What I didn't plan on was
Fox Valley Marathon came and went. Along with my very worse time for a marathon ever by over 20 mins. Sigh. I mean, I completed it and overcame some difficult miles and pain so that is an accomplishment. But no, I'm not happy with the time, or the tears that I shed, or the pain I endured for at least half of the marathon. It took everything I had to dig down and complete that marathon. When I finished (and twice during the marathon), I made a decision to definitely NOT do the Chicago Marathon or the Ultra even though I already paid for it. I didn't care about the money. I didn't want to feel the way I felt at Fox Valley ever again.
So after numerous people telling me to still do Chicago, I caved and decided to give it a shot. My goal for the Chicago Marathon was simple. Do not cry. Have as much fun as you can. After all, this was just a training run. I wasn't going for time and it wasn't even under my name so really it didn't matter if I sucked, right?
Message to myself (Derek constantly tells me this) |
My thought was to start with the 4:40 pace group because it was located in my corral but I had a hard time finding them and then I was so far back, it was too hard to get up there. When my corral was a few minutes from starting, the security people were letting us out to use the bathrooms. Really? I was completely surprised that people were just streaming out of the corral to the bathrooms and back in the corral without security even checking anyone! Especially in light of the Boston bombings and the heightened security measures being taken at the marathon. BUT...I was thrilled because I had to use the bathroom again and so I went. About 2 mins after I got back to the corral, my corral (G) started. I wasn't with the pace group or any of my run friends. It was just me, 45,000 other runners, and 1.5 million spectators.
Because we are in Chicago, the garmin is virtually useless. Several times it lost satellite, my pace was off and so were the miles. I pretty much stopped looking at the garmin and just decided to run...and run easy. Make it through the miles, 1 mile at a time. And the crowds during the first 10 miles are the best I've ever seen! The neighborhoods up north are so much fun and there is such positive energy. I smiled and laughed and thought, "Now, I know why people want to do this marathon year after year!"
Approximately mile 7.5 |
I felt pretty good through about mile 14-15. I was by no means "perfect" and could feel the effects of just running Fox Valley creeping up on me. My legs really started feeling heavy during the last 10-11 miles though. I started walking a lot between miles 15-18. At 18, I reset my garmin and decided to mental "start over." Was working great but then I realized about 1/4 miles in that I forgot to start my garmin back up! Ha! Ran straight until about mile 19.5. Run/walk followed for the rest of the time. My legs felt like lead. I could barely lift them. Mentally I was still ok. My boyfriend Derek and former coworker Geovanna was sending me some "keep going" texts and periodically I would pull my phone out to read them and respond. In fact, the marathon photography folks caught me in action...
I forgot to look for any of my friends or running group at the various locations they said they may be cheering or volunteering at. Total sadness. I was in my own little world of joy and pain! So with the exception of Jill at mile 10, I was alone. Until mile 25. After I got done drinking water at the last water stop, I noticed one of the volunteers was Spero from my Yankee Runner group. I was walking and he asked if I was ok. I told him I was fine, just legs were heavy. He told me to loop my arm through his and walk with him for a bit. Um...ok... I told him again that I was ok but he was being so kind that I walked a bit with him. Then I told him I was going to start running and finish it up. Super sweet and made me smile.
Anyway, the second half of the run was rough. BUT...I had fun and that was my goal. Never did I shed a tear or even make a sniffle. I had my game face on and I kept it on and for that I'm proud of myself.
Not really sure what's going on here! |
Finish straight away! |
I'm pretty disappointed with the fact that I did get my worse marathon time ever... 5:28:26. I know I wasn't going for time and I was fresh off a marathon 3 weeks earlier so that's something. And I ran the entire marathon alone, which is a first for me and actually felt a little empowering (if that's not a little weird). I knew I had to rely on myself and no one else. I know there are a few things I need to work on for any possible future marathons (like losing some weight and making my core stronger).
I have the Ultra 50k in 2 weeks. I really wasn't going to do it but have decided that since I signed up for it, I will give it my best shot. Honestly, shoot me now please.
Probably a contestant for "Worst run photo"...and really captures how I felt! Ha! |
Congrats! Glad to hear you foot did not bother you too much. Wow, I am very impressed that you have done two marathons and now you're about to do an ultra. Impressive.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pete!! I'll feel much better when it's all over! Ha!
DeleteTwo marathons and an Ultra .... I think Susan M. has been a bad influence on you =P Glad you got through the two marathons so far!
ReplyDelete