winter running

I'm not ready for winter yet.  We were out on the lakefront path over the weekend, and everyone was already in full winter gear!  I was too.  What happened to the warm weather we had just a couple days ago?  It will not relegate me to the treadmill, but it sure is nicer when it's sunny and 60 degrees! 

I have a bunch of random thoughts to share today.  This will not be a blog about winter running, because I realize it's not really winter yet.  When there is snow and ice on the ground and we're wearing three layers and leaving no part of our skin exposed while outside, then I will consider it winter.  I do actually enjoy that, I'm just not ready for it yet.

Anyway, I said I have some random thoughts.  One of them is about the big fundraiser this Friday night.  It benefits Girls on the Run, and it's a lot of fun.  Underwater People are performing, and there's a great silent auction. There are a couple of great emcees as well.  Just kidding.  My good friend Amy Jacobson and I will be there to emcee again this year, and we'll attempt to get through it with fewer mistakes this year.  Really though, I'm told there is a good chance the legendary Jackie Joyner-Kersee will be there.  The group is honoring her this year, and hopefully it will work with her schedule to be there to accept.  If you are interested in the event, here is the link with more information: http://www.gotrchicago.com/events.htm

Another random thought about Lance Armstrong.  If you look at his splits, he ran his last 5k in New York last weekend two minutes faster than his previous pace for the first 23 miles.  That's pretty much unheard of, but I heard Alberto Salazar (former world record holder) say when they were running together he was breathing harder than Lance.  Yes, sign me up for the Lance Armstrong fan club.

So does anyone out there have any thoughts about training for the Boston marathon?  I'm still in the relaxation mode right now from the Chicago marathon, and I'm trying to figure out when I want to start to ramp it up again for Boston.   I was thinking about waiting until after the holidays, but I don't know whether that leaves enough time before April 16th.  I would welcome any suggestions anyone has. 

I do know that to prepare for the hills we are planning to run quite a few long runs in Barrington.  That's already part of our regular routine.  It's about an hour drive from where I live, but it's become part of the weekly deal, and it's always worth it.  There's no preparation for a hilly marathon like running 20 in Barrington!  We'll have plenty more to talk about over the next few months on that.

Anyway, sorry for the rambling.  I promise I'll have something more substantive in the next few days.  Coach Bill Leach has offered to give some tips on off-season training, and I'll share that with you soon.  Til then, see you on the roads....

Comments

[Justin (Florida)]

Hey John- I have enjoyed reading your blogs. New york was awesome and the last four miles are tough. So it make it that more impressive that Lance was able to pick up the pace. There is about 25 of us from Florida who plan on running Chicago. Which we can not wait since many of us are using this race as a vehicle to qualify for Boston. Hope the training is going well and tell the family hello.