1. To finish!
2. To start off the race very, very slow.
3. To run an even pace throughout.
4. No stopping.
5. To take water and/or Gatorade at every aid station.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Next Stop: Chicago!
Finally I am doing a race in Chicago! This coming Saturday, May 23rd, I will be running in the Soldier Field 10-Mile. Since I am a self-proclaimed Gimmick Addict, this race is perfect. All finishers in the 10 mile get to finish on the 50 yard line of Soldier Field! Totally awesome. As someone who has only had the privilege of sitting in the nosebleeds, this is definitely going to be one for the books. I can't wait.
I'm not really going to race this one. In my natural progression to train for the North Shore Half, I am supposed to be doing a 10 miler over the weekend. I need to treat this like a training run, starting out slow. Basically I am looking to eliminate the mistakes that made me uncomfortable by mile 9 of the Wisconsin Marathon. Maybe I'll run the last 2 miles or so kind of fast... actually, I think that is inevitable, as we'll be able to see Soldier Field looming in the distance for pretty much half of the race. And, as always, I will finish strong.
Interesting fact: The course takes us on the lakefront paths south of Soldier Field. At 47th and Lake Shore Drive, my high school cross country conference had its championships there each year. I know that part of the course better than I know some of the trails by my house. I am too excited for that. :)
So how's the Chicago Marathon preparation going? So far, so good. I've almost finished reading Hal Higdon's latest edition of "Marathon," and I've picked up a lot of good tips to help me through the summer. I particularly like his chapter on August Injuries, since one nearly did me in back in 2003. I've also got "Marathoning for Mortals" on the shelf- I'll pick that one up as soon as I'm done with Hal's.
I've decided that slacking on training is not acceptable. I'm taking this race very seriously. I'm thinking about changing my diet, but I'm usually not very good at that one. It should be a goal.
Chicago Marathon Training Goals:
1. To complete 90% of all Saturday long runs. I think this is a realistic percentage, factoring in weather, illness, injury, races, and rest.
2. To eat more fruits, vegetables, and GOOD carbs.
3. Ab work for toning and to prevent lower back soreness, twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My ab workout incorporates crunches with some Pilates moves.
4. NO MORE BEER! (Except after running half marathons. At any other time, beer is my kryptonite.)
5. Above all, I have to make the commitment. No excuses. If I want this bad enough (and I do), I will set my mind on it. Remaining focused and motivated is certainly a challenge, but one I am fully prepared to meet head-on.
I'm not really going to race this one. In my natural progression to train for the North Shore Half, I am supposed to be doing a 10 miler over the weekend. I need to treat this like a training run, starting out slow. Basically I am looking to eliminate the mistakes that made me uncomfortable by mile 9 of the Wisconsin Marathon. Maybe I'll run the last 2 miles or so kind of fast... actually, I think that is inevitable, as we'll be able to see Soldier Field looming in the distance for pretty much half of the race. And, as always, I will finish strong.
Interesting fact: The course takes us on the lakefront paths south of Soldier Field. At 47th and Lake Shore Drive, my high school cross country conference had its championships there each year. I know that part of the course better than I know some of the trails by my house. I am too excited for that. :)
So how's the Chicago Marathon preparation going? So far, so good. I've almost finished reading Hal Higdon's latest edition of "Marathon," and I've picked up a lot of good tips to help me through the summer. I particularly like his chapter on August Injuries, since one nearly did me in back in 2003. I've also got "Marathoning for Mortals" on the shelf- I'll pick that one up as soon as I'm done with Hal's.
I've decided that slacking on training is not acceptable. I'm taking this race very seriously. I'm thinking about changing my diet, but I'm usually not very good at that one. It should be a goal.
Chicago Marathon Training Goals:
1. To complete 90% of all Saturday long runs. I think this is a realistic percentage, factoring in weather, illness, injury, races, and rest.
2. To eat more fruits, vegetables, and GOOD carbs.
3. Ab work for toning and to prevent lower back soreness, twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My ab workout incorporates crunches with some Pilates moves.
4. NO MORE BEER! (Except after running half marathons. At any other time, beer is my kryptonite.)
5. Above all, I have to make the commitment. No excuses. If I want this bad enough (and I do), I will set my mind on it. Remaining focused and motivated is certainly a challenge, but one I am fully prepared to meet head-on.
Monday, May 18, 2009
How Did I REALLY Do?
1. I finished! And the finisher's medal is totally awesome. It looks like cheese! Love it.
2. Well, this one proved to be pretty darn tricky. Next time, for sure.
3. Geez, I couldn't do this one either, as there was one aid station that was completely out of water. And I was not about to drink that vile HEED again.
4. YAY! I lowered my PR!
5. Didn't do this one yet, but lowering my PR consistently is a sure-fire way to get closer. Baby steps...
2. Well, this one proved to be pretty darn tricky. Next time, for sure.
3. Geez, I couldn't do this one either, as there was one aid station that was completely out of water. And I was not about to drink that vile HEED again.
4. YAY! I lowered my PR!
5. Didn't do this one yet, but lowering my PR consistently is a sure-fire way to get closer. Baby steps...
Mile By Mile, Still Wearing a Smile... :)
My headline is cheesy, I understand that... but I just got back my photos from the race, and I am smiling and waving at the camera. I generally look awesome. Besides, I just completed the "World's Cheesiest Race," and I suppose some of that rubbed off on me.
We arrived in Kenosha after about an hour's drive from Arlington Heights. Parking was a breeze, and we walked to the start line. Speaking of breezes, it was REALLY windy, and I'm glad that I'm wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt and pants. (While I will ditch my pants for shorts once the race begins, I am VERY grateful that I didn't leave my pants in the car.)
It's in the mid-40s, and the sun is just starting to peek out. Not a cloud in the sky. It's going to be a gorgeous day, so long as the wind dies down. While I've been training in heinous winds for the past 2 months, that still doesn't mean that I like them. At all.
At precisely 8am, the gun goes off, and away we go! (Note: In a strange twist of fate, the beginning of the race was a blur, and the end of the race is what I remember most. Go figure.)
Mile 1: This is easily the weirdest part of the course. As I found out later in the day, the course was actually remeasured about 2 days before the race, and they added this weird loop downtown around the museums. It would have been awesome, but you went past the start, like, 5 minutes after you had begun the race.
I feel good so far- the best part about the smaller races is that there really aren't a tremendous amount of people around. It's not crowded. I have room to move. Also, kudos to the volunteers who made the start corral a breeze. It seems like people actually paid attention to the markers, and I don't have to speed around any walked. It looks like they all started in the back of the pack.
Of course, due to the lack of toilets before the race, I have to go now. Before the mile marker. It is, however, now or never.
My mile ends up being around 11:30. Not bad for a first mile with a potty break. I think I am going to speed up just a tad to make up some of that time.
Mile 2: We turn a corner and I can smell the lake. (Water is NOT odorless, people!) It's a gorgeous day and I can't wait til we are running alongside the lake. The views are incredible. We turn another corner and I hit a wall- a wind wall. Dammit, I guess the wind is not going to cooperate! Thank God I've been running outside since February...
We are now passing HUGE, gorgeous lakefront homes. I think I could live there. It's perfect. Aside from the potholes that I keep stepping in, argh. I hope that clears up soon!
Mile 3: More running through the residential neighborhood. There are still TONS of potholes. And oddly enough, there are no spectators. I mean, we're literally running in front of people's houses, you'd think they might want to come out? Very different from Little Rock, where there were people EVERYWHERE. Oh well, it's only the first year.
We pass another aid station, and again I take water. I'm a little scared of the HEED sports drink, as I have never tried it before.
Mile 4: This stretch of road seems to take forever. We were running alongside a cemetary, and now we're onto the back end of the medical buildings. La la la. It's getting kind of boring. I also feel like the course isn't measured correctly. Either that, or the mile markers are not placed right. It seems like this "mile" is equivalent to about 1.5. Very frustrating. As is the lack of aid stations. I am getting parched, and I literally have no idea when we'll get water again.
Mile 5: We're into downtown! Yay! Hopefully there will be more people and more things to look at.
We pass a Walgreens... how I am dying for a Gatorade at this very moment...
I scan the crowd of spectators, but still do not see Jay. Where is he? He's gotta be around here somewhere...
We continue on through downtown, and there are tons of bars and restaurants, but still not a whole lot of people. So weird. We go up a bridge and pass the U.S. Coast Guard Station. I did not know there was a base in Kenosha. Well then, you learn something new every day.
We're now in the gorgeous lakefront park, where we will get to run right alongside the lake for about 5 miles. I think to myself, when we are coming back out of this park, the race is almost done! That's not so bad at all!
Mile 6: But I'll tell you what IS bad... the potholes! Argh, they have come back to haunt me! But this park is so nice and well-kept, albeit lonely. There is absolutely no one out on the course except for us runners. Luckily I have my ipod to keep my company.
Oh no... there are hills! And not just hills, ROLLING hills. While they are not as intense as Little Rock, they're still there. I hate hills. I didn't know southeast Wisconsin had such hills. Thank God I have been reading up on hill training lately, and I know not to fly down the downhills. I really don't want my legs to be TOO sore later on. I have a feeling that I will be walking up the hills on the way back...
Mile 7: I'm in a weird position right now. I feel awesome, and I am right on pace to smash my Little Rock PR. But I am just so dang bored. La la la. And anxiously awaiting the turnaround. I know it's coming, but I can't see it yet. I can, however, see the leaders of the race coming the other way down the path. Runners on my side clap and cheer for them. They are so far ahead, and running great. I do enjoy races where you get to see the leaders. In some ways that's the part of Chicago that I miss. (I understand why Chicago doesn't do that, but I would like it just the same.)
More and more people are starting to come back around. We must be close. I glance to my right and see Carthage College looming. I'm thirsty again. Where is the water station?
Ah the turnaround. Manned by the Kenosha PD and a couple of volunteers. There's not much, but there is water, and boy it sure tastes good.
Mile 8: It's starting to get a little warm out here. The lake breeze is keeping my clothes dry, but even with my hat on, I can still feel a sunburn making its way onto my face. Oh well. I console myself by remembering that this race is more than most people run in a week. I am doing something good.
I stop and walk for a little bit, just to rest. I'm way ahead of my pace, so I have a couple of minutes to spare.
Ugh, more hills. I think I'll walk up these too. I've got plenty of time to spare. I actually want to conserve a little energy so that I am able to finish strong. I already realize that I went out a bit too fast. I was too excited and ambitious today.
Mile 9: Finally, finally, FINALLY there's another aid station! Except that instead of water, they only have the HEED drink. It's now or never, and I AM thirsty. Oh God. It's vile. It's terrible. I can't drink this. I spit out my sip and throw the cup on the ground. I hope I am never dumb enough to sign up for another race with that as a refreshment. So now I have a terrible taste in my mouth AND I'm thirsty. But I'm still running.
I check my watch and realize that quite a significant amount of time has passed. Was there a mile marker for #9? If there was, I didn't see it. Hmm...
Mile 10: Oh no. I have heard horror stories from other runners about the "runs." To date, it has never happened to me before. Until now. I feel like I'm dying. I have just slowed way, way down. Where are the toilets? Seriously, I don't remember having seen a port-o-john since downtown Kenosha. And now we're in the middle of the part. I'm starting to panic. I am contemplating taking a swim in Lake Michigan. I'm getting desperate.
And then, just ahead, a beacon. Hope. Not only is the mile 10 marker right there (way too close to my fake Mile 9 marker), but there's a park district house. With toilets. That are open. Thank God.
I take care of my business, only losing 2 minutes. Once I begin running again, it's as if I've lost 10 pounds. I'm lighter. Less than 3 miles to go, and I'm ready for it.
Mile 11: We exit the park the exact same way we came. Down the big hill, up another hill (which I walk), past the Coast Guard, and over the bridge. Turn the corner, and we're into downtown. I spot a man on the corner drinking a Gatorade. An orange Gatorade, my favorite. I think at this point I could sell my kidney for a sip of that stuff.
The mile marker leads us to another aid station. I'm still well ahead of my pace, but going out too fast is slowly creeping up on me.
As I stop to drink my water, I spot a familiar face. It's Jay! Apparently the race officials had the course remeasured 2 days ago. So all of the maps that were printed were wrong. Which means that Jay has been wandering around downtown Kenosha for almost 2 hours looking for me. Poor guy!
I tell him, "It's PR day, baby" and run away.
Mile 12: More covering parts of the course we already ran. Someone runs in front of me. I am ready to clock them. Haha.
Best sign ever: "Running is like mouthwash... if it burns, that means it's working."
After the weird turnaround, we're headed towards the lake once again. I can see the Start/Finish area. A man standing on the road cheering for everyone tells us that it's just over a quarter mile to go from where he's standing. It's Britney time.
Mile 13: I am FLYING down the road. I have so much energy left (maybe I should have been walking before... hmm... ) that I am all-out sprinting. I wave at Jay and smile for the camera. As I take the last turn into the finish line, I reach down for one last burst and pass 2 guys finishing the race. 2:11:38. A new PR. And just think, if I didn't have to take 2 bathroom breaks, I'd be under 2:10. My body is capable of great things.
We arrived in Kenosha after about an hour's drive from Arlington Heights. Parking was a breeze, and we walked to the start line. Speaking of breezes, it was REALLY windy, and I'm glad that I'm wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt and pants. (While I will ditch my pants for shorts once the race begins, I am VERY grateful that I didn't leave my pants in the car.)
It's in the mid-40s, and the sun is just starting to peek out. Not a cloud in the sky. It's going to be a gorgeous day, so long as the wind dies down. While I've been training in heinous winds for the past 2 months, that still doesn't mean that I like them. At all.
At precisely 8am, the gun goes off, and away we go! (Note: In a strange twist of fate, the beginning of the race was a blur, and the end of the race is what I remember most. Go figure.)
Mile 1: This is easily the weirdest part of the course. As I found out later in the day, the course was actually remeasured about 2 days before the race, and they added this weird loop downtown around the museums. It would have been awesome, but you went past the start, like, 5 minutes after you had begun the race.
I feel good so far- the best part about the smaller races is that there really aren't a tremendous amount of people around. It's not crowded. I have room to move. Also, kudos to the volunteers who made the start corral a breeze. It seems like people actually paid attention to the markers, and I don't have to speed around any walked. It looks like they all started in the back of the pack.
Of course, due to the lack of toilets before the race, I have to go now. Before the mile marker. It is, however, now or never.
My mile ends up being around 11:30. Not bad for a first mile with a potty break. I think I am going to speed up just a tad to make up some of that time.
Mile 2: We turn a corner and I can smell the lake. (Water is NOT odorless, people!) It's a gorgeous day and I can't wait til we are running alongside the lake. The views are incredible. We turn another corner and I hit a wall- a wind wall. Dammit, I guess the wind is not going to cooperate! Thank God I've been running outside since February...
We are now passing HUGE, gorgeous lakefront homes. I think I could live there. It's perfect. Aside from the potholes that I keep stepping in, argh. I hope that clears up soon!
Mile 3: More running through the residential neighborhood. There are still TONS of potholes. And oddly enough, there are no spectators. I mean, we're literally running in front of people's houses, you'd think they might want to come out? Very different from Little Rock, where there were people EVERYWHERE. Oh well, it's only the first year.
We pass another aid station, and again I take water. I'm a little scared of the HEED sports drink, as I have never tried it before.
Mile 4: This stretch of road seems to take forever. We were running alongside a cemetary, and now we're onto the back end of the medical buildings. La la la. It's getting kind of boring. I also feel like the course isn't measured correctly. Either that, or the mile markers are not placed right. It seems like this "mile" is equivalent to about 1.5. Very frustrating. As is the lack of aid stations. I am getting parched, and I literally have no idea when we'll get water again.
Mile 5: We're into downtown! Yay! Hopefully there will be more people and more things to look at.
We pass a Walgreens... how I am dying for a Gatorade at this very moment...
I scan the crowd of spectators, but still do not see Jay. Where is he? He's gotta be around here somewhere...
We continue on through downtown, and there are tons of bars and restaurants, but still not a whole lot of people. So weird. We go up a bridge and pass the U.S. Coast Guard Station. I did not know there was a base in Kenosha. Well then, you learn something new every day.
We're now in the gorgeous lakefront park, where we will get to run right alongside the lake for about 5 miles. I think to myself, when we are coming back out of this park, the race is almost done! That's not so bad at all!
Mile 6: But I'll tell you what IS bad... the potholes! Argh, they have come back to haunt me! But this park is so nice and well-kept, albeit lonely. There is absolutely no one out on the course except for us runners. Luckily I have my ipod to keep my company.
Oh no... there are hills! And not just hills, ROLLING hills. While they are not as intense as Little Rock, they're still there. I hate hills. I didn't know southeast Wisconsin had such hills. Thank God I have been reading up on hill training lately, and I know not to fly down the downhills. I really don't want my legs to be TOO sore later on. I have a feeling that I will be walking up the hills on the way back...
Mile 7: I'm in a weird position right now. I feel awesome, and I am right on pace to smash my Little Rock PR. But I am just so dang bored. La la la. And anxiously awaiting the turnaround. I know it's coming, but I can't see it yet. I can, however, see the leaders of the race coming the other way down the path. Runners on my side clap and cheer for them. They are so far ahead, and running great. I do enjoy races where you get to see the leaders. In some ways that's the part of Chicago that I miss. (I understand why Chicago doesn't do that, but I would like it just the same.)
More and more people are starting to come back around. We must be close. I glance to my right and see Carthage College looming. I'm thirsty again. Where is the water station?
Ah the turnaround. Manned by the Kenosha PD and a couple of volunteers. There's not much, but there is water, and boy it sure tastes good.
Mile 8: It's starting to get a little warm out here. The lake breeze is keeping my clothes dry, but even with my hat on, I can still feel a sunburn making its way onto my face. Oh well. I console myself by remembering that this race is more than most people run in a week. I am doing something good.
I stop and walk for a little bit, just to rest. I'm way ahead of my pace, so I have a couple of minutes to spare.
Ugh, more hills. I think I'll walk up these too. I've got plenty of time to spare. I actually want to conserve a little energy so that I am able to finish strong. I already realize that I went out a bit too fast. I was too excited and ambitious today.
Mile 9: Finally, finally, FINALLY there's another aid station! Except that instead of water, they only have the HEED drink. It's now or never, and I AM thirsty. Oh God. It's vile. It's terrible. I can't drink this. I spit out my sip and throw the cup on the ground. I hope I am never dumb enough to sign up for another race with that as a refreshment. So now I have a terrible taste in my mouth AND I'm thirsty. But I'm still running.
I check my watch and realize that quite a significant amount of time has passed. Was there a mile marker for #9? If there was, I didn't see it. Hmm...
Mile 10: Oh no. I have heard horror stories from other runners about the "runs." To date, it has never happened to me before. Until now. I feel like I'm dying. I have just slowed way, way down. Where are the toilets? Seriously, I don't remember having seen a port-o-john since downtown Kenosha. And now we're in the middle of the part. I'm starting to panic. I am contemplating taking a swim in Lake Michigan. I'm getting desperate.
And then, just ahead, a beacon. Hope. Not only is the mile 10 marker right there (way too close to my fake Mile 9 marker), but there's a park district house. With toilets. That are open. Thank God.
I take care of my business, only losing 2 minutes. Once I begin running again, it's as if I've lost 10 pounds. I'm lighter. Less than 3 miles to go, and I'm ready for it.
Mile 11: We exit the park the exact same way we came. Down the big hill, up another hill (which I walk), past the Coast Guard, and over the bridge. Turn the corner, and we're into downtown. I spot a man on the corner drinking a Gatorade. An orange Gatorade, my favorite. I think at this point I could sell my kidney for a sip of that stuff.
The mile marker leads us to another aid station. I'm still well ahead of my pace, but going out too fast is slowly creeping up on me.
As I stop to drink my water, I spot a familiar face. It's Jay! Apparently the race officials had the course remeasured 2 days ago. So all of the maps that were printed were wrong. Which means that Jay has been wandering around downtown Kenosha for almost 2 hours looking for me. Poor guy!
I tell him, "It's PR day, baby" and run away.
Mile 12: More covering parts of the course we already ran. Someone runs in front of me. I am ready to clock them. Haha.
Best sign ever: "Running is like mouthwash... if it burns, that means it's working."
After the weird turnaround, we're headed towards the lake once again. I can see the Start/Finish area. A man standing on the road cheering for everyone tells us that it's just over a quarter mile to go from where he's standing. It's Britney time.
Mile 13: I am FLYING down the road. I have so much energy left (maybe I should have been walking before... hmm... ) that I am all-out sprinting. I wave at Jay and smile for the camera. As I take the last turn into the finish line, I reach down for one last burst and pass 2 guys finishing the race. 2:11:38. A new PR. And just think, if I didn't have to take 2 bathroom breaks, I'd be under 2:10. My body is capable of great things.
Goals and Such
My goals for this 2nd half marathon of 2009:
1. To finish!
2. To not take a walk break the entire race, except for aid stations
3. To take water and/or sports drink at every aid station
4. To lower my PR
5. To break 2 hours (ok, this one is too ambitious for right now... but it's my overall goal for 2009, and therefore it should make the list).
1. To finish!
2. To not take a walk break the entire race, except for aid stations
3. To take water and/or sports drink at every aid station
4. To lower my PR
5. To break 2 hours (ok, this one is too ambitious for right now... but it's my overall goal for 2009, and therefore it should make the list).
Saturday Morning Cheese-A-Thon
I finished my latest race on Saturday, May 2nd, in Kenosha WI. This was the inaugural Wisconsin Marathon. While I appreciate all that the organizers did, and I understand that this was the first one, I definitely think it needs improvements before I will return. This past weekend is one of the busiest racing weekends of the entire year, so I'm confident that I could find a better one nearby.
That being said, there were definitely a lot of positives about this race. The medal, the t-shirt, the ample parking, and the close proximity to the NW Chicago suburbs are huge factors in getting my race fee. The packet pickup was easy, and they had locations in the city, so I didn't have to drive to Kenosha on Friday night. I enjoyed the park where the start and finish were located. There were booths of vendors, stuff to look at before and after the race. The post-race food was excellent. (Seriously, I was starving.)
However, if I had to pick some negatives, one would be the course. There was this weird loop in the beginning that I didn't like at all. The northern half of the course was covered in potholes. And honestly, I HATE out-and-back courses- so boring. There were hardly any porta potties. The sports drink was so vile I spit it out and threw the rest of the cup on the ground.
Even despite the negatives, I am still on the fence about returning next year. The potential is there...
I wrote a review of this race- see it and others at marathonguide.com
That being said, there were definitely a lot of positives about this race. The medal, the t-shirt, the ample parking, and the close proximity to the NW Chicago suburbs are huge factors in getting my race fee. The packet pickup was easy, and they had locations in the city, so I didn't have to drive to Kenosha on Friday night. I enjoyed the park where the start and finish were located. There were booths of vendors, stuff to look at before and after the race. The post-race food was excellent. (Seriously, I was starving.)
However, if I had to pick some negatives, one would be the course. There was this weird loop in the beginning that I didn't like at all. The northern half of the course was covered in potholes. And honestly, I HATE out-and-back courses- so boring. There were hardly any porta potties. The sports drink was so vile I spit it out and threw the rest of the cup on the ground.
Even despite the negatives, I am still on the fence about returning next year. The potential is there...
I wrote a review of this race- see it and others at marathonguide.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
Race To Wrigley 5K, April 25th
I've started this new thing where I try and race the week before a half marathon, basically just to get the junk out. Running is like any other sport, in that it requires practice. So you could call my 5Ks "practice races," in a sense.
Why did I pick this race? For a multitude of reasons, such as:
1. You get to run on the Wrigley Field concourse!
2. The tshirts, albeit very very large, are awesome. And they are tech shirts instead of cotton, which is so much cooler.
3. YOU GET TO RUN ON THE CONCOURSE!
We got to the race VERY early, as the pre-race pickup did not have my correct t-shirt size. Got the t-shirt, walked it back to my car, and made it back to the start line a few minutes before the race.
Another reason to run this race- Wayne Messmer sings the National Anthem. Totally worth every penny. It's just like going to a day game at Wrigley! This is great!
I decided to run this race chip-less, meaning without the timing chip. Let's face it, I'm not going to win any age group awards. I'm slow. I know. Get over it. (Sorry, I borrowed that slogan from a Penguin t-shirt). And if the only difference is that I have to keep time on my watch, so be it. This is practice.
Mile 1: Slowest mile of the bunch. I'm weaving around slow people, walkers, people with strollers and people with dogs. I just wish that those people would start in the back, and make life easier for the rest of us. I applaud you for being out there, but I hate having to run around you.
I checked the course map before we left this morning, and it's pretty straightforward. Not too many turns where I'll be wondering if the finish will ever come around, but just enough to keep me interested.
We're running down Addison. Easy, easy. I feel good so far, which is saying a lot. It's humid, though. I can feel my hair curling up. We turn the corner onto Ravenswood, potholes, potholes, potholes... it just gets worse every year. I see a big black cloud off to the west. Definitely rain.
While trying to figure out which way the clouds are moving, I miss the mile mark. Oops.
Mile 2: From Ravenswood we turn onto Irving Park, and run past the new construction townhouses and old, rambling Victorians. I love this part of town. It's like a town within the big city. You can't beat it.
About halfway down Irving, I finally realize that I missed the mile mark. I know where the 2 mile mark is, just east of Clark, and I know that we are on pace for a sub-10:00 mile. We pass the aid station, on the corner of Irving and Ashland, and I skip the water. (Bad Maureen!) But after all, it's only a 5K and we are nearly done.
As we near Clark Street, I am on the lookout for the mile marker. This part is a two-way road with a strange turnaround...
Mile 3: In the middle of Irving, halfway between Clark and Seminary, is the mile marker. Under 20:00. So far, so good. We start to kick it in all the way down Clark Street, because after all, it's just a practice 5K. We turn the corner on Waveland, see the firefighters outside the house, and turn into Gate K.
We're running on the concourse! This part of the race passes in such a blur... I was looking forward to this so much, but I want a good time even more. I pass the 3 mile marker and kick it into gear.
Mile 3.1: There's a girl in front of me wearing a David Wright jersey. Is she lost? This is nowhere near Mets country! I want to beat her.
I race around the Ernie Banks statue and head towards the finish. It's a tight squeeze, but I manage to beat both David Wright fan AND Jay. And in a good time, good deal.
We get some Gatorade and stop to stretch... and... there it is, the rain. We made it just in the nick of time :)
I think I'm ready for my next half... give it your best shot, Wisconsin!
Why did I pick this race? For a multitude of reasons, such as:
1. You get to run on the Wrigley Field concourse!
2. The tshirts, albeit very very large, are awesome. And they are tech shirts instead of cotton, which is so much cooler.
3. YOU GET TO RUN ON THE CONCOURSE!
We got to the race VERY early, as the pre-race pickup did not have my correct t-shirt size. Got the t-shirt, walked it back to my car, and made it back to the start line a few minutes before the race.
Another reason to run this race- Wayne Messmer sings the National Anthem. Totally worth every penny. It's just like going to a day game at Wrigley! This is great!
I decided to run this race chip-less, meaning without the timing chip. Let's face it, I'm not going to win any age group awards. I'm slow. I know. Get over it. (Sorry, I borrowed that slogan from a Penguin t-shirt). And if the only difference is that I have to keep time on my watch, so be it. This is practice.
Mile 1: Slowest mile of the bunch. I'm weaving around slow people, walkers, people with strollers and people with dogs. I just wish that those people would start in the back, and make life easier for the rest of us. I applaud you for being out there, but I hate having to run around you.
I checked the course map before we left this morning, and it's pretty straightforward. Not too many turns where I'll be wondering if the finish will ever come around, but just enough to keep me interested.
We're running down Addison. Easy, easy. I feel good so far, which is saying a lot. It's humid, though. I can feel my hair curling up. We turn the corner onto Ravenswood, potholes, potholes, potholes... it just gets worse every year. I see a big black cloud off to the west. Definitely rain.
While trying to figure out which way the clouds are moving, I miss the mile mark. Oops.
Mile 2: From Ravenswood we turn onto Irving Park, and run past the new construction townhouses and old, rambling Victorians. I love this part of town. It's like a town within the big city. You can't beat it.
About halfway down Irving, I finally realize that I missed the mile mark. I know where the 2 mile mark is, just east of Clark, and I know that we are on pace for a sub-10:00 mile. We pass the aid station, on the corner of Irving and Ashland, and I skip the water. (Bad Maureen!) But after all, it's only a 5K and we are nearly done.
As we near Clark Street, I am on the lookout for the mile marker. This part is a two-way road with a strange turnaround...
Mile 3: In the middle of Irving, halfway between Clark and Seminary, is the mile marker. Under 20:00. So far, so good. We start to kick it in all the way down Clark Street, because after all, it's just a practice 5K. We turn the corner on Waveland, see the firefighters outside the house, and turn into Gate K.
We're running on the concourse! This part of the race passes in such a blur... I was looking forward to this so much, but I want a good time even more. I pass the 3 mile marker and kick it into gear.
Mile 3.1: There's a girl in front of me wearing a David Wright jersey. Is she lost? This is nowhere near Mets country! I want to beat her.
I race around the Ernie Banks statue and head towards the finish. It's a tight squeeze, but I manage to beat both David Wright fan AND Jay. And in a good time, good deal.
We get some Gatorade and stop to stretch... and... there it is, the rain. We made it just in the nick of time :)
I think I'm ready for my next half... give it your best shot, Wisconsin!
Craziness Abounds...
I did the craziest thing a couple of weeks ago. I signed up for the Chicago Marathon, basically on a hunch that I may or may not be ready for it. Just in case. An insurance policy, if you will. And it's a good thing that I did, because they reached the cap of 45,000 about a week after I signed up. Take that, slumping economy.
Do I want to go the distance? Yes. The Chicago Marathon is my own personal Holy Grail. It haunts me as I go after it year after year. It consumes my thoughts and dictates my life after the goal is unfulfilled. It's like an addiction, a compulsion, to register for the race, even though I may or may not finish.
But I am going to be smart about it this time around. Extra rest days during the week. Getting up at 6am on a Saturday morning to do the long runs. Incorporating races into my training schedule. No more beer. Not eating so much junk. I wrote my training program while watching the NFL draft on Sunday... it officially begins the week of June 7th. That's 18 weeks til the marathon.
I purchased some new books to help me through this one... the updated "Marathon" by Hal Higdon (my copy is old and outdated... and pretty much folded in half), and "Marathoning for Mortals" by John Bingham. I'm not going to win any awards doing this- I just want to finish and capture the grail, so to speak.
I can do this. I think...
Do I want to go the distance? Yes. The Chicago Marathon is my own personal Holy Grail. It haunts me as I go after it year after year. It consumes my thoughts and dictates my life after the goal is unfulfilled. It's like an addiction, a compulsion, to register for the race, even though I may or may not finish.
But I am going to be smart about it this time around. Extra rest days during the week. Getting up at 6am on a Saturday morning to do the long runs. Incorporating races into my training schedule. No more beer. Not eating so much junk. I wrote my training program while watching the NFL draft on Sunday... it officially begins the week of June 7th. That's 18 weeks til the marathon.
I purchased some new books to help me through this one... the updated "Marathon" by Hal Higdon (my copy is old and outdated... and pretty much folded in half), and "Marathoning for Mortals" by John Bingham. I'm not going to win any awards doing this- I just want to finish and capture the grail, so to speak.
I can do this. I think...
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