It may be hard to believe that I could be home, and away, at the same time but that's what this past weekend was all about. The our biggest race, the Chicago Distance Classic now less than three weeks away I've been out pounding the pavement in the Chicagoland area.
Saturday I was up in Barrington with the folks from Dick Pond's. Sunday I was in Naperville for the Grand Opening of the new RoadRunner Sports store, and tonight - Monday - I'm at the Dick Pond store in Schaumburg.
Speaking of the CDC, this year is shaping up to be the best EVER. Registrations are ahead of last year, I've driven the course several times and it's FANTASTIC, and the post-race party is going to rock the city. If you're anywhere near Chicago you owe it to yourself to experience this race.
On the COMPLETE other side of my life, Jenny and I spent a couple of days last week on the Kyle Petty Charity ride. It benefits the Victory Junction Gang Camp - where we put on our Run to Victory in December. The HIGHLIGHT of the ride was getting to do two laps at the Road America track in Elkhart Lake. OH MY!! I used to go there to watch the motorcycle races. NOW I REALLY can't believe how fast they were going.
OK, back to work.
John 
The Penguin Chronicles : July 2008
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My son and daughter-in-law are both in THE U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" stationed in Washington, DC Fort Myer, Virginia It's the same band I was in, and my son's mom. So, it's wasn't much of a shock when Terry joined up.
It looks like there's gonna be ANOTHER generation of Bingham's in the Band. The shot is of Siena, singing the National Anthem, with Hunter doing the "screech" trumpet part and RayRay cheering them on. If I can figure out how to load up the video, I will. It's too funny for words.
These few days are a bit of a break, but then it will be full steam ahead. I'll get back home just in time to head to the Chicagoland Speeday for the NASCAR event this weekend. I'll be helping out at the Victory Junction Gang Camp tent, if you happen to be at the race.
After that, we'll all be in non-stop Chicago Distance Classic mode. The numbers are WAY up this year, and we're trying to keep that a secret from the City. I don't REALLY want to shut down registration. I figure, the more the merrier. RIGHT?
I hope to see some of you at the CDC on August 10.
John
Even though we've been back a couple of days, it still feels like the world is floating. That's what comes from spending 8 days at sea.
We've just finished up the 2008 Great Alaskan Maritime Marathon GAMM. Imagine 100 runners getting to do a staged marathon in some of most beautiful places on earth. It's simply amazing. The local runners from Juneau, Sitka, and Ketchikan come out and host us. It's fantastic.
And, when we're NOT running, we're enjoying everything else about the cruise; time to relax, time to chat, time to just sit around and enjoy life. It's perfect. One of THE most fun parts, though, is the two "formal" dinners. Seeing 100 runners ALL DRESSED up is a kick.
But now our focus shifts full-time to the Chicago Distance Classic. Registration are WAY ahead of last year - which is good and bad. I don't want to have to close registration, but once we hit 12,000 I'm afraid the city will make us shut it down. SO, if you are planning to run it and haven't registered - GET GOING.
j
A semi regular account of the life and times of Runner's World columnist John "the Penguin" Bingham.