What a mess.
I signed up for the Banco Popular Chicago Half Marathon weeks ago for the sole reason that my marathon training called for a 14 mile run, hence it fit in the schedule perfect. I should have known that when it started raining on Friday for packet pickup that was a bad sign. The good part about the packet pickup was it was totally indoors. My wife and I took the kids along and they had a good time. As you know the Chicagoland area received a tremendous amount of rain that Friday and Saturday...
Sunday morning I was up early and still contemplating whether I should go through with it. My biggest fear was running the risk of injury and jeopardizing my marathon in October. As I looked outside the rain seemed to have stopped. I thought "it might clear up after all". I then packed up all my things and headed to the train station. Needless to say, the rain resumed shortly thereafter.
Once I got to the gear check-in and dropped my bag off, I had 15 minutes until the race started. There were so many people there, I struggled to weave my way into the starting pack. Unfortunately, I found myself in the middle of the 2:30-finishing time pace section. This was unbelievably frustrating. I spent the first 8 miles, swerving between people until I could get some room to move.
Once I got some room and checked the timing, I knew I wouldn't be putting in a PR at this race. I was OK with that, since I knew the big race was next month anyway. I finished at 1:50, which was pretty good considering the weather and my starting position. No new blisters per se, but a couple new layers on some existing ones. Nothing major.
What an experience. I will say that the food they give you at the finish line was MUCH appreciated. That was the best tasting apple I have ever had. And they had chocolate chip cookies!!
Now the real challenge: a 20 mile run this Saturday. That will truly be a mental and physical challenge.
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