Here is where I've come out on each of the races so far.

And below are the races I've left to run. 

I'd encourage anybody who is on the fence about it to absolutely sign up.  I know its a lot of money, but its Disney - they do it right.  And it gives you something to look forward to (and train for!).

You can also check out my 2012 Walt Disney World Half Marathon Race Review here

If you want to know more about the Chear Squad program - read my review here (I got it for my parents last year, but really couldn't find any opinions online about it before I purchased).

Updates on the Phoenix Half Marathon (March race) as well as the Chi-Town Half Marathon (April race) are posted!  Next up - Bayshore Half Marathon in my beautiful home town of Traverse City, Michigan.

The Kranch. One of my many nicknames (thanks friends).

On paper it was a prime day for a run - slightly overcast and unseasonably warm for Chicago in April (but perfect for running).  The race started at the south end of Lincoln Park, and north along the lake shore path up to Montrose Harbor and back.  The course was relatively flat, aside from the under- and over passes.  A decent amount of spectators lined the course, and even though we were sharing the path with the normal runners and bikers, we didn't come across too much traffic.  My favorite spectators were the lovely people around mile 4 that were handing out cups of beer.

Pre-race communication has been great - timely emails with the important details (packet pick up, course updates, etc).  Packet pick up was at a local running store and you can tell they have put on a variety of races by their level of efficiency.  They didn't have a "swag bag" like other races do, which was fine because those are usually just filled with fliers for other races I end up throwing away.  Just my bib, shirt, and safety pins is all I really need.

I've been fortunate to have relatively easy post-race recoveries, so this was a whole new experience.  I was sore before the race even finished and knew the recovery period ahead would be hard.  What I wasn't prepared for how long it kept me down and the impact it would have on this half marathon challenge.

Nearly every race training plan out there includes a "strength and stretch" day and typically I've skipped it.  Foolishly, I never really thought it would have a huge impact, and its worked out seemingly alright.  Well, until Phoenix.  And now, my friends, I've been reformed.

All signs point to Phoenix

Man, was Phoenix tough!  I knew it was going to start getting more intense as the races continued on in the challenge, and with this being race number four, I kind of figured it was going to be a turning point.  And turning point is an understatement.  But I'll get to that.

Overall, the race was very well organized.  The packet pickup was at a business near where the shuttle pick up was going to be.  Was in and out in about 10 minutes.  The line looked a little intimidating, but it really went pretty quickly.  I was staying in downtown Phoenix, so it was about a 20-25 minute drive, but while I was out in that area, I figured I might as well drive the first part of the race.  It's the first time I've really ever done it, and I'm glad I did. 

I didn't think much of the climate change until this afternoon, when I realized how dry everything felt.  And I'm not as good about drinking my usual quantities of water when I'm traveling, so I've been trying to make more of an effort, although at this point, who knows what good it will do.

Maybe its the fact I've only gotten 6 runs in and usually I get in 12, that or my longest run has been 5 miles and I usually get back up to 12?  For what ever reason, this Phoenix Half Marathon is starting to freak me out a little. 

Granted I am excited - the course sounds beautiful (running through the AZ desert at sunrise?) and there is no increase in elevation - so on paper it should be an awesome run.  But we all know that running is 95% mental and I've just not had my head in it the last few weeks.  Hopefully this funk turns around in the next couple days and I can go out and rock it.

I didn't actually expect to set a PR for every race ( I think my previous best Half Marathon was like 2:30:00 or something along those lines), and I certainly don't anticipate it happening for the next 10 races, but it certainly has been nice encouragment to keep on truckin' through this half marathon challenge.  Up next? The Phoenix Half Marathon on March 3rd!

The For The Love of Kids race was a 'virtual' race which was exactly what I was looking for in a February race.  I'd travelled for the December and January races, and knew I'd be travelling for March and May, so I wanted to find one that I didn't require as travel as the other ones had so far.  After a little searching through some trusty half marathon listings, I'd found this race.  And to help raise money for Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Gang Camp - even better!

Registration was easy and pre-race communications were very clear, and not overly intrusive.  Organizers were very clear about when you'd get your shirt, bib, and medals as well as how (and when) to upload your time.

The other appealing factor to this race was the flexibility - the idea was for all the racers to run on February 14th, but I was due in Seattle for a work trip, so I did my run when it fit in my schedule, and just logged my time on the 14th.  Easy peasey.

While I had anticipated February in Chicago to be miserable (thinking back to last year and all the snow and bitter cold) I had mentally prepared to do the whole race inside on the treadmill.  When my self-selected race day rolled around, there was not a snow flake on the ground and I believe the temps were somewhere in the 40s.  Not too shabby, right?  I ended up doing the race on the treadmill anyway (yes, I may be slightly crazy).  Figured it would be easier for me to deal with the water issue if I ran inside since all the water fountains along my usual "long" run route have long been turned off.

Mentally it was a tough 'race' - there was no encouragement from the crowds, nobody else to run with or pace myself of from.  Just me and a few movies loaded to the iPad.  Despite not feeling the best about the run, I still managed to shave some time off my Walt Disney World Half Marathon time - down to 2:14:00.

Overall, it was an interesting experience, but I would not necessarily recommend it for somebody who wants the true 'race day' experience.  But for me, it fit perfectly into my race schedule.

Up next?  The Phoenix Half Marathon in Mesa, Arizona on Saturday, March 3rd.  Really looking forward to this one!