CENTRO ROMERO MARATHON TEAM

The Trainng continues

2010-06-17T16:27:00.006-05:00

This Saturday we are running 7 miles and it increase every Saturday by 1 mile until we reach 12 miles. Everyone is keeping up with thier training - I hope. So we should be ready some of the team have decided to enter shorter races for the practice. Enjoy the picts of members of our team.

Saturday June 5 run

2010-06-05T19:12:00.002-05:00

Today run was incredible. We had a little rain but it is good to train in different weather. Although we change the time to 7:30am the Lakefront was packed. So many activities during the summer. Also, we had 9 members of our team join us for the run. We do need to get better at starting all together cause only 4 started out but the rest joined in later. Props to Chayo a fellow team member, although she was sick and was unable to run she joined us for moral support. Alejandro another fellow team member will run the marathon bear foot.

All of us are getting better and the best thing is that our health is improving specially for the ones that were not runners me included.

One more Saturday at 6 miles and then we start increasing.

Building Strength

2010-06-03T22:18:00.002-05:00

Alright we are beginning our 12 wee of training. For all of us that started, we are leaving the title of novice runners and graduating to runners. Our Saturday run is now 6 miles. I am also excited because summer is starting we moved our running time from 8:30 am to 7:30am on Saturday. Surprisingly my body is handling the stress and pounding pretty well. My knees is were the I feel most of my aches but a lifetime of non-running catches up. But in two weeks the miles are beginning to pile up and will be the determining factor of we will be able to accomplish this great endeavor.

This Saturday we are expecting a larger turn out from our team to train together. Our team members are committed but we have folks traveling the world, Others in school, and One just had a baby - Congratulations Miguel - We wish you the best for your wife and the new edition to the family. Another team member Alejandro and his wife are expecting in August so we will have two new additions to our chorus of supporters. So lets go team!

Getting Better

2010-05-15T11:27:00.002-05:00

Alright,

I just did my second 5 mile run. So far I have train in the heat of El Salvador and now DC. Both places have more hills than Chicago so I guess that prepares me better. In the last couple of weeks my knees have been feeling it. Today after the run they felt good -- no pain. I am excited cause next Saturday more people from the team will join us in the run.

2010-05-05T11:31:00.002-05:00

I've sort of switched my training schedule to something a little bit easier. I found a program at http://health.nytimes.com/run-well/start?ref=nutrition, that seems to be a little bit easier for me to follow. Easier runs during the week, a long run on the weekend, with added rest periods overall. I hope it will be easier on my foot and help me get over my foot pain. It seems to be working.

back in the saddle, take three

2010-04-27T21:33:00.002-05:00

Well, I was finally able to see a sports doctor today, and there's good news and bad news.

The good news is that, thankfully, I'll still be able to run the marathon. The bad news is that the previously diagnosed traumatic arthritis was actually chondromalacia of patella ("runner's knee"). It is one of the most common injuries for runners and is easily treatable.

He encouraged me to keep running but to cut back on the mileage for a while. Also, I'll need to go through four to six weeks of physical therapy, in order to strengthen several other muscles surrounding and supporting the knee. He even mentioned that the therapy would be geared to increase the strength of my gluteus maximus . . . hmmm . . .

So, I'm still in the game . . . see you on the trail this Saturday!

back in the saddle, take two

2010-04-12T21:27:00.001-05:00

OK . . . I injured my right knee at the end of our first week of training. I took ten days off from running, started out slowly, but still managed to aggravate the injury, resulting in several more days off.

So, it's feeling much better, and just in time as we start week five (out of thirty) of our training. The mileage has increased a little bit (only eleven miles total this week), so I'll still be able to take it easy and keep up with the rest of the gang.

Wish me luck . . .

Saturday in the park

2010-04-03T21:35:00.000-05:00

A few brave members of the team dared to run this morning, despite the crappy, wet weather. Mora was the only one who didn't seem to mind, but for the human runners, it certainly seemed longer than three miles.

But at least Mike, Abel, and Sok had the chance to show off their new shoes . . .

small colorful shoes

2010-04-01T14:28:00.000-05:00

I just bought a new pair of running shoes! The last pair was about 2 years old, and I think they were starting to give me a little pain in my foot. I usually have to buy women's shoe's (I'm a guy with small feet--think what you will)--I can always find a size that fits. So the first pair the the sales guy brought out were pink. I couldn't do it--he closed the box immediately. I ended seeing a bright yellow-green pair, light blue pair and a sort of sherbet orange pair. I ended up buying the orange ones--really--they felt the best. So when you see me on saturday with new pastel orange-accented shoes, you'll know the back story.

(I almost bought the matching track suit)

Gorgeous day

2010-04-01T12:11:00.001-05:00

When I left work yesterday and got to experience the beautiful weather I became really excited about my Wednesday run. I started out easy with our lab, Mora. But we both felt very good after about a mile, and so I decided to run 8km (5 miles). I was in Uruguay for most of February and I was running 6km about twice a week, and I have been wanting to try 8km for a while now. One word of warning, be sure to check the direction and strength of the wind before you rely on how you "feel". When I turned around I realized that I had had a decent wind behind me! The run back was difficult, but we made it with a water break for Mora. I'm looking forward to today's run as well, as it looks gorgeous again!

I'm also thinking about doing this 10 mile race at the end of May to help push myself in my training. Here is the info:

http://www.soldierfield10.com/

back in the saddle

2010-04-01T11:29:00.000-05:00

OK, so it's been 10+ days of not running since my little injury. The knee had been feeling much better, so I ventured out this morning (in shorts!) for a short two-mile run. I took it nice and slow and it felt all right . . . still a tiny bit tentative but significantly better.

So with a day of rest on Friday, I should be ready to re-join the team for our three-mile run on Saturday. Bring it on!

Ask the Doctors Clinic

2010-03-29T22:47:00.001-05:00

Just noticed this on a friend's facebook page:

"Join Universal Sole and The Running Institute for an open forum to talk with some of the foremost specialists in running in Chicago. Dr. Chin, Dr. Natarajan, and Dr. Kelly will be on hand to answer any and all questions to the Chicago running community. This clinic is free and open to the public. Please call Universal Sole to sign up: (773) 868-0893."

There's a link here to respond via facebook.

let's be careful out there

2010-03-28T17:23:00.000-05:00

Well, I guess it was just a case of too much too soon.

Other than a couple of runs over the New Year's holiday (in sunny Miami), I hadn't been out running since last fall. So, when we started the training program a couple of weeks ago, my body seemed to be agreeing with the schedule . . . until our first group training run on March 20. Even with the crappy weather, I felt fine. However, Sunday morning was a different story. My right knee was swollen, my flexibility was compromised, and it hurt. Even though I took it easy for a couple of days, I wasn't able to run on Tuesday, barely lasted three minutes on the elliptical machine on Wednesday, and then decided to visit my doctor.

I was diagnosed with a very minor case of traumatic arthritis . . . no running for ten days, and then I should be able to gradually resume training. My doctor said it was just my body saying, "hey . . . slow down!" So, I had no choice but to listen. And since I'm supposed to be the unofficial trainer for our team, I think my ego was bruised even more than my knee.

It's feeling much better now, and I'm looking forward to getting back out there!

Saturday 3 Mile Run

2010-03-27T18:01:00.000-05:00

I was all excited to meet up with the group for the Saturday 3 mile run but of course I was running late. Although, I did not get run with the group I got to see them on lake shore drive. It was great to see all the runners that our team has. Next Saturday should be better since more team members will be able to join. Frank, our trainer got injured but hopefully will get better and be there as well. Next time I will have pictures!

The Training Continous

2010-03-26T10:15:00.000-05:00

I love it that Friday is my day off. I slept in late. But I am looking forward to my first group run tomorrow. I ran 3 miles in Wed and it was OK but the interesting this was that my Thursday 1.5 run felt great. I ran it quicker and my strides were longer. I am really interested how my body will respond for the 3 mile run.

I am also excited to start my fundraising efforts. The rest of the team is almost done with their pages to support our effort plese click here This is our team page but if you click on the seach button you will get a list of our runners.

10 tips and Saturday's run

2010-03-25T14:54:00.000-05:00

Hey Centro Romero runners - PBS recently ran a great documentary about a group of people training for and running a marathon for the first time. You can watch the program here, and you can see a very handy list of training tips (several of which we discussed at last Saturday's breakfast) here.

And just a reminder that we're gathering for a three-mile run this Saturday morning (March 27) at 9:00 (rain or shine!). We'll meet at the circle in the lakefront path, just south of Ardmore (see map). Please let me know if you're able to join us.

Marathon Training

2010-03-25T10:32:00.000-05:00

So the training has started for the marathon. We were able to recruit 16 runner. Not bad for our first time. I am really excited, last night I sent out my first batch of emails to my family, friends and colleagues and have already raised $150. I want to thank those that have donated.

But how is the team doing?. Last Saturday we had our first team run and kick-off breakfast. We still need to get all the runners to create their web pages. I will be inviting them to also share their experiences, since most of us are novice runners.

So how has my training felt? I have never run before, cycling has been to my liking but in the last couple of years I can count in one hand how many times I have used my bike. The marathon and the training is what I need to focus on my health and exerting myself with physical activity. Since I started training, I have logged about 12 miles running. The first day was OK on a short run. The first 3 mile run I began feeling it. It wasn't only my legs but my sides, back and places that probably had not been used. So far I am surviving

Stay tuned to here more...