The North Shore Half Marathon located 30minutes north of
Chicago in Highland Park is a half marathon and 5K held by RAM Racing that
donates $5 from every registration to Misericodia Heart of Mercy , a mental and
physical disability house for kids and adults.
Approximately 2500 runners came out to participate in the
half marathon and 800 for the 5K. It was a perfect running conditions day. The
day before was chilly so the morning air was still brisk. It was to be a high
of 65 and sunny.
I found myself at the starting line with a sore foot and
little sleep, as I had spent the day before exploring the windy city of
downtown Chicago. My first time there, and with little time, I had to squeeze
in what I could, which included the Blues Fest at Grant Park, the Navy Pier,
Michigan Ave, Magnificent Mile and the Art Fest in Old Town, as well as
exploring Rush St for late night dinner of Chicago Pizza and brews. The four
hours of sleep was not enough time to heal the ball of my left foot that was
tender to walk on. I debated double socking it for cushion, but just went with
my regular compression sleeve socks. I didn’t really worry about it much since
I didn’t see any blisters.
I arrived early, and parking was extremely easy, so I turned
off the car, and took a 20 minute nap. The start of the race was a little
awkward. I saw everyone with coffee, but no coffee being handed out, they must
have brought their own. One of these trips I will remember to make coffee in
the hotel room at 3am. Usually I am getting ready half asleep, so my brain
doesn’t even think about it, til Im out the door!
The porta potty situation was crazy! There were two rows, one
on the right and one on the left, but they were so close together, that the
lines from each would merge together, leaving everyone clueless on where the
end was. Even more difficult, they put these at the entrance, so there was
practically no way to walk through to get to start without having to walk in front
of the porta potties, hoping that one doesn’t fling open and hit you in the
face!
They started the 5K first and then set up pace corals for the
half marathon. I put myself in the back, planning to start off slow. I met a
couple people in line up who asked about my tutu. One lady is actually trying
to put together a group/website/organization that gets cancer survivors out and
active, as in running these races and other events to help stay healthy, build
confidence, and have a positive attitude on life! I love it!
The course was shaded most of the way, mainly running through
really nice neighborhoods. We were near the water, but unfortunately did not
get to see the water except at two very quick spots.
The race on the website and at start was described as
“relatively flat” except for the “hill” at mile 7, which I found quite funny
because within the first mile we went up a hill. It seemed every turn there was
another rolling hill. Don’t get me wrong, this was probably ‘flat’ for
northerners…but for this Florida girl, this was a hilly course! I couldn’t help
but laugh at every one we came upon! They werent anything that was too
challenging, your body just can feel the difference running up and down. Your
knees absorb the shock differently, you land differently, your body is tilted
differently. This all takes up energy on your body, especially when you dont
train for it.
My right knee definitely felt the effects of the hills and I
started having flashbacks of 2009 Atlanta Breast Cancer 3 Day where I blew out
both my knees on the hills on the 60 mile walk. I kept telling myself I was in
much better shape and better prepared for this race than that walk, so I
trusted my body, and my knee to hang in there and we would get through this.
The race had some great support and a ton of volunteers. This
always makes for a fun and faster run! A good amount of supporters would keep
showing up at different points thoughout the race. I love when they print your
name on your race bib, because then complete strangers yell your name. I may be
at a down point walking, and then some stranger yells “hey Melissa, Good job!
You can do it, get going!” and makes me start running again!
I kept a good pace with the same people for the good first 6
miles. And it was actually a slightly faster pace than I am used to. But I felt
good. My Garmin was telling me each mile I was trending a faster pace than
usual, which was putting me at a new PR finish if I could keep it up. This kept
me in a good mood throughout the race, because I wasn’t even trying to make a
PR. It just felt good.
The notorious Hill at Mile 7 came. This was a hill down by
the water near a boat ramp, we first had to go down on this very broken up
road, which was a little scarey thinking of possibilities of falling, and then
run up an even steeper slope. Again, I found this to be my favorite part of the
race, like previous races with bridges. I think its because I get so tired of
routine things (which amazes me why I decided to start running long distances)
so when I come upon something like this Hill, I get excited and I tackle it. I
put my head down (as long as I don’t see how far the top of the hill is, I find
I have more energy) and ran all the way to the top. I was able to pass several
people who had past me before, for they were now walking up this steep grade. I
made it to the top, walked a bit to catch my breath, and then I had a whole new
energy that remained with me the rest of the race.
The ball of my left foot was definitely bothering me. Right
in the middle. No place that I had ever had a blister before, so I wasn’t sure
that it was a blister that was forming, or if it was just still tender from the
day before. Nonetheless, I found myself running on the side of my foot, the
left, the right, then on the toes of that foot, and then on the heel of that
foot. It was frustrating and it was taking away from my concentration. I
decided to just push through and block the thought of the pain.
The music set up on the course was disappointing. I only saw
(or remember) 2 bands and the first one wasn’t even playing when I arrived. The
second one, at about mile 9 and 11 (because there was a turn a round) was
absolutely ridiculous teenage punk band who wasn’t even singing, but screaming
at the top of their lungs. I think this might have been a plan for the
organizers, to get the last runners to run faster, just so they can stop
listening to this racket! LOL
The last mile or so was fun. I was surprised I had somehow
managed to run the fastest during this point, with very minimal walking. I was
still passing people and it felt good that I somehow saved some energy. (must
have been that all those carbs in that Chicago pizza!) I ended the race with a
new PR…by 3 full minutes than my fastest race so far!! It was a good day!
As for the blister, it was the hugest thing I have ever seen!
I was able to soak it during an hour long pedicure/massage, and then pop it and
it healed by the next day. Thank god! My left foot, maybe the bones, however
were sore for the next week, probably from not running properly to avoid the
blister, but all is healed now, and I am ready for Milwaukee in a couple weeks!
Hopefully we will have equally great weather, without humidity, and I can set
another PR!
13.1 Finish
Time-2:34:35