Day 27 Archer almost home

Not much left to our Marcothon. With the temps up,  I broke out the 3/4 tights. Sounds silly but it felt so good to fell the chilly air on the shins. For a moment I thought I had underdresed until a mile in.  Still ran without time or GPS. The route carried just a little so I could see the strings of lights.  Another 3.2 miles in unknown pace.

Days 22-25 Tread, Tread, Road, finally trail - Archer

The cold had gotten the best of me.  I had really considered dropping out of the Marcothon.  Of all people it was my wife so said just run inside for a couple days until the cold isn’t as bad.  It felt so guilty resigning myself to running inside Sunday and Monday.  My friends have been battling colds and the cold while continuing to run outside.  Eventually, I had to get over it because I was going to get 2 days on the treadhell while my chest clears.
If I had to do it inside, it may as well hurt a little.  Almost didn’t want to post these because running hard isn’t my favorite.  A pace that allows me to talk or enjoy the surroundings is more to my liking.  My friends had better not expect me to run that pace with them.  Sunday 3 miles in 23:45 and Monday 3 miles in 23:00
Christmas Eve would bring me back outside whether the lungs were ready or not.  HF Fitness Center would close before I got home and Ratner at the U of Chicago was closed.  The plan was to run when I got home, but errands matched with chores needed attending.  No time, off to 6:00 Christmas Eve service.  Eric Z sat with Abigail and I.  Priscilla and family were a few rows back.  The candlelight service set the Christmas emotions is full swing.
The normal Marcomile minimum route to the library would work.  The temps were in the mid teens unlike the 4 degrees my friends ran in earlier in the morning. 3.02 mile in 32.30 had me bad to slogging in comfort.  Bathed both dogs then me for a fresh Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas.  A few HFCRC posted that they were running Izaak Walton at 11:00 and I had already planned on running there.  The trail was lumpy chunky ice.  Photos courtesy of Eric, super photographer.  Best thing was spending time running with some of the best gifts of the year, my new friends.
3.63 in 40:15

Many day's of coughing - sense of slacking

All week long I could tell of big cold was coming.  My chest was burning/hurting a bit when I was coughing.  By Friday I was in the full blown chest cold.  Problem was that I had organized our Marcothon Double that night.  Tabitha had done a double earlier in the month when she was really pressed for time.  I thought I would be cool to do this as a group and make a 5th Quarter pit stop at midnight after the Friday's run, wait while people finish their beer, run our Saturday's 3 mile with more fun at Lassen's.  I rested most of the evening and rolled out of bed to drive near the finish line.  My wife was pretty frustrated that I was still going, but how could I not show for an event I facilitated.  As usual I arrived a little early and just tilted the seat back waiting to get out to just make it to the park at 11:30.  As soon I as got out, I ran into Tabitha and her sister-in-law running to Irwin too.

Having already offered to run a pace to not have people run alone, my body was happy to accommodate.  Jenny, Tabitha, and her sister-in-law were just in front of Rick and I.  During the pit stop while others enjoyed a quick brew, I changed my base layer.  As soon as we started again, I had a deep chill going on even with a dry base layer.  Rick was suffering from a cough as well.  I let Tabitha know I was bailing and wouldn't be coming to Lassen's to enjoy the post Marcothon double celebration.  From the sounds of it, I missed a good time.

On a miserable drive down to take presents to my kids and grand-kids in Danville, I told Abigail that I think this cold is going to stop my Marcothon.  I was surprised to hear her say no way, just do the treadmill til the worst of the cold it over.  I feel so much pressure to stay outside like Tabitha, Eric, and Rick but I knew that it only made sense.

After driving home from Danville Sunday, it was time to get in the 3 Marcomiles indoors.  It felt like I was cheating.  Honestly, I am not hiding from the cold or weather I kept telling myself.  To make up for not running outside, I decided to crank up the pace which usually doesn't happen when only.  3 miles in 23:45 for a sub 8 pace.  I coughed hard often almost falling off of the treadmill in the process.  I am sure I grossed a few out using my shirt instead of tissue (hadn't planned on the lungs continuing to clear themselves).

Don't take away my Marcothon medal yet!

Day 19 Old and new friends get you through

Today I was too tired to go to the spin class.  Looking at the forecast, there is a chance of cold rain coming this way tonight.  I packed up running clothes hoping to get a run in for lunch instead of lifting.  Mid-morning, my friend Bart said he wanted to run late after an office party at lunch today. After a few texts we settled on 3:00.

I became friends with Bart in the pool in the middle of last winter.  We talked a lot during gaps in the Master's Swim workouts.  Turns out we share the exact birth date. Soon after we talked more in the pool, he decided to turn me into a runner instead of a shuffler by inviting me to do 800 repeats with him on the indoor track.  Those first ones really sucked.  Once summer hit we started running to Lake Michigan, swimming, and running back which Bart termed lunch recess.

Okay, that's enough

We went with relatively light layers given the upper 30's temperature.  He had a stomach full of pulled pork something, beer, etc.. so I had the upper hand.  However, given that he is faster anyway and has take a week of turning his Marcothon into a Loungothon, he had no problem making me work a little. To be honest, for the first time in about a week, I felt great running!  Bart and I did a straight shot to the lake with a loop around Promontory Point (where we swim in warm weather).  On the way back I told him mission accomplished this year.  He has turned me into a runner.

3.24 miles in 28:32 for a avg pace of 8:47

Swans were out in water with floating ice

Some added context for me, I didn't start running, swimming, biking until 4 years ago when I came across off road triathlons.  For the 10 years prior, I lifted weights most days of the week for lunch.  In my own mind I am a weightlifter that has rediscovered the joy of cardio along with the benefit of weight loss.  Before the decade of heavy lifting, I did run for ROTC, Army Reserves, and for fun. Near the beginning of the lifting stint, I met Larry who was hanging sheet metal in the library.  We became friends and he introduced me to powerlifting.  We spent many hours pounding away in the gym and eating breakfast skillets afterwards.  One great memory is doing a two man deadlift competition at the Indiana State Fair.

I think we ended of lifting in the upper 800's, but Larry could have done more with a stronger partner.  Our time together was cut short.  After a workout in early fall of 2001, his stomach was bothering him.  He ended up going to the doctor who diagnosed him with stage IV cancer in the liver and stomach.  Within 2 months he went from deadlifting over 500 lbs to passing at the age of 53.  I think about him sometimes when I get tired on the road or in the pool.  He gave me an old meet shirt that he had organized.  On the back, it said, "Do another set, you can rest when you are dead."  I used that when talking about him when I spoke at his funeral.

So here's to you Larry, I did another Marcothon Run today!  Rest will come later.

Day 18 Archer I got to get there

Sure I could stay in the neighborhood and get my Marcomiles in.  But it's Wednesday night I am stressed as usual.  The HFCRC group run departs Irwin Park at 6:30 sharp.  Usually there are 3 and 5 mile routes posted, but tonight is our gift exchange.  Working the 3-5 shift at the library's reference desk means I am eying the clock and patrons.  If I miss the 5:18 train, there is no chance of making the run.  5 til I turn off the phone; 4:57 our Ask a Librarian instant message service.  4:50 to 5:00 is the longest stretch as I eye everyone walking by and praying that they don't need help.  (any other time I love helping people)  5:00, nobody needs help so I turn on the computer, lock up the keyboard and mouse, quickly don the coat with hat/gloves that I had stashed under the desk with no time to run to office.  Success as I am standing on the train platform with 3 minutes to spare and all is well.

Wrinkle comes in the form of a call from my step son who was suppose to give me a ride from home to the park. In short is was "Sorry, a headlight is out, I bought one, but I couldn't figure out how to change it so I left the car at home for you."  Shit, I don't have time to fix it, change and drive there.  Of course opening the garage door I can't help myself but try for 3 minutes to unclasped the hinge holding the bulb in place.  Whose fingers do these engineers design this for?  Time is still ticking, into the house to put on the running layers, throw Joel's gift in a empty camelbak bag,time check again, 6:18.  That gives me about ten minutes to run to the park.  Streets in my neighborhood are clear, sidewalk along the busy 183 st are clear except the last 3 long blocks.  The street is too full to run in as the sidewalk turns into rutted packed snow.  I don't want to fall but I can't afford to slow down.  I finally turn the corner to see running headlamps 3 blocks away.  Luckily for me the route will have them run in my direction.  One block away I do a 180 to join the group.  I think Eric was in the same position but ran a little later.  He caught the cluster that I was in close about a mile into the run.  Of course it's easy for a speed demon to chase us down with his sub 7 legs.

Unlike my last several runs, this was more at a working pace, slurred a few words talking to fellow Marcothoner Tabitha and the other is the faster clusters.  I felt myself being dropped a bit and Tabitha fell back (figured I couldn't escape) with me even after I said that I was good.  Okay, I toughed it out the rest of the route.

1.6 miles to the group runs and 2.9 miles to 5th Quarter (this course was a little short so Tabitha has to run another block and back to get her 3 Marcomiles in) in 41:48 for an overall average pace of 9:17.

Great time with the group at 5th Quarter, pizza, treats that some had brought to the party, mean Santa Eric Z officiated the exchange.  My wife even joined us for awhile. I had arranged this so that she would hang with the group of friends that I am so happy to have.  I think it also helps for her to see that my craziness is shared by others.

Day 16 - 17 - Archer - wearing me done

The Marcothon miles are having a cumulative affect on the legs.  Not that I have every been "fast."  My running the last two night have  been like drudgery.  The left knee has been slightly tender, the plantar fasciitis on the right foot it flaring, and both sets of shins are feeling abused.  So let's be honest, why the hell am I doing this to myself right now.  Tabitha invited me.  The blame begins with her and then spreads to my running club partners.  Social pressure!  Knowing that many don't have gym memberships, I felt like it would be cheating if I went indoors (which I loathe).

On the flip side, I am so wonderfully blessed by my friends who happen to be runners.  Meeting everyone this year, getting to know one another while we run (or suffer depending on your perspective) has be a high point that keeps on giving.  I am so inspired by my friends.  In particular, by the women who are balancing and slicing time to get their runs in.  At this stage, it's not about finding time, there is plenty without little ones in the home.  Drawing on that, Marcothon miles will continue.

Day 16 3.19 miles in 36.40, the worst of the two days.  The streets were clear, but no energy.

Day 17 3.13 miles in 30.36, clear sky, full moon, snow on the ground, stunning setting in spite of how I felt.

So, I am not planning on being dropped by the pack this month!