Just like last week, another 4am wake up. Actually I was up on my own at 3:45. I’ll make a great senior citizen. Temp was already 68 degrees despite a forecast in the mid 50’s. I changed to hot weather attire and got on my way. Just like last week, the rain began as soon as I pulled out of my driveway.
Goal A: Sub 2. Pie in the sky with the way I’ve been running lately but I won’t rule it out.
Goal B: Beat last week’s 2:05.
Goal C: Do not give up mentally. Stay engaged, no walking unless you’ve broken something.
It was drizzly as we made our way to the start line on a bike path along the lake. After I checked my gear (and my arm sleeves) a cold front blew up and temps dropped. I found a spot out of the wind and found some fellow runners to chat with.
It was overcast but south where we were heading was ominously dark. The race director announced he hoped the storm would blow out over the lake before we got that far south. Right.
I lined up, flanked by two women in the cutest ever Lulu capris–both had tiny ruffles in the calf area. Sounds not cute but definitely was. We were off with copious amounts of bobbing and weaving. Apparently I missed the Lululemon memo because I swear almost every female was wearing some. I tried to settle into some kind of pace and enjoy the fashion show.
According to my Garmin, which I still haven’t bothered to read the directions and fully figure out, I was running, 9:16-9:20-ish yet I felt like I was working harder than that. The 3-mile course clock read 25 something: my suspicions were correct.
Drizzle started at mile 2, full on rain by mile 4. This race is done on half of an open bike path. Maneuvering around oncoming bikers was no picnic and I’m sure the feeling was mutual. I can only imagine the bedlam if the weather had been nicer.
Cue lightning and thunder at mile 5. I seriously considered turning back and wondered if they’d ever call a race due to conditions or if the waiver we signed took care of that? A whippet-fast looking woman clad in ninja black Lulu was pulled over to the side stretching.
I came upon an abandoned gel table just short of mile 6 with just a small pyramid left of Razz Clif Shots. Can’t really blame the volunteers for getting the #%&* out of Dodge. I took two, mainly to insulate my phone in my fuel belt from the rain.
I hit the 10k mark in 53 something. Really?
It was a full-blown thunderstorm now and when we made the turnaround the wind was in our face. 7 miles of this. Good grief. Rain lashed so hard each drop stung. Yet there was nowhere to go but back the way we came, hard into the wind. I found ninja Lulu lady stretching again.
I was soaked to the bone, feet sloshing, puddles/mud everywhere. I didn’t bother to look at my pace, I’m sure it was pathetic and my effort in the first half would be wasted. But I promised myself I’d not come mentally unhinged and moved on. With lightning bolts hot on my tail what choice did I have?
I tried to go to my happy place and notice the sights of Chicago as we passed: Museums, McCormick Place, Shedd Aquarium, Soldier Field, Navy Pier. Then I tried to be grateful: it wasn’t hot, I remembered my fuel, I did not wear new shoes, my hammy was cooperating. But as rain poured off my visor I couldn’t keep from searching the skyline for the Aqua building where my car was parked. I came upon the stretching Lulu ninja a third and final time.
The last few miles were brutally ridiculous. I was so over fighting the wind and rain. Finally we turned off the path, wove through some back alleys and voodoo underpasses before emerging in the park for the finish. The most spectacular barbecue aroma hung in the air. I slogged in and got a dripping wet finisher’s medal.
Gear check line was out of control. Waiting in pouring rain didn’t help.
There was an after-race picnic that I’m sure would have been lovely on a better day. But by the time I got my stuff all I could think about was getting my chattering self to the parking garage, into dry clothes and on my way home.
Finish time 2:04.
Although I’m not typically a fan of bike path races, under more favorable weather conditions, this would be a nice race. The tech tee comes in ladies’ cut, the bling is great, race food smelled awesome. But this was yet another character-building race. My finish time does not reflect how flipping hard I worked. When conditions are challenging it becomes more a test of will than anything else. It would have been very easy to give in to the wind and rain. But I’m way too stubborn for that.
You rock my friend – you could’ve given up, but you didn’t. That sounds ridiculously tough – congrats on finishing another character builder!
Congrats on a great race in less than ideal conditions. You did great!
Great job, Marcia! Racing through rain is the worst. Way to tough it out.
I once ran a half marathon in a hurricane that happened to hit our area about an hour before race start. The parking lots were flooding and we were soaked to the bone even before the race began. They had to call it at 10 miles because there were trees down across the course after that. When we got back to the tent where are bags were, they were floating in water and mud. All in all, though, it was one of the most memorable of all the races I’ve ever done.
You should have gotten about 10 medals for sticking through it. AMAZING job out there, and congratulations on a fantastic finish!
Congrats on hitting your goal!! Very impressive for the conditions.
I am petrified of T&L so I probably would have been such a wuss!
Oh my gosh – running in all that rain!!! I think your time is fabulous!! Rain I would keep pushing through but lightning – I don’t know if I would have the cojones to finish!!
Congratulations!! You did a great job!
I loved your comment about the “fashion show”! I haven’t tried Lululemon yet, it is really expensive.
Congrats on a job well done and keeping at it even with Mother Nature’s fury. You’re inspiring =)
Congrats on a tough day! When I run a race where the weather throws a curve ball, I focus more on where my finishing place was, not my finishing time.
I’m guessing Lulu lady is still out there stretching…
You are really, really due for some good conditions, my friend! Way to (once again) dig deep and get through a tough one!
dang! you did an awesome job!! I like running in the rain, but torrential downpours are just no fun. nice work!
I’m hoping all of these awful races mean your Ragnar will be out of control awesome!
I had a 10 miler race like that last year. It was miserable and the only thing I kept thinking was “at least it’s not hot!”
Awesome job Marcia in yet again crappy conditions! What did you do to tick off Mother Nature these last couple of weeks 😉 Seriously I am inspired by your determination! Congrats on a great race!!
You did a great job with the retell!! I could almost feel water in my shoes sitting here at my desk! HAHAHAHA! I’ve been in one race before where there was serious thunder and lightening. Makes you wanna hightail it doesn’t it!? I would love to run in Chicago one day!
Ugh, a HM in the rain! I have only had the experience of running a 10k in the rain and I really hate it.
Love the new look, haven’t been here!
Wow, definitely sounds like a character builder! LOL at the “fashion show.”
Way to tough it out!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a race in the rain and wind like that… it takes some serious mental toughness to push through! I’m impressed– let’s take about 10 minutes off your time and call that your effort for the day. Nice work!
What a tough one for you. Some races are really tough and that one was a doozy. Well done on finishing.
That was a great time even without the adversity you faced. That sounds full-on miserable, and yet that’s what would make it a fun story to tell. Yet more proof of how hardcore you are!
i love reading your race recaps! i feel like im running along with you…except i guess i didnt have to work as hard 😉 you are awesome for pushing through the rain and the wind! seriously. the wind is my ultimate enemy so i cant imagine! a great time! congrats! also. i get made fun of that i will be a great senior citizen too so that made me laugh. i go to bed the second its dark and can barely stay asleep once i see light outside. someone asked me if i seriously go to bed at like 6 in the winter. i got too scared to answer. haha 😉
Awesome job in less than awesome conditions! I hope you were able to dry off and warm up quickly.
This race sounds cursed! I think this is the one that was so awful last year too. Way to go in toughing it out!
“don’t walk unless you’re broken” – yup, that sounds like me, too!
Still, an awesome job considering the elements. Just think, you’ll BREEZE through your next race, given fair conditions!
Wow, you are awesome. To beat your last time through thunder and rain! You have got to feel awesome about that (after you dried out). Plus, I love the color of that shirt. I’ve been dreaming of a green shirt like that for a while.
Funny, I was noticing Lulu in my last race too. I was feeling quite jealous of some of the outfits.
I love Goal C! You did a great job! Man your luck lately in races is not great weather wise. Lightning scares me. I don’t know what I would have done but I suspect I would have kept going.
It certainly does sound character building.
i could feel your pain reading it. 🙁 races in tough conditions suck. i’ve had my fair share. congrats on pushing through them. these things really are such a test of determination.
GREAT job! What sucky conditions — way to tough it out!!!
Man, if anyone deserves some good weather, it’s you! But your time was awesome and you got your B goal despite Mother Nature’s misplaced wrath. Great work!
Awesome race in really tough conditions!
Okay, you MUST promise me you will NOT bring that crappy weather to Denver for the RnR Half. OKAY? Okay!!! Geez, you have some bad luck with half and races. I’m not sure if I’d rather have your flipping rain or my frigid cold that I’ve had for every half.
I’m sure I’d be around the 3-hour mark in those conditions. Well done, girlie!! I am very proud of you sticking it out and kicking that Lulu’s butt at the end! 🙂
That’s really a very pretty shirt and I heart that medal. I might have even endured those conditions for those. Maybe.
Holy crap girl! That is an awesome time… especially under those circumstances!! I’m such a baby when it comes to hard rain. Seriously KICK BUTT on that one Marcia!
Thanks for sharing this to us, an informative posts it is. Congratulations to all the participants for a great job well done. Looking forward always for more updates.
Congrats on your time! Your race recaps always make me laugh!
Ack, you have interesting luck with the weather! Way to hang in there and finish strong. The time doesn’t mean much on a day like that.
Also, I need more Lulu in my life!
You are a trooper! It’s the wind that really gets me! When it’s pushing at me, I just want to give in to it! For you to also have rain? Phew!
Wow!!! I like racing in the rain, but I dont know if I would like what you went through, congrats on another race
Congrats on the race! I agree with Miss Zippy…you are due for stellar conditions!!
WOW! You are one tough lady! What a race! Great recap!
That was crazy weather! Great job finishing and coming in at 2:04!
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