Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon 2013

Time: 1:47.20 a new course record by one minute, 12 seconds.

78/2245 AG Top 3.5%
337/11956 Women Top 2.8%
1235/18755 OA Top 6.8%

Avg/ Max HR 177/191 My AVG HR compared to the 2011 race was 10 beats less a minute and 5 less for max. I also ran almost a minute and 10 seconds faster than that race. 

Three words to describe this race:  Fantastic, Friends, FUN

Went to the expo Saturday and did expo things. Like take goofy photos.
And took more goofy photos...  And bought the new passion fruit flavored GU that ive been wanting for what seems like FOREVER.
Was feeling awful on Saturday- like I had a fever, general state of BLAH. so we took it very easy the rest of the day before the race.Drank 1 beer and ended up with a nap and some sushi.

Met BFF Tribu at the expo. I am totally out of it in the photo.

Woke up early to eat a cinnamon crumpet and a few sips of coffee to get the day started. Took out the sleepy CB dog and then walked over to the start- luckily it only takes 20 minutes. Did I ever mention why I love living downtown and running these downtown races?!?

Found some Chicago Running Bloggers by gear check and had to take a photo.

Some Chicago Running Bloggers. I'll add their linkz in later.

After some tweets back n forth, Sara and I decided to run together. We had a similar goal and thought it would be a blast! My only goal was to negative split and not over do it. MY GOAL MARATHON IS 2 MONTHS FROM MONDAY! OMG
We lined up and had 5 minutes to wait before we were off for our steamy run through the city. While It was "cooler" than earlier in the week, 70 degrees at 6:30 am is by no means "cool" nor ideal to run 13.1 miles.

All the runners!

We even managed to get one photo right before we took off of all of us.

L, Me, Sara, Pete

Pete, Sara and I stuck together for most of the race- with Pete taking off the last few miles to stretch his legs. The time flew by quickly as we chatted and had fun running through Chicago.  I felt good and relaxed through most of the race. 

Britt was spectating and caught this wonderful photo of us around mile 8? As you can tell, we were having such a terrible time... 




The splits were negative, dont worry, just trust me. I already did the math. The 13th mile also included the ".1" for an avg pace of 7:34 because I forgot to lap mile 13. I manually lapped each mile because the tunnel, the buildings and the GPS dont mix, and sometimes I forgot until the next block. Whoops.

Saw a runner down around mile 12. I hope he is ok.

Cold Sponges around mile 11? were like kisses and cuddles from baby abominable snowmans.

The dance party in Mccormick Place tunnel was a nice touch because I f*cking hate that part of the course..

Saw Declan at the finish taking photos.


The runners who run together take sweaty post run photos together.

L, Myself, and Tribu post race

Nutritions n Housekeeping

• Ate a crumpet at 4am/sipped some coffee
• Took a gatorade prime 10 minutes before the start with a salt pill
• Took a new Passion Fruit GU Roctane around mile 6. I know, I know, dont take anything new on race day. well this flavor was delicious and not overly sweet.  and my tummy didnt explode.
• Wore my Nike sports bra/ Nike Pro shorts, Swiftwick socks, Brooks pure cadence shoes which I got some blisters from. WTF?!?!?.
• No Ipod. Chatting with friends is way better.

Post race L and I grabbed our "beer flavored kool-aid" and chugged quick so we could meet Tribu and friends for a delicious brunch before they took off back to Tampa.

As I mature as a runner and grow in life, I realize more and more that its not always the PRs and goals surpassed that I will remember**, but instead  "that race I ran with friends and had a fantastic time."
CB is not amused to be awoken from his nap. 63 days to go until FVM!!!

**Of course i'll remember the PRs, and of course they are nice. BUT every race does not need to be a PR effort. Period. There is more to life than that. 

- xaar