Starting the 5K RUN! to End Homelessness |
I've lived in Chicago for six years and I've never been to Douglas Park. To be honest, I don't think I'd ever even heard of Douglas Park before I signed up for the 5K RUN! to End Homelessness. Which is actually too bad since it's a pretty nice park with little rolling hills, a pond, a swimming pool and some nice trails.
Getting to experience Douglas Park this morning for the first time by running through it reminded me of a few months ago when I got to experience Warren Park for the first time by running the PAAWR to Empower 5K.
So, the first thing I learned (or, more accurately, was reminded of) this morning, is that running really introduces you to cool new places that you otherwise would not have experienced. Even in a city that you've lived in for six years.
The only issue with this location is that it's not that easy to get to from Lincoln Square early on a Sunday morning. Buses and trains run very infrequently at this time and it took me more than an hour to get there (afterwards I found the 49 Western bus took me almost straight home from the park with no problems... I obviously should have used that to get there in the morning as well... but that's what I get for trying to plan something at six in the morning).
This guy knows how to spectate |
This is when they announced that there were cash prizes for the first five male and female finishers. And these are some serious cash prizes. I won't go into all the specifics but prizes ranged from $3000 to the first male and female down to $250 to the fifth male and female... Aside from marathons, I don't know that I've ever been a part of a race giving away that much prize money. I'm really looking forward to seeing the results just to see what you have to run to get $250 around these parts.
Anyway, I'd say there were around 500 runners. The only person I knew there was John Garcia, and he was a little busy emceeing the race beforehand, though I did get to talk to him afterwards. Luckily, Declan let me know that Adam was going to be running this race, so when I spotted him in front of me about a mile in (we later discussed how a bald, bearded man is relatively easy to spot in a crowd) I caught up to him and we ran the rest of the race together. And as it turns out, this was his first 5K. After running and chatting with first-time 5Ker Victor yesterday during the Chinatown 5K, it was exciting to get to run with another first-time 5Ker today.
The course was a little awkwardly designed (two roundabout loops that followed trails, sidewalks and streets and got a little narrow at times) but it was still a well-coordinated run, with plenty of volunteers directing runners and lots of interesting scenery.
The middle of the course crossed this little bridge |
Adam was going for a sub-27 minute finish and I was just trying not to injure myself. He definitely succeeded (looks like he got a 26:32) and my knee is feeling okay so far so hopefully I did too.
We'll see.
As with Victor yesterday, I have a feeling that, after this race, Adam is hooked on running too.
Yes, I was wearing my Chinatown 5K shirt from yesterday. I'm a braggart. |
So, two days. Two finishes with first-time 5Kers. There's gotta be a first time runner at Burgers and Beer tomorrow right? I've gotta keep this streak alive!
Oh, and we got medal's for finishing. I was wearing mine when I got on the bus to go home and the bus driver asked me if I won the race. Obviously, I said I did. When you've run enough races, you know that the answer to the classic "Did you win?" question that people feel the need to ask runners is always "YES!"
And yes, I recommend the 5K RUN! to end Homelessness. Especially if you're capable of getting fifth place in a road race - if that's the case, registering for this 5K is a chance to cash in on your speedy legs.
Those are some kind of green pea chips. They tasted okay... then I realized they're not even healthy anyway. |
Awesome! Hope you find a new runner at tomorrow's race!
ReplyDeleteI've been down by Douglas Park before ... one of my good friends actually lived on California Ave across the street from it. They had a beautiful cheap apartment, and the park right across the street, but from what she told me it was not a very safe neighborhood, especially for a young family.
Great to meet you - I wasn't very good for conversation I'm sure, with all of my mind being focused on trying to not collapse - I don't even really remember the finish - you said something about 26 being around the bend, then I remember speeding up a bit - total blank after that - next thing I remember is reaching out to grab a medal.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you know all the good runs - let me know if you hear of any cheap ones. The babies eat all of our money, but both the wife and I are eager to run more.
Nice recap! Glad you guys hooked up +Bromancerunning
ReplyDeleteLegit prize money too! I bet the field gets bigger once word gets out!
That is awesome that you ran two consecutive races with first-time 5Ks! You are starting a runner's revolution!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm not at all familiar with Douglas Park and I'd never heard of this race until reading your post. But homelessness is a cause that is very close to my heart so this race will be on my radar screen next year.
I've never thought before about answering the question "Did you win the race?" with YES!!! I am going to start doing that immediately. =D