Month: May 2015

Quarryman Challenge 10 Mile

I know I am really late with this post.  Honestly, I did not want to write about it because I wasn’t sure how I felt about the race.  I know, weird.  Anyway, here it goes.  Better late than never right?

I ran this race because of the Chicago Marathon Incentive Program.  I guess I had no choice.  🙂  I was really worried about it because I knew that it was tough and challenging course.  And hilly. Boy, it was definitely all of those three things.

The weather on race day was perfect!  To me it means not cold nor sunny.  That is how I like it.  I was afraid it would rain but it stayed away, but instead got hit with humidity.  Not sure what I would have preferred?

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Start line and I am ready to go.

No problems at the start but half a mile later there was this steep hill that I swear is about a quarter mile long.  I was told I would go up this hill 2 more times.

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Let’s just say there were so many ups and downs at this race.  It was a pretty course because we ran through some nice areas.  There were definitely some beautiful houses!

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Halfway done.  So happy to see this sign.

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Made it to the top of the hill again.  Could not wait to be done.

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Almost done.  I was even more happy to see this sign.

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Cool entertainment after walking up a small hill.

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Not cool that the streets were not completely closed off for the race.  It is dangerous.  I was constantly looking back to see if there were cars behind me.  I did not have headphones on but sometimes when I run I get into a zone and don’t pay too much attention to what is around me. I know, not cool either.

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Finally done!  There was a downhill and then flat out straight to the finish line.  Another runner friend told me that would be the best part.  Yes it was because I was finally done.

No medals were given to the runners but I enjoyed the “all you can eat pizza and drink beer”. Don’t know if it was really true but I went back for more pizza and no one said anything to me. As for the beer, no coupon was needed to get your cup so yes to me it is all you can drink.

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It is a tough course if you like hills.  I don’t.  But I am glad I did this race and experienced something different from the always flat pavement I am used to in Chicago.  There was no lakefront view but there were some pretty areas along the course.  On the way to the race I got lost (thanks to Google Map) but stopped at a gas station and a nice man told me how to get there.  I found free parking about 10 minutes from the start line.  The best part is that there is race day packet pickup.  Now, if only they would give medals since it is a challenging course.

The shirt is OK.

Tell me about your most challenging and difficult race.

Friday Randomness – May 1, 2015

1. I know this is late but did you watch the Boston Marathon?  Wow, what  a race huh?  I was able to watch it with my kids on the SmartBoard at school.  We saw the beginning of both the men’s and women’s and then watched halfway through the race and then the end of it.  I told them to be on the lookout for Desi and Meb. Some of them remember seeing Meb win the race last year.

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2. I’ve been having calluses on my right foot.  It is so bad that I finally bought  a bottle of callus remover.  I failed to follow the instructions.  Let’s just say I put on way too much because I was not seeing any results.  Well, imagine my surprise after the relay marathon on Saturday (where my feet got soaking wet) when I took off my socks.  The liquid and water had soften the skin and most of it was peeling off. And because I am stubborn, I took a nail clipper and began clipping away any loose skin.  In the end it was so bad that I had to put on bandages.  Definitely will not make that mistake again.

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3. My class “History of Mathematics” is sort of interesting.  I am sort of kidding when I mention that the best part of my evening class is my big cup of iced coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts.  Well, the class is not interesting anymore.  Last week the teacher lectured nonstop on geometry.  Let’s just say I dislike geometry and simply do not get it nor do I care to understand it.  I know this does not sit well with me wanting to be a math teacher.  See below the homework assignment.  I mean, really?  Who gives out homework like that?

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4. I am thinking of signing up for the Quarryman Challenge 10 mile race taking place on Saturday, May 9.  I’ve never done it but have heard good things about it. What freaks me out is that another runner (a guy that can run 6:30 minute miles) said that it is a challenging race/course.  Seriously?  He is a fast runner and thinks it is challenging.  I wonder how it will go with me then.  Well, regardless, it is on my radar and am about 90% sure that I will sign up.  It is $45 and about 30 minutes from my house.  Also, this is one of the races on the list for the CARA Chicago Marathon Incentive Program.

5.  Are you be running the Chicago Marathon this year?  Confirmation emails went out Tuesday afternoon and I know of two runners that were not selected.

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According to this article From Runner’s World,

A total of 71,040 runners applied to the lottery or registered via a guaranteed entry, according to race representative Cindy Hamilton.  With an expected field size of about 45,000 runners, here’s a quick breakdown of the numbers surrounding the 2015 event:

From those runners who entered with a guaranteed application:

  • 41.7 percent will run through a charity.
  • 23.6 percent are time qualifiers.
  • 17.4 percent are Chicago Marathon Legacy Finishers who ran the race five or more times in the past 10 years.
  • 11.3 percent deferred their entry from previous years.
  • 1.2 percent will particpate through a tour group.
  • 4.8 percent entered through other means.

6.  Another photo of gifts from my kids.  🙂

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