In case you are wondering, those goals were 1.) to win my age group (25-29) in the CARA Circuit, and 2.) to participate in as many of the amazing races this area has to offer before I move. While the circuit is by no means locked up, I'm pretty confident I have achieved both of these goals.
While taking the time to list all of my races, I realize that my teammates who give me a hard time for racing too much are completely justified in doing so (The number one offender is pictured hands akimbo to the right. I think he watches too much ski-ball while drunk). I'm feeling very beat up right now, thus the slow performances of late (especially today). I'm hoping that I've left myself enough time to rest my body from racing, and instead increase my mileage to put in a good showing at the Chicago Marathon (and maybe NYC too, if I decide to treat that as more than a fun run).
ANYWAY... the whole point of listing the races was so that I could write down a few memories about each one before they fade to the back of my mind. Many of them have been special and I'm blessed to have stayed healthy enough to compete (so to speak) so much this year. So, without further ado, the list of races I've done this year, followed by notes and (maybe) pictures from each race.
3/16 March Madness Half Marathon - Cary, IL
4/13 Race That's Good For Life 5k - Oak Park, IL
4/21 Boston Marathon
5/3 Run to Remember 5k - Chicago, IL
5/10 50 Hecto 5k - Wheaton, IL
5/18 Healthbridge 5k - Crystal Lake, IL
5/24 Soldier Field 10 Miler - Chicago, IL
5/26 Elgin Valley Fox Trot 10 Miler - Elgin, IL
6/1 Run for the Roses - Roselle, IL
6/6, 6/7 - MC200(mi) Relay - Madison, WI, Milwaukee, WI, Chicago, IL
6/22 Downers Grove 5 Miler - Downers Grove, IL
6/28 Race for Young Life 5k - Palatine, IL
7/4 Elmhurst 4(mi) on the 4th - Elmhurst, IL
7/10 Bastille Day 5k - Chicago, IL
7/17 Run for the Kids 5k - Chicago, IL
7/26 Xtreme 10(mi) - Waterfall Glen, IL
Key
Race Name
Time (Pace per mile) (Place Overall/Total Finishers) (25-29 Age Group Place)
3/16 March Madness Half Marathon - Cary, IL
1:21:59 (6:15) (25/992) (2nd)
I qualified for the New York City Marathon at this race with the help of some great teammates. I needed to run faster than 1:22:59 on this very hilly course to automatically qualify and I was able to do so relatively easily. Phlip, Mike, Robert, Paul, and Mark, were great to run with. We stuck together for the first 6 or 7 miles. Mike pulled me solo for a few miles, and shared his gu with me when I dropped mine. We burped at the same time as we ran down a hill and made light of our incestuous dating situation which made for some good male-bonding. He then effortlessly left me behind in the last few miles (which I've witnessed several times this year, he's an amazingly strong runner). This was my first major experience with teamwork in a running setting during a race, and it made me appreciate the relationships I made with these guys over the winter (and some before that) even more.
4/13 Race That's Good For Life 5k - Oak Park, IL
17:16 (5:33) (25/754) (8)
This was the first race in the 2008 CARA Circuit. This was a good chance to shakedown the legs one week before Boston. After the race, Ben, Jason, Robert, and myself went to brunch. All three had won awards (little plaques) at the race. I was the only one who didn't win one. They teased me all morning. When the waiter brought coffee they all spoke up to let him know that they didn't need a saucer, but that I did. They all placed their cups on the plaques. Priceless. Chad Marek took some great photos at the finish.
Robert breaking 17 minutes, Great hair, Matt looking good:
And here is a picture of the start from the Oak Park Newspaper. I'm somewhere on the right. Marathon Olympic Trialist Greg Costello is seen in yellow.
4/21 Boston Marathon
2:55:31 (6:41) (748/21,963) (539)
I set a PR for the marathon at Boston and encountered Lance Armstrong. You can read more about it here.
5/3 Run to Remember 5k - Chicago, IL
17:42 (5:41) (9/800) (4)
This was a very windy and dificult race with lots of abrupt corners. There was a strong wind from the south that we faced from 1.5 miles on. I darted in between Ken Herrmann and Greg Vande Kroll in the very last stretch to out kick them for ninth. They've both had nice seasons so it felt good to beat them (although I can't touch Greg these days as he's found another gear it seems). Robert, Paul, Phlip, Jason and I all enjoyed brunch afterwards.
5/10 50 Hecto 5k - Wheaton, IL
17:28 (5:39) (8/114) (1)
This was by far the smallest race I've run in all year. I ran neck and neck with Sam Cortez for most of the course and edged him out in the end. Ken Herrmann got his revenge by pulling away from me in the last half-mile to beat me by 5 seconds. The three of us began to see a lot of eachother over the next few races. Tiffany Carson rode out to the race with me in the car and we both won our age group. Here's a picture from the start line:
5/18 Healthbridge 5k - Crystal Lake, IL17:17 (5:33) (7/396) (3)
What a fun race morning this was. Drove with Ashley, Matt, and Jason and had some really fun discussions. Ashley finished second in the women's race and Jason finished third in the men's which was impressive. I was cruising with Sam and Kenny again. I made my move at about 2.75 and they were not able to stay with me. I regret waiting so long as I had a lot of kick left and I think I could have reeled in one more runner to pick up 6th. Here is a photo of Jason pointing to yet another triumph over me.
5/24 Soldier Field 10 Miler - Chicago, IL
1:00:28 (6:03) (33/6045) (15)
I was a little disappointed not to break the one hour mark, especially when I passed my coach with about a quarter mile and he yelled for me to kick the people in front of me. As I picked it up I realized I had more left in the tank than I should have. But, I still had to be happy with taking a large chunk off of my time from the course the previous year (I ran a 1:05:21 in '07). Michael ran a very nice race. He didn't pass me until we were past the 5 mile mark and he ran a beautiful negative split to easily clear the 60 minute mark.
5/26 Elgin Valley Fox Trot 10 Miler - Elgin, IL
1:05:35 (6:33) (39/685) (5)
This marked my second 10 mile race of the three-day weekend and I was cooked. I started off with a little kick, but it was clear early on that I didn't have the legs for the hot sun or the hard hills. But, I managed to pick up 10 age group points and enjoy the beauty and challenge of the massive hill around mile 7. Any early morning driving with Ashley to a race is fun, even when I'm slow as dirt. Ken and Sam handled me easily.
6/1 Run for the Roses (5k) - Roselle, IL
18:18 (5:53) (21/579) (1)
Roselle started off beautifully. Matt and I got off the ground rolling and I cruised through the first mile feeling I could easily break 17 minutes which was my goal for this fast course. Unfortunately we were lead off course and I couldn't recover. I still managed to turn around and fight it out for the first overall age group decision, but this is a day that will live in relative infamy.
6/6, 6/7 - MC200(mi) Relay - Madison, WI, Milwaukee, WI, Chicago, IL
21:31:40 (6:27) (1/107)
This was by far the highlight of the 2008 season. Read more here!
6/22 Downers Grove 5 Miler - Downers Grove, IL
29:15 (5:51) (13/310) (2)
Matt, Jason, Ashley, and I jaunted out to the burbs. I was a little off and unable to hold onto Sam. But, I was glad to pick up 14 circuit points for the 2nd place age group finish and we all had a good time together modeling our age group award medals. Once again I gave Jason a ride to the race only for him to kick my ass and take points from me. After the race as seen here (Jason, Matt and half of Ashley):
6/28 Race for Young Life 5k - Palatine, IL17:23 (5:35) (11/257) (1)
Ken had an awesome race here as he ran with a monster negative split to take me at the line. He's been a very evenly matched competitor for me. The highlight of the race came inside the first mile when Katie McGregor (one week removed from running in the US olympic track trials at Heyward Field in Oregon) blew past me on her way to a commanding victory. It was neat to see so many happy people at a well run race.
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