Expo/packet pickup: Packet pick up was quick and easy. The swag was awesome and I love the jacket!
The expo was very small (maybe 5 vendors) and I can honestly say I spent virtually NOTHING!

Race Day: We were staying downtown and opted to take a cap to the start line, instead of walking almost a mile. We arrived in the part with plenty of time to get some group photos at the start line, relax, do some stretching and drop off our stuff at great check.

Once the race started, it quickly went downhill from there. It started out as a col morning, but ended up being a very warm day and we hit the first water station at about mile 2, just before we headed out onto the paved trail along the waterfront. This was an open trail and I quickly lost count on how many times I was nearly run over by bikers, roller bladers or other runners (who were not part of the event). The next 6 miles were HOT... and there was virtually NO breeze off the lake!

In the end, there were 3 water stations on the course (one you ran pace twice) and that was not nearly enough for as warm as it was that day. I talked to one runner who actually stopped to ask someone in one of the parks if she could BUY a bottle of water off him!

The other disappointment... the race advertized that their sexy male calendar models would be at the finish line for photos. Close but not really. There was ONE helping pass out finishers charms at the finish line and then 2 in the post race celebration area.

We stayed long enough to get a few photos, drink our champagne and catch a cab back to the hotel.

Sorry Women Rock, these ladies will NOT be coming back to Chicago!

For my full race recap and weekend adventures, check out the CrazyHamster Blog here: http://crazyhamster.run/2014/10/chicago-running-good-friends-and-ice.html

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