Happy CB

3 miles in 25:40 with my sweet pup CB tonight.

It is the first time in a while that i've taken him for a run. While training for Boston, I would only do my long runs outside- and everything else on the treadmill to avoid being in the sub freezing temps. (CB's feet would get cold and he would start to limp and look all pathetic even if I took him outside for 5 minutes for a potty break)

When the weather warmed up we hit the Lakefront path a few times- but due to cyclists who are going really fast, and the unpredictability of CB,SQUIRREL!!!!! we decided that wasn't a good idea either.

Tonight we ran on a big sidewalk parallel to the lakefront and only encountered a few runners and walkers. It was nice.




Super Happy CB



He made me promise that I would take him out for a run again tomorrow.



SQUIRREL! face.



Happy Happy CB and me!! (his breath smells like rotten fish/ garbage)

So while we were walking back home I suddenly remembered I had registered for the Chicago Spring Half Marathon on May 15.  HOLY CRAPOLA! I almost forgot i'm running a half next weekend!
YIKES!!  Im not sure about time goals yet because Im trying to be in healthy non-injured shape for when CES training starts in a month for the Chicago Marathon (and have been recovering from Boston a few weeks ago).  Looks like a 10+ miler is in the forecast for me this weekend.




What's your favorite distance to race?

I love half marathons. LOVE THEM! Getting a shirt, and a medal have me hooked. Plus I like the distance- im not fast so I feel out of place at the shorter races. If i'm training for a marathon I can use the 13.1 as a "training run" and get a shirt and medal out of it!  :)

One month

One month from today starts the kickoff for Chicago Marathon training!!! OMG!

I decided to try training with a group for marathon #4 so that I could realize a fuller potential for my efforts. I like running solo and hearing the pitter-patter of my feet hitting the pavement- and my CB's feet trotting- and the birds chirping. But, I figured since i'm taking running a bit more seriously than last year, that I should really push myself and give it my all for Chicago. With a group i'm:

•  Less likely to stop when i get tired. (to stretch, eat chomps, take in the scenery, take photos, etc...)
• Going to be held/hold myself more accountable for running.
• Going to make some new friends! 
• Able to get all the running talk out of my system before I get home.. (who am i kidding?!)
• Push myself more than before. I want a killer PR in this race.

Im a little nervous about the whole group thing. Haven;t done that since high school cross country a decade ago. But i'm excited to be around runners and make friends who will divulge all of the must- eats in Chicago.

The only thing Im conflicted about is the training starts on June 4, but I couldn't help myself and had to register for the

Did you know that if you do the 13.1 on June 4 and the Chicago Half marathon  September 11, you can do the  Windy City 26.2 Challenge!! You get another medal (YAY because thats the reason I do half marathons instead of shorter distances lol)  a combined time, and special packet pickup for the Chicago half. And also: "There accomplishment will also give them the privilege of boasting to you family, friends and co-works that you ran a full marathon in the summer of 2011." the weird grammar is taken directly from the website...

UM, NO!  You do not run a "full marathon" by doing 2 half marathons 3 months apart... SORRY must disagree. It's still a HUGE accomplishment- just not a "full marathon.".i'll step off my soapbox now.

 I will have to decide whether to bail on the first week of the CES training, or to go to the other location for the Sunday run instead for this one time. It's a 20 week program  and I dont plan on missing any other training runs- so maybe i'll just pick it up for week 2.


I'm really excited for marathon #4. (and the other races before it)


Have you ever trained with a group? What did you like/dislike about it?

Fun in the sun

Went to Tampa, fl for the weekend. I graduated with my 2nd bachelors degree on Friday night and had loads of time to have fun and eat and drink until my flight on Sunday night.





(cool statue birds in the TPA)




(me at the beautiful campus of Saint Leo University- my new Alma mata)




Yay!




Celebration dinner @ Leroy Selmon's restaurant. Pulled pork and corn bread pudding. Heaven on earth.





Went for a few runs in new Tampa. It was 85 outside, something I'm not used to since I've been training mostly in sub 40 degree temps lately.




But it felt good to go out and sweat instead of packing on the layers to run in the cold. And the scenery was nice. I miss Tampa a little, but prefer the big city life.




Even got to meet the belladog. She is a very sweet pup and has adjusted well to her life in Florida.







Got to the Rays vs angels game too!



The "trop"




No chance of this game being rained out!!



More cowbell!!



And the rays won! Yay! I was happy to see a baseball game after my Cubbies got rained out earlier in the week.



Portobello Swiss burger and chili cheese fries from steak n shake.

I would not recommend eating that at midnight the night before a run or walk of any length unless you want to see what you're made of.

I ran 3 miles the next morning in 24:28 and felt like I was going to die half way through. The combo of the food and the heat were awesome if you wanted to test how well you can run while having GI issues, lesson learned.





It was a great weekend. Got to show my wonderful, wonderful Tampa and got to hang with my dad and the belladog. (and graduate!) and drink too much beer, and eat too much delicious food.

Glad to be back home and to see my precious CB later.


Congrats to everyone who raced last weekend!!