Chicago Rock n Roll Half Marathon
I completed my second half marathon yesterday in Chicago and have the medal to prove it! I ran my first half in Milwaukee in early April this year.
My results from this race really go to show all the unexpected things that can go wrong on race day.
The race started early! I was up at 4, drinking my coffee and eating a protein bar and banana by 4:30 and taking care of “business” within the hour and out the door a bit before 6am and crossing the start line by 6:40am. I was in corral #15, pace 10 min/mile, end time 2:15. Doable considering my first race was hilly and I finished in 2:24.
The weather was, um…hot! I was shocked when I walked out of the hotel to a muggy 80 degree morning and it only got warmer from then.
Up to mile 8 was perfect, I was ahead of pace and enjoyed the live music and energetic crowd. That’s when I had issues in the bathroom department and blisters formed on the tips of my pinky toes. The last 5.1 miles were rough, to say the least. I did a lot more walking than I imagined I would have had to do but compensating for the blisters caused some cramps in my arches.
I ran with my hand strapped water bottle and Clif Shot Blocks Orange flavor (with caffeine). I took advantage of all the ice cubes at the medical stations…to suck on, stick in my water bottle, rub on my arms and neck.
Crossing the finish line was the greatest feeling. Huge smile across my face, instantly grabbed a cold wet rag and wrapped it around my neck, grabbed my medal and got my picture taken….I expect it will look super sexy.
Post race, I fueled with chocolate milk, blueberry chobani, loads of water and wait for it…tuna! (side note: I’m slowly transitioning to eating fish from being vegetarian for 5 years)
