Every mile and memory, 26.2 miles of them!!
Time off of work= 16 hours of vacation time
Staying in the Courtyard Marriott= $542.00
Training for the Marathon= Around 6 months of your life
Finishing the Chicago Marathon and checking a life goal off= PRICLESS!!
This is long but I want you to know how much we went through, how much fun it was, and it just wouldn’t be me if I didn’t explain most of what happen. So I hope you read it all and enjoy and know anything is possible.
Well Dan and I went, we ran, and we finished the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon!! Afterwards we waddled (hurt to much to walk) away knowing that we had accomplished something that many people can say they do.
Around 9 months ago Dan and I decided to compete in a Marathon not just any marathon but one of the biggest in the country.
We left Thursday nite for Dan’s place in Chesterfield, MO where I we stayed at his place. His family is very nice and hospitable. We left Friday morning for Chicago where it was a nice ride until we got to Chicago. We had troubles actually getting into the city but after almost an extra hour we found our way around. We stayed on the 15 floor of the Marriott Courtyard, which I was impressed with.
Friday we just explored our surroundings and got the lay out of the land. It was so different for a guy that has never been to a city bigger the St. Louis. There are some big buildings up that way, let me tell you. We ate a big meal so big that I couldn’t ever finish it. You are talking the guy with the nickname garbage disposal and it is bad if I can’t finish it.
The next morning we made our way to the big Expo for the race to get our stuff. We defiantly got to see a lot of Chicago that day. The Expo was awesome were we stayed of 3 hours seeing new running stuff, getting free stuff, and eating free food or if you want say running junk. It was great. When we left we both had tons of stuff that we now had to haul back to the room. By the time we got back I my back hurt and I was tired. I thought we were going to get to rest but some of Dan’s friends were in town and I’m glad I was dragged along. We ate some Chicago style pizza and for those who know me know I love pizza. Dan’s friends were a blast and funs to laugh with in a place were you don’t know many people. It was also and good to keep your mind off of other things. We went to bed earlier watching the Cards game. GO CARDS!!
Sunday morning, race day, D-day, the day we have been training for. We got up around 5:30 thinking we had enough time to get there turn our stuff in and get to the starting line. Oh no, we were wrong. We got there and so did 44, 000 people. Because it colder and a chance of rain people had come later to stay out of the weather as much as the could. We got there with like 30 mins. before race and we still had to check our stuff in. One bag for Dan and I and we had to check it under one of our bib numbers. We decided to put it under mind with me being the strong runner and hopefully both of us coming at once. Well in the massive crowd I lost Dan. I was like, “Crap, I gotta find my running partner. I can run this on my own.” I looked around for like 15 mins. and finding him in the starting line and from then I didn’t let him leave my sight. I was about to freak out. We wanted to start in the 4:30 hr pace to get a good start well that didn’t happen. It was so hard to push through people Dan met a guy who said it didn’t matter where you started cuz the chip on the shoe didn’t start your time until you crossed the starting line.
Well the horn blew and the race started. Dan and I were still in warm clothing and 15 mins. later when we made to the start line we were stripped down to hour running clothing. There was clothing everywhere at the starting line and during the race there were clothing stripped off by others. It was crazy!!
Dan and I ran together and once the field of runners spread out we started to move up and kept passing people the whole way. Dan and I were doing great. We kept communicating and helping each other a long the way.
We starting to have pains here and there around mile 12 or 13 but then things got interesting at mile 16. Dan told me that his knees were about to give out on him at the pace we were going and told me to go on. I asked if he was serious. He said yes he was. So at mile 16 we told each other to be careful and see each other at the finish line. The race up to this point I had Dan there to tell me to slow down or calm down but now till the finish he probably wouldn’t be there. I sped up a little and went on. My goal was to finish and not get hurt. The whole time Dan’s voice was in my head telling me, “Slow down keep it calm.”
My friend Grant, his wife and sister-law were in the race and I remember him saying at the last 6 miles he wanted an hour to left. At mile 20 and I had 57 mins. to finish and I knew I was on my way.
It was tough and the last 5 miles were the long miles I have ever done in my life. I just kept one foot in front of the other. I saw people stop and give up and saw people fall to the ground in pain. I even saw people speed a long with out a care in the world; I just wanted to finish.
The last mile was here and I was just saying to anything stupid like speed up and hurt yourself. So when I saw the finish line I sped up to a speed that wasn’t my regular speed but a speed that I could handle and pass on the way in.
I saw Grant at the end and he looked about has beat as I did. I was having trouble walking but I didn’t want to stop or sit down cuz I didn’t think I would get back up. I kept walking got Dan and my stuff looked for him for about 45 mins. We found each other and the 15 min walk to the hotel took 45 mins. cuz we were both hurting. We took showers and made or way out of Chicago. Just as we had trouble getting into Chicago we had trouble getting out also. We made it Dan’s house in Chesterfield for supper and then headed back to Springfield. We got back at 1 am on Monday morning. Jen was their to greet me and to see how I was. The next day I rolled out of bed around 10 and chilled for the day.
I finished with a time of 3 hrs and 56 mins. and out of 44,000 people I finished around 10, 840 something. Dan finished at 4 hrs. 30 mins. with a place around 19,000 something.
I was going to run a race this weekend but Grant and them advise me to chill and relax till another race.
The race was more mentally tough then physically tough. I came away feeling like I got my butt kicked but knowing that I didn’t know everything I thought I did about running. You can prepare yourself for a marathon but it is never enough.
Dan and I both were hurting. We both had trouble getting up and down stairs and muscles giving out on us. I finally could keep up stairs Wednesday with out any railing help. I still can’t really run to well but that will come in time because I have a race on Thanksgiving Day.
To all thanks for all of your support and prayers. They were much a appreciated!!
Staying in the Courtyard Marriott= $542.00
Training for the Marathon= Around 6 months of your life
Finishing the Chicago Marathon and checking a life goal off= PRICLESS!!
This is long but I want you to know how much we went through, how much fun it was, and it just wouldn’t be me if I didn’t explain most of what happen. So I hope you read it all and enjoy and know anything is possible.
Well Dan and I went, we ran, and we finished the LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon!! Afterwards we waddled (hurt to much to walk) away knowing that we had accomplished something that many people can say they do.
Around 9 months ago Dan and I decided to compete in a Marathon not just any marathon but one of the biggest in the country.
We left Thursday nite for Dan’s place in Chesterfield, MO where I we stayed at his place. His family is very nice and hospitable. We left Friday morning for Chicago where it was a nice ride until we got to Chicago. We had troubles actually getting into the city but after almost an extra hour we found our way around. We stayed on the 15 floor of the Marriott Courtyard, which I was impressed with.
Friday we just explored our surroundings and got the lay out of the land. It was so different for a guy that has never been to a city bigger the St. Louis. There are some big buildings up that way, let me tell you. We ate a big meal so big that I couldn’t ever finish it. You are talking the guy with the nickname garbage disposal and it is bad if I can’t finish it.
The next morning we made our way to the big Expo for the race to get our stuff. We defiantly got to see a lot of Chicago that day. The Expo was awesome were we stayed of 3 hours seeing new running stuff, getting free stuff, and eating free food or if you want say running junk. It was great. When we left we both had tons of stuff that we now had to haul back to the room. By the time we got back I my back hurt and I was tired. I thought we were going to get to rest but some of Dan’s friends were in town and I’m glad I was dragged along. We ate some Chicago style pizza and for those who know me know I love pizza. Dan’s friends were a blast and funs to laugh with in a place were you don’t know many people. It was also and good to keep your mind off of other things. We went to bed earlier watching the Cards game. GO CARDS!!
Sunday morning, race day, D-day, the day we have been training for. We got up around 5:30 thinking we had enough time to get there turn our stuff in and get to the starting line. Oh no, we were wrong. We got there and so did 44, 000 people. Because it colder and a chance of rain people had come later to stay out of the weather as much as the could. We got there with like 30 mins. before race and we still had to check our stuff in. One bag for Dan and I and we had to check it under one of our bib numbers. We decided to put it under mind with me being the strong runner and hopefully both of us coming at once. Well in the massive crowd I lost Dan. I was like, “Crap, I gotta find my running partner. I can run this on my own.” I looked around for like 15 mins. and finding him in the starting line and from then I didn’t let him leave my sight. I was about to freak out. We wanted to start in the 4:30 hr pace to get a good start well that didn’t happen. It was so hard to push through people Dan met a guy who said it didn’t matter where you started cuz the chip on the shoe didn’t start your time until you crossed the starting line.
Well the horn blew and the race started. Dan and I were still in warm clothing and 15 mins. later when we made to the start line we were stripped down to hour running clothing. There was clothing everywhere at the starting line and during the race there were clothing stripped off by others. It was crazy!!
Dan and I ran together and once the field of runners spread out we started to move up and kept passing people the whole way. Dan and I were doing great. We kept communicating and helping each other a long the way.
We starting to have pains here and there around mile 12 or 13 but then things got interesting at mile 16. Dan told me that his knees were about to give out on him at the pace we were going and told me to go on. I asked if he was serious. He said yes he was. So at mile 16 we told each other to be careful and see each other at the finish line. The race up to this point I had Dan there to tell me to slow down or calm down but now till the finish he probably wouldn’t be there. I sped up a little and went on. My goal was to finish and not get hurt. The whole time Dan’s voice was in my head telling me, “Slow down keep it calm.”
My friend Grant, his wife and sister-law were in the race and I remember him saying at the last 6 miles he wanted an hour to left. At mile 20 and I had 57 mins. to finish and I knew I was on my way.
It was tough and the last 5 miles were the long miles I have ever done in my life. I just kept one foot in front of the other. I saw people stop and give up and saw people fall to the ground in pain. I even saw people speed a long with out a care in the world; I just wanted to finish.
The last mile was here and I was just saying to anything stupid like speed up and hurt yourself. So when I saw the finish line I sped up to a speed that wasn’t my regular speed but a speed that I could handle and pass on the way in.
I saw Grant at the end and he looked about has beat as I did. I was having trouble walking but I didn’t want to stop or sit down cuz I didn’t think I would get back up. I kept walking got Dan and my stuff looked for him for about 45 mins. We found each other and the 15 min walk to the hotel took 45 mins. cuz we were both hurting. We took showers and made or way out of Chicago. Just as we had trouble getting into Chicago we had trouble getting out also. We made it Dan’s house in Chesterfield for supper and then headed back to Springfield. We got back at 1 am on Monday morning. Jen was their to greet me and to see how I was. The next day I rolled out of bed around 10 and chilled for the day.
I finished with a time of 3 hrs and 56 mins. and out of 44,000 people I finished around 10, 840 something. Dan finished at 4 hrs. 30 mins. with a place around 19,000 something.
I was going to run a race this weekend but Grant and them advise me to chill and relax till another race.
The race was more mentally tough then physically tough. I came away feeling like I got my butt kicked but knowing that I didn’t know everything I thought I did about running. You can prepare yourself for a marathon but it is never enough.
Dan and I both were hurting. We both had trouble getting up and down stairs and muscles giving out on us. I finally could keep up stairs Wednesday with out any railing help. I still can’t really run to well but that will come in time because I have a race on Thanksgiving Day.
To all thanks for all of your support and prayers. They were much a appreciated!!
posted by road runner at 1:18 PM
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