Better late than never: Chicago Marathon 2009 Race Report

This is my long over-due race report for the Chicago Marathon. It's been sitting in parts on my laptop, but I am finally shamed and motivated to do some writing now.

Dave was the first to rise at an early 4 am. I'm not too sure what time it was because I was honestly still asleep. We had had a wonderful dinner sponsored by Whole Foods the night before and I was dreaming of running when I woke to the smell of eggs and beet juice.

We got ready in a hurry and I wore tights for the first time in my life for a race. The weather outside was below freezing and with the wind I'm sure it was colder. We rode the train into the city in the dark enjoying the building excitement despite the early hour. Sam was much appreciated for guiding us through the train and getting us to where we needed to be at Millennium Park.

The sun was rising and the trains were clattering on the elevated track when we arrived about half an hour before the start at 7:30. For a few moments, I felt like I was truly in quintessential Chicago; an gritty, architecturally-beautiful city of Midwestern America. And the people rushing around buzzed with the excitement and anticipation of something big was about to happen. That day, hundreds of thousands would turn out despite the cold to cheer on the 33,701 finishing runners.

Sam, David and I got split up at the startline due to the mass of humanity there. After the national anthem, it took me about 18 minutes before I finally crossed the start line and begin my 26.2 journey.

The first six miles were difficult to run because of the narrow streets and the large masses of people. I had to cut to the sidewalk a few times to keep myself moving.

Crowd support was great the entire way though and I appreciated all the music and support the entire 26.2 miles. The Marine Corps Marathon in DC has pretty good crowd support, while Cleveland was miserable, the only two other venues I've run in before. This was great the entire way. I particularly loved the music, the impromptu marachi bands in Little Mexico towards the end.

I did well with a good tempo the entire way, keeping a good pace until mile 20 when I stopped for my obligatory Advil. I was feeling the beginnings of a cramp and stopped to get 500 mg of Advil, but it took 8 minutes of waiting in line before I got my pills and was on the road. Also, I slowed down around 23 and had to walk a bit; I had the hit wall. My training the previous weeks had only peaked at 17 miles and I was feeling it.

I used an iPod for the first time and grooved to the tunes of Everclear, O.A.R and Aaron Copland. It definitely gave me some needed momentum and I picked it up in the last half of the marathon.

At the end, I was less than a mile from the finish when I pulled my hamstring. I had to hobble to the end. My time at the end was a 4:43, beating my conservative goal of 4:45. What a shame. I was hoping to really do well with a 4:20 this time around, but I knew my one month of serious training wasn't going to work out.

I've learned my limits and I think finally after five marathons, this was the first marathon where I had each mile mapped out in my mind and knew what to expect from my body. We'll see how this “body sense” works in my next marathon. While disappointed, I enjoyed my time and company with my friends. I am considering hiring a trainer this time. I'm simply not improving my time. Thoughts from my fellow bloggers and readers?