Last Saturday I had the opportunity to run the Schiller Chiller 10k with some friends. The Schiller Chiller is a 5k/10k trail race through Schiller Woods and partially on the Des Plaines River Trail. The trail leads you over and under fallen trees and through mud. Sounds fun right?
The race didn’t start until 10 so I had a little bit bigger than normal breakfast of waffles and then headed over to Kelsey’s to catch a ride to the woods. Just like last time, there was little to no traffic to get to the race and on-site packet pick-up was a breeze. The only pre-race glitch I noticed was that there were only 2 porta-potties for 500 runners. By the time we got to the race area, the line was a pretty long and quite a few people didn’t get to use the facilities before race start.
One thing I love about the Muddy Monk’s races is how laid back they are. Around 9:55, Alyssa, Erin, Kim, and I walked over to the 10k start (Kelsey and a different Kim ran the 5k that started 15 minutes later) and before we knew it, the race had started.
The course had the perfect balance of obstacles and easy running along the trail. We also ran a fair amount along a wide path that definitely alleviate some of the race congestion. We hopped over fallen trees, climbed under branches, and even ran through a muddy spot.
My only complaint is that our course was about a mile short. I guess there was an error in marking the course and a .5 mile out and back wasn’t included on race day. It wasn’t a huge deal to me because I was out there to have fun and run with friends but I could see how it might be annoying to someone who specifically trained to run the 10k.
Time really does fly when you’re chatting with friends and before I knew it, we were at the finish line. My Garmin never started so I’m not at all sure what pace we ran but I also really don’t care, I had a blast running with these girls!
The festival area (start/finish) had music as well as food (free chili!) as well as hot chocolate and some adult beverages but by the time we finished the line was incredibly long. The weather was so beautiful that we all hung around outside after finishing the race, who would have thought it would be in the 50′s in Chicago on December 1st? Crazy.
From left to right: Kelsey, Alyssa, Charlyn, Kim, Queenie, Erin, me, and Kim.
While my race entry was paid for (all opinions are my own and all that stuff…) the race fees were very reasonable ($25 for the 5k, $30 for the 10k) and all 10k-ers received a mug and shot glass (5k-ers did not receive a shot glass) and we all also got long sleeved t-shirts.
I lounged in my shirt most of Sunday after my 20 miler.
Overall the race was great and I am definitely going to run one of Muddy Monk’s races in 2013. I would highly recommend them to any and all runners in the Chicago area (you do not need to be a trail runner to have fun at these races).
Have you ever run a trail race? Would you ever run one?
ever since reading your recap of your first schiller race…the thriller? the halloween one, whatever it was called, lol, i’ve been itching to try a trail race. and now i want to run one wearing an ugly holiday sweater!
molly @ heart, sole & cereal recently posted..chili lime yogurt dressing recipe and a cookie surprise!
You should, it was so much fun
!
I have never ran a trail race but have ran on a few trails. I may sign up for the 5k in January to see how the trail run is. Looks like you all had a great time
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Christina recently posted..Goals for 2013
Thanks, it was really fun and I’d highly suggest signing up!
It was so fun to meet you and run the race together! I also didn’t mind at all that it was short (especially since I was feeling sick) but I bet some people were upset. It was nice of the Race Director to give $5 for future races for those who ran the short course!
Was that Dick Pond’s thing in your bag? Mine didn’t have that
I also wore my shirt most of Saturday! And am signed up for the Double Down!
kilax recently posted..Tickle Fight [6]
Do you live near a Dick Pond’s? I don’t think there are any in the city so if you want my coupon, I’ll happily bring it to the running meet-up. Just let me know!
I’ve never run a trail race, but I’m doing a trail half marathon in Michigan in August.
Maggie recently posted..Weekend Shots – PR in Christmas Trees
Which one are you doing? I did one the Trail Marathon (half) in Pinckney a few years ago. It was tough but really beautiful!
Wow, that sounds like a lot of fun and so intense. Since most of cross country races are considered “trail races”, I did a lot and really enjoyed them. They are certainly slower than normal road races but it’s just such a different atmosphere!
HollieisFueledByLOLZ recently posted..Q&A vlog
Trail races always seem much more chill than road races. Same goes with triathlons. I’m not sure if the addiction is just different (more endurance less speed) or what but the races have a totally different feel.
I love those pictures of you in your holiday gear!!
Emily recently posted..Easiest bean soup EVER
Ha thanks Em!
That looks fun! I love trail running. Love your sweater, too : )
Julia recently posted..Marathon splits and my training plan
Thanks, these races are so much fun and pretty inexpensive. They’re offering a half next year if you’re interested!
so much fun! those race pics of you are GR8!!!!!!!!
kelsey recently posted..Schiller Chiller!
Thanks Kels, I can’t wait for the next one!
I really want to do one of their races- they look so fun!
Katie @ Livehalffull recently posted..To Those Who May be Grieving this Holiday Season
You should!!
I love the shirts you all got! Glad you enjoyed it (and it was so WARM!)
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats recently posted..The Sweet Life In Paris–Book Review
Yeah seriously. I was really hot in my Christmas garb!
Love your outfit! For the Turkey Trot this year, my sister and I decided we’d just run for fun, not time. We had such a great time catching up…we are super competitive, so not racing was hard for us. Sometimes, it’s not all about the numbers. My sister did a “Mud Run” and she had a ton of fun; I’m not sure how much I’d like that, though!
Megan @ runnningonjava recently posted..I love blends
I’m glad you had fun at the Turkey Trot. There’s definitely a time to race and a time to just enjoy the run. I’ve always been intrigued by mud runs but I read an article that highlighted some of the dangers of running one so I’m sort of on the fence about them right now.
ONLY 2 porta potties…I would die!
I have to pee at least 5x before racing!
hehe!
this sounds like such a fun race! my goal is to do a fun race this holiday season!
Thank you so much for your love & support on my blog! I can’t wait to meet you in Boston…only 5-months away!
xoxo!
Lizzy recently posted..The California International Marathon 2012
I know, wayy too few porta potties. Thankfully the race was short enough that if you had to hold it you could!
I can’t believe Boston is so soon!
Such a bummer that the course was short, especially for those who really wanted to run a 10K — seems like a common theme among races in Chicago this weekend!
I ran cross country in middle school, so I suppose I’m somewhat “experienced” in trail running, more or less. I haven’t run a trail race since I got back into running a year and a half ago, though–something to think about!
Bethany @ Accidental Intentions recently posted..Book Club and a Breakup
Do it! The Schiller races have been so much fun!
Great pictures of the trail race. Looks like you guys had nice weather for the run. Only two porta potties? Not good!
Pete B recently posted..A Different World: Taking A Week Off From Running
The pictures are all uploaded to Facebook and runners are encouraged to “steal” them. How cool is that?
So glad you came out this past weekend! Your sweater ruled! We should have had an ugliest sweater contest. Next year for sure!
I’d love that. Thanks for an awesome race!
Looks like such a blast. Cute shirt too!
Thanks!!
Love your outfit in these photos! I’m totally jealous of that vest and turtleneck! These Muddy Monk races seem like fun. Maybe I should sign up for one soon?
Kelly @ Running Kellometers recently posted..Lady Problems (Not the Kind You’re Thinking Of)
You definitely should, they’re a blast! I also know that a few bloggers are running the Double Down next year so that might be a fun one to do!
I so wanted to join you all for this race. Unfortunately it didn’t work with my schedule, but hopefully I will get to try one of these trail races soon!
and I love the Christmas vest
Thanks Cate! Hopefully we can all do one next year!