Chicago Marathon Race Report!

Chicago Marathon! 4-minute P.R.!  The improvement was especially noteworthy since I'd last P.R.'d four years previously (on a then downhill course in Austin, TX), and as my interim marathons showed NO signs of improving - until this one!

Batavia Sprint Triathlon Race Report!

I ran my FIRST triathlon on 6/8/2008, and TREMENDOUSLY enjoyed it! It was a sprint type (i.e. 400 meters swim, 14.7 miles biked, and 4.1 miles run), and I made the incredibly foolish decision to neither prepare for the bike portion (other than a couple of laps through my neighborhood) or the swim! While these mistakes were somewhat understandable (I was on the swim team in High School, and always was strong on my bike) I bonked severely even swimming the simple 400 meters distance, and labored tremendously with my (new) bike. Despite my competitive disappointments I tremendously enjoyed the variety of the swim/bike/run formats, and vowed afterwords that I'll eventually do many more triathlons - i.e. once I achieve my Boston Marathon dream goals!

Official Race Results: Time: 01:44:18; Age 50-54: 17/24 ; Male: 266/350 ; Overall: 349/520

Madison, WI Marathon Race Report

I really enjoyed this marathon! Although I was horribly conditioned, with tremendous need for quad strengthening to better prepare for the hills, I found the course to be beautiful! The support was tremendous, and the course was fairly unique among marathons I've run in that it was a mix between running on streets and running on trails.

Official Race Results: Time: 04:24:58; Age 50-54: 49/75; Male: 538/739; Overall: 792/1194

Quarryman 10-mile Race Report

I ran the Quarryman 10-mile challenge in downtown Lemont today. It was a great run! I really was challenged by the huge change in elevation along the course, but surprised myself in that despite my lack of focused training on hills I did well! One of the funniest verbal exchanges was when starting the first of the many near vertical hills happening to see a policeman guarding traffic on the street I jokingly said "what.... they promised me there'd be no hills on this course", to which the officer immediately responded with a grin "...well, son, they LIED to you!"

The people of Lemont were extremely supportive and loudly cheered on the runners. At one point at about mile 6 there was a group of elementary school kids providing fluids to the runners. Seeing me pour water over my back and chest a 3rd grade boy asked if he could splash me too. When I said yes the whole group of kids happily poured their cups of water on me (somewhat to the frustration of surrounding runners, who were looking to get a drink themselves!)

Afterwords the organizers of the event handed out incredibly cool trophies chipped from the original stone which was dug along Lemont's quary. Hope some day to have a chance to receive one of those trophies!

Official Race Results: Time: 01:26:31; Age 50-54: 14/23; Male: 104/196; Overall: 137/317

Ultra-slow Houston Marathon

Completely forgettable Houston Marathon.  Sadly, my first to exceed five-hours.  Yuk!!!


Official Race Results: Time: 05:04:32; Age 45-49: 485 out of 580; Male: 2836 out of 3482; Overall: 4319 out of 5595

Los Angeles Marathon Race Report

Had a great experience. While my time didn't reflect it, I really enjoyed the L.A. Marathon. The temperature was perfect initially (low 60's), then unfortunately quickly warmed-up. I wasn't well prepared for same, as I didn't have any electrolyte capsules with me. I was also ill-prepared for the hills, which surprised me since I wasn't aware just how hilly the L.A. Marathon was.... until I started climbing the hills. I was inspired by many fellow Christian runners, who had wonderful excerpts taken from the Bible and printed on their shirts. I stayed at my Aunt & Uncle's wonderful home, and felt very welcomed all around. Great experience!

Official Race Results: Time: 04:41:03; Age 45-49: 582/1503; Male: 4428/12378; Overall: 5743/20276

Houston Half Marathon Race Report

Two years after my first marathon I decided to try my first half-marathon. I loved it! It was run 75% on the same course as the full Houston marathon, and while it shared the most economically challenged portion of the course, the spectators made-up for it with tremendous exuberance and enthusiasm! The biggest benefit of running merely a half was the MUCH simpler preparation (as I said for many months afterwords, 90% of the fun for 35% of the effort!)

Official Race Results: Time: 01:44:26; Age 45-49: 51/422; Male: 541/3276; Overall: 659/7348

Chicago Marathon Race Report

On this, my second Chicago Marathon I was only passably prepared, and my overall time reflected same. While not an absolutely horrible time it was a true learning experience! Being excessively optimistic as to my pace I had my eyes set on running a 3:30, so ran with the 3:30 pacing group approximately through the half-marathon mark. However, shortly after passing my family at mile 13.5 I suddenly began losing my leg strength, and had to slow-down. My slow-down continued until by mile 21 or so I was doing the run-walk shuffle! True learning experience.... Better know your potential pace (easily gauged via the famous "Yasso 800" methodology (see link)

Official Race Results: Time: 04:12:30; Age 45-49: 1071/2115; Male: 9515/18389; Overall: 13538/32706