Today?s Run, March 7, 2010

216 till the Chicago Marathon

?Stadiums are for spectators. We runners have nature and that is much better.? Jaha Vaatainen, Finland

It was 8:01 a.m., 35F and sunny when Ken Christie began our pre-run meeting. There were about 60 GER members present. Thanks to Mary Monks who did a head count for me!

Better weather is imminent! The Gatorade was flowing from the spigot. The run was fantastic. To us winterized Chicagoans it felt tropical. The sun, it was that beautiful sun. Rain was predicted but it held off till we finished our runs and bagels at Einstein?s.

So many different GER members running so many different races; marathons and halfs. Christine Montana and Mary Monks were running their 20 miler today?getting ready for their taper. BOSTON for those two on April 19. Congratulations you two. We know that this not your first Bean Town marathon?. If you know of another GER member running Boston?tell me! Many other people I know are running the Illinois Marathon?I heard that the finish was positively Olympic, replete with stadium finish. Gosh all you would need there is Jim McKay calling it and would become legend. Good luck you guys! John?. And Jim is running the Kenosha Marathon. Jerry V. was discussing his last few states to tackle to complete is goal of running marathons in all 50 states. We run with interesting people!

And the GER Oscar goes to?..Todd Siebert! Yes, today Ken awarded an Oscar to; Todd ?will wear shorts all winter long, even in subzero weather? Siebert. Thank you Todd, for braving the elements throughout the winter in running shorts. It did bring a smile to everyone?s face to see your bare legs even in inclement weather. And Todd, as for the tattoo on your calf-we like it, we really like it!

Ken reminded everyone that;
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS STARTS MARCH 14.
Set your clock an hour ahead for the Sunday Run will begin at 8 a.m. D.S.T. So spring forward, because although your clocks say 8 a.m., it will feel like 7 a.m.

The Prairie Path is de-frosted enough to run on in Wheaton. It is still iced and snowed over in Glen Ellyn. So our run took place mostly on the streets of Glen Ellyn, then on the Praire Path in Wheaton. Hopefully next week it will clear enough everywhere.

March Madness Half Marathon Participants After Party! For those GER members lucky enough to register for and run in this race, in Cary, Illinois on March 21; there will be a get-together sponsored by Amy Marker. After you finish the race, plan to join club members for a bite and some recovery beverage .
Wool Street Grill
800 Feinberg Ct
Cary, IL 60013
Ph: 847-462-9665
www.woolstreetgrill.com

Wool Street Grill opens at 11am so plan on joining the group anytime after they open We have several tables reserved for our club. Even if you are not running March Madness, please consider making the trip up to cheer on your fellow GER buddies and/or just to hang out at Wool Street Grill.

Please join us for a fun night of bowling at

Lucky Strike Lanes at Yorktown Center Mall in Lombard.
When: Thursday March 25th
Time: 6-8pm

Bowling and shoe rental are free for up to 16 people . The only cost to you will be any beverages or snacks you wish to purchase.
Please RSVP directly to Jessica Oldfather (treasurer@glenellynrunners.net) to reserve your spot. If bowling isn't your thing - come out anyway and watch your fellow runners!

If there is interest, we may stick around for a bit afterwards for food and drinks in their lounge. So if you can't make it right at 6 come on by anyway.

Interval training will begin April 6. Rick Johnson and Bob Jones will be running the sessions. It will be exciting this year as there will be two groups. One for the Advanced runner who is going for his or her personal record and the Intermediate runner who is trying to improve their time. Details will be forthcoming.

We are back at the Congress again! :D
As in years past, we will continue to reserve a block of rooms at the Congress Hotel for Glen Ellyn Runners during the Chicago Marathon. Our special deal is you are not required to book a room for a minimum two nights. GER's can reserve the room for one night (Oct 9th) and you are guaranteed a late checkout of 2pm. It's a deal! You will need a discount code to take advantage of this deal. Please email any board member for this code.

Also, we booked the same Hospitality room as we had last year. The hospitality room is free for all GER Membership.

Marathon Clinics begin in May.

Some Thoughts on Interval Training. Re-run from June 28, 2009

Recently there has been so much discussion about speed work, Interval Training or whatever name a runner might call them. Personally, I find this sort of training odious, you know-- really, really yucky! I am a distance gal. One of the kids I coach at running long distance asked me why he had to do intervals when he was a distance runner. Good question, Sam!

More and more information has been coming out about the benefits of this sort of training, and not just for competitive athletes either. Speed training is beneficial for everyone.

Aerobic activity is when the body uses oxygen during metabolism. During aerobic activity, muscles get fuelled with oxygen. The slower the activity the easier the body can supply the muscles with oxygen. As the muscles speed up, the amount of oxygen that the body can supply these muscles does not keep pace with the oxygen need. This is a supply and demand issue.

The high intensity activity demands more oxygen than the heart and lungs can supply. The muscles must get their energy from fuel already stored within them; glycogen. The process of utilizing this stored energy is called anaerobic metabolism or metabolism without oxygen.

The burning and tired feeling one gets in their muscles after a high intensity workout is caused by oxygen debt. When the high intensity workout is over, the heart and lungs are required to work very hard to repay the debt of oxygen that the muscles experience.

By doing speed work or interval training the body adapts to the lack of oxygen by building capillaries. This is called the ?adaption response?. The heart muscle gets stronger, and more efficient at getting oxygen to the muscles. This makes for better circulation, therefore better overall health. It also means greater athletic performance because the muscles adapt to the oxygen debt and utilize anaerobic metabolism more adeptly. Speed work allows the body to recover more quickly after high intensity exercise. Interval training also burns more calories!

Well, there are just a few good reasons to do interval training or speed work. I will keep this in mind when I am huffing and puffing on my next fast 800. And for my young friend Sam?speed work will make you faster, dude!

Have an awesome week! Good Running!