Chicago Lakefront 50/50 - 2007

I've copied below Mary Gorski's excellent summary of the race, which allows me to be lazy and not have to describe a lot of things. The temperature for the entire race (all 3 events) was in the low 50's. The rain held off, though the third time around the course got a bit windy (~20 MPH)-- nothing like the wind tunnel in 2006, but not nearly as calm as 2005. So, other than an occasional swirling wind, the only tough stretch for the 50 mile option was around miles 34-40 -- that's where the worse of the head wind was. As always, Pat Onines (and the I-Run lady Beth Onines with the beans and rice ...) put on a low cost but well organized ultra.

Can't help but mention the incredible performance of the first place runner in the 50 mile race -- Oz Pearlman cruised at a 6:37 pace -- it's a "3 lap" race and he didn't lap me -- but it was close.

Saw a lot familiar faces this year while out racing -- was especially nice to see my daughter Amanda out walking on the Lakefront path (the race course is near her apartment in the Hyde Park area) -- saw her as I concluded lap 1, and again as I headed back out on lap 2. Also so a number of co-workers: Angela Boone, who ran and completed the marathon option (after not getting to finish the Chicago Marathon earlier in the month) and three guys in the 50K who completed their first ultra (Mungai Kamiti, David Boldridge and John Becerril). Also saw Michelle (who used to work in the company fitness center) while she was completing the marathon course.

This race was my 34th "marathon and beyond" and my 15th ultra. I had ran the 50K option in this event in 2006, and the 50 mile option in 2005 (on a somewhat different course). In 2005 I had ran the 50 miler in 8:18 and had hopes of a PR in this year's event. So, I took off at a bit faster pace for the first ~1.5 short loop and the first 16.16 mile lap. My total time for this first segment was 2:33:28 (8:40 pace). I then stopped at my drop bag area to refill my bottle for the second time, replenish the gels I had used on the course, and to take in another gel. During all of the loops, I was basically running alone -- was crossing a lot of other runners (with 3 different races, 3 different turn-a-rounds, and some early starters, so there were runners all over the place), but not running "with" anyone. Out on the second loop, my pace was slowing without really realizing it. There were, of course, no mile markers and I was not in any sort of pack. My only spit marks were the 50K turnaround (5.2 miles from the start/finish) and the fact that each lap was 16.16 miles. Since the new course went out to a loop around what used to be Megs Field, you didn't know when you were half way through a lap. Megs Field, for those of you in the marathon or 50K, was interesting bit of scenery that you didn't get to see -- a paved loop through a field totally covered in what looked like some sort of lavender colored daisy type flowers. They were there for all 3 laps, so I'm pretty sure it was not some sort of last lap hallucination.

As I reached the old Megs Field (or Northerly Island) for the second time, I estimated that my "marathon split" and in the 3:50's and as I headed back I estimated that my 50K spit was in the 4:50's. My time for the second 16.16 mile lap was a somewhat disappointing 2:42:43 (10:04 pace). This included a 2-3 minute pit stop back at the start finish for refilling bottle, getting gel, drinking some Coke, etc. Other than the pit stops at the start/stop area and stopping at aid tables to refill the hand held bottle, I was never forced to take any walking breaks -- I was able to run through the 50 mile distance in this manner. In 2005, My right knee had gotten sore (first time I'd ever really had a knee be sore) as I ended the second loop, and that forced a bit of walking on the third loop. This time, other than some soreness in the left ankle that had been there before the race, no such problems occurred. Did indulge in some Coke and ibuprofen to help manage the foot, but was able to keep running freely.

When I left the old Megs field the second time I had noticed that I couldn't see many runners in front of me -- but, as I left, I noticed several (a dozen or so) not far behind me. As I further slowed in lap 3, a few of these would catch and pass me (maybe 3 or 4). This surprised me a bit, because I was feeling good, smiling, and running free and easy -- just slower than I thought. For whatever reason, I never gave chase to any of them. My time on the final 16.16 mile lap faded to 3:05:37 (11:29 pace), which again included a ~3 minute pit stop at the start/finish before beginning the lap, and stops to refill the bottle out on the course. Overall, I took in 7-8 gels with water during the race and otherwise drank Gatorade from my hand held bottle -- and took a cup of Coke whenever the opportunity presented itself. This left me finishing in 8:21 (3 minutes slower than in 2005), for an overall pace of 10:02 (compared to 9:58 in 2005). The good news is that this one seemed so much easier -- no knee pain, no need for walking breaks, etc. At the finish line (it was very windy by then) I quickly changed in dry clothes and then walked back to the finish line area to eat 2 small bowls of beans and rice and to see what my placement was (15th overall, and I know as least one other grandmaster runner passed me). The race results haven't yet come out, so I'm not sure how many were in each race (though I know they cut off the marathon at 200, and I think I heard them say there were over a hundred in both the 50K and the 50 mile races). I then got in the car for the 50 mile drive back home -- was ~ 4 pounds (2-1/2%) lighter than before the race, which indicates that I was a bit low on fluids, but not bad. Was still hungry -- ate some chicken and mash potatoes ...

Sunday morning I got up and walk/jogged a couple of miles -- and was still hungry. Both ankles were a bit sore, but got much better as the day wore on. Monday's lunch time 5.7 mile run with David and Mungai (and Bob) went well (in 53:15, for a 9:21 pace that was probably too fast for a post race recovery run), except for a slight bit of right knee soreness afterwards -- which, fortunately, never surfaced during the 50 miler.

Overall, I thought the 50 miler went well for me and I felt pretty good all the way through. Not setting a PR was a mild disappointment, probably caused by lack of pace discipline on my part (I could've been more conscious of landmark splits, even without the mile markers) and by the headwind on the third lap. Recovery this time was hugely easier than for my first 50 miler. One other side note: the Lueko tape job, with spray-on adhesive on the foot and Bodyglide on the outside of the tape plus injinji socks worked very well - no blisters of any kind. Less than 3 weeks to the JFK 50 miler .....

Steve
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Date:    Sun, 28 Oct 2007 10:07:58 -0500
From:    Mary Gorski <marygorski@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Chicago still blows!

Chicago blows, but not as much as previous years.

There are two CARA-registered ultra events on Chicago's lakefront.
"CARA" means many things depending on the language you are babbling
in.  In Spanish, CARA means "face."  In Italian, it's "beloved" or
"dear."  In other languages?  Hey, I'm not the UN.  I'm amazed that I
had those two translations in my head.

Anyhow, while the races are beloved by many, and perhaps there are
those who have to work a bit to save face while running them, in this
instance, "CARA" means Chicago Area Runners Association.  Local
ultrarunners organize and manage the event.

The first of the two CARA-registered lakefront ultras is in the
spring at the north end of Chicago's lakefront.  Starting near the
Foster Beach House, it is a 50K event consisting of three loops.  The
fall event, starting and ending at the 63rd Street Beach House,
generally has two options:  50K and 50 miles, also split into three
loops.  This year, there was a new twist that attracted almost 200
runners -- a certified marathon route that could be used as a Boston
qualifier.  Soon after the Chicago Marathon made history, several
runners contacted Chicago 50/50 organizers and asked if they would be
willing to provide a marathon distance as well.  Some runners wanted
a second chance at a Boston qualification.  Others simply wanted a
second chance to finish their first marathon.

In case you've been off the planet during the last three weeks and
didn't hear -- the majority of Chicago Marathon runners didn't quite
have the race they had hoped for.  Something about issues with heat
and humidity.

Ultrarunners being the nice folks that they are, 50/50 organizers
decided to accommodate.  Two weeks before race day the Chicago 50/50
staff measured a certified marathon course and opened registration,
limiting marathon entrants to 200.

So with three races (50 miles, 50 kilometers and a marathon) AND a
haunted house, 63rd and Lake Shore Drive was a busy little place
October 27.  Besides serving as the staging area for the 50/50/26.2,
the beach house was doing double-duty as a haunted house for the
afternoon, complete with a graveyard out front.  Passing by it on the
second loop I feared that it was a premonition of things to come --
would my legs die on that last loop. Was one of those RIPs for me?
Oh my!

As I have said previously, Chicago BLOWS.  But this year, not as much
as some previous years.  This was my first time at the southern
course, and I have to say that it is a heck of a lot easier having
Chicago blow at you on the second part of your loop rather than on
the first.  In the spring, runners go south, then north, three times.
With winds in the Windy City being the way they are, that generally
means that you run with a deceptively pleasant breeze at your back to
start only to have that muther of a nature spit in your face for 5+
miles back to the finish area.

At the fall event, runners head north into the wind on the first half
of the loop.  As a treat, they get a nice break at the turn-around
and feel that gentle push home.

Chicago blows, but when that blow is to the tushie on the way back to
the finish, it's a darn good little blow.  And nobody knows that
better than Oz Pearlman, the men's 50-mile winner.  Last year, Oz set
a course record with 6:05.  He called the RD and said that he was
coming back and running even faster.

Oz is no blowhard.   He did exactly what he said he would do.  Not
only did he come back, but he ran the 50 miles in about 5:31.  Not
only a course record, but it was thought that his might be the
fastest 50-miler run on US soil in the past two years.  That hasn't
been verified, but regardless, it's still darn fast.  At 5:30 into
the race, only about half of the 50 KILOMETER runners are generally
done with their event.

Chicago is a course built for speed.  Run along the city's bike path,
it is almost entirely flat.  The current 50-mile world record was set
in Chicago in 1984 (not the same course).  It does have a lot of
pavement, but there are plenty of spots where trail runners can give
their weary legs a break and run on packed dirt.  The spring route
has more possibilities for dirt, but on the fall course a runner can
get off the pavement about 30-40% of the time.

And for those who still fear pavement, think of the joy of running
mindlessly with good footing.  It's actually quite relaxing to just
look ahead and enjoy the world around you instead of simply the two
feet in front of your two feet, running in constant fear of tripping
over the next rock or root.

Pavement is not evil.  It's simply an alternative.

And regardless if you live an alternative lifestyle, or simply the
usual run-of-the mill sort of life, the Chicago 50/50 (and now, 26.2)
is a darn nice event.

How was my run?  Nice of you to ask.  I had a gosh darn nice little
race.  After having done the 50K on the brutal Glacial Trail two
weeks previous, I wasn't sure how perky my little pegs were going to
be.  But I love running on Chicago's lakefront, and while I love the
trails, being a city kid born and bred, I love to look at the skyline
and enjoy a beautiful fall day on the urban lakefront.  Like many
people, I went out a bit faster than I should have on the first loop,
but was happy that the graveyard wasn't calling my name that day.  I
slowed a bit each loop, but I didn't die.  Knowing that I had that
wonderful tailwind to send me home kept my spirits up as I struggled
against the 17-20 mph northwest winds on the first half of that third
and last loop.  It was like climbing a ski hill knowing that you had
a wonderful downhill ride waiting for you on the other side.

I was hoping for about a five-hour race and managed to come in ten
minutes faster.  A horn toot for me!

After the event, race organizers asked several of the ultra folks if
the marathon runners affected the event.  Since I've never done the
fall version, I didn't know any different, but what I experienced was
nothing but positive.  There were plenty of people on the course, but
not so many that people were tripping over each other. I had the
chance to chat with many of the marathoners and enjoyed hearing their
stories -- many first-hand accounts of the Chicago Marathon, both
positive and negative.  Several told me that they thought that they
might consider making the jump to the ultra distance.  Running with
the 50K and 50-milers perked their interest.  I spewed a lot of info
for people to Google and learn more about our crazy sport.

So that's the blow-by-blow of what I know from the Chicago
50/50/26.2.  Unfortunately, the only result I know of is the 50-mile
men's winner.  The rest of the results will be posted soon at:

http://www.chicagoultra.org

Blow on Chicago!  Blow on!

--
Mary Gorski
Milwaukee, WI