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

A busy day

At 2:30 am CB woke us up. We quickly threw on our clothes because we knew not to question him. We took the elevator to the street where he proceeded to vomit multiple times and have diarrhea. Crisis averted! I then take 20 minutes to google his symptoms/home remedies and found that not giving more than a few teaspoons of water at a time helps prevent additional vomiting. Whereas letting him drink all he wants would induce more vomiting.



A few hours later the same thing happened and I jumped out of bed and took him out so he could once again relieve himself.



Another 2 hours pass and I take him out one last time before heading to work. He barks at small kids in the elevator which makes me slightly less concerned about him being sick. I give him a few probiotic treats and don't give him breakfast.

I feel bad leaving him to go to work, but L was working from home so I knew CB was in good hands.



At work I had to go to a different building and count our inventory of supplies. 4.5 hours later the we got to take a break and see some gorgeous views of Chicago which made me feel just a bit better.



On my way home I got CB some oatmeal, rice and carrots to cook a super bland meal that he will eat for the next few days until things return to normal.



He ate all of the small amount of food I gave him and looked at me with those sweet blue eyes begging for more- which I declined due to the early AM events.



He ended up sleeping through the night without incident and now seems to be back to normal. I have no idea what caused this stomach bug but I'm happy he's feeling better.




-Xaarlin

The run that sucked ass

Last week I wanted to run outside after work. It was a gorgeous day and also the first day of autumn so I couldn't resist heading outside and enjoying a run before the weather gets too cold. I had run a little in the morning to warmup for a circuit workout I completed before work, but wanted to go for a nice run outside later on.

The first half mile My legs felt rusty and heavy which was to be expected after a day of sitting at my desk and a strength circuit in the morning. After another mile the feeling never went away. I had planned on running 4 miles but around mile 1.2 I just wanted to give up and walk home. I kept going, only to have to amend my planned route of northerly island due to a concert which didn't make me any happier.

Each time my foot hit the ground I felt like it was making a huge thud. I began to remember how springy and agile I felt just months prior which made me even more upset. My anger was amplified due to carrying around an extra 8lbs that I accumulated over the past 5 months because of stress and eating and drinking too much and not running enough to balance it out (along with clothes not fitting properly which is really what is causing my anger). And with each thud of my foot my weight gain and being out of shape were made painfully clear to me. If that wasn't bad enough- I wore my Nike shorts which aren't spandexy and snug and to add insult to injury, they started chaffing my legs with each step.


I finished the 5 mile run and was so ridiculously happy to be done. I even caught a glimpse of "ChicagoHenge" which didn't make up for the entirety of the sucky ass nature of this particular run, but it helped. Gaining weight, being out of shape, clothes not fitting, northerly island being closed, chaffing, & an early morning morning strength session which destroyed my legs made for one of the worst runs I've had in a while. It can only get better from here.




-Xaarlin