In Memory of Michael

By Ross Forman

The “when” and “where” part of my next marathon were a challenge; it was tough to find the perfect race on an ideal weekend.

The “who” was relative easy.  Specifically, “for whom.”

Jump back to the 2013 Tel Aviv Marathon, which was to have been held on Friday, March 15, and was to have been my 19^th marathon over the past 5 ½ years.  However, three days before the marathon, organizers postponed the event a week due to an excessive heat wave that was predicted.

The temperature was expected to soar into the 90s pretty early that Friday morning, so the decision was made to postpone the 26.2-mile marathon, yet proceed with the 13.1-mile half marathon and other shorter-distance races. More than 30,000 runners were expected to cross the Starting Line in Tel Aviv for the multiple races.

I learned of the race-day change upon landing in Newark, for a four-hour layover, before my United Airlines flight to Tel Aviv.  With the half marathon still set to proceed, I chose to continue my journey, though it briefly crossed my mind to just turn around and go home.

About 30 minutes after the half marathon started on that Friday, the temp was already 77 degrees, and the mercury quickly soared past 90.  Yeah, it was hot.

So hot, in fact, that many runners needed medical attention.  Reports said 80 runners suffered heat stroke or other ailments caused by the heat. 

Michael Michalevitch – a 29-year-old soldier, husband and father of a newborn baby – collapsed along the course.  He was taken to the hospital, and later pronounced dead.  Media reports said that Michalevitch was an officer in the Israeli military and an avid runner who was comfortable running up to 12 miles per day.

My next marathon will be for Michael.

I don’t know Michael, or his family, or even what brand of running shoes he wore.  I just want to do something to honor him.

So, after much debate, I’ve decided to return to the Pacific Northwest in July for the annual Foot Traffic Flat – an Independence Day marathon run on Sauvie Island, which is about 15 miles north of Portland, Ore.  The festive holiday event features homemade strawberry shortcake at the Finish Line, as well as ice baths.

“We aren’t going to change a whole lot with the course, since it’s always been a fun event, but we do plan a few small tweaks to the event to make it more smooth,” organizer Sean T. Rivers told me in late-March.

Sean once again has helped get me excited to run the Foot Traffic Flat for the second consecutive year – and this time it’ll be for Michael.

I truly hope that, with today’s modern technology, specifically, social media, that this blog gets to Michael’s family well before I hit the Starting Line on Sauvie Island.

After the Foot Traffic Flat, I’ll find my way to my post-marathon tradition: a yogurt shop.  I also might hit Voodoo Doughnut, which is a local legend in Portland and features such creative offerings as Bacon Maple Bar, Captain My Captain, The Loop, Grape Ape, Memphis Mafia, and even Old Dirty Bastard, among others.

I’m back on the Insanity circuit, dedicated to the daily workouts under the leadership of Shaun T because I want the Foot Traffic Flat to truly be a memorable run.

And I know it will be,

Ross.
@RossForman1

 

Shalom! My Return to Tel Aviv

By Ross Forman

When I think back on the 2011 Tel Aviv Marathon, several memories come to mind:

* The lack of water provided by organizers between miles 18-21, and how upset I was at that fact because of how thirsty I was at that point.  I actually spotted an unusual-looking water fountain during that stretch, right along the course, but the water was hot.  That sucked!

* Starting at about Mile 22, for the next mile or two, there were several water stations.  Horrible planning!

* Meeting Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai the night before the race, as well as Zahava Roden, a fellow runner from New York City, who I again saw as she crossed the Finish Line.  I cherish the photos I have with each, and hope to see each again.

* After finishing the 26.2 miles with my still-Personal Record (PR) time, I started walking back to my hotel but then, as I looked to my left, I saw the Mediterranean Sea – with countless people lounging on the beach.  No need to walk 20 or 30 minutes to the hotel just to shower; the Mediterranean would cool me off, kinda clean me up, at least for the time being.  I lounged on the beach, jumped in the frigid water and still remember the joy of that Friday afternoon.  Pictures were plentiful that day, and my smile never disappeared.

It’s now time for the 2013 Tel Aviv Marathon, which I am running on Friday morning, March 15.  This will be my 19^th marathon in about 5 ½ years.  Still amazed, still astonished, and still smiling at those numbers.

 

I had so much fun before, during, and after the 2011 Tel Aviv Marathon – and am sure this year’s run through the streets of Tel Aviv will be just as memorable.  As long as I don’t get the triple interrogation, again, as I did entering Israel for the 2011 race.

 

Ironically, picking Tel Aviv as a destination marathon at the start of 2011 was not my first choice.  In fact, I’ll admit that Tel Aviv probably was No. 10 on my list of cities to run.  I quickly trimmed that list down, and before I knew it, Tel Aviv was the only city still standing.  One quick online search about Tel Aviv, and I was sold.

 

The fact Tel Aviv is a beach city convinced me.

 

I couldn’t be happier picking Tel Aviv … though I still can’t stand the sound of matkot constantly being played on the beach.  (Google “matkot,” if you’ve never heard of Israel’s unofficial national sport.)

 

Much the way Honolulu is my annual December marathon, and I will be running that Hawaii marathon for the sixth consecutive year at the end of 2013, Tel Aviv is one that I’m thrilled to tackle again.  The locals are exceptionally nice and welcoming, the course was memorable – mostly in a favorable way.

 

I just hope I can find enough pancakes.

 

This past December, in Honolulu, I learned that pancakes do the trick for me in those carb-loading days before hitting the Starting Line.  I don’t like pasta, though I have endured it in the past.  I would just rather carb-load with pancakes.

 

Hopefully I also can find a Yogurtland in Israel because, as David Munar will attest, there’s no better post-race refresher than mixing your own personal favorite treats with multiple yogurt flavors.

 

Here’s hoping the 2013 Tel Aviv Marathon is as memorable as the 2011 race was, though that leads to one of the biggest questions in my marathon running career:  What’s next, after Tel Aviv, because that will be my 20^th – so it’s gotta be a memorable experience … suggestions?  Thanks,

 

Ross.

With NBA legend Dennis Rodman

12 Memorable Moments from 2012

By Ross Forman

The 12 Moments I Will Never Forget From 2012.  Not easy to select, but here goes, in no particular order:

1. Running the Jerusalem Marathon in March, the first of four marathons that I ran.  This was, without question, the most difficult marathon I have ever run, probably ever will run.  But so many fun times, so many laughs on the week-long trip with Jennifer Scroggins, Irit Doron and others.  Running through the Old City was amazing.  (Hey Jennifer, I can’t wait for our next eggplant extravaganza, with coffee from Juan Valdez.)

2.  Wiping banana cream pie off my face and clothes in August after a Coaches Fundraiser for the Team To End AIDS, benefiting the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.  Paul Ketz donated $300 to AFC to Pie His Favorite Coach, me.  (Thanks, Paul ... I think.)  In December, I was so proud to be Paul’s coach for the Honolulu Marathon – and was happy to donate $1 to AFC on behalf of Paul’s finishing time on the 26.2-mile run through Paradise after he won our bet

3.  Seeing a teary-eyed Aiden Valenciano, among his family and friends, after he finished the Chicago Triathlon in August.  Was so proud of him, so proud to be a T2 Coach at that moment.  I’ll always remember that “I did it” hug he gave me.

4.  The brief words of encouragements I gave T2 participants during the Chicago Triathlon.  So many participants thanked me later that night and in the coming days for needed motivation for their run.  Dan Cornejo said after the event that my words of encouragement were his triathlon highlight.

5. Surpassing 2 million flown on United Airlines.  Most of my miles have been domestic, so yes, it’s a lot of takeoffs, landings, lousy meals, crabby flight attendants and miserable passengers.  I still always would rather fly to, say, Indianapolis than drive three hours.  Going on several amazing behind-the-scenes tours at various airports and even United’s downtown Chicago headquarters, with Will Melnyczenko and Jordan Conover, were highlights.

6. Pro wrestling remains on my resume, and it still amazes me.  Early in the year, I was talking to Hulk Hogan, who I have worked with for 15 years yet, to be honest, I really didn’t even know if he knew my name.  Everyone, and I mean everyone, is “Brother” to Hogan.  But mid-sentence, he stopped and said, “Mr. Forman, back in the day, we both had more hair.”  And minutes later, Hogan addressed me simply as, “Ross.”  That answered that question.

7.  Spending time in August with Kevin Nash, after not having seen one of my best friends in a couple years, was, as always, memorable.  We laughed, we joked, we reminisced, and of course we dined at “Capital,” which is what we have long called The Capital Grille.  We also learned first-hand about The Wire, the TV show based in Baltimore.  Let’s just say, there are some rough neighborhoods in Baltimore.  (Sorry you-know-who-you-are, Kevin and I will not buy beer for you guys again in Baltimore.)

8.  I got to umpire or referee so many memorable baseball, hockey and softball games.  Some less-than-memorable games, too, but that goes with the territory.  It really is an honor when players, coaches, fellow officials and others say, as they often did this year, “Ross, you really look like you’re having fun officiating.”  Because I am.

9.  Family and friends.  Way too many to mention here, but I really am proud to be associated with so many people from so many different walks of life.  Probably should be “runs” of life for this marathoner.  Even those who I only see, talk to, or text with on rare occasion, I’m still glad you’re in my life.

10.  I wanted to pick out a few memorable stories that I wrote in 2012, but that was nearly impossible.  My list was in double-digits before I knew it.  Thanks to, literally, hundreds who have let me share their lives with my written words, and maybe even a photo or two that I took.  As my Mom tells me often, Grandma Hariette would be so proud that I am a writer.  Thanks Tracy Baim, Andrew Davis, my editors at the Daily Herald, and the other newspapers and magazines that featured “By Ross Forman” at the start of a story.

11.  For the Team To End AIDS pasta party before the Chicago Marathon, I wrote and delivered an emotional 5-minute speech, bringing full circle why we do what we do.  Dan Cornejo and Kelly Southard carried running shoes through the crowd, representing those who would love to run the Chicago Marathon, but have unfortunately paid the ultimate sacrifice in their battle against HIV/AIDS.  Meant so much to hear the favorable responses I received from attendees.  (Thanks David Munar, Dan Lakin, Richard Cordova, Keith Stryker and Tony Torres.)

12.  Running the last 2 miles of the Chicago Marathon in October were the most emotional miles I have ever run.  Crying for personal reasons, it meant a lot to get a hug and words of encouragement from Coach Jamie, more than she knows.  After finishing, I broke down again, thankfully away from others – except for the T2 runner from Washington D.C., who I didn’t know, nor did he know me.  But, we both wore red T2 shirts and I’m very appreciative for his hug and words of encouragement, even though I don’t know his name and never have had the chance to thank him.

Here’s hoping 2013 is as memorable 2012 was,

Ross.

 

 

5 Years of Marathons

By Ross Forman

It’s hard to believe the 5-year anniversary of running my first marathon – in Florence, Italy – is only a few weeks away.  The Sunday after Thanksgiving 2007 was when this 26.2-mile running adventure started – wearing relatively-new Brooks shoes and a bright yellow t-shirt supporting the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, the endurance-training program that benefited the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC).

I smiled, cried, grimaced and grinded along for hours to cover the distance and claim the bling.  Months earlier I never thought I could or would cross the Finish Line after running 26.2 miles … I have now done so 17 times.

And my 18^th marathon is only a few weeks away: the Honolulu Marathon is Sunday, Dec. 9, and it will be the fifth consecutive year I have run this race.  I will be wearing Brooks shoes, as always, and still am supporting AFC’s endurance-training program, now known as the Team To End AIDS (T2).  I run in red for T2 and also have been a T2 Coach for two years.

The annual Bank of America Chicago Marathon in October was, as always, incredibly memorable.  Seeing the faces of the T2 runners before, during and after the marathon is priceless.  Same for those post-run hugs with that “We did it!” emotional grip.  Running most of the marathon with Jamie was so much fun; I am so proud of her awesome finish.  Seeing so many friends along the route was so uplifting; am glad Ed was able to draw a smile out of me every time he pointed his camera in my direction, regardless of how much pain I was in at the time.  Seeing my Dad twice during the marathon was great.

The 2012 Chicago Marathon was, without question, the most emotional, tear-filled marathon I have ever run.  Thanks to those who gave me a hug or simple word of encouragement that Sunday, including Coach Jamie and the T2 runner from Washington D.C., who I had never met and, unfortunately, I don’t even remember his name.

Also in October, I ran the annual Monster Dash Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in Chicago, plus two 5K races (3.1 miles), one in Chicago on a runway at O’Hare International Airport and the other through downtown Houston. 

Running for me has never really been about the finishing time of a race.  But rather, just finishing.  That said, my times have steadily dropped over the years, on all race distances, and I’m very proud of that.

I have a long-standing marathon time bet with Chuck that goes back to that Florence Marathon, and I have to give him credit, he hands over that $1 the next time we see each other if I win.  I know Dell and Nick, my running partners for Honolulu, have a time goal for us – and I plan to push it, so we can all hit it together.  That would be really cool, so memorable.  I also have a time-related bet around the Honolulu Marathon with T2 runner Paul, who will be running Honolulu for the first time.  We bet based on his finishing-time to cover all 26.2 miles in Hawaii – and the loser will donate $1 to AFC in support of the other. 

I’m not sure what path my marathon journal will lead in 2013, but I’m considering a return trip overseas for the annual Tel Aviv Marathon in March, where I set my Personal Record (PR) time the lone previous time I have run that race.  Other than that, the calendar and the world are open.  Give me my shoes, I’m ready to run …

Ross.

P.S.  Congratulations, Kelley, for running your portion of a Half Marathon a few weeks ago.  And, Konesha, I am holding you to that 5K.

Sweet 16



By Ross Forman

It’s been a fun run to my Sweet 16, literally.

I am registered to run the annual Foot Traffic Flat Marathon on Wednesday, July 4, on Sauvie Island, which is about 15 minutes north of Portland, Ore. – and this will be my 16th marathon since running my first on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, 2007.

So first, why this relatively small race?

Quick answer: timing. Weekends for the next six months are relatively busy for me and, sure, I could skip out of town and run a marathon somewhere, but when I heard about this mid-week holiday run, I thought, what the heck?!

Plus, this event is known as The Flat, and having enduring the abundance of hills and more this past March while running the Jerusalem Marathon, anything named The Flat sounds good to me. Organizers promote The Flat as about the flattest and fastest half and full marathon on the West Coast – and who am I to argue with them?!

In addition, The Flat features, and again I quote organizers, the beautiful sights of Sauvie Island, including thousands of songbirds, majestic bald eagles, and picturesque farmland that most of the island residents subsist off of. Sounds great to me.

But that’s not it!! You can’t forget the island-fresh strawberry shortcake! Not only is it scrumptious, but the islanders themselves serve it after the race.

I’m sure excited for this holiday adventure, and the strawberries, too.

My path to Portland includes plenty of runs in Chicago and grinding out daily at-home Insanity cardio workouts. I never thought one person could sweat as much as I do in a 40-minute Insanity workout under the barks of Shaun T.

I also this summer am coaching once again for the Team To End AIDS (T2), the endurance-training program of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Joining T2 back in 2007, which actually was the National AIDS Marathon Training Program at the time, was one of the best decisions I ever made. So many friends, so many memories, so many laughs, so many miles – all thanks to T2. Tears, cheers and, of course, a few beers with T2.

Running for T2, though, is truly about the bottom line: helping in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Every 9½ minutes someone in the U.S. is infected with HIV and nearly 1.2 million Americans are now living with HIV. AFC is leading the fight against HIV/AIDS in the Chicago area by funding prevention programs and services to stop the spread of HIV and help people live full and productive lives until the day there’s a cure.

I’ll be grinding out mile and mile this year – with at least three more marathons planned. The Flat, the Chicago Marathon in October (in Coaching duties, which will entail running all 26.2 miles) and the Honolulu Marathon in December.

Please support me in my Coaching and Training this summer for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago through T2.

Thanks, and I’ll be sure to report about the Sauvie Island strawberries,

Ross.

Jerusalem Experiences

By Ross Forman

The day after running the Jerusalem Marathon, I was at Masada, the ruins of King Herod’s mountaintop fortress and last stronghold of the Jewish revolt against the Romans in 73 C.E.

Masada is a World Heritage Site by U.N.E.S.C.O. (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), and the tram ride to the top only takes about three minutes.

But I, instead, hiked to the top, as did a few other runners.

Hey, we’re marathon runners. We choose to run 26.2 miles, so a 30-minute hike to the top of Masada isn’t too bad, right?

Masada proved to be on of the many awe-inspiring sights I saw here in Israel. I can’t say it was my favorite, though it truly is incredible, mostly because there is so much to Israel.

Here are some of my other Israel highlights, after the three minute tram ride down to the base of Masada:

• Floating in the Dead Sea is … bizarre. I’m not sure how else to describe the experience, but everyone should do it at least once. This was, unlike climbing up Masada, something I am glad I did the day after running the Jerusalem Marathon on Friday morning, March 16.

• I walked through the open-air market in Tel Aviv, where fruit, vegetables, clothing and more is sold. The adjacent arts & crafts bazaar had some great offerings. I’d go back to both, especially the later.

• Watching a Sound & Light Show at the Tower Museum of David was just cool. Imagine being in a theatre, sans popcorn, but instead of a simple screen, you watch the video on ancient walls. Really good. Also though, was really cold that night (March 13).

• Speaking of cold, in conjunction with the marathon, there was an awesome Ice Festival, featuring hand-carved ice sculptures, including, animals, a bar, and even a slide. And yes, of course I slid down it – a few times. The temperature inside was about 20 degrees, and organizers gave attendees a jacket to wear inside. Very nice.

• I stayed at the Prima Kings Hotel in Jerusalem, where they had a great breakfast and dinner buffet. How ironic, my egg-white omelet was made every morning by Vladimir, who hails from Highland Park, Ill. I also enjoyed meeting Akram, who worked in the restaurant. Prima Kings = prime location.

• Be sure to check out the Mamilla section of Jerusalem. Modern and trendy with an old-school touch.

• Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat ran the 13.1-mile Half Marathon. “We know that people don’t come to (run the) Jerusalem Marathon to break their (personal) record (time) since Jerusalem is a hilly city,” he said. “(The course) poses a lot of (physical) challenges, however, there’s no doubt in my mind that, in a short period of time, the Jerusalem Marathon is quickly (joining) that short list of marathons that people around the world have to run at least once.”

• More than 15,000 runners participated in one of numerous races. There were, for instance, 1,000 who ran the full 26.2-mile marathon, 4,000 with Barkat who ran the half marathon, and the remainder ran the 10K race. There were about 1,500 runners in Jerusalem from abroad and more than 50 countries were represented along the course. The 2012 race was 50 percent larger than the inaugural edition—and no doubt will just continue to expand.

• Quoting Mayor Barkat: “Half the population in the world, (that’s about) 3.5 billion people of faith, would like to come and visit Jerusalem at least once in their lifetime. The Holy City is a city that goes deep into the heart of people all over the world. Myself, and the Municipality of Jerusalem, are working to make Jerusalem more accessible, to make Jerusalem more attractive, more practical to come and visit.”

• I really enjoyed going through the Old City, and will admit that I was surprised it includes an Armenian quarter. Seeing the Western Wall (in the Jewish Quarter) is breath-taking.

• The view from the Haas Promenade is super cool.

• Enjoyed Mount of Olives.

• Also enjoyed Ein Karem, the birthplace of John The Baptist.

• Yad Vashem is tears … 6 million tears. So impressive is the tribute, still so sad.

• What about safety? Well, I felt safer in Israel than I do quite often in Chicago. Not once did I feel scared, nervous or threatened. Get over the fear, as I have, and go over to Israel – you’ll be thrilled you did, as I was.

Happy trails,

Ross.

P.S. The trendy food in Jerusalem is an appetizer made from eggplant. I had it at almost every dinner, and now kinda miss it. Guess I gotta go back.

Jerusalem Marathon Memories

By Ross Forman

I have now raced for a combined 393 marathon miles over the past 4 ½ years – and the last 26.2 miles were, without question, the most challenging, the most grueling, the most painful.

I ran the Jerusalem Marathon on Friday morning, March 16, marking my 15th marathon. I knew before I even boarded my El Al flight from New York City, bound for Israel, that this would be a challenging marathon, probably my toughest test ever.

And it was, without question. Jerusalem is a city filled with so many amazing, picturesque historic sights, but the terrain is brutally painful for marathon runners. The course went up and down, up and down, up and down for the vast majority of the 26.2-miles. And for an added bonus, some of the course is run on cobblestone, which always is a challenge.

But that’s not it! At least not this year, which was the second time that the Jerusalem Marathon has been held. Mother Nature, it appears, is not a marathon fan. For race day, the temperature was in the 40s with rain and a stiff wind.

And there’s more! At one point during the marathon, it was even hailing.

Talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The Jerusalem Marathon is one that every marathon runner should attempt at least once – if only for the sights. There were amazing views at multiple points along the course, but my favorite part was running through the Old City. We entered at Jaffa Gate and exited at Zion Gate. Talk about running through time, or, as organizers promote, running through 3,000 years of history.

The pain in my legs seemed to subside briefly as I ran through the Old City, an awe-inspiring section of Jerusalem that includes the Via Dolorosa (Stations of the Cross) in the Christian Quarter and the Western Wall in the Jewish Quarter, among other highlights.

By Mile 20, I was cussing anyone and anything. Make that, everyone and everything. I was in pain, not happy one bit. My quads were killing me and nothing I did, or tried, could eliminate the pain.

But I still pushed forward. I’m sure there’s some great life-lesson to be learned from that.

When I crossed the finish-line, I never – in any of the previous 14 marathons – felt as happy and as relieved.

So that begs the question, which I was in fact asked about five or six hours later, Would I run the Jerusalem Marathon again?

Yes, without question.

I truly know what to expect and would know how to train better, more efficiently for the tall order that is the Jerusalem Marathon.

The bigger question is, which would I prefer to run in 2013: the Jerusalem Marathon of the Tel Aviv Marathon? Of course, I ran Tel Aviv in 2011 and that event remains my Personal Record (PR) time.

Tough choices ... hmm, maybe I’ll run both.

Well, maybe not. Or maybe, yes. The next Jerusalem Marathon is March 1, 2013. I’m not sure of the date for the 2013 Tel Aviv Marathon, but I certainly would run either, or both, again – and perhaps even in the same year. And hopefully others from America also will accept the challenge that is Jerusalem.

Personally, I’m looking at Memorial Day weekend to possibly run my next marathon, perhaps in Ottawa or Calgary, unless I stay within the U.S. Why is deciding my next course so challenging at times?

But nothing will ever be as challenging – or rewarding – as the Jerusalem Marathon.

Have a good run,
Ross.

P.S. I will be updating this Marathon Journal soon with more Jerusalem memories.