Marathon number two. Let that sink in for a second. While I was a runner back in grade school and high school it fell off in college. When it was time to get back into shape, running came naturally but all of a sudden I really had to work at it. That was back in 2016. The road to get here has been long but it’s those who grind through the tough times that make it last.
Last Year
I had a series of posts on Instagram to capture all of this last year but the summary was, I showed up, I survived, I was officially a marathoner. I was able to have a decent half marathon and then started walking aid stations by mile 16 and longer walk breaks after that. No other issues besides fatigue which was a testament to the training and fueling I had been doing so all good signs that when I came back to try the distance again I knew I had a good plan.
The other part of 2024 was the first time running the Chicago Distance Series. This means you complete the Shamrock Shuffle 8K, Chicago 13.1 Half Marathon, and then the full Chicago Marathon in a calendar year. By doing so you automatically get a guaranteed spot for the next year in the Marathon again. The races are spaced well enough apart that you can start in January with a training plan and by October you’re a marathoner. Very cool. So with that under my belt, let’s get to this year.
Training
When I ran a 1:53 for my Chicago 13.1 back in June, I thought there was good enough progress to start thinking about marathon goals. My Runna plan said I could hit a 3:50, which seemed incredibly aggressive. But given how it was spot on with my half marathon time I figured it was worth at least attempting.
Whoever says that global warming isn’t a thing can just fuck right off. This summer was rough. Every race I did was incredibly hot and I just don’t do well in heat. I attempted to stick as much as I could to my plan but there were times where runs had to be split up or done at odd hours just in order to make it through. But when I would get a moderate day weather-wise, it felt magical.
As an example, one weekend I ran 13 and wanted to just call it quits after 9. I was soaked from head to toe, everything hurt, and I hated life. A week later was a long 18 miles but the weather was perfect and I felt like I was right in the zone hitting all my target paces throughout the workout. It was signs of life from a training block that has felt as rough as any one ever has.
This culminated in the final long run, again at the Fox Valley Final 20. Last year I ran a 3:27 but miles 15–18ish were not good. I was in a dark place and really had to fight to dig myself out. This year, 5 minutes faster on a humid day and my head was in the game the whole time. Again, signs of life that maybe all this training is actually paying off.
Race Week
As usual, race week was hectic but for good reason. My good friend Mindi was in town as she was running Chicago as well! It was a lot of fun to see our whole friend group come together and be ready to support both of us for this race.
Throughout the week I got asked by a lot of people “what’s your goal time?”. Many of them were quite shocked when right away I said “It’s not about time, it’s about being able to remember miles 21–26.” From last year I can tell you all the details of the race through mile 20, but after that it’s the finish line. I made it through the course but my body and mind were just in survival mode. Given how well I felt through 20 miles just a few weeks before, I thought this was the A goal for the day and whatever else came with the day was icing on the cake.
As the week went on I realized something. I wasn’t nervous. At this point last year all I could think about was race day and trying to figure out how I could get through it. But this time, it was just another long run on the schedule. I thought maybe at the expo the nerves would hit. Nope. How about the shakeout run the day before. Again nothing. It was calming but also just a little weird.
Race Day
I had my whole morning planned out so up at 4:30AM and at the Oak Park Green Line station by 5:15. Into the Loop and through security by 6AM. I got to spend some time reflecting because I was so early getting in. The whole time I was waiting to get those butterflies but instead it was an overwhelming feeling of “let’s do this”.
Early Morning in Grant Park before the buzz of the Marathon picks up.
It was then, when the sun was coming up over the lake and Grant Park began to fill, that I realized, oh man maybe I do actually belong here now. I mean let’s be honest, running a marathon is a dumb idea no matter how much you train. But knowing that I had put in the work made everything click. It was time to go have some fun.
I checked my gear and headed to the corral. I got a chance to finally see Mindi again and my other friend Kim who was running her 10th Chicago Marathon.
Kim, running her 10th Chicago Marathon
Mindi, ready to run Chicago
After what felt like a quick wait, we started moving and suddenly it was time to go. The sun was up but the air was crisp. It was going to be a good day for a run.
As we got ready to cross the line I reminded myself, easy through 6. I figured if I could get near the north side turnaround and was feeling halfway decent I could see where I was and set a pacing goal from there. A quick pause at the stage to let the previous corral get moving and away we went.
The Race
Immediately after crossing the start line, the party atmosphere started quite literally. The underground portion of Columbus literally had a DJ and laser light show the whole stretch. It was such a cool way to get the race started and hopefully set the tone for everyone for the day. The first 3 miles just flew by. I got to see Sarah and our friend group a little past mile 1, my Experience Triathlon crew at mile 2, and Sarah and the friends again just past 3. My time in the loop was done for now and we started heading north.
I stuck to the plan. Kept enjoying the course, the spectators, and the energy of the crowd through mile 6. When we made our way out to Lake Shore Drive I started to check in mentally and see how I was doing. Overall, I felt great. A little warm but the breeze was doing its job. I had taken in my first gel and all the aid stations we hit so far were working well. Heart rate was a little high but that’s to be expected in a World Major marathon. I saw the mile 7 sign in the distance and realized I was only about 50 feet back from the 4:10 pacers. At that moment I made the decision to go for it. The pace I had been holding on to felt good so I looked at my watch to see a 9:35 per mile average and I had my mark.
We made our way up through mile 8 and started to make the turn back south. This part of the course is just amazing. People lining the streets is just expected but the fun part is the neighborhoods. Each one you run through had a different feel that not only kept you engaged but entertained. Add that to the folks outside the bars at 9AM ready to hand you a beer and you have quite the mix of people.
Maybe about 10 miles in, on the way back into the loop from the North side.
Clicking through the miles and at halfway you’re back in the loop. Looking at my watch I see a 2:05 and with some quick math realize that I’m right on pace and that 4:10 sign is right next to me. I get a chance to see my family again as we head out into the West Side. This is where the mental side of this race was going to get me. Last year I was able to make it just to the mile 16 aid station before I had to walk, but at this point I knew I’d done this before and wanted to hang on as long as I could. I saw the rest stop, grabbed my water, and kept on moving. I was feeling good and knew that I could at least make it to the next family sighting just past 17.
But as I was making my way through this stretch, the sun was coming out. I knew this meant having to dial things back but I wanted to hold on as long as I could. I passed the family as planned and then made the turn over to UIC. Things were feeling good, until they weren’t. There’s a small hill you have to go up and over to get over the highway and my heart rate spiked. That combined with the now full sun we were in finally got to me and I had to pull it back — the first walk. I made it just past mile 18, so a few extra miles compared to last year. At least that’s progress.
While I was taking that quick walk break, this time something was different. I wasn’t walking just to hang on. It felt more conscious, like ok this is a small break but we are getting back into it. Did that last a little longer than I would have liked, of course. But going back to my goal for the race, I was doing it. I started to gather myself back up and come up with a plan. It was going to be walk/run from here to the line but how could we do it in a sustainable way? I knew it was working when we came around a corner in Pilsen, somewhere around mile 21, and thought to myself wow I don’t remember this street at all from last year. That was the boost I needed and all of a sudden the miles started clicking off.
There’s a nice little out and back around mile 23 where you see the route back down Michigan. Last year I remember seeing it but not realizing how close it actually was — this time the math made sense and now it was time to start passing people. While my legs weren’t alive, it was clear that I had a little left in the tank. Making the two quick lefts I knew it was the home stretch and time for the victory lap. This was the part of the route that I had little to no memory of the year before. This time I enjoyed it.
One more family sighting right before mile 26, stick with a jog up Mount Roosevelt, and then haul ass to the line with that little downhill on Columbus. When I crossed the line and stopped my watch I knew the main goal was complete but I was still hoping for a good time. I have to say I was a bit pissed off when I saw 4:24. Yes it was a PR, but I knew that 4:10 was there for the taking and I missed it.
Hard not to enjoy it when your in the finish chute on Columbus Ave.
That feeling goes away once you get your free beer, grab your gear, and find your friends and family again but I would be lying if I said it’s still not sitting in the back of my mind. There is for sure some unfinished business I have on this course and someday in the future it’s going to be dealt with. But for now I get to call myself a two-time marathoner and live to run another day.