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I visited Chicago a long time ago as a kid. Some years ago, while doing the Mitten Challenge, I drove from Wisconsin to Michigan through Illinois and I remember seeing the Sears Tower. Otherwise, never really been there. The Chicago Marathon is a world major. I don't really love HUGE races but it would be nice to complete the majors. I think 2 years ago or so, I didn't get in through the lottery. Last year, schedule didn't work. This year, I put my name and ... Got in. Becky got in as well so I thought that's awesome. Right away I booked a hotel but not a flight. Silly. I really wasn't sure what's what. I was hoping to make it a mini-vacation with Elizabeth but it just didn't work out. As is, the plan was to get there Friday, do the 5K on Saturday (Did I mention there was a 5K?), run the Marathon on Sunday, eat a Chicago pizza and such and then fly back on Monday. Really hoped Elizabeth could join me.
A few weeks before the race, I finally got airline tickets. I should have told Elizabeth about this right away especially as I was also doing Marine Corps marathon in the same month but I don't know why, I just didn't. I really don't know why... Really stupid actually. She got mad. She was right to get mad. I was wrong.
Jamey picked me up Friday morning and took me to the airport. Everything went smooth. Only "bad" thing, I was in a middle seat in the back. I got to LGA and asked about switching. I was told that the flight was full. Oh well. A few minutes later, I hear a version of my name. I go over. Apparently there's a couple that would like to sit together and would I mind switching. It's still a middle seat but closer to the front AND it's an exit row. YES!!! More leg room.
I sat down and eventually my seat mates showed up. The window seat had a woman who had the same watch as me. Of course, I started talking to her. No, she isn't running the marathon but ... We talked for a while. The aisle seat woman heard and she also joined the conversation. She also wasn't running but she had run it before. She also said that she was going to hang around mile 20 and she will be on the lookout for me. Sure... She's going to find me within 50,000 people... Still, that was nice.
Before we landed the captain gets on the air and tells the passengers to wish the runners next to them good luck for the race. Nice!
Uber to hotel, dropped things off and uber to expo. It was huge. I absolutely hate huge expos. Got my stuff and realized that I'm not doing well. Very hungry. Never did this but at the expo, they had pizza. I bought pizza and scarfed it down. From there, back to the hotel.
Next morning, uber to the 5K. Not sure what's what. Follow the idiot in front. Saw Ed Childress and hung out with him. He never remembers me. That's ok. We talked and talked and eventually went into the corral. It was the last corral. Coral D. I don't necessarily mind last corral but what I mind besides running late was the fact that when I finally got to the starting line, I was behind slow walkers. It was that bad. I definitely ran more than a 5K. I had to go around people. I kept thinking that it was good that this happened so I can save myself a little for the marathon. On the other hand, I was also thinking that this was too slow and crazy. There were times that I ran on the sidewalk BEHIND spectators. It was that bad...
Got my finisher's medal and walked until I could find a place that I can take Uber. In that sense, the 5K was a great idea. I kinda got an idea of the land.
Back to the hotel. Haven't heard from Becky except that her flight got pushed. Work troubles for me as well.
Becky: Jamey and I met Becky at The Marine Corps 50K. We immediately hit it off and ranabout 26 miles. I was looking forward to seeing her. Finally she replies that she landed and is at the expo. Nothing else. I tried her again later and nothing...
Went to sleep to get ready for the next day. I left her a message saying what time I will wake up and hoping to see her tomorrow.
Woke up and I knew this day would be tough. Stressful. I originally was going to come back Monday AM. Elizabeth wanted me back on Sunday. Changed plans...
Sunday morning: I got ready and packed up. Left my things downstairs. The "plan" was to run 26.2 then rush to hotel. Change clothes (wash face etc) then race to airport. My flight was supposed to take off at 6:30pm. In theory it should all be ok. Let's talk about reality now.
Got ready and Ubered as close to race site as possible. Had to do some walking as street closures were already in place. It's interesting how different NYC and Chicago do things. Chicago's race starts 7:30-ish I believe. I'm in the 3rd (last wave), corral K (first corral). I wasn't sure exactly when we would start. I think we were scheduled to start around 8:30. Chicago had 50,000 people. This years NYCM has 55,000 people. When I did NYCM, I was in Wave 3, which started at 10:40. I have friends who are in the 5th wave and will start at noon which guarantees them a finish in the dark which SUCKS!
Anyway, I'm walking to the start. Becky on/off texts. She's on her way but went back to hotel for her chapstick. She cannot run without it. Did I mention that we completely gelled last time?
I got there and went through security and straight to the port-a-potties. The line was about 10 deep at this point. When it was my turn, I cautiously looked inside and loudly said nope. Someone left a mess in there. People are PIGS! Did what I needed to do in a clean one. When I came out, the line was approximately 50-60 people deep. Crazy.
Walked around a lot. Found some bushes and peed twice. I was NOT the only one. Males and Females did there thing. Finally time to head back. Becky was in the corral. I passed by some nervous 20 year olds who weren't sure what to do. I just smiled and said "just pee already. No one cares" as I walked away. I heard laughter. I'm sure that helped. I got to the corral and it was sardine city. I couldn't get in. Called Becky.
ME: Where are you? HER: I'm wearing a black hat. ME: Seriously?!? Jump up and down. ME: There you are!
Pushed through politely and got to her. Quick hug. It was good to see her. She's nervous and upset. Can't find the damn chapstick. Oh boy. What am I dealing with?!?
A few minutes later as we move up, joy has come to the world again. She found her chapstick. She forgot she put it in a special place so she won't lose it again. That special place you ask? In the sports bra, right between her boobs!
Yes - That's Becky!
I won't go into all the conversations we had together. I will jot down a few though...
A runner ahead of us had a thong under her running shorts. It was obvious. Here's the conversation:
ME: How do people wear thongs during a marathon? HER: My A$$hole hurts right now thinking about the thong. ME: *laughing*I should mention that she did NOT say this quietly.
We also discussed the beauty of ITG (Inner Thigh Gap).
As I said, I will not mention everything.
People did pop those New Years Confetti Poppers and she and I were both alarmed and agreed that it was stupid of people to do.
Everything went well. We ate up the miles. We both stopped to pee behind some bushes. She also stopped at a port-a-pottie to pee in. We went on.
Perhaps it was in "Boys Town" (Very silly name in my not so humble opinion), but college kids had a keg and were trying to get someone to do a keg stand. At one point they started cheering madly so I guess someone agreed. We missed it unfortunately.
Lots of flattish bridges in Chicago.
In Chinatown, they had a dragon and it was cool. Unfortunately, that's when her thighs started cramping up. Slow going after that. I didn't want to leave her. Oh well.
We finished up and hugged and she limped along while I hightailed it out of there. Out of the park and security. Out of the no car zone. Finally Uber working but have to walk a bunch more blocks until it was ok. Uber to the hotel. Very quick change over and Uber to airport. I had a 6:30pm flight to catch. I would have made it. Got to the airport at 4 to hear that flight is delayed. NY was getting a Nor'Easter and therefore only allowing 3 planes per hour. The 6:30 became the blah blah which got delayed to the blah blah which eventually ended up being the 9:02pm flight. I was starving by the way and bought 2 personal pan pizzas and I destroyed them. I also ran into Jeffrey Ho and his Girlfriend. They got to stay at the lounge. Nice for them and sucks for me. They ended up on my 9:02 flight. They did bring me some munchkins which was nice.
Finally, around 1am, I was home...