We Came, We Ran, We Reached the Coast!

I think I'm recovered enough from sleep deprivation to state with some clarity that this last weekend was one of the best running experiences of my life.  And given that I've been blessed with some pretty great opportunities over the years, that's saying something.

That must be why they call Hood to Coast, "The Mother of all Relays".  It was so great, that my teammates and I just shrugged off some of the inconveniences that come with a race like this.  For me, it was also a great opportunity to run with some really fast guys, most with college track backgrounds.  Several have recently completed, or are training for marathons at or under 3 hours.

It was like the ultimate guy's weekend' only with little beer and carousing.  Just running, talking about running, and watching others running. 11 guys, mostly from Chicago, flew into Portland where we met up with our 12th teammate.  We loaded up in two minivans and headed for our first stop, the Nike employee store, down the street from Nike Headquarters in Beaverton, Oregon.  It was a special treat, courtesy of Nike, a chance to load up on some of the best gear at bargain prices.  As the weekend wore on I was especially grateful that I picked up some running tights there.

That's because it was actually chilly in Oregon.  As I write this back home in sweltering 90 degree Chicago heat with a broken air conditioner in our house, I can hardly believe it.  But it was ideal running weather there: Highs of 60, Lows in the upper 40's.

We settled into a cabin on Mount Hood, near the start of the race.  Friday morning several of us went on a three mile run to loosen up, and we passed many of the teams that started as early as 6:30 in the morning, some 12 hours before our starting time.  We were seeded as one of the faster teams, which meant one of the latest starting times.

So that meant we had all day to lounge around, and get psyched for the race.  Most of us spent the day watching movies in the cabin.  I watched three.  That about equals my previous total for the year.

Finally at 6:30 pm we got to start!  But as the 10th runner in our 12 person relay team, I still had several more hours before my first leg.  So we saw our first teammates off, and headed to a restaurant for some pasta.  I wouldn't get to run my first leg until just after midnight!

When I finally got a chance to run, I took off like a banshee, only to remember I was running about a 10k, and had better be a little more reasonable with my pace.  Most of my teammates reported similar experiences.  But with only a small headlamp to light the way, I slowed down and finished in about 6:45 pace, then immediately began to try to cool down and mentally prepare for my next leg.

After all 6 runners in our van ran their legs, we drove ahead to the 18th exchange zone, where we managed to close our eyes for an hour or so before we had to begin preparing to get going again.  By the time I got the baton, it was just after 7am, and daylight was upon us.  It was my most difficult leg.  Nearly 7 miles, it began with a steep climb for a mile and a half before the rolling downhill began and took a beating on my quads.

But this was the leg where I began to see a lot of other runners on the course.  I passed several, and several others passed me.  The surroundings were so beautiful I think we were all tempted to stop running and take it all in.  But duty called, and I red-lined it to the next exchange at an average pace of about 7:20 a mile.

As our race continued, it became apparent to me that my teammates were flying, and I was doing my best not to drag them down too much.  Our team average pace was near 6:45 a mile, despite the difficult terrain in the mountains of Oregon.  These guys were animals!

By the time we all finished our 2nd legs of the relay, we were beat.  But we knew we had to rally for one final leg to bring it home.  We were hoping to finish in the medals for the male masters division, and based on effort, we were feeling pretty good about our chances.  The second leg is a bear though, as evidenced by my favorite comment I overheard from a member of another team who described it as, "a straight up suffer fest"!  He obviously didn't share the positive attitude of our teammate, Dave Miller, who, during his tough uphill leg, "I own this Mother!"

I aspired to that attitude, but, after basically racing the equivalent of 2 10k's in the previous 7 hours, it was going to be a challenge to try to run fast on my third and final leg.  Thankfully, it was the shortest at 4.19 miles.  I loaded up on Cliff bars, and tried to muster my remaining energy.

I set a modest goal, given the my sore and tired body, to try to break 30 minutes.  Then I took off, and began to try to pass runners ahead of me on the route.  I managed to get about 9 of them, though one passed me.  And when I was finished, I was really done!  I missed my time goal by 2 seconds though.

As the final two runners burned it up, we drove to the finish line at the beach on Pacific ocean, confident that we'd given it our all.  The celebration at the beach at the end of the race was like nothing I've ever seen at a race.  There was a mixture of euphoria and relief.  Sleep deprivation was mixed with really sore muscles soothed by some of the great Oregon beer and music.  Most of the teams wandered away from the party for a few minutes to step into the frigid ocean water as some sort of exclamation point on the accomplishment.

Shortly after we finished we checked the results to find we'd finished one spot out of the medals, despite running just over 22 hours for the 197 miles.  Overall, we were 38th out of 1024 teams, but apparently the male masters division was pretty competitive.  Actually, I think all the divisions were pretty competitive.  This is a race that draws some of the most serious runners from around the country for the chance to have an incomparable running experience.  I know it was for me, and I'm grateful to the 11 other guys.  I knew just one of them before this race.  Now I have ten new friends with an incredible shared experience.

One of my friends who didn't run put it best.  She said running Hood to Coast is on her "Bucket List".  Well it was on mine too, but now I can cross one off.  Well, at least until next year!

See you on the roads....

Oregon Here We Come

It was a few months ago, during a long run in Barrington when I was feeling good, and running well, that I got the invitation.  My friend Dan Daly said he needed another guy for his Hood to Coast relay team at the end of August.  For a lifelong runner like me, It's the kind of opportunity you simply can't pass up.  They call it the mother of all Relays.  This is an event that fills up with 1000 teams almost immediately after they open registration.

So I cleared it with the family, bought an airline ticket to Portland, and signed on.  At the time I had all summer to train, and I figured it would be no problem, considering I have pretty much been racing all summer.  Of course the race is now this weekend, and I'm hoping I'm really up to the task!

If you're unfamiliar with this race or other relays like it, here is a simple explanation:  Each runner on a 12 person team runs three legs of about 6 miles each for a total of about 200 miles.  That means at least one of your legs will be during the overnight hours, and sleep will likely be difficult to come by.  Running Times magazine has done a few stories on these relays, including one with some good tips.  Here's a link:

http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=19931

I've done a few of these over the years with some fast teams, and most recently with a fun media team in the Madison to Chicago race.  I've made some good friends after spending hours in a van with them.  But this time, I'm joining a really strong team, and I'm going to have my work cut out!

Team Money won the open division of the race in 1999, and finishes second the year before.  That means they were the first team to finish after the elites.  That means they were really fast.  To put it in perspective, the team I ran with in the Madison to Chicago race won the mixed gender corporate division, and was happy to finish in under 24 hours.  Team Money ran Hood to Coast in a little over 18 hours.  That was averaging 6 about minutes per mile.

Fortunately for me, they are not expecting to run that fast now, ten years later.  But they are hoping to be competitive in the master's division.  And I am hoping to do my part.  Only about a third of the original team is able to run this year, but the replacements sound like they are no slackers!  No matter what, it should be beautiful country to run in, and a tremendous experience.

We arrive in Portland Thursday afternoon, and are planning to stop by Nike Headquarters to look around at the birthplace of modern running shoes and so much more.  My reading for the trip is Bowerman and the Men of Oregon, by Kenny Moore.  The legendary coach of the Oregon track team is also the co-founder of Nike.  That should help get me in the proper mindset for the race.

 

Friday we hope to sleep in and relax.  We don't start until early that evening.  The teams are seeded, and the fastest teams start last.  We are slated to start in the second to last of about 40 waves.  No pressure there!

We start on Mt. Hood, which looks incredible.  The early legs are all downhill, which is pretty difficult.  Most of the course is pretty scenic, and challenging.  At least that's what I hear and read.  I don't really know what to expect, other than to try to run as well as possible to help our team.

That is one of the most attractive aspects of this run.  I will not be running for myself, but to try to help my team.  Not since college Cross Country have I had that experience, and I think that is the main reason relays like this are becoming so popular around the country.

Our team name this year is Team Money Devalued, indicating our advanced years and slightly lowered expectations.  I said slightly lowered.

Anyway, It should be an amazing experience, and I look forward to writing about it after we get back.

See you on the roads....

 

Wanna Tri?

  A couple weeks ago one of my friends at work asked me about the triathlon.  Knowing my wife had just completed her first, she asked whether I'd gotten the bug and wanted to do one myself.  My colleague, Michelle Gallardo, is in training for a half ironman.  Well, the truth is, I have gotten the bug.  I think triathlons are amazing, and the amount of athletic ability and training required is really impressive.  As a spectator, it's really exciting to watch.  But no.  I don't really have the desire to do one myself.

I'm not sure why.  I have done the running leg of the triathlon as part of a team a couple times.  But, running is what I enjoy.  I cycle occasionally for fun.  I am a decent swimmer.  But I have never raced at those events competitively, and I guess I don't really feel the desire to do that. 

It's interesting.  I must be from the old school.  One of the best young running talents in the country right now is from right here in the Chicago area.  Lukas Verzbicas is likely to break the Craig Virgin's longstanding state Cross Country record this year.  But he considers himself a triathlete rather than just a runner.  And he is a great triathlete, but I and many others of my generation look at his running talent and tend to think he should focus on that.  I've always just considered myself just a runner.  Lukas is a really nice guy, who I've interviewed for a story.  But I wouldn't blame him if he just thinks I'm old!

Anyway, those thoughts come to mind as I consider the upcoming Chicago Triathlon.  It's traditionally a huge event for the city.  For some reason, the Olympic distance seems to draw a lot of interest.  Perhaps that's because it seems much more manageable than the ironman or half ironman.  But my hat is off to anyone who attempts a triathlon of any distance.

Normally the race sells out shortly after they begin accepting entries.  For some reason, however, this year, they still have a couple hundred spots available.  The news release is below.  If you are in shape and have any inclination to give it a tri, go for it.  Also, for some last minute tips on gear and transition strategy, check out my friend Dave Zimmer's (from Fleet Feet Sports) appearance on the ABC7 News Sunday morning program.  http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7611123  And good luck!

  Join hundreds of thousands of spectators on Sunday, August 29 from 6 am until 3pm to cheer on 8,700 athletes from around the world as they compete in the “World’s Largest Triathlon.”* The  Life Time Fitness Chicago Triathlon features Olympians, professional triathletes, physically challenged athletes and amateur athletes.

Spectators along Chicago’s lakefront and Lake Shore Drive can cheer on athletes as they swim almost a mile (starting from Monroe Harbor), bike nearly 25 miles (looping up to Foster Ave.) and run over 6 miles along the lakefront and through Chicago’s Museum Campus. The finish line area is packed with activity and people on Columbus Drive, just south of Balbo in Grant Park.  Spectators are FREE.

The Chicago Triathlon weekend kicks off with a MultiSport & Fitness Expo on Friday and Saturday, August 27/28 at the Chicago Hilton and Towers,  featuring more than 150 athletic and nutrition exhibitors. The races begin on Saturday, August 28 with the Fleet Feet SuperSprint Triathlon at 7:30 a.m. and the Chicago Kids Triathlon at 9 a.m., both at Foster Ave. beach.  Sprint and International distance triathlons on Sunday complete the weekend of fun.  Join the post-race party for food, drinks and music.

The popular, scenic Chicago Triathlon is part of the 2010 Life Time Fitness Series Race to the Toyota Cup, linking some of the most prominent international distance triathlons in the United States. Chicago is leg four of the six-race series. Series leaders and 2009 Chicago Triathlon first place winners, Matt Reed and Sarah Haskins, will be in Chicago as they continue their quest to win the 2010 series and repeat their 2009 Chicago Triathlon win!

For information, www.chicagotriathlon.com.

See you on the roads.....

Keep on Rockin'

I've been thinking about the comment Josh Cox made during our interview after the Rock-n-Roll half marathon a week or so ago.  He said running and music go together very well because running is such a 'soul-full' experience.  He also has an amazing music library on his ipod that includes about 50,000 songs.  That's a lot.  I mean, he is an ultra-marathon type runner who spends a lot of time on really long runs (he holds the American 50k record), but he also runs so fast he can't possibly get through that library in year right?! 

In any case, we were talking about music in the context of bands playing during and after a race, as they do in the Rock-n-Roll series, as well as a growing number of other races.  A few years ago Nike hosted the 'Run Hit Wonder' 5k-10/k series in Chicago.  It was a blast, and I was disappointed when they stopped doing it here.  They briefly replaced it with a race at US Cellular Field, and the Human Race at Soldier Field, and those races included big post-race concerts as well.  Unfortunately, they were also 'one hit wonders'.  But there are plenty of others including RAM's second Grateful Dead themed race a couple weeks ago, the Terrapin 5k.  And Fleet Feet held the annual Elvis is Alive 5k last week. 

They've been putting the Elvis race on for more than a decade, and, amazingly, it keeps getting bigger and better.  I was never a big Elvis fan, but it's hard not to appreciate the hundreds of runners to don at least a partial Elvis costume and take off at the starting horn.  I don't know how they manage running in those costumes when it's 90 degrees out, but, hey, I wore shorts!   By the way, my favorite part of the picture of the winner crossing the line is the Elvis costume worn by little Sebastian Zimmer who is holding one end of the tape.

 The race has evolved into more of a non-competitive fun run other than for the first few finishers.  There are no timing chips or bands.  You just pin on a number and take off down the beautiful lakefront path on a terrific summer evening.  You can't beat running on the lakefront any time, but in the early evening it's really great.

I ran it as a way to get a good workout in, and have some fun listening to the post-race concert.  The Elvis impersonator was backed by Anthony and the Guitar Street Orchestra, and they kept the party going into the evening.  The race entry also comes with a beer ticket for those inclined to drink something other than Gatorade after the run.  They fenced in the entire area around the grounds, so everyone could roam around with beer in hand, as opposed being restricted to a specific 'beer garden' area.

 

There are plenty of serious, competitive races on the calendar in the Chicago area.  Many runners are in the midst of hard training schedules for fall marathons.  That's why races like this are a welcome respite from the other stuff.  I ran about :30 a mile slower than my 5k race pace, but still got a great run in, and shared the path with lots of other like-minded runners.

So congratulations to all the finishers.  Rock on! 

  
 

 
 
 
 

Rockin!

As we walked to the starting area Sunday morning for the Rock-N-Roll Chicago half marathon, it felt like we had jumped ahead a couple months to the the Chicago marathon.  They use the same starting line in the first place, so geographically it seemed the same, but it also just felt electric, and huge!  There were runners everywhere!  They sold out the race with 25,000 entrants quite a while ago, so who knows how many runners they could have attracted, but I was one of the fortunate ones with a number.

Truth be told, I've been in the midst of a bit of a 'summer vacation' from training, meaning I've cut back on my mileage, and have done no speed work for a month.  So I had no high expectations of running a fast time here, but with all the hoopla surrounding it, this was not an experience I wanted to miss.

First off, there's the bands scattered along the course, more than one every mile, to keep you going.  They also have cheerleaders set up at various points, and in the first half, which is mostly in the loop, there are lots of family and friends cheering you on.  Then, after the race, there's a reward:  A big concert with headliner, Five for Fighting. It's fun to run small races as I've been doing for the  last couple months, but it's also fun to take part in a 'big event race' like this every once in awhile.

I started off running with my friend Greg, right on pace to run just under 1:40, but after about five miles, already drenched with sweat, I realized this was going to be a day when just finishing would be a victory for me.  We managed to finish in one piece in just over 1:45, and couldn't remember the last time we were as excited to see a finish line.  But our experience makes the performances by male and female winners Patrick Rizzo and Tera Moody even more impressive.

Moody and Rizzo are both from the area, both great high school runners, and both now live and train in Colorado.  Both also used the race as a part of their training for the Chicago marathon in October.   Moody is from St. Charles and represented the U.S. in the World Championships last year in the marathon.  Rizzo ran at division III powerhouse, North Central College in Naperville, where he was an All-American several times over.  I had a chance to chat with him and American 50k record-holder Josh Cox after the race.  Josh was in town meeting with fans sponsored by Nissan.  You can see the interview here: http://abclocal.go.com/wls/video?id=7588317

Oh, and after you watch Josh's interview, you might like to check out the website Nissan has set up for him and some of his training partners.  There's some great stuff on it.  Here's the link: http://www.facebook.com/mastertheshift#!/mastertheshift?v=info

 

The rock and roll series races are in 14 cities around the country, and their second year in Chicago.  Judging by the numbers, it's a huge success here.  It is more of a people's race.  They bring in some elite runners, but the prize money is not huge, and that's not really the focus.  I believe they brought in more 'celebrities' than elite runners, including several stars from 'The Bachelor' and as one of the stars of the series 'The Gates' on ABC, Andrea Powell.  She has done triathlons, and finished this race as a tribute to her father who died of Cancer.  The race benefited the American Cancer Society, which raised more than $400,000 from pledges here.

Today Show weatherman Al Roker even ran.  It was the furthest he's ever run, but he finished.  I saw him icing his knees in the VIP tent afterward, even as he signed autographs and posed for pictures. 
The organizers really cater t o the average runner, trying to make it a memorable experience for everyone.  That was definitely how it felt out on the course, and afterward enjoying the concert with the other runners.   And for me, it served as the end of my 'summer hiatus'.  I've to get focused again on a big event I've got coming up in a few weeks, the Hood to Coast relay.  I'll be writing more on that in the near future.  In the meantime, if you're in the area, check out the event below on Thursday. 

And I'll see you on the roads......

Run Happy Cavalcade of Curiosity at The Runner’s Soul La Grange

Come one come all to The Runner’s Soul – La Grange August 4^th, 2010 from 4-8pm.  This one of a kind Shoe-a-polooza Carnival will “feet-ure” The Brooks Run Happy® Cavalcade of Curiosities.  Runners of all ages, skill levels, shapes and sizes will be entertained, educated and awed by the Cavalcade, which is highlighted by a custom double-decker British bus featuring free running gait analysis on the upper level and an Arcade of Oddities on the lower level. The Arcade of Oddities "museum" displays running wonders such as the world’s biggest shoe, the legendary “Bunion Boy’s” malady preserved and pulsating in a jar, and other strange and memorable exhibits. Don’t miss the non-stop excitement at The Runner’s Soul- La Grange.  Free gait analysis, product trial and try to walk on water in the Brooks DNA demonstration.  Every visitor will receive a free gift and be entered to win a trip for two to a 2011 Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon event of your  choice!  This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.  Experience our carnival atmosphere with a host of additional fun activities including: guess your body weight, meet the Yogi, circus midway shoe toss, fun house shoe mirror and much more. Enjoy complimentary popcorn, cotton candy and hot dogs.  Fun for the whole family.  Call The Runner’s Soul La Grange today to reserve your time for free gait analysis.  The Runner’s Soul, 5 South La Grange Road, La Grange Illinois.  For more information call 708-354-7685