Yes, it's been a long time since anything was posted. There have been several things keeping my attention, and with good reason! So lots to update, but here are the high notes...
Most recently the big news, as stated from the title... the Chicago Marathon '10. It was simply amazing. Incredibly difficult, but would do it again in a heart beat, even if the conditions were the same. There was a record 38,191 runners to start the race, as well as 36,159 that finished (also a new record). It by 11am it was already 80 degrees and reached the mid 80's by noon with 65% humidity. As you can probably guess this is not ideal conditions to run, especially that far. It was truly an experience that will remain with me, and every other participant, forever. It's something that I really thought that I was prepared for, and I believe that I was, but there were that can't be trained for....the experience of stepping up to the start line of your first marathon. This was something so powerful, that unless you have done it yourself, you really can't understand how much it impacts you. Listening to our National Anthem will move you unlike ever before. Hearing fellow runners around you pump each other up, and express how excited they are for the race; for you as you run your first marathon; and for so much more but can't really be expressed unless again you've been there. Jitters of new runners and experience of the runners that have done 10 marathons, seem to blend into a beautiful mesh work called Race Day!
The gun went off and the elite runners were off. About 7 minutes later I finally crossed the start line. The first 8 - 10 miles felt pretty good, and one of my best friends was around mile 8 to cheer me on! It was great to have her cheering me on and just in general to see her! Close to the half marathon my parents and another great friend of mine were there with signs cheering me along, which was a great boost even though it was short lived. Around mile 14 or 15 my pace had dramatically slowed down. Eventually slowing down all the way to a walk. I tried so hard no to walk but it just wasn't possible. The heat was killing me even though I was doing everything I could to deal with it. I was running some but mostly walking. At mile 23.5 the medical staff pulled me from the course because I was walking so slow and was having to stop every so often because I couldn't seem to find the energy anywhere. They had me walk over to a medical tent and lay down while they took my vitals...BP, HR, temp. (BP - 116/70; HR - 68; temp - 91 degrees.) They then covered me up with an emergency blanket (foil blanket) and extra sheets as well to bring my temperature up. I lay there shivering uncontrollably for several minutes and then finally stopped shivering and was allowed back on the course....20-25 minutes later. I continued to walk as fast as I could muster, but when I got to the 800 meter mark, I tried to find every ounce of energy left in me to run the rest of it in. There is a hill near the end, known as Heartbreak Hill, that I ran up even though the pain was unreal. 200 meters to go...sprinting it in now to truly make it a finish that I would be proud of even if I was unable to run the entire race. My official time was 6:08:47; not even close to what I had hoped, but I finished! Overall, I'm happy with how I handled the conditions and the race itself. I plan on going back again...maybe next year! Thank you to everyone who supported me, and all the other runners as well. The spectator support was amazing, there was not one area of the race that did not have spectators cheering all of us along our way. Here's to the next marathon!
Over and out!
Lo!
