Continuing my new trend of running a brand activation shakeout run instead of paying the $40-$50 to run the pre-marathon 5k shakeout runs, I headed over to the Chicago Lululemon store to run their shakeout run. It was a toss up between Lululemon and Tracksmith for me, but having run with Tracksmith in Boston and Berlin this year I wanted to try something different. Plus, I do race in the Lululemon shorts and socks so seemed an obvious choice.

Lululemon Chicago Shakeout Run – Sat 12th October:

It was a bit of an early start but not too early considering I was wide awake at 3am that’s to the jet lag from last yesterdays long travel day and the 6hr time difference. I got to the store at 8:10am for check in. You had to pre-register online and were given a QR code to scan on the door.

I wasn’t sure how many people would be here for this shakeout run but there were a lot of people and a good proportion of which were running the marathon.

After a few ice breakers and some warm ups in store we headed out at 8:30am for a 3 mile run.

Running through the streets of Chicago for this first time since 2018 was a nice feeling and great to loosen up the legs after being cramped up on the plane yesterday. I had been suffering with a mild groin strain and achilles tendinopathy for the last few weeks of training, today the groin felt pain free which was a big positive! only 3 miles at a nice easy pace so we’ll see how it hangs on for 26.2 tomorrow but a very good start.

The majority of todays run was along the lake shore running north before turning back and running in the opposite direction. Running along the lake in the warm early morning sun was so nice, giving some last summer vibes before we head into the cold dark winter months.

On the way back we stopped off for a group photo and to grab some photos of the city over the lake. As you would expect, this was a very relaxed chilled out run. No time or pace pressures just a nice social easy run.

I had a great time chatting with some other runners who were also doing the marathon tomorrow. Hearing their stories of past Chicago Marathons, other races and how their training had gone is what makes these runs and running trips. Just meeting up with total strangers and chatting about a shared common love for all things running.

Once back at the Lululemon store they had some water and snacks to munch on.