I was irrationally nervous for the Chicago Marathon this year. The weather was expected to be hot and humid (my kryptonite) and I’ve been struggling with my running all year. I’m happy and relieved to report that I had a TON of fun in the race and did better than last year. The best part was that I had a positive mindset the whole way, enjoyed the crowds (best ever for Chicago, I think) and had awesome support from so many friends.
Pre-Race
The week leading up to the race was busy as usual. I did three run tours – including two consecutive on Thursday and volunteered at the Expo. I led a pacer team for an event with Molecule mattresses and saw the Running Game Show with Laura Green on Saturday before an early dinner in the neighborhood.
I went home and got everything ready for the race before dinner. Before I knew it, I was setting the alarm for race day.
Race Day
I took the el to the Palmer House and went to the CARA VIP Area. I haven’t done this before, but I enjoyed hanging out with teammates and friends from my summer training group. They also had a gear check, plenty of bathrooms and snacks. I also learned about the VIP porta-potties for CARA members. That was pretty great!
I went into my corral and found Julie in the masses. We went towards the back because we somehow wound up in a faster corral than we were expecting to run. My only plan was to run conservatively and to try not to start too fast.
My first mile felt good but I slowed down some to a more realistic pace. For the second year, they had a DJ in the tunnel under Columbus and vibes were very strong. The downtown section felt more crowded this year and I missed Liz and Jay and the kids. I felt relaxed and happy and kept thinking “this is so much better than last year” despite the warm temperatures.
I chatted with a woman from Utah in Lincoln Park. She asked if the crowd ever slimmed down. Nope! I saw my friend Ashley (a blind runner) with her guides and chatted with them for a bit. The water stations were extra long this year, so I took Gatorade and poured half a water over my head at every stop. You can see in the photos that I also carried a handheld bottle this year.
I saw The Husband and Stacy at mile 6.5. They were standing next to some girls with a table of Malort shots (it’s a Chicago liquor that’s pretty disgusting) and Neal encouraged me to “take a shot.” I didn’t see the signs or the shots. I was legitimately confused but very happy to see them! Then, I crossed the street and saw a big group of my neighbors behind our apartment. I saw Berna in her Cancer Sucks costume and got more cheers.
I enjoyed the cheerleaders in Boystown and running through our neighborhood. The crowd was great this year on Broadway so I tried to read signs and smile until I got to our group at mile 9.
The Husband and our crew (always spot Josh and Leslye with the megaphone) were at Mile 9 again. I have this same photo from the last six years. It always makes me smile. I’m a one trick pony, but it works!
Heading south, I saw Renee and Scott and then Carolyn and Michael as we ran through Lincoln Park toward Old Town. I feel like this mile is MY mile. Mary, Brandon and Heather were with a big crew on Sedgwick. Sasha, Robert and Bobby were near mile 11 with a bottle of Gatorade, as promised. I missed Beth going around the corner.
I enjoyed the crowds through Old Town and heading back downtown. I saw a bunch of friends from A Sweat Life and Fleet Feet at the next aid station. I was still feeling good and kept reminding myself that this was “so much better than last year.” I saw Benny the Lab and decided this was my year to give him some pets. See the recap here – sadly I didn’t make it in. Maybe next year!
I passed half way and ran into the West Loop heading toward Fernanda and Ron. Fernanda jumped in and ran along side me for a few blocks. Ron took the cutest video. Fernanda was injured this year and couldn’t run so her enthusiasm for cheering me on meant even more to me. They also caught me a few miles later. They are great spotters.
I headed West and enjoyed the charity area. I saw Megan, Rob and the kids and they got cute pics. I gave everyone high fives. Next, I saw Jeff cheering with Nasty Swimmers. Next, there was a great group from CARA and they lifted my spirits.
The energy in Pilsen was amazing. I saw my friend Zenaida – somehow she sees me every year! I look slightly deranged in this photo (but it was mile 19 and I wasn’t expecting to see her). I saw my friend Simon in the race ahead and he seemed to be going slower than I expected. He started walking, so I stopped to make sure he was OK and to see if there was anything I could do to help. He was struggling in the heat and decided to walk/run the last 10K or so and sent me on my way.
I knew a lot of run crews were at and after mile 20. Got some cheers from Three Run Two and Kristen may have taken a photo. There was a cool Nike cheer station there, too. Right after that, I took a quick bathroom stop and refilled my handheld. It was getting so hot that I filled it, poured it over my head and filled it again.
Before I knew it, I was at mile 22. There are a ton of run clubs and lots of great music and good energy. It was really heating up, but I tried to remind myself that “anyone can run four miles” (That’s my mile 22 mantra in NYC. Right before mile 24, I got a sudden cramp in my leg that stopped me dead in my tracks. Luckily, there was a run club tent right next to me and they had Biofreeze. The run club angel sprayed some on me and I was able to walk it off and start running with only about two minutes lost.
I missed Maureen and Cliff around mile 25 (they saw me) and the crowds were great. It was awesome to be closing in on the finish. I smiled all of the way to the end (even up “Mount” Roosevelt). And just like that I was crossing the finish line.
I headed over to get my medal and Chicago Distance Series Medal. That’s a second medal for completing the Shamrock Shuffle, Chicago 13.1 and the marathon.
I set a goal of finishing within an hour of my best time in Chicago from 2001 (3:22.01). I figured one hour would be good for 25 years! The goal was 4:22.01 or better. My finish time was 4:24.20 (10:04/mile) so I missed it. My B goal was to beat last year and I did by over 6 minutes. Between that and having so much fun, I’m calling this a WIN! This was marathon #70 and Chicago Marathon #9.
Many thanks to everyone who cheered, sent messages, trained with me and supported me this year (and for the last 30+ years of marathons!) I’m so lucky to have you all and am grateful to still be out there and able to finish with a smile after all of these years.
And if you’re still reading this… THANK YOU for all of the love and support.