Just 16 weeks until Spring events

With only 16 weeks to go until Boston Marathon, the R.U. Unite Half Marathon and other early spring events training during December and the cold months is definitely a challenge. If you're tired of running inside on the treadmill, you can still venture outside -- just do it safely.

Here's my first attempt at a video blog - just to break up the monotony of the same tips for cold weather running again and again. Feel free to post your own tips to share with others.

Have a great Holiday season. Stay warm, healthy - and keep running!

Still looking for motivation?

Are you still not motivated to get out and run after your Turkey Trot last week?

It can be difficult enough to get out there in this cold, dark, late Fall weather (especially on the East Coast) let alone to keep motivated to stick to your training schedule and all the long runs in preparation for your next event.

Here’s some extra musical motivation to help get you out the door.

Artist / Song

Green Day / Holiday   (music)

Fuel / Hemorrhage (In My Hands)  (music)

Ray Charles / Shake A Tailfeather (music)

Coldplay / Clocks  (music)

Bill Withers / Ain’t No Sunshine  (music)

The Knack/ My Sharona  (music)

Derek and the Dominos / Layla  (not the unplugged version)  (music)

Hendrix / Fire   (music)

(because iTunes wasn't allowing me to link, I gave you links to YouTube)

I don’t proclaim this to be a definitive list (or even my own top songs) but these have definitely helped me pick up my stride during short and long runs alike. And in one particular case, replaying “Shake A Tailfeather” from Ray Charles, helped my wife pick up her pace per mile at Mile 21 of the Marine Corps Marathon

Share your favorites an post them here (http://on.fb.me/RunInAMillion)

Enjoy!

And keep running!

SPECIAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT

This is a special announcement and offer to YOU - the runners and members of the RunInAMillion group on Facebook or Twitter.

The FLYING PIG MARATHON has offered one lucky runner of this group, a FREE marathon race entry to the 2011 Flying Pig Marathon in Cincinatti , OH. (This does not include air/hotel or expenses to get there).

In additon, ANY member of the RunInAMillion group who particpates in next year's Flying Pig Marathon will be granted free, special access to their V.I.P. event on Friday evening.

Sound good so far?
All you have to do is post your reason for wanting to participate in the Flying Pig Marathon at the RunInAMillion.com site (or on Facebook or Twitter) - and one person will be selected at random for this Free event entry. Maybe it's your first marathon? Or trying for a Boston qualifier? Or maybe you just want to run the marathon Runner's World named "One of America's Funnest Marathons".

Whatever your reason. We want to hear it!
Post your comments by December 3 - and one random winner will be picked!
Good luck and keep running!

October Race Update - TICKER

Since the last update to the Ticker there have been A LOT of races, specifically marathons!!
As a group (RunInAMillion) - you have now logged 894 race miles (since May).
That is both impressive! And inspirational!

Congrats to all of you who get out there and race. From 5Ks to marathons!
And special congrats to first-time accomplishments in the Half and Marathon to Kristi and Sandy!

Most notable is the variety of events accomplished by this group (you should all be proud) and of all the miles raced and reported here, it represents 33 5Ks, 12 marathons/ultramarathons; 6 half-marathons and 2 triathlon events.

This month, you've raced in these events:
New York City Marathon
Detroit Marathon
Marine Corps Marathon
Mount Dessert Island Marathon
Chatham 5K
Seaside Half Marathon
Atlantic City Marathon
Warrior Dash
Hartford Marathon
AND OUTER BANKS MARATHON (arrgghh) - thanks Scott!


Keep it up! And keep running!

Other great sites...

Don't forget to also check out the other great websites for RunInAMillion.com on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIN.

Post your running questions, events, results and own personal stories.

And look for breaking news on events and great discount offers; and coming soon group rates on special events!!

COME BACK AND CHECK OUT A BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL EVENT/ANNOUNCEMENT

RunInAMillion  (RunInAMillion.com)

on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/RunInAMillion)

on Twitter  (www.Twitter.com/RunInAMillion)

and LinkedIn  (www.LinkedIn.com/in/RunInAMillion)

New Balance, Falmouth Road Race join forces | CapeCodOnline.com

New Balance, Falmouth Road Race join forces CapeCodOnline.com

Great article on the continuation of the Falmouth Road Race -- another one to add to your bucket list. This is the premier non-marathon event in the New England area.

Check out the details behind the new sponsorship.

NYC MARATHON Guide

ONLY 16 MORE DAYS TO NYC MARATHON!!

actually, 16 days, 14 hours 35 minutes at the time of this post

www.ingNYCMarathon.org

If you're not running the NYC Marathon, it's still a great experience to go into Manhattan or any of the boroughs to cheer on the runners. After all, there's nothing like the feeling coming down of the 59th Street Bridge to hear the roar of the crowd along First Avenue . (I guess that's why many runners crash at Mile 21 - at the end of First Avenue?!)

Didn't get that last minute entry to NYC? Want to still be part of the excitement?

For those of you who haven't spectated before, or are traveling to NYC for the first time to cheer someone on, here's some recommendations from when I've spectated and cheered on friends running - and where its been needed most while I was running. Follow this route and you can get to see your runners 3-4 times during the marathon.

September Race Update-TICKER

Fall has definitely arrived...along with the cooler weather, has arrived the half and marathon runs. This month, there was a lot of race activity.

In the spirit of Halloween (a bit early) the total race ticker is currently up to 666 miles!

21 days later...

A few weeks ago, I wrote about the psychological theory that it takes 21 days to affect behavior change. So I decided to put it to the test. For the last 21 days I attempted to "change my running behavior" to get up in the morning and run before work, instead of trying to get my run in during the evening.

Running in the am would help me reduce my procrastination and undoubtedly help me be more consistent in my training. Thus eliminating the huge, gaping holes in my training during the week which gets met closer to my next Half or Marathon event goals. Sounds easy, right?

Here's where I netted out.....

August Race Update-TICKER

 Getting all those last minute summer runs in - particularly around Labor Day. I know many of you did doubles and triples this past weekend...so if I've missed you please post your races I've missed on the FB fan page. A total of 516 race miles have been logged by this group (since April)--outstanding job!

Labor Day Weekend...Saturday in the Park

Running in Holmdel Park (NJ) transports me back through time and back to my younger days running in HS. If you're looking for a great run -- then this is a great event for you!

Saturday in the Park, sponsored by Jersey Shore Running Club (JSRC), put on an event that not only was nostalgic, but a family-friendly event that will keep us coming back.

Great Running Reads

As the summer winds down, there might be just one more decent beach weekend to enjoy a good read -- depending on if "Hurricane Earl" has anything to do with it. If the latest copy of Vogue, Health or Runner's World isn't cutting it -- here's a couple suggestions. You can pick them up in the store - or via your eReader at Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

 Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine by Tom Jordan

I recently finished PRE and thought it was a great introspective into PRE's life on and off the track. You'll get a great sense of the kind of person Pre was in life - as well as his contribution to the sport.


Given the recent publicity on the new record of 51 marathons in 51 days - and other efforts to break these ultra-distance accomplishments, two books by Dean Karnazes are high on my list to read. What does it really take to keep moving in a 24 hour race? Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner by Dean Karnazes

But in particular, Dean Karnazes' 50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance! looks to be a good read not only enjoyable, but with some tips for surviving the 50 days of punishing your body. Having followed his blog during the 50 days - looks to be a great read!!

Other highly acclaimed reads by runners and critics include Born to Run and Run. Thanks to the benefit of modern technology, you can sample these or any of these or other reads at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, even if you don't have the Kindle or Nook devices.

Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen by Christopher McDougall

RUN: The Mind-Body Method of Running by Feel by Matt Fitzgerald 






Through Amazon in particular, I believe you can get a glimpse of the content and sample chapters. If these didn't make your summer reading list either, perhaps a great suggestion for birthdays (-- or even Santa?!)

If you have other recommendations or suggestions - feel free to post them! Or if you've read these and want to share your personal review, share them here!

Happy running and reading!

iPod or Camera?

At many races, Race Directors will prohibit the use of iPods or headphones, because of the hazard that it could pose to other runners on the course. And while they've put some effort into restricting the use of iPods - including printing on the applications - does it change the actual use of it by runners?


I have run with both an iPod and a camera -- and on rare occasions, both.

Just 21 days...

21 days until NYC
to Boston?
Or the next Ironman? or Ultra-Event?

Nope. None of these. Its the time it takes to form new habits without it requiring a significant amount of effort. These behavior changes can be things that require a little bit of discipline such as drinking 8oz of water a day, or something that requires more effort like; starting a running program. But this is a MYTH.

July Race Upate-TICKER

HUGE month of distances for the ticker. Congrats to Scott and Elaine for their completion of the Lake Placid Ironman Triathlon and Lake Mohawk Triathlon.

Since the last update, over 167 RACE MILES WERE LOGGED.
(And most of these were dressed as Elvis)

Did I miss your race? Let me know and will add it.
Congrats to all

And don't forget to post your upcoming events, on the Run In A Million facebook page or by creating an event on the page to share with everyone!

3.1 miles (EA) Project Children/So. Mt.
3.1 miles (EA) Branchburg
3.1 miles (LM) Neptune 5K
14.4 miles (EA) Lake Mohawk Triathlon
140.6 miles (Elvis) Lake Placid Triathlon
3.1 miles (EA) Edison JFK
late addition:
3.1 miles (TM) Howard Bell 5K

Thank you, thank you very much

Keep Running!

Running new places

Traveling this week on business. So, of course took a pair of shoes and some running stuff to get in a run. After all, there's nothing better than getting your stiff legs off a cramped plane or out of the hotel in the morning for a few miles to loosen up your legs and clear your head for intense day ahead.

Being in a new state or location to explore is a great opportunity to find something new & different. New routes. New scenery. And then there's not having the pressure of makin' it to the expo for number pickup before closing or grabbing the sunrise shuttle to the starting line -- which helps makes the run a little smoother.

Need motivation....

If your day is filled with an incredible amount of multi-tasking including eating your lunch in the car, while driving with your knees and simultaneously texting an email and being on a conference call -- then fitting in longer runs or workouts can still seem a little out-of-reach, even with the longer sunlight hours. Let alone putting in the appropriate amount of training time for a strong 5K/10K performance - or even a Half Marathon, Marathon or Triathlon.

If this sounds like you --- you're not alone.

What inspiration and motivation are you tapping into to keep motivated and get out there?
Here's a few ideas and samples that you can use to bolster your training and consistency. I plan to use some of them myself!

Let me know what works for you...

June-July Race Update

It's been a while since I posted a race update and made a change to the Race Ticker at the top of the blog - and with the sweltering heat and humidity, its amazing that we're still crazy enough to get out there and race.

So I think I got everyone's on here...and suspect that I missed a few. Feel free to post to this link and we can update the ticker.

Great job to everyone who got out there...and most notably this post ..... Comrades Marathon, which is a double-marathon which runs over some of the toughest terrain in South Africa.

Did I mention it was HOT out there?

Getting your running in your summer schedule and racing can be hard enough.

But factor in heat and humidity; and you're leisurely 5K or 5 miler for the weekend can turn disastrous.

Having run or being part of a few races in the last few weeks, whether its an early morning race or a race in the evening; you need to be sure to hydrate properly and continue to hydrate well after your race.

Here's a couple articles that I found recently with the same great advice ...

Running with Dad

Hope that you're all planning to get out and run this weekend - supposed to be a nice Father's Day weekend....

During my running days in High School, my father was in his early sixties and didn't have a history of running or competing in sports - so needless to say, we didn't participate in any Father-Son (running) events.

During this time, my father was the casualty of corporate downsizing (in a company who's primary product was a slide-rule). Bad news. But the benefit to me... which I didn't come to realize or appreciate until years later in life - was that he was able to see me compete in my junior and senior year cross country and track meets.

Every home meet, my dad stood there quietly and reserved - a short, stocky, white-haired fixture along the last 50m of the track or at the cross country finish line. I could hear his chants "c'mon Jim" as I approached the finish line in these meets.

He was always there. Every meet.
My dad didn't say much else. Being a normal adolescent kid, it wasn't cool to be hanging out with my father at a meet.

So this is just a "Thank You Dad" for supporting my running, being there and just, well, being Dad.
Happy Father's Day

Fall Training....already?

Came across a great chart in an old Runner's World. It helps determine what your fall or winter running outlook will be, based on your summer training. Did you realize that if you're running a fall marathon in early October -- you only have about 17 weeks to go?!

If you run: 0-10 miles/week this summer....

you can expect: 5k or 10k in fall; fast 5k or 10k in winter

10-20 miles/week
fast 5k/finish 10k in fall; PR in 5k/10k in winter

20-30 miles/week
10k or half- finish marathon late fall

30-40 miles/week
5k, 10k half or late fall marathon; improve any distance this winter

In addition, wanted to remind you of upcoming JUNE runs that some of you have mentioned or sent my way:

O’BURG 5K RUN/WALK

June 19

http://raceforum.com/registration/EventDetail.aspx?e=229

Orangeburg, NJ -- 8:30 fun run / 9am start

RYAN’S RUN

June 26

http://www.rakmf.org/ryans-run.html

Mountain Hill School – Middletown, NJ

9:00 AM Sharp

Source*: Runners World, Sept 2009

National Running Day....

June 2 is National Running Day.....
so what better way to start your 500 mile club summer?

Courtesy of runningday.org

It's all about that first step! Running is an incredibly healthy, easy, and accessible form of exercise. Whether it’s five minutes, 15 minutes, or 45 minutes, every little bit of time spent running makes a difference in the goal to live healthy, happy, and heart strong.

Join us for National Running Day on Wednesday, June 2, as we come together as a nation to take strides toward leading healthier, fitter lives.

How can I participate?
What if I've never run before?

One more day...

If you attended and ran CC at Hop High, or competed in the "Squidly Invitational", then you're familiar with some of Coach Nagle's workouts - like, "start with a Martinique and bring it up the hill to a Pickeral Point and back down Durban to the track".


If that training route makes sense to you, then the "500 Mile Club" also has meaning.


Each year, to motivate our team during the summer, our coach created a training program from June 1 to Sept 1 called the 500 mile club (or 300 mile club, whichever is your speed). To hit 500 miles during this period, averages out to about 5.5 miles per day or 36 miles per week.


It's no wonder that during my 3-year HS Cross Country career that our team record had just 3 losses in 3 years and won the county title Senior year with an undefeated season.

So here's your chance to to keep running and accomplish something you haven't since HS. Starting June 1, set your goal for the summer whether its 500, 300 (or in Tim's case +1,000!). A strong running base will enable you to have a good summer base to run in races durnig 4th of July, Labor Day and a strong Fall racing season - if you're so inclined to run a 10K or even Half- or Full Marathon!

Holiday Weekend for Racing

With the Memorial Holiday weekend upon us, I'm hoping that I'll be even more motivated to get out and run than usual. Starting this morning, I was actually able to get myself out of bed for a run (woo hoo!)

Now, that the weather is warmer and there's no school or work to get up for this weekend, maybe making a race part of your weekend plans, does fits in after all.

If you decide you want to do a race and not sure where to go, check out Race Forum.com

they are a great resource for local race info. There are a bunch others, like:

the Race Calendar feature on RunnersWorld.com
or CoolRunning.com

While you're out there, don't forget to hydrate. Don't rely on the race you attend to supply enough, bring some of your own. As we know from our own experiences - those race volunteers, while well-intentioned, can be a bit 'spotty' in their coverage. Or depending on the length of your race, you can carry your own water during the race. You can find great water bottles at Road Runner Sport store or Sports Authority for a wide selection.

And once you hydrate with water --

continue to hydrate with your favorite adult beverage ( 1 ) ( 2 ) or ( 3 )
And run safe this weekend!

Racing Update

Nice entries and comments on racing...see the ticker now up to 188.9

Great job!

• (LG) 6.2 (1st 10K! congrats) at National Harbor, MD
  
• (LU) 3.1 Mother's Day 5K, Berkeley Heights, NJ
• (SF) 30 (Ragnar Relay and Superman half.....are you nuts?)
• (TM) 13.1 (Superman half...is that right?)

Don't forget to click the ADD COMMENTS below the post to update!

Who can suggest any other upcoming runs?

That little 'runner' ticker on the page...

Some of you might have already noticed that little "Run In A Million" ticker on the page. Which I have now moved to the top of the page. I thought what better way to personify the spirit of Run In A Million than to have a ticker of all the collective race miles this group has run and written about.

Who doesn't need a little extra motivation to run from time to time. Despite my
complaints about the hot weather last week, it was still easier to get out of
bed and run - then it was in any January morning at the same time of the am.

So if you've finished a race this year - any distance - 5K, fun run, marathon,
corporate challenge...doesn't matter. When you blog or post comments about it, I will
add miles to the overall ticker.

I have added some collective miles already - and will add the grueling 26.2 for NJ Marathon. (Which actually should count double, since it was so miserable - but we'll leave it at that)
The group of about a handful of us, have logged 97.9 race miles from what you've emailed, posted or commented on Facebook

• 3.1. (LG) Essex County College PTA Club 5K, NJ
• 3.1. (LU) Lincoln Tunnel Challenge, NJ-NY
• 13.1. (MM) New York City Half Marathon, NY
• 26.2. (JM/SF) NJ Marathon
• 13.1. (MM/LT) NJ Half Marathon

I've left the names out to protect the innocent!
If I'm missing any others, please post your comments!

NJ Marathon (May 2, 2010)

If you were outside this weekend in the NJ area - you know how unseasonably warm it was to do anything. And to run a Half or Full Marathon in what ended up being close to 90 degree temps and 80% humidity - brings running to whole new level of insanity.

Which brings us to the New Jersey Marathon and Half Marathon.
More than 10,000 other runners attempted to complete the event, steering clear of EMS and Medical teams waiting in the wings and a few haphazardly run water stops to the finish line. Happy to say that I finished....and honestly feel more pain after from the sun exposure, than from the run itself. Despite completing the first 14 miles in about 2 hours - I felt pretty good, but after mile 17-18 and the leg cramps started to kick in -- it was certainly not a performance for the record books (Olympic or my own!)

A friend of mine took it to a whole different level, by running the marathon in an Elvis costume...this is his invitation to follow & post his pix - or if you want to follow his group on Facebook (The Running Elvii of New Jersey)

In hindsight, organizers should have started the event earlier than 9am and/or increased the #of water stops. Last news I heard 13 runners were taken to hospital and 6 were admitted for heat exposure/dehydration. Lesson learned, is to not over-exert yourself on such a hot and humid day. If it were during training, I think I would skipped the day entirely and gone to beach to hang out with the kids and drink margaritas!

Did I mention it was hot out there?


Top Photo Credit: New Jersey Marathon, NJMarathon.org

Marathon Season

Who doesn't love the excitement around Race Day?! The early-morning jitters, the long lines at the port-o-john, the anticipation of the starting gun. Regardless of how you've gotten to the starting line and how long you expect to be out on the race course, there are plenty of 'MUST DO' races.

Would love to hear your opinion on which ones....locally or otherwise.

A few that I think should be on everyone's must do list include:


BOSTON Marathon
The Premier running event

NEW YORK CITY Marathon
The largest crowd I've ever run with -- and arguably the largest amount of spectators...would argue the loudest spectators are in Boston!

CHICAGO Marathon
Has a reputation of being a fast, flat course - and a good qualifier for Boston.

CINCINNATI FLYING PIG Marathon
The whimsical, fun, light-hearted approach is enough to make you think, well, maybe 26 miles isn't so bad?
See their 'limited edition' race poster which will be available this weekend at the expo - check it out.

The Starting Line....

RUNNING It’s all about passion.

If you know me for a few months, a few years or a lifetime – you know that I am a runner. I wear my passion for the sport on my sleeve and pride myself on it. My office and home have running pictures in frames, countdowns to races, race numbers and even plaques as paper weights.

I am not an elite runner, nor was I ever a star athlete throughout my collegiate career. I don’t have an flood of awards and accolades to my credit and when I talk about running – there’s no pretense because it’s something that I’m passionate about. And I assume you are too, which is why you’re reading this.

So my goal with this blog is simple.
Provide a non-technical, non-pretentious and safe site for anyone who is interested in running. This will give you as a reader or contributor:

-ideas on building workouts
-ways to train for and run 5Ks up to Marathons
-a place to ask questions (whether you are new to running or long-time veterans)
-post or get suggestions on gear, training plans, workouts
-get advice & inspiration
-connect with other runners
-find races
-and share experiences

Whether you are a hard core or a recreational runner, we all want to keep our passion about running. I welcome your input all the way and encourage your participation regardless of whether you're a Front Runner, Mid-Pack or simply a Recreational runner!

Have a good run!