Years ago running a marathon was not even on my radar. I remember about 4 years ago when I decided to run my first half marathon and it seemed like such a big challenge. It WAS a big challenge but running twice that distance then seemed impossible. Somehow I got up enough courage to train and run my first full marathon in Memphis almost 2 years ago and it was a major fail (I was so sick on race day) and finished in 5 hours. So, I ran the Chicago marathon last year and totally redeemed myself. I ran a 4:14 (my goal was 4:20) and it was one of the best days of my life. I knew before I even crossed the finish line that day that I had to do it again.
After having to go through a lottery, I was successfully signed up to run the Chicago marathon this year. I was so excited until about 8 weeks ago when I completely fell while on a 15 mile run. I was on a single track dirt trail (with plenty of rocks) and I fell so hard right on my knees onto some rocks. I was with my good friend Lara and she helped me with the 3.5 mile walk back to the car.
I felt silly to even complain about a stupid injury but when running is just about my only hobby, I was devastated and in a lot of pain and very swollen.
It took a few weeks to feel back to normal and I had to change up my training a ton but it all worked out.
As I was just starting to get back to training, I stumbled upon a major bonus when I reconnected with a friend. Our daughters took dance together when they were like 4 and we remained friends on facebook. It turned out that she was in the process of training for the New York marathon (which is just 2 weeks away) and we were both desperate to train with someone. I am pretty sure Michelle and I ran together every Thursday over the last many weeks (and hopefully we will continue to). We helped each other so much!!! I am so glad to have a new running buddy and great friend in Michelle.
Ok, so back to the marathon. The weather on race day was amazing (low 50s at the start and a high of about 63). MY BFF Kris was running the marathon as well (she is way faster than me) but it was nice to be there before the race with a friend (btw - she finished in an amazing Boston qualifying time of 3:35)!!!!
I tried to tell myself that I didn't have a goal because my knees were still not at 100% and I didn't want to feel like I was letting myself down. I told myself I wanted under 4:20....but I really wanted to finish around the same time as last year or under (so 4:14 or under).
The first few miles seemed hard. I think it just took my awhile to warm up. Bob was not running this year and he was so supportive and met up with me on the course to cheer me on at about 6 different spots along the way. That was a huge help. My BFF Marina and her boys came too and that was a great moment....
My friend Pam and her husband Ryan cheered me on as well and I got to see them twice which was really great.
I took a pit stop around 13 miles. I walked for a moment through some water stations in order to get a good drink and took a few times to stretch out my legs. I pretty much felt good the whole way until about mile 20.
It was crazy because I kept a VERY consistent pace throughout most of the 26 miles. I kept telling myself to just keep the pace and it actually worked. My knees were in a ton of pain though for the last 6 miles but I knew I could physically keep running and that slowing down was not going to help me at all.
I saw Bob at mile 25 and he gave me the last bit of encouragement I needed to finish. My last mile was my fastest...8:45. I don't know where I got that energy from.
So, here is my time....4:09 (9:28 pace).
Running the Chicago marathon is hard to even describe. The crowd support and volunteers throughout all 26 miles is amazing. People hold inspiring signs and funny signs and it helps so much. There is so much to look at and see that I don't even need to run with music. I ran through our old neighborhoods, and even the street that we lived on where we started our family with Addison. It is emotional to run though such a great city.
I don't know if I will be back to run Chicago next year. Maybe I will take a year off, I really don't know. Finding the time and putting in all the training is what is hard....and race day is amazing and worth all the hard work. I am just so glad that I did not disappoint myself at all!!!
I don't know if I will be back to run Chicago next year. Maybe I will take a year off, I really don't know. Finding the time and putting in all the training is what is hard....and race day is amazing and worth all the hard work. I am just so glad that I did not disappoint myself at all!!!
