Joanie!

It's been a great few days for visits to Chicago from some of the country's best marathon runners.  Three different events brought three of the top runners here to Chicago to meet with local runners.  I guess that's one advantage of living in this great city as opposed to Peoria (for instance).

The pictures here are from the Nike run last Thursday evening.  They ran from the store on Michigan Avenue to the Field museum.  It was an easy three miler, but there was a suprise waiting at the end.  They had a mock finish line set up complete with people cheering, and top American runner Abdi Abdirahman joining them.  I was unable to join them for the run, but I'm told it was great.

Marathon director Carey Pinkowski spoke at the end and introduced Abdirahman to the runners.  Nike sponsored the event as part of their new sponsorship of the marathon.  New Balance had been the Shoe and apparel sponsor for years, but Nike is taking over this year, and trying some innovative new things as part of that sponsorship.  You gotta like the energy they bring to the table.

Monday night, another great American runner, Meb Keflezighi was in Chicago as well.  He ran with the group from Fleet Feet Sports.  The Olympic Silver medalist in 2004 is an amazing runner, and it was a treat to have him here. 

But the biggest name runner was here at the Running Away store in Bucktown on Tuesday night.  Joan Benoit Samuelson is really a national treasure.  She won, as you probably know, the first Olympic Women's marathon in 1984.  She held the course record here in the Chicago marathon for many years before Paula Radcliffe beat it a few years ago.  And just a over a week ago she ran the Olympic trials marathon in 2:49, a record for women 50-54.  That hardly does her resume justice, but I wanted to mention a few highlights.  Meeting her is a thrill for most any runner.  As I mentioned during our interview, she was America's sweetheard in 1984 after she won the marathon.  If you would like to see my full interview with her you can. http://abclocal.go.com/wls/media?id=6111867

Off camera I asked her about her goals for the future, now that she seems to have accomplished just about everything imaginable.  But she's not done yet!  She said she wants to take advantage of the fitness she has right now from marathon training to try to set age group records in the 5k and 10k.  It's great to see such an amazing athlete age so gracefully.

I can't think of many athletes who have been able to maintain world class running for such an extended period of time.  Many of those who set age group records start running later in life.  Here's hoping Joanie continues to run and inspire us for many years to come.  Thanks to Nike also for bringing her to town.

The idea of bringing all these runners to town was to inspire runners as they kick off the training season.  I'm not sure whether I'm inspired or intimidated, but either way it's been fun.  Whatever you're training for, I hope you have the inspiration you need to get there!

See you on the roads....

It's time

It was a busy weekend for running in the Garcia household.  And I guess that can only mean one thing.  The racing season is upon us at last. 

I believe we have finally turned the corner, where running tights and jackets can be put away until next fall.  It's been a long, snowy winter, and it's definitely about time we start enjoying some nice weather for our runs!  And we have hit the season when there are often several races every weekend to choose from.  That's the way it was for us the last couple days.

First, the last weekend of April always means the Drake Relays in Des Moines.  And on my calendar, that is a tradition dating back more than two decades to when I was a student and ran at Drake.  They used to have a marathon as part of the festival, and that was the first marathon I ran, some 20 years ago, the year after I graduated.  Now they do an 8k and half marathon.  I have gone back and run one or the other most of the 14 years that I have been back in Chicago. 

I know the Shamrock Shuffle is the unofficial start of the running season in Chicago, but for me, the Drake Relays has always been what gets me really going.  It is a great tradition.  The road race is associated with a great track event, the Relays, but it is still low-key.  It costs $20 to enter, and there's no such thing as chip timing.  They send out a results booklet every year a month or so after the race.  And people who live in the neighborhoods come out and man the water tables along the route.

The weather is always a big question mark, some years it's really warm, and other years they run it in thunderstorms.  But this year it was near ideal.  I was cold at the start, and warmed up within a mile or two.  Many of the runners were wearing tights and long shirts.  I saw a few leave them on the side of the road a few miles into the race.

One of the difficulties, however for Drake alumni who run the race is that it falls at the same time as what most alums view as a big reunion/party weekend.  So, my pre-race meals and preparation the night before are not generally the most advisable.  Beer and Pizza in abundance before a race is less than ideal.  So that's my excuse.

Anyway, the picture of me finishing the race (in the white cap and light grey shirt) is pretty funny.  My friend, Henry took it at the finish line.  I was actually running a pretty good pace through ten miles.  I was talking to some guys I was running with about how this was the first race we had run since fall marathons.  Then I told them to go ahead.  I saw a hill ahead, and decided I'd put in enough effort for one morning.  But then, of course, some guy decides to race to the finish line to try to pass me at the end.  I still had some pride left anyway.  So I leaned at the line like it was a 100 meter dash, and beat him.  Whatever.  I beat him out of 456th place, I guess.  If you really want to race, why don't you use some of that energy earlier?

Anyway, my wife does public relations for the Ravenswood 5k race as well.  That has become quite a tradition in that neighborhood as well.  They get a good turnout, and raise a lot of money for the All Saints Church food pantry there.  So she took some good pictures of that race, then came home and did her longest training run since before she was pregnant (about a year). 

It makes me realize guys have it pretty good.  And women have it pretty tough, with all the pregnancy/weight issues they have to deal with.  My wife is trying to get her body back in shape in time for the MC200 in early June, and with today's run is well on her way.

And with this weekend, the running season is well on it's way as well.  The folks from Nike hosted a nice kick-off run last week with some officials from the Chicago Marathon.  I will post some pictures and thoughts from that run in the next week or so.  Meantime, enjoy the weather at long last, and I'll see you on the roads....

Boston

What a difference a year makes!  Last year's weather for the Boston Marathon was epic.  They considered calling off the race for the first time in history because of the rain and cold.  The storm, a Nor'easter, made for much less than ideal running conditions, although once the race began, it was not nearly as bad as predicted.  In any case, this year's weather was just about completely opposite! 

I was, unfortunately, nowhere near Boston as they started the race on Monday morning.  I had to request a deferral of my entry until next year, and I was in Atlanta at a wedding.  I was envious of everyone who did get to run! 

I have not yet talked to many of my friends who ran, but those I have heard from describe ideal conditions.  The temperature was cool, the winds were calm, and the skies were

mostly sunny.  That led to some times a lot of people were happy with, and a reward for all the hard winter training in Chicago.  

It was really a great couple of days for marathon news, with Deena Kastor (a Boston area native) winning the women's Olympic trials on Sunday, and  two good races on Monday.  Kastor's time was not all that amazing, but with the Olympic race just four months away, she said she was expecting to recover quickly and pick up training for August. 

It was also great to see another amazing run by Robert Cheryiot, who overcame all the strife in his native Kenya, to join the elite ranks of 4-time Boston winners!  He is also a previous Chicago winner, and I was excited for him to have a good day.

And, of course, much of the media attention was devoted to the recreational marathoner who happens to have won the Tour de France 7 times.  Marathon purists, I'm sure, appreciated Lance Armstrong's description of Heartbreak Hill.  It was much more difficult than he even imagined, but he survived it, and gutted out an impressive 2:50 marathon.  If you have followed his progress in some of the stories about him in Runner's World, you know he has never really put in a lot of miles or hard training.  It would be really interesting to see what he could do if he trained really hard, using the same dedication he had on the bike.

And now that Boston is over, it's time to start thinking about Chicago right?  Well, maybe not.   The Chicago marathon registration closed as of this morning.  Here is the release:

2008 Bank of

America

Chicago

Marathon

Registration Closes

as Race Reaches 45,000 Participant Capacity

Limited Number of Entries Available Through Charities and Tour Groups

CHICAGO (April 23, 2008) – Bank of America announced today that registration for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has closed as 45,000 runners have signed on to complete the 26.2-mile race, marking the event’s established capacity. A limited number of entries are still available through affiliated charities and tour groups.

“It is encouraging and rewarding to see the intense commitment from running enthusiasts across the globe registering for this race more than six

mont

hs in advance,” said Bank of America Illinois Market President David Rudis. “We are proud to match their enthusiasm by continuing the tradition of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, clearly one of the greatest running events in the world.”

Runners who missed the deadline and are still interested in registering for the 31^st running of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon may do so through one of the event’s 65 charity partners or affiliated international tour groups. More information on entries available through these organizations is available on the event web site, chicagomarathon.com.

Since its inception in 1977 with 4,200 registered participants, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon has grown to a field of 45,000 runners attracting 1.5 million spectators and generating more than $10.5 million for charity in 2007.

The 2008 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will start and finish in

Chicago

’s Grant Park beginning at 8 a.m. on Sunday, October 12. Registration opened to the public on February 1 and closed today when the participant capacity of 45,000 was reached. In advance of the race, a two-day Health & Fitness Expo will be held at

McCormick Place

on Friday, October 10 and Saturday, October 11. More information on the race and how to get involved is available at chicagomarathon.com.

See you on the roads....

MC200

  A year ago at this time I was nervously waiting for the weekend so I could get on the plane bound for Boston.  Months of training had me ready to try my first attempt at the storied course. 

This year, I'm registered, but have requested to defer my entry til next year.  I've had some nagging injuries and sleep deprivation (from a certain 10 week old baby).  But I remember the feeling well, and I'm really excited for my friends who are going.  I've done a few training runs with Boston groups, and from what I can tell, they are ready. 

Last year, the weather was pretty awful.  It was cold and rainy.  I was reminded of it running on the Prarie Path over the last weekend.  Boston's weather can't help but be better this year.  I wish everyone luck!

Meantime, I'm now focusing on several other runs, and hoping to be healthy enough for them.  One of the most fun is coming up in early June.  It's the MC200.  The Madison to Chicago relay goes through Milwaukee and down the lake front to Montrose Beach.  It is 200 miles.  I will be part of a 12 person media team with other members from other televison, radio and print outlets in the city.  We are also honored to have Bart Yasso, from Runner's World, join us.  You may recall he is the originator of a marathon preparation workout named for him:  the Yasso 800's.  I expect I will have lots of chances to pick his brain over the 24 hours of the race.  And I will share those thoughts with you.

We had one of the race organizers on the ABC-7 morning show this last weekend.  Meteorologist Phil Schwarz will also be part of the team.  He and I got to ask a few questions, and hopefully encourage a few more teams to enter.  You can watch the interview here if you like.

The basic idea is to have a dozen runners who each do three legs of the run.  Each leg is different, but they average about 6 miles.  They have set up exchange points along the way, with plenty of support at each stop.  The slower teams leave Madison earlier on Friday, June 6th.  The faster teams leave later, and the idea is for everyone to arrive in Chicago within a few hours of each other..

I have done this race before a couple times.  It used to be called the Great Midwest Relay.  The team from CNA was nice enough to invite me to run with them.  They did very well.  The media team, I believe, is hoping to finish in one piece! 

The new owners of the race have changed the name, and added ten miles to the course.  One of the highlights they have mentioned is a lap around "The Milwaukee Mile" race track.  It should be fun, although you generally hit Milwaukee sometime during the overnight hours, when it's dark, and you are pretty much sleep-running. 

For a dedicated runner, this is a great experience, and a lot of fun.  It should also be a great opportunity get to know some of my colleagues from other outlets better.  Some of the team are friends already, and others I don't know too well.  I'll share much more about our team in the coming months.

In the meantime you can check out their website if you like.  www.mc200.com

See you on the roads.

Won anything lately?

I was thinking about that question last week when the folks from the Respiratory Health Association stopped by Channel 7 to give me the trophy for winning the media challenge for the Hustle up the Hancock.  It was a really nice trophy, and gesture on their part.  Our General Manager, Emily Barr even stopped by to help accept the award.

I realize they do this media award to try to help foster relationships with media to bring attention to their focus of improving respiratory health in Chicago.  My wife works for them.  And I also realize that it comes down to a competition between just a couple of media members who take the competition part more seriously.  And further, I realize I was well behind the actual winner of the event.  But, hey, it is a nice trophy!

And it did get me thinking about winning.  I have been running for about three decades, and I believe I haven't won anything of significance for at least the last two of them.  In fact, the last races I recall winning outright were in high school track.  Since then there have been individual goals I have met.  Finishing in the top five on my college cross country team meets was a goal I managed to accomplish, but it wasn't like I was anywhere near winning the race.  More recently, qualifying for the Boston marathon was a goal that I accomplished.  But I was more than an hour behind the actual winner!

I have been part of winning teams in recent years.  My friends at CNA put a couple of distance relay teams together for various events that we won our division for.  And ABC-7 won the team competition last year at the Hancock event.

The point I am taking a while to get to is this:  Rarely do any of us really win overall competitions in running.  Almost none of us are even in contention.  Still, I have run dozens and dozens of races in the last 20 years or so, and trained thousands of miles for those races, without hope of winning. 

The thing I have determined after all those races finishing back in the pack, is that I usually feel pretty good when the race is over regardless.  If I meet my pre-race goal, it's a great bonus.  Sometimes the goals are modest, and sometimes they are ambitious.  Certainly the bigger goals are more satisfying.  And the interesting thing is that winning a trophy for the Hustle up the Hancock, nice as it was, failed to give me much satisfaction.  That's because my time was quite a bit slower than my goal.

I guess that's a long way of saying "winning isn't everything".  Maybe in team sports "it's the only thing".  But in running, it really doesn't matter much to most of us.  We run because we enjoy it.  We enjoy challenging ourselves.  And completing our runs, and our races, as well as meeting our goals makes us winners.

That kind of sounds a little like the philosophy of my friend John 'The Penguin' Bingham from Runner's World.  Coincidently, he is speaking at the Dick Pond running store in Elmhurst, and the information is posted below.

Meantime, I hope you have some winning runs in your future.  I'll see you on the roads...

Dick Pond Athletics-Elmhurst 124 N. York Elmhurst, Illinois 60126

Shuffle On!

I'm told it was a great weekend for running.  And a lot of Chicago area runners took part in the annual right of spring: The Shamrock Shuffle.  The traditional beginning of the running season in Chicago got off to a good start.  I was not there, unfortunately, because my family took a weekend trip to St. Louis.  But more on that in a moment.  The male winner of the race, I'm told, was on record pace through four miles, then slowed a bit in the final mile to finish just off the record.  I expect to have some pictures to post from the race in the next few days.

The people who put on this great race, as you probably know, are the same folks who put on the Chicago Marathon.  The start of the Shuffle course is the same as the marathon course as well.  So, after all the issues they had during the marathon last year, they started working on a couple of improvements during the Shuffle.  I'm told they experimented with larger water stops, and a color code for the running conditions.  Below, I have pasted a post-race press release they sent out.  You might also note they include the registration status for this year's marathon.

Meantime, while everyone else was shuffling, I was running under the Arch in St. Louis.  I enjoyed a nice 8 miler along the Mississippi river front.  The weather there was a little warmer than Chicago, and it is a very scenic place to run.  Running there was a great way to restore my sanity from trips to the Zoo, and the St. Louis Children's museum.  The pictures are from the running path that passes just outside the entrance to the zoo.  Judging by the many runners I saw on that path, as well as on my riverfront run, there appears to be a healthy running community in Cardinal country.

I was sorry to miss the festivities in Chicago, but I really enjoy running in other cities.  I believe it's the best way to explore a new place.  I tend to see things I would miss if I stuck to the tourist agenda.  On this run, for instance, I ran a little south of docks where the river boats load, and discovered an area where there is a ten foot concrete wall, probably a half mile long, that is covered with some of the best graffiti you will ever see.  I know, graffiti can be really a problem for a lot of reasons, but this was real art.  Interesting stuff.

Hey, on another topic, if you are already planning you next race, I've got a good one to suggest.  It's the Run for Rett, Saturday April 26th at Busse Woods in Elk Grove.  Busse Woods is a great place to run.  The put on a number of High School Cross Country meets there, and love going out just to run the trails there.  It's also a great cause.  A teacher from my former High School in Streamwood is the organizer.  His daughter suffers from Rett Syndrome, and he and his wife have been very involved in charity efforts to help for many years.  Here is a link to the sign up page, which has links to the Rett Syndrome home page:

https://www.signmeup.com/site/reg/register.aspx?fid=WH2VCK7

And here is the release from the Shamrock Shuffle:

PRESS RELEASE 

Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle Celebrates Opening of Running Season with 22,600 Runners

Brian Olinger and Annie Gasway Win 29^th Annual 8K Race

CHICAGO ( March 30, 2008 ) “ Bank of America celebrated the official opening of Chicago Chicago's outdoor running season today with the 29^th annual Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle. More than 22,600 runners completed the 8K urban race course and approximately 2,000 walkers took a 5K stroll along the shores of Lake Michigan . Cheering them on in Grant Park and along the race route were 65,000 fans and spectators.

Brian Olinger, 24, of Westerville , Ohio won the men’s race in 23:09 followed by 2007 champion Luke Watson, 27, of South Bend , Ind . who finished in 23:34. Annie Gasway, 30, of Gurnee , Ill. won the women's race in 29:03, just two seconds ahead of Chicagoan Claudia Becque, 30 (29:05).

Larry Port er, Jr., 39, of Springfield , Ill. was the only wheelchair racer registered in the 8K and earned his champion title in 39:48.

Olinger and Gasway were followed across the finish line by 22,600 runners, many getting their first taste of outdoor running after a long and snowy Chicago winter. Widely recognized as an official Chicago rite of spring, the celebratory event concluded in its traditional fashion with a lively post-race party at Buckingham Fountain featuring musical entertainment from popular local band, The Hat Guys.

This race is marked on the calendars of local runners every year because of its celebratory atmosphere and the fact that it is the first major running event organized in the city each spring, said Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski. It is the perfect kick-off to the outdoor running season and always attracts an energetic, enthusiastic and eager crowd. It's always refreshing to see the city come to life on race day.

Bank of America hosts two of the largest running events in the city, book ending the Shamrock Shuffle in the spring and the world renowned Bank of America Chicago Marathon in the fall. A total 30,000 participants registered for today's event while the Marathon anticipates closing its field at 45,000 registered runners later this spring.

The Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle is a terrific community event that reflects the spirit of this great city, said Bank of America Illinois President David Rudis. Bank of America is excited to continue the tradition of both this event and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon.