On Saturday I ran my second race of the year. I’ve run this race in 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. I was very excited! 10 miles is the longest I’ve run this year.
I picked up my bib Friday after school. Very fast and easy. Nothing fancy. Just a bib and a black long sleeve shirt. Definitely my kind of packet.
Saturday morning came and it was time to run. I got ready, ate, and drove to Montrose Harbor. Luckily I found a spot not too far from the start. I took advantage of the extra time to relax and use the port-a-potties.
Then I met a few bloggers and it was nice to chat with them. Notice the before and after picture. I am the only one without a jacket. I did not check in a bag and clearly I did not need a jacket cause it was almost 60 degrees. Big mistake!
Emily and I had decided to run together. The plan was to start at 10 minute miles and then hopefully still have enough gas in the tank and speed it up during the second half.
She is a great runner! I was able to keep up with her for two miles before realizing that the pace was too fast for me. Plus, I got so distracted with several girls talking nonstop behind me and the sound of feet scraping. I wished I had brought my headphones to block out those sounds. I don’t run with my headphones (except on the treadmill) and I like it. But I know I need to learn to tune out the noise/sounds and just focus on the race.
Between mile 2 and 3 is the dreaded Cricket Hill. Oh how I dislike that hill. I walked. No shame.
I was feeling great until the turnaround on Fullerton Avenue (mile 6). That is when it got unbearable with the wind. I was running very slow and took several walking breaks. I was also very cold and had a headache.
Finally I saw the finish line and sprinted to it. No PR but I did get my personal worst for a 10 miles race.
After the race I met up with the same bloggers from before the race. I did not stay longer than 5 minutes before I was COLD. Heck, I couldn’t even enjoy my free beer. Bummer.
Overall, I think it is a great race. Small, nice location, and inexpensive. For sure I plan to run this again next year.
Next race: Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon (Relay Member), April 25.
10 responses to “Live Grit 10 Miler”
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It was so great to meet you!! I wish it wasn’t so cold at the end so we could have chatted more. Hopefully there will be more races together in our futures.
There’s some really great shots of you running up Cricket hill on the race page. You don’t look like you’re walking!
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We could have had a few beers right? I saw those pictures but was like this 😁😯 when I saw them. The belt bunched up all of my belly fat. Yes hopefully there will be more races to run together. I need to speed it up to catch up to you.
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Congrats on your longest run of the year! Cool medal!
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Thanks Kim!
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Thanks for the kind words about me! That wind was really tough on the course. That sucks that you had a headache while running – that is the worst feeling. Way to push through! As usual, it was fantastic seeing you. Thanks again for sharing the fabulous pictures of Cricket Hill!!!
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There is always something in each race. If it isn’t rain then it is wind or something else. Is there ever a “perfect” race. I really, really wanted to stay with you but these legs of mine could not keep up. Hopefully we can run another race together.
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Congrats! Looks like you had a lot of fun and were able to meet up with fellow bloggers! Wind is tough (especially at the end) so you should be proud you powered through it!
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Thanks! I am learning how to deal with it and if I can’t then oh well. Life goes on right?
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