Race Recap: Chicago Rock 'n Roll Half

Photo: ASI Photo

I have such mixed feelings after the Chicago Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon last Sunday.  I set no time goal and went into it telling myself to just have fun... and I did!  Yet I'm left feeling disappointed.  My finish time of 2:09:55 ranks 4th out of the 5 half marathons I've completed.  For some reason, I just assumed I'd be able to cruise to a better time than that... while still having fun. Oh-well, chalk it up in the books and let's just call it a fun Sunday run!

RACE EXPO

We arrived in Chicago Friday around noon and headed straight to the race expo.  This was by far the best, most entertaining, race expo I've ever attended!!  In fact, it may just be the highlight of the weekend for me.  

We walked the red carpet...

Posed for fun pictures...

Participated in all the fun interactive stuff...

My Big Girl worked out with XSport Fitness for almost an hour!

The Brooks Run Happy Cavalcade of Curiosities Tour put on a quite a neat show.  I hopped on the treadmill and had my running gait analyzed.  The trainer did a great job of answering my 101 questions.  We scored cool prizes and the little circus show entertained my children immensely.

Four hours later, we scored a LOT of swag and samples...  

REST DAY

On Saturday, I should have relaxed, but instead we spent a fun day at the Brookfield Zoo.  Halfway through the day, a thunderstorm came through and we had to run our way out.

My favorite is always the giraffes.

RACE DAY

The night before the race we moved into the Congress Hotel, right across the street from Grant Park and the start/finish line.  The hotel was completely buzzing with giddy racers everywhere.  So fun!  In the morning, I did a warmup loop around Grant Park, stretched and found my corral #7 with ease.  The race started right on time .  The start was crazy... so many people!

Photos Source

But isn't Chicago's skyline gorgeous!?!?  I must admit I didn't really have time to "sightsee" much on the run.  The course was packed the entire 13 miles, and I really had to concentrate on where I was stepping.  I let the congestion roll off my back in this race... I slowed and let runners by that seemed to be overly-anxious. I chatted with runners along the way.  I gave a fist-pump to every band along the way... and high five's to the hundreds of spectators with outstretched hands.  In fact, I was so pre-occupied that I forgot to take a mid-run GU until mile 8.

Photo: ASI Photo

Decked out from head to toe in turquoise blue (even my fingers and toes!), I got lots of compliments on the outfit.  Thanks to Team Sparkle for loaning me the traveling skirt!

I checked my watch at the 10K split (6.2 miles) and was pleased to see 1:00 on the nose (9:40 pace).  I never looked at my wrist again.   Unfortunately, I slowed down after the halfway point, despite a last mile push...

Am I working it or what?!?!  Finish Line in sight!

Thanks Tracy for the picture!

My race splits...

5K - 29:31 - 9:30 pace

10K - 1:00:10 - 9:40 pace

10 mile - 1:38:51 - 9:53 pace

 Finish 2:09:55 - 9:55 pace

Overall  #6412 out of 15,259  (42%)

Females  #3034 out of 9480  (32%)

Age Divison  #416 out of 1355  (30%)

Half Marathon #5 is in the bag!