I’m planning to do 4 marathons this year and it looks like the first one is going to be the Flying Pig marathon in May in Cincinnati. That means weekend long runs.
Getting motivated
One of the biggest challenges of a weekend long run is generating the motivation to get started. This morning I looked at the 
temperature and it was a brisk 10F here in Chicago. I did not feel like going. However, I never let how I feel dictate whether I go for a run or not. This is the key to sticking with a training program. So, I put on my for layers of shirts, three layers of shorts, two layers of gloves, a headband, a hat and picked up my joggling Gballz. While it took a few seconds to write that sentence, it actually took 45 minutes to get dressed and motivated.
Never let feelings dictate whether you go running or not
Keep it interesting
Today, seemed like a good day to go 13 miles or more so that was my plan. I have a standard 13 mile run which takes me east on North Avenue to the lake then along the path to the totem pole at Recreational Drive. However, I’ve run most of the path literally hundreds of times and needed a little variety to spice up my run. So I decided to go for a tour of Chicago.
My path took me along North Avenue to Damen. I started running south and turned by the United Center where the Chicago Blackhawks and Bulls play. I stopped and took a couple pictures of things that I found interesting like the stadium and a statue. One nice thing about a long run is I don’t think too much about speed.
Long running is more about time on your feet than speed.
While joggling, an episode of This American Life played in my right ear. I keep my left ear headphone free so I can hear any approaching dangers. The episode was about gun violence in Chicago public schools and it did get me thinking more than a few times about the wisdom of running on the southwest side of Chicago by myself. Fortunately, there weren’t any problems.
Ultimately, I was intent on joggling to Cellular One Field where the White Sox play. Then I would come back along the lake passed Soldier Field, the Shed Aquarium, Field Museum, and then through the city to home. I run south on Canal street where I found the old Maxwell Street market. Here you find vendors set up selling all kinds of things from food to power tools to cosmetics to electronic devices. It’s an interesting part of historical Chicago.
I joggled east on Roosevelt road where I discovered a few interesting statues on the bridge over the Chicago river. I took a photo of one that featured a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Stegosaurus and a Wooly Mammouth on top of a planet. It’s fun to take photos.
My next destination was going to be Chinatown but was unable to find it. Instead, I joggled passed McCormick Place and headed 
towards White Sox Park. But my run was cut short by a phone call from my wife. She urgently needed me to come home so I quickly found a cab and came home. My total run was only 8.5 miles but it felt good. There is so much to see in this city that there is no reason long runs should ever be boring. I’ll have to make up the miles at another time but today’s run was a fun one.
I love joggling and exploring. Especially on a sunny Chicago day.
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My long run last Sunday was 10 miles, further than I’ve ever gone before. I was slower than what I had planned, but it was really windy and I was tired when I started.
Living in Arkansas at the edge of town my run started in the park behind my house. It has a .75 mile loop. Their were a lot of geese in the park which is unusual. It was nice but I had to be sure to avoid all their droppings they left.
Next it was through a subdivision, across the railroad tracks and into town. Then it was uphill and into the wind. At mile 4 I found my hidden water bottle behind a telephone pole. Most of the next 6 miles were on rural roads that are paved. That means I see cows, but I also smell cows, I don’t see the chickens but I sure smell them too.
I also discovered that I’m dog bait. Imagine if you’re a dog and you see a guy running in front of your house. Now imagine that guys has three balls. Fortunately they were all fenced up or chained.
Some cyclists told me that’s was awesome. I was at mile 8 and felt much better than when I started. My pace had also picked up by then.
So no tigers or lake front but still plenty to see.
I’m in salt lake today for work, but I managed to find a few minutes to register for the Chicago marathon. I must of refilled out the same form 10 times before I finally got registered. Good thing I was persistent since they’ve closed registration for a couple of days and there are only 15k slots left.
Pretty smart idea leaving a water bottle somewhere on your trail. I’ve never done that. Often, I’ll just do my long run without any water.
Congrats on getting registered for the marathon. I too made it in so was fortunate. I also signed up for the Cincinnati Flying Pig marathon yesterday so at least I know I’ll be doing 2 this year.
Happy training!