First and Last Marathons

Having fun in 2016

I will be running my third and last marathon, in Chicago, on October 7, 2018.  In my mind, I actually think of this as my fifth marathon as I ran one 50 mile race in 2015.   But technically, Chicago 2018 is my third and last marathon.  Yes, I’ve said “last” before, but this time I mean it!   The only reason I agreed to run Chicago 2018 was because my niece, who lives in Israel and was a graduate student, was going to come to Chicago and run it with me.  She, however, got a great job and will not be here to run it with me.  While I have lots of friends to run it with, I definitely would not have signed up to do it again if Rebecca wasn’t going to do it.

It is now less than a month to the marathon and I have most of my training under my belt, including the two last really long runs (20 and 22 miles.)  None of my long runs this summer has gone that well, the weather was really hot and humid, I’m about 10 to 15 lbs overweight, and being a few years older probably hasn’t helped either.  I will be able to finish it but that’s about it.

As marathon time approaches, and I have had so many hours on my feet, I have had plenty of time to think about this being my last marathon.  I think that my first and last marathons are going to be a lot alike – they’re both going to be solely about having fun.   Just before I ran my first Chicago, in 2013, I met a man who had run marathons all over the world.  Then just before the race, he sent me an email with advice on how to run Chicago and have it be the best experience ever.  “You never know” he said, “it might be the only marathon you ever run.”  Below is a combination of his advice and my own, which I intend to follow, to have it be a “best experience.”

1. Put your name on the FRONT of the shirt you plan to wear in the race.  People will call you by name and motivate you along the whole race route.

Put your name on your shirt
and lay everything out in
advance.

2. Volunteer at the expo and meet other runners.  Talk to first timers and experienced runners about where they are from, why they are running and to help get excited.

3. Spend time at the expo looking at all the cool running stuff and getting free samples.

4. Lay out everything you’re going to need for the race, two days before. Keep a close eye on the weather to make sure you’re dressed for the right conditions.

5. Go ahead and have a beer the night before if you usually do.  You’re not going to win the marathon, don’t worry about it diminishing your performance.

6. Go to bed really early the night before.  If you cannot sleep, just read in bed.

7. Get up super early and eat a good breakfast.  Depending on your starting corral, it could be hours before your race starts.  You’re going to need the energy.

8. Go to Goodwill and get a bathrobe or other throw away to wear in the start corrals.  It will likely be chilly in the morning but quickly warm up once you are running.  A bathrobe is great as it covers your legs too.

9. Talk to other runners in your corral.  Get to know some of the people who will be running your pace. 

10. Start off slow!!!   This is a big one!  Don’t get carried away too soon.  It’s a LONG race, don’t burn out early.  Even if you’re feeling great, starting off too fast will likely cause early burnout or cramps long before the race ends.

11. Stick to your training.  No matter how good you’re feeling, don’t do something different.  I love this one because I never follow it.

Read signs and acknowledge people

12. Read all the signs and acknowledge people who acknowledge you.

13. High five every little kid that wants to high five and touch all their signs that say “tap here for extra energy”  Remember, those little kids think all of us are big time athletes and are in total awe!!

14. WALK carefully through each and every aid station.  If you’re a mid to back of the pack runner, the stations become VERY slippery.  I’ve seen more than one person fall.

Blow your plan?  Walk it in with
someone you love!

15. As you enter the last mile of the marathon, really start to take notice of everything around you.  There will be runners struggling, people cheering, and just a lot going on.  Don’t miss it!

16. Finally, hand around a bit and soak in the atmosphere.  Drink a beer.

Bottom line, don’t be too hard on yourself, have fun and soak it all in!

See you at the finish line!

Plans Change, Moving On – Make Running Fun Again

After my last Chicago Marathon in 2016, I was adamant that there would be no more marathons.  As time went by though, I forgot about how boring the training was and how much I really didn’t want to run another marathon.   So last year, right after the 2017 marathon (in which I watched my friends suffer), my niece suggested we might run the 2018 marathon together.   RB is in her mid 20’s and lives in Israel and would be in the states in late September and early October.   There was no guarantee we would both get in through the lottery system but I figured if I got in and she didn’t, I would run it with friends and if she got in, and I didn’t, I would cheer her on.  We both got in.

RB started to get worried about her training.  I told her that we would be doing an easy run/walk and given that she is less than half my age, she would finish it with minimal training.   I, on the other hand, had to keep up a training schedule just to be sure I could complete it. 

Training this summer has been miserable.  The weather has been very hot and humid and each long run has felt like a death march.  The only saving grace has been that my friend, Hilda, has been available for a lot of my summer runs.  It is nice to have someone along when you’re out there for hours.  Now, however, Hilda is back teaching and if I want to run long during the week, I’ve got to go it alone.

About three weeks ago, RB called and said “I have good news and bad news.”  The good news is that she got a job.  A real, career oriented position and something she definitely should do.  The bad news is that she won’t be here to run the marathon.  With those few words, my interest in marathon training went from moderate to none.  Luckily, I had gotten to the 17 mile mark in training before I got this news.  I was too close to just quit but I was still far enough away to make the rest of the training miserable.  If RB had gotten the job a few weeks earlier, I probably would have just forfeited the $195 entry fee.

Two weeks ago, on a Saturday, I decided if I was to do my first 20 mile training run, doing it with friends was best.  We all were doing different distances with another local marathon’s preview group on the beautiful, Fox River Trail.  I go up at 4:15 AM, left the house at 5:30 and was ready to run at 6:30 with a few buddies, including Hilda.  I was less than a mile into the run when I felt myself flying through the air and landing flat on my stomach/chest.  Of course everyone stopped and made a fuss and I decided right then and there, no 20 mile run that day for me.  I was a little scraped up and bruised but no long lasting injuries.  I walked five miles with my friend, Michelle and vowed to try again another day. 

Sunday morning I set the alarm for 5:00 AM but didn’t get up until 6:30 AM.  By the time I had fed the cats, fed myself, dressed, etc. it was almost 8:30 AM and temperatures and humidity were already heading up.   Yet, I thought, I better try to do those 20 miles.  Off I went to a local trail and ran 12 very hot, very humid miles.   Temperatures were stifling by the time I hit 10 miles and I knew I had better stop.  That 20 mile run was becoming awfully elusive.

After the 1st 10 miles

Another week went by and I was going away for the weekend.  20 miles was not going to happen in Pittsburgh.  I didn’t have the time nor was I up for a 20 mile hill run.  Looking at the upcoming weather, I targeted Wednesday (yesterday, 8/22) for my 20 miler.  Yesterday’s weather was glorious!  Early morning temperatures were in the upper 50’s and the humidity was low.  For you weather geeks, the dewpoint was in the 50’s all day.  Just perfect.   The best day in weeks for a long run.

Once again I set an early alarm, and this time I only slept half an hour later than planned.  After the cats were fed, etc. off I went to McCullom Park in Downers Grove, IL.  McCullom Park is a great place to do a long run when you’re doing it alone.  It’s a mile and a quarter loop around beautiful playing fields, a small mini golf course and a picnic pavilion.  The path winds through some trees, passes along the back yards of some nice houses and runs parallel on one side to the local fire station.  But more importantly, it runs close to the parking lot where you can stash water and food in your car and there are two “real” restrooms and one port-a-potty.  Everything to make a long run easy.   Yes, it gets a little boring doing the same loop 16 times but there are lots of people out walking and it never quite feels like you’re alone.

I split my run up into 4 segments each of 4 loops.  I stopped at the car and had water after each mile and a quarter and had something to eat after every 5 miles (4 loops.)   My first 10 miles was fairly easy and I had no problems running for 2.5 min and then walking a min for the whole thing.  During those first 10 miles the weather was fabulous, it was almost like a fall morning.^nd 10 miles was a bit harder as it was getting warmer and I walked more than I did during the first 10.   But, I did finish.

I’m behind a little in my training at the moment.  Since I’m using a Galloway run/walk/run training program, I’m supposed to do a full 26.2 miles as my last training run.  Given how many weeks are left before the marathon, I think I will do one more really long run but cap it at 24 miles.  My goal is to just complete this marathon; I think I will be able to do that.

My motivation is low.  I really don’t want to do another marathon but I love seeing Chicago on foot.  Marathon weekend is exciting and this year, knowing it is my last, I’m going to try to enjoy every minute.  Plus, I’m focused on getting through this one, and knowing my long runs may never be more than 13 miles again.  Running will be fun again.

Summer Marathon Training for the Mature, Recreational Runner

Please follow me on Instagram @ICallItRunning   Thank you!

Or, in other words, for the old, slow runner.  I love seeing everyone getting excited about their fall marathons.  Around here, everyone is getting super excited about this year’s Chicago Marathon.  When you live in the Chicago area, the October marathon is a goal almost all distance runners target annually, or at least once.  But summers in Chicagoland can be brutal.   This week temperatures are well into the 90’s with high humidity.  Dew points have been absolutely tropical in the mid 70’s.   NOAA says that dew points above 65 degrees are oppressive; boy, are they right!

Right now the Dew Point is 77F. Yikes!!!

As marathon training season progresses, the heat and humidity really ramp up.  My younger friends just suck it up and get out there and run lots of fast miles and sweat a lot.  But as any older person knows, the heat gets to us more.  It just does.  So what is a more mature, recreational runner who has a goal to finish the marathon before the cutoff supposed to do when the heat is red hot and the air is full of water?   Here are a few tips to carry us through:

     1. Don’t Obsess – Missing one or two training runs will not cause you to fail at the marathon.  If it is too hot, don’t run or run indoors.  Try not to skip long runs but the other runs, don’t obsess.

2.  It is NOT a Dreadmill –Don’t be bullied by other runners to avoid the treadmill.  When temps and humidity are high, take it inside.  For us flatlanders, it is a great place to do some hill training.  Try this workout:

Progressive Hills – Starting at 0% incline, run 2 minutes and then walk 1 minute.  After you complete each cycle, raise the treadmill up .5% and repeat the 2/1 interval.  Slow down if you need to when the elevation gets high.  I usually stop at about 6 or 7% incline and then work down in the same manner.

3   3. Bring a Sweat Cloth – It is almost impossible to cool down if the sweat on your body cannot evaporate.  Help it along by carrying a cloth to wipe down your arms and face during the run.  It helps a lot.

4   4. Carry and Drink Water – don’t be a martyr, it’s hot, drink!  Plan your route so you will pass a bathroom or be prepared to pee in a bush but don’t not drink.  Your heart suffers when you run without water. 

5   5. Slow Down – Seriously, are you going to win the marathon?  Probably not.  So don’t get caught up in everyone’s PR talk.  Go out and enjoy your runs and stay health and injury free.  If you’re an elite runner, you won’t be reading this anyway.  Don’t Take Yourself so Seriously.

     6. Use Intervals – Walking doesn’t slow you down that much.  Get an interval timer, read up on the Galloway method and don’t let the run bullies convince you there is something wrong with intervals.  You WILL be faster overall with intervals (read Galloway) and you will feel better and be less likely to get injured.

7   7. Smile – Research shows you will be faster (if that’s important to you) and enjoy the experience more if you just smile.

2016 Marathon Training
Look at all those smiles!

This old runner is going to follow her own advice.  See you at the 2019 Chicago Marathon!

Hoping to smile through the marathon this year too.

Hops for Hope 5K

Check out my race review for the Hops for Hope 5K on BibRave

https://www.bibrave.com/races/hops-for-hope-5k-for-project-mobility-reviews/10059#.WyJgHqdKhPY

Marathon (Training) Motivation or Lack Thereof

Marathon training motivation or lack thereof has been a problem for me these past couple of weeks.  Do I really have to run all those miles? Why did I sign up for the marathon?  It's so hot?  I don't feel like it, etc.   The 2018 Chicago Marathon is now 18 weeks away (or thereabouts) and it is time to put up or shut up. 

I've been running fairly consistently for the past year so I should be ready to tackle marathon training from a physical standpoint.  It's the mental side of it that I have been struggling with but I'm not sure why.  Is this just a normal pre marathon lull?  Am I bothered that I don't have a clear set of marathon training buddies?  Do I just have too much else on my mind? 

I guess none of that matters, I just need to get out there. 

Do you struggle with training for big races?  What do you do to get over the mental hurdles? 

The 2016 Chicago Marathon. 
It looks fun????

Run with the Lions 5K for Longwood Elementary

The walk from the parking lot

What better group to run for than a local elementary school! This past Saturday, April 28th, was the 5th annual Run with the Lions 5K for Longwood Elementary school at the St. James Farm forest preserve. Every time I run one of these small events, I wonder why anyone spends the money on the huge races in Chicago. Run with the Lions is well organized from start to finish and it went off without a hitch. For $22.50 (including fees) this event cannot be beat.

Packet Pickup was held on two consecutive evenings, one at the school and the second at a local church. I went to the school and was greeted by what I assume were enthusiastic parents or teachers. I was in and out in less than five minutes and was pleasantly surprised by the shirt. Because Men in Black, a pest control company was the major race sponsor, the shirt was black with a bright design on the front. It is very wearable. In fact, for the first time ever (I think), I wore the race shirt at the race. It went well with my cat camo tights.

Cat Camo

Race day dawned cool and breezy with a bright blue sky, an absolutely perfect day for a 5K. This race is held at the St. James Farm which is part of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District and a gorgeous place to take a walk or go for a run. There are few places better to be on a beautiful day. As I pulled into park free on the grass field, it crossed my mind to wonder “why does anyone go into the city for a race when you can do this?” Ah well, to each their own.

The walk from the parking lot to the start of the race was probably all of 500 feet and I was amused to hear a little girl ask her father “how come we have to walk so far?” It truly is all a matter of perspective. Near the end of the walk, there were five or six port-o-lets with no lines. It is always nice to be able to “go” a couple times before the run starts. It is also nice that there was water and hand soap to wash up after using them.

Port-o-lets with no lines

This year there were 409 participants in the 5K and a bunch of them were kids from the school who were given the chance to run for free. Nothing makes a back of the pack runner happier than seeing the joy on the faces of the kids as they run alongside of the adults. At the start of the race, walkers were asked to hold back and wait for 5 minutes after the runners started. This worked out really well as the kids who would sprint and walk and those of us doing a more organized run/walk were not constantly trying to get around the walkers.

I also liked that the race started without the obligatory national anthem. While our anthem is quite nice, I’ve never understood why it is played at the start of these runs.

Bolingbrook Fun Run Club runners at the 5K

The course at St. James farm was a mix of dirt trail, grass, crushed gravel and a little pavement (I think.) At times we were running in the trees, and sometimes in open grassy areas. We passed a pond or two, a graveyard for the St. James farm horses and hounds and on the Prairie Path some actual horses in their paddock. Most 5Ks are held on streets and are not that scenic. This is one of the most scenic “non trail run” 5Ks that I am aware of.

Part of the beautiful cours

As we crossed the finish line, the announcer called out our first names and the school’s lion mascot gave each of us a high five while volunteers handed out the nice lion head medals. While we were waiting for the 5K to finish and the Kids 200 yd dash to be held, there was food and the silent auction to keep us busy. The food at the small events is so much nicer than the big city races. We were offered bananas, chips, Jimmy John’s sandwiches and soup. A couple of the sponsor tables also offered candy! The silent auction, which further helps the school, had a lot of nice things including Cubs and Sox tickets but I did not win anything (just as well!)

Finally, awards were announced and my friend, Lisa Frost, came in 3rd woman overall!!! Yowza! I was in the presence of running greatness. After the overall winners were announced, they announced 1st, 2nd and 3rd by each age from 5 to 12 (or thereabouts). While this took a bit of time, it was so much fun to see the excitement on the kids’ faces. What a great way to get kids interested in running. Lastly, age group winners were announced and my name was the last name called of the day as I came in 3rd in the women’s 60 and over age group. As a friend said “I had hit the end of the age groups.” Better to have hit it then to not reach it at all.

Lisa with her winnings!

The kids getting their medals.

Last name called!

What a wonderful race; inexpensive and for a great cause, organized, fun and at a beautiful place. I will be doing it again year after year.

Sly Fox Half Marathon & 10K

Spring is here and races, once again, start at 7:00 AM.   Ugh.   So Friday night, I set my alarm clock for 4:15 AM and hit the sack at 9:00 PM to be up in time for this great little race.  Same day packet pickup for the Sly Fox opened at 5:30 and would close at 6:30 AM.  After a couple cups of coffee and a granola bar, I set off for St. Charles at 5:30 AM.  The good thing about early races is there was absolutely no traffic and I pulled into the free parking garage with time to spare.

Unless you’re near St. Charles, there’s no need to drive to early packet pickup; there was only a short wait to pick up a very nice, women’s cut, black race shirt and race bib.  I loved not getting yet another useless bag stuffed with flyers and refrigerator magnets.   Just a shirt and a bib. 

One of the really nice things about this race is the number of port-o-potties.   There was a huge bank of them with no wait.  This makes for a stress free wait; go as often as you wish before the race.

The half marathon started right at 7:00 AM and the 10K start followed at 7:20 AM.  Both races are fairly small with 407 and 335 participants, respectively.  Having done both the half and the 10K in the past, I knew what I was in for, hills!  The race starts on the streets of St. Charles and immediately starts climbing.   While the early hills are not particularly steep, there is no chance to warm up before starting to use those quads.  A little after the first mile, the course turns onto a paved path and continues its slow ascent.   The paved path continues for about three quarters of a mile before the race turns back onto the streets and runs through a beautiful, tree filled, hill filled neighborhood.   At mile 2.75, a steep hill brings all but the strongest runners to a walk.  The hill crests about a quarter of a mile later and then it is time for the 10K to turn around and run back while the half marathon continues on for more hills.  Although there are a few uphill sections on the return route, overall it is a nice downhill run that almost makes you forget the big hills on the way out.

Along the route there were many enthusiastic volunteers and the water stop, passed twice, was manned by young women dressed as Girl Scout cookies.  Not sure what that was about, but they were cute. My only criticism of the race is that the water stops for the 10K are too far apart making it necessary for the mid and back of the packers to carry water.

The finish line is busy with people and the announcer worked hard to acknowledge each runner by name.  The finisher medal is creative and also serves as a bottle opener.   The opener was not needed at the post race party where Sam Adam’s 76 and some other alcoholic concoction were both served in cans.  The after party (and packet pickup) was held at Romano Mercato Italiano restaurant where pizza and Italian sausage and pepper sandwiches were served.  There was indoor and outdoor seating too!

The first place female and male 10K finishers were, Lisa Guscott-Trout  44:32 and Matt Kraft 40:29; and for the half marathon Tess Laurette-Ehrhardt 1:26:37 and Roger Pinon 1:16:38.  Congratulations to the winners!

Running Out of 2017 and Into 2018

Let me start off by saying that I totally blew the one “resolution” that I made for 2017.  I cannot do 100 push-ups, I still cannot do one good solid push up.  Perhaps, that will change this year, perhaps not.  Now on to running.

"Enjoying" the 2017 Polar Dash Half

No marathon, no ultra.  That defines 2017 for me.  I just ran for pleasure and threw in a few half marathons to make it interesting.  After 2015, the year in which I completed my first and only 50 mile run and 2016, the year of my “last” marathon and all the training that went into both, I just wanted to enjoy running and I did.   Did I miss being out with my running buddies on those 15, 17 and 20 mile training runs?  Not really.  Did I miss having to get up at 4 AM to complete long runs before it got hot during the summer?  Not at all. 

Finishing the 2017 Hot Chocolate with Ann, The Rockstar

So what did I do in 2017? I ran or walked twelve 5Ks, one 10K, one 8 miler, one 10 miler, one 100 mile relay (ran about 12 miles) and three half marathons.  I was going to write about each of them but I didn’t.  I ran 1,006 miles in 2017 and stayed healthy the whole year.  Did my pace improve?  No.  Did I lose any weight? Hell no!   Yet, I think 2017 was maybe my most enjoyable running year yet.  I ran when I felt like it, I didn’t get too hung up on pace, and I ran with great people.  As in other years, the highlight of the year was doing the Hot Chocolate 5K with the Cancer to 5K team.  Seeing new people get turned onto running just makes me happy.

2017 is a wrap.

Volunteering at the 2017 Chicago Marathon Expo

2018 is going to be another great year.  I’ve been selected to be a 2018 Chicago Athlete Ambassador which means that I will run some races for them and in exchange write race recaps.   I’m hoping to meet some new people in this role and maybe running a couple races that I’ve never run.   I feel very honored to be selected.  I’m also going to run the Chicago Marathon for the 3^rd time.  I know, I know, I said “never again”.   All marathon finishers know that that’s never true.  My niece, Rebecca, is going to come in from Israel and run/walk it with me.  This time, I swear, I will do whatever I did in training and finish strong.  

Fun with Friends

2018 is also going to be a year of cross training.  I’m starting to get interested in swimming again and plan to work myself up to be able to join the Naperville Waves sometime in the next 12 months.  Plus, I’ve started a Yoga for the Inflexible course and am proving that the course name is appropriate.

It’s only January 11^th, and I’ve registered for three half marathons (F^3 in Chicago, Naperville Women’s Half and the Bjorklund Half in Duluth, MN), and four 5Ks  (Geneva Super Shuffle, Universal Sole Valentine’s Trail Challenge, Shake it Off 5K in Bolingbrook and the Five-O 5K in Libertyville.)  I’m sure there will be a lot more and a lot more fun miles with friends.

I Call it Running, and perhaps it is!!