My longest run of my Chicago Marathon training cycle is 16 miles. So I tip my hat to everyone who did the
Newton "Ready to Run" 20 Miler on Sunday. As I was entering the Lakefront Trail at Irving Park Rd around 7:15am, I got mixed in the first wave of runners. It was fun to run by the aid stations and hear the cow bells (all for free), which is good race day simulation.
Luckily, the lead groups were thin as I made my way down to Navy Pier:
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| Gatorade! Gatorade! |
At my final turn-around of the season at Navy Pier, it was a picture perfect day for my last long run. Looking out near the end of the pier, I saw the sun shine shimmering on the water around the lighthouse just off shore in Lake Michigan:
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| The lighthouse is over my shoulder in this pic |
However, the relative calm was soon gone, because on my way back, I saw walls of on-coming runners:
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| Densely Packed and Ready to Run |
Despite the amount of on-coming traffic on the trail, I still was able to put in a "fast finish" long run over the last 8 miles. I can use the average of the final 8 miles to help predict my marathon pace. I am now officially "ready to run" the Chicago Marathon. Too bad I have to wait 2.5 weeks...
Last long run stats: 16 miles at 7:22/mile. Last 8 were at 6:56/mile.
Ughh. Those R2R groups were straight up hordes. I actually ended up yelling "this is terrifying and i am freaking out" at one of those congested water stops, but a pace leader told me to put on my big girl pants because thats what the marathon will be like. So i guess i am ready then. :)
ReplyDeleteI actually saw you, but you were in the zone, and i was caught in one of the hordes, haha...
I like the "big girl pants" comment from your pace leader. Sounds like he was cool (or at least he was funny). He is probably right: The whole purpose of that 20 miler was for a race day simulation. But I can certainly relate to the hordes of people freaking you out. I know I would have been frustrated trying to grab a cup of water at a station with a hundred other runners. Hopefully, the marathon will be slightly less congested because of the wave start. Plus, the marathon is on city streets that are a lot wider than the Lakefront Trail with lots more water station volunteers. Then again, there are going to be 45,000 runners! Too bad about not seeing you. Oh well, I must have been spacing it (I mean I was in the zone)! :-)
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ReplyDeleteI wish I'd known you were going to be out on the lakefront path, I would have looked for you! The crowds were definitely maddening during some of the narrower areas of the course. Great job on your last long run, you are ready to HIT IT on October 7!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, the crowds were crazy and made it near impossible to find any particular person. Oh well. Thanks for the compliment. I hope to HIT IT October 7th (fingers crossed) :-)
DeleteMan, youre brave going out there during events like that. Ive turned into an aggressive crazy person that I generally avoid the trail on Saturday mornings now- until chicago marathon is over so then the trail will be all mine again with the other crazy hardcore runners :)
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling you will do awesome in a few weeks. Youre training is going well. I'll send you my "speedy vibes" during the race since I wont need them. lol
I'll be hanging in the 2nd wave supporting my L in his first marathon.
Love all the photos!
Yes, I may be a little brave to run during lakefront events, but like you, I much prefer the trail in the dead of winter when I am almost the only person out there. Thanks for the "speedy vibes", I will need them, especially in the last 6.2 miles!
DeleteAhh! Chicago is so soon!
ReplyDeleteI was going to say, the first pics made the pack not seem so big!!! :)