I muttered my usual “why do I do this?” when I got up at 3:40 to begin the trek into the city for this race. I tell myself no more city races, yet I keep finding myself running them.
I had a special guest star today. I was picking up Wendy, the voice behind Taking the Long Way Home, who was also registered to run, alas found herself in a boot with a broken foot instead. But like the trooper she is, Wendy came down in cheerleader mode. How awesome is that? It was great to finally meet her and of course the gabbing started immediately, just like old friends.
Wendy and I pre-race. Just look how pretty that harbor is. Note to self: Nothing good comes from stretching a warm-up shirt over your fuel belt. Not a good look.
Unlike the last time I ran this, the race was sold out and I had to shoe-horn the car into a ridiculously tight parking garage. We got off to a staggered start by corral for the out-and-back race. The Lakefront Path was definitely at capacity and I was well boxed in for a couple of miles, which is fine, because I was only in it for some comfy LSD.
Also unlike the last time I ran this (lightning and sideways rain anyone?), the weather was beautiful. Cool, breezy, breaking into full sun at the turnaround. Somewhere around mile 6 though, a bug flew into my eye and worked it’s way under my contact. Usually I wear sunglasses and today I was reminded of why I need to. Ugh. The next 3 miles I alternated running with walking and digging in my eye, finally pulling in a bathroom to no avail. The bug-in-the-eye issue resolved itself finally at mile 9 but I was mentally checked out, irritated with the hills, the sun, basically everything and just overall off my game, not that there was much of a game to begin with. It was fun to see Wendy cowbelling at the finish like a champ.
Our finish-line party crew l-r Penny, Michelle, vertically-challenged me, Wendy. It was great to see so many friends, but I’m bummed I missed a lot too.
Overall a very well-done race. Plenty of water stops, enthusiastic volunteers and I’ve never noticed so many medics on a course before. Impressive. The medal and lime shirt are nice. I like how they brought the star from the City of Chicago flag into the design. I’m linking up today with Bestfoot.
Next up: Soldier Field 10 Mile this Saturday. Did you race? What’s next up for you?
Very cool that you got to meet Wendy. Glad the weather cooperated. That always makes a HUGE difference!
Ugh sorry about the bug in your eye! I’m loving that lime green race shirt! Next up for me? 5-miler this weekend!
Ugh, 3:40? I’d be groaning and complaining, too! Way to push through, even if you weren’t feeling it. I’m looking forward to running double digits again!
Bugs in the eye are THE WORST. Worst thing ever! I don’t even wear contacts, I can’t imagine how much worse that made it. Yuck!! Good job finishing despite the bug. Yuck!
How fun that you got to go down with Wendy! I think that is why I felt like doing this one… I knew Bobbi and I would ride down together.
I am impressed you ran so long with that dang bug before pulling over! I wouldn’t have lasted that long!
What hills? I only remember the one toward the middle! Ha ha ha. JK 😛
Wow that is a lot of dedication for the race. Looked like a fun one though. Thanks for sharing the wonderful shots.
Does watching an entire season of Lost in a day count as racing? Is so, yes I did.
I couldn’t have gone note than a couple of minutes with the bug in my eye.
Looks like a fun group!
I did the Chicagoland 1/2 in Schamburg yesterday. A much SMALLER race but it was great. I love the Soldier Field 10 mile. I’m in the burbs now and hate going to the city to race.. Up next for me is the North Shore 1/2 in Highland Park on June 1!
It sounds like an awesome race. I have always wanted to visit chicago.
Congrats on the race!
I can’t believe you ran with the bug in your eye for so long! Those kinds of things drive me bonkers.
OMG 2012 was a terrible day for the race. I ran it too… Ugh. 2011 was even more “fun” with crazy wind, temps in the 40’s and a sleet/rain combo. Oh yeah.
So happy to see you yesterday!
Oh – I can’t imagine a bug under a contact – so glad that I don’t do contacts anymore (LASIK!). Glad you got to meet some friends – always fun.
And, that harbor view is awesome!
AHHHHH love that your got to meet Wendy!! So awesome! And sounds like it was a GREAT day for a race too!
WHat fun & you always amaze me!!!!!
I wouldn’t have gone down there if it weren’t for you! I had a blast! You know how to make an injured girl feel good. And I meant to tell you…that contact issue…been there! I don’t wear sunglasses when I run, but I sure do when I bike.
I can’t wait until our next adventure!!!!!
Bugs in the eyes are the worst! I have enough trouble w my contacts…
I love Chicago and really hope to run a race there! Sounds like it was a great race 🙂
Karen @karenlovestorun
Nice race! Always fun to meet bloggers. Never fun to get a bug in the eye.
That is a early start, but minus the bug in the eye issue the race sounds pretty good.
Louise!! How many races are you doing this year? You crazy woman, you. That’s why I love you though :).
Damn bug!!
A bug under a contact sounds very uncomfortable. Talk about a mental challenge! Way to get through it!
Hello, bug? You need to run your own race! Ugh. Otherwise sounds and looks like a fun day. There’s nothing better than welcoming a beautiful spring day with a beautiful run/race. Glad you and Wendy could connect, too. Congrats!
Ugh…bugs in the eyes! I hate that. I had one of those early morning “Why??????” moments myself when the alarm went off. You definitely had a beautiful day for a race. Hopefully the next one is bug free!
Bike race this past weekend (as you know). I’ve got an orienteering meet and lots of volleyball over Memorial Day weekend, but I’m mostly just looking forward to having three days off!
Sounds great, except for the eye thing! UGH!-Ashley
I’m glad you had a great race and that the weather was A LOT better this year! That is a ridiculous time to be up, I have never been up that early for a race!
Our next race is our 100 mile tri in a few weeks!
Way to push through Marcia! I had a bug fly in my eye last week and it was so annoying! My eye watered the rest of the day.
I hate it when something gets under my contacts! Mad props to you for continuing on with that bug.
nice work!! bugs in the eye might be one of the worst summer running issues besides the humidity for me. you’ve been able to do a lot of races!! I’m actually on a hiatus until alaska. BUT, I needed to be!
I love meeting blog people!