Have fun

Well the countdown is on!  The Chicago marathon is just a few days away now, and I'm enjoying the relaxing!  I wanted to share a few thoughts today before I write a little more marathon-intensive stuff later in the week. 

First, how 'bout those Bears!  I was working last night, while ABC-7 carried the game.  So I was at a bar in Merrionette Park reporting on the crowd going crazy!  I pretty much lost my voice trying to report over the crowd noise after the game.  A loud, smokey bar may not have been the best place to be the week of the marathon, but it was fun!  And I was drinking diet Coke (unlike just about everyone else there).  Anyway, I thought if anyone is tempted to start to give up during the later miles of the marathon, the Bears miraculous comeback when all seemed lost last night can serve as inspiration.  When it seems like the last few miles are going to be impossible, take a cue from the Bears.  They never gave up during last night's game, and they somehow came back to win. 

There might be lots of better sources of inspiration for marathoners out there, but the Bears certainly proved the importance of never giving up.  As for my own inspiration, I think of how the race is a celebration, and it's a lot of fun even in the most difficult moments of the race.  We are all blessed to be able to run, and to have friends and family who support our desire to run the marathon. 

This last weekend was a reminder of that for me.  I took my two daughters to the 'Pumpkins in the Park' 5k run in Lincoln Park.  We did the race together in the double jogging stroller.  I don't enjoy running with the stroller, but it was a lot of fun for them.  They dressed up in their costumes, and got to see all the other runners (including a lot of kids) dressed up as well.  This run wasn't exactly part of the marathon training schedule.  I did a ten miler that morning.  But it was fun, and a reminder of why we run.  It's also a great way to get kids to enjoy sports.  There was plenty of food and a costume contest at the end!

Anway, the marathon kickoff news conference is Thursday.  They always have some of the top athletes there.  The Nike folks are also planning a rally for the Northside vs. Southside that same day.  They plan to have some top marathoners, as well as some Cubs, Sox, and Bears.  That should be fun.  I plan to be at both, and share some my thoughts later on.

Til then, enjoy the easy running.