By Matt Vortman
The Quad Cities Marathon was held September 28th, 2008. In conjunction with the full 26.2 mile marathon, they have a marathon relay, half marathon, and 5K. I chose to run a half marathon about a month ago. I actually ran the Quad Cities Marathon in 2005, my first. It was a miserable experience. [...]

By Andy Peterson
I thought I’d do a writeup of the Monster Adventure experience, covering not just the race, but also the teammate - Dan B. - one of the two great minds behind Hardy Breed. To the other - Jason - a tribute.  Jason was Dan’s original partner but could not make it for the [...]

A few days ago, I mailed my 2008 St. Jude Marathon registration application. I’m really looking forward to completing the St. Jude Memphis Marathon; it will be my second lifetime marathon. Also, I have to return a medal to my friend. I’ll explain why later.

The Lewis and Clark Marathon/ Half Marathon are held on Sunday, September 14th and are run through St. Charles County. The race starts at the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater and finishes up in Frontier Park, the site of the Lewis and Clark Statue. Both the Marathon and Half marathon run the same course for the first 13.1 miles and then the Marathon continues with an out-and-back along the Katy Trail. The course is pretty flat with only 1 major incline (I think) that hits between miles 7 and 8. There was supposed to be in upwards of 5,500+ attending the race.

By Eric Sommer - The Big Shoulders open water swim classic is an annual event held in Chicago every September. This year’s race featured 603 swimmers from all over the country. The weather always seems to be an issue for one reason or another. One year they’ll have 3 foot swells and athletes get sea-sickness from the motion of the waves, and another year the water is an absurdly cold 63 degrees and swimmers are faced with the possibility of hypothermia.

By Dan Dungan - I made the decision early in the season to support the local Petersburg lads and have a go at their event. I’ ll give them massive kudos for this undertaking. It’s often overlooked by race participants, the shear volume of work required to pull off a triathlon.

By Matt Vortman - The Bix 7, a seven mile road race held each year in Davenport, Iowa is hands-down my favorite road race to participate in. The race is named after a famous jazz musician, Bix Beiderbecke who was born in Davenport. I was introduced to this race while at St. Ambrose University in 2002 and have done it ever since.

Saying Goodbye to Running and Hello to…Running - I know I’m supposed to believe in myself. I know I’m supposed to have positive thoughts and really believe that I can achieve my dreams. But I’ve also learned that you have to have a backup plan. Because the reality of it is, only a small fraction of athletes achieve their goal of making the Olympic Team. There were only 3 spots available on the steeplechase squad, and I wasn’t the only one who thought she had a right to one of those spots. I wasn’t the only one who had made sacrifices, who had worked hard, who had tried to do everything right. I wasn’t the only one who believed in herself. I wasn’t the only one with great support from family and friends. So while I did everything I could to get mentally prepared for the final of the women’s steeplechase at the U.S. Olympic Trials on July 3, 2008, I made one mental note that acknowledged the possibility that I might not make the team: if things are not going your way, you better at least give it your absolute all.

By Anne Baker - For the past four years I have run the Women’s Distance Festival two-mile race in Washington Park. It’s a great race that gets better every year. But sometimes a change is in order. For reasons that defy logic, Steve and I signed up for the Tour de Donut Bike Ride in Staunton, IL.

By Kevin Milward - I finished my first 1/2 ironman triathlon on 06/29/08. It was a grueling & amazing experience. My quest started back in November when one of my buddies (Steve V) suggested doing this crazy event. I laughed at him. I had only completed sprint triathlons (more on that later). I had been running with another buddy to prepare for the Lincoln half marathon, as I had only done 2 half marathons at that point.