Zach Runs Chicago

If you've read about RAM Racing's Terrapin 5K over the last few years (maybe here or maybe over at Fuzzy's blog , or really all over the place) then you know what the basic theme is. If not, then you should know that it's a 5K nestled in a music festival and it usually takes place the Thursday night before Lollapalooza starts. This year, though, it's on Thursday, July 2nd. Fittingly. It's the Thursday before The Grateful Dead perform together one last time at Soldier Field .  And it's the last Terrapin 5K. Mirroring the final performance by The Dead, the Terrapin website claims that the "Terrapin 5k is Headed Back to Chicago for One Last Time!" I checked with RAM Racing on this one to make sure it wasn't a publicity stunt and a representative confirmed: "This is the last time we are doing this race." So if you've never run it before - I highly recommend you get out there next month and check it out! And if you have run...

As a member of the running community I've obviously heard a lot about the Rock 'n' Roll series over the last several years - especially since the brand was purchased by Competitor Group in 2008 and really started expanding - but I'd never run one before. I figured now was a good time to check one out. On Friday afternoon I went to McCormick Place for the expo (I figured it would be easier to get in and out on Friday than on Saturday). After picking up my bib, shirt and "swag bag" (their words) I spent a good deal of time walking around checking out all the booths (and there were a lot). Even though I knew Rock 'n' Roll is a big brand for some reason I was still surprised by the size of the expo and the amount of free stuff they were giving out. I'd guess the expo was about half the size of the Chicago Marathon. As I was getting ready to leave I walked past a booth and almost walked into Dean Karnazes . While I wasn't a big fan of his last...