Chicago

We got back from Chicago (and the Chicago Rock & Roll Half Marathon) this afternoon. It was a fun weekend. We left Saturday and ran into a huge traffic jam in Dubuque, of all places. It was due to RAGRAI. Also ran into some traffic issues in Chicago, but that was expected, although we had hoped it would not be so bad on a late Saturday afternoon.

Picking up our packets at the McCormick Center and finding our hotel were stressful. By the way, The Red Roof Inn on Ontario Street is not recommended unless you REALLY are on a budget. The beds were uncomfortable, our room was tiny, the windows were filthy, the bedding was ancient, the AC was LOUD, the bathrooms were unclean, shall I continue? Then we went to California Pizza Kitchen where I felt I needed a drink, although I never drink the night before a race (unless it's like a 5k). I had a glass of white sangria, which was amazing. Probably a bad idea in retrospect, but sometimes you just need a DRINK. We also walked about 5-7 miles Saturday in Chicago--because neither Bill nor I will take a cab unless we absolutely have to. Maybe walking so much was also a bad idea. I don't know.

We got up at 5:20 or so to get to the race in time. Both of us had a less than adequate night of sleep. I'd like to blame that on the squealing and clicking noises coming from the AC in our hotel room. We walked over 1.5 miles to get to the start, waiting in line for about 30 minutes to use the porta potty, and then we were off.

I give the Rock & Roll Marathon people credit. They have put on lots of races, and they know how to do it. They put people in "corrals" based on expected times. We started with corral 9. The elite runners started at 6:30. We started at about 6:42--12 minutes later. I knew at about mile 3 this wasn't really my day. I was fine, but my legs felt a little dead.

I finished in about 2:06. I had hoped to be in under 2:00, but that's okay. I have to say I worked pretty hard for that 2:06 since I was a little off. Bill came in at about 1:56, I think.

There were 13 bands along the course--some better than others, but most were really good. There was a band at about mile 12, Powwowwow, that we both really liked. I also liked this Irish band that had some cloggers that was around mile 5. Some of the bands were doing original music. Others were cover bands. The cover bands were good because for some reason it gives you a burst of energy to hear a familiar song.

It was a really fun course. Of course, you run down Michigan Avenue, you see the Chicago landmarks, and you also run on the path along the lake. My only complaint is that the path along the lake is a little narrow at times for such a large crowd. This is also toward the end of the race, so you have people stopping to walk, and you have to maneuver around them. It was a pretty warm morning (high humidity) and at about mile 11 they gave us cool sponges, which was awesome. They also had a couple of "misting" stations, which was sort of like running through a sprinkler. I wish they had put out more of those, actually.

I have to give the people who Rock & Roll Marathon people props. The race was well-organized. They really have it down to a science. Medical support was present at a few places throughout the race. The water and Cytomax stations were good, and that's no small feat when 25,000 people run a race.

After the race, we walked back to our hotel, showered, and walked back to the post-race concert, which was Five For Fighting. After hanging out there for a while, we walked to have lunch at a great sushi place that had wonderful sweet potato rolls. Then we walked to Nike Town (where I bought some overpriced stuff) and also visited the Garmin store briefly. After that we took a nap. Obviously, we ran 13.1 miles this weekend, but we may have walked more than 13.1.

Things I saw during the race:

• Several people running barefoot or with just tape on their feet.
• Lots of people running for a cause--including the American Cancer Society and homeless pets in Chicago. (I wondered what the homeless people we passed though of that.)
• Girls running in tutus--ALWAYS! I'm sure it seems like fun until you get to mile nine or so.
• A chocolate lab doing the race. It's not allowed but they gave him a medal at the end anyway. He and his owner were with me until about mile 5. I think they beat me in the end.
• Several runners talking on their cell phones when running.
• LOTS of people with i-pods or other musical devices. Why would you sign up for a "rock and roll" marathon and then do that?
• People running with signs on their back as a tribute. Mostly "in memory of mom."