Like your momma always said…SAFETY FIRST!

 

Ok, hopefully the title isn’t too cheesy, but we had to give credit to our mom for raising us right (and besides, moms are always right!).

As runners who tackle the vast majority of our runs before 5:30am, we have sadly had our fair share of close calls while running on the roads of Chattanooga. Just recently, I even had to pull David at the last second out of the way of a city CARTA bus that wasn’t paying attention. (Yes, I realize that most of you already thought I was a hero, but now it is official!)

With that wake up call behind us, we have decided to take on the mission to be the safest possible runners each morning on our streets. One such change we have made recently was the decision to test out some of the equipment available for keeping runners safe.

So I have decided to test out the latest ROAD ID Elite bracelet. These high quality bracelets (available in 9 colors) are designed to provide immediate information for EMT workers if you were ever in an accident. I am trying the interactive version which not only includes two lines of personal info (I have my name/blood type and wife’s phone number) but also has an ID and pin which provides EMT workers full access to an online medical profile you create. Not only will this profile provide any important info they might need for proper care but can also include your health insurance info.

If you want to find out more info about the ROAD ID products just follow their link on our site. We have also been given permission to give the first 20 folks who order a coupon for $1.00 off your bracelet (they range from $19.99-$29.99). Just use the promo code ThanksAndrew739986.

With both of us having families at home, as well as additional kiddos on the way, we think it is vital to make sure we do everything we can to ensure our safety. We strongly encourage any of you runners out there to do the same.

Hope…Coffee…and an ice bath?

What’s your favorite way to start a Saturday morning? Maybe a good long run, your morning coffee, time to read the paper or even just the hope of a relaxing day with your family. These are the things that get me excited about weekends, and help me wake with a positive attitude, even when my long run needs to start at 5:30am.

Well this Saturday I started a new tradition that might put a damper on my Saturday morning utopia. As my mileage has started to climb I’ve realized that I am no longer the same 21 year old kid that never gets hurt. So to help combat my many nagging issues, I am reacquainting myself with a team ritual from my college days…the ice bath.

Now, I SO wish I had photos of this team bonding activity to share with each of you (if you are an old teammate and have some please send them). Just imagine 2-7 runners crammed into the trainer’s whirlpool tub up to our waists soaking in 48 degree water. Not only was this a crazy sight to see, but it was quite painful for the first few minutes until everything went numb.

While the first time is not fun (and will make even a grown man want to cry some really cold tears), I have to say it is well worth the effort. After our 14 miler this Saturday (averaging 7:14 miles) my body ached. But thankfully with just 20 minutes in a not so relaxing tub I felt good as new.

For those that don’t know the benefits of ice baths, check out this link below. I would also suggest if you don’t want to spend the money on bags of ice (it takes a lot to get the water to the ideal temp) you stock pile during the week.

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--12810-0,00.html#

So to all of you runners out there, I challenge you to add one more thing to your “relaxing” Saturdays. Grab that coffee, snag your weekend paper or even light some candles. While you might not love life during the following 15-20 minutes, I promise you will be thankful for the rest of the week!

Happy bathing!

Shout Outs!

While I realize that this blog’s primary focus is to keep our adoring fans (we do have fans, right?) updated on our latest running thoughts or race results, we want to toss out some praises and well wishes to some of our favorite runners.

First off, Monday was a huge day for one of our running (and life) heroes, who just so happens to be David’s father in-law. The T-Man (Truman Smith), completed the 2010 Boston Marathon in 4:06:38! Not only is this his 4th finish in the world’s most historic race, but it is also his 81^st marathon over all! So congrats to you Truman, and know that you are not only an inspiration to all of us runners, but you are also someone we are honored to call friend (and Father In-Law).

Second, we want to toss out some good luck wishes to Beth and Rob Palmer. They will be venturing into their first Full and Half Marathon’s this weekend. Beth has been in full training for the Oklahoma City full marathon, even completing a 22 mile run completely by herself. That impressed me, if I had been on a run that long I would have ran to the local Starbucks and read the paper for a few hours! This will be Rob’s first half marathon and despite his training methods not quite matching his wife’s, we are certain they will both do AWESOME!

Also, please keep us posted on your latest results. We would love to share in your successes with you.

How it all began…

Over the past twenty years, the two of us brothers have covered the full spectrum of what this sport of running can bring. From our humble beginnings as the best third grade runners our little elementary school could offer, we discovered that our skinny little legs could actually be good at something. We might get pushed around on the football field or basketball court, but who needed the glory of those bottom tier sports when we could win all the glory in the hotshot world of elementary running clubs!

As time progressed through high school and into college with the help of phenomenal coaching and great family support we were able to experience the thrill of championships (against kids over the age of 10!) and the indescribable feeling of conditioning your body/mind into top tier shape. With these years of countless workouts, restless road trips and tiring races we also slowly began the process of becoming what we call “bipolar runners”! With this I mean each day brought a different feeling. It was either…I LOVE to do this, or…this REALLY sucks! As you can imagine, this made for a very volatile attitude about the sport.

Without realizing it, by the time our NCAA eligibility ran up we had lost the love for the sport that had meant so much to us. Instead it had become at best a job that suddenly no longer “paid the bills”, but did provide quite a few cool race t-shirts! With our lives taking us to different parts of the county and our time being filled with more important things, we hung up the flats and walked way.

It wasn’t until four years later (and about 20 pounds!) that we both started getting curious about whether we should give the running thing one more try. After a year or so of off and on training and a few random races we are ready again to see what we have left in the tank. This time though, we aren’t in it for the glory or championships (but we do still like those t-shirts!). Instead these next miles are only about discovering again the joys of running and brotherhood. Because after all life (and running) often repeats itself…