Chicago Marathon 2011- An Update

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I haven’t said much about my marathon training this year.  But I’m still running it and training is going right along.  Like I’ve said before, I’m not making any claims to be a perfect marathon runner.  I don’t follow Hal Higdon’s training guide (people literally gasp when I tell them this), I only run 3-4 days a week (again, gasping) and I am convinced that doing copious amounts of yoga helped me tackle that 26.2 last year just as much as my actual long runs did.

So, I’m running, practicing yoga 2-3 times week and every long run has felt really good.  Strong.  I want to cross that finish line and make every mile before that strong.  I was scared out of my mind last year so I think this year is going to be a whole lot more fun-  I know I can do it, I know it’s amazing and I can’t wait to roll out of bed and head to Columbus Drive and Monroe to take my spot at the starting line.  Just going to focus on staying strong in the meantime.

On My Radar This Weekend

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Dose Market: a year-round, once a month market celebrating the best in Chicago fashion, gourmet food and design.  Highlights include a spread from Hot Chocolate, Bodkin’s Fall line, and a “Bubby Fizz” cocktail (sparkling wine, botanical liquer, OJ and mint). Sunday, 10am-4pm at The River East Art Center

FlyWheel: I checked out this new spin studio in the Gold Coast tonight and LOVED it.  State of the art bikes, great music and an instructor with arms that rival Madonna’s.  It’s a sexy workout, if you will- kind of like being in a club.  But sober. I totally get why FlyWheel is so huge in the Big Apple.  710 N. State Street

Rock N Roll Half Marathon: If you’re near Grant Park, you’ll notice a few thousand runners hitting the pavement at 6:30am on Sunday in the pursuit of 13.1 miles.  Stop and cheer- it makes the miles go faster.

Pinkberry:  Word on the street is that the Salted Caramel is amazing so I think this is finally the weekend that I get my frozen yogurt on. 635 N. State Street

Elvis is Alive!

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Well, I don’t know if he’s really alive but Fleet Feet has a 5k that is “more fun than a honeymoon in Vegas” (their words, not mine).

I impluse signed up for the Elvis is Alive 5k strictly because I think it is going to be hilarious.  When I tweeted this, Fleet Feet responded by asking if I was going to dress up.  Dress up?!?  Don’t tease a girl with the opportunity to play into a theme but dressing up for an Elvis-inspired road race?  I have no idea where I would even start.

Suggestions welcome.

Registration is still open, btw- sign up and be a part of the hunka-hunka burnin’ run here.

A Lesson in Limits

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I signed up to run Fleet Feet’s Women’s 10k this morning.

I ended up running a 5k.

It was 80 degrees at the 7:30am start.  I was sore from bootcamp yesterday.  By mile 2, I started to overheat and could feel my arms getting cold.  Even though 6 miles is something I could have done on any other day with no problem, I knew today was not the day to push it, not with this kind of heat index.

So, I listened to my body and veered to the left with the 5k runners when the course split.

I schlumped to the bus feeling pretty defeated.  In my head, I rattled off the reasons why listening to my body is important but there was still a lingering feeling that I “should” have been able to push myself, I “should” have run what I signed up for no matter what.

I have spent the rest of the day with a massive headache, drinking tons of water, sleeping and generally feeling like crap.  Thank goodness I didn’t listen to those “shoulds”, aka my ego.  Thank goodness I recognized my limits today.  Being active and being an athlete and pushing ourselves to greatness is amazing but there is a limit to be recognized on any given day otherwise the cost could be health or safety.

Sure, there will be other days where I will push myself when I’ve hit a wall, be it 6 miles or 26 miles.  But today my lesson in limits, in my limits, hammered home that listening to your gut can really keep you safe.

Chicago Marathon 2011: The Game Plan

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The Chicago Marathon is less than 3.5 months away and I’m getting pumped.  Last year was my first ever marathon and to be honest, I was really scared about getting hurt, about getting burnt out.  So, I trained at a pace that felt good, didn’t go overboard with mileage and did copious amounts of yoga to strengthen my core.  It must have worked because I finished those 26.2 miles and felt great- no injuries, no passing out, no drama.

But this year, I have a goal.

I will finish the 2011 Chicago Marathon in less than 4:15.

I’m not trying to win this thing (the people who win are probably having mimosas by the time I hit mile 13) but now that I know my body can take it, I want to go after my goal and train a little harder.

The Game Plan:

June 11-July 16thboot camp 2x a week to tone and strengthen

July 17th: Fleet Feet’s Women’s 10k to take in that race atmosphere before the big day

All Summer: Yoga!  I cannot say enough how important yoga was to my training and completion of the marathon last year.  Soothes tight muscles, strengthens the core and focuses the mind- yoga is just invaluable.

Late July: start going after long runs on weekends, finishing with a 20 miler 2 weeks before the marathon.

ASAP: more yoga!

I’m feeling strong and now that we’re finally getting some good weather, I’ve had some really beautiful runs on the lake.  With my plan in place, I’m confidant that I will crossing the finish line at my goal time.

Chicago Marathon 2011, bring it!

Risk 330- 3,000 Miles or Bust

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This past weekend I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Romack, an athlete who will soon embark on an initiative he has dubbed “Cycle for Change”.  In July, Jeff will pedal the 3,000 miles from San Diego to Virginia beach to raise money for both an orphanage and well in Kenya as well as renovate a school in Tanzania and Peru.

“My mission along the way is to connect with as many people as possible, talking, listening, and encouraging them to take steps towards making their dreams a reality while raising and addressing the spiritual, mental and physical issues Americans struggle with today. I will make this journey across America to rise up a new generation of young people that would transform the world with one changed life at a time.”

To learn more about Jeff’s journey, check out risk330.com and if biking, change, water and kids are your thing, you can donate here.

Best of luck to you on this incredible journey, Jeff!

Goal Line Glory

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An hour and thirty-seven minutes later and I completed the Soldier Field 10 Miler by sprinting on to Soldier Field to cross the finish line at the 50 yard line.  Running through the tunnel onto the open field, people cheering and hearing the announcer say my name was one of the coolest experiences- short of being in the NFL, who gets to do that?!?  Goal Line Glory, indeed!

Not one to be left out of the action, Luna Bell experienced her own Goal Line Glory the second we got home by taking a nap on the new stadium blanket we received at the conclusion of the race.  Tough life that cat has.

Dear New Running Shoes,

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Dear New Running Shoes,

I know it’s time; I figured my days were numbered when my sides started ripping a little and my treads were so worn that they were nearly smooth.  I am sure you are perfectly good shoes, in a brand new, shiny, not a speck of dirt on them sort-of-way.  I know you will do things for Nina that I can’t do anymore, like give her proper support so her knees don’t hurt.  I bet you also do not smell as bad as I do. Let me just give you some insight into your new job.

Nina laces her shoes too tight when she sets out for a run so get used to making a stop about 5 minutes in to do some re-tying.  Her favorite run in on the Lake Front Path so you are in for some spectacular views.  She’s also a pretty friendly runner so you’ll be saying hi to lots of shoes that are running past- work on your “I’m doing my job but how-do-ya-do” smile.

Keep in mind that you are in Chicago so while some runs will be on impossibly beautiful days, just as many will be cold and filled with puddles.  Oh and about the puddles- sometimes, Nina thinks that running makes her rugged and hardcore.  This leads to giving no regard to tromping you through mud or puddles.  Don’t worry- she is not actually rugged (at all) so you will get cleaned up right when you get home so that dirt doesn’t get in the apartment and so you look nice for the next run.

You’re in a pretty important position because you get to be a part of the days when Nina has great runs (high five!) but also the days when pounding the pavement is the last thing she wants to do.  You’re both working toward some fun races this summer and the Big Kahuna in October.  Be good to each other and don’t forget- I’m in the back of the closet if she goes all crazy and decides to do one of those Mud Buddy races.  No need to dirty you up for that.

Love,

Nina’s Old Running Shoes