Yesterday was marathon day here in Chicago!
I live right by the marathon path, so I decided to get up bright and early to try and get my run finished so I would be able to get back across the path to my apartment!
I ran 7 miles in 1:02:19, which was an 8:54 min/mile pace. It was a pretty good run, and I didn’t feel dead or too exhausted afterwards, which was good!
I do wish I had pushed a little harder on pace, but I think that’s because the marathon made me feel a bit like a wimp! But look at those trees! One of my favorite parts of fall, other than all the great season foods, are the colors of the leaves!
My freshman year of college I went with my suitemate to visit her family, and her parents drove us up into the Appalachian mountains around the Asheville, NC area in their convertible just to look at the trees!
It was pretty chilly, but totally worth it! We even got to do a little gold mining! Haha, they gave us buckets of sand with pretty rocks that were already in there to sift out… I enjoy projects that 5 year olds can complete.
Looking through these photos was a total flashback! Haha, but I’ll always remember that trip, thanks Jen! So back to 2011… I also wanted to show you all my freakishly bright outfit:
It was dark when I was leaving, but then the sun came up right away… My neon green shirt and purple shorts no longer served their purpose, other than looking awesome.
Right when I finished, the elite runners in the marathon were coming past mile 6 where I was! They were at 27 minutes! It was crazy to watch them run by so quickly!
After seeing them I crossed the park and headed back to my apartment. Once I crossed the path where the marathon looped back down south, I heard the sirens and realized the elite runners were coming down this way, and I was at mile 9 now!
They passed mile 9 at 43 minutes! I couldn’t believe it! I found out later that the winner was Moses Mosop who finished in 2 hours and 5 minutes, beating the course record!
Later on, I headed outside to watch some of the other runners, and to see my brother and sister-in-law’s friend who had come in from Kansas City to run!
Marathon weekend is so exciting here in Chicago – the whole city is buzzing and everyone is out watching and celebrating the runners. It really makes me want to run it next year! We’ll have to see how a half marathon goes first… haha.
Have any of you all watched or participated in a marathon before? Does it inspire you to want to run one?
I’ve run a handful of marathons (most of them in Chicago) and went to cheer/run a bit with friends yesterday. It TOTALLY made me want to do another!
I can’t stop thinking about it!!! I’m going to seriously look into running the Chicago marathon next year.
Hey Katie, you should go for it. I was there last year to watch Olivia run it. So inspiring. Love your blog, keep it up. Many of your thoughts are similar to mine and Jenny’s.
I am seriously considering running next year, maybe you can come out to watch! And I’m glad you and Jenny are enjoying my blog, it’s great to know that you read it!
I’ll do it! I was out of town, but your blog post got me really excited! That and seeing my friend Julie yesterday who ran on Saturday! Marathons are contagious. And addictive. Hahaha.
The energy in the city is so amazing for the marathon! I watched my mom run her first marathon in January and I volunteered at an aid station at CM11 Sunday. It is so inspiring to see everyone running such a distance! I am definitely considering doing my first marathon…
I’m glad you enjoyed volunteering! And maybe we’ll both run it next year!