Elvis Is Alive

Finally I got in a run that actually resembled running.
My running buddy Sara encouraged me to jump into the annual Elvis Is Alive 5k race Thursday night on the Lakefront here in the Windy City.

The race is sponsored by Fleet Feet one of the major running stores here and it is a lot of fun what with the Elvis impersonators and all, but I decided to try to be myself, despite whatever consequences that might bring.

I haven't had a good refreshing run in over a year and have really battled trying to get back in shape after my setback last summer. It's been very discouraging and frankly big, big valleys of depression have been knocking me on my ass.

Well Elvis Is Alive and I'm back dammit!

Sara is a new runner, full of piss and vinegar and she is built for speed. She has those long lean legs, graceful efficient stride and tiny upper body (don't tell her I wrote this), no woman wants a tiny upper ya know but we all have to play with the hand we're delt.

I met her over a year ago when she was getting started in this running game and we became fast friends, at least she is fast and hopefully I can continue to be a friend.

She is in great shape and I am not but she told me she would run, trot, walk or whatever with me, which is nice but it still embarasses me that I can't do what I think I can do. Ya know, the old mind is willing but body is weak? Oh hell, let's don't go there.

We posted up near the back of the pack and it was quite a pack. Lots of wacky runners on a narrow concrete path so staying upright was goal number one and try to run a little was goal number two.

Mile One:
11:03 min, not fast but faster than the 12 min pace I've been trying to run this summer. My pacing and judgment are off too because the really slow training runs have been taxing me and frankly confusing and frustrating me. Sara, bless her little pea picking heart that must have a built in metronome, was calling our pace WITHOUT A FREAKIN WATCH! How does she do that being such a new runner and all?

Mile Two:
I'm prepared to bonk or slow down but it doesn't happen, we pick up the pace a little and hit the one aid station so decide to grab a gatorade and chat for a couple of minutes as we ambled along, naturally wasting valuable time, oh sure! Time talking with a fellow runner is gold to me.
We hit the two mile marker at 11:54 pace. Now it's getting interesting because we must have walked 2 minutes and walked really slow and I'm under 12 minute pace so I'm really prepared do die during the last mile...but for whatever reason...I don't die...I actually start to run a bit.

Mile Three:
I'm in a pretty good lather now and my legs are feeling great, I push out a little more with minimal effort and know I'm going faster but not sure how much because as I mentioned I'm really screwed up with my running, pacing and judgement.
We approach the three mile marker and Sara says "ten thirty" and my little watch says 10:33. Pretty damned close and I'm psyched as hell.

I'm not bonking the last mile but, in a throwback to the good ol days, I'm accelerating and feeling like I actually can run. What a great feeling! And we talked all the way through that last mile although my sentences were getting a bit shorter as the breathing began to pick up tempo.

Time for my first actual race in my new life, my little Elvis 5k, a blistering 34:33 or 11:07 pace.

Way slower than my PR of 24:20 but way faster than my 5k New Year's morning this year of something like 40 minutes.

Why am I feeling good about myself because I ran 3.1 miles and ran the last mile faster than the first two and knew I had more in me? Damned if I know, and I don't care, I just know that I feel good about myself today.

And I hope you're feeling good about you!

Struggling!

Ran or tried to do something resembling running this morning in the Miles For Malawi 5k race in Lincoln Park.
It was a nice morning but I struggled worse than I did last Sunday so I'm getting pretty discouraged and frustrated.
I keep thinking that if I stay with it I'll get a breakthrough someday but it's just not happening.

I know I should be grateful to be able to trot a little, and I am, but I want to get back that feeling that I can turn it on and off whenever I want.

Right now, I'm just involuntary shutting down, and I don't like it one bit.

I hope your runs and training are going much better.
Maybe someday I can give a positive report, you know the one that goes something like...."all of a sudden I felt I could really fly to the finish line?"
For now, it's a battle!

Father's Day Race

Sunday, Father's Day, Jacob, Jessica and I ran the 5k Loop the Loop race for Children's Memorial Hospital and what a way to celebrate my special day.

After a 1 hour delay because of wind, rain and lightening we took off in what felt like cool conditions but what turned out to be extremly humid conditions which made the little run quite a challenge for me.

I managed to finish the thing and met my predict time of a 12 minute pace, well a little off, 12:01 to be exact. I would like to say that each mile was an even 12 but in reality I ran the first two miles too fast and had to walk/run the last mile, so it wasn't pretty but I'll take it at this point.

J&J treated me to a nice brunch at Gibson's, a nice steak house here in the Gold Coast. We found a nice spot outdoors and the weather turned near-perfect so all in all a great Father's Day and I'm glad I felt good enough to enjoy it.

We plan to run another 5k this coming Sunday in Lincoln Park called Miles for Maliwa (not sure about the spelling but I'm too lazy to look it up). It's another charity run so I'm looking forward to it and hoping I can pick up the pace a little.

I'm back running as many of these little 5ks as I can find right now simply because they're doable and I enjoy them. I really miss the long runs with my running buddies and the anticipation of another marathon but I'm just not ready for the distance yet and hope I get a breakthrough someday that will tell me to go for it again. Will see.

For now, I'll take what I'm given and keep training.

I hope your runs, walks, quiet moments or whatever it is that gives you pleasure are going great.

Feeling Good!

My running is coming along quite well, surprisingly well.
Last Sunday Sara, one of my running buddies here, and I ran the annual Zoo Run 5k in Lincoln Park and we had a great time! It was a cool, breezy, sunny Sunday morning which is unusual this season with all the storms and rain around so we got a nice break in the weather.

It was Sara's first run in 7 months and I think she was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was for her, even though we planned to take it easy and did just that. Our goal was a 12 min pace and we averaged 11:57 so I was pretty thrilled with the pacing, especially in the narrow lanes packed with people, all of whom were in a good mood...which was a bonus.

I've always beat myself up for not being faster but after last year's setback I'm trying to mentally get a thrill out of pacing, trying to find a challenge in coming in as close as possible to a "predict" time. I think this is a good challenge for me as I heal up and my times are even coming down, without trying, so that is another bonus.

My first 5k since the injury was New Year's morning in the wind and snow in Lincoln Park and I struggled to run 13 min/mile so I know I'm improving.

Just running outdoors 3 days a week and from 3-4 half hour treadmill runs a week. Soon I plan to stretch my daily runs to 5 miles from the current 3 since I'm feeling pretty good but I'm sure in no hurry right now.

I had a wonderful two week vacation with family the last 2 weeks of May and that was good for me. We spent a lot of quality time and I was able to see my granddaughters play softball, a softball pitching drill with a professional instructor and a soccer match with 8-9 year olds. Now, that was a trip! Great fun! My little 5-year old granddaughter was in a dance recital the night of my 64th birthday and I've never had a better birthday present.

The markets are nuts but my work as a commodities reporter is going fine too so I have to say I'm a very lucky guy.

I'm looking forward to stretching out my runs someday but for now am focused on shorter runs for exercise and plan to pick up the pace and mileage when the spirit moves me...or something kicks me in the ass!

Hope your runs are going well!

Pissed Off

Yes I do get pissed off, especially when someone I really care about has a setback while following their dream.
The latest disappointment for me is my daughter Sarah's foot which hurts so bad she can't run. She started running a few months ago and worked up to a good solid 3 mile run, then it went to hell in a handbasket when what I think is tendinitis flared up in a foot.
I've had setbacks too but deal with my personal issues better than I deal with other peoples's issues.

Why that is I don't know, I just know that it is.

Freaking brilliant? Now get well and back to kicking butt Sarah.

By the way, I ran the annual Chicago Zoo Run 5k this morning with another Sara here in the Windy City and had a fantastic morning and good solid run so I'm scrambling back after a long layoff. It was Sara's first run in seven months and she was thrilled to know she hadn't lost it all, and that made me feel good all over. Ahhhh, yes I know I'm a fluffy ol' fart and it doesn't take much to make me happy these days.

Back from two weeks vacation with family and feeling frisky, well at least refreshed. Carry on wayward sons and daughters!

Start Training Now!

Okay, I have to make a quick post here and let whomever might stumble on to this freakin goofy blog that I'm officially in training for next year's (2009) Chicago Marathon.
My daughter Sarah was bitten by the running bug and is starting to crank out the miles now, getting for next year's Chi Thon and I plan to be there on the course, even if I can't keep up with her.
Somehow I have to get through at least one more marathon before I stumble off into the sunset.
Who knows, maybe more than one?
Dunno.
So far this year 2 5Ks, NY morning 13 min pace, another one 12 min and the annual Shamrock Shuffle here in the Windy City at 12 min for 8K, 5 miles.
Needless to say, I have a lot of work to do so wish me well.
Check out Sarah's blog and kick her ass for me.
I'm headed back to the land of corn and oz the last two weeks of May and run some freakin hills with her, I think:)

Keep on truckin!

Dreams Come True

Now that I've had a few days to let the stardust settle in my mind I think I'm ready to scratch out a few lines about my trip to Disneyworld on January 11-14 in Orlando, Florida and the related Walt Disney World Marathon weekend.

I had registered for the marathon last July with my son Jacob's special one Jessica and for any late comers to this blog you need to know that a heart attack and bypass surgery last August waylaid my plans to run this marathon. I was just glad to be able to be alive and see the spectacle and watch my son run it in my place. He and Jessica finished the darned thing and I don't know how because their training went almost totally to hell in November and December. Deep down inside I thought of suggesting they scratch because frankly I didn't see how two first timers could get through that distance on minimal training, but by damned they DID IT! They are the proud owners of a Mickey Mouse medal as big as my hand, it is beautiful and I'm really proud of their grit, determination and lack of fear. They are two gutsy competitors and I gained even more respect for them but I would have understood if they had pulled out too because I've done enough of those things to know how hard they are, even with proper training.

I had anticipated having a pretty good time at Disneyworld because of its reputation as the gold standard of amusement and theme parks but the occasion exceeded my expectations, frankly I was blown away and very impressed and it takes a pretty major jolt to impress me at this point in my life.

My daughter Sarah, soulmate Shayne and my two youngest granddaughers Rylee, age 7 and Scarlett age 5 joined in the fray and we had a wonderful, wonderful time. Sarah asked me what my favorite was and for the first time in my life I really couldn't pinpoint a favorite because in my mind everything was perfect, fun, good, clean and just pure fantasy. Jessica's mom Eileen and her friend Dick also enjoyed the weekend with us and it was good to be able to compare notes with Dick, who had bypass surgery two years ago. He told me I would be able to run marathons again. I almost cried when he said that, because I really want to and right now I'm still a bit beat up and out of shape.

Rylee is a bit bashful and shy about exteme events such as intense roller coasters but she finally agreed to ride the thunder railroad or some such thing and she sat with me. I was a bit concerned about doing this because I wasn't looking forward to a screaming seven year old on my hands about half way through a darned roller coaster ride. As it turned out it was one of the funniest and most fun times of the trip. After the initial up, down, up, down then a slower ascent up to catch our breath Rylee looked at me with a "what tha hell" quizzical look on her face and said "who's driving this thing?" We all laughed out loud at that one and I'm still laughing on the inside about the fact a little tot faced her fears, threw in with the family and ol' Grandpa Sam and let the good times roll. I confess I've been suffering a little lack of confidnce the past month about whether anyone will ever want to run with me again, much less ride a roller coaster, so it felt good that everyone felt secure that gramps could handle the coster with his little granddaughter. Needless to say, after it was over she wanted to ride the thing again and again. Sounds a little like distance running doesn't it. Once the first one is in the bag, bring on the next mountain.

Naturally, after that whirwind coaster ride I started to get cocky and went with the "big" people in our group on the Aerosmith Rock and Roller Coaster, and that my friend WAS one hell of a trip. They announced before we mounted that people with heart conditions should not do this one. Of course, I ignored their advice and figured that even though my running buddy Tanya wasn't there to give me CPR at the end, the Disney people surely must have a para-medic or two around. I have to face my fears and not let my setback keep me from living a full life. I was really grateful that no one in my group suggested I better not do it. They know me pretty well and are aware that I'll make my decisions and live or die with the consequences.

Jacob did say that that was his first and last marathon and that's also a fairly typical reaction to that event. Jessica has some crazy -assed idea to run one marathon in each of the 50 states. Either the person is hooked and wants to get to the next big run or the curiosity is satisfied and it's NEVER AGAIN! Either way it's okay and Jacob now has a first hand personal account of how difficult it is to cover the distance and has a fresh appreciation of all those who choose to make marathoning or ultras a career.

A bonus was running into Jenny Hadfield, a super special lady, the co-owner and coach extrodinare for Chicago Endurance Sports. She was there to run the marathon in honor of her father and with her brother, a first time marathoner. They both got through it in fine shape. Karma keeps on happening for me and bumping into Jenny in the middle of all those people and theme parks was sort of an out of body experience. She and several other runners with CES were instrumental in saving my fanny last summer and helped encourage me during my recovery. I'm forever in their debt and they're always in my thoughts and prayers.

I've never understood the special bond among runners and I've given up trying to understand it, I just know that there is a special connection regardless of age, gender, speed or financial status and I'm okay with that. When I think of equality I think of a brisk 10 mile run with one or more friends, it doesn't get any simpler or better than that.

We'll encourage each other, compete with each other, sweat, bitch and moan but in the end we're friends forever and for that I'm enternally grateful.