Morrissey Park Parkrun: Free 5K Every Saturday!

I always dreamed of having free park runs all over the US like they do around much of the rest of the world. Wouldn't it be cool to have a local fun 5K race every week? Free? Well, there is one in Champaign, IL! It's the Morrissey Park parkrun. They have a 5k event every Saturday at 9am. 

Not sure why I didn't know about this run, but a postdoc at Illinois told me about it and I'm going to be a regular participant. My first parkrun will likely be on May 3--one week before the Kirby Derby 5K. It will be a good test of my speed before race day. I love the idea of evaluating my 5k speed a couple of times a month. If not running, then I can volunteer. 

These parkruns are a great way for new runners and walkers to socialize and meet new people. The setting is stress free and supportive. They do track results, but there are no registration fees or awards. Just running...or walking. Great participation event. If you live in the Champaign-Urbana Illinois area, come join the fun!

NOTE: The Morrissey parkrun has been cancelled for Saturday, April 26 since that is Illinois Marathon day! Good luck to all of those racers (5k, 10k, HM, marathon, and marathon relay). I'm skipping the event this year. 

Sandy Memorial Run #19

Lake of the Woods

Sangamon River

My sister Sandy passed away 19 years ago on April 22. I have a tradition that I follow each year on Earth Day. I take the day off from work, run on the trails, donate to my local humane society, and think about my sister. I still miss her. She loved nature and animals so it seems like a good way to celebrate her life. Today I ran three trails at local forest preserves: Lake of the Woods, Heron View, and Sangamon River. Beautiful weather and wonderful trails. Sandy would have liked to hike these trails. Not run, but a slow hike. Appreciating the flora and fauna. I should slow down more and appreciate life. 

Heron View

Next year will be 20 years since she passed. I'll need to do something special. Local trails are nice, but maybe a grand venture at the Grand Canyon...a rim to rim to rim run? Or qualify and run the Boston Marathon? Or do an Earth Day ultramarathon? Or the Avenue of the Giants Marathon (where my sister went to school)? So many options, so little time. 

Now it's time to shower, eat a celebration lunch, and raise a glass to my sister.

Allerton Trail Half-Marathon: 20 Minutes Slower!

I'm behind superman. 

Last weekend I ran the Allerton trail half-marathon. It's a nice trail race close to home. It's also a good test heading into "racing season." Any earlier race tends to be cold or too early in the season to get in good training. It's also very reasonably priced--something like $35 for early registrants! Given all of these facts, I tend to run it every year. This year, I didn't have any racing or training partners so I was a little less motivated. And not accountable to anyone. My training suffered. Plus, I entered the year after 2 months of plantar fasciitis. Then I was hit hit COVID in early January! After recovering and getting back to OK training, I came down with a nasty cold that turned into acute bronchitis. I knew the race wasn't going to go well...my longest run of the year was less than 5 miles. Not good for endurance. Had too many breaks in my running. So, how did it go?

I finished the race. That was my main goal. And I didn't get injured. But it was slow. My finish time was 2:17. One of my slowest half-marathons ever and 20+ minutes slower than last year at this same race (1:56)! Let me say that again, I was 20 minutes slower at the same race compared to last year. Yikes. Race left me tired all day and very sore the next day. It felt like I had raced a full marathon! A week later I'm still not 100%, but am mostly recovered. Lesson learned--you need consistent running, without injuries and illness, to succeed in a race. And for long races, you need long training runs. Simple facts. 

Next race is the Kirby Derby 5K in 3 weeks. I won't be fast, but it'll be a good tempo run. Actually looking forward to some solid training and a test of my speed and stamina.