Chicago Marathon - RunMarathon


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Chicago, Illinois
United States
31F / -1C
Sunny
 		Total Time = 3h 15m 19s
Overall Rank = 1979/33475
Age Group = M35-39
Age Group Rank = 349/3241
Pre-race routine:

Up relatively early at 5:20. My folks got a hotel close to the start, so it was coffee, banana, and 1/2 a bagel to get going. Once packed and knowing it was 30 deg F outside, we waited to about 6:15 to leave. I had three layers and was still cold to the start.
Event warmup:

Down at the corral B by 6:40, light stretching and getting a rendevouz point figured out. In the corral by 7 AM, then it was all systems go.
Run
  • 3h 15m 19s
  • 26.2 miles
  • 07m 27s  min/mile
Comments:

I made some monumental mistakes last year, this year was going to be about patience and focus. I deliberately came out a bit fast in the first 8 miles, then with that time-bank I settled in around 7:20 for a while. I got a little tired around miles 17-21, but then felt good again to the finish. I went from a high 7's back to 7:30's for the last 5 miles, that was the best part of this race - to recover and focus to the finish. That, and the fact some guy in a banana costume passed me, I was not going to loose to a banana so I kicked his ass to the finish.
What would you do differently?:

2nd marathon and PR'd over last year about 18 minutes and BQ'd, it does not get any better. Training went well this year, I was not only patient in racing but training had a more restrained tone this year.
Post race
Warm down:

Warm down, how about warm up? It was freaky freezing at the finish. Those mylar blankets were good, but I was frozen. The 312 beer was perfect regardless of temperature. It was a bit rough getting to the meeting point, but then a hot shower and life was good.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Nothing, the banana-guy helped and after thinking about it on the ride home the cooler temps this year (although it seemed extreme cooler), it was good for a PR.

Event comments:

Still a huge favorite of this race. Any race in Chicago is a blast, both the tri and the marathon. Too bad about the Olympics this year, I personally think Chicago got robbed. The volunteers are flat out the best. Think about this, its 31 deg F, and you have to stand handing out water or gatorade all morning to 35,000 people. Not a single frown, tons of support, I can not say enough about the folks who run this race and those who help out.




Last updated: 2009-03-08 12:00 AM
Running
03:15:19 | 26.2 miles | 07m 27s  min/mile
Age Group: 349/3241
Overall: 1775/33475
Performance: Good
7:19,7:06,7:07,7:08,7:14,7:15,7:16,7:19,7:25,7:20,7:25,7:20,7:20,7:15,7:24,7:38,7:45,7:45,7:45,7:45,7:58,7:36,7:37,7:39,7:37,7:28.
Course: All over chicago- it is fantastically laid-out course. Downtown with its architechture, north with its... male cheerleaders? Nevermind... out west to some fun neighborhoods, south to Hispanic area and Chinatown, then back up Michigan to the finish.
Keeping cool Good Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall: Good
Mental exertion [1-5] 4
Physical exertion [1-5] 5
Good race? Yes
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 5