I went into this race with few expectations. I got lazy (too busy more so) with my training and just prayed I had enough left in the tank to get this race done, and done strong.
I woke up at 4 am, got ready and hit the road to Naperville to meet up with the gang. I texted Andrea, letting her know I pooped…LOL. On going joke…sorry haha!
I got to Naperville at 5:45 and waited in the warmth of my car for everyone to arrive. Everyone arrived safely at around 6:15, and we had plenty of time to get settled. I ate my cereal bar, chugged my 5 hr energy and we were off!
We lined up at the start, getting in to our respective corrals and bid each other high fives, hugs, and good luck. I turned and saw Claudia, a woman I met during the Fox Valley training runs I paced, so we agreed to start together. YAY! The national anthem was beautifully sung, (sang?) and the race kicked off…it only took about 10 minutes to cross the starting line. (They could’ve spaced this a little farther apart, as the course was slightly crowded the first few miles).
The first several miles felt great. I thought to myself, HEY…I can DO this…but my excitement got the best of me and I went out too fast. Rookie mistake. Beginning mile splits: 9:33, 9:03, 8:58, 8:58, 9:02, 8:51, 9:11, 9:53 (took a walk break to fuel during the 8th mile. I saw Karen at mile 8.5 and nearly sobbed! A friendly face, YAY! We hugged quickly and I kept moving.
And then came mile 9…the hill from hell where it felt we were out in the middle of no where. I walked briefly and then saw Claudia…I tried to stick with her, but it just wasn’t happening. But I kept her in my sights, along with her awesome hubby who was on his bike throughout several spots on the course. Seeing him helped me keep going…
I decided the sub 2 just wasn’t going to happen…I had a stitch in my side that refused to go away.
So I high fived all the kids. I thanked all the volunteers and spectators. I dug deep and searched for my smile. And I ate a piece of bacon from some amazing dude grilling at around mile 11…and I kept running as fast as I could.
Miles 10 and 11 were 9:51 (another walk/stretch break), 9:20 and my right ITB was SCREAMING at me, making my right knee, and foot feel like they were on fire. I was done. I lost sight of Claudia, and I sincerely just wanted to stop. But I saw her husband at mile 12 and he reminded me “You are doing this for fun,” to which I forced a smile and kept going.
And then…I saw THIS. (Thanks, Andrea for the picture).
The stitch in my side was almost unbearable…but as I hit mile 13 and barreled up the .1 hill to the finish line (having a hill at the finish is just MEAN), I was satisfied. Slight disappointment for yet another NOT sub 2 half briefly hit me, and the tears brimmed in my eyes. But I reminded myself I wasn’t properly trained, having only run ONE 9 miler since the Fox Valley half marathon in September. So instead I celebrated all of my awesome friends finish times, and PR’s. Final miles were 9:30, 9:13, 3:18 for the last .1. I was blessed to have received my medal from Bob Miller, marathon maniac, and after a hug and smiles, I felt better.
Oh…and all the massages….all the food…and all the beer.
At the end of the day I did what I set out to do. Complete this race in under 2:10. And of course, spend time with some pretty cool people.
I also got to see Carolyn finish her race, PR, AND qualify for Half Fanatics! YAY!!!!
Pros of the race:
Plenty of port a johns at the start.
Lots of aid stations.
The spectators were amazing
Stretching AND massage tents. SCORE!
The food/beer was warm/cold respectively
Having the gym open for the runners/spectators
Volunteers! I can’t say enough about these amazing people
Cons of the race:
Disorganized gear check causing lengthy waits after the race
Not enough signage telling discombobulated runners where to go after the race
Mean security cops/guards. Cut us some slack fellas…we just ran our butts off!
All in all I had a WONDERFUL time despite some self inflicted pain. I would definitely do this face again!
Also, I was successful in my November goals by 99% only having missed out on doing yoga. Score!
Did you race this weekend? What is your favorite perk of the after race events?
❤ Michelle
Movin' it with Michelle 
Really? Mean security guards? Why? WTH?
Nice job, Michelle! I know how worried you were about this, and that you felt that your lack of preparation was going to be an issue. Look what you did! You are an amazing runner, and a 2:04 finish is nothing to sneeze at. Great job!
LikeLike
THANK YOU dear Wendy…my time was very respectable for sure. My lack of training, not so much, LOL.
LikeLike
CONGRATULATIONS!!! I dream of having times like yours someday! Maybe next fall I will run that one. depending on how the Starved Rock half in May goes.
LikeLike
I’ve heard Starved Rock is a nice race!! Do they have a half? I’ll be in full training next year, but maybe I’ll try that one!
LikeLike
Yes they do have a half, which is what I will be doing. It is GORGEOUS! I live in Ottawa and LOVE the area.
LikeLike
CONGRATS Michelle! This was a great recap and I really enjoyed reading it. You did really well for the amount of preparation and finished! I can’t wait to see what you will do with your racing next year! Or maybe we should go to Miami together and run a half in January…what do you think??? 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Chuck, that sounds great! Thanks for reading. 🙂
LikeLike
So proud of you hon!!
LikeLike
Thank you sweet friend!! SOOOO proud of you!!
LikeLike
Congratulations – that’s a wonderful achievement! from the start to the finish line – You must feel proud and wonderful!
LikeLike
Thank you so much!!
LikeLike
Sounds like you had an amazing race!! Very cool!! Love your pics!! Way to rock it!! Have a lovely week!! XOXO
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Kristin! You too!
LikeLike
I am happy you did the race and had fun! Had your ITB been bothering you before? I hope that pain goes away quickly!
LikeLike
Thanks, Kim. It’s been an ongoing issue, but had calmed down when I was getting monthly massages. Sadly those got nixed, so now it’s just me and my foam roller. Bobbi suggested more lunges, squats, and deadlifts to strengthen so I am going to work on that this winter!
LikeLike
Whoa!!! A pre-race 5 hour energy that would leave me running for the porta-potty mid race for sure. Glad you had an amazing experience for the end of year race.
LikeLike
hehe, I don’t drink coffee, so this is my go-to for cafeinne before a race.
LikeLike
Well done! Sounds like a pretty good race, even without the sub-2 finish. I had my first trail race this weekend and it kicked my butt!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!! Congrats in the trail race!
LikeLike
Well done on the race. A very respectable time considering your lack of training. You should be proud.
LikeLike
All I can say is Congratulations. Sometimes we can’t always reach our goal but it trying to we can reach another goal – checking off #11 half marathon. It sounds like you had some great friends throughout the run 🙂 Well done!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!!! The friends made it SOOOOOO much better! 🙂
LikeLike
Congrats you rocked this race despite your side stich! Way to smash your race goal! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Pete!!!!! I appreciate that! Really trying to work on my speed these last couple years!
LikeLike
Congrats Michelle! That sounds like an awesome race and good job on showing those hills who’s boss!! Save the sub-2 for next year and do some fun speedwork to get you there. 2015 will be your year I can feel it 😀
LikeLike
I didn’t realize you knew Bob Miller. I know Bob too, and his lovely wife! (I’m also a Marathon Maniac/Half Fanatic.)
Congrats on a great race! 2:04 is an awesome time for having your training fall apart. You’ll get that sub-2 in 2015!
LikeLike
Awesome recap, Michelle. You looked so strong and happy out there. I am so proud of you!! I can’t wait to watch you conquer your goals next year! xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much, Karen!
LikeLike