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.