The results are in..

The Banco Popular Chicago 1/2 Marathon is now in the books. The weatherman was only partially correct. It didn't rain, but it was not nearly as cool as they said. It was quite warm and humid on the run today. Everyone was sweating bullets by the time the finish line was in site.

Tim (my marathon training buddy) and I felt pretty good. We decided to join the 8 min/mile pace group, which should put at the finish line at 1hour 45 minutes, for the 13.1 miles. For the first 11 miles or so, we never even saw the pace runner. That is to say I think we were ahead of the pace. Some mild cramps for both of us, perhaps to much Ethiopia food on Saturday for Tim, and probably not enough sleep for both of us. Despite that, I felt strong today and that helped to keep us both on pace.

Like true Team World Vision teammates, we crossed the finish line together at 1:44:40. Just under the 1:45 pace we set out for. The race had 10118 Total Finishers - 4157 Males / 5961 Females. We finished 832 and 833 overall. Certainly satisfying as a pre-marathon tune up run.

I can't speak for Tim, but I'm thrilled with the results. On a warm, humid day, in a race I only agreed to mid week last week. It was great. The volunteers are the race were great. The spectators were AWESOME! There were a least a half dozen Team World Vision runners. I can't wait for the marathon. 45,000 runners. 500+ alone will be Team World Vision runners. Its going to be a wonderful spectacle to see and participate in. I hope any nearby folks will consider coming do to cheer from the World Vision cheering section, and partake of the Team World special post-race tent area.

This weeks is the bit "20 miler". The Whole Team World Vision team is meeting downtown and we are going to run en mass for 20 miles for the last long marathon training run. After this weekend the mileage tapers off in preparation for the big day on October 7th.

I'll post the 1/2 marathon pictures as they become available in a day or two.
Peace...