Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Chicago Half Marathon & Life Time 5K as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!
I had originally signed up for the half marathon. However, with the unusually high temperatures in Chicago, I decided instead to run the 5K.
After my run on Saturday morning, I went to Soldier Field to pick up my packet. Parking was a deal for $5! Names were printed on the letters but I didn’t find my name. In fact many names were missing because I didn’t see any names with last names ending in A, B, C, D, or E (just naming a few as I know there were more but cannot remember).
Bib pickup and switching over to the 5K was fast and easy. Not much in the goodie bag.
I do like the shirt.
A reminder that it was going to be warm on race day.
It was a good size expo with many vendors.
I tried Rx bars but did not like the texture.
Almost bought these shoes.
Walked around a bit more and left to meet my friend, Claudia, for lunch.
I woke up early on Sunday morning to get ready and eat something. I also had some coffee. Then I drove to the race location. I got lucky and found parking right away. However, I was there very early so I still had to wait. The half marathon began at 7 am and the 5K at 7:45am.
I found my friend, Claudia, and we use the port-a-potties, took some pictures, and I wished her good luck as she was running the half marathon.
I hate it when vendors take advantage of the situation (I know they are there to make money) and charge a lot for food. That slice of pizza is very small which is the same one runners got at the end of the race.
I was planning to meet Heather prior to the race but that didn’t work out. I did see her once the race began and she was walking to start running.
Then I had to wait again. By this point I was hungry. It was also warm. At least now there were no lines at the port-a-potties but they were also SMELLY!
Finally time to run. It was nice to run in the shade. Miles 1 and 2 went by fast. There was a water/gatorade station a bit before mile 2. I drank some Gatorade and ran again. I was surprised there was a station so late into the race. I didn’t care too much for me because I was running a shorter race. The half marathoners still had a long way to go and shouldn’t have had to wait till mile 2 for water and Gatorade.
I saw a cute Mexican family with less than half a mile away. I could hear the music and the race announcer. I picked up the pace a little bit and finally crossed the finish line.
Done. Got my medal and some post race goodies.
Love free pictures. The bottom one cracks me up. I almost didn’t post it because my eyes are closed. But there is a story behind it. Next to me is my friend’s dad. At the beginning he told me he was going to beat me. Throughout the race I would pass him and then he would pass me. Around mile 2 was the last time I passed him. He surprised me when he caught up to me as we got closer to the finish line and I ran as fast as I could. We crossed the finish line together and I was laughing!! I still beat him by 7 seconds. 🙂
Free pizza. Would you pay $6 for that slice? I am a big fan of Home Run Inn pizza and realize that that picture of the pizza doesn’t look tasty. However, my complaint is the cost for that size.
Done. I checked my splits and was surprised because I ran faster than I thought I could run. It isn’t a PR but I definitely enjoyed this race. Official finish time is 1:07:09.
