Category — Fitness/Wellness

I just got an email from Chicago Marathon Race Director, Carey Pinkowski:

Dear Runners,

For 17 years I have been honored to serve as Executive Race Director of The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, a race steeped in a 30-year tradition of providing the ultimate marathon experience for runners.

The record high temperatures and humidity at Sunday’s race made for a challenging day for marathoners.  The conditions on Sunday presented me with the single most difficult decision I have ever made as race director. While that was a frustration to many, I stand behind the decision to end the race early– it was a necessary safety measure. However, I also recognize that because of the conditions and my decision, many of our runners did not have the experience they trained for and expected.

As an organization dedicated to providing the very best experience in the industry, the results have left us disappointed as well. Our team has spent the last several days reviewing the details and we are listening to runners, staff and volunteers. Rest assured that we take the day’s events - and your comments - seriously.

We are reviewing all details and feedback as we plan to continue the tradition of our race in 2008 and beyond. Offering the best experience possible to runners always has been our priority and it remains a commitment of the highest importance.

My personal gratitude goes to each of you, as well as to staff and volunteers, for participating in the race this year. I share in your disappointment, if you did not have the experience you expected.

I certainly hope to be able to greet you at our finish line in the years ahead, in the grand fashion that has characterized The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon for so many years.

Sincerely,

Carey Pinkowski
Executive Race Director

No real "sorry" in there, though he does indicate the decision wasn’t easy.  Also, there were rumors of a refund which didn’t materialize. Furthermore, a link included in the mail pretty much closed the book on that runor:

Q: Will the race offer refunds?
A: The LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, along with others in the World Marathon Majors, has a long standing policy of no refunds.

Oh well - I never expected one.

One thing that does have me a little ticked off has been the reaction from the running community over all. Reading some of the comments left on the Chicago Tribune web site as well as on some blogs including some hosted by Runners World there is this undercurrent of blaming it all on a field of inexperienced runners. "They should have known what they are getting into!" "Chicago allows too many beginners who should never be running a marathon in the first place!" "if the entrants ignored their available information (including basic stuff like listening to The Weather Channel beforehand) in their “quest for gold”, then they’re idiots. And you can’t fix stupid. "

Yes, I was a marathon newbie this year, but I also didn’t just wake up on October 7th and say "Woo hoo! Let’s do this thing!"  No, I spent the year up to that point training, which not only includes a lot of running, but through that running includes learning how your body reacts to three, four or five hours of strenuous activity.  Learning how to hydrate properly.  When should I eat something? What should I eat? I’m guessing I’m not the exception to all the first timers in Chicago.  If someone did sign up on Saturday to run on Sunday (which was impossible since the event sold out in May), then shame on them.

Just don’t stand there and call people whiners when they complain that the water and Gatorade they a) paid $110 for and b) were told by the race organizers to drink extra of, was not there. Especially if you weren’t there.

I got an email this morning that the Metro Health Grand Rapids Marathon hit their cap of 1250 runners last night and they are increasing the field to 1650. Race Director Don Kern does expect the race to fill up by the weekend, so if you’re thinking of running in GR, I’d sign up sooner rather than later.

Another option is the IMT Des Moines Marathon on October 21. They are offering a $15 discount to runners who couldn’t finish the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. It also looks like they are extending the discount for runners from the Twin Cites Marathon as well.

Grand Rapids is a closer drive for me and the timing meshes well with my training. The only thing about Des Moines is I have family in parts of Iowa I could cajole into coming down. Nonetheless, some friends from Chicago have said they’re probably going to make a weekend out of driving up to Grand Rapids to come cheer me on.

I found this post from a volunteer at the second aid station. They were given 10,000 extra cups, and told not to refill their tables. Incredible. I feel for the volunteers there. When I came through, several runners were yelling at them. I personally thanked every volunteer I got water from - that job has got to be tough.

Doing the math things don’t add up. 10,000 extra cups for 36,000 runners? That is not much at all. Even the numbers from race officals only add up to a few extra cups per runner for the entire course.

I’m still determined to finish a marathon this year. To that end, I registered for the Grand Rapids Marathon on October 28th. I have a feeling I won’t be the only person from the Chicago Marathon up in GR. Timing-wise it couldn’t be better. All my long training runs were three weeks apart at the end (17+ miler, a 9 miler than an 8 miler). I’ll tack on a 9miler this weekend, 8 miles the next and should be in good shape for the race.

Overall, my body is doing well after the beating yesterday. No more sore than after any of my longer runs this summer. I’m pretty sure I’ll head out tomorrow morning for a mid-week run.

Update: I finished watching a press briefing with Carey Pinkowski and Shawn Platt. Some interesting observations.

• When asked what could have ben differently, Carey said they didn’t anticipate runners using water at the aid stations to cool themselves. They thought runners would go to cooling stations. They also put out sponges and extra ice. All of these were put into the later stages of the race, which (in my opinion) is where they failed. By the time they realized this, it was too late to move them.
• Carey was asked flat out if he was going to apologize to runners, he first dodged the question, talking about how he got a standing ovation at the post race party when he explained why the canceled the race. The report re-asked the question adding if they were considering a refund. He muttered that they were analyzing the possibility of a refund, but never once used the word “sorry.”
• This me completely speculating but several questions got at the “what about a refund” question. His dodginess around this seemed more from a standpoint of “that decision is still being made and I don’t want to commit to it” than a flat out refusal to answer. That said, they’d talk more about that later.

If I had to say where the mistake was made, it was thinking it was going to be hot on the second half of the course - none of the official cooling stations were on the front half - my first open hydrant was somewhere on Adams west of mile 14. What happened was it was hot at the start and they didn’t have cooling set up there. People used what was available, but in all reality, the course was not prepared for the conditions.

To put a point on it, I maintain closing the course was smart. Lots of people would have gotten hurt (maybe myself included). The reason the course had to be closed is not the weather, but how they reacted and/or failed to react to the weather.

As I posted yesterday, I attempted to run the 2007 Chicago Marathon. By the time I was directed off of the course by the police, it was pretty clear Chicago can’t handle large events. I fully realize comparing the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon to the Olympics is a stretch, but hear me out.

As has been widely reported, temperatures were unseasonably warm for Chicago in October.  Watching ESPN’s SportsCenter this morning, they reported the temperature has passed a marathon record 84 degrees by 10am.  As early as Thursday, race officials were warning of warm temperatures and to plan accordingly. In an email to runners I got the morning of Oct 4, race medical director George Chiampas suggests:

• Dress appropriately – avoid cotton fabrics, long sleeves and long pants. Wear lightweight, breathable fabrics that will help to keep you cool.

• Wear sunglasses and waterproof sunscreen. With the amount of time you will be on the course, you want to be sure to protect your skin and eyes.

• Pay special attention to hydration. Drink plenty of fluids the day before and morning of the race. Drink enough fluids to maintain your baseline body weight, but be aware of overhydration. If you begin to gain weight above your baseline, you are drinking too much water and depleting your sodium level which is important to maintain.

• Be sure to stay hydrated during the race. Make note of aid stations and prepare to utilize them. You will need to drink more to compensate for the rapid depletion of your body’s fluids in the heat. [Ed: emphasis mine]

• Plan to adjust your pace for the weather. The humidity and heat will require more of your body so a slower pace than planned is recommended in order to get you to the finish line without overheating.

• Most importantly: PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BODY DURING THE RACE. If at ANY time your body gives you signals to slow down or stop, abide by them. Be aware of your heart rate, body temperature and hydration. If you feel light-headed, dizzy or overheated or experience chest pain, visual disturbances, cramping, vomiting or headache, slow down or stop and consult the medical personnel on the course immediately.

So how well did that go?

The Race Itself

I arrived at the starting area around 6:40.  Through all my training I ran about an 11min mile, so I lined up at the 12min pace sign knowing I was going to need to go slower. One thing I found odd was that there was the distinct smell of body odor already - and no one had started running yet! The public address announcer was welcoming everyone to the 30th running of the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon. He also went on to warn of the increased temperature and that extra fluids would be on the course along with misting tents and ice at certain aid stations.

The race started, and I crossed the starting line about 21mins after the start - I was hanging around the 5:15 pace group.  My wife staked out a great spot on upper Columbus Drive and I called her name out. She heard me, but couldn’t find me in the sea of people - I saw her banner and headed into the tunnel. While I was concerned about the heat at the start, I also knew I’d trained in much hotter conditions. I just needed to keep up on the Gatorade.  I hit the first aid station and was able to actually get a cup of Gatorade, and I also drank a cup of water.

The second aid station is where I knew there was a major problem.  All the tables were turned over, and all the volunteers were apologizing they’d run out of everything.  This station was near Lincoln Park and several runners found the water fountains right off of the course.  Others went so far as to drink out of the decorative fountains in the park. I sent a text message to my wife that I was going to need Gatorade.  I was carrying some in a hydration belt, but it was not going to be enough to complete the race if there was none at the aid stations.

The scene of depleted aid stations would repeat itself several times. Bless the souls of resourceful volunteers who were rushing water coolers into nearby restaurants and homes to replenish the water.  Bless common citizens and businesses who stepped up and were passing out water. Still with no carbohydrates on the course, people weren’t going to be doing well.

By mile 12 when I got a second supply of Gatorade from my family (who, while waiting for me, were begged by several runners for some water, any water), the sound of sirens was constant. I know it’s a common sound in any large urban area, but I’d been in downtown Chicago enough to know it was more than normal.

I crossed the halfway point and my split there was 2:46. I was still on a decent pace for me and felt strong. (bad camera phone pick of the half way point - lens is probably dirty from me being so sweaty.)  Tons of spectators had dragged garden hose out to the curb and were spraying runners down.  At least three separate people near Malcolm X college offered me ice.

By the time I hit the 16mile mark there were rumors floating through the crowd that the race was canceled and all runners were being diverted to Grant Park.  Somewhere on Jackson, they blocked runners so an ambulance could cross the course.  Sure enough, at Jackson and Halsted where the course should have turned south toward Taylor St, it kept heading east. Halsted was barricaded and I could see over the spectators that it had to be recent as there was a large group of runners heading south.  I cut through the crowd and headed south.  Keep in mind I’d not seen any of the “increased fluids” or “ice and misting” at this point. Only stuff provided by the average citizen.

I met my family again at the turn west onto Taylor. They gave me more Gatorade and some water and a ton of encouragement.  My brother ran with me for about two blocks.  Right after I left him, my first cramps hit.  My quads had had enough.  I immediately chugged what Gatorade I had left and called my wife.  My legs let up, but police at that point were saying the course was closed.  There was no more first aid and the race had been shut down.  With the threat of more leg cramps with no fluids to speak of, I walked back to Grant Park with my brother.

The city in a failure

My wife talked to her mother and the news was reporting the city was swamped and could not get enough ambulances. The race directors were smart to cancel the race - not only because of the heat, but because they couldn’t support the runners.  And that is where the city broke down.  This is billed as a “World Major Marathon” and according the PA Announcer at the start there were runners from all 50 states and 150 countries.  They’d known since Thursday the heat was going to be an issue, yet it was obvious they couldn’t support as many runners as they let in the race (they’d opened registration to 45,00 of the first time this year). Not only that, but the city ran out of EMT’s and Ambulances.  If the city’s emergency infrastructure can’t support an event of 36,000 participants, how do they expect to support an event like the Olympics with millions or participants and orders of magnitude more in Spectators? 

The only highlight of this race were the volunteers and spectators who came to the aid of runners when the race organizers who’d taken our money could not Citizens of Chicago, you can be proud that you are filled with people who care. I feel sorry for the countless aid workers who were overwhelmed at conditions that should never have come about. 

Sure, I’m disappointed I didn’t finish.  I’m weighing entering another marathon to at least try and finish one (and take advantage of seven months of training). I’m most disappointed that I chose to run Chicago for my first marathon (I could have ran in either the Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon, or the Twin Cities marathon, both were run on the same day). Several individuals told me it was the best one out there for first timers due to how well it was organized. Something obviously went wrong.  What is worse is organizers are denying any problem with aid stations. They’re even going so far as to blame the early runners for taking too much water!  According to the Chicago Tribune, Shawn Platt, a senior VP for LaSalle Bank is quoted as saying “We checked with all the aid stations and the amount of water was adequate.” They’ve obviously gone into “protect their own behind” mode.

There are accounts from medical workers work in the finish area who got yelled at for trying to bring water to those who finished and were near collapse.  None of the volunteers at Jackson and Columbus (the alternate ending for those diverted at the 16 mile mark) that were were collecting ChampionChips has any tools to remove them.  Mine luckily snapped off and my brother used his pocket knife to help a few others. Something as simple as giving volunteers some scissors!  Sure LaSalle Bank (soon to be Bank of America) Marathon Committee can blame the weather or other circumstances, but marathons in that sort of heat are not uncommon. They will find countless things to blame yet I will be surprised if they own up to the fact that they screwed up royally.

Thank You

I do feel a debt to those who got me to the starting line.  The crazy idea to start the race was put in my head by a former co-worker of mine, Eliezer Appleton. He kept in touch through all my training and gave me loads of advice.  I got additional moral support from other former co-workers and good friends, Jennifer J Schattschneider, Larry Kuhn, and Bob Zimmerman.  If it were not for my Mom, Dad and brother who drove down to Chicago from the Twin Cites, I would not have gotten as far as I did. Also, my brother made the 45min walk from Little Italy to Grant park with me in the stifling heat. I’d also be remiss in not mentioning the many online friends I made including Tom and Amy at Runners Lounge and LifeStudent.

Above all, none of what occurred for me would have been possible if not for my amazing wife, Amy.  She was there for me after every training run, put up with my soreness and crabbiness almost every Saturday. She selflessly managed to give me enough time to train this whole year.  Additionally she served as chief relief coordinator for me on course.  She wrangled everyone who was out to see me run and formulated a plan that had me able to see family five times on the course. She got to see me cry yesterday after it was all said and done. Above all she believed in me the times that I didn’t (and still does).

Amy, thank you so much.

I’m planning on posting a full recount of my Chicago Marathon experience tomorrow, but wanted to post a quick update.  If you haven’t heard, it was hot. Like people died hot. More bad news? I did not finish.  I made it to about the spot where that man died and was told to go back to Grant Park.

Thing the burns me the most is that I trained in weather this hot all summer. The key was hydration, which is where the race messed up royally. Most aid stations had no Gatorade or water by the time I got to them. If it were not for my amazing family, I wouldn’t have made it as far as I did.  After the second station had nothing, I send text messages that I needed Gatorade, and they came through. I was actually a bit worried for them being out in that heat, but everyone is alright.

I’ll try and post more tomorrow.

I ran my last training run before the marathon this morning. What a great morning - the sky was clear and there were a ton of stars out at 5am.  Clear sky also meant it was a little chilly, but not too bad. The 4mi run itself wasn’t spectacular, but nice nonetheless. Time-wise it was in-line with what I’ve typically been running at.  All I have left to do before Sunday is keep hydrating (something I realize I’ve not been doing to well this week.)

Looking at the weather for Chicago this weekend, Saturday night’s low is predicted to be 70° with a high of 84° on Sunday.  That makes figuring what to wear a little easier.  I picked up a fairly nice training jacket at Goodwill that I can chuck after the start.  I may still pick up some gloves, just to be safe, but at those temps, I’ll probably be find without them.

People keep asking me if I’m ready.  I feel I am.  There is no doubt in my mind I can finish. I’m just anxious to actually do it.  It’s been a long road since starting training back in March, so there’s been a long build up. It will be nice to be done with it - not because I want to get it over with, but more to be able to say I’ve done it.

With family in tow, I don’t know how much I’ll be posting over the weekend.  We’re heading down to Chicago tomorrow. I’m assuming I’ll have Internet access and I plan on bringing my laptop, but I probably won’t post an update until Monday when I’m back in Milwaukee.

Things are crazy busy at work right now as we are sprinting toward a deadline.  But I want to post a quick update.  As I mentioned, my foot sort of hurt after my 25 miler the Saturday before last - right where my son had dropped something on it.  That “sorta” hurt turned into ragin’ full-on, can’t walk pain on Sunday. That’s when the fear hit.  “OMG! I’m not going to be able to run the marathon!” I literally could not put weight on my right foot without searing pain.  By Monday I could walk, but barely.  I headed into the sports medicine clinic attached to our health club for a free injury evaluation. The PT at the clinic said that it was probably some bruised tendons.  She recommended some self massage, ice and ibuprofen.

I also added rest.  I did not run a single inch all of last week and and finally got on a treadmill last Saturday, mainly because I didn’t want to get several miles from home and have my foot act up (hooray for running in place!)  My foot did fine, though somewhere along the way I’ve come to dislike running on a treadmill.  I used to be the opposite - I hated running outside.  Now I think to myself, how did I spend so much time not going anywhere?

I didn’t run that long (about 45min) and did fine.  I headed out this morning in what has to be the worst weather I’d run in to date in terms of mid-week runs.  The humidity was through the roof - wasn’t the first day of fall this past weekend?  Pace seemed fine and I finished my four miles in under 40min, so even with the crappy weather and taking a week off, I’m holding my ground.  I’ll do my other midweek run on Thursday and will run my favorite 8mi route on Saturday.

Someone casually asked me yesterday, “Hey, when is that race you are running?”  Reality check time.  I mentally checked my calendar and said, “It’s a week from this Sunday.”  After a beat, my internal dialog switched to, “Holy s**t!  It’s a week from Sunday!!!”  I know I’m ready, but it is coming up fast.  I’ve got to go buy some clothes to wear that I can throw away on the course (thanks Tom and Eliezer for both giving my the clothing tips.) I’m enjoying the anxiety a bit - I was down in Chicago last Wednesday for a photo conference and looked around thinking, I’ll be running by this stuff in no time.  Can’t wait!

I’m about 3 hours recovered from my long run this weekend.  25 miles.  In actuality is was probably a hair short of that, but I’m rounding up.  I headed out at 6:30am and the temperature was 40 degrees.  The first 90 min of my run was spent telling myself I really need to go buy some gloves I can run in.  By the half way point, which I worked to be passing by the house so I could refill the water bottles, I was shucking off clothing. 

I really wonder what the weather is going to be like on the 7th.  While Tom jokes about what outfit he is going to wear, I’m starting to wonder myself. I left in a jacket and tights and a severe lack of gloves.  I finished feeling pretty warm in a long sleeve shirt (and would have been happier if I’d have ditched the tights.

By far, this was the strongest run of any I’ve done over say 16 miles.  The only issue was my right instep started hurting pretty bad at the three hour mark.  First it was, “Whoa, what’s that? Why is my instep hurting?  That’s never happened before.”  It took me about 30 minutes of racking my brain to finally realize that was from where my son dropped his booster seat on my foot the day before.  It ebbed and flowed for the rest of the run, but I pressed on. I’m still a little worried over it, but I think it will clear up.

Two weeks ago on my “short” nine mile run I felt like I was going to die. Not today dear body, I fueled you this week and stayed hydrated - just like the books say.  And much to my surprise, you responded (wow, those authors knew something).  I still eeked out a 12min pace, but I was able to sprint the last half mile with my head held high.  I contemplated spiking my water bottle on the front lawn, but thought better of it.

If you would have asked me three weeks ago if I was ready, I would have told you “yeah.” and would have been lying.  Today, I give you a firm “Hell yeah! Bring. It. On!”

Inevitably, when folks find out I’m training for a marathon, they confide in me they could never run “that far” let along around the block.  While an eight mile run has become fun for me, it wasn’t always that way.  Want to know the secret? 

I walk a lot. 

I know I’ve probably just lost all my runner subscribers by admitting that (”Ah! So he’s not really a runner!  What a faker, I’m outta here.”) but I don’t care.  Taking regular walk breaks while running has gotten my body to propel itself for over 22 miles in a single session, and I know it will get it to propel it 26.2.

I do feel a bit vindicated by an article in Runners World by 1968 Boston Marathon winner, Amby Burfoot.  Amby mentions Jeff Galloway’s marathon training program, which is what I’m following.  Right now my interval is pretty much run five minutes, walk one - though on longer runs I have a tendency to zone out and soon ten minutes have passed between breaks.  On shorter runs (say six miles or less), I’m able to easily keep a ten minute pace - nothing that is going to win any races, but about as fast as I’ve ever been running straight through.  Longer runs, my pace slows a bit, which has been a bit of concern for myself, but nothing horrible. 

Want to try for yourself?  Trying running 60 seconds, then walk 90. Rinse. Lather. Repeat. I bet you’ll be able to keep it up for a half hour.  This is the anchor of the Couch to 5k Running Plan.  My wife, one not normally inclined to run, got hung up getting our son to school yesterday and missed her normal aerobic step class at the club.  Pressed for time, she decided to give running a try on the treadmill using this same interval, and surprised herself by run/walking for 28 minutes before she had to get our youngest off to his one year check-up. I’m excited as all get-out in hopes she gets hooked on it as well.

I woke up a bit late for my run this morning (still getting a handle on the Alarm function of the Blackjack) and got dressed in my normal shorts and short-sleeved shirt.  On the way out the door I happened to glance at the temperature outside and saw it was 49 degrees!  Dang.  My mind raced, what did I used to wear back in the spring when it was this cold?

I threw my running tights and a long sleeve shirt on and did fine.  My hands were a little cold by the end of the 4 mile run - I need to buy some decent gloves.  One upshot of the cooler weather?  I was fast.  I hadn’t run a consistent 10min mile in I don’t know how long.  Four mile run in a hair over 40min (which included some waiting for a freight train before I paused my watch.)

This weekend is a big one, 24 miles.  One thing I’m doing different is keeping up on the fluids and eating.  Looking back, I know I didn’t eat nearly enough for the 22 miler and it did not help.  According to a few calculators I found, my 22 mile run burnt close to 3500 calories and I know I ate no where close to that in the days  going up to it.  I’m not going to go pasta crazy this week, but I’m definitely upping my carb intake.

Other good news?  My official registration came in the mail yesterday!  Man the race is getting close.