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

One Year Ago...Merry XMAS

This morning I went for a run. No surprise there I know. I was thinking where I was last Christmas Eve. I wasn't running, I was sitting in the waiting room at Lutheran General Hospital.  It was honestly the scariest Christmas Eve I have ever had. Today marks the one year anniversary of my Dad's Triple Bypass Surgery. There was no running that day. I was running on 2 hours of sleep and doing anything to keep awake and keep my mind busy. 
You know what happed 20 minutes ago? I just got off the phone with my Dad. Telling me he can't wait to meet my girlfriend for the first time tonight. All I can think that there is no gift is greater then still having my Dad in my life. It was the greatest gift in the world when I finished Steelhead70.3 this summer and seeing both of my parents waiting for me. I was so happy I cried in there arms. It wasn't the fact that I finished one of the hardest challenges in my life but the fact that my Dad and mom were there to help me celebrate it. 
I don't care what Santa brings me tomorrow, because I still have my Dad and no gift is greater. 

On a side note I am hoping for some winter running gear or a iPad.

Team in Training needs Volunteers at the Water Stops for our 18 & 20 miler

Team in Training needs people to man Water Stations for the 18 & 20 miler!

We need help one last time this season for our biggest and longest training yet. If you're not training right now come on out and support your fellow TEAM mates. If you are training, wouldn't you love to have your family and friends out there supporting you? Do you know any kids who need community service hours? We need help to support our Team in Training Athletes training for the Chicago and Nike Marathons! Helping them helps to save lives as they are raising funds to find a cure! We are looking for volunteers to man our waterstops for our longest trainings of the fall marathon season, not only to pass out water and gatorade but to cheer our participants on and make these trainings extra fun and special and to show everyone on these paths training that day thatTEAM in TRAINING Rocks! When and Where: Saturday, September 4 & Saturday, September 18 on the Chicago Lakefront Specific waterstops will be assigned when you sign up! Who: Anyone who would like to come out and support the TEAM! *We will sign letters for anyone who uses this opportunity to get community for service hours. *If you are training these days this is a great way for your friends and family to show their support for YOU! Time: Training starts at 7:00 am. Not everyone will have to begin at 7:00 am and no one will have to stay the entire training unless they want to. Shifts will be assigned when you sign up. What do volunteers have to bring and what do they have to do? We will provide coolers with water and gatorade, cups and sports nutrition (power gels and bars). We will also provide directions to water stop locations. Volunteers need to bring their enthusiasm and support and anything else they would like to bring to support our athletes (snacks, fruit, signs, cowbells). They will pass out water and gatorade to our athletes and cheer them on. They can set up whatever kind of fun cheer station they want! Interested? Contact Marie Jarrell at 708-359-1989 ormysunbow@yahoo.com

My Results for 2010 Whirlpool Ironman 70.3 Steelhead

Here are my results for 2010 Steelhead Half Ironman.

My goal was to finish between 6-7 hours. I finished the 70.3 mile triathlon in 5 hours 41 minutes and 5 seconds. I'm really proud of my time. 

The swim:

I got off course a little at the beginning. Once I got in my grove and back on track I felt good. I made sure I was hitting all the buoys.

The bike:

I felt strong. I never went all out. All the people on the fancy bikes passed me. I felt like a pro at the water bottle exchange. Chucking my old water bottles and getting new bottles without stopping was quite a experience. 

The Run:

My garmin crapped out on me. So I used my bike computer to stick with my 5 minute run to 1 minute run intervals. 

I gotta go. My laptop battery is about to die. Below is my results. I'll go into more details laters. 

Robert Dobroski

BIB	AGE	STATE/COUNTRY	PROFESSION
1974	29	Buffalo Grove IL USA

SWIM	BIKE	RUN	OVERALL	RANK	DIV.POS.
34:59	2:50:07	2:08:28	5:41:05	889	93

LEG	DISTANCE	PACE	RANK	DIV.POS.
TOTAL SWIM	1.2 mi. (34:59)	1:50/100m	682	65
TOTAL BIKE	56 mi. (2:50:07)	19.75 mph
TOTAL RUN	13.1 mi. (2:08:28)	9:48/mile	889	93
TRANSITION				TIME
T1: SWIM-TO-BIKE				4:31
T2: BIKE-TO-RUN				3:00

T-minus 24 hours until I race the 2010 Steelhead Ironman 70.3 Challenge

Twenty four hours from now I will be getting into my Team In Training wetsuit that all my campers and staff signed and jumping in Lake Michigan and competing in one of the hardest athletic endeavors I have ever competed in, the 2010 Steelhead 70.3 Half Ironman Triathlon.
Am I ready? Ready as I'll ever be. I've trained. Try to eat right and try to stay hydrated all this week. I've swam 1.2 miles before, I've rode my bike longer then 56 miles, and I've ran more then 13.1 miles more than once. Never have I combined those three distance in one day.
Am I nervous? Not any more. I'f you read my previous post where I had a mini nervous attack not any more. I have my back up wetsuit. My bike is working now. Village Cycle fixed my front derailer cable, I've cleaned it up, and I fixed my cleats. After my Lake Geneva bike ride I had had to get new Speedplay cleats. When I was going on a training ride with the new cleats I could not clip in. After a close inspection, my new cleats were installed backwards! After I figured out what was wrong I was able to clip into my bike. I'm not aching or in pain and feel rested and ready to go. Knock on wood.
I've got PowerBar Gels, Performance Bars, and Harvest Bars for the bike ride and run. After the race I'll be looking for Well Done Steak and Beer.

All my gear is ready. Well 90% ready. I've laid everything out and made a list of things I need to get at the Expo today.

• Body Glide - To help take off my wet suit and prevent cheffing. 
• Bento Box to store my peanut butter pretzels in
• Goggle lens defogger - so I can see the buoys during the swim
• Tri laces - For my running shoes. 

Yeah I'm ready. I'll be making updates via Twitter and Facebook all weekend except during the race. If you want to track me during the race you can chip track me at http://www.IronMan.com. My bib number is 1974, I'm in wave 17, and I start at 7:42 am Chicago time. 

I also wanted to take a moment to thank everyone that has donated to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society by making donations, buying my water bottles and coming to my various fundraiser functions. I've raised $1,500 and hope to raise another $1,100 by the end of August. That money is helping families of victims get to doctor appointments and finding new and better cures for cancer.  

I'm going to finish packing and head up to Benton Harbor. 

Wish me luck, 

ROCK ON \M/, &

GO TEAM!

6 days to go before Steelhead 70.3 Half Ironman Things To Do

Only 6 days to go before my first half Ironman.
Only six days left until race day!! This is what I know about race day:

• Out of 18 waves, I'm in wave 17. I start swimming at 8:42 AM. (7:42 CST). The first wave is the Pro Men and they start at 7:00 AM (6 AM CST). Last year I was the first wave. I wonder what I'll do to kill time before the start of my race? 
• I'll be wearing a white swim camp according to the Steelhead website. For the past several tri's I'm always in a white cap. 
• I'm bib # 1974
• You can follow my progress live at http://ironman.com/
• I'm picking up my race packet this Wednesday Afternoon at Running Away Multi Sport in Chicago before I go to a half mile swim at Ohio Street Beach
• I need to clean my bike.
• I need more Power Bar Harverst Bars for race day. 
• I need to buy some pretzel peanut butter snacks for race day
• At the Expo I want to buy:
• A Bento Box
• Steelhead Tri Jersey
• Steelhead Hat or Visor
• Red Sunglasses
• I'll talk about this stuff later. 

Thats all I can think of for the time being. Any one want a water bottle?

Ten days away from Steelhead Half Ironman and I'm falling apart.

Less then 2 weeks away from Steelhead 70.3 Half Ironman and I’m falling apart. All my equipment and body is going to hell.

It all started last Wednesday at Ohio Street Beach. I had to swim 1.5 miles in Lake Michigan. I’m putting on my wetsuit and I find a hole in the crouch area. So I had to swim 1.5 miles without a wet suit. The air was hot and the water felt nice. I was scarred shitless that I was swimming in Lake Michigan and not wearing any flotation device. Luckily I have my wetsuit from my first triathlon for next week.  

Then on Saturday I was riding my second loop in an 11 mile loop around Lake Geneva. I wanted to do 3 loops then do a 20 minute run. Around mile 9 on the second loop I noticed my left cleat was making clicking noises. After I finish a really tough hill just outside of Fontana my shoe and cleat were not connected. I had to ride 11 miles through the hills to get back to my car on the power of my right leg. The ride totaled 44 miles. So to make up for the last 16 miles I ran for 40 minutes then swam a half a mile in Lake Geneva.

I ended up getting new Speedplay Zero cleats at Village Cycle in Elk Grove after my 12 mile run on Sunday. Today I tried using the new cleats and I could not clip in. I took my bike to Village Cycle in Arlington Heights. They said the cleats are fine I just have to break them in. Then I told them I was having issue changing into by big dear in the front of my bike. The mechanics told me I have to get a new derailer cable. Plus the bike mechanics said I need t clean my bike more or the carbon will explode. So I get my bike back on Wednesday.

See the difference in the new cleat vs. the old cleat? These barely survived 1,000 miles.   

I would go running but my side hips are aching. Instead of risking injury I’m taking a rest day and writing a blog update then doing some Yoga on www.Netflicks.com.

I hope everything works next Saturday. I did get new shoes (Saucony Hurricane 12) and a new helmet (Giro) so I don’t have to worry about my head and feet. 

 

Everyone knows I'm not going to quit. Not after I heard about Bob Percy. Bob Percy is fantastic speaker who I met a few times at Team in Training Functions. He is a great speaker. For the Team in Training Mission Moment last week our staff person told us he hitting a rough patch in his battle with blood cancer. He was with his family and going to see the team of doctors for the next course of treatment. Before the doctors came in Bob's family told him It's OK to stop treatment and take it easy. Bob then quoted a speech from Tiffany Wilson from the 2007 It's My Life conference:

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass, It's about dancing in the rain."

  Suffice to say he is posting everyday on Facebook with all the ups a down of cancer treatment. Hell I wanna dance in the rain too! I wanna keep fighting for him and all the other people battling cancer. I'm still fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Make a donation online at http://www.runningforacure.info or ask me about buying one of my Team in Training Water Bottles.  

Steelhead 2010 Training Update...Less then 3 weeks away!

Training for the Steelhead Half Ironman and trying to fundraise $2,600 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is a lot of work. I don’t remember working this hard when I was training for the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge last year.

Right now I’m at the peek of my training. Friday was a 1.5 mile swim. Yesterday I had to do a 50 mile bike ride and 5.5 mile run brick workout. Today I had a 12 mile run I had to hammer out around Busse Woods. I’m a little sore but I’ll survive. Tomorrow is a 2,500 yard swim.

There were plenty of times I wanted to quit. There were plenty of times I could have been sleeping in, playing video games or hang out with my friends late at night at the bar. Then I think about all the people I know who are affected by cancer. They can’t quit, they don’t have that luxury of quitting. Plus I remember that I’m stubborn and I don’t like to quit either.

Looking at how my training is going I’m expecting to finish the half Ironman in 6 to 7 hours. I’m assuming 40 to 50 minutes of swimming, 2.5 to 3 hours or cycling and 2 to 2.1 hours of running. I would be real happy if my end time was around 6 hours. My first and main goal is to finish and finish strong of course.   

I’m still fundraising. I have about $1,600 to go.  The best way you can help me is buy one my Team in Training water bottles. Click here to learn more. My Pump It Up and Noodles and Company Fundraisers did okay. Be on the lookout for another function in the very near future.   Of course you can make a donation at http://www.RunningForACure.info.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is committed to curing leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, and helping patients and their families. The support you provide is invested wisely:

In fiscal year 2008 $71.4 million was invested, including funding for 129 new grants to researchers in academic institutions and $4 million in contracts through the LLS Therapy Acceleration Program. As of June 2008, LLS was supporting 388 research projects and 9 research contracts in the U.S., Canada, and 14 other countries. LLS also provides financial assistance to patients; sponsors scientific conferences around the country; produces educational materials and videos; and runs dozens of Family Support Groups nationwide. (Source http://www.leukemia-lymphoma.org/all_page?item_id=12358)

Drop By Pump It Up in Glenview, IL on 6/21 to help fight blood cancers

Tomorrow on I'm throwing a fundraiser for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society at Pump It Up Glenview (1857 Elmdale Ave, Glenview, IL) on June 21, 2010 from 6:15 PM to 8:00 PM. The Cost is $15 Kids & $5 Adults (Optional Fee). Pizza and Soda will be included. Profits from the fundraiser will help cancer victims and research to find better cures. 

For more information go to http://www.runningforacure.info. 

Eat At Noodles & Company in Glenview on June 8th to Fight Cancer!

From Bobby on the Run

Don't Forget to Eat at Noodles and Company in Glenview (1851 Tower Drive, Glenview, IL) on June 8th from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM and mention your with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Fundraiser!
25% of the Sales will help Cancer Research! Print out the Flyer to help you remember. 
The need is critical: An estimated 912,938 people in the United States are living with, or are in remission from, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma. Every four minutes, someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer. Every 10 minutes, someone dies.

Research funded by LLS has led or contributed to advances such as chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and new, targeted oral therapies such as Gleevec®.

Make a direct donation to my fundraising campaign to help the fight with cancer at http://www.runningforacure.info.

All this running around I forgot to share about my latest two Video Blogs

So summer camp is less then 3 weeks away. I have two months until The Steelhead 70.3 Half Ironman and I'm not even close to my fundraising goal of $2,600 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I did manage to make two new You Tube Videos.

The first one is my annoucement to the world that I'm fundrasing as a member of Team In Training for Steelhead.

The second one I made a A video Blog about what I ate when I ran the Rock N' Roll Mardi Gras for my friend's food blog at http://www.imadedinner.net. The link to the story is at http://bit.ly/daplqI. 

Enjoy

Eat at Noodles & Company in Glenview on June 8 to Fight Blood Cancers

On June 8, 2010 if you eat at Noodles and Company in Glenview (‎1851 Tower Drive, Glenview, IL) on June 8th and mention the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society a portion of the sales will go to the Society. 

An estimated 912,938 people in the United States are living with,

or are in remission from, leukemia, Hodgkin lymphoma, non-Hodgkin lymphoma or myeloma.

Every four minutes, someone new is diagnosed with blood cancer. 

Every 10 minutes, someone dies.- 

http://www.lls.org

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS) has invested more than $680 million in research, approximately $69 million in fiscal year 2009 alone. Programs like the Specialized Center of Research (SCOR), which brings together teams of scientists from different disciplines and our Translational Research Program, which funds

research with a high probability of producing innovative patient treatments in an accelerated time frame, have directly contributed to many breakthrough cancer treatments.

Research funded by LLS has led or contributed to advances such as chemotherapy, bone marrow and stem cell transplantation and new, targeted oral therapies such as Gleevec®

My 2010 Half Illinois Marathon Experience @ILMarathon

So I ran the Half Illinois Marathon last Sunday in 1:54:23. I was hoping to get close to my personal record of 1:45:29. It was humid and not the most ideal race conditions. I stuck to my plan of 1 mile to 30 second intervals. Like most of my races, I went out too fast. The the first half of the race I was hitting 8 minutes per mile. I ended up with a 8:44 minute per mile average. I finished strong, was under 2 hours, and had fun. I even ran out to the marathon course and ran in my friends to the finish line. To top every thing else, I was quoted in the Daily Illini Newspaper.

From Bobby on the Run