13.1 Chicago

After running over 50 half marathons in 45 states, I no longer have many "race firsts" in events these days. Yesterday morning at 13.1 chicago I did not receive an official race time for the first time. Only 130 of the 5000 or so participants received official times as the course was red flagged around 1:45 into the race.  The red flag was changed to black a couple of miles later at about the 11.5 mile mark for me.  I was able to finish the race and did receive a race medal.

The event started under yellow flag conditions in the mid 70s and balmy. Shining sun and not much shade on lakeshore made for tough running.  The course reminded me of the Gary Bjorklund 1/2 course in Duluth MN that is run along Lake Superior vs Lake Michigan in Chicago. 

Weather aside, 13.1 chicago seemed much better organized than reports I'd heard of other 13.1 events.  Packet pickup was in a local running store within walking distance of the L.  Shuttle transportation to and from the start/finish went very smoothly.  I just would have liked to have had the need to check warmups but it just wasn't meant to be. 

When I registered for this race, I had visions of training hard in an attempt to PR on a flat fast course.  Work got in the way of training, so I'm not disappointed with the warm weather.  I run another half in 2 weeks.  Weather in Anchorage should be cooler than yesterday!

Mile 1 8:54
Mile 2 8:16
Mile 3 8:04
Mile 4 9:04
Mile 5 9:20
Mile 6 10:53
Mile 7 7:47 looks like this mile was short?
Mile 8 10:50
Mile 9 11:03
Mile 10 11:04
Mile 11 10:28
Mile 12 12:04
Mile 13.1 11:39

Total unofficial time: 2:09.  My previous time May 1st in Lincoln was 1:49.