RnR Chicago Half Marathon, Aug 2, 2009

[WDWFAN9]

The bling!!

 

[OHJulie]

WOW! What an amazing day!

Since this was my first Half marathon I have nothing to compare it to, but I can't imagine a better organized event. Everything ran like clockwork, which is amazing with so many people involved.

I was REALLY nervous about the race due to the fact that I haven't been able to train much for the last month as I had some shin issues...but I finished!! And hey, a PR right? Just wish I could join you all at Disney, but it won't work this year.

Mom has to brag - my son came in 3rd in his divison!!

Anyone else have "post-race blues"?

Julie

 

[DianeL]

Way to go Julie and a bit WOOHOOO for your son!!! Hopefully you'll be able to join us all soon at a Disney race But like Chicago there are other races you might join up with people at. Congrats on your 1st of hopefully many!!!

Very pretty medal!!!!

Pat? So you will have in 4 of their races this year? Or 5? You did Nashville, Seattle, Chicago. Are you doing Philly and Vegas? I don't know how your keeping count of where you need to be each month Is Jim confused yet as to which state you are racing in when you call home?

 

[WDWFAN9]

Pat? So you will have in 4 of their races this year? Or 5? You did Nashville, Seattle, Chicago. Are you doing Philly and Vegas? I don't know how your keeping count of where you need to be each month Is Jim confused yet as to which state you are racing in when you call home?

I did two RnR events last year - Philly and the inaugural San Antonio, so I got the bonus Dynamic Duet medal. This year I've done or will do four RnR events - Nashville, inaugural Seattle, inaugural Chicago, and inaugural Vegas, so I will get the bonus 26.2 Musical Miles medal, the Triple Crown bonus medal, and the Grand Slam bonus medal, plus all those wonderful inaugural medals!!

Next year we are registered for the inaugural New Orleans. We learned at the Chicago expo that Oct 2010 Denver will be an inaugural RnR event, so...well....I can't resist inaugurals!!

Jim does some of the events with me, but I do have to have a series of folders to keep all my race travel info straight - what a wonderful problem to have!!

We are also repeating a state next year because it was so much fun - the Indy Festival 500 in May. It was the best half we have ever done. There is a group of WISHers that will be there - it would be awesome if there were even more!!

 

[escape]

Chicago was great! This is my second year in a row to do Chicago - once as a Bingham race and now as a RnR event. I didn't PR but that's OK. I finished.

The only downside to the trip was getting my wallet lifted from my purse.

 

[DianeL]

The only downside to the trip was getting my wallet lifted from my purse.

Holy cow Susie!!! That is horrible!!! Figure you need one. But glad you enjoyed the race!!!

Karen & John did it too right?

 

[WDWFAN9]

Here are a few pictures from the race:

a beautiful sunrise across Lake Michigan

a fine group of WISHers waiting to head to the corrals

the waterfront view during the second half of the course

The entire weekend was awesome. The expo was a little smaller than expected for a RnR event, but that might have been because this race was only a half. We got to say hi to John Bingham and Coach Jenny, they are great people and always so friendly and positive to talk to.

Sunday was a beautiful day to race in Chicago. The weather did get a little warm towards the end, but nothing like it could have been in August in the Midwest. Even with having to stop once to take off my shoe and sock Jim and I managed a PR. After crossing the finish line there were popsicles, which Jim really enjoyed, and PF Changs had a tent set up and were serving lettuce wraps, dumplings, a wonderful chocolate mousse, and fortune cookies. We got our food and sat in the shade. Very nice. Susie and Steve graciously offered their hotel room for us to clean up in, and afterwards we grabbed a bit to eat and walked to Millenium Park so that John and Karen could see the bean. Then we walked to Buckingham Fountain before heading back home.

John and Karen wearing their medals

On the steps in front of the fountain

All in all it was an awesome time!

And, in case you are wondering, the race next year will be on August 1st.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Good report Pat! Loved the pics too! August 1st, check. Ummm probably not.