10 Years After 9/11

       While the Chicago Half Marathon was a fun race, this entry is not about the race.  Today, I want to say how great it was seeing everyone dressed in red, white, and blue showing their patriotism in remembrance of the 10 year anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11.  It doesn't feel like 10 years have passed.  The events and emotions of that morning seem so fresh in my mind. There are moments in history that every generation carries with them all through life.  For many of us, it is the horrific images of the planes crashing into the World Trade Center towers that are burned into our hearts and memories.  Today, we remember the victims and heroes of September 11, 2001.  We will never forget. 

Chicago Half Marathon

     Tomorrow morning I'm running in the Chicago Half Marathon.  It is my first half marathon in over a year, so I'm excited to get back into it.  Training is a bit behind schedule due to issues with my foot, but since I'm training for a full marathon, finishing the half shouldn't be a problem.  I haven't' decided how I'm going to run it.  Should I run for a PR, or should I pace it so it fits into my training schedule?  By the way, I'm suppose to run 18 miles this weekend, so add a 5-miler after the race.  I'm tempted to put it all out there to see how I do.  This week I've added speed and intervals into my training.  Picking up the pace really gets the adrenaline pumping, and I know I'll get a serious high if I can PR the halfer.  It's a decision that will probably be made at the starting line.  I still have to make sure I can fall asleep early tonight so I can wake up at 4 A.M. to get ready, eat breakfast, and catch the train.  After getting my race packet at the expo at Navy Pier, I bought some GU Chomps from one of the vendors.  I'm trying a new flavor tomorrow, Peach Tea with twice the caffeine as regular GU.  I'll let y'all know how it is.  I usually start munching after mile 7, sometimes because I just need something else to do.  Also at the expo, I somehow got convinced to register for the ING Miami Marathon on January 29, 2012.  Thank you, Dave Scott, for signing me up!  So I'll be running in Miami just 2 weeks after running the Chevron Houston Marathon.  January is going to be one crazy month!

     Good luck to all runners tomorrow!  It's the 9/11 anniversary, so it'll be a spectacular sea of red, white, and blue clad runners flooding Lake Shore Drive.  I'll see you all on the other side.

   

On Weary Legs: 16-Miler

     Fall asleep.  Please, fall asleep!  As if my pleas would somehow help.  It's something something A.M. and I'm trying to rest before I run 16 miles Saturday morning.  5:00 A.M., I think I dozed off for half an hour.  It's not enough, and I have guests to pick up at the airport later this morning which doesn't give me time to run anymore.  No run today.  I try to sleep.  5:30 and I'm still wide awake.  That's it!  I have to get my miles in today or it'll never happen.  It's probably not the best idea to head out without any sleep and hungry, but I'm not sleeping anyways.

    

     It takes only 15 minutes for things to go wrong.  My stomach starts getting that not so comfortable feeling that can only be aided by a visit to a well ventilated restroom.  10 minutes later I make it to the first bathroom along the Lakefront Trail.  Locked.  Doesn't the park service know of runners' needs at 6 A.M.?!  I press forward hoping the feeling will subside.  No such luck, but I make it to the next facilities and find relief.  

     I'm back on the run and assuming a respectable rhythm.  The plan is to run 8 out then 8 back.  At 5 miles out, my hunger begins to affect me.  My stomach deprived of food has taken to digesting itself.  A few snacks I've brought along only help to stave off the starving pain until a little after the 8 mile turnaround when one problem gives way to another.  Incredible fatigue from a lack of sleep and increasing temperature starts weighing me down, and I'm wishing I had become a member one of the many running groups out training this morning if only so I could partake of some of their Gatorade their coordinators have set up along the trail.  I make frequent stops at water fountains, but I'm losing more fluids and electrolytes from sweat than a few sips of water can replace.

     My quadriceps tighten up, so I stop to stretch permitting my legs to sluggishly take me to 13.1 miles followed by a Gatorade station put up by Fleet Feet Chicago which saves me.  If there was ever a runner's wall, I was approaching it fast with every step.  I'm wishing I could hit that wall so I could quit.  I'm hoping each runner that passes me will knock me over and let me lay there motionless for just a little while.  I should stop and get a ride home.  I should stop.  Stop.  Please, stop.

     I keep going at whatever pace I can still muster.  I keep going despite the emptiness in my stomach and the pain in my legs.  I keep going, because I've already come too far to stop now.  I keep going.  My Garmin beeps telling me I can stop.  It ain't pretty, but 16 miles are done.

     Next week, 18 miles.  Bring it!

Pre-run Yummy and the Garmin 610

Fully loaded Polish dog at Costco 1 hour before a 6 mile evening run = running slower than I feel like I'm running

Finished the run regardless! Thumbs up!!

GARMIN FORERUNNER 610

     One month ago, I took my Garmin Forerunner 405 to REI and upgraded to the new 610.  I've had my 405 for 3 years, and it has been the best running partner, especially when I started half-marathons last year keeping me on pace mile after mile.  All but the band of the watch held up great, but, like all of you, I love new gear, so why not trade up?  

Forerunner 405

Forerunner 610

    The 610 looks great!  I wear it when running or just going out.  The touch bezel of the 405 has been replaced with a shiny new touchscreen that responds to slight pressure.  Users navigate by tapping and swiping through menus.  This resolves issues many users had with the bezel of the 405 going nutty when in contact with sweat or rain.  Literally getting a feel for the 610's touchscreen takes time, but after a few runs, it's gotten quite easy to navigate with.  Changes to settings can be done on the run without great difficulty.  I still prefer to stop running first when making adjustments to avoid running into any people, trees, or falling into the lake.  The screen is said to work well with gloves, but, it being summer right now, I'll have to wait and see.  Vibration alerts are another added feature to the 610.  Not only can you set it to beep, but the watch will also vibrate at any customized time, distance, calories, heart rate, or cadence.  The vibration alert option is good if you want to shut off the beep or if you listen to music.  The Virtual Partner function is still available allowing you to race against yourself, other users on Garmin Connect, or assist in reaching your race goals.  Interval workouts can also still be programmed into the 610 -- something I didn't know was available on the 405, but I'm looking forward to trying it next week.  With so many available functions, users likely won't utilize them all, but at least there's something for most everyone.  Satellite acquisition is noticeably quicker compared to the 405; however, running in the city amidst tall buildings still throws the 610's GPS off.  The 610 still isn't recommended for swimming use, so triathletes will still have to look to the Forerunner 310XT or other GPS enabled watches to track their swims and to use during races.  

   

     Overall, I really like this watch.  Having a GPS for training and racing is a wonderful tool, and from my experience, Garmin makes a great product.  The Garmin Forerunneer 610 retails for $349.99, or $399.99 with a heart rate monitor.  

Ode to Sunrise

5:30 A.M., how I have missed you!
My miserable groans are music sung giving thanks
Rising from bed, dizzy and delirious
What a useless thing is sleep!

My eyes half open but stagger in turn
Enough to witness the burning brilliance of day
Steps are heavy, yet rhythm is found
And I am running again.

Race Envy

     2 weeks of foot pain has caused a set back in training.  Worse, it's given me race envy.  This past weekend was the Chicago Triathlon, and a few weeks ago, the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon.  Seeing all the athletes competing in addition to giving up my long runs to allow my foot time to heal has made me starving to devour those miles again.  Though I know the time to recover was necessary, I couldn't help but feel that nagging itch to get out there to sweat, hurt, and bask in the satisfaction you just can't get from a short, easy paced run.  

     This week, I'm back to training, and I've expanded my race schedule beyond the Houston Marathon.

     September 11th - Chicago Half Marathon
     September 24th - Komen Race For The Cure
     January 15th - Houston Marathon
     April 29th - Big Sur International Marathon

     With so many great runs here in Chicago and around the country I know race envy will possess me again taking control of my senses and my actions forcing me to click SUBMIT on that next race registration form.  It's not my fault, the run made me do it!

Pictures from the Chicago Triathlon August 28, 2011

Gear Geek: Nike Vintage Oregon Waffle

If you missed these the first second time around (confusing isn't it), they're back -- again!  Find them at Nike.com and other online retailers.