About the time I hit the half way point (mile 13.1 for those of you still reading), my right leg was beginning to bother me (Achilles and calf) - so I stopped every quarter to half a mile to stretch. I walked through each aid station when available (water and gatorade was more plentiful from miles 10-16; although the runners did have to often times supply their own cups).
The best part of these miles was the spectators through the neighborhoods. I wish I knew the layout of Chicago better to give the neighborhoods their props. Each grouping of families and friends was awesome - they had their garden hoses and sprinklers out, covering the street with a cool breeze and nice mist (or if you really wanted to get wet a plunge into the stream of the hose). I am sure that these awesome fans saved many lives that hotter than Hades day!
Somewhere between miles 16-17, I noticed that the roads were beginning to close ahead of the runners/walkers. It was at this point that we (the proud, the sweaty, the marathoners) were told that the race was canceled and we were being re-routed back to Grant Park (the finish). I was feeling fine at this point (other than a few cramps in my lower right leg - I kept going into medical tents to see if anyone had an salt packets...there were none), but other than that I felt strong enough to complete the race IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.
Most people that could still run were running and weren't going to stop until they made us (Damn the Man!). We however soon realized the resistance was futile when we no longer were passing any timing areas or mile markers - oops...we were re-routed remember (duh). As we got to Grant Park we were told to go to the finish line. So off we went running, walking, limping, or being carried off to the finish line. What the organizers did not do was to tell the groups working the finish line that there was a group of runners (hundreds or maybe a thousand) running into the same chute the "finishers" were running out of (picture salmon swimming up stream).
I crossed the finish line at 3:59:38. I had "completed" my first marathon by only running 18ish miles. What a crappy way to end the race. Where was the closure to my training? I had run 18 miles before - what's the big deal with that?!
For the last couple days I have gotten more irritated at the organizers of the race for not planning well. Nothing is going to change what happened on the course that day: 300+ people taken to the hospital, one man died, and thousands of people that had been training to complete a marathon were denied.
I would hate to be working as the PR group for this year's Chicago Marathon! But have seen some cool shirt designs and good PR from other marathons inviting people to come run theirs. (IMT Des Moines Iowa race is promising to have water on the course)
Showing posts with label running log. Show all posts
Showing posts with label running log. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Disappointed (2)
I got up early on Sunday morning (5:15ish) to make sure I had time to double and triple check everything I had laid out for the race AND to make sure I had given myself enough time to get on the Red Line from State to Monroe and walk to the Charity Village and get in my pace group corral. On the walk from the condo to the Red Line I already was beginning sweat a little (nerves and the temperature already in the mid 70s). I got to Charity Village found the American Liver Foundation's tent, dropped my stuff off, stretched, ate some breakfast, drank lots of water and gatorade, and headed off to the corral.
At the start of the race we all walked to the start line (which took about 15-17 minutes). As we (all my new marathon friends) crossed the line the excitement was just awesome - WE WERE OFF! I kept my pace really easy and stayed with the 4:30 pace group. As we came up to the first aid stop (which I had no intention of stopping for) we all noticed that the tables were either empty or turned over on their sides and stacked on the side of the road. This was the theme for the next 5 miles or so.
I had planned ahead and given Jen, Morgan, my Mom, Brea, Ronda, and Brea my waterbelt (a.k.a. my "utters", my "batman utility belt", and my "teets") to my support posse. I had planned on seeing them at miles 3, 11, and 20. As it turned out this was an awesome plan - with no water or gatorade for the first 6-8 miles or so people were running to the nearest water fountains or park fountains and dumping their water bottles or their entire bodies in to cool off! Knowing that I had water coming up at mile 3 allowed me to not freak out.
By the 3rd mile, there were already people stumbling around like the walking dead, being led by other runners to the side of the road, or asking bystanders for drinks from their powerade or water bottles. I was able to get my water/powerade from Jen, give Morgan a wet kiss, and thank everyone for cheering me own and I was off to tackle more miles. About the time I was needing some more water the aid stations were handing out empty cups and telling the runners to keep going further down the street (or cross the street) for the water and gatorade.
By this time the temperatures were climbing and the bodies were hitting the floor (road, sidewalks, front yards, etc). I found my support posse at mile 11 (which in the heat and humidity felt like mile 18). I was able to change out my insoles to my shoes (Brian/Papa provided the NASCAR commentary on the gear change - too funny), get some more water/powerade and an apple, and head off telling them I would see them at mile 20.
At the start of the race we all walked to the start line (which took about 15-17 minutes). As we (all my new marathon friends) crossed the line the excitement was just awesome - WE WERE OFF! I kept my pace really easy and stayed with the 4:30 pace group. As we came up to the first aid stop (which I had no intention of stopping for) we all noticed that the tables were either empty or turned over on their sides and stacked on the side of the road. This was the theme for the next 5 miles or so.
I had planned ahead and given Jen, Morgan, my Mom, Brea, Ronda, and Brea my waterbelt (a.k.a. my "utters", my "batman utility belt", and my "teets") to my support posse. I had planned on seeing them at miles 3, 11, and 20. As it turned out this was an awesome plan - with no water or gatorade for the first 6-8 miles or so people were running to the nearest water fountains or park fountains and dumping their water bottles or their entire bodies in to cool off! Knowing that I had water coming up at mile 3 allowed me to not freak out.
By the 3rd mile, there were already people stumbling around like the walking dead, being led by other runners to the side of the road, or asking bystanders for drinks from their powerade or water bottles. I was able to get my water/powerade from Jen, give Morgan a wet kiss, and thank everyone for cheering me own and I was off to tackle more miles. About the time I was needing some more water the aid stations were handing out empty cups and telling the runners to keep going further down the street (or cross the street) for the water and gatorade.
By this time the temperatures were climbing and the bodies were hitting the floor (road, sidewalks, front yards, etc). I found my support posse at mile 11 (which in the heat and humidity felt like mile 18). I was able to change out my insoles to my shoes (Brian/Papa provided the NASCAR commentary on the gear change - too funny), get some more water/powerade and an apple, and head off telling them I would see them at mile 20.
Disappointed (1)
For the last two years I have trained to run a marathon. The first marathon I was going to run was the Inaugural ING Atlanta in March (2006), but because of an overuse knee injury I focused my training on the half marathon instead and just readjusted my focus for a different marathon for 2007.
For the last 20 weeks I spent countless hours training for the Chicago Marathon. It was going to be awesome! The temperature was going to be cool (October in Chicago has to be cooler than Atlanta, right!?!) and the course was going to be flat - both of the qualities made Chicago an ideal first marathon.
I was a bit burned out by the training by myself, but the idea of crossing the finish line with my head and arms held high kept me going through the early morning runs, the runs at lunch during the week, the runs through the rain, and the dreaded long runs on Saturday or Sunday morning. Not to mention all the time I was spending on the road running was being taken away from spending with my family! (By the way - Jen and Morgan were totally the best support team during the whole training regiment. They were awesome whenever I was on my way out to run or when I got back late at night or early in the morning!)
So two weeks before Chicago the weather looks wet, but doable (maybe rainy, but the temps in the 60-70s). One week before the race the temperature spikes and is predicted to be somewhere in the mid to upper 80s. Not exactly optimal marathon running temperatures - but still not a problem for me because I have lived and run in the South most of my life (maybe the heat, humidity, and hills of Atlanta were going to pay off?).
At the Expo and in emails preceding the race all people involved were reminded that the temperatures were going to be 20+ degrees above average and that we needed to make sure we monitored our physical activity levels and how our bodies were responding - which basically means to slow down and stay as cool as you can (get two cups of water at the aid stations - one to drink and one to dump on your head; get your electrolyte replacement (gatorade or powerade) from the aid stations or bring your own from home; and to make sure you have gels or sport beans as well).
For the last 20 weeks I spent countless hours training for the Chicago Marathon. It was going to be awesome! The temperature was going to be cool (October in Chicago has to be cooler than Atlanta, right!?!) and the course was going to be flat - both of the qualities made Chicago an ideal first marathon.
I was a bit burned out by the training by myself, but the idea of crossing the finish line with my head and arms held high kept me going through the early morning runs, the runs at lunch during the week, the runs through the rain, and the dreaded long runs on Saturday or Sunday morning. Not to mention all the time I was spending on the road running was being taken away from spending with my family! (By the way - Jen and Morgan were totally the best support team during the whole training regiment. They were awesome whenever I was on my way out to run or when I got back late at night or early in the morning!)
So two weeks before Chicago the weather looks wet, but doable (maybe rainy, but the temps in the 60-70s). One week before the race the temperature spikes and is predicted to be somewhere in the mid to upper 80s. Not exactly optimal marathon running temperatures - but still not a problem for me because I have lived and run in the South most of my life (maybe the heat, humidity, and hills of Atlanta were going to pay off?).
At the Expo and in emails preceding the race all people involved were reminded that the temperatures were going to be 20+ degrees above average and that we needed to make sure we monitored our physical activity levels and how our bodies were responding - which basically means to slow down and stay as cool as you can (get two cups of water at the aid stations - one to drink and one to dump on your head; get your electrolyte replacement (gatorade or powerade) from the aid stations or bring your own from home; and to make sure you have gels or sport beans as well).
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
3:59:38*
That is my non-official timing for the Chicago Marathon! Did you notice the asterisk?
Jen has done a better job linking stories about the incredible debacle that was the marathon. The farther out from the circumstances the more irritated I get, so I'm going to take a couple days to "cool down" and will post my comments about the run through Hell on October 7, 2007.
Oh yeah. The asterisk. This was my non-official finish time for the Chicago Marathon. Not to shabby for a first timer. Wait - that is the official time they forced me to stop running the marathon. And by "me" I mean roughly 3/4 of those people that trained all Summer and were forced to stop running because the race officials didn't have a good contingency plan in place for the incredible heat.
It is just too bad.
Jen has done a better job linking stories about the incredible debacle that was the marathon. The farther out from the circumstances the more irritated I get, so I'm going to take a couple days to "cool down" and will post my comments about the run through Hell on October 7, 2007.
Oh yeah. The asterisk. This was my non-official finish time for the Chicago Marathon. Not to shabby for a first timer. Wait - that is the official time they forced me to stop running the marathon. And by "me" I mean roughly 3/4 of those people that trained all Summer and were forced to stop running because the race officials didn't have a good contingency plan in place for the incredible heat.
It is just too bad.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
My Last Week of Training for Chicago
You gotta love it!
This week marks the end of my marathon training for Chicago. My training guide says to stick with the easy mileage this week and to go ahead and start the carbo loading for Sunday's "race".
Now if I could only get the right side of my body to work properly - ankle is sore, my Achilles and calf is tight, and my hip and IT band argue way too much...damn running!
This week marks the end of my marathon training for Chicago. My training guide says to stick with the easy mileage this week and to go ahead and start the carbo loading for Sunday's "race".
Now if I could only get the right side of my body to work properly - ankle is sore, my Achilles and calf is tight, and my hip and IT band argue way too much...damn running!
Monday, October 01, 2007
Marathon Countdown
I am less than a week from running 26.2 miles: holy.crap!
I woke up this morning with pains in my right calf, as well as pain in my right toes. My initial thought was that I have a stress fracture in my foot (ball of the foot), but as the day has gone on the pain has lessened quite a bit.
Please pray that I can find a good and quick remedy for the pain in my foot and nagging IT Band issue AND that I am able to complete the marathon. At this point time does not matter - I want to cross the finish line under my own power before the course closes (after 6+ hours).
What ever time I finish the race, I think I'm going to burn both my sets of running shoes and leave them in Chicago (or I may just throw them in the river - just kidding. Maybe)
I woke up this morning with pains in my right calf, as well as pain in my right toes. My initial thought was that I have a stress fracture in my foot (ball of the foot), but as the day has gone on the pain has lessened quite a bit.
Please pray that I can find a good and quick remedy for the pain in my foot and nagging IT Band issue AND that I am able to complete the marathon. At this point time does not matter - I want to cross the finish line under my own power before the course closes (after 6+ hours).
What ever time I finish the race, I think I'm going to burn both my sets of running shoes and leave them in Chicago (or I may just throw them in the river - just kidding. Maybe)
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Taper Phase
Man must have created the whole idea of training for and running a marathon, but I know for sure that God had His hand on the "Taper Phase" of training. It is awesome! I have run an amazing number of miles and spent many, many hours running, walking, taken many ice baths, and consumed enough Advil and Aleve to stop a young horse, but everything is coming down to these next 10 days.
The "taper phase" of marathon training is when I basically stop running and feel all the pain and suffering my joints, muscles, and tendons have gone through these last 15-17 weeks. My running plan for this week was to run 5 miles on Tuesday, 6 miles today, 4 miles on Thursday, with a "long" run of 8 miles this weekend. Next week is about the same, I will run 2-3 days next week with extremely low mileage, but end the weekend with 26.2 miles.
I owe a huge thanks to everyone that has kept me in your prayers during the training and to those that have given money to both the American Liver Foundation and the American Brain Tumor Association. There is a shirt designed for me to wear on the way home from Chicago with everyone's name that aided to my fundraising. I'll put a link to the shirt on the site in the next couple days.
The "taper phase" of marathon training is when I basically stop running and feel all the pain and suffering my joints, muscles, and tendons have gone through these last 15-17 weeks. My running plan for this week was to run 5 miles on Tuesday, 6 miles today, 4 miles on Thursday, with a "long" run of 8 miles this weekend. Next week is about the same, I will run 2-3 days next week with extremely low mileage, but end the weekend with 26.2 miles.
I owe a huge thanks to everyone that has kept me in your prayers during the training and to those that have given money to both the American Liver Foundation and the American Brain Tumor Association. There is a shirt designed for me to wear on the way home from Chicago with everyone's name that aided to my fundraising. I'll put a link to the shirt on the site in the next couple days.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
They call me Flush...I mean Flash!
In my first run since the weekend's 14 miles, I ran 3.19 miles in 26:40 seconds. I was pretty winded initially, but when I checked my pace it made more sense. I typically run at a 9-10 minute/mile pace, the first mile was at a 8 min/mile pace. Overall I felt pretty good after running. The temperature was nice (80-82 degrees), but the humidity was sucky!
Its just too bad that I was supposed to run 10 miles today. 3. 10. What the real difference?!
Its just too bad that I was supposed to run 10 miles today. 3. 10. What the real difference?!
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
Running in a Mental-Vacuum
I set my alarm to go off at 5:15 AM this morning, so I could get my 7 mile run in before the heat scorched the roads around my house. At 4:15 this morning, my crack-berry goes off, I quickly answer the phone after the first *chirp*, hoping that it didn't wake Jen. No such luck.
I look at the clock and think to myself that I have another hour before I have to wake up - I hate having to wake up early, but especially when I have been ripped from my dreams before the alarm clock is set to go off. I close my eyes and in moments it is 5:00 AM. Apparently Jen has been up since worked called and is getting restless - you gotta hate those pregnancy hormones screwing up the sleep cycles.
I get up, get dressed in the dark, head down stairs, check my equipment (that would be my running stuff: shoes, water bottles (did I mention it is hotter than the 12th level of Hell here in the ATL?), reflector vest, and iPod. All are present and accounted for. I opened the front door and was slapped in the face with 93% humidity - this is going to be awesome!
The. Run. Sucked! I am mentally drained and dreading all the runs now, which is not real good considering I have a 15 mile run planned for this weekend in Auburn. (Any one in Auburn want to run 15 miles with me?)
I ended up only running/walking 5.25 miles in about 50 minutes. Not real bad, but not what I am capable of - it is very discouraging. I think it may be time to find a running club to get some extra bodies to run with.
I look at the clock and think to myself that I have another hour before I have to wake up - I hate having to wake up early, but especially when I have been ripped from my dreams before the alarm clock is set to go off. I close my eyes and in moments it is 5:00 AM. Apparently Jen has been up since worked called and is getting restless - you gotta hate those pregnancy hormones screwing up the sleep cycles.
I get up, get dressed in the dark, head down stairs, check my equipment (that would be my running stuff: shoes, water bottles (did I mention it is hotter than the 12th level of Hell here in the ATL?), reflector vest, and iPod. All are present and accounted for. I opened the front door and was slapped in the face with 93% humidity - this is going to be awesome!
The. Run. Sucked! I am mentally drained and dreading all the runs now, which is not real good considering I have a 15 mile run planned for this weekend in Auburn. (Any one in Auburn want to run 15 miles with me?)
I ended up only running/walking 5.25 miles in about 50 minutes. Not real bad, but not what I am capable of - it is very discouraging. I think it may be time to find a running club to get some extra bodies to run with.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Day 8
Total Distance - 3.12 miles
Total Time - 26:21 minutes
Average Pace - 8:27 mile
Ran this morning (5 AM) on the boardwalk with a buddy here at the conference. There weren't as many people out on the boardwalk this morning, but I really wasn't expecting to see that many people, considering it was in between the "a late night at the casinos and bars" and the sun coming up.
We have two more days here in AC and then we head home to see Morgan and sleep in our own bed. Morgan has been having a blast with Jen's parents this week. As much fun as Ronda is having with Morgan, I'm sure that she is ready to have a less busy day - chasing a 2 year old around the house, the zoo, or Chuck E Cheese can be extremely tiring!
I wonder how Morgan is going to react with Jen and I getting back in town and laying the law down? I'm sure she has gotten everything she has asked for and then some with the grandparents being there!
Total Time - 26:21 minutes
Average Pace - 8:27 mile
Ran this morning (5 AM) on the boardwalk with a buddy here at the conference. There weren't as many people out on the boardwalk this morning, but I really wasn't expecting to see that many people, considering it was in between the "a late night at the casinos and bars" and the sun coming up.
We have two more days here in AC and then we head home to see Morgan and sleep in our own bed. Morgan has been having a blast with Jen's parents this week. As much fun as Ronda is having with Morgan, I'm sure that she is ready to have a less busy day - chasing a 2 year old around the house, the zoo, or Chuck E Cheese can be extremely tiring!
I wonder how Morgan is going to react with Jen and I getting back in town and laying the law down? I'm sure she has gotten everything she has asked for and then some with the grandparents being there!
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Day 5, Day 6, Day 7
Day 5 (June 19)
Total Distance - 3.16 miles
Total Time - 29:28 minutes
Average Pace - 9:20 mile
Day 6 (June 22)
For the last few days I have had shin splints (I guess it is time for some new shoes). I spent the first part of the work out walking and running on the treadmill (at a 3% incline) for about a mile to warm-up and then transitioned to running the last two miles on the elliptical machine. Running indoors on a treadmill or elliptical machine is too much like being a squirrel running on that squeaky wheel.
Day 7 (June 24)
Total Distance - 7.1 miles
Total Time - 1:03:13 minutes
Average Pace - 8:54 mile
I ran this morning on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. It was quite a sight to see the different types of people up at 8:30 AM on a Sunday in AC - the retired, the homeless, the prostitutes (male and female), the runners, the bikers (motorcycle and bicycle), the roller-bladers, and those walking out of the casinos smoking and drinking.
Total Distance - 3.16 miles
Total Time - 29:28 minutes
Average Pace - 9:20 mile
Day 6 (June 22)
For the last few days I have had shin splints (I guess it is time for some new shoes). I spent the first part of the work out walking and running on the treadmill (at a 3% incline) for about a mile to warm-up and then transitioned to running the last two miles on the elliptical machine. Running indoors on a treadmill or elliptical machine is too much like being a squirrel running on that squeaky wheel.
Day 7 (June 24)
Total Distance - 7.1 miles
Total Time - 1:03:13 minutes
Average Pace - 8:54 mile
I ran this morning on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. It was quite a sight to see the different types of people up at 8:30 AM on a Sunday in AC - the retired, the homeless, the prostitutes (male and female), the runners, the bikers (motorcycle and bicycle), the roller-bladers, and those walking out of the casinos smoking and drinking.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Day 3 and Day 4
Day 3 (Thursday June 14)
Total Distance - 3.03 miles
Total Time - 27:40 minutes
Average Pace - 8:59 mile
Day 4 (Saturday June 16)
Total Distance - 6.33 miles
Total Time - 58:43 minutes
Average Pace - 9:17 mile
Saturday's run was not fun. I am beginning to realize that the distance I thought I was running last year was not accurate. AT. ALL.
According to the Gmaps-Pedometer website, the distance down and around the neighborhood was 6.02 miles. But according to my Garmin, the distance was more like 5.3 miles (or something totally different). What a let down that was, when I got to my "stopping" point and looked down to see that I really had to run basically another mile!
I am just glad that I survived the run and was not really sore that afternoon or on Sunday.
Total Distance - 3.03 miles
Total Time - 27:40 minutes
Average Pace - 8:59 mile
Day 4 (Saturday June 16)
Total Distance - 6.33 miles
Total Time - 58:43 minutes
Average Pace - 9:17 mile
Saturday's run was not fun. I am beginning to realize that the distance I thought I was running last year was not accurate. AT. ALL.
According to the Gmaps-Pedometer website, the distance down and around the neighborhood was 6.02 miles. But according to my Garmin, the distance was more like 5.3 miles (or something totally different). What a let down that was, when I got to my "stopping" point and looked down to see that I really had to run basically another mile!
I am just glad that I survived the run and was not really sore that afternoon or on Sunday.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Day 1 and Day 2 (Marathon Training Report)
I'm not going to bore you with how I was feeling at each point of the run. I am keeping a blog record of my runs and times to keep my self accountable. Although I will let you in on a secret: it is the month of June and I run during lunch (start sometime between 12:00 - 1:00) - it is a LITTLE warm outside!
So here goes...
Day 1: Tuesday (June 12)
Total Distance - 3.19 miles
Total Time - 28:16 minutes
Average Pace - 8:52 mile
Day 2: Wednesday (June 13)
Total Distance - 3.1 ("ish") miles
Total Time - N/A; my Garmin 205 ran out of battery power at 0.8 miles (7:27 minutes)
Average Pace - N/A
So here goes...
Day 1: Tuesday (June 12)
Total Distance - 3.19 miles
Total Time - 28:16 minutes
Average Pace - 8:52 mile
Day 2: Wednesday (June 13)
Total Distance - 3.1 ("ish") miles
Total Time - N/A; my Garmin 205 ran out of battery power at 0.8 miles (7:27 minutes)
Average Pace - N/A
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