The Chicago Pre-Marathon Blog

Well, it's finally almost here.  The Chicago Marathon is just 4 short days away.  I can't believe it.  I've been thinking about and planning for this day for over a year. 

First I watched the website like a hawk for the registration date to be announced, then I waited for registration day....only to be shut out....then I waited for "the lottery"....only to be shut out....and then we managed to get spots in the race through Marathon Tours (for double the cost)...and then finally began months and months of training.

And finally it's here!  I wish I felt 100% ready to go....ready for a perfect race, but there's probably never really such a thing.  So here's the Good, The Bad, and the Is What it Is

The Good:

• I have had a great (mostly) injury free training cycle.
• I completed 3 20+ mile runs and I feel like my training plan has prepared me for the race
• I get to see my AWESOME friend Coy in a few days and run with her
• I also hopefully get to see one of my good friends from High School Patrick
• And also hope to see the amazing Terzah of BQ by 40 (even though she's not blogging much these days)
• I get to have another great experience with my husband and I know will get to be with him when he sets a new PR
• And I get to run the FREAKING Chicago Marathon!

The Bad:

• I unfortunately had to travel earlier this week for work.....and now I have come down with a cold!  Worst timing ever!  I started taking Airborne about a week and a half ago to try to avoid getting sick, but it's happened anyway.  I've been so worried about it I probably made it happen.  I'm alternating Airborne which is mostly Vitamin C with Cold-Eze which is mostly Zinc and hopeful that it will be short lived.
• I've had a little issue with my left foot for over a year and it's gotten a little worse these last few weeks.  A couple of days walking in DC in heels and it's seriously not happy.  I think it's going to be fine though.  I really doubt it will be an issue (I hope).
• I've gained weight yet again...I'm up about 10 pounds from where I was a few months ago.  I'm running this race much heavier than I would like. Totally my fault, but nothing I can do about it now.

Is What It Is:

• The weather looks like it will be "ok".  Current forecast calls for low 50s to upper 60s with a 30% chance of scattered showers and about 10 mph winds..  Not great, not bad, but ok.  It might be slightly warm, but it won't be hot. 
• The taper....I always enjoy the first week of taper because by the time it comes I need it.  I'm tired.  The second week of taper make you freak out a bit.  It does seem like FOREVER since I did a long run.  I mean 10 miles last weekend...that's nothing.  Trust your training, trust your training!

So that's it.  Come Sunday morning I'll line up at the start line.  I know it will be a wonderful and amazing day no matter what.  It may not be the perfect race I was hoping for, but it will be a great day.  I am trusting in my training and ready to go.

If anyone is interested they do have runner tracking.  I'm Bib # 45710.  I'll be the one taking all day :)

https://register.athletetracking.net/bacm/index.html