Hey everyone! I hope you are all excited that it’s Friday and have a relaxing weekend ahead of you! Since the big race is in 2 days (!!!) I wanted to take some time to reflect on training for the Chicago Marathon. On Thursday morning I had a 2 mile run – my very last training run for the marathon.
The night before I thought it would be a super upbeat, I DID IT! Kind of run. I considered running on the treadmill to do some speed work, sprinting it out. I didn’t even know what route to do outside because I haven’t done a 2 mile run in ages!
But when I woke up that morning and started to get ready I could see that the sun was just barely rising. I knew exactly what I was going to do. I headed out in the chilly but perfect weather and jogged down to the lakefront and along the water. It was calm, peaceful and reflective.
That route is the first place I ran when I moved to Chicago. I remembered all the miles I logged along that one section of the lakefront path, all the sunrises I’d watched, the runners I’d passed, with the city glowing in the distance.
I spent that time thanking God for the past four months of training, for my excitement, for the way everything worked out perfectly, even when I took a week off and was so scared I wouldn’t be able to finish.
Thursday morning’s 2 miles was a reminder of why I love to run. It’s my release, it’s my calm time, my “me time.” It’s my way to connect to myself, to others, to nature and to God. I’ve been told time and time again that training for a marathon is crazy. For me, it’s been a way to get to know myself better, to love myself more, and to feel more connected to the world. It’s my chance to be a part of something bigger than myself.
Sunday morning I’ll be up before the sun, shaking with nerves and excitement, but I know that no matter what happens I am so proud of myself and so thankful for this experience.
If you want to track me during the marathon, my bib number is 31170 and you can sign up to track me HERE. My wave starts at 8am central time!
**If you are spectating/volunteering let me know where you’ll be! I’ll tweet out an image of what I’m wearing either Saturday night or Sunday morning**
Wish me luck! And a prayer wouldn’t hurt either!
Good luck on Sunday!! Remember, you’ve already done all that you can to prepare, so (try to!) be calm and enjoy the moments along the way. I bet that a year ago you wouldn’t have believed you could be in this moment … It sounds like your 2 miler brought you all the inspiration you could need.
Race your heart out. Race for your heart. And put your heart into your race. If you do, you’ll shine. Pass through that finish line with a smile. If you’re smiling, there’s no way you can lose. 🙂
Haha I’m going to try and stay calm but I have a feeling I won’t sleep well Saturday night! And thanks for the advice – I’ll try and keep smiling the whole way!!!!
Ahhhh good luck, Katie! I can feel your drive and dedication to running through your posts and no doubt you will do incredible. I’ll be looking forward to your recap. 🙂
Thanks, Angela!
wooo!!! so excited for you! can’t wait to get lunch today!
Yay! Tina is almost here!!
love it. that’s just how i felt during my 4 mile run the other day. i think my overwhelming feeling during this whole training process has been one of gratitude. i am so thankful that i am able to run, that i am able to be active. can’t wait for sunday!
Yay!! See you sunday!
Yaaaay Katie!! I wish John and I could be up there to cheer you on! Watching all the runners is so amazing and inspiring. You will do awesome!! Good luck to you!!
Thank you Liz!
I am so excited for Sunday… except for this cold I’ve developed and my swollen foot. Hmmm. But you sound wonderfully ready for your first marathon!! It is so amazing to think about how much you have already accomplished just training for the marathon! I am so excited for you! I hope I run (literally?!?!? I’m too funny) into during the marathon!
Your adrenaline will push you through!!! We’ll both kill it!
You KNOW I’ll be praying!!!
Thank you Lindsay!
Good luck on Sunday! I’ll be thinking of you!
Thanks Sarah, good luck to you too!
I’ve seen the city workers getting the streets set up for the marathon all week, and I’m so excited to see everyone cross the finish line! I get chills just thinking about it! Good luck on your race, and congrats on all of your hard work thus far!!
Thanks Kelsey!! I saw a lot of it today, it’s so exciting!
You’re going to do AMAZING! I’m so, so excited for you! 🙂 Enjoy marathon day!
Thank you, Kaitlyn!
So excited and proud of you! Take some deep breaths and just go for it. You’ll rock it! I’ll be praying! Love you!
Lol I’m definitely going to need to remember to breath!
You are going to kill it on Sunday. I’ve been to a lot of races in my day, but I’ve never been to one with an atmosphere quite like Chicago. The expo (oh, the expo. Heaven on earth, let me tell you), the start line, the crowd, the post-race: all of it is to celebrate YOU and how unbelievably awesome you are. You’re prepared and you’re going to amazing. I absolutely can’t wait to hear ALL about it!
I don’t expect to be able to spectate much of the marathon until 11:30ish (or possibly 10:30ish if my schedule gets messed up), but I’ll probably be in the finish-ish area from 11:30 until ? (no later than 2:00). I’ll keep an eye out for you, and be sure to say hey if you see me! I’ll make you famous if you do 😉
I would love to become famous!! I’m hoping to finish around 12:20-12:30. I’ll try to tweet you?
For sure! I’ll have my phone, so I’ll keep an eye out!
Such a beautiful place to run. I love Chicago!
Good luck! You will do great! 🙂
Thank you, Kristen!
Best of luck to you on Sunday. You do inspire.
Thank you, Carol!
Good luck! You’re going to be fabulous!
Aww thanks Natalie!
Good luck!! It’s going to be tough but you are trained and ready, make sure you stay strong mentally! Oh ps, enjoy the journey, it’s incredible!
Thank you, Victoria!! I’ll try to enjoy it all!
Good luck!! You’re going to do great!
I’ll be looking for you along the homestretch :).
I’ll be looking for you too! I’m sure I’ll need a friendly face at that point!
Good luck!
Thank you!
I have loved reading about all of your training and your marathon journey. You are such an inspiration! You will rock it!
Awww thank you, Danii!
You’re going to do AMAZING!!!
Thank you, Laura!
AHH! two days! It is almost here! Good Luck if I don’t see you before Sunday morning!! 🙂
Good luck to you too!!! I’ll try and text you afterward, I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you!
Good luck! You are going to be awesome!
Thank you Laura!!
Your going to do amazing!!! Good luck. I CANNOT wait to hear all about it.
Thank you, Brittany!
best of luck to you Katie, will send you happy wishes for a wonderful and positive first marathon! I tell myself when I race (not that far:)!) – trust yourself, celebrate your strength, relax, enjoy, finish the race with grace, and remember to smile and be present in and grateful for the experience.
That is great advice, thanks Jen!
GOOD LUCK!!!!! You’ll do great in the marathon!
I also just wanted to say how much this post resonated with me :]
I can’t wait to hear all about your marathon experience.
Thanks, Alexandra!
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK!!!!!!! I’ll be looking for your pretty face!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you know where you’ll be?!
your going to do great! 2 of my friends are runnning it as well, so now I am tracking 3 people!
Good luck to your friends!
LOOOOVVVEEEE this!!!! You’re going TO ROCK that marathon. You’re SO prepare & ready for this. Make it YOURS 🙂
thank you Annette!!!
Have fun Katie and good luck! Remember to watch your pace at the beginning so you don’t end up going too fast in miles 5 – 10 because you’re so excited! You have plenty more miles to run quickly if you have extra energy at the end. And remember you’re running a marathon and that’s not easy. It’s okay for there to be parts of the race that are hard, I know with your determination you’ll make it through!
Thank you Sienna!!! Haha I’m going to try really hard to not go out fast!
Good luck, Katie!! 🙂
Thank You Julia!!!!
I’m so excited for you! I’ll be thinking about you tomorrow! Good luck!
Thank you Emily!
Good luck! Although, I doubt you’ll need it. You are READY for this!
I’ll be at the mile 18 aid station…somewhere. I’m thinking about tying a balloon to my hair so everyone can find me 🙂
hahahaha a balloon would be awesome! Haha I was considering doing the same!
Ahhh good luck! Can’t wait to hear all about it 🙂
thanks, Molly!
good luck! I’ll be working aid station 2 and then cheering around the 22/23 mile mark. You’ll do great.
Thanks Queenie! And have fun!
BEST OF LUCK KATIE! I seriously wish I could be there to cheer you on lovely lady! Perhaps one day we shall run it together 🙂
YESS!!!!
Have a GREAT race! You trained hard, so you don’t need any luck…you’ll so awesome!
Thank you, Kate!
Good luck this weekend! I will be there cheering all of you incredible athletes on. Enjoy every mile. The time goes by quicker than you think : )
Thank you! And have fun!
Arrrggghhhh yay! It’s finally here. Congratulations on all the hard work you put in. That final run sounds amazing. xx
Thanks, Kate!
Good luck! I’ve loved hearing about your training journey- it’s inspiring!
Thank you Kristina!
Good luck tomorrow! You are going to do great! And if all else fails…run like Phoebe from friends (I promise it gives you extra energy haha)!
Hahahahaha that’s the best way to run!
Good luck tomorrow! Ill be thinking of you!!!
Thank you!!
Good Luck tomorrow Katie! I will be at mile 18 passing out gatorade! Cannot wait to hear your recap! Like my mom always says to me before something big in my “May God be always with you”! 🙂 You are going to rock it
I’ll try and look for you! Thanks, Christina!
You got this! Have fun tomorrow 🙂
Thanks, Allison!
Katie,
I want to wish you the best of luck on Sunday! You’re going to rock it! I’m sorry I’ve been a bit out of touch lately but I’d still love to meet for coffee sometime. I’ll be thinking of you!
Good luck today!!! I’ll be cheering for you all the way from Ontario! 😉
Aww, Katie, I really enjoyed reading your reflections. Your journey is truly inspiring! I’m so glad I had the opportunity to chat with you about marathon training in Boston. If I decide to give this a go sometime, I’ll know who to turn to for advice. 🙂
Congrats on finishing today!! I hope you’re enjoying a fun, relaxing evening…and treating yourself, too! <3
[…] YOU everyone for all your encouragement! I was BLOWN AWAY by all the comments on Friday’s post, as well as on instagram, facebook and twitter! I definitely thought of many of you during this […]
I run for the same reasons and always love those days when it’s so clear why you do it. That is so cool you did the marathon; I hope to do a full one day!! My first half is this weekend!
[…] well. One of my favorites would have to be You’re Good Enough NOW. Another would have to be the post that I wrote before running the Chicago Marathon – makes me want to run […]