Ditka Dash

Yesterday was the 2014 Ditka Dash and we could not have had more perfect weather.  The setting for the Race was Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears, and right on the lakefront of Lake Michigan.  I've run this route previously but the temps were just right, the sky was blue, and the tunnel under the stadium was lit up with orange and blue lights which was pretty cool.

There were three start waves 8, 9, and 10 am. We opted for the 10am so that we did not have to get up before the sun. We arrived at 9am and had plenty of time to hang out and enjoy the music before our corral started. The energy of this race was great and it was fun to see all the crazy costumes and everyone in their sunglasses and mustaches! There were even a few costumes including a few who had the trade mark Ditka cigars and Bears sweaters.

I was a little nervous about how I would do since I've had a miserable cold all week and had been extra busy between work and family obligations so I didn't get in any runs since last weekend. It's was a fun run and since there was no chip time I had to rely on my Nike Running App and my Garmin watch to track my time.

I broke the cardinal rule and tried something new on race day. I wore my new Sparkle Skirt (Sparkle Tech Castle Blue). I've read several reviews about this gear, I asked for one for my birthday. I loved it so much, I bough a longer version for our trips to Disney!

The start line was exciting due to the confetti, but also because Ditka was there in the flesh! Smoking a cigar (which was odd considering we were racing) and waving hello! 

I used my Garmin running watch to keep my intervals going. I ran 30 seconds, walked 30 seconds.  I ditched the mustache around the 1.5 mile mark. There were DJs blasting music near each mile marker and the aid station. I even heard the Super Bowl Shuffle! 

I managed to PR (personal record) this 5K which shocked me. I started off a little fast and had a lot of walkers to dodge during the race. (I don't mind walk/runs but walkers, please move over to the right and don't walk 4 people deep!) I averaged a 15:41 pace which is under the 16 min pace requirement for the Run Disney races.  The best part was that I wasn't totally dead on my feet when I crossed the finish line. I still had energy and I felt really good. I grabbed a banana and a beer and enjoyed the rest of the morning hanging with our friends.

Now we start training for the Hot Chocolate 15K!