Conquering Chicago Marathon 10-10-10

Marathon #8 is now down in the books 🙂

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I had no idea what I was really getting myself into when I signed up for the Chicago marathon. As always it is an amazing race, but running it on 10-10-10 made it even more special!

The night before the marathon I slept so well, which is amazing considering I was two hours behind Chicago time. It was great waking up and being able to get ready with Kelly, Meghann, and Theodora.

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Coffee please! I went down to the lobby and got some coffee to get my wheels moving, if you know what I mean. The worst thing for a marathoner is not being able to go “potty” before running 26.2 miles!! Thank goodness I didn’t have any tummy issues.

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Getting ready to take on the big race.

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I am a St. Jude Hero 🙂

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Meghann and Kelly got some pretty cool Nike tattoo pace calculators to help them stay on track, best idea ever! Who wants to do math while running?!

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Theodora’s mom was our only real cheerleader 🙂 Missed Hubby!

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Here we GO!

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We made sure to get to the start at least an hour before the marathon to get a good spot in the OPEN line. I think an hour is PLENTY of time. More then that and you will just get more and more nervous.

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We met up with Sarah who was trying to BQ! She is a dedicated reader and such a sweet person.

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I think I tied my shoes like 12 times before the start!

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45,000 crazy runners! 

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Another race with Meghann. It’s so cool how we live on the opposite sides of the country and have done 2 marathons together!

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It took us 7 minutes to cross the start line. Most crowded start I have ever seen!

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It was nice that they split us up a little at the beginning. I was really afraid of getting trampled on!

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So what was my goal for this marathon? TO HAVE FUN!!! I knew Meghann and Kelly really wanted to PR and hit a 4 hour marathon and I would have gladly joined them, I was up for whatever. The first 5 miles no iPod was needed, the crowd was going crazy and cheering us on the WHOLE way. I loved seeing all the encouragement on the side lines and I sucked up all the energy.

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We were right on target for a 4 hour marathon, but we needed to keep up the pace. I knew that these girls were strong, but the heat started to kick in and I knew that would affect everyone. I don’t not run well in the heat, so I knew I just needed to stay positive and run strong.

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At mile 13 we still looked really good and even though my IT BAND was killing me, I recognized it and then moved on. I think a lot of times if we dwell on the pain in a race, we won’t get passed it and then we let our mind WIN! So what I do when I have a pain is acknowledge it and then leave it!

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Having people to run with even if your not talking always pushes a person and that is exactly what Meghann and Kelly did for me. They had the biggest smiles on their faces and that gave me a gallon of energy which I need. 

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At mile 17 we all separated a bit, my legs were feeling ok (IT BAND was numb) and I needed to open up my stride a little. I was hoping I would still finish with the girls. When I hit mile 20 I thought to myself only 6 more miles, FUN RUN length 🙂 Little did I know my Garmin is way off and I was actually at mile 19, but before I could get down I turned the corner and headed into China town!!! Where there were plenty of spectators!

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And the my iPod started playing Fort Minor’s “Remember the Name”!!!

This is 10% luck,
20% skill,
15% concentrated power of will,
5% pleasure,
50% pain,
And 100% reason to remember the name!
BOBBI!

I started to pick up my pace and then remember Hubby’s text from earlier, “DON’T OVER DO IT!!!” I knew I could pick up my pace and kick it in to high gear, but this race was not about speed. I had to listen to my body and keep my pace steady.

I was great until about mile 22 where the heat really kicked in and my body started giving out. I called Hubby and asked him to talk to me. I needed him to say anything to help me finish strong. Then out of no where Meghann came behind me and put her hand my shoulder and I got kind of teary eyed!!! A FRIEND!! We both were struggling to keep moving. We decided to run for 5 minutes and take a little walk break and the run again. The 5 minutes lasted forever and when we stopped I decided to take my tank top off, I knew it would cool me off and make me feel better.

At mile 24 all of a sudden Kelly came up behind us and started screaming come on girls let’s GO! The encouragement that we both NEEDED!! Meghann and I put our feet forward and ran in strong. It really helped that there were spectators lining the streets, screaming, cheering, and had some of the most amazing posters!!

I loved that I heard a man on the megaphone, “This race is almost over. You are about to finish the 31st Chicago Marathon. There is no turning back now, you are going to finish.” YES I AM and with a smile on my face!!!

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As soon as I saw the finish line I took off(well after I got up the short hill at the end!!) I threw up my hands at the crowd as they screamed my name :) 

I wanted Meghann and Kelly to finish hand and hand together and they did!!!

Kelly took video which I can’t wait to see 🙂

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As you can see I was so excited to be DONE!!!

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Another metal for the inspiration board 🙂

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As you can see miles 23-26.2 were he toughest.

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They had us walk quite a distance to get through the shoot which is good, but when your in it you just want to SIT!

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WE DID IT!

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And still we have smiles on our faces 🙂

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They had FREE BEER after the race!

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Made for a great photo op, but after one sip it sounded like a terrible idea. I have never seen so much free beer go to waist 😉

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We sat for a bit and updated our facebook/twitter status’s, stretched, laughed, and then took on the mile back home!

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As we were leaving we saw the ALERT LEVEL!! It was HIGH!!!

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If you ever get the chance to do Chicago, you must!!

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Then you must rest!

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As we walked home (what were we thinking) we stopped by Jamba Juice.

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I ordered a large Strawberry Topper, AMAZING!

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I had to head back to the hotel and quickly shower and get to the airport to leave. What was I thinking sitting on a plane for 5 hours after a marathon!!! I brought a Veggie Sandwich from the Corner Bakery and brought in on the plane. I also had a glass of wine to sooth my muscles and to try to pass out!! It was the longest flight of my life.

When I got to the airport I was so happy to see Hubby and Bosco!! They brought me N and Out!! I ate the Burger and Fries so fast I think I gave my stomach an overload and am still recovering.

Here is where another adventure began. As we got on the freeway to drive home our car DIED on the FREEWAY!!! We did get to the shoulder ok and called a two truck which arrive almost 2 hours later. We didn’t get home until 2am!! Let’s just say I was TOAST!

I did get up early this morning, WHY?! Since I was up and needed to get breakfast, Hubby and I went to Denny’s for brunch. I got a skillet and loved every bite!

Alright time to rest again 🙂


Comments

7 responses to “Conquering Chicago Marathon 10-10-10”

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  4. This post just got me so excited for the Chicago Marathon this weekend. I’m running as a hero too!

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