“The Big 10 Races”
Training day in Chicago’s Avondale Neighborhood. Photograph by Reed Nolan.
I took a month off from running following the Chicago Marathon in 2022. My body was worn down and needed rest. I hit the restart button beginning 2023 off with a purchase of an Apple Watch to track every single mile. Garmin makes several watches that are preferred amongst the running community. Whichever brand you go with – I would recommend a smart watch with dual GPS (especially if you run in a city) for faster and more accurate navigational positioning. I finished the year logging over 200 hours totally 1,500 miles.
A common question that I have fielded lately has been: “Why do you run?” A simple and fair inquiry that has two straightforward answers: “Healthy lifestyle” and “calm & clarity”. Running is more than one step in front of the other. This has turned a hobby into a passion. Absorbing as much information as possible – listening to other runners audiobooks and podcasts. We are physically and mentally capable of more when we push past our breaking point. Marathon training is a great workout and leads to a more healthy lifestyle. Also, the outdoor running experience can be meditative and deliver self discovery. While on the trails, I am able to have deep thoughts in the absence of life’s everyday worries.
As a former high school and community college athlete, running has helped me answer the question “was that it?” Have I reached my full potential in my athletic career? This was not hard to evaluate. Training has given me discipline. Finishing the Chicago Marathon tested the limits of my body. I set and reached goals with hard work. Never would I have thought I’d be running 10 miles before work on a Wednesday, but here I am. My new morning routine has turned into sacred hours.
The year’s goal was to complete two marathons in one year (3 in under 12 months). I decided to not run the 2023 Chicago Marathon, but to volunteer. It was a beautiful experience having complete strangers give up their personal time to hand you water, sliced bananas, and eventually a medal around your neck. It was important to give back to the community that gave so much support to me. Gaining entry into my preferred second marathon proved to be difficult. The Abbott Majors is a series consisting of six of the largest and most renowned marathons in the world: Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York City. I thought it would be pretty cool to start my running career with back-to-back years running an Abbott 6 Major. However, getting a bib can be tricky. Though I was mentally prepared for disappointment, not getting selected into the 2023 New York Marathon via the lottery was a let down. They say only 1 out of 5 runners do. I’ll try again next year. A Chicago suburban race that involves an authentic Dutch windmill will be my third marathon and second of 2023 (more details below).
Race 1 – Toyota Miles Per Hour Run
In February, Chicago runners either bundle up to brave the cold or log long hours on the treadmill. Reed Nolan and I took advantage of an indoor 1-hour run through the Chicago Auto Show at McCormick Place. We zig zagged past all the newest convertibles and concept cars at the Toyota Miles Per Hour Run. The course was a 2.4 mile loop on carpet, concrete and tile. Runners try to complete the loop as many times as they can in one-hour. Timing mats were located every 0.4-mile. A runner’s result was their average miles per hour during the hour. For example, if a runner’s final timing was 7.75 miles, and they crossed at 59:75 on the clock. That would mean they were running an average MPH of 7.85. So “7.85 MPH” was their result. It was a nice change of scenery from the rolling black belt.
Race 2 – Austin Half Marathon
The Austin, Texas Half Marathon was my first test at “letting it rip.” I didn’t want to finish with anything left in the tank. The risk of this strategy is “blowing up.” A term meaning the wheels fell off or I ran out of energy to complete the race. I was confident that I had trained properly and was ready to push. I was rewarded with a PR and ran 13 sub 7 minute miles. Also, this was my first race dawning a Chicago flag patch sewn onto my Tracksmith singlet (see photographs below). Wearing the civic symbol was important because of that rigorous winter training. And the Chicago flag has a simple, bold, and beautiful design.
Race 3 – Cincinnati “Flying Pig” Marathon
My second attempt at a marathon was not going to be a flat and fast course like the first. I registered for the running of the 25th Annual “Flying Pig” Marathon in Cincinnati, OH. Do not let the playful name fool you..the marathon had hilly sections crossing the Ohio river twice between Cincinnati and northern Kentucky. “Porkopolis” was the first name for Cincinnati back in the 1800s because of all the area’s meat packing industry and stockyards. It has been said that they ran pigs through the downtown streets.
TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS – In the Spring, Reed and I did a 20-miler from Chicago’s Horner Park along the North Branch of the Chicago River flipping around at the Bahá’í House of Worship in Wilmette. A couple weeks later, I took the Amtrak back to my hometown for some hill work. I sprinted up and down Quincy IL’s Jackson Street hill. My Quincy Notre Dame High School teams frequently used this concrete mountain for training.
RACE DAY – The forecast was calling for rain..a lot of rain. A downpour began as the national anthem started to play. The streets quickly flooded portions of the course. Lighting could be seen in the distance. The race organizers put a shelter in place, but I only saw a couple of runners pull off to take shelter from an underpass. Almost all of the runners in the first corral continued forward. I still felt safe and not at risk (no one ended up getting injured), but it did make this challenge even more difficult. My shoes were soaking wet, but I wasn’t letting anything stop me from crossing the “finish swine.” My hamstrings began to tighten-up and cramp throughout the final six miles. Mile 22 – I drank pickle juice for the first time ever..downing anything I could get my hands on trying to refuel my body. The rain never stopped. My 18-weeks of training fostered strength and fortitude within myself. I was resilient with grit and finished my second marathon despite the obstacles…shaving 8-minutes off my Chicago Marathon time from last year. The “Swimming Pig” (as some were now calling it) was an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.
Race 4 – Soldier Field 10
Race 5 – Lincoln Park Zoo 10K
Race 6 – Run Mag Mile 10K
The weekend before the Fox Valley Marathon, I did a shake out race down Chicago’s Michigan Avenue. The “Run Mag Mile” 10K is the only race that shuts down the iconic Magnificent Mile. This year the final stretch even finished through the “Taste of Chicago” which was pushed back to September for the first time because of the Nascar Street Race.
Race 7 – Fox Valley Marathon
TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS – The Air Quality Index (AQI) tells you how clean or polluted the outdoor air is. One week in June, smoke was pouring down from the Canadian wildfires and created air quality so bad that Chicago was deemed the worst on Earth. I had to take my long Sunday run inside the XSport Fitness on Ashland Avenue. I completed a half marathon all on a treadmill.
Lightning before the Thunder – My third 26.2 (second of 2023) was the Fox Valley Marathon which started and ended in downtown St. Charles, IL. Across the street from the start/finish line on 1st & Illinois Streets is Mio Modo where I carb loaded the night before. The course winded along the Fox River passing through the Chicago suburbs of Geneva, Batavia, and North Aurora. I loved running through the Fabyan Forest Preserve in Batavia which provided miles of tree lined paths. The wooden bridges, waterfalls, and an authentic Dutch windmill made it the most scenic race I have participated in. It also was the toughest to finish. I was attempting to qualify for the Boston Marathon. That would entail me trimming almost 20 minutes off my PR with a sub 3:05:00 time. The first issue was a constant rain for the entire race (now back-to-back marathons running in the rain). My shoes were soaked and constantly had to weave around large puddles. Despite the rain, I was on pace clocking sub 7 minute miles through mile 17…until my left knee swelled up. My left knee has a history of flaming up due to an old soccer injury, but I have not had any issues with it for a couple years. I pushed my body to its breaking point. The goal of qualifying for Boston was over. But I still wanted to finish the race and finish strong. My parents came to watch me run for the first time and were waiting at the Clark Island Recreation Area near mile 21 to give me a moral boost. It helped propel me forward and I gritted to the finish line. Suffering is a good teacher..makes one more resilient. I am proud of finishing my third marathon and staying discipline during those long 18-week training blocks. The next adventure awaits…
Race 8 – Chicago Lighthouse ‘Rise to Shine’ 10K
Keep fighting – I had to get back up after being knocked down. I spent the following month resting and rehabbing my knee. Shoutout to everyone at Athletico Lakeview for getting me back up on my feet.
A race for everyone. I want to highlight the incredible people at the Chicago Lighthouse. A nonprofit serving the blind, visually impaired, disabled, and Veteran communities. It was their 2nd Annual ‘Rise to Shine’ inclusive run & walk. An event where all people with & without disabilities are welcomed and celebrated. A very cool finisher medal in Braille. On race day we are all strangers following the same goal.
Race 9 – Big Timber XC Challenge
The Big Timber XC Challenge was a beautiful 5.5 mile course through the woods of Camp Big Timber in Elgin, IL. 126 runners crossed creeks, jumped over logs, climbed muddy hills, and ran on uneven terrain. This was my first cross country race and also my first time wearing trail shoes during a competition. The ankle support and grip gave my feet extra traction for all the twists and turns. The race was extremely difficult, but the vibes were laid back with dozens of participants sporting flannel shirts. Finishers were given mugs instead of medals. Running isn’t therapy but it sure as hell is therapeutic.
Race 10 – ‘Go Run Horner Park Turkey Trot 5K
My 10th and final race of the 2023 season was the ‘Go Run Horner Park Turkey Trot 5K. The ‘Go Run series are free runs hosted by CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association). They travel to Chicago Parks throughout the city and are open to everyone. I had a lot of fun, but it was very difficult to keep up with the speedy youngsters! A 13, 14, & 15 year-old all finished in the Top 6. Also, I finished the year logging 1,500 miles..a career best!
RUNNING BOOKS
There are so any fascinating stories about running and how it impacts our lives. I am drawn to the adventure memoirs rather than the technical guides. Listening to how individuals push their bodies beyond their biological limits. Here are some I read this year:
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by Kevin Doellman