Ross: Running A Marathon

The Final Countdown to Amsterdam

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:32:44 GMT

By Ross Forman

I don’t like pasta. Never have and probably never will. Though I certainly understand and appreciate the nutritional value of carbo-loading, usually anchored by a plate or two of pasta, for long runs. Welcome to my world as a marathon runner.

I’ve eaten more pasta over the past 18 months or so since I’ve started training for marathons than, well, ever. It’s usually plain pasta, no sauce, or maybe with a drop of parmesan cheese. And I never truly enjoy it. It’s just food, necessary food, I know. Perhaps like a job you don’t like, but have to do.

How bad is my pasta problem? I recently picked up Nancy Clark’s Food Guide For Marathoners, published by Meyer & Meyer Sport, if only to hopefully find some pasta alternatives or some suggestions for improving my must-eat pasta. Nancy’s book definitely is a must for marathon runners as I’ve snagged multiple culinary tips from her as I head toward Amsterdam.)

Ah, yes, the Amsterdam Marathon, set for Sunday, Oct. 19. It’s the home stretch now, and I’m ready following recent memorable runs over the past few weeks in downtown Toronto and downtown Seattle. (Even when I’m out of town for work I have to find an area to run, which can be a chore unto itself.)

Take Toronto, for instance. I spent Friday night, Sept. 12, at the Sheraton Centre Hotel on Queen Street West. The following morning, I ran 23 miles along a path that runs adjacent to Queen’s Quay, enduring morning humidity that was evident from the moment I stepped outside. Queen’s Quay is a prominent street that skirts along Toronto’s downtown waterfront area. I ran about 90 minutes heading toward Toronto Pearson International Airport, turned around and ran back an hour, then went back that same hour stretch, and ultimately returned to the Sheraton in under five hours. I felt fine afterward, though the lack of water fountains along the route grinded on me mentally at times. And when I did see this one particular water fountain that I ran past multiple times, I felt like I was taking a shower in it with all of the water I splashed over me. The Friday before the 23-miler, I ate at The Keg, a popular Canadian steakhouse. Surprisingly, The Keg had absolutely no pasta, so I carb-loaded on a baked potato, a plate of garlic mashed potatoes and a plate of rice. Can’t believe I’m admitting this, I kind of missed my pasta before this long run.

On Sept. 20, I ran 10.5 miles in downtown Seattle, thanks to a perfect route suggested by John, a concierge at the Seattle Hilton Hotel on 6th Street. I ran along the Alaskan Way path, running for about 50 minutes until I turned around at the Palisade Restaurant … and, yes, I actually was curious if it offered pasta. I ran around the Port of Seattle and, at one point, near some youth soccer fields with about three or four games being played. As I watched the “yutes” kicking around, I had to think which one of these 5-, 6-, or 7-year-olds who now hates running would, in years, be a marathon runner. I know I was once in their spikes: a soccer player who hated the extra running that coaches made us do. Maybe that’s why I played goalie.

Only a few more weeks of running before boarding my non-stop United Airlines flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport, bound for Amsterdam. I will, though, still be running in Orlando, Nashville and no doubt another city or two as well before Amsterdam … and no doubt still be complaining about pasta.

My training is through the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, which works to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I’d be grateful if you’d consider donating. Please go to my website (www.firstgiving.com/rossruns08) and help the AIDS Foundation of Chicago while I moan about eating pasta. Thanks,

Ross.

Ross Forman (pictured above with pro wrestling stars Curry Man and Tiger Mask) can be reached at: Rossco814@aol.com

Ross Runs Like Rocky? (Philadelphia Run)

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 21:01:33 GMT

By Ross Forman (pictured above with Kevin Nash)

PHILADELPHIA (August 8, 2008) - As usual, the first 20 minutes of my run today was the most difficult of the whole thing.

Let’s see, the iPod started with Viva La Vida from Coldplay, followed by 4 Minutes from Madonna, featuring Justin Timberlake and Timbaland. That was a dynamic duo of songs to kick off my 18-mile run; I couldn’t have been more pumped as I started running at 6 a.m., by myself along this city’s newest riverfront destination, Schuylkill Banks, home to greenways, parks, docks, the nation’s leading educational institutions, award-winning residential developments and active industrial sites.

But then the iPod’s battery went out. Ugh, to put it mildly.

About 10 minutes into the three hour run, already a wee bit ticked at the iPod, which I was certain I had charged, I came across some sprinklers. Not just one or two sprinklers, but about seven or eight, and there really was no way to run around them. So of course I ran through them. (On the way back, that was actually fun running through the water, but I didn’t really want to do it at the start. Oh well.)

Next on the hit list, the old Timex Ironman watch. As I tried to change my interval settings for this longer run, I tried to program it for four minutes, but accidentally did it for four hours. And it took me multiple attempts to figure it out, amazingly. That college degree from Indiana University didn’t seem to do much for me in my battle against the Timex watch. But eventually I fixed it, thankfully.

The three hour-plus run was scenic, but rather boring. There weren’t too many runner or cyclists out, thus, not much eye-candy to enjoy along the route. Hey, without music, ya gotta entertain yourself somehow.

I ran the entire 18 miles and only talked to one runner – a girl from Iran who told me I could get some water at the Philadelphia Canoe Club. And I did just that. Thanks!

Otherwise, it was just me, my bottle filled with an energy drink mix from Infinit Nutrition, a package of Gu (strawberry-banana) and some small bags of pretzels, courtesy of the United Airlines’ Red Carpet Club in Chicago.

This was, in the end, my best long run. In fact, it was better than my 14-miler and certainly better than my 16-miler two weeks ago, when my calves tightened up at about the 12-mile mark, giving me intense pain as I even tried to run.

The Amsterdam Marathon is Oct. 19 and I couldn’t be happier. I had a great training run today, as Coach Katie predicted, and now truly am excited – not nervous – for the last two long training runs (20- and 23-miles).

All of the running and the countless hours training are done to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I’m very grateful to all who have – or will – sponsor me and, in the process, help the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Donations can be made at: www.firstgiving.com/rossruns

I Did It Again!

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:26:10 GMT

By Ross Forman

I thought the 2007 Florence (Italy) Marathon, which I finished last November as part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program (NAMTP), would be my one-and-only marathon, ever.

Hardly.

Let’s see, on April 26, I ran the Nashville (Tenn.) Marathon, and was able to cut 25 minutes off my Florence time. And now I’m back training along the lakefront in Chicago with the NAMTP.

My goal this time: finish the Amsterdam Marathon on Oct. 19 in my best time ever, and I’m quite confident that I can do it.

I’m completely sold on the NAMTP training program, which is a mix of running and walking. I’m not winning the race, but I’m finishing. That’s most important. (And after the Nashville Marathon, I actually walked with Coach Katie and Coach Dan of the NAMTP from the finish line at LP Field to our hotels in downtown Nashville, about three miles away - after running 26.2 miles. Maybe a $10 cab ride would have been preferred, but it wasn't neccessary.)

I never was a long-distance runner. I was, instead, the one who questioned the sanity of all the marathon runners.

After training once with the NAMTP, and then training for Nashville by myself (though with the training techniques of the NAMTP), I am convinced that anyone – yes, absolutely anyone – can complete a marathon or half marathon with the training techniques of the NAMTP.

So, if you’re even remotely considering the 26.2-mile challenge, give it a run … you might actually like running.

My running and training is done to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I’dbe grateful if you’d consider sponsoring me and, in the process, helping AIDS Foundation of Chicago. So, please go to my website (www.firstgiving.com/rossruns08) and help the AIDS Foundation of Chicago while I run to Amsterdam. Thanks,

Ross.

Country Music Marathon (April 26, 2008 in Nashville)

Wed, 07 May 2008 05:51:40 GMT

I ran the Country Music Marathon in Nashville on Saturday, April 26, 2008! Next up: Amsterdam.

Amsterdam, Here I Come! (January 30, 2008)

Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:04:27 GMT

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you very much to all of you who supported me as I participated in my first marathon last November in Florence. It was an amazing experience, and I could not have done it without your support. Well, I'm ready to do it again and run another marathon!

That's right, I will be participating in the Amsterdam Marathon on October 19 … running 26.2 miles.

I am once again training and will be running a little farther each week as I prepare for Amsterdam. In total, I expect to log nearly 500 miles during training. Running a marathon is an amazing experience, and since, well, I'm a writer, I will be keeping this Journal to keep you updated on my training progress. It's all part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, which raises money for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago to fund direct medical care, food, housing, and other vital AIDS services — to help keep people with HIV/AIDS alive until there's a cure.

This is why I am committed to raise at least $8,400 (and hopefully more) … and I'm asking for your support.

I would be so grateful for any donation you can make to help me meet this goal. It's so easy to make a donation (so no excuses!). It only takes a few moments to make a contribution. Donations are tax deductible, and all contributions benefit The AIDS Foundation of Chicago, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Together, we can take pride in improving the lives of those less fortunate.

As you can probably imagine, this is an extremely physically-challenging task, but I am confident that, with your support, I can make it to the finish line.

Thank you so much for supporting me in this huge undertaking. When I cross that Start (and also the Finish) Line in October, I'll know that you helped and motivated me.

Thanks,
Ross Forman.

P.S. For those of you who are still having trouble believing that I ran (and finished) the Florence Marathon in November, the proof is below and at about the 5:50 mark in this clip.

I Ran A Marathon! - November 30, 2007

Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:23:12 GMT

Photo Courtesy: Bowdoin Su

By Ross Forman

FLORENCE, ITALY - Well, it’s over and, yes, I completed my first 26.2-mile marathon, held here on Sunday, Nov. 25.

I couldn’t be happier.

And that’s just the start of emotions I experienced during the five-hour journey along the mostly flat course that was filled with cobblestone streets.

Finishing the marathon brought pride, joy and honor, not to mention pain and a few tears.

I ran the first 90 minutes with Tim, a 45-year-old from San Francisco who I met and first ranwith in California in September. We went at a four- or five-to-one ratio, mixing running and walking. Tim then broke away, opting to jog the rest of the race as opposed to the run-walk training method that we learned during the six-months of training with the National AIDS Marathon Training Program (NAMTP).

At the two-hour mark, the outside part of my left knee started aching, forcing me to slow down to ease the pain. About two-and-a-half hours in, the knee was really hurting, forcing me, at times, to walk a little longer than I wanted to.

The rest of the marathon, I was slowed significantly by the injured knee, even though I had iced daily leading into the run.

Others, thus, passed me and I struggled. But no way was I gonna stop. Quitting was not an option. I trained too hard, for too long and too many supported me and the cause to say, ‘I’m done.’

I ran the second half of the race chatting at times with an Austrian couple, a girl from Georgia and others, including many of the 250 NAMTP runners who came herefrom Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco.

I saw Michelle, a Chicagoan in her 20s who I trained with extensively over the summer, struggling even more than me with, oh, about 10 miles to go. As I approached her, clearly seeing she was dealing with legs woes, I saw a man approach her from the right. As I later learned, Michelle’s near-60-year-old angel spoke barely any English, yet was driven to make sure she finished. Michelle cried as she later told the story; I was honored and amazed I saw it materialize right before my eyes.

I saw Coach Katie with about four miles to go and that brought a huge smile to my face. She ran with me for a while, maybe 10 minutes, offering encouragement and jokes the whole way. She eventually broke away to ran back to other NAMTP runners behind me, but not before reminding me that, when – not if, but when - I finish, she’ll have Rice Krispie treats waiting for me. And she did. We toasted the marathon that night with red wine and a Rice Krispie treat apiece. That was awesome!

When Katie left, I knew I was on the home stretch, that the 42-kilometers was almost done. Tears were swelling, knowing I was about to do what so few others worldwide attempt, let alone accomplish. I thought about those who have supported and encouraged me since day one of my marathon journey, including Hector, Dell, Mandy, Lodi, Kevin Nash, Jeff Jarrett and the rest of the TotalNonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling family.

With about half-a-mile to go, I caught up to Dan, a Chicago NAMTP runner in his 20s who also was struggling. I told him we had to kick it in with so little to go, that we couldn’t walk anymore, that we had to run the rest of the way home, first passing fans on our left, including many who we knew and cheered for us by name, then a throng of fans on both sides as we approached the finish line – while running on a red carpet, fittingly. It was an awesome feeling.

We crossed the finish line together. Actually, I crossed a second before Dan, on purpose, which he and I joked about later since he noticed. I got the medal draped around my neck, then a hug from a NAMTP runner from Los Angeles who, well, I don’t even know her name. But we had run together for a little with about 10 miles to go and though I made a joke about how Chicago is better than Los Angeles (which it is), I told her that, I sure hope she still meets me at the finish line with a hug. More motivation, I thought … and it was so cool that she was the first one who hugged me. I actually was shocked she remembered, but boy was it cool to see her.

All of my close friends and training partners finished the marathon,including Chuck, Rob, Dru, Bobby,Carrie, Michelle, Robert, Kevin, Janelle, Ray and, actually, everyone I can think of.

Six months ago, I never in my wildest dreams thought I could finish a marathon. Heck, I thought 10 miles would be an impossible task, let alone 26.2.

Now, though, my thinking is, where is my second marathon gonna be? The Chicago division of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program supposedly will be training runners for 2008 marathons in Chicago, Honolulu and Amsterdam. So, I guess I better get out the sunscreen and flip-flops for few days in and around Waikiki next December.

Running a marathon? That’s not a problem for me.

And it shouldn’t be for anyone. As the saying goes … if I can do it, you too can do it.

Oh yeah, the $1 that Chuck promised me lastJune if I finished the marathon, well,he came through and presented it to me that Sunday night in between sips, er,swigs of Italy’s finest red wine.

All of the running and the countless hours training was done to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I’m so grateful to all who sponsored me and, in the process, helped the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. You drove me to finish the marathon and, more important, helped me be Chicago’s top fund-raiser, at least as of race day. Donations are still appreciated for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago at: www.firstgiving.com/rossruns

Ross Forman can be reached at: Rossco814@aol.com.

Home Stretch to Florence - November 5, 2007

Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:49:13 GMT

By Ross Forman

It’s the home stretch for the 2007 Florence Marathon, set for Nov. 25 in Italy … and I feel ready.

The last major training run as part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program (NAMTP) was Nov. 3, along the lakefront in Chicago. Some ran 26 miles, while I ran my scheduled 24 miles.

Actually, we all ran the extra .2 miles as well, naturally.

After finishing the 24 miles, I looked a little further north and spotted a balloon arch and heard the NAMTP coaches, organizers, volunteers and other runners cheering for me, by name, no less. What a cool feeling, so I ran the last .2, with cheers and ultimately hugs all around. Coach Katie hung the NAMTP medal around my neck … that was a special moment I’ll never forget.

Never in my wildest imagination did I think I’d run 24 miles. But, through the NAMTP’s training regimen, which is based on a run-walk theory, I know I’m ready for the 26.2 miles that I’ll run in Italy. No problem with that, and no worries.

After the training run, we relaxed, stretched, ate bananas, bagels, peanut butter, Rice Krispie treats and, well, just about anything and everything around. Including some Oreo cookies, my favorites.

And that was just for an appetizer. I went with fellow runners Richard and Brad, and volunteer Andrea, to Moody’s, where we all devoured cheeseburgers and fries, and a pitcher of beer. Boy did that burger taste good, and I never thought once about the countless calories and enormous amounts of grease and fat I was putting into my body.

The last major training run also was a downer of sorts. Fellow runner Rob, who is one of the top runners in the NAMTP, had to stop after 21 of his 26 miles due to a knee injury. Hopefully he’ll on the path in Florence.

I’m always asked how I feel after the long runs and, well, I feel fine. Credit the training method, or whatever, but I truly felt fine. After lunch, I drove home and just continued my day as normal with no lingering after-affects of four-plus hours of running.

All of the running and training is done to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I’d be grateful if you’d consider sponsoring me and, in the process, helping AIDS Foundation of Chicago. So, please go to my website (www.firstgiving.com/rossruns) and help the AIDS Foundation of Chicago while I runto Florence. Thanks,

Ross.

Ross Forman (pictured in the middle above, in case you were unsure) can be reached at: Rossco814@aol.com

On The Road To Florence - October 19, 2007

Fri, 19 Oct 2007 17:59:03 GMT

By Ross Forman

SMYRNA, Ga. - My toughest challenge to date was Oct. 13, when I ran 21 miles by myself along the Silver Comet Trail, starting here in suburban Atlanta. I began at the 1.2 mile-marker and knew that, when I saw11.7, it’d be time to turn around and head back to my car.

And then go to work for Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling.

The course was perfect: mostly flat and, because of the large trees that surrounded the path, mostly shaded. There were some inclines and a small bridge that I literally had to run up and over, but for the most part, this was the second-best place to run. Behind the ever-scenic path on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, of course.

There was, though, one major flaw: water. Or lack thereof. There was a bicycle shop about two miles after starting, but I didn’t need any water then; I had my water bottle (filled with a hydration mix) and was carrying a 32-ounce plastic bottle of orange-flavored Gatorade. (I never like carrying bottles when running, but I wasn’t gonna risk it since I didn’t know what was, or wasn’t, out there to drink.)

When I hit the 11.5-mile marker, there was a bathroom and water fountain … but the water fountain didn’t work. “Oh @#$#%” was basically what I said at that point. Luckily, though, one of the resting cyclists showed me that, to get the water fountain to work, I had to push the button three times, then water would flow. Sure enough, there was water.

The second-half of my run was fairly, well, boring. There weren’t many people out there to people-watch, though the groups of roller-bladers who skate in a formation are kind of amusing, at least to me they are.

When I hit the bicycle repair shop with about two-miles to go, I bought two bottles of water and a energy bar.

Ultimately, I finished in, oh, about 3:45 – running about half-a-mile past the 1.2 starting marker to complete the full 21 miles. I’m actually just estimating the time since this was my first run that I forgot my watch – and was very frustrated throughout for forgetting.

The iPod is a blessing and I listen to everything from 2Pac to U2, 50cent and Eminem to Neal Diamond and Barry Manilow. I ended the run, fittingly, with Kenny Loggins’ This Is It.

I have only one more long training run: a 24-miler on the first Saturday in November. Otherwise, it’s just 8- or 10-miles on Saturdays, building up to Nov. 25 when I’ll be running 26.2 miles through the streets of Florence, Italy.

My running and training is done to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I’d be grateful if you’d consider sponsoring me and, in the process, helping AIDS Foundation of Chicago. So, please go to my website (www.firstgiving.com/rossruns) and help the AIDS Foundation of Chicago while I run to Florence. Thanks,

Ross.

Ross Forman can be reached at: Rossco814@aol.com

16 Miles In San Francisco

Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:34:35 GMT

By Ross Forman

I gotta admit, I was a little nervous heading into my 16-mile training run on Sept. 8.

First, it was my longest run ever, and second, I was running with the San Francisco team from the National AIDS Marathon Training Program (NAMTP) as opposed to normal Chicago crew I run with. I feared the incredible hills of San Francisco streets, and, dare I mention, Crooked Street. Plus, after running, I was gonna see all my friends from Tristar Productions at their SF Collectors Show - and they all knew I was running in the morning and would be asking how it went.

Well, 16-miles was, ultimately, no problem ... and the San Francisco crew (Todd, Tom, Joe and others) was a lot of fun to run with.

We started at Golden Gate Park, and since I'm not too familiar with many San Fran landmarks, I don't know the exact route, though we certainly ran to San Francisco State University and around Lake Merced.

The group I ran with was nice and energetic, and quite welcoming for a newcomer. We started with 12, yet ultimately, only six of us finished the three-plus hour journey due to some injuries along the way.

Running in San Francisco is nothing like running with my normal Chicago crew, where we just go south along the path that is adjacent to Lake Shore Drive, then return the same way. In SF, there were countless turns and street-lights and, well, to say I was lost about 10 minutes in would be an under-statement. Heck, I really don't know how they remember exactly where they're going. And the SF route, unlike the Chicago route, doesn't feature countless perfectly-sculpted bodies running in the opposite direction, which always is easy on the eyes.

Next Saturday (Sept. 15) will be a Recovery Run of "only" eight miles as I head into the home-stretch for the 2007 Florence Marathon on Nov. 25. We're only 11 weeks away from that big 26.2-mile trek through Italy ... I couldn't be more excited!

My marathon training is part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program (NAMTP), to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Would you please consider sponsoring your favorite writing-runner and help the AIDS Foundation of Chicago in the process. Please go to my website (www.firstgiving.com/rossruns) while I run to Florence, Italy. Thanks,

Ross.

Ross Forman can be reached at: Rossco814@aol.com

Training for Florence: Hills, Watermelon and Yvan Cournyer

Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:44:56 GMT

By Ross Forman

Hills, watermelon and Yvan Cournyer ... welcome (back) to my week of training for the 2007 Florence Marathon on Nov. 25.

I ran last week while out of town with my friend Dell, who will be celebrating his 60th birthday next month and has 19 marathons under his belt. His 20th will be this December in Honolulu. We ran about 6 miles in one hour, including some painful hills. OK, they weren't really hills, more like inclines, but when you're not used to them, they can be tough. And they were. Nonetheless, Dell didn't mind running my slower-than-his-normal pace, and it was enjoyable for both of us to have someone to run with.

I ran this past Saturday, August 25, in Chicago, and did my longest run ever: 14 miles, finishing in 2:36. I ran with a faster pace-group than normal and for most of the way it was just Richard, Kimberly and myself. Our coach from the National AIDS Marathon Training Program (NAMTP), Katie, joined us for the first five miles or so. And for much of that time, the four of us played the Name Game. I, for instance, would start by saying, "Frank Sinatra," and the next person then would have to name a celebrity whose name started with "S." What a great way to pace the miles ... until I got "Y." But actually it wasn't too tough, as I said, 'Yvan Cournyer," the former Montreal Canadiens hockey player who was my all-time favorite player. I'm sure the other three probably thought I was making that one up.

As I've said before, my favorite post-run snack is Rice Krispie treats. Second-place on that list is watermelon, and Richard's home-made banana bread this week was damn-good. Thanks.

I'll be running 8 miles on Saturday, then will be doing16 miles the following Saturday while in San Francisco. Less than three months to go, wow!

My marathon training is part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program (NAMTP), to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Would you please consider sponsoring your favorite writing-runner and help the AIDS Foundation of Chicago in the process? Please go to my website (www.firstgiving.com/rossruns) while I run to Florence, Italy. Thanks,

Ross.

Ross Forman (who isn't spending much time with Ronald McDonald these days since he's training for the marathon) can be reached at: Rossco814@aol.com