As We Usually Do

After work on Friday afternoon, I rushed out the door, onto the train, and home in time to finish picking up the house a little more before the girls family weekend began.

That was silly. My mom and 3 aunts underestimated the power of Chicago rush hour on a Friday.

It gets ugly out there, kids.

However, one lil’ bump in the road was not enough to stop a good weekend.

We shopped.

We ate.

Stopping at a place off of Michigan Avenue for lunch. I’m still not quite sure what we ordered, but it seemed to be a white spinach pizza. Delicious. It was like a thin crust salad!

We conversated. As we usually do.

Oh… and some of us ran.

It was the Chicago Women’s Half Marathon and 5k yesterday. My friend Annie and I took on the 5k, while my cousin braved the half marathon.

It wasn’t as warm as our last race a few weeks ago, but it was still a humid start at the super early time of 7:00.

Not that 7:00 is super early, but getting up at 5:10 to make sure we were down at the race by 6:30? I’ve had better Sunday morning wake up calls.

My cousin Joanne had to sprint to her start after we waited in line for the port-a-potties for almost a half hour, but Annie and I had a little more time because the 5k started after the half marathoners went through.

Yes, a half hour to pee. I don’t understand why races skimp on the bathrooms. And on an all-woman’s race? Come on, kids. Let’s get serious.

But anyhoo, I wasn’t sure if the 5k PR a few weeks ago was a fluke, but I wasn’t putting too much pressure on myself to top it. This was a much bigger race and the crowded start made me sure it wasn’t going to be a PR race.

And I was right about one thing. The first quarter of the race was rough. Finally able to break around a few groups of girls running in groups, I was on my own to do whatever my heart desired.

And apparently I desired nothing but to put the band Fun on repeat and enjoy running by the Field and Shedd museums. The museums Annie and I walked by on our first trip to Chicago together. And then the harbor. Where a few of my past races took place. And through Grant Park. Where I finished my first half marathon.

And- oh OMG WHERE DID THIS HILL COME FROM, THE RACE IS SUPPOSED TO ALMOST BE OVER, WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!

Ok, it wasn’t a hill. But inclines at the end of a race are torture. And often feel like mountains. Why do they do this!?!?!

Especially when you see the time at the mile 3 marker and realize what’s going on. And how fast you’ve been going.

And thank goodness I snapped to. Because I was practically by myself. And a little panicked. Luckily, there was a man at a curb, directing runners.

“This way?!?!”
“Yes! 5k that way!”

I turned the corner and there it was. The stretch. Which is always longer than you’d like it to be.

23:54.

A new PR by 11 seconds.

I have no idea what’s going on. Or how long this will last. But I’m not going to question it.

7th in my division. 28/975 overall.

And my mom got to be there.

Well. Sorta. She and my aunt were left to sleep a bit longer than the rest of us. They navigated public transit all on their own (I’m so proud!), but just missed a train and were maybe 5 minutes too late to see me cross.

Oh well. We all still got to see Joanne do exceptionally well in the half marathon. And Annie also finished with her 2nd best 5k time ever!A solid race for everyone!

Fleet Feet did a great job with this race. As they usually do.

And we had fun doing it. As we usually do.

And we had breakfast afterwards. As we usually do.

Breakfast panini? Worth it.

Not a bad routine to be in.

Next race? The Strike Out ALS 5k at U.S. Cellular Field.

Happy Monday, everyone! Let’s do this.