My first post-Chicago run

After watching and reading plenty of highlights from the New York City Marathon I decided to get out there and complete my first run since crossing the finish line in Chicago two weeks ago today.

The Garmin stayed home, but I have done the route before and know it was a 3.5 mile run. Didn't even make note of what time it was when I left the house so I don't know how long it took. But that doesn't matter right now anyway.

I plan to go out and by some winter running clothes this week as this will mark my first season of winter running. Last year when I took up running (almost a year ago to the day), I opted for the treadmill for the first few months. Can't imagine going back to the treadmill on a regular basis.

And I must say, I'm loving this sleeping in on Sunday morning thing.

Now that was fun

Moments before the horn sounded I was very aware that I was about to take part in something incredibly special. I knew I was about to run one the world's biggest marathons and I knew the spectators had a well-deserved reputation for being very supportive. Yet I was still overwhelmed as I took my first steps across the start line, where I immediately realized the next 26.2 miles were going to redefine my idea of the word "special."

I crossed the start line about one minute after the official race clock thanks to my Preferred Start II corral and I think it was Van Halen's "Right Now" booming through the speakers. How appropriate and how motivating. Now, I am not an incredibly emotional person, or at least I didn't think I was, but wow was I ever overcome with emotion for the first few miles of this race.

While I was totally loving the energy of all the runners and spectators, I did my best to keep reminding myself to follow the advice of experienced marathoners who told this rookie not to go out too fast. I got to the first mile marker in 8 minutes, which is exactly what I wanted to do.

When we made the second left hand turn, south on State, I was on the right side of the pack heading into the intersection. Suddenly I heard shouts of "Frankie" even though my warm-up top was covering the sticker on my race shirt that had my name. Next thing I know I see my father, brother and sister. All three of them right up against the barricade and waving. My sister had not checked into her hotel until 1am that morning, but there she was bright and early with my dad and brother in the front row cheering me on just over a mile into the race. Talk about support!

I didn't think I would see them once, let alone so early into the race. I kept turning my head back to wave and actually had to wipe my eyes dry. And before I composed myself I see them about 2 miles later going north on Lasalle. I spotted them first this time and screamed, giving each a high five and fighting back the tears again.

5K - 24:19
Obviously I got caught up in the excitement and ran the first bit of the race a little too fast even though my first mile was right on pace. But I wasn't too concerned about being 41 seconds ahead of my pace after 5K.

My training program had me running 10 minutes and then taking a 1 minute walk break on long runs. But other running group members and myself adjusted that to 14 minutes of running and then a 1 minute walk break to correspond better with the water stations in Chicago based on our running pace. I felt a little embarassed taking my first walk break because people were cheering so loud and I didn't want them to think I was tired just 14 minutes into the race!

10K - 48:36
Okay, so looks like I am still ahead of my pace and actually speeding up. 1 minute and 24 seconds faster than my pace band suggested, but I was basically sticking right with the 3:30 pace group and not too concerned that this speed would cost me later in the race. I also think I took my first gel just after the 6 mile marker.

15K - 1:12:26
Yes, probably shouldn't be picking up my speed just yet, but I felt incredibly strong and was having the time of my life. (Guess the taper stuff really works). Two minutes and 34 seconds ahead of pace. Probably should slow things down for now. But by now my warm-up shirt has long since been tossed aside and I am not taking more than a few steps without hearing "Go Frankie", "Come on Frankie", "Looking good Frankie", "Fran-keyyyyyy" "Frank the Tank". I guess I lost track of how fast I was going. And it felt effortless at this point. I have never experienced anything like this before. I did my best to acknowledge everyone that called my name, either with a verbal thank you, a quick thumbs up, a thankful smile and nod, and even a high five sometimes.

20K - 1:36:55
Okay, now I'm 3 minutes and 5 seconds ahead of my pace. Way too fast and I tell myself to slow down and stick to my game plan because this pace would mean a sub 3:30 marathon, and while that sounds lovely, it is not my goal for this day. We just passed a lovely area (I think it was that turn from Hubbard to Orleans) - a nice tree-lined street where one house had AC/DC blasting through the speakers. How aweosme!

HALF - 1:42:13
I do the math in my head and realize I am on pace for a 3:24 marathon. But I feel so strong. Maybe I underestimated my ability. Possibly. But I think it was more because I was a rookie who definitely got caught up in the moment and ran the first half a bit too fast. I should've crossed the halfway point in 1:45:00. Instead, I am nearly 4 minutes ahead of pace, but I take comfort in the fact that I am feeling fantastic and know I have plenty of gas left in the tank. I also got excited at this checkpoint because I knew my family was tracking me through their phones and were getting the information.

25K - 2:02:13
Okay, almost done with this leg of the course that a lot of you seem to agree was not a whole lot of fun. Cleary I am stubborn because I haven't slowed down. But I am running consistently and still feel incredible.

30K - 2:28:10
It's now that I recall a 30K race I did in mid-August...a night time race in somewhat humid weather with poorly placed water stations. While I finished that race in great time I felt horrible after crossing the finish line. Not today. I'm still going strong and know the finish line is just over an hour away. Somewhere around the 20-mile mark a woman yelled out "Frankie you're so hot!" to which a fellow runner said "that's flattering" and I replied "flattering indeed." I know she was just trying to offer support, and it worked.

35K - 2:54:42
Okay, I'm working now. I'm feeling good, but I know I am working. No more high-fives for the spectators...sorry guys, I need to save every bit of energy I can. A few good things happened somewhere around this part of the course. I ran through an incredibly crowded intersection with the "Chariots of Fire" music on. AWEOSME AWESOME AWESOME. And I saw my family again. First my sister, also a marathoner, who later said she could see in my face that I was working much harder. She was right. Then my father, who decided to run along with me for what might have been 100 meters. He was proud and I was touched. Then my brother, who managed to get a nice picture of me while he was running backwards. I was just looking past him making sure he didn't topple over another runner.

From hear on out I keep filling my head with nothing but positive thoughts. It's this part of the race that I did the hill training for. This is crunch time. "Only just a few miles down the road" as John Parr's "Man in Motion" song says. And you know I was singing that in my head at this point.

40K - 3:22:15
Wow, I'm almost done. How awesome is this. Why are my calves so tight? I have been taking more walk breaks than I had scheduled. But man this stretch along Michigan seems long. Where's that right hand turn up the hill? Where's the next mile marker?

The last 1.5 miles were the hardest. When I finally turned on Roosevelt I was halfway up the hill and was about to start walking. But a spectator saw this and screamed, and I mean screamed, "Don't stop Frankie!!" so I didn't. I pumped my arms faster and the next thing I knew I turned left and saw a straightaway with the word "FINISH" at the end. My sister saw me cross the finish line (3:34:24) with a nice fist pump but I didn't see her as I was just staring straight ahead. I didn't even think she would be able to get that close.

I got my space blanket, then said "Bring it on" to the girl who placed the well-derserved medal around my neck. About 1 minute after exiting the chute I bumped into my family. Hugs were shared, cell phone calls were being made and congratulations was being offered by my mother, brother-in-law and 4-year-old niece.

I was on top of the world. We all were.

So thank you Chicago for being a great host on a weekend that I will never forget. Thank you to all the spectators who I just might call on for more support next October (still deciding). Thank you to my always supportive family for being there for me when I needed someone to hug right outside that chute.

I will try to post some pics on this blog of me during and after the race...once I figure out how.

That was a long post. Thanks for checking in. I am not even sure my words did justice to the incredible experience I had. But it was incredible and I might just be hooked to this running thing.

Leading up to the big moment...

FRIDAY
Arrived to beautiful Chicago early this day for the start of what would turn into a most amazing weekend that flew past my very lofty expectations and has me rethinking my original plan to run one just one marathon.

The Congress Plaza had me in a room with a shower stall and no tub. I asked to switch rooms so I could take Epsom salt baths before bed and an ice bath after the marathon. Wise move.

Yumke, Jelly and I made our way to the Expo where I bought my new favorite shirt -- a black, long-sleeved, half-zipper New Balance shirt with the Chicago Marathon logo on the left arm -- and a Chicago Marathon glass.

Then relaxed in the hotel room before regrouping for dinner. En route to dinner I walked through the marathon starting area. It was quiet, the barricades were in place and I just paused for a moment to soak it all in. I imagine many a professional athlete does this before a big game, and I figured Sunday was my big game so I wanted to be in the right mental state.

Was in bed by 11pm and didn't get out of bed for another 10 hours, which brings us to...

SATURDAY
Had the the same breakfast I would eventually have on marathon day before meeting Jelly and Yumke at Buckingham fountain for a nice and easy 2-mile run at a slow pace.

After taking Thursday and Friday off it was nice get the legs moving again. I also realized that the minor tender feeling on the side of my knee was nothing. I had read that during one's taper some injuries may seem worse than they are or even the smallest thing may seem bigger...think that was the case here.

Next up was lunch with the first two members of my family who arrived. My dad and oldest brother. After yet another pasta meal, this one at Harry Carey's, my dad gave me a gold cross that he had bought for me during his recent trip to Italy. He said he wanted me to have it during the marathon so that they would be with me the whole way. I was touched and really liked the idea of running with a cross. And since I don't wear a chain I simply pinned the cross to the inside front pocket of my raceday shorts, something I plan to do from now on.

Back to the hotel to rest some more and to prepare everything I needed for raceday. I probably spent 20 minutes pinning my shirt because I wanted it just right. Even, not too high and not too low.

Before I knew it, it was time to reconvene with the group for dinner at Rosebud's in the theater district for more pasta. I noticed that I was feeling more relaxed now than I was at lunch, where I may have been a bit grumpy due to pre raceday nerves.

Back in my room I began a mental preparation routine that I had planned long ago. I re-read the chapter in a running book that talks about marathon visualization and all those other good things. I also put on motivational music, closed my eyes and recalled the past year's dedication to running. The first 5-miler, the first day of the running clinic, the hill training, the speed work, the first 20-miler. All of it. This filled me with confidence and reassured me that I would do awesome on Sunday because I had prepared.

SUNDAY
Woke up at 5:30, moments later I heard the wake-up call in the room beside me. Marathoners across the city were waking up! Had my banana, my oatmeal bar (couldn't make oatmeal in the room), a Cliff bar, some water and out the door I was.

With the training montage from Rocky IV blasting through my headphones I walked through the crowded lobby and onto the street where the air was crisp and the runners were plenty. I was soaking it all in. I had a short walk to the Trophy Tent and got more and more excited with each step I took.

Managed to locate a friend from my running group and we went off together for a short warm up run and then returned to the tent for a light stretch. Was nice to see a familiar face on such an important day. Jelly also arrived around now as well.
Before I knew it, the announcer was calling all runners registered in the preferred start area to make their way to their respective corrals. So off I went to Preferred Start Area II.

I grabbed my buddies' shoulders and wished him luck. He did the same and then we just waited for what would be the start of something really special (which will be the subject of my next post). Stay tuned...

3:34:24

That's how long it took me to complete the 26.2 mile course in beautiful Chicago.

I just got back from the airport si this is just a super fast update for all of you who may have been following along through the training.

To sum it all up in one word - AMAZING!

The spectators were fabulous and I think I owe them plenty of thanks for being there the whole way.

But the most important spectators for me were my father, brother and sister who flew to Chicago to watch the race. They saw me four different times along the course plus my sister saw me cross the finish line. And I saw them three times.

Also, I was glad to be able to share such a major accomplishment with Jelly and Yumke. What a ride it was! Way to go guys. WE DID IT!!!!

A more detailed report will arrive either later this week.

Raring to go

All packed and ready to depart for Chicago Friday morning at 7 a.m. for the big weekend. Have been good all week about getting 8 hours of sleep a night, have eaten well and consumed plenty of water. Now it's just a matter of doing that for a couple more days and then it will be time run.

As for the run, my time goals have gone something like this. When I made the decision last November to run a marathon, I said cracking the 4:00 mark would be great. Since I was not a runner until that day, this time goal was based on nothing more than it sounded good.

But then as I started running I realized 3:45 was doable. Then even further into training it appears 3:30 is within my reach. So I've decided to wear a 3:30 pace band and expect (hope) to finish somewhere in beween 3:30 and 3:40.

I do plan to savor every moment of the race, and especially the last .2 mile as the finish line comes within sight and the crowd is cheering.

Best of luck to you all. Have a great weekend in Chicago.

Back to Blog Land

Hello strangers. I have been ready many running blogs but just haven't been updating mine. So, it's time to offer an update of my own.

Woke up at 7am this morning with all intentions of meeting a few fellow Chicago-bound runners for our 16K race pace run. It was too cold and really windy so I stayed in bed. Figured mored sleep would do me good, and if I waited a few more hours it would warm up. Yes, it's an excuse, but a darn good one I think.

Anyway, I did the run at 3:40 marathon pace and finished 1 minute slower of what the pace band wanted me to do. But it was crazy windy and it was my first run in a week so I think that had something to do with it. I don't think I have ever run in such wind. And for the first few K my hands were really cold.

And as for this being my first run in a week...yes, I took tapering to a new level. It's weird. Five months ago I wouldn't think of missing even a 3-mile run, but now for the past week I just opted for rest since the running conditions here were horrible. I actually went out to do speedwork on Wednesday but it was cold, rainy and windy. Didn't think staying out in that weather for an hour would do me any good. So I only ran for about 20 minuters that night.

Oh well, no big deal. Feeling well rested and very excited about next weekend.

My father, oldest brother and sister are going to be in Chicago to cheer me on. And it turns out my brother's friend from high school and university, who now lives in Chicago, will be in the preferred start II area (as am I) on marathon day. What a coincidence. My brother had lost touch with his friend in the past two years but they got in touch and turns out he is running Chicago too.

Now time for dinner.

Taper time!

Was up at 6:00 a.m. Sunday morning, had a bowl of oatmeal, a banana a Cliff bar and was all set to begin my run at 7:00 a.m. by myself. I could have run with the group at 8:30, but I wanted to be at my friend's place for 1:00 p.m. to watch football so figured I better get an early start.

As I was waiting for Garmin to get a signal I waited inside my lobby as it was too cold to just stand outside. Took off for the run a few minutes after 7 and enjoyed the quiet streets and within a few minutes it didn't seem cold at all.

I guess some runners still don't understand the fact that the body warms up when running because I saw several people running with jackets and jackets tied around their waist. Definitely no need for a jacket today...it was actually a wonderful morning for a run

As I was running east past the Boulevard Club, the final stretch of my run, I saw three guys from my clinic who I would have been running with had I left at the normal time. They were going west. It felt great knowing I was almost done and they still had a ways to go. We didn't chat. I just said "I started at seven" they told me to join them (fat chance), and we exchanged a high-five and I was on my way.

Finished the run in 3:11:56. I noticed that I got a nice surge near the end when I passed a motorcycle whose radio was playing Springsteen's Dancing in the Dark. Music can do wonderful things. I imagine Chicago spectators will have a siilar effect.

Anyway, came home to yet another ice bath. Jelly, if you're reading, the first 5 seconds are tough but then it's good stuff. Just go right in, no hesitation. Best way. I feel good and I am glad to say it's taper time!! Woooooo hoooooo.

Oh yeah, tried out my RaceReady shorts and they get a passing grade. SOlves the whole gel storage for race day. Now just have to decide whether to bring the hydration pack or not.

Anyway, happy running all.