Rock n Roll Chicago - This is One Heavy Medal

The inaugural Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon is in the books. Yesterday was sunny and in the 60s at the start. As I expected it warmed up pretty quickly. Almost 15,000 started the race. This was a wave start. So were all entered into corrals based on our expected finish times. I was pretty far back in the pack. This was my first wave start. It felt a bit annoying to start and stop thing all the way up to the start line. I was very glad to get going.

The course started in Grant Park and then headed to the Loop. Runners zig zagged through the streets of Chicago. There were folks out cheering us on, and it was nice to see people with signs for their loved ones. I liked this part of the course. Too bad more of it was not in the city.

After Mile 4, the course meanders to the Lakefront Path. I have run on this portion of the path before at the Soldier Field 10 Mile Race, so I knew what to expect. The problem with the path is I think it tends to get too narrow for the number of folks out there.

I felt great the first 5-6 miles. I would say my only complaint at this point was my 5 minute wait for the port-a-potties. It ticked me off that the woman ahead of me "saved" spots in line for her girlfriends. When they stepped ahead of me, I uttered an obscenity. They knew I was not happy about this. After this episode I knew I could make up that time. I am not an elite athlete, so I don't have the speed to make up time like that. So off I went.

Mile 7 was the start of the rolling nature of the course. I felt I used a lot of energy with these "hills." This was also the point of the course where most people were walking a great deal of the time. The path is too narrow for all the people who want to walk with their friends. Some of us are still running out there. I wished these folks would have walked to one side of the path.

By Mile 9 I decided with the heat it was time to go from the 8/1 interval to 6/1 interval. In hindsight I think I should have started this sooner. I was a bit tired after the hills, that and the heat I was feeling more tired. I looked at my timer, a PR was no longer in my sights, but I was figuring I would be happy with 2:52, so off I went.

Mile 11 I was very tired. I don't think I took enough fluids, and I was feeling dehydrated. One volunteer at the aid station resisted giving me a second cup of water. I glared and took it anyway. C'mon two cups of water that aren't even 1/4 full? There was plenty for everyone.

Oh....odd note that I forgot...Mile 6 was what I call the mine field. They had wet sponges for us. Running in Sponge Alley was tricky. All the sponges thrown down made it hard to step. Organizers might want to rethink that move.

Mile 12 I knew the end was in sight, and I did my best to power ahead. By now I was slow. I was taking longer walking breaks. I was thirsty. I pushed on.

When I saw the finish line I stepped it up. My time was in my sights and off I went. I finished the race in 2:52:16. My pace was a touch over 13:00/mile. That is slower than I have been, but I will take it for that day.

The medal they gave could knock out an elephant. It is one heavy medal, but I felt I really earned it. Mark was waiting for me at the end, and I was so glad to see him. I had seen him at Mile 4 before we headed to the lake. At this point I was feeling dizzy, so he made sure I had something to drink and got me to sit down for a while. He looked so happy to see me, and I was so happy to show him my HUGE medal!

Overall I am pleased with the race. I am thinking about what I learned and what I need to do now for the marathon and will go over that soon in another post.

Congrats to Kara Goucher who won the race! I think she is an amazing athlete, and can become our greatest long distance runner.

Charlie

The Plan for the Half

Today was expo day. I went to the Rock n Roll Chicago expo, and got my bib, shirt, and finally, goodies in the goody bag. My best moment was meeting marathoner Ryan Hall. Mark tells me the look on my face was one of pure happiness. I will eventually get the pictures that was taken and share.

Hall and I talked briefly about his Boston Marathon and his Olympic Trials experiences. He is a genuinely nice guy. He seemed a bit awkward, but I bet public outings for sponsors are not his thing. Still he was very nice.

So I have looked over all the info for tomorrow's race. The forecast is for 61 degrees at 6 a.m. The race starts at 6:30. So it will be "cool" at the start. I believe it will warm up quickly. I have been planning on that. I have purposely run my runs later in the morning when there is more heat, so I would be ready for it. Hope that plan works.

Yes...I would like to PR tomorrow. My best is 2:45:04. I would like to knock a little off that. I believe I can as long as I stick to my pace. If I am faster than 11:30 at the first mile, I have gone out too fast, and there could be trouble later. Must be mindful to slow that down.

I feel my running has gone well, and while this is not my final goal, that will be in Indianapolis in November, this will go far to show where I am at this point.

Charlie

The Warm Up and Then I Rock

Sunday is the Rock n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon. Today I ran 6 miles as a warm up to Sunday's race. I felt good out there, even though it was very warm. I ran the first 3 miles in 36:40. My last three was done in 36:32. Yup...negative splits.

The course for the race is a bit odd. It starts in Grant Park, heads into the Loop, then down along the southern part of the Lakrfront Path. Before the finish back in Grant Park, it takes a sligh detour north beyond the finish line then back. Not sure how that will all play out.

My goal is of course to finish. I would like to stay under 3 hours. My PR is 2:45:04, I would like to break that. If I ran like today I could do it.

The weather is supposed to be a bit humid and warm. The "good news" is the race starts at 6:30 a.m.. Yikes....I have to up early. Actually looking forward to this race, even though it is an August race...hot!

Next post will be the race report.

Charlie

What This Training has Meant

I have been training for a marathon since February. In a few paragraphs I am going to try to sum up what this has meant to me. Regular readers of this blog know that last year I was very frustrated at my lack of running. IT Band issues, and my arthritis diagnosis really got me down. Not only was there frustration, but I lost a sense of normalcy to my life.

I have said that running makes me feel normal. That may be odd sounding to some. It's the only word I can use though. I feel like a part of the world that was long denied to me. As an overweight guy, I felt like I was on the outside looking in. Running changed that for me.

As I move through the world I feel like I am a vibrant part of it. Oh, I know I don't look it. I know I look like a slow plodding guy running, but inside I feel like the running makes me an active member of the human race. I feel more aware of life when I run. I go to places that by car you zip by, and I get to see them close up.

I have had the good fortune to meet good people through running. People seem happy when running. Maybe they are feeling what I feel as I run?

All I know is that running brings me joy, and I feel I can be normal in life with running. Without running....not so normal.

Charlie

Summer is Here

The summer has been cool here in Chicago, but the heat is here in a big way now, just in time for the half marathon on Sunday.

I ran 6 miles today. It was darned humid out there. Was able to do the 8/1 interval for 3 miles, then to make it a bit easier on myself, I went to a 6/1 interval. I struggled a bit, but I did 6 miles. Hydration was the key. I am drinking Orange Ginger Nuun. Nuun is my favorite electrolyte product. Not heavy, not sweet...just right.

I did not carry music, but for some reason I had songs from Beauty and the Beast in my head. Go figure.

I have one more 6 mile run this week, then the Rock n' Roll Half on Sunday. Time to think about the pace and how I will run the race. Of course I will keep an eye on the weather and adjust as I need to.

I also need to figure where to have Mark meet me along the route. Time to look at the map and plan.

Charlie

12 Miles With a New Purpose

Yesterday was my 12 mile long run. I ran with a new purpose, a new goal. I was thinking about my change to the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. Got to say I am down right happy about this decision. I felt a spring in my step as I ran towards Andersonville.

I did my no familiar loop - home - Andersonville - Edgewater - home. This time I did it twice. Mark met me at the end of six miles with new water, and off I went again. The run went great. For the last week I have had some neck pain, which I know understand is due to knots in my back. On this run the neck was not bothering me as much as it had. I think switching to a hydration belt from a hand held made the difference.

The run was warm....temps were in the 70s, and it was humid. We have not been big on the humidity this summer...but it's coming.

So how did I do? I ran the 12 miles in 2:29:57. That is pretty good. I think I was on the 12:30/mile pace. At this rate I could have a PR in next weekend's half marathon. Of course now I just jinxed myself.

The run was a success, and I am happy with it. I am a bit sore today. The massage I had last night really beat up my back a bit. I may need to recover from that.

All in all a good day.

Charlie

New Marathon Chosen - On to Indy

Over the last 24 hours I have searched for a replacement marathon for Toronto and I think I have found it - the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - Nov. 7.

http://monumentalmarathon.com/

This will be a fun one. I have lived in Indianapolis, so this is a homecoming of sorts for me. It is a flat race, so no real hills to worry about. I will be able to see old friends. So all in all this is a great choice for me.

Now I have to adjust the training.

Charlie

A Difficult Decision

I have been thinking about this for a couple of weeks, but today, during jury duty, I really thought it all through. Due to financial issues, I have decided not to run the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. This was a difficult to decision to make, but one I had to make.

Mark and I had planned to make the marathon a mini-vacation. We were going to take a few days and really see Toronto, in addition to my running the race. Mark has had a couple of seizures in the last few months, so he has been in and out of work. This means I have taken on more of our responsibilities. So when I examined what we needed for this trip, I saw the money wasn't there.

Theoretically I could go on my own. I would rather not go to a marathon on my own without my support. I love having Mark at the races, and he enjoys being there and being the support crew. We are a team. To go without the teammate seems wrong.

So now I am searching for a marathon around that time which I could do, and Mark could come along. Looking for something close to Chicago. There are a couple in Indianapolis I am looking at, but I know there are others.

Thoughts?

Emotional day for me, but again I had to make the decision. Mark was sad about this, and felt responsible. I told him it is just the way things are, and no one is at fault.

Charlie

6 Good Miles

Today was a really good 6 mile run. I did my home - Andersonville - Edgewater loop, and felt good the entire time. It was sunny, not too hot. I was going at a great pace. In fact I went at a fast pace for a change - 11:40/mile. I felt terrific during the run.

Coming home brought me down to Earth. I got disturbung news which changed my mood, and made me wish I could have turned around and gone back out for 6 more miles. So I have been depressed all afternoon.

Arrrgh!

Life has a way of slapping you in the face sometimes. Today was a little slap. In the end things will be ok. It just sucks that after feeling so good after a run, I got dragged down.

Charlie

Long Run - Almost 11 MIles

Today I had planned an 11 mile run. I figured it all out on Map My Run, and off I went. The plan was to run from home to Evanston, go through downtown Evanston, run along the Northwestern Campus, turn around before Wilmette, and head back home.

I really enjoy running through Evanston. So many beautiful homes. The downtown area is really nice as well. Northwestern is quiet for the summer. I got a bit lost where my turnaround was, so I just kept running.

Eventually I ran to Wilmetter and stumbled upon the Baha'i Temple. It is a truly stunning piece of architecture. I took a moment to look at it, and the grounds, then I headed home.

I almost made 11 miles. I ran 10.3 miles. I'm ok with that. My pace was 12:43/mile. That is a bit slower than normal, but I think I was just enjoying the run. The weather was great. It was sunny on the way north, with temps in the upper 60s. Coming back it was cloudy, so it never got hot out there for me.

Chalk up another successful long run.

Charlie

Surly Folks

Tonight I ran from work to home, which is a 4.43 mile run. I have not seen so many surly looking folks. I wondered why everyone seemed grumpy? I felt fine, if not a bit tired on the run. Then again, I had been on my feet all day working. My pace was not speedy, but I had happy enough with it. It was warm, but not too hot. The clouds kept the heat from getting bad.

I am thinking of making my long run the middle run this week, as I have to work this weekend, so I want to run on a day off. I could go Thursday or Friday, then save the six mile run for the weekend when I have a shorter amount of time.

So this means I have to plot an 11 mile course. Hmmmm..........

Top Tens - Track and Field

Sports Illustrated has come out with a top ten list for track and field. Tim Layden has formulated this. Layden makes the point that this is not just a list of the best, but those whose performances were do thrilling.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/tim_layden/06/25/track.thrilllist/?eref=sihpT1

Here is the list:

1) Carl Lewis

2) Florence Griffith-Joyner

3) Bob Beamon

4) Sergey Bubka

5) Jesse Owens

6) Emil Zatopek

7) Usain Bolt

8) Marion Jones

9) Jan Zelezny

10) Steve Prefontaine

That is quite a list. I have to take exception to Marion Jones. Yes she was amazing to watch, which is what Leyden writes, but it was manufactured for the most part, and I have difficulty with cheaters in a top ten list. I even hold my breath over Usain Bolt. I am hoping it does not come out he also took drugs.

How you can have a list and not include Jackie Joyner-Kerse is just wrong to me. She was the greatest woman athlete of a generation if not of all time with her Heptathalon ability, she was the top of athleticism. I say take off Jones, and add Jackie.

Charlie

Feeling Good

Today I really felt good on my 6 mile run. I went the reverse of the route I took last time. I went from home to Andersonville, then to Edgewater, then home. It was sunny and in the low 70s. Actually it was very pleasant out there. People were out and about. Plenty of "Good mornings" out there. That always makes the run a bit nicer.

I knew I was on a faster than normal pace, but it never seemed like I was pushing anything. It all felt nice and easy today. My first half was in 36:30. My second half was 35:08, so I was running negative splits today. Rare, but pleased with myself. I just can't believe how easy it all felt. The only time I struggled a bit was at mile 4.5. I just fatigued for a moment, but at a stop light I stretched a bit, then ran once the light turned green, and I felt fine.

I was thinking ahead. My next few weeks are an increase in long run miles - 11, 12, 13. Overall I am pleased with how the running is going. Who knows...I may even enjoy the half marathon in August.

Charlie

Freedom Has a Price

1 in 100 people have at least one seizure in their lives. I read that recently and it terrified me. My boyfriend Mark suffers from seizures, and the doctor believes it is in fact Epilepsy. When Mark has a seizure it lasts for many minutes, and the results leave him in a lot of pain for days. He blacks out, so he has no idea how his body convulses, his eyes roll back, his body is rigid, and he has an agonizing look on his face. I breaks my heart to watch this. While we are determining what exactly is going on, I read yesterday about Diane Van Deren.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/09/sports/09ultra.html?em

Van Daren is an ultramarathoner who sufferes from seizures. Hers have been the extreme. She would have seizures 3-5 times a week. Her solution was to have lobectomy, where the part of her brain where the seizures begin was removed. This gave her freedom, but there is a price to pay - loss of memories - mostly short term.

As I read the article I felt so sad for her loved ones. They have to remind her of her life and experiences. Now Mark is nowhere near this extreme, but I can't imagine what it must be like to have to remind someone you love, that they in fact love you. The closest thing I can think of is coping with someone with Alzheimer's.

So while Diane is out there running and free from the terror of her ailment, I can't help but be sad for her.

Charlie

An Evening 6 Miler

This evening I ran a nice slow 6 miles from home to the Andersonville area and back. I really like this neighborhood. The old Swedish area is now home to an eclectic group of folks, including a growing gay/lesbian contingent. Lots of nice shops and restaurants.

As I got away from the lake, I lost the coolness of the air, so it got a bit warm out there tonight, but that was ok. The funny part of the run was running into my friend Angelica. She is runner who runs most of the fun runs at our store. I "ran" into her as she was heading to another running store to run their fun run tonight. I think she was a bit embarrassed, but I had not problem with it. I actually thought it was funny.

The run was slow mostly because people were on their way home, and I weaved in and out of people on the sidewalks. Normally I am a bit miffed by this, because I want a decent time, but tonight I just went with the flow. It was a good run.

This week's long run will be one more 6 mile run, then the long runs begin to climb.

Charlie

Up to Evanston - 6 Miles

Today was nice 6 mile run up to Evanston along Lake Michigan. It was a pretty sunny day. I think summer running is good and bad. The good is the sunshine...the bad the heat. I was actually fine until about 1 mile to go, then I felt the heat get to me. Otherwise it was a nice run today.

I ran at a touch over 12:00/mile, faster than marathon pace. I almost ran evenly. I ran 36:08 for the first 3 miles and 36:11 for the last half. Nothing wrong with that.

I wondered about the half marathon coming up in August. I think I will go for the 6/1 interval as opposed to the 8/1 attempt. I did the 8/1 interval for 4 miles, than with the heat, I cut back to a 6/1. It was a bit easier at that point.

I am pleased with today's run. And now I am enjoying a cool 7-Up. Ahhhhh......

Charlie

A Sunday Run - 10 Miles

This morning I headed out for a 10 mile long run. The route this time was along Sheridan Rd, to Marine Drive, and then on the Lake Shore Drive. Part of this route was my old running route when I lived in the Lakeview area. I have missed it, so it was nice to be see it again. I like this route, because I go by some lovely homes and gardens. It is always nice scenery seeing to gardens in full bloom.

Not many folks out this morning, but those who were running all said "morning" or "hi". I appreciated that.

I felt great the first 7 miles. The last 2.5-3 I felt I struggled. I think fatigue was settting in. I finished in 2:03:56, which is decent. I believe I am on pace for a sub 3 hour half marathon in a few weeks. This will give me a good idea of how I am doing in a longer race.

I am running the Rock n' Roll Chicago on August 2. Should be a warm day, which could be trouble.

We'll see.

Charlie

Happy 4th of July

For those in the U.S., today is our Independence Day celebrations. For the rest of you...it's July 4. People were out and about yesterday getting ready for today. Grocery stores were full of folks buying things for their cook outs. Our store was busy, with folks getting running shoes and apparel. I better see a lot of those folks tomorrow on my 10 mile run. :-)

Yesterday I ran a nice 6 miles. It felt nice and easy. I did not push to hard. The running came easy to me. It just felt good to be out there. Overall I am pleased with my running of late. I am hoping tomorrow's run is just as good as the two 6 milers I have had this week.

Happy 4th of July.

Charlie

Shoes at the Table

Last night I participated in the Runners Round Table podcast. For those not familiar, this is a great podcast where runners from all over come together and talk about various topics. I had noticed that in the previous episodes no one had talked shoes. Seemed to me that was a pretty important subject to cover, so I suggested it. Once it was suggested, I was then scheduled as a "guest" on the show to talk shoes. Makes sense, I sell shoes everyday, and I know a thing or two about shoes.

Last night's show was going to answer "all" the questions they had about shoes. I don't know if I answered all of them, but I was happy to talk shoes with the folks. I had never done a podcast, so I was a bit nervous. The hosts were all friendly though. I should remember runners are a friendly group of people, and they aren't going to leave you hanging. :-)

I had a great time, and hope people got something out of what I had to say. There is more I could say, but maybe we save that for a follow up episode.

Give the program a listen and let me know what you think.

http://runnersroundtablepodcast.blogspot.com/

Charlie

This is July?

The calendar says July 1. Outside it is in the 60s and there is a misty rain going on. Perfect for a nice fall run. I ran 6 miles today. I started at home, went through the Edgewater area, over to Andersonville, and then home to Rogers Park.

These are all very different areas. Rogers Park is along Lake Michigan and has a diverse population. Edgewater is mostly condos along the lake. Andersonville is the old Swedish neighborhood, now home to a large collective of gays and lesbians.

I enjoyed this run. I felt relaxed and good as I plugged along. My pace was 12:21/mile, which is where I like to be. I managed to keep up with the 8/1 interval. Amazing what a lack of heat will do to your running. Clearly my body likes to run in the cooler weather.

As I ran, I decided to let my mind go. When I would think of something, I would quickly let it go. I wanted a peaceful run, and I got it.

I guess I should have thought about what all I will talk about on the Runners Round Table podcast tonight. I have a good idea though. The topic is shoes, which is something I know about. :-)

The show will start at 8 p.m. central time. http://runnersroundtablepodcast.blogspot.com/ The podcast is available on ITunes, and will most likely be ready tomorrow. I will talk about pronation, the importance of getting a proper fitting shoe, latest trends in shoes, etc. It should be an interesting show.

That's all for now....next up - another 6 mile run.

Charlie