Pokanoka 8 mile preview

Last July the 4th (2015) I had the pleasure of running a great no frills 8 mile trail race at Shabbona's Lake, the Pokanoka 8 mile run (and 1.8 mile walk). The pre-entry fee is cheap and if you sign up a week before the race you will get the race T shirt. The proceeds benefits a great cause, domestic violence agency for the prevention. In 2015 there was around 100 people in the 8 miler so small numbers but I feel it could grow. The 8 mile course is all trail mainly wide grass but a few dirt or narrow sections. A few rollers plus one big hill. It ducks in and out of meadows and trees while looping around a big lake. Around a mile out you cross a big earth dam.  Full details are on the race website including deadlines for fees and shirts plus course map.   

 http://pokanokasrun.com/

 

 

Sadly I will now have to miss this year due to a slow training start plus work requirements. Last year I ran with my friends Carina and Mike. We went really slow running, walking. hiking, power hiking. We just had fun out on the trails. I did say if I went back I'd be better trained and run a good loop. Sure I could finish but it would be slow like last year. As I building up for a few other races end of the year I am going to pass on the race this year but encourage you all to do it. I also might be working that day due to some changes and vacations occurring with one of my work centers. Given I need Labor Day off I have no problem working this holiday (plus time and a half pay)

 

 

Run with the Lions (April 30th)

Coming up on April 30th is the 3rd annual "Run with the Lions" at St James Farm Forest Preserve in Warrenville, IL. It is back at the original venue after a year at Danada due to major construction.

If the past two years are anything to go by it'll be another awesome race for a great cause. I did the race both years and was impressed by the organization and everything that came with the entry fee.

For race information and signing up head here:  http://www.runwiththelions.com/index.html

You can read my race review from 2015 on this blog:  http://www.denalifc.blogspot.com/2015/04/rain-run-with-lions-5k.html

GLASA Chicago Marathon Charity Spots

 

 

http://www.glasa.org/special-events/marathon/

 

 

Over the past four years or so I have been involved with a great organization to help them put on an evening Twilight 5k race in Lake Forest. http://www.glasa.org/special-events/twilight-5k/

 

Great Lakes Adaptive Sports Association (GLASA) strives to ‘Let No One Sit on the Sidelines’ and operates under a mission to promote and support the optimal development and well-being of youth, adults and military veterans who have a physical or visual disability through the provision of inclusive recreation, fitness and competitive sports activities. GLASA offers opportunities for empowerment through education, leadership and training in collaboration with community-based organizations. http://www.glasa.dreamhosters.com/about-us/mission/.

 

They raise funds to help those that normally can't partake in a variety of sports. Everyone from kids through adults including those that compete in the Paraolympics. One of those fund raisers is a team in the Chicago Marathon. GLASA as secured slots as detailed below.  

 

If you need more information please contact:

Cherie Hrusovsky chrusovsky@glasa.org 847-283-0908 (she authored the details that follow)

 

If you have ever wanted to run the Chicago Marathon, GLASA has your chance! GLASA has charity entries for the race and we are trying to spread the word. Do you want to run? Do you have friends who want to run? Please Facebook, tweet, Snapchat, Instagram or otherwise share with your networks! 

 

There are two different ways that you can join Team GLASA as a marathon runner on Sunday, October 9, 2016!

 

As a Charity Runner with a Guaranteed Entry: If you need a guaranteed entry to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, GLASA has entries! GLASA can provide you with the opportunity to run in 2016, and you can commit to making a difference in the lives of individuals with physical disabilities. All guaranteed entry charity runners are required to raise a minimum of $1,000 in exchange for their entry, but GLASA will help you with fundraising assistance, a fundraising website, tips etc.

 

As a Charity Runner with a Non- Charity Entry:  There are a few ways that you can secure entry into the Bank of America Chicago marathon without using a charity entry. You can    1. Qualify as a legacy runner by having completed 5 Chicago Marathons within the last 10 years.    2. Qualify by running a sub 3:15 (men) or sub 3:45 (women).    3. If you do not qualify as a legacy runner or a time qualifier, you can also join the lottery and take your chances of being chosen during the spring lottery selection, March 10-April 21. The lottery option does not guarantee that you get a slot to run the marathon, but if you are successful in securing a slot via the lotto, GLASA will still welcome you to join our team!

If you use a non-charity entry, GLASA suggests a fundraising minimum of $260- ten dollars per mile. You are not contractually obligated to raise the $1,000 required of charity runners. You still receive all of the same benefits as the charity runners and you still get to make a difference in the lives of individuals with physical disabilities as you tackle your marathon challenge.

 

Benefits of Running with Team GLASA:

- Team GLASA Tech T Shirt

- Fundraising Guidance

- FREE Entry to Twilight 5k

- FREE Entry to the SALUTE 5k/10k

- Race Day Hospitality Room near the finish line

Easy gear check

Massage Therapist

                Continental Breakfast and Light Lunch

- Charity Mile Party for Your Family and Friends on Race Day

- Social Events

- Fundraising Incentives and Prizes

- CARA membership and Training Program

- Race entry reimbursement* (with a $2,000 fundraising minimum)

- The satisfaction of making a difference for individuals with physical and visual disabilities.

 

More information about Team GLASA and the Chicago Marathon: www.glasa.org/marathon

 

Want to Register to Run with Team GLASA? Visit the website for the registration link for Team GLASA.

(Please note this is NOT a registration form for the Chicago Marathon. It is for the charity team. You need to register directly with the Chicago Marathon to secure your marathon entry. The marathon opens for registration on March 8th.)

 

 We will follow up with more information about fundraising pages, social events and incentives in the coming days. Right now, all you need to do is join the team and share this email with your family and friends so they can also run with GLASA!

 



Tour de Trails 20k

Preview number one

Over next few weeks I hope to write up a preview of the races I listed in my Super Duper Race list. These are all races that I hope to do in 2016 but have also had some involvement in before generally due to running or volunteer at them. As with any race please verify all details for yourself and every race is subject to changes right up to the moment it starts.

Today I am going to look at Rockford's Tour de Trails 12 mile, March 19th in Rock Cut State Park. 
 https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/IL/Rockford/TourdeTrails

This race is part of a winter series put on by the Rockford Road Runners on various trail systems around the Rockford area. They hold a 3 mile (December), 6 mile (January), 9 mile (February), 12 mile (March). There was an option to do the whole series if you signed up for the series before the first race or you can do individual race such as the 12 mile in March.

In 2007 I completed this series. It was under a different RD and all races where held at Rock Cut. If you completed the series you earned the coveted orange survivor long sleeve shirt.

The new RD has kept the same general ideas but made some nice changes. Kept is the low entry fee, challenging courses, bring a dish to share, low key race but added a small SWAG item for each race: December was a Christmas tree ornament, March will be a long sleeve cotton T shirt (see race web for full details including limits on sign up deadlines for SWAG etc), holds each race at a different trail system in the Rockford area although March will be at Rock Cut, gives a hoodie for those completing the series.

My previous races at Rock Cut have included the 2007 series, the 12mile (well 20k) series race in 2012, and in September I've done the club's HOBO races including 25k twice and 50k once. Rock Cut is a great trail system including wide cross country trails, horse trails and single track trails. Some is flat, some hilly and there could be a creek or swallow river crossing depending on the trails used. And being the tail end of winter it could be dry, wet, snowy, icy. I've ran in all conditions at Rock Cut.

My reviews:

March 2012 20k http://www.denalifc.blogspot.com/2012/03/mud-mud-and-more-mud-20k-trail-race.html

Rock Cut HOBO 50k http://www.denalifc.blogspot.com/2010/09/rock-cut-hobo-50k.html


  

Here's some super duper races for 2016

Happy New Year my friends.

2015 wasn't a good one for me. Well some parts where but running was not. A few medical issues (pneumonia, allergies, bronchitis) basically prevented any running. I did a few races but they didn't go as planned but I made them fun and finished. Hoping for a better 2016. At least work and school went well but it was a busy time.

My plan for 2016 is to get back to running, do some races, volunteer at some races all while working hard and learning well. Not sure what races I'll be shooting for in 2016 but some ideas are listed and I intend to do profiles on those listed and even others. Maybe you'll be at some of these

March 19 Tour de Trails at Rock Cut SP in Rockford. 12 miles of trails  https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/IL/Rockford/TourdeTrails 

April 30 Run with the Lions 5k St James Farm, Warrenville IL.  http://www.runwiththelions.com/ 

May and June will likely find me volunteering at the Ice Age 50 and the Kettle Moraine 10044

July 4 Pokanoka's 8 mile trail race, Shabbona Lake, IL. http://pokanokasrun.com/

July 15-16 Christmas in July, Lisle IL. This event includes a 5k, 10k, 6 hour, 12 hour and 24 hour.
http://www.christmasinjuly24hour.com/Lisle/Default.aspx

July 30 Hot, Hilly Hairy 50k Kenosha WI. Held on the famous UW- Parkside cross country course.
http://www.xcthrillogy.com/

August 28 Muddy Monk's Nearly Sane half  http://www.muddymonk.com/trailruns/

October 15 Des Plaines River Trail, 50 mile, marathon, half marathon.
http://www.desplainesrivertrailraces.com/

In the weeks ahead I plan to do a profile of each race detailing event details taken from their website, Facebook pages and my own experiences. I may add some other races and if any RDs want me to add their events please email me and I'll consider them (IJSEvents@gmail.com). Some of the above races are put on by RDs or organizations that do other events during the year or a series of races during the mentioned events so those will get some words during the profile postings. Good example is the Hot Hilly Hairy 50k put on my Kenosha Running Company who do a number of trail races during the year plus the HHH50k is one of a number of races held on the same day. Same with DPRT which if you have read my blogging you know what that event means to me.

 

 



 

 

 

 



Pokanoka's 8 mile trail race

The third annual Pokanoka's 8 mile trail race was held today July the 4th in Shabbona Lake State Park to benefit the Safe Passage group. http://pokanokasrun.com/

I signed up for the race a few weeks ago before the deadline for T shirts although I knew this would be a slow run and hike around the lake. After signing up my friend Carina told me she did it in 2014 and would be there this year. She also mentioned her husband Joe had craved a totem pole in 1997 and it was placed right outside the sponsoring Pokanoka's Café. Over the years she had also camped there

Joe's Totem Pole. Photo from race website

Race day dawned and I got up early and headed west to the park being one of the first to arrive, something I prefer to do. Headed to packet pickup. Got my bib, number 199, goody bag and then the T shirt. Sadly although the shirt is a nice design it is the one color I hate, pink, so it'll not get worn by me. (Got home and gave it to Laura to use as PJs or something). Wished it had been white. Still we was there to trail run around a lake and benefit a good cause not a T shirt so no biggie

Carina and our ultra running friend Mike arrived got their packets and it was time to line up for the start. The race announcer went through last years winners to see if they were there this year and mentioned the new age group set up; no award for last place just the fast folks. There was also a show of hands for first timers at the race,  I was.

Race start and how we would continue (photo by Carina)

The race started almost cross country style with a white line sprayed on the grass and the 100 lined up behind so not many deep. We started need the back and once the gun was fired followed everyone out onto the trail system.

The course was primarily all grass on trails around 8 feet wide. There was a few sections of dirt and a little mud plus a number of hills and rollers. The course was around 1/3 woods with pine and other trees, 1/3 prairie and 1/3 lake or water views including a long dam crossing at one end of the lake. It was a scenic run. Parts reminded me of the Nordic blue trail at Kettle Moraine but with less steep climbs, except one big hill. Other parts reminded me of Rock Cut in Rockford area due to the lake views.  If I lived closer I would run at Shabbona Lake  http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/Parks/Pages/ShabbonaLake.aspx  

Carina, Mike and I took our time on this course. We chatted and laughed a lot. We run some, walked more, power hiked even more. We stopped so Carina could take photos and ask other trail users to take photos of our little group. Around mile 4.5 Mike was told to go run so he could finish faster then run back to meet up with us. He ended up with 10+ miles. Our time was slow but due to making it fun the slow race time went by really fast. The hard part besides the hills was being able to see the finish line across the lake but as we ducked in and out of lake views it was great to realize we was getting closer and closer with every step. Finally we hit a really long earthen dam that holds back the lake water at the south end. After that crossing with stops for photos a small trail loop took us into the finish. Carina wanted to be the last finisher but someone was behind us.

The Dam crossing (photo by a fisherman with Carina phone)

The race was really low key, around 100+ but I think it could grow. The course as mentioned was to my liking. The race benefits a good cause. They also have a 1.8 mile trail walk.

Next year I'll be back but maybe I should train. 2015 has been rough due to pneumonia at start of year, working full time and also putting on running events on some weekends, plus being back in school half time makes for one very busy me but as I love running especially on trails let's "just do it"  (Nike TM) 

Course map (road crossing blue T, water station green numbers)

 

 

And for my ultra runners. As mentioned the trails reminded me of Nordic at KM and Rock Cut. Trails were all grass with a little dirt and mud but included hills. If you live close or want a change from training at KM, RC or Palos check out Shabbona in DeKalb County. Given the loop we used (8 miles) Mike and I thought this would make a good place to hold a 50k trail race - 4 loops for just over 50k and maybe a 1 and 2 loop races for those to experience the trail system. Easy access to set up an aid station at mid point  and plenty of parking plus a café nearby.

 

My next race was supposed to be the Hot Hilly 50k (20k30k) race in Kenosha in 2 weeks. Sadly so undertrained in distance and pace, as mentioned above I doubt it will happen. As I still want to be there thinking of volunteering then going to Lisle later in the day and volunteering at the Christmas in July 24 hour ultra. Although I finished today it was slow and maybe ugly. It felt good to finish but know I am not ready to even go 20k let alone 50k in two weeks.

 

Are we done yet? Mike and I just before the dam crossing

 

 

Race results:  http://www.racetime.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Pokanokas-8-Mile-Overall-Results.htm

 

 

All photos belong to the race or Carina. Consider it free PR.



Chicago Full Moon 5k Norwood Park

Last year I did a fun evening race in Chicago at Norwood Park.

The Chicago Full Moon 5k and 1 mile race will be held again on Wed July 29th at 7.30pm. Put on by my friends Bill and Michelle Donato Thom of RunRace in basically their back yard. Consists of 2 loops around a neighborhood and park.

Sunset is around 8pm so will you or the sun finish first.

$20 to enter by Wed July 15 midnight, $25 after and $30 race day (see web for full details).

Great time last year and what else do you have to do on a Wednesday night.

 http://www.runrace.net/findarace.php?id=15210IL

 

 

Race review and photos from 2014 http://www.runrace.net/runreports.php?id=264

 

 

Photos and map copyright of Runrace.net and The Thom's