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.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment