Good Bye 2016, Hello 2017

I’ve been terrible about blog posting this year.  No excuses, I just didn’t feel like I had anything to say.  The year is coming to a close so I thought I would wrap up 2016 and look forward a bit. 

2016 was a good running year, it sucked in way too many ways but with regards to running, it was good.  I ran a bunch of races, set a 5K, 10K and a half marathon PR and stayed injury free for the whole year!  I guess I set a marathon PR too but it wasn’t much of an effort or a PR.  My biggest accomplishment was hitting my overall goal of at least 100 miles per month, not 1200 miles for 2016, but 100 or more miles per month.  I still have eleven miles left to make this goal for December but I’m fairly confident with three days left that I will make it.  I set this goal because I thought it would make me run consistently throughout the year and it did.  As I look back on my training log, I see that almost every week I had 25 to 30 miles of running which was just perfect for me.

On my way to 1/2 marathon PR

The following is a table of the races I ran this year and the overall pace of each event.  I’m never going to be speedy, but I have picked it up a bit.  The bolded races are my PR’s.  Super Manny was probably a PR but the overall course was short.  The 10:18 was what was on my own watch, the race shows me at under 10 a mile but that’s not right.   Anyway, I ran a lot of races this past year.  I’m planning on cutting back in 2017 and definitely not running a marathon.

Date	Name	Length	Pace
2/7/2016	Super Shuffle	5K	10:44
3/12/2016	St. Patrick's Naperville	5K	10:43
4/9/2016	Shake It Off	5K	10:30
4/16/2016	Rockdale Ramble	10K	13:09
4/23/2016	SlyFox	10K	11:01
5/1/2016	Super Manny	5K	10:18
5/7/2016	Quarryman	10 Miles	12:55
5/15/2016	Chicagoland Spring Half	13.1 Miles	11:08
7/9/2016	Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10	10 Miles	11:52
7/21/2016	Sundowner 5K	5K	11:35
8/21/2016	Windrunners	10K	11:12
8/27/2016	Parkies	5K	10:52
8/28/2016	Mad to the Bone	13.1 Miles	12:08
9/11/2016	Naper Trails Half	13.1 Miles	12:41
10/2/2016	Dick Pond Hot Cocoa	8 miles	11:02
10/9/2016	Chicago Marathon	Marathon	13:10
10/23/2016	Naperville Half Marathon	13.1	11:10
11/20/2016	Lisle Turkey Trot Tuneup	5K	10:48
12/3/2016	Jingle Bell 5K	5K	10:58
12/4/2016	Frigid 5K		17:11

Muriel in Aqua, Me in Pink at Quarryman

I enjoyed all of these races but a couple really stood out for me.  In particular, I really enjoyed the Quarryman Challenge 10 miler.  For one, it was a very hilly race in Lemont, IL and it was one that I had not run before.  My friend, Muriel and I went out to Lemont and checked it out before the race and we knew it was going to be tough.  Muriel and I stuck together and had fun tackling this race.  She won an age group award and afterwards there was a great after party with unlimited tapped beers from a couple local breweries and pizza too.  Not bad for $40.  Not sure I’m going to be in town this year, but if I am, I will definitely do this one again.

A little to eat after Xtreme 10

This year, I also enjoyed the Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10.  I’ve done this before and hated it but this year the weather was a little cooler and I felt good going into it.  Andy, Petra and I stayed together right until the end and Petra and I squeaked to the finish in just under two hours.  We had a blast!

The 15 miler that almost killed me.  Thanks guys!

All of these races were fun but I enjoyed more the Bolingbrook Fun Run Club runs with friends.  Some were marathon training runs, some were just fun runs but all of them were good.  The one that sticks out the most in my mind was an ugly, hot, humid early morning 15 miler that knocked the crap out of me.  I was sweating so much that I couldn’t cool off and had to walk the last three miles.  But, I did not walk them alone.  Caroline and Andy said “no big deal” and walked back with me.  They don’t know how much I appreciated this. 

12 miles alone

I also enjoyed my “alone” miles.  These are the miles where I work on speed and form and think about nothing and everything at the same time.  I don’t have to worry about anyone else’s pace, where I’m going to run or even if I am going to finish.  As I’ve gotten older, I realize I like being with myself.  Sometimes, I like that more than anything else at all.

2017 is just a few days away.  I don’t have huge plans for the year – no marathons, no ultras, etc.  I do plan to up my monthly mileage commitment to 110 miles per month and have joined the Run The Year challenge as part of a two man team.    I’m hoping to run stronger and faster, not longer.  Maybe knock off a few more PRs.  I guess my big goal for the year is to make it to the next age group (birthday in September) without injury.  That to me is more important than any other goal.

I’m already signed up for a few races for 2017:

Date	Race	Distance	Pace
1/7/2017	Polar Dash	Half Marathon
4/8/2017	Shake it Off	5K
4/23/2017	Naperville Woman’s Half	Half Marathon
4/29/2017	Adirondack Fox Trot	Virtual 10K
7/26/2017	Hilloopy	Muliple 5Ks

I will be adding some other races too depending on whether or not I’m in town.   Races like the Geneva Super Shuffle, Rockdale Ramblin 10K, Quarryman Challenge 10 miler, Sundowner 5K….  the possibilities (unlike the wallet) are endless.

Here’s to 2017!

Race Recap – 2016 Quarryman Challenge

The 2016 Quarryman Challenge was held on Saturday, May 7^th in Lemont, IL.  Lemont is a nice little town on the I&M canal with lots of hills.  In fact, the name Lemont, is literally from the French for the mountain. There are definitely hills that feel like mountains but there are no mountains.

The Quarryman Challenge (QC) offers both a 5K race and a 10 mile race.  I signed up pretty early (12/15) to do the 10 mile race as was apparent when I got my race bib and it was “9”, just “9”.  I love to sign up early for races and get the early-bird pricing.  In the past, I have signed up for a few races and just skipped them when they finally rolled around.  I made a commitment this year to run everything I’ve signed up for unless I’m injured.  So far, so good.   The total cost for this race was $49.  I’ve run 10K’s that were a lot more. 

Elizabeth providing oranges before the race

Packet pickup for QC was held at a couple nearby locations.  The closest to my home was the Dick Pond store in Lisle, IL.  My running buddy, Muriel, kindly offered to pick up my packet and drop it off at my home, Thursday, before the race.  Talk about easy packet pickup!!!  The QC also decided not to hand out bags with lots of junk in them; instead, just a bib, a course map and a cotton commemorative race shirt.  Kudos to the QC for not giving me a bunch of junk which I then just turn around and throw out or recycle.  I also really like getting a shirt that I can wear around later and not another cheap running shirt.  I know people differ on this one but I love the cotton shirt!!!

Now that we are getting into May, races are starting earlier and the QC 10 miler was scheduled for a 7:30 AM start to be followed five minutes later by the 5K start.   Lemont is about 25 minutes from my house, so I planned to leave by 6:30 AM on race day.  As such, I set my alarm and woke up at 5:00 AM in order to eat my standard granola bar, have a cup or two of coffee, poop, make last minute changes to my running kit, etc.  The weather for the day called for some early rain, a high temperature in the low 50’s, then the wind was supposed to pick up and the temperature to drop.  Pretty much a standard early spring day in Chicagoland.  Originally, I planned to wear a tank top and shorts but at the last minute, decided to wear a t-shirt and shorts instead.  Either would have been fine. 

Setting up the taps!

One of the reasons I love non-city of Chicago races is the easy parking and QC was no different.  At 6:45 AM, I drove into downtown Lemont, pulled into the designated parking garage, easily found a space and walked the two or three short blocks to the race activities.  No parking fees, no fighting traffic, just an easy experience.  The pre-race activities were being held in a parking lot next to the Village hall (where race day packet pickup was also being held) and there was a nice vibe.  Although there were a lot of competitive runners there, I did not see any of the strutting and preening that I often see at the city races.  Instead, people were chatting, eating orange slices provided by the QC, and just chil

ling to the music. 

Lots of port-a-potties!!

The number one thing every racer is looking for on race morning is a place to go…. number one (or number two.)  The QC did not let us down, there was a more than sufficient number of port-a-potties available and I went a couple of times without having to wait in line.  Even at the after party, the port-a-potties were pretty clean.  I also think that people who attend these smaller races are a little more respectful of the things that are provided to them.

Shortly before the race start, a young woman sang a nice rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.  Honestly though, I really don’t understand why that song and saluting the flag is part of sporting events.  It just seems weird to me.  

At 7:30 AM we were off!  I was running with my friend who is a little slower than I am so I anticipated a fairly easy but still hilly run.  The first quarter of a mile is a typical, flat Midwest run and the field went out fast.  The first turn, however, showed the true nature of the race.  We immediately started to climb.  The first climb in the race is about 100’ in elevation over approximately a quarter mile.  For Illinois, that’s a hill!  I had been out to Lemont a few weeks ago to check out the hills so I was not surprised but that didn’t make it any easier.  We walked a little of that first hill.   As soon as that hill was climbed, the run turned mostly downhill for another mile and then up we went again.  This time about 135’ in another quarter mile.  The race organizers know these hills and “helpfully” labeled the biggest hills with “King of the Hill” markers.

All smiles before the race

The entire race is run through the residential streets of Lemont.  It was great not to be running through boring industrial parks, or fighting traffic on busy roads.  Instead, this run was a lot like running through my neighborhood except with hills.  We ran by old Victorian houses, small brick ranch houses, lovely newer contemporary homes and everything in-between.  This is not a race without a lot of crowd support but some people were out having coffee and cheering us on.   Between mile 2 and mile 6 the course was mostly flat but with a slight uphill grade.  It was good to get a break after those initial uphill sections.   At mile 6.0 we got a 100’ drop in about a tenth of a mile.  Woo baby!  You have to be careful to keep it under control on those steep downhills.  This was particularly important because we did have rain during the first half of the race and some of the pavement was a little slippery.  But the rain felt wonderful and no one minded it at all. 

After the steep downhill at mile 6, you guessed it, we climbed again.  This time a slow steady gain over 2.5 miles.  Not sure which is harder, the steep climbs or the climb that just keeps on giving.  The whole race was fun thanks to running it a little easier with a friend and the great volunteers.  The aid stations were staffed by high school and middle school running groups and they were ENTHUSIASTIC!!  Lots of motivation through the aid stations and the course marshals were great too.  We were particularly motivated by the course marshal at mile 5.6; it was Karla, from our running group!!!  Aid stations were provided about every two miles.  I carried my own water but, at least on a relatively cool day, the aid stations were sufficient.  On a hot day, I would need more.

The course map

After mile 8.5 it is all downhill including a very steep, last downhill at mile 9.6 and then a flat run to the finish at the starting line in the downtown area.   Even though we were at the back of the pack, there were still lots of people cheering us in.  As we crossed the finish line, volunteers handed us two carnations for Mother’s Day.  That was a nice touch.  There are no individual medals for this race.  Some people run for the bling, not me.  I don’t need any more cheap junk to clutter up my house.  I was actually pleased that there was no finisher’s medal.

A Post Race Beer!

Muriel with her rock!

The after party for this race is top notch!  Two local breweries were pouring tappers and racers and guests could have as many beers as they wanted.  That, and as much pizza as we wanted too.  There were also a couple vendors and the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA) was there as well.  The DJ was spinning good music and people hung around and chatted it up until the awards.  The awards for this race are really special.  Instead of a medal or trophy, each age group winner is given a piece of quarry rock mined from the local area.  My running buddy, Muriel, was first in her age group and got a HUGE rock, of which, she should be very proud.

I LOVED this race.  I wish I did it before (although the hills might have intimidated me in the past) and I plan to do it again.  In fact, my goal is to get a bib number even lower than “9” in 2017! 

Do hills intimidate you?  If so, check out the Quarryman Challenge in 2017!

2nd Annual Shake It Off 5K - Race Report

Mingling at the start of Shake It Off

Running is inherently a bit of a selfish sport.  It is all about me (you) so to say.  That is why I prefer to spend my race dollars on events that benefit good charities in a big way.  Today was the 2^nd Annual Shake It Off 5K to benefit the Michael J. Fox Foundation organized by Team Fox’s own Jimmy Choi and his hard working wife, Cherryl.   Not only is the Michael J. Fox Foundation a tremendously efficient charity and Shake It Off a fun event but Jimmy suffers from Parkinson’s Disease and still pulls this all together.

Last week was busy for me.  I spent the week locked in a hotel on a consulting assignment eating poorly, drinking too much wine, sitting on my rear end and keeping weird hours.  When I woke up this morning, the last thing I wanted to do was run, let alone go run in 23 degree weather with a bit of a wind.  Yet, as usual, once I convinced myself to get out of bed and was into my running clothes the whole thing didn’t seem like such a bad idea.  I had my usual half a pot of coffee and ate a granola bar and left the house for the short five mile drive to Johannsen Farm in Bolingbrook, IL where there was a huge lot to park in.  Free parking.  Skip those city races and support something local.  Give the parking fees to the charity as a donation.

Yes, snow on the ground.

The race started at 9:00 and I got there about 8:10.  Given the temperature, I decided to sit in the car a bit listening to NPR and I enjoyed seeing people streaming the two blocks to the small park where the race started.  There were a lot of families, some of my friends, young people, older people.   About 8:20, I decided to run slowly to the start of the event and then run another mile to warm up and to stay warm.  The race was held on a local trail so I did a short out and back to check out the conditions – a little ice, a little mud but overall, it looked great.   When I got back to the starting line, I went to the port-o-potty and there was no line (which is always a big deal) and then grabbed a bottle of water to take a few sips after my little warm up.

By 8:45, the Bolingbrook Fun Run Club was out in force and we took a bunch of group pictures.  If there are no pictures or you didn’t track your run, it didn’t really happen.  It might have been cold, but the sun was shining brightly and everyone was so happy to be there so it did not feel cold at all.

Bolingbrook Fun Run Club out in force to Shake It Off!

Just before race time, Jimmy told the crowd a little about his Parkinson’s diagnosis and the amazing number of half marathons and marathons he has run in the few short years he has been running.  He then introduced a friend who sang an absolutely beautiful rendition of the Star Spangled Banner.  A pure, clean acapella version without all the silly runs people add these days.

And then we were off…. This event was not chipped time so instead of hanging in the far back, I lined up in the 9:30 to 10:59 pace area and towards the front of it.  Besides the timing issue, I wanted to be ahead of the running strollers.  The path isn’t very wide and I knew I would struggle to get around those things.  As it turned out, my starting place was just about right as I passed very few people after the initial half mile or so. 

The course was an out and back course and after an initial downhill and a final uphill, almost pancake flat.  On a summer day, the course would be brutally hot on a sunny day but on a cold, early spring day the open sunshine was beautiful and welcome.  Trees and bushes are starting to bud out now and everything looked nice and green.  I ran most of the first mile and finished my first mile with a 10:04 pace which is a tad fast for me.  Realizing this, I started doing more of a 2 to 3 min run and then walking 45 or 50 seconds.   Along the way, I found a few people who were great pacers but I would lose them a bit when I took my walk breaks.  I had not set a goal for this race but as things were going well, I decided mid race that I would like to crack 33 minutes (which I’ve never done before.)   

Most of the time, these days, I run without music but I decided on my way out the door this morning to grab my Shuffle.  I’m glad that I did as I used the music to help establish a pace and as a back drop for just enjoying all the people, the sunshine and the fun.  There were people stationed along the course with motivational signs, kids running with their parents, orange balloons for Team Fox, friends passing yelling “Go Kristin” and everyone seemed happy.  Really, races don’t get much better.  There was one water station at the mid-point, just enough for a 5K.

Official time was 32:34.  I left my watch running a bit.

As I was taking my final walk break, someone said to me “Come on, we can see the tent” and I took the challenge and ran the rest of the way in with her.  Turns out she is a member of my running club that I don’t really know.  I really appreciate her little push at the end as I finished in 32:34!  In fact, it was probably a little bit less than that as there was no starting mat at the beginning and I wasn’t at the very front.  Now, I’m wondering if I can break 30 minutes?  Maybe by the fall with all the marathon training coming up over the summer.

Post Run group photo.  Notice all our medals!

After the run, we took more pictures --- of course.  I was getting quite cold so I left before the final results were available and before the raffle.  Rumor has it that I won something in the raffle but I don’t know what.  So, I grabbed an Andy’s custard sample to take home and ran back to my car.  

Results have been posted and I was 5^th in the 51 to 60 age group.  I will take it! 

Great medal!

A lot of money raised for a great cause and a huge amount of fun!   Jimmy and Cherryl Choi do amazing things for Team Fox and for the Michael J. Fox Foundation.  If you’re reading this, consider coming out for next year’s run!  Oh, and the medals are amazing for a 5K - very nice!

Another Marathon?

Ooops, looks like I'm in :-)

I believe that I said “I will never run another marathon” and “I won’t fund raise again”.  Apparently, I am a pathological liar.  I’m doing both again.  What???  If you’ve been reading this blog at all, you know that I was unable to run last year’s Chicago Marathon because of a kidney stone that was likely brought on by my 50 mile run in September.  Although cheering on Team Fox and other friends running the marathon was fun, I want to run it again. 

Rocking my Team Fox Hat

Why fund raise?  Because the money goes to the Michael J. Fox Foundation and its work to educate, advocate and cure Parkinson’s Disease.  Unlike some charities, the money I raise does not go to support my run.  I am not traveling to an exotic location nor am I getting all sorts of incentives for the run.  What will I get?  The main thing is a guaranteed entry into the Chicago Marathon.  This is not a small thing  Marathon entry is now via a lottery and not everyone gets in.  I also get a t-shirt, a pasta dinner the night before the marathon (which I probably won’t attend) and a Team Fox gear check.  If I meet my fundraising goal, I can apply to get my $185 entry fee back.   Just like it is with all donations, the Michael J. Fox foundation is wise and efficient with Team Fox as well. 

In addition, I will continue to be a Team Fox member and benefit from the community of people who have a common interest to eradicate Parkinson’s disease.  I will meet new people in person, forge new friendships and enjoy the camaraderie of the group. 

Why run another marathon?  Because I can.  Seriously, I will turn 59 years old a week before the marathon.  How did I ever get to be this old?  The funny thing is I don’t feel old at all.  In fact, I feel younger than I’ve ever felt.  I sure look older and I run slowly (not sure I ever would have run fast) but I feel marvelous and I think a lot of that comes from running.  I don’t have Parkinson’s Disease nor anything else chronic.  I can run the marathon and if I’m going to indulge myself with all the training, etc. I should at least make the effort go for something.  

So yes, another marathon!  If you are interested in donating to Team Fox and the Michael J. Fox Foundation, please do so at my fund raising page http://tinyurl.com/j8tt9ye

The Race List for 2016 - No Lakefront Path Races

One of my goals for 2016 is to be a bit more selective about my races and stay away from expensive city races in Chicago on the lakefront path.  Running in Chicago means an hour drive, expensive parking (even when it is cheap), expensive races, inconvenient packet pick-up and running on the lakefront path.  Don’t get me wrong, the lakefront path is beautiful as it winds along the lakeshore.  What’s not to like?  The idiots on bicycles, that’s what!!!  Every time I run on the lakefront path, no matter what time of day, I find myself having to dodge people on bicycles.  If the weather is beautiful, it becomes a huge challenge and one I’m not interested in losing.   Having said that, I may enter the lottery for the Chicago Marathon.  One, the marathon is on city streets which are shut down to other types of traffic and two, I didn’t get to run it last year with Team Fox.  Pretty sure I’m not up to fundraising again this year, but I would like to run the marathon again.

If I’m not going to run in the city, what races am I going to run?  I’ve already registered for quite a few!

Date	Name	Length
2/7/2016	Super Shuffle	5K
3/12/2016	St. Patrick's Naperville	5K
4/9/2016	Shake It Off	5K
4/16/2016	Rockdale Ramble	10K
4/23/2016	SlyFox	10K
5/7/2016	Quarryman	10 Miles
7/9/2016	Waterfall Glen Xtreme 10	10 Miles
8/28/2016	Mad to the Bone	13.1 Miles

None of these are in the city, none of them cost more than $60, none of them have packet pickup in the city and all of them have race day packet pickup.  Each one of them is in a different venue – not all on that blasted lakefront path! 

I hope to add the Chicago Marathon to this list.  If not, I may run the Naperville Marathon this year or maybe the Portland Marathon.  Heck, I might just run that one anyway.  I also expect that I will add a Halloween run, a Turkey Trot (probably the Lisle Turkey Trot Tuneup) and the Jingle Bell 5K in December.

Oh.... and probably Parkie's too.