In 2010, my running consisted of going 'round & 'round the track at the Irving Park Y for a mile - no more than that. If I wanted more aerobic activity, I used a recumbent bike or an elliptical. Well, I used the ones with the working TV screens. At the time, I had no interest in entering "fun runs" 5K's etc.
One thing on Allen's agenda that night was to plug a 5K run his office was sponsoring, the "Fall Into Fitness 5K". My curiosity was piqued. I live in Portage Park, and within walking distance of the actual Portage Park, where the race would start. I wondered if I could finish a 5K. The race would happen in six weeks. I figured there would be enough time to increase my mileage.
Once I registered for the "Fall Into Fitness Run" I printed out a copy of the race route. That weekend, I walked and jogged the route just to see what 3.1 miles was like. On the following weekend, I tried jogging the whole route. I forgot what my time was, but it seemed doable.
Since the weather was still good, and there was enough light, I did a lot more running outdoors. One of my favorite places to run was, and still is, the Sauganash Trail, which runs from Bryn Mawr to Devon Ave. in Chicago's Sauganash neighborhood. If you're traveling on Peterson Ave. towards Pulaski you'll underpass it.
As the days became shorter, I ended up doing more running indoors at the Y. I'm not a fan of treadmills, unless there's something on the TV I want to watch. So it was 'round & 'round the track. It was a poor substitute for outdoor running. On the other hand, I didn't run into or accidentally inhale small bugs like I did on the Sauganash trail.
How I started, part 3 Posted by Don Mac Gregor Jun 25, 2011
Since the weather was still good, and there was enough light, I did a lot more running outdoors. One of my favorite places to run was, and still is, the Sauganash Trail, which runs from Bryn Mawr to Devon Ave. in Chicago's Sauganash neighborhood. If you're traveling on Peterson Ave. towards Pulaski you'll underpass it.
As the days became shorter, I ended up doing more running indoors at the Y. I'm not a fan of treadmills, unless there's something on the TV I want to watch. So it was 'round & 'round the track. It was a poor substitute for outdoor running. On the other hand, I didn't run into or accidentally inhale small bugs like I did on the Sauganash trail.
How I started, part 3 Posted by Don Mac Gregor Jun 25, 2011
September 25, 2010, I got up real early for a 9am start- 5am. I'm something of a morning person-if you call stumbling into the kitchen to make coffee, and then stumbling over to the computer morning person activities. It was my first race, and I wanted to make sure my body was awake. I wanted to be up in time to have a small amount of coffee for the wakeup, but not so much as to keep my blood vessels constricted for a long time. I also wanted to make sure I had time to stretch.
I live ablot a half mile away from where the race would start, so the walk over to the park was part of the warmup too. Looking back, I wish I had left for the race a little later. I eneded up at Portage Park with an hour to kill. Plenty of time to jog, chat with folks, and tease Alderman Allen about having the opportunity to beat him in a race.
As for the race itself I have these observations.
--I ran the first mile too fast. 9:30, if I remember.
--I was actually taking the race seriously, trying to find a good pace. Every time I thought I had one established, I'd almost run into somebody jogging with their dog, or pushing a baby stroller. Ohhhhh, so THIS is what they mean by a fun run!
--Chicago city streets have quite a crown to them. The streets on the course were well paved. I only saw one hole on Pensacola Ave.
--My time? Under 30 minutes!
--Alderman Allen beat me by two minutes. He's had more practice.
--The next time, I'm at a race that's offering post-race back massages, I'll be patient and get in line.
I live ablot a half mile away from where the race would start, so the walk over to the park was part of the warmup too. Looking back, I wish I had left for the race a little later. I eneded up at Portage Park with an hour to kill. Plenty of time to jog, chat with folks, and tease Alderman Allen about having the opportunity to beat him in a race.
As for the race itself I have these observations.
--I ran the first mile too fast. 9:30, if I remember.
--I was actually taking the race seriously, trying to find a good pace. Every time I thought I had one established, I'd almost run into somebody jogging with their dog, or pushing a baby stroller. Ohhhhh, so THIS is what they mean by a fun run!
--Chicago city streets have quite a crown to them. The streets on the course were well paved. I only saw one hole on Pensacola Ave.
--My time? Under 30 minutes!
--Alderman Allen beat me by two minutes. He's had more practice.
--The next time, I'm at a race that's offering post-race back massages, I'll be patient and get in line.
No comments:
Post a Comment