Finished Marathon!

Well, I didn't quite hit my goal time (under 4hrs) for the Chicago Marathon, but I came close. 4:1:48 is the time I pulled in. I was happy considering I somehow got cramps in both thighs around mile 20. I've had cramps in calves before, but never thighs. I drank sufficient water, so it wasn't dehydration. My guess is I was just pushing myself too hard because I was on a 3:45 pace up until that point. Regardless, I'm happy, and now I know I can break 4 hrs if I just train a bit harder. So, see ya next year!

1 week to go till Marathon

Well, I completed my 20 mile training run, and it's taper time until the Marathon. I'll admit with everything going on at work (big projects) and my 3 kids in travel hockey (Ann Arbor last weekend, Kalamazoo next, Grand Rapids after that) I just don't have my mind or focus on running. Oh well, it's my 4th marathon anyway, so I'll just probably take it easy and enjoy it. At least it's supposed to be cool this year, and not the sweltering heat that it was in Chicago for the last 2 years. Woohoo.

Chicago Half Marathon tomorrow

Looking forward to the Chicago Half Marathon tomorrow. Last year's had just terrible weather -- cold, windy and raining the entire time. Tomorrow is supposed to be very nice, thankfully! I'll be running with my neighbors for a bit, as the husband Bob attempts his first ever 1/2 marathon! Go Bob!

Ah...the long runs

This morning it was an 18 mile training run. The weather was perfect. Cool, but sunny. Lots of people out doing between 18-20 miles today, so that made it more enjoyable. I wasn't tired, but my left foot was pretty sore. Dang hockey injury flaring up again. However, the ice bath afterward helped. I usually evaluate how sore I am by how I feel descending stairs. Good news is stairs are fine today, so training must be paying off! ;-) I think I'll swim a mile tomorrow, and then bike on Monday (labor day) with a friend. Nice relaxing weekend...at least until my kids hockey season starts next week!

Chicago Triathlon - done!

Today was just a beautiful day for the Chicago Triathlon. Water was a bit cold (60 degrees) but the rest of the event was cool and sunny. I was told beforehand that the first 1/4 mile of the swim would be crazy with everyone kicking you and bumping...boy we're they right! Thankfully after that it opened up nicely and the swim went very well. On the bike, the only problem was the 15 mph winds in your face for half of the 40k. Of course, the other half was nice with 15mph winds at your back! The run was nice and flat, albeit windy for the last half of the 10k. The most interesting thing was that I had to drop off my bike at transition around 5:30am, but then my wave for the swim wasn't until 9:20am. Needless to say, I went back to my car and slept until 7:30am. My times weren't anything spectacular, but I'm satisfied for my first Olympic distance triathlon. I'd put new tires and new aero bars on my bike, and I think they really helped. I was very happy with my bike time, although I wish I trained more in the position over the aero bars...my back and shoulder's got pretty stiff. You can see my times here.

Taper and long runs?

Well, this week sure should be a strange one...I'm supposed to be doing taper for the Chicago Triathlon, while still training for the Chicago Marathon. I had a 16 mile run this weekend, coupled with 2 hockey games...well, let's just say my legs are a bit stiff. However, they are less stiff than I thought they'd be, so I'm pretty happy! My only worry is my left foot is very sore on the top. I think I took a slap shot off my foot in one of the hockey games -- it's the only thing I can figure. I'm going to have to basically not run this week and let it heal. My only other issue is I think I've gotten wax build up in my ear due to all the swimming, so it's like I have a perpetual head-cold, without the feeling bad side effects. Time to go invest in some ear cleaner fluid or something.

Anyway, I'm excited about the Triathlon this weekend...looking forward to using my new wetsuit in a race for the first time vs just training. I just hope it's not windy, since I hate riding the bike in the wind. Cold or hot is fine. Just no wind.

Lake Michigan swim training

Well, after my hockey game this morning, I headed down to Ohio street beach and took my first training swim in Lake Michigan. I wore the wet suit, but truthfully I probably didn't need it. However, it definitly helped once I got out a bit and the waves started rolling in. I did a nice easy 1 mile swim. Not too crowded, so passed 4 or 5 people and just had one guy pass me at the end. Worst part was the parking costs...forgot that weekend they don't have hourly rates, but just one flat rate for the entire day! Doh!