This is How We Spectate. #ChiMarathon

Early Sunday morning we left our place to get some coffee before heading to mile 23.5 to spectate the Chicago Marathon.

Michigan Ave was completely empty and devoid of spectators and runners- this was the final stretch. Around mile 26. 

We took the EL down to 35th ave to hang out near the Goose Island bus to spectate. This area isn't too crowded and is a prime spot to take photos.


After seeing some  wheelchair athletes fly by, we saw the men's leaders. It is incredible how they make 4:xx pace look so effortless and easy.
A little while later we saw the women's leaders.
And then saw complete bad ass Deena Kastor on her way to a 7th place finish in 2:27 and 10th place Sara Hall who had a huge PR to finish in 2:31!
Eric  who had already volunteered in the morning came out to join our little cheer station. We had a lot of fun cowbelling and cheering and taking photos of our friends who were running this year. Huge congrats to everyone who ran this year!
After seeing many of our friends run by, we decided to to get an IPA from the Goose Island bus to take with us on our walk back home. Instead of taking the EL back to our place we decided to walk along Michigan ave- there was no shortage of spectators with fun signs to read.
On our way back up Michigan ave, we stopped by Motor Row brewing to rehydrate. Spectating is hard work! We continued watching the runners from the bar on their 2nd level.
We eventually made our way back up to our condo and I cheered for runners while handing out pretzel rods. We brought the Whistle Pig downstairs in time to cheer for one of our Mikkeller Running Club runners who was completing his first marathon. At mile 26 we congratulated him and all took a small shot of whiskey with him to celebrate.
This is how we spectate.


-Xaarlin

Spectating the 2014 Chicago Marathon

On Sunday I went out to spectate the Chicago Marathon. I was especially excited to see the elites because I never get to see them in action- I'm usually eating their dust- following in their footsteps in the same race. Some of my friends were running and I was happy to cheer for them and lift their spirits at mile 24.

I watched the first half of the marathon on TV- which was an awful broadcast. They pretty much only showed the men, and kept cutting to human interest stories instead of showing THE RACE. And I have no problem with the human interest stories, but I want to watch the race. Save that stuff for later.


I rode my bike down to mile 23ish- 35th and state where Goose Island was hosting a fun viewing area. They were giving out free shirts and bottle openers. It also happened to be the best place to photograph the runners due to the position of the sun along the course.


The excitement was building as the lead men were getting closer to where we were.


It was exciting seeing some of the wheelchair participants zooming by.


Then the lead pack of men flew by!


With Bekele trailing.


The insanely inspiring Wesley Korir on his way to an 8th place finish.


More elites, including the first American male to finish, Bobby Curtis.


More elites at mile 23ish.


I was taken off guard when the lead women approached. This was the only shot I got- the eventual winner, Rita Jeptoo.


Amy Hastings who placed 5th and tied her PB.


Lisa Uhl in her debut marathon.


I got to see Pete B, Corey, Manny, Kimberlie, and Joe at mile 24. I should have stayed at mile 23ish because the sun was behind us at 24 and was not optimal to take photos.

It was fun spectating and seeing my friends killin it out on the course. The weather couldn't have been any better for a marathon and it showed.. I believe all of my friends got PR's or Course Records!


When I got home I felt exhausted. Spectating is hard work, yo.


--Xaar

2013 Chicago Marathon

First off   HUGE CONGRATS to my L for getting a 30 MINUTE PR in his 2nd marathon for a 5:41!!! I cant say enough how proud of him I am :)

The theme of the marathon this year was "life is better when we're connected." That phrase was on all the banners hanging on the streets of Chicago- and for this race, couldn't have been more accurate.

Throughout the summer, I don't think there was one run I had on the lakefront where I didn't side 5 or say hello to someone I knew. Chicago may be a large urban city, but this running community is tight. Seeing Jenny, Ken, Jeff, Chanthana, Marla, Hillary, Vicky, Chris, and Kim, on Saturday mornings or randomly at Fleet Feet events always lifted my mood tremendously. The support and encouragement online is also always nice to come home to. It still amazes me how running is no longer a solitary sport- but instead something very social and fun.

At the expo:

We went to the expo with my co-worker and her 2 friends who were all in town to run their first ever marathon. While there we ran into Declan! He hung out with us while we waited in line to change my bib from corral C to G. (Yes, the Chicago marathon was very strict about starting in your assigned corral this year and I needed to start with L. Luckily it was a quick and easy swap of a bib at the help desk)

Photo stolen from Declan.

While meandering through the endless booths of the expo we ran into Sara and Erica.  And also saw Britt at the Truebar booth. Those bars are really tasty BTW.

 After walking 3 miles in McCormick place, we took our obligatory "pose with the bib" shots and went home.

 The night before the race:

We went to our favorite Japanese place and I ate ALL THE FOODZ.. AKA Soba noodles and tempura veggies.

Pre race thoughts: (aka my knee is Fu*ked)

On Thursday on my way to the Nike store, I smashed my knee hard in the EL turnstile. Like I'm seeing stars and my leg is going numb kind of smash. At this point I was happy I wasn't "racing" the marathon because I had a 2" welt on the bony part of my knee- like where the ITB is. AWESOME.

Other than that snafu, I just wanted L to have a great race. His training had been going well considering all the cross country- overseas trips for business. We knew it would be a great day to run together.

Race day!!

Luckily we live a stones throw from Grant Park and didn't have to get up too early- minus to eat some oatmeal at 4:30am.

There's a certain electricity in the air on race day that just cant be put into words. It's the nervous excitement-anticipation of what's to come, it's the calm that comes over you while waiting for the gun to go off, its the rush you get as you cross the start and start your watch. It's the celebration of many months of hard work.

We got into our corral easier than in years past.And waited in the "cold" since we were in the 2nd wave. We saw the flyover honoring the Boston marathon victims, and heard the announcers introduce the elite field.

 While in the corral I heard someone call my name- and it was Sonja on of my FF Cheer buddies!
Sorry I didn't recognize you immediately Sonja. 

Sonja and I.

Soon it was go time, and as the corral made its way to the start, clothes started being shed and a hush came over the crowd as we inched forward

 Memories vs Splits

The sound of 1000's of runners breathing and their shoes hitting the pavement.

The sight of loads of men taking advantage of the dark tunnel in the start to relieve themselves.

Hearing the roar of the spectators gaining strength as you got closer to State St.

Running down State street and seeing spectators, signs, and a sea of runners in front of you.

 "You're running better than Congress."

"Smile if you peed/pooped your pants."

"Chuck Norris never ran a marathon."

"My arms are tired, how are your legs."

Seeing the runners ahead of you waving to the residents in the nursing home who were watching from their rooms. (mile 6ish?)

Hearing the cars honking as they drove by.

Seeing loads of pups out with their owners.

Seeing a cat in a cage next to its owner who was spectating.

Seeing the parts of the city I never have visited outside of the marathon.

The ROTC rifle team

The cheerleaders in Boystown.

Elvis in Old Town.

Giving high 5's to so many people I lost track.

The tree lined streets starting to change colors for the season.

The way your feet stick to the pavement after going through the gatorade portion of the aid station.

Giving L a big sweaty kiss that *hopefully* the course photog captured.

An older man in a wheelchair whose legs had been amputated cheering for the runners. and yelling at the younger ones for walking around mile 20. "You are young, run wile you can, you have no excuse."

Giving a high 5 to a boy who had down syndrome and the huge smile that resulted while his mother recorded the moments on her phone.

The distinct smells and sounds of each and every neighborhood and the way each group celebrates the marathon in its own way.

Passing under the gates of Chinatown and knowing we only had about a 10k to go.

Stopping at mile 23 and getting a beer from the Hash House Harriers. As I got one cup from someone, another person said "take another." I did. We enjoyed that beer immensely. Sidekick by Two Brothers.

Looking over and seeing L smile so big as we crossed the finish.

Overcome with emotion at how this incredibly diverse city comes together.

The smiles on the volunteers faces.

Marathon Shuffle.

                                            

 That good sore feeling you get once you stop running.

How great that (2nd) beer tastes after 6 hours of being on your feet.

 Literally running into Jaime and June right after they finished. We didn't even txt to meet up. It just happened and i'm so glad we got the chance to chat for a bit.

Seeing my L so happy to feel good immediately after his 2nd marathon, and right before 24 hours of travel to Asia.

Post Marathon.

It's the co-workers who always poke at me for running long (all in good humor) that came up to me Monday to ask how it went.

It's that sense of accomplishment and awe and amazement that only comes with a marathon finish. 

 And now the streets are devoid of the moving city of runners for another year.

Life really is better when we're connected.

Chicago, Chicago, Chicago!

This Sunday is my 3rd Chicago marathon and I'm just as excited for this one as I was for my first.


In 2011, I ran the Chicago marathon for the first time with my Daad. I remember being blown away by all the spectators and the "moving city" of runners as it made its way through the streets of Chicago and all its neighborhoods.


My Daad and I still talk about that race in 2011- it was his last marathon before his knee forced him to retire from running.


In 2012, my L decided to run his first marathon, so it was a no brainer that I would be by his side every step of the way. We had some setbacks that day but also had a lot of fun together.


looking back on state st.

I haven't ever ran with music for the Chicago Marathon because there's so much to look at enjoy along the course.



The smells of chocolate in the loop, all the crazy spectator signs, and being in a huge crowd of runners going through all the distinct neighborhoods of Chicago is stimulating enough.


You never know who you might see spectating the race...


I love how distinct the neighborhoods are. From Boystown to Pilsen to Chinatown, each area has it's own unique way to celebrate the marathon.



The cheerleaders of Boystown.


Elvis around mile 10 in Old Town


Taiko drummers near Chinatown


I love how people celebrate this race. There's rarely a dull moment on the course.


Chinese dragons


At mile 23 last year I spotted the Chicago chapter of the Hash House Harriers handing out beer. I drank some and have to say beer never tasted so delicious and cold. I plan to grab a beer again from them this year :)


I'm so freaking excited to run the streets of Chicago again with L, and 45000 other runners and experience the sights and smells of this town I call home.

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!

- xaar