Save Our Parks!!!

I just read today that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich is shutting down 11 State Parks and 13 State historical sites making them a casualty of the state budget crisis. The parks include Kickapoo State Park in Oakwood, the site of numerous Kennekuk Road Runners' events, and Moraine View State Park near LeRoy, the site of the immensely popular Tri-Shark Classic triathlon. Also included on the list are Lincoln Log Cabin near my childhood home - Charleston.

Kickapoo park is also home to a fantastic series of singletrack mountain bike trails - something sorely lacking throughout central Illinois. It is slated to close November 1.

If you care about our quality of life, our opportunities for relaxation and recreation, our appreciation for the beauty of nature, and our ability to share these resources with our friends and families I encourage you to write to your representatives and senators to tell them that we won't let the Governor lock up our state parks and tell us to "keep out."

You can look up your Congress members and Senators here by zip code+4.

The list of casualties:
STATE HISTORIC SITES
— Dana-Thomas House, Springfield
— Lincoln log cabin near Charleston
— David Davis mansion, Bloomington
— Fort de Chartres, Randolph County
— Vandalia statehouse
— State center at Bishop Hill, Henry County
— Carl Sandburg birthplace, Galesburg
— Cahokia courthouse
— Bryant Cottage, Bement
— Jubilee College, near Peoria
— Apple River Fort, Elizabeth
— Fort Kaskaskia, Randolph County
— Pierre Menard home, Randolph County
STATE PARKS
— Castle Rock State Park, Oregon
— Lowden State Park, Oregon
— Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park, Sheffield
— Illini State Park, Marseilles
— Channahon Parkway State Park, Channahon
— Gebhard Woods State Park, Morris
— Hidden Springs State Forrest, Strasburg
— Kickapoo State Park, Oakwood
— Moraine View State Park, Leroy
— Weldon Springs State Park, Clinton
— Wolf Creek State Park, Windsor

Back in Training...

So far, so good. I'm getting my runs, bikes, and swims in. And except for a flat tire that cut my ride short the other night, I'm getting in good training volume. I have some hill bricks to do in the next couple of weeks and I'm looking forward to them. Suffering is fun? Yes, suffering is fun when you choose to do it.

Unfortunately, I'm losing my job at the end of the month. But that will give me more time to train. (see that, think positively ;-) I've often wondered what it would be like to have all day to train, and now I get to find out.

It's Official.

I registered for the USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals today. Time to crank up the workouts and hit the hills. I've taken it a little easier since qualifying. I did run a 10K yesterday, but didn't run it well.

32 days and counting...let's see what we can do...

This is August?

6.6 miles last night. I had a great run. Weather was beautiful - 75 degrees when I started, mild humidity - just fantastic conditions. I think people in California call this kind of weather "the weather."

It's Not the Heat...

Got a five mile run in last night after 9pm. When I went outside, it felt a little bit muggy. I walked to the corner where I normally start my run and the bank clock/thermometer said 80. That's not too bad...I was glad I waited until the evening to go running. The day was really hot, I think the heat index was up over 100.

I wasn't running fast...still had quite a bit of dinner in my belly. This was causing some discomfort and some gas, but not enough to make me stop. After the first 3/4 of a mile, I was already feeling a powerful sweat coming over me. I was drenched from that point on.

When I got home and was entering my workout into my log, I checked the weather stats. 90% humidity! Yuck.

I was glad to get the run in. After Evergreen I think I went through a little bit of a post-success hangover. I met my goal and was dealing with the letdown that followed. After work, when I normally workout, I was feeling a lack of motivation - almost feeling depressed. I couldn't get myself going. I've finally gotten a couple of runs and a bike ride done and I think I'm back on track.