This being my first marathon, naturally I did everything by the book.

I watched what I ate

[img]http://www.trifuel.com/files/imagecache/Large/files/pizza.jpg[/img]

and drank.

[img]http://www.trifuel.com/files/imagecache/Large/files/wine.jpg[/img]

I didn't wander all over the expo

[img]http://www.trifuel.com/files/imagecache/Large/files/expo.jpg[/img]

or spend too much time sightseeing.

[img]http://www.trifuel.com/files/imagecache/Large/files/seurat.JPG[/img]

Or at least something like that.

Chicago is a great town. We ate and drank our way through it. It was really a struggle to tear myself away from the Art Institute to rest a little on Saturday.

Sunday morning we (husband and I) walked to the start ridiculously early. Usual pre-race blah blah.

I found a spot in the open corral that seemed about right. I had thought that I might expect to run about 5:15-5:30 given my longer run times. Feeling somewhat aspirational, I decided to glom onto the 5:00 pace group. Because Chicago is flat, right? Anything could happen!

I did a pretty good job staying at a reasonable pace for me at the start. One thing I really didn't consider was how my Garmin would be freakin' useless for pace with all of the tall buildings downtown. (At one point it said I was doing a 4 min / mile pace. Where's my shoe contract!?)

And, though I did slow up some, I did pretty well until the 18-20 mile mark where I began to struggle. Much shuffling and walking in miles 22-25 - as you see in my splits.

[img]http://www.trifuel.com/files/imagecache/Large/files/chicago%20splits.jpg...

Also, it was freaking hot for Chicago. It was mid-80s when I finished. Now I've run in much worse, but I was expecting something vaguely Fall like in October in Chicago. At least they didn't shut it down like in 2007. Thank goodness!

But, I had fun. I high fived Elvis. I did the dorkly YMCA arms moves while running (and I was not alone). Wonderful crowd support. Lots to see. Did you know there was a spanish cover of "Achy Breaky Heart"? Me neither. (they translated it as pobre corazon. I guess achy breaky just doesn't translate)

Shortly before this picture was taken at around mile 21, I got a big hug and a popsicle from my Mom, Dad and cousin. (Nothing new on race day does not apply to popsicles, I am happy to report.)
[img]http://www.trifuel.com/files/imagecache/Large/files/chinatown.jpg[/img]

Final time 5:27:15.

That put me at 73% AG and 70% for overall women. So I figure I am the front of the back. Or the back of the middle.

Still and all accomplished my two main marathon goals. 1. Don't die and 2. Finish.

Just starting to walk like a normal person again and already thinking about my next race.