Minneapolis-Star-Tribune-runningkellometers

I had originally planned on volunteering for the Palos Half. I sent in my information and never heard anything from anyone. I was never given a time to appear, a prep email, nothing. I sent some requests via the Facebook page that weren't responded to. So, the day before the race (when I still hadn't heard anything), I decided to spectate instead. With the out-and-back course, I met up with the FNRC and we stayed in 1 spot but were able to see the runners twice. I ran this race last year and had a fun time with all my local pals, so I didn't want to miss this race even though I wouldn't be running it this year.

As a surprise to my fellow running club members, I brought along the pup. I mean, I know she's totally adorable, but the entire club seems to embrace her. And, not to mention, Pepper absolutely LOVES all the attention she gets whenever she is out with the group. I met up with our crowd of FNRC folks and we took a group pic before the runners started coming by.

The FNRC Crew at miles 4 & 9 Thanks for the photo Diane!

Then, I got out my phone and tried to take pics of all my friends going by. Thankfully my pals were easy to spot in our bright FNRC shirts!


While we were waiting for our pals to turn around, Diane snapped this gem of me and my buddy. Pepper was really well behaved all day. She kissed the hands of the little kids that came up and wanted to pet her. She sat and listened when I needed her to. She didn't jump up and scare any runners. I know she's great with kids, but it was really great to see little ones all around her. It made me feel some warm fuzzies for Baby Wilson and Pepper's future relationship. I just know they're going to become best friends.

Pepper wore a special shirt to support her pals.

All of my friends did really well and had a fun time on race day. Spectating, this made me want to run this race again next year! It really is a fun one and the support by the local running clubs is unmached by any other race! If you haven't done it before, I highly, highly recommend it. Have you done this race before? If so, is it one of your favorites too? If not, why the heck not? Just kidding (kind of).

As some of you may know, I've completed 1 marathon in my lifetime. It is a difficult distance, no matter who you are and how long it takes you to complete it. When some of my friends decided they wanted to run a 50k, the thought of that distance is unbelievable to me. I didn't get the chance to see my friend Kate during the marathon, so I thought I would help support her during this beast of a distance. The Chicago 50/50 was a looped course (10 mile loop to be completed 3 times for the 50k) so I could stay in one spot and see them go by a few times. I packed up my general store and headed downtown.

sleepy eyes, ready to go!

When I arrived, I had just missed the start and the temperature were freezing. (But perfect for running 50k.) I headed to the start line anyways to investigate and figure out my strategy. I was having trouble converting their estimated pace and placement on the course to a time frame, so I just waited at the start for awhile because I didn't want to miss them! When I saw the bright yellow FNRC shirts, I was jumping up and down, knowing it was them. I took some quick photos before hopping in with them.
They looked great and were feeling great after loop 1. I ran with them a little bit, got some more pics and tried to exert some of this energy everyone always says I have. :)

Self portrait on the way back to the start.

After arriving back, I waited in my car and tried to stay warm. There were plenty of port a potties at the start (that were replenished with TP) so that was helpful. I did a quick post to the running group to give everyone an update before heading back out.

When arriving at loop 3, some of the smiles and energy had faded. They had over 20 miles under their belts and they were starting to feel it. I tried to be positive without being too energetic as I headed out with them (into the headwind) of the last loop. I ran with them until the next aid station where I waited for them to come back before running back with them. The excitement was gone and the pace was speeding up. The feeling of just wanting to be done was in the air. They all finished with smiles on their faces and talk of this whole 50k thing being a "one and one" type of thing. I was happy to have gotten the chance to share in such a monumental event for these runners!

FN Done

The Chicago 50/50 has been going on since 2000. It is obvious that they know what they're doing as the race is pretty well-organized. As the course is looped, there are officials keeping track of everyone's loops as there isn't a timing pad. The aid stations were well stocked with water, Gatorade, and lots of real food (cookies, chips, pretzels, pickles, bananas). Kind of says something about the impact of real food versus the chemicals in the synthetic stuff. (This next training cycle, I plan on giving more real foods a try to help give me energy and settle my stomach.) The only spectators on the course were those folks at the aid stations and fellow runners. There is definitely a huge sense of camaraderie among the ultra distance, and everyone is so cheery, respectful, and friendly towards other runners. It isn't serious and all about the pace, and every person for themselves... it is about completing something that not that many people would attempt to do. I would say that I would run this race, but I don't plan on ever tackling an ultra. I'm happy with the marathon distance and don't have the desire to go beyond... :)


Have you ever completed an ultra distance? Do you know folks that have? Have you ever been to spectate an ultra race? Did you have the same sense about the race?

Wow. This past weekend was pretty much a runnerd's dream so it will take me a few days to talk about everything that happened! First, I'd like to talk about spectating the Chicago Marathon.

I headed downtown bright and early because I wanted to see the elites run by. One of my running group friends, Diane, carpooled with me as we parked and walked to our designated spot: Mile 17. After watching some of the speedy wheelchair racers go by, it was time for the elite men. Diane had never spectated a marathon before so I told her she was in for a treat! The first pack sped past us in a blink and Diane grabbed a quick pic (better than mine).

Not too far behind was the elite I was most excited about seeing, Dathan Ritzenhein!
I absolutely love this photo. Dathan looks like he is literally FLYING. He ended up finishing 9th overall in a very tough field and shaved 2 minutes off his previous PR, finishing in 2:07!! This interview video from Flotrack is great. Dathan talks about some of the mistakes he made (even elites make mistakes) and how he struggled with the "Roosevelt Hill" (just like the rest of us)!

After the elite men went by, it was time for the elite women!

After the elites, we had some down time before our first group of friends came by. We decided to make the most and take some more photos!

Diane and I at mile 17

My general store was quite the site.

Diane was meeting her friend Jeni at the halfway point so she hung out as long as she could at mile 17 before making the walk to mile 13 (due to logistics of the course, this walk was actually less than a mile). Due to the wave start, my friend Kate S. passed Maggie so I walked to try and run with Kate! I walked to try and meet her but with the wave of runners and spectators, I totally missed her and a bunch of our friends that she was running with. I was so upset!!!! :( I was so worried looking for Kate (and obsessively checking my phone for the next update) that I almost missed Maggie! Thankfully, she spotted me in my bright FNRC shirt and we were on our way! Maggie was running this at her own pace and just enjoying the scenery. (You can read her full recap here.) I took a lot of pics but this one is my personal favorite.

I ran with Maggie from mile 16-23. It was nice to sing along to Gangham Style (complete with the dance) as well as cheer for the runners while they were running. People looked at me as if I was crazy and that I had too much energy! That was why I was there! To help boost the energy of those that didn't have it anymore. :) I hopped out at mile 23, knowing that Maggie could finish this race at ease (and she totally did). Next up, I hopped in with Amanda and ran with her until they pulled me off the course.

I think Amanda was smiling much more here, at mile 24 than when I left her at 25.5. Either way, I'm glad I was able to help her reach her goal! Amanda got a shiny new PR and finished under her ultimate goal time as well. You can check out her race recap here.

Afterwards, I walked to the Congress Hotel to congratulate all my Yankee Runner friends. The FNRC was pretty split up after the race so it was hard to get together.

Either way, I had an absolute blast out there cheering for all my pals along the way! I'm surprised I still have a voice, to be completely honest. It was a great day and this only fuels my desire to get out there and give the Chicago Marathon another attempt. We have some unfinished business! (To read about my Chicago Marathon experience the first time around, you can check out my post here.)

CONGRATULATIONS to all the finishers, whether you PRed, completed your first marathon, or just crossed the finish line with a smile on your face. You are all awesome and I hope to join you out there again some day! :)