A peaceful run last week overlooking Lago Nahuel Huapi in the Patagonia lake district of Argentina.

Staying safe while running is always an issue, but as Morgan and I find ourselves running in some rather far-flung places during our year abroad, safety has become a top concern. Two days ago, for instance, we left the kids in our cabaña and went to run a remote dirt road above the town of Bariloche, Argentina, in the Andean range of Patagonia. Our picture-perfect run suddenly turned threatening, and tense moments ensued. (more…)

Morgan, the kids and I arrived in Buenos Aires last Tuesday and spent the first five days learning our way around, struggling with Spanish, and adjusting to lunch at 3 p.m. and dinner at 10. (You can read about our travels on our other blog.) We also found ourselves preparing for a marathon, since the Buenos Aires Marathon was Sunday, October 11.

At the race expo, trying to get used to the concept of running 42K or 21K (rather than 26.2 or 13.1 miles).

Morgan and I approached the race day with few expectations and no goals beyond wanting to finish and see the city. Morgan broke his toe about six weeks ago and didn’t run a step for more than a month, so he was happy to do any running again. He opted for the half marathon (21K). As for me, my weekly mileage took a nosedive about a month ago. I’ve slowed so much that when I tried to “sprint” the other day, I sped up only to my regular marathon pace.

Normally I take extra care during a pre-marathon week to eat healthy, cut out alcohol, stay off my feet and go on short runs just to loosen up and practice pacing. Not last week! We walked around the city until our feet ached, and we ate steak and empanadas daily, washed down with vino tinto and cerveza. To compensate for the gastronomic indulgence and to regulate our whacked-out systems, we took turns venturing out on a few solo runs that were on balance more stressful than stress relieving — constantly stopping at lights, dodging taxis that play chicken with pedestrians, and trying not to trip on all the chunks of broken sidewalks. Now and then, in the back of my mind, I’d think, I’m running a marathon Sunday? For real? ¡Ay, caramba — lo que sea! (“whatever!“) (more…)

Being healthy and injury-free is something I never want to take for granted, but inevitably I do. Isn’t it easy to be lulled into complacency? Perhaps that’s why running (or walking or biking — pick your sport) for a charitable cause has become so popular. Connecting with and helping those who are coping with serious medical problems is a powerful reminder that “your health is your wealth.” Plus, it’s another reason to get out the door and run.

Now I have my eye on supporting a small nonprofit called Project Athena (named, of course, for that crafty Goddess of Wisdom who often helped other Greek heroes). The group’s mission is “to help women with breast cancer and other medical or traumatic setbacks live their athletic and adventurous dreams.” I learned about it from Darcie Gorman, a 34-year-old runner from Salt Lake City, Utah, whom I met  almost exactly a year ago at the Dick Collins Firetrails 50 miler, which she won. Eleven months later, we met again in the line for the bathroom at the Imogene Pass Run. (more…)