Climbing to the top

  I don't know who first thought of the idea of racing up stairs as an athletic contest.  And I don't know how he or she convinced someone else it was a good idea.  But I do know at about the 40th floor of the AON building climb Sunday I was wishing noone had ever thought of it!

These climbs have become really popular.  The three tallest buildings in the city all host one of them, and several others in the burbs are doing them as well.  Whether they are really good athletic contests or not is a good question.  But either way, they are really a great vehicle for fundraising.

ABC-7 has been a sponsor of the Step Up for Kids climb at the AON building for many years, and I have taped the Public Service Announcements for the climb since the station got involved.  That also means I have to do the climb every year.  And there have been some memorable ones, like the year I brought my 8 week old daughter up in one of those strap-on carriers.  She may forgive me for that eventually.  Another year, the climb fell on the day after my wife had thrown a surprise birthday party for me the night before.  I made it to the climb in the morning, without going to bed the night before, still smelling like the bar we had been at.  Needless to say, I returned home immediately after and went to bed.

It always seems like I have an excuse for taking it easy on the way up.  This year it was the hard run I had done the day before as part of my marathon training.  And to top it off, I failed to start my watch or put the timing chip on my shoe at the start line.  So I don't really know how I did. 

I believe (from the time of day on my watch) it was somewhere near 15 minutes, which would place me in the top 150 finishers anyway.  The only reason I am curious about it, is because a little rivalry has developed over the years with Mike Adamle from NBC-5.  Mike is a great athlete, a former Bear, and Ironman triathlon finisher.  I'm told he was at the AON climb, but I haven't been able to find his finishing time. 

Regardless, he and I face off every year at the Hustle Up the Hancock stair climb next month.  They have a media competition there.  He won the trophy two years ago, and I won it last year.  And I heard he was talking a little trash at a preview event a couple weeks ago, saying he was out to reclaim his trophy.  Well Mike, we'll have to see about that!  I might have to take it a little easy on my long run the day before that climb!

All of that, of course, is just for fun.  None of us media types are even close to being in the same league as Terry Purcell.  He won the Step Up for Kids event again this year.  He wins it every year, as well as the Hancock climb, and the Sears tower climb.  Terry finished in 9:27.  That's right, he pretty much sprints up the stairs!

Afterward, he told me he continues to improve his times despite pushing 37 years old.  Ten years ago he won the prestigious Empire State Building climb in New York.  He says he was in the best shape he's ever been in for that race, and since that time he's tried to get back to that condition.  I'd say he's doing pretty well.  He trains mostly by running.  The tallest building where he lives downstate is only about ten stories.  He also told me he has no desire to run a marathon.

For the rest of us mere mortals, the climb is just a good (as in enjoyable) time.  The view from the top, at the Mid-America club is amazing, as is the spread of food and drink.  The live band adds to the party atmosphere.

And the fundraising is equally impressive.  They are still gathering donations, and tallying the totals, but they expect to be close to their goal of raising $600,000 for Children's Memorial Hospital support services.  It's an important charity, and supported by dedicated people.  Thanks to all who helped out, and made this year's event a sucess.

As for the conditioning aspect of the climb, I believe it must be good, considering how hard I was breathing at the top.  For a runner, a big part of training with speed work is to get your heart rate up.  Stair climbs definitely accomplish that.  And considering the temperature outside that day was about four degrees near the lake, it was especially nice to be able to get a workout indoors!

Now it's back to the grind, but at least is seems like the real harsh winter weather is taking a break for a little while.  I never thought 20 degrees would seem balmy, but it sure feels nice compared to zero degrees. 

Enjoy it, and I'll see you on the roads....

Will it ever end?

  Friday night the forecast, according to Jerry Taft, for Saturday morning was "bitter cold".  The reality was probably worse.  When I heard the weather forecast, my response was, "Can't we get a break?".  It seems like every Saturday for the last two months has had miserable weather for running. 

I've documented some of those days here.  We've already had bitter cold a number of times.  And we've had sloppy snow.  And we've had icy roads.  And driving rain.  You name it, and we've dealt with it.  It would be better if the worst weather day of the week fell on some other day than the day we run long.  But you play the hand you're dealt I guess.

We bundled up in several layers.  We covered our faces like Eskimos, and we ventured out.  The thermometer in the car read zero degrees.  The radio said the wind chill was much below that.  But for some reason, as we got going, we all seemed to feel good!  We might be able to get through this after all!

There were four of us who planned to go between ten and fourteen miles in Barrington.  None of us committed to a distance until we got to the five mile point.  Once we got there intact, two decided to make the loop for a little over 12 miles, and they convinced me to add an extra hill to get close to 14 miles.  I'm the only one training for a spring marathon, so I've gotta add distance at some point I guess.

Anyway, enough with the complaining.  We all got through it, and it ended up being a really rewarding day.  As I was making the turn away from my friends to venture off alone for the extra mileage, I realized that was really a decision to push my training for the Boston Marathon in April.  I could have justified going shorter, but by running longer, I put my mindset more in the 'serious training' mode.  And it felt good.

I believe overcoming adversity is a big part of the mental aspect of marathon running and training.  Everyone has those perfect days when you feel great and believe you can glide along forever.  It's those other days that seem to come more frequently.  Those are the days when we don't feel great.  We didn't sleep much, or little injuries are nagging at us.  Or the weather presents challenges.  We've all had those days too.  And when you get through those days, you have a feeling of accomplishment.

So I'm feeling good today.  But it better warm up by next weekend!

Meantime, it's time to start thinking about the spring and summer running season.  I got a couple emails from the Bank of America folks this week.  The Shamrock Shuffle registration is filling up fast.  They're capping it at 35,000, and they are approaching that number quickly.  So if you want to run the traditional start of the season race in March, you should sign up now.  It's alway a great time.

The Bank of America Chicago Marathon will also open registration in a week.  They are making a couple more changes this year, including starting a little earlier.  That should help open up the streets a little sooner, and take advantage of the cooler weather earlier in the day.  Here's part of the release:

 Online registration for the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon will open to the public beginning at midnight (CST) on February 1 at chicagomarathon.com. The 32-year-old 26.2-mile race will be held on Sunday, October 11, beginning and ending in Chicago’s historic Grant Park. Registration is open to the first 45,000 registered participants.

Yup, summer is coming.  At least that's what I keep telling myself!  See you on the roads....

Ready for Spring?

Wouldn't it be nice if spring were really imminent?  Remember how simple it is to run when the weather is warm?  T-shirt, Shorts, Shoes and you're out the door.  The extreme conditions we've been dealing with complicate everything.  There are too many decisions to make.  You have to figure out how many layers to wear, how heavy those layers should be, and what route might be most clear.  Lately, I've had to figure out new routes entirely to avoid the huge piles of snow.  Obviously, it's just not that much fun.  That's why I'm posting this picture.  It's from last July.  I just like remembering what it's like to run in that weather!

I was reading Dean Karnazes' book abut running 50 marathons in 50 days, and he wrote something that I thought was surprising about his own thoughts about running.  He admitted he doesn't really enjoy running all that much.  That's quite a statement from someone who most would look at and believe is addicted to the sport.  I would probably fall into that category as well, though I don't run anywhere near the distances or times that ultra-marathon runners like Dean do.  But he went on to explain that he doesn't really enjoy the activity of running, because it's painful much of the time.  It takes work.  But he does like the way it makes him feel, and he enjoys the rewards of running.  It's a sacrifice that is filled with rewards.

I think I agree with that assessment, even though it's basically my paraphrase from what I remember from the book.  But it also applies to winter training.  It's even more difficult to train in the winter than otherwise.  One of the things that drives me, however, is the belief that there is a reward at the end.  In this case the reward is being in shape to run a spring marathon.  And the greater the investment I make in winter running, hopefully, the greater reward I'll get when the marathon comes around.  That might mean a faster time, or simply a more enjoyable experience from being in better shape. 

Either way, after a winter like the one we're dealing with now, it will be nice just to run in shorts again!

Now, for a quick follow-up to my comments on Governor Blagojevich last week in this space.  Coincidently, I saw him briefly last week.  I was the lone reporter waiting for him to leave his attorney's office in the loop.  It was strange, because I have a good relationship with him, but we were in our work roles.  So it was my job to fire a couple questions at him about his legal representation during the upcoming impeachment hearing, and his to try to get to his waiting car as quickly as he could to avoid those questions. 

We basically had about a 30 yard walk to his car, or less than a minute to ask what I could.  And, believe it or not, we used about half that time up when he started off by asking about how my running is going!  Obviously, this is a man who has major issues to deal with in his life right now, but he is a runner, and that is always a part of his life as well.

Suffice to say, after exchanging a couple comments about running, I managed to get a five word answer about the impeachment hearings before we cordially said goodbye and his driver drove off.  I never got to ask him why he has been going out on runs in this cold weather without gloves or a hat!

Anyway, the cold can't last forever.  We can brave it for a little longer.  I'll see you on the roads.....

Epic winter running

I wasn't planning on writing an entry for a few more days.  But this weather, and our Saturday morning run in what some might call a blizzard convinced me to add a short entry. 

Suffice to say it was the worst snow and most slippery footing we've ever had on the roads of Barrington in the 12 or so years I've been running out there.  They usually plow pretty well, and quickly out there.  But there's not much you can do when it's been snowing all night and the snow is still falling heavily through the morning.

I called my running partners on the way to our meeting spot to tell them I was running late because of the roads.  It turns out I was the first one there.  Four of us made it out.  Only one canceled, saying he didn't think there was any chance we would run in that weather.  Oh yeah, we did.  That's the problem with training for a spring marathon when you live in Chicago. 

My three friends are not planning spring marathons, so they probably deserve much more credit than I for running that day.  We actually kind of like it when the conditions are really challenging.  It makes for better stories later.  Nevertheless, we quickly adjusted our goal from running 12 and a half to running 10 miles.  And it was slow.

They say you get a good workout when you are concentrating on your footing, and trying not to fall.  I'm sure that's true.  But it's slow.  We should have just never started the watches.  For example, one split I paid attention to was the last mile.  We did it in 8:30.  The week before, we did the same mile split in 6:30.  There was just no way to run much faster than that on Saturday.

That's the reason I am having a hard time with setting my sights very high for the Boston marathon in April.  I can get the long runs in, but the speed work is a challenge.  It can be done on good days outside, or on a treadmill, but it's hard to predict. 

In any case, Saturday was an adventure, and the rest of the winter promises more adventures.  I can hardly wait.  I guess.

Meantime, in my real job, it's been pretty interesting covering politics these days.  I read with interest Rick Morrisey's column in the Tribune about the Cubs and their number one fan in Illinois, Governor Rod Blagojevich.  The gist was that the Cubs are embarrassed by that fact with all the scandal associated with the Governor. 

I was thinking that the running community is probably equally embarrassed.  The Governor really is a  pretty serious runner.  I've talked to him many times about his marathon experiences.  He's also competed in the River to River relay downstate.  And he's been pictured running from home a number of times recently by the reporters camped outside in his neighborhood.

On one hand, when I have a lot on my mind, one of my favorite things to do is run.  And the Governor, no doubt, has a lot on his mind.  On the other hand, he should probably put on some gloves and a hat next time he goes out in 25 degree weather. 

My friend, Dave Zimmer, owner of Fleet Feet Sports, used to proudly mention that the Governor shops at his stores.  He is in the stores frequently, and buys his shoes and running clothes there.  Last week, when he left the house for a run in front of the cameras, Dave told me the Governor was wearing all clothing bought at his stores.  But he did not say it with pride.  It was more of an ironic little mention. 

Speaking of Dave, he posted a hilarious video of a movie clip on his facebook page.  It's of Albert Brooks going into a running shoe store to start running after a break-up with his girlfriend.  The sales person is "Super Dave" Osborne.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dz7Sk8mhQ7k&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1407906982&ref=nf&feature=player_embedded      

Anyway, the week ahead promises more winter running adventures.  Get out and experience them.  See you on the roads.....

running books

It was a Saturday morning following a beautiful morning run in Barrington.  After ten miles with some of my friends from High school, including our former coach who is pictured on the left, I rushed back home to join my wife in taking our kids to the library for 'story time'.  That was fun, but my mind was still on running, and at some point I found myself standing near a display with several books on running at eye level.  Let's just say I took that as a sign.

With the start of the year for me comes the beginning of marathon training, once again, this time for Boston.  It feels like I just finished marathon training for New York, but the break is over, and it's time to ramp up again.  Physically, I'm not especially feeling it quite yet.  And mentally, I'm not even close.  So maybe the books will help.

The first book I chose was by sportswriter Liz Robbins on the New York marathon.  Since that was the last race I ran, I figured I might as well read up on it a little.  It's an interesting read, but I'm not sure If you would have much interest if you aren't a marathon runner, or from New York.  It contained a lot of personal stories from runners who were first-timers to professionals including past winners.  Along the way it offered descriptions of the people and places along the route that make it such a special race.

I enjoyed the book, as I enjoyed the race.  Perhaps I suffer from the '2nd city' chip on my shoulder, however, because I tend to think that while New York is a great race, it's really no better than Chicago.  The Chicago marathon, in many ways is a better race.  Because it's the center of the media universe, it attracts more celebrities, and media attention.  But the race itself is no more interesting or diverse than Chicago.  New York may just be more self-important.

Speaking of self-important, the second book I chose is by a runner who apparently has a reputation among some of the ultramarathon crowd for taking himself a little too seriously.  Whether that is deserved or not, Dean Karnazes is an amazing runner.  I read his last book 'UltraMarathon Man', and enjoyed it tremendously.

Dean has the ability to write about his adventures in an interesting way that helps the average runner relate to his experience.  I also believe he has a good sense of humility about him.  This book is about his run of 50 marathons in 50 states on 50 consecutive days.  All of the races were run on certified marathon courses, with other runners, though few of them during the actual race days.  One of the races that he ran on the actual race day was Chicago in 2006.  He finished with the New York marathon on the actual race.  Of course. 

I'm not quite done with this one yet, but it seems very good so far.  More importantly, both books are helping to get me motivated again to train for Boston through our typically difficult winter. 

I'd be curious to hear your suggestions for books on running.  I've read a few, but there are many more I haven't gotten to.  Meantime, if you are training for a spring marathon, good luck!

See you on the roads.....

A look ahead and a look back at 2008

It was pretty cold the morning of New Years day, but that didn't deter several dozen runners from the Elmhurst Running Club from showing up for a group run from the home of one of the members.  I guess these runners are excited about starting 2009 off right.  And they probably didn't overindulge for the end of 2008 the night before!  I probably did, but still managed to wake up early, thanks to my 11 month old (baby) alarm clock. 

Seriously, I believe it's great to start the new year off with a run, just like the way I ended the old year.  For many, the new year marks a time for resolutions and reflection.  Running, for me is good for both.  I am resolved to give a good effort at the Boston marathon in the spring.  And the last year contained a number of experiences in running that are wonderful to reflect on for me.

I solicited favorite running memories on facebook the other day, and received a few nice responses.  Two of my friends reflected on their first races ever.  Both were 5k's and both were good experiences.  In fact, Craig and John have resolved to keep running and find more races in the coming year.

Another friend wrote about her favorite running memory:  Qualifying for the Boston Marathon by running 3:49!  Sarah Lucero used to work at Channel 2, and is now in San Antonio.  She's been running a long time, and I'm really excited for her  chance to run the famed course in Beantown.

My wife also offered that she had no great running memories of 2008 because she was pregnant for much of the year and unable to run.  I beg to differ though.  Her running is one of my favorite memories of the year.  About four months after she gave birth to our (now 11 month old) daughter, she ran on our media team for the MC200 relay from Madison to Chicago.  When she finished her third, and final leg, I let out a loud cheer for her letting the other runners know about her accomplishment.

The MC200 was also one of my favorite running experiences of the year.  The 12 person media team was filled with really great people.  We enjoyed each other's company, and supported each other like teammates, as opposed to the competitors that we are at work.  It was also great for us to spend time with Bart Yasso from Runner's World (pictured with my wife).  He is a fountain of experience and running knowledge, and we really enjoyed having him run with us.

There were lots of great races in 2008.  Much of my year was focused on training for the New York marathon.  And running that was really a memorable experience.  I have nothing but good thoughts about that day, even though I ran slower in the last few miles than I would have liked.

It's funny though, that my favorite race of the year was really almost an afterthought.  I entered the Oakbrook half marathon at the last minute, expecting to use it as a training run.  I started some 12 hours after finishing the Human Race 10k the night before.  Needless to say, I had little recovery time, and low expectations.  Somewhere along the way though, I realized I was running pretty well.  I was also enjoying myself quite a bit.  It's fun to run fast!  These days, I just don't do it very often.

Anyway, it was a great year for running.  I hope yours was equally great, and that 2009 is even better.

See you on the roads....