...would definitely be running a 10 mile race that starts and ends at a football stadium dedicated to the men and women, past and present, who serve our country!
...would be running a race whose organizers sent t-shirts and medals overseas to military personnel running the "satellite" races in Iraq and Afghanistan!
And we got such a beautiful day for the race... very sunny, not a cloud in the sky, warming to 70 degrees, light breeze off the lake (let me tell you, near the end of the race I was VERY glad that I had worn a long-sleeved t-shirt!)
The start corrals were such a mess, though. I was crammed into a tiny little space at the 10:00 per mile sign. But there were people all over the grass west of the start line, waiting for the pack to move so that they could get in as well. It took me 12 minutes to get to the start line. Thank God for D-tag timing!
Mile 1: The start of the race was surprisingly easy, despite the fact that it took forever to cross the start line. I didn't have to run around slow people- well, a couple, but it wasn't a big deal.
We ran through the Soldier Field park roads, waved hello to my car in the parking lot, and then headed south towards McCormick place. As usual, I have total ADD for the first part of the race. So many things to see. I'm always interested in people's race shirts. I love seeing ones from events I've never done before... if the shirt looks nice, I'm definitely going to Google the race when I get home.
We're going through the McCormick Place loading dock right now. Never been to this part of the complex before. People start yelling and screaming, because, of course, it echoes. I do it too, just for the fun of it.
Mile 2: Our first aid station, just after exiting McCormick Place. I'm not that thirsty, but I know I will be later. Goal accomplished.
I see a lady off to the side who looks like she has suffered a horrendous injury- and so early in the race. Luckily this race is staffed with medical personnel on bikes, who got to her VERY quickly. Poor lady.
The amount of potholes on this road is insane. And reminds me a little too much of my last half marathon. Ugh. Hopefully the potholes don't continue.
And they don't. We're going up hill and over the bridge and onto the lakefront paths! Yay! I love the lake. (And we have a PERFECT day for this.)
Mile 3: This part of the lakefront path is right next to Lake Shore Drive. Like, they cut 2 lanes off LSD for us to run through. To be honest, I was expecting angry motorists, but everyone seems to be taking it pretty well. They're even beeping and cheering for us.
I look to my left, at the lake, and I can see the first place guy. Man oh man, he is FLYING! It's insane. At the rate he's going, he'll definitely break 60 min. That's inhuman to my slow 10:00 mile pace.
Another aid station, more Gatorade. I'm starting to get a little toasty in my long-sleeved shirt, but I keep it on regardless. You never know.
Mile 4: So far, so good. This race is pretty cool. There are tons of cars beeping and waving and cheering for us. There are actually DJs on the course playing peppy music.
We're getting closer and closer to the turnaround. I'm impressed with the way that the course is spaced out. Even though there are almost 10,000 people doing the 10 mile run, it really doesn't seem that way. I'm not weaving around people all that much.
Of course, just as I think that, I nearly run over the person in front of me, who just stops running altogether. Grr. Someone running behind me says, "I just hate people who walk during the race and aren't walking the whole race." I'm going to make it my mission to not walk during races again. I don't want to be THAT person.
Mile 5: It's hard to believe we're almost halfway there. I am running a good, consistent pace, and feel great. This is a no-brainer on my part.
I've switched over to running on the grass- partly to get away from the increasing number of wagglers and partly because it's softer and doesn't kill my knees as bad. In the days leading up to the race, my knees and shins were bothering me. Nothing major, just wear and tear. Come to think of it, I have put a lot of mileage on my legs so far in 2009.
It's time for the turnaround, and I'm under 50:00! Woo hoo!
Mile 6: This aid station is out of Gatorade. Bummer. Even so, I will drink water anyway, in keeping with one of my constant race goals. And let me tell you, right about now I am SOOOOO happy to be wearing a long-sleeved shirt- the breeze off the lake feels great, but it is a little bit cool.
We're at an interesting point in the course right now. It's actually where my high school cross country team had its conference meet each year. I know this part of the lakefront path like the back of my hand. It feels awesome to be back. I feel like I've come so far since then. If only my a-hole of a coach could see me now! Haha...
Mile 7: Not too much farther now. I am picking up speed and am actually under my pace. If I could run negative splits, that would be amazing. I haven't done that since high school, either. More on negative splits later.
I just realized now that there aren't really a lot of people cheering for us on the course. Honestly, it's not a bad thing. I'm treating this race like a training run anyhow, so I don't need support to get through it.
Another DJ! And he's playing songs from the Blues Brothers! AWESOME.
Mile 8: Woo hoo, less than a 5K to go! No problem!
I am starting to feel way more confident about training for the full marathon. I realize now how important these long runs are, and I am going to do everything in my power to make sure that they get completed. For the first time in a long time, I have a clear goal and a plan to accomplish it. Just like I learned in college (no seriously- I had a class where we talked about goals for a good solid month).
Mile 9: Still running on the lakefront, the breeze is refreshing but still cool. We're coming up on Northerly Island (aka Meigs Field) and the eastern part of McCormick place. I am shaving off more and more seconds (it's a little over a minute now) and the negative splits are a reality. Exciting! My form is good, my breathing is even, my gait is solid. To hell with it being a training run, I'm gonna push the pace a little bit. :)
Pass the CFD Memorial park and onto the last aid station! Quick cup of Gatorade for the road, and I'm 1 mile away from the 50 yard line!
Mile 10: The only blurry mile of the whole entire race. We come off the lakefront path, and onto the Soldier Field parking lot. I see my car, it's still there. We wind up the path back to where we started, and now there are crowds of people cheering for us! Yay!
We wind up the path, and I switch my ipod over to Britney. It won't be long now, it's go time!
We're entering the stadium now, and running inside the tunnels. This is so cool. It's like we're players or something!
We exit the tunnel, and there are people everywhere, just like we're coming out of the locker room like NFL players! Cheering, clapping, yelling, Chicago fans are the best.
At this point I am FLYING, and passing every person I can. I'm on the sideline grass, slipping a bit but keeping my footing. 50 yards later, I'm finished! 1:37:16! Yay negative splits!
Jay sees me on the Jumbotron, I get my medal and some food, and away we go. Another race in the books. I will definitely be back next year for this one.
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