem that CNN's coverage of Sunday's London Marathon will have a leg up on its competition when the gun goes off in her Majesty's Kingdom. As Pete Wilkinson, one of CNN's digital news producers, crosses the start line of England's most famous race, he plans to use Twitter to provide up-to-the minute updates concerning his status throughout the course. With rain predicted to fall over the 26.2 mile course, Wilkinson has acknowledged the difficulty inherent in typing during the race while dodging other runners on the slippery streets of London, "I think it's going to be incredibly hard...I've tried it while on a few practice runs and it's quite hard reading the screen". While race officials have advised (but not forced) Wilkinson not to tweet while running because of safety, he plans to disregard their advice and, "tweet about how my muscles are feeling, how my knees are feeling...My goal is to finish in four hours, so I'll keep people informed about whether I'm going to make that. I suspect only my mother is going to be following me anyway". As a fellow Twitter user, I wish Mr. Wilkinson the best of luck and hope not to receive a message saying "I am in too much pain and have quit the marathon!!".

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Next Weekend's Marathons

Saturday, May 2nd
Palos Verdes Marathon (San Pedro, CA)
Shiprock Marathon (Shiprock, NM)
UHC North Carolina Marathon (High Point, NC)
Prescott YMCA Whiskey Row Marathon (Prescott, AZ)
Wild Wild West Marathon (Lone Pine, CA)
Wisconsin Marathon (Kenosha, WI)

Sunday, May 3rd
Avenue Of The Giants Marathon (Eureka, CA)
Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon (Cincinnati, OH)
Cox Sports Providence Marathon (Providence, RI)
Eugene Marathon (Eugene, OR)
Fort Collins Old Town Marathon (Fort Collins, CO)
Frederick Marathon (Frederick, MD)
Lincoln Marathon (Lincoln, NE)
RexCorp Long Island Marathon (East Meadow, NY)
New Jersey Marathon (Long Branch, NJ)
Avia OC Marathon (Newport Beach, CA)
Dick's Sporting Goods Pittsburgh Marathon (Pittsburgh, PA)
Potomac River Run Marathon (Alexandria, VA)
Race of Champions Marathon (West Springfield, MA)
Harrah's Reno's Rock-N-River Marathon (Reno, NV)
Sudbury Rocks!!! Race, Run or Walk For Diabetes (Sudbury, ON)
Michelob Ultra Tacoma City Marathon (Tacoma, WA)
BMO- Bank Of Montreal Vancouver International Marathon (Vancouver, BC)

Open Mic Friday: Meet Dane Rauschenberg

In 2006, Dane Rauschenberg accomplished what no other runner had by running 52 marathons on 52 consecutive weekends--all while working a full time job during the week.  More than just an extreme runner, he also raised over $44,000 for  L'Arche, an organization which benefits the developmentally disabled--absorbing all the expense himself.  If that was not enough, Dane did more than just complete those marathons–he competed in them, averaging a 3:21 for each race.

He chronicled the journey in his book See Dane Run, and we can also  keep up with his current running and adventures in his blog, DaneGer Zone.

On Saturday he competes in the Kentucky Derby Marathon.  Wish him luck and welcome Dane Rauschenberg!

How did you get started running and how did you recognize your ability for endurance running?

In law school, I wanted to get back into shape but my preferred method of exercise (swimming) was hampered by limited time to actually exercise because of grad school obligations and the schedule of the one and only local pool.  Running was the easiest and least time-consuming way of getting into shape.
My recognition of how endurance running would be integral in my life was not for several years later when I participated in a multi-race event in Florida with the lowest combined time of the three events (15k, 5k and marathon in 24-hour period) signifying the winner.  I surprisingly won handily and the wheels began turning.

Take us back to the year of running a marathon each weekend. What was the key to your success?

Ignorance, stubbornness and drive.  I did not know I was not supposed to be able to accomplish the feat, so I would have refused to quit even if the going got hard (which it did) and also possess the desire to push myself to new heights previously thought impossible.

What went through your mind those weekdays between weekend marathons?

Please don’t let them cancel the next race because of bad weather. Please don’t let them cancel the next race because of bad weather. Please don’t let them cancel the next race because of bad weather.

What did you learn about yourself from your 52 marathons?

That I am fortunate enough to be surrounded by many great friends.  I must be doing something right.

What were the most dramatic moments of your marathons?

Usually it was the events around the marathons (getting to and from) which provided the most drama.  Missed flights, bad weather and potential snafus marked the entire year.  

Tell us about reaction to your book.

I have been pleasantly surprised by the way the book has been received and am happy that my message of pushing oneself to achieve the potentially impossible, not only in athletics but in life, is being taken to heart by many.    

When it gets tough on your runs, what do you tell yourself?  What are your best mental techniques for combating fatigue on during bad patches in your run?

I live by one great quote: “Someday you will not be able to do this.  Today is not that day.”  When you have a parent who has not been able to walk due to a hunting accident your entire life, getting out to go and accomplish little things ever day seems quite insignificant.  When it comes to running through difficult times on a run or a race, I just accept the fact that I am having difficulty, don’t dwell on it and begin to focus on how to turn it around.  The realization that often the difficult times will pass has helped me through more than my fair share of tough miles.     

How did your outlook on achieving goals change during your year of running marathons?

As I continued to surprise myself by putting up increasingly faster times and eventually breaking my PR in the marathon late in the year, any thoughts I may have once harbored about just “completing” the marathons was demolished.  In fact, that was probably gone by the 3rd marathon of the year as the competitive juices kicked in.    

Where was the pleasure in completing the marathons?

No marathon run ever guarantees that you will finish the next one.  Each time I finished a marathon there was the pleasure in knowing that once again I had conquered the beast.    

Tell us a little about your life and interests outside of running.

As much as I share information on just about everything I can, I am inherently a private person.  Running is just the last in a line of sports that I have taken to.  It just happens to be the one I am lucky to do well in and make a name for myself by doing.  I boxed amateur in law school, I have sold a painting or two and I hope to someday become fluent in a language or two.   I love running but it does not define me.   

What future challenges are you interested in taking on?

I am currently planning some long multi-day races to traverse great sections of the country.  I would love to take part in the Comrades Marathon in South Africa.  I will be competing in some aquathlons this year to maximize my best skill set (swimming) and hope to place continually higher in USATF events around the nation (having taken 10th overall in my first USATF even, the 50k National Championships in March).

What are your favorite distances and why?

The longer distances suit me much better.  I do not have the turn-over to be competitive in short distances (5k,10k) and I feel like I have to go and do another 5 miles after either of those to actually get a workout in for the day.  I am still dabbling in the ultradistances and finding out what I may be best in.  With a 84 mile run in a 12 hour race to my credit, I seem to get better as the day goes on.  Whether I can compete against the greats at those distances will depend on if I decided to pursue those types of races.
As for now, my mistress is the marathon and she is a wonderful lady.   

What inspired the book and what your dream for the book?

I have often said that knowledge not shared is wasted and when I realized how much I learned during my 52 Marathon quest, I knew it would be a crime to not let others benefit from that accumulated knowledge. I hope that it will grace the bookshelf of every runner and walker in the nation so that they too can realize that you never know what you can do until you try.

If you could spend $1million on a running-related dream, what would it be?

A million bucks would go a long way towards financing about 50 running related dreams I have.  Hopefully it would be where I can both chase personal goals and inspire others to do the same as well.

Do you know a runner you would recommend for Open Mic Friday? 

Pass along their name, contact info, and some background and we'll explore introducing them to the Runners' Lounge Community.

Send to Amy@runnerslounge.com or Tom@runnerslounge.com.

 

Take It and Run Thursday: Marathon Training Plans

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Welcome to Take It and Run Thursday! 

It's our way to bring together the knowledge of all of us ordinary runners.  It's the virtual equivalent to putting our virtual heads together.  Even though many of us aren't elite athletes, coaches or authors, it doesn't mean that we haven't earned a well deserved PhD in running.   Whether you are starting out, have 50 years of running under your belt or somewhere in between - all of us have lessons learned that make us wiser and better runners.  

This week's theme is ... Boston and Marathon Madness.  Boston feels like the unofficial kickoff to this year's marathon season.   In celebration of the start, we thought it would be helpful to collect training plans that you have used for marathon training and create a clearinghouse for training plans.   Take a minute to jot down your plans or talk about your plans and then link them to the article so others can use and review them as they create their own.

Just click here to add your name and URL.   We have moved the linking widget to the Runners' Lounge Know How section so you can be instantly saved and published as one of the articles in the Marathon section.

Next week's theme is ... Time and Balance.  One of the continuing challenges we hear from runners is finding the time to run and balance running with all the other priorities in our lives.  How do you do it?  What are one or two things you have found that help you find time or make time for your runs.  What do you struggle with in balancing what you want to do with your running with all you "need" to do? 

Wanted: Dreamers of Running Dreams

We are the dreamers of dreams…

Willy Wonka

From time to time Amy and I get asked what it’s like behind the scenes at Runners’ Lounge?  Picture Willy Wonka’s Factory, a place oozing with fun, imagination, possibilities, and wonder around every corner—only about running, not candy—and that’s what it’s like hosting Runners’ Lounge.

Since day one at Runners’ Lounge, we’ve worked tirelessly to build this online community of runners, and the pleasure has been ours. We are thrilled daily in meeting ordinary runners and learning their stories of discovering fitness, meaning, friendships, and life change through running.  Every runner and their stories continue to amaze us and touch our lives.

As Amy and I look ahead at the Lounge—our dreams, plans, projects, and the opportunities—we’re pretty sure there some equally obsessed and enthusiastic runners out there.  And we’d like to invite them to join us in the dreaming and the dream making.

So consider this our “Help Wanted” message, and we’re looking for some partners to help us share in the growth of Runners’ Lounge.  We're not looking for another Amy and Tom.  Instead, we're looking for new voices, ideas, energy, and community builders.  It isn’t employment; it’s a collaborative building project. 

We have all kinds of work to be done by all sorts of people with different talents and experiences.   Some of the work is very exciting, innovative, and remarkable, and some of the work is pretty routine.  But it’s a blend of work and fun, all in the name of serving the interests of runners, and it will take the heart of runners to implement and to reach our goals.

Qualifications:

• Ordinary runners brainwashed to believe in the power, spirit, and thrill of running
• Years running, speed, mileage, training knowledge, race experience and PRs—unimportant
• A passion for talking about and writing about running—must be a blogger or willing to learn to blog
• No financial investment; just an uncapped zeal for running, runners, conversations about running, and the resources that make our running more successful and enjoyable.
• A desire to build a community of runners and respond to the core yet evolving interests of runners
• Able to spend enjoy 2 – 5 hours per week connecting with runners, clubs, running events, running retailers, and using social media
• Some commitments can be short; some will be ongoing.  We'll aim to suit your skills and talents  

If you truly have an interest in joining the forces that are building one large running community and countless smaller running communities across the globe, we’d love to hear from you.

Please call or email us with your interest and your background and we can discuss how to bring some running-related dreams together.

Amy
amy@runnerslounge.com
515-306-4803

Tom
tom@runnerslounge.com
515-229-6072