So I am not sure I did anything right at this race. For the past few weeks I have been having arch pain in my left foot after I ran. Two weeks back I went to the local running store to see what input they might have and was told my shoes were to small. So I went through their fitting process and they fitted me for a Saucony neutral shoe. I was previously running in a Brooks minor stability shoe. So I went to the race with a bit of arch pain and in new shoes that had been run in twice (both 4 mile runs). Not to mention the new shoes but I also added fuel belt speed laces the morning of the race. Oh and ran in a new singlet with no body glide. So by mile 4/5, my left arch hurt, i had a blister on my right foot (shoes too tight thanks to the laces), and chafing under my right arm. Needless to say I was never so happy to see a finish line. I am currently sitting here rolling a frozen waster bottle on my arm and counting the days till i see my foot dr (8/8).

Not have run the race. I should have ate the $25.00 and waited until I saw my foot dr for a real evaluation on my arch pain.

Normal stretches and lots of ice for the left arch.


See above---shoes, arch pain, chafing....


Since it was Women's Fest I thought there would be some fun vendors in the after race festival. Things like make-up or other girlie things. Pretty much it was the same as every after race party in Chicago: a few local PT booths giving massages, the local athletic newspapers, and the sponsoring store.