tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18043073429772205522024-03-12T17:18:49.477-07:00The Lakefront TrailRunning in ChicagoPete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.comBlogger475125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-86729289477220963322023-11-19T13:42:00.000-08:002023-11-20T06:48:59.354-08:00Lincolnwood Turkey Trot - 2023 Race Recap<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15.2px;">After a hiatus of a two years, I was once again running the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot. My training comprised of thrice weekly runs (including 10+ mile weekly long runs) and seven times a week (2x day) long dog walks</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15.2px;">.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15.2px;">I've run this race nine times before, so it's an annual tradition. As for a race plan, my only fitness marker was 6:40 mile splits for <a href="https://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2023/10/race-to-wrigley-5k-race-recap.html" target="_blank">my 5k over six weeks ago</a>. So, I figured a 7:00 to 7:10/mile pace would probably be doable for a 10k. However, I hadn't <a href="https://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2023/06/run-for-animals-10k-2023-race-recap.html">raced 6.2 miles since June</a> where I ran a 46:31 (7:29 pace), so that was a wildcard going into the race.</span></p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15.2px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4;">The weather wouldn't really be a factor however. Sometimes the temps for this race are in the teens. Luckily it was in the 40s for this one with sunny skies.</span></span><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15.2px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4;"> I wore a singlet with arm warmers and a ski hat. I also carried my phone for the first time ever in a race using a belt.</span></span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8837460424821388258" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Pre-Race</u></b></div><div>I hadn't picked up my dad's and my bibs during the week, so we needed to get to the race a few minutes early for packet pickup. We left the house at 7:55am for the 8:45am start. 15 minutes after leaving home, I scored a street spot just a couple blocks from the starting line. We slow jogged over to the bib pick-up line, got our bibs and shirts and then I went back to the car to drop them off. Then it was back to the race area for porta-potties then the start line. The national anthem was sung and we were off!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoL4gQ8XFic4flhZbo6X456vCIevLjrSgTxAy2gpVYR29i4CIh2JVYklKrdk23ylyVW6xgNEy3mZdrmOJ40reE6ZsO-J-iAQH6CM2yj2dQkye3dC7IDOodi8lQhsdB5GsWacpTIHMOSu_58Nw2Dp_LQ0ndZdmbNRk20Oz3H6y7KJMXEqsKuUxyxcZFVI/s2852/20231119_082659~01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Pre-race with my dad" border="0" data-original-height="1913" data-original-width="2852" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYoL4gQ8XFic4flhZbo6X456vCIevLjrSgTxAy2gpVYR29i4CIh2JVYklKrdk23ylyVW6xgNEy3mZdrmOJ40reE6ZsO-J-iAQH6CM2yj2dQkye3dC7IDOodi8lQhsdB5GsWacpTIHMOSu_58Nw2Dp_LQ0ndZdmbNRk20Oz3H6y7KJMXEqsKuUxyxcZFVI/w320-h215/20231119_082659~01.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and my dad pre-race</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><b><u>The Race</u></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 1: </b>I lined up just in front of the 8:00/mile 10k pacers in the corral, the horn sounded and we headed out. Lots of kids going out too fast. 7<b>:19/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 2: </b>The only notable part of this stretch was that a guy wearing underwear (and nothing else) was in front of me once again. I believe he runs by his house and embarrasses his kids who are out in front of his house cheering him on. Was one second slower than the previous mile (ha, ha). <b>7:20/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 3: </b>I tucked behind a guy for half a mile who seemed to be breathing easy and running a steady pace. For some reason he sped up fast then faded, so I darted ahead of him. <b>7:10/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 4: </b>We were briefly joined by the 5k walkers. This is the perennial problem with the LWTT: The 5k walkers and 10k runners meet up a few times during the race. Oh well, what can you do? Maybe a separate lane for 10k runners? <b>7:08/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 5: </b>I spotted a guy with gray hair who was in front of me coming towards me as he had just made the hairpin turn. Since I didn't want to risk him being in my age group, I made it my mission to pass him by the finish (spoiler: he was actually in the next age group up). <b>7:07/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 6: </b>I hit the jets just as I hit the five mile marker, and started my dash to the finish. This is the best part of any race for me. Still having gas in the tank and feeling strong. Started picking off runners as I weaved through lots of 5k walkers and stroller pushers!<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">6:54/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 6.29: </b>The strong feeling faded and I began to really red-line at this stretch. I tried to not get frustrated weaving by the walkers and to mentally stay with my pace and not succumb to the temptation to slow down to their walking/slow jogging speed. However, this stretch was short and soon enough I hit the finish line, stopped my watch and I was done!<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">6:29/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZCHl6AiCuxA26yYWSLTRxBAAAXfUG6mA6bexsHTvJ5HLCDQWHyyj3eLaFt-9LYBnCZ9JbxKJVCDdWOph6x3Ngfr2aEvC3OVZOg-GVJfsKBxSAUKpk8RlG66QOmk9MAkhK3jWQiHJK5BIqMdmMgKBaMQP_8XRV5g8A8mwjuZ7VjZvbXENBSI7V8-CD9U/s1123/LincolnwoodTurkeyTrot_2023.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="530" data-original-width="1123" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZCHl6AiCuxA26yYWSLTRxBAAAXfUG6mA6bexsHTvJ5HLCDQWHyyj3eLaFt-9LYBnCZ9JbxKJVCDdWOph6x3Ngfr2aEvC3OVZOg-GVJfsKBxSAUKpk8RlG66QOmk9MAkhK3jWQiHJK5BIqMdmMgKBaMQP_8XRV5g8A8mwjuZ7VjZvbXENBSI7V8-CD9U/w400-h188/LincolnwoodTurkeyTrot_2023.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="font-size: 14.5455px; line-height: 18.1818px;">Race Summary: </b></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><ul style="font-size: 14.5455px; line-height: 18.1818px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Official time: 44:46. Official pace: 7:14/mile</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Garmin pace: 7:08/mile</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Overall Place: 32nd out of 333</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Age Place: 2nd out of 15</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Beat my time from June by over a minute and a half!</li></ul><div><b>Post-Race:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I picked up my finisher medal and water, then met my dad who had just finished the 5k and finished first in his age group!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Race Takeaway:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It was picture perfect sunny and cool weather for a race. I'm happy to still be out there running this race for the ninth time. It's an annual tradition that I'm hoping to continue.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Next up: ??</b></div></div></div>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-36629674456164857842023-10-02T14:02:00.003-07:002023-10-02T15:54:31.677-07:00Race to Wrigley 5k 2023 - Race Recap<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">As per my </span></span><a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2023/09/race-to-wrigley-2023-determining-my-5k.html" style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px;">previous post</a><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 14.85px;">, I had been spending an inordinate amount of time trying to figure out my fitness level and ergo, my pace, for the Race to Wrigley 5k. What made my pace calcs difficult was that I hadn't run a race since June and I hadn't run an all-out mile this year. If I had, I could have plugged that mile time into a race pace conversion calculator.</span></span></span></p><p><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px;">So, based on a hunch, I figured I was somewhere near a 20:30 5k fitness level. So, my strategy was this: Start out at a 6:45 per mile pace for mile one and then if I felt good, drop the pace down to 6:30 and 6:15 and somehow squeak out a 19:59 finish in the final 0.10.</span></p><p><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px;">Here's what I came up with:</span></p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><p style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b><u>Option A:</u></b></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">If I really wanted to go sub-20, I would need to be aggressive in the final two miles. So that would mean I would need something like:</p><p style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">6:45, 6:30, 6:15, 5:30 = <b>~19:59</b></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><b><u>Option B</u>:</b></p><p style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">If at the end of mile 1 at 6:45/mi pace, I feel I'm maxed out, I'll just hold that pace for miles 2 and 3:</p><p style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;">6:45, 6:45, 6:45, 5:30 = ~<b>20:59</b></p></div><div><b><u>Pre-Race:</u></b></div></div></div>Woke up at 5:40am, got dressed, had coffee and ate half of a gf snack bar. My aunt graciously offered to drop me off near the race. So, I walked to her house at 6:50am. She drove a back road route to Wrigley and we were there in less than 10 minutes. So, I was there almost a full hour before the race start. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6h8V13f4i5otFo1z0nd5X1mX6Pm8ZZ5atxvX8yYukMRBu5lrHkAHS6UMzDQmWxvIGTVhiOL3cAB6PMTL2rc4YZo4Ixabkie-0A4j-dYS3nYa3Wlu6IIvmAzJo1ZQoXnk-hWh5QVdCMRFiKRUDDEyZmVg7G8K2mwGocuGu4fywuVHKjgddaUmAzJcN0M/s2944/20230930_071152.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR6h8V13f4i5otFo1z0nd5X1mX6Pm8ZZ5atxvX8yYukMRBu5lrHkAHS6UMzDQmWxvIGTVhiOL3cAB6PMTL2rc4YZo4Ixabkie-0A4j-dYS3nYa3Wlu6IIvmAzJo1ZQoXnk-hWh5QVdCMRFiKRUDDEyZmVg7G8K2mwGocuGu4fywuVHKjgddaUmAzJcN0M/s320/20230930_071152.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Race before we got to run on Wrigley Field</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;">I met my coworker at 7:30 who had my race bib, I checked my bag and did a little bit of jogging up and down Clark St. and then Addison over to corral A for the race. I stood in the corral for about 15 minutes listening to the pre-race instructions and the national anthem.</div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;">Since I was in the first wave, soon thereafter the horn sounded and we were off!</div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><u>The Race:</u></b></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-0Jvi4Kr_evNHRWoCv0QsKAEx0d7_3mTBb4uSMgEx2HzP9ExdHR2W_X7Viu3dXiYsIsdrb1i3-yL6jqnMUkaxlprye4ZMYoCVNlq0vLCI8AHS1023-TP3eIbz8DZ98uXz-pt4IA7JoBlkTfgHMawIwAAo03Mph5YEdITDu3luKLbMW_OLfb_2w-91pM/s2500/120321_14288886_enm130295020ram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1664" data-original-width="2500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-0Jvi4Kr_evNHRWoCv0QsKAEx0d7_3mTBb4uSMgEx2HzP9ExdHR2W_X7Viu3dXiYsIsdrb1i3-yL6jqnMUkaxlprye4ZMYoCVNlq0vLCI8AHS1023-TP3eIbz8DZ98uXz-pt4IA7JoBlkTfgHMawIwAAo03Mph5YEdITDu3luKLbMW_OLfb_2w-91pM/w400-h266/120321_14288886_enm130295020ram.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My head is between the red and white shirts in the middle</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mile 1: </b>The first mile goes due west on Addison and then north on Ravenswood. I looked down at my watch and saw that I was "only" running about a 6:50 pace and although it was comfortable, I needed to speed up if I wanted to hit either Option A or Option B.<span> However, I kind of knew at this point that given that I was at the edge of my comfort level I would not be able to hit Option A, so I thought I would just run by feel and not worry about breaking 20:00. <b>6:36</b></span><b>/mile</b><span>.</span></div><br /><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mile 2: </b><span>This race is all about getting to run on Wrigley Field. However another bonus to the race is that mile 2 follows the "cemetery stretch" of Irving Park Road that I run on at least once a week (to get to the LFT). So I knew every contour of this part of the race. Maybe I had a "home court advantage" because I started to speed up ever so slightly?</span><span> </span><b>6:33/mile</b><span>.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mile 3:</b> As soon as we got past the "cemetery stretch" it was time for the final mile and onto Wrigley Field. I will say, that it was surreal to be running a race on neighborhood streets, run along a brick wall for a block and then suddenly be thrust onto the field of a Major League team. Wild.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-87IE4PjzJFDaH2m9OzdXSsFO4uhGfLd6sUghpLvDr5gdt5iWmCa90xe3bD7zsI-Hf7_mfXf7d2wxc1Yfimn8yygC6mc7pGDSpXq-t3wFa8USwXJQ6duPqTXkmwNikzmBLje5BFpcopMbudsCIKT0Cs8PGOQGECz7lPIz5T63u6AQexKx5iTzUcrys8/s2500/120321_14318047_enm2540554422ram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0-87IE4PjzJFDaH2m9OzdXSsFO4uhGfLd6sUghpLvDr5gdt5iWmCa90xe3bD7zsI-Hf7_mfXf7d2wxc1Yfimn8yygC6mc7pGDSpXq-t3wFa8USwXJQ6duPqTXkmwNikzmBLje5BFpcopMbudsCIKT0Cs8PGOQGECz7lPIz5T63u6AQexKx5iTzUcrys8/w213-h320/120321_14318047_enm2540554422ram.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On Wrigley by the Cubs dugout</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapOQ9HHa8VK7sJwAD6bM4MtTuid-WhqZBqC1FBkDxx9201LoxTcff35phLUg8iPR1uAJ42dFt44Gsulr5GffBEuikUJecrcjsTToDVnqj8PnuX1Ib-1TRG7bUOU8F_fdi98M2DV3_zE6767xW9z4sGb8JP3RZVSdsZKN7NGOX45dslYAjMNSVUdjPM7k/s2500/120321_14318049_enm3627523ram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapOQ9HHa8VK7sJwAD6bM4MtTuid-WhqZBqC1FBkDxx9201LoxTcff35phLUg8iPR1uAJ42dFt44Gsulr5GffBEuikUJecrcjsTToDVnqj8PnuX1Ib-1TRG7bUOU8F_fdi98M2DV3_zE6767xW9z4sGb8JP3RZVSdsZKN7NGOX45dslYAjMNSVUdjPM7k/s320/120321_14318049_enm3627523ram.jpg" width="213" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Iyg4vzaQ-rf6ByR3JK7pu_QLIBtdGV2ooIq_6VPyJyEYK9Y00zICnmmWrP_mCi1xNxs730tH9hNnj3Vdh0blzK2F8LS3ifbzWyQPdPy3zppSHsctX__8Y2HU0GagddyckMwqIkzPYcjeMI4t30DBHKTKBXHAIjlOQOPUvNg58jWQFQcALw4xGCGEs2E/s2500/120321_14320030_enm3800794884ram.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4Iyg4vzaQ-rf6ByR3JK7pu_QLIBtdGV2ooIq_6VPyJyEYK9Y00zICnmmWrP_mCi1xNxs730tH9hNnj3Vdh0blzK2F8LS3ifbzWyQPdPy3zppSHsctX__8Y2HU0GagddyckMwqIkzPYcjeMI4t30DBHKTKBXHAIjlOQOPUvNg58jWQFQcALw4xGCGEs2E/s320/120321_14320030_enm3800794884ram.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;">On our way around the field I touched the outfield ivy, I was nervous as to whether security would admonish me, but just then saw a runner rip off a leaf. So if they were going to to after anyone it would likely not be me. Anyway, we circled around the infield by the dugouts and home plate and just as quickly as we got in there, we were leaving. As a parting shot they showed me on the Jumbotron in right field. <b style="line-height: 16.632px;">6:29/mile.</b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /><b>Mile 3.16:</b> My only motivation at this point was to try and pass people that were losing steam, as their adrenaline rush from running on Wrigley was fading. I knew that the finish line would be after a sharp turn on Clark and that it was "blind" as we couldn't see it until we were almost there. So, I started my kick before anyone else and ended up passing 3 or 4 people.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3fQ6mKuGkZXbJRN8qcZXxkM1nWCDSLUX3Dr1uPJ_XPhOn_SxOBDuKhQIwyqdBhjFiV4cm_jo7c1RkN4feulmcXS-fe8jTFmVwesYmXVoqbxkiFbfd2ty2tbUdI8JfY_hyphenhyphenCu0qCdZyuSX6oLY3TgKsJe2yftAzNj4U2_KEX21DXdNcpd_ykMlFBb59aE/s2500/120321_14279884_enm3171080963ram%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1664" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP3fQ6mKuGkZXbJRN8qcZXxkM1nWCDSLUX3Dr1uPJ_XPhOn_SxOBDuKhQIwyqdBhjFiV4cm_jo7c1RkN4feulmcXS-fe8jTFmVwesYmXVoqbxkiFbfd2ty2tbUdI8JfY_hyphenhyphenCu0qCdZyuSX6oLY3TgKsJe2yftAzNj4U2_KEX21DXdNcpd_ykMlFBb59aE/s320/120321_14279884_enm3171080963ram%20(1).jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kicking down Clark</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">I stepped on the mat and raised my arms. I was finished!.</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">5:47/mile</b><span style="line-height: 1.4;">.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_qdtiM9jZ7imnsArB0OZ2bwZBzFeYTNx99Ga7WD2vzIe4Z6nb2iXPbdKA6DDJ3V6DV7U5zRUJMTrON11Z0UVKOwKbI9eWiZAt2-OaCF8pDGIZuzhc3gGlX6NO2SpWumGf7dVlkT7gnMA9rBuRvV5GZsrUtwY9kaubPQJ2Zust1_5gqre9ajijnsPu8w/s2500/120321_14304308_enm2190958790ram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ_qdtiM9jZ7imnsArB0OZ2bwZBzFeYTNx99Ga7WD2vzIe4Z6nb2iXPbdKA6DDJ3V6DV7U5zRUJMTrON11Z0UVKOwKbI9eWiZAt2-OaCF8pDGIZuzhc3gGlX6NO2SpWumGf7dVlkT7gnMA9rBuRvV5GZsrUtwY9kaubPQJ2Zust1_5gqre9ajijnsPu8w/s320/120321_14304308_enm2190958790ram.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finished!</td></tr></tbody></table><b><u>Stats:</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a2Mr-7Sf1fYvI0h2MyQSNQizfLGrUpnTVk45yOD0gPKMqdtoE8nND1rcw_48vOYH8T1SzEVCh79BNLr9T-vIRJPXfbz6fJ3nGX7j28wiyj_1_FFL1Oec7nkyiPjEm6zQFZO-fcwPLNNGHnXNE-hBiFGDljSdrXD7k4ZdBRRzyyia8ahb4GTB89nd4rs/s1526/RaceToWrigleyResults2.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1526" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5a2Mr-7Sf1fYvI0h2MyQSNQizfLGrUpnTVk45yOD0gPKMqdtoE8nND1rcw_48vOYH8T1SzEVCh79BNLr9T-vIRJPXfbz6fJ3nGX7j28wiyj_1_FFL1Oec7nkyiPjEm6zQFZO-fcwPLNNGHnXNE-hBiFGDljSdrXD7k4ZdBRRzyyia8ahb4GTB89nd4rs/w640-h336/RaceToWrigleyResults2.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Official Finish Time: 20:43</div></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Official Pace: 6:40/mile</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Garmin Pace: 6:30/mile</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Place Overall: 56th out of 4,085</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Place Age Group: 3rd out of 250</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u>Analysis:</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;">My Garmin pace shows that if perhaps I had run in a straight line, I may have had a sub-20 within my grasp. However, my Garmin says I ran 3.18 miles, so I likely didn't run the tangents very well, or my GPS got a little wonky when we went under the right field bleachers. </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;">Anyway, here are some positive takeaways:</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>My pre-race predicted fitness level was pretty spot on.</li><li>Negative splits!</li><li>Almost 3 minutes faster than my last 5k. I love these large time chunk gains when you are getting back into running. I think shaving off another 3 minutes may be impossible, or would require me to train constantly!</li></ul></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b><u>Post Race:</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;">I met up with my co-workers and then one of them mentioned I was third in my AG, so I left them all and sat at the awards ceremony for 15 minutes just to find out that they didn't give out AG awards, just overall winners. Womp! So, I headed over to a bar to meet the coworkers and use the free beer ticket which could be used at most Wrigley bars. After a couple of beers and some conversation, I walked the 2+ miles home.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span>I'm not going to race for another month until Thanksgiving. Ideally, I'd like to run the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 10k and the Schaumburg Turkey Trot Half Marathon which are six days apart next month.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><b><u>Next Up:</u></b><br /></div><p><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px;">Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 10k and/or the Schaumburg Turkey Trot?</span></p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-74493709838714461482023-09-29T10:45:00.003-07:002023-09-29T10:45:40.070-07:00Race to Wrigley 2023 - Determining my 5k pace. Can I go sub-20:00?<p>On the eve of the 2023 edition of the "Race to Wrigley" 5k, I am contemplating what my 5k race pace should be. I entered 21:00 for my finishing time on the race's entry form, but don't know if that is accurate. I've been consistently running 20 mpw and walking 20 mpw for a total of 40 "on my feet miles" per week.</p><p>Since May, my "long runs" have increased from five mile run/walks to 12 mile end-to-end runs. In April, <a href="https://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2023/05/ravenswood-run-2023-race-recap.html">I ran a 23:xx 5k</a> on a handful of weeks training and <a href="https://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2023/06/run-for-animals-10k-2023-race-recap.html">a few weeks later ran a 46:xx 10k</a>. I haven't raced since then.</p><p>I would love to go sub-20:00 for the 5k tomorrow, but I am not super confident that I can go that low as I have probably only run one single mile at the necessary pace (6:27/mi) in the last few months.</p><p><b><u>Option A:</u></b></p><p>If I really want to go sub-20, I need to be aggressive in the final two miles. So that would mean I would need something like:</p><p>6:45, 6:30, 6:15, 5:30 = <b>~19:59</b></p><p><b><u>Option B</u>:</b></p><p>If I run mile 1 at 6:45/mi pace and feel I'm maxed out, I will just hold that pace for miles 2 and 3:</p><p>6:45, 6:45, 6:45, 5:30 = ~<b>20:59</b></p><p>In any case, about all I've decided is my opening mile pace. At the mile 1 marker I'll make my decision on whether to speed up and go for a sub-20.</p><p>Off to run on Wrigley Field!</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-67942950574468540122023-06-05T09:05:00.001-07:002023-06-05T11:40:36.206-07:00Run for the Animals 10k 2023 Race Recap<p>After two solid months of training, <a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2023/05/ravenswood-run-2023-race-recap.html">a 5k</a> 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 <a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2022/06/run-for-animals-10k-2022-race-recap.html">Run for the Animals 2022 Edition</a>. 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.</p><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><b><u>Pre-Race</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 15.2px;">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. </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHNzHOVzChtUln2VqeN47nlDgEVnaqjaEfE5a-Y_BaGuyOfljdA3Zg6qJdavHh2vq-5mVucncWiXokmWZY8JhpXk_ffB51B0oB4xC7bbPH1FQ_U-MW9rvB2z-8Z2b1w_kORukVheUBxgU0TTfWn5xO9kwGJerbs7LAnT-Cu8ECTz1Re3vi-7h1lHNV" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="421" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHNzHOVzChtUln2VqeN47nlDgEVnaqjaEfE5a-Y_BaGuyOfljdA3Zg6qJdavHh2vq-5mVucncWiXokmWZY8JhpXk_ffB51B0oB4xC7bbPH1FQ_U-MW9rvB2z-8Z2b1w_kORukVheUBxgU0TTfWn5xO9kwGJerbs7LAnT-Cu8ECTz1Re3vi-7h1lHNV" width="220" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 10k Course</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnDpao0AO2VHT1qzkX6M8wxsXvOkYUcmPmq_cUtha82cpHeolF3fpETI4d-qDlBWDktfgq6jeS2t9hq7oYm0mlhPK8qWH4JywXSTTDJxmWQjP9KKZin1QLFHM9y8Vh7HWb36Pcr00vCige4wH0F_oljltMLViNI6ffI8URx6Xv_MpFhxXWjE6qtsy/s682/RunForTheAnimals_2023_crop.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="682" height="174" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOnDpao0AO2VHT1qzkX6M8wxsXvOkYUcmPmq_cUtha82cpHeolF3fpETI4d-qDlBWDktfgq6jeS2t9hq7oYm0mlhPK8qWH4JywXSTTDJxmWQjP9KKZin1QLFHM9y8Vh7HWb36Pcr00vCige4wH0F_oljltMLViNI6ffI8URx6Xv_MpFhxXWjE6qtsy/w200-h174/RunForTheAnimals_2023_crop.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">Getting ready to run (for the animals)</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><b><u>The Race</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 1: </b>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. <b>7:42/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 2: </b>I was in a throng of 5k runners who were gradually falling back. More weaving <b>7:19/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 3: </b>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. <b>7:16/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 4: </b>The race suddenly became much less hectic as it was only 10k runners at this point. <b>7:24/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 5: </b>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. <b>7:26/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 6: </b>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.<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">7:48/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 6.23: </b> 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!<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">7:03/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="font-size: 14.5455px; line-height: 18.1818px;">Race Summary: </b></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><ul style="font-size: 14.5455px; line-height: 18.1818px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Official time: 46:31. Official pace: 7:29/mile. That pace was faster than my <a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2023/05/ravenswood-run-2023-race-recap.html">5k pace was only a month ago</a>. Nice improvement!</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Overall Place: 44th out of 256 </li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Age Place: 6th out of 27 (10 year age groups now that it's no longer a CARA race)</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Over a minute faster than last year's race. </li></ul><div><b>Post-Race:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I picked up my finisher medal and water, met my sister and went to breakfast at a place in downtown Wheaton.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Race Takeaway:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">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!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Next up:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">??</div></div>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-6616266111555266082023-05-02T19:13:00.002-07:002023-05-02T19:27:21.767-07:00Ravenswood Run 2023 Race Recap<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div>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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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 <a href="https://www.ravenswoodrun.com/">Ravenswood Run</a> 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.</div><div><br /></div><div>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 <a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2019/04/ravenswood-run-2019-race-recap.html">since 2019</a>, and it was good to have it back on the calendar.</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><b><u>Pre-Race:</u></b><br />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.</div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;">My goal was to do a step down in race pace over the three miles:</div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><br /></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div style="text-align: center;">8:30/mile, 8:00/mile then 7:30/mile.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><u>The Race:</u></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtgVx_JkeD2SOGpi4KTLw2zJAA_RWU-0UJyc84lAlqNVuvi-6_YVdj2X8VuYRVrpRCNgb0w9mjiF69lOJlu7ebXBkc-USEWOW7QiZCRa8vcY25gHFnBAtxLphypL3vSJ9FymxYgzZY29wgydaqU-bJ3suqOHevhazMtIJfKiD0dlnD81Q4qddK93O/s2944/20230430_083054.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa3iKOQQUOk2kzVztUIZXIRGZMUV9fAdMv-QgSocXHAEOrCIjmndfPOwYVp1jEyFJpdQ1nTAbFwoaixYHhP71jIYv9-fNRcLcjrCHOKAJWA1fee3W0ltv6NnUxqpzDdwdo8hVOuEKHltFZk3ooMO4perhabwg3n6kTsOt1wvrUg0vyOf_mWBX8am6/s3648/20230430_074835.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="3648" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIa3iKOQQUOk2kzVztUIZXIRGZMUV9fAdMv-QgSocXHAEOrCIjmndfPOwYVp1jEyFJpdQ1nTAbFwoaixYHhP71jIYv9-fNRcLcjrCHOKAJWA1fee3W0ltv6NnUxqpzDdwdo8hVOuEKHltFZk3ooMO4perhabwg3n6kTsOt1wvrUg0vyOf_mWBX8am6/s320/20230430_074835.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-race with my dad</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtgVx_JkeD2SOGpi4KTLw2zJAA_RWU-0UJyc84lAlqNVuvi-6_YVdj2X8VuYRVrpRCNgb0w9mjiF69lOJlu7ebXBkc-USEWOW7QiZCRa8vcY25gHFnBAtxLphypL3vSJ9FymxYgzZY29wgydaqU-bJ3suqOHevhazMtIJfKiD0dlnD81Q4qddK93O/s320/20230430_083054.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-race</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></a></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mile 1: </b>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 <span>runners were</span><span> </span><span>present. They had a corral system (with 2 minute intervals between corrals), which for such a small 5k makes me wonder why. </span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span>I started about 20 rows back. The starter yelled "go", and we were off. We ran by the <a href="https://www.germanschoolchicago.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cKiBhD5ARIsAKXUdyagHCRNa83qLKPylysKfpQDTun1F-Y4ce18gPdTW___eFRt-dIu4AsaAlZAEALw_wcB">German International School of Chicago</a> and they cheered us on in German</span><span>. I went out way faster than planned, but my lungs were handling the load quite well. </span><b>7:47/mile</b><span>.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLQ5vqfRal3htEsHG0AzCxfECyhiHZldu9TDOiZSy5LP0sha-6sZCQDfY3foPwZmUiB-ETMX_l2BEQKtH1YXBxD7W1AoVAUoX3goicmGkzsfTb0KtlLjdcf4gk2QWfs25PwMqcDbBSm_dCEtxeKxyUIHYy9aewi4iDMAXk-LA8AxKY24M_1oHnk8x/s2500/119169_13269866_enm1575812263ram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1661" data-original-width="2500" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcLQ5vqfRal3htEsHG0AzCxfECyhiHZldu9TDOiZSy5LP0sha-6sZCQDfY3foPwZmUiB-ETMX_l2BEQKtH1YXBxD7W1AoVAUoX3goicmGkzsfTb0KtlLjdcf4gk2QWfs25PwMqcDbBSm_dCEtxeKxyUIHYy9aewi4iDMAXk-LA8AxKY24M_1oHnk8x/w400-h266/119169_13269866_enm1575812263ram.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During Mile 1. Can you spot me?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mile 2: </b><span>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</span><span>. </span><b>7:41/mile</b><span>.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mile 3:</b> 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. <b style="line-height: 16.632px;">7:10/mile.</b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03uQ3oe6oVOagGC1SSqdKFQEMUzxmp7BLz6fZwG3K3_souhGeMnW7rjt46WmNB9YtYCEUubs8BkXZ2th2ORaK5cZUh2pka_BCDWbMBEg7YrDt9tZM-uS8b19pWsjmEEYMbURNSJG8k-ZOYjzyRTVXFfHDUwWr0-iebW2D9IaPT7Z887v-h6sKG0UQ/s2500/119169_13269070_enm1300869280ram.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2500" data-original-width="1667" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi03uQ3oe6oVOagGC1SSqdKFQEMUzxmp7BLz6fZwG3K3_souhGeMnW7rjt46WmNB9YtYCEUubs8BkXZ2th2ORaK5cZUh2pka_BCDWbMBEg7YrDt9tZM-uS8b19pWsjmEEYMbURNSJG8k-ZOYjzyRTVXFfHDUwWr0-iebW2D9IaPT7Z887v-h6sKG0UQ/s320/119169_13269070_enm1300869280ram.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman";">About 200 yards from the finish</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b>Mile 3.16:</b> 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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlC4NqhyXsg8PPMklVwEaYostHNnnmQERKst2-R__3TnlH-zfDNullLOzGzGsylQnRcJ6JbnLMLsyMOfeLpUar_bb6duMml0Et5vwhT5xyeeJSh-Fg_5IXXbeiaw0f-MduYLRlcOUpWOo8gzmOSQSjF4owlsJ2h1RtsznkHXArgAzQIJ0lxLKHqEu/s1000/2023-05-02_20-52-53.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="664" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRlC4NqhyXsg8PPMklVwEaYostHNnnmQERKst2-R__3TnlH-zfDNullLOzGzGsylQnRcJ6JbnLMLsyMOfeLpUar_bb6duMml0Et5vwhT5xyeeJSh-Fg_5IXXbeiaw0f-MduYLRlcOUpWOo8gzmOSQSjF4owlsJ2h1RtsznkHXArgAzQIJ0lxLKHqEu/w265-h400/2023-05-02_20-52-53.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eEy34Zdf6gKnNInDWoOYSTzA1ZOkHKesRc0at6xNQb_UI037jQDNU6ZFdmAosdqQIzlty0iYWNDEkOXi5EBJXmQhiWbZZJg3v7pGMlQYc3sVyfSiPmxHWbKQv1_BNlGnZYw1uYdVIvfcSNshutBFubm4scsekW7dN-Wwx55xFT4nIphVpVrPtPo6/s1000/2023-05-02_20-55-07.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="663" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1eEy34Zdf6gKnNInDWoOYSTzA1ZOkHKesRc0at6xNQb_UI037jQDNU6ZFdmAosdqQIzlty0iYWNDEkOXi5EBJXmQhiWbZZJg3v7pGMlQYc3sVyfSiPmxHWbKQv1_BNlGnZYw1uYdVIvfcSNshutBFubm4scsekW7dN-Wwx55xFT4nIphVpVrPtPo6/w265-h400/2023-05-02_20-55-07.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span style="line-height: 1.4;">I stepped on the second (and final) mat and stopped my Garmin. I was finished!.</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">6:19/mile</b><span style="line-height: 1.4;">.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b><u>Stats:</u></b><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF36X-tRGbDpYII6cl1ZxE30_focoPxC1RIL8Cz7i_o7QtgjOm8iYCLDH0X90kO_pT7gTmYuvkTOIMvgj26CHtYmtl6vAIbeK3r8FbMcn1Hj_zwqHJYC5z_aHTUPWOYiTg0ffm7QLOE7hrR_NYtQIYsTp56HXNlIqTj2d9vEK9Jofuxw-M-AJIDYap" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="335" data-original-width="1171" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF36X-tRGbDpYII6cl1ZxE30_focoPxC1RIL8Cz7i_o7QtgjOm8iYCLDH0X90kO_pT7gTmYuvkTOIMvgj26CHtYmtl6vAIbeK3r8FbMcn1Hj_zwqHJYC5z_aHTUPWOYiTg0ffm7QLOE7hrR_NYtQIYsTp56HXNlIqTj2d9vEK9Jofuxw-M-AJIDYap=w400-h115" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Official Finish Time: 23:38</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Official Pace: 7:37/mile</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Garmin Pace: 7:29/mile</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Place Overall: 145th out of 1,112 (about 50% less runners than 2019)</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Place Age Group: 7th out of 50</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u>Analysis:</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;">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.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b><u>Post Race:</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;">I ran backwards through the course (using the sidewalk) and found my dad and ran with him a bit.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span>I'm not going to race for another month until the <a href="https://wheatonparkdistrict.com/events/cosley-zoo-run-for-the-animals/">Run For the Animals</a> 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)!</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><b><u>Next Up:</u></b><br /></div><p><span face="arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 14.85px;">Run for the Animals in June where I'll be the baby in my new age group!</span></p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-31289711800029920702023-04-26T08:40:00.003-07:002023-04-26T08:40:47.293-07:00First Race of the Year on Sunday!<p>I started running again two weeks ago (after a break of about 12 months). I wanted to run our <a href="https://ravenswood.enmotive.com/events/2023-ravenswood-run-presented-by-fleet-feet">neighborhood 5k</a> which takes place Sunday morning, so I needed to get in shape.</p><p>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!</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDSpI65ZzaX9v65Qxw5qu7GGEw1jrpbbyNQsQOo_Nb2pcfHYqLf_Ph6vpK9ipCfhIql_EVxjmIQ59Q6DyfTtMbtmKipXuEdMGHHRRbYkPnXigQHjk4tjpZJS7esxC9kjXeVbLrSxwWML-5hdDE0l7tJ-r5nddTCD22ezbYfmLHvoQMDDaa74caqup/s2944/20230416_101720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2208" data-original-width="2944" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEDSpI65ZzaX9v65Qxw5qu7GGEw1jrpbbyNQsQOo_Nb2pcfHYqLf_Ph6vpK9ipCfhIql_EVxjmIQ59Q6DyfTtMbtmKipXuEdMGHHRRbYkPnXigQHjk4tjpZJS7esxC9kjXeVbLrSxwWML-5hdDE0l7tJ-r5nddTCD22ezbYfmLHvoQMDDaa74caqup/s320/20230416_101720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the "finish line" a couple of weeks before the race.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALaL5M_vhO2mVmySlLkyJtPSdHTjgpZSQXQlSAJH1b5Q1FFx5mshOvb5kf8_CmrFZsVR-s4xEqkn5eXAwOnuEYOO4iPlabh-XPiZFDUwrRyGORAmOAMwPAX9c249Q4M8HFv6lsQfvFyitPi94418f_eRyMVWRS_AnLwaLFpaEGCJNdDujYHmu5dof/s3648/20230421_184604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3648" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiALaL5M_vhO2mVmySlLkyJtPSdHTjgpZSQXQlSAJH1b5Q1FFx5mshOvb5kf8_CmrFZsVR-s4xEqkn5eXAwOnuEYOO4iPlabh-XPiZFDUwrRyGORAmOAMwPAX9c249Q4M8HFv6lsQfvFyitPi94418f_eRyMVWRS_AnLwaLFpaEGCJNdDujYHmu5dof/s320/20230421_184604.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ran to pick up dinner at the take<br /> out window at Monti's.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We'll see how it goes and if I can accomplish my goal!</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-10195379773939536092023-04-15T07:15:00.003-07:002023-04-15T07:16:17.930-07:00Flashback: Ten Years Ago Today - Chaos at the 2013 Boston Marathon<p>Flashback: Ten Years Ago Today - Chaos at the 2013 Boston Marathon:</p><p><a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2013/04/chaos-at-boston.html">http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2013/04/chaos-at-boston.html</a></p><p><br /></p><p>Hard to believe it's been 10 years.</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-41582406383841547712023-04-13T14:56:00.004-07:002023-04-13T14:56:30.054-07:00 Ten years ago today: "Cheers to the Boston Marathon" - 2013 blog post<p>Ten years ago today:</p><p><a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2013/04/cheers-to-boston-marathon.html">http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2013/04/cheers-to-boston-marathon.html</a></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpUuchKJyHkkfCxRo1RV5PeKKdjzCoEFL_wG2sRbomDTIKz7QGjlS8XTxnLSW4hlZVE_J4OwKt9Cw-JVbBP1evSg34qE584Ra5qtBDJEnWoaqPbgi2mYdHoVnw_mkWGk14swB6VwTp1g4WFnKX4PlmxnUer4Ps7vpWQt2BSwSn0cUxWD2GiqfRGCd4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjpUuchKJyHkkfCxRo1RV5PeKKdjzCoEFL_wG2sRbomDTIKz7QGjlS8XTxnLSW4hlZVE_J4OwKt9Cw-JVbBP1evSg34qE584Ra5qtBDJEnWoaqPbgi2mYdHoVnw_mkWGk14swB6VwTp1g4WFnKX4PlmxnUer4Ps7vpWQt2BSwSn0cUxWD2GiqfRGCd4=w270-h359" width="270" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-15919277346728063472022-06-07T12:29:00.003-07:002022-06-07T18:40:20.526-07:00Run for the Animals 10k 2022 Race Recap<p>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 <a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2021/11/lincolnwood-turkey-trot-2021-10k-race.html">Lincolnwood Turkey Trot back in November</a>. 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.</p><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><b><u>Pre-Race</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-size: 15.2px;">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. </div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHNzHOVzChtUln2VqeN47nlDgEVnaqjaEfE5a-Y_BaGuyOfljdA3Zg6qJdavHh2vq-5mVucncWiXokmWZY8JhpXk_ffB51B0oB4xC7bbPH1FQ_U-MW9rvB2z-8Z2b1w_kORukVheUBxgU0TTfWn5xO9kwGJerbs7LAnT-Cu8ECTz1Re3vi-7h1lHNV" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="459" data-original-width="421" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjHNzHOVzChtUln2VqeN47nlDgEVnaqjaEfE5a-Y_BaGuyOfljdA3Zg6qJdavHh2vq-5mVucncWiXokmWZY8JhpXk_ffB51B0oB4xC7bbPH1FQ_U-MW9rvB2z-8Z2b1w_kORukVheUBxgU0TTfWn5xO9kwGJerbs7LAnT-Cu8ECTz1Re3vi-7h1lHNV" width="220" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The 10k Course</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><b><u>The Race</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 1: </b>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. <b>8:09/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 2: </b>I was in a throng of 5k runners who were gradually falling back. <b>7:44/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 3: </b>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. <b>7:30/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 4: </b>The race suddenly became much less hectic as it was only 10k runners at this point. <b>7:43/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 5: </b>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. <b>7:35/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 6: </b>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).<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">7:34/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 6.23: </b>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!<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">6:42/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="font-size: 14.5455px; line-height: 18.1818px;">Race Summary: </b></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><ul style="font-size: 14.5455px; line-height: 18.1818px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Official time: 47:47. Official pace: 7:42/mile</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Overall Place: 47th out of 258 (140 less runners now that it's no longer a CARA race)</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Age Place: 5th out of 22 (10 year age groups now that it's no longer a CARA race)</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">36 seconds faster than my 10k in November. I accomplished my goal of no walk breaks!</li></ul><div><b>Post-Race:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I picked up my finisher medal and banana, met my dad and sister and went to breakfast at an outdoor restaurant with my dad. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Race Takeaway:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Next up:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">??</div></div>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-64276703041764831382022-05-23T07:55:00.001-07:002022-05-24T13:29:27.610-07:00Training for a 10k (and a one miler)<p>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. </p><p>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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugigEeSlnxlRETfz5Uhbyt3EOgzI7gjoIuZYEuyVzzZAJ819lCWdvXiBb3YKRRwLWmhPYf8nD-ShDkpvvosf4kilOgNLSjPIejL70rM236v5LPQzDy8qOmQDSy_OzifNNwhKfQSqwu1f0K7LGlW5WwbntvF5u17UtWb6mn9NvN5amSAfmF6b2QHHs/s4051/20220522_120439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1936" data-original-width="4051" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjugigEeSlnxlRETfz5Uhbyt3EOgzI7gjoIuZYEuyVzzZAJ819lCWdvXiBb3YKRRwLWmhPYf8nD-ShDkpvvosf4kilOgNLSjPIejL70rM236v5LPQzDy8qOmQDSy_OzifNNwhKfQSqwu1f0K7LGlW5WwbntvF5u17UtWb6mn9NvN5amSAfmF6b2QHHs/w400-h191/20220522_120439.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75-a7l6a79Ox30q5VXRyD10JR296BzhhHx03EWSjzdVG0RJt6RsDEwfmjghoxwPUsU5Vnp7IaZuuJL-qqjpdsL5F5ksKjtUSSufjEltqmIogm_TVWvakiAv82Jiyvi_Hb4PMZmQcHzvoZdWVCIxBPQj4rT2_qMVDxl2NW-iMccyje7LxTcSeNQYJW/s4000/20220522_120132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh75-a7l6a79Ox30q5VXRyD10JR296BzhhHx03EWSjzdVG0RJt6RsDEwfmjghoxwPUsU5Vnp7IaZuuJL-qqjpdsL5F5ksKjtUSSufjEltqmIogm_TVWvakiAv82Jiyvi_Hb4PMZmQcHzvoZdWVCIxBPQj4rT2_qMVDxl2NW-iMccyje7LxTcSeNQYJW/w400-h300/20220522_120132.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt3EgfjY8ucBJfeUpMQYfzfmFLZjzC38tCdilsfO1bheCsh3gOGZgPw0Nqq5_eOW7MndHNQTy9Ikvn1HxoYjxg721boFuJdNvg6E_uEUPvszy-UvCO3CeHHIXHYY_ni4HEMVLcWxyiiKbnRbWxITF1MzaHI7-bMMm8QlJ9D2bBzo5weD3QmmnwSiI/s4000/20220522_115403.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivt3EgfjY8ucBJfeUpMQYfzfmFLZjzC38tCdilsfO1bheCsh3gOGZgPw0Nqq5_eOW7MndHNQTy9Ikvn1HxoYjxg721boFuJdNvg6E_uEUPvszy-UvCO3CeHHIXHYY_ni4HEMVLcWxyiiKbnRbWxITF1MzaHI7-bMMm8QlJ9D2bBzo5weD3QmmnwSiI/w400-h300/20220522_115403.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>I'm toying with running a one mile race next Monday (Memorial Day). We shall see....</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-37990988265028025052021-12-22T08:36:00.003-08:002021-12-22T11:24:20.284-08:00Happy Holidays<p>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. </p><p>In any case, I went for a run yesterday morning and caught the sunrise while I was on the "new" North Branch trail.</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi29KbyuSR6IGX3Ohg1tCWUtESwlNtaXeiuTjnECnu_VMy_aeHOWfbHpNGb7CzCGlZg24rG0eps3bnG4jmtZ-awVOaNgGlrySo6EcB-TvTESgWdLFMV9rFWFWy63DI5q14U6mKka5uJTHzgjI3lii_UylPuF6L0DzF9euex1rbc42IFQywTAiDb3CjL=s512" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi29KbyuSR6IGX3Ohg1tCWUtESwlNtaXeiuTjnECnu_VMy_aeHOWfbHpNGb7CzCGlZg24rG0eps3bnG4jmtZ-awVOaNgGlrySo6EcB-TvTESgWdLFMV9rFWFWy63DI5q14U6mKka5uJTHzgjI3lii_UylPuF6L0DzF9euex1rbc42IFQywTAiDb3CjL=w400-h225" title="Kerry Wood Field" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kerry Wood Field</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCOmQWerAN72mPkmveeEJN05XEMqbTQ2cUKcgAydiSuYilOujX1Ba6DiGIlDpMr2s6jJ8G7xF38lr36aeEINzeTGwwJGUzt5HPYKXksNMb_KFznzyzrnAEDHzPEpExX3cOtrl-ogp0v3Nx9V6JifHs-j2yLlpL_vKz3PbyDZcit1ZxFC0sNlwq-jD_=s512" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiCOmQWerAN72mPkmveeEJN05XEMqbTQ2cUKcgAydiSuYilOujX1Ba6DiGIlDpMr2s6jJ8G7xF38lr36aeEINzeTGwwJGUzt5HPYKXksNMb_KFznzyzrnAEDHzPEpExX3cOtrl-ogp0v3Nx9V6JifHs-j2yLlpL_vKz3PbyDZcit1ZxFC0sNlwq-jD_=w400-h225" title="Skyline 1" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyline #1</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRtUk6Q2HukkfVWhqIg_YX1m1JBo8l-wfrrcb8qh-d3CoDOgpfs3SITErDNIcsAuZaJmdOFMZNMH9zZwRIXRftB1q9Ouk3yIwqsEt1Ta7oeRE_WAJzy8YVz4HP0n096B07Lto9rkQC0tekqWrSVjGxxwHyw6WDY1xK5OrM6afHMYem9Fux6EGA5eFP=s512" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRtUk6Q2HukkfVWhqIg_YX1m1JBo8l-wfrrcb8qh-d3CoDOgpfs3SITErDNIcsAuZaJmdOFMZNMH9zZwRIXRftB1q9Ouk3yIwqsEt1Ta7oeRE_WAJzy8YVz4HP0n096B07Lto9rkQC0tekqWrSVjGxxwHyw6WDY1xK5OrM6afHMYem9Fux6EGA5eFP=w400-h225" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skyline #2</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjRtUk6Q2HukkfVWhqIg_YX1m1JBo8l-wfrrcb8qh-d3CoDOgpfs3SITErDNIcsAuZaJmdOFMZNMH9zZwRIXRftB1q9Ouk3yIwqsEt1Ta7oeRE_WAJzy8YVz4HP0n096B07Lto9rkQC0tekqWrSVjGxxwHyw6WDY1xK5OrM6afHMYem9Fux6EGA5eFP=s512" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Happy Holidays!Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-28302837120729984102021-11-22T10:37:00.003-08:002021-11-22T11:24:47.712-08:00Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 2021 10k Race Recap<p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15.2px;">After a hiatus of a few years, I was once again running the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot. My training comprised of thrice weekly runs and seven times a week (2x day) long dog walks</span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15.2px;">.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-size: 15.2px;">I've run this race eight times before, so it was an annual tradition of yore that I'm restarting. The itch to race is too great despite the lack of training. I enjoy strategizing pace, racing, and ultimately trying my best at a race regardless of how much or little training I put into it. Part of the fun for me is determining where my fitness is at the moment and then come up with a pace per mile that corresponds to that fitness so I don't leave time on the table by running too slowly. Conversely, I don't want to overdo it and run some "painful" positive splits. As for a race plan, my only fitness marker was 7:45 mile splits for <a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2021/10/this-runs-for-jack-5k-2021-race-recap.html" target="_blank">my 5k over a month ago</a>. So, I figured an 8:00/mile pace would probably be doable for a 10k. However, I hadn't run a solid 6.2 miles in a row in over 14 months, so that was a wildcard going into the race.</span></p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" itemprop="name" style="background-color: white; font-stretch: normal; margin: 0px; position: relative;"><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15.2px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4;">The weather wouldn't really be a factor however. Sometimes the temps for this race are in the teens. Luckily it was in the 40s for this one with a light drizzle before the race.</span></span><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-size: 15.2px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4;"> For the first race since last year I wore a long sleeve technical shirt instead of a singlet. It would probably end up costing me a few seconds but since I was running this race for fun and not a PR, I was hardly concerned about the aerodynamics of my outfit. My strategy for the race can best be summarized in my <a href="http://lakefronttrail.blogspot.com/2021/11/race-checklist.html">goals/checklist</a>.</span></span></h3><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8837460424821388258" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 15.2px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div><br /></div><div><b><u>Pre-Race</u></b></div><div>I hadn't picked up my bib during the week, so I needed to get to the race a few minutes for packet pickup. I left the house at 7:50am for the 8:45am start. 15 minutes after leaving home, and after a slight detour because of street closures, I scored a street spot. With about thirty minutes left, I slow jogged over to the bib pick-up line. I got my bib and shirt and made my way back to the car. <a href="http://ericafinds.com/">Erica</a> and I spotted each other and we said hi to each other. She was headed towards the race and I was headed back to the car. Once I made it back at the car, I pinned on my bib and sat in the warm car for a few more minutes. Then it was off to the porta-potties then the start line. The national anthem was sung and we were off!<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-azoNrk9W9Jg/WDMX56eGl1I/AAAAAAAAIQQ/e3MaeRl4i6owc8Oy7QVK1DHe6W2AOkUKACLcB/s1600/LincolnwoodTurkeyTrot_2016__11_20_01_Start.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-azoNrk9W9Jg/WDMX56eGl1I/AAAAAAAAIQQ/e3MaeRl4i6owc8Oy7QVK1DHe6W2AOkUKACLcB/s320/LincolnwoodTurkeyTrot_2016__11_20_01_Start.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption">Start of the race from a bygone year (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7IF5Xhohmw">src</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div><div><b><u>The Race</u></b></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 1: </b>I lined up in the 8:00/mile section of the corral and we headed out. I spotted Erica ahead, and I wanted to catch up to her but she was too speedy and I was trying to keep my first few miles slow. Eventually, I joined up with the 8:00/mile pace group. Yes they had pacers for the 10k! <b>8:01/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 2: </b>The only notable part of this stretch was that a guy wearing underwear (and nothing else) ran by me. I think he was doing the 5k, and I'm pretty sure I've seen him before. I believe he runs by his house and embarrasses his kids who are out in front of his house cheering him on. <b>8:06/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 3: </b>Other runners in the 8:00/mile group were breathing kinda hard for it only being mile 3. I think the pacer was winded as well. They seemed to be slowing and running a 8:15/mile pace, so I separated from them and went out ahead. <b>7:51/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 4: </b>We were briefly joined by the 5k walkers. This is the perennial problem with the LWTT: The 5k walkers and 10k runners meet up a few times during the race. Oh well, what can you do? <b>7:40/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 5: </b>I eventually spotted Erica ahead and was slowly gaining on her. At an out-and-back section she saw me and we shouted encouragement to each other. I had been biding my time until mile six to really turn on the jets since my goal was to make mile six my fastest. Almost there. <b>7:27/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 6: </b>I hit the jets, just as I hit the five mile marker, and started my dash to the finish. This is the best part of any race for me. Still having gas in the tank and feeling strong. Started picking off runners as I weaved through the 5k walkers.<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">7:16/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Mile 6.29: </b>My legs were holding up remarkably well and I gave it all I had, albeit without a ton of training, my jets were slower than normal. I hit the finish line with my hands overhead and I was done!<span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">7:02/mile.</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRDUzlhhaGI/YZvbL9T-EiI/AAAAAAAAM90/ELGf1AqOthQmL544mSJRfotByXqyPuOrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2540/LincolnwoodTurkeyTrot2021_02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="1238" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRDUzlhhaGI/YZvbL9T-EiI/AAAAAAAAM90/ELGf1AqOthQmL544mSJRfotByXqyPuOrwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/LincolnwoodTurkeyTrot2021_02.jpg" width="156" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b style="font-size: 14.5455px; line-height: 18.1818px;">Race Summary: </b></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><ul style="font-size: 14.5455px; line-height: 18.1818px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Official time: 48:23. Official pace: 7:48/mile</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Overall Place: 87th out of 396</li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Age Place: 8th out of 26 </li><li style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Slowest 10k in a long time, but considering the low running miles in training, and the fact I finished the race without walk breaks - I'll take it!</li></ul><div><b>Post-Race:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I picked up my finisher medal and banana, then headed over to the post-race tent which was overly packed with people. With no masks available, I think I made a wise decision and instead of entering the tent, headed back to the car. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Race Takeaway:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I'm happy to have run an entire 6.2 miles without stopping, especially since my training didn't involve any stretches of more than two miles without a walk break. I think my fitness is improving and I'll have to decide if I want to step up to run a half marathon this winter. I'll take a few days of rest before I decide on my winter running plans.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><b>Next up:</b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">??</div></div></div>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-48294549101252698562021-11-17T12:20:00.003-08:002021-11-17T12:20:48.745-08:00Race Checklist<p>At lunch today, I ran my last run (four miles) until my 10k on Sunday. It was windy and rainy, so good training weather! During my run today, I started to make a mental race checklist for things to remember during the 10k.</p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>A 10k is a long distance, so don't start too fast</b>. 6.2 miles is a long distance for someone who has been only run/walking ~15 miles per week. Probably the most miles I've run straight through without taking a walk break is about two miles. So, I need to take it easy especially early on.</li><li><b>Figure out the wind direction and modulate my pace</b>. If the wind is a factor, I need to run more slowly into the wind and then up my speed with the wind to my back. I will let people pass me if I need to into the wind, knowing I'll probably catch them when we turn around.</li><li><b>Finish strong</b>. Try to make mile six my fastest mile. Don't start my kick until the last quarter mile. </li><li><b>Have fun.</b> I love racing and I have fond memories of running the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot, so I intend to enjoy myself out there!</li></ol><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_0CiplxIDs/YZVjTam2iEI/AAAAAAAAM9Y/wT0CUfpxmgMPqrfDD9M1Ea3Ixji7op8tQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2540/Run_2021_11_17_pic04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2540" data-original-width="1238" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E_0CiplxIDs/YZVjTam2iEI/AAAAAAAAM9Y/wT0CUfpxmgMPqrfDD9M1Ea3Ixji7op8tQCLcBGAsYHQ/w312-h640/Run_2021_11_17_pic04.jpg" width="312" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running in the rain today</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-73395413164944799822021-11-15T09:08:00.004-08:002021-11-15T09:09:12.454-08:00Six days away from my 10k<p>It's hard to believe the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 10k is only six days away. Yesterday, the day got away from me with projects, and I missed my long run. However, it was probably a good thing that I missed it as I was tired all day even without doing my run. Maybe I should consider doing long runs every other Sunday instead of every Sunday? Rest is so key. Today I came to the realization that it's more important to ensure my legs are "fresh" for the 10k - my endurance will be whatever it will be.</p><p>I need to trust my race instincts will help me modulate my pace on race day. It doesn't matter if my pace is 10:00/mile or 8:00/mile. I just want to run a strong race all the way through.</p><p>In any case, it was 28 degrees and clear this morning, so I headed out to do five miles. I was able to run most of it, with only a couple of walk breaks. One of which was to take in this view from Belmont.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzqLHmarjrY/YZKRs81w0pI/AAAAAAAAM9E/fnPdDBhB8mY1Z0-qtzgfQ-hyL7-IdaHLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s512/Run_2021_11_15_pic01.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzqLHmarjrY/YZKRs81w0pI/AAAAAAAAM9E/fnPdDBhB8mY1Z0-qtzgfQ-hyL7-IdaHLQCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Run_2021_11_15_pic01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoy the Silence</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I think I'll do one more run on Wednesday and then rest until Sunday.</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-11824583646040439192021-11-03T09:02:00.001-07:002021-11-03T09:02:13.401-07:00Peak Fall<p>It feels like Chicago has nearly hit peak fall. Lots of trees are changing color and there was frost on the grass (it finally fell below freezing last night). I really, really love running with a chill in the air. 32° feels so good after a summer of non-stop upper 80s.</p><p>The sun was shining when I went for my run. I say run and not run/walk, because for the most part I ran the entire 4.25 miles. I didn't even really think about taking walk breaks which may something about my fitness or I was just antsy to keep moving because of the few days off post booster shot. The side effects were minimal, and I actually feel better now than I did in the days leading up to my shot. Go figure.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRSo6TCdgkM/YYKwuV9gHSI/AAAAAAAAM74/c4FVo6dsmOQoe7QhgqVBUcIduPK9DvAOwCLcBGAsYHQ/s512/Run_2021_11_03_pic02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CRSo6TCdgkM/YYKwuV9gHSI/AAAAAAAAM74/c4FVo6dsmOQoe7QhgqVBUcIduPK9DvAOwCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Run_2021_11_03_pic02.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cafe Tola</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sn68lqiWyZs/YYKwuRySU7I/AAAAAAAAM70/WU4vgahBGHslqsH3YNKVeZRlPBw1hlU3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s512/Run_2021_11_03_pic03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="288" height="423" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sn68lqiWyZs/YYKwuRySU7I/AAAAAAAAM70/WU4vgahBGHslqsH3YNKVeZRlPBw1hlU3QCLcBGAsYHQ/w239-h423/Run_2021_11_03_pic03.jpg" width="239" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ped Bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQez1U8ih0Q/YYKxJSHCWoI/AAAAAAAAM8Q/8kI4czkCSWA5lDC-_DqSDGwdEGZWwD26gCLcBGAsYHQ/s512/Run_2021_11_03_pic01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wQez1U8ih0Q/YYKxJSHCWoI/AAAAAAAAM8Q/8kI4czkCSWA5lDC-_DqSDGwdEGZWwD26gCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Run_2021_11_03_pic01.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rowing team dock near Belmont</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>In any case it was a beautiful morning just to be outside.</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-24625374882065886562021-10-28T08:08:00.002-07:002021-10-28T08:08:36.745-07:00Four Miles to Boost Me<p>After a year of not running, and now suddenly running 3 or 4 times a week, I'm starting to notice the little aches and pains that come along with running regularly. Besides the general leg and hip stiffness, my toe (the one I broke last year) is starting to flare up and I'm trying to decide whether to take a few days off to let it heal. I might have to take a few days off anyway, since I'm getting the booster this weekend and if it's anything like the first two rounds, I won't feel like running for at least a short while.</p><p>This morning I ran four miles to Belmont and back along the river trail.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2HFvx00llk/YXq8H2q0ywI/AAAAAAAAM7c/_InxTzAuEto5-f0Q2c3Cj1tzCjRhZxRywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1152" data-original-width="2048" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F2HFvx00llk/YXq8H2q0ywI/AAAAAAAAM7c/_InxTzAuEto5-f0Q2c3Cj1tzCjRhZxRywCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Skyline.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belmont bridge view at the trail terminus</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I may try and squeeze in one more run tomorrow before my booster on Saturday. Thereafter, I may be out of commission for 3 to 5 days.</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-87921109848275195502021-10-26T08:30:00.006-07:002021-10-26T08:31:35.134-07:00Can't Take the Race out of the Racer<p>This was going to be an easy for mile run/walk over the awesome Chicago River pedestrian bridge (2x) - down to Belmont and back home.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ThWaSOvvycs/YXgcuRFXf9I/AAAAAAAAM7U/V6NsKJLr5bI3m4w9P5eClZGk1GAc7u8RgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/312_riverrun.0.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1200" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ThWaSOvvycs/YXgcuRFXf9I/AAAAAAAAM7U/V6NsKJLr5bI3m4w9P5eClZGk1GAc7u8RgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h266/312_riverrun.0.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicago River Pedestrian bridge (<a href="https://chicago.curbed.com/2017/10/6/16438114/chicago-312-riverrun-pedestrian-trail-riverview-bridge">source</a>)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>However, when I got to the section under Irving Park Rd, just south of Horner Park, a runner was ascending the hill ahead of me. At first I thought that I would "draft" off of them by concentrating on their footfalls to "pull" me up the hill. Suddenly, I had the urge to pass them. So with a burst of speed I took off and floored it. Not wanting to look like I was competing with them, I had to keep up the same insane speed for another quarter mile, until I had turned the corner, run over the Irving Park Rd. bridge and was out of sight. Whew!</p><p>Needless to say, I was winded and walked the rest of the way home. I guess I really miss racing!</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-78798275706721046772021-10-25T08:13:00.003-07:002021-10-25T15:38:45.321-07:00Putting the Lakefront back into the Lakefront Trail<p>Yesterday, I ran/walked farther than I had in a long time. 6.5 miles to be exact. My goal was six miles, to the lakefront and home. But by the time I got down to the lakefront, it was so picturesque, I decided to throw in the extra half mile of running along the lake.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKY4lqBPwj4/YXbJKKebTgI/AAAAAAAAM6s/3fdwainAm9sEzNo9W88YP4y2rMZovqn8wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Run_10_25_Picture1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uKY4lqBPwj4/YXbJKKebTgI/AAAAAAAAM6s/3fdwainAm9sEzNo9W88YP4y2rMZovqn8wCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Run_10_25_Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ1j1qaPrbc/YXbJKN3x9MI/AAAAAAAAM6w/IOsV25TTS0UoUiuF2jIPfhUUkvCJPhMGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Run_10_25_Picture2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="1600" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aJ1j1qaPrbc/YXbJKN3x9MI/AAAAAAAAM6w/IOsV25TTS0UoUiuF2jIPfhUUkvCJPhMGgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h160/Run_10_25_Picture2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I'm tired today, but not too bad. I'm going to try to get down to the lake every weekend until the 10k next month.</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-58608111521318363082021-10-22T08:34:00.002-07:002021-10-22T08:34:28.569-07:00Back at It<p>Took four days off (instead of three as planned) post 5k. I think the race took more out of me than I thought. It just shows me that races can be punishing and days off afterwards are important to recovery. Anyway, I decided that I felt recovered enough for a four mile run/walk this morning.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffIpkMtJ8uc/YXLYp2LucWI/AAAAAAAAM6U/j1g5k9TUgb8hOR15dkFMsp_Pj1Veu4jCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/Run_2021_10_22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="675" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ffIpkMtJ8uc/YXLYp2LucWI/AAAAAAAAM6U/j1g5k9TUgb8hOR15dkFMsp_Pj1Veu4jCwCLcBGAsYHQ/w225-h400/Run_2021_10_22.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Running by <a href="https://www.spaccanapolipizzeria.com/">Spacca Napoli</a> this morning</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Running a full 10k seems pretty daunting at the moment since I am still get pretty tired after run/walking 4 miles. However, I've still got four weeks to up the mileage so 6.2 seems doable.</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-24832537423825532892021-10-18T04:00:00.006-07:002021-10-18T16:47:38.486-07:00This Run's For Jack 5k 2021 Race RecapSunday, I ran my first in-person race in over two years (last was June 2019). The race was the 2021 edition of "This Run's for Jack 5k" in Glen Ellyn. As for training for the race, I resumed run/walking two weeks ago after a one year running hiatus. I started with a one miler on a Monday, and maxed out last Thursday at 5.4 miles for 1.5 solid weeks of training. Although. truth be told, I wasn't a complete couch potato before that. I did a couple of longish weekend bike rides. Since Covid struck, I walk the dogs three miles a day, seven days a week. I also do yoga once a week. That said, I didn't know how I'd do in a 5k. I figured a 9:00, 8:30, 8:00 paces for an approximate 26 minute race might be a good target, considering the minimal focused training I did for the race.<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><b><u>Pre-Race:</u></b><br />I woke up at 5:30 am and did no shakeout run although I did walk the dogs a couple of blocks. After dropping them off at home, I grabbed a coffee and banana and made the trek out to Glen Ellyn, leaving just after 6:30am.<br /><br /><span style="line-height: 1.4;">I arrived at the race at about 7:20 after crawling along the Kennedy through a single lane backup by the airport. Once at the race, my dad had my race packet and I pinned a bib on my shirt for the first time in over two years! The National Anthem was sung, and we were off!</span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><b style="line-height: 1.4;"><u>The Race:</u></b></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mile 1: </b>I started about ten rows back, assuming the first nine rows would be full of five, six and seven minute mile paced runners. Since my pace would be around eight minute miles I stayed back. Once the gun sounded, I realized that there were walkers and 15 minute milers in front of me, so I had to do some weaving. That said, the weaving might have been a good thing because it held me back a little during the first quarter mile. We wound our way downhill and around tranquil Lake Ellyn. <b>7:45/mile</b>.<br /><br /><b>Mile 2: </b><span>Mile two in this race has a super high incline (55 feet) for two blocks up Hawthorne Avenue. I slowed down during this stretch (along with everyone else). Following the hills there were some nice rollers which keeps the course interesting. </span><b>7:44/mile</b><span>.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mile 3:</b> I got passed by a guy at the start of mile three and I was able to gasp out "nice job" to him and he said thanks. It's those little things about in-person racing that I guess I've missed. Lots of cheering by the volunteers kept the mood light and helped power me home. <b style="line-height: 16.632px;">7:27/mile.</b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b>Mile 3.13:</b> I don't have the "jets" I once had, but gave it all I had. Near the finish, I was all by myself so I couldn't really key on anyone in particular to motivate me to try and pass. <span style="line-height: 1.4;">I came in with all I had and was finished!.</span><span style="line-height: 1.4;"> </span><b style="line-height: 1.4;">6:40/mile</b><span style="line-height: 1.4;">.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b><u>Stats:<br /></u></b><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Garmin Finish Time: 23:49</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Garmin Pace: 7:36/mile</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Place Overall: 25 out of 251</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; text-align: center;">Place Age Group: 3rd out of 7</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b><u><br /></u></b><b><u>Analysis:</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;">I surprised myself with my negative splits and running about two minutes faster than I planned for the 3.1 miles. <strike>Since the results aren't on-line (yet), I don't know too much about the number of runners in my AG and overall</strike>. However, at the race I typed my bib number into the computer at the results table and saw my placements.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;">So, taking a one year run break didn't really hurt me too much in my age group placement! Unless I start running in the CARA circuit, I'm starting to get so old that the number of runners in my age group are smaller than the younger age groups which gives me a decent shot at the podium.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><b><u>Post Race:</u></b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;">I ran backwards through the course (using the sidewalk) and met up with my dad. I ran some of mile three with him and then left him for the last quarter so he could kick it to the finish by himself. I also got a picture of the homestretch:</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ76ScVrBE0/YWyGtbaPNxI/AAAAAAAAM6E/Drl6Yc3PhGUHt6JcLZ4Zx2ysxMzDKgUFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/ThisRunsForJack.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1091" data-original-width="2048" height="170" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WQ76ScVrBE0/YWyGtbaPNxI/AAAAAAAAM6E/Drl6Yc3PhGUHt6JcLZ4Zx2ysxMzDKgUFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/ThisRunsForJack.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The homestretch of "This Run's for Jack"</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span>I picked up my 3rd place ribbon (there was no awards ceremony), and headed for home.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><span>After a three day recovery this week, I'm likely going to ramp up my training at the end of this week for the Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 10k in November.</span></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4;"><br /></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-4662704054287957566" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 578.4px;"><b><u>Next Up:</u></b><br /><a href="https://www.lincolnwoodil.org/enjoy-lincolnwood/parks-and-recreation/turkeytrot/">Lincolnwood Turkey Trot 10k</a>, November 21st!</div>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com8800 St Charles Rd, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137, USA41.8930985 -88.05624999999999141.880318411078946 -88.0734161376953 41.905878588921055 -88.039083862304679tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-21811481894586687762021-10-14T06:11:00.005-07:002021-10-14T06:13:06.996-07:005.4 Miles Before my 5k<p>I ran my last training run before my 5k on Sunday. I ran/walked 5.4 miles. The goal was to build endurance which I think I accomplished. From day to day, I can actually feel my lungs getting stronger and better able to handle more and more training load. This was the icing on the cake of two weeks of training.</p><p>I'm just going to try and take it easy for the first half of the race and then try and pick up the pace for the second half. Goal is to feel good for most of the race. Now it's time for my mini taper!</p><p>In other news, a neighbor salvaged a 120 year old support beam from my house. He made a Halloween decoration with the beam (in front of his house) using a homemade "Warning Rats" sign that are seen throughout the alleys of Chicago. I thought it was clever. I snapped the first pic after my run and the other last night.</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5MUnMNoiHBQ/YWgruNl6hPI/AAAAAAAAM5Y/oqm9bNamVIMXimGNs6TpU3dfVHYE50xfACLcBGAsYHQ/s1626/20211014_075628_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="603" data-original-width="1626" height="119" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5MUnMNoiHBQ/YWgruNl6hPI/AAAAAAAAM5Y/oqm9bNamVIMXimGNs6TpU3dfVHYE50xfACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20211014_075628_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The support beam this morning</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FIkFQhAA930/YWgruJHpvAI/AAAAAAAAM5c/QtN7HoCTw1s5RF8pjmFo8311r1JXx1ryQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2016/20211013_194923_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1134" data-original-width="2016" height="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FIkFQhAA930/YWgruJHpvAI/AAAAAAAAM5c/QtN7HoCTw1s5RF8pjmFo8311r1JXx1ryQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20211013_194923_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last night</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-75231416072244580692021-10-13T07:50:00.005-07:002021-10-13T07:53:56.733-07:00Kegger and a Run<p>I ran along Ravenswood Ave again by "Brewery Row". In the courtyard behind Dovetail Brewing I saw a stack of old school wooden kegs:</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2qRh1Hw7Ig/YWbwr_V8MGI/AAAAAAAAM5Q/f2svdgZV4s8aIqZVE3y4scIr5wY9w9uFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2539/Dovetail_Kegs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="2539" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D2qRh1Hw7Ig/YWbwr_V8MGI/AAAAAAAAM5Q/f2svdgZV4s8aIqZVE3y4scIr5wY9w9uFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Dovetail_Kegs.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dovetail Kegs</td></tr></tbody></table><p>My run/walk was yet another 4.5 miles. During the run I was trying to figure out my pace for Sunday's 5k. I'm thinking of 9:00, 8:30, 8:00, 7:00. I don't want to overdo things and want to finish strong. The course is rather hilly in miles 2 and 3 so those paces may be a tad aggressive, but I think they're doable. I'm afraid of not knowing my pace, since when I was running consistently, I used to have them down to pretty much the second. My fear is wheezing and stumbling down home stretch because I went out too fast. The bottom-line is that I just need to have fun with this race and enjoy my first "comeback" race!</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-26241506073367184572021-10-12T07:48:00.003-07:002021-10-12T07:50:32.638-07:00Feeling Good - Fingers Crossed<p>Another 4.5 mile run/walk in the books this morning and I'm feeling good. During my run I stopped and walked whenever I felt like it and was not concerned about pace. </p><p>I am starting to feel more "charged" for the day after my runs. That's something I've missed over the last 12 months. In that time, tried to get my blood pumping with coffee, but it just doesn't have the same effect as a good run. I sit down at my desk fully alert and ready for the day. Without a run it could take an hour or more before I get in the swing of things.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBHU9Fn2Ld8/YWWfrStPAAI/AAAAAAAAM5I/PeB5MoVQOucfJ4xPzCkuJrjxZ7foCI9pACLcBGAsYHQ/s2539/Run_2021_10_12.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1239" data-original-width="2539" height="156" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GBHU9Fn2Ld8/YWWfrStPAAI/AAAAAAAAM5I/PeB5MoVQOucfJ4xPzCkuJrjxZ7foCI9pACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Run_2021_10_12.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On my run along Ravenswood Ave. this morning</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Anyway, I think I'll start my "taper" after my run on Thursday. Main thing is to get to the start line with no "overuse" injuries.</p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-1774945510928430132021-10-11T07:07:00.000-07:002021-10-11T07:07:06.887-07:004.5 Mile Run/Walk - Out too fast<p>Started out at a too fast clip this morning and felt it 1.5 miles in. Still had 3 miles to go, so it wasn't the best feeling. In any case, it's a good reminder for my race on Sunday to take it way easy over the first half of the race and don't let the adrenaline (from the excitement of running my first race in about two years) take over. </p><p>4.5 miles is by far the longest distance I've covered in a long while. I think I'll do one more similar run this week to push my 5k endurance a little higher.</p><p><br /></p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1804307342977220552.post-52102767984345267002021-10-08T06:11:00.003-07:002021-10-08T08:49:14.902-07:003rd Run and Almost a 5k<p>I almost ran 3.1 miles this morning, before I thought better of it. It's always better to train a little less, than to too much. Maybe this Sunday I'll run/walk somewhere north of a 5k, but it will be slow. It will be nice to up my endurance a little bit, so I won't be too gassed for the last mile of the race.</p><p>In other news, it was a little foggy this morning, but I found my way around!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-iCJMSWKdc/YWBCyfYyybI/AAAAAAAAM4w/rGvzokalx_E-xRGLmfSG5eRsmQECXcVXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s512/attachment.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X-iCJMSWKdc/YWBCyfYyybI/AAAAAAAAM4w/rGvzokalx_E-xRGLmfSG5eRsmQECXcVXgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/attachment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welles Park This morning</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This run improved my confidence that I can run the entire 5k next weekend without walking. </p>Pete Bhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.com0