As I mentioned in my previous post, my training for the Wisconsin Marathon did not go as planned. I missed several long runs and was inconsistent overall, but I committed to running the race with a friend and once I gave up on running for time I figured I would be fine. Here are some random thoughts about the innaugural race in Kenosha.
I loved that the packet pick up was in Chicago so I didnt need to drive up to Kenosha early and stay there.
Nice Saucony tech race shirt
The 7 a.m. race start was a brutally early since we had to drive from Chicago
Nice cool spring weather. Perfect for a marathon
Heed energy drink is nasty.
The course was more confusing than it needed to be, but a nice run along Lake Michigan and through Kenosha. I dont think I'd do a double out and back marathon course again.
Not a good race if you need crowd support. Lots of long stretches without seeing anyone, but very friendly people when you do see them.
Great finishers medal
My mile splits:
Mile 1: 9:26
Mile 2: 9:13
Mile 3: 9:28
Mile 4: 9:46
Mile 5: 9:42
Mile 6: 9:37
Mile 7: 9:51
Mile 8: 9:35
Mile 9: 9:49
Mile 10: 9:51
Mile 11: 9:42
Mile 12: 9:43
Mile 13: 11:51
Mile 14: 9:40
Mile 15: 9:59
Mile 16: 10:11
Mile 17: 13:47
Mile 18: 10:04
Mile 19: 13:14
Mile 20: 10:09
Mile 21: 15:35
Mile 22: 10:10
Mile 23: 13:43
Mile 24: 10:24
Mile 25: 12:00
Mile 26: 9:34
Mile .2: 1:55
I finished in around 4:35, which I was very happy with considering my training. I don't think I would do the full marathon again, but the half-marathon would be a great spring race.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Race Report: CARA Lakefront 10 miler
I havent written in forever, but thought I would catch up on my spring races with some quick reports. I started my racing season on April 26 with the Lakefront 10 miler, now run by CARA. My spring training was less than ideal because of the crappy extended winter weather, so I wasn't really shooting for a PR, but I still wanted to see what I could do. The race fell on my taper for the Wisconsin Marathon as well so I didnt want to overdo it. The weather was nice for a distance run, overcast and cool.
My mile splits:
Mile 1: 9:56
Mile 2: 9:48
Mile 3: 9:24
Mile 4: 9:28
Mile 5: 9:17
Mile 6: 9:34
Mile 7: 9:30
Mile 8: 9:42
Mile 9: 9:29
Mile 10: 8:27
Average Lap: 9:28
I finished in about 1:35 and was mostly happy with my run. My pacing was solid from miles 3 - 9 and I had enough gas left for a fast final mile. If anything it was a nice confidence builder for the marathon. CARA did a good job with the race. They cut the finisher's medal at the end and the shirt wasn't a true tech shirt, but those are about my only complaints and they are minor. This race will definitely stay on my spring calendar.
My mile splits:
Mile 1: 9:56
Mile 2: 9:48
Mile 3: 9:24
Mile 4: 9:28
Mile 5: 9:17
Mile 6: 9:34
Mile 7: 9:30
Mile 8: 9:42
Mile 9: 9:29
Mile 10: 8:27
Average Lap: 9:28
I finished in about 1:35 and was mostly happy with my run. My pacing was solid from miles 3 - 9 and I had enough gas left for a fast final mile. If anything it was a nice confidence builder for the marathon. CARA did a good job with the race. They cut the finisher's medal at the end and the shirt wasn't a true tech shirt, but those are about my only complaints and they are minor. This race will definitely stay on my spring calendar.
Friday, February 27, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
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?
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?
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)