Week 8: Routes and Road Trip

Woke up last Saturday morning with a terrible headache/borderline-migraine. I had to run my 12 miles early because I was heading up to Wisconsin later that day with my best friend, Janice, and my daughter Caitlyn and her friend, Layne, for a much-anticipated Coldplay concert at Alpine Valley. As I headed out the door, Darrin wished me a good run and I burst into tears as I told him about the headache. I had taken Advil and my migraine medicine before I left the house and knew that once I got going, I'd be okay. About a half-hour into my run, I was feeling much better. Thank you, God!


Caitlyn and I at the Coldplay concert - Viva La Vida!


I extended my lunchtime runs on Tuesday and Thursday up to the Adler Planetarium and back on my old route, which gives me a 4 mile plus loop. Tuesday's run was the first attempt at this new route and it kicked my butt because it was 87 degrees outside and I didn't have a snack beforehand. I retried it on Thursday and had a much better result.


It seems like Wednesday's strength training sessions are the hardest to sneak in because of scheduling conflicts. I used our Wii Fit this past week because I had to take Alex to a doctor's appointment and couldn't make it to the gym. Every workout has to be written down or else it's too easy to be missed.


Fridays are a "rest" day, which make them even more great.


Yesterday morning, I completed my scheduled 13 mile run. It was the first time I had run that far since the half marathon in June. I felt so much better this time. I did not had to deal with any leg cramps, which made a huge difference.


It's nice seeing the familiar faces at the park during my Saturday morning long runs. The track boys always cheer me on when we pass on our loops around the park. When I start to visualize marathon day, I start to get emotional. I mean, as many of you know, I'm a pretty emotional person as it is; but, the training and preparation for this has been such a mental, physical and spiritual challenge for me that I cannot adequately put it into words. I'm running for a greater cause ... because I know that lives can be touched in a personal way.

http://www.firstgiving.com/meridithcanning

Week 7: In Search of Espresso Love

Today begins week 7 of Chicago Marathon training. This past weekend’s long run was only 7 miles; so, from here on out, the distances increase until taper time. The GNC stores by my office are out of Espresso Love flavored GU (energy gel) and I haven’t had a chance to order a box of GU online. I've been stuck with the chocolate, which is just okay (much better than the orange flavor). I must find espresso love GU before this weekend’s long run!


I ran strong 800m repeats today at lunchtime on a treadmill (quite an improvement over last week). Basically, you run a half-mile as fast as you can at an even pace and then you jog an easy 400m (quarter mile). You complete the cycle until you reach the distance you are running (three miles for me today).

I’ve been doing my long runs at Marquette Park early on Saturday morning. Every weekend, I see the same people on their walks and runs through the park. We exchange our friendly waves, smiles and "good morning." The track is usually crowded with a mix of people by the time I crossover Kedzie on my first loop.

Loops. I have never been good with numbers; but, I have the mileage of every running loop that I utilize memorized down to a tenth of a mile. It becomes something of a sick obsession at times. Running and numbers just go together ... like peas and carrots ... like songs on your favorite iPod playlist. The long loop at Marquette Park is 2.4 miles; the lakefront lunchtime loop is 3.08. They are neatly stored under my Runner’s World profile where I log my runs. Once my long runs move over the 13 mile mark, I’m going to try to head down to the lakefront to join in the group runs with others who are a part of Team Work Vision.

I am greatly encouraged and motivated by everyone who has pledged their support to Team World Vision. I am running because I want to help change lives. http://www.firstgiving.com/meridithcanning

Marathon Weekend

This Sunday will be the final running of "The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon". Bank of America has just completed its take-over of LaSalle Bank; so, next year there will be a name change for this premier event.

There's nothing like standing on the sidelines cheering on all of the runners. We used to stake out a spot near U.S. Cellular Field -- around mile 19 -- and watch the elite runners (including Catherine Ndereba, Khalid Khannouchi and Paul Tergat) go by first. I'd shout out "Jambo!" as the Kenyans and their rabbits flew by.

There is such an incredible feeling of excitement and energy as all of the runners pass by. You get a chill from seeing the Team in Training and World Vision runners who are running to raise money for cancer research or to help African families and children affected by HIV/AIDS. The rest of the field is made up of different men and women from all walks of life ... young and old, first time marathoners and 10-year veterans trying to set a new PR ... middle-aged women with their names written on their t-shirts who smile brightly and pump their hand up in the air when you shout out their name for encouragement... men wearing pink t-shirts declaring that they are running in memory of a loved one ... bodies with less than 20% body fat to Clydesdale runners. They all pound the flat, fast pavement snaking through Chicago's vibrant neighborhoods -- each destined to reach their goal to justify the months of training.

At lunch today, there were lots of people walking back from the marathon expo with their race packets slung across their shoulders. The sun was shining brightly and there was a definite feeling of hype in the October sky.

I wish I could run. I have a few months to go before I'll feel comfortable enough to get back out there. My knee is continuing to heal and I'm grateful that I finally got it taken care of. I'm placing my sights on running in next Spring's LaSalle Bank Shamrock Shuffle 8K ... wait, I mean the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle.

So, to Barbara P., Michelle S. and the 40,000 other runners who will line up Sunday morning ... run strong!

Hebrews 12:1 "... let us run with endurance the race that is set before us ..."