This title is slightly misleading because its suggestive optimism clouds the fact that I was in bed sick all weekend with food poisoning or the flue (which, if it was the former, then it was a first too!). Regardless, Chicago had its first two consecutive weekend days of glorious weather -- woo hoo! Saturday and Sunday were perfect for running, or being outdoors at the very least (both of which I did not do due to the aforementioned circumstances. Sucks, I know!).
I bought my first pair of running shoes for this summer, and can say I am super-stoked to stap them on and hit the pavement.
Also, I recieved my first two donations from two former instructors: my Communication prof, Sister Mary Pat H. of Loyola University Chicago, and French teacher, Madame Jancys of Queen Peace High School. A huge MERCI to these wonderful women for getting the summer started right. I think I'm starting to feel better already. :)
6 Hours, 29 neighborhood and numerous gel packs later, Chicago Marathon 2008 is finished! The temp reached 84 degrees that day, and 33,000 runners participated.
A big thank you to all of my supporters for helping to make it happen. Adrienne and Dave made sure I was fueled at mile 9, Teri met up with me at mile 13 to run by my side through the hottest part of the race, I bumped into Rodrigo and Addy at mile 18 while grabbing more gel packs, and Rodrigo found me on the bridge and sprinted the last 200 meters with me (in his flip flops!). It was awesome!
And even more amazing is over $700 will be donated to Hope Runs, which will help its children's program in Tanzania and Kenya. Read more about it at www.hoperuns.org. And fittingly so, the male Kenyans dominated the race this year. Read the Tribune's coverage here.
Along with all the congrats and hugs and handshakes, a question I keep getting is will I do it again next year. If you asked me around mile 23, the answer would have been a exasperated, exhausted and angry " NO WAY!" But a month has passed, the pain wore off, so only more time will tell. Running is addictive so odds are, another marathon is on the horizon. :)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment