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October 8, 2007
23rd in Chicago: 3:00:38. It was Brutal.
I am too tired to write up another recap, so I am posting the email that I just sent to my family and friends:
Several people have sent me emails since the news reports started swirling after yesterday's Chicago Marathon so I thought I would write-up a recap of the race and send it out. It goes without saying that the race was the most brutal, and the most mentally and physically gut-wrenching race that I have ever run. I'm not even sure how to explain it or describe what it was like . . . other than to say that when all was said and done, it was both eerie and scary. Time goals aside, I think most of us were just happy to finish or to call it a day.
That said, the day started normal enough - K., A. and I spent some time in the top 100 tent gearing up for the race; the other runners inside the tent were fairly intense and intimidating, but having K. and A. to warm up with made the morning surprisingly relaxing and calm. And while I think we were all concerned about the weather reports, we remained focused on the task ahead. I cannot even begin to express how amazing it was to be amongst friends before the gun snapped. I owe everyone a hug and a giant "thank you!"
The race started off well. I decided to stick with my Plan B, at least through the half, and then reassess. My goal was to run between 2:50 - 2:52. I hit the half in exactly 1:25:36 and I was almost frightened at how easily the time came. 6:30s were rolling like butter at that point and I felt great. When I saw my twin sister at mile 11, I remember yelling to her, "Anne! I'm on 2:51 pace!!!" However, shortly after the half - and with the blink of an eye - I felt awful. I was never pushing the pace cardio wise, but as soon as we hit the sun running west down Adams street, I knew I was in trouble. It was at this point that I made a decision to simply hang in there and forget about running 2:52 or faster - that would have to wait until the next race.
At mile 16, my friend J. unexpectedly jumped in. For those who don't know J., she ran 2:43 last year and qualified for the 2008 US Olympic Marathon Trials. To have her running step by step beside me changed both my attitude and my race. At mile 17, I told her that I didn't think I could make it. I was losing circulation in both my hands and my feet at that point, but J. kept me focused. She told me to dump water over my head at the next aid station and that I would feel better - she also made sure that I ran in the shade at every opportunity. She refused to let me think negative thoughts. Miles 16-20 were the final of my sub 7:00s, but I was so grateful to make it to 20 feeling at least okay. J. jumped off shortly thereafter (keeping me on 2:53 - 2:55 pace); if she had not been beside me, I am pretty sure that my race would have been much uglier than it was.
The second big boost was seeing my husband, B. (who showed up in at least 5 different places on the course), near mile 20 in Pilsen with a microphone in his hand yelling "Go Bridget." The crowds picked up on it and J. got everyone excited as we ran along . . . moments like that made this race incredibly memorable and special. To add to that, Ron D. - another Universal Sole teammate - handed me an ice cold bottle of water as I headed into miles 20-21. That was a saving grace.
I won't go into much detail over the final 10K, other than to say that it was lonely and scary, but also a time to reflect on the 10 months I spent getting here. I am not sure if everyone knows this, but I had pretty much quit running last year until the November day that my friend Kristen invited me to run with her group. I had to stop on our first run because I got a side stitch! I was just relieved to be invited back :) The running fire was lit again, and my news friends kept it hot. One of those friends, H., is really responsible for making me more mentally and physically tougher than I have ever been. He also gave me something invaluable: confidence. H. spent a lot of time and energy getting me ready for this race and I do not even know how to thank him.
To make a long story short, I ended up finishing in 3:00:38 (6:53 pace), 23rd overall, 2nd in Illinois, and 14th American. I think the fact alone that a 3:00 marathon warranted that kind of high finish points to the brutality of the conditions out there. I'm pretty sure that 3:00 is usually closer to 100th place! But, I am grateful to have finished . . . and, in retrospect, to have finished just 10 minutes off of my goal time. Of course, it would have been nice to chop off those final 39 seconds, but I am not complaining ;)
When I finished, John and H. immediately got me help - my hands and legs were ice cold from an almost total loss of circulation. I had a horrible headache and a mad case of the chills. People were worried, but after about 25 minutes, I started to get some feeling back. The guy helping me asked me how long I had been feeling like that . . . when I told the final 9 miles of the race, I think he was surprised. Some people might think I was stupid to keep going. I think this day made me tougher.
I owe more thanks than I can give to J., my family - who were EVERYWHERE yesterday!, B., my training partners!!, John - who took care of me at the finish (I was a mess) and H.
Posted by bridget at October 8, 2007 12:10 PM
Comments
Wow, Bridget! What an intense race report! I can't believe you ran the last 9 miles without feeling in your hands and legs! You are so tough!!! You should feel really good about triumphing under such awful conditions--you are an inspiration. Now get some much deserved rest!
Posted by: AJ at October 8, 2007 7:47 PM
Hello, a (new) fellow running-blogger here, just wanted to congratulate you on a very successful Chicago run! My aunt and uncle ran it as well and called to tell me about the race and the conditions and I must say that your finish was absolutely impressive! You must be in incredible shape; I've heard from others about being 30-40 minutes off their goal times. Although I don't know you at all, from your race description it sounds like the difference and reason from your success is definitely mental, and I am very impressed.
Posted by: Alisha at October 8, 2007 8:54 PM
Yeah Bridget!!! What an amazing run. Congratulations on your place (I saw it in the tribune yesterday and was just so excited for you)... and a VERY impressive time considering the circumstances.
Since I experienced the conditions first hand I can emphasize what mental toughness you must have had to finish. Congratulations again!!
Posted by: barb at October 9, 2007 9:28 AM
I agree 100% with what Alisha said above. You were so very mentally tough out there to perservere(sp?) in some challenging environmental conditions. But, you did what you could with the conditions you were dealt, and your finishing place sure shows that.
If you decide to recover back and do another one in short order and in some great weather, I think you're easily going to find yourself finishing sub-2:50. This race will have made you both mentally and physically so much tougher than you were just a few days ago.
Happy recovering,
Meghan
Posted by: Meghan at October 9, 2007 7:58 PM
Wow - so impressive Bridget!! Anyone out there at all was impressive from what I read about the conditions let alone only finishing 10 minutes off your goal!! Huge congrats - happy recovering!
Posted by: Beth at October 10, 2007 7:00 AM
Wow! You are so incredibly tough! Someone sent me a link to a NY Times article about the race (I was overseas) and I thought about you. I'm so impressed that you did so well in those conditions. Your next marathon is going to feel SO much easier. Happy recovering!
Posted by: alweiss at October 10, 2007 11:59 AM
I really admire you for finishing even though you knew you would fall short of your goal. It was a well-deserved goal, too, and I'm sure you will meet it soon. I hope your recovery goes well.
Posted by: Roslyn at October 10, 2007 5:52 PM
i want to echo roslyn - you're tough as nails for sticking with it through the hell that was sunday - but you're *tougher* than nails for sticking with it through the hell that was chicago knowing that you weren't going to make your goal time. now THAT is tough. and for that, i'm in awe.
rest up woman, you deserve it!
Posted by: carrie g. at October 10, 2007 8:53 PM
Bridget, a great performance. A lot to learn from. Many thank-yous for sharing your experience. It sounds like you have matured top racing potential and a blazing result is not at all far ahead in the future.
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at October 11, 2007 6:34 AM
Well done. Sunday was brutal - I took a DNF because I started to overheat, and just could not cool back down. The whole thing was a mess - I am trying to look at it as a giant learning experience, instead of kicking myself over the whole DNF experience.
Again, well done, especially in those conditions.
Posted by: Nugai at October 11, 2007 12:59 PM
... and the article posted on Alison's blog is just great :-)
Posted by: corrado giambalvo at October 11, 2007 1:26 PM
Hey Bridget!! I got the update from my B while in Haiti. I heard about the conditions and was really worried, but reading your blog; I know you are stronger and ready. Sorry I missed Saturday. We HAVE to get together soon.
Rest up.
Posted by: TJ at October 15, 2007 4:41 PM