Chicago 13.1 Marathon Race Report
After a few years of running races, I have figured out that summer racing is not my forte. I definitely get stronger at running in the heat each year, but not so much at running fast. Just running and not feeling like hell (which is a huge accomplishment for me).
So I approached the the Allstate Life Insurance Chicago 13.1 Marathon this Saturday as a fun run. When Erin asked me what my goals were for the race on Friday night, I hadn’t even thought about it yet. So I told her I would like the race NOT to be my slowest half marathon ever… which I was pretty sure I could accomplish because I walked a half marathon in 2010.
I was really looking forward to running in Chicago. Since I live so far from the city, I tend to overlook most city races. It’s usually a hassle to get down there. BUT! Now that Erin lives so close to the city, maybe that will change. Ha ha ha. (Thanks for letting me stay over, Erin)
Race morning started early – 4:20 am wake-up, 1.8 mile run to catch a bus at Millennium Park. Britt and I had talked about meeting up to ride to the race together, and despite tons of buses and hundreds of people we easily found each other. It was fun to catch up with my coach! I miss my weekly running (which turned in to life) chats with Britt.
The bus got us to the South Shore Cultural Center very early – 5:40 maybe? Britt and I chatted then found some other running bloggers! I think most people had the same plan – it’s hot so let’s just run for fun!
Back: Amanda, Kayla, Zach, Sara, Maggie, Deanna
Middle: Amanda, Cary
Front: Charlyn, me, Britt
Sara and I were in the same corral, so we lined up together (with her friend Keren) for the 7:00 am start. I LOVED that there were so many corrals for this race. It made it much less crowded on the Lakefront Path. I never felt like I didn’t have enough space or that people were in my way.
I didn’t want to start out too fast. I ran the first mile with Sara and her friend then told them I was going to drop back. After running the first few miles sub 10:00, I decided an overall sub 10:00 time would be a fun goal (<– making race plans during the race – good or bad idea?).
The course was well supported with lots of water/Gatorade stops, misting stations and even some towels (which were warm but whatever – I used it to wipe the sweat off my face). And the course was beautiful! We ran around the South Shore Cultural Center area for a bit, then headed north on the Lakefront trail. Beautiful views. Hardly any shade, but beautiful views.
My only race spectator was Erin, and I was looking forward to seeing her at the northern most turnaround point. Erin had a big bucket of Red Vines that she was handing out, and they were a huge hit! (photo below from Erin)
I slowed down for the last few miles. No pain, just feeling hot. No final kick, but I was really excited that I was still feeling so strong, and am getting better at running in the heat (it was 70° when I started and 80° when I finished).
I finished in 2:08:17. Not my slowest half! Not even my second slowest. Maybe third slowest? Ha ha.
I made my way to the beach and called my mom to wish her a happy birthday. Then I ran in to bloggers again, including Kelly, who won first place in her age group in the 5K!
After a bit of chatting, I got on a bus back to Millennium Park. The ride back took a lot longer than the bus ride down. I ran the 1.8 miles back to Erin’s place from Millenium Park. That run was a lot slower than both of my morning runs. Ha ha.
And now I am not signed up for any more races for the rest of the year (well, forever, actually). It feels weird, because I am normally signed up for a few things in the fall, but I have been taking it easy this year. I have another half marathon on my radar, as well as a 50K. And maybe I will pick up a few 5Ks. Maybe.
Themocracy
I have been LOVING watching you fall back in love with your run this year. And really? I am so excited for when you start racing again. You’ve gotten so much stronger, moreso than I even think you realize. GREAT job on a strong hot half!
(50k!!! I see many ultras in your future 🙂 )
Thanks 🙂 I was surprised I could keep this pace up in the “heat.” I never know what I will be able to do because I run my weekly runs slower (to prevent me from hating running, lol).
I’m excited for your marathon this weekend!
I dislike running races in the summer too. I get stronger but not faster like you mentioned. I couldn’t believe how I trained for a marathon during last summers brutal heat.
Great job on your pace. You met your sub-10 minute pace goal, right?
I really want to run a half marathon with you someday. Maybe during a cooler month. I have two halfs planned – one at the end of august and another in early september… A bit worried they’ll both be too hot/humid. Oh well.
Yeah, my average pace was 9:47.
Cooler months are the months to do a half! There was one out here in January this year, but there was actually snow on the ground!
I’m impressed that you race in the summer. I tend to avoid it at ALL costs!
It was so lovey to meet you on Saturday! 🙂
Congrats on getting not your slowest time too! That heat was brutal- I can’t imagine running 13 miles in it.
Which 50k are you thinking about? I feel the lakefront 50k calling my name in October.
I was thinking about the Northface Challenge in Kettle Moraine (sp?) in Sept. Lakefront would probably be A LOT flatter. I should consider that one too 🙂
Great meeting you too! 🙂
i had a blast hanging out with you pre race! i was kinda bummed out too that the towels the volunteers were shouting out as “cooling” towels were warm as all heck. man it got hot out there on the way back didn’t it? i think if there was shade it would have been a completely different race for most people, including myself. but it was fun nonetheless!
it’s great that you’re leaving your racing schedule completely open and pressure free. man that 50k sounds like it will be tough, but rock your socks off. what a cool challenge.
Oh gosh, if it would have been more shaded, I bet I would have come in a few minutes earlier. You could feel the difference the second you stepped in to the shade! 🙂
I still gotta check out the 50K course. If it’s really crazy I am not going to do it! Ha ha ha.
Sounds like it was a fun race with a great meet up of bloggers!!
ahhhhhh this looks so fun!! so jeal!
no more races = more time to run with MEEEEEEE!!!!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Next week? Tuesday?
Lets do it!!
It’s a plan!!! 🙂 6:00 pm? How many miles?
As many as you can stand running with me! 😀
I am NOT a fan of running in the heat – at all. So, good for you that you get out there at all!
I think taking a break from racing is sometimes (often?) necessary. It allows you to step back from the racing rat-race (ha ha).
And I think that it’s totally okay to make goals during a race. There are so many variables, so being flexible is a benefit!
It was great seeing you! And holla on meeting your race goal, it was really damn hot Saturday. City races are a big pain for me, too. I prefer racing in suburbia, but the price point on this race was too good to pass up.
The price point was nice 😀 For both of us! 🙂 Do we get a recap from Tim?
Nice job on the run! Especially in this heat!
It’s funny bc I just mentioned on my blog I am totally a hot weather runner. I seriously don’t know why. Because I still complain about how hot it is. But for some reason, I just tend to do better on the warmer days… weird.
Figure it out and tell us your secrets! PLEASE!!! 😀 😀 😀
While i am totally overbooked for marathons this fall, i so so SO want to try a 50k sometime. I wonder if they have a winter one? That would be awesome. Sorry i couldn’t keep up with you on Saturday, i was just too busy slacking 🙂
A winter 50K would be da bomb. Will you feel up for that after running 89833 marathons this year? 😛
You were not slacking! I thought I would not be able to keep up with you guys. I think I needed my mile 5 GU to get me going.
Way to go on running a smart race in the heat! No need to push yourself. Just enjoy it!
We were biking on the south side on Saturday (around 10am) and wondered what race was going on … we saw the time clocks and got to bike through some of the misters – fun! Glad your attitude was to have a good time – seems like you accomplished at least that much!
Nice job! I’m glad you felt strong throughout! 🙂 IT was nice seeing you again! I wish I would’ve been able to meet up after the race as well but of course I was not finished which I predicted 🙂 I kind of wish I had nothing on the schedule for races but as you heard…I overbooked my summer a bit. Oh well
I love that you can run a half marathon just for fun. You are awesome, I’m pretty sure I would die. 🙂
Congratulations on a fantastic time and finishing strong despite the conditions! I’m still so bummed about not being there. But honestly the heat helps make me a little less bummed. haha
I wish I could say I get stronger at hot-weather running every year, but I’d be lying. Every year sucks just as bad as the last. But that’s probably because I always wuss out and pretty much stop running in the summer, so I spend all of the cool season regaining the fitness I lost in the spring and summer. haha Not this year, damnit! I WILL RUN THIS SUMMER!
an Ultra? How awesome!
CONGRATULATIONS on a TERRIFIC race!!! I’m still bummed I missed both photo meetups, but I can’t wait to catch up with you over lunch tomorrow! =D
A 50K!?!?!? That is AWESOME. You are a superstar!!!
A 50K! Exciting.
Congrats on another half marathon Kim!! I loved your race report and Im glad you enjoyed the race. Hope you are doing well and hope to see you soon when you come to KC!
We are coming to KC this weekend! I think we have a full schedule though. Unless you want to meet for a run Monday morning…? You probably have the kids all day, right?
Wait wait, a 50k? Which one?!!? Can I get work in Chicago then and totally crash the 50k party?! (note: I was just thinking about cutting back distance races to try to speed up – I guess that might have been just a silly passing thought….)
It is the North Face Endurance Challenge on 9/15 in WI! Are you going to be here?!!