Aug 27, 2017
Sponsored run this morning with my coworkers! We got to run through the Navy Base! 3 nautical miles (3.4 mi on land) #Fort2Base #navalstation (at Naval Station Great Lakes)
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Sponsored run this morning with my coworkers! We got to run through the Navy Base! 3 nautical miles (3.4 mi on land) #Fort2Base #navalstation (at Naval Station Great Lakes)
Busy at the #finishline @fort2base 10 nautical leaders already on #navalstationgreatlakes #fort2base (at Naval Station Great Lakes)
Raising the really big flag on Ross Field #fort2base @fort2base #navalstationgreatlakes (at Fort 2 Base Race)
Changing the flag just before the race. #fort2base #greatlakesnsw @fort2base Ross Field (at Naval Station Great Lakes)
Fort2Base 2012 Race Recap
This past Sunday I woke up early and hightailed it way up North outside Chicago for a tune up race. The Chicago marathon is just two weeks away and my running confidence has been in the dumps. 2012's training cycle for Chicago has been challenging: stomach issues, unpredictable runs, boredom/loneliness on long runs. My game plan going into Fort 2 Base was a steady marathon goal paced effort. Achieved! About the Race: Fort2Base is in it's second year and held on the private naval training base in Fort Sheridan and Great Lakes, IL. The drive is roughly 45 minutes from the Northside of Chicago. When traveling at 5:30am or so, traffic is non-existent and we made our way to Fort Sheridan without any issues.
Source Packet Pick Up: Running Away Multisport in Chicago two days before the race. Easy peasy, in and out with my bib and shirt in less than 5 minutes. Source Pre- Race: Ten porta potties with over a thousand runners made for a tense environment. I waited 30 minutes in the porta potty line before taking care of business (thank goodness) and lining up in the corral with only about 90 seconds to spare. Race organizers, I can't provide enough praise for this race. It was awesome, but PLEASE increase the number of start line porta potties! The Race: 10 nautical miles (11.5 actual miles) on a course that follows a shaded bike bath for about 8 miles before heading into the naval base and running around the campus. The view of the lake at mile 10 was gorgeous. The sun was low in the east and the water was calm, the scenery looked like you were on a coast! I toed the start line right behind the 9:00 pace group with the intention to stay as close as possible to a pace of 9:09 (for a 4:00 marathon finish goal). Each mile I was right on the money or a bit faster. I took in half a Honey Stinger Waffle at mile 4.5 and planned to fuel again with the other half around 9. Mile 9 came around and I didn't feel like I needed a boost for the remaining 2.5 miles so I held off and was fine. The first aid station was about 1.5 miles into the course and super entertaining. Tons of military personnel where in their uniforms and cheering. They had a Hummer along the course blasting music with a flat screen TV in the vehicle showing a Navy video. It was so inspiring I almost felt pressured to sign up for the Navy! :) Running down a steep hill around mile 9 was fun! But what goes down must come up and Mile 10.5 I encountered Hero Hill. Steep! But short. I picked up the pace in the final 1/2 mile and finished with a smile on my face. First positive race experience in a while! Thank the Lord! Perfect pace execution (which never happens). Sadly, I know this pace about 9:00 min miles is too aggressive for the marathon. Easily sustainable for 11.5 miles, not 26.2. The pace was comfortable though and I was running relatively easily. Post Race: The food was awesome! The race organizers distributed killer food samples. Larabars, granola bars, Quaker oatmeal cookies, bananas, gatorade, standard water, power bars, etc. Anyone who knows me, knows I ALWAYS have snacks in my purse, usually mini bars, raisins, etc. I took advantage and stocked up! Overall: I would definitely do this race again, it's a neat course where you otherwise wouldn't be allowed access as a civilian. Good organization, aid stations, course, support and race goodies. Just add more porta potties at the start line!