Chicago Half Marathon

This is the second part of the Chicagoland Half Marathon Series challenge. Last year the race was at the beginning of September, but this year it was later, which I liked because the weather was perfect for running.

The start was just like last year at Jackson Park. We parked at our usual spot, but they closed the bridge that would of taken us directly to the start so we had to take a trek around the long way. Luckily we could hear the announcer so we knew we were going the right direction.

The race started on time and we were off going north on Cornell. We ran through the eastern border of the campus of University of Chicago. When we approached mile 2 we ran through the Jackson a Park Golf Course. When we approached the 5k mark we started to go north on Lake Shore Drive.

We ran on Lake Shore Drive up to 31st street and looped back and ran south on Lake Shore Drive. I felt pretty good along the course, but at mile 8 I started getting hungry.  I brought my Kind bar as usual, but when we came back from CA I had an issue with my molar and it acted up over the weekend, although it didn’t bother me during the run. I opted not to eat the bar and instead ate the gu, but this one was different it was at least edible, I didn’t remember the name.

I paced myself pretty well, but again with the lack of training I started to lose steam around mile 10. I started taking more walking breaks.  My goal was to finish below 3 hours, I looked at my time on my watch and felt confident that I would finish with my goal.  When we made our last turn onto Hayes street we were welcomed with the Statue of the Republic, which is a replica of the original that got destroyed by a fire in 1918.

I finished in 2hrs 58min 29sec.  This year the medal was re-designed, I saw it at the expo and it is huge! Since I completed the Chicagoland Half Series I received another medal, which I really like.  I ran with my Half Fanatic shirt so I got a bunch of hellos from other fanatics and spectators yelling Fanatics! At the finish we chatted a bit with another fanatic who is on his way to the Marine Corps Marathon, That is one on my bucket list.  Overall I like this race and with it being later in the month makes it even better. I will most likely run this one again.

Dumbo Double Dare – Half Marathon

The Disneyland Half Marathon is the second part of the Dumbo challenge and it started at 5:30 am. I met up with Nanette, Todd and Nathan for a quick picture and the went to our corrals. I was assigned to C again, but Nanette and I joined Nathan in corral D.  What I like about this race is when the sing the national anthem they have fireworks.  This year is the 10th anniversary for the half marathon.

It wasn’t long until our corral was released and away we go! The course was slightly different this year, we entered the back street of California Adventure at the entrance on Disneyland Drive right across from Paradise Pier. Usually I wait until I get into the park to use the bathroom, but I couldn’t wait, so the ports potty I go, which took a long time. I totally lost Nanette and Nathan so I took my time and took pictures.

We entered California Adventure at Radiator Springs and they had Lightning McQueen and I saw my nephew Nicholas and was able to take a picture with him. We ran through Paradise Pier and had to take my usual picture by the wheel, one thing about the Disney races you can ask people to take your picture. While going through California Adventure I took pictures with a couple parade floats and Esmeralda and Frollo.  Before heading out of the park I took a picture with these two funny guys holding the 10th anniversary signs.

We then entered Disneyland and again ran up Main Street towards the castle.  Once I took my photo in front of the Partner’s statue we took a right into Advetureland and there I stopped and took a picture with Pocahontas and Governor Radcliffe.

We ran around the lands of Disneyland, I then saw Snow White and the a Evil a Queen so I had to stop. When I got into the line they told me they were switching characters! I told her that she was my Princess! But that didn’t work.  Instead I took pictures with Alice and the Queen of Hearts. Before exiting the park and onto the Anaheim streets I took pictures with Meg and Hades, Mulan and Shan-Yu, and Mack from Cars.

When we ran through Anaheim we saw some storm troopers, Mexcan Dancers, high school bands and cheerleaders, Hawaiian Dancers and classic and modern cars. We ran through the outfield of Angels Stadium and again it was crowded so I basically walked through that part.

My lack of training totally hit me around the 9 mile mark, I took a lot more walking breaks. Once we got on the streets of downtown Disney I knew that I was almost done. I saw Rick and he had the cheerleading squad and people near him cheer me on, which was really nice and pumped me to finish strong. I finished in 3hrs 55min 45min, totally off my average.  I did have a fun time and took a lot of pictures.

For my recovery day we spent the day at the happiest place on earth and had a wonderful time.

Dumbo Double Dare – 10k

The Disneyland 10k is the first part of the Dumbo Double Dare challenge and this year’s theme was Villians. As with the other Disney runs the race started at 5:30 AM. My cousin Nanette also entered the challenge, so we met up with her and went to the start. Cruella de Vil was the main announcer and got the crowd revved up. Nanette and I were placed in corral C and it was already crowded.

Once we started we ran on Disneyland Drive and looped around the Anaheim convention center, once we got to Harbor we entered California Adventure. First stop Radiator Springs then on to Paradise Pier. We ran through California Adventure for a bit, I stopped to take a picture with a few characters, Lotso from Toy Story 3, Prince John from Robin Hood and Dr. Facilier from the Princess and the Frog.

We entered Disneyland and ran up Main Street. This is when we had our first sight of the castle, since it is the 60th anniversary of Disneyland they decorated the castle, but I didn’t take a closer look at the castle!  We took a right and went through Tomorrowland. The route took us out of the park and brought us to the back street and got to see a lot of where they store all the props. When we entered the park again we ran through Toontown and towards Fantasyland. I was bummed because they had The evil Queen out, but when I approached them they were closing the line.  We ran through the castle and took a right into Adventureland and to New Orleans Square, where I saw that they closed the Haunted Mansion. They already had Jack Skellington up.  They will be opening it up soon, unfortunately not when we were there.

We exited the park and ran through Downtown Disney towards the finish. Again not my best time, I finished in 1hr 36min 48sec. It was a fun fun and had a great time.