Since I launched this blog towards the end of last season I figured it would be fittingly ironic to work backwards through race recaps. I firmly believe we must reflect in order to continue Finding Forward.
Many of you may know the story or have heard that this was a race I signed up for on accident, and all of you may be thinking “you’re insane! How do you accidentally sign up for a marathon let alone a ‘Major’?”. Well by no mistake but my own I had last year received and email from Team Save the Children after fundraising and racing the Chicago Transamerica Triathlon with them, so naturally I thought it was to join them again for that the following August. After I completed the registration the words “Congratulations you’re running the Chicago Marathon”, my first thought was “Oh shit…”. I had only up to this point run one road marathon two years prior and had made the decision that most of my distance runs would be part of triathlons or on trails. It looked like my subconscious had other ideas haha.
So I was signed up almost a year ahead of time with a fundraising goal set and it kind of all fell to the back burner for a while, but always in the back of my mind. I knew that if I made it through training for Ironman Wisconsin and that race day a month ahead, I could likely recover and cross the finish in Chicago. So my training focus was fully on triathlon all year.
Coming out of Madison I knew I had a little more in my legs than I had expected (more on that in the recap to come) so I wasn’t too concerned yet. I was able to take a couple of weeks off with a couple easy, slow runs just to shake out the lactic acid and keep some motion. Mentally I felt a little fried, but maybe that was better considering the circumstances to keep me from overthinking what was ahead. I didn’t really consider the magnitude of this race again until about 2 weeks out after the Ironman mind had shifted.
Part of this experience that drew me to the race was the opportunity to make my miles matter through fundraising for Team Save the Children, but there was some anxiety there as well since my procrastination had put me behind in that area. I’m not usually one to solicit money or donations from people, but this was for a cause and organization who’s impact I truly respect. So with 10 days left I started asking anyone and everyone to help support my fundraising. It would be an understatement to say I was completely blown away by the generosity and willingness to give! Friends and family, old and new gave graciously and with support I hadn’t experienced before. To everyone that is reading this and gave you all are seriously the real MVPs!! I went from one donation to being the top fundraiser for our team by race day; that is some real shit that is not lost on me at all- So. Much. Gratitude!
It wasn’t until I stepped off the train and walked up to Millennium Park that the reality sunk in, I had made it and it was almost time to run! For those of you unfamiliar with a race of this size, it truly takes a village to get 45,000 crazy runners organized and in place-through security, morning clothes bag checked and corralled. I was in coral G feeling a little chilly, anxious and most importantly ready to run with no expectations outside of soaking in the entire experience. My only goal for the day was to remain consistent in pace and attitude.
One detail that has now become common place for me in endurance events is running without headphones. This started when my music died 2 miles into my first 50k, which at the time seemed like an insurmountable tragedy haha. In reality it has been a gift of mental fortitude and also complete mindfulness in the moment. So without fear today was no different, putting my faith in my mind and the atmosphere that would surround me bringing an energy I couldn’t anticipate.
Miles 1-5
The start of this race was unlike anything I had ever experienced, crossing that start line any anxiety fell away and I was ready to run! My Garmin dropped out almost immediately leaving me to guess my pace the rest of the day until my mind wandered to long division. Running with so many people on the course was something I had never fathomed, but what also quickly sank in was that the magnitude of supporters out to cheer everyone on; absolutely humbling and incredible! By mile 3 I was feeling loose and good. I wasn’t sure of my actual pace, but felt right in between the pace groups I hoped to hang with and at the very least keep consistent all the way through.
All of a sudden the skies opened up and dumped. I was glad I had my sunglasses on my head for no other reason than to block the drops to see. All I could do was laugh and embrace the experience along with the fact that somewhere around mile 2 I was frustrated that I had stepped in a puddle; irrelevant considering I was soaked.
Miles 6-13.1
After crossing a few of the river bridges and checking in on my nutrition I was feeling like my legs were going to at the very least carry me through to a respectable half time and the energy of the crowd as far as they would go beyond. It was almost a steady mist of rain at this point and I was feeling like my nutrition and fluids were on point.
At around mile 8 I started reflecting on the fact that the last time I had run a true road marathon the longest I had run was one 20 mile trail race and a hand full of half marathons. This time around I have one more 20 miler, 3 50k trails, 2 70.3 triathlons and my first Ironman 140.6 just a short 4 weeks prior. To say my mental fortitude was stronger would be a incredible understatement. The life experience along with training and race experiences between now and then is so vast with many hills and dark valleys, I can only smile and acknowledge that strength was so worth the fight. The halfway point snuck up on me as I left River North and headed into the West Loop smelling bacon in the air.
Miles 14-25
These miles are always the ones I start to think about long division and pace. I was still feeling relatively solid and my nutrition seemed good. The pattern of the pavement was starting to grind though and despite the comfort of my Hoka’s the quads started talking. I’ve learned to focus on form when I start to feel that pounding so as to not create an injury. I had made it through a huge year so far without and that was part of the main goal along with crossing the finish today. I started feeling more and more confident that the tightness I was feeling was simply fatigue and if I kept finding that next step and breath I would cross and achieve both goals. I had previously seen the Biofreeze stations on the course and they luckily had yet to call to me, but as I passed Mile 22 in Chinatown I say a volunteer gloves up and ready. I pointed to him like I was rolling into a bike aid station in a triathlon and he was on it, my quads especially were lit up like Christmas trees and this was quite needed. We both kind of laughed and I headed off feeling ready to finish this thing out.
Before heading back North I had a moment of fear, again my Garmin was off on mileage and I had gotten a little lost in my own head. As a result I could find the skyline…in Chicago. I started to get a little more mental and was just trying to keep that positive mindset. I started slapping every hand a stranger was holding out, somehow they knew this was the home stretch and we all needed that extra morale boost. I hit 25 miles and started running with another guy feeling that wall and we both decided to break through and pick up the pace a little bit! It’s these encounters with strangers that feel like best friends because of the experience that bring me back to the endurance races, true connection to reach a mutual goal; authentic support.
To the finish
I could see the skyline growing taller and felt with absolute certainty I was going to get it done! I was going to complete the Chicago Marathon almost a month to the day following my first Ironman. I felt strong and consistent, regardless of the fact I didn’t know my pace. I was going to reach my goals and felt the finish drawing closer. I high fived a guy, as I ran by he shouted “make it count for the nipples!”. I looked down to see that my soaked tank top had in the rain chafed my nipples bloody despite my best applications of body glide and Vaseline. All I could do was laugh, smile and turn to give him a thumbs up. As this final 1.2 mile stretch started to come to a close, the crowds began to almost roar. Again an energy that can only be felt in moments like these, with your limits being pushed and complete strangers recognizing the struggle and sacrifices that came along. They may not know your story, your specific why, but they know you have a drive and purpose to finish this feat of feets. The first of two final turns you can feel the last 800 coming, as it is an uphill of course. I have ran the opposite side of this hill to finish the triathlon before, but this was a special feeling all its own. To finish a marathon, one of the Majors, in the rain to end my epic season of perseverance brought the tears to my eyes.
I grabbed my medal, my Goose Island commemorative beer and headed for gear check. I had done it, kept consistent and injury free and set a modest PR! The feeling of sharing that day and experience with 45,000 other humans with their own journey and story with be one I will always cherish. One of those days a short 4 years ago I never imagined possible yet being a part of is now one I hold dearly. To find that feeling and embrace the adversity it takes to get there will continue to build my soul and mind. Hoping to always bring a heart full of gratitude and joy to the start and finish line.