5K and still going

Great job to everyone last night! It was a long and hot 2 weeks leading up to last week and I think it is fair to say almost everyone has cut back on their running a bit due to the weather. So, if you were feeling a bit sluggish last night, don't fret. The weather has finally cooled off and it is a perfect week to get back on schedule. Make an effort to get in some distance this week and push yourself on your scheduled long run. Once again, I encourage everyone to find someone to run with at least once throughout the week. I will be at Washington Park on Thursday night at 5:45pm at the tennis courts for anyone that is interested. We will also keep you posted on any Saturday runs that are scheduled. Feel free to contact me or post a comment if you would like to organize a run and invite other group members this week.
Alyssa

Saturday Run

I am organizing a run on Saturday morning (June 27) at about 7:30 a.m. before it gets too hot. We will meet at the parking lot at the very end of Island Bay Lane. There is a small park at the end of the road where we could start a mildly hilly yet very shady run. We can run up to 3.5 miles on that route, depending on interest. I will provide water.

To get there: I-55 to Toronto Road, head east (toward UIS), then after the train tracks turn right onto West Lake Shore Dr, go several blocks, then turn right onto Island Bay Lane and take that all the way to the end (it dead ends at the park).

If anyone is interested, please email me no later than 10 pm Friday night, so I know whether we will be running. My email is akhall5@comcast.net

Thanks!

Arlene

Week 4 Reminder

We will be meeting at the Fairgrounds on Monday - not Lincoln Park. Everyone will be running a practice 5K that will start in front of the Grandstand. Park in Lot 21. While many of us will certainly run together as a group, this is also a chance to practice running on your own as you would on race day if you choose.
This is an important week to keep up your running and/or cross training all week long. We were not able to run on Monday night due to the heat advisory and it has remained hot throughout this week, however it is important not to get discouraged and find ways to exercise everyday. Strength training through exercises like lifting weights, isometric and yoga can help you to get stronger and improve on speed and distance during your runs. Strength training also helps prevent injuries. The best part is there are lots of types of strength training exercises that can be done in your home or in your office throughout your day with little or no equipment. Here's just one example of many articles that can be found online to give you some exercises to try: http://sportsmedicine.about.com/od/tipsandtricks/a/basictraining.htm
Keep up the good work!
Karen and I will be at Washington Park in front of the tennis courts at 5:45 on Thursday for anyone that would like to run.

See you soon!
Alyssa

More scheduled runs

Karen and I will be at Washington Park at the tennis courts on Thursday at 5:45 for anyone that is interested in running. It will likely be a hot one, but don't let that detour you! No need to RSVP. Hope to see you there!

I will be available to run at 8:00am this Saturday at the IDOT Lost Bridge Trail for anyone that is interested. Please comment on this post or email me at abursott@aol.com if you plan to attend. See you there!

Also, feel free to use this posting to set up additional runs throughout the week if you would like company. It's always more fun to run with a buddy:)

Alyssa

Week 3

Great job last night! Many people were able to run the entire 2 miles without walking and everyone was able to run more than walk. Continued running throughout the week will help you to continue to increase your distance. Remember to slow your pace as needed in order to go the distance with limited walking. One advantage of a slow steady run is that you are often able to think less about the pain and are more able to let your mind wander to a happier place. Check out this link: http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-238-267--12085-0,00.html published in Runner's World about dissociation and how it can be helpful to runners during distance training. While running is certainly a physical activity, it is just as much a mental struggle. I can certainly recall days when my thoughts and mental strength have negatively affected my running. We all have these days and so will you. The key is to identify when it happens, acknowledge it and find ways to avoid this type of mental interference in your future runs.
However, if you are having any physical pain don't hesitate to check in with our Athleticare representative!
Keep up the great work everyone!
Alyssa

Availability

Some group members have expressed interest in getting together throughout the week to run. Please post in comment form the days and times that are best for you and some of your favorite places to run. As many of you know, having someone to run with helps to motivate and makes your runs more fun! Hopefully through some dialogue we'll be able to get together throughout the week!
-Alyssa

Welcome!

Great job everyone on your first week's run as a group - and a large one at that! It was a tough run, but everyone finished and ran most of the 1.5 miles with minimal walking. We'll continue to increase our distance as the temperatures climb, but don't get discouraged. We're all in this together and even though there will be tough days, you will get there. Keep running throughout the week, preferably every other day, resting or cross training in the off-days. Follow your logs as a guide for distance.

Keys for successful runs:
HYDRATION
Good running shoes
Dry wicking socks and clothes
Sunblock
and remember road safety rules

We'll meet next Monday at the fire hydrant at 5:45 for a 2-mile run.

See you there!
Alyssa