As a long distance runner training for the Chicago Marathon, I have decided once again to run in the Rock 'n' Roll Chicago Half Marathon for 2019. This is my third time participating in this race, and It is now a tradition I have made for myself. However, this year I did something new that I normally have not done in my previous years running the race, I have created a vlog to document my experience and to share some of the wisdom I have caught on with this half marathon. A link to the vlog can be found below:

2019 Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon Race Weekend Vlogwww.youtube.com

The weekend of the race was an exciting time. I ran on a Sunday morning, and the weekend started out at the Racing Exposition at McCormick Place to pick up racing gear as well and get last minute questions answered. I went to the exposition on Friday, got some merch and that was the moment I knew that it was race weekend. On Saturday, I did an easy mile jog so I would not be tired on race day the next day. I also ate spaghetti and other healthy foods with carbohydrates. Long distance runners need lots of healthy carbs to strengthen their stamina, and it has always been a tradition to eat a meal of spaghetti the day before a race. On Saturday night, I made sure to have my bag ready and my racing gear and I went to bed early in the morning.

On race morning, I woke up at 5am, and arrived to the race site at 5:50am. I was ready, I went to gear check, and I did a light 5 minute jog. Afterwards, I went to my starting coral, and once the gun went off for my group I began running. The course started out in downtown Chicago going north. The course went through many streets, and runners had to be alert of the next curve. The race also had many bands playing along the way. From rock to hip hop, and drummers each mile provided at least one band. Running through the downtown area of Chicago was exciting as people cheered and many were hyping up the crowd. The first 6 miles took place in downtown, then we immediately began heading south to the South Loop and Bronzeville neighborhood during miles 7-10. I started to get tired once I hit 10 miles, I wanted to slow down, but I knew I was almost done. Once I hit mile 12, I started to speed up a bit more and that was when we got closer to downtown. The last half mile crowds cheered on and I knew I was close to the starting line and I let the crowds energy take me to the finish line. I was so tired, but proud of myself.

Afterwards, I received my medal, hydrated and grabbed the free bananas and other race refreshments. Running this race also gave me a personal best by a minute. I received 1:51:20. As I reflect back on what this race has taught me, I learned how people and crowds make a difference and contribute to the racing culture, and I could not have done it without the help of everyone there encouraging me along the way. I am beyond satisfied and grateful for this opportunity.