So yeah, this one was definitely for fun. I was lured by the t-shirt, and the promise of a fun summer night on the Soldier Field lawn. RAM races are usually much too crowded to net a good time.
I left work early, because I figured with Lollapalooza setup in Grant Park, race day packet pickup ending at 5:30 SHARP, and almost a 2-mile walk from the train, I'd need all of the extra time I could get. Oh, plus I had to run an extra mile before the race. But I digress...
We had more than enough time to do our thing, and I even ran into 2 running friends before the race. About 20 minutes before the race, we headed to our corrals. I made a new friend and had someone to chat with before the race started, which was nice.
Right at 6:30pm, with the sun still shining brightly, we were OFF!
Mile 1: This is the first time in a long while that I think that the corrals were correct. Sure, I'm passing a random person here or there, but for the most part, everybody is running together. It's pretty nice!
Smelly tunnel at McCormick Place AGAIN... that would be 3 weeks in a row, which I assume is some sort of record. Best mile of the day (dang, I have to stop doing that!) - 7:39
Mile 2: I actually stop at the water station. During a 5K. ME. This should tell you how humid it is right now, and how terrible it's been this summer. Holy crap. I feel like I am dying of thirst, even though I just drank water AND Gatorade. I HATE SUMMER! 7:56
Mile 3: My legs definitely feel heavy. I just want to be done. My mantra during this mile? "One step ahead is one step closer to beer." I'm not joking. I was purely motivated by the Magic Hat at the finish line. So one foot in front of the other, and soon enough, I can spot the finish line just ahead! 5Ks are so awesome because they are done so quickly! Weeeeeeee! 7:40
Mile 3.11: Right at the mile 3 mark, I kick it in as much as my legs will allow me. This little kid is trucking beside me, but blows me away at the end. I'll let him have this one. 0:45
FINAL TIME: 24:01. ARGH! SO CLOSE to going under 24!
AVERAGE PACE: 7:44 - not too shabby, for this being my first 5K since February!
LESSON LEARNED: In the tunnel under McCormick Place, when Garmin beeps because it doesn't know where it is, DO NOT, EVER, hit Ok. Leave it be, and it'll work itself out.
NEXT 5K: Elvis is Alive 5K, 8.16.2012
After the race, I got some (really crappy) food that I didn't eat, and my BEER. My beer was delicious. Totally worth sweating through my clothes to get it. I LOVE RUNNING!
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| Roger, Jill, me, Kari after the race... FUN NIGHT! |
Congrats on a good race despite the heat and dehydration! I had a great time at the Terrapin. The beer, music and venue in front of SF were fantastic. Although we could all do with less of that smelly tunnel!
ReplyDeleteThat tunnel is terrible. So dark and potholey and just gross.
DeleteBut yes, the weather was perfect to sit out on the lawn and listen to the bands.