Race Report-Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon
I've got a feeling that this is going to be more of a rant and rave vs. a race report. Reader be ware.
Let me start by saying that my wife has been away for training for her job all summer. She still has about half a month to go....with that being said here's the report.
The Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon was supposed to be our getaway weekend. It wasn't something that we were looking to PR or anything like that. On Friday evening she brought me home a plate of food from a baby shower that she had attended that evening. At the end of my meal I started having some severe right upper quadrant pain. I knew immediately what it was...my gallbladder. I had a similar attack on June 2nd of this year. I spent the rest of the evening writhing in pain but I was able to sleep.
We woke up at 5am and loaded up the car. The entire drive I was in pain. It's about 240 miles from Bloomington, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois. My first attack lasted about ten hours so I was hoping that this too would pass in similar fashion. That did not happen.
We checked into the Fairmont Hotel (very nice and VERY pricey) Our bill for two nights with parking was $731.00!!!! It was $51.00 per night just to park. We met a friend who lives there and did the tourist thing. Alisica really wanted to spend some time at Navy Pier. I tried the best that I could. Several times I had to sit down before I fell down. I was doubled over in pain.
When we called it a night I was able to sleep. Sunday morning found me to be relatively pain free. I had told myself that if I woke with no pain then I'd try to run the half marathon. We made the walk of about a mile to the start line. Got in our coral and took off.
We ran the first five miles. Alisica had to stop and walk a few times but she always started back up without walking too far or too long. Between miles five and ten we did more walking than running. From miles ten to thirteen we only walked. Alisica had done no training for this race. Seriously, no training. Where she's staying it's too dangerous for her to be out on the streets by herself. She's had neuropathy of her deep perineal nerve. Basically she's had drop foot since running our first half marathon in November. She's had physical therapy and has made great improvement. She should be in good shape for our fall events.
Alisica kept telling me to go on without her but I was not about to do that. I wanted to be able to keep an eye on her. I didn't want her to get hurt. I didn't want her to get discouraged and quit either. The plan from the beginning was for us to do this race together. Also, I didn't know if I was going to be able to finish. I didn't know if the pain would stop me in my tracks. If I went down I wanted her to be there with me. I had my Road ID on and I had my drivers license and insurance card with me just to be safe. I will say that the walking was killing my right knee. I've got a really bad right knee. It's had two surgeries and I find that walking hurts it. I'd much rather run or jog.
The weather was warm with no rain. When we were running in the city between the buildings it was very hot. There was no breeze. At least the tall buildings helped keep the sun from beating down on us. Miles nine or ten to the finish were pretty much along Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan. The view was great.
A lot of runners had a problem with the heat. There were several runners down and being attended to by the medical staff. Around mile ten they were giving out sponges soaked with cold water. Alisica grabbed a couple of them. I grabbed one and used it on her. The heat didn't bother me at all because I was used to running and riding in it.
At the finish line they were giving out hand towels soaked in cold water. That was the only good thing about the finish line. They only had water and Popsicles for the runners...oh and orange slices. No food, no energy bars....nothing!!!!! I was pissed!!!! I don't know if they had run out of stuff or what. What a let down.
The post race concert was Five for Fighting. We made our way over to the beer tent and got our two cups of beer, found a seat to the side of the stage and listened to the concert. That's when all hell broke loose. The muscles in my back started to spasm. I had six to eight muscles in spasm all of the time. The RUQ pain come back with a vengeance and brought the spasms with it. I was in agony.
On the walk back to the hotel I had to sit down several times because of the pain. We showered and then met our friend for brunch. I really had no appetite. It had been six years since we've seen her so I didn't want to cancel. I spent the rest of the day and night in severe pain.
People may wonder why we went to Chicago with me in that kind of pain. Well, I'll tell you. We had already paid $105.00 each for entry fees. If we canceled the room we would have been charged for it anyway. We had looked so forward to our time away I didn't want to cancel or ruin it. I figured that the gallbladder attack would quit after a few hours.
On Monday morning we woke at 5:30am. We decided to go ahead and pack and get out of Chicago before the morning rush hour. I'm glad that we did that. It was a smart move.
On the way home I called my surgeon as soon as they opened. They told me to go to the Emergency Department. Instead of driving on down to Bloomington we went to Carmel. I was admitted on Monday. Had another gallbladder ultrasound, and some lab work done and was put on the surgery schedule. I was taken to surgery at 1pm on Tuesday. I was discharged from the hospital at 7pm Tuesday evening. Yesterday (Wednesday) I was pretty sore from the gas that they fill the abdomen with. Today I feel pretty good. So good in fact that I really want to go for a run, walk, or bike ride. I'm not going to do any exercising but I'd really, really like to.
Thanks for hanging in there and reading this report, rant, rave. In all I've got to say that the Rock and Roll events are pretty good but they are expensive. For that kind of money I'd expect better care at the finish line. To make things worse, you're in downtown Chicago. There's no grocery stores or convenience stores handy. Kind of hard to get nourishment when there are no goods or services offered.
Duane
Let me start by saying that my wife has been away for training for her job all summer. She still has about half a month to go....with that being said here's the report.
The Chicago Rock and Roll Half Marathon was supposed to be our getaway weekend. It wasn't something that we were looking to PR or anything like that. On Friday evening she brought me home a plate of food from a baby shower that she had attended that evening. At the end of my meal I started having some severe right upper quadrant pain. I knew immediately what it was...my gallbladder. I had a similar attack on June 2nd of this year. I spent the rest of the evening writhing in pain but I was able to sleep.
We woke up at 5am and loaded up the car. The entire drive I was in pain. It's about 240 miles from Bloomington, Indiana to Chicago, Illinois. My first attack lasted about ten hours so I was hoping that this too would pass in similar fashion. That did not happen.
We checked into the Fairmont Hotel (very nice and VERY pricey) Our bill for two nights with parking was $731.00!!!! It was $51.00 per night just to park. We met a friend who lives there and did the tourist thing. Alisica really wanted to spend some time at Navy Pier. I tried the best that I could. Several times I had to sit down before I fell down. I was doubled over in pain.
When we called it a night I was able to sleep. Sunday morning found me to be relatively pain free. I had told myself that if I woke with no pain then I'd try to run the half marathon. We made the walk of about a mile to the start line. Got in our coral and took off.
We ran the first five miles. Alisica had to stop and walk a few times but she always started back up without walking too far or too long. Between miles five and ten we did more walking than running. From miles ten to thirteen we only walked. Alisica had done no training for this race. Seriously, no training. Where she's staying it's too dangerous for her to be out on the streets by herself. She's had neuropathy of her deep perineal nerve. Basically she's had drop foot since running our first half marathon in November. She's had physical therapy and has made great improvement. She should be in good shape for our fall events.
Alisica kept telling me to go on without her but I was not about to do that. I wanted to be able to keep an eye on her. I didn't want her to get hurt. I didn't want her to get discouraged and quit either. The plan from the beginning was for us to do this race together. Also, I didn't know if I was going to be able to finish. I didn't know if the pain would stop me in my tracks. If I went down I wanted her to be there with me. I had my Road ID on and I had my drivers license and insurance card with me just to be safe. I will say that the walking was killing my right knee. I've got a really bad right knee. It's had two surgeries and I find that walking hurts it. I'd much rather run or jog.
The weather was warm with no rain. When we were running in the city between the buildings it was very hot. There was no breeze. At least the tall buildings helped keep the sun from beating down on us. Miles nine or ten to the finish were pretty much along Lake Shore Drive along Lake Michigan. The view was great.
A lot of runners had a problem with the heat. There were several runners down and being attended to by the medical staff. Around mile ten they were giving out sponges soaked with cold water. Alisica grabbed a couple of them. I grabbed one and used it on her. The heat didn't bother me at all because I was used to running and riding in it.
At the finish line they were giving out hand towels soaked in cold water. That was the only good thing about the finish line. They only had water and Popsicles for the runners...oh and orange slices. No food, no energy bars....nothing!!!!! I was pissed!!!! I don't know if they had run out of stuff or what. What a let down.
The post race concert was Five for Fighting. We made our way over to the beer tent and got our two cups of beer, found a seat to the side of the stage and listened to the concert. That's when all hell broke loose. The muscles in my back started to spasm. I had six to eight muscles in spasm all of the time. The RUQ pain come back with a vengeance and brought the spasms with it. I was in agony.
On the walk back to the hotel I had to sit down several times because of the pain. We showered and then met our friend for brunch. I really had no appetite. It had been six years since we've seen her so I didn't want to cancel. I spent the rest of the day and night in severe pain.
People may wonder why we went to Chicago with me in that kind of pain. Well, I'll tell you. We had already paid $105.00 each for entry fees. If we canceled the room we would have been charged for it anyway. We had looked so forward to our time away I didn't want to cancel or ruin it. I figured that the gallbladder attack would quit after a few hours.
On Monday morning we woke at 5:30am. We decided to go ahead and pack and get out of Chicago before the morning rush hour. I'm glad that we did that. It was a smart move.
On the way home I called my surgeon as soon as they opened. They told me to go to the Emergency Department. Instead of driving on down to Bloomington we went to Carmel. I was admitted on Monday. Had another gallbladder ultrasound, and some lab work done and was put on the surgery schedule. I was taken to surgery at 1pm on Tuesday. I was discharged from the hospital at 7pm Tuesday evening. Yesterday (Wednesday) I was pretty sore from the gas that they fill the abdomen with. Today I feel pretty good. So good in fact that I really want to go for a run, walk, or bike ride. I'm not going to do any exercising but I'd really, really like to.
Thanks for hanging in there and reading this report, rant, rave. In all I've got to say that the Rock and Roll events are pretty good but they are expensive. For that kind of money I'd expect better care at the finish line. To make things worse, you're in downtown Chicago. There's no grocery stores or convenience stores handy. Kind of hard to get nourishment when there are no goods or services offered.
Duane
"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
I run for those who can't or won't. I run because I once was one of those people.
you are one tough cookie. i've been following your struggle on FB over the past couple of days, i'm hoping for some speedy recovery. and please, take it easy (i know it will be hard for you), rest is what is needed. the races and fitness aren't going anywhere, we'll be here when you are ready to hit it hard again :)
Where are we going?? And why am I in this handbasket??
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
right now. somewhere. somebody is working harder than you.
Glad you are ok!!
I can't believe you put up with all that pain AND still ran a race!
We are getting a Rock N Roll Marathon in New England next year, wondering about doing it now.
I can't believe you put up with all that pain AND still ran a race!
We are getting a Rock N Roll Marathon in New England next year, wondering about doing it now.
Read my blog, BARIATHLETE I run because I can.
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
First 5K race October 4, 2009 (34.59) PR 5/22/11 (27:26)
First 5 Mile: January 1, 2011 (50:30)
First 10K: July 4, 2010 (1:03.26) New PR 4/10/11 (1:01.14)
First 10 Mile: April 11, 2010 (1:46.15)
First 1/2 marathon: June 13, 2010 (2:22.21) PR: 5/1/11 (2:17.30)
First Marathon: October 16, 2011: 5:47:20
Goofy Challenge: January 7-8, 2012
If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you're right. - Mary Kay Ash
Damn dude.
When I had my gallbladder removed, the pain that sent me to the E.R. was so bad, I thought it was going to make me throw up.
It took a couple shots of morhpine to make that pain go away.
I'm glad you were able to finish your race and try to salvage your time together.
Congrats on the finish.
Scott
When I had my gallbladder removed, the pain that sent me to the E.R. was so bad, I thought it was going to make me throw up.
It took a couple shots of morhpine to make that pain go away.
I'm glad you were able to finish your race and try to salvage your time together.
Congrats on the finish.
Scott
The first time you do something - It's going to be a personal record!
Wow Duane! This will definitely be one of those races that you'll never forget. Recover well.
Cassie
Cassie
"Hard things take time to do. Impossible things take a little longer."
Thanks guys. It really sucked. It really did. I so didn't want to ruin our weekend together. I sucked it up the best that I could and just got on with the weekend. When we got to the E.D. they gave me Morphine, Dilaudid, and Toradol. It relieved the pain but it was temporary. The RUQ pain felt like a the worst runners cramp that you can imagine then amplified with steroids. The muscle spasms in my back is what did me in. Between hotel, food, and entrance fees we spent over a thousand dollars for the weekend. That's a lot of money for us. I didn't want to waste it.
As for the half marathon itself I really think that the organizers dropped the ball. Cold sponges should have been available at several spots on the route. Maybe they would not have had so many people collapsing from heat exhaustion. There should have been proper and plentiful nutrition along the entire route. At the Nashville Country Music Half Marathon they had fruit, cookies, and Vaseline swabs along the route. There was plenty of food and hydration at the finish line. I can't say that for the Chicago event. Like I said in my post there was no place to go to get food or drink when the race was finished. At the hotel an 8.5 oz. bottle of Diet Coke was $4.00 Wow, at that price how many of those can you afford?
We've already committed to a friend to do the Las Vegas Rock and Roll in December. If that event is not run better then I'll never do another one and I will make it my personal quest to spread the word near and far about how poorly the events are organized. They charge $105.00 per person to run a half marathon. For that much money a participant shouldn't want for anything.
Duane
As for the half marathon itself I really think that the organizers dropped the ball. Cold sponges should have been available at several spots on the route. Maybe they would not have had so many people collapsing from heat exhaustion. There should have been proper and plentiful nutrition along the entire route. At the Nashville Country Music Half Marathon they had fruit, cookies, and Vaseline swabs along the route. There was plenty of food and hydration at the finish line. I can't say that for the Chicago event. Like I said in my post there was no place to go to get food or drink when the race was finished. At the hotel an 8.5 oz. bottle of Diet Coke was $4.00 Wow, at that price how many of those can you afford?
We've already committed to a friend to do the Las Vegas Rock and Roll in December. If that event is not run better then I'll never do another one and I will make it my personal quest to spread the word near and far about how poorly the events are organized. They charge $105.00 per person to run a half marathon. For that much money a participant shouldn't want for anything.
Duane
"Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us."
I run for those who can't or won't. I run because I once was one of those people.
Most Active
Recent Topics
