Funny thing happened while running on the Lakefront yesterday

If you know me personally or know me as a Team in Training Coach you know I have a tendency to stand out. That is by far an understatement.  I bring this up because last week I was Coaching the Chicago Half Marathon at mile 3-4 and mile 11-12. When I coach Half and Full Marathoners I believe that the coach should have most energy and be the most positive. As a leader you need to lead by example. I preach that a big part of running is mental game and you need to stay positive even when it's tough. As Keegan Grant said, a little boy who fought cancer, once said, "Happiness is a choice. You can be happy or miserable either way the distance is the same." If a little boy with cancer going though hellish chemo and radiation therapies can say that, we as runners and walkers can stay positive when we hit the wall for a few more miles. I believe a coach's attitude and energy will rub on to others throughout the race. 

To this day, I yell Keegan's quote to every runner and walker I come in contact with. When a participant sees a 6' 3" tall coach wearing a bright green wig and obnoxious colored short running shorts you'll have a tendency to notice him or run away. You'll be surprised how many people give me a smile and then high five me. Last week during the Chicago Half Marathon was no different. I coached my heart out helping everyone get to the finish. 

Yesterday, I was watching out for Team In Training participants doing their 20 mile training run for the Chicago Marathon by the North Ave. Beach house. As I was coaching, I was doing my "coaching thing" cheering on all the other people running and walking by me. I must have had 15 random people come up to me and say something like, "Hey I saw you last week at the Chicago Half last week and I'm happy!" 

Having random people come up to me and say that gives me a great deal of satisfaction that my energy and positive attitude rubbed off on them. 

What a Weekend

Saturday, I went on a bike ride around Lake County. I had to go to a friends house who lives in Mundelien to do some computer stuff, but I made a ride out of it by taking the long way. At the end of my ride I ended up with 2 blown tires. I had to walk 5 miles in my socks while carrying my bike home.

Sunday. was a jam packed day of excitement. Today I helped coached the Chicago Half Marathon for Team in Training. It was a great weather race wise. Not too hot but just hot enough. I got high fived by Speed Skater Olympian Apolo Anton Ohno, who ran his first half marathon, at mile 4. I helped and cheered on a number of Team participants to cross the finish line.

It's been a slow summer

Since the end of the Madison Marathon, I've been in a training rut. I've had foot issues, bike issues, personal issues, obligations, and work issues that kept me from training for anything this summer. I know if something is really important you make the time. This summer I did not have enough time. When I look back at last summer I think, "Wow how the hell did I survive training for Steelhead 70.3 and working 12 hours a day?"
Things are starting to look better. I got new pedals (Shimano Ultegra PD 6700), all the personal stuff is out of the way, my feet are feeling better & summer is over. Only question now is what do I train for?
I want to a bike event, since I now have my bike back. On top of that, I want to train to race walk a marathon, but I don't know which one. Any suggestions friends? I'm thinking about Apple Cider century or Northshore Century? Anyone doing those? I wonder if Rock and Roll Las Vegas is still open? I would love to take my girlfriend there for a few days. Of course all the fun stuff would be after the marathon.

So I kinda met Bucky Badger at the Madison Marathon Today

Today I really wanted to take a picture with Bucky Badger, the University of Wisconsin: Madison mascot, while I was running the 2011 Madison Marathon. Even when the race went through campus I did not see him. I was a little bumed. So after the race I'm sitting down in the massage tent waiting for my turn and I'm talking to the people around me. We're exchanging war stories and what we thought of the course. I told them I wanted to meet Bucky. This tall young man turns to me and says, "I just graduated, and I was Bucky." So I kinda met Bucky today. Sorry no pictures, I couldn't find my camera.

Stuff That Excites me about this Sunday's Madison Marathon

The Madison Marathon, my 9th marathon, is less then 3 days away! I love race day. I love the anticipation, the excitement, the thrill. I love being packed in to the start line with thousands of people then talking to veteran runners and giving advice to novice ones.  I love the thrill of some stranger calling out my name when I pass by. I love passing by that one band that is doing a cover of my favorite song that keeps you going. I love the sight of every mile marker telling me I'm little closer to my goal every time. I love the sound of my name being called out when I cross that finish line. I love the feel of stretched out muscles after that long run and the feel of that new shirt and medal you just earned.  Finally, I love the taste of a cold beer after that long day.

All the none runners call us crazy, but you marathoners you know what I'm talking about. You soon to be marathoners...just wait because your going to experience something that is wonderful, crazy, thrilling, exciting, terrifying, fulfilling packed into 26.2 miles.  

Two Weeks until Marathon number 9...I feel ready for Madison

Wow only two weeks away until I run the Madison Marathon. The training for this one was a little different from my past ones. For example, I tried a little bit more advanced training schedule. In the past I did a 16,18, and a 20 miler. This winter I did a 16 miler on a treadmill, a 17 miler, a 18 miler, and two 20 milers. I chose a harder plan because I wanted to feel prepared. When I did Steelhead 70.3 last summer, that was the hardest I ever worked. I ran 8 miles every Wednesday and 12 miles every Sunday. I had a strong finish. I think that was a combination of good nutrition and my body being prepared. Something I'm trying to duplicate for this race.

If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you know that my first 20 miler didn't go to well. I tried a different nutrition plan. I had a PowerBar gel every 4 miles and chewed on cliff bars. I think I drank too much Gatorade too. Suffice to say my stomach told me to never to do that again. I could not do anything for a good 3 hours. My second 20 miler, went a lot better. I controlled my hydration, snacked on peanut butter pretzels every 5 minutes, and had a PowerBar gel every 5 miles or 48 minutes. Afterwards I was able to enjoy a tall glass of chocolate milk, a Portillo's Italian beef sandwich, and take my mom to a movie for Mothers Day. If you must know we saw Thor.
I also been working more on my core and upper body.

About 2 months ago I joined Lifetime Fitness. There I was able to take core and yoga classes to help improve my form. I also worked with a trainer who helped me work on a upper body strength regimen. It also helped out that I was able to work out really early or really late on days I was busy with work.

Finally, since Madison is really hilly I really tried to run on hills or use the hill mode on the treadmills at LifeTime. On the cut back weeks I ran with my buddy Mike throughout Highland Park. For most of my long runs I've been running in and near Buffalo Creek Forest Presrve and Nikol Knoll Park where there are some pretty big hills.

My goal for this marathon is not to hit the wall and have that marathon experience where I still feel strong throughout the race. I never had that feeling yet, and still strive for that marathon. I don't think I'll hit a Personal record. Only way that is going to happen is if all the stars are in perfect alignment and the Force is with me. I'll be happy with a time between 4:15 and 4:30. If I can meet my consistent marathon goal, I'll move on to my next marathon goal, either race walk an entire marathon or try to get fast enough to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Fun but Tough 20 miler

So yesterday was the first of two 20 mile training runs for Madision Marathon. It was tough. Towards the end it was 60 degrees and sunny aka perfect weather. Not perfect for me. I'm trying to prepare for the hot weather I over dressed to simulate hot weather.
I was trying to have gels every 4 miles.
I was running at Busse woods and there happened to be a half marathon going on so I jumped it. I ran with random people and struck up conversations. Everything was going great until I hit mile 11. I was having wardrobe malfunctions, my stomach was starting to feel woozy, and my legs we're getting heavy. Looking at my garmin I was running at 8 minutes per mile at some moments. In summery I was going to fast, was overheated, had too much Gatorade and too much PowerBar gels.
After my 3:20:00 run I must of slipped in my car for a hour until I got a phone call from my second job telling me to come in.
In two weeks I have to:

Not go out to fast at the start

Get peanut butter gels

Know ahead by how much water to replace every hour by watching my water loss

I ran for Bob Piercy Yesterday

Last Friday, I was checking my news feed on Facebook and I was sad to see that Team In Training patient honoree Bob Piercy passed away. If you ever went to a Chicago Team in Training Event you met or heard Bob speak. As one person put it, "Bob was nothing short of amazing and inspirational." Bob was diagnosed with Acute lymphoblastic leukemia or ALL. ALL is a form of leukemia, or cancer of the white blood cells.
From Bob's energetic speeches to his updates on Facebook he was so positive he inspired you.
If you follow me on Twitter or Facebook you know I had to run 16 miles on a treadmill yesterday. Why I had to run 16 miles on a treadmill is a story for another time. The fact is that I needed to run my 16 miles for preparation for the Madison Marathon and getting on a treadmill was the only way it was going to happen this weekend.
When Bob spoke he always talked about how he heard about Team In Training. He was watching the Chicago Marathon one year and noticed all the people in purple. He always wanted to join the crowds of people running the streets but his heath would not let him. From then on he has been a big supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Even though his heath would not let him physically join us he was always with us in spirit. Yesterday's training for me was no different.
If you run on a treadmill you know it gets very boring and difficult. With any long distance part of your training is mental. With a tredmill you are not going anywhere, the room gets really hot, if you don't have a TV in front of you you're staring at a wall. I wanted to give up at mile 12. I thought about Bob, who was always there supporting everyone in Team. His positive energy flowing to everyone. So I said to myself this is for Bob and for all of those who can't run. I finished my 16 mile run.
I'm not fundraising this season for the LLS but I am coaching the participants of Team In fundraising Training this summer and fall train for the sold out Chicago Marathon who are fundrasing.
If you are interesting in tackling your first Marathon or your 9th and making a difference by helping find a cure for blood cancers you can attend one of our Information Sessions listed here.
Or help make a donation to people who are fundraing.
My friend Jo, who runs in memory of her mom and was my running buddy throughout last summer is trainining for Elkhart Lake Triathon this June. Click Here to see her story.
My friend Fish who runs in honor for his mother is training for Steelhead 70.3 Triatholon. Click here to see his story.

From Bobby on the Run