Zenaida Arroyo

Today I ran for pie.  What an awesome race!!!  The race began at 8:30 am and luckily a friend called me a little after 7 or else I probably would have missed it.

I arrived at the race site a little after 8 and was happy to see that we had access to a high school which meant a warm area to wait and real bathrooms.  I dropped off my bag, went to the bathroom, and then waited in the gym for a little bit.  A few minutes later I made my way outside.  I LOVE, LOVE hearing the National Anthem!!!  I do not get tired of it.

We ran through the streets of La Grange.  Great course!  No inclines which made me happy.  I did stop a few times because I was running too fast.  🙁  I need to learn to pace myself.   As soon as I saw the finish line I ran as fast as I could.  I passed several people which made me smile.  I accidentally pressed the “start/stop” button on my Garmin before mile 2 so I don’t know my official finish time.

I was one of the first 500 runners to register so I got a free pie.  Since I did not win a medal I was happy with it.  Yummy!  Next year I will just have to run FASTER!

Of course I had to get pictures with them.

This year was the first time this race was held and I thought it went very well.  However, the only thing I question is how the finish time will be determined because they was no chip on the bib.  As I crossed the finish line I gave a volunteer a perforated piece of the bib with my number in it.  I was told that the volunteers were supposed to keep them in order for finish time purposes.  Huh????  Another volunteer told me that a scanner would scan my number at the finish line to determine finish time.  Well, regardless I hope I find out soon.  😀

Happy Thanksgiving!!!  Enjoy this special day.

Today I ran in the Chicago’s Perfect 10 Race.  One had the option of running 10 miles or 6.2 miles (10K).  Since I am training for the New Orleans Marathon in March I chose 10 miles.  Packet pick up was at Navy Pier but I don’t like going there because it is a hassle to get there.  Luckily I could pick up my packet on race day but that meant I had to be there earlier.  That is OK.  Friday night I went to bed at 9pm and work up at 5 on Saturday morning.

I arrived at Navy Pier around 6am and was shocked to find out that parking was $18.  I inquired about a discount and was told that the price is already discounted…regular is $24.  Yikes!!  I made my way to the expo to pick up my packet.  I was happy to be in a warm place and with real bathrooms.  It was a cold morning so I was happy to be indoors.  I looked outside and saw the sunrise.  Gorgeous!

The race started at 7am and off I went.  It was such a beautiful morning for a race.  Yes, a little cold but not too bad.  My goal was to run each mile a “perfect” 10.  Well, that is less than 11:00 minute.  Yeah, that did not happen.  I was close though.

Mile1-10:36
Mile 2-10:31
Mile 3-10:52
Mile 4-11:07
Mile 5-10:33
Mile 6-11:11
Mile 7-10:22
Mile 8-11:11
Mile 9-10:38
Mile 10-11:22

It felt good to be running.  I ran 10 miles last Sunday and it was tough for me.  That was not the case with today’s race.  I had energy and felt good towards the end.  Well, sort of, since it did take me a little bit longer to finish that last mile.  Overall, I was pleased with the race.  I even saw Forrest Gump at the end!

What truly shocked me is that according to my Garmin the race was EXACTLY 10 miles.  That had never happened before in a race.

Yes, I did have an issue with location and parking fee but overall I give this race a perfect 10!!