Employee Spotlight - ME!

Employee Spotlight Questionnaire:
The national home office of the American Cancer Society has an Employee Spotlight on our intranet and staff are nominated to be featured. I was asked in 2007, but it the interview never materialized. But this past week I was nominated again! Here is the interview to share with you all that I submitted. :)

Part I: Basic Information

NAME Nancy E. Cook

How long have you been working for the Society?
15 years ago I was hired by Peg Camp, the current COO of New England Division - I have worked for NH Division, CO Division, New England Division and now have been working for the National Home Office for the past 9 years.






What is your official title? What department do you work for?
National Director, Corporate Relations –I work for both Relay For Life and Employer Initiatives

Where were you born or where did you grow up?
Georgia, Vermont
I was born in NY but grew up in Vermont for 30 years but now am currently living in Belchertown, Massachusetts. I love New England and it will always be my home.


What do you like to do in your free time? Do you have any hobbies or interests?
Running and Alpine skiing. PSIA Level 2 and Level 100 USSA Ski Coach – 20 plus years in the ski industry, skiing is definitely a true love of mine… but I recently completed my 20th marathon and have competed in 4 Ironmans and various other multisport events through the past 25 years. At the Marine Corps marathon on October 25, 2009 I placed first in my age group, 50th woman and 525 out of 22,000 runners!




What do you enjoy most about your job? (Please include a brief description of what you do.) My job has been directing the Relay For Life National Corporate Team Program and engaging nationwide companies to get involved in Relay For Life through teams, sponsorships, survivorship and volunteerism. I love the dedication of time, effort and resources of the volunteers and staff to the mission of fighting cancer. The positive environment and fun of Relay with the passion of the cancer survivors at the events is really something that has motivated me each day.


What was your first job?
I grew up on a farm on Lake Champlain in Vermont. It was my “job” to make dinner and clean house for the family every night when they milked the cows. If he were alive today, my dad would love to tell you stories of my cooking creations!

What was your childhood ambition or your secret ambition?
To be a Pro athlete… I dreamed of excelling in all sports.


What’s always in your fridge?
Strawberries and Cook’s Champagne 


What is your favorite movie, book, or song?
Paolo Nutini – “New Shoes”
I love my Itunes and enjoy putting together energetic playlists to listen when I run and ski.



What is one thing that people would be surprised to learn about you?
In my 40’s I have competed at the highest fitness level in my life with a 3:05 at the 2007 Boston marathon, I have been a nationally ranked triathlete, competed in the US Nationals twice and the Worlds 2 years ago for ½ ironman, and now am a nationally ranked master runner. I am competing in my fifth Boston marathon 2010 with my third ACS Determination campaign in one year. I am “walking the walk” so to speak and you can support my efforts by linking here 


What was your most embarrassing moment?
Getting lost, I am a bit directionally challenged – both embarrassing and frustrating… I got lost on the way to my interview for my first position with the American Cancer Society – and she still hired me, but SO embarrassing! I now have a Garmin (named Sara) that has made my life much easier and helps me get around my neighborhood and more! 


What book is on your night table?
The Training Room, Jon Gordon

What is your idea of a perfect day?
Waking up with my family surrounded by love and skiing fluffy soft snow in the bright blue sunshine!


If you were granted one wish, what would you wish for?
Tons of snow for ski season!



What’s your guilty pleasure?
Shopping – ski equipment & jackets! A girl cannot have too many jackets when you live in the Northeast!




We often ask those we serve to share stories about how their lives have been touched by cancer and how the Society has made a difference to them. Do you have a cancer-related experience that you'd like to share with others? Have you or has someone you know been helped by an American Cancer Society program?
One of my best friends, Susan, is a cancer survivor now living in Portland, OR. I met her through the society when she was on staff in Colorado. Her strength and continued dedication to the mission of fighting cancer is inspiring to me, as she suffer with this disease to keep that focus. Her work on the advocacy connection to fighting this disease is powerful and pushes me to continue communicating what we can do through our advocacy arm to really make a difference in fighting this disease and I encourage everyone staff and volunteers to sign up and take action through our Action Network – it is amazing what more work we can do with more people involved and passionate.

In my Charity Runner quest this past year I have been dedicating my efforts in honor of American Airlines national volunteer leader, Mary Beth Reddell,

Photos (top to bottom)
1. Me - posing for a recognition shot!
2. On the top of the car with my colleagues/friends Kris (director of Breast Cancer Initiatives) and Christine Labaree (Communications Director) when I was first hired in the NH Division. This pic was taken in Bar Harbor, ME.
3. Back in the early RFL BU days - Terri King, Marty Coelho,Olivia Gertz, Denise Atwater, Judy Reichling, me, and Reuel....
3. My Ruffle BU girlfriends / colleagues in Atlanta when the "Fight Back Bus" came to town!
4. RFL Business Unit team with CEO of Ohio, Pat Flynn, Reuel's wife, Susan Clemmons, Jonell & Mimi when we recognized Dr. Bob Brodell in the Relay For Life Hall of Fame at the Trumbull, OH Relay.
5. EI Girls - going out in Atlanta - Naomi, Shawn & Jane
6. In Los Angeles where we recognized the NCTP volunteers / companies at the Medal of Honor ceremony - Here I am with John Chee(PwC), Ruben Flores (JBS), his wife, Susan Walker (Booz Allen Hamilton) and JA Meza (KPMG)
7. Sue Ann & I - random conference pic.
8. Bob MacKay and I in Dallas - A National volunteer leader and emcee extraordinaire!
9. Judy - we make a great team - running and working!
10. Judy & I with Dr. Bob - celebrating his FAME!
11. Laurie Rappa & Jim Hammelev at the ACS Corporate Impact conference in Chicago this past June.
12. Me in Charity Runner attire for the Vermont City Marathon --- having "fun" running 26.2 miles!
13. NCTP group of staff & volunteers in Dallas 2007.

First in Age Group - Marine Corps Marathon!

Below are my official results from the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC - Sunday, October 25, 2009. This is a great result despite the issues with my stomach and also the issue of discovering the chip issues with my finish time. The staff at the ACS was great to follow up and help with the fix from the great MCM staff.

I am very happy and very proud of my results from this race. As a top master runner this placing and time will help in my national rankings.


NANCY COOK #325
BELCHERTOWN, MA, USA
Age: 45 Gender: F
Distance MARATHON - 26.2 miles
Clock Time 3:16:17
Chip Time 3:16:07
Overall Place 532 / 21176
Gender Place 50 / 8335
Division Place 1 / 885
Age Grade 76.6%



Split times:
5K 21:53
10K 43:25
15K 1:05:06
20K 1:27:03
Half 1:32:01
25K 1:49:41
30K 2:13:45
35K 2:38:28
40K 3:04:29

Winning Attitude & Marine Corps Marathon Survey

These 2 surveys were in the official guidebook to the Marine Corps Marathon and I thought it would be fun for me to do the survey and share my responses as a follow up to the Marine Corps Marathon this past Sunday.

Pre race tradition?
Tradition in getting ready for a marathon includes pinning my bib to my jersey or shorts, setting up my clothes, GU, crumpling my bib, putting all the stuff on the bed and sometimes taking a photo of it. I also love to buy the race jacket
Current Running Shoe = Asics racing flat for marathons, Nike Voom for training
Must have Post Race Food = Starbucks Nonfat Latte ½ sweet vanilla
Song that gets me motivated = I've got a feeling - Black Eyed Peas
I never get sick of watching = Stargate Atlantis, SG1, SGU

What is your favorite MCM landmark? National Mall / The Capital
What is your favorite spectator location? The Pentagon
What is your most memorable MCM moment?
Seeing my husband Steve at 4 different locations!




What have you seen on the course that most inspired you?
Signs "Pain is Weakness Leaving the body" and this man in a regular wheelchair rolling himself up the major hills in the beginning of the race - wondering what the ride would be like for him on the backside of those hills!

What do you do with your finisher medals?
In a basket - hoping to be mounted someday soon - Steve has bought the oak and carving the handmade display.



Marathon Survey

Marathon Location - Number of times - Memory
2007 Chicago Illinois (2nd)
I wore my tiger ears and tiger tail as a follow up after running in the pink power ranger outfit the year prior... This year was the heat wave walking at the 20 without a clue, thinking how badly I ran and blaming my husband Steve for my lack of training, When walking to the restaurant and seeing all the people walking on a side street thinking there was another race, but to find out the race was cancelled and I was fortunate to finish.


2008 Nike Woman's San Fransisco,CA (1st)
Nike and Team in Training monopoly in San Fransisco, Early morning running in the dark past walkers out where there were no spectators (zoo), Flat finish, frustrating timing error because of the walker times.

2009 Vermont City Burlington (4th)3:19:59
Elite runner status, getting to meet all the elite runners and hearing their stories. Schuyler and Steve in the pre race talk decorating my water bottles. First Charity Runner and speaking to the group at the Hope Lodge - Being nicknamed the "Baller" and feeling like an elite runner.

2009 Marine Corps Washington DC (2nd) 3:16:07
Great expo time with Steve, shopping and then to Filene's Basement, Walking all over in the dark the morning before the race looking for the Determination tent in Charity Village. Running with Ann from VT and other women getting inspiration by others cheering for all the women. Running up the path to the Capital. Finish results messed up because my chip inadvertently was set off at 7:10 am and possibly being 1st in my age group despite severe stomach cramps and wanting to throw up. :)

I'm Famous again! Article in The Republican - Metro East Plus

A few weeks back a reporter (Bill) calls to interview me for an article in the Republican. I was very flattered as he spoke of the accomplishments he knew of where I had some great running results. I shared my blog and talked to him, answering his questions. Today - the Republican insert called "Metro East Plus" features the article / interview on the front page of the section.

It shares my passion for running, my recent results -- the fact that I am a top master runner in New England, etc. Very cool indeed. Best of all the article highlights my fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society at the Marine Corps Marathon. I am very proud of my accomplishments including my fundraising efforts supporting the ACS mission of fighting ALL cancers and creating a world where more people can celebrate more birthdays. :)

Families Fighting Cancer - Family Highlights

Results from my creative fundraising idea to take portraits of local families slowly is catching on. I have 4 families that have said yes, and was able to shoot 2 beautiful families this weekend.... and including my own family - that makes 3!

It was so much fun to spend some time with the Courchesne Family at their beautiful home and capture their smiles! The O'Connell's were so happy to get together as a family, and although the rain continued to pour outside we were able to get some nice photos. All the beauty of the foliage outside makes us want to get together again and soon! At home having the same issues of getting out on the rocks before nightfall proved to be a family photo inside for us as well. Here are my favorites from the weekend! Enjoy!

Here is a link to the original posting that shows the fundraising flyer I created. If your family would still like schedule a time, my time is short for weekends, and the leaves are changing fast, but please let me know! $125 donation to the American Cancer Society toward my fundraising efforts for the Boston Marathon 2010!



Thank you for your support!

I'm Famous!

At least in my own eyes.... After going to the staff orientation pre season at Mount Snow this weekend many of the coaches said they saw my picture in the National PSIA magazine "32 Degrees" --- I knew that I had submitted a photo for the Last Chair section and it was a very cool photo of Murray at the top of the jump where he looks like he is holding up the freestyle athlete "mid-trick" - -

But not only was that photo in there with a nice credit to my photography, I am also in an earlier section called Locker Room Talk and they highlighted pieces of my interview - after I answered an email from the marketing department outreach from Facebook.

Here is the full interview and the scans of the feature in the magazine!
PSIA-AASI (USSA) Membership Interview --

7 days until the Marine Corps Marathon!

Counting down the last days... woke up to cold and rain and got in a 3 miler just to stretch my legs today. Last light week of the taper before the big marathon day... I leave Thursday morning for a work meeting in DC and Steve joins me on Friday. We are staying at the downtown Marriott and are looking forward to this trip and to a successful marathon.

My bib number is 34188 - although I am a little concerned it isn't ranked with the elite runners. I have found the ranking helpful in achieving my goals and will be doing some follow up this week.

My 3 goals for the race are:
"The planets are aligned and the gods are smiling" time:
3:05
What the heck, give it my all, dig deep, my half marathon times have been fast, so in all aspects of listening to Hal on the etraining from ACS Determination -- I am on -- think positive, find the energy bus that works, as Jon Gordon would head me in that upward direction and following the little engine that could model - now I just need to DO IT.

"Considering all my times and averages" this is a more reachable goal:
3;10
AND that it would be very fast! The begining is hilly and the end is FLAT -- so the terrain can work in my favor....

"Stomach issues in my last race with a little cramping has me worried about dehydration -- just need to follow a plan and have one last goal to reach for when I hit the finish."
3:15

Our plan for the week:
Tuesday - Our 2nd Wedding Anniversary!
Thursday - 9 AM - Nancy leaves for DC
Friday - 6 AM - Steve leaves for DC
Saturday - Expo and dinner with Judy & Tom
Sunday - Marathon Day
Monday - Fly home!

Families Fighting Cancer - Portrait Tips

Researching tips for my upcoming Portrait sessions and found these great sites with some pretty good tips:

9 Tips from Simple Mom


Photo Tips and Techniques

Mormon Chic


Digital SLR Website


Julie Watts Photographer - Bloggilicious

Nancy E Photography collection below:
Here is our family photo on the rocks last year --- I set it all up with the tripod for a great shot!
One of the Ogden Girls for Christmas and the MacKenzie Family at Easter.

12 of 12: The Birthday Bash!

7:30 am Today is Schuyler's Birthday Party and Schuyler runs into the room around 7 am to get us going, but needing some extra sleep I give him breakfast and head out for my run. Happy that I took the day off from work to prep for the party and spend some great quality time with my beautiful family. And that is where we begin, on this 12th day of the month. Here is today, in 12 photos....

.

8 am:
The fall foliage in the northeast is amazing and Oakley and I went out for our morning run in Belchertown, where there seems to be a horse farm of some sort on every corner. Shadow and Lakota at the bottom of our hill are the only names I know, but "we" say hi to all of them as we pass. A 5 mile loop run around Boardman Corner and home...

10 am:
Next to get the boat clean, we took it out for its last run yesterday and left it out to dry and clean for the am before bringing it to the Marina for winterizing tomorrrow. We had so many great rides on the boat this year on the Connecticut River and with Pam and family in Connecticut. Never enough time, but we plan on getting out more next year. The crazy rain from the beginning of the year really put us behind in days, but we did get some great skiing in!

11 am:
Steve & Schuyler spent a little time working the rope and puttinig in a zip line, but the logistics really didn't work to have it ready for the party, so we decided to take it down. We plan on getting cable and hope to put it up before the snow flies. It was fun playing with it and imagining a ropes course in the back yard... looking forward to that. We did get the big oak tree down yesterday and it really opened up the yard to be bigger than ever!

12 noon:
Jake is the first to arrive for the costume birthday party - gift in hand, great costume with mask - I have him and all the 21 kids to follow sign in with their phone number just in case! :) It was a good plan, because Owen didn't feel good and mom needed to come pick him up. The boys and girls ages 7-10 run around the yard playing swords, balls, swinging, volleyball and just had a great time with eachother. The donut eating contest where we put mini donuts on a string is always a big hit!

Lynne, Fab, Mary and Alicia's dad stayed to hang out and play with the kids and help me which worked out great. We had pizza, played tug of war and had them eat donuts off the strings and then cake! Schuyler LOVES ice cream cake and it was a hit! Presents were opened and goodie bags were delivered to each as they left with their moms and dads.

2 pm
Tug of WAR! So much fun to see the smiles and the kids pulling with all their might!

2:30 pm - Dan comes over with the rocket launcher and the guys set up the compressor with the water hose for some end of the party fun! Party is deemed a true success.

Happy Birthday Schuyler! The time flies watching our boy grow up!

3:30 pm- Cleaning up is always fun... Recycling the bottles, plates, forks and getting the garbage out to the garage... picking up the balls and the rope. The yard is clear again!

6 pm - Dinner time, we head to the store to pick up some of our favorite sirloin steak and a bottle of champagne to celebrate all our blessings of late. Between training, nutrition, Schuyler's party, soccer and more - life has been so busy... We need to stop and say thank you for our health & happiness.

A great day for celebrating!

That's my 12 of 12 for this month --- check out this link for more 12 of 12 from around the world!

Hartford 1/2 marathon - 2nd in age, 13th woman, 93rd overall

My blog for this race may be short --- having my mind on prepping for the Marine Corps Marthon and actually hoping to set a PR here was pretty intense. My nerves were going crazy.... couldn't seem to find the start line with more than 7000 runners and 3 races going on consequtively just made for a whirl wind of people not knowing where to send me, but I will call it my warm up. I met this really great woman and we chatted while waiting for the start and I had time to stretch in the front coral before heading out on the course.

I remember doing the full marathon and really thought this one was a flat one, but I am sharing the elevation map to show you -- it really was NOT flat. Oh well - no Personal Record (PR), but I was pretty happy with my result considering there were only a few mile markers and nothing to keep me in the pace I wanted. Only when I was 1 mile from the finish did I realize that I would not make the 1:28 goal I had set --- The hill at 10 was pretty steep, and watching the woman pass me during the last miles of the course was not fun at all --- my stomach cramped up and I just didn't have the push at the end.




It was a beautiful course, I love the race technical shirt, and the expo out on the park with all the vendors was a real fair like atmosphere. Whole Foods sponsored the food tent and there was free beer too! (Although I did not partake).

SEE below my results ---- NEXT is the Marine Corps Marathon - 2 weeks and counting!

Results from the Hartford 1/2 Marathon
Hartford, Connecticut
October 10, 2009

2nd of 205 in age Female 45-49
93rd overall
Gun time = 1:31:23*
Official = 1:31:20 6:58 per mile
3055 Nancy Peck-Cook - Belchertown MA

Applefest Half Marathon - 3rd overall woman!

Another gorgeous day in Hollis, NH - my second Applefest -- last year placing sixth overall woman, and knowing I could run it faster, we made the 1 hour 40 minute trek to New Hampshire. Schuyler was in the Belchertown Fair parade and spending time with his friends, so Steve & I dropped him off early with Lynne and hit the road.

My training has been right on track and I am feeling fast training for the Marine Corps Marathon. I have put in 3 - 22 milers... but haven't been racing much except a few mountain runs (which are indeed grueling)... I have dropped some weight with a renewed sense of diet and nutrition for fueling my body as well. So my goals were high.... I figured this could possibly be a PR for me and it really is a good gauge to wear I may be in shape for MCM. My goals were 1:28:00 (I had the pace chart printed and on my wrist from this great site).... and then to PR would be my second goal: 1:28:47, and then of course hopefully to beat last year's time of 1:32. See last year's RESULTS and story.

We made it to the location, got signed in, a very cool high tech long sleeve shirt (that a medium is too large - note to self - unisex shirts need to order a small). I did a little jaunt around the parking lot for a warm up and some quick stretches before this amazing soundtrack of the star spangeled banner. Then a few of my favorite hits that are on my playlist played from the Black Eyed Peas and we were on our way! I love the photos Steve took of me in the beginning and it is pretty cool that the Brightroom Photography folks got that same shot. :)

The course was a few different loops (that totally turn me around.... did I tell you that I get lost in a paper bag?) --- good thing the water stops were there and they directed me the whole way (thanking that this one was not in the woods!). There were about 3 hills and one in particular at mile 9 that went for a whole mile uphill was tortureous.... but I put my focus face on and pulled it out.

I was 4th for a while in the beginning, then third, finally passing Julia (from NH - winner at Big Lake 09), and then she passed me back with 3-4 miles to go. I ended up 3rd, but most important was that darn clock was ticking so slowly, but surely as I made the last stretch a dead sprint. I missed my PR, and I missed making it under 1:29 --- but it was so gratifying being in third place. "Cash is King" --- they advertised that 1,2,3 get cash and I was psyched! I recovered quickly, got a brief massage, change of clothes, spoke to the race director to let him know we needed to leave because of Schuyler's game. Bummed - as I LOVE the celebration at the end of this race. The band rocks.... the people are fun.... the race is sold out every year.... I will get a comp entry again next year, the cash is in the mail and I walked away with this enormous fruit basket full of apples! I was / am ON top of the world with my results!

RESULTS
3rd woman
28th overall of 900 finishers
1/45 - age group F4549
Time: 1:29:01*
6:48 per/mile

I am hopeful in 2 weeks to set my PR in Hartford - another 1/2 marathon, but a much flatter course. I have a seeded number and will be near the start line with nothing to hold me back. I also have a seeded number in DC and again hope to get near my PR, if not have a personal record with a 3:05.

Stay tuned!

26.2 miles of honor and memories at the Marine Corps Marathon

I recently received this weekly affirmation and thought how much it means to me to be running the Marine Corps Marathon as a Determination Runner for the ACS. Please consider a donation to support my efforts and let me know in the comments who to dedicated a mile to in my run. Here is the link to my site where you can donate whatever amount works for your budget and charitable donations at this time -> All donations are truly appreciated! Click here to link to my personal fundraising site.

Or you can always mail me a check payable to the American Cancer Society - Nancy Cook, 195 Stebbins Street, Belchertown, MA 01007


Here is the story from Kathy & Roger Cawthorne



With the Marine Corps Marathon just six weeks away, I went out one morning for my daily training run. I was not much of a runner. I had certainly never attempted anything as ambitious as a marathon, and that particular morning run convinced me that committing to this event had been a monumental mistake. Everything was off. I was sluggish. My calves and feet felt full of lead. The soles of my feet burned, and I couldn't find my pace. Nothing was right. I was angry and discouraged
when I came into the house.

My husband made the innocent mistake of asking,
"How was your run?"

Before I knew it, I was ranting like a madwoman. "What made me think I could run a marathon?" I shouted,
"I'm the worst runner ever!"

"Was that why you took this on?" Roger asked. "To become a runner? I thought you were doing this
in memory of your brother."

I immediately fell still and silent. All it took was the memory of my brother's death to renew my resolve. In that instant, I knew I would finish the marathon. More importantly,
I knew exactly how I would do it.

"I'll name the miles," I said. "I'll name all twenty-six miles. I'll name one for each of our parents and the kids and our doctors and nurses. I'll name one for everyone we know who's in trouble or sick. I'll finish the marathon because no way could I quit during someone else's mile. Mile twenty-four will be
for you, and twenty-five will be mine."

And mile twenty-six - the victory mile -
would be my brother's mile.

On the day of the marathon, I carried two pieces of paper in the pocket of my running shorts. One was my chemotherapy schedule from four years before; I would tear it up at the finish line, my way of saying "Take that!" to the cancers that had threatened to take both my husband's life and my own (we had been diagnosed within six weeks of one another). The other was a list of twenty-six names. At each mile marker, I would look at the list. I would keep each person close in my heart and mind as I ran his or her mile. If I fell or faltered at any point, if I was at all tempted to quit, I would think and feel harder about the person I was honoring in that mile.

The plan worked. In spite of blood coming through the tops of my sneakers, wind mixing with the salt from perspiration to make countless tiny cuts on my face and lips, and in spite of a Marine Corps captain who stopped just short of ordering me to get on the "stragglers' bus, I finished the marathon.

I really don't believe I could have done it for myself. I didn't have the will or the courage, the strength or the stamina. But I could do it for all the people on my list, those I loved who were coping with their own losses and pain, and those who had been there for me during my darkest days.

And I could do it for my brother. I could do it for him because he would never have the chance to do it himself. That's what got me through to my brother's mile and to the finish line.

I offer this story to you hoping you can use my "secret weapon" to help you get through something you need to do but don't think you can, something that terrifies you or overwhelms you with its power over you, something you just can't muster the courage to do for yourself.

Whether it's surgery or a series of surgeries. Eighteen chemotherapy treatments, thirty-five radiation treatments or treatments with no end in sight. Seven pills a day or seventy. A hundred physical therapy sessions. A thousand needle sticks.

Name them. Name every one of them. Then you can do them. You can do them to honor those you love.

Dear God, help me find ways to strengthen and encourage myself during this most terrible time of my life. And when I have done the thing I believed I could not do, show me the ways and give me opportunities to
strengthen and encourage others.
Amen

Stretching - Tips for Runners

To stretch or not to stretch? Do you take the time? Do you do it on the run? Do you warm up and then stretch? I agree that being warmed up is the best time to stretch and dynamic stretching is great. In combination, a good stretch routine before your run, during (which is being dynamic and taking a pause once in a while training) - and after your run will indeed lessen your chance for injury.

Here are some of the searches and advice from the internet that I found helpful and go along with how I have been getting into a routine all these years training.

From Training Peaks (Hal Higdon) - Stretching and strengthening can minimize injury. The best time to stretch a muscle is after it is warmed up. Track runners typically jog a mile or two, then stretch or do calisthenic exercises before beginning the intense part of their workout. Long-distance runners are less likely to pause in the middle of a long run to stretch, although this practice is becoming more common. I will stretch before long runs and in the middle of intense workouts, but my preferred time to stretch is after the workout, usually while relaxing in a whirlpool, even though some experts advise against this approach, saying it is too easy to overstretch when the hot water dims your senses.
Every runner should adopt a stretching regimen that is convenient and comfortable.

Here are some great links for stretching routines for runners:


Cool Running - my fave resources for races and events

To Stretch or Not to Stretch

Five Fantastic Stretches from Debbie Pitchford

Iliotibial Band Stretches
Dynamic Stretching Exercises

(Photo above: Boston 07 - Nancy Cook)