The Chicago Story, Day 3/4

 

 

Wow.  It's hard to believe that it's time to leave the Windy City.

I started writing a proper race report, by my phone died. So here are the highlights.

Started injured. Finished only by walking. Probably shouldn't have started, but I did.
Met up with a friend of over a decade who I've actually never met face to face but is one of my best friends.
Met up with some college pals of B's.
Will be hobbling for weeks.
Walking most of a marathon means I got to take pictures and drink beer with randos.

Chicago is definitely my kind of town.

Here We Go

The Chicago Story, Day Two

Today was packet pick-up. Otherwise known as The Day Shit Gets Real. 

Even if I I wasn't nervous, I have to admit, there's nothing like packet pick-up day to bring on a case if the jitters. Oddly, I wasn't remotely nervous about Heartland, an Olympic tri I did this summer, and it was 3/5 as long as my normal marathon.  But this marathon....well....that's. 26.2 miles. And my IT band has been arguing with me. And it's cooler than Florida, but surely 10 degrees warmer than I'd like. And this new plan had me doing a lot more speed work than longer runs. So I have a little case of the pre-race jitters going here.

By now you know that I'm a City Girl and I'm superstitious as hell. I adore city trips and city marathons.  I also search for little signs to encourage me going into a big race: numbers that stand for something - old PRs, special sates, etc.; special meals or places visited. Milestones reached. I am a relatively intelligent and educated woman and I know this us ridiculous, but whatever helps you get through, right?

I got two signs today that bode well for tomorrow:  The race shirt is the best fitting and looking shirt I've had since Savannah, which is where I have my biggest PR. Also, I got The Jacket.

This is my eighth marathon, and every marathon I've been envious of the other marathoners who purchase The Jacket. The Jacket is mostly a thing at Boston, but every marathon has one. It's usually a nice, athletic cut in a tech fabric from a quality maker (Nike, Brooks, etc.)   For the first time, I rewarded myself for all my hard work by getting myself The Jacket.

We did a little bit of walking around the city and had the time to take an architectural boat tour. I haven't yet seen it on foot the way I will tomorrow, but by boat, Chicago is an absolutely breathtaking city.

I'm headed to bed tonight knowing that I have everything prepared...even had a chance to take a nap during the day. Then the Chicago Cubs had a great game and come home to Wrigley tomorrow, so the city will be absolutely electric. Tomorrow is going to be whatever it will be.

I can tell you a few things for sure: I'm excited to be here. I'm happy for the Cubs I'm thrilled to have raised over $2,000 for AKBTC. And Chicago is most definitely My Kind of Town.

Good luck to all the other racers out there!

The Chicago Story, Day One

It's been a long time since I did a daily photo diary of one of my marathon trips, so I thought The Ocho was the perfect place to pick it back up.

The theme for the last few weeks has been "nothing goes to plan," so it should come as no surprise that the plan for my arrival at ORD last night mirrored the last few weeks. Instead of hitting up the expo, though, we did get a chance to have dinner at Portillo's, a perennial Chicago fave, with some college pals.

Unfortunately, I didn't get any cool pics since we went from the airport to the restaurant and hotel and it was pretty much dark, but My Kind of Town is having some beautiful weather and our hotel is a great choice (Expedia deals, anyone?!?!)

Today's plan is just enough walking to keep my legs turned over and early bed: pick up my packet, breakfast for race morning, lay out all my stuff and go on an architectural boat tour.  Apparently even the locals say they're fantastic!

$2,020 raised for A Kids' Brain Tumor Cure.  Couldn't be prouder, but would love to move the needle more. http://akidsbraintumorcure.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=3320