Urban Dash

Del and I went to Chicago for the night this weekend. I was so excited to go! Del has been traveling a lot lately, and the break from the house, the kids, and some time spent with him were all very welcome!
We went down to run the Urban Dash with some of Del's employees. It is now officially a tradition for him to sign up those who want to run a race together. This one was so cool because it was in and around Soldier Field, and along the lake shore.

Del and I started our night off with a visit to the temple. Always needed.

Then, much to my great frustration, we sat in traffic for 2 1/2 hours on our way to the city. When we finally got checked in to our hotel, I was thrilled with our river view! We were in a perfect location to get up and get to the starting line the next morning.

We walked across the river to Howells and Hood for dinner. The restaurant is named after the architects who designed the Tribune tower in Chicago.

We ate outside on the busy patio. We got seated right away though, and enjoyed the people watching. The burgers and sandwiches were fine, but, the toasted ravioli appetizer... YUM!

We woke up bright and early to catch a cab to Soldier Field, and get checked in.

The race was fun. It included 14 obstacles. Del was off like a shot as soon as they blew the horn, and everyone else got separated, so I ran this thing alone. That was okay actually.
And I just have to say, that I was one sore mama after running this race!
I caught my shoulder blade on a net on one of the obstacles in the second mile, which gave me a mean looking scratch. It drew a lot of attention, and comments from fellow racers as I passed people on the course. I started to just shout over my shoulder that it was my souvenir as I ran by. At one point the course went into the stadium, which was super cool.
The very uncool part though? Running the stairs. In the last mile. I felt it. Plus I had already pulled myself over more walls, and under more wood contraptions than I ever have in my life, in the miles leading up to it. Yes, I'm a wimp.

THIS is a picture of the most aggravating thing ever! After giving it your all, to make good time, and not get held up by the walkers, this was the last obstacle on the course.

Notice how many people are bunched together? We worked all that time to get to this point, and then there was a huge bottle neck, because people had to concentrate, and many hesitated, to walk over a drop to the cement on a 2 x4. That meant that we just had to stand there for almost six minutes to wait our turn. Ruining our times completely, and allowing some who got to that point after us to get ahead, just because they happened to get in a faster line!

Now, I am am not an uber competitive person, but it would be nice to know where I truly fell in the times, without it being so skewed! Especially after all that work, and in my case, a small amount of blood!
Really bad planning on the part of the organizers. Everyone was so mad! I told Del that the event planners must be socialists, because that last obstacle was the "Great Equalizer."

The fake finish line. Ha!

My souvenir. "Ouch, that'll hurt tomorrow!" "Hey! You have a cut, did you know?" "Oh no! We have an injury!"
They were all ready to call an ambulance! It was nice of them to be so concerned though.

Here is most of the group of Del's employees and their guest. We lost a few to the free beer.

Del killed it! He was a man on a mission! He flew! Until the last stop that is.

We had so much fun! I am not a huge runner anymore. Yoga has kind of taken it's place for me. I did have a good time getting ready for this race though! In spite of the fact that I am climbing stairs on my hands and knees because I am so sore!