Memorial Day is the kick to for summer and despite the cold temperatures here in Chicago, that is exactly what we did! For the second year in a row, I booked a back to back weekend with the Soldier Field 10 Miler and Bike the Drive.
Saturday morning, the BOY and I were up super early (think 5am). We loaded up the car and made a quick stop at Starbucks for some back tea before getting on the highway.
Last year, I almost missed the race due to traffic, so we left a little earlier this year. I was in the purple corral scheduled to close at 6:45am. Since last year we came in from the south, this year we tried the north. Again, we were met with massive amounts of traffic. The good news is that we were able to map out our route for next year (we’ll come from the west) even though we didn’t arrive as early as I would have liked.
It felt great to be back at Soldier Field!
By the time we made it to the corrals, it was close to 6:45am, and I really needed to pee. This year I stayed much calmer than last about the whole running late thing. I had a close friend who I have been training with who was waiting in corral 12, so I was able to use the port-a-potties and meet up with her before the race.
It was so fun to have a friend with me at the start of the race, and we were able to chat before we finally made our way to the starting line 45 minutes later. We ran together south down Lake Shore Drive for the first 3 miles and then split up. After mile 3, I sped ahead. At the half way point, my time was right about 44 minutes. When I turned back north towards the stadium, I felt strong and kept a steady pace. I think that my slower first few miles allowed me to conserve some energy, so my last 7 miles averaged just above 8 minute/miles. I’d say this was pretty good considering I have been sick and my nose was running for most of the race (note to self..bring Kleenex next time!).
I finished slower than I had in years past, but it was well worth running with my friend! Plus, this might be my first ever negative split race. Now that is an accomplishment! Of note, my new shoes were fantastic! They were light and supportive, and handled their first long run without any issues. I heart Brooks running shoes!
I felt great when I was done (although pretty cold!), and I easily found the BOY waiting for me in the stands. This race continues to be one of my favorites. It is well run and organized perfectly! The volunteers are friendly and fun, and you know I love getting a medal. This year, we even got reusable bags with our post-race snacks. I had to take my annual post run picture in the stands (you can see the other two in last year’s post) before heading to the post-race party for a beer.
This is the first year that runners have earned a free beer, and I was super excited that it was 312! As you can see, I was pretty sweaty and since the sun wasn’t shining, I started to get cold. I sipped half of my beer alternating between that and coconut water for hydration.
We didn’t stay at the post race party too long since I desperately needed a shower and really didn’t want to get more sick. We drove up to my brother’s condo on the north side of the city. I showered which really warmed me up, and then the BOY and I walked over to Wishbone to meet his grade school friend who is in town for the weekend.
Wishbone has unique and incredible food, so it was the perfect post-race meal. After lunch, I dragged the BOY over to Southport for a quick shopping trip to Lululemon and David’s Tea. And then we crashed for an afternoon nap. I was reluctant to wake up after an exhausting morning, but we had dinner plans with the BOY’s friend, his brother, and wife. I enjoyed a cold beer and delicious food while catching up over dinner. It was a super laid back and fun evening!
After dinner, the BOY and I watched a little hockey before falling back into bed.
I had another early morning on Sunday! Despite my family bailing on me this year, I was excited to head back to Lake Shore Drive for my 4th year of Bike the Drive!
Did you race this weekend?
How did it go?
Soldier Field 10 Miler Results
1:24:44
Age Group 204/1614
Mile 1: 9:46
Mile 2: 8:54
Mile 3: 8:56
Mile 4: 8:25
Mile 5: 8:01
Mile 6: 8:14
Mile 7: 8:18
Mile 8: 8:08
Mile 9: 8:08
Mile 10: 7:51
Average 8:44 min/miles
Last 7 mile Average 8:03 min/miles
Luv What You Do 
Nice Job!!! Those medals look awesome!
They are really cool! This was the 10th anniversary, so they went all out with the medal. Hope you are enjoying your weekend!
WOWZA nice job on the race! I HATE feeling like I am going to be late and always leave way too early. But it helps my stress levels haha. I love that you got a free beer whoohoo!
I think I need a shirt that says…will run for swag (and beer) ha ha! The good thing with a big race like this is that if you miss your corral you can always sneak into one further back!
So proud of you! Xoxo
Thanks Girl! Let’s catch up tomorrow!
Beer and coconut water… The perfect example of balance :). Awesome job on the race!!
Why thank you! I have seen some bloggers make cocktails with flavored coconut water. I might have to give it a try!
Awesome job at the race! And kudos to you for going out that night! I don’t think I would have been able to do it, although yummy food and drinks help 🙂
The nap helped too and we were back at my bro’s pretty early! Surprisingly I’m not that sore, so I think running at a comfortable pace was the way to go!
DD and I have a race next weekend (run for the roses in Roselle). She will be coming off a 3 day backpacking trip so I think it might be a little more even-she might even run with me :).
Congrats on the back to back-I would like to try the bike on the drive next year-it looks like so much fun.
You should totally do it!!! It is a BLAST! How fun that you guys are running another race together. After a few days of backpacking, a run is the way to go : ) Maybe some yoga too!
Way go! You are an amazing person. Sounds like it was a breeze for you. Time to do the NYC Marathon and stay with me DD.
LOVE YOU,
DM BBF
Yes! I’d love to run NY. I’m looking into it for 2014!
Great job, and fantastic negative split! Looks like a super fun race… there a race in Fargo that finishes inside a football stadium, too. It’s fun to see yourself on the jumbotron 🙂
Yes and to run through the tunnel like the BEARS! Between the course and the stadium, it’s a fun run! I was impressed with my negative split because I know I usually slow down in races. Even though it wasn’t the time that I wanted, it was a great training run!
[…] was happy to see that I wasn’t sore from Saturday’s 10 Miler. The streets were quiet as I pedaled east towards the drive. I had no agenda for the […]
Congratulations on another great race! (Especially considering you were sick!) It always feels good to negative split.
I must say, I’m a little jealous of your fun weekend!
It was an awesome weekend!!! I’m so happy I chose to do these events again this year. The negative split was a big success! I was surprised by how easy the quick miles were coming and hoping this is all good prep for tri’s and marathons to come : )
you rocked it! think of how fit you are to complete both, not be sore…. good training! I like the idea of the NYC marathon with VB! (i’ll cheer!)
I do feel really good! The plan for tomorrow is a swim so it’s good triathlon prep!
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