Alphabet guru and Run Dem Crew mentor Linda Byrne takes on 26.2 miles in Chicago
Name:
Linda Byrne
Age:
36
Occupation:
Designer
From:
London
Website:
www.alphabetical-order.co.uk and
www.inclineaccelerators.tumblr.comDistance:
26.2 miles
Race time:
3.48
How long have you been running?
About four years, bit more seriously in the last 18 months.
What made you decide to sign up for this race?
Big, flat and feisty. Plus I wanted to do an American one. Did NYC half earlier in the year, so like to spread the love between the big cities.
What were your expectations for the race? (i.e. did you want a PB or just to get round, or pace/encourage someone else who is running?)
I was keen to do better than my first one obviously, but it was more important that I was part of a team of people training together for it.
What were your high and low points during the race, if any?
For me the main highs were before and after. All heading off together before the sun had risen. The jokes and team vibe. Then seeing everyone come back safe on what was a hot hot race. Was tough to see my running mate have a bad time with leg cramps at mile 18. The support was amazing. People at water stations really helped me through the last few miles when my legs were mashed.
What was the best part of the course for you?
The bits around downtown Chicago were great. Going under and over bridges. Nice stretch up lake shore drive too.
What was the most challenging part of the course for you?
Mile 14 or so is when it got really hot and was a bit of a boring exposed area. Gold target time started to slip there too as the heat put on pressure. Then Mile 22-24 was really tough. A few target times were out the window. I had been running alone for a while. My heart wanted to go faster but my legs were on the verge of cramping so couldn't. Just seemed to take ages to get onto the home straight. I had to do a lot of serious talking to myself to keep moving.
How would you describe the crowd support?
Really good. Loads all along the way. Lots of daft stuff going on too. Line dancers, Elvis, good signs, and random folk with water hoses to cool us down.
What was the male/female ratio roughly in the race?
Hard to say as I was in a front start corral which tends to be more male. Maybe 60-70% male.
Did you see many people running in costume, and if so what was the best costume?
I saw one man painted yellow. That is all.
What’s your overall verdict of the race? Give marks out of ten for the following categories:
Organisation:
10! Great set up. At the end they gave you loads of stuff you didn't even know you needed that really helped. Wet towels, bags of ice, love, beer....
Scenery:
9. Mostly pretty sexy city stuff or sweet neighbourhoods. Only a couple of dull bits.
Atmosphere:
10. Nice and friendly between the runners and the crowd ready made it special.
Would you do it again next year?
I'd prefer to do different ones just so I can tick off the list of big ones and see new places. Never go back... That's what they say. But no reason why I wouldn't do it again, it's a good course, great city and really well organised.
What one tip or piece of information would you like to pass on to anyone thinking of doing this race for the first time?
Swim in Lake Michigan straight after; nature’s ice bath. It was a really special moment for me to be in the water and look back at the big city we had conquered despite the heat. The boys scrotums may disagree though.
