Feb 24 I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane..... Boston 2012

I'm Leaving On A Jet Plane....

Today is the start of a big weekend for me.  Its time to see just how hard I was working in my training runs and workouts and test them in a race.  I had originally planned on just doing the Polar Dash before Boston, but since that turned into more of a snowy training run, Coach suggested that I see if I could find another 1/2 in a warmer climate.  My brother-in law and his wife (Charlie and Beth) live in Tennessee, and invited me down to watch Pat Summit's last last home basketball game.  Being a huge fan of Pat Summit and with her medical condition, I couldn't pass up an opportunity to see one of the best coach a game.  When I checked things out, I found a 1/2 marathon in Chattanooga, about an hour and a half away the very same weekend.  The timing could't have been better.  Bought a plane ticket, registered for the race, packed a bag and I was ready to go.  

Saying good-bye to Ian

Snowfall morning of flight

Then, it happened, good 'ol Chicago weather.  Just when you think you have it figured out, it tricks you.  A big snowstorm was headed our way and that could really throw a wrench in things.  When I went to bed lat night, it had just been raining so I wasn't too worried about waking up to 2 feet of snow.  Although it has snowed that much overnight in the past, I just didn't think that was going to be the case in the morning, or should I say, I was praying it wasn't going to be the case.  Firs thing I did when I woke up was run to the window to see what had happened.  I wasn't sure how much snow there was on the ground but I think that I lucked out.  The cars and the driveway were looking pretty white, and I was going to have to brush of the snow but it didn't look like that much had fallen.  I had a 30 minute bike ride at the Courts that I needed to do before I stepped on the plane so hopefully the streets would be clear enough and I could make it there and back quickly.   Drove through some falling snow and slushy streets, but got my ride in, and made it home to leave for my flight by 7:10.  Said good-bye to my son and headed to the airport.  My flight to Tenn was leaving at 9:30 and with the weather being kind of crazy, I wanted to be sure that I had enough time to get through security and to the gate without any hassles.  Decided to take the side streets to the airport as the Chicago expressways are notorious for coming to a standstill when the weather gets bad.  My husband John did an awesome job of calming my nerves and  getting me to the airport in plenty of time.  I wasn't going to check my bags as running clothes are not what you want to lose the day before a race. Everything is a carry-on.  It was 8:00 and I was sitting at the gate.  I still had an hour and a half before my flight, so now it was time to relax.  Here is what I did before I got on the plane.  By accident, I found the prettiest and cleanest bathrooms at O'Hare airport.  

Concourse A...Beautiful

In all my years of traveling, I have never seen airport bathrooms that looked this great.  Even George Costanza would love these.  Next it was time to purchase some traditional "trashy" reading material for the flight.  I headed to the nearest news stand so I could pick something out.  I'm not going to say which one I chose, but it was pretty bad.

Good trashy reading material.

Time to take a peak outside and see if panes were moving and snow was being removed so planes could take off.

Snow Removal In Progress

Flight departed on time and we were heading to Tenn. Thank you American Airlines.

Beautiful Tenn

 Landed in Knoxville and met up with Charlie.  First stop was Chattanooga at the Choo Choo Hotel to pick up my running stuff.  This is a small race.  There are 500 half-marathoners running the race so there was not an expo.  Not even a bag to put your stuff in.  Collected my chip, number and racing shirt and met some friendly folks.  I met the race director and talked with him for a bit.  The race is put on by the local running club.  A big endeavor for a small group.  But they looked like they knew what they were doing, so I wasn't too worried.  Course map showed some hills, one that was a mile long.  Oh, good!

Race Number-Scenic City Half

It was already starting to get late, so instead of eating out, we went to the local grocery store and purchased the pre-race essentials, pasta, bread and bananas.  Cooked a big dinner and headed to bed.  I was tired and had to get up early for the race the next day.  Race time is 8:00 a.m. but I need to be up at 4 and leave at 5:00 a.m.  It was a 2 hour drive to Chattanooga.  Not really any different than some of the other days when I run.