Berlin to Chicago September training
Three weeks until Chicago, so Berlin nos counts as my long run before Chicago. The goal for these three weeks is to heal, while trying to bring back performance to pre-Berlin level. Ran 13 miles the week after the race (3mi+10 Sunday, reverse taper). No legs and everything hurt, so off to acupuncture and massages again week two. End of second week felt better, had a good 10 miler the second Sunday out (one week before Chicago). Training a bit complicated as I had two international trips, to Bolivia and Mexico. I read some articles that says it is better to err on the side of more rest, so I don’t force running on these trips (running would have happened after 9pm at night, so no thanks…..).
Monday to Sat before the race finish up three 3 milers, including the Sat before the race.
Running totals for three weeks between Berlin and Chicago
week 1 (Mon-Sun): 13; week 2: 28 miles (6-8 miles less than my normal taper for this week, I opted to rest for recovery…..let’s see how that works out); week 3: 9 miles.
It has been one year since I the journey to attempting to complete the six WMMs in the same year and I ran about 1,997 miles. Completing the Chicago Marathon will put me over my personal goal of 2k miles in one year. I hope I can get it done.
Chicago Marathon
This is a short trip. Leave Friday morning, arrive 1pm to hotel (the INtercontinental, best location in Chicago, especially for the race). Eat lunch at an italian place next door, drink some beer and then off to the expo (having worked most of the morning on the flight and had a call at the hotel).
Had a good time at the expo, it is a good one. Easy to get to on the yellow buses from near the Nike Store. When I get back it is dinner time, so eat at a bar, make a couple of friends and go to sleep; I sleep well (finally, since I had been in Mexico for work this week). FYI, I am here alone for this trip.
Saturday, is binge eating day; I expand the carb loading to 600 grams for the day, and that worked out pretty well on race day (although not so nice on Saturday). Go to bed at 9 and wake up at 4:30. Out the door at 5:45 as my corral closes at 7ish. Have to leave my drop bag - I paid extra for the Balbo Hospitality tent and it was worth it since it was raining in the morning. Nice dry place and no waiting for the portopotties, it is almost like cheating, I know.....and at the end, there is free beer and food until 4pm......
Race weather is great for me as I like to run in the rain. Temp around 60 for the entire race, but solid cloud cover and rain make it seem like air conditioning. This ends up being one of my best races, completely consistent from start to finish, within 10 seconds each mile. And I felt great at the end, with no "wall", as I usually drop off 30-45 seconds per mile during the last 3 miles of the race (if I am doing well, several minutes per mile if I am not).
I ended up buying the photo package because these were some of the best marathon photos I ever had. My hair is leaving my head rapidly so I figured I needed some nice photos to remember my past.....ugh.
4 more weeks to NYC!!!!
