Sunday, September 13, 2009

Sweet Home Chicago – 20 Miler!

After the fiasco that was flying to Chicago, I’ve actually had a good time so far! I’m a bit sad that I’m sitting here posting on Saturday night, as that means I’m all by myself (cue: tears), but my friends are tired and my parents aren’t back yet from the University of Illinois football game. How sad. Anyway.

Last night I headed out with my friends to try on bridesmaid dresses, as my friend from high school is getting married in January and two of us are bridesmaids. Awesome. My friend (the other bridesmaid) and I are generally the life of the party when it comes to David’s Bridal, and this time was no different. We like to dance around (you have to dance-test-drive the dresses!), and we’re pretty fun so people in the store enjoy our silliness. Basically, we’re fantastic. On two separate occasions, people at David’s Bridal have told us we’d be fun to party with. THAT’S RIGHT. Haha. Anyway, here are some snapshots to describe the event:

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Bride to be, trying on veils. I thought it was particularly cute with her “Muck Fichigan” shirt. (She went to Notre Dame.)

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My friend Katie (another bridesmaid), playing with the shawl that we need to wear to cover our shoulders in the conservative Catholic church where the wedding will be. She is actually wearing the dress that the bridesmaids will be wearing, although color(s) are yet to be determined.

FYI, wedding planning seems insane. I go back and forth between “All that for one day?!?!” and “But that’s MY day! I want it all!” Note: I’m not even engaged. (Wink wink, nudge nudge, Rocket Scientist…haha!)

Just kidding. Moving on.

My parents have season tickets to the University of Illinois football games (my dad is a proud alum…He attended back when tuition was like $78/semester…no joke!), so they headed down for the day. Tonight was the only night I could see one of my friends, so I stayed back in the lovely northwest suburbs of Chicago. Since my planned twenty miler would take a long time, I decided to wait until they left (around 2-2:20pm) to head out on my run to maximize family time. Luckily, the weather is pretty nice so it wasn’t a disaster to wait later in the day.

Let me tell you, I had an AWESOME run! I planned out my run to incorporate three shorter runs that I used to do all the time when I lived here. I had a four miler, a six miler, and a ten miler all strung together, so I ran back my house for water twice…and I was able to hit up water fountains along the way…love that! I miss my running routes from home…I could probably run them blindfolded, and I’m speedy on them! Here are the glorious stats:

Saturday, September 12
20.05 miles in 2:35:52, avg pace of 7:46

Splits: 8:09, 7:55, 7:55, 7:53, 7:56, 7:57, 8:02, 7:56, 7:54, 7:53, 7:58, 7:59, 7:49, 7:35, 7:40, 7:31, 7:28, 7:30, 7:22, 7:00, 0:18 (6:15)

Ahhh look at those splits!! And it felt so easy! I guess it’s better to have a day off and not run 18-20 miles eight hours after a terrible shift at work. (Not like I’ve done that…) I ate my Honey Stinger Energy Chews (love!) at miles 4, 8.5, 10, 13.5, and 16.5. I didn’t even notice I was speeding up until I looked at my garmin and it said 7:35 pace! What? It didn’t feel like that at all! I wasn’t dragging at all like I was last week, and it definitely felt amazing. I’m trying to decide between going for 3:20 or being a bit more realistic and trying for 3:25, and this gives me a little more hope that 3:20 is in reach, especially with a taper.

Definitely check out that last mile party! My watch actually showed 6:58 during my run, so I’m sad that it comes up as 7:00 flat on Sport Tracks! Boo. Oh well, I think I’ll make it.

I just realized that I need to register for the BOSTON MARATHON. Who’s in for 2010?? Lurkers, come out and comment…I want a HUGE meet up in Boston!

19 comments:

  1. WOW look at your splits! that is awesome.

    someday, if i am ever fast enough, i'd love to meet you in boston :) it might take me several years though!

    i like the bridesmaid dress! it looks pretty and not terribly bridesmaid-y.

    finally - i just ordered some honey stingers based on your recommendation -- i'll definitely report back! they sound like a good option. i really really really hate gels especially when they get all warm. UGHGHG.

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  2. Beastly run! Those splits are awesome for a 20 miler!

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  3. Awesome 20-miler! Where do you like to run when you are out here?

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  4. Great job on the 20!! I love running old running routes- how neat that you did all yours in one run. :) Enjoy the rest of your stay in Chicago! :)

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  5. Great 20 miler!! And I'm with you on wedding planning, there's always so much to do!!

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  6. You are a frickin' MACHINE!!! It seems like you are having a blast at home. Cute friend pics--Susan's friends!!

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  7. Wow you are going to kill your next marathon!

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  8. you are a phenomenal speedster! That is an awesome time for a 20!

    I wish I could join you in Boston, but it's likely I'll be in my 60s before I qualify :)

    Have fun in Chicago!

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  9. That is a phenomenal run! Be grateful you werent back here on East Coast - rain rain rain. I didn't make my 20 miler so I am jealous. And you are in Boston, too. Good for you.

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  10. Awesome job on the run! You're totally in your element at home. Now that we're friends on FB we can totally get the ball rolling! Perfect! Enjoy the rest of your time out there :o)

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  11. Wow. That's great! Some days going to old routes is just what you need.

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  13. Oops, sorry about the other comment. From another blog.

    I just got caught up on all your posts! What a crazy trip. Sounds like what happens to me every time I fly....ALWAYS something! Uggg. I'm psyched you had a great 20 miler. You're going to rock it at Philly. I wish I could say I'm going to Boston. :( I'm going to try for my first BQ in January. But I wonder, you think Boston will be sold out by Jan? Anyway... enjoy your time off!

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  14. You are so fast! Those splits are awesome. Glad you had a nice visit home.

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  15. Wow what a great 20 milers! And it looks like you had lots of fun looking for wedding dresses haha!

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  16. 6:58 for the final mile of 20?!?!?!?!? wowsers. glad you're enjoying being home. i always love going home and doing my old running routes.

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  17. uhhh WHOA! Those are some speedy miles for x 20!! Dayummm! :) Congrats girl, that's an awesome run right there - no question!

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  18. Oooh, SPEEDY 20-miler. Nice! I am definitely in for Boston. Filled out the registration the moment it opened. Jumping up and down.

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  19. AWESOME run girl!!!

    I HOPE I am in boston!!!!

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