Roxymama's 5k to Marathon, Time to Collect Another Castle

[Ariel484]

Yay Mr. Roxy!! That is awesome news!

 

[roxymama]

I'm getting excited because I received an email for how to retrieve my remix challenge wristband and how to pick up my challenge medal in the race party area on Sunday. How do all you challenge-saavy people work out your mega-medal pictures after the race. I am nervous about gear-checking my 5k medal and I don't want to carry it on me. So I'm thinking maybe I just take pics with my 10k and challenge medal and then wait to go back to the hotel to take pics of having all three? Since I'm in the Expo hotel there should be signs to use as appropriate backdrops? Yeah, that sounds good.

It's time to stalk the weather for my races this weekend. Won't be last time I check on it.
Saturday: high 82, 58% humidity, 10% change of prec. Mostly sunny skies.
Sunday: high 87 ACK!, 59% humidity, 10% change of prec. Mostly sunny skies, afternoon clouds. (Sunday night has 40% chance of t-storms so let's hope they stay at night)
Winds for both days say 5-10 mph which is nothing for Chicago.

Sooooooooooooo that's not ideal racing weather. But hell or high water I will be crossing those two finish lines to get my crazy bonus guitar medal

Tonight is the new black short test-drive. Hubby has to log some bike miles after dinner and then he's going to literally switch off with me as I go run my miles before dark. Parents gotta do what parents gotta do.

 

[roxymama]

Thursday and I so badly want it to just be Friday already. Going to guess there are many that share that sentiment

So let's talk about Tuesday's "easy" run. I decided to just do 2 miles since I had about enough time to get that run in after my hubby did his bike ride. I was bathing the baby and she still wanted to keep playing in the tub when hubby came inside so we traded off.
I thought that I didn't need music, just slap on the watch and the shoes and go out there and get 2 miles on my legs to keep the rust off but not over-tire myself before this weekend.
Well...ever have a run where you just aren't feeling it? I can't pinpoint what it was. But my legs felt a bit cinder-block-ish. It felt like it took literally forever to even get to the mile point. The air was thick and humid and maybe I just had too tiring of a day mentally and physically. I was not in my happy runner mood.
At 1.08 miles or so I started counting to 60 very slowly. "1 breath breath 2 breath breath 3, etc" Like I was in labor or something. And then I'd allow myself to look down at my mileage at 60, more than a minute would go by, trying to trick my brain. Yeah I did this all the way until the last block and then I was so tired of running that I ran pretty fast home.

So I'm hoping tonight's little shakeout run is less sloggish. I'm bringing my music/phone and not my gps. I'm going to run very easy to my easy effort and just run around all over the place for about 20ish minutes and try to put my head in a happier runner place. The Tuesday run zapped my confidence a bit. I muttered in my head "how am I gonna do a 10k" at least three times. We're all allowed a slog run right? Hoping I can get past it.

Shorts update - so they definitely wedgie up a bit more than what I'm used to with my capris and "bike-short-type" shorts. But they kept me a lot cooler than my capris. I will wear them to the 5k especially since I'm not going for super speed and want to stay cool.
I went to Walmart at lunch and bought a white short sleeved danskin tech shirt to go with my ice cream skirt. So I'll try that out on tonight's run and then do laundry for my big weekend

Someone, anyone, tell me that I've got this 10k business...the doubt monster is creepy-crawling into my brain for no good reason.

Edited because I forgot my weather update which I wrote out on a post it note
Saturday race should be 67-70 degrees per hourly forecast. 3% prec, 3mph winds
Sunday race should be 69-75 degress per hourly foecast. 4% prec at 7am and 24% at 10am. 9mp wind.
I guess that doesn't seem so bad when you look at hourly that early. Much better than the "highs" for the day. Kind of nice the races start so early for that reason.

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

You've got this 10K!! We all have had sluggish runs for sure. The important thing is you got out there and did it-- that's what training is all about. Next run will feel better, I guarantee. Running without music or some other kind of stimulation is VERY hard for me. I know there are people that do it all the time, but I need something to distract me from the fact that what I'm doing is hard haha

 

[Ariel484]

Well...ever have a run where you just aren't feeling it?

YES. Everyone has them. They suck, but they make you appreciate the good ones that much more...that's what I tell myself, anyway.

Someone, anyone, tell me that I've got this 10k business...the doubt monster is creepy-crawling into my brain for no good reason.

OF COURSE you have it. You're gonna eat that 10K for breakfast and then have some (real, not printed on a skirt) ice cream for dessert.

 

[roxymama]

You've got this 10K!! We all have had sluggish runs for sure. The important thing is you got out there and did it-- that's what training is all about. Next run will feel better, I guarantee. Running without music or some other kind of stimulation is VERY hard for me. I know there are people that do it all the time, but I need something to distract me from the fact that what I'm doing is hard haha

Thanks! I guess you are right. I could have just given up. I think I need music on the training runs. I've been okay having it and not having it for races due to the atmosphere. But I'm bringing it for my races this weekend. Think I'm gonna need some go-getter music to help me along/distract me.

 

[roxymama]

YES. Everyone has them. They suck, but they make you appreciate the good ones that much more...that's what I tell myself, anyway.

OF COURSE you have it. You're gonna eat that 10K for breakfast and then have some (real, not printed on a skirt) ice cream for dessert.

Yaaaaaaasssss real ice cream! I have a Ben n jerrys pint of mint Oreo cookie waiting in my freezer for me.

Speaking of food stuff check out these lovelies


Oven baked (not fried) beef empanadas (veggies in there too) with a cucumber and lime situation and lime juice in yogurt sauce. Sooooo gooood! I saved the leftovers for hubby to have today but I could have eaten all 4.

 

[SarahDisney]

Everyone has rough runs. Sometimes you can learn something from it (like ... always bring the music just in case), and sometimes you just have to let it go (let it go...). Don't worry about it - just move on.

You are going to rock this 10k! I can't wait to read your recap after it's over.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Rough runs happen. ESPECIALLY in race week! You've got this. And just remember when you're racing, "DON'T LOOK AT YOUR WATCH!"

 

[roxymama]

Everyone has rough runs. Sometimes you can learn something from it (like ... always bring the music just in case), and sometimes you just have to let it go (let it go...). Don't worry about it - just move on.

You are going to rock this 10k! I can't wait to read your recap after it's over.

Thanks Sarah! I will make sure to be like Elsa and let it go, maybe even channel her ice powers...did the heat ever bother her though?
I read that there will be popsicles and cold chocolate milk and some other icey goodness at the finish chute so I'll just focus on getting my goodies

Rough runs happen. ESPECIALLY in race week! You've got this. And just remember when you're racing, "DON'T LOOK AT YOUR WATCH!"

The watch is not my friend...the watch is not my friend...the watch is not my friend...
haha

EXPO DAY!! AHHHHHH!
confirmation sheet printed - check
credit card waiting to do damage - check
get through this work day - hopefully, check

 

[ZellyB]

ACK! I got so behind on your journal!! I love all those food pics you have been posting. Everything looks delicious!! That ice cream skirt is completely adorable as well.

 

[roxymama]

Rock n Roll Chicago race weekend recap


(Do you see me? No? I'm the one with the running shoes on.)


Part 1: Friday 7/15 Expo
I drove right from work downtown to the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place which was the hotel we would be staying at all weekend and also the sight of the race expo. It did not take me long to park and get in line for check in. As I was getting my room key, my hubby came up to the counter next to me. Yay for good timing! He had just been with my kiddo and grandma and now the "staycation" could officially start!

We dropped out bag off in our room on the 16th floor which actually had a fairly nice lake view...save for the giant demon hell-spiders on the outside of the windows. (Shudder). Because we were excited we decided to go straight to the expo and maybe beat the rush. Bib and shirt pickup were super easy. This was both of our first "challenge" weekends and since we signed up for the 5k and 10k, it was our first time doubling up on bibs and shirts and swag. I'm glad it was not busy because we did have to go to four separate tables for bib and bib and shirt and shirt.
What do those shirts look like...

I love shirts that embrace the Chicago flag design with the light blue and the red stars. Hubby especially liked the 10k/half shirt since he collects vinyl. Those pink hair do-dads were my splurge items. A pink flower for my mama who completed all her breast cancer treatments this month and a new sweaty band (though different brand) to match. The official event band only said half marathon and I feel like I didn't earn that yet. The hair tie was free for letting a girl try a waist belt on me, but I'm just not ready for belts of stuff yet.
And we got this lovely medal rack since I've been sharing space with hubby on his and we are running out of real estate.

And here's our current jam packed rack that's about to get a neighbor.

Once we starting running the same races we ended up with double of almost everything. His and hers medals.
Oh I forgot, we also asked about corral changing for the 10k. It just seemed way off that they had us in 29 of 36. We aren't fast but we aren't walkers either. So we just asked politely if they could double check us. They had a chart with expected time and what we guessed at lined up with corral 16...at least that's what the lady told us. And so she gave us a sticker over our bibs. I had our flying pig times pulled up on my phone and she never asked to see it. It saved us probably a half hour in waiting time so I'm glad we asked. And we felt 100% in the right group of people once that race was underway. It's so random how different races are strict or not.
Before we headed out I visited my future baby, the hot chocolate 15k medal...soon my precious!

We stopped for stupidly priced hotel beers and dinner at the sports bar. But just one leini's summer shandy. Moderation pre-race! And water...hydrate!

Then we became kids at Halloween and dumped all our free junk out and sorted it.

Hubby was super excited to discover jelly belly sports beans. We had some good laughs all weekend about those dang beans. And then I tried to be a cool girl and set out my running clothes Instagram style and Posted them to Instagram. I think I've gotten like 15 "likes"...that's good right? Am I insta-famous yet? Here's what I set out for the 5k

Rocking the green and shamrocks and shorts! Notice my bib says roxymama...guess I needed to rep the dis when I registered, but I have no recollection of doing that. Haha! Ok tbc onto 5k race day

 

[roxymama]

Part two: 7/16 Rock N Roll 5k recap

The race start time was 7:30am and we were in corral 6 of 12 so we were thinking we'd probably start about 7:45ish. We woke up and got ready and I wasn't too nervous. Something about not waking up super early + the shorter distance + planning on taking it easy pace-wise = me not being as much of an anxiety-wreck as I'm capable of. Plus it was nice not factoring in getting the toddler ready. We jumped in a cab and took it down Michigan ave to fairly close to the corrals/start. The best part so far...the weather!!! Omg it was wonderful out. High 60's/low 70's, not too sunny, and a nice lake breeze. I mentioned to hubby that maybe today wouldn't be as much of a grind as I had thought.
It took me literally two minutes before I ran into @michigandergirl who had just walked into corral 6 with her friends. I think we spotted each other at the exact same time.

It was nice to chat with her and her pals before the race and I hope she loved her time in the city. I'm excited to hear what she thought of Chicago and the event. And spoiler alert...she completely smoked me and PR'd so I'll take partial credit for that since I think I enabled her into signing up in the first place. #racebling!
So I'm toe-Ing the line with the MI crew and my hubby for our corral start and here's our course map

So that's through millennium park a bit, put to the lake, down almost to the museums, across lake shore drive (I think) and down past buckingham fountain to the finish line. The start and finish both had a nice view of the Sears tower too.
My race strategy was to A) run with my hubby B) do not race, just enjoy running at a pace we were comfy at and C) earn medal #1 of 3. Hubby said I could "take off" if I felt like it but I wanted to stick with him and stick to my plan.
Mile 1 we just got to the right and stuck together. Felt pretty good for a mile 1 in terms of not feeling to slow or fast. The first mile has a bit of an under a bridge part so our watches got a teeny bit off with the mile marker. But mine read 10:11. Nice
The second mile was a bit trickier to stay together since the path narrowed to about 4 people across-ish.

(Running the lake trail makes me want a boat, FYI. Also pic is from last year)
So we just kind of went around people seperatly before meeting back up over and over. Still felt good but by mile 2 I could tell it was getting too hard to stay together. I was inching farther ahead and slowing up would have been hard in the crowd. After the mile two marker (garmin stats from post-race said 10:27...FYI I did not look at my watch a ton while running this time.) I motioned to Hubs that I was just gonna keep going and he gave me the "okay." I did speed up a bit but it didn't feel overly aggressive. I was feeling very good and the weather and "easy start" really helped this last 1.1 miles seem night and day from my soldier field terrible "give-up" last month. I was chomping quite a lot of people but was so happy to see hubby so close at the turn in the road and mild up-hill. The finish literally came out of no-where after a turn that I didn't do my normal last .25 mile "run like and insane person covered in bees" but maybe that was for the best since I had a 10k coming up. My last segment was 9:24 so that would be a negative split...huzzah!

Official time was 30:02...dang two seconds! I can't get mad at the two seconds since I wasn't gunning for sub-30, I can be super excited that my plan of a 34-35 min 5k in the hot humid heat turned into a 30:02 in the nice breezy lake-front.
It's weird how a 31 in June in the heat and I was almost ready to pass out at the end vs this over 1 min faster and I was like "lalala, take my pic, I'm so happy".

And guess who I saw behind me before I had time to grab my banana? Mr. PR on my tail. All his triathlon training is paying off! I feel a sub 30 in his future
So here's pics of us crazy kids with our new hardware and our beautiful city. Don't you all just want to come run here?

Free michaelo ultras in frosty cans were imbibed (so much better than the weird propel water they gave us, blech...luckily 10k goodies were so much better)



There was a distinct lack of bands playing on the course. Or did I just blank then out? I counted at least 5 during the 10k but none at this race. I appreciated all the 80's rock by the band Centerfold in the beer garden...despite the key boardist who was on his own planet.


And we walked to my favorite place in the city for my victory shot


The sports beans we decided we're they key to this guys success today

My final stats:
9:40 pace, 30:02
1102/2950 overall
505/1836 women
78/240 age group
2/2 disboard division

We rode the divvy bikes (chicago's city bikes) all the way to the hotel so that we could say we did a duathlon. Sadly we never swam at the hotel to make it a triathlon.

But we did eat at Frontera for lunch and OMG these corn and veggie and egg pile of awesome



Tbc with amazing Dinner and 10k race recap...

 

[Ariel484]

Yay, awesome job! Really cute picture of you and Mr. Roxy with your medals. Love the outfit.

Yes, Propel water is gross.

 

[ZellyB]

Excellent recap!! I completely adore Chicago - like my favorite city in the country adore. And there is nothing better than Chicago in the summer out by the lake. Congrats on a great 5K and a great race and PR by your hubby!! The Chicago marathon is probably number 1 on my bucket list. I wish I would have tried to run it before it went to a lottery, but I still plan to do it one of these days. I love that you had Roxymama on your bib.

 

[DopeyBadger]

Man this is quite the cliffhanger.... Ahhh, how did the 10K go?!?!?!?

BTW, way to go on your 5K and doing much better than you pre-planned expected!

 

[disneydaydreamer33]

GREAT 5K recap! This looks like such a fun race weekend! Sadly, I have never even been to Chicago, but you're making me want to, very much! You did such a super job on your run too! Oh, what is your instagram name-- I love following runners!

 

[roxymama]

Yay, awesome job! Really cute picture of you and Mr. Roxy with your medals. Love the outfit.

Yes, Propel water is gross.

We are starting to get the hang of this selfie business, haha. I was excited that the waters were so big and then they were both luke-warm and propel-y....blech. The one thing RnR didn't get right this weekend...everything else was seriously well done.

Excellent recap!! I completely adore Chicago - like my favorite city in the country adore. And there is nothing better than Chicago in the summer out by the lake. Congrats on a great 5K and a great race and PR by your hubby!! The Chicago marathon is probably number 1 on my bucket list. I wish I would have tried to run it before it went to a lottery, but I still plan to do it one of these days. I love that you had Roxymama on your bib.

So that means you will come visit us right!? If you do end up marathon-ing here at some point I will come see you. There's a few dis-boarders running this year and I will be either at a water table or a medal giver outer or something. I'm gonna have to wear a giant hat that says roxymama or mickey ears or something to stand out. I've officially signed up as a volunteer so you can look forward to a recap from that perspective this fall

Man this is quite the cliffhanger.... Ahhh, how did the 10K go?!?!?!?

BTW, way to go on your 5K and doing much better than you pre-planned expected!

Haha, blame my kiddo. She desperately wanted to watch my little pony videos after dinner last night and I gave in. So the 10k recap will be coming at about lunch time today. I may have left you my 10k splits just now in your inbox for "diagnosis"
And, yeah, I think hubby and I both surprised ourselves with the 5k since we really weren't trying to push it. Yay for nice weather and I guess we distracted each other enough to get out of our own heads maybe? The few slight downhill portions sure didn't hurt either I seriously think with our stamina built up we both can do some 5k damage later this fall

 

[roxymama]

GREAT 5K recap! This looks like such a fun race weekend! Sadly, I have never even been to Chicago, but you're making me want to, very much! You did such a super job on your run too! Oh, what is your instagram name-- I love following runners!

I highly recommend Chicago, just avoid us at all costs between November and March...even April is pushing it. We are a snowy cold wasteland around that time. Summers and early Fall our city is amazing. But if you ever do come I can give lots of tips on great places to go! bridgetaubin is my instagram name...its pretty much pictures of running, food and makeup (bc I am a makeup collector in my spare time...I have more makeup than I have face to put it on...which you all wouldn't know because I wear none of it while running.)

 

[roxymama]

Continued as promised!!!

So before I dive int Sunday's recap I'll let you know what fun was had on Saturday since this was a "run-cation" for us. We finished our brunch at Frontera (famous chef Rick Bayless' place)
and walked off our full bellies along the "mag mile" aka Michigan Ave. We hit up Nordstroms for their anniversary sale and hubs got some sweet new dressy casual shoes and although every fiber of my being wanted to splurge at the beauty counter I just couldn't find something I could justify getting? Maybe my runners high fulfilled my endorphin limit for the day and do I didn't have to shop? I did get a kiehls moisturizer later at their store so at least I'm still partially-myself.
Then back to the hotel for NAP-time!!! And I could not nap for the life of me, Doh. I refused to do anything so just lay there for over an hour.
Then it was time to get ready for early dinner with friends. I failed to get a pic of myself in a dress so you'll just have to believe me.

Family style at Duck Duck Goat and we ordered way too much food. I behaved myself but was a little worried about how my stomach would handle everything.
And look how cute their logo is!


The boys ordered duck heart. Shudder. I ate one bite and it tasted like steak but I couldn't do it so donated the rest back to hubby. Noooooope. I'll be heartless, thank you.

We had one drink each outside at Haymarket brewery. I chose a cherry cider. And then called it a night. Gotta get to bed early for our 6:30am race.
So before bed I did the Instagram thing again. This one may have 19 likes, so I'm getting more famous everyday.


10k recap on next page so I can fit all the pics