Oh Chicago... Well Worth the Price of Admission..
A big part of me wishes that this blog entry would be all about how fast I ran in Chicago. A glorious finishing time. a mile by mile account of my first Boston qualifier. Unfortunately it's not. Or maybe it's not so unfortunate. Yeah I'd love to say that I ran a 3:08 marathon and that I've got Boston in my sights. That'd be great but what's wrong with running a relatively smart race and having a good time doing it? I should remind myself of that. Overall, the race was an amazing experience. The course, the spectators, the other runners. Everything was perfect. Well almost everything. The blistering wind coming off the lake was a bit much to take. I could have done without that.
The start of the race was freezing but I felt pretty good. My spirits were up, not too nervous, ready for what was coming. The warmth of the massive crowds crammed into the corrals helped some at the start, it was like a giant human blanket. I had neglected to sign up for the preferred start area so I ended up starting the race behind the 3:50 pace group. Everybody was so excited, and friendly, smiles all around. In the final seconds before the start, standing close to the corral edges we all laughed and made jokes as throw away jackets, t-shirts, plastic bags, and plastic bottles flew just over head on their way to the sidelines. The camaraderie was comforting. We made our way to the start line, first as a tight knit waddle, then extending our strides slowly to a comfortable walk. Finally, five minutes after the gun, my chip meets the mat and I am officially running in the Chicago marathon. Here are the splits and some thoughts as the race progressed.
Mile 1 7:53 The start of the race is awesome. The crowds, the noise, I know I'm not the only one who gets a little emotional going under that first tunnel.
Mile 2 7:41 Lots of traffic up front. I was worried that these first few miles would be quite a bit slower considering the traffic and the slippery conditions as the race got under way.
Mile 3 7:26 These first few miles were challenging as I tried to get to my goal pace and get around slower traffic. I was freezing cold but it felt great to finally be running the Chicago marathon.
Mile 4 7:00 A little too fast. Still trying to find my pace.
Mile 5 6:55 Oh Shit!! Lincoln Park is beautiful, but way too fast.
Mile 6 7:27 Somewhere around here I settle into the 7:15-7:20 pace that I was looking for. I alternate water and gatorade at every stop. First Clif Shot at mile six.
Mile 7 7:16 Pace finally feels right, and consistent. The cold is still bothering me a bit, but so far the race is a blast.
Mile 8 7:12 Legs feel good, cardio is great. It's cold.
Mile 9 7:13 Feeling good about keeping my pace while passing slower traffic. Somewhere around here I catch the 3:30 pace group.
Mile 10 7:20 I pass right by the restaurant where we ate the night before. A block from the place we're staying. Familiar streets are nice. Clark street has great spectators.
Mile 11 7:18 The view coming back into downtown is great. Sears tower is massive.
Mile 12 7:22 Pace feels good. Legs strong. Cold still bothering me. My ears and hands are warm but I can't seem to get my body temp up.
Mile 13 7:25 Coming up to the 1/2 marathon split I'm exactly where I wanted to be. 1:36. Clif Shot number two. Running close to the sidewalk I get lots of smiles and high fives. Awesome!
Mile 14 7:22 Running away from downtown and the protection of the buildings the cold really picked up around here. Strong crosswinds and missing the skyline, this part was a little tough. Pace still strong and legs still feeling pretty good.
Mile 15 7:22 It was somewhere around here that I first felt a little dizzy. Looking for friends at fifteen I noticed it. nothing serious, just a little dizzy as I scanned the crowds for my girlfriend's bright red coat.
Mile 16 7:28 Decided to ease the pace just a bit in hopes of feeling a little stronger later in the race. I settled in with the 3:20 pace group figuring that since I started five minutes back, finishing with these guys would still bring me in with a 3:15 time.
Mile 17 7:30 Cold and dizzy but keeping the pace and trying to keep my head in a good place. By 17 I knew things weren't going quite as well as I had hoped. But I was still pushing.
Mile 18 7:45 Coming up on the 30K mark I was well off my pace and starting to feel this thing slip away. The dizziness was getting worse and legs were getting stiff.
Mile 19 8:48 I started the internal dialogue to see what my options were. We're well into this race. Except for the last mile or so, the pace has been strong. Body feels relatively o.k. although frozen solid. Dizziness is a little scary. We've got a 10K left. What to do ? Somewhere around here I remembered what a fellow Gazelle said about running lots of Marathons. His fastest is in the 3:20 range I think. He runs Marathons every few months and although he's a strong elite runner he's not obsessed with a specific time. He runs how he feels and if it's not his day, he take just treats it like a long Saturday run. Sounds like a good plan to me. Enjoy this thing today. don't get injured. learn what I can, and come back stronger for the next one.
Mile 20 9:00 Pilsen neighborhood. In retrospect I think this was my favorite part of the course. The crowds were awesome. There were street vendors selling all kinds on Mexican goodies. At one point I thought one guy was giving stuff to the runners. Mmmm... atole... horchata....
Mile 21 9:42 Run.Run.Run...Walk...Run.Run.Run. Walk....... Dizzy... and stiff....
Mile 22 9:39 Somewhere around here Gilbert spots me walking and probably not looking too much like a Gazelle. He gets me moving.. running along side of me for a while... camera in hand.... screaming happy things... I think ? It put a huge smile on my face to see him.. and it pushed me along for the next couple of miles. We are so lucky to have Gilbert around. Thanks a million coach.
Mile 23 9:50 People were so supportive. China town was great.. I think I saw some dancing Dragons. or maybe that was just in my head. I think I put down a couple of whole oranges.. One nice lady gave me an entire half orange, chilled, peeled and ready to eat.
Mile 24 9:31 Still just coasting along. Legs have been really stiff for last four or five miles, and not really responding to any attempts to get them moving faster. I'm sure it's from the walk breaks and slow pace. Regardless I just push along, slowly but surely.. enjoying the crowds and the scenery the entire way.
Mile 25 9:47 I can't wait to come back to Chicago and zip throught this part of the course at some crazy sub seven pace.
It can happen. Maybe next year.
Mile 26 9:15 Finally... the finish line.. what a great home stretch. I saw the clock and picked it up to squeeze in under the 3:30 mark, if only by a couple of seconds.
So that was it.. Marathon number four. The fastest yet, but not a time I am
The start of the race was freezing but I felt pretty good. My spirits were up, not too nervous, ready for what was coming. The warmth of the massive crowds crammed into the corrals helped some at the start, it was like a giant human blanket. I had neglected to sign up for the preferred start area so I ended up starting the race behind the 3:50 pace group. Everybody was so excited, and friendly, smiles all around. In the final seconds before the start, standing close to the corral edges we all laughed and made jokes as throw away jackets, t-shirts, plastic bags, and plastic bottles flew just over head on their way to the sidelines. The camaraderie was comforting. We made our way to the start line, first as a tight knit waddle, then extending our strides slowly to a comfortable walk. Finally, five minutes after the gun, my chip meets the mat and I am officially running in the Chicago marathon. Here are the splits and some thoughts as the race progressed.
Mile 1 7:53 The start of the race is awesome. The crowds, the noise, I know I'm not the only one who gets a little emotional going under that first tunnel.
Mile 2 7:41 Lots of traffic up front. I was worried that these first few miles would be quite a bit slower considering the traffic and the slippery conditions as the race got under way.
Mile 3 7:26 These first few miles were challenging as I tried to get to my goal pace and get around slower traffic. I was freezing cold but it felt great to finally be running the Chicago marathon.
Mile 4 7:00 A little too fast. Still trying to find my pace.
Mile 5 6:55 Oh Shit!! Lincoln Park is beautiful, but way too fast.
Mile 6 7:27 Somewhere around here I settle into the 7:15-7:20 pace that I was looking for. I alternate water and gatorade at every stop. First Clif Shot at mile six.
Mile 7 7:16 Pace finally feels right, and consistent. The cold is still bothering me a bit, but so far the race is a blast.
Mile 8 7:12 Legs feel good, cardio is great. It's cold.
Mile 9 7:13 Feeling good about keeping my pace while passing slower traffic. Somewhere around here I catch the 3:30 pace group.
Mile 10 7:20 I pass right by the restaurant where we ate the night before. A block from the place we're staying. Familiar streets are nice. Clark street has great spectators.
Mile 11 7:18 The view coming back into downtown is great. Sears tower is massive.
Mile 12 7:22 Pace feels good. Legs strong. Cold still bothering me. My ears and hands are warm but I can't seem to get my body temp up.
Mile 13 7:25 Coming up to the 1/2 marathon split I'm exactly where I wanted to be. 1:36. Clif Shot number two. Running close to the sidewalk I get lots of smiles and high fives. Awesome!
Mile 14 7:22 Running away from downtown and the protection of the buildings the cold really picked up around here. Strong crosswinds and missing the skyline, this part was a little tough. Pace still strong and legs still feeling pretty good.
Mile 15 7:22 It was somewhere around here that I first felt a little dizzy. Looking for friends at fifteen I noticed it. nothing serious, just a little dizzy as I scanned the crowds for my girlfriend's bright red coat.
Mile 16 7:28 Decided to ease the pace just a bit in hopes of feeling a little stronger later in the race. I settled in with the 3:20 pace group figuring that since I started five minutes back, finishing with these guys would still bring me in with a 3:15 time.
Mile 17 7:30 Cold and dizzy but keeping the pace and trying to keep my head in a good place. By 17 I knew things weren't going quite as well as I had hoped. But I was still pushing.
Mile 18 7:45 Coming up on the 30K mark I was well off my pace and starting to feel this thing slip away. The dizziness was getting worse and legs were getting stiff.
Mile 19 8:48 I started the internal dialogue to see what my options were. We're well into this race. Except for the last mile or so, the pace has been strong. Body feels relatively o.k. although frozen solid. Dizziness is a little scary. We've got a 10K left. What to do ? Somewhere around here I remembered what a fellow Gazelle said about running lots of Marathons. His fastest is in the 3:20 range I think. He runs Marathons every few months and although he's a strong elite runner he's not obsessed with a specific time. He runs how he feels and if it's not his day, he take just treats it like a long Saturday run. Sounds like a good plan to me. Enjoy this thing today. don't get injured. learn what I can, and come back stronger for the next one.
Mile 20 9:00 Pilsen neighborhood. In retrospect I think this was my favorite part of the course. The crowds were awesome. There were street vendors selling all kinds on Mexican goodies. At one point I thought one guy was giving stuff to the runners. Mmmm... atole... horchata....
Mile 21 9:42 Run.Run.Run...Walk...Run.Run.Run. Walk....... Dizzy... and stiff....
Mile 22 9:39 Somewhere around here Gilbert spots me walking and probably not looking too much like a Gazelle. He gets me moving.. running along side of me for a while... camera in hand.... screaming happy things... I think ? It put a huge smile on my face to see him.. and it pushed me along for the next couple of miles. We are so lucky to have Gilbert around. Thanks a million coach.
Mile 23 9:50 People were so supportive. China town was great.. I think I saw some dancing Dragons. or maybe that was just in my head. I think I put down a couple of whole oranges.. One nice lady gave me an entire half orange, chilled, peeled and ready to eat.
Mile 24 9:31 Still just coasting along. Legs have been really stiff for last four or five miles, and not really responding to any attempts to get them moving faster. I'm sure it's from the walk breaks and slow pace. Regardless I just push along, slowly but surely.. enjoying the crowds and the scenery the entire way.
Mile 25 9:47 I can't wait to come back to Chicago and zip throught this part of the course at some crazy sub seven pace.
It can happen. Maybe next year.
Mile 26 9:15 Finally... the finish line.. what a great home stretch. I saw the clock and picked it up to squeeze in under the 3:30 mark, if only by a couple of seconds.
So that was it.. Marathon number four. The fastest yet, but not a time I am
posted by jorge at 9:06 PM
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