Chicago Marathon Weekend -- Part 2

It only took about a minute to cross the starting line and my first thought was “crap I need to pee”. Instead of dwelling on that I pushed it away and kept reminding myself to smile and take in everything I could. Once I passed something that would be my only chance to pass it. I could only run the first mile -- or any mile -- of the Chicago marathon once so I should make it count. So as I ran I smiled and waved while simultaneously bobbing and weaving through the crowd of runners.

Wave 1 start gives you an idea of the congestion! I was on the right side when I started.

I also obsessively checked my watch. However, within the first mile of the race my watch became useless for a while since we were passing under so many bridges and surrounded by tall buildings I wasn’t getting a GPS signal. I had general idea of how fast I was going because of doing basic math in my head using the total elapsed time and the course clocks around the route, but it was wasn't exact and I’d be lying if I said that didn’t freak me out. On top of that the pace I was running felt ROUGH. I was starting to to get worried I was burning out and the race had barely started!

5K split: 27:13 – 8:46 pace

Like I said I tried really hard to look around and take things in as much as possible. I love Chicago and I knew what a unique experience I was able to have by running around it and seeing it as not many get to. The spectators were also really fun. The best ones were the ones that clearly were just there because their apartment was on the route because they cheered for everyone. The ones there for specific runners were fun too, but were laser focused on finding their runners!

Eventually my watch started keeping accurate mile times, but they didn't match up with the mile markers. I didn't really care because at least I was getting an idea of what my pace was. However, at this point my pace was still uncomfortable. I didn't feel awful, but I did not feel as comfortable as I had on many of my long runs.

One of my big motivators throughout the race was knowing that I had friends and family tracking me via text message and I really wanted them to get those messages and know that I was doing well. The first of those check points was at the 10K so when we reached it  and I crossed the timing mat I imagined the text being sent out, which really gave me a boost through the next few miles.

10K split: 54:34 – 8:49 pace 

I knew the next check point was the halfway mark so I just kept chugging along feeling a little uncomfortable at my pace, but happy to at least know what my splits were. At mile 7 we started to turn around and head south as I heard someone say that we had reached the northmost point already.  I also still really needed to pee, but all the bathrooms I passed had lines and I wasn’t willing to sacrifice time to stop.

As we headed back into the heart of the city I was focused on the Willis (Sears) Tower.  I knew that was about the halfway mark so it was nice to have that visual motivator.

Star is about where the Willis Tower is.

My hardest mile was probably 12-13. It felt fast, but my watch wasn't working since we were  back in the city and the signal was being blocked by large buildings again. I REALLY wanted to pass that timing mat and have my next progress text sent out with a good time so once again I tried to start mentally keeping track using the elapsed time on my watch and the mile-market clocks, which was too much math for someone running a marathon to try to do.

There were loads of spectators around me and by this point I had found a 3:50 pacer to follow while my watch wasn't working. I forgot to mention that the 3:50 pacers had passed me earlier. I tried to run with them while my watch was still working, but according to my Garmin they were doing 8:35 miles, which I was just not ready for yet ... more on them later though...

Anyways -- I was following a 3:50 pacer. His name was Fergie, which I only know because it was on his shirt and people kept yelling "go Fergie!".

Halway Split: 1:55:22 – 8:37 pace

After I passed the halfway mark I had a thought that really changed the rest of the race for me... In three miles I would only have 10 miles left. That was when I really took inventory of how I felt. Even though the first half hadn't been easy it hadn't been that hard either. My legs still felt amazing. Before I knew it we were out of the buildings and my watch was working again and my pace was steady.

Just like my plan dictated I reassessed and decided it was time to go faster. I also spotted another 3:50 pacer ahead of me and decided it was time to move on from Fergie and catch up with the next pacer. I couldn't believe how much more comfortable I was keeping up 8:40 miles than I was running 8:50 miles. I guess that means I really trained well for distance?

The aid stations throughout were pretty good. I actually really like lemon-lime Gatorade so that was a blessing since that is what they were hanging out. For the first half I only took one cup of Gatorade and stuck to water for the most part. I was also carrying my own water-Gatorade mixture with me just in case I got thirsty between stations. I was actually really worried with how the aid stations would work with this being such a big race, but they were pretty successful. I mean I did run into more than one person, my shoes stuck to the ground due to all the spilled Gatorade and I did see one woman totally BIFF it thanks to all the liquid on the ground, but overall it was pretty effective.

Before long we passed mile 16 and I was still feeling amazing and sort of waiting for something to hurt or to crash, but I just went with it and kept speeding up.

Eventually I passed the other 3:50 pacer and set my eye on two more up ahead. By mile 18 I had passed them. At this point I kept thinking how much music would help me at this point, but I really didn't need it yet. I told myself I'd put it off till mile 20. I also still needed to pee.

Once I reached mile 20 my first thought was I have less than an hour left of running. That was a nice thought. I also spotted a huge heard of 3:50 pacers -- the same ones who had passed me earlier. This is why I will never rely on a pacer for a whole race -- they start WAY TOO FAST! Basically, I passed up the whole group and continued to pick up speed.

I was about to turn on my music, but then I heard someone say we were close to Chinatown and I didn't want to miss that so I kept chugging along.

I started to feel it in my legs around mile 21, but was still doing okay. My pace was now around 8:35 miles and I wasn't pushing myself. I got an extra boost when I notice a girl whose blog I read running up ahead of me. Like the fangirl I am I went up and introduced myself. She was super nice and excited I said hi. She asked me how I was doing and I said fantastic... then I passed them up.

Almost right after that we ran through chinatown, which was actually not anything too special. I am sure they have cool stuff going on, but when we went by there wasn't anything.

I think I'm trying to give a thumbs up?

 I turned my music on at mile 22, which was sort of a great feat since I had to hold my water bottle and gloves while pulling out my iPod, turning it on, clipping it to my pants, putting in the earbuds and not loosing speed. I did it though!

The music was a great distraction. It made it easier to not obsess over my watch too. I was starting to get to the point where I looked at it and would think half a mile had gone by and it would be .10 in reality.

Miles 23-24 were probably the hardest. I was feeling pretty done. I was still keeping up the pace without dying, my breathing was fine and even my legs weren't doing too bad, but I felt myself deteriorating a little. I started fantasizing about walking. I took lots of gatorade and water and that helped keep me moving. Also I spotted two more 3:50 pacers up ahead and just for good measure... passed them.

When I reached mile 25 I felt a little bit like a superhero. I was grinning like a goofball because that is when I really truly realized I was going to beat my goal. I knew at about mile 20 I was going to finish sub-4, but at mile 25 I knew I'd finish sub 3:50. I literally could not stop smiling. I probably would have cried if I wasn't conserving liquid.

Right after I turned my music off. The camera guy caught me by surprise in the right on...I am thinking of splurging and buying the one on the left though!

At mile 25.5 I turned off my music and just let the finish wash over me. The streets were lined and they were all cheering. I was running almost all out (my last mile was my fastest with a 8:20 pace!), but reserving a little energy because I knew there was a small hill right at the finish that I was determined not to walk up. When I first turned and saw the hill it was a little daunting and most people were walking up it, but I was prepared. Running up it actually reminded me a lot of the hill next to my apartment. When I was about 3/4ths up I thought about stopping to walk or jog, but then I saw that just a little further and it would be downhill to the finish. Once I went over the crest I was grinning like a fool again.

I wish these were better quality! They were taken from far away.

I scanned the stands for my mom and sister, but didn't see them. They saw me though and snapped a picture!

Ben thinks it looks like we're all in a flash mob in this picture!

In retrospect though after they told me where they were and they had a cowbell I HEARD them.

Scanning the crowds from my mom, sister and nephews!

I actually didn't realize I had crossed the finish line at first because the banner was still a few feet down so I kept running. It didn't take me long to slow to a walk though.

I'm done!!!

 I had done it. I didn't know my exact time yet, but according to my watch I had finished in 3:48:45 and I knew my actual time couldn't be that far off (it was 3:48:26). I collected my medal and space blanket and posed for my first post-marathon photo. 

Don't I look happy?! I was!

I made my way thgouh through the runner’s area grabbing a whole bunch of snacks. I wasn’t hungry YET, but I knew my nephews probably would be. I also took my offical finishers photo:

I might have to splurge on this one too!

After asking for directions about three times I made my way to the runner reunite area where Megan and Kait were waiting for me! They brought me flowers and a card and were such a sight for sore eyes! I was so happy to see them. My mom and sister were still in the stands waiting for my dad to finish so they kept me company.

They are the BEST for coming to see me!

 My dad ended up finished in 4:19:10 at 60 years old! He is so incredible!

It took a while, but my mom, sister and nephews found us. At this point I was freezing cold. I had lost what warmth I gained from running and the sun had disappeared and even the space blanket wasn’t doing a whole lot to keep me warm anymore. Luckily I had packed some extra clothes so once we met up with my mom I was able to bundle up!

So happy they came!

And then my dad found us:

And last but not least my favorite picture of the whole weekend the father/daughter marathon duo picture:

I ended up driving home. My sister took the boys home via train and then gathered up her additional children and came back to my parents’ house. We pigged out pizza, cake, ice cream and candy corn. Needless to say it was AWESOME.

Of course now I am horribly depressed the marathon is over and am ready to sign up for another one. My next post will be all about the options I am considering so everyone can weigh in on what I should do!

Thanks again to everyone who played a part in my being able to run the marathon. My dad kept telling me over and over again that he wouldn’t be running this marathon if it wasn’t for me asking him last summer to do it with me. However, what he fails to realize if that I wouldn’t have run any marathon ever if it weren’t for him telling me I could and making me feel like every run I had was the greatest accomplishment in the world. Thanks dad!

Next up -- trying to qualify for Boston!