Connecting You to a Healthy Life!

2011: Year In Review

I know, it’s old and played to do a year in review. It’s a cop-out for any real journalist. Well, I’ve got news for you – I’m no journalist. I’m just a hack writer, so you get a hack blog post.When I look back at the year 2011, it doesn’t seem all that remarkable. That’s why I’ve decided to do a year in review. I’m using this as a way to force myself to look back and remember more specifically the things that happened, the things I accomplished, and, ultimately, the things I learned in the last calendar year. I hope that when you finish reading mine, you will make time to do this for yourself. Without further ado, here is what I learned in 2011:

  • Jury duty isn’t nearly as bad as everyone makes it out to be
  • I’m not very good at indoor soccer
  • In fact, I suck at indoor soccer
  • If properly motivated (and medicated) it is possible to run a half-marathon on a severely sprained ankle – though you will pay for it for many months following
  • I have many responsibilities in my life, most of which do not appreciate when I give 100% of my focus to the track season
  • I like Tulip Time
  • Turning 30 isn’t so bad, but being 30 is a whole new beast
  • Kaila is the most beautiful princess in the world
  • and she’s a pretty fast barefoot runner, too!
  • I need to “let loose” and leave my routine once in a while to explore the world around me and discover new experiences
  • I love West Michigan and everything it has to offer
  • Sleeping in a car in a field the night before a race may not be the worst idea ever, but it’s not a great one
  • If you drive straight home from that race because of a family gathering and decide that, for the sake of time, you will only “freshen up” instead of full-fledged showering, there will be family pictures taken as soon as you get there
  • Injuries are just a part of running…at least for me
  • Chicago is a great city for a runner
  • I love my job, the company I work for, and the people I work with
  • But most importantly, I learned that I am nothing without the friends and family that surround me and love me on a daily basis

Thank you all for taking the time to read my blog over the past number of months. 2012 should be a great year, and I look forward to sharing my thoughts with you all as it moves along. Happy New Year!

30th December 2011
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Will you take the challenge?

Hello friends,

I just started reading Run the Edge. After reading the introduction, I immediately slowed myself down. Sometimes I can just tell that a book deserves to be savored. This book is one of those. I HIGHLY recommend you click the link and order a copy now.

It’s about running, life, and other things that are supremely important. I’ll give an in-depth review after I’ve finished it, but I’ve already realized one big idea. I love the thrill of a challenge.

Tim Catalano talks about a Summer of Challenges he experienced while coaching a cross country team. He disclaims some of the foolish/dangerous things his runners did, but I love the idea of a group challenging itself.

Isn’t that a big reason we run: the challenge of self-improvement?

Over the next six weeks (or maybe more?), I’m going to issue a couple of challenges. Each week will feature one challenge to be more adventurous and one challenge to make our world a better place. I hope you’ll join me.

If you’re interested, become a fan of Big Daddy Wilkinson on Facebook. Give me a suggestion for new challenges. Let me know how you’re doing on each of my challenges.

If you complete 10 challenges, I’ll find some sort of prize for you (other than that wonderful sense of accomplishment).

So, here’s the first set of challenges (to be completed before Christmas):

Challenge Number One: Run an eggnog mile. No, really, it’ll be fun. Here’s how you do it:

  • Drink a cup of eggnog. I think a Dixie cup will be enough, but a bigger cup is fine if you really like the stuff.
  • Run a quarter mile on the track.
  • Repeat until you’ve completed four eggnogs and four laps.
  • If you “lose your nog,” you need to repeat the lap.

To maximize the fun of this challenge, gather your running buddies and make it a race. The winner gets the rest of the eggnog. Or a plate of Christmas cookies if that’s unappealing.

Challenge Number Two: How many minutes did you eggnog mile take? For each minute, you need to donate one non-perishable to the local food bank.

So, are you up for the challenge?

17th December 2011
Events
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Commitment to Community

“At Gazelle Sports we actively pursue, encourage and celebrate a healthy lifestyle. We strive for retail excellence by providing the world’s best customer care, focusing on a never ending commitment to unmatched product knowledge and creating friendly, positive relationships with customers, vendors and our communities.”                                        -Gazelle Sports’ Mission Statement

So, it’s been a while since my last post – over a month, in fact. That’s not due to a lack of trying; rather, a lack of inspiration. I’ve tried many times to sit down and write something meaningful; something I would enjoy writing and something you would enjoy reading. Nothing.

Last week I had the privilege of attending The Running Event in Austin, Texas as a representative of Gazelle Sports. It is a convention/expo combination for running specialty retailers held annually. It’s a good opportunity to get away, get some tips, and get a good look at some new product. In conjunction with the event, Competitor puts on a dinner for the “50 Best Running Stores in America” in which they recognize, you guessed it, the 50 best running stores in America and Store of the Year. In addition, a few of the vendors have awards to give out; Balega presents the Ubuntu award, Nike presents the Just Do It award, and The North Face presents the Never Stop Exploring award.

As I sat with my co-workers around the table, none of us knowing what was coming, it hit me. Inspiration.

I’ve worked in a lot of different companies over a short period of time; everything from retail to sales to childcare and back to retail. Never have I been more proud to be associated with the people I work with and for. Never have I been so proud to wear a company’s logo on my shirt. I WANT people to know I work at Gazelle Sports because of what it stands for; in my community, in West Michigan, and in running specialty. We don’t do what we do for awards, but it feels nice to be recognized for doing the things we think are important. Thank you to everyone who keeps Gazelle Sports in business, and thank you to all my co-workers who make this such an amazing place to work.

 

16th December 2011
News, Uncategorized
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Not alone on an island

“I nod to a passing stranger, and the stranger nods back, and two human beings go off, feeling a little less anonymous.”  ~Robert Brault, www.robertbrault.com

Exercise is a unifying endeavor.

I don’t know this as a scientist or psychologist (though if anyone can explain the chemistry behind it, please feel free), but as a human being who has experienced it firsthand. When I think back to high school, my closest friends were the ones that I ran with. Whether that was track or cross country, the commonality we shared in the abuse of our bodies brought us closer together. It’s the same in any sport.

The experience doesn’t limit itself to high school or organized sport, though. Any time I’m out for a hike, a bike ride, a walk, or a run, I feel closer to the people I pass on the sidwalks and bike paths than I do to the people passing me in their cars and trucks. I think it’s because I know that somewhere, they’re experiencing the same things I am. Whether that is frustration from a workout that’s not going well, or the peace that comes with a nice stroll, I know that I have felt whatever they are feeling and they have felt whatever I am feeling. This was never more evident than it was just the other day.

I was out for a late morning run, trying one of those beautiful routes I talked about in my last blog around Windmill Island. Yes, Holland is still a small town, and people are generally friendly, but I have never experienced what I did that day. On the approximately 2 mile loop around the island, I crossed paths with 5 different people- some walking, some running, and some cycling. I’m pretty easy to ignore when I run; my sunglasses, earbuds, buff headband, and focused demeanor are not particularly inviting. Nonetheless, all 5 individuals reached out with some sort of greeting to me- some a smile and a wave, some a smile and a nod, some a smile and a gentle “hello.” Did you notice that every one of them had a smile? I did. It’s the smile that moves the act from a courteous formality to one of unity. Thank you, strangers, for being a part of my run. I hope I could do for you what you did for me.

7th October 2011
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A Crazy Fun Day

Working at Gazelle is fun. Today was pretty crazy.

The Farmers’ Market and Art in the Park are big draws on a nice weekend. Today, a lot of people came out to support both. A few folks drove down from Grand Haven to escape the Coast Guard Festival, too. Then it started raining a little. Shoppers needed somewhere to go.

We’re always glad to have folks get out of the weather by shopping in our store. A lot of folks did.

There were a lot of us scheduled on the floor, so we were able to provide the World’s Best Customer Care to a large number of people. It got a litle crazier when a ceiling tile caved in and released a load of water. It turns out that a good bit of condensation built up from the AC and didn’t drain properly.

Fortunately, it didn’t hit the computers or the customers. It did cause a minor mess on our counter and on the floor, though.

Our customers are so great. No one even batted an eye at the mess. In fact, even though it was quite busy, I can honestly say that all of my customers today were a pleasure to help.

It’s so nice to work in an environment where not only do my colleagues respect each other, but the customers also treat us with respect. We do a lot of training at Gazelle to know our products. Customers show genuine gratitude and interest when we discuss these products. It’s wonderful to help someone understand the differences between shoes or how compression works.

I get so excited to talk about compression or water bottles or minimalist footwear. I wanted to write this blog post to tell our customers a big THANK YOU for being active and interested. Keep moving!

Oh, and join us for our first Runners’ Book club on August 25. Read The Long Run.

6th August 2011
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The Runners’ Book Club

The people have spoken. Last week I asked you to tell me which genre you preferred for our first book club. The majority chose a book about a regular runner.

The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter's Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete

What is a regular runner? I decided that meant a runner who did not make a living from the sport. Then I wondered if Bart Yasso qualified. His book, My Life on the Run, is interesting and laugh-out-loud funny in parts. As an editor at Runner’s World he kind of makes his living through the sport, so I decided to save this book for another time.

Next I wondered about An Honorable Run. It is a book about a runner’s career at the University of Colorado. I thought this book was an interesting contrast to the book Running with the Buffaloes. I decided this was closer, but I wasn’t convinced that all runners could connect to this D-1 athlete talking about his hundred mile weeks. Again, this would make a great book club choice, but it’s not quite right for this meeting.

Finally, I landed on The Long Run: A New York City Firefighter’s Triumphant Comeback from Crash Victim to Elite Athlete by Matt Long. Some of you loyal subscribers to Runner’s World will recongnize Long’s story. He was a NYC firefighter, marathoner, and IronMan. As he trained for the Boston Marathon, he was hit by bus. Even though the sub-title characterizes him as an elite athlete, I think he can also fit into our category of “regular runner.” The book describes the accident and Long’s physical, mental, and emotional comeback as he focused on completing the New York City Marathon despite doctors’ cautions that he may never walk again.

I’m excited to read this book (it’s one of the few running books I haven’t read) and even more pumped to discuss it with you. I’m working on bringing a few more copies to the Holland location; try to pick it up soon.

I really recommend buying the book because it’s a lot easier to discuss he book if you can write in the margins and mark interesting sections. Also, the conversation will be much more fluid if everyone has completed the book, so if you’re a slow reader or just have a busy life, it helps to start reading it as soon as possible.

So, grab the book, start reading, jot down a few comments and questions, and get ready for the fun. We’ll meet on Thursday, August 25 at 7:00. New Holland Brewery should be a good place. As we get closer, I’ll ask for some commitments so I can get us a table all together. I can’t wait to see you there.

22nd July 2011
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Reading about Running

I am an avid reader. I can’t say I’ve read every book about running, but I’ve read most of them. It doesn’t matter if it is a training book, a biography, or fiction. It doesn’t even really matter if it is great writing or not. I’ll read it.

I also love talking about running. RunnerGirl jokes that this is the only topic I enjoy talking about. (Not true, I also enjoy talking about beer.) What if I could combine these two passions? What if I could read a book about running and talk about the book and talk about running? What if  I could do this with other runners? That would be AWESOME.

I’d really like to get a running book club organized. This is how I see it working out:

1. I’ll post a poll asking people’s preference for genre.

2. In about a week, I’ll choose a book from the preferred genre. Feel free to leave book suggestions in the comments section. Everyone will be responsible for finding and reading the book.

3. On Thursday, August 25, we’ll get together and discuss the book. Probably at some cool location. Of course, this location would require food, fun, and drinks. Maybe New Holland Brewery?

What do you think? Will you join me? It will be a lot of fun and a great way to join the greater runner community at any speed.

16th July 2011
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Check out the new Nike GPS watch

We’ve got the new Nike GPS watch at Gazelle! I’m not especially fond of the exclamation point, but it is warranted here because there aren’t many of these watches around. Our Holland location only got two of them, and they’re sweet!

What makes them special? I’m glad you asked.

All this for only $199

The coolest thing is that they work in conjunction with the Nike+ system. That’s the little, oblong chip that sits in your shoes and calculates your speed, distance, time running, and approximate calories burned. The chip will talk through your Ipod or relay the information to a nifty little sports band.

It’s cool that the GPS watch works with this chip because it can fill in the blanks if your unit loses touch with the satellites while inside, under dense foliage, or in an underground tunnel. Nike uses the TomTom satellite system, so it connects really quickly, too.

The Nike+ system also allows you to set up your preferences really quickly and easily. Instead of fiddling with the buttons on the watch, the Nike+ Interface lets you use your laptop to configure all the bells and whistles (like interval timers, display modes, automatic laps, etc).

Using the watch on the run is easy, too. You can pre-program it to cycle through the statistics you want. You can also toggle back and forth with the touch of a button. It has a back lit display that can be activated through a tap screen for easy viewing.

Another bonus of the Nike+ system is that it allows you to join a community of runners. Using a USB cable or the USB embedded in the watch strap, you can upload your workout to Nike’s training log/web site. You can choose to share your runs with others to discuss training or to increase motivation and accountability, or you could just use it to track your own training.

NikeRunning.com will also allow you to view a map of your route, overlay it on a satellite/street map, and compare it to the most popular routes in your area. This sounds fun. I love to run in new towns while traveling, and it would be cool to check out where the most popular trails are.

One other cool trick this watch does is sinc up with a Polar heart rate monitor. I didn’t know that until I started researching the device. A big thanks to www.runtheline.com for most of the information above.

20th May 2011
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You are ready.

To all the folks worried about the weather before their race:

If you are running River Bank tomorrow, then you’ve trained in worse weather than you’ll see on Saturday. Don’t worry about it. Even if you did all your training on the treadmill (I hope no one did this), you’ll be mentally tougher than a little rain. Besides, there’s nothing you can do about the weather. Why waste energy freaking out?

I stumbled upon Fasil Bizuneh’s blog this week, and I really like his thoughts on race preparation. He believes he can draw on the universal mind to improve his preparations and performance on race day. No matter what you think about that, his instructions on mental rehearsal and preparation are worth a read.

It’s also really cool to read an elite’s thoughts before a race that you’ll be joining him in running. He may be winning River Bank when you’re still struggling up on of the hills, but you’ll still be on the same course.

So, to all you racers out there, good luck. Enjoy the weather, whatever it is. I’ll be waiting to hear how your race went; stop in to Gazelle on Sunday and tell me all about it.

13th May 2011
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Recommended Reading

To say I’m into the running scene would be a little bit of an understatement. I read a lot and follow the industry a little bit obsessively. Today, I decided to compile a list of running blogs and website that I enjoy.

I read Runner’s World “Racing News“  almost everyday. This blog compiles race results and news stories about the elites. By reading this, one could find out that Deena Kastor named her baby Piper Bloom and Scott Jurek is running the Tokyo Marathon.

Mark Remy writes Runner’s World “RW Daily“  most days. He also wrote The Runner’s Rule Book. This blog is decidedly less formal than “Racing News.” Remy blogs about National Pie Day and bizarre tales of running. He often has immature jokes and corny puns. Please don’t go to this blog seeking mature, intellectual running information. Go there for fun. (Mark, if you read this, please know I said this to reduce the angry comments telling you to grow up.)

Nate Jenkins‘ blog at Running Times is part running log that chronicles his workouts and part runner’s philosophy. He does mega-mileage, and shares his thoughts and struggles.
“Run the Edge” by Adam Goucher and Tim Catalano  has “moedutainspiration” as its state goal. That means they want to motivate, educate, entertain, and inspire runners. Goucher and Catalano ran together at Colorado University under Coach Whetmore. They have some deep thoughts on running. They also have a ton of fun and post some hilarious stuff. I look forward to seeing this blog grow.

A former Gazellian, Sloan, also has a new blog called The Sole Search.  Sloan now lives in Maryland and travels extensively. Her posts on running in new places and exploring the country are pretty fun. I know many of the readers of this blog miss her, so check out her posts.

Deena Kastor and Ian and Julia Dobson of Running and Racing with the Elites also have blogs. It is fun to read about the travels and travails of professional runners. I guess it’s my version of People magazine to check out these blogs from time to time.

Click on a few of these links. Be involved in the greater running community. If you wanted to spread the word about our blog, that would be sweet, too.

25th February 2011
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