Rock'n'Roll Chicago 5K: July 2015

This past weekend I raced my first 5K in five years! It's crazy to think that this whole thing started with a simple 5K, yet I had only ever raced that distance the one time. That particular distance is quite popular in the USA but over here in Europe it's just not as popular, so I just never had the opportunity to race it again.

March 2010: My first 5K with my best friend Katrina

I had already signed up a year in advance to run the Rock'n'Roll Chicago Half Marathon, but decided that this year I wanted to also run the 5K to earn the Remix Challenge medal. In case you haven't already realized this, I run for the bling! So one weekend, two race, three medals? Count me in! I just didn't want to run the 5K alone. I wanted to share my love of racing with at least ONE other friend, but none of my friends were interested in joining me. Somehow, though, I convinced my dad to sign up. He plugged away on the treadmill each week, building up his endurance, and before we knew it race day had arrived. 

Savoring our time in the shade before our corral began

The race had a wave start, which I really love because it gives everyone a chance to start at the line rather than having to run a few hundred yards before even starting the race. Dad and I were assigned to different corrals based on our estimated finish times, so I dropped back a few so that we could run together. The only problem with being so far back was that almost everyone else in our corral were walkers, and it took us almost the whole first mile to get through the thick crowd. I have the utmost respect for everyone who participated, but I have to admit it was quite frustrating.

The temperature and humidity also made for some pretty terrible conditions! But we endured with careful pacing. Originally my dad thought he would need to walk part of the race but it turned out that he pulled ahead and finished about 30 seconds before me. We were running in direct sunlight for the last mile with absolutely no respite from the heat, and I had started to get light headed so I slowed to walk a bit. In the end I managed to kick it into high gear and finished feeling pretty strong, though it definitely wasn't a PR.

I'm pretty sure my dad has not been bitten by the racing bug - in fact he has made it quite clear how much he hates running. (Actually, he sounds a lot like I did a few years ago, and look where that got me!) But the fact that he signed up for this race was a pretty big deal. Even though he probably won't be joining me for any more races any time soon, I think it was pretty awesome to get to share this experience with him!

We did it! 

Rock'n'Roll Madrid Half Marathon: April 2015

I knew months in advance that I wanted to participate in this race. Last year I fell in love with the Rock'n'Roll race series and was thrilled that finally I would not have to travel to participate in one.

My experience began on Saturday when I ventured downtown to visit the expo and pick up my race bib. I expected crowds; what I did not expect was a two-hour wait just to enter the expo. In my humble opinion, the venue selected for this event was a poor choice given the sheer volume of people expected to attend. The police enforced a strict limit on the number of people that could be in the building at any given time, and that number was quite low. What surprised me was that while I was inside it felt pretty empty considering the number of people waiting outside!

I spent that night downtown since I live outside of the city and it would have been a bit of a commute to get downtown in time for the start of the race. Some old friends hosted me for the night and fed me a delicious carb-heavy meal while we caught up on life since we'd last seen each other. Like the night before any race, I slept lightly and woke up often. Finally around 7:00 I pulled myself out of bed and prepared my typical pre-race peanut butter toast and banana. As I drowsily nibbled on my toast I watched the rain streaming down the large dining room window. I'd heard rain falling for most of the night and each time I awoke, prayed that it would stop by morning. Eventually it slowed to a light drizzle, but the unmoving clouds suggested there was more to come. So, I suited up and added a rain jacket and hat to my ensemble, courtesy of my friends.

Around 8:15 I made my way to the Metro and began the short journey to the start line. Since I was staying only twenty minutes from the finish line, I didn't need to leave anything at gear check. As my train inched closer to my stop, the cars filled up with runners of all shapes, sizes, and nationalities who all nervously swayed side to side, checked and rechecked their safety pins, and chatted in hushed tones. I breathed a huge sigh of relief when we reached our stop. As we poured out of the train car and shuffled down the packed platform like sardines in a can, I tried to breathe deeply. The low ceilings of the Metro stairway paired with the pressure of the crowd from all sides made me anxious and all I wanted at that very moment was to be above ground. Soon, we emerged and that's when things got really interesting.

Chaos. That's the only way I can describe the scene that unfolded before me as I reached the top of the Metro stairs. People in neon ponchos, police, flashing lights, blaring music; I didn't know which way was up. Like a sheep being led to slaughter, I fell into step with the massive wave of runners marching towards what I could only assume was the starting line. Being a slower runner I was banished to the last corral, so I had to walk for a long time. The official start time of 9:00 am had already been reached before I found my place, but due to the sheer number of people crowding the streets, they had barely moved.

As I inched toward the starting line my pulse quickened with the thumping music blaring from the massive speakers overhead. The emcee pumped up the crowd and before I knew it we were off. As usual I started out running crazy stupid fast, and my energy soon fizzled out. The rain held off for the first five kilometers before giving in to a light mist. By this point I was drenched with sweat from the rain jacket so I peeled it off and tied it around my waist. I knew it would not offer me any protection from the rain but I just couldn't handle how hot the jacket had made me.

A few kilometers of running through the mist gradually progressed into heavier and heavier drops until I was being pelted with heavy rain. Surprisingly I managed to keep my feet mostly dry by avoiding puddles, but somewhere around kilometer 15 I turned a corner that led to an incline and walked right into a huge stream of water that was running down the hill. In those two steps my feet were completely soaked and I plodded through the final stretch with heavy feet. Somehow I still managed to get a good picture on the course!!

Perhaps the most challenging part of this race -- aside from the rain -- was that the final 5 kilometers were a loop around the park where the finish line was. The whole time I could hear cheering and loud music, but I couldn't see anything due to the wall around the park. Each time I turned a corner I encountered more runners who had already finished the race and were heading home with their medals. I got my final wind when I finally entered the park and could see the finish line. I sprinted to the finish and made no effort to pose for the cameras I knew were waiting for me. The rain was coming down in sheets and just streaming off the bill of my hat. I was so thankful for that hat, because without it the rain would have just run down my face.

If this doesn't scream hardcore, I don't know what does.

After crossing the finish line I received my medal, a "poncho", and the typical recovery snacks. There was no place to get out of the rain, so I didn't stick around for very long. After snapping my finish line selfie I made a beeline for the Metro and made my way back to my friends' apartment to shower, get warm, and put my feet up for a bit before heading back to Camarma.

I've always wanted to wear a cape.

Considering the awful conditions I faced on this run, I was quite pleased with my time, which was 2:47:43. It certainly wasn't a PR, but it wasn't my worst time either. I really, REALLY enjoyed running this race so there is a very good chance that I would make a special trip back to Madrid next spring to run again!

2014 Recap & Running Total Finale

One year ago, I set a goal for myself to keep track of how far I ran during 2014. I'd been following some running bloggers and many of them had been posting their total mileage for the year, which made me wonder how far I could run in one year. I also thought there could be value in keeping track of what I wore, ate, drank, etc. and how the temperatures affected my running. I didn't go so far as to set a goal,  though, because I honestly didn't know what was reasonable for a newbie who had only just joined the ranks of half-marathon runners.

So 2014 started out like every new year - full of excitement and motivation. I carefully logged every run in a cute little pink notebook and noted every detail that I thought relevant: time, distance, temperature, weather conditions, wardrobe and shoe selections, running companions, perceived effort, etc. In an effort to maintain accountability I also posted weekly updates here on my newly renovated blog. Not that anyone was actually reading my blog, but making it public helped me stick with it.

Needless to say, I did not keep up with my weekly posts. What's more, I stopped using my little pink notebook all together when I went home to America for the summer and was gifted with an iPhone 4. I began to use the free iRunner app to log my runs, and no longer felt it necessary to document as many details for each run.

Today, as part of the Runner's World Run Streak, I completed my last run of 2014. I had hoped to really go out with a bang, but all the snow we got this week has turned to ice and slush, and it was just impossible for me to run safely. So, I did my mile and called it a day. I did, however, get a great calves workout - running on slushy snow is not unlike running on the beach!

So now that I've logged today's run, I can share my final Running Total report for the year. Are you ready for this?! During 2014 I ran a total of 519.11 kilometers! That's 322.56 miles!! YASSS!!!

Looking back, 2014 was probably my most exciting and adventurous year of running! My Nikes pounded the pavement in Germany, France, Switzerland, Turkey, Spain, Portugal, and three different states within the USA. I completed four half marathons, three of which were "official." I went on three Racecations: Nice, France with my friends Megan and Jacob; Chicago with my parents; and Lisbon, Portugal with my friend Jen. I also spent the second half of the year learning how to be a solo runner as I was separated from my two best friends and running buddies in June.

Rock'n'Roll Nice 10 Miles du Carnaval

Freiheitslauf (fundraiser)

Dreiländerlauf Three Country Run

Rock'n'Roll Chicago Half Marathon

Putnam County Mental Health 4-Miler

Rock'n'Roll Lisbon Half Marathon

At the beginning of the year I had no idea I would accomplish so much, or how addicted I would become to racing! I can't help but feel an immense amount of pride as I scroll through this list of races from the last year; just a few years ago I could barely run a mile without wanting to die, and now I am the one dragging my friends to races and going on "fun runs." I have learned so much this year and become a stronger runner through it. I am by no means an expert, but I finally feel like I can truly call myself a real runner. I am so excited for what's to come in 2015!!

Rock'n'Roll Lisbon Half Marathon: October 2014

If you had asked me one year ago what I would be doing in October, running a half marathon in Portugal would have been the last thing on my mind.

Originally, I was planning to do the RnR Edinburgh in June because I had won a free entry via Twitter. After about a week of researching flights, places to stay, etc. I was just ready to begin booking reservations when I discovered that the race had been cancelled. Super bummed, I contacted the race organizers about getting an entry for another race, and they offered me my choice of Dublin in August or Lisbon in October. Knowing that I would be in Spain that fall, I opted for Lisbon. 

I immediately began trying to rally some of my running friends to meet me in Portugal and run with me. Sadly, no one was able to join me. As excited as I was to run in Lisbon, I wasn't looking forward to traveling to a strange country all by myself. I prayed for some solution that would allow me to safely travel to Portugal, and then I learned that my new ECA friend Jen would be traveling to Portugal to see her sister run in the exact same race that I was running! It was such a blessing to have someone to make plans and travel with. We ended up getting a great deal on a hostel and decided to travel by night bus to avoid having to miss school.

So, our adventure began Friday night as we boarded a bus to Portugal and learned that we had assigned seats! Praise the Lord we had the front seats, so I was able to stretch my legs out for the eight hour bus ride.

Upon arrival in Lisbon we met up with Jen's sister and spent the day seeing as much as we could around town using our day passes for the transit system. We stopped at the expo so I could pick up my race packet, then made our way to the hostel where we would be staying the night. 

Sunday morning I awoke at 5:00 am because I had to catch a train into the center of Lisbon and was not quite sure where I was supposed to be going. The half marathon, as it turns out, had its starting line on the Vasco de Gama Bridge, and the only way to get to there was to board a shuttle bus for the 15 minute commute.

Because I was being extra cautious, I ended up arriving early enough to catch the first shuttle and was one of the first people to get to the bridge. The sun was coming up and it was looking like a beautiful day for a run, but again, I would have to wait an hour and a half for the actual race to begin.

I found a spot next to the starting line, sat down, and got comfortable with everyone else.

As more people arrived, it started to get more crowded. Then, with still almost 45 minutes to go, some very anxious people started picking their way through those of us seated on the ground and began to crowd the front of the pack. Hundreds of people followed suit. Before I knew it, I was surrounded by butts.

At one point a helicopter circled overhead, taking aerial photos and video while we all waved like maniacs.

When it came time for the race to begin, there was a lot of chaos and confusion - a guy started shouting in Portuguese on the microphone while really loud rock music was playing, and everyone just started running. There was no gun, and certainly no wave start like in Chicago. Everyone just ran.

The Vasco de Gama bridge is about 10 miles long and is the longest bridge in Europe. When I found out that I would be running across this bridge, I was terrified. The thought of running and running and running and never actually getting across the bridge was just so demoralizing. Turns out we only ran one piece of it, about a mile and a half worth. The rest of the run was in town and for awhile we had a nice view of the ocean.

Preparing for this race was tough mentally, because I had to prepare myself for the fact that nowhere along the way would anyone be looking for me or cheering for me in particular. There was no one at the start line to send me off, and it was unlikely that my friend would be waiting for me at the finish because she would be looking for her sister. I was completely alone for this race.

I also put a lot of thought into how I would actually run the race. After two bad experiences earlier in the spring, I knew I needed a better solution for fueling during the race. In the weeks leading up to Lisbon I had a few really good long runs during which I tried out some new flavors of Gu and Nuun, and the success gave me hope for Lisbon. I also wanted to break my cycle of going hard and strong for ten miles and falling apart during the last three. My plan was that every five kilometers I would take a walking break and, while walking, take a shot of Gu. I vowed not to stop at any of the aid stations unless I was desperate, and I refused to drink their energy drinks. Thankfully the stations passed out water bottles, so rather than making an unnecessary stop I just picked one up as I passed by and sipped it when I needed it.

Mentally, this may have been the "fastest" half marathon I have ever run - meaning that the time seemed to pass quickly; the miles flew by! It seemed like I had only just begun when suddenly I found myself in mile 13 and nearing the finish! My fueling strategy worked really well, and not once during or after the race did I experience my usual nausea. What's more, my walking breaks actually helped my pace, as I beat my Chicago time by five whole minutes! I felt fabulous at the finish, and while I was definitely spent, I didn't feel completely drained or dead. I stocked up on some refreshments, took advantage of my free beer, and enjoyed listening to the concert for a few minutes before meeting up with Jen and her sister. Together we hobbled to the subway and made our way back to the hostel where hot showers and delicious food awaited!

The final verdict: the race had some organizational/logistical quirks, but I had a blast running and would do it again in a heartbeat! I'm not sure I would have run this particular race had I not received the free entry, but now that I have experienced it I would be more likely to choose it intentionally in the future. I learned from this race that I can successfully fuel during a run and not puke my guts out afterwards, and I learned that walking doesn't necessarily make you slower. 

Rock'n'Roll Chicago Half Marathon: July 2014

I committed to this race seven months in advance - the farthest ahead I'd ever planned for a race! It would also be my first American race, as all my prior races had taken place here in Europe. The only problem was that it would take place smack in the middle of one of the biggest transitions of my life, in moving to Spain after having lived and worked in Germany for five years. My stress levels certainly prevented me from training to my full potential, but at the same time the training that I did accomplish definitely helped keep me sane.

When I shared with my parents my plan to run, they immediately began to plan a family vacation around my race. We spent the days leading up to and after the race with family in the city, and I got to reconnect with several college friends. My parents and I visited the Expo together and I was blown away by the sheer size and amount of people present! European race expos are usually very small, and some races don't even have them.

The night before the race, I carb loaded with deep dish Chicago-style pizza from Giordano's. We stayed up late talking and laughing, but I soon excused myself as I would have an early morning. 

My parents and I headed out early on Sunday morning to catch the L train downtown. After dropping off my bag, I joined the massive lines for the porta-potties and tried to stay calm. The humidity coupled with the already high temps so early in the day were making me nervous as I didn't want to suffer from heat stroke again.

Dad was playing proud paparazzi and I was not enjoying it! 

Once I completed my pre-race checklist, I found my corral and bid adieu to my parents. Then, the worst part began: the waiting! The race began at 7:30 am but I didn't cross the start line until sometime after 8:00! It didn't help that I was in one of the last corrals, but I suppose that's what happens when over 20,000 people are racing - again, something I was not used to thanks to my Europe-only racing experience. As we snaked our way down the street and around the corner, I passed the time texting and tweeting. At one point, I caught up to my parents again, who had gone to the start to watch the beginning of the race.

There I am, texting again!

Finally I got to cross the finish line and begin the actual race, although I am pretty sure I began with the corral in front of me rather than my own. At that point I don't think it mattered anymore! While waiting to run I had spotted the 2:30 pacer and mentally prepared myself to try and stick with them as long as possible. I didn't know whether I'd be able to do it, but my goal was to finish between 2:30 and 2:40 so I vowed to do my best. 

The first several miles passed by quickly. I had crafted a pretty slammin' playlist but because there were so many people cheering us on at the beginning, I waited a few miles to hit play. I wanted to soak it all in - the music, the crowds cheering, the English conversations going on all around - this was truly becoming a cross-cultural experience for me! For a while I kept pace with a man pushing a wheelchair, then I set my sights on a few runners ahead of me and did my best to catch up with them, or at least keep them in sight. 

Ahead of time I had set my parents up with the free runner tracking service provided by the race officials, and I had given them several suggestions for meet up points. They wanted to see me run by and take pictures, and I wanted to see familiar faces in the crowd. Armed with a course map and their L passes, they hoofed it all over downtown Chicago attempting to find me, but as it turns out I was just running too fast for them to keep up! They managed to catch me once around mile five, but my mom was so excited to see me that she bumped my dad's arm just as he was taking my picture! He quickly recovered and managed to get one slightly blurry shot of my awesome gameface as I whizzed by.

Each time my parents reached one of our rendezvous points after that, they received a text message from the tracker service saying I'd passed a checkpoint further along! So there I was, looking for my parents around every corner and wondering where on earth they were, and they were literally chasing me through Chicago. They eventually gave up and just went to the finish line to wait for me to be done.

I started to slow down significantly after completing mile ten, which was becoming a regular thing for me. I had discovered during my last two races that I could keep up a pretty good pace for about two hours, and then it was all downhill from there  - and not in a good way! At this point I was dripping in sweat and dying to be done. One aid station offered wet sponges and I held onto mine until I reached the finish, using it to wipe the salty sweat from my face. Another offered ice cubes; I grabbed a fistful and dropped them down my shirt for safe-keeping, taking one out every few minutes to swipe across my forehead or cool my parched tongue. By the time I reached the finish line I was sopping wet but so thrilled to be finished! I was rather disappointed in my time of 2:48, but I knew I had done my best. My parents greeted me near the finisher's area and my arms quickly filled with all the food and drink samples being passed out by the crew.

This is my "I want to die" face.

Apparently all I can muster by this point is a thumbs up!

Overall, I had a great time running in Chicago, a city that holds so many memories for me. I am also looking forward to running again in 2015! That's right, I registered for next year's race at the expo! There are several things I plan to do differently this year, and I am hopeful that my upcoming training runs in Spain this spring will help my body make the transition to running in higher temperatures. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I have high hopes for RNRCHI2015!