Chicago Marathon, Illinois
Number of Runners: 42,000
Elevation: 620’
Time: 3:28:19
Weather: 44 degrees, cloudy and windy
The Chicago Marathon was everything it’s built up to be, and more. Even in the cold and windy conditions, enthusiastic fans lined both sides of the streets cheering and yelling, in just about every known language. Their zeal was contagious; it was impossible not to get caught up in the excitement as you ran.
Along the course, I must have chatted with a couple dozen runners who had joined me at various other marathons during the past 36 days. One brought me a container filled with chocolate covered espresso beans and handed it to me at mile five as we ran together. Another ordered a Chicago-style deep dish pizza and had it delivered to us along the course. And a third, a fellow Greek, arranged for a fresh tray of baklava to be waiting at the halfway point. The running itself was great, but the antics along the course were even better.
The body felt good today, despite the cold and blustery weather. My head cold seems to have reached its peak, and I’m now starting to feel better. The legs are still holding strong, perhaps getting even stronger with each progressive day. Today I was able to run a sub-3:30 marathon with an average heart rate of 122. I’m guardedly optimistic about the future, and will continue taking it one step at a time, enjoying the fine food and the fine people along the way.
All the best from the Windy City,
Dean & his many Greek relatives
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