Big Ten 10k 2015

July 25, 2015 

6th 10k - BTN Big 10k Chicago, IL

Time: 1:16:21 Pace: 12:18

Place: 3312/4312 women, Div 1 place 171, Div total 260 Age grade 41.56%

I need to start by saying my crappy time was attributed to several factors: less than 6 hours sleep, I didnt try to race it as I had an additional 6 miles to run afterwards, I stopped to use the toilet, I stopped to slide on a slip n slide and I stopped to take a photo.

I'm flashing a backwards D P for DePaul

My day started and ended on not-so-good notes. Some days are like that. It's OK.  I had a terrible time falling asleep. My Fitbit clocked me with 5 hours and 5 minutes. I decided to sleep a little while longer and opt for an Uber ride to the race rather than the L or bus. I checked the rate which was acceptable so I went back to bed for a little while longer.  When I got ready to leave the rate surged to ridiculousness. I was screwed as Uber intended. Then as I was waiting outside for my ride the driver cancelled the trip. WTF? I had to order up another Uber!

I made it down to Soldier Field with plenty of time to spare. I had to pee from the get go but was too lazy to go find a toilet. Yes, lazy. Who knows how a person who is about to run 6.2 miles can call them self lazy but I did.

flashing "DP" in sign language for my real college, DePaul

I am still struggling to remember what my motivation was that got me to register for this race. I didnt go to a Big10 school nor do I care about football. I chose Northwestern for my race shirt as I wanted a purple shirt. I will never do this race again but I am also a one and done person with a lot of things including races. It was too many college kids and they are just too annoying to deal with in one big mob. Firstly, they are really unfriendly. I usually end up talking to people when I'm in the start coral but not at this race. And not in the line to get stretched out either. I also have never seen a post race party so untidy. There were garbage cans all over the place but these kids couldn't seem to be bothered to use them. 

 Despite being super tired my first instinct was to race this but I needed to conserve energy. As part of marathon training I had to run another 6 miles and it was horribly humid! 

The course was sort of lame. It was mostly on the path but part of it went onto the far right lane of Lake Shore Drive. I ran the first mile and the last mile straight and did a 5/1 in between. I stopped to take the photo above. I am never one to do that but today was different. 

 I also stopped to use the port-o-potty. As soon as I got in that tiny box I felt a wave of heat come over me. I looked at my beet red face in the mirror and tried to pee as fast as I could; if I didn't I was sure to pass out. 

Shortly after the toilet was the slip n slide I had been waiting for! It was one of those off the ground, blow up kind not the old fashioned kind like from when I was a kid. It was a refreshing cool break from the maddening heat!

So I crossed the finish line with my worst 10k time ever but I wasnt DFL so it's all good. I grabbed a cold towel and wiped my neck, grabbed a bottle of water and started to get annoyed at how long it took to get my medal. It was only a 10k, what was my problem. 

I waited in line for perhaps 2o minutes to get stretched out. They didn't have enough folks to do it so the line went really slowly. I had to get on my way. I had only one serving of Shot Blocks left and still had 6 miles ahead of me.   I grabbed a banana and found my way through all the trash lying all over the ground to the Lake Front Path.

It was a nice run as far as sights to see. I never very far south of North Ave. I felt like a badass passing up those walking home from the race. After I passed navy Pier and got to Oak Street Beach I started to lose it. It was getting hot and I really wanted to give up. I had to stop a few times and stick my face in a water fountain. My feet were hurting so I stopped for a few minutes under a tree to cool down and readjust my shoelaces.

I got off the path at Fullerton. By this point my stomach was roaring! I turned north onto Clark St and headed straight to Sultans Market and ordered the lamb shwarma dinner. I took about 3 bites and I was full. Running likes to play jokes on the body. I kept eating but took half home. 

The bus couldn't come fast enough. I couldn't keep my eyes open and my feet were sore beyond belief. My body was so messed up I could barely bring my self to full yoga positions the next day at Montrose Beach. The stretch felt good but my mind wasn't in it.