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

Off To Chicago Marathon, You Stalkers!

Hey guys, it’s almost time. After over 700 miles of training, countless hours of yoga & weightlifting, it’s time to #OwnChicago!

This week saw just a few more training runs. They looked something like this:

The only explanation I can give for this is we have taper madness.

It was nice to have shorter runs this taper week leading up to the race.

Yellow + Blue = Green. No, I didn’t plan this, I dress in the dark, it was coincidence.

I still can’t believe it’s here. It’s been so many months of running many many miles at ungawdly hours. I mean, just look at this daily alarm setting:

I died a little each night when I turned this alarm setting on.

I’m happy to report though, that we ran EVERY SINGLE TRAINING RUN. We didn’t skip a single one. No, they weren’t all pretty, but at least we were out there.

I still can’t believe the final run came and ended…

Done before the sun, but it’s all good, we glow anyhow.

Now it’s here. Time to run 26.2 miles. Going to let me sink that in for a while.

In the mean time, feel free to stalk me:

I’ll be Instagramming hard in Chicago: @piratebobcat

I’ll bet Tweeting too: @piratebobcat

You can track me TWO ways during the race (My bib number is 2411):

1. Download the Chicago Marathon App
2. Get updates with MY RUNNER TRACKING

That is all. See you on the other side.

-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!

Running Through Soupy-Swamp, Tower Water & Karen Needs to Chill!

Yo man, what it is blood? Things cray cray round here. Sorry I haven’t been on the blog world very often lately, but I’ve ben hella-busy. I’ve also been hella-focused on Chicago Marathon training…focused like my telescope on my neighbor Karen when she’s working in the yard a meditating monk.

That’ said, I’m trying to keep my Instagram game strong in case you really want to follow along with my journey to Chi Town…

I just ran 12 miles on a Tuesday, I’ll loiter if I want to.

Anyway guys, it’s been a rough summer. Rough like cat tongues. This is my first time training for a Fall (Autumn) marathon. Which means it’s my first time trying to run gahundreds of miles in Texas heat. It’s been hot and humid, y’all.

Runners are wilting, cacti are thriving.

4am alarm clocks phones only get you up early enough to shield you from your neighbor Karen seeing you in her bushes the sun. It don’t much shield you from oppressive heat and humidity. But we plug along…errrday.

I try to stay near water towers, ya know, in case I need more water…or towers.

6 days a week we’re at it. Leaving puddles of sweat behind us. I’m sure some coyote is out there tracking my salty trail as we speak.

Tower, give me your delicious water!

And boy howdy have we ever left some tracks all over Dallas. We’re running out of new places to run…literally.

Just another manic weekday.

But guess what kids????? We actually had a break in the hella-weather. First came rare rain…

What is that wet stuff falling from the sky?

Then came a cold cool front!!!!!!!!!!! Oh miraculous DAY!!!

I was stunned. Frozen in disbelief. I didn’t want to let it go.

It was so effing uhmazeing! The humidity was non-existent. I felt like I had been let out of a swampy cage and released into a land of easy breathing and evaporating sweat!

Felt like I was flying!!!!

But alas, it only alasted 4 days. 4 incredible, beautiful, wondrous days. But now the heat and humidity are back with an effing vengeance…like Karen when she found my binoculars Rambo.

Please tree, hide me from the mean boogie weather man.

But we got no choice, Cap. Gotta keep truckin. Less than a month until the marathon. We can tough it out.

What’s that? The cardinal rule is “just keep running”? Okie Dokie!

The heat couldn’t have come back at a worse time. In the middle of a 57 mile week. 22 big miles on Sunday alone. But we will tough it out, we will get stronger, and we will fly in Chicago.

How bout you? Ready for Fall much? Are you keeping at it? Why is Karen so up tight?

-Scott

Running with Armadillos, Skunks, Kanyes & Humans!

I’m tired, kids. Gone over 500 miles the past 2-3 months getting ready for the Chicago Marathon. That’s a lot of 3:45-4:00 am wake-up alarms. The good news is that I still haven’t missed a single day of training. That, and I’m relatively healthy – no major injuries to report – just the odd aches and pains and colds and coughs. It’s going relatively well, all things considered, if you must know, I do declare, but I digress.

The past weekend saw our 2nd 20 miler of the training plan.

If we make funny faces, it’ll mask our pain.

Oh, that reminds me, in August we ran 198 miles. And yeah, I thought about running an extra two, but then I unthought about it.

So close to the double century mark. Oh well, there’s always next month.

Back to last week – One nice surprise was the rare “short” weekday run – Only a 5k! That’s a far cry from the 12 miles scheduled we ran just 7 days richard prior. Decided to do it on the track – just a few pre-sun 800’s amongst friends.

It was dark. Used a flash. My shoes glowed.

And is it just me, or are there a lot more varmints out and about lately? On the track there was a skunk…a SKUNK…On.The.Track!!!!

There’s also been some coyotes, frogs, bobcats, bunnies, more skunks, and some giant roly poly bugs…

Happy to report we outran the armadillo. And we were sure to cautiously approach the dangerous HS XC team behind us – oh how I hate them with their short shorts, long hair & zero body fat.

Not sure what’s going on…are they all foraging for winter sustenance? Do I need to do the same? Should I start hoarding choco-sprinkle donuts like these smelly critters…?

Strange beasts indeed.

Oh, and did I mention the snakes? Indiana Jones would hate it up in hurrah..

It’s totes real.

That pic above is courtesy of Thursday Night Social Run – as always, things got crazy with TNSR. There is so much going on below, that I don’t even…

Da Fu?

There’s been some more runs and funs, but I’ll get to that, like later, or whatever, no big whoop. For now, I gotta go lay down, put my feet up and watch the new episode of Drunk History. Hasta luego, playas!

How bout you? Been seeing any critters on your runs? Armadillos – cute or dangerous? If you were an animal, what would you be?

-Scott

The Mustard Run, Running From School & Getting High On Weekdays!

Yo dudes. Yo. Luckily I have recovered from the Ginormous Cat Attack and Chicago Marathon training marches runs on. We just had our highest mileage week yet – 55 big ones! To get that high, you gotta do some decent sized weekday drugs runs. Here was Tuesday, for example…

Not even the morning lightning could stop me!

All those early morning miles leaves you constantly tired and hungry and sore, but I know it will pay off in October.

Needed flowers to mask my smell.

I’m still happy to report that I haven’t missed a single mile yet. Sticking to the training plan like honey.

Warning, I may have lost my mind somewhere along the way.

It’s been fun though, I’ve gotten to see a lot of interesting stuff along the roads. Amazing where your own two feet can take you.

With my friend, Annette.

The only thing different the past week has been that school is back in sesh. The once quiet pre-morning streets are a little bit more active. That, and I can hear the cries of children (along with wine corks popping from the ‘rents).

I feel your pain, kid.

And can you believe the little stinker is in 1st grade? Makes you feel old, doesn’t it? Well, probably not if you haven’t known him since birth. But if you have, then yeah…

He likes it when we draw on each-other’s pictures (no, he’s not on Snapchat, – just me).

Anywhoodle. The long run for the week was our first 20 miler of the training plan. I’m not going to describe it here because it.did.not.go.well. None of it was fun. Let’s just say that at one point I resorted to eating mustard packets from a 7-Eleven. Yeah, that bad.

Ugh, just thinking about this run hurts me.

But heay, we all have a bad run/day. That just means that the next one will be better, right? It’s got to!

And besides, you can always have a few craft brews with dad afterward to help feel better.

Yes, it’s a selfie stick. No, it’s not mine. The pub actually provides them for your own safety.

And besides, gotta carb load back up cause we have our 2nd 20 miler this Saturday! Here’s to redemption!

How bout you? How’s back to school going? Ever eaten mustard on a run? Is it wrong that I’m so proud of my “Annette” joke?

-Scott

Running Dawgs, Party Animal & Humid Tacos!

Sup beaches? Sorry I’ve been blog radio silent, but it’s been a crazy couple weeks with school starting, marathon training, work working, soccer coaching, etc. etc. etc.

In the words of Inigo Montoya, “Let me ‘splain. No, there is too much. Let me sum up…………with Instagram pics1″

Last week’s runs were ‘zing! We had a little “not 1 million degrees” front come through. It was a JOY to get a break from the humidity.

A dude, A dog, A runbud, A 100 mile world record holder.

Speak for your self, Sign.

These fake flowers are BEEutiful.

Buuut then the heat and humidity came back. Ah well, it was nice to have a little break to get some of the confidence back. The oppressive heat has been slowing me down, so it was nice to know I’ve still got it in me – just need cooler temps to unleash the beast!

Humid again, but hey, free tacos!!

I do got some aches and pains and tiredness, but can’t complain too much. That would be bogus. Closing in on 400 miles in this training plan, and feelin fine!

No animals….Not even party ones?!?

In the end, all that matters is that you have fun with it! And I’ve been having a blast with this training! I’ve hit every single planned mile and have got to run with some GREAT people.

In the words of Crawl, “Puffy cheeks.”

Right now we’re in the middle of our highest mileage week yet: 5, 12, 8, 5, 5, 20 = 55 totes. Stuff just got real. But we got this thang! Let’s do this, legs!

How bout you? Catch my two movie references? Did I miss any caption opportunities? Do you have any questions?

-Scott

Seeing Streakers, Running With Guns & A Miraculous Miracle!

What’s up beaches? Keepin it real? I hope so. I’ve been keepin it Klassy round here with a greyt week of Chicago Marathon training! Just have to get up early early to run before going to my job…

I sell tickets to the gun show, obviously.

This week started out hawt and steamy as ever. It’s been really bad you guys. So much so that I have to change shoes part way through the run – from sweat soaked to dry ones. Just look at the dew point we’ve been dealing with…

Yes, this was the weather at 5 a.m. But my run bud training partner (in the smaller, pinker Pure Flows) brought homemade banana bread, so it made it worth it.

But then something miraculous happened. The weather changed. Out of nowhere. It’s been in the 70’s early, with much less oppressive dewity. Made for some much more pleasant runs!

The cooler temps made us giddy (up).

And what we even moar better this week? The pre-dawn runs allowed for some Shooting Stars!!!! The Perseids Meteor Shower has been going on and it’s been so cool on my runs to see random meteors *streaking through the sky!!! *Side note: meteors should really start wearing pants.

Of course, that ends with sunrise, but dude, you should see the sunrises we’ve been getting!!!

#sunrise

Errrrrday!

#nofilter

It’s true, Mr. Sunrise and Mr. Me have become BFFs.

He likes to whisper sweet nothings. I wish he’d start whispering sweet somethings, otherwise it’s kind of pointless.

Next up is this week’s long run, which is actually a step back week, so less miles, but more fun. Here’s hoping this miracle weather continues for it!

“And it always goes on and on and on, And on and on and on and on, And on and on and on it goes.” -Jack Johnson, Lyrical Master (JK Mr. JJ, love you, mean it!)

How bout you? Sun out, guns out…amiright? See any streaking meteors (or people)? What does the sunrise whisper to you?

-Scott