Cold is nothing.... (Chi-Town recap)

Cold is nothing compared to what it feels like to give in.

40 miles this past week.
240 miles for the past 6 weeks... wow!

(who said running is simple?? For this race: Nike headband/ear protector from the cold, iPod, chomps, salt stix, bloks for pre race, Nike longsleeve, Saucony jacket, moving comfort sports bra, race number, garmin, gloves, fluid recovery mix for post race (drank muscle milk instead) Nathan pack to hold my transit card, road runner sports capris, CEP compression socks, Nike lunaracer +2)

It was bitter cold for the Chi-Town half. Maybe 30 degrees at the start? And it was a little windy.

I achieved a PR by almost 7 minutes. I ended up with a 1:53.17 I am thrilled. I cut nearly 12 minutes off since my last half marathon- the soggy,cold US half in November 2010.


Race highlights:

• There seemed to be an ample supply of port o johns
• The race started on time
• The start was one of the smoothest I've experienced in a while. I wasn't dodging walkers for the first few miles like other races. Everyone lined up by their anticipated pace. It was a dream!
  
  

• The course was scenic, but I wasn't a fan of the parts of the course where runners would cross each other going in different directions.

• There was ice in some of the tunnels... happy I didnt slip, or see anyone else slip

• There were some a lot of TALENTED runners out there. In fact, I was surprised at how good the field was. For such a small field- 640 something finishers, the times were SMOKIN! 

• I got 20th in my age group. For a "local" type race in the san fran area, I would have been in the top 5 (for AG) with the same time I ran for this race. Chicago is a running city for sure. I am motivated to train harder and do better. I know i am not at full potential yet. I plan on joining a club to train for the Chicago Marathon.

• I am happy I did this race. I had some thoughts the day before about how cold it would be, but after watching "Spirit of the Marathon" the night before, I was pumped to run. I especially wanted to see if all the training Ive been doing the past 6 weeks had paid off.

• The training definitely PAID OFF. quality miles= much better time!

• This race was the first half/ full marathon where I wasn;t looking for a port-o-john during the event. That is huge for me- every long run, every half marathon I've done- i needed to stop. I didnt drink anything before the race- except a sip of water to wash down my luna bar an hour and a half pre-race. I also drank at nearly every water/ gatorade stop. I ate some watermelon chomps, and a few salt stix and felt GREAT! YAY!
• This is the first race I've used music. I'm not sure if it helped or not. Although about 5 minutes before I was to cross the finish, Chariots of Fire came on... I pushed the pace even more. :)

No injuries, no muscle soreness. I jogged back a mile to the L to catch my ride home. (maybe i could have run harder? lol)



The medal! (wish the date was on it...)

Post race had an awesome eggs Benedict with the most delicious bloody Mary EVER. Mmm




Life is so good. Im ready for the running season now!

Hace frio!

Walked around for a bit today. Decided it would be cool to take pictures. It was 20 something windchill...

I was very cold now. Tomorrow for the race it will be just slightly warmer than the 20 something windchill I was experiencing. My face was frozen and my hands were in pain. Im already looking forward to a huge chai latte post race.

I must have been bordering on hypothermia because i wanted to read with the creepy wolves in the park.







I knew CB was weird, but this is proof. Caught him resting while i was on the pc.


GO AWAY COLD!!!!!!!!

<3,
Xaar

Chi-Town half

Woke up to this today.





Some leftover snow/ice from last night. Had to take CB out last night and the wind/frozen stuff flying made it really difficult to keep our eyes open.  high predicted for Race morning, 34 degrees!  :(

Dear winter,

Get out of here!

Kisses,

Spring. <3


This Sunday I'm running the Chi-town half marathon. It's my first race of 2011 and first race since moving to Chicago. This is also the inaugural running of this race. I have no idea how many entrants there are. But it's a certified course!! Yay!! I'm really excited and kind of nervous. For the past 6 weeks I've trained with more focus than before and also pushed myself harder.


(he is too serious!)




(CB is my personal trainer. He makes sure I   R.I.C.E. If I have a pain after a workout.)

The main goal is break my pr of 2:00:05. Should be easy since I've hit it on my longer runs in the past few weeks. I also need to remain healthy for my upcoming races for the year (a 5k, an 8k, a 10 miler, about 7 half marathons, and 2 marathons)

I also want the PR so I can get into a corral for the soldier field 10 mile "finish on the 50". I'd rather do it with this half than risk it on a sub 44 minute time for the shamrock shuffle 8k on April 10. (I'd like to just coast on this one)

I have no idea what I'm capable of for Chi-Town,  and would love to go all out, but I need to remain focused on the larger goal right now and not blowup.Ive just been taking it easy this week- minus the intervals on Tuesday. I'll probably take off tomorrow, and then do a shake out run on Saturday.  then 8am Sunday, Game on!!

Can't wait for packet pickup tomorrow after work!




My dinner from Monday. A burger with bacon, cheese, hash-browns, and an egg on top. YUM!!!

-Xaar