Chicago Monster Dash Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

I wasn't in a costume. This was my second half-marathon and I wanted to make sure I wouldn't get distracted. I wore compression socks, shorts, short sleeve and a thin long sleeve with ear warmers and gloves. My goal was to finish sub 1:50. I started off well - first mile at 8:22 and second mile just under 8:20. I see my parents just past mile 2 and I toss them my long sleeve. At this point my right shoulder starts hurting - not so much a cramp, but a definite twinge. I also start feeling like I had a side stich on my right side. So I decide to take in a single shot blok (I like to eat these one at a time), just in case to prevent a cramp. Looking back at my dad's pix, I had terrible running form! My right shoulder did not look relaxed, so I think I gave those side stiches to myself. Anyway, those were pretty minor and didn't bother me. I was just really paranoid about developing a bad side stich so early in the race.

At this point the course gets a little crowded as the path moves to the side of Lower Wacker. Traffic cops patrolled this area so we could run past the cars at the two stoplights. North of Ohio Beach the path becomes sloped for about a mile - but we diverted and ran next to the lake on the flat (although a little torn up) ground. I'm wondering when we are going to hit the 3 mile mark, but didn't see the sign! Didn't see any mile markers until mile 5. Saw my husband around mile 4 and threw him my ear warmers and gloves. It was nice to see him at a different locations than my parents - gave me more places to look for someone I know! Took another shot blok and water at mile 5 where we left the lakefront path and headed into Lincoln Park. At mile 6 I passed the mile mark at 50:09. so right on pace. Mile 7 was also marked (another shot blok at mile 7) and I somehow was 25 seconds slow, but figured I could make it up, but then at the mile 8 marker I was 2 minutes too slow! Not sure what happened there. I certainly don't feel like I slowed down drastically and I'm wondering if the course was a little long? I don't have a Garmin, so no idea how long it was.

We were back on the lakefront path and I kept looking at how pretty - and calm - the lake was. Not at all like the Chicago Tri! It became a little tough between miles 8 and 12. There were no mile markers here so I just went by perceived pace. At this point the 8:30 pacer passed me up. I also realized that I was hardly sweating so decided to do a better job at the water stations. I had been taking in about two or three sips at each (There were 8 stations total). I also went to take in another shot blok and found that I had dropped the package! At this point I think I became metally fatigued, worrying about being passed by the pacer, not having my shot bloks, and not having mile markers. Just tried to focus on the pick-me-up I would receive from seeing Tim around mile 9. I decided to do a better job at the aid stations and drink in the Powerade with the water. There were three aid stations left and I did that. I did those 4 miles from 8 to 12 at an 8:40 pace. Saw my parents again at 12 and tried to pick it up for the last mile. Crossed the tunnel underneath LSD and headed into the finishing chute. Finished at 1:53:05 with a smile on my face. Even though I didn't make my time, I'm still pleased wih how I did (new PR by 6 minutes).

I should have drank more water before the race and also wish I didn't lose my gels! Maybe practice running the last 4 or 5 miles of the course?

Walked around to the meeting spot and did some stretching. Drank water. Found my parents and Tim and then walked to their car, about a mile away. Went out for lunch and then came home to find that the dog had gotten into the pantry and had eaten a half bag of chocolate chips! Yikes.


I really liked this race. I wish there were more mile markers, but the city is so pretty at this time of year and it was fun to do a race in October. The only super crowded area of the course was that area around Lower Wacker, but there were traffic marshals to stop the cars. I was amazed at how many people dressed up! I saw a guy dressed as Mayhem and give him credit for running 13 miles in a suit.