Race Recap: Humana Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon

Disclaimer: As a Rock 'n' Blogger, I received complimentary entry to the Humana Rock 'n Roll Chicago Half Marathon as well as a VIP pass. All opinions are my own.

Can you believe that I've never run the Humana Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon before? There's only one reason and that's because this half marathon takes place in July. July in Chicago can be brutal! The last half marathon I ran in July, Zooma, was a steam bath and I struggled with the heat. But as a Rock 'n' Blogger, it made sense for me to sign up for my hometown race. Once I started incorporating those 4:1 run/walk intervals into my training, I realized that I had a plan that could work in the heat. There would be no time goals (well, ok, maybe...) but the ultimate goal would be to finish.

I finished, but what a journey it was to the finish line! It was an epic 24 hours for this runner. This is a long post, so sit down, put your feet up, and pour yourself a cold one!

When I filled out the entry form for this race, there was a section asking if you had a special story you wanted to share with the race organizers. I decided to share my struggle I've had with adjusting to running with rheumatoid arthritis. Why not? Imagine my surprise when the week before the race, I received an email from one of the team telling me that Humana (one of the race sponsors) was interested in my story. They wanted to meet with and interview me at the expo. She also told me they were hosting a meet and greet with Kathrine Switzer. I jokingly responded that I'd only meet with them if I could meet Ms. Switzer. I was promised a one-on-one meeting with my idol! Let the excitement commence!

After I finished work on Saturday, I drove down to McCormick Place for the expo. I was very impressed by how well organized packet pickup was. There were stations for bib pickup, t-shirts, and t-shirt exchange. As I wandered the aisles looking for the VIP booth, I observed that there were quite a few vendors. I purchased a "Run Happy" shirt from the Brooks booth. Of course.

I found the Humana booth--it was in the center of the expo and met with Kate and Carmen from Rock 'n' Roll Marketing and they talked with me a bit before my interview. I wasn't nervous at all--just get me talking about running and I can't stop! Even after the camera was rolling, I did just fine. I don't think I said anything cringe-worthy.

Kate introduced me to Kathrine Switzer and I was initially speechless. The cameras were rolling for this too. Kathrine made me very comfortable and we talked about running and running with RA. She told me I was doing all the right things--that I had to keep moving. She also told me that I was a great example of what she and Humana are working to promote--staying active as we age. We talked about training. I shared with her my dream of running Boston. I told her how much I loved her book, which I brought with me. We talked about my blog and I told her about my book club. She was so easy to talk to--I'm sure I was just blathering on!

Sometimes the worst becomes the best. Indeed!

I was floating on a cloud after that. Have you ever met one of your real-life idols? 

photobooth, anyone?

As I left the expo, Petey, the cameraman told me he'd be at the race in the morning, riding on a motorcycle and filming me as I ran. What? He told me if I had a problem with it, they didn't have to film me. I was a little surprised, but I agreed to it. Because what is running if not an adventure? Inwardly, I prayed that I wouldn't have any tummy issues. I certainly didn't want to be immortalized by a code brown.

With that on my mind, I thought I'd have trouble sleeping, but surprisingly, I slept pretty well. My alarm went off at 4 and I was out the door by 4:30 to catch the El to Grant Park. I walked through the race area to the amazing VIP section. Portapotties with no lines? Sign me up! There was also a continental breakfast, but I didn't want to invite trouble, so I skipped it. I was so happy to see Erica--it's never easy to be at a race alone--and we talked for a few minutes before it was time to line up.

I walked over to the corrals, where Kate met me and told me where Petey would be at the start line to film me. I was in corral 6 and it took about 15 minutes for us to cross the starting line. Sure enough, Petey was there and I waved as I ran by. He wished me good luck and told me to look for him on the course.

We were off!

We ran north up Columbus Drive, which is the same start as the Chicago Marathon. The start was crazy crowded and as usual, I was frustrated by the slow start. You would think by now I'd be used to this! There were slow runners and walkers who should have started farther back--I'm not sure how they were seeded into my corral. I spent the first 2 miles weaving around people and skipped my walk intervals since I was running so slow. After mile 2, the runners started to find their paces and there was more room to run. I took my first walk interval at this point. I was sweating profusely and I started sipping my Tailwind.

At mile 3, I heard a motorcycle coming up behind me, and there was Petey on the back, his camera focused on me. He asked me how I was doing and I gave him a thumbs up. He drove ahead and I was alone with my thoughts. This would be our pattern for the first half of the race. After mile 6 or so, I didn't see Petey again until the finish. I didn't find having him there intrusive at all. In fact, I liked having someone cheer me on! I wondered what the people around me thought, though!

Mile 6 was the Blue Mile. I was running along the left side of the road and that side was lined with posters of soldiers who died in action. I read all the bios as I ran along. After the posters were American flags--there were at least 50 lining the course. I started to get emotional--how could you not? I thanked the volunteers. There was one for each flag, all wearing blue. I wish I had stopped for a picture but it just seemed so solemn that a photo would be inappropriate.

I continued to use my run/walk intervals for the rest of the race. At about mile 8, I came upon a guy carrying a speaker playing loud music and shouting "Mike Tyson, Mike Tyson". He had someone running with him and I wondered if he was mentally ill or disabled. Initially amused, I started to find it a little concerning. The woman who was with him led him to the side of the road--I'm not sure what that was all about. I saw him briefly one more time later in the race.

The iconic rocker at mile 10-ish

At mile 10 or so, the wheels started to come off the Wendy bus. I started to feel really nauseous and felt like I was just sucking wind. As hard as I tried not to, my walk intervals stretched beyond a minute. My hip and my knees were starting to hurt. I was really frustrated with that. I noticed that a lot of runners were walking as well. It wasn't warm but it was 80% humidity and I do believe that really took a toll on many of us. Around mile 11, I heard a familiar voice asking if I was ok. It was Amanda aka TooTallFritz and let me tell you, it was great to see her! She asked how I was doing, and I told her I was having some pain. She said she was struggling too. We ran together for about a mile, and then I told her to go ahead. I needed to be alone in my misery.

As I approached the finish line, I saw a runner on a backboard with a neck collar being loaded onto a cart. I wondered what happened to him--did he trip and fall on the uneven surfaces? I wanted to tell the paramedics to drive him across the finish line! How terrible, to get this far and not finish, right? I pushed on towards the finish chute. I saw Pete B and he cheered me to the finish. There was a firehose showering the runners. Even though I was moving along, it felt like I was running in slow motion. It seemed like the finish line would never come.

Finally, I crossed the line and there was Petey. I mustered up a happy face and a victory pose for the camera. Then I put my hands on my knees (my bad, I know) to catch my breath. A medical volunteer came over to make sure I was ok. I told him I just needed to catch my breath. Kate and Petey walked with me as I got some water and my medal.

And then...Kathrine Switzer came over to congratulate me. What? Was I dreaming? She told me to be proud of my accomplishment. I shared my disappointment with my finish time. Yes, I'm still working on adjusting my expectations. We talked briefly and I thanked her for her encouragement. I told her I'd see her in Boston!

Recapping my race

I made my way back to the VIP tent, drinking the best chocolate milk I've ever had. There was food, wine, and beer as well. And those clean, line-free portapotties. Once I recovered, Petey and Kate did a final interview, where I recapped my feelings about the race. Yes, I was disappointed in my finish time. You know me, right? But as Kate later messaged me, it was an RA PR. I'm not quitting. Finishing is winning.

Who needs MarathonFoto when you've got Petey? Thanks so much for all these great photos!

Can any other race experience top this one? The journey I am on while running with RA has certainly become interesting. I'm so grateful for feeling well enough to be able to run long distances, even if it means running at paces that are slower than I'm used to. RA is opening up new doors and experiences for me. Obviously, I'd rather not have RA, but instead of succumbing, I've chosen to make the best of it. My Rock 'n' Roll experience was an opportunity to show runners that obstacles don't have to stop you. I'm looking forward to seeing the video and I hope it inspires others to just keep moving! This past weekend was the experience of a runner's lifetime.

I am certain that even without all the hoopla, I would have enjoyed this race immensely. Humana Rock 'n' Roll is a well-oiled machine and their ability to stage a race is top notch. While this is my first Rock 'n' Roll, it certainly won't be my last. I'm looking forward to Las Vegas in November.

After all that excitement, it comes down to this: