Please make our friend "LimaRuss" feel welcome in blogland!!!!!

As mentioned many times, Kari and I have been very blessed to meet and run with some pretty amazing people this year. LimaRuss has become a fixture on our blog, and is now a great running friend to many.  When I asked him to write his story for our blog, it didn't go over as well as I had hoped. Like many of us, he doesn't like to pat himself on the back, or publicize that which makes him so great. Finally, with the help of his equally wonderful wife, Melissa, he has sent us his "story."  He wanted me to post it in installments, but it is something that should be read in one sitting. I'm sure there is nothing in his story that isn't foreign to many of you - it is kind of what brings us all together.  And without further ado - here is Russ.

How I became a runner.

Just before Christmas of 2007 I weighed 258-260 pounds. My combined cholesterol was 258 and my triglycerides were 110. This was the wakeup call! These numbers were the result of living large while traveling for my job. I travel with large teams of people so this means lots of group dinners. Let’s just say that I took full advantage of this. It was so much fun! I was soon called “DC” (Dinner Coordinator) by my coworkers because I took on the job of coordinating our little outings when on the road. I have always been heavy and weighed around 240 most of my married life. People always said I carried the weight well! Well, I decided not to carry it anymore.

Right after the first of the year I started walking. I walked around the block to start. Eventually I was walking through town and out on the country roads. I worked up to doing 5 mile walks. I started watching my diet. Gave up all fried foods, potatoes and limited myself to wheat bread only. I drank wine instead of beer. I stopped eating off my kid’s plates. By June I had lost almost 25 lbs.

Before                           After

The walking was great and it was working. However, it was taking too long to get the distance and pretty boring on the tread mill. All this time I was walking, my wife Melissa and my neighbor, Judi, were running. They would start with me and then off they would run and I would continue to walk. One day in July they walked with me as usual and then started running. I got the urge to run, so I followed behind them for my first attempt at running. They were doing a 2 miler that day. I remember this because I actually did pretty well. I ran all but maybe a ¼ of a mile. Not bad for the first attempt. I have been running since that day.

I did not know anything about running, I just went out and ran. I did the 2 mile route for a number of weeks. I slowly worked to running 3 miles and decided to run my first 5k. On Sept 28th 2008 I ran the Buchanan Brothers memorial 5k race. I ran the race in 30:02 which was better than I expected.

Not sure when I got “The bug” but it was probably when I decided to run the Lilac 10 with Judi. We needed a goal and this race was it. While training for this, we agreed to run the Rochester Half Marathon in Sept. 2009. (This was about the time I met Laura.) She visited our Lima Rotary Club to share the Road to Paris story. I did not know that evening how my journey would change. I started to follow the journey of Laura and Kari and the Road to Paris.

After the Lilac 10K, we turned our sights to the Half Marathon. I mapped out a plan and away I went, excited to do my first half marathon. Then I started to see the signs. The first sign was on the TV show, the Biggest Loser. I had been following the show all season and one night the contestants ran a marathon for their challenge. During that same episode I was reading the Road to Paris blog when I saw this challenge from Laura “Russ - you're doing the half, what do you say about running the full with me???? If I can do it, anyone can.”

I rebuilt my training plan for the full marathon and continued to train though the summer hitting the ups and downs of training. Melissa had to pick me up on my 16 miler when I hit the wall at 14. I continued to train with Judi. We planned our routes so we finished our long runs together. Laura came out and did a 7 miler with Judi and me. It was awesome because she did something that Judi and I never did (up until then). She ran alongside Judi and I, allowing us to talk the whole time we ran. Before this run with Laura, Judi and I used to take turns following each other. Now we run side by side on every run. I like to call it the Laura effect.

At the time, I had no idea how big the running network was. I have met some really great people along the way. My family, daily mile friends, Facebook friends have all played a role in keeping me motivated through this. I think I have actually motivated a number of people to either run or set a bigger goal.

Finally, race day. I got up at 5 am to shower for the initial wake up as they say it warms the muscles and had I the usual pre-run coffee. We headed to Frontier Field to get our timing chip and mingle with the other runners. Judi and her husbnad, Mark, followed in the motor home which would serve as base camp for the spectators and the runners. Mark kept us all happy with drinks, breakfast sandwiches and a private bathroom! Our running group slowly gathered around the camper as we awaited the start. We even met the eventual winner of the marathon (Derrick Jones) as he jogged by doing his warm up. Of course it was Marathon Laura who introduced us to Derrick.

Judi, LimaRuss, Michael, Laura, Derrick, Jennifer at the start of the Rochester Marathon

The race started at 7:30. I told myself all through the training that I would run my race and not let the crowd push me along. I did not have Judi with me to talk me through the run, which turned out to be an issue. I started out at a faster pace than I had planned for the first couple of miles. Thought I would settle down as I warmed up. I hit the downhill on East Ave and was still keeping with the crowd around me and once again at a faster pace than planned. We hit the canal in Fairport headed back to the city. Up to this point I felt strong but was glad to see some of my family at Schoen Place waiting to root me along. The kids came down the path and ran a short way with me. It was a nice to have them there. My mother in-law offered me a banana and a water bottle. (Looking back I should have taken the banana.) I ran the first 17 miles without walking. I wanted to do the entire run without walking since this is what I trained for. All along I was drinking my water and eating the beans as planned (at least that is what I thought). After mile 17 I decided to walk through the water stations. I felt my first hint of cramping around mile 18 but stopped and stretched through it and continued to run. I continued on and Miss and Judi and the rest of the clan were there to route me on at mile 19. Another pick me up that I really needed at that point. I continued on down the path knowing that I would see my cheering section again near U of R. At mile 20 the cramping got worse. It first I thought I could run through it. I walked and stretched from 20.5 to almost 22.5 when I felt I could run again. After mile 23 Melissa took to the trail with me to help me get to the end. They were waiting at the U of R spectator location. The cheering helped but I needed the extra support running with me. I walked a few more times before the Ford Street bridge turn but after that I had lost the cramping but was running on stiff legs and collapsing in the mid section. I managed a decent pace to the end with my arms pumping to move me along. I remember crossing the Ford Street Bridge and Melissa telling me to look to the right to see the view of the city. I looked left and she corrected me. They say the last six miles is all mental. I guess so. Miss ran with me until we saw Judi and Colleen just before the turn to the finish. I was on my own and found new energy as I turned the corner and saw the finish line. I finished as strong as I could at that point and completed the goal that I set out to do. I finished my first Marathon! Yes, 26.2 miles! Everyone was waiting for me at the finish after 5 hours and 38 minutes. The kids were laying in wait with cans of silly string to attack me. It was great.

**Here is Laura's Race Report***Here is Michael's Race Report***

We all headed our own directions to shower, ice and sleep. Later that afternoon we all met up again at our house to celebrate our victories. Mark did the cooking! With all the other dishes we had plenty of food and beer. The food was so good Laura took pictures!

I think we made our friend Michael from California feel at home. It was great to have him here as part of his 12 in 12 challenge. There was a lot of talk that day about when the next 26.2 would be run. Looks like Disney 2011 at this point (which, in case your are wondering, is a year from this weekend!)

I really like this running thing.

Here's What's Cooking This Week:

Week one of running vegetarian-style:

Poor man's Caviar:
This one is easy- just mix everything together, let it sit for 24 hours, grab some tortilla chips or other favorite dredging device. I'm adding avacados upon serving. Yummo!!

1 (14 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 (15.5 ounce) can black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
1 (14 ounce) can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can white corn, drained
1 cup finely chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, or amount to taste
**of course, you can substitute kidney beans or white beans, or any other kind of beans**

RAMEN NOODLE CABBAGE SALAD
This a favorite "go-to-recipe" of my mom's.  She served it at Christmas Eve get-together and even my kids loved it.


1 head cabbage, shredded
8 green onions, sliced
3/4 c. sunflower seeds/chopped walnuts/almond slices/etc...
2 pkgs. Ramen noodles oriental, uncooked

Crush the Ramen noodles and brown them in a skillet with slivered almonds or walnuts (and sunflower seeds). Let them cool slightly and add them to the shredded cabbage. (I might add shredded carrots here, too)  I also added a few handfulls of raisins.  ***I'm all about building from the basis of a recipe**
Mix the following together and pour over the cabbage salad.

1 c. oil of choice

2 tbsp. vinegar
2 tbsp. brown sugar
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
**I also added a generous amount of soy sauce, perhaps as much as 1/4 cup***

Toss it all together and enjoy!!!

Cream of Asparagus Soup  (borrowed from a cookbook I have)
2 lbs. fresh asparagus
1 1/2 tbs. butter
2 cups chopped onion
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 tbsp flour
2 cups water
2 cups hot milk (lowfat/soy/etc...)
2 tsp dill
1/2 tsp tarragon
white pepper to taste

saute chopped asparagus and onions in melted butter and salt for about 10 minutes.  Sprinke 2 tbsp flour while stirring constantly over low heat. (5-8 minutes)  Add water, stirring constantly and bring to a boil. Bring to a simmer for about 5 minutes. Add remaining flour and cook for another 10 minutes.  Puree the soup with the milk and season with dill, tarragon, and white pepper. 

**I am making this right now and I think that I will add some cooked diced potatoes after it is purreed.**

Other ideas for the week:
I bought some great cilantro/black bean veggie burgers that we tried last night on whole wheat rolls, vegan mayo, onion....they were great.

I have lots of sweet potatoes and plan to use them liberally

I also bought some Tempeh that we love to slice up into small sticks, saute them up, and use as dippers for hummus

I'm going to try the new Acai smoothie packets that I bought with some frozen berries and bananas - just to see how they go.

THOUGHTS????

Trieste Hangover Half-marathon 1-02-10

Doesn't have the same ring to it as the Albany one, but it was the best I could do. There was NO WAY I could have done it yesterday since Sweetie and I were out til the wee ones (5:30! Felt like a college student) and then slept til 2pm (which was awesome)-- so much for team spirit.

But I found it today. I planned on spending the entire day in bed reading but I managed to get up and get motivated. My inspirations were: Laura (I had to get my halfie in and looks like more rain tomorrow), Ms. Fool (Happy second Blogday), Running Laur, and the Dirt Diva (Laura did you notice she's mentioned in Born  to Run?), who makes me feel really bad for complaining about my tiny runs when she's gearing up for her 100-mile races, which seem to happen something like every other week. Bowerm's tweets made me long for BBQ at about the 11-mile mark.

I tried to get as close to Laura's time but I pooped out at 2:17 and was too close to home to do anything else but go there. I just checked though, and I did make it to 13.1 in the rain. P.s. How do you like the awesome view from my balcony? Doesn't it make you want to move to Italy??

Comment from Laura - Do we have the BEST team blog, or what??? I mean, look at her - out there running with us in mind!!! I sense GREAT things for 2010. 

Albany Hangover Half Marathon - 01-01-10

This little halfie was hard to locate on the internet but my friend Mary Karen told me it existed - and it did. A few months back, I e-mailed the president of the running club in Albany, NY for the information about this half-marathon and he responded by saying it was very low-key, started on the Albany Univeristy campus at noon, and the more the merrier. (sounds like my kind of event)

Getting ready for the starting signal

Per usual, last week brought a nice sinus infection and a series of migraines that made me feel right at home. I can't remember a race that I've been 100%, so this one was no exception.

My father-in-law had decided to run with us quite a few months ago. When we arrived in the area two days before the race, he attempted to talk his way out of it (claiming he was sick with a horrible cold.) I threw the gauntlet down as fast as you can say...... well, pretty fast. NO WAY, sir, THERE WILL BE NO USING THAT CARD ON ME - you're running this race. He did!

Bill getting psyched for 13.1 miles of fun

We met Mary Karen at 11am for registration. The ambiance of this pre-race locale was great - a fantastic way to start the year. I plopped my $5 registration on the desk and managed a quick visit with my kids and husband before making the way to the start.

Mary Karen looking so happy at the start - isn't she cute?

I had promised Mary Karen and Bill that my goal was to complete this event together. Starting my garmin at the starting bell and we were off to a great 11 minute mile pace. The route was a complex five-loop course that was enjoyably hilly. (odd, right?) No, seriously, it was hilly but not unbearable - the kind of hills that you don't really notice until they are just about done (except for that last one that was about .4 miles from the end....)

We were card-holding members of the "back of the pack club" (PROUD BACKPACKERS UNITE!!!) but that did not prevent me from striking up conversations with some other runners. (MK and Bill made fun of me for this, but I think that they just were jealous that I met a really cool lady (Nora) - turns out that she was a Rotary Exchange student to Germany the year after Kari and I were in Belgium..... enough said! She got the whole story and won herself a Road to Paris pin.) btw - we also had a wonderful conversation about Born to Run (and I know the book review must be next - and it will)

In the end, the memorable moment of this race will be the inner strength that Mary Karen found when she hit the wall at mile 11.5. She impressed me with her determination.These are the moments that people miss when they run alone  -  they are ot lost on me. I loved that I had the chance to run this event with her and my father-in-law.....good stuff.

My #1 fans!

Got home a few hours ago and got to work on my next half-marathon plans. (Williamsburg, VA on February 28th)   Keeping with my goal to run with as many friends as possible, I was elated to find out that my very dear friend Francine and her daughter Bailey (residents of Williamsburg) will be running their first half-marathon with me.....can you say PSYCHED????

Happy New Year - and be sure to get out there and run.

2009 - the year that changed me! Bring on 2010

As Kari and my story began a long time ago with a year in Belgium (which I continue to say was the most formative year of my entire life) it came back together with the intense training for our first marathon. I am so happy to say that the goal of running that marathon only sparked one of the most amazing series of events - events that unfolded very quickly this year.

Kari and I had barely started our training for the Paris Marathon a year ago today. As I recall, I was still very early in my training - so early that I was still barely able to tell people with a convincing face that I was in fact training for, and planning to complete, the Paris Marathon in April. With many hours staring into the screen of a treadmill, I spent a large majority of the first three months of 2009 imagining (with unbelievable clarity) the start at the Arc de Triumph, the run through the city, the finish with my friend Kari. I can't believe that we actually did it - (and I am even more shocked that I decided to run another marathon 6 months later.)

I am so thankful, and quite shocked, at the circle of friends that we have made as a direct result of this blog and our training. You all know who you are and the roles you have played in this fantastic year!

Soo- Goals for 2010????

1 - If this is going to be a year of running (as I have stated in earlier posts) then it is only fitting that I will be starting the year with a half marathon in one of the coldest parts of the country with my father-in-law and my friend MaryKaren. I plan on bringing in the year at a run - a slow run - but a run none-the-less. 

2 - I am going to run a race in every month of the year (be it 5k, 10k, 15k, half, or full) IT WILL BE DONE!

3 - I am going to take much of the material gained from the book Born to Run (complete book review to follow) and hold it close. Hubby and I will be starting the year with a month-long trial run at vegetarianism. (much like Ms. Fool stated) This will be very much a trial. I need to be leaner and meaner if I am going to run run run like I want to. It is worth a try and the arguments are compelling. I will blog it all.
I hear you about being leaner and meaner in 2010. I'm with you on that one. -Kari

4 - I am going to run 2010km in 2010 - you do the math, it's a reasonable goal.
I did the math. It's exactly 1248.95 miles. -Kari

5 - I am going to make this year of running one that embraces the social element of the running community. - Jenn, LimaRuss, Judi, Melissa, MaryKaren, Krista, Jewelz, Kari, and anyone who wants to join in - let's run together. Finishing time is not important to me - let's run 'em together!

6 - I want to be as good of a cheerleader for all of my running pals as they have been for me. Let me know the details of all of your races - if I can't be there, I'll blog my support - (ask Minken and Michael, I send one hell of a gift package)    You'll feel Atalanta's strength.

6 - This was started as a team blog and it will continue to be a team blog. I will continue to train for whatever races that my partner is going to run - heck, I may even go for a 26.2 run on the day of her marathon - JUST BECAUSE THAT'S HOW WE DO THINGS HERE.
You said it, Partner! I'm with you, too. I'm doing my hangover half-marathon a day late, though. Forgive me.

Is there anyone out there who wants to join our team???? JUST SAY YES!!!!

Here is hoping that you all have a 2010 like my 2009 - it was amazing (thanks to all of you!)
Ditto on that! Happy New Year! -Kari

Our Next Destination?

Reading about all those cool races that the folks Stateside are doing makes me a little homesick. I wish I could get out to the States to run with you guys. Ho hum. I fear, however, that given my present career change and consequent economic situation (which I am confident is TEMPORARY), I may not be able to partake in any destination marathoning anytime soon.

All this should make Minken feel better, though! Perhaps by the time he escapes from Nigeria we will be able to line up a race where the whole gang can come. When will it be, Minky? Just name a city. We'll work it out.

Until then, Laura and I will just try to keep up with each other. I will do my best best best to run a halfie this weekend and send all of my good vibes to the Hangover Halfies on Friday.

I'm going to comb over your race schedule, Laura, and see what races around here I can schedule in so that we can keep running together with a somewhat common goal...

I know I've been bellyaching about living abroad today, but here's one good thing about it.

THANKSGIVING ON DECEMBER 30. I'm having a party tonight. I got a little turkey, making some stuffing, mashed taters, and there we go! Ok, paper plates are not elegantissimo, but who cares. No Thanksgiving purists here!!!   If Sweetie gets back here with my celery, I'll finish things up and go out for my Turkey Trot!

Bruce Springsteen and everything else.....

Michael - YOU WERE RIGHT, okay? Is this public enough for you? tee hee.

It seems that many months ago, our dear blogging friend and fellow Rochester Marathoner, Michael, came all the way from Cali to tell me about this book, Born to Run. He had already invested in the Vibram FiveFingers, and was begining the transition from 'western-modern' running shoes to the full-on VFF running style. I had tried the barefoot running thing, and I enjoyed it just fine, but my trepidation regarding the flat feel, achilles, etc.... convinced me that the gel heel cups nestled inside my Saucony's were the only answer for me. My only recipe for future running endeavors. Kari has read the book, Ms. Fool has read the book, many of my FB friends have read the book .....THEY ALL TOLD ME TO READ IT and I'm mentioning now for all of blogland to see (I WAS LATE TO THE PARTY)  

Well.... I read this book and now am not entirely sure. (I'm going to formulate a full blog posting on this book, as it has soooooo much more to offer than just the questioning of footwear...to be continued....)

While I have been holed up in my library for the better part of the last three days with an annoying sinus infection (knew I would have one as I always have one the week before a race and Albany Hungover Half is on Friday ----- damn you!!!) While I have been sitting here finishing this book, several things have occured.

1) I e-mailed LimaRuss after our Sunday 10-miler. His birthday was on Monday and his plan was to run 5 miles and complete his 1000th mile for the year. After wishing him a happy birthday, congratulating him on his accomplishment, and asking how it went - I URGED HIM TO SUBMIT HIS STORY for our blog. (this is the third or fourth time I've asked him to write his story, I think I'll get it this time....thanks Mrs. LimaRuss for adding the pressure) to be continued.......

2) I have pondered my goals for 2010 - aside from a long list of half marathons and 10ks, I have some other ideas. Ms Fool, Kari and I need to get our minds together before these are revealed.  to be continued.....

3) I made arrangements to meet up with my friend, and fellow marathoner, MaryKaren, on Friday to run our half-marathon together. It is going to be drastically cold, but that is fine with us. (I just learned that she has a new pair of fleece-lined running tights to try out. I am excited that my father-in-law will also be joining us for this cold event. I doubt he will be a slow as us, but Mary Karen and I have decided that we will run together - this will be all about running-in the New Year with a friend who became a marathoner in response to Kari and my training for Paris.  to be continued....

4) LimaRuss has requested that I add one more event to my 2010 schedule. There is a 50-mile relay race around the beatiful and scenic Canadaigua Lake. He, Judster, Mrs. LimaRuss, and I are slated to form a team for this race.... YAY TEAM LIMARUSS!!!! to be continued....

5) I just got a request from a former high-school track teammate who has become a friend on facebook. It went something like this: need to shed some lbs. Have convinced some gals at work to run the Rochester Marathon. Advice for a non-runner who is going to run the marathon in September?  Of course, I'm totally stoked that yet another friend has caved to the mysterious "Laura effect".... add another notch on the belt, one more person is joining the marathoning club.  (this is something that I am sure LimaRuss will talk about in his guest post) I told my friend to sign up for the marathon as soon as she can (so as not to back out), get Hot Hal's book ASAP, call me, and stick with her friends for support.  to be continued......

As you can see, I have a lot of things to get done, so off I go.... Baby We Were Born to Run.....

Well that Stinker!!

Way to show me up, Laura, by doing a 10 miler with Limaruss and company!! You better repeat that distance with me next weekend! I'm not doing this thing alone, you know!

;)

Just kidding. GREAT JOB! YOU KICK ARSE! (I'm not kidding about next weekend though)
Mwah! Thanks for keeping me motivated, Partner!

Training has Begun...zzzzz!

Training has officially begun... with a rest day (yup, this is my kind of plan!!) I calculated wrong, I guess. I imagined that training would start on the Sunday that marks 18 weeks until the big day. Of course, I didn't actually consult the plan before deciding this. I just used a regular calendar. Whoops!

Today was supposed to be Day One, and a nice LONG run, so ran it yesterday (just call me over-achiever!). I did this because I already had a plan to run with some friends (and their kids, who, SMOKED us adults, by the way!). I tacked on a couple of miles at the end to come up with a decent 7.7 miler. SURELY enough for a long, especially on WEEK ONE of the 18 WEEK PLAN! But that all depends on what plan you use, apparently.

My brilliant idea was to use the easiest plan possible with the most running days (as in shorter runs more often and a long on the weekend, rather than 3 longer runs) and three 20-milers, which I think are the best preparation for the full marathon distance.

This plan looks like the answer to my prayers. It is also the one I based my training on for Paris. I always go back to Hot Hal... he works for me. The first long is 10 miles, though. Crap.

Oh well. At least I get a week to get mentally prepared for it. Ugh.

I'm happy though. It's nice to have something to look forward to. And training rocks.

Training Starts December 27th

Sorry I haven't been blogging, but luckily my partner has had lots to report! Thanks for holding down the fort, Laura!

I'm still not sure what 2010 has in store for me, runningwise, but, one thing is for sure. The Bavisela on May 2nd. I am very excited because Michael B will be here to run it with me and my good friend Klementina's birthday is that day and it will be her first half marathon. That should be exciting.

With this in mind, actual training starts on December 27. That gives me 18 weeks of Hot Hal Higdon training to look forward to. I will base training (loosely) on his intermediate plan which includes three 20-milers. It worked for my for Paris, so I'm going to stick with it.

I'm planning on a nice half-marathon three-peat on March 23 in Sezana, Slovenia, as well. Part of me (a big one) really wants to do Venice in October. The rest of me doesn't want to commit. Plus, that one fills up. Who knows if by the time I decide there will be any places left...I might have to leave it for the year after.

The most tempting marathon of the year remains Chicago, because my girls (Jewelz and Laura) are running it. But I'm broke. Sigh. Need to look closer to home this year.

Anyway, everyone else is starting to train again, I better too. Can't wait to get my camelbak out again and hit the trails!