“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
The morning of October 10th was riddled with nerves of excitement combined with anxiety. The culmination of our months of training was upon us – as well as some unwelcomed HEAT. Yes, many may not be aware of the intermittent Chicago heat waves. Sound contradictory? Heat, October, and Chicago should not be in the same sentence – let alone a high of 83, right? Wrong.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
As the dawn’s early light began to creep over the crowd, the National Anthem rang through the loud speakers spanning Columbus Drive, and each of us runners made a silent
prayer for the heat to subside – at least for a few more hours. 7:34 AM – I was off. About an hour into the run is when I saw the first overheated runner pull off the course. This was merely a precursor of what was to come.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
Mile after Chicago mile came and went as I was side-checked, elbowed, and pushed – more often than not – by men far larger than I, desperately trying to make it to the finish line. Time and time again, I watched defeat stricken runners pull off the course. Some with muscle spasms, and some struck with sheer dehydration.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
My sister, now running her first marathon, was somewhere in the vast group of about 33,000 runners behind me. If there were a way to send positive vibes of encouragement through a massive crowd of thousands, I was doing it – hoping those vibes somehow made their way to her.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
Step after step gradually became grueling in the overbearing heat of the day. Our fantastic friends and family scattered along the course to offer cheers of encourageme
nt for Megan and I throughout the race. Approaching each group was like passing through a massive oasis in the midst of a desert.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
After nearly 3 hours and 36 minutes, the finish line appeared in the distance with a little less than 300 meters to go. To say I was happy to be done, as I dragged one foot after the other across the finish line, would be an immense understatement.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
Nonetheless, I whisked through the crowds, down to the charity tent area to collect my things and head up to the finish line to try to catch my sister, Megan, complete her first marathon. Just as I was about to get into an altercation with the security guard who was attempting to inhibit me from watching the race from where I was standing, out of the corner of my eye, THERE SHE WAS! The shrill screams, “Go Megan – Kick it in! Looking good!” were enough to get the guard to back off. -and I was a happy girl.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
She did it! She rocked it! She kicked it in, and DAMN, she looked fast!
The morning of October 10th was riddled with nerves of excitement combined with anxiety. The culmination of our months of training was upon us – as well as some unwelcomed HEAT. Yes, many may not be aware of the intermittent Chicago heat waves. Sound contradictory? Heat, October, and Chicago should not be in the same sentence – let alone a high of 83, right? Wrong.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
As the dawn’s early light began to creep over the crowd, the National Anthem rang through the loud speakers spanning Columbus Drive, and each of us runners made a silent
prayer for the heat to subside – at least for a few more hours. 7:34 AM – I was off. About an hour into the run is when I saw the first overheated runner pull off the course. This was merely a precursor of what was to come.“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
Mile after Chicago mile came and went as I was side-checked, elbowed, and pushed – more often than not – by men far larger than I, desperately trying to make it to the finish line. Time and time again, I watched defeat stricken runners pull off the course. Some with muscle spasms, and some struck with sheer dehydration.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
My sister, now running her first marathon, was somewhere in the vast group of about 33,000 runners behind me. If there were a way to send positive vibes of encouragement through a massive crowd of thousands, I was doing it – hoping those vibes somehow made their way to her.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
Step after step gradually became grueling in the overbearing heat of the day. Our fantastic friends and family scattered along the course to offer cheers of encourageme
nt for Megan and I throughout the race. Approaching each group was like passing through a massive oasis in the midst of a desert.“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
After nearly 3 hours and 36 minutes, the finish line appeared in the distance with a little less than 300 meters to go. To say I was happy to be done, as I dragged one foot after the other across the finish line, would be an immense understatement.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
Nonetheless, I whisked through the crowds, down to the charity tent area to collect my things and head up to the finish line to try to catch my sister, Megan, complete her first marathon. Just as I was about to get into an altercation with the security guard who was attempting to inhibit me from watching the race from where I was standing, out of the corner of my eye, THERE SHE WAS! The shrill screams, “Go Megan – Kick it in! Looking good!” were enough to get the guard to back off. -and I was a happy girl.
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
She did it! She rocked it! She kicked it in, and DAMN, she looked fast!
Congrats to my sister Megan for running her first marathon – SUB 4 HOURS!
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
“Run if you can, walk if you must, crawl if you have to – just don’t stop.”
A best day ever.
I know I run like a girl. Try to keep up!
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