Chicago Marathon, DNS deux

Second year in a row I DNS the Chicago Marathon. Super.

For those that don't know >>>  I sign up.  I get injured.  I whine.  I don't run it.  I cheer.  I go home.  Lather, rinse, repeat. 

I woke up at three a.m.  Not sure why.  But, I did.  My friend Lee heard me up.  She came into the room and said, "I'm not going to run.  I don't feel well."  I said, "Ok.  Are you sure?"  She said, "Yes."  Then she went back to bed.  Five minutes later I crawled in bed with her and she said, "Sorry, I just don't feel like doing it".  I told her no need to apologize to me.  But, I asked if she wanted to wait until I got up later that morning to really decide.  She said she would feel the same in an hour.  I clued her in that it was only three a.m.  She laughed.  She thought it was 6:30 and I was up to go cheer.  Lee had also signed up for Chicago.  We planned to both do this.  She ended up not training.  So, she had planned to only run the first 8 miles.  The start back to her home.  However, a funny thing happened on the way to the Marathon.  The night before we were out watching the Notre Dame - Miami football game from Soldier Field.  We may or may not have been over served.  And, by over served I  mean the bartender adored us and made us some very yummy complimentary shots that were clearly not necessary each time he gave them to us.  But, being ladies and not wanting to be rude..... Well, ya know.  

So, Lee was out.  I checked Twitter and giggled at the tweets I saw coming over from racers not able to sleep.  I know those nights.  A few hours later these tweets turned into pictures of themselves in their race outfits, ready to run a marathon.  I got excited.  Marathon race morning, baby!  I got dressed in my DES gear, texted Claire.  She asked how bundled up I was.  Bundled up?  I was wearing running shorts, DES tee and a light running jacket.  She had fleece lined running tights and lots more on.  I made her disrobe a bit.  Mid 40's?  We would be fine.

It was perfect marathon running weather.  A gorgeous fall Chicago day.  

I headed out the door down the half block to mile 8 to get coffee.  People were already lining the streets of Boystown.  Helicopters were flying overhead.  It was coming.  The marathon was coming.  

Once again, my dear Claire  and I were Do Epic Shit cheerleading.  For those new to to me the cliff notes version of Claire and me (because people ask me)  is that we met randomly at an internet fun run on July 4, 2011.  We didn't chat much that night.  However, we ran into each other again at medal engraving a few months later for RnR Chicago.  We had a very intense talk about life.  About us.  About running.  About where we were and where we were going.   We talked about our running peeps.  You know, the people who get us through each and every day.  I had my Daily Mile peeps.  She had her Tumblr peeps. We discovered we were alumnae of the same college (me much, much, much earlier than she).   Somehow I told her about the Do Epic Shit shirt I had procured earlier that day.  She wanted one.  I told her that she would have to EARN one.  First of all change that "old Claire" facebook photo to a new "Rockin" Claire profile pic.  THEN, PR her next half marathon.  She changed the pic.  Then I epic cheered her (taunted) her at her next half, wearing the shirt and yelling at her along the course.  After her PR,  I took off the sweaty shirt and bequeathed it to her.  She went on the DES cheer and various race around the country when she was on injured reserve. (She is chronically injured like me, sadly)  She got quite internet famous doing so.  Rightly deserved. 

  

The leaders

Claire is an amazing cheerleader.  She makes me look like a mime next to her.  She yells the most hilarious things.  She has great one liners.  She heckles the runners.  She over compliments them and makes them giggle and blush.  Eventually I just started stealing her lines.  Ha.  Seriously, if you haven't cheered NON-STOP for 5 hours you have NO idea how hard this actually is.  The stream or runners never stops.  You are on constantly.  You don't want to miss any group.  So, you keep yelling and yelling and yelling and yelling.  Don't even get me started at how tired your arms and shoulders get.  I'm not kidding.  And, my voice?  Fuggedaboudit.  Brenda Vaccaro seks line worthy today.

Boystown

Porta John alertn level low @ mile 8.
Well, @  7:30am anyway.  ;)

We set up shop to start at around mile 7.5 mile-ish.  Just before the fun of Boystown.  Last year this spot wasn't too crowded.  I was able to walk in the street a bit and scream.  This year we were a bit smooshed.  Even with Claire and I being tall and towering over most everyone else (FYI, do NOT stand behind two tall woman holding and waving signs and then complain you can't see.  I will tell you to bite me) it was hard to get our signs waving into the street. But, soon... they started to see us.  "They" being one of the many runners either Claire of I, or both, knew.  She with her Tumblr peeps.  Me with my Daily Mile peeps.  I "knew" some of her Tumblr peeps too, but not as well.

Let me say this... having people dart out of a crowd to you and stand before you for 2 seconds while you try to process some name-face recognition while also giving them some words of encouragement is REALLY hard.  Seriously.  I try to first get the name right (harder than you think).  Then I usually go for the quick high five or hug if I can.  Then some good words for them to take on their way.

Chris came flying by first.  I do not know Chris.  Claire knows Chris.  Chris saw me at Fox Valley Marathon cheering.  We mutually followed each other on Tumblr after that.   He said he promised to say hi to Claire and me along the route.  I said, sure, a hello, high five, fist bump, ass slap, whatever.  All of a sudden out of the crowd  of runners there stood Chris in front of us.  He hugged Claire.  Without a word spoken to me, I turned around, he slapped my ass.  Then ran off.  It just seemed so very right.  And, made me snort with giggles.

And, so it begins.  Bring it. 

Kelly came by with a kick ass smile and strong high five.   I saw Brian coming up way down the street.  I stepped into the street and yelled "BRIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAN Whoooooooo!" at the top of my lungs.  Got a hug, sent him on his way.  Jeff zoomed by, said hi.  Maryjo literally zigzagged across the crowd and flew by with a wave.  It was almost like she was floating. David swooped by and smiled and said hello.  Then, smiling a huge grin and seemingly skipping through the crowd came Ben.  Wtf?!?!?  Ben had been injured with a stress fracture most of the summer.  He was in the same, "I signed up for Chicago Marathon but was injured and couldn't run" boat.  I literally yelled at him, "What are you doing?  What are you doing?'  His reply, "I'm ruuuuuunning!!!!!"   Yes, you were, Ben.  Yes, you were.   Michelle and her sister Bobbi, yes!   Oh, lookie there, it's Ashleigh.  I had no clue she was running CM.  Oh, wait, she wasn't.  She was pacing some of her peeps 25 miles! She never ceases to amaze me.  I believe I may have even seen her pirouette. . Many more Daily Milers came by.  Some I had never met before.  So, it was fun to get a shout out from them.

We eventually had to leave and get to out next intended spot, Mile 20ish.  However, leaving the runners mid cheer is hard.  We feel like shit.  Like walking out before the play is over.  We had to do it skillfully.  First the signs came down.  We kept cheering.  Then, Claire stepped back.  Then, I stepped back.  Then we were off.  Signs in hand.  Claire ordering me to run.  Then asking me if I could run.  Yes, Claire, I will run.  It doesn't matter if I can.  I will. So, off the few blocks to the El.  Half way there Claire yells back to me, "Hey, remember when we weren't injured, when we were skinny and ran fast?" (as in a year or so ago) Ugh.  Sigh.  Ugh. I believe I said, "No, I don't.  It seems like forever ago"  She said, "I do.  I was looking at pictures from last year.  I remember"  I think I try to forget.  It's too painful for me to look back at how great it was.  How great I felt.  How great I looked.  It feels like another lifetime ago for me now.

PLEASE NOTE>>>>>> This might be a good time to refuel.  Take a gell cap.  Hydrate.  Do some stretches.  You are only half way through my recap.  

running into Chinatown

Next stop China Town.  I had never been here for the marathon, but heard it was a great place for the race. Indeed it was.  It was loud.  The music was loud.  The cheering was loud.  It looked like fun.  Immediately, Claire and I decided it was NOT the place for us.  We needed desolate.  We needed space.  We needed a place where the runners needed US.  So, we ran about 3/4 miles away (Andrea, you doing ok?  You want to walk?  Can you still run?  You think you can make it?  Yes, Claire, keep going.  I will make it.  I will).  We ended up in a more industrial area.  Not very pretty.  Not too many people cheering.  Plenty of room for the Do Epic Shit show.  Perfect.

The internet in a tutu

We missed many of the fast runners were had seen early on in Boystown.  They were either done or almost done.  But, we were here to catch the majority of our other runners.  Lots of the Tumblr peeps came by.  I recognized many of them, but few knew who I was.  Claire was there to give the hugs and the encouragement, the motivation.  I did get a few kick ass hugs and was able to give my own words to some. I was able to see Tumblr David  twice.  It was nice to meet him.  We even wonder twinned powered our #DoEpicShit bands.  I want to think that gave him a bit more energy.  

Michelle & dad

I saw a few Daily Milers here. All of a sudden Jeff was standing in front of me.  Just standing.  Arms at his side.  With a look.  Not a good look.  I asked what was wrong.  He said, "Everything".  Ugh.  I gave him a hug.  He held on for dear life.  I SO wanted to fix him.  Badly.  I told him he could do this.  One more hug.  Then I sent him back out.  If I could have I would have put him on my back and carried him.  Michelle M. was suddenly in my eyesight.  I hadn't seen her yet in the race.  How did I miss her the first time?  Huh.  Was I asleep?  But, thankfully, I did catch her this time.  I gave her a huge hug, then watched her run off, with her dad - who surprised her at mile one - running by her side. (How kewl is that?) Then, I threw down my sign and ran after her.  To chat a bit.  Run a bit.  Tell her she was kicking ass. To tell her she WOULD finish her first marathon. It was within reach.  Finally. (Goose)

Idiot

An idiot came by.  A real Idiot's Running Club idiot.  Dressed in idiot gear and all.  I had my IRC sign ready for him.  I had seen him at mile 7.5, but couldn't get my sign out in time.  This time I waved it in his face.  He was hurting a bit.  Didn't look too happy.  But, Claire and I screamed. "IDIOT!!!!   Idiot's Running Club!!!! IRC BABY!  Go Idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  He laughed continued on.  Once again I dropped my sign.  I ran after him.  I yelled shit in his ear.  Then I turned around and took his picture.  Hey, it's what any good IRC Princess would do after all.

At this point, Claire had left me.  These Tumblr kids, and I call them kids because I'm an old fuddy duddy fart compared to them, were amazing.  The ones not running (and there were a good lot) made sure they had lined the worst part of the marathon - miles 18 to the finish.  They were all over the place.  Jumping in to run with someone when needed.  People needed it.  One of Claire's Tumblr peeps, Smitty, (<<<read this.  now.) came up. Claire realized he was running dangerously close to missing his 5:00 finish time goal at his current pace.  She thew down her sign and was off.  To get him to that finish ( He made it by 2, yes 2, seconds.  Thanks mostly to Claire's encouragement, pacing, motivation, and really.... orders.  )  I was then cheering with JBizzle and KC.  They had just run a few miles with someone and stopped here and waited for more runners.

Bobbi & Michelle

I was still waiting for Michelle and Bobbi.  Michelle was fighting some serious pain in the last two weeks.  I was worried about her.  I knew this would be at tough day for her.  But, she had her sister by her side.  How amazing was that?  Pretty. So, there they were smiling and running toward me.  I could tell Chelle was hurting.  A lot.  It broke my heart to see her in so much pain.  But, she was moving.  Forward.  She was fighting with everything she had.  I gave her a hug and she whispered to me that she was in a lot of pain.  I tried to say something encouraging.  Then she and Bobbi ran off.  Again, I threw down my sign and ran off to catch them.  I caught up to Chelle and told her that she had already ran further than she had ever run.  That I knew she was in pain, but she COULD do this.  She WAS doing this.  I eventually had to leave her.  She was in good hands with Bobbi.  However,  I wanted to run her the rest of the way in to the finish.   It's my one regret.  I wish I had.   

I saw most of my peeps.  Sadly, however, there were a few I never saw.  (Insert sad face here).  I was exactly in the spots I said I would be.  However, crowds get thick.  Minds wander.  Things happen.  I feel badly I wasn't able to cheer some of those people on.  

JBizzle, KC and I then went back through the race.  Walking against the stream of runners.  Back a few miles to find a missing friend they left behind.  As we ran we waved our signs,  yelled out a few things at the racers.  Then we came upon a runner down.  Medical crew working on him.  The water station crew had formed a human wall between him and the other racers, so they hopefully didn't see what was going on.  We, however, did.  They were giving him some serious medical attention.  Some very scary medical attention.  I thought back to the man that died feet from last year's finish line.  My heart sank.  Shit just got very real.  We  walked in silence for a bit.  Eventually, I think I said, "Whoa.  That was scary"  Then, as if we just had to... we started cheering again.  For those still in it.  These racers were the back of the pack.  The last people running.  The real heroes in my opinion.  Still moving.  Forward. 

This area was even worse than where we had come from.  Dark and dingy. I'm still not sure where it was coming from, but come it did.  It was the theme for Hawaii Five-O.  I know, wtf.  All of a sudden, as if in a very Footloose moment, I started to dance.   I don't know what got into me.  But, all of a sudden I found myself literally surfing, arms stretched out waving up and down, through the runners. JBizzle and KC also were surfing.  Runners smiled.  Giggled.  Some surfed with us . 

.Next song was "Shake a Tailfeather".  Once again, without speaking the three of us danced randomly.  Holding our signs, dancing fools.  (Almost reminiscent of the Blues Brothers scene. ha) Runners came over the bridge and giggled.  One guy ran by me and smirked.  Then he stopped, came back, and started twisting with me.  Then started butt bumping twisting with me.  I gladly obliged.  Yes, I butt bumped a strange man in the middle of a marathon.   It just seemed so very right. .

We then made it to literally the end of the race, as in the sweeper finish car.  Stay in front of this car and you officially finish.  Fall behind and you just do it for your own pride.  No medal.  No name in the paper.  These people here were the epic ones.  Not giving up.  No way.

We then headed for the L.  We were going to hit the finish and post finish area.  I decided I wasn't going.  I hadn't seen either the start or finish of this year's race.  I was kind of a bit melancholy about being at the finish  this year.  Last year I saw many of my friends finish.  It was emotional for me.  In a good way.  I was happy for them.  This year I wouldn't be there to see anyone finish.  Just where I ended up logistically at the mile markers made it impossible to beat them to the finish.  But, more, I think I didn't want to see them post race. Not that I wasn't happy for them.  I was over the moon happy for them. But, at the same time I was getting a bit sad.  Sad that I couldn't be that too.   At this point I just wanted to go home.  I wanted to be done with the marathon.  I was tired.  Very tired.  I needed quiet time. With just me.

This girl's family loves her. 

The crowds cheering at Chicago are unreal.  I only see it from a spectator's perspective.  But, I've seen some really amazing things over the years.  I can't even imagine what it's like from the runner's perspective.  Strangers cheering for strangers.  Huge families jumping in and running along side a family member, screaming, cheering, supporting.    You can't help root for everyone. 

The running/ walking I did that day was tough.  It hurt.  A lot.  I didn't really tell Claire this. Ok, maybe a little.  I didn't want to slow down our plan.  Oddly enough, it's when I sit that hurts most after I run.  After our 20 minute L ride I had a hard time even walking at first.  But, suck it up cupcake I did.  I had friends running a damn marathon.  Geesh, I can run a few miles.  Or hobble.  Hell, last year while cheering the marathon I walked ALL over the place with a yet to be diagnosed tibia stress fracture.  Yes, that hurt too.  And, yes, I sucked it up. 

The love I get back from the runners is indescribable.  Seriously.  The amount of thank yous I can't even count.  The eye contact I make with people is intense.  Often no words are exchanged.  I get a lot of points.  No words, just guys looking across the street at me.  Pointing at me.  I point back.  It's our little moment.  Sometimes it's just me speaking.  But, I see it in the way they look back at me.  It matters.  I matter.  It hits me hard.  It makes it ALL worth it.  

I somehow made it to my 11 year old niece's birthday party later that day.  She ran out to greet me with a huge ol hug.  She asked me how the race was.  I said amazing. She asked me if I saw all my friends run.  I said yes.  She asked if it was fun.  I said yes.  She told me that she wanted to go sometime and watch me run the marathon.  I said, "Me too.  Me too"

Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes my 2012 Do Epic Shit cheering duties.  Any races in the near future that I attend will have me participating.

Please feel free to help me get to the finish line.

I will  need it.

Living EZ

(Photo courtesy of Michael Maidwell )

Yesterday I asked you to tell me what you saw in this picture.  

What did you see?

Looks like a bunch of cyclist enjoying a ride.  Kind of makes you want to be along for the ride - huh? 

Often we on Daily Mile talk about what a wonderful community we have.  A community of runners, cyclists, swimmers, walkers.... athletes.   Ultra runners to Couch to 5k runners. All encouraging each other.  Lifting each other.  On good days.  On bad days. Inspirational.  Strong.  Hilarious.  There. For each other.  Each and every day. 

I watch and read posts and am amazed by the expressions of love and support.  For people for the most part you have never met.  Why?  Why are these people so invested in each other? 

There must be something in the endorphin's.  In our desire to be better people.  To be healthier people.  To be happier people. To be sane people.  It makes us more caring.  More loving.  More human.  Just plain more. 

So, what is the picture above about? 

(Sheila Mulder)

 It's a funeral.  Yes, a funeral. I bet you didn't guess that one.  The cool doode with the beard and white glasses riding the cruiser is Michael Maidwell, lead singer of the band Orange Grove. Runner.  This is the funeral for his father, Malcolm Maidwell. His father was instrumental in starting and organizing running, biking, triathlons, and kayaking etc. to the island of St. Maarten back in the day when these sports did not exist there. In May, Malcholm Maidwell died after a long battle with cancer.  For the funeral Michael and a relay of cyclists, runners and kayakers traveled around the island to Michael's father's final resting place out in the beautiful Caribbean waters. What a great tribute. All those athletes who were encouraged, inspired, & supported to get their kick-ass on because one man thought it was important enough to have these sports accessible to them. 

Think about if you didn't have access to your run, your ride, your swim. Malcolm made sure the people of St. Maarten did. 

When my father died 9 1/2 years ago my college girlfriends jumped on planes from all over the country and were by my side for the funeral.  I have to say it was one of the days in my life I felt the most love.  How strange is that?  The day I buried my father.  Yet, the amount of love surrounding me was immeasurable.  They were there for me at the funeral, at the luncheon, and then took my butt to an Irish pub afterwards and fed me pint after pint and made me laugh. Smile.  Breath.   My friends and I weren't then, but, we are now...runners.  

Just like Malcolm, my father's final resting place was the the Caribbean waters of St. Maarten.  It was much quieter affair for us. I took my dad in my purse with me on the plane. I know, don't even.  A little under his favorite hammock, a little on the beach, a little in the ocean.  At sunset.  We didn't have the large group that Malcolm had.  But, we had love nonetheless. 

I smile when I think about Malcolm's funeral. How amazing it must have felt for his family to have all those athletes embracing their broken hearts. How great is that?  Being in a moment of great sadness and being surrounded by a community of love.  

So much love that instead of tears you find yourself riding high with a huge smile on your face. 

We run, bike, and swim.  We have good days. We have bad days.  We struggle with our workouts, our injuries, our home life, our jobs, and just plain old life. But, no matter what kind of day we have, we know that at the end of the day this little community of love that surrounds us will make sure we are Living EZ.  

That no matter what, we are feeling irie, mon. 

Orange Grove - Living EZ

Suck it Cancer.

Wait 'til next year......

I have SO much to say about the #CM11 Chicago Marathon.  I don't know where to even begin.  I suggest you grab a cold one.  Or some coffee.  A blanket.  Some energy gel.  Perhaps a banana. You might even want compression socks. This is clearly the longest race report for someone who didn't even run the damn race. 

This was to be my race.  MY marathon.  The one I do.  The one that makes me a marathoner. We all know my tired story by now.  I tried.  My brain quit.  I got injured.   I did not run.

This was my girls weekend.  College friends getting together at least once a year.  Used to be football games.  Then weddings.  Then just random places to go have fun.  In the last year or two these have turned into race weekends.  Funny how that happened since almost all of us never really ran.  Some of us met up for Chicago Shamrock Shuffle this spring.  We enjoyed a nice (but hot) race and had a fun time afterwards.  At this point some of us had already signed up to run the Chicago Marathon. Three of us and another's husband were planning on running.  As it turned out, three of the four of us had to drop out.  Injuries, conflicts, and just general lack of feeling ready were some of our reasons. So, sadly, this left one lone runner, Celeste, to our marathon.  Thankfully, this was her 10th marathon, so old hat for her.

Friday night we drank wine, caught up, drank some more wine, made race signs, and drank some more wine. 'Twas fun.  However, too much as one person was unable to get out of bed the next morning  So, we found it necessary to make yet another sign. 

On Saturday we headed to the Expo.  I was really worried that being here would make me cry.  I figured as soon as I got my bib I would lose it.  Oddly enough, I did not.  Instead I was kind of excited.  There were THOUSANDS of runners here.  You could feel the excitement.  It made me feel good.  If I were running I would feel scared.  This I know for sure.  I just missed seeing Ray here.  He tweeted that he was leaving Expo just as we were getting on the shuttle to leave as well.  I missed him. One of many missed meetings with him all weekend. 

Runners entering corral

Up early Sunday.  Walked with Celeste over to the race start to make sure she got to where she needed to ok.  It was kind of a mess as runners were very unclear where they could get in to their corral.  Lots of runners hustling to the start after attempting to enter in areas nowhere near where they needed to be.  I had planned on going all the way to the start area.  No, I was not running.  However, I did still have my bib.  So, I could get in the runner area.  However, it was so crazy there I decided to say goodbye to her before she entered the "if you aint running get out" area.  We would see her again in 26.2.  

runners head to the start by the Modern Wing of the Art Institute

45,000 runners start

Met up with the rest of the girls on the spectator side of the start.  Watching this start was beautiful.  A sea of runners, flowing like calm ocean waves......gently bobbing up and down as it  streamed by us.  The race started.  It. was. on. For as far as you could see in either direction all you could see were runners. Beautiful, strong, amazing...... runners.  It was spectacular. 

We had plans.  Plans to be uber spectators.  A little marathon got in the way.  We were able to jump right into a cab and get to the second stop for our day.  We had planned on just past mile 8.  However, my friend Lee, who was saving us a spot there, was stuck in a crowd.  It was crowded.  The runners were already running by in a steady stream.  We didn't want to fight our way to the spot.  We found a wide open spot about 1/2 mile away on Addison. I was worried all the people I gave my planned location to would not find me. I panicked a little. But, I hunkered down.  Pulled out my Do Epic Shit sign. This is when the fun really began.  The second that sign hit the air it started.  The smiles.  The laughs. The hooting.  The hollering. The "right-on" finger pointing to me.  The high fives.  The shouts of "Do Epic Shit!!!! WHOOOOOO!" All of this..... from the runners.   It. was. amazing.   Several yelled Una Runnnnnnner! or "Do you know Logan?"  It was great! 

I cannot tell you how awesome it is to have racers look at YOU and smile.  Most runners usually don't smile when racing.  They are focused.  Or tired.  Or struggling. But, when they passed me, the lips slowly turned upwards.  They got a glint in their eyes.  It was amazing.  To have that affect.  Some were extremely boisterous when passing me.  Yelling back at me.  Others, quietly smiled a modest smile.  I could only sense what their brain was really thinking.  Made me giggle.  

I was tracking quite a few runners.  Sadly, Ryan was just TOO fast and I never was able to get to my location before he passed.   Runner tracking always informed me he was already past my next location before I even left the current one.  I cheered him on from afar.  Thankfully, runner tracking let me know when people were past 10k.  I knew to judge their arrival time at my location.  It was great.  In the meantime I made many new friends with strangers passing me by.  I'm a little loud when I cheer.  I tend to make noise.  I scream.  I whistle.  I Whooooooo!!!! Loudly.  The runners heard me.  For sure. :D  I started to lose my voice.  And, I was only one hour into the race. 

So, one by one people I knew came by.  Thankfully, they all saw ME and came by ME and shouted!  Tom, Brian (Brian DM), Celeste, Casey,  Becky .  ALL of them stopping and shouting out to me!  I shouted back... even louder GOOOOOOO!   I was waiting around for Ray (Ray DM ) who obviously started further back in the corrals.  I waited as long as I could.  My friends waiting to get to the next spot to meet Celeste.  I finally had to leave my spot.  I'm positive Ray went by right after I left.  


When Lisa S.  came by she yelled hi and ran away.  Went a couple of feet. Came back.  Hugged me and said, "I need this.  This was SO what I needed.  Thanks. "  And, she was off.  I was tickled beyond belief that I saw her.  Lisa and I signed up together.  We sat on our computers until 1:30 am on that February night trying to get in.  We started training together.  We went on some hilariously funny runs together.  We were on different paths.  But, the same journey.  We both started to fail mentally at the same time.  Before we could pick each other up, I got injured.  I was out. Lisa was on her own.  Well, not on her own really.  I was with her.  Just not running next to her anymore.  She felt awful that I was not running.  We cried a lot over it.  She empathized with my sadness.  It helped.  But, I was not going to let her quit.  I was there for her on her long runs when she wanted to give up.  And, here she was.... running past me.  Running the Chicago Marathon.  I was SO happy. 

Next our plan was to head to Mile 15 to give Celeste the Gu we promised.  We had to PROMISE we would be there.  We did.  We weren't.  Our cab driver was clueless that the marathon was taking place.  Uhhhh, wtf!  We were trying to tell him the best ways to avoid closed roads and time after time he kept turning right into the race.  It was SO frustrating.  I was freaking out in the back seat.  I don't like to let friends down.  We were letting  Celeste down.  We decided mile 15 was out.  We started to try for 16.  Then that became out of the question.  17?  Nope, not that either.  We took a chance on 18.  We got there.  Flew out of the cab.  Ran to the side of the race in a nice spot.  Started cheering immediately.  We were back in business.  I started seeing some familiar faces from the first stop.  They started seeing me again.  I got lots of "it's YOU again!"  "I'm still doing epic shit"  "I'm not feeling very epic anymore". Several pointed out to their running partners, "There she is again"  Within a very short 4-5 minutes I spotted her.  Coming around the corner.  Celeste.  Oh. My. God.  We made it.  Late.  But, we made it.  I hollered out to the other girls.  Gu out.  We were ready.  Whooooooo Celeste!!!!!!! Apologies all around.  She didn't seem to care.  She got her Gu.  She got our faces.  She was off again. Kicking ass.   The girls and I looked at each other.  Eyes wide.  Phew, that was VERY close.  Our next plan was catching her at the finish.

One of my favorite parts of the race was at mile 18.  This little boy, about 3 just stood on the side of the road, more inside the race than by the spectators.  He just stood there.  With his arm outstretched.  Awaiting some high-fives.  I loved watching the runners turn the corner, see this little doode, smile, high five and run on.  It was so cute! 

Runners looked a lot different at mile 18 than at 7.5 (duh).  They were obviously hot.  They all were parched.  People were definitely starting to struggle. People were starting to cramp.  It was a bit hard to watch.  I was hot.  I was only standing there screaming, holding a sign.  I was behind them all the way.  I wanted them all to do well.  By the way, holding the sign did turn out to be more difficult than I imagined.  My arms started to hurt.  My shoulders were really sore.  My hands actually fell asleep and I was finding it very hard to hold the sign.  But, one look at these runners.... really, Andrea?  Suck it up cupcake. Hold the friggin' sign.  Scream your ass off.  In fact I was screaming so loud that one doode came around the corner ran right up to me and said, "Just so you know, I could hear you all around the corner.  Thanks!".  <smile>

Lisa N.  had a few people she was following.  So, we stuck around to see if we could catch them.  She saw some at 7.5.  But, based on tracking we might be able to catch another here.  We cheered.  More familiar faces.  More smiles.  This time I got some thank you's.  More high fives. Lots more high fives.  A couple of ass pats (thank you!) from doodes saying, "I saw you the first time, this is great", "I needed this", etc.  I even got some hugs.  Most half hugs.  But, I got a huge full on one.  Tom came by again. I cheered.  He went on a few feet.  Came back.  Gave me a huge ass schweddy hug.  It was awesome. Thanks pumpkin!  Brian was next.  He was looking a bit warm as well.  But, soldiering on.  Imagine my surprise when a smiling Ashleigh came flying by.  She had a, uh-hum, timing chip problem so her tracks never came through for me to find her.  I was SOOO happy to see her.  She looked great!.   I didn't see any other Daily Milers here.  But, Lisa did see one of her runners.  So, off we went to try to get Celeste for her finish.

We started walking a straight line toward the lake front and the finish line.  We were looking for a cab, but finally realized this was not going to happen.  So, we walked the few miles.  Because of this, sadly,  we did not see Celeste cross. I think we were standing on a bridge over the expressway when the text came in.  Whoo-Hoo Celeste finished.  And, finished strong I might add.  Not a PR.  But, placed her  5711/35660 overall.    1158/15419 for women  166/2161  in her age group.  Not too shabby.  SO proud of her.  Later that day she told us she was retiring from marathons.  She was done with them.  Huh. 

When we neared the finish I saw the final push towards the end.  Chicago races have a cruel way of adding in this bridge to many of their races finishes.  It is a killer.  I cannot even imagine it after 25. 5 miles. Julie and Lisa headed to meet up with Celeste. I stayed back to try to catch Lisa S. finish.  In addition, I love watching the finish.  Love watching people make that final push to the end.  Seeing their faces.  Knowing that they DID this.  It gets me every time.  I saw dads pick up their kids and run with them in their arms.  I saw teens jump the fence and sprint in with their moms.  I saw race officials practically drag a few people over the line.  But, finish they did.  I saw many couples grab hands, run together, finish a dream.  Many were taking pictures.  Of US. The crowd.  It was great. 

Lisa in blue, black shorts

I kept looking down the street.  Hoping to see Lisa.  She wasn't there yet.  Then, there came Lisa.  I saw her all the way down the street.  She was running right along the fence where I stood.  I screamed her name.  She looked.  She blew me a kiss. I started to cry.  I screamed some more.  I watched her cross the line.  I couldn't have been prouder of her.  She did it.  Hot damn.  She did it.  PR'd her last Chicago Marathon of a few years ago by one hour.  Yes, she had a faster goal in mind.  But, in these conditions, a PR is a fantastic achievement in my eyes.  Hell, finishing is an achievement!


I stuck around to watch other DM'ers make it in.  I saw Tom.  I saw Brian. Becky came flying right by me, smile on her face.  The girls were waiting for me.  I had to leave.  But, I was still waiting for Ray.  I had missed him ALL weekend.  I couldn't leave.  I started to leave about five times.  Each time convinced he was right around the corner, I stayed.  Finally after getting yet another text from the girls I had to leave.  I walked away. Reluctantly. I walked out of the bleacher area.  Walked about 2 minutes.  Ping!  In came a text.  Ray King had finished.  And, I missed it.  Oh, Ray, I tried SO very hard.  I'm sorry.  I know Chinatown was not kind to you.  I'm SO proud you soldiered on.  You, my friend, are a marathoner.  Be proud. 


I am SO thankful I saw all the people I did.  I am so very proud of you all.  Of what you accomplished.  I know some of you are not happy with your time.  But, under those heat conditions you should be thrilled.  It was NOT easy. 


I had SO much fun holding that sign. Claire,  (Claire DM) also had her Do Epic Shit tee on.  She reported feeling the same mad love making people smile.  So many people came up to me and took my picture.  One racer took it and posted it to Facebook while standing in front of me!  ha! Lisa and Julie teased me that I should have written my phone number on the sign because they have never seen that many hot guys.... talking to me no less!  Duly noted for next time! Runnrgrrl saw me twice and screamed DO EPIC SHIT!!!!!!!  both times she passed me. Many runners told me at 18 that I had the best sign on the course.  Wheeeeee!!!!  I can't even describe the joy I felt making the runners feel good.  It was such a good feeling. I wish you all could feel what I felt.  It was a complete honor to cheer them on.   So many runners have told me since that I was the highlight of their race.  Man, how cool is that?  But, seriously, runners,  YOU, were the ones who made my day.  Thank you. 


I thought I would be sad this weekend.  I was not.  I was SO happy.  However, when I awoke on Monday I felt a bit different.  I was sore.  My shoulders were sore.  My shin hurt.  A lot.  We did a lot of walking over the weekend.  It hurt then.  It hurt more on Monday.  It made me worry.  That I may never run again.  Celeste was in better shape than me for crying out loud!  But, also, the fact that I didn't run finally hit me.  I got a message from Lisa S early in the morning.  She told me that I was the first face she saw in the race and the last face she saw before finishing.  It made me cry. It made me happy. But, it made me cry.  For the first time it hit me that I didn't experience the race.  As a runner.  I didn't see this coming, but it came.  A few hours later our friend living in France called to find out about the race.  She talked to me about me not running.  She was giving me a little pep talk about how proud she was of me.  How I had transformed myself into a new person. How I would run that marathon one day.   I cried again.  Not sure why.  I think partially because I knew she was right.  And, partially because I knew this journey of mine, halted for a minor mental meltdown and a major injury shutdown, was not yet over.  


The girls started to get ready to leave each other.  As she turned to get into the car to leave, the now marathon retired Celeste turned to me and said, "If you run Chicago next year I'll run again."  :D


So, there it is.  2012 Chicago Marathon.  I will be waiting for you.  Will you be waiting for me?