Chicago Marathon

So, I finally have time to write a little about the marathon.
As everyone knows, last Sunday I ran the Chicago marathon.  I got kind of restless the night before, trying to plan out my outfit so it was just right for the weather.  I got it right finally, and found some clothes to wear before the race started and then throw to the side of the road when the race began.  Tons of people wear clothes they don't care about and then ditch them at the start of the race, and then people come and collect the clothes to give to charities.

The race itself was pretty awesome.  You get to run through a million different neighborhoods, and there really are people cheering you on pretty continuously.  I respect anyone who runs marathons where there aren't very many spectators because they really get you through it.  I had taped my name on my shirt which was a brilliant idea because every time someone cheered me by name, I smiled and got a little burst of energy.  I only walked through water stations, which are every 2-3 miles.

Some of the strategies I used to get through it when it got tough (and it got tough multiple times).
-I remembered all of my training.  It really helped that I had run much of the route before and knew I could do it.
-I remembered how far I had come since I first took that step into the gym at Rockhurst all those years ago.  I went from not being able to run more than a straightaway on a track to running 26.2 miles.
-I thought of each mile individually rather than as 26.2 miles.  I viewed the last 3 miles as "just a 5K."
-I read peoples' signs.  Some of my favorites:  "You're inspiring me."  "Go stranger go!  I'm cheering for you stranger," "You've done worse things for much longer," "Running is a mental sport and you're all crazy," "I can do all things through God who strengthens me," and "Pain is temporary, pride is forever."
-I used a few mantras.  At the end in particular I started just saying to myself, "Dig, dig dig dig," to keep going.

When I finished I felt elated.  Never once during that race did the thought ever cross my mind that I wouldn't make it.  I only thought I was crazy once. This race helped me reach a turning point in my life.  I'm no longer a jogger, or a runner, I'm a marathoner.  I have already started using it as inspiration in my life.  If I can run a marathon, I can do anything. I need to have more confidence and faith in myself.

You can do anything if you set your mind to it.  So go run that 5K, or that half, or that marathon.

"Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you're young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don't let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself."
-John Bingham, running speaker and writer

"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard...is what makes it great!"
-Tom Hanks in A League of Their Own

Twas the night before the marathon...

The race is early tomorrow morning so I'll have to attempt to sleep soon.
I've been training for this since June 4th.  Running a marathon has been on my bucket list in the abstract  "I'll do one, one day, maybe," kind of way for a few years now.  And now tomorrow I'm finally doing it.

I've gone through a lot of different stages of feelings during training.  I've been excited, terrified, unsure, angry, and extremely doubtful.  I finally reached a level of acceptance and certainty.  I'm ready to do this.  The time is right.  I just have to trust in my training.  I'm sure it will be incredible.

Like I said on the paper I filled out at the expo--I run to prove I can do anything.  And so I can eat dessert.

I'll have details later!