Remember that one time I talked fellow Chick Flick Reviewers Jenna and Bryan into running the Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon with me? Well, WE DID IT! On Sunday, August 2, we ran 13.1 miles on a beautiful course through downtown Chicago.

Well, in early spring I decided I wanted to do something challenging this summer. Somehow I learned about the Chicago Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon. I was at work constantly scheming and discussing the possibility of accomplishing 13.1 miles with my fellow co-worker and office neighbor, Lauren. I had never even run a marathon before but was suddenly determined to run a half marathon as my first. I was so excited about doing this that I found myself convincing and recruiting others. SUCCESS! – I recruited Jenna and Bryan. The early bird discount deadline was approaching fast and since we were all broke we knew we had to make our final decision so we wouldn’t have to pay a lot of money to register. I think we all nervously signed up the night the early bird discount expired. Eventually, the race sold out confirming that we would be running alongside thousands of others.

Additionally, I decided to make my training more challenging by simultaneously fundraising for the Tree House Humane Society, Chester’s (my kitty) former home. Did I mention that summer is my busy season? Somehow, I did it! I met my fundraising goal on the eve of the marathon. I was so excited (special thanks to those who donated)!

Anyways, Jake and Christine (also fellow Chick Flick Reviewers) traveled up to the city and stayed the night to wake up at 4:30am with us for our big day! We made it to the park around 6:00am, took some pre-race photos with our awesome sign, custom made by my fiancé/CFR-er Josh, and hopped in our corral a little before 6:30am.

7:00am rolled around and finally it was our turn to start. The course started out downtown and wound through the loop, past the Chicago Theatre, Sears Tower, through the west loop Greektown area and back to Michigan Avenue only to travel south on Lake Shore Drive, wind through McCormick Place and hop on the lake path to run northbound along the lakeshore through Museum Campus to the finish line. The course was beautiful. It was great to see the fellow Chick Flick Reviewers along with my dad cheering us on throughout the course, BEST FANS EVER! Then, about two and a half-ish hours later we all finished!

I think we would all agree that this was something ridiculous that we never imagined doing but now that we have accomplished it, it feels surreal and great. Someday we will recover and maybe consider doing it again. Maybe.