Clearing my head

Summary Data
Total Time (h:m:s)	2:01:01	3:45 pace
Moving Time (h:m:s)	1:59:18	3:42 pace
Distance (mi )	32.22
Moving Speed (mph)	16.2 avg.	31.4 max.
Elevation Gain (ft)	+604 / -607
Avg. Heart Rate	139 bpm	Zone 3.5
Temperature (°F)	37.4°F avg.	37.4°F high
Wind Speed ( mph)	SW 12.1 avg.	SW 12.6 max.

Start Time: 01:47:46 PM
Odometer: 1484.4

Cold Saturday afternoon that cleaned the sinuses and gave me a chance to really put training goals in perspective. The wind seemed West-Southwest today (I tend to get 'actual' Chicago weather info after I am done writing the post, although that Chicago info is inland O'hare and not the shoreline) which gave me a nice push Northbound and while it slowed me Southbound, it was not as brutal as we have seen. It was about as cold as I am comfortable, making it clear to me that five degrees lower really does require a different activity. Chain was squeaky during the ride which was fairly annoying; hopefully the does of T9 on the return will correct that issue. Three other things to note on the ride: (1) some odd detritus washed up from about Oak Street Beach to Irving Park Road---still green, but not for long. I had been thinking that some of the muck on the path had come from Parks Dept vehicles, but I now realize just how far onto the path the tide must rise; (2) lots of glass on the path today, along with the point in 1, this suggests that the path is hurting for a good cleaning; (3) the ARE port-a-potties on the South side, all along the harbor areas (thankfully!)---I don't see why we could not stick a couple of those on the North side...; (4) I know I said 3, but . . . the two construction areas seem ready except for the lights, I can only hope that this will be done by next Saturday.

Spent a fair bit of time reading running books and on-line discussions and I am definitely NOT training for the St. Louis Marathon. I think the critical factor here is that I need to focus on what I can do over the next 5-15 years, not the next year. I have the 'bug' but good sense tells me that I am on the verge of pushing too hard and that is just silly. I bet I can drop my times down into the 6-minute mile range (running) if I give it some time, but that WILL NOT happen if I am too busy just trying to finish long events. I think we will look for 5-, 8-, and 10-k races next year, maybe one per month or every-other month and pick up a half-marathon or the triathlon late in the summer. Maybe a Marathon in October, but if so, only because I am feeling great, not because I am especially setting out to train for it. This winter I will try to keep my base miles up, but do more swimming and lifting to get ready for some solid cycling in March again.

I have been reading the controversy about Katie Holmes in the NYC Marathon. A bit silly, although it is too bad that slow Katie gets noticed and the AMAZING Paula Radcliffe gets 'also ran' status. Oprah has been running NYC for years and she is surprisingly impressive for a celeb, but Radcliffe is just too cool. I may write more on this later.