So, I set my alarm for 5:30 and wouldn't you know that I woke up at 5:28 from a dream that I had where the clock said 7:30! Nothing like getting the heart rate going first thing in the morning. Like most runners, I had everything laid out the night before and was ready to go in no time. We left the hotel around 6:30 and made our way down North Columbus Ave to the Starting Corrals, with a quick port-a-pottie stop. Jen had taken a picture of my reaction to leaving the pottie, but unfortunately it didn't turn out well.
I lined up in the Open Corral (aka with the "normal runners") as instructed. There were corrals for the Elite, Top 100, Corrals A - D for seeded times, and then Open... so, I was part of the caboose to this crazy train! Based on my pace for the training runs, I lined up with the 4:30 finishers, or around a 10:00 pace. I debated on lining up with a pace group, but since I hadn't trained with pace groups, I didn't want to get flustered. Note to those who might do this in the future... stick to what you did in training.
Off I go, no turning back...
As the start drew near the corrals became more and more crowded. We were all instructed to be to the corrals around 7 am, but of course, there are those who don't think the rule applies to them and show-up and snake their way through the crowd to get to "their" spot. To top it off, they were annoyed with those of us who had been there and waiting.
The National Anthem was beautiful. It was an ensemble of singers - first a male, adding in a female, and then rounding out with the rest of the group. Just amazing! The race started just before 8 am and I crossed the start line in about 10 minutes, which isn't bad for a group the size of the Chicago Marathon. And we were off - start line...
The Women's Elite Group - they ran as a pack for the majority of the race. Impressive!
This was mile 0.8. The building on the left side of the picture is our hotel. Lots of runners!
Typically, most marathons have markers at every mile and 5 kilometers along the route. However, since the Chicago Marathon attracts a large number of international runners, there were flags indicating every mile AND kilometer. 26.2 miles or 42 kilometers. Just in the distance flags alone, there were 68, not including the 1/2 way point. Lots of reminders of how far you had gone, or how far you still had to go.
As many of you know or others of you could guess, the cooler the weather, the better it is for the runners. With temps starting out in the upper 60s and humidity at 78% around 7:30 a.m., it was guaranteed to be a very warm, if not, down right hot day. After last year's Marathon, the organizers made several changes to this year's event, including establishing the event alert system, as shown in the photo below. The day started (that being the key word) at yellow, and was elevated to yellow earlier in the week. There were many aid stations and the fluids were plentiful. My approach was 2 cups of gatorade and 3 cups of water. I drank the gatorade, dumped one cup of water on my head, one down my back and drank the other one. Many runners breeze through the first few aid stations, however, I believe that it is there for a reason and utilized the beverages at each and everyone - all 20 of them. Yes, that is a lot of beverage to drink and yes, I was drenched, but each cup of water that I dumped on me was such a relief.
So, when did things change? If I remember correctly, it was sometime around mile 20 that we were first notified that the alert system had been upgraded to red, otherwise known as high, or that there were potentially dangerous conditions. It was recommended that we slow down and/or consider stopping. Quite honestly, it felt like a sucker punch. Only 6.2 miles to go, but it sure felt like it was long run still ahead of us. At mile 23, there was an electronic sign with the time and temperature which read a balmy 91 degrees!! At this point, I thought to myself "smart runners finish strong". As people were definitely feeling the impact of the heat, sun and humidity, I knew that I still had control over how my body was going to handle the race. From this point, I decided that I would run as much as possible, but that I would incorporate more power walking to help keep myself from getting sick or feeling the need to stop all together. It added a bit of time, but really my goal was to finish. So, I attempted to run for 3 - 4 minutes and then walk for 30 seconds - 1 minute, depending on if someone was cheering for me. To give you an idea of the itensity of the sun, this is my calf and the tan line from my capri running pants (note - the picture is upside down). At first when I saw this, I thought my legs were dirty.
Jen and Jim were at Mile .8, 3, 12 and 26. Unfortunately, we only saw each other at Mile 26. I am located in the middle of the pictured, under the Bank of America banner on the left/under the building in the middle of the picture. Look for the red shirt.
There I go... just 2/10 of a mile to go.
If there was one picture that I wish I had of this marathon, it would have been the sight I saw in between the time that the two above photos where taken. Jen and Jim were right on the edge of the street. Once I found where the voices were coming from, I saw Jen with her arms outstretched, camera in one hand and her phone in the other, yelling "Josh is on the phone!!" She was so excited, smiling -- it will forever be an image that I remember.
We crossed timing mats at every 5k. Here is how I faired...
5k (3.1 miles) - 30:41
10k (6.2 miles) - 1:01:38 (+30:57 from 5k)
15K (9.3 miles) - 1:34:20 (+ 32:42 from 10K -- I did have to use the restroom in this one!)
20K (12.4 miles) - 2:07:26 (+33:06 from 15k)
13.1 miles - 2:14:52
25K (15.5 miles) - 2:41:25 (+33:59 from 20K)
30K (18.6 miles) - 3:16:36 (+35:11 from 25K -- This is where I was "lost" on the course. I forgot that we did 2 loops out to the west side of Chicago.)
35K (21.7 miles) - 3:52:31 (+35:55 from 30K -- Started dodging banana peels - a lot of them at mile 20.15!)
40K (24.8 miles) - 4:29:07 (+36:36 from 35K -- Dodged more banana peels and changed my approach to finishing the race!)
FINISH - 4:44:27 (+15:07 from 40 K or 1.2 miles later -- Just wanted to finish!)
- Pace / mile: 10:50
- Placement Overall: 15876
- Gender: 5508
- Age Division: 1464
There was a reason why the 27th Mile Post Party was given its name... it really was a good mile away from the finish. It took forever to get to the runner re-unite area. Not only did I want to see a familiar face, I wanted to talk to my husband!
At last . . .
Thankfully, this isn't a close up -- a much needed change of shoes!
Still chatting, getting cooler...
Again, I cut off 53 minutes and 49 seconds from my time at the Marine Corp Marathon. I really think that if the weather had been on my side that I would have easily been able to run a 4:30 marathon. At least I can say that I ran the race that was in me, and I am proud of how well I did. It was an emotionally driven day and there were certainly points when I lost focus or rather got lost in the emotion of the day.
As I took my twice weekly (sometimes more) walks with Nan, we would often talk about the training and the race. We joked, at the time, about my "oscar acceptance speech", hence giving her the title as "warm down coach". As I proceeded through the training and race this weekend, the list of people who were there along the way really did contribute to the success of this past weekend. Here is a little shout out to the people I would like to thank.
Harland -- my (unofficial) "coach". As I have mentioned before, he coaches for Teams in Training and was always willing to give me advice, support and encouragement.
Nan -- my "warm down coach". Nan and I walked every Sunday and Wednesday beginning back in March. As the big runs came around, Nan would make sure that I got in my "warm down" walk and or a mid-week walk on a day off. The Pasquarello's were huge supporters.
Hailey -- my "fan club President". Hailey was always willing to share my story and always asked how the training was going. She even decorated the garage for my return.
Lisa (and TJ) -- my "training partner(s)". Lisa would come and rescue me during the mid-length and long runs, running by my side for a few miles, to help break up the length. TJ was along for the ride.
Heather -- the training blogger from Michigan. Sharing the trials and tribulations, "badges of honor", and anxiety of it all with you was incredible. I look forward to chatting with you again soon.
My family -- my lifeline to get through this year. I'll admit you are all right - I am probably insane, but your support makes me believe that I can do anything. My parents were at the airport with their Chicago 26.2 shirts on when I arrived home. It was such a wonderful surprise.
Jen and Brew -- my "curb crew". Jen and Jim (Brew) flew in from D.C. to cheer me on and we had a wonderful weekend together. I can't thank them enough for everything they did with me that weekend. Just knowing they were in the crowd, though I didn't see them and they didn't see me, helped to keep me going. It was incredible to share the experience with them. Again, my favorite part was seeing Jen at Mile 26 when she told me Josh was on the phone! Priceless!
And of course... Josh - You are and will always be my greatest inspiration. I love you and we really are one step closer to you coming home. Better lace up those running shoes and start practicing! Wink!
Eight runners of varying abilities and all with different reasons for running blogged about their training throughout the summer leading up to race day. Several of them posted e-mail addresses to connect with other runners as well.
