The Love of the Marathon: 2011 Chicago Marathon Recap

Smiling after 26.2 miles? Yup!

So, I think I’ve finally concluded that running, for me, goes hand in hand with breathing. I need it do it. In order for me to function and for my body to work properly, it’s vitally important that I have it. Running is my oxygen. I may sound like a lunatic for saying all that, but those of you reading this, who run, probably know what I’m talking about.

The preparation, training and execution of completing the Bank of America Chicago Marathon this year, further proved my theory that I’m crazy enough to actually like running for hours at a time. This was my 3rd marathon, (1st Chicago) and the energy I felt was like no other. It was magnetic and Chicago was buzzing with events all around the city to get folks pumped.

Pre-Marathon…

Nike Chicago was one of the main sponsors of the marathon and began a campaign to “Own Chicago” which set off a great momentum before race day. If you’re following me on Twitter (hint, hint), you may have seen a few tweets stating how I #OwnChicago through running. Other folks tweeted their responses and everyone who did got their profile pic or avatar picked to be apart of a very large digital mosaic (pictured below). It was AWESOME! Nike held an event at NikeTown on Michigan Avenue to kick it off. So fun!

The #OwnChicago event was complete with celebrities and inspiration. I was honored to be in the presence of such great people. Including…

None other than world-record breaking marathoner, Moses Mosop. He said he planned to beat last year's time by 1 minute. (2:02)

Chicago Bears Kicker Robbie Gould motivated us to just get out there an have fun!

And then…On to the marathon expo at McCormick Place! One of my favorite things about running a race is the expo. So much to see and do and discover and sign up for! There’s always some really nice deal on athletic gear or discounts on signing up for another race. I found a great deal on synthetic KT Tape (the most magical athletic tape on this earth) for my knees which get really sore after about 6 or 7 miles. KT Tape works wonders! I had so much fun! I actually went to the expo both Friday and Saturday. See?

I LOVED Brooks' "Pure Running Heaven" store. That's Jesus on the left inviting you in. Hilarious!

That's me and Mr. Hal Higdon himself. It was great to meet the man who's written every marathon book I've read. He's amazing.

My friend Margaux (also my co-ambassador for Black Girls RUN! here in Chicago) and I being silly.

Can you tell I'm a bit excited about running?

Let’s see what you’re made of…

45,000 runners. The energy out there was amazing.

Most marathoners know that all the training, hydrating, eating well, pain, ice, heat, stretching, long runs, rest, getting up early on Saturday morning, chafing, new shoes, new socks, compression sleeves, blisters, soreness and swelling gets put the ultimate test of will power and strength on marathon day. It’s time to prove that all of those factors were actually worth it.

A few members of my CARA Marathon Training group. All first-time marathoners!

This being my 3rd marathon, I was sort of used to the routine nervousness and preparation. I’d laid out everything I knew I needed the night before. Made sure I was well rested. Carefully made breakfast and made sure I got to my train on time. It was all so smooth. I met up with a few members of my CARA Marathon Training group and we were all so smiley and full of intoxicating energy. We made our way to the start line and then it was just me and those 26.2 miles.

Ready?

I must say…this marathon proved to be one of the toughest battles of my own mental stability. I went through every emotion you can think of. I knew at some point I would have to walk a little, but not as early as about the 8 mile mark. I couldn’t figure out why I was so tired at that point. Did I start off too fast? Did I not fuel up enough this morning? Did I not train right? I started to defeat myself and by about mile 9 1/2, I was still walking. And crying. I mean, crying hard. My hips were hurting and my knees (which I’d taped so well) were aching. I’M ONLY AT MILE 10!!! How can I be in this much pain and THIS tired? In my head, I’d already quit. I was focused on my aches and pains. I was focused on what mile marker I was at. I was focused on how hot it was.

Long story, short…I made myself get over it. There was no way I wasn’t going to finish the Chicago Marathon because I walked too early. No way. I got some Tylenol and BioFreeze from the medical tent around mile 14 and trudged on through to the finish. Yes, I stopped to walk several times after that, but remembered that I’m doing what seems impossible for some people. I’ve worked way too hard to just give up over nothing. I also had my dad and my friend Angela out there cheering their heads off for me. I couldn’t help but smile so big when I saw them holding their signs, ecstatic for me. I ran my first 2 marathons by myself with no one to meet me at the finish line. Having them there definitely made a difference.

I finished…

6:22:12. An hour later than I wanted to finish, but who cares. Some people didn’t finish at all. Some people don’t have the courage to start. I took on, and finished, the 2011 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I’ve developed this sort of “love” for the mental and physical strain it put me through. Less than 12 hours after the marathon, while I was laying in bed unable to move, I was thinking about my next marathon. Excited about running another 26.2 miles.