Two years ago today, I had the great privilege of racing for the Paratriathlon USA National Championships in Austin, Tx as part of the CapTex Triathlon. The experience was made possible thanks to my friend and coach, Jenna Parker. The C Different Foundation offered me a slot in the C Different Triathlon in March 2013 for a chance to qualify for USA Nationals. I leaned towards saying no, but Jenna insisted it was better to attempt to qualify and fail as oppose to never even giving myself a chance to see if I was good enough. Although I am not a strong swimmer, I used my strength on the bike and run to storm back from last place out of the swim to coast to a first place finish by double digit minutes thus qualifying for Paratriathlon Nationals. Two months later, I took my spot on the start line with a national title on the line.
Here is a look back to my experience at CapTex Triathlon and Paratriathlon USA Nationals. Thank you Jenna Parker. Thank you to Justin Sternberg for guiding me. Thank you Pinnacle Performance Company for sponsoring me. Thank you Dare2Tri Paratriathlon Club for putting me on the Elite Team. Thank you to my friends and readers.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
A Personal Best at Live Grit Lakefront 10
My last ten mile race was the 2012 Soldier Field 10. I finished in 1:39:55. I planned to return in 2013 to set a new personal best, but in the spring of 2013, I qualified for the Paratriathlon USA National Championships held the same weekend as Soldier Field 10. I won the National Championship for Paratriathlon Tri6A Males. Entering 2015, I still had not set a new ten mile best. I chose the Live Grit Lakefront 10 on April 18. Ironman triathlete/elite marathoner, Ryan Nord offered to guide me. I contacted Chicago Area Runners Association’s Road Race/Volunteer Service Coordinator, Matthew Perez, who worked with Ryan and me to ensure we would run Live Grit Lakefront 10.
Race day. Jenna Parker had given me my race instructions and it was time for Ryan and I to execute it. We arrived an hour before the event. We chatted with Ryan’s friend, Jeremy.. Minutes before the race, Gillian Fealy, Live Grit owner made an announcement. Starting gun sounded. We crossed the line.
I planned to take it easy during the opening half then push to negative split the race. I used the first mile to warm up and loosen my legs. Ryan said we were on pace for an 8:15 opening mile. We reached mile one in 8:26. I hoped to maintain 8:30 through the first five miles. Mile two was slower. Mile three even slower. I took deep breaths. I was concerned that my pace had slowed to 8:50. On the bright side, it would be easier to negative split the race. Ryan said to enjoy the easy pace because we would start pushing at the midway point building to a mad dash final few miles.
We reached the halfway mark in forty-four minutes plus. On pace for an eleven minute best. Ryan had me push gently. 8:30 for mile six. Jenna Parker would want me to crush these final four miles. I mentally prepared to embrace the pain and run through it. Mile seven complete. Ryan said, “Whatever you’ve got left, I want you to leave it out here.”” I ran strong. The wind howled in my face. My heart sank. Then I remembered running the Houston half Marathon with Jen Pfaff a few years ago on a cold, rainy, windy day. I smashed my 13.1 mile personal best by cutting through that wind. Time for the same. I turned over my legs. I opened my stride. Race on!
Mile eight complete. Time to close the show. Halfway through mile nine on a 7:45 pace. We finished that mile in 8:07. Final mile. Back to 7:45. 7:30. 7:15. We hit 7:04. Could I get under seven? “6:58. You’re crushing this!” We turned into a tunnel. I slowed down. Out of the tunnel. I ran hard. Ryan rejoiced, “6:50!” A few hundred meters remained. One last charge.
After crossing the finish, a beautiful woman asked, “Are you Sexy Isra?” I said yes. I asked her name, but she walked away. Ryan and I thanked Gillian Fealy of Live Grit. I spoke to my favorite public address announcer, Dave Kappas. My official time was 1:25:22. Thank you Ryan Nord for being my eyes. Thank you Matthew Perez at Chicago Area Runners Association. Thank you Gillian Fealy of Live Grit. Thank you Pinnacle Performance Company for sponsoring me. Thank you to my friend and coach, Jenna Parker.
Race day. Jenna Parker had given me my race instructions and it was time for Ryan and I to execute it. We arrived an hour before the event. We chatted with Ryan’s friend, Jeremy.. Minutes before the race, Gillian Fealy, Live Grit owner made an announcement. Starting gun sounded. We crossed the line.
I planned to take it easy during the opening half then push to negative split the race. I used the first mile to warm up and loosen my legs. Ryan said we were on pace for an 8:15 opening mile. We reached mile one in 8:26. I hoped to maintain 8:30 through the first five miles. Mile two was slower. Mile three even slower. I took deep breaths. I was concerned that my pace had slowed to 8:50. On the bright side, it would be easier to negative split the race. Ryan said to enjoy the easy pace because we would start pushing at the midway point building to a mad dash final few miles.
We reached the halfway mark in forty-four minutes plus. On pace for an eleven minute best. Ryan had me push gently. 8:30 for mile six. Jenna Parker would want me to crush these final four miles. I mentally prepared to embrace the pain and run through it. Mile seven complete. Ryan said, “Whatever you’ve got left, I want you to leave it out here.”” I ran strong. The wind howled in my face. My heart sank. Then I remembered running the Houston half Marathon with Jen Pfaff a few years ago on a cold, rainy, windy day. I smashed my 13.1 mile personal best by cutting through that wind. Time for the same. I turned over my legs. I opened my stride. Race on!
Mile eight complete. Time to close the show. Halfway through mile nine on a 7:45 pace. We finished that mile in 8:07. Final mile. Back to 7:45. 7:30. 7:15. We hit 7:04. Could I get under seven? “6:58. You’re crushing this!” We turned into a tunnel. I slowed down. Out of the tunnel. I ran hard. Ryan rejoiced, “6:50!” A few hundred meters remained. One last charge.
After crossing the finish, a beautiful woman asked, “Are you Sexy Isra?” I said yes. I asked her name, but she walked away. Ryan and I thanked Gillian Fealy of Live Grit. I spoke to my favorite public address announcer, Dave Kappas. My official time was 1:25:22. Thank you Ryan Nord for being my eyes. Thank you Matthew Perez at Chicago Area Runners Association. Thank you Gillian Fealy of Live Grit. Thank you Pinnacle Performance Company for sponsoring me. Thank you to my friend and coach, Jenna Parker.
Monday, May 4, 2015
Shamrock Shuffle 8K 2015
I am not a fan of the cold. That is why I have never run the Bank Of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K. It is the start to the running season in Chicago. Over 30,000 runners take part in the event annually. This year, I would finally run it.
The lovely, Caroline Gaynor introduced me to Ryan Nord. Caroline has wanted me to meet Ryan for some time. Inspired by Caroline’s tireless volunteering as a race guide for blind/visually impaired runners, Ryan wanted to try it. Caroline felt Ryan and I would match perfectly. My friends and blog readers know that I am most comfortable being guided by beautiful, fast, talented elite women. Unless, national or international rules dictate I must use a male guide, I always prefer women friends to be my eyes. I reached out to Ryan. He agreed to guide me for the Shamrock Shuffle. After a few training runs, we were set for race day.
March 29 was cold. Ryan and I made our way to Chicago’s Grant Park. My last race was 2014 Chicago Marathon so I was nervous to toe the start line again. I wanted to run strong to make Ryan, Caroline, and Jenna Parker proud. We spent time in the elite tent which housed those in the Athletes With Disability Wave. I spent time with Keri Serota, head of AWD and Executive Director of Dare2Tri. I saw Lisa Krejcik and Wendy Jaehn. Ryan and I walked to the start. Starting gun sounded. Time to start 2015.
We started minutes ahead of the pros just behind the wheelchair racers. After a slow start, adrenalin kicked in and we started to move. Ryan called out, “7:45 pace.” Faster than I wanted. I slowed a bit. I could hear he was having fun. Fans cheered. I slowed to over eight minute pace, but upon hearing the cheers I pushed. “7:30. You’re running strong.” I held it for a bit then pulled back. If I can help it, I always want to start slow, build, then close the show with a mad dash final mile. We reached mile one. I kept a steady pace through mile two. By the third mile, my legs felt tired. Less than two miles to go, I was worried I would not have the ability to push. Ryan kept telling me I was running strong. I did not feel it.
As we neared mile four, I heard a woman yell, “You’re almost there. One more mile!” I thought of Jenna parker. She trains me to finish strong. Ryan said he was ready to go anytime. I started turning over my legs faster. Ryan called out my pace and the distance remaining. I gained confidence as the distance between us and the finish line shortened. We were back under eight minute pace. half a mile remained. 7:30 pace. 7:20. A third of a mile remained. We were running at about a seven minute pace. My legs felt strong. I was galloping. I could feel my stride open. My body was relaxed.
Ryan and I finished. I average 8:20 per mile finishing in forty-one minutes. My first race of 2015 was done. Thanks Caroline Gaynor for introducing me to Ryan. Thanks Ryan Nord for guiding me. Thank you Pinnacle Performance Company for being my sponsor, Jenna Parker for being my friend and coach, and Reliv International for my nutrition.
The lovely, Caroline Gaynor introduced me to Ryan Nord. Caroline has wanted me to meet Ryan for some time. Inspired by Caroline’s tireless volunteering as a race guide for blind/visually impaired runners, Ryan wanted to try it. Caroline felt Ryan and I would match perfectly. My friends and blog readers know that I am most comfortable being guided by beautiful, fast, talented elite women. Unless, national or international rules dictate I must use a male guide, I always prefer women friends to be my eyes. I reached out to Ryan. He agreed to guide me for the Shamrock Shuffle. After a few training runs, we were set for race day.
March 29 was cold. Ryan and I made our way to Chicago’s Grant Park. My last race was 2014 Chicago Marathon so I was nervous to toe the start line again. I wanted to run strong to make Ryan, Caroline, and Jenna Parker proud. We spent time in the elite tent which housed those in the Athletes With Disability Wave. I spent time with Keri Serota, head of AWD and Executive Director of Dare2Tri. I saw Lisa Krejcik and Wendy Jaehn. Ryan and I walked to the start. Starting gun sounded. Time to start 2015.
We started minutes ahead of the pros just behind the wheelchair racers. After a slow start, adrenalin kicked in and we started to move. Ryan called out, “7:45 pace.” Faster than I wanted. I slowed a bit. I could hear he was having fun. Fans cheered. I slowed to over eight minute pace, but upon hearing the cheers I pushed. “7:30. You’re running strong.” I held it for a bit then pulled back. If I can help it, I always want to start slow, build, then close the show with a mad dash final mile. We reached mile one. I kept a steady pace through mile two. By the third mile, my legs felt tired. Less than two miles to go, I was worried I would not have the ability to push. Ryan kept telling me I was running strong. I did not feel it.
As we neared mile four, I heard a woman yell, “You’re almost there. One more mile!” I thought of Jenna parker. She trains me to finish strong. Ryan said he was ready to go anytime. I started turning over my legs faster. Ryan called out my pace and the distance remaining. I gained confidence as the distance between us and the finish line shortened. We were back under eight minute pace. half a mile remained. 7:30 pace. 7:20. A third of a mile remained. We were running at about a seven minute pace. My legs felt strong. I was galloping. I could feel my stride open. My body was relaxed.
Ryan and I finished. I average 8:20 per mile finishing in forty-one minutes. My first race of 2015 was done. Thanks Caroline Gaynor for introducing me to Ryan. Thanks Ryan Nord for guiding me. Thank you Pinnacle Performance Company for being my sponsor, Jenna Parker for being my friend and coach, and Reliv International for my nutrition.
Friday, April 17, 2015
My First 10 Miler Since 2012
In 2012, I ran the Soldier Field 10 for the third consecutive year. It was a wonderful experience as I lowered my personal best for the ten mile distance. Unfortunately, it was not until later that I learned my official time was not as fast as I had guessed. My guide was not wearing a watch so I was not sure of my mile splits or overall time. I just knew I had run faster than the two previous attempts at the distance. I discovered that my official time was 1:39:55. Since that day, I have improved my training and race day performances. The credit goes to the lovely and talented, Jenna Parker who taught me to run to and through pain. With Jenna’s help I have qualified for the Boston Marathon each of the last five times I have run 26.2 miles. I have been able to call myself the Mideast Regional Champion each of the last two years. I have had the great honor of winning the USA National Championship for Paratriathlon and representing the United States at the Grand Finals in London.
Tomorrow, I will toe the start line at the Live Grit Lakefront Ten Miler. It will be the first time I will run in this event while being my first ten mile race since 2012. I am looking forward to the opportunity to smash through that personal best time in order to set a new standard for myself. I do not know by how much faster I will finish, but I know I have the training, ability, and confidence to run ten miles faster than I ever have.
Jenna has prepared me as only she can. Ryan Nord, who guided me at the Bank Of America Shamrock Shuffle at the end of March, has agreed to be my eyes once more. I am excited to run along side Ryan again. I will be wearing the orange racing kit provided by Gary Mills and Dave Lewis‘ Pinnacle Performance Company. I look forward to building upon the experience from the Shamrock Shuffle as I race myself into tip top fighting shape for the 2015 season.
Tomorrow, I will toe the start line at the Live Grit Lakefront Ten Miler. It will be the first time I will run in this event while being my first ten mile race since 2012. I am looking forward to the opportunity to smash through that personal best time in order to set a new standard for myself. I do not know by how much faster I will finish, but I know I have the training, ability, and confidence to run ten miles faster than I ever have.
Jenna has prepared me as only she can. Ryan Nord, who guided me at the Bank Of America Shamrock Shuffle at the end of March, has agreed to be my eyes once more. I am excited to run along side Ryan again. I will be wearing the orange racing kit provided by Gary Mills and Dave Lewis‘ Pinnacle Performance Company. I look forward to building upon the experience from the Shamrock Shuffle as I race myself into tip top fighting shape for the 2015 season.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Starting 2015 By Shuffling
It was a wild up and down season in 2014 which began with my running the Boston Marathon along side the beautiful and talented, Jen Pfaff. 2014 concluded with my running my fifth consecutive Chicago Marathon. This time along side two beautiful fast women, Wendy Jaehn and Erica Alansari.
On Sunday, March 29, I will toe the start for my first race of 2015. It will be my first since October’s 26.2. Once again, it will be a Bank Of America event. The Shamrock Shuffle 8K. Special thanks to the beautiful and fabulous, Caroline Gaynor for introducing me to a wonderful elite marathoner and Ironman triathlete, Ryan Nord, who will be my eyes for the 8K. Ryan and I managed to get a couple training runs in together. I feel confident trusting him with my life. I believe he is confident for the challenge of guiding.
I spent most of last season training and racing through injuries. I am excited to be toeing the start line tomorrow in good health. Thank you to my friend, the amazing, lovely, wonderful, Jenna Parker for once again preparing me for my race. I am happy to enter another season with her as my coach. She is simply, the best! After all, she took a back of the pack finisher and turned me into a multiple Boston Marathon qualifier, a USA National Champion in Paratriathlon, and a member of Team USA World squad.
Thank you to the great folks at Pinnacle Performance Company for agreeing to once again sponsor me for the 2015 marathon and triathlon season. I am so grateful to Gary Mills who provided the steady hand when I wrote my first four plays as a student in his Playwright For The Actor class and who, as cofounder/co-CEO believed so much in me that he offered me the opportunity to offer Pinnacle sponsorship.
There is a long and fun season awaiting me. I am looking forward to getting started along side Ryan Nord. I do not know how fast I can run or how the weather will be, but I know when I run that course, I will be happy to be doing what I love. Running.
Pinnacle Performance believes in me, Jenna Parker has prepared me, Reliv International fuels my nutrition, and now it is time to take my spot along side a fabulous person to guide me. Good luck to my friends racing in the event. I am looking forward to see if the magnificent, Tera Moody will once again shine while running faster than everyone else. Good luck to the inspiring, Michelle Mirzoian, into whom I ran today. I hope you, my reader, will join me on this season’s journey to where it may lead me. Together, we can make memories to last a lifetime.
On Sunday, March 29, I will toe the start for my first race of 2015. It will be my first since October’s 26.2. Once again, it will be a Bank Of America event. The Shamrock Shuffle 8K. Special thanks to the beautiful and fabulous, Caroline Gaynor for introducing me to a wonderful elite marathoner and Ironman triathlete, Ryan Nord, who will be my eyes for the 8K. Ryan and I managed to get a couple training runs in together. I feel confident trusting him with my life. I believe he is confident for the challenge of guiding.
I spent most of last season training and racing through injuries. I am excited to be toeing the start line tomorrow in good health. Thank you to my friend, the amazing, lovely, wonderful, Jenna Parker for once again preparing me for my race. I am happy to enter another season with her as my coach. She is simply, the best! After all, she took a back of the pack finisher and turned me into a multiple Boston Marathon qualifier, a USA National Champion in Paratriathlon, and a member of Team USA World squad.
Thank you to the great folks at Pinnacle Performance Company for agreeing to once again sponsor me for the 2015 marathon and triathlon season. I am so grateful to Gary Mills who provided the steady hand when I wrote my first four plays as a student in his Playwright For The Actor class and who, as cofounder/co-CEO believed so much in me that he offered me the opportunity to offer Pinnacle sponsorship.
There is a long and fun season awaiting me. I am looking forward to getting started along side Ryan Nord. I do not know how fast I can run or how the weather will be, but I know when I run that course, I will be happy to be doing what I love. Running.
Pinnacle Performance believes in me, Jenna Parker has prepared me, Reliv International fuels my nutrition, and now it is time to take my spot along side a fabulous person to guide me. Good luck to my friends racing in the event. I am looking forward to see if the magnificent, Tera Moody will once again shine while running faster than everyone else. Good luck to the inspiring, Michelle Mirzoian, into whom I ran today. I hope you, my reader, will join me on this season’s journey to where it may lead me. Together, we can make memories to last a lifetime.
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Dare2Tri Presents Paratriathlon Development Series
This week, USA Triathlon announced a partnership between USA Paratriathlon and Dare2Tri Paratriathlon Club. USA Paratriathlon is a program which is a part of the overall USA Triathlon family. Dare2Tri is a Chicago based club which serves to promote and provide opportunities for injured military veterans, adults and children with physical disabilities, and those with visual impairments to compete in the sport of triathlon while inspiring people in their communities and abroad. The announced partnership is for a development race series which will be made up of four triathlon events during the 2015 season. Up and coming paratriathletes will have a chance to compete for monetary prizes to be offered by Dare2Tri.
For the official press release as well as more information on the organizations presenting this development series, please log on to the following site.
For the official press release as well as more information on the organizations presenting this development series, please log on to the following site.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Laura Sturm In Same Time, Next Year
Several years after graduating college, I researched acting schools. I found one in Chicago in which I was interested because one of the instructors had recently received her MFA from the same university from which I graduated. Although that was not the ultimate reason to attend that school, I thought it fun to have that kind of a connection as I prepared to throw myself into a world with which I had very little to no experience. I made an appointment to meet with one of the artistic directors and instructors, Ted Hoerl, but before the date arrived, I happened to attend a party where I had a conversation with one of the then CEOs of the school, Dave Lewis. Dave said he noticed I was to have an interview with Ted the following week and wanted to talk to me about my goals, ideas, and questions. Knowing I was inexperienced with acting classes, he suggested I meet with instructor, director, and actress, Laura Sturm. If Laura felt comfortable working with me, I could sign up for her Beginning Scene Study class. Dave figured Laura and I could bond over having attended the same university at about the same time. Sure enough, Laura was magnificent. She taught me so much and was exactly what I needed to help me grow as a person and artist. I can not begin to say how much work and effort Laura put into tearing down my emotional and physical defense walls one brick at a time. She fully understood all the barriers I placed to defend myself from the world after losing my sight. She made sure to provide me a safe environment in which to experiment and learn. She knew when to be understanding and go easy on me as well as knowing when to push me and demand more from me. As I made more and more breakthroughs as I advanced through the program, others took notice. By the time I completed my time at the school, Ted Hoerl praised me for being willing to stick it out and challenge myself. He said that by the time I had finished, I had put myself in a position to be on the verge of being an artist. All I had to do was take the leap and dive into the water. Ted said it was obvious that the work Laura did with me was making a difference. Three years after I first met Laura Sturm to see if she would want me in her class, she attended a performance of a play I had written and in which I was starring at Chicago's Prop THTR. It was such an emotional night for both of us. I finally had the opportunity to show Laura what I could do on a professional theater stage. She finally had a chance to watch her effort pay off by watching me "go for it" in front of a live audience and critics.
Laura has remained one of my dear friends. This beautiful, talented, amazing woman will always have a place in my heart. I will always cheer for her continued success. I will always find myself learning and growing as an artist and person through knowing and observing Laura. She is currently starring in a production of Bernard Slade's award winning Same Time, Next Year at the Skokie Theater. Performances run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through February 22. General admission tickets are $28. Discounts are available for students and seniors.
Here is a theater review from Evanston Now:
You can get tickets at the following site:
Laura has remained one of my dear friends. This beautiful, talented, amazing woman will always have a place in my heart. I will always cheer for her continued success. I will always find myself learning and growing as an artist and person through knowing and observing Laura. She is currently starring in a production of Bernard Slade's award winning Same Time, Next Year at the Skokie Theater. Performances run Friday, Saturday, and Sunday through February 22. General admission tickets are $28. Discounts are available for students and seniors.
Here is a theater review from Evanston Now:
You can get tickets at the following site:
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