Chicago 2026 lottery opens this morning and I'm making a go for it. Would rather hold off for the 50th in 2027, but that also falls the day after Yom Kippur which is a terrible lead in for a marathon, haha.
This week's My Life In 35 Songs essay doubles as a reflection on my PR marathon day. My Life In 35 Songs, Track 33: “Friends” by Matchbox Twenty
Ran my 3rd marathon on Saturday and I'm already debating signing up for Flying Pig again in the spring. Even if I complain about the lack of free time when I'm training, it's apparent I'm addicted to it now. I love the training schedule, pushing my body, and ultimately crossing that finish line.
Same back spasm that derailed my last marathon made a grand reappearance today nine miles into a half on a hill climb. I’d been trucking along nicely (for me) up until that point, trending for a 1:48 or so (would’ve been a PR and my first sub 1:50). Ended up going 1:57:29 on a course I did 1:57:50 on three years ago. I changed up my shoe and I think I hate it, too. Feet are destroyed when they’re usually perfectly fine. It’s annoying that it’s not my legs giving out on race day.
Not sure what a co-pay might be but it’d be worth it to get a few sessions with an outpatient physical therapist. Could asses the weakness that leads to the spasms. There’s tons of running/PT content on TikTok addressing common imbalances.
Still a good time if you were hurting though. I went out too hard in my half in June. Attacked a hill too hard and had nothing left in my tank for the last 2.5 miles
Signed up for the Flying Pig marathon in the spring. My third consecutive year. Now debating running a Thanksgiving 10k.
We got our first snowstorm of the season yesterday, so conditions were a little tough out there for a turkey trot. Still ran an 18-minute 5K, though.
Did an 8k with my wife and then my sister and two of her kids did the 5k. My wife was the first female! Weather was your classic mid 30s but feels like 12 bc of the wind. Perfect running weather.
Signed up for my first half in 3 years. It’s the first weekend in April so I will feel motivated to move more consistently this winter. So excited. Side note: Any guys have a recommendation on cold weather running tights? Been rocking Old Navy ones for years but need new ones badly. Looking for ones with a thigh pocket to throw my phone in.
How “cold weather” are we talking? These are my go-to for sub-20 degree days, and they absolutely keep me warm and comfortable. They are super popular and usually sell out earlier in the season than I’d like (you can see low stock alerts on the site) so I’d jump on them if you want them. My one tip is to check the size chart: I assumed I’d be a medium, because I wear medium in everything, but I’ve been more comfortable in their large tights. M's Boreal Fleece Tight If you’re thinking more about 20-40 degree days, I’d still recommend Janji, but the standard trail tight will do the trick. M's Trail Tight
fabletics tights are v good, short ones and long ones. I am comfortable in tights and joggers running in 15 degree weather with em
Thank you for the recs, friends! I’m in Chicago and I’ve been running in 6” of snow for the last week. Ideally looking for ~20-40 degree weather tights.
Then I’d recommend the trail tight. Solidly warm, good pockets, durable, terrific warranty coverage if anything goes wrong, etc. And I like supporting Janji because they use a lot of recycled materials in their products and donate 2% of all proceeds to clean water projects.