What Makes Madison Top Notch
Isthmus Runner
All about running in the Madison area
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Oh Look! Frost!
Yesterday was the first official day of my training plan for the Boston Marathon. This training schedule could be particularly challenging because the majority of it will occur during the winter months here in Wisconsin.
In honor of this time of year, I put together this list of “Winter running memories.”
High school:
Running with fellow teammates, we are forced to sprint across a busy four-lane interstate to get back into town because the pedestrian tunnel underneath the interstate was literally filled with snow. State trooper later intercepts us in town, friend and I make a bolt for it.
On another run we drop a member of the team during a long run out on a country road. That teammate never comes to another winter run. We name the route in their honor.
College:
Coach schedules an early morning long run on a Saturday morning to prevent Friday night festivities. Not only do festivities occur but we also receive a foot of snow overnight. Lacking sleep and shin deep in snow, we trudge through the unplowed city streets and sidewalks for 2 hours. Everyone slips and falls at least once during the run.
During another really bad winter, teammates create a run they call Kolf 12. It is designed to avoid slippery sidewalks and it consists of running up and down a quarter mile stretch of clear sidewalk 32 times. No one falls on this run but everyone goes cazy.
Post college:
Getting passed by someone cross country skiing down the middle of the road on very snowy day.
An anonymous friend admits to taking a bathroom break in the middle of a winter run. Part of their body comes in contact with a metal pipe protruding from the side of a building. Force is needed to remove frozen body part from pipe.
And, of course, countless wipeouts. Some are so dramatic that passing motorists actually stop to see if I’m okay.
Winter runs can be the greatest and worst runs at the same time. Last Tuesday night, when we got hit with a blizzard that dropped 14+ inches on Madison, I ran around Lake Monona. It was a lot of fun with the snow falling. However, around mile 8-9, I realized the snow had soaked through all of my layers and I was starting to get cold. Obviously I made it home but anything could have happened that would have turned the run into a disaster.
Think of all of the fun treadmill runners are missing!
Posted Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Braving the Elements
There are two kinds of winter runners: those that run on treadmills and those that don’t.
I fall into the latter category. I’ve never run on a treadmill and don’t intend to any time soon. That’s said I have to admit that running these last couple of days has been harder than I remember. It’s not so much the cold as it is the slippery snow and ice. It’s not easy running in the dark on glare ice.
Other runners don’t seem to mind the cold that much either. As I was shivering through the first mile of my run last night I came across one runner without a hat or gloves on. Another gentleman riding a bike was in short sleeves! Who are these people?
Sure, many people may think us runners are a little crazy for even stepping outside in this weather but I can assure you there are many crazy people out there. Some even crazier than us!
With the upcoming snowstorm, I’m not planning on doing any speed work any time soon, unless I’m on an indoor track. When running through six inches of snow I think it’s okay to slow down and try and run a little longer, if you feel up for it. Otherwise, it might be time to get out those cross country skis. Anything but the treadmill.
Posted Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Boston Marathon Reaches Registration Cap
The Boston Athletic Association announced that the Boston Marathon has reached its registration limit of 25,000 runners. However, spots are still available through charity runner programs.
The 2009 race reached capacity in January. That means that the 2010 race filled up more than 150 days earlier than the 2009 race! There’s really no explanation for this. Generally speaking registration numbers are up at most races, especially half marathons. But, I’m guessing, the increased interest in Boston caught quite a few runners by surprise.
Hopefully not too many Madison runners got shut out of Boston. I’m glad I registered when I did. Originally, I was planning on waiting a little later in season to get a better qualifying time. I’m happy I didn’t wait because I didn’t improve my time and I would’ve been close to missing out on the race anyways.
Posted Wednesday, November 18, 2009
One Last Hurrah
Yesterday, I signed up for the Berkeley Running Company’s Berbee Derby team. This very popular 5K/10K is set to take place on Thanksgiving morning (Nov. 26). By the way, team registration closes on Nov. 6, so if you are interested in running as part of the Berkeley team, sign up! The team is open to all Berkeley friends.
As you can guess, this is kind of the last race of the season. By season, I mean no snow. After the Berbee Derby, it’s time to get out your Yaktraks and shielded windbreaker running shorts.
That said, I’m actually looking forward to the Berbee Derby this year. The last couple of years, I’ve just kind of showed up to the starting line in pretty bad shape. This year, I’m determined to get in a couple okay weeks of training in so that I can show up in okay shape. A great improvement!
This will be the fourth time I’ve run this race, which is the longest “streak” I’ve ever had at any race. It’s not much of a streak but it’s a start.
My friends and I have a pretty good streak going at the Oshkosh half Marathon as well but this fall it looks like that streak will be broken because of the Boston Marathon. At first, I didn’t think I would care but it’s nice to be able to return to a race every year.
If you haven’t already, check out the Berbee Derby. And if you pass on the Berbee Derby, I suggest you start looking into getting a pair of thermal briefs (I know the good people at Berkeley Running company can help you out!). There’s never a dull time of year for running!
Posted Wednesday Nov. 4, 2009
Great Races Still on the Calendar
It’s so easy to stop running at this time of year. It’s getting darker and colder and most of our best races are behind us.
That said, there are still a couple good events on the calendar.
The Tyranena Beer Run in Lake Mills is set to go on Nov. 7. It features a half marathon and 4.37 mile. It starts and finishes in the parking lot of the Tyranena Brewery. Non-runners are always surprised by how many running events are sponsored or put on by breweries but they put on some of the best races. Tyranena is a good one. (I’ve heard the Point Bock Run in Stevens Point is great too.)
And on Thanksgiving Day, there’s the Berbee Derby in Fitchburg. This might be the most popular race ever run in a business park. Despite the scenery, the setting offers nice, wide roads, which is important since the race draws thousands of runners each year.
Keep running!
Posted Monday, October 26, 2009.
Moving On
Just like that it is all over. Many of us spent most of the summer training, preparing and generally worrying about our respective fall marathons. Well, with the exception of New York and a couple others most of the fall marathons have taken place.
This past weekend, 35,000 plus runners took to the streets of the windy city for the Chicago Marathon. And the weekend before the Twin Cities Marathon and Lakefront Marathon took place.
I ran the Twin Cities Marathon. It was my third marathon and I was very, very excited about it. I trained harder and better than any of the two previous marathons. On race day, I felt great and we had nice weather.
Everything went well except that as I approached mile 20, I began to get the feeling that I had gone out a little too fast. You especially pay for this at the Twin Cities Marathon because miles 20-25 are uphill. So, I staggered home, not with a new PR, which I was hoping for but with some insight on how to run the Twin Cities Marathon and marathoning in general.
Running is a tough sport. Sure, you put one foot in front of the other and repeat but when it comes to running a marathon; it’s a little more complicated than that.
I’m looking forward to training even better and racing smarter at my next marathon, which, it looks like, will be the Boston Marathon! Can’t wait!
Congrats to everyone who ran a marathon or half-marathon this fall. Keep it up!
Posted Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Ironman Time
Last night when I road my bike home from work, I was surrounded by people on expensive bikes wearing aerodynamic helmets and looking lost. That can only mean one thing: It’s Ironman weekend here in Madison!
Last year, I watched the entire event. Believe me, I took breaks during the day but I was able to catch the athletes transition out of the water and onto their bikes. I also watched the Ironmen finish, which was very exciting and motivational.
I would love to do the Ironman some year but I’m not sure if that will ever happen. From what I hear, it’s basically a part time job, maybe even more, just training for the race. Plus, those bikes are quite expensive, not to mention the wetsuit or $550 entry fee.
Either way, it all seems worth it watching the athletes finish. Once again, there are a number of great area athletes who will be swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles and then running 26.2 miles on Sunday. I certainly don’t know them all so I won’t even try to list their names. However, I do know that Joe Kurian will once again be in the race. And when I say in the race, I mean in the race. Last year, he finished 24th overall in 9:39.32.
If you’re interested in catching the race, the swim begins at 7 a.m. But don’t hurry, the race lasts all day. If you want to catch the top finishers, they will come in about 9 hours later.
Good luck to everyone who is competing.
Posted Friday September 11, 2009
Every Runner Has Their Day
I try to avoid writing about my own running and training too much. Who cares where I ran last Wednesday anyways? (Lakeshore Path, not that it matters). Well here’s another post about me. I swear this is the last one.
To my surprise, this past weekend I won the inaugural Madison Mini-Marathon! When I stepped to the line, I thought I might have a chance but you never know. There are a lot of great runners in the Madison area.
Race day was nice and cool. The temperature was perfect for running 13.1. The only negative thing about the day was that the wind was pretty strong.
After the gun went off and we made our way to the Capitol Square and then down State Street, I locked pace with two other runners. It was just like any other race except that we were leading!
A couple of times, the two guys I was with pulled ahead but I was able to catch up with them each time. And then, around nine miles, after running down Manitou Way by the Arboretum, I began to inch away.
I was determined not to look back and I didn’t. I just tried to maintain my pace. There was one scary moment with about 1.5 miles to go when I got a pretty bad side ache but I was able to relax and maintain a good enough pace to stay ahead.
Coming around the final corner and into the homestretch by the Union was really fun. People were cheering and the finish line was really cool.
It really was a banner day for Madison runners. The women’s half marathon winner, Julie Eckerly, is also from Madison and the winners of the 5K were both Madison residents. A couple other Berkeley runners, like Aimee Kurian, were amongst the top runners as well. Congrats to everyone who ran!
Posted Monday August 31, 2009
Sell-Out!
The start of the inaugural Madison Mini-Marathon is only hours away. Race organizers capped the half marathon at 2,000 and the 5K at 500 and the Web site exclaims that both races have sold out!
As a runner in Madison that’s pretty exciting that a first time event like this can sell out. However, half marathons are one of the most popular distances and there aren’t a whole lot of the races in the area this time of year so hats off to the race organizers.
I’m running the half marathon tomorrow. I haven’t run a half since April when I did the Oshkosh half marathon. I’m training for the Twin Cities Marathon so I’m excited to run a half and see what kind of shape I’m in.
Good luck to everyone who is running!
Posted Friday August 28, 2009
Keep it Up!
Like a lot of runners in the Madison area, I’m training for a fall marathon. I’m signed up for the Twin Cities Marathon on Oct. 4. This will be my third marathon and I really hope I can improve my time.
Training is going well but I can understand how people fall off their training plans. It’s so easy to think, “The marathon is still 60 days away, I can skip today’s run.” But really, if you look at your plan, the next month is really the most important time to get in your run.
The last marathon I ran, I found myself wishing I was in better shape during the week leading up to the race. At that point I had the motivation to get in a hard, workout, long run whatever it would take to get to the level I wanted to be at. Obviously it’s too late at that point to get in shape for the marathon. You get in shape for a marathon in the two months leading up to the big day.
Now’s the most important time to stay motivated and nail your long runs. Remember: You can take off extra days in the two or three weeks before the marathon. Keep it up!
Posted Wednesday August 5, 2009
Three Guys From Wisconsin
Runners World announced on its Twitter account that they will be featuring a video series about the journey of Matt Tegenkamp, Chris Solinksy and Evan Jaeger to the World Track and Field Championships.
There is a trailer posted online. The first video segment is out on Thursday July 16.
As you may know, all three competed for the Badgers, although Jaeger left after his freshman year to turn pro and only one of them is really from Wisconsin (Solinsky). But either way it should be a fun videos series to watch.
Posted Tuesday July 15, 2009
Cambridge Cannon Ball Run Anyone?
One nice thing about my job is that I get out of the office once in awhile. Today, my travels took me through Cambridge where I saw a big sign touting the upcoming Cannon Ball Run. (Not to be confused with the movie The Cannonball Run) When I got back to the office I looked the race up online and found a Web site for the run.
Anyways, it looks like a fun one. It’s an out and back course but it goes right along the shores of Lake Ripley in Cambridge. Although the most recent race results on the Web site are from 2005, it still looks like it gets a pretty nice group of runners.
I’ve been racing like crazy this past month and I hope I’m not too burnt out come August and September when my marathon training really kicks in. Either way I think I’m going to head over to Cambridge tomorrow morning and check it out.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Posted Friday July 10, 2009
Get on Track!
As an adult, it’s not every day you get to race a mile or 3200-meters on a nice collegiate track. But thanks to the Wisconsin Track Club, you can do exactly that.
WTC holds four meets on the UW track. While the first two meets have passed, there are still two good ones left—July 2 and 9.
I ran in the second meet, which took place last Wednesday, and had a great time. I ran an 800 and the steeplechase. I haven’t ran either of those events since college and was still quite sore well into the weekend. But both events were a lot of fun and there were a good number of runners out on the track too.
It’s just $5 and you can run as many events as you want. Check it out!
Posted Monday June 29, 2009
Two Races, One Weekend
Sometimes races are just too good to turn down. That was the case this past weekend as I  traveled up to Green Bay for the Bellin Run and then came back down Sunday for the Hometown Day Run in Verona.
Needless to say, I was a little tired yesterday. I know it’s not really suggested to do two runs in one weekend but it was lot of fun and hey, you got to live once in a while.
I know it’s not a Madison area race so excuse me while I talk about the Bellin Run a little bit. If you haven’t run it, I definitely recommend it. It’s a good 2 ½ hour drive up there but it’s not every day you get an opportunity to rub shoulders with past and present Olympians.
I was able to get into Wave I, so I got to start only a couple rows back from Beijing women’s Olympic Marathon Champion Constantina Dita. Among other elite runners, Brian Sell was there too. And I got to see Bill Rodgers and Joan Samuelson as well.
The race course isn’t too exciting; it just makes a loop through some nice tree-lined streets of Green Bay. But there are spectator cheering you on basically the whole length of the course.
The Hometown Days Run on Sunday was fun too, but for different reasons. As a Verona native, I got to see some friends. It’s a pretty small race but attracts some pretty good runners. Several runners broke 17 minutes in the 5K and the 10K winner was under 34 minutes! Not bad for a little hometown run.
Posted Tuesday June 16, 2009
Take a Break, Run in the Woods
There are (at least) two trail runs taking place in the area tomorrow. The Blue Mounds Trail Run features a 15K and 6K trail race and is very well organized. However, the race has reached its registration max, so if you haven’t registered, make sure you register early for their fall race (Nov. 1).
If you missed signing up for Blue Mounds, the Lodi Chapter of the Ice Age Trail is holding a free 5k/10K. I’ve never done the run and the Web site isn’t too descriptive so I’m not sure if this is really a true trail run. But it does sound like part of the races will be run right on the Ice Age Trail. And, hey, it’s free.
I’ve hitting the Arboretum Trails quite a bit lately. It’s great to get off the asphalt and get a change of scenery as well. The Capitol City trail is pretty much taken over by bikers this time of year and as you all know, city running can get a little annoying with stop lights, etc. It’s great to be able to get away from it all, even if it is just for a run.
Poasted Friday June 5, 2009
Born to Run
Well I think it’s safe to say that we don’t have to worry about running in the snow anytime  soon. Most of the Spring marathons are done with and now it’s time to look forward to your favorite local road race.
This time of year, you don’t need much motivation to get out the door and run. The weather is great and there aren’t too many bugs out there quite yet. But I’ve been getting a great deal of motivation out of Christopher McDougall’s book Born to Run.
It’s like no other running book. After sustaining a running injury, the author is told by doctors that he simply isn’t cut out for running. “Buy a bike,” they tell him.
Well the author learns about some Native Americans living in the remote Copper Canyon of Mexico. The Tarahumara are renowned for running for hours, sometimes days, in little more than homemade sandals.
The book covers some of the odder characters in the running worlds and some amazing stories of great ultramarathon races. His history of the modern running shoe is also quite eye-opening.
If you’re looking for a book for the beach, I recommend this one. It’s a fun read, filled with great characters like “Caballo Blanco” and Barefoot Ted. And, it might help get you out the door for your long run this summer.
Posted Wednesday May 27, 2009
Marathon Weekend in Madison
Wow, we had a great day at the races this Sunday. The Madison Marathon and all of its events had near perfect running weather—no wind, 60’s, nice warming sun.
The big news was that Ricky Reusser, who ran at Middleton High School, won his third Madison Marathon in a row. And he did it in record fashion. His 2:26.00 set the course record by well over a minute.
Joe Kurian, who has won his share of races in Madison and Milwaukee, took second with a strong 2:36.57. On the women’s side, Jessica Hruska won in 3:07.49 and Holly Fearing of Madison took second in 3:08.46.
It looks like the races had very healthy numbers with about 6,000 runners competing in all three individual races. No doubt some of those runners helped set the record at the Brat Fest.
Congratulations to all marathon, half marathon, quarter marathon and relay participants!
Posted Tuesday May 26
Are You Ready?!
The Madison Marathon and all of its great running events take place this Sunday.
It’s amazing how far away marathon day seems in March. Well, here we are only five days away from the race. I’m signed up for the half marathon, so I’ve got it relatively easy. (However a tight IT band has been hurting my training and I’m thinking about maybe passing up this year’s race. It would be sad but there will always be another race).
It looks like the marathon and half marathon should have strong numbers. The Web site says the marathon and half marathon will close at 6,000 runners and there are only a little more than 150 spots left in the half marathon and 30 in the full marathon. I’m guessing they mean 6,000 spots for both events, which would mean that numbers are way above last year.
Perhaps people like the new course. Runners no longer go over the pedestrian bridge on West Washington and the marathon is basically running in the opposite direction, which should help cut down on the number of severe uphill segments. The marathon and half marathon courses separate more often and the event start times for the two races are staggered a little more so maybe the two groups won’t be running into each other quite so much.
The biggest change is probably the location of the starting line. To conserve transportation efforts, the start and finish lines are in basically the same spot. In previous years, the races started around the square. This was pretty cool but took quite an effort to move thousands of runners from the Alliant Energy Center to the Capitol square.
And, as always, the famed Brat Fest will be taking place adjacent to the finish line of the races. I don’t know about the rest of you but a brat was about the last thing I felt like eating after my race last year. But the festival does bring a nice atmosphere to the race. Happy racing!
Posted Monday May 18, 2009
Boston!
There are runners that have run the Boston Marathon and those that hope to one day. Unfortunately, I fall into the second category but that doesn’t mean I don’t like following the action.
Today, at the 113th Boston Marathon, Americans finished in the top three in both the men’s and women’s races. Kara Goucher was just a couple seconds behind the winner (having lead herself) and Ryan Hall was about a minute behind the winner. Both finished third and represented US well.
Local runners did a good job of representing the Madison area. Steve Horn (only 20) is listed as the top Madison finisher in 2:43.04 although I know other top finishers also live in Madison. Bryan Schneider ran an impressive 2:36:45 to finish 121 overall. He’s a Berkeley team member and a very strong runner.
Amanda Hammermeister is listed as the top women from Madison. She finished in 3:06:14 as the 110th woman.
Our beloved Berkeley leader David Meixelsperger came in with a strong 3:02:45. Another Berkeley team member Aimee Kurian finished in 3:28:22.
Congrats to all Boston runners!
Posted Monday April 20, 2009
New Event in Madison!
Today the Wisconsin State Journal announced the innagural running of the Madison Mini Marathon (Aug. 29). Apparently mini translates into half marathon. Looking at the Web site, it looks like it has the potential to be a great event. It advertises 10 water stops, numerous bands along the course, chip timing, and seeded starts.
The course itself is pretty ambitious. Some of the highlights include a loop around the Capitol Square, another loop around Lake Wingra, and a good two-mile stretch along Lake Mendota. I’m thinking about signing up. It would be a good test and preparation for any fall marathon.
In the meantime, I’m sure many Berkeley runners are gearing up for a spring marathon. It’s an exciting time of year for a runner. Weather’s starting to turn around, track is underway, there’s a selection of road races to choose from each weekend. And there are the spring marathons. Good luck if you’re racing this weekend!
Posted Friday May 1, 2009
Got Some Work to Do
Well I’m lucky I’m not running a marathon this spring…I ran the Black Earth 10-miler this past weekend and found out that I’m not quite in the shape that I thought I was. I was hoping to be right around 60 minutes but ended up a couple minutes slower than that.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s kind of fun to look at the progress you can make in your training if you put in some good runs and workouts over the course of a couple months.
Overall, the Black Earth 10-miler is a nice little run. Like I mentioned in a previous post, entry fee is only $3. It’s a nice flat out and back course through the countryside. This year, the competition and weather was really great.
Coming off a half marathon PR in Washington D.C., my friend Matt took second, averaging about 5:33 over the 10-mile race. After two miles, I could barely see him and the other leaders.
Last year, we trained for the Madison Marathon together. After a sub-par run at Madison, we’re looking forward to redeeming ourselves in the half marathon. Should be fun!
Good luck to those of you who are running Boston!
Posted Wednesday April 8, 2009
Dusting off those Racing Shoes
Like a lot of fellow runners, this weekend I’m running my first race of the “spring” season. I’m signed up for the Black Earth 10-miler (there’s a 2-mile race as well). I’ve never run it but it sounds like it’s been around forever and race registration is $3! So, obviously, no t-shirt will be handed out but, like a lot of runners, I have enough road race t-shirts to stock a Goodwill.
Of course the next question is what kind of shape am I in? Well I guess that’s why we run these early races: to find out. I’ve been running some. I have a friend who’s training for Grandma’s Marathon so I’ve been tagging along with him for a few runs. It will be his first marathon, which, as many of us know, is more of a learning experience than a race.
Those of you that are training for a marathon, I hope things are going well. Hopefully there won’t be too many more snow storms to slow you down. It’s hard to believe that the Boston Marathon is only a couple weeks away.
Hopefully with the turn of the calendar, our weather will be a little milder. Although it’s only Monday, I checked the weather for this weekend and so far, it looks nice. The NOAA Web site forecasts that Saturday we will have a high of 52 degrees with partly sunny skies. Great racing weather! Just warm enough for shorts.
Posted Monday March 30, 2009
Spring Races!
I know we just got one of the biggest snow storms of the year but with each passing day, the spring races get closer and closer.
I’ve also noticed that our days are getting longer. When I run after work, I now have about 10 minutes of light before I’m running in complete dark. Believe me, it’s much easier to start a run when it’s still light out opposed to complete darkness. (Daylight savings time starts March 8!)
A look at a couple local racing calendars and you can see there are a couple great area races coming up. On March 15, the Madison Shamrock Shuffle will be taking place. The run starts and ends on State Street and draws hundreds of people.
On April 4, the Black Earth 10 and 2 mile run is set to run. I’ve never done this one but it has quite a history and a lot of great times have been run here. I’m thinking about giving the 10-miler a try.
The spring running scene really culminates with Crazylegs on April 25. I’m already signed up and looking forward to this year’s race. Hopefully we won’t have the gale force winds we had last year. Either way, it’s a great race and a lot of fun. You start on the Capitol square and finish in Camp Randall. Thousands of people run it each year and like me, many of them come back year after year.
So even though we have a nice blanket of snow on the ground, it’s time to get out the door and get ready for some of these great local road races.
Posted Sunday February 22, 2009
Heatwave!
I know this is a bit optimistic, but with each passing day, we are getting a little closer to spring. Of course, some days it feels like we will never see green grass again, other days we can almost smell it.
With each passing day, running gets a little more exciting. We are getting closer to our spring marathons, 10Ks, half-marathons, whatever. (The earliest Wisconsin marathons take place the first weekend of May.)
I’m going to dive right into the spring running circuit tomorrow with the Lafollette Frozen Five. It’s a 5K held by the LaFollette High School Athletic Advisory Council. It looks like a pretty small race but it’s supposed to be close to 50 degrees tomorrow so I’d be happy to run the race even if it’s all uphill.
I’m very excited that we are going to get a couple days off from the extreme cold. Running is hard enough as it is. Running in frigid temperatures really seems to take a toll on the body. I’ve been dragging the whole week. On Wednesday, it took all of my willpower to get out the door for my run. Thursday went a little better. But the weather was nicer and I watched a couple scenes from Running Brave to get fired up before starting my workout.
A little motivation never hurts. But if it’s 50 tomorrow, I’m not going to need much motivating to get out the door.
Posted February 6, 2009
"A Little Chilly Out"
You didn’t even have to go outside to know that temperatures were downright frigid this week.
At work I heard stories about a co-worker’s dogs who refused to go outside. When dogs decide to hold it and wait for better weather, you know it must be cold out.
Another co-worker, who hails from Lake Placid, New York has a habit of declaring after each snow storm, “This ain’t bad. Lake Placid got 6 feet!” One morning, as he walked in, I heard him admit to a colleague that it was, “a little chilly out.” That was the first time, I’ve ever heard him admit that we have anything resembling a winter here in Wisconsin.
Last night, after bundling up in nearly every piece of running clothing I have, I hit the snow-covered and icy streets around my neighborhood for a 30-minute run.
I decided to run a 10-minute loop around my apartment for safety reasons. By sticking close to home, I thought that if any severe numbing occurred, I would have time to sprint back to my apartment and warm up before any frostbite/hypothermia set in.
Of course, there are still risks involved. What if that car backing out of its driveway doesn’t see you? Then you could have bigger concerns than frostbite. Or what if you slip and knock yourself unconscious and freeze to the sidewalk?
Luckily, I only thought of these possibilities until after my run. The run itself went well. Yeah it was cold, downright unpleasant at times.
When I started my run, my feet were cold. But then they warmed up. Then my hands began to get cold. So after my first pit stop, I pulled wool socks over my gloves. When I pulled my gloves off after my run, my hands were warm and even sweaty! Thank you glove socks!
Posted January 16, 2009
Running in the New Year
For my first run of the New Year, I wore shorts and a t-shirt. No, I wasn’t running up and down the stairs of my apartment building, I was in Vegas!
I admit, I never really got into the glitzy, sparkling lights of the strip but I did enjoy the perfect running weather (upper 50’s, clear skies).
With the temperatures in the upper 50’s, I comfortably wore shorts and a t-shirt each day. It was great. There aren’t a whole lot of runners in Las Vegas but the few I saw wore running pants and a jacket to fight off those “brisk” 50 degree breezes. I got a couple quizzical looks for, I’m guessing, my skimpy running attire but believe me, 58 degrees feels pretty good this time of year.
The day I arrived back in Madison, we got a nice ice storm which not only makes running (or walking) nearly impossible—it is also really, really cold.
That said, I’ve been running every night for the past couple of days. For what, I don’t know. Of course, I enjoy it but I usually have a race that I’m training for. I was thinking about giving an indoor track meet a shot next month but I better get on my horse if I think I’m going to try and run with some college kids.
What is there to say about running during this time of year? Unless you have some early, early spring marathon in a nice, warm location, few people are out testing their luck on the slippery streets. But a few of us keep going simply because we don’t know what else to do with ourselves when we get home from work.
Then again, I had a nice moment last night on my run with the snow lightly falling and almost no cars or people on the streets. Sometimes it’s hard to get out the door but once you do, it’s usually worth it.
Posted January 8, 2009
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Isthmus Runner Interviews
Monica Thies
Sports nutrition extraordinaire
Aimee Kurian
2008 Madison Marathon Champ!
 Joe Kurian
2008 Syttende Mai Champ
 Kelley Hess
Top area finisher at Boston
Questions, comments or whatever?
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Madison Marathon from the sky.
My training partner and friend Matt G. finishing strong at the Book n' It Run in Sun Prairie. Nice jersey!
Start of the Madison Shamrock Shuffle.
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