This was the 40th anniversary of Chicago’s iconic Shamrock Shuffle. I’ve been running for 20+ years and have never once run this race. That had to change. There always seemed to be a conflict with the date, or I’d make the excuse about hauling downtown twice (pkt. pickup+race) for a 5 mile race, or it’d [Read More]
Spring Break Is That You?
It is officially spring, even if Mom Nature hasn’t quite gotten the memo yet. Better yet, IT’S SPRING BREAK here and we’re headed to warmer climes, which is amazing. My workouts? It’s complicated. First, here’s how the week in workouts went: Monday: Rest Tuesday: Run 5 miles Wednesday: Strength/core Thursday: Run 4 mile progression Friday: [Read More]
Reverse Marathon Taper: Proceed With Caution
After a week of complete rest after the Tokyo Marathon, it’s time to look ahead, set my sights on the London Marathon and execute that reverse marathon taper. Or is it? Here’s how my week in workouts went. Reverse Marathon Taper Monday: Rest Tuesday: Run 4 miles easy (tired) Wednesday: Strength Thursday: Run 5 miles [Read More]
Shamrock Protein Shake
St. Patty’s Day is kind of a big deal here in the Chicago area. Everybody’s Irish, the river gets dyed green and there’s a parade like no other, usually with crappy, blustery cold weather, but still. When we were kids we HAD to go to a certain place for a Shamrock Shake. Sometimes it was [Read More]
Tokyo Marathon: After the Finish
When we left off I’d just crossed the finish line of the Tokyo Marathon. If you missed the race, read about that here. Of course it was still raining and windy and raw. I made my way through the finish area, got my foil wrap, then a nice bonus: a pretty (and much needed) marathon towel [Read More]
Weekly Rundown: The Transcontinental, Spring Forward Edition
I am back from Tokyo and taking it easy, reverse-taper style, since we are now <50 days until the London Marathon. I know, right? If you’re waiting for the rest of the Tokyo Race Report, stay tuned for that on Tuesday. Here’s the weekly rundown since earning World Marathon Major Star #5. Weekly Rundown Monday: Still [Read More]
Tokyo Marathon 2019
There’d been rain in the Tokyo Marathon forecast for as long as I’d been stalking the weather, which is weeks. I couldn’t have cared less several days out, because it’s bound to change, but dang it that rainy forecast never budged. In fact the probability of rain increased as we got closer to race day. [Read More]
Tokyo Marathon: Journey and Expo
It’s been a whirlwind. The Tokyo Marathon snuck up fast, like I knew it would. I’ve been counting down the weeks and detailing my training here for months. Last week my older daughter and I headed to Japan for the Tokyo Marathon. I’ve got so much to tell you. Are you ready? Then settle in, [Read More]
Tokyo Marathon Eve Coffee
I’m sitting down with Deborah, Coco and YOU for coffee. God willing, I’m in Tokyo by now. Since we’re 15 hours ahead here, it’s already race-eve. The plan for my day includes light touring, rest and attending pre-race dinner festivities. Since I’m writing this before I leave, I’m going to wax philosophical. Tokyo Marathon Coffee [Read More]
Tokyo Marathon Taper Week 2: Cue the Niggles
Just like that, the days remaining until the Tokyo Marathon are down to the single digits. The hay is in the barn…that’s not to say the barn is FULL of hay, just that there’s SOME hay in there. Lets call it marathon light. Hopefully enough to get me through 26.2 ahead of the course-sweeping balloon [Read More]
