Wow

I really don't know where to begin when writing about this marathon.  Or this entire week for that matter.  I will share a couple thoughts, but really, this might be the time to solicit your thoughts in the comments section.  Because I am not sure what to think.

Let me  first tell you about my week.  If you watched the news, you may have seen I was in Phoenix covering the Cubs.  It was not the most ideal preparation for marathon week.  I worked a lot, and slept a little, all the while operating in a time zone that was two hours earlier than Chicago.  To make matters worse, I got sick early in the week.  And that wasn't even from watching the Cubs lose the first two games.

When I got back to Chicago, I also worked game three on Saturday night.  That was definitely not the best pre-marathon day.  I worked late (11pm), and was on my feet much longer that I would have preferred.  At least I wasn't covering a celebration, as much as a funeral for the Cubs season.  That would have been more taxing.  I am a big Cubs fan though, so watching them get swept was a big dissapointment on another level unrelated to running.

In any case, I  put all that aside and felt pretty good the morning of the marathon.  My training partner, Tom, and I took a picture before the start, when we were still feeling optimistic.  Unfortunately, then the race started, and it took all of about three miles for the optimism to fade. 

My singlet was drenched in sweat by three miles.  By five miles, we passed a sign that said it was 81 degrees and it wasn't even 9am.  And by eight miles, I was dragging.  I told Tom that it was about how I felt at 23 miles a year ago.  He was getting goose bumps at that point, and was feeling like continuing was maybe not such a good idea.  A couple miles later I was feeling light-headed.  We agreed to drop out after running about 12 miles to the point where our other training partner Rick was watching along the course.

I've never dropped out of a marathon before.  I've never even considered it.  You have so much preparation that goes into it, and you sacrifice so much of your other possible running goals, and personal life to do it, that quitting just isn't an option.

Chicago 2007, however, was my time to quit.  There comes a time when you have to make a choice.  I could have finished, mostly shuffling and walking, and stopping to drink often.  But it would have been akin to a death march.  I rationalized that I have nothing to prove when it comes to finishing the marathon.  Been there, done that (at least a dozen times).  And despite the fact that my fitness and preparation are pretty good right now, I was not going to be able to run fast on this day.  There are a couple of other options for races in the midwest (Detroit and Indianapolis) in the next couple weeks, and by quitting, I will  still be fresh enough to jump in one of them.  I don't know if I will, but at least I have the option.

Many others who travelled a long way for this race, unfortunately, don't have that option.  My friend Justin from Florida was here with a number of others from his Jacksonville running club there.  He was in shape to run a P.R. in the neighborhood of 3:00.  He had to sharply readjust his goal about halfway through the race.  That's the same story with most of those who ran, including the elites. 

It was a great finish in both the men's and women's races, but it's doubtful any of them were excited about their times.  The heat and humidity affects the elites the same way it affects the rest of us.  The only consolation is that they aren't on the course for as long.

Anyone who finished on this day was a hero.  My friend Greg somehow managed to run 3:19.  I told him I thought that was equivalent to a sub 3:00 on a day like this.  Great run Greg!  Unfortunately, stories like his were the rare exception.

I know the medical staff was overwhelmed on this day.  I know they closed the course and encouraged runners to quit at somewhere around the 4:30 time frame.  And I hear there may have been several deaths.  At this point, I have not talked to any of the marathon officials to get the real story.  It sounds like they have had a trying day, to say the least.  I really feel for them.  Carey Pinkowski and his staff do an amazing job of putting this race together for everyone from the elites to the 6 hour runners.  They have made this the world class marathon it has become.  Unfortunately, they will probably face some criticism for the circumstances today.  And that's a shame.  The one thing no marathon director controls is the weather.

So, congratulations to all who finished, and all who ran.  Please share your stories in the comments section of this blog.  This was the kind of experience that needs to be shared so that we call all better understand.

Til then, see you on the roads...

Comments

[MIke in Woodridge]

John,

You did the smart thing. I was at mile 22 when we were told the race had been cancelled. Much like you I knew it was over by mile 3. I readjusted my goal from time to survival and just started talking to anyone within arms reach.

This is definitely a character builder.

If I can, I would like to thank all of the citizens of Chicago who came out with their garden hoses to cool us down or ran to the store to buy bags of ice to distribute to the runners. This is why Chicago is a great town.

[Gina Schwieger]

John:

The staff here at Respiratory Health Association wish to thank you for your effort and time you devoted to training and doing your best in the marathon to support the mission of RHAMC. We looked for you around mile 14 and 16 in the west loop but had a gut feeling something may have happened. We are glad you made the decision to stop running. Your well being and health are most important. Under the circumstances, you did the right thing. The combination of heat and cubbie heartache was too much to take for many. As an event organizer myself, I feel Cary and his team made the right decision to stop the marathon. Safety for the masses should always be the main priority followed by a well organized event. My heart breaks for the event organizers, the runners who suffered and mostly for the family of the Michigan cop who perished, and yes all of us Cub fans. Thank goodness the Bears won against the Pack last night, not sure Chicagoans could take much more!

On a positive note, we are thankful and appreciative for all you have done. Your contributions will help many.

Thanks,
gms

[Joanna]

It was a heartbreaker for so many and I don't think there is a right or wrong answer for any of it. I never reply to blogs nor do I really ever read them, but I connected with your comments. And I've got another marathon option for you - Grand Rapids, MI - it's a 3 hour drive from Chicago, beautiful little city and one of the best smaller marathons you could ever ask for, the Race Director is truly one of the best and it's reflected in the race. It's Oct. 28 and worth considering (and there is a new JW Marriott that's fabulous too).

[Sharon]

I was one of those runners who experienced the Hottest Chicago Marathon ever!
I want to thank all the citizens in Chicago who brought out their water hoses and bought bags of ice to help cool off the runners. :-)

[Kayla Halsall]

John

I know how you felt I want to quit at mile 11 but without the support and help of my family and boyfriend I would of not be able to keep going
They keep give water and putting it on my head. It was a walk/jog into the finish and Yes, I got to finish and cross the finish line. I found out at mile 24 1/2 mile about it being done. But since I was so close I finish. I am fine just sore and recoving at home with friends and family. I don't blame anyone for what happen yesterday and think that Chicago marathon is the best marathon because people come out to watch it when they don't have anyone out there running it and some even go out and buy food and stuff for us even if they don't have someone running it.

[Arlene]

Don't Even Go There

I feel the smartest people in the Marathon were the ones that didn't start. Lets face it, the current whiners are adults, and must be responsible for their own actions.
Everyone was aware of the weather conditions before the race started. Running a marathon of any length is not a piece of cake under any circumstances. If you felt you couldn't continue, common sense would dictate that you stop running.
The fact that water was scarce is because its for drinking not bathing.
I refer to and quote Clint Eastwood:
"a man has to know his limitations"
Congratulations to the winners and those skilled and resourseful enough to finish. Condolences to the family of the gentleman who passed.
It is not fair to the great city in which we live to point the finger of blame

[John S.]

John.
Our charity group trained all summer
in the heat. and we recently did 23 miles on a similar day. hot, sunny mid eighties. but not as humid. we adjusted our pace to accomodate the temps. I admit to being pretty wiped out by the time we hit mile 12 and were told the race was shut down. so even 6 months of training didn't help as much as it should have. we do have to carry water bottles for proper hydration. So were were better prepared for the heat in that respect. It was our decision to do the race. as for the water stops. we did 18 or 19 min miles to compemsate for the heat. and by the time we hit lincoln park zoo they were pretty much shut down. we did water and gatorade until then. after that we
were lucky that people were out with water and gatorade. my gripe is the marathon people pulling up the water stops and mile signs even as were going towards them. an early start for slower runners
would be a real plus. they could find ways to get the elites past the slower runners who would benefit from the crowds. this was my second shot at chicago and I still haven't gotten past mile 12.
lastly I too recommend Grand Rapids. a nice fast course. a Boston qualifier if Im right. run by a master marathoner Don Kern. They have an early start for the slower runners and an open time for them as well. Ill be doing the half there this year on Oct 28th.
I too thank all who helped out with water and gatorade.

[kevin hacker]

John,

I also was trying to finish in 3:20 and had fully trained to finish in this time. I had been able to do 3 20-mile training runs at marathon pace. But after a few miles on Sunday, I started to feel drained. At mile 7, I started to get side stitches and stomach cramps. At that point, I started to think about quitting because I knew I couldn't keep up the pace. I was still on track pace-wise at the half-way point, but shortly after I started to slow down. I made a decision to drop out when I saw my parter and friends at mile 16. When I saw them, I was walking and very upset. I told my partner that I couldn't finish. He gave me a pep talk and said I had worked too hard to quit now (he didn't realize how the weather was affecting people). So he ran with me for a few blocks. I decided to keep on going, but at a slower pace. With a much slower pace and lots of walking through water stops, I was able to finish in 3:52. I'm not happy with my time, but I've never worked so hard to finish a marathon. After my disappointing time in Boston in April due to achilles tendonitis, I didn't think I could have a harder experience. But Sunday proved me wrong.