Chicago Marathon: The race that almost didn’t happen
The Chicago Marathon has been a bucket list of mine for a few years and finally after 3 years, I ran it on October 9th 2022! 2020 was to be the year I would check that race off my list, but then, Covid. Then in 2021, due to months of being ill and having my gallbladder removed, I would not have had time to properly train for the race, and that was a difficult pill to swallow. So finally, in May of this year I started running again. I started out slow and steady and even signed up for a duathlon! However, during that duathlon I suffered a concussion from a bike accident I incurred during the second loop of my bike ride. I thought to myself, “Is Chicago not an option again this year?” I listened to my doctor’s and took time to heal from my injury. Once I was healed, training began and I enjoyed every minute of it because I knew I was finally on my way to Chicago!
Race Weekend:
We got to the hotel late Friday and just took it easy. Saturday consisted of a shake out run Team Challenge for Crohn's & Colitis and then heading to the expo with a long lost friend who is now living in Chicago. The expo was both exciting and intimidating at the same time. We then went to Chinatown and had an amazing late lunch! Saturday evening consisted of me resting, getting my race day gear ready and an early bed time.
Sunday morning I woke up to music that I could hear from the start line and then the adrenaline kicked in. It was chilly and I took my time to get ready and eat. Headed to the start line and at first I was all alone, I missed all of my Louisville/ SoIn crew, but thankfully we found each other before entering into the start line area where only runners could be. I told Brett (my husband) and Alexis (my daughter) goodbye and then, it was me, in my head and getting nervous. As I walked into my corral I spotted someone I knew! I had seen them on TikTok some time back and was star struck! I knew I just had to go say hi and get a selfie with Mrs. SpaceCadet. I was totally fan-girling it and trying to not come off too star struck! After chatting with her, I felt better. I was at the Chicago Marathon and about to run 26.2 miles with 40,000+ people.
I then settled in and found my "Corral M Crew" and we slowly made our way to the start line. The crowd was getting excited and so wasI! As we walk to the line people are dropping their jackets, robes and other "throw-a-ways" as they step to the line and then... off we go! I knew I had to just run "my" race and not allow myself to get too caught up in the speed of others.
I ran the first couple miles feeling good and when I got to the first water stop, I knew it was time to start my 2 minute/30 second intervals. I was able to stick with my plan of my pacing, stopping at water stops and running my race. I would get texts from Brett letting me know where he was on course so I knew where to look for him. At one point I passed off my jacket and gloves to him and Alexis. My music playlist was on point and I was feeling great... then mile 11 hit. At this point the sun was out and it was getting warm. I started feeling warm and not feeling like I was hydrated enough ,I knew then, it was time to lose my base layer.
I texted Brett letting him know that next time I saw him I was gonna have to do a wardrobe change, and that's what happened. Somewhere between mile 11-13 I found Brett, pulled off my hat, headphones, sunglasses, tank top and under shirt. Alexis attempted to shield me as I stood there in my sports bra LOL.
I threw on my tank, grabbed my headphones, shades and hat and ran off as I was putting things back on. This was the best thing I could have done.
The next 1/2 of the race I did my best to stay on my pace and intervals but the heat had gotten to me already. I had to slow down and walk more than I wanted to, but, I was moving forward! Mile 20 hit and I said to myself, "Only a 10k left!" Mile 22 I saw my coaches Marc Blandin and Kat Gunsur-Smith. Talk about the pick me up I needed. They ran with me, chatted with me and cheered me on in those last miles. Then at mile 25 my headphones died! I was actually happy they did because at this point, the roar of the crowd and the cheering was so amazing to hear! I took off my headphones and just took it all in. The sights, sounds, the feeling of knowing I was nearing that finish line! I was grinning from ear to ear and soaked it all up. I found Brett and Alexis at the "400 meters to go" mile marker. I ran to them, gave them both a hug and kiss and set off to cross my finish line.
There is this gradual incline that you feel as you slowly turn to the left to see the finish line. I laughed, that incline felt like a mountain but I put my head down and kept putting one foot in front of the other. As the finish line grew closer and closer my smile got bigger and bigger. I pushed to the finish and when I crossed the line I was in a haze. I paused my watch and then BAM the exhaustion and body shocking pain hit me. I slowly made my way to get my medal and had no idea where to go from there. Eventually I called Brett to see where they were and made my way to find them. I FaceTimed Julie to talk to her. My first words to her were "I fu$%ing did it!". My body was so sore and I felt so off and needed to rest.
Once I found Brett and Alexis, we all hugged and they told me they were proud of me. I was so happy and so exhausted at the same time. But I JUST RAN CHICAGO! I slept about 14 hours that night and woke up sore as could be. This was a race that was 3 years in the making and I am so happy I finally was able to cross this race off my bucket list!
And a fun fact about our Runner Spotlight, she has turned her passion for creation in to a small business. Niki is the owner and creator at “Nottingham Designs” and makes customized shirts and holiday glitter ornaments.
