On the 13th of October, I along with over 31,000 other runners ran the 25th La Salle Bank Chicago Marathon. This was my 24th marathon in six states. My time did not really depict how well I had done due to the “Potty factor”.
The Expo was simply overwhelming. There was just too much stuff to comprehend. My wife and I left with four gearbags fully of handouts and stuff. I even got to meet John “the Penguin” Bingham. That was really a pleasure and a treat. My picture was taken with him for the cover of “Runners World” and should be on the newsstands in my dreams. I think the Penguin looks like our own Marty Winkel.
My wife and I did not go to the Pre-race pasta dinner. We did go to a small Italian restaurant called “The Italian Village”. We can highly recommend it to others.
The long-range weather forecast called for a 60 per cent chance of rain and a temperature of 40 degrees. Thank God the weatherman was wrong. The rain came in Saturday afternoon with a sudden drop in temperature. Sunday morning the temperature was around 40 degrees, with a 15 mile per hour wind. There was not a cloud in the sky- simply beautiful marathon weather.
Lisa and I started toward Grant Park, the start of the marathon, it was just she and I. In the elevator we met one more runner. Each block we walked more runners, spouses, and friends joined our merry crowd. Our numbers grew until there were over 31,000 at the starting line.
I had signed up to run with a 3:45 pacing group (about an 8:35 minute mile). I had to make a last minute Port-a-let stop, before lining up. About a half-hour before race time I stared progressing up through the pack trying to reach my pace group. I advanced as far as the 12 minute milers (5:25 pacing group) and hit a solid wall of humanity. There I was, due to the ‘potty factor’, starting the race running 3 1/2 minutes a mile slower than I wanted. It took me 16 minutes to cross the starting line. With the chip it is true that your time does not start until you cross the starting line. You can only run as fast as the runners around you.
This in the long run proved to be beneficial yet would not allow me to run the time I wanted. I spent the race trying to catch my pace group. I felt like a ball carrier making an end run down the sidelines between the marathoners and the spectators on the sidewalk. I managed to progress to the front of the 4 hour pace group by mile 18. Then Mother Nature gave me a call. You all know that when your Mother calls you must answer. I stopped at the first set of Port-a-lets I saw. The problem was that there were 6 to 10 other runners in line. This added a major potty factor of about 6 1/2 minutes to my time. The problem with the potty factor is that the runner stops, but the time just keeps rolling on. A funny thing was that the next set of potties, about a mile away, did not have a waiting line.
When I did get back on the road, I was back with the 4:15 pace group. I continued on my merry way, weaving through the throng of fellow runners to finish with a 4:08. I ran well and felt good the entire race especially the last 10K.
I had accomplished a 9.5-minute per mile at 15K, a 9:46 mph at the half, 9.5 mph at 30K and a 9.29-mph over all pace. My split times for 15 of the miles were sub average pace. I really wanted to run a good time, but I can really say I had a good time.
The spectator support was really great the entire way. All 26 miles were lined on both sides of the course. At times the corridor was only half as wide as the street causing the runners to slow down, which in the long run helped me out in the end. I wore a personalized singlet because I heard it would give an extra boost of encouragement from the thousands of fans along the course. Let me tell you that shouts of “Go Big Foot” along with many high fives does give a little extra.
I caught a glimpse of my wife, my main supporter, fan, and coach, a block before the start and a mile from the finish. A kiss from my wife, a mile from the finish at about mile 25, was all I needed to give it all I had left to get to the finish.
I heard someone say as we crossed the finish line that she wanted her Mylar blanket. That was okay. What I really wanted was the medal that means I finished. --“The 2002 La Salle Bank Chicago Marathon”.
Getting to the personal belongings tent meant fighting through a mass of fans and runners. The friends and family members of the runners just had to gather there to meet and greet finishers.
Lisa and I met, as agreed, in the designated meeting area and started our walk to the hotel. The further we got away from Grant Park the smaller the numbers of my fellow marathoners became until there was only my wife and I as it was many hours before.
We decided to attend the post race party. It was our first and last party we will attend. It was not typical of the way the weekend activities were going. Non-runners had to pay to attend. We received two drink tickets, and had to buy the rest. We were given stale pretzels and fresh popcorn to eat.
That was my last marathon for 2002. My next marathon, if I can get off work, will be HOPS in January. Hope to see you there!