You may have seen one or two bloggers giving away entries to the Chicago Half Marathon on September 9, 2012. If you haven’t yet won, then here is YOUR shot! This race is actually filling up faster than ever before so time to either win a freebie or register so you can be on the start line September 9th!
I have fond memories of this race. First, I love racing in September because the height of both marathon training and TRI season is in the done column. The September, October and November races fly. Or more importantly YOU will fly from killing it during summer training and racing. All the hard work pays off in the fall. I always run my fastest races of the year at that point and really just love the sport of running and racing so I am thrilled to be able to giveaway an entry to one of my favorite races.
The best part of this Chicago Half is the lengthy amount of time you spend on Lake Shore Drive. The good, you get to see the elites and fasties barreling back at you on the opposite side of The Drive while you are just settling in and getting started. The best, the views from The Drive of Lake Michigan and its amazing surroundings.
Here are a few notes from the race I did in 2008, yes, even back then I was full of tips and stories…….lots & lots of stories!
The Chicago ½ Marathon (9/14/08)……. Yes, it was raining. Yes, it rained the entire way. Yes, it just kept raining harder. Yes, we were dodging puddles (if you want to call them that) and officials even had to reroute the course due to flooding.
That being said it was a great race. The harder it rained, the further I pulled my hat down to keep my eyes shielded from the pelting rain. I just focused on running rather than the conditions. I don’t mind the rain, actually I prefer it to the heat. Last year (2007) was so hot that I thought I wouldn’t finish, once I did finish I didn’t feel any better (actually felt really horrible) and wanted to give my running shoes to the first homeless person I saw because I was confident that I wouldn’t be needing them anymore. So bring on the cool rain any day!!
Race tips:
1) Don’t worry that the first several miles of a large race are so slow because of traffic, it will thin out and you will be better prepared to cope with the later miles because of the slow warm up.
2) Figure out some sort of race plan and try to stick to it.
3) Don’t let your friends pull you along at a faster pace than you want to run. I heard a guy trying to talk his friends into speeding up before we even got to Lake Shore Drive (LSD) around mile 4. Well, there are at least 3 miles, if not more, on LSD going north then a turn around to go back south to the finish. LSD is full sun/wind or whatever condition are available for the day.
If you aren’t familiar with the course then try to keep it relaxed until after the half way mark, then evaluate your situation and speed up if you can. Running a faster 2nd half is always better than running fast out of the gate and dying.
4) Try to enjoy yourself! Race = Reward.
I have wonderful memories of this race, I hope you run this year and make your own!
In order to enter this giveaway for a FREE entry into the Chicago Half Marathon on September 9, 2012 ($85 value), make a comment below (+1). If you opt to share this giveaway via Twitter (+1), Facebook (+1) or your Blog (+2) let me know when you comment. Go, Share, Win!
Good luck all! Giveaway ends and a winner will be chosen via a random number generator on Thursday, July 19th at 9am!
** Happy Running ** Amanda – TooTallFritz ** amanda@tootallfritz.com
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TooTallFritz 
Reblogged this on Fluency's Folly and commented:
Amanda’s got a Chicago Half entry to giveaway!
I would love the chance to run this, having to sit out in July due to injury but would love to do this one.
Hey lady! I just reblogged this and I’ll blow it up in twitter and FB as well 😉 these race fees are bankrupting me!
Reblogged this on Fluency's Folly and commented:
Amanda’s got a Chicago Half entry to giveaway!
Pick me! Pick me!
Keep running. Keep blogging.
I remember that year….I believe I was running the back-o-pack as a “sweeper” but I have no fond memories of all that rain and rain and rain. I believe it was the remnants of some Gulf hurricane and the rain in the first half was warm, but wind turned north and the rain turned real cold. I think I incurred hypothermia by the end, especially standing under the tent where us sweepers go at end of race and there were no sides of tent…just a canopy with this cold wind blowing in. I was shivering constantly and my fingers were numb. I would run in hot anytime beyond that. But as sweepers….we were out there a real long time….like the last to finish! Never gonna do that sweeper-thing again…but will take another shot at running it on my own terms if random numbers pick me!
Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I ran the Chicago Half Marathon about 10 years on exactly zero training and had trouble walking for a week afterward. Would love to have a second chance with full training!
Sounds like a great race-would love to win free entry.
The Chicago Half marathon will be my first ever half and I’m extremely excited! Sept 9th is also my 25th birthday, so what better way to celebrate then be up at 7am running through the best city in the world!
I reblogged this onto my twitter account @blk_wrangler23! Keep running!
Pick me! Tweeted via mwong_chi!
I’m looking forward to this race…it’ll be my 3rd half this year!
Thank you Amanda and as always i really enjoy your blog i will most definitly share this
I would love a free race entry. I am looking to do the 1/2 as part of my first full marathon training!
Keeping my fingers crossed that I win this as motivation to start running on a regular basis again. I’m letting too many things get in my way these days and not finding the time to run. As a result, unwanted weight gain and crabbiness!!!!!
Looking for a fall half, nothing better then a free fall half!
This would be great motivation for me! I turned 40 and said I was going to run a half and then didn’t do it.
In for the win. Maybe this would make me do the race. Leery of racing at the moment.
This would be a great wedding anniversary gift for me. My anniversary date is 09/10 so me and my wife would make a weekend of it. We were married at Holy Name and our reception was downtown, so it would bring back some great memories. We have 3 small kids so dont get out much anymore.
This is a weel before my first 50K, might be a fun way to get one more longer run in!
Tweeted
Oh how fun! Would be a great race to do!
Tweeting now!
Starting to get me running legs back….1/2 in Sept is doable! (Posted on Facebook).
My buddy Kim is doing this race as her first half. I told her I’d run it with her. Sure would be nice to win so I can pay for Branson 70.3….
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Would LOVE to run this race for free!!
I’m entering this giveaway for my hubby! (I’m already registered)
I love this race! I just retweeted you as well (my Twitter handle is @rushourunner 🙂 )
Sign me up Amanda 🙂
Pick me! 🙂
Love to run!
I love to run in the rain!
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