I’ve had my eye on this race since the inaugural but for one reason or another never got around to running it until this year. I chose the 5k, since 2013 is the year of the 5k.
Heeding threats of limited parking, I arrived early and staked out across from this monstrosity.
Somebody was tailgating the race? By 7am the grill was already smoldering; the race posse wrapped in Bears blankets. Only in Chi-town.
Goals: I had no idea how to pace this. I can’t remember the last time I truly ‘raced’ anything. I vowed to not let my inner suck monkey get the best of me. I’d press and run my best, however pathetic that may be. Plus who knows how jerk knee will behave? The time is now to stop comparing my current self with a younger, faster version.
We had a fun pre-race blogger meetup. It was still considerably chilly. Not complaining.
Michel, Bobbi and yours truly.
Bobbi, me and Jen
Top left: Lindy and her son, Erica, me, Michel. Bottom: Nicole, Maureen, Kelly
The 5k went off 45 minutes after the half. After standing toward the back of the pack, I made myself move up because I promised I’d stop jacking around and run seriously for once. So up I moved. Not quite to where the whippets with the fluorescent orange arm sleeves hang out, but in that general neighborhood…kind of, somewhat…ok not.
We were off and I went batshit barreling across the starting mats. I knew it was too fast and I didn’t have a prayer of holding that pace but isn’t that the whole idea of a 5k? Balls to the wall?
The course was basically two out and backs. We ran a half mile out then turned around. The first murmurings of my suck monkey came in the second half of the first mile just ahead of some hills I blazed down moments before.
Monkey: Why don’t you walk up and catch your breath? Um no.
Suddenly the vest I so didn’t need was cooking me alive. I spent the next half mile planning how I’d rip it off and whip it on the hood of my car as I passed…or at the tailgate bus…but they were all on the upper deck shouting from megaphones. Suck. It. Up. You can swelter for 20 minutes.
I glanced at my Garmin for the first and only time at mile 1. A figure quite foreign to me stared back. I haven’t seen it in training or racing in eons. Two almost perpendicular lines:
7
I ran a sub-8 pace for the first mile? I was overcome with delight. Or maybe it was fumes from the tailgate bus.
We trudged across muddy grass to the path for the 2nd out and back which was hard into the wind. I slipped, cussing under my breath, one with the agony, but not giving up. Finally the turnaround. I tried to find the sweet spot between running as fast as possible (not fast, believe me) and puking (my specialty).
I finished and accepted a medal from the most adorable, angelic blonde little girl, then slunk away so I could dry heave without scaring her.
Finish time: 26:25
Never in my wildest did I expect this: AG 1/20
Gender: 31/290
Overall: 69/418
Swag was good: Can’t beat a cute medal for a 5k. I’ll probably never run in the Nike Tempo shorts we got but I appreciate the effort to find something other than a tired shirt. AG award was the bottle and an assortment of Power Bar products. I did not hang around for the egg hunt.
Final words: Finish time aside, overall I am pleased because I stayed engaged mentally and did not give in to the suck monkey. I thought the race was fun and well organized. Both races started on time, the course measured correctly, food and swag were good. I would run this one again.
This race also counted as my Jelly Bean virtual race over at Run with Jess!
Congrats on the age group win! 5ks, or really any distance these days, really turn my stomach too. But I refuse to go back to the days of no breakfast before races. I would much rather feel fueled and nauseous than starving and depleted!
Hope you had a lovely Easter!
Woohoo! Number one in your age group! You rock!
Not many 5ks give out medals, so that’s awesome you got one. Congrats on not giving up and coming out w an age group award
Congrats on the AG!! Great seeing you again!
Way to go! Being mentally strong is key and you rocked it! Way to go!
you had me (giggling) at the slinking away.
xo
Awesome race. You really kept it together to finish with a great time!
It really is a fine line to run as fast as possible, but not vomit. Awesome race!!!!
Glad you slunk away and didn’t scare the angelic blonde girl. 🙂 Fantastic job!! Great time, and congrats on first ag!
Congrats! Awesome way to fight the mental monkey. Sounds like a perfect way to kick off the spring race season.
Congratulations speedy momma! That is a fantastic time! Don’t you love racing? Sometimes, I ask myself “why am I spending money and time doing this?” and then you do well like this and it reconfirms why we run day after day!
Great job and great time! I love the race swag!
Wow!! You are awesome!! I love your recap, too!
Except for not getting invited to tailgate, sounds like a great time!
Congratulations again on the AG win! So cool! And way to go keeping yourself pushing. I know that’s going to be an issue for me in my 5K next month…I don’t like to hurt and find it really easy to give in. Maybe I can borrow the muzzle you used on your suck monkey? 🙂
awesome, awesome, AWESOME! big congrats on not giving in to suck monkey and hanging tough. some of my best race memories are when I was able to hang tough and give it my all. And big congrats on a 1st in AG – woot!
Woo hoo, congrats on the AG win!!!
Wahoooo! You certainly are rocking the year of the 5k!
NICE NICE NICE!! When I saw that 7 I was like HOLY CRAP! Lungs on fire right!? HAHAHA! Legs burning but you don’t want the suck monkey to win! Love it! You’re right, can’t beat a cute medal for a 5K!
Hilarious recap, as always!
Love the recap! Congrats on your AG and not letting the suck monkey win!!
Congrats on the AG win! I saw those guys tailgating and wanted to join in. The brats smelled better than the bagel I was eating post race.
THAT IS AWESOME! Congrats on the AG win. YOU ARE A ROCK STAR for that!
Pictures look great and you got to eat for free from the tail gate as an elite runner, right?
What a fun race and meetup! Congrats on 1st in your AG!!! 😀 😀 😀
You really HAD to have that medal. It totally coordinated with your shoes. Congrats on the first place and the dry heaving. Nothing says you’ve given your all like trying to bring up yesterday’s dinner.
This would be a race that combines my three favorites.
1) Running
2) Da Bears
3) Jelly Beans
then I could top it off with a Gino’s East for celebration.
Art definitely Gino’s East! The best!!!
Great race! I’d be super proud if I finished a 5K in under 30 minutes. So what’s with the puking? Sorry, have to ask.
Congratulations, Marcia! I love the “whippets in the orange fluorescent arm sleeves” description. You rocked this race. A good omen for the year of the 5K…..
Nice job! Well done.
Suck monkey/whippets/angelic little girl — sweet descriptors!
I dont even know how to run anymore; it’s been too long ago.
That is soooooooooo great, Marcia! Big congrats to you! Beating the such monkey AND an age group win – love it!
Wow man, you speed demon. Suck monkeys and Batshit awesome. I love your style of writings. That looks like a very fun race indeed. I would do it if I lived close by. Cheers!
you go girl, well deserved!! Love that they gave you shorts instead of a shirt, good in theory right : ) Congrats!
Congratulations on a great race!! You are hilarious, I was laughing quite a bit with this recap.
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Congrats on your AG win!!!!