Chicago Running Blog

16 Miles and Still Going Strong

Dave K — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 12:32:12 +0000

If you’re participating in the Chicago Marathon Training Program, chances are you are up to about 16 miles. I was rather suprised to find that the 16 miler that we did yesterday was actually a lot easier than my 8-miler of last week. It odd, my the only real hard miles is the first 4-5 and maybe the last mile. I’m hoping my good luck holds out and I stay injury free for the remaining part of the season. It seems like its always the 16, 18 and 20 mile training runs that claim the most victoms.

Of course, its always nice to have Jenny Hadfield running the 16 miles next to you like I did this week. I have to give another poke to CES (Chicago Endurance Sports) for their excellent training program. It really is the best. The coaches are great and the network of friends you develop is awesome.

Anyways, good luck to everyone training. Stay Healthy!

Dave’s Own Private Half-Marathon

Dave K — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 03:37:35 +0000

This year I’ll be side-lining it for the Chicago Distance Classic. My wife is running it and I’ll be playing the role of spectator and Gatorade-hander-outer. I’m excited for her (it’s her first half-marathon) but I’m a little nervous for myself having been presented the challenge of doing this rather long run (13.1 miles for those of you keeping track) on my own. Typically I don’t do great on my own. I tend to take more frequent breaks than I normally would and I run a little faster than I should for a distance race.

To keep things fresh, I making Jen drive me to the south side for a one-way run so I can venture into a part of the city I don’t often frequent. My “down-town” friends have been trying to get me south of the museum campus for a while. I’m looking forward to the change from my usual routes which typically keep me in Lincoln Park.

My planned route follows:

1. Start at 71st and South Shore Drive at the South Shore Country Club following South Shore Drive up to 67th Street

2. Enter Jackson Park following Marquette and the South Coast Guard Dr north through the park to Hayes Dr.

3. North over bridge through the Wooded Island

4. Bear northeast to Columbia Drive and connect with the bike path on the east side of Lake Shore Drive heading into Burnham Park

5. From there, you basically follow the bike path the rest of the way staying along the shore as you pass the East Hall of the McCormick Convention Center and staying east of Soldier Field.

6. Following the path through Grant Park past Monroe Harbor crossing the river at Wacker Drive

7. Pass Ohio Street Beach, Oak Street Beach and North Avenue Beach

8. The “Finish Line” is basically half-way between North Avenue and Fullerton. This is conveniently planned to allow the finisher to jump into the lake at will for a refreshing cool-off and well-deserved Gatorade at the Fullerton Av Snack Shop.

12 Miles and two weeks to the CDC

Dave K — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 03:25:10 +0000

Two weeks to the Chicago Distance Classic and still going strong. I won’t be running it this year, so I guess I’ll do my own special half-marathon run on Saturday morning. My wife, Jenny, is running so I’ll be on the sidelines for this one.

Good Luck, Jenny!!!

Shamrockin’ Eve

Dave K — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 18:43:46 +0000

Good Luck to everyone of the 30,000+ runners in tomorrow’s race. A little rain is no deterrent for a city full of runners anxious for another summer. I figure if we gather enough people together we could raise the ambient temperature of the air around Millennium Park by at least 5 degrees!

My wife is hosting a post-race brunch for us tomorrow. I realized today however, that of the 15-20 people who will be coming – only about 5 of us are running. What’s wrong with this picture???

Cheers!

Go Jenny!

Dave K — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 03:55:45 +0000

Tonight’s run was especially momentous. It was my wife’s first outdoor running since her ACL surgery back in November. No doubt, it’s been a treacherous journey for her – 4 months of physical therapy, not to mention the surgery itself.

Congratulations, baby! You’re a champion.

Spring???? Finally???

Dave K — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 03:50:21 +0000

Apologies for my recent absence. I’ve been studying for the Architect’s Registration Exam and have been quite busy. Got out for a run this evening and it was sooooo relaxing. The north pond is officially thawed-out and it really felt like Spring this evening. The Shamrock Shuffle Expo is this weekend! Try to avoid going on Saturday – it’s a mad house the day before. The best time to go is lunch on Friday. T-shirts run on the small side in my experience with this one so you might want to step-up a size.

Congratulations to my sister-in-law, Samantha, for running the Cary Half-Marathon March 16! She has proven that Rainbow Cone is the perfect pre-race meal.

Run Fat Boy Run

Dave K — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 05:06:49 +0000

Add this one to your Netflix que… Looks Funny.

Chocolate

Dave K — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 02:58:06 +0000

I remember reading this article last month in Runner’s World Magazine. I love chocolate and was delighted to read that Chocolate (in small quantities and the right kind) is actually GOOD for you?!?!

If you find yourself in a supermarket and forget your transfat and flavanols, remember these are the good ones and keep the serving size to 1.5 oz:

Dove Rich Dark, $1.99 Strong chocolate flavor with a pleasingly creamy consistency

Scharffen Berger, $3.99 Strong, complex taste with hints of licorice

Cadbury Royal Dark, $1.59 Pleasant, nutty notes and a smooth texture

1904 Boston Marathon

Dave K — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 02:41:53 +0000

Came across this today. It’s the earliest known photograph of the Boston Marathon taken in 1904.

The man at the center of the photograph (in white) is Sammy Mellor. Leading the race at mile 22, he fell out shortly after this photograph was taken.

Spring for a Day

Dave K — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 23:31:34 +0000

I’m so ready for spring. It’s beautiful outside and I have the Flu. Tomorrow it’s going to be 30 degrees again. March drives me nuts!