Race Report: Cinco de Miler

This was Natallie and my second year running the Cinco de Miler and it was again a great race! It's a smaller race than the ones I usually run in Chicago which is really nice. We were in Corral A which was awesome. The race start moved from Montrose Harbor to Soldier Field this year which worked out well for us.

The race started at 9am. We met in the lobby at 8 so we'd have plenty of time to walk the 2 miles to Soldier Field. Natallie warned me that it was chillier outside than expected and asked if I wanted to go back upstairs to change out of my shorts but I decided to stick with my shorts, t-shirt, and arm sleeves. By the time we made it to the start area, Natallie had to go to the bathroom but didn't want to walk over to the port-a-potties so we went directly to our corral. The corrals were pretty small which I loved, especially for when the race narrows onto the Lakefront Trail.

Pre-race selfie

Photo/video drone

The race started by going under McCormick Place which is always interesting. It's pretty dark under there. Plus, it had rained the night before so there were still some puddles to avoid. Once that was done the race was a piece of cake!

Natallie stopped at the port-a-potties just after Mile 1 but encouraged me to go on ahead. I didn't have my earbuds along because I wasn't anticipating running alone but I did pretty well without them. The course was entertaining enough with the mariachi bands and volunteers.

My favorite part of the course was seeing the improvements to the "prairie" along the southern part of the Lakefront Trail. I hadn't been that far south on the trail since last summer. It's looking great!

Natallie crossed the finish line shortly after I did. We admired our medals, grabbed our post-race food (and a beer for Natallie), hung out for a few minutes until we got chilly, and then headed home. My hands were numb by the time I got home. I had to sit on the couch with my blanket for awhile before I could even shower...brr! I was dressed perfectly for the race itself...just not for the walk there and back.

Finishers!

Posing with the pretty flowers in front of Soldier Field on our way home.

See, the medal is awesome!

Overall, it was an awesome race. I was a little disappointed to find out my time was slower than last year's...but it felt great!

Distance: 5 miles
Time: 42:07
Cost: $44 + service fee ($5 off coupon)
Pros: Close to home, cute shirts, awesome medals, small race, great on-course support, delicious post-race horchata and tamale
Cons: Weather
Would I run it again?: Definitely!

Race Report: Crazylegs Classic 8K

For the last four years, Mark and KJ (and now Betty Gwen) have met us in Madison for the Crazylegs Classic. So far, I'm the only one to do the 8K run. The others do the two mile walk. This year it was cold but thankfully the rain missed us.

The Wisconsin Alumni Association puts on a pretty awesome member appreciation reception before the race each year. We've participated for the last three years, I think. It's at a law firm on the 9th floor of a building overlooking the Capitol.

Our group for Crazylegs 2015!

I was in Corral Q this year so I didn't have to wait as long to start as other years. I'm slowing making my way towards the front...ha! I was afraid I hadn't dressed well. I was a little chilly before the start and a little warm about two miles in, but it ended up being perfect overall.

My first mile was a little faster than I wanted it as I needed to save energy for the climb up Bascom Hill on Observatory. I was amazed that mile 2 was even faster than mile 1. After the big hill, it was pretty much downhill or flat until mile 4, which I knew. Last year, I sped up a little too soon but this year I waited until I turned onto Breese Terrace before I picked up my pace for the end. It worked! I finished strong in Camp Randall.

8K finisher!

After the finish, I met back up with the rest of the group, downed a quick beer, and then we headed over to Union South to warm up. It would have been nice to spend more time at Camp Randall (or the Terrace) but the weather just didn't cooperate this year. There's always next year!

Distance: 8K
Time: 42:02 - A Crazylegs PR!
Cost: $35
Pros: Fun weekend with friends, great location, small start corrals make for a well-organized start and uncrowded course, hills (I love them!)
Cons: Weather is iffy in Wisconsin in April, white cotton race t-shirts
Would I run it again?: Yes! Every year for as long as I'm able!