They assigned bib number 1799 to my name. My weight going into the race was 193lbs. My right buttock didn’t fully recover on time. I didn’t received the quality sleep that I wanted. I arrived to the event extra early to alleviate race day stress, to properly warm up, and gauge what the day will be like for me.
The day started humid, cloudy, and cool. I jogged to the starting area after stretching. Unfortunately, officials delayed the start because people still floating around on the 5k course. The race started around 7:47. Conditions were good at the start of the race. The clouds fought back the sun. Running a 9:32 pace felt comfortable. None of the students at the first water station was passing out water. The volunteers at the second and third station scrambled to pour cups. A line formed for fluid. (Ugh… I hope they correct this next year.) After mile five water stations went pretty smooth.
Throughout the first half with the pace group, the group leader warned us that it’s going to be a hot and humid one and we should reconsider out goals. Ultimately, he was right. As the day went by, the clouds parted and the heat toasted the coarse. Tree lined neighborhoods protected us from the scorching sun. New subdivisions issued beatings. My heart rate was higher than I wanted. The pain in the right buttocks was minute. I felt good through the first eight miles. The pace group leader warned us around mile ten that he didn’t plan for the weather to be the hot and humid and feared he won’t be maintain the 9:32 pace to accomplish our goals.
We reached the halfway point on schedule, 4:05:28. I lost my security blanket afterward. The pace group leader stopped leading the group. It ended up being a mental blow for me. I had to pace myself. This is when I notice it fall apart for me. I went out too fast at mile 14 and 15. I noticed that my cheeks stopped sweating at around mile 16. My left hamstrings and calf started cramping around mile 18. Every time someone blasted past me, I had to look at their ankle to see if they were part of a marathon relay team. I secretly hated them and wished I had that energy (to trip them up. just kidding!) I slowed things down so I can tend to my issues. I attempted to run for two minutes and walk for one minutes and repeat. I wasn’t able to restart my engine. I walked the majority of the way back trying to reignite anything within me. My feet cried after every time I attempted to run. The pavement was too much for them at this point.
I sparked something during the final mile to trot the final mile. As soon as my feet touched Memorial Stadium’s turf, they rejoiced. The plush and bouncy turf allowed me to use my energy to kick to the finish instead of absorbing the shocks of the pavement. I didn’t want to destroy myself before the Soldier Field 10 so I was content with the results, 4:50:47. Tim Borbely wrote, “Far from my best. Far from my worst. On a day when the male WINNER came in at 2:30:20, the female WINNER came in at 3:00:23, and nobody in my large posse hit their goal time (some came closer than others!) , I’ll TAKE it.” I’m happy with my time. I’ll take it.
There’s a lot to learn from this race. Hydration issues need to be addressed. I need more fluids than what the water tables provide. We lose fluid when we sweat, breathe out, and through our kidneys. More water is required in my case because I’m a slow runner. I’m out there sweating longer. It’s time to invest in something that carries water. I joined a pace group so I didn’t have to think about my pace. I just follow the person with the sign. From this experience, I learned that learning how to use my watch for pace splits is essential.
Will I do this race again? Most definitely. I’ll run it on a cooler day. The finish at Memorial Stadium is epic. People cheered and waited in the stands and along the finish chute. The pizza, Hawaiian rolls, pasta, bananas, and other food was a delight. (I LOVE Hawaiian rolls!) Eating my food on the 20 yard line with Danielle was a delight. Visiting the U of I campus inspired me in ways other places have failed to do. The next couple of years will be quite interesting.
At the end of the month is the Soldier Field 10. It’s rest and recovery time!
