Florence Avenue - July 29, 2007

By Ross Forman

    I don't pay too much attention to street signs when I'm running. I just know that I'll run about 20 minutes away from home, then head back about the same distance and time coming back. During the week, you see, I'm running two or three times - Mondays and Wednesdays for sure, maybe Thursdays too - in preparation for the longer Saturday runs with the group.

 

    The other day, though, I spotted a street sign that, well, was maybe fate.  About a seven-minute run from my front-door was the sign for FLORENCE AVENUE.

 

    How fitting, as I continue my preparation for the 2007 Florence Marathon on Nov. 25 as part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program (NAMTP).

 

    My last group-run in July was a 7-mile journey, heading south along the path between Lake Shore Drive and Lake Michigan.

 

    I finished in 1:21.18, which actually was about three minutes faster than my 12-minute-mile pace.  I felt great after the run - no pain, no fatigue. I was among the first finished from the Florence and Las Vegas marathoners and the Vegas half-marathoners, and thus among the first to hit the post-run food table, which always is loaded with bananas, bagels, Gatorade, peanut butter and other goodies.

 

    And I also split a Rice Krispie treat with Coach Katie ... that's our personal favorite.

 

    I'm now less than four-months away from race-day; I can't believe it.  Hopefully those who have not yet contributed in my drive to support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago through the NAMTP will do so.  It's easy and helps a great cause.  Simply go to: www.firstgiving.com/rossruns

 

    Thanks again,

Ross.

On the Run to Florence - July 24, 2007

By Ross Forman

I ran 5 miles on July 21 in 58 minutes and, sure, this is a tad less than one-fifth of a marathon’s 26.2-mile grind, but this was the first time I really felt that, yes, I will be able to do it.

 

Not really sure why, but just felt good out there, running along the lakefront.

 

The 58-minute time was slower than I could have gone, but it was right on for my training pace-group as part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program (NAMTP) en route to the Florence 2007 Marathon on Nov. 25.

 

I normally run about a 10-minute mile, give or take, but am training in the 12-minute pace-group, named by the NAMTP for Alberto Salazar, the charismatic runner who won three consecutive New York City Marathons in the early 1980s.

 

Next Saturday, I’ll be doing 7-miles, then 8, then 10, slowly and steadily increasing my distances over the coming weeks and months.

 

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

On The Run - July 16, 2007

By Ross Forman

 

I ran three miles on July 14, simply for a time to be placed in a new pace-group on my road to the Florence 2007 Marathon on Nov. 25 as part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program.

 

I finished the run along Lake Michigan in just over 32 minutes, though it actually would have been a drop under 32 had I not gotten lost amid construction on the path. So finishing in a 10:30-minute pace, I now will be in the 12-minute training pace-group from here on out, named by the NAMTP for Alberto Salazar, the charismatic runner who won three consecutive New York City Marathons in the early 1980s.

 

Next I'll be doing 5-miles, then 7, then 8, and slowly and steadily increasing my distances over the next few weeks and months.

 

I felt great after the three-mile run. No soreness in my previously-injured right ankle. I also didn’t have any problems with my stamina. And, having already run longer distances, the coming weeks should be fun. Wait, did I just say running these distances will be fun?

 

Well, they’re not really fun. But meeting the other runners and NAMTP staff and coaches has been enjoyable. There’s guys and girls, young and old, athletes and, uh, not-your-typical-athletes. Everyone out there on Saturday mornings along the lakefront is supportive and motivating. There are those who train in an 8:30-minute pace-group and they just look like athletes or career runners. Then there are those who train at the 18:30-minute pace-group. Those in the latter group are really motivating, more than those in the former … if they can do it, I can do it.

 

            The ultimate drive of the NAMTP is to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I’m thrilled to say I’m well on my way to my goal of $3,900, but now I’d like to surpass a top NAMTP fund-raising total from last year. So, if you’re thinking of helping the AIDS Foundation through my running, I’d be grateful, especially since I’m now driven to raise $8,012. 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 (shown above in his favorite running shirt) can be reached at: Rossco814@aol.com