6.22.2010

SkirtSports Skirt Chaser 5k Race Report

The Green Girl did the SkirtSports Skirt Chaser 5k in hot and humid Chicago's Lincoln Park this weekend.

SkirtSports is a sporting apparel company created by a professional triathlete,Nicole DeBoom. Out of a desire to create active wear that made her feel feminine, she designed the first women's running skirt and actually became an Ironman champion wearing a home-sewn prototype.

This was Mr. Green Garmin's first time outside of California and his first time changing time zones. I had assumed he would automatically detect his new location and adjust accordingly, but that was not the case. I had to set him up for a second time zone*.

The race was well organized and everything was clearly marked.

With each race registration, the girls received a SkirtSports running skirt and the guys, aka the 'skirt chasers', got Skirt Chaser shirts. There was a changing tent conveniently located next to the registration tables.

There were Skirt Chaser stickers for the single girls to attach to themselves to indicate they were available to the male 'Chasers'.

After I picked up my bib, running skirt, and goodie bag, I checked my backpack at the Bag Check.

An ice cream cart went by and I got a strawberry popsicle to try and cool off.

The Skirt Chaser race features a 'Catch Me' wave. The 'Skirts' get a 3 minute head start ahead of the 'Chasers' so all the girls lined up in front. I headed straight for the back of the girl section. It was so amusing to me that behind me was all guys! They looked ready to chase.

The race started promptly without pomp and circumstance. I tried my best to block out the stifling heat and eased into a comfortably fast pace.

Aside from a couple of girls I spotted wearing shorts, all the female runners were sporting running skirts.

As much as I had dreaded the very thought of a running skirt, I was glad I ultimately decided to wear one because I blended right in with the crowd.

The route took us around Lincoln Park's Diversity Harbor. The occasional ocean breeze combined with the shady sections of the course made the heat bearable.

I did the first 2 miles at an 11:30 average pace but the oppressive humidity got to me and I walked most of the last mile. I was so consumed by the heat that I missed the last turn and ended up doing an extra 0.23 miles.

I skipped the Finish Line beer after-party, fashion show, and singles dating game and opted instead to walk back down to Downtown Chicago to get in some post-run carbo loading with an authentic deep dish pizza.

* Mr. Green Garmin was able to detect when he was back home and automatically switched back to time1.

10 comments:

  1. This sounds like so much fun! I didn't even realize you did this in Chicago. I had actually toyed with the idea earlier in the year to go visit a friend in Chicago and do this race, but it never happened.

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  2. My trip to Chicago was a really last minute thing. I was glad the timing worked out so I was able to do this race.

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  3. UGH! I hope the make one of those runs here! It sounds like a blast! Can't wait to see the skirt :)!!! You look adorable in yours! I mean, hardcore.. hardcore..
    P.S. I can't tell you how bad Tony and I want to try Deep Dish from Chicago!

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  4. I would definitely do the race again - skirt and all. It was one of the most organized races I've ever done.

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  5. Great job! I have wanted to do a SkirtSports Skirtchaser race since I first heard about it! Glad to hear it is so well organized! Sounds like you had fun. There is nothing like that around here though (sniff).

    I would have went for the pizza too!!

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  6. That's so neat you got a skirt for that race instead of yet another race shirt, how coo is that!!! There's a skirt chaser race here in Denver but I've never done it, I think I'd freak by all the guys passing me. And heck ya, you gotta have Chicago style pizza while in Chicago!!

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  7. I think they do a skirt chaser race here, in Culver City. At least they did one before.

    I think the skirt looks very cute on you!! Maybe you should try running in one again!

    But skipping the post race beer?? BAD!!!

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  8. They had one of these here in Raleigh a few weeks back. Was thinking about doing it, but my foot had different plans. Very clever concept for a race.

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  9. That sounds like such a fun race! I just ordered two skirts and am anxiously waiting for them to arrive on my porch. I hate it when my shorts bunch up between my legs, so I am hoping I like the skirts.

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  10. Chicago? I hope you ate a hot dog for me!

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