Run for the Animals 10k 2023 Race Recap

After two solid months of training, a 5k and a 3.5 mile race, I was finally ready to tackle a 10k in Wheaton for the Run for the Animals.  I had not run a complete 6.2 miles in a year since I ran the Run for the Animals 2022 Edition. My training for this year's race actually consisted of a few "long" runs of 5+ miles. The Sunday before the race, I actually ran/walked 10 miles to Fullerton Ave. beach. Since that didn't kill me, I had some confidence going into the race that I could run the whole thing without stopping.

Pre-Race

I woke up at 5:15am and after packing my backpack, letting the pups in the backyard and pouring a travel coffee, I headed out at around 6:15 am for the 45 minute trip to Wheaton. Once there, I found adequate parking, but it's not surprising as this once super crowded race is not on the CARA circuit any longer. The Animals race was replaced on the CARA circuit by the Chicago 13.1 on the West Side of Chicago (it was taking place the following day). Anyway, the temps were a little warmer than I'd prefer at around 77 degrees with little wind. 

The 10k Course

Getting ready to run (for the animals)

The Race

Mile 1: I lined up about 20 rows back in the corral and at exactly 7:30am we headed out. The first half of the race is a giant loop (see above picture - the square on the right hand side). This loop is the section where the the 5k runners share the course with the 10k runners. Lots of weaving.  7:42/mile.

Mile 2: I was in a throng of 5k runners who were gradually falling back. More weaving 7:19/mile.

Mile 3: This stretch has a long downhill portion, then an uphill portion just before the 5k finish line. Just before the 10k runners approached the 5k finish line we veered to the right. 7:16/mile.

Mile 4: The race suddenly became much less hectic as it was only 10k runners at this point. 7:24/mile.

Mile 5: A I like this stretch for the tiny bit of "trail running" on gravel around Northside Park pond. At least it is something different than roads. 7:26/mile.

Mile 6: As I passed a couple of people, they offered encouragement. The heat was starting to get to me and so where the gradual uphills, I seem to always slow in this last mile. 7:48/mile.

Mile 6.23:  I gave it all I had, but the heat was dragging me down. Luckily no one passed me like in previous years. I imagine everyone was suffering due to the conditions. I crossed the finish line and was done!  7:03/mile.

Race Summary: 

• Official time: 46:31. Official pace: 7:29/mile. That pace was faster than my 5k pace was only a month ago. Nice improvement!
• Overall Place: 44th out of 256 
• Age Place: 6th out of 27 (10 year age groups now that it's no longer a CARA race)
• Over a minute faster than last year's race. 

Post-Race:

I picked up my finisher medal and water, met my sister and went to breakfast at a place in downtown Wheaton.

Race Takeaway:

I'm happy to have run an entire 6.2 miles at a faster pace than I ran my 5k a month ago. My fitness definitely on a strong upward trajectory as big fitness gains are easier to get when you start from scratch. I would love to run train another month and then race again this summer. Maybe an evening run would be cool and cooler as we head into the dog days of summer!

Next up:

??

Ravenswood Run 2023 Race Recap

Up until three weeks ago, it had been a year since I'd run. I broke my toe during the Covid Times and then took a prolonged break from running. Afterwards, I did a couple of starts and stops trying to get back into running. Then one day last year I stopped entirely and pretty much didn't restart until now.

I usually walk the dogs two to three miles a day, so that has made up the bulk of my fitness. Three weeks ago, I realized that the annual neighborhood race, the Ravenswood Run 5k was taking place at the end of the month. So, not wanting to sit it out once again, I started training again with the goal of simply running the whole race at whatever pace I could.

I averaged about 15 miles/week of running (and about 15 miles of walking) over those three weeks. I hadn't run the Ravenswood run since 2019, and it was good to have it back on the calendar.

Pre-Race:
No shake-out run this time. With only three weeks of training, I needed to save strain on my legs and keep them as fresh as possible. I took the dogs for a quick walk and then my dad and I jumped in the car and headed over to the course. Typically we walk over to the race, but we had some errands to run afterwards, so we drove.

My goal was to do a step down in race pace over the three miles:

8:30/mile, 8:00/mile then 7:30/mile.

The Race:

Pre-race with my dad

Pre-race

Mile 1: This is no longer a CARA Circuit race - I think the CARA circuit "Race That's Good for Life" was the same day. So, none of the speedier runners were present.  They had a corral system (with 2 minute intervals between corrals), which for such a small 5k makes me wonder why. 

I started about 20 rows back. The starter yelled "go", and we were off. We ran by the German International School of Chicago and they cheered us on in German. I went out way faster than planned, but my lungs were handling the load quite well. 7:47/mile.

During Mile 1. Can you spot me?

Mile 2: It was about 42 degrees, and I was wearing shorts and a singlet, but was still getting hot. I was not envious of the people who were still running with jackets and long sleeves. I slowly started to pass large swaths of people who had gone out too fast. 7:41/mile.

Mile 3: Right after passing the two mile marker, we ran into the quaint shopping area of Lincoln Square and I once again said my goodbye to the still shuttered Chicago Brauhaus. I was passing quite a few people down Lawrence. I was looking forward to the southbound tailwind once we made the turn onto Damen. 7:10/mile.

About 200 yards from the finish

Mile 3.16: My only motivation at this point was to try and pass a couple of people who were ahead of me. They were also turning on the jets, so I couldn't quite catch them. We crossed the finish line within a second of each other.

Done!

I stepped on the second (and final) mat and stopped my Garmin. I was finished!. 6:19/mile.

Stats:

Official Finish Time: 23:38

Official Pace: 7:37/mile

Garmin Pace: 7:29/mile

Place Overall: 145th out of 1,112 (about 50% less runners than 2019)

Place Age Group: 7th out of 50

Analysis:

AG used to be tougher since this was a CARA circuit run in years past. However, I'll take 7th place considering my minimal training.

Post Race:

I ran backwards through the course (using the sidewalk) and found my dad and ran with him a bit.

I'm not going to race for another month until the Run For the Animals 10k. I don't anticipate ramping up the mileage between now and then. I like where I'm at fitness-wise, so I want to keep the positive vibes going. I think a month of consistent yet moderate training will get me to where I want to be for the 10k - (i.e. in just a tiny little bit better shape)!

Next Up:

Run for the Animals in June where I'll be the baby in my new age group!

First Race of the Year on Sunday!

I started running again two weeks ago (after a break of about 12 months). I wanted to run our neighborhood 5k which takes place Sunday morning, so I needed to get in shape.

So far I've done quite a bit of run/walking just to get some time on my feet that isn't dog walking. I have yet to run 3.1 miles straight and that may just be my goal on Sunday. Try to run the entire thing without stopping/walking!

At the "finish line" a couple of weeks before the race.

Ran to pick up dinner at the take
 out window at Monti's.

We'll see how it goes and if I can accomplish my goal!

Flashback: Ten Years Ago Today - Chaos at the 2013 Boston Marathon

Flashback: Ten Years Ago Today - Chaos at the 2013 Boston Marathon:

http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2013/04/chaos-at-boston.html

Hard to believe it's been 10 years.

Ten years ago today: "Cheers to the Boston Marathon" - 2013 blog post

Ten years ago today:

http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2013/04/cheers-to-boston-marathon.html

Run for the Animals 10k 2022 Race Recap

After a three year hiatus, I was finally back in Wheaton for the Run for the Animals 10k.  I had not run a complete 6.2 miles since the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot back in November. My training for this year's race consisted of a month and a half of three mile daily run/walks and a few weekend seven mile run/walks. I also walked the dogs 2.5 miles a day. So for the four weeks prior to the race, I was at least on my feet and in motion in some capacity for ~30 miles per week. So my main goal was to finish the race without walking. I knew the key to accomplishing this would be a slow first mile or two.

Pre-Race

I woke up at 5:15am and after packing my backpack and letting the pups outside (and back in). I headed out at around 6:00 am for the 45 minute trip to Wheaton. Once there, I quickly found adequate parking which was surprising, as in years past there were usually a lot of people already parked at that time. However, this year the race is not on the CARA circuit. I believe the Run for the Animals race was replaced on the CARA circuit by the Chicago 13.1 on the West Side of Chicago (it was taking place on the same day). Anyway, the temps were seasonable at around 70 degrees with little wind. 

The 10k Course

The Race

Mile 1: I lined up in the 8:00/mile section of the corral and at 7:30am we headed out. The first half of the race is a giant loop (see above picture - the square on the right hand side). This loop is the section where the the 5k runners share the course with the 10k runners.  8:09/mile.

Mile 2: I was in a throng of 5k runners who were gradually falling back. 7:44/mile.

Mile 3: This stretch has a long downhill portion, then an uphill portion just before the 5k finish line. Just before the 10k runners approached the 5k finish line we veered to the right. 7:30/mile.

Mile 4: The race suddenly became much less hectic as it was only 10k runners at this point. 7:43/mile.

Mile 5: A little bit of trail running in the suburbs? Perhaps, but it was mostly just running on gravel around Northside Park pond. At least it was something different than roads. 7:35/mile.

Mile 6: A young guy started to pass me and I said "good job" to him. He acknowledged and replied to me "good job" as well. I spotted what appeared to be a very young runner ahead of me (turns out they were 9 years old). 7:34/mile.

Mile 6.23: My legs were holding up remarkably well despite not having run over 5 miles consecutively since November. I gave it all I had, but my legs just wouldn't get a ton of turnover. Some young guy flew by me like I was standing still. I hit the finish line with my hands overhead and I was done!  6:42/mile.

Race Summary: 

• Official time: 47:47. Official pace: 7:42/mile
• Overall Place: 47th out of 258 (140 less runners now that it's no longer a CARA race)
• Age Place: 5th out of 22 (10 year age groups now that it's no longer a CARA race)
• 36 seconds faster than my 10k in November. I accomplished my goal of no walk breaks!

Post-Race:

I picked up my finisher medal and banana, met my dad and sister and went to breakfast at an outdoor restaurant with my dad. 

Race Takeaway:

I'm happy to have run an entire 6.2 miles without stopping, My fitness slightly improved over my fitness for the 10k in November. I would love to run another race this summer. After a few days of rest, I'm going to research some ideas.

Next up:

??

Training for a 10k (and a one miler)

I've actually been running the last month, trying to get ready for a 10k next weekend (6/4). I haven't participated in the "Run for the Animals" since the 2019 event. I think this may be the first year in a long time that it's not part of the CARA circuit. It has been replaced on the circuit with the new Bank of America Half Marathon. Unfortunately both races are on the same weekend. I would have liked to run the new BOA Half since it seems to be a tour de force of the West Side of Chicago, which is a place that I've never raced (although I did run there when I worked in the West Loop). I'm definitely not in half  marathon shape right now, so it's probably best that I'm only doing a 10k. 

On Sunday, I completed the most miles I've done in a single run since October (7 mile run/walk) and it was spectacular late May weather: ~60 degrees and partly cloudy. I hadn't been on the LFT since the fall, so it was nice to get back out there. I took a few photos.

I'm toying with running a one mile race next Monday (Memorial Day). We shall see....

Happy Holidays

Still managing to get in 10 to 15 running miles per week and 20 miles/week dog walking. I think that's my limit right now, and I'm happy with that. Maybe next year those numbers will go up, but those numbers are currently in the sweet spot of getting quality rest while maintaining an above average aerobic capacity. 

In any case, I went for a run yesterday morning and caught the sunrise while I was on the "new" North Branch trail.

Kerry Wood Field

Skyline #1

Skyline #2

Happy Holidays!