Two Boston Stories Worth Repeating!

Chicagoan Mark Buciak, who has 15-20 runners from his The Road to Boston training program joining him in Beantown, will be running his 30th consecutive Boston Marathon on April 20. I saw Mark today, and he is looking fit. Buciak, who had a heart valve replaced in 2006, has no illusions of getting anywhere near his Boston PR of 2:30, but he'll finish. You can take that to the bank.
Meanwhile, Nancy Rollins of Evanston, has been running 20-milers through one of Chicago's harshest winters in years. She is the two-time defending champion in the women's 60-69 (yes, 10-year age groups) division at Boston, and hopes for a three-peat on Patriots' Day. She ran 3:30:50 last year. Watch for sub-3:30 this time.
Well, those are only two of the hundreds of Illinois-northern Indiana pre-Boston stories. What's yours?

2:04:27! That IS a Rotterdam Good Time!

Duncan Kibet edged training partner James Kwambi in a super-fast 2:04:27 today to win the Rotterdam Marathon. Once again, Carey Pinkowski has something to shoot for as he assembles this fall's Chicago Marathon field! Kenyans took the top 10 places at Rotterdam with third place being an amazing 2:05:03. Full details are at universalsports.com.

Back in Business

I just unpacked the new computer, got through the preliminaries, and here I am.
There is much to catch up on, starting with good friend Charlie Kern breaking the USATF records for the mile (4:18.89) and 3,000 meters (8:37.94) for the 35-39 age group at the USATF Indoor Championships on March 21 and 22 in Landover, MD. Way to go, Charlie! Kern, who is a former coach of the York boys cross-country and track distance runners, is taking some time away from coaching to focus on family and records. He turns 40 in June. I'd say no masters record will be safe!

The 30th Annual Shamrock SLUSH-le

Wow! I wasn't sure there would be a Shamrock Shuffle when I arrived at 6:15 to begin work on aid station No. 1. As we began unloading boxes and supplies, the snow came down like a mid-January storm. We were wet. We were cold, and we weren't even running the race. Actually, I had planned to run it, but was so cold and we were so short on volunteers, I stayed the course at the aid station. It was amazing trying to keep everything going smoothly for the runners during the worst racing conditions I've ever seen. I did see a lot of you, and thanks for the all the waves and "hellos" out there! Congrats to Emmanuel Korir (24:18) and Deena Kastor (27:15) for their wins on a day better suited for the Iditerod dog-sled race. And kudos to the 13,000-plus of you for getting out of bed and celebrating spring during winter's final hurrah (maybe)! I am hearing of people whose chips did not work and therefore they weren't in the results. It may be a while before we know all the results and the true number of finishers. Sorry to all who didn't see potholes covered by the snow. I know of at least one or two people who went down after they hit potholes. That is unavoidalbe, and remember, we all choose to do this! Congrats to all, starting with the organizers.

Looks Like We're In for Stormy Weather

Showing my age, I can't get those words from an old Credence Clearwater Revival song out of my head as I try to figure out a way to bank some miles for the Boston marathon this weekend. I did manage 14-plus last week in the snowstorm on the lake. It was really something out there as battled the elements. Universal Sole (photo before went outside in the cold) and The Road to Boston training program provided a fun way to get in some important training. Next up for me, if I get in on a legal transfer, is the March Madness Half-Marathon in Cary next Sunday. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I again apologize for so few posts. The new computer will be ordered today.

Kudos to everyone who ran the Wacky 5K last Sunday in those same snowy, windy conditions. There were some fast times recorded even with the horrendous wind chill.

CARA Announces Runners' Choice Series

Some familar events and some new players are part of CARA's new Runners Choice Series, announced Monday. Newcomers include the CARA Lakefront 10-miler, Fleet Feet Sports Soldier Field 10-miler and the Hot Chocolate 15K. Some races from Circuits before 2008's have returned, including the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle, Rock N' Roll Half-Marathon (formerly the Chicago Distance Classic) the Banco Popular Chicago Half-Marathon and the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. Off the Series this year are the Elgin 10-miler and Sycamore Pumpkin Festival 10K.
Here is the URL for the list.
http://www.cararuns.org/Racing/Runners%20Choice%20Series.aspx

Off to a Good Start

I don't know about you, but 2009 has been good so far. The paths are clear and the pavement is dry -- for now. I ran with the Elmhurst Running Club on Jan. 1. Their annual New Year's run took us into the City Centre area and past Elmhurst College. We had a great turnout and were treated to a superb brunch at Jayne Aspan's house afterward. I've had a couple of good runs since then as I try to coax my body into marathon mode for Boston. The fact that I have a rotator cuff problem that is preventing me from cross-country skiing is helping my running, by forcing me to do more of it! Yep, there's always a silver lining. I'm thinking of doing one of the local 5Ks this month. How about you? What are your plans for 2009? I know I'm running Boston. Until I know which races are on CARA's new Runner's Choice Series, I don't know what other races I'll be running. Stay warm. Stay safe.