On Saturday the sky was streaked with pink as I headed to Wendy’s house so she, Sara and I could head down to the lakefront together to run the CARA Live Grit 10 Miler. We were treated to plentiful (free!) parking upon arrival. A rarity in Chicago.
I really had no business running a 10 mile race. My running mileage has been low, rarely venturing beyond the 6-mile mark. Couple that with the upper respiratory gunk that’s been hanging on and you have a perfect storm. Death march anyone?
We met up with Emily, Erin and Zenaida for blogger photo ops before heading to the corrals.
Something Meb said in his book I’d just read resonated with me:
My endurance base was minimal, ok non-existent, so it became my mission to run this smart and keep my head in the game as long as possible.
We were off. It was a gorgeous spring day. I wore a tank and opted to leave my sleeves in my gear check bag. I tried to stay slow in the early miles. There was a ridiculous grass-covered hill early on, I planned on walking up if need be, but I didn’t. I recovered on the way down alongside a guy pushing a double jog stroller. Yikes.
I told myself I could walk after 4 miles, but 4 passed and I still felt good. I told myself walk breaks could start at 6. We made the turn to head back North after mile 6 and hit icy headwinds off the lake. Not sure why but I still didn’t succumb to the walk monkey. At that point it became my goal to run the whole thing, no matter how slow. I found a happy pace and went with it. At 8 when I expected to totally blow up, I actually picked it up through the finish. Not sure where that came from.
Finish: Although my goal was to simply finish, I managed to finish this race almost 2 minutes faster than I ran the Soldier Field 10-mile last spring. This course was tougher too with Cricket Hill in the mix and the icy headwind. I chalk that up to keeping my head in the game and not succumbing to the walk monkey.
Notes: This is a low-key “serious” runner’s race. No costumes, nobody running 3 and 4 across, few if anybody walking. Overall a very fast field. I felt like I’d be dead last in my age group and was surprised to end up 22/48 at the pace I ran. It’s small enough so the path wasn’t overly crowded and people seemed to line up properly. Parking was a snap, the swag was good and the price was right. I’d do this one again in a heartbeat.
What was fun for you this weekend? Did you race? Do you enjoy 10-Milers?
All the best to everyone running The Boston Marathon today!
This Friday, and the last Friday of every month, is Runfession Friday! Stop by and linkup you run- gym- and swimfessions. I promise you’ll feel better! Join us!
I’m linking up today with Tara’s Weekend Update.
Congrats on the finish! I love 10 milers. Perfect distance to train for and run. It’s the distance Goldilocks would run if she were a runner. Not too long and not too short. It’s a just right race distance ha!
GO YOU!!!
Im Walker McGee but LOVE LOVE LOVE THE TEN MILES as well.
I’ve read several race reports from this one and it sounds like a fun race. Congrats on the 10 mile PR! I would be tempted to wear a tutu just because…
Way to chug through it and even run a better race than a past one. I love how you told us your brain stories about when you were telling yourself it was ok to walk. We all do it and I think we all end up pushing ourselves further than we originally expected. Congratulations! I’m glad you exceeded your own expectations!!
awesome job! I haven’t run a 10 mile race yet but it does sound like a perfect distance. I ran a 15K and that was fun so that is jus a little longer. I like the walk monkey- HA! you talked yourself right out of it. This post is making me hopeful about the half next Saturday- just a little nervous!
This was definitely a mental race for me too! I’m so glad you did it with me! And great job on finishing strong!
Awesome job and love the new look! I set out for 5ish on Saturday and did 6 my longest run since probably last June/July! It was amazing out!!!
Nice job! Love the medal. Also love that Meb quote!
I love 10-milers and this one sounds really great. Congrats on surprising yourself! That always feels so good and how fun to hang with Wendy, etc. for the day. Not to mention good parking–that sets the tone for a great day!
I finally got to do a 15K, but still haven’t gotten to do a 10 miler. It is on my do it soon list!!!
Wow impressive finish! You never know what you are capable of! I just took my RRCA class and I am so nervous about the exam. I am working on it now.
Congrats on your race!
Congrats on a strong finish!! How fun to meet up with all those amazing women!!! And I agree, that wind was no joke Saturday. I battled it the last 6 miles of my training run.
Ooooh, I love the new layout of your blog!
It was so great to see you at the race, as always. Great job and way to push through that crazy wind, especially when you weren’t feeling prepared going in! Congrats on finishing 2 minutes faster than from Soldier Field last year – this course is definitely tougher than SF. Isn’t Cricket Hill something else? That grass made me feel like I was running in quicksand!
Congrats!! Looks like you had a great time! Are you from the Chicago area? I didn’t realize! 🙂
Good for you! You always seem to be stronger and better than you think you are going to be. Love the new look!
There’s nothing like finding that happy pace! Sometimes you have to run slow to run fast. Congratulations to you for sticking it out! Slow and steady wins the race!
i am headed to chicago for a conference tomorrow and so excited. i always have the best runs along the lakefront. way to go on your race!
I went out to dinner and drinks with friends I have not seen in many years. One of them is now in a band and they played a gig in Brooklyn! Very fun.
Well done! It’s great when your result exceeds your expectation.
Sounds like a really well run race to participate in! Great job on not walking and staying mentally strong! That mental muscle will help with your tri! 🙂
Sounds like you had a great race! I have never run a ten miler but everyone here is gearing up for the Broad Street Run Ten Miler.
Congrats on another great finish! This sounds like a fantastic race!
You are amazing – that is all!
Oh you know how much I love a 10-miler! Congrats on running a strong race!!
nice work!!! i guess i didn’t really notice you haven’t been running long?? i ran 22 for a training run and it went REALLY well. other than that, pretty uneventful! 🙂
Awesome job! I think when I go into a race without putting too much pressure on myself i usually do my best. I love 10 milers and hope to be able to run the Baltimore 10 miler in June!
Awesome job not giving in and being able to run the whole thing.
I am happy to hear this is a serious low key race. No offense – walkers in races drive me nuts!! LOL
No racing for me this weekend. Just enjoying some leisurely hot runs in Florida. This 10 miler sounds lovely. Sometimes its nice to just race some quieter races and it sounds like you found a great running groove at the end. Congrats!
No one in costumes!! Man I haven’t seen that at a race ever! Sounds like a pretty serious group! Great job on your finishing the run, especially 22/48 for your age, especially if you felt like you were going to be dead last – way to rock it!
I think 10 milers are one of my favorite race distances! I have one coming up this weekend! Looks like a fun time! Loving the new look of the blog too!!
Way to keep your head in the game and finish strong!!! I have my first 10 mile race coming up on May 3rd and I am SUPER nervous because it is ALL HILLS. Just hoping to finish too though now I’m inspired by you to chug along and keep my head in the game <3
Go you! Sometimes I run better undertrained. I guess it’s because my body is rested? Maybe all your other workouts made the difference.
I have never raced at that distance. I think I would like it! Mentally it wouldn’t feel as tough as a half…maybe. Don’t you just love it when your performance surprises you? Great job.
Awesome job!! Congrats on a great finish! I like how you kept making those short goals, it’s so much easier to break it down in small pieces. There is a lack of 10 milers here – we have a few 15K races, but i missed them because I had not been out of the boot long enough! I love that distance.
Love the blogger meet up photo! I have not met any blog buddies yet.
Marcia, I loved all of the pictures with you and Wendy over the weekend; congratulations on such a great race (in tough conditions!) and thank you for linking up with the blog!
I actually love the 10 mile distance. A good challenge but not daunting. Sadly, we really only have one such race where I’m located but it’s always a great one to participate in.
Great job! It’s always such a great feeling when you’re able to surprise yourself in a race 🙂
10 miles is such a great distance!! I think all of your swimming has boosted your endurance more than you realized:)
I’ve never done a 10 mile race…I’m thinking next year I’ll enter the lottery for cherry blossoms and philly broad street. Maybe one of those will be my first!
Congrats on killing the race! I’ve never done a 10 mile race but I’m thinking of doing another 5K sometime this summer, even though I’m not much of a runner. Hopefully I’ll surprise myself with a strong finish like you did 😀