Running Chicago, for me

Good for you John smart choice

Jerry wrote:John, taper well, again.

Thanks Jerry, I am definitely taking it easy.

Glenn wrote:An expensive 12 miler, but smart John, smart.

Thanks Glenn.

fostever wrote:Sorry you didn't go through with the marathon. It actually was not at all like last year, the temps were about 10 degrees cooler. At least the humidity was low. I did feel it heating up, but was able to down the electrolytes at about every aid station, stay in the shade where possible and utilize the sponges/ hoses. Hope your next one will have perfect conditions for you since like Glenn said "expensive 12 miler."

I'm not sorry one bit, the conditions were very similar to last year and closer to 4-5 degrees difference, not ten. I have zero regrets about my decision, even if I were to get sick or if something else came up to stop me from running it.

kory.wheatley@gmail.com wrote:Good for you John smart choice

Thanks Kory, I'm really glad you made it to these forums!

John - you're looking like you're in great shape. Surprised there's no Philly for you this year! Good luck in Grand Rapids!

Scott C wrote:John - you're looking like you're in great shape. Surprised there's no Philly for you this year! Good luck in Grand Rapids!

Thanks Scott. THe main reason for no Philly this year is so I can train for Boston.

Monday was a rest day.

Today, 7 miles total with 4 miles at slightly faster than pace. This was on a TM.

Since I've never done this before (skip a goal marathon for one a week later), it's sort of a weird taper feeling. Mainly still hoping I don't get sick, so many people seem to still have something. Work is so busy I don't have time to worry much but I know this thing is imminent. Still, since I filed a tax extension last April and now don't have time this weekend, that is my activity this week. Also watching the weather continue to be strangely much warmer than normal. I fondly think of running Philly at 28 degrees and 41 degrees over the past few years.

John - PM me with your info again. The message is no longer in my inbox, and I think it might be due to the fact that I opened it on my husband's iPad and logged in there. Also, do you an Carol (right?) want to join a bunch of us for dinner on Saturday night? Let me know.

Michele - done.

Today was six miles on the TM after work. Grand Rapids charges for their notification service but it includes real-time posting of the splits to Facebook so I signed up. It posts every seven miles or so, should be pretty neat. Tomorrow is a rest day and then a few miles on Saturday then the race. It's not as cool as I was hoping for but should be 15 degrees cooler than it was here last week though it seems like the humidity will be higher too. At least there is no decision on clothing, it is shorts and short sleeves, no need for anything else.

I hope Grand Rapids is fun - I would love to do that someday!

Have a great race this weekend!

John, I hope that your strategy pays off. Hope the conditions in Grand Rapids are condusive to a great race day and a great result!

Good luck tomorrow John!

Thanks John, Julie, Jon and Jim. Grand Rapids is a really good race and well organized and fortunately, the weather was pretty good. I was able to run a 3:34:59 which I think is a minute and a half PR for me. More importantly, I've been trying to get under 3:35 for a while as that is the BQ time for my current age, not the time needed for the next age group which I qualified for already. I really wanted to make this time before my birthday. I was really hauling that last quarter mile once I saw the clock at the finish show 3:35 and knew I had a little time left due to the amount of time to get to the start line. Of course, the 3:34:59 is from the texts from the course, I'm not sure if it is an official time.

Great job! Congrats on the PR!

I would guess the text from the race would just be taken from your chip so it's likely accurate.

Either way, great job!

Congrats, John!!

Nice race, John. I'm glad to see you notched a PR. Recover well and keep up the good work.

Thanks a lot, Julie, Bob and Matt. It looks like the official time is a few seconds faster, 3:34:56. I'll shut this blog down soon once the pictures are posted. Here is one my wife shot as I crossed the finish line.