What the Chicago Marathon organizers wouldn't have given for the weather on Saturday. It was sunny, cool, and there was little wind. But it still didn't feel like fall. It's now getting into late October, and it still feels like summer. According to meteorologist Phil Schwartz, that is supposed to change this week.
In any case, it was beautiful weather for the Comer Kids Classic race in Hyde Park. It was a 5k run on Saturday morning with about 600 runners. I was honored to be the emcee, but I also jumped in the race. Can't miss a day like that! It's almost funny. The organizers told me most years they get rain and cold. They said last year it was just the opposite of the marathon, which had pretty good running weather. This year it was opposit as well.
I ran easy 7:30 pace miles, and just enjoyed the day. I must admit I fall into the trap of running the same 
races every year, and most of them seem to be in Lincoln Park on the running path. So it was nice to do a race in a different part of town, through a beautiful University of Chicago course.
It was a fun for kids as well. They lined up for kid's dashes after the 5k was over. My oldest daughter is almost three, but she hasn't gotten the hang of it quite yet! But I think it's great to get them out there. Everyone gets a ribbon, and everyone is a winner.
On the Sunday morning show, I was filling in as an anchor, and was thrilled to get to do a studio interview with Mike Norman, one of the owners of Chicago Endurance Sports. Mike was talking about winter running. CES is kicking off their 'Winter Warriors' program this week. It's a great program that trains together on weekends in groups according to pace. They have groups that range from 7 minute to 12 minute pace. My wife trained for her first marathon with the group doing a run/walk program. I believe she enjoyed that race more than me as well. It was in Paris, and she took pictures along the way.
This winter the reward might be even better. They are planning on running the a half marathon in Cabo San Lucas. In January. Sign me up!
Anyway, the topic Mike and I talked about was winter running. That's a topic that seems a little ironic given the weather not only right now, but a couple weeks ago for the marathon. I am a big fan of running outside during the winter, but it seems like a long way off at this point. I'll write much more about that when we get into actual winter.
In the meantime, enjoy this beautiful fall, and I'll see you on the roads....
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