Monday, June 5, 2023

Race Recap: Chicago 13.1

Disclaimer: Because I wanted to share this recap in a timely manner, I did the unforgivable and screenshotted some of the photos taken of me on the course. I plan on buying the digital version when MarathonFoto sends a coupon

Last year was the debut of BOA's Chicago 13.1 race. The course route follows Chicago's 26 mile boulevard system, which runs through multiple neighborhoods throughout the city. The boulevards are lined with stately homes and beautiful parks. While the boulevards are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, many of the parks along the boulevards are individually listed as well. Many of the neighborhoods around the boulevards have fallen by hard times, but for the most part, the parks are well-maintained and serve as anchors to the communities.

In spite of my increased mileage on trails, I was interested in this one. I couldn't fit the race into my schedule last year, but this year I was in! With my goal race--Leadville Silver 15 miles--on the calendar for July, I made the Chicago 13.1 a 'training race' and didn't make a finish time goal. I vowed to have fun and soak it all in!

Before I even lined up to run, the logistics of the race raised my anxiety level into the red zone. Packet pickup was on the near west side of Chicago. With construction on almost every highway leading into the city, I didn't want to spend half a day picking up my race bib. The race didn't offer a mailing option and they charged a fee for race day packet pickup, which was not something I was interested in. Fortunately, Erica was working packet pickup, and she was able to get my bib for me. We made plans to meet up on race morning at the entrance to the park. 

On race day, I was out the door at 5 am on to drive to the UIC parking garage where there would be buses to take us to Garfield Park and the start line. At 6-ish, the bus deposited us on the edge of the park, right where the porta-potties were located. I immediately ran into Maria Fernanda and Heather, friends of Erica, and I hung with them while we waited for Erica to arrive. After a porta-potty stop, we all entered the C corral and waited for the race to start. The sun was rising and it was warming up. An announcement was made that the race start would be delayed because people were still arriving on the buses. We didn't cross the start line until 7:25. 

My goal for this race was to hold back my pace, so I said goodbye to Erica and her fast friends as soon as we started to run. My legs felt heavy and my Garmin had warned me earlier about my 'unusually high stress level'--how does it know? I didn't start out with my music, but by mile 3, I stopped running to cue up my playlist. I needed to get out of my head. 

Humboldt Park

During mile 3, I still felt pretty bad. There was no way I was going to DNF this race, so I considered my options. I could walk it in, right? But the thought of walking 10 miles was not appealing to me. During a walk break, my first guardian angel came up to me, a tall, braided runner with a deep voice named Jessica. She walked and ran with me for 2 miles while we talked. She was well-known to many of the runners that passed us by! At mile 5, I thanked her and left her behind while she stopped to talk to some of her friends. 

I chugged along the course, sipping Tailwind and stopping to drink water at every aid station. We were running in full sun and even though there was a breeze, it was warm. I marveled at the crowd support-while not quite the crowds I've experienced during the Chicago Marathon, there weren't really any spots where people weren't cheering us on. The other thing that stood out to me was the massive police presence at this race. Every intersection along the route was either blocked by heavy equipment or several officers. There were also 2 police helicopters flying overhead as well as police on horseback. 

Around mile 9, I passed a Biofreeze station. I thought this might be helpful, so I circled back around. The guy asked me what was hurting and I asked him to spray my legs as I stood in front of a giant fan. I also asked him to spray my low back. Oh my goodness! I felt as if I stepped into an ice bath and felt so much better once I started back on the course. As I continued, there were more people walking. I also saw multiple runners off to the side, vomiting. The heat was clearly a factor for many people and I was glad that I was still able to move forward. 

A mile later, I came upon a runner wearing Brooks Ghosts in the Pride pattern and looked closely at him. It was Frank, one of my RHT teammates! We hugged and started chatting. He was running with a woman that I recognized from earlier when I was walking with Jessica. Frank and I made a pact to run the last couple of miles together and his friend pushed off ahead of us. Frank and I chatted the whole time and I was so grateful for his company. 

We crossed the finish line together and posed for photos as we walked down the finisher chute. I was so happy to be done. We were handed a very warm bottle of water and a medal. There were bags of ice available, which I held onto in lieu of the water. 

Frank and I reconnected with his friend, Ruthie, and we headed over to the beer tent to collect our post-race beer. I was excited about the beer--it was from Solemn Oath, a local brewery that I've been to several times with my son. We sat on the grass and just soaked up the atmosphere while we recapped our experiences. It was so much fun sitting amongst so many runners in the park!

The only bad experience I had during the day was at the end when it was time to leave. I needed to take the bus back to the parking garage and the line was ridiculous. I think I stood in line for almost an hour waiting for my turn to board the bus. After running a hot half marathon, this was unacceptable to me. Runners who ran this last year told me that they parked at the United Center the year before and there were plenty of buses. I hope the race organizer figures this out for next year! Otherwise, I'd figure out a different way to get to the race. 

Other than the issues with the shuttle buses, this was probably one of the best half marathons I have run. Since the race is organized by the group that runs the Chicago marathon, I expected a well-oiled machine and I wasn't disappointed. There were ample, helpful volunteers both in the park and on the course. The Chicago police showed up and kept us all safe. There was wonderful crowd support along the course. The aid stations were well stocked with water and Nuun. And the after-party was just so much fun! This race route was such a nice change from the majority of Chicago races which are either run along the lakefront or through downtown. The course showcased a part of the city that time has left behind. I hope this helps increase interest and investment in these once spectacular areas of Chicago!

Garmin shows 13.38 miles


What's a unique race that you've run lately? Do you struggle with the heat? How do you push through a tough race?

I'm linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics, with the Runners' Roundup: DebbieDeborahJen, and Lisa.

36 comments :

  1. Tough hot race - I walk a lot and talk to myself a lot..

    It sounds like a nice race and hopefully things go smoother if you run next year. The weather? Not much anyone can do? You were lucky to have so much support (other runners) on the course. I'm sure that helped.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never run a race where there was such a feeling of community! And this was a big race too. So glad i did it.

      Delete
  2. What a lovely race!
    I love that you were able to connect with so many people on the course - it definitely makes a race so much more enjoyable.
    You have some great official photos there, especially that one where you are waving up to the camera. How much do you have to pay to buy them? In Switzerland, it's always very costly, around USD 40.- for a bundle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's ridiculously expensive to buy the photos- $89 for the entire pack, $30 for 5! Usually they send out a coupon a few weeks after the race, so I'll wait for that.

      Delete
  3. Well done! So glad you found those guardian angels to run with. What I do in a hot or difficult race is similar (ha - can I remember even, haven't completed a race since 2019!) I look for someone to chat to or - better - someone to help.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think so many of us were struggling that people were really all looking for support, lol

      Delete
  4. Way to push through Wendy! Those warm races, especially half marathons, can be so hard. I'm happy you were able to find people along the race course to run with. Sometimes just seeing a friendly face can make all the difference when you're struggling.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This race was full of friendly faces--it's been a long time since I've run a road race that felt like that!

      Delete
  5. The heat was a huge factor for many at D2D as well. You know it's bad if I'm talking about it, LOL. I saw many walking already in the early miles because the humidity was so thick. I'm grateful for the slight breeze we had! It's great to have fellow runner friends during those tough times... "struggling" together is much more bearable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was warm enough to make it a challenge, for sure. But I do think my pre-race anxiety really put me behind the eight ball.

      Delete
  6. The heat is always my nemesis and I kind of refrain from longer races after April until late September. Way to push through and finish strong. So fun to see so many people you knew including Erica (and her fast friends lol). Nice job Wendy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll be running with them tomorrow morning for Global Running Day. Wish me luck!

      Delete
  7. Biggest Inspiring Hugs Little Wendy

    Well Done ,
    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  8. Great job! Heat is always tough to deal with especially just coming off the cooler weather of early spring.

    Logistics drive me crazy! Dealing with getting to the race can be more stressful that actually running it. BTW, I have those Pride shoes and I think I'm going to love the Ghost 15. I've only worn them once (and now I'm waiting for my knee to heal) but they felt great. And they look great too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This was probably one of the most challenging races, logistically, that I have ever run!

      Delete
  9. Congratulations! I have to admit while I was reading this I was thinking "this is why I don't want to do road races anymore." But then it sounds like overall it was a great experience, and you're glad you did it. At first I thought the medal was kind of plain, but when I saw it up close I really like it! And I love your race photos. I'm glad this turned out so well for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Actually, I had that same thought about running road races as well. Never say never, but it's going to have to be a pretty special race for me to sign up in the future. This was one of those!

      Delete
  10. It's so tough to race in the heat! I'm glad it worked out well and that you had fun. It's the worst when there are difficult logistics after a race, when all you want to do is get out of there!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Running with the head is always tough but you followed the right tactic.
    Glad you have met good friends to run with.
    In the past I ran some races as "training races" but only when I was training for the marathon.
    And now .... go with another half!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm starting to think these distances may be a thing of the past!

      Delete
  12. I think the heat is always hard, but I am pretty used to it down here. Sometimes I get cramps, because I am a salty runner and I don't always replenish that correctly (we are a mostly salt-free house, so sometimes I forget). Congratulations on getting through it! You rock!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sounds like a great race course! I love the part of our Glass City marathon when it goes through the historical neighborhoods. It sure takes your mind off the road! Glad you had fun. And I see you brought the gun show to the race photos :) Love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha! Yes, it was fun. I refuse to let my performance ruin the fun. We get to do this, right?

      Delete
  14. Great job, Wendy! Despite the weather it sounds like a great race. It sounds like a great course without running along the lakefront or downtown. I don't think there is another race like it. Remind me next year to sign up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I forgot to mention that I can't believe there was a charge for packet pickup on race day. Sometimes it is stressful picking it up BEFORE the race and now to add a fee to it for doing it on race day?

      Delete
    2. I was stunned about that as well! It makes no sense to me--it doesn't cost them anything to have race day packet pick up.

      Delete
  15. Way to push through the heat Wendy! It's great that you found a few agels on the course :) Congrats on another finish line!

    Overall sounds like a great race - hopefully they get the bus situation sorted out and some better packet pick-up options for next year.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What stands out to me most about this race was the overall friendly atmosphere. People were just so happy. I absolutely loved it.

      Delete
  16. What a great medal pic!
    Congratulations on pushing through all the challenges. I loved this tour of Chicago through your eyes. I've done a few races where the start is pushed back due to transit issues -- more excusable with a second year, but I wish organizers could be better.
    Given your love of beer, you should definitely do the BOLDER Boulder one year. There' sa lot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This is just such a different experience from any other Chicago race--I highly recommend it!

      Delete
  17. What a fun race recap - thanks for sharing your adventures! How cool that you bumped into several friends before and during the race.

    ReplyDelete