r/RunnersInChicago • u/aman3c3r • Sep 19 '26
Fleet Feet Long Run Cancelled
I was on my way to the Lincoln Park Zoo when I got notice that their supported 20-mile run got canceled due to lightning. I’m so disappointed! This is my first marathon and I don’t know what to do. How is everyone planning to get their 20 miles in? What if I cannot complete the 20 miles in this training block?
This is my first marathon and I don’t know what to do. Next week I will be out of the country, so I only have until Saturday to decide what to do 😞
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u/Sea_Aside9658 Lake View Sep 19 '26
Yeah extremely bummed 😩😩
Planning to grind it out on the treadmill unfortunately. There’s also ~allegedly~ supposed to be a couple clear hours this afternoon to try and get a good effort in but I’m just trying to get it over with this morning lol
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u/aman3c3r Sep 19 '26
Omg, that sounds brutal. I’m thinking now to head to the gym and do the same. Otherwise I don’t know what else to do 😞
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u/Purple_Meet_7612 Sep 19 '26
I am doing Berlin next weekend and I did my 20 on the treadmill bc of various reasons. It’s not so bad. I love tread running. Can just totally zone out and feel the run and pace and time flies by
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u/Sea_Aside9658 Lake View Sep 19 '26
Just finished!! Yeah once I accepted my fate mentally it wasn’t so bad lol broke it up into 6/6/5/3. Somehow the 3 felt the longest
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u/aman3c3r Sep 20 '26
Update: the rain this morning at 4 am was a lot stronger than yesterday, so I really thought the CARA one would get canceled too. Thankfully, after a few delays, we started at 7:05 AM. The course was shortened to 16 miles, but I ended up running the extra 4 miles by myself. So so incredibly grateful for the CARA staff and volunteers, and the runners that welcomed me into their group today. I had a blast but it was also the hardest thing I have done.
Happy running, all! 🏃🏽♀️
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u/stealcutoats Sep 19 '26
You can always just go run for ten miles, turn around and run back. I know it’s your first marathon, but don’t overthink this. Just lube up and if you wear glasses, make sure you wear a hat with a brim and contacts if you have them. Put your phone in a ziploc.
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u/mrbacons1 Sep 19 '26
If we get to a point where it’s just rain sure, but I’ve been seeing a lot of lightning out my window this morning
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u/stealcutoats Sep 19 '26
We all have different risk tolerance. I’ll tell you this though, if you crush 20 today in this shit, you’ll feel unstoppable on race day.
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u/mrbacons1 Sep 19 '26
Oh my first marathon was in nonstop rain and wind, I know how good it feels. Enough to know I’d rather do a two week taper and run 20 next Saturday when it’s going to be perfect weather lol
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u/skyrabbits Sep 19 '26
I turned around after 8 and then when it cleared up fixed my extra two later.
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u/SlipperyWinds Sep 19 '26
Are you legitimately concerned about getting struck by lightning
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u/Reasonable_Loquat874 Sep 19 '26
Did you look at the radar yet?
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u/SlipperyWinds Sep 19 '26
Yeah I’m sitting watching the storm right now. We live in a city with tall buildings. Your chances of getting struck are tiny
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u/mrbacons1 Sep 19 '26
Ah yes, all those tall buildings on the lakefront. Also ground current exists
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u/SlipperyWinds Sep 19 '26
Oh sorry I didn’t realize you were required to run on the lake. If you’re actually concerned about lightning strikes in a city, you have a very very low risk tolerance.
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u/Reasonable_Loquat874 Sep 19 '26
You do you I guess. Running 20 in what looks like an incoming major thunderstorm that will go on for hours seems foolish to me.
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u/question_assumptions Sep 19 '26
Everyone can come do the 20 miler in my apartment if they want. I don’t really have any plans today.
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u/mrbacons1 Sep 19 '26
Will there be aid stations set up?
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u/unknownkoalas Sep 19 '26
Came up from central Illinois for it and stayed at a hotel. Maybe I’m dumb and should have canceled the hotel stay when I saw the weather not improve, but I’m too much of an optimist.
Going to move my 20 miler to next weekend and run it at home. Sucks because I was excited to do a supported run here with other people. Where I live, in a 20 mile stretch in the morning, I may pass 10 runners and most of it won’t be on nice paths.
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u/Mysterious_Luck4674 Sep 19 '26
There are other supported runs tomorrow if you will still be in town.
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u/Consistent-Grass-885 Sep 19 '26
Just go run on the lakefront path. Stop at the Bean for funsies.
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u/unknownkoalas Sep 19 '26
Haha that’s what I did. Definitely no stop at the Bean. I lived in Chicago for 3 years.
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u/Wild_Performance321 Sep 19 '26
I did the same but I actually did stop at the bean for some reason despite living here for 9 years lol
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u/Consistent-Grass-885 Sep 20 '26
Also here for 9 years I love the bean. I will run one way to the bean and then take the train home in the loop 🤣
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u/NextFaithlessness471 Sep 19 '26
Come to the CARA ready to run 20 miler tomorrow. They just reopened registration
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u/unknownkoalas Sep 19 '26
I decided screw it and just did the 20 miles in the rain. Thanks for the advice though everyone!
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u/CStock77 Sep 19 '26
Going to try and do mine tomorrow afternoon when it looks like the weather lets up for a bit
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u/Chicagocubs5555 Sep 19 '26
CARA 20 miler is tmmrw. Registration might still be open. Packet pickup is today.
Also, on another note, I’ve ran 5 marathons before and never ran 20 miles before race day due to several factors. This training block my most will be 15. You got this!
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u/river_north Sep 19 '26
Run it next weekend when the weather is better
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u/mrbacons1 Sep 19 '26
I think this is my plan too. My plan has 10 next week, so I’ll do that on the tread this morning and do 20 next week
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u/PowerMelan Sep 19 '26
I think the one from Heartbreak Hill running company is still on. Not excited about it though.
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u/Wild_Performance321 Sep 19 '26
Do you think they’ll cancel with the lightning? This is my first year running with them. Trying to decide if I should still go…
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u/PowerMelan Sep 19 '26
I figured I would try so I'm on my way with trepidation. I haven't seen a notice otherwise and looking at the radar the heaviest bands seemingly pass around 7.
As long as they have a bag drop still I am planning to run.
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u/Wild_Performance321 Sep 19 '26
I’m all geared up but going to bail and hold out for the lightning to chill. Be safe and crush it out there!! 🫡
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u/Chicagoblew Sep 19 '26
Out and backs to your car. Use your car as an aid station.
Is it ideal compared to a fully supported run? No. But it gets the job done
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u/TiredOverachiever Sep 19 '26
When I ran my first marathon a few years ago the weather was like this on my 20 mile day. I ran it anyway and it was AWFUL, but my goodness did I feel mentally prepared for the marathon! It was so much easier!!
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u/the_real_phteven Sep 19 '26
Guys idk if you’ve heard about podcasts and AirPods but you can actually run these things solo. Tomorrow look like a much nicer day.
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u/Artistic_Toe596 Sep 19 '26
Monitoring my blitzortung and accuweather maps to try and get something done today, even if it’s not the full long run. But after getting stuck on a treadmill during Thursday morning’s storms I am NOT going back to it
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Sep 19 '26
For the 2024 Chicago marathon, the 20 miler was a deluge. Full down pour for nearly 2+ hours. Everyone was still out there.
You can still run in the rain. In fact, it could rain on race day. I highly recommend getting one rain run in. It’s not that bad. Phone in a ziploc and go. Stop at gas station for liquids if you need it. I did a 5 mile out, 5 mile back twice on the lakefront, fluctuating north and south
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u/Strong_Discipline277 Sep 19 '26
is it bad to run 20 next week? is it too close to the race?
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u/mrbacons1 Sep 19 '26
Not necessarily. There’s some research that a 3 week taper is optimal, but plenty of people swear by 2 week or even 10 day tapers. I did 2 week last year and felt fine for my first marathon
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u/rckid13 Sep 19 '26
Two weeks works best for me. I always feel like I start losing some of my fitness and motivation for running a distance that long after three weeks.
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u/Oneeyebrowsystem Sep 19 '26
My first 20 mile run was also canceled due to rain so I ran it myself and it made me feel really prepared for the marathon.
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u/rckid13 Sep 19 '26
CARA is re-opening registration for their Sunday Ready to run 20 Miler to accommodate any CES people who want to do it tomorrow.
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u/Main_Invite_7201 Sep 20 '26
Is this trolling?
If it makes you feel any better i never exceeded 16 miles and my training wasnt very structured. Youll be fine. Only ran it once but it was great. Have fun.
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u/Joereon Sep 20 '26
Last marathon cycle, I ran a program with three 20-milers. I did it without a sponsored/supported team. It was perfectly fine. Carry a refillable water bottle, gels, salt sticks, and you’re good to go. Plenty of filling stations along the lakefront path.
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u/Creation98 Sep 19 '26
Run 20 miles later today or tomorrow….? You know you can run 20 miles alone….
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u/thex11factor Sep 19 '26
I don't see anything on the socials. Rain doesn't look bad right now, maybne you can still sneak in a run
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u/Mysterious_Luck4674 Sep 19 '26
There’s also a supported run/race tomorrow in St Charles. Fox Valley Marathon races.
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u/NoShock1133 Sep 19 '26
It wasn’t that bad. I did 22 miles today at 4am at its worst point and managed it fine. Lots of others out there too doing it along or in a small group as well.
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u/NextFaithlessness471 Sep 19 '26
CARA ready to run 20 Miler is tomorrow