It's marathon weekend in Chicago and even though I'm not running the marathon, it's still a big weekend! So many RHT members are running Chicago this year as well as a lot of local friends. I've got my marathon tracking app loaded up and I don't remember ever having as many runners listed as in years past. It's so much fun! I ran the 5k on Saturday--see below--and on Monday, I'm going to a meet and greet with Des Linden. My friend Kristin came to town to spectate with me!
Weekly Rundown
Sunday: IAT trail run 11.7 miles
Monday: CrossFit
Tuesday: Pool running
Wednesday: Trail run 7 miles
Thursday: Strength training
Friday: rest/yoga
Saturday: Abbott 5k
I kicked off the Mammoth Trail Challenge on Sunday with a road trip to Milwaukee. My plan was to run the Lapham Peak segment, which is located in the Kettle Moraine National Forest. I didn't realize that Lapham Peak was a state park, but I was happy to see the amenities (aka actual bathrooms). As with all the segments, there was a lot of climbing. The leaves were just beginning to turn, but the mushroom game was strong! The trail also traverses a beautiful savanna and I was excited to see a few Bluebirds among the many birds I saw. I felt really good on this run! After I was done, I stopped at a local brewpub for lunch and an Ice Age Trail IPA. It was delicious!
I always check the WOD in the morning before I head out to CrossFit and on Monday, I was excited for this one. Well, for most of it, anyway...we are starting our powerlifting cycle and the strength portion had us doing back squats, 3 sets of 10, at 50%. My 1RM was 160#, I think, so I loaded 85# on the bar and did these without much of a struggle. We alternated the back squats with single arm dumbbell rows, 10 reps. I used a 25# DB but next time will use 30#. The MetCon was a 14 minute AMRAP: 200m run, 6 cleans (55#), and 12 barhop burpees. I completed 3 rounds of this plus a final run.
On Wednesday, I laced up my trail shoes and went to my usual preserve for what I hoped would be 6-7 miles. I ran to all the deer hotspots, but I only saw one and she ran away as soon as she saw me! I had more success finding mushrooms and there were lots of really interesting ones. There were more signs of fall--the leaves are starting to change colors and there were a lot of acorns and tree nuts falling while I ran by. Luckily none hit me, lol. While I always run slower on the trails, I felt strong on this run!
On Thursday, I woke up feeling not so good after receiving my Covid vaccine (#6) on Wednesday afternoon. I debated skipping my strength sesh with SJ, but I really wanted to go since she was having me do my annual end of summer benchmark workout. I took some tylenol, put on a pair of new shoes, and warmed up before she arrived. The workout was 5 rounds of weighted sled pushes (100m), 10 hollow rocks, 10 atomic sit-ups, and 10 push presses (65#). This was a timed workout and the goal was to complete each round in about the same amount of time (or faster). My first round was the slowest and the middle 3 were the same. But my last round was 13 seconds faster than round 4. I also improved overall from the previous 2 years, which made SJ very happy. Me too!
I also made my way down to the Chicago Marathon expo, because I had to pick up my bib for the Abbott Chicago 5k race there. I signed up too late for the mailing option. I got to McCormick place as soon as the expo opened and was surprised to see how crowded it was. I got in a long line to pick up my bib. It seemed like a lot of international runners were there as I didn't hear a lot of English being spoken. Makes sense--they probably wanted to make the most of their trip to Chicago. I wandered around the expo--as usual, as a major sponsor, Nike took up a lot of real estate. It took me a while to find Brooks. They were sharing a space with Fleet Feet and only had some Chicago merch for sale. I bought a pullover and a pair of Goodr sunnies--Chicago style--and headed home.
On Saturday, Kristin and I were up and out the door early to head downtown for the Abbott Chicago 5k. This race is designed to be a shakeout run for the marathoners and anyone else who wants to run. There were about 10,000 runners and the course was crowded. So sexy pace it was and we enjoyed running downtown. Don't let Kristin's shorts fool you, it was COLD in the city. The wind didn't help either.
We met up with a bunch of Run Happy Team members who were in town for the race and went out for breakfast. It was so great to see everyone!
After breakfast, Kristin and I drove through the city to a field where my youngest son was playing rugby with his new team, the Chicago Griffins. I guess he missed playing rugby after graduating from the University of Wisconsin and I could not be happier for him. They won, 63-12.
We drove to a nearby brewpub, Short Fuse, where we met the boys and my oldest's girlfriend for some beers and a late lunch. We followed that with some axe throwing. I had never done that before and it definitely takes some skill! We had a lot of fun and a lot of laughs with that.
How was your weekend? Do you have any friends running Chicago? What elite runners are you cheering for? I'm excited to see Des, of course, and Molly Seidel, who is from Madison.
As you read this, I'm spectating the Chicago Marathon, including looking out for our fellow blogger Lisa! I'll have more to share next week. Next Thursday, I'm heading to Banff Canada with my sister for our annual sister trip. Check out my IG for updates.
I know so many people running today from Cleveland. What a great race. Hopefully the weather is great. Have fun spectating!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be cool--perfect for the runners but brrr for us!
DeleteI don't think I know anyone running Chicago but there's usually a Kings Heath or Bournville Harriers runner there. Hope you have fun spectating!
ReplyDeletePS that was me and it let me comment!! Liz
DeleteWe were sitting next to a woman on the El who was from London. She was there to watch her brother run.
DeleteIt's a big weekend here... our local marathon. Not as big as Chicago. I wanted to volunteer but with my training, I needed to run long if it rained on Saturday.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm cheering for a few runners I know in Chicago.
I hope you got your long run done!
DeleteIt was a wet one but I did!!
DeleteWe've gone back to summer - heat advisory over the weekend with temps in the high 90s. My pumpkin spice of choice was homemade ice cream with pumpkin spice cookies mixed in.
ReplyDeleteI don't know anyone running the Chicago marathon - hope it's a great event for everyone.
There were many records broken--the mens' world marathon record! So exciting and I'll recap it next week.
DeleteThe only runner I "know" running Chicago is Lisa, and I'm very excited for her (I keep looking for her in the crowd shots but can't pick her out from the 50,000 runners.)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a great week! That trail run sounds amazing. Oh, and we both did some sled pushes this week (do you ever do sled pulls?) Your race sounds fun, and how fun to see your son play rugby again. Hope you have a great time on your sister trip!
Lisa did great but I didn't see her on the course. I'll let her share the details.
DeleteI do sled pulls occasionally! We haven't done them for a while tho.
Yay for your son continuing his rugby career! And how fun that you can continue to watch him play.
ReplyDeleteI'm sending good vibes to Lisa as she runs Chicago. A few of our MRTT ladies are running, too, but no one that I know.
The weather was perfect for some PRs and some world records today!
DeleteOh wow, those mushrooms! So interesting. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteThe energy in Chicago must be palpable! And the weather looks perfect.
Perfectly chilly, lol! What a fun race to spectate this year!
DeleteI can only imagine the excitement in Chicago this weekend! Looks like the weather was perfect...hoping for Momma N to show us Iowans some grace next weekend as well.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the cool weather will continue, which will be 'perfect' for your race!
DeleteYears ago I did the Abbott 5k that's the day before the NYC Marathon. My nephew came out & spectated & then we went out to lunch with him. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteI can only imagine how much fun it could be to spectate Chicago!
We parked at mile 25.5 and it was truly amazing!
DeleteI bet spectating is so much fun! I should come next year and go with you!
ReplyDeleteI wish you had been with us this year! It was so exciting to see all those records broken!
DeleteI bet you had a great time spectating! Can't wait to hear about it!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to see you enjoying pain-free running!
I guess you will be running in Canada too to keep up with the Mammoth Trail Challenge. Does your sister run?
I wish my Canadian miles would count for the Mammoth Challenge, but all those miles have to be done on the Ice Age Trail! That's what makes it a challenge for me, since i don't live really close to any of the segments. But yes, I'll do a little bit of running there--probably more hiking. My sister won't run with me, lol
DeleteCongrats to the rugby player! Glad you can watch him play. I am sure he is following the Rugby World Cup.
ReplyDeleteAnd, of course, congrats to the very active mom.
Yes he is!!! I'm just so happy he decided to join the mens league.
DeleteYes it was a big weekend!! Chicago really knows how to host a race. Too bad I had to be out there running and couldn't see the elites finish haha! I did notice there were a lot of international runners at the expo too. I may have purchased all the merch...
ReplyDeleteIt was all pretty amazing! Glad you got to run!
DeleteSounds like such a fun week! I would love to spectate at one of those big races! It has to be so energizing! Axe throwing is my favorite. A and I are actually pretty good at it.
ReplyDeleteWe all got better at the axe throwing as the evening went on, but there was definitely a learning curve!
DeleteI didn't feel good for about 1.5 days after getting latest Covid shot. The directions they sent me after scheduling indicated one should plan on not doing much the day after the injection. So, I didn't do any yard work. Fever, chills, sore arm etc. I'm amazed you were able to go ahead with your plans. I'm not scheduled for the flu shot, but not sure how that will go. Amazing photo's. Love seeing the mushrooms etc. And the photo with the sun in it is fantastic. You should enter it in a contest. Looks and sounds like you had a good time. Keep going!!
ReplyDeleteI don't know why you were instructed not to do much after the Covid shot--usually we let people use their own judgement. I'm getting my flu shot tomorrow, so we'll see how it goes...
DeleteWhat a fun weekend you had - loved seeing your photos on IG. I still can't believe how many RHT members were running. So great that you got to spend some time with Kristin!
ReplyDeleteI wished you had been there with us!!!
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