Do You Believe in Magic?

Last weekend’s muggy August weather made for a more difficult long run, but we’ve otherwise been pretty lucky this summer. Our training schedule included a Magic Mile, which is basically a time trial mile. I ran the Magic Mile at 6:14, and Jenn previously ran hers at 7:14.

After the run, I accepted an invitation to Wizard World, the Chicago satellite of Comi-Con. I saw some Harry Potters in the crowd, but despite the name, the convention is less about magic, and more about sci-fi and comic books. Seeing various celebrities (broadly construed) and costumed fans, I had an interesting and amusing time in a world where reality is suspended. I have included a couple of pictures here and posted an entire album on Facebook.

Anyway, we might not believe in magic, but we have reason to believe in a lot more. We see that running is a way of life for many, maybe even us. However, without the AFC mission and the generosity and emotional support we have received, there is no way that we would feel so empowered and improve as greatly our physical and mental strength on the run. After being one of the top fundraisers last year, we would not want to spend our summer any other way.

With less than two months until the Chicago Marathon, we hope that we can get more help for the AFC and make it truly an amazing race. Please forgive me for the photographic pun using Kynt and Vyxsin, former Amazing Race contestants and Comi-Con celebrity attendees, and consider contributing anyway.  We're approaching $1,500 and hope to reach at least $2,000 by the end of the week.

http://afc.aidschicago.org/netcommunity/TheyMightBeRunnersII-ElectricBoogaloo

Graceland

We're not really big fans of Elvis, but we ran the Elvis Is Alive 5K based on numerous recommendations from friends. We fully recommend it to runners, walkers, and spectators.

We strayed from our usual slow 5-miler on Thursdays, but running the 5K at a good clip made for a nice change. We signed up and were blessed with great weather, particularly for August. As I enjoyed a complimentary post-race beer with the peanut butter banana sandwiches, we also attended the post-race concert by an Elvis impersonator. Or was he the real deal? The passion with which he sang the Star-Spangled Banner before the start almost convinced me.

Armed with a Canon PowerShot, rather than our usual Clif brand Shot Blocs, we captured the all-Elvis pack at the start line and shot some on the course as we passed them. We have included a few photos here and posted the album on Facebook. Running more races and pushing ourselves to improve have kept our marathon mission fresh this year. And so, we have taken the King's advice: "A little less conversation, a little more action, please." http://afc.aidschicago.org/netcommunity/TheyMightBeRunnersII-ElectricBoogaloo


We're trying as hard as we can and quote Paul Simon, a musician I much prefer over Elvis:

And I may be obliged to defend
Every love every ending,
Or maybe there's no obligations now.
Maybe I've a reason to believe
We all will be received
In Graceland.

17 Again in Rio

Last week, we visited Rio de Janeiro on vacation. Because of my appreciation of Matthew Perry, I foolishly stayed awake during the overnight flight and watched 17 Again, the Zac Efron vehicle in which he co-stars. I enjoyed the film enough and liked a few scenes a lot. However, the reduction in sleep following a long week made our first day of vacation tiring and was a questionable choice.

Rather than skip our long training run and blame it on Rio, we checked into our hotel and ran 17 miles, a distance we had not since the marathon in October. Fortunately, Rio has a running/bike path along the edge of Copacabana Beach, Ipanema Beach, and a natural lake a little inland. In addition, most sections of the major road adjacent to the path are closed to cars on Sunday, in effect, widening the path. Pristine crescent beaches and mountains flanked us as we ran past historical fortresses and giant, elaborate sandcastles by local artists.

That scenery helped defeat our fatigue and flight-stiffened legs. We finished that that long run and a few shorter runs with my family throughout the week. Thinking about the movie and looking back at ourselves at the age of 17, I am surprised to see us fitter than we were then despite being almost twice as old. How the Ef-ron did that happen? Earlier this month, we ran new personal records for the mile -- 6:22 for me and a just a tad slower for Jenn. OK Computer, we're getting closer: fitter, happier, more productive . . . .

We've raised $900 so far, and with only nine generous donors. We're well on our way to help the AFC just as it has helped us with our training.

Return of the Blog, Sequels et Cetera

Jenn and I ran the North Shore Half Marathon this morning in beautiful Highland Park, Illinois. Along mile nine (9) of the course there was a group of family and friends cheering for the runners. Some played the spinning drum. In case the instrument does not conjure an image in your mind, you might recall its prominence in the hit sequel, The Karate Kid, Part II. The movement of the drum's arms inspired the film's climactic karate move, which Daniel-San uses to avert death in the final fight against Chozen -- apparently not the Chosen One.

As I expounded on the film's simultaneous terribleness and retro-awesomeness, we examined how movies no longer have "Love Themes," at least not separate from their regular theme songs. If it were made today, Peter Cetera's "The Glory of Love" would merely be a track listing on the soundtrack -- not the "Love Theme" that it is. That marketing problem is so obviously the reason that the record industry has failed in the new millennium. As we approached the water station, Jenn and I sang the chorus aloud in honor of the era past:

I am a man who will fight for your honor.
I'll be the hero you're dreaming of.
We'll live forever,
Knowing together
That we did it all for the glory of love.

And so, Jenn and I trained outdoors through the long winter, improving our pace significantly for the glory of love and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Following the lead of questionable sequels, Jenn and I also want to announce our AIDS Marathon Team name for this second year. Last year, we had our doubts about our ability to conquer a distance longer than five (5) miles for the first time in our lives. Our team name, "They Might Be Runners", reflected that.

This year, together Jenn and I are "They Might Be Runners II: Electric Boogaloo". We will run the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on October 11, 2009. While fatigue comes and goes, bad sequels last forever -- or at least seem to upon viewing.

And Now for Something Completely Different

Now what? That's the question I have been asking myself a lot lately since the marathon.
During the last few months since our last post, I almost wrote about varied topics: an amateur magician practicing card tricks, shuffling and slights of hand on the "el"; the photography class I have been taking; the week-to-week changes on the lakefront. Nothing seemed to be "important" after the rewarding experience of the marathon and the fundraising. Well, there may be no topping the charity marathon, so to borrow a line from Monty Python -- and now for something completely different.

Not completely though. We are still running outside every weekend as far as thirteen (13) miles. The coldest temperature on the Sunday runs has been 5 degrees, before the windchill and the minor windburn that I suffered that day. We have committed to running the AIDS Marathon Program, probably staying local with the 2009 Chicago Marathon. We will run some out-of-town races, including a half-marathon in Ft. Worth, Texas in two (2) weeks with my family. We may try others, and possibly another full marathon out-of-town. Knowing that we can finish a marathon, we won't focus on the success and challenges of training nearly as much.

But I digress. Going forward, this blog will be as varied as our life experiences with events remarkable and thoughts random. After a extremely busy couple of months at work for Jenn and me, we should blog with regularity again. These entries and entries on "Listimosa," our second blog regarding all things lists (ours and others, including national publications, and thoughts about those lists) http://listimosa.blogspot.com/, will occur with the prior frequency. Because some lists were easy to prepare, we have kept up with Listimosa a bit more. Nonetheless, I feel a little guilt for leaving this blog unattended. Fortunately, I have made significant progress on my goals for 2009 (as discussed on Listimosa) while getting a lot done at work.

My guilt and my commitment stem are best summed up by a film that had a major effect on me: Throw Momma from the Train. Certainly not Best Picture, it did forever leave me with the mantra: "A writer writes. Always." With that in mind, I hope you find your interest surge as this blog emerges from the fog.

Angels in America

Every day on the "El," we pass Steppenwolf Theatre. Neither Jenn nor I had attended a production there for some time, but when I pass by I remember seeing "Angels in America" during my freshman year of college. To this day, it impacts my perspective and my life, and I continue to admire the ambitiousness and inspiration of the play. Coincidentally, the HBO miniseries remains, years later, the oldest program saved on our TiVo. As our 2008 journey in the AIDS Marathon ends, we will continue our attempts to pass on that awareness.

Through the program and the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, we have seen that the fight against AIDS is no less important today. As we have told some of you, we are fortunate not to have had direct contact with AIDS. Perhaps growing up in our generation sadly makes it part of the reality of the modern world. Fortunately, some do not accept that reality and instead join the fight against AIDS through scientific research, education or health services. Our preparations for our trip to Africa reminded us of how greatly and tragically AIDS and HIV can impact those who are hardest to reach and serve. The AIDS Foundation battles the disparity in education and services locally.

During my freshman year of college, my friends and I helped raise money for Northwestern's Dance Marathon benefiting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. Together, NU students and sponsors raised a staggering amount in the six-figures. Similarly, your generosity while we fundraised this summer showed true selflessness and revealed that there are true angels in America and in our lives. We have been able to draw so much strength and inspiration from those friends and family that have given support to us in so many different ways. (Having stayed awake and "danced" for thirty (30) hours straight and now having run 26.2 miles, I find it difficult to say which was more fun.)

Support came in many ways. Almost two hundred (200) people donated directly in support of our team and we are so grateful. On their own accord and in this difficult economy, a few friends even donated more than once. Others got their co-workers and employers -- complete strangers to us -- to donate. (In one case through Natacha's initiative, $5 donated by each of sixty-nine (69) co-workers added up quickly.) We likewise received continued moral support. Even on the day of the marathon the thoughtful, motivational notes some of you provided really worked, especially in the moments when we ran alone without a spectator or runner in sight.

We dedicate this AIDS Marathon reflection to all of you. The entire journey became so much bigger than the two of us, and we will be even more vigilant for the cause in the future.

Statistics:
Contributions by You and Us: $9,201 (updated 12/12/08 with donations still trickling in)
Number of Donors: 195
Days of Training: 216 (from April 8, 2008)
Total Distance Run Collectively by Jenn and Kinnier: 1,200 miles

2008 ING Amsterdam Marathon

"They Might Be Runners" no longer. After six (6) months of training (almost exactly to the day), we successfully completed our first marathon on 19 Oktober 2008. ("Oktober" is Dutch for October.). We departed Chicago on Thursday evening, arriving in Amsterdam Friday morning. The marathon started on late Sunday morning and we returned to the U.S. on Monday evening.

The race was relatively intimate. Only eight thousand (8,000) runners had registered for the marathon, and spectators were sparse with many stretches without a single person. The course led us through the city, which is relatively small but beautiful, past some countryside and into the 1956 Olympic stadium for the finish line. The course scenery varied widely but nearby water (Amsterdam's canals and the River Amstel) was a constant. Ironically, water stations only came once every five (5) or six (6) kilometers. The temperature for the run was optimal (high of 60 degrees), so we did not lose as many fluids in sweat. On the negative side, it was a bit windy, especially during the second half.

We wanted to finish in less than five (5) hours, and we did. The motivational notes that many of you provided helped us along, especially because, as compared to the spectators during the Chicago Marathon, only a small percentage of the spectators on the course were vocal. We started reading the notes near kilometer thirty (30) and rationed them throughout the remainder of the race. They gave the intended boost and made us feel as though you, our honorary team members, were cheering beside us. They particularly helped where spectators were few and far between. Fortunately, we also had the benefit of some of the AIDS Marathon staff, including Katie (one of our coaches), Beth (the Chicago program rep.), Ariana (the Los Angeles program rep.) and Steve (the Chicago program director), as well as the friends and family of other runners who joined in Amsterdam.

Later, as we crossed the tunnel into the Olympic Stadium, we spotted the balloon-arched finish line at the other end of the track. The sound of the crowd, louder than during any other part of the course, overtook me just as the deejay began to play Elvis Presley's "A Little Less Conversation," a song which coincidentally appears on my iPod running mix. As we took our victory lap, a feeling previously referenced but never fully described enraptured us. We might have to run more marathons in the future.

In retrospect, we might have been able to push ourselves a little harder -- my average heart rate is posted below -- but all advice suggested that we, as first time marathoners, run conservatively. We agreed completely and followed the advice, waiting for my IT band problem to strike and expecting the "wall" to hit us at any moment. (My IT band had bothered me as recently as the previous Sunday at the end of our nine (9) mile run.) In the end, the long-nagging injury was almost a non-factor during the marathon except for a handful of scattered, labored strides. With our prayers answered, we were able to finish this adventure just as we started -- together with a shared goal.

Thank you all for moral support and for your contributions. Together, we raised more than $8,700 to benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. During the summer, not only did we grow physically and psychologically, but we also witnessed firsthand the impact of AIDS and HIV and the ways that the Foundation fights them. The Foundation's work and your generosity further strengthened our faith in people and in grace. While completing the 2008 ING Amsterdam Marathon was a personal victory for us, it was was so much bigger than either of us. "Overwinning" is Dutch for victory, but we won't soon get over the entire experience.

Statistics:
Distance: 26.2 miles
Start Time: 10:38 a.m.
Time: 4:53:49
Temperature at Start: 50 degrees

High Temperature: 60 degrees
Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Maximum HR: 171
Average HR: 150
Money Raised to Date: $8,781
Days until Next Full Marathon or Half Marathon: 124

Dress Rehearsal: Chicago Marathon

It's time to say goodbye. We are in the final days until our Amsterdam Marathon. We could not leave without one last hurrah with our AIDS Marathon pace group, the Kathy Switzers (a.k.a Kathy Griffins. Our training schedule suggested that we run eight (8) miles this past weekend to stay loose before our marathon on October 19. As a result, we joined our pace group at mile eight (8) and ran a little past mile sixteen (16). We wandered over to Boystown in the morning to watch the "Elite Runners." (Do they really need a five-minute head start over the rest of the pack?)


Our friend, Jamie, joined us in Boystown and shot this picture. We waited anxiously as other runners started to pass, including our friends AC, Jason and Jess. The crowds continued to build. Eventually, our comrades came. We cheered in our AIDS Marathon yellow, and hopped onto the street. Despite the heat (reaching 80 degrees), we really had a great time, talking to the group, seeing the neighborhoods, and soaking up the spectator support and music. Approximately 1.5 million spectators watch the 45,000 registered runners every year. It was really exhilarating.


It was great spending the hour and a half with the group and they stuck together for the most part through the middle stages of the marathon. We only look slower than the "Elite Runners" here because we are all moving in a synchronized fashion, thus appearing very slow in relation to each other.

Anyway, we ran south to the Loop and passed beside my office building. The course turned to the west and we ran past the United Center and other parts never before seen. We eventually returned to the West Loop before the course turned south. We left the group and made our way to the finish to greet them in their victories. For any of you on Facebook, we have posted a complete collection of the photos of marathon leaders and our friends (leaders in their own way) including our experience during and after the Chicago Marathon.

It's been a while since the last post, but we thought we should say hello before we leave for Amsterdam tomorrow. Since then, we have continued the running, gone out of town and won a trial, keeping really busy. Based on this banner, we'll soon take our victory lap. We would not have been able to do this without our supporters like you. Please know that you deserve a victory lap too -- a little self-congratulation, an extra helping of dessert, or maybe the new Macbook Pro?

We're on our final countdown with four days to go and summon "Major Tom."

4 3 2 1
Earth below us,
drifting falling,
floating weightless,
calling calling home...
across the stratosphere
a final message "give my wife my love"

Thanks for the help on that too.

Statistics:
Distance: 8.5 miles
Start Time: 9:50 a.m.
Time: 1:33:07
Temperature at Start: 72 degrees
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Maximum HR: 164
Average HR: 150
Money Raised to Date: $8,631
Days until Race: 4

The Number 23

We ran the Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon on Sunday and that's not all. As background, we registered for the half marathon to get some experience in a long-distance race prior to the marathon. We later discovered that it was the same weekend as our longest training run of twenty-three (23) miles. In a decision equal parts wisdom and foolishness, we decided to kill two runners with one stone, or so the saying goes, by running the half marathon and ten (10) more miles on top of that.

The race was a completely different experience than our previous training runs. Running on the actual Lakeshore Drive was also pretty cool. The spectators cheered us on in many places despite the terrible weather and the music was lively (although the selection of "Rock Me like a Hurricane" may have been poorly timed.) Worse than the weather was that we had to run without our pace group, who have become so important to us. Their friendship and support has meant a lot and really brought joy to the hours of running. We particularly feared the challenge of staying mentally strong and occupied without the jokes, stories and conversation of a dozen friends. Ultimately, we'd be without them in Amsterdam so we figured we should lose the crutch. As a surrogate, we had the crowds, at least for part of it. Those crowds included our friend, Lindsay, with whom we have been meaning to get together for a while, and the fantastic AIDS Marathon staff (Beth, Steve, Dan, Darren and many others) who appeared at different points on the course and screamed louder than anyone. In addition, our bib numbers came with our names pre-printed so strangers called our names (e.g. "Go, Caesar! Viva la Mexico!" with some Spanish accent) and gave us high-fives.

Mother Nature vented (figuratively and literally), raining on us for the full twenty-three (23) miles. In fact, the festival area at the start and finish was partially flooded. We finished the 13.1 miles soaked but feeling great. The finish line "celebration" was truly bittersweet without our pace group, but it's part of our journey (figuratively and soon literally). Running more afterwards was the really hard part -- no crowds cheering, no clear course to follow. Worse yet, the rain was hardest and coldest afterwards, especially during miles 15 to 17. To borrow a phrase from Lost -- Run together; die alone. We'll choose running.

Statistics:
Distance: 23.0 miles
Start Time: 7:30 a.m.
Time: 4:54:13
Temperature at Start: 64 degrees
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Maximum HR: 169
Average HR: 145
Money Raised to Date: $8,430
Days until Race: 35

We are on the home stretch now, which is a reminder that we'll need to stretch more at home. Fortunately, one of the best accessory purchases of Kinnier's life was an Iliotibial (IT) band wrap with compression pad (http://www.injurybegone.com/), which helps reduce the strain that has caused Kinnier so much pain recently. (Discomfort now rendered the later miles difficult but possible.) We've logged more than five hundred (500) miles so far. Sweet Baby!, On that theme, we quote Sweet Baby James (a.k.a. James Taylor):

Won't you look down upon me, Jesus?
You've got to help me make a stand.
You've just got to see me through another day.
My body's aching and my time is at hand. And I won't make it any other way.
* * *
Been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun.
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around.
Well, there's [sic] hours of time [in] the [running group] line to talk about things to come --
Sweet dreams and flying machines [to take us to Amsterdam].

Oh, [we]'ve seen fire and [we]'ve seen rain.
[We]'ve seen sunny days that we thought would never end.
[We]'ve seen lonely times when we could not find a friend.
But [we] always thought that [we'd run more again].

Birthdays and Base 10

For some people, the 26.2 miles of a marathon are not enough and ultra-marathons of thirty (30) miles or more call to them. We're not at that point, but Jennifer celebrated an ultra birthday of thirty (30) years yesterday. In fact, every year we celebrate birthday week. Kinnier's birthday is September 6. Jennifer's birthday is September 9. Various friends and family also have birthdays that are part of birthday week.

Smack dab in the middle of birthday week, we ran a "short" run of ten (10) miles on Sunday. Although the weather report when we left the apartment stated rain and clouds, we had ideal conditions with cool temperatures in the 60s and a sunny, cloudless sky. The lakefront looked perfect in the quiet of the early morning and it was one of the easiest runs we have had all year, despite the previously daunting, double-digit distance.

As an update since our 20-mile run, Kinnier experienced significant pain for the days following that tortuous run. Walking up stairs for the days following even gave Kinnier trouble. He preferred when the only IT band concerns were whether the Backstreet Boys or 'N Sync would win in a fight. (IT all depends on whether a dance-off is involved.) During the flight to Buenos Aires for Labor Day weekend, Kinnier's leg got worse and left him unable to sleep on the overnight flight. At one point later during the trip, Kinnier woke in the middle of the night to searing pain. It took a whole weekend of walking to get back to almost normal.

Fortunately, the condition did improve and we think we discovered a contributing cause. His running shoes had lost most of their cushioning during the training and they earned a retirement. We hope the cushioning in the new shoes, Brooks Adrenaline GTS, will prevent future problems. Kinnier just hopes to break them well enough before the 23-mile run this weekend. With that in mind, the relative ease of the 10-miler was encouraging. The shoes were still pretty stiff but the optimal weather conditions made everything else as good as we could have hoped. As things are now, we'll see how far Adrenaline (shoe-wise and metabolically) takes us this weekend. Goodness knows we'll both be tired with birthday fun and Kinnier's preparation for trial this week. We did have a short run last night of 3.5 miles, and we'll hope for the best on Sunday.

Statistics:
Distance: 10.0 miles
Start Time: 7:16 a.m.
Time: 2:00:01
Temperature at Start: 63 degrees
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Maximum HR: 153
Average HR: 134
Money Raised to Date: $8,165
Days until Race: 44