I’d been looking forward to RocknRoll Chicago weekend for a looong time. The number of blog friends that were joining us in the Windy City this year was nothing short of amazing. To say I was excited would be a gross understatement.
Even though RocknRoll Chicago is local for me, the logistics are challenging since I live an hour North of the city. Traffic in and around Chicago is no picnic…ever. Added to that was the fact that I so stupidly, inadvertently planned a family party for the afternoon/evening after the 5k. Nothing like some extra stress, right?
The RocknRoll Chicago remix is comprised of a race on each of the weekend days. That meant 2 trips into the city, and because I was knee-deep in party prep, I chose not to make a third trek to McCormick place for packet pickup on Friday, opting instead to grab my bibs pre-race on Saturday morning…or so I thought.
I was up and out by 4:50 Saturday morning. It was pushing 70 degrees, humid and drizzly. First was a 35 minute drive, followed by 40 minutes on the “el” train, and then a 10 minute walk. The city was pretty well shrouded in fog when I got there.
I arrived at the Solutions tent dark and early but they’d only give me a 5k bib. I’d have to return post-race for the t-shirt and repeat the exercise on Sunday for the 10k. It was a royal PIA but what choice did I have? It was time to check gear and meet up with the gang.
Sara, Deb, me, Kim, Michelle, Emily, Kim, Kim’s mom
I had my first blogger encounter of the weekend pre-race at gear check where I met so many familiar faces. It was wonderful. Before long it was time to stuff ourselves into the already full corrals. Since I did not have a corral assignment on my bib, I just hung with the girls.
We were off down Columbus toward the Millennium Park bridge, the way so many Chicago races start, then we cut over to the Lakefront path and headed South. I was surprised how congested the path was this year. I don’t remember it being so crowded the last time I ran it.
Deb and I decided we’d run together and enjoyed a wonderful, leisurely chat, pulling off occasionally for photo ops. Loved every minute.
Before long we were rounding the final turn for the homestretch. At the finish we regrouped with some of the others while Mother Nature unleashed a torrent of rain. At least she waited for us to finish running.
All of us with the addition of Holly, Wendy, Linda and Suz
A blogger brunch at Beatrix followed, and Deb graciously offered up her hotel for a shower and change of clothes. We met up with Kim and Michelle and headed to Beatrix where we joined more of the crew. It was hard to believe I’d never met many of these women as I felt like I’d known them for years.
I wish I could have stayed and chatted for hours but because I was on the clock to get home in time for my party, I ducked out at noon and headed to the train for the trek home.
Final words: This was a really fun race despite the foul weather. Actually the drizzle and overcast were better than if we’d had broiling hot sun. I think there was more music on the course than in the past. The medal is stellar. The shirt not so much. For whatever reason they ran really small this year and I wasn’t allowed to swap sizes after the race. The graphics aren’t my favorite either. Food in the finish area was simple but adequate. Boxed water, bananas, and I think I saw crackers. Gear check was quick and easy but bib pickup was a PIA.
Stay tuned for the 10k race report!
Have you run a RnR race? Run RnRCHI? Met other bloggers?
Heads up! The Runfession Friday linkup will be open this Friday! Join me and share your deepest, darkest sweatiest confessions. You know you want to!
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Looks like a great time! Glad the weather held up during your run. I think local races are more difficult to plan for unless you live in the city center. When you travel somewhere for a race, you make sure to stay close by, but when it’s in your hometown, you’re stuck with wherever you live! So I totally hear you on that.
How fun to be able to hang out with all those great ladies! I love the medal for the 5K but the shirt,,,I can see your concern.
I wonder why they made you come back on Sunday morning to get your other bib. Wasn’t there a race expo still going on on Saturday that you could have gone to to get the bib after the 5k?
I didn’t realize there was a different shirt for the 5k. I actually like the shirts better this year than last year.
What a fun weekend! I’m still glowing!
I didn’t realize there was a different shirt for the 5k. I actually like the shirts better this year than last year.
What a fun weekend! I’m still glowing!
I am bummed I missed out this weekend. Looks like you all had fun despite the weather.
I have a love/hate relationship with RnR. However, I am signed up for 3 races (Savannah, Denver, and New Orleans). 🙂
What a fun weekend! I have done a few RnR races in the past, but none recently. What a fun meetup! Sorry about the weather.
Couple of days later and I’m still smiling! I’m so glad you were able to juggle getting in to hang out for a bit!
I bet it was so hard to tear yourself away from that group! I ran RnR Providence half, twice. But I don’t think they have it anymore. My favorite part of race day was the chance to meet up with other bloggers. In fact, I saw Michelle at many races in the New England area!
Still smiling! Best weekend I’ve had in a long time. Most fun doing a 5K I’ve had in a long time!
Wow, that took you some time to get in to the city! I’ve spent a little time in Chicago and yes, traffic can be a royal PIA. I’m glad you had fun and the ran mostly held off! Planning a party the same day as a race sounds like something I would do, too. lol Hope your party was fun! Looking forward to hearing about the 10k!
When I do a local race, bib pickup is very important. I also live north of Denver, and it’s never easy to get into the city. The highways are always congested and constant accidents. Glad you had a fun race, and that the rain gave you something different than the constant heat.
So. Jealous. Sounds like a fun day though.
What a fun weekend. I need to go to another meet-up.
I ran Brooklyn which is no more and Vegas, of course.
I am running RNR Montreal but I don’t know of any other bloggers who are running it.
Totally agree with what you said about the course being a little crowded in certain areas, but overall it was fun! I loved getting to see you before the race and chat more during brunch.
I don’t know how you managed to do everything this weekend but I hope that you were able to get a good night’s sleep on Sunday!
Love your shorts! Great to find some new to me blogs to follow
What a fun weekend and I can’t tell you how happy I am to have met everyone in person! I think I’m one of the newest bloggers in the group (though as we found out I am the oldest age-wise), and it felt to me like I’ve known you all forever. I am so very grateful you have all been so welcoming!
Marcia, you are a beast for keeping calm (at least in our midst LOL) with all you had going this weekend. It was so great to see you again, though I wish we could have chatted a bit more. Hope all your festivities went off with any hitches!
Sometimes running in the rain is kind of fun. Soooo jealous of all of you wonderful bloggers who got to meet up in Chicago! Looks like you had a great time!
I was checking to see if you shirt was made by ‘Level One’ – their stuff runs REALLY small and more and more races are using that brand (must be a stellar deal on those suckers). New Balance shirts run very small too! Regardless, I’m glad you had a great time and the weather didn’t bake you to death!! 🙂
Congrats! I’m so envious of you ladies all meeting up, but your pictures give me so much joy! 🙂
The medals seem to get better for RnR while the shirts get progressively worse…at least that’s what I’ve noticed the past couple of years, lol!
I actually have no RNR races on the calendar this year but I’ve always wanted to do Chicago…I’ll have to try again for 2019!
So fun! I was glad everyone was still around when I arrived 🙂 So many familiar faces and now I can hear your voices when reading the blog posts <3 I have run 2 other RnR races – both of which have been dropped from the lineup (Dallas & STL).
Obviously I have met other bloggers. In fact, I haven’t run a race where I didn’t know a sole in quite some time! But that’s bee my next race . . .
I don’t mind rain when it’s warm out. Although you can always get too much of a good thing!
Congrats on a fun 5K! It sounds like you had so much fun! I definitely had runvy (run envy) seeing all the posts on IG. I agree, Deborah is so nice! I enjoyed biking with her the weekend prior to the race. Off to read your 10K recap now!