I’m on my way to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half marathon.  This race snuck up on my quickly.  I hadn’t booked my room until I think July 1 and I was very lucky to still get a room at the Congress Plaza host hotel which is right near the finish line.  I wanted to be close to the finish line so I can get back to my room and shower and maybe have a chance to get out and see a little more of Chicago before my flight home.

I am flying in and out of Midway which I had never flown into before.  I have no idea hat that is like.  Like my hotel, I didn’t book my flight until about 10 days before the race!  I was waiting and watching prices; but now I see that they do rise 2 weeks prior to the departure date so I won’t wait as long anymore.

Thankfully this race is a race sponsored by Team Chocolate Milk.  I am running for Team Chocolate milk and was told that there will be an area at the finish line for Team Chocolate Milk members to refuel and take photos and meet fellow team members.  There will also be a booth at the expo.  I am looking forward to seeing the Expo at this event.  I have never done a Rock ‘n’ Roll Race before so I can’t wait to see what is there.  I also haven’t been in the city of Chicago before.  I have only flown into and out of O’Hare and from what I have seen from the air; the city looks amazing being right on the lake.

I have also seen pictures from fellow Mickey Milers Team Member Susana Cruz while she was out on some of her training runs.  It looks like such an incredible city.  I wish I could stay longer to really take in the sights but I know I’ll be back.  I am determined to come back to run the Chicago Marathon one day once my name is chosen from the lottery.

I am hearing the weather is going to be HOT HOT HOT and humid.  Even though the race starts at 6:30 a.m. we are going to feel it.  I started hydrating with my Nuun tablets and water today and will continue to do that all day.  I was going to rely on the race support for my water on the course; but at the last minute I put my fuel belt into my suitcase.  I was sure to take my altitude sickness medication beginning yesterday so I won’t get my dreaded flying migraine.  So far I have had success every time I used it.

My training is not where it should be for a half marathon and what I am training for now after this race needs to be stepped up as I work towards the Marine Corp Marathon.  So this will be like a foundation for me.  But the hard part is, my longest run in the last 2 weeks has been 6 miles.  And my last 2 long runs were 5 miles.  So I need to safely increase after this half to avoid any injury.  I am running in the heat and sometimes at the hottest part of the day so that I can acclimate my body to running in heat; but that also means my speed is slow.  But according to Jeff Galloway that is completely ok.  You are supposed to slow down with the heat.  I want to enjoy my race and especially the time after the race.  There have been several instances where I had post race sickness headaches because of the heat and humidity and exertion during those conditions.

Stay tuned as I fill you in on the rest of the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon Race Weekend!