The Race started and all of the runners around me, including myself, walked to the start line. I was slightly worried that there would be more walking on the course, that whole stop go stop go thing, but was surpised and very happy that literally, as soon as I got to the start, we were all able to run, and never look back. No stop and go or anything.

So I headed out, knowing I could reach my goal of 3:35, but as any marathoner can attest, you never know. Injuries, bad day, whatever. There are lots of things that can derail a race. The one thing that I 100 percent knew I had was the right training, and the right taper.

The first 5k was pretty uneventful. I was trying to get a feel for what my body was ready to give this day. It was crowded. I passed a number of people, but was not dodging decidedly slower runners.

At Chicago, they time every 5k, along with the Half and the Finish. Timing mats in all of those locations. I really appreciated that. My first 5k finish was completed in 24:25. It would later show to be the slowest 5k of the day.

The race continued on. I did short race management evaluations about every 5 minutes. When I say race management, I am talking about how I was managing my own race in my head. I knew things were going well, but was constantly unaware of how well. (mental note: I need to invent a watch that will not only give me race time and splits, but projected finish time too). Had I known where I was at, or I guess bothered to do that math, I would have seen that I was not only on pace to beat my PR and my goal time, I was on pace to give a shot toward qualifying for Boston. Something I had never entertained as even being remotely possible. The 3:15 I needed seemed far too out of reach.

Once I reached the half marathon point and saw my time was 1:40, I knew that doubling that would give me a 3:20. Now is when I started to ask myself the question.. 'do I have boston in me'? I knew that I could negative split this race, it was just a matter of by how much. I needed to do ~1:35 to get boston.

The race continued on. I battled aches and pains along the way and felt what most everyone else feels at 20 miles.. like my legs had just raced 20 miles, but I didn't feel any sort of fatigue. At 21, I was completely focused and ready to kill the last 5 miles. I knew I picked up the pace, and knew that boston was still 'possible', remotely, but i've learned to race this year, and this last few miles became a whole new race. There was no reason to doubt, and no reason to not try. I knew I had people watching my time and I used them for inspiration.. thinking.. so and so might be watching on the computer.. and I know this person is watching etc.. That helps me. It's not that I want to prove anything, but it is that I want to maybe put a smile on their face when I do well. I don't know, I just like knowing I have people rooting me on. My parents and siblings don't get this whole thing, so I turn to others.. hmm.. back to the race report. :)

So here I am, running the last 5 k, when I realize at some point.. mile 24 or so that boston will not be possible this time. Im not understating things when I say that it upset me to realize this. This was my 10th Marathon. I had never done better than a 3:49, and most of the 10 were somwhere in the 4's. So, to get so close, and not do it, hurt a little bit. Yes, I started the day wanting a 3:35 and not even remotely considering boston, but that knowledge does not make it easier to take. So many questions lie ahead in terms of that.. can I actually beat the 3:15.. was this a one off race.., will I fall back to where I usually am. Why am I getting better all of the sudden? I'm far to analitical to let any one quesstion slide. I can't just simply think.. 'your faster, don't question it.'

So.. again, back to the race. I held on strong for the final push, no quit, no give. I crossed the finish line at 3:19:14 exactly 3 minutes and 15 seconds shy of the last second I would have needed to qualify.

Incidentals.. I took vanilla Gu at miles 7, 13, 17, and 21. Drank mostly gatorade in small sips at every stop, and never stopped to walk. I took two advil at mile 13.

I raced in 'race ready' shorts.. I will never run a marathon in anything different. They are the best invention ever. I imagine one day they will be pervasive in marathons.

It was brutally cold out there.. windy as heck, a slight drizzle in the beginning. I had no problem with any of it.

5k splits:
5k: 24:25 - 24:25 - first 5k
10k: 48:21 - 23:56 - second 5k
15k: 1:12:08 - 23:47 - third 5k
20k: 1:35:28 - 23:20 - fourth 5k
Half Marathon: 1:40:27
25k: 1:58:28 - 23:00 - fifth 5k
30k: 2:22:02 - 23:34 - sixth 5k
35k: 2:45:58 - 23:56 - seventh 5k
40k: 3:08:50 - 22:52 - eighth 5k
Finish: 3:19:14

Not much to say here. I had a great race and I know it. Writing this report has actually helped me come to terms with the whole boston thing.

Got my gear bag and waited on friends to finish. I saw Heather finish at 3:54 and was beyond excited for her. Amy came across at 4:33 and several other get fitters came across as well. Still, my bt and get fit buddies made me very proud. A little side note. I took over 30 minutes off of my PR. Heather took somewhere around 50 off of hers. Amazing. Amy did awesome and now has a PR that she can aim to beat next time.


Nothing.


Chicago is a great event. It is done very well. Amazing volunteers and spectators. Even in the cold, the people were out in force and the energy was amazing.