I did not win the lottery

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 I did not win the lottery. 

This afternoon I received notice from the Chicago Marathon race organizers. I did not get entry to the race. Sure, I feel a little bummed, but I knew getting in by lottery was a long shot at best. Amazing if I did, only tempered disappointment if I didn't

This news does set off a set of more certain ideas for 2026. I already have my place booked for overnight accommodations for Detroit Free Press Marathon, even though registration doesn't open until January 1. And since winter kicked into high gear and reminded me how terrible marathon training on ice and snow is, I'm hardly tempted to try and run a spring marathon. A half-marathon perhaps, but I don't have the heart to attempt speed work out or marathon pace stuff on packed snow followed by powdered snow followed by a sheet of ice. I know it would just leave me frustrated. And a treadmill? Come on. Really? 99% of why I run is for the daily dose of fresh air.

Make no mistake, I still want to run Chicago and hit the entry time (3:10). It is still an ambitious goal and I hope they don't move the goal posts again, but I also want to enjoy the process


of getting there. Maybe apply to be a race ambassador. Train intensely, but also find pleasure in the challenge. If it were easy wouldn't more people be doing it? 

After my PR in Detroit last year, I had the sense I hadn't yet reached my limit. I still have that sensation. I have learned loads over the past few years about how to race, but all parts still feel like they are working on coming together. It is the sensation of trying to figure out the orientation of a puzzle piece that looks right, but just doesn't seem to want to work.

Practically speaking I think the schedule looks like this:

Spring: Half Marathon (KZoo? Glass City?)
March 17 - St. Patty's Day 5k Bay City
July 4: Volkslauf 10k
September 27 - Festival of Races Sault St. Mary (over a bridge) Half-Marathon tune up.
October 19 - Detroit Free Press Marathon
November 26 - Gobbler Gallop


We'll see and if the Lord wills it. 
Grateful for today.

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