Notes
Overall: 5871
Division: 593
Official Time: 3:38:55
Before I craft this thing, have to say this was an incredible experience! From our hotel on Michigan Ave. to the food and the architecture boat ride around the city. Everything was top-notch - company included. Had a blast with Mike and Doug! What a great way to celebrate a successful training cycle. Although I didn’t achieve my goal of BQing, I am happy with this effort as I left it on the course and gave what I had on that day. Finished my first COMPLETE marathon on my terms - and to think I was seriously on the fence about running it (thanks CN for the encouragement to give it a go).
Got up at o’dark 30 to scarf down the last of my carb-o-poloosa - if I see another carb this week i think I’m going to hurl. I taped up my hamstring with a 1/2 a roll of duct tape, then B and I walked down to meet Mike and Doug at the Art Institute. Michigan Ave at 6am was absolutely electric and packed with runners! I have to say my wife was an amazing help today and I was so lucky to have her here. We took some pics and headed over to the bag drop - of course with a bathroom break for Doug. Did our business and had just enough time to make our way to the corals. First impression here - holy people. That amount of runners in one spot was just inspiring. The city all weekend was a sea of runners. Sitting in the park the day before, I was struck with the fact that each of these runners have a story. A story of perseverance, a story of working hard just to get here. How lucky are we to have just got here!
So Doug and I said good-bye to Mike as he was in coral A and we did our best nervous banter back and forth in coral B. How the hell was this hammy going to react? The duct tape was already bothering me - how the hell was I going to get 26.2 in with this thing? Did my best to shut it out and just enjoy the view - people and the most amazing sky-scrapers. There is NO view like the Chicago skyline! And it was all ours!
Before we knew it, the gun was off and the wall of runners began moving - never waited so long to finally get running. WOW, there were tons of runners at this thing. Went out slow and figured I could work into my pace around 5-6 miles. Honestly, the miles flew by. I lost Doug early and finally put my hammy out of my mind. I settled into a comfy pace - it wasn’t my BQ trained pace - but it was what it was. I went with it and tried to stay comfortable and enjoy the ride. The course was absolutely stunning. Loved Lincoln park, Boys town (sea of cheerleaders), china town and pilsner neighborhoods - loved the bands as well: great Elvis impression, a Korean band and to top it off yes, a Mariachi Band. The best part of this run was the energy - tons of spectators. There were moments I seriously had to collect myself as I got emotional - the crowd was that loud and that inspiring - NEVER experienced that before.
I would be TOTALLY remiss if I didn’t pause and thank Lance and Greg for the duct tape tip - it totally hooked me up. There were a few moments that if I didn’t have that support, it would have tweaked. Honestly, had NO issues with it until mile 25 or so.
Saw Doug around mile 14 and he and I exchanged good luck. He looked great and I kept trucking. The miles kept going by and I was overwhelmed with the idea that I was even here and running with no pain. No matter the time. No matter my finish - I already won. What a great way to celebrate a sweet training cycle. Then around mile 22 or so, reality hit - my quads were screaming and was just holding on to be honest. I really gave it all I had to finish. At 25 i fought my good friend the hammy for the first time - was super tight and I told it to shut up. It wasn’t going to steal this day! The finish was awesome and had a great time with the gang at the party. B and I went to a brewery for a beer and burger and off to sleep - totally spent.
Again, thanks to CN for another amazing training cycle. I had a great summer and look forward to the next adventure and working toward a BQ - after some serious rest.