Oregon

Ashley and I flew to Oregon last week.  She ran in Hood to Coast and her team finished 5th in the Women's division.  Meanwhile I spent time with her family in Portland and Pacific City.

The highlights included:

20 mile run in the west hills of Portland on Skyline Rd.

Surfing for the first time!

Painting Ms. Boyle's truck.

Shadow, the dog.

Riding in a convertible from Pacific City to Seaside and back.  Beautiful coastal scenery.

The Nike employee store.

The beauty of Cape Kiwanda and the Ape of the Cape.

Thank You (Manifest Destiny)

I'm blown away by all of the nice notes and comments I receive from people since it has been announced that I'm leaving CARA. Everyone has been very generous, and I can't thank you all enough.

Working for CARA has been a unique experience. The very best part about the job has been getting to know so many people from all aspects of the running community. I'm reminded of this every time I lace up my shoes and head out for a run. When I'm on the lakefront path on a Saturday morning run I feel like I know every third person that passes me by. The many shouts and hellos on these runs are a great motivator to continue to push myself faster. When I've been in the various communities surrounding Chicago for circuit races and other runs its always comofrting to know that I will see so many familiar faces. Considering I have only been in Chicago for a little over 2 years, it already feels in some ways like a small town.

There is one drawback to holding my job as Volunteer Coordinator. The guilt! The guilt is overwhelming. So many people (too many to count) have volunteered at my request to help with numerous projects all over this great city. I never feel as though I can do enough to say thanks. Sure, CARA rewards volunteers with shirts, parties, and other convieniences, and I'm glad that is the case. However, so many volunteers go beyond the call of duty, work at a moment's notice and as quickly as their work is done dissapear without seeking any notice. With that being said, I've never received any angry correspondence asking for more acknowledgement, so I must say that I appreciate that greatly. I'm impressed by the genuine good-will efforts so many of you have put in.

Many people have asked me what I'm going to do now that I'm leaving CARA. This is an excellent question! I'm asking myself that very question.

Odds are good that I will end up in San Diego or Portland, but that is not for certain. I'll be staying in touch via this blog should anyone be so curious as to see where I end up.

I do, however have two certain plans. I will be running the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on 10/12 and the ING New York City Marathon on 11/2. I find this to be a very fitting way to leave. Chicago was the location of my first marathon (3:18 in '06) and I moved here specifically for the race (sounds crazy, but its true). And New York, if anything is a city that has built itself as the capital of the fresh start. It makes an excellent launching pad for me as I move on after the 26.2 mile journey is over.

I'm asking you one last favor before I go. I've paid my own way into both of these marathons, but I still wanted to use them as a chance to fundraise for two organizations with Chicago connections. I will be racing with Team Tiara (Girls on the Run) in Chicago and with Team World Vision in New York. You can read about both organizations and donate to the one of your choice if you so like in the links that I've provided. Even if you are unable to make a financial donation, please know that your support of my work at CARA is what has allowed me to be able to compete in these amazing events.

Keep up all of the running, volunteering, and spirit that makes Chicago one of the best running scenes in the world

-Dan

2008 Season in Review (Halfway Point)

Today marked the end of my first phase of races for the 2008 season. My focus will now turn %100 (well... almost) towards my training for the Chicago Marathon. I'm a little behind where I'd like to be in that regard, but that's the price I have to pay for a few of my other goals this year.

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, IL
17:17 (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, IL
17:23 (5:35) (11/257) (1)

This is a race I'll remember more for the drive than the actual race. Went with Hutton, Matt, and Ben G. My car overheated about 4 times and we had to constantly replace fluid in the engine. We made it to the race just in time for me to win my age group and pad my CARA standings lead.

7/4 Elmhurst 4(mi) on the 4th - Elmhurst, IL

22:53 (5:43) (28/801) (4)

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.

7/10 Bastille Day 5k - Chicago, IL

17:14 (5:32) (17/2675) (9)

This was a really fun night with lots of teammates competing in the west loop right next to my office. I had a lot left in the tank at the finish as I was disappointed to once again fall short of breaking 17 minutes. However, I'll take a PR whenever I can get one, and this was a 2 second PR. Verdo really began to show his legs on this night, and he hasn't looked back since. Phlip, Jason and I finished a very close second in the team competition running under the fake team name of Johannesburg South Africa Track Club. (Me, Phlip, Jason)

7/17 Run for the Kids 5k - Chicago, IL

17:58 (5:46) (14/1129) (3)

Just stretching out the legs at this one while running with the Road Scholars (photos). I won some Puma Socks for the 3rd place finish.

7/26 Xtreme 10(mi) - Waterfall Glen, IL

1:09:11 (6:55) (65/652) (5)

This race was a disaster. Although I enjoyed Mark Dolgin's company and he picked up an impressive third.

That's it for now. For the next month or so I should be laying off races as I try to regain my form from earlier this season in time for the Chicago Marathon on October 12th.