Ah, my Chicago Weekend – I’m honestly not sure that I’m going to be able to do justice to the fun that was had this weekend. While yes there were races, for me this weekend was so much more about the amazing connections I’ve made through running than it was about the running itself.
I couldn’t possibly encapsulate everything in one post so this will be a two-part recap. Let’s get started…
Friday – Let the fun begin!
I arrived in Chicago around noon and took the L from O’Hare into the city. After getting a little turned around, leaving the train station I soon found the W Hotel. No sooner had I checked in then I heard someone call my name, and turned around to find Deborah’s smiling face. We quickly dropped our bags in our rooms and headed off to meet Kim at the expo. Deborah and I easily fell into conversation – it was much more like catching up with an old friend than meeting someone for the first time.
The RnR Expo was held at McCormick Place. Packet pick-up was quick and easy, including changing my registration from the half marathon to the 10K. I was disappointed to see how small the race shirts were running and the fact that we were told exchanges couldn’t be done at the expo. The other snafu was neither Deborah or I were given the bracelets needed for the Remix Challenge (we remedied that later). Kim quickly found us and set off to check out the expo. I first met Kim at RnR Vegas in 2016 – it was so great to see her again! Added bonus, we got to meet Kim’s mom – she is awesome. I love that she runs so many races with Kim!
Among the vendors we checked out, we stopped at the KT Tape booth – and I have to say this may have been my saving grace. Leading into the weekend I had been really worried about both my hip and my knee – huge props to the KT rep who taped my knee! I could feel a difference just walking around the expo. 
Overall the expo seemed a little on the small side, but I did pick up this cute Brooks shirt.
This pic doesn’t due the deep blue color justice
We headed back to the hotel to wait for the “other” Kim to arrive. Kim and I were sharing a room for the weekend – despite not having met before I was pretty sure we would hit it off…and spoiler alert we did 🙂 That night we had a great dinner at Barrio.
Saturday – More Runner Friends & the 5K
With the 5K scheduled to start at 7:30, our group planned to meet up at 7. Deborah, Kim, and I walked the .8 mile to the start and caught up with Marcia, Sara, Emily, Kim and her mom. It was overcast and drizzly, but we were all smiles, reminding each other it was better than the blistering heat July in Chicago could bring.
Knowing that I had the 10K to run Sunday, I seriously toyed with power-walking the 5K. Despite all the walking on Friday (5.5 according to my Garmin), my taped knee was feeling pretty good, but what my hip would allow was anybody’s guess. Once the race started, in typical 5K fashion, it took a bit to find any open space to run. I settled into 5:1 run/walk intervals and figured I’d give the run a go until my hip said otherwise. While I was far from quick, it was a nice steady run and, best of all, the hip stayed quiet! Win!
Next up was a blogger brunch at Beatrix! There we were joined by Holly, Wendy, Linda, and Suz waiting for us! Sara and her husband soon followed. I absolutely loved the energy at the table – so many fun stories, so many laughs! I know I may sound like a broken record but you would have never guessed that many of us were meeting for the first time!
I’ll leave it here – the rest of the weekend highlights and 10K recap later this week….
Check out part 1 of my RnR Chicago weekend and epic blogger meet-up! #RNRChi #EpicBloggerMeetUp #RocknBlog #Runnerfriends Share on XHave you ever participated in a blogger meet-up?
I’m linking up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesday’s on the Run.
I”m still glowing from our fun weekend!!! I hope we meet up again very soon.
Glad your knee held up! Now about that hip…
Getting to spend time with all of you was just what I needed! Can’t wait to do it again 😉
I met YOU at a blogger meet up, haha! Love reading all the CHI recaps and seeing all your smiling faces together. I admit I’m feeling a little jealous way over here 😉
AmyC recently posted…Treadmill Workouts for Non-Runners
Ha that’s true! You know I don’t think we’ve seen each other since the BAA Half :0
Sounds like a great weekend! And yay for the tape helping with your knee and your hip feeling ok 🙂
Chaitali recently posted…Weekly Review
I was really surprised (and grateful) by how much the taping helped my knee!
That sounds like so much fun! And thank goodness you found that KT tape booth! I love KT tape so much. 🙂
Jennifer @ Fit Nana recently posted…How Often Should You Change Your Running Shoes?
Glad to hear that your hips didn’t bother you during the 5k. I hope I read the same thing when I read your 10k race recap! I love seeing pics of all the blogger meet ups!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness recently posted…Disney’s Newest Fun Run
Sounds like so much fun! Come to the Skirt Sports retreat next year so I can meet you!
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…My “undertrained” MCM training plan
Ahhhhh, the weekend…how did it go so fast??? It was so much fun bunking with you and getting even better acquainted. Long lost friends, sort of? LOL Hope we can hook up again for another race…Philly? #staytuned
Our weekend was such a whirlwind. I wish I could have made all the brunches/dinners, etc. but I’m grateful for the time I did get to spend with everyone. So much freaking fun! Truly the running was secondary…or tertiary. haha!
Marcia recently posted…RocknRoll Chicago 5k
the running was definitely a side note to the weekend. The best part was meeting and chatting with everyone. Still smiling! So glad we got to spend so much time together.
Deborah Brooks recently posted…5 minute Cucumber Pineapple Gazpacho Soup
Looks like you had a great time in Chicago! I agree that the rain is much better than the heat and humidity that we usually have on race day.
Our weekend was so much fun and I’m still smiling from ear to ear. It was such a pleasure to be surrounded by so many awesome women, especially women runners! Really hoping we can do another meet up soon, maybe next year.
What a fun weekend, and it was so great to meet you! I can’t wait to read about your Sunday race experience. Despite the rain, I think a good time was had by all!
The Accidental Marathoner recently posted…Race Weekend Recap: 2018 Napa to Sonoma Half Marathon
I think it’s so fun that you all got to run this together! I’m glad th rain didn’t stop you from having a good time together
Jenny recently posted…Looking Strong on Your Run
That’s awesome that you all clicked so well. Sometimes it just happens
I feel you on the sizing. NYRR has changed vendors of late and in some races the women’s shirts are just unwearable. Sad when they don’t have men’s on offer
I am SO thrilled so many of you were able to get together! It looks like so much fun was had by all!
Glad the KT tape helped you out!
We had a ball! And yay for KT – it really was a life-saver!