Four Hands to Hold: 2011

Yesterday I ran the Chicago Marathon for the second time. It had been 7 years since my first time running it. This time around was definitely more of a challenge since my training runs had to be coordinated with 3 little boys & my husband's work schedule. I had a lot of help from friends, family, and my husband to be able to get in all my training runs. I developed 2 injuries (shin splints & tear in my calf) during the 20 weeks of training. Due to this I had to receive numerous ART (active release technique) therapy sessions just to be able to run with minimal pain. I took 2 complete weeks off and many times thought there was no way I would ever be able to finish this race. Since I was determined to make my best attempt I carried on and finished my last training run. Saturday my parents, husband and I drove up to Chicago and headed straight to the expo to pick up my packet. I had tears in my eyes as soon as we walked in. Nerves, fear, excitement, and unknown of the outcome were getting the best of me. I came down with a cold and had a fever Saturday afternoon and once again thought there was no way I was ever going to be able to run 26.2 miles in the morning!!! After a quick phone call to a running friend I started loading up on the Airborne, water, orange juice and Advil. Sunday morning I woke up still feeling not quite right but the adrenaline kicked in and I made my way down to the start line. My family left me just as I was entering the park and told me they couldn't wait to see me at mile 10. I entered the extremely crowded corral and waited for the race to start. The first 10 miles felt good. A little slower than my normal pace but they felt really comfortable and I knew if I was going to finish I needed to take it slow. At mile 10 my dad jumped in and ran with me for a little while before letting me go on and saying they would see me again at mile 17. I started to slow even more and walked through all the water stations. By this time the temp has risen and many runners were starting to feel the affects. There were people standing outside of their businesses and home with water hoses spraying people to cool them down. There were also kiddie pools filled with ice, water, and sponges so that you could squeeze the sponge down the back of your neck to cool your body temp. By mile 17 I had hit the wall. I saw my family and started to walk. I walked til mile 19. At that point some random lady on the street gave me a popsicle and I started to cry. I swear if that woman had not given me a popsicle I would not have finished the race! The icy sugar pepped me up to run SLOWLY to mile 23 when I had to walk again to mile 25. The last mile I sucked it up and ignored my screaming quad muscles and continues to run to the finish line. I have no idea how my race photos will turn out because I started to cry again at the finish. This race was such a challenge. I trained for 20 weeks during and incredibly HOT summer. I missed training runs due to injuries and sick kids who needed me to cuddle them rather than go for a run. I woke up with a fever and stuffy head on race day and wasn't sure if I would make it. While this race was not my strongest running time I will probably always remember it the most. Having my family there to cheer me on made all the difference. I am so glad I never gave up and kept on going to the finish line. At mile 22 I hugged my mom and said I think I am going to be able to finish this thing. While I am definitely not ready to run another race anytime soon (Mini Marathon is not til May) I do think someday I will attempt another full marathon. But first I am going to let my legs heal up and spend lots of time enjoying the upcoming Holiday Season with my boys! They are SO excited for Halloween!

the expo