Unlike last week, this time I was not up ahead of my 3:40 alarm, but rather in the midst of a dream when I was awakened. One where I was calculating training paces for one of my run coaching clients. I’ve heard that deep sleep is when the brain orders its thoughts and apparently that’s what was going on. Good to know I am productive when I sleep! Ha!
I was up and out dark and early. I picked up Emily and we headed to Soldier Field for the 11th annual 10 miler. My third time running it. My goal was simply to run happy with friends and enjoy rather than race. Kind of my motto for the year.
Pre-race l-r: Chris, Bobbi, Emily, me.
I opted to start four corrals back so I could hang with Emily, Bobbi and Chris. We were off nice and easy, chatting all the way. Chris pulled out in front. I ran with Bobbi and Emily until I nudged ahead. I could hear them talking behind me and I figured they’d catch up or I’d slow and reunite but I found a groove and just kept going. Before long, thoughts turned to my skirt. I felt the compression-short unders riding up. Images of expansive chafe wounds danced in my head. Finally, at the turnaround I pulled over for a skirt adjustment, figuring Emily and Bobbi would come up. Thankfully no chafing but no Bobbi and Emily either. I searched the oncoming runners but didn’t see them. I thought Chris was somewhere ahead of me so I continued on. My pace felt comfy and easy. I suspect the ZYM I added to my water bottle had something to do with that.
At mile 9 as we rounded McCormick Place, rap music jammed from I don’t know: Ice Tea? Sweet Tea? Snoop Dog? It was the one that keeps going Uh Ohhhhhhh. A woman to my left in a red/white/blue tutu danced along. The tiny shred of competitor left in me said “you’re going to let her dance faster than you run?” So I passed her. She answered by sprinting right back ahead of me. Oy.
It became my sole mission in life to finish ahead of the dancing tutu. I had plenty PLENTY left after all. So gradually I moved right, leaving dancing tutu on the left of the path and moseyed past all sneaky like as we approached the stadium. Now where the hell was the opening to go under and onto the field? I swear we entered earlier last year. The herd sped up in anticipation of the finish line. As we finally ran down into the dark underbelly of the stadium, a woman with a jog stroller of all things whizzed past me. Is there an ice cube’s chance in hell jog strollers could be permitted in this race??
Before I knew it I was on the field in bright sunlight, charging to the finish on the 50-yard line. 10 miles is such a great distance when you’re trained for a half or more because it’s over just when you begin to struggle.
Here’s the entire crew post-race. Special thanks to Kim’s hubby for taking the pic!
Final words: This is a top-notch, very well-done race. The shirt is awesome. The medal is nice, but pales in comparison to last year’s 10th anniversary edition. I super appreciated the free parking which is unheard of in the city. The only drawbacks are trekking to Fleet Feet in the city for packet pickup (bless her heart, Emily did this for me) and the entry fee is high ($90).
What was fun for you this weekend? Did you race?
Free parking is always a plus – race day or not! I so would be cursing the jog stroller passing me!
I love Chicago and hope to run a race there someday! I love the medal…great work!
Karen @karenlovestorun
I think 10 miles is the best distance. I always have plenty in a half for ten miles and then I begin to struggle. What a great time to have a race end.
annnd my sister lives in chicago!!
hmmmm :-0
Sounds like a great race! I love the 10 mile distance. Maybe next year?
I love the 10 mile distance. And how cool to finish on solider field. My grandpa was a HUGE bears fan. He would have loved to see me do that!
A friend of mine did that race this weekend as well. I always thought a 10-mile race would be a good distance. That’s about the point during a half that you’re ready to pack it up and go home 😉
I really loved this race! I was so glad I could make it work this year. And it was great to see you pre and post race and to start out together…makes it so much more fun that way. Great job on a strong run!
I always feel slightly defeated when someone pushing a stroller beats me. Sounds like you had a great race, though!
Kari I don’t feel the least bit defeated in this case because strollers were not allowed in this race and I’m pretty sure she jumped in right before entering the tunnel to the field. Odd because this race is so secure and they were checking bibs/locking corrals etc.
$90 yikes! I thought $65 was high for that race. It is a great one and you look very smily 🙂 That’s why you should always hang with Emily!
I did the Ridge Run Challenge yesterday. 10K at 8 AM and 5K at 9:30. I felt like you in the Pig – except no 1/2 today 😉 I felt like a dead slug in the 10K but remarkably good in the 5K. Go figure! Fun to try a new challenge. Thanks for leading the way on that one!
I did the Solider Field 10 mile when I lived in the city- pre child days 🙂 I loved it! Seriously $90– That’s crazy- for that price parking SHOULD be free!! It’s an awesome race and I loved finishing on the 50 yard line– I remember having to go to feet fleet for packet pick up too…
Glad that you were able to successfully pass “dancing tutu”! I love races where I have some motivation at the end via trying to beat another runner! $90 entry and it’s held on the LFT? Ouch.
Pete to be fair the Southbound miles are on LSD but still I agree the price is steep.
I always love your race reports b/c you find all the color out there to write about! So much fun. Congrats on a great day. I love the 10-mile distance, too–maybe even my favorite.
ice tea, sweet tea, seriously lol’d. glad you had a good time. Every time I read/hear about this race it always seems well done. I can’t even remember if I’ve done a 10 mile race?
Thank goodness you beat the dancing tutu. We would never have let you live it down if you hadn’t.
It was so good to see you this past weekend and catch up! Thanks again for the lift, and way to beat that dancing tutu!!! Enjoy your race-cation and will see you at Esprit de She, if not sooner. =)
I love the 10 miler!! Sounds like a great race! Congrats!
I hope your pacer friend at VCM convinces you of what a great race it is and you come do it!!!
So glad you beat the dancing tutu!!!
I love 10 miles – for a run, race, whatever!
I missed a race this weekend 🙁 I did have a great time with mhy family though so I can’t really complain. I really want to run a 10 miler. We have a local one here in October and I am thinking about signing up for it.
I’m glad you left the dancing tutu in the dust 🙂 I do love the 10 mile distance! As you’ve heard me say before I’m sure, so wish there were more of them. Glad you had a fun race!
Hahaha Ice Tea, Sweet Tea, Snoop Dogg was my favorite part of this recap! I’m glad you had a great time, sounds like a fun race!
So happy I finally got to see you at this race!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
And I was surprised to see people with jogging strollers. Especially on the lakefront. Maybe they are allowed? Or people are really sneaky!
Good point – a 10 miler does end right when you need it to! 🙂
Ha ha! Are you one of those anti-tutu people?