major marathon fail

 

Woke super early as required and brimming with anticipation, the build up yesterday had been a slow but pleasant burn.  The hotel had put a few snacks out to consume at 5am, banana, cereal bar etc And water, of course the water!

Our trip on the Red line was a replica of yesterday with quite a few more people.  Possibly the liveliest Chicago will ever be at 6am and that usual pre race mild mix of tension and excitement. A toilet stop in the Congress Hotel (remember that from yesterday) managed to string out most of the pre departure time due to the queue, and then it was off to the pens and Corral H for me with an approximate rendez vouz point with Chrissi for a sizeable window of many hours later.

Pen / Coral was an extended affair especially as not in the mood for mixing and wanting to get on with it - but in a holding pattern so just had to get on with it.  At this point I was very much enjoying things, music, vibe, comedy MC, size, scope and magnitude of the occasion.

Walking down to the start line was fun, and I did have my phone for the whole experience but from there on in the photos stopped as I tried to look up and focus on the world about us.  Was dying for a toilet stop by the time we started so a 3 minute excursion at mile 3 already set the tone for pace, which I felt was running well within myself in the hope of  enjoying every moment.

Should have taken some photos for the first 13 miles as that was relatively fun - crowds so loud - perhaps too loud, didn't really know where I was but we criss crossed a number of the streets and bridges and underpasses around the centre of the city . Will share my strava record as best way to see what I did or didn't do.

I saw Chrissi a few times up until mile 17 and was all smiles and shouts of cheer and pride and she was doing a great job of navigating the city without too much in the way of technology.  I didn't notice the wheels coming off, but did reckon I needed to slow down to get a time perhaps 30 mins below my best but still acceptable for a tourist run

Then at 19 at a water station / another toilet stop I began to feel a little peculiar but felt I could manage with a slower tempo and the odd walk.  After the first walk and starting to run again I felt so dizzy, nauseous, faint and tight around the chest I was more than a little concerned. Never not been able to do short bursts before, but this time it felt dangerous to do so. So I had to suck it up and walk for the best part of 3-4 miles then run / walk the last 2 and similar abject ending to my last Major, the London marathon. Maybe I should just run in places called Newport

Wobbled and careered over the finish line and felt truly awful as well as very sorry for myself. I couldn't face the free beer, or even the milkshake!  Wearily and light headedly I  went to find Chriss, must have been holding it together quite badly, as the moment I saw her, I unleashed a wave of misery and promptly had to rush to throw up. God knows what they thought in the rest rooms, it went everywhere, urinals, sinks the lot.

After that it was a sit down with coke and salt, to gather strength to get back to our hotel.   Lots of sweet drinks and a lie down and I was if not as good as new, but pretty much recovered - could have probably done a handful of miles at that point...but the moment had gone!  Really disappointed, whilst having not broken my back with training I had done more than enough to go for a reduced pace, and done 19 miles a couple of weeks back chatting all the way round at a similar pace to yesterday and am OK (if not at my absolute best) at all distanced half marathon and below.  Feels a little bit of a waste bothering to train, but lucky I enjoy all the running for other reasons, but so need some proper advice from experts on the strength, nutrition, and approach to not bink quite so badly.

Was able to make the most of a lovely evening though.  We hadn't even seen the lake since we had been here, and so I noted that we could add an extra minute en route to catching up with friends at the Cheesecake Factory and take in the view.  We stood on a patch of water and sand known as the Gold Coast, Lake Michegan very much like an ocean before us.  We need to do a proper Great Lakes explore at some point.

Looking right we could see into town a bit and in particular the Ferris wheel associated with Navy Pier. We continued our walk inland then, taking in Bloomingdales, some busy streets and numerous tall buildings a.k.a skyscrapers!

Met some fellow runners and supporters in the Cheesecake Factory and so happy for those who have smashed their goals today and able to happily celebrate that, whilst being quite open but not miserable about my own failure.  Clare, Dave, Dee, Jaron, all absolute stars. (and Neil/Kevin/Neil/Chrissi.Sharon)

The banter was high, the couple of pints of the local goose beer (which I'd been offered by unable to drink at the finish line) still tasted good alongside a burger and chips. So pleased to see the glow on those who had smashed their goals and took and hope and inspiration in that.  The cheesecakes felt well earned for all of us, and the laughs, witticisms and dark humour all good for the soul.

Chrissi and I took a walk back to the hotel then having said farewell to the Newport crew, and nodded at one or two of the locals taking their evening constitutionals.. I learnt a lot about walking today.