The Penguin Chronicles : Tags : roll

Home and Away

Posted by John -the Penguin- Bingham Jul 21, 2008

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

2 Comments Permalink Tags: bingham, chicago, penguin, runners, running, team, walking, world, roll, rock

The Heart of Rock 'n' Roll

Posted by John -the Penguin- Bingham Jun 2, 2008

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

1 Comments Permalink Tags: bingham, chicago, penguin, rock, roll, runners, running, walking, world

California Dreamin'

Posted by John -the Penguin- Bingham May 30, 2008

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.