Bike the Drive

So yesterday I was running down LSD, and today I get to ride along it.  This has become our yearly tradition with Kathy and I really love it.  Being able to just go as fast as you want on LSD without the worry of cars is awesome.  Since I've been training for triathlons on my mountain bike, this year felt so much easier. I felt like I could go faster and was stronger. I really loved it.

This year was so much better than last year.  It was sunny and beautiful, compared to the cloudy, muggy, icky smell from last year. We just had to stop for some photo ops with the skyline as our back drop.  We couldn't have asked for a better day for this ride. Sure hope next year is as good :)

Soldier Field 10 Miler

For this race, Fleet Feet Elmhurst was providing transportation to and from the race, plus a tent to store our gear at. I couldn't resist, even thou I'm with Runners Soul. But this way I was able to snooze on the ride out there and back and didn't have to deal with traffic.


Besides half marathon's, this was gonna be a challenge. It was cloudy out and at points there was some drizzle.  We heard the storms were staying south of us and that was all that mattered.

It felt like forever before the we got to my corral (next year I'm jumping ahead so I don't have to wait as long). I really enjoyed hearing the stories of the soldier there to run the race. It was very heartwarming and emotional, I teared up at times.

The race wasn't too bad. I walked when I had to and ran when I felt good. I tried to keep to my 5 min run/1 min walk and overall stuck to it.  Since I had run several Lakefront races last year, I had an idea what to expect at the start and end of the race, it was the longer distance and actually running on LSD that was kind of interesting.  Also they key highlight was finish on the 50. I got to see myself on the jumbotron and then wandered around the main concoarse looking for the blanket we got for the run.

Definitely coming back next year, especially since it's the 10th anniversary and falls on my birthday :)

Official time: 2:03:58

Leaning Tower Sprint Triathlon

This is all I really wanted to do when I started running last year.  Little did I know that the path I chose meant that I would be running so much more.

Leaning Tower was a great way to see if I really wanted to go further in my triathlons.  This was a good race for a first race and we had a great group out for this race.  (Wendy, Helen, Stephanie I, Stephanie B, Lou, Nancy and I race, while Dave and Judy cheered us on.) It's a 400m swim, 18K bike, and 5k run.  The swim was a breeze, I had no doubt about that. The bike was a little hard.  Getting my legs going on the bike and the heat starting to raise was not fun. 5 loops of that and I was happy I was off that bike.  Then it was off to the run.  OUCH!!! My legs felt like jello, I couldn't get myself moving at all. That was the worst feeling ever. Then it started to get really hot. And worst of it all they ran out of water.  I walked so much more than I wanted to but I went into survival mode once I hit the about mile 2 of the run.  I just wanted to finish and down some water.

The worst part of the race, if you can count it but I did, was that we were to get finisher medals and we got NOTHING!! I felt like I got robbed. We all were pissed because it was our first triathlon and the medal would've been a topper.

But overall a great experience with a great group of friends!!!

Official time:
Swim:      9:19.30 
T1:        1:55.75 
Bike:     48:04.15 
T2:        1:33.75 
Run:      41:56.95 
Overall 1:42:49.90

Frederick's Half Marathon

Nut Job Medal... HERE I COME!!!

Like I really need a medal to prove that I'm a nut job when it comes to racing, but this does prove it.  A 5K the night before and now a half marathon... what am I thinking :)

Well I decided to join a pace group and see if that helps me keep on track. The fact that I know the end of the race, thanks to the twilight, I felt I could tackle that pretty easily. It was more in having that team mentality that I searched for and go it with the pace group.  I chose the 2:50 pace group and it was really great. They had us walking during the water stop and the uphills. The kept us interested in the run and they said it was the first time that everyone stayed together (not falling behind) in the pace group.  When we got to the final hill, a nice steep hill before we turn into the race track for one final loop to the finish, I took off. I could hear the pace team yelling my name telling me I could do it. And guess what, I DID!!! And I even PR'd.  It felt so great. I knew I could do it, but the pace team helped me out so much I really enjoyed it :)

Official Time: 2:50:09.95

Frederick's Twilight 5K

This is probably the craziest idea I ever had.  Let's do a 5k the night before a half marathon.. Why would I do this??? For a medal, the Nut Job medal :)

It was great having a weekend away with Christin and Beth.  Frederick, Maryland is a cute little town and we found the Irish bar pretty easily.  Running this race, and then the Baltimore Running Festival in October means I will be able to get the Maryland Double medal.  WOW I can't wait to see if I can do this.

The race was fun. I managed to find Sid and hung out with him a bit before race time.  The 5k started at dusk and took us thru the end of the half marathon we would be racing in tomorrow. Overall not a bad race and helped me feel more comfortable for what was in store tomorrow

Official time: 37:37.40