Seems like with every race report I write, I find something “new” about it. Ha ha, broken record, much?! But here I go… this was my first time running the Soldier Field 10 Miler! It was Gina and Steve’s first time too, and Steve’s first race in Chicago proper! Exciting!
In fact, we all signed up for this race on opening day in October! I was running by Soldier Field on my lunch break one day and thought, “I bet Gina and Steve would really like to run through there! (and travel from Texas to do so)” And I was right – it didn’t take much convincing! The countdown was on… for 6+ months, ha ha.Â
Something NOT new to me though, is running a Fleet Feet race. I was so impressed with their organization for the Chicago Women’s Half last year, I’ve just assumed all of their races perform to that caliber, and I haven’t been disappointed. Gina and Steve were able to get their corral issue worked out (we all started together in corral 9 of 18), and packet pickup was super efficient. We received a participation guide, but even if I hadn’t read it, signage was very clear and easy to follow. And the volunteers were fantastic. I was impressed with how easy gear check was, and that we got to go in to use the stadium bathrooms before the race.Â
And actually, I had never been inside a professional football stadium before (something else new for me!). I enjoyed checking it out before and after the race.Â
And getting to the race was easy (I just rode in the backseat, hee hee) – there was a little congestion by the exit to the stadium, but plenty of people directing traffic once we got in to the garages. Finding a spot was simple (gotta love FREE parking!), and we had plenty of time to see our friends and wish them luck before race start!
Efit crew! Anne, Bobbi, me, Chris, Steve, Gina and Luca
Our section of corrals closed at 7:15 am, and I figured we would be waiting in there for quite some time to start, but we crossed the start line at 7:26! Not bad! The first mile was congested as we weaved our way away from the stadium, under McCormick Place and toward Lake Shore Drive, but once we got on the street, we were fine.Â
Except… I had sweat dripping down my arms like a mad woman. Sigh. It was only in the mid 50s, but I was wearing a visor, which made me even sweatier, so I took it off in the second mile and carried it the rest of the way. I made sure to drink plenty of water and not go out too fast. Ha. Like that would be a problem. I am not in race shape! Before the race, we had decided to try to come in under 1:40 (10:00 minute mile pace). That is what we put for pace when we registered back in October, but Gina and Steve run much faster now! I offered to let them go ahead, but Gina said they came to run with me. I keep telling them how much fun it is to run races with friends and talk the whole time, but that doesn’t seem to happen much when the three of us are together – I think we tend to push each other! Someday…
Anyway! We saw xaarlin at mile 2. She is a rockstar for spectating two races in a row! And catching my amazing supination in action. I know it looks like it hurts… but it doesn’t!
The course is mostly an out and back, but on different routes – road then trail. So you can see everyone making their way back for a lot of the “out” part. I actually found this kind of discouraging and felt much better and more energetic when we made the turn right before mile 5 (even though they were playing “The Lazy Song“). It helps to see that cool city view when you are heading north – it never gets old. And I greatly appreciated the breeze on the way back.Â
The race just flew by. We kept consistent splits in the 9:40/9:30 range. Even though there were a lot of people out there, I didn’t feel like it was ever too crowded – except for some of the silly water/Gatorade stops where the volunteers had created two lines and were taking up a lot of the path – that kind of felt like a cluster at times. But it was fun that there were volunteers out there playing instruments and playing music on speakers. That picked me up when I was feeling tired.Â
I started getting excited as we got closer to the stadium. And thinking “I am so happy I don’t have to run 3.1 more!” Ha! I was starting to run out of steam but once we got in to the stadium I felt the energy to sprint to the finish (er, and try not to trip over people stopping to take photos/videos). It was really neat to finish on the 50 yard line (whatever that means) and see ourselves on the jumbotron.  And we made our goal – 1:36:58! Woo hoo!
Service men and women in uniform handed us our medals, which was touching. And then officials scooted our butts off the field! That’s okay though. It was easy to get our gear, awesome feed bag, change our clothes, then hook back up with the boys to hang out a bit in the stadium before seeing our friends in the after race tailgate.Â
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We all enjoyed the race! It’s definitely worth going to the city to run. However, I think next time, I won’t plan back to back weekends with city races! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz, it makes for a tiring day!
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Yay, looks like such a fun time! I don’t know what a 50 yard line is either, but I assume it’s important.
And you aren’t kidding tiring – my husband took the train in so he got up at 4am for this race!
The picture of you supinating is so interesting. When I got my gait evaluated I was told I do too but I have never seen it in action! It does look like it hurts!
Yeah, that is when we got up too… and when I got up yesterday to work, and days to work this week. WHEN DO WE GET TO SLEEP IN?! 😉 lol
It’s so odd. I doubt I will ever work at changing it though, unless something gets really messed up. Er… knock on wood.
Did your husband have a good race?
Haha, the 50 yard line is the middle of the football field. Just think of it as the middle of a soccer field … same idea!
Glad you had a good race! It was a lovely day.
Hee hee! Thanks! I did ask Steve as I was writing this… “we finished on the 50 yard line, right?” (so that I said it right).
Thanks! I hope you got to enjoy the weather and that your knee appreciated the rest! 🙂
So cool! Glad you had a great race! Love that last pic of Luca…who knew bleachers could be that comfortable?
Ha ha ha! I know! It was so cute. For a lot of the race Steven was shading Luca’s face with his hand. Poor little dude! We are going to a baseball game today… maybe another nap for him!
I’m glad you enjoyed the race! Soldier Field is a well-put on race and it was a beautiful day yesterday!
Love everything about this report! 🙂 I have only been in a preofessional football stadium for SF10, too! I haven’t run it in a few years, but your report makes me want to reconsider! Glad you had fun and met your goal!
I am happy to hear that I am not the only one who’s only been there for the race! A few people seemed surprised when I told them that!
I actually thought about you a few times during the race! I wondered if you were there 🙂
Luca is so adorable! Sounds like it was a blast!
I love running through stadiums!! I have done races at Citizen bank and M&T Stadiums. Soldier field is on the bucket list 🙂
Also, that kid is too cute!!!
looks like it was a perfect day for a race!
i used to wear visors and hats all the time when i ran. it was great for keeping the sun out of my eyes and preventing sunburn. but lately i just haven’t been able to handle something else touching me. i had a training run last week and ended up carrying my hat in my hand for most of the way!
awesome race! way to keep that pace strong 🙂
I used to wear them all the time too! Now it just feels like it is trapping the heat on my heat. Weird… since it’s open! Sigh. What are we going to do?! 😉
Thanks 🙂
Great report Kimbot (as normal). So glad you experienced SF10. I did it the last 3 years thanks to my fab sponsor (you know who) and also worked the event one year for CB. Could not make it this year, lack of training which I must change (tomorrow). Can’t believe you’ve never been to a soccer stadium (oh you said football). I have been to SF many many times as I was a Chicago Fire season ticket holder for 8 years and they played there until the move to Toyota Park (via Naperville for one season right where the Naperville Marathon started). Whenever I have finished SF10 I say I finished on the half way line not 50 yard line
Ha! I have been to the Chicago futbol stadium 😉 But also for a race. I was wondering if you would be at SF this year! How was day 1 of training?!
This race sounds so fun…and well done! One of these days I’ll make it out for a race in Chicago. 🙂
Did you not do this one when you lived in Chicago?
So happy you guys had fun out there!! It’s a great race and I definitely missed running it this year, but getting to go out and spectate was awesome 🙂 have a great rest of your weekend!!
Congrats! Sounds like a fun time.
I’m so glad that I got to see you at the race TWICE on Saturday, and it was so nice to finally meet Gina!
I’m glad you enjoyed yet another Fleet Feet race, they’re all so extremely well done 🙂 They do seem to space out the corrals well enough that a race that huge never feels all that crowded. There was really no point where I felt like I had to do a lot of weaving or dodging of people, which is definitely a plus.
I am glad too! So happy we bumped in to each other – coordinating meetups can be tricky when you are with a lot of people. 😉
I so wish I could try out the Women’s Half this year! I am happy you get to do the 5K! 🙂
The way that race finishes right on Soldier Field is so cool!! I want to run it just for that reason. But, big races freak me out. LOL Glad you had such a great time!
Why do they freak you out? You think they might be too crowded?
Yes just SO many people and I feel trapped in the starting corrals.
I’m so glad I finally got to do this one this year. I wish I’d felt better, but in addition to what we talked about earlier, I am pretty sure I know the culprit responsible for me feeling so terrible. I hate being a girl sometimes…
I heart Luca. <3
I was SO wondering why you had your visor in your hand in all the pictures! I thought it might have broken or something…I was also thankful for the breeze on the way back in – it really helped…
Maybe you should try that drink xaarlin was telling us about since it bothers you so much!
Luca <3 John (sorry. LOL!!!!)
Gah. I am in BIG trouble if I am feeling this crappy with the "heat" and humidity now!!! Time to acclimate!
Sounds like a great race! I think that 10 miles is just about the perfect distance, by the way!
OMG your supination pic is hilarious as long as you don’t snap an ankle. Luca all sacked out is just too cute. Great seeing you!
One of the things I like about this race is getting to hang out in the stadium (and use the bathrooms!!)
And I always think the same thing when I’m running a half marathon. That is, why am I not running a 10 miler??
Yeah! It was so nice to use a real toilet! Hee hee. I think Chicago needs more 10 Milers. The only other I know of is on the same day as this one!
There’s the Chicago’s Perfect 10 in November but I hear it’s not as organized as Soldier Field.
Oh, and there’s Quarryman which is in April but SUPER hilly. And in Lemont which is probably further south than you’d want to drive. And the Waterfall Glen Extreme 10 in July. But it’s in freaking July. At Waterfall Glen!
Ha ha ha! No thanks to Waterfall Glen! Too far away and not that great of a preserve. LOL. The first 10 Miler I did was hilly. I think I like the flat one (SF) 😉
This one is on my bucket list. I hear good things about it every single year and it’s not too far of a drive since I am just down in St. Louis!
Do eeeeeeeeeeeeet! 🙂
I’ve ran this race before and LOVED it. I missed it last year and again this year. Hopefully I can ran it next year.
Oh and great finish time. Glad you also had fun.