The Chinatown 5K has to be one of the most well-organized runs I've ever done. I've probably done ... something like 10 or 11 5Ks in my lifetime and I don't think many went off as well as this one. Now, most of that could be attributed to the fact that there was only about 200 runners, if that. Just the same, you have to love a race that attaches the necessary safety pins to your bib number BEFORE you get there.

If you can deal with the smell of Chinese food as you make your way down the main drag of Chinatown, it's a great race. Not really scenic, however. You're basically running parallel with the Dan Ryan from Chinatown to Comiskey Park.

One astonishing thing: this race was made up of some of the fastest runners I've even seen. Seriously. It took me 37 minutes to finish. While that's not great by any means it wasn't the worst I've ever done and considering my shape I did better than I expected. Here's the thing:

I WAS ONE OF THE LAST PEOPLE.

No shit. There were maybe 15 people behind me, if that. Probably not even that. I tried to not let it bother me, but the heat and the fact that there was only ONE WATER STOP got the best of me. My mile 2 was not pretty.

Just the same, I finished and I feel good. I managed to escape with only a blister and heed my warning, running newbies: Don't go get a pedicure the night before a race. You'll lose all of your much-needed calluses.

Running in a race did what I needed it to do, which was shake me out of my cage and remind me of how much I love the sport but how much work it takes to keep up with it.

I don't give a shit the caliber of runner in the next race I do; fuck if I'm going to be one of the last runners to cross the finish line ever again ...

SERIOUSLY.

Posted by Erin at 12:35 PM | filed under: Random

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