NEW HOME!!!

Yup we've packed our running shoes and are running over to our new home:

http://www.runnersinnyc.com/main

Update your bookmarks! See ya at the finish line!

Common Marathon Questions...

There are several things I hear a lot of when I've told people I run marathons. Such things as "I could never do that." "Are you crazy??" "Really?" "Do you just start out running 10-26 miles???"

"Are you (me) crazy??" So let me first start by saying I'm not crazy. My sheer recognition of this fact tells me I am self aware enough to realize that, perhaps to people's disappointment (sarcasm noted) I feel I am quite sane. My running distance actually helps keep me balanced in a way I've never had before. Maybe it's the endorphins, or just the fact I can drink Gatorade and not feel bad about it. Whatever it is, however I feel quite sane just doing something...different with my spare time.

You hear a lot of people say "I could never do that," my common answer is "Have you tried?" Common reply is "No but I KNOW" First off, if someone had told me three years ago I would have run two marathons in 6 months, then be training to attempt two marathons in under a month I would have referred back to my first question. However what I've always said and believed is you never know how badly you want something or in some cases NEED something until you get there. You may not THINK you can do something...but trust me, you could, you can if you want to. But somethings you have to REALLY want. This is one of those things. It's fun, it takes your mind off a lot of issues and quite frankly, it gives you (well it does for me at least) clarity on things I probably would have bottled up.

"Really??" Yes, really. I run marathons, half marathons, 10ks, 5k's, 2 miles, a mile, down my block kind of runs. So again. Yes, really.

"Do you just start out running 10-26 miles???" I wish. No I will train for 4 months or so before a full marathon. I've actually taken 4 months off since my last marathon with little activity. Mainly because I listen to my body. I know how tough my last marathon was and I wanted to come into this training season with fresh legs. I know having been through this regiment that I can be marathon ready in 3-4 months so I trust my training and more than that I know my condition is better than it was a year and a half ago, so I should be able to slowly build up and be where I want to be.

"Seriously you have to be crazy to do two marathons in 27 days" OK I will relent a bit here, it is a lofty goal. But anyone who has known me, even a slight amount of time, knows I need tangible challenges it's what keeps me sharp and fresh. To push myself this hard will make sure I'm training constantly, keeping myself disciplined and hungry. I want to run both that's in all 52.4 miles But to do this, I am going to challenge myself to be as disciplined and as trained as I can be and let my legs carry me the rest of the way. I may pull my Zune out, but I like to run without music so we'll see!

One of my coaches Christine Luff has a great piece she does for About.com so if you get a chance sign up for it. There are lots of great tips and pointers!

http://running.about.com/gi/pages/stay.htm

Also plug here for my donation site, which is up and I'm tying in both of my marathons to Team in Training this year, so you can now donate (I'm trying to hit $8,000 to fund cancer research) at http://www.scottiwatarunning.com/
if the above site doesn't take you there try: http://pages.teamintraining.org/nyc/rnr09/siwata

Happy Running!

Chronicles of a Running Virgin - Guest Blogger: Renee Allwine

As promised, we would have guest bloggers join us from time to time, many will be first time runners others will be more seasoned runners who can talk about other aspects of running, that will include tips and tricks. Today we are pleased to have first time guest blogger Renee Allwine.

CHRONICLES OF A RUNNING VIRGIN
By Renee Allwine

This past weekend, I completed my first half marathon. The event took place in Walt Disney World in Orlando, which is perceived to be the happiest place on earth. I disagree.

Not that the DW isn’t fab with all its magic and glory. In fact, I like it there quite well. I just don’t like it being tainted with muscle cramping and a thirst that not even the Nile can quench.

Okay, okay. So it wasn’t ALL bad, and I have Icy Hot to thank for that. Ahhh, Icy Hot. How I love thee. Let me count the ways.
You cooled and numbed my legs with your icy goodness.
Umm…well that was pretty much it.

I’ve never run more than one mile at a time in my life, and there’s a good reason for that. First, because I have a car. And second, because I have a rare type of urticaria, which is a fancy way to say I have itchy legs. Yes, itchy legs. No, I’m not making this up. It’s basically hives that are induced by vibration. When I run, the vibration of my feet hitting the pavement causes an irritation that makes my legs itch uncontrollably. So much so, that I will scratch until I break blood vessels. Weird and creepy, I know.

This brings me to my other true love: prescription anti-histamines. I was able to run this baby without any itching complications. Usually I can only go about 4 minutes before going into the throws of a mad itching spree. Not this time. I made itchy legs my bitch.

While it was a big accomplishment for me to be able to finish the run, there are two things I wish I had done before hastily agreeing to the run. Number one: train, and number two: don’t do it.

Nah, I’m glad I did it…or I should say NOW I’m glad I did it. Somewhere around mile nine when my blood sugar was dropping, I wasn’t so glad. Which reminds me of the single most important lesson that I took away from this whole experience: DO NOT under any circumstances eat the goo! I may have been seconds away from passing out, but I think I prefer losing brain cells than eating that rancid stuff ever again.

I have to admit that I was warned about the goo, but in my blurry state of little consciousness I forgot. For those not familiar with this stuff, they are shots of a honey-like substance that many runners eat for energy. Except they don’t taste like honey. They taste more like… Hmm, how to put this elegantly? Ass. They taste like ass. My advice is to grab a banana, or a shot block, or for Heaven’s sake something else.

Another thing I learned is why people get so emotional at the end of a race. You always see those people crossing the finish line and crying and now I understand why. Sleep deprivation. Did you know that you have to get up at like 3 am in order to do one of these things? I didn’t. I mean 3 am! I would be laughing, and then without a moment’s notice be crying because I had dementia from my exhausted state.

So with my very little experience and even less training, how did I do? Actually, not bad. Then again, my standards are low. Raising the bar? More like don’t trip over the bar. But I completed it and I’m happy. I finished the 13.1 miles in three hours and four minutes. Nothing spectacular, and I know that. What I am proud of is that I ran most of the way. Me. Run. The girl whose idea of a morning run is when I’m late (yet again) for work and I’m making a mad dash for the closing train doors.

I’m not sure if I will ever do another race. I’m not against it, but I’m also not searching for upcoming runs. I feel like this is as good as it gets and I don’t want to ruin that. I finished and that’s good enough for me. Maybe if I had an extra incentive then I would. For instance, I got my dog, Juliet, as a gift to do this run. Perhaps I can convince my husband to let me get a friend for her.

BIOGRAPHY
Renee Allwine is an advertising copywriter who is a first time runner, long time couch potato. She lives in Sumner, WA with her marathoner husband, Steve, and their only child: a golden retriever. In her spare time, Renee enjoys crafting, disc golf, swing dancing and being Scott Iwata’s best friend.

Running Blog: Part Three of Three: Next??

Ok sorry it took forever to post this. Been doing a lot of stuff actually. Working on my thank video to my donors for SF. This really encompasses my entire reason for running. Listen closley, and pay attention! =o)

My running will always be important to me, it's the moment I feel the most free and able to do anything. I know I am not the fastest runner, but I run. For me. Next year I am going to attempt something quasi extreme. Two marathon in roughly 27 days. I've decided to do Rock and Roll SD and Rock and Roll Seattle. SD is May 31st, Seattle (also an excuse for a trip home) is June 27th I realize I may not be able to fully run the second one but that's ok. I'm going to try to. You can't accomplish anything unless you put yourself out there. So I am, step over step, mile after mile. It's the only way to right?


I also want to do the NYC marathon. Got to watch that for the first time as a runner and I realized how much I really want to do one here. One at my old home and one in my new home. I entered the lottery this year but got rejected however if you get rejected three years in a row they let you in the fourth year. So this will be attempt number two. =o) We'll see what happens, for now I'm laying low and about to get back into some running, light small runs. I'm getting ansy so I need to move along.

Here's one of the phoots from SF:

Running Blog: In The Here And Now part two of a three part series

26.2 Is three numbers seperated by a lonley period. It's only a numbers game right? Having gone from completly inactive, and reactive to active and dare I say for the first time in my life, on the offensive trying to find what I want for me. My running means more to me than physical condition. As I mentioned in my last blog it transends who I am. Iam someone who will push himself to the edge of everything I thought I could do, and then edge out a little further. My friend Gregg asked me the day after my marathon if NY had changed me, if I feel like a different person. And I answered him, "Yes, but no and not for the reasons you think" See I've been through a lot, but what person hasn't. Running marathons, helps me find a balance that I've never had. In anything. It's why I run, it's why I will keep running. yes, I am helping people while doing it, and of course, anyone who knows me knows that too is a part of it. but for me. When I run, and I know I have 23 miles left, 21, 15, 12, 7, 4 whatever, I run in my mind for me. For all those things but also to prove to me, that I am stronger mentally. And sure, training tells me I can do this but until you do, you just don't know. See I've seen people in a lot better shape than me fall by the wasteside, get injured, on cruches, in wheelchairs. Yes it's a greulling sport. Without a doubt. But nothing worth doing doesn't have it's risks. It's why I've chosen to make this past year all about me.
In my mind when the calendar turned I told myself, you will do things for yourself, you will work on you. Better yourself, find peoople who want to be in your life, and embrace them and if they didn't they would fall by the wasteside. I'm ok with that. One of my friends here said to me a week or so ago, that I've gone cold, that my heart right now is not warming up to others. See I disagree, I'm just not willing to give it out to everyone I meet. I now gaurd it but still put myself out there to see what's out there. Running has provided me with an outlet for my anger, for my stress in a way I can't explain. I'm a stronger person that I've ever been. Am I still me? I sure think so. I have the same group of close friends I've always had. Have I changed, you betcha. But I don't fear that change anymore. I know who I am and what I can do. I know that a day of being dedicated to my causes either for me or to help others is a day better than others. But it's a balance, I can't get too caught inwardly, which is why I love Team In Training. It keeps me humble, keeps reminding me that while I run for me, I still represent others, others who can't run, others who need help and while I can't cure them, maybe with my friends and donations along the way we can. It's humbling when you sit there and here all these mission moments given by your teammates, people you soon call your friends bare their soul about why they run, fathers, mothers children dying, getting really sick. Going to hospitals to see these chidlren. It reminds you of what you have and how you need to make the most of your health when and while you have it. It can be gone like that. It's moving, humbling and drives me. I won't like during the SF marathon there was (and for those who run there usually is) a point where you have to talk yourself out of quitting, you just want to. Your body hates you, your mind doesn't want any more, but then you see your teammates who have finsihed ahead of you still their cheering you on, one of my teammates whom I had just met that season ran out into the road with me and ran with me for a mile extra. Imagine running 26.2 miles then running back out there for one more to help someone else get through another mile. She looked at me as she ran along side me and said ,"Scott I am so proud of you, you have overcome so many injuires to get here, and you are almost there. You didn't quit then, you came to all the practices, and you are 3 miles from the finish so I KNOW you won't quit now. I am so proud of you, and so are all your teammates...LOOK" At this point I shook back into conciencious and looked around and saw team mates whom I didn't even know if they knew me, or saw me before this running up the road with me, yelling and cheering me on. When you see a sea of purple yelling at you to keep pushing it gives you a second, thrid or fourth wind. I looked at my teammate who came out nodded, growled something that I assume was thank you and kept pushing. There are more miles like that, espeically as you get closer to the finish, but that one stuck out to me.
As the calendar turns, and I look back a bit I ran 2 marathons in 6 months, 3 half marathons, countless races of smaller portions and will have ran more miles (roughly 625 miles this year) than I have driven (0). It's humbling t oknow taht all those people who supported me were right. I've gone this far, what's a little more.

Part Three: Where am I going?

Running Blog: Retrospective part one of a three part series

Sat on the plane ride back to SF and I thought a lot about the past 12 months, the reasons I started running, where it's taken me and who I am now. I am going to break this blog into three segments, retsopective, where I am and where I want to go with all this.
This part of course, started with a lot of pain, me in place that seems like years ago. I remember sitting in the corner of my room just aching inside. Feeling like I had hit rock bottom. There was the break up, the death threats, bar fights and of course the health scare. I truly felt like things were at the their worst and I felt like I was drowning. It was scary and for the first time I really felt...alone.
My friends, you have to know, are amazing people. They tried to pick me up as much as I would let them. I wouldn't tell everyone the everything becasue I was afraid of being exposed even more than I felt I already was. Then one day a friend whom I had lost touch with for a bit called me. Aja, said to me after I had finished telling her what all I had been through, asked if I had, "Ever thought about running a marathon" I think she really believed she thought I would laugh her off the phone because the Scott about 2 months, 3 months ago, probably would have. I admitted I hadn't. She told meshe would have the Team in Training Coordinator get in touch with me because Spring Season was going to be having a kick off and I should go. So I agreed.
This meeting I was a little nervous about going to, no one I knew was there, had really no clue what I was doing there, I was out of shape, and the furthest I had run was to the mailbox. But i went, checkbook in hand already knowing that you know what it's $80 to sign up today, and if nothing else I'll meet some people and see what happens, I can always run/walk the half marathon if need be.
Signed up for the Country Music Marathon that night, the event was April 26 so plenty of time. I literally had no clue what I was getting myself into or how much therapy I'd find in running, and how much confidence the next 12 months would bring me. I had no idea about running shoes, running clothes, fuel belts, proper gear, anything. All I knew is you put one foot in front of the other in rapid succession and off you go. So I showed up in sweat pants and a sleevless tshirt...in 42 degree cold weather. This is how I'd be remembered all season as that guy. Well at least I was memorable and hey I had an icebreaker right? So off we went. I met some amazing people. And as I ran I began to find the confidence again. I heard stories about life and death, leukemia, blood cancers and it made me realize that what I've been through while maybe a big deal in my eyes was nothing compared to what so many people were going through or had been through. Some of my running friends were running for various reasons, the cause, to meet people, going through a divorice, one even told me they just wanted to run because it was the only time in their day she felt free. And so i found my release, my therapy in these people and with every step we took Istarted to build my confidence back. it was a shaky ground for sure to start. But as we progressed I did too. I lost 20 lbs, my mile time went from 15:00 down to 11:30. I could run at a marathon pace around 12:00 minutes
About amonth before the marathon I knew I had to give something back to this Society. I had to give someone else this same experience I was having. So I applied to be a mentor. Guy who had never run more than 25 yards in the past 10 years now wanted to mentor a new group of runners and run 2 full marathons and two half marathons in 6 months.
When you run a marathon for more than 5 hours, you think about a lot of things. Like EVERYTHING. You think about the ups of life, your friends, family, the poeple who have inspired you. You think about the negative, the naysayers the people who look at you and say "You are running a marathon" with that look of disbelief and you remember the people who tried to hold you down. But you use all this as motivation to move along. You don't stop. You use everything in your aresnal because you discover that a marathon is truly mind over matter. You can will yourself to do ANYTHING.
Crossing the finish line in Nashville, was something I have never felt. I've done a lot of things, thought I felt pretty accomplished. But when i crossed the finish line hands held high in the air, I let out the largest scream I could muster as if in doing so all the demons all the things I had gone through were expelled from my body. I looked at my friend Jillian, the woman I had ran with for the last 5 hours and we both wanted to cry, but we didn't have any body fluids left to export so we just hugged for 3 minutes. I still can't put into words, fully, what that moment ment, or how it changed me. What I can tell you was the confidence laid down in those 4 months changed me forever.
I can't thank Aja enough for that day. I wish I would have gotten the chance to actually sit and talk to her in SF but she was immensly busy with her Chapter and I undestood that, but I really wanted to tell her, she changed my life again. One of my best friends in college, gave me the tool to remake myself and in a good way. It's something I'll never forget. And I'll always be greatful for that.

Patience...Patience

When you get injured, minor or major the first thought any athlete is when can I come back. Too often athletes rush back and don't listen to the their bodies, because they feel bad they are letting down their team. Some injuries, sure you can come back early and be ok. Others there's no cure unless you are 100% better. If you are like me, running for an event it's ok to take some time to heal. Better now than the actual event day. Rushing back from shin splints, ankle sprains (remember this is a running focused blog) could hamper your running, if not get a lot worse if you keep pushing on them, so relax, take a couple of weeks if need be and get better. When you show up to run, you want to be able to compete at the level you are used to. If not, you will (and I know this from my past weeks of not heeding this advice) get frustrated with yourself that you can't complete what you set out to do. Enjoy the rest, your body probably needs some anyways. You won't lose everything in one swoop, go to the gym work on your upper body, jump on the bike, you can still be active and cross train...so do it!

Patience is the key, in your event and out of it.