Welcome to Manly Mondays! A feature where Mr. Husband visits every once in a while to talk about all things MANLY! This week, he’s talking about running the Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon along with #TeamCHOCOLATE MILK! #BuiltIt
By running the Rock ‘n’ Roll half marathon last week, I now have two half marathons under my belt to match my two marathons. The funny thing is that I had not run a single half marathon until this year. I used the first earlier in the year to motivate my lazy self to get back into running condition after taking off the entire year. I told myself that I retired.
Pre-race: Nice and refreshed!
About 2 miles in – looking good!
Over the yearsI had heard a lot about the Rock ‘n Roll half from all kinds of runners, spanning the casual runner all they way to the runners so much faster than that they probably should not be talking to me about running. The latter group was all about the Rock ‘n Roll half because it happens at about the same time that a 13 mile run would be paced for most Chicago marathon training plans. Apparently, the timing is perfect to get yourself in race mode and as a measuring stick for your progress. I was skeptical about needing another race to get me into “race mode”, and honestly, I thought that the race being smack in the middle of marathon training could be discouraging because it pretty much guarantees a slower race time because there would be no taper.
This cityscape is the perfect backdrop for the race.
Jim snagged his FAVORITE way to fuel up after a big workout – CHOCOLATE MILK!
After running it, I agree that there is something special about getting together with a few thousand of your closest fellow running pals and running together. And downtown, starting and finishing at about the same location where I will be finishing the marathon. I foolishly let my pride get the better of me and did not take the day of the race as another training run. I went a bit too fast, and boy did I feel it during my next week of training. I couldn’t help myself though. The atmosphere makes the perfect conditions for a race. And when I started slowing at about the 9 mile marker I heard the DJ playing “Sad But True” so I had no choice but to kick it up a notch. The music during the race livened the atmosphere, and the organizers make sure the race has all the amenities you would expect of a world-class race. I stuck around a while and enjoyed the music, my free beer, and a massage. All told, the Rock ‘n Roll half marathon was a stellar experience. Perhaps I might join the number of other runners I saw who run the Rock ‘n Roll series across the country.
Finished.
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