An ode to the Chicago Marathon Bloggers…

Because I love all of my RBFers out there...this is for you. Feel free to post it on your blog (or link back to mine) if you like.

Thank you so much for all of your endless support through the ups and downs of this training season. You all rock and I am so thankful to call you my running buddies.

xoxo,
Barb

PS...If I forgot anyone, one million apologies...


The Week of the Marathon

Twas the week of Chicago, and all through blogland
The RBFers were restless, waiting for a race so grand,
They laid their singlets out as they started to prepare,
With positive race vibes, filling the air.

From all corners of the world, we’ll come and we’ll run,
For mile upon mile of pain--emotion and fun,
And when another stranger asks you how long is the race,
Withhold yourself from decking their face.
(Writers Note: OH COME ON, you know how annoying it is to be asked how long the marathon is…don’t deny it!!)

We’ve all logged the miles and man hours to progress,
And this Sunday we hope for 26.2 miles of success,
It’ll be mind over body as we push ourselves on,
And lets hope for NO SNOW, on that crisp October dawn!!!

The gun will go off, and we’ll be out in a flash
Running the first steps, of our 26.2 mile dash.
But in the beginning, please take it slow,
‘Cause when you’re an RBFer, there’s no bonking, ya know.

May your shoes create the happiest of feet,
As we run in the footsteps of all the elite,
And soak in the cheers as the spectators, they say,
“KEEP GOING!! YOU CAN DO IT!! YOU’RE ALL KENYANS TODAY!!”

Out on the course, you’re never alone,
For hours-minutes-seconds, RBFers call it their home,
In over a million, the spectators, they came
And Pinkowski, RD, will cheer us each on by name:

"Run, Travis! Now, Arcaner! Go Jods and Nic!
On, Yumke! On Frankie! Now give it a kick!
Now concentrate, Joggler, And JellyPepper, be swift!
And when the going gets tough, let the crowd give you a lift.

Be as fast as a Rabbit, or even a little Cuckoo!
And Ryan, go out and snatch that BQ!
Run Zeke, and Dice, and don't give up, Ugly Toes,
Watch out for chaffing in places nobody knows.

Our very own, Nicole, she’s with Saucony’s 26,
She’ll run straight through the wall, ripping through its bricks.
Now we can’t forget all our first-timers out there,
So Whitney and Mike (OOSG), run without a care.

Now Leah, don’t let nerves drive you berserk,
Just trust in Pfitz...I promise—He works!
You and Jason will fly through the miles
And maybe end up on the ‘06 DVD once in a while. ;)

Go Bob and Lisa, and Mike with his thought,
And run little Jayhawk, there’s a PR to be caught,
Don’t stop, Frank, and keep going, Garou,
When you start losing steam, simply grab for a Gu.

Watch Kristi and Josh, run all through the city,
May you be faster than Oprah, Will Ferrell, P. Diddy,
And E-Speed and Mike, we’re wishing you lots of extra luck,
So that both your IT Bands hold up and don’t suck!

Keep going Dave, as you run by design,
You’ll make it to the finish, all in due time,
And a round of applause for our charity runners in tow,
Taryn, Molly and Margie, you’re helping more than you know.”

A shout out to Mouse who is coming to cheer,
Look for her on the sidelines, perhaps drinking a beer (?)
She will be one of many, giving you a push,
And if you need it, she may give you a kick in the tush.

At home on PC's, others are tracking your pace,
hundreds of miles away, cheering you through the race,
And though you can't hear them, they all will agree,
When you're in RBF, you're in great company.

Through Boys Town, China Town, and River North, too,
Through Pilsen and Gold Coast, we’re all cheering for you,
Sit back and enjoy your great Chicago tour,
Except in the end, you’ll likely be sore.

We’re all out on the course and we’re in this together,
May all RBFers be light as a feather,
We know we can do it, and I’ll see you all at the end,
Be fast, be strong, my RBFers—My friends.

As we countdown the days I wish you rest and peace,
Let go of the nerves, and may your anxiety cease,
You’ve done all the training you’ve needed to do,
And you can—you will—make it through the 26.2.

So load up on pasta and drink Gatorade,
Preparing yourself for the 26+ mile parade,
Push yourself hard and leave it all on the course,
So you don’t look back later and feel remorse.

And remember that morning as you toe the start line,
To run your ass off and have a great time,
Think of your fellow RBFers and send them a wish,
Of an injury-free run with an exciting, strong finish.

So spring to your feet, and get ready—it’s time,
We can all do this marathon; it’s our turn to shine,
Get yourself psyched and plow through like a truck,
Happy Marathon To All, and to all…BEST OF LUCK!!