Chicago Marathon: Cold Hands, Warm Heart

By Ross Forman

(Sunday, October 11, in Chicago)

The 32^nd annual Chicago Marathon was a case of good news, bad news for me as I was running in my sixth marathon in less than two years.

Scratch that, the Chicago Marathon was alllll good.

I had a time goal and was on pace until about Mile 23 or 24. I ultimately missed by pre-race goal by 7 minutes, so for a split second as I wrote this, I was bummed. But still, I set a PR by about 15 minutes. Meaning, it was my best marathon time of the six I’ve run.

It also was the coldest.

The temperature when the race kicked off at 7:30 a.m., was 33 degrees. The thermometer eventually hit the low-50s and the sun shined. Sure, ideal running weather, but cold nonetheless.

My finger tips were numb for about three-quarters of the race, and even for an hour or so after crossing the finish line. So much for the snazzy black cotton gloves that I bought for $10 at the Chicago Marathon Health & Fitness Expo, held Friday and Saturday at the McCormick Place Convention Center.

The Chicago Marathon was everything I hoped it would be, a weekend-long spectacle that I never will forget. Just consider:

- 19,444 registered female runners.

- 25,056 registered male runners.

- 34,792 started.

- 33,411 finished.

- There were 291 runners from Brazil – and I had to laugh at the fan, who was serving as a DJ in his area on the course, who broadcast, “Don’t trip the Brazilian; it wasn’t his fault that we lost the (2016) Olympics.”

- Among the countries with one entrant were: Albania, Bangladesh, Egypt, Gabon, Fiji, Jordan, Namibia, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

- 114 countries were represented, for 6,232 runners.

- Following Illinois, the most domestic runners were from Michigan, Indiana and Wisconsin. The fewest came from Hawaii, North Dakota and Wyoming (21 each).

I had an emotional, spirited Pasta Party on Friday night with the entourage from the National AIDS Marathon Training Program, held at a church located at Mile 14 on the course.

Saturday was a pasta dinner at Rob’s for my marathon group of 5, along with some family and friends. Then it was an early bed-time at the Chicago Hilton, located steps away from the Starting Line.

Come Sunday, I knew I was running solo since Chuck, David and Ernie opted for a different pace. No worries, I thought, since I train so much year-round by myself, so, I knew running the marathon by myself wouldn’t be a problem. Good thing for the iPod and the estimated 1.5 million fans who spanned the course in support of those of us willing to run 26.2 miles on a Sunday morning.

Including my dad, who I spotted at Mile 4, then Aunt Linda and Bob at about Mile 10.

What and who else did I see on my 26.2 mile journey? Let’s see …

- Signs featuring Hulk Hogan and Susan Boyle, among others.

- Cups of beer offered to runners at about Mile 20. I did not indulge.

- Music in Pilsen that was incredibly loud.

- Runners in New Mexico shirts, so I had to wonder if they were from Las Cruces, my old stomping grounds.

- Two sets of female-impersonating cheerleaders along Broadway in Lakeview.

- The United Center and U.S. Cellular Field.

- The water was ice-cold; it tasted great.

- I ran with Yurbuds earphones (http://www.yurbuds.com/) which I purchased at the Expo. I’d give ‘em a grade of a ‘C.’ Though company COO Richard Daniels gives a great presentation and I do think they work, they just didn’t Sunday for me. First, I wasn’t certain exactly how to get the fitted rubbery piece onto the ear-phone and ultimately I had trouble with the left one; I now know how to use them and look forward to using them in the future.

- Dan spotted me at about Mile 22 and ran with me for 5 or 10 minutes. I needed his encouragement at that point; that helped.

- I urinated only once, next to a tree near Mile 17 and not far from a female squatting behind a bush.

- Ryan was supposed to have Rice Krispie treats for me after the marathon. He didn’t, but hopefully because he ate all of them himself after finishing in under 3:30. Congrats, Ryan.

- Congratulations to everyone else who finished, including Joe and Carlos, and of course Rob (sub-4), David (his first), Ernie (nailing his goal time, 4:59) and Chuck. And don’t worry, Chuck, you won’t hear that I beat you by more than 30 minutes for two years, as we’ve been hearing it from you.

I’ve said it before and will say it again, running a marathon isn’t for everyone. But everyone can do one, and should. I’m a strong supporter of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. Chicagoans definitely should give it a run – great program, exceptional coaches and a worthwhile cause.

Next up for me on the Marathon trail: the 37th annual

Honolulu Marathon on Sunday, Dec. 13. I know there won’t be any talk of cold temps at that race.

Thanks for your support,
Ross.

Chicago Marathon: It's Race Day!

The day I've been waiting for has finally come - the day of the Chicago Marathon! I will post a new entry here soon with all the highlights. Wish me luck!

The Road Warrior ... Talking Road Trips, Marathons & Food-Fests

By Ross Forman

When I worked for World Championship Wrestling (WCW), we had this tradition called the Monday Night Food-Fest, though it often extended into the wee hours of Tuesday. And it almost always included Twizzlers, Reese’s, Pop-Tarts and, well, plenty of other junk-food delicacies. Calories were never an obstacle.

Kevin Nash was driving the rented Cadillac the vast majority of the time as we drove to the next city, or quite often back to Atlanta, following WCW Monday Nitro. We spent countless hours on the road, telling stories, telling tales of what we’d do if we won that week’s multi-million dollar lottery, listening to rap music, quizzing each other about some of the most obscure sports trivia … and eating junk food.

OK, Kevin usually just wanted cashews and an ice-cold Coors Light, but I ate just about anything and everything.

I think Monday, Oct. 12 will be my next official Monday Night

Food-Fest. Or maybe I’ll wait until Sunday, Oct. 18, if Kevin and Mandy from Tristar Productions – since the three of us will be together in Southern California – are willing to indulge in some high-calorie desserts like the old days.

The annual Bank of America Chicago is Sunday, Oct. 11, and I’m super excited for my sixth-ever marathon. Yep, this is my first time running the Chicago Marathon, but my sixth time lacing up my Brooks Beast shoes for the 26.2-mile journey – and my fourth marathon as part of the National AIDS Marathon Training Program. My first marathon was in Florence, Italy, on the Sunday after

Thanksgiving, 2007. And for those scoring at home, here’s the break-down since that first marathon on Nov. 25, 2007, right up through

Oct. 11, 2009.

- 687 days.

- 1 year, 10 months, 17 days.
- 59,356,800 seconds.
- 989,280 minutes.
- 16,488 hours.
- 98 weeks (rounded down)

I have a time goal for the Chicago Marathon, but really am not too concerned if I hit it. I think I can, though. I really feel strong and have had good runs over the past couple months. I ran 6 miles on Saturday, Oct. 3, along my normal part-residential, part-industrial route through

Buffalo Grove. I finished strong, which has been my standard practice over the past few months, at least as much as possible.

I’ll probably start the Chicago Marathon with Chuck, David, Ernie and Rob. Who knows when we’ll all finish. But we will finish. That’s second-most important on the marathon slate, behind our health.

The five of us have run hundreds of miles in training, as have the other 45,000 marathoners.

Yep, I’ll be running the streets of Chicago with some 45,000 of my closest friends, while thousands of others will stand along the course cheering. They also will be dispensing water and Gatorade. Or in bands. Or in cheer groups.

The Chicago Marathon is a spectacle; that’s why I’m really looking forward to it.

I’ve done the training, and with five marathons under my belt already, the nerves are somewhat gone. This time, I really want to have fun, enjoy and experience everything that is the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I got a text today asking if I was going to run with a camera. I’m sure the sender was joking, at least I think she was. I’m not going to have one with me, though kind of wish I did.

I’m not sure what my first big post-marathon meal is going to be. After the San Diego Marathon in late-May, I had a steak and mashed potatoes, certainly nothing Jenny Craig would yell at me for.

Next Sunday night, believe it or not, I’m flying from Chicago O’Hare to John Wayne Airport in Orange County, Calif., in preparation for “Bound For Glory” from Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling on Sunday, Oct. 18. I really hope I can get a first-class aisle seat on my United Airlines flight, and hopefully my main post-marathon meal is not catered by United. (Sorry, United.)

That’s why I’m thinking about indulging in a Monday Food-Fest on Oct. 12, or maybe I’ll wait till Nash comes to California … for old-time sakes.

The Chicago Marathon is my major fund-raiser for 2009 to support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Please consider donating to support this worthwhile cause as I push my body on yet another 26.2-mile grind – my 6th marathon in less than two years. Click here to donate and all tax-deductible contributions are sincerely appreciated.

Thanks,
Ross.


















Chuckie is going to sit this marathon out. Maybe next time.... But it's good to see that he's already enjoying pumpkin season!

A Run For "Sweetness"

By Ross Forman

(Sept. 12, in Arlington Heights, Illinois) – Walter Payton is my all-time favorite football player, so running the 6th annual Walter Payton Run today was an honor, emotional and certainly a run down Memory Lane.

The 16,726-yard race equals Payton’s career rushing total for the Chicago Bears, which equates to 9.5 miles. The event is a fund-raiser for the Walter Payton Cancer Fund, and it also features a 5K Run/Walk and a 3-person 9.5 mile relay.

I ran the 9.5 mile race and though I did not know any other runners, nor did I run with anyone else, I still had a great time.

Especially since I finished with a great time, and, about 45 minutes after crossing the finish-time, it was announced to the hundreds of runners and supporters milling around that I finished in 3rd place in my division.

Event organizers then took my photo alongside Connie Payton, his former wife. That was pretty cool and, yes, I did have a tear in my eye.

Let’s jump back a week, to Sept. 5. I was doing a 10-mile training run in preparation for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 11. As I was about to start, I figured I would instead go 9.5 miles, to see what time I could possibly do in the Walter Payton Run. My goal was 1:40 which I wasn’t sure I could hit. I was just planning to run normally since, ultimately, this was just a training run.

My time on Sept. 5 was: 1:40.12.

So, I knew what my goal was for the Payton Run. Make that, goals. I chose a tiered goal plan.

First, I wanted to hit 1:40. I certainly didn’t want to be slower than a week earlier.

Next, I was shooting for 1:39.

Then, I knew I’d be really happy with 1:35.

And finally, I knew I’d be incredibly happy, though it probably was not obtainable yet for me, with 1:30.

I felt great throughout the race, which started and finished at South Middle School, and definitely thought throughout that 1:35 was possible. I’ll admit, 1:30 flashed into my head from time to time, but I didn’t want to think about it and be disappointed if I didn’t hit it. After all, this was run at basically a training pace, albeit a drop faster, because this was, in the grand scheme, just a training run for the Chicago Marathon. Sure enough, my time was 1:35.39 which, the announcer told the crowd, was only seconds behind the second- and first-place finishers in my division.

So I got the bronze medal, appropriately shaped like a football.

Seeing 1:35 on the clock as I approached the finish-time was super cool.

Next Saturday, Sept. 19, is my last long training run in preparation for the Chicago Marathon. It’ll be 22 or 23 miles along the lakefront here in Chicago.

The Chicago Marathon is my major fund-raiser for 2009 to support the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Please consider donating to support this worthwhile cause as I push my body on yet another 26.2-mile grind – my 6th marathon in less than two years. Click here to donate and all tax-deductible contributions are sincerely appreciated.

Thanks,

Ross.

Preparing for Marathon #6

By Ross Forman

(August 31, 2009) - After the past two weeks, I know I’m ready for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 11. I’m confident that Chicago will mark a Personal Record, my best time for 26.2 miles – of the six occasions that I have run that distance, dating back to my first marathon in November, 2007. That is the goal, period.

On August 22, I had a 20-mile training run. I ran with Chuck and we started at 4:30 a.m., beginning at about Belmont Avenue on Chicago’s north side. We ran 10 miles south along the lakefront, ultimately turning around at about 31st Street.

We circled Navy Pier in both directions, a new route we had never run.

We ran past Soldier Field, and I was able to reflect on the greats who have worn the blue and orange over the years for my beloved Chicago Bears.

We watched the sun rise on our left as we ran south.

We endured countless bicyclists, including many very annoying cyclists. (I’m sure they say the same thing about runners since we often all share the same, crowded trail.)

We had Gu Energy Packets … well, at least I had multiple Gu’s. Chuck doesn’t like them, but I actually look forward to Gu once-an-hour or so, and even have my favorites: Chocolate Outrage, Orange Burst and Strawberry Banana. I had my first Vanilla Bean Gu during this 20-miler, and liked it too.

We also had our Endurolytes from Hammer Nutrition, though I need to bring more since I carry the pills for both of us. Nice guy, aren’t I?! Anyone with cramping issues while running has to try Endurolytes; I’m convinced they work, though I know the ultimate test will come in about 6 weeks at the Chicago Marathon. But, I had absolutely no cramping issues on the 20-miler. I don’t have much salt in my normal diet, which I know some so-called experts say will affect cramping. I also now am running longer distances with 2XU compression calf guards and compression shorts (for the quads), and I think they work, too.

I had no problems whatsoever with the 20-miler. I felt fine – before, during and after. It was my best long training run over the past two years, and I celebrated, so to speak, with dinner that Saturday at Outback: 7-ounce filet (medium), bleu cheese chopped salad (no chives) and a sweet potato (dry). No Bloomin’ Onion or any other artery killer for me.

On August 29, I had a solo 10-mile training run in San Francisco and, again, I felt great throughout, beating my predicted pre-run time by three minutes, even though I ran without my traditional CytoMax and just water. I left my water bottle and baggy filled with CytoMax at home in Chicago, oh well. Anyway, it was a gorgeous, sunny Saturday in the City By The Bay, with bright blue skies as far as the eyes could see.

I ran on a path alongside the Pacific Ocean that led to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. Super scenic, I will say. A lot of good scenery, too. There were a lot more memories from this fun run in the sun. Let’s see …

* I saw as many people wearing Boston Red Sox hats as San Francisco Giants hats. And none for the nearby Oakland A’s.

* I saw Duke and North Carolina basketball t-shirts. None for my Indiana Hoosiers – or even any for Texas Tech University, in tribute to Bobby Knight.

* I saw someone wearing a Detroit Red Wings shirt – not shocking.

* I saw someone wearing a Detroit Lions shirt – super shocking.

* I saw countless dogs, and always am amazed when dogs are off-leash. I’m still not ready to let Chuckie (my dog, not my running partner) off-leash in a vast, public area.

* I ran near Fort Mason … by a green plant with a world globe carved into it (pretty cool) …and, by runners with the Team In Training program (always good to see those who run for a cause).

All of my running this summer is done to raise funds for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. I’m very grateful to all who have – or will – sponsor me and, in the process, help the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Donations can be made at by clicking here.

Thanks,
Ross.

16,726-Yard Run for #34

By Ross Forman

I’m not much of a golfer, though I do have some sweet swag from The Golf Channel. (Thanks, You-Know-Who.)

I’m not a regular on the links, though I will eat sausage links from time to time. (I usually pass on the patties for some reason.)

I’m not a fan of golf on TV. Actually, I have watched very little golf on TV; I think golf on TV has to be one of the most boring sports around.

My favorite golf is ... miniature golf, to tell you the truth. Except for that damn windmill hole.

Anyway, I think golf is a lot like marathon running, er, marathon training – sometimes you have it, sometimes you don’t.

As golf announcers Jim Nantz and Ken Venturi would say, let’s go back to the 15th. That’s the 15-miler in my world, not the 15th-hole.

I had a 15-mile training run on Saturday, August 8, in Chicago. I felt great on runs for a month-plus building up to that run; I even felt good the day before, loading up on carbs (pasta and a baked potato for dinner) and hydrating throughout the day (water, water, water).

I woke up at 4:30 a.m. that Saturday as I wanted to be running by

6 a.m. since the temp in Chicago was expected to hit the mid-90s, plus humidity. Running that early in the morning wouldn’t be too bad, I thought.

Almost immediately after getting out of bed, I just wasn’t feeling it. I can’t pin-point what it was, or wasn’t; I just wasn’t feeling it.

Still, I drove to the north side of Chicago as I was going to start at Irving Park. I’d run north for 3 miles, return to my starting spot, and then head south for 4 miles before heading back.

Unfortunately, I just never felt it during the run. Sure, I finished the run, but just wasn’t feeling it. No soreness, no cramps, nothing like that. Just mentally I wasn’t into it.

I guess I was like the golfer who normally shoots 80, but for some unknown reason shot 90. I was kind of bummed, but still returned to the road – for another run – the next day (Sunday, August 9). And also the day after that (Monday, August 10, while in San Francisco). My shorter runs (4 miles) on that Sunday and Monday were exceptional.

Perseverance is oh-so-important … in running, in golf and life overall.

As I prepare for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, October 11, it’s gonna be 8 miles on Saturday, August 15, and then 20 miles on Saturday, August 22. Both will be done along the lakefront in Chicago, and I’m excited for both.

I also am really looking forward to Saturday,

Sept. 12, when my training run, instead, will be participating in the 6th annual Walter Payton 16,726-Yard Run in Arlington Heights, Ill.

That’s 9.5 miles, with 16,726 representing the total career rushing yards for the greatest running back in NFL history, and one of my all-time favorites: former Chicago Bear Walter Payton. The Run is a fund-raiser for the Walter Payton Cancer Fund.

I met Walter countless times during his Hall of Fame career and it always was special. (Enjoy the vintage photo of Walter and Yours Truly above. Not certain how old I was at the time; I think about 12, and boy did I have a sweet-looking jacket?! And yes, that is my Chicago Bears hat.)

The last time I saw him before his 1999 death was a year or two earlier, at an autograph signing in downtown Chicago. I remember it like it was yesterday, and you can bet I still have the Sports Illustrated magazines that he signed for me that day.

Walter was a legend that day, and always. So I’m super-happy to do something to support and honor No. 34.

I’m running the Chicago Marathon with the National AIDS Marathon Training Program and am fund-raising for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Please consider donating to this very worthwhile cause.

Click here to donate.

Thanks,
Ross.

The Half Marathon

By Ross Forman

It was late-June, or maybe early-July, when I got a text message from Matt, a good friend dating back to our days at Indiana University. He was one of the stars of the Hoosier soccer team and I was a beat reporter covering the team.

Thankfully, we have remained close friends long since our days in Bloomington. Matt is still active in soccer and I’m still writing. I also am running, a relatively new entrée on my sporting resume. So, when Matt sent me a text that he ran his first-ever Half Marathon, I knew I had a little challenge.

Matt finished in 2:20 … my goal for my first-ever Half Marathon was 2:19.

Sorry Matt, had to beat ya.

Problem was, I really had no idea going into my first Half what time was reasonable, what time was impossible, or even how to pace myself for only 13.1 miles. The Half Marathon, of course, is only 13.1-miles and though I’ve run five full marathons (26.2 miles), I really had no clue what was or was not possible.

I just knew July 26, when I approached the starting line, that I wanted to be done in 2:19.

I felt fine throughout the race and everything was working – the legs, the iPod, the Garmin watch, the energy gels, the Endurolytes from Hammer Nutrition, you name it.

The course was marked in miles and kilometers, and the latter screwed with my mind. Mathematically speaking, that is. There were times, late in my run, when I thought I only had one mile to go – according to the signs. Not so, of course.

I wish everyone in the world would just run in miles.

When I actually had one mile to go, I kicked it in. This was the home stretch, and boy was I looking forward to sending that text to Matt in Washington state. Sure enough, I did it, I crossed the finish line in 2:19.50.

I was thrilled; that was the happiest I had ever been after a race.

When I finished the Florence (Italy) Marathon in late-November 2007, that was the most emotional moment of my running career, mostly because it was my first marathon.

The time in my Half was/is nothing to brag about in the grand scheme of things. I ran at a training pace - not at a traditional, faster race-day pace. Before the race, I talked to this Israeli runner who had the stereotypical runners’ body – and the super-short running shorts too, which I never will wear. I later heard he finished in 1:29. So I guess I have my work cut out for me; I’m going to run a sub-two hour Half Marathon, someday … and still don’t ever expect or hope to see me wearing those super-short running shorts.

Now, though, I’m back into training for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 11.

Two months to go, and I feel better than before any of the five other marathons I’ve run. Here’s hoping I stay as strong, and hopefully the folks in Kansas at the corporate headquarters for Garmin International will fix my Garmin 405 watch once and for all. I’ve had this watch since January, and this is the second time they are replacing it. Garmin might be great for others, but I’m not sold on it.
I ran 8 miles on Saturday, August 1, while in Cleveland for the 30th annual National Sports Collectors Convention. This Saturday,
August 8, the miles kick back up as I’ll be running 17.

I’m running the Chicago Marathon with the National AIDS Marathon Training Program and am fund-raising for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. Please consider donating to this very worthwhile cause. Click here to donate.

Thanks,
Ross.