On shoes, running apparel, and pretending to be a famous athlete

Yesterday, I was lucky enough to be accepted into a program for sponsored athletes. I know what you are thinking. "Isn't he pretty average?" You'd be right, as a runner, I am pretty average. This sponsorship, however, is from Brooks Sports, and Brooks is no ordinary running gear company.

Straight from the gang at Brooks, the Brooks I.D. athletes program is for runners who are "active in their running community" and who "share a passion for the Brooks brand." Brooks I.D. members are "runners who are winners in their own right: Winning their age divisions, accomplishing their personal goals, pushing their own limits, and, by extension, encouraging others to do the same." I.D., in case you were wondering, stands for "inspire daily."

In other words, it isn't my mid-range times in the 5k and 10k that got me in...it is you, my readers.  It was this blog and my story that caught their attention.  It is an honor to have gotten all the positive feedback from everyone as we have made our way through Moira's cancer and my struggle with my own outlook and health.  It is amazing that less than a year later I am able to continue running and racing and continue to aspire higher and higher, when a matter of months ago I wasn't fit enough to walk up stairs. Now I will have the support of Brooks Sports along the way, and it is a pretty big deal for me.

First off, they will set me up with some pretty fantastic gear, so from now on you'll see me lining up at races in a full-blown boy racer pro-athlete Brooks outfit.  At least I will look like I mean business, right?  They also have a serious network of support internally for sponsored athletes, so I will undoubtedly meet many new people that I can learn from and be inspired by myself.  They have events with gear giveaways, training, and other support for I.D. members, and even an outside possibility of attending an annual camp at Brooks HQ in Washington, which they held last year.

On top of all of that, I'll get a steep discount on the stuff I buy in quantity, like shoes.  When you run as many miles as I do these days, that means new shoes about every 8 weeks, which can add up.  Also, winter running apparel, socks, accessories, training stuff, etc., all comes at a discount.  This will be a big help, as we are always looking for ways to keep our expenses down.  Brooks is making it possible for me to avoid compromise and have the best possible gear to keep me fit and healthy.

On top of their devotion to helping out grassroots running, Brooks is the most environmentally friendly running shoe company out there, which is basically what led me to buy their stuff on my own dime in the first place.  The BioMoGo outsole on the majority of their products decomposes 50 times faster than a conventional athletic shoe outsole, and they commonly use recycled materials in shoe uppers and laces, as well as packaging.  Read about their neat ideas here.

So it may not be a full ride scholarship or a six-figure endorsement deal, but becoming a member of the Brooks family is a huge step up for my little running career and will help me and motivate me to keep this crusade going.  Team Average Guy is heading down to New Orleans in a few weeks and I will tell you all about that, for sure.  I also registered for the famous Dexter-Ann Arbor Run (half marathon) and successfully registered for the Chicago Marathon in October.  I hope to run either New Orleans or Dexter-AA in under 1:50:59, as that will get me into a seeded starting corral for Chicago, which would make life there much better from what I hear.

Thanks again for reading.  I know that many of you are still keeping us in your thoughts and prayers and we are definitely reaping the benefits.  Moira is doing fantastically, and even had a haircut the other day, if you can believe that!  Leo is nearly one year old...wow...and he is starting to toddle around the house.  I'm staying fit and injury-free and now this Brooks deal.  We completed our fundraising challenge for the Wellness Community.  It has been a good few weeks.  So I will leave you with one last thing....many of you have still been asking about how you can help and what you can do for us...today just do me one favor and consider Brooks the next time you need a pair of running shoes!

Cancer Transitions

On Monday last week, my wife, Moira, finished her treatment for breast cancer. As I have chronicled over the past several months, we were faced with an aggressive cancer, and a recommended treatment regimen that amounted to an all-out assault. Sitting here after four months of chemotherapy, two surgeries, and 30 radiation sessions, I can hardly believe it is over. When she started, Obama had only been in office for 4 months, General Motors was still denying that they would go into bankruptcy, I was 40 pounds heavier, and our son, Leo was just three months old.

Leo a week or two before Moira's Diagnosis

Here's the little guy now!

Now, I run almost every day and Leo is almost a year old. Obama has faced myriad challenges in a groundbreaking year, and this week, we get to see what the New GM has to offer at the North American International Auto Show. So many things have changed, and we are no exception. When we finally arrived here at the “finish” line as a family, we drove home, practically in silence. I wasn’t ready for that.

As self-appointed family cheerleader, I figured we’d be breaking out the champagne, but instead it was an uneasy, almost unwelcome feeling. Moira was, in a way, scared and sad to see the trappings of the Cancer Center shrink in the car’s rear-view mirror. The past few weeks, Moira took part in a program called Cancer Transitions at the Wellness Community, a local organization to whom I have dedicated my running and fundraising efforts. Cancer Transitions helps recent survivors step back into mainstream life. It helps them accept the “new normal” life that a cancer survivor is presented with. She met a group of other survivors and told me plenty of stories with inspiration and heartbreaking emotional weight.

Even equipped with those experiences, I felt like we could never have been prepared for our oncologist saying goodbye. Our next appointment isn’t for 3 months, which seems like an eternity. The whole morning was bittersweet. Leaving treatment is a great thing, obviously. Cancer gone? Check. That said, how do you go back to dealing with the day-to-day aches and pains or tiredness that chasing a little toddler can bring? You won’t be seeing the oncologist for months. Is that ache in your ribcage something to worry about? Who knows.

As Moira’s supporter, all I can do is encourage her, pray for her, support her, and do my best to listen and give advice. At some point it is essential for a cancer survivor to hang up the paper gown and enjoy the fruit of their accomplishment….at least, the fruit of their accomplishment thus far. That brings us to the second big challenge of this transition…is the fight with cancer REALLY over? Luckily, Moira’s cancer had not metastasized and her chemotherapy was designed to prevent it from doing so, as well as to soften the beaches for surgery. After surgery, the cancer was technically gone.

For some, chemo is the only treatment they can apply at all, and there is no surgical option. The strength it must take to get out of bed every day when you can’t get a formal turning point like surgery must be immense. I know other cancer survivors who are dealing with just that situation. They tell me that they range from feeling 100 percent to feeling like a ticking time bomb…just waiting for the cancer to come out of remission.

It seems fitting that we met our initial fundraising goal this week, just days after we finished treatment. My readers, friends, co-workers, and family have been incredibly generous. It helped a great deal as we tried to bring closure to the experience. It gave us something else to focus on with this new free time - when Moira would have been at Radiation Oncology, or in the Infusion Center. Now, we can put the whole issue to bed in February, when I run the Mardi Gras Half Marathon in New Orleans in honor of the Wellness Community and the many, many cancer fighters I have met this year. Thanks to Moira’s inspiring example, and my new friends in the running community, I actually feel like I can accomplish my goal of running the 13.1 miles in under 2 hours. I’d better get back on the road, though…it’s sneaking up fast and I have a training schedule to meet. On her last day, Moira’s radiation tech congratulated her and told her to “get a new hobby.” I wonder how she feels about running.

The Christmas Spirit: Wrapping Up (Pun Intended) My 2009 Lessons from the Road

Around this time last year, I was stressing over holiday shopping. I had nothing for Moira, and I wanted it to be a special Christmas. She was pregnant with Leo, and we were really optimistic about the year ahead. I struggled with finding the perfect gift and ended up relying on quantity rather than quality. We had plenty of money at that time, after all.

Fast forward 12 months, and I’m just thankful that I can be with my family at Christmas. After all, that optimistic year turned into a mess in a hurry.

As you know, our story started out like thousands of other stories in Michigan. The economy claimed another victim, and Moira lost her job. Weeks before, my biggest problem was deciding what to get Moira for Christmas, and here we were trying to make sure we could still pay the bills. Throw in the stress (and joy) of becoming new parents, and we were already on the road to a fresh point of view. Leo was healthy and Moira was recovering from his birth quickly. We had less money, but things were looking up.

Then we got hit with Moira’s stunning cancer diagnosis and her ensuing treatment. I can honestly say that after helping Moira go through all of that, everything else sort of took care of itself. Even my own realization that I was an unhealthy slob (and the hundreds of miles of running that have followed) seems like an afterthought when you are as scared as we were this summer.

We have clearly grown more in the last 12 months than I ever thought possible. I like to think I have gained perspective. I’m no saint, though. I still get up in the morning jazzed about the latest running shoes or whatever the gadget du jour might be …but that sort of materialism is less of a burden and more of an idle pastime these days. Last night I came home from work and was making Leo laugh out of his shoes just by making some goofy faces. It was infectious, and before we knew it, Moira and I were in tears we were laughing so hard. Rarely do I have a moment like that where I actually step back and appreciate my surroundings. I am always looking forward and have a hard time living “in the moment.” But last night with Leo and Moira, I honestly had a moment where I thought clearly: THIS is all I need in life.

I’ve been trying to make a legitimate effort to put this kind of perspective to use in my everyday life, and so far it is working. I am (or was) a notorious over-reactor to little frustrations. I boil over around aggressive drivers (although, in my defense, people need to learn to use their blinkers on I-275). I hate doing dishes, vacuuming, and laundry. Sometimes I even lack the motivation to hit the road and put in my daily run. Now, I may not have perfected it yet…I’m still an occasional hothead (just ask Moira), but thanks to the trials of 2009 I now find myself unusually upbeat when faced with these daily obstacles. If you believe in God (I do), and you believe that He has a plan for us all (I do), then maybe this kind of new perspective is the payback I get from the challenges we faced as a family. If you have faced cancer, or any threatening disease or other major challenge, I’m sure you’ll know exactly what I mean.

I know it is easy for me to say now, after the worst is behind us, but I’m thankful for the personal growth I have experienced this year. I can’t necessarily speak for Moira’s feelings toward her cancer…her struggle was clearly light years beyond what I went through…but I hope I represent us as a family when I appreciate the lessons of 2009. I may sound like a broken record, given some of my past blog entries, but hopefully I can translate these lessons into the ability to be the dad I would like to be, to be the athlete I would like to be, and to be the husband I would like to be. Zak in 2008 could never have done it, but Zak in 2010 has a chance, at least.

Running Down Cancer

I'm reporting this "recap" entry for all the new visitors we are getting from the Aquinas College family who are just joining our story! Thanks so much for your support, fellow Saints!  
- Zak (AQ '99) and Moira (AQ '00)

It always struck me as inspired that cancer, in nearly all of it’s forms, gets so much of its research funding and survivorship support from the fruits of athletic endeavors.  For instance, if you want to do something amazing for breast cancer survivors, you can do a three-day, 60-mile walk, gathering sponsor dollars while you train.  Want to help fight leukemia?  Join the Team in Training program and run a marathon, race a triathlon, or bike 100 miles in a single day.  You don’t have time for months of training?  Walk a mile and raise dollars that way.

Of course, people could give your organization money regardless of whether or not you ever run, bike, walk, or swim that race…but I can tell you from experience it makes everything more special. There is an inspirational overtone to all of this.  When you sacrifice, it means something.  On May 22, my wife Moira was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She was 31 at the time and had just given birth to our boy Leo exactly three months earlier, on February 22.  If that wasn’t enough, she had also lost her job in early February…just days before she was to take maternity leave.

Now I am not trying to get you to drag out the Kleenex here, but I am willing to bet that the vast majority of you are thinking: “Wow, poor girl, she had one unreal year.”  You would be right.  It has been inspiring to live beside her as she and I cope with everything life has thrown our way. Up to this point, things had basically been going according to plan.  I think it can be said that we don’t do any half measures…want a stressful year?  Go big or go home, I guess

Speaking of big, I most definitely was BIG myself.

In fact, it had become such a stressor for me that I was constantly feeling down, lacking self-confidence, and wondering if was going to make it up the stairs without breaking a sweat.  It certainly hadn’t helped our relationship over the past two years or so. I would get down on myself and Moira would challenge me to do something, to take control of the situation.  For me, and I am sure for many of you, it was never that easy.  Sit out doughnuts from Washtenaw Dairy every time someone had a birthday at work?  Yeah, I didn’t think so.

Near the end of May, just days after her diagnosis, Moira and I were lying in bed staring at the ceiling and pretending we knew how to plan for her cancer treatment (we didn’t).  I laid on the inspirational talk pretty thick. I handed her a copy of Lance Armstrong’s book, told her that “we’ll beat this” and I pretty much figured that was all I had in me.  I’ll never forget what Moira said to that: “Fine.  If you want to inspire me, get in shape.  I’m sick of hearing you whine.”  Actually, I made up the “whine” part, but she is too nice to have added that herself.

So as she started chemotherapy, I started to walk, then run.  For my regular readers, you’ll remember the first time I wrote about running.  By then, I was making progress.  So was Moira.  She took on a sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure, 16 weeks of high-dose chemo, a mastectomy, and will be facing radiation in the coming weeks.  On top of all of that, she became the best mom in town and even found a great new job with getDowntown. In the future I’m sure I’ll tell you about many of our experiences surviving cancer, and the “new normal” we have had to accept.  It isn’t easy, and everyone “fights” cancer in a different way.  It has taken me months to learn that.  At the end of the day, though, she wasn’t just beating cancer…she was kicking its tail.

Go big or go home.  I need insurmountable.  Lose 10 pounds?  How about 50? Run a 5k?  How about the Dexter-Ann Arbor Half Marathon…how about the Chicago Marathon?  In fact, that’s my ultimate goal, the 2010 Chicago Marathon.  I’ve given it a lot of thought, and it is: 1. A year away, so I have time; 2. A world-class event; 3. A fast, flat course; and, 4. Nearby.  And another thing...the debate rages on whether the sport of distance running has been diluted by new and recreational runners doing marathons in 6 or 8 hours, walking most of the way.  For my part, the sport is big enough for everyone, but I’m committed to really racing this thing.  My goal is 3 hours, 43 minutes, or an 8-minute, 30 second-per-mile pace. That puts me in the upper 20 percent of the race’s finishers. So far, so good...I'm running faster and longer every day, and I'm down over 30 pounds.

In the meantime, I’ll also run a half marathon in New Orleans, earning money for the Wellness Community of Southeast Michigan (an invaluable cancer survivor resource) and I’ll run a dozen 5k races around Ann Arbor for causes like breast cancer research.  I’m grateful for the opportunity to put these goals out there for everyone to read, too.  It’s a commitment to a seemingly insurmountable goal.  After all, three months ago I couldn’t run to the living room.  If you see me on the road, shout out some encouragement.  Like I said the very first time I wrote about our challenging year, I hope I can inspire Moira the way she has inspired me.

Running with Santa: Dexter’s Holiday Hustle is a Great First Race

On December 5th, I lined up with over 1,200 runners in the cold, afternoon air of Dexter for a memorable 5 kilometer (3.1 mile) race. This would end up being a special race for me because I managed to set a new personal best. The Holiday Hustle also bookended my first full season of running, and was the last time I’d run with the friends I had made at my Thursday night running class at Running Fit. Just four months earlier, I wasn’t able to run a 5k in under 30 minutes. On Saturday, I ran it in 23:31, or about 7:30 per mile. That won’t set the world on fire…the winner ran it in 15:40, or a 5:03 per mile pace. (Yes, you read that correctly.)

It goes to show you that anyone can learn to run, and anyone can race. Seriously, if I can do it, so can you. It just takes patience, guidance, and (more than a little) motivation. For those of you who have been following my misadventures, you’ll be familiar with my motivation: my wife’s own struggle against breast cancer. For some, the motivation is to get in shape. For others, it is to raise funds for charity. For many, it is simply the challenge of running 3.1 or more miles that gets them off the couch. Whatever your reason, if you hit the road you’re already ahead of most everyone else. Our group leader asked us the other day why we thought that so few people run religiously, and fewer yet run in winter. Her answer was “because it’s hard.” She wasn't kidding.

Despite the challenge, the exhilaration of my daily run can only be matched by the pre-race jitters and adrenaline of running an actual race with hundreds of other runners. I hope you set your sights on a race months in advance, and set your first running goal. You will be astonished at how the excitement of a race can propel you faster and farther than you’ve ever run before. In my solitary training runs, I usually move at a relaxed 9 minute mile pace, but in a race I run faster without even thinking about it. The camaraderie and spirit of competition will take over, and you’ll accomplish things you never thought possible.

The Holiday Hustle is an example of a fun, local race that can be an approachable entry into your running career. It is close, big enough to be exciting but not so big as to be intimidating. It follows a good course, and involves flashing Santa hats and jingle bells. How stressful can it be when the finish line is adorned by garland and twinkle lights, and the race starter is Santa Claus? Warm coffee and hot chocolate were on hand, popcorn was available, and after the finish there was a tree lighting.

The Holiday Hustle is one of many fun races. The Turkey Trot in Detroit was my first 10k (6.2 mile) race this year, and every other runner was wearing a turkey-themed outfit. Races on St. Patrick’s Day are famous for their irreverent atmosphere. We even have races on Superbowl Sunday! Do yourself a favor and lace up for a fun 5k. You won’t regret your decision.

In preparation for your first run I have a few pointers for you. These are not scientific, but I think my status as a running novice might give me a useful perspective for new runners, plus I had help from Running Fit 101. Here are my five rules for your first race:

1. Find out about the course. I had a great race in Dexter, but it was hillier than I expected. I took off at top speed with a goal pace in mind. That went out the window when I hit the first rolling hill. I remember thinking “hello…what’s this?” as I chugged up it slower than I had planned. Of course, running up a hill means you get to run back down, which helps immensely. Had I known the course, I wouldn’t have wasted time with a plan I’d throw out a hundred yards later.
2. Don’t obsess over your “plan.” As a new runner, you’ll be more susceptible to the conditions of the day, like traffic (more on that next), weather, and your body’s own response. Experienced runners train themselves more specifically, but leave that to the experts.
3. Find your peer group. Nothing is more frustrating than being stuck behind a slow group when you want to go faster. Some races will have volunteers with signs to tell you where to line up by pace. Sometimes you may want to ask your neighbor what he or she runs to see where you stand. It will be less frustrating for you if you can avoid traffic as much as possible.
4. Bring friends. Moira and Leo surprised me at the finish line in Dexter. I left Ann Arbor expecting to do this run on my own, and it was great to find them there cheering me on as I rounded the last corner.
5. Have fun. Remember how lucky you are to be healthy and running on a beautiful day!

P.S. Our fundraising campaign is going well, but we still need your help!  Please donate today!

Shirts are IN! Donations are starting to trickle in, too!

Just a quick shot to show you just how enthusiastic these shirts are making everyone, even Leo!  Remember, read www.averageguyhitstheroad.com and donate $65 or more and get a shirt of your own!

Building a Team for Cancer, Training, and Life

When you are used to doing everything for yourself, your way, it can be tough to let people share your burden.  For many of us, myself included, there is a certain amount of satisfaction involved in accomplishing difficult things on our own.  I remember how disappointed I was to learn that the Sherpas did all the work when the westerners were taking all the credit for summiting Mount Everest.  I was bummed to learn that the world’s top marathoners really only set records when they have a team of pacers to block the wind.  In my mind (until recently) it was a point of pride to take on the biggest challenges solo.  How wrong I was.

Even Leo knows these guys need a team. (Don't worry, we don't usually let him watch TV.)

Accomplishing great things requires a great team.  That team can be anyone…family, friends, friends-of-friends, training partners, coaches, co-workers, and of course, a medical team that guides you through treatment.  There is nothing wrong with accepting help, and even asking for help or hiring help.  I mentioned last week that I joined a marathon training program here in Ann Arbor with Running Fit.  I know that it is the right thing to do, even if it is a huge commitment.  I need the structure, the support, and the technical assistance.  In my previous athletic endeavors (which were always doomed to failure) I relied only on books, the internet and my own brain to devise a plan.  Well, all I can say is that people pay personal trainers and running coaches for a reason…results.

I’m also beginning a regular training regimen for general wellness and strength at Sparrow Athletic in Kerrytown.  There I can work on core strength and general conditioning so that I can endure the rigors of my running.  I can tell after just a few workouts that I’m going to be a better, less injury-prone runner as a result.  In other words, with the help of others I have a better chance of doing something right for a change.  The most amazing part is that Josh, the trainer, is volunteering to help me and my teammates get ready for the half marathon we are running to raise money for the Wellness Community.

When we had Leo, dozens of friends came by with dinner, to help out around the house, and generally be of service.  Anyone who has had a child knows just how taxing (but rewarding!) those first few weeks can be, so we truly appreciated the help.  Just a matter of weeks later, when we found out Moira’s diagnosis…the dam truly broke.  Family and friends from far and wide wanted to help.  I was hesitant at first, but ultimately relented as we became overwhelmed in those early days.  I am so glad I did.  Our “team” includes so many people, and without them I know something critical could have been missed, the stress would have been unbearable, and we may have never known how genuinely good so many people really are.

So far in Moira’s treatment, we have had our capable oncologist, a spitfire surgeon, a talented and caring radiation oncologist, and an army of nurses and resident physicians. That is just the beginning.  If you ever have to go through cancer treatment, there are also social workers, volunteers, phlebotomists, therapists of all kinds, administrative personnel, and of course, our favorite UMHS employee, the Cancer Center parking structure attendant.  I’m not kidding. No matter how long between visits nor how long the line, he always asked (and meant it) if we were doing ok, and wished us a wonderful day.  He made a very real contribution, although I would never have thought that the parking lot guy would play any kind of role in all of this.  He did.  His kind attitude was infectious, and always diffused that tension we felt as we drove up Medical Center Drive. He wanted to do his small part to make this experience better.  I know he did and we love him for that.

It is important to keep an open mind and accept the help that others want to provide. I’ve experienced this lately with my new friends in the running community in Ann Arbor.  I’ve given up my bullheaded ways and now look to the experts for running and training, and I soak up every word.  My friend Rob was telling me all about his experiences at various marathons he had conquered and it left me with a new frame of reference.  It has helped me think more critically about what I will be facing when I line up for my own run.  I took some pointers from Marie, my running group leader, for my upcoming 10k race (the Turkey Trot in Detroit on Thanksgiving).  

Now when I see those elite runners breaking records in the marathon on television, I’ll understand.  No one man could ever run a world-record marathon without help.  The pacers are just the guys you see on the screen. A single outsider could never have conquered Everest. The Sherpas unique gifts and expertise made Sir Edmund Hillary’s conquest of Everest a reality, and he made sure that Tenzing Norgay was given his due.  From here on out, I’ll be doing the same for our team.