Things must be going right when you don't even question, "Why am I doing this again?"
Other than the blistering cold 30-40 degree temperatures, I will remember the 2009 Bank of America Chicago Marathon as a very well organized the race, with great the volunteers and spectators. About 90% of the entire race course was lined up with spectators and the course itself was phenomenal.
By 7:30 am, the elite runners started. It must have been 7:50 am when I actually crossed the start line. I hung with Rocky, Candace, and Sam. The plan going in was that we would try to hang together as long as we could. My best hope was to stick together up at until mile 20. Unfortunately my Garmin was having issues and could not pin-point exact mileage. As a result, I think it gave bad pace speed. Nevertheless, I finished the first 13 miles without much issue. However, I knew I was tiring a lot earlier than I did during our training runs. Mile 14 turned into my quiet phase. My other running partners were definitely going at it a lot stronger. I was working hard to keep up with them. I managed to barely just shadow them.
I had lots of high and low moments. I would have brief periods where I felt great and led the group. But, I eventually would hit a low and would fall way back. It just seemed to be that way for the next 7 miles. By mile 18, my legs were tired. By mile 20, I bumped into "the wall." I wasn't thinking about it until Sam had noted that we had a 10K to go and this was where we had to overcome the mental challenges. I was trailing the group. After I called out we had ran for about 4 hours, I knew I could not keep up with them and I did not want to hold them back. I told them to keep it going and I would be fine.
The "High"
The "Low"I definitely needed frequent walking breaks, but when I ran...I ran. So I was somewhere between mile 20 and 21 and running by myself for the first time during the race. I knew my goal of 4:45 was a lost cause, but I knew my next goal of going under 5 hours was still a possibility. I couldn't quite do math at that point, but I figured I had about 5 miles or so left with and 1 hour to go. Somehow I needed to manage around 12 minute miles, which sounded easy. My goal was to do a 5 minute run, then 2 minute walk. Of course it ended up being more even.
ChinatownIt wasn't until I hit Chinatown where I got a bit choked up. When I made the turn to the entrance, I saw this elderly Chinese man (probably in his late 70's/early 80s) enjoying spectating, smiling and gave me a thumbs up. Then thoughts of my late grandfather who passed away early this year came into my head. Flashback of how Brenda had helped me in my first marathon followed. It gave me the extra boost I needed. I then picked up the pace and began running. I ran a good mile before I took my next walking break.
Before I knew it, I was 3.2 miles away to the end of the race and the watch said I had about 36 minutes to finish. Going under 5 hours was a possibility, but I knew I had to work for it. Unfortunately, I was also content with having more walking breaks. I tried convincing myself that it would be okay if I finished over 5 hours. But I looked back at my previous marathons and remembered I had made these same kind of deals with myself before and I ended up regretting it.
I told myself not to believe the crap I was saying. My goal was to finish sub 5 or at least die trying. I didn't want to finish it and regret that I could have done more. I had to lay it all on the line. It helped that the back of a girl's shirt in front of me read "Pain is temporary; failure is forever." I knew what I had to do.
So I ended up running more than the old me would have liked. The muscles were all tight, but I wasn't in pain. Yes I was tired. The final 2 miles were the longest of my life. I knew it was going to be a close finish. I tried to maintain pace as best as I could. I really wanted to walk.
It wasn't until mile 25.2, I knew I had a fighting chance. I had to maintain a 11-something minute mile to get under 5 hours. I finally reached the right turn before the horrific incline. Mid-point of the incline was mile 26. I had 0.2 miles to go, but I knew it still took about 2 or so minutes to run. I had a little less than 3 minutes before it was 5 hours. I had to walk up the incline, but once I got to the top, I busted ass on the left turn. I could see the finish, but it was still far away. I got in sprint mode and passed everybody in sight. I was huffing and puffing and wanted to pass out. I saw the photographer waving both arms and I couldn't figure out what he was trying to say. Then it hit me. "OH", get those arms up. I did and I crossed the finish on my clock at 4:59:27. I PR'ed by over an hour.
Get those arms up!Post race, I was cold and nauseous. I exerted so much energy that last sprint that I felt sick and puked in the trash can. I felt a little better afterwards, but was a bit dizzy. I decided to go to the medical tent just to make sure I was okay. They gave me some hot chicken broth, which rocked and I instantly felt better. I also told them my quads were tight and they were able to stretch it for me. While it was a high price to get under 5 hours, it was completely worth it. In fact, I don't regret a thing. For the first time in my marathon career, i'm happy.
