Yesterday, we ran the First Midwest Half Marathon.  Some ran hard to showcase their skills and hard work, others ran to be social, some ran just to prove to themselves that they could cover 13.1 miles.  Regardless of their motivation, I was happy to see lots of familiar smiling faces throughout the day. 

The Frankfort New Lenox Running Club – Photo Courtesy of Gail at Running For  Kicks

This race is an annual event for me so I always register in time for the early bird discount.   The last 2 years  they have given an extra shirt to the first 400 people who register.  Last year we received two of the same shirt.  This year we received two shirts, one in purple (standard issue) and one in white as our reward for early registration.  This race always does it right between SWAG that can be used, plus a $15 off coupon to the running store when you register, then another one that is in your SWAG bag.  Between the SWAG and the coupons, the entry free is usually a wash for me.  I think they give me more than I actually pay. 

SWAG – 2 shirts, Feetures no show socks, $15 off coupon at Running For  Kicks, 13.1 First Midwest Half Marathon sticker & key chain, plus a nylon backpack.

Lots of fun at the actual race!  I started easy and soon realized that between my breathing or lack there of and my heavy legs from being sick for 2 full weeks, that easy was still too fast.  So I slowed down and settled in by watching the other runners, looking for our F’N Cheerleaders and I just putting one foot in front of the other when I wasn’t roadside coughing up a lung and pissing myself heading for the turnaround.

This race is always an out and back course along Route 83 in Palos Heights, IL.  It’s advertised as a fast & flat course but there are some slight inclines both up and down at different intervals in the race.  Nothing major.  For some, an out and back is not super exciting but it does allow you to see all the runners on course at one point or another.  I’m usually in my third or fourth mile as the winners fly past me on the opposite side heading for the finish.  Then I get to see my fast friends fly by, then my medium fast friends, then eventually when I hit the turnaround, I get to see the back of the packers.  It’s a good race to run, which allows you to both run and still support other local runners with cheers and words of encouragement.  My kind of race! 

This course has potties, med support, lots of police & volunteers, and probably 4 water stops each way.  One water stop did run out of cups toward the end but all aid stations had both water and blue Gatorade for everyone, even those at the back.

Speaking of those at the back, my plan changed a bit as I was running.  I normally run my race, then go back to help run in friends and F’N Runners who are still on course but I realized early into the race that I didn’t have the energy for that so I revised the plan.  I ran to the half way point, the turnaround, then stopped and waited for friends.  Pam came first, whizzing by and totally taking me off guard (blue/grey shirt below), then I was more “ready” and managed to see Lisa in time to run the turnaround loop with her (white shirt below).  Then I waited and ran it again with Nicki (running solo, far right photo) and settled in with her for the remainder of the race.  

This was Nicki’s first ever half and I wanted to be there with her at the end.  We had a fun time covering the last half together, me talking endlessly to try to keep her mind off her knee pain, and her just looking at me like I was crazy.  Pretty normal for us really.       

Thanks to all the F’N Cheer Squad members who stood out there all day, cheering in each and every runner & taking so many fun photos.  It gets lonely at the back, the road gets disserted.   They waited for everyone to go thru, giving high fives, encouragement and lots of F’N LOVE!

This is a great race.  Its reasonably priced.  The swag is good.  There are prize purses for the fasties.  The race always has a local charity component or two.  Runners are protected by tons of police & volunteers.  And best of all, there is lots of love and support for each and EVERY runner on course.  It may be small, rural & “just” an out and back race but this is where you will find the heart and soul of our running community on the first Sunday of May, each and every year. 

I’ll see you in Palos in 2014!!

** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz **

If you’re lucky, running clubs in your area are a dime a dozen and ONE SIZE certainly does not fit all.  You need to find one that caters to your needs, your ability level and one that is accommodating to your family’s schedule. 

There is no such thing as a “real” running club.  If the club runs, then they are a running club.  No question.   No exception.  However, each club normally has a specific focus.

Let’s look at my local run clubs in south suburban Chicago and breakdown their specialties so you can pick one that fits your needs.

Tinley Track & Trail – Probably the fastest club in our area.  See the description below from their blog.  “Premier Running Club”.  If you are fast and want to get faster, contact Rich.  He’ll help you fasties get even faster, rack up age group awards at every event you enter and you will finally have a group of equals with which you can run and workout.  If your slow, don’t go.  You might cry at the first workout; I know I would.  Speed work on WED night, long (fast) runs on SAT morn. 

Park Forest Running and Pancake Club –  Probably the longest established group in our area.  The PFRPC was established in 1978 and I think some of their original members still run with the group today.  They have a great crew, very welcoming.  They accept fasties and slow pokes alike.  They generally run on SAT & SUN, locations vary with intermittent Full Moon Runs throughout the year.  Love their motto:  “Start Slowly and Taper Off”.

Frankfort-New Lenox Running Club – One of the newest clubs in the area.  I think they had about 30 members 1.5 years ago and now they have over 475 members on their Facebook page.  This group offers low key group runs every day of the week except Friday.  Locations vary from Manhattan, New Lenox to Frankfort.  All paces & distances welcome.  Large contingent of run/walkers, lots of cyclists & triathletes.  Lots of racing, Lots of cheering, Lots of “cheerleading” to encourage newbies.  No membership fee.

Kankakee River Running Club – Large contingent of far Southside runners.  This group is very eclectic with ultra runners, trail runners, road racers and marathoners.  They work speed on a local track in Kankakee on TUE & THUR evenings, and usually hit some sort of wooded trail over the weekend.  Lots of variety in this club.  Lots of welcoming friendly faces.  Lots of racing locally and throughout this US.   $15 membership gets you a discount to A LOT of local races. 

Swallow Cliff Trail Runners – This group is true to it’s name.  They run Swallow Cliff and the surrounding trails.  They even hit the stairs before or after their runs to make it legit!   Runs are normally on SUN mornings or specifically scheduled thru their Facebook page. 

Yankee Runners –   If you have qualified for Boston and are living in the south suburbs, you will most likely eventually find you way to the Yankee Runners.  During the summer, they pound out miles with CARA in Yankee Woods.  During the winter, they pound out long training runs in the hills of Palos Heights.  This is a warm and welcoming group as long as you don’t mind running their hills.  Most runs on Saturday mornings.  Actual coaching, training plans and prep for half marathon and marathon distance events.

CARA (Chicago Area Runners Association) –    This group has the largest membership of any run club in our area with over 10,000 members.  They run Chicago and the surrounding burbs.  They have a subgroup within a 30 min drive of most areas but almost all runs (except Montrose Harbor) happen on Saturday mornings.  If you are looking for a training plan to run a race, or if you need group runs with actual pace leaders then this is the group for you.  Membership fees and training plans are not cheap but include a lot of extras in each package.  They deliver what is promised, as long as you show up and do the work.

Channahon-Minooka Running Club – A newer club, the CMRC frequently runs the I&M Canal trail and local parks in Lemont, Channahon & Minooka. Good friendly group.  Lots of running, racing & cheerleading.  Get on their Facebook page to hook up with runners in this area.

The above list consists of local clubs that are close to me and when I say “close”, I mean within a 30-45 minute drive.  There will never probably be anything in my backyard since I live in the middle of nowhere but I do like to travel around, try new trails and meet new people.  I also like to utilize the various clubs for their strong points whether that be a nice group run with lots of varied paces or a good speed workout.  Sometimes I decide where to go depending on what I can fit into our hectic family schedule.   I will always be FNRC proud but it is important that I maximize the opportunities in my area and meet as many local runners as possible.

Please peruse this list if you are a  Chicago south suburban runner.  Find a club, or two, or three that fits your needs!   If you are not in my area then look for run clubs in your area on one of the following sites:  Running in the USA, CARA (Chicago area only), Road Runners of America (only chartered run clubs are listed), US Run Clubs, Cool Running or RunningPage.

Any local clubs that I have missed?  Add them into the comments below!

** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz.com **