On Tuesday I ran my 2nd race of 2022.  I knew I wasn’t going to get a PR so my goal was to have fun and finish.  I did that and did better than expected.

This race is special to me because it takes place on July 4th.  To me it is more than Independence Day (and that is a WHOLE different conversation).  My family emigrated from Mexico to the US on July 4, 1978 – I was 5 years old.  I remember seeing the Sears Tower and Lake Michigan.  My father was already living here and finally he had his whole family together.

Here are some fun things about the race:

🇺🇸 I’ve been doing this race since 2013 – It was cancelled in 2020 and I skipped it in 2021.  Almost 10 years of running this race.  It is a fun race – there aren’t that many races that are 4 miles.  I realized I need to get more fun gear for this race.  Pictures below are from 2013 and 2014.  I don’t have any of that gear anymore.

🇺🇸 My PR is 39:39 from 2014 – The closest I’ve come to beating it was in 2015 with a finish time of 40:47.  This year my finish time was 45:46.  My coach had asked me to do a progressive run with the first mile being between 12:00-12:30.  I did it in 11:30.  My last mile was 11:02 with an uphill to the finish line.

🇺🇸 It is not a flat course – Chicago is flat which is nice.  I think this is the only race I do in the Chicago area that has hills.  The first photo is from the race and the one below is from a 3 mile run by my house.

🇺🇸 Well organized with great volunteers – I had the option to pick up my bib before the race or wait till race day.  I love that we have options!  The race started right on time.  There were a few water stops but I didn’t stop because I had my own bottle bottle.  After mile 3 one of the race volunteers told me that the last mile was the shortest mile.  I laughed.  I told him that to get from 3 to 4 is only 1.  He replied that it was all in my head.  

🇺🇸 It is a huge confident booster – Why is it that many times we don’t always believe in ourselves?  We are too hard on ourselves too.  I did get tired and walked a little but still I was smiling.  It helped me see that my training is going well and that makes me a bit more excited about my 50k.

Thanks for linking up with us again this week!  We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites!  Join hosts My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday!  Please add your link below.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

12 Comments on Fit Five Friday: 5 things about the 4 on the 4th Race

  2. Congratulations! Your coach must have been happy. It sounds like a fun race- I agree, there should be more four mile races. Especially on the 4th! That’s cool you have a personal connection to July 4th- what a perfect day to emigrate!

    Reply

  3. Your fourth race sounds a lot like ours, which is also 4 miles. I usually wish it was only a 5k during. I ran it about 6 or 7 years, but the last few years I’ve been with my mom.

    I talked in a vlog recently about my love of the US, even with all its many faults, as a second generation American. I can’t imagine what it felt like to move here as a young child! That’s so cool that you remember the move.

    What a great job you did, Zenaida!

    Reply

  4. It was great to see you at the race! I always forget about the “hills” – it’s not as bad as Quarryman or Ridge Run but it is noticeable for us flatlanders. I love the community feel and seeing so many friends.

    Reply

    • You are right. I’ve never run Ridge Run but definitely Quarryman. Now that is HILLY galore!! I curse each time I have to go up a hill because they are so long.

      Reply

  5. I have heard so many great things about this race! It’s especially nice that the 4th of July has so much significance for you and your family 😉

    Reply

Thank you for your comment!