This year marked the 10th anniversary of the Soldier Field 10 Mile race. It was one that I wanted to do last year, but since it was over Memorial Day weekend we had plans of going out of town last year, so I couldn’t participate last year. But this year we were staying in town so I decided to sign up for the race.
The race started just outside of Soldier field and went down Lake Shore Drive for about 3 – 4 miles. They closed the northbound lanes so it was pretty neat that we ran on the road that we usually drive on. Once we got let Lake Shore Drive it brought us down the south lake path. Then it looped back up and we ran towards the stadium. Besides waiting for the first bathroom break, and briefly walking at the refreshment stations I pretty much ran the whole way, which I haven’t been able to do before. Once we got back to where we started, it weaved around the side of the stadium where they had us enter the area where it looks like where the delivery trucks would enter. Then I saw the big doors that lead to the stadium. Once you cross the door you were right smack at the stadium and it was pretty cool seeing it from the ground level. Rick said that they announced my name when I crossed the finish line, but I had my earphones on so I didn’t hear it. The spectators were able to sit in the stands and wait for their runners, so Rick was able to wait there, and it was pretty easy to find each other.
After milling around on the field and Rick taking pictures from the stand, they had us exit the stadium to where we get our goodie bag and our medal, which was presented to us by uniformed men and women in the service, which was a nice touch. It was so crowded that I went to the first guy that was available, I wasn’t able to take a picture with him, but I was able to take a picture with the soldier statue in the stadium. When I met up with Rick, I saw the poster he made and took pictures, then went into the post-race party where I got some goodies and Soul Asylum was playing. I was getting cold and hungry so we left.
This was a pretty good race, the weather was a little colder, but it was manageable. They had the refreshments well spaced out, had Gatorade Gu after the 7th mile mark so that helped a lot too. Since it was along the lakefront there was not that many spectators along the course, but the volunteers at the stations were great in motivating the runners. So thank you volunteers for giving me Gatorade and yelling out all the encouragements! I finished the race in 1hr 56min 35sec and got a special 10th anniversary medal.
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