Chicago Marathon Recap – New PR Followed by Beers, Butts & Burgers!

The Chicago Marathon is doneski! Months and months of miles and miles to prepare, and it was over in just three hours and forty eight minutes. If you’re keeping track at home, that is a nearly 20 minute PR for the Ole Scott-O…I’ll take it!

Yay, we did it! Can I sleep now?

The morning started with a 3 a.m. alarm and breakfast. Then off to the ALZ Stars staging location (two of us were running for that charity, two others were running for different charities) where they were nice enough to let us stay warm and destroy the toilets use the facilities.

Well this is embarrassing…we all wore the same thing!

And YAY, my old college buddy was able to meet us too. Love me some Rexy!

She decided on the pink tutu. Dang, I shoulda wore one too-too!

From there it was a short walk to the start corrals at Grant Park.

A bundle of nervous energy.

And before we knew it, we were off! I felt great. The weather was a bit warmer than we’d like, but at the start it was pretty nice – mid 50’s.

WTFrick?!?! My feet are actually in the air?!?! Nice!

I’d heard the tales of the amazing crowd support, and they were all true. The cheering, the signs, the music, the costumes, the everything was awesome! Chicagoans really know how to support a race! Each neighborhood had their own flair and I loved each of them – drag queens in Boystown, mariachis in Pilsen, dragons in Chinatown, etc. etc. etcetera.

Keep rollin rollin rollin.

10k in and I was feelin runderful. I ran into a Dallas friend who said she felt the same. Just ahead of us was the 3:35 pace group. I went ahead and passed them. I didn’t feel like I was working hard at all.

13.1 miles in – halfway there and I was at 1:45:43 – that is my 4th fastest half marathon ever – within 3 minutes of a PR! I hoped I could keep it going.

Do I ever change my expression?

The second half of the marathon is where reality sets in. Miles 16-19 I started to feel it. I tried to push through, but I could feel I would need to start taking some walk breaks soon.

Still determined…or gassy, I’m really not sure what that expression is.

By mile 20, reality had really set in. The sun was up in full force. The temps were rising. Mid-Upper 60’s by now. I was still determined, but slowing. Luckily they had a hydration stops about every mile. I made it my goal to run to each one, then I would allow myself a walk break as I sipped Gatorade/water, before running to the next one.

The 3:35 pace group had passed me around mile 17…then the 3:40 pace group…finally the 3:45 pace group around mile 21-22. I didn’t want any other group to pass me. I picked up the pace best I could and luckily they weren’t able to catch me.

I really need to get a new expression.

Everyone says this race is “pancake flat”. That’s mostly true, but there is an incline at the start & each bridge we crossed was a little mini hill. That, and I had been warned by several people about a hill right at the finish. Half a mile to go and I saw it. My sister was right to describe it as “dumb & annoying”. It was so dumb and annoying. I was temporarily defeated and immediately started to walk up it. Then I said, “eff that noise.” I ran up that stupid hill and cruised into the finish line!

I guess I’ll smile when I finish.

At the finish line I was pumped when I saw my I had set a huge PR at 3:48! Then even more pumped when my training partner cross shortly behind me. She rocked a 3:45 (she was in a later corral) – a PR by like 30 minutes!!

Yay, smiles!

I’m happy to report that everyone I came to the race with set new PR’s!!!! My college buddy Rexy even crushed a 3:05!!! And she did it in style with the tutu and a finishing brewski!

She knows how to do it right.

After a long rest, we slowly started to make our way out. But not before a couple pictures and a few beers at the post race party!

We’re members of the sunglasses of the month club.

We found a shaded area to park our rears & drink the free 312 beers.

Snapchat had some fun marathon specific overlays.

There wasn’t much cell service due to the crowds, so we had trouble meeting up with other friends. That’s ok though, cause we couldn’t walk very fast by this point anyway.

Can I sit here forever?

To sum up the race, I felt great the first 30k, then it was more of a struggle. No negative split for me this day, but you race and learn. I hope to be stronger at the next 26.2.

Out of 37,000+ total finishers.

I had my A, B and C goals for this race. A – PR. B – Break 4 hours. C – Run in the 3:30’s. I hit 2/3. I’m pretty happy with that.  Especially considering that 3:48 shatters by nearly 20 minutes my previous PR of 4:07 (set at the Disney Dopey Challenge)!!!

Anyway, after a little while we became rungry and rangry. So a few of us ate greasy burgers at the famous Billy Goat Tavern.

It says “butt” Hahahahahaha! Yes, I am 12.

The best part about this was all the beer & fat & carbs marathoners trying to walk down the flight of stairs into the restaurant. Well, it wasn’t funny when we did it, but it was funny to watch the others try to negotiate it…4 minutes to walk down 7 total stairs, seems about right.

If it’s good enough for Bill Freakin Murray, it’s good enough for me.

I’m still trying to process all that happened, but I had a total blast! All the feels!!!!!!!

How bout you? Any Chicago Marathon memories? Any dumb and annoying hills lately? Go-to post marathon grub (cheezborger)?

-Scott

Chicago Marathon Pt. 1 – Lost Wallet & Expo, No Flat Runners & We Bean Runnin!

So the trip got off to a rocky road start. As in my ride to the airport arrived at 5 a.m. (thanks for the ride dad!) and as I was walking out the door, I realized I didn’t have my wallet. It was nowhere to be found. It was frustrating. It was stressful. It caused me and my friend to miss our flight. I felt awful about that. And any hope to getting to the Expo early was dashed.

Too many people. Too much stimulation. Please don’t make me go in there.

Luckily I’m one of the few Americans who actually has a passport. I grabbed it. My pops let me borrow his credit card. I thanked him. Finally got to the airport and sweated out the standby process.

Three happy people. One miserable one.

Luckily there was a loooooong security line that caused many a people to miss their flights. Thanks TSA. But their loss, my gain. I took one of those poor suckers seats on the next flight. Standby success!

Next stop, Chi-Town!

First sight off the L train. A sign that we were in the right spot.

Then it was off to the Expo. Luckily there was a shuttle from our hotel. And by shuttle, I mean a real live school bus. Okie dokie.

Snapchat fun: @piratebobcat

I personally don’t like expos much. Too overwhelming for me. But I sucked it up and tried to enjoy it. Luckily they had free beer to help endure it.

We found the beer bus!

Do we really have to run that far?

Bibs got.

Hoping I will be like the sign says.

You see that Chicago? I own you!

With the expo out of the way, we were free to do a bit of light sight seeing.

Who us? No, we’re not tourists.

Heck of a town.

I see you, camera person.

And of course, we ate. A lot. We ate a lot. Ate a lot, we did.

Homemade past? Yes. Wine? Double yes.

And did I mention I was running this race for charity? I had raised funds for Alzheimers, and the group was cool enough give us a pre race dinner! They rule!

And it was all purple.

But the best part of the pre race shenanigans was meeting up with my old college buddy, Rexy. We were on the cheerleading team at Ohio University and have remained close ever since. She’s the bomb biggie…and one heck of a runner. We met up with her for a two+ mile shakeout run the day before the race.

Lisa Lisa, why ya buggin?

Where did we run? To the Bean of course! And we weren’t the only ones with that idea. I think every other shakeout runner was there too.

Have you ever ‘bean’ to Chicago?

That’s always a good spot for pictures, and I’m glad we got it out of the way early as it would be packed later on in the weekend.

Just hanging around.

And since I refuse to take a #flatrunner picture the night before a race…all that was left was to wait for the 3 a.m. alarm to go off. While I did, I went back and read all the supportive comments you bloggers have been making on my posts the past few weeks (I still promise to respond to each of them). I also checked out all the supportive messages on the Facebook as well as the kind texts I received. Thanks again urrbody!

Time to sleep. Months and months of preparation was over. In the morning we race 26.2 miles across CHI.

Good night, sweet city.

One heck of a town.

Come Monday I will post my recap of the race. Stay tuned folks! Spoiler alert – I ran a PR!!!!

How bout you? What’s your pre-race ritual? Do you like expos? Ever bean to Chicago?

-Scott

15k PR, Hipster Tacos/Coffee & Ready for Chi-Town!

OK kids, it’s almost time. Just a few days to Chicago Marathon Day!!! I’m feeling pretty good heading into it, mainly because we had a good pre race test over the weekend. The DRC Loop 15k. 

Some scenes from the day. Yes, I had bib issues.

This was a 9.3 mile loop of White Rock Lake. I wanted to work on my pacing in preparation for Chicago. And boy did I. I ended up setting a PR!

1:09:26, 7:28 per mile, 6th AG*, 47th OA

*Yes, there were some fast people at that race.

What had happened.

This gave me confidence. It’s nice to run a PR a week before your marathon.Not only that, but my training partner also PR’d and even placed in her age group. It shows the work we’ve been doing is paying off. Hopefully that means good things for Chicago. <fingers crossed>

Anywhoodle, afterwards we got breakfast at a hipster taco/coffee shop. Now I don’t drink coffee, but my friend does, so here’s what it looked like from her end:

Some people heart coffee, I heart tacos.

So there it is, kids. Short and sweet. Sorry if you wanted more detail, but I’m too focused on where I’m going this weekend to keep living in the past. 😉

How bout you? Ever have hipster tacos/coffee? Ever race the week before your goal race? Any bib attaching advice?

-Scott

A 22 Mile Half Marathon, Freezing Texas & It’s Chicago Marathon Week (Eeek)!!

Sup beaches? Keepin it real, or really keepin it? Good, I hope you’re well.

Things my way have been 2 fast 2 furious – and not in a street car racing kind of way. Life, ya know? But here’s the thang – It’s Chicago Marathon Week!!!! I cannot believe it’s finally here. It seemed so far away when I first registurd. Breathe Scotty, breathe.

OK, I had all these blog posts planned, but I just haven’t had the time. So let me catch you up now…….We had our last 20+ miler the other week ~ 22 to be exact.

Is that gal in the red headband checking me out? She thirsty!

Yes, I ran 9 miles…then a half marathon. That’s how that worked. This was a hot and humid day in North Texas. Wasn’t the prettiest run, but got it dun with the help of my run partner (the open mouthed gal) and my friends along the course.

Normally they’re just full of hot air.

Between the 13.1 and the 5k I placed in the day before, I came away with a pretty nice lil haul for the weekend.

Two medals, one trophy. Better than two girls, one cup…Or one guy, one jar.

But since that day, the Mountain Dew Point has fina-freakin-ly broke!!!!! We’ve had almost fall like weather. It’s been Glorious!

Needed to warm up with jalapeno soup!

My legs feel like they have a spring in their steps. I just can’t say enough about how happy I am for this weather after such a rough Texas blistering summer.

Sun, I eat you.

It’s been good, cause we haven’t had much of a taper – still running 40-50 miles per week per the training plan. Somehow though, I’m ok with that. Just enjoying the freedom of the runs.

Hoping I get patriotic winged feet by race day.

I really hope this weather is a preview of what we’ll currentview when we get to Chi-town.

Mouth open – it’s so nice to finally be able to breath!!! No soup-like air for you!

I do have some confidence going in to this marathon. I feel way more prepared than I ever have for a race. 26.2 is never easy, but I know the work we put in all summer will pay off when we get to that start line.

Oh, and speaking of which, look what came in the mail…

Sorry for the language – I work blue on Snapchat.

Woo to the hoo. We do this. Almost there, baby doll.

How bout you? Ever run a 9 mile warm up for a race? Anyone I should look for in Chicago? Can you dig it?

PS – Come back tomorrow, I have some more good updates to share!!! And yes, I will get to responding to your comments. Soon, I pinky swear!

-Scott

Run – Keepin it 200, Dogz Treatz & Super Moon Powers! #OwnChicago

Guys, you guys! Hey guys! I’m back. In so many ways, I’m back! Back to the poor lonely blog. Back to my ole runnin self. Back to life. Back to reality. Wait…I think I devolved into a Soul II Soul song there for a second…but I digest.

September is over and it saw my legs carry me 200 miles!!!

192 + 8 = 200 according to math and Nike+

Chicago Marathon training is winding down and I’m feeling grrrrrreat! Oh wait, I just got why Tony the Tiger says that – so he can grrrrrrrrowl when he does. Huh, learn something new every day…but I divest.

Run. Sun. Shoes. Tacos. Life.

The Texas weather is still hawt as all get out during the sun times, but during the before sun times it is actually kewl out! The humidity/dew point finally broke. It’s no longer oppressively oppressing. I can actually sweat and have it evaporate and cool my bod. Ya know, like it’s sposed to.

It’s made a world of difference in my runs. I have pep in my step. I’ve missed pep this summer.

Mess with the bull statue, get the statue horns.

I had zero confidence two weeks ago. Now I have all the confidence. So many hot sweaty muggy slow long runs finally replaced with cooler damp fun faster jaunts. I didn’t even mind the final track workout.

The numbers and letters say it all..or write it all, as it were.

I’m feelin fine. My month long cough seems to be gone. My aches don’t ache so much. And I’m really enjoying the sunrise runs.

Which way do you want to go?

Keep it coming, Skyler.

You don’t see many people out and about as early as I’m running, but you occasionally see some regulars in the parks. I’ve gotten to know a few folks, and a few dog folks too.

We’ve been good. We can haz treatz?

And this has to be a good sign – I even got to run under the #SuperBloodMoon too!

#nofilter #ILoveMyMoon

Anywhoodle guys, I got some more blog catching up to do. But I’ll save it for next time, which should be maybe…tomorrow? Yay, I’m back!

How bout you? Feelin any Fall? Who’s ready to #OwnChicago??? Does the blood moon give any special powers?

-Scott

PS – To all my blogger friends – I’m sorry I’m so behind. I’m reading your comments and I’m going to reply to all of them! I can’t wait to catch up with your happenings too!!! Working on it, kids!

Sunrise Runner, Burning Barns & The Avocado Killer!

Woo to the hoo! Another week of Chicago Marathon training! About 300 miles in so far – ya know, that’s the part that nobody ever sees – the miles that you put in just to be able to run 26.2 on race day. But there we are, each morning before the sun comes up. Running empty streets and trails. We do get little rewards though…Like seeing shooting stars and sunrises!

Thinking about riding off into the sunrise.

Most days I get done before da sun, but if I time it right, I can just catch the big star as it climbs the horizon.

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are orange.

Longer runs the sun will come up along the way. Makes for a nice view…until it decides to start cooking your body. Texas is hot, y’all.

Tanning the inside of my mouth. I heard mouth tans are so hot right now.

We got another reward this week when our training plan called for the shortest run in a couple months – 3.3 miles of intervals. Decided to visit old friend, Mr. Stripey Oval.

The race tag helps me run faster. Either that or I’m too lazy to cut it off. I forget which.

But it was a short reward, as we’re now back to more miles. This weekend’s long run is 18 big ones. Should be…fun?

No more horsing around.

Either way, I know I’ll reward myself with more TACOS! Just watch out for the spicy ones!!!!

Tried the “Barn Burner”. It did burn, and I didn’t even know I had a barn!

Luckily there’s guac around to calm the heat down. I really do want to eat ALL the guac.

I’ve killed so many avocados lately.

Oh, and yoga. Yes, it can be tough, but it’s also a reward, right? Ohmmmmmmmmmm.

Can you spot me? Hint – I’m one of only like two dudes.

There ya go, another quick update. See ya on the streetz…or the internetz!

How bout you? Morning or Night runner? Are you gonna eat your guac, or can I have it? What should I name those horses?

-Scott

The Mankini Run, Greek Tacos & Dinorappers!

Quick update on the Chicago Marathon training. The beats by dre goes on. And things may be getting weird…

Ladies love the mankini.

What had happened was we got a Christmas in in July miracle! A “cool front” came through Texas over the weekend. So instead of being triple digits, we were just in the upper 90’s!!! It made the 16 mile group run somewhat pleasant!

Thankfully no mankinis were worn on the run.

It started at 5:30 am at a WRRC member’s house (thanks John!) for the final Run My Hood run. I had never run in this area before and the route took us on a long hike and bike trail that I really enjoyed. But 16 miles later it was over, and the non-running fun began. Pool Party, hey hey!

Party like it’s 8:30 am (cause it is)!

Funny how your brain works after waking up at 4 am to run for over two hours. You sometimes do silly things. Meh, oh well. Good times.

And if you know me, you know my love of tacos post-run. Well this week was no different. But this time it was Greek tacos!

Gyro, taco, same difference.

As for the rest of the week, the runs have been going very well. I’m very pleased. And this weeks TNSR didn’t even have any dinosaur attacks! But one did join us for the run. We were all very pleased.

Rapasoraus. Photo cred @sojomy

And so it goes. And there you go. A quick update for your face’s eyes to look at.

How bout you? Get a break in the weather at all? Do you like Greek tacos? Be honest, is that mankini a good cut/color for me?

More updates to come in a day or so!!!

-Scott

Bikini’d Runners, Virtual High Five & I Don’t Need No Selfie-Stick!

Whew, I’ve finally recovered from being chased by dinosaurs!!!!

So back to more rockin n rollin (Or something like that). This past week’s long run was a 16 miler. Once again I ran with the WRRC as part of their Run My Hood summer fun.

I think I heard someone yell, “Get off my lawn!”

Here’s how it broke down: 5:30am, small group ran 3 miles. 6am, joined bigger group ran 6 more. 7am joined full group for another 7.

By the end the sun was up. I was struggling. So hot and humid. So much. And yes, I probably should’ve eaten better before hand. But we’re runners…We like self inflicted punishment, right?

Luckily doe, some of my #runbooze helped me through it!

Three throwin shade, one mad hatter.

And yes, this run did end with another POOL PARTY!!! Woo to the hoo (Or something like that).

The rest of this week has been more more of the same. Basically keepin it real (Or somethin). Let’s go through it in a series of awesome post run selfies (no stick used, thank you very much)!

Run dun b4 da sun.

Towering above the competition. Unless that tower is my competition, then it towers over me.

This is proper run fuel, right?

Virtual High Five! Go ahead, slap your computer screen. I’m keeping my hand up until you do…Do it already!

Chicago Marathon trainings has me feeling good so far. For the month of July we went 172 miles! I’m trying to remember back to my Dopey Challenge training, but that could be one of my highest months ever. Duh duh duh duh duh, I’M LOVING IT! Bring on August!!!*

How bout you? Selfies – use a stick or no? Did you slap your computer screen yet? Any post run photo requests/ideas? 

*Actually, Mr. August…I’m sorry…Mr. Texas August, please be kind to me. I want to be your friend. I really do. Maybe you could be a little cooler than normal? What do you think? Hello? Ok, I’ll let you think on it. Hugs!

Undressing Runners, Trespassing Yoga & (not) Passing up Tacos!

Sup kiddos? Keep it real? Rock n rollin? I hope so. As for me, I’ve just been tryin to stay gold.

Chi Marathon training is in full wreckx n effect. It’s goin good so far. This weekend’s long run was with WRRC’s Run My Hood series. And it was hot.really hot.and humid. But crushed a 14 miler…Followed by a pool party!!!

If that wasn’t a salt water pool to start with, it is now.

This run started bright dark and early with a smaller group of folks who needed the extra miles.

“You’ll never shine if you don’t glow.” -Smashmouth #NeverForget

We got in a quick 6 miles before heading back to meet up with the sleeper-inners.

This group is known for running in various states of undress.

I’m not gonna lie, I had a really hard time on the second part of this run. The sun was up and it was really really hot. I struggled. It was just one of those bad runs we all have from time to time. As soon as we finished I started to cramp up a bit and had to bust out an impromptu yoga sesh in a stranger’s yard.

I CANNOT believe my “friend” took this photo of me and put it on the internetz. At least a passing car gave me a honk doe…I still got it, baby!

Even though it wasn’t the best run, I’m thankful I had friends who helped me through it – especially the last few miles!!!!

And afterwards, of course was the funner stuffs! Woot wooot!

Oh, and we couldn’t wrap up the morning without one last mandatory group photo.

See, various states of undress, I told ya.

Double oh, this may have also happened…

Don’t judge us early-morning-taco-eating-margarita-drinkers. I mean, we’d been up since 4am for crying out loud. It was like afternoon to us. It’s 5am somewhere, #amiright?

Other than that, the mileage is starting to ramp up. 45 big ones this week. Stay tuned for updates…and more taco pictures.

How bout you? When is too early for tacos/margs? Ever down-dogged someone’s yard? How undressed do you get (when you run)?

-Scott

Running Santa, Hipster Tacos & Purple Time!

Chicago Marathon training is in full swingers beasty mode. Been a good week of running. Let’s go backwards, shall we?

Sunday – I had a race, but I’ll save that recap for the next post. So let’s go to Saturday. This was the long run of the week.12 sweaty sweaty miles.

Texas roads don’t look normally like that – It’s a weird route because it was around a lake.

The plan for this run was to do a 9 mile loop of the lake, followed by a 5k race to make an evenish 12. Well part I of the plan went ok, part II did not. I had failed to pre-register for the race, and by the time I got there they had run out of bibs. So no dice, Detroit!

So mad that I had to partially strangle my running booze.

No worries – Went ahead and ran the final 3 miles along the race course so I could cheer for friends. And yay! Some of them won age group awards!

Tory y Juash. A tale of two pairs of shorts.

Serene got her medal, but her real reward is that I let her run with me sometimes.

Afterwards we met up with a bunch of other runner friends to get wasted on tacos! Woot woooot!

It’s ok to wear blue shades there, it’s a hipster taco joint. Fo realz – everyone in there is either in short running shorts or purple skinny jeans.

Moving on…or uh, further backwards….The weekday runs were also on point. The highlight being the Thursday Night Social Run.

Click image to enlarge and see all the totally not photoshopped action going on here. Really – Some of my friends just have weird proportions and don’t cast shadows.

This run took us past yet another group of longhorn statues. Not sure why we need so many of them here, but whatevs.

We were looking at something udderly amazing. Honest, I wouldn’t steer you wrong! Thank you, I’ll be here all week!

It was also like runner Christmas in July at my house cause a gift magically appeared this week…My ALZ Stars tech tank!

Thanks, Running Santa!

As you may know, I’m running Chi-town this fall on behalf of an Alzheimer’s charity. I’m so proud to represent the purple! If you would like to donate to the cause, you can find info HERE. And to those who have already donated, I know it’s slow going, but I promise to get your thank you prizes soon!!! #BoomShakaLaka!

On to more run-fun!

How bout yous guys? Do you believe in Running Santa? Ever have a hipster taco? Isn’t it unbullieveable how many longhorn statues are ’round here?

PS. Come back in a day or so for rest of the weekend’s recap!!!