Tuesday, October 9, 2018

26.2 in Chicago!!!!

Hey, Chicago, what do you say
{I am} gonna win today... 
Hey, Chicago, what do you say
{I am} gonna win today...


{Cubs song}

5 months and three weeks after the Boston Marathon, I ran the Chicago marathon. 
It took sheer grit and determination to get here after a rough training cycle after my surgery but it was an amazing 26.2 miles over 29 neighborhoods!!

I can't say enough about my team. Having so many of us crushing this race was amazing. Brittany and I met up at the start and it was great to have a friendly face before loading into the corral. 

The rain began as I waited for my start. Yep! It rained. For about half the race. 
I just ran. A solid 11 miles of only short walks through water stops. I was cruising. 
The course was an amazing tour of a city I've always loved. I tried to take in all the sites and neighborhoods. There were so many people watching and so many people playing music and cheering with amazing signs (my favorite: pain is temporary, the IG post is forever). It was also so strange to not know the course the way I knew Boston, made it a mind game at times. 

I saw a fellow teammate cheering three times and her hugs were the best power-ups! Mom was at the halfway mark and I knew I could do it. 

By 20 I was beginning to hurt, a lot. But knew I was on pace to get a PR. I had to push HARD for it in the end, but the fire in me was fueling me to the end.  

4:55:26. 
I crossed the finish. Turned around and sobbed. 
Only a few close friends know that I seriously considered deferring after losing so much training time in July. I stood at the end and felt the weight of not only crushing another 26.2, not only PRing, but overcoming some major roadblocks. I freaking did it!!

After all my fears of not getting a warming blanket in Boston, I managed to walk right by the ones in the finish shoot but a nice volunteer got me one! I slowly waddled over to meet my mom and cousin and we made our way to the Bean and to Nike to get my medal engraved. 

Come link up and join...
the Good.Random.Fun. each Monday and Little Things Thursday...right here!

14 thoughts on the matter:

Tom said... {Reply}

...looks like you had a great time in 'The Windy City.'

Bekah said... {Reply}

I love everything about this post SO MUCH. You are amazing!!!

Shelbee on the Edge said... {Reply}

I am so inspired by you, Tamar! I just watched an interview with Bobbi Gibb and I thought of you! I suppose she really did pave the way for all women marathoners! You all inspire me right to tears. Go, Tamar!

Shelbee
www.shelbeeontheedge.com

Heather{Our Life In a Click} said... {Reply}

How exciting and amazing!! You are such an inspiration!

Dara @ Not In Jersey said... {Reply}

Great job! Great pictures, you look happy!

Buckeroomama said... {Reply}

Oh, wow! Well done on the PR and most of all for pushing through and finishing!

NCSue said... {Reply}

Congratulations - quite an achievement!
Thanks for linking up at https://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/10/master-potter.html

csuhpat1 said... {Reply}

That is so cool. Very nice job. Happy for you. Thanks for sharing your whole experience.

Jill Foley said... {Reply}

well done...you must feel so proud of all the hard work you put into this!

EricaSta said... {Reply}

Greatings from Augsburg to Chicago... and a happy WednesdayAroundTheWorld
Heidrun xxx

Amanda McCusker said... {Reply}

Congrats! What a great accomplishment. Thanks for sharing, it is inspiring.

Baer Ascent said... {Reply}

What?! Look at you! Congrats! Ok, my fav pic is right the finish line when you are eating. Your face says "I could eat and drink it all". At least that is how I feel after a long run. lol

Handmade in Israel said... {Reply}

Now I see it! Well done you!

Ericka @ A Quiet Girl's Musings... said... {Reply}

Congratulations on a PR and for having a safe and enjoyable run!