Chicago Marathon 8 October 2017

[moreace01]

Aug 4, 2017 8:11:03 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

That's amazing, thank you!!
I will be definitely buying All The Things. Because I love souvenirs from running big races. 
For the tracking thing, I have my Garmin set for LiveTrack so my boyfriend gets precise information on where I am (but annoyingly also pace etc) so I'm covered. 
More importantly, we'll get to see you while we are there, right? 

Oh - I should have been a little more clear - the spreadsheet allows you to enter your best predicted and worst predicted paces. It then predicts exactly where you will be at any given time, including cross streets and which L (train) is the closest. So if you've got people running around trying to catch you from point to point - they'll be able to predict in advance when you will be coming by a specific point.

They always expect about 1 million people to be spectating so being able to predict where you both will be is helpful so you can find each other. It's super fun to be a spectator - I will be there cheering you on with al320 . We will probably have a ridiculous balloon so we can be spotted more easily.

Oh also - I think at the Nike pacer tent at the expo, they have pace tattoos - which are kinda helpful in the later miles especially to see if you are on target for your goal (at least it is for me when math starts to go out the window).

[clseale]

Yes! Chicago has the best expo of any race EVER. By far.

[Deleted]

moreace01, oh cool - that sounds really useful!
Re: race tattoo, I actually have a little cloth wristband thingy that has distance/time at each mile to hit a goal target finish time. It also soaks up sweat.
Yes to ridiculous balloonage! That would be wonderful! I will be running this without headphones. I ran with them in London and kind of regret it now. I didn't soak up the atmosphere, I was too focussed on achieving my time.

[Deleted]

clseale, stop it, I'm getting positively giddy with excitement over here! Just 5 more long runs to go!!

[jordylee]

Oh man I haven't been checking in lately but I am still planning on spectating! I live along the course so if anyone wants to hang/spectate you can feel free to use my place as a home base!

[hannahb]

Aug 4, 2017 10:06:47 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

clseale, stop it, I'm getting positively giddy with excitement over here! Just 5 more long runs to go!!

Only 5?!?!? Crap that's soon (which means my 50k is only 7 long runs away 🤢)

[Deleted]

Aug 6, 2017 6:02:10 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Aug 4, 2017 10:06:47 GMT -5 @cheshire said:

clseale , stop it, I'm getting positively giddy with excitement over here! Just 5 more long runs to go!!

Only 5?!?!? Crap that's soon (which means my 50k is only 7 long runs away 🤢)

It is, I know! I'm not including Stockholm Half or the Triathlon weekend in France, so really, it's 7. Plenty of time. *laughs nervously*

Seriously, I hope you (or one of the other ladies at Chicago wants to run casually. I'm not a summer running training person. This will NOT be a PB attempt. I'm wanting to get the atmosphere and have a great time. We can stop for ice cream if you like. My treat!

[hannahb]

Is anyone interested in doing one of those boat tours on Saturday? I'm pretty sure Cheshire and I are. I figure we can see the city while seated so, why not? I will book it if anyone else wants to join. Or if locals have a good company to go through.
Also we should start looking at places to book to eat since I think we will have a good sized group .

[Deleted]

Yep. Definite for me plus one. Sounds really good and I'm all for resting legs that day.

[clseale]

Aug 13, 2017 5:48:00 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Is anyone interested in doing one of those boat tours on Saturday? I'm pretty sure Cheshire and I are. I figure we can see the city while seated so, why not? I will book it if anyone else wants to join. Or if locals have a good company to go through.
Also we should start looking at places to book to eat since I think we will have a good sized group .

Yes! We are planning on doing one of the architectural tours. I have wanted to do one every time we have visited Chicago. Let me know what time you are thinking. I think we're planning to do the expo Friday, so our Saturday should be open.

[moreace01]

hannahb , I feel like people really like the one through the Chicago Architecture Foundation. Maybe there is a groupon or something?
www.architecture.org/experience-caf/tours/detail/chicago-architecture-foundation-river-cruise-aboard-chicagos-first-lady-cruises/

Regarding food - how many people do you think there will be? Are you looking for dinner (what type of food?) or brunch? And where are you guys?

Looks like for brunch, Beatrix is pretty good and takes reservations online for groups up to 10 (could call and see if they'll take more). The Gage and Cindy's rooftop are a bit fancier but also take reservations.

beatrixchicago.com/rivernorth/menu/

ETA: There's also Siena Tavern for brunch. 
sienatavern.com/#section-23

[hannahb]

Aug 16, 2017 8:12:37 GMT -5 clseale said:

Aug 13, 2017 5:48:00 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Is anyone interested in doing one of those boat tours on Saturday? I'm pretty sure Cheshire and I are. I figure we can see the city while seated so, why not? I will book it if anyone else wants to join. Or if locals have a good company to go through.
Also we should start looking at places to book to eat since I think we will have a good sized group .

Yes! We are planning on doing one of the architectural tours. I have wanted to do one every time we have visited Chicago. Let me know what time you are thinking. I think we're planning to do the expo Friday, so our Saturday should be open.

I was thinking around 4 and then get dinner after? I get in early enough to do the expo Friday but @cheshire gets in a little later.  I feel as though getting there and being able to enjoy it may be a little rushed.  4 on Saturday would give us time to take in the expo and then see the city a bit.  If that works for you guys I can book it later today.  We could do a little research about restaurants in the area.  I'm not picky though, I'm not running this race for time so I'm not worried about getting the proper carbs:fat:protein ratio (not that I ever am)

[clseale]

Aug 17, 2017 5:31:16 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Aug 16, 2017 8:12:37 GMT -5 clseale said:

Yes! We are planning on doing one of the architectural tours. I have wanted to do one every time we have visited Chicago. Let me know what time you are thinking. I think we're planning to do the expo Friday, so our Saturday should be open.

I was thinking around 4 and then get dinner after? I get in early enough to do the expo Friday but @cheshire gets in a little later.  I feel as though getting there and being able to enjoy it may be a little rushed.  4 on Saturday would give us time to take in the expo and then see the city a bit.  If that works for you guys I can book it later today.  We could do a little research about restaurants in the area.  I'm not picky though, I'm not running this race for time so I'm not worried about getting the proper carbs:fat:protein ratio (not that I ever am)

That works for us!

[skwcm80]

I haven't posted on the board in while, but I'd be interested in the boat tour.

[skwcm80]

Aug 4, 2017 9:11:40 GMT -5 clseale said:

Yes! Chicago has the best expo of any race EVER. By far.

Cosigned. 🙌🏾

[clseale]

fuckyourcouch and her DH are interested as well!

[hannahb]

Ok ,clseale ,skwcm80 , fuckyourcouch , I looked up the website that moreace01 mentioned above and there is a 4:00 on Saturday the 7th.  As of now we could all book that cruise.  I can book it, people could pay pal me the $ or I can PM my address.  @cheshire , I can cover you and your boyfriend now and you can pay me back later.  It's a little over $43 a person
so total including me would be 9 people right? Skwcm80-no plus one?

[clseale]

hannahb , no problem at all. I can books ours today. I'm so excited!!

ETA: Just saw your edit. I can also paypal you. Whatever is easiest. 

[scm1011]

I just booked my flights (finally), wooooohoooooo! I'm arriving ORD Friday at 3:05pm and leaving on a 1:45pm flight on Monday.

I'm going to pass on the boat tour, but would be interested in getting together for food with everyone if it fits our schedule. I will have DH and DS (11 months) with me, however. If you guys want to keep any food gatherings baby free I TOTALLY understand (I'm usually one of the "ugh, don't bring you baby" people, so I get it).

I'm staying at the Radisson Blu Aqua just north of Grant Park Saturday - Monday. I naively thought flying in Saturday would be good at first, but now I realize that will be too hectic/anxiety inducing with the Expo. And now the Radisson is sold out for Friday, womp womp. I'm hoping a room opens up, otherwise I'll stay somewhere random the first night, or with a good GBCNer friend.

[hannahb]

Aug 17, 2017 8:44:15 GMT -5 clseale said:

hannahb , no problem at all. I can books ours today. I'm so excited!!

ETA: Just saw your edit. I can also paypal you. Whatever is easiest. 

I'll book it. I figure it's the easiest. I'll do it later today once everyone else chimes in with 100% in.

[skwcm80]

hannahb it's just me.

[hannahb]

Aug 17, 2017 8:53:52 GMT -5 skwcm80 said:

hannahb it's just me.

Oh good, you can be my date.

[fuckyourcouch]

Aug 17, 2017 8:52:32 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Aug 17, 2017 8:44:15 GMT -5 clseale said:

hannahb , no problem at all. I can books ours today. I'm so excited!!

ETA: Just saw your edit. I can also paypal you. Whatever is easiest. 

I'll book it. I figure it's the easiest. I'll do it later today once everyone else chimes in with 100% in.

Thanks! Please let me know and I'll PayPal you for my h and me.

[al320]

Me too please!

[hannahb]

Aug 17, 2017 9:07:13 GMT -5 al320 said:

Me too please!

Shit I just booked it. Book now 4:00 on Saturday!

[hurricanedrunk]

Count me out for the boat tour, H and I went back in June on the same company that was linked. You guys will have a blast!

[moreace01]

Aug 17, 2017 9:07:13 GMT -5 al320 said:

Me too please!

Lol. I'm in. We should go to the expo too. It's a madhouse but super fun. I'm already amped up and jealous of everyone running.  

[hannahb]

Aug 17, 2017 10:02:37 GMT -5 moreace01 said:

Aug 17, 2017 9:07:13 GMT -5 al320 said:

Me too please!

Lol. I'm in. We should go to the expo too. It's a madhouse but super fun. I'm already amped up and jealous of everyone running.  

I knew I should have waited to book them but if I don't do something when I'm thinking about it I forget. Sorry. Books yours now!

[al320]

Aug 17, 2017 10:13:24 GMT -5 hannahb said:

Aug 17, 2017 10:02:37 GMT -5 moreace01 said:

Lol. I'm in. We should go to the expo too. It's a madhouse but super fun. I'm already amped up and jealous of everyone running.  

I knew I should have waited to book them but if I don't do something when I'm thinking about it I forget. Sorry. Books yours now!

No worries! I dodnt notice this thread was active.

[al320]

Aug 17, 2017 10:02:37 GMT -5 moreace01 said:

Aug 17, 2017 9:07:13 GMT -5 al320 said:

Me too please!

Lol. I'm in. We should go to the expo too. It's a madhouse but super fun. I'm already amped up and jealous of everyone running.  

Yes!