BOMF

Here's a pretty interesting story about how a pair of running shoes, some goals and a little bit of support can make a difference: Jogging Program Helps People Get Lives On Track Again It all goes beyond fitness.

To learn more about the woman who thought this all up, the folks who make the plan a reality and interesting details, check out backonmyfeet.org.

Thumbs Down To The Gym

Seems like most of us doing the Challenge are already fans of the great outdoors already.  But in case you needed some additional motivation, here is some scientific proof that pumping out some miles outside is more helpful to the body and mind than trying to do the same thing inside:  Ditch The Gym And Go Jogging To Boost Energy

Avoid The Point

Not that I am a criminal activity expert or anything (or am I?), but I always find the idea of robbing or attempting to rob someone out for a run, rather poor planning. Most people I know don't go running with anything of value. I usually have a key to get back in my place and maybe $5, just in case (it used to be a MetroCard back in my NYC days). The risk-to-reward ratio is not in a robber's favor.

I guess if you choose the right person you could get an iPod and maybe $20 but it seems like targeting somebody moving more slowly, with a full wallet of cash and cards would be a better option. Who runs with a full wallet?

Anyway, Chicago milers, watch out for stabbers. Or learn to stab first. Or run faster. Whatever works as you don't want to wind up like this unfortunate guy: Jogger critically wounded in Chicago Riverwalk stabbing

Spring Has Sprung

With legitimately nice weather hitting Cleveland (temporarily I'm sure) I was able to get myself caught up in one of the categories I was behind in. I'm now on pace with a mile a day in both biking and rowing.

With riding to work and a couple of other destinations as well, I added 37.75 two-wheeled miles between Tuesday and Friday. My butt hurts. I also need a tune-up. My front derailleur isn't performing properly. Just in case you were wondering.

I also got some rowing in. On the water rather than on an erg. The first time since October. I felt a little rusty, but it was still pretty sweet to be out in the fresh air rather than in a cement block room. Speaking of, if anybody is interested learning to row, registration has opened. See the WRRA site for more info: WRRA Summer Rowing League.  Or you could contact me directly I suppose.

While on pace in biking and rowing, running seems to be my nemesis since January. Sunday I'm going to get back on the running bandwagon. I've gotta get back on pace and get geared up for some Warrior Dash action. Hey! An additional day has been added to the Midwest Dash.

Nothing Really. Oh, and Wolves.

So we're sort of lacking in the content on the ol' Mile Challenge blog as of late.  Sadly I don't have much to add but I figure I should get something on here.

I've temporarily given up on the Five Fingers and have been pounding the pavement in my regular Brooks Glycerins. The cold and the wet was making for numb feet which makes for easing into the Five Fingers unenjoyable. So my plan is to wait for some consistent temperatures of over 45 (soon?) and then start up the barefoot style again. In the meantime I'll try getting my leg muscles up to amateur competition specs.

Also, if you are heading for Alaska, keep an eye out for wolves.  Apparently they don't take kindly to runners:  Alaskan Teacher Mauled To Death By Pack Of Wolves While Out Jogging

Geez!

Knees Pleased

Everyone is always saying that "running kills your knees" and "running is so bad for you" and other such phrases, but I was just reading this article in the Montreal Gazette about a study from our friends at Stanford University that seems to say otherwise.

Take that, nay sayers!

Apparently “the Big Guns” is a bag of rocks.

According to The Man's most recent report, ten percent of the American labor force is unemployed. In my circle, comprised mainly of writers, photographers, designers and videographers who work in or with the NP sector, that percentage seems laughably low.

So now, more than ever, it is important to appear professional—or at least sober—in the workplace. This is not easy if you’re unable to shuffle from your office to the restroom without abruptly falling into the wall, or if getting out of your chair requires loud grunting and clinging to the desk for support. Or if, for instance, the Chief Executive Officer nudges your foot under the table to discreetly get your attention during a meeting, setting off a spastic spectacle of yelps and groans. For instance.

I've enjoyed reading the Mile Challenge blog, but I will leave the discussion on the merits of running outside, or running barefoot, or running outside barefoot, to others. I’m much more interested in learning about recovery techniques before I lose my job.

On Sunday, I staggered Samara-style to the spa for some massage magic. Jane-the-therapist determined her main area of concentration would be my legs and hips and that she’d pull out the big guns—not a phrase I was expecting in a den of Zen.

With origins primarily in Native American and Hawaiian cultures and popularized by a New Age hippie named Mary, hot stone therapy has become an increasingly popular offering in massage studios. Though I’d heard of the technique and seen photos of oiled up chicks with trails of river rocks lining their spines, I’d never experienced it myself. But on this particular afternoon, trembling not from Chicago’s winter temperatures but with pure pain, I was ready to try anything. And I am here to tell you folks, it was nice. Very nice.

As it turns out, hot stone therapy is essentially a deep tissue massage during which the therapist presses the stones into your muscles with the heel of her palm as she moves over your body. The result is a much more intense rub, though the heat of the rock relieves the discomfort that's typical with deep tissue manipulation. By the end of the session, I had smushy muscles and was walking pain-free. Will it last? Time will tell. There is little consistent scientific evidence supporting significant benefits of massage therapy as it relates to Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (which is fancy speak for “pain”), but I felt a heck of a lot better today than I have in the last two weeks.

Perhaps I won’t need to post my resume after all.

Suspicious Package

I've been complaining about Mother Nature having the nerve to make winter actually feel like winter and how it's not very ideal for running and then this guy has to go and point out that I'm just being a crybaby:
 
25-Degree Windchill But No Clothes Needed

Ditch Those Shoes

So I just stumbled upon this little story that I thought might be of interest, if not annoying to those of us running: Barefoot Running Safer For Joints

And although this is from a British site, it states that the study was done by a U.S. company.  So although, as with all studies you should probably take the findings with a grain of salt at least you don't need to worry about this being some sort of lie concocted to get us back for throwing that tea in the harbor back in 1773.

I'm Complaining Already

I know it's called "Challenge" for a reason but this mile business has already gotten to the point where I have to give myself a pep talk to get out the door.

The weather here in Cleveland (and I think where most of the participants are) has been pretty uncooperative. I've done a mile each day so far (ooh, a whole four days!) but none of those days have been enjoyable. It's been cold, windy, snowy and slippery. And it looks like there is no change in that scenario coming anytime soon:

Cleveland's Extended Forecast

Seriously, Mother Nature?  I know it's Cleveland and I should expect this. And I also know that technology allows for indoor running but I'm trying to stick to the challenge parameters I set for myself which is a mile a day outside style.  No wimping out for me.  Not in 2010.

That said, Mother Nature -- a slight break here and there wouldn't hurt.

A New Stride In 2010

This isn't the first time I've heard of this, but I'm finally starting to accept that I run incorrectly. Well I guess whatever propels you forward can't be totally incorrect, but I'm at least causing my body undue grief and am probably slower than I could be due to my inefficient stride.  No more heel striking!





So I am going to try to attempt to change my stride one mile at a time this year and see where that gets me.   Hopefully somewhere other than frustrated.

One more day of lazy and then it's on!

So Warming

This may look good in video form, but most experts I have spoken with in the fields of chemistry, sports medicine, physics and dermatology recommend not lighting yourself on fire. Even if the weather outside gets below freezing, self ignition is not a good replacement for a pre-run warmup.

Fact.

Back To The Finish Line

Look at this showoff. Almost two weeks worth of challenge all at once ... backwards*: Teacher Runs 13.1 Miles Backward


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*Call me British, but I like the "s" on there -- backward vs. backwards

Mile Challenge 2010

Here we go ... a little blog to keep participants and fans of Challenges informed entertained mindlessly staring at something.

After a successful Bacon Challenge back in 2008, 2009 was a challenge-free year. Well, 2010 is about to start* and it's lookin' like things are back to Challenge mode. The challenge for this year? 365 miles of running in 365 days -- it's The Mile Challenge! Or Mile-A-Day Challenge or Mileage Challenge. Whatever you'd like to call it. Perhaps we'll have a vote.

Anyway, as with the bacon eating in 2008, you can do it however you want. Ideally it would be one mile a day but if you want to do 5 miles at a time, 10 miles at a time or 365 in one day you can do that.

Rumor has it Bob will have some sort of password protected tally site rigged up so you won't have to keep all of these numbers tallied up in your brain. So join in the fun and if you're participating and would like to be a contributor on this site just send and e-mail and we'll make it happen (pending a thorough background check of course).

Get those sneakers out, dusted off and checked for lace/tread wear. Pounding the pavement begins January 1, 2010 at 12:01 a.m.

*How is it 2010 already?