Blog Posts From The Penguin Chronicles Tagged With chicago

Cutting Back To Go Forward

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 15:14:13 GMT

I ran my first marathon, in Memphis, TN in December of 1992. Well, that's not exactly true. I trained - or overtrained - for my first marathon during the fall of 1992. I didn't read anything about training, didn't have a training plan, just a stubborn determination. I made it to mile 6.

I complete my first marathon nearly a year later in Columbus, OH. I had a training plan, and a training partner. I had a race strategy and a very cool "engineer's" hat. I ran at least one marathon a year EVERY year from 1993 to 2006. That's 14 years. And some of those years I ran as many as 6 marathons. That's not a lot if you're one of the marathon maniacs, but it was a lot for me.

The marathon in 2006 was part of the Walt Disney World "Goofy" challenge. As it got late in 2007 I got worried about breaking my streak. Once or twice I started on a marathon training schedule only to get a certain distance and just think "no way". In 2008 I tried a couple of times to complete a half marathon training program. I started out with good intentions, but never got past a 12 mile run.

What I've discovered is what I knew when I started out. I like the shorter distances. I like running shorted distances, training for shorter distances, and racing the shorter distances. I can run more often, run harder and faster - fast for me - and find it easier to fit the training into my day. It works for me.

Why, then, do I feel guilty about REALLY liking the 5K distance? Why is it that I think that training for, and participating in, a 5K is somehow "less than" training for and participating in a half marathon or full marathon? I don't know. But I have some thoughts.

The running "industry" loves the long distances races. They can charge big fees, they can attract big crowds, and they can make a ton of money. I'm not being critical. I've certainly benefitted from the 2nd running boom's desire to run long distances at huge races.

What I miss, though, is the spirit and sense of community that you find in local races. I ran a small 4 mile run last Thanksgiving and had a GREAT time. I didn't have a great "time", but I was able to push myself just a little because I knew the distance was well within my capabilities.

These days I'm running 3 miles a day - or walking 2 miles - nearly every day. I can do that because I'm not worried about long runs. And, to be honest, I'm having more fun than I have in years.

So, it's not that I'm bashing the long distances and giant races. I'll be at all of the Rock 'n' Roll Series events this year. I'm just saying that for me - and maybe others - the joy of running is still the best reason to run, whatever that distance turns out to be.

Waddle on,

The Birth of a Column

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 16:18:47 GMT

Some of you may have noticed that the "No Need for Speed" column was not in the February Runner's World. This is a funny time in the publishing industry, and I'm certainly no expert on magazine publishing, but it looks like there's some sorting out going on. I'll be in the magazine 10 times this year. Look for the column again in the March issue.

With the April column I will have completed 13 years as a columnist with Runner's World. That's 156 columns. Considering that I was worried that I wouldn't be able to come up with ideas for the original 8 columns for which I was contracted, that's not bad. The funny thing is that, rather than it being harder to find ideas, I now find that I don't have the time or space to write about everything I want to.

Thanks goodness for Blogs.

In May of 1996 the column was called "The Penguin Chronicles", a name taken from the reference in the first column to images of runners always being gazelles or eagles and I felt like a penguin. A legal challenge from Penguin-Putnam Books convinced the US editors to change the name of the column to simply "The Chronicles". As a side note, the column remained "The Penguin Chronicles" in all international editions of Runner's World.

With the new editorial and publishing staff the column got renamed "No Need for Speed", and Gil Eisner's wonderful penguin characters were removed. In some ways that shifted the focus of the column, or at least seemed to, from the original concept of sharing the "joy of movement" that I discovered as an adult-onset athlete to being an advocate for going slowly. The truth is, I've never advocated going slowly. I've only advocated finding your own pace - fast OR slow.

As I recently wrote, after running for 15 years running is like an old friend to me. I like running. I like being around running. Like a relationship that has matured over time my relationship with running has come to a place of comfort. I don't need to impress myself or anyone else any more.

But, even after 15 years I still have the same sense of wonder and mystery about running - and myself as a runner. Every day I learn something new. Every run reveals something that I hadn't seen. That's what makes running so wonderful.

What I'm discovering is that the Web 2.0 medium - this blogging, Facebook, Twitter, medium - is more like what it was in the beginning for me. And I've found I really like it. It's liberating to be back where I was before 17 people decided what words would be read.

Stick around, folks. I think this is going to be a fun ride.

Waddle on, friends.

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start"

Eat more, Exercise less, Have great sex

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:28:53 GMT

I guess I'm beginning to obsess about the whole weight thing. And, I'm blaming Oprah so that I don't have to take responsibility myself. The show yesterday featured a bunch overweight teens, discussed their eating habits, and more importantly tried to get to the source of their hunger - not the physical hunger but the emotional hunger. It was sad, but enlightening.

One of her guest was David Zinczenko, author of the "Eat this, Not that" books. He is, I suppose, a colleague of mine since we both get our pay check from Rodale, so I may be biased, but I thought what he had to say was fantastic. The misinformation, myths, false beliefs, and out-right untruths about food and weight loss are staggering. And I'm no better informed than most.

For example, one of the "tests" was - are you better off eating a multi-grain bagel with cream cheese or a glazed donut? GUESS WHAT? The bagel and cream cheese has nearly 4 times the calories. And "multi-grain" doesn't mean anything except they use multiple processed grains. Good grief.

No, you can't eat 4 glazed donuts and break even, but it does point out how often we ~~c-main~~ think I'm doing the right thing only to find out I'm really not.

And he talked about eggs. I love eggs. I like almost nothing better for dinner than scrambled eggs. But, eggs are bad for you. Right? NO. They are a good source of high quality protein and are fine - in moderation - in an otherwise balanced diet. GOOD GRIEF.

Anyway, it got me to thinking that if I want to get rich, I should write the book: "Eat More, Exercise Less, Have Great Sex" since that seems to be what everyone - me included - wants to be able to do. It seems to me that nearly all of the popular diet and exercise programs have some element of the eat more, exercise less, have great sex philosophy.

Or maybe I'll write the book "Six-Pack Abs in 6 minutes a week" I don't know where it got started but clearly having great looking abs is a prerequisite for good health. COME ON!

I'm angry. At myself. At the industry that encourages people to believe the unbelievable. And, at the running community that still looks down it's nose at people - like me - who are trying to change their lives with their own two feet. We have so much to overcome that we just can't be bothered trying to shave 3 seconds off our 5K times. AAARRRGGGHHH!

I am recommitting today to standing up for the joy of movement. ANY movement. And to always, ALWAYS, searching for the truth.

Waddle on,

Wednesdays With The Penguin

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 16:18:00 GMT

So far, so good. I actually showed up on the first Wednesday to do the blog. It's not that I don't want to blog, it's just that I'm not sure I understand what it is that blogging does.

These days it seems like everyone with access to a computer keyboard has their own private space on the internet. I'm sure that all of us think that our lives are simply the most interesting lives ever, or at least we think that our uninteresting lives are of interest to others, but I'm not sure. As one who lives a fair part of my life in public I'm mostly convinced that my life is interesting to me and me only.

But, that's not to say that there aren't things that I'd like to say. Again, as a professional writer, there are things that I'd like to be able to say without the interference of editors, and copy-editors, and editorial boards, and advertising folks, etc. So, this is going to be much more free-form and MUCH more "real" than anything that makes it into print.

If it interests you; great. If not; I understand.

Today is about getting back into the groove. Over the past month I've moved and survived the holidays. I also turned 60 which seems to be a major age threshold for me. I haven't "had" to be "the Penguin" in over a month, but, Friday when I show up in Orlando for the Disney World Marathon weekend I will be "all Penguin all the time" and I'm looking forward to it.

Finally, I'm going to go back to the beginning and start writing a blog called "The Recess Bell". It will more general fitness based and will focus less on running and more on finding your own play.

So, that's it for this Wednesday, January 7, 2009. Enjoy the week. I'll see you next Wednesday.

John

The Chicago Distance Classic

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:19:49 GMT

WOW. What a day.

August in Chicago is HOT, HOT, HOT. Historically, the Sunday of the Chicago Distance Classic has been one of the hottest days of the summer. But this year we, the organizers and the participants, got lucky and we had one of the most beautiful days of the summer. The temperature was 64 degrees at race start.

With registrations topping 11,000 we decided to use an "honor system" wave start. All-in-all in went well. We did have a bit a confusion because the waves weren't exactly defined, but everyone was patient and cooperated. The result was a safer, faster, race course for everyone.

One of the best parts of the day was seeing so many charities represented. We really focused on increasing charity participation and in paid off. We had over 35 charities out there with well over 2,000 participants.

But, the real congratulations goes to the City of Chicago and the various agencies that make the city work. We had wonderful partners in the Chicago Police, Chicago Fire Department, Office of Emergency Management and Communications, Park District, and more. Our thanks to everyone who helped make it a special day for everyone.

John

And now for something completely different

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:56:12 GMT

If you look REAL closely, you can see a deer just up the trail from me.

With the Chicago Distance Classic just a week away i was in desparate need for some peace and quiet. I needed someplace - and something - that would give my brain a break from thinking about registration numbers, porta-potties, and medal lanyards.

Because running is both a profession and a passion, when I need to clear my head I'll often do something OTHER than run. I'll head out for a half-day on the motorcycle or, in this case, grab the moutain bike and ride the trails near Willow Springs.

I know that it's called "cross-training", but for me - especially when I need a break - it's not training at all. It's riding my bike. It's being 12 years-old again and going for a bike ride. No pressure. No goal. No expectation. A ride. Pure and simple.

And having to stop for a deer makes it all the more special. It's a great reminder that there is a world out there that I can choose to be a part of, or apart from. Yesterday, i was a part of. And THAT was good.

Waddle on,

John

Home and Away

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:50:11 GMT

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 !charityride08.jpg!

The Apple and the Tree

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 15:49:36 GMT

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

Running the Last Frontier

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 15:14:45 GMT

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.

Land of the Midnight Sun

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 01:49:45 GMT

OK. I think I've been on the road too long.

This trip started last Saturday. I flew to Seattle, drove to Tacoma, spoke, spent the night, drove to Seattle, drove BACK to Tacoma because I forgot my hanging bag in the hotel room, drove BACK to Seattle, spent the night, drove to Bellingham, spent the night, drove BACK to Seattle - and stopped at a Wal-Mart to buy a garment bag-, spent the night, FLEW to Anchorage - which is where I am right now.

SO! I check in, pull mail, get caught up a little and then start thinking about a run. I look at my watch, it's nearly 3 PM. I want to run at 4. THEN I THINK. I hope it doesn't start getting dark while I'm out there.

WHAT A MAROON! It's June 20. I'm in Anchorage, Alaska. The sun sort of goes down at - oh - 11 PM. Too many miles in too many days.

A couple of good things, though. While in Seattle I caught up with Mark Conners - formerly of Spenco - now with BodyGlide. Mark supported me early on when I was trying to get this whole "penguin" thing going. Without his help I never could have toured in 2000 and 2001. It was great to see him again.

Of course, I am a HUGE fan of BodyGlide. My number one rule is that anything that CAN rub together WILL rub together. If they sold BodyGlide in 50 gallon drums I'd probably have one. I use it liberally on all those sensitive areas that tend to rub or blister. It's great stuff and should be in every runner's bag of tricks.

OH, yeah, I got in my run, am back at the computer, and guess what? THE SUN IS STILL OUT! Go figure.

Most of the TEAM will get in tomorrow and then it's off to the TnT Pasta Party and race.

Waddle on,

Where it all began

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 15:46:15 GMT

I had a chance, last night, to do something that very few people get to do. I got to thank the folks that gave me the life that I have.

I am in Tacoma, Washington for the DRSWCXVI, the Dead Runners Society's 16th annual World Conference. For those of you who DON'T know, and I suspect that's MOST of you, the Dead Runners Society was one of - if not THE - first internet group of runners. It's a email list that started back in the dark ages of the internet - 1993 - and had a profound influence on how runners communicated with each other.

In 1995 I submitted an email to the BIG LIST, as it was called, that became the first Penguin Chronicle in Runner's World magazine. It was an email, no more, but it became the template for the columns. When the column first appeared in Runner's World, in May of 1996, my world changed. And it all started with the wonderful people of the Dead Runners Society.

It's also an opportunity to spend some time with my old friend Indro Neri. He and I met in Florence, Italy in the summer of 1996, I was the best man in his wedding, and we have had a number of adventures over the years including the Popcorn Chicken Odyssey in 1999.

There isn't time or space to describe Indro's level and depth of creativity. I can only say that it takes me about 6 months to process 24 hours of the conversations that we have.

So, today, I am grateful for the opportunity that I was given to be the voice of the second running boom. And, I am especially grateful to the membership of the Dead Runners Society - past and present - who were instrumental in giving me the forum on which to speak.

John

Making the Magic Happen

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:27:31 GMT

I am often asked what it's like to be a writer, author, and columnist. Now, for those of you who DON'T know, there IS a difference. And there's a big difference between writers, authors, columnists, and JOURNALISTS. I am NOT a journalist. At least I don't think I am.

What's funny is that there's probably a new category: blogger, or blogist. I guess I am one of those.

A writer "writes". If you look at Runner's World you'll see what I mean. They "write" articles about things that are interesting to them, or interesting to someone. Basically everyone in the back half of Runner's World is a writer.

An author writes books. So, yeah, I've done that.

But mostly I am a columnist. I write columns. And I'm not a journalist because I'm not writing ABOUT anything except what's going on inside my head. Make no mistake, I like being a columnist.

A column starts as an idea, a thought, or a concept. Sometimes they are based on something that is happening, like when I was stopped by a train in Portland, sometimes they're based on something that has just happened, like the Goofy Challenge, and sometimes they're based on something that happened a LONG time ago. And sometimes, they're not based on anything at all.

The white board in the photo is where I put column titles. That's always the first step. If I can get a title, I can write a column. Some titles turn into columns almost overnight. One title "Pacing the Cage" was on the board for over two years before I could make it work. I've got one up there now "The Butterfly Effect" that I'm sure will be a good column as soon as I figure out what it's going to be.

There's no way to grind out a column, or at least not for me. If it's there, it's there. I just sort of watch the words appear on the screen. And when it's working, it's more fun than I can describe.

So, if you've got a thought, an idea, a passion, an experience - write about it. Don't worry if anyone EVER reads it. Just get it down.

All the best.

John

Home Sweet Home

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:51:01 GMT

It's about 9:45 on Saturday morning and I'm doing something I almost NEVER do. I'm sitting at home, relaxing with a cup of coffee, and thinking about what I want to do with the day.

AMAZING!

Those of you who work "real" jobs may not understand, but for a "weekender" like me Saturday mornings at home are a rare treat. The LAST Saturday morning that I was home was April 6. So, I'm enjoying this.

It gives me a little time to reflect on the Spring and look forward to the Summer. I'm off to the Dead Runners Society world conference next weekend, then Anchorage, then back to Seattle and boarding a ship for the Great Alaskan Maritime Marathon. It's going to be a fun couple of weeks.

Once I get to July 1 all of my time and energy will go into the final preparations for the Chicago Distance Classic. The race keeps getting bigger, and we hope better. What started in 2002 with 2400 participants is now a nearly 12,000 person event. I'm hopeful that we can get in front of the growth this year and make sure that every element of the race is done well.

But for now I'm going to relax a bit, pour myself another cup of coffee, and take it easy.

The Heart of Rock 'n' Roll

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 17:13:08 GMT

What a day. 20,000 finishers experienced what was the best day for a Rock 'n' Roll marathon in San Diego that I can remember. The clouds were there early on and when they left, blown away by a strong breeze, that breeze kept all of us comfortable for the 8 hours and 24 minutes it took to get everyone across the finish line.

All the great coaches, mentors, and staff from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training program stay to the end and form a Tunnel of Love for the final finishers. It's quite a sight. What was once a dreary and lonely walk to the finish line has been transformed into an emotional high point for the participant and for everyone who sees it.

I'm on my way home for the longest break I've had in quite a while. I'll sleep in my own bed for 11 days before I take off for Takoma and the Dead Runner's Society convention. Then, it's off to Anchorage for the Mayor's Midnight Sun marathon with the "Team" THEN it's off to the high seas on the Great Alaskan Maritime Marathon.

In the meantime, preparations are going hot and heavy for the 2008 Chicago Distance Classic. The registration numbers are VERY strong and we're looking forward to a fantastic event.

NOTES FROM THE HEART:

As I mentioned, I'm going to try to spend a little time each week chronicling the past year. It's been scary, frustrating, hopeful, confusing, and everything in between. For now, I'm back to being able to run for about 30 minutes, 5 days a week. That's a LOT of running compared to most of the last year.

I'm grateful to be back out there.

John

California Dreamin'

John -the Penguin- Bingham — Fri, 30 May 2008 17:28:39 GMT

It is nearly impossible for me to believe that this is the 11th Rock 'n' Roll marathon in San Diego. I was here the first year, 1998, with the Runner's World Pace Team. Other pacers included Boston Marathon winner Amby Burfoot, Olympian Jeff Galloway, and 8 time Ironman winner Paula Newby-Frasier. Imagine being on a stage with THAT group.

In 1999 my son, Terry, and I rode Suzuki motorcycles from New York City to San Diego and THEN ran the marathon together. Amazing.

In 2000 I was out here with the Firebird as part of a summer long West Coast tour. Long time Runner's World readers may remember a column about my drag racing some young kid in his souped-up "Euro" hotrod. The Firebird's big V8 was no match for loud mufflers on a VW.

The other years start to blend together. I've run the event several times, helped pass out water at Margaritaville, spoken and 6 Team in Training Pasta Parties, and been on the announcer's stand at the finish. It's been a great time every year.

Of course, it is in San Diego. Hard to imagine NOT have a good time in paradise. So I'm looking forward to another great weekend. If anyone is out here, stop by and see me at the Expo.