When I toe the start line for GLASA Twilight 5K on Saturday, September 12, it will be the first of four races I plan to run in five weeks culminating with my sixth consecutive Chicago Marathon on October 11. Over the years, I have done about ninety-eight percent of my runs on a treadmill. Every so often, a friend volunteers to guide me for an outdoor run, but due to schedules, that does not happen as often as I would like so I gut out runs, even long ones, on the treadmill. Friends have thankfully stepped up this year offering to guide me for easy runs and track workouts. Special thanks to Mike Casey, Ryan Nord, and Wendy Jaehn. Recently, I have been having problems with my treadmill which frequently turns itself off while I am in the mist of a run. Some times, it happens thirty seconds into my session. Other times, it happens ten minutes in. It has become unreliable. Unfortunately, I probably will not be able to get it fixed until my 2015 season is complete.
I turn to you my blog reader, Twitter follower, and Facebook friend asking for volunteers to guide me for training runs. I need runners of all abilities.
• Speedy rabbits for track sessions or faster runs
• endurance experts for my long/easy runs where goal is simply time on my feet/miles under my belt
I need guides of all levels.
• If you have guided me before and are interested again
• If you have always wanted to try guiding, but were scared to volunteer
I am going to have to put in many miles on an almost daily basis so the more volunteers, the better. You may try it once and not like guiding. You may love it, but your schedule does not permit anything beyond a couple runs. I might get four volunteers able to get together once a week. I might get two runners who can run a couple times a week. Whatever your availability, interest, pace, and experience, please reach out immediately because I can not afford to miss my sessions.
Please feel free to reach out to other runners you know who might have the time or interest. Thank you very much!!
Sunday, September 6, 2015
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
Vote Wendy/Israel For Chicago Athlete Magazine Cover
Last Thursday, lovely, Jen Pfaff tagged me in a Facebook post requesting people vote for Wendy and Israel. Unbeknownst to me, Chicago Athlete Magazine was running a contest on their Facebook page asking people to “like” the one picture from the three under consideration to end up on the Chicago Athlete magazine October issue cover. One of the options was Ali Engin’s photo of Wendy Jaehn guiding me at last year’s Chicago Marathon.
For anyone interested in viewing and voting, please follow the URL below and scroll down to a post from last Thursday. Press “like” on the photo of your choice. Voting ends today.
For anyone interested in viewing and voting, please follow the URL below and scroll down to a post from last Thursday. Press “like” on the photo of your choice. Voting ends today.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
RAM Racing Cinco De Miler: My First Experience
A cold and windy day greeted me on the day of the RAM Racing Cinco De Miler. Thanks to Keri Serota of Dare2Tri who introduced me to Brandon and Debbie at RAM Racing who took care of my race guide, Ironman Triathlete and marathoner, Ryan Nord.
We were disappointed that we were placed in corral D, but we hoped it would be a fast field. Having run the Shamrock Shuffle 8K five weeks prior and finishing in forty-one minutes, I was confident I would break forty minutes at Cinco De Miler. If all went well, I could push thirty-seven minutes.
Ryan and I waited for our wave to go off. I was excited to put Jenna Parker’s plan into action. Gun sounded. We crossed the start. We planned to take it easy in the opening mile. Not even six hundred meters into the race, we found ourselves behind a cluster of runners who were already walking. We ran through a tunnel filled with puddles. More runners slowed down. Ryan told me not to worry. We would make up the time once out of the tunnel. Once out, we tried to find our stride. Too many slower runners surrounded us. Ryan and I sat back knowing this was only one mile. To our surprise, we ran the opening mile just slightly behind our desired pace. We tried pushing the pace from the 8:20 we were running. We managed to drop it to 7:30, but that did not last long as we hit another group. Ryan decided to guide me to the far right side of the course in order to race pass a large group. We neared seven minute pace during this stretch. We reached mile two marker. I was disappointed we had not been able to sustain a strong pace. Unfortunately, the third mile was our slowest of the day. During the first couple miles, Ryan and I managed to fly by runners from the corrals ahead of us. I figured once we reached the faster runners, the course would open. Not so. Frustrated at how the race unfolded, I told myself to not be bothered by it. Midway through the fourth mile, Ryan said, “We have an opening. Let’s go for it!” We had been hanging around the eight minute pace. With this opening, we dropped it to 7:30. 7:15. 7:10. We raced up a hill. I took out my anger on it. It felt good to push. Ryan said we were about to start the final mile.
I decided to just run fast and let Ryan do his best to zig zag other runners. Ryan said we were under seven minute pace. 6:56. 6:52. Three quarters of a mile remained. I could hear runners struggling. I felt strong. Ryan insisted I push. “Holy crap. 6:40!” Half mile remained. I was having fun. I wanted to get under 6:30. If I had to run people over, so be it. Ryan and I raced to the finish line.
Ryan helped me break forty minutes. We averaged slightly under seven minutes during the final two miles. I was pleased that I was able to race the back end of the race. I was able to give Jenna Parker something about which to be proud. Thank you Ryan Nord for guiding me, Jenna Parker for coaching me, and Pinnacle Performance Company for sponsoring me. Special thanks to RAM Racing for the opportunity to run in this event.
We were disappointed that we were placed in corral D, but we hoped it would be a fast field. Having run the Shamrock Shuffle 8K five weeks prior and finishing in forty-one minutes, I was confident I would break forty minutes at Cinco De Miler. If all went well, I could push thirty-seven minutes.
Ryan and I waited for our wave to go off. I was excited to put Jenna Parker’s plan into action. Gun sounded. We crossed the start. We planned to take it easy in the opening mile. Not even six hundred meters into the race, we found ourselves behind a cluster of runners who were already walking. We ran through a tunnel filled with puddles. More runners slowed down. Ryan told me not to worry. We would make up the time once out of the tunnel. Once out, we tried to find our stride. Too many slower runners surrounded us. Ryan and I sat back knowing this was only one mile. To our surprise, we ran the opening mile just slightly behind our desired pace. We tried pushing the pace from the 8:20 we were running. We managed to drop it to 7:30, but that did not last long as we hit another group. Ryan decided to guide me to the far right side of the course in order to race pass a large group. We neared seven minute pace during this stretch. We reached mile two marker. I was disappointed we had not been able to sustain a strong pace. Unfortunately, the third mile was our slowest of the day. During the first couple miles, Ryan and I managed to fly by runners from the corrals ahead of us. I figured once we reached the faster runners, the course would open. Not so. Frustrated at how the race unfolded, I told myself to not be bothered by it. Midway through the fourth mile, Ryan said, “We have an opening. Let’s go for it!” We had been hanging around the eight minute pace. With this opening, we dropped it to 7:30. 7:15. 7:10. We raced up a hill. I took out my anger on it. It felt good to push. Ryan said we were about to start the final mile.
I decided to just run fast and let Ryan do his best to zig zag other runners. Ryan said we were under seven minute pace. 6:56. 6:52. Three quarters of a mile remained. I could hear runners struggling. I felt strong. Ryan insisted I push. “Holy crap. 6:40!” Half mile remained. I was having fun. I wanted to get under 6:30. If I had to run people over, so be it. Ryan and I raced to the finish line.
Ryan helped me break forty minutes. We averaged slightly under seven minutes during the final two miles. I was pleased that I was able to race the back end of the race. I was able to give Jenna Parker something about which to be proud. Thank you Ryan Nord for guiding me, Jenna Parker for coaching me, and Pinnacle Performance Company for sponsoring me. Special thanks to RAM Racing for the opportunity to run in this event.
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
When I Won Paratriathlon USA Nationals
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.
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.
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.
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