Now, everyone had said how flat the Chicago course is which sounded perfect for the South Florida girls. Well, everyone wasn't exactly telling the truth. Right after the start, you run under the BP Bridge which is a pedestrian footbridge that spans Columbus Drive and right up a hill... the first of several. Let me see if I can break the race down by miles... (I'm using some guides to help me remember the locations and landmarks)
Mile 1 - it was generally still packed in so you couldn't go much of anywhere. There were some turns that created a log-jam effect that you would have to almost walk around. M & I were able to stay together for one mile before we lost each other. We had previously agreed that if this happened, we weren't going to waste the mental and physical energy to try to stay together. The first Aid Station was around 1.5 - which is where I made my first critical error. I knew the stations were going to be about 2 blocks long and have Gatorade and water. Usually the stations are mixed with some G then water, then more G, then more water... but all I saw was Gatorade for the whole block. Well, in my mind I was thinking that I know I need to hydrate early and often, so I'd better grab what they have. So I drank some Gatorade. Then I came across the block of water and washed it down. The error was that I never drink straight Gatorade because I pay for it down the line...
Mile 2-7 - We passed that Chicago Theater that you would know if you saw it. That was about all I remember that stood out there. A lot of spectators, a lot of music, some bands, people out with hoses. I had water at each stop because I didn't want to get dry. Supposedly there was a Goethe Statue at mile 6, but I didn't see it. I did start to notice that my watch was off from their mile markers...
Mile 8 - The Gatorade caught up with me here and I had to make a pit stop. Luckily all the Aid Stations had a line of port-o-johns... unluckily it seemed that a lot of people were having issues around Mile 8. I was about 4 in my line and standing there watching everyone run by was SO FRUSTRATING!!! to lose a good 5 minutes at least. Also, coming out of the john, my race number tore. I knew I wasn't going to be a happy camper having it flap around for 18 miles, so I grabbed a piece of medical tape and taped it around my number belt. Voila! Mile 8 was also the gay area which was so funny - they had a gun twirling group dancing to Lady Gaga, singers in drag, and a cheerleading section. Loved the energy and having all the spectators the whole way really was pleasantly distracting.
Mile 9-12 - The Lincoln Park and Old Town area. Tons of people were peeling off in Lincoln Park and piddling behind trees. There was a good Beatles cover band in there, too. Around Mile 10 in Old Town there was an Elvis impersonator that was pretty good. White jumpsuit, mutton chops and all.
Mile 13-15 - We passed the Sears Tower and the United Center. I clearly remember running straight towards the Tower but don't remember seeing the Michael Jordan statue. Probably because I had to make another pit stop along the way - costing me another few minutes. Stupid Gatorade. This was also the Half-Marathon mark where I remember thinking about only being half-way done. I saw that I had about a 2:20-something half split which I was OK with.
Mile 16 - This was the first point where I started to feel my body getting tired. I remember thinking that if you wanted to stop, you would just have to go to an Aid Station and they'd drive you back to the start. But I knew that wasn't going to happen.
Mile 17-20 - This part took us through Little Italy. Again there was a statue of Joe DiMaggio that I missed. The Clif Shot table was in here. Even though I had plenty, I grabbed one and tucked it in my sportsbra strap. I had somehow lost 2 along the way so I figured better safe than sorry.
Mile 21-23 - Running through Chinatown. I missed the big overhead Welcome gate (I was busy running), but saw the two guys in dragon head costumes dancing around. We also passed Comiskey Park which I don't remember at all. Clearly I was beyond paying attention at this point.
Mile 23-25.2 - The long stretch of Michigan Avenue towards the finish. This was where I really started to hurt. My legs were tired and I could feel blisters forming on my feet. I spent more time walking in here than I really wanted to, but it was all I had at the moment. I had the 5:00 pace team on my heels at this point. Then you see that 25.2 sign and realize you only have a mile left. I could tell by my watch how close to 5:00 I was and I realized that I could beat it if I pushed.
Mile 25.5-27 - We passed the 800m to go mark and I just kicked it in that I was really going to finish this and I was going to give it all I got. The signs kept coming... 500m, 400m... make a right to cross that final bridge... 200m... and make a left and there is that FINISH arch. Waiting there just a few meters away. It was a bit overwhelming to see it and realize that it was over!!! I'd like to say "I couldn't believe it!" but I really could... I had spent 5 hours realizing what I was working towards. :) You see that I say "-27"... all of our GPS's said we were over 27 miles by the end. Extra credit?
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