Running

[Kevin Rector]

Well, I've been running quite a bit. I ran when I was in the Army because I had to and I hated every single second of it. I always got shin-splints and just couldn't stand running.

For some unknown reason, about a month ago I decided to try running again. I really don't know what prompted that first run. But I got the Nike+ Running app and some good running shoes and so far in August I've run 22 miles.

So now I have some goals. I will be running in a 5k in September and a 1/2 marathon in October. The 13.1 miles of the half marathon is pretty daunting, but I've been telling people about it, so now I have to do it.

I'll start training for the 1/2 marathon in earnest next week.

Oh, and with all this running, I'm losing weight and having far fewer headaches than I was having before.

[Doug Ward]

You can do it. I ran my half marathon at age 44 - I still have the medal to prove it.

[Bob Hunter]

Well, I've been running quite a bit. I ran when I was in the Army because I had to and I hated every single second of it. I always got shin-splints and just couldn't stand running.

For some unknown reason, about a month ago I decided to try running again. I really don't know what prompted that first run. But I got the Nike+ Running app and some good running shoes and so far in August I've run 22 miles.

So now I have some goals. I will be running in a 5k in September and a 1/2 marathon in October. The 13.1 miles of the half marathon is pretty daunting, but I've been telling people about it, so now I have to do it.

I'll start training for the 1/2 marathon in earnest next week.

Oh, and with all this running, I'm losing weight and having far fewer headaches than I was having before.

Awesome Kevin! The half is pretty ambitious. When novice runners ramp up that quickly, I get nervous because it always seems to invite injuries. But hey, prove that theory wrong, if you feel good, go for it. BTW. You don't have to run the entire half marathon. A lot of runners will sprint/walk portions of it. My wife ran one last year and she walked about 100 yards to get her heart rate down and push to the finish. It's pretty common out there actually.

[Kevin Rector]

Awesome Kevin! The half is pretty ambitious. When novice runners ramp up that quickly, I get nervous because it always seems to invite injuries. But hey, prove that theory wrong, if you feel good, go for it. BTW. You don't have to run the entire half marathon. A lot of runners will sprint/walk portions of it. My wife ran one last year and she walked about 100 yards to get her heart rate down and push to the finish. It's pretty common out there actually.

Yeah, I'm being very careful and taking plenty of rest days. My training regimen leading up to the half has three rest days a week. I fully expect that I will walk a few miles of the half, but we'll see, I'll walk as much as I need to with no shame. There are lots of people that are signed up just to walk the whole thing.

[Jim Poteet]

Well, I've been running quite a bit. I ran when I was in the Army because I had to and I hated every single second of it. I always got shin-splints and just couldn't stand running.

For some unknown reason, about a month ago I decided to try running again. I really don't know what prompted that first run. But I got the Nike+ Running app and some good running shoes and so far in August I've run 22 miles.

So now I have some goals. I will be running in a 5k in September and a 1/2 marathon in October. The 13.1 miles of the half marathon is pretty daunting, but I've been telling people about it, so now I have to do it.

I'll start training for the 1/2 marathon in earnest next week.

Oh, and with all this running, I'm losing weight and having far fewer headaches than I was having before.

Good for you. Be sure you follow a consistent plan of training for the 1/2 marathon.

[Bob Hunter]

Yeah, I'm being very careful and taking plenty of rest days. My training regimen leading up to the half has three rest days a week. I fully expect that I will walk a few miles of the half, but we'll see, I'll walk as much as I need to with no shame. There are lots of people that are signed up just to walk the whole thing.

Good for you. Recovery days are important, but my therapist wife would say that stretches are equally important. Stretch on your recovery days and drink the amount of water you would if you were going to run....your muscles need it. Also, Gatorade has a recovery drink out now that is really helping with recovery. It's called Gatorade Recovery 03 with protein. Not your standard Gatorade and you can get it in shake or juice beverage. It's a great post-run drink and it doesn't cost that much. I just bought 3 for $5 dollars. I drink 1/3 before the run/swim and the rest post work-out. Also, GNC has a mega sport multivitamin for men (haha those sexist vitamin makers) that will give you the nutritional boost you need to ramp up to a half. Anyway, hang in there and keep pounding the pavement.

[Kevin Rector]

Well, I'm definitely getting stronger. Today I ran 3 miles at a sub-11 minute average mile pace with no walking. It felt pretty great. At the beginning of August I was wondering if I could finish a 5k. Halfway through August I was wondering if I could finish without walking. Now I'm wondering what sort of time I'll get on the 5k I'm doing in September. Pretty amazing what a month can do. So far I've run 32 miles in August.

[Kevin Rector]

Well, I just finished my first month as a runner. I clocked exactly 50 miles in the month of August. I tacked on an extra .46 miles on today's run to get me to 50 miles. I should exceed that mileage in September as I continue to increase my distances training for the 1/2 marathon.

So the organization that's putting on the 1/2 marathon is called Soaring Wings Ranch. It is a Christ centered group home that provides a stable foster environment to children from troubled backgrounds. It is an absolutely amazing organization that is doing really tangible Kingdom work in my county (and Arkansas children need all the help they can get). The chairman of the board is a member of my church. You can view their website at http://www.swranch.org.

I am trying to get friends to "sponsor" my run to raise funds for the ministry as they are doubling their capacity in the coming months. So if you would please sponsor me for any amount that you can afford I would appreciate it, all of the funds go to them and none come to me. Just click the following link and give: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraise...-half-marathon. As I am running those 13.1 miles, knowing that I am being propelled by my sponsors will certainly help me get to the finish line, just as this organization helps so many children get to the finish line of life.

[Jon Bemis]

Definitely a worthy cause! SW Ranch is an incredible ministry.

[Lucas Finch]

Running makes me want to do violent things. Either that, or roll around on the ground in an asthma attack trying to breathe. Props to those who can and enjoy it, though!

I had been doing quite a bit of biking this summer, which I've enjoyed. It's great to see my tolerance level and endurance increase with disciplined practice. Unfortunately, the smoke that has filled my valley for the last three weeks from nearby forest fires has put this on hold. Hopefully things will clear out soon and I can get back out.

[Bob Hunter]

Well, I just finished my first month as a runner. I clocked exactly 50 miles in the month of August. I tacked on an extra .46 miles on today's run to get me to 50 miles. I should exceed that mileage in September as I continue to increase my distances training for the 1/2 marathon.

So the organization that's putting on the 1/2 marathon is called Soaring Wings Ranch. It is a Christ centered group home that provides a stable foster environment to children from troubled backgrounds. It is an absolutely amazing organization that is doing really tangible Kingdom work in my county (and Arkansas children need all the help they can get). The chairman of the board is a member of my church. You can view their website at http://www.swranch.org.

I am trying to get friends to "sponsor" my run to raise funds for the ministry as they are doubling their capacity in the coming months. So if you would please sponsor me for any amount that you can afford I would appreciate it, all of the funds go to them and none come to me. Just click the following link and give: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraise...-half-marathon. As I am running those 13.1 miles, knowing that I am being propelled by my sponsors will certainly help me get to the finish line, just as this organization helps so many children get to the finish line of life.

NN Friends,

I would really encourage you to give to Kevin's cause. I have run several races for charity and I have been blessed to have friends from near and far support me financially with online donations. Consider kicking in a few bucks to support this awesome organization. Giving is so easy, just follow the link and slap down the old credit card and help them out. It took me all of five minutes.

We all appreciate Kevin's heart on NN and his contributions to the Kingdom. If you can give without feeling pressured and from the heart, please do it!

-Bob

[Debi Peck]

After not running much for the last 30 years, the other day I ran around the block four times!!! (Right before I picked it up and put it in the toy box.)

Seriously, though, I admire those who exercise regularly. After you've run that half-marathon, you'll have to start training for one of the two marathons my son-in-law puts on here in Idaho every year. He is an avid runner who is in Hawaii this weekend representing the National Guard in a marathon there. Now that Norm has retired from the military (today is his first official day as a retiree!!!) we get to run aid stations for his races. A few weeks ago we ran the aid station at mile 20-something. In October, we'll be at mile 62. Oh, did I mention these are ULTRA-marathons? 50K, 50 Mile, and 100 Mile. That's why I stick with running around the block!

[Susan Unger]

100 miles?? Eww..... Shudders.

[Debi Peck]

100 miles?? Eww..... Shudders.

LOL My feelings exactly! The longest one he ran was 152 miles. He was running a 48-hour race. His goal was 200 miles, but he pulled his achilles and had to stop at 152. What is really incredible to me is that Ben is one of the youngest ultra-marathon runners. Most are in their 40's-50's, with many in their 60's and 70's. At the 48-hour race, there was one man in his 80's!!!

[Susan Unger]

LOL My feelings exactly! The longest one he ran was 152 miles. He was running a 48-hour race. His goal was 200 miles, but he pulled his achilles and had to stop at 152. What is really incredible to me is that Ben is one of the youngest ultra-marathon runners. Most are in their 40's-50's, with many in their 60's and 70's. At the 48-hour race, there was one man in his 80's!!!

Holy cow .... There's no emoticon to fully express my wonderment over that.

[Gina Stevenson]

LOL My feelings exactly! The longest one he ran was 152 miles. He was running a 48-hour race. His goal was 200 miles, but he pulled his achilles and had to stop at 152. What is really incredible to me is that Ben is one of the youngest ultra-marathon runners. Most are in their 40's-50's, with many in their 60's and 70's. At the 48-hour race, there was one man in his 80's!!!

WOW!! What Susan just said ... where's the wide-eyed, jaw-dropped, palm-on-forehead, et cetera type of smilie?

[Kevin Rector]

Well, it's not quite 152 miles, but I ran 6.6 miles today which is half of a half marathon. It fel like quite an accomplishment.

[Dana Grant]

Well, it's not quite 152 miles, but I ran 6.6 miles today which is half of a half marathon. It fel like quite an accomplishment.

so you ran a quarter marathon -- sounds impressive!! ha ha Keep up the good work!! I'll be riding alongside you on my bike!! My knees won't let me run or walk my long distances anymore (used to walk 10 miles quite frequently) -- but my doc said that biking would be an excellent alternative -- so I am shopping for one today!!!

[Kevin Rector]

...so I am shopping for one today!!!

I don't know if you got one yet, but my one word of advice is to go to a bike shop and spend the extra money for a good bike. A bike shop will fit you to a bike and let you test ride as many bikes as you need to get just the right one. Plus a bike from a bike shop will be well made and last a long time. It will generally also have better components that will not need nearly as much service and that will provide for much smoother shifting and less frustration. Plus it will probably be quite a bit lighter than what you could get at Wal-Mart or some other such store (cheap bikes are usually steel, mid-range bikes are usually aluminum).

[Debi Peck]

Well, it's not quite 152 miles, but I ran 6.6 miles today which is half of a half marathon. It fel like quite an accomplishment.

Kevin, that is an accomplishment!! Although I tease about my son-in-law's 152 miles, I admire anyone who makes a positive change and sticks with it. I recently walked three miles with my daughter, and that was an accomplishment for me! I wish I had the sticktoitivenss to do that every day--or even every other day!

I celebrate with you, my friend! Keep going! You inspire me.

[Dana Grant]

I don't know if you got one yet, but my one word of advice is to go to a bike shop and spend the extra money for a good bike. A bike shop will fit you to a bike and let you test ride as many bikes as you need to get just the right one. Plus a bike from a bike shop will be well made and last a long time. It will generally also have better components that will not need nearly as much service and that will provide for much smoother shifting and less frustration. Plus it will probably be quite a bit lighter than what you could get at Wal-Mart or some other such store (cheap bikes are usually steel, mid-range bikes are usually aluminum).

No we didn't find one yesterday, and yes, I'm going to a bike store after what I saw yesterday, but not sure how much I'm willing to spend extra there -- we'll have to see what we find, I suppose. Yesterday's shopping excursion was a complete bust -- we didn't find ANYTHING we were shopping for!! Back for another trip next weekend, I suppose......

[Dave McClung]

No we didn't find one yesterday, and yes, I'm going to a bike store after what I saw yesterday, but not sure how much I'm willing to spend extra there -- we'll have to see what we find, I suppose. Yesterday's shopping excursion was a complete bust -- we didn't find ANYTHING we were shopping for!! Back for another trip next weekend, I suppose......

Dana, consider going to REI. They have a great bike department and provide excellent customer service. In Tucson, the REI is at the Tucson Mall.

[Ryan Scott]

You can check with them on the next "Garage Sale." REI does a huge blowout once or twice a year called "the Garage Sale." I haven't kept tabs on it much since we moved back East, but I got the best pair of hiking boots ($200 value) for about $40 the last time. Lots of other great bargains.

Often they discount summer stuff in the late fall, although I don't know if the same thing applies in Arizona.

Not every REI has a good bike department, but if Dave's recommending it, the one in Tucson must.

There's a few major brands that make decent bikes. None of them sell at Walmart or Target. There's almost no reason to buy an adult bike at one of those stores - at least not if you plan of riding it regularly or for exercise.

I bought a $700 mountain bike (I got it for less on sale - maybe $550) as a high school student in 1996. I still have it. You might need to replace tires now and then, maybe brakes, shocks, etc - but it's well worth the price to have a solid bike.