Liz's RR for my First 1/2 Marathon (caution, I got wordy)

Chicago Distance Classic Half Marathon
Sun Aug 10, 2008

Have read quite a bit about how people don’t sleep well the night before a race. I got to sleep only to wake up about, oh 5 times. Thank goodness for adrenaline, huh?

Got up with alarm at 4am, dressed, ate and went over my check list twice. Had staged everything the night before but I’m a list person and not happy until it’s all checked off (in this case twice). Left the house at 4.45am and was parked at just about 5.30am – right on schedule.

Strolling down Michigan Ave at 5.30am is definitely different. All the stores closed, barely any traffic but a lot of folks heading to the park. Some like us, participants. Others with coffee and signs in hand ready to cheer others on. We got to Grant Park, headed to gear check then wandered a bit to find the other WISHers we knew would be there.

We could not have asked for more perfect weather (ok, maybe a little less head wind on return leg but that’s just being picky). At 6.30am it was 64 degrees and blessedly dry. Enough clouds in the sky to give it interest as the sun rose but none that would threaten rain. Light wind that picked up a bit later but so very pleasant.

We met Sandy and her future daughter-in-law (Laura? Sorry forget names) at gear check (didn’t know they’d be there) then wandered up toward the start line to find the others. Found Pat & Jim and Susie & Steve, met Sallie the 16mpm pace leader and all chatted while waiting for the start. (The group photo is on Pat’s camera I think.) Soon Patrick went to find his pace group and Steve moved up as well.

At 6.30 we heard the gun go off, a big cheer and it was started! In an email before the event they said it would be a wave start due to the size of the field (8748 finishers). It was 23 minutes later by the time we crossed the start line.

The course headed south from Grant Park down Lake Shore to the Museum of Science and Industry where it picked up the bike path (actually before the museum) then under LSD and onto the walk/bike path that runs along the lake shore and stays on it the remainder of the route. There is a small portion before the turn around where both south and north bound runners are on the same section of path. This route is apparently a big change from previous years of going thru the city streets. Never having done that route though I can say I liked this one very much.

Sallie said it might take her a mile or so to get in the groove of a 16mpm pace. We hit mile one at 16:11. Nearly right on. Then we headed under McCormick place and out onto Lake Shore Drive. At this point Susie and Sandy were a bit ahead (had started further up) and I just started to slide into a comfortable pace along Pat and Jim. At about mile 2.5 we saw the lead cars and the first returning runner on the other side. I know I’ll never be that fast but it’s always a bit of “WHAT?” when you see them nearly done when you’re just starting. (Jen/Ms Duckie- just for you I did say “they suck”).

Just a little after that Pat noticed we were at about a 15mpm and said she needed to slow a bit. Since that was feeling really comfortable to me we said we’d meet up later and I moved on. Could see Susie and Sandy up the road and decided to gauge if I could catch them. Realized by using markers (posts, bridges) that I was catching up. Cool. Talked with Sandy for a few minutes then needed to bring pace back up. I had found a comfortable stride/pace and didn’t want to lose it – felt like it was all flowing nicely. No shin pain, no cramping calves and just a very smooth movement.

Saw everyone again where the paths come together briefly. Susie told me I have pretty good form (thank you!) and shouted out to Pat and Jim. The lake was quite something there before you head back toward downtown.

Continued along the lake talking to folks as one of us passed the other. Had several comments on the WISH shirt and the running skirt was a hot topic this race (figure had to do with recent RW article). If you’re wondering – they are great! Highly recommended! Guys, just stick with shorts please.

At one point was thinking maybe after this I need to start training with W/R intervals to pick up speed. Maybe I’ll never get any faster than this just walking. However at about mile 8 realized there were groups doing intervals that would pass me when they ran and I passed them when they walked. Two groups fell behind somewhere and never caught back up. Hmm, maybe I’ll just stick to walking and figure out how to pick up the pace.

Oh and the volunteers – Fantastic! Water/Gatorade stations every 2-2.5 miles. Lots of cheering and encouragement. Your name is on the bib and it's so cool to hear your name being hollered out by some maniac wearing a cape standing on a table at a water stop. No, not hallucinating – just a very energetic volunteer. One group even had a second group just beyond the water with a sign “free high fives”. Nothing like 10-15 people all trying to high five you as you go by.

Kept walking along happily at what felt like a steady pace – just me, my thoughts and the lake. Around mile 10 realized I was passing quite a few people. Checked my Garmin and saw was holding right at mid 14’s. Ok, apparently they are all just slowing down. Funny, when a woman passed me shortly after that I thought – Oh no! I’ve got to pick up the pace! Then stopped, reminded myself this was my race and she was doing her race. My goal was to finish and that was going to happen so just relax.

As I came around the corner toward Soldier Field to head back into Grant Park and saw the mile 13 marker a very strong image came into my head. All of my on-line friends from WISH and DisneyRunning telling me “See you CAN do it – really are almost there!” Seeing and hearing those I saw at the Minnie as I came into the finish along with those I spent the 9 miles with that day and seeing the faces of friends I haven’t met in person yet but know from their pictures. Yes, I did it on my own two legs but without the support from all of you, I don’t know that I would’ve had the courage to even try.

With all that as I rounded the corner toward the finish line it was all smiles. I picked up the pace just a bit, held my head high, spotted Patrick on the other side and just smiled. Coach Jenny was right at the finish line with one of those big Mickey hands to high five as you came across and John the Penguin was at the finish as well for everyone as they came in. I hugged Patrick then headed for water and food. Steve and Laura were already there as well and together we waited for the others to finish then got our gear and headed for home.

I felt good, really good coming across the finish and in retrospect probably could’ve pushed a bit faster. Finished in 3:20 chip time. Garmin shows me holding right at mid-14’s for almost the entire race. However being my first half I was really concerned with pushing too fast too soon and blowing myself out. Overall I’m happy, an obvious PR and now I have a time goal to work toward for Jan. Most importantly, I feel good and am proud of myself.

Came home, took shower and nap. We had a tasty dinner of steak and baked taters with a glass of a nice cabernet. First toast was to the two of us for completing our first half. The second was to all of us who have gotten off the couch.

Thanks so much for taking the time to read this rather lengthy piece.

Almost race day...

So today we went to the expo, picked up packets, met up with fellow WISHers for lunch, then took a short walk thru Millenium park to get pics of the "bean". The expo was really small which I suppose is good - kept me from spending money.

Lunch was a bit of a mess. We had intended to go to Lou Malnati's for great pizza. One, it was further than we thought and two, they had an hour wait. Seeing as we were all starving that was not going to happen. So another 2 blocks over and 2 down and we found Portillos. Best Chicago hot dog period. They also have a kicking chopped salad that is served with fresh bread which is what I had. Tasty.

We had ridden the motorcycle down and on the way back had to pull over to don rain gear. The 30% chance of scattered showers managed to find us. Thankfully it didn't rain the entire way back but did pour about 15 min after we got in.

So after a nice chicken sandwich dinner and some surfing going to head upstairs to watch the Olympics for a bit, relax and then bed. Have to get up at 4am to eat, check my gear 4x (and I have a check list) and get downtown, find parking then meander over to the start. Will meet up with our new friends at the start, Pat and I will wish each other the best and then head to our respective pace groups.

Excited, nervous, thrilled, anxious....Yep that about covers it this eve.
Wish me luck.

More Taper Madness from Patrick

Yup, in second week of taper.
Didn't really want to take it too seriously, after all, I have gotten to really lIKE going out and sweating on the trails. Love riding my new bicycle, too.
Then I read about "wanting" to run on race day. "Needing" to run..
And I think I understand, now.
When we went out for our five-miler last Sunday, I tried to pace myself like it was a longer race.
I tried to warm up properly, and still turn in decent splits.
I didn't make the decent splits part, knee and hip pain in miles 3 & 4, but I found something in myself for mile 5. Jogged the whole mile, turned in a 10:30 for that "kick".
I know that isn't any kind of record, but it felt good.
Didn't hurt that the trail we used is mainly shaded, and full of birds, turtles and other critters. Liz even saw a deer on her walk that day ! I just saw a turtle, head down under water, foraging for whatever it is that little swimming turtles eat. Sometimes when the location is right, and even when you are feeling good, you have to slow down and see what is around you! It can be downright wonderful. Liz always reminds me that walkers see more, and enjoy it more. This past weekend, I saw her point.
Oh, back to Taper Madness... Had my own bout of it yesterday afternoon at the gym. Got on the Dreadmill for my 30 mins of walk/jog and was doing OK at a 4/1 ratio. Could have squeezed in a full 5k, if I had souped up my warm-up. But since I had been feeling awful Monday and Tuesday, warmup was essential. I finished with 2.64 miles in 30 mins, then ran over to the exercycles, to get in tuesday's cross training. 30 mins on the bike with my music and a favorite Tom Clancy novel. Looked down at the display at one point and saw I was only a tiny bit away from 5 miles in 15 mins ! Kept up the pace and made it, then checked my RPM's. Yikes ! Averaging 120-130! Well, that explained it! I kept up the torture and managed to squeeze 10 miles of random resistance into the 30 mins. Felt GOOD ! Well, OK, tired, sweaty, slightly sore... Why does that still sound like "good" to me now? meh.
Hit the pool for a fast cool off, the hot tub for the relaxing of stressed muscles, then more stretches in the cooler pool. Wonderful.
After that, we hopped on our motorbikes and headed home for a well earned supper.
And I want to do it again today !
Well, only 3 days until Race day, and we'll be sure to post race reports here and on the Disney Running sites

Taper week

Liz here (figure better start saying which one of us is posting).

Was a decent weekend - got some house things done and a 5 miler in at a decent pace. The last of any distance before the half on Sunday. Cannot believe it got here that fast! Now have to figure out how to get thru this week.

MfM training plan has 30 min run today, 30 cross Tues, rest Wed, 30 min run Thur, rest Fri then 20 min walk Sat. After all these weeks of building and increasing how in the world do you do just 30 min?! WISH friends have informed me that weight/core work does count toward time (dang it) and to stay away from jewelry stores (oooo, shiny.....). So have decided this might be a good time to finally start the running scrapbook I've been meaning to since May. And there are some pics that need to be put away. Anything to keep me occupied.

Went to a tri shop on Sat, picked up a new swimsuit (50%off gotta love it), new pink running skirt (also on sale) and a pair of goggles so I can start working on laps. Place was recommended by a fellow WISHer and I can see why. Nice folks, no pressure, helpful and took the time to get me fitted for the right goggles even though he was getting ready to close. Talked to him briefly about needing to work on the swimming in order to do my first tri next summer. Said not to worry, since I do swim it'll be fine if I work on it over the winter.

Oh hey...is this part of the dreaded spending sprees that are part of taper? I am in SO much trouble come the expo on Saturday! Guess I'll leave the credit cards at home.

And what the heck is with my weight loss all of a sudden? I decided to hold off jump starting the weight loss until after the half - been losing/gaining the same 3lbs. So Sunday I get on the scale and I've lost 3lbs beyond the yo-yo ones. What?! Today weigh the same so it's not a scale fluke. Just hope it holds and I can get it moving again after my event.

Well, appears I've just rambled today but hey, got an update out here right!
Took a couple pics of the new fave place for long distance walks/runs and hope to get them posted. That involves figuring out how to post them. :-)

Oh, the half is the Chicago Distance Classic which is part of the John Bingham event series. Perfect first half for me as a walker as it is VERY walker friendly and will get Penguin bling. Have decided to start with a pace group that is slightly slower than I normally walk to avoid blowing myself up early on. Can always use that energy later to push ahead.

Xtreme 10 Race Report

The race is a unpaved trail race through a forest preserve. It is a 9.6 mile loop, with added distance to round it out to 10 miles. The forest preserve is beautiful, and the trail is challenging. There is a hill called “Big Bertha” about 2.5 miles into this course, that gains 125 feet in just over a half mile.

Since we live only about 20 minutes from the Preserve, we have ridden our bikes and hiked there in the past. We hadn't been there in a few years when I registered for this event, so we scheduled a few runs/walks over the preceding weeks to get re-acclimated. It is a very good thing that we did.

My first full circuit out there was opposite to the direction the race goes, and I went DOWN “Big Bertha”, not up. I turned in a respectable (for me) 1:58. The next weekend, I did it in the other direction, and encountered Bertha in all her glory, turned in a better time, too with 1:48 for 9.5 miles.

Race day came last Saturday, and I was a little nervous about the run. I was very glad I had pre-run the course, but wasn't sure I'd be anything better than last place. I know that really doesn't matter, but...

The race is touted as having the best goody-bags and the best food of any chicago-area event. It seemed to be pretty good when I checked in. There were large commercial grills being set up, a gatorade tent, a place to get lipton tea and monster drinks. Hamburgers and sausages were starting to be grilled and it looked like a party, including a giant Budweiser tent with the promise of Free Beer !.

Like almost any event, it started a little late, and with a rather odd start lineup.

Bib colors were assigned according to how fast you said you were when you registered. I was, of course, in the last group, the Sub, sub, sub-elite. Each group had a “Cross-Country” style start, lined up at the woodline and running across a meadow to a bottleneck to get on the actual trail. Each group started out about 4 minutes behind the previous, faster group. We were repeatedly admonished to start ONLY with our own group, with NO mixing of colors. I suppose you would have to be pretty damn good to make up the 4 minute lead and mingle with the last of the previous group, but they still hammered that point home, over the PA, again, and again, and again.

So, the gun fired and my group started out, across the meadow, and into the bottleneck. I found a few like-paced people to start with and kept to a comfortable pace. First 2 miles went well, very humid, but not unbearable given the trees shading the trail. We hit Bertha at 2.5 and I powered partway up, then speed-walked up the remainder. Lately I have been walking at a 12:30-13:00 pace when I concentrate on form, so I was able to roll up the grade and not lose much time. As it leveled off, I recovered and picked up to a jog again, then cycled through my walk/run intervals. Given the humidity at the start 85% at 7AM, I brought my amphipod belt and 1 bottle, and 2 gu's. I took water at the first water stop, took it again at the stop after Bertha, and then at the third stop, No Cups. They were already out of cups. Sam's club is the title sponsor, and they run out of cups. Sheesh! Very glad I had my 'pod, I bypassed the cup-less water stop, kept plugging along, doing my usual “I pass you, you pass me” game with some other folks.Got to next water stop, no cups. I opened up my 'Pod bottle, had it filled from a jug, and scooted on. The rest of the trail isn't bad, very slight grades and nicely shaded path. There was some traffic to contend with, as they did not close the course for the event. Yes, there were bikes, and baby strollers, and groups of meandering people to dodge as we competed. Such Fun!! I did pretty well all told, considering the heat and the fact that it is the longest distance I have ever competed at. Finished up at 1:55:28. Under the 2 hours I alotted myself, and well under the limit enforced for the event. And I found out that more than 60 people were still behind me, out of a field of over 600.

When I crossed the finish, I was pleased with my time, and wandered over to partake of some gatorade and maybe a sausage or burger or 3.. I was able to get the sausage, no prob, but Gatorade, NOPE, “Sorry, we're out”. Beer ? “Nope, sorry, we're out”. No electrolytes available at all. There were skids of water, and we were each handed a bottle as we crossed the finish, and there were skids of bottles of lipton teas.. But not what I was looking for. The gatorade was NEEDED, the beer woulda been nice after a sausage, and before a burger..But,alas, nothing but water or diet tea.Oddly, there was a tent representing the Atkins diet food people.. Hmm, no carbs? Just what runners want and need.. Never did see any kind of crowd around that tent.

Needless to say, I wasn't impressed with the event.. Not enough cups for water stops, running out of other drinks.. I was impressed with the volunteers, though. They were fantastic, enthusiastic and encouraging.

In summation, I think I will continue to use this trail as a training run, given it's challenges that give an advantage on flat courses, but I will not do this particular event again.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to 8 Miles....

All of last week’s walks felt like a fight for some reason. Wrong gait, wrong technique, wrong this that or the next thing. On Sat I went out for my long walk and had an awakening of sorts….or maybe common sense finally stepped in.

Patrick had a 10 mile trail event, so it was truly a solo 8 miler for me. No worries that he’d be waiting for me to finish to head home so decided to head down to a really nice (flat) trail and try to have a better walk.

It’s the I&M Canal trail – a crushed limestone surface that was the old tow path for the canal traffic before the larger shipway was created. The path actually sits between the two water ways so you have the small canal on one side and the wide one on the other. Nicely shaded almost the entire way as well.

Unlike other trails we’ve used, this one was oddly but pleasantly quiet. No runners so into their zone they don’t see anyone else or cyclists blurring by without any warning (I cycle and HATE that –always announce yourself please). On my outbound 4 miles I encountered about 6 people in total. Everyone said “good morning” and the 2 cyclists that came from behind me announced themselves (thank you).

Parked at the trailhead, grabbed my amphipod and iPod and prepared to set out. It was 7.30a and although temp was a pleasant 68, it was 85% humidity. Yep, going to be soggy mess in about oh, 15 min.

So I set off and did what I promised myself, take the entire first mile nice and easy. When the Garmin chimed the mile, I switched gears and very shortly found myself right where I had all week. Calves/shins start to hurt, unable to get the right feel. Tried switching to songs that usually help with tempo but no good. Getting angry and doubting myself and thinking this is going to be one long nasty walk if this keeps up.

Then I hear plopping type noises coming from the small canal. Took out ear buds and looked toward the sound to see fish jumping up to feed on surface bugs. With the iPod off I also hear more than just the birds closest to me. There are full beautiful songs going on out there and looking around (instead of trying to concentrate on a spot along the trail) I see all kinds of birds going from tree to tree. And butterflies – lots of them – on the wildflowers that line the path. Then there’s the wildflowers themselves and sun in broken patterns across trees, leaves and flowers. Then I noticed two fishermen quietly casting lines from their boat on the larger body of water which the sunlight had given a shimmering silver appearance.

Soon I’m coming up on one of the trail signs. They’re not every mile but when there show distance to next park/access area as well as little bits of history on the canal system. It showed 0.1 mile to next spot and last one I saw showed 2.1 miles. Funny, didn’t feel like I’d gone 2 miles. Looked at Garmin and realized had less than a half mile to go until time to turn around. I made sure the iPod was off and coiled the ear buds around it for the journey back. Not using it anymore today.

Just before the turnaround heard the familiar “on your left” so waved my hand to let them know I heard. It was a couple on a tandem recumbent (looked cool). They were in the same parking lot getting the bike out of their car and put together when I headed onto the trail. As they came up alongside me the lady said “Wow, you walk fast! Have a great day.” I hollered “Thanks and you too!” then thought - me, walk fast? Not really, so many people faster than me but….thanks. You can see the smile that crept onto my face, right? :-)

On my way back I saw really big flowering water lilies in the small canal (at which point made note to bring camera next time), heard woodpeckers ‘talking’ to each other from one side of the water to the other, boats heading out of the marina, a tug pushing 3 barge containers. I slowed as I came upon a bridge over a mini waterfall to enjoy the sound and sight just a little longer then picked up the pace again.

There were more people on the path the closer to the parking area I got and I realized something. With the exception of myself and 2 others I saw, no one here appeared to be training for anything. They were out enjoying the weather, the day, each other and just getting out. Walking, casually biking and saying Hello to everyone else who had come out.

I also realized the walk had gone far better after I shut off the music and stopped analyzing every single step I took. Nasty habit of mine and it had gotten the better of me all week. With the music running I focused on staying with the beat, checking arms, legs, core, swing, push, etc until I can’t figure out what’s right or what’s wrong. On that trail when I listened to nature and just let the body move itself along, it was comfortable and it felt good. Do still check my shoulders as they pull up when I move faster.

Plus negative splits! Every mile was faster than the previous one …well until the last one (it was mostly in the sun, I was hot, dripping wet and hungry. GU’s only work for so long.)

So seems I need more “nature” walks. I’ve always enjoyed hiking for the sites, sounds, smells (ok sometimes not the smells) and the people you encounter on those trails. For some reason I thought in order to be a better, faster walker I had to give that up when on training walks. Not so. Appears that’s when I need it even more.

Not saying I’ll never walk without my iPod – let’s face it, some places are not scenic – but I will definitely start enjoying the music regardless where it’s coming from.

Ok, let's try this again

And I promise to actually keep it up to date. Really. :-)