Chicago Marathon - RunMarathon

My race plan was 11:00 minute mile for the first 6 miles, GU every hour, and take 2 endurolyte pills every 30 minutes. I wanted to reach the halfway mark at 2:07 then try and run a negative split and run a sub 4. I was was going to evaluate each 10K and make my decisions based on the previous. I also didn't want to reach my LT 167 at no point except to the last 2.2 miles. i was only carrying 4 Gu's since that's all I would need.

Mile 1 - 6 (1:09:01)
I thought I was a little bit behind schedule since I wanted 66 minutes but thing weren't going well. For the first mile my HR was 187 most of the way, did I tell my LT was 167. I was only running a 11:10 mile pace for the first mile. Once I reached the first water stop, it looked like they were passing out 100 dollar bills. I decided to pass this one and go to the next water stop. Once I arrived, I drank and gatorade and a water and decided to cool myself off due to the extreme heat. I poured two cups over my head. My heart rate was still in the 180's and I was still running 11 minute miles. Somewhere before reaching the 10K mark, I noticed runners veering off to the right to get wet from a fountain in a park. I thought this was a good idea but I was still on pace and feeling okay just hot. I continued to pour water on me at every water stop. Let me also remind you that my heart rate was still in the 180's way above LT. This was a new watch that I recieved as a gift from my fellow runners. I honestly thought the watch was broken or TONY (ATS) gave me the wrong LT numbers or I just got better since the test. If the watch was correct, I knew I wouldn't last long at this Heart Rate. I understand how the body works but I couldn't go any slower. I wasn't breathing hard but I was hot. This felt hotter than ING Atlanta Marathon in March.

Miles 6 - 13.1 (2:29:25)
Along this portion of the run, I saw a fountain on my right and decided to veer off and get wet since I was hot. Once I reached the 20K mark, I did the math in my head and I was 3 minutes slower then the previous 10K. I was still in the 180's with my heart rate. I knew then that the sub 4 marathon was out the window, but my 2nd goal was still possible Sub 4:15. During this section, I grabbed a cup from the ground in order to get fluids quicker because the cups were all empty at several water stops. Once I reached the half way mark, I asked myself...How the FUCK am I going to finish this marathon because I was already tired. I just had to get to the mile 17 to start counting downwards and 1 mile at a time. I also knew that goal #3 was out the window Sub 4:30.

Miles 13.1 - 20
This was brutal, I was still in the 180's Heart Rate. I started to get leg cramps and I was taking my pills on schedule but was worried because I only had I GU left after the 3 hour mark and this was at the 25K mark. I was in trouble with the Heart rate and running out of GU's. Only one word can say what I really felt (FUCKED), but I must move on. After the 25K, I started looking on the floor for a dropped GU from another runner but I didn't have any luck. I also saw a 3:30 runner in this section and they weren't looking good. I felt things were getting bad shortly after the 25K mark. Then my legs started to cramp up so I started to drink more Gatorade then normal and the pouring of water over the head increased. I also had to pick up a used water bottle from the ground to drink my pills and cool off. Somewhere just past the 30K mark, I saw the 5:15 pacer and I asked him if he was on pace. He told me that the race was cancelled, I thought your fucking crazy and dehydrated. I kept on running and drinking as much I could find and continued to get myself wet. It seemed once I reached the next stop my shirt was dry. I also ran under every water hose that was provided by the residents. But by this stage of the race, I decided to walk through the water stops to get my Heart Rate lowered but that didn't work very well. I also started seeing runners dropping all over the place and several were throwing up. Between mile 17 and 18 they were handing out Power Gel Gu's but they were Chocolate and I don't do well with Chocolate. So I passed hoping to find something on the ground. Just before mile 19, I felt a stomach cramp coming on, I knew I had to slow things down or I might be done. I slowed down to walk a little then run a little. I also picked up another water bottle from the ground and got it filled up at the next water stop. I also stopped at and aid station and got a cup of ice to cool the water down. Just before mile 20, I saw a girl next to the curb trying to throw up in a empty Gatorade cup. I asked what are you doing?, she replied I drank too much. I told her to stick her finger in her mouth and throw up, she did this and then became the EXORCIST. It was really scary, so I stood her up and made her walk. I then gave her my cup of ice with water and told her I had to go.

Mile 20 - 26.2
Prior to reaching mile 20, I just wanted to finish and get my medal. I was going to finish this marathon on my feet. Between mile 20 and 21 the cops were telling us to stop running because there was no medical attention up ahead and they had run out of water. I thought I was dehydrated and wasn't hearing them correctly, so I asked another runner that was walking. At mile 21, I stopped running because, I wanted to finish on my feet and was scared if something happened I would have no medical attention. I also noticed the water stops weren't being manned completely but there were some fluids available. I tried to run but the cops were telling you to stop running. I also noticed the fire hydrants were opened and the fire trucks were hosing us down as you walked by. I knew then that things were pretty bad overall. At the 35K (4:30), I took my last GU, because I ran out of pills. I was hoping this would take me the rest of the way. I was drained but I wasn't done. I was determined to cross that finsh line. I ran until I was told to stop by the cops at the next intersection. My Heart Rate would climb into 180's just shortly after running. Just before the 25 mile mark, Yvette Webb came beside me and asked if I was okay. I told her, I'm walking to the 25 mile marker and running the rest of the way no matter what they say. Once I got there, I started but I couldn't hold the initial pace because my legs started to cramp so I had to do the Marine Corp Shuffle for a little while. I continued to run until I crossed the finish line.

I tryed to set myself up for a good finisher photo but there was runners everwhere.

Carry more Gu's and pills. Respect the heart rate, I should've slowed down below LT but HOW is the big question. There is nothing you can do about the heat. I have unfinshed business in Chicago.

I crossed the finish line, got my medal, and got my chip removed. My next goal was to find the beer. I also found Anica, she had been veered off the course and redirected to the finish line. I then went looking for the beer. I could only drink one beer because the other one made be almost want to throw up. I then got my finisher picture and then went to get my post-race bag. While I was in line the runner to my left 10 feet away just dropped like a bag of potatoes and banged his head on the pavement. I then found Anica and headed back to the hotel while she waited for Lorna. I needed to get out of the heat. My post meal was a Big Mac and a Double Cheese Burger.


The HEAT, I was trained for this race. I know I was ready, but the heat got me this date.


On this date, this was an average race. I wasn't happy with the weather but you can't control mother nature. The crowd support was great considering the heat. I believe the race official made the right decision although it was tough. I truely believe this decision probably saved lots of lives.