What a difference a week makes.  Last week we ran 12-14-16 and it was hot and humid. We felt every inch of every mile.  This week we ran 13-15-17 and it was warm but nothing close to being hot.  The miles went by fast and soon we were at the 6.5-mile water stop enjoying the Popsicles left by Nadine.  Some turned back and some went on to 8.5 before heading back.  We all finished and enjoyed the watermelon, grapes and other snacks before getting a complimentary massage or jumping in the ice barrel.  I heard after the run that some took some took my advice and slowed a little, but for the most part we just ran how we felt.  A wise man once told me “too soon old and too late smart”. 

Next week I expect attendance to be a little low as many of us run in the distance classic on Sunday.  Long range forecast show good weather, but you never know.  If you are trying to get a preferred starting corral for the marathon this is you last chance.  Have a plan and work it.  Know what pace you need and stick to it.  Don’t think you can make up a lot in the last couple miles, you can’t.  Don’t think if you sprint the first few miles you will be able coast the last few, you won’t.  More likely you will crash and burn. Run YOUR pace.  By careful.  Last year our men’s team won first place in the team competition but a couple of our friends ran themselves too hard and they paid a dear price later.

Don’t forget the pizza party is on Tuesday August 12 not the 5th.  Check the events page we have added descriptions of a couple new events.  Ticket for the R2R south side bus will be on sale starting next Saturday.  I have been asked if somebody who is not a member of our training site can purchase a ticket?  The answer is yes, as long as they have signed up with Cara for the run. 

The calendar says we are nearing the ½ waypoint don’t be fooled.  Most of the miles still lie ahead.

Another week has come and gone.  Once we got by the storms of last Monday
to was a nice week to run.  Even the speed work on Wednesday was a nice change of pace.  I was looking at the calender and it tells me that we are 1/2 done with the training.  Attendance was a little low but that is to be expected with it being a cut back week.  By now all you guys can do 10-11-12 by yourself.  We do like your company so even if you can do it
alone we like you with us.  That way I can keep an eye on you and make
sure you're doing what you needs to be done.  

Many of you ran in the CDC and the early results say most of you ran great.  Good job.  If you did
not run like you may have liked use it as progress report not a final grade.   As I was running in the woods on Sunday besides crossing paths with some of you I ran a couple miles with an old acquaintance.  We had an interesting conversation about this program.  I will tell that story
on Tuesday when we take a break from running for some pizza and fun.

Do not forget to check out our events page.  You should be thinking where you will run on Labor day.  If you will take advantage of Carol's most generous offer after the Oak Brook 1/2.  Also be thinking about our "Ride with Spero"  I won't miss that one.  Think about running to the finish line with us.  All the information is there all you need to do is look. I understand my writings sometime are not clear so I expect some e-mail and don't object to phone calls if you need clarification.

Before I start with my ramblings about our run let me first ask you ALL to go to our events page and read descriptions of all our coming events.   On Saturday we will have show of hands in an attempt to get an idea of what kind of turnout we will get.  We will poll you on who is racing on Labor day then stopping by Carol’s home for brunch, who is taking the bus to the start of the R2R 20 mile run (YOU NEED TO GET A TICKET NEXT WEEK, OR CONTACT ME). I need to know how many buses we need.  Who is going to join us as we bike the course and who is going to run to the finish line with us.  All the information is on the events page.  If you have any questions please feel free to phone or email me.   Also while you’re on the events page look up and see who will be filling water and Gatorade cups for us on September 6 as we try to get race day conditions for you to practice with.

Before I start with random thoughts, I spoke with a runner who over the past couple weeks has been having some injury issues.  After consulting different Dr’s and therapist he found a Dr who helped.  The problem seemed to be his gluts were not firing.  I have seen this problem before and it at times can be easily fixed.  If anybody wants I will embarrass myself next Saturday by demonstrating what I do to deal with this issue. If I am asked I will do this exactly at 6:50 am.  If you want to see this you need to ask me and be there at that time.  It should not take more then 5 minutes, which will leave me enough time to continue my story from last week.   

I have not seen too many runners come in with their heads hanging down.  So I believe you are all doing okay.  You are truly turning into the warriors I spoke about at the pizza party.  Each week the enemy throws greater mileage at you.  The enemy thinks he is weakening you.   In fact all he is doing is making you grow stronger. Together each week we find the strength to go the extra mile.  Last week it was 15-17-19.  Next week it will be 16-18-20.  This will be further than many of you have ever run.  I am not worried I have seen your endurance grow, but more important I have seen your confidence grow. The weather does not look as good as it has been.  But we are smarter, we know we won’t melt in the rain and we must slow down in extreme heat. 

If I am finished with my 20 next week before you finish whatever distance you are running I will look at the way you hold your head as you walk back to the snack table.  I have been doing this a long time; I will look into your eyes and know what is in your heart.  In some hearts I will see strong confidence.  In some I will see a big question mark.  You will wonder why am I doing this to myself.  In others I will see a quiet determination.  You know why you are doing this.  You are doing this because it is hard and that will make you special.   And finally I may see those who are willing to pay the price but are unsure if they can.  We will be 11 weeks into this training and you have not even heard the story about the day the mountain won.  This tells me you are all doing great. 

The road we travel is not the easy road; it is made easier because we travel it together.  What can I do to help you finish this journey with me?  Let me know!!!!

I am not sure about you, but I am glad we got that run out of the way. Each year it seems we must endure a run very similar to Saturday's run. Last year we endured it on race day.  Hopefully that won't be the case this year.   With the help of a couple truly great runners we held pace. Each time we passed some of you who had slowed I was proud.  You were doing what needed to be done.   To bring everybody up to date; Spero was
not eaten by wolves.  After experiencing some stomach issues he did indeed make it back.  Mark who felt dizzier after he finished 20 miles at a 8:00minute pace then he normally does did spend a few hours in the hospital.  Dr's believe he suffered from mild heat exhaustion.  Hopefully he will learn from Spero and if he ever feels like that again he will
slow down.

I watched many of you finish and I saw many heads hanging.  I saw doubt in your eyes.  Some of you think the Enemy won the day.  I had to look no further then a mirror to see a head hanging.  But when I looked in a mirror they was no doubt.  I have been here before.  I was on "The Mountain" the day it was suggested the mountain won.  Next Saturday I will tell the story.

There are still tickets available for our bus from the South Shore Cultural Center (SSCC) to Foster ave beach.  Check the events page for details.  Tickets are $5.00.

It seems we will have a good turnout for our bike the course with Spero, which makes me happy. Start planning on how you will get your bike to the start by 6:45am.  You should check it out and make sure it is trip
worthy.

Normally after our last 20 mile run we have a pot luck where everybody brings snacks.  Since Cara has started the R2R 20 miler downtown we will now do that at Yankee after the following weeks run.   After our R2R 20 mile run we will have grills ready for your grilling pleasure. You will just need to bring in a cooler whatever meat you want. It is my plan on having a table with ketchup, mustard, lettuce and tomatoes and whatever else you want.  If you will not have your car parked at the SSCC and therefore will not have a cooler available let me know.  I am sure something can be worked out.

Enjoy this cut back week.  It is only a short time before once again more will  be required.

By the time you read this I am sure all activities around Labor Day will be over.  I hope if you raced you did so with the knowledge that race results DO NOT COUNT until October 12.  You have trained very hard with your goal being a marathon.  These little races we throw in for fun are just that for fun.  You will get more benefit in the next three weeks during your training runs then you can get from racing.

Last Saturday we had a pretty uneventful cut back week.   The idea is to give your body time to recovery from the beating you have been giving it, and to have it rested for the beating you will give it.  Since it was uneventful I am going to use this space to review some upcoming events.

Think about our bike ride.  Know in advance how you will get your bike to the starting line (Jackson & Columbus) by 7:00am ready to go. 

Please think about car-pooling to the South Shore Cultural Center if you have purchased a ticket to be bused from there to Foster Ave. beach for the start of the R2R 20 mile run. You will need to be at SSCC before 5:15am.  PLAN YOUR ROUTE. It has been decide we will have grills available for grilling.  You will need to bring whatever you want to grill.   I plan on having a table with mustard, ketchup, lettuce, tomatoes and a variety of chips for common use.  Think about bringing a lawn chair to sit on.  There is a sandy beach so you can bring your swimsuits if you choose.  We won’t have the ice barrel but a dip in the lake will help.  If it is raining the grilling will be called off.  Of course the run will go on no matter what.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO BUY A TICKET.  Cara has agreed to make up the difference between what we collect and the cost of a third bus.  We are over 100 and with the buses holding 44 each we need a third bus.

On another day we will take a bus from 139th and Cicero to Halsted and Archer where we will depart the bus and run the final six miles of the race.  The bus will then pick us up at the finish line and bring us back to our cars.  I will be collecting $5.00 for that as you board the bus.

The week following the R2R 20 miler we will have a potluck after our run at Yankee.  Everybody is encouraged to bring a snack to share.  The distance will be only twelve miles so we should be done a little earlier then normal.

All of this is on our events page so please check it out.  Later this week I will add a couple more events that we do after the race.  Keep checking our website to stay up to date with what is going on, on the Southside.