25th marathon in the books. Not my fastest by a long shot, but one that I will walk away with lots of lessons. It was hot. Beyond hot. Humid. Excruciating so. And mentally, I knew from the minute I entered the race that this was not going to be my day to run fast. But I didn’t give up — when I wanted to, when I easily could have taken the easy route and done so — but instead, I ran with my heart, ALL HEART, and completed the race.
As usual, I left early on Saturday morning for Chicago.
Went straight to the expo — which was done extremely well and was so easy to go in and out. Took a whopping 10 minutes to get my number and leave.
As always, stayed at my dear friend’s apartment at the start of the race. Nothing makes me feel luckier and more loved than being in her presence.
We ate a slice of pizza at 2:30, which on year 11 of running this race, is what we ALWAYS do at 2:30 on the Saturday before.
The sunset was crazy. I almost dropped my phone off her balcony (62nd floor) to take this photo — but I had to do it — it was beyond stunning.
Our pre race meal. The same as always.
This was me at breakfast — and I think it shows the setting of the day. Big task at hand, all alone but myself to complete it.
Me running.
Lots of nike signs throughout (but unlike last year, about half as many — and yes, that is because Nike has lost so much money and is doing poorly right now).
My remains of the day, besides my cheesy lessons and take aways.
Guzzled down way too many of these. And also ended up drinking a beer at a sports bar which I have not done in a decade. Or more.
Went out to dinner with my hostess, walked almost 55K steps that day!
Saw some signs that I didn’t manage to see during the race itself.
The cute texts from my daughter (also got them from so many friends and family which mean the world to me. Thank you thank you to everyone who reached out — it meant so so much).
Smiling. Done. And yes, my skin on my stomach looks weird. Don’t look.
Ok, so what are my take aways besides not to give up and that I can do hard things? I am curious about my fear — l am so scared about hurting in the future and not finishing the race (I have never NOT finished a race) that I am scared and worry and consume all my thoughts with doubt. What if I didn’t have fear? If I believed that I could do, if I knew that I could do it? Not just in running — but in life. I am going to have to think about it for a long time — how to shift my perspective, how to believe in myself more, how to not be so scared and live in fear — because then, what would happen?
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Anyways, thanks so much for reading the recap. I know it is self promotion so I appreciate the time it takes to read and absorb it all. It was a hard marathon — a flipping very hard one. And I did it, so now, rest and relax, and time to start believing.
