This week it’s all about the taper on our Tuesdays on the Run linkup. Do you look forward to the taper? Loathe it? Do you have phantom niggles? Cravings? Fits of self-doubt or paranoia? Tell us all about your state of mind and body in those final weeks before race day.
Because we’re fresh off of an epic Chicago Marathon weekend, I’m going to stray off topic a bit this week and fill you in on some of the highlights.
First up: Meb and Sarah
As I told you in my previous post, I was invited by Generation UCAN to a live Facebook interview with elite runners Meb Keflezighi and Sarah Crouch. Although getting into the city at rush hour on a Friday afternoon with the marathon, the Cubs game and the President in town would be a PIA of the highest order, I was on a mission.
I’d first met Meb years ago at a RocknRoll Chicago expo and then again last year at RocknRoll Vegas when I ran with him in his corral (for about 17 seconds). But this time? My friends and I had the privilege of kicking back and chatting with Meb and Sarah for a couple of hours, soaking up their running wisdom.
I was so inspired by their words and their perspectives on running, racing and life. I swear, that inspiration helped me dig deep when the going got tough to get my 20 miler done the next morning. I highly encourage you to watch the replay of the live Facebook event.
Race Day
Just ask any runner: Chicago Marathon day is one of the very best days in the city. I got up dark and early to make my way to the train. Since I last ran this race in 2010, I’ve either volunteered, or spectated or both, each year since. It has become my tradition. I remember vividly how stunned and overcome I was by the crowds lining the streets when I ran my first Chicago back in 2007. It was overwhelming in the best way. To me they weren’t simply spectators, but an integral part of the race. Especially in 2007 when temps and humidity soared, the crowds literally kept me going. They brought out garden hoses, wet sponges, cold orange slices and more. Without them, truly I’d have been in trouble. Chicagoans are a gritty, tough, loyal bunch. I am proud to be part of that.
Let’s get to this year’s action:
This year conditions could not have been more perfect. Nice and cool. As per usual, Erica was at our “blogger press box” first, right at the corner, at the 13th mile marker. Wendy and I arrived just in time to see the elites come through.
Runners have a slight incline on the bridge over the river then cruise down a gentle decline at 13. Wendy had our “runners of interest” all logged into the tracking app so we could hopefully catch everybody. It was fun to see first the lead packs, followed by a trickle of fasties and then a flood of the masses.
First through was none other than our newest BRF, elite Sara Crouch. She was gunning for a sub 2:30.
Next was Pete from The Lakefront Trail. He’s had an amazing season. Would this be the sub-3 race he is so capable of? That is not my story to tell so I’ll let you go check in with him. What I will tell you is he looked vibrant and speedy at 13. It’s always great to see him fly by.
Next came Sarah from Cheesy Runner Mom, with Laura Fit Running Mama hot on her heels, looking strong.
Sherab, Jose and Runner Maddie, all part of my Instagram tribe, came through next.
Sharon from Run Hike Play finished her first marathon! I can’t think of a better marathon to run as your first! She was radiant.
Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC trucked past like a boss.
Zenaida was glowing and looking strong as well.
Sorry we did not get pics of everybody. The tracking app did a great job of draining the phone battery!
Every marathoner has a story and I’m going to let Holly tell you hers herself. I will say, that brilliant smile of hers sums up her very being. She is grace personified. I loved meeting her, although it felt like I’ve known her for years.
I’ve learned something from each marathon I’ve run. We discover things about ourselves. We find strength we didn’t know we had. No matter how great our training may go, the day may dish up something unexpected, good or bad. Nobody runs a marathon in a vacuum. A good support system is very much a part of the equation. Despite how much a marathon hurts, it’s such a glorious, celebratory day. As a spectator and runner, its so gratifying to watch other runners fulfill their dream, whether it’s their first marathon or their 50th. With all the pettiness and uncertainty in the world right now, it was good for the soul to spend a weekend marinating in love and positive vibes.
As Meb so thoughtfully said on Friday night, we set our A goal and B and C and maybe D but sometimes none of those are reachable so we dig deep and give the best we have that day. That is winning.
Congrats to ALL of the winners out there! Have you spectated a marathon?
Taper quirks:
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It is definitely inspiring to be there to see other runners fulfill there dreams- well said! And great advice from Meb. Sounds like it was a great day!
Marcia I love everything about this post! Especially the last thing you said about winning. Nothing compares to the vibes of a race.
I was sad to miss out on the Meb/Sarah meet up! Obviously it couldn’t be helped because of the wedding. And you guys are spectators par excellence. Seriously, it is awesome seeing you out on course!
What an amazing experience. This is a wonderful post and it’s so awesome how you cheered on so many runners of interest at once. This blogging community rocks. ❤️
I have never spectated an entire marathon, but if I’m running “the half,” I always hang around and cheer and cowbell afterwards. There is nothing that compares to seeing (and sharing) all the joy (and sometimes, misery) that accompanies the runners. Nothing like it at all 😉
Well said on the marathon goals. I may have the whole alphabet for NYC this year. That said, my “A” goal will be to smile the whole way and finish remembering that I love to run and am grateful for every opportunity.
I LOVE our annual spectating ritual. The gals are talking about moving to our ‘hood next year. (Did you know that the race goes by my house at mile 7.5? Neal was there!) I like traditions though so we’ll see. 😉
So many impressive performances and brave runners. The best story I heard was from my friend Julie who was pacing a 4 hour group. She had a stomach issue and had to drop at mile 13. As she went to the aid station she saw a man fall. She went to help him. He was a “streaker.” He’d done ALL 38 previous Chicago Marathons. She waited for him to get patched up. Tended to her stomach and then ran him in. They finished in 5:28. That was meant to be – right?
Great recap! I’m so glad I got to spend the morning with you and Erica! And meeting Meb and Sarah? I can’t thank you enough for that opportunity!
I’m in my taper — should’ve stayed on topic — oh well!
So jealous of EVERYONE you got to meet!
And look at those elites — they look like they’re flying!
What a great weekend! I have spectated races a couple times, at Disney and for Boston. It is inspiring, and the Disney races got me thinking about this whole running thing and whether I would enjoy it.
Sounds like an amazing experience! Going to check out the Facebook live event now!
I’ve spectated at a Disney 10k before and almost had as much fun as those running! Especially since we waited to see the very last runner, an older woman with a walker that had her late husband’s picture taped to the front. Seeing all the volunteers and security people flocking around her to give encouragement made me cry my eyes out.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about Chicago! I’m still bummed about having to miss it due to injury … but I’m thinking about entering next year’s lottery now. 🙂
I love spectating races, when I watched the Philly marathon for the first time, I knew that it was what I wanted to do. It’s fun to see the elites speed by and the paces get progressively slower, but the energy remains high!
ALL the feels! I wasn’t able to spectate this year due to work, but it’s truly one of my favorite races to watch so I snuck several peaks online during the live streaming, hehe! Shhh! Don’t tell!
I was so inspired by everyone I just MAY put my name in the hat for next year.
This is so awesome!! I loved seeing all the pictures of the super fun weekend on Instagram! Thank you for sharing !!
It sounds like it was amazing!!
I don’t ever expect to be able to run a marathon and it still makes me teary eyed seeing the crowds and cheering everyone on. “Chicagoans are a gritty, tough, loyal bunch. I am proud to be part of that.” And this exactly. <3 Chicago!
I was watching my favorite runners finish online! What an amazing experience to spectate!
I am only half way through the Meb and Sarah interview and wow! They both are truly amazing athletes, yes, but what I’m seeing is they are so down to earth and real. That to me is much more inspiring to know they are no different from all of us. I simply love the fact that Sarah takes her role as an influencer for young women and all women for that fact very serious.
I can only imagine how much fun it was to talk with each of them in this setting!
Thats so amazing about meeting Meb and Sarah. I meet Meb at a Rock n Roll expo last year and he was so friendly and just the nicest person.
It looks like you all had a blast spectating! I’m thinking of enterig the lottery to run the Chicago Marathon in 2017!
I am so sorry I missed you ladies out there. I am sure I passed just shortly after Courtney based on our finish times. It was a really tough day for me being undertrained, but I learned a lot about myself and helped a fellow runner at mile 25 is and that felt really good. Crossing the finish line with a respectable time brought me to tears. The support from all you spectators meant so much, so a huge thank you to you and the ladies.
Such a great picture of Holly!! This sounds like a great day!
So sorry to have missed you. The weather was just perfect for a marathon. I’m sure spectating felt just as good.
That is so cool you had so many folks to watch for! The app was great! I was live tracking on it for awhile.
I need to watch the FB chat! You all got some great pics with Sarah and Meb – great memories 🙂
Marcia – it was so fun seeing these awesome pics with you and Meb and all the other bloggers over the weekend on Instagram. Such an awesome opportunity and I’m sure one you’ll never forget. Did you get excited about your upcoming 26.2 miles while cheering on at the Chicago Marathon?
I have no training log to link up this week Marcia due to the hurricane and my stomach infection. For the first time in 3 years I was not able to run all of last week.
Happy tapering for you this week though – I sometimes think that particular week is the hardest about marathon training.. 🙂
You had the most awesome weekend! So cool that you got to hang out with Meb and Sarah, meet HoHo and Sharon, hang out with Wendy and Erica, and see so many of our fellow running bloggers on the course. This is the stuff that runners’ dreams are made of! I LOVE the smiley face spectator sign and remember it well from last year. Bummed that I wasn’t able to join you all this weekend but it looks like you all represented like a boss!!!
I love spectating marathons (grew up spectating Chicago, so maybe a little spoiled). Sounds like you had an amazing experience and it was fun keeping up with you ladies. And all that Meb time! This year sounds so memorable – how ever will you top it in 2017??? Thanks for hosting!
What a great day you had — and so many great people to cheer for! Meb is so inspiring and has such a great attitude. I cheered at MCM last year and hope to again this year if I can fend off work.
It was great seeing you at mile 13! I think seeing you guys at that moment gave me a burst of energy. Also, I don’t think I can thank you enough for that opportunity to meet Meb and Sarah so up close and personal. Thanks again for that! Run to win right? 🙂
I want to thank you for being such an integral part of my wonderful weekend in Chicago! I can’t express enough how knowing you and Wendy would be at mile 13 gave me the motivation and determination to put that fall behind me and keep going. I was fighting back the tears so hard and put that grin on my face just for you two! Fake it ’til you make it…
What a great experience. I love spectating Paris, I do it every year. I have never met anyone famous though ! And you get to meet other bloggers, so much fun ! I am planning on meeting several in NY, but there is too little time.
Love this post Marcia! I spectate and/or volunteer at Boston and it is always an amazing experience!
What a weekend and great recap! I am SO jealous! I would have LOVED to have spent the day with you and Wendy at mile 13! XOXO
What a fun weekend! I’m looking forward to spectating or volunteering at our local marathon this upcoming March.
Love this post! Meb’s advice was great! Gotta dig deep and do the best we can! Thanks again so much for letting me tag along at that event!! It was an amazing experience!