Training

Well Its Chicago Marathon training session. For the past two weeks I have been running regularly. Last week I ran a total of 9 miles for the week and this week I ran 9 with a long run this morning of 7 miles. I decided to run in the 9:00 minute mile group and It was a nice pace. I had a hard time at first staying with the group since I wanted to pass everyone up, but was happy to be running with a group for a change. Betsy was our leader and she works for CARA and was a great group leader. As the weeks progress so do the mileage during the week and weekend runs become longer. If you have not done so yet, take a look at my fundraising page. www.firstgiving.com/joeruns I'll keep writing on how training is going.

Don't Stop Believing; I'm still here.

Hello, remember me? I know its been a while since I have written. I have been really busy. Mostly working. I have been running and the picture above is from the Soldier field 10 mile here in Chicago. I have also been trying to run every night at least 3 miles. My knee is getting better but I still wear my knee brace. I have also join ed CARA and will be training with them for my summer Marathon training. I want to thank those of you who have already made a donation. I will try to write more once my summer Marathon training starts on June 16th.

The Other Knee

I know..I know, its been a while since I have posted anything. I have to be honest I have been really busy. I have been running but not very far since my Left Knee; which is, the other injured knee is still not a 100%. Today I ran 3 miles and had to wear a knee brace again. I just want to get over this injury. The weather in Chicago is starting to get nice and I want to run.
I joined CARA and will be starting to train with them for the Chicago Marathon. I was going to run the Ravenswood race this weekend but if my knee doesn't feel better by Friday, I'm going to sit it out. Reminder if you have not done so yet take a look at http://www.firstgiving.com/joeruns This is my charity page and I hope that you can tell as many people you know and get the word out. Thanks and Ill post soon.

Tell Someone

I wanted to ask everyone who reads this to tell someone about my fundraising page. www.firstgiving.com/joeruns. I really want to raise the money I said I would and remember this is helping people in need. Thank you.

Committed

I have signed up for The Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Oct 12, 08. I have also decided to run the race for the World Vision. This group helps children and families impacted by AIDS in Africa. I have created a donation page for World Vision through Firstgiving.com. You can reach my page at www.firstgiving.com/joeruns My goal is to try to raise $1,000. Please help me to reach this goal and give what you can.

Dealing with Knee's

On Saturday I ran 5 miles on the lakefront here in Chicago. It was so nice I had to take my shirt off I was so warm. Now, the problem is my left knee is still hurting a bit from the Shamrock Shuffle. I was able to finish the 5 miles but not as fast as I would have liked. I have decided to not run a 5k this weekend so I can let my knee heal. There is a different 5k at the end of the month that I think I'm going to run instead. Today I'm going to sign up for the Chicago Marathon. I am not sure why, but I have been waiting to see if I really wanted to run it. I am kinda scared I won't finish, but I plan to join a running group that meets on a regularly so I can train.

Shamrock Shuffle

On Sunday I ran the Bank of America, Shamrock Shuffle here in Chicago. I did alright. I did not train at all for this race. I was still coming off my high from Portugal. I ran the race in 40:55. I placed in the 4000's out of 22,500 people. It was a huge race had a cool city route, but the weather was overcast and kinda cold. I ran till about the 3rd mile where my left knee started to hurt. I was in such a hurry to get to my corral that I did not stretch and I paid for it. I had to slow down a little around the 3rd mile, also because my breathing was all off. I had a little side pain as well. I wanted to go better at this race, but again I learned each race is a learning experience. I learn that its harder then I think and forgetting to train will only get the same results. I have a very positive attitude about training right now because it seems that Spring might be here. Lets hope I'm correct. I have a few races scheduled for this month, but just depending on my work schedule I may only race one of them. I got a few leads on another 2 races for May and I may run them again depending on my schedule.