On Saturday I ran the Women’s Health Run10Feed10 10k in Chicago. For every person that runs this 10k, 10 hungry people in the community are fed. Great cause, yes? I thought so and was honored to be an Ambassador for this race.
Goals for the race? Racing soon after a marathon is tricky. I knew I had the endurance of 26.2 on my side but speed? Not so sure. Plus the ‘ole bod could be tired and fragile from Twin Cities as well.
I decided I’d just run easy and enjoy the beautiful day.
It was cold and clear. 33 degrees when I left the house and not much warmer when I made it to Diversey Harbor. I brought an extra vest to wear but forced myself to leave it in the car cuz I’d be too hot in it.
Michelle and I parked at Erica’s place then we all jogged over to the race. We hung out in the VIP tent until it was go-time. Despite being fully charged when I left for the race, I was mysteriously down to 1% battery when I got there, so pictures are sparse and I ran without music.
Erica, me and Michelle making our “hearties”.
Mile 1: 9:22. We were off, tightly packed on a path riddled with goose doo. All the better to keep me slow. The wind whipped hard in our faces around the harbor. I think I remember this part of the course from the CARA 10-miler.
Mile 2: 9:10 Feeling great, running easy, I enjoyed the gorgeous lake view. A girl with a bright red braid ran just in front of me. Maybe Pippy Longstocking would be my rabbit.
Mile 3: 9:06. Pippy and I traded the lead. I saw Michelle bolt past heading in, with Erica not far behind. These girls are in it to win! At the turnaround the wind was at my back. I decided I’d try to make this a progression run and speed up slightly in each remaining mile.
Mile 4: 8:52 The path cleared out by this point and I ran relatively on my own.
Mile 5: 8:47 Still feeling great. Plenty of cardio power on hand. Not struggling in the least.
Mile 6: 8:46 I hadn’t seen Pippy since the turnaround but now she was back, with a fierce finishing kick. The course looped back past the finish line and around. I knew from my Garmin I had more than half a mile to go. It’s always a mental challenge to run past the finish line so I refrained from pouring it on too soon and risk barfing.
Final 0.2: 8:27. I made the turn for the home stretch finally, caught Pippy and we finished together.
Finish Time: 55:32
AG: 3/41
Overall female: 114/571
Instead of a race shirt, we got “feed bags” filled with all kinds of goodies.
Final words: This was a fun race for a great cause on a beautiful day. The finish area food was good (fruit, bagels, bars) and the VIP tent had hot coffee, juice and a nice spread from The Corner Bakery. This was nowhere near a PR effort for me but I’m still satisfied with finishing decently strong since I wasn’t “racing”. Placing in my age group came as a total shock. Age groups were in 10-yr increments and only the 1st place winner in each group received an award. Overall it was a great race for a great cause on a beautiful day. I’d definitely do it again.
What was fun for you this weekend? Did you race?
Don’t forget to join us for the Tuesday’s on the Run linkup! This week’s topic is Inspiring Others to Run.
That is such a great cause to run for! Also, it’s crazy how one week in Chicago runners are complaining about the heat and then the next weekend it could snow on the run!
I would take that time any day ! sounds like a great race, I am amazed how the weather seems to have all of a sudden turned cold. The US has seemed to have gone from really hot and humid to needing a hat & gloves ! Have a great week.
I could have taken pics for you!! such a gorgeous day for a run. I will take that over warm any day. So glad we got to spend the morning together. Great job on the negative splits and solid post marathon performance!! See you soon!
Congrats on the AG win! Kind of sucks that there was no award tho. That happened to me at Get Lucky and I’m still a little sore about it.. :p
Nice job, especially so soon after your marathon!
Great race Marcia, and congrats on placing 3rd in your age group! That’s an incredible finish time and pace!
You are so speedy! Really great job after a running a marathon, too. And extra kudos for it being for a good cause.
Wowzers- congrats on such a fantastic race so quickly after your marathon! Love that you feed bags in lieu of a race shirt, how awesome!
I can’t say I’ve ever had to contend with goose doo. LOL. Congrats on the AG placement. I think you had an excellent finish time and I so wanted to see the finish pic with Pippy. I appreciate races that are truly for a good cause. I love your striped carpis. Thanks with linking up with us.
Amazing post marathon run. I did about 5 1/2 on Saturday and then again on Sunday and it was amazing!! Cold to start but warmed up so nicely and the sun felt wonderful!!
Sounds like a great race for a great cause! I’ve wanted to do this one in NYC but haven’t gotten the chance to yet.
Ha look at you right after your marathon crushing the race! I did the DC one a few weeks ago. Ours was a fun run and not timed. I’d love to make it to one of the bigger races next year. Great cause!!
What a fantastic cause to race for…and congrats on placing. Sounds like a fun weekend! 🙂
Congrats! Sounds like a great race for a great cause and you ran it perfectly 🙂
Congrats getting 3rd in your AG! Sounds like a great run for a great cause! You finished strong getting negative splits each mile! Awesome!
Well that sounds like a great time (pun intended)! What a great cause!
Awesome job!! It’s fun to pick a rabbit and try to keep up or keep them at bay. I love that this race supported hunger in the community. Or rather supported not being hungry…by helping people that are hungry. Ah! You know what I’m trying to say right? 😛 Congrats on the run and working with a great cause!
Sometimes it’s just fun to run with no goals in mind, just play it but ear and how you feel. Great job!
Congratulations on a strong run so soon after a marathon! That’s really awesome. I also love the concept behind this race – it’s great when we can do something good for others while doing something we love 🙂
What a great race for a great cause! I wish we had one of those in my area. Congrats on your AG placing!
Awesome, and what a great cause! It’s always fun to have a rabbit during a race: it seems to keep things fresh.
I didn’t race this weekend, but my little guy did – a one mile zombie chase. I think he got a little freaked out by the zombies, but he did a great job.
Nice job on the pacing! This is a great cause. I haven’t run an open 10K in so long. I have a 5 miler coming up for thanksgiving. Pacing is tough! Congrats on the 3rd place AG!
Great race right after the marathon! I can’t believe this sudden cold spell!
Definitely a great cause! I can’t believe how cool it is there! WOW~ I get all giddy here if it is still in the 60″s when I go out for my morning run! Did the event do a virtual run for those that don’t live in one of the major cities? & congrats on 3rd place!
Not a PR but still a great race! I’ll be doing Vegas 2 weeks after MCM, yikes. I typically don’t run for 2 weeks after a marathon so this race should be interesting 🙂
And to think what if you “were” racing! lol. Not to brag, but I’m a professional at the Goose Poop Obstacle Course! lol ok not really but I do have lots of experience in that department. Where I run a lot is a lake with a single track around it and the geese party out there all the time! You really have to watch the poop! Thanks for linking up with us. I would love to support the run 10 feed 10. I had no heard of it before, maybe it will come near me soon! It is a great cause! #runforareason!
I could barely squeak out 10 min/miles this weekend; I am super impressed with your race – congrats! 🙂
I’ve run this race a few times and had fun every time. Great race!
Awesome job! Sounds like it was the perfect day for a race!
Awesome job on your run!! Way to place mama!
Great job! I love that the swag isn’t the typical race gear.
Nice job! The race sounds like it was a success. My friend Vieve is the ambassador for Utah and she has so many great things to say about it. Congrats on your AG place.
I think the 10k is my favorite distance. Way to get out there a week after the full!
What a great race for a great cause! Congrats on winning your age group! Nice pace! How bout those negative splits!