Des Plaines River Trail Races

desplainesrivertrailraces.com

Saturday May 22nd 2010 50 miles, marathon, 1/2 marathon, relays

I just signed up for the marathon at this event. It will be my first marathon in 10 years. I know it'll be a PW time for me and I have 10 hours to finish thanks to the 50 miler. Maybe I'll pitch a tent at the far turnaround and take a nap like a friend once did during a 100 mile race.

Two of the RDs for this event are experienced ultra runners having completed 100 mile races, Marathon des Sables and even Badwater between them. They have also crewed at Badwater.

Ride George Ride

Former Marine George Hood of Aurora IL is attempting to break the world record for time on a stationary bike. The current world record is 192 hours. The record before that off 177 hours and 45 minutes was set by George in 2008. George is aiming for 300 hours.

Funds raised will benefit United Way and Injured Marines.

The ride is taking place at Aurora Marketplace in Aurora IL on the Napervile border at 75th Street and Rt 59 in the former Steinmart store next to Sports Authority. If in the area stop in a and visit George. You can even jump on a bike and ride with him (waiver signing required).

The ride is going from April 11 to April 24th

I visited today and watched for a little while and spoke to some of his crew. He had been riding for over 88 hours at that time. And yes the rules allow breaks each hour (didn't ask what they are) but he has to maintain 12 mph while riding.

Run For Hope

On April 19th Lisa Smith Batchen is setting out on a fundraising project to run 50 miles in 50 states over 62 days http://www.runhope.com/ Monies raised will be donated to orphan group at home and aboard (see under project link).

Although I've not yet meet Lisa I've chatted with her via email and Facebook plus I've seen her at the Badwater race a few times (including being in the next door hotel room in Lone Pine 2008). I can't wait to meet her on May 23rd when she comes to Chicago for the Illinois run. She is open to folks running with her and volunteering in other ways. The website has full details including varies links to sign up for volunteering/running. I'll have to volunteer as I'll be running a marathon day before.

Other city sites that might be off interest to my friends near them or local to Chicago (check web to confirm)

April 19 Trenton NJ (that is the first event - I don't know anyone there)

April 25 Freeport ME

May 21 (Fri) Des Moines IA (driving distance from Chicago)

May 23 (Sun) Chicago IL

May 24 (Mon) South Bend IN (almost a burb of Chicago)

May 26 (Wed) Grand Rapids MI (close enough)

May 28 (Fri) Green Bay WI

June 8 Phoenix (close to you Steve)

Jun 10 LA

June 19 Jackson Hole WY (Last day and one of my favourite places)

Chicago Lakefront 50k volunteering

Photos taken by Adrian Belitu

In photo: Sarah, Karen, runner # 1022, Torey, Jennifer

(Ben and myself in the background)

Today I volunteered at the Chicago Lakefront 50k with a bunch of fellow CHUGs.

In 2000 I ran the very first Lakefront 50k in what is actually my last ultra and also my 50k PR. It was therefore great to be back there in 2010.

After catching an early Metra train in from Naperville then the CTA brown line El I walked from the station through my old neighbourhood where I had lived for 12 years to the lakefront and meet up with CHUGs Ben, Sarah, Tony and his son Nick. Two other volunteers from the Lincoln Park Pacers, Cathy and Colleen were also there. Jen, Torey, Jim and Adrian arrived later on. Fleet Feet manages the water aid stations at this race and their coordinator, Karen, was there to help.

As with most Lakefront 50ks the day was windy but the temperature was not too bad and when the sun came out it felt just right, at least for running. This race allows earlier starters but we only saw a few. Finally the lead guys came into view. Quick in and out with their bottles filled. More runners trickled in and then a big rush with all volunteers rushing to hand out cups of water and energy drinks. Then it slowed down for the back packers.

Lakefront 50k is three 10.33 mile loops. We was stationed at the far turn around so we saw them at miles 5, 15, 25 (approx). Most runners looked in good shape most the race. Few complained of soreness but after 25 miles it is to be expected but all turned around and headed for home. We only had two drop out but they were still smiling and basically was not their day.

Friends I saw running included Nikki, Steve R, Chelsey, Ed Kelly, Tom J, Larry, Beth, Aziz. Sorry if I missed a few names. Congrats to all that finished

Although out there for around 6 hours the time flew by. Sarah and Ben got their volunteer hours needed for Vermont 100. It was a good day for a good CHUG gathering. The CHUGs were out in force today as a large bunch more were down south at the Clinton Lake 30 running on a very hill course, another 3 loop race.

Race results will be or are here:
chicagoultra.org
chrisultra.blogspot.com

Is this right?

I was just thinking about my run tomorrow and said oh it's only 4 or 5 miles.

Guess my running this year is coming along nicely.

And this is my first post on my blog for 2010. Where have I been?

Well this is a blog about my running that has been going very well in 2010. My mileage and the quality is up from last year and way ahead of last year. Not only is it way ahead but it is planned miles and not forced junk miles.

So 4 or 5 miles on Saturday then 13.1 miles on Sunday. Not sure where yet, depends on the weather. Love to hit the trails but if it snows the roads and pathways are like trails so either works for me. At this rate maybe I'll do a spring 50k or trail marathon.

BAM

Go! Get Outside 5k (or how to turn a 5k into a stage event)

I was going to title this six hours for a 5k. Guess you'll see why

My friend Tom told me about this race last year. A 5k race on the limestone trails of DuPage Forest Preserves Fullersburg Woods in Oak Brook IL. 2009 was it's second year. Tom's race, the Oak Brook half marathon, uses 3 miles off the trail including the hills so Tom helps them with this race. As I spend lots of time running and hiking the trails of various DuPage Forest Preserves I knew I wanted to do this race as the proceeds benefit kid's nature education the nature center provides.

After signing up I knew I might have to make an event out of the event and ended up walking a mile from home, taking the train to Hinsdale then walking another 2 miles to Fullersburg. Due to timing my journey to the Metra schedule I arrived at the race with a full hour to spare. Picked up my bib number and a nice hot chocolate colour long sleeve tech shirt which includes the logo at the top of this report (wished the logo had been a full size one not the smaller pocket location size but that is my only race improvement suggestion!!). Chatted with Tom a little then with a race volunteer named Bob who seems to help at races and walks every weekend and is a great volunteer.

It wassoon time to line up for the race. The start line was the edge of a wooden fence marked with a yellow ribbon. Around 120 people where in the race plus a few dogs. I lined up middle pack which was still close to front in a small crowd. Forest Preserve ranger said a few words and then the start gun was fired and we was off. Having run/hiked these preserve in the past I knew it would be scenic but if you run the same trails they can have a totally different look throughout the year as was the case with Fullersburg. The race ran along the limestone paths that paralleled the Salt Creek river on both sides using the preserve bridges to cross at each end of the course. I soon found myself maintaining a steady pace as the field spread out. At times people would pass me and I'd pass others including a bulldog. Around mile 1.5 we encountered a small hill which I ran up, no stopping - the summer hill repeats paying off. Just after mile 2 we past the Graue Mill Dam built in 1935, crossed the river via York Road and turn to pass Graue Mill/Museum built in 1852 (info from Fullersburg Historic Foundation flyer). Now we hit the only paved section of the course for about half a mile but still on the river bank. Back to limestone when a turn onto a trail covered with wood chip and the finish line was in sight. I crossed feeling strong with fairly even mile pace. My time was not fast but there was still plenty of folks behind me.

Hang around for the awards, some fast times then left for a 2 mile walk to the train i9which was 10 minutes late)

The DuPage Forest Preserve had put on a great little running event. This race has room to grow which the right marketing and earlier sign up announcements. The course is great, the T shirt was nice (although make the logo bigger), after race refreshments were just right and the awards was very good, not that I win awards.

Javelina 100

Photo: Steve finishing JJ100 2009 with his wife Toni. In the background Mike Hanes, Steve Hanes and myself

Last year my good friend Steve set out to complete is first 100 mile race, the Javelina Jundred 100 in Phoenix AZ. The race is held on the full moon nearest (or on) Halloween encouraging the runners to get dressed in costume. That year Steve ran has Pancho Villa. Steve got to mile 92 before missing the cut off for the last loop by 14 minutes.

But Steve was back in 2009 with a mission to complete.

More to be added............