Update: Good and Bad

Well I went to the Doctor yesterday:


The Good: No ligament issues...no swelling etc...+++ I was most worried about this and luckily it looks like all is good...No stress fracture

The Bad: Just because it didn't show stress fracture doesn't mean it might not exist...

So basically I am starting Physio on Thursday for an LCL strain?? He really does not know what it is...although my IT band is tight it isn't necessarily presenting that way...I am going to continue to roll and stretch but I have been given the go ahead to start doing a bit more...Lots of unknowns and I am hoping physio will be a big help!

my heart aches for running....but I know that this is going to be a process...one I will learn a great deal from!

Tonight I got on the bike trainer for 30mins and although the knee felt off there was no pain...so that is good...I have a work Holiday Party tonight and hoping to make the 8:30am Yoga Class...we'll see if it happens!

Thanks for listening to my ongoing complaining and disclosure of my depression related to not running!

Not good at waiting....

I am a very inpatient person...I hate waiting...so not good at it! Sooo here is the thing...I need to wait until December 8th for some results...I finally broke down and went to a Sports Med Doc...

Last week I had two amazing acupuncture sessions...I am so impressed and will have a full review and videos I took of it in a few weeks...BUT I still was having pain that is with me pretty much throughout the day...I drive stick and so I notice it when I use the clutch...and after walking long distances or doing some of my core workouts I noticed it...I went for one run last week and again noticed it....not good...not good at all..

I am pretty fortunate to have access to one of the best sports med clinics in all of Canada. I had an appointment we had a discussion...I cried telling him how running was my life...and did a few tests on my left leg...felt around...and then said those dreaded words all runners hate...

STRESS FRACTURE or some type of ligament issues but he is treating it like a stress fracture
no running and he is letting me try cycling...I have serious doubts that cycling will be pain free...basically I can pinpoint some direct pain and then my knee just aches all over...ugh...everything is tights and uncomfortable...so I wait until December 8th, 2011 when the results of my xray and ultrasound come back...we discussed a bone scan but I declined as I do not think the amount of radiation I would be exposed to is worth it...

Anyway...that is what is up with me....I am going back to acupuncture which excites me big time and I will need to book a massage for December to help out as well!

Allied Medal Disply Review and Photos!

Remember way back in the early summer when I got a tattoo? Here is a pic just in case you forget :)




After many months of trying to figure out how I wanted to display my race medals I gave in and decided that I needed a Medal Hanger. There was no question where I was going to go...I knew immediately that Allied Medal Displays would be for me!

Before finalizing my decision I contacted Joel at Allied Medal Displays and he answered all my questions and was speedy about it too!

I meant to take a picture of the wonderful packaging but I was WAY too excited and opened it immediately!!

I have been pretty down about not being able to run the past few weeks...this was the PERFECT pick me up...The handy hubby of mine installed it for me in about 2mins flat!




So back to my tattoo....well the Medal Hanger Matches :)






I am so please with how it turned out Allied Medal Displays was wonderful to work with, the quality is amazing...and it looks super sleek and just play awesome! If you haven't checked them out I def' would...get those Medals out of your drawers and shoe boxes and put them on Display!

I Ran :)

I ran 5km...super slow...pain free...have been stretching and am keeping my fingers crossed that I can begin to slowly add some km...I am doing strength training exercise classes at work which are awesome and kicking my butt...as well I hope to get the bike on the trainer this week...

woohoo...feeling some relief but I also know that I am no where near out of the woods...

Goodbye October and Hello November

Hi Everyone,


October has been a bitter sweet month for me...I had an amazing time in Chicago and was able to celebrate my 30th birthday! Although I am so proud of finishing Chicago I also know that it was not my best race...

The week after I felt amazing...did a very slow recovery run 4 days later and had NO PAIN...it felt great...

The Sunday after I did a 24km run...my plan was to run the Road2Hope full marathon...my body was feeling great and mentally I was doing even better...near the end of that run I started to have some weird knee pain...I stretched out my legs and finished and felt fine...I chalked it up to not so great shoes....I switched back and took a solid rest day...

I then ran a 5km and 10km runs both had more knee pain...I took the rest of the week off and even skipped my long run...I made the executive decision to switch from the Full Marathon to the Half. I ran a great 5km and had no pain for 4.8km and suddenly that twinge came back...I immediately stopped and walked home...(during this time I have been stretching like MAD and rolling and icing).

I did yoga and I also saw my massage therapist....She basically thinks that EVERYTHING is tight...IT band, Quads, Calves and Hamstrings...It was a painful session that is for sure...I took MORE rest days then on Sunday I attempted a VERY slow 12km...it was okay a little off...later that day and since then my knee feels like garbage...I am basically benching myself from running for a minimum of two weeks...Then I'll attempt to SLOWLY increase my mileage...If things don't get better I'll go to the sports doctor...I am pretty sure this is just an overuse injury and a few other this..but most importantly my body needs rest from running...

So in the mean time...I will continue to get my Yoga on...I've started a pushup challenge with girlfriends and I am taking FULL advantage of the awesome fitness classes offered through my work...today was Tanktop Arms and tomorrow is some strength and conditioning and stability classes...I will beat this but not beat myself up over it....I will be back in full force in time for January training...I know I have a sub 4:27:53 marathon in me...I also know I am so close to a Sub 2:00h marathon....

Now that Halloween is over I need to find my self control again, keep moving, eat less and get my sweat on...this will only make me stronger!!

Chicago Marathon Race Report

Wow...I can't believe another year has passed and that I've completed my fourth marathon...I would have NEVER thought that back in 2006 when I graduated grad school that this would be the life I have...It is pretty darn wonderful...

So Lindsay, Catherine and myself piled into the car and made the 4-5hour drive to Kalamazoo, MI for our first stop. We decided that since we wanted to head to the expo bright and early on the Friday and to be as rested as possible that it might be best if we drive part way...It was the BEST idea ever...Thursday ended up being extremely hectic at work and some other things going on...I was so relieved when we got in the car and were on the road...It was an easy drive and we soon tucked ourselves in for the night...

We woke up and enjoyed the complimentary breakfast and were soon on our way...We arrived in Chicago around Noon and pre-registered at the hotel and we were on our way to catch the Expo Bus near Niketown!





Once at the expo we picked up our kits, shirts and started to pick up as many free samples as possible! I may have picked up 3 huge (and heavy) bottles of coconut water :) Lindsay was not too thrilled when they made her plastic bag break a la Kevin from Home Alone...Don't worry...I helped her and got her another bag....

We then got in line where I met Ryan Hall...American Marathon Record Holder....

He was beyond nice...It was really pretty awesome meeting him.





We then headed for a fabulous dinner at Webber's Grill...The next day me and Lindsay toured the city....and just took it easy before we met Catherine for a pasta dinner....





We headed back to the hotel nice and early and just relaxed watching TV before we headed to bed...Here is my race outfit...I don't have too many pictures of the race itself yet....When I get more I'll post...






The Race:

Well there is not much to tell....we got to the start line at the same time as last year but this time around it was PACKED...I couldn't make it to where the 4:15:00 pace bunny was and in fact I couldn't make it into the Open Corral...I was too scared to jump the fence....so I waited and started with the 5:30:00h group...All was good and then my garmin singnal messed up after about running for two minutes...I always know that this could happen and especially in Chicago but the pace was not just a little off it was WAY off...I used the pace band and my general time...


Splits:

5km: 30:48 6:07 per km or a 9:55 per mile **This isn't too bad...passsing people
10km: 1:00:30: 6:03 per km or 9:34 per mile ** Wow it is hot...lots of people
15km: 1:31:01: 6:04 per km or 9:50 per mile **I am stuck I can't pass anyone...it is so HOT
20km: 2:02:29: 6:07 per km or 10:08 per mile **Okay settle in...you can do this...
21.1km: 2:09:32 *Not great let's got for a 4:30h as it is hot
25km: 2:35:56 6:13per km or 10:45 per mile *I am stuck again...can't pass...MOVE PEOPLE
30km: 3:11:59 6:23 per km or 11:43 per mile **I am too hot...I am fading....
35km: 3:50:39 6:35 per km or 12:27 per mile ** Have to walk because of stomach cramps...
40km: 4:30:52 6:46 per km or 12:57 per mile **PLEASE let me beat last years time...
42.2km: 4:47:00 6:48 per km....*VERY happy to be done...

Basically I crashed and burned...I was passing too many people couldn't run a tangent...and the biggest thing was the Heat...I am trying to not beat myself up too much over this as I am so proud to have finished but after my great results at Mid-Summer and my 10km tempos....I was hoping to beat my PB of 4:27:53....This fall was not it...

I have run a few times since Chicago and am struggling with some knee pain...I have no idea of what my next plans are but I do know that in the spring I'll be running another full...there is no doubt in my mind....

Chicago Goals

Hi There,


I can't believe a YEAR has passed and I am returning to Chicago....I am really proud of the training that I have done in a year...I have made great strides and am so proud of the accomplishments I have had this year (PR's in ALL distances)

This week I have faced many challenges...I have been very busy at work, have a sick grandma and I am also sick myself...I am not going to lie...I will be really relieved once I am in the car and starting my trek to Chicago...

I will keep this simple...here are my goals...I have re-evaluated them after this cold that I have...

D: Finish Upright and Smiling :)
C: Beat Last years time of 4:49:xx
B: Sub 4:30:00
A: PR (Current PR is 4:27:53 from May 2011 at Mississauga Marathon)
A+: Sub 4:20:00

I have had an incredible training cycle...lots of great tempos, a 30km PR and a 10km PR...I just hope that after this week I can pull off a great run...I am not going to lie...I am physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted...I also know myself in that I might perk up pretty quickly once I hit the car :) No matter what, PR or not I have a lot to be proud of...I have come so far over the past year...Running is a passion for me...It is part of who I am and what I need...In the end Sunday is one race in a list of many...

Good luck to all of those racing!!!

September Rewind

This month was a great month...

I ran 232km....I am happy with this...I only missed one 10km and that was on Thursday...my legs have not been acting nice the past few weeks...I went to my massage therapist for a tune up....let me tell you...it was PAINFUL...she even had to use a tool to get at certain parts of my legs...That was Thursday and today is Sat. I am still feeling the effects of the massage...although my legs are recovering I can def' notice a difference...


Current Focus....I will be running my 4th Marathon in 8 Sleeps!!!



I will continue to use the next week to fuel and rest my body....am I nervous? Yes...I will do a post about my goals...It seems so surreal that it has been a Year and I will be heading back to the Windy City and trying to improve from last year...

I am off to do 16km...feels weird to be running this distance on a Saturday...

The Hubby Races Too!!!

The Hubby (Conor, Con-Bon, Con-Bon-Jovi, Condor)...found a cycling race...I was so excited for him when he signed up...On Friday after work we headed to Collingwood, Blue Mountain resort for the Centurion Cycling Series of races...We were able to get there in time for him to pre-register and we also stopped by the Centurion Brand shop and we picked him up a toque, a shirt and a water bottle...It was really nice atmosphere...I was looking forward to visiting the shops the next day...After registration we quickly checked into the hotel, had a bite to eat then headed to bed...

We woke up in the morning and Conor had the feeling that most of us have on race day...the combo of nervousness and excitement...I was so proud of him and just really happy that he would be able to have a race that just he was doing...it was his day to celebrate!


Arriving at the Event



Pre-Race


Now I turn over the rest of the race report to the Hubby:

This morning as the cool early day's mist was still present, I knocked off yet another one of my life long dreams from my never ending bucket list. As cycling road races go, the Blue Mountain Centurion road race boasts some of the steepest climbs, strongest winds, and most picturesque views one rider can ever endeavor and witness. Initially, the profile of the ride appeared to me to be a long climb straight up, a turn around point, followed by a rewarding decent toward the village and red flapping flags below. This I can assure you, was not the case. It seemed just as I crested one relentless climb, the big blue threw yet another vertical my way. Part way through the race I was wondering what I had landed myself into. It wasn't until the tour back after the u-turn that I became so proud of how far I had come, not only on this day but with my overall cycling successes. I was so proud of myself. Don't get me wrong, although I was pumped when I saw the end of the road in my sights, this event was also very humbling. I was among not only my fellow cycling enthusiasts and amateur racers, but I was quick to feel the swoosh as the true pro racers ripped past. I only had mere seconds, and an ever so slight chance to ride within their speedy draft. The race started out very fast, tires millimeters apart as we approached climb number one. I was told by many to 'start slow and save your juice for the hills', but I couldn't help resist the temptation to spin spokes along side the best of the best, dreaming that I too am among the sponsored Cervello or Cannondale Canada teams. A guy can dream no? Nonetheless, I finished 185th out of 652 participants and 137th place in my gender of 394 men. So not in pro time by far, but also not DFL (dead FN last). The best part of the day was obviously the finish line, not for just the obvious reasons, but primarily because of a cute missy, dressed in her bright pink hoodie, cow bell in one hand and camera in the other, smile from ear to ear, waiting for her hubby at the end of his challenging road. Lishy, was my inspiration for this days road race. She herself passes numerous finish lines at her marathons, triathlons, etc. and I now understand why she puts herself through the agony of her day after day of strenuous training. Its all for that millisecond when you realize... you did it... for you...to run, ride, or swim or whatever...with the elite, the pinnacle of your sport, and also just because... it feels great to clear one more of the challenges of life.



Just Finished and Still Smiling!!!


We had a wonderful time....As a spectator it was so much fun! I loved cheering for riders as they came in....Blue Mountain is a wonderful venue...I wasn't able to see him on the course so I had an hour before the riders were coming back in...I was able to visit some of the shops and grab a coffee...

I loved being a spectator and was so proud of Conor...I know that this is just the start and he now has the racing bug...maybe a duathlon in the future? Congratulations CONOR! I am so proud of you and love you so much!

August Rewind

Stats:

I ran 264km this month!!!! This is a huge monthly mileage PR for me...I am pretty rootin tootin happy about this...It just goes to show that when I slowly increase my mileage I don't get hurt...slow is best...

I rode 164km not my best but I also wasn't really focused on cycling this month...

I swam 3km this month...haha...I decided that after my Tri I would stop swimming because of logistics...I will start this up again in the late fall after Chicago Marathon...


I ate a lot of this:


Honestly....why are Blizzards so freakin good?!?!?!? Ugh....I could eat one EVERYDAY...I have already had 2 this week...:)


BIGGEST NEWS:

I signed up for:



I am scared/anxious/excited/pumped....every emotion...I am pretty much in shock................... so on JULY 7, 2012 I will be in Muncie Indiana!!!


Bring on SEPTEMBER!!! ONLY 38 more sleeps until Chicago Marathon!

A Mid-Summer Night 30km Race Report

On Saturday Night I competed in my second Mid Summer Nights Run...Last year I rocked it in 3:09:53 and this year I was hoping for a 3:03:00..

We drove down to Toronto on Saturday after a really nice morning where I could sleep in!! Love sleeping in...

The night before we went to a local Spaghetti Place and I stuffed my face!!! So good...this was a good strategy for me as I knew that with a 5:30pm race start it would be tricky for me to eat before...I drove down with Catherine and Lindsay and we had a great time as usual...My brother and Sister-In Law were actually away this weekend so we were able to crash at their place which was awesome! We hung out there and took our time getting ready and headed down to the race start...we picked up our race kits and then chatted with friends (Lot's of local London Runners: Angela, Amanda,Madeline, Meghan, Kellie, Erin, Camille, Scott, Rebecca and Gillian).




Here is a Map of the 30km Run

Right before the Start I saw Marlene and I know there were a WHOLE bunch of other bloggers there as well who I missed...Next year we need a BIG BLOGGY meet up!!!


So before the start I had told my former Clinic Instructor and Friend Rebecca that I had thought I wanted to do a 3:03 and if feeling up to it potentially a 3:00h...She is an amazing pacer and decided to take on the task of helping me get there...We lined up with the 10min Run/1min Walk 3hour pace bunny...We started off with him but he started his walks at a different time...we ended up getting thrown off and she restarted her watch and we stayed with them for about 10km....At this point we were feeling steady and strong and pulled ahead slightly...

The heat and humidity were tough...but I felt REALLY steady we ended up catching up with the 3hour continuous pacer...I have no idea of what was going on but most of the Pacers were well off...This is probably due to the fact that the course was measuring short by 500m-600m...ugh...

Anyway...The first 10km went by easily...we hit the 15km mark and Rebecca took a quick pit stop and encouraged me to go on...I was NERVOUS...she was great company for the first half and I had fun catching up with her...I soon passed the 3hour continuous pace bunny and tried to hold on for dear life...

With Rebecca I was consistently taking walk breaks every 10mins....After Rebecca left I only took walk breaks at the 3 remaining rest stations...I had one or two GU chomps the entire time...I had a water belt with G2 but my stomach was having none of it...It didn't want anything...I was starting to slow down because of the humidity by the time I left Tommy Thompson park there was no breeze...As I headed into the Leslie Spit and into Ashbridges Bay Park I thought the route would be changing as the km markers were so off..this began to make me a little confused like many others...I decided to just keep focusing on my Average Pace...I was steadily at a 5:56/km for the first 23km but had dropped to a 5:58/km for the next bit...after completing the loop and knowing I only had 3km left I was desperately trying to keep and hold that pace for a strong finish...I was totally going to bonk as I could not take in as much water and Gatorade as I should have...

about 100m before the finish Rebecca caught up to me and said she had been running behind me and was there "just in case" but kept telling me how strong I was and that I was going to have a "2" as the first number in my finish time...

Chip Time: 2:55:50
Race adjusted time would be about a 2:58:50 to a 2:59:59 soooo........SUB 3HOURS!

I cannot tell you how ecstatic I was...I know the end I let my pace down a bit but I did not have good nutrition during the run and my walk breaks weren't consistent...I am so happy with this run...I PR'd by 9mins and am feeling more confident about Chicago...It makes me really believe that I created a great training plan and am having some success this cycle despite the heat and triathlon training...I am so lucky to have great friends...I was also pumped for Lindsay who pulled out a huge PR and for Catherine who completed her FIRST 30km race...


The 3 of us after the race with our HUGE Bling and awesome race shirts :)




Me, My pacer Rebecca, Gillian and Lindsay


I might actually have to order my race photo...I am pretty happy with this one:



Happy Running....Only 47 days until Chicago Marathon

Niagara Sprint Tri Race Report

On August 7th, 2011 I participated in the Niagara Sprint Triathlon

750m Swim
25km Bike
7km Run

Pre-Race: The night before the race I headed out to dinner with friends and found out my favourite sushi restaurant had shut down :( So we headed to a different restaurant and I had some pasta...When I got home I had planned to pack up and go to bed very early...I got home and had very unexpected call from work needing some on-call assistance. I wasn't required to go by any means but I thought it would be good if I did to assist...so I headed into work for a few hours...got home and quickly packed...

While I was at work my amazing Hubby washed and cleaned by bike and tuned it all up...I have the BEST race Sherpa ever!


Morning Of: The hubby and I left the house by 5am to head to Niagara and I had a coffee and bagel...we loaded up the car and got to the Transition area with plenty of time to set up, and get body marked...

We checked out the swim area...I decided not to do a warm up as I thought that would get me a little more anxious...I knew that since it was a wave start I would have lots of time to get in the water and get adjusted!



I opted to wear a Tri-Suit for the race...was super happy I did..despite it being not the most flattering...lets be honest...tri clothes in general aren't the most forgiving...



Loved that I had a Pink Cap!




The Swim:

I was totally anxious about the swim...I am a strong swimmer but not a FAST swimmer...I got anxious with the swim and ended up swimming the majority of it with breast stroke...not the best and I know as I swim more I'll get more comfortable...I was happy with my time considering it was with breast stroke pretty much the whole way...

SWIM TIME: 17:52 pace/2:23/100m 17/25 in Age Category



T1:2:05

Transition went well...It is still a learning process...I got my socks, bike shoes, bib, helmet all on and just gave'r....I had great placement with my bike and found it easily...

Bike:

I knew that I was going to have a HUGE hill called the "Best of the East" right away...I really practiced my hill climbs in Muskoka the week before and was feeling confident...I got to the first part of the hill...it was a BEAST they weren't lying...I changed gears but kept going and despite it being challenging I was moving really well and passing a number of people....everyone was going slow or walking the hill...as I was passing a man he lost all momentum and fell over on the bike directly on me...I was SOOO LUCKY I was able to clip my one leg out and save myself from a fall...

I was pretty upset as the pitch of the hill was too steep for me to get back on...I started to RUN up the hill as there was a bit of a plateau...I got back on and slowly started to recover...and then all of a sudden the SAME thing happened again...two woman collided as they could not get momentum up the hill and it caused another collision with several riders...I had un-clipped but had to walk the rest of the hill...This dropped my average pace to 16km per hour...

I was really disappointed that this happened...the entire hill was carnage...I learned that for the next time I need to really watch my surroundings a big more and STAY away from slower riders...

This next part is where I called it operation get my speed back...I passed quite a few people and was able to finish the bike extremely strong...

25km: 56:54: 26.4km/hour 16/25 in my age category



T2: 1:25 I grabbed my visor, switched shoes and grabbed a gel and some fruit snacks...then I headed into the run...

Run: I hadn't had anything beside G2 on the bike...so I took a gel as soon as I hit the road...my garmin did not hook in right away so I pace was a little wonky...At this point it was REALLY hot and humid...the aid stations were every km due to the course being an out and back loopy thing...I dumped water on me to help get my heart rate down and alternated between water and gatorade...my legs felt tired for the first little bit but I soon figured it out and got going...it was nice being able to see runners coming back in...it was mostly residential but parts went by the water and in a cool little trail...I don't really remember too much...the whole experience just flew by...


39:54 (5:42 km)

TOTAL: 1:58:09




Overall Thoughts: I LOVED it....I had such a blast...and I cannot wait to do it again!!! I know that with more training I could get better and feel more comfortable...During the week of the race I had done 2 long runs (26km and 19km), speed work(6km) and a hill workout(12.45)...I look forward to the day when I can focus more on one race as opposed to fitting one in during marathon training...


A special thanks to the Hubby for being the best support ever! As well as a close friend of ours Fraser for coming out! We also ran into a close friend who was doing the Tri so it was nice to have her there and her husband kept my Sherpa company. I was so fortunate to have great cheerleaders on the course!!!


In Summary: I think I might have a triathlon problem :)

July 2011 in Pictures

I have TOTALLY been failing with the blog...I think that I have been just so busy with summer, training, spending time with family and friends and training that I haven't been able to make this a priority....I am sorry for that...here are some pictures to recap my amazing month of July...

I ran a total of 192km this month...I am REALLY happy with that number...I only missed out on running about 30km total for the month...I skipped that because of the MS bike tour(88km the first day and 77km the next)...I cycled 288km this month (more than that actually because I don't count my cruiser bike KM or my KM to work and back)! Happy with that number for sure! I also have been swimming :)


We bought Cruiser bikes (because we don't own enough with mountain and road...) and we completely fixed them up...we ride them everywhere!




This is us on Canada Day!!!


We went to the U2 Concert :)



We completed a two day bike tour...88km the First day followed by 77km the next...we biked from Grand Bend Ontario to London and back the next day...The Hubby started a team this year called "On Your left". He did an amazing job..check out the sweet jersey's he designed...let me say...we looked AWESOME on the big day...






I have not only been training for Chicago Marathon but also the Niagara Triathlon: 750m Swim, 25km Bike, and 7km Run...I am really nervous and excited at the same time...I knew that eventually I would do a triathlon...I love swimming and I really started to get into cycling last year with the MS ride and the purchase of a Road Bike...I thought that this one best fit into my Marathon Training Cycle...Sunday is going to be an exciting day!!!



This years MS ride gave me a lot of confidence for the actual bike ride...if all goes well with this race and I can see myself enjoying the sport I know that I would love to do a "Half Ironman" next summer so...we will see what Sunday Brings!!


After the Bike Ride I headed straight up to Muskoka for the Week...I spent time with my family...It was much needed....I don't want to Taper too much so I will play this week by ear...I am hoping to get at least one more swim in this week!

Happy Running Everyone!!!!

I am ALIVE

Hi All,


I am still around...really haven't been blogging at all but have been reading lots...

I will post pictures of: The awesome Cruiser Bikes my Hubby and I restored (more to come)....basically when not running I have been biking to try and get in as many KM's as possible for the MS ride and just to keep on our sweet bikes...

I have been biking to work 3-5 times per week (total round trip is 5km...hehe...REALLY close)

Running Wise things are going great...I think the reason for lack of blogging is because I have added an extra day...I am finding it tiring but rewarding...so far I am right on track for Chicago Marathon...


Happy Running...sweet pics to come!

I Got Inked!

Sorry I haven't posted in a while...training is going great...just wanted to share a pic of the tattoo I got yesterday :)
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network

Best Part of the Month of May

4:27:53...I am still so happy about my Sub 4:30:00 can't believe that training for Chicago is already here! HAPPY NATIONAL RUNNING DAY!