We spent last weekend in Chicago. We flew in for the Half Marathon. My husband and daughter and friends ran. Couldn't have had more perfect weather for a run. About 56 degrees on Sunday morning. I'm told they watched the sunrise over the lake.

I met them at the finish line--lots of runners. We then walked over to Lou Mitchell's for breakfast. I had always heard about Lou Mitchell's but we had never eaten there. What can you say about a place that brings out doughnut holes to the waiting diners (the line moves really fast), seats you and gives you MilkDuds and then thanks you for coming with a little cup of ice cream: Perfect.

We also had some great Italian dinners in Lincoln Park at Pasta Palazzo and Forno Diablo--everyone was carbo loading.

My husband tried to get some tickets to the Cubs game on Saturday. No luck before we arrived and the scalpers were actually asking $200/ticket an hour before the game. We couldn't get into any of the places around Wrigleyville for lunch but we finally did luck out with a great sandwich at a little shop there. They put coleslaw and french fries ON your sandwich--never heard of that one. I did request my fries on the side.

Took the 151 bus down to Michigan Avenue--that has to be one of the most beautiful bus rides in America.

Walked around Lincoln Park and the zoo. Watched the Olympics. Enjoyed visiting our daughter.

Took the El to O'Hare--construction on the tracks, so we had to take a shuttle part way. Took us longer to get to O'Hare than to fly home to Cleveland.

We were in Chicago last Aug. when our daughter ran her first marathon---what a disaster that was--no one can forget the oppressive heat that day.

The Half Marathon though, is not as spectator friendly. I loved getting ahead of my daughter last year and cheering as she ran by. Too bad they didn't start that race at 6:30am like this race.

I understand that there was an error with the half marathon mileage--it was .1668 miles too long. Not a real problem except for the elite runners who are trying to qualify for elite status in the marathon.

My daughter did say that she thought that last mile was really long.

"We were in Chicago last Aug. when our daughter ran her first marathon-"

I think it was October, wasn't it?

So glad you had a good weekend in Chicago. You certainly lucked out on the weather! Not many August weekends are as perfect.

It's just as well you didn't get those Cubs tickets as they got blown out that day. You would've missed my favorite part of going to a Cubs game -- hearing the crowd sing "Go Cubs Go!" after a win!

You're right the Marathon was in Oct.---I guess I just remembered it as August since it was 96 degrees. I couldn't figure why they didn't start that race at 6:30 am. They had been forecasting the heat for a week.

We were glad we didn't get the baseball tickets. Our daughter was at Friday's game. It would have been very sad to pay all that money and watch the Cubs lose. We have been able to watch our losing team here in Cleveland--it's been a very difficult year for Tribe fans.

I was in Chicago this weekend. What a weekend. Perfect weather. Went to the Cubs game on Saturday. You didn't miss much. I was down at the Shedd on Sunday so watched part of the half marathon. Lots of runners.

tchoiniere -- glad you had a good time. What else did you do besides the Cubbies and the Shedd? Did you guys do any bar-hopping? If so, where'd you go?

I'll be posting a full trip report when we get back as we are still on the trip (on our way to Minneapolis). Due to all 4 of us being sick with head colds, we didn't do as much barhopping as we hoped. We would just pick 1 and stay there.

We managed to do Sears Tower and Hancock (primarily due to the 4 of us not agreeing on which one), Field Museum and the Shedd. Both Baseball stadiums as well as the CAF Boat tour. Went to Giordano's for pizza and Mother Hubbards on Saturday to watch the Sox game. Had an absolute blast. Absolutely perfect weather all weekend.