Malort 5k 2019 {race recap}

On Saturday we ran our 2nd Malort 5k. 

We had a huge squad from our run club participating. 

You take a shot of Malort before starting your watch, run a 5k, then take another shot just before the finish. The winners get 1 bottle of Malort, and the last place finishers get 2 bottles. 

Section 8 co hosted the event which helped raise funds for the Fire for Food campaign , as well as the Chicago Fire soccer club.

Smiles and anticipation of what was to come.

We took our shots and started our run. It was super fun!

Despite having the taste of gasoline, number 2 pencil shavings and windex in our mouths, we were having a blast.

Pete B came out to spectate and snapped this great photo of us! And I got to pet his adorable puppies!

This was the first 5k I’ve ever negative split. At least that I can remember. 



After 3 miles we returned to the start which meant 1 more shot. 

Which was promptly chased with an old style.

Celebrations.

We even got medals for surviving this amazing race!

We had a lot of fun running and spending time with everyone.

Nothing more Chicago than an old style and Malort.

Done! 2shots and 3 beers before 10am. We were living our best lives!

10/10 will be back next year.

Post run group photo.

Post celebrations we went to the farmers market.

We had raclette.


It was the perfect end to a crazy morning. 

Rock N Roll Chicago 13.1 2019 {Race Recap}

Another week, another race. 

My legs were sore from the Redbull 400 until around Thursday. I haven’t felt that sore from a race since I legit started training for races years ago. The soreness was worse than any marathon in recent memory. 

I took this week a little easier due to: 1. My legs being sore. 2. The race. 3. That I would start Chicago marathon training soon and needed a slight break (only ran 40+ miles vs 60+). 

4 years of  RnR chi!

I had 0 goals going into this race. The weather was far from ideal at 70f and 75+dew point. I had planned to take it as a supported training run regardless as I’m not In PR shape. 


Saturday morning I ran with Ze. It was super hot and muggy out. I figured after that run that a pace around 8:15 would probably happen for Sunday’s half marathon race. I ended up averaging 8:12’s. 


Saturday we went to the expo. I ended up with 2 really large blisters on my feet from sandals I hadn’t worn in a while. 

We then went to Marz for lunch. 

And hydration. 

Smiles before 13.1 miles!

And a bunch of side eye. 

Race morning: we woke up super early to take the dogs out and walked over to the start with friends from our building.  The heat had broken the night before after the storms rolled through but it was still less than ideal. 

We ran into so many friends in the corral area. I have to say this dumb blog + our awesome running club has contributed to this sense of community for sure. It is super cool randomly running into people at races and events.

I started in the back of corral 1 and chatted with Pete and Dave and Erica and Carla pre race. The gun went off and we were on our way. Dave And I ran together for most of the race which was nice. Running with him kept my pace honest around mid 8’s- had I been alone, I would have slowed down due to not being engaged. 

At the awful out and back around mile 10-11 (seriously, just extend the course another mile to avoid this) I saw L not too far behind us. We attempted a sad side 5 and was so excited for him because he was on pace for something special. 

I finished in 1:47.18 a 2 second course PB!  20/591 in my AG and 142/4168 females. I felt good about the time since I kept the pace pretty easy and even the entire race. 

L got a 15 minute PR and became a member of the sub 2 club with a 1:55! (On tired non tapered marathon legs!) to say I’m proud is an understatement. Proudest coaching moment 💖🔥

We ran into a bunch of fellow MRC runners post race as we enjoyed our very cold Mich Ultra. 

CB wanted to participate in medal Monday so I took his pic- the Rock N Roll Instagram liked his pic so much they posted it on their page 💖

I was very happy with how I executed this race-sis gel pre race, and a caffeine sis around mile 7. I took water from each aid station and inhaled too much of it. (I should practice lol) or I should just bring water like I usually do. 

What’s next?

The Malort 5k! 

And... 

 Chicago marathon training. 12 weeks to go!

Vancouver + Whistler 2019 {Part 2}

We started Friday by running around Stanley Park. 

It’s a few miles longer than I thought- sorry L! 

But the views are totally worth it!

Totems! 

It was just so peaceful and beautiful. 

We saw sea planes. 

And the “girl in a wetsuit”

We also saw a seal swimming in the water. 

I love this place. 

I love how the path is separated for cyclists/rollerbladers and runners. 

Happy. 

After our 7 mile run, we went to 6 Degrees for breakfast. I loved the mug that came with my coffee. 

I had Benedict. 

Our route. 

Post breakfast we checked out of our hotel, got some Japadogs for the road and rented a car to head to whistler. 


The drive is so incredibly beautiful. 

Mountains! Snow capped mountains! 

We stopped at a scenic vista to take pictures and eat our Japadogs. 

Japadogs. Majestic AF. 

I was so happy to see mountains with snow. 

Happy. 


We got to Whistler and walked around the village. 

We had some beer and watched the mountain bikers. 

I just wish we had more time to spend here. 

We went to dinner at Araxi with friends. 




Amazing fresh oysters. 


Truffle parm fries. 

And Sablefish in miso broth. 

Lemon curd tart. Perfect end to our only night in Whistler. 

The best morning we got breakfast in the village 

I had a bagel sandwich and we got muffins to go. 

Then we competed in the Redbull 400 World Championships.  Race recap: 

{HERE}

Post 400 we drove back to Vancouver. We went to Alibi room for dinner and beer. 

I had an amazing stirfry of rice noodles, broccoli and tofu. 

We met the MRC Vancouver captains. 

Alibi room has great food and expansive craft beer selection. We enjoyed it 4 years ago also. 

Then it was time for bed. 

We woke up and ran part of the sea wall again. 

It was drizzling lightly and felt great. 

I love this place so much. 

I loved the signs warning cyclists to slow down. 

And just like that our run and time in Vancouver was over. 


We got breakfast at Tim Hortons before heading to the airport. 

The airport is cool. 

Obligatory plane selfie. 

As we got close to Chicago the pilot said we would have to circle a bit due to storms. After 20-30 min he said we will be landing in 8-9 minutes.... in Madison, WI. We were running out of fuel. 

So we landed in Madison with 3-4 other large planes and waited an hour and a half until the ground stop was lifted from ORD. The wheels up/wheels down flight time was only 24 min to ORD!

ORD was a complete shitshow when we landed. 5 planes to a baggage claim and lines a mile long for people who missed their connections. Apparently the storm cell messed a lot of people up. We were just happy to be home. (Direct flights are always worth a few extra $$).

This trip was entirely too short. There’s so much more I wanted to see in Whistler and Vancouver. We will have to return again soon.