Chicago RnR Half Marathon 2014

This is my 3rd year running this race, it’s my first half marathon and is my favorite half in Chicago. From my last post, this is the 2nd part of the Festival challenge to receive the Remix Medal. I think they started this race earlier this year than in the past, because I don’t remember waking up so early to get ready and travel down to the start. Again just like yesterday the weather was perfect for a run.

I was placed in corral 23, they were very quick in releasing the corrals, because it didn’t take us too long to start running. From the map, it looked like that the changed the course this year, but on race day they totally changed the course, which I liked, because it kept us in downtown for a longer time than what they used to do.

They didn’t have that many bands along the course this year, but I run with my headphones, so that didn’t matter. There were more facilities along the course, which was much appreciated. I like the new course because running downtown the buildings gave is a lot of shade. GU introduced their new flavor salted watermelon, I didn’t like it too much, but I brought my own snacks so I didn’t get hungry. Although I made the mistake of eating my salty snack after a water stop, so I was a little thirsty when I got to the next stop. I was very tempted to stop at a Starbucks that I saw, but they weren’t open yet!

My Nike watch indicated that I ran 14.3 miles, with the course changes I am wondering if it was a longer course. I left a message on the RnR contact us page asking about the difference, I know other people that had the same results from their tracking devices. I hope that is the case, because that would improve my time. According to RnR I finished the race in 2hrs. 55min. 36min. If it is true that the course was longer I will update this post.

With running the 5k on Saturday and the Half today I received my extra medal. I have to say that the medals look so much better than the pictures. Another RnR race done, as long as I am running I will be running this race 🙂

Chicago Rock n Roll 5k

This year the RnR series added a Festival challenge to some of the tour spots and Chicago is one of them. In addition to the Half and 5k that they have on Sunday they added another 5k on Saturday. If you run one on Saturday and another on Sunday you would receive another medal. The Chicago RnR is my favorite half in the city, so I didn’t hesitate to sign up for this challenge.

We arrived at the start area early and had plenty of time to warm up and walk around. I saw Dave Mari at the beginning and also along the course. They didn’t have any corrals, so we lined up wherever you wanted to start.

The 5k started at the lakefront by Monroe street and followed the path south towards the museum campus. When we came to the underpass by the Shedd Aquarium we turned right and went to the underpass and then ran around the park and looped back and went back through the underpass and followed the path back to the finish line.

Since I got my new shoes and inserts I’ve been skipping the taping of my feet during my training and didn’t tape my feet today. With the stability of the new inserts that I got it alleviated the pain that I usually get during my runs (which taping used to help), I am happy that the new shoes/inserts are helping my feet woes. But to be on the safe side I will tape my feet tomorrow for the half marathon.

The weather was perfect for running and I finished the race in 31min 57sec.