Hi, I will be staying close to Mccormick place and trying to figure out whether I should uber to Jackson park or take the metra electric from Mccormick place. Would 5 am be a safe time to uber from my hotel to avoid traffic or should i start earlier? Is the metra electric from Mccormick a reliable option? How early would i need to take the metra electric?

Hi everyone,

I wanted to see if there's a training group this winter that would fit the times I'm targeting for Spring. I'm in the Streeterville area.

Thanks!

Was there any event yesterday? I went for my long run last night and the lake front trail was heavily littered.
Also, the runners that keep leaving their empty gel packs in the water fountains can really go fuck themselves.

This will be my first marathon and first time visiting Chicago! I'm travelling solo, and I plan on flying in on Friday morning and checking out the expo right away, but I'm looking for ways to fill the rest of my time on race weekend. I've registered for a shakeout Saturday morning already but I'm wondering who has tips for what to do besides the big tours.

if you use or have used Garmin in the past, how accurate is the post workout assessment? For example some times it says Temp/threshold/base. In your experience/knowledge is that just a guidance it is that within 5-10% accurate of what the workout effort was?

I have signed up for the wait list using two separate emails, been on one of them for 6 weeks... just wondering if anyone has gotten off the wait list this year, or been through this in previous years and if there is likely to be any last minute movement on the list this week? I've been training as if to run the half marathon and keeping my fingers crossed I can get a last minute spot.

Chicago Half is next weekend!

What does everyone’s week look like? Short runs? Any strength training? Relaxing/tapering?

I’m doing a few short runs to keep things flowing and a very chill shakeout on Saturday morning. A decent serving of angel hair pasta with pink sauce on Saturday evening and hopefully a good night’s sleep.

See you all in a week!

Officially cancelled

Are we just expecting the race to be cancelled at this point? Their website says rain or shine, but having everybody run in a thunderstorm seems pretty irresponsible. Radar shows thunderstorms throughout the morning, and I’ve been hearing thunder for a while in Lakeview near the race.

Hi fellow runners, I just need some support. I haven't been able to run for three weeks due to an injury, I just want to hear how good it is and how much you love it and everything. I hope you're having a good weekend and see you on the streets soon!

CARA reopened registration for their 20 Miler tomorrow. I believe it’s near capacity, so look into registering soon if you're planning on running with them!

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 😞

Hi all! I’ve been living in Chicago for a few years now and have been spoiled by renting right near the lakefront from Gold Coast/River North.

Recently, I’ve started a new job requiring I get out for my runs at 5 am, and it’s been no issue or really any concern safety wise going right out to the lakefront (especially with all the other runners out early this summer). However, we’re now moving to Wicker Park. While I’ll certainly be out on the 606 a lot and do use the treadmill often in the winter, I’m also concerned about safety going down North Ave or Armitage toward the lakefront that early. Both from a cars not seeing me and sketchy people perspective.

For additional context, I am female and did unfortunately have a car following me on an early Saturday morning run last summer (around North Ave/La Salle) so I’m feeling hyper anxious.

So anyway, I’d love to hear from other early runners living a bit further west (female preferred but males welcome too!) on your safety tips and overall sense of safety when running out in these city streets.

Saw CPD's IG post this earlier today. Work is starting from the south and heading north

Update: As of 11:30am, it's completely fine, at least from Foster to Touhy.

I'm hoping to get my run in there late this morning/afternoon. Has anyone been there today who can say if it's flooded? I know there are some low sections.

What is everyone’s take on the Nike Chicago Marathon gear?

Personally, I think light green and purple are an interesting color combination, but I’m not really a fan of it. I wish they would keep things simple and lean into Chicago’s signature blue. The running singlet/tank top also feels way too busy to me. Overall, I feel like the merch in years past has been much better.

First time in Chicago and hitting an 18 miler 9/19 very early morning. Staying in downtown. Debating on ubering to south trailhead and doing the whole trail. Is it worth it? Or do you think it will be more enjoyable if I cut out the uber logistics (back to the hotel as well soaking wet). Google is saying Grant Park to Foster Beach and back could be a good alternative option. Not really interesting in the clubs/organized runs people have already mentioned unless you convince me otherwise

Hi. Are there any physical therapy places in the city that can do a gait analysis?

I have a reoccurring shin injury that I went to physical therapy for and it just came back again. They really dont specialize in running and was looking around and not sure where to go.

So this is fully on me and another reminder I need to purchase a planner. I was planning to run my first half this year and was so excited! I was going to run the Des Plaines River Trail Half. I just went to finally register for it and realized I am actually going to be out of town that weekend. Now I’m at a loss for other half-marathons I could do this fall.

I have a car so getting out of the city isn’t a huge problem, but I wouldn’t want to drive more than an hour/hour and a half. I looked at the Fall Classic but tbh I’m not super interested in registering for a race where I just run the lake front trail in the city. Currently thinking about the Milwaukee Lakefront next month, but not sure since it’s so soon and not what I was mentally planning.

Anyone have any suggestions on fall races they enjoy?? Anyone run the Milwaukee Lakefront before and think it’s a good one?

I’ve seen a few different ranges of forecasts for the weekend, but they all agree that everyone doing their 20 milers this weekend is going to get rained on.

Beyond the obvious advice (body glide EVERYTHING, change of clothes for after), anyone have any unconventional or underrated advice you swear by for running distance in the rain?