I Survived Chicago 07

Chicago Marathon day - one for the books, to say the least. Got up at about 4:30, took a run up and down the street real quick, then got ready to head downtown. BC was nice enough to drop us off at the train station, and we took the blue line downtown, then walked to the start area. Got our bags checked and whatnot, then joined into the mass o people waiting for the start. It was already in the 70s with insane humidity. I had brought a bottle of water to drink from so I wouldn't have to stop at the first aid station. The race began, and we started our slow march to the starting line. About 16 minutes later, we finally crossed the starting line.

The first few miles it was tough getting in a groove because things were so crowded. Things started getting a bit less packed, and when I reached the first aid station, it was so crowded that I was glad I brought along my water. I took a few gulps and kept on going. I was a bit off my 10 min/mile pace, but not much. About 6 miles in, my heart rate was already over 170 and I knew that my 4:22 goal was not going to be hit. I started slowing down and walking more at the water stations, and then walking other times too. I thought that perhaps I could still hit a PR... then I thought perhaps I'd break 5 hours. Then by the half way point, so many people were walking that it was tough to run, and about that time I decided I would mix running and walking the rest of the way.

Around mile 20 I started hearing 'the race is cancelled, stop running and start walking' comments, first from a few police officers, and then eventually by some race people with bullhorns. They said we could take public transportation back to the finish line, or we could walk back. So I mostly walked back, jogging occasionally. I eventually made it in 5:34:30. My splits were 5k 32:21, 10k 1:05:03, 15k 1:40:28, 20K 2:19:49, 13.1 miles at 2:27:19, 25K 2:57:13, 30K 3:42:49, 35K 4:27:31, 40K 5:14:47.

Judy was farther back and got diverted between mile 16 and 17 back to the start line, so she got 'done' before I did. We're looking at running Memphis at the start of December so she can complete her first Marathon.