illinois marathon new year's day 2017 resolution registration sale

Disclaimer: I received an entry for Illinois Marathon to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

As you might have read, I am registered for the Full I-Challenge at Illinois Marathon weekend April 21–22. That means the 5k on Friday night and the full marathon on Saturday morning. You can read a bit more about why I chose the race here if you like.

A few quick bullet points:

• Finishes on the U of I football field
• Not too far of a drive (about 2 hours)
• Time of year that I was looking for my spring marathon - May can be too hot
• Other out of state friends running it
• Marathon finishers get a fleece blanket and medal
• For completing the Full I-Challenge I'll receive 3 medals
• Pasta Dinner (not included with registration)

Full Marathon Course Map

They recently revealed the 5k shirt. It's blue (my favorite color). Some details:

"The Campus Sportswear team is rolling on designs and screen printing our 2017 race shirts. They have begun printing thePresence Health 5K Run/Walk shirts. Our designs this year will celebrate the Sesquicentennial Celebration of the University of Illinois. This shirt features Red Grange’s “Galloping Ghost” statue, located on the west exit of Memorial Stadium. The 5K Shirt is printed on an Alo Sport Unisex 100% Polyester Shirt in Sport Royal."

Illinois Marathon is hosting a fun New Year's Day 2017 Resolution Registration Sale. You can register and save $5 with code 'bibravebonus' (does not include Youth Run, but for any other race - 5k, 10k, half marathon, full marathon, marathon relay, or the I-Challenge (5k + 10k, half marathon, marathon relay, or marathon).

If you register on New Year's Day, you'll be entered into a prize drawing. Four lucky winners will receive:

• a $75.00 shopping spree in the Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon race merchandise booth at the health & fitness expo on race weekend
• 2 complimentary tickets to the Biaggi’s Pasta Feed (total value of each prize package = $107)

On Sunday, January 1, 2017, use code bibravebonus at the end of the registration process to receive a $5.00 discount on the entry and you'll automatically be entered into the drawing for the prize above. The discount is valid until registration closes, however, to be entered into the drawing, you must register on January 1.

Here's a little preview of the course, posted on the Illinois Marathon Facebook page:

Hope to see you there! I wish I was able to register that day - awesome prize package! You guys know I love to buy all the gear at the marathon expos haha.

spring marathon training: week 1

Monday, October 24: Rest/Stretch & Roll
Tuesday, October 25: 6 miles (50/30) --> Wednesday
Wednesday, October 26: Rest/Stretch & Roll
Thursday, October 27: Medium Run: 6 miles (50/30) --> Friday
Friday, October 28: Rest/Stretch & Roll
Saturday, October 29: Medium Run: 8 miles (50/30) --> 15k on Sunday
Sunday, October 30: Short Run: 4 miles (55/30) --> Saturday

Total Miles for Spring Marathon Training: 25.9 miles

While I haven't figured out what my spring marathon will be (I have a few on my radar that I'm deciding between), I didn't want to lose the work and base mileage I had from Chicago Marathon and wanted to jump back in. I took about a week off post-marathon to help my body recover, but then I was ready to get back into the game.

My schedule was a bit off from what coach sent over, but generally I got it done.

I moved Tuesday to Wednesday, hit up the treadmill at the gym (heavy rains), and did my 6 miles in 1:19:38 with an average pace of 13:16 using 50/30 intervals.

Then I moved Thursday to Friday. I had to go to the gym again, and did 6 miles in 1:19:22 with an average pace of 13:13 using 50/30 intervals. 

Saturday was another treadmill night. I got there with less than an hour until the gym closed, so really had to bust my ass to get my 4 miles in (I was pushing the '8' to Sunday because I was running the Hot Chocolate 15k). I was trying 50/30 intervals, but for the last mile I ran almost the whole thing. I made it in 50:18 with an average pace of 12:34. I had heard the gym announcements about closing in 5 minutes and really pushed myself. I didn't want to end with 3.9 or anything. I needed that 4 haha. I thought others were still up there with me, but when I finished and went to the locker, I saw it was the cleaning crew. Oops. The last gym worker was there and I apologized profusely as I tried to hurry out, but he was really kind and told me to take my time (I didn't, but nice of him to say). 

Sunday was Hot Chocolate 15k. It was my first race of that distant, so instant PR! Boom. I was up a lot of the night coughing for some strange reason, so wasn't sure how the race would go. It was a cooler, slightly rainy day, but great for running in my opinion. You can read my recap here. Garmin said 9.89 miles in 2:06:57 with an average pace of 12:50. Obviously Garmin was off a by about .5 miles as 15k = 9.32 miles, but that happens when running in the city.