Filles de Fer

These are some songs long-run pace playlists. When I’m running > 6 miles, I need songs with a consistent beat that isn’t too fast, and the ones on this playlist are really great:

This playlist runs for a little over an hour (1:17:13), so there will be some repetition after a certain number of miles. I don’t usually mind. I’m pretty sure I’m missing a few of my long-run songs, because I’ve made marathon-long playlists before, but these are the staples.

The 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. My first marathon, and it was bittersweet. I have never had such mixed feelings about a race. I feel like a failure for not finishing with a Boston-qualifying time, but I feel like a success for finishing at all. I’m stubborn and wouldn’t go to the medical tent post-race, but I spent the evening being nursed back to health from hyperthermia (I had a great nurse, too). I thought I had trained well, but there were times when I felt more like I was participating in a death march than a marathon. I ran faster when I saw the cheering spectators, but I slowed to a grueling walk when the sirens became a constant soundtrack and I saw runner after runner drop to the ground. I ran from the police. My post-race beer was the best beer I’ve had in my life, even if it was probably a bad idea under the circumstances.

In case you didn’t know, the race was closed early. The 88 degree temperature was the highest in the marathon’s history, and it was brutal. Only 24,933 of the 35,867 runners  finished the race. So far, one runner is dead and over 350 are in the hospital. I’ve heard from others that there wasn’t enough water. I got at least one Gatorade and one water at every aid station (except for the two that I skipped - not the smartest idea), but I can’t imagine how it must have been for the runners who didn’t get any. I really want to thank all or the random spectators who turned on their garden hoses or handed out their own bottled water - that was amazing, and you are wonderful people!

Some people are throwing blame at the race organizers for inadequate preparation or something along those lines. I’m not going to do that. We [the runners] all knew about the heat, and we took a risk by running that race. There were several points at which I could have dropped out of the race, but I’m stubborn, and I kept going. I’m just going to put it out there that some of us are less risk-averse than others, and I’m definitely not going to lay blame on anyone for Sunday.

The official press release (from the Chicago Marathon website) regarding the contingency plan/race closure:

October 7, 2007

Attention Participants and Spectators:Due to the rising heat index and higher than expected temperatures, LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon Executive Race Director Carey Pinkowski and Medical Director Dr. George Chiampas, in cooperation with city officials, have implemented a contingency plan, as a precautionary measure, to effectively close the Marathon course at the halfway point. Runners who have not reached the halfway point by approximately 11:30 a.m. will be diverted back to Grant Park via Halsted and Jackson. Jackson will be closed to automobile traffic and the participants will be provided with additional support along this route. Participants who crossed the halfway point prior to the shut-down will continue to be fully supported along the standard course to the finish line. Participants are asked to take advantage of medical personnel, cooling buses, runner drop out buses, water, Gatorade and other means of support en route back to Grant Park.

The elites who rocked this race in just over 2 hours? Superheroes. Me? I just pretend to be one with my mylar blanket-cape.

Full write-up of this race coming soon.

Chicago Marathon is in 5 days, but my brain isn’t letting me think about that race. It’s jumping way ahead to the Spirit of Racine Triathlon, which isn’t until next July. Registration opened yesterday (or was supposed to open…the website hasn’t updated yet) and I’m planning on signing up soon.

I like to register for events ASAP for three reasons: (1) Early registration guarantees that I’ll get a spot in the race - ask anyone who got blocked out of the Chicago Marathon - even with a field of 45,000, registration closed super fast. (2) Lots of events have cheaper registration fees for early sign-up. I like saving dollars! (3) The sooner I commit to an event, the sooner I get focused on training for that event. I’m always training for something, but it’s good to have a focus (running/cycling/multisport).

Here’s what the official website has to say about the course:

Swim 1.2 mi.
The 1.2 mile swim course is a point to point along North Beach in Lake Michigan. The course will be marked Friday before the race. In the event of rough water conditions, an alternative course will be used in a protected harbor area to ensure the safety and continuation of the swim. North Beach Park is open for practice during the normal swimming season - weather permitting. Water temperature is almost always under 78 degrees. Wetsuits are allowed and encouraged. North Beach is named a Blue Wave Beach by the Clean Beach Council.

Guess it’s time to start looking for a wetsuit. Might make a trip to Running Away this week to try some on.
Bonus about the location: even though it’s along a different beach, it’s still the same lake that I’ll be training in.

Bike 56 mi.
The Modine Manufacturing Bike Course is an exciting (new in 2006) 56 mile course through the scenic countryside of Racine County. Gone is the downtown Racine section and the Ryan Road section in Milwaukee. This is a mostly rolling course with some challenging hills mixed in to keep you honest. Aid stations with InfinIT Nutrition in bottles, water in bottles, Hammer Gel, ice and fruit are every 10 miles (15, 25, 35, and 45). All USA Triathlon rules for drafting and blocking apply and officials will be on the course enforcing the rules. Visit www.usatriathlon.org for more details on the rules and penalties.

56 miles of fun. I’ll definitely be logging some hours on the trainer this winter. Indoor cycling + Madden = awesome.
Also, lucky for me, I’m not really a cyclist, so the whole drafting thing won’t be a problem.

Run 13.1 mi.
Lions, Tigers, and Bears, Oh My! This unique run course, named the Jockey International Run Course, is a 13.1 mile double out-and-back that features a tour of the Racine Zoo, offering participants views of lions, black rhinos, monkeys, giraffes, kangaroos, and many more exotic animals. The remaining course runs along the beautiful Lake Michigan coastline as you make your way toward the Racine Lighthouse to the run turn around at Shoop Park. The course is very flat and fast! Aid stations are every mile with InfinIT Nutrition, water, ice, Hammer Gel, and fruit. Neither head phones nor outside pacers are allowed.

 

I think I might have freaked out a few weeks ago at the “no headphones, no outside pacers” rule. I’m warming up to the idea now. Did a 5K last night with no music and no idea of my pace, and it wasn’t that awful.
Plus…zoo? I like that! Flat courses? Like those, too.

I’ve been looking around for some good training plans. My plan is to do at least one tri of a shorter distance (sprint or Olympic) before jumping right into a 1/2 Ironman. A friend told me about a tri in Galena in May. I’m tempted to sign up, but I’m holding off because the Cincinnati Flying Pig marathon is only 2 weeks earlier. For now, I’ll keep looking…the Chicago Tri Club (which I’ve been thinking about joining…anyone have an opinion on that group?) has a big listing of races, and there are plenty of tri’s in the spring.