Pat's Run Fun

The Huish Family Represents at Pat's Run 2013

Arizonans take pride in Pat Tillman.  A former Sun Devil football star, turned Arizona Cardinal, turned Army Ranger,  Tillman displayed the ultimate sacrifice when he left his glorified life behind to serve his country in Afghanistan.  Tillman lost his life in that country as a result of friendly fire.  And now, around the world people know him best as a true American hero.  In football, he wore the number 42, which is now retired and hangs for all to remember in ASU Stadium.

The annual Pat's Run pays tribute to this great man.  Each April, nearly 35,000 runners, walkers and volunteers gather at Sun Devil Stadium, to join in the 4.2 mile run/walk or .42 mile Kids Run.  Participants weave through the streets of Tempe then cross the 42-yard line in the stadium in symbolic tribute to the legendary number 42.  The football team high fives the finishers at the finish line and everyone receives a commemorative t-shirt and post race refreshments.

This was my FIRST time I've ever participated in Pat's Run, but it will not be my last.  It is such a great event to do as a family -- even with small kids.  For the non-runner, 4.2 is a distance that one can tackle with just a few weeks of training.  But walkers can finish the distance fairly easily too - making this a perfect family friendly event.

I've asked my friend Diana Huish to share her experience with the race:

"Four years ago, our family decided that we wanted to try to be more physically active.  We hiked the Wind caves, we went on walks, some ran in the Turkey Trot.  We just tried to spend more time outside.  

One of the kids suggested that we try Pat's Run, so we all signed up and did it.  We each had different goals.  Some had a time they wanted to achieve.  Mine was just to run and not walk.  Some have improved easy year.  Some (Me) still have the same goal -- run, don't walk.  We haven't all been able to do it each year, but for those of us who have we have really enjoyed it.  Some of Eric's employees have joined us.  We make our own t-shirts for advertisement, and it also makes it easier to find us in the crowd.  It's a fun family tradition!

In an effort to drink more water, Hint has brought happiness into my life!

Full confession:  I have not kicked my soda habit.  But I am trying.  Really, I am.  I enjoy ice water.  There are times when it is soooo refreshing.  And other times when it is sooooo boring.  The problem for me lies in my super-convenient proximity to a Sonic Drive-In, where the beverages are a perfect combination of fizzy soda, pebble ice and that awesome styrofoam cup.  It's the ultimate trifecta, delivering optimal refreshment for a parched Arizona girl.

I needed other options beside RO water from a faucet or a Costco Kirland bottle.  So, while casually strolling the aisles of Sprout's Grocery the other day, I stumbled upon Hint Water: pure, clean water with hint of natural flavors.  No calories, no caffeine, and 100 percent natural.  Skeptic that I am, I bought ONE bottle and took it home and drank it the next day.  Holla!  It was delicious.  I went back and bought one in every flavor.  And each one was better than the next!

If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can have a whole case of Hint Water delivered to your door for a fraction of the retail price of a grocery store, and shipping is free.  Word.  Try some today.  Even if it's just one.  I'm pretty sure you'll be back for more.  And your caffeinated/carbonated beverage addiction just might take a hit, like mine.

Boston, Why?

Boston was everything I dreamed it would be when I ran it in 2011.  The crowds were phenomenal.  The city was electric.  The runners were amazingly fit and strong -- and many were wearing their jackets emblazoned with the years they had run the race previously.  The event lived up to the hype of why it is one of the premiere marathons in the world.  I had worked SO hard to get there.  But everything about it - Hopkinton, the course, Wellesley,  was perfection.  

Which is why it is especially sad to see such an amazing event marred by tragedy.  Today I am sad for the runners, their families, their friends and for the city of Boston.  I am confused at why something like this would happen.  And devastated that this bombing will change the state of marathons for the rest of our lives.  

Boston, you are strong.  You are wicked fast.  And your marathon will return better and stronger next year.  But we won't forget those images on TV of the blast hitting the spectators and the runners and the guards.   I love your race, your town, your history, Boston.  Thank you for one of the highlights of my life.  I cried when I crossed the finish line in 2011.  And I cry for you today.  

-- Lorie 

Some words from my mother, who accompanied me to the race in 2011
I am moved to tears today to see what has happened in Boston. Two years ago I was sitting fairly close to where the bombs went off to watch Lorie and her friends accomplish their goal of finishing that race. I saw young soldiers marching the route in tight formation, people pushing others in wheelchairs, my own daughter coming along unruffled and beautiful. There was a positive happy feeling in Boston. 

The people of Boston never tire of the event. The people in front of us were cheering and ringing bells. When I asked where they were from they said "Boiston" as only they can pronounce it. They said they come every year. School is out so they can transport runners in school busses. It's Patriots Day. This is an event that celebrates fitness and accomplishment and a general feeling of good will and desire to give a hand up to someone who is having a hard time making his goal. 

Of course we as Americans will pick ourselves up and go on, but today I am crying for people who have died and people who are fit enough to qualify and today lost a leg. Senseless.
-- Sherrill Funk

The Truth About STRAVA

I was first intrigued about Strava when a guy walked into TriSports and asked if John Song was working.  "I don't know him, he said, "but we follow each other on Strava."

It was at this point that I needed more info.  So I downloaded the app for myself and it became my new addiction.  Here's how the Strava website explains it:

Strava grew out of our own needs as athletes. With busy lives requiring much solo training, we missed the sense of camaraderie and friendly competition that drove us to achieve our best through training with others. We envisioned Strava as the means to put our workouts and races into context. We call that social fitness.
Today, Strava lets athletes all over the world experience social fitness—sharing, comparing and competing with each other's personal fitness data via mobile and online apps. Currently focused on the needs of avid cyclists and runners, Strava lets you track your rides and runs via your iPhone, Android or dedicated GPS device to analyze and quantify your performance. Strava makes fitness a social experience, providing motivation and camaraderie even if you’re exercising alone.

I began to gather my friends through this social media site and learned something quickly:  those friends of mine who rode faster and better than I did were training and riding HARDER and MORE than I ever was.  What an eye opener to see Lyn was doing five rides a week and a century each weekend.  My mountain biking pals were on the trails for hours at a time, while I was just casually riding a couple of times a week.

Strava is a great way to see how your training stacks up to your riding partners.  Are they getting in an extra 40 or 50 miles of training through commutes and extended rides on you?  Are you pushing yourself to new limits?  Can you do better than you did last week?  Strava will answer all of these questions for you.  And it will give you a jump start to ride better and try harder than you've ever done in your training.

See for yourself.  Get a STRAVA account today and follow me...lorie tucker.