AN ACCOUNT OF MY TRIP TO CHICAGO FOR
THE 25TH ANNUAL LASALLE BANK CHICAGO MARATHON

By: Chris Gower, UT Old Boy

Arrived in Chicago Saturday at around noon. Friend Gary picked us up and drove us to our hotel at the Westin on Michigan Ave. Had some lunch, went to the Expo to get our kits, then to a nice quaint restaurant for a little carbo loading. An adventure in itself trying to find a non-packed pasta place the night before 37,500 people are scheduled to run a marathon. Anyways.

Jennie was sick all last week with congestion and the funk and nearly crashed out Saturday after the expo trip. I hadn't slept well all week after long work days doing two different pitches for clients. BUT, Jennie snorted a few puffs of Afirin and we made the attempt.

About 35 degress at start time. Mild wind. 37,500 people. Suprisingly, we ran the first 13 miles really strong. Better than we've ever done really. But, 14 brought pain, chafing and a closed up chest for Jennie. So we did a lot of walking, struggling, grimmacing, running. Miles 20 thru 24 were so hard. Both legs below the shins/above the ankles were killing me. Like I had tribal tattoos of death around both ankles. But I got us running again at 24 and we all the way to the end with just a brief walk after the 1 mile to go sign. Poor Jennie was hurtin', but she sucked it up and pressed on with a quivering bottom lip and a few choice words. We picked up our speed and crossed the line holding hands high at 5:25:55. Finished with a huge hug and a cry. Pretty awesome thing to do with your life partner. You do a lot of bonding when you go through hell like that.

Top 10 interesting sights along the way.

1. Captain America running past me. Guy in a costume carrying a shield thewhole way. Wow!

2. One guy passes me carrying an American Flag (maybe a 3/4 inch thick pole and an 8 foot flag). Looked heavy. He was truckin!

3. Mile 7 through Boys Town (Gay area of town). 10 to 12 guys dressed in chearleader skirts and number 7 shirts chearing us on. Lots of glitter!

4. Right up from that, Drag Queens singing a spanish version of "Don't Cryfor Me, Argentina!"

5. One of those big dancing dragons and drums welcoming us as we entered ChinaTown.

6. A one-legged runner with a prosthetic leg passing me at mile 9. Never saw him again.

7. The lab puppy, the chihauhua, the numerous other dogs offering free petting and a brief distraction. Guess they didn't offer. We just stopped to pet them all.

8. The 3-tooth men giving us high 5's in the projects at mile 12 and the latin men yelling through the orange cones at 16. "Si Su Pueda!"

9. Three lovely pixies running around wearing pig noses and butterfly wings. Looked like they were having a really good time. Not sure how they finished.

10. A guy, looked to be in his 80's with a tshirt that said "50 state marathon club". He had an added iron-on that said "3x". Anyone wanna give me an excuse about not being able to do one???

After the race, got a massage from two lovely young girls in the massage tent, then Jennie and I hobbled to a bus to get us to the hotel. We met Gary at the Chop House where I engulfed a broiled Prime Rib the size the likes John Candy had never seen.

Home to the Hotel, packed and asleep by 9. Could barely walk (the ankle pain) in the morning. Got to the airport Monday morning and naturally we were at the last frickin' gate. Arrived in Nashville...AT THE LAST FRICKIN' GATE and had to walk all the way to the car with a couple heavy bags. Got a shower and headed into work, got home around 7:30. Makes for a lousy art director. But I made it.

We're getting better, I'm getting close to walking without a limp. I think we're going to stick to Half Marathons from now on. You don't have to alter your lifestyle to train for them and they don't destroy your body.

Speaking of...Save 2 day vacation for the Reggae Half Marathon, Negril, Jamaica December 2003. Go like on a Thursday, run the race, then have them bring you drinks for 3 days while you recover in the hot tub or on the beach. NIIIIICCCEE!!!!

Whose coming with me?