LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon - RunMarathon

Let me start by saying my philosophy going into this race was BQ or Bust. I thought on a good day with a pace group leading I could beat my ING time on an easier course and qualify for Boston. Even with the looming weather conditions my lack of experience let me believe this stretch was still possible and I started the race with that in mind.

Miles 1 - 6 (43:56)
Out of the gate being in Corral B was awesome because I crossed the start in under a minute after the gun. The 3:10 pace group threw me for a loop and ran the first mile in 6:47. Keep in mind the net pace is 7:15 for 3:10:00. Shortly after mile 1 I threw away my shirt but was so focused I didn't realize what this meant, already too hot at mile 1...Mile 2 was slower at 7:58 which is when I realized the pace group was either oblivious or they were doing so poorly at finding the pace that I settled into my own. They slowly started to pull away from me which I wasn't overly concerned with since I knew they were fast and thought I would catch later. I settled into a 7:25 pace and around mile 5 or 6 I started to realize that 3:10 was a long shot. I was really pushing and 7:25 was all I was going to be able to maintain.
1 - 6:47
2 - 7:53
3 - 7:16
4 - 7:07
5 - 7:25
6 - 7:25

Miles 7 - 12 (46:00)
The next 10k is when I realized that Boston wasn't going to happen. The start of this stretch I was already starting to get cotton mouth which rally scared me. In my frantic pace to keep sight of the pace group and I had not drank enough at the water stops. I stopped at the mile 8 stop to make sure and drink a full cup. This really energized me along with the great crowds through Wrigleyville and Lincoln Park. Coming back downtown I felt like this was going to be a good day. I was a couple for minutes off the 3:10 pace but feeling strong and hoping for a good second half. I did however realize that I was falling closer to the 8 minute pace I was hoping to beat.
7 - 7:27
8 - 7:33
9 - 7:44
10 - 7:36
11 - 7:47
12 - 7:50

Halfway is downtown and the crowds were 8 deep on the sidewalk. Winding thru the city I felt like a professional athlete. Obviously they were not cheering for me but I can't express the motivation this gave me. iPod was off to take this in. I hit the half and was not really happy with my time but I wasn't upset. Only 2 minutes slower than my PR half marathon and 2 minutes faster than my first half at ING so it was encouraging to see the improvement I've made.
13 - 8:02
13.1 - 1:38:48

Miles 14 - 19 (51:30)
Starting the second half I started to realize I was falling off pace bad. Boston was out of the question already but I was starting to wonder if 3:20 was even possible. 16 miles has always been a barrier for me and approaching this I was started to feel it in my legs. The heat was building and I started to realize the water stops every 2 miles were not coming fast enough. It was during the last part of this stretch that I started walking through each of the water stops and dropping cups of water on my head at each one. Mile 19 came and I could not believe how slow my splits were. As bad as I tried to fight I could not get away from 9 minutes. At this point I was just willing myself to keep running and finish. I was oblivious to the idea that everyone else might be way off their goal paces. I thought, and still do to some degree, that I had just gone out too fast and was running out of gas.
14 - 8:06
15 - 8:16
16 - 8:32
17 - 8:31
18 - 8:59
19 - 9:04

Miles 20 - 26.2 (1:09:29)
At the risk of sounding too dramatic this last section was just survival. I began walking through each water stop, dumping a cup on my head, drinking one, drinking a PowerAde, and dumping another one. I peed my pants at mile 21 without much thought. Partly because I was soaking wet so you couldn't see but primarily because my body couldn't stop it. It was around mile 22 that a guy right beside me collapsed straight to his back as he was reaching for a cup of water. The water volunteer was looking for medical help but everyone was tied up. I just had to keep chugging along. Peed my pants again at mile 23. At least I was assured that I was sufficiently hydrated. The walking began to become more frequent which I was very embarrassed about at the time but looking back it was all I could do. I tried to give it all I had it the last mile but ended up walking a little and then sprinted the best I could for the last 2/10. Thank the good Lord it is over.
20 - 9:10
21 - 9:43
22 - 9:23
23 - 10:09
24 - 9:38
25 - 10:10
26 - 9:23
.2 - 1:53

Take the weather into account and be willing to adjust goals.

4 beers and a shade tree, nuff said


The fast first half and the hot second half.


We had such a good experience last year that I had this race on a pedastel. I guess the only thing they could control that wasn't great was the post-race party which was a rip. Other than that I think they did as good as they could have considering the crazy weather.