Giving Back

Race Interrupted – Changing the Training Path

by Monica on August 10, 2010

Sometimes life gets in the way of racing. We found out in November that my husband’s brother needed a kidney and I learned that giving one takes a long time. So we went on with our busy lives while he was being tested and part of that was my training for the San Francisco Marathon in July. There was no way of really knowing if I would get there, but I chose to train anyway ( having also signed up for the Chicago Marathon in October). The transplant, which ended up being in Seattle the weekend of the race, was very successful and truly an amazing thing. My admiration for my husband (aka Bold Pace Music) and his brave generosity overflows. Race interrupted for great cause, time to move on in another direction.

After consulting a few sources about adjusting my training schedule for a later marathon, I decided to take a few weeks off with minimal running. It was good advice. I did discover the beautiful Burke-Gilman Trail that passes the front door of the University of Washington Medical Center on my morning walks to Starbucks (I walk for lattes too). I shared the road on a few beautiful sunny 70 degree days with many runners and bikers. Seattle is dense with healthy looking citizens. I think the break mentally was more important than the physical rest. Motivation is hard to keep up over an extended period of time training. I am happy to have returned to the road, but it has not been a seamless transition. We spend months working on our conditioning and it seems to take no time to lose it…I did an 18 mile long run this weekend and felt like I was crawling home. There is some work to be done. Today it was the track for mile repeats (why does the third mile always seem longer?)–ouch.

I was excited to hear that they changed the date of the Boston Marathon registration to October 18, 2010 which gives all those running an early marathon a chance to qualify for this year. I thought I would miss that window so this will add fuel to the training fire. Eight more weeks to fine tune the running…bring it on.

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{10 Questions} for Kara Goucher and her new MADD card and tee

by Monica on July 9, 2010

Kara Goucher is a rock star in the running world. She is beautiful and sweet and tough and strong. She has become the paradigm for the modern running woman and fast becoming it for the modern running mother. I am waiting for her to meet me in the lobby of a hotel in NYC and enjoying the surreal feel of the moment…a journey that began months earlier by a simple gesture. I have sent many of my Remanents running (and otherwise) inspired cards and tees to people I have genuinely admired over the years, and have received some of the most gracious responses. The one I received from Kara Goucher was just that–a heart felt note and sincere interest in my running and business. She makes her own cards to inspire her friends. So I asked her to design one (just for fun) with me for charity and she was in. Wow.

We live on opposite coasts, but with e-mails and mailings laced with reassurances like “less is more” and “keep it simple” flying back and forth, we very easily find common ground. We go with a Keith Haring-ish drawing by Kara and a Remanents pun (Kara is often described as a world-class runner “with a heart of gold”…she’s that, and BOLD). It was an effortless collaboration as she picks a shirt style, envelope color and tells a story to inspire on the back. She’s a designers dream. Kara chooses MADD [Mother's Against Drunk Driving] as her choice of charity. Her father was killed by a drunk driver years ago and this will honor his memory. As a mother of teenagers and a young adult, this one is a cause close to home. (See article on Kara’s family and MADD)

I am really excited to see Kara coming through the front door of the hotel. She greets me with a warm smile. She introduces me to her good friend Paula Radcliffe (yes, I am kind freaking out a little to be among these ladies). They have come from a luncheon and were just discussing the specifics of working out later in the hotel gym. It could have been any one of the running women I know scheduling their next workout. I am struck by their “normalness” and by the fact that they are working out the night before a race. Paula catches the elevator back to her room and Kara and I head off to get the new “Kara-tee for Charity”. She runs upstairs and returns shortly looking SO adorable with her baby belly and with husband Adam in tow. LDFs Jane and Jamie have tagged along to help out and are masters at keeping her engaged in conversation while Andrea takes some shots. Adam is charming and kind.

I get to jump in with Kara for a few of the photos and we head out onto the street in front of the hotel to take a few more. We are amazed that this incredible couple is still hanging with this forty something crowd. They are full of genuine excitement for the arrival of their son, a new house and the next part of life. It was hard to remember that they are world class runners and not just another really nice couple from Oregon trying to give back.

So Kara and I hope you will consider buying one of these cards or one of these tees so we can donate 100% of the proceeds to MADD to honor her father. They are only available online at Remanents.

Thanks Kara and Adam, you are a great couple and great sports and we know you will make incredible parents.

10 Questions for Kara:

1. Running skirt, friend or foe?

I have to admit this to everyone. I modeled one for a Nike catalog in 2007 and I really liked the skirt. I wore it a lot, even in the Olympic village! I got a lot of compliments on it. But I could never wear it for a hard serious workout, I just couldn’t.

2. What is your idea of the perfect run (details please…when, where with whom)

The perfect run would be on a beautiful sunny day in San Moritz. I have been lucky enough to enjoy several days of sunshine on the most amazing trails there. But for a perfect run, my dad would be there. That would be absolutely perfect.

3. What training tools/items/gear can you not live without? Will you use a jogging stroller?

I cannot live without my sports watch. I have never been able to just run and not worry about time. I like to document how far and fast I ran. No matter how fast or slow it was. I’m a bit obsessive about it. I love my sports watch! I doubt I’ll use a jogging stroller. When I run it’s my time, and I’m at “work.” I can’t imagine worrying about pushing my son around during that time.

4. What is your present state of running mind? Goals?

I am in my 7th month of pregnancy so running has taken a very different role for me right now. Instead of running as hard as I can and getting as fit as I can be, I have been able to just enjoy my running for what it is. It is time to reflect, time to see beauty, time to dream. I still have the same goals that I always have. Win a medal in the 2012 Olympics and win a Major Marathon here at home in the United States.

5. I was struck by the bond between you and Paula, what qualities do you value most in a (running) friend?

I value someone who is kind and thoughtful. I admire people who dream big and who hold themselves to high standards. I really appreciate people who are successful but don’t feel threatened by others. Paula is the greatest female distance runner of all time, but she doesn’t hesitate one second to help me out. That is a rare and wonderful quality. And you have to be able to be totally honest with a running friend. I love to talk, talk, and talk! I’ve gotten the closest to people on runs. There is an honesty there, you can share anything with each other.

OK, enough about running…

6. Best card you ever received? Given?

Asking me what is the best card I have ever received is like asking a mother which one is her favorite child. I have always loved cards. I have huge plastic tubs of them in my garage because I always save them. My mother is an amazing stamper and she has made me some of the most beautiful and clever cards, they are truly artwork. One of my closest friends always seems to send me a card at just the right time, when I am stressed or under the weather. Getting a piece of art in the mail is so amazing. To know that someone thought of you, that someone took the time to write it out and address it. That is a wonderful feeling. I am like my mom, but not as talented. I prefer to make a card, but I don’t have the skill she does. I am horrible at remembering birthdays or holidays, but I always send a card when I know one of my friends or family needs a smile. I have even given them to competitors who I see struggling! I just think that a card can lift someone’s spirits. It really can.
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Soles4Souls — donate your running shoes

by Monica on March 31, 2009

When I was recently assaulted by the running shoes falling from my shoe cubby in the sport closet, I decided it was time to purge. I pondered how I could have so many, but realized I usually buy at least 2 pair per marathon. I have problem feet and a stable shoe is essential. I rationalize this abundance of footwear by telling myself this is a relatively inexpensive sport (unlike skiing or golf). I now log my shoe purchases in my running log (thanks to Jamie who brilliantly suggested this) so I know how long they are worn and the miles they have endured. I can predict when I need to replace them. But I have always felt that even if a pair may not have another marathon in them, there may be miles of walking still to be had.

So I was thrilled to find the organization soles4soles.org that collects these shoes and distributes them to people who may need them. Their website lists stores that participate as drop off locations (in this area: JDR shoes, Cherry Hill, NJ and Fleet Feet, Marlton, NJ) and fabulous ways individuals, businesses and organizations can help.

Another great way to save our own soles:)

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Spring forward with set-backs

by Jean on February 24, 2009

courtesy of trilatino.net and Michael Schreiber

My marathon training is a reflection of my life. I am always setting goals for myself. Doing well keeps me going. But, a set-back keeps me going more. It seems obvious that after a good run and a feeling of exhilaration that one would go running again. But, I started to notice how after a terrible run and feeling sulky I will, with more determination than before, head out again. Because, I need to prove I can do it. I needed to prove I can tack on an extra mile, run in the heat or up the hills. I am reminded I have some control. In control of how much I sleep the night before and what I eat so I can have a better run. Then I will go out and have the perfect run and everything is right again.

The journey of my career has been similar to my marathon training. I decided to get a PhD in science because, besides liking science, I wanted to set my own agenda with my research. Setting up that perfect experiment, getting a manuscript published and delivering the perfect lecture is an amazing feeling. But, while things are going well I somehow become complacent, the urgency is not with me during the day. Then a manuscript will get rejected, a grant will get a non-fundable score or another professor will make a cutting remark. I will get sulky for a while. Then, with renewed commitment, I will head back to the lab, discuss new ideas with my technicians and graduate students, read all those papers that have been piling up or set up a new collaboration. And the excitement comes back.

Recently, I was sick. I went out on several days for a run. I couldn’t make it up the hills; I could not finish the run. But, like my research it was a reminder to not become complacent. I need to pay attention to the details. So, for me, set-backs are okay. They remind me success is earned. Set-backs remind me I need to work hard to attain my goals.

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