RocknRoll Chicago 10k

The second race of the weekend for me, since I was remixing, was the RocknRoll Chicago10k. This was my fifth year taking part in RocknRoll Chicago weekend, my second time running the remix there, but my first time ever opting for the 10k.

Yesterday’s 5k post left off after brunch. I needed to make it home before 20 guests arrived for the kids’ birthday party. I planned a simple menu, mostly on the grill, and delegated tasks, which I rarely do but need to do more often. The party was a hit. Maybe too much of a hit in fact. I started yawning at 7pm, went catatonic at 8 and caught a 3rd wind by 10. At 10:30pm still no one was making a move to leave. With a 3:30 wakeup alarm, I had my work cut out for me.

RocknRoll Chicago 10k

I gave myself permission to bag the RocknRoll Chicago 10k if I couldn’t get up, but somehow the super early wake up was not a problem. I planned on meeting Wendy and Holly at the train station at 5 so we could all ride down together. We did just that, except we just missed a train and ended up waiting longer than we wanted to. It was after 6 by the time we rolled into the station. The race went off at 6:30  and I still had to retrieve my race bib.

Who Moved My Tent?

I got to gear check with just minutes to spare so I said a quick hello to Deb and Michelle and beelined for the Solutions tent. Except the tent I’d visited just a day early was no longer there. Wtf? After asking around, I found it across the street, on the other side of the corrals, which were completely full since the start of the race was mere minutes away at this point.

Just Breathe

After getting my bib I gathered my wits about me and headed back to gear check. I still needed to hit the potty. Lines were minimal by now since the race had already started. Of course as soon as they sang the anthem, the heavens opened up and I stood there in a hard soaking rain. When I came out of the potty there was nobody waiting in line. Not a soul. That was a first for me.

Since I once again had no corral assignment, I meandered up toward the front and got in around corral 4. Keep in mind plenty of corrals had already gone off so I had no clue where I really was. Despite my best efforts, what a mess this morning turned out to be. Nevertheless, I was off at last.

I had no goals other than to have fun, finish and head back to the train ASAP since I needed to be…wait for it…in Barrington by 11am for my FIL’s surprise party. No pressure there, nope, none at all.

We split off from the half marathoners fairly quickly and once again I was headed South down the Lakefront Path with light rain to keep me cool. Similar to yesterday, I ran easy, pulling off for pics on a few occasions. The rain came and went. As hard as I tried not to, I couldn’t help but kick through large puddles. My shoes squished. Thankfully I’d remembered a plastic bag for my cash, ID and train tickets. My phone and Aftershokz were fine.

We continued South on the lakefront, down around the Aquarium and Soldier Field before rejoining the half for the final couple of miles. With little more than a mile to go, the pace car came through with the lead half marathoner. It was humbling to think some could run a half faster than I’d run a 10k that day, but to be fair, no doubt they went off in corral 1 while I certainly did not.

I ran those last couple of miles in hard, driving rain and strong headwind. I was entertaining the possibilities of everywhere I might be chafing (buttcrackular?) when I noticed a long line of semi trucks lined up along Lake Shore Drive. I wondered if they were delivering something to McCormick Place before it dawned on me they were there to shield us runners from traffic. In the past a simple line of orange cones sufficed, but in today’s world that wasn’t the case. I was grateful our safety was a priority.

At last I was on that long final stretch to the finish. The finish line was so far off at this point I could barely see it so I kept plugging along. As I approached the finish the announcers were talking about how Chicago can pretty much dish up any weather you can think of. Truth.

Finish time: 1:05. I expected 1:10 or longer so go me. 

RocknRoll Chicago 10k Finish

I finished and made my way over to the tent to grab my remix medal and race shirt, snapped a quick pic with Buckingham Fountain and speed-walked to the train. I brought an umbrella in hopes if I had one I wouldn’t actually need it, but the walk to the subway was in a hard downpour. I was happy I brought it. And for opting for the 10k.

Final Words. This was a fun race on a familiar, mostly flat course. There was plenty of music/entertainment on the course, even for the 10k. I noticed there was only water on the 10k course until mile 5 when we merged with the half there was Gatorade. Not a big deal for a 10k in overcast conditions but still I found it odd. I liked the 10k/half shirt better than the 5k one and, bless her heart, the girl in the tent allowed me to size up. They hit it out of the park with the El train medal. Since I was in a hurry, I grabbed water but didn’t even notice the snacks at the finish. I assume they were the same as the day before. My only struggle was with on-site packet pickup. Having to do it each day was a hassle, especially with the Solutions Tent in two different places. I pored over the website so I’d know where I was going on race morning but it was still a cluster. Of course had I been able to make it to the expo, none of this would be an issue. Overall I had a freaking blast. I loved seeing so many blogger friends. Truly the running this weekend was secondary.

Have you struggled with race day logistics? Missed the start of a race? What’s your all-time favorite race medal?

Heads up! The Runfession Friday linkup will be open this Friday! Join me and share your deepest, darkest sweatiest confessions. You know you want to!

I’m linking up with Running on Happy, Crazy Running Girl, Train with Marc and Coach Debbie Runs for the Coaches’ Corner linkup!