Fleet Feet Sports Soldier Field 10 Mile - Run10 Mile

After my run debacle at the Pokagon Oly triathlon the weekend before, I was nervous about the run. If the debacle was all the Pokagon course, then I should have a good day. But if the debacle was also due to training burnout, then I could be in trouble particularly since it was a heavy training volume week.

In the end, I had a great day. Perfect running conditions, cool in the high 50's with overcast, a light wind that turned into tailwind on the way back. Plus the course is in my backyard, so I am intimately familiar with the area.

Surprised myself through the first couple of miles at sub-8's, felt very good and loose. Typically don't train at this pace for this distance, this pace is more interval-type work for me. Decided to trust in the training, continue the pace and see what I could handle.

Typical congestion on course until Lake Shore Drive, then better opportunity to spread out. Once back on bike path however, congestion becomes worse. Passing in grass more than once.

At mile 6, pace had improved with the slight tailwind and still felt great. Decided to "drop the hammer" per se and let it all out the remaining miles.

Pace continued to drop till mile 9, started to feel the effort at this point. But pushed through the last little bit into Soldier Field and finished hard at the 50 yard line. Set a PR for this race distance and effectively negative splitted the race! Based on my watch time, nearly 8 minutes faster than last years time. The consistent run training and build appears to be paying off. At least if it's a relatively flat course!

The course does appear consistently short. Last year Garmin logged 9.71 miles, this year at 9.73 miles. 3 tenths of mile short consistently.

Also, this is the second race in Chicago this year where I've had a significant difference between my watch time and chip time. Nearly 3 minutes at this particular race. Can't explain it.

Nothing, great race, redeemed my debacle at Pokagon.

Stretching, banana, pretzels, Clif bar and water.


Couldn't have gone faster. Was pooped at the end! And still sore a couple of days later.


This is a great race for the Memorial Day weekend. Fast course, great finish venue on Soldier Field, and a lot of good focus by the event organizers on recognizing veterans.