Chicago Half Marathon Race Report
I was very excited to receive a free entry to the Chicago Half Marathon this year. It’s a race I was registered for in 2010 but unable to run. It was great to finally get to race on Lake Shore Drive yesterday, and use this 13.1 as a last “easy” long run in training for my 50K this Saturday!
The Chicago Half Marathon starts near the Museum of Science and Industry at 7:00 am. I live forever away from Chicago, so Erin was kind enough to let me crash at her place Saturday night. As it is, we still had to get up at 5:00 am to make it to the race on time! Maggie met us at Erin’s place and we walked over to Emily‘s, who was brave enough to offer to drive us to the start! Thanks, Emily!
The race highly discourages driving to the start (as opposed to taking public transit or paying for their shuttle). Parking is limited, and they are already starting to shut down lanes on Lake Shore Drive for the race itself, so navigation is a bit tricky. But Emily navigated like a pro. And I was happy I was not driving. And really, not stressing about anything at all. This was just a long training run for me, that happened to be a race with a medal at the end! Okay, and really… just a chance to hang out with my blogging buddies.
And blogging buddies I did see! Before the race:
Photo credit to Maggie! From L to R: Sara, Lauren, Amanda, Maggie, me, Erin and Emily.
We also ran across Kayla in the porta pottie line, and were lucky enough to see Britt in the out and back portion of the race! Okay, I don’t need to add “lucky” in there. Britt is speedy, and easy to pick out because she runs so fast there usually are not that many people around her. Emily was impressed that I spotted Britt, but I told Emily Britt was easy to find because of her chiseled abs and stylish sunglasses.
Oops, off track.
Back to the porta pottie lines. I was really surprised by how large this race felt. It has nearly 20,000 runners, and you could feel it. Crowds of people everywhere, long-arse porta pottie lines, very congested until we got on to Lake Shore Drive (first three miles, and Erin had warned us about it). I think there would have been a lot of weaving on course if I had been trying to PR. But! I was not! I was there for fun, so I didn’t care that the gun went off when I was in the porta pottie line (I would have started 10 minutes late whether I was in the corrals then or not).
I tried really hard not to care when the first water stop was a disaster because of how crowded it was. It all eased up when we got on to Lake Shore Drive.
And how cool is it to have traffic on a major road in your town shut down just for you and thousands of your closest friends to run?
The first few miles of the course have you winding around until you get on to Lake Shore Drive, then the rest is an out and back with a turn at the end to the finish. There is no shade on the out and back part of the course, unless you are running under an overpass. I was happy it only got in to the mid 60s. I was hot as it was and cannot imagine running this race with it any hotter!
Emily and I ran the entire race together. My goal was to not get amped and run too fast and she wanted to finish between 2:20-2:25. We did a 9/1 run/walk method, and also walked through some of the water stops. We picked it up for the last few miles and actually had a faster second half of the race! I felt good when I finished, not sore at all, and ready to run some more. All good signs for the 50K this Saturday, I hope.
And I had a lot of fun running with Emily. We chatted most of the time, until the end, when we were really pushing it to finish strong!
Our final time was 2:22:52! Right on goal.
If you run this race along with the Chicago 13.1 Marathon, you get a “Windy City Challenge” medal. Emily and I ran both races for free, and did not have the special bib to get the extra medal. We asked about it at the medal tent, and were denied, since we did not “check off” that we were running both races when we registered. There actually was not an opportunity to do so when I registered (I think since we were registering under a promo account), but I did not want to argue with the woman at the medal tent anymore. I am happy that I got to experience both races (and for free!) and only thought I would just ask about the medal. I do feel bad for the guy in line who also ran both, and paid for them, but did not get a medal either. I probably don’t deserve one, but he does!
After asking about our medals, it was time to meet the rest of the group and head back to Erin’s for brunch! Of course, I had to make one last idiot move. I wanted to check out the Smucker’s tent at the race. I went to do so and could not find my group when I left the tent 10 seconds later (it was still pretty crowded). And no ones phones were working – texting and trying to call was a nightmare*. So I continued walking to the car, trying to tell the group where I was. We finally connected and I was able to tell them that, but I am sure they were annoyed. I am sorry about that.
The ride back was less crazy than I thought it would be with post-race traffic, Bears traffic, and regular traffic, and we arrived at Erin’s to wonderful aromas:
I was so hungry during the race. I had oatmeal and a GU for breakfast and it was not enough! I was so happy to arrive back and have a lot of fabulous brunch items to eat at Erin’s!
And also, to get to chat with a lot of bloggers, and even meet some that I had never met before! We ate and chatted about running, living in Chicago, work, crazy roommates… but mostly running! What a fun time!
Photo credit to Erin! From L to R: Christina, Emily, Erin, Maggie, Kelsey, me, Emily and Chris (from my running club).
After brunch, I caught a ride home with my running club friend Chris, who just happened to be downtown. I was originally going to take the train home, so that was a nice surprise! I got home late Sunday afternoon.
It’s funny how running races in Chicago kind of turns in to a full day event for me. I took the 2:55 pm train to Erin’s on Saturday and got home at 4:00 on Sunday. Of course, there were some extra activities thrown in there, but it just reminds me how far I actually do live from the city, ha ha! I am lucky to be able to crash at Erin’s and not have to get up super duper early.
How far will you drive to a race in the morning, without getting a hotel (or crashing somewhere!) the night before?
*I couldn’t even test that app because I could never connect to the internet.
Themocracy
I just found my long-ago reply to your email, sitting in my draft box; I guess “save” was too close to “send” on my phone that morning! 😛 Anyway, I was able to get registered, and everything went well! Well, other than going out too hard and paying at the end, but you’ll have that. 😀 1:53:41 (it said 40sec on the site yesterday; I wonder where they found the extra second?) for me.
I am happy you commented! I was wondering if you ended up doing the race! That is an awesome time!
Nice job. Glad you were able to have a nice strong long run. The sad thing is, I was in such a rush at the beginning..I actually only saw Lauren and didn’t notice the rest of you..Complete fail on my part. I was on a hunt to find bag check and then still had to use the porta potties. I wish I would’ve have paused for 2 minutes to talk to you guys! 🙁
Well, we know that will not happen at ZOOMA! Because we will all show up together!
YAY! So excited!!! 🙂
Looks like a fun race! But brunch looks even better to me.
We ended up carpooling. I had checked out the transportation options, and since the whole fam was going, we decided driving would be easier in the end.
Loved the course. I prefer streets to the trail we sometimes end up on along the lakefront. Clearly I’m a high maintenance runner… ha!
I have only done a race on the trail once, but I preferred the street too. More open.
One hour (or so) of driving is usually my cut-off for races. Any longer to get there, and unless someone else is driving, I’d prefer a hotel or place to stay the night before … but I don’t want to pay for a hotel unless it’s a really special race, so that usually means I won’t do that race. So I stick to races in Chicago or the south or western suburbs. If I’m going to pay for overnight accommodations, I want it to be a “destination” race – like ZOOMA, or the North Country trail race in Michigan next summer. Or Fort2Base, since we can get a room on base for like $30/night.
I agree though, downtown races do kind of take over your day. But it was super fun to see everyone at the race and to hang out during brunch after. And the french toast!!!! We’ll have to attempt to make that ZOOMA weekend.
Yes! We have to make the french toast!
So are you staying on base? That sounds fun!
You’ve convinced me to run this race next year! ANNNNNNNND to check out all the cool bloggers you ran with.
Yay for you – boo that you didn’t get that extra medal.
Yes to both!!! 🙂
I did ask the PR person who contacted me about the medal and she is looking in to it. No biggie, but a bit of a bummer 🙂
Looks like a total blast!!!
Looks like a lot of fun and the post-race brunch looks fabulous!
The turn around view is my absolute favorite part of the race!! I still can’t believe they wouldn’t just give you the medal for the windy city challenge. Like they really don’t have enough!
They said they only order them for the people who click that special little box that said they ran both. My registration did not have that. But that is ok. I asked the PR person about it, and she is looking in to it, but you and Maggie deserve it much more than me!!!
So much fun! Sorry, I missed you all at the end. I was by the finish line for quite some time but had a hard time picking everyone out. Plus my foot was throbbing from so much walking/running/standing so I talked with the few people I met along the way, then hobbled back toward the car around 10:30.
Is your foot feeling better today?
Do you think you would do this race again? It can be crowded but for some reason I don’t really mind. Except the guy who elbowed me when he want to pass someone without looking. I minded him.
It was fun to spend so much time with you. Thanks again for all your help on Saturday!
LOL @ that loser guy. Another blogger had someone body slam them at the end. WTF!
I would do it again, but I did not do the $35 sign up this am. I would have to make sure the weekend works since it’s in the city and all that. 🙂
That really stinks about the medal thing. It’s too bad that you can’t give them some proof to validate that you ran both races! You guys deserve that medal! Brunch sounds like a great ending when you finish a race hungry!
I asked the PR person about it and she is looking in to it. It is kind of a bummer, but since I didn’t pay for anything, I can understand them not wanting to give me another medal 😉
I had such a great time running with you and hanging out with everyone! You would make an incredible running coach – I am taking very seriously what you had told me about my shoulders creeping up towards the end of the race, for example. If Britt is your running coach and you are my running coach, does that mean I’m Britt’s grand-coachee? =D
Ha ha ha! I could never be a coach like Britt! She actually knows what she is talking about! You flatter me 🙂 I just spurt out obnoxious advice at the end of races when people least want it.
Cannot wait to run with you again!
I did it for the Wisconsin Half Marathon. We left at 330 or 4 am. I remember thinking at one point I never wanted to do that again but that ended up being my favorite race yet. So I would do it again!
I LOVE the WI Half! This will be my fifth year doing it! Will you be there?
I ran that race in 2007 and 2010 and yes it’s grown a ton. Lots of weaving in the first miles. And yes, the course is lovely but gets very hot. I wish they had the Windy City deal the year I ran both. I agree it is SUCH a huge ordeal getting down there from the boonies! Woot for your 50k!
I live in NW Indiana so I knew someone who knew someone and they live a mile from the start line. I left home at 5AM to get there by 6AM and walked to the start line. Great job on the race. I know what you mean about races in Chicago… left home at 5AM and got home at 12:15pm
Thanks for the comment! Do you have a recap up? I need to read it!
I like my bed, and I am broke most of the time, so I don’t mind driving. St. Charles this weekend I’ll be getting up insanely early. But I find the drive helps me calm down, so I don’t usually mind much.
I’m so glad you all had such a good time. My fomo was acting up big time, but I’m glad I got to see you for dinner last night 🙂 (hope Steven figured out the lock thing! I forgot to ask you about it…)
Not much FOMO to worry about! The brucnh was a blast, but only lasted 2-3 hours. You’ll have a blast at ZOOMA!
it looks like you had a great time! I think that 45ish minutes is my cutoff. I would hate to wake up at 3 in the middle of the night to run. Not to mention that it messes my coffee and fuel routine. Yes, I’m a spoiled runner. Even worse, a spoiled LA runner. That’s why it’s expected for major roads to close for my races and for my race weather to be perfect 😛
That sounds like a lot of fun! Glad you met your goal and felt good after the race.
I am not sure what the threshold is on how far I’d drive for a race. I always feel bad because I suggest races to my coworkers that are near-ish to my house and they are usually the ones who end up driving far distances. I guess it would depend on the race and what time it starts.
I want to go back and eat all that food aagain.
I’m a little relieved that you’re still calling 13 miles a long run. I figured by now that would be like a quick jog around the block for you!
LOL! There was one point where a person around us said “1 5K left!” and I was thinking,” At this point on Saturday I’ll have 7 5Ks left.” (Yikes)
ha! i think next time i’m going to meet someone who doesn’t know what i look like that is exactly how i’ll describe myself! too funny! it was amazing seeing you guys and gave me a little boost of energy when i was really starting to have a hard time.
i was kind of surprised at how many people where there too. they must have been holding back each corral before letting them go because when i saw you guys in your early miles i was somewhere between 9-10 i think. had no idea that this was such a huge event. but the course was gorgeous, so that made up for it.
can’t believe they didn’t give you the extra medal…they gave me one. jerks. i don’t remember checking a box when i registered, but i did go back to the site afterwards and filled out something. shoot, they should have been a bit more clear about it.
looks like erin’s was fun, sorry i missed it 🙁 great job and on to the ultra!