Over the years that I’ve volunteered with disabled athletes, and become one myself (sort of), I have learned a lot from my newfound friendships.

Love Achilles!

-You don’t have to have sight to see who your friends are or complete multiple marathons. 

-You don’t have to have all your limbs in tact to hold people in your embrace or beat 90% of the racing field.

-Only you define your limits and they are endless, including competing in triathlons.

We have all been inspired by the Special Olympics and this summer’s groundbreaking news of a disabled athlete, double amputee Oscar Pistorius, competing against able-bodied athletes. Sadly, it seems that image of Pistorius-the-Great is gone now that he’s been charged with murdering his model girlfriend on Valentine’s Day. As the story unfolds, it continues to be a very sad, shocking, and disappointing situation.

Oscar “The Bullet” Pistorius seems like an eerie nickname now. (Image courtesy of the Washington Post)

In other news…

• This article is a few months old but the topic of pre-pubescent youth running long distances continues to be hotly debated. That’s a lot of pressure for girls so young. What do you think?
• The Color Run (which charges $50 for their NYC 5K) is the largest 5K series in the country, second only to the Race For the Cure. Have you do one?
• You don’t have to work out every day to see a change and get stronger.
• If you’re a hard-core winter snow/ice runner, Outside has the shoes for you.
• “Runner’s knee” has nothing to do with the knee. I’m doing a paper on this right now. You know about how to get Stronger Hips, right?
• Running! Brought to you by…Dunkin Donuts?
• I don’t care what you wear to your workout. I care that you work out!
• We runners are highly active and highly sedentary. And it’s a problem.
• Warming up is good for you (duh) but just how much, we can’t say.
• Anybody tried the “What to Wear” from Runner’s World? I’ll give it a go for my long run and report back!

Brrrrrrrr!!!!

• Running twice a day is tricky business.
• And finally, are these freezing cold runs burning more calories? Maybe. Maybe not.

And that’s the news this week, friends. Don’t forget the lulunatics meet tomorrow at 9am for 8 miles in Central Park. Come run with us…if it’s not snowing like crazy or icey. Eeeeeeek!

Now go out and run!