The Show Must Go On?

Last week, I nearly booked myself a plane ticket to New York City to watch the marathon this weekend. Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan would be in town. Meb Keflezighi would be running. The Halls would be there (at last check I swear they were coming). The Garmin guys would be running--go Jake and Justin! And of course all the latest and greatest gear would be on tap at the expo. Mizuno offered the chance to win a slot at a special brunch and they were showcasing the Breath Thermo top that looked like just the layer I needed to stay warm this winter--and after not being one of the lucky ones to win shoes or invited the Mezamashii Project, I'd take any opportunity I could to win a second chance. Basically, if I could get myself to the Big Apple without spending an arm and a leg, I wanted to be there.

Then Sandy happened. She tore across the East Coast and flooded some of the most unfathomable spots in the city that never sleeps, making New York look like it was Universal Studio's Earthquake ride (I promise I'm not joking about what happened, I just couldn't believe that so many Atlantic landmarks were destroyed). But what did I start thinking about after the initial OMG moments? The New York City Marathon. Would it go on as scheduled or would it be canceled?

Fit-Pic: Pumpkins in the Park

Since when did Pumpkins in the Park welcome so many costumed runners? Since the 5K became the Chicago race to run for Halloween, which was this year. I seriously think I could stare at costumed runners all day--I'm still thawing out from this early evening event, a result of wearing too little clothing on too cold of a day and staying outside for too long with too few layers.

 These runners are far more daring--especially those who wear costumes that don't look conducive to running--and more creative than I. If you weren't wearing a costume, face paint or some Halloween colors, you were in the minority. Who'd think to cross dress like the couple above? Or wear a cloak that looked like it belonged to a Japanese emperor (I don't have pictures of that one but I literally followed that costumed runner the entire race)? Or how about the the hunter and his sheep (at least I think that's what he was supposed to be), above at right?

So much for my excuse that you can't run fast in a costume. Minnie Mouse proved me wrong--she, Melissa Hardesty, was the second fastest female of the day. And if memory serves me correct, the female winner, Pam Staton, also ran clad in costume. Guess I should have whipped out the ladybug wings...maybe I would have flown across the finish line a little faster.

Last Minute Costumes for Runners

Any takers for vintage skier or Wonder Woman?

It's less than 36 hours before the Pumpkins in the Park 5K and I don't have a costume. Normally that wouldn't be a problem, but when a run is deemed Chicago's official Halloween race, and there's a costume contest for the best overall costume, the best zombie and the best dead celebrity costume, you start to feel like you should be running in something other than your basic race-day outfit. I learned that lesson last year at the Trick or Treat Trot, where I nailed the cold-runner look but it was nothing compared to the Scooby Doos, Angry Birds, chickens and more on the course.

But what can you dress up as when you barely have a day to plan? And you lack costume creativity until after the holiday is over? These 34 last-minute costumes collected at Today.com helped take the guesswork out of the equation. Sort of. You see, some of the costumes would definitely be easier to run in--and pull off--than others. Which ones? Between those 34 and a few costume ideas I've received, I came up with these suggestions.

• Aerobics instructor. A baby might be the one wearing the leotard and leg-warmers in the featured picture, but this is easy to pull off and will keep you warm while running--at least on the legs. You'll need: leotard (a compression shirt would work well), tights (running or something else), leg warmers, sweatband for the forehead

Gone Bananas

It might be one of the most expensive 5Ks out there—if you’ve never run it before—but it seems like it’s totally worth the $100 asking price. That’s because the Denver Gorilla Run could be one of the coolest three miles out there. Or maybe “most awesome” is the better way to phrase it, because it's doubtful that one could stay cool running in a gorilla suit, furry hair and all.

Ironman Airs Earlier Than Usual

I tracked athletes online all day. I watched portions of the live stream at Ironman.com. But watching the NBC broadcast of the Ironman World Championship? That's usually reserved for December. After I haven't thought about triathlon in a crazed stupor for at least a month, and I could use something to fire up the competitive juices. The professional race, the age groupers, the inspirational athletes, they get me every time.

Is it really time to watch the Ironman World Championship? Yep. The coverage airs on NBC, Saturday, October 27, from 4 to 6 p.m. Eastern time (check your local listings for the other time zones), six weeks before its typical airing. The broadcast returns to a two-hour feature whereas  lately it's been limited to 90 minutes, less time than some triathletes take to finish the swim. We can thank Lance for sparking that one--he would have been a likely competitor until he was banned from participating--and NBC for not pulling the plug. Talk about a good alternative to watching college football!

Outside of the pro race, which saw winning performances by Pete Jacobs and Leanda Cave, who's going to appear in the footage? I have a few guesses...

• Will we see Lew Hollander and Madonna Buder, two of the oldest entrants in the race? Lew eventually went on to finish, his 24th I believe, but Sister Madonna didn't make the bike cut-off.
• Maybe Harriet Anderson who was the last triathlete to cross the finish line before the 17-hour cut-off?
• How about Bonner Paddock who became the first person with cerebral palsy to finish the Ironman World Championship when he crossed the line in 16:38?
• Or Adrienne Hengels who got engaged at the finish line (doesn't a marriage proposal make for good TV?)?
• Or the tough-as-nails competitors who crashed somewhere out on the course yet managed to pick themselves up and still finish? I watched a guy in the live stream finish the race in 10 something hours with his arm in a sling. 

The funny thing is I almost forgot that the Ironman would be on TV this weekend. I thought I'd be excited to watch it so early--but more so than I actually am. Maybe it's because I did watch a large portion of the race online and already heard some of the Kona Inspired stories. Maybe it's because I did randomly wake up at 3 a.m. to watch the final hour of the race and see Lew Hollander and Harriet Anderson cross the finish line. But the likely culprit--it's simply a busy weekend. The Warren Miller movie, a birthday party, a football game, friends in town, the World Series, a 5K. Yeah, I'll be setting the timer to record this year's coverage.

Who do you want to see during Saturday's coverage? 

10 Things You Don't Know About Chicago's Sweetest Race

Mmm, chocolate post-running in 2011. Credit

Chicago likes its chocolate. Have you ever noticed that certain spots within the city smell like chocolate? Admittedly, I never picked up on it until someone mentioned it, but next time you're here, take a sniff and you'll see what I mean. So it comes as no surprise that there would be a race to cater to our sweet teeth. Besides, isn't it better to eat chocolate after we have a slight calorie deficit from say, a run? Of course.

It's America's Sweetest Race and it's second stop on its 2012-2013 circuit is Chicago (Albuquerque, N.M., is its first). It's the race Washington, D.C. would rather forget (though judging by the cancellation of the 70.3 triathlon that was supposed to be held out of National Harbor in August it might be more the location's fault than the race's)--but we're not going to dwell on the past. It's turning five in Chicago and it's pulling out all the stops to make Chicago runners giddy for chocolate. It's the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K.

But unlike some races that are nearly the same year after year, the Hot Chocolate 15K/5K is more about shaking things up. Take the race location: The first Hot Chocolate race was held at the popular Montrose site, and now the race starts and finishes in Grant Park. Take the race chocolate: One year it was Hershey bars as far as the eye could see, yet another it was square upon square of Ghirardelli. Take the race swag: a runner's jacket, a lighter runner's jacket, a hoodie. Put it this way: If you've done all five you have quite the collection of chocolate gear.

Seen on the Run: What's Up With That?

I've been to Colorado plenty of times, but I've never traveled south of Denver. Until my most recent trip. And instead of going to the usual haunts--ahem, Vail and Boulder (OK that was only once but I fell in love)--I headed south to the state's second largest city, Colorado Springs. Home of the Air Force Academy, the United States Olympic Training Center, the U.S. Olympic Committee and several other sports organizations from swimming to triathlon. And as I learned while I was there, the doctor who developed ART, active release technique (which saved me from a summer of not running), is based in the Springs.

So the secret's out. If you saw the Fit-Pic in the previous post, it's from Colorado Springs (as if I didn't already give it away at the start). When you're in the fittest state in the nation, you can't help but want to explore, especially when that exploration includes a run.

Fit-Pic: My Version of a Rave Run

How's this for a running route? I'm a huge fan of the rave runs Runner's World features each month, always hoping that I'll flip to the spread to find a place that I've run (that has yet to happen). But if I could name a rave run, this would make the list. With the mountain scenery and fall colors that look more fall-like on the screen than they did to the naked eye, it made the huffing and puffing at altitude worth it.  

Can you guess where I'm running? I'll name it in the next post.

Fit-Pic: Ouch That Hurt!

The Manitou Incline. I'd heard about it. I had seen pictures that had been texted to me. I learned that Apolo Ohno climbed it several times while residing at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, and that it was the proving ground for locals. But this stair climb, which looks completely wimpy in this picture shot at the Incline's base, beats any skyscraper stair climb I've ever done or could do in the Windy City.

You see, this is the easiest part of the climb. And then it goes up. And up. And up as you scale a mountain at some crazy degree that I'm too scared to look up for fear that I'll never want to ascend these stairs again. Your legs burn. Your lungs can't get enough air. You're chugging water desperately hoping that might make it a little easier. Your back starts to ache. You're breathing as hard, maybe even harder, than your fastest sprint around the track. Yeah, there's a reason that sign warns that it's an extreme trail.

But I'm ready to climb it again, even if I'm still too scared to descend using any other trail but the long winding one that everyone ran down except me (one slip on the gravel and I was walking). And do it faster than that first-time climb.

Top 10 Workout Songs for October

Beat, ba-beat, ba-ba-ba beat. Let's fuel that workout! Credit

Need to refresh your workout playlist? I do. Maybe it's the change of the seasons, maybe it's shifting from outdoor to indoor workouts, or maybe it's because I spent a marathon listening to my current playlist. But thanks to Run Hundred, which shared its top 10 songs for October, it's time for some updating.

This month's list has something for everyone. You'll find a hit that is so popular it earned a spot on the Today Show one morning ("Gangnam Style"), comeback (by Christina Aguilera) and crossover (by Scissors Sisters) singles, and a song popularized by a Kia commercial ("In My Mind"). Dragonette, a group that's not a household name, came in with the month's top track, which isn't from the Top 40, meaning it reached its rank through sheer awesomeness--Run Hundred's words, not mine, even though my slightly odd musical tastes find it pretty good. And one of my personal favorites of late (thank you 101.9), One Republic's "Feel Again," is also a hit--I love it for running.

Keep reading for October's list of top songs, according to votes placed at Run Hundred, the web's most popular workout music blog.

Cycling's Ryde Revolution

Ready for a Ryde?

One week you're pedaling across a highway in Arizona, admiring the red rocks and wide expanses. The next week you're riding along the familiar Lakefront Path before transitioning to downtown Chicago on roads you've driven plenty of times but never thought to pedal. And maybe the week after that you're riding through the lush forests of the Pacific Northwest. You're sweating, your legs are burning, you're leaning hard into those turns on the roads, you know you're going to wake up sore from head to toe tomorrow--but you haven't left River North. In fact, you haven't taken a foot outside 108 W. Hubbard, home to Real Ryder Revolution, or more affectionately shortened to R3, so you don't have to stumble over a tongue twister every time you say you're going for a bike ride.

I used to love Spinning. I'd go three, four, sometimes even five times a week, often pushing the running aside to hit the bike. I could practice climbs that I couldn't find within 30 minutes of home, headwinds that I really wouldn't want to get stuck in outside, and speed sets that could make me a reckless rider.

Fit-Pic: The Climber and the Sprinter, Vande Velde and Farrar

Look who we found at the Garmin store on Michigan Avenue Thursday night. Tyler Farrar (seated left) and Christian Vande Velde (seated right) of Team Garmin stopped by to talk cycling, answer any questions the crowd threw at them and sign Team Garmin "Chicago" posters given to those in attendance. Now I realize this is far from a great picture, but if you want to see more from the event--and even catch me asking the CVV about the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, which he won--check out the write-up on the Garmin blog.

Fall Favorites: Chicago Running Races

Wouldn't you shiver for some finish-line hot chocolate?

I don't like fall as the season--the leaves changing, the cooler weather, the shorter daylight hours just aren't my thing--but I do like fall for running. Especially when the running happens after the Chicago Marathon. The Lakefront Path is practically deserted, you can run almost any time of day without roasting or freezing, and there are still plenty of races to run on the weekends. Perfect if you're ready for a late-season PR before shutting it down for the year, looking to run your first 5K (this is aimed specifically at my friend who wants to run a 5K but has put it off time and again), or just have fun at the races (the costume-wearing crowd). I'm not even a week out from running the marathon--and thought I'd be putting away my running shoes for a few weeks, or months--but I can't help but want to race again. Not a marathon--two in 28 days was plenty for my legs--but anything shorter will do.

Some local races I’m eyeing:

Men’s Health Urbanathlon, October 13. Race registration is about to close (or has closed?) for this 10.8-mile event that's not your usual running race. With a name like Urbanathlon, expect to see obstacles and challenges where you’ll test your strength and not just your speed. Rumor has it that there's a stair climb inside Soldier Field. And if Chicago doesn't work, there are still Urbanathlons to be had in New York (Oct. 27) and San Francisco (Nov. 18).

Who to Watch and Follow at the Ironman World Championship 2012

Oh, Kona. Credit: seanhagen

Chrissie Wellington has taken the year off from competition. Lance Armstrong is out--as we've all known for months. But there's way more to the Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, than those two buzzwords. I could name a few more--Crowie, Chris Lieto, Macca, Mirinda Carfrae, Linsey Corbin, Meredith Kessler--except those names aren't enough to fire me up. I'm equally--maybe even more so--excited to track some of the age-groupers competing in the Ironman World Championship. Sure, it's tough to make it to the Big Island's big show regardless of your status--pro or amateur--but it's pretty inspiring when you recognize some of the competitors as your lane mates, camp buddies, team mates or neighbors.

Much like the list I jotted down last year, here's who I'll be following at the 2012 Ironman World Championship on October 13. And thank goodness I don't have a marathon to run the following day--I can stay up as late as I want to watch the live stream.

Dave Bartoszewski. His mom qualified for next year's World Championship at Ironman Wisconsin last month but turned it down. He qualified for Kona at Ironman Wisconsin last year.

Madonna Buder. How can you not love an 82-year-old nun who races triathlons? If Sister Madonna finishes Saturday's race, she'll be the oldest woman to finish the Ironman World Championship. And even if she doesn't, WTC had to create the W80+ category just for her, and she'll be the oldest female to start the race.

The Marathon's Over...Now What?

Ready to run again?

You trained. You ran. You conquered. Well, not quite. If crossing the finish line and getting a marathon medal to wear around your neck counts toward conquering, then yes. But if you wanted more out of your marathon—ahem, a faster time, a steadier pace, a personal best or Boston qualifier, or whatever else justifies a good race—then chances are you’re wondering what comes next. You’re not ready to go out and run another 26.2 right away (or maybe you are—I know someone who raced Chicago and will be running the Nike Women’s Marathon this weekend) but you’re not that far off. The problem is that a majority of the races that come to mind—Twin Cities, Lakefront in Milwaukee, Chicago—are done and many of the big-name races—New York, Marine Corps, Detroit Free Press (have to stick the hometown race in there)—have been closed for months.

So where can a girl, or guy, run these days? Here are some of my picks—local and not—for fall races to run. Oh yeah, and they’re not all marathons because after running two in less than a month, I’m definitely thinking shorter is better (don’t get me wrong—I still want to run the Chicago Marathon again).

While You Were Running...

While you were running Sunday's Chicago Marathon (or sleeping, spectating, avoiding it at all costs)...

• A course record could be set.
• A runner could slip at the finish line.
• A nail-biting finish could happen.
• A world record could be broken.
• A World Marathon Major title could be nearly clinched.
• A personal best--not just among the regulars but the elites--could be achieved.

So three of those didn't happen at Sunday's race. But a lot can happen while you're running the marathon at your pace--fast, slow or somewhere in the middle--and the elites are tackling the 26.2 miles at their blistering speeds. The race could be turned into a fun run of sorts--2007's scorcher of an October Sunday where race organizers halted the race and runners were either bussed back to Grant Park or asked to walk as opposed to run in the intense heat. Among the elites, the difference between first and second place could be determined in the final 200 meters on Columbus. Or Chicago's flat and fast course could make for a world record run--Khalid Khannouchi in 1999 and Paula Radcliffe in 2002. Or it could be a race with a photo finish.

Must Watch BTN TV

Watching TV is sounding mighty good right now. I'm recovering from the last month's worth of races. I'm not into most of the Monday night programming (OK, you caught me, I do kinda want to see the Real Housewives of NYC reunion). And I'm on a mission to sit still tonight and not workout. That's easier said than done. Until this press release landed in my inbox (and I'm going to post it as is because I honestly haven't had the time to think up a creative way to share it):

BTN LiveBIG, the award-winning and inspirational program hosted by Dhani Jones, will feature Chicago rower Jenn Gibbons, a former member of the MSU women’s crew team, who set out to become the first person to row the perimeter of Lake Michigan this past summer. The episode will air at 7:30 PM ET Monday, October 8.

Viewers will accompany Gibbons on her journey to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research through the Recovery on Water (ROW) program she founded. Through cameras aboard Gibbons’ boat, BTN gives viewers an all-access pass as she sets sail on her voyage in June, overcomes all challenges, including a frightening sexual assault, and as she takes her final strokes paddling onto the Chicago shore in August. From great highs to the lowest of lows, the episode shows viewers how Gibbons overcame it all and achieved her goals.

BTN LiveBIG highlights ways the Big Ten community is making a difference by living and giving “big.” Fans can receive details on upcoming episodes and find out ways they can get involved with BTN LiveBIG causes by following @BTNLiveBIG on Twitter or by Liking BTN LiveBIG on Facebook. For more information, go to: www.BTNLiveBIG.com.

Perfect! Rowfit Chicago's Nell Shuttleworth told me about Gibbons' journey earlier in the year, and I briefly read about the sexual assault, but I never knew how the journey ended. Between the journey itself and getting to see footage from the boat, this sounds too good to miss. As much as I might love cheering for my alta mater on college football Saturdays, those games are nail-biters--too much for my enjoyment. 

Take 5! Refuel after the Chicago Marathon

Celebrate those marathon miles. Credit

You came, you ran, you conquered. Maybe finished is more like it. Either way, you earned that title of marathoner and the right to wear that medal around your neck to dinner, to bed, to breakfast Monday morning.

But now that you don't have to worry about logging all those miles, it's time to celebrate. You know, do all of those things you may have sacrificed over the last few months. Drink a beer--or a lot of it. Eat ice cream--OK, so that's my favorite post-race treat. Sit down, relax and veg out--again, that might be me. Here are my top five ways to refuel and refresh after Sunday's Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Nothing special, but I can guarantee that knowing I'll have some treats after the race will help carry me through it come Sunday. Sometimes it's the little things that get me through the tough miles.

1. Drink chocolate milk. Team Refuel's busy prepping for the Ironman World Championship, but that doesn't mean our muscles can't use a little chocolate milk to replenish after running 26.2 miles. I guzzled two cartons after my Ironman, a welcome change from the sports drink, which I'd like to think made my muscles happy campers come Monday morning. 

Fit-Pic: Nike Chicago Pep Rally

There's nothing like a pep rally at Nike Chicago to get fired up for Sunday's Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I say this because I've been going to these pep rallies since 2005 and they only get better. Take this year, which also happened to be the first Nike Run Club run since Nike Chicago closed in March for its overhaul and only reopened last week. Sure, the third floor, now the run floor, was full of runners and marathon gear, but how about a dee-jay and star-studded cast to send runners on their routes?

Who's ready to #ownchicago on Sunday?

Fit-Pic: Marathon Crowning Glory

These pictures are far from great, but it was the best I could do in a room where I was surrounded by journalists, TV cameras and photographers who are far more important than myself. That's what happens at the opening press conference for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Everyone shows up...including the mayor.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel kicks off the Bank of America Chicago Marathon press conference on Thursday, October 4. He joked that no one held an event quite like this one for his two Chicago Triathlon finishes.

Mend Those Muscles

Legs feeling a little rubbery after running 26.2 miles? Sore in all the wrong spots? Go for a massage. Not to say that the Chicago Marathon finisher's gear isn't cool (I'm sure this year's Nike stuff will be awesome--it always is), but a massage is the best post-race treat you could give your body, except for maybe that beer we like to imbibe at the finish line.

Based on recent research, 10 minutes of a Swedish massage can reduce inflammation in the muscles. And after all the pavement pounding you'll be doing during the marathon, it seems like an hour with a massage therapist's touch would be more worthwhile than another T-shirt, especially if your drawers are as stuffed as mine. I'm already remembering how stiff I usually am after a tough race--I practically fall out of bed Monday morning--and how my calves could use some kneading. Here's even more reason to get massaged post-race: The Spa @ Equinox is offering 15 percent off all of its massage services to Chicago Marathon runners. Runners can take advantage of this offer by bringing their marathon bib to the Equinox at 900 N. Michigan between October 8 and 14.

This deal gets more and more enticing for this girl, who hates to pay full-price on anything, especially since I missed out last year (what was I thinking?!). If you need me after the marathon, chances are I've fallen asleep on the massage table--and based on how I currently feel, that time can't come soon enough.

Have you gotten a massage after a race? Did it make you feel better?

Photo courtesy of Equinox.

What to Know Before You Go...Run a Marathon

That's a happy Portland Marathon runner.

You've put in the training miles--or got as close as you could to logging them all. You've sacrificed sleep (not too much), a social life and some favorite eats. You've listened to all the advice, read all the articles, sat through all the pre-race talks. You've heard, read, said and thought so much about the marathon you're about to run that you may as well have crossed the finish line already. Not so fast.

It's race week. And instead of knowing all those words of advice you stored in your head over the course of training, you're forgetting them, confusing them or questioning their accuracy. Did I run enough miles? Will my shoes be OK? Did I pick a good race-day outfit? Am I eating the right foods?

Enough to make your head spin? Lucky for us, Scott Lewandowski, a regional director at Fitness Formula Clubs who's run several marathons, shared with us his preparation tips for the daunting 26.2.

• Review the course. Know the turns, the hills (or lack of should you be running Chicago), the bridges you'll run over. Visualize yourself successfully completing each mile.

Pasta Up! Where to Carbo Load Before the Chicago Marathon

Who's hungry now? Credit: flavorrelish

Rigatoni, penne, spaghetti. Top those off with a ladle of marinara and you've got yourself an age-old pre-race meal. Whether it's a swim meet, a marathon or an Ironman (or even a long workout), we eat that pasta to carbo-load and give our bodies the energy they need to power through those events. Yep, it wasn't just my Italian heritage that dictated pasta before every single swim meet (even if it meant eating at 3 p.m.), there was a plan to the carbohydrate loads. Though maybe it was a swimmer thing? When I chatted with Dr. Andy Baldwin after the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon, he said he ate it too--and still favors his mom's pasta dinner before a big race.

But there is a right way to feast on pasta effectively. This Health.com article doesn't suggest gorging at the pasta dinner--you could face some indigestion that'll rear its ugly face while running (I've been there, it's not pleasant)--but it is OK to eat that pasta until you're full. Given that we burn roughly 100 calories every mile of the marathon, you're going to need that fuel in the morning.

One problem for those running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 7: You're not going to find a race-organized pasta dinner (I swear Dominick's used to sponsor one at the Hilton Chicago back in the day, though). With a 45,000-runner field, can you blame them? Lucky for us, there are plenty of places to pasta up in the Windy City--and eat in general. But what's even better is that October happens to be National Pizza and Pasta Month (hmm, do you think the marathons and restaurants joined forces to make that happen?). As a result, some Chicago restaurants are offering dining specials that highlight their pastas.

Fit-Q: What's your ideal running temperature?

Credit: lululemon athletica

It's fall and it's marathon season. Sometimes that means cool temperatures (we hope) but in recent years, we haven't been so lucky especially when the Bank of America Chicago Marathon hits the Windy City. Remember the year it snowed? It was 1993. How about the year where it was so hot the race was cancelled and runners were encouraged to pull off course? That was the 30th anniversary in 2007, where temperatures soared into the high 80s and it felt like an oven on the city streets. Or when the starting temperatures were at freezing? It was 2009. Or what about last year when it felt like summer? 

Sure marathons get their fair share of weather extremes--don't remind me about the Grandma's Marathon I ran where it was uncharacteristically warm and the promise of cool air blowing off Lake Superior didn't happen--from rain to sun, wind to still air, cold to hot. And sure the weather can change in an instant. How many times have you looked at the weather forecast only to watch it change again and again before race day? I know I was expecting to see temperatures in the 60s or 70s when I looked at this year's Chicago Marathon forecast--I've simply grown used to it, between the warm races the last two years and not running a chilly race once this season (and I've been racing since March).

But while some of us beg for chillier air, even if it borders on freezing, others want a little warmer weather. So we want to know...

What's your ideal running temperature, marathon or not?

poll by twiigs.com

Note: Degrees are measured on the Fahrenheit scale.  

Photo grabbed from lululemon athletica at flickr.