Awesomeness surrounds itself with awesomeness: Thoughts from the Chicago Marathon (or at least 18ish miles of it)
Yesterday was the Chicago marathon. Yesterday I had 18 miles to run. And it just so happened that I woke up and found a marathon bib sitting on my dining room table. Okay...less of a miracle, more of Mike electing not to run this year. You're smart...put two and two together.
But let's back it up for a moment first...
A few weeks ago, I stumbled onto a post from the Pace of Chicago mentioning that the reporter, David Wallach, was looking for a "slow marathon runner" to run with during the Chicago Marathon. My first thought was Finally! Someone giving us BOPers some love! My second thought was Shoot!! Of course this opportunity comes up the year I'm not running. But then I realized that Lauren would be beyond the perfect candidate for the job. She's spunky, genuine and all around an incredible girl. Within minutes of sending her a message, she was excited and on top of it (and I say that with intent of zero double entrendres, so get your mind outta the gutter kids!).
It came as no surprise when she told me she was picked.
That's just how awesome she is. She radiates awesomeness. And in turns, draws equally awesome people to her (okay...I'll go ahead and include myself in that group because word on the street is that I'm pretty awesome, too). David, the reporter dude? ...awesome. Her dad, Larry? The king of awesomeness who reproduced awesomeness. Jon? Naturally awesome marries awesome. You catch my drift.
Case in point. Awesome people help create an awesome experience for all. So back to the story.
I had 18 miles to run for IM training. Lauren had 26.2 miles of unfinish business to take care of from the 2007 Chicago "Fun Run" (aka, the marathon meltdown). And we both agreed that I would jump in right around mile 7.5 to give her some fresh legs when she needed it most. She wanted a PR and I promised I could push her to one with the warning that she may hate me by the time she was finished.
And so I waited by the infamous fountain at the corner of LSD and Addison for my girl. Fortunately for everyone, this year's conditions were downright blizzard-like compared to the past two years. It didn't take long for me to spot her...so I hopped on in and away we went. Lauren and her entourage of David and Barb.
Those 18 miles were wonderful. There here highs. There were lows. We laughed. We cried. It was better than Cats.
Lauren nabbed herself a new PR. David got himself a wonderful story and the revelation that 10 days is not nearly enough time to train for a marathon. And I got a fantastically fun solid training run of 18.5ish miles in.
I'm not going to to sit here and tell you her story...because this is one that is best told from Lauren's perspective. And of course, you've got the incredible recount of the 26.2 mile journey from David at Pace of Chicago. Both are worth taking the time to read.
Go ahead and read them right now. I'll wait for you here...
Done? Okay. Good.
So as you can tell, there isn't anything I could add to either of their race reports to make them any better. Except maybe amending David's to clarify that I'm not that crazy.
Since the pair of them shared their account from the day so beautifully, I'm just going to add one quick thought...
I've always sort of known it, but didn't really grasp it until yesterday...(probably because I wasn't actually participating in the marathon)...in an endurance event, the back of the pack is where the grit and determination rests. We have a ton of fun and don't over-obsess about our times. Sure, there's a fair amount of stupidity mixed in as clearly there are folks there who didn't train as much as they probably should have...but the back of the pack has an insane amount of heart. We're still out there plugging along long after the winners and BQers have packed up, gone home, showered, napped and had their post-race recovery meal and massage. It's the Bingham mentality of "I'm slow. I know. Get over it." Frankly, it's this mentality that makes me love the back of the pack.
But you have no idea how excited this notion makes me for Ironman Arizona. I am well-aware there is a strong possibility I will be that 16:59:59 finisher. I am equally aware that there's always a chance I may not finish and that it's not guaranteed. But one thing I am certain of...I cannot wait to draw upon the awesomeness of those in the back of the pack on Nov. 22nd. We're all going to be in a world of hurt together...so here's to hoping we can make it as fun and as memorable as possible in the crisp, dark desert night.
To Lauren and everyone out there at yesterday's marathon--Congratulations!
But let's back it up for a moment first...
A few weeks ago, I stumbled onto a post from the Pace of Chicago mentioning that the reporter, David Wallach, was looking for a "slow marathon runner" to run with during the Chicago Marathon. My first thought was Finally! Someone giving us BOPers some love! My second thought was Shoot!! Of course this opportunity comes up the year I'm not running. But then I realized that Lauren would be beyond the perfect candidate for the job. She's spunky, genuine and all around an incredible girl. Within minutes of sending her a message, she was excited and on top of it (and I say that with intent of zero double entrendres, so get your mind outta the gutter kids!).
It came as no surprise when she told me she was picked.
That's just how awesome she is. She radiates awesomeness. And in turns, draws equally awesome people to her (okay...I'll go ahead and include myself in that group because word on the street is that I'm pretty awesome, too). David, the reporter dude? ...awesome. Her dad, Larry? The king of awesomeness who reproduced awesomeness. Jon? Naturally awesome marries awesome. You catch my drift.
Case in point. Awesome people help create an awesome experience for all. So back to the story.
I had 18 miles to run for IM training. Lauren had 26.2 miles of unfinish business to take care of from the 2007 Chicago "Fun Run" (aka, the marathon meltdown). And we both agreed that I would jump in right around mile 7.5 to give her some fresh legs when she needed it most. She wanted a PR and I promised I could push her to one with the warning that she may hate me by the time she was finished.
And so I waited by the infamous fountain at the corner of LSD and Addison for my girl. Fortunately for everyone, this year's conditions were downright blizzard-like compared to the past two years. It didn't take long for me to spot her...so I hopped on in and away we went. Lauren and her entourage of David and Barb.
Those 18 miles were wonderful. There here highs. There were lows. We laughed. We cried. It was better than Cats.
Lauren nabbed herself a new PR. David got himself a wonderful story and the revelation that 10 days is not nearly enough time to train for a marathon. And I got a fantastically fun solid training run of 18.5ish miles in.
I'm not going to to sit here and tell you her story...because this is one that is best told from Lauren's perspective. And of course, you've got the incredible recount of the 26.2 mile journey from David at Pace of Chicago. Both are worth taking the time to read.
Go ahead and read them right now. I'll wait for you here...
Done? Okay. Good.
So as you can tell, there isn't anything I could add to either of their race reports to make them any better. Except maybe amending David's to clarify that I'm not that crazy.
Since the pair of them shared their account from the day so beautifully, I'm just going to add one quick thought...
I've always sort of known it, but didn't really grasp it until yesterday...(probably because I wasn't actually participating in the marathon)...in an endurance event, the back of the pack is where the grit and determination rests. We have a ton of fun and don't over-obsess about our times. Sure, there's a fair amount of stupidity mixed in as clearly there are folks there who didn't train as much as they probably should have...but the back of the pack has an insane amount of heart. We're still out there plugging along long after the winners and BQers have packed up, gone home, showered, napped and had their post-race recovery meal and massage. It's the Bingham mentality of "I'm slow. I know. Get over it." Frankly, it's this mentality that makes me love the back of the pack.
But you have no idea how excited this notion makes me for Ironman Arizona. I am well-aware there is a strong possibility I will be that 16:59:59 finisher. I am equally aware that there's always a chance I may not finish and that it's not guaranteed. But one thing I am certain of...I cannot wait to draw upon the awesomeness of those in the back of the pack on Nov. 22nd. We're all going to be in a world of hurt together...so here's to hoping we can make it as fun and as memorable as possible in the crisp, dark desert night.
To Lauren and everyone out there at yesterday's marathon--Congratulations!
Labels: Chicago Marathon
posted by Iron Jayhawk at 10:05 AM
8 Camper Comments:
Well, he got the "Barb is a superstar" part down perfectly :)
Our turn is coming!
You're crazy enough to get a whole water station dancing for Barb - awesome!
Love the photo on Dave's blog, of you running backwards while encouraging Barb forward.
I've never heard "Forward is a pace" before, but I like it.
Ill admit, I didnt read their recaps yet ... but I'm on my way. I volunteered at mile 10.5 so we crossed paths at sometime yesterday ;)
First time reader, and instant follower. I was watching Kona's finish line the other night and literally thought to myself, "God these people have heart."
I am so suprised that I did not see you out there. I did the first 16 with Snips. It was cold for sure. What a great experience to run it but not run it.
That was wonderful. See you at the back of pack Nov 22. I'm going 15.5 hours and am going to need some company.
I was the wacky spectator that said 'Hi Running Jayhawk' at about the 6.5 mile mark. :) I found your blog a while ago and love the fact that we run a bunch of the same races...I ran Chicago in 2007 (the fun run, right?!) and 2008, but due to knee issues I wasn't able to run this year. Next year though...I'll be back. Last year, someone gave my dad a sign that said "it's not about the time, it's about the heart!". Words to live by! Thanks for writing this blog--you're motivating and I love following ya!
Congrats Lauren!!!
~Tanya (aka Slowsky)
Thanks for the advice for tomorrow Barb! Did you guys make it back for homecoming? Hope you are well!
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