Inside information

[Iceman]

I have been informed that registration for the Chicago Marathon will close at midnight Thursday. This is your last chance to use the race as an excuse to book a holiday in the states and run (or in my case trudge, plod and crawl) through the streets of Chicago for 26.2 miles. Nigel? Andy? Anyone?

[Nigel]

Thanks, Rick. I'd recommend the race to anyone and everyone. It's a fantastic event on the world stage, in a wonderful city.

Tempting as it is, sadly I won't be running in Chicago this year, except in spirit. I over-punished myself in the first half of 2004, and something's gotta give.

One of Hal Higdon's soundest words of wisdom states, "To be ready for your next marathon, you need to have forgotten your last one". That's pretty good advice, which I'm going to try out. Fortunately, my memory seems to be quite short, so maybe another year....

Have a great race, and be sure to send a report on your preparations and on your race to us on this side of the pond.