Chicago Monster Dash-- Half Marathon - RunHalf Marathon

Overall, the run went pretty smoothly-- not my best run, but not my worst. Took the first couple of miles to warm up, then went along as steadily as I could from there. At around mile 8 or so, my quads started to complain, but I ignored them as best I could and kept going. One of the downsides to their last-minute course change is that there weren't mile markers every mile on the second half of the course-- so we went from mile 8 to mile 10 in what seemed to be a ridiculously long mile 9, and then from there to mile 12...not ideal on the psychological level, I have to admit!

Probably do more run-specific training beforehand, really. I didn't follow any structured program, but will for the next one. (Yes, there WILL be a next one!) 'Twould be nice if I wasn't so stressed as well, but since there's no guarantee of that anytime, I figure I'll go with better training! :) I think I'd also drink more, and earlier-- I was trying to avoid the tummy-sloshing feeling, but chances are a more steady intake of Vitalyte would have been good for me. I ended up walking through the last 3 water stops to wash down the minuscule amounts of gel I could get out of a full gel flask-- major flask!fail on the squeezability factor, gang. Must investigate other options on that score.

Got through the finish chute, then grabbed some food and walked around while choking down a cheese stick and half a banana, drinking a bottle of water in record time. Stretched a bit, then walked to the El, stood in the blessedly heated area until the train came (temps stayed cool yesterday-- must've been in the mid-40s, tops), and rode the train home. That was the worst part, actually-- my legs were DETERMINED to stiffen and cramp up on the train, so I kept rubbing them as much as I could. But WOW, did that hurt! Got home and immediately flung myself into a hot Epsom Salts bath, which helped a lot (I'd originally thought of doing an ice bath, but too much time in sweaty clothes on a cold day put paid to that idea). Managed to drag myself out of the water just before falling asleep in it (!), then showered and got some warm sweats on. I knew I should eat something, but wasn't terribly hungry-- made some oatmeal with soy protein powder, which seemed to be just the right kind of bland-yet-substantial snack I needed before hunger for lunch eventually kicked in.


Training, probably. Some fatigue. Not fueling quite enough during the actual race (though again, I didn't feel particularly hungry as I went). I should definitely work on nutrition during races for next season.

I'm getting a massage later today (the day after); I have to say, once I took some ibuprofen a couple of times yesterday and did my evening roller and yoga routine, my legs actually don't feel too bad today. Of course, sleeping for 9 hours helps, too! :)


For its first year in Chicago, this didn't go too badly, despite the course change. There were plenty of water stations, and volunteers with megaphones on some stretches to cheer us on. Post-race, there didn't seem to be much going on, so I got out of there ASAP because I was already starting to get cold. I do have to admit that it was fun seeing people lining up in a huge array of costumes on Hallowe'en! The lack of regular mile markers on the second half of the course is the only major flaw I can think of, really.