Great article in RW...all things running shoes!
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-240-490--12954-0,00.html?cm_mmc=social-_-twitter-_-2009_09_9-_-Running%20Shoe%20FAQ
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Sidelined? Maybe not...
Some of you may be feeling a twinge here or an ache there as your mileage increases in preparation for the Fall marathons.
If you're like me, you don't like to go to the doctor. #1: We're too busy running to fit it into our schedule. #2: What if they say we can't run?!
I've found this site helpful in my quest to cure myself for those minor niggles or give me the push I need to make the dreaded doctor's appointment.
http://www.theathletesfootrdu.com/injuries.htm
Enjoy the road, Teammates!
-Toni
If you're like me, you don't like to go to the doctor. #1: We're too busy running to fit it into our schedule. #2: What if they say we can't run?!
I've found this site helpful in my quest to cure myself for those minor niggles or give me the push I need to make the dreaded doctor's appointment.
http://www.theathletesfootrdu.com/injuries.htm
Enjoy the road, Teammates!
-Toni
Monday, June 22, 2009
8 Tips for Exercising in Summer Heat | Active.com
Hi Team!
We're heading into the official training season (16-week programs) for the Fall Marathons. Marine Corps Marathon training officially starts on July 5th...but, if you're like me, it'll wait until the 6th when I've recovered from the holiday. ING NYC Marathon training officially start on July 12th.
Below are some important things to remember when it comes to Summer training. And I know a lot of you are training in some H-O-T weather!
8 Tips for Exercising in Summer Heat Active.com:
1: "The time of day is important. Unless you are training for an event that takes place in the daytime heat, avoid exercising from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's the hottest part of day. Generally, the early morning is the best time to workout, especially if it's going to be scorcher that day.
2: Wear loose, light-colored. The lighter color will help reflect heat, and cotton material will help the evaporation of sweat. You may also want to try specially designed, 'hi-tech' running shirts and shorts. They are often made from material meant to keep you cool.
3: Sunscreen is a must. I use SPF 45 just to be safe. It's important to protect your skin. You can get burned and suffer sun damage to your skin even on cloudy days.
4: Stay hydrated. Before you go out, drink a glass or two of water. Carry a bottle of water or even a hydration pack such as the CamelBak. Take a drink every 15 minutes, even when you're not thirsty. When you're done with your workout, have a few more glasses of water.
5: Replenish your electrolyte and salt intake while exercising. I like to use SUCCEED capsules--small, simple packs of sodium and electrolytes that keep my system in check.
6: If you can, choose shaded trails or pathways that keep you out of the sun.
7: Check the weather forecast before you start your workout. If there's a heat advisory, meaning high ozone and air pollution, you might want to take your workout indoors. These pollutants can damage your lungs.
8: Most importantly, listen to your body. Stop immediately if you're feeling dizzy, faint or nauseous."
Train hard. Train Happy!
Toni
Team Captain - Marine Corps Marathon Team H4W
We're heading into the official training season (16-week programs) for the Fall Marathons. Marine Corps Marathon training officially starts on July 5th...but, if you're like me, it'll wait until the 6th when I've recovered from the holiday. ING NYC Marathon training officially start on July 12th.
Below are some important things to remember when it comes to Summer training. And I know a lot of you are training in some H-O-T weather!
8 Tips for Exercising in Summer Heat Active.com:
1: "The time of day is important. Unless you are training for an event that takes place in the daytime heat, avoid exercising from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. It's the hottest part of day. Generally, the early morning is the best time to workout, especially if it's going to be scorcher that day.
2: Wear loose, light-colored. The lighter color will help reflect heat, and cotton material will help the evaporation of sweat. You may also want to try specially designed, 'hi-tech' running shirts and shorts. They are often made from material meant to keep you cool.
3: Sunscreen is a must. I use SPF 45 just to be safe. It's important to protect your skin. You can get burned and suffer sun damage to your skin even on cloudy days.
4: Stay hydrated. Before you go out, drink a glass or two of water. Carry a bottle of water or even a hydration pack such as the CamelBak. Take a drink every 15 minutes, even when you're not thirsty. When you're done with your workout, have a few more glasses of water.
5: Replenish your electrolyte and salt intake while exercising. I like to use SUCCEED capsules--small, simple packs of sodium and electrolytes that keep my system in check.
6: If you can, choose shaded trails or pathways that keep you out of the sun.
7: Check the weather forecast before you start your workout. If there's a heat advisory, meaning high ozone and air pollution, you might want to take your workout indoors. These pollutants can damage your lungs.
8: Most importantly, listen to your body. Stop immediately if you're feeling dizzy, faint or nauseous."
Train hard. Train Happy!
Toni
Team Captain - Marine Corps Marathon Team H4W
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Training Season!
Hi Team!
As we approach the official training season for the upcoming Fall races, it's a perfect time to get connected with other team members in your area. We have great representation in the NYC area, D.C. area and VA Beach area. Our Fall schedule has three awesome races: VA Beach Rock 'n Roll - 9/6/09, Marine Corps Marathon -10/25/09 and ING NYC Marathon -11/1/09.
If you're interested in finding a team member (or several) to train with, this is a great way to link up and make the miles a little more enjoyable. Just post your contact information, along with your location and any other helpful tidbits (mileage, pace, favorite training route, etc.)
Our NYC Team Captain, Sarah Wilkens, (sarah@hopeforthewarriors.org) will be organizing weekly training runs beginning in July. Carole Turner, a MCM team member and Hope for the Warriors staff member, has offered to organize weekend group runs in the D.C. area. She's relocating as I type. Once she's settled, she'll be ready to hit the ground running (pun intended). We also have a dedicated team member in the Quantico area, Erik Benitez, who is always looking to add more to his no-frills weekend run group. For the past 2 years, I've lead a weekly running group each Saturday aboard Camp Lejeune. I'm looking forward to having more team members join the fun this Summer.
This is going to be a great racing season for Team Hope For The Warriors! Let's get to training!
Running happy,
Toni
Team Captain, Marine Corps Marathon
toni@hopeforthewarriors.org
As we approach the official training season for the upcoming Fall races, it's a perfect time to get connected with other team members in your area. We have great representation in the NYC area, D.C. area and VA Beach area. Our Fall schedule has three awesome races: VA Beach Rock 'n Roll - 9/6/09, Marine Corps Marathon -10/25/09 and ING NYC Marathon -11/1/09.
If you're interested in finding a team member (or several) to train with, this is a great way to link up and make the miles a little more enjoyable. Just post your contact information, along with your location and any other helpful tidbits (mileage, pace, favorite training route, etc.)
Our NYC Team Captain, Sarah Wilkens, (sarah@hopeforthewarriors.org) will be organizing weekly training runs beginning in July. Carole Turner, a MCM team member and Hope for the Warriors staff member, has offered to organize weekend group runs in the D.C. area. She's relocating as I type. Once she's settled, she'll be ready to hit the ground running (pun intended). We also have a dedicated team member in the Quantico area, Erik Benitez, who is always looking to add more to his no-frills weekend run group. For the past 2 years, I've lead a weekly running group each Saturday aboard Camp Lejeune. I'm looking forward to having more team members join the fun this Summer.
This is going to be a great racing season for Team Hope For The Warriors! Let's get to training!
Running happy,
Toni
Team Captain, Marine Corps Marathon
toni@hopeforthewarriors.org
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Great Racing Event - Charlotte, NC
Hi Team!
If you're looking for a different, fun, challenging team event, take a look at this link for the Marine Buddy Challenge (2/7/09): http://www.pierceelliotdesigns.com/mcccgc/index.html
Barb Christie, a Gold Star Wife, helps to organize this racing series each year, with the proceeds going to different charitiable organizations focusing on the military and their families.
Train Hard. Train Happy!
Toni
If you're looking for a different, fun, challenging team event, take a look at this link for the Marine Buddy Challenge (2/7/09): http://www.pierceelliotdesigns.com/mcccgc/index.html
Barb Christie, a Gold Star Wife, helps to organize this racing series each year, with the proceeds going to different charitiable organizations focusing on the military and their families.
Train Hard. Train Happy!
Toni
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
2008 Marine Corps Marathon Favorite Moments
Team!
What a great day to run! The first of many memorable moments was hearing our 'shout out' from Ken Berger, Voice of the Marine Corps Marathon, at the start. He mentioned our presence -Team H4W - several times before the gun went off. That PUMPED me up!
Then there were Zach and AJ lined up with the other wheelers at the start...what a sight! The race started as I remembered it the last time I ran in 2006...slow but filled with excitement. Not as many men lining the street to relieve themselves, though :-) I don't remember much until about mile 8...it was pretty effortless up until then. Then we came across Zach and AJ - Zach was having issues with his chain as he was trying to navigate one of the inclines. Man...was that a huge energy boost for me and my husband! We stopped to take a look and without asking, several others came to make sure we were okay and took a look at Zach's bike to see if they could help. Once we got it moving, we gave a push to help him get momentum up the hill...not just me and my husband, but nameless, random marathoners who jumped in to do their part without even thinking - it was just the right thing to do. And those around us were going CRAZY cheering AJ and Zach on, and also were a huge help in clearing the way so they could get through the sea of runners.
Next, I was approached by a team member that I had never met, Mike Tiddy, but who recognized me by the singlet. He was a hoot...we hung for about a mile. Then came a teammate that got me through a tough half-marathon at Lejeune, Nick Schmidt. He was struggling - knee injury - so I passed him a couple of Shot Bloks and continued on. Don't worry...he made it. Saw him with a smile and beer at the charity village tent :-)
I LOVED the bands and drums along the course...the drums were my favorite. They really got ya moving.
I think one of my top memories during the run was when two of our teammates passed me around mile 10 or so...they were in their singlets, and zipped by so fast we only exchanged a few words, but the one comment I got out was "love the hair!" They both had faux-hawks dyed in blue and red. How cool! They weren't able to make it to the tent, but I looked them up on the website and both came in under 4:00:00 - what an accomplishment! Great job Jeremy and David!
There's so much to write, hugging Shannon at mile 20 (the co-founder of H4W) as I headed over the bridge that defeated me in 2006...tears in my eyes, the jolly rancher right after my hug, hollering to team members along the way - Sean Brooks on the bridge, Cory Dunlap - we had a few great pictures together in front of the Capitol, Eric & Dan Knowlton, Mark & Pam Unger, my husband, Zach and AJ in Crystal City...that was a popular meeting point, and a much needed morale boost!
And then at mile 25-ish my favorite sign of the race..."F- the Couch!" Something about that sign gave me the boost I needed.
And then the cheers and high fives from Robin and Sue at the finish...tears rolling down. That was the perfect race. That's the only way to describe it. I'm not sure I'll ever have another day like that again, but I'll continue to race trying to find it.
This was one of the best experiences of my life...thank you. It's an honor to be your team coordinator.
Race on, Team!
Toni
P.S. I'll be running the Richmond Marathon this Saturday, 15 November. Feel free to come along for the fun!
What a great day to run! The first of many memorable moments was hearing our 'shout out' from Ken Berger, Voice of the Marine Corps Marathon, at the start. He mentioned our presence -Team H4W - several times before the gun went off. That PUMPED me up!
Then there were Zach and AJ lined up with the other wheelers at the start...what a sight! The race started as I remembered it the last time I ran in 2006...slow but filled with excitement. Not as many men lining the street to relieve themselves, though :-) I don't remember much until about mile 8...it was pretty effortless up until then. Then we came across Zach and AJ - Zach was having issues with his chain as he was trying to navigate one of the inclines. Man...was that a huge energy boost for me and my husband! We stopped to take a look and without asking, several others came to make sure we were okay and took a look at Zach's bike to see if they could help. Once we got it moving, we gave a push to help him get momentum up the hill...not just me and my husband, but nameless, random marathoners who jumped in to do their part without even thinking - it was just the right thing to do. And those around us were going CRAZY cheering AJ and Zach on, and also were a huge help in clearing the way so they could get through the sea of runners.
Next, I was approached by a team member that I had never met, Mike Tiddy, but who recognized me by the singlet. He was a hoot...we hung for about a mile. Then came a teammate that got me through a tough half-marathon at Lejeune, Nick Schmidt. He was struggling - knee injury - so I passed him a couple of Shot Bloks and continued on. Don't worry...he made it. Saw him with a smile and beer at the charity village tent :-)
I LOVED the bands and drums along the course...the drums were my favorite. They really got ya moving.
I think one of my top memories during the run was when two of our teammates passed me around mile 10 or so...they were in their singlets, and zipped by so fast we only exchanged a few words, but the one comment I got out was "love the hair!" They both had faux-hawks dyed in blue and red. How cool! They weren't able to make it to the tent, but I looked them up on the website and both came in under 4:00:00 - what an accomplishment! Great job Jeremy and David!
There's so much to write, hugging Shannon at mile 20 (the co-founder of H4W) as I headed over the bridge that defeated me in 2006...tears in my eyes, the jolly rancher right after my hug, hollering to team members along the way - Sean Brooks on the bridge, Cory Dunlap - we had a few great pictures together in front of the Capitol, Eric & Dan Knowlton, Mark & Pam Unger, my husband, Zach and AJ in Crystal City...that was a popular meeting point, and a much needed morale boost!
And then at mile 25-ish my favorite sign of the race..."F- the Couch!" Something about that sign gave me the boost I needed.
And then the cheers and high fives from Robin and Sue at the finish...tears rolling down. That was the perfect race. That's the only way to describe it. I'm not sure I'll ever have another day like that again, but I'll continue to race trying to find it.
This was one of the best experiences of my life...thank you. It's an honor to be your team coordinator.
Race on, Team!
Toni
P.S. I'll be running the Richmond Marathon this Saturday, 15 November. Feel free to come along for the fun!
Monday, September 29, 2008
Team Bling!
Hi Team!
Here are a couple of pictures from the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Marathon on Saturday, 27 September. We all posted decent times - some more decent than others. Randy Lenn - a fellow team H4W Team member - took 5th place - that's HUGE! - overall and 1st in his division! He's super fast! (he left me near tears, literally, at mile 16 of a 20-mile run...) The men's 5-man team (Team Tier One) which consisted of three of our Team H4W team members, placed FIRST! Team Unger (better known as Pam and Mark) placed second in the 
husband/wife division. Both of them are running for Team H4W at the MCM. And, to top things off, Mark Unger took 1st in his division. Let me add ... this was his first half marathon.
Good times for Team Hope for the Warriors, spirits were high and we took home some serious bling!
I was fortunate to be entertained by a teammate, Nick Schmidt, the entire run. Thank goodness -- it would've been really lonely without him. He is a member of Team Tier One (and on the 5-man team that placed 1st in this race) and will be traveling to D.C. to run the MCM for Team H4W. His encore to the Marine Corps Marathon....S.E.A.L. training!
husband/wife division. Both of them are running for Team H4W at the MCM. And, to top things off, Mark Unger took 1st in his division. Let me add ... this was his first half marathon.Good times for Team Hope for the Warriors, spirits were high and we took home some serious bling!
I was fortunate to be entertained by a teammate, Nick Schmidt, the entire run. Thank goodness -- it would've been really lonely without him. He is a member of Team Tier One (and on the 5-man team that placed 1st in this race) and will be traveling to D.C. to run the MCM for Team H4W. His encore to the Marine Corps Marathon....S.E.A.L. training!
We're almost to the taper -- Enjoy the down hill... weeeheeee!
Happy FRunning!
Toni
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