Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Running amuck

Over the past few days, I've encountered three separate instances of running amuck in either a literal or figurative sense.

 This past Sunday, I had a fabulously craptastic run. I got started too late in the morning. The sun and humidity were already rearing their ugly heads. My legs felt like lead weights. It was a huge struggle to maintain even the slowest of paces.
I slugged through three miles and thought about calling it quits. But these days I'm trying to make my short runs a minimum of four miles, so I pushed on. Thankfully that last mile, while still miserable, felt much better than the other three. Funny how the body can feel so different from mile to mile, eh? It was good to be reminded that even if a run feels awful, it doesn't always mean it will stay that way.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous about running Fort2Base this Sunday. If the conditions are anything similar to what we've been having these past few weeks, it's gonna be a LONG race. Fingers crossed that Mother Nature will be kind!

The Chicago Air and Water Show was stunning... in more ways than one. I had a great time hanging out with Natalie on Saturday and watching the Chicago Air and Water Show.
Natalie and me amidst the crowds at Oak Street Beach
Here is a sample of the day's acts:
The Breitling Jet team literally zooming by in formation.
Check out the community of boats in the lake, too.
The performers make it look so easy that you forget that what they are doing is incredibly, astonishingly dangerous!

On that note, Natalie mentioned that before I arrived, she saw a parachute act looked like it had gone terribly wrong. I'll spare the details, but it sounded horrific. Especially when witnessed by the thousands upon thousands of people lined along the lakefront.

The next day, I learned that the man involved in that act had tragically passed away. So awful and so heartbreaking! My prayers go out to the man's family.

My wallet is suddenly much lighter. Blackhawks single-game tickets for the 2015-16 season went on sale yesterday at 10:00 AM. A few minutes beforehand, I was logged into Ticketmaster and furiously refreshing my browser. When the sale opened, I went crazy and bought tickets to four games:
  1. December 13 vs. Canucks
  2. January 17 vs. Canadiens
  3. February 13 vs. Ducks
  4. March 6 vs. Red Wings
Adam also picked up tickets for January 6 versus the Penguins.

I was feeling unsettled for splurging on all those tickets. Then I read a Forbes article on the secondary market's skyrocketing prices. Good lord. I've said for several years that the Blackhawks couldn't possibly get any more popular - yet every year they still do!
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22 comments:

  1. bobbiAugust 18, 2015 at 7:53 AM

    That story of the army sergeant was so sad. For whatever reason, it really stuck with me...

    I was wondering if you'd gotten tickets. I logged on, but TM wouldn't let you get any more than 4 tix, so I skipped it. I can't imagine what my family would do to me if I left people out haha! I was really hoping to be able to get 6 at face value for a game...

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    1. emmers712August 18, 2015 at 9:19 AM

      It really stuck with me, too! I read a few articles about his life leading up to the accident, and it really broke my heart. =(

      Oh wow - I knew that Ticketmaster had quantity restrictions, but I didn't realize it was only 4! That makes it super difficult for larger families to get tickets! I completely agree - I wouldn't want to leave anyone out. What a bummer. =( But we'll keep an eye on the secondary market. From my experience, the games earlier in the season tend to have the best resale prices!

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  2. Alexandra @ My Urban FamilyAugust 18, 2015 at 8:33 AM

    That is awesome that you got tickets to so many games! Luckily I have a family member that usually lets me use two of his season tickets for a game each year as a birthday present. Hopefully that continues! ha

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    1. emmers712August 18, 2015 at 9:20 AM

      Thanks Alexandra! Your family member is very generous to give you some of his season tickets for your birthday - what a wonderful present! I hope that continues for you, too! He's sitting on a gold mine with those tickets! I bet he fully enjoyed them during last year's Cup run. =)

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  3. LesleyAugust 18, 2015 at 8:41 AM

    Go Wings! :-p The secondary market is absolutely crazy! I love hockey but don't go to Stars games. We have an ECHL team and I can go to many of those games instead.

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    1. emmers712August 18, 2015 at 9:23 AM

      Sometimes I seriously wonder who is actually buying those secondary tickets when they are marked up 300% from face value! I've never been to an ECHL game, but we have a few AHL teams close to Chicago. The tickets are definitely MUCH easier to get for those, yes?!?!

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  4. ShinianenAugust 18, 2015 at 9:10 AM

    Good to see you again this weekend!! And ... I'm jealous of your tickets!! Enjoy them this winter.

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    1. emmers712August 18, 2015 at 9:26 AM

      Always good to see you, too!!! Are you planning to go check out any Wild games this year? The Hawks and Wild are playing in that Stadium Series outdoor game on Feb 21... =D

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    2. ShinianenAugust 18, 2015 at 11:28 AM

      I'm not planning anything at this point, though if tickets fell into my lap I might. Are you coming for the outdoor game?!

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    3. emmers712August 18, 2015 at 11:39 AM

      Wasn't originally planning on it, but it would be fun! Let's see how things shake out but I haven't forgotten that it's my turn to visit and run a race with you in MN. =)

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    4. ShinianenAugust 19, 2015 at 8:40 AM

      OK! Though ... you may want to rethink racing in MN in Feb ... ;-)

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    5. emmers712August 19, 2015 at 3:20 PM

      Yeah, at least it is towards the latter half of February, right? =)

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  5. Pete BAugust 18, 2015 at 10:37 AM

    Happy you were able to score those tickets! Hopefully, the Hawks can repeat again this year!

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    1. emmers712August 18, 2015 at 11:10 AM

      Thanks Pete! Every year the ticket competition gets fiercer - it'll be interesting to see how long the fans can keep this torrid pace. Admittedly I don't have very high hopes for the team this year, given all their turnover from salary cap issues. But here is hoping, as always!!!

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  6. AnonymousAugust 18, 2015 at 11:10 AM

    Oh MAN, I can't believe you ran on Sunday! Saturday wasn't great weatherwise, but Sunday was soooo much worse. I kid you not: I was sweating just watering my flowers, and all that involved was standing on my shaded deck and pouring a watering can. Well, props to you for getting through that. I would've been just as tempted to quit as it sounds like you were!

    Bethany @ Accidental Intentions

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    1. emmers712August 18, 2015 at 11:20 AM

      Thanks Bethany - and thanks for the sympathy! Yes, it was a really good thing that you got your long run out of the way on Saturday. I can only imagine what it must have been like for all the folks doing Sunday long runs or gathered to watch the Air and Water show that afternoon. Your flowers must have been really happy to be watered that day!!! =)

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  7. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeAugust 18, 2015 at 6:25 PM

    Sunday just sucked, didn't it? I'm glad to hear that I'm not the only one who felt defeated by Mother Nature!

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    1. emmers712August 19, 2015 at 3:06 PM

      Sunday was awful. It was definitely one of those days, I think, where Mother Nature was reminded us that she is ultimately always in charge!!! We don't stand a chance on those days!!!

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  8. HoHo RunsAugust 18, 2015 at 7:35 PM

    My feet always feet so heavy like cement blocks. That's because 10 pounds of sweat have oozed down into my shoes with nowhere to go. Fingers crossed you have pleasant weather for you race!

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    1. emmers712August 19, 2015 at 3:07 PM

      Oh gosh, I know that feeling of your feet being weighed down by all the sweat. It is a horrible feeling. Thank you for the good weather wishes, and likewise - I wish you good weather for your remaining long runs and for the Chicago Marathon coming up in just a few months!!!

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  9. Zenaida ArroyoAugust 19, 2015 at 9:22 AM

    So cool you got tickets. You are one of the biggest Blackhawks fans I know. I also hope it cools down this weekend. I am supposed to do 16 on Saturday and the thought of running in hot weather (again) depressed me.

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    1. emmers712August 19, 2015 at 3:08 PM

      Thanks Zenaida! I truly love the Blackhawks - they are some of the funniest, most down-to-earth professional athletes you'll ever find. They are so inspirational!

      It definitely seems like the weather is starting to trend downwards towards fall ranges!!! I wish you a strong and enjoyable 16-miler this Saturday!!!

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