Back At It

After an abysmal month of running in January, and a poor start to February, the last couple weeks I have finally been able to get back to running a few times a week regularly. While the weather has been awful this winter, and I wish I could blame that entirely, the truth is I haven't felt really motivated to run in the mornings like I used to do. January was my worst month of running since I started nearly two years ago now. I couldn't even get in 40 measley miles for the entire month. If I get out for a 10 miler tomorrow like I am planning, that should get me over 60 miles for February, which is comparable to last year at least.

At this point I am still planning on doing the Wisconsin Marathon in Kenosha at the beginning of May, assuming I get my butt in shape the next month and start raising my mileage. I am going to be realistic however and not even consider doing a sub 4 hour marathon and just shoot for finishing and then doing a faster race in the fall.

I'm signed up for the spring 10 milers, the Lakefront 10 miler and the Soldier Field 10 miler, in April and May respectively. The Lakefront 10 fits into my taper nicely and the Soldier Field 10 miler will be a nice recovery run in late May to keep me in shape for the Madison-Chicago 200 mile relay in mid-June. I may also try one of the new half-marathons in May and June if it works with my schedule as well as the finances as each one is about $50.

I have quite a bit to look forward to the next few months with races. Lets hope for an early spring and good weather to keep my training going well.

UnderArmour World Premiere Party

Chicago runners are crazy. Seriously, how sane are you when you go running at midnight, in January, in single-digit temperatures? Why you may ask would you do this? Well, because Fleet Feet was hosting the world premiere launch party of UnderArmour's new line of running shoes at their Piper's Alley store.

I wasn't sure how many people would be crazy like me. I was pleasantly suprised to see 250 people there last night to go for a 3-5 mile run, to try on a new pair of UnderArmour shoes, and get some free stuff including pizza and beer. It's been such a tough winter here so I'm sure many people, like myself, appreciate incentives to get out running in this weather.

I met up with a few friends at the store beforehand. I didn't actually get to test a new pair of UA shoes for the run, because there was a limit to those shoes going out and they went quickly. The run was actually pretty nice. A little breezy going north, and the route was very slippery, but Erik and I went 4 miles. It was my first time out in about a week because of the temps, and it felt suprisingly good as we kept up a nice pace.

After we returned to the store, I got some pizza and beer and tried on the UnderArmour Revenant and took them for a quick jog on the treadmill. Here's my brief review from the 5 minutes I wore them:

A really nice comfortable snug fit, also very light and flexible. There is a lot of mesh, which makes it seem extra light and breezy. Would probably be great in the summer, but this would concern me in the Chicago winter. It seems like your feet would get cold pretty easily especially in single digit temps and if you have to jump through slush and puddles (which is about 4 months of the running year in Chicago) you would suffer with some very wet feet and socks. Also, there are a couple plastic-like pieces on top of the shoe around midfoot that seem to rub against your feet while running. They seemed like they could lead to blisters. A really comfortable wear though. I think I would prefer it as a street shoe in summer and I'll stick with my Nike Structure Triax for running.

The free UA "Athletes Run" t-shirt I received for trying on the shoes is really nice, and I will wear mine proudly. Thanks to Fleet Feet Chicago and UnderArmour for putting on the event. I love living in Chicago. Where else could I do a crazy thing like going running at midnight in January with a group of 250 other people?

Long Time, No See

We're in the midst of one of the coldest winters in recent Chicago history, and it's only mid-January. The weather has not been good for running. With all the travelling for the holidays, cold weather and not having a race on the calendar for many months, I haven't been motivated to go out more than once or twice a week. I started to get things back on track early this week, but I caught a cold and we're going to be in sub-zero temps for the next 3 days. Time to hit the gym for a few days and stay indoors.

It's hard to believe it's been a year since I ran my first marathon in Arizona. I wish we could head out there this weekend and escape the cold.

I spent some time tonight looking at upcoming races this year and that will definitely help me get motivated. Sadly, there arent really any races until April, so I need to find a way to get through the next 3 months. There are several new races in Chicago this summer and fall, including a couple new half-marathons, so that's something to get excited about. Anything to get motivated to get through the next couple months is a good thing now.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

All the leaves have pretty much fallen off the trees and the holidays are nearly here, which can only mean one thing in Chicago, winter running season. I broke out my winter running gear for the first time last weekend. It was a sad day. Fall is my favorite season to run, so it's depressing for me to think about needing to bundle up before going out. Running consistently and staying in shape just gets that much harder.

Last winter while I was training for the Arizona Marathon, I was able to run outside pretty much until the race in January as there wasn't a whole lot of snow until the new year. February ended up being the only month where I needed to confine myself to a gym treadmill in order to keep running.

This year my tentative plan is to stay in half-marathon shape throughout winter. Doing a couple easier runs during the week between 4-6 miles and a long run every weekend in the 10-14 mile range. Since I am not planning on doing another full-marathon until at least April or May, I am not going to kill myself doing any runs longer than that or getting out more than 2-3 times a week. I'll continue to run outside as much as possible, but when the snow and ice sticks around it'll be time to hit the gym for the shorter runs. For me, long runs need to be done outside, there is no way I will do any more than 4-5 miles on a treadmill. I'd go crazy.

It is Chicago, we had some 70 degree days last week, but that's highly unlikely again. Who knows, maybe we'll get some more 50 degree days and the shorts can stay out for a while longer,
but it's time to buckle down for another long midwestern winter.

Race Report: Hot Chocolate 5k

I unofficially closed out my 2008 racing season this weekend with the inaugural Hot Chocolate 5k. I say unofficially because while I am not registered to run another race this year, I could be convinced to run another one this year if the opportunity presented itself.

The race began at 8 a.m. at Montrose Harbor on the lakeshore-a familiar location for races in Chicago. It was the end of daylight savings time so we all got an extra hour of sleep thankfully. This was my first race in Chicago managed by Running Away Multisport, an endurance sports store on North Ave. They have the best race packet goody bag that I've ever seen. My goody bag included a sweet fleece jacket, and a nice wicking RAM running cap. It's great to run a race and get something other than a t-shirt. After running a dozen races this year, I really don't need anymore t-shirts-technical fabric or otherwise.

The weather on race morning couldn't have been more ideal, low 50s and overcast. Perfect for shorts and long-sleeves. My goal for the race was to PR and break 23 minutes for the first time. There was also a 15k race on the same morning, but I wanted to PR on the 5k distance for my last race of the year. The 15k started 10 minutes before the 5k so we waited for a couple thousand runners to get through the chute before us. Most of the runners were going the longer distance.

At about 8:10 a.m. we were off and running. When I line up at a race I always try to line up towards the front, but not the very front. Usually I start too far back though and have to weave in and out of other runners for most of the first mile. This race was no exception, but luckily it opened up within the first quarter mile and I was towards the front of the pack quickly without losing much or any time due to other runners. I hit the first mile in about 7 minutes even. I was feeling good but starting to feel the burn. I kept passing people. I hit mile two in about 7 minutes as well. One mile to go and now I was hurting. My breathing was more labored than its been for a long time. The course winded all the way around the Montrose Harbor point. I was passed by a couple people on the last mile as my pace slowed slightly. I knew I wouldnt have much for the kick. I saw the 9 mile marker for the 15k and that meant only .3 miles to go. The finish line was in sight and somehow I found a kick for the last .2 miles. The time as I crossed the finish line was just over 22 minutes. A new PR by a minute and after I found out my chip time my new PR is 21:50. I not only ran my first sub 23 minute race, but my first sub-22 minute. I took nearly a whole minute and a half off my PR. I finished in the top 50 overall and 8th in my age group. At this point I dont know much faster I could go since I was pretty spent afterwards, but a sub 20 is probably possible someday with more training.

To top it all off, the race had an amazing post-race chocolate and candy tent with hot chocolate (hence the race name), s'mores, and lots of candy bars. I wasn't able to stick around and enjoy too much sugar, but I grabbed a hot chocolate and stuffed my pockets with candy before leaving. The course was definitely a new route for me, but the race was really well managed, and had a great goody bag and post-race party. I would definitely do it again. A perfect end to the racing season in Chicago.

Next up? Not sure yet. I am looking at a spring marathon, possibly the new Wisconsin Marathon in Kenosha in early May. As the weather cools off I am just looking forward to some easy running a few days a week to stay in shape.