SPACE IS LIMITED

If you are interested in running either the Soldier Field 10 Miler or the Chicago Marathon time is running out!

The emails have gone out saying they have nearly reached capacity. This year the Chicago Marathon is accepting 45,000 runners which is a HUGE number of people. For them to be down to the final few thousand spots is a big deal. Last year and the year before once that email went out (which was yesterday, April 22nd) the marathon sold out in the three days following.

I, for one, did not want to miss out. So, I signed up for the Soldier Field 10 Miler on Monday and the Chicago Marathon this morning.

It is now official…I am running Chicago and Nike San Fran’s Woman’s Marathon the following week. WOAH! I’m excited.

I guess it might also be *official* (but not really since I still haven’t 100% made up my mind) that I am running with PAWS this year instead of the AIDS Foundation…sort of crazy to think about switching, but sometimes I need to mix it up a bit…also it’s a great way to meet new people while still being able to love, support and run with the people I made friends with last year through the Foundation.

ANYWAY…space is limited for both races people…now would be a good day to sign up if you are interested in either race!!!

Just 5 miles

Saturday night came and went. I don’t know where. Than Sunday morning came. I know I has passed out pretty hard Saturday evening so it was no surprise I slept through numerous text messages. When I finally did wake up around 9 something in the morning, I saw Jamie was among those who had texted me.

She was looking to do some speed training, but I didn’t think I could hang with that. She offered to do 5 miles instead. I took her up on her offer.

We ran our usual route which I think is lovely, down Pratt Ave, north on Sheridan where we cut over to the park and the beach, run further north then end up back on Sheridan road again all the way past the cemetery. We stretch and then loop around and head back down.

We both felt good about our run. We were talking and doing a little walking and running a little bit faster than we used to. I was really pleased when Jamie said we had done the 5 miles in 46 minutes which is a little more than 9 minute miles. WOO HOO! That’s a great long training run time. I’m very happy. It didn’t feel bad at all and I know we both could have easily kicked it up a notch if we wanted to.

It was a good feeling.

Anyway, I still haven’t decided between PAWS or the AIDS Foundation, but time is running out and I need to figure this out really soon. WHAT A TOUGH CALL…this is such a hard hard thing for me to do.

At least I know one thing, I’ve got two really great running partners to train with over the week during the summer. Jamie and Kevin are both fast and dedicated and both are GREAT coaches…I’m a lucky runner.

OH, and an update on my knee compressors. They are working out pretty well. They aren’t AMAZING, but they are pretty good, and they are “flesh” colored so they don’t show up as obviously on my knees like giant knee pads!

Anyway…will keep you all updated on the running, training and the organization I choose to raise money for this season.

Much love,
Devin

A fast few miles

So on my bus ride home today I saw all the people running, biking, walking and roller blading along the lake front. It was enough to make me feel VERY guilty for not planning on doing the same myself. How could I NOT take advantage of such a beautiful day or warmer weather and sunshine?

I called up Jamie to see if she was available and interested in a run. She was! Hot damn. We laced up and met at our usual spot, the 7 Eleven. We decided to run a quick three miles instead of go distance. We took off at what felt like a good pace and we were talking, so I knew we weren’t going super fast or anything.

OR DID I??? It turns out we did our first mile in about 7 minutes which is pretty bad ass. To be honest, the fastest I think I was ever running 5k’s was at a 7 minute mile pace. And so everyone knows, if I could do a crazy fast time like that for an entire marathon, I would kick some SERIOUS ass. That would be nearly a 3 hour marathon…right now I run a 4:30 hour marathon.

Anyway, we did some walk breaks and stretching and running against crazy strong wind and Jamie says we ended up running three miles in 26 minutes. Which I think is great for being so out of shape.

This season I really plan on pushing myself to do better. I’ve realized something about my running. When I’m running with a group, I meet the group at their pace/speed/time. So if I’m running with people that run nine minute miles, I’ll run nine minute miles. If I’m running with someone who runs eight minute miles I’m gonna do my best to keep up with them for eight minute miles as long as I can. Eventually, I’ll work my way up to be able to run eight minute miles with them consistently.

I need to be pushed or else I’ll just do the minimum I need to do to get the time I want. UNLESS I’m running solo. Than, if I don’t have a watch on, I have no idea what I’m doing except by the clocks set up on the course. I seem to be running these races faster, probably because I feel like I’m falling really far behind.

Anyway, I think it’s great to really be getting into the swing of running faster. I truly love running and I really REALLY love running FASTER. I want to be very very fast.

I was looking at some of the race purses for some races in NYC and other big cities. Man…those top finishers can sometimes win upwards of 1000 dollars! That is a great chunk of change for running gear and race entry fees.

I think we’ll see how this year goes, and then from there figure out next year. I really want to Boston qualify by next year which gives me two full summer running seasons to accomplish that goal. It would be FAR BETTER if I could do that this year. I know I’m asking for a lot, but my friend Kevin, who is a very fast runner, seems to think (based off of the one time we ran together and my race times after not having run for weeks) that with a serious training schedule I could do it.

I would have to STICK with my training schedule, but he seems pretty serious. That makes me think…maybe I CAN do it. I don’t know. I think I want to try.

Kev also said he’d run the Soldier Field 10 miler with me. Which is AWESOME because he’s fast and I want to run it fast and get a new PR for that race. I’ve applied for the NYC 1/2 marathon lottery which I’ll find out in a few weeks if I get. I’m also applying for the NYC marathon lottery. Hopefully I’ll get both and it will be a great season of awesome races and time breaking runs.

Here’s to hoping. In the meanwhile, the debate still rages on in my head whether to run with the AIDS Foundation or with PAWS for the marathon training this year and for my fundraising. I keep leaning towards PAWS, but it really does fluctuate every day.

I guess it will be one of those last minute decisions…but no, I won’t flip a coin.

Much more to come…I’ve got a few back logged entries from recent training that need to get entered in here…check back soon!