My Morning Run. Post-marathon

A flower bed of fall colors on EIU campus. Welcome back, autumn!

Top of Utah

Top of Utah

Last night I found out the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, AL forbids the wearing of headphones!

Kill joys! I run so I can listen to music. So I'm looking for another marathon to run before the end of the year. 

1. St. Jude marathon in Memphis is sold out. 
2. Tecumseh is a possibility but I'm not sure I have patients to run a single tract trail run and might prefer a nice flat road race. 
3. The Indianapolis Monumental Marathon in early November is charging $100 to enter. Really? It's Indianapolis. 
4. There's the Chicago Lakeshore 50K which is flat but it's three, out-and-backs. Although, it is along the lake and I hear Chicago has great pizza. 
5. Speaking of Chicago, theres the Prairie State marathon in Libertyville, IL but it's only three weeks away. 

Top of Utah Marathon, September 2013 (#29)

When: September, 2013  
Who: Erin and Me
Recall: "I'm running a marathon!" "It's my first one!" "I'm going to get a medal!"
Overall: Running with Erin, the great support team, and the beautiful course made it one of my top 2-3 marathons ever. 
Rating: 5/5 carbs   

Carbo loading the night before at Beehive Grill in Logan. 

Thank-you mom for the dinner!

1. My way for representing Illinois. Go Cubs! 

2. No one else would be wearing one so the support team could easily spot me.

A pep talk note from coach Molly. 

No fear.

Starting in the front row...not.

Kristin, Bill, me and Erin. Go Emmetts!

You couldn't tell it was her first marathon.

Lovely day, lovely day.

Beautiful course!

Erin, Lindsey and Kristin

Of all the gorgeous scenery the moon was most impressive.

Mile 22 and going strong!

"Hey, it's Tom, Shelly, Sam, Mac and Alex!"

All I heard over the last two miles was these two telling the world,

"I'm running a marathon!" 

"It's my first one!"

"I'm going to get a medal!"

And I loved every minute of it.

Welcome to the club, Erin. 

Top of Utah Marathon. Pre-race preparations-Music

I meant to post this on Monday but another important part of marathon pre-preparations is to solidify your running playlist. I don't actually listen to the music as much during a marathon as I do on my long training runs but I still like to have songs playing in the "background". Here are three songs from my playlist that I dedicate to every one running the Top of Utah marathon.

For the younger crowd...

We Come Running by Youngblood Hawke
"Headed for the open door
Tell me what you're waiting for
Look across the great divide
Soon they're gonna hear
the sound, the sound, the sound
When we come running"

Sounds very appropriate 

For the older crowd... (I think Tom and I sang this song the first time we ran TOU. Either that or we laughed about it. We did a lot of laughing that not. Not so much the next day, but a lot that day.)

I Ran by A Flock of Seagulls

Top of Utah Marathon. Pre-race preparations-Dr Pepper and Toe Nails

This is what happens when you are very excited to run the Top of Utah marathon. The red squares are likely sites for Emmet Family Dr. Pepper Aid Stations. The yellow squares are possible locations. 

So, for anyone who wants to put together a support team, Erin and I would like Dr Pepper and clear Gummy Bears at the locations marked in red squares and, if you are so inclined, the yellow squares, too. The Dr. Pepper should be flat; no carbonation. Thanks. Bananas and orange slices would also be greatly appreciated. Again, thanks.

I also trimmed my toenails today. I feel it's very important to do this before the race since in a few days some of the toenails will no longer be a part of me. (sorry, no pictures)

My Morning Run. Love the Taper

I got in 9 miles this morning as I tapper down to the Top of Utah marathon. No pics from today's run. Just a few thoughts from my morning run.

1. Looking forward to another road trip with lovely Lesa. She a great wife and fun traveling companion. Whether its to Utah, Chicago, or Huntsville it's always fun when we hit the road together. 

2. Also, I'm looking forward to the Top of Utah marathon. It was my first, you know. It snowed that year which I really wouldn't mind again but I also don't mind running in cool autumn air as the sun rises over the majestic Wasatch mountains. I'll take that.

3. Speaking of cool autumn air, I like that Easter is in the Spring—it really makes a lot of sense—but there's another season of resurrection and that's when that first day of true autumn whether arrives. I love shaking off the suppressive heat and humidity shackles of the summer. Oh, that feels good!

My Morning Run. Friday the 13th

My first run in cool temps for months. I love fall weather...and football! Go Aggies, Nittany Lions, and Panthers.

My Morning Run. Humidity and Heat

Foggy Bottom

 Just south of Kickapoo Church.

Here comes the sun heat!

My Morning Run. Old Main

Oh, good morning Old Main.

My Morning Run. Labor Day, 2013

Started my day with a 2.7 mile run in Kankakee. I had left my earphones at home but the night auditor at the Fairfield Inn gave me her new earphones that came with her phone. Talk about great service! This light house was near a miniature golf course I ran past. I don't think it's in service unless it guides all the trains that pass through Kankakee away from the perils of the putt-putt course.

After my run, Lesa and I drove to Chicago, rented a couple of bikes and cruised Lakeshore path for a couple of hours. It was a beautiful day with my beautiful wife. Life is good!

Go Bears!

Sears Willis Tower in the background

Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park. The lower cloud in the background was really cool didn't show up very well in the picture.

After the ride we recharged with a stuffed pizza a Giordano's. This is the view of the Chicago skyline from our table. The building furthest back is the Trump Tower with the golden topped Carbide and Carbon Building in front of it. I opted for this picture rather than the obligatory shot of stuffed pizza.