Fleet Feet Sports Soldier Field 10 Mile - Run10 Mile


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Chicago, Illinois
United States
Fleet Feet Sports
63F / 17C
Sunny
Total Time = 1h 08m 17s
Overall Rank = 213/7365
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 37/636
Pre-race routine:

At home 1.25 shake things loose run. Decide to go to the race with no gear check just the clothes on my back. Got out the door a little early which was nice. Even with a large field the race is run to perfection. Lots of volunteers and getting to SF and parking is a breeeze - of course if they can handle 65K fans on a fall sunday 10K running and family should be EZ. Jen and I took a look inside the stadium for a while. Always looks bigger on TV.
Event warmup:

Took gel early with water. For various reasons it was a good choice. Glad we were there early. Glad I had plenty of potty options. TMI, TMI. Jen and I parted early since she was in the B corral and I was in A corral (Jen calls it "business in the front, party in the back"). Was able to get out for a 10' 1.3Mi WU on the Lakefront Path prior.
Run
  • 1h 08m 17s
  • 10 miles
  • 06m 50s  min/mile
Comments:

Solid. Went out slow. Too many "liars" in the front and a little crowded. Picked it up and made up some time with a couple of 6:35 miles. I knew I didn't have the fitness to hold that pace for a full 10 yet but I didn't want anything left at the end either. No regrets, no do overs. Beautiful morning. Great weather. Got my ass kicked by the wind on the way back. It was hard to have settled into an uncomfortably tolerable pace then pull a 180 and be hit with that. Spent the next couple miles trying to work with the guys around me to draft and pace. Gave a lot of time back during 6,7 and. Held 8 and reeled it back in on 9 and 10. Oh and I swear to you that I was passed by Chris Mccormack at mile 7. Full Under Armour kit, IM tat on his left calf. Probably a wannabe. What would Macca be doing in Chicago running a 10 mile road race. Also a message to all the dudes and perhaps some ladies - please, please no cologne or perfume baths before running a race. If it happens again I will either puke on you or give you a gatorade bath.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing. I did better than I expected. Just about the longest run I've done in any one sitting in the last 6 months...let alone doing it all at that pace.
Post race
Warm down:

Lots of jog walking. Got some food initially but realized I was terribly nauseous. Drank 2 cups of gatorade and a water. Went and retrieved my long sleeve shirt from the car and watched for Jen to run in the stadium from a sidewalk that overlooks the North East entrance (the runners were running in underneath us - it was a good vantage point). Easily spotted Jen and let out a big WOOT and told her to pick it up;). She looked happy which makes me relieved and very happy. Headed off to our designated meeting point.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

That smug cast from the Hills. Lauren, Heidi and Spencer...where do you get off?

Event comments:

Great race and good focus by the organizers on the reason for the weekend and the race and the fact that its held at Soldiers Field.




Last updated: 2009-05-18 12:00 AM
Running
01:08:17 | 10 miles | 06m 50s  min/mile
Age Group: 37/636
Overall: 213/7365
Performance: Good
MAX HR 180 Ave HR 174
Course: Start just to the east outside of Soldier Field head out under McCormick and then down down a service drive up and over a bridge then onto Lake Shore Drive. At about mile 5 we jumped over the curb and grass across to the Lakefront Path to head north near the shore line. Spectacular city view from that point if you had the time to concentrate. While Lake Shore Drive is fairly flat, the course north is all rolling. Finish up heading in the Northeast entrance to the stadium then out one of the tunnels across the north end zone and up the east side line to finish up around the 50 yard line.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 4
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5