I could sit here and tell you all the things I loved about Chicago this weekend. And it would be a long list because the weekend was amazing, and MJ and I had a blast being tourists. But the best part of the weekend was the reason we were there in the first place.
About 6:30am...
About an hour later, as we near the starting mat
In my last marathon I finished in 4:56:29 – a new personal record for me, beating my old time by more than two minutes. When I set my new goal of 4:45 to 4:50, I felt it was a stretch because I remembered what the previous marathons felt like; it was as if I’d been pushing myself as much as humanly possible.
Turns out, that may not have been entirely accurate.
When MJ and I lined up Sunday morning, I could feel the butterflies, and I knew I wanted the 4:45.
As we crossed the start line, I felt stronger than ever. We wound through the streets of Chicago, passing through neighborhoods full of spectators and supporters. There was cheering and singing and high fives. And I’ve never been more grateful for the signs reading, “Way to go, complete stranger! You look great!“
I checked Guillermo each time I passed a mile marker, just to make sure I was staying on pace, and before I knew it I was building up a time-cushion. First it was just a couple minutes, and then by the half mark I realized that I was roughly 10 minutes ahead of where I should have been.
That knowledge, coupled with the encouraging texts from Mama, BNF, LB, and RB, was what kept me pushing through the end.
When other people were walking, I was getting messages along the lines of, “Run like Tony DiNozzo is watching!” How could I not get a little kick in my step?
In a race like this you can feel the energy of the finish line before you see it. The crowds get thicker, the cheering gets louder, and you find the reserves you thought you’d already depleted. And when I felt that, I sprinted.
When I crossed the finish line, Guillermo was practically beaming back at me.
Official time: 4:34:25.
Official feeling: Fuck yeah! (Followed quickly by the thought of – dear God, how am I going to do this again in just three weeks?)
Who knows – maybe the runner’s high will last until Marine Corps.
But even if it doesn’t, Guillermo and I will always have Chicago.
Woman, you, quite simply, rock! Congrats Sub 4:30 in two weeks? I think so…
Let’s not get crazy now. If I want to hit 4:30 (or sub), I think I’m going to have to go back to Chicago next year. Oh darn.
You’ll show up to Marine Corps already knowing those legs are ready for it. Guillermo will be, too!
18 days!
Guillermo was born ready. Or manufactured. Whatever.
But yes! The pain is already fading, which naturally means it’s time to do it again.
I am SO proud of you! You are amazing. Love you so much xoxox