Days 20/21, 22, & 23: Stine - MIDNIGHT STRADDLE RUN, the LOST RUN, and the CHASE RUN

As we approach the last couple weeks of running (dare I say...8 DAYS!!! AHHH)....the day-to-day grind of running is kinda what it feels like - a grind. But I no longer think, will I find the time to run?  Instead, it's second nature to everything I do.  Just like prioritizing brushing my teeth and showering, I now know it's always possible to squeeze in 30 minutes everyday for my runs.  But, am I also excited to say that it's only 8 days more? Absolutely.  I've been joking with Priscilla about what we're going to do on January 1st.  Guess what the answer is.... ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

I honestly think it's so ingrained in my psyche now that if and when I DON'T run in January, I'm gonna feel like a slacker and may actually start running again nearly every day, because dang it - Marcothon has changed me. Wow...I'll worry about that problem in 9 days.  Until then, let's just get thru the next 8 days of holiday miles.

Days 20/21 were the best/funnest darn Marco-miles anyone could ask for.  Our good marco-maniac comrade +Jeffry Archer set up an organized midnight straddle 6 mile run for both the 21st and 22nd. We had a great turnout and did it "pub crawl" style.  It was a perfectly cool 37 degrees, no wind, great refreshing beer!  We closed down the 2nd bar at 2am (can't say I've done that in a while...haha) - all with fellow stinky-friends after some great 6 miles!  By the way, do you know how hard it is to get good bar food at 1am when their kitchen is closed and runners come in HUNGRY?  Luckily, the waitress found us scavengers some chips and dip.  (and we appeared to not have eaten in years by the way Gavin was stealing everyone's chips!)  My sister-in-law was also in visiting from hot/balmy Florida and she joined us!  She claimed to enjoy the cold reprieve from the heat - not sure about that one :)

Marco-Maniacs...At the straddle midpoint: Fifth Quarter, Homewood IL

I ran with her - and it was fun. Much slower than my normal pace but I truly enjoyed the company so much.  I met a new runner who joined us and enjoyed the sites and Christmas lights even more than normal.  It just didn't get any better than this evening.  The most common question at 2am was...WHEN ARE WE DOING THIS AGAIN?!?  (yes, a reason to drink and run!)

Days 20/21 Run Data HERE and HERE

Day 22 was again...a "non lonely run".  After having 18+ hours off of no running, it was a nice recovery relaxing run.  I met Priscilla mid afternoon and we squeaked in a 3+ miler.  But guess what. Today was the first run in SO LONG where neither of us was on a schedule.  We had no where to be at a certain time.  And guess what happened?  We just ran.  And talked.  And what does that lead to? Showing up at an intersection and realizing you are on the total opposite area of town as you thought you were.  Yep, neither of us knew how it happened.  We run these streets every.darn.day.  But we got lost in the miles, and it felt amazing!  The sign of a great run and a great running partner - is ending up lost :)

Run Data for Day 22 HERE

Day 23 was a "chase".  Do you know what chase means?  Exactly like it sounds!  I was late for meeting my group at a particular intersection...2 minutes late (the first mile was fast trying to get there!)  After hanging out there for a minute or two and thinking...maybe they're late? - I texted to find out they were about a half mile away circling towards my neighborhood.  So guess what, time to start up again and really pick up the pace!  So - another half mile later, I found them.  This group of Priscilla, Kim, and Gavin are great to run with as we are so comfortable with each others' pace.  When we ran together today, we kept an even 8:45 pace (heck, we even did a tempo 8:44 mile the 2nd one in...haha).  I departed them, wished them a Merry Christmas as we're heading out of town later today, and looped back toward home.  5 miles back, the "chase" run was complete.

Day 23 Run Data HERE

23 days in the books.  All of them have been outside....and I haven't counted them yet, but I'm guessing that at least half have been with friends (and a small amount have included beer too!).  Oh Marcothon, the love hate relationship is turning into pure love!

Tonight we travel south for the holidays.  My marcothon will continue in Montgomery County IL....it should be fun.  I hope to find some partners...and circle the village tree downtown Raymond....a few times :)

Friday Run

DEC 20, 2013  -  11:31 PM

MI

3.03

DURATION

32:27

AVERAGE PACE

10:43

CALORIES BURNED

337

Saturday Run

DEC 21, 2013  -  12:20 AM

MI

3.25

DURATION

36:22

AVERAGE PACE

11:12

CALORIES BURNED

358

Sunday Run

DEC 22, 2013  -  3:06 PM

MI

3.04

DURATION

26:35

AVERAGE PACE

8:45

CALORIES BURNED

338

Monday Run

DEC 23, 2013  -  8:07 AM

MI

5.10

DURATION

44:49

AVERAGE PACE

8:47

CALORIES BURNED

576

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 20 & 21 - Uecker - Marco Midnight Madness* (aka Black Ice Friday)

* Naming credit to Catherine.

Okay, so I kept saying I wasn't going to do it.  I wasn't going to go in for the madness of the +Tabitha Poggenpohl Stine "Straddle Run." Couldn't believe it was a sane idea.  No one sane would do that, unless absolutely pressed for time, blah, blah, blah.

Well.  I did it.

In all honesty, I think the "Straddle Run" (SR), is a pretty brilliant idea.  It probably does play a bit to the person who's stressed for time, but it adds another dimension to the Marcothon Challenge that isn't present in running every day around the same time.  I was probably mentally bad mouthing it because I was scared to admit that I wasn't sure if I could do it.

Come Friday night, I think I was scared.  I know I was nervous.  Trying to find reasons why, "if I only do Friday's run, I can always do Saturday's during the day," instead of staying with the group and finishing what was started.  Also, I was a bit unsure because most all of the group are much stronger and faster runners.

I decided to do something a bit different.  I left early.  Parked the car a bit away from the meeting place and ran there so I could cut it short if not feeling up to it and still meeting all the requirements for Day 20 of Marco.  I was early.  Will and I were got there almost simultaneously and introduced ourselves.  (This group is great.  Even meeting someone the first time because you have the bond of running with them makes it very easy to dive into conversation).

Shortly after that everyone started arriving.  I gave Tabitha grief for hauling me into Marco, but I should be thanking her for it.  It's not killing me so it has to be making me stronger.  Joel had run 5+ miles already, just to get there and was ready for more.  Eric B. had a couple of beers already, just to get there and was ready for more.

Consensus was it was great weather for a run.  I think we were comparing it to the really hard conditions we've had in the last week and a half.

11:30 sharp +Jeffry Archer cracked the whip and we were off.  It was a little bit foggy and the air had a bite as we started moving.  The fast group broke fast.  After the first corner I don't think I saw them again until after part one.  Tabitha, Pam, Jenn, and Jeffry were keeping me company.  We were not concerned about pace, just having fun and getting the miles in.  A little past the 1 mile point it started to get interesting.  We started to hit patches of black ice.  Nothing major, just enough to have one of us shout out the occasional "whoa".  Dealt with that off and on, mostly off for the next 2 miles until we got to the 5th Quarter for our run break beers (& water).

I was still toying with the idea of going home.  Had my beer and then decided, I would get my Saturday miles out of the way too.  This was fun.  Crazy, but fun.

12:20 - Jeffry had us off and running the reverse route again.  I was chilled.  Very chilled.  I love wicking clothes, but having wet cooling sweat in your clothes and then heading out into just above freezing temperatures makes it very interesting.  Jeffry suggested that I turn around soon if I was too cold.  Told him I'd warm up and kept going.  I think the second half was much quieter than the first.  We had a much easier pace and that proved to be a good thing.  We hit much bigger patches of black ice and I had to walk for just a stretch until the road was back under my shoes.

Jeffry - Thank you for the company on the run.  Made it very easy and was a great time.
Tabitha - Thank you for inviting me to this madness.  Learning a few things.
Everyone else - Thank you for humbling me and showing me how it's done.  It's a blast!

Day 20 -

RAN 3.38 MI ON 12/20/13

DISTANCE

3.38mi

DURATION

37:07

AVG PACE

10:59

KCAL

811

Day 21 -

RAN 3.02 MI ON 12/21/13

DISTANCE

3.02mi

DURATION

34:40

AVG PACE

11:29

KCAL

733