Chicago Half Marathon

Seventh Half marathon

Chicago, IL 

9.25.16

Time 2:29:40

Place: overall 5741/8530; female 2969/5029; female 40-44 283/561

This race was kind of a mess from beginning to end. It started with resenting to have to haul my ass all the way to Soldier Field to pick up my packet. I only wanted to this race because of the giant medal. The course wasn't all that appealing. 

The following photos were taken using a tiny clip on camera, hence the lower quality.

 There was a free shuttle on which I was able to secure a seat. The race started at 7 and the friggin' shuttle was leaving near the Belmont red line at 5 am. Let's say it takes an hour to get down to Jackson Park, what was I going to do for an hour? I decided to take Uber instead so I could sleep.

 Regular Uber was $58.00!!!! Uber pool was $43.00. Either way a total rip off. I decided to save the extra dough and take the pool. The uber driver was not paying attention to his GPS so we had to circle around to pick up the other passenger. I was ultimately charged $27 so I'm not sure what happened there.

 I didn't want to be an ass but I had to let this guy know I was trying to make it to my race on time. I thought an hour would be enough. I thought wrong.

 The two exits before Jackson Park off LSD were closed because it was part of the course. Great! So as the driver is navigating around all of this the clock is ticking and I am panicking.

 He pulls up to a corner of Jackson Park that shows no signs of a race save for the few cops diverting traffic. I decided I needed to get out and hope I headed in the right direction.

 I asked everyone I encountered which way to the race start line and followed their fingers. One person told me I might be a mile away. Great! The farther I breathlessly ran the more runners I saw headed to the race. There was also a 5k which started later.

 I came to a clearing and saw what resembled a very empty race set up and I kept running as I struggled to find the gear check. I drooped off my bag and ran in the direction of the announcer - the same guy who announces every race in Chicago.

 About a super long block away I can hear the announcer yelling out, "you have 20 seconds to get to the start line or else it's a 5k." Dios Mio, I didnt come all this way to run a 5k but how was I going to run that block in 20 seconds?

 He must have seen my struggle and just let me pass. I wasn't the only idiot. There were 4 of us late comers crossing about 15 seconds apart. I was the last. The clock had 15 minutes on it.
 It took me about .42 miles to catch up to everyone and then I had to plow through the walkers.

The course wound through the streets for a mile or so and then on to Lake Shore Drive. We headed straight up to 31st street and then back down.

 I missed a PR by 41 seconds. Every time this happens I rehash all the time sucks that happened. The first was the bad start. I ran an 8 minute mile to get to the start line and I wasn't carrying water. I had to stop and catch my breath and put my arm band phone holder on. That wasted about 2 minutes.

 Since I hadn't gone pee since I left home I had to stop and do that too. I had to stop again for reasons I will spare you the details. So that's 3 time sucks which costed me probably a total of 5 minutes. I have my chance to get a PR in Savannah in November. I'm coming for you 2:25!

 I saw Sue and Chuck along the way. That was a nice surprise wince I didn't even know they were running it. Sue stayed with my for about 20 seconds. I didn't want to slow down nd talk as I was feeling that PR.

 I felt really good after the 20 miler the weekend prior even though I had a cold  and thought I'd forgo the run/walk on this half. I only walked through the water stops. The sun was out in full force and there was no shade on the course. It was a bit of a struggle the last 3 miles.

 This race had the worst finish chute of any race I had experienced. It was really narrow and completely bottlenecked as runners slowed down to grab their goodies. Bananas and Lay's. I liked the sweet and salt contrast.

 I stood with my cold rag on my head and waited for Sue and Chuck. Chuck got Sue VIP privileges and as charming as Sue is she couldn't get me access. But they didn't mind her grabbing goodies and bringing them out to me. We waited for Chuck and celebrated with beer and snacks.

 Chuck finally came along with Janine. It was nice to see her. She was in my winter half training group and I hadn't seen her since that horrible day of our last ling run when they didn't plow the path after a giant snow storm in April.

Next stop: Chicago Marathon.

Fox Valley 20 miler

2nd 20 miler

September 18, 2016

St. Charles, IL

Time: 4:00:50 

Place: 394/504 overall; 232/316 female; 48/66 F 40-44

As a group leader for CARA marathon training I was supposed to be a group leader for our 20 miler. I couldn't do. I hated the 20 miler last year. It was hot, there was no shade, and it was just another long run on the lakefront path. A path on which I have been running year-round for over 2 years. I wanted an actual race. Even though the CARA 20 miler was free to program participants I chose to pay a boat load for the Fox Valley 20 miler and I'm glad I did.

Had I been paying attention to the millions of emails sent to me by the fine Fox Valle folks I would have seen the packet pickup option at one of our Chicago Fleet Feet locations the Sunday before the race. But no, I didn't so I had to sit in stupid traffic and go out to St Charles the day before the race to get my bib. 

Luckily, on race day there wasn't any traffic at 6 am. I got there with about 15 minutes to spare to find parking and take my chances in a long Starbucks line. I ran out of that S'bucks 2 minutes after the race started, ran a half block to the start line to find only half the corrals were released so far. Whew! 

the course was fantastic! I had a giant calf knot in my left leg, hence the wearing of calf sleeves. there were slight hills in the first half that helped stretch out the knot. The second half had far less "hills." It  was pretty much out and back along the Fox Valley River. The temperature was a little warmer than ideal and the sun was shinning. The mostly shaded course probably saved the day. 

I'm so bummed I forgot to wear my little clip-on spy camera so I could have captured all the cuteness of these small towns we rant through. I think I need to go back with the big camera. 

The race offered 3 distances, half, 20, and full. Being a slow runner I am always concerned about running practically alone at the end of smaller races. This race worked out well because the marathoners were running with me at the end as they went 6 miles ahead and then came back to the same course I was on. Although I liked having them there seeing the 3:30 marathon pace group pass my by was a bit disheartening. 

I've been having issues with tight thighs this year. I haven't made enough time to stretch and I didn't make it to as many post long run yoga classes as I should have. By mile 18.5 I was in serious trouble. I had to stop and stretch and walk the next half mile. At mile 19 I forwent the run/walk intervals and just ran it in. 

My dad and step mom came out and I saw them as I rounded the corner toward the finish line. I loved that they were able to come out an support me. My dad would probably never come to the city and see me run the marathon so this would have to do! 

I crossed the finish line, got my medal and found my dad and Lois. we chatted for a minute and I went back to get my post race goodies. No water bottles! what?  How stupid. I grabbed a mini bagel and half a donut and walked back. They gave me a ride to my car up the street and then we all went back to their house not too far away where I was able to take a much needed shower.