387.4 miles run in preparation for this and all I got was this cheap Bank of America medal! A medal I had a really hard time putting down last night. Wow, what a feeling! I did it and it was incredible. Along the way, I accomplished 3 of 4 of my goals...guess I have to sign up for next year to cross that 4th one off! I, in no particular order, A) Had Fun, B) Finished and C) Raised a ton of money for LUNGevity (Over $7500 incl $460 in raffle sales by HayHay!). I did not break 5 hours which technically wasn't a goal because "they" say that you shouldn't have a time goal on your first, but I couldn't not have a time goal, right?
Nothing could have gone better but the weather. I got a solid 8 hours sleep Friday, spent Saturday tinkering around, had a great night with Kim, Liesl, Kieran and my family Sat and slept like a baby sat night. Ride into town and parking went well, everything was just perfect. Probably a little t.m.i., but I was even regular....and that is crutial, any runner can confirm.
45,000 bibs were sold for the race, only 31,401 finished. In the 31 year history of the Chicago Marathon, only 419,000 have completed it and today, I am one of them. Less than 1% of the American population has completed a Marathon. Pretty elite group.
It is impossible to describe the energy and excitement of this race. My early morning road crew consisted of Kim, Kieran and Jared. Jared, the kid who sleeps like me. The kid that it takes 1/2 hour to rouse in the morning for school, was up and at 'em with one touch on this morning. The three of them helped navigate, holding my stuff and just being there for me. The crowd is electric and the chatter amongst the runners is that nervous chatter where nothing really makes much sense, but makes perfect sense all at the same time. Then the gun sounds and you wait and wait and wait, inching slowly towards the starting gates. Finally, after over 20 minutes, I am running. The course is the same start as the Shamrock Shuffle that I have run the last 3 years, but the crowd and energy is different. You know you are taking part of something larger than life.
While I could go mile for mile, I'm sure you all have better things to do, so here are a few highlights.
The Chicago crowd is amazing. Runners write our names on our shirts and complete strangers cheer for you personally. It's incredible. I must have hear "P-Daddy" at least 200 times. Totally cool!
The crowd at the turn from Sheridan, along Addison to Broadway were fantastic. Really loud, 15 deep, lots of energy.
If you want to party and watch, Boy's town is the place for you. Carmen Mirana dancers on stilts and Gay ROTC. Enough said.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The last one...
Today was the one...the last one. The last training run. Funny thing is that it was ONLY 3 miles. As recently as this spring, 3 miles was a long run. Today, I was lost. North on the Lake to my favorite point was for 5 miles runs...South to Adler was for 7-8 milers. Where do I run for only 3 miles??? Which way to go? Neither would get me that view that I so look forward to at the 1/2 way point, but I needed to be outside and I needed to be on MY running path on the lake for this one. I decided to go North and just deal with it, turn at Oak St Beach, it will be fine......as I was approaching Lake Shore Drive, I saw Navy Pier ahead and knew I had found my route for the day.
I know this is going to seem completely unbelievable, but I am not bs'ing you, and not exaggerating. As I turned onto the pier and the horizon came into view, no kidding, the sun was just waking up, showing 1/2 of itself over a calm Lake Michigan. It was a huge sun this AM, like a silver dollar, you know what I'm talking about. Curiously large, making you wonder why it's so big today vs. other days. Again, all kidding aside, the sun broke the horizon in full as I reached the end of the pier. Glorious. Sureal. Spectacular. I stopped and took it all in, turning back toward the city I love and enjoying the lights festival of amazing dawn colors dancing on the buildings. I immediately saw that spot that this whole journey became real to me on July 23rd. The day I knew why I was doing this and the day I knew I was a runner. I saw the South Shore Cultural center in the distance, the end of a hard 20 mile run. I saw the police boat pier that was the final loop before heading back to where I started on so many of my runs. What a breathtaking and humbling moment it was.
I am humbled by what I am about to accomplish and have grown more that anyone will ever understand. Life is much more in perspective now and while I will still work too many hours and forget to write back, still not have enough patience with my kids and will too often let life get in the way of what's important, trust me when I say that I'm a much better man than I was 5 months ago, for many reasons and on many levels. Each of you are a part of this evolution and I am forever grateful.
To help keep it all real, however, Elvis, aka Little sh*t, got sprayed by a skunk tonight, just as I added the spinach to my favorite pasta dish on the stove. So, while dinner got cold, I got to give my first "tomato juice" bath to a stinky mutt. Ah reality!
Not sure where my head will be this weekend, so for now, I'm out until after it's done. Thanks again for the amazing outpouring of support and generous donations. We're going to exceed $6500 together and TEAM Lungevity will pass our goal of $35k by the morning! Awesome.
I know this is going to seem completely unbelievable, but I am not bs'ing you, and not exaggerating. As I turned onto the pier and the horizon came into view, no kidding, the sun was just waking up, showing 1/2 of itself over a calm Lake Michigan. It was a huge sun this AM, like a silver dollar, you know what I'm talking about. Curiously large, making you wonder why it's so big today vs. other days. Again, all kidding aside, the sun broke the horizon in full as I reached the end of the pier. Glorious. Sureal. Spectacular. I stopped and took it all in, turning back toward the city I love and enjoying the lights festival of amazing dawn colors dancing on the buildings. I immediately saw that spot that this whole journey became real to me on July 23rd. The day I knew why I was doing this and the day I knew I was a runner. I saw the South Shore Cultural center in the distance, the end of a hard 20 mile run. I saw the police boat pier that was the final loop before heading back to where I started on so many of my runs. What a breathtaking and humbling moment it was.
I am humbled by what I am about to accomplish and have grown more that anyone will ever understand. Life is much more in perspective now and while I will still work too many hours and forget to write back, still not have enough patience with my kids and will too often let life get in the way of what's important, trust me when I say that I'm a much better man than I was 5 months ago, for many reasons and on many levels. Each of you are a part of this evolution and I am forever grateful.
To help keep it all real, however, Elvis, aka Little sh*t, got sprayed by a skunk tonight, just as I added the spinach to my favorite pasta dish on the stove. So, while dinner got cold, I got to give my first "tomato juice" bath to a stinky mutt. Ah reality!
Not sure where my head will be this weekend, so for now, I'm out until after it's done. Thanks again for the amazing outpouring of support and generous donations. We're going to exceed $6500 together and TEAM Lungevity will pass our goal of $35k by the morning! Awesome.
Monday, October 6, 2008
PDaddy spent after 20!!
Just got these pics from the Nike Ready to Run 20 miler. These need no words to tell you how I was feeling.....and yes...everything, and I mean every inch of me and everything on me is dripping in sweat. Nice...
Sunday, October 5, 2008
One week from RIGHT now....
It will be finished! This long, crazy, frustrating, exhilarating, learning, emotional and rewarding journey will be done. One week from right now, my legs will just be starting to tighten up and walking will begin to be a challenge. One week from right now, I will be with friends and family re-fueling with Bud Light and burgers! One week from right now, Lorraine will move on to her next project.
It's going to be a long, anxious week. Early weather reports are calling for a perfect morning for a run next Sunday. It will be hard not to overdo it this week. Annette already banned me from spinning on Wednesday. I am not sure how I'll keep it all in for 7 more days. Please send lots of love, prayers and positive thoughts this week.
Today, I went back to where it all began. 3 years ago, I completed the 10k Rotary Run for Wellness in Hinsdale. 3 years ago, it was the longest I had ever run, by 1.2 miles. 3 years ago, I prepared the night before like I will this Saturday. Big carb dinner, quiet night with family, early to bed. 3 years ago that first hill looked like a mountain. 3 years ago, I ran with Jon Aguilar. I was inspired to run this race again today when I learned that Jon was back on the road after some serious back issues. Jon and his buddy Derek ran today and Jon graciously told me to run on when the race started. He knew I needed a good run to take me to next week and a good run I had. Posted a personal best on the 10k and it felt great. Forgot how hilly this race was. Seemed it was a lot of uphill and not much downhill. Know that's not possible as we start and finish at the same place. Good last workout before the long, flat Chicago course.
The BEST thing about this race today was the Haley came to watch. This race is actually 5 races...a 10 step walk, a 3k run, a 5k run, a 5k walk and a 10k run. When we first arrived, Haley asked if I would run the 3k with her next year. I said absolutely. After the run, she said that maybe she'd like to do a 3k in the spring, a 5k in the summer and maybe try to do the 10k with me next year! Good plan to achieve a great goal! I look forward to taking the journey with her!
On the fund raising front, we are at $6191.20. Well above goal, but not done yet! Haley and her Girlfriend are selling raffle tickets this week and I've got a few more people to beg. Team LUNGevity is close to $32k, goal of $35k is in sight. I look forward to the possibility of meeting my team mates next week.
Off to enjoy this rainy Sunday on the couch watching football and probably catching a cat nap or 3! Thanks for the love and support.
P
It's going to be a long, anxious week. Early weather reports are calling for a perfect morning for a run next Sunday. It will be hard not to overdo it this week. Annette already banned me from spinning on Wednesday. I am not sure how I'll keep it all in for 7 more days. Please send lots of love, prayers and positive thoughts this week.
Today, I went back to where it all began. 3 years ago, I completed the 10k Rotary Run for Wellness in Hinsdale. 3 years ago, it was the longest I had ever run, by 1.2 miles. 3 years ago, I prepared the night before like I will this Saturday. Big carb dinner, quiet night with family, early to bed. 3 years ago that first hill looked like a mountain. 3 years ago, I ran with Jon Aguilar. I was inspired to run this race again today when I learned that Jon was back on the road after some serious back issues. Jon and his buddy Derek ran today and Jon graciously told me to run on when the race started. He knew I needed a good run to take me to next week and a good run I had. Posted a personal best on the 10k and it felt great. Forgot how hilly this race was. Seemed it was a lot of uphill and not much downhill. Know that's not possible as we start and finish at the same place. Good last workout before the long, flat Chicago course.
The BEST thing about this race today was the Haley came to watch. This race is actually 5 races...a 10 step walk, a 3k run, a 5k run, a 5k walk and a 10k run. When we first arrived, Haley asked if I would run the 3k with her next year. I said absolutely. After the run, she said that maybe she'd like to do a 3k in the spring, a 5k in the summer and maybe try to do the 10k with me next year! Good plan to achieve a great goal! I look forward to taking the journey with her!
On the fund raising front, we are at $6191.20. Well above goal, but not done yet! Haley and her Girlfriend are selling raffle tickets this week and I've got a few more people to beg. Team LUNGevity is close to $32k, goal of $35k is in sight. I look forward to the possibility of meeting my team mates next week.
Off to enjoy this rainy Sunday on the couch watching football and probably catching a cat nap or 3! Thanks for the love and support.
P
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