It seems as the challenge of staying afloat in this economic environment has grown
harder this year so has the challenge to shake off the winter pounds I'd
accumulated and get back on track with my running  this summer.
The economy, the weather and family issues have all posed unique
challenges this year.

For the last several months I've been doing my favorite afternoon training run
were I jump off the train home a few stops early and run home. My favorite
run is from Elmhurst to my home in Lombard about 6 miles away. Having
been an accomplished runner for several years I've used this training
run to help get myself into running shape.
For whatever reason or reasons this year has been noticeably more
difficult than past years.There has been much more on my mind;
work, family, the delayed onset of Chicago's summer if at all,  my aging body's
aches and pains......It seems like everything has been just a little more challenging this year....
which got me to thinking.....'quagmire'.....'quagmire'     is the term that kept
creeping into my head during my runs home.

A "Quagmire" according to Webster's is defined as 'a patch of soft miry ground
that gives way underfoot.' So far my training this year has been like running in a
quagmire....like .. running in soft wet sand uphill.....making little progress.....
There is one specific mile during my Elmhurst to Lombard run I refer to
as the "Quagmire mile"  or the "Quagmile"  if you will allow me to create my own terminology.
The "quagmile' Iies between Elmhurst and Lombard 1/2 way thru my 6 mile route home.
Once I traverse the bridge spanning route 83 and Salt Creek I leave the serene prarie of Elmhurst behind, 

 I find myself next to the old Ovaltine factory in
Villa Park, (the village that lies between Elmhurst and Lombard.)....The
Prarie Path here, although lovely in it's own right, opens up to a wide
sundrenched thouroughfare between two noisy boulevards.
Still very scenic, this mile long stretch has far fewer shade trees
much more direct sun and is actually a slight uphill climb. I also
suspect the mile markers between 7 and 8 must be at least 1.1 miles apart
because even in my best running shape I struggle to post decent
interval times on it.  I know that I don't need to keep interval times
for this segment but if I can do well on this stretch I can do well anywhere else...So most
of the last 3 years I've been running home from the train, this mile,
The "Quagmile, " has been my personal bugaboo.....Even after running this
mile over and over I'm still surprised each and every time just how
difficult it is!
As I mentioned previously I have been struggling quite a bit this year
to get on track and just this past Thursday I took on the quagmile yet
again.
Only recently have I started interval training again by which I keep my
time for a certain distance run after run and try and lower my time
 from workout to workout....This technique has worked very well for me
in the past and not only motivates me to run faster but consequently gets me
into terrific running shape.
On Thurday's run I took my usual route, letting myself find a rhythm for
the first 3 miles and then challenging myself for the last 3 by keeping
my interval time.   I have been keeping track of these interval times
for the last 3 weeks knowing the first few weeks would be
fairly pathetic by my standards....but the last 3 or 4 runs things have
begun to click, and a little, just a little of the old speed I knew
before has been showing  up.....

Thursday was warm but not hot, with overcast skies, a good day to tackle
not only the 3 mile interval distance but the dreaded "quagmile" as well....
I hopped off the train in Elmhurst as usual and began my trek. The
first 2 miles I spent wending my way through  beautiful tree lined streets
with huge stately homes lining the route.....I turn right through a
bicycle shop parking lot and cut thru a small opening in the trees to a pathway of
dirt and rock running parallel to restored prarie surrounded by shoulder high grasses and
wildflowers.  If this stretch lasted for 10 miles I could easily run it without registering another
thought  but it only goes for about 3/4 of a mile before I cross  the
Salt Creek Bridge into Villa Park. The first 1/10 of the 'quagmile'  belies
what lay ahead....There is a lovely corridor lined by massive shade trees
before the gradual incline and withering sun take over....Once I leave the much
appreciated shade behind and hit the wide open  I feel as though I'm
running in oatmeal or at best  very soft sand!  It never fails! It may
be partly psychological but I know running slightly uphill in the bright sun
while trying to lower my interval time also takes a toll.

This particular day there was also a brisk 30 mile an hour west wind
blowing directly in my face....all 3 of these elements combined to make me feel
as if I was standing still,  my arms and legs punching the air like a bug on it's back to no
avail.
Altough I knew I was,  it felt as I was making little or no forward progress!!!
I pushed on, it seemed to last forever....the last 1/10 of the quagmile
thankfully crests and  ends on a gentle decline to  mile marker.....7.....only here do I
feel some relief and power come back to my stride......I glance at my watch
8:45!!!!!  just short of a 9 minute mile.....a really lousy mile time
for me at any distance!!!  Disappointed yet determined I put my head
down, take  adeep breath and push forward..........still 2 miles to go....the mental
challenge  now is to regroup and push the last 2 miles to lower that interval
time.....thankfully the corridor narrows again and the path goes back
through shaded forest stretches again....somehow, I feel  my old stride
return!!!  I push hard the last two miles concentrating on my stride
and breathing....
Although it was tough and physically draining, I found the energy to
lower my time by a full minute from only two days prior!!!    25:24 .  An average
of 8:28 per mile!!   This is not my final goal.  I'd like to knock the
time to under 21:00 minutes for the 3 miles. But it was a huge gain for
me especially after pushing thru the dreaded quagmile!!   I had shaken off
the poor 8:45 mile and rebound to run much better times for the last 2
miles!!!   What I'm trying to say here is 'when life gives you
"quagmiles"  don't give up and keep pushing through it until you can
find your stride once again' ..This gives me the strength to keep
pushing through the quagmile that 2009 has been so far!!!

I realize through  personal determination and focusing on the positives
in my life most notably, the love of my family and friends, I  will find my
stride in 2009 after all and if not this year then certainly in 2010!!!
Stay well, keep running, and I will see you out on the pathways!!!

Dave. 

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Postscript; The morning after I initially posted this blog I ran 6 miles using the last 3 as an interval session,

I was somehow able to shave 2 full minutes off my previous best for the year!!!!!