Anybody Else Here Doing Chicago? (Read 1125 times)

For the first time in a marathon, I never had any cramps and it made a huge difference.

So you didn't drink any water, just sport drink? I had BAD cramps at 20.5 (started feeling twinges at 16) of my first 'thon last weekend...I had no idea that "charley horses" could kick 2 different spots on a single leg simultaneously. I had been on pace for about a 4:35 (assuming no negative splits) at the 20 mile mark, which turned into just under 4:51. I think insufficient electrolytes was my downfall--I sweat out a lot of salty crust that my muscles needed. Nice job, everyone...especially in kind of warm conditions for a Fall marathon! I can't imagine running in such a massive race. My brother and his GF live in the Chicago area and are trying to talk me into running it someday, but I'm not sure I want to deal with those crowds. I kinda like these races of 5k people.

Embarrassingly, this was my third marathon. Those shin splint problems I've been having? Yeah. I walked the entire last half of the race. But you know what? I accomplished something out there

My fault for thinking it was your first -- I didn't see any other race times on your PR page, so I just assumed. And to be clear, your damned right you accomplished something out there. As I learned in Chicago 2007, when the weather is that warm you can pretty much throw out the clock. If you finish, you win. Kudos to you and all the others who had the guts to toe the line yesterday.

I think there were more DNS's than DNF's. I'm pretty sure they reported 33,033 started the race. ETA: http://www.nbc5.com/sports/17697245/detail.html (at the very end).

Wow. 12000 race entries no showed.

That's $1.3 million in entry fees that people forfeited. DAMN.

I didn't get any candy. What a gip.

So you didn't drink any water, just sport drink? I had BAD cramps at 20.5 (started feeling twinges at 16) of my first 'thon last weekend...I had no idea that "charley horses" could kick 2 different spots on a single leg simultaneously. I had been on pace for about a 4:35 (assuming no negative splits) at the 20 mile mark, which turned into just under 4:51. I think insufficient electrolytes was my downfall--I sweat out a lot of salty crust that my muscles needed. Nice job, everyone...especially in kind of warm conditions for a Fall marathon! I can't imagine running in such a massive race. My brother and his GF live in the Chicago area and are trying to talk me into running it someday, but I'm not sure I want to deal with those crowds. I kinda like these races of 5k people.

That's right, I drank only the Gatorade Endurance formula drink they had and I think it was pretty effective. I have tried doing the gel thing and drinking water but the bottom line for me is the Endurance formula works better at staving off the cramps. I will say that Chicago is a crowded race, but the support there is world class. They had 20 aid stations, that is just phenomenal. Crowd support there was through the roof as well, with bystanders handing out chunks of ice, bananas, water... I have done smaller races like Milwaukee and Atlanta, but this one is a true event.

I think there were more DNS's than DNF's. I'm pretty sure they reported 33,033 started the race. ETA: http://www.nbc5.com/sports/17697245/detail.html (at the very end).

I worked at chip help at the expo on Friday and about 700 picked up packets and turned in their timing chips. Probably many more on Saturday and even more who don't even pick up their packet. Congratulations to all the finishers!

Tough, tough day out there in Chicago. High temps 80-82 degrees, and humidity in the 50% range. I hope everyone makes it to the finish safe and sound. Results so far: Marcus - 3:04:40 heelgrad92 - 3:18:55 (BQ under tough conditions ... awesome stuff!) Ribbie - 3:53:25 Tcoyle - 4:43:48 (congrats on your first marathon!) Addie - 6:39:39 (congrats on your first marathon!) Frank4 was through the half in 1:34:49, but there aren't any other splits listed. Hope you're ok dude.

Although I'd like to be able to say otherwise, the chip didn't lie...I had to drop out at about mile 15 on Sunday. From the start, I just didn't feel good. Had a tightness in my chest that was there from the start. Thought it was a cramp from nerves/anxiety/breakfast...something. But it never went away. Progressively got worse until I had to stop. Pace was right about where I was hoping to be up to that point. Just wasn't my day, I guess. That being said, I agree with the masses here in saying that the crowd support was a big boost. They came out in droves and made themselves heard. Even when I stopped and was contemplating whether or not to try to start up again, they were offering support and encouraging words. Can't say enough about them. Though I didn't finish, I still have hopes of a successful marathon yet in 2008. Not sure when or where yet, but I think I'll just consider Sunday a tempo training run and move on from there. And congratulations to all who made it through this one...you deserve it. Although not as brutal as last year, it was definitely not October marathon weather in Chicago on Sunday.