Desi Girls Summer 2015‏ - Week One - Midweek Chat

Girls, SUMMER is finally here. Flowers are in bloom everywhere, birds are singing, kids will soon be out of school and our training starts. The list gets exciting in Ascending or Descending order depending on your preferences. Our First long run of the season is 3 miles this saturday starting at Mile 0 of Red trail in Busse woods at 7 am SHARP. If you are unfamiliar with how to get to Mile 0 of Red trail, look at the bottom of this Post for Directions. If you are unclear after going through the instructions, please carpool with somebody who is familiar. I have seen many people get lost during their first run. We will walk/jog/run 1.5 miles and get back to our starting point. Walk with someone who is familiar with the trails. Mile markers are on the floor as we walk. Few minutes after we pass Mile marker 1, you will notice the trail curve around and a steep incline. At this point, the trail splits into two -- Red trail and Green. Keep your eye for Red trail (Do not get lost by going on green trail). Within few feet, you will go past a bridge. The bridge is at the 1.5 mile mark and your signal to turn back. If your Phone data plan permits, get an app like Runkeeper etc so it can give you accurate mile information. I will try to put up a Bright orange DESI GIRLS flag to indicate the RETURN point.

See Photo below for guidance on how the sign post looks like.

REMEMBER WE ARE ON RED TRAIL.

- The weather forecast calls for chilly conditions. Please dress accordingly. - Do not carry bulk in your body. It is not practical to walk with handbags, huge water bottles etc. Fanny-packs to carry your drivers license, keys etc and a small bottle of water should be sufficient. - You are your only competitor. An easy jog for you may be a very challenging physical activity for another girl next to you. We will continue to strive only for our personal best (PR) as the season progresses. As long as you are improving week-by-week, you are right on target. - When you start at Mile 0, check your watch. After you complete the run, check it again. We will bump it against next week's run which is a 5K and see if we have made any week over week progress. - I hope you have invested in a good walking/running shoe. If not, it is not too late. Invest money in a good shoe and it is the best investment you will make for your fitness this summer. Any good shoe store is fine but I highly recommend Dick Ponds Athletics in 1772 West Algonquin Road Hoffman Estates. Click here for their website. - My goal this year is for all of us to stay injury free. If I see anybody over-exerting themselves, I will not hesitate to call you out on it. - Please stretch adequately before and after your run. Here is a very good article on strength training and stretches to improve your running form. If you are wondering why I send you so many different stretching techniques, it is because it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Everyone's body reacts different to various stretches. Try them and find the one that works best for you. If all else fails, resort to gentle yoga stretches which I shared few weeks ago. My idea of fitness may be different from yours. Whether it is lowered BP or weight loss or improved endurance etc, identify your goal clearly and work towards it passionately. The gentle support system of DESI GIRLS will guide you through it. We are all in this together. I look forward to another fulfilling running season with all of you. Keep moving. CHEERS. Ramya

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Directions to Mile 0 of Red Trail in Busse woods. - Heading East on Higgins Road from Schaumburg, go past the entrance ramps to IL-53. Make an immediate right into Busse Woods. See Photo below. It is the black dot with Red Arrow on top of the image.

The road curves around for a mile before you see a sign "BOAT RAMP NO PICNICS BEYOND THIS POINT". See attachment (Boat Ramp.JPG). Go past it to the parking lot on right.

- At start of Mile 0, you will see a Map that reads "Busse Lake Boating Center". We start walking there. See Photo below.

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