A Marathon Journey
I ran the Chicago Marathon for the third time this year, and what an experience it was! Something about this one stood out, something about this one was different from the others. Now, you might ask, what drives you to take part in a marathon spanning 26.2 miles? That’s a lot of miles! How can you run so many miles? Doesn’t it get boring?I thought the same thing and decided to write to you about it!
My marathon journey started back in 2015. Up until that point, I had never run track or taken part in a 5k or even run for fun. Regardless, I went ahead and signed up for the 2015 Chicago marathon without a clue of how to train or what to expect. Nonetheless, I trained myself, worked hard and made it through.
My first marathon was a 4 hr: 50 min time. Not bad for my first time, I thought. Feeling excited and anxious for the next one, I signed up for the 2016 Chicago Marathon. Unfortunately, I took a step back in my second marathon, finishing with a 5hr:19min time. I was extremely disappointed and knew I had not trained as hard as the year before. I took the 2017 marathon off due to some personal reasons, but this year I had to get back to training and give it another go.
The beginning of this year was extremely difficult – not only for myself, but for my family. Early in the year, we received the unfortunate news that my grandfather was diagnosed with stomach cancer. A major blow seeing as my grandmother, his wife, just battled and overcame breast cancer. Sadly, this was not the first experience for my family with stomach cancer. My uncle Cip was also recently diagnosed and died from an aggressive stomach cancer. So we’ve been down that road before and were hoping for the best as my grandfather began his chemo treatment.
It was too late for grandpa, his body did not react well to the chemo. In March, his doctors notified us that there was not much more they could do for him.
I began to feel helpless and fearful – there wasn’t much I could do for my grandfather’s health. Prior to him passing, I did have a talk with him and told him I would run the marathon in his honor and for everyone else affected by cancer. My grandfather passed away in mid-April as the doctors had predicted, even when I wished and I hoped that they’d be wrong. I did, however, have some solace in the fact that I was able to let him know I was going to run the marathon – every mile was a fight against that terrible disease.
When training began in May , I knew that this journey to the October Chicago Marathon would be different, this would no doubt be the most meaningful to date, maybe ever. I decided to run with the American Cancer Society and Team Determination.
Team Determination provided us with two training groups – Chicago Endurance Sports is the training group I decided to run with. I was determined to beat my personal best 4:50 time.
Training out of the south loop Fleet Feet, every Saturday involved the same routine. Wake up at 5:45 am, eat breakfast, stretch, and make my way to the south loop. Every week more miles were added, but every week new friends were made.
I never trained with a pace group before, so I really didn’t know what group to join or if it mattered or what to expect. The 9 min and 30 sec mile group is what I thought would be the best fit for me. There were times in training, especially during the 12+ mile runs, were I doubted and questioned if I could do it this year. Would my body hold up? Why the hell can’t I keep up with everyone? Why am I chafing in these areas of my body?!
The longer the runs become the more you understand that being a marathoner is more than pure strength and physical ability. It involves extreme discipline and dedication. Mental strength is tested just as much as your physical strength, probably even more so. Routine became the best indicator of how I would perform on Saturday’s – so I told myself I’d follow my routine very strictly.
As the marathon neared I didn’t feel as nervous as previous years. For what? I had put in the time training. I was prepared for this. I trusted the work and sacrifices I’d made all those months.
Throughout training, we ran on mostly warm, humid and sunny days. October 7th, 2018 in Chicago, was anything but sunny.
Race day started with the same routine as training. Eat, stretch, and commute. The weather had been on every runners mind leading up to race day. 50s and rain was in the forecast for us. I kept this in mind but also wouldn’t let the weather distract me. This time I promised my self to enjoy the experience more. Laugh, be vocal, cheer, support my fellow runners, and lastly pose for the camera. The energy from the runners and crowd is absolutely amazing on race day! This helped give me strength when times got tough.
The first 5 miles were smooth. Everything was going according to plan and then came the rain! Somewhere around the 6th and 7th mile it began to rain extremely hard. Thoughts of being cold and how the weather would impact my time kept running in my head. I knew this was going to be part of the challenge but I focused again and kept putting one foot in front of the other.
My amazing family and friends helped fuel that burning desire to finish strong. Seeing them cheer me on and cheer all the runners gives you that push you need. My fellow runners and teammates also helped so much. The running community is built on positivity and encouragement and I’ve seen that first hand in every marathon I’ve been in.
Ultimately, it is up to you to finish the race. Through strength and mental toughness I pushed through mile 19, I overcame cramps, avoided injury, ran in the rain, and crossed that finish line at 4 hrs and 42 mins. As I waited to receive my medal and thought about what had just taken place, I came to realize that beating my personal time by 8 mins was great but that’s not what this marathon was about for me. My journey of becoming a marathoner was always greater than beating a personal time. It’s about the camaraderie, the people you inspire, the donations you raise, the community you become part of, the challenge, goal setting, and lastly the challenge of becoming a greater person.
You ask why I run?
This is why I run.
My marathon journey started back in 2015. Up until that point, I had never run track or taken part in a 5k or even run for fun. Regardless, I went ahead and signed up for the 2015 Chicago marathon without a clue of how to train or what to expect. Nonetheless, I trained myself, worked hard and made it through.
My first marathon was a 4 hr: 50 min time. Not bad for my first time, I thought. Feeling excited and anxious for the next one, I signed up for the 2016 Chicago Marathon. Unfortunately, I took a step back in my second marathon, finishing with a 5hr:19min time. I was extremely disappointed and knew I had not trained as hard as the year before. I took the 2017 marathon off due to some personal reasons, but this year I had to get back to training and give it another go.
The beginning of this year was extremely difficult – not only for myself, but for my family. Early in the year, we received the unfortunate news that my grandfather was diagnosed with stomach cancer. A major blow seeing as my grandmother, his wife, just battled and overcame breast cancer. Sadly, this was not the first experience for my family with stomach cancer. My uncle Cip was also recently diagnosed and died from an aggressive stomach cancer. So we’ve been down that road before and were hoping for the best as my grandfather began his chemo treatment.
It was too late for grandpa, his body did not react well to the chemo. In March, his doctors notified us that there was not much more they could do for him.
I began to feel helpless and fearful – there wasn’t much I could do for my grandfather’s health. Prior to him passing, I did have a talk with him and told him I would run the marathon in his honor and for everyone else affected by cancer. My grandfather passed away in mid-April as the doctors had predicted, even when I wished and I hoped that they’d be wrong. I did, however, have some solace in the fact that I was able to let him know I was going to run the marathon – every mile was a fight against that terrible disease.
When training began in May , I knew that this journey to the October Chicago Marathon would be different, this would no doubt be the most meaningful to date, maybe ever. I decided to run with the American Cancer Society and Team Determination.
Team Determination provided us with two training groups – Chicago Endurance Sports is the training group I decided to run with. I was determined to beat my personal best 4:50 time.
Training out of the south loop Fleet Feet, every Saturday involved the same routine. Wake up at 5:45 am, eat breakfast, stretch, and make my way to the south loop. Every week more miles were added, but every week new friends were made.
I never trained with a pace group before, so I really didn’t know what group to join or if it mattered or what to expect. The 9 min and 30 sec mile group is what I thought would be the best fit for me. There were times in training, especially during the 12+ mile runs, were I doubted and questioned if I could do it this year. Would my body hold up? Why the hell can’t I keep up with everyone? Why am I chafing in these areas of my body?!
The longer the runs become the more you understand that being a marathoner is more than pure strength and physical ability. It involves extreme discipline and dedication. Mental strength is tested just as much as your physical strength, probably even more so. Routine became the best indicator of how I would perform on Saturday’s – so I told myself I’d follow my routine very strictly.
As the marathon neared I didn’t feel as nervous as previous years. For what? I had put in the time training. I was prepared for this. I trusted the work and sacrifices I’d made all those months.
Throughout training, we ran on mostly warm, humid and sunny days. October 7th, 2018 in Chicago, was anything but sunny.
Race day started with the same routine as training. Eat, stretch, and commute. The weather had been on every runners mind leading up to race day. 50s and rain was in the forecast for us. I kept this in mind but also wouldn’t let the weather distract me. This time I promised my self to enjoy the experience more. Laugh, be vocal, cheer, support my fellow runners, and lastly pose for the camera. The energy from the runners and crowd is absolutely amazing on race day! This helped give me strength when times got tough.
The first 5 miles were smooth. Everything was going according to plan and then came the rain! Somewhere around the 6th and 7th mile it began to rain extremely hard. Thoughts of being cold and how the weather would impact my time kept running in my head. I knew this was going to be part of the challenge but I focused again and kept putting one foot in front of the other.
My amazing family and friends helped fuel that burning desire to finish strong. Seeing them cheer me on and cheer all the runners gives you that push you need. My fellow runners and teammates also helped so much. The running community is built on positivity and encouragement and I’ve seen that first hand in every marathon I’ve been in.
Ultimately, it is up to you to finish the race. Through strength and mental toughness I pushed through mile 19, I overcame cramps, avoided injury, ran in the rain, and crossed that finish line at 4 hrs and 42 mins. As I waited to receive my medal and thought about what had just taken place, I came to realize that beating my personal time by 8 mins was great but that’s not what this marathon was about for me. My journey of becoming a marathoner was always greater than beating a personal time. It’s about the camaraderie, the people you inspire, the donations you raise, the community you become part of, the challenge, goal setting, and lastly the challenge of becoming a greater person.
You ask why I run?
This is why I run.
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