If you like running 7 miles with huge hills, high temperatures, and high humidity… then the Bix 7 is for you! It had been over 6 years since I last ran the Bix and I had totally forgotten how much torture it was. The hills are just brutal and the 10000000% humidity didn’t help the situation. The real fun is hanging out after the race with friends at the local bars.
Time: 1:04:23
Carter and I started the holiday weekend a day early and went to see The Good Dinosaur. Pixar’s latest creation wasn’t as good as their classics, but it still had a solid story. I’m sure it will make it into our library once it comes out on DVD.
Early the next morning Julie, some of our neighbors and I, all ran the Naperville Turkey Trot. This race has become one of our favorite traditions and we look forward to it each year. Our awesome matching socks gave me a boost, because I got a PR of 24:20!
Place Bib Athlete Name City State Age Gender Finish Time
699 757 MARTY WASSMER NAPERVILLE 35 M 0:24:20
1058 758 JULIE WASSMER NAPERVILLE 35 F 0:25:43
After the race, it was off to Uncle Jason and Aunt Anna’s house to pack in all the calories we just burned off. We enjoyed the 3 F’s: family, food, and football.
On black friday, like millions of other people, we celebrated capitalism by shopping a bit. Julie and I are not the “crazy” ones that wake up at 4:00 AM but we do try to venture out during normal hours and get some Christmas shopping done.
Sunday was all about the Christmas spirit! We set up the christmas trees, finished putting up the christmas lights outside, and built our gingerbread house. Our house is looking good and fully prepped for Santa. To wrap up the holiday weekend we went downtown to see the Naperville parade of lights which is always a specticle. Forget the floats, Carter and Emery just love getting the candy and of course, seeing Santa Claus himself!
The Bix 7 was this weekend. For those of you not from the Quad Cities, it is the biggest event of the year, which consists of a 7 mile and very HILLY race around Davenport. This race tests your endurance like no other race. Truly! There are festivities all weekend in the downtown area. I had been asking Julie to run the race for years, and finally convinced her to run it with me. We ran side-by-side, which is one of our favorite things to do together as a couple. We came in at the same exact time although I’ll admit, I think Julie beat me by a hair (proof is in the picture). The official race times:
Time Name Hometown State
1:05:10 Julie Wassmer Naperville IL
1:05:10 Marty Wassmer Naperville IL
Julie and I, with 5000 of our closest Napervillian friends ran the Naperville Turkey Trot. There is nothing like waking up early and freezing your tail off, then heading to Starbucks to warm up after. Its become a tradition for the past few years and we enjoy it more each year. Soon, the kids will be able to run with us, and we look forward to that day. It works out pretty well because we know that all the calories we burned during the run, will immediately get replenished by the Thanksgiving goodies: turkey, stuffing, green rice, etc.
This year Uncle Jason and Aunt Anna hosted, and Stubler clan with aunts and uncles were there.
It was little Emery’s very first turkey day. She too stuffed her face with all the good food and loved all the attention from the family.
Julie and Sue finished the Naperville Half Marathon
today and they both made their goals! Grandpa, Carter, Emery and I all went to cheer them on. It was a little cold so everyone was bundled up but we were glad to be there and help them hit their goals.
Sue landed at a 2:30 and Julie got 1:58.
Holy cow, I ran my first half Marathon! This was the inagural marathon in Naperville, sponsored by Edward Hospital. We raised over $400 to support the Edward Foundation. It was the longest race I have ever done and I hit my goal by coming in at 2:00:52. Julie originally signed up for this race, but I had to stand in for her since we have a bun in the oven. She instead became a big supporter and helped me get through training and the race. Julie, Carter and even the neighbors came out to check out the action. All the spectators really helped to get through the long 13.1 miles.
Apparently I didn’t run fast enough because I had enough energy to play with carter in the leaves when we got home. I was hoping to just bum around the house but how can pass up a good leaf pile? I also finished working in the basement to prepare for our carpet install which was scheduled a few days later.
Saturday before the race, we went to Jump Zone for Ella’s 3rd birthday party. Carter had a good time running around bouncing on all the jumpy’s. I love these types of places because they always wear the kids out. Carter always jumps himself into a coma and sure enough, on the way home he passed out before we got out of the parking lot.
Julie and I ran in the Hot Chocolate 15K 2 weekends ago in downtown Chicago. The course took us from Grant Park down Lake Shore Drive 4 miles and then up the lake back to the park. As you can see below Julie beat me pretty good. I knew the day would come that she would be passing me up. It is amazing that just a few years ago Julie could barely run a mile and now she is kicking my butt in a 15K. Good job pookie!
My Time:
1 hr 28 min 09 sec
Pace Overall Age Group Sex
09 min 28 sec 5586 494 of 950 2601 of 4912
Julie’s Time:
1 hr 27 min 08 sec
Pace Overall Age Group Sex
09 min 21 sec 5159 455 of 2014 2665 of 11328
I’m pretty sure no one should be taking pictures of me while I’m running…
Grandpa and Grandma finally made it up and got to spend some time with Carter this weekend. The last attempt for a visited was disrupted by the flu, so this visit was a long time coming. Early Saturday Carter and my parents went to the Dupage Children’s Museum while Julie and I shopped downtown Naperville. Carter had a blast at the museum. He was so tired he almost fell asleep before we left the parking lot.
Sunday, Julie’s and I did the Plainfield Harvest 5k which is a run that her work, Edward Hospital, sponsors. I took an early lead but was completely wore out after 2 miles. Julie had a tad more in the gas tank and almost caught up to me. I ended up getting a 25:01 and Julie had a 25:15. The official results are here: http://www.theracershub.com/files/699-1842.txt
