Category: Running

ZOOMA Chicago Half Marathon

Disclaimer:  As a ZOOMA Chicago Race Ambassador, I received a free entry to the race. However, all opinions are mine.

It was definitely a beautiful day for a race.  I had been stalking the Weather Channel for a few days and the forecasts mentioned not just rain but also scattered thunderstorms. Nope, none of that happened on race morning but it did rain at night.

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I was up at 5am and out the door by 5:30.  I decided to drive to the start line instead of going downtown to take the shuttle.  I was there by 6 and hanged around with other ambassadors while waiting for the race to start.

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Earlier in the week, Emily from Out and About and I made plans to run together.  We lined up between the 2:10 and 2:20 pacers and we were soon off.  Ha, I thought I could keep up with her since I was feeling really good.  I stayed with her for 2 miles and then stepped to the side to walk a little.  I then decided to just take it slowly and enjoy the race.  And that is exactly what I did.

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I love running along the lakefront.  The view is beautiful.  I ran and walked and just soaked it all in.  The first turnaround point was near Soldier Field.  About half a mile or so later there were a gentlemen with munchkins for us.  I took one.  I don’t know why I didn’t take more.

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My hips were beginning to hurt and I was experiencing some discomfort on the bottom of my right foot.  I kept on running and walking.  I was also hot and thirsty and made sure to drink water at every water stop. Luckily, there were water fountains along the way and I also stopped at most of them.

I passed the finish line for the 10k and realized I was halfway done.  I was hurting but reminded myself that I was halfway done instead of that I still had 6.1 miles to go.  About a mile later, my friend Lidia caught up to me and we started running and walking together for the next couple of miles.

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The other turnaround was at mile 10.  My foot was hurting even more.  I was convinced I had a blister and was annoyed.  My pace slowed down even more.  I kept repeating “Just 3 more miles, 3 more miles”.

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I was so happy to see the Mile 12 marker.  Lidia and I were walking more than running.  I reminded her that we only had one mile to go.  Just one.  She was cramping and I told her to stop to massage and stretch her legs.  I also stopped to check my foot.  No blister.  I then thought it was my shoes.  I guess my feet were used to the Newton’s and did not like the Mizuno’s.

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Once I saw the yellow school buses in the parking lot, I knew we were very close to the finish line. Lidia told me to go.  I started running and finally crossed the finish line.

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I got my medal, water bottle, and then waited for Lidia to finish.  She looked so happy! We then got a snack box which had a grilled vegetable sandwich and chips.  It was yummy and I was starving!

We stayed for another hour or so to enjoy the after party.  Lidia got a free massage while I rested and enjoyed my free wine.  I also chatted for a few minutes with Karen from Trading in My Heels and her friends.

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My thoughts on this race:

•  It was in a new location so the path wasn’t as crowded as it was last year.  I did not run it but just heard and read about it.
• There was plenty of signage.  However, you really can’t get lost on this path or not know where you’re going.
•  I don’t think there were enough water stations but it did help there were water fountains.
•  Again, the view is amazing.
•  Nice medal and cute shirt!  Swag also included Feetures! Performance socks and hat.
•  Fun after party!
•  There is no race day packet pick up but a friend could pick it up for you.  Love it when races have this option instead of “making” you attend the expo like some other race series that I won’t mention here but you probably know which one I am talking about.

Oh, and that mysterious foot pain.  It is one ugly blister.

Not running related but love this sign!

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July 2014 in Review

Miles Ran/Last Month:  98.83/75.34.  Another great month of training with Coach Sara.  Almost 100 miles and I would have reached it if I’d complete all of my runs.  I try to get them all done but I have good days and bad days.

Highest Mileage Week:  23.  I managed this despite completing only 12.5 miles instead of 14 on a long run.  

Races Planned/Completed:  3/3.  I ran the Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th, Chinatown 5k, and the Strike Out ALS 5k.  

Current Ache/Pain:  I ran in my Newton shoes but experienced an unusual amount of pain in my calves.  It was to the point that I had to stop (more than usual) during my runs.  The only thing I can think of that made this happen is that I did not transition properly into the shoes.  Well, I was told that since I already run in minimalist shoes, then I did not have to transition.  So now I am back to my Mizuno.  So far so good.  I have a half marathon tomorrow so hopefully I’ll have no problems.

Current Challenge:  A running challenge among friends using the Nike+ app.  The goal is to be the first one to run 50 miles.  Yes, my goal is to be that person.

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Source: http://www.goneforarun.com

Current Book:  I’ve read The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith.  I want to read The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.  I just remembered that I need to pick up my copy (that is on hold at the library) of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz.  I am glad I’ve been reading so many books this summer and hopefully will continue to do once I go back to work.

Current Song:  Amor Mio No Te Vayas by Gilberto Santa Rosa.  Makes me want to dance!

Current Treat:  My coffee every morning.  

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Next Race(s):  ZOOMA Half Marathon tomorrow,  Fort2Base on August 24, Disneyland Half Marathon on August 31.

Current Excitement:  For now I am soaking everything in and continuing to enjoy my summer break.  I’ve made plans to run a couple half marathons after the Chicago Marathon to continue on my quest to run in the 50 states.  So if all goes well then I will be at state #33 by December.

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Three Things Thursday, July 31, 2014

1. Today is day 4 of my math class.  This is my second one for my math endorsement.  The class is Math Theory and it is very interesting.  Thank goodness because it is for two weeks from 9am-noon. We have covered topics such as prime numbers, F.O.I.L., and various properties such as distributive, commutative, and associative.  It’s been a while since I’ve heard these words because I’ve only taught basic math to 1st graders.  I don’t like the math homework.  I like math but these assignments have been challenging for me.  I spend at least 2-3 hours on 2 math problems.  But each problem has various components to it and I have to write and/or show all of my work.  Again, at least it it interesting and I am almost halfway done with the class.

Now a fun math puzzle for you.  Make sure to do it with different numbers and you will always get the same answer.  Click here to find out why you always get the same answer.

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Source: http://www.mathsisfun.com/1089.html

2.  This Saturday is the ZOOMA Chicago Half Marathon and 10K.  Will you be there? Tomorrow there will be a Mocktail Party sponsored by Honest Tea.  It will be from 7-8pm at The Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel.  Hope to see you Friday, Saturday or both!

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3.  Are you going to run (or planning to) the Fort2Base race on Sunday, August 24?  There will be a fun run hosted by me and other fellow ambassadors.  Come join us!  It will be Thursday, August 7, 6:30 pm at Yankee Woods in Oak Forest.  I was there a couple of weeks ago for another fun run.  There will be prizes (free entry to the race and t-shirts). Hope to see you there!

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Three Things Thursday, July 24, 2014

1. I finally got rid of my scale.  I would weigh myself every Wednesday morning before getting ready for work.  The number on the scale would range from 158-167 every week.  I know better than to listen to it.  I’ve gained weight over the years (per my scale) but am down 2 sizes in pants.  My legs are more muscular and I like it.  🙂

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2.  Tomorrow morning I have a doctor appointment for a physical exam, pap smear, etc, etc.  I go every year and have been going there for almost 10 years.  My doctor is cool and I like her.  I feel very comfortable with her and have seen her when I had problems with my ears and my throat.  Oh, and one year I had a mild case of bronchitis and she saw me right away and gave me antibiotics.

I also get a referral from her for a mammogram.  It is weird how I can’t just go and get one, I have to get an “OK’ from her.  Not cool.  I am due for one soon and hopefully can go before school starts next month.  When I went last year, she told me I had lost 11 lbs. from the year before.  Let’s see what she tells me tomorrow (not that I really care, see #1).  🙂

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3.  Lately I’ve been running without any music.  Sometimes I listen to it when I am on the treadmill but not outside.  My friend, Paul, sometimes listens to audiobooks.  I prefer the actual books but am intrigued by the other option so last night I downloaded a bunch of audiobooks.  I am really excited about “The First Phone Call from Heaven” by Mitch Albom.  I am a big fan and have read most of his books.

Strike Out ALS 5k

On Tuesday evening, I ran the Strike Out ALS 5k.  It was my second time running this race and by far was a much better experience than last year.  I ran this race with Team Manuela’s Peeps.

From L to R: Angelica, Ana Bertha, me, Nancy, Melissa, Yesenia. In front: Lia
From L to R: Angelica, Ana Bertha, me, Nancy, Melissa, Yesenia. In front: Lia

We’ve had such unusual weather this week in Chicago resulting in very cool weather for July. However, on Tuesday it was a bit too cloudy and it looked like it might rain.  I thought for sure it would be a similar experience to Saturday’s race.

I arrived at U.S. Cellular Field at 5:45, sent a text to various friends, and waited in my car for a bit because it started raining.  OK, maybe it was just a little rain.  Finally it stopped and I made my way to pick up my bib and meet up with my team members.  Then I had to go back to my car to drop off some stuff (not sure why I didn’t just leave them at gear check) and on the way ran into Eric and Emily.  A few minutes before the race I saw Natali.

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Photo credit: Natali Villarruel

I saw Emily again at the start line and knew that she was attempting to PR.  I did mention to her earlier that it was perfect PR weather and to go for it.  Well, I meant for me too. However, my coach’s instructions were to run this as a training run @10:45 pace.  I told Emily I was going to run this race based on feel.

The course was a bit different from last year.  We ran through two parking lots but there were more turns which definitely annoyed me.  I swear you get dizzy!

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The best part of this race is running AND finishing inside the stadium.  Since this was a new course, that meant the finish line was not inside the stadium.  I was disappointed but it was still cool to run inside.

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Photo credit: Natali Villarruel
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Photo credit: Natali Villarruel
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Photo credit: Natali Villarruel
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Photo credit: Natali Villarruel

I ran my fastest mile ever @8:57.  Definitely improving since on Saturday it was 9:00. Yay!  Finish time is 30:12. Ugh, just 24 seconds from my PR.  But I wasn’t really attempting to PR.  But still, right?  I wore my watch but did not glance at it once during the race.  I ran by feel and boy did I feel it after that first mile.  I took a short break as I drank two cups of water and went along the rest of the race.

It began to rain a little and it actually felt really good because I was hot.  As I exited the stadium, I knew the finish line was close so I forced myself to pick it up a notch and finish this race.

It seemed like my team members were running close together because we quickly met up, got some water, and proceeded to go inside ChiSox Bar and Grill to eat, drink, and celebrate.  And indeed we did.

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Photo credit: Strike Out ALS 5K website

A few minutes later Emily joined us.  We then found out that she had placed 1st in her age division. Congrats Emily!  Read her race recap here.

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Photo credit: Emily Seto

Another great race for a wonderful organization.  The only thing that sucked was the course.  It is much more fun finishing INSIDE the stadium.  I had a great time and was glad the weather was so much better this year.

I like running 5ks.  They’re short and over before you know.  However, they’re also difficult because I struggle with finding a comfortable running pace and start off too fast. I don’t have plans to run another 5k this year but definitely enjoyed the two I did this month.

My next race: ZOOMA Half Marathon, August 2.