Going into this race, I had some very specific goals in mind.My training had been solid and I knew that I was in the best shape of my life and yes, I was hoping for a PR. Anything around the 5:30 area and I was going to be thrilled.
But my second objective, and to me the more important one, was that I end feeling strong and happy. Oh, and I wanted to enjoy my time on the streets of Chicago – really take in the city and not just focus on my own performance.
I can happily say that all of those objectives were achieved and one more that I wasn’t expecting. During my first marathon, I was generously, lavishly and unexpectedly encouraged by a perfect stranger when I needed it most. This man (whom I will never forget) put his arm around me, let me lean on him a bit, and spoke the most beautiful words of encouragement and then, as quickly as he had come, he was gone.
Around mile 17 I saw myself from that first race.A woman on the side of the road who was sobbing and hobbling and clearly in pain. I came alongside her and asked if she was hurting or just tired. Through her tears she choked out “I’ve never done anything like this before and my hip hurts so bad I can hardly walk.” I was feeling good and certainly could have been running at that point but I stopped and put my arm around her, we chatted about what would be best (should we find a medic, could she go on) and I told her the same words that man had told me. I stayed with her for about 5 minutes. Not much, really. But when we parted I saw something in her eyes that told me she was going to finish and I know that look because it’s exactly the way I felt after my perfect stranger encouraged me. I cried myself when I left her because it really is a wonderful thing to be able to pay forward what has been so graciously given to you.
Along the way the things I noticed the most were the leaves changing colors, the amazing spectators and the countless times that a runner saw her support team and ran to them screaming, crying and hugging. My favorite spectators were an older man and woman holding a sign that said “Madeline, WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. Always have been. Always Will Be. Mom and Dad” I think I liked that one the best because they were communicating to their daughter that just the fact that she was alive made them proud – a marathon is a wonderful accomplishment but they love her because of who she is, not for what she does. Good stuff.
We ran past a nursing home and the residents were all in the windows waving enthusiastically. We all waved back and the more we waved the bigger their smiles got. I loved the churches that came out to cheer when they normally would be having Sunday service – Moody Bible Church had t-shirts on that said “You Run. We Cheer.” And they were singing and hi-fiving and being awesome.
I ran with a priest for a while. Well, we didn’t chat or anything but I knew he was a priest because as we went along the course his supporters yelled loudly “GO FATHER MIKE!!” And I thought about what an inspiration he is to his parish.
I thought about my dad a lot. We went by a marching band and they were playing Paul Simon’s “If You’ll Be My Bodyguard”, which was one of my dad’s favorite songs. I took that as a sign that he was there with me somehow. And just as I crossed the finish line there was a woman next to me and she shared that she was texting her mom and dad because she hadn’t told them she was running. They would have worried too much. For some reason I blurted out that my dad has died 2 years ago and then I burst into tears. And then she did, too. And we hugged. And then we got our medals. Things happen in a marathon that don’t happen in real life because in real life we have on our brave faces, we form our words carefully and we always have our guard up. Run for 5 hours and all that melts away and you’re just you. Raw, unedited, and beautifully you.
The marathon really is a lot like life – you start out so excited and filled with possibility and (maybe) even a few delusions of grandeur. You realize about half way through that this is a lot harder than you thought it would be and that it’s a whole lot of work and maybe a little boring. And then at the end you realize how quickly it’s over and that really (at least for me yesterday) you don’t want it to be. It’s a lot of life lived in 26.2 miles. Thanks, God, for a gorgeous day, a beautiful city to run in, a body that can carry me the distance and good friends to celebrate with afterwards. It really doesn’t get much better than that.
Suzanne and Beth – thanks for making this such a fun girl’s weekend. Lots of good food (and chocolate!) lots of laughter and lots of great conversation. You were wonderful roommates! Sara, I wish we could have spent more time together but I loved meeting your brother and sister and it was great sharing our pre-race old people’s meal of noodles and sauce.;)
Thanks to my husband, Scott, for being the kind of guy that wants his wife to be all God intended her to be. For loving me, being patient when my long runs took up our entire Saturday, and taking care of kids, dogs and house all those nights that I collapsed into bed at 9pm. You are a wonderful husband and I thank God for you everyday. One dream down. What should we shoot for next?? Happy running, Everybody!! Jen
5 thoughts on “The Chicago Marathon 2012 – What a Great Race!”
Wow, what a great post about a great accomplishment. Congratulations! You make me want to try it and that’s saying a lot because I’ve always said I just cannot fathom doing a marathon. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
That is awesome Jen! Your paying it forward story reminded to our race on Sunday. See there was 2:30 time limit. Deb and I were pushing to meet that limit. There was girl crying hysterically around mile 9 because she was afraid she would not meet the time limit. We stopped to calm her down. Explained that the time limit is more of guideline, she could still finish and get a medal. She pulled herself together and ran. I felt better because I knew we helped her when she needed help. I bet she came close to 2:30!
It’s people like you and Deb that modeled that kind of stuff for me in the first place. Seriously, it’s not like I was going to win – a few minutes made little difference to me but just like with the woman you all spoke with, it means the world to the other person! May we always be runners who are willing to stop and encourage someone along the way!!:)
Wow, what a great post about a great accomplishment. Congratulations! You make me want to try it and that’s saying a lot because I’ve always said I just cannot fathom doing a marathon. Thanks for sharing your journey with us!
That is awesome Jen! Your paying it forward story reminded to our race on Sunday. See there was 2:30 time limit. Deb and I were pushing to meet that limit. There was girl crying hysterically around mile 9 because she was afraid she would not meet the time limit. We stopped to calm her down. Explained that the time limit is more of guideline, she could still finish and get a medal. She pulled herself together and ran. I felt better because I knew we helped her when she needed help. I bet she came close to 2:30!
It’s people like you and Deb that modeled that kind of stuff for me in the first place. Seriously, it’s not like I was going to win – a few minutes made little difference to me but just like with the woman you all spoke with, it means the world to the other person! May we always be runners who are willing to stop and encourage someone along the way!!:)
wow. this brought tears to my eyes. how beautiful. you encapsulated everything i love about running!
Thanks, Courtney! I swear it’s been 2 years and I still remember almost every detail of that race. It was an amazing day.