One of the most fabulous weekends of all for runners in Chicago is upon us! Chicago Marathon weekend! That means if I’m not actually running it or volunteering, I am holding down the fort in the “Blogger Press Box” aka our stakeout spot at mile 13.
Emily and I last year. Note fluorescent Mr. Happy on a stick cuz he’ll be there again.
This year since there is a course reroute, Wendy, Erica and I will be at Mile Marker 13 on the runners’ right side at the corner of Monroe and Clinton. Look for my pink Mr. Happy stick. If you haven’t told me already, let me know your corral and what you’ll be wearing so we can spot you and give you some energizing cowbell. I’ll also be slinking around the expo Friday evening so holler if you see me. All the best to everyone running! The weather is shaping up to be perfect!
Girls On the Run
You probably already know this organization is near and dear to my heart. I’ve been a coach and/or run buddy many times over the years. I’ve seen formerly self-conscious girls emerge strong and proud. I’ve enjoyed watching so many work hard and discover wonderful qualities about themselves they had no idea they possessed. The confidence gained through running and fitness carries over into all areas of life. Plus a lifelong love of exercise pays off in good health and vitality, which is truly priceless.
I invite you to help support Girls on the Run and join me at the Run Like a Girl Soiree on October 28 at Chicago’s Drake Hotel. We’ll get all fancied up BUT we’ll wear our favorite running shoes! How fun is that? Read more about it and order your tickets here. Save $20 off the ticket price with code MHSSOIREE2016.
More fun ways to support GOTR:
Annual Fall 5k in Chicago’s Grant Park on November 19
Sign up to be a GOTR volunteer here
Follow GOTR on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
What’s fun for you this weekend? Will I see you in Chicago? Have you volunteered with GOTR? Goooo Racers!
This is awesome!!! I wish I could be there with you 😉 Have fun and ring that cowbell!!
I coached GOTR but only for one year. Their curriculum… was ridiculous! The girls liked it though so I suppose that’s all that mattered.
What a fabulous way to support and encourage our fellow bloggers running Saturday! Can’t wait to see who all you see!!
Lacey is in Chicago now and is so excited to run. I don’t know what corral she is in but if I find out I’ll let you know so you can look for her!
I did GOTR last spring and I agree with Megan that the curriculum was sub par and it was very expensive to participate. However, I think all the girls enjoyed the race at the end! I know I enjoyed running with my buddies!
You are going to have so much fun in the press box and I know your friends will really appreciate your cheers. MCM had a really good live tracking app that made it easier to know when to expect people.
Woohoo! It’s here!
A lot of the little girls I see who are enrolled in CPS participate in GOTR. I don’t know of any chapters in the suburbs tho. Anything that gets girls moving is a good thing!
The weather does look so good for Sunday 🙂 For once Chicago has the perfect weather. Hope you have a good time! I’ll be cheering people on in the South Loop that day, near the final couple of miles <3
I think Girls on the Run is great. I was a running buddy twice. I didn’t have a great experience but I will try again in the spring.
I will support our GOTR 5k which is also Nov 19.
I think I’ve wrote this over and over but dang I so wish I could be there! I could knock a lot of blogger meetups off my list in one weekend, if I was only there. I tried really I did everything I could to get the hubs to give me ok to sneak off with Holly but just couldn’t make it happen. 🙁
I’ll be with yall cheering from the sidelines in Mississippi!
Awww GOTR is a wonderful way to give back. I love the purple sparkle 🙂 Have fun cheering!
Have fun in Chicago!! How awesome that you will be cheering!!
I love Girls on The Run! but I can’t bring myself to coach a girl… in all honesty, I don’t see myself being a good coach. but I sign up for their race every year!
Have fun spectating and cheerleading! I’m sure the runners will appreciate it! I should think about coaching GOTR. I don’t think there is a chapter out here though.
I love what Girls On The Run is all about. I wanted to be a coach, but the timing didn’t work out with my job :(. Hopefully one day. Have fun cheering on all the runners!
Nope, won’t be in Chicago. How much fun is it to meet all the bloggers? I can’t even imagine the crowds, tho.
My SIL lived there for a while, long before I was a runner (but her husband, soon to be ex, was). So I have been a few times, but it’s been many years.
Sounds like you have a great weekend ahead of you! It’s always a blast seeing bloggers at events , especially rAves! Enjoy!
This is so rad! I love the GOTR mission. We should have one in my town.
I’m so excited for the Chicago marathon runners, I hope they have a great race! I really need to look into GOTR, such a great organization. Love the soiree, can’t wait to see pics!
This sounds amazing! I wish I could be there too, Have a wonderful time!!
Have such an amazing time! I completely agree with you that this one a really special weekend in the year. I super love your post also because I am a HUGE fan of Girls on the Run. I was actually a GOTR charity runner for my first marathon – Chicago 2010!!! Can’t wait to hear how it goes!
Sounds like a great weekend- I love seeing all the pictures! Keep posting! I can’t wait to see how everyone does tomorrow! That GOTR program sounds awesome- I need to Google that and see if we have that program here. Enjoy!
have fun! I love GOTR what a great organization!!
Hope you had a great weekend meeting up with all those bloggers and cheering on all those runners. Can’t wait to read all about it.
I was a coach a few years ago during the fall. It went OK. Hopefully I can do it again someday in the future.
This past weekend, we spent hiding out from Hurricane Matthew. Boo.
Our GOTR has a huge chapter here – I haven’t had the chance to volunteer with them but I love all the great work they do.
Looks like a great spot you had at mile 13, I am hoping to run Chicago one day!