Did I mention I'm taking a swimming class? One night a week it's a beginner triathlon swim class to teach me the basics of swimming efficiently. It's really going good! The teacher has broken a swim stroke completely and started off showing us how to do the most basic piece, then she adds to it each week.
First came balancing in the water, just learning that when your head is up, your legs go down... not a good thing. We had to learn to glide along the surface of the water (on our side) and kick from the hips, not the knees.
Next came switching from gliding on one side to gliding on the other side with one smooth movement. This was a little trickier, especially when we had to control our breaths to every third switch instead of every one.
This past week we learned the zipperswitch, which teaches us to bring our stroke hand up along our side and pierce the water. I'm still a little shaky on this, but we're getting there. I've practiced this twice so far this week and hoping to get in one more swim before class this Thurs (in two days).
This is turning out to be a lot of fun! I'm learning soooo much! I've already met people in my class that are well known in the community in multisport! I've seen these guys at every race I've been in so far!
I'm so ready to 'dive' right in to this multisport lifestyle! I'm loving every minute! I've signed up for my first Tri: April 18th, 2009 the Pioneer Sprint Triathlon in Petersburg, IL! It includes a "300 yd pool swim, a 13 mi bike ride on a rolling flat prairie road, and a 3.2 mi run through picturesque Petersburg," according to their website. It also says "The run will take you past century old architectural gems, past the Edgar Lee Master’s home, past the courthouse where young Abraham [Lincoln] practiced law and up and down the streets of Petersburg." Sounds awesome!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Friday, March 13, 2009
Running for Reason
On October 11th, 2009 I will be joining the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy RUN FOR OUR SONS team at the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. The RUN FOR OUR SONS team is a group of parents, grandparents, families, and friends who will proudly run the 26.2 mile full marathon to help raise funds and awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), a devastating, progressive muscle disorder which slowly robs those diagnosed of their independence and eventually their life. I will be running this race for Carson DeMarse, who has Duchenne.
This year the RUN FOR OUR SONS team will represent thousands of young men diagnosed with Duchenne. I am participating in this great event because I can and because the Duchenne community needs my strength and endurance to move ahead.
Duchenne is the most common lethal genetic disorder diagnosed during early childhood, affecting approximately 1 out of every 3,500 boys and 20,000 babies born each year. Duchenne causes loss of muscle function and independence. Most young men with Duchenne only live into their twenties, and there is currently no cure.
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States focused entirely on Duchenne and is proud to lead the Duchenne community. PPMD strives to improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne through research, advocacy, education, and compassion. They uphold the highest ethical and financial standards, and consistently receive high marks from watchdog organizations, including a seal-of-approval from the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.
If you would like to sponsor my efforts, please make your checks payable to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy or PPMD and clearly mark my name and ‘marathon’ on the memo line. PPMD will issue you a tax deductible receipt for your contribution. If you would like to donate via a credit card, please use the space provided on the envelope to enter your information. (For those folks who are only receiving this letter by email, sorry no envelope for you).You can also visit my personal fundraising page at www. runforoursons. org. Click on the ‘FIND A RUNNER’ link in the left hand column, click the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, then search for my name. There you will be able to donate via internet, and you can also see my fundraising progress as I get closer to the big event!
Thank you so much for your support and for helping me support the efforts of PPMD. With your generosity and my successful completion of the marathon (fingers crossed!), we will end Duchenne.
Ashleigh Handzus
This year the RUN FOR OUR SONS team will represent thousands of young men diagnosed with Duchenne. I am participating in this great event because I can and because the Duchenne community needs my strength and endurance to move ahead.
Duchenne is the most common lethal genetic disorder diagnosed during early childhood, affecting approximately 1 out of every 3,500 boys and 20,000 babies born each year. Duchenne causes loss of muscle function and independence. Most young men with Duchenne only live into their twenties, and there is currently no cure.
Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD) is the largest nonprofit organization in the United States focused entirely on Duchenne and is proud to lead the Duchenne community. PPMD strives to improve the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne through research, advocacy, education, and compassion. They uphold the highest ethical and financial standards, and consistently receive high marks from watchdog organizations, including a seal-of-approval from the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.
If you would like to sponsor my efforts, please make your checks payable to Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy or PPMD and clearly mark my name and ‘marathon’ on the memo line. PPMD will issue you a tax deductible receipt for your contribution. If you would like to donate via a credit card, please use the space provided on the envelope to enter your information. (For those folks who are only receiving this letter by email, sorry no envelope for you).You can also visit my personal fundraising page at www. runforoursons. org. Click on the ‘FIND A RUNNER’ link in the left hand column, click the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon, then search for my name. There you will be able to donate via internet, and you can also see my fundraising progress as I get closer to the big event!
Thank you so much for your support and for helping me support the efforts of PPMD. With your generosity and my successful completion of the marathon (fingers crossed!), we will end Duchenne.
Ashleigh Handzus
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Newest Purchase!
YEP, THAT'S RIGHT! I'm so stoked for my brand new garmin 405. I feel like a rock star for actually getting the newest version of some piece of technology like this. I even got the heart rate monitor strap, and now I'm drowning in info, and loving every minute of it! I haven't learned how to use all the features yet, but that will soon come. I'm so happy that I got it before the racing season begins! Ok, I'm done now. lol
Thursday, February 5, 2009
New Shoes!
When the sides of my lower legs start to hurt, it only means one thing... my shoes must be pretty worn. I got out my trusty training log (aka buckeye outdoors online) and counted up the miles on the new shoes... yeah. Over 500 miles. Ouch. I know better than that. So I finally made it to the running center here in Springfield, where the guy kindly asked if I wanted to buy his last pair of size 81/2 Asics GT 2130's for 65 bucks or if I wanted to upgrade to the 2140's for 100 bucks. Hmm.... that's a no brainer. I own GT 2130's and I love my 2130's, therefore, um, yeah... I'll stick with the 2130's! Gees... 35 bucks is a big difference.
Anyway, I got home and had to do a 3 mile easy run today anyway, so I broke them out of the box, got them on, and headed out the door. I love new shoes. So shiny. So new. They are just a little bit stiff, but they'll be perfect in about 2 to 3 more runs. I'm so excited!
Wait until you see my next post. I've got a big present to myself in the mail... I can't wait!
Anyway, I got home and had to do a 3 mile easy run today anyway, so I broke them out of the box, got them on, and headed out the door. I love new shoes. So shiny. So new. They are just a little bit stiff, but they'll be perfect in about 2 to 3 more runs. I'm so excited!
Wait until you see my next post. I've got a big present to myself in the mail... I can't wait!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Runner turning Triathlete
Ok, so I listened to a new podcast... Kelownagurl Tris Podcast (kelownagurltris.blogspot.com) and by the second episode I was totally inspired to "try the tri" I'm so excited! I went out yesterday and got a membership to the gym so that I can use the pool. I was looking for any excuse to get one anyway, I just couldn't justify the money spent for just running when I can run outside. So I had my very first day at the gym today. I did the 3 mi run on the treadmill. This was my very first time running on a treadmill and it was.... uh .... interesting. I think I'll stick to the roads whenever possible.
Then I got to go to the pool. I had on my new nike 1 pc swimsuit and my new speedo goggles. I didn't expect much out of today's swim... just kind of introducing myself back into lap swimming (I was on the swim team as a young kid, so I had a select few memories of it). I took it easy and did just 500 yds... uh... meters... uh whatever. I'm so not well versed in tri talk. I will try to fit some cycling in this week also, but I'm trying not to overdo it. I'm having a hard time letting go of any of my runs, so for now I'm just stacking the swimming and cycling on top of my 5 day a week running schedule. It's not too bad for now, since I just started. Eventually, I assume, I will have to let go of my two easy runs a week to get in some harder swim/cycling days. So, day 1 a success!
Then I got to go to the pool. I had on my new nike 1 pc swimsuit and my new speedo goggles. I didn't expect much out of today's swim... just kind of introducing myself back into lap swimming (I was on the swim team as a young kid, so I had a select few memories of it). I took it easy and did just 500 yds... uh... meters... uh whatever. I'm so not well versed in tri talk. I will try to fit some cycling in this week also, but I'm trying not to overdo it. I'm having a hard time letting go of any of my runs, so for now I'm just stacking the swimming and cycling on top of my 5 day a week running schedule. It's not too bad for now, since I just started. Eventually, I assume, I will have to let go of my two easy runs a week to get in some harder swim/cycling days. So, day 1 a success!
Friday, January 9, 2009
My New Running Friend
Ok, so loads of people encounter many dogs as they put in their daily miles. I have come across a few, and it sometimes scares the crap out of me! I see these big huge dogs bounding toward me only to stop a few feet from the road that I'm on and run along with me back and forth along an invisible line just barking like crazy to get to me. This is how I learned what an invisible fence was. Honestly, who thought of this concept? It's a pretty good idea, not having to actually put a fence around your entire yard just to keep your dog in, but it is scary as a passerby. And it turns out that there are a lot of people in my neighborhood that like these things.
I'm still very weary about dogs because I still occasionally come across a dog that isn't actually in a fence, but running loose instead. Take for example my new running friend Maggie. I was running along one day on my usual route, and here comes this great big black lab(compared to my 15 lb yorky lap dog). I immediately stopped and put my hands out for the dog to smell me. She took a little sniff but was just so energized and excited, she couldn't stop jumping up on me. I realized she wasn't much of a threat, so I started running again. She bound along me, getting ahead of me, only to find something to smell in the ditch and I would pass her, and then she would come flying up on me again. She ran along with me for about a mile, which is when I hit my turn around point, and she stuck with me for the mile back to her home area. I didn't want the dog to follow me home, so I stopped by one of the few houses that were in this area and asked if the dog belonged to them. The guy (who did not seem to like Maggie very much) said "Oh, that's Maggie. She's a really annoying dog that lives across the street." I said thank you and started toward the only house on the other side of the street. What the guy said really bothered me though, because Maggie wasn't annoying at all! She was energized and fun, yet submissive and she just seemed to need a good run every so often. She reminded me of a kid who had been stuck in school all day with no recess. Poor thing. So I went over to the house and knocked on the door, no answer. I just decided to run home, even if Maggie was gonna follow me. It was only about 3/4 of a mile to my house. I got home and Brian was outside. I told him I didn't know what to do with Maggie since she followed me home, but he told me not to worry because she is a black lab and those are very smart and she'd find her way home.
She did find her way home that night. I look out into the big cage with the dog igloo outside of that house each time I pass to see if Maggie is inside. I've only seen her once since then. Until last night that is. I was again running along my usual route and there was Maggie in the road again! I was the excited one this time! I said "Maggie! You gonna run with me today girl?" And there she was for the middle three miles of my run. I took her home, I stopped in front of her house and pointed to the yard and said, "Ok, go home now Maggie, we'll catch ya next time!" And there she bound up to the front door (ok so I think someone was inside calling for her).
I will now look forward to my runs on that route. I really like having that companion. Maybe if I ever see the owners outside, I'll ask if I can occasionally come and take Maggie out of her cage and let her come with me. Would a dog owner ever do that? Just let some stranger come and take their dog for a run and drop her back off when they were done? Only one way to find out. I'll keep you posted.
I'm still very weary about dogs because I still occasionally come across a dog that isn't actually in a fence, but running loose instead. Take for example my new running friend Maggie. I was running along one day on my usual route, and here comes this great big black lab(compared to my 15 lb yorky lap dog). I immediately stopped and put my hands out for the dog to smell me. She took a little sniff but was just so energized and excited, she couldn't stop jumping up on me. I realized she wasn't much of a threat, so I started running again. She bound along me, getting ahead of me, only to find something to smell in the ditch and I would pass her, and then she would come flying up on me again. She ran along with me for about a mile, which is when I hit my turn around point, and she stuck with me for the mile back to her home area. I didn't want the dog to follow me home, so I stopped by one of the few houses that were in this area and asked if the dog belonged to them. The guy (who did not seem to like Maggie very much) said "Oh, that's Maggie. She's a really annoying dog that lives across the street." I said thank you and started toward the only house on the other side of the street. What the guy said really bothered me though, because Maggie wasn't annoying at all! She was energized and fun, yet submissive and she just seemed to need a good run every so often. She reminded me of a kid who had been stuck in school all day with no recess. Poor thing. So I went over to the house and knocked on the door, no answer. I just decided to run home, even if Maggie was gonna follow me. It was only about 3/4 of a mile to my house. I got home and Brian was outside. I told him I didn't know what to do with Maggie since she followed me home, but he told me not to worry because she is a black lab and those are very smart and she'd find her way home.
She did find her way home that night. I look out into the big cage with the dog igloo outside of that house each time I pass to see if Maggie is inside. I've only seen her once since then. Until last night that is. I was again running along my usual route and there was Maggie in the road again! I was the excited one this time! I said "Maggie! You gonna run with me today girl?" And there she was for the middle three miles of my run. I took her home, I stopped in front of her house and pointed to the yard and said, "Ok, go home now Maggie, we'll catch ya next time!" And there she bound up to the front door (ok so I think someone was inside calling for her).
I will now look forward to my runs on that route. I really like having that companion. Maybe if I ever see the owners outside, I'll ask if I can occasionally come and take Maggie out of her cage and let her come with me. Would a dog owner ever do that? Just let some stranger come and take their dog for a run and drop her back off when they were done? Only one way to find out. I'll keep you posted.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Cold Weather Running
Ok, so this is my first winter of running, and so far it's going alright. I'm learning to layer my clothes. I've seen a lot of people on twitter talking about under armour cold weather gear. I'd love to try some of that. I've asked for some for Christmas, but that brand is a little expensive. I'm not used to spending so much on workout clothes. I usually get mine on the sale racks from wal-mart when they are out of season and stuff like that.
I found that I like wearing a stocking cap rather than the ear headband warmer thingy. The hat just seems to keep me a bit warmer. On one particularly cold evening run, I tried something called a beany (or something close to that) that covers my nose, cheeks, and mouth, but still leaves holes to breathe. That was pretty cool, I never felt a bit cold during the entire run, but I did feel a little confined.
So far, I've been using fleece gloves for running. They are alright, but I should do some research and find out if there is anything better. I do love my fleece jackets that I layer with. They keep me soooo warm! And I love the zippered pockets!
I have the entire winter to get good at this, I suppose. I've been working on getting faster at getting ready. It takes a long time to wake up, get my coffee, and get all the gear on just to go running for 30-40 minutes. I've been setting my coffee to brew automatically, and drinking it as I'm getting all the layers of clothes on. What a great multitasker! lol I already miss my warm weather days (not so much the hot ones though).
If anyone out there in the cyber world has any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it. Other than buying a treadmill, that is something I cannot afford right now! lol
I found that I like wearing a stocking cap rather than the ear headband warmer thingy. The hat just seems to keep me a bit warmer. On one particularly cold evening run, I tried something called a beany (or something close to that) that covers my nose, cheeks, and mouth, but still leaves holes to breathe. That was pretty cool, I never felt a bit cold during the entire run, but I did feel a little confined.
So far, I've been using fleece gloves for running. They are alright, but I should do some research and find out if there is anything better. I do love my fleece jackets that I layer with. They keep me soooo warm! And I love the zippered pockets!
I have the entire winter to get good at this, I suppose. I've been working on getting faster at getting ready. It takes a long time to wake up, get my coffee, and get all the gear on just to go running for 30-40 minutes. I've been setting my coffee to brew automatically, and drinking it as I'm getting all the layers of clothes on. What a great multitasker! lol I already miss my warm weather days (not so much the hot ones though).
If anyone out there in the cyber world has any advice, I'd greatly appreciate it. Other than buying a treadmill, that is something I cannot afford right now! lol
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