He asked me why I ran my first marathon.  I said I wish it was some great act of courage but I ran my first marathon because I had no choice.  I felt that fire and heard that voice, all the water and Gatorade I drank could not put the fire out. As hard as I tried I could not muffle the voice in my head.  The only thing I could do to get my life back was to cross the finish line.  

I hope each of you feel that fire.  I hope each of you hear that voice, because there will come a time during the race when you think you have given all you have but to beat this enemy and his allies you will need more.  It will be that fire burning inside and the voice screaming in your head that will keep you going to the finish line.

Let me add to the few lines to my talk on Saturday. Along with the fire and the voice will go the 18 weeks you have worked.  Together that WILL get you to the finish line.

Before I list a few reminders I want to send out my personal thanks to all those who took part in running the last 6 miles on Sunday.  We had 22 runners, not as many as it should have been but the most ever.  I had been working hard in the gym getting ready to begin running again.  I ran outside four times in the past week.  I thought I might be able to hang with you guys for 6 miles.  I put my racing singlet and shorts on under my clothes just in case. I watched from the bus as you guys headed south on Halsted.  I knew then I had to try.  My clothes came off (the bus driver must have thought I was nuts) I laced up my shoes and came after you.  I wore my racing singlet because it was a gift given to me last year in Boston, signed by some of the greatest runners I know.  It has great value to me. If you ever want to see all the signatures I will be glad to bring it and show you, just let me know.  The inspiration from the singlet helped, after about one mile I caught up with the pack and had the best run in recent memory.  Thanks to all of you.

Don’t forget :

Tuesday, September 28 the Mizuno mobile running lab will be at Running for Kicks from 5:00- 7:30pm.

Saturday, October 2 I will give a short 10-minute talk under the pavilion starting at 6:48 with a few hints about race week and day.  This is no big speech just a few hints you may already know.  I will join the big group for a story about my first marathon followed by a prayer.

Monday, October 4 the Saucony van will be at Running For Kicks at 6:00pm. 

Friday, October 8 & Saturday, October 9 the Expo at McCormick Place

No group run on Saturday October 9.

Sunday 10-10-10 RUN LIKE YOU’VE NEVER RAN BEFORE!!!!

Friday, October 22 will be our post marathon awards banquet.  See events page for details.

Saturday, October 23 a 5k will be run in Hickory Hills supporting the Lions club.  Cindy our massage therapist is involved with this group.  It would be nice if we came out to show our support for one of our own. It will also be nice to see a bunch of Yankee Runners winning age awards.

To go where you have never been.
You must do what you have never done.

I watched in awe as I saw YOU start the R2R 20 miler on Sunday.  Then I got into the back of a cargo van and was driven to the finish.  Let me tell you that is a long way.  I wasn’t sure how anybody could run that far.  But sure enough one by one, or sometimes in groups, YOU ALL finished.

Many of you want to go where you have never been and to get there you did what you have never done.  All of you ran 20 miles, many of you for the first time. Some of you have done this several times. All of you ran different paces.  Some of you ate sandwich steaks, some ate Mike’s tacos and other feasted on Jeanne Dolan’s chicken or burgers.  As different as you are, you are all them same in some ways.  Each of you finished and hurt as you did.  Each of you received a t-shirt that reads, “Ready to run.”  When you wear that shirt the world will know what I have known for some time, YOU are ready to take the final steps in our journey.  Your body is tired and it may hurt, that is not a bad thing that is normal.  For 16 weeks you have beaten yourself up.  YOU have taken your body to the limit and beyond.  YOU have turned into great athletes capable of doing the unthinkable. YOU are ready to run 26.2 miles.

Over the next three weeks you will rest and your body will heal.  Stay with the program.  Do the miles, stretch, visit Cindy for a massage, eat what you have learned works.  NOTHING NEW stay with what you know.  You can’t make up for lost time or miles.  The Enemy knows what you have done, that is what you will face him with.  The only think you can do at this time to help your race is to run the last several miles of the course with us next Sunday.   We will make two stops one at mile 21.5 the other at 20.5 you will have just over one hour to run 4.7 or 5.7 miles to the finish line.  There is not one Yankee Runner who can’t do that.

Next week I will only be able to collect for the post marathon banquet before the run and up until 9:00am after.  I feel funny about that.  For the first time this year I will not see each of you finish your Saturday run.  I need to leave Yankee around 9:00am to attend a volunteers meeting.  As most of you know I have given up any hope of lining up and going into battle with you. It hurts just to print that. If I can’t battle with you I wanted to help with the start.  John Mikulsi (Maureen’s husband) helped me secure a volunteer position working on Michigan ave before the start.  When you come out of the Congress Hotel you might see me and if you do you better say hi.

Don’t forget on Oct 2 I will give a 10-minute talk on hints for race week and race morning.  I will do this under the pavilion so I won’t have to talk over those who have heard it before.  This will take place at 6:48 giving us enough time to join the main group for a short prayer before you start your last group run.

On Monday, Oct 4 the Saucony Van will be at Running for Kicks.  They will have give aways.  That would be nice chance to group up for a short run and enjoy the company. Run starts at 6:00pm.

We are in the process of arranging bus transportation to the Congress hotel race morning.  The bus will make two stops one at Running for Kicks at 4:50 and the other around 111th and the Dan Ryan.  Details coming soon.  Bus will cost $200.00 cost per runner depends on number of runners.  Let me know if you are interested.

Good news and bad news.  Let’s get the bad news out of the way.  This week has the most mileage of any week in the program.  If you are serious about this marathon you will do 2-10 mile runs followed with a 20 mile run on Sunday.  Respect this week and the distance but don’t fear this week or the distance.  You are marathon runners and marathon runners have no fear.  There is nothing you can’t do.  Look at what you have already done.  The enemy has been relentless, each week adding more miles to go along with the heat and humidity. Each week you took his best and came back for more.  This week will no different.

Now for the good news.  When this week is over the TAPER will begin.  You will cut back on your mileage giving your body time to heal and grow strong.  On 10-10-10 you will be primed for whatever the enemy can come up with.  Trust me there is nothing he can come up with he hasn’t already tried.  You beat him during your training and you will beat him during the race.  You will all take pride when you cross the finish line after the 20 miler this weekend and rightfully so.  It will be nothing compared to the pride you will feel when you cross the finish line on 10-10-10. 

Please car pool next Sunday.
Please arrive on time.
Please check out Ready to run South side style on the web site.  We can always use an extra table or two.  If you want you can bring something to share.

I will be collecting for our post marathon banquet and awards dinner on Saturday, September 25 and October 2. Check the web site for details.

On October 2 at 6:48am I will be in the pavilion and give a short 10-minute talk about race weekend.  It will give you a few tips I have learned.  Most of this you will already know.  That is why it will be only for those who choose to listen.

If you missed the run on Saturday and many of you did let me share an e-mail I received from a good friend after he completed the Boston marathon a few years ago.

On the plane ride my goal was 3:20
It was hot at the start, new goal 3:30
At mile 7 heart rate was high new goal 3:45
At mile 15 heart rate still too high new goal, just under 4 hours
At mile 20 throw away the watch, just don’t walk.
At mile 25 after having walked ½ mile, God just let me finish.
Marathon running is too hard.
PS: See you soon to start the agony over again.

There are few atheists after the 20-mile mark.  God gets a little busy.  On October 2, just before you start on your last run together, we will get a head start on all those who will be praying after the 20-mile mark.  If anybody wishes to lead us in short prayer, contact me.  If I don’t hear from anybody I will say a few words myself.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
Like in past years I will be making teams to compete in a team competition. In past years we have entered two teams: a male and female team.  This year I would like to enter a co-ed team also.  To do this I need a few more runners. If you are willing to run for the Yankee Runners please let me know.  Your pace does not matter if you are willing to run for us we want you on one of our teams.  If I get enough runners we can have multiple teams in each category. Any questions contact me.

I would like to start by thanking all our very supportive volunteers who manned our water stations.  Perhaps it was because I was biking, not running and had a few minutes to spend with them, but their support and spirit seem overwhelming this year.  It did make me wish more then ever I could have been running with you. You are training for a very difficult event.  If you do not have support at home that certainly will take a toll.   I am always thrilled to see others receiving the type of support I have enjoyed over all my years. 

After a short 12-14 mile run on Saturday we will bike the marathon course on Sunday.  All your spouses or significant others are welcome to join us, as long as they can peddle a bike for 26.2 miles.  I realized they are not the superb athletes that YOU are.

Each time I run a marathon I learn something new. Each year I am amazed at the spirit and determination I am surrounded by.  This year, unable to join you during your runs, as I sat at a water stop and especially last Saturday as I rode my bike along with you I have been blown away by what I have witnessed. I actually enjoyed talking with many of you as I rode from one group to another. You guys look very impressive, as I would ride up from behind and see the size of some of the groups. Don’t get me wrong I don‘t belong on a bike.  I belong out there mixed into one of your groups.  

As I watched you running 18-20 miles, all with a dedication and single minded approach to this training, I thought about a conversation I walk in on at the mid season party at Batolini’s.  Several of you where a taking about the failure of Palos Bank and the builder that was partially responsible.  The talk was of lot sizes and square footage.  I thought about what a great equalizer our enemy is.  Our common enemy does not care about what color your skin is, what religion you are.  He does not care about where you live or how much money you make. When you are heading north on Michigan, none of that will matter.  The only thing that will matter is if you have done your training.  Have you put in the miles?  HAVE YOU?

R2R 20 miler packet pick-up is on Monday, September 13 at Running for Kicks from 11:00am to 7:00pm.  If you can’t make it that day check the CARA web site for other locations and times.  If you can’t make it to any of them e-mail me.  Put R2R bib on the subject line and give me a phone number.  I will contact you and we’ll work something out. I may be able to pick up your bib for you.