I'm gonna do this review in 2 posts since my first one got kinda long.
Luke & I headed down to Champaign around 3pm or so from Geneva. We went around the outskirts of Chicago, instead of I-39. Bad idea. Plenty of traffic. But we still managed to get to C-U a little after 6:30pm. Checked in and asked for a late checkout but they said to come back and ask around 9pm. So we headed down to the expo.
Luke & I headed down to Champaign around 3pm or so from Geneva. We went around the outskirts of Chicago, instead of I-39. Bad idea. Plenty of traffic. But we still managed to get to C-U a little after 6:30pm. Checked in and asked for a late checkout but they said to come back and ask around 9pm. So we headed down to the expo.
Earlier that week, I was sent an email with my bib number and it said to print it out & bring it with to the expo. We got there and there was a HUGE line to what I thought was to get into the expo. Come to find out, it was to find out what your bib number was. Luke said that he was so glad that I had my number with me!
Headed right over to the half marathon tables & my number category. Picked up the chip & bib and then got in line to check it. While waiting, I saw the pace group table and Jim from my Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon was sitting at the table!
So afterwards, I head to that table to find out who was leading the 4:10 hour marathon (or a 2:05 hour half). I was offered a bib to put on the back with my name & the desired time but I didn't want that pressure on me just like my St. Louis Marathon (where I took off the bib on back last minute).
Headed right over to the half marathon tables & my number category. Picked up the chip & bib and then got in line to check it. While waiting, I saw the pace group table and Jim from my Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon was sitting at the table!
So afterwards, I head to that table to find out who was leading the 4:10 hour marathon (or a 2:05 hour half). I was offered a bib to put on the back with my name & the desired time but I didn't want that pressure on me just like my St. Louis Marathon (where I took off the bib on back last minute).
Then we walked around a bit, this expo is pretty small compared to some of the others I've been to. Then we left to get to my shirt, it was in another part of the building. Walked in and ahhh, there's the rest of the expo!! A lot more tables, fundraisers, other races, shoe & accessories retailers. Still not as big as St. Louis' Expo. Picked up my shirt & goody bag. Walked around the official Illinois Marathon clothing/retail booth but didn't see a pin available.
Then we left since we had 7:30p reservations at Timpone's. Drove right over there and was immediately sat. Looked through the menu & I decided to have 1 beer. 1 beer equals carbs, 2 beers equals more dehydration than needed. I also ordered this great pasta with red peppers & a tomato cream sauce instead of marinara. Both Luke & I greatly enjoyed our choices, even though his chicken pasta had like 4 chunks of it. We also scarfed down 2 plates of bread & oil. I was satisfied that I was properly fueled.
Headed back to the hotel, found out that we can get a late checkout of 1pm so no need to get everything packed up before leaving! Got ready for bed & then I started to get worried about whether or not I could sleep. Stupid kids next door were quite loud, playing music & all. Finally someone (don't know if it was hotel management or their chaperone) was called to settle them down and they obeyed, luckily. After that, I fell asleep rather quickly and only woke up twice (about par for a normal nights sleep).
Then we left since we had 7:30p reservations at Timpone's. Drove right over there and was immediately sat. Looked through the menu & I decided to have 1 beer. 1 beer equals carbs, 2 beers equals more dehydration than needed. I also ordered this great pasta with red peppers & a tomato cream sauce instead of marinara. Both Luke & I greatly enjoyed our choices, even though his chicken pasta had like 4 chunks of it. We also scarfed down 2 plates of bread & oil. I was satisfied that I was properly fueled.
Headed back to the hotel, found out that we can get a late checkout of 1pm so no need to get everything packed up before leaving! Got ready for bed & then I started to get worried about whether or not I could sleep. Stupid kids next door were quite loud, playing music & all. Finally someone (don't know if it was hotel management or their chaperone) was called to settle them down and they obeyed, luckily. After that, I fell asleep rather quickly and only woke up twice (about par for a normal nights sleep).
Next post will be the day of the Illinois Half Marathon!
1 comments:
I was disappointed in the expo last year, too. Sad to hear they haven't bulked it up too much.
And Timpone's! I haven't been there since my junior prom. Memories....
Post a Comment