Rolling Meditation...on Two Feet! Chicago Marathon 2021
It all started at the beginning of 2021. I was going to turn 45, and had been running 3-5 miles along the lake here and there in 2020, and my cardiovascular fitness had improved after biking longer distances as well. I've always had running a marathon as a goal since I was a kid running track and cross country (wasn't any good at it though). I figured, what the heck, I'll apply for a Chicago Marathon lottery position. This is a non-guaranteed place in the race, randomly selected by the organizers. The guaranteed positions are for entrance running for charity, time qualifiers (3:20 in my age group), legacy finishers, and a few other categories. If I do another marathon, I'll probably apply to do a charity entry through the American Cancer Society, St. Jude's, or Livestrong.
I submitted my application in February 2021, not thinking I'd get a spot (but maybe there are fewer applicants due to the pandemic). I got the email in March that I had been selected! I swallowed hard, as I had never really run more than 10 miles, and that even that was a slog! With a mixture of excitement and trepidation, I set off to figure out how to prepare myself.
I called upon all my friends who had done a marathon previously for advice. GS, a friend in town, graciously offered to run with me sometimes, and suggested I get some warm up races on the calendar to put some goals down. Also started watching kofuzi's youtube videos for inspiration as well!
I started running 3-5 miles one to two times a week, starting in Februrary. In April, I tried my hand at running a half marathon on my own...wasn't too bad! I amped up my distances in April/May. Unfortunately, I started getting shin splints similar to when I was running track in high school...it was disheartening. After scouring the internet for advice, looked like ramping up more slowly and ice baths afterwards was what I settled upon.
Took a a weeks off from running, and started the training program right after Memorial Day suggested by the Marathon organizers, Nike Run Club, with a target time of 4:00. The program started off with much less distance, but more frequent workouts (4-5x/week). I was feeling much better, and I was usually soaking my legs up to the knees in the ice bath for about 15-20 mins after my runs.
Also bought some new carbon plated shoes (ASICS Metaspeed Edge) for races. Testing them, I really found my heartrate was significantly lower (5-10bpm) for the same pace. My Garmin Fenix 6 also was critical for me to get a good idea of pace and heartrate, and I have been tethered to it ever since. Also functions as a great bike computer head unit, but that's for another post. Later in the year, I did buy the ASICS Metaspeed Sky for the actual marathon distance, given the extra foam.
On August 7th, GS and I headed down to Champaign/Urbana area to run the Run Mahomet half marathon. It was my first organized race since a spring 5k I did over a decade ago. A little nervous, but excited to test my training. Went out at ~9 min/mi pace, and then really sped up after the 10 mile mark, thinking only had 2 miles left for some reason. I felt really good, and really surprised myself with a time of 1:56! It was a smaller race, but really friendly and well run.
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| (Finishing the Run Mahomet Half Marathon, 2021) |
The next organized race was the Fox Valley Marathon Fall Final 20 on September 19, 2021, which was to be my longest run before the taper. I ran this one myself, and the course was very familiar along the Fox River Trail, which I had been riding fairly frequently for a while. I started off very nicely, but it got really hot at the end and I slowed down considerably. I had an unofficial time of 3:00 even. Still not bad! I should be able to do a 4 hour marathon!
Now the taper! This felt very, very good on the legs.
The last warm up race was the Chicago Half Marathon on September 26, 2021. It was pretty awesome to be able to run along the lake with so many others! This one I ran with GS, and tried to hold as steady of a pace as I could. With a time of 1:55 and not feeling too tired, I was very confident I could complete the Marathon under my personal goal of 4 hrs.
Finally, the week before race day had come. I was confident I could finish, but the jitters were still there. Time to soak it all in though. The packet pickup at McCormick Place was a huge production! The line to get in snaked around a whole convention floor. Wow, there were a lot of runners in one place.
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| (Packet pickup at McCormick Place on Saturday) |
Did a super brief shake out run. Was able to fall asleep and get a good night's rest without too many nerves.
Race Day, Sunday, October 10, 2021. Woke up and at my usual PB&J breakfast with a bit of coffee. Met up with MK, a very experienced marathoner who lives in our building, and we walked to the start in Grant Park. Found Corral K, which I had signed up for because early in the year I figured I'd probably run at a 10min/mi pace (4:15-4:30 finish). Forgot to change my registration! Oh well. It wasn't too cold, sat down on the pavement of Columbus Street, and took it all in with the thousands of other runners. It was a wonderful feeling. Really excited to get started!
The announcements for the wheelchair races, then the elites, and then the faster corrals. We get up, start slowly walking towards Monroe... then we are off! I felt fantastic, and wanted to try to find the 4:00 pace group. Ugh, they had taken off about 5 minutes prior, with the faster corrals. Never mind that, I'm flying, I'll catch up! GS warned me not to start too fast, that had been his mistake (and for so many others) his first marathon. I'm rolling at a 8:30min/mi pace, and I feel good! I'll be fine! Where's that pacegroup?
Ran up through Streeterville, down through the Loop and catch a glimpse of W on State Street, and then back up through Lincoln Park. Greeted by CSB close to his house in Old Town, then DL a touch further south. Boost in morale! Still flying. Run past and wave hi to W back in the Loop, and then headed into West Loop. Catch YZ close to his house in West Loop, finally catch up to the 4:00 pace group close to the United Center!!! Oh no! I get a cramp in my left hamstring next to the United Center. Was able to shake it out. See W again close to UIC. She's everywhere! Love you, W! Another morale boost.
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| (Hi W, Love You! Halsted overpass of I-290) |
Unfortunately, it's continuing to get more hot and humid, and the faster pace has taken its toll. I get another cramp in my right hamstring right before Chinatown, but able to jog into Chinatown.
Game over on Wentworth in the south of Chinatown. I'm mostly walking, with interspersed slow jogging here and there. Do this a for a few miles into Bronzeville, and walk up to GS, CSB, JBS & kiddos at the IIT campus. I stop and say hi, chug some water offered by GS, and off again into the home stretch.
The sky was turning dark, and I believe they started calling a red or black warning on the course. I had to get to the finish line! I can start to do jog/run at this point again, and am hopeful I can finish in a reasonable time. Saw bunch of people on the ground being attended to by medics.
I slowly jogged through South Loop, soaking in the crowds cheering. Turned East onto Roosevelt and up the last little hill (could have been a mountain at this point!) I saw a runner wandering aimlessly here having to be assisted by the medics up. The final stretch North on Columbus and the finish!!!
4:23:42... not the time I wanted, but I finished. Disappointed that I didn't hit my goal of an under 4 hour finish, but proud that I finished my first marathon in such hot and humid condition. Motivation for the next one!!!
Walking home, couldn't help but feel grateful for the support of W and GS throughout my training and race day, all my friends that showed up along the route to cheer for me, that I didn't have any significant injuries or illnesses during my training, and that I was fortunate to be able to take part in such a wonderful event. The whole journey, from start to finish, will be with me throughout my lifetime.
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