I RUN CHI

I ran my first marathon on a whim. A little less than a year after I had started running, and about 6 months after my first 8k. I decided to do so well after the registration had closed, so I turned to craigslist for a bib. In retrospect, I realize that this is frowned upon and illegal, but at the time it didn’t matter. I had a goal to accomplish and was determined to see it through come hell or high water.

I briefly considered securing an entry by raising funds for a charity, but ultimately decided against it. I wasn’t ready to announce to the world that I was attempting such a feat, let alone ask them for money to help me do so. I’m a proud person, almost to a fault at times. I was terrified of failing in front of an audience so I kept it to myself and kept running.

No sooner than I had made this decision I became injured. Towards the end of a long run, the outside of my knee began to feel strange. I didn’t pay it too much mind at first, until I was confronted by it again the following weekend. The discomfort caused me to cut the run short by 6 miles, I was devastated. Knowing what I know now I’d hope to take an injury in stride. Back then, it seemed like the end of the world.

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Predicted:         1:45:59 or better to qualify for Corral “C” for Chicago

Actual:              1:50:35, qualified for Corral “D”

In my personal opinion, everything from the expo to race day logistics and such went off without a hitch.  Great job “Rock ‘N Roll” staff and volunteers! I’m happy to have participated in this race, however I’m disappointed in my performance.  Long story short, I should of ate better on the day prior.  My stomach was upset at the start of this race and became progressively worse during.  Just before mile 7, I broke down and used the Porta-John.  Between waiting for one to become available, getting comfortable and handling my business I wasted approximately 5 minutes.  Needless to say, once this was all over I felt much better and was able to salvage the remainder of the race.  I finished and qualified for Corral “D”, with 15 seconds to spare.  Lesson learned.

Kept my mileage in the upper thirties for the last two weeks.  I’m planning to dial it down a bit this week.  Although I am shooting for 17 this weekend, as opposed to the scheduled 13.1 miles.  

I’ll be tackling my half marathon a Week from Sunday or 8/14.  In my mind I’m visualizing a cooler day, mid 70’s at most, with relatively low humidity.  Some overcast wouldn’t hurt either.  That’s not too much too ask for right?  

In any case, I’ll be at the starting line, gunning for 1:45:59 so I can qualify for Corral “C” for Chicago.  Under normal circumstances this wouldn’t be such a lofty goal.  Especially considering that I finished SF10 with an average pace of 7:33 min/mi.  However, lately things have been anything but normal.  

Fuck it, I’m goin’ in.