5:21:39!

I DID IT! Sunday I ran the Chicago Marathon with a time of 5:21:39. I am a marathoner! There are lots of thoughts following, so bear with me.

My medal!

Running for Team Bright Pink was awesome. Now that I've run with a charity team, I can't imagine training alone! I had to raise a fair amount of money, but what we got back in return from Bright Pink was great and very supportive. Aside from the training program, access to the FFC gyms, spa night, and various seminars, we had a pasta party the night before the race. Here we got to meet the rest of the team (many were from out of town) and enjoyed some last minute carbo-loading. We also heard a lot of about Bright Pink and their mission, and I got to meet and talk with the founder Lindsay Avner and some of the other staff. I told Lindsay about Megan and I, how I was BRCA-2 positve and that I was very inspired by her to get my own prophylactic double mastectomy. She also complimented the new ones :) Because Bright Pink has given me so much I was honored to be a part of giving something back. 

Lindsay Avner and I, founder of Bright Pink. 

Our coaches also came and gave us more tips, since the weather at the start (~40 degrees) would be much colder than what we had been training in. Those tips were indispensable, including wearing a trash bag at the start! On race morning, our team met at the FFC gym where we also met for our regular long runs, since it was close to the start. I also got a ride from my training buddy Linsey, who has regularly been carting me around to and from the long runs. This all helped me feel relaxed, seeing my team and coaches the night before and following the same morning routine. I tried to think of the race as a regular Saturday run to calm my nerves.  

Me and my training buddy Linsey ready to rock it!

(Most of) Team Bright Pink pre-race

I am so so grateful for everyone who came out to support me. Knowing that I would see Tim, Mom, and Billy at the designated places (together with Ethan at the last 2!) gave me something to look forward to. I wrote an itinerary so I would see them at miles 4, 11, 21.5, and 26. They are such troopers for braving the cold and trekking around the city to see me. I can't describe how much it helped me keep going, knowing I'd see them coming up. It was also helpful knowing that I could chuck my long sleeve shirt at them when I warmed up, and that Tim had extra Gu and Body Glide in case something went really wrong. 

The race itself was great. My secret goal was definitely too ambitious. Everyone says that for first time marathoners, the goal should just be to finish. And now I see why because 26.2 miles is REALLY LONG! I probably would have had to run the race of my life to break 5 hours. My training pace might have been close, but I get to pause my watch in training when I stop to get water, hydrate, and stretch, but the race clock doesn't stop! I also didn't really do any math to come up with my goal, I just doubled my best half marathon time. But that's okay because my secondary goal was to run the whole race without walking, and to run all the hills, especially the one at the end. Check, and check.  

A testament to my training, I don't think it ever occurred to me during the race that I might not finish. I just somehow knew I could do it, and I didn't even doubt it. Sure, I was tired and my knees hurt, but my legs cooperated, my stomach felt fine, and I really don't think I ever hit "the wall." Throughout the last half of the course you see people at the Medical tents, stopping to stretch, and you wonder what happened and are thankful that's not you. Some people get up and finish, and I hope that's what I could do if something went awry. Everyone can have a bad run, but the hope is that through training you've encountered and beat all of the challenges. Through our training I was able to overcome my mental obstacles, build my endurance, test out all my gear and hydration so I knew I wouldn't chafe or upset my stomach. I knew my shoes were great, and I wouldn't get blisters. When I got to the start line and started running, I just knew I could do it because that's what I trained to do and I was prepared.  

Another reason I knew I could do it was because of all of YOU! I am so thankful for everyone who sent me well wishes, from my family to my donors, my chiropractor, everyone who was tracking me, friends, and strangers, and everyone who thought of me on Sunday. I had my name on my visor and my bib, and I just loved people encouraging me by name on the course. Every time it made me smile when strangers would cheer me on. The Chicago Marathon is packed with spectators the whole way. The course winds through 29 different neighborhoods and the character comes through all the way. People holding up signs, clapping, handing out water and food and beer. Even if I never run another marathon in Chicago, you better believe I'll be on the course cheering people on, because it meant so much to me. 

I wrote all of my donors on my back.  THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

My miles donors written on my arm.

Okay now onto the course. I felt great for the first few miles downtown. All smiles, I made it over all of the bridges just fine (the course crosses the Chicago River three times during the first three or so miles in the course), and was excited that I'd be seeing my family at mile 4. I saw them, gave a nice smile and wave, and settled in for the rest of the north trek. I was actually on pace to meet my goal, so I was pretty excited. On this stretch north, I saw one of the greatest things--we passed by the nursing home around Sheridan and Belmont, and there were old folks inside waving to us from the second floor windows, and runners waving back. That was so awesome, it almost brought a tear to my eye!

Continuing north and turning at Addison, I was actually still maintaining my pace but somewhere around mile 10, I was starting to get tired, and I realized if I was going to finish this thing, I couldn't maintain that pace. And making it to the end was obviously my real goal, so I forgot about my secret goal and just tried to keep smiling. I knew it would take most of my mental energy to get me the whole way, so that became my focus, and if I was close to my goal at the halfway point, I would re-evaluate. I knew I didn't want to walk, and that I wanted to tackle all of the hills. (As I've said before, hills in Chicago aren't quite hills, but they sure feel huge when you're running and tired!) 

A lot of the race was a blur, but I kept making little mental goals. I knew I'd be seeing Elvis around mile 10 near Fleet Feet (I gave him a high five) and I also recognized someone from college that I haven't seen since graduation. After I saw my family around mile 11 I said "See you soon!" Okay it would be 10 miles, close to 2 hours, but I had to stay positive! My next goal after that was returning to downtown, the halfway mark, and heading out to the West Loop. I was feeling good, and we rounded a corner onto Halsted at a huge cheer zone and they were blasting "Call Me Maybe." You know I sang all the words! In fact I was probably "that girl" during the race, talking to strangers and being a little ridiculous, singing along to the songs, but it really helped keep me distracted and encouraged. The Clif Shot station around 17.8 miles was another goal where I might see my friend Steve. Miracle of all miracles, I saw him! He ran with me for maybe a half mile and gave me lots of encouragement. By then we only had single digit miles left to go. The rest of the race was a blur, there were a few lonely miles but I just tried to tick them off one by one and get closer to the finish. The next place I would see my family was Chinatown, where I hear it's just a big party and I knew I'd see my family again. I slowed down, trying to pick them out of the crowd, and finally saw them. I threw my shirt at Tim, as it had finally warmed up, and kept on going. 

After that, I only had about 5 miles to go. I owned this! The southernmost part of the course after Chinatown was a little rough, but I knew we'd be turning soon. At Mile 23 I heard people give out beer in Dixie cups, and when I saw them I thought what the heck, since I was nowhere near my goal. After that, with only 5K left, being "that girl" I yelled out "We eat 5Ks for breakfast!" Well no one seemed to respond but it sure helped me! The last stretch coming up Michigan seemed like forever, but the miles went by until there was only 1 left. At this point, the crowds are pretty thin, but I knew we'd be seeing them again. Part of me wanted to push it, but I kept thinking about the big hill at the end, and I really wanted to tackle that one. Plus, you know, I was exhausted. Almost at the end, I thought I was going to lose it, but it's pretty hard to breath when you're crying, so I held it back.  

I saw my family again at Mile 26 and knew I owned this! I ran up the hill and passed this guy who was shuffling up. This guy was clearly in pain, dragging himself up, not even walking, holding the flag of his country, with a course official close next to him making sure he was okay. The determination on that guy's face was inspiring. I yelled "You got this! The finish line is over this hill!" and kept going. Then I turned the corner and saw it. Finally!! Crossed the finish, with my arms in the air, and cried my eyes out. What a release. Then I got my cool space jacket, told the medal people "Medal me!" and then the beer people "Beer me!" I shuffled to the exit, cursed the soul who put stairs there, then somehow found my family in the huge crowd. It was so great to see them, all smiles again!!

Billy taking a picture of me and my medal! I highly recommend bringing your own paparazzi when you run a marathon.

So what's next for me? Well this coming Sunday is Run Like an Antelope, the race in memory of my sister. There's still time to sign up! After that, I'm going to let my body heal for awhile, but I have signed up for a few 5Ks before the end of the year, a half marathon in January, the Soldier Field 10 miler in May, and the Women's Half Marathon in June. I can't guarantee that I'll be running another marathon any time soon, at least not until my legs forget what I've put them through. And I won't stop my involvement with Bright Pink, I am volunteering for their VIPink event in a few weeks and hope to continue attending their outreach events. 

And finally, Happy Birthday to Megan, who would be 32 today. You kept me going every step of the way, and when I needed a little push I would say "Let's do this, Megan!" I am ever grateful for you and your inspiration. I love you, I couldn't have done it without you.