Minneapolis Half Marathon in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

We’re headed to Minneapolis for the Minneapolis Half Marathon.  This will be our sixth state and my sixth half marathon in my 2012Run12.  I think I am going to surprise my wife and take her to the Mall of America.  She has been supportive through my many miles of running and so far this year I’ve run almost 700 miles.

Each place we visit has its own fascinating history and Minneapolis is no exception.  Minnesota is known as the Land of 10,000 Lakes and its name comes from the Dakota word meaning sky-tinted water.  We’ll take in some of the great sites before and after the Minneapolis Half Marathon.  We’re also looking forward to the Minneapolis Half Marathon Post Race Party at the Bohemian Flats Park which is along the Mississippi River.  There will be live music from The Brute Squad and a free beer.  Bohemian Flats is near the Washington Bridge that had collapsed on August 1, 2007 and has since been rebuilt.

I am looking forward to running the Minneapolis Half Marathon.  As a runner, there are always challenges with a new course in not knowing what to expect but there is excitement because the scenery is new and running the course always gives you a different perspective of the area and the communities within them.  Each time I run though, I am reminded of those who can’t run and can’t feel the rewards of crossing the finish line and receiving a medal.  I have set a goal of running 12 half marathons in 12 states in 2012 for those individuals you are struggling with Neurofibromatosis.  Neurofibromatosis affects over 2 million people so as I run the Minneapolis Half Marathon I will be thinking of them.  My goal is to raise awareness and money for NF Midwest who offers support to families struggling with Neurofibromatosis.  If you would like to make a donation and support my efforts, please visit http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michaelblaha/nf-midwest-run4nf.  Every donation big or small will help someone struggling with Neurofibromatosis.

My wife is looking forward to the Minneapolis Half Marathon because she selected a hotel that is practically at the starting line of the race.  She says I can roll out of bed to the starting line.  Not knowing what to except of the new area, with roads closed and parking, we usually leave our hotel before the sun comes up but this time will be different.  So as we head off to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, we begin another journey in my 2012Run12.

When I return home from the Minneapolis Half Marathon, my Chicago Marathon training will officially begin and so another chapter will begin.

35th Annual Ridge Run 10K

It’s been a fun and busy year.  So far this year I have run over 650 miles.  Some of those miles have been in different states but most of them have been in areas close to home such as the Country Lane Yellow Trail in the Cook County Forest Preserve, Swallow Cliffs and throughout some of the neighborhoods of Chicago’s southside.  Some of those miles have been in races but the majority of them have been part of my regular running schedule.  There are some races that are on my list of favorites, the Annual Ridge Run 10K is one of them.  This year will be the 35th Annual Ridge Run, which is on Memorial Day.  This will be my 4th Ridge Run 10K.  I am looking forward to the race.  The first time I ran this course, Memorial Day fell on my birthday and my son had returned home safe from the US Marines and I remember wearing my Proud Marine Dad shirt.

The first time I ran the Ridge Run 10K, is a memory I will never forget.  I did not know what to expect.  Most of my running had been me listening to the sounds of my feet hitting the ground and thinking about life in general.  When I ran the Annual Ridge Run 10K, the Beverly Community was right there with me.  They displayed an overwhelming amount of patriotism and support for the runners as we ran through their beautiful community.  That feeling has stayed with me and has made the Annual Ridge Run one of my favorites.

Andy and I at the 2011 RidgeRun

This year the Annual Ridge Run 10K falls again on my birthday.  A day that reminds me of the many blessings I have been given including good health.   But this year when I run the 35th Annual Ridge Run 10K it will be different.  I am dedicating this year’s running of the Chicago Marathon, 2012Run12 and many of the other races, to raise awareness for Neurofibromatosis a genetic disorder that affects over 2 million people.  I am running to honor a former student John, who is 22 years old and has had the disorder since birth.  Neurofibromatosis Midwest needs our help to continue to offer support to those who struggle with Neurofibromatosis on a daily basis.  They do not have a big name spokesperson or a big budget.

If we were to be running and see another runner fall, we would stop and offer assistance.  This is our opportunity to offer assistance to those with Neurofibromatosis.

Click here to help support NF Midwest http:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/michaelblaha/nf-midwest-run4nf/event

Thank you for your support and Happy Running!

Chocolate Milk as a Recovery Drink?

I thought my wife was off her rocker when she told me she read an article about chocolate milk and how chocolate milk as a recovery drink after a long run has the important ingredients to refuel your muscles.  It sounded too good to be true, and then there was the side of me that thought, “She’s not a runner, how could she possibly know what a good recovery drink would be!”  I decided I had to check it out though, because after all, who doesn’t love chocolate milk!  I waited a while, hoping she would have forgotten about the article.  Then I could tell her about it pretending that I had discovered the article.  It wasn’t hard to research and I found articles from numerous sources such as coolrunning.com, active.com and trainingpeaks.com.  My findings revealed that chocolate milk as a recovery drink is an excellent source of proteins and carbs which are both essential to refuel your muscles after a long run.

According to a study done by Joel Stager, a Professor of Exercise Physiology at Indiana University Bloomington and the Director and Professor at Counsilman Center for the Science of Swimming, there is a small window after a long run to refuel your muscles.  Chocolate milk as a recovery drink should be used within 45 minutes to one hour after a long run or work out.  There is also a specific formula for the perfect protein/carb mix to refuel your muscles.  It should be a 4:1 ratio.  To figure it out, divide the amount of carbohydrates by the amount of protein.  The closer the ratio is to 4 the better the chocolate milk as a recovery drink.
 
Last year when I began my Chicago Marathon training, I made sure that I told my wife about my research and asked her if she could get me some chocolate milk and being the wonderful wife that she is, she made sure the refrigerator was always stocked.  She had even bought enough so I could share with the rest of the running group.  It got to be a routine as we did our marathon training.  And I have to tell you, after a long run, the chocolate milk sure does taste good!
 
I ran the Carmel Half Marathon, in Carmel, Indiana as part of my 2012Run12 and at the finish line besides your usual water, Gatorade, and bananas there was chocolate milk.  After setting a new PR at the Carmel Half Marathon, I chose the chocolate milk as a recovery drink and it tasted even sweeter!

Post Marathon Sports Massage

When I was training for the 2011 Chicago Marathon, I wanted to follow all the recommended steps to try and prepare for the marathon.  I read that a pre-marathon sports massage and a post marathon sports massage would make a difference.  I dreaded the thought of a massage and I contemplated as to whether or not it could really make any difference.  But then again, I put a lot of miles on my body and it sort of made sense and since it was recommended that weight training and cross training would also be a big benefit of my marathon training and I was seeing the results of both it seemed pretty clear that a massage was in my future.  The marathon training program I was using had me averaging almost 40 miles per week.  Not to mention that running 26.2 miles on the streets of Chicago leaves you tired, sore and stiff.  I decided to take a chance.

There are many different types of massages, and I needed to find someplace that was experienced in a sports massage.  A sports massage (also referred to as a deep tissue massage) helps increase the blood flow to the areas of focus, removing metabolic wastes, and improving soft tissue mobility. It is most beneficial approximately 4-7 days prior to marathon. A good deep tissue massage should help promote flexibility, help prevent injuries, improve endurance, remove fatigue,  and prepare you to compete at your best. After doing a lot of research and talking to others that ran a marathon I was convinced. Based on a running friend’s recommendation, I set up an appointment for a massage the week before the Chicago Marathon.  As I walked into the salon, the first thing that I noticed was that there were only women there that were getting their hair or nails done, so I really felt out of place. I informed the receptionist that I had an appointment for  a “sports massage” (I wanted to be clear that I was not there for any of those other salon treatments) and sat down waiting for the massage therapist. She paraded me past all of the women getting their hair done to a room in the back for my “sports massage”.

My first thoughts were, wow this therapist was got some strong hands! I wasn’t sure if she was using her hands, elbows, knees or a 20lb bowling ball? I felt bordeline discomfort almost on the verge of pain which was expected, I just didn’t think that she packed that much force. The therapist explained that I might be sore for a day or two and that was normal. I did feel a little sore but definitely looser.  Not the type of massage that I would look forward to again, however if it helps me complete a marathon, it would be worth it.

Then came the Chicago Marathon.  I did it!  I completed the Chicago Marathon!  Despite the mental satisfaction, I was feeling it physically. My quads were very sore, when I dropped my post marathon snack bag, I could barely bend over to pick it up. Stairs were a struggle.  Two days after the Chicago Marathon, I went for my post marathon sports massage, by then I wasn’t as sore so I was hoping that the post marathon massage would be as vigorous as the pre-marathon massage. As it turned out is was, and it actually felt okay. As I walked to my car, I did notice the difference, and was able to start running again a few days later.  

I highly recommend a post marathon sports massage.  This year, as the Chicago Marathon draws near, I will again have a pre-marathon sports massage and a post marathon sports massage with Liz at New Day Spa Salon in Oak Lawn.