But, does running 2 of them at over 6 hours each still count? I wish that I could have been faster.
Ryan even signed my bib |
The expo was pretty good and we spent several hours wandering, shopping and looking at all the gear. The girls bought a lot of stuff and I just got a funny t-shirt - tough to get gear for "big girls" at a major event when really nobody "big" does this kind of crazy thing let alone twice :). We had a nice dinner and I caught the train to Wilmette to meet Lennie and my brother at the Rutherford's. The day ended with several poker tourneys and me even winning one.
Buca di Beppo - yummy |
Woke up Sunday morning and just like last year, Lennie drove me to Chicago to pick up Lish and Lindsay at their hotel so we could get to the start line. I was not nervous, teary, or panicked in anyway. I actually felt really calm. I could see and hear all the other first timer's strategies and talking themselves up. I just was relaxed.
It was packed this year. It seemed like so many more people. I checked a bag this year so that I could put my shoes on at the last minute. I didn't even make it into the corrals as it was so busy so I had to wait on the side of the road to get to the start line.
It was packed this year. It seemed like so many more people. I checked a bag this year so that I could put my shoes on at the last minute. I didn't even make it into the corrals as it was so busy so I had to wait on the side of the road to get to the start line.
5:45 pace tattoo |
Mile 25 with the gang |
Just like last year, Lennie, the Rutherford kids and my brother all ran with me the final miles while Sue snapped some great photos of us all together.
When I crossed the finish line this time, unlike last year, I was 100%. I walked to the bag check, put on my flip flops and walked to the 27 mile party where Lish and Lindsay were relaxing. I was so pleased to see them so we could snap some photos and celebrate. They of course set course PBs and Lindsay broke 5hrs. All our friends had great races and everyone came home safe.
Me, Lish and Lindsay |
Me and my brother Jeff |
Lennie drove us back to Wilmette where we all napped and then enjoyed another wonderful dinner of Chicago pizza, Sue's amazing salad and some drinks to celebrate.
Monday morning I woke up to try and find my name in the paper (they publish the names of all finishers under 6:30) and the paper did not have the marathon insert in it like it did last year. I know it is silly but I was really disappointed to not have that souvenir from the race. Also, unfortunately, the paper shared that a man died 500 yards from the finish.
On our drive back to London from Chicago we stopped for gas in a very rural stop in Michigan and low and behold I found a Chicago Sun Times paper and guess what - it had the marathon insert - random or what. I immediately opened the paper to find my name, stats and was able to show my brother.
I am sort of pleased with the results since I ran faster and comparing the 2 years side by side reveals some interesting findings. I knew that lots of people were cheering for me back home and I ran the WHOLE time. I really did run the whole time and can not believe that it still took me over 6 hours again. I was almost identical times through the 1/2 and made up the time in the 2nd part of the race.
2011 Last year - 2010
5K 0:39:37 5K 0:39:12 (same)
10K 1:20:20 10K 1:20:34 (same)
15K 2:02:22 15K 2:02:45 (same)
20K 2:45:33 20K 2:47:22 (down 2 minutes)
Half 2:55:51 Half 2:57:41 (down 2 minutes)
25K 3:33:36 25K 3:35:38 (down 2 minutes)
30K 4:20:43 30K 4:24:30 (down 4 minutes)
35K 5:08:22 35K 5:13:54 (down 5 minutes)
40K 5:57:28 40K 6:07:59 (down 10 minutes)
Finish 6:17:13 Finish 6:28:41 (down 11 minutes)
34080th out of 35755 34812th out of 36088
It is now obvious to me what I need to do to improve. Not until September did I see the connection between strong focused tempo runs, interval training and hills to my success. I also have the entire year tracked on http://www.dailymile.com/ so I can compare all the runs next year. I will definitely go back to Chicago to run this race as I love the city, course and lots of spectators for 6 hours - no other city can say that they support every last runner the whole race. It is perfect for us slowees.
I also vow to not get cancer news next year and have to endure 3 surgeries in 3 months along with a week of Thyrogen. Imagine how much better I will do now that it is all behind me.
Hopefully by October 7, 2012 (next year's race is on my 44th birthday) I will have dropped the "6 hour marathoner" chip. It is really weighing me down.
Hopefully by October 7, 2012 (next year's race is on my 44th birthday) I will have dropped the "6 hour marathoner" chip. It is really weighing me down.