Chicago Marathon - RunMarathon

Wow, can I actually say that running this MARATHON was fun? It was. The amount of spectators was astounding. All their energy certainly keeps you moving along. I can't believe how the miles passed by. But then again, maybe it was the company I was in. I got to complete this amazing feat with my BFF Michele...and it is her first. Plan was to beat Tara from the Biggest Loser last season and that we did...and we even had to wait 5 minutes for a potty break at mile 8. Walked all the aid stations and then after mile 13 took an extra minute or two to complete the distance. Another plan was to take a pix every mile (as requested by Tridds), by mile 3 that was shoved out the door. Pix would be at 13 and 25 to complete the day. Michele's hubby Brendon was all over the course. He would pop up unexpectedly here and there to give Michele the extra boost she needed to keep on going. This in turn, made me feel all wishy washy inside and gave me an adrenaline boost as well. It was so fun to see the drag queens, boys town, little italy, china town (talk about being swept up by the crowds....wow!), etc etc etc. The most fun of the day was reading all the signs and tshirts. They were hilarious..."race long and hard (with a pix of a penis)", "if it were easy, i'd be doing it", "not every one can run a marathon, some of us have to hold signs" and the list goes on and on. We laughed alot, sang and danced a little, cried a few tears, got a bit philosophical at times and just pushed each other through a cramping legs, hurting knees and mental breakdown.

Not a damn thing!!!

Walked thru the finish shoot, received our space blankies, medals and turned in our chips. Grabbed some grub and some beer to give to the best Sherpa out there today and headed for the finisher photos. Called Brendon and met him at the reunion area. Scouted for finisher jackets, made our purchases and walked about 4 blocks for a cab. Luckily, we didn't have to wait long for a cab at all. Woo hoo. While walking to the cab another athlete asked if we would do it again...I said no. I was in pain. But now that everything is back in order the answer is still....I don't know aobut VEGAS!! We were shivering to the core again and couldn't get back to Michael's place quick enough. Quick clean up and back in the car to be home by 4:45. Legs were quite stiff and I was dead tired but couldn't fall asleep in the car. Waaaaay too much adrenaline I guess.


Not a damn thing!!!



I was going to give the race a 5, but they didn't have gels at the water/gatorade stations until about 15 or so and I think there were only two in total. I was freaking out cuz I dropped on of mine and was planning on having enough til the aid station. Lucky for me, the good spectators were dolling out pretzels, candy and water. Someone was even handing out beers!! Passed on that.