Girls, Giggles and Group Running

GOTR in Red Wing, Minn.

Chicago likes to do things big. We have some of the tallest buildings in the country. We have one of the largest--and one of the most spectacular, I might add--Whole Foods Markets. We've set a Guinness World Record for the largest triathlon, August's Chicago Tri has drawn about 8,000 competitors, and our Bank of America Chicago Marathon is known as one of the biggies in North America. So it didn't come as much of a surprise when I read that our city's branch of Girls on the Run is shooting to be the largest ever when it kicks off tomorrow morning.

But we're not talking about it being the largest New Balance Girls on the Run 5K that Chicago has ever had. It's aiming to be the largest in the world. Girls on the Run Chicago only needs 6,301 people to be registered to receive that honor. And between the 3,000 girls in the group, which encourages young girls to live healthy lives and have self-respect through a 12-week running program, plus their coaches, parents, friends and the general public who want to support this mission, the race is getting close to that milestone.

The 5K kicks off tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. at Montrose Harbor along the Chicago Lakefront. Beware about trying to park onsite...that Montrose parking lot fills out pretty fast on any race-day morning but with a nice weekend ahead, girls being bussed to the start and a lot of people for a relatively small space, you're better off arriving by bike, foot, or public transportation. The morning promises to be a fun one for all involved. It's an amazing site to see these girls geared up for the race--for many it's their first 5K--and their cheerleaders, ready to watch them reach their goal. To keep the competition from getting out of hand, everyone is a winner at this race, with a clock running but no one really caring about how fast or slow they take it out there--makes sense, right? And if you are that lucky 6,301st registrant, the one who's responsible for bringing the race over that record-setting line, you'll go home with a special prize. No word yet on what it is, but Girls on the Run has a lot of great sponsors so it should be good.

What are you waiting for? Online registration closes at 5 p.m. today or you can register on site tomorrow morning, beginning at 7 a.m. Registration costs $35, which goes back to providing all of this great programming for the girls. For more details, check out www.gotrchicago.org or click here to register. Photo grabbed from chief_huddleston at flickr.

Turkey Trot Timing

Day-after Thanksgiving turkey cupcake anyone?

Did you give your metabolism a boost yesterday morning and head out to an area Turkey Trot? A Thanksgiving Day tradition almost as much of a ritual--or more so for some--as watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade or following the football games, the trots help get the Thanksgiving action started and rev the engine for the eating that ensues. Big or small, timed or untimed, Turkey Trots run the gamut in terms of race specifics, but regardless, they draw runners from near and far who are either looking to race or simply looking to run without caring about a finish line. If you did run and want to know how you finished, check out some of the Turkey Trot results posted below from races around the country. Just click on the event name to view the times.

• Thanksgiving Day Race 10K -- Cincinnati, Ohio
• Drumstick Dash -- Broad Ripple, Indiana
• YMCA Bethesda-Chevy Chase Turkey Chase 10K -- Bethesda, Maryland
• Naperville Noon Lions 5K Turkey Trot -- Naperville, Illinois
• Detroit Turkey Trot -- Detroit, Michigan
• The Capital One Bank Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot -- Dallas, Texas
• The 22nd Annual Feaster Five Road Race -- Andover, Massachusetts
• O'Side Turkey Trot -- Oceanside, California
• Turkey Trot 8K presented by Fleet Feet Sports -- Chicago, Illinois

This list is only a handful of the races that took place on November 26. Active.com posted results for roughly 75 different turkey trots around the country and that's still not all of them. Check out more race results at Active or The Running Network. Did you run on Thursday? Photo grabbed from kristin_a (Meringue Bake Shop) at flickr. Posted by Kate

Philadelphia Loves Its Running

Maybe you were hoping for some marathon loving from the city of love. Maybe a nice change of pace from gusts pushing against you in the Windy City or an Arizona heat wave or snow falling in the Colorado mountains. A Boston Marathon qualifier or a personal best? Or redemption to close out the marathon year after having a lackluster race earlier in the season. Whatever the case, you signed up to run the Philadelphia Marathon on November 22, started or continued training, and then toed the line to turn your marathon dreams into reality.

In return, Philly really turned on the charm. Not only did you get a tour through the historic city complete with Liberty Bell and Rocky statue (yep, it even donned a race tee for the occasion) but you also got a taste of pristine weather conditions--41 at the start and 58 for a high--and a flat course. Maybe not as flat as Chicago or downhill and nearly flat like California International, but it draws crowds, even some closed out of Chicago, Marine Corps or New York. Only problem was that Philadelphia was so popular this year that registration closed roughly 60 days before race day, so if you ran a fall race and wanted to redeem yourself a few weeks later, you couldn't unless you figured out a loophole to get in. Plus driving distance around the East Coast is reasonable if you live in New England or D.C. and flights from elsewhere tend to be inexpensive. Were you among the race's approximately 7,464 marathon finishers and 7,188 half marathon finishers? Did you run the 8K? Whether you're checking on your times or want to see how a runner did, check out all the results on the Philadelphia Marathon's website.

Unfortunately if you did register for the Philadelphia Marathon after a so-so Chicago (or insert-city-here) race in hopes of qualifying for Boston, you can't run online to bostonmarathon.org to sign up the prestigious race's 114th running on April 19, 2010. The race filled earlier than usual this year and the two fast November races that normally draw those on the hunt for BQs, Richmond and Philly, fell after Boston closed. The California International Marathon on Dec. 6 has the same fate--drawing runners for its downhill and high BQ statistics. If you're in the mix, you'll have to wait until registration for the 2011 race, and 115th running (wow!), opens next September. But consider yourself lucky...when hotels start reservations for 2011, you can have prime pickings. Photo grabbed from the Philadelphia Marathon. Posted by Kate

Songs for a Spooky Spin or Sprint

With Halloween just days away, it's no wonder the costume store around the corner stays open later, the candy is flying off the shelves and haunted houses are the talk of the town. But it wouldn't be the holiday without a little theme music. And we're not talking about music playing on the car radio, at the costume party or through the store. Try during a workout--tunes to bring out the ghouls, witches and vampires on the run or the bike. My friend compiled these songs for a Spooky Spin planned at the gym tonight after searching the internet and Spinning websites for Halloween ideas. Maybe a few will make it onto your playlist?

Theme from 'Halloween'
Theme from 'The Exorcist'
Pearl Jam - Black
Nine Inch Nails – Dead Souls
Siouxsie and the Banshees – Halloween
Ministry – Every Day is Halloween
David Bowie - Scary Monsters
The Specials - Ghost Town
AC/DC - Highway To Hell
Beck - Devil's Haircut
Van Halen - Runnin’ With the Devil
Rob Zombie - Meet the Creeper
The Cramps - I Was a Teenage Werewolf
The Ramones - Pet Semetary
The White Stripes - Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground
Smashing Pumpkins - any song would work
Warren Zevon - Werewolves of London
Vampire Weekend - any song would work
INXS - Devil Inside
Limp Bizkit - Take a Look Around
Pendulum - Slam
Pendulum - Midnight Runner
Rolling Stones/Fatboy Slim - Sympathy for the Devil (8 minute version)
Beatniks - Sabre Dance
Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood
The Police - Spirits in the Material World

Michael Jackson's Thriller also comes to mind as a perennial favorite, but in light of his death might not be the best to play this year. And then I can't help but think about oldies like the Monster Mash.

But everywhere you turn, the spirit of Halloween lurks from the grocery store to the gym. The gym, you ask? Yes, it's an odd place to conjure up ghosts and goblins--unless it's haunted--but mine is one spot where the Spinning instructors decided it'd be fun to hold Spooky Spins. Calorie deficit to splurge on those spooky treats, fun size candy bars and handfuls of candy corn, and creative license to devise a costume that works while sweating or doesn't look odd while wearing cycling shorts. The music is the easy part for the Spooky Spin, it's the costume where I'm running into problems. Photo grabbed from manitou2121 at flickr. Posted by Kate

The Few, The Proud, The Marine Corps Marathon

Another major marathon rocked the nation's capital this morning--the Marine Corps Marathon celebrated its 34th running with a field of roughly 21,000 toeing the line, pretty good for a race that capped participation at 30,000 runners. I'm too focused on running Chicago earlier in October to take part in this east coast classic, but it's definitely on the radar screen.

My college friends have a knack for moving east, especially Washington, D.C., leaving me to learn more about the area and its events in hopes of participating when I visit. First it was my roommate, who after one year post-graduation decided it was time to go to grad school and packed up and moved to the capital. And for some reason I've always remembered two things she told me about the relocation: how there are a lot of Northwestern alums and that the D.C. running scene seemed so much different from the Chicago one. And this is before she became a runner, but even she picked up on the trend that left only a few road races able to run the streets of the capital city (although the Washington Running Report makes me think times have changed a little) and of those, it was nearly impossible to gain entry if you hesitated because registration closed as quickly as it opened. And D.C. folks can correct me if I'm wrong, but the Cherry Blossom 10 in the spring, and the fall's Army 10-Miler and Marine Corps Marathon fill in a heartbeat. But when race-day comes, that's thousands of enthusiastic runners, many of whom are local because they've learned these sign-up secrets, trekking the D.C. streets and reveling in a capital city tour.

That certainly held true this morning at the 34th running of the Marine Corps Marathon, a 26.2-miler that's gained recognition among the ranks of New York, Chicago and Boston as a must-do race. And for those that battled the heat and humidity during those summer long runs, they finally had a chance to show what their bodies are made of with much more desirable race-day temps in the high 50s and low 60s. Forget heat-altered performances like a Runner's World article explored this summer--talk about making a runner slogging through elevated temperatures at Chicago in '07 and '08, and Grandma's Marathon '09 feel better about a slow performance. The wind behaved itself on race day with gusts not pushing levels that Marine Corps Marathon runners have faced in the past--I remember a friend running the 2006 race and was going great until the final miles where she felt like she was running through a wind wall. I've been there on my bike this summer and wouldn't want to repeat it on my feet.

Anyway...for this year's classic, Andrew Dumm was trying to defend his 2008 title, where he crossed first in 2:22:44--in his first marathon nonetheless. But it was another first-timer who took home the victory in 2009. John Mentzer, a Navy lieutenant commander, crossed first in 2:21:47, just edging out Air Force Capt. Jacob Johnson. That's one cool part about races in the Washington D.C. area--both Marine Corps and the Army 10-Miler fill with speedy service men and women. For the women, Cate Fenster, who was also running her first marathon, won the 2008 race in 2:48:55 but was not toeing the line to defend. With the female field wide open, Muliye Gurme of Ethiopia won in 2:49:48, capturing the lead over Air Force Capt. Jayme Marty in the final two kilometers. Check out more about how the top finishers fare at the Washington Times.

As for what else happened as the 26.2 miles went down...I'll be adding to this report as I learn more, and check on the progress of how some Team in Training athletes did. Tune in for more, but in the meantime, check out the race-day results and news at marinemarathon.com. Semper Fi! Photo of winner John Mentzer grabbed from the Washington Times. Posted by Kate

No Excuse for Skipping Hydration

What's the most popular accessory for carrying your water and sports drinks when you're out and about? I wish I knew the answer, but I can only surmise based on observations and personal preference. But with all of the options out there, you can't really have an excuse for not staying hydrated even if you're just scouting out the nearby water fountain. Here are a few that I've spotted on the go this summer.

Camelbak--or the like--hydration packs: These backpacks with straws (that's what I call it at least) conveniently draped over the shoulder make hydrating on-the-go almost too easy, especially if you don't want to dig in a bag for a water bottle or search for a water fountain. These are really popular while hiking, and I've seen some people sporting them while running and walking. I find it easy to use while cycling, especially on century rides and lately I've spotted triathletes using them during races (and I thought I was one of the few who used it while racing a few years ago, but earlier in the month I must have seen at least five triathletes wearing them on the 56-mile bike).

Water bottles: This is the option I think I spot the most often. We'll buy them as singles or in 24-packs at the grocery store, grab them from volunteers after a race, tote them to the beach or to work. And they're easy to fill with our favorite combination of fluid whether it be straight-up tap water, PUR-filtered water, a sports drink or even watered-down juice.

Fuel Belt or any other brand of belt with bottles: Popular among runners, especially half marathoners and marathoners, these are great for carrying a sports drink for those long miles where you know you need something besides water from the water fountain (that's me and my Lakefront runs) or you're going out in the middle of nowhere and know you won't be getting fuel unless you bring your own.


Aerobottles like the Aerodrink: They take on different names and looks but these are a step up from a traditional water bottle and fit in between the aerobars and a handy way to stay fueled during a triathlon. Fill them with any combination of water, sports drink, energy fuel (like Hammer Nutrition products, Accelerade or Infinit). Then when you're racing you don't have to reach down or behind you to pick up a water bottle, just bend down a pinch and sip from the straws. Another one of my faves.


Hand-held or waist-wrap bottle carriers: I don't know about you, but it's tough to carry a water bottle as is while on the run because it can easily slip out of your grip. These holders make it a lot easier by either strapping the bottle around your hand or slipping into a holder that wraps like a fanny pack around your waist. Not to go back to triathlons again, but I've seen a lot of people sporting these, especially the hand-held ones, on the run leg so they can hydrate before waiting for a water station to pop up. Some companies making these include RoadRunner Sports, Asics, Brooks, Fuel Belt, Ultimate Direction, Nike, Amphipod and Nathan.

Hydration stations: OK, this obviously isn't an accessory but at least here in Chicago we're fortunate enough to have a great bunch of volunteers who come out on Saturday mornings at points along the 18 miles of Lakefront Path to set up tables filled with water and Gatorade. It's just like being at a race where you can help yourself and then you don't even have to carry your own fuel.

Water fountains: What's not to love about the good ol' water fountain? It's usually an easy find in a public spot, so you don't have to always worry about bringing your own fuel. That's a plus in my book--I like to carry as little as possible when I run, even trying to leave my house keys behind if someone's at home. I wish all running routes had water fountains as accessible as my home base Lakefront. I know where nearly all of the water fountains are on the Path so I can stop and sip as I please. The only problem is in the winter and early spring when the fountains are turned off, but six to eight months--maybe even more depending on the weather--out of the year isn't worth complaining about.


So with all of these options, how do you stay hydrated? Photo grabbed from Mike Schmid at flickr. Posted by Kate

Run Down the Aisle to "I Do"

If you're a regular--or somewhat regular--follower of the Today Show, especially tuning in to watch the features that stray from generic news clips and updates, then you might know what today brings on the Today airwaves. Today Throws a Wedding caps off its 10th wedding during this morning's coverage, featuring the vineyard-themed wedding for runners Nick Cordes and Leigh Daniel. The key word here is runners, as I'm sure Liz and I can both attest that the wedding countdown wouldn't have been as exciting this season if these two runners weren't among the competitors or then selected as the wedding couple.

Liz--she beat me to the punch--shared her excitement over the news months ago when Nick and Leigh were still competing for America's vote (speaking of which, did you cast a vote for this couple?) and we both quietly followed them through the competition rounds and daily wedding choices in the past weeks. Admittedly, I fell off the wagon just before the final couple was selected, but loved checking in again to see my faves watching their choices for wedding dress, attendants' attire, rings and honeymoon. And I was pumped even more when Natalie Morales casually mentioned how Nick proposed to Leigh: strolling up to her and asking her while she was cycling on a stationary bike. Not only do these two have a sweet proposal but they also have a less-than-ordinary courtship thanks to meeting while in the Olympic development program and getting kicked off the team for falling in love (or something like that--here's the story told by Today). Talk about true love to put their goals of one day competing in the Olympics aside.

I can't wait to check out the ceremony, and see if there are more runners among the attendants. Stay tuned to NBC for more coverage, or follow their Twitter feed online. I'm curious to see who goes for a run before walking down the aisle. Photo grabbed from today.ttu.edu. Posted by Kate

Twenty-Six Thoughts About Grandma's Marathon

I came, I saw, I ran Grandma's Marathon 2009 from Two Harbors to Duluth, Minn. While I had plenty of tunes to keep my ears occupied during the 26.2 miles, my thoughts were wandering and attempting to pick up the scenery. Here's a run down of 26.2 highlights that stuck with me after I crossed the finish line of the 33rd annual classic.

1. I never heard the start gun go off. I hadn't even started listening to my music before runners around me where cheering and we were surging forward to the start line.
2. These runners were anxious to start. I've never jogged to the starting line before and usually don't start running until seconds before crossing the timing mat.
3. On a hot day, runners like the shade. Any spot a tree cast a shadow on the ground, runners moved over for the chance to be out of the sun.
4. The breeze off Lake Superior is chilling, but so refreshing when heat and humidity is stifling. I was so thankful to feel a few of those while running although I definitely wished for more.
5. Knife River around mile 5 was a popular spectator spot and really scenic too. I wished I had my camera to take a picture.
6. Hooray for short port-a-potty lines. I didn't even wait 5 minutes before I made my pre-race pit-stop and still had plenty of time before the race started.
7. If you're not careful the pace groups--or maybe just those gunning for 3:40--will swarm you on the course and at the hydration stations.
8. Volunteers and spectators are awesome. Not only for coming out to support the runners but for handing out fluids and ice, cleaning up our messes, and turning on hoses to cool us down.
9. I was only too happy to see family at mile 16. I was surprised that my in-laws, including grandma-in-law, risked traffic to drive up that far to see me and that I spotted them on the course. I didn't expect to see them until after mile 20.
10. Oh how I needed more fluid stations than what was provided. On a hot day, I could drink something at every mile if it was available. I made the mistake of sucking on a Jolly Rancher at mile 18 thinking a water stop was right around the corner. I didn't realize it wasn't until mile 19 that water stops started every mile--before that they were stationed roughly two miles apart.
11. I'm loving these smaller races, where the number of runners doesn't top 10,000. More manageable start, less fighting to pick a place to stand, ride a shuttle to the start, drop off your gear and find it at the finish, not feeling cramped running the entire 26.2 miles.
12. The scenery. I'd run Grandma's again just to run next to Lake Superior and see the still blue waters and lush green countryside.
13. Need a rival for Heartbreak Hill in Boston? You can't miss Lemon Drop Hill at mile 22, which will leave your legs screaming at you and wishing that the finish line was four feet away and not four miles down the stretch. The only redeeming news is that a photographer was positioned on the hill, which motivated me to continue running rather than give up and find a shot of me walking at marathonfoto.com after the race.
14. Gotta love a race that has a guy dressed up as a grandma--grey wig, flowered dress and pearls--running by.
15. And one that has runners trucking along regardless of the temperatures!
16. It's not a good sign though when you have to run to the side so two ambulances can make their way up the road for hurt runners. I spotted one runner on the side of the road being helped by the medical team and an ambulance driving up the road and later saw another ambulance but no runner. The Star-Tribune in the Twin Cities reported that 36 runners needed to be taken to the hospital.
17. Or when you see a photo of the winner at the finish line collapsed in a wheelchair. Mary Akor topped the women for a third straight victory but the heat and humidity left her depleted after crossing the finish line.
18. I have millions of race shirts but I feel like I really earned this one--I had to wait to cross the finish line to receive my Grandma's swag and had to survive that heat. As tempting as the medical drop-outs were, I was really hoping not to use them.
19. Ode to Kara for the Kara-obsessed runners we are at Fit-Ink! Turns out Kara Goucher's younger sister Kendall ran the Garry Bjorklund half marathon that kicks off at 6:30 a.m. on the second half of the marathon course. She's fast, too!
20. The male winner, Christopher Raabe, made running in the heat look easy. His action shots show a calm, cool and collect runner who's cruising to a fast finish. The crazy part is that Raabe not only beat his competitors by nearly 3 minutes, but this was only his sixth marathon and he ran his personal best.
21. Ice cream and strawberries at the finish line? This is my kind of race. I was totally craving ice cream in the later miles, telling myself I'd beg for Culver's when the event was over.
22. Loved not having a clock at every mile to remind me just how slow I had gotten over the course of the race. I even stopped staring at my Garmin every few seconds to watch my pace taper off.
23. Did I really see a black warning flag at the water station at mile 21? Or was it 20? Either I was delirious or I saw the tell-tale sign of taking it easy because it was too warm for comfortable running.
24. Others say that Grandma's is a hilly course and not flat like say Chicago or even Marine Corps. Not true. The little rollers were a pleasant change in scenery and nothing too strenuous. At least until Lemon Drop and then you couldn't help but give your legs a break. Even on the downhill which was tough on the calves.
25. While I didn't partake because it was easier--and less congested--to be dropped off at a hotel for a bus shuttle to the start, some runners got to take the North Shore Railroad to Two Harbors. Talk about a unique ride to the start line. The train even gave us a send off, blowing its whistle as it sped south to Duluth.
26. Bagpipes, cheerleaders, bands. The route wasn't short of entertainment either. That bagpiper though, he looked like he was boiling in his tartan kilt.

And for 0.2 to cover the entire race distance in thoughts. The sweet reward after finishing: a trip to Betty's Pies in Two Harbors. Sorry folks but for me a race wouldn't be complete without a restaurant stop on the way home (Weber Grill calls my name each year in Chicago). I offered to show my support group the race start and after we wandered out of the finish area and back to the car drove north to Betty's Pies, famous in Minnesota for its multitude of homemade pies. But it was the huge basket of fries and a hot fudge banana sundae that caught my eye and made their way into my stomach. Yum and thank goodness I had a good calorie burn beforehand! Posted by Kate

To Grandmother's House I Go...

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house we go....The sad but honest truth is that phrase kept reverberating through my head over the weekend--that tune I probably picked up as an nine-year-old playing my first notes on the piano or reading Laura Ingalls Wilder books. But as much as I try to whisk that thought out of my head, I know I can't because it's so true for the weekend I had. I drove over the St. Croix River and through the North Woods (well, partially at least) to get to Grandma's house outside Duluth, Minn. But I wasn't just going to visit Grandma--Grandma Lutter, pictured with me at left, is actually my husband's maternal grandmother but I consider her my grandma as well especially considering that all of my grandparents are deceased--I was also running Grandma's Marathon, a 33-year-old 26.2-mile classic that runs from Two Harbors to Duluth along Lake Superior. I'll spare you all the other grandmotherly references that popped into my head while running or thinking about what to write, but the one that stuck with me was running to grandma's house as I ran from Two Harbors south to Duluth--and if I kept running south I'd hit grandma's in nearby Cloquet.

But anyway, for years, Grandma suggested I run the Grandma's Marathon held each June. And contrary to my belief, it's not named after all the grandmas in Duluth or any other random association you can think of with grandmothers and running--I was asked if my grandma was running the race and if there was some local legend associated with the name--but it received it's name from Grandma's, a restaurant chain local to Duluth and one-time major sponsor of the race that also happens to have a location steps from the finish line. However, each year I'd have a different excuse for why I couldn't run. Once was that the race was already filled--people would request mail-in entries in January and send them back the same day they appeared in their mailboxes to snag an elusive spot into this 9,500-runner race. Another time I ran the Boston Marathon in April and knew my legs couldn't handle another 26.2 miles only two months later. Another time I have to admit I was discouraged by the strict adherence to the USATF no headphone rule, which thankfully was repealed in December by the USATF. And then last year I was at my brother-in-law's wedding so even if I wanted to run, Grandma wouldn't be home either. But when Grandma reminded me about running the race this year, I didn't have an excuse, and the idea of running was all too appealing. I hadn't run a marathon since December and basically took a break from running altogether until a training run with Liz in early April, entries were still available in April thanks in part to the race embracing online registration, I needed a challenge to get me back on my feet, and the idea of running along Lake Superior sounded way too pretty. So after dragging my feet, I finally signed up for the race at the beginning of May and gave myself an event to look forward to come June 20. Little did I know at the time--or maybe I was too excited to sign up and have a late spring marathon on the calendar that I didn't really factor in other events on my event schedule--that I'd be giving myself an interesting taper for this race with a 100-mile bike ride less than two weeks before (June 7's Udder Century) and an Olympic-distance triathlon (June 14's Motor City Triathlon). Then when spring, or the lack thereof, threw us for a loop in the Windy City, I found my training compromised because I simply didn't want to run in the cold and rain or I was too pooped from other activities to hit the trail for a distance run.

Was I crazy to be running this race with only a 10-mile race under my belt, a bonked 12-miler, a 6.6-mile run at the end of a triathlon, and my only endurance hours spent on a bike and an elliptical? Yes! But I gave myself the goal of being conservative while running, not going too hard, listening to my body when I had enough and all of the things I probably ignored any other time I was marathoning. And away I went, driving up to Minnesota two days before the race and then arriving at the expo to pick up my packet on Friday afternoon. As for how I would feel, I was trying not to think negative thoughts although they continued to pop into my head. Think back to Liz's rundown before Boston and all the phantom pains and weather woes. Will my left heel quit hurting me? How are my legs going to feel Saturday and did I rest enough? Am I going to survive to mile 20 after little training and more cross-training? Is it going to rain or will it be too hot? Was I going to get blisters again (I ran more than half the California International Marathon in December with blisters covering my feet)?

By the time race morning arrived, the weather was my only concern. It was bright and sunny--pointing to a great day for a race--but one look at the thermostat and this runner was wishing she was going to the beach and not to a marathon. The start was in the mid-60s and weather.com listed the high at 80-something in Two Harbors and 75 degrees in Duluth. The fleece jacket that was a mainstay in my wardrobe all spring came with me to the start but I quickly stuffed it into my sweat bag and hung out in my race clothes--tank and compression shorts--before the start.

I managed to miss the starting announcement but we were off before long. It's never a good sign when you've already cracked a sweat one mile into a race and still have 25 miles left to run. Or when you can start to feel a blister halfway through and hope it doesn't pop while you're running. Or knowing that you can't continue to hold the pace you had kept because it's just too darn hot. But at least that crowds are motivational...at Knife River around mile five, mile 16, the Lester River, along Superior Street and in the Canal Park area. I got to see my cheer team at mile 16--a total surprise to me since I expected to see them in the later miles in Duluth--and made sure I was running past, but my energy fizzled shortly after and all I wanted was to walk and get fluids. As rough as it might sound, I was definitely in love with the scenery. Green countryside, a clear blue lake, the bright blue sky--you couldn't ask for better race conditions aside from a cooler temperature.

I sound like a broken record harping on the heat, but when I recount the race, that's about the only thing that stands out in my mind because it really was that hot. I think I must be jinxed when it comes to marathons: Chicago 07, Chicago 08, Grandma's 09, and even Boston 08 was a little on the warm side at least for my comfort. But the black flag at mile 21, warning to slow down and drink plenty of fluids, was a little too reminiscent of Chicago 07 when runners were being pulled off the course and the marathon was canceled. Granted there were no buses and we could continue running but I knew that black flag wasn't good for those of us still plodding along.

The last five miles clicked by. Running past the mansions along Lake Superior, refueling at every water station, climbing the infamous Lemon Drop Hill while rocking out to what I consider motivation by The Killers, before I knew it I was at mile 25. But ugh, that last 1.2 miles was rough and felt like the longest march to the finish ever. It also doesn't help when your Garmin reads 26.2 and you don't even see a finish line banner. Yet at 26.32 by my watch's calculations, I crossed the finish line. Slower than I would have liked but faster under the conditions I endured. I just wish I could have sprinted a little faster at the finish or skipped a walking break earlier so my time was a pinch faster--I'm really good at finishing just seconds into the next minute.

Greeted with a finisher's medal, carnation and T-shirt shortly after crossing the finish, I now can say I ran and survived the 33rd running of Grandma's Marathon. It was a day that even Grandma called one of the hottest Duluth will see all year. As she said about her first marathon-watching experience, "Been there. Done that." I echo the sentiments although I think I'll be back to this race again. And maybe next time it'll be a little cooler. Pictured about is me and Grandma Lutter after cleaning up after the race. Posted by Kate

Twitter Your Way to a 5K

Twittering...tweeting...tinkering...whatever you call the postings, news and status updates at twitter.com is going running. Literally. From now until the end of May (May 30 at 11:30 PDT to be exact) you can make your mark on Twitter with the Tweet 5K, a virtual 5K with friendly competition and fundraising involved. Keep those status updates (I hope that's what they're called as I'm more of a Facebook user than a twitter-er) going and see just how fast you can run.

For $10--$40 with a T-shirt or free with tee if you raise at least $100, which goes toward Athletes for a Cure--you can sign up to be part of this virtual run, gunning for rights to be one of the first, largest or unique virtual races ever run. Or as the organizers like to call it the first race run in 140 characters--you know, those limiters to how much you can write on a twitter feed. But you have to be on the honor system as you submit those 5K results, either running the 3.1 miles in a local race, on a certified 5K course (need a course? Mapmyrun.com can help find one) or around a 400m track. And you only have three shots at submitting your fastest time so you have to make them count. It's the fastest time that can make you eligible for some cash rewards, $1,000 for the first male and female overall, and then prizes--cash or cool--for age group winners.

Just like a typical 5K, but at least this time you're not bound by time restraints. Maybe there are some fast midnight runners out there? While I've never done it--and honestly not about to start now--I wonder if I'd run faster when it's dark and late at night with my mind racing that someone is going to scare me? Photo grabbed from Mykl Rovertine at flickr. Posted by Kate

Note: I know I said I'm more Facebook than Twitter, but you can follow Fit-Ink at Twitter. Just search for us at Fit-Ink or runchirun.

Luck O' the Irish

Have you ever dreamed of traveling to Ireland? What about running the Dublin Marathon? You could just have your chance at both...at least if you're in or around Bozeman, Mont., and in a running mood on March 14. Save the partying and imbibing until after your a.m. workout: a half marathon or 10K race coined Run to the Pub.

The early-season race bound to take you around Bozeman finishes in Bogart Park, steps away from Pub 317 on Main Street. And that's when the second round of fun begins. Not only have you revved your metabolism but you've secured some extra calories for another beer, maybe even some corned beef or fish and chips. While the ale is perfect for toasting leprechauns, pots of gold and other Irish lore, you could be finding your own lucky fortune in the form of a trip to the old country. That's right, participants--regardless of finish time--have a chance to score a trip to Dublin in October to run the Dublin Marathon. The trip includes airfare, entry into the race and three nights lodging in the capital of Ireland.

And even if you spend the morning traipsing through mud and slush, or freezing your extremities to the finish line, you can always find a sweet reward among your compadres if it's just singing Danny Boy. The race starts at 10 a.m., 10:30 if you're in the 10K, so you won't miss out on the St. Patrick's Day celebration. There's an entire day of drinking left, or just head to the slopes at Big Sky and rev the engine even more. You might have to ski off the post-race party.

Know of some unique St. Patrick's Day celebrations, active or otherwise, in your area? We'd love to hear about them. Photo grabbed from Pub 317. Posted by Kate

Open-Season Running

The weather's warming--at least for now--and spring is starting to show its long-awaited face. The days are getting longer after this weekend when daylight savings time kicks in. And most of us are excited to hit the path and trail and shed some of those winter layers or pounds. Whether you need some motivation to hit the Lakefront path this weekend or want to check out a cool event, you'll want to head to North Avenue Beach on Saturday.

Nike will be in full force at Castaways at North Avenue Beach on Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. to ring in a new holiday in Chicago: Opening Day of Running. Opening Day of Running celebrates the thousands of Chicago runners who leave the treadmill and take their run outdoors to train for events, especially the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle on March 29 (yeah, I better start training for that one, I haven't been running since a December marathon).

In celebration of the event, Nike is teaming up with the Chicago Park District to donate $100,000 toward the resurfacing and improvement of Chicago's beloved Lakefront path. And they're bringing some world-class athletes too. If you're at the 11 a.m. event, you can catch site of two elite track and field athletes. Sanya Richards, an Olympic gold medal winner, and Alan Webb, the American record holder for the mile, will kick off a short run on the Lakefront to commemorate this event with runners, city officials and Nike peeps. You might even see some kids--Chicago Public School students from the Columbia Explorers and L.E.A.R.N. Charter who are training for their first-ever race, the Shamrock Shuffle. The Lakefront will be a busy place this weekend--a welcome site indeed after our winter hibernation. Photo grabbed from rjseg1. Posted by Kate

Running for President

What does Honest Abe have to do with running? Nothing, really. If you look at the Civil War, the Gettysburg Address, the stovetop hat, the penny and $5 bill--all things we associate with Abe Lincoln--you won't find any running relations. But the runners of Springfield, Ill., want you to associate running through the Land of Lincoln's state capital with this famed president born 200 years ago (February 12, 1809) in a log cabin. And while it's often too cold to celebrate his birthday by going for a run on the actual day, they have the celebration set for spring--this year April 4.

Celebrate the life and times of the 16th President in his hometown at the Lincoln Memorial Half Marathon. On Saturday, April 4, at 7:30 a.m. you'll start on a 13.1-mile journey that takes you running where Lincoln walked, past sites that bear his name, places he frequented more than 150 years ago. This race hasn't been around since the age of Honest Abe (although you can score a picture with his distant relative, see left), but it will be turning 45--that's nine $5 bills or two score and five years ago.

The race starts at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum and promises a run past the Old State Capitol, recently returning to the limelight as the spot where 44th President Barack Obama kicked off his presidential campaign in Feb. 2007 and that Joe Biden would be his running mate in Aug. 2008. If you're fast enough to run home with an award, you could have your very own replica bust of the 16th President on your mantle. Start saving those pennies and fives, this half marathon will only set you back $35. Photo grabbed from bluegoosedesign at Flickr. Posted by Kate

Fit-Pic: Midnight Running

Runners wait inside Fleet Feet Chicago for the Midnight Run on January 30/31

An athlete who wants to run, will run. A chilly evening didn't stop runners en masse from attending the launch of Under Armour running shoes at Fleet Feet Chicago's Piper's Alley location. It almost stopped me--I was cold sitting in my living room--but when I arrived at the store I have to admit I was surprised to see as many runners as I did bundled up and packed into the store. Trying on UA shoes, waiting to try the shoes, afixing blinking lights to clothing, chatting with friends...I don't think it was the beer and pizza luring them in. But running and being a part of an event that brought Under Armour shoes to the public before any other store--owner Dave Zimmer said that Fleet Feet was the only store offering the midnight availability--probably did. See more pictures below, too. Posted by Kate

Time to run! Fun runners head north out of the store to start the 3- to 5-mile loop.

All bundled up! It was 9 degrees at 11 p.m. and warmed up to 11 by midnight.

Works like an ox

In honor of the Chinese New Year and welcoming in the year of the ox, I thought it might be fun to take a look at athletes born in this zodiac year. When I think of an ox, I think of characteristics like strong and hard-working, which are also adjectives I'll hear often enough to describe an athlete. While there's probably no correlation between the year you were born and your athletic prowess--just coincidence and luck of the draw--I was curious to see who might be predisposed to ox-ness. And I was pretty surprised at the results.
The quick requirements on this list: these athletes are born in 1961, 1973 and 1985, and they have participated in sports like running, cycling and swimming. Also, most happen to be American, but I think that's due to my wikipedia search.

• Gunn-Rita Dahle, Feb. 10, 1973, Norwegian cross-country mountain biker who won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and won six World Championships and six European Championships.
• Amy Van Dyken, Feb. 15, 1973, U.S. Olympic swimmer who won four golds at the 1996 Games.
• Cathy Freeman, Feb. 16, 1973, Australian athlete who won gold at the 2000 Sydney Games and carried the Olympic flag to kick off the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games.
• Jenny Thompson, Feb. 22, U.S. Olympic swimmer who competed on four teams: '92, '96, '00, '04. She's also one of the most decorated Olympians in history with 12 medals, eight gold.
• Antii Autti, March 15, 1985, a Finnish snowboarder who won gold at the 2005 Winter X Games.
• Haile Gebrselassie, Apr. 18, 1973, Ethiopian long-distance runner who currently holds the fastest marathon time--for the first time under 2 hours and 4 minutes--and numerous other running accomplishments.
• Greg LeMond, June 26, 1961, U.S. road cyclist. Before there was Lance there was LeMond--LeMond won the Tour de France three times.
• Michael Phelps, June 30, 1985--U.S. Olympic swimmer. After Beijing, he almost doesn't need an introduction...capturing eight golds in a single Olympics.
• Carl Lewis, July 1, 1961--U.S. track and field star who won 10 Olympic
• Inge de Bruijn, Aug. 24, 1973, 1973, Dutch swimmer with four Olympic wins in freestle and butterfly.
• Lindsey Vonn, Oct. 18, 1985, U.S. skier who's currently tearing it up on the World Cup circuit.
• Levi Leipheimer, Oct. 24, 1973, U.S. cyclist who won a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games in the time trial and races the tour circuit.
• Jan Ullrich, Dec. 2, 1973, German cyclist who won the Tour de France in 1997, medals in the 2000 Games and finished second to Lance Armstrong in the Tour a few times. (Monica Seles the U.S. tennis star shares his birthday)
• Laszlo Cseh, Dec. 3, 1985, Hungarian swimmer who finished second to Michael Phelps in three events at the Beijing Games.
• Paula Radcliffe, Dec. 17, 1973, British runner who holds the marathon world record for women.

Talk about an impressive list between Tour de France wins, speedy marathoners and Olympic talent. I wonder if competition in the year of the ox can work in a non-ox's favor and turn out some steadfast races. A clever and quick-witted monkey or a soft-spoken and reserved rabbit might appreciate and little rub-off of the ox's endurance through hardship, especially in those last miles of a marathon or at mile 75 of a century. Note: if you know of any triathletes born in these years, please share. I was hoping to find at least one and came up empty-handed. Posted by Kate

Hurry scurry for Shamrock Shuffle

Photo grabbed from Garmin at flickr.com

I might even be too late in posting this, but I received an e-mail that prompted me to hop online and share the news: Shamrock Shuffle is filling up. If you planned on participating in this unofficial start to the 2009 running season and haven't registered already, HURRY! This race closes fast once that e-mail goes out. And I know because I ignored its urging last January and just barely missed grabbing a spot--the press release announcing the registration closing hadn't been sent when I went to register, but I saw the red warning label telling me I couldn't proceed further. I warned of it when I announced signing up for the Shamrock Shuffle and hope that no one misses out on the fun and has a race calendar thrown out of whack.

And while you're thinking running in Chicago, the Bank of America Chicago Marathon registration opens on February 1. The race is in October so there's plenty of training time, but this race closes fast and closes earlier every year. I used to register for it in July and be fine, now if I'm not committed by April, I'm SOL. More to come on the marathon though. Posted by Kate

Plan now for event season

Photo by shadowkill at stock.xchg

Spring and summer certainly seem like a long ways away as the thermometer dances below freezing (or far below in the case of last week), snow or flurries are almost always in the forecast, and my current idea of a distance workout at the moment is seeing how long I can tolerate the treadmill or Spinning on Sunday mornings for two hours. But even with the warm temps only looming in the distance, the height of the event season will be here before we know it. And while it hurts to put a pinch on the wallet, now's the time to sit down to plan out the race calendar before the races fill up or the fees increase.

What races are some of the must-dos for the season ahead? Or what's happening close to home and fits into the schedule? I've called myself the walking calendar of events at times, once I hit an event I somehow manage to remember it year after year, usually to make sure I sign up for it again, or if it's really bad to remind myself to find a different event for that particular weekend. In between arguing over the dates and distances of the Lakefront 10 and the Soldier Field 10 and providing a list of spring marathons and half marathons to a friend, I thought dissecting the race calendar might be in order. So stay tuned in the coming days for a tour around the Midwest--plus a smattering of destination races--divided up by race distance or sport. Posted by Kate

Snow way!

As I've mentioned, I'm training for a spring marathon. I'm putting in most of my miles on the treadmill (or the "treadie," as I've begun faux-affectionately referring to it), but the gym is a mile from my apartment and unless the wind chill dips below zero, I run over in whatever Mother Nature throws at me. This weekend, it was snow. Lots of it! At first it's kind of pretty and festive. But then it gets in your eyes and stings (note to self: wear a baseball hat under my stocking cap) and it's slippery and you sorta feel like you're running on uneven mounds of beach sand...except without the sunshine, salt water smell and crashing blue waves.

Since it took me a whopping two minutes longer than usual to get to the gym (and I couldn't get going fast enough to rev up my heart rate), I wondered if I was doing myself any training favors by running through the snow. I did some Googling around and came across a Runner's World article that says runners burn 1.6 times as many calories when they hoof it on the sand instead of asphalt. I figure snow is pretty similar in terms of consistency, so I'm giving myself extra credit points for every mile I log in the white stuff. Posted by Liz

Sign up for Shamrock

Photo originally posted on the Shamrock Shuffle's photo gallery.

Have your sights set on kicking off the 2009 running season in Chicago sooner rather than later? Get a jump start on the crowd and sign up for the perennial favorite, the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, today. With race day set for March 29, there's still plenty of time to break out of winter hibernation or lace up running shoes for the first time and start training.

Registration for this 8K opened on Jan. 1 at shamrockshuffle.com, and if years past are any indication, all 30,000 slots for this race will sell out before race weekend. Last year, the race closed before the end of January. The race kicks off at 9:30 a.m.--the 5K fitness walk that accompanies the 8K starts at 10 a.m.--in Grant Park. If you're thinking about tackling the Chicago Marathon later in the year, this is a great prep course because the Shuffle follows portions of the marathon course, notably the first two miles and the last climb to the finish line (see the course map).

The Shuffle draws elite speed racers plus your average Joes/Janes and newbie runners--I'm hoping to get some of my non-running friends out there this year. You'll even spot a fair amount of runners who bring out the St. Patrick's Day garb (like the guys above who stood out among the pictures in the Shamrock Shuffle photo gallery). Then everyone gathers in Grant Park for a post-race party: beer and music.

I missed the 2008 race because I was too slow to sign up, but I still need some prodding for this year after my vow in December to take a break from running. Anyone want to push me to register? Posted by Kate

Liz's Thank You!!-Inspired 2008 Recap

I started 2008 with a dream to compete in my first triathlon. It's a goal I've been talking about since I was an editorial assistant working at Self Magazine in New York City. I had done my first marathon and I was ready for the next thing. I got the (sweet, bright red Specialized Sport Allez) bike for my birthday. But then I took a hard fall learning to clip in and out of my pedals among the whizzing bikes in Central Park and that became an excuse for not getting back in the saddle, as they say. I even took a couple of dips in the pool (wearing biking shorts and a sports bra). I guess I wasn't ready to commit!

Finally, after two years in Chicago where I've been an editor at the weekly magazine Time Out Chicago--I made the trek back to the Midwest when my husband began a PhD program at the University of Chicago--I decided enough was enough. I had five more marathons under my belt. I still had the bike. I was now living less than half a mile from the Lake Michigan path and about one mile from the sparkling blue lanes of the University of Chicago pool. The stars were aligned. Really, if I couldn't do it now, it was never-ever going to happen.

This is a long way of saying that....finally...I did it! I actually did it three times. A super mini-tri, the Olympic Distance Bang's Lake Tri and the Accenture Tri. They were all awesome. And here's the funny thing about me doing triathlons...after years of running like a gerbil through a constantly spinning wheel of marathons--and only twice managing to rip off fast times that I was proud of--suddenly my running times sped up inexplicably. I was running the 10Ks at the end of tris faster than I ever had in training or races. It was...weird. But also totally empowering and motivating. I took advantage of the fitness I gained from tris and went on to run the best half and full marathon of my entire life in the Fall (that's me, above left, with Deena Kastor at an Asics-sponsored media event two days before my PR in the NYC Marathon). I haven't had a PR since I was 24 (I'm 29 now)! I owe a lot of credit to Adam Zucco, who I seem to talk about obsessively when I'm writing about Chicago-land races for TOC (hey Adam, you rock!). He helped me out big time with my training and I worked harder and smarter than ever before. Thank you, Adam!

Another big thank you goes to Kate, my dear pal, training partner and co-blogger. We bonded over two shower-less days in a van of strangers, running in a 200 mile relay race from Madison, Wisconsin to Chicago in June 2008 (that's us at left on Day Two in the van). It sounds funny, but on that adventure I felt like I met a kindred spirit. Kate's the only person I know who's as obsessed with fitness and nutrition as I am. But beyond that mutual passion, we have a lot more in common: a love of writing, similar college experiences, relationships and families....Plus, I look up to Kate because she is such a super-awesome little athlete and an extremely talented and accomplished swim-bike-runner (people, she's an IRONMAN, I mean..c'mon!!!). In July, I convinced her to join me for a few morning workouts each week. Two hours of cycling fly by when you're riding with Kate--even when it's 630am on a hot summer morning. Kate gave me so much advice about cycling, swimming, transitioning, training and more....I could never have done the tris this summer without her. She took me from scared newbie to aero-bar–loving cyclist in two months. I'm so psyched to be co-blogging with her and looking forward to the spring and summer of training ahead of us.

My last and biggest thank you goes to my husband, Matt. In 2008 he put up with dozens and dozens of psycho early morning workouts, my constant, OCD analysis of my training and my painful cases of nerves leading up to races. Matt is the guy who went out on a wild goose chase for throw-away sweats in midtown Manhattan (because I was too spazzed out to deal and hadn't thought to buy them in Chicago) and also came back with pizza and pasta for me in and then ate in the hotel room with me, calming my anxiety the night before the NYC Marathon...when he could've met our college friends for drinks and eaten in any restaurant he wanted. He prints out excel sheets with my predicted splits and makes sure he's at the right spot cheering on virtually every course I tackle. He doesn't even bat and eye when I try to relieve my achy muscles on the foam roller in front of the TV every night. He's a good, good egg.

I'm going to turn to Matt, Kate and Adam again and again in 2009 with a new year of goals. Thanks in advance, Team Liz. :) I want to run the Boston Marathon in the Spring. I want to tackle another tri--a half Iron Man distance this time. I want to do a little better than just survive the swim portion. I want to get much faster on the bike. I want to do a century ride. One final goal and promise for 2009: My future posts won't be this long-winded! Posted by Liz