Chicago Run. Not from the Police...

Bad Blogger note: apparently I forgot to publish this back in May. I had forgotten about this blog all together.. I'm not even sure this post is finished but as Ashley would say "Whatevs"...... It's only 3 months later!! It's not like anyone really reads this, or if they do, cares... if they DO care, hmmm, well, then I'm sorry for that.

I've been a little toasted with the bike lately. Don't get me wrong! I LOVE the bike! I just needed some time off of it for a day or three. Training 5-7 days a week was starting to wear on me a little and my last crit didn't exactly end how I'd hoped. Our mini vacation to Chicago was perfectly timed.

I LOVE running in Chicago. For some reason I am faster there than I am here. I can also run longer without as much effort. The last time we were there, the Marathon happened to be that weekend (we were there for music!) We had gorgeous late summer weather and I felt like a rock star groupie running with all those marathoners around me, getting in their last short runs before the big day.

So this time around, we had gorgeous late spring weather and the NATO summit! Waa Hoo! While we weren't there for the NATO summit or protesting, it made for some interesting moments. (We were there for music again!!).

We arrived Thursday evening in time to check in, head to The Metro, grab dinner nearby (highly recommend the MotherKlucker at Rockit burger!). Friday morning came in lazy fashion after our rock n roll night on the town. By 9 am I was out of bed with running shoes on. I headed out to Millenium Park and FINALLY found Cloud Gate (How on EARTH did I miss that on three other run excursions there???). I ran all over the park and made my way to Lake Shore Drive and the running/cycling path along the lake. Even with some stops waiting for the cross walk, I managed to do 5k in exactly 30 minutes. I finished up by the hotel at 3.48 miles, with a stop in Dunkin Donuts for some French vanilla coffee to bring up the Mr Sleepyhead.

We managed to log many, many more walking miles on Friday - 3 to the Shedd aquarium and back, all over downtown/loop area, up to the Magnificent Mile and then back to our hotel. I am guessing we got in 5-7 miles of walking. Our dogs were barking!!

Saturday morning was a little harder to get going but I managed to get out and move the tired legs (after breakfast at The Corner Bakery!) I set my ipod for 3.5 miles and ran in the park, along the lake and river walk. The last 1/2 mile was challenging due to the increasing number of people on the streets as I headed back to the hotel. I think I did this one in 35 minutes.

Throughout the weekend, the police presence was intense. There were LARGE groups of police, usually in full riot gear, on every corner, every bridge, every subway stop and all points in between. Even the horses had riot gear on! The bike cops were out in Massive peletons (ok, maybe just groups of 6-12; They seem to have their own version of hand signals too).

Run for Chocolate 5k *Sunday February 12, 2012*

I am a little late with writing about the Run for Chocolate but looking back on my Halloween write up, I felt I should say something, for posterity. Disclaimer: I am NOT a runner person. I am a cyclist who runs occasionally.

My training schedule for February affords me some time for some cross training and fun non-bike stuff. I was interested in doing the truffle shuffle or this race and when I saw this was a 5k (not longer) and was scheduled for a Sunday (would not conflict with my weight lifting schedule), I was in.

I love all the "Stuff" you get with your registration fees for a running event. When you do a cycling race, you pay $30-$40 and get a number and some pins. When you register for a 5k, you tend to get a "goodie bag" and a t shirt. This race was no exception. The goodie bag included a whole chocolate bar, T shirt and coupons for stuff. Add to that the finishers medals made of solid Bissinger's chocolate!
I "convinced" my friend Suzanne to do this... actually by convince, I mean asked. She'd likely also say she's "not a runner person" but her running times and number of events may make you think otherwise! (She's consistently finishing on the podium in running events, just as she does with cycling events).
I was nervous but excited on Sunday morning. It was one of the coldest weekends we've seen in a while - in the mid to high teens but SUNNY!! I had to check out my friend Brent's pictures of the race the weekend before to see what people were wearing to these running things. (Thanks Brent!) I told him about this when we bumped into him before the start. Little did I know that this cold but bright day was his BIRTHDAY!
Anyhoo... I dressed myself in some versatile cycling gear- tights and a hooded fleece lined jersey, a wool baselayer, some warm socks my mom gave me for Christmas, hat, gloves. I think I looked very stealthy! I texted Suzanne and was on my way. She'd arrived and found a parking spot by the start. After driving around for a while looking for parking, I found a spot not too far away. I met up with Suzanne (whom I had not seen in months! She is getting soooo tiny!) We warmed up a bit and knowing she wanted to really run, I encouraged her to get a good place at the start while I shuffled to the back of the nearly 1000 person crowd. I was fumbling with my ipod and wanted to be able to get it started without being crowded in.

We were off.... sort of... I'd forgotten how you start running, only to do that run/walk thing to the line. Apparently it took over 1 minute for me to even get to the start line. The first half mile featured lots of bob and weave around slower runners and walkers stretched wide across the road. When we reached the overpass, the only little climb for the course, I was able to pick up the pace and move away from the slower walkers/runners. I fell in behind a guy with a sign on his back that said this was his first 5k. He provided a nice pace for the next mile or so.
I noticed the sides were lined with a few people from our cycling circles - mostly Big Shark racers as this was a Mike Weiss production. After the turn around, just as an awesome song came on my ipod, I picked up the pace and simulaneously hear Cristel cheering my name from the side! Waaaa Hoo!! that was some good motivation. I was feeling strong and happy.
I continued on, chasing some people dressed as MnMs and helping a lady chase down another who'd dropped her glove. This helped the remaining 3/4 mile go by quickly. I turned the onto the finishing stretch and picked up the pace a bit. As I crossed the finish, the time said 31:30. I was really pleased! I was even more pleased when I found Suzanne and she helped me realize my time was even less than that, since that was the clock time (and it'd taken me some time to get to the start line). Ultimately my time was 30:18! A Personal Record for me!! (Age/category results are here)

It's PEEPS time!!

I thought I'd come out of blog hibernation with exciting news! If you haven't noticed already, It's PEEPS time.

I do love me some marshmallow peeps. They are so colorful and full of pure sugary goodness. I try to eat them in moderation and generally get burnt out on them after 6-8 weeks of indulgences. It helps that I am "one of those people" who prefers them stale. I have it down to a science. The best Peeps are purchased in early March, packages are slit open with a sharp knife and allowed to stale in a cool dry place for 1 week. This gives them a little snap when you bite into them. MMMMMMM!!!! GOOOOOD!!!!

There are so many things you can do with Peeps this time of year, including THIS!!

Peeps have all the fun! Halloween 5k and Boo Ba cx Race

I started off this lovely crisp fall day by costuming up as my favorite marshmallow sugary goodness - PEEPS! I grabbed a bagelfull for breakfast and walked, in costume to the start of the Hermann-London 5k in Maplewood (it was less than a mile and would've been a shame to drive over there).

I got a few thumbs up but mostly strange looks on my way over. As I reached the corner of Marshall and Marietta, I started to feel "normal" as other runners were getting out of their cars in some pretty fabulous costumes. I noticed the peacock right away. She had a multicolored tule tutu and about 8 gorgeous peacock feathers on her back, stopping just over her head like a crown or a show girl. I made my way to registration and my first Woo Hoo of the morning was getting a "free" tshirt instead of having to pay another $10 as the flyer indicated. YAY. I already had to fork over $30 due to my procrastination/late registration and I missed the groupon! (booooo)
As soon as I was done registering, I noticed how much I felt like a fish out of water. I so admire runners but I am clearly not part of this crowd. I fumbled with my number, pinning to the front of my Peeps costume, but had to ask someone if it was correct, as I noticed numbers on fronts, backs, sides of people. The group of "angry birds" helped me out and I thanked them by snapping a few pictures for them.
I stood around for a few more minutes before I saw my friend and former co-worker Margaret. Margaret is a fellow cyclist but has also been running regularly with her sister. We chatted a bit and then it was time to get started. As we moved to the start line, I felt the same prerace jitters I get in crits. I was worried about where to start, so as not to get in the way of the faster people. Before we had reached the end of the block, a woman to my right stumbled and fell to the ground, sliding her hand along the pavement. I paused to make sure she was ok as the gentleman with her helped her up and we all were off again. Weird, crashing even happens in running races!
I settled into a groove quickly but was moving slower than normal. Maybe it was the marshmallow filling slowing me down? The hamburglar passed me but then I noticed she had stopped to walk. Soon she passed me again and would do this 5-6 times throughout the race - running fast then walking. I chased a white rabbit for a while, then a devil and angel couple. Along the way I saw some witches and a rally squirrel. The course went north up Bellevue and then back into the neighborhood to Sutton. It was hilly and I was running slow overall but even slower on the hills. As the road leveled off after we crossed manchester, I checked my time/speed, thinking I was running in the 9 min/mile range. Nope! It was more like 10:45 and that felt FAST. As I climbed the last hill on Marshall and rounded the corner on Marietta, The White Stripes Conquest came on my ipod. I crossed the finish at 36:01. I was 83 overall (out of 147) and 39 in my division out of 73 (under 40). YAY! The female winner ran a 22:42. The peacock won the costume contest.

(When I got home, I was helping Nicole pick out a costume from my "costume closet" and noticed my water from the run had spilled into my bag. I moved my ipod out and noticed that it had just a little water on it. Soon, I discovered that little water was in the right place and just enough to ruin my dear ipod. Rest in peace pretty pink ipod. You were so good to me!

I finished the day at Bubba Cx "Boo-Ba" night race. I arrived early to help Cindi get stick-figured up and registered. I handed out some really stale peeps for my friends who were spectating to "toss" at us while we raced. At the start line there were 18 women in the B race and 12 or so in the A race. We had 4 bunnies, two bike cops, two dorothys, 1 alice in wonderland, a stick figure, a nun, Smurfette, an operation game, a gogo dancer, Steve Jobs, a punk girl,a fat bastard and Me as the Peep! (I hope I didn't forget anyone!)

I had purchased some "stuffing" to help fill out the peep costume (a tissue tablecloth with plastic backing) but as soon as we started racing, my stuffing was coming out the bottom of the costume. DRAT! I made it almost 1 lap around and stopped at the barriers to pull the rest of it out and leave it behind. Due to the stuffing issue (or my cx suckage), I was at the back right away, chasing the Fat Bastard. Cristel was having a rough time cornering in that costume, so I caught up to her a few times, only to get dropped again in the straight sections. This course featured a good deal of climbing and some hard to see turns. We'd get pelted by peeps on each lap. About 1/2 way through, I was able to get around the Fat Bastard. I then moved up to Dorothy #1 and struggled to stay with her. She seemed a little gassed on one lap and I was able to move around her (She'd completed a duathalon in the morning! WOW!!!) I gained some space between us and was feeling good (and tired). I got pelted again by peeps and then passed by Sunny (GoGo dancer and cx racer extraordinare) and was glad to know I was now racing 1 lap less. I picked up some speed at a down hill section (into the lights) only to realize all too late that it was a u turn/switchback and CRAP, I was headed right for the tape. The rule follower I am, I didn't want to bust through the tape (I wasn't sure I could... anyone remember that old deodorant comercial with the cyclists and the big stretchy band???) I skimmed the tape/stakes and somehow turned left but too severely and BAM! PEEP DOWN!!!
I fell hard on my left hip and shoulder. I was still clipped in on the right side and couldn't get my foot out for a second. I was worried the 2nd place A racer was going to crash into me because she wasn't too far behind Sunny. I hurried to get up, sore and ego bruised. I wasn't crying so I guessed nothing was broken or too severely injured. I was able to slowly get on my bike just as the 2nd place - bunny - passed by. I kind of limped through the last lap, nursing both pride and very sore shoulder. I finished the lap and the race. I think I told everyone I saw that I crashed. This was my first cx crash, something I knew would happen eventually and I did it right in the middle of the course under the lights. I was sure someone saw it. It was kind of validating to hear that Vickie had seen it. (Thanks Vickie!)
I spent some time visiting with friends, delivering brownies to friends and friends officiating and then ran into Lisa Dattilo, who stretched my arm/shoulder for what seemed like forever. She really helped me feel tons better and even moved around with me so I could visit with Ashley and be close to the fire. Lisa is trained in Ki-Hara and wonderful at fixing imbalances, strains, pulls, tightness, whatever ails you. (She's at Sante at the Chase Park Plaza).
Overall, this Peep finished 16/18 and then had a great night hanging with her Peeps. My Friend Kelly-bunny won the B race! Sunny won the A race, but I was proud of everyone for being out there and having fun! (Especially Cristel who hung in for the WHOLE race as the Fat Bastard (large inflatable costume!!), after saying she'd just do one lap! She was sooo funny! Thanks Cristel!!)
Boo-ba was another night of success, despite a little crashing.

Thank you to all of my friends who raced and cheered for us! You guys are what makes this stuff so much fun to take part in! See you all at Cranksgiving!?!?