Protest

I am actively trying to avoid riding the CTA these days. After nearly ten years of hearing the reports for a doomsday cutback if a budget boost isn't found, I am done with caring.

My relationship with Chicago has been like many other relationships with it's ups and downs. It took a long time to warm up to the Windy City, but I do love it now. I finally figured out why people do which ironically was one of my objectives to be able to leave it. Nope, this is home for now. However, there is a tendency here as of late that disgusts me and that is the perpetual raising of costs. This is a working town where many have found they can enjoy the life of a larger city with the some comforts of the Midwest (ie cars, yards, and occasionally secured parking). The town itself though has raised so many regular expenses, it has become tougher to say we are more accommodating than our larger counterparts. The parking meters have gone through the roof since they were wholesale auctioned off. Our sales tax is stifling at 11% downtown. CTA has already raised their rates in recent years a couple times. Hell, we even started taxing candy more here.

Times are tough. WE ALL GET THAT!

However, you can not continually demand more money from people and expect that when less is coming in they can continue to pay it. Myself, I have removed my Jeep from the never-ending money pit of licensing it here. That keeps me out of the meter war as well. By the by, if your meters are so expensive that people need credit cards swipes to pay, it's too fucking much. Thanks for leaving a few behind to park bikes at though. I also only try to buy locally from shops that are local. the chains have very user friendly websites that avoid not only the 11%, but also the hassles of Michigan Ave. tourists.

And CTA? While I can not get everywhere without you, I certainly can more often than not. You offer inconsistent service, delays routinely, and the good people you do employ that get to be the face of your operation get rewarded by never ending threats of unemployment. Nice. I will continue to bike and walk as often as I can to avoid dealing with you. My protest is simply for my own peace of mind. While my words may do nothing to scare you, the dollars I wield else where will.

Faith

I was just beginning to get changed at the gym this morning when a guy next to me broke the usual silent protocol to ask if I believed in God. Now this is a strange question to get asked by an utter stranger, let alone while in the locker room. Through people close to me that I love, I have learned a degree of willingness to be more open minded to beliefs that are not necessarily my own. Furthermore I have been made aware how difficult it is for those whose faiths are not the most popular, at least in the circles I run in.

A wise man once told me it takes true faith to be willing to stand on the corner and speak of what you believe. He followed quickly with the grounded perspective that one does not necessarily need to do that though. It took a few years to get that. Usually when I was confronted with a religious view different from mine, I bristled with antagonism. Why? It's what someone else believes. Usually though my ire was up because of a deep seated fear they knew their belief better than I knew what I believed. Even when said beliefs were peppered with threats of what should come if I did not believe as they did, there really was no changing that even their threats were just their belief.

Over the years I have broadened my views considerably. I read a long time ago, "be quick to see where religious folks are right." That is more where I am today. I feel it takes a hell of a lot more courage to talk about what you believe in than what you don't. Bashing someone else's beliefs is far more cowardly than vulnerably standing up for what you do believe in. Our first amendment insures us free exercise of religion as well as freedom of speech. That means our doors are open to all. There are bound to be some disagreements. But we each have a right to be here and practice the faith of out choice.

Today, I am more impressed with those that can express their faith than those who attempt to tear others apart. Nowadays, who couldn't use a little more faith? At very least something positive to look toward?

I was glad to answer the man in the locker room, "yes, I do believe in God." That was as far as I needed to express myself there. He spoke further about his belief and we went our separate ways to workout. To me that was a good moment I may have missed before.

Still working on not sneering at Red Wings fans though.

Patience

Patience is not one of my virtues. I occasionally think it might be changing only to discover it was just stubbornness with a shiney veneer. I am referring in this particular case to a number of life events that have developed recently for which I can do nothing at the moment. From loved ones losing jobs in our "improving" economy to as simple as waiting out a suggested 2 week hiatus from running to repair ITB issues. I also have another person close to my heart fighting an ailment to which doctors have told her they don't know what it is and what can be done. They were good enough to tell her it could very well be terminal. Nice. Somehow she has the grace to continue to tackle even the most mundane daily tasks without complaint. I think of that when I feel irritated by some of my recent issues and feel very humble. I have a job (or three on occasion), and place to live, family, and food in the kitchen. For the most part, my needs are all covered. Hell, I am in a better place personally than I was when times were supposedly good for all. Yet, many of the things that I can not force out of my head when trying to go to sleep are of the nature where I can do nothing first hand but offer up my prayers. I know that is not a minor thing to do, but I am more the type that would like to have his hands a little dirty with effort. As it stands though, I must remain supportive and available, should I be of service to those working through their tough times. Patience. It would seem that is less of a virtue and more of a description of being willing. Right now I am that. Right now.

Now what?

So, I had been following a running training program since the end of March. It detailed 5 runs a week, every week. I was actually pretty excited to do the marathon, in part, to not be told how often I should be running. However, I find myself missing the structure. The last two days have been my first since my folks left. Over the last couple weeks, I have been trying to figure out what to do now that the marathon is under the belt. Nursing a sore IT band has made any further runs a shade uncomfortable. I reacquainted myself with the gym yesterday. That was humbling. I also started looking for auditions again. I feel good getting back to some of the things training was making tough to get to. I miss having the goal though. Today I signed up for my second marathon. It won't be until June, but I feel better having one in the future. Look out Minneapolis. I also am looking forward to getting more on task with closer goals. My ridiculous time on Facebook over the last couple days has shown me I need to get back to work

26.2 Miles later...

It has been a full day and a half and it has still not quite fully sank in that I ran a marathon. Hell, there is still a little bit of me that feels like I was crashing a party I wasn't invited to all weekend. Everywhere I looked there were runners and they looked serious, prepared and ready to go. Me, I just felt excited to run in the same way people get excited when the amusement park ride lurches towards the dark entrance of the ride. What the hell was coming was still a mystery.

My folks got here on Fri and we hit the Expo at McCormick Place. That was actually a lot of fun, but it did not torment me in a desire to go buy a ton of things. You aren't supposed to run in anything you haven't run in before for the marathon, so there was less temptation. I was still able to find some odds and ends that made the marathon much easier.

In the spirit of Laurel's account last year, I thought I would break it down in incriments to retell the actual run.

4:40am; Alarm goes off and I am stunned that I was actually dead asleep. It took longer to put my gear together than I anticipated and try to choke down some food I did not want. Out the door at 5:10

5:45am: Cory picks me up at Clark and Belmont with my fellow runners Allie, Tanya, and Marie. I have now had 30 minutes to get accustomed to the 30 degree cold. It is unplessant.

6:10am: My fellow runners and I are at the open corral and pacing to stay in larger groups of people to stay warm. It is way too cold to be out in shorts. The sky over Buckingham Fountain is deep orange with the first hints daylight is coming.

7:00am: Allie and I are about the same pace, we figgure, so we are standing in our area when I think it's nerves but I should go hit the port-a-potty one last time.

7:02am: Realize this was a bad idea with 50 people in front of me, but too late to turn back. I make it back to the street as the starting time hits. It was too crowded to get onto the street for a few minutes anyway. I actually cross the starting line at 7:45am. The thrill was incredible, but I remember hearing several times, not to shoot out of the gate too quick or I would regret it. I am happy maintaining an easy tempo and waving everytime I hear someone read my name off the ubber cool shirt Tiff customized for me.

Miles 1-6: Utterly beautiful, running through downtown and heading north. Every mile marker shocked me, they were coming so fast. The crowd was fantastic. Given the tempature was still closer to freezing, I was so glad to have them there. Around 3 miles, I finally wasn't cold anymore.

Mile 7: This was a great point as it was at the east end of the street I live on. Tiff was there with her sign and I suprised here. I stopped breifly with her to fix some equipment. After standing with her a couple minutes adjusting a strap that came loose, it hit me suddenly I needed to get going. It felt normal to be talking to her at the end of the block and momentarily, I forgot there was a hell of a lot of running to still do. Great to actually see our plan was working thus far.

Mile 8: This was the west end of my block and I found my Dad easy enough (only Denver Broncos hat I saw all day). Once again though, I got to tap my support crew to help them see me. Dad was the only one I saw on that quick pass, but it was great to see him.

Miles 8-13: I knew I was on my own for a while. Tiff and the folks would not be around till just after 13 so I just settled in and enjoyed running. I moved a little more towards the center and enjoyed my easy tempo. At this point I was starting to wonder if this abundant energy would last much longer.

Miles 13-16: Sun had broken out and I was on unfamiliar course through the west side. I had missed my fam at 13.3 and was concerned they may have arrived at the spot after I had passed by. Such a strange new cut off feeling from staying connected.

Mile 16: Found a "Troy" sign on the opposite side of course and made my way over for big hugs from Mom, Dad, and Tiff. I was also able to hand off my Camelback belt. Much relieved of the weight and rejuvinated, I picked up my pace for the rest of the course.

Miles 17-24: I somewhat enjoyed these, running at a faster pace. I also started to develop tremendous aches in my back and shoulders. The crowd was thinner on several stretches and those were some lonely times. It was the only time I think I started to feel the weight of all the miles before. At one point, I pulled off at a aide station to stretch. Pulling around the final corner on 35th helped a lot as well. Just one more stretch North.

Mile 24-26: Feeling good and keeping my pace up, but tired. I am reduced to just focusing on running forward. Most of the course I had interacted with the crowds and felt very energized for it. Now I could do very little when I heard my name but raise an arm to acknowledge. Still very excited though.

Mile 26.2: They call it Mt. Roosevelt. It's the only hill on the entire course, hitting an elevation of a whole 26 feet. Nothing usually unless you'd just run the last 26 miles. I was determined to hit that hill hard and took an outside course that was open. With room in front of me I sprinted up the hill. According to Nike+ I was at about 6 min. per mile on that part. I underestimated the length of the hill and had to ease up before the "summit." The final 50 yards or so were smooth and easy.

I finished my first marathon at 4hrs and 11 min! My aim was to finish and if possible, keep a 4:30 pace. I also ran a 5min faster second half, which I feel pretty stoked about.

I can not say enough how much gratitude I have for my wonderful support crew. Tiffany, Mom, and Dad were amazing!! It was cold, early, and all over the city. My route was cleared for me and I was running. They fought their way all over town, hoping they got to spots before I did. I also owe big thanks to all that sent encouragement along the way.

I am very, very grateful!

3 Days To Go

With only 3 days left before the marathon, I am excited to finally get running on Sun. This is the calm before the storm around the home front. My parents are coming in tomorrow for their first visit together. It also marks the their first visit since 2004, so I am excited to have them here. Several friends are making their way to Chicago as well, to either run or cheer. It will be fantastic to see everyone together again.

I also have been forced into a chill week by virtue of an incredibly rare bout of illness. I can't remember my last cold and yet as of Mon. I stopped fighting the obvious and accepted being sick. With the newly cool temp.'s I have avoided running much over the last few days to expedite getting healthy again. Today is still funky, but it feels like it is on the ebb. It has been a challenge to just focus on rest and food over the last couple weeks anyway, so this forced rest could just be a blessing in disguise.

As for any nervousness about the race, I am pretty ok. I realized last week I was actually a shade nervous when my compulsion to buy new gear hit a fevered pitch. I did not go on a shopping spree, but the urgency I wanted to let me see their were a few well concealed butterflies around. I think it will go well and am just hoping to be completely healthy in time.

PAWS Run For Their Lives

I ran the PAWS Run For Their Lives 8K again on Sunday. It was fun to do a race for the second time. Last year, this was the first organized run I had ever tried. This year, I am a couple weeks away from trying my first marathon. It was a blast getting to walk there with Estes and Tiff. I knew I should take it easy as I had aggravated my left ITB, but it felt good that morning, so decided to put a little more speed into my run. Later I figured out that was a bad idea. For the run it was fun as hell though. Estes had a ball as well. Seriously, they gave her a ball. She destroyed it. Here was my result:

PAWS 8k Run for Their Lives
Chicago, IL -
September 27, 2009


Name: TROY COLEMAN
Place: 51st
No: 141
Nettime: 36:28
Pace: 7:21


Out of the 803 that ran, I feel pretty good about this. Plus, last year I ran at 8:46/mi and finished 204th. I am excited for the big 26.2mi. I have to suffer through not running a few days though to get this ITB back under control. It was such a treat to have Tiff and our puppy there too. They are a tremendous cheering section to finish a race to!